Latest news with #Baijnath
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
HC raises questions on holding polls, kanwar yatra together
Dehradun: Uttarakhand high court on Tuesday raised questions about the feasibility of holding panchayat elections during the ongoing kanwar yatra and Char Dham pilgrimage. HC was hearing a public interest petition by Haridwar resident Dr Baijnath, who highlighted that key administrative resources such as police and SDRF teams were engaged in flood relief work, potentially impacting election management. He urged the court to consider postponing the elections until after Aug. In response, DGP Deepam Seth and panchayati raj secretary Chandresh Kumar Yadav informed the court via video conferencing that preparations were in place to ensure smooth conduct of the elections and the yatras. The state election commission also confirmed its readiness to conduct the polls. Polling is scheduled in two phases, July 24 and 28, across 12 districts, excluding Haridwar, while the kanwar yatra will continue until July 23. Seth said 30% of the police force was deployed for kanwar yatra, 10% for Char Dham pilgrimage and another 10% for the elections, with contingency measures in place for any disruptions. The court was also informed that the first group of kanwar pilgrims from Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi would complete their journey before the first polling date. Districts affected by the yatra will vote in the second phase. The DGP said legal action was taken against some pilgrims for unruly conduct. The court directed officials to submit a report on the next hearing on Wednesday.
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Himachal Pradesh High Court quashes SDPO's transfer order
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 9 (ANI): The Himachal Pradesh High Court has set aside the transfer order of Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Anil Kumar, ruling that his premature transfer violated provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Police Act, 2012 and was issued without following the proper legal procedure. Justice Sandeep Sharma, delivering the judgment on July 8 in CWP No. 105 of 2025, held that Anil Kumar's transfer from Baijnath to the Police Training College in Daroh was neither recommended by the Police Establishment Committee nor were valid reasons recorded in writing as mandated under Sections 12 and 56 of the Act. 'There is no indication in the official record that the Police Establishment Committee, headed by the Director General of Police, recommended the petitioner's transfer. Hence, the administrative ground claimed by the state lacks legal basis,' the court stated in its strongly-worded 19-page judgment. The court was hearing a petition filed by SDPO Anil Kumar, who had alleged that his transfer was politically motivated and done at the behest of a local MLA, after he took action against the legislator's son. The state, however, denied any political interference and said the move was made on administrative grounds. Though the court did not conclusively find political interference, it underlined that none of the conditions outlined in Section 12 of the Police Act, such as disciplinary action, criminal charges, or public interest exigency, were fulfilled in the petitioner's case. 'Even if the transfer is assumed to be on administrative grounds, the state failed to explain how such grounds could override statutory procedure in the absence of any recommendation from the Police Establishment Committee,' the judgment noted. The court also invoked the landmark Prakash Singh vs Union of India (2006) judgment, in which the Supreme Court directed state governments to ensure a minimum two-year tenure for police officers and insulate police transfers from arbitrary political influence. 'Transfers and postings of police officers must be governed by institutional mechanisms like the State Police Establishment Board and cannot be left to the whims of individuals,' the court said, quoting the apex court's guidelines. The High Court also dismissed arguments by the opposing counsel that the petitioner had concealed facts or misled the court. 'The record shows the petitioner did inform the court that the private respondent had joined the post at Baijnath. There is no attempt to misstate or hide facts,' the judge clarified. Allowing the writ petition, the High Court quashed the government's transfer order dated December 24, 2024, and restored Anil Kumar's posting as SDPO Baijnath. The interim stay order passed on January 3, 2025, was vacated as the main petition stood decided. This ruling is being seen as a significant assertion of judicial oversight in upholding police autonomy and service safeguards against politically influenced transfers. The state government has not yet indicated whether it plans to appeal the decision. (ANI)
Zawya
22-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa's Rand Refinery Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins Mining in Motion 2025
Praveen Baijnath, CEO of Rand Refinery, has been confirmed as a speaker at the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit, scheduled for June 2–4 in Accra. Baijnath will contribute to the panel discussion, Medium to Long-Term Funding Models for Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, which will explore innovative financing mechanisms aimed at improving financial accessibility for small-scale miners. As the head of the world's largest integrated single-site precious metals refining and smelting complex, Baijnath brings a critical perspective on the downstream sector's role in strengthening artisanal mining, supporting sector-wide growth and delivering value-added products tailored to African markets. Ghana's small-scale gold mining activities generated $5 billion in export revenue in 2024, while South Africa accounted for 60.5% of Ghana's gold exports to other African nations – highlighting the deep interconnection between the two countries' gold sectors. Rand Refinery's major shareholders are also key players in Ghana's upstream gold industry. AngloGold Ashanti, which owns 42.5% of Rand Refinery, operates major Ghanaian mines including Iduapriem and Obuasi. Gold Fields, holding a 33.15% stake, manages the Tarkwa and Damang mines. Baijnath's participation is expected to foster stronger collaboration between South Africa and Ghana, promoting sustainable and inclusive development within the gold mining sector. Organized by the Ashanti Green Initiative in partnership with the World Bank, World Gold Council and other international stakeholders, Mining in Motion 2025 will be held under the theme Sustainable Mining&Local Growth – Leveraging Resources for Global Impact. The event will welcome top-level decision-makers, including H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana, along with representatives from the African Union, ECOWAS, the United Nations and the private sector. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power. Stay informed about the latest advancements, network with industry leaders, and engage in critical discussions on key issues impacting small-scale miners and medium to large scale mining in Ghana. Secure your spot at the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit by visiting For sponsorship opportunities or delegate participation, contact sales@
