FRIDAY SBI, PNB IN TALKS WITH K’TAKA GOVT FOR AMICABLE DISPUTE RESOLUTION 16 AUGUST, 2024 As the matter SBI SAYS is currently epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard sub judice, we are unable to provide any specific comments at this time. However, we remain in ongoing discussions with the Government of Karnataka to resolve the issue amicably X.com/TheMornStandard P E N A LT Y In their first reaction to the sudden decision of the Karnataka govt to stop all transactions with them, the SBI and PNB said they are engaged with the state for an amicable resolution MAJOR REJIG FOR GOOGLE APP STORE A federal judge indicated that he will order major changes in the tech giant’s Android app store after a jury declared its Play Store a monopoly PAGE 9 A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS NEW DELHI J8.00 PAGES 12 Both issued separate statements saying the matter at the root of the problem is pending in court The bank is PNB SAYS committed to an amicable resolution of the matter and is in discussion with the Karnataka government Kolkata’s Most Accomplished Women And the City of the Goddess An unbeatable match August 16, 5.30 pm ITC Royal Bengal ShAkTI SpIRIT SeRenITy Smriti Irani, Former Union Minister, will be presenting the awards Devi AwArDs Presenting Partner Associate Partners Celebration Partner Gifting Partners Outdoor Partner W o M e n ’ s AWA r d s f o r d y nA M i s M & i n n ovAt i o n by invitation only Renews one nation, one poll call Tells world India’s growth doesn’t threaten anyone 75,000 more med seats to be created in 5 years PM push for secular civil code On I-Day, Gahlot calls jailed Kejriwal a ‘freedom fighter’ A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi IN the absence of incarcerated chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet colleague Kailash Gahlot on Thursday hoisted the national flag and took the parade salute, as per an understanding with the Lieutenant-Governor. Gahlot hailed Kejriwal as a “modern freedom fighter,” questioning the true meaning of independence when an elected CM can be jailed without evidence. Kailash Gehlot, The Delhi home minister remarked that the minister day was very emotional for him. “We are able to see this day because so many brave hearts of It would have our country gave us freedom by putting their been more lives at stake,” said Gahlot. appropriate to “But my heart is saddened that even after 77 compare Arvind Kejriwal to Nadir years of freedom, a democratically elected CM is behind bars and I have to be present in his Shah. By place,” said the minister. “Kejriwal has acceptpoliticising the I-Day address, ed to serve the punishment of working for the Gahlot insulted people of Delhi by going to jail,” said Gahlot. democracy, the The minister said said that the country got Constitution independence so that it can free itself from Virendra Sachdeva, illiteracy poverty unemployment and disease. , , City BJP chief “Kejriwal has launched various initiatives to liberate the people from wants and miseries. Freedom But some anti-democratic forces in the affords the right country have continuously conspired to stop to ensure that these bold efforts,” he said. the govt is held “India’s democracy and the Constitution are accountable. For so strong that no force can weaken its values. We instance, the have a recent example: Due to Baba Saheb’s Congovt should be responsible for stitution, Manish Sisodia has been freed a few keeping the days before Independence Day I have full faith . Yamuna clean that the CM will also come out soon and hoist V K Saxena, L-G the I-Day flag for the coming years,” he said. P3 Our democracy, Constitution are so strong that no force can weaken its values. I’ve full faith that the CM will come out of jail soon RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR @ New Delhi IN his longest Independence Day speech lasting 98 minutes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday ticked all the important boxes like pitching for a secular civil code, giving the one nation, one poll concept a further push, creating jobs, farmers, corruption, punishment for crimes against women, the Bangladesh situation, and the vision of Viksit Bharat (developed nation) by 2047. Delivering his 11th consecutive speech from the ramparts of Red Fort, Modi emphasised the need for stringent action against gender crimes, calling for tougher measures and instilling fear among perpetrators—in the context of the horrific rape-murder of a PG student in Kolkata— to ensure justice for women. Expressing concern over the recent unrest in Bangladesh and the attacks on Hindus, he urged the new government there to guarantee their safety . The prime minister also categorically told the world that India’s progress does not pose a threat to anyone. “While we progress as a country the challenges will also in, crease, especially externally. I want to convey to such forces that India’s development will not pose a threat to anyone. We have never propelled the world towards war... But, to challenge the challenges is in the nature of India,” he averred. Pitching for a uniform civil code, Modi said, “A secular civil code is the need of the hour. A significant segment of our population recognises that our current civil code is inherently communal and discriminatory .” On the one nation, one election concept, the PM said, “Frequent elections are creating obstacles in the country’s progress. I urge everyone to come together to facilitate one nation, one election reform.” In an apparent jibe at the Opposition, he said some people can’t digest the development taking place in the country. “These pessimists want to promote anarchy I urge the people to . reject such elements who don’t see development unless it benefit them individually .” Modi also announced plans to create 75,000 new medical seats in five years to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the country . The PM gave a call to rid politics of casteism and nepotism, urging one lakh youth with no family ties to politics to enter public life. P7 Midnight mob rampage at Kolkata hospital adds to outrage, 9 detained S U L AG N A S E N G U P TA @ Kolkata AFTER a night-long mayhem and large-scale vandalism unleashed by a group of goons at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital when lakhs of people converged in protest against the brutal rape and murder of a PG student, nine people were on Thursday detained with the Kolkata Police taking to social media seeking help to identify the culprits. A mob had entered the hospital disguised as protesters and ransacked the stage where the junior doctors were protesting. According to witnesses, the mob entered the emergency ward and destroyed the furniture and equipment, attacked the nursing station and medicine store, and damaged CCTV cameras. During the violence, the police took shelter inside the women’s toilets and nursing staff rooms. However, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, who rushed to the hospital after the violence broke out, blamed a “malicious media campaign” for the situation. The nursing staff of the hospital on Thursday protested against the violence and the police inaction while the principal lost her cool when confronted by the doctors on their safety . Governor CV Ananda Bose vis- Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) addresses the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort after hoisting the national flag (above) on 78th Independence Day, in New Delhi, on Thursday. At 98 minutes, he delivered his longest Red Fort address ever—his 2016 speech lasted 96 minutes | SHEKHAR YADAV/PTI 2.5K aspirants for Cong tickets, BJP banks on internal poll in Haryana H A R P R E E T B A J W A @Chandigarh (From left)Nurses protest against the vandalism at RG Kar Hospital; Damaged equipment after mob violence | PTI ited the hospital on Thursday and expressed deep concern over the security of women. “Vandalism is a shame to civil society. It’s a shame to the entire humanity. This bloodbath can’t be allowed anymore. I am with you and we will work together to solve this. I assure you justice,” Bose told the doctors. Meanwhile, the CBI team investigating the case questioned five doctors and some officials of the hospital. The CBI team also questioned the officer incharge of the Tala police station, under whose jurisdiction RG Kar Hospital falls. While the BJP plans to hold a candlelight march on Friday, Mamata Banerjee will hold a rally demanding capital punishment for the culprits. P8 After backlash, doctors’ body admits mistake & rejoins stir A S H I S H S R I VA STAVA @ New Delhi FACING backlash from the medical fraternity and in the wake of Wednesday night’s mob violence at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) on Thursday reversed its decision to call-off the strike. It acknowledged that its decision to call off the strike was a mistake, which caused “disappointment” within the medical fraternity “The events that have unfolded since, particularly Wednes. day night’s violence have shocked and anguished us all. This represents a dark chapter for our profession... Given the gravity of recent developments and the overwhelming call for justice, we have decided to resume the strike, effective immediately wrote ,” FORDA in a statement. “We acknowledge that our earlier decision to call off the strike, made in good faith based on assurances from the ministry, has caused distress and disappointment within our community We . accept responsibility for this and understand the widespread discontent it has caused,” it added. Meanwhile, resident doctors from hospitals under the Ministry of Labour, MCD and NDMC also decided to join the protests. P3 AS many as 2,556 aspirants have applied for the Congress ticket for the 90-member Haryana Assembly polls due later this year. On the other hand, local functionaries of the BJP are voting for their choice of MLA candidates. Congress sources said that the highest 88 applicants of the party are from Nilokheri (reserved) segment in Karnal district followed by 86 ticket seekers for Julana. Sources said that MLAs, former legislators, the kin of political stalwarts, advocates, doctors, retired bureaucrats, superannuated judges, teachers, besides a few journalists have applied for grand old party’s nomination. The last date to apply for the Congress ticket was August 10. Sources said the Congress was stepping up its campaign ‘Har- yana Maange Hisaab’ led by Deepender Hooda, Rohtak MP . The BJP has decided to involve its workers in the candidate selection. On Sunday par, ty functionaries in the state voted for their choice of MLA candidates. The local party leaders and workers were asked to vote for the three most suitable candidates from their respective assembly segments. The results of the internal survey will be used to identify the most favored candidates within the party as there are hundreds of ticket aspirants. The feedback will be used to ensure that the final candidates have strong internal support. A three-member Election Commission team led by CEC Rajiv Kumar conducted the review during a visit to Chandigarh on August 12 and 13. The term of the Haryana Assembly is due to expire on November 3. EXPRESS READ Mob foils bid to honour Bangabandhu A group of stick-wielding people on Thursday placed themselves in front of the residence of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and foiled the attempts by the supporters of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to commemmorate his assassination. Days before, the interim government had scrapped the National Mourning Day holiday on August 15. P9 Delhi traffic cop among 2 hurt by Chinese manjha U J W A L J A L A L I @ New Delhi TWO persons, including a policeman, were injured in separate incidents after they were “hit” by Chinese ‘manjha’ (string) that is still being used to fly kites despite prohibition, a Delhi Police officer said on Thursday The condition of the . injured is stated to be stable. The police said that assistant sub-inspector Surendra, posted at the Punjabi Bagh Circle, suffered an injury from the kite string while he was on his way to his workplace. The 47-year-old officer was hit by a manjha thread near Yamuna Vihar in Bhajanpura, after which he visited a nearby hospital. “He was discharged after treatment and is stable now,” said a police officer. In another incident, a 34-yearold man suffered a serious injury when he was grazed by the manjha while he was riding a scooter with his wife near Signature Bridge in northeast Delhi, the police said. The government has banned the sale, production, storage, supply, import, and use of kite flying thread made of nylon, plastic or other synthetic material. Other types of thread laced with glass, metal or any other sharp materials have also been banned since 2017. Till August 8, 147 FIRs have been registered by police during this kite flying season.
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