BJP IT cell now targets Kiran Shaw

Agencies
December 3, 2019

New Delhi, Dec 3: Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Spokesperson Amit Malviya and industrialist, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw were on Monday locked in a fiery argument whether she funds the Independent Public Spirited Media Foundation (IPSMF), which in turn supports anti-Modi propaganda.

As panelists on a TV debate, Malviya and Shaw were part of a heated argument on Shaw funding this new age media which is a Modi baiter. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw has joined the chorus against intolerance of the government after comments by Rahul Bajaj.

Malviya said that since Shaw is on the show he would like to tell the viewers that she and her company funds the IPSMF and is among the biggest donors. IPSMF funds vicious new age media which routinely runs vicious anti government propaganda, Malviya said.

"Nobody makes a point about it," he said.

Shaw reacted angrily to the comment by Malviya and denied that her company funds IPSMF.

However, a perusal of the Foundation's records show that Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is listed among the major donors.

The donors include Shaw, Aamir Khan, Azim Premji Philanthrophic Initiatives, Piramal Enterprises, Pirojsha Godrej Foundation, Rohini Nilekani Philanthophies, Rohinto and Anu Aga Family Discretionary No 2 Trust, Manipal Education and Medical Group, Cyrus Guzder, Lal Family Foundation, Sri Nataraja Trust and Unimed Technologies, Quality Investment, Tejaskiran Pharmachem India and Viditi Investment.

The IPSMF in turn has given grants to several media outlets. These include The Print, The Wire, The Caravan, The News Minute, The Ken, Swarajya, Live Law.in, Down to Earth, EPW, Alt News, CG Net Swara, Dool News, East Mojo.com, Gaon Connection, IS., IP Podhu, Khabar Leharia, Max Maharashtra, Pragati, The Better India, wtd News, Satyagraha, Weekly Sadhana, Suno India, India Development Review, Janjwar, Sikkim Chronicle, The Bastion, among others.

Denying the intolerance charge, Malviya said that earlier governments made policies meant to benefit select corporates. He said the Modi government wants fair and equitable policies which are not meant to please or favour. He said that earlier, corporates had disproportionate impact on businesses.

Shaw said that Any criticism offered by India Inc is being seen as anti-national or anti-Modi government which is ridiculous. She added that captains of industry are worried to speak their mind, so that they are perceived to be anti-government.

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News Network
June 15,2020

New Delhi, Jun 15: On Monday, petrol and diesel prices across the country were raised for the ninth consecutive day by 48 paise and 59 paise, respectively.

Petrol price per litre was raised to Rs 76.26 in New Delhi, Rs 83.17 in Mumbai, Rs 79.96 in Chennai, Rs 79.17 in Hyderabad, Rs 78.73 in Bengaluru and Rs 78.10 in Kolkata.

Diesel price per litre was hiked to Rs 74.62 in New Delhi, Rs 73.21 in Mumbai, Rs 72.69 in Chennai, Rs 72.93 in Hyderabad, Rs 70.95 in Bengaluru and Rs 70.33 in Kolkata.

Since 7 June, after ending their 82-day hiatus in daily revision, state-owned oil marketing companies have increased petrol price by Rs 5 per litre and diesel by Rs 5.23 per litre.

These prices are close to levels last seen in October-November 2018 when international oil prices had spiked close to $80 per barrel. In October 2018, petrol price in Mumbai had crossed Rs 90-mark and in Delhi, it was around Rs 83 per litre.

Comparatively, on Monday, Brent crude, the international benchmark for crude oil prices, fell 2.3 percent to $37.84 a barrel over concerns of subdued demand for fuel as new coronavirus infections were reported in China and the US.

The present spike in fuel prices in India could be attributed to the fact that central and state governments, along with oil marketing companies are looking to make up for their loss in revenues due to the lockdown.

Last month, the central government had increased the excise duty on per litre of petrol by Rs 10 and per litre of diesel by Rs 13. Several state governments have also hiked their VAT or cess on fuel in the last month. In fact, now around 70 percent of the retail price of fuel is just some form of tax.

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News Network
January 27,2020

Kolkata, Jan 27: The West Bengal government on Monday tabled a resolution against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in the Assembly.

The resolution appeals to the Union government to repeal the amended citizenship law and revoke plans to implement NRC and update NPR.

As per reports, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee introduced the resolution in the House around 2 pm.

Three states - Kerala, Rajasthan and Punjab - have already passed resolutions against the new citizenship law.

The law has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with the TMC opposing the contentious legislation tooth and nail, and the BJP pressing for its implementation.

The new citizenship law has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with the TMC opposing the contentious legislation tooth and nail, and the BJP pressing for its implementation.

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News Network
July 14,2020

Jaipur, Jul 14: In a show of strength, Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot-led Rajasthan Congress camp on Monday released a video showing at least 16 MLAs sitting together.

This comes hours after the Congress held a legislature party meeting. Party leaders said 106 of 122 MLAs attended, a claim contested by the Pilot camp.

The 10-second video was shared late at night on Pilot's official WhatsApp group.

In the video, at least 16 MLAs are seen sitting together in a close circle. Pilot is not seen in the video.

Six other people can be seen in the video but they could not be identified.

Some of the MLAs seen in the video are Indraraj Gurjar, Mukesh Bhakar, Harish Meena.

Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh tweeted the video with the caption "Family".

Ladnun MLA Mukesh Bhakar tweeted, "...Loyalty in Congress means Ashok Gehlot's slavery. That is not acceptable to us."

Pilot has been upset since he was denied the Rajasthan chief minister's post after the December 2018 assembly elections.

On Sunday, he claimed to have the backing of 30 Congress MLAs and "some independents".

Those close to him disputed Gehlot's claim that his government had a majority, and said this is proven in the assembly and not at the CM's house.

Sources close to him have also ruled out the possibility of Pilot joining the BJP.

In the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, the Congress has 107 MLAs and the BJP 72. In the past, the ruling party has claimed the support of 13 independents, two MLAs each from the CPM and the Bharatiya Tribal Party, and one from the Rashtriya Lok Dal.

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