LIVE
Mon, 19 March 2018
Demonetisation has led to tax terrorism: Yashwant Sinha
Timeline Refresh
23:43 External body needed to decide MPs' salaries: Varun Gandhi
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi on Monday suggested an "external body" to decide the salary and allowances of MPs which, he claimed, were raised 400 per cent in the last six years, and questioned whether "we really earned this massive increment".
.
He said the authority to determine one's own salary was not in line with the morals of democracy.
Speaking at an interactive programme titled "Ideas for a new India" with students of the Navrachna University in Vadodara, he said the rise in emoluments of MPs was happening despite the number of days when Parliament ran going down.
"The MPs' salaries were increased 400 per cent in six years, but Parliament runs only for 50 days a year compared to 130 days during 1952-72. Have we really earned this massive increment," the MP from Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur said.
He said he had written a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suggesting her to start a "movement" asking "rich lawmakers" to forego their salaries for the remainder of their term.
"There are 180 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 75 MPs in the Rajya Sabha who have shown their income as Rs 25 crore and above. If they forego their salaries, it will help the exchequer save several hundred crore rupees," he said.
Gandhi said growing inequality was detrimental to society and public representatives should be seen as more "responsive" to the socio-economic realities of the country.
He said the United Kingdom, where salaries of lawmakers saw a rise of 13 per cent in the same period, had an external body called the "Review Body on Senior Salaries" to advise the government on emoluments and pensions of lawmakers.
Supporting people's right to recall elected representatives, Gandhi said he had proposed an amendment to the Representation of People Act to fix parameters under which such a right could be exercised.
He said these parameters would have to be fixed after a proper public discourse.
The BJP MP said that reservation for women in Parliament must be encouraged to promote the entry of ordinary women like teachers, advocates and doctors. He said such reservation, however, should not be extended to the wives, daughters and relatives of politicians. -- PTI
23:18 WTO chief calls on PM
World Trade Organization chief Roberto Azevedo, who is in New Delhi to attend an informal meeting of ministers of the organisation, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.
The WTO director-general thanked the government for taking the initiative of starting a conversation to explore ways to reinvigorate the multilateral trading system.
The prime minister reiterated that India is a strong supporter of the multilateral trading system. He stated that it is imperative to prioritise the WTO's activities so that it addresses the concerns of developing countries, an official release said.
Urging the WTO chief to make special efforts so that the benefits of free trade and globalisation become more visible in developing countries, the prime minister conveyed his best wishes for the success of the informal meeting of ministers of WTO.
"Had a wonderful meeting with Mr. Roberto Azevdo, Director-General of the WTO" the PM tweeted and posted a picture with him.
Talking to reporters, Azevdo said the mini-ministerial meeting will be useful for carrying forward the mandate of the multilateral trade body.
"We are facing many challenges in the WTO and outside. Trade environment globally is very risky at this point of time. We will try to have an open and honest conversation at the informal WTO meeting here," Azevedo said here earlier today. -- PTI
23:15 Demonetisation has led to tax terrorism: Yashwant Sinha
Dissident Bharatiya Janata PArty leader and former Union finance minister Yashwant Sinha today said demonetisation had led to "tax terrorism" and likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a medieval era Delhi king known for his whimsical decisions.
Sinha made these remarks at the launch of a book, Demonetization and the Black Economy, by economist Arun Kumar, who has been critical of the exercise. S
uspended BJD MP Baijayant 'Jay' Panda and Congress leader Prithiviraj Chavan were also participating in the panel discussion.
Though demonetisation failed to meet any of the stated objectives, the government had won the "perception battle", Sinha said.
The former finance minister derisively said that "not policy-makers but only one policy-maker" decides what has to be done.
With the passage of time, they can come to only one conclusion that demonetisation has "failed and failed comprehensively", he said.
"There was another case in the 16th century in Delhi about a ruler who was famous for shifting the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad. But we forget that he also had demonetised the currency in his time. We have gone back five centuries to repeat the mistake which that gentleman, that king had made," he said.
Asked by the moderator if he was comparing Modi to Muhammad bin Tughluq, Sinha said he was not taking any names.
Sinha said "tax terrorism", which the BJP was critical of when it was in the opposition, has returned because of the note ban, and claimed the income tax department registered 1.8 million cases following the decision and was ill-equipped to probe them all anytime soon.
"What has been the other side-effect? Tax-terrorism, which the BJP had criticised when we were in opposition. It has come back now. 1.8 million cases have been started by the income tax department (since demonetisation)" he said.
Is the department equipped to handle so many cases and how much time it is going to take to bring those cases to a final conclusion, he asked, claiming people will never know how much black money was actually recovered until investigation in all those cases are complete.
"This will go on and on like the counting of the notes by the Reserve Bank of India. It will never finish, not at least until the next Lok Sabha election so that the perception of this (demonetisation) having succeeded continues to hold," he said. -- PTI
22:53 Mahatma Gandhi was a 'kattar' Hindu, says RSS chief
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh believes in Hindutva which has truth and non-violence as its core values about which B R Ambedkar and Vivekananda had spoken, its chief Mohan Bhagwat has said.
However, if required, one should fight to protect the core values of Hindutva, he said.
"We consider Hindutva as only one It is the set of values which we believe in. It is the same one about which Vivekananda, Subhas Chandra Bose, Gurudev Rabindranath Thakur, Babasaheb Ambedkar have spoken," he said in an interview to weekly magazine Organiser.
Replying to a question about portraying Hindu religion in two different narratives -- one as Hinduism and the other as Hindutva -- Bhagwat said the RSS considers Hindutva as the one and only narrative.
While underlining that the RSS believes in truth and non-violence being the core values of Hindutva, Bhagwat, however, said, "If somebody is attacking or indirectly killing the truth and non-violence we believe in, then to protect those values we will have to fight."
"To fight and practise truth and non-violence is Hindutva," he added.
Claiming attraction towards Hindutva is growing, Bhagwat said that is why confusions and distortions are being created about it.
"This is happening not only in Bharat but all over the world. The proponents of Hindutva are getting natural benefit of it. To deny that advantage divisions are being created, he said.
Bhagwat said Hindus do not consider anyone their enemy.
"But for the same Hinduness we have to protect Hindu dharma (religion), Hindu sanskriti (culture) and Hindu society. In the process, we may have to explain, we may have to fight, if necessary," he said.
Bhagwat said the talk of extremist and moderate Hindutva is "irrelevant".
"That's why in Meerut I said if Hindus become more fanatic, it means they will be more liberal, he said, adding in that sense, Mahatma Gandhi was a "kattar (hardcore) Hindu".
He referred to Gandhi's writings in Harijan in which he had declared himself a "fanatic Sanatani Hindu".
Speaking about how to practise Hindutva, the RSS chief said it is an individual's decision.
There is no differentiation in Hindutva, and there is no meaning in saying our or their Hindutva, he said. -- PTI
22:13 Padma awards to be conferred tomorrow
Noted music composer Illaiyaraja, Hindutava thinker Parameswaran Parameswaran and 41 other prominent personalities will the conferred with the prestigious Padma awards of 2018 by President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi tomorrow.
The function will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan with the attendance of Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ministerial colleagues besides others, an official said.
Keeping its promise of honouring "unsung heroes", the government this year honoured with Padma awards several personalities who served the poor, set up free schools and popularised tribal arts globally.
This year, as many as 84 Padma awards were announced, including two duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one). The list comprises three Padma Vibhushan, nine Padma Bhushan and 72 Padma Shri awards, the official said.
The awards -- Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri -- are announced on the eve of the Republic Day every year.
They are given in different fields and disciplines such as art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry.
The remaining awardees of the Padma awards 2018 will be conferred with the honour at another special function to be held on April 2. -- PTI
22:03 Ex-NDA ally Raju Shetti meets Rahul
The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, an erstwhile constituent of the BJP-led NDA, today announced that it would work with the Congress on issues concerning farmers, hinting at a possible electoral alliance ahead of the 2019 general election.
A day after the Congress declared that it would focus on agrarian issues, the Maharashtra-based party's leader and MP Raju Shetti met Congress president Rahul Gandhi here earlier in the day to invite him for a convention of farmers to be held on March 29.
Shetti, however, maintained the parties would work together on farmers' issues and that a decision on any electoral alliance would be taken following discussions.
Congress general secretary in-charge of Maharashtra, Mohan Prakash, and the party's state unit chief, Ashok Chavan, were also present in the meeting.
"Shetti met Rahul ji earlier in the day. The Congress plenary declared a special focus on agrarian issues. That appealed Shetti ji. We will be working together on the issues in Maharashtra. It can be considered as pre-poll alliance in the state," Mohan Prakash said. Chavan seconded him.
"The agrarian crisis is deepening across the country. Shetti has been working on the issues and shares his views over the issues with that of the Congress," Chavan said.
Asked if the tie-up amounted to electoral alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls scheduled for next year, Chavan said, "We will hold meetings to discuss that. But there are positive signs."
Shetti said he invited Gandhi for the convention of farmers.
Shetti spoke to reporters in the presence of Chavan and Mohan Prakash at AICC in New Delhi.
"As far as the electoral alliance with Congress is concerned, our party will discuss it first. So far, we have decided to work jointly on farmers' issues," he added.
The Congress yesterday made several promises to farmers including waiving of loans as the UPA government led by it had done writing off around Rs 70,000 worth debt. Gandhi also announced setting up network of food parks across the country.
The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana had quit the NDA in August last year. -- PTI
21:17 Modi congratulates Putin on re-election as Russian president
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his victory in the presidential polls and expressed hope that under his leadership, the Indo-Russia strategic partnership will continue to grow from strength to strength, the external affairs ministry said today.
During the telephonic conversation, Modi told the Russian leader that he looked forward to welcoming him in India for the India-Russia Annual Summit later this year.
"Conveying his compliments on Putin's success, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that under Putin's leadership, the 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership' between India and the Russian Federation will continue to grow from strength to strength," the ministry said in a release.
Thanking the prime minister for the call, Putin conveyed his commitment to further strengthen India-Russia relations in all spheres, and also his good wishes for the continued progress of India.
Putin, who has ruled Russia for almost two decades, received 76.66 per cent of the votes and is now set to extend his rule until at least 2024. Putin, Russia's longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin, appeared to rule out remaining president for life. -- PTI
20:26 Govt ready to face no-confidence motion: Parl affairs minister
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar today said the National Democratic Alliance government was ready to face no-confidence motion as it has support "inside and outside the parliament".
The notices for no-confidence motion against the government -- given by YSR Congress member Y V Subba Reddy and two members of the Telugu Desam Party(Thota Narasimham and Jayadev Galla) -- could not be taken up in the Lok Sabha today due to noisy protests by several parties.
The two parties who have given notices for the no-confidence motion have been demanding special package for Andhra Pradesh, an issue on which the TDP quit the NDA alliance last week.
"The Modi government is ready to face the no-confidence motion. We have support outside as well as inside the House. The BJP government is a government of majority. And when we consider the NDA, we have two-thirds majority," Kumar told reporters outside Parliament.
The parliamentary affairs minister also hit out at Opposition parties for "creating ruckus" in the House.
"For the last two weeks, the Congress and other opposition parties are creating ruckus. If the House is not in order today, the entire blame goes to the Congress and it should think about it. We are ready (to face the no-confidence motion)," he said.
Today was the 11th consecutive day when the proceedings were washed out, and the second day when Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan could not take up the notices for no-confidence motion.
While the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day within about 10 minutes after sitting, the Lok Sabha was first adjourned till noon and then for the day after the listed papers could not be laid. -- PTI
19:47 After apologies, court acquits Kejriwal in 2 defamation cases
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was today acquitted in two separate defamation cases lodged against him by union minister Nitin Gadkari and advocate Amit Sibal after he tendered apology to both of them.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal also acquitted Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, a co-accused with Kejriwal in the defamation case lodged by Sibal, after he too tendered an apology to the lawyer through a letter.
The relief came from the court after the apologies were accepted by the complainants in both the cases.
The proceedings against lawyer Prashant Bhushan and BJP leader Shazia Ilmi will, however, continue in the defamation case lodged by Amit Sibal.
Kejriwal, in his two separate apology letters, said he regretted making the remarks without any verification and accepted that they were based on "unfounded allegations".
In the 2013 case lodged by Amit Sibal it was alleged that Kejriwal, Sisodia, Bhushan and Ilmi, who was then an AAP member, had targeted him and his father Kapil Sibal over the Vodafone tax revision case.
In the defamation case filed by Gadkari, it was alleged that Kejriwal had called him "India's most corrupt". -- PTI
19:21 Not given up demand for special status to Bihar: Nitish
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said he had not given up the demand for grant of special status to Bihar "for even one second" since he first raised the issue 13 years ago.
He also hit out at the RJD for questioning his "silence" after the TDP pulled out of the NDA seeking similar benefits for Andhra Pradesh.
Kumar declined to comment on the fresh conviction of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad in the fourth fodder scam case but said the claims of the former chief minister and his family members of being "framed" in corruption cases "could convince only hardcore supporters".
"I had written to the then prime minister for a special status to Bihar in 2005, shortly after assuming power in the state. A year later, we got a resolution passed in the state assembly to the effect.
"Since then, the demand has been raised by us relentlessly and I have not strayed for even a second. I'm amused to see those who were never concerned about the issue have suddenly started questioning my silence", Kumar told reporters at party headquarters in Patna.
He also indicated that the issue of special status for Bihar would be raised before the 15th Finance Commission.
Kumar, who is the JD-U national chief, had made a surprise appearance at a press conference convened by state chief Bashishth Narain Singh to announce merger of a breakaway faction of Hindustani Awam Morcha - Secular founded by former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Senior JD-U leader and state minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh was also present on the occasion.
Kumar was responding to queries about the relentless attacks by Lalu Prasad and Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Tejashwi Yadav.
They have been challenging him to speak up on the issue of special status for Bihar in the backdrop of the TDP walking out of the NDA over a similar demand for Andhra Pradesh.
"Special status is a need for Bihar. We will work towards ensuring that it is fulfilled. But we are not going to issue statements about the matter every now and then. We have always placed interests of the voters above their votes, unlike our detractors," he said. -- PTI
18:48 India summons Pak DHC, lodges strong protest over killing of 5 civilians in J&K
India today summoned the Pakistan deputy high commissioner in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest against the killing of five civilians in "unprovoked firing" by Pakistani forces, terming the incident "highly deplorable".
Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah was also told that such heinous acts are against established humanitarian norms and professional military conduct, the external affairs ministry said.
"It was conveyed that the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians, who are located two kilometers away from the forward line of defences, by Pakistan forces using high caliber weapons, is highly deplorable and is condemned in the strongest terms," the ministry said.
Shah was summoned to the South Block and a strong protest was lodged at the loss of lives of five innocent Indian civilians (a couple and their three children) and grievous injuries to two other minor children in unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan forces on 18 March 2018 in Bhimber Gali Sector across the LoC in Jammu & Kashmir, the ministry added. -- PTI
18:18 Cong govt in K'taka to recommend religious minority tag to Lingayats
In a significant move, the Congress government in poll-bound Karnataka today decided to recommend to the Centre to grant religious minority tag to the numerically strong and politically-influential Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community.
Briefing reporters after a cabinet meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said it had accepted the recommendations of an expert panel set up by the state government on the issue.
"The decision has been taken after deep deliberations and discussion...," he said.
According to the expert panel, Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats are those who believed in the philosphy of Basaveshwara, 12th century social reformer, he said.
Jayachandra said the decision would not affect the rights and interests enjoyed by the existing minorities.
Briefing reporters after a cabinet meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said it had accepted the recommendations of an expert panel set up by the state government on the issue.
"The decision has been taken after deep deliberations and discussion...," he said.
According to the expert panel, Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats are those who believed in the philosphy of Basaveshwara, 12th century social reformer, he said.
Jayachandra said the decision would not affect the rights and interests enjoyed by the existing minorities.
18:17 It is a good beginning: Mamata on meeting with KCR
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee met today in Kolkata.
This is the outcome of the meeting.
Mamata Banerjee: It is a good beginning. I think politics is a continuous process, whatever we have discussed is aimed towards development of the country. Politics throws at you situations where you have to work with different people. I believe in politics.
K Chandrashekhar Ro: It will be a collective leadership, it will be a federal leadership.
Rao had travelled to Kolkata this morning for the meeting. Banerjee, who had been trying to drum up support for a common front against the BJP, had called Rao on March 4, following his statement that he was keen to participate in national politics to bring about "qualitative changes" in governance.
She had then said that they could work together.
This is the outcome of the meeting.
Mamata Banerjee: It is a good beginning. I think politics is a continuous process, whatever we have discussed is aimed towards development of the country. Politics throws at you situations where you have to work with different people. I believe in politics.
K Chandrashekhar Ro: It will be a collective leadership, it will be a federal leadership.
Rao had travelled to Kolkata this morning for the meeting. Banerjee, who had been trying to drum up support for a common front against the BJP, had called Rao on March 4, following his statement that he was keen to participate in national politics to bring about "qualitative changes" in governance.
She had then said that they could work together.
17:37 ED in HC against acquittal of Raja, Kanimozhi in 2G case
The Enforcement Directorate today moved the Delhi High Court challenging a special court order acquitting former telecom minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and others in the money laundering case arising out of the 2G scam.
Besides Raja and Kanimozhi, the special court had on December 21 last year acquitted 17 others, including DMK supremo M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal, Shahid Balwa and Vinod Goenka of STPL, Asif Balwa and Rajiv Aggarwal of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd, film producer Karim Morani, P Amirtham and Sharad Kumar, Director of Kalaignar TV.
ED, in its charge sheet, had alleged that Rs 200 crore was paid by Swan Telecom (P) Ltd promoters to DMK-run Kalaignar TV.
On the same day, the trial court had acquitted Raja, Kanimozhi and 15 others, including former Telecom Secretary Siddharth Behura, Raja's erstwhile private secretary R K Chandolia, Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka, Unitech Ltd MD Sanjay Chandra and three top executives of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (RADAG) -- Gautam Doshi, Surendra Pipara and Hari Nair, in the CBI's 2G case.
Besides Raja and Kanimozhi, the special court had on December 21 last year acquitted 17 others, including DMK supremo M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal, Shahid Balwa and Vinod Goenka of STPL, Asif Balwa and Rajiv Aggarwal of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd, film producer Karim Morani, P Amirtham and Sharad Kumar, Director of Kalaignar TV.
ED, in its charge sheet, had alleged that Rs 200 crore was paid by Swan Telecom (P) Ltd promoters to DMK-run Kalaignar TV.
On the same day, the trial court had acquitted Raja, Kanimozhi and 15 others, including former Telecom Secretary Siddharth Behura, Raja's erstwhile private secretary R K Chandolia, Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka, Unitech Ltd MD Sanjay Chandra and three top executives of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (RADAG) -- Gautam Doshi, Surendra Pipara and Hari Nair, in the CBI's 2G case.
17:30 US-Bangla plane crash: 23 bodies to be brought back to B'desh today
The bodies of 23 Bangladeshi nationals from the devastating US-Bangla plane crash that killed 49 people last week in Nepal, will be brought back to Bangladesh, said an official on Monday.
"A cargo plane of Bangladesh Air Force, carrying the bodies, is scheduled to land at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at around 4 pm", said Kamrul Islam, general manager (marketing support and public relations) of US-Bangla Airlines.
Prior to this, a 'namaz-e-janaza' was held for the 23 nationals at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu on Monday morning, according to US-Bangla Airlines Chief Executive Officer Imran Asif, The Dhaka Tribune reported.
Bangladeshi and Nepali authorities announced on Sunday that the identification process of the deceased nationals was completed.
Last Monday, 49 people were killed after the plane evaded the runway at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport and crashed into a fence on the ground and burst into flames.
The plane, which was en route to Kathmandu from Dhaka, had 33 Nepali, 32 Bangladeshi and one passenger each from China and the Maldives.
Other 21 passengers out of total 71 (Including crew member) in the US-Bangla plane are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Kathmandu.
The reason behind the crash of the ill-fated aircraft is yet to be established, but the rescuers and other aviation staffs have recovered the black box of the flight. -- ANI
"A cargo plane of Bangladesh Air Force, carrying the bodies, is scheduled to land at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at around 4 pm", said Kamrul Islam, general manager (marketing support and public relations) of US-Bangla Airlines.
Prior to this, a 'namaz-e-janaza' was held for the 23 nationals at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu on Monday morning, according to US-Bangla Airlines Chief Executive Officer Imran Asif, The Dhaka Tribune reported.
Bangladeshi and Nepali authorities announced on Sunday that the identification process of the deceased nationals was completed.
Last Monday, 49 people were killed after the plane evaded the runway at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport and crashed into a fence on the ground and burst into flames.
The plane, which was en route to Kathmandu from Dhaka, had 33 Nepali, 32 Bangladeshi and one passenger each from China and the Maldives.
Other 21 passengers out of total 71 (Including crew member) in the US-Bangla plane are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Kathmandu.
The reason behind the crash of the ill-fated aircraft is yet to be established, but the rescuers and other aviation staffs have recovered the black box of the flight. -- ANI
17:04 Punjab govt bans hookah bars
The Punjab government has decided to impose a permanent ban on hookah bars in the state instead of issuing temporary orders against them every two months
16:52 Going back to paper ballots is retrogade: former CEC
Asserting that electronic voting machines are "absolutely credible", former Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy today said any move to revert to the old practice of paper ballots is a "retrograde" step.
The paper ballot system is susceptible to manipulation, leads to wastage of paper and takes longer to announce poll results, among other disadvantages, he told PTI.
Describing EVMs as the "nation's pride" and "absolutely credible", Krishnamurthy said it's unfortunate that some political parties are calling for reintroduction of paper ballots.
"Just because some parties didn't do well in the elections, it does not mean the machine is bad. So, in my opinion it will be a retrograde step if the machines are withdrawn. In my opinion, EVMs are absolutely credible", he said.
Krishnamurthy said the paper ballot system would probably take one week for election results to be announced.
"So much of paper wastage will be there. Under the ballot box itself, so much of manipulation will be there. We know, in some of the elections, bogus ballot paper is used to cast (votes). Checks and balances in the EVMs are not available in the conventional ballot box system," he said.
"Once you have ballot papers, there can be invalid votes," he said. "Some of the countries have admired our system and suddenly to withdraw it is a retrograde step," he added.
The Congress last week urged that the Election Commission revert to the old practice of paper ballots in future elections instead of EVMs. This is necessary as there are misgivings on "misuse" of EVMs to "manipulate the outcome contrary to popular verdict", the party said during its 84th plenary session. -- PTI
The paper ballot system is susceptible to manipulation, leads to wastage of paper and takes longer to announce poll results, among other disadvantages, he told PTI.
Describing EVMs as the "nation's pride" and "absolutely credible", Krishnamurthy said it's unfortunate that some political parties are calling for reintroduction of paper ballots.
"Just because some parties didn't do well in the elections, it does not mean the machine is bad. So, in my opinion it will be a retrograde step if the machines are withdrawn. In my opinion, EVMs are absolutely credible", he said.
Krishnamurthy said the paper ballot system would probably take one week for election results to be announced.
"So much of paper wastage will be there. Under the ballot box itself, so much of manipulation will be there. We know, in some of the elections, bogus ballot paper is used to cast (votes). Checks and balances in the EVMs are not available in the conventional ballot box system," he said.
"Once you have ballot papers, there can be invalid votes," he said. "Some of the countries have admired our system and suddenly to withdraw it is a retrograde step," he added.
The Congress last week urged that the Election Commission revert to the old practice of paper ballots in future elections instead of EVMs. This is necessary as there are misgivings on "misuse" of EVMs to "manipulate the outcome contrary to popular verdict", the party said during its 84th plenary session. -- PTI
16:26 Kejriwal apologises to Gadkari, Sibal; next Jaitley?
Apology #3: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal apologised to Congress leader Kapil Sibal. The senior Congress leader's son, Amit, had filed a defamation suit against the Delhi CM for alleging that Kapil Sibal had a conflict of interest in seeking to revise a tax demand on telecom major Vodafone.
The other big defamation suit is the one filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Reports say Kejriwal will also apologise to Jaitley later this week. In 2015 Jaitley had filed a criminal defamation complaint against Kejriwal and AAP leaders Raghav Chadha, Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Deepak Bajpai over their comments over the Delhi District Cricket Association controversy, seeking their prosecution for offences that entail a punishment of up to two years in jail.
Former J-K CM Omar Abdullah reacts to the AAP leader's apology spree. @OmarAbdullah tweets, "Arvind Kejriwal will certainly have less legal problems when he is done apologising but at what political cost? What will his audience think the next time he levels an allegation against someone?"
The other big defamation suit is the one filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Reports say Kejriwal will also apologise to Jaitley later this week. In 2015 Jaitley had filed a criminal defamation complaint against Kejriwal and AAP leaders Raghav Chadha, Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Deepak Bajpai over their comments over the Delhi District Cricket Association controversy, seeking their prosecution for offences that entail a punishment of up to two years in jail.
Former J-K CM Omar Abdullah reacts to the AAP leader's apology spree. @OmarAbdullah tweets, "Arvind Kejriwal will certainly have less legal problems when he is done apologising but at what political cost? What will his audience think the next time he levels an allegation against someone?"
16:25 Here to serve people, don't have time for courts: Sisodia on apologies
Manish Sisodia on his and Arvind Kejriwal's apology to Nitin Gadkari and Kapil Sibal: We will apologise to people who we have hurt. We're here to serve the people, we do not have the time to go to courts for such issues. We're here to build schools and hospitals for the welfare of people."
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has apologised to Congress leader Kapil Sibal. The senior Congress leader's son, Amit, had filed a defamation suit against the Delhi CM for alleging that Kapil Sibal had a conflict of interest in seeking to revise a tax demand on telecom major Vodafone.
The other big defamation suit is the one filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Reports say Kejriwal will also apologise to Jaitley later this week. In 2015 Jaitley had filed a criminal defamation complaint against Kejriwal and AAP leaders Raghav Chadha, Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Deepak Bajpai over their comments over the Delhi District Cricket Association controversy, seeking their prosecution for offences that entail a punishment of up to two years in jail.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has apologised to Congress leader Kapil Sibal. The senior Congress leader's son, Amit, had filed a defamation suit against the Delhi CM for alleging that Kapil Sibal had a conflict of interest in seeking to revise a tax demand on telecom major Vodafone.
The other big defamation suit is the one filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Reports say Kejriwal will also apologise to Jaitley later this week. In 2015 Jaitley had filed a criminal defamation complaint against Kejriwal and AAP leaders Raghav Chadha, Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Deepak Bajpai over their comments over the Delhi District Cricket Association controversy, seeking their prosecution for offences that entail a punishment of up to two years in jail.
15:58 Kejriwal should apologise to Anjali Damania: Mayank Gandhi
Former AAP member Mayank Gandhi @mayankgandhi on Kejriwal's apology to Nitin Gadkari: Kejriwal should first apologize to @anjali_damania for using her info to make allegations against Gadkari and then make abject surrender. Am sure Anjali will continue to fight against corrupt."
Former AAP convenor and RTI activist Anjali Damania had accused Gadkari of going soft on the NCP by not taking a stand on the irrigation scam exposed in Maharashtra because of his business relationship with its chief Sharad Pawar.
Damania claimed that she met Gadkari to request him to pursue such cases in public interest but the BJP president put her off. She said that Gadkari told her not to push hard to expose the scam.
The activist was one of the two whistleblowers who dug out the scam after her farmland, that was with her for more than a decade, was taken over for an irrigation project.
Gadkari, however, said he has never met Damania. The BJP also rejected any link between Gadkari and Pawar.
Former AAP convenor and RTI activist Anjali Damania had accused Gadkari of going soft on the NCP by not taking a stand on the irrigation scam exposed in Maharashtra because of his business relationship with its chief Sharad Pawar.
Damania claimed that she met Gadkari to request him to pursue such cases in public interest but the BJP president put her off. She said that Gadkari told her not to push hard to expose the scam.
The activist was one of the two whistleblowers who dug out the scam after her farmland, that was with her for more than a decade, was taken over for an irrigation project.
Gadkari, however, said he has never met Damania. The BJP also rejected any link between Gadkari and Pawar.
15:49 Everything is forgotten now, we will move ahead: Sibal on Kejriwal's apology
Kapil Sibal responds to the Arvind Kejriwal's apology: Kejriwalji and Sisodiaji (Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia) have accepted that the allegations they had put on me and my son in a press conference few years ago were baseless. They've apologised for the same today. He has apologised for what he did and everything is forgotten now; we will move ahead."
15:38 KCR meets Mamata
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao meets his West Bengal counterpart and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata. Rao, president of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti met Mamata to discuss the possibility of creating a third front with like-minded parties ahead of the 2019 polls.
15:22 Kejriwal's 2nd apology: Regrets calling Gadkari 'corrupt politician'
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has apologised to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for "making unverified allegations" against him.
This comes days after his Kejrwial apologised to former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia for saying he was involved in drugs trade.
In his note to Nitin Gadkari, Kejriwal wrote, "I have nothing personal against you. I regret the same. Let us put the incident behind us&bring the court proceedings to a closure."
In 2014, the Delhi Chief Minister had called Gadkari "one of the country's most corrupt politicians". Gadkari had slapped a defamation suit against him.
Gadkari has accepted the apology.
Kejriwal has around 33 defamation cases against him. AAP lawmaker Bhagwant Mann last week quit as the party's Punjab unit chief in protest against Kejriwal's apology to Majitha.
Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday said that Arvind Kejriwal's apology to SAD leader Majithia was an attempt to reduce the burden of defamation cases against him before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "I don't know why he does that but this is no way for a chief minister to behave, irrespective of his lack of experience," Singh told a TV channel.
This comes days after his Kejrwial apologised to former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia for saying he was involved in drugs trade.
In his note to Nitin Gadkari, Kejriwal wrote, "I have nothing personal against you. I regret the same. Let us put the incident behind us&bring the court proceedings to a closure."
In 2014, the Delhi Chief Minister had called Gadkari "one of the country's most corrupt politicians". Gadkari had slapped a defamation suit against him.
Gadkari has accepted the apology.
Kejriwal has around 33 defamation cases against him. AAP lawmaker Bhagwant Mann last week quit as the party's Punjab unit chief in protest against Kejriwal's apology to Majitha.
Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday said that Arvind Kejriwal's apology to SAD leader Majithia was an attempt to reduce the burden of defamation cases against him before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "I don't know why he does that but this is no way for a chief minister to behave, irrespective of his lack of experience," Singh told a TV channel.
14:23 Aarushi murder: SC agrees to hear plea against Talwars' acquittal
Aarushi Talwar murder case: The Supreme Court accepts the CBI's application against the Talwars' acquittal. The court sent a notice to the dentist couple Rajesh and Nupur Talwar on appeal of Hemraj's widow against their acquittal in the double murder case.
The Supreme Court today agreed to hear the plea of Hemraj's widow challenging the acquittal of the Talwar's in the Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case. The dentist couple were acquitted by the Allahabad High Court six months ago.
Fourteen-year-old Aarushi was found dead inside her room at the Talwars Noida residence with her throat slit on May 16, 2008. Initial suspicion fell on 45-year-old Hemraj, who had gone missing, but his body was recovered from the terrace of the house a day later.
Following protests over the police probe, the case was handed over to the CBI, which arrested the Talwars. A CBI court in Ghaziabad sentenced them to life imprisonment on November 26, 2013.
The Supreme Court today agreed to hear the plea of Hemraj's widow challenging the acquittal of the Talwar's in the Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case. The dentist couple were acquitted by the Allahabad High Court six months ago.
Fourteen-year-old Aarushi was found dead inside her room at the Talwars Noida residence with her throat slit on May 16, 2008. Initial suspicion fell on 45-year-old Hemraj, who had gone missing, but his body was recovered from the terrace of the house a day later.
Following protests over the police probe, the case was handed over to the CBI, which arrested the Talwars. A CBI court in Ghaziabad sentenced them to life imprisonment on November 26, 2013.
13:56 Lalu convicted in 4th fodder scam case
Update: Lalu Prasad Yadav pronounced guilty in the fourth fodder scam (Dumka Treasury) case by the Special CBI court. The RJD supremo, who has was admitted to hospital after falling sick in jail on Saturday, was in fact, present in the court.
Lalu Prasad and others are accused of fraudulently withdrawing Rs. 3.13 crore from Dumka treasury between December 1995 and January 1996, when the former was the chief minister of undivided Bihar.
Prasad is already serving a jail term of 13.5 years in three fodder cases and lodged in the Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi.
The case is related to alleged withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from the Dumka treasury when Prasad was the chief minister of Bihar.
Besides Prasad, former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra and 29 people, including former IAS officers and some officials are also accused in the case. Mishra was acquitted today.
On Friday, the Special CBI court had made three former bureaucrats of Bihar accountant-general's office accused in the fodder scam.
The court issued summons to former Bihar Accountant General P.K. Mukhopadhyay, former Deputy Accountant General B.N. Jha and former Senior Director General of Accounts Office Pramod Kumar on the request of Prasad, who had sought a trial against the three former bureaucrats.
Image: Lalu Prasad Yadav leaves the Ranchi court after being pronounced guilty in the case.
Lalu Prasad and others are accused of fraudulently withdrawing Rs. 3.13 crore from Dumka treasury between December 1995 and January 1996, when the former was the chief minister of undivided Bihar.
Prasad is already serving a jail term of 13.5 years in three fodder cases and lodged in the Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi.
The case is related to alleged withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from the Dumka treasury when Prasad was the chief minister of Bihar.
Besides Prasad, former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra and 29 people, including former IAS officers and some officials are also accused in the case. Mishra was acquitted today.
On Friday, the Special CBI court had made three former bureaucrats of Bihar accountant-general's office accused in the fodder scam.
The court issued summons to former Bihar Accountant General P.K. Mukhopadhyay, former Deputy Accountant General B.N. Jha and former Senior Director General of Accounts Office Pramod Kumar on the request of Prasad, who had sought a trial against the three former bureaucrats.
Image: Lalu Prasad Yadav leaves the Ranchi court after being pronounced guilty in the case.
13:08 No-confidence motion ends myth govt is unshakable: Sena
The Telugu Desam Party's no-confidence motion has put an end to the "myth" that the BJP-led central government has an unshakable mandate for the next 25 years, the Shiv Sena said today.
The Sena, however, alleged that the TDP's move was driven by its own political compulsions, and said the no-confidence motion will be futile as the NDA government enjoys a majority.
There is an environment of mistrust in the country against the government and next year there will be a "blast of resentment" that is prevailing among people, it said.
Ending its four-year-old alliance with the BJP, the Telugu Desam Party had on March 16 pulled out of the NDA over the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh and simultaneously moved a no-trust motion in Parliament.
"The TDP wants to bring in the no-confidence motion for its personal political reasons and not for any 'nationalist' reason," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had been demanding a special status for Andhra Pradesh and as his demands were not fulfilled, the YSR Congress and the TDP sought to bring in the motion, it said. -- PTI
The Sena, however, alleged that the TDP's move was driven by its own political compulsions, and said the no-confidence motion will be futile as the NDA government enjoys a majority.
There is an environment of mistrust in the country against the government and next year there will be a "blast of resentment" that is prevailing among people, it said.
Ending its four-year-old alliance with the BJP, the Telugu Desam Party had on March 16 pulled out of the NDA over the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh and simultaneously moved a no-trust motion in Parliament.
"The TDP wants to bring in the no-confidence motion for its personal political reasons and not for any 'nationalist' reason," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had been demanding a special status for Andhra Pradesh and as his demands were not fulfilled, the YSR Congress and the TDP sought to bring in the motion, it said. -- PTI
12:33 Shyama Prasad Mookerjee's name defaced
West Bengal: Black ink smeared on Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mookerjee's name engraved on a wall plate at Presidency University campus in Kolkata.
Two weeks ago, a bust of Mookerjee was vandalised in Kolkata, allegedly by Left supporters, an obvious act of retribution following the razing of statues of Soviet icon Vladimir Illyich Lenin in Tripura, officials said.
A statue of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar was also vandalised and replaced later in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh, amid the ongoing spate of incidents targeting statues and busts of known figures across the country.
Two weeks ago, a bust of Mookerjee was vandalised in Kolkata, allegedly by Left supporters, an obvious act of retribution following the razing of statues of Soviet icon Vladimir Illyich Lenin in Tripura, officials said.
A statue of Dalit icon Dr B R Ambedkar was also vandalised and replaced later in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh, amid the ongoing spate of incidents targeting statues and busts of known figures across the country.
12:18 MNS workers vandalise Gujarati signboards in Vasai
Activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have pulled down Gujarati signboards at some commercial establishments in Thane district last night. The cadres of the Raj Thackeray-led party smashed and pulled down over 20 signboards on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in the district's Vasai area late last night, MNS Thane region president Avinash Jadhav said today.
"Vasai and Thane district are in Maharashtra and not Gujarat, and we will not tolerate name boards in Gujarati anymore," Jadhav told PTI on the phone. He asserted that their agitation against such signboards would continue. The Vasai police control room confirmed the incident, but said no offence had been registered so far.
The incident came two days after Raj Thackeray called for opposition unity and a "Modi-mukt Bharat" by 2019.
Addressing party workers at a rally at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai on Saturday, Thackeray said, "The country is fed up with the false promises made by (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and his government."
"All opposition parties should come together to get rid of the BJP-led NDA government to ensure a "Modi-mukt Bharat," he said, while reminding the audience of the BJP's "Congress-mukt Bharat" slogan.
In July last year, some workers of the MNS had protested against a jewellery shop in Dadar and a hotel in the Mahim area of Mumbai, asking them to remove the signboards in Gujarati, the police had then said.
Following the protests, the two establishments removed the Gujarati signboards, they said. While the owners of the establishment did not lodge any complaint against the MNS cadres, seven of them were then arrested for "illegal gathering" in Mahim, the police had said. -- PTI
"Vasai and Thane district are in Maharashtra and not Gujarat, and we will not tolerate name boards in Gujarati anymore," Jadhav told PTI on the phone. He asserted that their agitation against such signboards would continue. The Vasai police control room confirmed the incident, but said no offence had been registered so far.
The incident came two days after Raj Thackeray called for opposition unity and a "Modi-mukt Bharat" by 2019.
Addressing party workers at a rally at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai on Saturday, Thackeray said, "The country is fed up with the false promises made by (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and his government."
"All opposition parties should come together to get rid of the BJP-led NDA government to ensure a "Modi-mukt Bharat," he said, while reminding the audience of the BJP's "Congress-mukt Bharat" slogan.
In July last year, some workers of the MNS had protested against a jewellery shop in Dadar and a hotel in the Mahim area of Mumbai, asking them to remove the signboards in Gujarati, the police had then said.
Following the protests, the two establishments removed the Gujarati signboards, they said. While the owners of the establishment did not lodge any complaint against the MNS cadres, seven of them were then arrested for "illegal gathering" in Mahim, the police had said. -- PTI
12:14
No confidence motion not introduced, Lok Sabha adjourned till tomorrow after continuous uproar.
11:53 Putin is Russian president till 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin has won the presidential elections with 74 percent of votes polled, according to a state-run exit poll.
Putin's fourth term as president will extend until 2024, the first Kremlin leader to serve two decades in power since Josef Stalin.
With results still coming in, Putin is looking to surpass expectations by clinching more than 73 percent of the vote.
Putin, who secured a fourth term, thanked his supporters and promised new achievements while addressing a crowd gathered at the Moscow's Manezhnaya Square near the Kremlin on Sunday night.
Putin has been holding the Presidential office of Russia since 2012 after winning three Presidential elections consecutively.
This move paved the way for the incumbent Putin to easily secure his win in the elections and hold the office for the next six years.
Putin's fourth term as president will extend until 2024, the first Kremlin leader to serve two decades in power since Josef Stalin.
With results still coming in, Putin is looking to surpass expectations by clinching more than 73 percent of the vote.
Putin, who secured a fourth term, thanked his supporters and promised new achievements while addressing a crowd gathered at the Moscow's Manezhnaya Square near the Kremlin on Sunday night.
Putin has been holding the Presidential office of Russia since 2012 after winning three Presidential elections consecutively.
This move paved the way for the incumbent Putin to easily secure his win in the elections and hold the office for the next six years.
11:35 The BJP's losses in the bypolls have created new possibilities
The Bharatiya Janata Party's defeats in the by-elections in Gorakhpur, Phulpur in Uttar Pradesh and Araria in Bihar are significant because these two provinces alone elect more than a fifth of the Lok Sabha. With a general election imminent, these results from the Hindi heartland inevitably raise questions about the BJP's chances of repeating the electoral sweeps of North Indian states that propelled it to an absolute majority in 2014. It's worth remembering that in UP alone the BJP and its ally, the Apna Dal, won 73 seats out of a possible 80.
Read Mukul Kesavan's piece for the Telegraph here.
Read Mukul Kesavan's piece for the Telegraph here.
11:25
MP Shashi Tharoor shares a picture from the Congress plenary on Saturday. @ShashiTharoor @INCIndia social media czarina @divyaspandana at the 84th Plenary session of the AICC. Great atmosphere.
11:11 We have a PM who lives in denial: Rahul on mass unemployment
Rahul Gandhi @RahulGandhi The Nobel prize winning economist, Paul Krugman confirms what we've been saying for over two years now. Mass unemployment is the biggest threat India faces. Unfortunately, we have a PM who lives in denial. Afraid his"Acche Din" PR will take a beating."
Read what the Nobel laureate said.
The Congress on Saturday, March 18, resolved to adopt a 'pragmatic approach' for cooperation with all like-minded parties and evolve a common workable programme to defeat BJP-RSS in the 2019 general election.
This indication of a pre-poll tie-up comes in the wake of efforts by the Congress to evolve a consensus among various Opposition parties to unitedly take on the BJP's might.
In its political resolution moved at the session, the Congress launched a scathing attack on the BJP-RSS, saying the country's core Constitutional values are under attack and freedom of all is in jeopardy, with institutions under stress and their independence compromised. Read more
Image: Rahul Gandhi with Sonia Gandhi at the Congress plenary session on Saturday.
Read what the Nobel laureate said.
The Congress on Saturday, March 18, resolved to adopt a 'pragmatic approach' for cooperation with all like-minded parties and evolve a common workable programme to defeat BJP-RSS in the 2019 general election.
This indication of a pre-poll tie-up comes in the wake of efforts by the Congress to evolve a consensus among various Opposition parties to unitedly take on the BJP's might.
In its political resolution moved at the session, the Congress launched a scathing attack on the BJP-RSS, saying the country's core Constitutional values are under attack and freedom of all is in jeopardy, with institutions under stress and their independence compromised. Read more
Image: Rahul Gandhi with Sonia Gandhi at the Congress plenary session on Saturday.
10:58 Renuka Chowdhury lends her presence to TDP protests
Delhi: TDP MPs protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament over special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury also joined the protest.
10:55
Delhi: AIADMK MPs protest in Parliament premises over the Cauvery issue -- the formation of Cauvery management board.
10:47 How India curbs pollution
So much for holding a Science Congress and scientific temper.
In Meerut, the Shri Ayutchandi Mahayagya Samiti began a nine-day-long 'mahayagya' yesterday. They will burn 500 quintals of mango tree wood during this Navratri period to 'curb pollution'.
500 quintals is around 50,000 kilograms.
Choke on that.
In Meerut, the Shri Ayutchandi Mahayagya Samiti began a nine-day-long 'mahayagya' yesterday. They will burn 500 quintals of mango tree wood during this Navratri period to 'curb pollution'.
500 quintals is around 50,000 kilograms.
Choke on that.
10:36 How Priyanka powered Congress Plenary
Behind the craftily managed and organised plenary session of the Congress, which showcased Rahul Gandhi in a rare form, is the hidden hand of Priyanka Vadra all the way. From choosing the venue to the look, the feel and even managing the mosquito problem, Priyanka Vadra was hands-on at this two-day mega show. Read more
10:30 Speaker likely to bring No Confidence motion after Question Hour
Floor test: Parliament secretariat received three notices on no-confidence motion, two from TDP and one from YSRCP. If House is in order and quorum established, LS Speaker likely to bring No Confidence motion after Question Hour.
10:16 CBI court to pronounce verdict in Dumka fodder case today
A special Central Bureau of Investigation court in Ranchi on Monday is likely to pronounce judgment in the fourth fodder scam case, involving former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad and 30 others.
The RJD supremo, who has been admitted to hospital after falling sick in the jail on Saturday, would not be present in the court.
Prasad and others are accused of fraudulently withdrawing Rs. 3.13 crore from Dumka treasury between December 1995 and January 1996, when the former was the chief minister of undivided Bihar.
Prasad is already serving a jail term of 13.5 years in three fodder cases and lodged in the Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi.
The case is related to alleged withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from the Dumka treasury when Prasad was the chief minister of Bihar.
Besides Prasad, former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra and 29 people, including former IAS officers and some officials are also accused in the case.
On Friday, the Special CBI court had made three former bureaucrats of Bihar accountant-general's office accused in the fodder scam.
The court issued summons to former Bihar Accountant General P.K. Mukhopadhyay, former Deputy Accountant General B.N. Jha and former Senior Director General of Accounts Office Pramod Kumar on the request of Prasad, who had sought a trial against the three former bureaucrats.
-- ANI
The RJD supremo, who has been admitted to hospital after falling sick in the jail on Saturday, would not be present in the court.
Prasad and others are accused of fraudulently withdrawing Rs. 3.13 crore from Dumka treasury between December 1995 and January 1996, when the former was the chief minister of undivided Bihar.
Prasad is already serving a jail term of 13.5 years in three fodder cases and lodged in the Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi.
The case is related to alleged withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from the Dumka treasury when Prasad was the chief minister of Bihar.
Besides Prasad, former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra and 29 people, including former IAS officers and some officials are also accused in the case.
On Friday, the Special CBI court had made three former bureaucrats of Bihar accountant-general's office accused in the fodder scam.
The court issued summons to former Bihar Accountant General P.K. Mukhopadhyay, former Deputy Accountant General B.N. Jha and former Senior Director General of Accounts Office Pramod Kumar on the request of Prasad, who had sought a trial against the three former bureaucrats.
-- ANI
10:01 TDP whip to MPs to attend parliament, no-confidence motion today
RM Naidu, TDP MP (pictured): We are going to go move a no-confidence motion, gather support of all respective parties in Parliament. It's the responsibility of all parties in Parliament to support us. Trying to gather as much support as possible so debate happens, but we are not trying to make the govt fall.
The TDP has issued a whip to its MPs, directed them to attend parliament till the end of the budget session.
Even if the TDP-YSR Congress motion is supported by other opposition parties, it does not endanger the government, which has numbers in the Lok Sabha. But the move will help the two south parties consolidate their position back home ahead of next year's assembly elections.
The TDP has issued a whip to its MPs, directed them to attend parliament till the end of the budget session.
Even if the TDP-YSR Congress motion is supported by other opposition parties, it does not endanger the government, which has numbers in the Lok Sabha. But the move will help the two south parties consolidate their position back home ahead of next year's assembly elections.
09:22 AIADMK issues whip to LS MPs: Stay in Delhi
As the BJP readies to face a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha today, the AIADMK has issued a whip to its MPs, asking them to stay put in Delhi for the next three days and attend all sessions of Parliament.
According to sources, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu has asked the AIADMK to abstain from the no-trust motion pushed by one-time BJP ally, the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress over the special status to Andhra Pradesh.
09:10
JUST IN: Third Indigo Neo aircraft grounded in last 24 hours. Indigo Neo VT IVE grounded in Jammu since yesterday after a fuel leak from engine 1
09:03 Telangana CM KCR to meet Mamata today to discuss Third Front
As part of his move to form a non-BJP and non Congress alternative, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao is all set to meet his West Bengal counterpart and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata today.
Rao, president of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti, will be accompanied by TRS Parliamentary Party leader and party's Secretary-General K Keshava Rao during his visit.
After Rao recently proposed formation of a non-Congress and non-BJP front at the national level, ahead of the next years Lok Sabha polls, Banerjee had spoken to him over
phone, extending her support.
"The discussions will focus on creating some kind of regional formation for setting up a political front with like-minded parties and for creating an agenda for the
country's growth," they said.
Nizamabad MP K Kavitha, Rao's daughter, is also likely to take part in the discussions.
Mooting the alternative,Rao had called for a "qualitative change" in politics and had also announced that he was ready to take on the mantle of leading a political front.
08:12 Raj Thackeray calls for "Modi-mukt Bharat"
Launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led NDA government, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray called for opposition unity and a "Modi-mukt Bharat" by 2019.
Thackeray said, "The country is fed up with the false promises made by Narendra Modi and his government."
All opposition parties should come together to get rid of the BJP-led NDA government to ensure "Modi-mukt Bharat", he said, reminding the audience of BJP's "Congress-mukt
Bharat" slogan.
"India got its first Independence in 1947, second in 1977 (after the post-Emergency elections), and 2019 can bring a third Independence if India becomes `Modi-mukt'," the MNS chief said.
If the Modi government was ousted and an inquiry is ordered into demonetisation, it (the note-ban) may turn out to be the biggest scam ever since 1947, he said.
Quoting a report of ISRO, Thackeray said, "A large scale desertification of Maharashtra is going on due to depletion of groundwater. After Rajasthan, our state has reported the second highest rate of desertification in country."
Saying this, he went on to question Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's claim of digging of 56,000 wells in the state.
In a dig at prime minister Modi's foreign tours, Thackeray said Modi was apparently visiting foreign countries to get "flour for Pakoda" as his tours haven't fetched any investments.
-- PTI
07:49 Centre faces no-trust push in Parliament today
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party, once the BJP's biggest ally in south, will pitch for a no-confidence motion against the government in Lok Sabha today.
Naidu, who walked out of the NDA last week, sent a notice after his arch-rival Jagan Mohan Reddy of the YSR Congress, demanded a trust vote.
Even if the TDP-YSR Congress motion is supported by other opposition parties, it does not endanger the government, which has numbers in the Lok Sabha.
But the move will help the two south parties consolidate their position back home ahead of next year's assembly elections.
A trust vote has to be backed by 50 members to be admitted. The TDP has 15 members and the YSR Congress eight. Together, they have 23 members in total, less than half the numbers required. The Left and Congress have already said it would support the motion.
00:31 Exit poll gives Putin overwhelming win
An exit poll has predicted that Vladimir Putin will win the Russian presidential election securing 73.9 per cent of the vote and bag a fourth term in office.
The State-owned pollster VTsIOM put the Communist candidate Pavel Grudinin at second place with 11.2 pc of the vote. The Liberal Democratic Party head Vladimir Zhirinovsky secured 6.7 pc of the vote while Ksenia Sobchak, a socialite with family ties to Putin, got 2.5 of the vote, the voting projection by VTsIOM shows.
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances