Bombay HC denies interim relief to NCP leader Nawab Malik

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that armed forces will see a larger participation of women in the coming years due to the recent steps taken by the Government. He was speaking at an event organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation, FLO in New Delhi Tuesday. The minister said that about two lakh women took the entrance exam last year with great enthusiasm. The percentage of women in the Indian Army will increase significantly in the coming times.The minister said that women have a big role to play in placing India among the world’s top three economies. He said that the government has created an enabling eco-system to allow women to forge a New India. On the occasion, rich tributes were paid to the Armed Forces personnel who made the supreme sacrifice to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of the Nation. He also paid tributes to Bharat Ratna Late Lata Mangeshkar. Her sister Ms Usha Mangeshkar received an award on her behalf. The Raksha Mantri remembered the Nightingale of India, saying that she will always be alive in the heart of every Indian.

-Border Roads Organisation has signed an MoU with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited for construction of 27 double-lane class 70 modular bridges in border areas. The MoU includes fabrication, supply, erection and launching of 27 double-lane bridges of carriageway 7.5 meters of load class 70 along the Northern and North Eastern border states. It reinforces the commitment of BRO for greater self-reliance on indigenous equipment and achieving overall aim of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. It will also ensure better infrastructure development in border areas keeping in view the nation’s security needs.

-Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said the cost of construction has to be reduced without compromising on quality. He was addressing the 17th Annual Conference on ‘Road Development in India’. The Minister said that dependence on cement and steel can be reduced by using different waste material like waste rubber and plastic in road construction. Gadkari said innovation, entrepreneurship, science, research , skill we name it as knowledge and to convert that is future. The minister said efforts are on to formulate  policy for rating the contractors and companies for making Detailed Project Reports. He said green hydrogen is the fuel for the future. Mr Gadkari said  it is time for country to create more alternatives and competition. The Minister said it is also being  planned to formulate a policy for making bitumen  from biomass.  The Minister also emphasized on Road safety and said more efforts are needed in this area from all the stakeholders.

-The Bombay High Court on Tuesday denied any interim relief to Maharashtra cabinet minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik in a money laundering case and refused to pass an order for his release from judicial custody. Malik was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on February 23 this year under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) over a property deal allegedly linked to the aides of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. He is currently in judicial custody. The minority affairs minister had challenged his arrest and as an interim prayer, sought that he be released from custody immediately. However, a bench of Justices PB Varale and SM Modak today denied any such interim relief to Malik.

-The country’s first Digital Water Bank ‘AQVERIUM’ is operational in Bengaluru It is formed by AquaKraft Group Ventures, next-generation sustainability, and impact enterprise focused on providing clean drinking water & sanitation. Launching the Digital Startup AQVERIUM headquartered in Bengaluru, Dr.C.N.Ashwatha Narayana, Minister for IT/BT and Science &Technology said, this is a very unique innovation combining sustainable & green technologies along with information technology, skill development & entrepreneurship. Further, he told, the Startup has a holistic approach towards finding a much-needed solution to a crisis that not only India but the world is staring at. Saying, Clean Water & Water security is the key for India to become a USD 5 trillion economy, Narayana told that the Indian water & sanitation market opportunity which was pegged at USD 297 billion is highly unorganized and the need of the hour is a comprehensive 360 degrees approach towards water management as a blend of green & sustainable treatment technologies.