Sheikh Hasina to return to Bangladesh when caretaker government announces elections, says son
Dhaka: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will return to her country once the newly formed caretaker government sets a date for elections, according to her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Hasina fled to India on Monday after weeks of violent protests led to her resignation.
A caretaker government, headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, was sworn in on Thursday, with the responsibility of overseeing the upcoming elections. Speaking to the Times of India, Joy, who is based in the US, stated, "For the time being, she (Hasina) is in India. She will go back to Bangladesh the moment the interim government decides to hold an election."
The Awami League, Hasina's party, is not part of the interim government. Her resignation came in the wake of a student-led uprising and nationwide violence that resulted in approximately 300 deaths and thousands of injuries.
Currently, Hasina is taking refuge in a safe house in the New Delhi area. Indian media reports suggest that she may seek asylum in Britain, although the British Home Office has not commented on the matter.
India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed on Thursday that he had discussions with his British counterpart regarding Bangladesh but did not disclose further details.
Joy also mentioned that he would consider entering politics if necessary, adding, "I am sure the Awami League will take part in the election, and we might even win."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka government employees demand return of Old Pension Scheme
Bengaluru: Government employees in Karnataka have urged the state government to scrap the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and bring back the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), The New Indian Express reported.
The demand was made by the Karnataka State Government Employees’ Association, whose leaders met senior IAS officer Uma Mahadevan on Monday and submitted a memorandum. The association asked the NPS Review Committee, headed by senior IAS officer Anjum Parvez, to recommend the reintroduction of OPS in the state.
Association president C.S. Shadakshari reportedly said the review committee has already visited Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana where NPS was revoked and OPS re-implemented. The committee is yet to submit its report, but has told the government it will do so soon.
ALSO READ: Udupi man loses Rs 55,000 in Facebook graphics card scam
Shadakshari allegedly said NPS has been in force in Karnataka since 2006. He pointed out that West Bengal never adopted the scheme, while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana replaced NPS with a contributory pension model.
States including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jharkhand have already scrapped NPS through cabinet decisions or budget announcements.
“Under NPS, 10% of the employees’ basic salary and DA, and 14% contribution from the state is credited to the employees’ fund. It constitutes 24% of the total which is non-withdrawable. This is invested in the share market and the final amount depends on the ups and downs of the market,” TNIE quoted Shadakshar as saying.
As per the report, he said that by limiting its contribution to 14%, the government could save up to ₹1.87 lakh crore annually if all vacancies are filled, strengthening the case for bringing back the old pension system.
