MAHARASHTRA CM EKNATH SHINDE WINS TRUST VOTE IN ASSEMBLY

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday won the floor test in the state Assembly on the last day of the two-day special session of the House.

In the 288-member House, 164 MLAs voted for the motion of confidence, while 99 voted against it. Three legislators abstained from voting, while Congress’s Ashok Chavan and Vijay Wadettiwar were among those absent during the trust vote.

Speaker Rahul Narvekar announced that the trust vote was carried by a majority vote.

Ahead of the floor test, Sena MLA Santosh Bangar, from the Uddhav Thackeray camp, joined CM Shinde’s faction, taking its tally to 40.

Speaking in the House after the floor test, Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis said when some MLAs were voting, members from the opposition benches shouted “ED, ED”. “It is true the new government is formed by ED, which stands for Eknath and Devendra,” the BJP leader remarked.

Without taking the name of former CM Uddhav Thackeray, Fadnavis claimed Maharashtra witnessed a “deficit of leadership availability” in the last few years. “But, there are two leaders in the House (Shinde and himself), who will always be available for people,” Fadnavis said.

Having won the floor test comfortably, the BJP and the Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena faction may not press for disqualification of the 15 MLAs left with Uddhav Thackeray.

While Speaker Rahul Narwekar said Sunday that he would seek their disqualification as they had ignored a whip issued by the Shinde side, for the election for Speaker, highly placed sources in the BJP said the party wanted “truce”. Another sign of this cooling of tempers was the smooth Assembly proceedings Monday, with the Uddhav-led Sena not creating any disruption.

WORLD AMAZED BY OUR COVID VACCINATION DRIVE BUT SOME QUESTIONED MY PHOTO ON CERTIFICATES: PM MODI

The Digital India campaign has helped save Rs 2.25 lakh crore from falling into the wrong hands in the past eight years, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar Monday. The campaign has also helped to eliminate middle-men, he said while inaugurating “Digital India Week 2022” and a Digital Expo at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar

“The transparency that has come due to Digital India has eliminated corruption at various levels adversely affecting the poor and the middle class. We have seen that period when it was difficult to get a service without paying a bribe. Digital India has saved money for the common man… ending the network of middle-men,” said PM Modi while speaking on the seventh anniversary of launching the “Digital India’” campaign, a flagship programme of the Central government.

“In the last eight years, more than Rs 23 lakh crore has been transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to beneficiaries. Due to this technology, almost Rs 2.25 lakh crore that would have landed in the wrong hands have been saved,” he added. He said the trio of Jan Dhan, Mobile and Aadhaar, or JAM, have “provided maximum benefit to the poor and the middle class”.

The PM said it was Digital India that helped the government tackle the crisis arising out of Covid pandemic. “CoWin and Aarogya Setu are two mobile applications that helped provide 200 crore vaccine doses. The world is still debating how to generate vaccine certificates and in India, the certificate is available immediately after a vaccine dose is taken,” he said, adding that his critics are stuck at why the vaccine certificates carry Modi’s photograph.

DON'T PUSH US TOWARD INDEPENDENT TAMIL NADU, GIVE US AUTONOMY: DMK'S RAJA

DMK leader A Raja has implored Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to provide 'state autonomy', and not push them to seek an independent country.

Though the icon of the Dravidian movement, Thanthai Periyar stood for an independent Tamil Nadu, the DMK moved away from it, Raja said on Sunday addressing a party meet of representatives of urban local bodies.

The party, though accepted Periyar, backed integrity and democracy and said, 'long live India' and the party continues to stick to that line.

"I am telling Amit Shah and the prime minister with utmost humility, I implore you in the presence of (our) leaders on the dais, our chief minister is journeying on the path of Anna (former chief minister and DMK founder), do not push us on the path of Periyar. Do not make us seek a separate country, give state autonomy and we will not rest till then," he said.

Raja's remark invited sharp criticisms in the social media with several hitting out at him for 'separatist' comment. Tamil Nadu BJP vice-president Narayanan Tirupathi condemned Raja's remark as 'blatantly divisive'. "But what is shocking and surprising is that Chief Minister M K Stalin remained a mute spectator. I condemn his silence. He has taken oath of office, affirming allegiance to the Constitution."

INDIA MISSES FIFTH-LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD TAG BY $13 BILLION

The Indian economy was slightly smaller than the United Kingdom’s (UK’s), which deprived the former the rank of the fifth-largest economy in the world in 2021. Experts say it is just a matter of a year before India overtakes the UK.

It should be noted that the figures for other countries are on a calendar year basis, while those for India are on a fiscal year basis (April-to-March). So, 2021 would mean 2021-22 for India and so on.

At $3.17 trillion during the year, India’s economy was just $13 billion behind the UK’s in 2021. India had also reduced the gap with the UK in 2019 to $50 billion from $200 billion a year earlier but the distance had widened to $90 billion in 2020. Former chief statistician Pronab Sen said India’s economic recovery was much sharper in 2021-22 over the pre-Covid period than the UK’s in 2021 over 2019.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST / July 5

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Monday 13,086

Active Cases 1,14,475 (+611)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 5,25,242 (18)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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SIX KILLED IN SHOOTING AT JULY 4 PARADE IN A CHICAGO SUBURB

Six people were killed and about two dozen were injured in a shooting at a Fourth of July parade in the wealthy Chicago suburb of Highland Park on Monday, officials said, as panicked spectators fled the scene.

Witnesses said they believed the shooter was on the roof of a store and fired into the crowd.

A 22-year-old man was taken into custody on Monday evening. Police said that Robert E. Crimo III, who had been identified as “a person of interest” in the shooting, had been spotted in a car by a North Chicago police unit. When the police tried to stop him, Mr. Crimo fled, leading officers on a brief chase.

For President Biden, the shooting is the latest reminder that he presides over a nation struggling to confront an epidemic of gun violence, including a seemingly never-ending series of mass shootings.

PUTIN CONGRATULATES TROOPS ON ‘LIBERATING’ LUHANSK, ORDERS OFFENSIVE TO CONTINUE

Ukrainian forces were taking up new defensive lines in the east on Monday, preparing for a hard new phase in the war as President Vladimir Putin proclaimed Russia’s victory in the months-long battle of Luhansk. Russia’s capture of the city of Lysychansk on Sunday brought an end to one of the biggest battles in Europe for generations, which saw Moscow bring the full might of its ground forces to bear on a small pocket of the frontline for two months.

The battle completes Russia’s conquest of Luhansk province, one of two regions it has demanded Ukraine cede to separatists in the Donbas region. During a brief televised meeting with his defence minister, Putin congratulated Russian forces on their “victories in the Luhansk direction”. Those who participated in the combat should “absolutely rest and recover their military preparedness”, while other units continue fighting in other areas, he said.

The battle is the closest Moscow has come to achieving one of its stated objectives since its forces were defeated trying to capture Kyiv in March, and marks Russia’s biggest victory since it captured the southern port of Mariupol in late May. Both sides suffered thousands dead and wounded, while claiming to have inflicted far greater losses on their enemy, along a loop of the Siverskyi Donets river that winds through Luhansk and Donetsk.

The cost of rebuilding Ukraine following Russia’s invasion could reach $750 billion and rich Russians should help pay the bill, Ukrainian PM Denys Shmygal said on Monday. “We believe that the key source of recovery should be the confiscated assets of Russia and Russian oligarchs,” he told a conference in the Swiss city of Lugano, citing estimates that frozen Russian assets were worth $300-$500 billion.

THE REST

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PAGD TO JOINTLY CONTEST J&K POLLS: FAROOQ, MUFTI

The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Monday formally confirmed that the alliance will jointly contest the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, if and when they are held.

The confirmation came separately from PAGD president Farooq Abdullah and its vice-president, Mehbooba Mufti.

Asked whether elections would take place, Abdullah said if the Centre could hold elections after massive floods in the Valley in 2014 why not now.

Mufti said: “People want us to stay together and restore our lost respect and dignity. The difficulties, the sufferings we are going through…(people feel) we should stay together and fight.”

CONG WORKERS IN AP HELD FOR RELEASING BLACK BALLOONS AS PM'S COPTER TAKES OFF

In what the Special Protection Group (SPG) saw as a major breach of security, black balloons were released into the flight path of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mi-17 helicopter as he took off from the Vijayawada International Airport (VIA) for Bhimavaram on Monday.

State police, however, denied there was any breach of security but said one Congress worker has been apprehended in this connection, while three other party workers were arrested for trying to enter the airport with black balloons.

The SPG apparently asked the state police what if they were drones and not just balloons.

The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee had given a call to organise protests during the PM's visit to the state on Monday, to unveil the statue of freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju, in protest against the 'broken promises', including grant of special category status to AP.

PARLIAMENTARY PANEL: LET ‘DEEMED UNIVERSITIES’ BE KNOWN AS ‘UNIVERSITIES’

A Parliamentary committee has urged the government to “actively consider” allowing deemed universities in the country to allow the term ‘university’ to avoid confusion abroad as most foreign countries do not use such a nomenclature.

In its report, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports has recommended an amendment of clause 23 of the UGC Act, 1956 to let the deemed universities shed the prefix.

AMID PROTESTS OVER A POSTER, FILMMAKER STANDS HER GROUND

Under attack for a poster of her documentary ‘Kaali’ showing the goddess smoking and holding an LGBTQ flag, filmmaker Leena Manimekalai Monday said she will continue to use her voice fearlessly till she is alive. The poster has led to a social media storm with the hashtag ‘Arrest Leena Manimekalai’.

In response to the attacks, the Toronto-based director hit back to say she was willing to pay with her life. “I have nothing to lose. Till the time I live, I wish to live with a voice that speaks what I believe without fear. If the price for that is my life, it can be given,” Manimekalai wrote in a tweet. The Madurai-born filmmaker had shared the poster of ‘Kaali’ on the microblogging site on Saturday and said the film was part of the ‘Rhythms of Canada’ segment at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. Manimekalai also urged people to watch the film to understand the context behind the poster.

“The film is about the events during Kaali’s strolls through the streets of Toronto city one fine evening. If they watch the movie, they will put the hashtag ‘loveyouLeena Manimekalai’ rather than ‘Arrest Leena Manimekalai’,” she tweeted.

Indian High Commission on Monday urged Canadian authorities and event organisers to withdraw the “provocative material” showcased as part of the ‘Under the Tent’ project at the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto.

TRADING DRIES UP ON CRYPTO EXCHANGES AS NEW TRANSACTION TAX KICKS IN

Warnings from Indian crypto exchanges that a controversial new transaction tax would erode trading are coming true, with volumes evaporating since the levy took effect.

Three exchanges -- ZebPay, WazirX, Giottus and CoinDCX -- suffered declines of between 60% and 87% in the value of daily trading immediately after the 1% tax deductible at source became effective on July 1.

The government introduced a tax regime for digital assets in February, consisting of the TDS and a flat 30% tax on income from crypto investments. It also banned offsetting of losses on such assets, treating them differently from stocks and bonds.

HOTELS & RESTAURANTS CANNOT LEVY SERVICE CHARGE BY DEFAULT ON FOOD BILLS

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Monday barred hotels and restaurants from levying service charge automatically or by default in food bills and allowed customers to file complaints in case of violation.

Amid rising complaints, the CCPA has issued guidelines for preventing unfair trade practices and violation of consumer rights with regard to levying of service charge.

If any consumer finds that a hotel or restaurant is levying service charge in violation of the guidelines, s/he can request the concerned establishment to remove it from the bill amount.

The consumers can also lodge a complaint on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH).

BIRMINGHAM TEST: INDIA LOSE GRIP ON DAY 4

Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow put England on course for a ground-breaking run chase against India despite Jasprit Bumrah's brilliance on day four of the rescheduled fifth Test, setting up a fitting series finale in Birmingham.

Skipper Bumrah brought India back in the game with wickets on either side of the lunch break after England openers Alex Lees (56) and Zak Crawley (46) finally found form and shared a 107-run stand chasing a record 378-run target.

From 107 for no loss, it soon became 109/3 before the dangerous duo of Root (76 not out) and Bairstow (72 not out) frustrated the Indians with a commanding 150-run partnership off just 197 balls.

England were sitting pretty on 259/3 at stumps on day four, needing another 119 runs for a series-levelling victory.

Though the wicket did not offer much help, Indian bowlers were unable to maintain pressure on the English batters who played with the aggression that has become hallmark of the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum partnership.

With Ben Stokes and Sam Billing still to come, India will need something special to pull off a win from here. India's bowling performance in the second innings was reminiscent of their struggles in South Africa where they failed to defend target twice after winning the series opener.

India could have made England chase in excess of 400 on day five if it was not for some poor shot selection. After starting the day at 125 for three, India were all out for 245 in the second innings.

Scores at end of Day 4: India 416 & 245; England 284 & 259/3

WIMBLEDON: SINGLES DOWN TO LAST 8s

An angelic Nick Kyrgios reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final for seven years when he recovered from a slow start to beat steady American Brandon Nakashima in five sets on Wimbledon's Centre Court on Monday. With Kyrgios's bad-tempered Court One victory over fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas still the talk of the town, the Australian was on his best behaviour in front of the Royal Box as he ground out a 4-6, 6-4 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-2 win.

After the mayhem of Saturday, when Kyrgios was accused by Tsitsipas of being a bully, he let his tennis do the talking against the 20-year-old Nakashima, barely uttering a word in anger throughout a contest that contained few of the fireworks usually associated with the Australian.

Until Monday, Wimbledon's 11th seed Taylor Fritz was not even the best tennis player in his own family. But with some hefty swipes of a garish coral-coloured racket on Court One, the American finally earned his family stripes by reaching the quarter-finals of the grasscourt Grand Slam.

His 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 win over qualifier Jason Kubler put him into the last eight at Wimbledon, and saw him match the Grand Slam feat of his mother who, as Kathy May, reached three slam quarter-finals in the late 1970s.

Chile's Cristian Garin showed amazing tenacity to come from two sets and 3-0 down and save two match points as he beat Australian Alex de Minaur in a hugely entertaining five-set slug fest on Monday to reach his first grand slam quarter-final

Garin eventually triumphed 2-6, 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-4, 7-6(6) after four hours 34 minutes of superb tennis that brought a standing ovation from Wimbledon's packed Number Two Court.

Rafael Nadal closed Monday's play on Centre Court with a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(6) victory against 21st seed Botic van de Zandschulp, securing his spot in the quarter-finals for his third consecutive appearance at SW19. After reaching his eighth quarter-final at The Championships, he will look to reach his third semi-final in as many tries when he takes on 11th-seeded American Taylor Fritz on Wednesday.

QUARTER FINAL LINE-UP – MEN’S SINGLES

N. DJOKOVIC (1) vs J. SINNER (10)

D. GOFFIN vs C. NORRIE (9)

C. GARIN vs N. KYRGIOS

T. FRITZ (11) vs R. NADAL (2)

QUARTER FINAL LINE-UP – WOMEN’S SINGLES

A. TOMLJANOVIC vs E. RYBAKINA (17)

S. HALEP (16) vs A. ANISIMOVA (20)

M. BOUZKOVA vs O. JABEUR (3)

T. MARIA vs J. NIEMEIER

INDICATORS

Sensex 53,235 (+327), Nifty 15,835 (+83), Trading Value NSE (Rs.crores) 39,002

(US Markets were closed yesterday on account of Independence Day)

US$-Rs. 78.79 GBP-Rs. 95.43, Euro-Rs. 82.20, UAE Dhm-Rs.21.44, Can$-Rs. 61.22, Aus$- Rs. 53.98

GBP 0.82 /US$, Euro 0.95 /US$, Jap.Yen 135.43 /US$, Aus$ 1.45 /US$, Sing 1.39 /US$, Bang Taka 91.78 /US$, Can$ 1.28 /US$, Mal Ring 4.40 /US$,

Pak Re 203.31 /US$, Phil Peso 54.99 /US$, Russian Rouble 55.24 /US$, NZ$ 1.60 /US$, Thai Baht 35.64 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 29.29 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 20,168

Dollar Index 104.96 Brent Crude 114.15 BDI 2,159

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,810 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 5,234 / 4,800, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 64,000

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning. - Albert Camus

OFF TRACK

A journalist, who was fed up with the state of the Economy, decided to ask the views of Finance Minister on sports instead of Indian economy.

He asked, "Dear FM, which game do you like?"

FM replied, "Cricket when played in India."

Journalist further asked, "which part of Cricket do you like, I mean batting or bowling?"

"No, No, I LIKE THE TOSS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MATCH IN INDIA."

"Why, only toss Sir?"

The FM smiled for the first time and said, "BECAUSE IT IS THE ONLY TIME WHEN I SEE OUR RUPEE GOING UP."