LIVE
Fri, 16 February 2018
Govt identifies 150 shell cos linked to Nirav Modi
Timeline Refresh
23:16 Naipaul, Rushdie vying for one-off Golden Booker Prize
Leading Indian-origin authors like VS Naipaul and Salman Rushdie are in the run for a one-off special Golden Man Booker Prize to mark the literary award's 50th anniversary this year.
The new award, launched in London today, will involve five judges whittling down titles from the past five decades which will then be put forward for a public vote to come up with an overall winner.
The Indian-origin authors in the running include Naipaul for his 1971 winner 'In a Free State'; Rushdie for 'Midnight's Children' (1981); Arundhati Roy for 'The God of Small Things' (1997); Kiran Desai for 'The Inheritance of Loss' (2006); and Aravind Adiga for 'The White Tiger' (2008).
Each judge has been assigned a decade from which they will select one former Booker Prize winning author to create a 'Golden Five' shortlist, to be unveiled at Hay Literary Festival in May.
The five books will then be put to a month-long public vote from May 26 to June 25 on the Man Booker Prize website to decide the overall winner, which will be announced at the "Man Booker 50" Festival on July 8.
Rushdie is considered a frontrunner after he won a similar public vote for the Best of Booker Award in 2008 to mark the literary award' 40th anniversary. -- PTI
23:08 Govt identifies 150 shell cos linked to Nirav Modi
Intensifying the probe into the country's biggest banking fraud, the government has identified as many as 150 shell companies related to billionaire Nirav Modi, his relatives and associates, according to a senior official.
As a multi-agency probe is underway in the USD 1.77 billion fraud perpetrated at state-owned Punjab National Bank, the corporate affairs ministry has identified 150 shell companies for investigation.
A senior government official today said that in parallel with the actions of the law enforcement agencies and income tax authorities, the ministry "has identified 150 shell companies for investigation".
Generally, shell companies are those used for illicit fund flows and do not have much business activities.
The CBI and ED continued their crackdown on the bank fraud, registering a fresh case against Nirav Modi's maternal uncle Mehul Choksi and claimed to have seized ornaments worth Rs 549 crore during raids today. Choksi, Managing Director of listed Gitanjali Gems, has also come under the lens of markets regulator Sebi and stock exchanges.
Punjab National Bank has disclosed USD 1.77 billion (nearly Rs 11,400 crore) fraud perpetrated by way of fraudulently procured Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) of the lender. -- PTI
22:50 To tackle China's aggression, IAF to operate Sukhoi jets in Jolly Grant airfield
For the first time, the Indian Air Force will operate two Sukhoi fighter jets from Uttarakhand's Jolly Grant airport as part of a move to expand options for any future requirement, officials said.
The IAF said the two Su-30 MKI jets will operate from the airport for two days from Monday.
"As a routine exercise of activating civil airfield by the IAF, a detachment of two Su-30 MKI aircraft would operate from Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun," it said in a statement.
The move comes amid increasing assertiveness by Chinese soldiers along nearly 4,000 km-long the Sino-India border which includes a portion in Uttarakhand.
"The detachment would operate from the airfield for two days from Feb 19 for area familiarisation before returning to their parent base," the IAF said. -- PTI
22:23 Will take appropriate supervisory action: RBI on PNB fraud
The Reserve Bank today said it has already undertaken an assessment of control systems at scam-hit Punjab National Bank and will take "appropriate supervisory action".
The country's second largest state-run lender has been rocked by a Rs 11,400-crore fraud allegedly involving billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi.
In a statement, the central bank said it has already undertaken a supervisory assessment of control systems in Punjab National Bank.
"The fraud in PNB is a case of operational risk arising on account of delinquent behaviour by one or more employees of the bank and failure of internal controls.
"The RBI has already undertaken a supervisory assessment of control systems in PNB and will take appropriate supervisory action," it said.
The RBI also denied media reports that it had directed PNB to meet its commitments under the letters of undertaking to other banks.
State-owned PNB detected a USD 1.77 billion scam where billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi allegedly acquired fraudulent letters of undertaking from a branch in Mumbai to secure overseas credit from other Indian lenders. -- PTI
22:20 Google can never replace guru, says VP
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today said global search engine Google can never replace 'guru' even in this modern era.
"Today, the world is moving fast...even if you have Google, you need to have a guru..Google cannot replace Guru," he said while delivering the 24th Sree Chithira Thirunal Memorial lecture in Thiruvananthapuram.
Reminding the people that one should uphold tradition and culture in this modern era, he said mother, mother tongue, motherland and guru should never be forgotten.
Naidu said though he was not against English, there is need to promote one's own mother tongue, which should be the foundation of every individual.
"Mother tongue is like your eyes while spectacles are like other languages," the vice president said, adding, everyone should practise mother tongue at home. -- PTI
21:48 PNB case: ED seizure goes up to Rs 5,649cr; Nirav Modi summoned
The ED today summoned diamantaire Nirav Modi and his business partner and jewellery chain promoter Mehul Choksi in connection with its money laundering probe in the Rs 11,400-crore alleged fraud at Punjab National Bank, even as it seized diamonds and jewels worth Rs 549 crore in fresh raids, officials said.
The agency expanded its probe from 17 to 35 locations across various cities, as it asked Modi's designer jewellery chain headquarters in Mumbai to issue a sales embargo for its overseas stores in Macau, Beijing, New York and London, pending investigation.
With today's action, the total seizure of diamonds, gold and jewellery in this case has gone up to Rs 5,649 crore.
The agency had said it arrived at this figure based on the stock value at showrooms and stores, which is also the price at which the company purchased the goods.
"The ED conducted further searches at 35 locations across India in Nirav Modi case and seized diamonds, gold and jewellery worth Rs 549 crore (book value). Total seizure till now is Rs 5,649 crore," the Enforcement Directorate said in a statement.
The raids that began yesterday are expected to continue tomorrow, they said.
They added that both Modi and Choksi have been summoned under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and asked to depose before the investigating officer of the case here on February 23.
These notices, they said, were handed over to the directors of the firms of the two businessmen as the two were not in the country. While Modi runs the jewellery brand chain under his name, Choksi is the promoter of Gitanjali Gems.
The ED had also moved the external affairs ministry to revoke their passports, following which the MEA suspended it temporarily today. -- PTI
21:14 Rahul dissolves CWC, forms steering committee for Cong plenary
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday dissolved the party's highest decision-making body, Central Working Committee, and formed a 34-member steering committee that will work in its place for the upcoming plenary session.
While all CWC members are part of the new committee, some of the permanent invitees like Amarinder Singh, Vilas Muttemwar, RK Dhawan, Shivajirao Deshmukh, MV Rajasekharan and Mohsina Kidwai, as well all special invitees have been dropped.
The steering committee will meet on Saturday to decide on the schedule for the plenary session, which is likely to be held before the start of the second part of budget session of Parliament on March 5.
The All India Congress Committee plenary will ratify the December 11 election of Rahul Gandhi as Congress president, ending the entire process of organisational elections.
The steering committee will function till the plenary session, after which a new CWC will be put in place.
As per the party's Constitution, the 25-member CWC has 12 elected members and 11 nominated members, besides the Congress president and the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party.
The new members of the CWC will be elected either at the plenary or after it.
"Congress President Rahul Gandhi has constituted a Steering Committee for the forthcoming plenary session as per Article XV (vii) (b) of the party's Constitution. The Steering Committee will function in place of the Working Committee of the party," AICC general Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said in a statement.
He said the meeting of the steering committee will be held on February 17 at 4 pm at the party headquarters. -- PTI
21:09 Our leaders, people have the right to visit Arunachal: India to China
In a strong reaction to China's objection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Arunachal Pradesh, India today said its leaders and people have the right to visit the northeastern state, asserting that it is an integral part of the country.
Modi had yesterday visited Arunachal Pradesh after which China, which claims the state as part of the South Tibet, asked India to refrain from taking any action that may "complicate" the boundary question.
"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. Our leaders and people have the right to visit Arunachal Pradesh," external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters when asked about Chinese objection.
Reacting to Modi's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency that "The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh and is firmly opposed to the Indian leader's visit to the disputed area."
The India-China border dispute stretches across 3,488 km. Both sides have held 20 rounds of talks so far through their special representatives to resolve the issue. -- PTI
20:50 'Aiyaary' to not release in Pakistan
Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey's latest directorial venture Aiyaary will not release in Pakistan.
The movie with the Indian Army at the backdrop has been rejected by the Pakistan censor board.
"The makers did apply for the censor certificate but apparently the censor board rejected it as the film is about India and patriotism," an exhibitor-distributor told PTI.
One of the producers of the film, Jayantilal Gada, however, said that they never submitted the film to the Pakistan censor board.
"We had not applied in Pakistan as we knew it would have been rejected.
It is about Indian defence services," he said.
Starring Sidharth Malhotra and Manoj Bajpayee in the roles of army officers, the film is Pandey's third project to not hit the theatres in Pakistan.
His films Baby and Naam Shabana were also barred from having a release in the country.
20:18 PNB fraud is a UPA scam, says BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party dubbed the Punjab National bank fraud as a "UPA scam", claiming that a state-run bank was pressured to sanction loan to tainted businessman Nirav Modi in 2013 a day after Rahul Gandhi visited his jewellery exhibition
The party questioned why the Allahabad Bank approved the loan, purportedly related to Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi, though it was opposed by one of its directors, and wondered "who pressured the bank" .
The BJP hit back at the opposition Congress which has accused the government of turning a blind eye to information on the alleged scam and the accused fleeing the country.
"On September 13, 2013, Rahul Gandhi visited Nirav Modi's jewellery exhibition at a hotel in Delhi and the very next day Allahabad Bank approved the loan to him, despite the fact that it was opposed by one of the bank's directors Dinesh Dubey," senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar told reporters.
"Now it is for the Congress to come clean on this fraud and make it clear what is the relationship between its chief's visit to the exhibition and sanctioning of the loan," he said.
He also suspected that the bank officials were pressured by the then UPA government to sanction the loan.
Javadekar, also a Union minister, asserted that the fraud came to light when the current government decided to clean the entire banking system.
"So, it is UPA's scam that has been brought to light by the BJP government due to its alertness.
"All the non-performing assets, the wrongful distribution of loans, amongst others were all passed down to us by the UPA government," Javadekar said.
The entire banking system had failed during the UPA. The scam remained under the carpet between 2011 and 2014, and it came to light after the NDA government tightened the banking norms, he added.
The NDA government allowed all enforcement agencies to speed-up the investigation. The government has also confiscated Nirav Modi's properties worth over Rs 5,100 crore, the BJP leader said. -- PTI
Photograph: Shashank Parade/PTI Photo
19:50 Rlys to do away with reservation charts on trains from March 1
The railway ministry has directed its zones to discontinue pasting reservation charts on reserved coaches of all trains at A1, A and B category stations as a pilot project for six months from March 1, an official statement said today.
However, physical and digital display of charts will continue at the platforms, the ministry statement said.
Based on the income from passengers, the railways classifies its stations into seven categories -- A1, A, B, C, D, E and F.
It has 17 zones.
"At those stations where electronic charts display plasma has been installed and the same is functioning properly, physical reservation charts at such platforms can be stopped," it added.
Earlier, pasting of reservation charts on reserved coaches of all trains was discontinued at New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Mumbai Central, Chennai Central, Howrah and Sealdah stations.
The aim behind the move to go paperless is the green initiative by South Western Railways' Bengaluru Division which discontinued pasting charts on reserved coaches of all trains from Bengaluru City and Yeshwantpur stations from November 2016.
The move helped save over Rs 60 lakh spent on paper by the division. -- PTI
19:27 Bombay HC orders setting up of committee to probe Kamala Mills fire
The Bombay high court today ordered setting up of a three-member committee, led by a retired high court judge, to probe into the Kamala Mills fire incident that claimed 14 lives in December last year.
The order was passed by a division bench of justices R M Borde and R G Ketkar while hearing a public interest litigation filed by former Mumbai top cop Julio Ribeiro seeking a judicial inquiry into the fire incident.
Fourteen people were killed and over 30 injured when the fire broke out at two restaurants -- 1Above and Mojos Bistro -- at Kamala Mills compound in central Mumbai on December 29 last year.
Observing that such incidents should not repeat in the future, the high court said that setting up of a judicial committee was the domain of the state government.
"However, the state government is reluctant to do so. Hence, considering the facts and circumstances of the case, we need to have an independent probe," the bench said.
The court ordered that a three-member independent committee be set up under the chairmanship of a retired high court judge.
"The two other members shall be an architect from the high court panel and an officer or a bureaucrat, who is an expert in town planning laws or a retired secretary of the Urban Development Department," the court said.
The court posted the petition for hearing next week when the names of the members would be finalised.
"This committee shall go into the genesis of the unfortunate incident and the violations committed. The committee is set up in order to avoid repetition of such incidents in future," the court ordered. -- PTI
18:52 Cauvery verdict is very disappointing: Rajinikanth
Superstar Rajinikanth today said the Supreme Court verdict reducing the quantum of water to Tamil Nadu from Cauvery river was "very disappointing" and urged the state government to file a review petition.
"Since the final verdict by the Supreme Court on the Cauvery water sharing amounts to further affecting the livelihood of the farmers in Tamil Nadu, it is very disappointing," he said in a tweet.
The actor, who has announced that he will soon make the political plunge, further said that the Tamil Nadu government should take steps to file a review petition on the matter.
The Supreme Court on Friday raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin.
The court said the issue of drinking water has to be placed on a "higher pedestal".
18:26 Don't know where Nirav Modi is: MEA
The External affairs ministry does not know where Nirav Modi is, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, says. "Woh jis country mein hain wahi rahenge, passport suspend hone ke baad woh kahi nahi ja sakte," Raveesh Kumar added. "We can say with confidence that this gentleman is not in touch with any of our officials and frankly at this stage we are not aware about his location," the MEA said.
India Inc today called for swift and strict action against the companies who have allegedly defrauded Punjab National Bank, while expressing concern over the vulnerability of lenders. PNB has detected USD 1.77 billion (about Rs 11,400 crore) scam where billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi allegedly acquired fraudulent letters of undertaking (LoUs) from a branch in Mumbai to secure overseas credit from other Indian lenders.
The alleged fraudulent transactions from a single branch of the bank show how vulnerable Indian banks, especially PSBs, have become, with a dangerous potential contagion in the country's financial system, Assocham said.
India Inc today called for swift and strict action against the companies who have allegedly defrauded Punjab National Bank, while expressing concern over the vulnerability of lenders. PNB has detected USD 1.77 billion (about Rs 11,400 crore) scam where billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi allegedly acquired fraudulent letters of undertaking (LoUs) from a branch in Mumbai to secure overseas credit from other Indian lenders.
The alleged fraudulent transactions from a single branch of the bank show how vulnerable Indian banks, especially PSBs, have become, with a dangerous potential contagion in the country's financial system, Assocham said.
17:52 Interpol notice doesn't ensure extradition: Former CBI chief
A little heads up on the how soon Nirav Modi & co can be brought to justice.
AP Singh, former CBI director on the PNB fraud says, "Following the money trail is very difficult especially if it goes overseas as you have multiple transactions and for each transaction you have to send a letter rogatory, it can take months and even years. It is not always necessary that just because Interpol has issued a notice that person will be extradited. He can be detained or stopped but rest is up to laws in that particular country.
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday registered a fresh FIR against the Gitanjali Group promoted by Mehul Choksi, uncle of billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi, following a complaint from Punjab National Bank, and also approached the Interpol to locate them.
Officials said the fresh FIR was based on a complaint from the PNB dated February 13. According to it, the alleged loss to PNB was over Rs 4,886 crore, they said.
The agency on Friday also carried out searches on the premises of the Gitanjali Group at 20 places in Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Coimbatore.
The CBI approached the Interpol with a request for issuing Diffusion Notice which was aimed at locating an individual. "This (diffusion) is less formal than a notice but is also used to request the arrest or location of an individual or additional information in relation to a police investigation. A diffusion is circulated directly by an NCB (CBI in this case) to the member countries of their choice, or to the entire INTERPOL membership and is simultaneously recorded in Interpol's Information System," the website of Interpol says.
The CBI was confident about getting a location of Modi and his family by today, they said.
AP Singh, former CBI director on the PNB fraud says, "Following the money trail is very difficult especially if it goes overseas as you have multiple transactions and for each transaction you have to send a letter rogatory, it can take months and even years. It is not always necessary that just because Interpol has issued a notice that person will be extradited. He can be detained or stopped but rest is up to laws in that particular country.
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday registered a fresh FIR against the Gitanjali Group promoted by Mehul Choksi, uncle of billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi, following a complaint from Punjab National Bank, and also approached the Interpol to locate them.
Officials said the fresh FIR was based on a complaint from the PNB dated February 13. According to it, the alleged loss to PNB was over Rs 4,886 crore, they said.
The agency on Friday also carried out searches on the premises of the Gitanjali Group at 20 places in Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Coimbatore.
The CBI approached the Interpol with a request for issuing Diffusion Notice which was aimed at locating an individual. "This (diffusion) is less formal than a notice but is also used to request the arrest or location of an individual or additional information in relation to a police investigation. A diffusion is circulated directly by an NCB (CBI in this case) to the member countries of their choice, or to the entire INTERPOL membership and is simultaneously recorded in Interpol's Information System," the website of Interpol says.
The CBI was confident about getting a location of Modi and his family by today, they said.
17:31 Defamation case: Kejriwal's lawyer quits
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's lawyer Anoop George Chaudhari on Friday said that he will no longer be able to appear for him in the defamation case, filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
In December 2015, Jaitley filed a defamation case against Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party leaders Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Deepak Bajpayee.Jaitley claimed that Kejriwal and others made 'false and defamatory' statements in the case involving the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) and harmed his reputation. The Finance Minister has sought Rs 10 crore in damages.
-- ANI
In December 2015, Jaitley filed a defamation case against Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party leaders Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Deepak Bajpayee.Jaitley claimed that Kejriwal and others made 'false and defamatory' statements in the case involving the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) and harmed his reputation. The Finance Minister has sought Rs 10 crore in damages.
-- ANI
16:18
Amul's take on the Nirav Modi scam
16:00 PNB to repay other banks by end of March
Punjab National Bank, which is at the centre of India's biggest banking fraud, said that it will repay other banks their dues by March 31 which would be funded from internal resources.
The bank has also suspended eight more officials, including one at general manager level, for their suspected involvement in the multi-crore scam, a senior government official said. This brings the number of suspended employees to 18. On Wednesday, 10 bank employees had been suspended after the bank reported fraudulent transactions of more than Rs 11,300 crore to stock exchanges.
The fraud, in which diamond jewelery designer Nirav Modi allegedly acquired fraudulent letters of undertakingfrom one its branches for overseas credit from other Indian lenders, is being probed by CBI and Enforcement Directorate among other agencies.
"Eight more officials of the bank have been suspended, including one at the general manager level," the official said, adding the total number of officers suspended for suspected involvement is 18.
He said PNB will settle liabilities towards other banks by March end and no further capital infusion would be needed as these would be funded from internal resources.
In banking parlance LoU is a guarantee issued by one bank to branches of other banks, based on which overseas branches offer credit to borrowers.
"The investigations are on as to how much credit has been given on account of the LoUs. The bank will fulfil its liabilities based on the investigation report," the official said. In January the government had announced it would infuse Rs 5,473 crore into PNB in current fiscal. The official further said that the bank would now initiate probe in 36-related accounts to recover further dues. -- PTI
The bank has also suspended eight more officials, including one at general manager level, for their suspected involvement in the multi-crore scam, a senior government official said. This brings the number of suspended employees to 18. On Wednesday, 10 bank employees had been suspended after the bank reported fraudulent transactions of more than Rs 11,300 crore to stock exchanges.
The fraud, in which diamond jewelery designer Nirav Modi allegedly acquired fraudulent letters of undertakingfrom one its branches for overseas credit from other Indian lenders, is being probed by CBI and Enforcement Directorate among other agencies.
"Eight more officials of the bank have been suspended, including one at the general manager level," the official said, adding the total number of officers suspended for suspected involvement is 18.
He said PNB will settle liabilities towards other banks by March end and no further capital infusion would be needed as these would be funded from internal resources.
In banking parlance LoU is a guarantee issued by one bank to branches of other banks, based on which overseas branches offer credit to borrowers.
"The investigations are on as to how much credit has been given on account of the LoUs. The bank will fulfil its liabilities based on the investigation report," the official said. In January the government had announced it would infuse Rs 5,473 crore into PNB in current fiscal. The official further said that the bank would now initiate probe in 36-related accounts to recover further dues. -- PTI
15:35 Jagdish finishes a poor 103rd as India's Winter Olympics campaign ends
India's Jagdish Singh today finished a dismal 103rd in the men's 15-km free cross-country skiing race at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, bringing down the curtains on the country's familiar disastrous show in the quadrennial Games.
The 26-year-old Jagdish, who was making his Olympic debut, clocked 43.03 minutes while crossing the finish line at the Alpensia Cross-Country Skiing Centre to end his race at 103rd out of 119 competitors. Jagdish's time was 9:16.4 minutes slower than Switzerlands Dario Cologna, who took his third straight Olympic gold with a time of 33:43.9. Norways Simen Krueger (34:02.2) won the silver while Denis Spitsov (34:06.9), an Olympic Athlete from Russia, took home the bronze.
The Indian, who trains at the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) at Gulmarg, was around 40 seconds slower than the leader in the initial 1.5 km mark but the gap widened as the race progressed.
At the halfway mark, Jagdish was 4:28 minutes slower than the leader and the time gap went on increasing though he was able to finish a few places above his 116th position start. In cross-country skiing, athletes have to glide across a 15 km-long path on a snow-covered field in the shortest possible time.
The track has uphill, level and downhill terrains. India is being represented by only two athletes in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. On February 11, Shiva Keshavan had finished 34th in the men's luge singles event in his sixth and last Winter Olympics. -- PTI
The 26-year-old Jagdish, who was making his Olympic debut, clocked 43.03 minutes while crossing the finish line at the Alpensia Cross-Country Skiing Centre to end his race at 103rd out of 119 competitors. Jagdish's time was 9:16.4 minutes slower than Switzerlands Dario Cologna, who took his third straight Olympic gold with a time of 33:43.9. Norways Simen Krueger (34:02.2) won the silver while Denis Spitsov (34:06.9), an Olympic Athlete from Russia, took home the bronze.
The Indian, who trains at the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) at Gulmarg, was around 40 seconds slower than the leader in the initial 1.5 km mark but the gap widened as the race progressed.
At the halfway mark, Jagdish was 4:28 minutes slower than the leader and the time gap went on increasing though he was able to finish a few places above his 116th position start. In cross-country skiing, athletes have to glide across a 15 km-long path on a snow-covered field in the shortest possible time.
The track has uphill, level and downhill terrains. India is being represented by only two athletes in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. On February 11, Shiva Keshavan had finished 34th in the men's luge singles event in his sixth and last Winter Olympics. -- PTI
15:34 Trudeau will not meet Capt Amarinder during Punjab visit
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will not meet with Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, according to Canadian media reports.
According to sources, Trudeau will not meet with Amarinder, who has publicly accused members of Trudeau's cabinet of being connected to the formation of Khalistan, a separate Sikh state movement.
As per media reports, Amarinder was to accompany Trudeau as a tour guide during the latter's visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
However, officials in the Canadian Prime Minister's Office have said that no such meeting is planned. "We have nothing planned with him (Amarinder) at this time," said a Canadian official.
The development comes after Amarinder called Canadian defence minister Harjit Singh Sajjan as a 'Khalistani sympathiser', during the latter's visit to India in April last year.
The Punjab Chief Minister had made the comment on Sajjan since he felt that the Canadian Defence Minister was allegedly advocating for the formation of Khalistan.
However, Canada has repeatedly stated that it did not support any type of Sikh extremism. -- PTI
According to sources, Trudeau will not meet with Amarinder, who has publicly accused members of Trudeau's cabinet of being connected to the formation of Khalistan, a separate Sikh state movement.
As per media reports, Amarinder was to accompany Trudeau as a tour guide during the latter's visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
However, officials in the Canadian Prime Minister's Office have said that no such meeting is planned. "We have nothing planned with him (Amarinder) at this time," said a Canadian official.
The development comes after Amarinder called Canadian defence minister Harjit Singh Sajjan as a 'Khalistani sympathiser', during the latter's visit to India in April last year.
The Punjab Chief Minister had made the comment on Sajjan since he felt that the Canadian Defence Minister was allegedly advocating for the formation of Khalistan.
However, Canada has repeatedly stated that it did not support any type of Sikh extremism. -- PTI
15:22 Parrikar down with mild pancreatitis, to be discharged soon
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who has been hospitalised in Mumbai for mild pancreatitis, is expected to be discharged in a day or two, his office said today.
Parrikar, who was initially referred to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here, was yesterday taken to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. "It's a case of mild pancreatitis. The chief minister is well and under observation. He is likely to be discharged in a day or two," the Chief Ministers Office said in a statement.
Parrikar (62) complained of a stomach ache on Wednesday night and visited the GMCH for a health examination. After the check-up, he was taken to Mumbai in a flight for further medical examination.
Pancreatitis is a medical condition characterised by inflammation of the pancreas, an abdominal gland situated behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The main function of the pancreas is to secrete hormones and enzymes that help with digestion and regulate blood sugar metabolism.
The CMO had said yesterday that Parrikar would be back in Goa on Sunday and will attend the budget session of the Assembly beginning from Monday. -- PTI
Parrikar, who was initially referred to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here, was yesterday taken to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. "It's a case of mild pancreatitis. The chief minister is well and under observation. He is likely to be discharged in a day or two," the Chief Ministers Office said in a statement.
Parrikar (62) complained of a stomach ache on Wednesday night and visited the GMCH for a health examination. After the check-up, he was taken to Mumbai in a flight for further medical examination.
Pancreatitis is a medical condition characterised by inflammation of the pancreas, an abdominal gland situated behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The main function of the pancreas is to secrete hormones and enzymes that help with digestion and regulate blood sugar metabolism.
The CMO had said yesterday that Parrikar would be back in Goa on Sunday and will attend the budget session of the Assembly beginning from Monday. -- PTI
15:06 Raman Singh drinking in bed since Punia's appointment: Congress MLA
A Congress MLA from Chhattisgarh has stirred controversy with his recent remark on Chief Minister Raman Singh, saying the latter has been losing sleep and "might be drinking alcohol before bed" since the appointment of PL Punia as Chhattisgarh in-charge of Congress.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion of Hasdev Janyatra in Koriya district on Wednesday, MLA Kawasi Lakhma said, "Since our Punia sahab has come (become Chhattisgarh Congress in-charge), Raman Singh hasn't been sleeping well. He must be taking one-one peg before bed. Raman Singh must be losing sleep."
It may be noted that PL Punia was appointed as Chhattisgarh in-charge of All India Congress Committee (AICC) in July, 2017. Lakhma, a tribal leader, was elected as MLA from Konta constituency of Chhattisgarh in 2008. -- ANI
Addressing a gathering on the occasion of Hasdev Janyatra in Koriya district on Wednesday, MLA Kawasi Lakhma said, "Since our Punia sahab has come (become Chhattisgarh Congress in-charge), Raman Singh hasn't been sleeping well. He must be taking one-one peg before bed. Raman Singh must be losing sleep."
It may be noted that PL Punia was appointed as Chhattisgarh in-charge of All India Congress Committee (AICC) in July, 2017. Lakhma, a tribal leader, was elected as MLA from Konta constituency of Chhattisgarh in 2008. -- ANI
14:57 MEA suspends passports of Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi for 4 weeks
The external affairs ministry today suspended with immediate effect the passports of diamantaire Nirav Modi and his business partner Mehul Choksi for four weeks.
The ministry gave them one week to respond why their passports should not be revoked.
"If they fail to respond within the stipulated time it will be assumed that they have no response to offer and the MEA will go ahead with the revocation," the ministry said in a statement.
Announcing the suspension, the MEA statement said, "On the advice of the Enforcement Directorate, the passport issuing authority in the MEA has today suspended the validity of passports of Nirav Deepak Modi and Mehul Chinubhai Choksi with immediate effect for a period of four weeks u/s 10(A) of the Passports Act 1967."
They have been asked to respond within one week why their passports should not be impounded or revoked under Section 10 (3) (c) of the Passports Act 1967, it said.
The Central Bureau of Investigation and the ED yesterday moved separate applications to the external affairs ministry seeking the revocation Nirav Modi's passport as well as that of his maternal uncle and his business partner Mehul Choksi, the promoter of Gitanjali jewellery chain. Both are accused in the Rs 280 crore bank fraud case.
-- PTI
14:33 PNB went to CBI 4 days after stumbling upon Rs 11k cr fraud
Punjab National Bank has said it filed the first fraud report with the RBI and the CBI four days after it stumbled upon the alleged Rs 11,394.02 crore fraud by diamantaire Nirav Modi, and made regulatory disclosures only after 10 days.
After stock exchanges sought clarifications on the fraud, PNB in a late night filing detailed the sequence of events and how Modi and companies linked to him used fake bank guarantees worth USD 1.77 billion to obtain loans from the overseas branches of Indian banks.
PNB stumbled upon the scam on January 25, 2018, and a fraud report with the Reserve Bank of India on January 29. On that day, a criminal complaint for registration of FIR was also made with the CBI. Stock exchanges were informed of the fraud on February 5.
This was followed by another fraud report being submitted to the RBI on February 7, the day one more complaint was filed with the CBI.
On February 13, an FIR was filed with the CBI against Nirav Modi Group, Gitanjali Group and Chandri Paper & Allied Products Pvt Ltd as also a complaint filed with Enforcement Directorate. Stock exchanges were informed the next day, PNB said in the filing.
In the complaint, PNB alleges that Modi and companies linked to him colluded with some of its officers including a former deputy general manager Gokulnath Shetty, who was posted in the foreign-exchange department of its Mumbai branch.
They fraudulently acquired guarantees worth USD 1.77 billion to obtain loans from the overseas branches of Indian banks, claiming to need the cash to import pearls.
"On January 16, 2018, the partnership firm of Nirav Modi group approached our branch at Brady House, Mumbai and presented a set of import documents with a request to allow buyers' credit for making payment to the overseas suppliers," PNB said in the filing.
This happened after Shetty had retired. And since there was no sanctioned limit for the firms, the branch officials asked them to furnish at least 100 per cent cash margin for issuing Letter of Undertaking (LOU) for raising buyer's credit.
"On denial, the firms contested that they have been availing such transactions since past several years," PNB said. On scrutiny, it was found that earlier LoUs were issued previously and internal messaging system was bypassed by placing instructions via the SWIFT global payment system asking overseas branches of Indian banks to fork out the cash as loans. -- PTI
After stock exchanges sought clarifications on the fraud, PNB in a late night filing detailed the sequence of events and how Modi and companies linked to him used fake bank guarantees worth USD 1.77 billion to obtain loans from the overseas branches of Indian banks.
PNB stumbled upon the scam on January 25, 2018, and a fraud report with the Reserve Bank of India on January 29. On that day, a criminal complaint for registration of FIR was also made with the CBI. Stock exchanges were informed of the fraud on February 5.
This was followed by another fraud report being submitted to the RBI on February 7, the day one more complaint was filed with the CBI.
On February 13, an FIR was filed with the CBI against Nirav Modi Group, Gitanjali Group and Chandri Paper & Allied Products Pvt Ltd as also a complaint filed with Enforcement Directorate. Stock exchanges were informed the next day, PNB said in the filing.
In the complaint, PNB alleges that Modi and companies linked to him colluded with some of its officers including a former deputy general manager Gokulnath Shetty, who was posted in the foreign-exchange department of its Mumbai branch.
They fraudulently acquired guarantees worth USD 1.77 billion to obtain loans from the overseas branches of Indian banks, claiming to need the cash to import pearls.
"On January 16, 2018, the partnership firm of Nirav Modi group approached our branch at Brady House, Mumbai and presented a set of import documents with a request to allow buyers' credit for making payment to the overseas suppliers," PNB said in the filing.
This happened after Shetty had retired. And since there was no sanctioned limit for the firms, the branch officials asked them to furnish at least 100 per cent cash margin for issuing Letter of Undertaking (LOU) for raising buyer's credit.
"On denial, the firms contested that they have been availing such transactions since past several years," PNB said. On scrutiny, it was found that earlier LoUs were issued previously and internal messaging system was bypassed by placing instructions via the SWIFT global payment system asking overseas branches of Indian banks to fork out the cash as loans. -- PTI
13:55 Over 50 Nirav Modi-linked companies will be raided: Fin Min sources
Nirav Modi-linked companies will be raided by the law enforcement agencies, including the Crime Branch of India, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department in connection with its money laundering probe and the fraud that has taken place in a branch of the Punjab National Bank, sources in the finance ministry said on Friday.Speaking on condition of anonymity, the ministry sources told ANI that every penny will be recovered.
With law enforcement agencies on the job, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksey's 36 companies under the umbrella company Geetanjali Gems will be probed. Among these 36 companies, around half are operating outside India.
"Movable and immovable properties of Nirav Modi and his wife Ami Modi are being prepared and will be searched and seized," the ministry source added.
He added in a letter written to the banks on February 14th, the finance ministry has directed all PSU bank chief's to take active and precautionary steps to prevent such scams.
Meanwhile, both Modi and Choksi are summoned under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and asked to depose within a week's time.
While Modi runs the jewellery brand chain under his name, Choksi is the promoter of Gitanjali Gems.The Enforcement Directorate had registered a PMLA case against them and others based on a CBI FIR which was the result of a PNB complaint. - ANI
With law enforcement agencies on the job, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksey's 36 companies under the umbrella company Geetanjali Gems will be probed. Among these 36 companies, around half are operating outside India.
"Movable and immovable properties of Nirav Modi and his wife Ami Modi are being prepared and will be searched and seized," the ministry source added.
He added in a letter written to the banks on February 14th, the finance ministry has directed all PSU bank chief's to take active and precautionary steps to prevent such scams.
Meanwhile, both Modi and Choksi are summoned under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and asked to depose within a week's time.
While Modi runs the jewellery brand chain under his name, Choksi is the promoter of Gitanjali Gems.The Enforcement Directorate had registered a PMLA case against them and others based on a CBI FIR which was the result of a PNB complaint. - ANI
12:57 Congress stares at cash crunch
Congress, the grand old party of India, is facing an immense financial crisis. Sonia Gandhi recently shared this concern with CPI MP D Raja saying that after the defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls no industrialist or businessman visits 10 Janpath or the AICC to offer their yearly contributions. Insiders in the AICC have also shared this concern with senior leaders.
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah give 'monthly donations' but that is not sufficient. Paying salaries to the AICC staff members, and paying the staff, numbering 65 to 70, manning Sonia and Rahul Gandhis' offices, is getting to be difficult. In fact, we hear that they have not been paid for the last three months.
Sonia Gandhi's main concern now is that the party may not have the funds to fight the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Opposition Leader in the Rajya Sabha, has made allegations that Congress leaders' phones are tapped to know which industrialist makes donations to Congress. Azad spoke in Rajya Sabha after Sonia Gandhi asked him to go public that the Congress is facing a financial crisis.
File pic.
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah give 'monthly donations' but that is not sufficient. Paying salaries to the AICC staff members, and paying the staff, numbering 65 to 70, manning Sonia and Rahul Gandhis' offices, is getting to be difficult. In fact, we hear that they have not been paid for the last three months.
Sonia Gandhi's main concern now is that the party may not have the funds to fight the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Opposition Leader in the Rajya Sabha, has made allegations that Congress leaders' phones are tapped to know which industrialist makes donations to Congress. Azad spoke in Rajya Sabha after Sonia Gandhi asked him to go public that the Congress is facing a financial crisis.
File pic.
12:43 Rouhani visits Qutub Shahi tombs in Hyderabad
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani visited the famous Qutub Shahi tombs in Hyderabad today on the second day of his visit. Rouhani visited the tombs of Qutub Shahi rulers in Golconda area in the city. These monuments are popularly known as seven tombs and built in Iranian architecture style.
"The Iranian president reached the tombs around 9 am. He was briefed about the historic site by officials," DCP (West Zone) Venkateshwar Rao said.
A project for restoration of the over 400-year-old complex started in 2013 after the Aga Khan Trust for Culture signed a memorandum of understanding with Telangana Department of Archaeology and Museums. Telangana government officials and AKTC office-bearers briefed the Iranian president about the tombs.
In the afternoon, Rouhani will address a Muslim congregation at the historic Mecca Masjid after performing Friday prayers, official sources said.
Religious scholars from different schools of thought will also participate in this session, they said. Rouhani began his three-day India visit yesterday after his arrival here last evening. This was his second visit to Hyderabad and the first after assuming charge as the president of Iran. "He will leave for New Delhi this evening," the sources added. -- PTI
"The Iranian president reached the tombs around 9 am. He was briefed about the historic site by officials," DCP (West Zone) Venkateshwar Rao said.
A project for restoration of the over 400-year-old complex started in 2013 after the Aga Khan Trust for Culture signed a memorandum of understanding with Telangana Department of Archaeology and Museums. Telangana government officials and AKTC office-bearers briefed the Iranian president about the tombs.
In the afternoon, Rouhani will address a Muslim congregation at the historic Mecca Masjid after performing Friday prayers, official sources said.
Religious scholars from different schools of thought will also participate in this session, they said. Rouhani began his three-day India visit yesterday after his arrival here last evening. This was his second visit to Hyderabad and the first after assuming charge as the president of Iran. "He will leave for New Delhi this evening," the sources added. -- PTI
12:34 HC to hear JNU's contempt plea against students
The Jawaharlal Nehru University today moved the Delhi High Court claiming that its order asking students not to protest within 100 metres of the administrative block was being violated.
The university's plea, seeking contempt action against the students who allegedly violated the court order, was mentioned before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar which allowed it to be listed for hearing today.
JNU claimed that the ongoing protests in the university campus were in violation of the high court's August 9, 2017 direction to students to not stage any agitation within 100 metres of the administrative block.
Students yesterday 'gheraoed' the adminstration block demanding a meeting with the vice-chancellor on the issue of compulsory attendance and stopped the rectors from leaving the building.
The court had on August 9, last year, asked the JNU students not to protest within 100 metres radius of the administrative block which houses several offices including that of the vice-chancellor.
It had observed that the varsity had already earmarked a place for protest, therefore, the students should stage their 'dharna' at Sabarmati hostel lawns.
The varsity had said that JNU staff and Students Union (JNUSU) leaders be asked not to protest within 200 metres of the administrative block and the academic complexes as per the academic rules and regulations.
The court had also asked the police to keep away from the university campus unless there was any evidence of disruption of law and order or in case of varsity seeking its assistance. -- PTI
The university's plea, seeking contempt action against the students who allegedly violated the court order, was mentioned before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar which allowed it to be listed for hearing today.
JNU claimed that the ongoing protests in the university campus were in violation of the high court's August 9, 2017 direction to students to not stage any agitation within 100 metres of the administrative block.
Students yesterday 'gheraoed' the adminstration block demanding a meeting with the vice-chancellor on the issue of compulsory attendance and stopped the rectors from leaving the building.
The court had on August 9, last year, asked the JNU students not to protest within 100 metres radius of the administrative block which houses several offices including that of the vice-chancellor.
It had observed that the varsity had already earmarked a place for protest, therefore, the students should stage their 'dharna' at Sabarmati hostel lawns.
The varsity had said that JNU staff and Students Union (JNUSU) leaders be asked not to protest within 200 metres of the administrative block and the academic complexes as per the academic rules and regulations.
The court had also asked the police to keep away from the university campus unless there was any evidence of disruption of law and order or in case of varsity seeking its assistance. -- PTI
12:16 Modi effect: Allahabad Bank, Axis shares fall
Shares of Union Bank of India today declined more than 3 per cent in morning trade after the lender said it has an exposure of Rs 1,900 crore to the PNB fraud case.
The stock fell 3 per cent to touch an intra-day low of Rs 116.50, which was also its 52-week low level, on BSE. The stock slumped to its 52-week low level of Rs 116.50 on NSE as well, down 3.07 per cent over its previous close.
"We wish to inform you that the bank through our foreign branches has been taking exposure with Punjab National Bank (PNB) as counterparty under various Letters of Undertakings issued through authenticated SWIFT message," Union Bank of India said in late night filing to stock exchanges.
State-owned Punjab National Bank on February 14 said it has detected a Rs 11,400 crore scam where billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi allegedly acquired fraudulent letters of undertaking from a branch in Mumbai to secure overseas credit from other Indian lenders. While PNB did not name the other lenders, besides Union Bank of India, Allahabad Bank and Axis Bank are said to have offered credit based on letters of undertaking (LOUs) issued by PNB.
Shares of Allahabad Bank also fell to the 52-week low level of Rs 53.10, and Axis Bank fell 1.23 per cent to an intra-day low of Rs 537.05 on BSE today. Meanwhile, the BSE Bankex was also trading in the negative and fell to a low of 28598.89 points, down 133.47 points in morning trade today.
The stock fell 3 per cent to touch an intra-day low of Rs 116.50, which was also its 52-week low level, on BSE. The stock slumped to its 52-week low level of Rs 116.50 on NSE as well, down 3.07 per cent over its previous close.
"We wish to inform you that the bank through our foreign branches has been taking exposure with Punjab National Bank (PNB) as counterparty under various Letters of Undertakings issued through authenticated SWIFT message," Union Bank of India said in late night filing to stock exchanges.
State-owned Punjab National Bank on February 14 said it has detected a Rs 11,400 crore scam where billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi allegedly acquired fraudulent letters of undertaking from a branch in Mumbai to secure overseas credit from other Indian lenders. While PNB did not name the other lenders, besides Union Bank of India, Allahabad Bank and Axis Bank are said to have offered credit based on letters of undertaking (LOUs) issued by PNB.
Shares of Allahabad Bank also fell to the 52-week low level of Rs 53.10, and Axis Bank fell 1.23 per cent to an intra-day low of Rs 537.05 on BSE today. Meanwhile, the BSE Bankex was also trading in the negative and fell to a low of 28598.89 points, down 133.47 points in morning trade today.
11:58 PNB fraud: ED summons Nirav Modi, his uncle
The Enforcement Directorate today issued summons for appearance to billionaire diamond merchant Nirav Modi and his business partner Mehul Choksi in connection with its money laundering probe in the Rs 11,400 crore alleged fraud in Punjab National Bank, officials said.
They said both Modi and Choksi were summoned under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and asked to depose within a week's time. The notices were handed over to the directors of the firms of the two businessmen as they were not in the country.
While Modi runs the jewellery brand chain under his name, Choksie is the promoter of Gitanjali Gems. The ED had registered a PMLA case against them and others based on a CBI FIR which was the result of a PNB complaint.
The ED yesterday carried out multiple raids on showrooms, workshops, offices and residences of Modi and Choksi and seized diamonds, jewellery and gold worth Rs 5,100 crore.
The agency was probing if the allegedly defrauded bank funds were laundered and these proceeds of crime subsequently used by the accused to create illegal assets and black money.
Modi, 46, a regular feature on the lists of rich and famous Indians since 2013, was booked by the CBI, along with wife, brother and Choksi on January 31, for allegedly cheating the state-run PNB to the tune of Rs 280 crore.
The bank has sent two more complaints to the CBI on Tuesday, saying the scam was worth more than Rs 11,400 crore. The CBI had earlier raided the residences of Modi, his brother, wife and Choksi, all partners of Diamond R US, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamonds and two bank officials -- Gokulnath Shetty (now retired) and Manoj Kharat, who were also named in the FIR as accused.
"The public servants committed abuse of official position to cause pecuniary advantage to Diamond R US, Solar Exports, Stellar Diamonds and a wrongful loss of Rs 280.70 crore to Punjab National Bank during 2017," the CBI FIR has alleged.
The jewellery designer is a citizen of the country but his brother Nishal and wife Ami are not Indian nationals. They all left India between January 1 and 6, the CBI said. -- PTI
Image: Nirav Modi with Prince Charles at an event in 2017
They said both Modi and Choksi were summoned under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and asked to depose within a week's time. The notices were handed over to the directors of the firms of the two businessmen as they were not in the country.
While Modi runs the jewellery brand chain under his name, Choksie is the promoter of Gitanjali Gems. The ED had registered a PMLA case against them and others based on a CBI FIR which was the result of a PNB complaint.
The ED yesterday carried out multiple raids on showrooms, workshops, offices and residences of Modi and Choksi and seized diamonds, jewellery and gold worth Rs 5,100 crore.
The agency was probing if the allegedly defrauded bank funds were laundered and these proceeds of crime subsequently used by the accused to create illegal assets and black money.
Modi, 46, a regular feature on the lists of rich and famous Indians since 2013, was booked by the CBI, along with wife, brother and Choksi on January 31, for allegedly cheating the state-run PNB to the tune of Rs 280 crore.
The bank has sent two more complaints to the CBI on Tuesday, saying the scam was worth more than Rs 11,400 crore. The CBI had earlier raided the residences of Modi, his brother, wife and Choksi, all partners of Diamond R US, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamonds and two bank officials -- Gokulnath Shetty (now retired) and Manoj Kharat, who were also named in the FIR as accused.
"The public servants committed abuse of official position to cause pecuniary advantage to Diamond R US, Solar Exports, Stellar Diamonds and a wrongful loss of Rs 280.70 crore to Punjab National Bank during 2017," the CBI FIR has alleged.
The jewellery designer is a citizen of the country but his brother Nishal and wife Ami are not Indian nationals. They all left India between January 1 and 6, the CBI said. -- PTI
Image: Nirav Modi with Prince Charles at an event in 2017
11:47
Cauvery verdict fallout: Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami goes into a huddle with top ministers.
11:45 Yes, we did!
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah gets a pat on the back after the favourable Cauvery waters verdict.
11:35
Update on the Cauvery verdict: SC says its order on Cauvery water allocation will continue for next 15 years.
No statement from Tamil Nadu except to say it will study the verdict.
No statement from Tamil Nadu except to say it will study the verdict.
11:33 PNB suspends 8 more employees
Nirav Modi PNB scam: Eight more employees of Punjab National Bank suspended. The number of suspended employees now stands at 18, which also includes General Manager-level officers. Internal investigation of the bank is still underway.
11:17 Puducherry, Kerala quota remain unchanged
Update on the Cauvery water verdict: The SC allows Tami Nadu to draw additional 10 tmcft 'groundwater' from total of 20 tmcft beneath Cauvery basin. The court says the 2007 tribunal award of 30 tmcft to Kerala and 7 tmcft to Puducherry will remain unchanged.
Tamil Nadu will now get 404.25 tmcft of Cauvery water instead of 419 tmcft allotted by tribunal; Karnataka will get an enhanced 14.75 tmcft water which will be above the 2007 tribunal award of 270 tmcft.
The SC also says increase in Cauvery water share for Karnataka is on account of groundwater and drinking water requirement for Bengaluru residents.
Tamil Nadu will now get 404.25 tmcft of Cauvery water instead of 419 tmcft allotted by tribunal; Karnataka will get an enhanced 14.75 tmcft water which will be above the 2007 tribunal award of 270 tmcft.
The SC also says increase in Cauvery water share for Karnataka is on account of groundwater and drinking water requirement for Bengaluru residents.
11:01 Cauvery verdict: TN to get less water, K'taka gets 14 TMC more
Karnataka wins the day in the Cauvery water dispute. The three judges of the Supreme Court delivering the verdict on the Cauvery water dispute said Karnataka is a global city with a dire need of water, and increased its water allocation by 14.25 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet). Earlier, the state used to get 270 TMC, which has been increased to 284.25.
Consequently, the water allocation of Tamil Nadu has been reduced from 192 TMC to 177 TMC. The SC also directed Karnataka to release 177.25 tmcft of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu from its inter-state Biligundlu dam.
The Cauvery water dispute has been a source of tension between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and has persisted despite attempts at a solution over 120 years.
The bench delivering the verdict was headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and also comprises Justices Amitava Roy and AM Khanwilkar.
During the hearings that ended last year, Tamil Nadu had asked the top court to make a "fundamental change" in the water sharing pact and set up a Cauvery Management Board.
Consequently, the water allocation of Tamil Nadu has been reduced from 192 TMC to 177 TMC. The SC also directed Karnataka to release 177.25 tmcft of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu from its inter-state Biligundlu dam.
The Cauvery water dispute has been a source of tension between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and has persisted despite attempts at a solution over 120 years.
The bench delivering the verdict was headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and also comprises Justices Amitava Roy and AM Khanwilkar.
During the hearings that ended last year, Tamil Nadu had asked the top court to make a "fundamental change" in the water sharing pact and set up a Cauvery Management Board.
10:47 CBI approaches Interpol to locate Nirav Modi
The CBI has approached the Interpol to locate billionaire jewellery designer Nirav Modi and his family who had left the country in the first week of January, weeks before scam was reported to the agency, officials said.
Officials said the CBI approached the Interpol with a request for issuing Diffusion Notice which was aimed at locating an individual.
"This (diffusion) is less formal than a notice but is also used to request the arrest or location of an individual or additional information in relation to a police investigation. A diffusion is circulated directly by an NCB (CBI in this case) to the member countries of their choice, or to the entire INTERPOL membership and is simultaneously recorded in Interpol's Information System," the website of Interpol says.
The CBI was confident about getting a location of Modi and his family by today, they said. Modi, who was alleged to have carried out fraudulent transactions worth over Rs 11,400 crore in Punjab National Bank, had left the country in the first week.of January.
The 46-year old, who holds an Indian passport, left India on January 1, while his brother Nishal, a Belgian citizen, departed from the country on same day.
However, whether they travelled together has to be probed, they said. Modi's wife Ami, a US citizen, left on January 6 and his uncle and business partner Mehul Choksi, the promoter of Gitanjali jewellery chain, left on January 4, the officials said.
The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate have approached the government seeking revocation of passports of Modi and Choksi. The billionaire diamond merchant, a regular on the lists of rich and famous Indians since 2013, was booked by the CBI, along with wife, brother and Choksi on January 31, for allegedly cheating the state-run Punjab National Bank to the tune of Rs 280 crore.
The bank again approached the CBI within a fortnight of the first complaint giving details of more transactions which were over Rs 11,400 crore. The question as to why the PNB did not send a complaint to the CBI and decided to give it in tranches is also under the scanner of the agency, they said.
The bank has claimed in three complaints to the CBI that so far it has detected 150 Letters of Undertaking, which were fraudulently issued by its officials in connivance with Modi and the other accused in the case, the officials said. An LoU is a letter of comfort issued by one bank to branches of other banks, based on which foreign branches offer credit to buyers.
-- PTI
Officials said the CBI approached the Interpol with a request for issuing Diffusion Notice which was aimed at locating an individual.
"This (diffusion) is less formal than a notice but is also used to request the arrest or location of an individual or additional information in relation to a police investigation. A diffusion is circulated directly by an NCB (CBI in this case) to the member countries of their choice, or to the entire INTERPOL membership and is simultaneously recorded in Interpol's Information System," the website of Interpol says.
The CBI was confident about getting a location of Modi and his family by today, they said. Modi, who was alleged to have carried out fraudulent transactions worth over Rs 11,400 crore in Punjab National Bank, had left the country in the first week.of January.
The 46-year old, who holds an Indian passport, left India on January 1, while his brother Nishal, a Belgian citizen, departed from the country on same day.
However, whether they travelled together has to be probed, they said. Modi's wife Ami, a US citizen, left on January 6 and his uncle and business partner Mehul Choksi, the promoter of Gitanjali jewellery chain, left on January 4, the officials said.
The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate have approached the government seeking revocation of passports of Modi and Choksi. The billionaire diamond merchant, a regular on the lists of rich and famous Indians since 2013, was booked by the CBI, along with wife, brother and Choksi on January 31, for allegedly cheating the state-run Punjab National Bank to the tune of Rs 280 crore.
The bank again approached the CBI within a fortnight of the first complaint giving details of more transactions which were over Rs 11,400 crore. The question as to why the PNB did not send a complaint to the CBI and decided to give it in tranches is also under the scanner of the agency, they said.
The bank has claimed in three complaints to the CBI that so far it has detected 150 Letters of Undertaking, which were fraudulently issued by its officials in connivance with Modi and the other accused in the case, the officials said. An LoU is a letter of comfort issued by one bank to branches of other banks, based on which foreign branches offer credit to buyers.
-- PTI
10:40 Pak claims it destroyed Indian Army post, killed 5 soldiers
Pakistan has claimed that its troops destroyed an Indian Army post in Tatta Pani sector across the Line of Control and killed five soldiers. Pakistan Army Spokesman Major General Asif Ghaffor in a tweet late last night also shared a video clip purportedly showing bombing of the Indian Army post and smoke billowing from the site after it was hit by fire.
"Indian Army post on LoC targeting innocent citizens destroyed by Pak Army troops in Tatta Pani (Hot Spring) sector. Five Indian soldiers killed, many injured. Indian terrorism against innocent citizens shall be responded befittingly," Ghaffor tweeted.
However, an Indian Army official in New Delhi said the Pakistan Army's claim is "baseless". Earlier, in a statement the Pakistan army spokesman said that India's "unethical and unprofessional" approach across the LoC is terrorising civilians.
Pakistan yesterday summoned India's Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh to condemn the "unprovoked firing" by Indian troops across the LoC which allegedly resulted in the death of a driver of a van carrying school children. It alleged that the Indian forces "deliberately targeted a school van carrying school children on Battal-Madharpur road, resulting in the death of the driver of the van, leaving the school children severely traumatised." -- PTI
Representational image.
"Indian Army post on LoC targeting innocent citizens destroyed by Pak Army troops in Tatta Pani (Hot Spring) sector. Five Indian soldiers killed, many injured. Indian terrorism against innocent citizens shall be responded befittingly," Ghaffor tweeted.
However, an Indian Army official in New Delhi said the Pakistan Army's claim is "baseless". Earlier, in a statement the Pakistan army spokesman said that India's "unethical and unprofessional" approach across the LoC is terrorising civilians.
Pakistan yesterday summoned India's Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh to condemn the "unprovoked firing" by Indian troops across the LoC which allegedly resulted in the death of a driver of a van carrying school children. It alleged that the Indian forces "deliberately targeted a school van carrying school children on Battal-Madharpur road, resulting in the death of the driver of the van, leaving the school children severely traumatised." -- PTI
Representational image.
10:37 PNB slumps for 3rd straight day, hits 52-week low
Shares of Punjab National Bank continued to reel under pressure for the third consecutive day after the detection of Rs 11,400-crore fraud, slipping over 3 per cent in morning trade on bourses.
The stock hit its 52-week low on both BSE and NSE today after it opened on a bearish note and fell 3.27 per cent to Rs 124.15 on BSE. Similarly on NSE, the stock dropped to a low of Rs 123.40.
Meanwhile, shares of PNB Housing too slipped 1,36 per cent to a low of Rs 1,182.60. A fortnight after the scam was first reported, PNB Chairman and Managing Director Sunil Mehta yesterday said it has the capability to recover the dues from Modi and promised to take action against all wrongdoers.
As the Enforcement Directorate conducted multiple searches at establishments linked to Modi, seizing diamonds, jewellery and gold worth Rs 5,100 crore and sealing six properties, the finance ministry said recovery would be made and nobody would be spared. PNB has already suspended 10 officers and referred the matter to CBI for investigation.
-- PTI
Image: Nirav Modi's showroom at Kala Ghoda has been sealed after ED raids.
The stock hit its 52-week low on both BSE and NSE today after it opened on a bearish note and fell 3.27 per cent to Rs 124.15 on BSE. Similarly on NSE, the stock dropped to a low of Rs 123.40.
Meanwhile, shares of PNB Housing too slipped 1,36 per cent to a low of Rs 1,182.60. A fortnight after the scam was first reported, PNB Chairman and Managing Director Sunil Mehta yesterday said it has the capability to recover the dues from Modi and promised to take action against all wrongdoers.
As the Enforcement Directorate conducted multiple searches at establishments linked to Modi, seizing diamonds, jewellery and gold worth Rs 5,100 crore and sealing six properties, the finance ministry said recovery would be made and nobody would be spared. PNB has already suspended 10 officers and referred the matter to CBI for investigation.
-- PTI
Image: Nirav Modi's showroom at Kala Ghoda has been sealed after ED raids.
10:11 Mayawati ko gussa kyun ata hai?
BSP chief Mayawati is distancing herself from Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. In fact, we hear she is indifferent to them. It was NCP chief Sharad Pawar who pointed this out at an all-party meeting where the BSP was conspicuous by its absence.
Remarkably, during the first half of the Union Budget session of Parliament, the BSP benches in the Rajya Sabha were empty. BSP leader SC Mishra was not to be seen and neither were other BSP MPs.
Interestingly, Mayawati is scheduled to campaign for the Karnataka Assembly and address six election rallies with Deve Gowda's Janata Dal Secular. Insiders in the BSP say that Mayawati wants to 'teach' Congress a lesson.
Obviously that's because Rahul Gandhi had aligned his party with Samajawadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav in the UP assembly polls. It is also believed that Mayawati will field a BSP Lok Sabha candidate against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for the 2019 general elections.
The BSP and Congress party are so hostile towards each other that any semblance of rapprochement is almost impossible. Sharad Pawar has admitted that he has failed to convince Mayawati to be present at the all-party meeting. But it remains to be seen if Mayawati will actually bite the bullet.
Remarkably, during the first half of the Union Budget session of Parliament, the BSP benches in the Rajya Sabha were empty. BSP leader SC Mishra was not to be seen and neither were other BSP MPs.
Interestingly, Mayawati is scheduled to campaign for the Karnataka Assembly and address six election rallies with Deve Gowda's Janata Dal Secular. Insiders in the BSP say that Mayawati wants to 'teach' Congress a lesson.
Obviously that's because Rahul Gandhi had aligned his party with Samajawadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav in the UP assembly polls. It is also believed that Mayawati will field a BSP Lok Sabha candidate against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for the 2019 general elections.
The BSP and Congress party are so hostile towards each other that any semblance of rapprochement is almost impossible. Sharad Pawar has admitted that he has failed to convince Mayawati to be present at the all-party meeting. But it remains to be seen if Mayawati will actually bite the bullet.
09:49 PM's ASEAN outreach
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for the successful celebrations of the 2018 Republic Day where for the first time 10 heads of state of ASEAN countries were invited as the chief guests.
The brainchild behind the inviting 10 ASEAN heads of state was Narendra Modi. At each point in the celebrations, the PM received updates and infused a personal touch to the programme.
The PM Modi never misses out on an opportunity to cheer up his ministerial colleagues, but whispers in the corridors of the power we overheard, suggest that there is no love lost between the six women union ministers. But on the instructions of the PMO, all the ministers rose to the occasion.
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, for instance, penned a two paragraph letter to the Chiefs of the staff of the armed forces conveying the PM's greetings.
External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj also sent a big thank you note to the Indian Ambassadors of the 10 ASEAN countries and their representatives in India.
The brainchild behind the inviting 10 ASEAN heads of state was Narendra Modi. At each point in the celebrations, the PM received updates and infused a personal touch to the programme.
The PM Modi never misses out on an opportunity to cheer up his ministerial colleagues, but whispers in the corridors of the power we overheard, suggest that there is no love lost between the six women union ministers. But on the instructions of the PMO, all the ministers rose to the occasion.
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, for instance, penned a two paragraph letter to the Chiefs of the staff of the armed forces conveying the PM's greetings.
External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj also sent a big thank you note to the Indian Ambassadors of the 10 ASEAN countries and their representatives in India.
09:42 PM's 'Parisksha pe charcha' at 11 am today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday will hold an interactive session titled 'Pariksha Par Charcha' with students from across the country, through a video conference from Delhi's Talkatora Stadium.
Prime Minister Modi will discuss exam-related issues with both the states government and Central Board of Secondary Education at around 11:00 am.
He had also asked schools to make arrangements to enable students to view the interaction.
Human Resource Ministry said, "About 2,000 school and college students will attend the programme at Talkatora Stadium. Prime Minister Modi will advise students on beating exam stress and appearing for exams with a positive attitude.
"Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter and asked youngsters to join him in the session which will start at noon "PM @narendramodi will do 'Pariksha par charcha' with lakhs of students from across the country on 16 February 2018. Ask your questions on @mygovindia, Narendra Modi App and Social Media using #ExamWarriors. Be a a Warrior, not a Worrier! Download App at http://nm4.in/dnldapp".
Image: File pic of school children tying a rakhi to the PM on the occasion of raskha bandhan.
Prime Minister Modi will discuss exam-related issues with both the states government and Central Board of Secondary Education at around 11:00 am.
He had also asked schools to make arrangements to enable students to view the interaction.
Human Resource Ministry said, "About 2,000 school and college students will attend the programme at Talkatora Stadium. Prime Minister Modi will advise students on beating exam stress and appearing for exams with a positive attitude.
"Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter and asked youngsters to join him in the session which will start at noon "PM @narendramodi will do 'Pariksha par charcha' with lakhs of students from across the country on 16 February 2018. Ask your questions on @mygovindia, Narendra Modi App and Social Media using #ExamWarriors. Be a a Warrior, not a Worrier! Download App at http://nm4.in/dnldapp".
Image: File pic of school children tying a rakhi to the PM on the occasion of raskha bandhan.
09:23 Priyanka Chopra seeks legal opinion on exiting deal with Nirav Modi
Priyanka Chopra, roped in last year as ambassador for Nirav Modi's jewellery designer brand, hasn't sued the billionaire but is getting legal opinion to cancel her deal, the actor's spokesperson said after the 48-year-old emerged as the target of a massive probe into an Rs 11,000 crore scandal.
"There are speculative reports that Priyanka Chopra has sued Nirav Modi. This is not true. However, she is currently seeking legal opinion with respect to terminating her contract with the brand in light of allegations of financial fraud against Nirav Modi," her spokesperson said in a brief statement.
Chopra, who scored Hollywood success with her hit series Quantico, has been associated with the luxury diamond jewellery brand as its brand ambassador since January 2017.
08:55 Cauvery dispute: SC to deliver verdict today
All eyes are on the Supreme Court as it's poised to act on the decades-old Cauvery water dispute between the neighbouring states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra will pronounce the verdict on the appeals filed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala against the 2007 order of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal on sharing of water.
Earlier on September 20, 2017, the court had reserved its order on the matter.
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry had filed petitions seeking a modification of the Cauvery Tribunal's final order.
The dispute dates back to the Madras-Mysore agreements of 1924. It was in 1990 when the Centre created a tribunal to examine the conflict and address the water shortage.
The CWDT had unanimously passed an order on how the water should be shared between the states after determining the total availability of water in the Cauvery basin.
The apex court during the period of trials had passed several orders directing the Karnataka government to provide a certain amount of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
The situation became tense between the states when the top court on September 5, 2016, had directed Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water daily for a period of 10 days to Tamil Nadu.
Succumbing to political pressure and the wave of public protests, the Karnataka government had then filed a plea to modify the order.
A week after its previous order, the Supreme Court had made modifications and asked Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu till September 20.
Karnataka refused to release any water, citing its own requirements and low water availability due to scanty rainfall.
On October 18, 2016, the Supreme Court had asked Karnataka to release 2000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu till further orders.
On January 9, 2017, the Tamil Nadu government had sought a compensation of Rs 2,480 crore from Karnataka for not releasing water to the state despite getting the Supreme Court directive to do so.
-- ANI
08:22 Encounter breaks out between security forces, terrorists in J-K
An encounter broke out today between terrorists and security forces in Pattan area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, police said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Tantray Mohalla area of Pattan in the early hours, a police official said. He said the search operation turned into a gun battle when the hiding terrorists fired on the joint search party.
No casualties have been reported so far, the official said, adding that the operation was underway till last reports came in.
-- PTI
07:52 Amid investigation at home, Nirav Modi at New York apartment
Billionaire diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who is being investigated in connection with Rs. 11,300 crore Punjab National Bank scam, has been traced to an apartment in New York's Manhattan, according to a NDTV report.
Modi is reportedly staying in a luxurious suite at JW Marriott's Essex House, a short walk away from his luxurious Madison Avenue jewelry retail store.
According to a PTI report, Modi had left the country on January 1 much before the Central Bureau of Investigation received a complaint from Punjab National Bank on January 29 about a Rs 280-crore fraud.
His brother Nishal, a Belgian citizen, also left the country on January 1, while wife Ami, a US citizen, and business partner Mehul Choksi, the Indian promoter of Gitanjali jewellery chain, departed on January 6, officials said.
Nirav Modi, a regular feature on the lists of rich and famous Indians since 2013, was booked by the CBI, along with wife, brother and business partner Choksi on January 31, for allegedly cheating the state-run Punjab National Bank to the tune of Rs 280 crore.
The bank has sent two more complaints to the CBI on Tuesday, saying the scam was worth more than Rs 11,400 crore.
00:05 Answer hate with love, says Trump on Florida shooting
Addressing 'a nation in grief' following a shooting incident at a Florida school in which 17 people were killed, US President Donald Trump has said that these children became a victim of terrible violence, hatred and evil.
An expelled former student armed with a powerful assault rifle unleashed a hail of gunfire at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, killing at least 17 people and injuring over a dozen others, in one of the deadliest mass shootings in the US.
Nikolas Cruz, 19, who was expelled for disciplinary reasons, was arrested shortly after the deadly rampage yesterday and charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.
"My fellow Americans, today I speak to a nation in grief... Yesterday, a school filled with innocent children and caring teachers became the scene of terrible violence, hatred and evil," Trump said in his address, a day after the incident.
"Our entire nation, with one heavy heart, is praying for the victims and their families. To every parent, teacher and child who is hurting so badly, we are here for you, whatever you need, whatever we can do to ease your pain. We are all joined together as one American family, and your suffering is our burden also," the President said.
No child, no teacher should ever be in danger in an American school. No parent should ever have to fear for their sons and daughters when they kiss them good-bye in the morning, he said in his remarks that lasted for a little over six minutes.
Trump said the entire community of Parkland is now in shock and pain and searching for answers.
Trump said he is planning a visit to Parkland, but did not say when.
Speaking directly to America's children, especially "those who feel lost, alone, confused or even scared", Trump said he wants them to know that they are never alone.
"You have people who care about you, who love you and who will do anything at all to protect you. If you need help, turn to a teacher, a family member, a local police officer or a faith leader. Answer hate with love, answer cruelty with kindness," Trump said.
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances