एमपी में कोहरे और कोल्ड वेव का अलर्ट, 4.4° पहुंचा पारा, तेजी से गिर रहा तापमान

MP Weather Update Today: मध्य प्रदेश के अधिकतर शहरों में दिन के समय धूप खिली रही. वहीं, रात होते ही तापमान में तेजी में गिरावट देखी जा रही है. बुधवार को प्रदेश के अधिकतर शहरों में हल्के से मध्यम कोहरा और शीतलहर का असर रहेगा.

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NIA To Probe Suspected Kuki Militant 'Tiger' Who Claimed Attack On CRPF

A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has accepted evidence submitted by the NIA of a suspected Kuki militant commander saying he and his men attacked the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and set fire to homes in Manipur.

The NIA told the court that a viral video on a YouTube channel shows a man "suspected to be a Kuki militant called 'Tiger', a commander of the Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P), claiming he and his men attacked CRPF and burnt down houses on November 11."

The NIA investigating a suspected Kuki militant of the KNF-P also raises questions over possible violation of the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement. 

Three big escalations happened in ethnic violence-hit Manipur on November 11 - first, six of a family from the Meitei community were kidnapped and killed in Jiribam district by suspects who the Manipur government in a cabinet statement called "Kuki militants"; second, 10 others - also identified as "Kuki militants" by the state government - were shot dead in an encounter with the Central Reserve Police Force in the same district, and third, firing from the hills towards Imphal West District's Kangchup and Koutruk just hours after the Jiribam encounter left two people injured.

The court in its order accepting the NIA evidence said the anti-terror agency downloaded the viral video of the suspected Kuki militant into a pen drive in the presence of two witnesses.

The NIA submitted the pen drive to the court in a sealed envelope under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that deals with electronic evidence.

NDTV has seen a copy of the court order.

The court said the pen drive has been returned to the NIA for further investigation.

About KNF-P

The 'P' in KNF-P means "president"; it is used to indicate KNF-P is the original KNF, hence the letter "president", the supreme. The KNF was founded in 1987. In 1994, KNF split into two factions i.e. KNF-MC led by SK Kipgen, and the original became KNF-P led by ST Thangboi Kipgen.

So, KNF is the KNF-P; the rest are its factions.

The KNF is a signatory to the controversial suspension of operations (SoO) agreement signed between nearly two dozen Kuki militant groups and the state and the centre. Under SoO, the militants are to stay at designated camps and their weapons kept in locked, monitored storage.

The Manipur government has been asking the joint monitoring group, which reviews the SoO agreement every year, to scrap it for good, over allegations that the SoO groups have been majorly involved in the Manipur violence from the beginning. The SoO agreement lapsed in February this year.

There are many villages of the Kuki tribes in the hills surrounding the Meitei-dominated valley. The clashes between the Meitei community and the nearly two dozen tribes known as Kukis, who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur, have killed over 250 people and internally displaced nearly 50,000.

The general category Meiteis want to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category, while the Kukis who share ethnic ties with people in neighbouring Myanmar's Chin State and Mizoram want a separate administration carved out of Manipur, citing discrimination and unequal share of resources and power with the Meiteis.

Meitei leaders have alleged the SoO groups have been working to strengthen themselves over the years by taking advantage of the ceasefire, until a time came to engineer a violent attack for a separate land. Geopolitical analysts have speculated the Kuki armed groups were used as mercenaries to fight Meitei and Naga militants operating in the India-Myanmar border.

Kuki-Zo civil society groups such as the ITLF and the CoTU, and their 10 MLAs have joined the call for a separate administration carved out of Manipur, a demand also made by the nearly two dozen militant groups that have signed the SoO agreement.

This single demand has brought the Kuki militant groups, the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs, and the civil society groups on the same page.

The security forces have been trying to dismantle bunkers in the hills surrounding Imphal valley after several incidents of firing for the last few days.

Kuki protesters tried to stop the security forces from destroying the bunkers. Some protesters were injured when the security forces tried to disperse them.

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IAS, साइकिल, शहर का विकास..इन बच्चों का संकल्प सुनकर हंसी नहीं रोक पाएंगे आप!

New Year 2025: दुनिया बीते साल 2024 को अलविदा करने को आतुर है. इसी बीच न्यू ईयर का जश्न भी शुरू हो चुका है. अब हर साल की तरह लोग इस साल भी कुछ अनोखे संकल्प ले रहे हैं. भोपाल के दो बच्चों ने भी बड़ा ही तगड़ा प्लान बनाया है...

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Viral Video Shows Passengers Doused With Water On Platform, Railways Responds

A video going viral on social media has sparked a barrage of criticism towards Indian Railways after passengers sleeping on the platform at Lucknow's Charbagh station were sprayed with cold water, amid the prevailing cold wave conditions. The footage showed the passengers, who usually sleep on the Indian platforms, waiting for the trains, being shrugged off and forced to vacate the space by the railway staffers.

The incident, which allegedly transpired last week, showed passengers hastily gathering their belongings, including blankets, as they were forced to leave the platform, which was then cleaned by the railway staff.

A section of social media users were left angered by the incident and slammed the railways staff for not showing some sensitivity towards the passengers.

"Heart breaks man, so much poverty and disregard everywhere, govt after govt has failed the people while the politicians are padding their accounts in one tax heaven after another," said one social media user, while another added: "The station needs cleaning but not like this, more so in such biting cold. No consideration even for small kids! Where should the passengers go if their trains are late and waiting rooms are brimming?"

However, some agreed with the officials for clearing the platform, saying it was not the spot to rest as it could cause nuisance to others.

"Railway platform is not a place for lodging. If you have a ticket, use waiting rooms or wait outside," a user commented.

At #Lucknow's #Charbagh railway station, passengers, some sleeping while others waiting for their trains on platforms 8 and 9 faced the insensitivity of the cleaning staff who poured water on them and that too during the cold night to wake them up.

A video of the incident went… pic.twitter.com/7A6zRii9Xw

— Hate Detector ? (@HateDetectors) December 29, 2024

As the controversy snowballed, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Lucknow office issued a statement, claiming that the cleaning staff had been chided, while advising the passengers to not sleep on the platform.

"Necessary instructions have been issued to the cleaning staff and CHI [Chief Health Inspector]," read the DRM statement.

"Passengers are also advised to avoid sleeping on the platforms. The station provides adequate facilities, including waiting halls, dormitories and retiring rooms, which passengers are encouraged to utilise," it added.

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Man Dies In Police Station While Recording Statement, Family Alleges Murder

The death of a 35-year-old Dalit man inside a police station in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district triggered protests from his family, who alleged murder. The Congress, on Sunday, also slammed the Mohan Yadav-led BJP government for what they termed "jungle raj" in the state.

Mukesh Longre died on Saturday after being called to the Satwas police station here for questioning in a complaint submitted against him by a woman on December 26, Superintendent of Police Puneet Gehlot said.

"While inspector Ashish Rajput was reading his statement, Longre made a noose around his neck with a gamcha (towel), tied it to a window grill in the lock-up and began yanking his neck. Police stopped him and rushed him to a hospital where doctors declared him dead," the SP said.

"There is no case against him. He was just called to record his statement. Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Nandani Uikey is conducting an inquiry into the death. The JMFC visited the spot this morning. The district magistrate has appointed three doctors to oversee the post-mortem process," Mr Gehlot added.

Mr Gehlot said inspector Ashish Rajput has been suspended, while all other procedures laid down under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well as National Human Rights Commission guidelines are being followed fully.

"Some politicians have hijacked the issue, due to which his kin have refused to allow post mortem till the entire staff of the police station is suspended. This is an irrational demand. We have already suspended the inspector since the death took place while he was in charge," Mr Gehlot said.

Meanwhile, Longre's family alleged police demanded a bribe to lessen the severity of action against him in connection with the woman's complaint, adding the staff later told them he had died.

Amid a protest outside the police station that began on Saturday and continued on Sunday, Longre's relatives accused police of murdering him.

Attacking Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who also holds the home portfolio, the Congress held a protest outside Satwas police station on Sunday, which was attended by the party's state unit chief Jitu Patwari.

"Jungle raj is prevailing in MP. A Dalit man was murdered inside a police station. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav must take full responsibility for this incident," Mr Patwari said.

Mr Patwari's colleague and former Union minister Arun Yadav demanded suspension of the entire staff of Satwas police station.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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On Congress Attacks Over Manmohan Singh Funeral, JP Nadda's 'Super PM' Swipe

In a significant escalation of the row over the choice of Dr Manmohan Singh's cremation site, senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacked the BJP-ruled government at the Centre and accused it of "insulting" the memory of the two-term Prime Minister and not thinking beyond "politics and narrow-mindedness". 

Leading a no-holds-barred counterattack, BJP president JP Nadda said the Congress and Rahul Gandhi were playing "cheap politics" in Mr Singh's name and accused the party of not doing justice to any leader who was not from the Nehru-Gandhi family.

Dr Singh, who died at the age of 92 on Thursday, was cremated at the Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi with full state honours on Saturday. A day before the funeral, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and, citing Dr Singh's stature and his contributions to the country, requested that the last rites be conducted in a place where a memorial could also be built in his name. 

As the controversy over the memorial gathered steam, the Centre issued a release ahead of the funeral stating that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said a place would be allocated for Dr Singh's memorial and the cremation should take place in the meantime. 

'Should Have Shown Respect'

Rahul Gandhi tweeted after the funeral, however, that the BJP had "totally insulted" the first Prime Minister from the Sikh community by having his last rites conducted at Nigambodh Ghat. 

"The great son of Mother India and the first Prime Minister of the Sikh community, Dr Manmohan Singh ji has been totally insulted by the present government by performing his last rites today at the Nigambodh Ghat. He was the Prime Minister of India for a decade, during his tenure the country became an economic superpower and his policies still support the poor and backward classes of the country," Mr Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, posted on X.

"Till date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their last rites were performed at authorised burial sites so that every person could have the last 'darshan' and pay homage without any inconvenience. Dr Manmohan Singh deserves our highest respect and a memorial. The government should have shown respect to this great son of the country and his proud community," he added. 

Highlighting many of the same issues as her brother, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the government should have thought "beyond politics and narrow-mindedness" when it came to Dr Singh's funeral site. 

"By not providing an adequate place for the cremation of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Government has not done justice to the dignity of the post of former Prime Minister, the personality of Manmohan Singh, his legacy and the self-respecting Sikh community. Earlier, all former Prime Ministers were given the highest honour and respect. Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji deserves this honour and Samadhi Sthal... The government should have thought beyond politics and narrow-mindedness in this matter," Ms Gandhi said.

The Congress MP also claimed that Dr Singh's family was "struggling for space" at the funeral site.

'Cheap Politics'

Hitting out at the Congress and Rahul Gandhi over the claims, BJP President JP Nadda said "cheap politics" was being played over Dr Singh's cremation and pointed out that the Centre had already stated that space would be allotted for his memorial. Repeating a charge that the BJP has frequently levelled against the Congress, he also accused the party of placing its then-president Sonia Gandhi as 'super PM' over Manmohan Singh when he was the Prime Minister between 2004 and 2014. 

"It is indeed ironic that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and current president Mallikarjun Kharge are not refraining from doing politics even over the sad demise of the country's former Prime Minister, the honourable Manmohan Singh... The Congress, which never gave real respect to Dr Manmohan Singh while he was alive, is now doing politics in the name of his respect. This is the same Congress which tarnished the dignity of the PM post by placing Sonia Gandhi as 'super PM' over PM Manmohan Singh," the Union Minister said in Hindi.

Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi for "tearing up" an ordinance passed by the Manmohan Singh cabinet in 2013, the BJP politician also accused the Gandhis of neither respecting nor doing justice to any senior leader who was not from their family. He cited the examples of Sardar Patel, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pranab Mukherjee and PV Narasimha Rao.

"After the death of former Prime Minister Shri Narasimha Rao on 23 December, 2004, there was a demand to build a 'samadhi sthal' (memorial) in Delhi's Rajghat complex, but super PM Sonia Gandhi did not approve it. His body was not even given a place in the Congress office. Congress did not want Narasimha Rao ji's last rites to be performed in Delhi and later his last rites were performed in Hyderabad. It was Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji who also built a 'samadhi' for Narasimha Rao ji in 2015 and honoured him by giving him Bharat Ratna in 2024," he said.

"According to an estimate, Congress governments in the country have named about 600 government schemes, educational institutions, awards, roads, national parks, museums, airports, ports, buildings and sports after the Nehru-Gandhi family, while the number of schemes named after other personalities is very few. Our country will never forget and will never forgive the historical sins of the unprincipled Congress. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders of the Congress party should refrain from such cheap politics," he added.

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Manmohan Singh's Life, Work Profoundly Shaped India's Destiny: Congress

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) met here on Friday and paid glowing tributes to former prime minister Manmohan Singh, saying he was a towering figure in India's political and economic landscape whose contributions transformed the country and earned him respect worldwide.

In a condolence resolution passed at the meeting, the CWC mourned the loss of a "true statesman" whose life and work have profoundly shaped the destiny of India.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and Congress general secretaries Jairam Ramesh, KC Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra among others met here at the AICC headquarters for a meeting of the CWC to pay homage to the former prime minister.

Dr Singh, the architect of India's economic reforms and a consensus builder in the rough world of politics, died at AIIMS, Delhi, late on Thursday. He was 92.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

"Dr. Singh was a towering figure in India's political and economic landscape, whose contributions transformed the country and earned him respect worldwide. As Finance Minister in the early 1990s, Dr. Singh was the architect of India's economic liberalization," the CWC resolution read.

With unmatched foresight, he initiated a series of reforms that not only saved the nation from a balance-of-payments crisis but also opened the doors to global markets, it said.

"Through his policies of deregulation, privatization, and the encouragement of foreign investment, he laid the foundation for India's rapid economic growth. Under his stewardship, India emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing economies, a testament to his brilliance and vision," the CWC said.

As the 13th prime minister of India, Dr Singh led the country with a sense of calm determination and exceptional wisdom and his tenure was marked by sustained economic growth, global recognition and social progress, it said.

"He (Singh) steered the nation through the challenges of the global financial crisis in 2008 with strategic measures that shielded India from its worst effects. His leadership saw remarkable initiatives like MGNREGA, Right to Education, the historic Indo-U.S. Civil Nuclear Deal, National Food Security Act, Land Acquisition Act, Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, and the 93rd Constitutional Amendment that advanced social justice for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBCs through Article 15(5)," it said.

Dr Singh also championed the Right to Information (RTI) Act to enhance transparency, the Forest Rights Act to empower tribal communities and contributed to achieving the highest GDP growth rate during his tenure, the CWC condolence resolution said.

"Dr. Singh's dedication to inclusive growth, international diplomacy, and economic modernization strengthened India's position in the global arena, while simultaneously focusing on the welfare of he common man. His legacy as a compassionate, reformist leader who prioritized stability and development will forever be etched in India's history," the CWC said.

Beyond his contributions as a politician, Singh was a respected academician, whose career as an economist helped shape India's policies and direction, the resolution said.

"His scholarly work as an economist and his service at institutions like the United Nations and the Reserve Bank of India laid the groundwork for many of the economic reforms he later championed as a policymaker," it said.

The CWC said Dr Singh's profound understanding of economics, combined with his dedication to education, inspired countless students, scholars and policy-makers. His academic rigor and intellectual contributions were pivotal in shaping India's approach to development, and his mentorship has had a lasting impact on the country's future economists, the resolution said.

"Dr. Singh was a man of extraordinary personal qualities. His grace, humility, and dignity set him apart as a leader of rare character. Despite holding the highest offices in the land, he always remained grounded, treating everyone with respect and kindness," the party said.

His demeanour was calm and composed and it was always guided by a deep sense of integrity, the CWC said.

"He was not only admired for his intellect and accomplishments but also for his unassuming nature, which made him beloved to people across all walks of life. Dr. Singh embodied the very best qualities of a true statesman- compassion, honesty, and a deep commitment to public service. His life was a living example of how grace and humility can coexist with great power," the resolution said.

"As we mourn the loss of this extraordinary leader, the Congress Working Committee pledges to honor Dr. Manmohan Singh's memory and carry forward his enduring legacy. His vision of economic reform, social justice, and inclusive growth will continue to inspire and guide us," it said.

The ideals he stood for -- integrity, diligence, and compassion -- will remain a beacon for future generations, the party said.

"We commit to upholding his values as we work towards building a more prosperous and united India, just as he envisioned. Dr. Singh's legacy as a leader, an economist, and a humble human being will live on, inspiring all of us to contribute to the continued progress and betterment of our great nation," the resolution read.

The CWC members also paid floral tributes to him at the party's headquarters.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"I Lost A Mentor And Guide": Rahul Gandhi On Manmohan Singh's Death

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi grieved the loss of "a mentor and guide" late Thursday after confirmation of the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, 92.

In an emotional message on X, Mr Gandhi, in Karnataka's Belagavi to attend a meeting of the Congress Working Committee, said, "Manmohan Singhji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation."

"I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride," Mr Gandhi said, "My heartfelt condolences to Mrs Kaur (Mr Singh's wife) and the family."

Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation.

My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family.

I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the… pic.twitter.com/bYT5o1ZN2R

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 26, 2024

Mr Gandhi's message underlines the deep connection between the two leaders.

Manmohan Singh emerged as one of Rahul Gandhi's gurus in his nascent years in Indian politics, particularly after the assassination of his father, ex-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, in May 1991.

Mr Gandhi's sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, also posted a heartfelt message.

READ | "Few Inspired Respect...": PGV Leads Tributes To Manmohan Singh

"Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect Sardar Manmohan Singhji did. His honesty will always be an inspiration for us, and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country... as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents," the Wayanad MP said.

Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh ji did.

His honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation… pic.twitter.com/BXA6zHG2Fq

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) December 26, 2024

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes from the government and senior members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

READ | "One Of India's Most Distinguished": PM Modi Mourns Manmohan Singh

"India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr Manmohan Singhji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years."

Manmohan Singh shot to prominence as the Union Finance Minister in the government headed by the late former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao.

READ | Manmohan Singh, 2-Time PM And Architect Of India's Economic Reforms, Dies At 92

It was under Mr Singh's stewardship that the Indian economy underwent widespread reforms, including opening up to the global market, which completely transformed the economy.

Manmohan Singh then became Prime Minister after the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance won the 2004 general election. He returned for a second term in 2014.

Mr Singh also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha till April, when he retired.

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Jaipur Tanker Crash: Change In Travel Plans Cost Woman, 20, Her Life

When 22-year-old Vinita decided to take a bus from Udaipur instead of boarding a train to reach Jaipur, little did she know that her change in plans to reach the destination early would cost her life.

Vinita was one of the three persons who succumbed to critical burn injuries in the hospital today. She was travelling in a bus from Udaipur to Jaipur that was gutted in a fire that broke out after a collision between a truck and an LPG tanker on Jaipur-Ajmer national highway on December 20.

She was standing near the gate of the bus, waiting it to stop at 200-feet bypass in Jaipur in a couple of minutes but barely a few meters ahead of the stop, a gush of fire surrounded her, leaving her critically burnt.

Five days after battling for life at SMS hospital, she died in the early hours of Wednesday.

With three more deaths, the death toll in the incident on Wednesday rose to 18 while 15 are undergoing treatment.

"Vinita had gone to Udaipur to take an exam and was to board a train on Friday morning but she decided to board a sleeper bus instead on Thursday night, thinking that she would reach early. I was expecting a call from her that she had reached Jaipur. I indeed got a call, but it was about the accident," her father Ramchandra said.

He said that Vinita was standing near the gate of the bus when the explosion occurred. The bus was behind the tanker.

"When the fire broke out, she instantly called me. I was shocked to hear and was numb for a moment. The call got disconnected and after some time, we got to know that she was badly injured," he said.

He said that after the fire, Vinita jumped out of the bus and ran for some distance but by that time, she had received critical burn injuries.

The 20-year-old woman suffered 70 per cent burns and was admitted to ICU.

Ramchandra, who is from Pratapgarh, said that Vinita was preparing for competitive exams in Jaipur and staying there with her younger sister.

After the postmortem, the family members left for Pratapgarh with the body.

SMS hospital superintendent Sushil Bhati said that three persons died on Wednesday.

"With three more deaths, a total of 18 persons have died so far," he said.

Bhati said that the condition of two of the injured is still critical.

An LPG tanker collided with a truck on December 20, sparking a massive fireball that turned a stretch of the Jaipur-Ajmer highway into an inferno.

Eleven persons had died on the day of the incident.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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GST At 18% On Sale Of Used Cars Only If Seller Earns A Margin: Report

A registered person will have to pay GST on sale of old and used vehicle only if the seller has earned a margin, which is the selling price is higher than the depreciation adjusted cost price of the vehicle, sources said.

The GST Council in its meeting last week decided to prescribe a single rate of 18 per cent on sale of all old and used vehicles including EVs, earlier leviable at different rates.

If an individual sells old and used car to another individual, GST would not be applicable.

Sources said where the registered person has claimed depreciation under Section 32 of the Income Tax Act 1961, GST is payable only on the value representing the margin of the supplier, that is the difference between consideration received for the supply of such goods and the depreciated value of such goods on the date of supply.

"Where such margin is negative, no GST is payable," a source said.

For example, if a registered person is selling an old and used vehicle to any person at Rs 10 lakh, where the purchase price of the vehicle was Rs 20 lakh and has claimed depreciation of Rs 8 lakh on the same under Income Tax Act, then he is not required to pay any GST as the margin of the supplier, that is differential value of the selling price (Rs 10 lakh) and the depreciated value which is Rs 12 lakhs, is negative.

In case the depreciated value in the above example remains the same at Rs 12 lakh and the selling price is Rs 15 lakh, GST will be payable on the margin of the supplier i.e on Rs 3 lakh at the rate of 18 per cent.

In any other cases, GST is payable only on the value that represents the margin of the supplier i.e. the difference between selling price and the purchase price. Again, where such margin is negative, no GST is payable.

For example, if a registered person is selling an old and used vehicle to any person at Rs 10 lakh, where the purchase price of the vehicle by the registered person was Rs 12 lakh, then he is not required to pay any GST as the margin of the supplier is negative in this case.

In cases where the purchase price of the vehicle was Rs 20 lakh and the selling price is Rs 22 lakh, GST of 18 per cent will be payable on the margin of supplier, that is, Rs 2 lakh.

EY Tax Partner Saurabh Agarwal said the GST Council has recommended increasing the GST rate on old and used EVs and small fossil fuel cars from 12 per cent to 18 per cent, aligning it with the rate for larger cars and SUVs.

It's important to note that GST on second hand vehicles will be applied only on margins and not on sale value of vehicles (sale value less income tax depreciated cost of vehicle or purchase price, as the case may be).

Prior to the proposed amendment, GST on second hand EVs was applicable on the complete sale value of the vehicle.

" Therefore, the proposed change should not be looked as a deterrent for second hand EVs. This should in turn be a welcome step as it would likely bring down the cost for second hand EVs (till the time margins earned are less than 27.78 per cent of the purchase price). At best, it will increase the cost of second hand small fossil fuel cars by 0.6-1.5 per cent (assuming margins would range for 10-25 per cent of purchase price)," Agarwal said.

This proposal appears to be in line with the vision of the government where they want to restrict pollution levels arising due to rapidly growing second hand car market, he added.

AMRG & Associates Senior Partner Rajat Mohan said for EVs, which already benefit from government incentives to promote their adoption, the hike in GST on resale could slightly deter cost-sensitive buyers, potentially impacting the overall EV penetration in secondary markets.

" Dealers will now need to maintain impeccable records of transactions to comply with these changes effectively. While this revision boosts revenue potential for the government, it demands adaptability from businesses and awareness among consumers regarding the net impact on resale pricing," Mohan added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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In Close Contact With All 7 Indians Hurt In Germany Car Attack: Embassy

The Indian Embassy in Berlin on Monday said it has been in "close contact" with all the seven Indians who were injured in an attack at the Magdeburg Christmas market in Germany last week.

"@EOIBerlin has been in close contact with all the seven Indians injured in the attack at the Magdeburg Christmas Market on Dec 20, 2024. Three of the Indians have been discharged, while the remaining are under treatment. Mission is in regular touch with them and actively providing requisite support. Mission is also in touch with their families. @PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @diaspora_india @IndianDiplomacy," the Indian Embassy posted on X.

Seven Indians were injured in the deadly car-ramming attack in the eastern German city of Magdeburg and the Indian Embassy in Berlin was providing them all possible assistance, PTI reported quoting sources on Saturday night.

A 50-year-old man drove his car into the crowd at the Christmas market on Friday evening, leaving at least five people, including a nine-year-old, dead and nearly 200 injured, German authorities said.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Saturday, "We condemn the horrific and senseless attack." "Several precious lives have been lost and many have been injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims," it added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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India, Kuwait Sign Pact To Strengthen Cultural, Defence Cooperation

India and Kuwait signed four Memorandum of Understandings in the areas of defence, sports and cultural cooperation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Gulf nation, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday.

MEA Secretary CPV and OIA, Arun Kumar Chatterjee during a special briefing today, said the MoUs are expected to deepen the multifaceted bilateral relationship as well as open avenues for newer areas of cooperation.

"Following the delegation level talks today, four bilateral documents were signed during the visit. The first one is a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation, the second one is a Cultural Exchange program for the years 2025-2029, the third is an executive program on cooperation in the field of sports for the period 2025- 2028. We also had Kuwait joining as a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA)," he said.

"We are pretty confident that this historic visit of the Prime Minister will open up a new chapter in the relationship between India and Kuwait. Both the sides have been able to identify several important areas of cooperation and the governments will be working towards fulfillment of the plans that have been made during this visit," Mr Chatterjee added.

The MoU on Defence cooperation will institutionalize bilateral cooperation in the area of defence. Key areas of cooperation include training, exchange of personnel and experts, joint exercises, cooperation in defence industry, supply of defence equipment, and collaboration in research and development, among others, a statement by MEA said.

"The MoU between India and Kuwait in the field of Defence cooperation will institutionalise the bilateral cooperation in the areas of defence. The key areas of cooperation would include training, exchange of personnel and experts, joint exercises, cooperation in defence industry, supply of defence equipment and collaboration in research and development," Mr Chatterjee said.

Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between India and Kuwait for the years 2025-2029 will facilitate greater cultural exchanges in art, music, dance, literature and theatre, cooperation in preservation of cultural heritage, research and development in the area of culture and organizing of festivals, an MEA statement said.

"The cultural exchange program will facilitate greater cultural exchanges in art, music, dance, literature and theater. Cooperation in preservation of cultural heritage, research and development in the areas of culture and organization of festivals," he said.

Executive Programme (EP) for Cooperation in the Field of Sports for the years 2025-2028 will strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of sports between India and Kuwait by promoting exchange of visits of sports leaders for experience sharing, participation in programs and projects in the field of sports, exchange of expertise in sports medicine, sports management, sports media, sports science, among others, the statement said.

"The executive program for cooperation in the field of sports will strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of sports between India and Kuwait by promoting exchange of visits of sports leaders for experience sharing, participation in programs and projects in the field of sports, exchange of expertise in sports medicine, sports management, sports media, sports science among some of the areas that we have identified," Mr Chatterjee said.

Kuwait became a member of the ISA. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) collectively covers the deployment of solar energy and addresses key common challenges to the scaling up of use of solar energy to help member countries develop low-carbon growth trajectories, the MEA statement said.

"Kuwait becoming a member of the International Solar Alliance collectively covers the deployment of solar energy and addresses key common challenges to the scaling up of use of solar energy to help member states develop low carbon growth trajectories," Mr Chatterjee said.

The MEA Secy said that Kuwaiti side acknowledged the important contribution made by Indians there in their economy. Both sides agreed that working groups in the sectors of health and education will identify new sectors of cooperation.

"Regarding the health and education sector, both the sides acknowledged the important contribution that Indians are making in the Kuwaiti economy today and the Kuwaiti side also acknowledged the major contribution that the Indian diaspora is making for the development of the Kuwaiti economy on the issues like health and education. We have separate working groups that have been set up. Both the leaders agreed that these working groups will be meeting frequently and regularly to identify new areas of cooperation. On manpower front also we have a joint working group that exclusively looks at manpower-related issues of Indians in Kuwait and that working group usually looks at and addresses the major issues that are there in this sector but in the general context the leaders discussed about the contribution of the of the Indian community here," Mr Chatterjee said.

He said that intensification of visits from Kuwaiti side may be anticipated as new areas of cooperation have been identified.

"The elevation of a relationship to a strategic partnership means you have taken your bilateral relationship to the next level. Which means you will have greater intensity of cooperation in several areas, plus we have identified new areas. We will see intensification of exchanges and visits in the coming days to materialize whatever has been planned by the leaders of both the countries," he said.

Mr Chatterjee added that health is an important sector that has been identified for cooperation.

"Health and pharmaceuticals is one important area which both the sides have identified for cooperation and that could include investments by the Kuwaiti side in India or expansion of the trade basket to increase pharmaceutical exports also from India. Pharmaceutical would continue to be one of the important sectors of cooperation between our two countries,' he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day official visit to Kuwait, and emplaned for New Delhi on Sunday.

Visiting Kuwait at the invitation of Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait, PM Modi held multiple engagements and held discussions to further deepen the India-Kuwait ties.

In a special gesture, the PM of Kuwait came to see off PM Modi at the airport as he left for India.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Indian Businessman Ravi Pillai Receives Bahrain's Topmost Award

Indian businessman Dr Ravi Pillai has been awarded Bahrain's prestigious national honour, the Medal of Efficiency, in recognition of his significant contributions to the progress and development of the kingdom, making him the only foreign national to receive the title.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the king of Bahrain, awarded the prestigious national honour to Mr Pillai, chairman of RP Group, on December 16.

“This esteemed award reflects His Majesty's deep appreciation for Dr Pillai's outstanding contributions to the Kingdom, particularly in the fields of refinery operations, local community development, and the strengthening of Bahrain's global position,” the Royal Order said.

“We appreciate Dr Ravi Pillai for his exceptional service and contributions to the Kingdom, and we are honored to present him with this distinguished award as a sign of our deep gratitude,” the king said in the royal proclamation.

With a turnover of USD 12 billion, his business is the largest employer of Indians outside India, the release said, adding, with 1,26,000 employees, his group is one of the largest remitters of foreign currency to India.

Mr Pillai is also one of the largest investors in India, where he has six five star hotels, two hospitals and three shopping malls and plans to invest USD 2 billion in the next two years in India.

Expressing his heartfelt gratitude, Mr Pillai said, “This award is a reflection of the collective efforts of my team, the support of the people of Bahrain, and the unwavering trust of the Kingdom. I dedicate this award to all the hardworking employees who supported me all these years.” He also added that he dedicates the honour to “all the Indians, especially the expats in the Gulf, whose contributions have been instrumental in the growth and prosperity of the region.” 

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Video: Bird's-Eye View Of Devastation After Jaipur Accident That Killed 12

Visuals have emerged giving a bird's-eye view of the devastation wrought by the collision between a truck, gas tanker and several other vehicles in Rajasthan. At least 12 people were killed and 40 injured, 28 of whom are critical. 

The video shows charred hunks of metal left behind of what were once functioning vehicles. Several fire engines can be seen and the footage makes it clear that a large section of the road - approximately 300 metres - was affected, as were areas in the immediate vicinity. Bulldozers can also be seen trying to clear the wreckage so that the road can be used for traffic again. 

A CNG tanker parked near a petrol pump had caught fire after a truck collided with it and several other vehicles at Ajmer Road in Jaipur on Friday morning. The CNG tanker sprung a leak after the collision and an explosion followed. The fire spread quickly to other vehicles, including cars and a bus, leaving people with no time to react. 

Witnesses told NDTV that passengers on a bus that caught fire were trapped after the exit doors got jammed. People standing on the side of the road or waiting in parked vehicles also suffered burn injuries and a small building close to the road was engulfed by fire.

Flames from the inferno could be seen nearly a kilometre away. 

"I was going to Vishwakarma Industrial Area with my truck from Bagru at around 5 am to load some goods. It was very cold and I was going at a normal speed. At one point, about 200 metres ahead, I saw a cloud of smoke, high up in the sky," truck driver Sumer Singh told news agency PTI.

"It felt as if I could see hell in front of me. I steered the truck left, jumped out and ran. When I finally looked back, I could see nothing but fire," he said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar visited the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, where many of the injured were being treated. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured. 

"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the accident on Jaipur-Ajmer highway in Rajasthan. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

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"We Destroyed Your Fake Narrative In Elections": D Fadnavis To Opposition

Striking a combative note, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that during the recent state elections, the BJP-led alliance demolished the fake narrative spread by the Opposition in the Lok Sabha poll campaign.

Replying to a debate in the legislative assembly on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his joint address to both Houses of the state legislature, he asked the Opposition to introspect and accept the people's mandate it got in the assembly elections instead of blaming the EVMs.

He was a modern-day "Abhimanyu" who knew how to break the "chakravyuh", Fadnavis said, invoking the Mahabharata imagery.

He also assured that all the ongoing schemes of the government, including the flagship Ladki Bahin scheme for financial aid to women, will continue.

The winter session of the state legislature is underway in Nagpur following the BJP-led Mahayuti's massive victory in the November 20 assembly elections.

Lashing out at the Opposition for blaming the electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the Mahayuti alliance's win in the state elections, he said, "EVM means 'every vote for Maharashtra' which we got." "If you win, it is people's mandate and victory of democracy. But if you lose, blame it on EVMs and the Election Commission of India (ECI). You are creating mistrust about the institutions which have constitutional authority. It is an insult of the people and the Constitution which gave them the right to vote," Fadnavis said.

"When you reject people's mandate, you insult people who have been given the right to vote by the Constitution. We are the fifth largest economy and now aiming to reach the third position. But many countries are not happy with this. So we have to be careful,'' he said.

Trials for EVMs began on August 6, 1980 and the devices were first used in 1992. These machines were used in all Lok Sabha constituencies in 2004, he said.

In the 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress won, the CM said.

Later, the ECI asked political parties to show how EVMs can be tampered with. But nobody went ahead, he said, adding that opposition parties must accept the mandate with open mind and introspect.

"In the assembly elections, we destroyed your fake narrative spread during the Lok Sabha polls. We introspected after the Lok Sabha poll losses and worked hard to counter your fake narrative. We did not blame EVMs, but worked hard for the assembly polls," he said.

Fadnavis said people responded well to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan "Ek hain toh safe hain" slogan as they believed that Maharashtra will progress only if society stays united.

Maharashtra responded to the appeal and Mahayuti got a resounding success, he added.

"Between 2019 and 2024, the way I was targeted by my opponents, people sympathised with me. I thank my critics for spoiling the atmosphere as it created sympathy for me. The state has seen my work without bias of caste and region," he said.

Attempts to polarise the society were foiled as people became united, the CM said.

Fifty per cent votes were polled by the Mahayuti, he said.

''I am a modern-day Abhimanyu. I can break the chakravyuh. The credit goes to my party and my colleagues," he said.

He asked the Opposition to beware of those using them to spread anarchy in the country.

Some organisations, which were declared as the frontal organisations of urban Naxals by the Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra and the Manmohan Sngh government at the Centre, participated in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, he alleged.

"Their aim is to create confusion among people about the constitutional bodies in the country. This is not about questioning your patriotism, but you should realise who is using you,'' Fadnavis said.

He said the Mahayuti government has to fulfil people's expectations as the massive mandate it has got has brought a lot of responsibilities.

"We will be working 24 /7 and ensure citizens of all castes and religions get benefits of development,'' he said.

All assurances and ongoing schemes will be implemented by the government, he said.

The December instalment of the Ladki Bahin scheme will be deposited in the bank accounts of eligible women by the end of this month, the chief minister stated.

"There will be no blanket checking of the beneficiaries, but only the cases where a single beneficiary has opened four to five accounts and where men have opened bank accounts instead of women to avail of the benefits of the Ladki Bahin scheme will be checked," he said.

He said his government will respond to the Opposition's criticism by its work and fight its fake narrative with a direct narrative.

"There are 10 states in the country that are competing with each other (to attract investment)...It is a competitive federalism...Investment projects are coming in all regions of the state. We are the number one state in foreign direct investment (FDI)," he said.

We have to stop extortionsts from being given political patronage, he said.

On the development projects, he said the fourth Mumbai will come up around the Vasai-Virar belt in Palghar, while the third Mumbai will be set up around the Atal Setu bridge.

The third airport (in the Mumbai metropolitan region) will come up around the proposed Vadhvan Port in Palghar, he said.

For the next five years, no electricity bills will be given to farmers, he said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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India, China Arrive At 6 Consensus Points As Ajit Doval, Wang Yi Meet

India and China agreed on six points to resolve the border issue as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi. Both sides agreed on the need to maintain peace and a commitment to continue seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable package solution to the boundary issue. The consensus points also include cross-border tourism including in areas like Tibet and cross-border river cooperation and Nathu La border trade and resumption of Mansarovar Yatra.

This was the first Special-Representative level meet since the flare-up of incidents at the border. 

The meeting follows the bilateral between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit held in Kazan last month. It was the first significant breakthough amid the chill that had set in following the clashes in Ladakh's Galwan -- the worst in decades.

Today's meet was meant to oversee the management of peace at the border and explore a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question".

At the meet, the two sides agreed to continue to take measures to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations. 

During discussions both SRs also underlined the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas to promote overall development of the India-China bilateral relationship.

They reaffirmed their "commitment to continue seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable package solution to the boundary issue in accordance with the political guidelines agreed upon by the special representatives of the two countries".

Among other things the two sides also agreed to further refine the management and control rules in the border area, strengthen the building of confidence-building measures, and achieve sustainable peace and tranquility. 

The cross-border exchanges and cooperation will be strengthened and Indian pilgrims' pilgrimage to Tibet, China, cross-border river cooperation and Nathu La border trade will be resumed, the two sides agreed. 

India and China have also agreed to hold a new round of special representatives' meetings in India next year.

The disengagement, finalised in October, saw both India and China pull back troops from the two remaining friction points in Demchok and Depsang, after nearly four years of military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Following the disengagement, both India and China are keen to build on this momentum and re-establish trust. The special representatives' talks, which are part of a long-established mechanism to address the border dispute, have been convened after a hiatus, with the last meeting held in 2019.

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"Matter Of Shame": Priyanka Gandhi On Yogi Adityanath's "Israel" Remark

In a swipe at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday said throwing youths into the war zone in Israel for "employment" is not an achievement but a matter of shame.

Her remarks came after Adityanath took a veiled jibe at Priyanka Gandhi for carrying a handbag to Parliament that had 'Palestine' emblazoned on it.

"Yesterday, a Congress leader was seen walking around Parliament carrying a Palestine bag, while we are sending our youth to Israel for opportunities.

"So far, more than 5,600 youth from Uttar Pradesh have gone to Israel for construction work. Every youth gets free food and accommodation besides a monthly salary of Rs 1.5 lakh there. There is also full guarantee of safety," Adityanath said on the second day of the Winter Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

Hitting back at Adityanath, Priyanka Gandhi said those who sent Uttar Pradesh's youths to war-torn Israel instead of providing them employment are calling it their achievement.

"They are neither aware of the unemployment situation in the state nor do they understand the pain of those youths and their families," she said.

According to reports, the youths who have gone to work in Israel are saving their lives by hiding in bunkers and the companies are exploiting them, she said in a post in Hindi.

"Their families are always scared. Our promising youths are forced to risk their lives for employment because you cannot provide employment," Priyanka Gandhi said.

"Throwing our youths into the war zone for employment is not something to pat on the back but a matter of shame." 

In his remarks, Adityanath said, "Recently, the ambassador of Israel visited Uttar Pradesh and said they want more youths from the state, as they are doing good work there. The world is now acknowledging the skills of our youths. When these youths send money home, they contribute to the development of the state. We should congratulate them." 

On Tuesday, Congress' Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi was seen carrying a cream-coloured handbag to Parliament on which it was written "Bangladesh Ke Hindu Aur Isaiyon Ke Saath Khade Ho" (stand with the Hindus and Christians of Bangladesh).

Several Congress MPs led by Priyanka Gandhi also staged a protest on the Parliament premises demanding justice for Hindus and Christians facing atrocities in Bangladesh.

This came a day after she expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine by carrying a handbag with 'Palestine' emblazoned on it. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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फिर बनेगा इंदौर का रेलवे स्टेशन, 412 करोड़ का आएगा खर्च

Indore Latest News: इंदौर के रेलवे स्टेशन को फिर से नया बनाकर तैयार किया जाएगा. इसमें कुल खएच 412 करोड़ रुपए का आएगा. इसके तहत रेलवे स्टेशन को किसी हवाई अड्डे की तरह अत्याधुनिक सुविधाओं से लैस किया जाएगा.

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Reverse Gear To Overdrive: Ajit Doval's Top China Meet To Boost Border Talks

India and China have shown a sudden zeal to improve ties since the disengagement along the Line of Actual Control a little over a month ago. The relationship between the two most populous nations in the world was on reverse gear since the military stand-off in Ladakh more than four years ago.

However, since November the momentum has boomeranged and seems to be on overdrive - almost as though both sides want to make up for the time lost since 2020. New Delhi and Beijing understand well that for Asia to see lasting peace, the two Asian giants must lead the way. Nowhere is there a better start to this, than to find a solution to the boundary issue. And so, both sides seem to have made this a priority.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will be meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday for a top-level meet to discuss the boundary issue. Though there has been no confirmation of this meeting from New Delhi yet, Beijing has said so in a foreign ministry statement.

"Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will meet on Wednesday in Beijing to discuss the China-India boundary question," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in a statement on Monday.

"As agreed by China and India, Wang Yi and Ajit Doval will hold the 23rd meeting of Special Representatives for China-India boundary question in Beijing on December 18," Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong said on X.

This would be the first such meeting in five years - the last one being held in New Delhi in December 2019.

Since their first meeting more than a decade ago, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had given importance to finding a solution for effective border management, and the meeting in December 2019 was the 22nd meeting in the series of discussions to find a solution to settle any differences along the more-than 4,000 km Line of Actual Control or LAC.

The LAC has no clear demarcations and both sides have their differences in understanding of where the boundary lies in the harsh and arguably most difficult terrain, which span the highest mountain ranges in the world - The Himalayas. The border, originally between India and Tibet is now considered the boundary between India and China after Tibet's takeover by China in 1959.

Both sides have, on several occasions, seen military face-offs by border patrol parties, each having their understanding of where exactly the boundary lies - which point on the mountain, valley or rivers mark or indicate the LAC. Though there are buffer zones created at several points along the LAC, even there, differences often crop up in how each side demarcates the boundary.

To find a solution to this, India and China had started boundary talks, but all of that came to a grinding halt after the deadly clashes between the two armies in 2020 in Galwan Valley in Ladakh, which saw soldiers from both sides killed in action.

It took more than four years of diplomacy and dialogue at the military and diplomatic levels for both sides to disengage - an agreement for which was reached in October this year, culminating is a rare formal meeting - also the first in five years - between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia.
 

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Madhya Pradesh Congress Protests In House And Out On Winter Session Day 1

The winter session of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly began today with a dramatic show of opposition by the Congress. Inside the House, outside on the streets, and on tractors, Congress leaders attempted to corner the state government over issues affecting farmers, women, and youth.

The protest began with Congress MLAs attempting to enter the assembly carrying empty sacks of fertilizer, symbolizing the shortage of fertilizers faced by farmers. 

But they were stopped by the security personnel and were forced to leave them at the gate before proceeding. Inside the House, the Congress tried to raise farmers' issues but, failing to gain traction, walked out in protest.

"The issues of farmers and the people will be raised from the road to the House," declared Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar.

Outside, Congress leaders staged a tractor rally, attempting to march to the assembly from Shivaji Square, but here too, they were foiled by the police.

Thousands of Congress workers had gathered at Jawahar Chowk, where party heavyweights, including former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, addressed the crowd.

Congress leaders listed several demands, including Rs 3000 monthly allowance for Ladli Behna Yojana beneficiaries and jobs for 2 lakh young people, a minimu support price of Rs 2,700 for wheat and Rs 3,100 for paddy and finally, a white paper on the state of government loans.

Despite announcing plans to gherao the Vidhan Sabha, the protest remained confined to Jawahar Chowk. The police, equipped with barricades and water cannons, arrested senior Congress leaders, bringing the agitation to an early end.

Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda dismissed the Congress move, saying, "The government is functioning well. Whether Congress comes by tractor or any other way, we are focused on our work".

In a separate incident, Congress workers from Rajgarh clashed with the police after being stopped from entering the city. Congress leader Kunal Chaudhary criticized the government, alleging, "Lakhs of workers were on the streets demanding answers. Instead of addressing us, the government arrested our leaders. They even claimed there was no space in the jails to accommodate us."

In the state assembly, meanwhile, after the Congress members walked out and only the BJP members were left, during a Call Attention Motion, senior BJP leader Bhupendra Singh raised the issue of a child abuse case in a private school in Sagar. 

He criticised the government for its laxity on private schools across the state, and demanded a robust policy to regulate them.

Mr Singh expressed dissatisfaction with the written response provided by the School Education Department, calling it dismissive and disrespectful to legislators. 

"MLAs should not be discredited in the House by labeling their questions as false. I represent the area in question and know the ground reality. Such responses imply that I am lying. The issue I raised exists not only in one school but across the state. The government must address it," he said.

He urged School Education Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh to verify responses before presenting them in the House, adding, "I, too, am an MLA. Please don't insult me in this manner".

School Education Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh assured that a mechanism had been devised to improve the functioning of private schools in the state. Later, Singh and Minister Rao met in Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar's chamber to resolve the issue.

Speaking to NDTV after the meeting, Rao Uday Pratap Singh said, "With the Speaker's consent, a detailed response was given, and all parties are now satisfied".

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Tabla Legend Zakir Hussain Critical, "Pray For Him", Says Family

Zakir Hussain, the peerless tabla player and multiple Grammy award winner, is critical and in a US hospital over serious heart-related ailments, his family said on Sunday.

His manager, Nirmala Bachani, said the artist he has been in a San Francisco hospital for the last two weeks.

"My brother is deeply ill at this time. We are asking for all his fans around India and around the world to pray for him, to pray for his health. But as India's greatest ever exports, do not finish him off just yet," Zakir Hussain's sister Khurshid Aulia told news agency PTI amid multiple reports that her brother had died.

"I just want to request all the media not to follow wrong information about Zakir's passing. He is very much breathing at the moment. He is very very critical, but he's still with us. He has not yet gone. So, I will request (the media) not to spread this rumour by writing or saying that he has passed away. I feel so bad watching all this information on Facebook which is very wrong," she added.

"He is unwell and admitted in the ICU right now. We all are worried about the situation," Zakir Hussain's friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia also told the news agency.

Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and others posted on X paying tributes to the tabla maestro amid death reports though there was no official statement from Zakir Hussain's family.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Ministry, which posted about the artist's death, later deleted its post on X. 

"I am Zakir Hussain nephew and he has not passed away. We ask for prayers for my Uncle's health. Can you please remove this misinformation. He is in a serious condition and we ask for all his fans around the world to pray for his health," said Ameer Aulia on X.

The Bombay-born eldest son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha, Zakir Hussain followed in the footsteps of his father, becoming a marquee name in India and across the world.

"Zakir Hussain, the peerless North Indian tabla player, favors an impish strain of virtuosity. He's a fearsome technician but also a whimsical inventor, devoted to exuberant play. So he rarely seems overbearing, even when the blur of his fingers rivals the beat of a hummingbird's wings," wrote New York Times about the artist when he performed at Carnegie Hall in 2009.

Once narrating the story of his first booking, the percussionist said a letter came to their house offering a concert date to his father. Zakir wrote back saying that his father would not be able to accept the engagement but that his son was available. However, he didn't mention in the letter that he was only 13. It worked, and his musical career was under way.

The musician has worked with several renowned international and Indian artistes, but it was his 1973 musical project with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist TH 'Vikku' Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical and elements of jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown.

The percussionist, one of India's most celebrated classical musicians, received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

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सुहागरात पर दुल्‍हन ने सारी हदें कर दी पार, दूल्‍हे राजा सेज पर ही हो गए बेहोश

Suhagraat Story: हर किसी का सपना होता है कि उसकी शादी हो और वह खुशी से अपनी जिंदगी बसर कर सके. लेकिन, सुहागरात में ही कुछ गड़बड़ हो जाए तो सारे सपने और अरमान एक झटके में चकनाचूर हो जाते हैं.

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"Those Who Speak Truth...": Yogi Adityanath On High Court Judge's Remarks

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday hit out at the Opposition for initiating impeachment notices against Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Allahabad High Court's Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, saying "whoever speaks the truth" is threatened in this way.

Speaking at the World Hindu Economic Forum 2024, he also accused the Congress of practicing double standards.

"Whoever speaks the truth, these people will pressurise him with impeachment (motions), and still they talk about the Constitution. Look at their double standards.

"An Allahabad High Court judge said there should be a Uniform Civil Code, and the world over the feelings of the majority community are respected," the UP chief minister said.

What was a person's crime if he voices these opinions, he asked.

"Shouldn't there be a Uniform Civil Code in the country? The world over, the system runs as per what the majority community says and India is saying the discrimination between majority and minority community should end. They (the Congress) will pressurize, because it is their old habit of strangulating the Constitution and managing the system of the country," Adityanath alleged.

As to the notice to impeach Dhankhar for his alleged partisan role as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the BJP leader said the Vice President is doing his duty as presiding officer of the Upper House.

"The Opposition is worried as to how a farmer's son has reached this position. If someone as a judge as well as a citizen of the country puts forth truth on a social and cultural platform, he is threatened with impeachment," Adityanath added.

Members of several opposition parties on Friday moved a notice in the Rajya Sabha for the impeachment of Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav over his alleged controversial remarks at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event on December 8.

The Supreme Court has sought details pertaining to the controversy from the Allahabad High Court.

Adityanath, meanwhile, said the society and country need to expose those who want to suppress the truth. Those who spurn India's legacy should be exposed, he said, alleging that the Opposition says that Lord Ram never existed.

The Sanatan religion never claimed it is great, or it never said its supremacy must be accepted, Adityanath said, adding that it neither controlled anyone with a sword nor did it stake a claim on anyone's land.

"You have PM Modi showering flowers on workers who built the Ram Temple in Ayodhya for their hard work, and there will also be rulers who chopped the hands of workers who built the Taj Mahal," he said.

India cannot establish itself as a strong economy by forgetting its legacy, the UP chief minister said.

India's economy stood at 10th or 11th position after 70 years, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it the fifth largest economy in 10 years, and in 2027 India will be the third largest economy, the BJP leader said.

Uttar Pradesh is now the country's second largest economy and is on its way to grow to USD 1 trillion, Adityanath said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Assam Rifles Cuts Roots Of Narco Trade, Destroys 354 Acres Of Illegal Poppy

The Assam Rifles alone destroyed 354 acres of illicit poppy cultivation this year, primarily in three Manipur districts -- Ukhrul, Churachandpur and Chandel. A defence spokesman said that through meticulously planned joint operations, the force successfully identified and destroyed 354 acres of illicit poppy cultivation, primarily in the districts of Ukhrul, Churachandpur, and Chandel.

The Assam Rifles continued its determination to fight against the menace of poppy cultivation along the India-Myanmar border, he said.

The spokesman said that by eliminating poppy fields and striking at the roots of narco-trade, Assam Rifles has reaffirmed its commitment towards ensuring stability and security in Manipur and beyond.

According to the defence official, the battle against poppy cultivation has been a consistent priority for the paramilitary force, as reflected in its sustained efforts over the years.

In 2020 the force identified a staggering 8,057 acres of poppy fields, of which 1,695 acres were destroyed. This trend of rigorous action continued in subsequent years with 5,610 acres identified and 1,976 acres destroyed in 2021.

The Assam Rifles intensified its operations in 2022 identifying 494 acres and destroying 715 acres, including previously undiscovered patches. In 2023, 1,735 acres were identified and 1,488 acres were eradicated.

By 2024 the area of identified poppy fields had declined significantly, reflecting the success of the state and Central governments and security forces' multi-pronged strategy, the spokesman pointed out.

Noting that the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur, no single agency can effectively address this challenge alone, the spokesman said that collaborative operations have proven essential, with Assam Rifles actively coordinating with state and central agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Manipur Police and other CAPFs deployed in the area.

The NCB, as the nodal agency for drug enforcement under the Ministry of Home Affairs, ensured synergy among all stakeholders during operations, especially during the opium harvesting seasons. Joint operations have focused on curbing cultivation, disrupting supply chains and dismantling the networks sustaining the illicit drug trade.

The security cover provided by the force has ensured the safe execution of destruction operations in vulnerable and conflict-prone areas.

5.7 ACRES OF POPPY PLANTATION DESTROYED AT THINGHANGJANG AREA, CHURACHANDPUR.

Well done, combined team of Churachandpur Police, 36 AR, CCPur Forest Division, and NAB for their successful operation in the Thinghangjang area under Tuibuong Sub-division. The destruction of... pic.twitter.com/MKUSZgV3ht

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) December 14, 2024

Assam Rifles deftly incorporated advanced technology, such as drone surveillance in identifying poppy fields in inaccessible terrains.

An official statement said that these high-tech measures are complemented by actionable intelligence from local communities and inputs from civil society organisations (CSOs).

The Leveraging of Technology and Community Support has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of operations, ensuring a swift and targeted approach. Additionally, the Force has also maintained a robust ground presence through Area Domination Patrols in traditional cultivation zones. This persistent vigilance has acted as a deterrent to the resurgence of illegal farming practices, the statement said.

Beyond destruction campaigns, Assam Rifles has also prioritised addressing the socio-economic factors driving poppy cultivation.

Under its "Drug-Free Manipur" initiative, the Force has conducted extensive awareness drives to educate communities about the perils of drug addiction and the risks associated with illegal farming.

Through regular interactions with villagers and local leaders, the force has actively promoted sustainable livelihood options, encouraging a shift toward legitimate and long-term economic activities.

Assam Rifles' zero-tolerance policy against narcotics-related activities has led to legal actions against defaulters, including cultivators and financiers. These measures, combined with efforts to restrict cross-border narcotics trafficking, have disrupted the infrastructure supporting poppy cultivation.

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Switzerland Revokes India's Most-Favoured-Nation Status Over Nestle Verdict

Switzerland has taken a unilateral stand after the Supreme Court of India's ruling in the Nestle case. It has revoked the 'Most Favoured Nation' or MFN status accorded to India under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement or DTAA treaty.

Switzerland's move marks a significant shift in bilateral treaty dynamics and will result in a big impact on Indian companies operating in Switzerland as well as on Swiss investments in India.

In its official statement on December 11, the Swiss finance department named the Supreme Court of India and cited its 2023 ruling as the reason for its decision to remove India's MFN status. In its order, the Supreme Court had said that the MFN clause between two nations does not apply automatically when a country joins the OECD, especially if the Indian government already had a prior tax treaty with that country before joining the grouping.

The OECD or Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development was established in 1961 and is headquartered in Paris. It calls itself a forum and knowledge hub for data, analysis, and best practices in public policy to build stronger, fairer, and cleaner societies - helping to shape better policies for better lives. It works closely with policy makers, stakeholders and citizens to establish evidence-based international standards and to find solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges.

A HISTORY TO THE CASE

India had signed tax agreements with Lithuania and Colombia under which the tax rates on certain types of income were lower than the rates it provided to OECD countries. Both countries later joined the OECD.

Under the OECD, the effect of an MFN clause is that one country obligates itself to its treaty partner with respect to offering it a 'more favourable' tax treatment.

Switzerland assumed that Colombia and Lithuania joining the OECD meant a 5 per cent rate for dividends would apply to the India-Switzerland tax treaty under the MFN clause, instead of the 10 per cent which was mentioned in it.

But the Supreme Court ruling meant otherwise -- that the MFN clause between two nations does not apply automatically when a country joins the OECD, and that the prior tax treaty takes precedence, unless the MFN clause is specifically mentioned in a 'notification' in accordance with Section 90 of the Income Tax Act.

WHAT THIS MEANT FOR THE NESTLE CASE

According to the statement by Switzerland's finance department, in 2021, the Delhi High Court while hearing the case against Nestle, upheld the applicability of the residual tax rates after taking into account the MFN clause under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement. This was in line with how Switzerland had interpreted it.

However, in a ruling dated October 19, 2023, the Supreme Court reversed the high court's judgement and stated that, the applicability of the MFN clause was not triggered automatically. The top court ruled that the MFN clause "was not directly applicable in the absence of 'notification' in accordance with Section 90 of the Income Tax Act" - a ruling that impacted Nestle and in-turn went against what Switzerland had hoped for.

SWITZERLAND'S RESPONSE

Switzerland has now responded by unilaterally revoking India's MFN status and squarely named the "Indian Supreme Court" as the reason for its decision.

This means that from January 1, 2025, Switzerland will levy a 10 per cent tax (instead of the current 5 per cent) on dividends payable to Indian tax residents and entities who claim refunds for Swiss withholding tax and for Swiss tax residents who claim foreign tax credits.

The Swiss Finance Department released a statement in which it announced "Suspension of the application of the MFN clause of the protocol to the agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of India for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income."

The statement cited the "2023 ruling by Indian Supreme Court" in a case relating to Nestle for its decision to withdraw the MFN status.

WHAT EXPERTS SAY

Some see Switzerland's move as a retaliatory measure to the Supreme Court ruling, while others see this as a measure of reciprocity.

Nangia Andersen M&A Tax Partner Sandeep Jhunjhunwala called Switzerland's move unilateral and said "This suspension may lead to increased tax liabilities for Indian entities operating in Switzerland, highlighting the complexities of navigating international tax treaties in an evolving global landscape."

"It also underscores the necessity of aligning treaty partners on the interpretation and application of tax treaty clauses to ensure predictability, equity, and stability in international tax framework," Mr Jhunjhunwala told news agency Press Trust of India.

AKM Global Tax Partner, Amit Maheshwari, said that "The main reason behind the decision to withdraw MFN is of reciprocity, which ensures that taxpayers in both countries are treated equally and fairly."

"Swiss authorities announced in August 2021 that based on the MFN clause between Switzerland and India, the tax rate on dividends from qualifying shareholdings would be reduced from 10 per cent to 5 per cent, effective retroactively from July 5, 2018. However, the subsequent Supreme Court ruling in 2023 contradicted the same," Mr Maheshwari told PTI.

He added that "This could impact Swiss investments in India as dividends would be subject to higher withholding now and income accruing on or after January 1, 2025, may be taxed at the rates provided for in the original double taxation treaty between Switzerland and India, regardless of the MFN clause."

JSA Advocates & Solicitors Partner Kumarmanglam Vijay said "This would especially impact Indian companies having ODI (overseas direct investment) structures with subsidiaries in Switzerland and will raise the Swiss withholding tax on dividends from 5 per cent to 10 per cent from January 1, 2025."

(Inputs from PTI)
 

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Zomato Gets Rs 803 Crore GST Demand On Delivery Charges, Says Will Appeal

Food delivery aggregator Zomato on Thursday said the GST department in Thane has imposed a tax demand of Rs 803.4 crore, including interest and penalty.

The demand order has been received in respect of non-payment of GST on delivery charges with interest and penalty thereon, Zomato said in a regulatory filing.

The company said it will file an appeal before the appropriate authority as it believes it has a strong case.

"... Company has received an order on 12 December 2024 ... for the period 29 October 2019 to 31 March 2022 passed by Joint Commissioner of CGST & Central Excise, Thane Commissionerate, Maharashtra, confirming demand of GST of Rs 401,70,14,706 with interest as applicable and penalty of Rs 401,70,14,706," Zomato stated.

"We believe that we have a strong case on merits, which is backed by opinions from our external legal and tax advisors. The company will be filing an appeal against the order before the appropriate authority," it added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Video: When PM Modi Said "Cut" During Meeting With Kapoors

PM Modi met with the Kapoor family in New Delhi on Tuesday, December 10, to celebrate Raj Kapoor's cinematic legacy on the occasion of his centenary.

Some special moments from this meeting have been released by PMO. In the video PM Modi can be seen talking to Kapoor family about Raj Kapoor and his immense contribution to Indian cinema.

However, the most hilarious moment of the meeting came when PM Modi humorously said 'Cut!' as Reema Jain( Raj Kapoor's daughter) started speaking to him.

It all began when Reema Jain started her conversation with PM Modi and appeared to struggle with her words while addressing him. As she tried to phrase her sentence, starting with 'Aadarniye Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi Ji,' PM Modi instantly interjected with 'Cut!' leaving everyone in splits.

The Prime Minister also asked the Kapoor family to make a movie, especially catering to Central Asia, about Raj Kapoor who is still in people's mind after so many years. He added that we must put in efforts to make it reach to the new generations in Central Asia and urged the family to create a movie which would act as a link.

Acknowledging the love and fame received from across the globe, Ms. Reema Kapoor said that Shri Raj Kapoor can be called as 'Cultural Ambassador' and she lauded the Prime Minister for being the 'Global Ambassador' of India and the entire Kapoor family was proud of the Prime Minister.

Shri Modi emphasized that the prestige of the country had risen to great heights today and cited Yoga as an example which is discussed across the globe. He further added that he discussed Yoga and its importance with the leaders of other nations during their meet.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Burhanpur News: 500 साल पुरानी परंपरा में इस बार 100 हेलों ने दिखाई ताकत

Burhanpur Mela News: मध्य प्रदेश के बुरहानपुर में करीब 500 साल पुरानी परंपरा के तहत मेला लगता आ रहा है. इस मेले में हेलों की टक्कर होती है, जिसमें विजेता हेले के मालिक को पुरस्कृत किया जाता है.

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Person Faking Sexual Identity Jailed For 20 Years For Raping Girl: UP Cops

A local court in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly sentenced a 22-year-old person, who faked his sexual identity, to 20 years imprisonment for raping a minor girl, a police officer said on Tuesday.

Superintendent of Police (City) Bareilly Manush Pareek said initially the accused had claimed to be a female transgender, but a medical examination conducted at the SGPGI Lucknow, as per court orders, revealed the accused as biologically male.

The incident occurred in the Mirganj area in August last year. Farin Kinar allegedly lured the survivor on the pretext of watching TV and committed the crime. He also allegedly threatened to harm her if she disclosed the incident, the officer said.

"Hearing the case on Monday, Special Judge POCSO Court-3 Umashankar Khar found Farin guilty. The court considered the medical examination report and witness statements. Farin was sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 12,000," the officer said.

The court ordered that the fine amount be given to the victim, he said.

Farin's counsel had claimed that Farin was transgender, wore women's clothes and was "incapable of committing rape". 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Delay In Death Sentence Execution Can Violate Convicts' Rights": Top Court

An inordinate delay in the execution of a death sentence has a dehumanising effect on the accused, the Supreme Court observed on Monday as it upheld a Bombay High Court order commuting the death penalty of two convicts in the 2007 Pune BPO employee gangrape and murder case to life term for 35 years.

Dismissing the appeal filed by the Maharashtra government challenging the Bombay High Court judgement, a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka, Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Augustine George Masih said keeping a convict sentenced to death in suspense while considering his mercy petitions by the governor or the president for an inordinately long time is certainly agony for him/her.

"The only conclusion in this case is that the delay is unexplained and inordinate. Therefore, it is impossible to find fault with the view taken by the high court that there was a violation of the rights of the convicts guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

"Therefore, the commutation of the death sentence to a fixed term sentence of thirty-five years by the high court cannot be faulted," the bench said.

The top court said undue delay in issuing a warrant of execution can violate the rights of convicts under Article 21 of the Constitution and in this case, there is a delay in three stages.

It said on July 10, 2015, the convicts filed mercy petitions addressed to the Maharashtra governor, which were rejected on March 29, 2016.

"On June 1,1 2016, mercy petitions were addressed by the convicts to the President of India, which were rejected on May 26, 2017. This is the second part of the delay, and the third part of the delay started on June 19, 2017, when the superintendent of prison informed the sessions judge, Pune, about the rejection of mercy petitions by the president.

"Ultimately, it was only on April 10, 2019, that the learned sessions court, Pune, issued the warrants for the execution of the death sentence," the bench said.

Thus, from July 10, 2015, till April 10, 2019, time was consumed in deciding the mercy petitions filed before the governor and the president, and in issuing warrants for executing the death sentence, it added.

The convicts -- Purushottam Borate and Pradeep Kokade -- were to be executed on June 24, 2019, but the high court said on June 21, 2019, the execution should not take place until further orders. The high court on July 29, 2019, allowed the convicts' petitions to stay the execution of their death warrant.

In its judgement, the top court said, the executive must promptly deal with the mercy petitions filed by the convicts of the death sentence.

"In this case, the approach of the executive, and especially the state government, has been casual and negligent. Even the sessions court ought to have been pro-active.

"When the delay from the date of filing of mercy petitions till the date of issue of a warrant of execution is inordinate and unexplained, the right of the convicts guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution is violated. This right must be upheld, and it is the duty of the Constitutional Courts to do so," the bench said.

On November 1, 2007, a Wipro BPO employee, who was then 22 years old, got into the regular cab contracted by the company to report for her night duty in a Pune suburb.

Cab driver Borate, accompanied by his friend Kokade, changed the route and took her to a remote place, where they raped her and strangled her with her 'dupatta'. They also disfigured her face.

The duo was convicted and awarded death penalty by a sessions court in March 2012 for kidnapping, raping and murdering the woman. In September 2012, the high court confirmed the punishment and the verdict was upheld by the Supreme Court in May 2015. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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INDIA Bloc Leader Will Be Chosen Through Consensus: Tejashwi Yadav

Senior RJD leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday said he has no objection to any senior leader of the INDIA bloc, including TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, leading the coalition, but stressed that the decision must be reached through consensus.

Tejashwi Yadav, who is the leader of the opposition in Bihar assembly, told reporters at the city airport, "INDIA bloc hasn't thought on this matter and there has to be a discussion involving all stakeholders." "We have no issue with Mamata Banerjee leading the bloc, but keeping in mind there are so many senior politicians in the the anti-BJP coalition, there's a need to sit together and take a collective decision on choosing a leader," he said.

Asked if RJD, as a key member of the INDIA bloc, is open to the idea of the West Bengal Chief Minister taking over the reins, Tejashwi Yadav, the son of RJD patriarch and veteran politician Lalu Prasad Yadav, responded, "We have not yet collectively taken a call on the issue of future leadership. But when any decision is taken about who will be the leader and the future roadmap, it will be through consensus."

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Man Gives Wife 'Triple Talaq' For Praising Cops' Action In Sambhal

She was watching a video on Sambhal violence in Uttar Pradesh, where protests sparked by a survey into whether a centuries-old mosque was built on a Hindu temple had killed four people - when her husband asked her not to and then, as she claims, divorced her by uttering the word 'talaq' three times. She had praised the police action.

"Koi wajah hi toh nahi thi. Bina wajah ke talaq diya hai (There was no reason at all. He divorced me without a reason)," said Nida, who uses a single name.

The word 'talaq' means divorce in Arabic.

The controversial practice of 'triple talaq' that allows Muslim men to divorce their wives instantly by saying 'talaq' thrice was banned by the Supreme Court in 2017. The top court called it "unconstitutional". In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government also approved a bill outlawing the centuries-old right of a Muslim man to instantly divorce his wife.

Nida, a native of Moradabad, has filed a police complaint against her husband, Ejazul, for divorcing her.

"I was watching a video because I had to visit Sambhal for a wedding. I also had some personal work. So I was checking if it was safe to go there. My husband asked me why I was watching the video. I said what is wrong is wrong. Everyone has the right to defend themselves," said Nida, elaborating on what started the fight between the couple.

"Upon hearing this, he said you are not a Muslim; you are an infidel. You support police. He started misbehaving with me. He said I will not keep you anymore, no matter what you do and pronounced triple talaq. He then said he has nothing to do with me," Nida, dressed in a black burqa, told reporters.

The couple was in the third year of their marriage. 

"A woman has filed a complaint against her husband that she was watching a YouTube video related to Sambhal, which led to a fight between the couple. The husband asked her not to watch the video and when she did not agree, he ended the marriage by saying talaq three times," said Ranvijay Singh, Superintendent of City Police, Moradabad.

The situation had been tense in Sambhal since a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was conducted on November 19 following orders from a court that came on a petition claiming that a Harihar temple existed at the site earlier.

Violence broke out on November 24 when the mosque was being surveyed again. Four people were killed and others injured in a clash between protesters and police. A total of 29 police personnel were injured in the incident, said the police.

(With inputs from Anwar Kamal)

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Was Not Invited For D Fadnavis' Swearing-In: Maharashtra Congress Chief

Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Friday claimed he was not invited for the oath taking ceremony of new Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, but said he expects his "friend" to work for the overall development of the state.

Mr Patole listed his own expectations from the BJP-led government and these included announcement of a loan waiver for farmers.

Chief Minister Fadnavis and his two deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took oath on Thursday at a grand ceremony in Mumbai, ushering in the Mahayuti 2.0 government.

Mr Patole, speaking with reporters in Nagpur, maintained he did not get any invitation about the oath ceremony otherwise he would have attended the event.

"However, my friend has become the chief minister and good wishes to him," he said.

Both Mr Patole, a former BJP MP, and Mr Fadnavis hail from the Vidarbha region of eastern Maharashtra.

Notably, no major leader from the opposition, including Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and Mr Patole, were present at the swearing-in ceremony in the Azad Maidan.

Mr Patole said he expects the new government to tame inflation, resolve issues faced by farmers and youths and fulfil promises made to soyabean and cotton farmers.

The Congress leader said he hopes under the leadership of Mr Fadnavis, Maharashtra progresses at fast pace in the next five years.

Mr Patole asked the chief minister to stand firm on his assurance of not allowing contract-based recruitments in government and fill nearly 2 lakh vacant posts in different departments.

He also demanded more Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses for rural areas of the state.

Mr Patole said the Fadnavis government should improve the law and order situation in Maharashtra and make it a drugs-free state.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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