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Thu, 19 July 2018
Passports of 8 NRIs who abandoned their wives cancelled
Timeline Refresh
23:36 Guj govt withdraws security of ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt
The Gujarat government has withdrawn the security cover provided to former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, claiming that there is no threat to his life now.
A release issued by the Intelligence Wing of the Gujarat CID said that security cover of 64 people including Bhatt has been withdrawn following a periodic review of thethreat perception in each person's case.
Yesterday, Bhatt had written a letter to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, requesting him to direct the Home Department 'to refrain from taking any steps or measures thatwould directly or indirectly jeopardise' his security.
Bhatt had been provided an armed Personal Security Officer (PSO) by the government.
"Bhatt has been dismissed from the service. He was first given security in April 2011 and it remained in place for over seven years now, as he deposed as a witness beforethe Nanavati Commission and before the SIT probing the 2002 post-Godhra riot cases," said the release.
However, he is no longer a witness in any such case, and he has no threat from any person or organisation, it said.
"Thus, after a detailed review, his security cover has been withdrawn," the release read.
Bhatt can always use the three guns that he owns for self-defence, as he got the gun licence only for this purpose, the release said.
Along with Bhatt, security cover of 20 former MLAs and ministers, a BJP Member of Parliament, eight judges, five police officers and 30 other 'dignitaries' has been withdrawn after a detailed review of threat perception, the CID said in the release.
Bhatt was dismissed from the service in August 2015.
He had taken on the Gujarat government when Narendra Modi was chief minister by filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court, where he alleged that Modi had instructed officers to allow Hindus 'to vent anger' after the Godhra train burning incident. -- PTI
23:06 Passports of 8 NRIs who abandoned their wives cancelled
Passports of eight non-resident Indians (NRIs), who abandoned their wives and absconded, have been cancelled, a senior official of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) said today.
An inter-ministerial agency of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a committee to look into the cases involving NRI offenders, who abscond after abandoning their wives.
"The committee has received 70 complaints in the last two months. Acting on the complaints, passports of eight NRI husbands have been cancelled and lookout notices issued against them," the WCD official said.
The WCD ministry has also started an online portal for registration of such marriages, but it is yet to become operational.
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi had yesterday urged states to get their marriage registrars inform the ministry about registration of such marriages immediately, so as to make the portal operational at the earliest.
The ministry had earlier said all NRI marriages would soon need to be registered within seven days, and if the same was not done within the stipulated time, the passports and visas would not be issued to the people involved.
Another proposal was holding the properties of NRI offenders in escrow, in case they abscond abandoning their spouse.
Escrow is a legal concept in which a financial instrument or an asset is held by a third party on behalf of two other parties that are in the process of completing a transaction. -- PTI
22:52 Pakistani terrorist shot dead in Kupwara
A Pakistani militant belonging to terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Tayiba was killed by the security forces in an encounter today in the Handwara area of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.
A foreign terrorist, belonging to the LeT, was killed in the encounter at Batpora in Handwara in north Kashmir, a police official said.
The body of the Pakistani terrorist was recovered from the encounter site along with a weapon and other incriminating material, he said.
More details about the identity of the gunned down terrorist are being ascertained, the official said.
Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in the area following inputs about the presence of terrorist.
The operation turned into a gun-battle after the terrorists fired upon a search party, which retaliated.
The firing has stopped, but the search operation was still going, the official said. -- PTI
Image only for representation.
22:28 Milk protests called off
Raju Shetty, chief of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna, calls-off the protest demanding price hike for milk farmers after the state government announced Rs 25 per litre as the minimum rate of milk for dairy farmers from July 21. -- ANI
22:03 Centre mulls idea of bringing law to curb mob lynching
The Centre is learnt to have begun preliminary discussions on the possibility of bringing a new law to curb mob lynching, and one of the options being mulled is to amend the Indian Penal Code to define 'mob lynching' as a penal offence, a senior government functionary said today.
Another option being considered is to draft a model law that states can adopt to prevent incidents of mob lynching, the functionary said.
"Everything is in the preliminary stage as the entire Supreme Court order asking the Centre to come up with a new law has to be examined," he added.
He said it will take several days before the government firms up its stand. The government may also further strengthen the framework relating to social media to ensure that rumours which may lead to such incidents are checked.
Condemning the rising incidents of lynching in India, the Supreme Court had on Tuesday asked the government to enact a law to deal such cases.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had termed the incidents of lynching 'horrendous acts of mobocracy' which cannot be allowed to become a new norm. -- PTI
21:55 BJP panchayat members flee WB, take shelter in Jharkhand
A group of 71 newly-elected gram panchayat members of West Bengal have fled to Jharkhand after allegedly being threatened by the Trinamool Congress, the ruling party of the neighbouring state.
The gram panchayat members from three north Bengal districts -- Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur -- have taken shelter in two dharamshalas at Nirsa of Dhanbad district bordering West Bengal, a BJP leader claimed.
Some of the panchayat members, particularly women,brought their family members also.
Dinajpur mandal BJP general secretary Devdas Barman, who have brought them to the BJP ruled Jharkhand, alleged that the elected BJP panchayat members were forced to flee because of constant threat by TMC workers.
"The TMC activists have told us either to join their party, and vote for TMC supported panchayat pradhan, or face the consequences," one of the woman panchayat members claimed.
BJP's West Bengal unit president Dilip Ghosh lastmonth said his party workers were taking shelter in neighbouring states following continuous violence allegedly unleashed by the TMC.
Three-tier panchayat election was held in West Bengalon May 14 when widespread violence had left at least 12 people dead and 43 injured. -- PTI
20:57 Poet, lyricist Gopaldas Neeraj passes away
Poet and lyricist Gopaldas Neeraj has died at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. He was 93.
He was shifted to AIIMS from Agra hospital on Wednesday after his condition deteriorated.
He was admitted to a hospital in Agra after he complained of breathing problems on Tuesday, news reports said.
Reports quoted doctors as saying that he contracted infection in lungs.
Neeraj was awarded Padma Shri in 1991 and Padma Bhushan in 2007.
He also wrote many songs for Bollywood films. -- Agencies
Photograph: Wikimedia Commons
20:36 Mamata announces ex gratia for three seriously injured in PM's rally
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today announced ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh each to the three persons seriously injured in the collapse of a makeshift tent at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Midnapore on Monday.
Banerjee, who visited the injured at the Midnapore Medical College Hospital, said that the ex gratia would be given from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
During her visit, Banerjee spoke to the injured and inquired about their health condition from the hospital superintendent.
She also interacted with other patients admitted there.
"Those who are injured at the prime minister's rally are from lower-middle class families. They are undergoing treatment for their injuries. They told me that they are not getting help. So I have decided to help them. I will give them the money tomorrow," Banerjee told reporters in Midnapore.
Asked whether the government would help all those who were injured at Modi's rally, she said, "If they seek our help we will consider that."
A makeshift marquee collapsed at the venue of Modi's rally on Monday, injuring 90 people including 50 women, when he was midway through his speech.
After the accident, Banerjee had said that the state government would provide all medical assistance to those injured in the rally. Modi had visited the injured in the hospital soon after the incident.
The Centre had sought a report from the state government on the incident and a high-level central team visited the site the next day to assess the circumstances leading to the collapse of the makeshift marquee at Modi's rally.
The venue was sealed and police were trying to go through the CCTV footage from there.
The state CID also assisted in the probe into the incident by carrying out forensic tests at the rally site, official sources said. -- PTI
IMAGE: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee meets those who were injured when a portion of tent collapsed during PM's rally on July 16 in Midnapore. Photograph: ANI
20:00 4 school children killed, 5 injured as truck runs over them
At least four school children were killed and five others seriously injured when a speeding truck ran over them on the National Highway-16 in Odisha's Bhadrak district today, an official said.
The accident took place near Rahanja village when the children were returning home on bicycles from Ranitel High School.
"We have received the report of death of four children and injury of five others. We are making arrangement for treatment of the injured children," Bhadrak district Collector Gyana Das told reporters.
The injured students were admitted to district headquarters hospital in a critical condition.
Angry local people set fire to the truck which hit the children and put up a road blockade demanding action against the culprits and compensation to the victims' families,Bhadrak SP Battula Gangadhar said.
Hundreds of vehicles were stranded near the accident site on the highway, connecting Chennai and Kolkata.
The driver and cleaner of the truck fled after the accident, police said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the tragedy and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families.
He announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of the kin of the deceased.
The injured students will be given free treatment, Patnaik said. -- PTI
19:36 Gandhi family has nothing to do with AgustaWestland case: Antony
Former Defence Minister A K Antony on Thursday said that it was the Congress party which initiated a probe into the AgustaWestland case and that the Gandhi family is not even remotely related with case.
Antony, a Congress Working Committee member, also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of spreading false propaganda in the case.
Addressing the media, Antyony said, "In AgustaWestland case, we took the decision to probe. The probe was our initiative, this case has nothing to do with the Gandhi family. This is a false propaganda by BJP."
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday filed a fresh chargesheet in a the Delhi court accusing former AgustaWestland and Finmeccanica directors Giuseppe Orsi and Bruno Spagnolini and ex-Indian Air Force chief S P Tyagi of money laundering in the VVIP chopper bribery scam case.The chargesheet, filed before special judge Arvind Kumar in the Patiala House Court will be taken up for consideration on July 20.
The investigation conducted and various documents collected so far revealed that Agusta Westland International Ltd., United Kingdom paid an amount of Euro 58 million as kickbacks through Gordian Services Sarl, Tunisia and IDS Sarl, Tunisia.
These companies further siphoned off the said money in the name of consultancy contracts to the Interstellar Technologies Ltd., Mauritius and others, which were further transferred to UHY Saxena, Dubai, Matrix Holdings Ltd. Dubai and others. -- ANI
19:19 Legal team says jail officials 'unilaterally cancelled' meeting with Sharifs
Pakistan's Adiala Jail authorities today 'unilaterally cancelled' a meeting between former premier Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar, and their lawyers, according to a media report.
The legal team, which includes Khwaja Harris, Saad Hashmi, Zafir Khan and Amjad Pervaiz, was trying to meet the Sharif family detained at Adiala Jail following their conviction in the Avenfield properties case on July 6.
Harris yesterday told the accountability judge that jail authorities were not giving him access to his client -- Nawaz Sharif, Dawn reported.
After court proceedings, as per the legal team of Sharif family, the jail superintendent called Harris and permitted the legal team to meet with its clients, the paper said.
The jail authorities then, with the consent of the lawyers, fixed their meeting for 11 am on Thursday.
When the legal team reached Adiala Jail at 11 am, they were informed by the jail superintendent that the meeting had been cancelled. Subsequently, they returned without meeting their clients, the paper reported.
Citing Haris, the paper said that the 'legal team had been requesting jail authorities since the day before to allow us to meet our clients in jail so that we can confer with them regarding their future strategy'.
"We requested the jail authorities to allow us to meet yesterday but we were not allowed (to meet them)," Harris said.
"Eventually we were asked to come today at 11am to meet Mian Sahib etc. at Adiala Jail. While we were on our way and had almost reached, we received a call from the jail superintendent and were asked not to come today as our meeting had been unilaterally cancelled," he added.
Haris said an Adiala Jail assistant superintendent had explained that the lawyers' meeting had been cancelled since Thursday is for visiting family members and others.
He claimed that the jail administration had asked them to suggest a date for another meeting, but were not giving them any assurance that the same would not happen with their next meeting.
The defence counsel said that it was not possible for professional lawyers to work freely and independently if the behaviour of jail authorities continued to be humiliating.
Sharif, 68, along with his daughter Maryam, 44 and son-in-law Safdar are serving jail terms of 10-years, seven years and one year respectively in Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, after an accountability court convicted them on July 6 over the family's ownership of four luxury flats in London. -- PTI
18:37 Akhilesh parries question on backing Rahul as PM
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav today avoided a direct reply when asked whether his party would support Rahul Gandhi as prime minister.
"The country wants to see a new government at the Centre. People want to see a new prime minister. You will see a new prime minister after the elections," he said when asked whether he saw himself or the Congress president as the next prime minister.
Asked specifically if his party would support Rahul Gandhi for the PM's post -- ifa non-BJP coalition gets the chance to form a government after the 2019 elections --Yadav, speaking at a press conference here, repeated his reply.
He, however, noted that during the recent bye-elections in Kairana and elsewhere in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress supported the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party.
"Whenever the Congress people talk, they talk very sweetly," he quipped.
On the possibility of an SP-BSP alliance for next year's general election, Yadav said, "You will soon learn about a (new) coalition."
"The BJP has formed a coalition with 47 political parties at the Centre. We are also in favour of a coalition," he said.
The BJP won the last assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, in which his government was ousted, by 'dividing society on the basis of caste and religion', he alleged.
He enjoyed good relations with BSP supremo Mayawati, Yadav said, adding that the SP was with 'all the forces which are fighting for social justice'.
He parried a question on his party's stand on the triple talaq bill in Parliament.
"You will come to know our stand whenever the bill comes up for discussion," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
Talking about the Union government's Ganga clean-up drive, Yadav said the BJP had 'deceived' the holy river, which is now more polluted than ever.
The river cannot be cleaned unless its tributaries are cleaned up, he said.
The BJP was publicising development projects carried out by the SP government in Uttar Pradesh, he said.
"The prime minister is inaugurating schemes and development works executed by the SP government," Yadav said.
He also alleged that the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh had cheated farmers with 'a false promise of farm loan waiver'. -- PTI
18:01 Kharge writes to PM, to boycott Lokpal meet again
Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge today wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he will not attend a meeting of the selection committee for appointment of Lokpal till the time the leader of the single largest opposition party is made a full-fledged member of the panel.
The meeting is scheduled for this evening.
Kharge had on earlier occasions too had boycotted meetings of the panel on the same ground.
In his letter to Modi, he referred to previous letters in this regard saying these have remained unacknowledged and unaddressed.
'Under these circumstances, I must once again respectfully inform that I would not be able to attend the meeting of the selection committee until the leader of the single largest opposition party is conferred the status of a full-fledged member as envisioned in the Lokpal Act 2013,' he wrote.
He objected to him being invited as a 'special invitee' and said that the government was well aware that there is no such provision under section 4 of the Act.
'It has been four years since your government came to power and if the government was indeed sincere about including the voice of the Opposition in this process, it could have brought the necessary amendment to ensure the same,' he said. -- PTI
17:43 CBI pressurised to back preposterous allegations against me: Chidambaram
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram reacts to his name being included Central Bureau of Investigation supplementary chargesheet in Aircel-Maxis case:
'(The) CBI has been pressured to file a charge sheet to support a preposterous allegation against me and officers with a sterling reputation. The case is now before the Hon'ble Court and it will be contested vigorously. I shall make no more public comment,' Chidambaram tweeted.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Kapil Sibbal said, "What do you expect from this government and the CBI. It'll meet the same fate as other chargesheets of the CBI. Remember what happened to the 2G case, it all resulted in acquittement. Same thing will happen here." -- with ANI inputs
17:04 CBI names Chidambaram, Karti as accused in Aircel-Maxis case
The Central Bureau of Investigation today filed a supplementary chargesheet against former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti, naming them accused in the Aircel Maxis deal case.
The chargesheet was filed before special CBI judge O P Saini who has fixed July 31 for considering the document.
The senior Congress leader's role had come under the scanner of investigating agencies in the Aircel-Maxis deal of Rs 3,500 crore and INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore.
It was during his tenure as the finance minister in the United Progressive Alliance-I government that clearance from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board was granted to the two ventures in which alleged irregularities have been found. -- PTI
17:00 Another body pulled out from rubble in Noida; death toll 9
Rescuers today pulled out another body from the debris of the two adjacent buildings that collapsed in Greater Noida on the outskirts of Delhi, pushing the death toll to nine, a fire department official said.
A six-floor under-construction building crashed on a five-storey building next to it, bringing it down as well, in Shahberi village under Bisrakh police station on Tuesday night.
Chief Fire Officer Arun Kumar Singh said the body was pulled out this morning.
He has been identified as Naushad.
Eight bodies were found until late last night.
At least 12 labourers were in the under-construction building and all of them were feared trapped, according to Singh. -- PTI
16:52 Encounter underway between security forces, terrorists in J&K
An encounter broke out today between security forces and terrorists in Handwara area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, police said.
An encounter was underway in Batpora area of Handwara in the north Kashmir district, a police official said.
He said security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the area following specific inputs about the presence of terrorists there.
The operation turned into a gunbattle after the terrorists fired upon a search party of the forces who retaliated.
The gunbattle was going on when last reports came in, the official said, adding that further details were awaited. -- PTI
16:37 SIT on black money suggests raising cap on cash holdings to Rs 1cr
The Special Investigation Team on black money has recommended the central government to cap the cash holding limit at Rs 1 crore instead of its earlier suggestion of Rs 20 lakh.
The SIT has also recommended that the entire amount found in seizures crossing that limit should go to the government treasury, Justice (retired) M B Shah, who heads the SIT on black money, told PTI in Ahmedabad today.
The latest recommendations come after the earlier suggested limits of Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh were found to be too low.
"We have recommended that the cap on cash holding should be Rs one crore. We have also recommended that the entire amount seized above the cash holding limit of Rs one crore should go to the government," Justice Shah said.
As per the existing rules, an offender can retrieve seized cash by paying 40 per cent income tax and penalty.
The recommendations have come after huge amounts of cash were seized in recent search operations by tax authorities in the country.
The Income Tax sleuths had on July 16 searched over 20 premises of a firm engaged in highway construction and its associate companies in Tamil Nadu and seized Rs 160 crore cash and 100 kg of gold.
"Look at the amount of cash that is being seized, Rs 160 crore... Rs 177 crore...," Justice Shah said. "The amount of money being seized is so high that now we are of the opinion that Rs 20 lakh limit will not do," he said.
Justice Shah had earlier suggested the cash holding limit to be at Rs 15 lakh. However, later he had recommended to raise the limit to Rs 20 lakh.
The SIT was formed by the central government in 2014 on directions of Supreme Court. The panel has been continuously suggesting anti-black money measures to the government. -- PTI
16:24 Telugu Desam MP: 'Our no-confidence motion will fail'
Even though his party will go on the offensive against the Narendra Modi government during the no-confidence vote on Friday, Telugu Desam Party MP from Anantapur, Jutur Chinna Divakar Reddy, will not be among those banging the benches or applauding his fellow parliamentarians for their efforts.
In fact, the 75-year-old MP from Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur constituency is candid enough to admit on record that the TDP's no-confidence motion will fail to muster enough votes to defeat the government on the floor of the house.
"How can they succeed? They will not!" Reddy said over the phone.
Explaining the rationale behind the TDP's move, he said, "They (the TDP) want to use it (the no-confidence vote) as a platform to explain the injustice done by Mr Narendra Modi to Andhra Pradesh. That's all."
Reddy, who said earlier that he was "fed up" of the no-trust vote, refused to elaborate on his comment but repeatedly blamed "polluted politics" as the reason why he was skipping the Lok Sabha session on July 20.
The TDP MP said, "I have been in public life for more than 40 years. I am 75 now. In these circumstances I don't want (to attend the no confidence motion session)."
"I want to tell you one thing. Government is a continuous process. This government promised so many things but did nothing for Andhra (Pradesh). There are so many Cabinet resolutions, is it not Mr Narendra Modi's duty to implement all those things? Is it not his duty to implement the benefits accorded to the state under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014?" he asked.
Reddy, though, was very forceful when asked if Modi has failed the people of Andhra Pradesh. His answer: "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!"
In response to reports that he is upset with party boss and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu over his cold shoulder to his candidature from the Anantapur Lok Sabha constituency in 2019, he laughs loudly and says, "They are all my good friends and I don't have any grouse against anybody."
-- Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com
15:55 Kharge writes to PM, to boycott Lokpal meet
Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge today wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he will not attend a meeting of the selection committee for appointment of Lokpal till the time the leader of the single largest opposition party is accorded a full-fledged member of the panel. The meeting is scheduled for this evening.
Kharge had on earlier occasions too had boycotted meetings of the panel on the same ground. In his letter to Modi, he referred to previous letters in this regard saying these have remained unacknowledged and unaddressed. "Under these circumstances, I must once again respectfully inform that I would not be able to attend the meeting of the selection committee until the leader of the single largest opposition party is conferred the status of a full-fledged member as envisioned in the Lokpal Act 2013.
He objected to him being invited as a 'special invitee' and said that the government was well aware that there is no such provision under section 4 of the Act. "It has been four years since your government came to power and if the government was indeed sincere about including the voice of the Opposition in this process, it could have brought the necessary amendment to ensure the same," he said. PTI
Kharge had on earlier occasions too had boycotted meetings of the panel on the same ground. In his letter to Modi, he referred to previous letters in this regard saying these have remained unacknowledged and unaddressed. "Under these circumstances, I must once again respectfully inform that I would not be able to attend the meeting of the selection committee until the leader of the single largest opposition party is conferred the status of a full-fledged member as envisioned in the Lokpal Act 2013.
He objected to him being invited as a 'special invitee' and said that the government was well aware that there is no such provision under section 4 of the Act. "It has been four years since your government came to power and if the government was indeed sincere about including the voice of the Opposition in this process, it could have brought the necessary amendment to ensure the same," he said. PTI
15:50 AAP to vote in favour on No-Confidence Motion
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) issues whip, directs its MPs to vote in favour of #NoConfidenceMotion.
15:49 New lavender Rs 100 note soon
The Reserve Bank of India, in a statement today, said it will shortly issue Rs 100 denomination bank notes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series. The new denomination has a motif of "Rani ki Vav" on the reverse, depicting the country's cultural heritage. The base colour of the note is lavender.
Interestingly, the motif used on the note -- the Rani ki Vav -- is in Gujarat. The UNESCO heritage site is an intricate step-well in Patan, Gujarat, which dates back to the 11th century.
Reports say that the printing of the new Rs 100 notes has already begun at the printing press in Dewas with indigenous ink.
Banks will have to make changes in ATMs to accommodate the new notes as was the case with new notes of other denominations. Several new micro-security features have been added to the new Rs 100 note, which will be visible only under ultraviolet light.
Interestingly, the motif used on the note -- the Rani ki Vav -- is in Gujarat. The UNESCO heritage site is an intricate step-well in Patan, Gujarat, which dates back to the 11th century.
Reports say that the printing of the new Rs 100 notes has already begun at the printing press in Dewas with indigenous ink.
Banks will have to make changes in ATMs to accommodate the new notes as was the case with new notes of other denominations. Several new micro-security features have been added to the new Rs 100 note, which will be visible only under ultraviolet light.
15:48 Hardly anything done to clean Ganga, situation extraordinarily bad: NGT
The National Green Tribunal today expressed dissatisfaction over the cleaning up of the Ganga and said the situation was extraordinarily bad and hardly anything effective has been done to clean the river.
A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice A K Goel said that despite claims by the authorities, the work done on the ground for Ganga rejuvenation was not adequate and regular monitoring was required to improve the situation.
The Green panel ordered survey to seek views of common man about what he feels on ground about the pollution in Ganga and said the feedback could be given through e-mail of the authorities concerned.
"It is the most prestigious river in the country which 100 crore people respect but we are unable to protect it. Let us try to make the mechanism as strong and effective as possible," the bench, comprising Justices Jawad Rahim and R S Rathore, said.
The NGT had earlier rapped the National Mission for Clean Ganga for not filing a compliance report on the steps taken by the Centre and the UP and Uttarakhand governments to clean the river Ganga in the stretch between Gomukh and Unnao.
The green panel, in a detailed judgement, had passed a slew of directions to rejuvenate Ganga, declaring as 'No Development Zone' an area of 100 metres from the edge of the river between Haridwar and Unnao and prohibiting dumping of waste within 500 metres from the river.
The tribunal had said the government has spent over Rs 7,000 crore in two years to clean the Ganga which still remains a "serious environmental issue". -- PTI
A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice A K Goel said that despite claims by the authorities, the work done on the ground for Ganga rejuvenation was not adequate and regular monitoring was required to improve the situation.
The Green panel ordered survey to seek views of common man about what he feels on ground about the pollution in Ganga and said the feedback could be given through e-mail of the authorities concerned.
"It is the most prestigious river in the country which 100 crore people respect but we are unable to protect it. Let us try to make the mechanism as strong and effective as possible," the bench, comprising Justices Jawad Rahim and R S Rathore, said.
The NGT had earlier rapped the National Mission for Clean Ganga for not filing a compliance report on the steps taken by the Centre and the UP and Uttarakhand governments to clean the river Ganga in the stretch between Gomukh and Unnao.
The green panel, in a detailed judgement, had passed a slew of directions to rejuvenate Ganga, declaring as 'No Development Zone' an area of 100 metres from the edge of the river between Haridwar and Unnao and prohibiting dumping of waste within 500 metres from the river.
The tribunal had said the government has spent over Rs 7,000 crore in two years to clean the Ganga which still remains a "serious environmental issue". -- PTI
15:17 SP's stand on no-trust vote? This is what Ram Gopal Yadav said
"C*****a samajhte ho kya hum logon ko?" senior Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav commented when asked about his stand on the no-confidence motion, set for discussion in Lok Sabha on Friday.
The 72-year-old Rajya Sabha member used the abusive word on the Parliament compound. When quizzed about his stand on the No-Confidence Motion moved by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) against the Narendra Modi government, Yadav said: "Don't you know what my stand is?" and went on to use the cuss word.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had on July 18 accepted the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition parties. Mahajan stated that the Opposition MPs had given in writing for the Motion of No Confidence against the Modi-led Centre expressing their lack of confidence in the Union Council of Ministers.The discussion and voting on the motion will take place on July 20 in Lok Sabha, and on July 23 in Rajya Sabha. -- ANI
The 72-year-old Rajya Sabha member used the abusive word on the Parliament compound. When quizzed about his stand on the No-Confidence Motion moved by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) against the Narendra Modi government, Yadav said: "Don't you know what my stand is?" and went on to use the cuss word.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had on July 18 accepted the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition parties. Mahajan stated that the Opposition MPs had given in writing for the Motion of No Confidence against the Modi-led Centre expressing their lack of confidence in the Union Council of Ministers.The discussion and voting on the motion will take place on July 20 in Lok Sabha, and on July 23 in Rajya Sabha. -- ANI
15:06 BJD may abstain from no-trust motion voting
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is likely to abstain from a no-confidence motion voting, moved by the TDP against Narendra Modi-led Central government, a party source said on Thursday.
However, the party has issued a whip for its MPs directing them to be present in the Lok Sabha tomorrow.
The Odisha's ruling party has not taken the final call on which way it will vote.
"Final decision will be taken by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the no-confidence motion. Final decision has not been taken by BJD," the source told ANI.
The BJD has 20 members in the Lok Sabha and eight MPs in the Rajya Sabha.
On the first day of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament on Wednesday, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted TDP's no-confidence motion and scheduled it for discussion on Friday.The discussion and voting on the motion will take place on July 20 in Lok Sabha, and on July 23 in Rajya Sabha -- ANI
However, the party has issued a whip for its MPs directing them to be present in the Lok Sabha tomorrow.
The Odisha's ruling party has not taken the final call on which way it will vote.
"Final decision will be taken by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the no-confidence motion. Final decision has not been taken by BJD," the source told ANI.
The BJD has 20 members in the Lok Sabha and eight MPs in the Rajya Sabha.
On the first day of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament on Wednesday, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted TDP's no-confidence motion and scheduled it for discussion on Friday.The discussion and voting on the motion will take place on July 20 in Lok Sabha, and on July 23 in Rajya Sabha -- ANI
14:54 Kharge's ultimatum to PM on Selection Committee meeting
Mallikarjun Kharge writes to PM Modi stating, 'I would not be able to attend the meeting of the Selection Committee on 19th July until the Leader of Single Largest Opposition party is conferred the status of a full-fledged member as envisioned in the Lokpal Act, 2013'.
14:39 Have asked CMs to take firm action: Rajnath on lynchings
The full report on Home Minister Rajnat's Singh's statement on lynchings in Parliament:
The Centre today condemned the recent incidents of mob lynching and said it has advised the states to take stringent action against the culprits and asked social media service providers to install checks to stop spread of rumours and fake news.
Home Minister Rajnath condemned the incidents and made a statement in the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour while responding to Congress leader K C Venugopal, who raised the issue of lynching, last week's attack on Swami Agnivesh in Jharkhand and trolling of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Singh said several people were killed in the lynching incidents and added that it was a matter of grave concern for the government. He said that lynching happened because of rumours and unverified or fake news.
Observing that law and order was a state subject, Singh said the Centre cannot remain silent on the issue. "I have issued advisories to state government in 2016 and 2018. We have asked social media service providers to install check. Such incidents are unfortunate. We have asked the Chief Ministers to take firm action against the culprits," Singh said.
Raising the issue, Venugopal regretted that while these mob lynching and physical attacks on the people, including those with dissenting views, have become the order of the day and the government was maintaining a silence.
He also said that Union Minister Jayant Sinha had even garlanded some people who were allegedly involved in mob lynching incidents. "Is this the rule of the law? These are very serious issues. I request the government to secure the democratic environment of the country," he said. He also alleged that that the government was using investigating agencies to "target people". "I urge upon the government to make a law to prevent mob lynching," he said advising ministers not to garland convicts.
Noisy scenes were witnessed during the discussion on the subject with some BJP members protesting Venugopal's speech, as Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and Jyotiraditya Scindia were seen vociferously asking the Chair to allow the Congress MP to complete his submission, saying it was a serious matter concerning the nation. -- PTI
The Centre today condemned the recent incidents of mob lynching and said it has advised the states to take stringent action against the culprits and asked social media service providers to install checks to stop spread of rumours and fake news.
Home Minister Rajnath condemned the incidents and made a statement in the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour while responding to Congress leader K C Venugopal, who raised the issue of lynching, last week's attack on Swami Agnivesh in Jharkhand and trolling of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Singh said several people were killed in the lynching incidents and added that it was a matter of grave concern for the government. He said that lynching happened because of rumours and unverified or fake news.
Observing that law and order was a state subject, Singh said the Centre cannot remain silent on the issue. "I have issued advisories to state government in 2016 and 2018. We have asked social media service providers to install check. Such incidents are unfortunate. We have asked the Chief Ministers to take firm action against the culprits," Singh said.
Raising the issue, Venugopal regretted that while these mob lynching and physical attacks on the people, including those with dissenting views, have become the order of the day and the government was maintaining a silence.
He also said that Union Minister Jayant Sinha had even garlanded some people who were allegedly involved in mob lynching incidents. "Is this the rule of the law? These are very serious issues. I request the government to secure the democratic environment of the country," he said. He also alleged that that the government was using investigating agencies to "target people". "I urge upon the government to make a law to prevent mob lynching," he said advising ministers not to garland convicts.
Noisy scenes were witnessed during the discussion on the subject with some BJP members protesting Venugopal's speech, as Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and Jyotiraditya Scindia were seen vociferously asking the Chair to allow the Congress MP to complete his submission, saying it was a serious matter concerning the nation. -- PTI
14:26 After Amit Shah's phone call, Shiv Sena to support Centre on no-trust vote
So, when push comes to shove, griping ally Shiv Sena will back the BJP.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has issued a whip asking his MPs to support the Centre against the no-trust vote in Parliament tomorrow.
Of course, Thackeray's whip comes after a phone call from BJP president Amit Shah.
Speculation was rife on which the Sena would go after party leader Sanjay Raut said the Centre had not fulfilled its promises made while coming to power.
"The Modi-led government failed to develop the economy in the past four years. If one looks closely, scores of farmers in the country are still reeling under agrarian crisis and are committing suicide."
He further added that the in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP has created an unhealthy atmosphere.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had on July 18 accepted the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition parties. Mahajan stated that the Opposition MPs had given in writing for the Motion of No Confidence against the Modi-led Centre expressing their lack of confidence in the Union Council of Ministers.
The discussion and voting on the motion will take place on July 20 in Lok Sabha, and on July 23 in Rajya Sabha.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has issued a whip asking his MPs to support the Centre against the no-trust vote in Parliament tomorrow.
Of course, Thackeray's whip comes after a phone call from BJP president Amit Shah.
Speculation was rife on which the Sena would go after party leader Sanjay Raut said the Centre had not fulfilled its promises made while coming to power.
"The Modi-led government failed to develop the economy in the past four years. If one looks closely, scores of farmers in the country are still reeling under agrarian crisis and are committing suicide."
He further added that the in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP has created an unhealthy atmosphere.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had on July 18 accepted the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition parties. Mahajan stated that the Opposition MPs had given in writing for the Motion of No Confidence against the Modi-led Centre expressing their lack of confidence in the Union Council of Ministers.
The discussion and voting on the motion will take place on July 20 in Lok Sabha, and on July 23 in Rajya Sabha.
13:38 Cong stages walkout after Rajnath's statement on lynchings
The Congress today staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha in protest against Home Minister Rajnath Singh's statement on mob lynching incidents. Explaining the reason for the walkout, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said "The Home Minister's statement in the Lok Sabha on mob lynching was not satisfactory at all, that is why we staged a walkout from the house. This is not a game of ping-pong that states and Centre keep shifting responsibilities."
Addressing the Lower House, Home Minister Rajanth Singh on Thursday condemned the mob lynching incidents in the country. Blaming fake news and false information on social media, Singh put the onus of maintaining law and order on the state governments. He also added that the Centre has requested social media operators to install checks in their system to curb the issue.
Addressing the Lower House, Home Minister Rajanth Singh on Thursday condemned the mob lynching incidents in the country. Blaming fake news and false information on social media, Singh put the onus of maintaining law and order on the state governments. He also added that the Centre has requested social media operators to install checks in their system to curb the issue.
13:14 Hopeful of saving reservation for SC/ST: Javadekar
The government has put on hold recruitment for teaching positions in universities and colleges pending a decision on the special leave petition it has filed against a court order curtailing reservation for SC/ST and OBCs, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said today.
He said the government is committed to 50 per cent reservation to SC/ST and OBCs and it "does not agree" with the Allahabad High Court ruling that had in last April struck down a circular prescribing institution-wise reservation to fill vacant faculty positions.
"We are hopeful we will be able to save reservation for SC, ST and OBCs," he said replying to zero hour mention by opposition members in the Rajya Sabha.
"Reservation is a Constitutional right... we stand by reservation and are committed to provide it to SC/ST and OBCs," he said adding the Union Government and University Grants Commission (UGC) have filed separate SLPs against the order and the next date of hearing is on August 13.
He said the Allahabad High Court order was later upheld by the Supreme Court, forcing UGC to issue the March 5 circular laying down a new mechanism for implementing faculty reservations, which is calculating total posts department or subject-wise rather than institution-wise.
This meant calculating reservation in teaching posts by department, instead of basing the quota as on the number of posts available at university. Previously, SC, ST and OBC faculty positions were calculated by treating the entire university as a unit.
It grouped all posts of a grade, such as assistant profession, in all departments of a university to calculate quota. Under the new formula, where every department will be considered one separate unit, there will be a lower chance of positions being set aside for quota as there may be fewer openings. Javadekar said his ministry had yesterday ordered a stop on filling of vacancies at universities/colleges pending decision on SLP. "No harm will be done to reservations (to SC, ST and OBCs)," he said. -- PTI
He said the government is committed to 50 per cent reservation to SC/ST and OBCs and it "does not agree" with the Allahabad High Court ruling that had in last April struck down a circular prescribing institution-wise reservation to fill vacant faculty positions.
"We are hopeful we will be able to save reservation for SC, ST and OBCs," he said replying to zero hour mention by opposition members in the Rajya Sabha.
"Reservation is a Constitutional right... we stand by reservation and are committed to provide it to SC/ST and OBCs," he said adding the Union Government and University Grants Commission (UGC) have filed separate SLPs against the order and the next date of hearing is on August 13.
He said the Allahabad High Court order was later upheld by the Supreme Court, forcing UGC to issue the March 5 circular laying down a new mechanism for implementing faculty reservations, which is calculating total posts department or subject-wise rather than institution-wise.
This meant calculating reservation in teaching posts by department, instead of basing the quota as on the number of posts available at university. Previously, SC, ST and OBC faculty positions were calculated by treating the entire university as a unit.
It grouped all posts of a grade, such as assistant profession, in all departments of a university to calculate quota. Under the new formula, where every department will be considered one separate unit, there will be a lower chance of positions being set aside for quota as there may be fewer openings. Javadekar said his ministry had yesterday ordered a stop on filling of vacancies at universities/colleges pending decision on SLP. "No harm will be done to reservations (to SC, ST and OBCs)," he said. -- PTI
13:06 Rajasthan govt employees can have more than two kids
The Vasundhara Raje-led Rajasthan government on Wednesday relaxed the two-child policy for the state government employees, scraping the clause entailing to compulsory retirement on the birth of the third child.
"The Rajasthan state cabinet has decided to remove the provisions under Rajasthan Civil Services (Pension) Rules 1996, Section 53(a) which entails compulsory retirement of an employee on birth of a third child," Rajasthan's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore said in a press briefing after cabinet meeting.
Rathore further added that the state government has made all efforts in order to make the schemes related to family planning a success.
He also claimed that the birth rate in the region has improved tremendously in the past couple of years."In our state, all the schemes pertaining to family planning have been implemented properly. Moreover, there is an improvement in the birth rate in the state," said Rathore. -- ANI
"The Rajasthan state cabinet has decided to remove the provisions under Rajasthan Civil Services (Pension) Rules 1996, Section 53(a) which entails compulsory retirement of an employee on birth of a third child," Rajasthan's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore said in a press briefing after cabinet meeting.
Rathore further added that the state government has made all efforts in order to make the schemes related to family planning a success.
He also claimed that the birth rate in the region has improved tremendously in the past couple of years."In our state, all the schemes pertaining to family planning have been implemented properly. Moreover, there is an improvement in the birth rate in the state," said Rathore. -- ANI
13:01 Congress failed its promise to provide electricity: PM
The United Progressive Alliance government that was in power at the Centre from 2004 to 2014, failed miserably to live up to their promise to provide electricity across the country, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.
The prime minister was interacting through video conference with the villagers from across India whose houses have been electrified after his government came to power.
"In 2005, the then Congress government promised to electrify every village by 2009. The then president of the ruling party went a step ahead and said that they will bring electricity to every home. Needless to say, none of that happened during their long tenure," Prime Minister Modi said.
He called it unfortunate that even after decades of independence, several villages across the country continued to live in darkness.
"It has been 70 years since we attained independence but 18,000 villages did not have electricity connections. This was quite unfortunate," he said.
Prime Minister Modi-led NDA government, through its various electrification programmes, has worked to provide electricity to towns and villages, a claim that the opposition Congress party always questions.
Praising his government for fulfilling his 2015 promise, Prime Minister Modi said that his government not only, "focused on electrification but also reformed the distribution systems across the country." -- ANI
The prime minister was interacting through video conference with the villagers from across India whose houses have been electrified after his government came to power.
"In 2005, the then Congress government promised to electrify every village by 2009. The then president of the ruling party went a step ahead and said that they will bring electricity to every home. Needless to say, none of that happened during their long tenure," Prime Minister Modi said.
He called it unfortunate that even after decades of independence, several villages across the country continued to live in darkness.
"It has been 70 years since we attained independence but 18,000 villages did not have electricity connections. This was quite unfortunate," he said.
Prime Minister Modi-led NDA government, through its various electrification programmes, has worked to provide electricity to towns and villages, a claim that the opposition Congress party always questions.
Praising his government for fulfilling his 2015 promise, Prime Minister Modi said that his government not only, "focused on electrification but also reformed the distribution systems across the country." -- ANI
12:49 Ambedkar statue damaged in UP
A statue of Bhimrao Ambedkar was damaged in Rampur Asli village in Ballia today, a police official said, the second such incident in about a month in the district. Anti-social elements damaged the statue this morning, Superintendent of Police S P Ganguly said. The face and a finger of the statue were reportedly damaged. The statue is being restored, Ganguly said.
A team of villagers, led by the gram pradhan, has been set up to ensure the security of the statue, the SP said. On June 14, a statue of the Dalit icon was damaged in Kothiya village of the district. -- PTI
A team of villagers, led by the gram pradhan, has been set up to ensure the security of the statue, the SP said. On June 14, a statue of the Dalit icon was damaged in Kothiya village of the district. -- PTI
12:44 Opposition members raise slogans against Jayant Sinha
Opposition members in the Lok Sabha today raised slogans against Civil Aviation Minister Jayant Sinha for garlanding men convicted of lynching a meat trader in Jharkhand.
As soon as the minister rose to respond to a question on upgradation of airports during the Question Hour, opposition members started raising slogans. They soon rushed to the Well demanding an apology from the minister. They raised slogans such as "stop garlanding convicts" as Sinha responded to the question.
Sinha, however, continued to speak. Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who was the senior-most member of the Union Cabinet present in the House, stood up briefly apparently urging opposition members to return to their seats.
As Sinha completed his answer, opposition members withdrew from the Well. Sinha had sparked a controversy after pictures of him felicitating men convicted of lynching a meat trader in Jharkahand went viral on social media. -- PTI
As soon as the minister rose to respond to a question on upgradation of airports during the Question Hour, opposition members started raising slogans. They soon rushed to the Well demanding an apology from the minister. They raised slogans such as "stop garlanding convicts" as Sinha responded to the question.
Sinha, however, continued to speak. Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who was the senior-most member of the Union Cabinet present in the House, stood up briefly apparently urging opposition members to return to their seats.
As Sinha completed his answer, opposition members withdrew from the Well. Sinha had sparked a controversy after pictures of him felicitating men convicted of lynching a meat trader in Jharkahand went viral on social media. -- PTI
12:39 Rajnath Singh condemns mob lynching, puts onus on states
Following the attack on Swami Agnivesh, the Congress raised the issue of mob lynching in Lok Sabha. They demanded an answer from Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the issue:
Here are highlights from Rajnath Singh's answer:
>> These are unfortunate incidents. We had issued an advisory on this recently, and one in 2016 also.
>> Social media being used to spread fake news and rumours is also a reason. We have asked social sites for regulation
>> Public order is a state subject. Such incidents are unfortunate, I have spoken to the chief ministers personally to ensure the perpetrators are arrested.
12:19 AIADMK to vote against no-confidence motion
Congress's claim of having numbers ahead of the no-confidence motion against the Modi-led government recieved a blow after the AIADMK said that it will not support it.
Explaining their move, the party said that it won't support the no-confidence motion as no one supported them over the Cauvery water management issue.
The stated strength of the Opposition is 222, including 63 of the Congress-led UPA, 37 of AIADMK, 34 of TMC, 20 BJD, 16 TDP and 11 TRS.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday announced that the House would take up the debate (on the no-confidence motion) moved by many opposition parties on issues like special status to Andhra Pradesh, cow vigilantism, lynching, atrocities against women and Dalits and alleged dilution of the SC/ST Act, on July 20.
11:54 Changes will make RTI Act useless: Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Rahul Gandhi today attacked the BJP government over proposed changes to the Right to Information Act, saying they will render the law useless.
The proposed amendments, circulated among Members of Parliament, seek to do away with the parity given to information commissions with the Election Commission in terms of salary, allowances and conditions of service.
"Every Indian deserves to know the truth and the BJP wants to hide the truth. The BJP believes the truth must be hidden from the people and they must not question people in power. The changes proposed to the RTI will make it a useless Act," Gandhi said on Twitter.
He added that the changes being suggested "must be opposed by every Indian".
The government yesterday said it is considering a proposal to amend the Right to Information Act, 2005 to frame rules on salaries and services of Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners.
A notice of intention was given to introduce 'The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2018' in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passage during the current session of Parliament, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to Lok Sabha yesterday
Leaders of various political parties yesterday said they have committed to fight any "attempt" by the Centre to "dilute" the act and oppose any amendments to it.
-- PTI
Please also read: The RTI Act is under siege
11:32
Congress MP Sanjay Singh raises Swami Agnivesh assault case in Rajya Sabha. Says the government is with people who are doing this.
11:31 Naidu appeals to MPs to support the no-confidence motion
TDP President & Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu writes a letter to all MPs, states, 'In view of continued adamant attitude of BJP led NDA Govt, TDP has moved a #NoConfidenceMotion against them. I appeal to you to support the motion moved by our MPs."
11:21
Rebel BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha will vote against the #NoConfidenceMotion
11:20 Sonia-ji's math is weak: Ananth Kumar
Union Min Ananth Kumar on the no-confidence motion and Sonia Gandhi's claim that the opposition will have the numbers. "Sonia-ji's math is weak. They had calculated similarly in 1996. We know what happened then. Their calculation is wrong yet again. Modi govt has majority both inside and outside Parliament. NDA will vote against #NoConfidenceMotion. NDA+ will also support us."
11:15 Ahead of no-trust vote, Speaker accepts Jay Panda's resignation
The effective strength of Lok Sabha has reduced to 533 with two more seats falling vacant, sources in Parliament said today, after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted BJD MP Baijayant Jay Panda's resignation and Jose K Mani of Kerala Congress (M) was nominated to Rajya Sabha. Mani quit the lower house after being nominated to Rajya Sabha.
The developments come as Parliament is set to take up tomorrow the Opposition sponsored no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government.
Ten seats are lying vacant and therefore the majority mark in the house now stands at 266. Panda, who represented the Kendrapara constituency in Odisha, had resigned on June 12.
He met Mahajan yesterday and requested her to accept his resignation. Later he tweeted about his meeting with the Speaker.
In January this year, the parliamentarian was suspended from the Biju Janata Dal for alleged anti-party activities. The Lok Sabha will tomorrow debate and vote on the no-confidence motion against the Modi government - the first since the BJP-led NDA came to power four years ago - after the Speaker admitted their notices.
The no-trust motion in Parliament that was moved and accepted by Speaker Mahajan for the first time in 15 years, however, does not pose a threat to the government as the NDA enjoys a comfortable majority. -- PTI
The developments come as Parliament is set to take up tomorrow the Opposition sponsored no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government.
Ten seats are lying vacant and therefore the majority mark in the house now stands at 266. Panda, who represented the Kendrapara constituency in Odisha, had resigned on June 12.
He met Mahajan yesterday and requested her to accept his resignation. Later he tweeted about his meeting with the Speaker.
In January this year, the parliamentarian was suspended from the Biju Janata Dal for alleged anti-party activities. The Lok Sabha will tomorrow debate and vote on the no-confidence motion against the Modi government - the first since the BJP-led NDA came to power four years ago - after the Speaker admitted their notices.
The no-trust motion in Parliament that was moved and accepted by Speaker Mahajan for the first time in 15 years, however, does not pose a threat to the government as the NDA enjoys a comfortable majority. -- PTI
11:08 Cong MPs in a huddle in Parliament a day ahead of no-trust vote
A day after the Congress exuded confidence over the success of the 'no-confidence motion' against the Modi government and accused it of failing on all fronts by not keeping its promises made to the people, the party leaders are now in a huddle in Parliament.
The Lok Sabha would take up a debate on the opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government brought by the Telugu Desam Party and opposition parties, with speaker Sumitra Mahajan admitting the notice, yesterday.
The House will take up the debate (on the motion) on Friday, 20 July. The discussion will be held for the full day, followed by voting on it, Mahajan announced in the House when it reassembled after the lunch break on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament.
Just a day before the debate, here's what the opposition is looking like.
DMK: MK Stalin said that in spite of having no option to vote for the no confidence motion in Parliament, the DMK supported the motion brought by the TDP. "We request AIADMK also to support the no confidence motion in Parliament," Stalin, the party's working president said.
TMC: Has issued a whip to its MPs asking them to be present on Friday to discuss and vote for a no-confidence motion against the Centre.
TMC leader Derek O' Brien said that they have issued a whip to all 34 members of TMC. "We have decided that we will send all 34 TMC Lok Sabha MPs on a whip to be present for discussion and voting of no-confidence motion in the Parliament on Friday," said O'Brien.
Despite Friday being a Martyrs day, the TMC will be sending its members. Dinesh Trivedi, another TMC leader said "21st of July is a very important day for TMC. We observe it as a martyrs day for 14 youth TMC workers who were killed. All 34 MPs of TMC are therefore busy."
AIADMK: The AIADMK did not endorse the no-confidence motion on Wednesday. Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai remained seated in the front row and so were his colleagues.
Shiv Sena: Though an ally, it has been a constant thorn on the side for the BJP. To the BJP's relief, Sanjay Raut said the party will vote against the no-confidence motion. "In a democracy, the voice of the Opposition should be heard first even if it consists of one person. Even we (Shiv Sena) will speak when it is required. During voting, whatever Uddhav Thackeray directs us, we will do."
The opposition parties brought in no-confidence motion against the government on issues like Grant of special status to Andhra Pradesh, lynchings, atrocities against women and dalits and dilution of a law meant for Scheduled Caste
Meanwhile, the Congress has given an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha over the issue of mob lynching.
File pic.
The Lok Sabha would take up a debate on the opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government brought by the Telugu Desam Party and opposition parties, with speaker Sumitra Mahajan admitting the notice, yesterday.
The House will take up the debate (on the motion) on Friday, 20 July. The discussion will be held for the full day, followed by voting on it, Mahajan announced in the House when it reassembled after the lunch break on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament.
Just a day before the debate, here's what the opposition is looking like.
DMK: MK Stalin said that in spite of having no option to vote for the no confidence motion in Parliament, the DMK supported the motion brought by the TDP. "We request AIADMK also to support the no confidence motion in Parliament," Stalin, the party's working president said.
TMC: Has issued a whip to its MPs asking them to be present on Friday to discuss and vote for a no-confidence motion against the Centre.
TMC leader Derek O' Brien said that they have issued a whip to all 34 members of TMC. "We have decided that we will send all 34 TMC Lok Sabha MPs on a whip to be present for discussion and voting of no-confidence motion in the Parliament on Friday," said O'Brien.
Despite Friday being a Martyrs day, the TMC will be sending its members. Dinesh Trivedi, another TMC leader said "21st of July is a very important day for TMC. We observe it as a martyrs day for 14 youth TMC workers who were killed. All 34 MPs of TMC are therefore busy."
AIADMK: The AIADMK did not endorse the no-confidence motion on Wednesday. Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai remained seated in the front row and so were his colleagues.
Shiv Sena: Though an ally, it has been a constant thorn on the side for the BJP. To the BJP's relief, Sanjay Raut said the party will vote against the no-confidence motion. "In a democracy, the voice of the Opposition should be heard first even if it consists of one person. Even we (Shiv Sena) will speak when it is required. During voting, whatever Uddhav Thackeray directs us, we will do."
The opposition parties brought in no-confidence motion against the government on issues like Grant of special status to Andhra Pradesh, lynchings, atrocities against women and dalits and dilution of a law meant for Scheduled Caste
Meanwhile, the Congress has given an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha over the issue of mob lynching.
File pic.
10:29 Mob refused to listen to my appeal: Swami Agnivesh
Social activist Swami Agnivesh said his appeals to the mob that attacked him in Jharkhand's Pakur district on Tuesday went unheard.
"The Supreme Court gave a strong verdict on mob lynching. But at the time the verdict was being delivered, I was being attacked by a mob. I appealed to them (mob) to speak to me but they didn't listen," he told ANI.
Earlier in the day, Swami Agnivesh said he could have been murdered in the "planned" attack.
Agnivesh further demanded an inquiry by a retired or sitting judge of the Ranchi High Court in the matter.
The spiritual leader lodged a complaint with the Ranchi police stating that a group of people allegedly belonging to the RSS, and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) entered the premises and assaulted him.
Soon after the incident, the state government headed by Raghubar Das provided security to Agnivesh.
Jharkhand Urban Development Minister CP Singh on Wednesday said that self-proclaimed spiritual leader and social activist Swami Agnivesh sponsored the attack on himself.
He said, "I think he sponsored an attack on himself. He is a huge hypocrite. He talks against Hindus, makes anti-national comments, supports Kashmiri separatists and naxals."
"The Supreme Court gave a strong verdict on mob lynching. But at the time the verdict was being delivered, I was being attacked by a mob. I appealed to them (mob) to speak to me but they didn't listen," he told ANI.
Earlier in the day, Swami Agnivesh said he could have been murdered in the "planned" attack.
Agnivesh further demanded an inquiry by a retired or sitting judge of the Ranchi High Court in the matter.
The spiritual leader lodged a complaint with the Ranchi police stating that a group of people allegedly belonging to the RSS, and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) entered the premises and assaulted him.
Soon after the incident, the state government headed by Raghubar Das provided security to Agnivesh.
Jharkhand Urban Development Minister CP Singh on Wednesday said that self-proclaimed spiritual leader and social activist Swami Agnivesh sponsored the attack on himself.
He said, "I think he sponsored an attack on himself. He is a huge hypocrite. He talks against Hindus, makes anti-national comments, supports Kashmiri separatists and naxals."
09:59 News conference with Putin was strong: Trump
US President Donald Trump said today he had a "strong news conference" with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, rejecting the political outrage it triggered in America as "fuss" created by the "fake news".
US lawmakers blasted Trump for not backing the American intelligence community's claim that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election during his press conference with Putin on Monday. Senator Jeff Flake, a Republican and a vocal critic of Trump, had labelled his performance as "shameful".
The press conference in Helsinki was one of the "most disgraceful performances" by an American president in memory, Republican Senator John McCain had said. "I think I did great at the news conference. I think it was a strong news conference," Trump told CBS news, responding to a question on criticism of his performance at the press conference.
"I totally disagree", Trump said when asked former House Speaker Newt Gingrich had termed it "the most serious mistake in your presidency". "You have people that said, 'You should have gone up to him. You should have walked up and started screaming in his face'. We're living in the real world. OK?" Trump said.
He lashed out at the media for turning every positive development into negative and making a "lot of fuss about a lot of things". "I don't know what the fuss is all about. I think we did extremely well. And I think the press makes up the, look, it's fake news. And people understand. I think the press largely makes up a lot of the fuss about a lot of things. And I'm not talking about everything," Trump asserted.
"It's crazy. You do something that's positive, and they try and make it as negative as possible. Not all. And I have to say this, some of the most honourable people I know, some great people, are reporters, journalists.
But the level of dishonesty in your profession is extremely high," he said. When told that the press covered the substance and the wording of the press conference accurately, Trump said he did not care what was covered.
"They don't, they didn't cover my meeting. The important thing, frankly, was the meeting that lasted for two and a half hours, or almost two and a half hours. And in that meeting, we discussed many, many things that were very, very positive for both countries," he said.
"Things emerged out that were very important. Nuclear proliferation between Russia and the United States, that's 90 per cent of the nuclear weapons. Protection of Israel. He feels good about that, I feel good about that, very good about that. That was a big factor," Trump said.
He said the two leaders also talked about North Korea. "He said he will help. He agrees with what I'm doing. He thinks I'm doing a great job with respect to North Korea. He said he would help. I think he will. Let's see what happens," Trump said. -- PTI
US lawmakers blasted Trump for not backing the American intelligence community's claim that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election during his press conference with Putin on Monday. Senator Jeff Flake, a Republican and a vocal critic of Trump, had labelled his performance as "shameful".
The press conference in Helsinki was one of the "most disgraceful performances" by an American president in memory, Republican Senator John McCain had said. "I think I did great at the news conference. I think it was a strong news conference," Trump told CBS news, responding to a question on criticism of his performance at the press conference.
"I totally disagree", Trump said when asked former House Speaker Newt Gingrich had termed it "the most serious mistake in your presidency". "You have people that said, 'You should have gone up to him. You should have walked up and started screaming in his face'. We're living in the real world. OK?" Trump said.
He lashed out at the media for turning every positive development into negative and making a "lot of fuss about a lot of things". "I don't know what the fuss is all about. I think we did extremely well. And I think the press makes up the, look, it's fake news. And people understand. I think the press largely makes up a lot of the fuss about a lot of things. And I'm not talking about everything," Trump asserted.
"It's crazy. You do something that's positive, and they try and make it as negative as possible. Not all. And I have to say this, some of the most honourable people I know, some great people, are reporters, journalists.
But the level of dishonesty in your profession is extremely high," he said. When told that the press covered the substance and the wording of the press conference accurately, Trump said he did not care what was covered.
"They don't, they didn't cover my meeting. The important thing, frankly, was the meeting that lasted for two and a half hours, or almost two and a half hours. And in that meeting, we discussed many, many things that were very, very positive for both countries," he said.
"Things emerged out that were very important. Nuclear proliferation between Russia and the United States, that's 90 per cent of the nuclear weapons. Protection of Israel. He feels good about that, I feel good about that, very good about that. That was a big factor," Trump said.
He said the two leaders also talked about North Korea. "He said he will help. He agrees with what I'm doing. He thinks I'm doing a great job with respect to North Korea. He said he would help. I think he will. Let's see what happens," Trump said. -- PTI
09:43 Mumbai: Elphinstone Road station renamed as Prabhadevi
The Elphinstone Road station in Mumbai has been renamed as Prabhadevi station. The new name came into effect from the midnight of July 18.
"Necessary changes are being made on station boards, indicators, PA system, etc for the benefit of passengers," read a statement.
Around 23 people were killed and over 39 injured in a rush-hour stampede at the same railway station in September last year.The station code for newly renamed Prabhadevi station will be PBHD. -- ANI
"Necessary changes are being made on station boards, indicators, PA system, etc for the benefit of passengers," read a statement.
Around 23 people were killed and over 39 injured in a rush-hour stampede at the same railway station in September last year.The station code for newly renamed Prabhadevi station will be PBHD. -- ANI
09:38 7 naxals killed in encounter in with security forces in Chhattigsarh
At least seven naxals, including three women, were today gunned down in a fierce encounter with security forces in Chhattigsarh's insurgency-hit Bijapur district, police said.
The skirmish took place at around 6 am in the forest near Timinar and Pusnar villages along the border of Bijapur and Dantewada districts when a joint team of District Reserve Guard and Special Task Force was out on an anti-Maoist operation, state's Deputy Inspector General of Police (anti-naxal operations) Sundarraj P told PTI.
Acting on a tip-off, security forces had launched the operation from Dantewada district in the forest along the border of the two districts, he said.
While they were cordoning off jungles of Timinar and Pusnar villages, located around 450 km away from the state capital Raipur, in Bijapur, the exchange of fire broke out between the two sides, he said. "After guns fell silent, bodies of seven naxals, including three women, were recovered from the spot," the DIG said. Besides, two Insas rifles, two .303 rifles, one 12 bore gun and a few muzzle loading guns were also recovered from the spot, he said. Further details are awaited as the search operation was still underway in the area, he added. -- PTI
The skirmish took place at around 6 am in the forest near Timinar and Pusnar villages along the border of Bijapur and Dantewada districts when a joint team of District Reserve Guard and Special Task Force was out on an anti-Maoist operation, state's Deputy Inspector General of Police (anti-naxal operations) Sundarraj P told PTI.
Acting on a tip-off, security forces had launched the operation from Dantewada district in the forest along the border of the two districts, he said.
While they were cordoning off jungles of Timinar and Pusnar villages, located around 450 km away from the state capital Raipur, in Bijapur, the exchange of fire broke out between the two sides, he said. "After guns fell silent, bodies of seven naxals, including three women, were recovered from the spot," the DIG said. Besides, two Insas rifles, two .303 rifles, one 12 bore gun and a few muzzle loading guns were also recovered from the spot, he said. Further details are awaited as the search operation was still underway in the area, he added. -- PTI
09:07 No-trust motion: TDP MP refuses to attend crucial session, says he is 'fed up'
A day after Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted Telugu Desam Party's no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi Government, MP JC Diwakar Reddy has decided not to attend the session as he is "fed up" of his party and the Centre.
"I am not going to attend the Parliament session. You can say that I violated the party whip instructions. I am fed up with Centre and our TDP government. And I am fed up with whole political system. Right now I am in my native place in Anantapur and will come in front of the media with my logics within a week," Reddy said.
This is the first time that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government will face such a motion.
Reddy is a Member of Parliament from Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur constituency.
The Monsoon Session of the Parliament kick-started on Wednesday amid high political drama.
While giving a nod to the No-Confidence Motion, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that the discussion will be followed by voting on Friday.
"The House will take up the debate (on the motion) on Friday, July 20th. The discussion will be held for the full day, followed by voting on it," Mahajan said.
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday announced that all opposition parties have come to a consensus to move the Vote of No Confidence Motion in the Monsoon Session.
-- ANI
09:01
JUST IN: 7 naxals, including 3 women, killed in encounter with security forces in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh: Police official.
08:38 Sharif getting all facilities he is entitled to: Punjab govt
Jailed former Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif is getting all the facilities he is entitled to under the law, the government in Pakistan's Punjab province said today.
The clarification was issued after former chief minister and PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif complained that his elder brother Sharif has been kept in "abysmal conditions" in the Adiala jail.
Punjab Information Minister Ahmed Waqas Riaz told the media that Sharif was given all facilities that he was entitled to.
Separately, Deputy Inspector General Prisons, Malik Mubashir, issued a statement to provide the list of facilities given to Sharif.
Mubashir said that Sharif was jailed in a separate cell in a Better Class portion of the jail and has been issued a steel bed, table, chair, newspapers, sheets for his personal bed, personal clothes, one ceiling fan, two bracket fans and toiletries. He has also been allowed to keep a 21-inch TV.
He also has been provided adequate space to take a walk and he "regularly goes for a stroll in the lawn attached to his cell".
He said that a special cook has been providing the diet recommended for him by an RIC nutritionist, which includes fruits, salad, dates and qeema (minced meat).
The family members and friends can meet him on Thursdays while his lawyers can meet him on any one day of the week.
Sharif, 68, and his daughter Maryam, 44, were arrested in Lahore on July 13 on their arrival from London after an accountability court found them guilty over his family's ownership of four luxury flats in London. They were later taken to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.
-- PTI
08:08 Shiv Sena will vote against Opposition's trust vote on Friday
Shiv Sena, the most bothersome member of the BJP-led NDA coalition, will vote against the opposition's no confidence motion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will face on Friday, union minister Ananth Kumar has claimed.
"The NDA is united and will vote against the motion." the union minister said on Wednesday, responding to repeated questions about the Shiv Sena's stand in Friday crucial vote.
The central government is comfortably placed in the Lok Sabha and there is no risk to its survival. The ruling NDA has 313 members in the 535-member Lok Sabha including the BJP's 274, a lot more than the 268 that it needs to clear the test.
The opposition has been hoping that allies such as the Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, which has 18 members in the lower house, embarrasses the government on Friday.
The Shiv Sena, known for acting as the proxy opposition, hasn't spelt out its stand yet.
Over the last year and more, the Shiv Sena frequently hurled stinging darts and insults at the BJP who it has described as the Sena's "biggest political enemy",, called the BJP arrogant and the NDA that it leads "almost dead" and showered praises on Congress boss Rahul Gandhi.
00:06 Trump says no other president has been as tough on Russia
President Donald Trump has claimed that no American president has been as 'tough' on Russia as he has been, amid criticism of his Helsinki summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After a Cabinet meeting in the White House, Trump was asked by a reporter if Russia was still targeting the US, and he responded, 'No', directly contradicting what his director of national intelligence, Dan Coats, said Monday.
This was his first Cabinet meeting after his return from a week-long European trip at the end of which he had a summit meeting Putin in Helsinki.
His comments came a day after he said he misspoke during Monday's Helsinki summit when he appeared to side with Putin over claims of Kremlin meddling in US elections.
"We're doing very well, and let me tell you, we are doing very well, and we're doing very well, probably as well as anybody has ever done with Russia. And there's been no president ever as tough as I have been on Russia," Trump told reporters during his Cabinet meeting at the White House.
"All you have to do is look at the numbers, look at what we've done, look at sanctions, look at ambassadors not there, look, unfortunately, at what happened in Syria recently. And I think President Putin knows that better than anybody; certainly, a lot better than the media," Trump said.
Earlier in a tweet, Trump said that Russia has agreed to help with North Korea, where relationships with the US is very good and the process is moving along.
"While the NATO meeting in Brussels was an acknowledged triumph, with billions of dollars more being put up by member countries at a faster pace, the meeting with Russia may prove to be, in the long run, an even greater success," Trump said.
Many positive things will come out of that meeting, he asserted. Trump said so many people at the higher ends of intelligence loved his press conference performance in Helsinki.
"Putin and I discussed many important subjects at our earlier meeting. We got along well which truly bothered many haters who wanted to see a boxing match. Big results will come!" said the US president. -- PTI
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