The Uttar Pradesh government is mulling to link the Haj application process with the Aadhaar number of the applicant to ensure 'greater transparency' in selection of pilgrims.

Officials believe that this would help in identifying those who had undertaken the pilgrimage more than once.

Minister of State for Minority Affairs in UP government Mohsin Raza, said, "We are planning to link the process of filing of the Haj application with the Aadhaar number of the applicant, so as to check whether the applicant had undertaken Haj earlier or not. This would ensure greater transparency."

This would help the government identify the genuine applicants.

"The process is about to start, and soon some concrete mechanism would be put in place," he asserted.

Asked whether the process of filing of Haj application would also be linked to Income Tax Returns, Raza said there was no such proposal.

UP Bharatiya Janata Party leader Mazhar Abbas, said, "If linking Aadhaar with the Haj application process could ensure transparency, then it must be incorporate into the current system."

After its proposal to bar candidates from contesting for failure to clear utility dues, the Election Commission now wants a similar treatment to be meted out to the political parties.

The poll panel has written to political parties seeking their view on the issue and how to implement the Delhi high court directive that not only candidates but also political parties should furnish 'no dues certificate' before fielding their candidates.

In August 2015, the court had asked the EC to ensure that candidates contesting Lok Sabha and assembly elections furnish a 'no dues certificate' from the agency providing electricity, water and telephone connections to their accommodation.

The order had said the same rule should apply to political parties also.

"When we were examining the high court order, it was pointed out that it not only pertains to candidates but also to political parties. We are in correspondence with political parties. We have sought their views on how to go about it," Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said.

He also said in the recent Assembly polls, some of the candidates could not file their nomination as they had not provided a 'no dues certificate'.

The poll watchdog has already written to the Law Ministry urging it to amend election laws so that candidates who have defaulted in clearing dues can be barred from contesting Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

According to the EC, barring candidates will require amendment to the chapter-III of the Representation of the People Act which deals with electoral offences.

A new clause will have to be inserted therein for disqualification 'on the ground of being a defaulter of public dues'.

Terrorism has thrown a big challenge to humanity and people should draw inspiration from ancient scriptures to take on the menace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.

"Terrorism has gripped the entire world. It has thrown a challenge to humanity. If we try to analyse incidents mentioned in ancient scriptures and set those in the present context, I would say that Jatayu was the first to fight against terrorism. He gave the message of fearlessness," he said.

In epic Ramayana, Jatayu, a vulture, had valiantly tried to rescue Sita when she was being kidnapped by Ravana, sacrificing his life in the process.

The prime minister said Jatayu sacrificed his life taking on a strong man to defend the dignity of a woman.

"Jatayu's fight gives us the inspiration to take on terrorism. It also gives the message to live for humanity," he said.

Modi was addressing a gathering at the residence of Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu here to celebrate Ugadi, the Telugu and Kannada New Year day.

Modi said diversity of India was both its identity and strength.

Citing the 'Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat' initiative of his government, Modi said it would enable the coming generations to understand the cultural diversity of different states.

This would strengthen the feeling of oneness and unity amongst all Indians, Modi said, as he called upon states to collaborate with each other in promoting the uniqueness of their respective cultures and traditions.

The function was attended by lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Minister of Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad and a host of Union ministers.

Artists from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh gave cultural performances. -- PTI

Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who allegedly assaulted a senior Air India official, today claimed that he was asked by a top party leader not to speak with the media over the issue.

Threatening legal action against the national carrier, the Parliamentarian said he has not gone into hiding and will be present in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

"A senior Sena leader ordered me not to speak with media till Wednesday (March 29) and so I am not coming before the media. I will come to Omerga on Tuesday and celebrate Marathi new year 'Gudi Padwa' with my family and Shiv Sainiks. I will then attend Lok Sabha session (in New Delhi) on Wednesday," Gaikwad told PTI over phone.

The 57-year-old MP, who represents Osmanabad, however did not disclose his present location.

"I am not hiding and will speak to all after Wednesday," he added.

Gaikwad had on Thursday abused and assaulted a 60-year-old duty manager of the national carrier with slippers over not being able to fly business class despite having boarded an all-economy Pune-New Delhi flight.

Following the incident, he was barred from flying by major domestic airlines.

"A senior Sena leader did not call me to Matoshree (Thackeray residence in Mumbai) and hence I am not going there to meet senior party leaders," he added.

"Air India employees abused me. I will take legal action against Air India," Gaikwad said.

He demanded that an inquiry should be initiated into the video (about the incident), which has gone viral.

Meanwhile, local Sena workers today burnt an effigy of Air India employees at Turori village in Gaikwad's support.

Pranavananda Swami of Basaveshwara Mutt in Karnataka today flayed actor Kamal Haasan for his alleged insulting remarks on Mahabharata and demanded an apology from him.

"It is unbecoming of actor Kamal Haasan to hurt the sentiments of any religious community, including Christians and Muslims. He has been in the thick of controversies even in the past, and we demand he should apologise," Parvananda Swami said in Bengaluru.

In an interview to a Tamil TV channel, the actor while responding to a question about violence against women, particularly in the film industry, had said in this country, people read even books, like the epic Mahabharata, wherein 'even a woman was pledged in gamble, as a bet', an apparent reference to Draupadi.

Pranavananda Swami said the actor had always been in news for 'hurting' the sentiments of religious communities and threatened to take legal action if he did not apologise for the controversial remarks.

"He should apologise in next three days, or else he must face legal action," he said.

A complaint has been filed against Kamal Hassan in a court in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu by Hindu Makkal Katchi over his remarks about Mahabharata. -- PTI

Terrorists attacked a police search party in Padgampora area in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, two terrorists have been killed and the area has been cordoned off.

"Two terrorists killed while trying to ambush three senior Jammu and Kashmir police officers in south Kashmir," an official said.

One SLR and one AK-47 recovered from the slain terrorists.

Representative image.

JUST IN: Terrorists attacked police search party in Padgampora, 2 terrorists killed, area has been cordoned off.

Over 100 Indian fishermen were allegedly apprehended and around 18 of their boats seized by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency off Jakhau coast in Gujarat's Kutch district, a fishermen association official said today.

"We have learnt that more than 100 fishermen who were on board around 18 fishing boats were apprehended by PMSA near the international maritime boundary line off Jakhau coast yesterday," National Fishworkers' Forum secretary Manish Lodhari said.

"The fishermen who escaped have informed us about this," he said.

The NFF is trying to establish contact with the Pakistani agencies to get the exact number of those abducted by PMSA, he said.

The PMSA had earlier this month also apprehended 115 fishermen and seized 19 boats.

"In March so far, the PMSA has separately held over 225 fishermen along with nearly three dozen boats," Lodhari said.

The development comes after the Indian Coast Guard captured nine Pakistani nationals along with a fishing boat off Jakhau coast in Kutch on Friday. -- PTI

Image for representation only.

Kerala Transport Minister A K Saseendran offers to resign over purported audio clipping of him speaking with sexual undertones to a woman.

"I have decided to resign. This should not be seen as my acceptance of guilt," Saseendran said.

Reacting to his offer, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, "Will thoroughly probe into matter." -- Agencies

Bending to the pressure of massive loans, a farmer tried to take his life by immolating himself outside Gorakhnath Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur today, but was rescued by the locals.

After the locals intervened and stopped him from the taking the extreme step, he was immediately detained by the police and taken to the nearby police station.

"Nobody is there to listen to my plea. I am under a huge debt and my health is deteriorating. I need help," a sobbing Rajkumar Bharti said.

Bharti, who is from Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, was prevented from by the people present there near the temple at the time.He demanded loan which he took for his treatment.

It is not yet clear as to whether Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took note of the demand made by the person.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the new Uttar Pradesh government would take a decision in its first cabinet meeting on the loan waiver scheme for the farmers of state.

No such step has been taken by the Yogi Adityanath government till now.

Earlier, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley ruled out farm loan waivers by the Centre but said states can utilise their own resources in this regard.

He clarified that the Centre will not adopt a selective approach by helping one state and not the others. -- ANI

CNN reports:

One person was killed and 14 others injured during a shooting at a nightclub in Cincinnati in Ohio early Sunday, police said.

The shooting occurred at Cameo Night Club just after 2 am, CNN affiliate WLWT reported.

Some reports said the gunman is still on the loose.

More details awaited. -- Agencies

IMAGE: Police cars at the spot where shooting took place at a nightclub in Cincinnati, Ohio on Sunday.  Photograph: @CincyPD/Twitter 

The government is likely to table supplementary goods and services tax legislations in Parliament tomorrow.

Sources said C-GST, I-GST, UT-GST and the compensation law are likely to be introduced in the Lok Sabha tomorrow and could be taken up for discussion as early as March 28.

Also, amendments to the excise and Customs Act to abolish various cess as well as furnishing Bills for exports and imports under the new GST regime will be placed before the House.

The Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha is likely to meet tomorrow to decide on the duration of discussion on the Bills, the sources added.

According to the sources, the government is looking at passage of the GST Bills in the Lower House by March 29 or latest by March 30.

Then, these will move to the Rajya Sabha and this gives the government enough time to bring back any amendment adopted by the Upper House to the Lok Sabha.

The amendments can either be rejected or incorporated by the Lok Sabha. The current session of Parliament ends on April 12.

Although the legislations will be introduced as Money Bills, the government wants discussion in both the Houses, the sources said. -- PTI

A parliamentary panel has asked the finance ministry to amend banking laws, including the State Bank of India Act, to provide for disclosure of names of loan defaulters by banks to tackle the menace of mounting non-performing assets.

Section 44 of the State Bank of India Act, 1955 as well as some other clauses of confidentiality in the relevant laws invariably prohibit disclosing the names of individuals, who owe money to banks or are responsible for bad loans on account of their failure to repay.

According to the report of the Committee, the names of defaulters are, however, shared with the Reserve Bank of India and the Credit Information Bureau Limited.

The report submitted in Parliament recently also takes note of the averments made by the Finance Ministry (Department of Financial Services) that there is no proposal to amend the relevant provisions of law to disclose the names of defaulters and publish the same in public domain.

The Committee on Petitions said that in view of serious magnitude of the problem of bad loans, wilful defaulters should be dealt with sternly and the amount due from them should be recovered within a specified time frame.

'With a view to containing the burgeoning NPAs in banks, the Committee, therefore, strongly recommends that the government should make appropriate amendments in the archaic provisions of the SBI Act and other relevant laws to disclose the names of individuals - who owe money to the banks or are responsible for bad loans on account of their default to repay,' it said.

It may be noted that the RBI had last year submitted to the Supreme Court a list of defaulters above Rs 500 crore in a sealed cover claiming that the said information is confidential, as it is exempt from disclosure under Section 45E of the RBI Act. -- PTI

JUST IN: At least 8 injured in a shooting at a Cincinnati nightclub in Ohio, United States. -- ANI

Three persons have been arrested for illegal slaughter and over 20 kg of meat was seized from their house at Madhavi village in Shamli district, police said today.

Acting on a tip-off, police raided the house last evening and seized around 26 kg of suspected beef, following which the three persons were held, circle officer Sunil Tyagi said.

Another managed to escape, he said.

A case has been registered under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, the officer added.

In Muzaffarnagar district, police raided a house and seized seven buffalos which allegedly had been kept for slaughter.

Two persons have been taken into custody. -- PTI

Representative image.

JUST IN: Comptroller and Auditor General of India will audit impact of demonetisation, says CAG Shashi Kant Sharma.

CAG has mandate to audit GST as also bodies like electricity distribution companies, city development bodies and metro corporations, Sharma says. -- PTI

PM Modi in 'Mann ki Baat'

"Fight against black money and corruption to continue. Digital payments have increased in the last few months after demonetisation."

"Whenever I ask for ideas and suggestions for 'Mann ki Baat', one theme on which I keep getting suggestions is Swachhata. People of India are getting angry as far as dirt is concerned and this is a welcome sign."

"Making cleanliness an integral part of our lives and ensuring a clean India."

"Wastage of food is unfortunate. I know of several youngsters who are using technology and helping prevent wastage of food."

Speaking about mental health and depression, the PM said, "Depression can be overcome. We all can play a role in helping those suffering from depression overcome it. It is always good to share your feelings with others, if feeling depressed."

He also said: Tell us how to draw more people towards practising Yoga and how to make the 3rd International Day of Yoga memorable."

The PM also spoke about the benefits of the Maternity Bill.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation through 'Mann ki Baat'. He extended his greetings to the people of Bangladesh on their Independence Day and paid tributes to Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"India will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Bangladesh," he said.

Paying his respects to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, whose martyrdom day passed two days ago, he said, "Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were not scared of death. They lived and died for our nation. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru continue to inspire the nation."

He also said: "We are marking 100 years of Champaran Satyagraha. And this was one of the earliest Gandhian mass movements in India."

"The Champaran Satyagraha showed us how special Mahatma Gandhi was and how unique his personality was."

Talking about Mahatma Gandhi, he said, He returned to India and in two years he went to Bihar and what he did inspired the whole nation.

The PM further said:

"New India manifests the strength and skills of 125 crore Indians, who will create a Bhavya and Divya Bharat."

"India has extended support to the movement towards digital transactions. People of India have rejected corruption and black money."

In what could spark a fresh controversy, Bharatiya Janata party MLA Vikram Saini has said that he would break limbs of those disrespecting and killing cows.

"I had promised that I would break the hand and legs of the people who disrespect and kill cows," Saini said at a gathering.

The statement was made by the MLA from Khatauli constituency in Muzaffarnagar, UP, while speaking at an event on Saturday.

This is not the first time when the MLA triggered stir for his controversial remark.

He has been accused of making inflammatory speech during the Muzaffarnagar riots and was also sent behind the bars for it.

The remark came at a time when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed to put a complete ban on cow smuggling. -- ANI

Image for representation only.