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Govt plans life term for dowry death convicts

September 1, 2012
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New Delhi, September 1: The women and child development (WCD) ministry is seeking life term for those convicted in dowry death cases.

WCD minister Krishna Tirath on Friday said, "I will write to the law ministry to enhance punishment for those convicted in dowry death cases to life imprisonment." She also proposed separate fast-track courts for disposal of cases involving women.

In 2011, 8,618 dowry death cases were reported across the country. The ministry is pushing for an all-India cadre of protection officers for women. "We are seeking the Planning Commission's concurrence in this," Tirath said. The Centre would bear 75% expenses, and the rest (25%) will be borne by state governments.

The ministry also plans to make dowry laws more stringent by amending the existing law. It proposed to make listing of wedding gifts compulsory for the bride and the groom. "The list should be submitted in a sealed cover to the dowry prohibition officer. It will be strictly confidential," said Tirath. The list will be submitted in court if required.

On Thursday, she met women MPs to discuss amendments to the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The MPs suggested that if a bride dies, her wedding gifts should go to her parents or children. In case, she does not have parents or children, the gifts would become state property.

The ministry also proposes to be more lenient to those who give dowry. Now, those who give dowry and those who accept it face five years in jail. Amendments propose to reduce jail term for dowry givers to one year. Those who accept dowry would, however, be punished with a minimum of five-seven years in jail, said Tirath. The proposal was supported by MPs, including Samajwadi Party's Jaya Bachchan and Akali Dal's Harsimrat Kaur.

There will also be provisions to enable women to lodge complaint at a police station near her residence where she is staying after leaving her marital home.

During the consultation also proposed registration of all marriages, especially those involving NRIs, and putting them up on a website. "We want the families to inform the government about weddings with NRIs," said Tirath.

Drawing flak for delay in amendments to dowry laws, Tirath hoped it would be ready in six months. The Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill is likely to come up in Parliament on Monday.


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News Network
March 12,2020

Bengaluru, Mar 12: Imarti Devi, who recently resigned as Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday said that she was happy with Jyotiraditya Scindia's decision to join the BJP.

Imarti said: "All 22 MLAs are here (in Bengaluru) on their own. We're happy that Scindiaji has taken this decision. I'll always stay with him even if I had to jump in a well."

"When we were in the Congress, Kamal Nathji never heard us," she said.

Another rebel leader and former minister Mahendra Singh Sisodia said: "Betrayal is not done by Jyotiraditya Scindia. Instead, betrayal was done by the Congress and Kamal Nathji."

"Congress betrayed the people of Madhya Pradesh. We are with Jyotiraditya Scindia," he said.

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Agencies
July 30,2020

New Delhi, Jul 30: Even as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in various parts of India, more than 1 million people have recovered and discharged till now, informed Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health, here on Thursday.

"More than 1 million people have recovered from COVID-19 in the country. This landmark recovery has been achieved because of the selfless work and dedication of our doctors, nurses and frontline workers," Bhushan said at a press conference.

Giving the number of cured persons, Bhushan said, "More than 1,020,000 patients have recovered. They have been discharged. It is a great achievement."

He said, "The recovery rate has shown positive trends. It was 7.85 per cent in April and today it is 64.4 per cent, which is another heartening news which tells us that whatever battle is put by the Union government in collaboration with state governments is showing results."

"Sixteen states of the country have a recovery rate that is more than the national average. Of these, Delhi has a recovery rate of 88 per cent, Ladakh 80 per cent, Haryana 78 per cent, Assam 76 per cent, Telangana 74 per cent, Tamil Nadu & Gujarat 73 per cent, Rajasthan 70 per cent, Madhya Pradesh 69 per cent and Goa 68 per cent," Bhushan said.

He said effective clinical management lead to a decrease in case fatality rate. In June it was 3.33 per cent and now 2.21 per cent.

Bhushan said the case fatality rate in India today is 2.21 per cent and it's among the lowest in the world. Twenty-four states and Union Territories have lesser fatality rate than that of the country.

Herd immunity in a country of the size and population of India can not be a strategic option. It can only be achieved through immunisation.

"Over 18,190,000 tests have been conducted in the country including RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests. There has been a week-on-week increase in average tests per day. India is conducting 324 test per 10 lakhs population per day," Bhushan said.

He added, three vaccine candidates, are in phase 3 clinical trial. These three are in the US, UK and China. In India, two indigenously developed vaccine candidates are in phase I and II of clinical trials. 

Trial of the first vaccine involves 1,150 subjects at eight sites, second on 1,000 subjects at five sites.

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News Network
February 24,2020

Ahmedabad, Feb 24: US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania on Monday tried their hands at spinning the 'charkha' (spinning wheel) at the Sabarmati Ashram here.

Accompanied by PM Narendra Modi, the US president and his wife went around the Ashram, before resuming the roadshow from the airport to the Motera stadium. "To my great friend Prime Minister Naredra Modi, thank you for this wonderful visit," Trump wrote in the Ashram visitors' book.

The US President was briefed about Gandhiji and the importance of charkha as a symbol of self reliance. Trump reached Ahmedabad at 11.37 am for the first leg of his India visit.

US President Donald Trump arrived in Ahmedabad on Monday for the first leg of his India trip. The Air Force One plane carrying Trump and his wife Melania landed at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport here at 11.37 am, officials said. It was scheduled to land at 11.40 am.

Trump, who is also accompanied by daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner and top brass of his administration, will get a taste of India's cultural melange during his high- optics Gujarat itinerary, after the bonhomie between the two leaders at the 'Howdy, Modi!' event in Houston last year.

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