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Chhattisgarh: Congress, BJP try to outdo each other in MSP game

The two parties don’t want to disturb the hopes of farmers for higher MSP and loan waiver. The Congress has promised a loan waiver, the BJP has been mum on it.

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By Neeraj Mishra

The two major contesting parties, the BJP and the Congress, have announced a flurry of sops in their Chhattisgarh manifesto. The primary aim is to woo farmers, the largest chunk of voters. So, when the BJP announced they would procure paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal, the Congress upped it by stating in its manifesto that they would pay Rs 3,200. Both promise to acquire 20 quintals of paddy per acre against 15 quintals being acquired currently.

Now, therein lies a catch of the magnitude of Rs 10,000 crore. The Congress has been paying Rs 500 as “bonus” for the past five years over and above the procurement price or the Minimum Support Price (MSP) announced by the Government of India. For instance, the MSP last Kharif season was Rs 2,050. So the Bhupesh Baghel government paid Rs 2,550 but the Rs 500 bonus offered by state government is paid in four instalments. This has caused an additional cash burden of Rs 5,000 crore on the state exchequer.

The BJP, which had refused to pay bonus above the MSP in 2018, has fallen in line. It has sensed that the farmer in Chhattisgarh will now not accept anything less than Rs 2,700 per quintal while the MSP stands at Rs 2,150 this season. So gone are the days of MSP in Chhattisgarh while farmers from Bihar, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh etc continue to struggle to get even their MSP rate and cash in their accounts on time.

It will indeed be very difficult for either party to stick to their procurement price promise. It will not only mean nearly Rs 1,000 over and above the MSP, but the quantity of procurement will go up by at least 25 per cent. Chhattisgarh had procured a little over 1 lakh tonne paddy last season at 15 quintals per acre. If as promised, the state has to acquire 20 quintals per acre then the total quantity will easily surpass 1.25 lakh tonne even at the current rate of procurement.  This will add more burden on the state exchequer and it remains to be seen if the Central government is willing to shell out money for its share of extra rice. So far it has dilly-dallied over it.

As far as the farmer is concerned, he is not unhappy over getting his due share. At the same time, his expectation from the state have been raised which neither party wants to disturb. The farmer expects full procurement at higher MSP and also loan waiver. Last time, the Congress had promised a loan waiver scheme but had granted it with conditions. The primary condition was that only loans taken from cooperative banks would be waived. So while loans worth Rs 9,000 crore were waived, more than 13 lakh farmers with outstanding loans in the region of Rs 16,000 crore still suffered. This time too, smart farmers had taken loans in the expectation of waiver in an election year. The Congress has promised to waive loans but the BJP has kept mum on the subject.

Eventually will this MSP and loan waiver game make a difference? Will the farmer choose the one who deposits more in his pocket? Only time can tell but every farmer is also a Sahu or Kurmi or Yadav and eventually all things being equal, he will vote his caste. At least that’s what both parties are hoping with their MSP playbook.

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Zomato delivery boy killed in hit-and-run accident in South West Delhi

DCP (South West) Surendra Choudhary said that the deceased has been identified as Harendra, a resident of RK Puram.

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Zomato delivery boy killed in hit-and-run accident in South West Delhi

In an unfortunate incident, a 27-year-old Zomato delivery man was killed after being hit by an unknown vehicle while crossing the road in South West Delhi. After the accident, the vehicle fled the scene, which occurred on Monday at around 2:45 a.m. 

DCP (South West) Surendra Choudhary said that the deceased has been identified as Harendra, a resident of RK Puram. The Zomato delivery was rushed to Safdarjung Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Reportedly, he is survived by his wife and their 6-month-old son.

Following the incident, Kishangarh police station received a PCR call reporting an accident on the Outer Ring Road, under the footbridge near the DDA Flats gate in Munirka. When the police reached the scene, they found that the victim, who was crossing the road, had been hit by an unknown vehicle that had fled. Despite being taken to the hospital, he was declared dead on arrival. The victim was employed as a delivery boy with Zomato.

A preliminary inquiry led to the identification of the offending vehicle by the police. Reportedly, a case has been registered under Section 281 (1) and Section 106 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Currently, the post-mortem of the deceased is underway.

DCP (South West) Surendra Choudhary said that Harendra is survived by wife and their six-month old son. Choudhary added that the victim’s father is working in DDA as a fourth grade employee. The DGP further asserted that the team has identified the offending vehicle and that the accused will be nabbed soon. 

Earlier in August, a cycle rider died on the spot when a speeding Mercedes hit him from behind and fled. The incident took place in Delhi’s Ashram area. The victim was identified as Rajesh. His body was found on the side of the road and his cycle was flung about 150 metres ahead. Later, the Delhi police had seized the vehicle and the accused has been detained.

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CBI files chargesheet in RG Kar case, says Sanjay Roy raped, murdered doctor

The investigation agency did not mention the charge of gang rape, indicating that Roy alone committed the crime.

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CBI files chargesheet in RG Kar case, says Sanjay Roy raped, murdered doctor

The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) has filed a charge sheet against Sanjay Roy in the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case. Roy has been charged with the rape and murder of a trainee doctor inside the hospital on August 9.

The CBI in its charge sheet filed before a special court in Kolkata said Roy, who was working as a civic volunteer with the local police, allegedly committed the crime on August 9 when the victim had gone to sleep in the seminar room of the hospital during a break.

The investigation agency did not mention the charge of gang rape, indicating that Roy alone committed the crime. The trainee doctor had been raped and murdered inside the hospital’s seminar room. Reportedly, she had gone to the room to rest amid her marathon shift at the hospital after midnight. Her body was found the next morning by a junior doctor.

As per her post-mortem report, the victim had been raped and murdered. Her autopsy revealed 25 internal and external injuries to her body.

The civic volunteer was seen in CCTV footage entering the seminar room at 4.03 am on August 9. It was noted that he came out of the room after around half an hour. During investigation, the Kolkata police also found the man’s Bluetooth headphones at the crime scene.

Roy was subjected to a lie-detector test after the CBI took over the case. IN the lie-detector test, Roy claimed innocence. He further claimed when he entered the seminar hall, the woman was already unconscious.

When questioned why he didn’t inform the police about the incident, he said he was in a state of panic after seeing the woman in an injured state. The investigation agency reportedly said he was trying to mislead the investigators. Roy had also claimed that he was being framed.

Meanwhile, the CBI has also arrested the former principal of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Dr Sandeep Ghosh, for allegedly trying to mislead the parents of the victim and tampering with evidence.

The former principal had allegedly tried to pass off the murder as a suicide. Sandeep Ghosh also made the victim’s parents wait for three hours before allowing them to see the body. The CBI has also arrested a local police officer. Reportedly, he was also allegedly involved in corrupt practices, including selling unclaimed corpses.

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Maldives first in India’s Neighbourhood First policy, says PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced India’s decision to provide critical financial assistance to the Maldives to help it recover from an ongoing economic downturn.

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Prime Minister also announced India’s decision to provide critical financial assistance to the Maldives to help it recover from an ongoing economic downturn.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reaffirmed the Maldives pivotal role in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision during a meeting with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. Both the leaders discussed deepening bilateral ties after a period of strained relations between the nations.  

Narendra Modi said that India and Maldives relations are centuries old. He added that India is Maldives’ nearest neighbour and close friend. He further asserted that Maldives holds an important position in India’s neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision. India has always played the role of first responder for Maldives, he mentioned.

Maldives president Muizzu, who arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, is on his first state visit to India since assuming office last November. President Mizzu’s visit comes amid efforts to mend relations while navigating an ailing economy back home.

Ties between India and the Maldives have been fraught ever since Muizzu won the presidency on an India Out campaign and directed the eviction of Indian troops from the island nation. Recently, he has toned down his anti-India rhetoric, but New Delhi remains wary of his pro-China leanings.

Despite these aforesaid challenges, both leaders expressed a commitment to enhancing their relationship. Prime Minister Modi stressed on India’s role in supporting the Maldives during times of crisis. The Prime Minister stated that both countries have adopted a shared vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership.

He added that development partnership is an important pillar of India-Maldives relations. He added that INdia has always given preference to the priorities of the people of Maldives. 

Furthermore, the Prime Minister also announced India’s decision to provide critical financial assistance to the Maldives to help it recover from an ongoing economic downturn.

He said that this year, SBI did a rollover of 100 million dollars of the Treasury Bench of Maldives. According to the needs of Maldives, a 400 million dollars and Rs 3000 crores currency swap agreement was also signed.

Notably, the economic cooperation extends to infrastructure development as well. PM Modi and Muizzu virtually inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo International Airport, a project supported by India. Other agreements include Introduction of Rupay card in Maldives by India, both the nations discuss opening of Indian consulate in Addu, and Maldivian consulate in Bengaluru, India hands over 700 social housing units built with its support to Maldives.

In addition, India will roll over a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year to provide essential budgetary relief to the Maldivian government. India and Maldives are also set to start talks on a Free Trade Agreement.

Maldives President Muizzu extended gratitude to PM Modi for the financial support and acknowledged that India has always stood by the island nation in its time of need. He further invited PM Modi to visit the Maldives. He announced a new comprehensive vision document that will include development, maritime security, trade partnerships, energy projects, health.

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