1. Those Who Abide by the Law Have No Reason to Worry: Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has dismissed criticism that the decisions to crack down on illegal slaughterhouses and set up anti-romeo squads were targeted at a community, but asserted that he would not flinch from enforcing the law.
“Those who abide by the law have no reason to worry. But those who don’t believe in the rule of law ought to be worried,” the CM said in a conversation with TOI at his official residence.
He also said anti-romeo squads were meant to save girl students from harassment which forced them to discontinue studies. The chief minister said he has taken measures to ensure that consenting adults are not harassed.
(Source: The Times of India)
2. Reserves Order in Babri Demolition Case: SC Says Can Put Advani on Trial With Kar Sevaks, Set Timeframe
Stating that it will have to “step in” to “do complete justice in a matter like this”, the Supreme Court on Thursday said it was considering putting BJP leader LK Advani and others on a joint trial with ‘kar sevaks’ in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case under various charges, including criminal conspiracy to pull down the disputed structure.
As it reserved its order on the CBI’s appeal against dropping conspiracy charges against BJP leaders, including Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, a bench of Justices PC Ghose and Rohinton F Nariman also signalled that the apex court was mulling the idea of directing the special judge in Lucknow to conclude the joint trial within two years.
(Source: The Indian Express)
3. In a First in India, GSI to Use Modern Aircraft to Map Mineral Stocks
For the first time in the country, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) will use sophisticated aircraft to map the mineral stocks located as deep as 20 km in earth in a pilot project beginning on Friday, officials said.
Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal will kickstart a pilot project, worth Rs 110 crore, wherein specially-equipped aircraft will fly from Nagpur airport starting tomorrow (Friday). This is for the first time that the Indian government is using such aircraft-based survey to map its mineral stocksN Kutambarao, Additional Director General (ADG) of the GSI (Central region) to PTI
The aircraft will have daily flights for recording the mineral stocks in Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
(Source: PTI)
4. India Inks Defence Deals Worth Over $2 Billion With Israel Ahead of PM Narendra Modi's Visit
India and Israel on Thursday inked mega defence deals worth over $2 billion for advanced surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, which are designed to destroy hostile aircraft, missiles and drones at a range of 70-km, to further tighten the bilateral strategic partnership ahead of PM Narendra Modi's impending visit to Tel Aviv in July.
Defence sources said the major deal was for the joint project between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the Barak-8 medium-range SAM systems to initially include one regiment of 16 launchers and 560 missiles for the Indian Army.
(Source: The Times of India)
5. Manmohan Singh Steps in, Gets Congress to Step Back on GST
As Rajya Sabha passed four GST bills in an atmosphere of camaraderie, one man who had not spoken once during the two-day debate became the protagonist. Immediately after the bills were passed, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley walked up to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and shook his hand.
The Congress did not move amendments to the bills. Citing advice by Manmohan, Jairam Ramesh withdrew his amendment that required decisions of the GST Council to be brought before Parliament. Two amendments put to vote – one by Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien and the other by Left MPs Tapan Sen and TK Rangarajan – were defeated.
(Source: The Indian Express)
6. National Herald Case: CBI Books Bhupinder Singh Hooda for Land to Publisher
The CBI has registered an FIR against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others on the allotment of a plot in Panchkula to Associate Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper. AJL is owned by Young India which in turn is run by the Gandhi family.
In its FIR, the CBI alleged that Hooda, as chairman of the Haryana Urban Development Corporation (HUDA), had “misused his official position” to give a piece of land to AJL whose allotment had been cancelled in 1992. This violation of rules caused a loss of Rs 62 lakh to the Haryana government, CBI said.
(Source: The Indian Express)
7. Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad Regrets Air India Episode, Requests Centre to Lift Airlines' Ban
Shiv Sena lawmaker Ravindra Gaikwad on Thursday expressed “regret” for his alleged assault of a senior Air India employee, signalling a climbdown by the party hours after it threatened to stall all flights out of Mumbai over the flying ban on the MP.
Gaikwad, an MP from Osmanabad, was banned by six airlines after the incident last month. He also claimed on TV about hitting the Air India employee with his slippers 25 times.
“...This incident may kindly not be seen as a reason for likely recurrence of such an event in future also,” the MP said in a letter to civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapati Raju, barely a few hours after Sena lawmakers created a ruckus in Parliament over the ban.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
8. Before We Could Say Anything, We Were Attacked: Survivor on Assault by Alwar Cow Protection Group
Azmat Khan would have never imagined that his plans to start a dairy business at his village Nuh in Haryana would land him in hospital with multiple fractures. And leave a friend dead, lynched by Hindu radicals.
Khan, 22, had gone to a weekly animal market in Jaipur to procure milch cows last week. Among those accompanying him was Pehlu Khan, who died at a hospital in Alwar two days after the group were brutally assaulted by activists suspected to be from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal.
Speaking to the Hindustan Times at his house, Khan recalled the incident that is likely to remain etched in his memory for his entire life.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
9. 'Dry' Gujarat in a Fix Over SC Order
The Supreme Court’s ruling to close all liquor shops within a range of 500m from national and State highways has created a peculiar situation for ‘dry’ Gujarat, where sale and consumption of liquor is prohibited.
Except those holding permits issued by the state health department, no one can consume liquor in the State. However, there are more than 50 licensed liquor shops, mostly in resorts and luxury hotels. These cater to permit holders and to tourists who get temporary permits.
After the apex court’s ruling, 16 resorts and hotels have been issued closure notices by the State prohibition department, as they fall within the 500m range of state or national highways.
(Source: The Hindu)
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