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NDTV
03-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Chhattisgarh Government Allows Employees To Invest In Shares But...
The Chhattisgarh government has issued a formal notification regulating stock market investments by state government employees. As per the new rules, government officials and employees are now allowed to invest in shares, securities, debentures, and mutual funds-but only for long-term purposes. Intraday trading, futures and options (F&O), buy-today-sell-tomorrow (BTST), and cryptocurrency investments have been categorically prohibited and classified as "misconduct." The notification, issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), amends Section 19 of the Chhattisgarh Civil Services Conduct Rules, 1965. The move aims to provide clarity on financial conduct for government employees, who until now operated in a regulatory grey area. "Earlier, the conduct rules did not specify the permissible forms of investment, creating confusion and even the possibility of disciplinary action. This amendment gives employees a safe, transparent investment pathway," said Mahendra Singh, President of the Ministerial Officers Association. According to Mr Singh, the notification issued on June 30 is a welcome step that balances financial autonomy with caution. "Employees now have the freedom to invest their earnings safely. At the same time, banning high-risk, speculative instruments like intraday and crypto is a protective measure for employees and their families," he added. The government maintains that the restrictions are meant to ensure that speculative trading does not interfere with official responsibilities during working hours. "Buying and selling throughout the day can disrupt official work. This decision safeguards both productivity and transparency," said BJP spokesperson Amit Chimnani. However, the opposition Congress is criticising the move as regressive and anti-employee. "The government has completed just one month, and such decisions reflect their control-oriented approach. Employees should have full personal freedom to invest their hard-earned money as they see fit," said Congress spokesperson Ajay Gangwani. While the employee unions have largely welcomed the clarity and exemption for long-term investing, the political opposition is using the moment to target the Vishnu Deo Sai-led government. The notification doesn't specify a strict time frame for what qualifies as a "long-term" investment, leaving room for future clarification. For now, Chhattisgarh becomes one of the few states in India to formally codify trading rules for its public servants-allowing safe avenues for wealth creation while drawing a red line on speculation.
CNA
02-07-2025
- Science
- CNA
Indian farmers push back against importing genetically modified crops from US
HARYANA, India: Farmer Mahendra Singh has been growing genetically modified cotton – known as BT cotton – for the past 15 years in the northern Indian state of Haryana. The genetically modified variety was designed to resist pests, he said. 'The BT seeds that were first given to us were excellent,' he added. 'The results were amazing. We had great yield. We got a good price when we sold it and we didn't even have to spray insecticides." But the situation has changed. Pink bollworms, which have developed resistance to the genetically modified cotton seed and can decimate cotton yield, now threaten his crops. To protect them, Singh relies heavily on pesticides. 'It's expensive to keep spraying the crop,' he said. 'It's why we had stopped planting local varieties of cotton. It's particularly hard in the summer months to haul litres of pesticide into the field.' Currently, more than 96 per cent of cotton sown in India is BT cotton. While the variety initially delivered higher yields, output has been declining for years. Farmers told CNA that extreme heat and erratic rainfall have worsened pest outbreaks. They added that BT cotton seeds have been unable to adapt to changing climatic conditions. UNSUSTAINABLE, UNSAFE Agriculture researcher Dushyant Badal said a key problem is that Indian farmers are over-reliant on pesticides. 'Farmers continue to use high doses of pesticides on genetically modified crops, which shouldn't happen. That's why pests have become resistant,' said the managing director of Pragmatix Research, a firm which supports the adoption of sustainable farming practices. There are also concerns that genetically modified cotton – along with the excessive pesticides used to grow them – could spill over into the food chain. Most Indian farmers practise subsistence farming and feed crop residue to their cattle, which then contributes to the dairy supply. 'Something that has been genetically modified from a commercial point of view is not natural and can't be eaten,' said Badal. 'Our food policy must be safe in all aspects. It's a question of everyone's health.' OPPOSING GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS BT cotton was first approved for commercial use in the United States about three decades ago and was introduced to India in the early 2000s. While India's government has not expressed any health or environmental concerns, farm lobbies oppose further introduction of genetically modified crops into the country. They argue that such crops are unsustainable and unsafe, and are also worried that commercial farming by big cultivators could sideline small farmers. Genetically modified crops have since become a sticking point in New Delhi's trade negotiations with Washington, which hopes to export such corn and soybean to India. India is among the more than a dozen countries engaged in talks with US President Donald Trump's administration ahead of a steep spike in levies set to take effect on Jul 9, when a 90-day tariff pause expires. But the issue of allowing genetically modified US crops into India's agricultural market continues to be a big hold-up in negotiations. SIGNIFICANT OPPOSITION PERSISTS Agricultural experts also pointed out concerns of purchasing goods that India does not need. 'For most of the food items, India is self-sufficient,' said Siraj Hussain, former union secretary at the Ministries of Food Processing Industries and Agriculture. 'So, there is no need to import soybean, for example. If genetically modified corn is used for making ethanol, why not import ethanol itself.' A national policy on genetically modified crops through public consultation is currently in the works. However, strong opposing views remain. Some farmers like Rajesh Kumar, for instance, have fully rejected genetically modified cotton. Kumar is now in his second year of cultivating a local variety of cotton, and he intends to continue with it. 'People told me don't waste your money on local varieties. I had no issues though and the yield has also been good,' he added. 'Looking at me, other people have started planting local varieties as well.'
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Time of India
Accident near b'day revelry on road kills 1, injures 5
Pithoragarh: A 35-year-old man was killed and five others were injured after a utility vehicle collided with a parked car next to which the local residents were celebrating a birthday party on Kakrali-Purnagiri road at Gaidakhali in Champawat district of Uttarakhand on Saturday night. Police said the Kakrali-Purnagiri road was closed for vehicular movement from 6pm to 6am, and some locals had parked their car. The injured men, all locals, were also there and were having a birthday celebration next to their parked car on the roadside, when the utility vehicle coming from Kakrali side lost control and hit their car. Two critically injured men were shifted to another medical facility, while one received treatment at Tanakpur hospital and two others were discharged after first aid. Mahendra Singh, brother of deceased Nirmal Singh, has filed an FIR at Tanakpur police station against driver Rakesh Bohra. A case was subsequently registered under BNS sections 281 (rash driving), 125 (A) (endangering life...) and 106 (1) (causing death by negligence). Mahendra said that Nirmal was a photographer and had gone there to take a few pictures during the roadside party. Police handed over the body to his family after a postmortem examination. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Traumhafte Flusskreuzfahrten Thurgau Travel Mehr erfahren Undo Those injured were Mohit Kanwal (28), Pawan Singh (25), Mahesh Bohra (24), Yogesh Singh (24), all residents of Gandakhali. The driver of the utility vehicle, Rakesh Bohra (38), was also hurt. Pawan and Yogesh were critically injured and shifted to another medical facility after initial treatment at Tanakpur hospital.
India.com
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This 7-episode web-series is trending number 1 on OTT, no big stars, has IMDb rating of 9.4, beats shows like Panchayat, Dupahiya, Gram Chikitsalaya in…, lead actors are…
As anticipation builds for the next season of Panchayat, a new rural drama has quietly captured the spotlight on streaming platforms. The series, blending humor and heartfelt village storytelling, has drawn comparisons to Panchayat, Dupahiya, Jamtara and Gram Chikitsalaya for its authentic portrayal of rural life. This show has not only beaten these shows in terms of ratings, but also due to its captivating narrative, which has made the series trend at number one. The Newly Released… The show we are talking about is Sarpanch Sahab , which delves on narrative of village politics and social issues surrounding local elections. The series not only highlights village politics but also depicts the struggle and effort to bring about change. The show is infused with humor that is sure to make you laugh at its fullest. This popular series features several actors from Panchayat which including well-known supporting cast members like Sunita Rajwar, Pankaj Jha, and Vineet Kumar . The Narrative Of Sarpanch Sahab Sarpanch Sahab follows the journey of Sanju , who hails from Rampura village. He is the son of retired village teacher, as he embarks on a career as simple worker with his friends after graduating. He finds himself drawn to the political influence and achievements of Mahendra Singh , the affluent and powerful village head. However, various incidents in his life challenge his pride. He endeavors to instigate change within the village, but the Sarpanch and his rivals thwart his efforts. Sanju aims to exploit the divide between the two factions. Triveni Mishra is up against the long-serving sarpanch Mahendra Singh, who is influential yet corrupt. More About Sarpanch Sahab You can stream this trending series, which is currently the number one show on OTT, for free without any subscription on Waves . This series premiered on April 30 and boasts an IMDB rating of 9.4. Apart from the lead actors, it also features Anud Singh Dhaka, Vibha Chibber, Yukti Kapoor, Vijay Pandey, Yukti Kapoor, Neeraj Sood, Danish Ali and many other actors in crucial roles, which has been helmed by debutant director Shahid Khan .
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Delhi: Storm drain desilting raises ‘manual scavenging' alarm
In the afternoon sun near Munirka along the Outer Ring Road, Mahendra Singh removes his shirt and trousers, stripping down to his underwear before stepping into a stormwater drain. With a rusted shovel, he scoops out dark, foul-smelling sludge—a mix of silt, plastic, and broken glass—and passes it to his co-worker Raj Kumar. Neither man wears gloves, boots, or any protective gear. Along a 100-metre stretch from the spot, there are multiple heaps of filth as over 50 workers toil to clear choked storm drains ahead of monsoon. This scene, repeated across hundreds of sites in Delhi, is part of the Capital's annual pre-monsoon desilting drive. Yet, activists and rights groups say this distinction is both technical and misleading. In cities like Delhi, stormwater drains, which generally only carry rainwater to canals from the roads, can often have drains 'puncturing' them. This has been acknowledged multiple times in official government submissions to courts, in NGT orders and by senior officials of drain-owning agencies. 'These stormwater drains are not clean rainwater channels. They're choked with sewage, industrial waste and sludge,' said Bezwada Wilson, a noted rights activist who was awarded the 2016 Magsaysay Award for his efforts to get justice for manual scavengers. 'If a person is made to get into these drains, neck-deep in filth without any safety gear, how is this not manual scavenging?' Wilson said that the work violates both the Manual Scavenging Act and labour safety laws, citing observations from across the city—workers entering blackened, stinking drains, often laced with sewage. 'Machines should be doing this. The law is clear: no human should be entering such spaces unless absolutely necessary and with full protection,' he said. Sanjay Gahlot, chairman of the Delhi Commission for Safai Karamcharis, echoed Wilson's concerns. 'Agencies and contractors are not able to understand that this too is manual scavenging. They are exploiting people by making them manually clear the filth. People's lives are being put at risk,' he said. Public Works Department (PWD) manages 2,026km of small drains, which merge with larger drains under the jurisdiction of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, which eventually empty into the Yamuna. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) oversees 12,892 smaller drains, spanning 6,067km. Officials from both agencies did not respond to requests for comments on the matter. Every year, these agencies carry out a large-scale desilting operation between April and June to prepare the city for the monsoon. At the Munirka site, over 50 labourers were at work along a 100-metre stretch. Similar scenes were observed by HT on Monday near IIT Delhi, Deer Park, Hauz Khas, Safdarjung and near Jangpura. Meanwhile, PWD through its official handle shared similar images of men without protective gear entering filthy drains at places such as Paschim Vihar, Mangolpuri, Rohini and Jahangirpuri. Last month, workers were also seen clearing sludge from the Barapullah drain without gear, just before a high-profile government inspection. The labour is outsourced through private contractors who hire workers—which activists said are mostly from marginalised communities—on a daily wage basis. They are paid between ₹500 to ₹700 a day, often without the legally mandated minimum wage benefits. According to the Delhi government, the current minimum wage for unskilled labour is ₹18,456 per month, or around ₹700 per day. 'This is seasonal work. I also work at tent houses for weddings during the rest of the year,' said Singh, 51, as he paused briefly by the roadside. 'It stinks, it burns your skin, but there's no other job. No one will pay this much for three months.' A supervisor at a site near the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare claimed only minor sections of drains were being cleaned manually. 'We only ask workers to clean near the manholes. Machines will take care of the deeper parts,' he said. But workers at multiple sites contradict this. Vikki Jeenwal, 40, pointed to cuts on his feet while working near Safdarjung Development Area. 'There's glass in the sludge. Sometimes it smells so bad I drink alcohol just to get through the day.' His co-worker Sonu Beniwal, 27, added, 'There are gases that make you dizzy. We've heard people have died in such drains. But here, at least, we get ₹500 at the end of the day. Other jobs don't even pay on time.' Kali Charan, 62, said his eyes water during the first few hours of work. 'I've never seen gloves or boots. Only once, when a TV crew came, the contractor gave us masks.' Wilson emphasised that the law allows human entry into drains only in life-threatening emergencies, and even then with full protective gear and written approvals. 'Yet every monsoon, hundreds of men are forced to enter these filth-filled drains. This is not stormwater. This is neglect, and it is killing people slowly.'
