Former Minister and Congress Leader Sajjan Singh Verma has raised questions about the damaged idols installed in the Mahakal Lok premises in Ujjain, claiming that they were made of weak materials and Chinese components. He added that the conditions of religious places like Mahakal Lok indicate the ruling BJP Government’s pinnacle of corruption. Verma criticized the quality of the idols and claimed that the BJP’s electoral fate is likely to be similar to these damaged idols. He said that the Congress had planned to develop Mahakal Lok at a cost of Rs 300 crores while the BJP planned it at Rs 97 crores. He further stated that Sanatan Dharma does not give the BJP a license to indulge in corruption in the development and maintenance of religious places. In response, Urban Welfare and Housing Minister Bhupendra Singh denied the allegations of irregularities in the making of idols and called the Congress’ statements ‘cheap politics’. New idols will be installed in place of the damaged ones at the Mahakal Lok premises.
India Aims to Become World’s Third-Largest Economy: Union Minister Hails 9 Years of Governance under PM Modi
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that India is now aiming to become the world’s third-largest economy. Speaking on Morgan Stanley’s ‘Transformation’ Report on India, the minister said that the country has undergone unprecedented transformation over the past nine years and is now the fastest-growing economy in the world. He further added that the Congress-led UPA government left the economy in tatters in 2014, with 14 quarters of runaway inflation, declining growth, and an economy that had been battered due to corrupt lending practices and NPAs. However, due to PM Modi’s systematic work and determination over the past nine years, India has been rebuilt and is now the pride of the world. Morgan Stanley Research’s report highlights the ten big changes and their implications for India’s economy and market.
Complaint Filed Against Man for Deceiving Woman with False Marriage Promise.
A woman from Devarniya has filed a complaint against a man who she alleges developed a physical relationship with her under the pretense of marriage. After becoming pregnant, the woman claims he forced her to have an abortion through the use of drugs. The police have registered a case under the appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code and are currently investigating the matter further. The Superintendent of Police, Rajkumar Agarwal, released a statement outlining the charges against the accused, including causing miscarriage without a woman’s consent and sexual assault.
ED Seizes 78 Properties of Chennai Firm in Bank Fraud Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has announced that it has attached 78 immovable properties and 16 movable properties, valued at approximately Rs 124 crores, belonging to various persons and entities linked to the Chennai-based Surana Group of Companies under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation is related to three cases of bank fraud totaling Rs 3,986 crore of principal outstanding amount to public sector banks. Last August, the ED had attached 75 immovable properties, including 67 windmills valued at Rs 113.32 crore total, of the same company. Investigations led to Surana Group’s three companies falsifying transactions to defraud banks and provided a paper trail showing money going to their shell companies and subsequently into their personal accounts. The group reportedly established four firms in Singapore into whom they exported goods, and which ultimately saw a portion of the returned funds used to purchase movable and immovable properties in the names of benami individuals and companies. The accounts turned into Non-Performing Assets, or NPAs, following irregularities, according to the ED. Four individuals, including the Surana Group directors, two dummy directors of shell companies, and a member of the group’s family were arrested last July. The investigation is still ongoing.
Morgan Stanley Report: India has undergone significant changes since 2013
According to a report by Morgan Stanley, India has undergone significant transformations in the past decade, resulting in positive consequences for the economy and market outlook. The report highlights 10 major changes, including policy reforms, digitalization of social transfers, and government support for corporate profits. The report predicts that India will become a key driver for Asian and global growth, with GDP and growth differentials swinging in India’s favor in the next decade. The report also highlights implications for the macro and market outlook, such as an increase in manufacturing and capex as a percentage of GDP and India’s export market share doubling by 2031. Additionally, the report predicts lower volatility in inflation and a profit boom. The report does note key risks for India, such as a global recession or a fragmented general election outcome in 2024. Overall, the report paints a positive picture of India’s future economic and market prospects.
TN Water Resources Minister Vows to Oppose Karnataka’s Mekdatu Dam Project
Tamil Nadu’s Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan has reiterated the state’s opposition to Karnataka’s Mekdatu Dam project. Speaking in response to reports of Karnataka Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar’s plans to complete the project, Duraimurugan stated that Tamil Nadu would oppose it in all possible ways. He added that the Mekdatu project had not been mentioned in judgments by the Supreme Court and Cauvery Centre Board and that it would negatively impact Tamil Nadu. Duraimurugan intends to hold discussions with Shivakumar on the matter in the near future. Shivakumar has asked irrigation department officials to prioritize the dam project, which has long been a source of tension between the two states.
FIR registered against 2 websites for allegedly defaming Savitri Bai Phule in Maharashtra
Mumbai police have filed an FIR (first information report) against two websites for allegedly publishing defamatory content against social reformer Savitri Bai Phule. The websites IndicTales and Hindupost are accused of publishing content that violates sections 500 and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The FIR was lodged by National Congress Party (NCP) leaders, who met with the Mumbai police commissioner to file the complaint. Further details are yet to be provided on the matter.
Assets Worth Rs 124 Crore Linked to Chennai Firm Seized
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has temporarily confiscated 78 immovable and 16 movable properties worth Rs 124 crore in the possession of persons and entities tied to the Chennai-based Surana Group of Companies. The seizure is linked to three cases of bank fraud involving Rs 3,986 crore of principal outstanding amount to public sector banks. The ED initiated a money laundering investigation following three FIRs filed by the CBI, Bengaluru, against Surana Industries Limited, Surana Power Limited and Surana Corporation Limited. The investigation revealed the three companies in the Surana Group allegedly defrauded banks by setting up a network of shell companies. The authorities arrested Dinesh Chand Surana, managing director of Surana Industries Limited and Surana Power Ltd, Vijay Raj Surana, managing director of Surana Corporation Limited, and two dummy directors of shell companies – P Anand and I Prabhakaran on July 12, 2022, and they were sent to judicial custody.
