The government today informed Parliament that a total of Rs 12,476.76 crore has been released as special assistance to Andhra Pradesh, which includes Rs 2,500 crore for establishment of the new capital city of the state. Union minister of state for home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said the central and the Andhra Pradesh governments have been working together to implement the provisions made in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (APR Act, 2014) which include establishment of several institutions and launch of certain projects, as mentioned in Schedule XIII of the Act. Government of India has released a total amount of Rs 12,476.76 crore as special assistance to the state of Andhra Pradesh, which includes Rs 2,500 crore for establishment of the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh, he said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. NDA constituent TDP has pulled out its two ministers – Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y S Chowdary – from the central government over failure to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Ahir said the Andhra Pradesh government has also communicated to the central government on the release of development grants, resource gap and Polavaram project among other issues apart. It has also communicated on…
Month: January 2018
ED to probe scam duping investors through Bitcoin Ponzi scheme
The Maharashtra government In this connection, a lookout notice has been issued for GainBitcoin founder Amit Bhardwaj, who has fled the country, Minister of State for Home Ranjit Patil said. A case was also filed at a police station in Nanded on January 24, 2018 in connection with the scam, he said. Patil was replying to The matter of duping of several investors He said Bhardwaj and his associates allegedly duped investors to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore in Mumbai, Pune, Nanded, Kolhapur and other places in the state. The main accused, Bhardwaj, has fled the country and a lookout notice has been issued for him, he said. Another accused, Amolkumar Thombale, has been arrested while two other accused – Balaji Panchal, Raju Motewar – are absconding, he said. The police has sealed the BJP MLA Ashish Shelar told reporters outside the Assembly that some companies allegedly lured people from Nanded and other areas to invest in Bitcoins, while promising higher returns. The owners of these companies are now on the run and investors feel cheated, he said. There should be a thorough inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate in the matter, Shelar said. Kul said Bhardwaj had formed the…
Did you know? This Indian state is home to world’s longest sandstone cave!
Known for several caves hidden under its undulating hills, the north-eastern state of Meghalaya now boasts of the longest sandstone cave in the world, Krem Puri. With a length of 24,583 metres, Krem Puri was discovered back in 2016 but the actual length of the cave was obtained by the Meghalaya Adventurers Association (MAA) during one of its recent expeditions. According to Hindustan Times, a founding member of the MAA, Brian Daly Kharpran said that the expedition was conducted between February 5 and March 1 this year to measure and map the Khem Puri cave. The team that went on the expedition comprised of 30 seasoned cavers from all over the world including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Romania, Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands and also had four Italian scientists from La Venta and members of the MAA. The scientists on the expeditions had been invited to provide insights on the structure and genesis of Krems, which in the Khasi language means cave, in Mawsynram, which is known for its record-breaking rainfall as the wettest place on earth. The underground cavern of Khem Puri is over 6,000 metres longer than Cueva Del Saman in Edo Zulia, Venezuela, the world record holder,…
BJP mega rally in Mumbai: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis draws Mahabharat, Lord Krishna analogy
BJP mega rally in Mumbai: BJP is holding a mega rally in Mumbai today to commemorate its 38th Foundation Day. Maharashtra hief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the rally will showcase the strength and boost morale of partys activists ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. He also invoked Mahabharat and said that in the epic, Lord Krishna had to show the great warrior Arjun the vastness before taking him to the battlefield. Exuding confidence, Fadnavis said that BJPs vastness should be unveiled to the last worker. Almost five lakh people are expected to gather and Fadnavis said that this is not about headcounts or power play, according to The Indian Express report. This comes nearly a month after thousands of farmers held the long march in the financial capital. Similarly, every worker across 90,000 booths, spread across Maharashtra, has an able warrior ready to take on the big battle. But when they come to Mumbai and see the vastness of the organisation, it would work magic, Congress has lashed out at the BJP over the rally saying this was rubbing salt into the wounds of farmers. Fadnavis, however, defended the decision to mobilise the rally. BJP central leadership is…
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Dalit Bandh: Violence in many states; at least 9 dead, thousands detained At least nine persons were killed and hundreds injured today in violence across several states as protesters blocked trains, clashed with police and set fire to private and public properties, including police posts, during a nationwide bandh called by Dalit groups, officials said. Thousands were detained following widespread incidents of arson, firing and vandalism across over ten states, several of them being BJP-ruled including Madhya Pradesh where at least six persons died during the protests against the alleged dilution of the SC\/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Paytm Mall gets Rs 2900 cr from SoftBank, Alibaba Paytm Mall has raised close to Rs 2,900 crore from SoftBank Investment Holdings and Alibaba.com Singapore E-commerce, a move that will give the online shopping venture of Paytm more financial muscle to take on giants like Flipkart and Amazon. Market watchers say that the deal values Paytm Mall at USD 2 billion. According to a regulatory filing by Paytm E-commerce, an aggregate amount of USD 400 million (about Rs 2,600 crore) has come from SB Investment Holdings (UK) and its affiliates, including SoftBank Vision Fund. Interestingly, SoftBank Vision Fund is also an investor…
9 crore new LPG connections provided in 4 years: Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said that nine crore new LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) connections have been distributed in the last four years, including 3.5 crore connections provided under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). Speaking at the launch of PMUY scheme in Delhi, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Pradhan said, LPG penetation across India has improved drastically with nine crore new LPG connections being distributed in the last four years. He was quoted in a statement as saying that the governments target of providing gas connections to nine crore BPL (Below Poverty Line) families by 2020 will be incorporating genuinely poor households left out of socio economic caste survey (SECC) list and now will be empowering a wider section of society. During the launch event approximately 400 LPG connections were handed over to women of BPL (below poverty line) families, the statement issued by IndianOil Corporation said. Launched in May 2016, under the scheme government provides LPG connections to BPL families with a support of Rs 1,600 per connection.
When Salman Khan makes mistake, it is blown out of proportion, says actor-filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar
Actor-filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar believes everyone makes mistakes, but when his superstar friend Salman Khan is at fault, it is blown out of proportion. On Thursday, the Jodhpur court convicted Salman for killing two blackbucks in October 1998 when he was shooting for the film Hum Saath Saath Hai, and sentenced him to five years in jail. The trial court acquitted his co-stars, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre, giving them the benefit of doubt. Salman is one guy who is ready to take the rap. He is ready to take the rap, the blame (on himself). He is human at the end of the day. Who doesnt make a mistake? I definitely make a mistake. But when he makes a mistake, it is blown out of proportion, Manjrekar told PTI. Manjrekar and Salman have worked together in films such as Wanted, Dabangg, Ready and Jai Ho among others. Salman is more than a friend to me. I dont know what transpired (in the case), the courts are there to decide. But today if you ask me what is your wish, I would say he should be released tomorrow. He doesnt deserve to be in jail. From two days…
Bharat is one, all Bharatiyas are one, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today said the word India is derived from the river Indus, and suggested the more inclusive Bharat as an alternative way of addressing the country. India came from Indus, is there Cauvery in it? Isnt that in Bharat? Bharat is one, all Bharatiyas are one, Bhagwat said, speaking at an event at the BSE here this evening. Even in English, you can write Bharatiya. Writing it as Bharatiya does not violate any rules of the language, because there is no translation of proper nouns, he said. To explain his point about proper nouns, Bhagwat said he is addressed as Mohan everywhere. There is no translation possible for Mohan. Wherever in the world I go, I am Mohan, all of us are Bharatiyas, he said.
Kedarnath Yatra: Several new features to attract more pilgrims this year
With the portals of Kedarnath all set to open tomorrow, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat today extended a warm welcome to devotees visiting the famous shrine in Garhwal Himalayas. He said this years yatra would have several new features, including a daily laser show on Lord Shiva, to make the visitors experience even more cherishable. All necessary arrangements have been made by the state government to facilitate a smooth yatra for the pilgrims, Rawat said. Adequate Enough boarding arrangements have also been made for the pilgrims, the chief minister said. Rawat said thanks to the well-planned restoration work carried out at Kedarnath, its attractive and grand structure would be visible to all. He said the road from the helipad to the temple has also been widened substantially, he said. At Kedarpuri, The Eternal Shiva laser show will be the centre of attraction for devotees. The show depicts various life-like forms of Lord Shiva. It will be held on a daily basis, he said. The portals of Kedarnath will be thrown open to devotees Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines have already been reopened while the gates of Badrinath will be reopened on Apr 30. The gates of these temples are closed…
Land acquisitions: Supreme Court sets aside 2 decisions of Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Haryana Govt
The Supreme Court set aside two orders of the erstwhile Bhupinder Singh Hooda government in connection with land acquisitions in adjoining areas of Gurgaon in Haryana terming the decisions nothing but fraud on power. The apex court verdict came on plea which related to the land acquisition done by the Haryana government by its August 27, 2004 notification, for acquiring lands measuring about 912 Acres from three villages namely, Manesar, Lakhnoula and Naurangpur of Gurgaon district for setting up Chaudhari Devi Lal Industrial Township. On February 26, 2005, 224 acres of land was released from acquisition by the government but builders approached the farmers for purchase of their land at throwaway prices. Just two days before the pronouncement of award for the land acquired by the government on August 26, 2007, an order was passed on August 24, 2007 dropping the acquisition. The builders who had purchased the land from farmers later approached the government for licence to build housing societies and they were subsequently granted the approvals. The top court said the inescapable conclusion was that there was an unholy nexus between the government machinery and the builders and private entities in devising a modality to deprive the innocent…
Rahul Gandhi in Chikmanglur: China building helipads at borders but PM Modi is silent
Karnataka election 2018: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said PM Narendra Modi is silent on rising threat at the borders. China is building helipads and airports at our borders in Doklam but PM Modi is silent, Gandhi said. Targetting BJP chief ministerial candidate BS Yedyurappa, Gandhi said PM Modi speaks against corruption but shares stage with people who have been in jail on corruption charges. PM Modi comes here and talks against corruption but on the stage with him are sitting leaders who have been in jail on corruption charges including the BJP CM candidate, Gandhi said in Chikmagalur. Speaking about former prime minister Indira Gandhis election to Lok Sabha from Chikmagalur in 1978, Gandhi said, You people supported my grandmother when she needed it the most, I can never forget this. Whenever you need me, I will always be available, he added. Gandhi also targetted Modi over the issue of religion. He said that children understand religion better than the prime minister. Sharing his experience at Sringeri mutt, Gandhi said, A 14 year old told me religion means truth, Satyamev Jayate,others also said the same thing. Strange that children know religion better than our PM, who just lies….
Centre opposes Jamia Millia Islamia’s minority institution status in HC; here is why
In a departure from the UPA-led Congress governments stand in court, the Centre is learnt to have opposed the minority status granted to Jamia Millia Islamia University. It has been learnt that the government has filed a revised affidavit in the Delhi High Court challenging the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI)s decision according minority status to Jamia Millia Islamia. The Narendra Modi governments move is a departure from the Congress-led UPAs stand on the matter, The Indian Express reported. It has been learnt that Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) on August 29, 2011, when Kapil Sibal was minister, had filed an affidavit in court stating that the government The fresh affidavit filed by the incumbent government on March 5 in Delhi High Court cited Azeez Basha Vs Union of India case of 1968 in the Supreme Court. The government said that in that case, the top court had ruled that a university cannot claim the status of a minority institution if it is incorporated under an Act of Parliament. The affidavit states, In any event, the Board of Jamia Millia Islamia is elected and need not necessarily consist of majority belonging to the Muslim religion. The question…
Apology politics: No split in AAP Punjab; Arvind Kejriwal explains reason of his ‘sorry’ to Majithia
Underfire over tendering an apology to SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal met 10 dissenting party MLAs from Punjab and explained them the reason behind his move that led to a controversy. All 10 MLAs came out united after attending the meeting at Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodias residence. However, two top party faces from Punjab, Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Bhagwant Mann, AAP MP from Sangrur were absent from the meeting. As per reports, the MLA and top party bearers who met Kejriwal were convinced with latters explanation. Kejriwals apology letter to Majithia for accusing him of being involved in drugs trade had backfired for AAP chief and had taken everyone by surprise. The partys Punjab president Bhagwant Mann and its co-president Aman Arora had resigned in protest. Khaira, AAP leader in the Assembly, had termed the move as a reflection of someones mental bankruptcy. As of now, the meeting rules out any split in the party in Punjab, PTI reported sources aware of the meeting as saying. They also pointed out that forming a separate group or splitting the party would require the consent of two-third of…
Goa issues alert after intel on terrorists using sea route to arrive in India
Goa today issued an alert to all the vessels and casinos operating off the states coast following an intelligence input about possible arrival of terrorists on board a fishing trawler, the states ports minister said. States Ports Minister Jayesh Salgaoncar told PTI that his department has issued a warning to all the off shore casinos, water sports operators and barges to be alert as the Indian Coast Guard has shared an intelligence input about a possible terror attack on the western coast. It can be even to Mumbai or Gujarat coast, but we have alerted the vessels and concerned agencies, States Ports Department has written to the off shore casinos and cruise vessels, and barges to remain alert in the wake of the intelligence input. When contacted, Braganza confirmed sending the letter today to all the people concerned. The letter was also marked to State Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma.
Uttar Pradesh shocker: Government official drives 4 km with man clinging on to bonnet; watch viral video
In a bizarre incident reported from Uttar Pradeshs Ramnagar, a small town in eastern UP, the areas block development officer (BDO) is alleged to have driven his car for four kilometres with a man hanging on to the cars bonnet. The entire incident was caught on camera and video of the incident and is being shared across various social media since it surfaced on the internet. The video shows a man clinging on to the bonnet of a car while it sped away, with the driver purportedly wanting to teach him a lesson. News agency PTI reported that the man behind the wheel was the Ramnagar BDO and the man who was clinging on to the bonnet a protester. The incident reportedly took place when some villagers went to BDO Pankaj Kumar Gautam demanding the second instalment for construction of toilets. Since they were not attended by anyone for hours, the villagers started to protest. Kumar reportedly came out of his office after a while and instead of acknowledging or addressing the needs of the protesting villagers, headed straight towards his car. Watch video here: He was followed by the group but quickly got into the car and turned on…
Bollywood movies in China! Xi Jinping wants screening of more Indian films
Chinese President Xi Jinping has seen a number of Indian films, including Hindi and regional, and believes it would be a good idea that Bollywood movies come to China and vice-versa. Briefing reporters at the end of the two-day informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi in the central Chinese city, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said they proposed collaboration in the areas of spirituality, trade, technology, tradition and entertainment including films. President Xi said that he had seen a number of Indian films, both Bollywood and regional, and that it would be a good idea that more Indian films come to China and more Chinese films go to India, Gokhale said. Modi and Xi were seen enjoying an instrumental rendition of 1982 Bollywood superhit song Tu, tu hai wahi dil ne jise apna kaha, from movie Yeh Vaada Raha by Chinese artists here yesterday. Xi had told Modi last year that he had watched Bollywood star Amir Khans Dangal movie and liked it. Dangal was a super hit in China and broke several records in the Chinese movie industry and raked in over Rs 1,100 crore. Ahead of the Wuhan summit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying…
In letter to CJI Dipak Misra, two top judges demand ‘full court’ to discuss Supreme Court ‘future’
Days after the Oppositions impeachment notice against Supreme Court Chief Justice Dipak Misra was rejected by Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu, two of the senior most judges of the apex court – Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Madan Lokur – have written to the CJI demanding a full court discussion on According to The Indian Express, in a two-sentence letter to CJI Misra, both the judges asked for full-court meeting of all the 25 apex court judges on the judicial side to discuss The CJI has not responded to their letter yet. A full court meeting of the Supreme Court, involving all judges, is usually convened by the CJI when a matter of public importance relating to the judiciary comes up. This comes just two weeks after Justice Kurian Joseph, one of the senior most judges of the Supreme Court, had written to the CJI and all judges of the Supreme Court, demanding that the CJI set up a seven-judge bench to take up the issue of the government sitting on the Collegium recommendation to appoint Justice K M Joseph and Indu Malhotra to the apex court. In his letter dated April 9, Justice Kurien had stated that the government Before…
In total of 58 politicians, BJP MPs, MLAs top hate speech cases list, says ADR report
A total of 58 current MPs and MLAs have declared cases related to hate speech, with BJP having the maximum number of such politicians, a report said today. 15 sitting Lok Sabha MPs have declared cases related to hate speech against themselves. None of the Rajya Sabha MPs have declared cases related to hate speech, a report by Delhi-based think-tank Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said. Ten sitting Lok Sabha MPs with such declared cases are from BJP, and one each from AIUDF (All India United Democratic Front), TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi), PMK (Paattali Makkall Katchi), AIMIM and SHS (Shiv Sena), it said. BJP has 27 MPs, MLAs with such cases, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has 6, TRS (6), TDP (3), SHS (3), AITC (2), INC (2), IND (2), JD(U) (2), AIUDF (1), BSP (1), DMK (1), PMK (1) and SP (1), the ADR report added. Political party leaders such as Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) and Badruddin Ajmal (AIUDF) have declared cases related to hate speech against themselves, ADR said. Also, Uma Bharti, Union Cabinet Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation has declared such cases as also eight state ministers, the report added. There are 43 sitting MLAs who have…
Big boost for Modi govt! India shows jobs growth – Data proof of 3.11 million workers is here
India added 472,075 employees to the state-run social security fund in February, after adding 604,557 in January, new data on payrolls released on Wednesday showed, giving a guide to how many new jobs are being created in the non-farm sector. The Employees Provident Fund released provisional figures for six months that showed that 3.11 million workers joined the fund during the September 2017 to February 2018 period, partly due to a pick up in the economy and federal support. The data shows there was a good increase in jobs every month in the last six months which will now help fill the missing link for policy-making, said Soumya Kanti Ghosh, chief economist at the country largest lender, the State Bank of India. The new data could help Prime Minister Narendra Modi deflect criticism that promises made before the 2014 election for stronger jobs growth were not being kept despite the fastest economic growth of any major economy. To bring more of the vast workforce into the organised sector, Modi this year announced the state would partially cover employers contributions to the EPF for three years. The government says it will cover an amount up to 12 percent of employees salaries….
PM Narendra Modi coins new acronym ‘STRENGTH’ to underscore importance of people-to-people contact
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today coined a new acronym STRENGTH to underscore the importance of people-to-people contact between India and China. During his delegation-level talks as part of an unprecedented informal summit with President Xi Jinping in the central Chinese city, Modi hailed the centuries old Sino-India ties and said people-to-people contact should be promoted. Modi underscored the importance of people-to-people contact through STRENGTH : S-Spirituality; T-Tradition, Trade and Technology; R-Relationship; E-Entertainment (Movies, Art, Dances etc.); N-Nature conservation; G-Games; T-Tourism and H- Health and Healing. He said India and China have the responsibility to work for 40 per cent of the world population and the two sides have a big opportunity to work together for the benefit of their people and the world. This is the fourth visit of Modi to China after he came to power in 2014. He is again due to visit China to take part in the SCO summit to be held at Qingdao city on June 9-10.
Don’t spare culprits but ensure innocent are not harassed: BJP youth wing on Kathua case
Condemning the Kathua rape and murder case, the Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP, today said the perpetrators of the gory crime must be dealt with according to the law while also emphasising that innocents should also not be harassed. The BJYM also asserted that systematic illegal settlement of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas in Jammu was against Indias interest. A resolution passed after a two-day BJYM executive meeting, chaired by Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, condemned the rape of minors, referring to Kathua and another case, while also lashing at attempts to communalise such crimes. Such crimes are anti-human and any effort to communalise them needs to be condemned unequivocally, the BJYM resolution said. Speaking at the inaugural session Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh referred to recent incidents in that state which, he claimed, were done to defame government with false propaganda by some Congress-planted people. He claimed the Congress was not able to digest the overall development done by BJP across the country and in the state and didnt have any issue to raise. Some Congress planted puppets are becoming patriots of Jammu, I want to ask them where were they when…
Over Rs 3,600 cr released in last 3 years for cleaning Ganga
The government has released Rs 3,633 crore between 2014-15 and 2016-17 for cleaning the Ganga and beautifying ghats along it, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Minister of State for Water Resources Satyapal Singh also said in a written reply that construction and beautification of 228 of the total 361 ghats sanctioned have been completed till now under the Centres Namami Gange programme.Of these, 189 ghats are located along the rivers stretch in West Bengal. In Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand works on 20, 16, two and one ghats have been completed till date respectively, he added. The minister said 154 priority drains and 1,109 grossly polluting industries (GPIs) have been identified along the river, most of which are located in Uttar Pradesh. Of the five basin states, the longest stretch of the Ganga is in Uttar Pradesh. Highlighting the steps taken by the government to abate pollution in the river, the minister said, Out of the 1,109 GPIs inspected, 538 were found to be non-complying and 358 of those were issued closure directions and 180 have been given show cause notices. Implementation of water conservation measures in industrial sectors and establishment\/upgradation of sewage treatment plants\/common effluent treatment plants…
Punjab waives its share in GST on Golden Temple ‘langar’; asks Centre to follow suit
Punjab government has decided to waive its share of the GST imposed on purchases made for langar (community kitchen) at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh told the state Assembly here today. Following the announcement, the state government moved a resolution urging the Centre and the GST Council to completely waive GST on langar items at Golden Temple which was adopted unanimously. There will be no GST (state share) on langar items at Golden Temple. Besides, no GST will be there for langar items at Durgiana Mandir at Amritsar and the Mosque in Malerkotla. We believe in secularism, Amarinder Singh told the House. His remarks drew appreciation from Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira (AAP), Parminder Singh Dhindsa (SAD) and Som Prakash (BJP). The state Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal told the Assembly that the share of GST on purchases for langar in Golden Temple was 50:50 for the Centre and the state. Now, the Punjab government has waived its share, Manpreet Singh Badal said as he asked the Shiromani Akali Dal whether it would press the Modi government at the Centre to waive the central governments share as well. Referring to Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal,…
Narendra Modi in Manipur: 2,000 jobs to be created through two new battallions, PM says at Science Congress; 9 other takeaways
Narendra Modi in Manipur: Speaking at the inauguration of the 105th session of Indian Science Congress in Manipur University in Imphal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched upon areas ranging from science and technology to research and women empowerment. PM Modi is visiting Manipur after the completion of one year of the BJP-led government. Security has been beefed up in Imphal and the places where PM Modi will visit and lay foundation stones. He went on to address the gathering saying that he is pleased that the Science Congress is being held in Manipur. I am told that this is just the second time in over a century, that the Indian Science Congress is held in the north-east. This is a testimony to the resurgent spirit of the North East. Science had been synonymous with progress and prosperity, PM Modi said. In his inaugural address, PM Modi paid tribute to cosmologist Stephen Hawking who passed away on March 14. He said that Hawking was a friend of India and had visited the country twice. He lauded his efforts saying that he will be remembered as one of the worlds greatest motivators. Here are 10 major takeaways from PM Narendra Modis address…
39 Indians killed in Iraq: Sushma Swaraj should have informed aggrieved families first, says Swaran Singh
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj should have informed the aggrieved families about the death of the 39 Indians by the Islamic State in Iraq before exploding the bomb on us in Parliament. This was the emotional outburst of one of Swaran Singh, whose kin was among the 39 kidnapped and massacred by the Islamic State in Iraqs Mosul in 2014. This is nothing less than brutality to the families who were waiting for the safe return of their boys. The minister should have called us before exploding the bomb on us, Singh told reporters. Singh said the government earlier trusted on unreliable sources and maintained that they were safe and were held hostage at an undisclosed place. Later, through another unreliable resource the government said they were held hostage in a mosque. But again it was proved wrong, he added. It is very much possible that the claim made by them now is also wrong, he said. The families may file a case against the Central government for keeping them in dark. Official sources said 27 of those killed belonged to Punjab while four from neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. Kanwaljit Kaur, mother of Dharmendra Kumar of Batala village in Gurdaspur district,…
Supreme Court’s body blow: Khap Panchayats can’t declare marriage between consenting adults illegal
In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that Khap panchayats have no right to declare a marriage illegal. The top court noted that it is illegal for Khap panchayats to stop any marriage. In a stiff reprimand, the court made it clear that it is unconstitutional for any group or individual to declare a marriage illegal. During the course of hearing, the central government informed the apex court that it will soon introduce a bill in the Parliament to deal with such cases. The court also laid down guidelines to prevent such interferences and noted that the norms will remain in force till a suitable law is enacted by the Parliament. The SC made this observation while hearing a petition filed by NGO, Shakti Vahini against Khap panchayats. The NGO had approached the SC in 2010. In its plea, NGO Shakti Vahini urged the SC to pass directions to the Centre and state governments to formulate a law to prevent cases of honour killings. The SC had earlier this month reserved its order the NGOs petition. This is not the first time when the court has adopted a tough line against Khap panchayats. Earlier, the court had…
Mosquito menace: After IndiGo controversy, Jet Airways passengers seen swatting mosquitoes inside aircraft; Watch video
Airlines operating through Lucknow have a problem at hand and it may have something to do with frequent flyers. First, it was the IndiGo controversy over a passenger complaining of mosquitoes onboard a Lucknow-Bengaluru flight – he was offloaded – and now there is a video showing travellers swatting mosquitoes inside a Jet Airways aircraft from Lucknow. The video shot by a passenger shows passengers in a Jet Airways flight troubled by mosquitoes. The video, shot on April 8, 2018, and posted by ANI shows passengers using what appear to be the security manual to shoo away mosquitoes. They should charge mosquitoes for tickets.. This is crazy, a man can be heard saying in the video. Jet Airways have taken cognisance of the video and said it has ordered a review. The aviation company said in a statement that they have taken the matter up with the cabin appearance team for review. We sincerely regret the inconvenience, Watch Video of commuters swatting mosquitoes – #WATCH A video shot by a passenger at Lucknow airport on a Jet Airways flight shows passengers swatting mosquitoes (8.4.18) pic.twitter.com\/vVh3LbrMJk He alleged that the crew member held him by the collar and dragged him through…
Narendra Modi to observe fast in Delhi to ‘save democracy’ on April 12; Amit Shah in Karnataka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will sit on a day-long fast on April 12 over disruptions during the budget session of the Parliament. PM Modi will be joined by all BJP MPs, say reports. BJP chief Amit Shah will hold dharna on the same day in Hubli, Karnataka. On Monday, Congress party observed fast over a number of issues. However, it was hit by a controversy after a picture of Congress leaders eating at a restaurant before joining the fast went viral on social media. Congress also invited criticism when 1984 anti-Sikh riots accused Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar reached the fast venue. While observing the fast, PTI reports sources as saying that PM Modi will not disturb his daily official routine of meeting people and officials and clearing files. On Friday last, PM had accused the opposition parties, particularly the Congress of practicing divisive politics and announced the BJP MPs will observe a fast on April 12 to protest against the Parliament impasse. The BJP MPs will observe fast in their constituencies while Shah will hold a sit-in in Karnataka. Congress tried to preempt the BJP by observing fast on Monday. On Tuesday, the prime minister accused the Opposition of…
Narendra Modi fast LIVE updates: BJP MPs, leaders protest against Parliament washout; Congress mocks PM
Narendra Modi fast live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP MPs, leaders and workers are holding fast protest today. The Loktantra bachao Upvaas dharna PM Modi had announced of holding fast to protest the washout of Budget session in Parliament allegedly caused by Congress. The Prime Minister has claimed that the people who couldn They killed democracy we will observe fast to bring their crime in front of world. I will also hold fast. But I will continue my work. Track Live updates of PM Narendra Modi protest fast over Parliament logjam 1:25 PM: BJP MPs and leaders across India have participated in the protest fast. In Delhi, MP Udit Raj sat on the fast at DC Chowk in Rohini. In West Bengal, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh and MP Babul Supriyo have participated in the fast. 12:55 pm: BJP President Amit Shah has joined protest fast in Karnataka. 12:50 PM: Beed MP Dr Pritam Munde, MP from Kota-Bundi Om Birla, Narsapur MP Shri Gokaraju Gangaraju Garu, Tinsukia MLA Sri Sanjay Kishan have joined protest fast. Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, Vijay Goel, Maneka Gandhi, Uma Bharti, MP from New Delhi Meenakshi Lekhi are sitting on fast at Hanuman…
Kolkata Metro station couple ‘assault’: No clear evidence found in CCTV footage, says Metro Railway General Manager
The Metro Railway today said no clear evidence of the alleged assault of a couple by some people at a station here was found in the CCTV footage. The couple was allegedly thrashed by a group of passengers at the Dumdum metro station on Monday evening, following their public display of affection in a train compartment. No complaint has been lodged after the alleged incident. It came to the metros notice only when a news report came out in a Bengali daily yesterday. We thoroughly checked the CCTV footage at Dumdum and found no clear evidence of any assault, Metro Railway General Manager (GM) Ajay Vijayvargiya told a press conference here. However, there was a faint image of a few persons having assembled at a site at 21:55 hours and the image of a few people exiting from a gate, he said, while replying to a question. As the current metro coaches did not have CCTV cameras, there was no footage of what had actually happened inside the coach after the couple boarded the train at the Chandi Chowk station, Vijayvargiya said. The new coaches, to be commissioned shortly, will have CCTV cameras, he said. The footage and the initial…