Author: Aditi Gautam

Hijab row: Schools, colleges shut for 3 days in Karnataka; Section 144 imposed as violence reported

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday ordered closure of all high schools and colleges for next three days in the state amid ongoing hijab row.

“I appeal to all the students, teachers and management of schools and colleges as well as people of Karnataka to maintain peace and harmony. I have ordered closure of all high schools and colleges for next three days. All concerned are requested to cooperate,” the Chief Minister tweeted.

“I appeal to all the students, teachers and management of schools and colleges as well as people of karnataka to maintain peace and harmony.I have ordered closure of all high schools and colleges for next three days. All concerned are requested to cooperate” : CM @BSBommai

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) February 8, 2022

The hijab-row triggered protests across the state on Tuesday, with campuses witnessing ‘conflict-like’ situations marked by stone-pelting incidents, use of force by police and the Muslim girls standing their ground for wearing the headscarves.

Tension prevailed at some educational institutions in Udupi, Shivamogga and Bagalkote, forcing the police and authorities to intervene. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC has been clamped in Shivamogga for two days

Also Read: All you need to know about Karnataka hijab row

Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court appealed to the students to maintain peace and tranquility so that the public is not disturbed. The court said it has full faith in the wisdom and virtue of the public at large and it hopes the same would be practiced.

After hearing the petitions filed by some students studying in a Government Pre-University College for Girls in the coastal town of Udupi, the court posted the matter for Wednesday.

The petitioners sought a declaration from the court that they have a fundamental right to practice essential religious practices, including wearing of Hijab as per Islamic faith, on the college premises.

Last week, the state government had issued an order making uniforms prescribed by it or management of private institutions mandatory for its students at schools and pre-university colleges across the state. The issue that initially began in January at a government PU College in Udupi where six students, who attended classes wearing head-scarf in violation of the stipulated dress code were asked to leave the campus, has spread to different parts of the state, with Hindu students too responding with saffron shawls.

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PM Modi attacks Rahul Gandhi for referring to entrepreneurs as COVID variants; says Congress indulging in ‘blind opposition’

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the world is moving fast towards a new world order post-COVID-19 pandemic and India must take the global leadership role.

While replying to the debate on the president’s address to the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Modi said the Congress crossed all limits in this time of COVID-19.

Taking on the Congress, the Prime Minister said that there is no change in its ego even after losing so many elections, adding that the actions of the opposition party suggest that it has resigned itself to staying out of power for 100 years.

“You can oppose me, but why are you opposing the government’s schemes? No wonder you were voted out in many states years ago…I think you have made up your mind not to come to power for the next 100 years,” he said.

The Prime Minister also took on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and criticised his AA-variant jibe made a few days back. Gandhi had said in the Parliament a couple of days ago that “the double-A variant is spreading in the economy.”

Modi criticised Gandhi for saying so and added that Congress was suffering because of this attitude. “How can someone talk about our industrialists in this manner… Congress is suffering because of this,” the PM said.

“You have not only aligned with the left but also adopted the same language.
You have fallen to such a level that you have become a subject of the joke,” he added.

Also Read: Congress terms Budget the most capitalist ever

The Prime Minister said that his party firmly believes in democracy and criticism as well. “(I) believe that criticism is an essential part of democracy. But, blind opposition to everything is never the way ahead,” Modi said.

Prior to this comment, Modi lauded the startups and how they’re becoming unicorns. “Soon we’ll have more than 100 unicorns some of whom have the potential to become global companies,” he said.

For all the updates on upcoming Assembly elections. Click here

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Lata Mangeshkar’s demise highlights: Last rites conducted with full state honours; PM Modi, Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar and others attend funeral

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Lata Mangeshkar Funeral Highlights: Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar passed away on Sunday morning at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai . She was 92.

Mangeshkar was being treated there for the last 29 days after she had tested positive for COVID-19. Mangeshkar’s death plunged the country into mourning with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the tributes.

Her last rites were conducted with full state honours at Shivaji Park in Mumbai

Lata Mangeshkar was one of the most noted, respected and renowned playback singers in India. Known for her expansive vocal range, which spans over three octaves, and her unique voice for which she has been called the ‘melody queen’

Here are the highlights

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Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar passes away at 92

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar passed away on Sunday morning at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai . She was 92.

Mangeshkar was being treated there for the last 29 days after she had tested positive for COVID-19. “Lata di died at 8.12 am due to multi organ failure after over 28 days of COVID-19 diagnosis,” Dr Pratit Samdani, who was treating the veteran singer at the city’s Breach Candy hospital, told reporters.

The Indore-born Mangeshkar is survived by her siblings Meena, Asha, Usha and Hridaynath.

Lata Mangeshkar was one of the most noted, respected and renowned playback singers in India. Known for her expansive vocal range, which spans over three octaves, and her unique voice for which she was called the Nightingale of Bollywood.

Also Read: Lata Mangeshkar, Nightingale of India, the singer who moved a nation to tears

Some of Mangeshkar’s unforgettable songs include ‘Lag Jaa Gale’, ‘Mohe Panghat Pe’, ‘Chalte Chalte’, ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ , ‘Ajeeb Daastaan Hai’, ‘Hothon mein aisi baat’, ‘Pyar kiya to darna kya’, ‘Neela aasman so gaya’, ‘Pani Pani Re’, among countless others. Considered one of the greatest playback singers in Indian cinema, she received several film awards and honors like Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Dada Saheb Phalke Award, and multiple National Film Awards.

She was also the recipient of Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 2001.

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Assembly elections: People won’t allow rioters, mafia to take control of UP, says PM Modi

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In a veiled dig at the Samajwadi Party (SP) over the law and order situation ahead of the Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that people will not allow rioters and mafia to take control of Uttar Pradesh from behind the curtains.

Speaking at ‘Jan Chaupal’ in western Uttar Pradesh via video conferencing, the Prime Minister said that these polls are to keep history-sheeters out and to make a new history.

“These polls are to maintain security, honour and prosperity. These polls are to keep history-sheeters out and to make new history. I’m delighted that people of UP have made up their minds that they won’t allow rioters and mafia to take control of UP from behind the curtains,” said PM Modi.

He further said that these elections are unique as they are for the establishment of peace in Uttar Pradesh.

“Uttar Pradesh has seen several elections after independence. It has seen governments come and go. But these elections are unique. These are for the establishment of peace in Uttar Pradesh, for the continuation of development, for good governance, for the rapid development of people of Uttar Pradesh,” said the Prime Minister.

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Meanwhile, Union Home minister Amit Shah credited Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath with freeing the state from criminals, who he said can now only to be found in jails or Samajwadi Party’s candidate lists for the Assembly polls.

I can say with pride that Yogiji has freed UP from mafias. He has established the rule of law in true sense after 25 years in the state,” Shah said praising the CM at the rally.

The Union home minister mockingly said now criminals can only be found at three places–jails, out of UP and in the candidate lists of the Samajwadi Party. He claimed that out of fear of the Adityanath government, criminals are running to police stations to surrender. Yogiji provided pulses, oil and salt with a 5-kg free ration every month to every poor, he said.

Uttar Pradesh assembly elections will be held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7.

The counting of votes will be done on March 10.

Also Read: BJP MPs to explain Budget 2022 to people in their constituencies on Feb 5, 6

(With inputs from ANI)

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Budget 2022 exclusive: Top highlights from FM Sitharaman’s interview to Network18

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Speaking about the Narendra Modi government’s growth vision, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday decoded the Budget 2022 in an exclusive conversation with Network18’s Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi.

This comes a day after she presented the Union Budget in Parliament on February 1. In her Budget 2022 speech the Finance Minister said India is in a strong position to withstand challenges in the upcoming fiscal. She added that complimenting the macroeconomic growth is the focus of the Budget.

Here are the important highlights from her interview:

Also Read: Growth target at 8% achievable; hopeful of pickup in private investment

• GDP Growth: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured that the target to achieve 8 percent GDP growth in the next fiscal is achievable. Sitharaman’s remark came against the backdrop of the Economic Survey 2021-22 which has projected India’s growth for the financial year 2023 at 8-8.5 percent.
• Tax Regime: Nirmala Sitharaman defended the move of leaving tax slabs and rates unchanged and said tax stability and predictability are crucial at this point in time. “Any exemption given goes to those who need it but also by law goes to someone who doesn’t need it. So we considered stability and predictability was more important,” she said.
• Crypto Bill: Responding to a question on whether the government is looking to table a bill to regulate cryptocurrency, the Finance Minister said there is no clarity at the moment, adding consultations will determine what kind of Crypto Asset Bill we put together.
• Digital Currency: The Finance Minister said the Reserve Bank of India will launch the digital currency (CBDC) sooner rather than later. “Once it goes through Parliament, RBI will move forward to take cabinet approval,” she added.
• Air India: Sitharaman noted that Air India was a complex subject and it took a lot of working together with people to keep transparency at every stage.
• LIC IPO: The Finance Minister said that the disinvestment of the government’s stake in the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) will happen in the current financial year.
• Inflation: The Finance Minister said that all economies across the globe are worried about inflation, adding that it does affect financial planning. India too is conscious of inflation, she said.
• Capex Boost: The Finance Minister in Union Budget 2022 announced a 35.4 percent increase in capital expenditure to Rs 7.50 lakh crore for FY23 from Rs 5.54 lakh crore for FY22. She said that after the disruption caused by COVID-19, the government has scaled up infrastructure spend and wanted to continue the momentum in the new fiscal.
• Elections: Nirmala Sitharaman said elections come and go but the economy required strong support as it was showing positive signs of revival. She added that there was no doubt in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mind that the Budget would be growth-focussed.

Also Read: FM Sitharaman backs no change in income tax rates

Also Read – Interview snapshots: Tax regime stability important; digital currency launch soon and more

For full coverage of Union Budget 2022, click here.

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Nirmala Sitharaman interview snapshots: Tax regime stability important; digital currency launch soon and more

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Nirmala Sitharaman Interview Highlights: Speaking to Rahul Joshi, Editor-in-Chief, Network18, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed confidence that the target to achieve 8 percent GDP growth in the next fiscal is achievable.

Sitharaman also said that tax stability and predictability are crucial at this point in time. “Tax stability and predictability are at least making sure people’s plans remain unaffected,” the Finance Minister said.

On the much-discussed cryptocurrency bill, the Finance Minister said there is no clarity at the moment.

Sitharaman on February 1 presented the Union Budget for 2022-23. This was Narendra Modi government’s 10th Budget and Sitharaman’s fourth.

Follow our Blog for Finance Minister’s Nirmala Sitharaman’s exclusive interview highlights with Network18’s Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi after presenting the Union Budget 2022 in Parliament.

For full coverage of Union Budget 2022, click here.

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Budget 2022 looks at ‘sunrise sectors of growth’, says Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Tuesday said that the Union Budget 2022-23 needs to be seen in continuation with the last year’s Budget which had several positives.

“For instance, the National Infrastructure Pipeline, the National Asset Monetisation Plan and the PLI schemes are very critical from the viewpoint of making India a manufacturing nation in the long run,” he said.

Also Read: From crypto tax to updated I-T returns, here are personal finance highlights from Budget 2022

It is a very progressive and forward-looking Budget that prepares India for the next stage of its sustained growth, the Niti Aayog CEO added.

He said that the Budget 2022 looks at sunrise sectors of growth. “India needs to go green, India needs to go digital and that is what this Budget pitches for. It pushes for urbanisation, clean electricity, clean mobilization, and digital rupee,” Amitabh Kant said.

Also Read – Seeing pickup in capex; Budget 2022 will promote growth across sectors: Amitabh Chaudhry

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her fourth straight annual Budget in Parliament.

In her Budget Speech in the Lok Sabha, the minister said the Union Budget for 2022-23 seeks to lay the foundation and give a blueprint to steer the economy over the Amrit Kaal of the next 25 years from India at 75 to India at 100.

“We are marking Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, and have entered into Amrit Kaal, the 25-year-long leadup to India@100,” the minister said. The fundamental tenets of the Budget include transparency of financial statement and fiscal position, and reflect the government’s intent, strengths, and challenges, she said.

For the full interview, watch the accompanying video

For all the latest updates on Union Budget 2022, follow our LIVE blog here

For full coverage of Union Budget 2022, click here

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Union Budget 2022: FM Nirmala Sitharaman announces new digital university; e-Vidya initiative to be expanded

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday proposed to set up a digital university to provide education that will be built on a hub and spoke model. She also said that the ‘One Class- One TV Channel’ scheme will be implemented to provide supplementary education to children to make up for the loss of formal education due to the COVID pandemic.

While presenting the Union Budget 2022-23, Sitharaman said, “High quality e-content in all spoken languages will be developed for radio, TV and digital platforms.”

Economic Survey’s observations on education

Earlier, the Economic Survey 2021-22 on Monday said that it is difficult to gauge the real-time impact of repeated lockdowns on the education sector. Highlighting the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), the survey suggested that shutdown of low-cost private schools, financial distress of parents, free facilities in government schools, and families migrating back to villages could be the probable reasons for the shift from government to private schools.

Also Read: Economic Survey 2021-22 forecasts GDP growth for FY23 at 8-8.5%

The survey pointed out that expenditure on education during the pandemic has increased by 20 per cent as against nearly 73 percent in the health sector in 2021-22 when compared to 2019-20. The combined Centre and states expenditure in education increased from 3.54 lakh crore in 2014-15 to 6.97 lakh crore in 2021-22, it said.

As a percentage of GDP, it increased from 2.8 in 2014-15 to 3.1 in 2020-21. However, as a percentage to total expenditure on social services, it has decreased from 10.8 to 9.7 in this period, the survey said.

For all the latest updates on Union Budget 2022, follow our LIVE blog here

For full coverage of Union Budget 2022, click here

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Future-Amazon dispute: SC sets aside Delhi HC orders, remands cases back for fresh decision

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In a major relief to the Future Group, the Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside previous orders of the Delhi High Court passed in Future-Amazon dispute and remanded the matters back to the High Court asking it to decide all issues on merits afresh.

“We set aside the impugned orders dated February 2, 2021 and March 18, 2021 and other impugned order dated October 29, 2021. We direct the learned (HC) judge to consider issue and pass an order on its own merits uninfluenced by observations,” the bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices A S Bopanna and Hima Kohli said in its order.

The CJI said he would request the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to set up a bench for speedy disposal of the case.

The apex court, on January 11, had reserved its order on two sets of petitions filed by FCPL (Future Coupons Private Ltd ) and FRL (Future Retail Ltd).

US e-commerce major Amazon has been opposing the Future group decision to go ahead with the Rs 24,731 crore merger deal of Future Retail Ltd (FRL) with Reliance Retail. The US firm got the Emergency Award (EA) of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) in its favour which restrained Future group from going ahead with the merger deal.

The EA award has been upheld in the final arbitral award of October, 2021. The High Court refused to stay the final arbitral award and by another order, it had imposed costs of Rs 20 lakh on the Future Group and others associated with it and ordered attachment of their properties.

Disclaimer: Network18, the parent company of CNBCTV18.com, is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow