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Wed, 21 December 2016
Rishi Kapoor defends niece Kareena over baby Taimur's name
Timeline Refresh
23:25 Rishi Kapoor defends niece Kareena over baby Taimur's name
Taimur Ali Khan! That's what Kareena Kapoor-Khan and Saif Ali Khan chose to name their baby boy, who was born yesterday.
However, the choice wasn't accepted and in fact, was trolled by many on Twitter.
Now, some 24 hours of the name being hotly debated, Kareena's uncle Rishi Kapoor has reminded Twitter that it's nobody's business but the parents. "Why are people so bothered what the parents want to name their child please? Mind your business, it's got nothing to do with you. Parents wish!" wrote Rishi Kapoor, the first person from the family to comment on the controversy.
In fact, reacting to another tweet that said that Timur, the Mongol invader, had committed great atrocities, Rishi hit back on Twitter, writing, "Alexander and Sikandar were no saints. They are common names in the world. Apna kaam karo na tum. Tumko kya takleef hai?"
Another Twitter user really riled up the Kapoor when he said that it must be a downfall for the Kapoor family.
Kapoor chose not to mince his words and said, "You mind your f*****g business what my ancestors must be feeling. Apna kaam karo."
22:44 Nuclear-capable Nirbhay cruise missile's test fails for fourth time
Another test of the much-touted "Nirbhay" land-attack cruise missile, designed to carry nuclear warheads to a strike range of 1,000-km, failed on Wednesday. This was the subsonic missile's fourth test since March 2013, all of which have more or less failed to achieve test parameters.
The missile had to be destroyed in mid-air after it deviated from its flight-path along the coast in Bay of Bengal soon after launch from the Integrated Test Range at Balasore off the Odisha coast around noon on Wednesday. "The test was an utter failure, with the missile veering to the right within two minutes of take-off," said a source.
While the missile's first test in March 2013 had completely failed, the second one was dubbed "a partial success" in October 2014. But the third test in October 2015 and the one on Wednesday also failed miserably.
22:34 British reduced India to one of the poorest countries:Tharoor
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said 200 years of British rule had reduced India from its glory of one of richest countries in the world to the poorest one and their claims of bringing development and political unity was false as the British had done nothing intended for the benefit of India or Indians.
Speaking during the launch of his new book 'An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India' here, he said whatever the British had done in India was only those necessary to consolidate their rule and control over the country.
He said the British era history is needed to be retold today and his new book is an attempt to look comprehensively at the legacy of British Empire in India.
21:41 RBI's withdrawal of its order the biggest comedy: AAP
AAP today termed the RBI's decision of withdrawing its order imposing restrictions on customers depositing demonetised notes over Rs 5,000 as the "biggest comedy" and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise to the nation for the daily flip-flops.
AAP leader Ashutosh said the latest order by the Reserve Bank of India was its 60th directive in 50 days.
"This is the biggest comedy the nation has ever seen. After the RBI order stating that people will be questioned for depositing cash over Rs 5000, the finance minister had to say that people should not worry. But the banks continue to ask questions to their customers for depositing cash more than Rs 5000.
"There can't be better example of any constitutional authority being belittled as banks have continued to ignore the finance minister," he said.
The AAP leader also demanded that Modi should "apologise" to the nation for the daily flip-flops.
21:32 Suspect in Berlin attack had been under terrorism investigation
A 23-year-old Tunisian man sought as a suspect in the deadly truck attack at a Berlin Christmas market had been the subject of a terrorism investigation and slated for deportation, a top security official said.
The suspect, identified by German officials as Anis A., had been on the radar of intelligence officials across Germany and was being investigated by state prosecutors on suspicion of planning an attack, Ralf Jger, the interior minister of the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, said.
The suspects application for asylum was rejected in June 2016, but he couldnt be deported because he lacked a valid passport, Jger said. German authorities sought to get a new passport, but Tunisia initially challenged whether or not the man was in fact a Tunisian citizen, Jger said. The new travel documents arrived on Wednesday, he said.
This person attracted the attention of various security agencies in Germany because of contacts to a radical Islamist milieu, Jger said.
21:09 Ex-serviceman files case against 'unfit' police officers
Tired of seeing out of shape policemen, a retired paramilitary officer has filed a case in the Kolkata high court against cops with flabby tummies.
Kamal Dey, a resident of Behala in south Kolkata, has taken 18 photos of Kolkata Police personnel who sport a rounded midsection and attached them with the PIL filed in court.
20:44 US issues advisory to its citizens travelling to India
The US today warned its nationals in India of an "increased threat" at places frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets, and festival venues and asked them to maintain a high level of vigilance.
In a security advisory, the US embassy said, "As we head into holiday season, please be reminded that recent Indian media reports indicate Islamic State's desire to attack targets in India."
"The US embassy warns of an increased threat to places in India frequented by Westerners, such as religious sites, markets, and festival venues. All US citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness," it said.
20:40 'Angel' singer Tahir Shah leaves Pakistan after life threat
Pakistani singer Tahir Shah, who became an online sensation with his 'Angel' song, has left the country after receiving life threats, his agent said
today.
Shah who rose to fame and became an Internet sensation with his viral debut single, "Eye to Eye" in 2013 and followed it up with another song "Angel" left from Karachi yesterday.
According to his agent, Shah had been receiving death threats for a while now.
"Pakistan's famous singer Tahir Shah, who is known for spreading love through his music had been receiving life threats for quite some time," a statement released by his agent said.
"Recently Shah made his film debut with Pakistans first online film and it seems like the haters are not admiring his approach of using arts to the benefit of mankind. Perhaps that is the reason why he was getting threats.
"Shah was left heartbroken when the government failed to provide him security and as a result of which he decided to leave Pakistan," the statement said.
20:22
JUST IN: Militants attack police party with grenades at Shalteng Parimpora in Srinagar.
20:03 Either Sidhu or wife will get ticket, not both: Amarinder
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh today ruled out the possibility of giving party tickets to both Navjot Sidhu and his wife for the upcoming assembly polls in the state, saying the 'one-family-one-ticket' norm will be strictly enforced.
Interestingly, the comments by Singh, who is leading Congress' campaign in Punjab, came a day after the cricketer- turned politician met Rahul Gandhi.
The Congress has already finalised half of its candidates for the polls in the state and Singh said it was for the Sidhu couple to decide who among them will contest on Congress ticket.
He also said there was no talk in Congress about offering Deputy Chief Minister's post to Sidhu, adding it was all media creation.
"I will meet Sidhu soon to work out the modalities of his joining the party," the former Punjab chief minister told reporters.
19:51 NEET 2017 medical entrance exam to be conducted in 8 languages
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for admission in medical colleges will be held in eight languages -- Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu -- for the academic year 2017-18.
Also, the candidate qualifying NEET will be eligible for all India quota and other quotas under the state governments and Institutes irrespective of the medium taken by candidates, subject to other eligibility criteria, the Union health ministry said in a statement.
In May, Union Health Minister J P Nadda had held a meeting with the health ministers and health secretaries of 18 states/Union Territories towards implementation of NEET across states.
Joint Secretary, Medical Education, A K Singhal said, "The collaborative efforts of Central Health Ministry with the state health ministries have lead to this decision so as to bring parity for the students who have taken the State Board exams."
NEET has replaced AIPMT and has been made mandatory for admissions in all-India medical/dental colleges which means no other state can conduct its separate medical entrance.
19:49 Now, Airtel offers 3 months free data to fixed-line customers
The country's largest telco Airtel today launched a broadband plan for fixed-line users along with free calls in Mumbai, upping its play in the competitive sector.
The New Delhi-headquartered company said it has upgraded its network capability to deliver high speed data connectivity through fixed-line phones using the 'V-Fibre' technology, which claims to offer up to 100 Mbps.
It already has 3.51 lakh fixed-line subscribers, a majority of them commercial enterprises, who can potentially upgrade to the high-speed coverage.
19:40
Just In: Long range subsonic cruise missile 'Nirbhay' flight tested at ITR in Chandipur near Balasore in Odisha, PTI reported quoting defence sources.
19:40 RBI Guv not to depose before Parliamentary panel tomorrow
Reserve Bank of India Governor Dr Urjit Patel will not depose before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance in New Delhi on Thursday, December 22, on demonetisation, reports Rajeev Sharma.
It would have been the first time that an RBI governor would have appeared before a Parliamentary panel, knowledgeable sources said.
However, Dr Patel expressed his inability to brief the committee because of a prior engagement.
The RBI governor has assured the Parliamentary panel he will do the needful at its next meeting.
Dr Patel is now expected to depose before the Parliamentary committee, either on January 9 or 16.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance consists of 31 members: 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. It is headed by M Veerappa Moily of the Congress, a former Union minister.
19:28
Just In: German minister confirms new suspect in focus in Berlin truck attack, reports AFP
19:26 Only 1% Indians pay income tax: NITI Aayog CEO
Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant today said just one per cent of India's more than 1.25 billion population pays income tax and the country cannot afford as high as 95 per cent of its economy making cash transactions.
Addressing a workshop on cashless transaction organised by the National Disaster Response Force, Kant said India cannot afford as high as 95 per cent of its economy making cash transactions if the economy has to be taken from $2 trillion to $10 trillion by the year 2030.
"Besides, only 1 per cent of the more than 1.25 billion population pays income tax," he said.
Kant said there are more than a billion mobile phone subscribers in India and more than one billion Aadhaar biometrics have been created so far, according to an official release.
He said with an aim to push India among the top economies of the world, the government has enrolled nearly 26 crore people under the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana and more than 20 crore RuPay cards issued.
The time is here to make a transition to cashless transactions, he said.
19:08 Bana Alabed, Aleppo's tweeting girl, meets Turkey's president
Bana Alabed -- the seven-year-old Syrian who tweeted about life inside rebel-held east Aleppo -- has met Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Bana and her little brother have been pictured sitting on Erdogan's knee in the presidential complex in Ankara.
President Erdogan sent a special representative to Syria to collect Bana and her family after they fled east Aleppo, the BBC has been told.
Bana's plight came to light after she joined Twitter in September.
The account captured everything from the death of her friends to her attempts to live a normal life.
18:37 Modi pure as Ganga, Rahul's allegations utterly baseless: BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party today strongly dismissed as "utterly baseless" and "shameful" Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's allegations that Narendra Modi as Gujarat Chief Minister had taken money from Sahara and Birla groups and said the prime minister is as "pure" as the Ganga.
Hitting back at Gandhi, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the allegations reflected the Congress leader's frustration and were an attempt to divert attention from the AgustaWestland probe in which the names of Congress leaders and the "family" were coming up.
"The allegations levelled against the prime minister are baseless, false, shameful and mala fide and they reflected Rahul Gandhi's frustration in leading his party to disastrous defeats in state after state," he told a press conference at the BJP headquarters.
Addressing a rally in Mehsana in Gujarat, Gandhi alleged that Modi as Gujarat Chief Minister had taken money from Sahara and Birla groups and demanded an independent inquiry.
17:45 Currency worth Rs 5.92 lakh crore issued since note ban: RBI
The Reserve Bank today said banks have issued currency worth over Rs 5.92 lakh crore to the public since the demonetisation of old high value notes last month.
The central bank also said that it has issued 2.2 billion (220 crore) pieces of notes of new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 during the period -- November 10 to December 19.
The currency infused into the system, however, is much less than what has been deposited in the form of defunct notes. The old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes returned to RBI and Currency Chests amounted to Rs 12.44 lakh
crore as on December 10.
Consequent to the announcement of withdrawal of Legal Tender status of banknotes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations from the midnight of November 8, 2016, the RBI said, it made arrangements for supply of
"adequate quantity" of banknotes in various denominations to the public through the banks.
"Over the period from November 10, 2016 up to December 19, 2016, banks have reported that banknotes worth Rs 5,92,613 crore have been issued to public either over the counter or through ATMs," the RBI said.
17:34 Russian envoy's killer had protected Erdogan: Report
The young Turkish policeman who killed Russia's ambassador to Ankara this week had provided security for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan eight times since the July 15 failed coup bid, a report said today.
Mevlut Mert Altintas, 22, pumped nine bullets into ambassador Andrei Karlov at an art exhibition centre on Monday evening, before he himself was killed by Turkish police.
Altintas, a member of the Ankara anti-riot police for two-and-a-half years, had been on duty at eight events attended by Erdogan since July, the Hurriyet daily said.
At such events he was part of the second wave of Erdogan's security after the personal bodyguard team of the president, wrote Hurriyet's writer Abdulkadir Selvi, known for his contacts in the ruling elite.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told US counterpart John Kerry in a phone call on Tuesday that Turkey believed the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who it blamed for the July 15 coup bid, was behind the assassination plot.
Turkish authorities are now investigating possible links of Altintas to Gulen, including a school he attended that was run by the cleric's group.
17:30
CBI arrests businessman Sekar Reddy from whose premises over Rs 131 crore was allegedly seized by I-T department post demonetisation, in Chennai.
16:51 Nomura growth indices for India plunge to lowest level since 1996
Confirming fears of demonetisation move hitting growth, Japanese brokerage Nomura on Wednesday said its proprietary indices have dipped to the lowest levels since 1996, with rural consumption showing the maximum impact.
"Our proprietary indicators suggest sharper near-term slowdown after the demonetisation,' it said, adding that while the slowdown is only partially visible in the November data prints, the full growth impact is likely to be seen only in the December data.
The report said the demonetisation move has hit rural consumption demand harder than the urban demand.The Nomura Composite Leading Index (CLI) for India for early 2017 has slumped to the lowest level since the series began in 1996 and is consistent with GDP growth of below 6%, it said.
"This suggests that there is downside risk to our Q1 growth projection of 6.9%, that is near-term growth may fall much more than expected," it said.
"Our proprietary indicators suggest sharper near-term slowdown after the demonetisation,' it said, adding that while the slowdown is only partially visible in the November data prints, the full growth impact is likely to be seen only in the December data.
The report said the demonetisation move has hit rural consumption demand harder than the urban demand.The Nomura Composite Leading Index (CLI) for India for early 2017 has slumped to the lowest level since the series began in 1996 and is consistent with GDP growth of below 6%, it said.
"This suggests that there is downside risk to our Q1 growth projection of 6.9%, that is near-term growth may fall much more than expected," it said.
16:49 Sahara paid Modi Rs 40 crore in 2013, says Rahul's 'quake'
At least 170 hours after his promise of an 'earthquake' Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was paid a huge sum of money during his stint as Gujarat chief minister. Rahul said that Modi received crores from the Sahara Group and demanded an independent probe into the matter. He said Sahara paid Modi nine times in six months, a total of Rs 40 crore in 2013. He said the proof was with the income tax department for years, but still no raid was carried out on the PM.
The BJP has slammed the Congress VP's 'proof' and says, Rahul Gandhi's allegations are false, people don't take him seriously. "It has become their habit to level baseless allegations against the PM. Rahul Gandhi is a part time non-serious political leader," the BJP said.
The BJP has slammed the Congress VP's 'proof' and says, Rahul Gandhi's allegations are false, people don't take him seriously. "It has become their habit to level baseless allegations against the PM. Rahul Gandhi is a part time non-serious political leader," the BJP said.
16:02 Mamata has become advocate for corrupt people: BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for opposing demonetisation and said she has become an advocate for people indulging in corruption.
"Mamata has become the champion and advocate of black money holders and people indulging in corruption. People voted for her so that she can make the state free of black money holders, but now she herself is advocating for them. The people of West Bengal will give an appropriate reply to her soon," warned BJP leader Shrikant Sharma.
Mamata on Tuesday alleged that the Centre floating new norms on a continuous basis post the November 8 demonetisation drive signifies that there is an unstable government that to indulging in vendetta politics to silence critics.
"Why is the BJP government doing vendetta politics? Our party LS leader got 3 calls from CBI .Nothing will deter us from fight against #DeMonetisation. Held a review meeting in Bankura. Situation on ground very grim. With weekly limit of Rs 24000, banks were supposed to give Rs 96000 pm. For 100 Days' Work, workers get Rs 5000+ in a month. Banks are unable to give this amount also. What will the people eat?" Mamata tweeted.
"Mamata has become the champion and advocate of black money holders and people indulging in corruption. People voted for her so that she can make the state free of black money holders, but now she herself is advocating for them. The people of West Bengal will give an appropriate reply to her soon," warned BJP leader Shrikant Sharma.
Mamata on Tuesday alleged that the Centre floating new norms on a continuous basis post the November 8 demonetisation drive signifies that there is an unstable government that to indulging in vendetta politics to silence critics.
"Why is the BJP government doing vendetta politics? Our party LS leader got 3 calls from CBI .Nothing will deter us from fight against #DeMonetisation. Held a review meeting in Bankura. Situation on ground very grim. With weekly limit of Rs 24000, banks were supposed to give Rs 96000 pm. For 100 Days' Work, workers get Rs 5000+ in a month. Banks are unable to give this amount also. What will the people eat?" Mamata tweeted.
15:36 Cong mocks 'Reverse' Bank of India after Rs 5000 U-turn
A day after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi mocked the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) over the constant change in its rules post demonetisation, the recent u-turn in which the Rs.5000 deposit restriction for KYC compliant accounts was withdrawn, became fodder for the grand old party who took a swing at RBI saying it has now become the 'Reverse Bank of India'.
"Reserve Bank of India has become Reverse Bank of India. In last 43 days of demonetisation, they have changed the norms on demonetisation 126 times now. On December 17th they said you cannot deposit more than Rs 5,000 up to December 30th violating their November 8th notification," Congress leader Randeep Surjewala told ANI.
The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) on Monday announced that deposits of old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes exceeding Rs. 5000 shall be made only once per account until December 30 but after a satisfactory explanation.
Tenders of Specified Bank Notes (SBN) in excess of Rs. 5000 into a bank account will be received for credit only once during the remaining period till December 30, 2016.
The credit in such cases shall be afforded only after questioning the tenderer, on record, in the presence of at least two officials of the bank, as to why this could not be deposited earlier and receiving a satisfactory explanation.
However, taking a u-turn today, the Central Bank partially reversed the rule that restricted people from depositing over Rs. 5000 in old banknotes more than once till December 30.
The relaxation will, however, apply to "fully Know your Customer (KYC) compliant accounts" where KYC pertains to customer information details.
Surjewala said the latest relaxation provided to the KYC account holders is discriminatory and divides the bank accounts into those of the rich and poor.
"Reserve Bank of India has become Reverse Bank of India. In last 43 days of demonetisation, they have changed the norms on demonetisation 126 times now. On December 17th they said you cannot deposit more than Rs 5,000 up to December 30th violating their November 8th notification," Congress leader Randeep Surjewala told ANI.
The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) on Monday announced that deposits of old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes exceeding Rs. 5000 shall be made only once per account until December 30 but after a satisfactory explanation.
Tenders of Specified Bank Notes (SBN) in excess of Rs. 5000 into a bank account will be received for credit only once during the remaining period till December 30, 2016.
The credit in such cases shall be afforded only after questioning the tenderer, on record, in the presence of at least two officials of the bank, as to why this could not be deposited earlier and receiving a satisfactory explanation.
However, taking a u-turn today, the Central Bank partially reversed the rule that restricted people from depositing over Rs. 5000 in old banknotes more than once till December 30.
The relaxation will, however, apply to "fully Know your Customer (KYC) compliant accounts" where KYC pertains to customer information details.
Surjewala said the latest relaxation provided to the KYC account holders is discriminatory and divides the bank accounts into those of the rich and poor.
15:15
PM Narendra Modi calls on President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
15:12 The slow strangulation of a South Asian magazine
After operating in Nepal for more than a quarter century, Himal Southasian experienced what its editor calls a "strangulation by bureaucracy". The magazine's founder, Kanak Mani Dixit was arrested on April 22nd. Read
14:54 Karunanidhi doing well, will be discharged soon, says Kauvery hospital
DMK Chief M Karunanidhi is recovering well and will be discharged from hospital after completion of the course of antibiotics, a release from Kauvery Hospital, Chennai, where he has been admitted says today.
His son and party treasurer M K Stalin on Monday said Karunanidhi, who is undergoing treatment in Kauvery Hospital for breathing problems, is doing fine and will be discharged soon.
Pic: M Karunanidhi with his staff and doctors at the Kauvery Hospital.
His son and party treasurer M K Stalin on Monday said Karunanidhi, who is undergoing treatment in Kauvery Hospital for breathing problems, is doing fine and will be discharged soon.
Pic: M Karunanidhi with his staff and doctors at the Kauvery Hospital.
14:28 TN CM refuses to ride in car used by Jaya
O Panneerselvam's maiden visit to New Delhi as Tamil Nadu chief minister after J Jayalalithaa's demise went unnoticed.
It was designed to be so.
Panneerselvam has always remained in Jayalalithaa's shadow when she was alive, and now after her death, he has maintained a low profile. He has instructed that his photographs should not be kept at the main reception area of Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi. Incidentally, almost all the large portraits of Jayalalithaa still hang inside the House along with President Pranab Mukherjee and the state Governor.
We also hear that Panneerselvam did not use the official car which was being used by Jayalalithaa. In fact before leaving for the Prime Minister's residence, Panneerselvam prayed before the portrait of Jayalalithaa, touched it and stood before it in silence for two minutes, seemingly to get her blessings.
It was designed to be so.
Panneerselvam has always remained in Jayalalithaa's shadow when she was alive, and now after her death, he has maintained a low profile. He has instructed that his photographs should not be kept at the main reception area of Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi. Incidentally, almost all the large portraits of Jayalalithaa still hang inside the House along with President Pranab Mukherjee and the state Governor.
We also hear that Panneerselvam did not use the official car which was being used by Jayalalithaa. In fact before leaving for the Prime Minister's residence, Panneerselvam prayed before the portrait of Jayalalithaa, touched it and stood before it in silence for two minutes, seemingly to get her blessings.
14:13 Monserratte forms own party, wants to contest against Parrikar
Unattached Congress legislator Atanasio Monserratte today announced the formation of his own political party ahead of the Goa assembly polls and expressed his desire to contest against Union Minister Manohar Parrikar from Panaji constituency.
"I wish I could fight Parrikar. I have a feeling that I would even defeat Parrikar. For me it makes no difference, I am fighting from Panaji. I hope Centre sends Parrikar down to fight the election with me. At least my wish would be completed," Monserratte said after he announced his intention to align with the Congress for the polls through his newly formed outfit -- United Goans Party.
Parrikar, the former Chief Minister of Goa, represented Panaji from 1994 till 2014, after which he was elevated to the Union cabinet.
"I wish I could fight Parrikar. I have a feeling that I would even defeat Parrikar. For me it makes no difference, I am fighting from Panaji. I hope Centre sends Parrikar down to fight the election with me. At least my wish would be completed," Monserratte said after he announced his intention to align with the Congress for the polls through his newly formed outfit -- United Goans Party.
Parrikar, the former Chief Minister of Goa, represented Panaji from 1994 till 2014, after which he was elevated to the Union cabinet.
13:56 When Thambidurai wanted to be Panneerselvam's translator
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is upset with Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai for seeking an appointment with the Prime Minister along with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. Thambidurai wanted to be the translator for Pannerselvam, but the PMO was of the view that Thambidurai had crossed the line of protocol. It is believed that he has antagonised the BJP and in particular the PMO and insiders in the income tax department whisper that there may be trouble ahead for a few AIADMK MPs who went against the law.
13:44 Ahead of tax raid TN chief secy met PM, union minister in Delhi
Even as the Income Tax department raided Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao's residence this morning, we are being told that he was in fact in New Delhi till yesterday evening. The assumption that is being made is that his Delhi visit was to ensure that the raids would not take place. Which of course means that Rao had prior intimation that the raids would take place.
When he met the Prime Minister with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Paneerselvam, the PMO had already been briefed by the Central Board of Direct Taxes that raids were possible.
Rao spent an hour with an union minister who hails from Andhra Pradesh to ensure that the finance ministry was asked to go slow on the raids.
That the union minister's efforts did not yield positive results is another matter. The tax raids this morning at his residence and official premises of yielded bundles of cash in new denominations amounting to crores in the bedroom.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the house was raided following inputs given by the IT Dept and other agencies.
When he met the Prime Minister with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Paneerselvam, the PMO had already been briefed by the Central Board of Direct Taxes that raids were possible.
Rao spent an hour with an union minister who hails from Andhra Pradesh to ensure that the finance ministry was asked to go slow on the raids.
That the union minister's efforts did not yield positive results is another matter. The tax raids this morning at his residence and official premises of yielded bundles of cash in new denominations amounting to crores in the bedroom.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the house was raided following inputs given by the IT Dept and other agencies.
13:25 Salaries of govt employees may now be credited directly to account
Just as we wrap our head around another RBI U-turn on demonetisation, the government has proposed to bring an amendment to Section 6 of the Payment of Wages Act. This means the wages will be credited directly into the account of employees or paid by cheque with the existing provision in the current currency.
13:15 RBI withdraws Rs 5000 deposit limit
The Reserve Bank of India has modified its circular of December 19, limiting deposit of old notes to Rs 5,000, exempting KYC (know your customer) accounts from it.
'Please refer to our circular dated December 19, 2016. On a review of the above, we advise that the provisions of the above circular at sub para (i) and (ii) will not apply to fully KYC compliant accounts,' the RBI said in a release.
The said sub para (i) stipulated that old 'tenders in excess of Rs 5000 in to a bank account will be received for credit only once during the remaining period till December 30, 2016. The credit in such cases shall be afforded only after questioning tenderer, on record, in the presence of at least two officials of the bank, as to why this could not be deposited earlier and receiving a satisfactory explanation. The explanation should be kept on record to facilitate an audit trail at a later stage. An appropriate flag also should be raised in CBS to that effect so that no more tenders are allowed'.
While sub para (ii) said, 'Tenders of SBNs up to Rs 5,000 in value received across the counter will allowed to be credited to bank accounts in the normal course until December 30, 2016. Even when tenders smaller than Rs 5,000 are made in an account and such tenders taken together on cumulative basis exceed Rs 5,000 they may be subject to the procedure to be followed in case of tenders above Rs 5,000, with no more tenders being allowed thereafter until December 30, 2016.'
'Please refer to our circular dated December 19, 2016. On a review of the above, we advise that the provisions of the above circular at sub para (i) and (ii) will not apply to fully KYC compliant accounts,' the RBI said in a release.
The said sub para (i) stipulated that old 'tenders in excess of Rs 5000 in to a bank account will be received for credit only once during the remaining period till December 30, 2016. The credit in such cases shall be afforded only after questioning tenderer, on record, in the presence of at least two officials of the bank, as to why this could not be deposited earlier and receiving a satisfactory explanation. The explanation should be kept on record to facilitate an audit trail at a later stage. An appropriate flag also should be raised in CBS to that effect so that no more tenders are allowed'.
While sub para (ii) said, 'Tenders of SBNs up to Rs 5,000 in value received across the counter will allowed to be credited to bank accounts in the normal course until December 30, 2016. Even when tenders smaller than Rs 5,000 are made in an account and such tenders taken together on cumulative basis exceed Rs 5,000 they may be subject to the procedure to be followed in case of tenders above Rs 5,000, with no more tenders being allowed thereafter until December 30, 2016.'
12:48
JUST IN: Anti-Corruption Bureau gives clean chit to Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde in 'chikki' purchase 'scam'.
12:34 Protest against Imphal blockade: Curfew lifted till 7pm
Curfew has been lifted till 7 pm today from Imphal East, except for Lamlong to Yaingangpokpi, in the wake of violence following economic blockade on National Highways connecting the state.
As many as three state police personnel were killed in militant ambush while 14 others got injured in the aftermath of the formation of seven new revenue districts by the state government.
Nine sophisticated weapons were also snatched by the militants after overpowering the Indian Reserve Battalion.
More than 20 vehicles were set ablaze in different incidents.
As many as three state police personnel were killed in militant ambush while 14 others got injured in the aftermath of the formation of seven new revenue districts by the state government.
Nine sophisticated weapons were also snatched by the militants after overpowering the Indian Reserve Battalion.
More than 20 vehicles were set ablaze in different incidents.
12:09 Modi's big-ticket Varanasi visit tomorrow will set the tone for UP polls
With the crucial assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh just around the corner, the BJP's grassroot level cadre in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency in Varanasi will be looking forward to receiving the mantra for electoral success during his tour of the ancient temple town tomorrow.
Interaction with nearly 20,000 booth-level party workers at the Diesel Locmotive Works (DLW) premises forms a major part of the Prime Minister's itinerary.
Modi's visit, which could be the last to his parliamentary constituency before the poll schedule is announced and the Model Code of Conduct comes into force, also includes flagging off of quite a few projects.
These include laying of foundation stones for a cancer centre and a super-speciality hospital at the Benares Hindu University where Modi will also spend some time at the "Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav" (national cultural festival), a week-long event organized by the Union Ministry for Culture where artistes from across the country, some of them of international repute, have been performing.
From BHU premises, Modi will leave for a brief tour of Kabir Nagar locality, named after the 17th century mystic and poet, and inspect underground cabling and heritage lighting work, which is being carried out as part of the IPDS (Integrated Power Development Scheme) and HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana) schemes.
Thereafter the Prime Minister will reach DLW, where his political engagements will be preceded by laying of foundation stone for a 150-bed ESIC (Employee's State Insurance Corporation) super speciality hospital and inauguration of a trade facilitation centre and a crafts museum besides launching of a number of schemes and projects under the Textiles Ministry.
This would be Modi's first tour of his parliamentary constituency since demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, that has drawn much flak from the opposition as the shortage of currency caused inconvenience to traders, salaried groups, artisans and unskilled daily wage earners alike.
The PM's message to the booth-level workers of the BJP, drawn from all five assembly segments falling under the Lok Sabha constituency, will set the tone for the party foot soldiers faced with a daunting task of holding their own in a state where politics has been dominated by two rival regional players -'" the ruling Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party. From being a force to reckon with in the state in the 1990s, thanks to the momentum generated by the Ramjanmabhoomi agitation, the BJP underwent a steep decline in the first decade of the century.
Pic: A 2014 picture of Narendra Modi taking the victory lap in Varanasi
Interaction with nearly 20,000 booth-level party workers at the Diesel Locmotive Works (DLW) premises forms a major part of the Prime Minister's itinerary.
Modi's visit, which could be the last to his parliamentary constituency before the poll schedule is announced and the Model Code of Conduct comes into force, also includes flagging off of quite a few projects.
These include laying of foundation stones for a cancer centre and a super-speciality hospital at the Benares Hindu University where Modi will also spend some time at the "Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav" (national cultural festival), a week-long event organized by the Union Ministry for Culture where artistes from across the country, some of them of international repute, have been performing.
From BHU premises, Modi will leave for a brief tour of Kabir Nagar locality, named after the 17th century mystic and poet, and inspect underground cabling and heritage lighting work, which is being carried out as part of the IPDS (Integrated Power Development Scheme) and HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana) schemes.
Thereafter the Prime Minister will reach DLW, where his political engagements will be preceded by laying of foundation stone for a 150-bed ESIC (Employee's State Insurance Corporation) super speciality hospital and inauguration of a trade facilitation centre and a crafts museum besides launching of a number of schemes and projects under the Textiles Ministry.
This would be Modi's first tour of his parliamentary constituency since demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, that has drawn much flak from the opposition as the shortage of currency caused inconvenience to traders, salaried groups, artisans and unskilled daily wage earners alike.
The PM's message to the booth-level workers of the BJP, drawn from all five assembly segments falling under the Lok Sabha constituency, will set the tone for the party foot soldiers faced with a daunting task of holding their own in a state where politics has been dominated by two rival regional players -'" the ruling Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party. From being a force to reckon with in the state in the 1990s, thanks to the momentum generated by the Ramjanmabhoomi agitation, the BJP underwent a steep decline in the first decade of the century.
Pic: A 2014 picture of Narendra Modi taking the victory lap in Varanasi
11:58 Death penalty may be on the way out in US: report
The days of capital punishment may be numbered in the United States, with sharp reductions in new death sentences and executions carried out amid waning public support, according to a report released today. The Death Penalty Information Center, a Washington-based nonprofit organization, said statistics point to a continued record decline in the use of killing as punishment. "America is in the midst of a major climate change concerning capital punishment," said Robert Dunham, DPIC's executive director and the author of the report.
11:54 Dear @OfficeOfRG
Rahul Gandhi's official Twitter handle, Office of RG @OfficeOfRG posted this picture, saying, "Government orders after demonetisation:It's called giving credit where it's due."
The picture with a jumble of traffic signals obviously signifies the government's rules and regulations, U-turns, whimsies and the general chaos over demonetisation.
Smart, witty and apt.
Except that, over 30 minutes earlier journalist Shivam Vij @DilliDurAst tweeted the same picture, with the caption: Demonetisation rules and regulations.
The Congress VP has always been quick to credit the PM with the chaos and pain that demonetisation has brought about and rightfully so, but may be credit to another Twitter post should also be given.
The picture with a jumble of traffic signals obviously signifies the government's rules and regulations, U-turns, whimsies and the general chaos over demonetisation.
Smart, witty and apt.
Except that, over 30 minutes earlier journalist Shivam Vij @DilliDurAst tweeted the same picture, with the caption: Demonetisation rules and regulations.
The Congress VP has always been quick to credit the PM with the chaos and pain that demonetisation has brought about and rightfully so, but may be credit to another Twitter post should also be given.
11:34 Kerala: 21 medical college students suspended over ragging
At least 21 students of a government medical college in Manjeri of Kerala's Malappuram district have been suspended following allegations of ragging.
The freshers were made to wash toilets and drink polluted water as part of ragging.
Around 40 students lodged a complaint about the same with the college administration following which action was taken.
The college's internal committee has begun its investigation and will submit its report to the anti-ragging committee today.The anti-ragging committee, which consists of representatives from the police and media, will after going through the report file a complaint as per the seriousness of the act.
Just two days ago, six college students accused of severely ragging first-year students of a government polytechnic college in Kottayam surrendered before the police.
According to reports, there are a total of seven accused in the case and two are still absconding. According to the Supreme Court's guidelines, accommodations where freshers are accommodated should be carefully guarded by a warden. Also, the entry of seniors and outsiders shall be prohibited after specified hour of night to prevent such incidents.
The freshers were made to wash toilets and drink polluted water as part of ragging.
Around 40 students lodged a complaint about the same with the college administration following which action was taken.
The college's internal committee has begun its investigation and will submit its report to the anti-ragging committee today.The anti-ragging committee, which consists of representatives from the police and media, will after going through the report file a complaint as per the seriousness of the act.
Just two days ago, six college students accused of severely ragging first-year students of a government polytechnic college in Kottayam surrendered before the police.
According to reports, there are a total of seven accused in the case and two are still absconding. According to the Supreme Court's guidelines, accommodations where freshers are accommodated should be carefully guarded by a warden. Also, the entry of seniors and outsiders shall be prohibited after specified hour of night to prevent such incidents.
11:26 Black money in a cash-driven economy
Demonetization represents loss of value for money. It is a loss of legal tender. It is only one among other steps awaiting action. Substantial quantities of fake rupee currency notes pouring in from Pakistan and financing terrorist activities must halt; illegal and non-tax-paid wealth held in cash must be almost eliminated. They demand strong policing and change in the economic system. Making currency notes worthless will not stop bribery and corruption.
Paper currency notes have value because there are strong agencies, usually governments that back them. When the governments are weakened by war or economic crises the currency loses part of its value. No bank or government is going to give another valuable commodity in its place except at a lower paper value. People must trust the currency. Diminution of trust devalues the currency. Read more
Paper currency notes have value because there are strong agencies, usually governments that back them. When the governments are weakened by war or economic crises the currency loses part of its value. No bank or government is going to give another valuable commodity in its place except at a lower paper value. People must trust the currency. Diminution of trust devalues the currency. Read more
11:19 Ice Ice baby! Srinagar's Dal lake partially frozen
Srinagar on Tuesday witnessed its coldest night at minus 5.5, the MET office said.
"Weather is likely to remain dry with clear night sky during the next 24 hours (till Wednesday) indicating a further drop in the night temperatures across the state," a Met official told IANS.
The Dal Lake has already frozen partially almost halting boating activities.
Frozen water taps and slippery roads were causing inconvenience to the residents.
According to the Met office, the minimum temperature was minus 6.2 in Pahalgam and minus 3.0 in Gulmarg.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city was at 5.6 degrees Celsius in the night while Katra was at 9.6.
Image: Ice forms over the Dal lake as temperatures dip across Kashmir
10:48 Demonetisation chaos will help us retain power: Akhilesh
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav feels the days of caste-based politics in the state are over and now the two Ds -- development and demonetisation problems -- will work in favour of the Samajwadi Party in the upcoming assembly polls.
According to him, his family feud is no more a factor and all issues have been changed post demonetisation. "That is a thing of past now. We are working together to win the elections. Issues have changed and post demonetisation nobody remembers that (family feud) now. All the other issues have been left behind and demonetisation has emerged as the key issue," he said.
He asserted that Uttar Pradesh will vote for his work, image and not on caste equations.
"Our work in last five years and the problems people are facing due to demonetisation will lead us to victory in upcoming elections. Jo kataarein ATM ke bahar lagi hai wo polling booth ke bahar lagegi (polling booths will see long queues like ones outside ATMs now," Akhilesh told PTI in an interview. When asked who he considers the bigger rival -- BJP or BSP, he said people of Uttar Pradesh have lost faith in both of them.
According to him, his family feud is no more a factor and all issues have been changed post demonetisation. "That is a thing of past now. We are working together to win the elections. Issues have changed and post demonetisation nobody remembers that (family feud) now. All the other issues have been left behind and demonetisation has emerged as the key issue," he said.
He asserted that Uttar Pradesh will vote for his work, image and not on caste equations.
"Our work in last five years and the problems people are facing due to demonetisation will lead us to victory in upcoming elections. Jo kataarein ATM ke bahar lagi hai wo polling booth ke bahar lagegi (polling booths will see long queues like ones outside ATMs now," Akhilesh told PTI in an interview. When asked who he considers the bigger rival -- BJP or BSP, he said people of Uttar Pradesh have lost faith in both of them.
10:38 Lie detector test on friend of missing JNU student
The Delhi Police will on Wednesday conduct a lie detector test on missingJawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Najeeb Ahmed's room partner Kazim. The Crime Branch unit of the Delhi yesterday entered into its second day of search operations at the JNU campus. More than 600 police personnel have been deployed at the University for the searches including the District Commissioner of Police and a dozen other senior cops.
The Crime Branch team on Monday reached the JNU to begin its probe into missing student Najeeb Ahmed's case.
The students of JNU have criticised the Delhi Police over the delay in tracing Najeeb, who has been missing from the campus after allegedly being beaten up by a mob of 20 students comprising mostly the ABVP members.
JNUSU president Mohit Pandey last month told media, "The police has not taken any action for finding Najeeb. They have not followed the procedures and responsibilities. Those who had beaten him were not interrogated.
Najeeb's family has so far been critical of the police for not being able to locate him. Denying reports that Najeeb was taking anti-depressant medicines, his sister had earlier alleged that the police was trying to give a different direction to this case.
"We hope the Delhi Police works on the right path to find him and not defame him. Please don't try to defame Najeeb.The Delhi Police needs to go in the right direction. We have also requested for a CBI probe," she said.
The Delhi Police had last month increased the reward from Rs. 2, 00,000 to 5, 00,000 for the person, who provides information about the missing JNU student.
Earlier on October 14, Ahmed was allegedly slapped by an ABVP member canvassing for the hostel elections. The first year M.Sc Biotechnology student has been missing from the next day.
Since then, the students along with Najeeb's family members have been protesting at the campus against the alleged police inaction and demanding the arrest of ABVP members.
A police complaint was earlier filed under Section 365 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine a person, and a proctorial inquiry was also initiated by the varsity.
The Crime Branch team on Monday reached the JNU to begin its probe into missing student Najeeb Ahmed's case.
The students of JNU have criticised the Delhi Police over the delay in tracing Najeeb, who has been missing from the campus after allegedly being beaten up by a mob of 20 students comprising mostly the ABVP members.
JNUSU president Mohit Pandey last month told media, "The police has not taken any action for finding Najeeb. They have not followed the procedures and responsibilities. Those who had beaten him were not interrogated.
Najeeb's family has so far been critical of the police for not being able to locate him. Denying reports that Najeeb was taking anti-depressant medicines, his sister had earlier alleged that the police was trying to give a different direction to this case.
"We hope the Delhi Police works on the right path to find him and not defame him. Please don't try to defame Najeeb.The Delhi Police needs to go in the right direction. We have also requested for a CBI probe," she said.
The Delhi Police had last month increased the reward from Rs. 2, 00,000 to 5, 00,000 for the person, who provides information about the missing JNU student.
Earlier on October 14, Ahmed was allegedly slapped by an ABVP member canvassing for the hostel elections. The first year M.Sc Biotechnology student has been missing from the next day.
Since then, the students along with Najeeb's family members have been protesting at the campus against the alleged police inaction and demanding the arrest of ABVP members.
A police complaint was earlier filed under Section 365 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine a person, and a proctorial inquiry was also initiated by the varsity.
10:33
Stanley Pignal '@spignal The fact that Raghuram Rajan is the obvious choice to head up IMF if Lagarde leaves now makes you wonder why he isn't still running RBI, no?
10:30 Refugees plead with Germans: don't suspect all of us
Refugees in Berlin have pleaded with their host nation to avoid placing migrants under a blanket of suspicion after police commandos raided their shelter, which had been home to a man arrested over Monday night's truck attack on a crowded Christmas market. Read more
10:26 Teenager shot dead in Delhi
A 17-year-old girl was shot dead allegedly by one of her male friends in southwest Delhi's Najafgarh area last night. The victim and her two friends, Shubham and Yogesh had gone to Rajouri Garden to have lunch yesterday. "While coming back they stopped at Dwarka for shopping. The girl's mother called her around 7:30 pm," said a senior police officer. After reaching her place, one of her friends came out of the car while the victim and her friend Shubham were inside the car, he said. Her mother told police that she suddenly heard the sound of a bullet and saw her daughter lying in a pool of blood, he added. Shubham fled from the spot.
The victim's mother and her friend Yogesh took her to a hospital where she was declared brought dead, police said. The murder weapon has been recovered. Shubham and his family are absconding. Police is trying to ascertain the motive behind the murder. Further details are awaited.
The victim's mother and her friend Yogesh took her to a hospital where she was declared brought dead, police said. The murder weapon has been recovered. Shubham and his family are absconding. Police is trying to ascertain the motive behind the murder. Further details are awaited.
10:19 Tax raid at TN chief secretary's residence
The Income Tax department on Tuesday conducted a raid at the premises of Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao. The raids were conducted at his residence this morning, reports the Hindu. A senior investigating officer told The Hindu that the Chief Secretary has been under the scanner for quite some time now. Rao was appointed Chief Secretary in June this year. More details awaited.
Representational image.
Representational image.
10:13 Teen shot dead in Delhi
17-year-old girl shot dead in Delhi's Najafgarh, missing friend believed to be the suspect. Details awaited.
10:09 Rajat Gupta disagrees with US Supreme Court's insider trading ruling
India-born former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta, who is arguing in appeal that the government lacked evidence to show he "received even a penny" for passing insider information, has disagreed with a US Supreme Court ruling that sharing corporate secrets is illegal even if the tipsters did not receive anything in return.
In a landmark ruling earlier this month relating to the insider trading conviction of Illinois resident Bassam Yacoub Salman, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that sharing corporate secrets with friends or relatives is illegal even if the insider providing the tip doesn't receive anything of value in return.
68-year-old Gupta is a free man now after completing a prison term on insider trading charges but is not giving up his legal battle to overturn his conviction, arguing that he served two years in jail for conduct that is not criminal even though the government lacked evidence to show he "received even a penny" for passing confidential boardroom information to now jailed hedge-fund manager Raj Rajaratnam.
In a landmark ruling earlier this month relating to the insider trading conviction of Illinois resident Bassam Yacoub Salman, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that sharing corporate secrets with friends or relatives is illegal even if the insider providing the tip doesn't receive anything of value in return.
68-year-old Gupta is a free man now after completing a prison term on insider trading charges but is not giving up his legal battle to overturn his conviction, arguing that he served two years in jail for conduct that is not criminal even though the government lacked evidence to show he "received even a penny" for passing confidential boardroom information to now jailed hedge-fund manager Raj Rajaratnam.
10:03 Queen Victorias last letter to India unveiled at Victoria Memorial
Queen Victoria's last letter to India, written 116 years ago, is on display for the first time at the Victoria Memorial, one of the finest monuments built in her memory. The three-page handwritten letter, dated December 14, 1900 and bearing the Royal Seal, was unveiled for the public on December 16 at the Prince Hall of the Victoria Memorial. Read more
09:58 Banks refuse to accept deposits above Rs 5,000
The public, already reeling from the pain of demonetisation, was put to further hardship on Tuesday by the previous day's RBI circular that deposits above Rs 5,000 in old 500 and 1,000 notes would be credited to bank accounts "only after questioning the tenderer, on record, in the presence of at least two officials of the bank as to why this could not be deposited earlier and receiving a satisfactory explanation". Read more
09:53 At soaring rate, Nepalis seeking jobs abroad come home dead
In total, over 5,000 workers from Nepal have died working abroad since 2008 -- more than the number of US troops killed in the Iraq War. Read
09:44 How a bank taught me the power of 'may be'
"I stepped into the bank a little after noon. Over the next three-and-a-half hours, my convictions were shredded like invalid notes."
A journalist's account of what happened when tried to deposit Rs 23000 in old notes, kept for a medical emergency, at the bank. Do read
A journalist's account of what happened when tried to deposit Rs 23000 in old notes, kept for a medical emergency, at the bank. Do read
09:30 Caps on ATM withdrawal to be eased after Dec 30, assures govt
Minister of State for Finance Santosh Gangwar has said that the current restrictions on ATM withdrawals will be removed after December 30 and added that there are sufficient cash to cater to people's needs.
When he was asked about the possibility of easing withdrawal caps, Gangwar said, "Yes, of course, it will happen. It's just a temporary phase."
When he was asked as to whether the withdrawal limits will be normalised, Gangwar said, "I am also in favour of that, but it is under discussion."
Currently, a maximum of Rs 2,500 can be withdrawn from ATMs in a day, while Rs. 24,000 per week can be withdrawn from bank accounts.
However, there is no capping on payments made through cheques and internet.
Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa on December 16 had said that the withdrawal limit was to be reviewed after December 30, 2016.The government has set the deadline for depositing scrapped Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes on December 30
When he was asked about the possibility of easing withdrawal caps, Gangwar said, "Yes, of course, it will happen. It's just a temporary phase."
When he was asked as to whether the withdrawal limits will be normalised, Gangwar said, "I am also in favour of that, but it is under discussion."
Currently, a maximum of Rs 2,500 can be withdrawn from ATMs in a day, while Rs. 24,000 per week can be withdrawn from bank accounts.
However, there is no capping on payments made through cheques and internet.
Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa on December 16 had said that the withdrawal limit was to be reviewed after December 30, 2016.The government has set the deadline for depositing scrapped Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes on December 30
09:28 Parrikar's 'dance naked' advice to critics
If you haven't read it yet, this is our eloquent defence minister delivering a speech in Goa.
In a stern critique of a section of the Goan media, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said his advice to those who blabber needlessly was to take-off their clothes and dance naked to get publicity.Parrikar, who attended a Bharatiya Janata Party meeting in Sattari sub district in north Goa, located 40 km from Panaji, was speaking on Monday vis-a-vis the limits of criticism.
"I still remember in 1968 during the Watergate issue, he (an editor) had written a large editorial advising (Richard) Nixon. Now, how could an editorial written by him in Marathi reach Nixon? He is in America.
"Some people do not understand their limits. They keep blabbering. I have some good advice for them. Remove your clothes and dance naked (kapde kadha ani nagde nacha).
"One will get even better publicity," Parrikar said, while referring to an editor of a vernacular newspaper in Panaji. "I give one advice to those who abuse to get publicity. There was a newspaper here. It is still there. I will not take its name. It had an editor."He was an international level editor, he was brought here in his old age. His newspaper had a sale of 1,000'' the former Goa Chief Minister said.
In a stern critique of a section of the Goan media, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said his advice to those who blabber needlessly was to take-off their clothes and dance naked to get publicity.Parrikar, who attended a Bharatiya Janata Party meeting in Sattari sub district in north Goa, located 40 km from Panaji, was speaking on Monday vis-a-vis the limits of criticism.
"I still remember in 1968 during the Watergate issue, he (an editor) had written a large editorial advising (Richard) Nixon. Now, how could an editorial written by him in Marathi reach Nixon? He is in America.
"Some people do not understand their limits. They keep blabbering. I have some good advice for them. Remove your clothes and dance naked (kapde kadha ani nagde nacha).
"One will get even better publicity," Parrikar said, while referring to an editor of a vernacular newspaper in Panaji. "I give one advice to those who abuse to get publicity. There was a newspaper here. It is still there. I will not take its name. It had an editor."He was an international level editor, he was brought here in his old age. His newspaper had a sale of 1,000'' the former Goa Chief Minister said.
09:15 The conqueror-king Kareena's son is named after
So Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor's baby boy has been named Taimur. Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com opened the pages of history to bring to life the fierce warrior king who bore that name so many centuries ago. Do read
08:41 29 dead, 70 hurt in Mexico fireworks market blast
A massive explosion gutted Mexico's biggest fireworks market, killing at least 29 people and injuring 70, authorities said.
The conflagration, in the Mexico City suburb of Tultepec, set off a quick-fire series of multicoloured blasts and sent a vast cloud of smoke billowing over the capital city, AFP reported.
The market had been packed with customers buying pyrotechnics for traditional end-of-year festivities.
"We recovered 26 bodies at the scene of the incident. And three more have died in the hospital, for a total of 29 dead," Mexico state's governor Eruviel Avila said.
Federal police said on Twitter that 70 people were hurt and were transported to emergency rooms.
Fire crews struggled for three hours before bringing the blaze under control.
The head of the civil protection service, Luis Felipe Puente, said crews had to wait for all the fireworks to finish exploding before they could extinguish the flames.
"The entire market is gone," he said.
IMAGE: Police officers walk amongst the wreckage of houses destroyed in an explosion at the San Pablito fireworks market outside the Mexican capital. Photograph: Edgard Garrido/Reuters
The conflagration, in the Mexico City suburb of Tultepec, set off a quick-fire series of multicoloured blasts and sent a vast cloud of smoke billowing over the capital city, AFP reported.
The market had been packed with customers buying pyrotechnics for traditional end-of-year festivities.
"We recovered 26 bodies at the scene of the incident. And three more have died in the hospital, for a total of 29 dead," Mexico state's governor Eruviel Avila said.
Federal police said on Twitter that 70 people were hurt and were transported to emergency rooms.
Fire crews struggled for three hours before bringing the blaze under control.
The head of the civil protection service, Luis Felipe Puente, said crews had to wait for all the fireworks to finish exploding before they could extinguish the flames.
"The entire market is gone," he said.
IMAGE: Police officers walk amongst the wreckage of houses destroyed in an explosion at the San Pablito fireworks market outside the Mexican capital. Photograph: Edgard Garrido/Reuters
08:18 IS claims Berlin Christmas market attack
German police on Wednesday stepped up their hunt for the driver of a truck that rampaged through a Berlin Christmas market, in a deadly assault claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.
The sole suspect -- a 23-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker -- was released late yesterday for lack of evidence, prompting worries of a killer on the loose and further rattling nerves in a shocked country.
The IS-linked Amaq news agency said 'a soldier of the Islamic State' carried out the Berlin carnage 'in response to appeals to target citizens of coalition countries'.
There was no evidence to back the claim, nor was the perpetrator identified
Twelve people were killed when the Polish-registered articulated truck ploughed into the crowded market on Monday, smashing wooden stalls and crushing victims. -- AFP
The sole suspect -- a 23-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker -- was released late yesterday for lack of evidence, prompting worries of a killer on the loose and further rattling nerves in a shocked country.
The IS-linked Amaq news agency said 'a soldier of the Islamic State' carried out the Berlin carnage 'in response to appeals to target citizens of coalition countries'.
There was no evidence to back the claim, nor was the perpetrator identified
Twelve people were killed when the Polish-registered articulated truck ploughed into the crowded market on Monday, smashing wooden stalls and crushing victims. -- AFP
00:40 Islamic State 'brainwashing' children to attack Europe
The Islamic State group is providing children apps to access violent jihadi websites and offering rewards, if young recruits say they were willing to attack monuments in Europe.
The attempt to "create a new generation of terrorists", according to British military and security officials, comes amid evidence of the IS's bid to recruit children in the West to carry out attacks in Europe and America, the Independent reported on Tuesday.
The terror group has set up kiosks in the areas it controls in Iraq and Syria where children can use apps to read the group's online magazine Rumiyah, as well as a website that teaches them Arabic.
The terror group has been increasing the use of child fighters in a battle for survival in Iraq and Syria.
Col. John Dorrian of the US-led coalition against the IS said: "What they do is despicable. They are willing to use children to carry out suicide attacks. Their apocalyptic vision is of damaging society everywhere they have gained control."
00:04 We're going to be there for the next president: Michelle
While Michelle Obama was a harsh critic of Donald Trump on the campaign trail, the first lady says in an interview that she is supportive of the country's incoming new leader.
"The words that we say moving forward -- all of us, it matters, which is one of the reasons Barack and I are so supportive of this transition, because no matter how we felt going into it, it is important for the health of this nation that we support the commander-in-chief," she told Oprah Winfrey.
"Wasn't done when my husband took office but we're going high and this is what's best for the country. So we are going to be there for the next president and do whatever we have to do to make sure that he is successful because if he succeeds we all succeed," she added.
The first lady met Melania Trump at the White House days after her husband was elected president and offered her support to the President-elect's wife.
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