Manmohan Singh, 2-Time PM And Architect Of India's Economic Reforms, Dies At 92

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh died of age-related medical conditions today, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, where he was admitted, said in a statement. He was 92.

"With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had a sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26 December 2024," AIIMS said.

"Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the medical emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi at 8.06 pm. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51 pm," AIIMS said.

Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister for two terms in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2004 to 2014. He had been in poor health for the last few months.

The former prime minister is survived by wife Gurcharan Singh and three daughters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X condoled the death of the leader.

"India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr Manmohan Singh ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people's lives," PM Modi said.

Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible.

In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the family of... pic.twitter.com/kAOlbtyGVs

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 26, 2024

"Dr Manmohan Singh ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the family of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji, his friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti," he said.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her mother Sonia Gandhi reached the hospital as soon as the news of Manmohan Singh's hospitalisation became known.

Manmohan Singh served as finance minister under the then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. He was the architect and the brainchild of economic reforms in 1991 that pulled India from the brink of bankruptcy and ushered in an era of economic liberalisation that is widely believed to have changed the course of India's economic trajectory.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Rahul Gandhi were in Karnataka's Belagavi attending the Congress Working Committee meeting when news of Manmohan Singh's death came. Both are returning to Delhi, news agency PTI reported.

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Rename Kolkata Protest Point To 'Abhaya Crossing': Doctor's Forum To Bengal

West Bengal Doctors' Forum, an association of medical practitioners in the state, on Wednesday, sent an email communique to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to rename Dorina Crossing, a popular protest point in central Kolkata, as 'Abhaya Crossing'.

The junior doctor of Kolkata-based RG Kar Medical College & Hospital who became the victim of a brutal rape and murder within the hospital premises in August this year is referred to as "Abhaya" since the legal system of the country bars revealing the identity of any rape or rape and murder victim.

According to the leader of the forum, the meaning of "Abhaya" is not restricted to the dictionary meaning that it refers to a brave woman. Rather, pointed out one doctor, the name "Abhaya" now symbolises movement for justice, security and honour.

That is why, he added, they want the name of 'Dorina Crossing' to be changed to "Abhaya Crossing".

Currently another association of doctors namely the West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors is currently holding a protest at Dorina Crossing which will continue till Thursday.

The protest is against the failure of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to present the supplementary charge sheet against the two accused of tampering with the evidence in the case.

Recently, a special court in Kolkata granted "default bail" to the former and controversial principal of RG Kar Sandip Ghosh and the former SHO of Tala Police Station Abhijit Mondal as CBI failed to file the supplementary charge sheet against them within 90 days from the date of their arrests

Both Ghosh and Mondal were accused of misleading the investigation and tampering with the evidence while the initial investigation in the matter was being carried out by Kolkata Police.

This week, a report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CSFL) surfaced, which has created doubts about the "scene of crime" in the rape and murder case.

On the morning of August 9, 2024, the body of the victim was spotted at the seminar hall within the hospital premises of RG Kar and Hospital, accordingly, first the Kolkata Police and then CBI carried out the investigation considering the seminar hall as the "scene of crime".

However, a report that CGSL has submitted to the CBI agency, has clearly stated that there is no evident sign of fight within the seminar room, sources aware of the development said.

In fact, the CSFL report strengthens the apprehension raised by the section of the medical fraternity in the state since the beginning that the actual "scene of crime" was someplace else and after the rape and murder, the body was shifted to the seminar hall to mislead future investigation.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Whole Industry Will Meet Revanth Reddy Tomorrow: Producer Amid Stampede Row

Film producer Dil Raju has said the entire Telangana film industry will meet Chief Minister Revanth Reddy tomorrow. Mr Raju, who is the chairman of the Telangana Film Development Corporation, said that he would act as a bridge between the film industry and the government.

While addressing the media about the stampede at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during the screening of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule', Mr Raju stated, "The Chief Minister (Revanth Reddy) has scheduled tomorrow's appointment and the entire film industry will meet him. I will act as a bridge between the Telangana Film Development Corporation and the government. Everyone available in Hyderabad will attend."

Earlier, Dil Raju informed that Sri Tej, who got severely injured during the stampede, is responding well to treatment and was taken off the ventilator two days ago. Sri Tej's mother, Revathi, lost her life in the incident.

He visited KIMS Hospital in Secunderabad, Hyderabad, to meet Sri Tej's family. Speaking to ANI, he said that he had previously met Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to discuss providing support to Sri Tej's family, ensuring that both the film industry and government would offer all necessary assistance.

"He (the child injured in the Sandhya Theatre incident during the premiere of Pushpa 2) is responding (to treatment) and recovering. He was taken off the ventilator two days ago," said Dil Raju.

On Tuesday, actor Allu Arjun was questioned by Hyderabad police in connection with the tragic incident during the premiere of his film on December 4.

Meanwhile, the father of the injured child, Bhaskar, expressed gratitude for the support they are receiving. "The child responded after 20 days. He is responding today. Allu Arjun and the Telangana government are supporting us," he said.

On December 4, when Allu Arjun attended the premiere of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' at Sandhya Theatre, a massive crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor. Chaos ensued when he waved to fans from the sunroof of his car, leading to the stampede.

Following the incident, Allu Arjun was arrested and later released on bail after furnishing a Rs 50,000 bond.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Some Trying To Pull Down Telugu Actors": Anurag Thakur Backs Allu Arjun

BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Wednesday came out in support of 'Pushpa 2' star Allu Arjun and suggested that some people are trying to tarnish the image of Telugu actor.

Although the specifics of Mr Thakur's statement are unclear, it's likely a response to the ongoing tensions between the Congress government in Telangana and the BJP.

"If you look at the contribution of Telugu actors in the film industry, they have put the film and Indian cinema on the global map. But some people are trying to pull them down on floor map," Anurag Thakur told ANI.

The BJP leader was reacting to the actions of the Telangana police against actor Allu Arjun after a stampede incident at a theatre during the premiere of his film 'Pushpa 2: The Rule'.

"If you look at the last few years, Allu Arjun got the National Award in Narendra Modi's government, Chiranjeevi got the Lifetime Achievement Award and their contribution has been appreciated by the whole country and the world. On the other hand, look at the films, whether it is 'RRR', 'Pushpa', 'KGF', 'Baahubali' all of them have brought fame to Indian cinema. I think instead of creating controversy, efforts should be made to have a dialogue, take care of safety and not do politics," he added.

Anurag Thakur said that the statements of Congress leaders and MLAs in the state put question marks on the intention of the state government.

Earlier in the day, Telangana Congress MLA Bhupathi Reddy issued a stern warning to actor Allu Arjun, threatening to prevent the release of his films in the state unless he refrains from making further comments about the Chief Minister.

Speaking at a public meeting in Nizamabad, Mr Reddy stated that Mr Arjun should respect his position as an actor and stay focused on his career.

The Congress MLA said, "I am warning you not to speak about our Chief Minister. You're from Andhra and should behave like one. You have come here for livelihood. I am speaking as a ruling party MLA, so respect the position given to you and do your business. You are just an actor. You do your work and live; what is your contribution to Telangana? We are issuing a warning to you -- if you don't change your behaviour, Congress workers will not let your movies run."

On Tuesday, actor Allu Arjun was questioned by Hyderabad police in connection with the tragic incident during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2 on December 4.

Meanwhile, the boy injured in the Sandhya Theatre incident during the premiere of Pushpa 2 in Hyderabad, Telangana, has responded after 20 days, his father said. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Bhaskar, the father of the injured child, expressed gratitude for the support they are receiving. "The child responded after 20 days. He is responding today. Allu Arjun and the Telangana government are supporting us," he said.

On December 4, when Allu Arjun attended the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre, a massive crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor, and chaos ensued when he waved to fans from the sunroof of his car. This led to the tragic death of a woman named Revathi and injuries to her child.

Following the incident, Allu Arjun was arrested and later released on bail after furnishing a Rs 50,000 bond.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Ola Driver Casually Watches Videos While Driving, Mumbai Police Reacts

A video posted on X has sparked concerns about the safety measures in place for Ola cab customers. The footage, recorded by a passenger in Mumbai, shows the cab driver watching cooking videos, including an omelette-making recipe while driving on a busy road. The passenger, who shared the video on X, criticised Ola for the driver's reckless behaviour, accusing him of putting lives at risk. The video captures the driver's phone positioned next to the steering wheel, playing videos that include clips from the TV show Big Boss. The driver is seen swiping through the videos while continuing to drive, raising serious questions about Ola's safety protocols.

The passenger also pointed out that Ola's scooters have been prone to catching fire, resulting in numerous customer complaints. He urged the company to take immediate corrective action to address these safety concerns and prevent similar incidents in the future.

"Dear Ola, Your driver is learning how to cook an omelette while driving at the cost of risking our lives. Your scooters are already on fire, hope you take corrective measures before this one also turns up in flames and soon turns into ashes," the tweet read.

Watch the video here:

Dear Ola,
Your driver is learning how to cook an omlette while driving at the cost of risking our lives. Your scooters are already on fire, hope you take corrective measures before this one also turns up in flames and soon turn into ashes.@Olacabs @bhash @MumbaiPolice @MMVD_RTO pic.twitter.com/RBi0jEWbgX

— DARK KNIGHT (@ROHANKHULE) December 24, 2024

Mumbai Police took notice of the viral video and responded to the passenger's post on X. The official handle of Mumbai Police requested the passenger to share the exact location of the incident, stating, "Please share exact location for us to inform the @MTPHereToHelp." 

Please share exact location for us to informed the @MTPHereToHelp

— मुंबई पोलीस - Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) December 24, 2024

Ola Support also responded to Mr Khule's post, requesting more information about the cab driver involved. 

"We find this matter deeply concerning, Rohan. Kindly share the CRN of this ride via DM for us to investigate and assist you at the earliest," Ola replied. 

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Popcorn Sold In Movie Theatres To Attract 5% GST: Sources

Popcorn, in loose form, sold in movie theatres will continue to attract GST at a 5 per cent rate, same as in restaurants, government sources said.

However, if the popcorn is clubbed and sold together with a movie ticket, the supply would be treated as a composite supply and taxed as per the applicable rate of the principal supply, which is the ticket.

The 55th meeting of the GST Council clarified the GST applicability in popcorn after it received a request from Uttar Pradesh to clarify the classification and GST rate applicable to popcorn mixed with salt and spices.

There has been no increase in the GST rate on popcorn.

Popcorn is served to customers in theatres in loose form and hence will continue to attract a rate of 5 per cent as applicable to 'restaurant service' as long as supplied independently of the cinema exhibition service, according to the sources.

Under GST, popcorn mixed with salt and spices is classified as namkeen and attracts a 5 per cent tax. When it is pre-packed and labelled, the rate is 12 per cent.

All sugar confectionary, other than a few specified items, attract 18 per cent GST, and hence, caramelised popcorn attracts an 18 per cent rate.

The council recommended the issuance of clarification to facilitate the resolution of classification disputes in the field on ready-to-eat popcorn that is mixed with salt and spices, the government sources noted.

All goods, including food items, are classified under GST as per the Harmonised System (HS) classification, which is a multipurpose international goods nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

This system is used by over 200 countries, covering over 98 per cent of the international trade. The varying GST rates are only consequential to the classification of the commodity under different chapters of the HS system.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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UP Court Summons A Owaisi Over Pro-Palestine Slogan In Parliament

A local court has directed AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi to appear before it over a plea that claimed he had violated the Constitution by raising a slogan hailing Palestine in Parliament.

Lawyer Virendra Gupta filed a petition against Asaduddin Owaisi over the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader voicing support for Palestine during his oath-taking ceremony in Parliament.

Lawyer Virendra Gupta said in his plea that the five-time MP had violated constitutional and legal beliefs.

He told reporters on Tuesday that a petition was filed in the MP/MLA court on July 12 but it was rejected.

Lawyer Virendra Gupta then filed a revision petition in the court of the district judge.

District Judge Sudhir allowed the petition and issued a notice to Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday, asking him to appear before the court on January 7.

Lawyer Virendra Gupta said he was hurt by Asaduddin Owaisi's slogan.

His slogan was against the Constitution, he added.

Asaduddin Owaisi took oath as Hyderabad MP on June 25.

After his oath-taking ceremony, he had hailed the conflict-hit West Asian country from the podium. The chairman later ordered the remarks to be expunged.

Asaduddin Owaisi had justified his slogan after he came out of the House and told reporters there was nothing wrong in him saying "Jai Bheem, Jai Meem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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