Guwahati, June 13 (IANS) The BJP’s Kanad Purkayastha and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) veteran Birendra Prasad Baishya have been elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Assam, an election official confirmed on Friday.With no Opposition parties fielding candidates, the two National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominees were declared elected on Thursday, the last day for filing nominations.The Rajya Sabha elections were originally scheduled for June 19.This marks the parliamentary debut of Kanad Purkayastha, who currently serves as the BJP’s state secretary.A native of Silchar, he is the son of late BJP stalwart and former Union minister Kabindra Purkayastha.Baishya, a senior AGP leader and former Union minister, returns to the Upper House for a third term.He has also previously represented Assam in the Lok Sabha.The vacancies arose as the terms of Baishya and BJP’s Mission Ranjan Das are set to expire on June 14.Assam has a total of seven seats in the Rajya Sabha. The BJP holds four, while its allies AGP and United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) hold one each. The remaining seat is held by an Independent member.After the Trinamool Congress’ Sushmita Dev, who was elected to the Upper House of Parliament from West Bengal, Purkayastha would be the second Rajya Sabha member from the Barak Valley region in Assam.Hailing from Silchar, Dev, daughter of former Union Minister and late Congress leader Santosh Mohan Dev, was earlier elected to the Lok Sabha from Silchar parliamentary constituency.Over four million people, mostly Bengali speaking, reside in the three districts of the Barak Valley region in Southern Assam — Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi.Political observers said that despite the Barak Valley’s substantial population and political significance, only former four-time MLA Mission Ranjan Das was sent to the Rajya Sabha on a BJP ticket for a brief period.Purkayastha’s nomination is an attempt to deal with this gap and aims to strengthen the BJP’s base among Bengali Hindus in Barak Valley.The Purkayastha family has been influential in Assam’s political circle as veteran leader Kabindra Purkayastha’s legacy and Kanad’s active participation in the BJP’s political activities contribute to the family’s persistent prominence in Assam politics.–IANStdr/rad

Ahmedabad, June 13 (IANS) The process of identifying victims from the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash continues at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where bodies are being brought in for post-mortem examinations. As of now, five bodies have been identified and respectfully handed over to their families. These include two victims from Rajasthan, two from Bhavnagar, and one from Madhya Pradesh.Civil Hospital officials confirmed that DNA samples have been collected from 192 families so far.To support the identification process, a large team of 70 to 80 doctors, including those from PHCs (Primary Health Centres) and CHCs (Community Health Centres) across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Anand, and Nadiad, has been working around the clock in the post-mortem room since Thursday.The state government has set up a dedicated facility at the Kasoti Bhavan on the ground floor of B.J. Medical College for collecting DNA samples. Health Principal Secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi stated that samples, mainly from immediate family members like parents or children, are being sent for matching. The process is expected to take at least three days.To assist grieving families, the police and hospital staff are providing emotional support and ensuring that all formalities are handled with dignity and care.For any queries regarding patients or post-mortem identification, the Civil Hospital has released helpline numbers: 6357373831, 6357373841In addition, the state government has activated a control room at the State Emergency Operations Centre. Families can reach out for assistance on: 079-23251900, 9978405304As the process of identification continues, officials have confirmed that over 250 post-mortem examinations have already been completed.Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the city’s Civil Hospital to meet those injured in the tragic incident and to express his condolences to the families of the deceased.At the hospital, PM Modi was received by Civil Hospital Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi, who provided a detailed briefing on the condition of the injured and the medical response underway. The Prime Minister also met with Ramesh Vishwas, the sole survivor of the crash, and other patients receiving treatment. He offered words of encouragement and support, assuring them of the government’s full assistance during this difficult time.PM Modi spent time with grieving families, conveying his heartfelt condolences and standing in solidarity with them amid their profound loss.–IANSjanvi/dpb

Ahmedabad, June 13 (IANS) Post-mortem examinations are underway at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital after the Air India plane with 242 onboard crashed minutes after takeoff from here, officials said on Friday.According to officials, a team of 70 to 80 doctors, including medical professionals from Primary and Community Health Centres across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Anand, and Nadiad and Civil Hospital staff, have been working tirelessly since Thursday evening.After identification, the bodies are being handed over to grieving families with full dignity and sensitivity.As of Friday morning, five victims have been identified and their remains returned to their families.Among them are two individuals from Rajasthan, two from Bhavnagar, and one from Madhya Pradesh.The process continues as more relatives arrive to assist in identifying their loved ones among the deceased.The hospital administration has urged the relatives and close family members of the deceased to submit DNA samples to facilitate timely identification.Officials say the DNA testing is being used to identify remains, as many bodies were badly burned in the tragedy.Civil Hospital has released emergency helpline numbers for those seeking information about patients or the deceased: 6357373831, 6357373841Meanwhile, Anjali Rupani, wife of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, arrived in Ahmedabad from London on Friday morning, a day after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 that claimed her husband’s life.Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi received her at the airport and offered his condolences.The same Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI-171) that crashed had previously experienced major technical problems just a month earlier, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled Ahmedabad-to-London flight.At the time, passengers voiced serious concerns over the airline’s reliance on ageing aircraft, pointing to repeated technical failures that disrupted their travel.On that particular day, passengers of flight AI-171 endured a frustrating ordeal.The flight, which was slated to depart from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.10 p.m., was cancelled after travellers were left waiting inside the aircraft for more than two hours. Many had arrived early, expecting a smooth international departure. Boarding began only at 2.00 p.m., and those on board faced stifling conditions as the air conditioning shut off intermittently.Despite repeated questions, no clear information was provided by the airline crew regarding the delay or a revised departure time.Eventually, passengers were informed that the flight was being called off due to a technical issue. While Air India did announce full refunds, passengers expressed frustration.–IANSjanvi/svn

Agra, June 13 (IANS) Agra residents Neeraj Lavania and his wife Aparna Lavania were among the victims of the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash, which claimed 241 lives. The devastating news has plunged their native village, Akola in Agra district, into deep mourning.

Relatives and villagers have been gathering at the Lavania family home to offer condolences. The grief-stricken atmosphere reflects the profound sense of loss experienced by the entire community.Speaking to IANS, Pramod Kumar Sharma, a relative, said, “He was my uncle’s son. His behaviour was always kind and respectful. The whole village is in shock. No one could have imagined such a tragedy. People are coming from nearby areas to console us. The women in the family are inconsolable.”Neeraj’s nephew, Shubham Lavania, added, “We are getting all our information from the news. Only one person survived the crash. The entire family is heartbroken.”The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London-Gatwick, crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 1:30 p.m. on June 12.The aircraft slammed into the residential building and mess of BJ Medical College in the densely populated Meghani Nagar area, just 3 kms from the airport, bursting into flames.At the time, medical students were gathered in their hostel’s dining hall, many of whom are also feared dead.Of the 242 people on board, only one passenger — Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin — survived. He is currently receiving treatment in an Ahmedabad hospital.Rescue and identification operations are ongoing at BJ Medical College, where authorities are using DNA sampling to identify charred remains. The process of handing over bodies to bereaved families has begun.On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with survivors and injured victims at the hospital.Expressing his condolences, he stated, “The loss of so many lives in such a heartbreaking manner is beyond words.”The cause of the crash remains under investigation as authorities continue to sift through the wreckage in what has become one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent history.–IANSjk/rad

Kolkata, June 13 (IANS) The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal has removed the name of Newton Das from the voter list, officials said on Friday. He was seen participating in the 2024 student movement in Bangladesh.The decision was taken after a thorough investigation by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI).Newton Das, having dual citizenship of India and Bangladesh, was a registered voter in the Kakdwip Assembly constituency in the South 24 Parganas district. He was actively involved in the student ‘movement’ in Bangladesh last year.Insiders from the CEO’s office said the decision to remove Das’s name from the voters’ list was taken after the election-related senior officials received two consecutive reports from the office of the Kakdwip sub-divisional officer on this count.Sources said that not being satisfied with the first report on the matter, the office of the CEO, West Bengal, asked for a second report from the office of the Kakdwip sub-divisional officer and after studying the reports in detail, it was finally decided to delete Das’s name from the voters’ list.The controversy surfaced after some whistleblowers highlighted the picture of Newton Das, a registered voter with Kakdwip Assembly constituency, featuring in the students’ movement in Bangladesh last year on social media.The whistleblowers also claimed that Das had dual citizenship of India and Bangladesh. Even Tapan Das, a cousin of Newton Das and also a registered voter in the Kakdwip Assembly constituency, confirmed to the investigating officials and to the media persons that Newton had voter cards both in India and Bangladesh.However, since the beginning, Newton denied the allegations of holding Bangladeshi citizenship, though he did not deny having gone to the country and participating in the students’ movement there.According to him, he had been a voter of the Kakdwip Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district since 2014 and had also voted in the Lok Sabha elections that year.He claimed that he went to Bangladesh in 2024 in order to address some issues relating to his ancestral property there, and during that period, he got involved with the students’ movement there.He also claimed that in 2017 he lost the EPIC card, which was issued to him in 2014, and in 2018 he was issued a fresh card. He also admitted that the Trinamool Congress MLA from Kakdwip, Manturam Pakhira, helped him get the new EPIC card.The West Bengal unit of the BJP created uproar on the issue and claimed that Newton’s example validates their long-time allegations of Trinamool Congress and the state administration enlisting Bangladeshi nationals in the state’s voters list.–IANSsrc/dpb

Ranchi, June 13 (IANS) The Jharkhand High Court has once again imposed a fine on former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, this time amounting to Rs 8,000, for repeatedly seeking adjournments in a case related to the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme scam.This marks the fourth time Koda has been penalised for delaying proceedings.Koda had approached the High Court challenging the framing of charges against him in a lower court. However, during the hearing on Friday, his lawyer sought more time — prompting the court’s strong displeasure.Noting the pattern of repeated delays, the court imposed the fine and scheduled the next hearing for eight weeks later.Previously, Koda had been fined Rs 1,000 on December 13, 2024; Rs 2,000 on January 17, 2025; and Rs 4,000 on March 1, 2025; each time for requesting adjournments.With the latest penalty, the total fine now stands at Rs 15,000. The court has directed that all amounts be deposited with the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA).The case against Koda stems from allegations of large-scale corruption during his tenure as Chief Minister of Jharkhand. He is accused of accepting a bribe of Rs 11.40 crore from a director of Hyderabad-based power infrastructure firm that had been blacklisted.In return, Koda allegedly awarded the company a tender for electrification works in six Jharkhand districts, including Latehar, Garhwa, and Palamu.The CBI, which is probing the case, has charged Koda with abuse of power and criminal misconduct. CBI counsel Prashant Pallav represented the agency during Friday’s hearing.The electrification project was part of the Centre’s Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), under which Jharkhand had received Rs 467.76 crore in 2006 to electrify 27,359 villages. The project aimed to directly benefit over 29.26 lakh rural families.Madhu Koda was previously arrested in the case and spent two and a half years in judicial custody before being granted bail on July 30, 2013.The present proceedings concern the framing of charges based on the CBI’s charge sheet, which Koda is contesting in the High Court.–IANSsnc/skp

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) A heart-wrenching tragedy struck a prominent Udaipur family as siblings Shubh Modi and Shagun Modi lost their lives in the devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The brother-sister duo, children of marble businessman Sanjeev Modi, were aboard the ill-fated flight en-route to London as they had planned a vacation in UK.Speaking to IANS, their relative Satish Bhandari said, “It is a devastating and heart breaking incident. The siblings had planned to tour London for a vacation. Shubh had done his B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from UK while his sister had completed her BA-BBA from PDEU, Gandhinagar. Who knew this would be their last journey?”On being asked to comment on how they received this devastating news, he said, “They (brother-sister) were in Ahmedabad. Their grandmother called me when she saw this tragic news on television. We are still in shock.”The incident has sent shockwaves across the country and the world and has invited a debate on the risks of air-travel, which is considered one of the safest travel modes across the spectrum.Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, as families across the country grapple with the aftermath of this devastating disaster.The tragic incident has led to the death of all the passengers and crew members on board, barring one miracle survival.Apart from the 241 people aboard the ill-fated aircraft who perished in the crash, many people on the ground are also feared killed as the Boeing plane crashed into a residential building and burst into a ball of flames.According to several reports, the pilots reportedly gave a ‘Mayday’ (distress) call immediately after the takeoff, signalling a life-threatening emergency, but did not respond to subsequent calls made by the Airport Traffic Control.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Civil Aviation Minister and other high-profile leaders, administrators and others have reached the incident site and investigators are trying to recover the “black-box”.Their recovery is expected to reveal crucial details about the crew’s ‘Mayday’ call, attempted recovery measures during those critical seconds after takeoff, along with other crucial details.–IANSsas/rad

Kochi, June 13 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Friday came down heavily on the…

Ranchi, June 13 (IANS) In a sharp rebuke to the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), the High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh for wrongfully rejecting a qualified candidate’s application for the post of Assistant Professor.A division bench headed by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao dismissed JPSC’s appeal and upheld an earlier single-bench order directing the appointment of Manoj Kumar Kachhap.The case stems from a 2018 recruitment drive for four posts of Assistant Professor in the Nagpuri language.Kachhap had applied and scored 72.10 out of a possible 85 marks in the academic evaluation. However, his name did not appear in the list of candidates shortlisted for interviews.Upon inquiry, Kachhap discovered that his application had been invalidated because the online examination fee he had paid did not reach the JPSC account due to a technical error. Crucially, his name was not mentioned in the official rejection list, leaving him unaware of the issue.Challenging the exclusion, Kachhap filed a writ petition in the High Court. The single bench ordered that he be included in the interview process, noting that the final decision would hinge on the court’s verdict. JPSC complied, and Kachhap appeared for the interview.Although the final results were declared on December 23, 2021, one post remained unfilled in compliance with the court’s interim directive. The court then asked JPSC to submit Kachhap’s interview marks in a sealed envelope. It was revealed that he had topped the entire selection process.Taking serious note of the situation, the court directed JPSC to appoint him to the vacant post within four weeks.It ruled that a technical glitch could not be grounds to deny appointment to the most meritorious applicant.The bench also pointed out that many examinations exempt Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates from paying fees, making JPSC’s rigid stance even less defensible.JPSC appealed the single bench’s ruling, arguing that fee payment was mandatory and non-receipt disqualified a candidate automatically.However, Kachhap’s counsel, Advocate Savyasachi, argued that his client had no way of knowing the transaction failure since he was not listed among the rejected candidates.After considering submissions from both sides, the division bench upheld the single bench’s order and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on JPSC.–IANSsnc/skp

Bengaluru, June 13 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged Union Minister for Agriculture, Shivraj…