Name: India overtakes China to become most populous nation, says UN agency
Uploaded: 2023-04-19T13:19:11.000+05:30
Duration: T00M29S
Channel: Editorji News Desk
Description: The UNFPA reportedly said that India's population is 142.86 crore, while China's is 142.57 crore.

Eight workers were killed and six injured after molten iron spilled at the Vizag Steel Plant in Visakhapatnam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation for victims and their families.

Eight workers killed in Vizag Steel Plant as molten iron spills

Eight workers were killed and six injured after molten iron spilled at the Vizag Steel Plant in Visakhapatnam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation for victims and their families.

At least eight workers were killed and six others injured after molten iron spilled on them at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (Vizag Steel Plant) in Visakhapatnam on Monday, officials said.&nbsp;
Some of the injured are reported to be in critical condition, while rescue operations were launched immediately after the incident.
According to police, the accident occurred when molten iron, being transported in a crane-mounted bucket, spilled on workers. The metal was estimated to be at a temperature of around 1,600 degrees Celsius.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed condolences, announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased worker and ₹50,000 for those injured, and said authorities were providing all possible assistance to the affected families.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the tragedy and directed all departments to coordinate relief efforts.

Opposition INDIA bloc leaders resolved to seek Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET-CBSE controversy and write to the Chief Justice on electoral roll revision and alleged vote irregularities.

INDIA bloc meeting: Oppn leaders vow unity, seek Pradhan's resignation, to write to CJI on SIR

Opposition INDIA bloc leaders resolved to seek Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET-CBSE controversy and write to the Chief Justice on electoral roll revision and alleged vote irregularities.

Stressing unity against the BJP, the opposition INDIA bloc members on Monday unanimously decided to demand Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's immediate resignation over the NEET-CBSE row and write to the chief justice of India on the SIR exercise and &ldquo;vote loot&rdquo;.
At the meeting, top leaders of several opposition parties called for the need to safeguard democratic values and address people-centric issues such as unemployment, price rise, &ldquo;atrocities&rdquo; against oppressed sections, and sought an all-party meeting to discuss them along with the &ldquo;precarious&rdquo; economic situation in the country.
They also decided to meet after every two months to ensure opposition unity, with the next meeting scheduled in Hyderabad for August, while continuing with Parliament coordination during the upcoming Monsoon Session.
The BJP has called the INDIA bloc &ldquo;a figment of imagination&rdquo; that lacked conviction on the ground, claiming that there was an implosion within the opposition alliance with disagreements involving the Congress, DMK, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Left parties.
Leaders of 22 opposition parties and Independent MP Kapil Sibal were part of the deliberations that lasted for more than two-and-a-half hours at the Constitution Club, amid a BJP surge in the run-up to the next Assembly elections cycle and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.
Earlier, Kharge had said that leaders of 25 opposition parties met on Monday.
The DMK, a key INDIA bloc constituent, did not attend the meeting, while the AAP had already distanced itself from the grouping.
Despite speculation, Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s ruling party TVK did not attend the opposition meeting.
The meeting was held in the backdrop of differences emerging among some of the INDIA bloc partners, including the Left and the Congress over the charge made during the recent Kerala polls that the Left had a political understanding with the BJP.
John Brittas of the CPI-M and D Raja of the CPI raised the issue with the Congress during the meeting.
Trinamool Congress&rsquo; Mamata Banerjee raised the issue of alleged "political retribution" during and after the recent West Bengal polls.
The deliberations began with a call to forge unity and rework the opposition strategy to take on the BJP, while ironing out the differences within after the defeat of regional outfits Trinamool Congress and DMK in the recent Assembly polls in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, respectively.
The meeting also came at a time when the Narendra Modi government completed 12 years in office in its third consecutive term.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, &ldquo;We have agreed on five issues. A letter would be sent to the chief justice of India (CJI) soon on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, &lsquo;vote loot&rsquo; and &lsquo;stealing of elections&rsquo;.
&ldquo;It was also unanimously agreed to demand the immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan because he presided over the betrayal of lakhs of youth who appeared in NEET and CBSE," he said.
Flanked by Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee and other senior leaders of the grouping, Kharge said, &ldquo;We are going to raise many people-centric issues, which all the parties have unanimously agreed to.&rdquo;
&ldquo;The opposition leaders also decided to continue coordination during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, with daily morning meetings at the office of the leader of opposition,&rdquo; he added.
The Congress veteran also said that all the opposition leaders aired their views freely at the meeting, which Shiv Sena-UBT's Uddhav Thackeray and JMM's Hemant Soren joined virtually.
Among those who attended the meeting were Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Kharge from the Congress, Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee from the Trinamool Congress, Akhilesh Yadav from the Samajwadi Party, Tejashwi Yadav from the RJD, Omar Abdullah from the National Conference and Mehbooba Mufti from the PDP, along with Left leaders.
NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule, CPI(M)'s Brittas, CPI's Raja and leaders of some smaller parties were also part of the deliberations.
Kharge urged the opposition leaders to strengthen unity to confront the political, economic, social and foreign policy challenges facing the country due to the Modi government's "misgovernance".
He claimed that the assault on the Constitution continued while the probe agencies were persistently being used as tools to &ldquo;harass&rdquo;, &ldquo;intimidate&rdquo;, and &ldquo;bully&rdquo; political opponents.
He also pointed to the "complete mismanagement" of the examination system, dashing the hopes and aspirations of lakhs of youth.
According to sources, Rahul Gandhi told the meeting that he was 100 per cent sure that elections are &ldquo;robbed&rdquo; in the country.
The ex-Congress chief also stressed unity, and said one must bring everyone together with love and affection.
The issue of aligning with the youth-led political movement Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) also cropped up during the discussions, with Akhilesh Yadav and Omar Abdullah calling for associating with the outfit, and Mamata Banerjee speaking about supporting civil society movements.
Akhilesh Yadav, who spoke about "vote chori" and said the Bengal polls were "robbed", appealed to the Congress to show a big heart and back the strongest regional parties.
Uddhav Thackeray also lauded Banerjee for having fought the polls like a "lioness".
RJD&rsquo; Tejashwi Yadav said the bloc's strategy must focus on the 2029 Lok Sabha polls and urged everyone to hit the streets.
Omar Abdullah urged all the opposition parties to look ahead at the 2029 general elections, stressing that the Congress is the glue that holds the INDIA bloc together.
The last official meeting of the INDIA bloc was held in Delhi on June 1, 2024, after the Lok Sabha polls. The bloc originally comprised more than 25 parties.

India has advised its citizens to avoid travel to Iran and leave the country through available transport options as regional tensions intensify following fresh Israeli airstrikes.

India issues fresh Iran travel warning, urges citizens to leave

India has advised its citizens to avoid travel to Iran and leave the country through available transport options as regional tensions intensify following fresh Israeli airstrikes.

India on Monday reiterated its warning to its nationals in Iran to avoid any travel to the country and exit the region by available means of transport.
The advisory comes in view of the latest developments in the region.
In the urgent advisory, the Indian Embassy in Iran reiterated its earlier advice to all Indian nationals to avoid travel to Iran.
"In view of the latest developments in the region, the Embassy reiterates its earlier advice to all Indian Nationals to avoid any travel to Iran," the advisory stated on X.
"Indian Nationals presently in Iran are also advised to exit the country by available means of transport," it said.
On Monday, Israel launched airstrikes targeting central and western Iran in response to missile fire from Tehran.
On April 7, India issued the advisory asking its nationals in Iran to stay wherever they are for the next 48 hours.
The advisory was issued after US President Donald Trump had warned that a "whole civilisation will die tonight" if Iran does not meet his 8 pm Eastern Time deadline to end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to official data, around 9,000 Indians, including students, were in Iran when the conflict began following strikes on Iranian targets by Israel and the US on February 28. Nearly 1,800 Indians have returned to India so far.

Bihar Police have detained two security guards linked to Khan Global Studies after a video allegedly showing aerial firing surfaced online. The action comes a day after vandalism at the coaching institute run by educator Khan Sir.

Bihar: Khan Sir coaching guards detained over firing during vandalism

Bihar Police have detained two security guards linked to Khan Global Studies after a video allegedly showing aerial firing surfaced online. The action comes a day after vandalism at the coaching institute run by educator Khan Sir.

Bihar Police has detained two security guards associated with Khan Global Studies (KGS) in Patna over alleged firing, a day after unidentified miscreants vandalised the coaching institute and pelted stones at its premises, officials said on Thursday.
The action followed the circulation of a purported video on social media that allegedly showed two guards firing shots. PTI, however, could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
According to police, a group of around 15-20 people allegedly attacked the institute on Tuesday night, damaging property and pelting stones at the premises.
Khan Global Studies is run by educator Faisal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir.
A case has been registered at Kadamkuan police station and an investigation is underway, according to a statement issued by the City SP (Central) office.
"During investigations, police obtained a purported video showing two individuals carrying out aerial firing. Following verification of the video, two guards linked to KGS have been taken into custody for questioning," the statement said.
Police added that the weapons allegedly used in the firing have been seized and sent for forensic examination.
Following the vandalism incident, Khan Sir had alleged that individuals associated with a rival coaching institute were behind the firing. However, he later said only a police investigation could determine whether any firing had actually taken place.
Police said three people, including the director of a rival coaching institute, have been arrested in connection with the vandalism case.
Meanwhile, representatives of a rival coaching institute held a press conference on Thursday and alleged that Khan Sir had orchestrated the incident himself.
Displaying the purported video of the guards firing shots, a representative identified as Adarsh claimed that Khan Sir had fabricated the firing narrative.
"Police investigation found no evidence of firing while he (Khan sir) had claimed that 7-8 rounds of firing took place in front of him. You can clearly see who is trying to create a false hype around firing. And now a video has surfaced showing his (Khan sir's) guards firing shots," Adarsh told reporters.
He further alleged that Khan Sir had staged the incident to revive his "lagging teaching career", though he did not explain how such an act would benefit the educator.
Police have not publicly commented on the allegations made by the rival coaching institute, and the investigation into both the vandalism and the alleged firing remains ongoing.

Investigators probing the deadly Malviya Nagar hotel fire allege owner Lavkesh Bajaj admitted to illegally expanding the property, citing a belief that “everything works in Delhi.”

'Delhi mein sab chalta hai': Hotel owner's greed behind illegal expansion; drove past blaze site

Investigators probing the deadly Malviya Nagar hotel fire allege owner Lavkesh Bajaj admitted to illegally expanding the property, citing a belief that &ldquo;everything works in Delhi.&rdquo;

The owner of the Malviya Nagar hotel gutted by a fire that killed 21 people allegedly told investigators that "Delhi me sab chalta hai" (everything works in Delhi) when questioned about major violations at the property, police sources said on Thursday.
According to investigators, Lavkesh Bajaj showed little remorse after the blaze at Flourish Stay B&amp;B in south Delhi's Hauz Rani area on Wednesday. Officials alleged that he even drove past the burning building during rescue operations without stopping, despite the commotion.
The fire claimed 21 lives, including 12 foreign nationals, and injured several others, making it one of the deadliest fires in the capital in recent years.
Police said Bajaj has been non-cooperative during interrogation since his arrest. Investigators claim questioning has uncovered a pattern of regulatory violations, illegal expansion and disregard for safety norms.
According to police sources, Bajaj told investigators that once the hotel business became highly profitable, he felt encouraged to expand the property illegally from two-and-a-half storeys to five floors because he believed "everything works in Delhi."
Officials said the establishment was permitted to operate only six rooms under the Delhi government's bed-and-breakfast policy. However, it allegedly expanded to around 25-26 rooms, including some in the basement.
Investigators also found that the premises had permission to run only a tea shop and did not possess a licence to operate a restaurant. Despite this, the property allegedly generated additional income through a ground-floor restaurant.
Police said rooms were rented out for between Rs 3,000 and Rs 15,000 per day.
According to investigators, Bajaj allegedly obtained licences in the name of Jai Mishra, who handled the hotel's accounts and day-to-day operations. Five police teams have been formed to trace Mishra, who remains absconding.
Sources further said the building had previously received a temporary accommodation licence during the 2010 Commonwealth Games under a different owner when Delhi faced a shortage of hotel rooms.
During questioning, Bajaj reportedly told investigators that he owns at least four hotels in the area and rarely visits them. He claimed that after purchasing the property in 2022, he handed over its daily management to Mishra.
Police also alleged that when the fire broke out, Bajaj happened to be near the building and noticed the activity around it. However, instead of stopping, he allegedly left the area and continued moving across different parts of Delhi before being traced and arrested later the same day.
Joint Commissioner of Police Vijay Kumar said investigators have secured four days of police custody for Bajaj.
"We will ask him about the staff members who were present there as all of them are absconding," Kumar said.
He added that the sections invoked in the FIR were appropriate considering the circumstances of the incident and that multiple violations had been identified.
"The premises had permission for only six rooms, but there were 25 rooms. No gas connection was taken in the name of the premises, but four cylinders were present," he said.
The investigation has now expanded beyond determining the immediate cause of the fire. Authorities are examining allegations of illegal construction, fire safety violations, licensing irregularities, ownership records and other factors that may have contributed to the high death toll.

Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has criticised reports of an “Islam-friendly gym” in Palakkad, urging the state government to prevent appeasement of radical groups.

Kerala BJP chief flags ‘Islam-friendly gym’ in Palakkad; urges CM Satheesan to act

Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has criticised reports of an &ldquo;Islam-friendly gym&rdquo; in Palakkad, urging the state government to prevent appeasement of radical groups.

Kerala BJP president and MLA Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday urged Chief Minister V D Satheesan to ensure there was no appeasement of radical groups after reports emerged of an "Islam-friendly gym" being launched in the northern district of Palakkad.
In a post on X, Chandrasekhar, who represents the Nemom Assembly constituency, directly addressed the chief minister and wrote: "We will not allow this creeping subterfuge in our state, CM Shri @vdsatheesan. You have made claims that there will be no appeasement. Please live up to it before things boil over."
The BJP leader was responding to a social media post claiming that a gym in Palakkad had been converted to operate under Islamic guidelines.
According to the post, the gym would not play music, would have separate workout timings for men and women, and female members would be expected to follow Islamic dress requirements, including wearing a hijab. It also claimed that people from other faiths could join if they agreed to comply with the rules.
Criticising the development, Chandrasekhar said: "The BJP-NDA predicted this dangerous politics. #ApakadamPolitics."
"A Cong/IUML/Jamaat-e-Islami government would talibanise parts of Kerala, creating pockets of radical Islam contrary to the Constitution of India and every law of this land," he claimed.
"Reality is that when a government is built on appeasement as a political policy, radical groups use that to push their agenda because they do not fear the law," the BJP MLA added.
There was no immediate response from the Chief Minister's Office to Chandrasekhar's remarks.
Earlier, media reports claimed that a gymnasium in Puthunagaram, Palakkad, was preparing to begin operations based on Islamic principles.
The gym, which has reportedly been functioning for the past 15 years, was recently renovated. Following the renovation, its owner announced on Instagram that the facility would undergo a major transformation to become fully "Islam-friendly."
The owner reportedly clarified that the decision was not driven solely by profit or the goal of increasing revenue.
According to reports, the gym would continue to admit people from all faiths, provided they were willing to adhere to the prescribed rules.
Under the proposed guidelines, no music would be played inside the facility. Men and women would work out separately, with dedicated timings allocated for each group.
Another requirement is that 'awrah' must be fully covered while exercising. In Islamic law, 'awrah' refers to parts of the body that are required to be concealed.

An 18-year-old NEET aspirant from Madhya Pradesh, who died by suicide in Nagpur after the NEET-UG 2026 exam was cancelled, left behind a note expressing fear and anxiety over appearing for the retest.

'Don't have courage for retest, sorry Mummy, Papa': NEET aspirant's note found days after suicide

An 18-year-old NEET aspirant from Madhya Pradesh, who died by suicide in Nagpur after the NEET-UG 2026 exam was cancelled, left behind a note expressing fear and anxiety over appearing for the retest.

Days after an 18-year-old NEET aspirant from Madhya Pradesh allegedly died by suicide in Maharashtra's Nagpur, her family discovered a handwritten note in which she apologised to her parents and expressed fear about appearing for the re-examination of the medical entrance test.
Akanksha Chaturvedi, a native of Mauganj district in Madhya Pradesh, had appeared for the NEET-UG examination on May 3 and was reportedly confident of securing a high score. However, the cancellation of the exam following allegations of a paper leak left her distressed, according to her family.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the May 3 NEET-UG 2026 examination on May 12 after allegations of a paper leak surfaced. A re-examination was subsequently scheduled for June 21. Around 23 lakh candidates had registered for the test.
Akanksha was preparing for NEET at a coaching institute in Nagpur, where her family was also residing.
According to police, on May 20, Akanksha told her family during lunch that she was not hungry and would eat later before going to her room. Around 3 pm, family members found her hanging inside the room. No suicide note was recovered at the time.
Several days later, while sorting through her books and study material, the family found a handwritten note, which was submitted to the Ambazari police on June 1.
In the note, Akanksha wrote, "Mummy, Papa...you had trust in me that I would study and become a doctor. But I do not have the courage to appear for a retest. In the first test, I was about to score good marks. But there is no guarantee that I will score good marks again. Sorry, Mummy, Papa, I have ruined everything for both of you."
Deputy Commissioner of Police Nityanand Jha said the note has been made part of the investigation.
"The girl ended her life in Nagpur, where the entire family was residing. The note surfaced when the family members were rummaging through her books. It has been submitted to the police, and investigation is now underway to ascertain all circumstances related to the case," Jha said.
According to police, the note indicates that Akanksha was anxious about taking the examination again. Investigators said she apologised to her parents and expressed uncertainty about repeating the process despite expecting a strong performance in the original examination.
Her father, Krishna Kumar Chaturvedi, a small farmer who also worked as a cook in Nagpur to support the family, told police that his daughter had returned from the May 3 examination feeling optimistic and believed she would score more than 650 marks.
However, family members later observed a significant change in her behaviour as she became increasingly disturbed after reports of the paper leak and the announcement of a retest.
An official from Ambazari police station said statements of family members have been recorded and further investigation is underway.
"All aspects mentioned in the note are being examined," the official said.

A Delhi court has granted four days of police custody to hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj in connection with the Malviya Nagar fire that killed 21 people. Investigators say custodial interrogation is needed to uncover safety lapses.

Malviya Nagar blaze: Delhi court permits police to quiz hotel owner in custody for four days

A Delhi court has granted four days of police custody to hotel owner Lavkesh Bajaj in connection with the Malviya Nagar fire that killed 21 people. Investigators say custodial interrogation is needed to uncover safety lapses.

A Delhi court on Thursday granted four days of police custody to Lavkesh Bajaj, owner of the Flourish Stay B&amp;B in Malviya Nagar, in connection with the devastating fire that killed 21 people and injured several others.
Judicial Magistrate Bhanu Pratap Singh observed that Bajaj's arrest was "lawful and justified" and allowed Delhi Police to interrogate him in custody as part of the ongoing investigation into the blaze that broke out on Wednesday.
The fire at the hotel, which was allegedly operating without a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) in a congested lane, claimed the lives of nine Indian nationals and 12 foreign nationals. Relatives of several victims are undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals.
Rejecting arguments challenging the validity of the arrest, the court said, &ldquo;...Considering the serious allegations against the accused of committing an offence punishable with imprisonment for life, this court is of the view that the arrest of accused Lavkesh Bajaj is lawful and justified.&rdquo;
During the hearing, the prosecution argued that custodial interrogation was necessary to verify the identities and roles of workers, employees and other individuals involved in operating the hotel. Police also informed the court that they needed to trace and apprehend accountant Jay Mishra and hotel manager Rakesh, whose roles have come under scrutiny during the preliminary investigation.
The prosecution further submitted that investigators needed to recover and examine documents related to the ownership and functioning of the hotel, including electricity bills, guest registers, booking records, online reservation details, financial records and bank account information. Police also said Bajaj would need to be confronted with witnesses as well as documentary and electronic evidence collected during the probe.
According to the prosecution, investigators must also verify information disclosed by the accused and identify other persons involved in the construction, management and operation of the premises.
Bajaj&rsquo;s lawyers, Nitin Ahlawat and Preeti Yadav, opposed the request for police custody, arguing that no recovery was required from the accused and that investigators already possessed the necessary information.
However, the magistrate observed that the investigation was still at an early stage and said custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover relevant facts and examine possible violations of mandatory safety regulations.
&ldquo;Considering that the investigation is at an initial stage, this court is of the view that custodial interrogation of the accused is necessary for the discovery of relevant facts leading to the incident and to verify the alleged lapses in compliance with mandatory laws,&rdquo; the order stated.
The court also noted that police custody was required to trace individuals whose involvement had emerged during the investigation and to recover documents, electronic devices and digital evidence linked to the case.
While allowing the police custody plea, the court permitted Bajaj&rsquo;s lawyers to meet him daily between 5 pm and 6 pm at the police station.
Delhi Police have registered a case under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 326(g) (mischief by fire), 324(5) (wrongful damage to property), 125(a) (negligent act endangering human life), 125(b) (grievous hurt by negligence) and 287 (negligent conduct with respect to fire) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
In the grounds of arrest, police stated that preliminary findings suggest negligence and a failure to ensure adequate safety measures for occupants of the premises. Investigators said Bajaj&rsquo;s custodial interrogation was necessary for recovering and verifying documents, identifying other responsible individuals and establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police also cited concerns that, if released, the accused could potentially tamper with evidence or influence witnesses connected to the case, making his arrest necessary for a fair and effective investigation.

Following the Malviya Nagar fire that killed 21 people, experts have raised concerns over loopholes in Delhi's Bed and Breakfast policy, including the absence of mandatory fire safety measures and relaxed registration norms.

Malviya Nagar tragedy puts spotlight on Delhi govt's B&B policy rules

Following the Malviya Nagar fire that killed 21 people, experts have raised concerns over loopholes in Delhi's Bed and Breakfast policy, including the absence of mandatory fire safety measures and relaxed registration norms.

A day after the fatal fire in Malviya Nagar claimed 21 lives, including 12 foreigners, the Delhi government's bed and breakfast B&amp;B policy is under scrutiny.
According to experts, the policy, officially known as 'National Capital Territory of Delhi (Incredible India) Bed and Breakfast Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2007'-- which started during the Commonwealth Games held in Delhi in 2010 -- has serious loopholes regarding safety norms.
"When the B&amp;B scheme was started in Delhi during the Commonwealth Games, there was a provision that in the residential building, the owner had to live in the building, which was later removed from the scheme. In this accident, we see that the owner was not living with them," Rajesh Pawar, former Delhi chief fire officer, told PTI videos.
Panwar said in the policy, there was no provision for fire extinguishers or fire safety.
"There was only one point that heat and smoke detectors should be desirable rather than mandatory, making installation entirely at the owner's discretion. I think heat and smoke detectors should be mandatory in the policy."
He said the initial phase of the scheme included a provision to attach an approved building plan from the local authorities.
"But after almost six months, the provision was removed. If this provision had remained, this establishment would never have been able to open in such a congested area. And even at that time, it was limited to six rooms and 18 occupancies for 18 people," he said.
Former fire chief Panwar said, "Delhi Fire Service has very good experience in firefighting; they fulfil their responsibilities very well. In firefighting, I do not consider anyone ahead of DFS. I have worked here and seen my personnel and officers."
The Delhi government said the existing policy is being withdrawn and a new policy is being formulated for which a draft has been put in the public domain.
"When we were commercialising this scheme then, the provision of fire NOC should have been made mandatory," he said.

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has announced a protest in Delhi on June 6 demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET and CBSE controversy.

Open to dialogue with govt, opposition; CBSE transfers 'eyewash': CJP

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has announced a protest in Delhi on June 6 demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET and CBSE controversy.

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Wednesday said it was ready for a dialogue with both the government and the Opposition over its demands, even as it prepared for a protest in the national capital later this week demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET and CBSE fiasco.
Addressing the party's first press conference at the Constitution Club of India here, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, an independent journalist, dismissed the government's transfer of CBSE chairperson Rahul Singh and secretary Himanshu Gupta on Tuesday as an "eyewash".
The party appealed to young people from across the country to participate in the proposed protest.
"We have given an open call. Anybody can join us without a party banner. We are ready to have a dialogue with everybody, be it those in power or the Opposition," Das said, referring to CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke's call for a protest on June 6.
"We are demanding accountability in the system. We have been demanding the resignation of the education minister, but no action has been taken against him till date. The transfers are being projected as action. It's not. There's a rot in the system," Das added.
On May 22, the Delhi High Court issued Das a notice alongside AAP leader Gopal Rai on a plea seeking contempt proceedings against them over an alleged "orchestrated social media campaign" against Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who recently withdrew from hearing the Delhi excise case.
Das said upon landing in Delhi at 8 AM on June 6, Dipke, who is pursuing higher education in the US, will head to Delhi's Parliament Street Police Station to seek permission for the proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
Dipke, who served as a core member of AAP's social media team in the past, has announced that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk will also join him at the protest.
Referring to the possibility of police action against Dipke upon his return, another CJP spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya, described by the party as a political researcher, author and filmmaker, said, "If Sonam Wangchuk could be arrested, Dipke could be arrested as well. If he's arrested, more people will rally behind us."
Responding to questions about CJP's alleged links with the AAP, CJP functionary Ashutosh Ranka said, "Our past affiliations are not important. This fight is bigger than that. CJP is bigger than an individual or any organisation."
Ranka, an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and the London School of Economics, previously worked with global consulting firm McKinsey &amp; Company in London. He has also been appointed a spokesperson for the CJP.
Dahiya said the movement reflected growing dissatisfaction among young people with the political system.
"The way this movement has captured the imagination shows that an entire generation is dissatisfied with the state of affairs," he said.
Responding to questions on the venue for the proposed protest, Ranka said the organisers were hopeful of receiving permission from the authorities.
"Jantar Mantar has historically been a site for peaceful dissent. We are confident that police will give us permission," he said.
Asked what would happen if Pradhan stepped down, fulfilling one of the movement's principal demands, Ranka said, "This is a fast-evolving situation. If Pradhan resigns in the next two days, we will update you about our position."

Editorji is a popular short video news and information platform based in India. It was founded in 2018 by Vikram Chandra, one of India’s leading journalists, and has risen to prominence in the digital news space in a relatively short span of time. The platform is primarily designed for mobile devices, with applications available for Android and iOS.

ABOUT US:

about us editorji

Latest Video News: Editorji provides the latest news video headlines, latest videos clip from India and the World. Get all breaking news videos on Entertainment, Business, Coronavirus, Elections, Politics and more.

Latest Video News, Breaking News, Bollywood, Political, Sports, Business News | Editorji

+91 11 4035 6666 / info@editorji.com
3rd floor, Plot B, Khasara no 360, Sultanpur, New Delhi, Delhi 110030
<a title="mail to us" href="mailto:info@editorji.com">Send Feedback</a>
<a title="Contact Us" href="mailto:info@editorji.com">Contact Us</a>

REACH US

Contact for any questions, suggestions, comments, feedback or advertisement on Editorji.com, we are always looking forward to hearing from you.

Contact Us for Feedback, Suggestions and Advertising 

Editorji content is better experienced in our app.

The UNFPA reportedly said that India's population is 142.86 crore, while China's is 142.57 crore.

India overtakes China to become most population nation, says UN agency

India overtakes China to become most populous nation, says UN agency


The UNFPA reportedly said that India's population is 142.86 crore, while China's is 142.57 crore.

India has overtaken China to become the most populous nation in the world, according to a United Nations report published on April 19, 2023.
Data from the United Nations Population Fund claimed that India's population is higher than China's by 29 lakhs.
The UNFPA reportedly said that India's population is 142.86 crore, while China's is 142.57 crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to France and Slovakia for bilateral talks and attend the G7 Summit in Evian, focusing on global challenges, innovation, and strengthening India–Europe ties.

PM Modi to undertake visit to France, Slovakia; to attend G7 Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to France and Slovakia for bilateral talks and attend the G7 Summit in Evian, focusing on global challenges, innovation, and strengthening India&ndash;Europe ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a week-long visit to France and Slovakia beginning June 13 to explore ways to expand bilateral ties and discuss pressing global challenges.
The prime minister will attend G7 Summit in Evian in France on June 16 and 17, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
In the first leg of his trip, Modi will visit French city of Nice from June 13 to 14.
He will also visit Evian and Paris from June 16 to 19, the MEA said.
The prime minister will be in Slovakia from June 14 to 16.
"In the first leg of the visit, the Prime Minister will visit Nice for a bilateral meeting with President Emmanuel Macron on June 14.
Both leaders will review the full spectrum of the India-France bilateral relationship, which was elevated to the level of a Special Global Strategic Partnership earlier this year," the MEA said.
In Nice, both leaders will also jointly inaugurate the 'Bharat Innovates' event, which will bring together top innovation startups and Venture Capital funds from India, France, and other countries.
In the second leg of the trip, Modi will travel to Slovakia for a State visit after concluding his trip to Nice.
This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian prime minister to Slovakia since its Independence in 1993.
The visit will reaffirm India's commitment towards strengthening its bilateral relationship with Slovakia in various sectors, including trade, investment, and automobile and railway manufacturing, the MEA said.
In the third leg of the visit, the prime minister will participate in the G7 Summit in Evian on June 16-17.
"During the Summit, he will exchange views with G7 leaders, and those from invited partner countries and International organisations, participating in the summit sessions on Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity; Reviving Balanced, Shared and Sustainable Economic Growth for all; and Ensuring a Safe, Rapid and Efficient Rollout of AI," the MEA said.
On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders.
In the final leg of the visit, the prime minister will visit Paris on June 18 for further bilateral engagements, and to attend the VivaTech Summit, Europe's largest technology and startup event.
"The Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Europe will further deepen India's partnership with France, Slovakia, and the G7," the MEA said.
It said Modi's presence at the G7 will reflect India's standing as a leading voice of the Global South and a key partner in addressing global challenges.
"The Prime Minister's participation in both Bharat Innovates and the Vivatech Summit will spotlight India as a global hub for innovation, digital transformation and entrepreneurship, and is expected to catalyse new partnerships between Indian, Drench and European technology ecosystems," the MEA said.
The visit will also reaffirm India's commitment towards advancing its broader strategic partnership with the European Union, it said.

The 13-km Zojila Tunnel, Asia’s longest high-altitude tunnel linking Kashmir and Ladakh, achieved a major breakthrough. The project is expected to provide all-weather connectivity and reduce travel time significantly.

Rs 6,800-cr Zojila tunnel project in J-K achieves breakthrough in excavation work

The 13-km Zojila Tunnel, Asia&rsquo;s longest high-altitude tunnel linking Kashmir and Ladakh, achieved a major breakthrough. The project is expected to provide all-weather connectivity and reduce travel time significantly.

The Rs 6,800-crore Zojila tunnel, Asia's longest tunnel connecting the Kashmir Valley to Ladakh, on Tuesday achieved a significant breakthrough with a blast breaking through the last 2.5 metres of the 13-km high-altitude infrastructure project that cuts through the Himalayas.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari performed the breakthrough blasting of the main tunnel being constructed at an altitude of 11,578 feet above sea level, around 24 km from Sonamarg and 103 km from Srinagar.
Addressing the media, the minister said the project is a lifeline for the people of Leh, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. It is at a height of 3,000 metres and workers have given their contribution by working in temperatures as low as minus four degrees.
He said 80 per cent of the workforce belongs to the region, and added that the project will provide all-weather connectivity to people of Ladakh region to Srinagar.
The breakthrough blasting of the main tunnel was conducted at an equidistant of 6.5 km, providing access to East Portal (east side) to West Portal (west side).
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah were also present on the occasion.
Officials of the National Highways &amp; Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) said the breakthrough is six months ahead of schedule.
As of now, about 85 per cent of the total work has been completed, Authority Engineer for the project, Yousef Es'haghpour Rahimabadi, told PTI here.
The tunnel is likely to be thrown open to the public in February 2028, the officials said, adding that after the breakthrough, the civil works will take another seven to eight months before the electrical works will begin.
The tunnel, 9.5 metre wide, 7.57 metre high and 13.153 km long, is a horseshoe-shaped single-tube, a two-lane road tunnel built at the height of around 11,578 feet above sea level.
Abdullah appreciated the ministry for the Zojila tunnel project.
"People of Ladakh region saw this dream long ago. It (connectivity) has been their dream for long.
"But no one was able to fulfil this dream. People had to face a lot of problems with respect to education, tourism, medical treatment," he said, adding that the tunnel will improve the lives of people.
He also urged Gadkari to help in providing the region air connectivity as well in the future.
Once completed, the bi-directional tunnel will significantly improve access to Drass, Kargil and Leh, while enhancing civilian mobility, logistics and regional connectivity in this strategically important area.
In tunnelling, a breakthrough refers to the moment when teams involved in excavation work from both sides meet at a given point.
"The Zojila Tunnel is one of India's most challenging infrastructure projects taking shape in the heights of the Himalayas. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Indian engineers have turned the challenges into an opportunity," the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways said.
The tunnel is also expected to boost economic activity, tourism and regional development.
Besides, it will address transportation challenges through the Zojila Pass, which remains closed for several months every year due to heavy snowfall, avalanches and extreme weather conditions.
The tunnel from Baltal in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir to Minimarg in Drass district of the Union Territory of Ladakh has an 18-km approach road.
Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), the agency executing the project, used the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) to pierce through the Himalayas and navigate the fragile geology.
The entire project is 31 km long, including the approach road and bridges, stretching from Sonmarg to Minimarg.
Once operational, the tunnel would enhance both civilian and military mobility across the treacherous Zojila Pass that is usually rendered shut for traffic for three winter months due to heavy snowfall.
MEIL won the project from the NHIDCL and began constructing the tunnel in October 2020.
Speaking further, Gadkari said that multiple rounds of bids were invited for the project.
In the fifth round, the estimation for the project was delivered around Rs 12,000 crore but "we are building it at around Rs 7,000 crore. So we saved Rs 5,000 crore".
MEIL is aiming to complete the project by 2028. However, it will continue to operate and maintain the tunnel for a period of five years after commissioning, officials said.
Besides being the longest tunnel project in Asia, Zojila is also among the world's highest tunnel projects, the officials said.
Over the last five years, the site has witnessed five avalanche incidents, including a severe one in January 2023 when 172 workers stranded in the area were rescued by the Indian Army.
Despite these challenges, the project has achieved 10 million safe man-hours, MEIL said.
The geo-strategically important tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway will provide year-round, all-weather connectivity to Ladakh, reducing the travel time from 1-1.5 hours to 15 minutes, the officials said.

India accused Pakistan of police brutality in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir after reports of over 20 deaths during protests, urging the international community to hold Islamabad accountable for alleged human rights violations.

India urges global community to hold Pakistan accountable after deadly PoK violence

India accused Pakistan of police brutality in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir after reports of over 20 deaths during protests, urging the international community to hold Islamabad accountable for alleged human rights violations.

India on Tuesday came down hard on Islamabad for its "brutality" against people in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) and called on the international community to hold that country accountable for its "abuses".
India's reaction came as over 20 people were reportedly killed in police action on protesters in several parts of PoK.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, slamming Pakistan, said there have been "desperate" attempts by Islamabad to cover up its "failings" and deflect attention away from its alleged human rights abuses.
"We continue to see in this context, a pattern of fake news and videos emanating from Pakistan. It is a desperate attempt by Pakistan to cover-up its own failings and deflect attention away from its human rights abuses," he said.
"There are reports of severe police brutality in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir in which several protestors have been killed and many injured. We hope the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds and abuses," Jaiswal added.
He was responding to a question at a media briefing.
India's reaction came a day after Pakistan's human rights body said that it is "deeply alarmed" by the ongoing violence in PoK during violent clashes.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also expressed serious concerns about the so-called regional government's decision to proscribe the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) under anti-terrorism legislation.
The JAAC has long been demanding the abolition of 12 "refugee seats" in the so-called Legislative Assembly in PoK.
The seats are reserved for refugees from Kashmir who settled in Pakistan after 1947.
JAAC alleges that these seats were often used by mainstream Pakistani political parties to influence the formation of governments in Muzaffarabad.
India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over the recent elections, maintaining that PoK has been "illegally and forcibly" occupied by Pakistan.

Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination for the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha election was rejected after allegations that she failed to disclose details of a pending case in Telangana in her affidavit.

Rajya Sabha Elections: MP Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination rejected during scrutiny

Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan&rsquo;s nomination for the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha election was rejected after allegations that she failed to disclose details of a pending case in Telangana in her affidavit.

The upcoming elections to three Rajya Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh took a dramatic turn on Tuesday with the nomination of Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan being rejected on charges of concealing information about a case in the affidavit.
"Natarajan&rsquo;s nomination has been rejected by the Returning Officer on the grounds of hiding information about a case," an MP Assembly official told PTI.
A complaint was submitted by BJP candidate Mahesh Kewat, contesting the third Rajya Sabha seat, to the Returning Officer alleging that Natarajan deliberately hid information about a case filed against her in Telangana.
Sanket Gupta, the lawyer representing Kewat, told reporters that a criminal case is pending against Natarajan in a Telangana court and is not mentioned in the affidavit.
He said the Returning Officer has rejected her nomination on this basis.
"This information has been deliberately concealed. According to Supreme Court guidelines, you are required to provide this information in the affidavit. Kewat had filed an objection to Natarajan's candidacy under this same provision," he added.
He claimed several other deficiencies were found in the nomination.
Congress's Madhya Pradesh in-charge, Harish Chaudhary, claimed that no case had been filed against Natarajan and that the BJP is bringing up such cases to harass her.
He said Natarajan had received a show-cause notice from the court, and it was not necessary to mention it in the affidavit.
He said the Election Commission's instructions are clear that information must be provided in the nomination when a case is filed, not upon receiving a notice.
"Technically, Natarajan's nomination cannot be rejected," Chaudhary added.

Trinamool Congress faces a deepening internal crisis as a group of rebel MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, claim majority support for backing the NDA, adding to recent unrest within the party's legislative ranks.

TMC rebellion spreads from assembly to Parliament, breakaway camp claims support of 20 MPs

Trinamool Congress faces a deepening internal crisis as a group of rebel MPs, led by Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, claim majority support for backing the NDA, adding to recent unrest within the party's legislative ranks.

After a split between its MLAs, the Trinamool Congress appeared headed for an implosion in Parliament, with a group of MPs claiming majority support deciding to ditch Mamata Banerjee and back the BJP-led NDA.
On a day when TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee were attending the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi, Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who is at the forefront of the rebel faction, said they had decided to write to Speaker Om Birla declaring support for the NDA.
The crisis engulfing the TMC deepened on Monday with Ghosh Dastidar claiming that 20 MPs of the party have decided to write to the speaker.
Speaking to PTI over phone, Ghosh Dastidar said, "Nearly twenty TMC MPs, including me, have decided to write to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and formally support the NDA."
Sources said the dissident MPs intend to argue before the speaker that Ghosh Dastidar continues to be the chief whip of the party in the Lok Sabha.
"We have accepted the people's verdict and believe that our future political course should be aligned with the NDA," Ghosh Dastidar said.
A TMC leader, however, said the party had communicated its decision to remove her as chief whip and appoint Kalyan Banerjee to the Lok Sabha Secretariat through an official letter dated May 20, signed by TMC Parliamentary Party Chairperson Mamata Banerjee.
A copy of the letter shared by party sources showed a stamp of receipt from the speaker's office dated May 29.
According to sources, the rebel MPs have chosen not to immediately resign from the TMC or join the BJP.
Instead, they intend to function as a separate bloc supporting the NDA, a strategy designed as a shield against the anti-defection law.
The arithmetic is politically significant.
The TMC currently has 28 Lok Sabha MPs, with one vacancy following the death of Basirhat MP Haji Nurul Islam.
The support of 20 MPs would comfortably cross the two-thirds threshold needed to thwart the invocation of the anti-defection law.
The TMC leader, however, reiterated that even securing that number would not automatically enable the rebel faction to function as a separate parliamentary group.
"As per the law, even if two-thirds of MPs wish to leave a party, the only choice they have is to merge with another political party. There is no provision for a separate group," the leader said.
A group of dissident MPs, meanwhile, held a meeting at BJP leader Bhupender Yadav's residence in Delhi, a source said.
A photograph purportedly from the meeting circulating online showed Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Shekhar Ray, along with MPs Abu Taher, Asit Mal, Arup Chakraborty, Kalipada Soren, Jagadish Basunia, Prasun Banerjee, Sharmila Sarkar, and Satabdi Roy.
Party sources also said around 20 MPs attended an informal gathering at an undisclosed location in the national capital late Sunday night.
According to sources familiar with the meeting, the MPs discussed possible courses of action and expressed their displeasure over the existing party's parliamentary leadership structure.
TMC MP Sougata Roy dismissed suggestions of an exodus.
"I have heard that some MPs held a separate meeting last night. Only they can say what transpired in the meeting. I was not contacted by them," he said.
Asked about reports of attempts by the BJP to reach out to TMC MPs, Roy said he had been contacted but declined the offer.
"I told them I will remain with the TMC. At this age, it won't be possible for me to change camp," the 78-year-old four-term MP told PTI.
Ray, who attended the meeting at Yadav's residence, resigned from the Rajya Sabha as well as the primary membership of the party and issued a statement accusing the TMC of "15-year anarchical rule" before the BJP came to power in the state.
His resignation from the Rajya Sabha has been accepted by RS Chairman C P Radhakrishnan.
"I have met the Rajya Sabha chairman and submitted my resignation. I have conveyed my decision to resign from the party through WhatsApp and email to Mamata Banerjee," Ray told reporters.
"I had my tenure till 2029 in the Rajya Sabha, but I have resigned in principle from the party as it would be difficult for me to continue," he said.
Rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee, who now heads the breakaway faction in the West Bengal Assembly, described Ray's resignation as a sign of rising dissent in the party and claimed more parliamentarians could publicly distance themselves from the TMC in the coming days.
The development comes barely days after the TMC leadership suffered a setback in the West Bengal Assembly, where 58 of its 80 MLAs defied the party high command's decision to appoint veteran leader Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the leader of the Opposition and elected expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee to that post.
The political turbulence that has gripped the TMC since its electoral debacle has veritably softened party supremo Mamata Banerjee, who attended the INDIA bloc meeting here with a reconciliatory approach to chart a pan-India strategy against the BJP.

Highlights

Latest news

India overtakes China to become most populous nation, says UN agency

Up Next

More videos

Categories