Kolkata, Feb 6: After two failed attempts to secure more time for the charge-framing process in the multi-crore financial irregularities case at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, former principal Sandip Ghosh and other accused have now moved a division bench of the Calcutta High Court.

The division bench, comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Subhendu Samanta, has accepted their petition and scheduled the hearing for the second half of Thursday.

The repeated rebuffs from the single-judge bench have now led the accused to seek recourse from the division bench.

The case involves allegations of multi-crore financial mismanagement at the state-run medical institution.

Notably, the charge-framing process is also set to begin at a special court in Kolkata this afternoon, making its fate dependent on the division bench’s ruling.

The special court is also scheduled to hear exemption petitions filed by the five accused, including Ghosh.

On Wednesday, the single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh had rejected, for the second time, a plea by the accused seeking more time for charge framing. This follows a January 31 ruling where Justice Tirthankar Ghosh had dismissed a similar plea, directing the CBI to ensure charge-framing begins by February 6.

On Wednesday, the accused had moved a review petition before the same bench, which was also rejected. Justice Ghosh questioned its admissibility, emphasizing that his earlier rejection was based on careful consideration.

The CBI charge sheet names five individuals — Sandip Ghosh, his assistant-cum-bodyguard Afsar Ali, private contractors Biplab Sinha and Suman Hazra, and junior doctor Ashish Pandey. All five are currently in judicial custody. The allegations against them involve significant financial irregularities at the medical college, and the outcome of the case is expected to have far-reaching implications.

New Delhi: Both Houses of Parlaiment are set to discuss on Thursday the Union Budget 2025-2026 that was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday.

The discussions will begin at 11 am today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reply to discussion on President Droupadi Murmu address in Rajya Sabha.

Today’s Lok Sabha session will mark its beginning with the Question Hour followed by laying of Parliamentary Papers on the table by several ministries.

Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar, Union State Minister of Power Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje, Union State Minister of Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta, Union State Minister of Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, Union State Minister of Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu and Union State Minister of Housing and Urban Affair Tokhan Sahu will lay their papers on the table.

Congress Seeks Debate On US Deportations

Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi has moved adjournment motion in Lok Sabha to discuss the deportations of over 100 Indian nationals by the United States government “carried out under conditions that are deeply distressing and humiliating.”

“This House must urgently address the issue to prevent further dehumanisation of our people and to uphold the dignity of every Indian, both at home and abroad,” the Motion reads.

Congress whip in Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore has also moved adjournment motion in Lok Sabha to discuss the “inhumane deportation of Indian Nationals by the United States…and take all necessary steps to prevent the humiliation and mistreatment of Indian nationals abroad.”

A new Income Tax Bill is also likely to be introduced in Parliament today, which is set to replace the Income Tax Act of 1961.

Parliament Session Sees Disruptions Amid Heated Debates

The session has already seen disruptions, with heavy objections raised during Rahul Gandhi’s speech on Monday on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address. The Opposition also demanded a discussion on the recent Mahakumbh stampede tragedy.

PM Modi on Tuesday replied to the Motion of Thanks on President Droupadi Murmu’s address in the parliament and spoke about the development initiatives of the BJP-led government and efforts to improve the lives of the poor.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2024-25 on January 31, projecting India’s GDP to grow at a rate of 6.4 per cent for FY2025.

The Budget session of the Parliament commenced on January 31, with President Droupadi Murmu delivering her inaugural address.

The first part of the session will continue till February 13. The session will reconvene on March 10 and continue till April 4.

New Delhi, Feb 6: The much-anticipated eighth edition of ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ (PPC) is set to return in an expanded format, featuring an array of distinguished experts and guests, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Aimed at fostering a stress-free and holistic approach to education, the interactive session will be broadcast at 11 a.m. on February 10, promising engaging discussions on exam-related challenges, mental health, career choices, and the effective use of technology.

This year, the programme will feature an impressive line-up of personalities, including spiritual leader Sadhguru, Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone, Vikrant Massey, and Bhumi Pednekar, as well as sports icons Mary Kom, Avani Lekhara, and Suhas Yathiraj.

Other notable guests include nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, entrepreneur Radhika Gupta, and digital influencer Technical Guruji, among others.

Together, they will provide students with insights on handling exam stress, maintaining focus, and achieving academic success.

PPC 2025 will consist of eight episodes, making it the most extensive edition yet. The event kicked off with an online multiple-choice question (MCQ) competition, held from December 14, 2024, to January 14, 2025.

Open to students from classes 6 to 12, along with teachers and parents, the competition allowed participants to submit questions, some of which will be answered directly by the Prime Minister. Selected winners will have the rare opportunity to interact with him.

Sadhguru will shed light on reducing exam stress through meditation and inner peace, while Radhika Gupta and Technical Guruji will discuss the responsible use of technology and Artificial Intelligence as study aids.

Mary Kom, Avani Lekhara, and Suhas Yathiraj will highlight the importance of integrating sports into daily life to manage academic pressure.

Superstar Deepika Padukone will address mental health issues, breaking stigmas, and building resilience, while actors Vikrant Massey and Bhumi Pednekar will highlight the significance of creative learning.

Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, along with Sonali Sabharwal and Revant Himatsingka of FoodPharmer fame, will highlight the role of proper nutrition in enhancing cognitive function and overall well-being.

The event will also showcase toppers from various competitive exams who will share their personal journeys and strategies for academic excellence.

With a focus on tackling exam stress and career-related concerns, the discussions aim to inspire students to approach education with confidence rather than anxiety.

As part of the build-up to the main event, the Prime Minister recently interacted with 30-40 students at Sundar Nursery in Delhi.

The grand event on February 10 will take place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, where 2,500 selected students will participate in person. These students will receive exclusive PPC kits from the Ministry of Education designed to enhance their learning experience.

Additionally, the top 10 ‘Legendary Exam Warriors’ will be granted an exclusive visit to the Prime Minister’s residence, offering them a unique and inspiring opportunity.

Since its beginning in 2018, PPC has been a main highlight of the Prime Minister’s vision for a stress-free education system. Inspired by his book ‘Exam Warriors’, the initiative encourages students to approach exams with a positive mindset.

Over the years, PPC has evolved, incorporating new technologies and interactive elements to remain relevant and impactful.

The eighth edition has already set a new benchmark, recording an all-time high participation of 3.6 crore registrations, including 3.3 crore students, 2.7 lakh teachers, and 5.5 lakh parents.

With its enriched format and a stellar panel of experts, PPC 2025 is set to be a transformative experience for students nationwide.