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Tue, 11 September 2018
Army top brass deliberates on carrying out reforms

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23:41   Koregaon-Bhima violence was 'pre-planned', says panel
A 'fact-finding' committee led by the deputy mayor of Pune has claimed the January 1 violence at Koregaon-Bhima village near Pune in Maharashtra was 'pre-planned' and orchestrated by right-wing activists Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote.

The multi-member committee, led by deputy mayor Siddharth Dhende, on Tuesday submitted the report to the Pune Rural police, who are probing the violence.

While the state government has set up a two-member judicial commission to probe the violence, there are several 'independent, fact-finding' committees which are probing the New Year day rioting at the village on their own.

One such committee was led by Dhende.

Speaking about the report, he said, "Our committee members have visited the places where the violence took place. Along with the spot visits, we have also conducted interviews of the villagers and policemen.

"After the independent probe, we have come to aconclusion that it was a pre-planned violence. The culprits had already made the arrangements at the spots where sticks and stones were already stocked."

The report also has named Ekbote and Bhide as the 'main conspirators' of the violence.

"Ekbote and Bhide were directly or indirectly involved in the violence. Along with them there are somepolicemen who did not act in time.      

"We have recommended strong action against all these responsible persons," Dhende said.

In the past, Ekbote and Bhide have denied any role in the violence, which took place after an event called Elgar Parishad, or conclave, was organised in Pune on December 31 last year.   -- PTI
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23:05   Army top brass deliberates on carrying out reforms
Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat and top commanders held detailed deliberations Tuesday on ways to make the force 'leaner and meaner' which included carrying out an extensive organisational restructuring and downsising of the force, official sources said on Tuesday.

They said the top brass examined separate reports of two committees on reforming the second largest standing Army in the world.

The sources said the top commanders will have extensive discussions on downsising the Army as well as on other reform measures at a meeting next month.

There have been indications that the Army may cut over 1,00,000 troops over the next five years as part of restructuring process.

The current strength of the force is around 1.3 million personnel.

The commanders also reviewed the modernisation process of the Army and emphasised on the need to equip the force with new platforms and weapons, the sources said.

The defence ministry has already announced a series of reform measures for the Army which included redeployment of nearly 57,000 officers and other ranks as well as ensuring better utilisation of resources.

Under the cadre review, the Army is also looking at abolishing the rank of brigadier, they said.

The sources said the aim of the reform initiative is to ready a larger talent pool for crucial tasks and bringing down the age of those commanding key formations.

The committee is also examining various options to bring down the age of commands at all levels and ensure deploying the right person for the right job.

The sources said the committee is expected to make recommendations for longer tenures of brigade commanders, divisional commanders and core commanders.  -- PTI
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22:40   India, US to carry out joint military exercise on Sep 16
Armies of India and the United States will carry out a military training exercise in the foothills of the Himalayas at Chaubattia from September 16.

Yudh Abhyas 2018 is one of the longest running joint military training exercises and a major bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and the US, a defence press release in New Delhi said.

This will be the 14th edition of the joint military exercise hosted alternately by both countries which will conclude on September 29.      

The combined exercise will simulate a scenario where both nations are working together in counter insurgency and counter terrorism environment in mountainous terrain, the release said.

The two-week exercise will witness participation of about 350 personnel of the US Army and similar strength of Garud Division of the Indian Army.

The exercise curriculum is progressively planned where the participants are initially made to get familiar with each other's organisational structure, weapons, equipment, confidence training and tactical drills.

Subsequently, the training advances to joint tactical exercises wherein the battle drills of both the armies are coherently unleashed.

The training will culminate with a final validation exercise in which troops of both countries will jointly carry out an operation against terrorists in a fictitious but realistic setting, the release said.  -- PTI

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21:29   36 people die due to fever in UP; health officials suspended
At least 36 persons in Bareilly and adjoining Badaun districts of Uttar Pradesh succumbed to fever in the last 15 days, officials said Tuesday.

Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh, who visited Bareilly, said the state government will do a 'death audit' to find out the exact number of people who died due to fever.

Taking note of the deaths, he ordered the suspension of Additional Director (Health) S K Agarwal and District Malaria Officer Pankaj Jain.

Finding lack of cleanliness during his visit, the minister also suspended district health officer Ashok Kumar and in-charge of Jagatpur Hospital, Sunita Bhardwaj.

The government has constituted three teams of doctors to look into the cases in Bareilly and Badaun, UP DG (Health) Padmakar Singh told reporters in Bareilly.

"Twenty persons have died in the past 15 days due to fever in Bareilly district," Chief Medical Officer, Bareilly, Vineet Kumar said.

"In the past 15 days, fever has claimed 16 lives in Badaun district," CMO, Badaun, Manjeet Singh said.

In Lucknow, Director, Medical and Health (communicable diseases) Mithilesh Chaturvedi said, "A five-member team of the central government has also reached Bareilly. Preventive and remedial actions have been initiated in both the districts of the northern state."

He said camps have been set up in the districts and medical tests were being carried out using rapid diagnostic techniques.

Necessary medicines are also being distributed and fogging and spraying of larvacides have been undertaken, officials added.

When asked about the incident, the health minister said, "Something had gone wrong. It will come to the fore after reports of the tests come. Lab technicians from other districts are being sent here (Bareilly) so that the reports can be out fast."

He also directed the authorities to provide best health care to the patients.  -- PTI
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21:16   Cong says Choksi allowed to keep Indian passport till Feb 2018
The Congress on Tuesday questioned why diamantaire Mehul Choksi, wanted in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank fraud, was allowed to keep his Indian passport until February this year and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his office of complicity in his escape.

At a party briefing, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala showed a video interview of Mehul Choksi, in which he claims that Indian authorities had sent him an email suspending his passport on February 16, 2018, to launch a fresh attack on the government on the issue.

He said it put a question mark on the role of the Prime Minister's Office and other agencies for allegedly not acting on various complaints against Choksi pending before them since 2015.

"The MEA and other authorities had already given him a 'clean chit' on May 2017 for securing the citizenship of Antigua and he became a citizen of Antigua in November 2017.

"It is intriguing that Modi Government permitted the Indian passport of Mehul Choksi to remain valid until February 16, 2018, helping him escape on January 4, 2018," he said.

Surjewala claimed this was proof that every agency of Modi government was 'found complicit in the great escape' of Mehul Choksi.

He also cited the government reply to a question in Parliament to claim that between February 7, 2015 and March 1, 2018, the PMO did not take any action against Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi despite being informed about their frauds.

"Why did the PMO not act despite the complaint dated 7th May, 2015 & 26th May, 2015 nor direct the External Affairs Ministry/CBI/ED/SEBI/SFIO to take action? Does it not put a question mark on the role of the PMO?

"Why did PMO wait till 1.3.2018 to get a report on the fraud by Nirav Modi -Mehul Choksi? Does it not prove their complicity in the matter?" he asked.

"It is now clear that the chowkidaar has become bhagidaar," he alleged.

Surjewala claimed that details based on a Parliamentary reply of July 24, 2018 as also details from Antigua's Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) have lifted the cover from 'sins committed by every organ of the Modi government -- PMO, MEA, CBI, SEBI that facilitated and gave a 'clean chit' to fraudster Mehul Choksi'.

"Loot and make them scoot is the prime policy of the Narendra Modi Government and shocking details have reveal how it enacted this mega scam," he alleged.

"PMO has admitted that first report of 'action' against Nirav Modi/Mehul Choksi was given to PMO by Finance Department on March 1, 2018. But Nirav Modi had escaped already on January 1, 2018 and Mehul Choksi escaped on January 4, 2018," he said.

"Why did the SEBI give a 'clean chit' to Mehul Choksi to help him secure the citizenship of Antigua?

"Why did the CBI/ED not move the INTERPOL for a warrant against Mehul Choksi or provide the requisite evidence of criminal fraud against him? Is it not correct that this deliberate failure on part of CBI/ED in providing evidence to INTERPOL, led to INTERPOL giving a clean chit to Choksi?," he also asked.

Surjewala also asked why the prime minister did not raise the issue of citizenship being granted to Choksi during his meeting with Antigua PM Gaston Browne in April 2018.  -- PTI
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20:24   TN Guv has no power to release Rajiv assassins: Officials
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit has no power to release the seven convicts sentenced to life imprisonment in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case as recommended by the state government and will have to consult the Centre as per law, officials said on Tuesday.

Since the investigation into the assassination was carried out by a Central Bureau of Investigation-led team, the governor will have to consult with the central government before he takes a decision to remit or commute the sentence of the seven convicts, a home ministry official said.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government in Tamil Nadu had on Sunday recommended to the governor to release the convicts, a move hailed by most political parties in the state.

The CBI-led Multi Disciplinary Monitoring Agency, probing the larger conspiracy aspect behind the assassination, had a few months ago conveyed to the Supreme Court that the investigation into the case was 'still open' and letters rogatory have been issued to different countries, including Sri Lanka, where some persons required to be investigated were currently residing.

Under the Section 435 in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the state government will have to act only after consultation with the central government to remit or commute a sentence.

On August 10, 2018, the Centre had opposed in the Supreme Court the proposal of the Tamil Nadu government to release the seven convicts, saying that the setting them free would set a very wrong precedent.

According to the Supreme Court verdict, the state government cannot remit sentence of any convict in cases probed by a central agency and the Centre's approval is mandatory for releasing the killers of Rajiv Gandhi as the case was probed by the CBI.   -- PTI
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20:06   SC leader's head skin peeled for 'wearing turban'
The skin of the head of a Scheduled Caste leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party was peeled off allegedly by some villagers in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, police said Tuesday.

Another leader of the BSP claimed that the victim, Sardar Singh Jatav, 45, was targeted for 'wearing a turban'.

Police registered a case against three persons on Tuesday and are investigating the matter.

The trio allegedly called Jatav to the residence of one of the accused, Surendra Gurjar, in Mahoba village, around 50 kilometres from Shivpuri, on September 3 under some pretext and abused him there and then peeled off the skin of his head using a knife, a police official said.

"Jatav alleged in his statement that Gurjar and two others removed the skin of his head with a knife," said Narwar police station in-charge Badam Singh Yadav.

No arrests have been made so far and efforts are on to trace the accused, he said.

A case of attempt to murder was registered against the accused trio under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, he said.

Jatav, who was seriously injured in the attack, is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Gwalior, Yadav said.

Shivpuri district BSP president Dayashankar Gautam claimed Monday that Jatav was attacked for 'wearing a turban'.

He claimed the accused tied up Jatav after he reached Gurjar's residence and beat him up.

They took objection to Jatav wearing the turban, Gautam said, adding that he used to wear a blue-coloured headgear.

Gautam claimed that the accused allowed Jatav to go after a while.

He alleged that police initially refused to accept Jatav's complaint against the Gurjars.

A delegation of the BSP Monday submitted a memorandum to Shivpuri superintendent of police.  -- PTI
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19:33   Sharif, daughter, son-in-law to get parole to attend Kulsoom's funeral
Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar will be granted parole to attend the funeral of Begum Kulsoom, a media report said on Tuesday.

The three will be granted parole from the time of Kulsoom's funeral prayers till her burial, Geo TV reported, citing the Interior Ministry sources.

Sharif, Maryam and Safdar are currently serving jail terms in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi after being convicted by an accountability court in a corruption case in July.

A request is necessary for parole to be granted, the sources added.

Kulsoom, the wife of Sharif, died on Tuesday in London after a long battle with cancer. She was 68.

According to sources, the Sharif family has decided to bring back Kulsoom's body to Pakistan, it said.

"She will be laid to rest in Pakistan," the family confirmed.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has condoled the death of Kulsoom and said all facilities will be provided to her family as per law.

The prime minister has directed the Pakistan High Commission in London to assist in provision of all necessary facilities to the family of the deceased, said an official statement.  -- PTI
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19:10   West Bengal to cut petrol, diesel prices by Re 1 a litre
After Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced that her government will slash the rates of petrol and diesel by one rupee per litre.

Banerjee, who is at the forefront in the fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party, made a political statement by announcing the cut in petrol and diesel prices and said the Centre should also withdraw the cess on petroleum products.

"The common people are facing the harassment and hardships. For the time being, we have decided to slash one rupee for each litre of petrol and diesel. "We also demand that the central government consider cutting down the cess on diesel and petrol prices," she told reporters at the state secretariat in Kolkata.

According to a senior official in the state finance department, the reduced prices would be applicable from Tuesday midnight.

Attacking the Narendra Modi government, the Trinamool Congress supremo alleged that it had hiked the excise duty on petrol and diesel nine times, even when the global crude prices were falling.

"They are not thinking about the common people," she said.

The Centre was increasing the prices of petroleum products, she said, adding that it was a 'mismanagement' of the economy.

"Our government had never increased the sales tax or cess during all these years," Banerjee said.

She pointed out that some poll-bound states like Rajasthan had also reduced the fuel prices.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje announced a four percentage point cut in value-added tax on petrol and diesel on Sunday, which will reduce the fuel prices by Rs 2.5 per litre in the state.

The Andhra Pradesh government, too, on Monday declared a reduction of tax on petrol and diesel by Rs 2 a litre.

Banerjee said West Bengal was repaying a Rs 48,000-crore loan to the Centre every year, an amount not paid by any other state.  -- PTI
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18:39   AMU's dress diktat for inmates: No shorts, slippers outside rooms
The Aligarh Muslim University has asked residents of its men's hostels at the Sir Shah Sulaiman Hall to not step outside their rooms in shorts and slippers, and wear black sherwani or kurta-pyjama during important occasions and university functions.

Asserting that freshers usually indulge in activities which are 'anathema' to the residential life of the university, the university administration has issued an advisory listing the 'basic traditions' of AMU.

'Step out of the hostel in proper dress. No going out of the hall premises in kurta and pyjama wearing slippers. The same rules apply for dining room, common room and reading room. Bermudas, shorts and slippers are strictly forbidden. Black sherwani or kurta pyjama should be worn on all important occasions and university functions,' the advisory read.

Other 'traditions' which have been listed in the advisory include calling dining hall attendants as 'miyaa' or 'bhai', addressing fellow hostel mates as 'partner', payment of the bill by a senior if a senior and a junior are eating together, and treating everyone who comes to see them off when they are going home or outside to 'see-off tea'.

Knocking on the door and waiting for an answer before entering anyone's room, and sharing food brought from home with fellow residents have been listed in the advisory.

'While any ignorance in this regard is very painful for the seniors as well as for the hall administration, it is also undesirable for the freshers as they lose out on a chance to imbibe some good habits,' hostel Provost Sadaf Zaidi said in the advisory.

Sir Shah Sulaiman Hall is one of the oldest halls of residence of the Aligarh Muslim University.

It accommodates around 650 undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as research scholars of the Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology.  -- PTI
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18:22   Man trying to loot money from railway employees lynched in Bihar
A 20-year-old man was beaten to death by a mob on Tuesday after he and his two accomplices allegedly tried to loot more than Rs 24 lakh from railway employees in Bihar's Rohtas district, police said, the third such incident in the state within a week.

One of the two staff members of Sasaram railway station was assaulted by the robbers, who had also opened fire to scare people but injured a woman, Town police station SHO R B Paswan said.

The incident happened when Booking Assistant Ashok Kumar and Booking Supervisor Shailesh Kumar were going to deposit Rs 24.78 lakh at a nationalised bank branch in Anandi market.

The cash was collected from selling tickets at booking counters of Sasaram station.

Three men came on a motorbike and tried to snatch the bag containing the money from Ashok Kumar, Paswan said.

When he resisted, one of the snatchers beat him up while one of his associates opened fire to scare away the people who had started to gather around them, the SHO said.

But the bullet hit a woman identified as Lali Kunwar.

This angered people at the scene and, sensing danger, two of the attackers fled on their motorbike and one was captured by the people, the SHO said.

The snatcher was beaten up by the people and he died at a hospital later, he said, adding that the money was retrieved.

The injured woman and assaulted railway employee were admitted to Sadar Hospital.

Police said they were scanning the CCTV camera footage to find clues about the two robbers who managed to escape.

This is the third incident of assault by a mob within a week in the state.

Five people have died in such incidents.

A 24-year-old man was beaten to death on Monday in Sitamarhi district following allegation of a pick-up van driver that he had snatched money from the latter.

In Begusarai district on September 7, three persons were beaten to death by a mob which captured them while trying to kidnap an 11-year-old girl from her school.  -- PTI
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18:02   Anti-church elements behind rape charges: Accused bishop
Crying foul over the rape allegations against himself, Bishop of Jalandhar, Franco Mulackal, has accused 'anti-church elements' of falsely implicating him.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, the prelate, who allegedly raped a nun from Kerala, assured of his cooperation in the investigation of the case.

"I think some internal forces are using these nuns for some advantage. The antis in the church are pushing these nuns forward to raise their own issues.

"There is a conspiracy behind this. Few people are taking advantage of this. I will cooperate to all legal measures," Bishop Mulackal told ANI.

A nun from Kerala has accused the 54-year-old priest of raping her on several occasions between 2014 and 2016, a charge that the Bishop denied.

"Police had a conversation with me and they recorded my statements on the issue. They (nuns in Kochi) are free to protest and raise their demands. I do not want to comment on that. Right now, I am in Punjab. I don't know much about, what all is happening in Kerala," added Mulackal.  -- ANI
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16:55   BJP used Hindus the way Congress used Muslims: Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena on Tuesday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying it came to power by climbing on the "Hindutva ladder" but threw it off once its purpose was met.
 
Accusing the BJP of "stabbing Hindutva in the back" by breaking alliance with the Shiv Sena prior to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said not a single promise made to Hindus has been fulfilled till now.
The Congress at least flattered Muslims for so many years, while the BJP, instead of "cajoling" Hindus, is bent on making them secular, it said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.
The Hindus today are disappointed, the Sena claimed, alleging that the BJP used Hindus the way the Congress used Muslims.
Not a single promise made to Hindus has been fulfilled by the BJP, be it the Ram temple or the Uniform Civil Code. All of this was on the BJP's aggressive Hindutva agenda, but the aggressiveness which was there before coming to power, deflated later, it said.
"The BJP has become like the Congress. At least the Congress flattered Muslims for so many years. The BJP, far from cajoling, is making Hindus secular. The country's journey from the Congress to the Congress has begun," said the Sena, which is an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra.
Slamming RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for his remarks that Hindus have no aspiration of dominance, the Sena said it was expected of him to speak about the current situation in the country, where Hindus are being dubbed terrorists and attempts are being made to finish them.
Addressing a gathering at the second World Hindu Congress in Chicago last Friday, Bhagwat had said Hindus have no aspiration of dominance and asked them to come together and organise themselves.
Narendra Modi became the prime minister only because Hindus came together and got aggressive, but what was gained by coming together and this aggressiveness? the Sena asked.
"Hindutva was stabbed in the back by breaking alliance with the Shiv Sena. And, those who aggressively spoke for Hindutva and for the country were termed enemies by the BJP," it said.
"It (BJP) came to power climbing the ladder of Hindutva and once its work was done, the ladder was thrown away. The fake Hindutvavadis in power today aspire to silence the voice of an aggressive Hindutva and finish Hindus in their own country by terming them terrorists," it said.
Bhagwat was expected to speak about all of this in Chicago, the Sena said, and asked why there was no place for the party in the World Hindu Congress when it openly and aggressively talks about Hindutva.
There may be other organisations like the Sena working for the cause of Hindutva according to their capabilities. They too should have been given a place in the World Hindu Congress, it opined.
"If Hinduism has to come together, why this untouchability?" the Marathi daily quipped.
The Sena claimed that Hindutva was finished from Nepal while India's prime minister remained "silent", and that the Himalayan country became a "den" of China and Pakistan. -- PTI
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16:46   Nawaz Sharif's wife passes away in London
Begum Kulsoom, the wife of Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, died on Tuesday in London after a prolonged illness, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Shehbaz Sharif said.
 
Kulsoom, who was under treatment at London's Harley Street Clinic since June 2014, was placed on life support earlier Tuesday as her health deteriorated, Geo TV reported.
The 68-year-old former first lady was diagnosed with lymphoma (throat) cancer in August 2017.
She had married Sharif in April 1971. -- PTI 
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16:23   Trump not considering lie detectors to identify op-ed author: US official
United States President Donald Trump is not currently considering using lie detector tests to identify the senior administration official who wrote an explosive op-ed in The New York Times last week, the White House has said.
 
The anonymous official, identified only as "a senior official in the Trump administration", launched a nearly unprecedented attack on the President in the op-ed, saying Trump's "erratic" and "amoral" behaviour is "detrimental" to America's health.
He claimed that many top officials are working diligently to frustrate parts of the President's agenda and his "worst inclinations".
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders assured reporters Monday that the president is not currently considering using lie detectors to figure out which senior administrative official wrote the anonymous op-ed, The Washington Examiner reported.
"No lie detectors are being used or talked about," she said, adding that everyone in the administration is focused on advancing the president's agenda, not worrying about the "gutless" author of the op-ed.
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul first floated the idea last week that Trump would be justified in using lie detector tests to smoke out the anonymous author, the report said.
Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have denied authoring the op-ed, claiming the author should be ashamed for writing it and that people shouldn't take too much credence in the words.
Pence told Fox News that he would take a lie detector test in a "heartbeat," if the president wanted him to do so.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson have all denied writing the op-ed.
The daily, which rarely publishes anonymous articles, said it did not disclose the name of the senior official in the Trump administration on the request of the author, whose "identity is known to us and whose job would be jeopardised by its disclosure". -- PTI
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15:57   Quick to hug PM, but runs away from IT: Irani attacks Rahul
Attacking Congress president Rahul Gandhi for challenging the income tax department's decision to reopen his 2011-12 tax assessments, Union minister Smriti Irani today said he was quick to hug Prime Minister Narendra Modi but would run a mile from an income tax officer.
Rahul Gandhi needs to answer many questions, the minister said, a day after the Delhi high court dismissed the pleas filed by him and his mother, United Progressive Alliannce chief Sonia Gandhi, against the decision to reopen their tax assessments in connection with a case related to the National Herald newspaper.
Their appeals in the court "reveal deep seated corruption in the hallowed halls of the Congress party", Irani said at a press conference in the BJP office. 
No Indian can defy an income tax notice but Rahul Gandhi runs miles from income tax officers, she said. 
"Why is it that Mr Rahul Gandhi, who is too quick to hug the prime minister, would run a mile when it comes to an Income Tax officer," Irani asked, referring to the Congress president hugging Modi in the Lok Sabha during the no-confidence debate in July.
She accused Rahul Gandhi of setting up a not-for-profit company, Young Indians, which then bought a commercial company, Associated Journals Ltd, and its debts worth Rs 90 crore for Rs 50 lakh.
"Rahul Gandhi set up a company in 2011, professing it will not indulge in profit-loss business. Young Indian bought Associated Journals, which is commercial," she said, questioning the deal.  
Associated Journals Ltd, founded by Jawaharlal Nehru, publishes three newspapers, including the National Herald.
 
After buying the loan of Associated Journals, Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sonia Gandhi become owners of a company, Irani claimed. 
The BJP alleges that the Gandhis used Congress funds to pay its debts even though the publisher has real estate assets worth thousands of crores.
 
Discussing former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan's submission to the Estimates Committee over mounting NPAs (non-performing assets), Irani said his statement clearly proves it is the Congress which is responsible for increased NPA. -- PTI
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15:43   Mamata slashes petrol, diesel prices by Re 1
The West Bengal government to cut petrol and diesel prices by Re 1 per litre, says chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Bengal is the third state after Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh to have slashed fuel prices. While Rajasthan cut down on value added tax on fuel by 4 per cent, Andhra reduced the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 2 per litre.

This comes a day after the Congress party-led protests yesterday calling for a Bharat bandh on rising fuel prices. The TMC did not support the bandh yesterday, but said it supported the cause in principle.
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15:34  
Vatican officials refuse to reply to raped nun's letter seeking justice. 
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15:32   Smriti Irani corners Congress for NPA crisis
Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress over former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan's remarks that most bad loans that account for Indian banks' NPA originated during the UPA regime between 2006 and 2008.

Irani said, "Rajan's statement proves that it is the Congress who is responsible for the increased NPA. Sonia Gandhi led a government that attacked the very core of the Indian banking system." 


Scroll down for Raghuram Rajan's statement to the Parliamentary panel.
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15:16   NDTV's Prannoy and Radhika Roy receive show cause notice from Sebi
Media firm NDTV's promoters Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy have received a show cause notice from the capital markets regulator Sebi for alleged violation for insider trading regulations. NDTV said the notice has been issued alleging violation of provisions of Section 12A (d) and (e) of Sebi Act read with Regulation 3(i) and Regulation 4 of Sebi (Prohibition of lnsider Trading) Regulations, 1992.  Shares of NDTV were trading 0.14 per cent higher at Rs 35.25 apiece on BSE. -- PTI
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15:15   Bhima-Koregaon hearing: 'If we don't, who else will present our version?'
"We told the victims this was the only opportunity for them to get their story recorded. If they did not recount their version the other side would concoct their own theory about what happened at Bhima-Koregaon."

Jyoti Punwani reports from the Bhima-Korean commission hearing. Read the report here.
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14:58   Kerala nun rape case: Protests enter day 4
The Kochi nuns are demanding action against Jalandhar Bishop  Mulakkal accused of raping a nun for two years. The protests have been called by the Joint Christian Council and the nuns have claimed that they are not getting help from the police, church authorities and the government. They have alleged that the probe is being delayed since the Bishop belongs to a higher authority and is not a layman.


The Missionaries of Jesus on Monday called the rape accused Jalandhar Bishop an "innocent soul" and even claimed that the protesting nuns were being guided by external forces. -- ANI
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14:50   Raped Kerala nun seeks justice from the Vatican
The nun, who levelled rape allegations against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulackal, has appealed to the Vatican seeking justice.


In a seven-page letter dated September 8 addressed to the Apostolic Nunciature - the representative of the Holy See in India - the nun described the ordeal she allegedly went through at the hands of the Bishop. She also mentioned about the trauma that she has been facing ever since she spoke about the abuse.


Alleging the church authorities of inaction, the nun wrote, "I feel this kind of silence on the part of the church authorities and protection of those who commit the crime may create a situation where the Church loses its credibility before society."


She added, "It will have a very adverse effect on women in the Indian Church that they have no other option than to react in a manner that safeguards their dignity as human persons even at the cost of losing their catholic faith."


The plea is also marked to 21 other high ranking authorities of the Roman Catholic Church in India. The nun has accused Bishop Mullackal of raping and forcing unnatural sex multiple times on her, between 2014 and 2016. -- ANI
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14:28   40 pilgrims killed in bus accident in Telangana
Over 40 people have been killed after a state-owned Road Transport Corporation bus fell into a valley in Telangana's Jagtiyal district on Tuesday.


According to report, 70 people were travelling in the bus, when it skid off the ghat road near Shanivarapet village and fell into the valley. Authorities say break failure could be one of the reason for the accident.


The bus had pilgrims returning after visiting a temple, reports said. "The incident happened between 11.45 am and noon," Jagtial District Collector A Sharat, who is supervising the relief and rescue work, told PTI over the phone.
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14:13   Crime rates escalating due to delay in justice: Nirbhaya's mother
Asha Devi, the mother of the 2012 gang rape victim referred to as Nirbhaya, on Tuesday expressed her disappointment over delay in executing the four accused in the case, saying that the crime rates are escalating due to the delay in serving justice.


"Despite crime rates in the country being so high, little girls still preyed upon by these criminals, our authorities are slacking. We've been waiting for over two months now (for the execution)," Devi said while speaking to ANI.


Her comments come in the wake of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) issuing a notice to the Tihar Jail authorities over the delay in the execution of the accused.
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13:32   Nothing wrong in using the word Dalit: Athawale
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale is of the view that usage of the word 'Dalit' is OK and was not offensive. He has stated that his Republican Party of India will approach the Supreme Court to challenge the government's advisory which had asked media to refrain from using the word.


"The terms Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe are already in use in government records, but we are of the view that the word 'Dalit' should be used. Republican Party of India is approaching the Supreme Court (to challenge the advisory)," Athawale told ANI.


The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had earlier advised media to stop using the term 'Dalit' while referring to members of the Scheduled Castes. The Bombay High Court, in June, asked the ministry to consider issuing the directive to the media.
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13:09   Mehul Choksi's 1st video statement: ED's allegations false,
This is what Mehul Choksi said:

"The passport authorities revoked my passport altogether in view of which I was immobilized.


On February 16, I received an email from the passport office which said that my passport has been suspended due to reasons of security threat to India.


On February 20, I sent an email to the regional passport office, Mumbai, requesting them to revoke the suspension of my passport. However, I did not receive any reply from the regional passport office," he said.


Choksi further alleged that he was not given a reason for the cancellation of his passport.


"The regional passport office did not give an explanation as to why my passport has been suspended and how I was a security threat to India. Hence, as my passport was suspended, there was no question of surrendering the same," stated Choksi.


His statement comes at a time when the Indian government is trying to extradite Choksi to India under the diplomatic provisions.
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13:04   Mehul Choksi speaks from Antigua
Defending himself, fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi on Tuesday said that all allegations against him by the Enforcement Directorate are "false and baseless."


"All the allegations labeled by the ED are false and baseless. They have attacked my properties illegally without there being any basis of the same," Choksi said in his first interview since the multi-crore rupee scam tumbled out.


All questions by ANI to Choksi were asked by his lawyer in Antigua.Prime accused in the over USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank scam along with his nephew Nirav Modi, Choksi is absconding and is currently in Antigua.


Choksi further told that he tried to revoke the suspension of his passport with the Indian authorities.
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12:37   Bankers were overconfident and did too little due diligence: Rajan
Rajan's note to Parliamentary Panel:  On over-malfeasance and corruption in the NPA problem, he said, "Undoubtedly, there was some, but it is hard to tell banker exuberance, incompetence, and corruption apart".    


"Clearly, bankers were overconfident and probably did too little due diligence for some of these loans. Many did no independent analysis, and placed excessive reliance on SBI Caps and IDBI to do the necessary due diligence. Such outsourcing of analysis is a weakness in the system, and multiplies the possibilities for undue influence," the note said.  
-- PTI  
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12:23   Large number of bad loans were originated in the period 2006-2008
Rajan's note to Parliamentary Panel: A larger number of bad loans were originated in the period 2006-2008 when economic growth was strong, and previous infrastructure projects such as power plants had been completed on time and within budget.   


"It is at such times that banks make mistakes. They extrapolate past growth and performance to the future. So, they are willing to accept higher leverage in projects, and less promoter equity. Indeed, sometimes banks signed up to lend based on project reports by the promoter's investment bank, without doing their own due diligence," he said.   


Unfortunately, he said, that growth does not always take place as expected and the years of strong global growth before the global financial crisis were followed by a slowdown, which extended even to India, showing how much more integrated the country had become with the world.   


Strong demand projections for various projects were shown to be increasingly unrealistic as domestic demand slowed down, he said.  -- PTI  
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12:12   Over-optimistic bankers, growth slowdown responsible for NPAs: Raghuram Rajan
Over optimistic bankers, slowdown in government decision making process and moderation in economic growth mainly contributed to the mounting bad loans, said former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan in a note to Parliamentary panel.     


In a note to Chairman of Estimates Committee Murli Manohar Joshi, he said: "A variety of governance problems such as the suspect allocation of coal mines coupled with the fear of investigation slowed down government decision making in Delhi, both in the UPA and the subsequent NDA governments".   


Project cost overruns escalated for stalled projects and they became increasingly unable to service debt, he said, adding the continuing travails of the stranded power plants, even though India is short of power, suggests government decision making has not picked up sufficient pace to date."  -- PTI
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11:27   What the HIV/AIDS Act says
As per the HIV/AIDS Act, a person between the age of 12 and 18 years, who has sufficient maturity in understanding and managing the affairs of his HIV or AIDS-affected family, shall be competent to act as a guardian of another sibling below 18 years of age.


This provision will be applicable in the matters relating to admission to educational establishments, operating bank accounts, managing property, care, and treatment.


The discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) could also lead to imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
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11:25   Implementation of HIV/AIDS Act begins
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced implementation of the HIV and AIDS Act, 2017 starting September 10, 2018.


Passed on April 20, 2017, the Act prohibits discrimination against people with HIV in terms of of treatment, employment and workplace.The Act also says that no person shall be compelled to disclose his/her HIV status for obtaining employment or services, except with their informed consent, and if required by a court order.


The Central Government will also issue necessary guidelines with respect to protocols for HIV and AIDS related diagnostic facilities. Anti-retroviral Therapy and Opportunistic Infection Management will also be applicable to all persons. -- ANI
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11:07   AAI shelves water aerodrome project in Chilika Lake
The Airports Authority of India has dropped the proposed water aerodrome project at Chilika Lake in Odisha, according to senior official, Susanta Nanda, Chief Executive of the Chilika Development Authority. This means the AAI has cancelled the seaplane project in the lake which, if implemented, would have negatively impacted the ecosystem and the surrounding human population at the world's second largest brackish water lake. The AAI has decided to shelve the project following stiff opposition from environmentalists. --  PTI
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10:48   Mamata pens lyrics of Durga puja theme song
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has composed the theme song for a popular Durga puja in Kolkata this year. Banerjee said on Monday at a function with organisers of Durga puja committees that the lyrics aimed to bring back the spirit of 'agomoni' (traditional Bengali songs invoking the goddess) songs in theme music once again. "I had been asked by Arup (Banerjee's cabinet minister Arup Biswas) to compose the theme song for his Durga puja (Suruchi Sangha) and I decided to retain the spirit of Agomoni songs like 'Ja Devi Sarbabhuteshu' in my lyrics. Hope it will be liked by everyone," she said. Popular singer and West Bengal Minister of State for Culture Indranil Sen has lent voice to the lyrics. -- PTI
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10:43   Meet Maya, the Queen of Love
"Often people react, saying, 'OMG! You are gay.' They feel I'll convert them," says Alex, who has never let rejection spiral into a full-blown pity party.


"They thought of me as their 'bro' or someone who'd hit on them. I actually have to clarify that I'm not into them," he says with a laugh."People think that gay men are sexually starved and will grab any man who walks in. They feel we are diseased."


Alex Mathew, who holds a day job and performs as a drag queen at night, speaks to Anita Aikara/Rediff.com in the aftermath of the Supreme Court of India's landmark verdict decriminalising homosexuality. Do read

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10:33   Eight lakh people commit suicide every year: WHO
Nearly 800,000 people commit suicide every year in the world, the second leading cause of death amongst people aged 15-29 in 2016, according to the WHO. A toolkit to help communities prevent suicides was released by the World Health Organization and the Mental Health Commission of Canada on the World Suicide Prevention Day on Monday.


Suicides happen in all the countries and regions, whether rich or poor. However, most of them occur in low and middle-income countries, which accounted for almost four-fifths of the global suicides in 2016, the document said.


"Suicides take a high toll. Over 800,000 people die by suicide every year
and it is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds," it said.


There are indications that for each adult who dies of suicide there may be more than 20 others attempting suicide, it warned.


"The impact on families, friends and communities is devastating and far-reaching, even long after persons dear to them have taken their own lives," the document said. It is estimated that the method used for 20 per cent of the global suicides is self-poisoning, most of which occur in rural agricultural areas in low- and middle-income countries. Other common methods of suicide are hanging and firearms, the UN agencies said. In high-income countries, there is a well-established link between suicide and mental health issues such as depression and alcohol use disorders, but many suicides take place on an impulse during moments of crisis.


The toolkit outlines ways to prevent this serious public health problem, one of which is knowledge of the most commonly used methods and restrictions of access to these methods.


Other examples include policies to limit alcohol and drug abuse, effective mental health care, and follow-up care for attempted suicide cases. The document explains that, as well as the health sector, many sectors of society need to be involved in preventing suicide, including education, labour, agriculture and the media. -- PTI


Image: Actress Jiah Khan allegedly committed suicide in 2013.
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10:21   Lalu depressed, say doctors
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav is suffering from depression, director of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences R K Shrivastava said Monday.


Doctors attending the former Bihar CM at RIMS have mentioned this in their report, Shrivastava told PTI, adding that depression was also mentioned in the medical discharge slip from AIIMS.


Asked about reports that a psychiatrist may look into Prasad's condition, Shrivastava said there is no update as of now.Some media reports have attributed Lalu's deteriorating health to corruption cases affecting his family and also reports of political one-upmanship between his two sons.


On Wednesday last, Prasad was shifted to the paying ward of the hospital after RIMS accepted his prayer that cited poor hygiene, mosquito menace and bark of dogs as perilous to his health.


Prasad, convicted in the fodder scam, was shifted to the 100-bed paying ward, Shrivastava had said. The RJD supremo will have to pay Rs 1,000 per day at the present ward. Shrivastava said the change was done after permission was obtained from the jail superintendent.


After spending a few months out of jail, the RJD supremo surrendered before a CBI court in Ranchi on August 30, upon the expiry of the provisional bail granted to him by the Jharkhand High Court for medical treatment. -- PTI
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10:12   No bridge for 5 years, students risk life and limb to reach school
Risking their lives, students in Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh have to cross a rivulet to reach their school as the bridge is under construction for five years now.


Students travel around two kilometres every day to reach school and the absence of a bridge or an alternate way poses a difficulty to students. "We can't reach school during heavy rains. We want the bridge to be constructed soon," said the students.


A number of students have suffered injuries since there is no safe passage available to reach school. The teachers in the school stated that during rains the students are unable to cross the rivulet and sometimes end up getting hurt on the way.


The students' return home is stalled when there is a heavy downpour, said the teachers. Block Education Officer, BS Rajput has claimed that the negligence of the contractor is the reason for the delay in the construction of the bridge. -- ANI
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10:07   Dharamshala: Parents crawl to protest children's accident
Parents of 26 students, who died after their school bus fell into a deep gorge in Kangra's Nurpur, crawled at the office of District administration in Dharamshala as a mark of protest on Monday. They demanded CBI enquiry into the accident that killed their children on April 9.


The parents protested to show their dissatisfaction over the investigation report of the accident prepared by Additional District Magistrate Kangra.


Expressing her dissatisfaction with the report, Beena Pathania, one of the victim's grandmother said, "We came here to demand justice for our children. We are demanding CBI inquiry as the administration has tried to hide the things. There are three to four departments involved in this case and CBI can reveal the things. We want strict punishment for the persons responsible for this accident."


Naresh Singh, another victim's father said, "The ADM told us yesterday that all reports were based on facts but he didn't say anything about retaining wall or the truck. We are not happy with this report." -- ANI
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10:03   Wanted: 12 staff to help Indian billionaire's daughter study in UK varsity
An unnamed Indian billionaire's daughter has been dubbed the "poshest" student in the UK after it was claimed that her family is hiring 12 staff members to help her during her studies at a Scottish university.


The first-year student at the University of St Andrew on the east coast of Scotland will have a house manager, three housekeepers, a gardener, a lady's maid and a butler on hand to help her, along with three footmen, a private chef and chauffeur, 'The Sun' newspaper reported.


They will be employed at the family's new luxurious mansion, bought so that the daughter won't have to stay in general student accommodation during the four years she spends studying at the leading Scottish university.


An advert was placed a few months ago looking for "an outgoing, cheerful" maid with an energetic personality to work within the household. According to the advert, the maid would be in charge of "waking principal up, liaising with other staff regarding routine and schedule (and) assisting with grooming."


The staff will also be responsible for wardrobe management and personal shopping, the job requirement posted by recruitment agency Silver Swan said.


The butler will be in charge of the student's staff, who will be expected to open doors for her whenever possible, and footmen will serve meals, lay the table and clean.


The "ultra high net worth (UHNW) family' are described as very formal who want experienced staff, the advert notes in reference to the various roles on offer, which are said to pay around 30,000 pounds a year. -- PTI
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09:48   Fuel prices rise again; no relief in sight
Fuel prices continued its northward march on Tuesday with petrol being sold at Rs 80.87 and diesel at Rs 72.97 per litre in the national capital.

Both the petrol and diesel prices saw hike of 14 paise per litre in Delhi. 

Meanwhile, in Mumbai, petrol and diesel have touched a new high of Rs 88.26 and Rs 77.47 per litre respectively.

The Congress party along with other Opposition parties on Monday had called a nationwide strike across the country to protest against the rising prices of petrol and diesel and the falling value of the rupee against the US dollar.

As many as 21 opposition parties, both regional and national, extended their support to the countrywide strike. -- ANI

Photograph: Swapan Mahapatra/PTI Photo
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09:00   Talks underway for second Trump-Kim meeting: US
The White House has said talks are underway with North Korea over the possibility of a second summit between United States President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un after the North Korean leader sent  a "very warm" letter.
The first meeting was held in Singapore in June.
"President has received the letter from Kim Jong-un. It was a very warm, very positive letter. We won't release the full letter unless the North Korean leader agrees that we should," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference on Monday.
"The primary purpose of the letter was to request and look to schedule another meeting with the president, which we are open to and are already in the process of coordinating that," she said.
Sanders said the recent parade in North Korea, for once, was not about their nuclear arsenal. 

The president has achieved tremendous success with his policies so far.  And the letter was further evidence of progress in that relationship, she said. 
"A number of things that have taken place: The remains have come back; the hostages have returned; there's been no testing of missiles or nuclear material; and of course, the historic summit between the two leaders. And this letter is just further indication of the progress that we hope to continue to make, Sanders said.
She said the White House wants the meeting to take place.           
"The letter from Kim Jong Un to the president certainly showed a commitment to continuing conversations, continuing to work on the progress that they have had since their meeting just a few months ago. And also, a continued commitment to focus on denuclearization of the Peninsula," Sanders said. -- PTI
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08:51   Class 11 girl commits suicide for reservation to Maratha
A 17-year-old student allegedly committed suicide in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district on Monday, demanding reservation to the Maratha community, police said.
 
Kishori Baban Kakade, a Class 11 student of Radhabai Kale women's college, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in a hostel room at 3 pm, superintendent of police Ranjan Kumar Sharma told PTI.
 
Kishori left a note where she has mentioned that she was committing suicide for reservation to the Maratha caste. She mentioned that she had secured 89 per cent marks in her Class 10 exams this year, but was unable to get admission to the science stream in the 11th standard, Sharma said.
 
Her father, who is a farmer, has paid Rs 8,000 fees for admission in non-grant basis division, which was burdening her poor family. At the same time, the girls from reserved categories got the admission in grantable division for Rs 1,000 when they had an average of 76 per cent marks, the SP said quoting the letter.
 
Kishori alleged in her letter that she had faced this discrimination because she belonged to the Maratha caste, which has not yet received any reservation in education, the officer said.
 She expressed hope that her sacrifice would boost the movement for reservation in Maratha community, he added.
 
Various Maratha organisations have condemned the state government for Kishori's suicide. -- PTI  
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08:48   White House labels Woodward book 'reckless', doesn't rule out possibility of lawsuit
The White House on Monday said that the latest book by renowned journalist Bob Woodward is "reckless" and makes "outrageous" claims which have been refuted by the top US administration officials.
The White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders also did not rule out a lawsuit against Woodward who in his latest book "Fear: Trump in the White House" has portrayed a dysfunctional Trump Administration.
"I'll certainly keep you posted on that," Sanders said when asked if President Donald Trump is considering filing a lawsuit against Woodward.
"We've been extremely clear from the beginning. Many of the book's sources have already spoken out to refute. A couple of them: Chief of Staff John Kelly aggressively pushed back in this. (Defence Secretary) General (rtd James) Mattis aggressively pushing back in the claims. John Dowd also pushing back against the things that are attributed to him, she said.
She said a number of people have come out and said that Woodward never even reached out to corroborate statements that were attributed to them, "which seems incredibly reckless for a book to make such outrageous claims, to not even take the time to get a 10-dollar fact-checker to call around and verify that some of these quotes happened. 
"When no effort was made, it seems like a very careless and reckless way to write a book," Sanders said in response to a question. -- PTI  
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08:18   2 terrorists gunned down in encounter in Handwara, search op underway
Two terrorists were killed during an encounter between terrorists and security forces at Guloora area of Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir today.

A cordon and search operation has been launched in the area.

More details are awaited.
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00:39   Pak rejects report on BRI renegotiation, says committed to CPEC
Pakistan on Monday rejected a media report that Prime Minister Imran Khan's newly elected government plans to renegotiate the agreements reached under China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and said the country remains committed to the successful implementation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The Financial Times report quoted Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood as saying that the multi-billion CPEC had put local companies at a disadvantage and that parts of the flagship project can be renegotiated or even frozen for a year.

The CPEC, launched in 2015, is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea.

It is a part of the BRI.

Dawood's reported interview came a day after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded his three-day official. During his stay in Pakistan, Wang met the country's top leadership, including the prime minister.

The Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) said that during the meetings, Pakistani leadership conveyed that the CPEC was a national priority for the government and 'Pakistan remains committed to the successful implementation of CPEC'.

The spokesman said that there was complete consensus on the future trajectory of the CPEC between Pakistan and China.

"The two sides agreed to work together towards implementation of the ongoing projects and agreed to expand CPEC to new areas of cooperation including socio-economic development; poverty alleviation, anti-corruption, agricultural cooperation and industrial development as per the needs and priorities of the government of Pakistan," the FO said.

The two sides had in-depth exchange of views on all issues of mutual interest. The visit provided an opportunity to the two sides to reaffirm their 'all-weather strategic cooperative partnership', it said.

Ministry of Commerce and Textile in a statement said that the The Financial Times' article is 'based on a statement taken out of context'.

'The statement attributed to the Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce and Textile (Dawood) have been taken out of context and distorted. Pakistan-China relations are impregnable and the government's commitment to the CPEC is unwavering,' the ministry said.

Chinese embassy in a statement said that it took notice of the report in The Financial Times.

"Such ill-intentioned reports based on distorted and misquoted information only demonstrate that the report contributor has total ignorance and neglect of the CPEC or China-Pakistan traditional partnership," it said.

"It is a firm consensus between China and Pakistan that CPEC is a mutually beneficial project and both the governments will carry it forward according to the needs of Pakistan and for the development of Pakistan," it said further.  --  PTI

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