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LUCKNOW: A supplementary chargesheet was filed by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a Lucknow court on Thursday against the Gujarat handler of Chandauli resident, Mohammad Rashid, who was charged with spying for Pakistan and receiving arms training in Karachi.
Nabbed in September 30 last year, Rashid’s point man in Gujarat, Rajakbhai Kumbhar, would operate on instructions of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and was tracked down after Rashid spilled the beans on his whereabouts in NIA custody. Rashid was arrested from the east UP district of Chandauli by the anti-terrorist squad in January 19 last year and a chargesheet was filed seven months later.
Ram janmabhoomi (file photo)
AYODHYA: Chairman of the Ram temple construction committee Nripendra Mishra, who is on a four-day visit to Ayodhya, did a quick survey of the Ramjanmabhoomi premises on Thursday.
“Currently, Trust coffers have a balance of Rs 1,900 crore since VHP launched the funds-raising drive on January 15,” Ram temple Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri has told TOI.
Engineers of Larsen and Toubro and Tata Consultancy also joined Mishra before they proceeded to Faizabad Circuit House to discuss the new blueprint of the foundation. All members of the temple Trust and top district administration officials were present at the meeting.
LUCKNOW: In a significant development, the UP Assembly passed the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion Bill, 2021 by a voice vote on Wednesday. The bill will now be sent to the UP legislative council for its approval before it becomes an Act after a formal nod by the governor. The ruling BJP doesn t have a majority in the upper house, so it would be a real test for its floor managers to get the bill through.
The bill was put forth in the assembly by parliamentary affairs minister Suresh Khanna for voting.
The opposition leaders, however, demanded that the bill be referred to the select committee for its consideration. The demand was raised by BSP legislative party leader Lalji Verma and Congress legislative party leader Aradhana Mishra. Khanna, however, maintained that the government was not against religious conversion provided it is not done unlawfully through mis-representation, force or undue influence.
Smriti Irani receiving registry of the land she bought in Amethi
LUCKNOW: Union minister and Amethi MP Smriti Irani will soon have a permanent address in her Lok Sabha constituency. She has bought around 15,000 square feet land in Medan Mawai area of Gauriganj in Amethi to build a house.
Irani’s spokesperson in Amethi Govind Chauhan told TOI that the minister has fulfilled the promise she had made to the people in the run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Irani had told people she would get a house constructed in Amethi if she won from the constituency. Irani, who had defeated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in his pocket borough by over 55,000 votes, stays in a rented accommodation whenever she visits Amethi.
Key Highlights
Uttar Pradesh finance minister Suresh Khanna on Monday presented Rs 5,50,270 crore budget for the financial year 2021-22 in the state assembly. Here are the highlights: Rs 10,029 crore for housing, Rs 2,200cr for Amrit Yojna, Rs 2,000 cr for Smart City project, Rs 1,000cr for Mukhya Mantri Samagra Sampada Vikas Yojna, Rs 7,000cr for PM Awas Gramin, Rs 5,000cr for PM Sadak Yojna Rs 3,100 crore for farmers pension Folk artists facing financial crisis will get a monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 Education (An university in every division, Rs 200cr for model colleges in 26 districts) Rs 100 crore for metro rail projects in Varanasi and Gorakhpur