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The national capital, Delhi, is once again grappling with a severe <keyword id="19900550" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-Pollution" source="keywords">air pollution</keyword> crisis. With an AQI of 339, the city’s air quality has plummeted into the “very poor” category, casting a thick layer of smog over its residents. This deteriorating air quality poses a significant threat to <keyword id="19913584" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Public-Health" source="keywords">public health</keyword> and has prompted widespread concern. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology's (IITM) forecast paints a grim picture, predicting that the situation will likely persist for the next few days, with a further dip into the “very poor” category expected by Sunday. This annual decline in air quality is a result of a confluence of factors, including vehicle emissions, <keyword id="23593130" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Construction-Dust" source="keywords">construction dust</keyword>, and most notably, <keyword id="19990732" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Stubble-Burning" source="keywords">stubble burning</keyword> in neighbouring states. Despite strict regulations, the practice of stubble burning continues to be a major contributor to the air <keyword id="23291827" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pollution-Crisis" source="keywords">pollution crisis</keyword> in Delhi. Particulate matter emitted from this practice exacerbates the pollution levels, leading to a significant deterioration in air quality. The Supreme Court has recently criticised Punjab and Haryana for their failure to comply with anti-pollution laws related to stubble burning, increasing pressure on these states to take action. In response to the deteriorating air quality, the <keyword id="19925995" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-Government" source="keywords">Delhi government</keyword> has implemented several measures. The <keyword id="22644303" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Winter-Action-Plan" source="keywords">Winter Action Plan</keyword>, launched in late September, outlines 21 strategies aimed at curbing pollution. These include initiatives such as bio-decomposer spraying to reduce the effects of crop stubble burning and an anti-dust campaign targeting construction sites. Additionally, the Delhi Environment Minister, <keyword id="19931852" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gopal-rai" source="keywords">Gopal Rai</keyword>, has introduced further measures to monitor the city’s pollution hotspots. While these efforts are commendable, the challenges posed by the deteriorating air quality remain significant. The combination of low temperatures and calm winds hinders the dispersal of pollutants, making it difficult to improve the air quality. Rainfall, when it occurs, can provide some relief, but the recurring nature of Delhi’s pollution problem highlights the urgent need for long-term solutions. As Delhi continues to grapple with this environmental crisis, it is imperative that both the government and citizens work together to address the root causes of air pollution. Sustainable practices, stricter regulations, and collective action are key to ensuring a healthier and more livable city for all. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114186705" title="Delhi breathing clean air despite Dussehra celebrations, AQI better than before: Gopal Rai" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Delhi's AQI turns "very poor" today; Supreme Court criticises Punjab-Haryana for stubble-burning practices

Islamabad [<keyword id="3001" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan" source="Orion">Pakistan</keyword>], July 21 (ANI): Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on July 15 announced that the government was seeking to ban the jailed former Prime Minister <keyword id="19914692" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Imran-Khan" source="keywords">Imran Khan</keyword>'s Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party and press <keyword id="21323468" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Treason-charges" source="keywords">treason charges</keyword> against Khan under Article 6 of the country's Constitution. The decision was met with immediate criticism with the PTI quoting Imran Khan as saying that banning of any political party amounts to "murder of democracy." "Our party was already banned, it was not allowed to contest the elections, the chairman, vice chairman and president of the party were already in jail, they still say that the party is banned. It will be done," Khan said. Even the <keyword id="137995" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan-Peoples-Party" source="Orion">Pakistan Peoples Party</keyword> (PPP) did not get on board with the government decision while the other ally PML-Q also questioned the decision. Civil society immediately raised objections, with the Human Rights Council of Pakistan expressing concern over the decision and calling it to be in violation of fundamental rights. Author Zahid Hussain, in his column in Dawn, called it a sign of state desperation. "The decision to ban PTI is yet another sign of the state's desperation. It is a desperate move that may bring down the entire edifice. The plan to ban the most popular political party in the country is the most senseless, self-destructive action the government can take. It is nothing short of hara-kiri. Whether or not the decision is implemented, its very announcement has jolted the foundations of the existing political power structure. The ruling coalition is already in tatters." Zahid Hussain wrote in Dawn. A day later, the government back-tracked partially with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar telling the media that no final decision had been reached. "We need to consult our leadership and allies in this regard. Any decision to ban PTI will be made in accordance with the law and Constitution," Ishaq Dar was quoted as saying by Dawn. Fearing widespread protests, the government may not hold its threat to ban the PTI but holds steadfast on its decision to challenge the Supreme Court's reserved seats ruling. The development comes after the top court ruled that the PTI was eligible for the allocation of reserved seats for women and minorities. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of the full bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court announced the 8-5 majority verdict, nullifying the Peshawar High Court's (PHC) order wherein it had upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision denying the reserved seats to the SIC. Following the verdict, the PML-N filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against its verdict. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz openly criticised the court saying judges should allow the country to progress "I would like to ask the SC judges to let the country function. Who are those (people) who do not like the country making progress and re-write the Constitution," Maryam said addressing an event in Lahore. In response, the PTI accused the government and the PML-N of acting like the mafia. "In the case of reserved seats, the Supreme Court did full justice and corrected the Election Commission's misinterpretation of the Supreme Court's decision to take away the bat symbol from the Tehreek-e-Insaf, recognizing the political and parliamentary status of the Tehreek-e-Insaf, but the word law. The Supreme Court judges are being threatened on behalf of the Sicilian Mafia, that is illegally in power," the PTI said. While the PPP has come on board and supported the decision to review the court verdict an editorial in Dawn called it a dangerous step. "The PML-N's confrontational stance and overt refusal to respect court orders on arguably flimsy pretexts is a dangerous sign. The party seems to be throwing a tantrum over being denied a two-thirds majority, which it had only secured due to a series of patently unjust and illegal decisions taken by the ECP. It is unjustified for it to escalate tensions on this matter to the point where they may bring two branches of the state into direct conflict with each other," the column read. The next few weeks will be critical with the <keyword id="21101111" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shehbaz-Sharif-government" source="keywords">Shehbaz Sharif government</keyword>'s decisions being closely watched the world over.

Political confusion in Pakistan as government seeks to ban Imran Khan's party, challenge order on reserved seats

<keyword id="19965774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="punjab-national-bank" source="keywords">Punjab National Bank</keyword> (<keyword id="19918505" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pnb" source="keywords">PNB</keyword>) on Thursday announced an over three-fold jump in its profit to Rs 2,223 crore for the October-December quarter of the current financial year, compared to the corresponding figure of Rs 629 crore in the same period last year. The government-owned bank's total income shot up to Rs 29,962 crore during the quarter from Rs 25,722 crore in the same period last year. PNB's net interest income (<keyword id="19936363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nii" source="keywords">NII</keyword>) went up 12.1 per cent to Rs 10,293 crore from Rs 9,179.4 crore in the year ago period, according to a regulatory filing. The bank's asset quality also improved during the quarter with gross non-performing assets (<keyword id="19964545" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="npas" source="keywords">NPAs</keyword>) declining to 6.24 per cent of total loans from 9.76 per cent in the same period last year. Net NPAs came down to 0.96 per cent from 3.30 per cent. The provisions for bad loans made by the bank came down to Rs 2,739.1 crore from Rs 4,713.34 crore in the same quarter of the previous year. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/oneplus-12-vs-oneplus-12r-heres-whats-different-between-the-two-devices/slidelist/107138750.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/oneplus-12-vs-oneplus-12r-heres-whats-different-between-the-two-devices/slidelist/107138750.cms" target="_blank">OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 12R – What distinguishes the two new smartphones</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/revolt-rv400-brz-an-electric-bike-for-the-city-with-150-km-range-hits-indian-roads/slidelist/107142891.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/revolt-rv400-brz-an-electric-bike-for-the-city-with-150-km-range-hits-indian-roads/slidelist/107142891.cms" target="_blank">Revolt RV400 BRZ – An electric bike for the city with 150 km range hits Indian roads</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/rolls-royce-spectre-rolls-out-as-indias-most-expensive-electric-car/articleshow/107051636.cms">Rolls Royce Spectre rolls out as India’s most expensive electric car</a>

PNB clocks 3-fold jump in net profit at ₹2,223 crore for Q3

New Delhi, <keyword id="25455" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="finance" source="Orion">Finance</keyword> Minister <keyword id="129243" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="Orion">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> on Saturday said the public sector banks' profit in the last nine years has tripled to Rs 1.04 lakh crore due to initiatives taken by the government and underlined the need for continuing the momentum to fuel the economy. The net profit of public sector banks (PSBs) has almost tripled to Rs 1.04 lakh crore in FY23 from Rs 36,270 crore in FY2014. Inaugurating the corporate office of <keyword id="172709" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="punjab-and-sind-bank" source="Orion">Punjab and Sind Bank</keyword> here, the minister said that banks need to "build on laurels" by following the best corporate governance principles. "Banks should not sit back and revel in success. They should follow best corporate governance practices, adhere to regulatory norms, ensure prudent liquidity management, and continue to focus on having robust asset-liability and risk management," she said, stressing that the Indian economy has moved away from the 'twin balance sheet problem' to 'twin balance sheet advantage'. The finance minister said that there was a time when the Indian economy faced the problem of twin balance sheets -- stress on the balance sheets of banks and corporate at the same time. Before the Modi government came to power in 2014, difficulty in the Indian banking system actually started because of irrational 'Phone Banking', which happened during the tenure of the UPA government, she said. Back then, Sitharaman said, the priority in lending was given to not-so-worthy customers in an unprofessional manner. As a result, they became NPAs (non-performing assets). "As a result (of various initiatives of the government), I am glad to say the problems of twin balance sheets have gone away," she said, adding that as per the Reserve Bank of India, it is a twin balance sheet advantage that is benefiting the Indian economy. Observing that combined profits of the public sector banks tripled to Rs 1.04 lakh crore in 2022-23 against Rs 36,270 crore in FY14, Sitharaman said the banks "need to build on laurels". "At this stage, it is our duty towards the people of India to ensure that the banks can build on the strength and not lose this momentum that we have achieved," the minister noted. She said that the performance of the public sector banks has improved on account of various initiatives taken by the Modi government since 2014. There was an improvement in all critical parameters like return on asset, net interest margin and provisioning coverage ratio, she added. The 4R strategy followed by the Modi government to revitalise the state-owned banks has yielded results, she said. The 4R strategy refers to recognising the problem of non-performing assets, recapitalising the banks, resolving their problems, and reforming them. Further, Sitharaman said the banks should endeavour to adopt a proactive approach in reaching out to people to achieve optimum utilisation of financial inclusion schemes. There should be a focus on credit outreach in states where the credit offtake is lower than the national average, particularly in the northeast and eastern parts of the country, she said, adding they must aim to increase brick-and-mortar banking presence in border areas, particularly in those covered in the Vibrant Village programme. The bank should also promote the Mahila Samman Bachat Patra announced in the Budget 2023-24 through special drives and campaigns, she said. They must ensure that the entire Priority Sector Lending (PSL) target is met and not transferred to RIDF (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund), she added. She urged banks to focus on improving digital infrastructure with a focus on artificial intelligence and use this to the maximum so that efficiency increases. However, she cautioned that banks should ensure digital safety and there should be enough firewalls. The minister also recalled the story of the Punjab and Sind Bank, which had suffered due to partition in 1947. Only two of the ten branches remained in India, while the rest went to Pakistan. Starting from just two branches in 1947, the Punjab and Sind Bank has 1,553 branches, and the 1,554th at Karimganj in Assam was inaugurated remotely by the minister on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Finance Bhagwat <keyword id="12139871" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="kishanrao-karad" source="Orion">Kishanrao Karad</keyword> also appreciated the bank for its various initiatives to transfer the bank to a future-ready <keyword id="17873797" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="techno-savvy-bank" source="Orion">Techno Savvy Bank</keyword> and how the bank over the years has transformed itself gradually with the latest products and services. He also expressed satisfaction with the role played by public sector banks in making the Indian Financial System reliant and robust. Additional Secretary in the Department of Financial Services MP Tangirala also highlighted how Punjab and Sind Bank as a PSB is contributing to the overall development of the Indian Economy through its network of branches, ATMs and business correspondents.

Public sector bank profits grew 3x in 9 years says Sitharaman

Mumbai, RBI Governor <keyword id="6359111" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shaktikanta-das" source="Orion">Shaktikanta Das</keyword> on Monday said the central bank is "not comfortable" with the gross non-performing assets ratio of 8.7 per cent in urban cooperative banks (UCBs) and asked them to work towards improving the same. Addressing directors of UCBs in the financial capital at an RBI-organised conference, Das urged that such lenders should improve the governance standards, avoid related-party transactions and focus on credit risks, among others. It can be noted that the UCB sector has been fraught with multiple challenges and also witnessed difficult times in the recent past, like the implosion of the city-headquartered Punjab and Maharashtra Bank. Das reminded the directors of the UCBs that banks run on depositors and added that protection of the hard-earned money pooled in from the middle class, poor and retirees is far more sacred than going to a temple or a gurdwara. While the overall picture at an aggregate level looks nice, the situation on GNPAs and capital adequacy is "not at all satisfactory", Das said. He said the overall GNPAs have improved to 8.7 per cent, which is "not a good number. It is not a comfortable number even at an aggregate level". Scheduled commercial banks' GNPAs stood at a decadal best level of 3.9 per cent in March 2023 and are widely estimated to improve further. To manage the scourge of <keyword id="127693" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="npas" source="Orion">NPAs</keyword> better, Das suggested that there should be a focus on credit risk management with better underwriting. He said the RBI has come across instances of conflicts of interest or related party transactions, which need to be avoided. Similarly, there have been instances of many of the top defaulters being individuals or businesses having the ability to pay, Das said. The top 20 defaulters account for over 60 per cent of the loan overdue, and focusing on this segment can help improve the overall NPAs, he added. On the capital adequacy front, he noted that there has been an improvement in the ratios to 16.6 per cent at the end of FY23 from 15.5 per cent a year ago. Making it clear that he wants to share the RBI's concerns with the lenders, Das exhorted the UCBs to focus on the quality of governance by paying attention to compliance, risk management and internal audit. He said the RBI has come across instances where there is only "paper compliance" and no compliance is observed when an on-field inspection takes place, Das said, adding that the internal audit function also requires focus. The governor asked bank management to present a risk analysis report to the board on a quarterly basis, rather than making it into an annual effort. It is also necessary for the directors - who are elected and not appointed based on their skill sets, unlike the SCBs - to understand the financial sector, credit risk, banking, information technology and risk management, Das said. The <keyword id="6354335" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="reserve-bank-of-india" source="Orion">Reserve Bank of India</keyword> has prescribed a board of management to help the elected board members with professional help in running a bank, and the same should not be seen as an impediment, he added. Stressing that the board discussions should be free and fair, Das said it is important to have any dominance of one or two persons in the decision-making. "There should be free, frank and democratic discussions. Board members should be encouraged to ask whatever questions they have on their mind," he said. Das also expressed the RBI's discomfort with board committees like those handling important functions, such as audit and risk not meeting regularly, stating that it has come across instances where such meetings are not held for months or even multiple years. He also asked UCBs to monitor asset-liability mismatches, follow transparent accounting practices and recruit people based on requirements and ability to spend. On the technology front, he said the RBI has found that the quality of the core banking solution is not at all satisfactory in some banks, and the treasury operations are not getting reflected in the CBS. Going ahead, the UCB segment will be facing competition from tech-savvy entities like digital lenders, fintechs, non-bank lenders and micro-lenders, and hence, need to focus more on technology, Das said. The governor said the UCB sector - built to serve as the neighbourhood bank - is "doing well" from an overall perspective, and also made it clear that the RBI is fine with some of the entities in the sector growing big.

Not comfortable with NPAs in urban co-op banks says RBI, asks lenders to focus on governance

Amidst the continuous spike in Covid-19 cases in <keyword id="6360078" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="chandigarh">Chandigarh</keyword>, the <keyword id="151048" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Territory-administration">Union Territory administration</keyword> on Monday decided to extend the week-old curfew by another week. Non-essential shops will continue to be closed. The daily night curfew from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. will be implemented. Only daytime movement will be allowed. However, the residents are advised to avoid non-essential travel. While morning walkers will be allowed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m, in parks, the famed Sukhna Lake will remain closed for the public. The decisions in this regard were taken at a review meeting chaired by Chandigarh Administrator V.P. Singh Badnore here. It was decided that the maximum number of guests will be 20 in marriages. For this permission from the Deputy Commissioner is a must. For funeral, the number will be restricted to 10 with no permission. At present Chandigarh has 8,511 active cases, while nearby <keyword id="48534" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="panchkula">Panchkula</keyword> in Haryana has 2,953 cases and Mohali in <keyword id="6354953" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="punjab">Punjab</keyword> has 10,693 cases. Badnore thanked the <keyword id="15350" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Army">Army</keyword>'s Western Command for setting up a 100-bed Covid hospital in the city for civilians. He advised the army authorities to arrange for oxygen concentrators and ventilators. He also inaugurated a temporary Covid hospital in <keyword id="1500304" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sector-45">Sector 45</keyword>, where an existing dispensary has been converted into a full-fledged hospital. He stressed that there should be audit of each fatality so that the line of medical treatment could be improved and lapses, if any, could be rectified. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/this-ev-startup-mobycy-went-from-solving-last-mile-commute-to-delivery/articleshow/82513392.cms">It took one pivot and five years for this EV startup founder to hit the sweet spot for business in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/clubhouse-android-download-release-date-beta-version/articleshow/82515109.cms">Clubhouse for Android finally launched as downloads and hype take a plunge</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/bandhan-bank-share-price-falls-after-reporting-an-80-fall-in-its-net-profit/articleshow/82516642.cms">Bandhan Bank falls 4% after reporting an 80% fall in its net profit – positive market trends help it bounce back into the green</a>

Chandigarh government extends COVID curfew for another week

With the state's Covid-19 positivity rate sliding to 0.4 per cent, <keyword id="6354953" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="punjab">Punjab</keyword> Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered lifting of weekend and night curfew, and allowed gatherings of 100 persons indoors and 200 outdoors from Monday. At the same time, he directed the Director General of Police to fine all political leaders violating Covid behavior rules while holding rallies and protest meetings. Even as he hoped that better sense will prevail on the political parties and leaders brazenly violating curbs by holding massive protests, he asked DGP Dinkar Gupta to issue challans against those indulging in anti-Covid behaviour. The Chief Minister also ordered opening of bars, cinema halls, restaurants, spas, swimming pools, gyms, malls, sports complexes, museums, <keyword id="124520" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="zoos">zoos</keyword>, etc., subject to all eligible staff members and visitors having taken at least one dose each of the vaccine. Though schools will continue to remain closed, colleges, coaching centres and all other institutions of higher learning will be allowed to open by the Deputy Commissioner concerned, subject to a certificate having been submitted that all teaching, non-teaching staff, and students have been given at least one dose of vaccination, at least two weeks ago. The Chief Minister, while reviewing the Covid situation virtually, said the situation will again be reviewed on July 20. Strict use of masks must be ensured at all times, he directed, while announcing the easing of restrictions. Heath Secretary <keyword id="2866182" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hussan-Lal">Hussan Lal</keyword> said four districts had shown positivity of one or less than one per cent, but the districts that still needed vigilance were Ludhiana, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, and Ropar. Referring to the cases of black fungus, which has been reported in 623 patients as of July 8, the Chief Minister asked the <keyword id="48418" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Health-department">Health Department</keyword> to work out a proposal for supporting and helping in the treatment of such patients. Of the 623 cases, 67 are from outside the state, the <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="health">Health</keyword> Secretary informed the meeting, adding that 337 cases were under treatment and 154 had been discharged while 51 patients had died. The maximum cases reported in a day were 34 on May 27, while the average of daily cases in the first week of July stood at 5. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/crypto-exchanges-in-europe-may-have-to-store-all-transactional-data-as-regulators-set-up-a-new-anti-money-laundering-watchdog/articleshow/84262742.cms">Crypto exchanges in Europe may have to store all transactional data as regulators set up a new anti-money laundering watchdog</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/asus-finally-brings-its-rog-xg-mobile-egpu-in-india-starting-at-69990/articleshow/84262533.cms">ASUS finally brings its ROG XG Mobile eGPU in India starting at ₹69,990</a>

Punjab government lifts weekend and night curfew, allows reopening of gyms, malls, restaurants

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An Indian government official was involved in an attempted assassination on US soil, the Justice Department says.</li><li>The official also appeared to be involved in the earlier killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada, according to the indictment.</li></ul>A member of the Indian government directed a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen on American soil, according to a newly unsealed federal indictment.The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/us-attorney-announces-charges-connection-foiled-plot-assassinate-us-citizen-new-york">indictment</a>, brought by federal prosecutors in Manhattan Wednesday, identifies the Indian official only as "CC-1" and describes them as a "Senior Field Employee" within India's government with responsibilities in "Intelligence."The allegations are included in an updated criminal indictment against Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national who, according to a previous indictment first filed in June, hired a hitman for the assassination plot.The victim in the plot was meant to be Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/29/india-us-assassination-plot-sikh-pannun/">according to the Washington Post</a>. Pannum, a lawyer and citizen in the US and Canada, is a leader of a Sikh separatist movement that calls for an independent Sikh state in Punjab.In May, the Indian government employee recruited Gupta to orchestrate the plot to kill Pannum, according to the Justice Department indictment. The two met in person in New Delhi at the time, prosecutors say.Gupta, in turn, contacted another person to broker a deal with a hitman to carry out the plot in New York City, according to prosecutors. The two found another person who agreed to accept $100,000 to kill Pannum, the indictment says.The Indian government employee also said he had another "target" in California, according to the indictment."We will hit our all Targets," Gupta responded, according to prosecutors.The Indian government official appeared to be in a rush. On June 3, Gupta urged the assassin to finish the job, according to messages obtained by prosecutors."finish him brother, finish him, don't take too much time ... push these guys, push these guys .. . , finish the job," he told him over a phone call, according to prosecutors.On June 9, the Indian government employee arranged to deliver $15,000 in cash to the hired assassin in Manhattan as an advance for Pannum's murder, prosecutors say. The Indian government official also sent "the Victim's home address in New York City, phone numbers associated with the Victim, and details about the Victim's day-to-day conduct" to Gupta, who passed them along to the hired assassin, according to the indictment, and asked for "regular updates on the progress of the assassination plot."As it turned out, the assassin and broker were both working with US law enforcement, the indictment says.Prosecutors brought their first set of charges against Gupta on June 13 in <a target="_blank" href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.600440/gov.uscourts.nysd.600440.3.0.pdf">a short, three-page indictment</a>. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30 as part of an extradition treaty.<div type="image" title="Biden Modi" height="5264" width="7896" msid="105602147" hostid="261" sizebytes="1190018"></div><h2>Biden wants to court India. The assassination plots complicate things.</h2>The assassination plot has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/66809c9a-1a0d-4e88-adbf-5b2baece6aac">created a wedge between India and the United States</a>, which seeks to create deeper ties with the country as a counterweight to China.President Joe Biden personally raised the issue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in September, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/54721d57-fe1b-4d28-ab9b-a664f110770b">according to the Financial Times</a>. Earlier this year, CIA Director William Burns and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines each flew to India to pressure its government to investigate the plots, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/29/india-us-assassination-plot-sikh-pannun/">according to the Washington Post</a>.India categorized Pannum as a terrorist in 2020 for his Sikh separatist activism and has outlawed Sikhs for Justice, the secessionist organization he works for, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ft.com/content/66809c9a-1a0d-4e88-adbf-5b2baece6aac">according to the Financial Times</a>.Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh separatist leader and friend of Pannum's, was killed in Surrey on June 18. In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-indian-government-nijjar-1.6970498">accused India's government of being involved in the attack</a>."Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar," Trudeau told members of Canada's parliament at the time. "Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty."<div type="image" title="Biden Modi" height="2666" width="4000" msid="105602148" hostid="261" sizebytes="386134"></div>Contact information for Gupta's attorney was not immediately available. Representatives for the White House and India's Ministry of External Affairs didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.Wednesday's 15-page indictment suggests the Indian government official was also involved in Nijjar's death.The official sent Gupta "a video clip showing Nijjar's bloody body slumped in his vehicle" just hours after the killing, the indictment says."GUPTA replied that he wished he had personally conducted the killing and asked CC-1 for permission to 'go to the field,'" the indictment says. "CC-1 responded that 'secrecy [is] important,' and 'it's better you do not get involved in action.'"An hour later, the government official sent Gupta Pannum's address, which Gupta forwarded to the undercover US law enforcement employee who had been hired for the assassination, the indictment says. Gupta told the undercover law enforcement employee that Nijjar "was also the target" but that he was only "#4, #3" on the list, according to the indictment."We have so many targets," Gupta told him, according to the indictment.<div type="image" title="Biden Modi" height="5264" width="7896" msid="105602147" hostid="261" sizebytes="1190018"></div>In the wake of the Canadian killing, Gupta told the undercover law enforcement employee to kill other people if they got in the way of assassinating Punnam, the indictment says."If he is not alone, [if] there are two guys with him in the meeting or something . . . put everyone down, put everyone down," Gupta said, according to the indictment.Gupta and the Indian government employee appeared to have plans to carry out more killings, according to prosecutors.In their communications, they appeared to indicate that they were organized, well-resourced, and methodological with their plans.In one video call with Gupta, the undercover law enforcement official saw three other men in the room "wearing business attire, sitting around a conference table," the indictment says."We are all counting on you," Gupta told him in the call.Gupta said they planned to hire the supposed assassin for more jobs in the United States and Canada if they could pull off Pannum's killing."we will give more bigger job more, more job every month," Gupta told the undercover law enforcement official in one call, according to the indictment. "every month 2-3 job."

An Indian government official directed a plot to assassinate a Sikh US citizen on American soil, feds say — and more attempts were planned

Amid declining Covid cases and deaths, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered a slew of relaxations, including lifting of night curfew and an end to the Sunday lockdown, while directing the DGP to strictly enforce wearing of masks and other safety norms. Among the relaxations announced are increasing the limit for marriage functions and funerals to 100 in the state, in line with the Centre's guidelines, as well as easing the limit of three persons in a car and 50 per cent capacity in buses, subject to the condition of windows being open. Amarinder Singh, however, has directed DGP Dinkar Gupta to ensure strict adherence to Covid protocols, with immediate action against those violating the mandatory masks condition. There should be no laxity, especially in view of the ongoing paddy procurement operations and the forthcoming festival season, he said. On the issue of reopening of schools and educational institutions, which the Centre had left to the states to decide post-October 15 under Unlock 5.0, the final decision will be announced after due deliberations between the Home Secretary and the Education Department, he said. During a virtual meeting to review the Covid situation in the state, the Chief Minister took note of the decline in the rising cases and deaths trend and said the restrictions imposed earlier by the state government had helped. However, he expressed concern over the increase in cases in rural areas, even though numbers in cities/towns were going down. Amarinder Singh also directed Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan to look into arranging for provision of vitamins etc to poor Covid patients discharged from hospitals. In a brief presentation earlier, the state's expert health committee head, K.K. Talwar, said the positivity rate in the state had come down from 10.85 per cent on September 14 to 5.12 per cent on September 28. The number of deaths and patients on ventilators had also shown a decline during this period, he said. The state's Covid death rate currently stands at 2.9 per cent, with deaths per million at 112.5. The recovery rate has gone up to 82.1 per cent. Health Minister Balbir Sidhu underlined the need for motivation of doctors and other medical staff to keep the situation under control. <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/hathras-borders-sealed-and-section-144-imposed/articleshow/78423106.cms">Hathras victim was not raped claims UP Police citing forensic report</a>

Punjab government lifts night curfew and ends Sunday lockdown as coronavirus cases dip

In a move to protect the state's farmers and agriculture, Punjab Chief Minister <keyword id="6361287" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="amarinder-singh">Amarinder Singh</keyword> on Tuesday presented in the Vidhan Sabha a draft resolution rejecting outright the Centre's "anti-farmer" laws and the proposed electricity amendment Bill, with an appeal to all parties to rise above political interests in the spirit of saving the agrarian state. The draft resolution seeks annulment of the farm laws and the proposed Electricity Bill, as well as promulgation of "a fresh ordinance making the procurement of food grains on the minimum support price (MSP) a statutory right of the farmers and continue with procurement by the Government of India through the FCI and other such agencies". Regretting that several legislators indulged in frivolous activities on Monday to gain political mileage, with some coming in tractors and some spending the night in the Assembly precincts in protest against non-receipt of his government's Bills, the Chief Minister said he had signed the same at 9.30 p.m., after extensive discussions and consultations with various experts. Such delays in sharing copies of Bills happen in emergent session, he said, pointing to something similar happening when his government had brought in the Punjab Termination of Water Agreements Act during his last tenure in 2004. Amarinder Singh said the Bills being presented on Tuesday, the second day of the special assembly session, would form the basis of the state's legal battle ahead and, hence, needed to be thoroughly vetted before presentation. The draft resolution expresses the deep regret of the state legislative assembly over the "callous and inconsiderate attitude of the Government of India in attending to the concerns of the farming community on recent allegedly farm legislation enacted by them". It reads that the assembly is constrained to unanimously reject the three (farm) legislations and the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020. Referring to The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, the draft resolution notes that the Union Government had converted the relevant farm ordinances into Acts and notified the same on September 24 and 26 even though the concerns and sentiments of the House were conveyed to the Prime Minister through letter of September 14 by the Chief Minister. "These three legislations along with the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020 are clearly against the interests of farmers and landless workers, and time-tested agriculture marketing system established not only in Punjab but also in original green revolution areas of Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh," it said, adding the Government of India had clearly enacted trade legislations and not farm legislations. Further, said the draft resolution, these laws are also against the Constitution of India (Entry 14 List-II), which comprises agriculture as a subject of the state. These legislations are a direct attack, and use of subterfuge to encroach upon the functions and the powers of the states, as enshrined in the country's Constitution, said the draft resolution, read out by the Speaker. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-vaccine-updates-in-india-oxfords-vaccine-to-be-available-in-indian-market-by-march-bharat-biotech-to-develop-an-intranasal-vaccine/articleshow/78741876.cms">COVID-19 vaccine updates in India: Oxford’s vaccine to be available in Indian market by March, Bharat Biotech to develop an intranasal vaccine</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/wipro-wins-five-year-contract-with-europes-third-largest-producer-of-clean-electricity/articleshow/78761079.cms">Wipro wins five-year contract with Europe’s third-largest producer of clean electricity</a>

You Searched For "Punjab government" and got 10 results

Delhi's AQI turns "very poor" today; Supreme Court criticises Punjab-Haryana for stubble-burning practices

BI India Bureau

Political confusion in Pakistan as government seeks to ban Imran Khan's party, challenge order on reserved seats

ANI

PNB clocks 3-fold jump in net profit at ₹2,223 crore for Q3

IANS

Public sector bank profits grew 3x in 9 years says Sitharaman

PTI

Not comfortable with NPAs in urban co-op banks says RBI, asks lenders to focus on governance

PTI

Chandigarh government extends COVID curfew for another week

IANS

Punjab government lifts weekend and night curfew, allows reopening of gyms, malls, restaurants

IANS

An Indian government official directed a plot to assassinate a Sikh US citizen on American soil, feds say — and more attempts were planned

Jacob Shamsian

Punjab government lifts night curfew and ends Sunday lockdown as coronavirus cases dip

IANS

Punjab CM presents a draft resolution rejecting Modi government's farmer laws

BI India Bureau

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