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Wed, 10 January 2018
FIRs are now lodged to bully journalists, says Mamata on Aadhaar expose
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23:38 FIRs are now lodged to bully journalists, says Mamata on Aadhaar expose
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today alleged that FIRs are now being lodged against journalists to intimidate them if anything adverse is reported against certain people.
"Now if a reporter writes something, utters certain words, an FIR is filed and cases are lodged," the CM said at a programme.
"No national newspaper is now being allowed to write certain news reports and subjected to strong arm tactics," she said without elaborating.
She was apparently hinting at the Unique Identification Authority of India lodging a complaint against four persons, including a reporter of The Tribune who had filed a story on alleged breach in Aadhaar database.
The FIR attracted strong criticism from various media organisations and Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the FIR was against "unknown" and asserted the commitment of the Centre to the freedom of the press. -- PTI
Read the interview of the journalist who exposed Aadhaar
23:10 BCCI under RTI? Law panel may recommend
The Law Commission is weighing up the possibility to recommend bringing the Board of Control for Cricket in India under the ambit of Right to Information Act to allow people to seek information about the functioning of the sports body.
According to a 'working paper' of the panel circulated to its members, the BCCI gets a lot of government grants, including tax exemptions, and offered subsidised rates to buy lands for stadia. The BCCI got tax exemptions worth of Rs 2,100 crore in a ten-year period ending 2007.
"The report has not yet been finalised and no final view has been taken, but the working paper mentions all the details including court verdicts which suggest that the body should come under the ambit of the information law," a senior functionary of the panel said in New Delhi.
In July, 2016, the Supreme Court had asked the commission to recommend whether the cricket board can be brought under the Right to Information Act.
Before the members of the panel meet to take a final call on the issue, the commission will seek opinions of income tax experts to help members firm up their views.
The working paper says that the BCCI can be termed as a 'public authority' under the existing legal framework.
Last year, the Central Information Commission too had urged the Committee of Administrators running the BCCI to bring the body under the RTI Act.
The RTI Act will have to be amended to bring the BCCI under its ambit. -- PTI
22:48 Religion is personal, not a tool to mobilise: Dalai Lama
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today said that religion is a "personal business" and should not be used to "mobilise" people on religious lines.
He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of inauguration of National Teachers Congress, organised by MAEERs MIT World Peace University and MIT School of Government in Pune.
Replying to a question on what message he wants to give in the wake of violence at Koregaon Bhima in Pune district on January 1, the spiritual leader said, "Religion is a personal business. Whether you follow this religion or that religion, it is personal matter. We should not mobilise...as we Buddhist, we Hindus, we Muslims. That is not good."
Dalits visiting a war memorial at Koregaon Bhima were attacked in Pune on January 1 that led to a state-wide shutdown in Maharashtra two days later.
In his speech at the conference, the Dalai Lama hailed the Indian society for accommodating diverse religious faiths.
"The largest democracy in the world, India is young and yet a complicated nation. The country has remarkable tolerance when it comes to safeguarding religious faiths of different religions," he said.
He also said that Indians should preserve their ancient knowledge and traditions. "We kept the Nalanda tradition...but you Indians forgot. Indians should pay more attention to this Indian ancient knowledge and through
rigorous study, they should revive these things," he said.
Addressing the teachers community, he said the present educational system gives more importance to material values and not "inner values".
"Today, the world is facing emotional problem and it can be only tackled by education and not religious faiths," he said.
"The 21st century should be the century of dialogue.... For building a better world, one needs to think about oneness of human beings," said the spiritual leader. -- PTI
22:23 CBSE Class X, XII examinations from March 5
The Central Board of Secondary Education will conduct its annual examinations of Classes X and XII from March 5.
The CBSE class X examinations, in which 16,38,552 students are expected to appear, would end on April 4.
Class XII annual examinations, for which 11,86,144 students are expected to appear, would go on till April 12.
While the first exam in class X is of the subject Information and Communication Technology, class XII students will be appearing for the English paper.
As per the CBSE guidelines, the CBSE affiliated schools will be conducting the practical exams from mid-January and complete it by January 31.
This will be the first batch to appear for Class X board examination after the board decided to junk the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation and reintroduce the board exams. -- PTI
22:07 Fire on board warship INS Shivalik
A fire broke out on board warship INS Shivalik in Visakhapatnam today, navy sources said.
It was a minor fire and has been doused, the sources said.
The fire broke out this evening in the stationery materials compartment, while the warship was anchored for periodic maintenance, they said.
There are no casualties reported, the sources said. -- PTI
21:58 Make in India is fast becoming 'Fake in India': Congress
The Congress said today that the government's "gross economic mismanagement" was responsible for slowdown in India's economy as it took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying "innate wisdom of Modinomics needs no counsel".
Congress communications incharge Randeep Surjewala said the Economic Advisory Council was "virtually non- functional" to assess the economy.
"The Modi government cannot shirk from the responsibility of gross economic mismanagement that it inflicted upon the country's robust economy," he said.
"As Modiji interacts with top economists today, his government's gross economic mismanagement, which has decelerated the India's story, speaks volumes. The GDP growth slows to 4 year low!," Surjewala added.
He said while the Gross Domestic Product growth in 2014-15 was 7.5 per cent, it was 8 per cent in 2015-16 and 7.1 per cent in 2016-17, and was now estimated to be at 6.5 per cent in 2017-18, after taking into account the change in the methodology.
He said the Gross Value Added, a true sub-measure of the economic activity, has experienced a "steep fall".
Sharpening his attack on the prime minister, he asked if Modi has "ever listened to the sound counsel of economists?" and said "innate wisdom of Modinomics needs no counsel".
The Congress leader said the promise of cost plus 50 per cent to farmers is the "biggest hoax played by Modi on them who are now forced to throw their produce on road".
"Dismal 1.9 per cent average agri growth rate during the Modi government is a testimony to their pain," he said, citing figures that the sector grew at 0.2 per cent in 2014-15, 0.7 per cent in 2015-16, 4.9 per cent in 2016-17 and 2.1 per cent in 2017-18.
"Make in India is fast becoming 'Fake in India' as manufacturing tumbles!," he said. -- PTI
21:56 In his book, A Raja slams Manmohan, calls ex-CAG of being 'sutradhaar'
Days after his acquittal in the 2G spectrum scam case, former Telecom Minister A Raja has attacked former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the then Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai in his upcoming book, 2G Saga Unfolds.
In the book, which was accessed by CNN-News18, Raja claims that Singh was repeatedly misinformed by his advisors and despite approving Raja's telecom policy, chose to remain a passive observer even when the DMK leader was arrested and jailed for 15 months.
Singh's silence was like "silencing of our nation's collective conscience," Raja claims.
Raja in his book also implies that telecom lobbies had influence over the PMO.
However, his choicest criticisms were reserved for Rai, who he says behaved like "a cat that shuts its eyes and then declares the universe is dark."
"It is my conviction consequent to the whole experience of the trial that there was political motivation to kill UPA-II and Rai's was the shoulder on which the gun was placed," he says.
Rai's report, Raja says, was "a mixture of inappropriate legal interpretations, incongruous comparisons and flippant allegations."
"Rai was the 'sutradhaar' who created the devious apparitionHis report is mere trash, which is unanimously deemed fit for the dustbin and his statements would not have stood test of cross-examination," Raja alleges in the tell-all book.
Raja claims that as the telecom minister in UPA II, he fought against telecom lobbies to draft a just spectrum auction policy. But then one day he received a letter from the PMO, as the policy draft was in its final stages. The contents of that letter matched the business interests of the lobbies, he says in the book.
"This makes me wonder whether this letter was indeed drafted by the PMOIt is still a puzzle to me as to what could have prompted the PM to send that letter to meWith all due respect, I am of the opinion that such a letter bearing the PM's signature should never have been sent," he says.
21:07 Now Aadhar needed for filing PILs: Madras HC
In a bid to prevent PILs by fictitious persons, the Madras high court has directed its registry to collect the litigants' Aadhar card copy along with other documents at the time of filing.
A division bench comprising justices M Sathyanarayana and R Hemalatha gave the directive, saying instances of PILs being filed by fictitious persons had been brought to the notice of the court.
In future, the registry should ensure that it collects Aadhar card copy from the petitioners. In case if any petitioner had not yet applied for Aadhar, a copy of the ration card or voters identity card should be taken, the bench said.
The court was dismissing a petition filed by Kandhasamy seeking to quash the notice issued by the Revenue Inspector of Kariapatti for removing the encroachment made by him in front of his house.
The judges said the petitioner, who had filed a PIL earlier for removal of encroachments, had himself encroached and had not come with a clean hand. -- PTI
20:22 Vidya Balan to play Indira Gandhi
Actor Vidya Balan is all set to play the role of Indira Gandhi, India's first and only woman prime minister till date.
The actor, who has acquired the adaptation rights of Sagarika Ghose's book Indira: India's Most Powerful Prime Minister, said it was her long cherished dream to portray Gandhi on screen.
"I am happy to have acquired the rights to Sagarika Ghose's 'Indira' because I have always wanted to play Indira Gandhi. I haven't decided yet whether it should be a film or a web series, but that will take a while anyway," Vidya said in a statement.
Ghose took to Facebook to share her excitement.
"Elated to announce that I just signed the contract for the movie rights of my book Indira: India's Most Powerful Prime Minister with Vidya Balan and Roy Kapur Productions. Most excited to see 'Indira' on screen!" she wrote.
Vidya, 39, was last seen in the role of a middle class housewife in Tumhari Sulu. -- PTI
20:09 Verdict in 3rd fodder scam case against Lalu on Jan 24
A special CBI court in Ranchi will pronounce its judgement in the third of five fodder scam cases against Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, who has been convicted in two of them, on January 24.
The case relates to alleged fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 35.62 crore from the Chaibasa treasury in the 1990s when he was the chief minister of undivided Bihar.
Special judge S S Prasad fixed January 24 for pronouncing the verdict as arguments in the case are over, according to a CBI official.
Prasad is lodged in Birsa Munda jail after being convicted last month in the second case of the fodder scam linked to illegal withdrawal of money from Deoghar treasury.
Special CBI court judge Shiv Pal Singh had on Saturday sentenced him to three-and-a-half years in jail in the case relating to illegal withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from Deoghar treasury.
Earlier, on September 30, 2013, Prasad was held guilty in another case pertaining to illegal withdrawal of Rs 37.7 crore and handed down a five-year prison term.
The 69-year-old RJD president had five cases against him in the Rs 900 crore fodder scam. He was on bail in the first case when he was convicted and sentenced in the second.
Prasad is also an accused in two other fodder scam cases relating to alleged illegal withdrawal of Rs 3.97 crore from Dumka treasury and Rs 184 crore from Doranda treasury. -- PTI
19:43 Maruti Suzuki hikes prices by up to Rs 17,000
Country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India today said it has increased prices of its models by up to Rs 17,000 in order to partially offset rise in input costs.
In a regulatory filing, it said the hike will range between Rs 1,700 and Rs 17,000 across models owing to increase in commodity, administrative and distribution costs.
MSI sells a range of models starting with hatchback Alto 800 to premium crossover S-Cross, priced between Rs 2.45 lakh and Rs 11.29 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
The company had said last month that it will take a price increase from this month.
Tata Motors has already increased prices of its vehicles by up to Rs 25,000 from January 1.
Various automakers including, Hyundai Motor India, Honda Cars, Mahindra & Mahindra have already announced to increase prices from this month.
These companies are however yet to announce price increase for their respective vehicles. -- PTI
19:38 Narayana Murthy's son-in-law inducted into UK government
Rishi Sunak, the son-in-law of Infosys chief Narayana Murthy, is among two new Indian-origin MPs to be inducted into the UK government by British Prime Minister Theresa May following the recent reshuffle of her team of ministers.
Sunak, 37, a Conservative party MP for Richmond (Yorkshire), has been appointed the new parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as part of a New Year reshuffle this week.
Sunak is joined by fellow pro-Brexit campaigner, Goan- origin Suella Fernandes, who takes charge as parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Department for Exiting the European Union.
Sunak and Fernandes, who take charge of their junior ministerial roles as part of Theresa May's team, were among the prominent Indian-origin campaigners in favour of Britain's exit from the EU in the June 2016 referendum, pushing for closer ties with Commonwealth countries like India.
"From working in my mum's tiny chemist shop to my experience building large businesses, I have seen how we should support free enterprise and innovation to ensure Britain has a stronger future," said Sunak.
The UK-born son of a pharmacist mother and a National Health Service general practitioner father is married to Murthy's daughter Akshata Murthy.
The Oxford University and Stanford MBA graduate co-founded a 1-billion-pound global investment firm and specialised in investing in small British businesses before his entry to the British Parliament in the 2015 general
election.
Since his re-election in last year's snap election called by May, Sunak was widely tipped for a ministerial role in a government keen to enhance the ethnic mix of its Cabinet.
Sunak believes small businesses in the UK would flourish as a result of Brexit as the "vast majority of British businesses (94 per cent) do not have anything to do with the EU; but they are still subject to all EU law".
Fernandes' political career has had a similar trajectory, having entered Parliament as a Tory MP in 2015 and then re- elected in the June 2017 snap poll.
The Eurosceptic MP for Fareham has been equally vocal in favour of Brexit, which she believes will allow Britain to strike closer bilateral ties with Commonwealth countries like India and enable "qualified doctors, teachers, and entrepreneurs from non-EU countries" to make a positive contribution to the UK economy.
Britain decided to leave the European Union after the Brexit referendum on June 23 2016. The country expected to exit the bloc by March 2019.
The resignation of Priti Patel, a high-profile pro-Brexit voice, as international development minister amid controversy over an Israel visit last year had left the top rungs of the UK Cabinet short of many ethnic minority faces.
The addition of Sunak and Fernandes takes the number of Indian-origin MPs in Theresa May's ministerial team to three, with Alok Sharma Conservative Party MP for Reading West moved from his post as housing minister to employment minister. -- PTI
Photograph: Courtesy @Number10gov/Twitter
19:02 Rajput group warns of 'public curfew' if 'Padmavat' released
A Rajput group protesting against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film 'Padmavati', retitled 'Padmavat', today threatened that it will impose a "public curfew" in theatres if the controversial movie is released.
The Rajput Karni Sena reiterated its demand for a "complete ban" on the film. Its leader Lokendra Singh Kalvi alleged that history was being tinkered with and there was no room for a compromise with the filmmakers on the issue.
The film was previously scheduled to release on Dec 1.
But the outfit protested against the film's release in Rajasthan and other parts of the country over the portrayal of queen Padmini in it. The group alleged the movie "distorted" history even though historians are divide on whether the queen actually existed.
The filmmakers, too, have denied the allegations.
The film seems set for a January 25 release, according to sources in Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the production house behind the film. An official announcement is yet to be made.
"The film should be canned and thrown into the flames of Jauhar. We have heard that it is releasing on January 25 and if so happens we will take to streets and appeal our youths to hold public curfew at cinema halls," Kalvi told reporters.
He claimed that a three-member panel that was shown the movie has opined that it should not be released, adding that the film is likely to be shown to another six persons.
"All this should end now and the film should not be allowed to be released to hurt the sentiments of people who are agitating against it," Kalvi said.
He claimed that six states have announced a ban on the movie. "I will hold discussions with Delhi government in this regard."
The period drama features Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh nd Deepika Padukone in lead roles.
On December 28, the Central Board of Film Certification decided to give the film a U/A certification along with some modifications and suggested that its title be changed to "Padmavat" to befit the source material, Malik Muhammad Jayasi's epic of the same name. -- PTI
18:46 Sivan K named new ISRO chairman
The government today appointed renowned scientist Sivan K as the chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation to replace of A S Kiran Kumar.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his appointment as secretary, Department of Space and chairman of Space Commission for a tenure of three years, an order issued by the personnel ministry said.
Sivan, at present Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, will succeed Kumar, who was appointed on January 12, 2015.
He graduated from Madras Institute of Technology in aeronautical engineering in 1980 and completed Master of Engineering in Aerospace engineering from IISc, Bangalore in 1982, according to his biodata.
Subsequently, he completed his PhD in Aerospace engineering from IIT, Bombay in 2006.
Sivan joined the ISRO in 1982 in PSLV project and has contributed immensely towards end to end mission planning, mission design, mission integration and analysis.
He has numerous publications in various journals and is a fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering, Aeronautical Society of India and Systems Society of India.
Sivan has received numerous awards throughout his career which includes Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from Sathyabama University, Chennai in April 2014 and Shri Hari Om Ashram Prerit Dr Vikram Sarabhai Research award for 1999. -- PTI
18:38 Films are not charity or NGOs: Anurag Kashyap
Films loaded with social message may be the trend in the industry but Anurag Kashyap believes filmmakers should not be expected to deliver a message through their movies.
The director, whose upcoming film Mukkabaaz promotes sports in its own way, said as a filmmaker his aim is never to address a social issue.
"Films are not supposed to give a message. A film is not a charity or an NGO. We have been making love stories since forever but people still don't know how to love.
"Even if a film gives a message, people clap for a moment and then forget. As a filmmaker, I don't believe in giving a message. The only time I gave a message in my film was in Black Friday," Kashyap said in a group interview in New Delhi.
The director said Mukkabaaz may be a pro-sports films, but it is not an "advertisement" for boxing.
"It is a film which shows us a mirror. What people take from it depends on them."
The film has been given a U/A certificate by the CBFC and Kashyap yesterday praised censor board chief Prasoon Joshi for a "reasonable, rational and empowering experience".
While the CBFC was criticised for suggesting modifications in Bhansali's Padmavat, including a title change, Kashyap said he believes in speaking against or forany authority, based on his "personal experiences".
"Padmavat getting modifications is not my personal experience with CBFC. I have had my own experiences with the censor board. It was my first experience with Prasoon and I was literally given the space and respect a filmmaker should get. I was given the space to explain the context of the things in my film and it has never happened before.
"What Padmavati went through only Bhansali knows. My personal experience has been great (this time). I have always said the CBFC is not supposed to cut the film. I still believe in that and we are heading towards it. It is going to be a long process."
Kashyap said being the head of CBFC is not an easy job and he would never want to be in that situation.
"Prasoon's position is not an easy place to be in. He will be accused of a lot of things and by the end of it, will lose a lot of friends. I would never want to be in such a position.
"If something wrong happens I criticise it, but when something good has happened, I am suppose to praise it as well," he said. -- PTI
17:40 Now, Aadhaar with 'Virtual ID' for privacy phobes
In a bid to address privacy concerns, the UIDAI today introduced a new concept of 'Virtual ID' which Aadhaar-card holder can generate from its website and give for various purposes, including SIM verification, instead of sharing the actual 12-digit biometric ID. This will give the users the option of not sharing their Aadhaar number at the time of authentication.
The Virtual ID, which would be a random 16-digit number, together with biometrics of the user would give any authorised agency like a mobile company, limited details like name, address and photograph, which are enough for any verification.
Officials said a user can generate as many Virtual IDs as he or she wants. The older ID gets automatically cancelled once a fresh one is generated. The Unique Identification Authority of India has also introduced the concept of 'limited KYC' under which it will only provide need-based or limited details of a user to an authorised agency that is providing a particular service, say, a telco.
The Virtual ID will be a temporary and revocable 16 digit random number mapped to a person's Aadhaar number and the Aadhaar-issuing body will start accepting it from March 1, 2018. From June 1, 2018 it will be compulsory for all agencies that undertake authentication to accept the Virtual ID from their users. -- PTI
The Virtual ID, which would be a random 16-digit number, together with biometrics of the user would give any authorised agency like a mobile company, limited details like name, address and photograph, which are enough for any verification.
Officials said a user can generate as many Virtual IDs as he or she wants. The older ID gets automatically cancelled once a fresh one is generated. The Unique Identification Authority of India has also introduced the concept of 'limited KYC' under which it will only provide need-based or limited details of a user to an authorised agency that is providing a particular service, say, a telco.
The Virtual ID will be a temporary and revocable 16 digit random number mapped to a person's Aadhaar number and the Aadhaar-issuing body will start accepting it from March 1, 2018. From June 1, 2018 it will be compulsory for all agencies that undertake authentication to accept the Virtual ID from their users. -- PTI
17:05 Goa will watch Padmavat
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday confirmed that Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati', now titled 'Padmavat', would release in the state."'Padmavat' has been given a censor certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification.
The state government does not have a problem to screen it in the cinema halls in Goa," Parrikar told the media.
Parrikar further said, in case of any law and order issue, the state would look into it.
The Goa Police had expressed apprehension about the film being screened in the state during the peak tourist season.They had written a letter to the state government asking to ban the movie's screening in the state during peak tourist season.'Padmavat' will hit the big screen on January 25.
The movie, based on the legend of Hindu Rajput queen Rani Padmini, has been facing protests from various groups, particularly Shri Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering with historical facts.
The CBFC suggested few modifications in the controversial movie, which included changing of the film's title, in December last year. -- ANI
The state government does not have a problem to screen it in the cinema halls in Goa," Parrikar told the media.
Parrikar further said, in case of any law and order issue, the state would look into it.
The Goa Police had expressed apprehension about the film being screened in the state during the peak tourist season.They had written a letter to the state government asking to ban the movie's screening in the state during peak tourist season.'Padmavat' will hit the big screen on January 25.
The movie, based on the legend of Hindu Rajput queen Rani Padmini, has been facing protests from various groups, particularly Shri Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering with historical facts.
The CBFC suggested few modifications in the controversial movie, which included changing of the film's title, in December last year. -- ANI
16:48 Amit Shah terms K'taka govt as anti-Hindu
BJP President Amit Shah on Wednesday accused Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's government of being anti-Hindu.
Addressing the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Parivartana Yatre in Chitradurga, Shah said, "The Siddaramaiah Government is indulging in vote bank politics; it is an anti-Hindu government. They have withdrawn all cases against the SDPI, which is an anti-India organisation."
"The state government has withdrawn all cases against the criminals of radical group PFI. The salaries of temple priests have been held for four months now," he added.
Shah further said the Siddaramaiah Government in the state had deprived the people of the state from the benefits of the money that was meant for their welfare.
"The Modi Government has increased Karnataka share from Rs 88,583 crore (13th Finance Commission) to Rs 2,19,500 crore (14th Finance Commission)," he noted.
Shah also hailed Prime Minister Modi's 'Ujjwala Yojana', adding the Centre had provided free LPG connection to 3.33 lakh poor women of Karnataka. -- ANI
Addressing the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Parivartana Yatre in Chitradurga, Shah said, "The Siddaramaiah Government is indulging in vote bank politics; it is an anti-Hindu government. They have withdrawn all cases against the SDPI, which is an anti-India organisation."
"The state government has withdrawn all cases against the criminals of radical group PFI. The salaries of temple priests have been held for four months now," he added.
Shah further said the Siddaramaiah Government in the state had deprived the people of the state from the benefits of the money that was meant for their welfare.
"The Modi Government has increased Karnataka share from Rs 88,583 crore (13th Finance Commission) to Rs 2,19,500 crore (14th Finance Commission)," he noted.
Shah also hailed Prime Minister Modi's 'Ujjwala Yojana', adding the Centre had provided free LPG connection to 3.33 lakh poor women of Karnataka. -- ANI
16:38 Quash section 377 of IPC, says former solicitor general
Former Solicitor General of India N Santosh Hegde has said section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, that criminalises homosexuality, should be quashed.
"Section 377 should be quashed and two consenting adults having sex should have no obstruction at all," the retired Supreme Court judge told PTI.
He was replying to a query for seeking his views on the colonial penal provision.
"Under section 377, sex between the same group is not allowed. It is an offence. It, according to me, is not correct. The LGBT community...what will they do? Therefore, I am of the opinion that it has to be quashed," Hegde said.
The Supreme Court earlier this week agreed to reconsider its 2013 verdict criminalising gay sex and referred to a larger bench the plea challenging the provision, observing societal morality "changes from age to age".
Hegde also said that playing the national anthem in places like cinema halls, restaurants and on roads amounts to "taking forward nationalism a bit too far".
The former Karnataka Lokayukta was commenting in the context of the Supreme Court making optional playing of the national anthem in cinema halls before the screening of films.
The apex court yesterday modified its November 30, 2016 order by which it had made playing the anthem mandatory in cinema halls before the screening of a film.
Hegde said everyone must stand up when the national anthem is played at official functions and flag hoisting ceremonies and events of such kind.
"But not in cinema theatres, not in dining rooms, not in restaurants, not on roads...suppose suddenly somewhere if a man sings the national anthem, why should anybody on the road stand in attention," he said, voicing his opposition to forcing a person to become a nationalist.
On the Supreme Court yesterday asking the Centre to apprise it of the various modes of executing death row prisoners prevalent in other countries, Hegde said he is in favour of capital punishment.
He said, "I am for capital punishment. What's the principle behind abolishing capital punishment? That it is inhuman...God has given life and no man can take away the life."
"These are the two concepts under which capital punishment is sought to be abolished. (But) what happens to the life of the victim? Does he not have humanism?" Hegde asked. -- PTI
15:49 Kamala Mills fire: 1 Above's licence had not been passed by authorities
Mumbai's local civic body has received applications from 14 entities to set up rooftop restaurants after it unveiled a policy in this regard in November but only one of them has got the nod so far, a civic official said.
Interestingly, '1 Above', the high-end pub in the Kamala Mill Compound, where a devastating fire killed 14 people on December 29, is among the applicants, but its plea is still under process.
In November last year, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation came up with a rooftop restaurant policy. It put in place guidelines and riders for granting licences to start rooftop restaurants in the metropolis.
"We have received 14 common business applications so far from the owners of hotels and restaurants, seeking permission to run rooftop eateries in night.
"Only one of them has been accorded the permission," BMC executive health officer Padmaja Keskar said.
The entity which has received the approval is Hotel Four Season, while the others applications are being processed, she said.
'1 Above' had started its rooftop pub despite not getting formal approval from the civic body, another senior official, seeking anonymity, said.
15:35
Another chilling poster from Anushka Sharma's March release, Paro.
15:16 Leopard mauls 3 kids to death in MP, eats one of them
A leopard mauled to death three children in different villages of Chhindwara district and ate one of them, an official said today. Panic gripped the villages, all located in the fringe area of the district's forest range, following the incidents in the last three days.
"A leopard mauled to death a 12-year-old boy in Jhirpani village last night and ate half of the body," said divisional forest officer S S Udde. The feline also attacked a three-year-old girl on Sunday when she was out with her mother and sister to collect firewood in Mohlimata village. The same day, the leopard attacked a 10-year-old boy in Bijauli Pathar village when he was playing at his home and dragged him for about 100 metres.
"Both the children died after suffering critical injuries," Udde said. "The forest department would provide compensation to the families of the deceased children," he said.
A search operation has been launched to trace the leopard in which personnel from the adjoining forest range are also participating. The forest department has installed about a dozen cameras to trace the leopard," he said. -- PTI
Image: In J&K, a leopard was found stuck in a trap in Samba and was rescued by the wildlife department and brought to the Manda WildLife Sanctuary in Jammu.
"A leopard mauled to death a 12-year-old boy in Jhirpani village last night and ate half of the body," said divisional forest officer S S Udde. The feline also attacked a three-year-old girl on Sunday when she was out with her mother and sister to collect firewood in Mohlimata village. The same day, the leopard attacked a 10-year-old boy in Bijauli Pathar village when he was playing at his home and dragged him for about 100 metres.
"Both the children died after suffering critical injuries," Udde said. "The forest department would provide compensation to the families of the deceased children," he said.
A search operation has been launched to trace the leopard in which personnel from the adjoining forest range are also participating. The forest department has installed about a dozen cameras to trace the leopard," he said. -- PTI
Image: In J&K, a leopard was found stuck in a trap in Samba and was rescued by the wildlife department and brought to the Manda WildLife Sanctuary in Jammu.
15:10 SC reopens 1984 anti-Sikh riots probe
1984 anti-Sikh riots case: Supreme Court says it will set up a three-member committee, headed by a retired high court judge, for re-investigation of the 186 cases.
15:06 Army killed 138 Pak soldiers in 2017 in tactical ops
The Indian Army killed 138 Pakistan Army personnel in 2017 in tactical operations and retaliatory cross-border firings along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, government intelligence sources said today.
The Indian Army lost 28 soldiers during the same period along the LoC, sources said. The sources said the Pakistan Army usually does not acknowledge the deaths of its personnel and shows them as civilian casualties in certain cases.
The Indian Army has been adopting a "tough" approach in dealing with ceasefire violations and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir in the last one year.
The Pakistan Army has suffered 138 fatal and 155 non- fatal casualties in tactical operations and retaliatory cross-border firings along the LoC in 2017, the intelligence sources told PTI.
A total of 70 Indian Army personnel were injured during cross border firings and other incidents. Asked about the fatalities on the Pakistani side, the Army refused to comment.
However, Army spokesperson Col Aman Anand said India has been effectively retaliating against all ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army and will continue to do so. According to official figures, 860 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops were reported in 2017 as against 221 last year. -- PTI
The Indian Army lost 28 soldiers during the same period along the LoC, sources said. The sources said the Pakistan Army usually does not acknowledge the deaths of its personnel and shows them as civilian casualties in certain cases.
The Indian Army has been adopting a "tough" approach in dealing with ceasefire violations and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir in the last one year.
The Pakistan Army has suffered 138 fatal and 155 non- fatal casualties in tactical operations and retaliatory cross-border firings along the LoC in 2017, the intelligence sources told PTI.
A total of 70 Indian Army personnel were injured during cross border firings and other incidents. Asked about the fatalities on the Pakistani side, the Army refused to comment.
However, Army spokesperson Col Aman Anand said India has been effectively retaliating against all ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army and will continue to do so. According to official figures, 860 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops were reported in 2017 as against 221 last year. -- PTI
14:48 Kalburgi's wife seeks SIT probe into rationalist's murder
Slain author and rationalist MM Kalburgi's wife today approached the Supreme Court seeking a probe by a Special Investigation Team into the murder of her husband in 2015.
The apex court sought the response of probe agencies NIA and CBI and the governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka within six weeks on her allegation that no substantial investigation has been carried out so far in the murder case.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud took note of the petition filed by Uma Devi Kalburgi, wife of the slain author, and issued notices to the National Investigating Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation and the two state governments.
Kalburgi's wife, in her petition filed through advocate Krishna Kumar, alleged that there was common link between the murder of her husband and that of intellectual activists, Narendra Achyut Dabholkar and Govindrao Pansare, who too were assassinated in August 2013 and February 2015 respectively.
Dabholkar was shot at on August 20, 2013 in Pune while Pansare was killed in Kolhapur in Maharashtra on February 16, 2015. Kalburgi's wife, in her plea, said that the investigation in Dabholkar and Pansare murder cases was in a "sorry state" and no progress has been made in bringing the killers to book.
The petition said that in 2016, the then Karnataka Home Minister had in a statement claimed that as per the forensic analysis of cartridges recovered from the three separate crime scenes, the three murders were linked.
It alleged that one of the weapons used in the murder of Pansare was used to kill Kalburgi and therefore coordination between Maharashtra police and Karnataka police, besides the CBI and the NIA, was required.
"Although sketches of suspects were released after four days of Kalburgi's murder and statement was issued by Karnataka government that conclusive evidence of nexus of murders of all three activists was found, there has been no progress in the investigation till date," the plea said.
Kalburgi, the former Vice-Chancellor of Hampi University and a well-known scholar and epigraphist, was shot dead in broad daylight at his residence in Kalyan Nagar in Dharwad, Karnataka, on August 30, 2015.
He was 77 years old. Kalburgi was a Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer of old Kannada literature. He was born in Yaragal village in Vijayapura district of north Karnataka in 1938. -- PTI
The apex court sought the response of probe agencies NIA and CBI and the governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka within six weeks on her allegation that no substantial investigation has been carried out so far in the murder case.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud took note of the petition filed by Uma Devi Kalburgi, wife of the slain author, and issued notices to the National Investigating Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation and the two state governments.
Kalburgi's wife, in her petition filed through advocate Krishna Kumar, alleged that there was common link between the murder of her husband and that of intellectual activists, Narendra Achyut Dabholkar and Govindrao Pansare, who too were assassinated in August 2013 and February 2015 respectively.
Dabholkar was shot at on August 20, 2013 in Pune while Pansare was killed in Kolhapur in Maharashtra on February 16, 2015. Kalburgi's wife, in her plea, said that the investigation in Dabholkar and Pansare murder cases was in a "sorry state" and no progress has been made in bringing the killers to book.
The petition said that in 2016, the then Karnataka Home Minister had in a statement claimed that as per the forensic analysis of cartridges recovered from the three separate crime scenes, the three murders were linked.
It alleged that one of the weapons used in the murder of Pansare was used to kill Kalburgi and therefore coordination between Maharashtra police and Karnataka police, besides the CBI and the NIA, was required.
"Although sketches of suspects were released after four days of Kalburgi's murder and statement was issued by Karnataka government that conclusive evidence of nexus of murders of all three activists was found, there has been no progress in the investigation till date," the plea said.
Kalburgi, the former Vice-Chancellor of Hampi University and a well-known scholar and epigraphist, was shot dead in broad daylight at his residence in Kalyan Nagar in Dharwad, Karnataka, on August 30, 2015.
He was 77 years old. Kalburgi was a Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer of old Kannada literature. He was born in Yaragal village in Vijayapura district of north Karnataka in 1938. -- PTI
14:37 'Padmavat is an insult to India's identity'
The Central Board of Film Certification has cleared Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati after changing its name to Padmavat and suggesting some modifications. The movie will most likely release on January 25. The Rajput Karni Sena, which has spearheaded the protests against the movie, insists it will continue to oppose Padmavat's release.
"The government must take notice. Those who cannot protect their history cannot protect their country," RKS spokesman Vijendra Singh Kalyanwat tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf. Read the interview here.
"The government must take notice. Those who cannot protect their history cannot protect their country," RKS spokesman Vijendra Singh Kalyanwat tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf. Read the interview here.
14:31 National-level boxer turns driver to earn a living
A former national-level boxer and Asian Games medallist Lakha Singh now works as a driver in Punjab's Ludhiana to make ends meet. Speaking to ANI, Singh, who is also an ex-Army man, sought help from the government and the Army.
"I won numerous medals at the national- and international-level. But I was tricked and taken away at the Texas Airport during a championship by someone and was declared absconder by the Army. I request for help from the Government and the Army. It was a little and unintentional fault," he told ANI.
Singh had joined the Indian Army as a jawan during the anti-Sikh riots.
In the year 1998, Singh was scheduled to take part in the World Military Boxing Championship, but he slipped out of the Texas Airport, following which he was declared absconder by the Army. -- ANI
"I won numerous medals at the national- and international-level. But I was tricked and taken away at the Texas Airport during a championship by someone and was declared absconder by the Army. I request for help from the Government and the Army. It was a little and unintentional fault," he told ANI.
Singh had joined the Indian Army as a jawan during the anti-Sikh riots.
In the year 1998, Singh was scheduled to take part in the World Military Boxing Championship, but he slipped out of the Texas Airport, following which he was declared absconder by the Army. -- ANI
14:19 Cabinet clears the way for further liberalisation of FDI policy
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved a number of amendments in the Foreign Direct Investment Policy, intended to liberalise and simplify the policy so as to provide ease of doing business in the country.
The Cabinet approval will however, attract larger FDI inflow and subsequently greater growth of investment, income and employment.
FDI is a major driver of economic growth and a source of non-debt finance for the economic development of the country. The government has put in place an investor friendly policy on FDI, under which FDI up to 100 percent is permitted on the automatic route in most sectors/ activities.
The Cabinet approval will however, attract larger FDI inflow and subsequently greater growth of investment, income and employment.
FDI is a major driver of economic growth and a source of non-debt finance for the economic development of the country. The government has put in place an investor friendly policy on FDI, under which FDI up to 100 percent is permitted on the automatic route in most sectors/ activities.
14:13 Sexual misconduct allegations 'not accurate', says Franco
Actor James Franco, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women on Twitter, has denied the allegations. Popular host Stephen Colbert grilled the actor over the allegations that emerged after Franco's win at the Golden Globes.
Franco said allegations against him are untrue but he supports women for speaking out, reported Variety. "There were some things on Twitter, I haven't read them. I've heard about them," Franco said when asked about his response to the claims on Colbert's chat show.
"The things that I heard were on Twitter are not accurate, but I completely support people coming out and being able to have a voice because they didn't have a voice for so long. So I don't want to shut them down in any way, and I think it's a good thing and I support it," he told the 'Late Night' show host.
Actress Violet Paley accused Franco of attempting to force her to perform oral sex on him and telling a friend of hers to "come to (his) hotel when she was 17". Another woman, Sarah Tither-Kaplan, accused "The Disaster Artist" actor of exploiting her in a film she made for him.
Image: James Franco poses with his brother Dave and his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in The Disaster Artist at the Golden Globes.
Franco said allegations against him are untrue but he supports women for speaking out, reported Variety. "There were some things on Twitter, I haven't read them. I've heard about them," Franco said when asked about his response to the claims on Colbert's chat show.
"The things that I heard were on Twitter are not accurate, but I completely support people coming out and being able to have a voice because they didn't have a voice for so long. So I don't want to shut them down in any way, and I think it's a good thing and I support it," he told the 'Late Night' show host.
Actress Violet Paley accused Franco of attempting to force her to perform oral sex on him and telling a friend of hers to "come to (his) hotel when she was 17". Another woman, Sarah Tither-Kaplan, accused "The Disaster Artist" actor of exploiting her in a film she made for him.
Image: James Franco poses with his brother Dave and his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in The Disaster Artist at the Golden Globes.
13:58 Naxals torch construction vehicles in Odisha
In Odisha, Naxals torched seven vehicles of a contractor in Kalahandi's Jamkana. The company was engaged in construction work under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
13:53 1 killed, 4 injured in stampede during Army recruitment drive
A stampede broke out during an Army recruitment drive in Dehri on Sone in Bihar's Rohtas district in the early hours today, in which one person was killed and four others were injured, police said.
The incident took place around 3 am when the aspirants tried to rush into BMP Ground through the Police Lines gate to take part in a run, on the fifth day of the recruitment drive, Superintendent of Police M S Dhillon said.
The deceased has been identified as Mukesh Kumar from Gaya district, he said. Kumar was declared as "brought dead" at a hospital. Dhillon said he was among the five people who suffered injuries in the stampede.
The four others -- Vimlesh Kumar, Devbrat Kumar Shyamnandan Kumar Verma and Dharmendra Kumar -- were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital in Sasaram, where their condition was stated to be out of danger, the SP said. -- PTI
The incident took place around 3 am when the aspirants tried to rush into BMP Ground through the Police Lines gate to take part in a run, on the fifth day of the recruitment drive, Superintendent of Police M S Dhillon said.
The deceased has been identified as Mukesh Kumar from Gaya district, he said. Kumar was declared as "brought dead" at a hospital. Dhillon said he was among the five people who suffered injuries in the stampede.
The four others -- Vimlesh Kumar, Devbrat Kumar Shyamnandan Kumar Verma and Dharmendra Kumar -- were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital in Sasaram, where their condition was stated to be out of danger, the SP said. -- PTI
13:20
Cabinet approves proposal to allow 100% FDI through the automatic route in Single Brand Retail. Details awaited.
13:00 SC notice to NIA on Kalburgi murder
The Supreme Court issues notice to the National Investigations Agency, the CBI, Maharashtra and Karnataka, on a plea seeking a SIT probe into rationalist M M Kalburgi's murder.
In September last year, sketches of two suspects who killed the noted Kannada scholar and researcher were released by the state police. The state CID also began a probe into the murder.
The Karnataka police had also visited Maharashtra to collect clues, if any.
Both Maharashtra police and the Karnataka CID team are trying to ascertain if there is any link between Kalburgis murder and the killings of Marathi author and rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and CPI leader Govind Pansare.
In September last year, sketches of two suspects who killed the noted Kannada scholar and researcher were released by the state police. The state CID also began a probe into the murder.
The Karnataka police had also visited Maharashtra to collect clues, if any.
Both Maharashtra police and the Karnataka CID team are trying to ascertain if there is any link between Kalburgis murder and the killings of Marathi author and rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and CPI leader Govind Pansare.
12:49 Builder booked for trying to grab Dilip Kumar's bungalow
The Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai Police has registered a case of cheating against a builder for allegedly trying to grab the bungalow of veteran actor Dilip Kumar in suburban Bandra, an official said today.
The builder, Samir Bhojwani, falsely claimed ownership of the two plots on which the bungalow was built in the upscale Pali Hill area of Bandra, the official said.
Police suspect that Bhojwani forged certain documents to grab the bungalow, he said.
Dilip Kumar's wife Saira Banu recently approached the police and lodged a complaint against Bhojwani following which the offence was registered against the builder on Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (EOW) Parag Manere said.
"We are investigating the case thoroughly and action will be taken accordingly," he said.
As per the complaint, the legendary actor had bought both the plots of the bungalow in 1953 for Rs 1.40 lakh, another police official said. However, Bhojwani, who is on the run, claimed that his father bought the property in the 1980s from the Mulraj Khatau Trust, he said.
After the offence was registered, a team of EOW sleuths on Monday raided Bhojwani's residence in Bandra from where they seized weapons, including knives and daggers, the police official added. -- PTI
Image: Dilip Kumar with his wife Saira Banu during Diwali last year. Picture courtesy: @TheDilipKumar
The builder, Samir Bhojwani, falsely claimed ownership of the two plots on which the bungalow was built in the upscale Pali Hill area of Bandra, the official said.
Police suspect that Bhojwani forged certain documents to grab the bungalow, he said.
Dilip Kumar's wife Saira Banu recently approached the police and lodged a complaint against Bhojwani following which the offence was registered against the builder on Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (EOW) Parag Manere said.
"We are investigating the case thoroughly and action will be taken accordingly," he said.
As per the complaint, the legendary actor had bought both the plots of the bungalow in 1953 for Rs 1.40 lakh, another police official said. However, Bhojwani, who is on the run, claimed that his father bought the property in the 1980s from the Mulraj Khatau Trust, he said.
After the offence was registered, a team of EOW sleuths on Monday raided Bhojwani's residence in Bandra from where they seized weapons, including knives and daggers, the police official added. -- PTI
Image: Dilip Kumar with his wife Saira Banu during Diwali last year. Picture courtesy: @TheDilipKumar
12:37 CJI recuses from hearing Aircel case
Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, recuses from hearing the Aircel-Maxis case, sends the case to another Supreme Court bench hearing the 2G scam case.
12:36 Another JNU student 'goes missing'
A 26-year-old student, pursuing his PhD at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi has gone missing from the campus, the police said. Mukul Jain, who enrolled in the Life Sciences course, has been missing since January 8. A missing person report was registered in the evening of January 8. It is suspected that he was having some problems in his relationship, said a senior police officer from the South-west District. Till now, no foul play has been suspected, they added.
Najeeb Ahmed, also a JNU student, went missing from the Mahi-Mandvi hostel of the university on October 15, 2016 following a scuffle with some other students, allegedly affiliated to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad the previous night. Over a month after the incident, his mother moved the Delhi High Court, seeking directions to the police to trace her son. The high court on May 16 last year handed over to the CBI the investigation into the disappearance of Najeeb, a student of M.Sc in Biotechnology. -- PTI
Najeeb Ahmed, also a JNU student, went missing from the Mahi-Mandvi hostel of the university on October 15, 2016 following a scuffle with some other students, allegedly affiliated to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad the previous night. Over a month after the incident, his mother moved the Delhi High Court, seeking directions to the police to trace her son. The high court on May 16 last year handed over to the CBI the investigation into the disappearance of Najeeb, a student of M.Sc in Biotechnology. -- PTI
12:20 Joyalukkas raided for tax fraud
The Income Tax Department today conducted country-wide searches at over 100 stores and other premises belonging to two major south-India based jewellery chains on charges of alleged tax evasion, official sources said.
The action is being carried out against Kerala-based jewellery group Joyalukkas and another firm connected with it. I-T sleuths are raiding 130 premises of the business houses in the cities of Chennai, Hyderabad, Thrissur and other locations in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi and West Bengal, I-T sources said.
The action, they said, is aimed at checking alleged tax evasion following demonetisation in the two firms.
Tax sleuths detected huge cash deposits and sale figures of gold, diamond and jewellery in their accounts. The Chennai wing of the department is coordinating the nation-wide action, involving over 100 tax sleuths and a number of police teams, sources said. -- PTI
The action is being carried out against Kerala-based jewellery group Joyalukkas and another firm connected with it. I-T sleuths are raiding 130 premises of the business houses in the cities of Chennai, Hyderabad, Thrissur and other locations in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi and West Bengal, I-T sources said.
The action, they said, is aimed at checking alleged tax evasion following demonetisation in the two firms.
Tax sleuths detected huge cash deposits and sale figures of gold, diamond and jewellery in their accounts. The Chennai wing of the department is coordinating the nation-wide action, involving over 100 tax sleuths and a number of police teams, sources said. -- PTI
12:17 Middle class can hope for big tax break in Budget
India's middle class can hope for a big relief in the Budget for financial year 2018-19, which will also be the last regular Budget of the NDA government, as the finance ministry is contemplating to hike the personal tax exemption limit and tweak the tax slabs, according to sources.
The proposal before the ministry is to hike the tax exemption limit from the existing Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum to at least Rs. 3 lakh if not 5 lakh, they said.
Besides, the tinkering of tax slabs is also being actively considered by the ministry to give a substantial relief to the middle-income group, especially the salaried class, to help them tide over the impact of retail inflation, which has started to inch up.In the last Budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley left the tax slabs unchanged but gave a marginal relief to small taxpayers by reducing the rate from 10 per cent to 5 per cent.
This was for individuals having an annual income between Rs. 2.5 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh.In the next Budget to be unveiled on February 1, the government could lower the tax rate by 10 per cent on income between Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 10 lakh, levy a 20 per cent rate for those with income between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 20 lakh and 30 per cent for income beyond Rs. 20 lakh. At present, there is no tax slab for income between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 20 lakh. -- PTI
The proposal before the ministry is to hike the tax exemption limit from the existing Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum to at least Rs. 3 lakh if not 5 lakh, they said.
Besides, the tinkering of tax slabs is also being actively considered by the ministry to give a substantial relief to the middle-income group, especially the salaried class, to help them tide over the impact of retail inflation, which has started to inch up.In the last Budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley left the tax slabs unchanged but gave a marginal relief to small taxpayers by reducing the rate from 10 per cent to 5 per cent.
This was for individuals having an annual income between Rs. 2.5 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh.In the next Budget to be unveiled on February 1, the government could lower the tax rate by 10 per cent on income between Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 10 lakh, levy a 20 per cent rate for those with income between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 20 lakh and 30 per cent for income beyond Rs. 20 lakh. At present, there is no tax slab for income between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 20 lakh. -- PTI
11:56 US welcomes N Korea's decision to participate in Winter Olympics
The US has welcomed North Korea's decision to participate in next month's Winter Olympics in South Korea, saying this is an opportunity for Pyongyang to see the value of ending its international isolation by denuclearising.
North Korea yesterday decided to send athletes and cheerleaders to Winter Olympics in South Korea after the two countries held their first official talks in more than two years.
The breakthrough came after months of rising tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.
"The North Korean participation is an opportunity for the regime to see the value of ending its international isolation by denuclearising. We hope that we can continue to move forward on that front, but certainly doesn't affect our participation," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily press conference. Denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula is the number- one priority of the Trump administration, she said.
North Korea yesterday decided to send athletes and cheerleaders to Winter Olympics in South Korea after the two countries held their first official talks in more than two years.
The breakthrough came after months of rising tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.
"The North Korean participation is an opportunity for the regime to see the value of ending its international isolation by denuclearising. We hope that we can continue to move forward on that front, but certainly doesn't affect our participation," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily press conference. Denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula is the number- one priority of the Trump administration, she said.
11:50 Outrage over MP minister calling Valmiki a dacoit
Madhya Pradesh Women and Child Development Minister Archana Chitnis on Tuesday invited the wrath of Valmiki community after she called Valmiki, author of Ramayana, a dacoit.
Chitnis was in Mandsaur, MP, to participate in the All India Valmiki community conclave.
After she finished her address, some of the members of Valmiki community protested against her for insulting the great sage by calling him a dacoit.
Though Chitnis immediately tendered apology from the stage, she maintained that she was misunderstood.
Later talking to reporters, Chitnis said, "I was only talking about correcting the history that was written under British Rule. If someone is hurt by my words then I apologise from the core of my heart.
"I only talked of unity and the greatness of Valmiki-ji, maybe in my one hour speech I framed a wrong word or something, for that I humbly accept my fault and regret it." -- ANI
Chitnis was in Mandsaur, MP, to participate in the All India Valmiki community conclave.
After she finished her address, some of the members of Valmiki community protested against her for insulting the great sage by calling him a dacoit.
Though Chitnis immediately tendered apology from the stage, she maintained that she was misunderstood.
Later talking to reporters, Chitnis said, "I was only talking about correcting the history that was written under British Rule. If someone is hurt by my words then I apologise from the core of my heart.
"I only talked of unity and the greatness of Valmiki-ji, maybe in my one hour speech I framed a wrong word or something, for that I humbly accept my fault and regret it." -- ANI
11:39
JNU student Mukul Jain missing for two days; police begin investigation.
11:22 In response to Trump's fake news awards, CPJ announces Press Oppressors award
Amid the public discourse of fake news and President Trump's announcement via Twitter about his planned "fake news" awards ceremony, CPJ is recognizing world leaders who have gone out of their way to attack the press and undermine the norms that support freedom of the media. From an unparalleled fear of their critics and the truth, to a relentless commitment to censorship, these five leaders and the runner-ups in their categories have gone above and beyond to silence critical voices and weaken democracy. Read more here.
11:19 Maha bandh violence: 43 people arrested till now
The police have arrested 43 people, including three minors, so far in connection with caste violence that erupted in Pune's Koregaon-Bhima village and engulfed Maharashtra state.
All the accused were arrested from Pune on the basis of cases registered against them, said Pune police.
On January 1, a youth was killed in a clash between two groups during an event to mark 200 years of Bhima-Koregaon battle that took place near Pune.
The incident led to violent protests across the state, including Mumbai.
Taking cognisance of the matter, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier ordered a Crime Investigation Department probe into the death and also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the kin of the deceased.
In the aftermath, a day-long 'Maharashtra bandh' was also called by various Dalit organisations on January 3. -- ANI
All the accused were arrested from Pune on the basis of cases registered against them, said Pune police.
On January 1, a youth was killed in a clash between two groups during an event to mark 200 years of Bhima-Koregaon battle that took place near Pune.
The incident led to violent protests across the state, including Mumbai.
Taking cognisance of the matter, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier ordered a Crime Investigation Department probe into the death and also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the kin of the deceased.
In the aftermath, a day-long 'Maharashtra bandh' was also called by various Dalit organisations on January 3. -- ANI
11:01 India's internet guru Vijay Mukhi passes away
Vijay Mukhi, better known as India's internet guru, passed away at his home in Mumbai last night, say reports. He had suffered a heart attack. The funeral will be held at the Shivaji Park crematorium at Dadar at 11.30 am today.
An engineer from Mumbai's VJTI, one of the premier engineering institutes in India, he began his own computer training institute way back in 1989 when computers were still nascent in the country.
An author of over 80 books, a lead developer for an e-security product and the president of the Foundation of Information Security and Technology, he has co-chaired efforts by the Mumbai Police and Nasscom to institute cyber security. He also chaired the IT Committee at FICCI and is a co-founder of the Internet Users Community of India.
Also read our chat with Vijay Mukhi in 1996 here.
An engineer from Mumbai's VJTI, one of the premier engineering institutes in India, he began his own computer training institute way back in 1989 when computers were still nascent in the country.
An author of over 80 books, a lead developer for an e-security product and the president of the Foundation of Information Security and Technology, he has co-chaired efforts by the Mumbai Police and Nasscom to institute cyber security. He also chaired the IT Committee at FICCI and is a co-founder of the Internet Users Community of India.
Also read our chat with Vijay Mukhi in 1996 here.
10:33 65 trains affected due to low visibility in north
Fog conditions continue to affect railway services in the northern region on Wednesday with 65 trains getting delayed, cancelled or rescheduled. According to the Northern Railways Chief Public Relations Officer Nitin Chowdhary, at least 22 trains have been cancelled, 40 trains were running late and three have been rescheduled owing to poor visibility due to the fog.
Meanwhile, the air quality in the national capital has been keeping under 'hazardous' category as particulate matters remain suspended in air due to lack of wind.
The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi's Siri Fort area was at 351, while ITO area was at 302.Northern India has been witnessing chilly weather for the last couple of days. The Haryana government on Sunday directed all government and private schools to remain closed till January 14 due to intense cold wave. -- ANI
Meanwhile, the air quality in the national capital has been keeping under 'hazardous' category as particulate matters remain suspended in air due to lack of wind.
The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi's Siri Fort area was at 351, while ITO area was at 302.Northern India has been witnessing chilly weather for the last couple of days. The Haryana government on Sunday directed all government and private schools to remain closed till January 14 due to intense cold wave. -- ANI
10:25 2019 is far, alliance with Congress not decided yet: SP
The Samajwadi Party on Tuesday said it had not decided of any alliance with the Congress party for the 2019 general elections as of now.
This comes after Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, earlier in the day, reportedly said his priority was strengthening the party organisation and he was not thinking of an alliance ahead of the "crucial" general elections, hinting towards differences with Congress.
Speaking to ANI, Samajwadi Party leader Juhi Singh said, "2019 right now is far. Will there be an alliance or not is not decided yet, but we will prepare for all the seats.
"Both the Samajwadi Party and Congress were reduced to 47 and 7 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly respectively at the hands of the BJP that won a mammoth 312 out of 403 seats in the state in the 2017 assembly elections.
Following this, there were speculations that the Congress party and the Samajwadi Party would part ways in the upcoming general elections.
-- ANI
This comes after Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, earlier in the day, reportedly said his priority was strengthening the party organisation and he was not thinking of an alliance ahead of the "crucial" general elections, hinting towards differences with Congress.
Speaking to ANI, Samajwadi Party leader Juhi Singh said, "2019 right now is far. Will there be an alliance or not is not decided yet, but we will prepare for all the seats.
"Both the Samajwadi Party and Congress were reduced to 47 and 7 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly respectively at the hands of the BJP that won a mammoth 312 out of 403 seats in the state in the 2017 assembly elections.
Following this, there were speculations that the Congress party and the Samajwadi Party would part ways in the upcoming general elections.
-- ANI
10:05 Kamala Mills: Hotelier held for sheltering 1 Above pub owners
A hotelier has been arrested for allegedly sheltering the three owners of 1 Above pub at his Mumbai residence in Juhu. The three owners are wanted in connection with the December 29 Kamala Mills fire that claimed 14 lives, police said.
"Vishal Kariya, who owns hotels and pubs in the city, was placed under arrest after a team of N M Joshi Marg Police picked him for questioning," Deputy Commissioner of Police Akhilesh Mishra said.
During investigation, it came to light that 42-year-old Kariya sheltered Kripesh Sanghvi, Jigar Sanghvi and Abhijeet Mankar-- the three owners of 1 Above pub -- at his residence, he said.
Police recovered a high-end car of Mankar, which was found parked at Kariya's place, he said.
The Sanghvi brothers and Mankar are absconding since December 29 when the fire swept through 1 Above and adjacent Mojo's Bistro resto pub in Kamala Mills compound in central Mumbai.
N M Joshi Marg police station senior inspector Ahmed Pathan said the trio were booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other offences under various sections of the IPC.
The Mumbai Police also announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for whereabouts about the accused trio, he said.
-- PTI
09:38 Narrative of the forked tongue
The most intrepid of the famous Begums of Bhopal, the only feminine dynasty in princely India, was surely Her Highness Nawab Sikandar Begum, Knight Grand Commander of the British Empire. This title did not come easily; the only other woman to have received it was Queen Victoria. Sikander Begum (1816-1868) was so pro-active that she persuaded the British to reopen Delhis Jama Masjid, shut down as punishment for the uprising of 1857. She personally cleaned the mosque and offered the first prayer.
Read M J Akbar's full column HERE
09:13 Senior journalists accompanying Mamata to London steal silver cutlery during official dinner meet
The security staff at the luxury hotel in London was in a dilemma. CCTV cameras were live streaming what appeared to be guests who were attending an official dinner at the conference hall flicking silverware from the large table around which they sat and stealthily stuffing them into bags and purses placed on their laps.
They debated whether they should raise an alarm but they didnt want to embarrass the dignitary in whose honor the dinner had been thrown. Not only was she a VVIP guest at the hotel but she was the chief minister of the Indian state of West Bengal who was in London on an official tour. The other visitors seated around the large table included a host of prominent citizens both from India and the UK and included politicians, industrialists and journalists.
Read full HERE
08:59 After Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh may ban Padmavat
Reacting to the controversy revolving around Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Padmavat, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said he respects art but when peoples sentiments are involved then such matters should be discussed.
"I don't want to say much. We will discuss what to do. The film, indeed, is a controversial one. I respect art but when it comes to people's sentiments getting hurt, it must be thought about and discussed," he added.
Earlier, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said that 'Padmavat', will not be released in the state.
The state government issued a statement, wherein Raje asserted that the film will not be screened keeping in view the sentiments of people.
"The sacrifice made by Queen Padmini is a matter of pride for the state. And we will not let anything hamper the sentiments attached to it", the statement read.
'Padmavat' will hit the big screens on January 25.
The movie, based on the legend of Rani Padmini, a Hindu Rajput queen, mentioned in Padmavat, an Avadhi poem written by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540, has been facing protests from various groups, particularly Shri Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering with historical facts.
08:52
JUST IN: Magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes off Honduras Coast
08:34 Mallika Sherawat evicted from Paris flat over unpaid rent of $94,000
A French court has ordered that actress Mallika Sherawat be evicted from an apartment in a posh part of Paris for failing to keep up with the rent.
In a December 14 ruling, the court told Sherawat and her French husband Cyrille Auxenfans to pay 78,787 euros (Rs 60 lakh) in rent owed and expenses, giving the green light for their furniture to be seized.
The couple began renting the apartment in the pricey 16th district on January 1, 2017, for a monthly sum of 6,054
euros (Rs 4.6 lakh)
But according to the owner they never paid the rent, making only a single payment of 2,715 euros (Rs 2 lakh).
In mid-December the actress had denied having a Paris apartment.
"It's absolutely not true, if someone has donated one to me, please send me the address," she tweeted in response to media reports about the case.
07:54 Trump to attend Davos World Economic Forum, may meet Modi
US President Donald Trump will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos later this month, opening up a distinct possibility of a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This would be for the first time in 18 years that a US president would be attending an annual gathering of global economic leaders.
"The president welcomes opportunities to advance his 'America First' agenda with world leaders," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.
She said Trump looks forward to promoting his policies to strengthen "American businesses, American industries, and American workers".
Details of the US president's trip to Davos, including bilateral meetings, are being worked out, Sanders said.
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2018 will take place later this month in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, under the theme 'Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World'.
Modi will travel to Switzerland on January 22 on a two-day visit during which he will deliver the keynote address at the plenary session of the WEF.
This would be the first time since 1997 that an Indian prime minister will attend the Davos summit.
-- PTI
00:20 PMLA Tribunal restrains ED from taking over Zakir Naik's assets
A Prevention of Money Laundering Act Tribunal has restrained the Enforcement Directorate from taking possession of immovable assets it has attached in connection with a money laundering case against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, a move the agency said it will appeal against.
The central probe agency, in March last year, had attached a school building in Chennai and a godown as part of its provisional attachment in the case and it was carried out under the stringent criminal provision of the PMLA.
As per the legal scheme under the Act, such an order goes to the Adjudicating Authority for final approval and in case the ED's action is endorsed, the affected party can appeal it before the Appellate Authority of the law.
The Appellate Authority (PMLA), now in a recent order, directed the agency to restrain from taking possession of the said attached immovable assets even as it posed several queries and questioned the agency's action in the case.
Official sources in the ED said the agency will appeal the order of the Appellate Authority or the Tribunal before a high court and that it was not a 'set back' in the case.
Officials said the tribunal order has not 'quashed' the attachment but has directed that status quo be maintained.
The tribunal, they said, has at the same time not barred the agency 'from taking possession' of the movable assets attached in the same order that includes mutual funds worth about Rs 9.41 crore and five bank accounts containing deposits worth Rs 1.23 crore in the name of Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).
Agency sources said the investigation conducted by the ED officials is independent of the NIA and that it has found that these assets were created by Naik and his associates using alleged 'tainted funds'.
The Adjudicating Authority had approved the ED order after being satisfied by the investigation, they said, adding this will be a point made in the appeal to the HC.
The ED is looking into the charges of alleged laundering of illegal funds in the case and the subsequent proceeds of crime thus generated. -- PTI
The central probe agency, in March last year, had attached a school building in Chennai and a godown as part of its provisional attachment in the case and it was carried out under the stringent criminal provision of the PMLA.
As per the legal scheme under the Act, such an order goes to the Adjudicating Authority for final approval and in case the ED's action is endorsed, the affected party can appeal it before the Appellate Authority of the law.
The Appellate Authority (PMLA), now in a recent order, directed the agency to restrain from taking possession of the said attached immovable assets even as it posed several queries and questioned the agency's action in the case.
Official sources in the ED said the agency will appeal the order of the Appellate Authority or the Tribunal before a high court and that it was not a 'set back' in the case.
Officials said the tribunal order has not 'quashed' the attachment but has directed that status quo be maintained.
The tribunal, they said, has at the same time not barred the agency 'from taking possession' of the movable assets attached in the same order that includes mutual funds worth about Rs 9.41 crore and five bank accounts containing deposits worth Rs 1.23 crore in the name of Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).
Agency sources said the investigation conducted by the ED officials is independent of the NIA and that it has found that these assets were created by Naik and his associates using alleged 'tainted funds'.
The Adjudicating Authority had approved the ED order after being satisfied by the investigation, they said, adding this will be a point made in the appeal to the HC.
The ED is looking into the charges of alleged laundering of illegal funds in the case and the subsequent proceeds of crime thus generated. -- PTI
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