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Global rights bodies should intervene in Bangladesh, says Suvendu Adhikari.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday appealed to international human rights organisations to intervene in Bangladesh, claiming the “fundamentalist forces” in the neighbouring country were worse than the Taliban or the ISIS.

Speaking to mediapersons in Kolkata, Adhikari, the BJP MLA from Nandigram, said, “Fundamentalists ransacked houses and assaulted lawyers defending monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. They are worse than the Taliban and ISIS. Look how Ramen Das (Chinmoy Das’ lawyer) was assaulted and he is fighting for his life in ICU (intensive care unit). On the other hand, the police have slapped cases against Hindu lawyers who defended him in court.”

“None of the 51 lawyers who defended him in court (on November 26) could appear in court today. I appeal to all international human rights organisations to intervene in Bangladesh. The situation is only getting worse. There are no human rights for minorities and even lawyers in Bangladesh. I appeal to the ISKCON for a strong reaction internationally,” he added.

Earlier in the day, monk Chinmoy Krishna Das’ bail hearing, which was scheduled to be held on Tuesday at a court in Bangladesh’s Chattogram, was postponed to January 2 as there was no lawyer to represent him, it is learnt.

ISKCON claimed that the condition of Ramen Roy continues to be critical. According to the organisation, the lawyer was beaten up at his residence in Chattogram on Monday night.

ED raids eight private medical colleges over ‘NRI quota irregularities’

The nationwide investigation centres around allegations of admitting ineligible students through the NRI quota in exchange for bribes.

As part of its nationwide crackdown, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided eight private medical colleges in West Bengal over alleged irregularities in allocation of NRI quota seats.

The central agency initiated simultaneous searches at these institutions and the residences of their owners on Tuesday morning. One of the primary targets of the investigation is the house of former Tamluk MP Lakshman Seth in Haldia. The ED is scrutinising his medical and dental college, which is run by his voluntary organisation.

The ED’s probe is focused on allegations of corruption related to the NRI quota in medical admissions. Apart from West Bengal, the agency is conducting searches in 28 private medical colleges across India. In this state, the raids are being carried out in Birbhum, West Burdwan, and Kolkata.

The investigation centres around allegations of admitting ineligible students through the NRI quota in exchange for bribes while denying admission to eligible candidates. One of the medical colleges under scrutiny in Birbhum is owned by Malay Peet, who is accused in cow smuggling and recruitment corruption cases allegedly linked to TMC leader Anubrata Mandal.

Key Highlights of Budget FY24-25

Finance Minister Sitharaman tabled the first Union Budget of the BJP-led NDA government in its third term in office on July 23rd. Sitharaman is the first full-time woman finance minister of the country and has presented five full budgets since July 2019 and an interim budget on February 1, 2024

KEY UPDATES

1. Changes In New Income Tax Regime Slab
0-3 lakh: Nil | 3-7 lakh: 5% | 7-10 lakh: 10% | 10-12 lakh: 15% | 12-15 lakh: 20%
Above 15 lakh: 30%

2. Standard Deduction in the New Tax Regime increased. The Finance Minister has hiked the limit from 50,000 to 75,000.

3. Long-term capital gains tax is set at 12.5%.

4. Short-term gains on some financial assets to attract 20% tax

5. Angel tax abolished, Finance Minister proposes a simpler regime.

6. Precious metals like gold, silver and platinum set to become cheaper.

7. Fiscal deficit lowered to 4.9% of GDP.

8. Medicine and Mobile get cheaper.

9. Big boost to the space sector.

10. Financial relief to flood-hit states.

11. Transit-oriented development programs

12. Big infrastructure push.

13. PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana launched.

14. Urban housing outlay of ₹10 lakh crore announced.

15. Rental housing for industrial workers

16. Internships for 1 crore youths

17. Big Boost For Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

18. Model skill loan scheme.

19. Scheme for first-timers.

20. Government announces financial support for loans up to Rs 10 lakh for higher education.

21. Job creation in the manufacturing sector.

22. Govt's big push on employment-linked skilling.

23. Sitharaman on agricultural research.

24. Sitharaman unveils 5 schemes on employment, skilling for youth.

25. Focus on poor, women, youth, and farmers, says Finance Minister.

26. India’s economic growth shining exception amid global headwinds, says Nirmala Sitharaman.

Haryana Congress MLA arrested by ED.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 20 arrested Haryana Congress MLA Surender Panwar in connection with an illegal mining case.

As the air quality level in Delhi plunged to near emergency levels, the pollution controlling authorities have asked people in the national capital to limit outdoor activities and told government and private offices to cut vehicle use by at least 30 per cent. The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi was 471, according to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) 4pm bulletin on Friday, the worst this season so far. It was 411 on Thursday.