Latest news with #PCC
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
PCC supports calls to reclassify cannabis
A Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) says he "fully supports" calls to reclassify cannabis as a Class A drug. Police forces in the west and south west of England have been cracking down on people using recreational drugs, with Dorset PCC David Sidwick this week reiterating calls for cannabis to be upgraded. Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson says he has seen "first-hand" how cannabis cultivation and use are "deeply intertwined with a spectrum of criminal activities" in his county. The Home Office said it has "no intention of reclassifying cannabis from a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act". More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire "From anti-social behaviour and retail theft to more serious offences like modern slavery and human trafficking, cannabis often serves as a gateway drug and funding source for organised crime groups," said Mr Wilkinson. Recent operations targeting organised crime groups in Wiltshire resulted in more than 100kg (220lbs) of cannabis being seized. These took place as part of Operation Scorpion, a joint initiative by Avon & Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire forces, aimed at disrupting drugs networks around the west and south west of England. Mr Wilkinson added: "The idea that cannabis is a harmless drug is a misconception. Its cultivation and distribution are often controlled by organised crime networks that exploit vulnerable individuals and perpetuate violence. "County lines operations are the clearest example of how drug-related crime has extended its tentacles into our rural towns and villages. The notion that drug-related crime is only an urban issue is outdated and dangerously naïve." He said a national drug policy "that recognises cannabis as the deeply harmful drug it is, and supports prevention, education, and treatment alongside policing" would "send a clear message about the seriousness of its impact on our communities". Mr Wilkinson asked members of the public to continue reporting "any crimes and intelligence from their communities" so action can be taken. A Home Office spokesperson said: "We will continue to work with partners across health, policing and wider public services to drive down drug use, ensure more people receive timely treatment and support, and make our streets and communities safer. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Experts criticise calls to re-classify cannabis Police crackdown on drug use in night-time economy Mayor backs report's call for cannabis law reform Wiltshire Police
India Today
a day ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Three week in, no end to key Bengaluru road white-topping, traffic woes continue
White-topping of an arterial road in Bengaluru, Residency Road, is being carried out by the city's civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The white-topping, which began earlier this month as part of BBMP's long-term road improvement plan, was supposed to take about 20 days, according to the days later, the work is still underway, continuing to create trouble for commuters, business owners and the public in Road was earlier redeveloped in 2012 by Jana Urban Space under the Tender SURE (Specifications for Urban Road Execution) project, which introduced uniform travel lanes, wide footpaths, organised parking and a cycle track. Under Tender SURE, roads are designed not just for vehicles but to be safe, accessible and aesthetically pleasing for all users, with a long-term vision for urban infrastructure. The project also aims to resolve the issues of repeated digging for utility repairs (water, sewage, power, telecom, gas, storm water drains) by integrating all networked services in dedicated utility ducts beneath the footpaths, making them accessible for repairs without constantly tearing up the road surface. This leads to lower life-cycle costs in the long run. Residency Road witnesses bumper-to-bumper traffic during peak hours. advertisementCURRENT WHITE-TOPPING PROJECTHowever, the BBMP believes Residency Road needs more durability and is thus undertaking white-topping of portions of it. White-topping refers to the process of overlaying an old asphalt — black-topped — road with Portland Cement Concrete (PCC). This type of road surfacing is known for its durability, longer lifespan and better resistance to water damage, supposedly ideal for Bengaluru's unpredictable weather and growing traffic load. Residency Road is a key route connecting all parts of Bengaluru. To white-top Residency Road, the old asphalt has been dug up and needs to be resurfaced with concrete, along with upgrades for drainage and underground utilities. According to authorities, this would solve long-standing issues like potholes, waterlogging and uneven surfaces. White-topping in progress on a portion of Residency Road. BBMP officials said that the disruption is temporary and the work will deliver a long-term solution to a deteriorating road. The agency said the construction team was working in phases to minimise disruption and complete the stretch within 20 days. However, they admitted that unforeseen underground issues could cause further professor at St Joseph's Law College, who didn't want to be named, questioned the rationale and was strongly opposed to the decision to white-top Residency Road. "It will cause severe traffic congestion, especially with Kamaraj Road already closed. This disruption will negatively affect students and educators by delaying commutes, disrupting classes and worsening the learning gaps left by the pandemic. Spending Rs 44 crore on a road that is already in decent condition is unnecessary. BBMP should prioritise urgent needs and involve the public before making such impactful decisions. Learning and smooth mobility must come first," he IMPACT AND TIMELINE ISSUESResidency Road is a key commercial and transport corridor in Bengaluru's Central Business District (CBD). It is bordered by landmarks such as MG Road Metro Station and Cubbon Park, and connects major junctions that are key to connectivity to all parts of the city. The arterial road also plays a crucial role in the city's economy and traffic weeks in, the ongoing construction has led to traffic disruptions, safety concerns and complaints from local businesses and residents about the timing. 'Why now, when the rains have already started? Why not two months ago when the heat was there?" questioned Kevin Beck, a local to BBMP officials, the work is being done now to finish before schools reopen in June and to avoid further road damage during the upcoming monsoon season. "This is necessary work. It may cause inconvenience now, but it will benefit the public in the long run," said Santosh, Assistant Executive Engineer with BBMP.'You can't always know what lies beneath. If we hit a utility line or drain, we have to stop and fix it,' said Assistant Executive Engineer Santosh. 'But we are committed to finishing before the rains intensify.''To ease traffic disruption, we have implemented a vehicle diversion plan. Notices were published in newspapers, updates shared in local WhatsApp groups and announcements posted on Instagram. Regular commuters were informed from day one to use alternative routes. Clear signboards, banners and route instructions have been placed to guide the public,' said Traffic Sub-Inspector Harish Kumar when asked about traffic disruption.A student from St Joseph's College of Law, located on Residency Road, shared her ordeal since the white-topping began. 'We are struggling to report to college by 8:00 am because of the heavy traffic congestion caused by the road blockage near Mayo Hall. The increased traffic has also raised the noise from outside, creating constant disturbance and affecting our ability to focus in class. The ongoing construction has worsened air quality as well. To add to this, flooding has made commuting to and from college even more difficult and dangerous," she explained. Raw material piled up has created challenges for business owners. advertisementMID-PROJECT CHANGES AND COMPLICATIONSWaterlogging concerns raised by residents and the local MLA have prompted changes to the plan midway through the project. According to Santosh, other BBMP engineers had to pivot from white-topping to addressing the stormwater drain network first. Residents and shop owners argue that this decision to white-top a "perfectly functional road" has led to unnecessary Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board removing and replacing small water pipes with larger ones at the same time has led to further digging and local businesses, such as restaurants, cafs and retail outlets, the construction has translated into falling customer traffic, blocked entrances and logistical headaches. Traffic has been rerouted, inconveniencing commuters, especially during rain. Residents have also raised concerns about public safety, pointing to exposed cables, uneven surfaces and open pits. "They have put the safety sign there, right next to the electrical box," said Kevin, pointing out the error of the decision. Open wires raise concerns about public safety. The BBMP also clarified that it wasn't working on the Mayo Hall Y-junction, which connects the eastern and western parts of the city and witnesses high traffic at almost all times. This complexity has led to the decision to take up white-topping of that portion in a later phase. White-topping work is slow moving. BBMP official say there could be unforeseen circumstances that could delay it further. Interdepartmental coordination also appears to be lacking. With the BBMP, BWSSB and traffic police each playing different roles in the project, accountability has been difficult to trace.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan Crypto Council to discuss digital asset rules in upcoming meeting
The Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), a Pakistani regulatory body that oversees and promotes blockchain technology, will convene a high-level meeting on Monday, 2nd June 2025, to deliberate on the evolving regulatory and legal framework surrounding digital currency and the broader crypto landscape in the country. The PCC meeting will be chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, read a statement released by the Ministry of Finance on Friday. Meanwhile, Bilal Bin Saqib, the recently appointed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Blockchain and Crypto, will participate in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of PCC. Key items on the agenda include the development of a robust regulatory framework to govern digital and virtual assets in Pakistan, in alignment with global standards and technological advancements. A focal point of discussion will be the groundwork for the establishment of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA)—a proposed autonomous body to oversee the digital finance and crypto ecosystem in the country, read the statement. The PCC aims to lay the foundation for a secure, transparent, and innovation-friendly regulatory environment, to promote responsible adoption of blockchain technology, protecting investors, and enhance financial inclusion, it added. From crisis to crypto: Pakistan launches strategic Bitcoin reserve 'The upcoming meeting underscores the Government's commitment to shaping a future-ready financial infrastructure while ensuring stability and compliance in the emerging digital economy,' read the statement. The meeting will also be attended by members of the Council, including the Governor, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP); Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP); Secretary, Law & Justice Division; and Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication. On Thursday, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Ministry of Finance disclosed to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance that cryptocurrency is not legal in Pakistan and trading of cryptocurrencies is not permitted in the country. Both the SBP and the Finance Ministry stressed the need for a robust legal framework for the trading of cryptocurrency in the country. 'Presently, cryptocurrency is banned in Pakistan,' they added. According to the SBP officials, 'the SBP in 2018 issued instructions to the banks to prohibit trading of cryptocurrency in the country. Till now, it is not a legal tender. The SBP has given its recommendations to the Crypto Council.'
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
SBP, Finance ministry inform NA body: ‘Cryptocurrency is not legal in Pakistan'
ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Ministry of Finance on Thursday disclosed that the cryptocurrency is not legal in Pakistan and trading of cryptocurrencies is not permitted in the country. Both the SBP and the Finance Ministry stressed the need for a robust legal framework for trading of cryptocurrency in the country. 'Presently, cryptocurrency is banned in Pakistan,' they added. This was disclosed by officials of SBP and Finance Ministry during the meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance on Thursday. Pakistan establishes Digital Assets Authority to regulate crypto, blockchain According to the SBP officials, 'the SBP in 2018 issued instructions to the banks to prohibit trading of cryptocurrency in the country. Till now, it is not a legal tender. The SBP has given its recommendations to the Crypto Council.' The secretary Ministry of Finance informed the committee that 'very preliminary work has been done regarding cryptocurrency, but we need a proper legal framework in this regard.' MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig said there is a perception among the people that Pakistan has adopted the cryptocurrency and people have started making investment in the cryptocurrency. MNA Sharmila Faruqui questioned the recent policy shift prioritising digital currencies without addressing the associated regulatory deficiencies. The secretary Ministry of Finance informed the committee that Pakistan has not shifted its policy stance towards virtual assets. Rather, it is considering virtual assets with cautious and forward-looking approach for an informed decision on prospects of regulatory enablement. Towards this end, Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) has been constituted with representation from the SBP, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and the Ministry of Finance (MoF). Under the umbrella of PCC, stakeholders' discussions on the feasibility of regulatory framework for crypto currencies and virtual assets are under way. The PCC is also exploring the beneficial use-cases to support responsible innovation in this area. This initiative aligns with FATF Recommendation 15, which mandates regulation and supervision of Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). Given the growing interest in crypto-related activities, it is critical for Pakistan to build necessary legal and regulatory capacity to remain FATF-compliant before embarking on this journey. The SBP and SECP have advised their regulated entities to refrain from processing, using, trading, holding, transferring value, promoting and investing in virtual currencies/tokens. Further, the regulated entities were advised not to facilitate their customers/account holders to transact in virtual currencies/ICO tokens. Any transaction in this regard shall immediately be reported to Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) as a suspicious transaction. These directives were issued due to the risks including high price volatility, closure of virtual currency exchanges and possibility of wallets hacking as well as risk of capital flight and financial instability. Under the direction of the General Committee, a National Working Group, led by the FIA was constituted and they are currently working in this regard. Both the Crypto Council and the Working Group are actively engaged in developing policy recommendations for legal and regulatory framework for Virtual Assets (VAs) and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). This process includes a thorough evaluation of the associated money laundering, terrorist financing (MUTE), and broader systemic risks. Given that virtual assets remain a rapidly evolving and inherently volatile domain, any potential future policy shift will be approached with the utmost caution. A structured and risk-based approach aligned with the 'Pakistan First' principle will guide any decision-making, ensuring that national financial security and regulatory readiness remain a priority. A multi-stakeholder consultative approach is being employed to ensure comprehensive risk management and policy cohesion. Recently, the government has formed PCC with the objective to have stakeholders' consultation on the feasibility of promoting responsible Innovation In digital assets under an appropriate regulatory framework. GoP has also hired technical experts for the PCC. The objective is to initiate a stakeholders' dialogue with crypto industry leaders to enhance the mutual understanding about the nature of the crypto/virtual assets, their business models, underlying technologies, and associated risks. Presently, Pakistan's legal framework on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) conforms to the international standards, particularly the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations. Furthermore, Pakistan continues to engage with international partners i.e. FATF, APG and IMF to further strengthen its AML/CFT regime and ensure compliance and sustainability with global AMUCFT standards. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
IRS officer alleges brutal assault by senior colleague over departmental cricket match dispute; FIR lodged in Lucknow
LUCKNOW: A deputy commissioner-level Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer accused a senior colleague of physically assaulting him inside a govt office over a months-old dispute related to a departmental cricket match. The incident, which allegedly involved attempted strangulation and threats to life, led to the registration of an FIR at Hazratganj police station. The complainant, Gaurav Garg , a 2016 batch IRS officer posted at the Income Tax office in Narhai, Hazratganj, alleged that Yogendra Kumar Mishra, a Joint Commissioner currently posted in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, barged into a closed departmental meeting on May 29 and launched a violent, premeditated assault in the presence of senior officers. In his complaint, Garg said the dispute dates back to February 2025, when Mishra, then posted in Lucknow, allegedly insisted on being appointed captain of the departmental cricket team during a tournament at BBD Cricket Ground. After being denied due to selection norms approved by the Principal Chief Commissioner (PCC), Mishra allegedly threatened to disrupt the match by lying down on the pitch. Garg further alleged that Mishra continued harassing team members over WhatsApp, issuing threats like, 'I know about your sister's affair' and 'Be careful, NCB is watching,' even threatening to plant drugs to frame players. Over a dozen complaints were reportedly filed, following which Mishra was transferred to Uttarakhand. However, on May 29, Mishra allegedly stormed into the 6th-floor office where a farewell was being planned for the outgoing PCC. Present were Garg, Commissioner Richa Rastogi, and Additional Commissioner Shourya Shashwat Shukla. According to the FIR, Mishra hurled abuses, accused officials of conspiring against him, and demanded his transfer orders be revoked. He then allegedly picked up a glass tumbler, splashed water on Garg, and attempted to stab him with the broken glass. When Garg tried to leave with his laptop, Mishra allegedly grabbed him by the throat from behind, choking him. 'I was gasping for air and barely managed to free myself,' Garg wrote in the FIR. 'He then punched me repeatedly, injuring my nose, lips, and ear. One front tooth was loosened. He even kicked me in the groin and struck my knee before others intervened.' Police were alerted via Dial 112, and Garg was rushed to Civil Hospital, where he reportedly fainted due to blood loss and trauma. He remains under medical care but submitted a written complaint to police on May 30, seeking action under various charges, including criminal intimidation, assault with a deadly weapon, and obstruction of govt duty. Hazratganj ACP Vikas Jaiswal confirmed the FIR, stating that a case was registered under sections 109(1) (attempt to murder), 121(2) (causing hurt to a public servant), 221 (obstruction of duty), 324(3) (mischief), 352 (intentional insult), and 351(3) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant sections of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 against Yogendra Mishra. 'We are verifying medical reports, CCTV footage, and statements of all present,' Jaiswal said. There has been no official response yet from Mishra or the Income Tax Department. The incident has sparked a political storm. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav posted on X (formerly Twitter), 'Earlier it was police vs police, now it's officer vs officer. Why was the husband of an IPS officer assaulted? The links must be probed.' Later, BJP's Uttar Pradesh chief Bhupendra Chaudhary visited Garg in hospital. Speaking to reporters, he said, 'I came to check on his health. I don't see any political angle here.' Yogendra Mishra alleges targeted defamation, seeks probe After the registration of an FIR against senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Yogendra Mishra, he took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to allege sustained harassment, defamation, and malicious police complaints orchestrated against him. In a series of posts, Mishra claimed he was being targeted for exposing irregularities in tax investigations carried out during his predecessor's tenure. "I am forced to speak out publicly about the extreme harassment, character assassination, and false police complaints being orchestrated against me," Mishra posted, adding that the facts must be made known. Mishra stated that since assuming charge in Kanpur in 2022, succeeding IRS officer Gaurav Garg, he flagged serious lapses in tax investigations under Garg's tenure. "This led to his animosity and a sustained vendetta, now weaponised through police and media," he wrote. Referring to a departmental cricket match held on February 13, 2025, Mishra said a minor on-field dispute was amicably resolved, with apologies exchanged. However, he alleged that months later, a distorted video of the incident was leaked by Gaurav Garg, allegedly through his IPS officer wife, to a journalist known for blackmailing officials. The video resurfaced on March 29, 2025, when it was circulated on social media. Mishra claimed that the journalist later attempted to extort ₹50,000 from him and that he submitted chat logs and evidence of the blackmail to the authorities. "This is coordinated harassment, using fake news, social media, and the police machinery to malign my image and silence my whistleblowing,' Mishra posted. He added that he formally lodged a complaint with the Commissioner of Police, Lucknow, and submitted CCTV footage, witness statements, and relevant records. He urged authorities to conduct an impartial, evidence-based inquiry and not entertain 'malicious or frivolous' complaints against him.
