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News from November 11, 2025

377 articles found

Reading as Defiance
World

Reading as Defiance

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Russia Underground
Ex-RSL chief Greg Melick urges Albanese to boost defence spending
World

Ex-RSL chief Greg Melick urges Albanese to boost defence spending

Former RSL Australia President Greg Melick has called on the Albanese government to lift defence spending, questioning the nation's preparedness for future conflicts. In a speech to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Tuesday during the Remembrance Day National Ceremony, Major General Melick - who retired last month - launched a critique on the state of the nation's armed forces. "Despite the fact that this nation has been involved in wars more often than not since Federation, I fear we remain complacent," he said. "Without a grand strategy to inform it and without sufficient funding, our defence strategy risks becoming a matter of what we can afford and not what we need." For many years, Major General Melick said, the RSL's defence and security committee had been "agitating, without apparent success, on the need to ensure that we bolster our defence spending and significantly increase our reserves, especially in fuel and ammunition, to best equip our dedicated servicemen and women before we send them into harm's way." While Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy looked on, Major General Melick said Mr Marles was "keenly aware of the issues facing his portfolio." "The challenge before him is to convince his colleagues to rebalance our priorities," he said. "Otherwise, in future Remembrance Day ceremonies we may well regret the conflict we didn't deter and remember those who we demanded to protect us without the necessary wherewithal." He said Australia needed to "appropriately prepare for a conflict we hope never comes." Quoting former Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, he said: "When we are attacked it will not be with kid gloves, or after convenient notice, but it will be when and where we least desire it and with remorseless fury." "It could be argued that little has changed since that warning, as the Defence Strategic Review has outlined," Major General Melick said. "The Indo-Pacific region has never been as dire since 1941." He expressed concern over recent polling suggesting only 30 per cent of Generation Z were prepared to fight for their country. "Let us today honour the service and sacrifice of all who have worn the nation's uniform and the families that love and support them ... and give thanks to the remarkable men and women who stand ready to defend our freedom and our values." Australia spends about 2 per cent of GDP on Defence, projected to hit about 2.4 per cent by the middle of next decade. United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has called for defence spending to be lifted to 3.5 per cent. Opposition defence spokesperson Angus Taylor said on Tuesday that Australia was "facing the most dangerous circumstances since the Second World War" and that the Albanese government was "underfunding our services at a time when we need the Australian Defence Force to be the strongest we can make it". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously said that his government will fund defence based on what is needed on a continually reassessed basis, rather than setting an arbitrary percentage of GDP target. The government is investing an extra $70 billion in defence over the next decade, with $10.6 billion of this over the next four years. It has committed an initial $12 billion towards a major naval shipbuilding and maintenance hub at the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia, part of Australia's obligations under pillar one of the AUKUS submarine deal. Defence spent $16.6 billion on acquisitions in 2023-24 and more than $17.4 billion in 2024-25.

Dana Daniel
Taiwan evacuates 3000 as Typhoon Fung-wong approaches
Politics

Taiwan evacuates 3000 as Typhoon Fung-wong approaches

Taiwan has evacuated more than 3000 people, issuing a land warning for the arrival of Typhoon Fung-wong, which is expected to dump large volumes of rain on its mountainous east coast, recently lashed by another typhoon. The weakening Fung-wong is forecast to hit land on Wednesday on the island's southwestern coast around the major port of Kaohsiung, after it killed 18 people while powering through the Philippines as a much stronger system. "Fung-wong may have been downgraded to a weak typhoon, but we still cannot lower our guard," Chen Chi-mai, the city's mayor, told reporters on Tuesday. On his Facebook page, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te urged people to keep clear of the mountains, the coast and other potentially dangerous areas. The transport ministry said 66, mostly domestic, flights were cancelled on Tuesday. Fung-wong is expected to cross the bottom part of Taiwan and enter the Pacific Ocean along the coast of the sparsely populated eastern counties of Taitung and Hualien. A typhoon in September unleashed flooding that killed 18 people in Hualien. The government, which has ordered evacuations in the town of Guangfu, the scene of those deadly floods, said 3337 people in four counties and cities had been moved to safer areas. Hualien closed schools and offices on Tuesday, as did the neighbouring county of Yilan. The typhoon will not directly affect the northern city of Hsinchu, home to TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker. Most deaths in the Philippines were caused by landslides in its mountainous northern Cordilleras, senior civil defence official Raffy Alejandro told a briefing, with two people reported missing and 28 injured. Australian Associated Press

Unknown
Former PM wanted to arrest the man who sacked Whitlam
Politics

Former PM wanted to arrest the man who sacked Whitlam

Gough Whitlam should have arrested the governor-general who sacked him, former prime minister Paul Keating says, as another past leader lifts the lid on the "ruthless" politics preceding the dismissal. Months of parliamentary deadlock, which risked the government running out of money to pay public servants and run programs, culminated in Mr Whitlam's dismissal as prime minister on 11 November, 1975. Mr Whitlam was summoned to the residence of governor-general Sir John Kerr, who told him he'd been sacked as prime minister and opposition leader Malcolm Fraser would be installed in the job instead. Mr Keating said the saga was "destructive" and revealed he urged the prime minister to go directly to Queen Elizabeth II to have Sir John sacked. "In the event that Kerr resisted, I said to Gough he should be put under police arrest," the former Labor leader told journalist Niki Savva in an interview played at Old Parliament House to mark 50 years since the momentous day. "That is certainly what I would have done if I was prime minister." Mr Keating, who was the minister for northern Australia in 1975, was with Mr Whitlam and Sir John in the days before the fateful event. He said he saw the pair laughing together in a meeting, which added to the deceit surrounding the sacking just four days later. After the meeting, Mr Keating recalled Mr Whitlam getting into a Mercedes before saying, "Well, he seems alright ... he's entirely proper, he'll do the right thing." That was how the governor-general lulled Mr Whitlam into a false sense of security, the former prime minister said. "It was the brutality and malevolence of it all, really, which was so striking but not immediately apparent on the day," Mr Keating said. Mr Keating's successor, former Liberal prime minister John Howard, said Sir John had been unfairly criticised in the 50 years after the dismissal. "Fate cast him in a very difficult position," he told journalist Barrie Cassidy in a separate interview at Old Parliament. "(Fraser) and Whitlam together were two very determined men who were ruthlessly intent on their objectives," Mr Howard said. Australia's second-longest serving prime minister also suggested a number of changes to parliamentary processes to smooth the operations of government, including fixed four-year terms. "I would say to (Opposition Leader) Sussan Ley, to the prime minister, get together on it now and don't attach conditions," he said. Governor-General Sam Mostyn said it was unlikely such a series of events would ever play out again, although she added she would continue her role "consistent with the conventions of this office". "I could not imagine a situation in modern Australia where a prime minister would be surprised or blindsided by the governor-general in the same circumstances that occurred in 1975," she said. Ms Mostyn added there was a "strong mosaic" of checks and balances which helped underpin Australia's system of government. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the Whitlam legacy while announcing a statue of the former Labor leader would be erected outside Old Parliament. "The dismissal was a calculated plot, hatched by conservative forces which sacrificed conventions and institutions in the pursuit of power," he said. Australian Associated Press

Zac de Silva And Grace Crivellaro
New scholarly work examines sophisticated military apparatus of Anlo
Politics

New scholarly work examines sophisticated military apparatus of Anlo

The institutional memory of pre-colonial African governance systems has suffered from both scholarly neglect and wilful misrepresentation. V. L. K. Djokoto’s Revolution offers a corrective — a meticulous examination of the Anlo military establishment that challenges prevailing assumptions about organisational capacity in 18th and 19th century West Africa. What emerges from Djokoto’s research is a portrait of institutional sophistication that bears comparison with contemporaneous European military structures. The Anlo developed a tripartite command architecture — centre, left, and right wings — under unified ministerial oversight, with hereditary generalships providing continuity whilst permitting tactical flexibility. This was no ad hoc arrangement of tribal levies, but rather a standing military apparatus with designated headquarters, established supply chains, and codified strategic doctrine. Archival rigour meets contemporary vision The opening chapter features a rare archival photograph from the German Bremen Mission, immediately establishing Djokoto’s methodological seriousness. These missionary archives, often overlooked in favour of British colonial records, provide invaluable primary source material for reconstructing 19th-century Ghanaian institutional life. That a 30-year-old researcher has accessed and deployed such materials suggests both archival sophistication and a commitment to documentary evidence rather than received narratives. The economics of warfare The logistical dimension proves particularly instructive. Djokoto documents a comprehensive provisioning system that maintained three reinforced war camps simultaneously, managing the distribution of grain stores and munitions across multiple theatres of operation. The final distribution — one corn seed per combatant on the decisive day — suggests both quartermaster efficiency and an understanding of psychological timing that would not seem out of place in a modern military handbook. Of equal interest is the economic structure supporting this martial infrastructure. Military service represented the apex of social capital within Anlo society — what Djokoto describes as “the most honourable form of civic achievement.” This created a self-sustaining system in which status incentives drove recruitment, whilst hereditary military castes preserved institutional knowledge across generations. The result was an effective mobilisation of human capital that permitted sustained territorial expansion. Institutional continuity and strategic security The classification of military intelligence as “Empire secrets” restricted to initiated elites demonstrates a sophisticated approach to information asymmetry. Meanwhile, the integration of religious ceremonies served dual functions: reinforcing unit cohesion whilst providing ideological justification for martial enterprise. The longevity of individual reigns offers further evidence of institutional stability. King Tenge Dzokoto II’s 38-year tenure as Dufia (1873-1911) provided strategic consistency during a period of significant European colonial expansion. His father, General Dzokoto I, had previously demonstrated the system’s capacity for prosecuting extended military campaigns. An unusual pedigree That this work emerges from V. L. K. Djokoto (b. 1995) makes it all the more intriguing. The young author represents an uncommon synthesis of influences: cultural theorist, financier, and gallerist, he leads D. K. T. Djokoto & Co., an old-fashioned top-tier multi-family office established in 1950. It is precisely the sort of institutional longevity — spanning three-quarters of a century — that might attune one to the importance of heritage and continuity in governance structures. Djokoto’s dual orientation — stewarding generational wealth whilst curating contemporary artistic experiences — informs his approach to historical research. Through his gallery work, he seeks to mobilise Ghanaians by weaving together African music, literature, and art into cohesive cultural narratives. Revolution extends this project into the historical realm, excavating narratives of institutional sophistication that have been systematically obscured. There is something rather fitting about a financier writing military history. Both disciplines require an appreciation for logistics, strategic planning, and the management of resources across time. Djokoto brings this sensibility to his examination of Anlo military economics, identifying systems of capital allocation — human, material, and symbolic — that sustained empire-building over generations. Contemporary relevance For readers concerned with governance structures in emerging markets, the Anlo example offers instructive parallels. The system balanced hereditary privilege with meritocratic advancement, maintained operational security whilst distributing command authority, and created incentive structures that aligned individual ambition with collective strategic objectives. Djokoto’s work arrives as African institutional history receives overdue scholarly attention. The continent’s contemporary challenges in state-building and security sector reform might benefit from examining indigenous governance models that demonstrably functioned over extended periods. The broader implication is methodological. Too often, institutional analysis of pre-colonial Africa has been refracted through European typologies or dismissed as insufficiently “developed.” Revolution demonstrates the analytical value of examining these systems on their own terms, according to their own logic and within their own contexts. What the Anlo created was not a primitive war-band, but a sophisticated military establishment with clear lines of authority, established logistics, strategic planning capacity, and ideological apparatus — in short, the institutional prerequisites of statecraft. That this achievement has been overlooked says rather more about historiographical blind spots than about the capabilities of the architects themselves. For Ghana’s policy elite navigating contemporary diplomatic and economic challenges, understanding these historical precedents is not merely academic. It is a question of institutional memory, national identity, and the intellectual foundations upon which modern governance must be constructed. That a 30-year-old financier and cultural theorist has taken up this challenge — armed with Bremen Mission archives and a researcher’s rigour — suggests a generational shift in how Ghana’s young elite engage with their heritage: not as museum piece, but as living intellectual capital with contemporary relevance. Revolution by V. L. K. Djokoto merits serious attention from historians, political scientists, and anyone interested in the institutional architecture of pre-colonial African states. President Commissions 36.5 Million Dollars Hospital In The Tain District You Will Not Go Free For Killing An Hard Working MP – Akufo-Addo To MP’s Killer I Will Lead You To Victory – Ato Forson Assures NDC Supporters Visit Our Social Media for More

Hbtvghana
Importers and Exporters urge foreign investors to establish rice mills in Ghana
World

Importers and Exporters urge foreign investors to establish rice mills in Ghana

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has called on foreign investors to set up rice mills in the country and support the purchase of surplus paddy rice from local producers. According to the Association, this move would help address the current oversupply of rice, which has left many farmers struggling with large quantities of unsold harvests. “The government is encouraging investors to establish mills in Ghana, purchase paddy rice from our outgrowers, and support smallholder farmers to increase production. This will enable us to process healthy, high-quality grains for local consumption and export,” said the Executive Secretary of the Association, Samson Asaki Awingobit. “Ghana is a gateway to Africa, and attention is now on us because we spend nearly GH¢300 million to GH¢400 million annually importing rice,” he added. Mr. Awingobit said this while addressing participants at the 2025 World Rice Conference in Cambodia. The World Rice Conference, held annually by The Rice Trader in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), provides a global forum for industry players to exchange knowledge, showcase innovations, and chart the future of rice production. Ghana’s delegation participated in the event to seek strategic partnerships and gain insights to enhance the country’s rice industry while contributing to global food security. President Commissions 36.5 Million Dollars Hospital In The Tain District You Will Not Go Free For Killing An Hard Working MP – Akufo-Addo To MP’s Killer I Will Lead You To Victory – Ato Forson Assures NDC Supporters Visit Our Social Media for More

Hbtvghana
Microplastics are everywhere. How worried should parents be?
Technology

Microplastics are everywhere. How worried should parents be?

Microplastics are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. As awareness of, and research into microplastics grows, more parents are concerned about their impact on their children’s development. On social media, often under the hashtags #lowtox or #notox, influencers and individuals coalesce to share their concerns around environmental pollutants and chemicals, offering alternatives and, often, promoting paid services or products. Among them is parent Amelia Davatzis. When the Melbourne mother was pregnant with her first child, she started looking into the effect of chemicals in common personal and household products on her and her unborn daughter’s wellbeing.

Lauren Ironmonger
Those behind Delhi blast will be brought to justice: PM Modi in Bhutan
Politics

Those behind Delhi blast will be brought to justice: PM Modi in Bhutan

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday vowed that those behind the deadly car blast near Delhi"s Red Fort would be brought to justice. Speaking from Bhutan, where he arrived for a two-day visit, PM Modi said the government is taking the attack “very seriously.”Advertisment “Today, I come here with a very heavy heart,” he said. “The horrific incident in Delhi has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators will not be spared.” The Prime Minister confirmed he had been in touch with all investigating agencies through the night, assuring that every effort is being made to identify and punish those responsible.Advertisment Rajnath assures swift probe Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also condemned the attack, which killed eight people and injured several others. Speaking at the “Delhi Defence Dialogue” in the national capital, Singh extended condolences to the victims" families and reaffirmed that the investigation is progressing swiftly. “Our leading agencies are conducting a thorough inquiry into the blast. The findings will soon be made public. I assure the nation that no one involved in this tragedy will be spared,” he stated. ALSO READ: Red Fort blast: Slow-moving vehicle stopped at red light, then exploded The explosion, which occurred in a slow-moving car near Red Fort on Monday evening, has prompted a nationwide security alert, with multiple agencies investigating under UAPA and the Explosives Act."

Pratima Nikhandia
Parliament’s Trades and Industry Committee calls for support for ICUMS
Technology

Parliament’s Trades and Industry Committee calls for support for ICUMS

The Chairman of Parliament’s Trades and Industry Committee, Gabby Hottordze, has urged the government to strengthen support for the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), praising its operators, Ghana Link Network Services Ltd., for their key role in boosting revenue mobilisation and facilitating trade. During a working visit to Ghana Link and ICUMS, Mr. Hottordze emphasised the importance of supporting indigenous businesses. “I think that is more reason why GRA seems to be performing as far as revenue mobilisation is concerned in this country. They are doing a great job for this country, and they need to be supported,” he noted. He revealed that the committee will submit a report to the Speaker of Parliament detailing the company’s operations and challenges. “We’ve seen them; our report will be submitted to the Speaker, and they will look at what they are doing. They mentioned a few challenges, but those ones I think we will liaise with the appropriate authorities and see how we could help them function,” he explained. “Because if they are not being treated well, it may affect the good thing that we are also doing. ” Mr. Hottordze added. He further emphasised the need to protect and promote local enterprises. “My impression as an individual is that they are doing extremely well, and they need to be supported. This particular establishment must exist because it’s doing a lot of good to Ghana from all indications, and we must all be seen to be supporting them. They must have everything that they need. The most interesting thing is that it’s a Ghanaian-owned business. Once it is an indigenous business, it must be protected to exist and to flourish. So we expect the government to do that and our report to be submitted for such actions to be initiated,” he stated. Public Relations Manager of Ghana Link Network Services Ltd., Norvan Acquah-Hayford, also shed light on the company’s operations and its impact on trade efficiency in Ghana. “As you are aware, this is a company that handles the platform that Customs uses for both import and export in this country,” he said. According to him, the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) allows for seamless, end-to-end clearance of goods. He outlined the company’s achievements since launching in June 2020. “And we’ve been in operation; we went live—that was in June 2020, and we’ve been in operation till now. It’s the only company that helps, and today you would know that the revenues, as far as customs revenues is concerned, has gone up exponentially,” Mr. Acquah-Hayford disclosed. He further indicated that their system has helped to reduce the cost of doing business in Ghana. “We are able to help reduce the cost of doing business in this country. Transshipments in terms of goods that move from, you know, Ghana to Burkina Faso to Mali to all those places. It is our system that is being used,” he mentioned. Touching on technology, he said the company employs advanced systems to ensure smooth operations. “We have e-tracking systems, scanners placed at vantage points within the ecosystem, water trade ecosystem that is being used to deal with these things,” Mr. Acquah-Hayford elaborated. He also expressed appreciation for Parliament’s recognition of their efforts. “And of course, the members of parliament, that is, the chairman of the committee and Ranking, have said it all. I cannot blow my own horn. You’ve heard what they have said, what we do, and how the committee hopes to help us to be able to move beyond the shores of this country,” he observed. Looking ahead, Mr. Acquah-Hayford revealed plans to build a Tier Four data centre, describing it as “one of the best across the world.” “Well, when it comes to future upgrades that we are doing, currently we are building a tier four data center in this country, one of the best across the world. That will give you a lot of redundancy, that, you know, when it comes to data, we’ll be able to hold data in this country,” he indicated. He assured that the company remains committed to data security and compliance. “We are properly certified by the data protection commission because you know that all the information that we’re using it’s a web-based system. It is data that people are putting in, moving it from one end to another,” he noted. He expressed optimism about the coming upgrade. “And we are hoping that in some few weeks, this new data center will come live and the system will be better than it is today,” he added. President Commissions 36.5 Million Dollars Hospital In The Tain District You Will Not Go Free For Killing An Hard Working MP – Akufo-Addo To MP’s Killer I Will Lead You To Victory – Ato Forson Assures NDC Supporters Visit Our Social Media for More

Hbtvghana
Nithari serial killings case: SC acquits Surendra Koli, orders immediate release - The Tribune
Technology

Nithari serial killings case: SC acquits Surendra Koli, orders immediate release - The Tribune

The Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted Surendra Koli in one of the Nithari murder cases by allowing his curative petition challenging conviction, paving the way for his release.Koli was earlier acquitted in other Nithari killing cases.The Nithari killings came to light with the discovery of skeletal remains of eight children from a drain behind businessman Moninder Singh’s Pandher’s house at Nithari in Noida on December 29, 2006. Koli was the domestic help at Pandher’s house at that time.The order was passed by a bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath, which had heard Koli’s petition in the open court.“For the reasons recorded above, the curative petition is allowed,” Justice Nath said while pronouncing the order.The top court acquitted Koli in the case and quashed the sentence and fine imposed upon him earlier.“The petitioner shall be released forthwith, if not required in any other case or proceeding,” the bench said.Koli was convicted for the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl in Noida’s Nithari village, and his conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court in February 2011.His review plea was dismissed in 2014.However, in January 2015, the Allahabad High Court commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment due to an inordinate delay in the decision on his mercy petition.In October 2023, the Allahabad High Court acquitted Koli and co-accused Pandher in several other Nithari cases, overturning the death sentences awarded by the trial court in 2017.The court acquitted Koli in 12 cases and Pandher in two.The CBI and the victims’ families later challenged these acquittals before the Supreme Court, but the top court dismissed all 14 appeals on July 30 this year.On October 7, the top court reserved its verdict on Koli’s curative petition, observing that his plea “deserves to be allowed”.Observing that an “anomalous situation” had arisen following Koli’s acquittal in all other related cases, the apex court had remarked that the petition “deserves to be allowed”.The bench had noted that the conviction in the case was largely based on a statement and the recovery of a kitchen knife, raising questions about the sufficiency of evidence.The CBI had taken over the case and its search resulted in the recovery of more human remains.

Unknown
Draft report on ACRES review still not complete – DAFM
Politics

Draft report on ACRES review still not complete – DAFM

A draft report on a review of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is still not complete, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed. In October 2024, then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue ordered a review of the €1.5 billion agri-environmental scheme. The flagship scheme, which faced strong criticism over delays payments to farmers, is a major part of Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan. A spokesperson for DAFM told Agriland that the review was undertaken by "senior management within the department". As part of the review, meetings were held with farming bodies, advisory bodies and the ACRES Co-operation (CP) project teams. "A draft report on the review is at an advanced stage and, when completed, will be submitted to the minister for his consideration," the spokesperson added. Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon yesterday (Monday, November 10) announced that advance payments of €146.94 million to Tranche 1 ACRES participants have now commenced. The advance payments to farmers in respect of scheme participation in 2025 are being paid this week to 33,794 farmers who entered ACRES in 2023. The minister expects that an additional 8,000 farmers who joined the scheme in 2024 will receive €32.69 million next week. "The issuing of 2025 advance payments to 42,000 farmers, or 78% of all ACRES participants, in these first pay runs is evidence of the work done over the last year to improve the timeliness of ACRES payments," Heydon said. The minister said these payments will bring the amount paid in respect of ACRES since its commencement in 2023 to approximately €697 million.

Aisling O,Aisling O'Brien
Swiggy told to pay Rs 2,000 over short delivery of oranges to Panchkula resident - The Tribune
Business

Swiggy told to pay Rs 2,000 over short delivery of oranges to Panchkula resident - The Tribune

The delivery of a product in a quantity lesser than what was ordered amounts to deficiency in service. While observing this, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh, has directed Swiggy Ltd and Instamart to pay Rs 2,000 as compensation to Raja Vikrant Sharma, of Sector 11, Panchkula, for delivering oranges lesser in quantity than ordered.The complainant, who is an advocate, said that he had placed an order on December 30, 2024, through Swiggy’s mobile application from its quick-commerce service Instamart, comprising Nestle Classic Milk Chocolate and 1 kg Nagpur oranges and paid a handling fee of Rs 28.61 claimed to ensure timely and damage-free delivery.However, upon delivery, he found the orange packaging torn, the net weight to be only 824 gm instead of the promised 1 kg, and no physical bill was provided.He immediately raised the issue with Swiggy Ltd but got no response.He said that the order was a gift for his maternal aunt in Shimla, resulting in mental agony, missed travel schedule, health deterioration, added expenditure, and inconvenience.The act amounts to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice on the part of Ops (Swiggy) .On the other hand, Swiggy opposed the complaint and stated that the it operated as an electronic platform facilitating transactions between customers and independent third-party merchants/restaurants, who list and sell prepared food, beverages, and grocery items and so it has no role in such issues.After hearing of the arguments, the commission said that the photograph depicting the torn packaging of the oranges, clearly indicating a net weight of 824 gm, thereby falling short of the promised 1 kg.The commission said that the failure to act on the complainant's grievance resulted in mental agony and inconvenience, particularly as the items were intended to be a gift. The delivery of a product in a quantity lesser than what was ordered amounts to deficiency in service, for which the company is liable. In view of this, the OPs are directed to pay a lump sum amount of Rs 2,000 to the complainant as compensation for causing mental agony and harassment and litigation cost.

Ramkrishan Upadhyay
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