Melbourne, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday invited Australian businesses to partner in India's growth story across sectors including manufacturing, clean energy, AI, digital economy, etc.

This came as PM Modi and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, participated in the India-Australia CEO Forum in Melbourne.

Albanese welcomed PM Modi, and both leaders posed for a photograph. Both leaders also addressed the leading business leaders from India and Australia.

Taking to X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "Strengthening economic and investment partnerships! Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia addressed the Australia-India CEOs Forum in Melbourne."

"PM highlighted India's strong economic growth, reform-driven business environment, and expanding innovation ecosystem. He invited Australian businesses to partner in India's growth story across sectors including manufacturing, clean energy, critical minerals, AI, fintech, infrastructure and the digital economy, noting that India's scale and Australia's expertise make for a win-win partnership," the MEA added.

The CEO Forum has been active since 2012 and was relaunched in 2023 by PM Modi and Albanese.

The Forum is expected to enhance economic ties and support the implementation of Australia-India collaboration in trade and investment across various sectors.

The CEO Forum meets annually and provides advice to heads of government on ways to enhance economic prosperity for both India and Australia. Throughout the year, the CEO Forum convenes and takes part in a wide range of events focused on strengthening relations between the two nations.

Additionally, PM Modi addressed the Economic Roadmap Business Reception during the India-Australia CEO Forum. Greeting the business leaders from both countries at the reception, PM Modi said their presence reflected the "shared confidence and aspirations" of India and Australia.

He highlighted the growing economic partnership between India and Australia, describing the two countries as "natural and trusted partners" amid global uncertainty, while urging businesses from both nations to deepen collaboration across sectors ranging from clean energy and infrastructure to artificial intelligence and education.

Source: IANS

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Melbourne, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted the growing economic partnership between India and Australia, describing the two countries as "natural and trusted partners" amid global uncertainty, while urging businesses from both nations to deepen collaboration across sectors ranging from clean energy and infrastructure to artificial intelligence and education.

Greeting business leaders from both countries at the Economic Roadmap Business Reception during the India-Australia CEO Forum, PM Modi said their presence reflected the "shared confidence and aspirations" of India and Australia.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said, "Today, the world is going through a period of uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, and an energy crisis. At such a time, it is both natural and necessary for India and Australia to move forward as natural and trusted partners. Over the past few years, we have built a strong framework for future cooperation by combining the capabilities of both countries."

PM Modi said the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), concluded in record time in 2022, has significantly strengthened bilateral economic ties and created fresh opportunities for businesses in both countries.

"Since its implementation, exports from India to Australia have doubled, and businesses in both countries have benefited from new market access; however, we have not stopped there -- we are now moving towards a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement," he said.

He added, "Through these efforts, the governments of both nations have prepared a new runway, and the aircraft of investment and innovation is now ready to take off. You all have to take this to new heights."

Highlighting opportunities in the clean energy sector, PM Modi said India is rapidly building a robust manufacturing ecosystem for hydroelectric projects, green hydrogen, solar modules and wind energy equipment.

Addressing representatives of clean energy companies present at the forum, he said, "We are building a manufacturing ecosystem in India for hydro projects, green hydrogen, solar modules, and windmills."

The Prime Minister noted that India has set ambitious targets of achieving 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and reaching Net Zero emissions by 2070. He said Australia's technological expertise, financial resources and natural reserves could play a crucial role in accelerating India's energy transition.

Referring to recent policy reforms, PM Modi said, "A few months ago, India opened up the nuclear sector to private companies. We have set a target of 100 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2047. Australia's vast uranium reserves are directly linked to India's nuclear journey,.

The Prime Minister also invited Australian investors to participate in India's rapidly expanding infrastructure sector, saying there were vast opportunities in ports, airports, highways, railways and urban development projects.

"There are immense possibilities for Australian long-term investors in India's port, airport, road, railway, and urban infrastructure sectors. Today, national highways in India are expanding at a pace of approximately 34 kilometres per day. More than 8 kilometres of railway tracks are being laid daily. This represents a convergence of scale, speed, and stability," he said.

Emphasising industrial cooperation, PM Modi said India and Australia have already emerged as "strong partners" in the steel sector and could now work together in areas such as low-carbon aluminium, green iron and clean manufacturing technologies.

The Prime Minister also underlined the vast scope for collaboration in emerging technologies, noting that the Indian government has committed more than 10 billion dollars towards initiatives under the AI Mission, Quantum Mission and Semiconductor Programme.

"The Indian government has provided support exceeding $10 billion under the AI Mission, Quantum Mission, and Semiconductor Program. We can collaborate to develop global solutions in the fields of data centres, AI, quantum technology, semiconductors, and digital public infrastructure," he said.

Referring to Australia's large pension funds, PM Modi said India offered a stable and reliable investment destination while assuring investors that their capital would be treated with utmost responsibility.

"Australian pension funds currently manage assets worth over four trillion dollars. In India, pension savings are regarded as a sacred trust; we view them not merely as capital, but as the trust of millions of families. India offers your funds opportunities for safe, stable, and sustainable growth. Our endeavour will be to ensure that both your trust and your capital grow," he said.

PM Modi further highlighted the growing cooperation in education and skill development, pointing out that Deakin University and the University of Wollongong have already established campuses in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).

"This reflects their confidence in India. Our shared goal should be to transform student mobility into talent partnerships," he said.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister stressed that the India-Australia partnership should expand beyond engagements between national capitals and involve states, cities, universities and industries across both countries.

"Our partnership should not be limited to just our capitals or a few select cities; we must engage stakeholders across our states, cities -- both large and small -- universities, and industries," he said.

"I suggest that, moving forward, we identify specific state-to-state and sector-to-sector partnerships," the Prime Minister added.

Source: IANS

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Melbourne, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, on Thursday participated in the India-Australia CEO Forum in Melbourne.

Albanese welcomed PM Modi, and both leaders posed for a photograph.

Both leaders also met the leading business leaders from India and Australia.

The CEO Forum has been active since 2012 and was relaunched in 2023 by PM Modi and Albanese.

The Forum is expected to enhance economic ties and support the implementation of Australia-India collaboration in trade and investment across various sectors.

The CEO Forum meets annually and provides advice to heads of government on ways to enhance economic prosperity for both India and Australia. Throughout the year, the CEO Forum convenes and takes part in a wide range of events focused on strengthening relations between the two nations.

PM Modi will also co-chair the 3rd Annual Summit with PM Anthony Albanese and also engage with various stakeholders to further deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across all sectors of mutual interest.

Besides holding bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Albanese, he will also call on Australia's Governor-General, Sam Mostyn.

He is also scheduled to address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in Melbourne.

Earlier on Wednesday, PM Modi received a rousing welcome from the Indian community in Melbourne as he began his visit to Australia.

The Prime Minister, who arrived from Indonesia, lauded the warmth of the welcome from the Indian community, terming it as "truly unforgettable".

Braving cold weather, members of the Indian community had turned out in large numbers to welcome PM Modi at the hotel late Wednesday evening, local time.

PM Modi met members of the Indian diaspora amid chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Modi, Modi'. Several cultural performances were also lined up by local artists to welcome PM Modi in Australia.

"The weather in Melbourne may be cold but the warmth of the welcome from the Indian community was truly unforgettable. Their affection and unwavering bond with India continue to be a source of immense joy and pride," PM Modi posted on X while thanking the Indian community for their warm gesture.

"The Australian-India Orchestra's soulful presentation of 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' was wonderful. It beautifully demonstrated how music strengthens the bonds between our people. My compliments to every member of the orchestra for this memorable performance. It also shows the global popularity of Vande Mataram, particularly at a time when we are marking its 150th anniversary," PM Modi highlighted in another post.

PM Modi also witnessed a "truly exceptional" musical performance featuring Australia’s ancient Didgeridoo and India’s Tabla.

"The harmony between these two timeless instruments beautifully reflected the deep cultural connect between our two nations. Compliments to Mr. Ron Murray and Dr. Sam Evans for their dedication to preserving and celebrating musical traditions," he wrote on X.

Prime Minister Modi said that he was delighted to witness an outstanding Kathak performance during the welcome by the Indian community in Melbourne.

"Glad to see Indian dances becoming popular across Australia," he added.

Earlier, after arriving in the Australian city, PM Modi stated that he is looking forward to the talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday and his visit will add vigour to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

"Landed in Melbourne, Australia. This visit will add vigour to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. I look forward to the talks with Prime Minister Albanese. I will also have the opportunity to interact with the Indian diaspora, which is an important pillar of our partnership," PM Modi posted on X after landing in Melbourne.

PM Modi is currently in Australia for the second leg of his three-nation visit. He will visit New Zealand and hold discussions with the country's leadership, focusing on strengthening the bilateral ties.

Source: IANS

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Melbourne, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, as the leaders arrived for the India-Australia CEO Forum on Thursday.

Albanese welcomed PM Modi, and both leaders posed for a photograph.

PM Modi will later address leading business leaders from both countries.

The CEO Forum meets annually and provides advice to heads of government on ways to enhance economic prosperity for both India and Australia. Throughout the year, the CEO Forum convenes and takes part in a wide range of events focused on strengthening relations between the two nations.

The CEO Forum has been active since 2012 and was relaunched in 2023 by PM Modi and Albanese.

Earlier on Wednesday, PM Modi received a rousing welcome from the Indian community in Melbourne as he began his visit to Australia.

The Prime Minister, who arrived from Indonesia, lauded the warmth of the welcome from the Indian community, terming it as "truly unforgettable".

Braving cold weather, members of the Indian community had turned out in large numbers to welcome PM Modi at the hotel late Wednesday evening, local time.

PM Modi met members of the Indian diaspora amid chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Modi, Modi'. Several cultural performances were also lined up by local artists to welcome PM Modi in Australia.

"The weather in Melbourne may be cold but the warmth of the welcome from the Indian community was truly unforgettable. Their affection and unwavering bond with India continue to be a source of immense joy and pride," PM Modi posted on X while thanking the Indian community for their warm gesture.

"The Australian-India Orchestra's soulful presentation of 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' was wonderful. It beautifully demonstrated how music strengthens the bonds between our people. My compliments to every member of the orchestra for this memorable performance. It also shows the global popularity of Vande Mataram, particularly at a time when we are marking its 150th anniversary," PM Modi highlighted in another post.

PM Modi also witnessed a "truly exceptional" musical performance featuring Australia’s ancient Didgeridoo and India’s Tabla.

"The harmony between these two timeless instruments beautifully reflected the deep cultural connect between our two nations. Compliments to Mr. Ron Murray and Dr. Sam Evans for their dedication to preserving and celebrating musical traditions," he wrote on X.

Prime Minister Modi said that he was delighted to witness an outstanding Kathak performance during the welcome by the Indian community in Melbourne.

"Glad to see Indian dances becoming popular across Australia," he added.

Earlier, after arriving in the Australian city, PM Modi stated that he is looking forward to the talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday and his visit will add vigour to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

"Landed in Melbourne, Australia. This visit will add vigour to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. I look forward to the talks with Prime Minister Albanese. I will also have the opportunity to interact with the Indian diaspora which is an important pillar of our partnership," PM Modi posted on X after landing in Melbourne.

PM Modi will co-chair the 3rd Annual Summit with PM Anthony Albanese and also engage with various stakeholders to further deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across all sectors of mutual interest.

Besides holding bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Albanese, he will also call on Australia's Governor-General, Sam Mostyn.

He is also scheduled to address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in Melbourne.

Ahead of the visit, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described India as a key economic partner, underscoring the growing strategic significance of bilateral ties.

In a statement issued earlier this week, the Australian Prime Minister's Office said that, as the world's fourth-largest and fastest-growing economy, India is a critical economic partner for Australia.

Expressing his enthusiasm ahead of the visit, Prime Minister Albanese said, "I am honoured to welcome my friend Prime Minister Modi to Australia for our Annual Leaders' Summit."

"The Australia-India relationship has never been more consequential, and our partnership fosters peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. I look forward to strengthening Australia and India's deep partnership," the statement added.

Source: IANS

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Shillong, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Meghalaya Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said on Wednesday that the state has registered a significant improvement in school education, moving up two grades in the Union government's Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2.0 for 2025-26.

The Minister added that the state's overall PGI score increased from 448 in 2024-25 to 525.7 in 2025-26, enabling Meghalaya to move from the Akanshi-3 category, the lowest performance band, to Akanshi-1 in a single assessment cycle.

According to Rymbui, this marks the first time Meghalaya has moved out of the lowest grading category since the introduction of the Performance Grading Index framework by the Union government.

He said that the state's progress has been consistent over the last four assessment cycles, with the overall score rising from 401.62 in 2022-23 to 417.90 in 2023-24, 448 in 2024-25 and 525.7 in 2025-26.

The cumulative improvement of more than 124 points reflects sustained efforts by the state government to strengthen the school education system, he added.

The Education Minister attributed the improved performance to a series of reforms undertaken by the state over the past few years.

These include the introduction of the Structured Pay Framework (SPF) for teachers, rationalisation of schools, implementation of the Chief Minister's IMPACT programme, infrastructure development under the Samagra Shiksha scheme and the Asian Development Bank-supported education project.

Rymbui said the state government has also focused on strengthening teacher capacity through the Meghalaya Teacher Training Academy, improving digital governance in the education sector, and introducing targeted interventions aimed at enhancing foundational literacy, numeracy and overall school governance.

He added that the improvement in the PGI ranking demonstrates the positive impact of these reforms and reflects the collective efforts of teachers, education officials, school management committees and other stakeholders across the state.

Welcoming the achievement, the Minister said the state government considers it an important milestone rather than the final destination.

He asserted that the state would continue to focus on improving learning outcomes, strengthening governance, enhancing teacher capacity and ensuring that every child in Meghalaya has access to quality education.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a major crackdown on illegal cattle trafficking, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar on Wednesday announced that the state government is actively considering cancelling the registration of vehicles repeatedly used for illegal cattle transportation.

Replying to a half-hour discussion in the Legislative Assembly raised by MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar on animal preservation and enforcement of the cattle slaughter ban, the minister said the state was effectively implementing the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act and that habitual offenders involved in organised cattle smuggling were being booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Bhoyar said law enforcement agencies were maintaining data on cow protectors (gaurakshaks) and complainants to trace illegal networks.

He said vehicles seized in cattle smuggling cases are currently released only on specific court orders. However, authorities have detected 17 instances in which previously seized vehicles were allegedly reused for the same offence.

Following directions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Home Department is preparing a proposal to permanently cancel the registration of such repeat-offending vehicles to dismantle the smuggling network, the minister said.

Sharing details of the enforcement drive, Bhoyar said 1,195 cases under cattle protection laws were registered across Maharashtra in 2025. These operations led to the seizure of 9,81,736 kg of beef.

He also referred to a major operation on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Lonavala, where two container trucks carrying 57 tonnes of meat were intercepted.

The subsequent investigation led Maharashtra authorities to an associated slaughterhouse in Hyderabad, Telangana. In coordination with local authorities, the facility was shut down and administrative action was initiated against four to five other illegal slaughterhouses operating in the area.

The minister said that under a Government Resolution (GR) issued on February 27, 2024, all livestock in Maharashtra must be tagged with a 12-digit barcoded ear tag linked to the centralised Bharat Pashudhan System.

He said the digital database tracks breeding records, veterinary health history and ownership changes to prevent illegal trade.

Bhoyar added that the state's Goseva Commission had recently conducted a high-level review meeting, following which standard operating procedures had been introduced to prevent unauthorised transportation of animals and eliminate illegal slaughterhouses.

He further informed the House that the government was considering legislative amendments to enhance prison terms and fines, grant greater enforcement powers to the Goseva Commission, deploy specialised police squads, constitute state and district-level monitoring committees, and install mandatory CCTV surveillance at all inter-state border check-posts.

Addressing the upkeep of rescued cattle, Bhoyar said funds from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) would be utilised to develop pasture lands and public grazing fields across rural areas to improve fodder availability through coordinated efforts by the Home, Forest and Animal Husbandry departments.

Source: IANS

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Ankara, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) President Donald Trump on Wednesday said his tariff policies had triggered an unprecedented wave of manufacturing investment in the United States, arguing that companies across sectors ranging from automobiles to pharmaceuticals and semiconductors were shifting production to America to avoid higher import duties.

Speaking at a news conference after the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said the United States was experiencing the largest industrial expansion in its history, with businesses investing trillions of dollars in new factories and production facilities.

"We have the biggest investment ever made, $19.2 trillion," Trump said.

"That's six times more than we've ever had."

The President credited tariffs for encouraging manufacturers to relocate production to the United States.

"Toyota is leaving Mexico, and they're going to build one of the biggest car manufacturing plants in the world in Texas," Trump said.

"That's because of the tariffs, because we don't mind if you build in Mexico, but if you build in Mexico, you have to pay a 25 per cent tariff."

Trump said the same approach was prompting investments across multiple industries.

"Eli Lilly is building plants, Merck, all of them. The drug companies are building. The car companies are building like crazy."

He warned that companies choosing to manufacture outside the United States would face increasingly steep import duties.

"If they don't have that, they have to pay 100 per cent, 200 per cent, even 250 per cent if they make a chip or if they make a car, if they make pharmaceuticals," he said.

Trump said pharmaceutical companies were moving production to the United States "at record levels."

"So the pharmaceutical companies are moving in at record levels. There's never been anything like what's happening," he said.

The President also highlighted rapid growth in artificial intelligence infrastructure, saying the administration had required technology companies to construct their own electricity generation rather than relying on the existing power grid.

"Some of the AI... we let them build their own electric plants," Trump said.

"They need, just as an industry, more energy than the entire country produces right now."

He said the United States remained ahead of China in artificial intelligence and argued that new investment would strengthen that lead.

"We're leading China in AI," Trump said.

Trump also pointed to the steel and aluminium industries as examples of the impact of tariffs.

"We're doing great on steel because we charge tariffs," he said, adding that the United States would soon host what he described as "the largest aluminium plant in the world" in Oklahoma.

According to Trump, higher tariffs were encouraging manufacturers to establish production in the United States rather than export to the American market.

"If you build your product here, you pay no tariff. If you don't, you pay a 25 per cent tariff, depending, 35 per cent, sometimes, sometimes 100 per cent, 200 per cent, depending on what the product is."

Trump has made reshoring manufacturing a central pillar of his economic agenda, arguing that tariffs encourage companies to invest in and create jobs in the United States rather than produce goods overseas.

His administration has increasingly linked trade policy to industrial policy, particularly in sectors considered strategically important, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and artificial intelligence.

Source: IANS

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Hyderabad, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Wednesday urged the Centre to allot all the coal blocks in Godavari basin in the state to public sector mining company Singareni.

He demanded that the BJP-led Central government prove its commitments to Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) by allocating all coal blocks in the Godavari Valley directly to Singareni instead of auctioning them.

Addressing a press conference, the Deputy Chief Minister requested the Central government to restore the status of Central Public Sector Undertaking on SCCL, which was scrapped after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government came to power.

"This is a government to government transaction as Singareni is a joint firm with 51:49 shareholding by the state and Central governments respectively," he said requesting the Centre not to give step motherly treatment to the public sector coal major.

While thanking the Centre for giving mining licence of Tadicherla-II block to SCCL, the Deputy Chief Minister clarified that this was not a fresh allocation to SCCL, as claimed by Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy, but a mining lease approval for a block that had already been allotted to the company in 2013.

He took objection to Kishan Reddy's claims that Tadicherla-II block was allotted to SCCL bypassing the auction route as a long term measure to strengthen the company and safeguard employment.

Vikramarka said the block was assigned to SCCL way back in 2013 by the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

He alleged that the NDA government had delayed granting the mining lease for years despite repeated representations.

He claimed that repeated requests by the Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and himself finally bore fruit as the Centre had given the mining lease to SCCL.

The Deputy Chief Minister alleged that the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS)-led state government prevented SCCL from participating in coal block auctions which resulted in the company losing out Koyagudem and Sattupalli blocks.

On huge dues pending to SCCL, Vikramarka said the failure of the previous BRS government to clear the pending bills during its close to 10-year tenure resulted in the pendency and the Congress government was trying its best to clear the dues and revive the company.

Meanwhile, Peddapalli MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna said that his continuous struggle in Parliament and with the Central government has resulted in the allocation of Tadicherla Coal Block-2 to SCCL.

The block, with estimated reserves of around 182 million tonnes, is expected to significantly boost coal production and generate substantial employment in the region.

Vamsi Krishna recalled that during the election campaign, he and Minister G. Vivek Venkataswamy had promised to protect Singareni's interests.

"I have fulfilled that promise," he said.

He noted that he had written to Coal Minister Kishan Reddy on February 3, 2026, requesting the allocation and had followed it up with multiple meetings.

He also raised the issue in Parliament on several occasions.

"This is not merely a coal block allocation... it is a victory for the struggle of Singareni workers and an acknowledgment of the aspirations of the people of Telangana," the MP said.

He thanked Kishan Reddy for the positive decision and added that the allocation will strengthen Singareni, create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for the youth, and contribute to Telangana's economic growth.

Source: IANS

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Jammu, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) A landslide hit the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine track on Wednesday evening, but the yatra continued unaffected.

Officials said a landslide triggered by rain hit the Mata Vaishno Devi track atop the Trikuta Hills in Katra town of Reasi district on Wednesday evening.

The landslide forced temporary suspension of the battery car service, but the yatra to the shrine remained unaffected, with hundreds of pilgrims continuing their to-and-fro trek despite the landslide.

The officials said the landslide occurred near Himkoti on the new track leading to the shrine following heavy rainfall.

The Shrine Board immediately rushed men and machines to clear the debris from the route, they said.

The officials said the battery car service was temporarily suspended, while the yatra continued through the old route.

Mata Vaishno Devi, also known as Vaishnavi, Trikuta, and Sherawali, is a Hindu deity considered to embody the nature of Shakti and, at the Vaishno Devi Temple, is self-manifest as three Pindis, described as the goddesses Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati.

The deity is worshipped as an ascetic, vegetarian, and virgin goddess who is associated with Vishnu. Believed to be the Mahadevi, she is revered as a divine "Mother" who protects and grants boons to her devotees. She is also described in certain regional traditions as the eldest of the Seven Sisters, the goddesses of North India.

The Vaishno Devi Temple is a highly revered Hindu shrine nestled in the Trikuta Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir, at an altitude of 5,200 feet.

Dedicated to a manifestation of the Goddess Durga, the shrine requires a 13-kilometre trek (or helicopter ride) starting from the base camp town of Katra.

Source: IANS

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Bhubaneswar, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan is scheduled to arrive in Bhubaneswar on a one-day visit to Odisha on Thursday, government officials said on Wednesday.

The state government said in a statement that during a programme organised by the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar, the Vice-President will formally launch the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission, a flagship initiative of the Odisha government.

Vice-President Radhakrishnan will also distribute authorisation certificates to fishermen for the sustainable utilisation of deep-sea fishery resources.

The fishing activities are generally restricted to within 12 nautical miles (nearly 23 km) from the coastline.

"With the implementation of the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission, fishermen from Odisha will be able to fish within 200 nautical miles (nearly 370 km). In addition, fishermen holding authorisation certificates will be permitted to fish in international waters beyond the 200-nautical-mile limit. This initiative is expected to strengthen the livelihoods of fishermen while opening new avenues for the growth of the blue economy," the state government said.

The Central government is prioritising on strengthening Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and fisheries cooperative societies.

Extensive steps are also being taken to promote digitisation in the fisheries sector.

During the programme, the Vice-President will distribute authorisation certificates to fishermen, the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), fishing vessel owners and fisheries cooperative societies.

"These certificates will enable eligible Indian fishing vessels to undertake fishing operations in the sea. The initiative is expected to strengthen fisheries producer organisations and cooperative societies. Deep-sea fishing will ensure the creation of greater income opportunities for fishermen. As the entire authorisation process is being carried out online, it will ensure greater transparency, time-bound service delivery and improved administrative efficiency," the state government added.

It is also said that the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036) is a flagship initiative of the Odisha government, which recently got the State Cabinet's approval.

It aims to position Odisha as a leading state in deep-sea and international fishing operations while enhancing the state's marine seafood exports.

The mission will provide support for advanced fishing equipment, operational management and market linkages.

It is expected to increase fish production, generate employment, enhance the incomes of fishermen and boost marine product exports.

According to the state government, the initiative is expected to bring about a significant transformation in Odisha's marine fisheries sector.

Nearly five lakh fishermen living along the state's 575-km-long coastline depend on the Bay of Bengal for their livelihoods.

During the 2024–25 financial year, Odisha recorded marine fish production of around 2.4 lakh metric tonnes.

Apart from Vice-President Radhakrishnan, the programme will be attended by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other dignitaries.

Source: IANS

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Hyderabad, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has cracked a Rs 4.70 crore WhatsApp Boss fraud and arrested two mule account holders and agents.

The TGCSB said on Wednesday that it took up the investigation following a complaint that an unknown fraudster impersonated the company's Managing Director by creating a WhatsApp profile using the Managing Director's name and photograph and committed the fraud.

According to TGCSB Director Shikha Goel, the case was registered under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 66D of the Information Technology (IT) Act.

Believing the messages sent by the fraudster to be genuine, the complainant transferred a total amount of Rs 4.70 crore to bank accounts specified by the fraudster.

During the course of the investigation, technical analysis and bank account verification led to the identification and arrest of Dosapati Krishna Sai, a resident of Sathupally, Khammam district, and Mandavally Shiva Nagaraju, a resident of Kothapet, Hyderabad, originally from Sathupally, Khammam district. They are accused numbers five and six, respectively.

Investigation revealed that the accused knowingly procured and supplied current bank accounts to cyber fraudsters in exchange for commission. They facilitated the operation of these mule accounts and received approximately Rs 4 lakh as commission, which they shared among themselves.

Further investigation revealed that Rs 1.80 crore of the defrauded amount was credited to the bank account of the accused, Nagaraju, who had arranged and provided it to the cyber fraudsters through co-accused Krishna Sai. Analysis of the account also revealed suspicious credit transactions totaling more than Rs 2.49 crore. The account was found to be linked to multiple cybercrime complaints registered in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

The accused were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the remaining absconding accused and to trace and recover the remaining proceeds of crime, the TGCSB director said.

She advised people not to trust a WhatsApp profile merely because it displays the name or photograph of a known person, as these can be easily copied and misused by fraudsters. She cautioned people to be wary if a contact suddenly requests urgent or confidential fund transfers, especially to a new bank account, and advised them to never rely solely on WhatsApp messages for financial transactions.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday assured the State Legislative Council that strict action will be taken against those causing environmental degradation in Mahabaleshwar and Matheran.

He also guaranteed that the state government will ensure these lands are not converted to 'Freehold' (Class-1) under any circumstances.

He said that the state government has taken serious note of illegal decisions regarding the leasing of government lands in the ecologically sensitive zones of Pune and Konkan divisions, as well as unauthorised constructions built in violation of lease conditions.

Responding to a calling-attention motion, the Revenue Minister clarified that a high-level committee, chaired by the Konkan Divisional Commissioner Rubal Agarwal, will be appointed to investigate the entire matter.

An action taken report will be tabled during the next Assembly session.

"On February 8, 2022, 26 leased land parcels in Mahabaleshwar were converted from 'Class-2' to 'Class-1' (Freehold). This decision sparked fears of rampant, unchecked construction that could severely endanger Mahabaleshwar's environment. The conversion was pushed through despite strong opposition from both the Law and Judiciary Department and the Environment Department. Once the matter came to the government's notice, a committee was immediately formed, and the controversial order was revoked," Minister Bawankule said.

The Minister added that some individuals involved in the case have approached the High Court and obtained a stay order.

The next hearing is scheduled for August 4.

Minister Bawankule assured the House that the state government will present a strong case in court to prevent these invaluable lands from being permanently handed over to private entities.

The Minister said that since the British era, Matheran has had 514 plots, 194 market sites, and 219 residential lands allocated on lease.

However, multiple laws have been flouted here, leading to widespread breaches of lease conditions (shartabhanga) and environmental damage through illegal tree felling.

Addressing this, the Revenue Minister added, "A comprehensive inspection of lease violations and unauthorised constructions in Matheran and Mahabaleshwar will be completed within the next three months. Decisions on which structures to demolish and which to permit will be made strictly in accordance with forest and environmental policies. Encroachments in eco-sensitive zones will not be tolerated."

Participating in the discussion, Bharatiya Janata Party MLC Pravin Darekar launched a sharp attack on the state administration.

Darekar alleged, "The District Collector misused his authority, effectively allowing a second, illegal township to crop up in Mahabaleshwar. Regulatory authorities turned a blind eye. In Matheran, tourists have no space to park vehicles while government lands are being sold off."

He demanded stringent action against the guilty officials.

On the other hand, Nationalist Congress Party MLC Aniket Tatkare emphasised a balanced approach, saying that while action must be taken against violators, local livelihoods dependent on tourism should be safeguarded.

Source: IANS

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Washington, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) India on Wednesday urged the United States to pursue cooperation rather than punitive tariffs to address forced labour concerns, telling a U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) hearing that strengthening compliance mechanisms would be more effective than imposing blanket duties on Indian exports.

Responding to questions from USTR officials, Shuchita Sonalika, representing the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), said India favoured collaborative efforts to improve labour standards rather than the broad trade restrictions proposed in the Section 301 investigation.

A USTR official asked how exempting Indian products from additional duties would encourage countries under investigation to eliminate unfair labour practices.

Sonalika replied that "compliance and cooperation-based mechanisms would be far more effective than the application of tariffs."

She said CII had been working with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to promote responsible business practices and would welcome greater cooperation with U.S. authorities to further strengthen India's compliance systems.

"For example, CII has been working with the International Labour Organisation and the UNDP as well on responsible business practices. And we would welcome cooperation with relevant US authorities on enabling further strengthening of our systems," she said.

According to Sonalika, Indian companies have already established extensive internal safeguards to prevent forced labour across supply chains.

She cited documented codes of conduct, ethics policies, supplier codes of conduct and environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks that many Indian companies voluntarily maintain.

She also referred to India's Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which mandates disclosures by the country's top 1,000 listed companies. She noted that a BRSR Lite framework has also been introduced for small and medium enterprises.

Earlier in her prepared testimony, Sonalika told the hearing that India fully supports eliminating forced labour from global supply chains and that "forced labour has no place in international trade."

However, she argued that the proposed 12.5 per cent additional tariff was "neither supported in the evidence presented nor likely to advance the stated policy goal" and would instead "penalise a compliant industry."

She said India already has "a comprehensive legal and institutional framework" prohibiting forced labour, including constitutional protections, labour laws, criminal penalties and ratification of the International Labour Organisation's core conventions.

In addition, she said Indian industry already operates within "a rigorous global compliance system", pointing to human rights due diligence by aluminium producers, continuous audits of textile exporters by U.S. buyers and international certification bodies, strict labour compliance in the foundry and forging sectors, and engineering-driven agricultural machinery manufacturing.

Sonalika argued that Indian inputs are deeply integrated into U.S. manufacturing supply chains and warned that a 12.5 per cent tariff would increase costs for American manufacturers and disrupt established sourcing relationships, without addressing any demonstrated forced labour concerns.

She urged the USTR to avoid imposing tariffs and non-tariff measures on Indian industry and instead strengthen engagement through existing bilateral mechanisms, including the India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum.

"We believe compliance-based cooperation, not punitive tariffs, is the most effective pathway forward," Sonalika said.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to sign the "Framework for Action – Advanced Clean Energy, Driven Sustainable Development" with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a coalition of 128 countries promoting solar energy.

The agreement, signed in the presence of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, aims to accelerate the state's transition to clean energy through a comprehensive strategy covering solar power generation, transmission, storage and distribution.

The framework was signed by Energy Secretary Aarti Dogra and ISA Director General Ashish Khanna at the Chief Minister's residence in Jaipur.

Describing the agreement as a milestone, Chief Minister Sharma said the partnership would strengthen Rajasthan's position as India's leading renewable energy state while helping ensure affordable, reliable and high-quality electricity for consumers.

He said the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making solar energy a global movement through the International Solar Alliance.

The Chief Minister said Rajasthan's favourable geographical conditions have enabled it to emerge as the country's largest producer of solar energy.

The state currently has an installed solar power capacity of more than 42 GW, the highest in India, while its total clean energy capacity has reached nearly 48 GW.

Under the Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy, the government has set an ambitious target of achieving 125 GW of clean energy capacity in the coming years.

He added that the agreement would support better integration of renewable energy into the power grid through investments in energy storage, smart grids, digitalisation and demand-side management.

The state is also strengthening its transmission and distribution infrastructure to improve grid stability and facilitate the large-scale integration of renewable energy.

Highlighting the benefits for the agriculture sector, Sharma said that under the PM-KUSUM Scheme, more than 4 GW of solar capacity is already supplying daytime electricity to farmers across 26 districts, reducing dependence on conventional power sources.

Minister of State for Energy (Independent Charge) Hiralal Nagar said the agreement would introduce artificial intelligence (AI)-based solutions to modernise electricity services.

He said AI would help improve power distribution, planning and consumer services while strengthening the state's energy infrastructure.

According to the state government, the framework will guide Rajasthan's energy transition plan for the 2030-35 period.

It will focus on renewable energy expansion, grid modernisation, transmission upgrades, energy storage, energy efficiency, demand management, institutional capacity building and policy reforms.

One of the key initiatives under the partnership will be an AI-enabled digital twin pilot project at Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam.

The technology will enable accurate electricity demand forecasting, better network planning, efficient integration of renewable energy and improved reliability of power supply.

The collaboration will also provide engineers and government officials access to international training, technical expertise and knowledge-sharing programmes through the ISA.

ISA Director General Ashish Khanna said Rajasthan is the first Indian state to sign such a framework with the alliance, describing it as a model for other states pursuing clean energy transitions.

During a review meeting of the Energy Department, Chief Minister Sharma also directed officials to accelerate the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana and asked the Chief Secretary to regularly monitor the scheme to ensure timely achievement of targets and faster adoption of rooftop solar systems across the state.

Source: IANS

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Agartala, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Noted academician Prof. Debabrata Das on Wednesday assumed charge as the new Vice-Chancellor of Tripura University, ending a nearly one-year-long vacancy in the top post at the Central university.

The Higher Education Department under the Union Ministry of Education had, on July 3, appointed Prof. Das as the 11th Vice-Chancellor of Tripura University. Before taking over the new assignment, he served as an Advisor to the Higher Education Department of the Assam government.

Officiating Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shyamal Das formally handed over charge to Prof. Debabrata Das at a simple ceremony attended by Tripura University Registrar Sameer Kumar Seal, Finance Officer Debashish Pal, and other senior university officials.

After assuming office, Prof. Das said his foremost objective would be to uphold and further strengthen the academic reputation and legacy of Tripura University.

He noted that many of the people of Tripura's hopes and aspirations are associated with the university and assured that all possible steps would be taken to fulfil them, especially in the field of higher education.

He added that various initiatives would be undertaken to improve the quality of teaching, learning, and research. Enhancing academic excellence, promoting quality education, and strengthening research activities would remain his highest priorities.

Prof. Das said the main goal was to develop students’ skills and make them more employable. He emphasised that Tripura University has a significant role in improving the quality of higher education in the state and that continuous improvement in academic standards, research output, and innovation would help the university achieve greater national prominence.

Later in the afternoon, Prof. Das held an interaction with heads of various academic departments, deans, senior faculty members, and administrative officials at the university’s Council Hall to discuss priorities for the institution’s future development.

Prof. Das previously served as the Vice-Chancellor of the Assam Rajiv Gandhi University of Cooperative Management in Sivasagar. He also served as a Whole-Time Member of the Arunachal Pradesh Private Educational Institution Regulatory Commission in Itanagar.

He was previously a Professor in the Department of Business Administration at Tezpur University in Assam and has extensive academic and administrative experience spanning higher education, university governance, and institutional development.

Prof. Das has also completed the prestigious Senior Academic Leadership Programme at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, under the Leadership for Academicians Programme (LEAP) of the then Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

The post of a regular Vice-Chancellor at Tripura University had remained vacant since the completion of the tenure of the previous Vice-Chancellor, Prof. G.P. Prasain, on August 21, 2025. Since August last year, the university’s senior-most professor, Prof. Shyamal Das, had been serving as the officiating Vice-Chancellor and overseeing the institution’s academic and administrative affairs.

Tripura University was established by the state government on October 2, 1987, and was subsequently upgraded into a Central University on July 2, 2007, under the Tripura University Act, 2006, enacted by Parliament.

Besides its numerous academic departments, teaching centres, and research facilities, the university has an extensive network of affiliated colleges and institutions spread across the state. At present, as many as 68 colleges and educational institutions in Tripura are affiliated with Tripura University, making it the state’s premier institution for higher education and academic research.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, said on Wednesday that nearly 80 per cent of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has been completed at a cost of Rs 1.10 lakh crore, and the remaining work is progressing rapidly.

He added that within the next two years, commuters will be able to travel from Delhi to Nariman Point and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai in just 12 hours.

Addressing a public gathering near the Dara Tunnel in Kota after inspecting a 90-km stretch of the expressway from the Laban Interchange in Bundi to Kota, Gadkari said, "We deliver what we promise. That is our hallmark."

Union Minister Gadkari was accompanied by the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

Highlighting the broader impact of the expressway, Gadkari said it would serve as a catalyst for economic growth rather than merely a transportation corridor.

According to Union Minister Gadkari, the highway will attract industries, logistics parks, educational institutions, medical colleges and agro-based enterprises, creating employment opportunities and driving development in regions along its route.

Addressing Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Gadkari remarked, "You may get tired of asking, but I will never tire of giving. There is no shortage of funds for National Highway projects. Ask for Rs 10,000 crore, Rs 50,000 crore or even Rs 2 lakh crore."

He also joked that had time permitted, he would have sanctioned Rs 50,000 crore worth of projects for Rajasthan during the visit.

"Next time I come to Jaipur, I have a signed chequebook ready, you only need to fill in the amount," he said.

During his inspection, Gadkari reviewed construction work on Packages 11 to 16 of the expressway and later interacted with officials at the Pinan wayside amenities in Alwar district.

He directed officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the police to strengthen patrolling on the expressway and strictly prevent trucks from being parked haphazardly along the route, stressing that road safety must remain a priority.

The Union Minister also announced two major infrastructure projects for the Kota region.

A 10-km Mukundra bypass will be constructed on NH-52 at an estimated cost of Rs 551 crore, while a 21-km highway via Manpura, costing around Rs 1,000 crore, will directly connect Kota with the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, improving regional connectivity and reducing travel time.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said that Union Minister Gadkari had visited Rajasthan to inspect the construction of the Mukundra Tunnel on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.

He described the tunnel as a remarkable engineering achievement, noting that building such infrastructure through the plateau terrain was a significant accomplishment.

He added that the expressway has been designed with comprehensive safety features, including advanced ventilation systems.

The Chief Minister thanked Gadkari for fulfilling the infrastructure commitments made to Rajasthan and congratulated him on the successful execution of major highway projects in the state.

He also highlighted the Rajasthan government's investment of nearly Rs 5,000 crore in the development of Kota district over the past two-and-a-half years.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sharma said Kota has earned national recognition as India's premier coaching hub, while also praising Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for enhancing the city's stature through his leadership and public service.

Ahead of Gadkari's visit, NHAI officials and contractors undertook extensive maintenance work along the Delhi-to-Kota stretch of the expressway, carrying out repairs and beautification to ensure the route was inspection-ready.

The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, one of India's largest infrastructure projects, is expected to significantly improve connectivity between northern and western India while boosting trade, logistics and economic development across multiple states.

Source: IANS

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Ahmedabad, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Ahmedabad City Crime Branch has arrested a man wanted in an earlier narcotics case along with his associate after seizing 9.8 kg of suspected ganja valued at Rs 4.9 lakh from an auto-rickshaw in the city, police said on Wednesday.

According to the Crime Branch, officers were on patrol as part of an operation to identify and take action against people involved in the illegal sale of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances when they received specific information about the movement of contraband.

Acting on the tip-off, the team intercepted an auto-rickshaw on the service road near the Adinath Stone warehouse, close to Chunilal Park Society on the CTM Narol-Naroda Road.

During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered 9.8 kg of alleged ganja valued at Rs 4.9 lakh. Police also seized other items, taking the total value of the property recovered to Rs 5,60,290.

The arrested men have been identified as Israyalkhan Khan, 33, a resident of Akola city in Maharashtra, and Mohammed Sajid Kamruddin Pathan, 42, a resident of Ramol area in Ahmedabad.

Police said Israyalkhan was already wanted in a case registered at Danilimda Police Station under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

He is wanted in Danilimda Police Station case under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(2)(B) and 29 of the Act.

The Crime Branch has also named another suspect, identified as Mohsin Baba of Akola city, as a wanted accused in connection with the investigation.

Following the seizure, the Crime Branch registered a fresh case at the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) Police Station. The case has been filed under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(2)(B) and 29 of the NDPS Act.

Police said legal proceedings have been initiated against the two arrested accused in accordance with the provisions of the NDPS Act.

The investigation is continuing to establish the source of the seized contraband, its intended destination and the involvement of any other persons connected to the alleged narcotics network.

Source: IANS

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Washington, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) India on Wednesday accused the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) of overlooking evidence and arguments submitted by New Delhi while recommending a proposed 12.5 per cent tariff on Indian imports under its Section 301 investigation into forced labour.

In India's presentation before a USTR public hearing, Dr. Brij Mohan of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said the report failed to adequately consider India's earlier submissions and engagement during the investigation.

"India would like to state that the USTR report had not taken into account the evidence and argument based on the argument in the previous public hearing," he told the committee, adding that India remained committed to eliminating forced labour "as a constitutional obligation, law and a matter of principle."

Dr. Mohan then outlined four principal objections to the USTR's findings.

First, he argued that the investigation had failed to meet the legal standards outlined in Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act.

According to India, "a mere absence" of a specific import prohibition cannot by itself be treated as an unreasonable trade practice under Section 301.

"The USTR has neither identified nor engaged with the discrete elements of Section 301 for any country, including India, that directly amounts to an unreasonable act, policy or practice," he said, adding that the determination also marked a departure from previous USTR Section 301 investigations.

Second, India rejected the assumption that countries without explicit import bans on goods produced with forced labour were effectively permitting such practices.

Dr. Mohan argued that the International Labour Organization recognises that eliminating forced labour requires action on multiple fronts, tailored to country-specific circumstances, and that import bans are only one possible policy instrument.

Third, he criticised the proposal to impose a country-wide tariff of 12.5 per cent on nearly all Indian imports.

He said the methodology relied on studies involving only a handful of economies and broad trade patterns rather than sector-specific or product-specific evidence relating to India.

"The adopted methodology is particularly flawed," he said.

Fourth, India argued that the USTR had failed to establish any causal link between India's policies and harm to U.S. commerce.

"There is inadequate, insufficient evidence" that India's lack of an import prohibition creates an unfair competitive advantage for Indian exporters or harms American industry, Dr. Mohan said.

He pointed to the USTR's own Appendix A, saying that trade data on cotton, rice, and tobacco contradicted the report's conclusions by showing rising U.S. exports and negligible or declining third-country competition in India.

"This indicates that absence of import ban in India is not causing any adverse impact on U.S. commerce," he argued.

India also challenged the methodology used in the report's appendices, saying they merely identified overlapping trade flows rather than demonstrating that products allegedly made with forced labour were actually incorporated into exports shipped from India to the United States.

Dr. Mohan urged the USTR to reconsider the proposed tariff in light of what he described as inconsistencies in the report and the Federal Register notice.

He said India remained willing to engage constructively with Washington through consultations and dialogue on any specific concerns but maintained that such issues should be addressed through bilateral trade discussions rather than unilateral trade measures under the Section 301 investigation.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) With the objective of establishing an eco-friendly, modern and sustainable public transport system, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will convert its entire bus fleet to electric vehicles in a phased manner by 2035, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik informed the Legislative Council during Question Hour on Wednesday.

The question was raised by member Shrikant Bharatiya, while supplementary questions were asked by members Parinay Phuke, Satej Patil, Pravin Darekar, Bhavana Gawali, Niranjan Davkhare, Uma Khapre, Sadabhau Khot, Prasad Lad and Chandrakant Raghuvanshi.

Minister Sarnaik said MSRTC has signed an agreement to procure 5,150 electric buses, of which more than 900 have already joined the fleet and are operating successfully.

Under the agreement, 172 charging stations are proposed across the state. Of these, 39 have been completed, while another 45 are expected to become operational within the next three months. MSRTC is coordinating with the company concerned to expedite completion of the remaining charging stations.

The minister also highlighted a major crackdown on private buses operating illegally within a 200-metre radius of MSRTC bus stations, stating that punitive action, including fines, has been taken against more than 200 private buses so far.

To promote eco-friendly public transport, the government has fixed a target of converting the entire MSRTC fleet to electric vehicles by 2035. The plan covers buses currently in operation, new procurements and the phased replacement of ageing buses with electric vehicles.

Once the target is achieved, Maharashtra will become the first state in the country to have a fully electric State Transport fleet, the minister said.

He further informed the House that a dedicated three-year roadmap has been prepared to strengthen MSRTC services in rural, remote and tribal areas.

An allocation of around Rs 200 crore has been made for the modernisation of bus depots and bus ports, construction of residential quarters for drivers and conductors, and development of other essential infrastructure.

Minister Sarnaik also said that the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) facility introduced by MSRTC has received an encouraging response from commuters.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal informed the Legislative Assembly while replying to a Calling Attention Motion that the Dahisar Transport Hub is an ambitious multi-modal transit project being developed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). She said further work on the project would proceed only after a thorough assessment of the excavation report.

The issue was raised through a Calling Attention Motion by MLA Prakash Surve.

Misal said the project is being developed at the site of the old octroi naka in Dahisar and aims to provide an integrated transport network connecting buses, Metro services, taxis, private vehicles and pedestrians.

The project is intended to reduce traffic congestion, create a modern interstate bus terminal, provide seamless interchanges between different modes of transport and promote planned and sustainable urban development.

She said that during excavation, hard basalt rock was encountered, requiring the controlled use of explosives after obtaining all necessary permissions.

Necessary safety measures, including barricading, water sprinkling to suppress dust, traffic management and other precautions, were implemented during the work.

Following complaints from public representatives and local residents, excavation work was temporarily suspended.

In accordance with IIT Bombay guidelines, tests were conducted at the site on June 20, 2026. The report concluded that there was no threat to surrounding buildings.

Misal assured the House that the next phase of the project would commence only after the report had been fully evaluated.

Source: IANS

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Washington, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's leading industry bodies on Wednesday urged the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to drop its proposed 12.5 per cent tariff on Indian imports, arguing that Indian businesses already operate under stringent labour and environmental compliance systems and that broad-based tariffs would raise costs for American manufacturers without helping eliminate forced labour.

Appearing before a USTR Section 301 hearing, representatives of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said Indian industry fully supports the objective of eliminating forced labour from global supply chains but disputed the basis for imposing economy-wide tariffs on India.

Presenting FICCI's case, Poornima Shenoy said Indian businesses had invested heavily in responsible sourcing, supply chain due diligence, traceability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance because "responsible business has become a commercial necessity."

She argued that the proposed tariff adopted an overly broad approach.

"Our first concern is that the measure adopts a broad-based approach that applies across all sectors and products, irrespective of the individual risk profile in the supply chain," Shenoy said in her testimony, adding that supply chains differ in governance, sourcing practices and compliance mechanisms. A targeted, evidence-based and risk-based approach, she said, would be more effective than an economy-wide tariff.

Shenoy also said India's legal and institutional framework already protects labour rights through labour laws, enforcement mechanisms, inspections and judicial remedies. She stressed that most Indian exporters supplying the United States operate within strict compliance ecosystems that include supplier audits, ethical sourcing standards, worker grievance mechanisms, traceability systems and continuous monitoring.

She warned that additional tariffs would increase costs for Indian exporters as well as U.S. manufacturers, retailers and consumers.

"Many U.S. industries rely on long-standing sourcing relationships with Indian suppliers because they deliver products of quality and reliability and ensure full compliance," she said.

Representing CII, Shuchita Sonalika said that India's largest industry association, which represents more than 10,500 direct members and over 365,000 enterprises indirectly, also supported the global objective of eliminating forced labour. However, she said the proposed 12.5 per cent additional duty was "not warranted" and would "penalise a compliant industry without advancing the stated policy goal."

Her statement outlined three principal arguments.

First, she said India has a comprehensive legal and institutional framework prohibiting forced labour, including constitutional protections, the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, modern labour codes, criminal penalties and ratification of the International Labour Organization's core conventions on forced labour. India also mandates Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting for its top 1,000 listed companies, requiring disclosures on human rights, forced labour complaints, and supply chain assessments.

Second, Sonalika argued that Indian companies already operate within rigorous global compliance systems. She cited examples from the aluminium, textile, foundry, forging, and agricultural machinery sectors, saying that exporters follow supplier codes of conduct, ESG frameworks, buyer-mandated compliance, and international labour standards.

She also noted that none of India's major sources of manufactured goods imports appears on the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act list.

Third, she challenged the USTR's economic analysis, arguing that the report failed to establish that India's policy framework burdens U.S. commerce.

During the hearing, committee members asked industry representatives how exempting exports from additional duties would encourage countries under investigation to eliminate unfair labour practices.

Responding on behalf of CII, Sonalika said "compliance and cooperation-based mechanisms would be far more effective than the applications" of tariffs.

She highlighted CII's work with the International Labour Organisation and the United Nations Development Programme on responsible business practices and said Indian companies already maintain documented codes of conduct, supplier codes and ESG frameworks. She added that India would welcome cooperation with U.S. authorities to further strengthen compliance systems rather than impose punitive trade measures.

Both FICCI and CII assured that the USTR should reconsider the proposed tariffs in light of India's legal safeguards, existing compliance mechanisms and the importance of resilient U.S.-India supply chains. They urged Washington to pursue cooperation and dialogue instead of broad trade restrictions, arguing that stronger compliance, rather than higher tariffs, offers the most effective path to addressing forced labour concerns.

Source: IANS

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Ahmedabad, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway has completed a series of monsoon preparedness measures, including cleaning 132 kilometres of side drains, installing 260 pumps at vulnerable road underbridges and positioning emergency stocks of ballast and quarry dust, as part of efforts to ensure safe and uninterrupted train operations during the rainy season.

The measures were reviewed at a monsoon preparedness meeting chaired by Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Ved Prakash at the divisional office on Wednesday.

Former Railway Board Member (Infrastructure) Anil Kumar Khandelwal attended the meeting as a special guest.

Senior divisional officers, heads of departments responsible for monsoon management and all Senior Section Engineers (Works) participated, with the engineers joining virtually.

According to the division, the meeting reviewed preparations for potential monsoon-related challenges and assessed arrangements to maintain passenger safety and reliable train services.

Addressing the meeting, Ved Prakash said: "Ahmedabad Division has made comprehensive preparations to ensure safe and uninterrupted train operations during the monsoon."

He noted that tracks, bridges, drains, and culverts are inspected and cleaned before the onset of the rainy season, while joint surveys are conducted with relevant state government departments to identify vulnerable locations and improve drainage.

"Special arrangements have been made to prevent waterlogging at stations and railway yards. Vulnerable bridges are being monitored round the clock, with caution orders to be issued whenever necessary. Station sheds, roofs and railway equipment have also been inspected as part of the seasonal safety drive," he said.

The division said 132 kilometres of side drains have been cleaned to strengthen the drainage network, while tree cutting and trimming have been carried out at 190 locations.

To tackle waterlogging at Road Under Bridges (RUBs), 260 pumps with capacities of 10 HP and 32 HP have been installed.

In addition, flange clearance work has been completed over 675 kilometres of track and yard areas, and 37 sumps have been installed to improve drainage.

Emergency preparedness was also reviewed during the meeting.

Adequate stocks of ballast and quarry dust have been positioned at Dhrangadhra, Gandhidham, Maliya and Adraj Moti, while special emergency gangs have been kept ready for rapid deployment if required.

The division has stored seven wagons each of ballast and quarry dust at Dhrangadhra, 20 wagons of ballast and 10 wagons of quarry dust at Gandhidham, and reserve stocks of 10,000 cubic metres of ballast each at Maliya and Adraj Moti to support the swift restoration of rail services in the event of floods or other natural disasters.

Officials were instructed to give priority to the regular cleaning of side drains, catchwater drains, cross drains, and station yard drains to minimise the risk of waterlogging and maintain track stability and signalling reliability.

They were also directed to strengthen inspections at vulnerable locations and to ensure close coordination among the engineering, signalling and telecommunications, electrical, and operating departments.

The meeting further decided to maintain regular coordination with local authorities and village heads to continuously monitor Railway Affecting Tanks (RATs), enabling early identification of potential risks.

Officials were also instructed to ensure that monsoon reserve materials and emergency restoration equipment remain readily available at vulnerable locations for prompt deployment whenever required.

Ahmedabad Division said it remains committed to ensuring passenger safety, protecting railway assets and maintaining uninterrupted train operations throughout the monsoon season.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Delhi High Court has held that the suspension of an employee of a recognised private school automatically lapses if it is not approved by the Directorate of Education (DoE) within 15 days, clarifying that any approval granted thereafter cannot revive the suspension.

A Full Bench comprising Justices C. Hari Shankar, Om Prakash Shukla and Renu Bhatnagar answered a reference arising out of conflicting Division Bench judgments on the interpretation of the second proviso to Section 8(4) of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973.

The issue before the Full Bench was whether an employee's suspension, initially ordered without the DoE's prior approval in cases of alleged gross misconduct, could be revived if the Director approved after the statutory 15-day period had expired.

Disagreeing with the view taken in Sharda Devi Sanskrit Vidyapeeth v. Director of Education, the Delhi High Court held that the statutory scheme leaves no scope for revival of a suspension that has already lapsed.

"In case no approval of the director is received within a period of 15 days, the second proviso to Section 8(4) is categorical that the suspension would come to an end. Any approval granted to the suspension thereafter would, therefore, be of no consequence, as there was no suspension in existence. It is not possible to breathe life into a dead body," the Full Bench said.

It added that the employer's failure to permit the employee to resume duties after the suspension had lapsed could not be used to justify continuation of the suspension.

"The default of the employer in allowing him to rejoin work cannot result in continuance of the suspension of the employee, contrary to the clear mandate of the second proviso," the Justice Hari Shankar-led Bench said.

Rejecting the reasoning adopted in the earlier Sharda Devi Sanskrit Vidyapeeth judgment, the Full Bench said that approval granted after the expiry of 15 days does not amount to compliance with the statutory requirement.

"Grant of approval within 15 days of the suspension would comply with the second proviso to Section 8(4). Grant of approval after 15 days would certainly not," the judgment said.

The Delhi High Court endorsed the principle laid down by an earlier Full Bench in Delhi Public School v. Director of Education, holding that once the initial suspension lapses, the management must pass a fresh suspension order if it still deems suspension necessary.

"Thereafter, it is certainly open to the authorities to take a view that the employee is required to be again suspended, in which case they would have to pass a fresh order of suspension. That is the mandate of the law," the Justice Hari Shankar-led Bench said.

The Full Bench also relied on the Supreme Court's ruling in Mrs Y. Theclamma v. Union of India, which had declared that a suspension order lapses if no approval is received from the Director within the stipulated period.

"The Supreme Court has also clearly held that, on the expiry of 15 days from the passing of the order of suspension... in the absence of any approval from the Director of Education, the order of suspension lapses. In case any fresh order of suspension has to be passed, fresh prior approval from the Director of Education has to be obtained under Section 8(4)," it said.

Answering the reference, the Delhi High Court held that "if no approval is received to the order of suspension passed in exercise of the power conferred by the first proviso to Section 8(4) of the Delhi School Education Act within 15 days of the passing of the order of suspension, the suspension would automatically come to an end. Any later order of approval passed by the Director of Education would not revive the said suspension."

The Full Bench agreed with the view expressed in Delhi Public School Dwarka v. Sarika Prasad and expressed its respectful disagreement with the contrary view taken in the Sharda Devi Sanskrit Vidyapeeth judgment.

The matter has now been directed to be listed before the appropriate Bench, as per roster, on July 31 for further proceedings in the main writ petition.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a major move to modernise the state's post-mortem process, Maharashtra is set to introduce high-tech advancements, including 'non-invasive post-mortem' (virtual autopsy) technology, in Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the Legislative Council during Question Hour.

He said the government has launched comprehensive measures to ensure post-mortem reports are delivered on time, successfully slashing the backlog of pending reports over the last two to three years. The issue was raised by member Chitra Wagh, with follow-up questions from members Satej Patil, Ambadas Danve, Pragnya Satav, and Neelam Gorhe.

Highlighting the benefits of non-invasive technology, Fadnavis explained that it enables body examinations without traditional dissection. This approach saves time, requires less manpower, minimises human error, and ensures highly accurate detection of microscopic changes.

The tendering and procurement process for the required machinery at Mumbai's J J and KEM hospitals has already been completed.

Currently, 533 post-mortem centres are operational across Maharashtra, having completed 10,905 autopsies up to May this year. Acknowledging the heavy workload on these centres, the chief minister promised a time-bound review to address shortages in staff, infrastructure, and other resources.

Fadnavis stated that previously, it took anywhere from six months to a year to get a post-mortem report. However, by speeding up operations at forensic science laboratories over the last two to three years, they have brought the number of pending reports down from nearly 300,000 to 75,000.

He added that the government aims to bring this backlog down to normal levels within the next three to four months, giving top priority to medico-legal cases and those involving preserved viscera. While some rural centres receive bodies less frequently, those in accident-prone areas face immense pressure.

The chief minister assured that cold storage facilities are available where needed and a comprehensive audit will be conducted to upgrade facilities across all centres. Fadnavis also issued a stern warning regarding privacy, emphasising that maintaining confidentiality during the post-mortem process is legally binding.

He cautioned that leaking any information before the official report is submitted to the police is illegal and that strict action will be taken against anyone who violates these rules.

Meanwhile, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif informed the Legislative Assembly that action has been taken against erring staff members of the Social Work Department at Sir J J Group of Hospitals. He stated that all concerned hospital authorities have been strictly instructed to treat patients and their relatives with empathy and courtesy.

Responding to a question raised by MLA Vilas Bhumre during Question Hour, Mushrif confirmed that a committee was set up to investigate complaints against superintendents in J J Hospital's Social Work Department.

Based on the inquiry report, the Dean of Sir J J Group of Hospitals has issued strict warnings to the accused staff members to ensure there is no future dereliction of duty.

Furthermore, employees absent without official permission have faced salary cuts ('no work, no pay'). Following an order on June 26, 2026, by the Directorate of Medical Education, two guilty social work superintendents have been transferred to other locations, said the minister.

He added that biometric attendance has been made mandatory for all staff, and the Secretary and the Commissioner have been directed to strictly monitor the system's functioning and the performance of its officers.

Source: IANS

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Guwahati, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) on Wednesday issued an advisory urging people to remain alert as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning across several parts of the state over the next three to four days, officials said.

According to the IMD forecast, widespread rainfall activity is likely to continue across Assam under the prevailing monsoon conditions, with isolated places expected to receive heavy to very heavy showers.

The weather office has also warned of thunderstorms with lightning, raising the possibility of waterlogging in urban areas, flash floods in low-lying regions, disruption of road traffic and localised landslides in vulnerable hill districts.

The district-wise forecast indicates that several districts across western, central, upper and southern Assam, including Kamrup Metro, Kamrup (Rural), Dhubri, Barpeta, Kokrajhar, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Cachar and Dima Hasao, are likely to witness heavy rain and thunderstorms over the next few days. Some districts have also been placed under warnings for isolated spells of very heavy rainfall.

In Guwahati, the IMD has predicted generally cloudy skies with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers throughout the coming week.

Light rain is expected during the day on Wednesday, while thunderstorms and rain are likely during the evening and night.

The city recorded 7.4 mm of rainfall at the airport over the past 24 hours, while the maximum and minimum temperatures were 32.9 and 26.6 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The ASDMA said district administrations are closely monitoring the evolving weather situation and emergency response systems have been kept on alert.

The authority appealed to residents, especially those living in low-lying and landslide-prone areas, to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall.

The disaster management authority also advised daily commuters and long-distance travellers to plan their journeys carefully, follow official weather updates and adhere to advisories issued by local authorities.

It said timely information on the evolving weather situation would be shared through the ASDMA website and its official social media platforms.

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two employees of the Postal Department in connection with the alleged misappropriation of approximately Rs 1.3 crore from the Post Office Savings Accounts of 44 account holders at Saragur Post Office in Mysuru district in Karnataka, an official statement said on Wednesday.

The arrested accused are a Postal Assistant and a Postman, both posted at the Saragur Post Office. They were arrested following an investigation into allegations of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery and offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

According to the CBI, a case was registered in March 2026 based on a written complaint received from the Postal Department regarding the alleged fraud.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the two accused allegedly siphoned off funds from the savings accounts of customers over a period spanning 2022 to 2025. The stolen money was allegedly transferred into the bank accounts of their relatives as well as their own accounts.

Investigators found that the accused had allegedly misused customers' login credentials, including user IDs and passwords, to fraudulently access accounts and transfer funds without the knowledge or consent of the account holders.

The CBI said the fraud currently involves 44 savings account holders, with the total amount misappropriated estimated at around Rs 1.3 crore. However, officials suspect that similar irregularities may have occurred in other accounts as well, and those transactions are also under investigation.

Following their arrest, the accused were produced before the Special CBI Court in Bengaluru. The agency has sought their police custody for detailed interrogation to uncover the full extent of the fraud and identify any other persons who may have been involved.

The CBI said the investigation is continuing and that efforts are underway to trace the entire trail of the misappropriated funds. The agency added that it is committed to uncovering the complete conspiracy and bringing all those responsible to justice at the earliest.

Source: IANS

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Surat, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) More than 3,400 people have been rescued and nearly 3,900 evacuated after exceptionally heavy rainfall inundated large parts of Surat over the past two days, prompting large-scale rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities.

Officials said Surat city recorded 19 inches of rain in the last 38 hours, while 3,416 people were rescued and 3,862 residents were shifted to safer locations as floodwaters entered residential neighbourhoods.

Authorities also distributed 9,563 food packets to those rescued and accommodated in relief shelters.

In Surat rural district, 7.59 inches of rainfall was recorded during the last 24 hours. In Palsana taluka, 19 people were evacuated, with shelter homes and food packets arranged for them.

The NDRF carried out multiple rescue operations across the city as low-lying areas remained waterlogged. In Godadara, rescue teams evacuated 313 people to safer shelters.

In Pandesara's Shriram Nagar Society, where floodwaters entered residential premises, the NDRF rescued 85 people, comprising 36 men, 27 women and 22 children.

NDRF Team 06 also conducted flood relief operations in the Mithikhadi area, where women rescuers helped evacuate residents safely. The heavy rainfall also disrupted Surat's textile trade.

More than 500 shops at the Raghukul Textile Market were inundated after continuous rain over two days, causing extensive damage to stock and infrastructure.

Water levels had begun receding after rainfall eased, allowing traders to assess losses.

Dinesh Kataria, General Secretary of the Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association, said the scale of rainfall was unprecedented for the city.

"The city received an estimated 15 to 20 inches of rain yesterday... something we had never imagined would happen in Surat. Such rainfall is usually associated with places like Cherrapunji. The heavy rain caused water to gush in from all sides, flooding basements and even reaching ground-level shops. Many traders have suffered losses worth crores of rupees," he said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that rainfall over Surat is expected to moderate over the coming days, with no heavy rain warning currently in place for the city after the recent spell.

However, active monsoon conditions are expected to persist across Gujarat, with heavy to very heavy rainfall still likely in parts of south Gujarat and a flash flood risk remaining for some districts.

Authorities have advised residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and follow official advisories.

Source: IANS

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Jodhpur, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted a search at the Jodhpur residence of Zeeshan, an alleged handler of the banned terrorist organisation ISIS, as part of its ongoing investigation into a terrorism-related case.

The search lasted for nearly two hours, during which the agency seized a motorcycle from the premises. The vehicle was later deposited at the Sadar Bazar police station.

Zeeshan was arrested in March 2026 in connection with alleged terrorist activities. While he was initially taken into custody by a joint team of the Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan Police, the NIA later arrested him in connection with its own case after he was remanded to judicial custody.

According to investigators, Zeeshan allegedly used social media platforms to radicalise and recruit youths for ISIS.

During Wednesday's operation, NIA officials, assisted by the local police, carried out a detailed search of the house and gathered information relating to the accused's associates, neighbours and bank accounts. The agency did not disclose further details of the search.

Investigators have alleged that several objectionable chats and videos were recovered from Zeeshan's mobile phone following his arrest.

They also claimed that he operated a social media group called 'Benex', through which he allegedly attempted to influence and radicalise youths. According to the investigation, he had qualified through an online process to become an administrator of the group.

Investigators further alleged that Zeeshan had obtained multiple mobile SIM cards under different identities to operate the network, with some SIM cards reportedly registered in his parents' names.

Following his arrest, the SIM cards were allegedly blocked, making it difficult for investigators to retrieve past communications.

The NIA subsequently questioned Zeeshan's parents, and the SIM cards were later reactivated as part of the investigation.

Local police officials said they had not received any information regarding the agency's next course of action. However, further questioning of other suspects is likely as the investigation progresses.

Source: IANS

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Bhopal, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) A special CBI court in Bhopal on Wednesday sentenced a former Bank of India branch manager and a private individual to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in a bank fraud case involving the fraudulent sanction of a Rs 30 lakh loan.

The court also imposed a total fine of Rs 60,000 on the two convicts, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said in a statement.

The convicts have been identified as Piyush Chaturvedi, the then Senior Branch Manager of Bank of India, Misrod branch in Bhopal, and Mohan Singh Solanki.

According to the CBI, the case was registered in January 2016 following a complaint by the then Deputy Zonal Manager of the Bank of India in Bhopal.

The agency alleged that Chaturvedi had sanctioned a term loan and cash credit limit of Rs 30 lakh in the name of M/s Sunny Enterprises in November 2013.

"On the same day, Rs 22 lakh was transferred through an RTGS transaction from the firm's account on the basis of forged and fabricated RTGS forms and vouchers to the account of M/s Gold Fly Aish of accused Mohan Singh Solanki," the CBI said.

The investigation found that the amount was allegedly misappropriated by the two accused as part of a criminal conspiracy, resulting in a financial loss to the bank.

After completing the investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet against both accused before the special court.

"After completion of investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet against accused Piyush Chaturvedi and Mohan Singh Solanki. The court, after the trial, convicted and sentenced the accused persons accordingly," the agency said.

The CBI said the case relates to the fraudulent sanction of a bank loan and diversion of funds using forged banking documents.

The judgment brings to an end the decade-old case registered on the complaint of the bank.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Ministry of Coal has invited applications under the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects, approved by the government in May this year with a total financial outlay of Rs 37,500 crore, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.

The scheme is a major initiative aimed at promoting surface coal and lignite gasification projects, thereby enhancing value addition, reducing import dependence, and supporting India's vision of achieving greater self-reliance in the energy and chemical sectors.

After the approval of the scheme, the guidelines were issued on June 25, followed by the publication of the Request for Proposal (RFP) on July 7, inviting eligible applicants to submit proposals.

To facilitate stakeholder participation and provide clarity on the Scheme provisions and the application process, the Ministry will hold a pre-application conference on July 20. Prospective applicants and other stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the conference and submit their queries for clarification, the statement said.

The last date for submission of applications is September 7.

The Scheme Guidelines, Request for Proposal (RFP), and the detailed application timeline are available on the Ministry of Coal website. Interested entities are encouraged to review the documents.

Coal gasification is a transformative technology that converts coal into synthesis gas (syngas), which can be further utilised for the production of value-added products such as methanol, ammonium nitrate, synthetic natural gas, and a range of industrial chemicals. Recognising its strategic importance, the government has undertaken several policy initiatives and incentive measures to promote coal gasification as a means to enhance energy security, reduce import dependence, and diversify the utilisation of domestic coal resources.

The government conducted roadshows on coal gasification in June in Delhi and Hyderabad, during which discussions were held with stakeholders on policy support, technological innovations, investment opportunities, and project implementation strategies. The platform brought together policymakers, industry leaders, technology providers, and investors to explore collaborative pathways for accelerating the development of coal and lignite gasification projects across the country.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Apple has significantly expanded its partnership with Broadcom through a new multi-year agreement worth more than $30 billion, marking the company's largest manufacturing commitment in the United States and reinforcing its broader strategy to strengthen domestic semiconductor production.

The agreement, which extends through 2031, is expected to support the production of more than 15 billion chips in the US.

As part of the deal, Broadcom will invest $1.5 billion to expand its manufacturing facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, although neither company disclosed when the additional production capacity would become operational.

The expanded partnership builds on Broadcom's long-standing role as a supplier of wireless connectivity components for Apple.

Under the new agreement, Broadcom will manufacture custom silicon in the United States, including wireless connectivity components that power Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity across multiple generations of Apple devices.

Earlier this week, Broadcom disclosed in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission that it had signed new long-term agreements with Apple to develop and supply custom application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) silicon products through 2031.

These custom chips will support future generations of Apple products and are expected to play an increasingly important role as ASICs become more widely used for artificial intelligence workloads.

Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook described the agreement as the company's largest commitment under its American Manufacturing Program (AMP), highlighting its significance in expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities.

The announcement also represents the largest component of Apple's $600 billion, four-year US investment plan unveiled in 2025, which aims to strengthen the country's end-to-end silicon supply chain.

In a statement, Apple said it has been working with the US administration and businesses across the country to help build a comprehensive domestic silicon ecosystem, adding that the latest agreement advances those efforts.

Cook also praised President Donald Trump and his administration for supporting American manufacturing initiatives, saying the components to be produced at Broadcom's Fort Collins facility are essential to delivering the performance and connectivity that Apple customers expect across its devices.

Source: IANS

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Dehradun, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chairman Hemant Dwivedi said on Wednesday that the organisation had taken cognisance of the complaint regarding the alleged theft of donations made at the Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand's Badrinath "within 24 hours" and assured that whoever is found guilty will be severely punished.

Speaking to IANS, Dwivedi said: ''The Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee received this complaint on July 3 that there had been some manipulation by an employee in the counting room. As soon as the matter came to the notice of the Temple Committee, the Executive Officer Sohan Singh Rangad was directed to immediately seek an explanation from all the officials in the counting room and to secure all the CCTVs in the premises."

"By evening we had also formed a four member inquiry committee. We had taken cognisance of the incident within 24 hours (of receiving the complaint) since the place is at the centre of faith for lakhs of devotees and it is our primary responsibility to maintain the sanctity of the offerings made here," he asserted.

He also said that upon its arrival, the inquiry team found certain irregularities post which the accused employee was immediately suspended from service so that the probe can be impartial.

"Late at night, the temple committee also lodged an FIR against the concerned employee," Dwivedi added.

Dwivedi was referring to Pramod Nautiyal, the Personal Assistant posted in the office of the BKTC Chairman, who was suspended with immediate effect on July 7 by the BKTC, saying that allowing him to continue in his position could compromise the fairness and impartiality of the investigation.

He expressed gratitude to the Uttarakhand government and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for taking immediate cognisance of the matter and forming a probe panel consisting of senior officials.

"The government is open to include any expert into the panel if required, in order to conduct an impartial probe," he added.

"I assure you that a thorough probe will be conducted and strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty in the matter," he stressed.

Source: IANS

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Washington, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) India on Wednesday strongly opposed the proposed 12.5 per cent additional US tariff on its exports during a US Trade Representative (USTR) Section 301 hearing, arguing that the investigation lacks a legal and factual basis and warning that the proposed action would disrupt supply chains without advancing efforts to eliminate forced labour.

Appearing before the USTR hearing panel, Dr Brij Mohan of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said India objected to the proposed country-wide tariff, contending that the investigation had failed to satisfy the legal standards required under Section 301 and had not demonstrated that India's policies burden US commerce.

He argued that "the USTR has not provided clear assessment and justification for recommending a country-wide tariff rate of 12.5 per cent against almost all imports from India", adding that the methodology relied on "broad trade patterns" rather than sector-specific or product-specific evidence linking Indian exports to forced labour.

Dr Mohan also rejected the premise that the absence of an explicit import ban on goods produced with forced labour amounted to permitting such practices.

"The absence of an explicit forced labour import prohibition does not constitute acquiescing to or permitting forced labour in any form," he told the hearing, adding that eliminating forced labour required multiple policy interventions tailored to country-specific circumstances rather than broad import restrictions.

He further maintained that the USTR had failed to establish any causal link between India's regulatory framework and harm to US commerce.

"In fact, USTR data in Appendix A, such as in relation to tobacco, rice, and cotton, contradicts the demand on which it has made an adverse determination against India," he said, arguing that the data instead showed rising US exports and negligible or declining third-country competition in India.

Following India's principal submission, Shreyans Gupta, First Secretary (Commerce) at the Embassy of India, appeared on behalf of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

Gupta challenged the USTR's findings on rice imports, saying the conclusions were based on incorrect assumptions.

He said India was the world's largest producer and exporter of rice and that imported rice represented only a tiny fraction of domestic production, serving niche consumer demand rather than export processing. According to the submission, around 45 per cent of India's rice imports originate from Thailand, consisting mainly of speciality jasmine varieties that are neither re-exported nor comparable to US-grown rice.

Gupta said India's exports to the United States consist predominantly of geographically indicated basmati rice grown in designated regions of the Indo-Gangetic plains, while non-basmati exports also originate from domestic production.

He further argued that India's imports account for less than three per cent of the value of rice exported to the US and that regulatory safeguards prevent imported rice from being exported as Indian produce.

"Export of rice from India to the US is allowed only from the rice mills registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare," he said, adding that exporters must also comply with stringent labour standards imposed by major U.S. private sector buyers, including supermarket chains.

Gupta urged the USTR to rescind the investigation against India or, alternatively, exempt Indian rice from any proposed measures, arguing that the findings did not establish that India's policies met the statutory threshold of unreasonableness or restricted US commerce.

Earlier during the hearing, Indian industry bodies also urged the USTR to reconsider the proposed tariff.

Poornima Shenoy of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) said Indian industry fully supported eliminating forced labour from global supply chains but argued that an economy-wide tariff would penalise compliant sectors and increase costs for U.S. businesses and consumers without addressing the underlying issue.

Shuchita Sonalika of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said India had a comprehensive legal framework prohibiting forced labour and that Indian exporters already operated under rigorous compliance systems required by global customers. She urged the USTR to pursue "compliance-based cooperation, not punitive tariffs", warning that additional duties would disrupt well-established US-India supply chains.

The USTR launched the Section 301 investigation to examine whether several trading partners have failed to prohibit or effectively enforce restrictions on imports produced with forced labour. The public hearings in Washington bring together government officials, industry groups, labour organisations and businesses from multiple countries to present evidence before the USTR makes its final determination.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hours after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday issued a statement alleging dubious transactions through three bank accounts of the Trinamool Congress, on which debit restrictions have already been imposed, the former ruling party in West Bengal issued a statement rejecting the allegations made by the central agency.

The Trinamool Congress also described the ED's action relating to the freezing of its three bank accounts, with total deposits of Rs 440 crore, as politically motivated.

In its statement issued on Wednesday evening, the party claimed that all funds held in its bank accounts had been fully and transparently disclosed.

"All funds held in the party's bank accounts have been fully and transparently disclosed. The party has duly reported all donation transactions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Income Tax Department. These disclosures are published annually on the ECI's website and are available in the public domain," the Trinamool Congress statement said.

The party also claimed that details relating to electoral bonds were already available with the Government of India since the bonds were issued by the State Bank of India (SBI) and subsequently submitted before the Supreme Court.

Referring to the freezing of the three bank accounts, the Trinamool Congress termed the action arbitrary and illegal.

"The misuse of investigative agencies to target political opponents has become a hallmark of the BJP's politics and represents a serious assault on democratic institutions and the principles of a level playing field," the party said in its statement.

The debit restrictions on the three bank accounts were imposed by the bank authorities following instructions from the West Bengal Police after two parallel developments.

The first was a letter from the party's former treasurer and former West Bengal Sports and Power Minister Aroop Biswas to the bank seeking a freeze on the accounts over apprehensions that the funds could be misused.

Subsequently, MLAs belonging to the "rebel but majority" faction of the Trinamool Congress Legislature Party, led by expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee, approached the West Bengal Police with a similar request. They also alleged that the accounts could contain proceeds of corruption and extortion.

Taking note of the allegations and complaints, the police directed the bank to impose debit restrictions on the accounts.

The "original but minority" faction of the party, led by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, challenged the move before the Calcutta High Court. However, the court declined to grant interim relief and did not lift the restrictions.

Thereafter, the ED initiated its own investigation into the matter, taking cognisance of allegations that proceeds of corruption and extortion might have been routed through the accounts, thereby bringing the matter within the ambit of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

On Tuesday, ED officials conducted raids and searches at five locations in Kolkata in connection with the agency's investigation into the matter.

Source: IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) An ambitious river cleaning programme that has quietly transformed the way plastic waste is intercepted in the Kerala capital has crossed a major milestone, with more than 1,000 tonnes of plastic waste recovered from Thiruvananthapuram's rivers and canals over the past four years before it could flow into the Arabian Sea.

The achievement, equivalent to removing nearly 50 million plastic bottles from the city's waterways, is being seen as a demonstration of how sustained intervention, backed by technology and scientific waste management, can address one of the most pressing environmental challenges confronting urban Kerala.

Besides reducing plastic pollution, the initiative has helped clear waterways that frequently contribute to urban flooding during the monsoon while improving the ecological health of rivers that eventually empty into the sea.

At the heart of the programme is a network of 15 floating TrashBoom barriers installed across key waterways that crosses in the state capital city.

The barriers trap floating plastic every day, after which the waste is transported to material recovery facilities for segregation.

Recyclable plastic is repurposed locally while non-recyclable material is sent for co-processing in cement plants, ensuring that very little ends up in landfills.

Implemented by some tech companies and others besides others using technology developed by Germany-based Plastic Fischer, the project has been funded through CSR initiatives since its launch in 2022.

Industries, IT, AI and Startups Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said the achievement reflected Kerala's ability to combine industrial growth with environmental stewardship.

"Global Capability Centres in Kerala are not merely engines of economic growth; they are responsible corporate citizens who invest in the communities and ecosystems that sustain them. This milestone reinforces a powerful message to global investors that Kerala's industrial growth is inseparable from its commitment to environmental excellence," he said.

Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph described the project as a model worthy of replication because of its sustained and systematic approach rather than one-time clean-up drives.

"I urge corporates, local bodies and citizens alike to draw inspiration from this model," he said.

Local Self Government Minister K.M. Shaji called upon panchayats, municipalities and the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation to deepen collaboration with initiatives of this nature to strengthen waste management at the grassroots.

The project assumes significance against the backdrop of studies showing that nearly 79 per cent of debris along Thiruvananthapuram's waterways is plastic, with the Karamana and Killi rivers recording some of the highest microplastic concentrations in the region.

Having earned recognition under the UN Ocean Decade, the model pioneered in the state capital is now being replicated in several Indian cities, highlighting its potential as a scalable solution to tackling plastic pollution in urban waterways.

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Southwest Monsoon has intensified across Karnataka, bringing widespread rainfall to several districts, swelling rivers, filling reservoirs and lakes, and triggering flood-like situations in parts of the state's northern area.

While the rains have brought much-needed relief from drought conditions, several low-lying areas and agricultural lands have been inundated as rivers continue to rise.

Belagavi district has been among the worst affected, with incessant rainfall causing the Doodhganga, Markandeya, and Ghataprabha rivers to overflow. Vast stretches of agricultural land along the riverbanks - and extending nearly half a kilometre away - with sugarcane, maize, and chilli have been submerged.

Farmers, who had been struggling with drought and severe water scarcity until recently, are now facing losses due to flooding. Residents said the Ghataprabha River, which had barely any water just four days ago, is now overflowing following heavy rainfall in Maharashtra and the Western Ghats.

Local farmers have urged the government to provide compensation, stating that delayed monsoon rains had already damaged crops before floodwaters entered their fields. At the same time, many expressed relief that rivers, lakes and reservoirs have finally begun filling after months of acute water shortage.

Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is scheduled to visit the district on Thursday and he will review the flood situation.

"We have deputed a team of officials to the Koyna Reservoir in Maharashtra to monitor water releases. All necessary preparations have been made to effectively manage any flood situation," he said.

In Shivamogga district, the Tunga River is flowing in spate following continuous rainfall in the Malnad region.

Several lakes in Hubballi have also filled up after receiving heavy rainfall over the past few days.

In Dharwad district, lakes that had dried up during the summer have reached full capacity following sustained rains. Residents of Kalaghatagi taluk, who had been facing severe drinking water shortages for both people and livestock, have welcomed the rainfall.

The Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam in Mandya has also witnessed a sharp rise in inflow following heavy rainfall across the Cauvery catchment area and Madikeri district. The reservoir is currently receiving 7,531 cusecs of water, compared to 5,734 cusecs recorded on the previous day.

The KRS reservoir presently has a water level of 81.55 feet against its maximum capacity of 124.80 feet. Of its total storage capacity of 49.452 TMC, the reservoir currently stores 12.485 TMC of water. Officials expect inflows to increase further if rainfall continues in the Cauvery basin.

Heavy rains have also continued across Hassan district in south Karnataka, with Sakleshpur, Alur, Belur, and Arkalgud receiving incessant rainfall accompanied by strong winds. The heavy showers in neighbouring Mudigere of Chikkamagaluru district have significantly increased inflows into the Hemavati Dam.

The Hemavati Dam at Gorur is currently receiving an inflow of 16,593 cusecs, while 300 cusecs of water is being released. Against its total storage capacity of 37.103 TMC, the reservoir currently holds 18.782 TMC of water. The water level stands at 2,898.40 feet against its maximum level of 2,922 feet.

As a precautionary measure, Belur Tahsildar Sridhar Kankanawadi declared a holiday on Wednesday for all Anganwadi centres, primary schools and high schools in Arehalli, Bikkodu and Chikkanahalli hoblis, along with Kasaba A and Kasaba B zones of Belur taluk, in view of the heavy rain and strong winds.

Meanwhile, picturesque waterfalls have sprung up along National Highway-75 passing through the Shiradi Ghat in Dakshina Kannada district due to the heavy monsoon showers. The dense forest stretch has turned into a major attraction, with thousands of devotees and tourists travelling along the highway during the temple pilgrimage season.

With the India Meteorological Department forecasting continued rainfall across several parts of Karnataka over the coming days, authorities are closely monitoring river levels and reservoir inflows, particularly in flood-prone districts of north Karnataka, while urging people living along riverbanks and in low-lying areas to remain alert.

Source: IANS

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