Latest news with #MahavirSingh
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Crime branch dismantles international job fraud and human trafficking syndicate
New Delhi: Crime Branch dismantled an international job fraud and human trafficking syndicate, arresting three individuals who operated a private company that sent people abroad under false pretenses. The investigation uncovered that over 500 Indian workers were defrauded, with the accused collecting more than Rs 4.6 crore through fraudulent recruitment by promising lucrative job opportunities in Kyrgyzstan. Police received a complaint from the managing director of a private firm who alerted authorities about another company involved in the racket. In mid-2023, one Mahavir Singh approached the complainant, claiming to have secured a major labour contract in Kyrgyzstan. To gain the complainant's trust, he was taken to Kyrgyzstan and shown fake operations that appeared to confirm successful worker placements. Relying on these assurances, the complainant transferred over Rs 4.6 crore to facilitate visas and work contracts for about 500 workers, each promised a monthly salary of Rs 60,000 and a one-year contract. Although 463 visas were processed, only 346 workers were deployed. Many faced exploitative conditions, including forced resignations, withheld salaries, and physical intimidation. More than 300 workers returned to India with the complainant's help. The accused refused to refund the money, police said. A raid was conducted at the company's Mangolpuri office, where Sahil Narwal, Atul Mathur, and Kamal Kumar were apprehended while attempting to vacate the premises.
Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
‘Fixing accountability, initiating projects to produce skilled workforce top priorities': Himachal Pradesh University V-C
After being appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University on Monday, Prof. Mahavir Singh shared with The Indian Express that his top priorities would be establishing accountability and enhancing the standard of research. He also emphasised the need to create centres to produce skilled students, particularly in the field of Green Energy. Meanwhile, a regular Vice Chancellor of HPU Shimla was appointed after a gap of three years. Q: What are your priorities as the V-C? HPU is a prestigious institute, but our university lacks projects relevant to modern times. For instance, when the entire country, especially Himachal Pradesh, is talking about Green Energy, I feel HPU should have a separate wing to deliver skilled scholars in this field. Second, I believe the standard of research at the university should be improved. When I joined HPU as a faculty member, the standard of research at that time was quite higher than what we see today. Third, student exchange programmes are very important for their growth and the growth of the university. Q: HPU had no regular V-C for three years. Do you think this has hurt the university's progress? Besides communication gaps, there were certain shortcomings in day-to-day proceedings in the absence of a regular Vice-Chancellor. Also, the person with the additional V-C charge couldn't come to the university every day. Shortcomings include indiscipline on the part of students as well as faculty members. I will take feedback from every individual to help increase and fix accountability. There is no doubt that HPU staff and faculty members are very hardworking, but what they need is direction. Q: How are you going to address the financial crunch issue? In 2025-26, HPU had prepared an estimated budget of Rs 300 crore but received Rs 152 crore, the same amount it had in 2024-25. I have been a member of the HPU Executive Committee (EC) for a long time, so I understand this problem. Merely increasing the students' fees is not the solution. We have to develop means to generate revenue, like introducing professional courses. I have decided to take up the matter with Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, because the past two to three financial years saw HPU receiving the same budget, approximately Rs 152 crore. The liabilities, particularly of pensioners, have been increasing every year. The university should be able to bear these liabilities. Q: Have you been expecting your selection as the V-C? I was among the top five shortlisted contenders. The search and screening committee interviewed me, too. I was hopeful that I would be selected for this responsibility.
