Protest for J&K: UP police puts Magsaysay Awardee Sandeep Pandey under house arrest

Agencies

August 11, 2019

Kashmir, Aug 11: Social activist and Magsaysay Award winner Sandeep Pandey was put under house arrest on Sunday after he announced a dharna to protest against the scrapping of Article 370 and the shut down in Jammu and Kashmir.

The protest 'Stand for Kashmir' was to be held on Sunday evening at the GPO Park.

"All of a sudden, police in four vans arrived at our house in the morning and told us that we cannot stage the dharna, because of prohibitory orders in the city. They said the prohibitory orders would be lifted after Independence Day. So I told them that we would stage the dharna after the orders are lifted. Yet, they are standing outside my house and no one is allowed to enter or leave the house," said Pandey over telephone.

His wife Arundhati Dhuru, who is the national convener of the National Alliance of People's Movement (NAPM), is also under house arrest.

Lucknow District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police did not respond to calls and the government spokesman refused to comment on the matter.

Pandey had won the Ramon Magsaysay award in 2002 in the emergent leadership category.

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Vision 2030 push: Saudi Arabia cancels expat worker fees for licensed industrial facilities

News Network

December 19,2025

Saudi Arabia has abolished fees on expatriate workers employed in licensed industrial establishments, signaling a strong push to empower national factories and enhance the Kingdom’s global industrial competitiveness. The move reflects the leadership’s commitment to building a sustainable and resilient industrial economy under Saudi Vision 2030.

The decision was approved by the Council of Ministers, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, following a recommendation from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA). It forms part of a broader strategy to support, modernize, and strengthen the industrial sector.

By removing fees on foreign workers, industrial establishments gain greater operational flexibility and relief from financial pressures. This is expected to help factories expand production, improve efficiency, and compete more effectively in international markets, while reinforcing long-term sustainability.

The initiative aligns closely with Saudi Vision 2030, which identifies industry as a key pillar of economic diversification. A competitive and resilient industrial base is viewed as essential for driving innovation, attracting investment, and sustaining long-term economic growth.

Overall, the fee exemption underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for industrial development and ensuring that Saudi factories remain globally competitive and capable of leading the nation’s economic transformation.

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