FREE PRESS The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms VOL. XXXX NO. 244 | INDORE | SATURDAY | FEBRUARY 10, 2024 | PAGES 16 UPA PUT FAMILY FIRST, LEFT INDIA IN DIRE STRAITS IN 2014: SITHARAMAN NATION `3 - r Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2021-2023; EDITIONS: INDORE, BHOPAL, UJJAIN, MUMBAI, PUNE EDIT TUNNEL VISION OF DEVELOPMENT WEATHER FP 26.10c. 12.10c Sunrise : 07.03 Sunset : 06.19 r RNI No. 38281/83 QUALITY AT VALUE www.freepressjournal.in ROOT’S TRUTH BOMB FROM VAUGHAN SPORTS BEGGING A LUCRATIVE PROFESSION IN INDORE EARNED RS 2.5L IN 45 DAYS, BEGGAR TELLS OFFICIALS BEGGARS EARN MORE THAN 98.7% OF THE POPULATION IN INDIA! OUR STAFF REPORTER Indore Zero investment, 45 days of work and Rs 2.5 lakh income… sounds like someone is trying to fool you, but that's the reality of begging business in Indore. A woman caught by administration for begging at Bhawrasla Square / Luv Kush Square has confessed to having earned over Rs 2.5 lakh in 45 days. It's not even vacation time that lots of residents and tourists are travelling from Indore to Ujjain passing through the square! Imagine the multiplication of the current income in the upcoming summer vacations when lots of families will commute from Indore to Ujjain passing through the intersection. Well, the very basic average income considering Rs 2.5 lakh in 45 days would amount to Rs 20.27 lakh in a year. This obviously goes further up, when it comes to vacation times and na- tional events. The biggest and easiest business that is run in the business hub of Central India is 'begging'. Indore has more than seven thousand beggars, who make much more money than 98.7% of the population. According to the latest income tax data released by the Indian government, only a small percentage of people in India earn more than 20 LPA (lakhs per annum). The data shows that out of the approximately 3.25 crore taxpayers in India, only around 5 lakh individuals have an annual income exceeding 20 lakh rupees. This translates to roughly 1.3% of the total taxpayers. CROREPATI BEGGAR A female beggar who was caught begging along with her family at the intersection in Indore a day ago. The family used the intersection as their base. She, alone, had collected two and a half lakh rupees by begging in the last 45 days. When the team caught her and interrogated her, she argued and said, "I have not committed any theft, I only beg." While it seems normal to beg in India, district administration team quoted the new initiative of making Indore a Beggar Free City The . team is taking strict measures and counseling him under the Beggary Free City cam- paign. Along with the woman, her husband and three children were also begging at this intersection. GOOD SPOT VITAL The family chose the intersection as number of devotees passing through the intersection multiplied after the construction of Mahakal Lok in Ujjain. This is also the route to go towards the Super Corridor. In a way, this is the intersection on the outskirts. Hence, cops are rarely around. When the drivers stop at the signal, they are surrounded by beggars. Those going to Mahakal or returning from there are immersed in religious emotion and often give alms. Rupali Jain of Pravesh, a counseling organization, said that considering begging as a means of earning is a bad mentality and gives wrong message to a section of the society . FAMILY BUSINESS Bharat Ratna for ex-PMs Rao, Charan Singh, agronomist M S Swaminathan Hasan Zaidi IN ELECTION YEAR, MODI GOVT BUCKS THE TREND AGENCIES New Delhi Former prime ministers P V Narasimha Rao, who is widely recognised for ushering in economic reforms in the 1990s, and Chaudhary Charan Singh, a champion of farmers' cause, and Green Revolution pioneer Dr M S Swaminathan will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna, it was announced on Friday . The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, days after the Centre named former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur, a champion of backward empowerment, and L K Advani, a founding BJP member credited with charting the course of its rise through the 1990s, for Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour. At five, one more than the four announced in 1999, this is the maximum number of Bharat Ratnas announced for a year. With this, the number of recipients of the prestigious award, instituted in 1954, has risen to 53, Four of the five awards this year are posthumous. Advani, 96, is DIL JEET LIYA The honour for Charan Singh comes at a time when the RLD, led by his grandson Jayant Chaudhary, is believed to be in talks with the BJP for an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. Chaudhary, who is the Rashtriya Lok Dal(RLD) president, said the Centre won his heart with the announcement of Bharat Ratna to his grandfather. "Dil Jeet Liya," he posted on X. ‘UPA compromised national security’ NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that national security was compromised under the UPA government, which ruled the country from 2004 to 2014. Swaminathan's daughter Dr Soumya Swaminathan, exchief scientist and former deputy DG at the WHO, said “Naturally we are very happy, delighted and feel honoured that he has been honoured with the highest civilian award of the country that is given to the country's most eminent citizens. I think it's a fitting tribute for somebody who spent his whole life working for the country. So it's a very happy and wonderful day today." RAJ THACKERAY SEEKS BHARAT RATNA FOR SHIV SENA FOUNDER BAL THACKERAY the only one alive. Prime Minister Modi, who took to microblogging ASHISH SINGH / MUMBAI BHOPAL: Indore divisional commissioner Mal Singh suspended tehsildar of Pansemal, Hitendra Kumar Bhavsar for misconduct on Friday. Recently, a video had surfaced in which Bhavsar is seeing slapping a farmer. Rao's daughter and BRS MLC Vani Devi said although the award has come 'slightly' late, it's ok because it is the highest civilian honour. Today is a historic day, a happy moment. A good day which will be written in history with golden letters," she said."We are delighted that the first Telugu Prime Minister born on the soil of Telangana has been conferred with Bharat Ratna PROUD & HAPPY MNS president Raj Thackeray has demanded the Bharat Ratna for his uncle and Shiv Sena founderpatriarch the late Balasaheb Thackeray who played a major role in the Hindutva movement, here on Friday. "Now that the BJP-led government at the Centre has shown political generosity by honouring P.V. Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and Pranab Mukherjee a few years ago, they must show the same generosity and declare Balasaheb Thackeray Bharat Ratna as well," he said. Paytm’s troubles compounded NEWS BRIEF Pansemal tehsildar suspended SLIGHTLY LATE The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) may investigate Paytm s Indian payment gateway amid suspicions of involvement in illegal betting transactions related to the Mahadev online betting app. There are allegations that approximately eight lakh fake UPI accounts linked to the Mahadev betting app were connected to Paytm and other payment gateways, facilitating the laundering of several hundred crores of rupees through betting transactions. Paytm is currently under scrutiny for potential lapses in KYC processes and subsequent freezing of suspect accounts. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had ordered Paytm Payments Bank, on January 31, to stop all basic payment services through various platforms and digital avenues, CONTD. ON P8 platform X to make the announcement, lauded the contributions made by the three awardees. Later, the Rashtrapati Bhavan in a press commu- PM’s surprise visit to Parl canteen, wows MPs NEW DELHI He came. He ate with them. And, reports suggest, he won them over. Prime Minister Narendra Modi caught fellow MPs by surprise when he asked them to join him for lunch at the parliament canteen. "I'm going to punish you today, come with me," the Prime Minister reportedly said to the MPs, mock-seriously. Rice, daal, khichdi, til ka laddoo were among the fare served at the vegetarian lunch. Ram Mohan Naidu from TDP, Ritesh Pandey from BSP, BJP's Ladakh MP Jamyang Namgyal, Union Minister L Murugun, Sasmit Patra of BJD, and BJP's Maharashtra MP Heena Gavit were among the attendees. During the 45-minute lunch, MPs, across party lines, asked about the Prime Minister's lifestyle, when he wakes up, and how he manages such a packed schedule. "It was a purely casual, cordial meeting with the PM for lunch at the MPs' canteen. It was a good gesture," one of the MPs told media. "It did not feel like we were sitting with the Prime Minister," said another. Covering a range of subjects, the Prime Minister spoke about his surprise visit to meet Nawaz Sharif - who is hoping to form the next Pakistan government after controversial elections - his foreign tours, and the Statue of Unity, among others. CONTD. ON P8 These days, children beg- nique said the President has been pleased to award Bharat Ratna to the three eminent persons. Modi said Rao's visionary leadership was instrumental in making India economically advanced, laying a solid foundation for the country's prosperity and growth. Rao, a Congress veteran, was prime minister from 1991 to 1996. He also said the dedication of Singh to farmers and commitment to democracy during the Emergency inspires the country . The then prime minister Indira Gandhi had imposed Emergency in 1975. Singh, a Jat leader from western Uttar Pradesh who was prime minister in 1979-80, was one of the pioneers of anti-Congress politics. Modi also said it is a matter of immense joy that his government is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Swaminathan in recognition of his monumental contributions to the nation in agriculture and farmers' welfare. The honour for Swaminathan comes against the backdrop of protests by farmers in the NCR region and plans for similar stir in the coming days. CONTD. ON P8 No time limit for hiking Ladli Behna scheme sum to Rs 3k, says Govt OUR STAFF REPORTER city.bhopal@fpj.co.in The State Government has said that it was not possible to set a time limit as to when the amount given to Ladli Behnas would be increased to Rs 3,000 per month. Notably, during the assembly election, the state government headed by Shivraj Singh Chouhan had reiterated in every public programme that the sum given to Ladli Behnas’ would be increased to Rs 3,000 in a phased manner. MLA Pratap Grehwal in a written question in the assembly on Friday asked whether or not the then chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had, on June 10, 2023, announced at Garrison Ground of Jabalpur that Ladli Behna sum would be increased to Rs 1250 from Rs 1000 and if funds CONTD. ON P8 ging in the city are being marked on the instructions of Collector Asheesh Singh. During the rescue, action was taken at Lavkush intersection, where an entire family was found begging. This includes husband and wife and their 3 children. The couple has five children. They have left 2 children with grandparents in the village in Rajasthan, while three children beg along with the couple at the crossroads. The woman's sister and brother-in-law also beg. ACTION TO BE TAKEN Rs 19,200 were found from the woman during the rescue. The woman said that she had earned this money in seven days. Her eight-year-old daughter earned Rs 600 from morning till 1.30 pm. The mother and the child were rescued, while the father and two other siblings fled. The girl was sent to a child care home. She Many collectors may be shifted before MCC comes into force OUR STAFF REPORTER BHOPAL The government is getting ready to reshuffle the field officers after the publication of the voters' list. It plans to shift the collectors from many districts which may experience the impact of administrative reshuffle before the Model Code of Conduct is implemented before the Lok Sabha election. Collector of Panna Harjindar Singh and that of Damoh Mayank Agarwal may be shifted. Similarly, collector of Shahdol Vandana Vaidya and that of Ashoknagar Subhash Kumar Dwivedi are also likely to be transferred. Sandeep Makin from Datia, Dinesh Jain from Neemuch, Arun Vishwakarma from Niwari, Umashankar Bhargava from Vidisha, Sanjay Kumar from Sheopur and Fating Rahul Haridas from Barwani may also be shifted. Before the work of electoral list began, the collectors of a few districts had been transferred. When the work started from January 5, transfer of collectors was under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission. CONTD. ON P8 would be presented before the CWC. Police action would be taken against the mother. The woman's sister and brother-in-law were also rescued and caught after two hours. RICH LIFE STYLE With earnings like a millionaire and no taxes to pay, the family owns land, smart phones, electronics, home and cars. The entire family works as beggars in different cities making millions, as shared by the family . REPEAT OFFENDER The woman was caught and counseled last year as well. Last year, she was caught using fake crutches. To mislead the team, she left his crutches and used her kids to earn money . RS 50K FD FOR KIDS The woman sent Rs 1 lakh home last month and deposited Rs 50,000 in the account for a fixed deposit in the name of her children from the earned Rs 2.5 lakh. They spent the rest Rs 50,000. During interrogation the woman said, that she earned Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 in 15 days. During special festivals and in wedding season, the fortnightly earning goes up to Rs 50,000. 3 TYPESS OF BEGGARS During the rescue, it has come to light that about 6,000 to 7,000 people beg in the city, out of which the number of children is 3,500. There are three categories of beggars on the road. First those who have no one at home. Second category is of those who have come to Indore from outside only to beg. The third category is of those who are a part of begging gang. Apart from some intersections, gang members also beg at temples, Chhappan Dukan and other market places. HARDA HORROR FIRECRACKERS FOUND DUMPED NEAR TRACKS TOLL RISES TO 13 OUR STAFF REPORTER city.bhopal@fpj.co.in A huge amount of highly explosive firecrackers were found dumped near the railway line, posing a potential danger to passing trains. On Friday morning, passersby found the dumped bombs and informed the police, who came and seized them. Sources informed that on Friday morning as many as 70 bags full of ‘Sutli bomb’ were found dumped near the railway line. It is claimed that if these bombs had somehow come in contact with fire it would have caused a huge explosion and would have hurt passengers of passing trains. After the blast in a cracker factory on Tuesday, the district administration started inspections of the factories and the premises where manufacturing of crackers was being done. Fearing action, many cracker makers had allegedly dumped half-made bombs at night wherever they found some vacant space. Even the local administration has found crackers Want report in 4 wks: NHRC to CS, DGP Taking suo moto cognizance of media report, NHRC has asked Chief Secretary and DGP to submit detailed report on Harda firecrackers factory blast. dumped on the road side they are throwing them at the outskirts of the city . The death toll in a blast at a firecracker has reached 13 on Friday after an 8year-old boy succumbed to injuries in a hospital in Bhopal, an official said. "The toll in the tragedy has reached 13 after a boy identified as Ashish Rajput succumbed to injuries in a hospital in Bhopal," Harda district hospital's civil surgeon Manish Sharma said. The deceased's father Sanjay Rajput said they live close to the site of the blast and Ashish was in a coma after being hit on the head by a stone during the explosion. CONTD. ON P8 Imran Khan's party-backed candidates lead in Pak polls ISLAMABAD Jailed ex-Pakistan premier Imran Khan's partybacked independent candidates on Friday sprung a surprise by winning 86 seats out of the 201 results declared following unusual delays and allegations of rigging, as the country appeared heading towards a hung assembly . Votes are still being counted after Thursday's general election which was marred by allegations of rigging, sporadic violence and a countrywide mobile phone shutdown. There were dozens of parties in the fray but the main contest was among Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI), whose candidates are running as independents, former three-time premier Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) and Bilaw- Sharif claims win 'without majority’ al Bhutto Zardari's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). To form a government, a party must win 133 seats out of 265 in the National Assembly. Election to one seat was postponed after the death of a candidate. Overall, 169 seats are needed to secure a simple majority out of its total 336 seats, which include the reserved slots for women and minorities. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) data shows that results of 201 constituencies Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday claimed victory in national elections, saying that his political party has emerged as the largest in the vote and will discuss forming a coalition government. Sharif did not disclose how many seats his party had won and counting was still underway in the last few of the 265 seats that went to the polls. The latest count published by the election panel showed his PML-N winning 61 seats, much below the 133 mark needed to stake a claim to form a government. have been declared, which include 86 independents (mostly supported by PTI), PML-N 59, PPP 44 and 12 seats going to smaller parties. CONTD. ON P8