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Social media ads propagating a downloadable variant of Google’s AI chatbot, Bard | Following the recent launch of Google Bard on 10 May 2023, a flurry of advertisements (here and here) have emerged on social media promoting a ‘downloadable version’ of Google’s AI chatbot. These posts provide a link to what they claim is this downloadable version. This article looks at the authenticity of these claims. [...] These advertisements purport that the provided link offers access to a downloadable version of Google Bard AI. However, considering that Bard is an AI chatbot accessible via a web browser or as a Chrome extension, it’s ill-advised to download any content from such unverified and potentially unsafe sources. The provided link redirects to a website with a URL entirely different from the official Bard AI website, and it hosts a downloadable .EXE file, which could be a form of malicious software. Moreover, there’s a lack of trustworthy online information that corroborates the existence of a downloadable version of Bard AI. In fact, news reports (here and here) warn that cybercriminals are exploiting compromised verified (and unverified) social media accounts to bait users into downloading malware. | refutes |
Social media ads propagating a downloadable variant of Google’s AI chatbot, Bard | Concerns about the growing abilities of chatbots trained on large language models, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4, Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s Bing Chat, are making headlines. Experts warn of their ability to spread misinformation on a monumental scale, as well as the existential risk their development may pose to humanity. As if this isn’t worrying enough, a third area of concern has opened up – illustrated by Italy’s recent ban of ChatGPT on privacy grounds. [...] As chatbots become embedded in the internet and social media, the chances of becoming a victim of malware or malicious emails will increase. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned about the risks of AI chatbots, saying the technology that powers them could be used in cyber-attacks. | insufficient-neutral |
Social media ads propagating a downloadable variant of Google’s AI chatbot, Bard | Google Bard, made available to all users as of 10 May 2023, functions exclusively in-browser and is not offered as downloadable software. The links embedded in these advertisements direct to malicious software, posing a risk of potentially compromising sensitive information on the systems where it’s installed. Hence, the claim made in this post is FALSE. | refutes |
Setu Bharatam project for safer roads. Making all national highways free of railway level crossings, by 2019, by building railway over bridges/under passes. Total outlay of 20, 800 crore rupees. | "Veins give strength to our body. Similarly, infrastructure will give speed and strength to the development of India. There will be progress if we focus on building road and railway network, optical fibre network, water, grid and electricity connectivity along with electricity supply. Our government is working in that direction," Mr. Modi said while launching the Rs. 50,000 crore ‘Setu Bharatam’ project. The ‘Setu Bharatam’ project aims to make all national highways free from railway level crossing by 2019 to ensure road safety. Under the project, 208 rail-over bridges and rail-under bridges will be built at the cost of Rs. 20,800 crore, Road Minister Nitin Gadkari said. Also, 1,500 decade-old bridges will be reconstructed and revamped for Rs. 30,000 crore. [...] Published - March 04, 2016 11:44 am IST | supports |
Setu Bharatam project for safer roads. Making all national highways free of railway level crossings, by 2019, by building railway over bridges/under passes. Total outlay of 20, 800 crore rupees. | Setu Bharatam was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 March 2016 at a budget of ₹102 billion (US$1.2 billion), with an aim to make all national highways free of railway crossings by 2019.[1] Under the project, as many as 208 rails over and under bridges (ROBs/RUBs) would be constructed at unmanned railway crossings on national highways and 1,500 dilapidated British-era bridges would be widened, rehabilitated or replaced in a phased manner at a cost of ₹208 billion (US$2.5 billion) and ₹300 billion (US$3.6 billion), respectively.[2][3] Setu Bharatam programme aims to make all National Highways free of railway level crossings by 2019. This is being done to prevent the frequent accidents and loss of lives at level crossings. 208 Railway Over Bridges (ROB)/Railway Under Bridges (RUB) will be built at the level crossings at a cost of ₹20,800 crore as part of the programme. | supports |
Setu Bharatam project for safer roads. Making all national highways free of railway level crossings, by 2019, by building railway over bridges/under passes. Total outlay of 20, 800 crore rupees. | Setu Bharatam was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 March 2016 at a budget of ₹102 billion (US$1.2 billion), with an aim to make all national highways free of railway crossings by 2019.[1] [...] Setu Bharatam programme aims to make all National Highways free of railway level crossings by 2019. This is being done to prevent the frequent accidents and loss of lives at level crossings. 208 Railway Over Bridges (ROB)/Railway Under Bridges (RUB) will be built at the level crossings at a cost of ₹20,800 crore as part of the programme. [...] - ^ "PM Modi launches Rs 50,800 cr Setu Bharatam project to ensure highways without railway crossings by 2019". The Indian Express. 4 March 2016. | supports |
British authorities denied Savarkar the barrister degree and law practice, because Savarkar refused to take the oath of allegiance/loyalty to the British Empire | Chitragupta, Life of Barrister Savarkar (Madras: B. G. Paul & Co., 1926) [...] Longuet, Jean, Mémoire Présenté à la Cour d'Arbitrage de La Haye au nom de M. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar par Me J. Longuet (Paris, 1911) [...] Vaidya, Prem, Savarkar: A Lifelong Crusader (New Delhi: New Age International (P) Ltd, 1996) | insufficient-neutral |
Hindus who wish to express their support for the Uniform Civil Code should give a missed call to ‘9090902024’ before 06 July 2023 | Update (08 July 2023): The Law Commission of India has also issued a disclaimer notice stating that certain phone numbers circulating on social media, which are erroneously linked to the Uniform Civil Code, are not associated with them. Individuals can express their views on the Uniform Civil Code by visiting the website of the Department of Legal Affairs or by sending an email to the Law Commission of India. In light of PM Modi’s recent remarks strongly advocating for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and criticizing opposition parties for allegedly inciting minority communities against it, a post is circulating widely on social media platforms claiming that Hindus who wish to express their support for the UCC should give a missed call to ‘9090902024’ before 06 July 2023. Let’s verify the accuracy of this claim. [...] Fact: The Government of India has not launched any missed call initiative for expressing support or opposition to the Uniform Civil Code. Individuals can share their views on the UCC on website of Department of Legal Affairs or by sending e-mail to Law Commission of India. Moreover, the number ‘9090902024’ is linked to a BJP campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls, where users can give a missed call to show support for the nine years of the Modi Government. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. | refutes |
Hindus who wish to express their support for the Uniform Civil Code should give a missed call to ‘9090902024’ before 06 July 2023 | Uniform Civil Code – Public Notice 14/06/2023 28/07/2023 | insufficient-neutral |
Hindus who wish to express their support for the Uniform Civil Code should give a missed call to ‘9090902024’ before 06 July 2023 | A user named Mukesh Vlogs shared the post on Facebook on January 31, 2024. This post reads, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to bring a Uniform Civil Code for the entire Indian population. For this, the citizens of the country have been asked to give their opinion. Within two days, 4 crore Muslims and 2 crore Christians have voted against UCC. Therefore, before the deadline 6th July, all Hindus in the country are requested to vote in favour of UCC. Please give a missed call on 9090902024 to support UCC and save the country. Your call will be recorded and will be accepted as support to UCC. Please share this information with all Hindus. Best wishes to all who gave a missed call on 9090902024. Bharat Mata Ki Jai. If you like this message If you share this with more than 100 people, you will be doing a great service to the country." | supports |
RBI issued new guidelines to banks to treat scribbled notes as invalid | Banks Cannot Refuse To Accept Scribbled Bank Notes: RBI [Read Notification] [...] Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has clarified by its notification dated 25th April 2017 that the bank branches cannot refuse to accept scribbled/coloured/faded bank notes.Lately, RBI has received complaints from the general public that bank branches are refusing to take scribbled bank notes or whose colour has faded, particularly the ones in the denomination of INR 500 and INR 2000.Earlier RBI... [...] Thereby, through this notification, RBI has elucidated that bank branches are liable to accept bank notes even though it is scribbled/ coloured/ faded. Such notes are to be treated as soiled notes. In case, bank branches fail to accept such notes then it may invite punitive action. | refutes |
RBI issued new guidelines to banks to treat scribbled notes as invalid | Recently, the Union government issued a clarification about scribbling on bank notes after a viral image stated that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released new guidelines, under which writing on a note renders it invalid. The circulated message read: "As per New Guidelines of Reserve Bank of India, Writing anything on new notes makes the note invalid & it will no more be a legal tender." [...] "NO, Bank notes with scribbling are not invalid & continue to be legal tender. Under the Clean Note Policy, people are requested not to write on the currency notes as it defaces them & reduces their life," the PIB tweeted, with a graphic of the fake message that was circulated online. | refutes |
It is not mandatory for a woman to submit her marriage certificate or divorce decree while applying for passport | You must provide an original or certified copy* of identity/citizenship status documentation during the application process and the names on all documents must match exactly with the name provided on the application. If you have legally changed your name, you must provide an original or certified name change document (such as marriage certificates and divorce decrees) in addition to the required documentation. Please bring one of the documents in List A to an application center. | insufficient-contradictory |
Provided for penalties for offences committed against persons with disabilities (PwDs) | Shri Gehlot informed that the Bill provides for penalties for offences committed against persons with disabilities. Designated special courts have been proposed to handle cases concerning violation of rights of PwDs. The Minister said that the additional benefits have been provided for persons with benchmark disabilities and those with high support needs. Every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the right to free education. He said that it has been proposed to increase reservation from 3% to 4% in Government jobs for certain persons or class of persons with benchmark disability. [...] xiii. The Bill provides for penalties for offences committed against persons with disabilities. xiv.Designated special Courts have been proposed to handle cases concerning violation of rights of PwDs. | insufficient-supports |
Provided for penalties for offences committed against persons with disabilities (PwDs) | Constitutional Provisions on Disability - Article 41 of the Constitution of India declares that the State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provisions for securing the right to work to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want. [...] - Penalties for offences: Provides for penalties for offences committed against persons with disabilities and violation of provisions of the new law. [...] A central sector scheme under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). | supports |
The Titanic ship was switched with the HMS Olympic and deliberately sunk as part of an insurance fraud scheme | A video circulating on social media is promoting a conspiracy theory surrounding the sinking of the Titanic. According to the theory, the Titanic ship never sunk and it was actually the HMS Olympic, one of the Titanic’s sister ships, that was deliberately sunk. The theory suggests that the Olympic, which had been damaged in an accident, was returned to the manufacturer for repairs while the Titanic was under construction. To recoup the losses from the accident and claim the insurance, the company allegedly switched the names of the two ships, and the Titanic was then deliberately sunk, resulting in the loss of over 1500 lives. The video claims that the source of these claims was Robin Gardner. Let’s check the veracity of these claims. [...] To sum it up, the evidence gathered from various sources including historical documents, shipbuilding records, and testimonies from experts, researchers, and historians strongly suggests that there is no basis to support the claims that the Titanic was switched with the Olympic and intentionally sunk for insurance fraud. Therefore, the theory remains a baseless and unfounded conspiracy. | refutes |
The Titanic ship was switched with the HMS Olympic and deliberately sunk as part of an insurance fraud scheme | Gardiner and van der Vat's theory runs like so: The Titanic did not sink. Rather, her damaged and almost identical sister-ship the Olympic was substituted and deliberately sunk in her place as part of a gigantic insurance fraud. [...] This, the theory continues, was accomplished with a simple switch. To the untrained eye, the Olympic and the Titanic were almost identical, and so a clandestine slight-of-hand was accomplished while the two ships were in dock together at the Harland and Wolff yard at Belfast in March, 1912. Name-plates, life-belts and so forth were secretly swapped. The Olympic" now disguised as the Titanic, was patched up and deliberately sailed into a known ice-field... The authors stress that this is not a mass murder conspiracy, but "an insurance fraud which went horribly wrong." The plan, they speculate, was that the "Olympic/Titanic" would indeed hit an iceberg, but that her water-tight compartments would keep her afloat for long enough for other ships of the same line safely to take off all the passengers and crew before the great ship went down. Unfortunately for all concerned, they claim, the liner's "ever-impetuous" Captain Smith got it "wrong" and hit the ice-field early, resulting in massive and terrible loss of life. | insufficient-neutral |
Bridges over Narmada at Bharuch and Chambal at Kota. | The BJP government published an infographic on the 48-months portal that makes three claims about the tunnels and bridges in India constructed during the 48 months of the government. This article is a fact check of these claims. | insufficient-neutral |
Bridges over Narmada at Bharuch and Chambal at Kota. | The second claim is that bridges over Narmada at Bharuch and Chambal at Kota have been built. The annual report of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (2017-18) states that, ‘a new four lane, extra-dosed bridge across river narmada at baruch, was inaugurated by the prime minister in March 2017, has brought relief for the people travelling on the vadidara-surat section of NH-8.’ The 1.4 kilometre extra dosed cable stayed bridge is the second such bridge in the country and the longest. The report also states that ‘a 6-lane cable stayed bridge across river Chambal at Kota was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in August 2017.’ It was built at a cost of Rs. 278 crores and marks the completion of the east-west corridor. [...] Fact: The bridge over Narmada at Baruch was approved during the UPA and has been constructed by the present government. The bridge on Chambal at Kota has been under construction since 2006 before a part of it collapsed in 2009. The current government completed the bridge. Since both the previous government and the current government had a role to play in the construction of these bridges, the claim is PARTLY TRUE. | supports |
Bridges over Narmada at Bharuch and Chambal at Kota. | Nayapura Chambal Bridge, Kota [...] Chawni Fly Over, Kota | insufficient-neutral |
GrAMs, electronically linked to e-NAM, to make direct sale to consumers and bulk purchasers. | About GrAMs - GrAMs are defined as "Retail agricultural markets in close proximity of the farm gate that promote and service a more efficient transaction of the farmers’ produces across the agricultural sub-sectors, by enabling both direct sales, between the producer and consumer, and aggregation of small produce-lots for subsequent transaction, both of which can occur either physically or online".[iv] - These GrAMs, electronically linked to e-NAM and exempted from regulations of APMCs, will provide farmers facility of direct sale to consumers and bulk purchasers.[v] [...] Objectives of GrAMs - Direct sale: The farmer-producers may offer any of their Agri-produce on sale directly to the consumers without having to go through the market regulations. The consumer could be a retail purchaser or a bulk purchaser (trader, processor, exporter etc); and the sale can occur through a physical negotiation or via an online trade platform like e-NAM. The disintermediation of such a transaction will result in transferring maximum value to the farmer on his produce.[vi] | supports |
GrAMs, electronically linked to e-NAM, to make direct sale to consumers and bulk purchasers. | These GrAMs, electronically linked to e-NAM and exempted from regulations of APMCs, will provide farmers facility to make direct sale to consumers and bulk purchasers. Moreover, an Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund with a corpus of Rs.2000 crore will be setup for developing and upgrading agricultural marketing infrastructure in the 22000 Grameen Agricultural Markets (GrAMs) and 585APMCs. He said, so far 470 APMCs have been connected to e-NAM network and rest will be connected by March, 2018. Shri Jaitley announced Rs 200 crore for organized cultivation of highly specialized medicinal and aromatic plants and said that the organic farming by Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Village Producers’ Organizations (VPOs) in large clusters, preferably of 1000 hectares each will be encouraged. Similarly, allocation of Ministry of Food Processing has been doubled from Rs.715 crore in 2017-18 to Rs.1400 crore in 2018-19. Terming Bamboo as ‘Green Gold’, the Finance Minister announced a Re-structured National Bamboo Mission with an outlay of Rs.1290 crore to promote bamboo sector in a holistic manner. Under Prime Minister Krishi Sinchai Yojna-Har Khet ko Pani, 96 deprived irrigation districts will be taken up with an allocation of Rs 2600 crore. | supports |
Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) introduced in Nov 2015. Around 4 crore doses administered to children. | - - 3.15 crore children vaccinated - 80.58 lakh children fully immunized - 80.63 lakh pregnant female immunized - 91.94 lakh vitamin A doses administered - 79.73 lakh ORS packets distributed - 2.73crore zinc tablets distributed - Intensified Mission Indradhanushlaunched by PM on 8th October 2017 at Vadnagar, Gujarat to cover 121 districts, 17 urban areas and 52 districts of NE states (total 190 districts/urban areas across 24 states) for intensified immunization campaign. [...] In concurrence with the World Polio End Game strategy, IPV was introduced in November 2015 in six states and expanded throughout the country by June 2016. Till December’17, nearly 3.87 crore doses of IPV have been administered to children across the country since its introduction. [...] - Till January’18, more than 14 lakh doses of PCV have been administered to children across above mentioned areas. | insufficient-supports |
Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) introduced in Nov 2015. Around 4 crore doses administered to children. | Participating in the Global Polio Endgame Strategy (2013–2018), by introducing a highly effective IPV, in addition to OPV in routine immunization, it was introduced on November 30, 2015, and globally synchronized switch activity from trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) to bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) was achieved on April 25, 2016, with Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) and NTAGI that recommended IPV introduction as an additional dose along with third dose of DPT in the entire country in the first quarter of 2016.11 This was followed by introduction of the fractional intradermal dose IPV (f-IPV) in two doses at 6 weeks and 14 weeks replacing the single-dose intramuscular schedule. As IPV is an inactivated vaccine, it carries no risk of vaccine-associated paralytic polio (VAPP) and vaccine-derived polio virus (VDPP). Injectable polio vaccine provides excellent humoral immunity and also boosts intestinal mucosal immunity in OPV-primed children. Recent studies in India and Bangladesh have shown that two f-IPV intradermal doses provide similar levels of protection as compared with one full intramuscular IPV dose.12 The primary role of IPV will be to maintain immunity against type II poliovirus while removing all polio virus serotypes globally. | supports |
Social security has been made a nationwide phenomenon with Jan Suraksha | The government has published an infographic that makes certain claims about financial inclusion and insurance. Here is a fact check of these claims. | insufficient-neutral |
Social security has been made a nationwide phenomenon with Jan Suraksha | The next claim is that social security has been made a nationwide phenomenon with Jan Suraksha. It also claims that more than 19 crore people have been insured against life and accident risk or ensured pension. As per an answer provided by the government in Lok Sabha, "Three social security schemes were launched in May 2015 pertaining to the Insurance and Pension Sectors namely Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) in a move towards creating a universal social security system, targeted especially for the poor and the underprivileged. The schemes provide essential and affordable social protection to all citizens in a convenient manner linked to auto-debit facility from bank accounts. These schemes address the issue of low coverage of life or accident insurance and old age income security in the country." PMJJBY was launched in May 2015 and it offers life cover of Rs. 2 lakh to all subscribing bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 50 years, covering death due to any reason, for a premium of Rs.330 per annum per subscriber. The scheme is administered through LIC and other Life Insurance companies willing to offer the product on similar terms. PMJJBY covers death by any cause including suicide and murder. According to the latest progress report on the Jan Suraksha website, a gross enrollment of 5.3 crore has been reported by banks. | insufficient-supports |
Farm credit target has been raised to a record high of 11 lakh crore rupees for 2018-19. | New Delhi: The farm credit target is likely to be raised by a whopping Rs 1 lakh crore to a record Rs 11 lakh crore in the Budget 2018-19 to improve credit flow in the agriculture sector, according to sources. In the current fiscal, the government has kept a credit target of Rs 10 lakh crore. Of which, Rs 6.25 lakh crore has already been disbursed in the first six months till September 2017, the government data showed. "The government’s priority is agriculture. There is a possibility that the credit disbursal target for the agriculture sector will further be increased to Rs 11 lakh crore for the next fiscal," sources said. Since credit is a critical input in achieving higher farm output, the institutional credit will help delink farmers from non-institutional sources of credit where they are compelled to borrow at usurious rates of interest, they said. Normally, farm loan attracts an interest rate of 9 percent. But the government has been providing interest subvention to make available short-term farm credit at an affordable rate and help boost farm output. The government is providing 2 percent interest subsidy to ensure farmers get short-term farm loan of up to Rs 3 lakh at an effective rate of 7 percent per annum. An additional incentive of 3 percent is being given to farmers for prompt repayment of loans within due date, making an effective interest rate for them at 4 percent. | supports |
Farm credit target has been raised to a record high of 11 lakh crore rupees for 2018-19. | The third claim is that farm credit target has been raised to a record high of 11 lakh crore rupees for 2018-19. The Finance minister, in his budget speech (2018-19) announced that the target for the institutional credit for the agricultural sector has been raised to 11 lakh crore rupees from 10 lakh crores in 2017-18 and from 8.5 lakh crore in 2014-15. In the 2013-14 budget, the then Finance Minister had announced increasing the target of farm credit to 7 lakh crore rupees for 2013-14. The following graph shows the increase in farm credit targets in the Union budget since 2009-10. The data has been gathered from the union budget speeches over the years.Successive governments have increased farm credit target every year. During the 2nd term of UPA between 2009-10 to 2013-14, the farm credit target increased from 3.3 lakh crore rupees to 7 lakh crore rupees (an increase of more than 100%). On the other hand, during the current government, the farm credit target has increased from 8 lakh crore rupees in 2014-15 to 11 lakh crore rupees in 2018-19 (an increase of about 40%). [...] Fact: Farm credit target has been set at 11 lakh crores in the budget of 2018-19. Though it is a record high, this is inline with the increase that happens every year during successive governments. Hence, the claim is PARTLY TRUE. It also has to be noted that successive governments have increased the farm credit target and the increase during the UPA-2 was over 100%, more than the percentage increase during the current government. | supports |
Bhutan has become the first country in the world without Mosques | A post is being shared on social media claiming that Bhutan has become the first Mosque-free country in the world. The post claims that there is not even a single Mosque in Bhutan for Muslims to offer their religious prayers. Let’s verify the claim made in the post. [...] Upon further research, we found that there are a few countries like Monaco and Slovakia where there are no Mosques for Muslims until now. From all these pieces of evidence, it can be concluded that Bhutan is not the only nation without Mosques in the world. To sum it up, Monaco and Slovakia are a few other nations that have no Mosques in their countries like Bhutan. | insufficient-refutes |
Government paying compensation in case of accidental deaths | §8102. Compensation for disability or death of employee (a) The United States shall pay compensation as specified by this subchapter for the disability or death of an employee resulting from personal injury sustained while in the performance of his duty, unless the injury or death is-- (1) caused by willful misconduct of the employee; [...] §8133. Compensation in case of death (a) If death results from an injury sustained in the performance of duty, the United States shall pay a monthly compensation equal to a percentage of the monthly pay of the deceased employee in accordance with the following schedule: [...] Compensation paid under this subsection is instead of all other compensation from the United States for the same injury or death, and a payment made under this subsection is deemed compensation under this subchapter and is satisfaction of all liability of the United States in respect to the particular injury or death. | supports |
AMRIT pharmacies provide drugs for cancer and cardiovascular diseases at a discount of 60 to 90 percent | AMRIT pharmacy outlets which is a revolutionary step towards giving relief to the common man will provide 164 medicines (branded drugs) for cancer, 191 for cardio-vascular diseases and 5,200 other Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are now being given at 50-90 per cent less price to the patient. [...] India’s first pharmacy retail store came into being at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) that will provide drugs for cancer and cardiovascular diseases at a 60 to 90 per cent discount on prevailing market rates. The pharmacy which is branded AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment), will also provide cardiac implants that will be sold at 50 to 60 per cent discount. [...] The chief minister, who along with Nadda also laid the foundation stone of Super Speciality block of IGMC Complex to be constructed at Chamyana, 20 km from Shimla said, "AMRIT Pharmacy outlet in IGMC campus will provide medicines at 70 to 90 per cent cheaper rates. "The launch of this would be a major relief for the patients who cannot afford costly medicines for treatment of cancer, cardiac and other diseases. This will also enable the patients to purchase medicines under one roof." | supports |
AMRIT pharmacies provide drugs for cancer and cardiovascular diseases at a discount of 60 to 90 percent | The third claim is that ‘AMRIT pharmacies provide drugs for cancer and cardiovascular diseases at a discount of 60 to 90 percent’. As per information shared in the Lok Sabha, AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) Pharmacies are being opened and operated by M/s.HLL Lifecare Ltd., a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, with an objective of providing affordable medicines for treatment of Cancer, Cardiovascular and other diseases, stents, implants, surgical disposables and other consumables, thereby reducing the out of pocket expenses. The first AMRIT pharmacy was opened in November 2015 at AIIMS, New Delhi. [...] Fact: AMRIT pharmacies provide drugs for cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases, stents, implants, surgical disposables and other consumables. The average discount that patients can avail ranges from 50 to 55%. Hence, the claim is FALSE. | refutes |
AMRIT pharmacies provide drugs for cancer and cardiovascular diseases at a discount of 60 to 90 percent | Affordable Medicines And Reliable Implants For Treatment (AMRIT) The AMRIT pharmacies provide drugs for cancer and cardiovascular diseases along with cardiac implants at a 60 to 90 per cent discount on prevailing market rates. - As of now 124 stores have been opened so far across 22 states selling over 5200 drugs (including cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, stents, etc), implants, surgical disposables and other consumables at significant discount of up to 50 % on market rates. | supports |
The time taken for environmental approvals has been brought down to 180 days from 600 days. | 6. The license must not be issued until the Administrator of the Division is satisfied that the proposed facility will be in compliance with the applicable codes concerning safety of human life, environmental health, and building and zoning, as established respectively by the State Fire Marshal, the State Board of Health and the appropriate local government. A report of inspection by the State Fire Marshal or the Division, finding satisfactory conditions, may be accepted by the Administrator as proof of compliance with the applicable regulations. [...] 9. If the applicant and the proposed facility are in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, as shown by his or her application and related material and the investigation, a license will be issued to the applicant within 30 days after completion of the investigation. [...] 1. To maintain his or her license, the licensee must ensure that his or her facility meets all standards for environmental health which are established by the Division. | insufficient-neutral |
Visual capture of the occurrence of snowfall in the great mosque of Mecca | A viral video of snowfall in the Grand Mosque of Mecca has been widely making rounds on social media in the past few days. However, an official weather institution in Saudi Arabia has debunked the video. [...] The footage shows men and women enjoying the snowfall, while some even shooting the phenomenon on their phones or taking selfies. Even a policeman is seen carrying an umbrella. [...] Arab Weather, an account on Twitter, corroborated the news, tweeting, "Disclaimer: The circulating video titled ‘For the first time snow in Makkah Al-Mukarramah 1-1-2023’ is a technically modified video using filters, knowing that the temperature in Makkah today reached 30 degrees Celsius, and it is not climatically prepared for snowfall." | refutes |
Visual capture of the occurrence of snowfall in the great mosque of Mecca | Great Mosque of Mecca, mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, built to enclose the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam. As one of the destinations of the hajj and ʿumrah pilgrimages, it receives millions of worshippers each year. The oldest parts of the modern structure date to the 16th century. | insufficient-neutral |
Mob lynched a Christian and set him on fire over blasphemy charges in Pakistan’s Nankana Sahib | The deceased in the mob lynching incident that took place recently in Pakistan’s Nankana Sahib is identified as Muhammad Waris, a Muslim. Multiple news agencies have reported this. Even the concerned police official confirmed that deceased is a Muslim. However, we could not find any report associating the viral visuals to the recent incident. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. | refutes |
Mob lynched a Christian and set him on fire over blasphemy charges in Pakistan’s Nankana Sahib | A victim of blasphemy mob lynching in Pakistan [...] In February of 2023, a charged mob entered the police station located in the Nankana Sahib district of Punjab. They proceeded to violently attack and kill a man who was being detained there. This individual had been accused of desecrating the Holy Quran, and some local residents had accused him of engaging in witchcraft. After the Nankana Sahib incident, PM Shehbaz Sharif launched an investigation and voiced his concern about the police’s failure to prevent the charged mob from committing violence. However, in 2018, when Shehbaz Sharif was the Chief Minister of the Punjab province in Pakistan, he was observed inaugurating a new OPD block at the Services Hospital that was named after Ghazi Ilm-ud-din. The same individual who killed Raj Pal over an alleged blasphemy incident. This raises questions about the message that Shehbaz Sharif was sending by dedicating a building in honour of a murderer [21]. If a building can be named after Ghazi Ilm-ud-din, who was responsible for committing a murder in the name of blasphemy, then one could expect a building to also be named after Mumtaz Qadri, who committed a similar act. Khalid, or the charged mob that lynched an individual in the Nankana Sahib district. After all, all of them committed the same act of killing an alleged blasphemer. This kind of hypocrisy is concerning, where on one hand, there are actions being taken, but on the other hand, there are tributes being paid. | insufficient-supports |
A group of people getting electrocuted during Sri Ramanavami Procession for dancing in front of a Mosque. | 2 groups clash, hurl stones over Ram Navami procession in front of Lucknow mosque The incident allegedly took place in a Lucknow village after a group of people played loud music in front of the mosque. [...] ALSO READ | 1 dead, several others injured during Ram Navami procession in Bengal's Dalkhola | insufficient-neutral |
A group of people getting electrocuted during Sri Ramanavami Procession for dancing in front of a Mosque. | HASSAN: Tension prevailed for a while at Megalakeri Extension of Channarayapatna town after a youth in a particular community allegedly stabbed two people during the procession of Rama Navami celebrations on Friday. SP Hariram Shankar said the incident occurred over ‘personal rivalry’. The injured have been identified as Muruli and Chetan of the same extension and they are undergoing treatment at taluk hospital. The incident occurred when the procession passed in front of a masjid where a group of youths was airing slogans against Sri Rama. | insufficient-refutes |
India’s National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ is declared by the UNESCO as the best anthem in the world. | An old debunked Facebook post was being shared by people again claiming that the Indian National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was declared by UNESCO as the best anthem in the world. Let’s try to analyze it. [...] Fact: UNESCO’s official website has a document saying that the news ‘Jana Gana Mana’ declared by the UNESCO as the best anthem in the world is a rumor. Hence the claim is FALSE When visited the official UNESCO website , a document was found regarding various rumors and fake news spread across the world in the name of UNESCO. In that document it can be found that the news ‘Jana Gana Mana’ being declared as the world’s best anthem by UNESCO was one of the favorite rumors. | refutes |
India’s National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ is declared by the UNESCO as the best anthem in the world. | Another favourite Indian rumour involving UNESCO is the claim that India’s national anthem–Jana Gana Mana–has been declared the "Best National Anthem In The World". The fake news started in 2008 through email and then caught the UN agency’s attention. "We are aware of several blogs in India reporting this story, but can assure you that UNESCO has made no such announcement concerning the anthem of India or any country," a UNESCO official toldIndia Today in 2008. [...] Congratulations!! ?Our National Anthem "Jana Gana Mana. "is now declared as "THE BEST ANTHEM OF THE WORLD" By UNESCO.!PROUD to be an INDIAN. [...] It isn't an independence day without "UNESCO declared india's National Anthem the best" message on whatsapp, especially on the family group. | refutes |
Payment of wages to workers within 15 days in 85% of the cases as compared to long delays in the past. | The first claim is that ‘payment of wages to workers within 15 days in 85% of the cases as compared to long delays in the past’. [...] As per the Government’s MIS system, timely payment of wages has been made in 84.52% cases in 2017-18. However, a research paper by Azim Premji University that analysed a large sample of this data concludes that only 32% of the wage payments have been made on time (payments reaching the wage seeker) contrary to the claims of 85%. [...] Fact: As per the Government’s MIS system, timely payment of wages has been made in 84.52% cases in 2017-18. However, a research paper by Azim Premji University that analysed a large sample of data concludes that only 32% of the wage payments have been made on time (payments reaching the wage seeker) contrary to the claims of 85%. Moreover, the government clarified in 2017 that the delays are calculated only until the Funds Transfer Order (FTO) is generated at the block/panchayat level. It does not take into account the actual receipt of the payment by the worker. Hence the claim is PARTLY TRUE. | insufficient-supports |
Congress party leaders sat before a banner that reads ‘…Chor Group Meeting.’ | An image constituting senior leaders of the Indian National Congress (INC) is being shared on social media. The picture shows INC leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, and other members chairing an event. The banner in the background reads, "भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस Indian National Congress Chor Group Meeting." (Chor=Thief) [...] A background banner from an Indian National Congress event reads, "Chor Group Meeting." (Chor=Thief) [...] Clearly, the shared image is morphed, and the text "Chor Group Meeting" is added here with the help of editing tools. | refutes |
BBC removes Kashmir from the Indian map | An old screenshot taken from a BBC News video story, which shows a map of India excluding Jammu and Kashmir, has been revived amidst calls to ban the broadcaster's two-part documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. [...] Against this backdrop, a screenshot of BBC's website showing a map of India minus Jammu and Kashmir, is circulating on Twitter. [...] The same screenshot was tweeted by Rishi Bagree with the caption, "BBC removes Kashmir from Indian Map." Click here to view the tweet's archive. | insufficient-supports |
BBC removes Kashmir from the Indian map | Twitter India boss in police case over Kashmir map [...] The map, which has now been removed, did not include Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh as part of India in the "Tweep Life" section of Twitter on Sunday. | insufficient-supports |
Scenes of protesters firing machine guns during recent clashes in Manipur | Manipur Police has procured machine guns, but why? [...] Amid the escalation in attacks by militants on civilian targets, Manipur Police has procured medium machine guns (MMGs), and sought the Indian Army's help in training its personnel for their use. The upgrade of the arsenal by Manipur Police with military-grade sophisticated weapons is raising some questions. [...] "@BJP4India Government approved the use of Medium Machine Guns (MMG) for the communal Police Commandos in the already violence escalation state, Manipur. Let's wait for how it deploys and on whom," posted Haokip on September 6. | insufficient-supports |
Scenes of protesters firing machine guns during recent clashes in Manipur | As armed clashes ramped up on Thursday, social media footage showed masked gunmen, apparently affiliated with the protesters, firing RPGs and AK-47s from alleyways and from behind garbage dumps and street barriers. | insufficient-supports |
Document mentioning certain bizarre conditions under which Pakistan’s former PM Imran Khan was arrested. | Imran Khan: What led to charismatic Pakistan PM's downfall Imran Khan has been ousted as Pakistan's prime minister after a vote of no confidence in parliament. But what led to his downfall? [...] Imran Khan's supporters blame global conditions, but public resentment against him has been rising. "The Sharifs might've filled themselves up, but at least they got work done," has become a common grumble. | insufficient-neutral |
India ranked 9th on the foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in 2016 – World Investment Report 2017. | Recipients [edit]The World Investment Report 2020 by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said that India was the 9th largest recipient of FDI in 2019, with $51 billion of inflow during the year, an increase from $42 billion of FDI received in 2018, when India ranked 12 among the top 20 host economies in the world. In the " Development Asia" region, India was among top 5 host economies for FDI. The report said that global FDI flows are forecast to decrease by up to 40% in 2020, from their 2019 value of US$1.54 trillon. According to Financial Times, in 2015 India overtook China and United States as the top destination for the FDI. In first half of 2015 India attracted investment of $31 billion compared to $28 billion and $27 billion of China and US respectively. Data for 2019–2020 indicates that services sector attracted the highest FDI equity inflow of US$7.85 billion, followed by computer software and hardware at US$7.67 billion, telecommunications sector at US$4.44 billion, and trading at US$4.57 billion. [...] India was ranking 15th in the world in 2013 in term of FDI inflow, it rose up to 9th position in 2014[17][unreliable source?] while in 2015 India became top destination for foreign direct investment.[18] The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and Invest India has developed the India Investment Grid (IIG) which provides a pan-India database of projects from Indian promoters for promoting and facilitating foreign investments. | supports |
India ranked 9th on the foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in 2016 – World Investment Report 2017. | Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is the investment through capital instruments by a person resident outside India - (a) in an unlisted Indian company OR - (b) in 10 per cent or more of the post-issue paid-up equity capital on a fully diluted basis of a listed Indian company. [...] FDI inflows in India increased to $55.56 bn in 2015-16, $60.22 billion in 2016-17, $60.97 bn in 2017-18, and $62.00 bn (provisional figure) in 2018-19. India has attracted around $74 bn investments across sectors during 2019-20. [...] Foreign Direct Investment in India: Top Countries (2000-2019) | insufficient-supports |
Special banking arrangement of Rs. 10,000 crores to clear fertilizer subsidy dues. | Special Banking Arrangement (SBA) for payment of outstanding subsidy [...] The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has accorded the ex-post facto approval for implementation of Special Banking Arrangement (SBA) for Rs. 10,000 crore for payment of outstanding claims on account of fertilizer subsidy in the year 2016-17. CCEA has also approved that, in future, Department of Fertilizers would avail the SBA with the concurrence of Department of Expenditure. [...] Government is making available fertilizers, namely Urea and 21 grades of P&K fertilizers to farmers at subsidized prices through fertilizer manufacturers/importers. For making funds available to the fertilizer companies against their subsidy claims, Ministry of Finance had approved SBA for an amount of Rs. 10,000 crore with Government interest liability limited to G-Sec rate. Accordingly, an SBA was worked out with SBI for an amount of Rs. 10,000 crore to meet the outstanding subsidy claims of fertilizer companies. The loan together with Government interest thereon has been repaid from BE 2017-18 within the sanctioned budget. | supports |
Special banking arrangement of Rs. 10,000 crores to clear fertilizer subsidy dues. | (10) DIRECT BENEFIT TRANSFER SCHEME IN FERTILIZER SUBSIDY SCHEME AND ITS EEXPECTED BENEFITS TO FARMERS: - · The Pilot project has been implemented in 17 districts out of the projected 19 districts. [...] 11.)Special Banking Arrangement (SBA) of Rs. 10,000 crores has been approved in Budget 2017 to clear fertilizer subsidy dues. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has accorded the ex-post facto approval for implementation of SBA. | supports |
Recent picture of US President Joe Biden having ice cream in Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv | 10 incredibly important photos of Joe Biden eating ice cream [...] Biden's love of ice cream has gotten the president all giddy, too. They haven't even purchased it yet and they already can't control their excitement. The most famous Biden-with-ice-cream photo. | insufficient-neutral |
Recent picture of Deepika Padukone posing in saffron-coloured heels | The post shared Deepika Padukone’s old photo taken at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2019. The photo is old and has nothing to do with the ongoing controversy over Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s starrer film ‘Pathaan’. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE. | refutes |
Recent picture of Deepika Padukone posing in saffron-coloured heels | These guys are obsessed with women’s clothes and their entire weltanschauung seems to revolve around them. First it was jeans and tops in colleges, then salwar-kameez, then the hijab and burqua, and now its the bikini. They just can’t seem to make up their weakened minds about what women should wear. And it’s not just the garment, it’s also its colour. Deepika’s saffron bikini has caused them huge offence (though I personally felt that the sight of her in that thong on the beach resembled a golden Aphrodite rising from the waves, but then I’m aware that not many of these bikini watchers have a flair for Greek mythology). Which too would have been fine and not occasioned a mass migration: my PIO respondents said they could live without saffron underwear, but the question that arose was- which colour underwear could they then wear without raising any, well, hackles (to put it politely)? | insufficient-contradictory |
Recent picture of Deepika Padukone posing in saffron-coloured heels | A photograph of Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone, wearing a blue and white stripped pant suit with saffron-coloured footwear, has gone viral. [...] The claim: People shared the image to claim that she wore a saffron shoe recently to mock the people who have been protesting against the movie. [...] Conclusion: Deepika Padukone didn't pose in saffron shoes to mock the 'Boycott Pathaan' trend. The viral image is from 2019, before the outrage against the movie began. | refutes |
Modi government reconstructed the Sharda Peeth temple situated in PoK | On March 22, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the government will move forward to open Sharda Peeth on the lines of the Kartarpur corridor. And on April 1, the government of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir proposed that Kashmiri Pandits and Hindus living in India should be allowed to visit the historic Sharda Peeth temple situated in the PoK, echoing Shah’s plan. Sharda Peeth, an important pilgrimage site for Hindus, is located in the Neelum Valley of PoK in close proximity to the village of Teetwal in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, right along the Line of Control (LoC). [...] "The reconstruction of Maa Sharda’s temple in Kupwara is a necessary and important step in the direction of discovery of Sharda-civilisation and promotion of Sharda-script," Amit Shah said while underlining the significance of the corridor. "Once upon a time, Sharda Peeth was considered the centre of knowledge in the Indian subcontinent. Scholars from all over the country used to come here in search of scriptures and spiritual knowledge. Sharda script is the original script of our Kashmir, which has been named after Maa Sharda." | insufficient-supports |
Modi government reconstructed the Sharda Peeth temple situated in PoK | Union government reconstructed the Sharda Devi temple located in Kupwara, on the Indian side of LoC, whereas the Sharda Peeth is in PoK and has been inaccessible for Indian pilgrims since 1947. The post wrongly compares images of Sharda Peeth with that of the newly constructed Sharda Devi temple. There could at least be 40-50 km distance between these two temples. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. | refutes |
TRS MLA Harish Rao set to join BJP. | They also took TRS legislator T Harish Rao, BJP MLA G Kishan Reddy and party leader K Laxman ‘‘hostage.’’ They relented only after the Telangana Joint Action Committee leaders announced that all MLAs from the region would have to resign by Wednesday. They let doctors conduct posHYDERABAD: After a brief lull, the Telangana movement picked up steam again on Tuesday with the alleged suicide of an MCA student on the Osmania University campus. [...] The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Telangana leaders from all political parties held an emergency meeting at a hotel here in Vidyanagar soon after news of the student’s death spread and decided to advance its ‘‘deadline’’ for all public representatives in the region to resign, from Jan 28 to Jan 20. The JAC also decided to bring pressure on Speaker N Kiran Kumar Reddy to accept T legislators’ resignations from Thursday. But apparently keen on staying one step ahead of the others, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) MLAs marched to Kiran Kumar Reddy’s residence demanding that their resignations be accepted. They also staged a demonstration at his residence only to be arrested by the police. They were later let off. | insufficient-refutes |
TRS MLA Harish Rao set to join BJP. | At the end of the newspaper article, it is written that readers are advised to remember this is April Fool’s Day. Also, Harish Rao countered the claim by terming it as ‘fake news’ on his Twitter account. So, the claim made in the post is FALSE. | refutes |
TRS MLA Harish Rao set to join BJP. | A post with a newspaper article link is being shared on Facebook by many users claiming that Harish Rao, a TRS MLA, is going to join BJP. Let’s try to analyze the claim made in the post. [...] Harish Rao reacted to this news by tweeting through his official Twitter account. He termed the article as ‘fake news’ and also, asked the outlet which published this article to issue an apology. Finally, TRS MLA Harish Rao is not joining BJP. It’s just an April Fool prank. | refutes |
Under the UPA II, the average annual MSP growth rate was 19.3%, under the NDA government; this has fallen to 3.6% | A press release issued in the name of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on 07th May 2018 mentioned about the MSP growth rates during the UPA II and the current NDA government. We fact check the claim. | insufficient-neutral |
Under the UPA II, the average annual MSP growth rate was 19.3%, under the NDA government; this has fallen to 3.6% | Data for each indicator was sourced from national and international databases, including the World Bank, the IMF, and national statistical agencies, such as the CMIE. The comparison spans two regimes: UPA's (starting in 2004) and NDA's (starting in 2014). Data was captured using either Financial Year (from April 1 to March 31) or Calendar Year (from January 1 to December 31), depending on the availability of data. The regimes were compared based on these indicators' absolute values and rate of change. While insightful, it's imperative to note that these indicators are influenced by various factors, including global trends and policy changes, and should be interpreted within a broader context. | insufficient-neutral |
A woman gets garlanded, and kisses are blown at her while joining the Congress party in Karnataka | A video is being circulated on social media in which a man garlands a woman and then blows kisses at her. A social media post sharing this video describes it as a unique way a woman is honoured for joining Congress in Karnataka. Let’s fact-check this claim through this article. [...] Upon investigation, it was found that the video shows Tara Prasad Bahinipati, an MLA from Odisha, garlanding his wife, Meenakshi Bahinipati, and blowing kisses at her. [...] To sum up, this post wrongly identifies the woman in this video as a Congress minister from Karnataka; she is a Congress leader from Odisha. | insufficient-refutes |
A woman can choose whether the name in the passport should be of her mother or the father and not both parents. | "Now women won’t have to give their divorce or marriage certificates while applying for a passport. It will be up to a woman on whether she would like to use her mother’s or father’s name." [...] The second half of the statement made by the Prime Minister was, "It’ll be their discretion to use their father or mother’s name in the passport." "It is entirely up to the woman to choose between her mother’s and her father’s name in the passport. The statement had nothing to do with retaining her maiden name." | supports |
A woman can choose whether the name in the passport should be of her mother or the father and not both parents. | The provision for retaining the maiden name in passport always existed. While the PM was referring to the rule about single parents, the media understood it as the maiden name. | insufficient-contradictory |
India remains the world’s fastest growing large economy. | The BJP government published an infographic on the 48-months portal. This info-graph makes three claims about India’s economic growth. This article is a fact check of the claims. | insufficient-neutral |
India remains the world’s fastest growing large economy. | The macroeconomic assumptions underlying USDA’s long-term projections reflect a dichotomy between relatively weak long-run sustainable growth in developed countries and relatively strong, above-average growth in developing countries. As a result, developing countries are projected to become a larger part of the world economy. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) worldwide is projected to increase at an average annual rate of around 3.3 percent over the next decade. In developing countries, the projected growth rate is 5.6 percent per year. The developing-country share of global real GDP is expected to climb from 33 percent in 2010 to 42 percent by 2022. Robust economic growth is anticipated across most developing countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. China and India are expected to remain among the world’s fastest growing economies, each averaging more than 7 percent a year. [...] Among countries in Asia, Indonesia has the fastest growing wheat imports and is expected to replace Brazil as the world’s second-largest wheat-importing country. Historically, India has been a big wheat importer in some years and a big exporter in others. In the past 2 years, India exported significant amounts of wheat, partially as a result of high price-supports and large government stocks. Exports from India are expected to be larger than usual for several years until stocks are drawn down from high levels. | insufficient-supports |
During UPA government’s tenure, the unemployment rate was 2.2% while under NDA government, the unemployment rate is 7.9%. | Unemployment rate 7.2 7.4 6.8 6.8 7.0 [...] Unemployment rate 3.2 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.5 [...] Unemployment rate 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.9 [1] This category includes people with a high school diploma or equivalent. | insufficient-neutral |
During UPA government’s tenure, the unemployment rate was 2.2% while under NDA government, the unemployment rate is 7.9%. | Soon after the GDP growth for quarter-1 of 2019-20 was known to be a poor 5%, the Congress party uploaded an infographic with a bunch of claims on GDP growth, Unemployment rate, Exports growth etc. Here is a fact check of these claims. | insufficient-neutral |
The number of ITRs filed during FY 2017-18 is 6.84 crore, a jump of 80.5% compared to FY 2013-14 | The first claim of the government is that the number of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) filed during financial year (FY) 2017-18 is 6.84 crore, a jump of 80.5% compared to FY 2013-14. [...] The claim here pertains to the ITRs filed during the financial years of 2017-18 and 2013-14. A press release of the income tax department notes, ‘During FY 2017-18, 6.84 crore Income Tax Returns (ITRs) were filed with the Income Tax Department as compared to 5.43 crore ITRs filed during FY 2016-17, showing a growth of 26%. There has been a sustained increase in the number of ITRs filed in the last four financial years. As compared to 3.79 crore ITRs filed in FY 2013-14, the number of ITRs filed during F.Y. 2017-18 (6.84 crore) has increased by 80.5%." These numbers can be corroborated from the income tax department website. [...] Fact: The number of ITRs filed have increased substantially over the last 4 financial years from 3.79 crores to 6.84 crores. Hence, the claim is TRUE. But the total direct tax collections have not increased proportionately. | supports |
The number of ITRs filed during FY 2017-18 is 6.84 crore, a jump of 80.5% compared to FY 2013-14 | During FY 2017-18, 6.84 crore Income Tax Returns (ITRs) were filed with the Income Tax Department as compared to 5.43 crore ITRs filed during FY 2016-17, showing a growth of 26%. There has been a sustained increase in the number of ITRs filed in the last four financial years. As compared to 3.79 crore ITRs filed in F.Y. 2013-14, the number of ITRs filed during F.Y. 2017-18 (6.84 crore) has increased by 80.5%. During FY 2017-18, the number of new ITR filers has also increased to 99.49 lakh (as on 30.03.2018) as compared to 85.51 lakh new ITR filers added during FY 2016-17, which translates into a growth of 16.3%. The increase in total returns filed and new returns filed during FY 2017-18 is a result of sustained efforts made by the Income Tax Department in following up with potential non-filers through email, SMS, statutory notices, outreach programmes, etc. as well as through structural changes made in law and the Government’s emphasis on widening of tax net. | supports |
Visuals of a boy offering namaz in the middle of the road | Viral Video Of Boy Performing Namaz In Middle Of Road Is Not From Pakistan Contrary To Claims [...] A video showing a young boy doing namaz on the road is being circulated with the claim that it was filmed in Pakistan. Canadian columnist and social media personality Tarek Fatah along with several netizens, shared the video with this claim. The video shows a boy who is performing namaz on the road after laying down a green prayer mat. The boy offers namaz as vehicles stop at the signal and as people look on. A traffic police officer looks on to the child as he performs namaz. After the boy completes his prayers, the vehicles start to move. | supports |
Chilli Prices were Rs 12000 per quintal then, now is Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 per quintal | VIJAYAWADA: Fluctuating prices of chilli is forcing farmers to rush to Guntur agriculture market yard with stocks. Official sources said at least 1 lakh bags of dry chilli are arriving in the market yard every day, prompting traders to form a cartel and trim the prices. Chilli, which fetched over 25,000 per quintal last season, is now fetching between 12,000 to 20,000 per quintal. While fine variety chill is fetching around 20,000, the rates for medium grade varieties start from 12,000 per quintal. [...] Farmers also thought they would get at least last year's price of 25,000 per quintal. However, the prices have dipped by nearly 15-20 per cent over the last year purely due to the cartel of traders. "There is huge demand in both domestic and global markets for Guntur chilli. However, the farmers' rush to clear the stocks is helping traders who are making a killing," said an official of the agriculture marketing department. | insufficient-supports |
Chilli Prices were Rs 12000 per quintal then, now is Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 per quintal | At the Enumamula agricultural market, you just touch any farmer, he would relate a heart rending tale. "I harvested 22 bags of chilli and paid ₹22,000 for labour. Now, the trader is offering ₹3,000 per bag. What is left for me? What about my investment?" posed Nalmela Shankaraiah, who came from Chelpur village of Mulug Ghanpur mandal in Bhupalpalli district. According to him, the same chilli variety Sagar Wonderhot fetched him ₹12,000 per quintal last year. Hoping that the price will remain the same this year, he opted for chilli crop this time also, but in vain. [...] A police officer who was standing there on security duty remarked "What is this sir? The same chilli commanded ₹12,000 to ₹17,000 per quintal. Now, offering an average of ₹3,000 is too much". | insufficient-contradictory |
WHO issued an advisory to the Government of India stating that 87% population of the country will suffer from cancer by 2025 because of the consumption of adulterated milk | A screenshot of a news paper clipping is being shared on social media claiming that the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an advisory to the Government of India stating that 87% population of India will suffer from cancer by 2025 because of consuming adulterated milk. According to the post, WHO has stated that India produces only 14 crore litres of milk every day but consumes 64 crore litres of adulterated milk every day. The post claims that the Animal Welfare Board members have intimated government that 68.7 per cent of milk or milk products sold in the country are not as per the standards laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Let’s verify the claim made in the post. [...] The Press Information Bureau (PIB) through a tweet clarified that WHO had not issued any such advisory to the Government of India. On 22 November 2019, while answering a parliament member’s question about the rumours of WHO issuing an advisory to the government over 87% population going to suffer from cancer because of consuming adulterated milk, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, the then Minister of Family and Health Welfare, stated that no such advisory was issued by WHO to the Government of India on milk adulteration. | refutes |
Brahmins hold a significant majority in high-level government positions | A widely shared social media post alleges that Brahmins hold a significant majority in high-level government positions. The post provides a list of officials in different secretariats, ministries, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the President’s Office, categorizing them to support its claim of Brahmin domination in these offices. The post highlights the prevalence of Brahmins in these positions. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post. [...] Fact: The names and job titles of officers employed in significant government offices like the Prime Minister’s Office, the President’s Office, and various ministries are publicly accessible. However, these disclosures do not provide information regarding their specific categories or classifications. Similar assertions have circulated for years, suggesting that these prominent offices are predominantly controlled by Muslims or Christians, while neglecting Hindus. Nevertheless, these claims lack substantiation and lack a verified source. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE. | refutes |
Brahmins hold a significant majority in high-level government positions | Overall Brahmins hold a high status in Hindu society, and are considered to be smart and influential. They set the standard of social conduct and morality due to their leadership in society. Hindu priesthood is dominated by Brahmins, but other castes due in fact have "sacred specialists" but their status does not compare to that of a Brahmin. [...] The two primary roles of the Kshatriya Varna were to govern the land and to wage war, which led to professions as rulers and soldiers. The male children in Kshatriya were considered symbols of masculinity whereas the female child needed to be gentle and well behaved. Like Brahmin and the rest of the Varnas, men and women were not allowed to marry outside their specific Varna. Kshatriyas also hold a high status of power, second only to the Brahmin. They make sure everyone stays within their Varna. | insufficient-supports |
Brahmins hold a significant majority in high-level government positions | The highest of all the castes, and traditionally priests or teachers, Brahmins make up a small part of the Indian population. The British colonial authorities gave Brahmins influential clerical jobs. They now dominate the key positions in science, business and government. | supports |
The allocation to secondary education is down to Rs 576 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 9990 crore in 2016-17. | Budget allocation on education sector during the period 2017-18 to 2022-23 presented in Table 1 reveals that the same barring the year 2021-22 has consistently increased from 81,868 crores in 2017-18 to 1,04,278 crores in the latest budget 2022-23 which is 11.86 per cent more than the same in the previous budget. During 2021-22, the allocation to education was declined by 6,088 crores which is 6.13 per cent of the allocation in the previous year. Table 1: Budget Allocation to Education Sector: 2017-18 to 2022-23 [...] The scheme to provide incentives to girls pursuing secondary education was launched in the year 2008-09 the main objective of which was to improve retention and to reduce the drop-outs and also to promote the enrolment of girl children belonging to SC/ST communities in secondary schools. In view of the low participation at this level of education, the incentive can play an important role but no amount has been allocated to this scheme as against only Rs. 1 crore allocated in the previous budget. Maybe the same will now be taken care of by the Samagara Shiksha which covers both elementary as well secondary levels of education. | refutes |
The UPA government constructed only 25 lakh houses in their last 4 years where as the current BJP government in the last 4 years constructed 1.25 crore houses, a difference of 1 crore houses. | The Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that the previous UPA government constructed only 25 lakh houses during their last 4 years. We find that this claim is FALSE. | refutes |
Screenshot of the ABP opinion poll predicting 115-117 seats to BJP and 68-80 seats to Congress in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 | Next president of JDS HDD’s son RJD Lalu's son TDP Naidu's son SP MSY's son AY DMK Stalin’s son TMC Mamata’s nephew NCP Pawar's daughter Congress Rahul's Sister BJP will be Decided by cadres AND These are the people who lecture us on DEMOCRACY,ankurparasar,[],2019-05-06,Mon,1125394255906623488,0,0,0.0 _gadkari Next president of JDS HDD’s son RJD Lalu's son TDP Naidu's son SP MSY's son AY DMK Stalin’s son TMC Mamata’s nephew NCP Pawar's daughter Congress Rahul's Sister BJP will be Decided by cadres AND These are the people who lecture us on DEMOCRACY,DeepakS77264694,[],2019-05-06,Mon,1125393984459698176,0,0,0.0 [...] Ideally it should be. But BJP is losing more seats to others like SP BSP RLD Rjd JDS etc. Congress will get around 70 seats from BJPs loss and others are getting around 50.,MailVineet,[],2019-05-10,Fri,1126829039631527936,0,0,0.7 [...] AND ALL POLITICAL PARTIES IN HINDUSTAN ARE GREEDY SO ARE THE PEOPLE HAD CONGRESS/SP/BSP/TMC/RJD BEEN IN PLACE OF BJP IN KARNATAKA… ALL WOULD HAVE TRIED SAME DIRTY TRICKS WHICH YEDDI OF BJP NOW TRYING TO ENACT IN KARNATAKA...,michaelalok,[],2019-05-11,Sat,1127165280658923521,0,0,-0.2 | insufficient-contradictory |
Rural road connectivity increased from 56% in 2014 to 82% villages. | Has rural road connectivity increased and by how much? The third claim is that rural road connectivity increased from 56% in 2014 to 82% villages. The impact assessment report of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) states that ‘PMGSY was launched in December 2000 as a special intervention of the Government of India with the broad objective of ensuring sustainable poverty reduction. The scheme aims to provide good quality all-weather single connectivity road to every eligible habitation. Rural roads are a state subject under the Constitution and as such are the basic responsibility of the states. However, under the PMGSY, the construction of good quality and well-engineered roads are fully funded by the Government of India. Maintenance of these roads is the responsibility of the states. The year 2013 saw the launch of PMGSY-II with the objectives of consolidating the existing rural road network and upgrading existing rural roads that provide connectivity to rural growth centres. PMGSY-II envisages sharing of construction costs between the Centre and the states with maintenance costs continuing to be funded fully by the states.’ [...] Fact: By June 2014, 56% of the target habitations under PMGSY were connected by roads. By July 2018, 88% of the target of PMGSY (II) have been connected by roads. Hence, the claim is TRUE. But, it has to be noted that the percentages correspond to the target under PMGSY and not the total habitations in the country. | supports |
Rural road connectivity increased from 56% in 2014 to 82% villages. | Since late 2004, World Bank support has helped build and improve some 16,000 km of rural roads. About six million people living in the remotest parts of India have benefitted. As of February 2014, around 36,000 habitations in participating states now have access to all-weather roads. From the rough, mountainous terrain of Himachal Pradesh to the dry, rugged landscape of Rajasthan, new roads are revitalizing the rural economy, raising incomes, and improving the quality of rural life. Farmers now find it easier to take their produce to market in time, school enrollment is on the rise, and families' access to health care has improved. | insufficient-neutral |
A woman with ten kids from ten different men was buried in a Phallus-shaped coffin in Ghana, Africa | A Facebook post claiming that a woman Who Had 10 Kids With 10 Different buried in a coffin-shaped like a man’s genitals has been shared thousands of times. [...] "Woman Who Had 10 Kids With 10 Different Men Buried In P€nis-like Casket- A woman has been laid to rest in a casket designed in a form of a man’s private part." [...] Isaac Tettehfio, who runs an Instagram page showcasing the business’ fancy coffins, said that while he has designed penis-shaped coffins before, he does not recall making one for a sex worker. | insufficient-refutes |
A woman with ten kids from ten different men was buried in a Phallus-shaped coffin in Ghana, Africa | A video that seems like the last rites of a person put in a coffin that is shaped like the phallus is being shared on social media. The post which shares this video claims that the deceased person in this video is a woman with ten children from ten different men. Let’s verify the claim in this post. [...] Fact: The person buried inside the Phallus-shaped coffin is not a woman but a man named John Nii Addo Allotey. When he was alive, he used to perform circumcision. John’s family decided to build a Phallus-shaped coffin for him as an honour to his profession. Hence the claim made in the post is Misleading. [...] To sum up, a woman with ten kids from ten different men was not buried in this coffin that looks like the phallus. | refutes |
A woman with ten kids from ten different men was buried in a Phallus-shaped coffin in Ghana, Africa | A woman has been laid to rest in a casket designed in a form of a man’s private part. Ghanaian media practitioner and lawyer, Gabby Otchere-Darko shared the video and further revealed that he was told the deceased had 10 children with different men hence the male organ-shaped casket. [...] "I am told this was the final funeral rites with the casket of an amazing woman who died leaving behind 10 children from 10 different men here in Ghana. May she rest in p……" | supports |
All students studying Business Management at Seton Hall University in the USA are obligated to study Bhagavad Gita | Universities from across the world such as Seton Hall University have made it mandatory for students to study the Bhagavad Gita. It’s ironical that top business management institutes are teaching Bhagavad Gita as part of their curriculum while India’s young generation remains deprived of its benefits. [...] Teaching children at the very step of life about the beauty lied in Bhagavad Gita is to set positivity at the very beginning. In terms of teaching non-Hindu students or foreseers about the noble book, they have their rights to select an optional subject over the study of Bhagavad Gita. One should be free from obligations and must be provided with choice of decision. Academic institutions must provide ease to the non-Hindu followers, giving them a chance to consider the essence of Bhagavad Gita on their own will. | supports |
All students studying Business Management at Seton Hall University in the USA are obligated to study Bhagavad Gita | Since last year, all students of business management at Seton Hall University (SHU), New Jersey, have had to compulsorily study the Bhagavad Gita. Not to glean some tactical insights for use in corporate warfare, but to ground themselves in multiple religious cultures. A laudable objective that would resonate with US president Barack Obama’s vision of a pluralist America where Christians and Muslims, Hindus and Jews, and non-believers, live together. It all began as a pilot project last year, to teach the Gita to business students as a ‘signature course’ on a full-time basis. From this year, the Gita has become part of the core curriculum at the SHU, which happens to be a Roman Catholic-run institution. [...] So at one of the core curriculum meetings, Amar proposed that Hinduism should be included. As the world’s oldest religion, he argued, it had put in most thought into the ‘perennial questions.’ His suggestion was accepted, and the SHU committee included the Gita, along with the Koran, the Bible, besides texts from the Buddhist sutras and the Greek philosophers. The course was called The Journey Of Transformation. | supports |
Sangeeta Phogat suffered a devastating 0-10 defeat in the Hungary Ranking Series tournament | Despite a 10-0 loss in the first round against US wrestler Jennifer Page Rogers, Sangeeta Phogat made a strong comeback and eventually won the Bronze Medal for India at the Hungary Ranking Series tournament. Hence, the claim made in the post is Misleading. | supports |
Shram Suvidha Portal has been launched that allocates Unique labour identification number and enables online registration of establishments | The first claim is that ‘Shram Suvidha Portal has been launched that allocates Unique labour identification number and enables online registration of establishments.’ As stated in the ‘Annual Report (2017-18)’ of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, ‘Allotment of Unique Labour Identification Number (LIN) to Units to facilitate online registration was started on the Portal with its launch in October 2014.. The unique Labour Identification Number has been issued to 2275391 units as of November 2017’. [...] Fact: Unique labour identification number has been launched along with the launch of the portal in 2014. Hence, the claim is TRUE. | supports |
Shram Suvidha Portal has been launched that allocates Unique labour identification number and enables online registration of establishments | Shram Suvidha Portal, launched by the Government on 16.10.2014, caters to four major Organisations under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, namely Office of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Directorate General of Mines Safety, Employees’ Provident Fund Organization and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation. The main features of the Portal are as follow:- - Allotment of Unique Identity i.e. Labour Identification Number (LIN) for effective, efficient and real-time governance in Labour Administration - To bring transparency and accountability in enforcement of labour laws through Online Inspection System and Filing of Online Inspection Report - Common Online Registration and Filing of Self-Certified and Simplified Single Online Annual Return for multiple labour laws to ease the complexity of compliance - Unified ECR under EPFO/ESIC to encourage compliance by reducing transaction costs and promoting ease of business. With these initiatives, the procedures have been simplified; returns and registration forms have been unified to provide an ease of doing business environment through Shram Suvidha Portal. Further, the portal provides a platform for sharing of information among the labour enforcement agencies. In this way, the Portal has not reduced but eased the compliance burden on establishments by simplifying the way of doing business and also facilitated effective enforcement of labour laws enhancing wage, job and social security for workers. | supports |
Shram Suvidha Portal has been launched that allocates Unique labour identification number and enables online registration of establishments | The Shram Suvidha Portal, a digital marvel launched as part of the Shramev Jayate Yojana, plays a pivotal role in streamlining labor-related processes and ensuring compliance with labor laws. This online platform serves as a one-stop destination for a range of activities, ranging from labor registration to compliance reporting. The portal, inaugurated on October 16, 2014, serves as a paradigm shift in how industries interact with labor-related regulations. By facilitating the allotment of the unique Labor Identification Number (LIN), the Shram Suvidha Portal empowers industries to seamlessly navigate the regulatory landscape. The Shram Suvidha Portal offers an array of advantages that are poised to transform the labor-industry interface: The Shram Suvidha Portal is underpinned by a set of lofty objectives that collectively serve as a guiding light for this digital revolution in the labor domain: | supports |
20 Gokul Grams are being established and 41 Bull Mother farms modernized. | The BJP government has made three claims in an infographic published on the 48-months portal. These claims are related to the Rashtriya Gokul Mission & quantum of milk production. This article is a fact check of these claims. | insufficient-neutral |
20 Gokul Grams are being established and 41 Bull Mother farms modernized. | Rs. 190 crores allotted during 2017-18 · 20 Gokul Grams are being established and 41 Bull Mother Farms modernized. | supports |
Double taxation avoidance agreement signed with Mauritius, Cyprus, Singapore | India and Singapore Sign a Third Protocol for Amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) India and Singapore have amended the DTAA for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, by signing a Third Protocol today. This is in line with India’s treaty policy to prevent double non-taxation, curb revenue loss and check the menace of black money through automatic exchange of information, as reflected in India’s recently revised treaties with Mauritius and Cyprus and the joint declaration signed with Switzerland. [...] The revised DTAA between India and Cyprus signed on 18th November, 2016, provides for source based taxation of capital gains arising from alienation of shares, instead of residence based taxation provided under the DTAA signed in 1994. However, a grandfathering clause has been provided for investments made prior to 1st April, 2017, in respect of which capital gains would continue to be taxed in the country of which taxpayer is a resident. It also provides for assistance between the two countries for collection of taxes and updates the provisions related to Exchange of Information to accepted international standards. | supports |
153 integrated cluster action plans (ICAPs) for 29 states and 1 UT have been developed. | The Government approved the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) with an outlay of Rs. 5142.08 crores on 16th September, 2015 with the objective to transform rural areas into economically, socially and physically sustainable spaces. Under this Mission, 300 clusters in rural areas, across 29 States and 5 UTs, with latent potential for growth are to be identified, following clearly enunciated methodologies in the framework of implementation. [...] 153 Integrated Cluster Action Plans (ICAPs), which are the blue prints of investment for each cluster, have been approved for 29 States and one UT of Dadra & Nagar Haveli. The work in the clusters in areas identified are ongoing and nearly Rs 1500 crores of expenditure has been incurred under the Mission till date. | supports |
Allocation in budget 2018 raised to 3 lakh crore rupees, a rise of 20% over previous year. | The last claim is that, for the MUDRA scheme, ‘Allocation in budget 2018 raised to 3 lakh crore rupees, a rise of 20% over previous year.’ In Union Budget speech of 2018-19, the finance minister said, ‘It is proposed to set a target of 3 lakh crore for lending under MUDRA for 2018-19 after having successfully exceeded the targets in all previous years.’ It has to be noted that the 3 lakh crore is the lending target and not budget allocation by the government. This lending is to be done by various banks and other financial institutions. The actual budget allocation through equity capital to MUDRA Bank is only Rs. 900 crores. The total budget allocation including other credit guarantee is less than Rs. 2000 crore.The overall credit flow to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) sector has been over Rs. 3 lakh crores in the past as well, as per this answer & this answer in the Lok Sabha. [...] Fact: The Rs. 3 lakh crore is the lending target, not the budget allocation. The budget allocation to MUDRA bank is less than Rs. 2000 crore. Hence, the claim is FALSE. | refutes |
Allocation in budget 2018 raised to 3 lakh crore rupees, a rise of 20% over previous year. | Union Budget 2018 allocated Rs 3 lakh crore for Micro-Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd (MUDRA), a nearly 20 per cent rise from the last year. The Budget 2017 had allocated Rs 2.44 lakh crore for Mudra. [...] This may provide the NDA government's job-creation target a much-needed boost ahead of the 2019 general elections. | supports |
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