The ED has written to Union Home Ministry alleging AAP has received more than Rs 7 crore foreign funds in contravention of FCRA. The Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit has responded to it said, “there was also some news that maybe a few years ago this matter had also gone to court. I don’t have proper knowledge about this matter. If genuinely people have given money and AAP put forward the facts then there is no problem but if it is the case that someone is depositing money in someone else’s name, then an investigation should be done. The problem is that ED does everything during the elections so it creates doubt whether it is genuinely looking at something or doing it in view elections.”
Tag: Union Home Ministry
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Celebrating Hyderabad Liberation Day a befitting tribute to freedom fighters: Amit Shah
NEW DELHI: The decision to celebrate September 17 every year as ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’ is a befitting tribute to freedom fighters and will ignite the “flame of patriotism” among youth, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday. The central government had issued a notification on Tuesday on the commemoration.
In a post on ‘X’, Shah said it is a historic day as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to celebrate September 17 every year as Hyderabad Liberation Day in honour of the martyrs of the Hyderabad liberation movement.
He said the decision is a befitting tribute to the freedom fighters and the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice to remain a part of Bharat by liberating the Hyderabad region from the brutal Nizam rule. “I welcome Modi Ji’s landmark decision, which will ignite the flame of patriotism among the youth and immortalise our icons of the freedom movement,” he said.
In the notification, the Union Home Ministry said Hyderabad did not get independence for 13 months after the Independence of India on August 15, 1947, and was under Nizam’s rule.
The region was liberated from Nizam’s rule on September 17, 1948, after a police action namely ‘Operation Polo’. The ‘Razakars’, a private militia, had committed atrocities and defended the erstwhile Nizam rule in Hyderabad When India gained independence, the Razakars called for Hyderabad state to either join Pakistan or to become a Muslim dominion while resisting its merger with the Union of India.
The people of the region fought valiantly against the atrocities of the ‘Razakars’ to merge the region into the Union of India.
On September 17, 1948, the then Hyderabad state was annexed into the Union of India following military action, initiated by the then Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Modi government has been holding an event on September 17 for the last few years to commemorate ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also attended the event in the past.
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UAPA charges against arrested PFI men in Bihar
Express News Service
PATNA: Bihar government has initiated action against members of the radical Islamic organisation, Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates following a directive from the Union Home Ministry. The Centre has already banned PFI for its alleged involvement in unlawful activities, which were prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country. However, the state government has initiated action under provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967.
According to sources, Bihar home department has asked the District Magistrate (DMs) to take action against seven PFI suspects on the basis of inputs provided by the Union Home Ministry. The Union Home Ministry had written to state home secretary Amir Subhani for providing names, details of bank accounts and PAN numbers of the members.
Later, special secretary (home department) KS Anupam asked all district magistrates to initiate action against PFI suspects on the basis of these inputs. The Union Home Ministry’s undersecretary SP Choudhary had earlier sent the details of seven PFI suspects to the state chief secretary of Bihar Subhani, who subsequently asked the authorities concerned to book the seven suspects under UAPA.
Among seven suspects, four are from Darbhanga and one each from Araria, Sitamarhi and Madhubani. The PFI suspects have their bank accounts in these districts. “We have received a communique from the state home department to tighten the noose around PFI activists and its affiliates.
The inputs have been shared with SP asking him to take action accordingly,” said Araria DM Inayat Khan. NIA had conducted raids at the PFI members in Phulwarisharif locality in the state capital in September and arrested its three members.
Seven suspectsThe DMs have been asked to take concrete step against PFI and its affiliates under Unlawful (Prevention) Activities Act. Among seven suspects, four are from Darbhanga and one each from Araria, Sitamarhi and Madhubani.
PATNA: Bihar government has initiated action against members of the radical Islamic organisation, Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates following a directive from the Union Home Ministry. The Centre has already banned PFI for its alleged involvement in unlawful activities, which were prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country. However, the state government has initiated action under provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967.
According to sources, Bihar home department has asked the District Magistrate (DMs) to take action against seven PFI suspects on the basis of inputs provided by the Union Home Ministry. The Union Home Ministry had written to state home secretary Amir Subhani for providing names, details of bank accounts and PAN numbers of the members.
Later, special secretary (home department) KS Anupam asked all district magistrates to initiate action against PFI suspects on the basis of these inputs. The Union Home Ministry’s undersecretary SP Choudhary had earlier sent the details of seven PFI suspects to the state chief secretary of Bihar Subhani, who subsequently asked the authorities concerned to book the seven suspects under UAPA.
Among seven suspects, four are from Darbhanga and one each from Araria, Sitamarhi and Madhubani. The PFI suspects have their bank accounts in these districts. “We have received a communique from the state home department to tighten the noose around PFI activists and its affiliates.
The inputs have been shared with SP asking him to take action accordingly,” said Araria DM Inayat Khan. NIA had conducted raids at the PFI members in Phulwarisharif locality in the state capital in September and arrested its three members.
Seven suspects
The DMs have been asked to take concrete step against PFI and its affiliates under Unlawful (Prevention) Activities Act. Among seven suspects, four are from Darbhanga and one each from Araria, Sitamarhi and Madhubani. -
‘Hold judicial colloquium and state-level conferences on anti-human trafficking’: Government to HCs
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry has asked all the High Courts in the country to organise judicial colloquium and state-level conferences on anti-human trafficking. The ministry, in an official communication, to Registrar Generals of all High Courts said the complex nature of human trafficking calls for a multidimensional strategy in tackling it at domestic, regional and international levels.
“Impediments which the Government has come across in the past include lack of awareness, lack of training of concerned officers, failure to register cases under relevant laws and ineffective investigation etc,” it noted.
The government said it has been engaging with the Judicial Academies of States and UTs for holding Judicial Colloguiums on Anti-Human Trafficking on a periodic basis. Notably, the MHA provides financial support of up to Rs 2 lakhs on each such occasion.
NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry has asked all the High Courts in the country to organise judicial colloquium and state-level conferences on anti-human trafficking. The ministry, in an official communication, to Registrar Generals of all High Courts said the complex nature of human trafficking calls for a multidimensional strategy in tackling it at domestic, regional and international levels.
“Impediments which the Government has come across in the past include lack of awareness, lack of training of concerned officers, failure to register cases under relevant laws and ineffective investigation etc,” it noted.
The government said it has been engaging with the Judicial Academies of States and UTs for holding Judicial Colloguiums on Anti-Human Trafficking on a periodic basis. Notably, the MHA provides financial support of up to Rs 2 lakhs on each such occasion.
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Nagaland government lifts all COVID-19 restrictions, face masks rule to continue
By PTI
KOHIMA: In view of the weekly COVID test positivity remaining below two per cent for the past one month in Nagaland and the advisory issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the state government has announced that all COVID-19 restrictions stand withdrawn from Friday.
There will be no restriction on the number of people who can attend any event, Nagaland Chief Secretary J Alam said. The COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for travellers or tourists entering Nagaland will also stand withdrawn, he said.
The curbs were lifted two years after they were imposed for preventing the spread of coronavirus.
However, people have been advised to continue adhering to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour like wearing of face masks in public places, following hand hygiene and maintaining physical distancing at all times, he said.
Nagaland had first detected the COVID-19 infection among three Chennai returnees on May 25, 2020.
Those above 12 years of age have been advised to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and people whose precautionary dose is due, have been asked to get themselves vaccinated at the earliest, a circular said.
In another circular, the state government said the average number of daily new hospital admissions due to coronavirus has remained below five for the last three weeks. The number of active cases has also declined steeply and remained only at 15 as on March 31, it said.
In view of the developments, the state government has decided that there will not be any further extension of the order imposing restrictions for containment of COVID-19 in the state under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 beyond March 31, the circular issued by Home Commissioner Abhijit Sinha said.
However, the Health and Family Welfare Department will continue focusing on five-fold strategy of Test-Tract-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, and will closely monitor the situation and shall take prompt and necessary action at the local level, whenever any upsurge of cases is noticed in any part of the state, Sinha said.
Nagaland has detected a total of 35,476 COVID-19 cases, of which 33,217 people have recovered, 759 have died, and 1,484 patients have migrated to other states. In view of the continuous dip in coronavirus cases, the Union Home Ministry had decided to end all COVID-19 containment measures from March 31.
The Central Government had on March 24, 2020 issued for the first time orders and guidelines, under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, for the containment of COVID-19 in the country which were modified from time to time.
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MHA issues fresh rules: Arms manufacturers to be allowed to enhance production
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Arms manufacturers will henceforth be allowed to enhance annual production of firearms and ammunition according to fresh rules issued by the Union home ministry.
Under the Arms (Amendment) Rules, 2022, the arms manufacturers, however, will have to submit online every month details of the firearms manufactured, sold or transferred or consumed for the month.
The home ministry issued the new rules through a gazette notification on Thursday.
“The manufacturer who has been issued licence in Form VII under these rules shall be permitted to have enhanced annual production of firearms or ammunition or caliber wise revision of his licensed capacity by giving intimation to the licensing authority and also to the state government concerned within ninety days from the end of the financial year and for which no further endorsement on the licence as to capacity shall be required,” the notification said.
While applying, the manufacturer has to submit detailed proposal for enhancement of manufacturing capacity or caliber wise revision of licenced capacity, project outlays, means of finance and justification for economic viability and market demand projections, duly certified by the authorised signatory of the company.
Monthly online returns, detailing the production, sold, transfer and consumed shall be submitted by the manufacturer by close of business hours of the last day of the month, the notification said.
Prior approval of the licensing authority will be mandatory for any change in control, either directly or indirectly, of the company or in case of any change in shareholding or beneficial interest in the shareholding, resulting into dilution of promoters shareholding below 10 per cent.
However, prior approval will not be required if there is increase in shareholding of a shareholder, who held less than 10 per cent in the share capital of the company, to 10 per cent or more provided that for transfer of share holding between the two promoters which is already approved by the licensing authority.
If any circumstances occur which prevent a licensee to submit online returns, the local licensing authority shall be informed immediately in order to establish alternative means to submit the monthly returns, it said.
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Fresh tourist visas to foreigners coming to India in chartered flights from Oct 15: MHA
By PTI
NEW DELHI: India has decided to allow foreign tourists into the country, beginning with granting tourist visas to those travelling by chartered flights from October 15 and those by regular planes from November 15.
The Union Home Ministry on Thursday announced that with this, the restrictions placed on visa and international travel since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic stand further eased given the present overall pandemic situation.
After considering various inputs, the ministry has decided to begin granting of fresh tourist visas for foreigners coming to India through chartered flights with effect from October 15, 2021, a home ministry statement said.
ALSO READ | ‘Please watch your Oct, Nov, Dec’: Govt warns people of Covid surge during festival, wedding season
Foreign tourists entering into India by flights other than chartered aircraft would be able to do so only with effect from November 15, 2021 on fresh tourist visas.
All due protocols and norms relating to COVID-19 as notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from time to time shall be adhered to by the foreign tourists, carriers bringing them to India and all other stakeholders at landing stations, the statement said.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all visas granted to foreigners were suspended last year.
Various other restrictions were also imposed on international travel by the central government to arrest the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ALSO READ | Over 93.94 crore Covid vaccine doses sent to states, UTs so far: Government
After considering the evolving COVID-19 situation, foreigners were later on allowed to avail any kind of Indian visa other than tourist visa for entry and stay in India.
However, the Home Ministry had been receiving representations from several state governments as well as various stakeholders in the tourism sector to start tourist visas also to allow foreign tourists to come to India.
Therefore, the Home Ministry consulted all major stakeholders like the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Tourism and various state governments where foreign tourists are expected to arrive and took the decision, the statement said.
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Centre appeals to citizens to identify talented achievers for Padma awards
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday appealed to all citizens to identify and recommend the names of talented people whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be honoured with the Padma awards.
In a statement, the Union Home Ministry said online nominations or recommendations for the Padma awards — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri — to be announced on the eve of Republic Day, 2022 is underway. The last date for nominations for Padma awards is September 15.
The nominations or recommendations for Padma awards will be received online only on the Padma awards portal HYPERLINK “https://padmaawards.gov.in/”. “The government is committed to transform Padma awards into ‘People’s Padma’.All citizens are therefore requested to identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognised from amongst women, SC, STs, divyang persons and who are doing selfless service to society and make their nominations or recommendations,” the statement said.
The nominations or recommendations should contain all relevant details specified in the format available on the above mentioned Padma portal, including a citation in narrative form (maximum 800 words), clearly bringing out the distinguished and exceptional achievements or service of the person recommended in her or his respective field or discipline.
Further details in this regard are also available under the heading ‘Awards and Medals’ on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The statutes and rules relating to these awards are available on the website with the link https://padmaawards.gov.in/AboutAwards.aspx . People may also contact 011-23092421, +91 9971376539, +91 9968276366, +91 9711662129, +91 7827785786 for any enquiry or assistance.
Instituted in 1954, these awards are announced on the eve of the Republic Day every year. The Modi government has been honouring many “unsung heroes”, who are contributing to the society in different ways, with Padma awards since 2014.
Through these awards, the government seeks to recognise ‘work of distinction’.
These awards are given for distinguished and exceptional achievements or service in all fields or disciplines, such as, art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry etc.
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MHA tells states to stop usage of tricolour made of plastic
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Independence Day celebration, the Centre has asked states to ensure people don’t use plastic national flags as ensuring appropriate disposal of the tricolour made of non-biodegradable item is a practical problem.
In a communication to all states and union territories, the Union Home Ministry said the national flag represents hopes and aspirations of the people of the country and hence should occupy a position of honour.
“There is universal affection and respect for, and loyalty to, the national flag. Yet, a perceptible lack of awareness is often noticed amongst people as well as organisations/agencies of the government, in regard to laws, practices and conventions that apply to display of the national flag,” it said.
It told the states and UTs that on the occasions of important national, cultural and sports events, the national flags made of plastic are also being used in place of national flags made of paper.
Since, plastic flags are not biodegradable like paper flags, these do not get decomposed for a long time and ensuring appropriate disposal of national flags made of plastic commensurate with the dignity of the flag is a practical problem, it said.
“You are, therefore, requested to ensure that on the occasions of important national, cultural and sports events, flags made of paper only are used by the public in terms of the provisions of the ‘Flag Code of India, 2002’ and such paper flags are not discarded or thrown on the ground after the event,” the Home Ministry said.
Such flags are to be disposed of, in private, consistent with the dignity of the flag, it said.
A copy each of ‘The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971’ and the ‘Flag Code of India, 2002’, which govern the display of national flag, was also enclosed along with the home ministry letter.
Such communications were issued previously also.
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Nagaland declared as ‘disturbed area’ till December-end under AFSPA
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The entire state of Nagaland has been declared a “disturbed area” for six more months, till December-end, under the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior warrant.In a notification, the Union Home Ministry said Wednesday the government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of the state of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.
“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (No.28 of 1958), the central government, hereby, declares that whole of the state of Nagaland to be ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from 30th June, 2021 for the purpose of the said Act,” the notification, issued by Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry Piyush Goyal, said.
Official sources said the decision has been taken as killings, loots and extortion cases have been going on in various parts of the state which necessitated the action for the convenience of the security forces operating there. The AFSPA has been in force in Nagaland for decades.
It was not withdrawn even after a framework agreement was signed on August 3, 2015 between Naga insurgent group NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and government interlocutor R N Ravi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The framework agreement came after over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years with the first breakthrough in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was sealed after decades of insurgency in Nagaland. However, there has been no progress in the peace talks as the NSCN-IM has sought a separate flag and constitution for Nagaland, which was rejected by the Central government.