1. With Akhilesh in Control, Expelled Loyalists Brought Back Into Party Fold
The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Wednesday revoked the expulsion of nine Akhilesh Yadav loyalists, who were ejected from the party by former state unit president Shivpal Yadav for alleged indiscipline.
The order was issued by SP’s state chief Naresh Uttam, who also reinstated the presidents of various wings of the party ousted by Shivpal, with the approval of SP national president and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh.
The MLCs whose expulsion has been revoked include Arvind Pratap Singh, Udaiver Singh Yadav, Sunil Singh Sajan, Anand Bhadauria and Sanjay Lathar.
Source: Hindustan Times
2. Hardik Patel Returns to a Different Gujarat, but Still Wants to Awaken People
Six months after his ‘banishment’ to effect a bail condition in the sedition cases against him, Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel has returned to a Gujarat which no longer has a chief minister from his community, and to a government as old as his absence from the state that is bending over backwards to please social sections that matter to ensure a comeback for the BJP in the Assembly elections later this year.
As for Hardik, the reception he got at Ratanpur, on the Rajasthan-Gujarat border on Tuesday was grand, with supporters perched on top of a long line of cars, and circulating his photos tagged with a message “Gabbar’s entry in Gujarat”, and turning into a responsive crowd at the ‘hunkar rally’ in Himmatnagar.
Source: The Indian Express
3. Odd-Even Unlikely on Delhi Roads Until Next Winter
The 'odd-even' car rationing scheme is unlikely to be back on Delhi's roads until next winters even if the Environment Pollution Control Committee's (EPCA) 'graded response action plan' for NCR kicks in immediately.
This is because the "maximum risk for high level pollution exists till January 14 generally," said Dr Dipankar Saha, additional director and head of the Air Laboratory at the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Saha further added:
After Makar Sakranti, temperatures go up and pollutants gathered close to earth’s surface disperse considerably. The next flare up, warranting enforcement of odd-even as per the graded response action plan, may occur after autumn 2017 only.
Source: India Today
4. Salman Khan Acquitted in Arms Act Case, Court Says Prosecution Failed to Prove Charge
Giving him the benefit of doubt, a court in Jodhpur has acquitted actor Salman Khan in the 18-year-old Arms Act case. In the 102-page judgment, CJM Dalpat Singh Rajpurohit ruled that the prosecution failed to prove charges framed against the actor under sections 3/25 and 3/27 of the Indian Arms Act.
As soon as the verdict was announced, an emotional Salman hugged his sister Alvira, considered to be his ‘lucky charm’.
Salman’s lawyer Hastimal Saraswat welcomed the verdict, so did a large number of his fans gathered outside the court since morning.
Source: The Indian Express
5. Jallikattu Protests: CM Panneerselvam to Meet PM Modi, Some Colleges to Remain Shut
Amid massive Jallikattu protests, Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to seek an ordinance allowing the sport.
“Tomorrow morning I will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urge him to promulgate an ordinance to conduct jallikattu. Hence, I appeal to all protesters to give up their agitations,” the Chief Minister said.
He assured the agitators that the TN government would continue to make all efforts to conduct ‘jallikattu’. “The democratic protests by students and people to uphold our rights and guard our culture are expressive of our feelings (on jallikattu),” he said.
Source: The Indian Express
6. China Appreciates PM Narendra Modi's Remarks, But Refuses to Change its Stand on Masood Azhar, NSG Issues
China on Wednesday appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "positive remarks" made during the Raisina Dialogue, but refused to budge from its stand on the issues of NSG and Masood Azhar ban.
Chinese foreign ministry said it is committed to respect India's core interests, a day after PM Modi said neighboring countries need to show some sensitivity and respect for each other's core concerns and interests.
However, the Chinese foreign ministry struck to its old stand on Masood Azhar and India's entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Source: The Times of India
7. Smriti Irani Wanted Her Educational Information Kept Secret, DU Tells CIC
Union minister Smriti Irani had asked Delhi University not to disclose information related to her degree, the School of Open Learning (SOL) informed the Central Information Commission (CIC) recently. The commission has now directed SOL to produce all documents related to Irani's educational qualification. A show-cause notice was issued on January 10 to the central public information officer of DU for having failed to produce the records before.
This comes close on the heels of a CIC order directing CBSE to allow inspection of files related to Irani's Class 10 and Class 12 records.
Irani's degrees sparked controversy after a petitioner alleged that she had given contradictory information in her affidavits filed before contesting elections in 2004, 2011 and 2014.
Source: The Times of India
8. ‘I Was Punched, Kicked, Stripped’
Manipuri youth who was working as quality auditor with a BPO in Udyog Vihar’s Phase-II here has accused the company’s owner and staff of beating him up. According to the youth, they suspected him of data theft that led to a loss of around ₹2 crore to the company.
Romen Arambam, who has been recuperating at the Civil Hospital for the past three days, alleged that he was stripped naked, punched and hit with a baseball bat by the CEO, the staff and bouncers. He also claimed that they poured cold water on his private parts and captured the incident on a mobile phone.
Recalling his ordeal, Romen said that he was called to the cabin of the manager after he reached the office on January 13.
Source: The Hindu
9. Liquor Compensation Chorus
Industrialists today (Wednesday) demanded the government compensate liquor companies whose units in the state will shut after Tuesday's cabinet decision to not renew licences of breweries, distilleries and bottling plants.
At least one affected company is also learnt to be planning to move court.
Bihar ranks lowest in industries in the country, and entrepreneurs feel yesterday's decision will deal a body blow to efforts to woo investments. Tuesday's move has put investments worth Rs 3,000 crore under a cloud.
Though prohibition is the government’s policy, it should not do anything that would create a negative image of Bihar. The government should compensate investors and ensure they do not suffer losses.PK Agrawal, President, Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries
Source: The Telegraph
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)