Anna to start indefinite fast today

July 29, 2012

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New Delhi, July 29: Measly turnout at his rallies seems to have impacted Anna Hazare the least, as the septuagenarian announced that he will launch an indefinite fast from Sunday.

“I will fast until we get the Jan Lokpal,” Hazare said, addressing a crowd not exceeding 1,000 people. Accusing the government of “cheating” on the Lokpal Bill issue, Hazare said he is “forced to fast repeatedly, which is not a happy thing.”

He had earlier set a deadline of Saturday before the government to accede to his demands.

Though Hazare reiterated that he will neither contest in the 2014 election nor form a political party, he said the country is not “safe” with the Congress or the BJP at the helm.

Speaking of a change at the Centre, Hazare said he will tour the country extensively and urge people to select candidates to contest the election. His team will verify the background of those candidates and put up their names on the internet, seeking public opinion. “From them, we will put some people to contest elections,” he said, adding that “good people should enter the Parliament” to change the system and implement a strong Lokpal.

“For a vote, money is given to the voters. Those who get elected are making money and they don't know where to keep this money. So they send it to foreign countries. Now it’s time to awaken the voters,” he said.

‘Thin crowds no problem’

Replying to the questions on the receding public support for him, which is reflected in the thin turn out at his rallies, Hazare said: “By getting crowds alone, you won't get the work done. You have to work hard for it.”

Hazare’s close aide Arvind Kejriwal appealed the Gandhian activist not to sit on fast because of health reasons.

"His health is not well. We lost Mahatma Gandhi at a wrong time, We lost Jaiprakash Narayan early and we cannot afford to lose Anna now. So I request Anna not to fast," Keriwal said minutes after a team of around 50 Anna supporters staged a protest outside 7 Race Course house, the residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.


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News Network
May 6,2020

May 6: The government on Tuesday said that the Food Corporation of India, the nodal agency for procurement and distribution of foodgrains, has sufficient stocks in its godowns, even after meeting the requirement of additional wheat and rice provided free of cost during the lockdown period.

Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has given detailed information about the various steps taken by the government and the total stocks of food grains and pulses available with the government and sent to the states till now, an official statement said.

"FCI currently has 276.61 lakh tonnes rice and 353.49 lakh tonnes wheat. Hence a total of 630.10 lakh tonnes food grain stock is available," it said.

As against this, about 60 lakh tonnes of food grains is required for a month under the NFSA (National Food Security Act) and other welfare schemes.

Paswan said FCI stocks are comfortable even after fulfilling extra commitments during the lockdown.

Under the 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana', the Centre is providing 5 kg of free food grains per month to 80 crore ration card holders. This free of cost wheat and rice will be provided for three months. Besides, 1 kg of pulses will also be supplied per family.

This is over and above the normal quota of 5 kg of food grains provided per month per person to about 80 crore people under the food law.

The minister informed that since the lockdown, about 69.52 lakh tonnes of food grains have been transported through 2,483 rail rakes.

Apart from rail route, transportation was also done through roads and waterways. A total of 137.62 lakh tonnes has been transported.

During the lockdown, NGOs and social institutions running relief camps can purchase wheat and rice directly from FCI Depots at Open Market Sales Scheme (OMSS) rate.

The state governments can also purchase food grains directly from FCI. Under the OMSS, the rate of rice is fixed at Rs 22 per kg and wheat at Rs 21 per kg.

Under the 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana', for the next 3 months a total of 104.4 lakh tonnes rice and 15.6 lakh tonnes of wheat is required of which 59.50 lakh tonnes rice and 8.14 lakh tonnes wheat have been lifted by various states and UTs.

The Government of India is bearing 100 per cent financial burden of approximately Rs 46,000 crore under the scheme, the statement said.

For pulses, the total requirement for the next three months is 5.82 lakh tonnes.

So far, 2,20,727 tonnes of pulses have been dispatched, while 1,47,165 tonnes of pulses have reached the states/UTs and 47,490 tonnes have been delivered, it said.

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News Network
May 9,2020

Thrissur, May 9: Five people were arrested for allegedly conducting congregational prayers at a mosque here in violationofthe COVID-19 lockdown norms.

A case was registered against five people for conducting evening prayers on Friday, police said.

We received information that prayers were being conducted in the mosque, they said adding they were held at Eriyad Masjidul Bilal mosque here.

On Friday, four people, including the president of a local temple trust, were arrested for allegedly conducting a religious recitation in a temple here in violation of lockdown restrictions.

Though lockdown conditions have been eased in accordance with the Centre's guidelines, public gatherings, including functions, weddings, political events and religious gatherings were not allowed.

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Agencies
March 8,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 8: Five more people from

Kerala have tested positive for coronavirus, Health minister, K K Shailaja said on Sunday.

All the five hail from Pathnamthitta district.

While three of them had returned from Italy on February 29, two others were their relatives, the minister said.

All the five have been isolated in Pathnamathitta general hospital and are under observation.

Their tests were confirmed on Saturday night.

Earlier, India's first three positive cases had been reported from the state.

All the three patients, medical students from Wuhan, have been treated and discharged from hospitals.

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