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Rohit Saraf joins Kamal Haasan, Ali Fazal in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Thug Life’

Mumbai, June 26, 2024
Actor Rohit Saraf has joined Kamal Haasan and Ali Fazal in ‘Thug Life’ directed by Mani Ratnam.

“Rohit has already started shooting for the film and will be seen playing a key catalyst in the story,” revealed a source close to the development.

The source added: “Mani Ratnam is expected to wrap the shoot by August 2024. The makers are looking for a December release.”

Details related to Rohit’s role are still under wraps.

Rohit’s latest release ‘Ishq Visk Rebound’ revolves around the lives of four youngsters who become entangled in friendship, love, and self-discovery.

He is also set to reprise his role as Rishi Shekhawat in ‘Mismatched Season 3’, besides being part of a Dharma Productions film titled ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ starring Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Sanya Malhotra.(Agency)

K’taka govt drops Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy from Kempe Gowda Jayanthi invitation; stirs row

Bengaluru, June 26, 2024
The move by the Congress government in Karnataka to leave out former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy from the invitations to celebrate Kempe Gowda Jayanthi has stirred a controversy.

Reacting to the development in Delhi, Kumaraswamy stated on Wednesday that “Kempe Gowda does not belong to anyone. He belongs to the state. I got to know that our names were dropped from the invitation. I won’t give much importance to it. I will not make an issue out of my name not being mentioned in the invitations anytime.”

“I have contributed to the growth of Bengaluru city during my tenure as chief minister twice.

I will do things that will bring honour to Kempe Gowda. If they include my name now, it is not possible for me to attend the event. Tomorrow, the President is addressing both Houses of Parliament, and I need to be present here. I will pay my respects from here,” Kumaraswamy said.

Kempe Gowda Jayanthi is celebrated in different ways. Kempe Gowda’s photo is kept in every house and worshipped. The world is talking about Bengaluru city, and Kempe Gowda is behind it. The lakes built by him in Bengaluru are encroached upon; they need to be saved, Kumaraswamy stated.

“People claim that the Mekedatu project should be implemented. There is no drinking water presently, and it is not known what will happen after 15 years. If the government wants to celebrate the birth anniversary, let it save the lakes. Let them think about making use of rainwater. If this is done, I will salute the government,” he said.

BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra opined in Delhi that one cannot become a community leader by cunningness and conspiracy. The people of the community will not agree to this. “We were successful in the Lok Sabha election. We don’t have sympathies for the Congress party, but we have sympathies for the people of the state,” he said.

Kempe Gowda, who hails from the Vokkaliga community, is the founder of Bengaluru city. The government celebrates the ruler’s birth anniversary every year on June 27.

This year, the Congress government is celebrating Kempe Gowda Jayanthi with much fanfare. The decision to exclude the names of prominent leaders of the Vokkaliga community, former PM Deve Gowda and his son Kumaraswamy, has been criticized.

According to sources, Dy CM and Karnataka Congress president D.K. Shivakumar, who also hails from the Vokkaliga community, wants to project himself as the face of this influential community and ensure that the names of Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy are omitted.(Agency)

Allow Engineer Rashid to take oath as MP: Ghulam Nabi Azad to Centre

Srinagar, June 26, 2024
Chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) and former J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday urged the Central government to allow Engineer Rashid to take oath as a Member of Parliament.

Rashid, who is lodged in jail since 2019 after being charged by the NIA in a terror-funding case, defeated former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah from the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat as an Independent candidate in the recent elections.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Azad said, “As Engineer Rashid secured a decisive victory in the Lok Sabha polls with overwhelming public support, the government should acknowledge the mandate and allow him to take the oath.

“His constituents in the four districts of Kashmir deserve representation without delay. If the law permitted his candidacy, it should equally permit his full participation in parliamentary proceedings.

“His family and followers have been in pain for the last five years as Rashid remains in jail. I must appreciate his two sons who campaigned for their father and ensured his victory in the Lok Sabha elections.

“People voted for him in large numbers, showing their belief in the Constitution. Therefore, the government must release him and allow him to take his oath, considering these factors.”(Agency)

Pune civic body bulldozes 35 illegal pubs, bars; more may be targeted

Pune, June 26, 2024
Going aggressively after the illegal bars, pubs and restaurants, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) demolished fully or partly around 35 establishments found flouting various rules and regulations, officials said here on Wednesday.

The bulldozing drive by the PMC demolition teams accompanied by a large police force started on Tuesday at some 15 locations and continued for the second day on Wednesday at another 20 venues in and around the city which have blatantly violated the PMC’s rules.

On Tuesday, the PMC razed large portions of the Liquid Leisure Lounge (L3) bar – the venue of a drugs party which led to a huge public and political uproar. On Wednesday the PMC targeted major names like Escobar, The Elephant, FML, The Corner Café, Urbi, Filament, Bru Merchant, Native-The Joy, and Vaishali bars, among others.

After Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s directives two days ago, civic officials — who have reportedly prepared a list of some 100 establishments — indicated that the campaign against all kinds of illegalities at these venues will continue over the coming days.

Pune Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, who has almost single-handedly hounded the unauthorised constructions, demanded to know that when the civic and police authorities are aware of all the illegalities, then why they did not initiate corrective action earlier.

Meanwhile, a RTI reply given to Advocate Sameer Shaikh by the Pune police, has revealed that there are only 23 authorised pubs/discotheques in the city and the vast majority of the other bars/pubs/discos are operated illegally. Now the police have begun a review of all such unauthorised establishments.

Amid the crackdown, an industry body, the United Hospitality Association of Pune, has urged the government to initiate a streamlined licensing system for all the 3,300 licenced bars, permit rooms, hotels, restaurants, family eateries, fine-dining outlets, pubs, lounges, etc to ensure that these do not get the ‘illegal’ tag.

The UHA vice-president Ajinkya Shinde told mediapersons that a proper single-window licensing procedure will help all the establishments comply with the laws, generate substantial revenues for the government and also boost the city’s booming hospitality sector.

The crackdown against illegal bars/pubs started days after the May 19 Porsche car hit-and-run accident and was taken up with renewed vigour after a rave party was exposed in the L3 bar on June 23.(Agency)

Mohammad Wasim appointed head coach of Pakistan women’s team for T20 Asia Cup

Karachi, June 26, 2024
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former international Mohammad Wasim as the head coach of the women’s national team. This appointment comes with less than a month remaining before the T20 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Dambulla from July 19 to 28.

Alongside Wasim, former Pakistan bowlers Junaid Khan and Abdur Rehman have been named assistant coach and spin-bowling coach, respectively. Notably, no batting coach has been appointed, as Wasim is expected to take on that role himself.

A PCB statement clarified that these appointments are currently only for the duration of the Asia Cup, leaving the possibility of extensions beyond the tournament open-ended. This short-term focus aligns with the immediate needs of the team as they prepare for a significant regional competition.

“Meanwhile, the PCB has confirmed the team management for the ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2024. Muhammad Wasim will be the head coach, while former Test bowlers Abdur Rehman and Junaid Khan will be the spin bowling and assistant coaches, respectively,” read a PCB statement released on Wednesday.

Wasim’s coaching credentials are primarily rooted in his successful tenure with Northern, a team in Pakistan’s domestic structure. Under his leadership, Northern achieved successive runners-up finishes in the revamped Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, introduced by then than Prime Minister and PCB patron Imran Khan.

Wasim’s tenure was marked by a focus on nurturing young talent, culminating in a National T20 Cup victory in the 2019-20 season. His coaching prowess earned him the role of chief selector for the men’s team, a position he held until December 2022.

The Pakistan women’s team is heading into the Asia Cup after a series of challenging tours. They managed only one win in eight T20Is across the West Indies and England and failed to secure victories in the accompanying ODI series.

Despite these setbacks, the team has shown potential with notable achievements, such as a home T20I series whitewash against South Africa and becoming the first Asian women’s side to win a T20I series in New Zealand.

The T20 Asia Cup represents a crucial opportunity for the Pakistan women’s team to regain momentum and confidence. The inclusion of seasoned coaches like Wasim, Junaid Khan, and Abdur Rehman aims to bring stability and expertise to the squad.

The PCB has organized a 28-member training camp in Karachi to prepare for the tournament, focusing on refining skills and building team cohesion.

While the immediate focus is on the Asia Cup, there are broader implications for the future of women’s cricket in Pakistan.

The PCB has expressed a commitment to establishing a women’s PSL, though progress has been slow. The absence of exhibition women’s matches during the 2024 men’s PSL highlights the need for more substantial support and development.(Agency)

Naidu to roll out poverty elimination programme from Kuppam

Amaravati, June 26, 2024
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, said on Wednesday that the state’s poverty elimination programme would begin from his home constituency Kuppam.

On the second and concluding day of his visit to Kuppam in Chittoor District, the CM said that the first step to build a poverty-free society would be taken in this segment.

He also ordered police officers to immediately lift cases against innocent people registered under political compulsions.

Giving details of the schemes to be implemented, CM Naidu made it clear to officials that the government would take steps to first ensure poverty-free villages, then mandals and finally the entire segment.

He directed the officers to formulate a comprehensive action plan for the overall development of Kuppam.

Voicing concern over violence and abuse of ganja in Kuppam, he directed the officials to immediately put an end to such illegal activities.

Asserting that there would be no forcible mobilisation of the public for meetings, no heavy convoys and sirens, he said, “I have already told the ministers not to hold any kind of meetings after 6 P.M. and asked the officers to react fast in performing their duties more effectively.”

The CM was very particular that the law enforcement agencies should act firmly against those violating norms and indulging in rowdyism.

Recalling that the officers functioned under several compulsions in the last five years, he said that the situation was so alarming that he could not visit his home constituency and interact with the people.

“Even an attempt to murder case and several other cases were registered against me, though till 2019 there was not a single case against me,” Naidu pointed out.

Mentioning the drinking water problem in Kuppam constituency, the CM told the officers to prepare an action plan for early completion of the canal works of Handri-Neeva.

Priority should be given to dairy, silk and honey products, he said and declared that food processing units would be invited to Kuppam and the constituency would be transformed into an education hub.

The CM made it clear that a special programme would be taken up to sharpen skills among the youth and provide employment to them on a large scale.(Agency)

CBI gets 3-day custody of CM Kejriwal in liquor policy case

New Delhi, June 26, 2024
A court here on Wednesday sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to CBI custody for three days in connection with the corruption case linked to the alleged liquor policy scam case.

The order was passed by vacation judge Amitabh Rawat on the CBI’s application seeking five-day custody of the Aam Aadmi Party supremo for interrogation.

Earlier in the day, CM Kejriwal, when produced before the Rouse Avenue Court, was formally arrested by the CBI. Permission was granted to the CBI to produce CM Kejriwal in the special court on Wednesday after he was questioned by the agency in Tihar Jail.

During the hearing on CBI’s plea seeking his custody, Kejriwal said that he did not blame any of his party leaders, including former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, for alleged irregularities in the framing of the now-scrapped liquor policy.

Addressing the court, he alleged that the CBI sources were building a false narrative in the media to malign the image of the ruling party in the national capital and its leaders.

“I have never testified that Manish Sisodia is guilty. Manish Sisodia is innocent, AAP is innocent, I am innocent,” he said.

However, the CBI counsel stressed that custodial interrogation of CM Kejriwal was necessary as he shifted the entire onus onto former Deputy CM Sisodia, who handled the liquor portfolio at the relevant time.

Judge Rawat had then reserved his order on the CBI’s application.

In a related matter, Kejriwal withdrew his plea filed before the Supreme Court challenging the interim stay ordered by the Delhi High Court on his release on bail in the money laundering case linked to the same case.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the AAP supremo, submitted before a vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti that a fresh plea would be moved before the apex court in view of the latest decision of the Delhi High Court staying the trial court order granting bail to CM Kejriwal in the money laundering case.

In its final verdict pronounced on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Delhi High Court on Tuesday said that the trial court’s vacation bench did not apply its mind to the entire material and it ought to give equal opportunity to the ED to argue the bail application.(Agency)

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: Punjab Police destroys 83kg heroin and other drugs

Chandigarh, June 26, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Amidst the ongoing war against drug waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police, to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Wednesday, destroyed over 83 kg of heroin, 10,000 kg of poppy husk, 100 kg of ganja, 4.52 lakh pills/capsules at 10 different locations across the state.

Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav made a surprise visit at a drug disposal site— Punjab Chemical and Crop Protection Limited— in Dera Bassi, SAS Nagar to check the ongoing disposal of drug consignments belonging to districts including Kapurthala, SAS Nagar,

Fatehgarh Sahib, Roopnagar and all STF Ranges. The DGP was accompanied by Special DGP Special Task Force (STF) Kuldeep Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Rupnagar Range Nilambari Jagdale and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SAS Nagar Dr Sandeep Garg.

DGP Gaurav Yadav, while addressing the media, said that this huge quantity of drug consignments pertaining to 626 NDPS cases are being disposed of in a transparent manner by 33 Districts/Commissionerates and Units of Punjab at 10 different location in the state. He also took a stock of ongoing drug disposal/destruction of the remaining districts/units via Webex meeting.

Pertinently, Punjab Police has disposed of at least 2700 kg of heroin, 3450 kg of opium, 1.77 lakh kg Poppy Husk, 1.40 crore pills/tablets and 2 lakh injections since the formation of the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government government. The last drug disposal was held on June 7, 2024 throughout the state of Punjab.

The DGP, while unequivocally giving message of “Say No to Drugs”, appealed the people to stay from any kind of drugs as addiction to narcotics could cost them their life. He also exhorted the people of the State to join Punjab Police in its fight against drugs and do share information if they found anyone smuggling or supplying drugs.

“Together, let us pledge to fight against drugs with unwavering resolve. Let us protect our youth, our families, and our future,” he said, while reiterating the commitment of the Punjab Police to make Punjab a drug-free state.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that following the directions of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has adopted a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state.

Intensifying our strategy on controlling drug supply at Point of Sale at Mohalla and Village level, he said that, all the Police officers have categorically been asked to trace the forward and backward linkages of all the cases being registered under the NDPS act and take strict action against those found in collusion with the drug smugglers.

Meanwhile, following the strenuous efforts of the Punjab Police to root out drug menace from the state, Heroin recoveries have jumped 6.83 times (683%) since 2017.

ACTION AGAINST DRUGS SINCE MARCH 2022

Big Fish Held With 2kg and Above Heroin: 356

Properties Forfeited: 459 properties worth Rs 200 crores

Total Heroin Recovered: 2324 Kg

Total Opium Recovered: 2239Kg

Total Poppy Husk Recovered: 106 tonnes

Total Ganja Recovered: 2613Kg

Total tablets/capsules/injections/vials of Pharma opioids Recovered: 4.16 crores

⁠Drones recovered: 187

Congress pushed Jalandhar in a mess; looted crores meant for development and beautification: AAP

Jalandhar/Chandigarh, June 26, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab cornered the Congress candidate for Jalandhar west Surinder Kaur. The AAP said that being a deputy mayor Surinder Kaur did nothing for Jalandhar west or Jalandhar city. Most of the time her office remained locked and she could be complacent in Jalandhar smart city funds scam.

Addressing a press conference in Jalandhar on Wednesday, the AAP leader and cabinet minister Harjot Singh Bains asked five questions to the Congress candidate through the media. Harjot Bains said that Surinder Kaur was deputy mayor of Jalandhar for five years and an MC for about 20 years.

But the question is while being MC and Deputy Mayor what has she done for the Jalandhar west and its people. The AAP leader asked the Congress candidate why her office mostly stayed locked while she was deputy mayor. Why didn’t she go among the people, listen to their problems and address them?

The AAP Minister also questioned Surinder Kaur about the scam of Smart City funds. He said that she should tell the people whether she was involved in that scam or not, and if not then why she stayed silent on the scam of 760 crores. Today Jalandhar’s roads, streets and sewage are in a terrible condition, where did all the money go?

Bains said that the responsibility of the maintenance of roads, streets, street lights, sewage systems etc. falls on the local body of the city where Surinder Kaur completely failed the people. He said that she didn’t even go to her office, never conducted any meetings with the councillors to solve these issues. She owes people an explanation for this failure.

The AAP leader said that Surinder Kaur being a deputy mayor only gave one gift to Jalandhar west that is a huge mountain of waste in Varyana. Harjot Bains said that why didn’t she do anything about it.

He said that today in Varyana the conditions are even liveable, whose responsibility is that? He said that the area is also suffering from lack of drinkable water. So, how many water bodies or tubewells did she give to this constituency.

Aam Aadmi party’s Lok Sabha candidate Pawan Kumar Tinu was also present in this press conference. He said that this by-election was imposed on the people of Jalandhar west by an incompetent and corrupt leader. Congress candidate from Jalandhar West Surinder Kaur has been a councilor and senior deputy mayor for 20 years.

Can she tell the people any of her achievements for the development of Jalandhar West during her entire tenure as Senior Deputy Mayor?

AAP’s five questions to Surinder Kaur

Question 1. As a senior deputy mayor, why was your office shut and why were you absent from the office all the time? Have you ever met the 23 councilors and taken their feedback, let alone solving the Jalandhar West Constituency’s issues?

Question 2. Why did you never say anything about the billions of rupees scam of the Smart City Project, which took place in a Congress corporation, when the Congress government was in Punjab?

Question 3. What did the Congress Corporation do to solve the basic problems like roads, sewage, cleaning of drains, garbage in Jalandhar?

Question 4. Garbage mountain in Varyana dump has become a disaster for people. In the cleanliness survey of the year 2018, 19, 20, why Jalandhar could not come in the list of the first 100 cities of the country, what was the reason?

Question 5. How many tube wells did the Congress candidate install in her area to bring clean drinking water to the people?

Visit to State jails promises positive change for women prisoners: Raj Lali Gill

Chandigarh, June 26, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

In a proactive move aimed at improving the lives of women prisoners, Raj Lali Gill, Chairperson of the Punjab State Commission for Women, visited Rupnagar District Jail this Tuesday. This initiative underscores the Punjab government’s commitment, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to enhance the welfare of women across the state.

During her visit, Chairperson Raj Lali Gill focused on assessing and enhancing essential facilities for women inmates. She actively listened to their concerns and assured them of swift resolutions. The presence of the Punjab State Commission for Women reaffirms its steadfast dedication to upholding women’s rights and supporting their reintegration into society.

Addressing the women prisoners during a cultural event, Chairperson Raj Lali Gill highlighted the Commission’s mission to provide legal, medical, and educational assistance to incarcerated women. “We are committed to addressing your challenges and empowering each of you to rebuild your lives,” she stated.

Chairperson Raj Lali Gill also commended the inmates for maintaining a positive attitude despite their challenges.

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