Kozhikode, July 30 (IANS) Kerala experienced its “worst-ever” natural disaster in the hilly Wayanad district early on Tuesday as a series of devastating landslides, amid heavy rain, left at least 120 people dead, 98 others reported missing while around 160 people were being treated in a few hospitals in the affected district even as rescue operations continue to locate the missing and evacuate those marooned, officials said.

The worst-affected areas include Churalpara, Velarimala, Mundakayil and Pothukalu and the locals from these areas who managed to escape are deeply shattered as hundreds of homes have been totally destroyed.

Tragic stories are coming out in large numbers from people who have lost their near and dear ones. A man broke out in tears as he said after the landslide occurred, he could only watch helplessly as his mother and his sister were washed away as he clung to a window for safety.

A woman said: “I have no idea of my sister and three children of hers. Till last night we were all together and now I have no clue where they are.”

“There are hundreds of people living at Mundakayil where I have been living for the past 24 years and I am deeply saddened as in this hospital, there is no one from my area where I live,” said a deeply upset Kunjumohammed, lamenting that he has lost his house and so has his daughter

“I hail from the Pothukalu area and this is going to be the worst-ever tragedy that Wayanad has witnessed. None has a clue of the number of lives that will be lost as the entire place looks ravaged by the landslide,” said a local who was in tears as he searched for his immediate family members at the hospital.

“It’s a tragedy which one cannot ever think about. Just imagine these people, including children, went to sleep last night and the tragedy struck. Many were swept away by nature’s fury. In Malappuram district, 16 bodies were found floating in the Chaliyar river. Dismembered body parts have also been taken out from the river. A team led by a Lt Colonel has helped people trapped in the Mundakayil market area were rescued using a ropeway which the Army set up,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

“The first landslide occurred at 2 a.m. and then at 4.10 a.m. The road connecting Mundakayil to Churalpara has been washed away. The river which was flowing in the affected area has branched out and it now flows in two directions,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that he had received calls from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin, and West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, and all pledged their full support for the state. Stalin has deployed a team from the state, led by two IAS officers, comprising disaster relief personnel and medical staff, to help in the rescue operations.

Vijayan said after hearing of the tragedy, contributions to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund have started to pour in.

After addressing the media in the evening, the Chief Minister issued an advisory asking people not to travel to the disaster site as it will become difficult for the rescue team to go forward in their work. He also has informed that those who wish to come to help the suffering should get in touch with the district authorities who are coordinating the relief operations and depending on their request help should be provided. In the affected areas, 45 relief camps have been opened and there are over 3,600 people in these camps.

Of the 120 dead, only 48 bodies have been identified, leaving distraught relatives who have lost their near and dear ones running to various places trying to locate the missing people.

Even though Chief Minister Vijayan expressed doubts that the rescue operations can continue after dusk, the rescue teams comprising all three defence forces, the NDRF, police, fire force and a large number of volunteers are continuing their rescue operations trying to bring out people holed up at marooned places.

Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who reached the affected area, requested Vijayan to ensure that the government issue a directive to avoid post-mortem of the deceased so as to avoid more pain to the survivors.

Meanwhile, five cabinet ministers of the Vijayan government are in Wayanad overseeing the rescue and relief operations, while the state government has declared two days of mourning.

Prime Minister Modi has deputed Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian to Wayanad to coordinate the rescue operations.

The matter was discussed in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Budget session and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who was earlier the MP from Wayanad, called for a swift rescue operation and also demanded enhanced compensation for the victims. He also demanded that the mapping of landslide-prone areas in many areas of Wayanad and Western Ghats be done and an action plan be readied by the Centre to address “growing frequency of natural calamities in the fragile region”.

–IANS

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New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the State Bar Councils (SBCs) and the Bar Council of India (BCI) cannot demand payment of fees other than the stipulated enrolment fee and stamp duty, if any, as a pre-condition to enrolment as an advocate under the Advocates Act, 1961.

A bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, said that the decision of the SBCs to charge fees and charges at the time of enrolment in excess of the legal stipulation under Section 24(1)(f) violates Article 14 and Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution. Section 24(1)(f) as it currently stands provides for an enrolment fee of Rs 600 payable to the SBCs and Rs 150 to the BCI by general candidates and a total of Rs 125 by SC and ST candidates.

The Bench, also comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala, asked the Bar Councils to ensure that the fees charged at the time of enrollment comply with Section 24(1)(f) and that the provision is not defeated either directly or indirectly under the garb of different nomenclatures.

“The SBCs are imposing miscellaneous fees and charges in the guise of an enrolment fee, which cumulatively exceeds the statutory stipulation under Section 24(1)(f). The decision of the SBCs to charge an enrolment fee beyond the stipulated amount is contrary to the legislative object of the Advocates Act,” the top court said.

It clarified that its decision will have prospective effect and the SBCs are not required to refund the excess enrolment fees collected before the date of its judgment.

The Supreme Court in July last year had transferred to itself various petitions pertaining to exorbitant enrollment fees which were pending consideration in different High Courts on an application filed by the Bar Council of India (BCI).

–IANS

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Patna, July 30 (IANS) Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has advised the candidates, who recently appeared in the Teachers Recruitment Examination (TRE) 3, to avoid any individuals demanding money to secure selection.

In a letter released on Tuesday, the BPSC has set up a helpline number, 8986422296, for candidates to report such incidents and has requested to provide the phone numbers and bank account details of those involved in these fraudulent activities.

The commission emphasised that candidates and their parents should not engage in any financial transactions for placement on the merit list.

“Those found guilty of such practices will face debarment from future BPSC examinations and may also be subject to legal action,” the commission said.

Furthermore, the BPSC asked against being misled by coaching institutions, media, YouTube channels, or social media accounts spreading false information or creating rumours.

“Those responsible for such activities will also face legal consequences,” the commission said.

BPSC issued the letter after several candidates reported receiving fake calls promising to increase their scores for the TRE-3 examination.

The examination has already been completed, and the results will be announced soon. The answer key has also been uploaded on the official BPSC website.

Reports said that the fraudulent callers have been demanding sums ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 80,000 for securing a place on the merit list or for selection in the candidates’ home districts.

According to an official, this is a new strategy employed by cyber fraudsters who are targeting BPSC TRE-3 candidates as the results are expected to be released shortly.

These fraudsters have reportedly obtained candidate data and are using names and other details to convincingly pose as genuine officials associated with the commission, claiming they have the influence to increase numbers.

The BPSC has advised candidates to be vigilant and report any such calls to the helpline number provided.

–IANS

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Shimla, July 30 (IANS) In an interview with IANS on Tuesday, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Opposition leader in the Assembly, Jairam Thakur, sharply criticised the current government led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for alleged non-performance.

Thakur also claimed that the Congress is divided into multiple factions and is fragmented due to its inefficacy.

Responding to allegations that the BJP was attempting to topple the Himachal government, Thakur said, “I keep reiterating that no effort has been made from our side to bring down the government. However, should circumstances arise where such a situation is necessary, we will consider it.

“The Congress is already struggling internally, with many factions at odds, and this internal discord is leading to its downfall. They blame us for their troubles, but if they keep doing that, it will only further highlight their instability. The future stability of the Congress government is in question.”

Thakur also slammed the Sukhu government for allegedly mishandling funds for a medical device park.

He said during the previous government, Himachal had successfully competed to secure one of the three medical device parks allocated across the country, with an expected investment of Rs 300 crore and Central assistance of around Rs 100 crore.

Despite this, he claimed, the current government is returning the funds and making excuses about setting its own conditions, which he believes is detrimental to the state’s interests.

On the issue of unfulfilled promises, Thakur accused the state government of financial mismanagement and failing to deliver on its commitments.

He also claimed that development work has been stalled over the past 18 months and that employees are struggling with delayed salaries.

According to Thakur, Congress’ inability to fulfil its 10 promises will lead to significant trouble for the party.

He also attributed the Congress’ defeat in the Lok Sabha polls to such non-performance, as he forecast a grim future for the party.

–IANS

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Panaji, July 30 (IANS) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the House on Tuesday that hoardings of Sri Lankan casinos promoting online gaming will be pulled down in the coastal state.

Goa Forward Party MLA Viaji Sardesaid raised the issue during the Question Hour, demanding action against the unauthorised casino advertisements.

“Sri Lankan sasinos are advertising in Goa. I had raised this issue earlier. I even lodged an official complaint with the Home Department citing that casinos from other countries are advertising here by violating Section 12 of the Goa Daman and Diu Gambling Act. But nothing was done,” Sardesai said.

Sardesai also claimed that the concerned officials used a dilly-dally approach in taking action in the matter.

“Online gaming is considered illegal. The GST Council doesn’t allow online gaming. So how are these adversements being allowed,” he questioned.

In reply, CM Sawant said a case has been booked at the Porvorim police station with regard to unauthorised advertisements by Sri Lankan casinos.

“We are taking action against such unauthorised hoardings. We have taken legal opinion, and more cases will be registered,” he told the House.

“Hoardings of those having casinos in Sri Lanka and trying to operate online gaming from here will not be allowed. The state is not earning any revenue out of it. Our advertising policy is not finalised, and they are taking benefit of it. But I can assure you that we will pull down the hoardings or raze them,” Sawant said.

–IANS

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