Latest news with #Rs300
Hans India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Thousands throng Chamundi Hill for first Ashada Friday darshan
Mysuru: On the first Friday of the auspicious Ashada month, devotees from across Karnataka and neighbouring states thronged Mysuru's Chamundi Hill to seek blessings from Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of the region. Ashada is considered highly significant for the worship of Shakti deities. Every year, thousands of devotees flock to the hill temple on the four Ashada Fridays and on the Goddess's Vardhanti (birthday). This year too, massive crowds were seen lining up since the early hours. The temple opened its doors for devotees at 5:30 AM, but eager pilgrims had begun queuing up from as early as 2 AM. After the darshan, devotees were provided prasada, along with kumkum and turmeric packets outside the temple. Speaking to the media,KSRTC Mysuru Divisional Controller Viresh said that free buses were arranged from Lalit Mahal grounds at the foothills to the temple for all devotees. Over 60 city transport buses and 100 staff were deployed for smooth movement. For those who purchased the Rs300 and Rs2,000 special darshan tickets, dedicated AC buses were provided in three categories. Devotees with Rs2,000 tickets were given additional amenities such as water bottles, small Chamundi idols, kumkum packets and sweet laddus, along with separate access for hassle-free darshan. Among prominent visitors were former minister and JD(S) MLA HD Revanna, who offered prayers and wished for good rains and prosperity for the people of Karnataka. Local MLA G.T. Devegowda visited with his family and prayed for the wellbeing of the state and the nation. Popular actors Shruti and Malavika Avinash were also seen seeking the goddess's blessings. Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikant Reddy too visited the shrine with his family. Despite massive arrangements, the heavy turnout exceeded expectations, causing long waiting times for those in general queues. Complaints were raised about insufficient drinking water and toilet facilities. In contrast, devotees who bought special darshan tickets enjoyed smoother arrangements.
Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
NAB questions Swati in Upper Kohistan scandal
The National Accountability Bureau Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (NAB KP) has initiated an inquiry into Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati in connection with the Upper Kohistan mega scandal. According to sources, Azam Swati appeared before the relevant NAB investigation committee on Friday. NAB officials revealed that a significant amount of money was transferred to Swati's bank account by a private firm allegedly linked to the scandal. The investigation team questioned him for over an hour regarding the suspicious transaction. Swati was also handed a questionnaire by NAB and asked to submit written responses. It is pertinent to mention that over Rs40 billion were withdrawn from the national treasury under the pretext of development projects in Upper Kohistan district. However, no physical evidence of these projects exists on the ground. The scope of the investigation has been expanded, with several officials from the Communications and Works Department, the District Accounts Office, and the National Bank of Kohistan, along with multiple politicians, now under scrutiny. On Thursday, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) barred NAB from arresting Azam Swati in connection with the Kohistan mega corruption scandal. However, the court directed him to cooperate and join the ongoing investigation. The ruling came during the hearing of a writ petition filed by Swati, which was taken up by a two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal. It may be recalled that on June 23, Swati failed to appear before NAB in connection with the corruption scandal, despite being served a notice. Instead, his legal counsel appeared on his behalf. Later, he moved the PHC against the notice. According to NAB sources, on June 23, Swati's lawyer was instructed that the senator must appear in person. The lawyer requested a week's extension, but NAB refused the request and instructed Swati to appear without delay. A second notice will soon be issued, NAB confirmed. The initial notice required Azam Swati to appear on Monday as part of an inquiry into suspicious financial transactions linked to the Kohistan corruption case. NAB alleges that Rs300 million were transferred into Azam Swati's personal bank account, raising serious concerns about financial irregularities. NAB is investigating the Kohistan scandal following revelations of widespread corruption amounting to Rs40 billion. The bureau has directed Swati to submit the financial records of Kohistan Associates and Builders, including detailed bank account information. Billions of rupees were reportedly deposited into the company's accounts during the year 2024. The scandal came to light earlier this year, prompting the provincial government to formally request a NAB investigation. Subsequently, a cabinet-level inquiry committee, headed by the Chief Minister, was also formed to oversee the case. In May, the K-P government launched an investigation into the mega corruption scandal in Kohistan district. The scandal came under intense scrutiny during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Speaker of the K-P Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati. Officials from the Finance Department and the Accountant General's office admitted during the session that billions had been misappropriated from government funds.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt raises gas prices by 10% for commercial users
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chairs the Economic Coordination Committee meeting of the Cabinet on Friday, June 27, 2025. Photo: APP In line with structural benchmarks set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Friday approved a new natural gas pricing framework, including an average 10 per cent tariff hike for bulk, industrial and power sector users. Meanwhile, to shield domestic users from additional burden, the ECC decided to maintain existing gas prices for households while allowing an upward revision of fixed charges in the domestic sector to recover asset costs. Chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the ECC also approved a summary moved by the Petroleum Division for a revised pricing structure to take effect from July 1, 2025, under the fiscal year 2025–26. Under the new framework, the government will notify revised consumer gas prices within 40 days of a determination by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), as required under the OGRA Ordinance. Read More: OGRA greenlights hike in gas price The pricing mechanism is aimed at ensuring cost recovery, regulatory compliance, and fulfilling IMF commitments, including rationalising captive power tariffs and replacing cross-subsidies with targeted support for low-income consumers. In other decisions, the ECC gave in-principle approval to a risk coverage scheme for small farmers and underserved areas, set to launch on August 14. The scheme aims to bring 750,000 new borrowers into the formal financial system through agricultural loans of up to Rs750,000. A total of Rs300 billion in new agricultural lending will be disbursed over the next three years. For risk coverage and administrative costs of banks, Rs37.5 billion will be required between FY2027 and FY2031. Also Read: Double-digit fuel inflation looms The ECC also approved a Rs15.839 billion technical supplementary grant (TSG) for the Ministry of Defence to meet a shortfall in employee and non-employee-related expenditures. The allocation covers dues under the Prime Minister's package for the families of martyrs from the recent Pakistan-India conflict. Additionally, the committee considered a proposal from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research for the import of sugar to stabilise domestic prices. The meeting was attended by Minister for Power Sardar Awais Leghari, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, among other senior officials.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gold price per tola falls Rs5,000 in Pakistan
Gold prices in Pakistan decreased on Friday in line with their rise in the international market. In the local market, gold price per tola reached Rs351,000 after a loss of Rs5,000 during the day. As per the rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), 10-gram gold was sold at Rs300,925 after a fall of Rs4,287. On Thursday, gold price per tola reached Rs356,000 after a gain of Rs1,335. The international rate of gold also decreased today. The rate was at $3,290 per ounce (with a premium of $20), after it lost $53, as per APGJSA. Meanwhile, silver price per tola decreased by Rs68 to reach Rs3,782.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gold price per tola falls Rs5,000 in Pakista
Gold prices in Pakistan decreased on Friday in line with their rise in the international market. In the local market, gold price per tola reached Rs351,000 after a loss of Rs5,000 during the day. As per the rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), 10-gram gold was sold at Rs300,925 after a fall of Rs4,287. On Thursday, gold price per tola reached Rs356,000 after a gain of Rs1,335. The international rate of gold also decreased today. The rate was at $3,290 per ounce (with a premium of $20), after it lost $53, as per APGJSA. Meanwhile, silver price per tola decreased by Rs68 to reach Rs3,782.
