Chandigarh (The Hawk): Plans of Haryana to get river water direct from Himachal Pradesh is going to become a political tool for Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a political party of Punjab.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal Friday said Haryana did not have any right to River waters from Himachal Pradesh being a non-riparian State even as he asserted that Himachal should not part with River waters to a non-riparian State without the consent of the downstream State.
Terming news reports of negotiations having started between Himachal and Haryana to construct a canal to take River waters directly from Himachal to Haryana and a likely meeting to finalize this arrangement on June 5, the SAD president said “another conspiracy has been initiated to rob Punjab of its River waters. We will not let it succeed at any cost”.
It is pertinent to mention here that on May 31, Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar said that an important meeting would be held with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister on June 5; comprising of various issues including construction of Kishau dam, construction of new parallel linked channel from Dadupur to Hamida Head, Saraswati River Rejuvenation and Heritage Development Project, SYL canal water via Himachal Pradesh and imposition of cess on electricity.
In a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister with administrative secretaries to review projects worth more than Rs 100 crore, Haryana CM said that work is being done on various schemes for drinking water and irrigation. “It is the priority of the state government to provide clean drinking water in sufficient quantities to the citizens across the state uninterruptedly. Also, water will be available for irrigation to the farmers after these projects are completed,” he added.
Commenting over the news reports and the entire issue, Mr Sukhbir Badal said “Himachal and Punjab are joint owners of the River waters being upstream and downstream States. The upstream State cannot transfer water out of the watershed without due consideration of the rights of the downstream State.”
&nbsp;Considering these facts, the SAD president requested Himachal chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Sukhu not to enter into any negotiation on transfer of River waters from Himachal to Haryana. He said Himachal could not part with any water to a non-riparian State without Punjab’s consent. “Re-opening this issue after the closure of the SYL canal in Punjab by former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal who returned the land acquired for the canal from farmers back to them will amount to reopening old wounds. These could lead to intense inter-State and inter-people strife which would be detrimental to peace in the region”.
Mr Sukhbir Badal also warned chief minister Bhagwant Mann not to be caught napping on this most sensitive issue which concerned the lives and livelihoods of the farmers of Punjab. “Earlier also the AAP government has been found wanting in standing up against repeated anti-Punjab decisions which have harmed the interests of the State. The chief minister must take pro-active steps to ensure this conspiracy does not take off. Mr Badal also asked the Punjab Congress to clarify its stand on the issue. “The Congress is fond of taking different stands on the same issue in different States. The Punjab Congress must prevail upon its high command to direct the Himachal chief minister not to arrive at any agreement with his Haryana counterpart to divert River waters to the latter State in the same manner in which it opposed Congress high command moves to support Aam Aadmi Party on the issue of central ordinance to restrict the powers of the Delhi government”, the SAD president added.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;—Jag Mohan Thaken&nbsp;

Plans of Haryana to get river water direct from Himachal Pradesh is going to become a political tool for Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)

Haryana Has No Right To River Waters From Himachal: Sukhbir S Badal

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee Chief, Zainab Chandel on Thursday said that it will continue to raise its voice on the issue of allegations of sexual harassment against the Wrestling Federation of India former Chief Brij Bhushan Singh levelled by female wrestlers of the country.
The Mahila Congress threatened to launch an agitation if the ruling BJP government does not take action against Brij Bhushan, a BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh.
During an interaction with the media in Shimla, She said, "There is resentment among the women of the country. Injustice has been done to wrestling players".
Several ace grapplers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik have been protesting against the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh accusing him of sexual harassment and demanding his arrest
She said that the union government has not been able to hear the voices of the wrestling players, adding that the daughters of the country were insulted on May 28, the day when Delhi police detained a few ace wrestlers while attempting to march towards the new parliament building.
Chandel said that the daughters who brought laurels to the country were arrested while the accused were sitting in the Parliament.
Brij Bhushan has denied all the allegations.
"...First they (protesting wrestlers) had some other demand and later they demanded something else. They are changing their demands and language continuously. I had said that if even one case against me gets proven, I will hang myself...I stand by my statement..," said Brij Bhushan to media in Gonda.
Earlier the wrestlers threatened to immerse their medals in the Ganga in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
On Tuesday, Olympic medalist wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik alongwith Vinesh Phogat reached Uttarakhand's Haridwar to immerse their all medals including Olympic ones in the river Ganga, as a mark of their protest.
But farmer leader Naresh Tikait intervened and stopped protesting wrestlers from immersing their medals in the Ganga and said that there would be a Khap meeting over the issue.
The wrestlers later issued a five-day ultimatum to the authorities to act against the WFI chief.
United World Wrestling (UWW) on Tuesday issued a statement condemning the detention of the wrestlers on Sunday.
Delhi police, who are probing into the claims of sexual harassment, filed two First Information Reports on April 28. —ANI

The Himachal Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee Chief, Zainab Chandel on Thursday said that it will continue

'Injustice Done To Wrestlers,' Says Himachal Mahila Congress

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Secretary SS Sandhu on Thursday said that the government has decided to give a maximum scholarship of Rs 5,000 per month to the meritorious students of government degree colleges and universities under the CM's Higher Education Meritorious Student Promotion Scheme.
In the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, the Chief Minister's Higher Education Meritorious Student Promotion Scheme was approved in Uttarakhand. While talking to ANI, Sandhu said, "Under Uttarakhand CM's Higher Education Meritorious Student Promotion Scheme, the state government has decided to give a maximum scholarship of Rs 5,000 per month to the meritorious students of government degree colleges and universities from the session 2023-24." —ANI

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary SS Sandhu on Thursday said that the government has decided to give a maximum scholarship

U'khand Govt Decides To Give Rs 5,000 PM Under CM's Higher Education Meritorious Student Promotion Scheme

Dharchula: A massive landslide at Najang, about 45 km from Uttarakhand's Dharchula, has left over 200 Adi Kailash pilgrims stranded at different places, officials said on Thursday.
Pilgrims, both on the way to Adi Kailash and back, are stuck at different places as huge volumes of debris have accumulated on the road blocking it, Dharchula SDM Divesh Shashni said.
"More than 100 metres of the road was washed out in the landslide which occurred on May 30 evening," he said.
The pilgrims are in Dharchula, Napalchu, Gunji and Bundi waiting for the route to be cleared of debris, the SDM said, adding that they are all safe.
The road is not likely to be reopened before June 4, the he said.
The Adi Kailash yatra, which began on May 4 this year, is being managed simultaneously by private tour operators and the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam. —PTI

A massive landslide at Najang, about 45 km from Uttarakhand's Dharchula, has left over 200 Adi Kailash pilgrims stranded at different places

Massive Landslide In Uttarakhand Leaves Over 200 ADI Kailash Pilgrims Stranded

Dehradun: A commando deployed for the security of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in Dehradun allegedly died due to sudden firing from his own service AK-47 rifle.
Commando Pramod Rawat was posted in the security of CM Dhami in the commando barracks here.
Senior officials have reached the spot and the forensic team is conducting the investigation at the spot. Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Abhinav Kumar told ANI that it is not yet clear whether the commando died by suicide or due to accidental fire.
He said that there is a wound of gunshot injury on the neck of Commando but there is no mark of exit of the bullet, so the cause of the incident will be clear only after forensic investigation and Post Mortem report. Further information is awaited. —ANI

 A commando deployed for the security of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in Dehradun

Commando Posted In CM Dhami's Security Allegedly Dies By 'Accidental Firing' From His Own Rifle

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday during a meeting regarding the Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission at his official residence instructed the officials to speed up the work being done for the grandeur of the 16 temples identified in the first phase of the mission.
The Chief Minister instructed that along with better traffic facilities on the routes of temples, whatever other development has to be done, it should be completed in a time-bound manner in a planned manner. He said that better arrangements for hotels, homestays and other amenities will also have to be made for the devotees to stay near the temples.
Chief Minister Dhami also instructed that the work being done under Mandir Mala Mission should be done keeping in mind the potential number of devotees coming in 20 to 25 years from now. He instructed the officials of PWD to speed up the road improvement work for the Manaskhand Corridor, said officials. —ANI

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday during a meeting regarding the Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission

CM Dhami Instructs Officials To Speed Up Work On Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday chaired a meeting to prepare for organizing the Global Investors Summit. He directed officers that all the preparations for the Investors Summit should be completed on time.
Chief Minister Dhami has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate this Investors Summit to be held in Uttarakhand in November this year.
CM Dhami said that there are many possibilities for development in Uttarakhand. He said the Investors Summit is an excellent opportunity to increase the possibilities of investment in Uttarakhand. The state has good human resources and a good environment for setting up industries. A strong new industrial policy has been formulated to attract more and more investors to the state, the Chief Minister said. He said that the speedy expansion of air, rail and road connectivity in the state is attracting people from the industrial world to visit Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Under the Global Investors Summit, two roadshows are proposed at the international level and six roadshows are proposed at the national level.
Apart from this, a mini conclave is also proposed to be organized in Mussoorie and Ramnagar. Under the Global Investors Summit, roadshows and other programs will be organized in the state for investment in tourism, industry, IT, health, higher education and various other sectors. —ANI

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday chaired a meeting to prepare for organizing the Global Investors Summit

Uttarakhand Gears Up For Hosting Global Investors Summit

New Delhi: The Law Commission is considering to work on the issue of Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Justice (retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai said after a meeting with its chairperson and members here on Friday. Desai heads a committee preparing a draft of the code for Uttarakhand.
Desai and members of the Uttarakhand panel met the Law Commission chairman, Justice (retired) Ritu Raj Awasthi, and members K T Sankaran, Anand Paliwal and D P Verma.
"It was a courtesy call. Because we are working on it (UCC) and they are also perhaps considering it," she told reporters after the meeting at Uttarakhand Sadan.
"They were asking what work we have done. So we also gave them some ideas. That's all," she added.
When asked if the work done by the Uttarakhand UCC committee can be replicated at the national level, she said, "It is our wish that it will be good if other states also follow." —PTI

 The Law Commission is considering to work on the issue of Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Justice (retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai

Law Commission Considering To Work On UCC, Says Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court (HC) has ruled that the right to keep a name of choice or change the name according to personal preference, comes within the ambit of fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India.
Allowing a writ petition filed by one Sameer Rao, Justice Ajay Bhanot quashed an order dated December 24, 2020, passed by the regional secretary, Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad, regional office, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, by which the Parishad had rejected an application for change of name.
The HC directed the respondents to allow the application of the petitioner to change his name from Shahnawaz to Md. Sameer Rao and to issue fresh high school (Class 10) and intermediate (Class 12) certificates incorporating the said change.
The petitioner had challenged the Uttar Pradesh Board of High School and Intermediate Education's rejection of his application to get his name changed in the High School and Intermediate examination certificates.
The Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad is also known as Uttar Pradesh Board of High School and Intermediate Education.
In its judgment, the HC ruled that the right to keep a name of choice or change the name according to personal preference comes within the ambit of Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech and expression), Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) and Article 14 (right to equality) of the Constitution of India.
The HC observed, "The authorities arbitrarily rejected the application for change of name and misdirected themselves in law. The action of the authorities violates the fundamental rights of the petitioner guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a), Article 21 and Article 14 of the Constitution of India and is in the teeth of relevant regulations under the Uttar Pradesh Intermediate Education Act,1921."
As per facts, the name of the petitioner was recorded as Shahnawaz in the high school examination certificate, and the intermediate examination certificate by the Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad issued in 2013 and 2015 respectively.
In September-October 2020, he publicly disclosed his name change from Shahnawaz to Md. Sameer Rao.
Thereafter, he applied for a change of his name from Shahnawaz to Md. Sameer Rao to the Board in 2020.
The said application was declined by the impugned order (order under challenge) dated December 24, 2020.
It was the primary stand of the education board that relevant regulations contemplate that an application for change of name has to be filed within three years from when the candidate appeared in the examination.
However, in the instant case, the application was made seven years and five months after the petitioner appeared for the High School and Intermediate examinations respectively.
The court did not accept the stand of the board and said, "The restrictions contained in regulation are disproportionate and in nature of prohibitions and fail the test of reasonable restrictions on fundamental rights under Article 19(1)(a) and Article 21 and Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The restrictions in the said regulation are arbitrary and infringe the fundamental right to choose and change own name."
At the outset, the court opined that the human name is an inalienable part of an individual life.
The court added that the importance of an individual name is experienced in all aspects of life, including social interfaces, and that the power and glory of the human name transcends time and is not fenced by boundaries.
The HC also observed that change of name has its roots in ancient customs of various societies wherein priestly class in different religious persuasions made it imperative for the seeker to drop the birth name symbolising renouncement of past associations and take a new name manifesting the quest for a higher cause. —IANS

The Allahabad High Court (HC) has ruled that the right to keep a name of choice or change the name according to personal preference

Changing Name Is Fundamental Right: Allahabad HC

Lucknow: Security at Hindu religious destinations in Uttar Pradesh like Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura will be further strengthened, following terror threat perception.
Uttar Pradesh Police officials said that more anti-sabotage (AS) check teams, an essential part of security paraphernalia for detection of any explosive items and unwanted materials, would be deployed at these places.
ADG (security) Binod Kumar Singh said two new AS check teams will be deployed on the Ram Janmabhoomi premises in Ayodhya while one each will be deployed at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi and Vrindavan temple in Mathura.
Ten AS check teams were flagged off on Thursday to their destination points.
"Besides four teams are to be deployed at religious places, six others will remain deployed at Government Railway Police divisions in Lucknow, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Moradabad, Agra and Jhansi," he added.
The ADG said more bomb detection and disposal squads (BDDS) and anti-sabotage check teams were added to the state security headquarters armoury recently.
"Two BDDS and two anti-sabotage check teams have been deployed for security checks on the Ram Janmabhoomi premises in Ayodhya in April. One BDDS has been deployed at the Secretariat complex in Lucknow, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court, the Allahabad high court in Prayagraj, the Varanasi police and PAC's 30th battalion in Gonda," he informed.
The ADG said there were five BDDS teams in 1987, which gradually went up to 26 in 2010.
The state security headquarters prepared a proposal for the creation of more BDDS and AS check teams in 2021, keeping in mind security challenges in UP.
He said the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for the creation of the new teams was done, and its members were trained at National Security Guards centre in Manesar, Haryana, and CRPF training centre in Pune.
"At present, the Uttar Pradesh security HQ has 61 AS check teams and 31 BDDS teams. All BDDS teams are equipped with AC buses for their movement," he stated. —IANS

Security at Hindu religious destinations in Uttar Pradesh like Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura will be further strengthened

Security Tightened At Religious Destinations In UP

Lucknow: A woman Air force officer has been duped of Rs 23 lakh in the name of marriage by a man who posed as a London-based property dealer.
The woman is posted in AFMC at Lucknow Cantonment and has lodged a case with the police.
According to the woman officer, she had searched for a groom on a matrimonial site where she was introduced to Dr Amit Yadav who claimed to be a foreign national.
In her complaint to police, she said the man promised to settle in India after marriage and got her to transfer money into his account by blackmailing her emotionally and on the pretext of purchasing land in India.
"We started talking to each other and he promised to purchase land in India. He later started threatening to commit suicide if I did not transfer the money and forced me to give him Rs 23.5 lakhs. After the money was transferred to his account, he stopped talking to me," she said.
The woman said he threatened to kill her and to disrupt her career/ life and services.
"I got his bank account frozen by complaining to the authorities concerned. When he came to know of it, he requested me to get his bank account restored so that he could return my money. But after I consented, he withdrew the money and closed the account," she alleged in her FIR. The woman said the accused visited Delhi after she transferred the amount to his bank account and his mobile number was found active.
"I have complained about the financial fraud to the Cyber Cell of Lucknow," she said.
She said the miscreant refused to meet her or to produce papers of the property he said he had purchased. ACP, Cantonment, Abhinav, said a probe is underway while as per the process, the money transferred by her has been frozen. —IANS

A woman Air force officer has been duped of Rs 23 lakh in the name of marriage by a man who posed as a London-based property dealer

IAF Officer In UP Duped By Cyber Thug On Pretext Of Marriage

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday stressed the importance of encouraging mutual competition to enhance the performance of Municipal Corporation, Municipality, and Nagar Panchayats of the state and declared that exceptional performance would be rewarded.
According to CMO, he was participating in a one-day orientation workshop organized for the newly elected mayors of Municipal Corporations, Presidents of Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats, the Chief Minister stated that five parameters have been set for this, including cleanliness, pure drinking water, good roads, safe city, and self-reliance.
During the workshop, CM Yogi stated, "The Municipal Corporation, Municipality, and Nagar Panchayat of the state that meets the parameters and comes first will be rewarded. Based on these five parameters, the Nagar Panchayat that ranks first in its district will receive Rs 1 crore, the municipality that ranks first at the divisional level will receive Rs 2 crore, and the municipal corporation that ranks first in the state will receive Rs 5 crore."
Highlighting the successful completion of the municipal elections, CM Yogi acknowledged the challenges faced and praised the urban development team for their unwavering commitment to addressing each issue that arose. "For the first time, the municipal elections in the state have been completed by implementing the report of the OBC commission. It was the first time in the state's history that an election was held with such fairness and peace," Yogi said.
Addressing the newly elected members, the chief minister stressed their responsibility as representatives of the people to improve urban life. He encouraged them to utilize the powers vested in their positions effectively to leave a lasting impact on the public.
Emphasizing the importance of cleanliness, CM Yogi urged the formation of 'Mohalla Swachhta Committees' to raise awareness among the people.
He also highlighted the significant strides India has made under Prime Minister Modi's leadership in the past nine years, stating, "Whenever there is a crisis, the entire world looks towards Prime Minister Modi with hopeful eyes. The biggest power of the world is accepting the leadership and giving respect to PM Modi. India got the vision of a smart city for the first time in these years only."
CM Yogi further outlined the government's initiatives and urged municipal bodies to develop their own action plans. He stressed the need for unobstructed roads, proper arrangements for street vendors and taxi stands, desilting drains before the rainy season, and implementing fogging measures to prevent mosquitoes.
Additionally, Yogi also emphasized that destitute cattle should be sent to "Kanha Upvan" instead of allowing them to roam the streets. He called for the elimination of stray dogs, the establishment of night shelters for job seekers, and measures to make beggars self-sufficient through their inclusion in government programs in order to ensure that no one begs on the street.
The orientation workshop provided valuable insights and guidance to the newly elected municipal officials, aiming to enhance their understanding of their roles and responsibilities. —ANI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday stressed the importance of encouraging mutual competition

UP CM Stresses On Mutual Competition Among Municipal Corporation, Municipality, Nagar Panchayats For Better Performance

Lucknow: Investigating agencies probing into the Rs 500 crore scholarship scam are now focusing on 20 more colleges that may have been involved in the crime.
According to reports, investigators have picked up clues which suggest that the scam may be much bigger than what is being estimated.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate is preparing to attach properties worth Rs 90 crore belonging to the accused named in the case so far.
The ED sources said that these 20 colleges embezzled scholarships worth several crores, the exact amount of which is being ascertained.
It surfaced that these 20 colleges had fudged registration of students in different courses. The institutes/colleges have been accused of furnishing details of students who were never enrolled with them, to seek scholarships from the Uttar Pradesh government under various schemes.
Soon after opening bank accounts, they were registered as students and all scholarships coming into their accounts was used by the owners. They were kept in the dark about any such transaction taking place into their accounts, the sources added.
The ED has compiled properties worth Rs 90 crore belonging to the three arrested persons, identified as Izhar Hussain Jafri, Ali Abbas Jafri and Ravi Prakash Gupta, and the process to confiscate it has already begun.
Sources added that Ravi Prakash Gupta, one of the three arrested accused, was only a graduate, but he was made principal of one of these institutes which is against the norms.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in April had arrested three owners of educational institutes in connection with a scholarship scam.
The arrests came after ED raids on 10 educational institutes across several districts of Uttar Pradesh in February. It allegedly seized crucial evidence of the offence not only of these 10 institutes but also in respect of several other colleges and institutes which, prima facie, were also found engaged in the scam.
ED investigation revealed that the trio were operating the scam from Hygia Group of colleges and fraudulently obtained scholarship funds using Aadhaar and bank details of ineligible persons shown as students. —IANS

Investigating agencies probing into the Rs 500 crore scholarship scam are now focusing on 20 more colleges

20 More UP Colleges Being Probed For Scholarship Scam

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday launched a 15-day registration campaign for Micro, Small and Medium Entreprises (MSMEs) in all 75 districts across the state, according to an official statement from the Chief Minister office.
This campaign will be conducted in the entire state till June 15.
The campaign aims at covering around 14 lakh such MSMEs that are not yet registered with the MSME Udyam portal, and providing them all the benefits of the schemes of the state government.
There are more than 90 lakh active MSMEs in the state, but only 14 lakh are registered, says the MSME and Export Promotion department of the state government.
A large number of active MSMEs need to be registered to avail benefits of all schemes of the state government as all these units contribute directly or indirectly to the state's GDP. "The Directorate of Industries will organize camps for the registration of MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in each district. Additionally, the MSMEs themselves can also register by visiting the portal. All eligible MSMEs will be eligible for registration," the statement said.
The objective is to provide a platform for the active MSMEs in the state to so that they can benefit from the schemes implemented by the Yogi government for MSMEs.
According to officials from the MSME and Export Promotion Department, there are more than 90 lakh active MSMEs in Uttar Pradesh, but only 14 lakh MSMEs are registered on the portal so far, while there are a large number of active MSMEs in the state that need to be registered to avail the benefits of government schemes.
The state government has set a target to get all these enterprises registered, for which the campaign has been launched simultaneously in all districts of the state from June 1 to June 15.
Notably, many MSME units are spread across the unorganized sector. With the commencement of this campaign, these units will be able to avail the benefits of government schemes and other facilities through registration on a large scale.
The Yogi government intends for more and more MSMEs to be registered on the portal and can take advantage of schemes related to MSMEs. Registration provides these MSMEs with an identity that is crucial for operating their enterprises. Additionally, there is a provision for a facilitation council to resolve payment-related disputes, which will benefit only registered MSMEs.
The greatest relief is the accessibility of accident insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh for micro-entrepreneurs, which can be provided after obtaining approval from the cabinet. By highlighting all these benefits, non-registered MSMEs are being encouraged to register.
"In the micro-enterprise category, those with an investment of up to Rs 1 crore and a turnover of up to Rs 5 crore will be registered. Under the small enterprise category, eligible enterprises will have an investment of up to Rs 10 crore and a turnover of up to Rs 50 crore. Similarly, in the medium category, enterprises with an investment of up to Rs 50 crore and a turnover of up to Rs 250 crore will be able to register," the statement said. As per the government, the registration can avail free insurance coverage up to Rs 5 lakh under the soon-to-be-implemented accident insurance scheme. —ANI

 The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday launched a 15-day registration campaign for Micro

UP Govt Launches Mega Registration Drive For MSMEs

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has said that the country's image has been severely dented by the ruling BJP's blatant display of disrespect towards women wrestlers.
He said that this was a clear indicator of the party's feudal mindset which has come as a blot to the image of the democratic India in the world.
"News reports of exploitation, harassment and forcefully silencing voices of dissent are being published at the international level and are bringing a bad name to India before the world community. The BJP basically nurtures a feudal mindset where neither women are respected nor the common man. BJP has embarrassed democracy," he stated on Thursday.
Akhilesh quoted news reports about how the women wrestlers have accused a powerful official of sexual harassment and went to throw away their Olympic medals into Ganga and start a hunger strike after they were evicted from the protest site in New Delhi.
Earlier Akhilesh, who is the leader of the opposition in the state Assembly, had attacked the BJP over the handling of allegations of sexual harassment levelled by women wrestlers against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is a BJP MP. The wrestlers had lodged a police complaint and approached the Supreme Court to get an FIR lodged in the case. They were now demanding the arrest of the BJP MP who has repeatedly pleaded innocence. "On one hand when elections are around the corner, the BJP talks of 'Beti Padao, Beti Bachao' and when these girls raise their voice against harassment and exploitation, the government treats them like this," Akhilesh said. —IANS

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has said that the country's image has been severely dented by the ruling BJP's blatant 

Wrestlers Issue Has Dented India's Image Abroad: Akhilesh

Gonda: Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexually harassing some women wrestlers, on Friday said that a June 5 "mega rally" in Ayodhya in his support has been postponed for a few days in wake of the ongoing investigation against him.
Several ace grapplers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik have been protesting against the BJP MP accusing him of sexual harassment and demanding his arrest. A group of seers had extended support to Singh and announced a 'Sant Sammelan' in Ayodhya.
Taking to Facebook, Brij Bhushan cited the ongoing police investigation against him and Supreme Court directives to announce the postponement of the rally.
"With your support, I have served as a member of the Lok Sabha for the last 28 years. I have tried to unite people of all castes, communities and religions, both in power and in opposition. It is for these reasons that my political opponents and their parties have levelled false allegations against me," Singh wrote on Facebook.
He further said that the purpose of the rally was to discuss the "evil forces" of the society but in view of the ongoing police probe and directions of the top court, the rally has been postponed.
"In the present situation, some political parties are trying to disturb social harmony by promoting provincialism, regionalism and caste conflict by holding rallies at various places. The purpose of holding a 'Sant Sammelan' at Ayodhya on June 5 was to discuss about the evil forces that are spreading in the entire society," he said.
The WFI president added, "But since the police are investigating the allegations. To respect the serious directions of the Supreme Court, the 'Jan Chetna Maharally, June 5, Ayodhya Chalo' program has been postponed for a few days".
Previously, Singh had said that he would be addressing a rally on June 5. The WFI president also thanked and expressed gratitude to all his supporters and well-wishers.
"Lakhs of supporters and well-wishers from all religions, castes and regions have supported me in a humble way on this issue. That's why I express my gratitude to everyone and assure that I and my family will always be indebted to you," he stated. On Thursday, Brij Bhushan Singh had alleged that the protesting wrestlers are changing their "demands and language" continuously and added that he still stands by his statement that he will hang himself if even one of the allegations against him is proven to be true. "...First they (protesting wrestlers) had some other demand and later they demanded something else. They are changing their demands and language continuously. I had said that if even one case against me gets proven, I will hang myself...I stand by my statement..," the BJP MP told reporters in Gonda.
On Tuesday, Olympic medalist wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik alongwith Vinesh Phogat arrived in Uttarakhand's Haridwar to immerse their all medals including Olympic ones in the river Ganga, as a mark of their protest.
However, on the intervention of farmer leader Naresh Tikait the wrestlers held off immersing their medals and said that a Khap meeting would be held on the issue. The wrestlers later issued a five-day ultimatum to the authorities to act against the WFI chief.
On May 28, wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia along with Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat were detained by Delhi Police while attempting to march to the new Parliament building where they planned to stage a demonstration. FIR has been filed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 147, 149, 186, 188, 332, 353, Section 3 of the PDPP Act, said Delhi Police. —ANI

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexually harassing some women wrestlers

Amid Wrestlers' Protest, Ayodhya Rally In Support Of Brij Bhushan Postponed

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath laid the foundation stone of the new building of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said, "UP is the state with the largest population in the country. Due to being a state with a large geographical area, there are also numerous challenges. Previously, around 40 districts in the state were considered affected by floods, but today we have managed to confine this danger to only 4-5 districts."
If a disaster strikes today, people have confidence that the government will provide relief, he added. The Chief Minister said there are currently 'Aapda mitras' in 25 of the state's districts. He instructed the revenue department to place them in each of the state's 75 districts and pay a proper honorarium to those who perform well by connecting them to the system.
During the foundation-laying ceremony of a grand five-story building being constructed at a cost of Rs 66.40 crore on one and a half acres, the Chief Minister emphasized advancing disaster management and public awareness in the state through technology.
Stating that Uttar Pradesh has nine different climatic zones, where the threat of disasters is always present, the CM said, "Due to rivers coming from the Himalayas, there is a constant risk of flooding from July to October. Lightning strikes are common in Vindhya and Bundelkhand, and Western Uttar Pradesh is located in an area that is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. The Terai region, adjacent to Nepal, is known for human-wildlife conflicts."
The Chief Minister said that under the guidance and leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Uttar Pradesh has made progress in various areas, including disaster management.
"We have achieved success in minimizing the loss of lives and financial losses caused by disasters to a minimum level. Previously, 40 districts of Uttar Pradesh were considered sensitive to floods, but due to best efforts, there are now only 4 to 5 districts where people face hardships for a week due to floods", he said.
He added, "During flood situations, the NDRF, SDRF, PAC flood units, Aapda mitras, local police administration, and representatives work together to take steps to minimize financial losses."
The CM continued by saying that in order to provide relief, many categories have been brought under the purview of disaster management for the first time. Human-wildlife conflict falls under one of these categories. Additionally, work is underway to install an early warning system for lightning alerts in all districts of the state. Several steps are being taken like installing a rain gauge system in every village council.
"In 2017, the state government formed three battalions of the SDRF. Today, it has its own headquarters and equipment. The double-engine government is continuously working to minimize the impact of every disaster in the state," Yogi pointed out.
He also noted that to further advance this work, the state government laid the foundation stone for constructing a building for SDMA on Thursday. "This building will serve as a milestone in the direction of disaster management in Uttar Pradesh, said the CM.
The Chief Minister released two books, three short films, and a radio jingle for public awareness. He further launched the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Plan 2023 and the Flood Action Plan 2023 books. He also inaugurated three short films and a radio jingle for public awareness on earthquakes, snake bites, and lightning strikes.
The Chief Minister honored Vinay Kumar, Jitendra Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Kumar Singh, Pushpendra, and Manish Kumar from the NDRF, who risk their lives to protect the public, by presenting them with certificates of appreciation. Additionally, he honored Chandeswar, Ramesh Chandra Mishra, Rajdeep Singh Chauhan, Ajay Singh, and Kishan Kumar from the SDRF by presenting them with certificates of appreciation.
The headquarters of the State Disaster Management Authority will cover an area of 150,000 square feet. It will be structured at three levels, incorporating an emergency operation center, a training center, and an administrative wing. The building will have five floors and a basement. The parking area has space for a total of 250 vehicles, with 100 spots for four-wheelers and 150 spots for two-wheelers. The design of the building will reflect the five elements. The building will be constructed in a manner that maximizes energy conservation. Its proximity to the Police Headquarters will facilitate strong coordination between the two departments. —ANI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath laid the foundation stone of the new building of the State Disaster Management Authority

CM Yogi Lays Foundation Stone Of SDMA New Building

Rajouri/ Jammu: Officials say that during a gunfight with security forces early on Friday morning in the Rajouri area of Jammu &amp; Kashmir, a terrorist was shot and killed.
The dead body of the ultra who was killed in the firefight has been recovered from a gorge where he had sought cover while the fighting was going on.
This is the third incidence of this kind that has been recorded from the Jammu region within the past three days.—Inputs from Agencies

Officials say that during a gunfight with security forces early on Friday morning in the Rajouri area of Jammu & Kashmir, a terrorist was shot and killed

1 terrorist killed in encounter with security forces in J&K's Rajouri

Bulandshahr: Tension prevailed in Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr district on Thursday after four Hindu temples were desecrated. Enraged Hindu organisations staged protests and demanded strict action against the miscreants who attacked the temples. The miscreants are also said to have vandalized 12 idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
According to the reports, the incident is said to have taken place in the Baral area late on Wednesday night.
The locals informed the police on Thursday when they discovered that four temples were vandalized. The police immediately reached the spot and sealed the temple premises. The officers have also launched an investigation into the case and have assured the local Hindu organisations that the miscreants would be arrested at the earliest.
As per preliminary information, the locals suspect that the miscreants deliberately attacked the temples with the intention of distributing communal harmony.
One of the temples which has been attacked by the miscreants is assumed to be 100 years old and a video on the social media shows idols of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman in a desecrated condition.
SP Surendra Nath Tiwari confirmed the incident and assured that all the miscreants will be arrested and punished as per the law.
—IANS

Tension prevailed in Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr district on Thursday after four Hindu temples were desecrated.

Tension In UP District After 4 Temples Desecrated

New Delhi: Delhi Police have tightened security measures along the city's borders, including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur, in the wake of a nationwide demonstration call by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) in support of the country's top grapplers protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
"Additional police personnel have been deployed, and extra checkpoints were set up to prevent any undesirable occurrences," a senior police official said on Thursday.
"Security has been heightened, and we have increased the presence of police personnel while setting up additional checkpoints at Delhi's borders. Our objective is to ensure the maintenance of law and order and prevent any untoward incidents," said another officer. The officer also mentioned that vehicles entering Delhi from neighbouring states are being subjected to thorough inspections at the borders. On Tuesday, the SKM had announced demonstrations and effigy burning of the WFI chief at villages and town centres on June 5, the day RSS workers and Mahants have called a rally in support of Brij Bhushan in Ayodhya.
The SKM also condemned the brutal repression of wrestlers protest on May 28, the day women wrestlers had called mahila mahapanchayat. "Modi Government's action against the wrestlers protesting against sexual harassment proves it's anti-woman and anti-people agenda. The crackdown against the protest infringes the citizens right to protest which has been repeatedly upheld by the Supreme Court," it said.
The SKM also demanded withdrawal of FIR against protestors and arrest of Brij Bhushan.
—IANS

 Delhi Police have tightened security measures along the city's borders, including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur,

Security Tightened At Delhi Borders  Following SKM’s Nationwide Protest Call

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