New Delhi (The Hawk) : Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways&nbsp;Shri Nitin Gadkari chaired the meeting to review the proposal of NHLML (National Highways Logistics Management Limited)&nbsp;to revamp logistics and allied activities in Delhi region along with Lt.Governor, Delhi Shri Anil Baijal , MoS Gen.V.K.Singh , Shri Gautam Gambhir , Shri Manoj Kumar Tiwari , Shri Ramesh Bidhuri , Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma&nbsp;and Shri Hans Raj Hans .NHLML, a SPV of NHAI, presented a plan to develop a future ready Delhi by building efficient logistics systems, creating integrated freight villages at strategic locations with hub and spoke model in &amp; around Delhi and making the Capital greener. NHLML's plan will not only decongest Delhi but also bring huge new investment in infrastructure sector. In the process it will create sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari chaired the meeting to review the proposal of NHLML (National Highways Logistics Management Limited) to revamp logistics and allied activities in Delhi region along with Lt.Governor, Delhi Shri Anil Baijal , MoS Gen.V.K.Singh , Shri Gautam Gambhir , Shri Manoj Kumar Tiwari , Shri Ramesh Bidhuri , Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma and Shri Hans Raj Hans .

Nitin Gadkari chairs meeting to review the proposal of NHLML to revamp logistics and allied activities in Delhi region

New Delhi: Sounding a note of caution, the Reserve Bank said on Friday said there is a risk of high wholesale price inflation (WPI) putting pressure on the retail inflation, albeit with a lag. In its annual report, the RBI said that the cost-push pressures from high industrial raw material prices, transportation costs and global logistics, and supply chain bottlenecks continue to impinge on core inflation. "The substantial wedge between wholesale and retail price inflation amidst a sharp rise in manufactured products' inflation poses the risk of a possible passthrough of input cost pressures to retail inflation with a lag, although slack in the economy is muting the pass-through," the central bank noted. The conflict over Ukraine and the consequent spike in commodity prices has overcast the outlook for inflation in India as in the rest of the world, it added.To control spiralling prices, the government had recently cut excise duty on petrol and diesel and also waived import duty on some raw materials used in the steel and plastic industry. Besides, export duty was hiked on iron ore and iron pellets. A rise in price across all items from fuel to vegetables and cooking oil pushed WPI or wholesale price inflation to a record high of 15.08 per cent in April and retail inflation to a nearly eight-year high of 7.79 per cent.High inflation prompted the Reserve Bank to hold an unscheduled meeting to raise the benchmark interest rate by 40 basis points to 4.40 per cent earlier this month.—PTI

Sounding a note of caution, the Reserve Bank said on Friday said there is a risk of high wholesale price inflation (WPI) putting pressure on the retail inflation, albeit with a lag.

High WPI may put pressure on retail inflation: RBI

New Delhi (The Hawk): Income Tax Department carried out search and seizure operations on 15.06.2022 on a leading industrial group of Chennai, engaged in the business of manufacturing of IMFL, logistics, hospitality, entertainment etc. The search operations were carried out at more than 40 premises located in Chennai, Villupuram, Puducherry, Coimbatore and Hyderabad.During the course of the search operations, various incriminating documentary and digital evidences have been seized. The analysis of such evidences indicates that the assessee group has indulged in large-scale tax evasion exceeding Rs. 400 crore by debiting non-genuine purchase bills in the books of account of varied businesses. These non-genuine purchase bills were either obtained from its regular material suppliers or from accommodation entry providers. On gleaning, the seized evidences have also revealed that the payments made to the material suppliers through cheque have been received back in cash for making unaccounted investments and also for other purposes.The group is also found to be controlling, back-office operations of its international chain of hotels, from India. So far, the search action has led to the seizure of undisclosed cash of Rs. 3 crore and unaccounted gold jewellery worth Rs. 2.5 crore.&nbsp;

Income Tax Department carried out search and seizure operations on 15.06.2022 on a leading industrial group of Chennai, engaged in the business of manufacturing of IMFL, logistics, hospitality, entertainment etc. The search operations were carried out at more than 40 premises located in Chennai, Villupuram, Puducherry, Coimbatore and Hyderabad.

Income Tax Department Conducts Searches In TN

New Delhi: India improves in the logistics ranking of the World Bank by jumping six places to rank 38 among 139 countries in the seventh edition of Logistics Performance Index (LPI 2023). India has been taking numerous initiatives since 2015 under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to improve its logistics efficiency. The World Bank has acknowledged India's efforts towards increasing logistics efficiency. On four out of six LPI indicators, India has seen remarkable improvement on the back of various initiatives being implemented over the past few years, according to the Ministry of commerce and industry release on Wednesday. "This is a strong indicator of India's global positioning, with this development being powered by our government's laser focus on reforms for improving logistics infrastructure. In October 2021, the government of India launched the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) towards a coordinated approach, leveraging technology, for infrastructure planning and development," according to the ministry. PMGS envisages breaking silos among different departments or ministries in states or Union Territories by combining all relevant data on a National Master Plan and State Master Plans (portals), respectively. It is a geographic information system (GIS)-based tool which integrates existing and proposed infrastructure initiatives of different central Ministries, to ensure first and last-mile connectivity, for seamless movement of people and goods. At the heart is intense communication and extensive data sharing among the central and state agencies promoting a collaborative approach, the ministry said. Through the power of technology and collaborative efforts of concerned agencies put together, the ministry said PM GatiShakti addresses the emerging needs of transforming the logistics landscape due to factors like rapid urbanisation, changing energy choices, e-commerce, the need to develop resilient supply chains etc. In September 2022, the Prime Minister launched the National Logistics Policy (NLP) which acts as a guiding document for states/UTs seeking to formulate logistics policy as 19 states or UTs have notified their logistics policy. The policy is centred around upgradation and digitisation of logistics infrastructure and services, according to the ministry. Further with a focus on bringing efficiency in services of processes, digital systems, regulatory framework, and human resources, the policy puts marked emphasis on streamlining processes for seamless coordination, and reduction in overall logistics cost, besides incentivising employment generation and skilling of the workforce. According to the statement, NLP lays emphasis on the shift towards more energy-efficient modes of transportation and greener fuels to reduce the carbon footprint. The policy also focuses on adopting the usage of multimodal transportation and complementing it by building multimodal logistics parks. Further, it emphasised on the importance of targeted policy reforms to improve the time spent by cargo at ports, airports, and multimodal facilities since most of the delays occur at these locations. The government also invested in trade-related soft and hard infrastructure connecting port gateways on both coasts to the economic zones in hinterland. Technology has been a critical component of this effort, with implementation under a public-private partnership of a supply chain visibility platform, which has contributed to remarkable reductions of delays, the ministry said. NICDC's Logistics Data Bank project applies radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to containers and offers consignees end-to-end tracking of their supply chain. Its implementation started in 2016 on the Western part of India and was scaled up to the pan-India level in 2020. With such initiatives of transparency, visibility, and ease of doing business, there has been significant improvement in cross-border trade facilitation, the ministry said. Also, the Logistics Data Bank project promotes healthy competition amongst the ports as it provides information on performance benchmarking, congestion, dwell time, speed, and transit-time analysis. Over a period, it has also become a repository of data and information relating to the logistics industry and the same is shared with the stakeholders through monthly, quarterly, and annual reports as a source of data for decision-making and improving logistics efficiency, the ministry said. The LPI report appreciates the Logistics Data Bank which reduces inefficiencies while connecting hinterland to ports. At a sub-national level, the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) has been conducting Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) study since 2018 which helps to identify and resolve logistics inefficiencies and improve trade facilitation across supply chains. On a national level, India has notified a productivity-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the boost to creating global champions in manufacturing, PM Mitra Textile Parks, bulk drug parks, other areas of manufacturing and 43 towns of export excellence meticulously focusing on specific sectors for exports and provision of related infrastructure, according to the commerce ministry. Resolving the logistics gaps or bottlenecks will help decrease the logistics cost and will lead to an increment in logistics efficiency which will contribute to ongoing reforms aimed at India becoming a global manufacturing or production hub in the coming years. Further other initiatives, like Sagarmala, which aims to improve connectivity to ports and reduce cargo dwell time and Bharatmala and focus on improving road connectivity of major corridors, have played a pivotal role in improving India's logistics efficiency, the ministry said. The LPI index is a perception-based survey conducted across select stakeholders dealing with respective countries. —ANI

India improves in the logistics ranking of the World Bank by jumping six places to rank 38 among 139 countries

India Jumps Six Spots To 38 In World Bank's Logistics Performance Index 2023

Chennai: At a time when the debate rages on renaming India as Bharat, logistics major Blue Dart Express Ltd has rebranded its service Dart Plus as Bharat Dart.
Bharat Dart is a time sensitive delivery service.
Blue Dart's decision to rebrand this service stems from an extensive discovery and research process aimed at aligning itself to the evolving needs of its customers.
The company has significantly expanded its serviceable locations, with a special focus on tier II and tier III cities in India.
The growth in these cities is closely related to the rise of a new middle class and the culture of consumption.
In FY-23, share of tier II and tier III cities as a percentage of the overall e-commerce market stood at 18.6 per cent and 37.1 per cent respectively, with a forecast to make further inroads in the sector, the company said.
According to Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, the rebranding represents an exciting transformation for the company as it continues to serve the length and breadth of the country.
Incidentally, several years ago, German auto major Daimler badged its trucks sold in India as Bharat Benz.
—IANS

At a time when the debate rages on renaming India as Bharat, logistics major Blue Dart Express Ltd has rebranded its service Dart Plus as Bharat Dart.

Blue Dart Express rebrands its service ‘Dart Plus’ as ‘Bharat Dart’

New Delhi: As part of the Indian Army’s decision to shift its annual Army Day Parade to different venues, Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, will be the host for the event next year on January 15, Army officials said. Traditionally, the Indian Army Day Parade was conducted at Delhi Cantonment every year but in line with the government’s endeavour to shift major events to different parts of the country, from last year onwards, it was decided to be held outside the National capital and Bengaluru was the first outside venue in January 2023.&nbsp;
“The forthcoming Army Day Parade, set for January 15, 2024, will be hosted in Lucknow. Post the Bengaluru event, the Indian Army has planned to ensure that each of its six operational commands gets a chance to host the parade. The idea is to conduct the event in selected venues within all the commands, on a rotational basis,” Army officials said. The last event was conducted in the Southern Command area and the upcoming event will be conducted in Central Command, they said. "This move aims to increase public engagement, foster national unity, and showcase the might and discipline of the Indian Army to diverse audiences across the country," the officials said. 
"The rotation is not just about changing cities but about shifting the spotlight to various commands, each of which plays a unique and critical role in the nation's defence. This also offers a chance to highlight the distinct cultural and regional backdrops against which our army operates," as per officials. 
Details about the logistical aspects of the parade in Lucknow, such as the parade route, participating units, and any special attractions are being worked out, as per officials.
—ANI

As part of the Indian Army’s decision to shift its annual Army Day Parade to different venues, Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh

Army Day Parade 2024 to be held in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow

New Delhi: The Third Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, Yard 77 (LSAM 9) was launched by Cmde G Ravi, Warship Production Superintendent (Visakhapatnam), on September 22 at Guttenadeevi, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh (the launch site of M/s SECON), Ministry of Defence said in a statement.  With all major and auxiliary equipment/systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, this barge is a proud flag bearer of the “Make in India” initiatives of the Ministry of Defence.&nbsp;
"Contract for construction and delivery of 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge was concluded with M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam, a MSME, in consonance with “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives of the Government of India. The MSME shipyard has already delivered first MCA Barge on 18 Jul 23 and has launched Second Barge on 18 Aug 23. This Barge is being built under the classification rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) with a service life of 30 years. The availability of MCA Barges will provide impetus to Operational commitments of IN by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles / ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours," the ministry's statement said.  Earlier this year, the Second Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, Yard 76 (LSAM 8) was launched by Cmde G Ravi, Warship Production Superintendent (Visakhapatnam) on August 18 at Guttenadeevi, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh (launch site of M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd).
—ANI

The Third Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, Yard 77 (LSAM 9) was launched by Cmde G Ravi, Warship Production Superintendent 

Indian Navy gets 3rd missile-cum-ammunition barge

Karachi: Visa and passport issues have left the national senior cricket team in Australia without a doctor and the under-19 side in the UAE without a team manager.
Sohail Saleem, who was named as the official team doctor for the series in Australia and New Zealand, is yet to join the team.  “The Pakistan Cricket Board is still trying to get a visa for Dr Saleem and as soon as it comes he will join the side in Australia in time for the first Test in Perth,” a reliable source in the PCB said.
He said similarly former Test batsman, Shoaib Muhammad, who was named manager of the Pakistan junior side taking part in the Asia Cup in UAE, has also been unable to leave with the squad.  "Shoaib had some expired passport issues which the board is sorting out and hopefully he will also soon reach UAE to take charge,” the source said.  Ironically even the off-spinner, Sajid Khan, who is set to replace Abrar Ahmed in the Pakistan squad in Australia has also had his departure delayed due to visa issues.  The source admitted before naming the officials in any touring squad, the board should make it certain they will leave with their teams on schedule.
—PTI

Visa and passport issues have left the national senior cricket team in Australia without a doctor and the under-19 side in the UAE

Pakistan team in Australia without a doctor

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India]: In a historic moment for India's rail infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off a second Vande Bharat Express between Varanasi and New Delhi on Monday. The Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express, Dohrighat-Mau MEMU train and a pair of Long Haul goods trains were flagged off by the Prime Minister at the newly inaugurated Dedicated Freight Corridor.
The highlight of the event was the 10,000th locomotive made by Banaras Locomotive Works. The Vande Bharat Express, a symbol of the 'Make in India' initiative, promises to revolutionize travel between Uttar Pradesh and the national capital. Scheduled to commence regular operations on December 20, the train will connect Varanasi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, and New Delhi, offering a swift and modern travel option for pilgrims and professionals alike. The Vande Bharat Express, a self-propelled semi-high-speed train, boasts superior design, interiors, and speed, promising passengers a pleasant and efficient travel experience. Departing from Varanasi at 6:00 AM, the Vande Bharat Express is set to reach Prayagraj, Kanpur Central and finally New Delhi, enhancing connectivity and fostering cultural, industrial, and economic development in the region.  The return journey will commence from New Delhi at 3:00 PM, concluding its route in Varanasi at 11:05 PM. In parallel, the dedication of the 402 km-long stretch of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor from New Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction to New Bhaupur Junction underscores the government's commitment to strengthening the logistics sector. Built at Rs 10,903 crore, this corridor connects coal fields in Jharkhand and West Bengal to power plants in Northern India. Operating at speeds of up to 100 km/h, freight trains on this corridor have significantly reduced logistic costs and time, benefitting industries such as coal, iron, and steel. The completion of this segment not only eases the pressure on the Delhi-Howrah main line but also paves the way for additional passenger train services and the development of a multimodal logistics park near New Kanpur Junction.  The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor stands as a testament to the government's vision for modernizing infrastructure and fostering economic growth. Indian Railways, often considered the engine of India's progress, continues to play a pivotal role in the nation's economic development under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
—ANI

In a historic moment for India's rail infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off a second Vande Bharat Express between Varanasi and New Delhi

PM Modi flags off second Vande Bharat train between Varanasi and Delhi

Wajima, Japan: The death toll from Japan's New Year's Day earthquake topped 100 on Saturday with more than 200 people still missing, the country's deadliest quake in nearly eight years.
The magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck Japan's west coast destroyed infrastructure, leaving 23,000 homes without power in the Hokuriku region.  The search for survivors under collapsed buildings continued for a sixth day as more than 30,000 evacuees awaited aid.
Sixteen further deaths were confirmed in Wajima city and Anamizu town by 1 pm (0400 GMT) on Saturday, bringing the total to 110, Kyodo news agency said, quoting the Ishikawa prefectural government and other sources.  As of Saturday morning, 98 people had been confirmed dead, according to the Ishikawa government website.  It is the highest toll since quakes in Kumamoto in southwestern Japan killed 276 people, including related deaths, in 2016.  Road disruptions and other problems have hindered the delivery of relief supplies.  Freelance cameraman Masao Mochizuki, 73, stood in a long line of Wajima residents in front of a supermarket that reopened on Thursday, to buy necessities.  "It is such a help that they have managed to reopen the store," Mochizuki told Reuters after buying a box of heat patches, blue plastic sheets to cover broken windows and a pair of shoes to protect his feet from the shattered glass that is all over the floors of his house.  "But I don't see the road to reconstruction just yet," Mochizuki said, his voice cracking with emotion.
—Reuters

The death toll from Japan's New Year's Day earthquake topped 100 on Saturday with more than 200 people still missing

Japan earthquake death toll tops 100 with hundreds still missing

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh): In anticipation of the forthcoming Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the revered Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off a fleet of 100 electric buses dedicated to tourists in the city. Commencing operations on January 15, these eco-friendly buses will ply along the historic routes of Dharma Path and Ram Path, providing seamless transportation for locals and visitors alike.  Ayodhya's Regional Transport Officer, Ritu Singh, expressed the city's commitment to clean transportation, announcing the formation of Ayodhya City Bus Transportation Ltd for the electric bus initiative. "We aim to provide efficient and eco-friendly transportation services," Singh said. The electric buses will debut their services by catering to the VVIP guests invited to the grand event on January 22.  Singh further emphasized the promotion of environmentally friendly modes of transport within the city, such as CNG autos, tempos, and taxis. Under the initiative 'Mera Chalak, Mera Mann,' the city is focusing on driver sanitation and training to ensure a positive image for Ayodhya's visitors.  Transport associations have been advised to maintain fair pricing, and commercial vehicle drivers are urged to wear proper uniforms to enhance the overall experience for passengers. Singh also highlighted ongoing efforts to introduce e-autos in Ayodhya shortly.  Electric bus driver Manoj Kumar Yadav expressed his joy in being part of this initiative, praising the pollution-free and air-conditioned features of the buses. Another driver, Sharjah Alam, commended the city's decorations for the upcoming event, highlighting Ayodhya's readiness to welcome guests.  The city is also gearing up for enhanced connectivity, with new parking lots marked at Udaya Chowk on the Chaudah Kosi and Panchkosi Parikrama routes, covering a total of 70 acres.  Ram Path and Dharma Path, two of Ayodhya's main routes, will witness the operation of electric buses, aligning with the Uttar Pradesh government's plan to facilitate tourists and pilgrims during the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. The seven-day event, starting on January 16, will include various rituals along the Saryu River, marking an auspicious occasion for Ayodhya and its residents.
—Input from Agencies

Yogi Adityanath launches 100 electric buses for seamless travel, embracing sustainable and grand festivities.

Ayodhya Prepares for Grand Event: CM Yogi Adityanath Launches 100 E-Buses for Tourists

Seoul: More manufacturers are seeking to fly their products in the next few weeks as attacks on Red Sea shipping force them to find alternate routes, logistics firms say, a potential boon for a sector dealing with muted post-pandemic demand and overcapacity.
The Red Sea, which leads to the Suez canal, lies on the key east-west trade route from Asia's manufacturing hubs to Europe and onto the east coast of the Americas. About 12 per cent of world shipping traffic accesses the Suez Canal via its waters.  But more than two months of attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia on ships in the region have affected companies and alarmed major powers in an escalation of Israel's war with Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza.  While air freight prices have so far remained relatively stable as the shipping crisis coincides with a seasonal lull in demand, data from freight booker Freightos showed rates on a China-to-Europe route had surged 91 per cent week-on-week on Sunday.  Price reporting agency TAC Index also said there were signs of an uptick in China-to-Europe air freight rates this week.  "We are talking to many customers already about increased air capacity," said Yngve Ruud, head of Air Logistics at global logistics firm Kühne+Nagel. "We have probably 20-30 per cent more discussions and proposals than usual in January."
Air freight is costly compared to sea freight, and not competitive for bulky, low-margin items. Such constraints have limited air cargo to less than 1 per cent of global trade by volume, according to airline industry association IATA.  But since the attacks, which have forced shippers to take costlier routes that can add weeks to delivery times, air freight has become a more attractive option.  Korean Air Cargo, one of the world's largest carriers by volume, said it was starting to see an increase in demand and more customer inquiries.  Several logistics firms including Germany's Schenker, France's Bollore Logistics and US-based C H Robinson are also securing additional air freight space, the companies said, and Chrysler parent Stellantis said last week it was relying on air freight to cope with temporary disruptions.  "As the price of ocean goes up, as the transit times increase, and as backlogs build up, that's when shippers start to get very concerned that they won't have their spring inventory," said Neel Jones Shah, chief customer officer at digital freight forwarder Flexport.  "The first thing you're going to see convert is shippers that do 20 per cent air 80 per cent ocean for the same product, go to 50:50."  MULTI-MODAL OPTIONS  A slowdown in the global economy has helped to mute the impact on trade flows from the attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthis, who say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.
The Baltic Air Freight Index, which shows general cargo weekly transactional rates, has fallen since early December and was down 34 per cent last week from a year ago. Global cargo demand was down 2.5 per cent in November from the same month before the pandemic, while capacity increased 4.1 per cent, according to IATA.  Logistics sources say customers are increasingly looking into multi-modal routes, shipping by sea into the Middle East, for example, and then onwards to Europe by air.  Kühne+Nagel said some customers have started sending containers to Dubai and Los Angeles and then flying the goods onwards to their destinations.  Asia-focused freight forwarder Dimerco also said customers were calculating costs for sea-air combinations via Dubai as well as direct air freight services.  Air, however, still remains an option, rather than the default, as customers hold off on committing amid sluggish demand and as many factories in manufacturing hub China prepare to close for the Lunar New Year holiday in February, Dimerco spokesperson Alvin Fuh added.  But the longer the Red Sea crisis continues, the more manufacturers will turn to air freight, shippers said.  "The longer the situation persists, the more pressure is added to sea freight capacity and customers' supply chains, thereby going closer and closer to the 'tipping point' for a need for air freight conversion," said Jack Liu, Senior Vice President of Air Logistics at Kühne+Nagel Asia Pacific.
—Reuters

Rising attacks on Red Sea shipping disrupt global trade routes, prompting manufacturers to explore air freight options. 

Freighters seek air cargo back-up amid Red Sea shipping crisis

New Delhi: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Minister for Heavy Industries Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey in the national capital and requested the Union Minister to transfer the ownership of 492 acres of unused land owned by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Haridwar to the Uttarakhand government. Chief Minister Dhami expressed his gratitude for the support received from the Center for Industrial Development and said that the state of Uttarakhand is continuously developing in the field of ease of doing business, investment promotion and start-up. India is continuously getting the best category in the rankings issued by the government. The Chief Minister said that 457 acres of land owned by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Haridwar, established in Uttarakhand, which is located adjacent to the Integrated Industrial Estate, Haridwar, is vacant due to being unused for about 60 years. Also, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd An additional 35 acres of vacant and unused land owned by Linited, Haridwar is available, located along the Haridwar Railway Line and suitable for setting up Multi Modal Logistics Park (MLD). The Chief Minister said that in order to promote investment in the state of Uttarakhand, the said 457 acres of land can be transferred to the state government for industrial expansion and 35 acres of land can be transferred to the state government for setting up Multi-Model Logistics Park (MMLP), which will help in increasing the investment in the state. Investment will get a new dimension, and youth will also get employment opportunities, he added. Apart from this, the Union Minister gave in-principle consent for the construction of the Center of Excellence in Roorkee and Pantnagar in Uttarakhand. —ANI

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Minister for Heavy Industries Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey 

CM Meets Union Minister For Heavy Industries; Requests To Transfer Ownership Of 492 Acres Of Unused Land

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): The nominations for the eight constituencies in Uttar Pradesh in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections will start today. The nomination process will take place between 11 am to 3 pm. It will be done in Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina, Moradabad, Rampur, and Pilibhit.
Out of 8 Lok Sabha seats, seven are general and 1 seat is reserved for SC. The last date for the first phase nomination is March 27, scrutiny of nomination papers on March 28 and withdrawal of nominations on March 30. There are 1.43 crore voters in 8 Lok Sabha constituencies of the first phase (76.23 lakh men, 67.14 lakh women, 824 third gender). A total of 7693 polling stations and 14842 polling places were created. Elections will be held in 102 Lok Sabha seats in 17 States and Four Union Territories in this phase.
39 seats in Tamil Nadu, 12 in Rajasthan, 8 in Uttar Pradesh, and 6 in Madhya Pradesh will go to polls in the first phase. Along with them, five seats in Uttarakhand, Assam and Maharashtra, four seats in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and one seat in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep and Puducherry will also go to polls on April 19. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India on Wednesday issued the notification for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 to be conducted on April 19. In the notification, the ECI informed that March 28 will be the last date for filing nominations for Bihar and March 27 for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep and Puducherry. "March 30 will be the date for scrutiny of nominations for Bihar and March 28 for others," the notification said.  According to the ECI's notification, April 2 will be the last date for withdrawal of candidatures for Bihar and March 30 for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.
—ANI

Get the latest updates on Uttar Pradesh's Lok Sabha elections, including nomination process, polling schedule, voter statistics, and key dates.

Nomination for first phase of Lok Sabha elections in UP to start from today

New Delhi: World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat on Friday accused the Wrestling Federation of India president Sanjay Singh of trying to stop her from competing in the Olympic Qualifiers by creating logistical hurdles for her support staff, saying she is also fearful of being trapped in a doping case.
The 29-year-old Phogat, who won 53kg bronze medals in the 2019 and 2022 World Championships besides a gold in the 2018 Asian Games (in 50kg), would be eyeing an Olympic quota in the 50kg category in the Asian qualifying tournament next week in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.  At the selection trials in Patiala, she had also competed in the 53kg category after the authorities allowed her but lost in the semifinals.  "Brij Bhushan and his dummy Sanjay Singh are trying in every way to stop me from playing in the Olympics. All the coaches who have been appointed with the team are the favourites of Brij Bhushan and his team, so it cannot be denied that they may mix something in my water and make me drink it during my match?" Phogat said in lengthy post on his 'X' page.
Watch: <a href="https://twitter.com/Phogat_Vinesh/status/1778647953932198361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1778647953932198361%7Ctwgr%5E50acc5aedd6478b430357e4c58ac66c4920b4cca%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Fsports%2Fother-sports%2Fbrij-bhushan-his-dummy-wfi-chief-sanjay-singh-trying-to-stop-me-from-playing-olympics-alleges-vinesh-phogat-2975216" target="_self">https://twitter.com/Phogat_Vinesh/status/1778647953932198361?</a>
"If I say that there could be a conspiracy to trap me in doping, then it will not be wrong.'' Phogat alleged that her personal coach and physio were being denied accreditation for the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament starting April 19.  ''For the past one month, I have been requesting the Government of India (SAI, TOPS) for the accreditation of my coach and physio. Without accreditation, it is not possible for my coach and physio to accompany me to the competition arena,'' she said.  ''But despite repeated requests, I am not getting any concrete answer from anywhere. No one is ready to help. Will the future of players always be played with like this? No stone is being left unturned to mentally harass us. How far is it justified to torture us like this before such an important competition?'' she asked.
Phogat was one of the three top wrestlers of the country who led a protracted protest against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexually harassing women wrestlers.  After a case was filed against Brij Bhushan by Delhi Police, a local court granted him bail in July.
She wondered if the difficulties she is facing now are due to the protest she led alongside Olympic bronze medal winners Bjarnag Punia and Sakshi Malik.  "Will we face politics even before we go to play for the country because we raised our voice against sexual harassment? Is this the punishment for raising voice against wrong in our country? I hope we will get justice before we go to play for the country."
—PTI

Vinesh Phogat accuses Wrestling Federation president of obstructing Olympic journey. Controversy arises over logistical hurdles and doping fears.

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