8pm NEWSFEED |
- Indo-China Border Security Budget Hiked Six Times, Says MHA
- IMF Funding To Pakistan Virtually On Hold Till Formation Of New Govt
- MP Sanjay Raut’s Properties Attached In Rs 1,034 cr Land Scam Case
- Ongoing Line Of Credit To Sri Lanka Touches USD 1.5 bn: Indian High Commissioner
- General Elections Not Possible In 3 Months, Says Pakistan Poll Body
- Stand-up India: Rs 30,160 Crore Loans Sanctioned Under The Scheme
- FM Releases Rs 162 Cr For Development Of Uttarakhand
- Actress Assault Case: Prime Accused Moves SC Challenging Kerala HC Order
- Punjab CM orders constitution of Anti-Gangster Task Force headed by ADGP-rank officer
- UP Anti-Terrorism Squad Reaches Mumbai To Investigate Gorakhnath Temple Attack
- Revival Of Congress Essential For Democracy- Sonia Gandhi
- COVID Cases In India Decline Further, 795 Infections Logged
- Russia-Ukraine War: Facebook, Instagram Unblock Hashtags To Bucha Killings
- Indian Nursing Council Strongly Condemns ‘Derogatory Content’ In Sociology Textbook For Nurses
| Indo-China Border Security Budget Hiked Six Times, Says MHA Posted: 05 Apr 2022 05:03 AM PDT The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday informed Lok Sabha that the budget for the Indo-China border in the year 2021-22 under the Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) has been increased six times as compared to the previous financial year. Responding to the question asked by Member of Parliament Dilip Saikia on the funds allocated by the Government in view of the security of border areas of the North Eastern States including Assam during the last three years, the Minister of State in the MHA, Nityanand Rai in a written reply mentioned that the funds allocated for the security of border areas of the NE States have been utilized within the stipulated time frame. He further provided the details of the funds allocated under the Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme to secure border areas of North Eastern (NE) States including Assam during the last three years. The government has increased BIM funds for the Indo-China border areas from Rs 42.87 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 249.12 crore in 2021-22 i.e. around six times. The amount was Rs 72.20 crore in 2019-20. In a similar way, Rs 20 crore was allotted for the Indo-Myanmar border in the year 2019-2020, it was decreased to Rs 17 crore in 2020-21 but it was increased around three times to Rs 50 crore in the year 2021-22. He further replied that in the Indo-Bangladesh border, the budget for the year 2019-2020 was Rs 407 crore that was decreased to Rs 294 crore in the year 2020-21 but in the year 2021-22 it was marginally increased to Rs 303 crore. On being asked about the steps taken by the Government to strengthen the safety of border areas along with the borders adjoining neighbouring countries, Rai replied that the Government of India has adopted a multi-pronged approach to strengthen the security along international borders, which inter-alia includes deployment of Border Guarding Forces along the international borders, effective domination of the borders by patrolling, laying nakas, manning observation posts, vulnerability mapping and holistic review of deployment periodically, establishing new Border Outposts (BOPs), deployment of surveillance equipment, strengthening of intelligence network, erection of border fencing and floodlighting and deployment of technological solutions in non-feasible areas like riverine gaps. |
| IMF Funding To Pakistan Virtually On Hold Till Formation Of New Govt Posted: 05 Apr 2022 04:44 AM PDT As the political crisis in Pakistan turned into a constitutional crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) funding to the country is expected to hit another ‘pause’. IMF’s resident representative in Islamabad, Esther Perez Ruiz said that the fund would engage once the new government is formed. The fund of USD 6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan hit a deadlock when Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a major relief package involving a tax amnesty scheme and energy price cuts, as reported by Dawn. This comes after a constitutional vacuum has been created by Imran Khan as he urged President Arif Alvi to dissolve the National Assembly. After days of exchange rate depreciation generated feared that IMF had ended or put on hold the programme with Pakistan. When contacted, IMF’s Esther Perez Ruiz said, “The Fund looks forward to continuing its support to Pakistan and, once a new government is formed, we will engage on policies to promote macroeconomic stability, and inquire about intentions vis-a-vis programme engagement,” she said, adding “There is no concept of suspension within IMF programmes” The Ministry of Finance also claimed that the two sides “remain engaged in data-sharing and reform discussions as part of EFF,” adding that there is no truth to speculation about the suspension of the programme,” reported the newspaper. |
| MP Sanjay Raut’s Properties Attached In Rs 1,034 cr Land Scam Case Posted: 05 Apr 2022 04:32 AM PDT The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday attached Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s properties in connection with Rs 1,034 crore Patra Chawl land scam case, the law enforcement agency said. The properties attached include Raut’s Alibaug plot and one flat in Dadar, Mumbai. Speaking to reporters today, Raut said, “I am not the one who will get scared. Seize my property, shoot me, or send me to jail, Sanjay Raut is Balasaheb Thackeray’s follower and a Shiv Sainik.” “I will fight and expose everyone. I am not the one to stay quiet, let them dance. The truth will prevail,” he said. In a tweet on Tuesday afternoon, the Sena MP said, “Satyameva Jayate” (truth alone triumphs). Earlier, on March 25 Raut had lashed out against the Centre alleging that there is a nexus between the Central agencies and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to defame the Maharashtra government. These developments come against the backdrop of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections slated to be held this year. |
| Ongoing Line Of Credit To Sri Lanka Touches USD 1.5 bn: Indian High Commissioner Posted: 05 Apr 2022 04:20 AM PDT The ongoing Lines of Credit (LOCs) that India has extended to crisis-hit Sri Lanka for procurement of fuel and food have currently totalled USD 1.5 billion and the consignments will further continue, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay told ANI on Tuesday. India has extended a financial package to Sri Lanka, which is reeling under a financial crisis to ensure that it can meet some of the more immediate needs and help stabilise its domestic economy. Since January this year, support from India to Sri Lanka exceeded USD 2.5 billion, the Indian envoy had said earlier. A USD 500 million line of credit for fuel purchases was signed in February and since the beginning of March, four consignments totaling over 150,000 tons of jet aviation fuel, diesel and petrol have arrived in Sri Lanka, Baglay had said. Five more consignments are to follow till May and another line of credit of USD 1 billion for food, medicine and essential items was signed last month, the envoy said. The USD 1 billion line of credit to Colombo will help in keeping their food prices and fuel costs under check. Besides, according to Bagley, the first consignment of rice from India is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka shortly under this credit facility. India has also extended a USD 400-million currency swap and has deferred payments owed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka owed to the Reserve Bank of India under the Asian Clearance Union worth several hundred million dollars. After massive protests over shortages of essential food, fuel and long power cuts in the country and demands for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a state of emergency was declared in the island country and imposed a nationwide curfew. The Sri Lankan rupee is fast depreciating against the dollar and foreign debt is mounting. The Sri Lankan government’s income has also taken a big hit due to a drop in tourism that has given rise to gas and fuel shortages, leading to massive power cuts. In February, New Delhi provided a short-term loan of USD 500 million to Colombo for the purchase of petroleum products through the Ministry of Energy and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. Three months before that, in November 2021, India gave 100 tonnes of nano nitrogen liquid fertilisers to Sri Lanka as their government stopped the import of chemical fertilisers. The total fuel delivered to the people of Sri Lanka, over the last 50 days, amounts to nearly 200,000 MT including a consignment of 40,000 MT, by Indian Oil Corporation, outside the line of credit facility, in February 2022. Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge thanked the Government of India for the fuel consignments. The first consignment of rice from India is expected to arrive in SL shortly under this credit facility. The rice shipments could help Colombo bring down rice prices, which have doubled in a year, adding fuel to the unrest. “Rice loading has started in southern ports,” said BV Krishna Rao, managing director of Pattabhi Agro Foods, which is supplying rice to Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corp under the Indian Credit Facility Agreement. The Government of India also continues to encourage efforts toward medium to long-term capacity creation through enhanced Indian investment in Sri Lanka in key sectors that include ports, renewable energy, manufacturing, etc. India and Sri Lanka recently concluded a long-pending agreement to jointly develop oil tank facilities in Trincomalee, and have planned a number of infrastructure projects involving the private sector. |
| General Elections Not Possible In 3 Months, Says Pakistan Poll Body Posted: 05 Apr 2022 04:10 AM PDT Pakistan’s Election Commission has said that it won’t be able to conduct general elections in the country within three months due to various legal and procedural challenges, local media reported. Quoting a senior official of the country’s poll body, Dawn newspaper reported that preparations for the general elections would require at least six months. Among the major challenges the official cited for the poll commission’s inability to hold elections include fresh delimitation of constituencies, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where the number of seats had been increased under the 26th Amendment, and bringing district- and constituency-wise electoral rolls in conformity, Dawn said. “Delimitation is a time-consuming exercise where the law provides for one month’s time just to invite objections,” the official was quoted as saying adding that another one month was required to address the same. The official pointed out that a minimum of three months would be required to complete the exercise, followed by another gigantic task of updating voters’ lists. On Sunday, Pakistani President Arif Alvi dissolved the Pakistani parliament following Prim Minister Imran Khan’s advice. Imran Khan made the proposal minutes after parliament’s Deputy Speaker rejected a motion of no confidence in him as “unconstitutional.” Pakistan media and opposition parties criticised this decision saying that it violated all rules governing proceedings in the House. According to the ECP official, procurement of election material, arrangement for ballot papers and appointment and training of polling staff were also among the challenges. He said that under the law, ballot papers with watermark were to be used which were not available in the country and would have to be imported. He revealed that the ECP had proposed to amend the law to provide for ballot papers with “security features,” instead of “watermark”. Meanwhile, Imran Khan will continue as the Prime Minister until the caretaker Prime Minister is appointed, said the President as the SC is looking into the matter of National Assembly dissolution. |
| Stand-up India: Rs 30,160 Crore Loans Sanctioned Under The Scheme Posted: 05 Apr 2022 02:59 AM PDT More than Rs 30,160 crore loans have been sanctioned to over 1,33,995 accounts in the last six years under Stand-up India scheme that seeks to provide financial support to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and women entrepreneurs in setting up enterprises, the Union Finance Ministry said on Tuesday. “As we commemorate the sixth anniversary of the Stand-Up India Scheme, it is heartening to see that more than 1.33 lakh new job-creators and entrepreneurs have so far been facilitated under this scheme,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was quoted as saying in a statement released by the Finance Ministry. Recognizing the challenges faced by aspiring SC, ST and women entrepreneurs, Stand-up India scheme was launched on 5th April 2016 to promote entrepreneurship at grassroots level focusing on economic empowerment and job creation. In 2019-20, the Stand-Up India scheme was extended for the entire period coinciding with the 15th Finance Commission period of 2020-25. “More than 1 lakh women promoters have benefitted from this scheme during its six years of operation. The Government understands the potential these rising entrepreneurs have in driving economic growth through their roles as not just wealth-creators but also job-creators,” Sitharaman said. The objective of Stand-Up India is to promote entrepreneurship amongst women, Scheduled Castes (SC) & Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories, to help them in starting a greenfield enterprise in manufacturing, services or the trading sector and activities allied to agriculture. In order to provide collateral-free loans to eligible beneficiaries, the Government of India has set up the Credit Guarantee Fund for Stand Up India (CGFSI). Apart from providing credit facilities, Stand-up India scheme also envisages extending handholding support to potential borrowers. It also provides for convergence with Central/State Government schemes. |
| FM Releases Rs 162 Cr For Development Of Uttarakhand Posted: 05 Apr 2022 02:30 AM PDT Under the ‘Scheme of Financial Assistance to States for Capital Investment’, the Union Ministry of Finance, on Monday, has released the remaining fund of Rs 162 crore for the development of Uttarakhand. The amount of Rs 365 crore (3,65,00,00,000) has already been released and now the remaining Rs 162 (1,62,00,00,000) have also been sanctioned by the union government. Thus, a total of Rs 527 crore (5,27,00,00,000) has been issued to the state for the purpose of its development. “Uttarakhand is moving towards the path of development with the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the cooperation of the Central Government,” Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for issuing the required amount. On 29 March 2022, Dhami proclaimed that the state government is committed to making Uttarakhand the number one state of the country by 2025. An official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) had announced that for the financial year 2022-23, there would be a need for withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of the state, under which, according to the provisions mentioned in Article 206 of the Constitution, a four-month vote on the account has been presented in the House for the withdrawal of committed items. He also said that the state government is committed to fulfilling the promises and resolutions made to the people of the state along with the resolutions of the Governor’s address. |
| Actress Assault Case: Prime Accused Moves SC Challenging Kerala HC Order Posted: 05 Apr 2022 02:16 AM PDT One of the accused in the 2017 actress assault case, has moved Supreme Court challenging the Kerala High Court which rejected his bail plea. In his plea filed through advocate Sriram Parakkat and Satheesh Mohanan, applicant Sunil NS has challenged the 29 March 2022 order passed by the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam, which dismissed his bail application. The advocates said that the Sunil NS bail application has been dismissed by Kerala HC solely on the ground of an apprehension that releasing the petitioner on bail would amount to giving a wrong signal to society. The lawyers also submitted that the applicant Sunil NS has been in judicial custody for the last five years and two months ever since 23 February 2017. “Examination of almost all witnesses is over and the investigating agency has started a further investigation and invariably there will be much more witnesses to be examined after further investigation and there is no likelihood of the case coming to a conclusion in the near future, ” the petition read. “The applicant (Sunil NS) has not moved any other Court seeking the same relief and shall not move a similar application during the pendency of this application,” the petition said. The applicant also submitted that he has surrendered himself before the court earlier, but was forcefully taken into custody by the police from inside the courtroom. “This alone is sufficient to show that there is no possibility of the accused fleeing from justice,” Sunil NS’s lawyer said adding that the conduct of the applicant throughout the trial was impeccable and it never caused any obstruction. The Kerala High Court on March 29 rejected the bail plea of Sunil NS alias Pulsar Suni, in the 2017 actress assault case. The actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car by a group of men, who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. She later escaped. |
| Punjab CM orders constitution of Anti-Gangster Task Force headed by ADGP-rank officer Posted: 05 Apr 2022 01:54 AM PDT Giving a special concern to organised crime in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday ordered the constitution of an Anti-Gangster Task Force in the state. The task force would be headed by an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP)-rank officer. In a statement, the Punjab government said that the eradication of organised crime is among its topmost priorities. “Punjab Government is establishing a full-fledged Task Force to combat organised crime. (It is) to be headed by an ADGP-rank officer,” the statement read. On lines of similar specialised units in the country, the Punjab Government said that the Task Force will have integrated collection of intelligence, manning and execution of operations, registration of FIRs, investigation and prosecution. Under the said task force, a new police station with state-wide jurisdiction over organised crime will be notified. “Coordination of anti-organised crime efforts are being made by Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police CPs,” the statement further read. Further, the Punjab Government notified that additional resources and manpower will be provided for the task force. |
| UP Anti-Terrorism Squad Reaches Mumbai To Investigate Gorakhnath Temple Attack Posted: 05 Apr 2022 01:41 AM PDT Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Monday reached Mumbai to investigate the Gorakhnath Temple attack case and learnt that the accused Murtaza had not met his family members for the last three years. Yesterday, the team visited Navi Mumbai where the accused Murtaza used to live earlier with his family. UP ATS team has reached Mumbai to investigate the Gorakhnath Temple attack case. Yesterday, the team visited Navi Mumbai where the accused Murtaza used to live earlier with his family. Murtaza did not meet his family members for the last 3 years. Notably, the father of the accused has said that his son is mentally not stable and had no plan to commit the offence. “He is not mentally stable. Since childhood, he is suffering from depression. He also received medical treatment,” Munir Ahmed Abbasi, the father of the accused told ANI while adding that due to some developments (in his mental health), the accused believed that police were after him. “He had no planning and did this due to his current mental state,” Abbasi added. The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to hand over the probe to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). ADG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said the man who attacked two police personnel at Gorakhnath temple has been arrested. “He is a resident of Gorakhpur. A sickle has been recovered from him. An FIR has been lodged against him. There could be a terror angle in it. The case will be transferred to ATS,” he said. Police said the accused Ahmed Murtaza Abbasi, after being presented in court on Monday, has been sent to judicial custody. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said strict action will be taken based on the investigation. |
| Revival Of Congress Essential For Democracy- Sonia Gandhi Posted: 05 Apr 2022 01:28 AM PDT Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday called for “unity at all levels” of the organisation at a meeting of party MPs in which she spoke about the party’s “shocking and painful” defeats in the recent elections even as she slammed the government for targeting the Opposition and “spreading maximum fear and intimidation”. Addressing a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) in Parliament, Sonia Gandhi said, “The road ahead is more challenging than ever before. Our dedication and determination, our spirit of resilience are under severe test. Unity at all levels of our vast organisation is of paramount importance and speaking for myself, I am determined to do whatever is needed to ensure it. Our revival is not just a matter of importance to us alone–it is, in fact, essential for our democracy itself and indeed for our society as well.” Sonia Gandhi also said she had received many suggestions on how to strengthen the Congress and she was working on “many of them”. “I am very well aware of how disappointed you are at the recent election results. They have been both shocking and painful. The CWC has met once to review our performance. I have met with other colleagues too. I have received many suggestions on how to strengthen our organization,” she added. The comments come ahead of a ‘Chintan Shivir’ of the party organised following party’s defeat in recently held Punjab Assembly elections and its failure to make a mark in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa. Post the poll drubbing, Sonia Gandhi had offered to step down, a suggestion that was turned down by the Congress Working Committee (CWC), even as G-23, the group of dissident leaders called for organisational changes in the party. Speaking at the CPP today, Sonia Gandhi also thanked all the senior and experienced colleagues who have retired from the Rajya Sabha for their contribution. “Four of our very senior and experienced colleagues have just retired from the Rajya Sabha, more will retire before we meet next. Each and every one of them has contributed much during their tenure. I thank them all. I am sure they will all remain involved in some way or the other in public and political life, and continue to work to strengthen our party,” she said. The Congress interim president further said that this session of Parliament has seen the Budget as well as discussions on the functioning of various ministries. “A number of you have participated and put across our party’s viewpoints forcefully. Issues of public importance have also been raised by our MPs in both Houses. Of course, the Government’s attitude has not changed,” she added. Hitting out at the ruling BJP, she said that the ruling party’s “divisive agenda” has become a regular feature of political discourse in all states and that history is being “mischievously distorted” to add fuel to its agenda. “The divisive and polarizing agenda of the ruling party and its leaders has now become a regular feature of the political discourse in state after state. History, not just ancient but also contemporary, is mischievously distorted and facts are maliciously invented to add fuel to this agenda. It is for us all to stand up and confront these forces of hate and prejudice. We will not allow them to damage the bonds of amity and harmony that have sustained and enriched our diverse society for centuries,” Sonia Gandhi said. She said that the ruling establishment continues to target the opposition, its leaders and workers. “The full might of the state machinery is unleashed against them. Maximum governance to those in power clearly means spreading maximum fear and intimidation. Such blatant threats and tactics will not frighten or silence us nor will we get cowed down,” she said. She further slammed the BJP for the rising inflation and asked the party members to sustain the ‘Mehngai-mukt Bharat ‘campaign. She also said that the future of medical students evacuated from Ukraine needs to be assured at the earliest. “The future of the thousands of students who have been evacuated from Ukraine needs to be assured at the earliest. And sooner rather than later, the continuing astronomical cost of medical education in the country needs to be addressed,” said Sonia Gandhi. The Congress president said that the labour laws have been diluted at a time of growing unemployment and livelihood insecurity which is expected to turn out to be another disaster as demonetisation. “Interest rates on employee provident fund accumulations have been reduced considerably. Public sector enterprises, the one important avenue for employment of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes are being sold off under the fancy name “asset monetization”. This will be another disaster as demonetisation turned out to be,” Sonia Gandhi said. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury were also present at the meeting. |
| COVID Cases In India Decline Further, 795 Infections Logged Posted: 04 Apr 2022 11:31 PM PDT New Delhi [India]: ‘The COVID Cases In India decline further today’, with India logging 795 new cases in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health informed on Tuesday.
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| Russia-Ukraine War: Facebook, Instagram Unblock Hashtags To Bucha Killings Posted: 04 Apr 2022 10:04 PM PDT Meta-owned Facebook app and Instagram on Monday unblocked hashtags for Bucha killings, outside Kyiv in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The social media site had briefly blocked the hashtags owing to its automated system of blocking violent content. Meta spokesman Andy Stone said automated systems that scan for violent imagery on Facebook and Instagram, which the company also owns, were responsible for blocking hashtags including #bucha and #buchamassacre. “This happened automatically because of the graphic content people posted using these hashtags. When we were made aware of the issue yesterday, we acted quickly to unblock the hashtags,” he wrote on Twitter. The Bucha killings have drawn pledges of further sanctions against Moscow from the West. However, Russia denied to the killings and said that it was Ukrainian propaganda. New satellite images from Maxar Technologies show the bodies of dead civilians in Bucha had been laying in the street for weeks, including when the town was under Russian control. The New York Times first published the images on Monday. A disturbing video showing the bodies in Bucha was geolocated, authenticated and reported on by CNN on Friday. It came to light the same day Ukraine declared the town liberated from Russian troops. In response to the footage of Bucha on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed the video was “fake” and “staged.” It said the video, photos, and allegations of war crimes were “another provocation.” “During the time the settlement was under the control of the Russian armed forces, not a single local resident suffered from any violent actions,” the ministry said. |
| Indian Nursing Council Strongly Condemns ‘Derogatory Content’ In Sociology Textbook For Nurses Posted: 04 Apr 2022 09:51 PM PDT Indian Nursing Council on Monday condemned the “derogatory content” in the Sociology textbook for nurses wherein merits of dowry are listed, adding that it does not endorse any author or publication nor has it allowed any author to use the name of Indian Nursing Council for their publications. A chapter in a sociology textbook for nurses sparked a row yesterday as it has claimed that the system of dowry is actually good for society and even helps parents of “ugly looking girls” to get them married off. The book is called ‘Textbook of Sociology for Nurses’ by Author TK Indrani lays and it is part of the curriculum for second-year B.Sc. students. Taking note of the content and the outrage it faced on social media, the Statutory Body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare– INC condemned the “substandard content” and said, “It has been brought to the notice of the Indian Nursing Council that some authors of Sociology for Nurses are quoting INC syllabus to publish substandard content in textbooks. INC strongly condemns any derogatory content which is against the prevailing law of the land.” INC also issued a clarification and said that it only prescribes syllabus for nursing programs, and the same is listed on its website. “It is clarified that INC only prescribes syllabus for various nursing programs which is placed on its website. Indian Nursing Council as a policy does not endorse any author or publication nor has allowed any author to use the name of Indian Nursing Council for their publications,” the statement read. Notably, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi had flagged the issue and has also written to Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan over the contents of the textbook. In her letter, Chaturvedi listed the content of the textbook wherein one of ‘advantages’ as stated in the textbook states: “Ugly looking girls can be married off with attractive dowry will well or ugly looking boys”. Another point in the textbook states: “Because of burden of dowry, many parents have started educating their girls. When the girls are educated or even employed, the demand of dowry will be less. Thus, it is an indirect advantage.” Calling out the textbook for its content, the Shiv Sena MP said, “It is appalling how such derogatory and problematic text remains in circulation and that a textbook elaborating the merits of dowry can actually exist in our curriculum is a shame for the nation and its constitution.” Demanding immediate action, Chaturvedi said that it is extremely unfortunate that such outdated ideas prevailed despite dowry being a criminal act. “It is even more concerning that students are being exposed to such regressive content and no action has been taken so far. Such reinforcement of the dowry system is offensive and should be actioned upon immediately,” she added. She has also requested Pradhan to “immediately stop the circulation of such regressive textbooks and take them off the curriculum.” “I also request you to take strict measures in this regard and ensure that in future such anti-women content is neither taught or promoted, especially by the academic institution, and, that the textbooks are reviewed and approved by a panel,” the MP added. |
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