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India adds 12,249 coronavirus infections, 13 deaths; active cases up by over 2300

24-Jun-2022

New Delhi: (PTI) India reported 12,249 new coronavirus infections and 13 deaths, while active cases went up by over 2,300 in a 24-hour span, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

The latest updates pushed the country's overall Covid numbers to 4,33,31,645 cases, 5,24,903 deaths and 81,687 active cases, the data released at 8 am showed.

The number of active cases rose by 2,374 from Tuesday to stand at 81,687, and now constitute 0.19 per cent of the total infections, the ministry said.

The country's COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.60 per cent as the number of people who have recuperated from the disease increased to 4,27,25,055. The case fatality rate was recorded at 1.21 per cent.

According to the ministry, 196.45 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020. It surpassed the grim milestone of four crore cases on January 25 this year.

The 13 new fatalities include eight from Kerala and one each from Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Z category security cover for Yashwant Sinha

24-Jun-2022

New Delhi, Jun 24 (PTI) The Centre has extended a Z category cover of armed CRPF commandos to the opposition's presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha, officials said on Friday.

The squad has taken over the task after the Union home ministry directed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) VIP security wing to ensure protection to the 84-year-old Sinha.

The armed personnel, about eight to ten working in shifts, will escort Sinha whenever he moves across the country, they said.

A higher Z-plus cover of CRPF commandos has also been accorded to the NDA presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu.

Sinha is expected to file his nomination on June 27 following which he will travel across the country seeking votes in his favour.

The presidential election would be held on July 18 to elect a successor to incumbent Ram Nath Kovind and the result would be out on July 21.

Kovind's term will end on July 24.

If any MLA wants me to not continue as the CM, I am ready to take all my belongings from Varsha Bungalow :udhav Thackeray

23-Jun-2022

the states man

“If any MLA wants me to not continue as the CM, I am ready to take all my belongings from Varsha Bungalow (official residence of the CM) to Matoshri,” Thackeray said.

After reaching his family home ‘Matoshree’ in Mumbai on Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray greeted hundreds of Shiv Sena supporters gathered outside his residence.

The chief minister left his official residence ‘Varsha’ along with his family members earlier today after he expressed his readiness to step down if rebel MLAs returned to Mumbai and made such a demand. Uddhav Thackeray left his official residence along with members of his family amid slogans of “Uddhav tum aage badho, hum tumhare saath hain” from his supporters.

Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray along with his mother Rashmi Thackeray and brother Tejas Thackeray followed Uddhav Thackeray in a car as left the official residence. Luggage was also seen being moved out of the chief minister’s official residence.

Aaditya Thackeray showed victory signs on reaching ‘Matoshree’ today.

The political crisis facing the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra deepened on Wednesday after rebel party MLAs claimed the support of 46 MLAs. Congress and NCP are partners of Shiv Sena in the alliance government.

Shiv Sena workers also gathered outside Matoshree, the residence of the Thackeray family, to express their support.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, Thackeray addressed the people of the state via Facebook and said he was willing to give his resignation to party MLAs who can take it to Raj Bhavan.

Noting that a section of party MLAs was gunning for his ouster, he said instead of going to Surat, they could have conveyed their feelings to him. Thackeray said it is a matter of shame for him if “even a single MLA” was against him.

“If any MLA wants me to not continue as the CM, I am ready to take all my belongings from Varsha Bungalow (official residence of the CM) to Matoshri,” Thackeray said.

“I am ready to give my resignation to the MLAs, they should come here and take my resignation to Raj Bhavan. I am ready to leave the post of Shiv Sena party head also, not on the saying of others but my workers,” he added.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut expressed confidence in Shiv Sena sailing through the crisis.

“Uddhav Thackeray is Maharashtra Chief Minister and he will remain the CM. If we get the chance, we will prove our majority on the floor of the House,” he said.

Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde, who is leading the revolt, said that it was essential for the party for its survival to get out of the “unnatural alliance” and asserted that only the constituent parties benefitted during the tenure of the coalition government in the state.

“In the last two and a half years, the government benefited only the constituent parties. It’s essential to get out of the unnatural alliance for the survival of the party. Decisions need to be taken now in the interest of Maharashtra,” Shinde said in tweets.

Man killed by Naxals in Maharashtr

23-Jun-2022

Nagpur, Jun 23 (PTI) Naxals have allegedly killed a 37-year-old man in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, police said on Thursday.

The rebels allegedly picked up the victim, Lucky Kumar Oksa, from his house in Malampodur village on Wednesday night and killed him using sharp weapons, a senior police official said.

The victim's body was found in the village on Thursday morning, he said.

The reason behind the killing was yet to be ascertained.

The police were conducting an investigation into the incident, the official added.

Narwa Mission constituted at the instructions of the Chief Minister

23-Jun-2022

The mission has been constituted for the smooth operation of the works related to the recharge of the drainage channels

Narwa Mission will harmonize the work implemented for Narwa repairs by different departments

The seven-member Narwa Mission has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Subrat Sahoo

To enable the smooth operation of Narwa programmes in Chhattisgarh under the instructions of the Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, to expedite the works related to the Narwa development, and to establish harmony between the works carried out for Narwa development by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department and the Climate Change Department, a seven-member Narwa Mission was constituted under the Chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest and Climate Change Department, Mr. Subrat Sahoo.

The Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department Mr. R. Prasanna, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Forces Mr. Rakesh Chaturvedi, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Executive Officer Campa Mr. V. Shrinivas Rao, Additional Pricipal Chief Conservator of Forests (Joint Forest Management) Mr. Arun Kumar Pandey, Commissioner of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Mission Mr. Mohammad Abdul Kaiser Haq, Nodal Officer of Narwa-Garwa-Gurwa-Badi and Chhattisgarh Godhan Nyay Scheme Dr. Tamboli Aiyaaz Fakir Bhai, and the Chief Engineer of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Mission Mr. Narayan Nimje will be the members of the Narwa Mission.

The Narwa Programmes in the state are being conducted by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department and the Forest and Climate Change Department. The Narwa programme aims at recharging underground water by the supply of water from drainage channels so that they have an everlasting water supply through structures like small underground dykes.

This program will increase the irrigated areas in Chhattisgarh and water will be available for agriculture in most places. Water supply problems for release will also be remedied. Additionally, it will also promote biodiversity.

The Additional Chief Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development Department will monitor the Narwa Programme conducted by the Department through their Head Office, and the works related to the Narwa development done by the Forest and Climate Change Department will be reviewed and operated by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and the Head of Forest Forces.

Under the Narwa Development Programme, 30 thousand drainage channels in the state have been selected for recharging. Under the first phase, the repair of 9541 Narwas have been permitted. Under the Narwa Development Programme, structures like Loose Boulder Check, Check dam, Gully Plug, Contour Trench, and Stop Dam are being constructed to keep away the rain water from flooding the drainage channels during the repairs. Now the repaired channels have water even during the summers. This has raised the availability of water for release, irrigation, and drinking water while also increasing the ground water level.

Executive Committee of the SAARC Journalist Forum India Chapter MH Zakaria as Vice Presidents

23-Jun-2022

May be an image of 11 people, beard and text that says 'Executive members of SAARC journalists fourm indian chapter SAARO 一 SAARC Journalist Forum Weworkfor wort We Journalists SAARC Joumallet Forum India'

The Executive Committee of the SAARC Journalist Forum India Chapter has been announced. In-charge of India Chapter and Vice President of SJF Ram Nath Vidrohi made this announcement today.The remaining members of the Executive Committee will be announced soon, he said.According to the announcement Dr. Samrendra Pathak has been appointed as Executive Chairman, Anirudh Sudhanshu President, Sushil Bharti General Secretary, Vijay Singh alias Shyam Nath Singh Organization General Secretary.

Likewise, Ram Dayal Meena and MH Zakaria as Vice Presidents, Devendra Gautam Treasurer, Gopal Sharma and Peersad Mustaq Ahmed as Secretaries, Abhijit Rai as Spokesperson & Farooq Shahmiri, Mahendra Kumar and Omendra Dadhichi have been appointed as an Executive Members of SJF India Chapter.

A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Agnipath scheme,

22-Jun-2022

New Delhi: A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Agnipath scheme, to induct youth into all three armed forces for a period of four years.

The plea, filed by advocate M.L. Sharma sought a direction from the top court to quash the notification issued by the Ministry of Defence on June 14 announcing the scheme. Noting that a large section of youth have started protesting against the scheme in various parts of the country, the plea said: “According to the impugned press note… dated 14.06.2022, after 4 years out of 100 per cent selected candidates for Permanent Commission in Indian Army, 25 per cent will be continued in Indian Army force and the rest 75 per cent will be retired/denied jobs in the Indian Army. During 4 years they will be paid salary and perk but after 4 years, denied candidates will get no pension etc. The plea said the Central government, contrary to the constitutional provisions and without having approval from the Parliament and without any gazette notification, quashed the century-old army selection process and imposed the scheme on the country.

Citing a protest at ITO, New Delhi, the plea said: “Several students along with the members of All India Students’ Association (AISA) on Friday staged a protest over the Central government’s Agnipath scheme for recruitment in the armed forces and demanded its rollback.” “Holding placards, the students raised slogans against the government and sat in between the old Delhi Police headquarters and the Gate No 5 of the ITO Delhi Metro Station.”

The plea said the scheme would cause a serious injury to the citizens, including to the Indian Army, which cannot be repaired if not quashed.—AGENCY

Former Jharkhand Gov. Draupadi Murmu is NDA’s presidential candidate

22-Jun-2022

SNS | New Delhi

Draupadi Murmu as presidential candidate: NDA has announced former Jharkhand governor, Draupadi Murmu, as its candidate for the upcoming presidential elections. Draupadi Murmu, is the second women and a first tribal presidential candidate.

Earlier in the day joint opposition parties announced senior leader Yashwant Sinha as their candidate. Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha who had joined TMC had earlier resigned from the party. He announced his resignation through twitter hinting that he was resigning to take on bigger responsibilities throwing a hint at his presidential candidature.

With the announcement of NDA candidate the speculations over the possible candidates have come to an end.

Eknath Shinde claims 40 Shiv Sena MLAs reached Assam, says will carry Balasaheb Thackeray’s Hindutva

22-Jun-2022

ANI

Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Wednesday claimed that 40 party MLAs have reached Assam and said that they will carry Balasaheb Thackeray’s Hindutva.

Shinde along with other MLAs was staying at a hotel in Gujarat’s Surat following the cross-voting in Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) polls and took flight earlier today to reach Guwahati. His remarks came as speculation is rife that Shinde along with other MLAs might join the BJP in a bid to topple the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.

“A total of 40 Shiv Sena MLAs are present here. We will carry Balasaheb Thackeray’s Hindutva,” said Shinde after arriving in Guwahati.

After the MLC elections, Shinde along with some other Shiv Sena MLAs was staying at Le Meridien hotel in Surat. A Shiv Sena delegation comprising Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s close aides Milind Narvekar and Ravindra Phatak also met Shinde and other party legislators in Surat.

Alleging that efforts are being made to topple the MVA government, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday confirmed that some Shiv Sena MLAs and Eknath Shinde were currently “not reachable”. He said that Shiv Sena MLAs were in Surat and they were not being allowed to leave.

Amid the drama, Shinde took a veiled dig at Shiv Sena for joining hands with Congress and NCP to form the government in the state and tweeted, “We are Balasaheb’s staunch Shiv Sainiks … Balasaheb has taught us Hindutva. We have never and will never cheat for power regarding Balasaheb’s thoughts and Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Saheb’s teachings.”

Shinde has also dropped “Shiv Sena” from his Twitter bio. He has been instrumental in strengthening the organisation in the Thane region and was made the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2014 after the Shiv Sena parted ways with the BJP. Shinde was appointed as a cabinet minister in the MVA government.

However, sources said Shinde has been feeling sidelined since the formation of the MVA government. His son Shrikant Shinde represents the Kalyan Lok Sabha seat.

Amid these developments, Shiv Sena leaders met Deputy Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly Narhari Zirwal and handed over him a letter requesting to remove Eknath Shinde from the Legislative party leader’s post and replace him with Ajay Chaudhary as Shiv Sena Legislative party leader.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil claimed that “technically” the state government is in “minority” as Eknath Shinde and other Shiv Sena MLAs have gone.

He said that the BJP was presently in a “wait and watch” mode and added that there has not been any proposal regarding government formation neither from the BJP nor from Shinde.

“BJP got support from independents and small political parties for Rajya Sabha and MLC elections. As per our information, Eknath Shinde and 35 MLAs have gone. This means technically state government is in minority but practically it will take some time for the government to be in minority,” he said.

“It’s too early to say anything, we are currently waiting and keeping an eye on the situation. So far, there has not been any proposal regarding government formation neither from the BJP nor from Eknath Shinde but anything can happen in politics at any time,” the BJP leader added.

The BJP and the Shiv Sena used to be allies until 2019 when after contesting the Maharashtra Assembly elections together both parted ways over the issue of the chief ministerial’s post.

Following days of the political impasse and high-voltage drama, the Shiv Sena finally formed the government along with the Congress and the NCP, with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray heading the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance government.

Agnipath protests: Railways cancels 529 trains

20-Jun-2022

New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) More than 500 trains were cancelled on Monday with operations again disrupted by protests against the Agnipath defence recruitment scheme.

While 539 trains were affected, 529 trains were cancelled, including 181 mail/express trains and 348 passengers trains, the Railways said in a statement.

The Railways also partially cancelled four mail/express trains.

Anti-Agnipath agitation: Massive protest rally in Kerala

18-Jun-2022

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 18 (PTI) Hundreds of youth on Saturday took out a massive protest march here against the Centre's decision to implement the new Agnipath scheme for the recruitment of soldiers, airmen and sailors.

Large number of army job aspirants, who have been reportedly waiting to get enrolled into the defence service, gathered at Thampanoor, located in the heart of the city, in the morning and marched to Raj Bhavan, the official residence of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.

They could be seen raising slogans against the Union government's new military recruitment scheme and holding placards and banners urging the authorities to withdraw their decision at the earliest.

The protesting youth were reportedly hailing from various parts of the southern state.

An agitating man said they would continue the strike till the Centre rolls back its decision and justice is ensured to them.

"Many of us have decided to join the army and started preparations for the examination after dropping our graduation studies midway. What will we do if the Centre goes ahead with this scheme? Our future will be in peril. So, we will continue our fight till we get justice," he said.

Violent protests have broken out in parts of the country demanding the Centre to roll back Agnipath scheme unveiled by the Ministry of Defence which is a pan-India merit-based recruitment scheme for enrolling soldiers, airmen and sailors.

Trains were set afire, public and police vehicles attacked and personnel injured as protests over 'Agnipath' snowballed and swept across several states including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on Thursday and Friday.

On Friday, a 24-year-old man was shot dead in police firing during protests in Telangana's Secunderabad.

Under the scheme, young persons will be provided an opportunity to serve in the armed forces as 'Agniveer' for a period of four years, including training period.

Agnipath:One person was killed and three others injured in the police firing on Secunderabad railway station

17-Jun-2022

Secunderabad : One person was killed and three others injured in the police firing on youths protesting at the Secunderabad railway station on Friday against the Central government's new military recruitment policy.

Police opened fire after the protesters went on a rampage at the station setting afire two trains and vandalising the station. The injured were admitted to Gandhi Hospital.

The situation continued to be tense as a large number of protesters remained in the station and on the tracks. The protesters were pelting stones on police while the latter were retaliating with firing of rubber bullets and teargas shells.

The Railway Protection Force, Government Railway Police and city police were trying to bring the situation under control.

Additional forces were rushed to the area which resembled a battle zone. Authorities have cancelled all the trains. With the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) buses also being targeted outside the station, the corporation suspended bus services in the area.

Violence rocked the railway station here as hundreds of youth went on a rampage, setting afire East Coast Express. Passengers ran for their safety. Several bogies were gutted.

Raising slogans against the Central government, the protesters also torched bogies of another train on the station, stalls, display boards and other railway property. They also dumped parcel articles on the tracks and set them afire.

The protesters, who were raising slogans of 'Jai jawan Jai kisan' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' ,demanded that the government scrap the recently announced scheme and continue the existing system of recruitment.

The youth were angry that the government cancelled the recruitment examination for which they had been preparing for the last 3-4 years. They said their protest would continue till the Centre scraps the new scheme.

Following the large-scale violence, an alert was sounded at all railway stations in Telangana. Security was tightened at Nampally, Kacheguda and other railway stations in Hyderabad.

Forces were also rushed to Kazipet and Jangaon railway stations as a precautionary measure.

AGENCY PN PUT

Director General of Police Ashok Juneja reviewed the law and order situation and crime prevention in state

16-Jun-2022

Reviewed the progress of action taken against the operators of chit fund companies

Instructed to take stern action against criminals involved in drug trafficking, theft, robbery and knife crimes

Take effective action to curb gambling, illegal betting and sale of illicit liquor

Director General of Police Mr. Ashok Juneja reviewed the law and order situation in the state and effective crime prevention in a meeting organized through video conferencing at the Police Headquarters today. Inspector General of Police of all ranges and Superintendents of Police of all districts of the state attended the meeting.

DGP Mr. Juneja reviewed in detail the action taken against operators of chit fund companies and work being done to get back money of the investors duped by chit fund companies as per the instructions of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. He directed the officials concerned to take swift action in these cases. Besides, Mr. Juneja directed to take stern action against the criminals involved in drug trafficking, theft, robbery and knife crimes to curb related crimes in the state. He also directed to ensure effective action under the relevant Act against those involved activities like gambling, illegal betting and sale of illicit liquor.

While reviewing the control of property related crimes, violent crimes, crime against women and children in all the districts, DGP Juneja said that strict action should be taken against the accussed to control the related crimes.

Inquiring about the law and order situation in all the districts of the state, Juneja directed the officers to take all necessary measures and action to maintain social harmony in the state. He directed to take preventive action against criminals and goons in the state and take effective action to reduce social crime, gambling, betting and sale of illicit liquor.

Additional Director General of Police Mr. Vivekanand Sinha, Mr. Himanshu Gupta, Inspector General of Police Intelligence Mr. Anand Chhabra and senior officers of Police Headquarters were present on the occasion.

Rahul’s mother gets overwhelmed on the Chief Ministers’ visit to Apollo Hospital

16-Jun-2022

She said your team rescued my child from a critical situation and gave him a new life

“I will bless you and your children forever”: Mrs.Geeta Sahu

CM said” Every single citizen’s life is precious to us, we will incur all expenses of Rahul’s education”

Chief Minister Mr.Bhupesh Baghel visits Apollo Hospital to meet Rahul

Today, when Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel reached Apollo Hospital in Bilaspur to see Rahul, Rahul’s mother Geeta was overwhelmed with emotions and could not resist crying after watching the Chief Minister, everyone present was also filled with emotions. Geeta interacted with Chief Minister and said “You are like God for us. Your team has saved my son's life in the most difficult situation. No one feels hunger or thirst for a single minute, and no one slept even for a moment. Everyone tried very hard to rescue Rahul until he came out”. “I will bless you and your children forever”, she added. The Chief Minister stayed in the ICU for about 5 minutes and interacted with Rahul’s mother. The whole time Geeta's eyes was filled with tears and could not resist herself. The Chief Minister consoled Rahul's mother affectionately and said that it was our duty. Every citizen's life is precious to us. Mr. Baghel also spoke to Rahul and took information about his condition.

The Chief Minister said that the entire rescue team has done a commendable job and it was our duty to save Rahul. Mr. Baghel said that the state government will incur the expenses of Rahul's education, you need not worry about it. The Chief Minister also directed the doctors to provide better and proper treatment to Rahul.

Presidential polls: Mamata Banerjee mentions Farooq Abdullah, Gopalkrishna Gandhi

16-Jun-2022

ANI in put

After attending the meeting called by Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Jharkhand Lok Sabha MP Vijay Hansdak on Wednesday confirmed that Banerjee mentioned two more names besides Sharad Pawar for the presidential elections.

“Mamta Banerjee mentioned two more names besides Sharad Pawar, which include the names of Farooq Abdullah and Gopalkrishna Gandhi. However, on these two names, no other party leader expressed an opinion in this meeting,” MP Vijay Hansdak told ANI.

He highlighted that NCP supremo Sharad Pawar would prepare a blueprint for the second meeting which would follow soon.

Hansdak stressed that new names were welcome and would be considered in the next meeting.

“Most of the party’s main leaders were not involved in today’s meeting, so no consensus has been reached on any other name except Sharad Pawar. The consensus is expected to be reached only after discussion with the top leader of the parties,” he added.

Earlier, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday declined the Opposition leaders’ proposal to become the candidate for the election of President of India.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote, “I sincerely appreciate the leaders of opposition parties for suggesting my name as a candidate for the election of the President of India, at the meeting held in Delhi. However, I like to state that I have humbly declined the proposal of my candidature.”

The meeting was called by Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and was attended by leaders from 17 opposition parties. It coincided with the date of notification for the presidential polls.

“In today’s opposition meeting, all parties proposed the name of Sharad Pawar for the presidential poll, but he said he cannot take this up now due to his health. All parties requested him to reconsider his decision,” CPI leader Binoy Viswam told ANI.

Sudheendra Kulkarni said opposition parties are keen on a candidate “who can truly serve as custodian of the constitution and stop the Modi government from doing further damage to Indian democracy and India’s social fabric”.

Congress participated in the meeting along with 16 other political parties.

Apart from TMC, Congress and NCP, the parties which attended the meeting included CPI, CPI(M), CPIML, RSP, Shiv Sena, RJD, SP, National Conference, PDP, JD(S), DMK, RLD, IUML and JMM.

They participated in the meeting held at the Constitution Club of India here.

The polling for the presidential election is slated for July 18 and votes will be counted on July 21.

Presidential poll: Cong says will play constructive role in deciding consensus oppn candidate

16-Jun-2022

New Delhi, (PTI) The Congress Wednesday said it will play a constructive role in ensuring all opposition parties arrive at a consensus candidate for the presidential poll, and urged them to be proactive rather than reactive in making the decision

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge made the remarks after attending a meeting of opposition parties called by TMC chief Mamata Banerjee.

The Congress MP said his party has no particular candidate in mind for the poll, and that it will sit together with other parties to arrive at a name acceptable to all

The opposition meeting was attended by Kharge, Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Surjewala on behalf of the Congress

Kharge said the consensus opposition candidate for the highest constitutional post in the country should be someone committed to uphold the Constitution and preserve the secular fabric of "our diverse society and speak out boldly against the forces of prejudice, hatred, bigotry and polarisation"

Kharge said as Congress President Sonia Gandhi is unwell and has been hospitalised, she has asked him to speak to leaders of various parties opposed to the "divisive and destructive policies of the RSS/BJP" to explore the possibility of a joint opposition candidate for the presidential election

He said he was in touch with a number of parties

In a statement issued after the meeting of the 17 opposition parties here, Kharge said, "The Congress party will play a constructive role in ensuring that the parties assembled here this afternoon arrive at a consensus candidate in the next few days. Let us be proactive and not be reactive.

"The Congress Party has no particular candidate in mind. It will sit together with all of you and arrive at a candidate acceptable to all," he said.

"Such a candidate we believe," he said, "should be someone committed to upholding the Constitution of India, its values, principles and provisions in letter and spirit, someone committed to guaranteeing that all institutions of our democracy function without fear or favour."

He said the opposition should be someone committed to protecting the rights of all citizens and preserving the secular fabric of the country's diverse society. "Someone committed to speaking out boldly against the forces of prejudice, hatred, bigotry and polarisation and someone committed to being a powerful force for furthering social justice and empowerment."

The TMC supremo had convened the meeting at Constitution Club here to deliberate and arrive at a consensus opposition candidate for the Presidential election.

Leaders of 17 parties attended the meeting, but some parties like the TRS, AIMIM, AAP, SAD and BJD were not present.

India reports 8,822 fresh COVID-19 cases, 15 deaths

15-Jun-2022

New Delhi, Jun 15 (PTI) With 8,822?fresh coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India's tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,32,45,517?on Wednesday, while the count of active cases increased to 53,637, according to Union Health Ministry data

The death toll due to the disease has climbed to 5,24,792 with 15 fatalities being reported in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated

The count of active cases now comprises 0.12 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.66 per cent, the health ministry said

An increase of 3,089?cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours, the data showed

The daily positivity rate was recorded at two per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 2.35 per cent, according to the ministry

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has surged to 4,26,67,088, while the case fatality rate was recorded at?1.21 per cent, as per the data

According to the ministry, 195.5 crore vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5, 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and the one-crore mark on December 19, 2020

The country crossed the grim milestones of two crore cases on May 4, 2021 and three crore on June 23

Fifteen new fatalities due to the disease were reported in the country ? seven from Kerala, four from Maharashtra, two from Delhi and one each from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan

A total of 5,24,792 COVID-19 deaths have been reported so far in the country, including 1,47,875 from Maharashtra, 69,842 from Kerala, 40,108 from Karnataka, 38,025 from Tamil Nadu, 26,223 from Delhi, 23,525 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,206 from West Bengal

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to co-morbidities

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

Sharad Pawar not in Presidential race: NCP

15-Jun-2022

Mumbai :(PTI) NCP chief Sharad Pawar is not keen on contesting the Presidential election, according to a senior party leader, even as some opposition parties have backed his candidature for the race to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The issue came up for discussion after Pawar met Maharashtra NCP ministers here on Monday.

An NCP minister, who attended the meeting, said Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh met Pawar on Sunday and affirmed his party's support to the NCP chief for the election for the next President of India, to be held on July 18.

Last week, when senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge was in Mumbai in connection with the Rajya Sabha polls, he pitched for Pawar's name as the opposition's joint candidate for the presidential polls.

Kharge said the Congress had even consulted the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) over Pawar's candidature.

"But, I don't think he is keen on it (contesting polls). Saheb (Pawar) is a people's man who loves meeting people. He will not restrict himself to the Rashtrapati Bhavan," the minister from the NCP said.

More importantly, Pawar is busy trying to bring the opposition together ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he said.

The Congress has been reaching out to other opposition parties for a common candidate for the presidential polls.

The BJP-led NDA is comfortably placed to win the presidential election, with its vote share touching the 50 per cent mark of the total electors.

While there are 776 MPs of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, each having 700 votes, there are 4,033 legislators in states with different votes who will also elect President Ram Nath Kovind's successor.

Though the final list of electors is yet to be notified, the NDA has 440 MPs in its favour while the opposition UPA has around 180 MPs, besides 36 MPs of the TMC who normally support the opposition candidate.

The election for the President will be held on July 18 which will see voting by members of both the Houses of Parliament and state Assemblies.

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Breaking News

International Nurses Day: Chief Minister congratulated and wished all the nurses, who are epitome of dedication and service

Chief Minister wishes the people of the state on Buddha Purnima

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on the loss of lives in a road accident in Raipur

Important News

A 10-year-old innocent died in a road accident, while two others were seriously injured, the injured are being referred to Ambikapur for treatment

Success Story : From Struggle to Success: Sarita Bai wrote her success story by making bricks from clay

The rivers and ponds of the villages are being protected by cleaning them: Villagers and public representatives are becoming participants by joining the campaign: The Sushasan camp site is being cleaned by donating labour

State

Indian Overseas Bank branch opened in Jagargunda, which has been affected by Naxal problem for a long time: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai did the virtual inauguration

Implementation of Chief Minister's announcements started in Muller

Operation Ankush : Notorious absconding robber Ratan Lakra was caught by Jashpur police, along with his accomplices, he had carried out three consecutive robbery incidents in Jashpur district by showing a gun

Politics Events & Others

Farmer Arun expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for getting benefits from the departmental schemes : Cultivation of pulses, oilseeds and maize instead of paddy in the summer season resulted in bumper income

In the summer camp, children from small to big are participating enthusiastically in swimming, cricket and other activities

Jashpur MLA Mrs. Raimuni Bhagat participated in the Sushasan Tihar Solution Camp

Photo Gallery

Who is Saurabh Sharma, wanted for the massive cash-gold haul in Madhya Pradesh?

North Indian Wedding Gives ‘Second-Hand Embarrassment’ With ‘South Indian Haldi Theme’

Sania Mirza wore the most gorgeous saree for PV Sindhu's wedding reception.

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