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Patna, Aug 13 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary held a review meeting on the proposed construction of a World Trade Centre in Patna and the redevelopment of major government‐owned land parcels across the city. The meeting was held at the ‘Sankalp’ Hall at the Public Servants’ Residence, where officials reviewed plans for modern infrastructure and more effective utilisation of government land. The National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC) presented a proposal for constructing a World Trade Centre in Patna, along with redevelopment plans for several important government land parcels. The locations under consideration include land opposite the Bihar Museum on Nehru Path, Gardanibagh, Bhootnath Sector‐6, and Boring Canal Road. According to the proposal, projects across these locations could attract an investment of approximately Rs 4,000 crore and generate around Rs 8,000 crore in revenue. Samrat Choudhary directed officials to prepare an action plan for the development and redevelopment of approximately 2,000 acres in Pataliputra Township, as well as an additional 1,000 acres in other township areas. NBCC is expected to prepare development and construction models for the identified sites. The plan also envisages replacing or reconstructing old, dilapidated government buildings to meet current requirements. The Government also discussed identifying suitable government‐owned land in other major Bihar cities, including Gaya, Bhagalpur, Begusarai and Darbhanga. Integrated development plans are proposed for suitable land parcels in these cities. Officials were instructed to prepare a comprehensive master plan for available government land in Patna and ensure that public assets are used efficiently. The proposed development is expected to incorporate modern construction technology, environmental standards, zero‐waste construction models, planned urban infrastructure, and high‐quality and time‐bound execution. The Chief Minister emphasised that major projects should be undertaken on a priority basis to transform Patna into a modern, world‐class city. The broader objective is to turn underutilised government land and ageing government properties into productive urban assets. Officials have been directed to identify suitable land, prepare detailed development plans and move projects forward quickly, while ensuring quality standards. If implemented as proposed, the World Trade Center and associated redevelopment projects could represent a major expansion of Patna’s commercial and urban infrastructure, while also generating substantial revenue for the state. --IANS ajk/dan

Bhopal, Aug 13 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari on Thursday wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav seeking a time‐bound policy to address the action against commercial establishments operating in residential areas of Bhopal, saying traders and residents should not be penalised for years of urban planning delays. The letter comes amid action by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation following Supreme Court directions on commercial activities being run in residential areas. The civic body has reportedly issued around 1,800 notices to establishments, affecting small businesses and families that have operated from such locations for years. Patwari said the Supreme Court’s directions must be followed but questioned the government’s responsibility in allowing commercial activities to continue for years. He pointed out that several establishments had paid taxes or obtained licences and permissions from government agencies during this period. “Compliance with the Supreme Court’s order and finding a solution to the government’s planning‐related failure are two separate issues,” Patwari wrote in his letter. He noted that Bhopal was still operating under the 2005 development plan and that only two plans, 1991 and 2005, had been approved after 1975. He said the government returned the draft Bhopal Development Plan‐2031 in February 2024 and questioned the delay in finalising its revised version. According to Patwari, Bhopal’s urban requirements have changed substantially since the 2005 plan, with growth in population, traffic, housing, employment, education, healthcare and commercial activities. He demanded that the government make the Development Plan‐2031 public and announce a deadline for its implementation. He also sought a GIS‐based survey of the city’s existing land use to classify properties as residential, commercial, mixed‐use or other categories. Patwari proposed a policy for businesses that have operated for years after paying taxes or obtaining government permissions, including relocation, regularisation or reclassification wherever legally possible. He called for clearly defined mixed land‐use zones on suitable roads and corridors and affordable commercial areas for small traders affected by the ongoing action. He urged public hearings in affected areas and an integrated digital planning system involving the municipal corporation, town and country planning authorities, Bhopal Development Authority and other agencies. “Sealing versus business or residents versus traders is not the solution. The solution is for the government to accept its planning responsibility and build a capital where safe housing, organised markets and scientific urban infrastructure coexist,” Patwari said. He also demanded a white paper detailing the preparation and delay of the 2005 plan and Development Plan‐2031 and called for mandatory review of development plans every five years. Patwari warned that similar problems could emerge in Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior and other cities, and urged the state government to prepare a comprehensive urban planning policy for Madhya Pradesh. --IANS pd/dan

Bengaluru, Aug 13 (IANS) The Karnataka High Court on Thursday dismissed jailed actor Darshan’s appeal challenging the order of the 59th City Civil and Sessions Court (CCH), stating that he and other accused had no right to object to accused Pradosh being considered as an approver in the Renukaswamy murder case. Darshan had approached the High Court questioning the lower court’s order. However, a bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna declined to interfere with the order of the 59th CCH Court, referring to the principles laid down in the Vinay Kulkarni case, which the Supreme Court had already upheld. The High Court observed that a co‐accused does not have the right to object to another accused being made an approver. The court held that procedural lapses, if any, could be challenged only after the accused is granted approver status. During the hearing, senior advocate Hashmat Pasha, appearing for Darshan, argued that the defence had not even been provided a copy of Pradosh’s application seeking to become an approver. “We are only seeking an opportunity to raise objections regarding procedural lapses. We were not allowed to do even that,” Pasha argued. The development comes as the trial in the Renukaswamy murder case is progressing. Pradosh, the 14th accused in the case, has submitted an application seeking to turn approver and record his statement against the other accused. Pradosh was reportedly close to Darshan, who is the 14th accused in the case. It can be recalled that the trial court, hearing the Renukaswamy murder case involving actor Darshan on Wednesday, directed that the statement of accused No. 14 Pradosh, who has applied to become an approver, should not be recorded for a week. His lawyer also told the court that Pradosh was facing a threat to his life inside prison and sought separate security for him. Pradosh, who is accused No. 14 in the Renukaswamy murder case, has sought to turn approver and record his statement in connection with the case. The court’s latest order means that the process of recording his statement will remain on hold until August 18 and is also subject to the High Court's order. It is worth noting that Darshan’s fans recently interrupted Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s speech at an event, demanding the actor's release. Shivakumar said he understood their sentiments but maintained that he could not comment on the matter as it was before the court. Following this, one of Darshan’s close associates, Pradosh, filed a petition before the court seeking to become an approver in the case. Meanwhile, the police investigating the alleged kidnapping and life threats issued to Sandeep, a witness in the Renukaswamy murder case, have reportedly traced two industrialists who allegedly played a key role in threatening him. --IANS mka/dan

New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS) The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India on Thursday launched the Science and Technology (S&T) Clusters Annual Report 2025–26, which highlights their evolving role as regional innovation ecosystems and “National Technology Accelerators”, driving technology translation through shared infrastructure, public‐private partnerships, startup support and industry engagement. Several initiatives have progressed from research and pilot validation to field deployment and commercialisation, including E‐Yantram, AI‐enabled Digital Podiatry Clinics, AI‐enabled agriculture and weather intelligence, indigenous pacemaker components, patient‐specific 3D‐printed implants, ChemAmaze and One Health initiatives, as well as national platforms such as Kalaanubhav.in and i‐Passport. The Report also mentions the growing international engagement of the Clusters, including the First International Conference on S&T Clusters held in December 2025, which brought together participants from over 35 countries and resulted in 12 international MoUs, followed by collaborations with the University of Western Australia, the India‐Australia Smart Farm Network and the UK Catapult Network in areas including health, emerging technologies and net‐zero technologies. The S&T Clusters also presented their international collaborations underway across areas such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, smart agriculture, sustainable mobility, climate resilience, emerging technologies, and capacity building. Inter‐Cluster collaborations have enabled successful solutions to be replicated and scaled. The Digital Podiatry Clinic, for instance, has expanded from BeST to PI‐RAHI. Kalaanubhav.in, an initiative of JCKIC, is being scaled across Clusters, and I‐RISE, a programme of I‐STEM, is strengthening access to advanced scientific infrastructure through the S&T Clusters. The i‐Passport initiative of AMTZ is also being considered for national scale‐up, providing innovators with access to shared infrastructure, testing, mentorship, regulatory support and industry networks. During the launch, Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood emphasised stronger inter‐cluster collaboration, industry engagement and technology translation, with a focus on adapting and scaling successful regional solutions and measuring outcomes through higher TRLs, real‐world validation, commercialisation and societal and economic impact. Scientific Secretary Parvinder Maini highlighted the growing maturity of the S&T Clusters through a consortium‐based model and emphasised the need to prioritise the national interest while strengthening industry participation in technology validation and translation. The event was attended by CEOs, COOs and Principal Investigators of the eight S&T Clusters established under the Office of the PSA: Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone (AMTZ Vizag); Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster (BeST); Bhubaneswar City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster (BCKIC); Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation Cluster (DRIIV); Jodhpur City Knowledge and Innovation Cluster (JCKIC); Panjab University–IIT Ropar Regional Accelerator for Holistic Innovations (PI‐RAHI); Pune Knowledge Cluster (PKC); and Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH). --IANS sps/dan

Guwahati, Aug 13 (IANS) The deep historical and cultural ties between Assam and West Bengal have come to the fore once again, with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari extending Rs 10 crore in assistance to Assam amid the state’s continuing flood crisis. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday expressed gratitude to the West Bengal Government and people, describing the assistance as a gesture of solidarity from a neighbouring state with which Assam shares deep historical and civilisational links. Taking to X, Sarma said the relationship between the two states goes beyond geographical proximity and has been shaped by shared culture, heritage and longstanding people‐to‐people connections. “There has long been a deep spiritual bond between Assam and West Bengal. This relationship has been forged by our shared culture, heritage, and the heartfelt ties between the people of the two states,” Sarma said. He said the Rs 10 crore contribution from the West Bengal Chief Minister’s Relief Fund would support Assam’s ongoing flood relief and rehabilitation efforts. The assistance comes at a critical time for Assam, where floods have affected large areas of the state, disrupting normal life and damaging homes, infrastructure, agricultural land, and livelihoods. Sarma said the gesture reflected the spirit of neighbouring states standing together during a difficult period. He also invoked the cultural and spiritual connection between the two regions, praying for the blessings of Maa Kamakhya and Maa Kali to give people the strength to overcome the crisis. Expressing his appreciation to Adhikari and the people of West Bengal, Sarma said such cooperation demonstrated the strength of the relationship between the eastern states. “When neighbours stand together, Eastern India grows stronger, and a stronger East strengthens India,” the Assam Chief Minister said, linking the gesture to the broader idea of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.” The latest assistance also highlights the wider inter‐state solidarity emerging during Assam’s flood emergency, with support for the affected population extending beyond the state’s administrative boundaries. For Assam, the contribution is expected to add to ongoing Government‐led relief and rehabilitation measures, while also reinforcing the importance of cooperation between neighbouring states in responding to recurring natural disasters. The gesture has given a fresh dimension to Assam‐West Bengal ties, combining immediate humanitarian support with the shared cultural and civilisational connections between the two states. --IANS tdr/dan

Patna, Aug 13 (IANS) A special police team in Muzaffarpur conducted simultaneous raids at several suspected locations in the Kazi Mohammadpur and Nagar police station areas, following information about alleged illegal activities being conducted under the cover of massage centres and beauty parlours. Police detained 12 women and one man during the operation. All those detained are being questioned as investigators work to establish the nature and extent of the alleged network. According to City SDPO Suresh Kumar, police had been receiving information for some time about suspected illegal activities at certain establishments in prominent parts of the city. After verifying the inputs, a special team was constituted and coordinated raids were carried out at multiple locations. A significant number of female police personnel participated in the operation. Police are also examining the role of a female beauty‐parlour operator in the suspected activities. Investigators are examining whether the operation has connections with previous kidnapping and missing‐person cases registered in the Kanti police station area. Police obtained leads while investigating complaints filed by the families of missing persons. Those leads subsequently resulted in action against certain beauty parlours and massage centres. Several missing girls were rescued during the operation, and investigators are now trying to determine how they came to be at the locations that were raided. Preliminary questioning has reportedly produced information about how vulnerable women and girls may have been brought into the alleged network. Police suspect that some individuals may have been approached with promises of shelter, financial assistance or other support and subsequently drawn into illegal activities. Authorities are verifying these statements against documentary and other evidence rather than treating the allegations as facts. The police investigation is now focused on identifying the alleged key operators and other people involved in the network. Investigators are also examining whether the suspected operation received assistance or protection from anyone else. SDPO Suresh Kumar said questioning remains underway and that further legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered during the investigation. --IANS ajk/dan

Bengaluru, Aug 13 (IANS) Qatar Holding has filed a fresh enforcement plea before the Karnataka High Court seeking protection of assets belonging to Byju Raveendran and his company Byju’s, as it pursues dues arising from arbitration proceedings involving the edtech founder. In its latest plea, Qatar Holding is seeking Singapore Dollar (SGD) 7.2 million, equivalent to more than Rs 53 crore, from Raveendran and Byju’s towards amounts arising from a final arbitration award issued in Singapore in July 2026. The award also includes SGD 7.2 million for arbitration costs, according to the plea details. However, the larger liability at the centre of the asset‐protection proceedings is $235.19 million, arising from an earlier arbitration award issued in 2025. Qatar Holding has sought continued protection of assets worth $235.19 million while it pursues enforcement of the arbitration awards and recovery of the amounts due. A key part of the fresh plea relates to 17.89 million shares of Aakash Educational Services held by Beeaar Investco. Qatar Holding has sought restraint on any dealings in these shares as part of its efforts to secure the outstanding dues. According to the plea, Beeaar Investco is wholly owned by Byju Raveendran and the Aakash shares are “beneficially owned” by him. The petitioner has sought an order preventing Raveendran and entities associated with him from dealing with the identified assets until the $235.19 million liability is discharged. Qatar Holding has also sought full disclosure of Raveendran’s assets on oath, along with the appointment of a receiver over his assets and properties as part of the enforcement proceedings. The fresh application comes against the backdrop of earlier proceedings before the Karnataka High Court concerning the dispute. The court had previously restrained Byju from dealing with certain assets, while 17.89 million Aakash shares were attached in September 2025. The latest plea is part of Qatar Holding’s continuing efforts to enforce the arbitration awards and secure recovery of the amounts claimed from Raveendran and Byju’s. --IANS mka/dan

Vav-Tharad, Aug 13 (IANS) The Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) and beer worth Rs 1.20 crore during a raid near the Badhiyapura toll plaza in Vav-Tharad district on Thursday, with the total value of the seized material put at Rs 1.32 crore. The operation was carried out following directions from the Director General of Police (DGP), G.S. Malik, to take legal action against illegal liquor and gambling activities in the state. A team of the SMC, led by Police Inspector P.V. Jebeliya, conducted the raid on the highway from Tharad towards Badhiyapura toll plaza, near the toll plaza in Tharad taluka. According to the SMC, the team recovered approximately 884 boxes of IMFL and beer containing 31,836 bottles. The liquor was valued at Rs 1,20,47,280. Other material seized during the operation took the total value of the confiscated property to Rs 1,32,00,680. A case was registered at Tharad Police Station on Thursday under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Gujarat Prohibition Act. Four accused have been named as wanted in the case. Police identified Harish Kankuna, a resident of Sodiyar in Rajasthan's Barmer district, as the alleged main accused who sent the liquor consignment. The owner and driver of the truck, along with one individual, are also wanted in connection with the alleged ordering and transportation of the consignment. The seizure comes amid a series of large liquor recoveries by Gujarat's enforcement agencies. In June, the SMC seized IMFL worth more than Rs 1.49 crore near Bibipura on the Vadodara-Ahmedabad Expressway, with the overall value of the seized property reported at around Rs 1.74 crore. In another operation reported in August, the SMC seized 12,843 bottles of IMFL and beer worth Rs 59.23 lakh near the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway, with the total value of the seized property estimated at Rs 79.26 lakh. The latest operation is part of continuing enforcement against the illegal movement of liquor into Gujarat, where prohibition laws remain in force. --IANS mys/dan

Under the proposal, issuers and online bond platform providers (OBPPs) would be required to display the Credit Risk-o-Meter in offer documents, abridged prospectuses, private placement memorandums

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