Amit Shah authorised actions to "intimidate or kill" Sikh separatists in Canada: Canadian Minister
Ottawa: Amid heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Morrison, alleged that Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah authorised actions to "intimidate or kill" Sikh separatists in Canada, as reported by CBC News. The statement came during a hearing of Canada’s Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on October 31, which focused on “electoral interference and criminal activities in Canada by agents of the Government of India.”
Morrison’s remarks follow accusations by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that Indian officials, including diplomats and consular staff, gathered intelligence on Sikh separatists, allegedly sharing this information with “criminal organisations” tasked with carrying out violent acts. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme stated that credible threats had been identified against several members of the South Asian community in Canada, primarily those supporting the Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish an independent Sikh state.
The controversy around these allegations intensified in September when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed Parliament, claiming credible intelligence linking Indian agents to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistan supporter, in June 2023. India has denied these claims, branding them as “absurd and motivated,” and has accused Canada of sheltering individuals threatening India's sovereignty. Following the escalation, both countries expelled multiple diplomats, further straining relations.
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Karnataka cabinet approves formation of separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a formation of separate Dharwad city corporation. Alongside, a 15% hike in fares across the four state transport corporations was also approved. The revised fares will come into effect on January 5.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, addressing the media at the Committee Hall of Vidhana Soudha, provided details about the decision. He explained that the last fare revision for BMTC was a decade ago when diesel cost Rs 60.98 per litre. Since then, operational costs have risen significantly.
Diesel expenditure for the four corporations has increased from Rs 9.16 crore to Rs 13.21 crore, and personnel costs have grown from Rs 12.85 crore to Rs 18.36 crore. The daily operational burden now stands at Rs 9.56 crore. The fare hike is expected to generate an additional Rs 74.85 crore in monthly revenue without burdening the state exchequer, as Rs 5,015 crore has already been allocated for the Shakti Yojana this fiscal year.
Minister Patil announced that the Cabinet has decided to bifurcate the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation into two independent municipal bodies.
The Cabinet approved the construction of a fishing port in Hejamady village, Udupi, with a revised estimate of Rs 209.13 crore. Additionally, Rs 84.57 crore has been sanctioned for the modernization and dredging of fishing ports.
In a move to strengthen cow shelters, Rs 10.50 crore has been allocated for projects in 14 districts. The Cabinet also approved constructing a building for Visvesvaraya Technical University in Chikkaballapur district at Rs 149.75 crore.
The Cabinet sanctioned a state-of-the-art bus stand in Bannimantap, Mysuru, at a cost of Rs 120 crore. Spread over 14 acres, the facility will include a divisional office, bus units, and commercial shops.
Approval was also granted to utilize Rs 137.85 crore, provided by the Union Finance Ministry under the Special Capital Assistance Scheme, for capital expenditure.
The Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board will use Rs 56.92 crore from its SCP/TSP scheme to supply bed sheets, mosquito nets, and clothing to government residential schools and hostels.
The Cabinet approved Rs 100 crore to construct new buildings for 200 veterinary institutions currently housed in rented or dilapidated structures, using NABARD assistance.
In Davangere, a site was allotted to the Karnataka Working Journalists' Association for constructing a civic facility. A plot in Avaragere village was also leased for 30 years at a concessional rate to Nayaka Vidyarthi Nilaya.
