Kamla Beniwal Sacked As Governor, Government Cites 'Serious Allegations'

August 7, 2014

Gujarat GovernorNew Delhi, Aug 7: The government today justified sacking Mizoram governor Kamla Beniwal - just two months before her tenure ends - as it confronted opposition allegations of "vendetta politics".

Ms Beniwal, who had sharp differences with Narendra Modi when he was Gujarat Chief Minister, had been shifted from Gujarat to Mizoram exactly a month ago.

"Action was taken within rules, as per Constitution. There are serious allegations. The government has taken serious note of her conduct," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu, denying any politics behind the move.

Sources say Ms Beniwal's sacking is linked to her alleged involvement in a land scam four years ago, in her home state Rajasthan. She is accused of claiming plots of land after stating in false affidavits that she had tilled the land for 14 to 16 hours a day for 50 years, even when she was a minister in the state's Congress government.

Opposition parties, however, allege that the 87-year-old was punished for taking on Mr Modi in Gujarat, the state he ruled for 13 years before taking charge as Prime Minister in May.

Congress leader Manish Tewari said, "Governors are constitutional authorities. They cannot be trampled upon like this."

It is "clear political vendetta", added Congress ally Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party, citing a 2010 Supreme Court ruling that a "change in government at the Centre is not a ground for removal of Governors to make way for others favoured by the new government."

Samajwadi Party's Naresh Aggarwal concurred, saying, "Political vendetta around the constitutional high office isn't good for the country."

As Gujarat governor, Ms Beniwal had challenged the Modi government on the appointment of a Lokayukta, or anti-corruption ombudsman. Recently, it was revealed that she spent Rs. 8.5 crore on frequent air travel at taxpayers' expense.

The ruling BJP moved to replace governors appointed by the previous Congress-led UPA regime days after coming to power. Six governors resigned and some refused to budge. Veteran Congressman Virendra Kataria was removed as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry recently.

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News Network
March 3,2020

Tehran, Mar 3: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday urged Indian authorities to ensure the well-being of all Indians and not let "senseless" violence prevail.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Thursday that law enforcement agencies were working on the ground to prevent violence and ensure restoration of confidence and normalcy.

Mr Kumar has urged international bodies not to make irresponsible statements at this sensitive time. "Iran condemns the wave of organised violence against Indian Muslims. For centuries, Iran has been a friend of India. We urge Indian authorities to ensure the wellbeing of ALL Indians & not let senseless thuggery prevail. Path forward lies in peaceful dialogue and rule of law," Zarif tweeted.

The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in Delhi has claimed at least 42 lives. Frenzied mobs have torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at police personnel.

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News Network
May 13,2020

New Delhi, May 13: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will address a press conference in New Delhi at 4 pm on Wednesday.

The information regarding the press conference by the Union Finance Minister was given through a tweet by the Ministry of Finance today morning.

Sitharaman's press conference comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced USD 265 billion fiscal stimulus to deal with COVID-19 situation in the country. The package is the second largest in Asia after Japan.

"I announce a special economic package today. This will play an important role in the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.' The announcements made by the government over COVID, decisions of RBI and today's package totals to Rs 20 lakh crore (USD 265 billion). This is 10 per cent of India's GDP," the Prime Minister said in his address to the nation on Tuesday.

"This economic package is for our small-scale industries, MSMEs, which are the means of livelihood of crores of people and is the strong base of our resolve for self-reliant India. To prove the resolve of self-reliant India, the emphasis has been given on land, labour, liquidity and laws, in this package," he added.

The PM had also said that the economic package is for "the country's workers, farmers, who are working hard day and night for the countrymen in every season. This economic package is for the middle class of our country, who pays tax honestly and contributes to the development of the country."

He had announced that the fourth phase of the nationwide COVID-19 induced lockdown would be in "new form with new rules."

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News Network
April 21,2020

New Delhi, Apr 21: India's count of positive coronavirus cases reached 18,985 after 1,329 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Tuesday.

Out of the total cases, 15,122 are active cases, 3,259 have been discharged or cured and one has migrated. With 44 new deaths reported in the last 24 hours, the toll stands at 603.

As per the evening update by the ministry, Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state with 4,669 cases, out of which 572 patients have been discharged and cured and 232 deaths.

Delhi's total count of confirmed cases stand at 2,081, which includes 431 cured or discharged cases and 47 deaths.

Gujarat has reported a total of 2,066 positive COVID-19 cases, out of which 131 patients have recovered or discharged, while 77 patients have lost their lives.

Madhya Pradesh's count of COVID-19 cases stand at 1,540, including 127 cured or discharged cases and 76 deaths.

Rajasthan has so far reported 1,576 positive cases, out of which 205 patients have recovered or discharged and 25 people have lost their lives.

Tamil Nadu's COVID-19 figure has risen to 1,520, with 457 patients recovered and 17 fatalities. Uttar Pradesh has reported 1,294 cases, out of which 140 patients have recovered and 20 are dead.

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