HYDERABAD FRIDAY JUNE 28, 2024 `9.00 PAGES 36 LATE CITY EDITION 12 RAJYA SABHA MPS HELD GUILTY OF MISCONDUCT FOR CAUSING DISRUPTIONS Rajya Sabha Privileges Committee on Thursday held 12 opposition MPs guilty of misconduct for disrupting the House’s proceedings last year RULES BROKEN AMID PROTEST ON MANIPUR ISSUE The MPs, including Aam Admi Party’s Sanjay Singh, were accused of unruly behaviour in Rajya Sabha on August 11, during protests by the Opposition demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak on the Manipur violence. Singh is accused of rushing into the well of the House and pointing at the Chair seeking discussion on the issue | P7 ■ 140+ MPS TOLD TO ADHERE TO CODE OF CONDUCT ■ All of the lawmakers have since appologised. The panel, in its report, told them to “scrupulously adhere to exemplary conduct” Among the 12 MPs held guilty are Shaktisinh Gohil, Sushil Gupta, Sandeep Pathak, Naranbhai J Rathwa, L Hanumanthaiah, Syed Nasir Hussain, Kumar Ketkar, Phulo Devi Netam, and Jebi Mather Hisham LAWMAKERS SUSPENDED IN BOTH HOUSES DURING LAST YEAR’S WINTER SESSION CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Emergency a punching Sampath, Yaskhi join TPCC chief race bag for Murmu as well M A N DA RAV I N D E R R E D DY @ Hyderabad No word on the ambitious One Nation, One Poll, Uniform Civil Code SENGOL ROW AFTER SP MEMBER’S SUGGESTION RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR @ New Delhi A day after Speaker Om Birla deplored Emergency President , Droupadi Murmu followed suit on Thursday, describing it as the biggest and darkest chapter of a direct attack on the Constitution, in her first address to a joint session of Parliament after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha. Murmu also expressed grave concern over frequent disruptions in Parliament because of differences between the treasury and the Opposition benches. She hailed the record turnout of voters in J&K in the general elections, saying the Kashmir valley has given a befitting reply to the enemies of India who spread false propaganda at global forums. The President also touched upon various policy initiatives like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) but was silent on the BJP’s promise of a Uniform Civil Code and the One Nation, One Poll proposal. Murmu said, “The Constitution of India has stood up to every challenge and every test in the past decades. Even when the Constitution was in the making, there were forces in the world who wished India to fail”. After the Constitution came into force, it was attacked many times. “The imposition of Emergency on June 25 in President Droupadi Murmu addresses the joint sitting of Parliament | PTI Samajwadi Party MP R K Chaudhary’s demand to replace the Sengol installed next to the Speaker’s chair with a copy of the Constitution triggered a war of words on Thursday. While Opposition leaders supported him, the ruling BJP lit into Chaudhary for disrespecting Indian and Tamil culture. Chaudhary had written to Speaker Om Birla demanded that the Sengol, a symbol of transfer of power when India got Independence, be removed as it represents monarchy | P7 1975 was the biggest and darkest chapter of direct attack on the Constitution,” she said. It drew wide criticism on the Opposition benches. As for the ruling NDA, Murmu said the government is taking all efforts to make the Constitution embedded in public’s consciousness. She pointed out that even in J&K, the Constitution is now fully in force. Giving the Opposition a bit of advice, President Murmu said, “Opposition of policies and obstruction of parliamentary functioning are two different things. All of us are responsible for ensuring that no obstacle comes in the way of achieving the resolution of Viksit Bharat.” Amid the row over alleged malpractices in the holding of NEET-UG and the cancellation and deferment of a few other competitive exams, Murmu said, “My government is committed to a fair investigation and ensuring strict punishment to the culprits. Even earlier, we have witnessed many instances of paper leaks in different states.” Speaking about the government, she said the people have given the NDA a clear and stable mandate for a third time. WITH the term of TPCC president A Revanth Reddy set to end on July 7, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has expedited the process of appointing his successor. On Thursday, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal held a meeting with Congress Telangana in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi, Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy . Sources said that during the I have requested Kharge ji and Venugopal ji to appoint the new TPCC president before my term ends. During my term, Congress performed well in Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. I have asked the high command to appoint an efficient leader in my place — A Revanth Reddy, TPCC president and Chief Minister meeting, Venugopal sought the individual opinions from Telangana leaders regarding the next TPCC president. The AICC is considering social equations, loyalty to the party and acceptability to the party in selecting the new president. As the chief minister belongs to the Reddy community , the AICC may opt for a BC or Opposition to press for debate on NEET in Parliament today P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi AMID the nationwide outrage over allegations of paper leaks and irregularities involving the National Testing Agency (NTA), the opposition parties said they will demand a discussion on the matter and bring adjournment motions in both Houses of Parliament on Friday The . decision was taken at the meeting of the floor leaders of the INDIA bloc at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. An Opposition leader who attended the meeting told this newspaper that all the parties unanimously decided Two men arrested by CBI being taken for medical checkup in Patna | PTI to move adjournment motions on the NEET row in both Houses of Parliament. The parties will demand a debate on NEET in both Houses before the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address takes place, said a senior leader. This is to ensure that NEET Policy switch to make full fighter jets in India INDIA S H A H I D F A R I D I @ New Delhi NOT content with piecemeal Make in India initiatives in its defence procurement, the Union government has made a policy switch to buy as many as 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) only from a vendor who is ready to set up a manufactuting unit in India for the entire aircraft. It also wants transfer of technology and full production in India in a joint venture with a local partner. A new global tender incorporating these conditions is likely to be floated soon. The radical shift in policy is expected to delay the MRFA ac- quisition further. sault’s Rafale, Boeing’s Super India has 31 squadrons of Hornet F/A-18, SAAB’s Gripen, fighter jets as against the sanc- Lockheed Martin’s F-21, Rustioned strength of 42. sian MiG-35 and the EurofightA large number of parts of er Typhoon. fighter aircraft purchased earSources said French compalier are already being manny Dassault, makers of Raufactured in India under fale, which has been the the offset obligations. frontrunner to bag the 114 This is the first time contract, is not keen to that the government transfer technology for will be insisting on production in India. DEAL manufacturing comThe Indian government plete aircraft in India has already bought 36 Rawith technology transfer. fale jets for the Indian Air Approximately valued at $20 Force and is likely to go ahead billion, the MRCA is said to be with its decision to purchase 26 one of the world’s biggest de- Rafale Marine to replace the fence deals in recent times. ageing MiG-29s being used on Among the aircraft in the race I N S Vi k r a n t a n d I N S to bag the contract are Das- Vikramaditya. MRFA Food cops find hygiene wanting at Lulu Mall EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Hyderabad THE Task Force team of the Commissioner of Food Safety (CFS) on Thursday carried out inspections at the Lulu Mall and Sri Sri Caterers in Kukatpally of Hyderabad and found several hygiene violations. During the inspection of the Lulu Hypermarket, the team found infested bakery items, including 10 kg of atta bread mix and 15 kg of loose baguette bread mix, which were discarded. Expired food items such as 20 kg of sesame seeds, 20 litres of toned milk, various biscuit packets and two packets of fruit juice were also discarded. Houseflies were observed near the meat storage area, the CFS tweeted. However, workers in the food section were compliant with safety protocols, wearing hair caps, gloves, masks, and uniforms. The premises had 40 FoSTaC-trained supervisors, and pest control records and medical certificates for food The Union government has been encouraged by its success in getting US company GE Aerospace Defence and Systems to produce fighter jet engines in India in collaboration with the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. As per the deal signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s last visit to the US, GE will transfer 80% technology of its F414 jet engines that will power the Mk2 version of India’s indigenously-developed Light Combat Aircraft. The gover nment has increased the FDI sectoral limit in defence to 74% to make the country a defence manufacturing hub. EXPRESS READ After 2 decades, 18,942 schoolteachers promoted Hyderabad: As many as 18,942 government schoolteachers were given promotion in the state after almost two decades. The state government took the initiative to clear the pending cases over promotions in the Telangana High Court and Supreme Court | P2 OWAISI’S DELHI HOME COMES UNDER INK ATTACK SC leader as the next TPCC chief. Sources say that AICC secretary SA Sampath Kumar, TPCC working president Mahesh Kumar Goud, former MP Madhu Yaskhi Goud and MP P Balram Naik are among the frontrunners for the post. They are actively lobbying in Delhi with the party high command; Sam- from unidentified people. MP tags Delhi police and Amit Shah in tweet, says such tactics would not scare him | P4 MARCH INTO FINAL Skipper makes 57 as India beat England, to face South Africa in summit clash gets adequate time for discussion, he added. While Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will raise the issue in the Lok Sabha, Kharge will lead take it up in the Upper House. Sources said the Opposition parties will not relent until discussion happens. Meanwhile, the CBI on Thursday made its first arrests in the NEET-UG paper leak case, taking two persons—Manish Kumar and Ashutosh Kumar—into custody in Patna for allegedly providing safe accommodation to aspirants and giving them leaked question papers and answer keys. SPINNING IT INDIA’S WAY On this low, slow surface, it was expected that the spinners would do some damage. Axar Patel, with some help from Jasprit Bumrah, ran through the top-order. With figures of 3/14 in his first three overs, he broke the spine of the chase. At the end of 10 overs, England were 62/5, and from thereon, it all went downhill. Jos Buttler-led side were eventually all out for 103, falling short by 68 runs. PROTEAS MAKE HISTORY ROHIT, SKY SET TONE Through this WC, Rohit Sharma has walked the talk. Intent up front. And when it comes off, it has a significant impact as it did on Thursday. The skipper, who hit 57 off 39, added 73 runs with Suryakumar as India posted an above par total On a surface that had variable bounce, South Africa pacers Marco Jansen (3/16), Kagiso Rabada (2/14) and Anrich Nortje (2/7) attacked the stumps consistently to dismiss Afghanistan for just 56 runs. South African batters ensured a nine-wicket win to enter their first men’s WC final path Kumar has met with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Venugopal and other key leaders. Likewise, Mahesh Kumar Goud and Madhu Yashki met Sonia Gandhi in Parliament House on Thursday . Asked about the appointment of his successor, Revanth said: “I have requested Kharge ji and Venugopal ji to appoint the new TPCC president before my term ends. During my term, Congress performed well in Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. I have asked the high command to relieve me of the responsibility and appoint an efficient leader in my place.” ANNUAL REPORT Alarming rise in hate speech in India: Blinken EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi THERE has been a ‘concerning increase’ in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, and demolition of homes and places of worship of minority communities in India, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. Releasing the annual State Department report on international religious freedom in Washington on Wednesday (local time), Blinken said not just India but governments around the world are increasingly targeting individuals, shuttering places of worship, forcibly displacing communities, and imprisoning people based on their religious beliefs. He also noted that attacks against Jews and Muslims have increased in the US after the Gaza war started. The 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom says 10 out of India’s 28 states have laws restricting religious conversions for all faiths. The report says that in 2023, Christians and Muslims were arrested in India under laws banning forced religious conversions, adding that in some cases, these laws were abused to harass religious minorities. US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom Rashad Hussain said: “In India, Christian communities reported that local police aided mobs that disrupted worship services over accusations of conversion activities, or stood by while mobs attacked them and then arrested the victims on conversion charges.” The report notes the Indian government’s plan to enact a Uniform Civil Code has been opposed by Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and tribal leaders on fears that it will turn the country into a Hindu Rashtra. WITH THIS ISSUE CITY’S BEST WEEKEND GUIDE 36 PAGES, INCLUDING 24 OF INDULGE (TABLOID) BITTER PILL 715 of 740 students flunk B.Sc allied health sciences exam B.Sc Allied Health students protest in front of the Gandhi Medical College in Secunderabad on Thursday after an unusually high number of pupils failed to clear the exam A A R T I K A S H YA P @ Hyderabad The food safety team inspects the Lulu Hypermarket in Hyderabad on Thursday handlers were available. At Sri Sri Caterers, situated in the JNTU college canteen, the team identified an improper FSSAI licence. Food handlers were found without appropriate headgear, gloves and aprons. Semi-prepared food and cut vegetables were uncovered. The kitchen was unhygienic, with food waste on the floor and no insect-proof screens to prevent pest entry . PROTESTS broke out at the Gandhi Medical College on Thursday after a whopping 715 of the 740 students who took the B.Sc Allied Health Sciences first-year examination conducted by the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) failed to clear it. The course, introduced in 2023, is available at nine government medical colleges in the state, with a total of 860 seats. The annual examination for the 2023-24 batch took place from April 20 to April 29 and results were announced on June 24. The students realised the unusually high percentage of failures when they compared the results. The first-year curriculum includes eight subjects, with KNRUHS conducting exams for five and the respective colleges for the remaining three. An overwhelming number of the students failed to clear at least three of the university-conducted exams, while many failed all five. The total score is 800, with a passing criterion of 50% in each subject. Of the 740 students who appeared for the examination, only 25 passed, according to the students. However, official figures were unavailable even on the university website. Attempts to reach KNRUHS officials, including the registrar and VC, as well as GMC principal Dr Ramesh Reddy were unsuccessful. , Students complained of course deficiencies, saying that there was no clarity on the syllabus, lack of faculty and irregular classes. They met with Dr Ramesh Reddy who attributed , the issue to the university . “We paid 20,000 for admission and continued the course despite challenges, hoping the university would eventually provide the necessary facilities. The failure of 700 students is beyond comprehension. We are now trying to reach the registrar and VC for answers,” a student told TNIE on condition of anonymity .
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