Latest news with #113
The Sun
01-07-2025
- The Sun
Over 5,000 fake guns seized in raids in three states
KUALA LUMPUR: Polcie seized more than 5,000 imitation firearms in simultaneous raids on seven premises in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Johor yesterday, arresting six individuals, including four foreign nationals. Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA) director, Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said the operation was carried out by the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Intelligence Investigation (WCB/PSK) to clamp down on the illegal online sale of fake guns. He said in the first raid on two premises around Kuala Lumpur, four foreign men were arrested, and 4,983 units of imitation firearms worth an estimated RM4,113,550 were seized. 'Also seized in the raid were 1,400 boxes of snack food in violation of regulations under the Food Act 1983. 'In the second raid on two business premises in Bandar Baru Bangi, a local man was arrested and 53 imitation firearms, estimated to be worth RM31,520, were seized. The premises were found to be operating without a valid business licence,' he said in a statement today. In the third operation at a residence in Batu Pahat, Johor, a local man was arrested and 15 imitation firearms worth RM15,000 were confiscated. Azmi said the total value of seizures from all three raids was estimated at RM4,160,070 and that all suspects, aged between 28 and 40, are being investigated under Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960, the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Food Act 1983, the Trade Licensing By-Laws, and the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982. Preliminary investigations revealed that the imitation firearms were sold through online platforms over the past few months. Azmi also warned e-commerce and social media platform operators to monitor sales activities on their platforms and ensure illegal items are not sold. 'The public is also advised not to engage in the purchase or possession of imitation firearms and to report any relevant information to the police immediately,' he said. Azmi added that during the first six months of this year, Bukit Aman WCB/PSK JKDNKA conducted 153 raids, resulting in 233 arrests for various offences, including smuggling of non-duty-paid goods, sale of imitation firearms, and wildlife trafficking, with total seizures valued at RM433,351,837.61.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
37 years on, families of 1988 crash victims await ‘fair compensation'
1 2 3 Ahmedabad: The AI 171 plane crash, among the deadliest aviation disasters in the country, has brought renewed attention to the unresolved struggles of families affected by the 1988 Ahmedabad air tragedy. The Indian Airlines flight 113 from Bombay to Ahmedabad crashed on Oct 19, 1988, killing 133 passengers and crew of the 135 on board the aircraft. The families of the deceased were then offered Rs 2 lakh in compensation. Today, nearly 37 years since the tragedy, around 20 families from Ahmedabad remain locked in a legal battle with authorities over what they consider inadequate compensation for their losses. "We are around 20 families that are still fighting a legal battle for fair compensation. After the tragedy, the authorities had announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh per victim. We believe the compensation should be based on the income and age of the victims. So, after HC order, we moved the Supreme Court in April 2010 for higher compensation," said Pankesh Patel, secretary of the association formed by families. According to the case details, in 2003, the sessions court had directed Indian Airlines (IA) and Airport Authority of India (AAI) to give the petitioner families of the IA 113 victims a six per cent interest on the compensation amount. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In 2009, the high court ordered this to be raised to nine per cent. However, the 20 families, organized under the Air Crash Claimants' Association, moved the Supreme Court in 2010, demanding a higher compensation based on the age and earning potential of their deceased relatives. Ushaben Patel, now 74, had lost her husband Sharad Patel, a chartered accountant and company secretary who served as finance director for a German company. Thursday's plane crash has reopened old wounds for her. "At the time of the 1988 crash, my sons Jaysheel and Milan were in Class 5 and Class 3 respectively. I raised them both with support from our families and they are both chartered accountants now, settled in Canada," she said. "The compensation offered in the aftermath of the AI 171 tragedy is better than what we were offered," she added. Reetaben Shah, 74, remembers her husband Sunil Shah, an IIM-A graduate who worked as a management consultant. Their daughter was just 12 years old when the crash occurred. "We did not accept the Rs 2 lakh compensation and initiated legal action. We finally moved the Supreme Court," she said. Ketan Patel, now 63, lost his father Ranjitbhai Patel, a 48-year-old chartered accountant, to the tragedy. "We had demanded compensation based on his age and income, which was around Rs 1.25 lakh per annum at that time. It has been 37 years since the legal battle began and we are still awaiting justice," he said. The families have created a lasting memorial at the Kotarpur crash site. "We installed a marble replica of an aircraft at the site," Ushaben Patel said. "Many families visit the site on Oct 19 every year to pay tribute to their loved ones." Working with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, the families also set up the Shantivan, a memorial garden featuring 133 trees in remembrance of 133 people who lost their lives in the crash.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Time of India
Gang targeted high-end cars in Noida, 3 held
Noida: Three men, including a criminal with a Rs 50,000 bounty, were arrested for allegedly stealing high-end cars in Delhi-NCR. The arrests came following a brief shootout during a late-night check near Parthala on Wednesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to cops, a team from Sector 113 police station was conducting checks near Parthala when they flagged down a Swift. DCP (Noida) Yamuna Prasad said the driver did not stop the car and instead fired at the cops. "The car drove towards the floodplain area. As cops returned fire, one of the three occupants of the car was injured," the DCP said. Farman alias Chhote of Meerut, who sustained gunshot injuries, and his two associates were arrested during a combing operation later that night. Police recovered three stolen cars—Innova Crysta, Kia Seltos and Creta—worth around Rs 1 crore, and the Swift used in the crimes from their possession. "The accused used the Swift for recce. Apart from this, one country-made pistol, along with cartridges, was recovered from them. A toolkit for breaking car locks (tab with connecting wire), along with other equipment such as hammers and glass shields to help them steal cars, were recovered from them," SHO Sector 113 Krishna Gopal said. According to cops, Farman has over 30 cases registered against him. "During interrogation, the accused revealed that they used to carry out recce for high-end cars parked on roadsides and at hotels. They would break the driver's side window, hack the car's system through a tablet, make duplicate keys (virtual) on the spot, and steal the car within 4 to 5 minutes. They would then park the car at a deserted place and replace the broken window and number plate of the car to avoid arrest," the DCP said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Additional DCP (Noida) Sumit Shukla said the gang would use the Zangi app to communicate and not phones so that their locations would not be traced through surveillance. The accused have been arrested under BNS sections 109 (attempt to murder), 317(4) (stolen property), 345(3) (property mark), and 3(5) (joint criminal liability) and sections of the Arms Act.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pant varsity scientists develop high-yielding barley variety for 12 states
Rudrapur: In a significant breakthrough, scientists at GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar have developed a high-yielding, six-row barley variety named UPB 1106 (Pant Barley 1106), after 12 years of research. The new variety is expected to enhance barley production across several Indian states, while also offering improved nutritional value. The variety was officially released by the central sub-committee on crop standards under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and has been notified by the Union ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare for cultivation across the plains of 12 Indian states – including eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and the northeastern region. JP Jaiswal, coordinator of the wheat and barley research project at the university, said, "Pant Barley 1106 has consistently outperformed existing varieties in national trials conducted by ICAR-Indian Wheat and Barley Research Institute, Karnal. In the northeastern states, it recorded 19.94% and 10.32% higher yields than HUB 113 and DWRB 137, respectively." The variety is resistant to brown and yellow rust, and shows improved resistance to blight and lodging — making it ideal for irrigated, timely sown conditions. It also boasts superior nutritional quality with 12.3% protein content, surpassing HUB 113 (11.7%) and DWRB 137 (11.2%). "With its resistance traits, high productivity, and better grain quality, UPB 1106 is set to boost barley production and promote better health outcomes," Jaiswal added. Barley, rich in beta-glucan fiber, is increasingly valued in multi-grain diets for its ability to reduce body fat, control weight, and manage diabetes—making the launch of UPB 1106 especially timely. Anil Hafeez, an agri-scientist said, "The states targeted for these crops fall largely under humid to sub-humid tropical and subtropical zones, with annual rainfall ranging between 1,000 to 2,000 mm. The Indo-Gangetic plains have deep alluvial soils, rich in nutrients and well-draining, which is ideal for cereal crops like barley, especially in the Rabi season," he said. He also noted that improved farming techniques are making the acidic, organic-rich soils of Assam and other northeastern states increasingly viable for barley cultivation. Farmers who have sown the new variety reported encouraging results. Ramesh Yadav, a farmer from Jafarpur village, said, "My friends in eastern UP said that they have seen a visible difference. The grains are fuller, the plants stand strong even after irrigation, and the yield has gone up. This variety has truly boosted their confidence. We will use this variety this year in our farms." Gurmeet Singh, a farmer from Kartarpur village, said, "There's better disease resistance and the protein content is excellent. It's helping us grow both income and health." The new variety was developed by university scientists JP Jaiswal, Swati, and Anil Kumar. University vice chancellor Manmohan Singh Chauhan, director of research AS Nain, and dean of agriculture Subhash Chandra lauded the team for their remarkable achievement.
Daily Maverick
23-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
State housing CEO promises ‘morale-boosting' payment to staff, including R600K personal cheque
Under fire from whistle-blowers, National Housing Finance Corporation CEO Azola Mayekiso has promised to give staff a lavish once-off payment, which if approved will see her take home nearly R600 000 in bonus pay. National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) CEO Azola Mayekiso appeared to have a staff problem within her state-owned agency, a body which is supposed to broaden access to housing finance for low- and middle-income South Africans. Whistle-blowers were laying complaints against her on a protected hotline and petitioning Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements for assistance. In the just-over two years she had been in her post, four key executives had left under her leadership: two taking early retirement, one accepting a settlement and one resigning. To boost morale, Mayekiso promised a once-off special payment to all staff — this at a government agency which met just 39% of its performance targets in the last audited year. In an email sent to all NHFC staff on 31 March, Mayekiso wrote: 'You will be pleased to note that management took a proposal to the Board last week for a once off [sic] ex-gratia [sic] payment to all staff in order to boost staff morale in the organisation.' Mayekiso wrote that the NHFC board, whose membership terms have since expired without a replacement board in place, had approved the payment subject to Mayekiso obtaining permission from Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane. 'This ex-gratia [sic] payment will be a once off [sic] 13% of your CTC [cost to company] for all staff but it will be 11% for executives,' wrote Mayekiso. The latest NHFC annual report revealed Mayekiso to be on an annual package of R5,113,000, meaning that she stood to take home around R562,430 as a once-off payment. The remaining eight executives would cumulatively net more than R3-million. Mayekiso's email continued: 'From a timing point of view, I am sending the letter to the Minister today and she will have the month of April to object if she so wishes. Should she not object, then we will pay out these once-off payments at the end of April 2025.' The CEO added, 'I hope this gesture goes a long way towards boosting your morale.' On 16 April, Daily Maverick reported on the allegations of misgovernance against Mayekiso and the exceptionally high board fees earned by the outgoing NHFC board. Daily Maverick was informed by an NHFC insider, who asked for anonymity, that Mayekiso suspended a senior official on the day of the article's publication — and subsequently emailed all staff once again. In that email, Mayekiso defended herself against the allegations recorded in our reporting. She wrote that staff were free to continue to use the NHFC's anonymous tip-off line, but added: 'What will not be tolerated at the NHFC is the abuse of the whistleblower hotline.' Mayekiso then appeared to suggest that the actions of a whistle-blower had placed the promised all-staff payments in jeopardy. 'Lastly, you might be asking yourselves questions about the implications of all of this on the once off ex-gratia [sic] payment that was approved by the outgoing board. Well, there is an individual at the NHFC who shared information outside the organisation to discredit the process of the ex-gratia [sic] payment, citing it as irregular. So, I do not know what this therefore means for the ex-gratia [sic] payment, but I thought I should share that with you.' Daily Maverick understands that disgruntled NHFC staff may now look to their union if the promised payment does not materialise. Auditor-General not aware of payments In a lengthy response sent to Daily Maverick this week, Mayekiso defended the proposed ex gratia payments. 'The environment at the NHFC is one of low staff morale due to the fact that there have been no bonuses paid since financial year 2022/23. In an attempt to address this, management took a proposal to the Board for them to consider showing goodwill to employees given the solid turn around [sic] in performance, by paying a once off ex-gratia [sic] payment to motivate employees to continue with the hard work.' The most recent Auditor-General's report shows that the NHFC met just 39% of its targets for the latest audited financial year. Mayekiso maintains, however, that the payments are justified because this represents a major turnaround from the 2022/2023 financial year, when just 19% of targets were met. Mayekiso continued: 'The Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and National Treasury (NT) guidelines state that voluntary ex-gratia [sic] payments can be made without admitting legal liability. The PFMA and Treasury regulations provide frameworks for managing and approving such payments, including transparency and accountability.' Treasury spokesperson Cleopatra Mosana told Daily Maverick: 'The enabling legislation of a public entity generally regulates how the remuneration framework for the board and staff is determined. For some public entities, this is determined or approved by the executive authority of the entity after consultation with or with the concurrence of the minister of finance.' The NHFC was established in 1996 in terms of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act No 61 of 1973) and falls under Schedule 3 of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999). Neither of the above pieces of legislation appears to refer to ex gratia, or 'act of grace', payments. The Auditor-General of SA's (AGSA's) spokesperson, Khutsafalo Mnisi, told Daily Maverick on Wednesday that the AGSA was unaware of the proposed NHFC ex gratia payments. 'The NHFC's performance bonus is subject to both the company performance and the individual employee performance, as well as the availability of funds and subject to the approval of the board. All bonus payments are within the scope of the AGSA annual regularity audit, and if there are any payments or provisions for such in the current audit cycle, those will be subjected to the regularity audit process,' said Mnisi. Ex gratia payments in South Africa's state-owned entities have happened in the past — but almost always controversially, and seemingly in the thick of State Capture. In 2014, it was revealed that the SABC under the leadership of Hlaudi Motsoeneng had paid employees a once-off ex gratia payment as part of a bonus payout amounting to R65.76-million. In 2015, i t was reported that Eskom under the leadership of Brian Molefe would also pay some employees ex gratia payments. Thembi Simelane says no crisis at Human Settlements Asked by Daily Maverick this week if Minister Thembi Simelane intended to approve the ex gratia payments, spokesperson Tsekiso Machike said it would be inappropriate for the minister to answer the NHFC's request through the media. 'The minister applies her mind to each matter brought before her on its own merits,' said Machike. Appearing before Parliament's Human Settlements Committee on Wednesday, however, Simelane told MPs that the 'morale' of NHFC staff was a concern and added that they had not been paid 'performance upgrades' for 'donkey years' — suggesting she was sympathetic to Mayekiso's proposal. Simelane also told Parliament that young female CEOs deserved support, and dismissed much of the concern around the NHFC as 'trivialities'. The department issued a statement last week denying DA MP Luyolo Mphithi's claim this month that there had been a 'catastrophic collapse of governance across several housing entities under the Department of Human Settlements'. In it, Simelane 'registered her displeasure' at the fact that the NHFC did not currently have a board in place but said she expected the process of appointing a new board to be concluded by May. 'There is no crisis at DHS entities. Whatever challenges they currently experience, they are not insurmountable and are being attended to,' read the statement. Simelane was moved from her position at the Department of Justice in December 2024 by President Cyril Ramaphosa following damning reporting by Daily Maverick's Pauli van Wyk and News24's Kyle Cowan on a dodgy loan Simelane took from the now-collapsed VBS Mutual Bank. Since then, Simelane has been further accused of fraudulently billing Eskom while in a previous position, prompting the DA to lay criminal charges against her as an act of protest at the fact that Ramaphosa has maintained her as a member of his Cabinet. DM
