Tag: Govt

Gujarat HC issues notice to govt on plea to prevent sanitation worker deaths

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Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the state government over a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking steps to prevent deaths of sanitation workers and compensation to the families of those who had died while cleaning drainage lines and septic tanks.
The division bench of acting Chief Justice A J Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav issued a notice returnable on May 1, 2023 over a plea filed by NGO Manav Garima.
The petitioner claimed that the state government had failed to implement provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 and sought the court’s direction for its proper implementation.

The high court had in 2016 directed the government to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation to the families of each deceased sanitation workers on the PIL by the NGO. However, so far compensation has not been paid to the families of 26 out of 152 workers who died between 1993 and 2014, and 16 who died after the main petition was filed in 2016, it said.
Though section 7 of the 2013 Act prohibits local authorities or their agencies to engage people for hazardous cleaning of sewer in underground drainage lines or septic tanks, they have continued to do so, causing several deaths, the plea stated.
As many as 45 incidents have taken place, where 95 workers lost their lives while cleaning septic tanks, it claimed.
“This fact itself shows that the State has miserably failed to enforce section 7 of the Act in letter and spirit. It is pertinent to point out that in most of the cases, no offence is registered under section 7 or 9 of the Act,” it said.
As per the plea, in 2014, the government had issued guidelines imposing prohibition on cleaning of sewage from underground drainage to prevent deaths of workers, while in 2019, it directed local bodies to ensure that no person is permitted to enter manholes for cleaning drainage lines or septic tanks.

The state government also entrusted responsibility to the nodal officer or chief officer to ensure total prohibition of employment of manual scavengers in their respective areas and to initiate criminal action against offenders, the plea said.
None of the municipal corporations have till date constituted emergency response sanitation units (ERSUs), for which the state government had passed a resolution in 2021 to ensure that the cleaning operation is carried out using machines and no person is forced to enter into drainage lines for cleaning manually, it said.
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#Gujarat #issues #notice #govt #plea #prevent #sanitation #worker #deaths
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 18, 2023
MP govt orders to remove Muslim staff from Maa Sharda temple in Maihar

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Bhopal: An order issued by the Department of Culture of Madhya Pradesh government regarding the removal of Muslim employees associated with the Maa Sharda Temple in Maihar in Satna district has become the talking point in the state.
The department has issued a letter to Satna district administration to comply with the directive issued earlier regarding removal of Muslim employees from the Maa Sharda Devi Prabandh Samiti. The directive was issued on April 5, but it came to the fore after it surfaced on social media on Tuesday.
The development came when the Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh are just six months away. IANS has learnt that there are at least two Muslims who are associated with the Maa Sharda Devi Prabandh Samiti since 1988.

The Department of Culture in its order has also mentioned that a notification regarding the same had been issued earlier also, but no response was received. Therefore, complying with the directive (letter) issued by the department regarding the same, a report should be submitted within three days.
The department is headed by senior BJP leader Usha Thakur, who is also the Tourism Minister in Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Cabinet.
The department has also said that all meat and liquor shops located near the temple area will be removed.
The step has been taken following the recommendation of right wing groups, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad. The right wing outfits of Satna district had handed over a letter to Usha Thakur in January this year, following which the Satna district administration was directed to remove Muslim staff associated with the Maa Sharda Devi Prabandh Samiti. The fresh letter has been issued to comply with directive issued by the minister in January.
“We have received a letter regarding the matter and now it would be brought before the Prabandhan Samiti of the temple for discussion. Whatever the committee decides will be the final decision,” a member of the Maa Sharda Devi Prabandh Samiti told IANS on condition of anonymity.

Situated atop Trikut hill, the temple is a reverred Hindu srine in the Vindhya region, which has numerous mythological stories attatched to it, including about ‘Alha’ and ‘Udal’. The devotees climb 1,063 stairs to reach the temple, while a ropeway facility has also been established now for the convenience of the pilgrims.
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#govt #orders #remove #Muslim #staff #Maa #Sharda #temple #Maihar
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 18, 2023
Won’t implement decision to scrap 4% Muslim quota till next week: Karnataka govt to SC

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New Delhi: The Karnataka government on Tuesday assured the Supreme Court that for a week further, it would not implement its decision to scrap the 4 per cent Muslim quota in the OBC category in jobs and education.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Karnataka government, contended before a bench of Justices K M Joseph and B V Nagarathna that the state government would require more time to file its affidavit in the matter. Last week, the state government had sought time till Monday to file its response. After hearing Mehta’s submissions, the top court deferred the hearing till April 25.
The state government, on April 13, had assured that it will not go ahead with any admission to educational institutions or make appointments on jobs in terms of its March 27 order.

The apex court had made some strong observations against the manner in which the state government scrapped the 4 per cent OBC quota for Muslims and placed them under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category, saying the foundation of the decision-making process is “highly shaky and flawed”.
The top court had told the Solicitor General, representing the Karnataka government: “Prima facie, we are telling you, the first thing is that the order which you have passed… appears to suggest that foundation of decision making process is highly shaky and flawed… it is on an interim report, the state could have waited for a final report that is one aspect. What is the great urgency?”
Mehta submitted that the court should allow the state government to file its reply in the matter and the admissions will begin in May and nothing is going to happen if matter is heard next week either on Monday or Tuesday.
“Please allow me to file a reply, these are original proceedings. There was no empirical data as a religion….. they (Muslims) were included on the basis of religion. It is not something extraordinary. Can’t it wait till April 17?”
Senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Dushyant Dave, Prof Ravivarma Kumar and Gopal Sankaranarayanan appeared for petitioners L. Ghulam Rasool and others. Dave argued that staying the government order would mean Muslims continue to get the benefit of the reservation of four per cent and “if not, they will lose out in education and employment… Why should we lose out at all ? this notification is per se illegal and unconstitutional.”

Sibal said since the early 1990s, they were backward and now they put them in the general category and after 23 years, Muslims are in general category without a study. This is a direct violation of Article 14, and also the entire notification is violative of Article 14 and it is taking away reservation, he said.
“It is like I am poor, so I will be in the general category”, he added.
Dave reiterated there is no study to support scrapping of Muslim quota.
After hearing detailed arguments, the bench said the decision was prima facie based on fallacious assumption and was vitiated as it is based on an interim report of a commission. The petitioners moved the apex court challenging the Karnataka government decision to scrap the Muslim quota.
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#Wont #implement #decision #scrap #Muslim #quota #week #Karnataka #govt
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 18, 2023
Telangana govt to celebrate World Heritage Day at Ramappa temple

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Hyderabad: The Telangana government will celebrate World Heritage Day at the Ramappa temple in Hanamkonda on Tuesday. It is also the state’s first UNESCO world heritage site, which is part of the state’s Kakatiya-period heritage.
The state government and the Mulugu district administration will organise day-long events around the main theme of Shilpam (sculpture), Varnam (colour), Krishnam (black) commemorating the temple’s rich architecture sculpted on black granite.
The temple features intricate carvings on the walls, pillars, and ceilings, depicting stories from Hindu mythology, dancing figures, and various other motifs. It is lauded as the finest example of the Kakatiya architectural style.

A food festival will be organised near Ramappa Lake in the morning where food vendors, artisans, and micro enterprises from the state will display and sell their offerings.
Music director SS Thaman, legendary percussionist Sivamani, singer Karthik, flutist Naveen, and Aarabhi Institute of Performing Arts, among others, will showcase their musical finesse.
A group of 150+ dancers from Sravya Manasa’s dance ensemble will present an enthralling amalgamation of Indian dance forms depicting ‘Unity in Diversity’.
Surya N. Rao will grace the occasion with a ‘RAvana’ act dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Ustad Perini which will be followed by a spectacular Perini dance recital by Rajkumar and troupe.
The Balagam movie team will be felicitated, following which author and dance director Vijaya Jyothi’s book ‘Ramappa Alayam Natya Shastram’ will be launched.

The event has been conceptualised and managed by Guru Productions, presented by The Vasavi Group, in association with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.
Ramappa temple located in Palampet of Mulugu district was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 2021, making it 39th in India to receive this global recognition.
The international day for monuments and sites, known as World Heritage Day is celebrated on April 18th every year.
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#Telangana #govt #celebrate #World #Heritage #Day #Ramappa #temple
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 17, 2023
Modi govt must come clean on allegations by former JK guv: CPIM

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New Delhi: The CPIM on Monday demanded an explanation from the government over the allegations made by former governor of Jammu and Kashmir Satyapal Malik about the Pulwama attack.
Malik, in an interview with a news portal, had claimed there were lapses in security protocol that led to the February 2019 attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.
“The CPIM demands that the Modi government must come clean and answer all the serious allegations raised by the former governor of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Satyapal Malik,” the party said in a statement.

“The allegations regarding the Pulwama terrorist attack in which 40 CRPF jawans had lost their lives are a serious matter which concerns the security of our country. No lapses in safeguarding our national security can be brooked,” it said.
The CPIM also said that the allegations regarding the manner in which Articles 370 and 35 A of the Constitution were abrogated and the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir dissolved into two Union Territories are “equally serious”.
“The Modi government’s silence on these issues has very grave implications for our national security and the unity and integrity of India. Modi government must respond to these allegations in the interest of our national security and Constitutional sanctity. Modi government cannot remain silent,” it said.
Though the Centre has not reacted to the allegations, the BJP has cited Malik’s past remarks, including the one that mocked former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi as a “political juvenile”, and slammed him as the “disgraced governor of Jammu and Kashmir”.

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#Modi #govt #clean #allegations #guv #CPIM
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 17, 2023
JK Govt To Launch Kisan Sampark Abhiyan Envisaging Practical Trainings, Online Courses, IT Services

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SRINAGAR: The Agriculture Production Department in Jammu and Kashmir is all set to launch the Kisan Sampark Abhiyan, a program aimed at overall welfare of farmers across the Union Territory.
In this regard, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo, chaired a meeting on Monday to review progress on preparations being put in place for program launch.
The Abhiyan will be launched across 3565 panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir from 24th April 2023 which will last for four months. The program aims to involve Panchayati Raj Institutions in the scheme and celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ as part of the program. To ensure success of the ambitious program, 2400 resource persons have been identified and trained for all districts besides 45 educational videos in multiple languages have been created to educate farmers and pamphlets have been printed in Urdu, Hindi and English.
The Kisan Sampark Abhiyan will include question and answer sessions for the farmers. Furthermore, the farmers will receive education about 18 Centrally Sponsored Schemes that have been designed for their welfare and development.
Additionally, manual passbooks under the Kisan Credit Card scheme will be replaced by smart cards for the farmers. This change is aimed at helping farmers increase their spending in the sector, ultimately leading to an improvement in their productivity and production.
In addition to the Kisan Sampark Abhiyan, the Agriculture Production Department will launch Daksh Kisan, an online skilling platform that will provide farmers with learning opportunities. The platform will include 1700 videos across 118 courses in Urdu, Hindi, Dogri and Kashmiri. The course material with 20000 pages will cover several modules, including business management and entrepreneurship. The completion of the course will provide learners with certificates from SKUAST. The entire program is free of cost, making it an unprecedented initiative for the farming community of Jammu and Kashmir.
The program will also launch an IT Platform, a one-stop dashboard to avail all farmers related services and schemes of the government with facility of online application and approval. The online system will also provide timely sector wise, region wise and crop wise advisories to registered farmers through SMS, irrespective of whether they have undergone any course or not.
ACS, Atal Dulloo, encouraged the officers to educate the farmers about the program and ensure availability and increased participation of farmers and Panchayati Raj Institution members.

The meeting also reviewed the availability of infrastructure and other facilities across all panchayats ensuring that the program benefits the farmers across the region.

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#Govt #Launch #Kisan #Sampark #Abhiyan #Envisaging #Practical #Trainings #Online #Courses #Services
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

April 17, 2023
Shinde govt faces Opposition heat over sunstroke deaths at Maha award event

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Thane: The Eknath Shinde-BJP government in Maharashtra on Monday faced criticism over the sunstroke-linked death of people at a mega award function in Navi Mumbai, held in an open ground under a scorching sun, with the Opposition demanding a probe into organisation of the programme as the toll rose to 13, while eight patients still remained hospitalised.
While the Congress sought registration of a case of culpable homicide and said the government should quit, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) sought a probe into the tragedy.
Tens of thousands of people had gathered in a 306-acre ground in the Kharghar area in Raigad district on Sunday for presentation of the ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’ award to spiritual leader and social reformer Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. The nearest weather station to the spot had recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.

Eleven people attending the event died due to sunstroke on Sunday, while two patients undergoing treatment succumbed later, taking the toll to 13, officials said on Monday.
The deceased included nine women and four men, while eight people were still undergoing treatment after suffering from sunstroke at the award function, they said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his deputy Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Kapil Patil were among those present on the occasion.
Shinde termed the deaths as “very unfortunate” and said the kin of the deceased will be given a compensation of Rs 5 lakh.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajit Pawar sought an inquiry into how the award event was organised during noon time when the temperature was very high.

Pawar visited the MGM Hospital at Kamothe in Navi Mumbai late Sunday night and enquired about the health of people undergoing treatment after suffering from sunstroke.
Talking to reporters, he termed the incident as “most unfortunate” and said the priority was to ensure the patients get well soon.
The NCP leader claimed it was a function of the Maharashtra government.
It is a well known fact that during April-May, day temperature are very high. During these days, temperatures hover around 40 degrees Celsius, Pawar said.
“Hence, it needs to be probed as to who had fixed the noon timing for the award function,” the former deputy CM said.
Pawar said the function could have been held in the evening and Union Home Minister Shah could have taken a chopper to reach the venue.
Shah had conferred the state’s highest civilian award on Dharmadhikari at the event.
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said a case of culpable homicide must be registered against the Shinde government for the sunstroke deaths.
“Appasaheb is working for humanity and when someone of his stature is being given an award, it is obvious lakhs of his followers would attend the function. The government knew this but air-conditioned mandap was made only for Union Home Minister Amit Shah, chief minister, deputy CM and other dignitaries,” Patole said in Pune.
“This is a state programme. Why was there no covering for the lakhs who attended? This is inhuman and that is why people are seeking that a case of culpable homicide be registered against the Maharashtra government,” he added.
The Maharashtra Congress chief said the state government must take responsibility for the deaths and should resign.
NCP Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule demanded the formation of a panel to probe the incident.
“I express condolences to the bereaved families. Since the temperature is increasing, everybody should be a little sensitive while organising a public event. I heard CM Eknath Shinde announcing an ex-gratia, but I would like to say that the worth of human life cannot be Rs 5 lakh,” Sule told reporters.
Asked about the Opposition demand for registration of an offence of culpable homicide for the deaths, she alleged the state government is also insensitive towards farmers, women’s safety, and damage caused by unseasonal rains.
“This is a tragic incident and it was a black day for the state. The state government should form a (probe) committee. It was the state government that had invited people who follow Appasaheb Dharamadhikari (the recipient of the Maharashtra Bhushan award) for the function, so the state should explain,” Sule demanded.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut blamed the Maharashtra government for the tragedy and claimed politics prevailed over the convenience of people.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut said, “The Maharashtra Bhushan award function could have been held in the evening, but Union minister Amit Shah had no free time. Thus, the programme was held during the day time and people got exposed to the scorching heat and sunlight.”
“Politics behind the award prevailed over people’s convenience,” the Rajya Sabha member said.
“The programme got stretched too long and people fell sick. A few of them even died because of it. The people who attended the event had come for Appasaheb Dharmadhikari and not for any other politician present on the stage,” Raut said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson said there have been similar incidents in the past and the state should have learnt some lessons from them before organising such events.
Many of followers of Shree Parivar (Dharmadhikari’s organisation) had reached the venue on Friday and stayed there till the function concluded at around 1.30 pm on Sunday.
Union Home Minister Shah on Monday expressed grief over the tragedy.
“The death of people who attended yesterday’s Maharashtra Bhushan award function has deeply saddened me. I express my condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray for the recovery of those who are currently being treated,” Shah tweeted.
At the sprawling venue, some people complained of dizziness and other health complications. Some also fainted at the ground. They were initially treated at make shift medical facilities and later rushed to hospitals.
Dharmadhikari has a massive following in the state due to his tree plantation drives, blood donation and medical camps as well as de-addiction work in tribal areas.
The Maharashtra Bhushan is the state’s top civilian award given to people for their contribution towards the welfare of society.
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#Shinde #govt #faces #Opposition #heat #sunstroke #deaths #Maha #award #event
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 17, 2023
‘Govt forcing police to deny hunger strike’, YSRTP to knock court doors

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Hyderabad: YSR Telangana party on Monday said that it would knock on court doors to get permission for Telangana Students’ Action for Vacancies and Employment’s (T-SAVE) day-long hunger strike at Indira Park, which was refused by the city police earlier.
Addressing the media after the political affairs committee meeting, YSRTP official spokesperson Gattu Ramachandra Rao said, “This is completely shocking and a sorry picture where YS Sharmila is repeatedly being targeted because chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao is now scared of her fight and commitment towards Telangana”.
The YSRTP spokesperson said that the CM KCR’s treatment of those who raised their voices against his failures and fake promises was atrocious and dictatorial. Rao claimed that the state government is forcing the Hyderabad police to refuse permission to a T-SAVE hunger strike.

He said that the party is tirelessly fighting for the cause and the rights of the unemployed. “Not only is the state government silent and arrogant, but they are also depriving us of our right to fight and protest,” alleged Rao.
He said that it is shameful that a democratic setup does not let the partymen enter their own party office.
“T-SAVE was proposed as a common platform and we had decided to conduct a hunger strike, for a day near Indira Park. This plea was rejected by the city police. Is this fair on KCR who owes his party’s emergence and existence to public movements and people’s protests?” he added.
“Didn’t KCR also conduct protests at Indira Park? Why different rules for Bharat Sashtra Samithi (BRS) and other parties?” added Ramachandra Rao.
He said that the YSRTP will approach the court to obtain permission to conduct the day-long hunger strike. “We have the support of 39 social organisations and other political parties as well. When BRS can carry out dharnas in Delhi, why does it pose obstacles for other parties in Telangana? Isn’t it because they are scared?” said the party spokesperson.

The hunger strike was announced at T-SAVE’s inaugural roundtable meeting on April 10. YSRTP leader Sharmila had announced that her party will stage a hunger strike for a day at Indira Park to “bring this government to task” and put pressure and force it to deliver justice to the youth.
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#Govt #forcing #police #deny #hunger #strike #YSRTP #knock #court #doors
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 17, 2023
Andhra Pradesh govt changes name of greenfield seaport in Srikakulam

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Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday renamed the Bhavanapadu Port as Mulapeta Port on Sunday, respecting the sentiments of local villagers in Srikakulam district.
Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy will lay the foundation stone for the greenfield port on April 19.
Infrastructure and Investments (Ports) Special Chief Secretary Karikal Valaven said the state government took this decision as farmers from Mulapeta and Vishnuchakram villages requested for the name change since Bhavanapadu village has no scope in the proposed port area, considering all the lands of Mulpeta and some from Vishnuchakram have been earmarked for acquisition.

“Hence, the collector of Srikakulam district laid the proposals for renaming Bhavanapadu Port as Mulapeta Greenfield Port, since the total land and the project displaced families belong to Mulapeta and Vishnuchakram villages and not Bhavanapadu,” Valaven said in a statement.
Farmers voiced these concerns during district-level negotiation committee meetings conducted by the Srikakulam district collector.
Consequently, the state government issued an order notifying Bhavanapadu Port as Mulapeta Port with the same limits, including directing the chief executive of AP Maritime Board and Srikakulam district collector to make the necessary amendments.
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#Andhra #Pradesh #govt #greenfield #seaport #Srikakulam
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 16, 2023
Delhi LG, govt clash over summoning of one-day Assembly session

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New Delhi: The summoning of one-day session of the Delhi Assembly on Monday, a day after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s questioning by the CBI in the alleged liquor policy scam, has emerged as the new flashpoint between the AAP government and Lt Governor V.K. Saxena, who said that he failed to understand under which circumstances and which provision had the decision being taken.
In response to the Lt Governor’s criticism, Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj cited the rules on “Adjournment of the House and procedure for reconvening”.
“Let me enlighten LG saab – Under Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Delhi Assembly, Honble Speaker has the power to call a sitting of the House ‘at any time after the House has been adjourned sine-die’”.

“However as per prevailing parliamentary practice the Speaker convenes only on the recommendation of the Cabinet. The House has not been prorogued and prorogation can be done only on the recommendation of the Cabinet,” he said in a series of tweets.
The Lt Governor had claimed that the proper procedure was not followed in calling the session, and questioned the need for summoning the House again.
“I fail to understand as to under what circumstances and under which provision of the GNCTD Act 1991 the Second Part of the Fourth Session (Budget Session) of the Seventh Legislative Assembly has been convened instead of moving a proposal for Prorogation of the Budget Session and convening of the ‘One Day Session’ as per the Cabinet Decision,” he said.
In further criticism, Saxena said that the special session has been recommended by the Delhi Cabinet “without any specified legislative business, which would have allowed the members of the House to come prepared for fruitful deliberations”.

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#Delhi #govt #clash #summoning #oneday #Assembly #session
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 16, 2023