Kerala Floods: Impostor wearing Army uniform spreads fake news about rescue efforts
New Delhi, August 20: Incessant rains in Kerala have been causing havoc in the state while the central and state government resources are trying hard to take the situation under control. The Armed forces have been roped in for the rescue operation, governments of various governments have contributed financial and human resources. However, even at this stage, the spread of fake news doesn't seem to stop.
It has been found that an impostor wearing Army combat uniform in a video has been spreading disinformation about rescue and relief efforts.
Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army), tweeted regarding the same and said that effort by all and the Indian Army is aimed at overcoming the tragedy in Kerala where hundreds of people have died.
The ADGPI asked citizens to follow all disinformation about the Indian Army through WhatsApp. "We are at it," the tweet read.
Imposter wearing Army combat uniform in video spreading disinformation about rescue & relief efforts. Every effort by all & #IndianArmy aimed to overcome this terrifying human tragedy.Forward disinformation about #IndianArmy on WhatsApp +917290028579. We are at it #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/ncUR7tCkZW
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) August 19, 2018
Kerala witnessed some respite today after facing continuous rains over the past two weeks.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has withdrawn the Red Alert from all 14 districts.
This is the first time since August 9 that Red Alert has been withdrawn from the entire state. Reports from different parts of the state suggest that the water level is also coming down.
However, thousands are still stranded across the state. They have no drinking water and food. Authorities have launched a massive operation to distribute relief material, including airdropping food packets. The Indian Navy has dispatched INS Mysore and loaded it with relief material for Kerala.
Courtesy: www.indiatoday.in
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
