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AUTHORITIES FAIL TO STOP RAMPANT SMUGGLING OF HERITAGE ITEMS IN CHANDIGARH

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It has been 10 years so far, yet the Chandigarh Administration hasn’t been able to nab the smugglers of Chandigarh heritage Furniture items, the illicit process is rampant and is not stopping. These items of antique value have been selling in France and other parts of several countries at heavy prices. And surprisingly, all possible departments of the Central government got apprised with the matter before the bids took place yet the latter failed to stop the smuggling and bidding. On 22 July, the Archaeological Survey of India (Antiquity) department wrote Commissioner of Customs to stop the smuggling of Chandigarh Heritage Furniture items.

12 auctions that have been held in Luxemburg of Europe, USA, Milan of Italy, Paris by different groups. Heritage items namely, PIERRE JEANNERET (1896-1967) Take Down chairs, PIERRE JEANNERET (1896-1967) Easy chairs, Rare “Office Cane Chair” of an officer by Pierre JEANNERET (1896-1967) In teak, etc. have been sold for Euro 20,000 to USD 6250.

Archaeological Survey of India (Antiquity) wrote a letter to the Commissioner of Customs while mentioning 22 February released orders of MHA, stated, “It is to note that; in this regard, MHA had issued “Order” on 22 February 201I for prevention of Architectural Heritage of Chandigarh. It is further learned from the letter of principal Secretary, Home Chandigarh that the Chandigarh Police had filed an FIR in alleged smuggling of the heritage furniture and acquired certain items from Delhi Custom Office. It is further to mention that till these architectural items are declared as ‘Art Treasures’; ASI cannot take any action as these heritage items don’t come under the category of ‘Antiquity’ & ‘Art Treasure’. It is, therefore, requested to please prevent the export of heritage furniture of Chandigarh; given the “Order” issued by MHA. This information may kindly be circulated to all custom exit channels (Air/Sea).”

Ajay Jagga, Member, Heritage Protection cell of Chandigarh says, “I am extremely thankful to the ASI, for the order, dated 22-July, 2021, which has been passed on my representation dated 31-05-2021, in the interest of national heritage (UT heritage) and to prevent the illicit trafficking of Chandigarh heritage items so that none can take the heritage items of Chandigarh beyond the boundaries of India. The order issued, a copy of which has been sent to me, in this regard will be of great help, as presumably, no heritage item of Chandigarh can go outside the country. With this order, atleast, the illicit export of these items will come to an end, as all the ports whether AirPort or Sea Port customs departments have been instructed to restrict the exports, in terms of the earlier MHA order of 22 February 2011.”

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Haryana Board of School Education declares Class 12 examination result

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Haryana Board of School Education has declared the 12th class annual examination result on Monday. This time the examination could not be held due to the pandemic, so preparing the result was a big challenge before the board, Secretary of the board, Rajiv Prasad said.

The results were declared after a long consultation with the Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. The result was prepared by adding 30 percent of the total marks of class X, 10 percent of 11th and 60 percent of the internal assessment given by the school of class XII.

The result of the exam is 100 percent. The special thing about this result is that no candidate has failed. Out of total 2,27,585 candidates of Senior Secondary (Regular) examination, the result of 2,21,263 candidates has been declared. The results of a total of 5,605 candidates of Swayampati examination have also been declared, which includes 3,893 boys and 1,782 girls.

The secretary said that the special thing was that not a single student from any school was given 100 percent marks in class 11th. This was the reason that not a single student could get 100 percent marks in this result. But still the board is happy that the percentage of those who have scored 95 to 99 percentile is 13503. Of these, 1350 got 99 percent marks. For the first time in the history of the board, no student has failed.

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CM WINDOW HARYANA TAKES STERN ACTION AGAINST 937 CORRUPT OFFICIALS

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CHANDIGARH: Taking cognizance against complaints received on ‘CM window’ set up in December 2014, the Haryana government has taken stern action against the 937 irresponsible and corrupt officials and employees during a period of 6.2 years, setting up an example for others. It is pertinent to mention that the CM window is an online grievances system that was launched to address and sort out the issues of commoners across the state. These government employees hailed from 23 different departments. The Gram Panchayat and Rural development wing emerged on top with 228 candidates which is very shocking. Following the inquiry, the government took action against 208 employees of the cooperation department along with 138 employees of the health wing, which indicates their carelessness and casual approach towards the problems and issues of the common people. Besides, the transport department has been in fourth place with 72 employees followed by education, urban local bodies and agriculture departments with 59, 51 and 29, employees respectively.

What is of more concern is that among these all, a lot of them were found taking or asking for bribes or involved in corruption. It is worth mentioning that as many as 812995 complaints were received against government officials as well employees and a maximum 154502 and 154520 complaints were received on the window in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Out of the mentioned above, 35941 were of high priority in nature requiring urgent action or attention. Thus, the data revealed that on anaverage 565 complaints of this category were received a month till the month of February 2021 since the system’s inception. After having a glance at statistics, the districts including Hisar, Faridabad, Jind, Sirsa, and Bhiwani emerged on top with respect to such complaints. It is also stated on the part of the government that those who are not taking timely action against the culprit officials also would be subject to the same fate.

Out of the whole complaints, the Police department remained on top as maximum complaints are associated with the department. Few of the complaints were filed against the officials and officials of the department and the inquiry resulted in action against them. Most of the culprits belong to the department with maximum public dealing. 

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Himachal transport employees on ‘indefinite’ strike

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Over 3,000 buses stayed off the roads in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday as drivers and conductors went on indefinite strike for their demands. The Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus drivers and conductors started a state-wide strike for the demand of their pending dues with the Corporation.

HRTC employees’ union president Manoj Sharma said, “The trigger for this strike has been the transfer of our regional manager to Nerwa. We have been demanding night allowance, overtime allowance, dearness allowance of 8%, and clearance of arrears for several months now. But instead of fulfilling our demands, the government is trying to humiliate honest officers, following pressure from private bus operators.”

To mark our protests, we have given a strike call all across the state, Sharma said. The strike will continue until our demands are fulfilled, he added.

Meanwhile, the commuters are facing problems as the buses of HRTC are held off, and passengers are dependent only on private fleet or taxi services.

Over eight thousand employees of transport corporation, which include the maximum number of drivers and conductors and a fleet of over 3100 buses on about 200 routes were off duty. Employees adamant about canceling the transfer have threatened an indefinite strike.Protestors also demand to bring the daily paid worker on a contract, and furthermore, payment of medical allowances and delayed salaries have also triggered the anger of the HRTC employees.

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CBI REGISTERS FIR AGAINST KERALA POLICE OFFICIALS IN NAMBI NARAYANAN CASE

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday informed the Supreme court that an FIR has been registered against former Kerala police officers, who allegedly framed space scientist Nambi Narayanan in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) espionage case of 1994, after perusing a report filed by the Supreme Court-appointed Justice D.K. Jain Committee.

During the hearing, the Supreme court observed that the CBI investigation into the FIR would proceed following law. The court said the CBI should not let the committee report either overwhelm or influence its independent investigation.

The bench told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, that the copy of the FIR needs to be uploaded on the CBI website. SG Tushar Mehta said the FIR copy will be uploaded by the end of the day.

The bench also dissolved the Justice DK Jain Committee, stating its report will not be made public.

The court said if any of the parties had further grievance in the case, they could approach the Supreme Court.

Earlier on April 15, the court had asked the CBI to submit the investigation report on this issue in three months. Nambi Narayanan, who was engaged in making indigenous cryogenic engines, was arrested by the Kerala Police in 1994.

He was accused of selling the technology to foreigners. Later, this whole case turned out to be fake. The court had earlier ordered a compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the scientist. Along with this, the action was also spoken against the officers who implied them.

The ISRO spy case came to light in 1994 when Narayanan was arrested on charges of espionage along with another senior ISRO official, two Maldivian women, and a businessman. The CBI had found that the top police officers in Kerala were responsible for the illegal arrest of Narayanan.

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Prashant Kishor’s team detained in Tripura: sources

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According to sources, Tripura police have detained 23 members of Prashant Kishor’s Indian Political Action Comittee (IPAC) team at the Woodland Park Hotel in Agartala since Sunday night. Sources said that the team has been put under house arrest.

A team of 23 people from IPAC, sources said, went to the survey work last week. The party members were staying at the hotel in the capital Agartala. The police suddenly raided the hotel on Sunday night and detained 23 members. Tripura Trinamool state president Ashish Lal Singh accused Tripura Chief Minister and BJP leader Biplob Deb of abuse of power.

Singh said, “The ground has shifted from the soles of the BJP’s feet in Tripura. That is why the police administration is trying to suppress the opposition.”

On July 21, the Tripura government was accused of trying to disrupt the Trinamool Martyrs’ Day programme in Agartala. The police suddenly picked up about 50 grassroots leaders and activists from the venue in Gouranganagar. Later, the police said that steps were taken keeping in view the Covid-19 situation.

Incidentally, after being appointed as Trinamool’s ‘advisor’ in July 2019, Kishor’s goal was ‘Mission 2021’. The Trinamool has decided to seek the help of IPAC even after the success of that ‘mission’ in the Assembly polls in West Bengal. BJP-ruled Tripura is scheduled to go to the polls in February 2023. According to local sources, Kishore has already started activism for the Trinamool in the state. Sources said that Prashant Kishor’s team had arrived here more than a week ago and had been moving in from different parts of the state to conduct their survey.

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BENGAL SETS UP JUDICIAL PANEL TO PROBE PEGASUS ESPIONAGE ALLEGATIONS

The move is likely to be seen as an attempt by Mamata Banerjee to force the Centre’s hand to order a wider probe as the potential targets in the list include people from several states.

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The state government of West Bengal has formed a commission to investigate the Pegasus espionage row. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee before leaving for Delhi on Monday. The commission of inquiry consists of retired Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Jyotirmay Bhattacharya and retired Supreme Court Justice MB Lokur.

“We have formed a commission of inquiry into the phone eavesdropping incident,” Mamata told a news conference on Monday. The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting. The commission has been constituted under the Inquiry Act (1952), and has asked to submit a report within six months. Modi.

This comes days after Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, Trinamool MP and party General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee appeared on a list of potential surveillance targets.

“We thought the centre would form an inquiry commission, or a court-monitored probe would be ordered to look into this phone-hacking incident. But the centre is sitting idle… so we decided to form a ‘commission on inquiry’’ to look into the matter,” Banerjee said shortly before she left for Delhi.

Under the Commission of Inquiry Act, both the Centre and states can institute a probe.

However, if the central government has ordered such an inquiry, “no state government shall, except with the approval of the central government, appoint another commission to inquire into the same matter for so long as the commission appointed by the central government is functioning,” the Act says.

It also says that if a state government has ordered an inquiry, “the central government shall not appoint another commission to inquire into the same matter for so long as the commission appointed by the state government is functioning unless the central government is of opinion that the scope of the inquiry should be extended to two or more states”.

Mamata Banerjee’s move is likely to be seen as an attempt by her to force the Centre’s hand to order a wider probe as the potential targets in the list include people from several states.

Mamata Banerjee called the Israeli military-grade spyware “dangerous” and “ferocious”, and said she could not even talk to other opposition leaders, as she feared her phone too had been tapped.

In a scathing attack she said, “Mr Modi, don’t mind. I am not attacking you personally. But you, and maybe the Home Minister, you are deploying agencies against opposition leaders.”

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