The grand old party, Congress is all set to have a non-Gandhi president in more than 24 years. Senior leaders of the party Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor will face off against each other for the post of AICC chief today, Monday (17 October). 

The voting has started taking place at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in which more than 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates will be allowed to choose the party chief in a secret ballot. 

For the sixth time, the election will take place at AICC headquarters at over 65 polling booths across the country in Congress' 137-year history.

 

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Monday attend an event to distribute Ayushman cards to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana–Ma Amrutam (PMJAY-MA) scheme in Gujarat, officials said.

Modi will join the programme organised in Gujarat capital Gandhinagar in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel via video conference and will also interact with three beneficiaries, an official release said on Sunday.

The Ayushman PVC cards (made of polyvinyl chloride material which can be carried easily) are to be distributed to more than 50 lakh beneficiaries under the PMJAY-MA scheme in Gujarat, the release said.

The Centre's PMJAY scheme of providing healthcare facilities to the economically weaker sections was integrated with Gujarat's Mukhyamantri Amrutam (MA) and Mukhyamantri Amrutam Vatsalya (MAV) healthcare schemes in 2019.

As a result, all beneficiaries of the state schemes were eligible to get PMJAY-MA cards, the release said.

Since the integration of the two schemes, PMJAY-MA cards were issued to 1.58 crore beneficiaries in Gujarat, the state government said.

"From September 2021 till date, more than 50 lakh cards have been issued under the chief minister's leadership. Newly printed Ayushman PVC cards will be given to these beneficiaries," the release said.

Gujarat's Minister of Health and Family Welfare Rushikesh Patel will attend the state-level programme. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will join the event virtually.

Under the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, the world's largest health insurance scheme, health cover of up to ₹5 lakh is provided per family, as per the government website.

After the announcement of the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY in 2019, the Gujarat government integrated the Mukhyamantri Amrutam and Mukhyamantri Amrutam Vatsalya schemes with it, and beneficiaries of these three schemes were issued co-branded cards under the PMJAY-MA.

 PTI

 

Bengaluru, October 15ISRO’s heaviest rocket LVM3 will launch British start-up OneWeb’s 36 broadband satellites from the spaceport in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota on October 23, marking the launcher’s entry into the global commercial launch service market.

LVM3 was earlier called GSLV Mk III.

The launch of ‘LVM3 - M2/OneWeb India-1 Mission’ is scheduled at 0007 hours IST on October 23 (midnight of October 22), the Bengaluru-headquartered Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Friday.

"Cryo stage, equipment bay (EB) assembly completed. Satellites are encapsulated and assembled in the vehicle. Final vehicle checks are in progress,” it said.

Earlier this month, ISRO said that NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of the space agency, had signed two launch service contracts with the UK-based Network Access Associates Limited (OneWeb) for launching OneWeb LEO (low earth orbit) broadband communication satellites on-board ISRO’s LVM3.
“It is the first LVM3-dedicated commercial launch on demand through NSIL,” ISRO had said.

“This contract with M/s OneWeb is a historic milestone for NSIL and ISRO, as LVM3, is making its entry into the global commercial launch service market,” it had said.

The newest rocket is capable of launching a four-tonne class of satellites into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

LVM3 is a three-stage vehicle with two solid motor strap-ons, a liquid propellant core stage and a cryogenic stage.

India’s Bharti Enterprises is a major investor and shareholder in OneWeb.

 

 PTI

 

New Delhi, October 15

Pitching for a more inclusive and accessible legal profession, Supreme Court judge Justice D Y Chandrachud on Saturday advised young law students to incorporate feminist thinking in the way they dealt with law.

Addressing the convocation of the National Law University (NLU) here, Justice Chandrachud said students must strive to make the legal profession more inclusive and accessible.

“I would particularly advise you to incorporate feminist thinking in the way you deal with the law,” he told the gathering.

Recounting his experience as a junior judge in the Bombay High Court, Justice Chandrachud said he used to sit in a criminal roster with Justice Ranjana Desai (now retired) and heard diverse criminal appeals.

“Initially, I viewed the matters where women were often subjected to the worst of crimes and violations from a straightjacketed perspective, but sitting with a colleague who had more diverse exposure to realities of gender gave me the necessary feminist perspective,” he said.

“Of course, I believe that all of us, including myself, have a lot to learn in terms of how we perceive law and apply social experiences,” Justice Chandrachud added.

He said women lawyers might find it challenging to work in a male-dominated profession, which often fails to accommodate their concerns and opinions, but the times were changing and technology had been a great enabler in liberating young women in their access to the legal profession.

“One of the great learnings of the pandemic is that when we went virtual in our hearings, the number of women lawyers who were appearing in the court dramatically increased,” he said.

He said rule of law did not merely depend on the Constitution or legislation and largely depended on the political culture and the habits of citizens, especially young legal professionals who were present before him.

“In a sense, all of you are the guardians of our constitutional and democratic traditions and to you is entrusted the responsibility of ensuring that rule of law is not substituted by rule by the law,” Justice Chandrachud said.

“You must strive to make the legal system more inclusive and accessible when you become a part of it and this is one way to further the goal of justice,” he added.

 PTI

Ballari (Karnataka), October 15Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at the BJP-led regime in Karnataka as against the Scheduled castes and tribes and alleged that it is a “40 per cent commission” government.

The BJP government in Karnataka is “anti-SC and ST,” and there is a 50 per cent rise in atrocities against these oppressed people, Rahul Gandhi alleged addressing a public meeting here, which is part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by him.

A large number of party workers and people gathered at the municipal ground here as the Congress party celebrated the foot march led by Rahul completing the 1,000 km milestone.

The BJP-led regime in the state is called a “40 per cent commission” government as any work could be done by paying it, he alleged.

The ruling BJP and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai have dismissed such bribery allegations as ‘unfounded’ and ‘baseless.’ Rahul’s bribery barb comes against the backdrop of his party’s sustained campaign in Karnataka against the Saffron party government over corruption allegations.

The Congress has made corruption a poll-plank in the state after a contractor, Santosh Patil died by suicide accusing the then Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K Eshwarappa of demanding a 40 per cent kickback. Following the contractor’s death, Eshwarappa resigned from his post. Congress ran a ‘PayCM’ campaign as well.

The former Congress president alleged that funds allocated for the development of the SC and ST communities have been diverted. “Rs 8,000 crore of your money has been diverted,” Gandhi claimed.

“If you have to become a police sub-inspector then you can get it by paying Rs 80 lakh. If you have money you can buy a government job here but if you don’t have money, you can never get a job in your life.”

The Congress leader was referring to the recent police sub-inspector recruitment scam in which many people have been arrested.

It includes an additional director general of police Amrit Paul, some deputy superintendents, inspectors, sub-inspectors, constables, BJP leader Divya Hagargi and the gunman of a Congress MLA besides some candidates.

The exam has been annulled after the scam broke out. Candidates who were arrested reportedly told police they paid Rs 70 lakh to Rs 80 lakh to get a job.

“This is the reason that Karnataka government is called as the 40 per cent commission government. If you have to get any work done, you can do it by paying a commission of 40 per cent.” Gandhi alleged a scam in the cooperative banks and in appointment of assistant professors as well.

The Wayanad MP demanded to know why the BJP regime was not implementing the Justice Nagamohan Das commission recommendation to increase the reservation for scheduled caste from 15 per cent to 17 per cent and for scheduled tribes from three per cent to seven per cent.

The BJP never wished to give special status to the erstwhile Hyderabad-Karnataka region, now known as Kalyana Karnataka.

His party-led government gave special status to the region under the 371-J of the Constitution, which helped youth get jobs and admission in engineering, medical and other professional colleges.

“On the one hand, there is unemployment while on the other there is price rise. People are squeezed in between the two,” Gandhi said.

He slammed the BJP and RSS for the ideology of “hatred” that is weakening the country.

Congress leader Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in his address said the nation is facing challenges from “fascist” forces.

Condemning what he called the “communal forces,” Gehlot claimed that people are suffering due to unemployment and price rise.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah blamed the BJP and RSS for “disturbing peace” in the country by indulging in “communal” politics.

Congress presidential candidate Mallikarjun Kharge joined Gandhi and other leaders today in the ongoing yatra in the district.

Leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi has so far covered Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and made an entry into Andhra Pradesh as well.

The foot march began on September 7 from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and it is set to culminate in Jammu and Kashmir, after covering about 3,500 km.

PTISrinagar, October 15

In an another targeted killing in the Valley, a Kashmiri Pandit was shot dead allegedly by militants in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Sujit Kumar said the Kashmir Freedom Fighter (KFF) group, the proxy name of a militant outfit, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Puran Krishan Bhat was attacked near his residence in the Chowdhary Gund area of the south Kashmir district. He was rushed to Shopian hospital where doctors declared him dead, officials said.

Officials said the area has been cordoned off and a hunt has been launched to nab the assailants.

“Terrorists fired upon a civilian (minority) Puran Krishan Bhat while he was on his way to an orchard in Chowdari Gund, Shopian. He was immediately shifted to a hospital for treatment where he succumbed. Area cordoned off. Search in progress,” the Kashmir Zone Police wrote on Twitter.

DIG Sujit Kumar said the initial investigation has revealed that one militant fired upon Bhat.

“There was security, our guard, for this cluster. We are looking at the reason (for the lapse). He had gone out on a scooter and just returned to his home,” he added.

Kumar said in case of any lapse, action will be taken against the security guards and the in-charge officials in the area. Investigations are underway and more details will be made public once things become clear, the police officer said.

Deputy Commissioner of Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, said Bhat’s body will be taken to Jammu where the last rites will be performed. “All arrangements are being made. We are extending help to the family.”

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and political leaders condemned the killing.

“Attack on Puran Krishan Bhat by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. I assure the people that the perpetrators and those aiding and abetting terrorists will be severely punished,” Sinha tweeted.

The National Conference condemned the “brazen and cowardly attack” and expressed “heartfelt commiserations” with Bhat’s family.

The party’s vice-president Omar Abdullah termed the attack reprehensible. “I unequivocally condemn this attack in which Pooran Krishan Bhat has lost his life. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family. May Pooran Ji’s soul rests in peace,” he said in a tweet.

The PDP said while the Kashmiri pandits have been protesting for the last five months demanding their relocation after Rahul Bhat was shot dead in May, the “LG administration in their hubris kept turning a blind eye to their plight”.

“Today yet another Kashmiri Pandit, Puran Krishan, was shot dead in Shopian. Thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family,” the party said.

CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami said the government must ensure foolproof security for the minorities in the Kashmir Valley. “Pained beyond words by the despicable attack which snuffed out the life of Puran Krishan Bhat. There does not seem any letup in the killing of innocent people. The government must ensure foolproof security to the minorities,” he tweeted.

BJP General Secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul also condemned the “barbaric” killing and offered his condolences to the family.

In a statement, he said that “these anti-national elements will never be successful. These things will not be tolerated anymore as these attacks are aimed to disturb the peace in the region.”

Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “Unequivocally condemn the attack on Pooran Krishan Bhat in Shopian. My heartfelt condolences to his family. This is a dastardly act of cowardice. May his soul rest in peace.”

 

 PTI

New Delhi, October 15

Congress presidential candidate Shashi Tharoor on Saturday slammed BJP’s IT department head Amit Malviya over his dig at the AICC chief elections, saying “we are perfectly capable of resolving our own internal differences” and don’t need his involvement in the polls.

Tharoor also took a swipe at the BJP and said try to hold an election of “your own first”.

Taking a dig at the Congress, Malviya had tweeted, “It is finally dawning on Tharoor that the CP (Congress president) election, with no level playing field, is a farce. He hasn’t been provided a list of delegates with proper details.” “State presidents are enthusiastic about Kharge but don’t even turn up for him! Gandhis will soon have MMS 2.0 version,” the BJP leader had said.

Hitting back at Malviya, Tharoor tweeted, “We are perfectly capable of resolving our own internal differences within @incIndia, @amitmalviya. We don’t need your involvement in our party’s election (sic).” “Try to hold one of your own first,” he said.

Tharoor is pitted against Mallikarjun Kharge in the Congress presidential polls and the latter is seen as a favourite for the top party post because of his close proximity to the Gandhis.

Both the candidates have maintained that Gandhis are neutral in the polls and want to have a free and fair election.

The Congress presidential polls are scheduled to be held on October 17 and the results will be announced on October 19.

 

India maintained their dominance in the Women's Asia Cup with an eight-wicket demolition of a self-destructing Sri Lanka in the final here on Saturday for their seventh title in eight editions.

 New Delhi, Oct 15 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tributes to former president A P J Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary.

“He is greatly admired for his contribution to our nation as a scientist and as a President who struck a chord with every section of society,” Modi tweeted on Kalam’s 91st birth anniversary.

One of India’s leading scientists, Kalam wrote some bestselling books and was widely popular, especially among the younger generation, for his efforts to mentor them and hold frequent interactions with them across the country.

He was India’s president between 2002-07 and considered a statesman. He was also called the “People’s President” as the demands of the highest office did not dim his zeal to meet with people, especially, students, a habit he maintained after his tenure was over. PTI KR RHL

 PTI

New Delhi, October 15

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hold a special sitting Saturday to hear Maharashtra's plea against the Bombay High Court order acquitting former Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba in a case relating to his alleged Maoist links.

A bench of Justice MR Shah and Justice Bela M Trivedi is likely to hear the matter at 11 am.

On Friday, the top court had refused to stay the Bombay High Court order.

Following the High Court acquitting Saibaba, the Maharashtra government swiftly moved the apex court seeking a stay on the order which was declined. The top court, however, allowed Maharashtra to move an application before the registry requesting an urgent listing of the matter.

A bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli had told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who mentioned the matter for urgent listing and sought a stay on the verdict, that the court cannot stay the acquittal order as the parties are not before it.

More than eight years after his arrest, the Bombay High Court on Friday acquitted Saibaba and ordered his release from jail, noting that the sanction order issued to prosecute the accused in the case under the stringent provisions of the UAPA was “bad in law and invalid”.

The Nagpur bench of the high court allowed the appeal filed by Saibaba challenging a 2017 order of the trial court convicting and sentencing him to life imprisonment.