Govt introduces liberal visa policy for Afghans
New Delhi: In a relief to hundreds of visiting Afghans, India on Monday announced a new liberal visa policy for the citizens of the war-ravaged country that include allowing stay up to two years and exemption from police reporting for senior citizens and children. The new visa policy for Afghanistan nationals is being introduced on humanitarian grounds for two years with effect from tomorrow, a Home Ministry spokesperson said. As per the policy, Afghanistan nationals will be allowed to stay in India on stay visa/resident permit up to two years at a time. Exemption from police reporting will be granted for Afghans below 12 years or above 65 years. There would be liberal provisions in relation to exemption from the requirement of police reporting under various categories, including for Afghan students, medical patients, short-term visitors, businessmen, scholars, eminent persons, etc. The amenities at Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Delhi, have also been upgraded for the Afghanistan nationals visiting there. “A system of biometric enrolment and photography would be introduced to ensure that such facilities are not misused by unscrupulous elements,” the spokesperson said. The new policy further streamlines procedures being implemented in the current visa policy for citizens of Afghanistan. (PTI)
Minor raped by youth
Muzaffarnagar: A 12-year-old girl was raped allegedly by a youth at Gharipukhpa village in Shamli district, police said on Monday. According to a complaint filed by the victim’s family, the girl was raped by the accused Irshad in sugarcane fields in the village yesterday, they said. On hearing the cries of the girl, some villagers rushed to the spot and handed over the accused to the police after beating him. A case has been registered against the accused. (PTI)
Statement against Shirdi Saibaba by seer resented
Vijayawada: Sanskritic Gaurav Samsthan President Prof GS Murthy on Sunday regretted the alleged statement made by Dwaraka Peethadhipathi against worshipping Shirdi Saibaba and feared such statements could lead to disharmony. In a statement here today, Prof.Murthy, the Former Director of School of Chemistry, Andhra University, deplored the ‘statement,’ made by Dwaraka Peethadhipatam Seer hurt the feelings and faith of millions of devotees of Shirdi Saibaba across the country. ‘Giving such statements will not help in upholding the dignity of the seat but only help degrade the same,’ he slammed. Prof.Murthy called upon the seer to restrain himself from making such controversial statements. (UNI)
Puri king defends Shankaracharya, says govt must resolve issue
Bhubaneswar: A day after Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati boycotted Rath Yatra owing to the ongoing row over devotees of Lord Jagannath climbing over the chariots while performing the pujas, Puri king Divyasingha Deb on Monday said the state government must resolve the issue. “Both the state government and the Jagannath temple administration should make efforts to ensure that the sheer’s traditional role is kept intact. I hope that they would facilitate the traditional rituals performed by Shankaracharya on the chariots,” Deb said. The Shankaracharya yesterday boycotted the Rath Yatra after Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) sent him a letter which restricted him to climb the chariot alone without any of his disciples to perform the pujas. “Even as the Shankaracharya had himself decided to take only two of his disciples to chariots this year, the temple administration insisted him to go alone. As per practice, the seer used to be accompanied by seven persons in the past,” Deb pointed out. “They (SJTA) took the decision of putting restriction on the Shankaracharya without consulting him,” he added. As per the custom, the Shankaracharya is the first person to have darshan of the deities every year during the Rath Yatra before Puri king perform Chhera Pahanra (ceremonial sweeping of chariots). Meanwhile, the RSS and the VHP have reacted sharply against the ‘humiliation’ of the sheer and the institution of Shankaracharya and have threatened to launch agitation unless the state government apologises. (PTI)