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British MPs may have to comply with Sharia law

[email protected] (Agencies)
January 30, 2016

London, Jan 30: British lawmakers may have to comply with the Sharia law including an alcohol ban when they move out of the Westminster Palace which is set to undergo much- needed repairs as the new complex they will shift into is governed by the Islamic law.parliamen

A UK parliamentary committee searching for a new temporary home for the House of Commons away from the Palace of Westminster has identified Richmond House, home to the UK's Department of Health, as a favoured option.

But the building in the Whitehall political hub of London was transferred to finance an Islamic bond scheme of "Sukuk" two years ago, and a condition of its lease is that it cannot be used for purposes not sanctioned by Sharia law.

An official told The Times newspaper that under terms of the deal agreed with the UK Treasury, the sale of alcohol is among activities explicitly forbidden.

"It is true. If MPs want to use Richmond House they'd better give up any hopes it will include a bar," he said.

MPs and peers were told this week that they are likely to have to move out of the Palace of Westminster entirely for at least six years to allow for a four-billion pounds overhaul of the crumbling neo-Gothic pile.

According to the newspaper, parliamentarians will have to leave behind at least 10 licensed bars and restaurants, each well-stocked with competitively priced drinks.

The Richmond House complex, just north of the existing parliamentary estate, has been narrowed down as a favoured options as it can easily be taken within a security cordon and could comfortably accommodate a temporary debating chamber.

In July 2014, UK Chancellor George Osborne had announced that the Treasury was launching the first Islamic bond in a western financial centre.

The 200 million pounds bonds, known as Sukuk, would help make Britain "the western hub of Islamic finance" and the "undisputed centre of the global financial system", he said.

The offer was more than 10 times oversubscribed as central banks and sovereign wealth funds in Gulf states snapped up bonds that pay just over two per cent annually for five years.

Devout Muslims cannot buy traditional government bonds because they pay interest.
Sukuk, an Islamic alternative, permit guaranteed returns if they are linked to rental payments.

In the Treasury version, three government buildings — including Richmond House — are being used to finance the products. To ensure that the Sukuk were fully compliant with Sharia, the Treasury agreed to conditions on the properties' use including a ban on the sale of alcohol.

"The committee is looking at a range of options and no final decision has been taken. It is aware that Richmond House is under a bond," a spokesperson for the joint committee on the Palace of Westminster said.

The 182-year-old Palace of Westminster currently has eight bars in its premises.

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coastaldigest.com news network
July 14,2020

Udupi, Jul 14: Kundapura police in Karnataka have booked a case against a businessman who had violated home quarantine rules as many as 163 times.

Accused Sahab Singh had arrived at his rented house at Koteshwara from Mumbai on June 29. He was asked to remain quarantined in his house till July 13. 

However, he was found loitering and visiting hotels in Udupi. Officials tracked his movement through mobile GPS. He breached the quarantine period 163 times. 

Following the violation, Flying Squad officer N G Bhat filed a complaint against Singh in Kundapura Police Station under IPC Sections 269, and 270.

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News Network
May 23,2020

Bengaluru, May 22: Police commissioner Bhaskar Rao on Friday said the next two Sundays will be ‘full curfew days’ and the city will be under complete lockdown between 7pm Saturday and 7am Monday.

Addressing the media, the top cop said all essential services will be excluded from the curfew. “People attending weddings and other ceremonies can travel. Those wanting to buy food products or medicines too can step out. However, like in lockdown 1.0, people found loitering unnecessarily will be punished,” he said.

According to Rao, city roads will be barricaded like how it was done during lockdown 1.0 and 2.0.

A senior police officer told TOI that during this period, vehicles could be seized under the Disaster Management Act-2005. “So, we request the public not to come out unnecessarily. If we find people roaming in vehicles, we shall seize the rides and owners will have to approach the court later to get them released,” he said.

The government has extended the lockdown till May 31, which includes two Sundays.
Earlier in the day, the state government allowed inter-state travel from Karnataka with the consent of the receiving state. Praveen Sood, Karnataka DG and IGP, said, “Inter-state pass is not required to go out of Karnataka as long as you have the consent of the receiving state. Due to the lockdown, migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons are stranded at different places. They would be allowed to move as usual.”

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 31,2020

Mangaluru, May 31:  Even as the worst locust attack on India in recent years raised concerns over its impact on crops, swarms of locusts have triggered panic in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada too. 

Farmers in the coastal district were taken aback when they found the swarms of locusts, which they feared as the arrival of desert locusts in the region.

According to reports, Renjalady village under the limits of Nuji Baltila Gramp Panchayats in Kadaba taluk and Shirlalu village in Belthangady taluk witnessed locust attacks in last couple of days. 

“Locust swarms were seen in many areas. We have also alerted agriculture department. Already insects have destroyed crops of many farmers,” said a farmer in Shirlalu village.  

Joint director of Dakshina Kannada district agriculture department MC Seetha confirmed that officials have received information from villagers about the locust scare and entemologists have already visited the place to collect more information.

Not Desert Locusts?

“We contacted entemologists and forwarded the pictures that farmers sent to us. Looking at the picture, entemologists have opined that it may be calotropis locust or colour grasshopper. Desert locusts usually arrive in lakhs,” said Ms Seetha. Desert locusts that are destroying crops in other parts of India may not come to Dakshina Kannada, she added.

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