Will observe if BJP fulfils its promises: Karat
Ranchi: The CPI(M) on Tuesday said the Left would remain vigilant on the functioning of the Narendra Modi government and observe fulfilment of its promises. “We will observe (fulfilment of) the promises the BJP made as well as (outlines of) the address by President,” party’s Politburo member Brinda Karat told reporters here today. Karat also attacked the Rajasthan government for its new Labour policy after the state reportedly announced proposals to amend the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the Factories Act, 1948 and the Contract Labour Act, 1970. “Hire and fire policy is the gift to the labour force after BJP won all the 25 seats in Rajasthan,” Karat alleged and further warned that the Left’s fight to protect the interest of labour would continue. Karat, who is the party’s in-charge for Jharkhand, also opposed the Centre’s sanction to raise the height of Sardar Sarovar Dam by the 138.62 metre height, “overlooking the problem of displacement in three states”. (PTI)
BJP slams Manjhi for describing ‘jungle raj’ as ‘old issue’
Patna: Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday criticised Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi for describing ‘jungle raj’ in the state as ‘an old issue’. “You can afford to forget it, but we are unable to do so,” Modi, a former deputy chief minister told reporters here. “The ‘jungle raj’ during the rule of former chief minister Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi for 15 years between 1990 and 2005 still haunted the people,” Modi alleged. Bihar was being pushed back to the same era of lawlessness given the spurt in crime in recent months, he said. The morale of criminal and anti-social elements had received a boost merely on speculation of the RJD and the JD(U) allying ahead of the assembly polls, he alleged. The Chief Minister had yesterday described the ‘jungle raj’ of the RJD rule as an ‘old issue’ to defend his predecessor Nitish Kumar contacting his arch-rival Lalu Prasad to seek support of RJD MLAs for the victory of the JD(U) candidates in the bypoll for the two Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar. (PTI)
Will write to PM for Nihalchand’s dismissal: NCW
New Delhi: The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Tuesday said it will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding dismissal of Union minister Nihalchand after his name came up in an alleged rape case. “This is really unacceptable. Even when a minister commits a heinous crime like rape, the punishment meted out to him should be the same as that for a commoner. “I will write to the Prime Minister and seek action against the minister…. The minister must be immediately dismissed from government,” NCW chairperson Mamta Sharma said. Nihalchand and 16 others were named in an FIR lodged by a 24-year-old married woman from Jaipur. In the FIR filed in 2011, she alleged that the accused had sexually exploited her. Nihalchand and the other accused have been asked by a Jaipur court to appear before it in connection with the case. The notices were issued by the court on a review petition filed by the complainant. Nihalchand is the the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertiliser and the only MP from Rajasthan in Modi’s Cabinet. Congress has already questioned Modi’s silence over the issue while demanding Nihalchand’s resignation. Congress leader Shobha Oza had said that despite Modi giving speeches on the safety of women, Nihalchand is yet to be sacked. (PTI)
Top US officials visit Super 30 in Bihar, laud the concept
Patna: Top US officials in India on Tuesday visited the Super 30 Academy and appreciated the innovative idea of mathematician Anand Kumar of helping students from humble background to qualify entrance tests for premier engineering institutions. Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassy Michael Pelletier and Consul General Helen G LaFave went to Super 30’s dingy classroom at Kumar’s home here, during their two-day visit to Bihar to witness innovative things in the state. “It’s exciting to visit Super 30 Academy. We had heard and read a lot about the concept which has attracted us here,” Pelletier said. “It’s because of such noble concept education in India is lauded world over. It’s good to see that students from humble background could realise their dream with the help of Super 30,” Pelletie and LaFave said after interacting with the students. (PTI)