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Indian Express
5 minutes ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Punjab Cabinet approves Bill to make sale of spurious seeds non-bailable offence
The Punjab Cabinet Friday gave its nod to introduce The Seeds (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2025 to make sale of spurious seeds a non-bailable offence. The decision was taken by the council of ministers at its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. As per an official statement, the Cabinet gave its nod to introduce The Seeds (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2025 to ensure supply of high-quality seeds to the farmers of the state. 'There has been no amendment to Section 19 of the Seeds Act 1966 since its inception due to which the fines and penalties have no deterrence. So the Cabinet gave its nod to amend and insert Section 19A for contravention of Section 7 of the Seeds Act (Regulation of sales of seeds of notified kinds or varieties), enhancing the fine and penalty, and making it cognizable and non-bailable,' the statement said. As per the provision, the first offence by a company will invite punishment of one to two years and fine of Rs 5-10 lakh, and punishment of two to three years and fine of Rs 10-50 lakh for repeated offence. 'Similar misdeed by a dealer/person will invite a punishment of six months to one year and fine of Rs 1-5 lakh for the first offence and a term of 1 to 2 years and fine of Rs 5-10 lakh for repeated offence,' the statement said. Currrently, the fine is Rs 500 for first offence and Rs 1,000 and prison term of up to six months for repeat offence. The Cabinet also cleared a mechanism to provide land parcels on sale or lease to boost industrial and business investment, featuring a bi-annual digital land pool, investor facilitation for projects above Rs 200 crore, and e-auction procedures. In another key decision, the Cabinet approved an amendment in Rules 5 (b) and 5 (d) of the Punjab State (Group D) Service Rules, 1963, thereby enhancing the upper age limit for Group D recruitment from existing 35 years to 37 years. The council approved a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme to clear old loans under various industrial support programmes, with complete waivers for loans under the Punjab State Aid to Industries Act, 1935, and the Integrated Rural Development Programme. Accordingly, there will be a complete waiver of principal and interest for loans under IRDP and Punjab State Aid to Industries Act, 1935. The eligible units will be required to avail of the scheme and clear their dues within 180 days of publication of notice in newspapers. The Cabinet also gave its nod to the 'The Punjab Foodgrains Transportation Policy 2025′ and 'The Punjab Labour and Cartage Policy 2025′ for the smooth and hassle-free transportation of foodgrains in the state. The Punjab government through its state procurement agencies and FCI procures foodgrains from various designated centres/mandis. According to the new policy, during the year 2025, foodgrain transportation works will be allotted through a competitive and transparent online tender system. Other approvals included revising District Mineral Foundation rules, extending services of 951 veterinary staff, and amending VAT rules and temple advisory committees. Will develop robust semiconductor ecosystem: CM CM Mann said that the state government will make every possible effort to develop a robust semiconductor ecosystem in the state. Chairing a meeting with representatives of the semiconductor industry, Mann assured them of full support and cooperation, including the establishment of a dedicated semiconductor park in and around Mohali. He said Punjab offers a conducive industrial environment, a skilled workforce, and ample resources, making it an ideal destination for semiconductor investments. The industry, he noted, will not only spur industrial growth but also create significant employment opportunities for the youth. Mann emphasised the vital role semiconductor chips play in modern technology, stating that they are essential components in virtually all electronic devices. He added that semiconductors enable a wide range of functionalities from basic computation to advanced technologies. Mann highlighted the vast potential of the semiconductor industry, noting that it is currently experiencing an impressive annual growth.
Indian Express
5 minutes ago
- Indian Express
CBI busts international cyber fraud; raids illegal Call Centre in Pune; 3 arrested
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) busted a cyber fraud and financial crime syndicate operating out of Pune and Mumbai that targeted foreign nationals — particularly American citizens — through impersonation, phishing calls, and financial deception. CBI registered a case on Thursday against 'unknown public servants of Banks and four private persons' for allegedly 'running an illegal call centre in Pune, operating since January 2025' in the form of a well-organised criminal conspiracy. So far the CBI has arrested three persons in this case. They were produced before a special court for CBI cases in Mumbai. The court remanded the three to police custody till July 30. As per a press release issued by the CBI on Friday, the fraudsters impersonated officials from agencies such as the 'U.S Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and even the Indian High Commission' to defraud unsuspecting US citizens. 'Under the threat of legal action, the victims were coerced into paying amounts ranging from $ 500 to $ 3,000 through gift cards or Bitcoin transfers. Spoofed VoIP-based calls were being made from a covertly operated illegal Call Centre situated at Pune,' the press release mentioned. CBI probe into this case revealed that the illegally earned proceeds, estimated to be around Rs 4 crore monthly, were laundered via mule accounts, cryptocurrency, and hawala routes. According to the CBI, the fraudulent operations were found to be supported by certain unknown public and private sector bank officials, who facilitate the opening and operation of fake accounts using forged KYC documents, violating established RBI and institutional guidelines. Probe also revealed that workers at the Call Centre used for the scam are paid in cash routed via hawala channels from both the U.S. and domestic locations, including Maharashtra and Gujarat. These workers are housed in multiple residential flats across Pune. 'The scam's operation includes the illegal acquisition of contact leads through vendors on messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal. Victims are contacted via toll-free numbers generated and disseminated by these vendors, eventually connecting them to the fraudulent call centre,' the press release stated. After the case was registered, CBI teams conducted searches at seven places linked to the accused or their associates. CBI also raided and searched the illegal call centre run by the accused persons at Pune. CBI seized digital devices like 27 mobile phones, 17 laptops and other incriminating material from the accused persons and their associates at the Pune call centre. 'Scrutiny of these mobile phones and laptops revealed that the accused persons were using caller services found on social media platforms like Signal and WhatsApp. Besides, unexplained cash of Rs.1.6 lakhs and around 150 gram narcotic substance was also seized from the residence of one of the accused… Scrutiny of the mobile phone of an accused has revealed that he has crypto currency worth Rs.6.94 lakh in his wallet. During the search at the residence of another accused unexplained cash of Rs.9.60 lakh was recovered' the press release stated.
India.com
5 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Saiyaara Box Office Collection Day 8: Ahaan Panday, Aneet Padda's romantic saga continues to storm, beats Raid 2 lifetime, earns Rs...
Saiyaara madness is continuing to hold its presence at the theater halls. Helmed by Mohit Suri, the movie, which was released on July 18, has made the entire nation go gaga over the mushy romance. Featuring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, Saiyaara box office collection on day 8 stands at Rs 18 crore, as per early estimates given by industry tracker Sacnilk. Saiyaara Scripts History at the Box Office Saiyaara is one of those few films that earned in double digits despite starring debutants. Saiyaara's day 1 box office collection stood at Rs 21 crore. In the following days, the movie witnessed a huge increase in numbers, peaking on day 3 when Saiyaara collected Rs 35.75 crore — which also happened to be a Sunday. Mohit Suri's film maintained its magic by minting Rs 24 crore on its first Monday. It is often said that the first Monday for a film is extremely crucial as it decides the graph of the movie. Now, with Saiyaara's box office collection on day 8, the movie has grossed Rs 190 crore in India and will soon enter the Rs 200 crore club. Saiyaara Box Office Collection Worldwide While Mohit Suri's romantic saga is making waves in India, the worldwide collection is also noteworthy. According to a report by Hindustan Times, Saiyaara has grossed a little over $5 million (approximately Rs 43 crore) in overseas markets, pushing its worldwide total to Rs 256 crore. Saiyaara has now crossed the lifetime haul of Ajay Devgn's Raid 2, which stands at Rs 237 crore. The film is expected to hold steady during the second weekend and now aims to surpass the collections of Sitaara Zameen Par (Rs 264 crore) and Housefull 5 (Rs 289 crore).
The Print
5 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Print
Trace of no person found at site of Dhanbad mine ‘collapse', say officials as search continues
The search operation was started after several leaders claimed that many people died as the abandoned mine at Block 2 in Baghmara had collapsed. The operation by a 35-member squad of the NDRF and a 15-member BCCL mines' rescue wing began around 11.30 am after a futile attempt to search for the illegal miners late on Thursday evening. Dhanbad, Jul 25 (PTI) No person has been found so far trapped in the abandoned coal mine in Jharkhand's Dhanbad, officials said on Friday night after a joint team of the NDRF and Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) started a search operation as several leaders claimed that some people were buried by a collapse during illegal mining. Giridih MP CP Choudhary of the AJSU Party staged a dharna outside the Baghmara police station, demanding immediate rescue operations at the spot. 'Search operation is under progress, and till 9 pm on Friday, no sign of anybody has been found. The MP has pointed out three spots as suspected sites of trapped persons. Search operation has started at one of the spots, and other locations would come under its ambit soon,' Baghmara police station's officer in-charge Ajit Kumar said. According to Choudhury, the incident happened on July 22 evening after the roof of the underground closed mines caved in. An NDRF officer said the speed of the search operation is slow in the absence of required resources, including earthmovers. Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy had on Thursday alleged that a large-scale cover-up was underway to conceal at least 15 deaths in the incident, calling it a case of 'people being deliberately buried under fresh soil to destroy evidence'. On Wednesday, Choudhary had claimed that at least nine workers lost their lives. Officials of the Dhanbad district administration, BCCL and police claim that no signs of any such incident have been found so far. Choudhary said he has submitted a list of five people allegedly trapped there. Roy accused the BCCL and the police of aiding illegal mining operations and protecting those responsible. According to him, extortion is rampant in outsourced coal mines, with Rs 1,600 per tonne being illegally charged during coal loading, 'under protection from police and political figures'. Roy said he will raise the issue during the upcoming monsoon session of the assembly, and also submit a report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He also questioned why the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), based in Dhanbad, never issued closure notices for abandoned BCCL mines, and demanded accountability for the sites that remain unsecured despite recurring illegal mining activities. An eerie silence prevailed at Taratand area in Giridih, from where four workers have been missing since the alleged mine collapse in Dhanbad. Villagers claimed Aziz Ansari alias Charku Ansari, 35, a resident of Kundalwadah village, Afzal Ansari alias Khan Sahab, 35, Dilip Sahab, 32, a resident of Ambabeda village, and Jamshed Ansari, 30, a resident of Mathurasingha village, had left for Baghmara and have not returned so far. 'All four used to work in mines. The Dhanbad Police did not allow us to go to the site of the incident,' a family member of one of the missing workers claimed. State BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said, 'There are reports of casualties due to illegal mining in the Baghmara area of Dhanbad. Attempts are being made to suppress this whole accident on a large scale.' BCCL's regional nodal security officer Rajiv Ranjan stated that no incident had been reported from the closed underground mine. PTI CORR NAM RBT SOM This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Print
5 minutes ago
- The Print
Ganja worth Rs 1.28 crore recovered while checking truck in UP, 2 held
According to the police, two notorious smugglers identified as Sabir Ansari and Vipin Kumar, residents of Bettiah (West Champaran) district of Bihar were arrested. Illegal 'ganja' worth Rs 1.28 crore (565 kg) was recovered from a truck during checking near Bansi, they said. Kushinagar (UP), Jul 25 (PTI) Police busted an inter-state ganja smuggling gang and arrested two suspected smugglers in Kushinagar district in Uttar Pradesh , police said on Friday. Police registered a case against them under the NDPS Act and after completing the legal process, sent them both to jail. Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar Mishra said that during interrogation, the two men confessed to being part of a gang that smuggles illegal 'ganja' from different states and take it to Bihar in trucks and sell the contraband at different places there as per demand. PTI COR NAV SKY SKY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
