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Surge in HIV Cases In Maharashtra: Govt Ponders Strategies

According to the statistics, in the year 2022-2023, around 14,347 people were identified with HIV in Maharashtra, of which 5-6% (674) were in the 17-22 age group.

Mumbai: The increase in the HIV cases among the vulnerable risk groups has forced the Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) to re-think on effective strategies to step up the awareness about the deadly disease among youth.

According to the statistics, in the year 2022-2023, around 14,347 people were identified with HIV in Maharashtra, of which 5-6% (674) were in the 17-22 age group.

Surge in HIV cases among adolescents

A senior official said that considering the surge in the case among adolescents, they have listed 14,000 colleges across the state where Red Ribbon Clubs (RRC) will be organised. According to MSACS data, there are approximately 2.36 lakh people living with HIV in Maharashtra and in Mumbai there are more than 4,000 HIV-positive persons.

Meanwhile, according to the data provided by the Mumbai Districts Aids Control Society (MDACS), this year from April to August, the city has recorded 1,432 HIV cases, which means around 12 people are identified with HIV per day.

Dr Ishwar Gilada, consultant in HIV, STDs, and Infectious Diseases and President-Emeritus, AIDS Society of India, has said that there has been a slow rise in HIV cases among adolescents which is not good for society. There is a need for conducting RCC to promote awareness about HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

Scientific sex education- need of the hour

“Plenty of sex material is available on the net or on campus and young people surely explore. But scientific sex education is opposed or at best shied away. A third of young people, especially males, visiting our clinic had their first sex experience as ‘abuse’. And it is common that an abused person becomes an abuser in due course,” said Dr Gilada.

The RRC is a movement started by the Government of India in schools and colleges through which students will spread awareness of HIV / AIDS as well as promote voluntary blood donation among youth between the age of 17-25 years.

A senior health official from the state health department said, “There is no watch on adolescents of what they are doing or watching on social media. Moreover, there are several dating apps and indulging with strangers online without knowing the risk factors. The current generation is way ahead of everything due to conducting awareness camps to promote HIV which has taken a backseat.”

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/surge-in-hiv-cases-in-maharashtra-govt-ponders-strategies

Govt’s Agenda For Special Parliament Session: Discussion On 75 Years Of Parliament, 4 Bills

Special Session Of Parliament: During the session, the government has also listed the bill on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners to be taken up for consideration and passage.

The government on Wednesday listed a special discussion on Parliament’s journey of 75 years starting from the Samvidhan Sabha on the first day of the five-day session of Parliament beginning September 18. During the session, the government has also listed the bill on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners to be taken up for consideration and passage. The bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha during the last Monsoon session.

“Discussion on ‘Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings'” will be held on September 18 besides other formal business like laying of papers.

The session is likely to see the proceedings of Parliament moving from the old building to the new Parliament building. The other listed business for Lok Sabha includes ‘The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023’ and ‘The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023’, already passed by Rajya Sabha on 3 August 2023.

Besides, ‘The Post Office Bill, 2023’ has also been listed in the Lok Sabha business, according to an official bulletin. The bill was earlier introduced in Rajya Sabha on 10 August 2023. The list of businesses is tentative and more items can be added.

The government has also convened a meeting of the floor leaders of all political parties on September 17, a day before the start of the five-day session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said. The invitation for the meeting has been sent to all leaders concerned through e-mail, Joshi posted on social media platform X.

On August 31, Joshi announced a “special session” of Parliament for five days from September 18 but did not spell out any specific agenda for it. “Amid Amrit Kaal, looking forward to having fruitful discussions and debate in Parliament,” Joshi had posted on X.

Sharing the agenda for the special Parliament session on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said it “is much ado about nothing” and all this could have waited till the Winter session in November, but added that the government could be having “legislative grenades” up its sleeves.

“Finally, after pressure from Sonia Gandhi’s letter to the Prime Minister, the Modi Govt has condescended to announce the agenda for the special 5-day session of Parliament beginning September 18th,” he said.

“The agenda as published at the moment, is much ado about nothing — all this could have waited till the Winter session in November. “I am sure the legislative grenades are being kept up their sleeves to be unleashed at the last moment as usual. Parde ke peeche kuch aur hai! (there is more behind the curtains),” he said on the agenda.

“Regardless, the INDIA parties will steadfastly oppose the insidious CEC Bill,” Ramesh also said. Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when no agenda was listed for the session. Ramesh also earlier in the day listed several previous special Parliament sessions and said each time the agenda was listed in advance.

Source: https://zeenews.india.com/india/govts-agenda-for-special-parliament-session-discussion-on-75-years-of-parliament-4-bills-2662070.html

‘PM Modi Gets Nervous On Adani Matter’, Says Rahul Gandhi As He Calls For JPC Probe Again

A thorough investigation should take place in the Adani matter, Rahul Gandhi told reporters in Mumbai.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) should probe reports that Adani family associates invested “hundreds of millions” in the company through opaque investment funds based in Mauritius.

Billionaire Gautam Adani’s group was on Thursday hit by fresh allegations of associates of the promoter family using Mauritius-based ‘opaque’ investment funds to secretly invest hundreds of millions of dollars to fuel the spectacular rise in group stocks during 2013 to 2018, a charge the conglomerate denied vehemently.

A thorough investigation should take place in the Adani matter, Rahul Gandhi told reporters in Mumbai.

“Why is PM Modi silent? Why doesn’t he get this investigated,” Gandhi asked.

“Prominent global financial newspapers have raised very important questions on the Adani matter,” Rahul Gandhi said, brandishing copies of the newspapers.

“India’s reputation is at stake ahead of the G20 meet in the country. PM Modi should take action and get the Adani issue investigated,” he said.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/pm-modi-gets-nervous-on-adani-matter-says-rahul-gandhi-as-he-calls-for-jpc-probe-again

Who is Brice Oligui Nguema, Gabon’s interim leader?

Nguema heads the Gabonese Presidency’s Republican Guard, the country’s most powerful security unit.

Gabonese soldiers carry General Brice Oligui Nguema, head of the presidential guard which overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba [Screenshot by Gabon 24/AFP]

Minutes after Gabon’s electoral commission announced on Wednesday that President Ali Bongo Ondimba had won a third term in office, senior military officers announced a coup and annulled the election results.According to local media reports, Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema, the commander-in-chief of the Gabonese Republican Guard – the country’s most powerful security unit – and a cousin to Bongo, is the ringleader of the attempted coup.He was later named as the country’s transition leader.

Here’s what we know about him so far.

A powerful figure
Nguema is one of the most influential and enigmatic figures in the country today. The son of a military officer, he trained at the Royal Military Academy of Meknes, in Morocco.

Nguema then served as Bongo’s “aides-de-camp” to a commander in former President Omar Bongo’s Republican Guard, until the former Gabonese leader’s death in 2009.

When Omar Bongo’s son Ali Bongo rose to power in October 2009, Nguema was sent to Morocco and Senegal for diplomatic missions. A decade later, he took over as the head of the guard.

Gabonese soldiers appear on television on August 30, 2023, announcing they were ‘putting an end to the current regime’ and the cancellation of an election that, according to official results, President Ali Bongo Ondimba won [Screenshot from Gabon 24/AFP]

The guard, whose military officers are recognisable by their green berets, is responsible for presidential security. As its head, Nguema tried to fortify Gabon’s internal security systems with reforms that were seen as elongating Bongo’s stay in power.According to local media reports, Nguema also composed a song that included the line: “I would defend my president with honour and loyalty”.Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/30/who-is-brice-oligui-nguema-alleged-coup-leader-in-gabon

Govt slashes LPG prices by ₹200 and expands PM Ujjwala Yojana

In a bid to counter rising kitchen inflation, the Government reduces domestic LPG prices by ₹200, benefiting 33 crore households, and expands PM Ujjwala Yojana with 75 lakh new connections.

Government’s LPG price cut and PM Ujjwala Yojana expansion eases household budgets

In a fight against kitchen inflation, the Government on Tuesday announced lowering the price of domestic LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) by 200 with immediate effect for all 33 crore connections. It also decided to issue another 75 lakh connections under PM Ujjawala Yojana (PMUY).

“This is a gift to crores of my sisters of the country on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Our Government will always do everything possible that improves people’s quality of life and benefits the poor and middle class,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet after a decision taken by the Cabinet. Since May 2020, there has not been a subsidy on LPG cylinders for connection holders except Ujjawala. Even for Ujjawala, ₹200 per cylinder subsidy was announced only in May 2021.

Source : https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/govt-slashes-lpg-prices-by-200-and-expands-pm-ujjwala-yojana/article67248583.ece

The legal luminary invoked the epitaph of famous architect Christopher Wren — “If you want to see his monument, look around you” — and said the government can make a similar boast.

Explaining why he is optimistic about India’s future, prominent lawyer and Managing Partner of Karanjawala and Co, Raian Karanjawala, said that the development we see in the country today is the result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s work ethic.

“A large part of the economic progress is due to the efforts made by the Prime Minister,” he added. According to Karanjawala, Modi does not waste a moment and does not miss any opportunity to make the country shine.

Improved infra

Karanjawala invoked the epitaph of famous architect Christopher Wren — “If you want to see his monument, look around you” — and says the government can make a similar boast.

“If you want to see what they have achieved, all you have to do, is to look around you.” He says that electricity toilets, roads, and phones have reached many villages now.

“If you go to small towns, you will see economic progress. If you go to the smaller cities, you will probably find that either an airport has come up, or is in the process of being built, or is in the pipeline. This has increased the air connectivity in the country manifold,” he added.

According to Karanjawala, distances between cities have shrunk since the government has laid many good highways. “It is on these roadways and railroads that the wheels of commerce travel, and any improvement in such infrastructure leads to an improvement in the economy’s momentum.”

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/bullish-on-india-business/bullish-on-india-pm-modi-does-not-waste-time-says-raian-karanjawala-11266531.html

Govt plans to extend retirement age of LIC Chairperson and heads, MDs of other PSBs

Government plans to increase retirement age of LIC Chairman, SBI Chairman, and other PSB leaders. No final decision yet.

Government is likely to extend retirement age of LIC chairman to 65 years

The government is planning to increase the retirement age of chairman of the Life Insurance Corporation, SBI and other public sector banks (PSBs). The tenure of LIC Chairman is extended to the age of 65 years, according to a news report.

“There is a discussion to increase the age limit for retirement of chiefs of PSBs and Life Insurance Corp (LIC). Simultaneously, discussions are on for raising superannuation age for managing directors of PSBs to 62 years from 60 years,” the official told PTI. Currently the retirement age of LIC chairman is 62 years.

Also read: LIC records 14-fold jump in net profit to ₹9,544 cr

The State Bank of India Chairman Dinesh Khara is also likely to get an extension of tenure, reported PTI. The government is planning to hike the retirement age limit of managing directors of public sector banks (PSBs) to 62 years, from the current 60 years, a senior government official told PTI on Sunday.

Currently, Veteran banker Khara is the chairman of SBI. He took over the leading role in 2020 for three years. As per the current rules, Khara will retire in August next year, when he will turn 63.

Apart from plans and discussion on the extension of retirement age of top leaders, there has been no clear announcement on the same. The final decision on the matter is still pending.

The government appointed Siddhartha Mohanty as the Chairperson of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) until June 29, 2024. Afterwards, he will hold the position of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer till June 7 2025. He replaced M R Kumar in March this year. Currently, LIC has three managing directors, M Jagannath, Tablesh Pandey and Mini Ipe. Extension of retirement age of MDs can also affect their tenures.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/industry/banking/govt-plans-to-extend-retirement-age-of-lic-chairman-and-heads-mds-of-other-psb-sbi-public-sector-bank-11693100788041.html

Arvind Kejriwal Summoned By CBI In Delhi Liquor Policy Case On Sunday: 10 Points

The CBI is investigating allegations that the liquor policy implemented by the Delhi government last year gave undue advantages to private retailers.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned by the CBI for questioning over alleged corruption in the capital’s now-scrapped alcohol sales policy that led to the arrest of his deputy Manish Sisodia in February, sources have told NDTV.

Here are the latest developments in this story:

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has asked Mr Kejriwal to appear for questioning on Sunday, sources said, making it the first instance in recent memory where a Chief Minister has been summoned by the central agency in an investigation.
Sources in the agency said they have uncovered fresh evidence and have grounds to question the Chief Minister now. They said the date was set for Sunday so that it does not disrupt the Chief Minister’s work.
Arvind Kejriwal is yet to comment on the CBI’s move but in the past has said, “There is no such thing as a liquor scam”. The AAP has dismissed the charges as “vendetta” and efforts by the BJP, which governs at the centre, to target one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s most vocal critics.
“Not a single leader of the AAP will be intimidated by these motivated charges. Many of our ministers, leaders and members have been targeted in the past. Our fight against the most corrupt government of PM Modi will go on,” senior party leader Sanjay Singh said.
The CBI is probing allegations that the liquor policy implemented by the Delhi government last year, which ended government control over the sale of liquor in the capital, gave undue advantages to private retailers.
Alleging the involvement of the “highest levels” of Mr Kejriwal’s government in the swindle, the agency has claimed crores in kickbacks were paid for favours in the policy and funnelled into his Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) election campaign in Goa last year.
Manish Sisodia’s arrest in February was the highest-profile arrest in the case so far. The following month, he was arrested while still in jail by the country’s financial crime-fighting agency Enforcement Directorate, which is probing allegations of money laundering in the case.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/arvind-kejriwal-summoned-by-cbi-in-delhi-liquor-policy-case-on-sunday-sources-3948446

Cops cite data to rebut Mehbooba daughter’s claim about passports

The police statement came hours after PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti accused the Regional Passport Office in J&K as well as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of depriving ordinary citizens from “exercising their right to own a passport and travel.”

Rajasthan doctors call off stir against Right to Health Bill after pact with government

The representatives of agitating doctors and Principal Secretary (Medical Education) T. Ravikanth arrived at a consensus

Doctors take part in a protest rally against Rajasthan’s Right to Health bill on MI Road in Jaipur on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: PTI

After two weeks of protest against the Right to Health Bill, private doctors in Rajasthan on Tuesday called off their agitation following an agreement reached with the State government on the applicability of the legislation. The Private Hospitals & Nursing Homes Association announced that all hospitals across the State will start functioning from Wednesday morning.

The representatives of agitating doctors and Principal Secretary (Medical Education) T. Ravikanth arrived at a consensus that the private hospitals which have not availed of concessions or taken land and building at subsidised rates from the State government will be kept out of the purview of the Act. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding comprising eight points after negotiations.

The Right to Health Bill, passed in the State Assembly on March 21, gives every resident of Rajasthan the right to emergency treatment care without prepayment of requisite fee or charges to any health institution. Though Rajasthan became the first State to legislate the right to health, private hospitals were apprehensive of the government’s interference in their functioning after the enforcement of the law.

While the talks with the government officers were continuing, the agitating medicos, accompanied by their family members and para-medical staff, took out a massive rally for the second time on the roads of Jaipur on Tuesday morning. A similar rally was earlier organised on March 27 in a show of strength.

Private Hospitals & Nursing Homes Society’s secretary Vijay Kapoor said the agreement had been reached “without any pressure” and the main demands of the doctors had been accepted, while the government would enforce the right with its own resources. The delegation which went for talks included the representatives of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the United Private Clinics and Hospitals of Rajasthan (UPCHAR).

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said Rajasthan had become the first State with the right to health after the end of the doctors’ strike. “I hope that the doctor-patient relationship will remain cordial in future as well. The doctor fraternity has shown a spirit of service and generosity, which will write a new chapter in social security,” Mr. Gehlot said.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/rajasthan-doctors-call-off-stir-against-right-to-health-bill-after-pact-with-government/article66698870.ece

‘Govt can arrest Amritpal Singh, but…’: Wife Kirandeep Kaur on manhunt, whereabouts

Amritpal Singh’s wife Kirandeep Kaur defended him and his activities, claiming that it was “illegal” the way the police were trying to detain him.

Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh and his wife Kirandeep Kaur.

While Amritpal Singh remained at large despite a massive manhunt, the pro-Khalistan leader’s wife Kirandeep Kaur defended him and his activities, claiming that it was “illegal” the way the police were trying to detain the fugitive self-styled preacher.

In a recent interview with The Week, Kirandeep claimed she did not know about Amritpal Singh’s whereabouts. She, however, said she would not leave him at any cost. She said there is no contact with him and she wanted him back home safely.

“Amrit had told me anything could happen anytime. He was [aware of it]. If the government is against him, it can arrest him, but he never told me that he could be [pursued] in such a way. The way it is being done is illegal and it is not the correct way to try to detain someone,” The Week quoted Kirandeep as saying.

Kirandeep, 29, a UK-based NRI, is reportedly on the Punjab Police radar as her name has allegedly figured in garnering funds from foreign shores for his activities and organisation ‘Waris Punjab De’ of which Amritpal Singh, 30, is the head.

Speaking on the allegation, Kirandeep said, “I am not going to run away from this situation. Allegations that I have links in the UK or that I am doing something illegal. I am here (in India) legally, I can stay here for 180 days. I have been here for two months already. I will not go against the law and will not overstay beyond the stipulated period. This is my home now.”

Kirandeep and Amritpal got married in February in a simple ceremony, months after the latter was made the chief of ‘Waris Punjab De’, the outfit formed by late actor-activist Deep Sidhu.

When asked where she first met him, Kirandeep said she had been following Amritpal on Instagram for a year. “I saw that he was popular and his posts were being shared by many people. I sent him an appreciation message and told him that what he was doing was very good. I said he was powerful in his approach and that I would support him. It was just a supportive message,” she said.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/-govt-can-arrest-amritpal-singh-but-wife-kirandeep-kaur-on-manhunt-whereabouts-101680482818491.html

Gujarat CMO’s PRO resigns over son’s alleged association with imposter ‘PMO officer’

Representative image. Credit: iStock Photo

Weeks after Ahmedabad resident Kiran Patel’s arrest in Jammu and Kashmir for posing as an officer from the Prime Minister Office (PMO) and questioning of his son in the case, additional public relations officer (PRO) to Gujarat chief minister, Hitesh Pandya, on Friday resigned from his post.

Pandya had been PRO of Gujarat chief minister office for over two decades since the time of late chief minister Keshubhai Patel, the first BJP CM of Gujarat. Pandya went on to serve Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was the chief minister for over 12 years, followed by Anandi Patel, Vijay Rupani and incumbent Bhupendra Patel.

When contacted, Pandya confirmed to DH that he had resigned. Giving reasons he told DH, “I have resigned taking moral responsibility…my son (sic) name has been dragged in the conman scandal by media…without proof.” He added, “Reports in media were baseless.”

On March 3, when Jammu and Kashmir police arrested Kiran Patel for impersonating an officer from PMO, there were at least two other persons who were accompanying him. One of them is reported to be Hitesh Pandya’s son, Amit. The J&K police have questioned Amit in this case. The third person has been identified as Jai Sitapara, who is a resident of Rajkot. Pandyas are also originally from Rajkot.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/gujarat-cmos-pro-resigns-over-sons-alleged-association-with-imposter-pmo-officer-1203320.html