India-Pakistan tensions: Border areas in Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu-Kashmir, Chandigarh witness blackouts
Blackout in Gurdaspur began at 9 pm, whereas 8:30 pm in Pathankot. The authorities also snapped power in Chandigarh for about two hours until midnight, PTI reported.
India on Thursday night swiftly thwarted Pakistan's fresh attempts to strike military sites with drones and missiles, comprising in Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, after foiling its attempts to hit military installations in 15 cities in the northern and western parts of the country using missiles and drones.
Punjab, Panchkula, Jammu Kashmir have shut schools today as a precautionary measure. Security agencies, including border states are on high alert. Lights shut at CHB flats in Sector 63 as an administration imposed blackout in Chandigarh amid Pak shelling on border states yesterday (Image: HT) A city view on Thursday during the blackout in Jammu (Image: REUTERS) The Heritage Street near Golden Temple in Amritsar shrouded in darkness amid the blackout yesterday. (Image: HT) Vehicles move on a road in Srinagar during blackout amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. (PTI photo) Jaisalmer yesterday during blackout amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan (PTI Photo) A scheduled blackout implemented near UP Vidhan Bhawan in Lucknow. (HT photo) A Jammu road seen during blackout amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan (PTI Photo)
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Hindustan Times
13 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi govt tables education bill to curb ‘arbitrary' fee hikes
In a move aimed at reining in 'arbitrary' fee hikes by private schools, Delhi education minister Ashish Sood on Monday introduced the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025 in the Assembly. The legislation, he said, will provide a 'permanent solution to a long-ignored issue that affects millions of parents and children in Delhi.' Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta at the Delhi legislative assembly on Monday. (HT Photo) The draft bill, which was approved by the Delhi Cabinet in April, covers all 1,677 private unaided schools in the Capital. It proposes sweeping reforms to the fee regulation system, including a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism, penalties of up to ₹10 lakh for violations, and a mandatory role for parents in deciding fee structures. 'Today, I bring before this House a permanent solution to a long-ignored issue… The purpose of education is not to generate profit, but to ensure learning and nation-building,' said Sood, invoking the central government's resolution of 'legacy issues' such as the Ram Mandir, Article 370, and the Chenab Bridge. 'The Delhi government is similarly resolving critical and complex issues -- one of the most pressing being the unchecked rise in private school fees,' he said. Sood said the bill takes a bottom-up approach. 'This is a true embodiment of government of the people, by the people, for the people. Parents will now have a say in the decision-making process.' A discussion on the bill is expected in the Assembly on Tuesday. Chief minister Rekha Gupta endorsed the bill, writing on X that it would 'strictly curb the commercialization of education. Action will now be taken against those who are selling education like a product.' The bill proposes the formation of three key committees: the School Level Fee Regulation Committee, the District Fee Appellate Committee, and the Revision Committee. It bars any school from collecting fees in excess of what has been approved under the act. The school-level committee – comprising parents, teachers, and management – must be set up by July 15 each year. Fee proposals must be submitted by July 31 and approved by September 15. If the committee fails to decide on the fees, the school can escalate the matter to the District Appellate Committee by September 30. Disputes must be resolved within 45 days at each appellate level, with the final authority resting with the Revision Committee, whose rulings will be binding for three years. Section 8 of the bill lists the criteria for determining fees – school location, infrastructure, teacher salaries, and revenue surplus. Section 12 details penalties: unauthorized hikes can invite fines between ₹1– ₹10 lakh, doubling every 20 days until compliance. Repeat offenders will be required to refund excess fees and may lose recognition if violations continue. Principals of several schools welcomed the move. 'This is a positive step toward ensuring that fee structures reflect the quality of education provided,' said Sudha Acharya, principal of ITL Public School, Dwarka. 'Most schools are already preparing to set up the required committees. We're waiting to see how the law will be implemented.' Minakshi Kushwaha, principal of Birla Vidya Niketan in Pushp Vihar said the bill may not be able to solve the long standing issue of fee hikes, adding that the bill needs to be revisited. 'Firstly, the clause of social inclusion where a person from backward community has to be included in the committee may not be feasible for each school. Secondly, formation of committees and how their members are selected may lead to either kickbacks from the school or standoff between parents and the school in case of disagreement. Finally, the government should not dilute the autonomy of private schools in determining their fees,' she said. However, the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) slammed the legislation, calling it a 'sham bill' that legalises profiteering and sidelines parent voices. Leader of Opposition Atishi demanded that it be sent to a select committee. 'After letting private schools hike fees unchecked for four months, the BJP now brings a sham bill that hands control to school owners, blocks parent voices, and protects profiteers. The AAP will fight it in the Assembly, on the streets, and in court. We have demanded that the bill be sent to a Select Committee and all fee hikes frozen at 2024–25 levels,' Atishi said.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Villagers oppose land pooling scheme involving land of martyrs
Jagraon: A land pooling scheme proposed by the Punjab government has sparked strong opposition in a village named after Second Lieutenant Shaheed Rachhpal Singh Garewal, a decorated Indian Army officer who laid down his life during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. The scheme includes land awarded to families of martyrs and ex-servicemen in recognition of their bravery, prompting villagers to rally against what they see as a disrespectful and unjust move. The village, formerly known as Aligarh, was renamed Shaheed Rachhpal Singh Nagar in 1969 to honour the memory of the young officer who was commissioned into the 14 Rajput Regiment in February, 1964 and attained martyrdom near Chawinda Railway Station in the Sialkot sector on September 20, 1965. His cousin, Surjeet Singh Garewal, told TOI that the family was allotted 30 acres of land by the government in recognition of his sacrifice. Of this, 22 acres have now been included in the land pooling scheme. "This land is not just soil—it is a symbol of sacrifice and national pride," said Surjeet Singh. He added, "My uncle had four sons. Two passed away, one was martyred, and the fourth, Jasmail Singh Garewal, lives in Canada. I take care of the land now. It is unfortunate that the government is trying to take the land of martyrs. We will not allow this to happen." The controversy doesn't end with Rachhpal Singh's family. Land belonging to Babu Singh, a soldier who died fighting in Africa during World War II, and Naib Subedar Mewa Singh, who lost a leg in a mine blast around 1946, has also been included in the acquisition list. Kulwant Singh, 75, son of Babu Singh, said his father was awarded 30 acres of land for his bravery. "The government is now trying to take away 20 acres of that land under the scheme. This land is a legacy of my father's sacrifice. We have an emotional and historical connection to it, and we will not give it up." Balwinder Singh, also 75, son of Naib Subedar Mewa Singh, said, "My father was injured in a mine blast while on duty and lost his leg. After retiring in 1946, he was allotted 25 acres of land in Pakistan for his service. After Partition, we were given equivalent land in this village. Now, the government wants to acquire this land. We depend entirely on it for our livelihood, growing three crops a year. The compensation being offered is nowhere near the value of the land or its significance. " The villagers argue that the land pooling scheme, while aimed at development, fails to account for the emotional and historical value of the land awarded to families of martyrs and war heroes. They believe that such land should be exempt from acquisition, given its symbolic importance and the sacrifices associated with it. Hardeep Singh Laali, husband of village sarpanch Manjit Kaur, said the government is attempting to acquire around 130 acres in the village, including land belonging to two martyrs and one injured ex-serviceman. "Even when an animal is sold, both the buyer and seller must agree. Here, the government is trying to take away land without proper consent. The gram panchayat has passed a resolution opposing the scheme, and we stand with the farmers. " Laali emphasised that the villagers are prepared to go to any extent to protect their land. "We understand the emotions tied to this land. It's not just about agriculture—it's about honour, legacy, and respect for those who gave their lives for the country." As tensions rise, the villagers remain united in their demand: land awarded for bravery must remain untouched. MSID:: 123097191 413 |
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Ukraine flags Indian-made parts in drones used by Russian forces
Ukraine has formally raised with the Indian government and the European Union (EU) the issue of electronic components made or assembled by firms in India being found on Iranian-designed drones used by Russian armed forces, people familiar with the matter said. The Shahed, a relatively inexpensive drone, has been used in large numbers by Russia to target Ukraine since late 2022. (REUTERS) The Ukrainian side raised the matter through formal diplomatic correspondence with the external affairs ministry on at least two occasions after these components were found on Shahed 136 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) since last year, according to the people cited above and documents reviewed by HT. Ukrainian diplomats brought up the issue with EU sanctions envoy David O'Sullivan when he visited New Delhi in mid-July, the people added on condition of anonymity. O'Sullivan travelled to India last month to brief Indian officials on the EU's latest sanctions package, which listed Vadinar refinery, jointly owned by Russian energy major Rosneft, and included an import ban on refined products made from Russian crude. According to the documents reviewed by HT, an investigation by Ukrainian authorities established that electronic components from Vishay Intertechnology and Aura Semiconductor – either assembled or made in India – were 'used by Russia in the production of the Shahed 136' UCAVs. The documents provided detailed information and images of specific components. A 'bridge rectifier E300359' of Vishay Intertechnology assembled in India was used in the Shahed's voltage regulator unit, while a PLL-based signal generator AU5426A chip made by Aura Semiconductor was used in the jammer-proof antenna for the drone's satellite navigation system, according to the documents. The people said, purely on a technical basis, the firms have not violated any Indian laws. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to a query on the matter by saying: 'India's exports of dual-use items are in keeping with its international obligations on non-proliferation, and based on its robust domestic legal and regulatory framework. Due diligence is conducted to ensure that such exports do not violate any of our laws.' There was no official word on the matter from the Ukrainian embassy in New Delhi. However, Ukraine's defence intelligence directorate or HUR has reported about the Indian-origin components found in Shahed drones on its official Facebook page and Telegram channel. Several requests for a comment from Vishay Intertechnology, a US-based manufacturer of chips, optoelectronics and sensors, elicited no reply. Kishore Ganti, co-founder of Aura Semiconductor Pvt Ltd, the Bengaluru-based subsidiary of Ningbo Aura Semiconductor Co, said the firm ensures its products are used lawfully and ethically, and fully complies with all applicable national and international export control laws. 'We are deeply disturbed by the possibility that any of our components may have reached defence manufacturers through unauthorised third-party channels, in violation of our stated compliance framework and distribution agreements. We strongly oppose such activity and are committed to taking action wherever compliance gaps are identified,' Aura Semiconductor said in a statement. Ganti said that on becoming aware of the use of an 'Aura buffer product' in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Aura undertook a limited audit to understand the end-use for the item in question. 'However, the findings of the audit were inconclusive with respect to supply chain/end-user visibility of the Aura buffer product,' Ganti said. The component is a 'plug-and-play' one and can be used without dependence on Aura for any kind of support, 'making it difficult for Aura to trace the end users in this instance', Ganti added. The people cited above said there were instances of electronic components made in India being legally exported to destinations in West Asia, from where they were diverted to Russia or Iran. After Ukraine raised the matter, representatives of Indian security agencies visited manufacturers of electronic components and chips in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai to sensitise them about international restrictions related to dual-use items, the people said. The Shahed, a relatively inexpensive drone, has been used in large numbers by Russia to target Ukraine since late 2022. According to Ukraine's Security Service or SBU, Iran initially supplied 2,000 fully assembled drones to Russia, which later established its own assembly system using Iranian ready-made parts. Data from Ukraine's air force showed Russia launched 6,129 Shahed-type drones in July. Ukraine's defence intelligence directorate has also reported that electronic components from firms in the US and China have been found on Russian drones and other weapons. Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), said the components may have been diverted by foreign buyers to Iran through third countries. 'India strictly prohibits the export of dual-use items to sanctioned destinations. However, once such goods are exported to legitimate third countries, tracing their end use becomes nearly impossible – a challenge every open economy faces,' he said. These incidents underline the need for India to strengthen exporter awareness, especially in sensitive sectors, Srivastava said. 'Exporters must be better informed about high-risk geographies and flagged entities. But no system, however rigorous, can guarantee full control once goods leave Indian borders,' he added. 'Export compliance must be enforced, but blame must not be misdirected.'
