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Tue, 04 June 2019
Free rides for women in 2 months: Sisodia
Timeline Refresh
23:38 Free rides for women in 2 months: Sisodia
Women in Delhi will have to wait for at least two more months before they can avail free rides in Metro, DTC buses and cluster buses, under the new proposal rolled out the Aam Aadmi party's government, which aims to provide free travel to women in the city.
"If women and children feel safe while travelling, then to arrange money for the same is the responsibility of the government and we will do it. If the government is spending the taxpayers money on the safety of women, I do not know what problem BJP has with it," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.
"It will take two months to implement it," said Sisodia.
Sisodia on Tuesday took a ride on DTC bus to get feedback from commuters about the Delhi government's ambitious plan to provide free rides to women.
Arvind Kejriwal led AAP dispensation in Delhi on Monday announced free ride for women in all Delhi Transport Corporation buses, cluster buses and Delhi Metro trains aimed at providing a safe travel experience to them.
-- ANI
23:07 US President Trump is like 11-year old child: London Mayor
London's Mayor Sadiq Khan on Tuesday compared US President Donald Trump with a small child after the US president called him a "stone-cold loser" in a series of tweets a day before.
CNN quoted Khan as saying that he was "not offended in the slightest" by the remarks, delivered as Trump began his three-day state visit to the United Kingdom on Monday, but added that the US was expected to behave more like a role model.
"This is the sort of behaviour I would expect from an 11-year-old," Khan said.
"But it's for him to decide how he behaves. It's not for me to respond in a like manner. I think it's beneath me to do childish tweets and name-calling," the mayor added.
Minutes before landing at London's Stansted Airport for a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom, Trump on Monday lashed out at Khan in a series of tweets, branding him "a stone cold loser who should focus on crime in London," and not him.
The US president's visit to the UK has been so far marked by pageantry as well as protests. The US president received a royal welcome from Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, completed with a guard of honour march, gun salutes and an opulent white-tie state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
But the visit also attracted anti-Trump protests today, as a giant inflatable blimp depicting the US president as an orange baby in a diaper flew high outside the British Parliament.
Khan, while speaking to CNN at City Hall in London, said people here had the right to protest, as long as it's done peacefully. "They'll be articulating the concerns we have about the values we both hold dear," Khan said.
-- ANI
22:34 PM Modi continues to get congratulatory calls
It has nearly been two weeks since Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the BJP to a stupendous victory in the Lok Sabha polls, but he continues to get congratulating phone calls from world leaders.
On Tuesday, Modi received congratulatory calls from the Presidents of the Republic of Korea, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, a statement from the prime ministers office said.
Modi thanked the president Moon Jae-in of Republic of Korea for his greetings, and recalled his visit to that country in February 2019. The prime minister also recalled the visit of first lady Kim to India in 2018 to attend the Deepotsav festival and said that the trip added a new chapter to India-ROK ties. The prime minister reiterated his firm commitment to further strengthen the special strategic partnership between the two countries, the statement said.
President ED Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe congratulated Modi and in turn the PM appreciated the fact that two mediapersons from that country had visited India to cover the elections. The prime minister also recalled the successful visit of Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu to Zimbabwe last year and expressed his desire to take India-Zimbabwe relations to new heights.
The prime minister conveyed his condolences to President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi of Mozambique on the loss of life and property in the aftermath of a cyclone earlier this year. President Nyusi thanked the prime minister for the timely assistance extended by Indian Navy. The prime minister said that India will always stand with Mozambique in solidarity.
22:26 Budget preparations in full swing, finance ministry in quarantine mode
With just 30 days left for the Union Budget 2019, the finance ministry is buzzing with activity as top officials plan to put together a financial plan to steer the economy out of difficulty.
Entry into the ministry has been restricted (to maintain secrecy) and work has already begun. Budget 2019 will pave the way forward for the Bharatiya Janata Party's economic policies.
Sources within the ministry have said that infrastructure and job creation will be the focal points for the upcoming budget. The budget will also focus on simplification of direct taxes and increasing compliance.
New Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a meeting where officials made a presentation about their departments; secretaries of the 5 departments were also in this meeting today.
The meeting revolved around plans ahead and the current economic situation. The upcoming budget will see a thrust on jobs too.
22:08 Hizbul's Riyaz Naikoo tops list of Home Ministry's 10 most wanted terrorists in Kashmir
Amit Shah, who took over as Home Minister on Saturday, has been holding marathon review meetings with several agency heads to gauge the law and order situation in India. And it seems like Jammu and Kashmir is on top of the agenda.
In the last three days, Amit Shah has met Director Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain and Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba. He has also been briefed by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik. As per reports, security agencies have prepared a fresh list of top 10 targets in the Valley.
Security agencies have already eliminated 101 terrorists from January till May 31, 2019, which averages to 20 terrorists per month. As per officials, out of the 101 militants, 23 were foreigners and 78 local. They include top commanders such as Zakir Musa, the chief of so-called Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, a group affiliated with Al Qaeda.
But what is keeping the security establishment worried is the large number of new recruits.
According to security agencies, 50 youngsters have joined various terror outfits since March and the security establishment needs to find a better way to cut off the supply chain and can even consider educating families on radicalisation of the youth. This fresh top 10 list includes the terrorist from Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar, Jaish and Al-Badr.
Hizbul Mujahideen chief Riyaz Naikoo is at the top of the list. He is from Bandipora and falls in A++ category.
Terrorists are listed under different categories - from A++ (being the highest) to A+, A and B. An A++ category terrorist is first on the hit list of security forces.
Riyaz Naikoo is followed by Wasim Ahmed alias Osama from Lashkar camp. Wasim Ahmad is district commander of Sophian, agencies said.
Mohamammad Ashraf Khan alias Ashraf Maulawi is at No 3 on the list. He is allegedly active in Anantnag and associated with Hizbul Mujahideen.
Next in the list is Mehrazuddin. Believed to be from Hizbul camp, he is reportedly active in Baramulla and is area district commander.
21:39 J-K poll schedule after Amarnath Yatra: EC
The Election Commission on Tuesday said it will announce the schedule for Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls after the Amarnath Yatra, which begins next month, making it clear that the electoral exercise could be held sometime later this year.
In a statement, the poll panel said it has unanimously decided that "holding of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir shall be considered later in this year".
Jammu and Kashmir does not have an elected dispensation since the PDP-BJP coalition government fell apart in June 2018.
The state was placed under Governor's Rule, as provided by the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, on June 19, 2018, after the BJP withdrew from its coalition with the PDP.
As mandated by the Constitution, the state was brought under President's Rule on December 19, 2018. The term of the central rule ends on June 19 which is set to be extended.
"The Commission will keep on regularly, and on real time basis, monitoring the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, taking inputs from all necessary quarters and after the conclusion of Amarnath Yatra will announce the election schedule for the conduct of assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir," the statement said.
The 46-day-long Amarnath yatra will begin on July 1, the day of Masik Shivratri, and would conclude on August 15, the day of Shravan Purnima.
-- PTI
21:25 Dad of IAF officer aboard missing AN-32 in 2016 shares anguish
The disappearance of an AN-32 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force has brought back painful memories for 62-year-old Rajendra Barpatte, father of an IAF officer who was among 29 persons on board the same type of aircraft that went missing three years ago.
These ageing planes should be replaced as they are jeopardising the lives of those who fly them, Barpatte said.
In July 2016, an AN-32 with his 27-year-old son Flight Lieutenant Kunal Barpatte on board went missing over the Bay of Bengal after leaving for Port Blair from Chennai.
Kunal was the flight navigator of the plane.
The aircraft could not be traced despite a massive search operation covering 2,17,800 square nautical miles by multiple aircraft, Barpatte said. Months later, an IAF court of inquiry concluded that it was unlikely that the personnel on board would have survived, he added.
Barpatte, who had demanded after the incident that the government replace the "flawed" Russian-origin aircraft with newer and better planes, said he has sought more technical information about the AN 32 planes after Monday's incident.
"For last 35 years, we are using the same planes... The government is claiming that they have reconditioned all these aircraft. When I met Manohar Parrikar, the then defence minister, I asked him if he would like to keep using a 30-year old car," Barpatte said.
"I told him that you are putting the lives of young officers in jeopardy by asking them to fly these planes," said Barpatte, a retired scientist of the Central Institute of Road Transport.
Barpatte said he had told Parrikar that the aircraft manufacturer should be held responsible for its maintenance.
-- PTI
20:45 Monsoon delayed further, to make onset on June 7
The onset of monsoon could be delayed further by a day to June 7, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday.
On Saturday, private weather forecaster Skymet too revised its forecast from June 4 to June 7.
Last month, announcing the expected day of monsoon arrival over Kerala, IMD said it could happen on June 6, with an error margin of plus or minus four days.
"Cross equatorial flow over southern parts of South Arabian Sea and over the Bay of Bengal is likely to increase gradually favouring further advance of southwest monsoon over some more parts of South Arabian sea, Maldives, Comorin area, southwest, southeast and central Bay of Bengal during next 24 hours.
"An eastwest shear zone at 3.1 kilometres above mean sea level is very likely to develop across extreme south peninsula from tomorrow onwards leading to favourable conditions for onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala during the subsequent 72 hours," it said.
Earth Sciences Minister Harsh Vardhan had also indicated that monsoon could hit the Kerala coast on June 6-7.
Several parts of the country are reeling under severe heat waves with temperatures touching 50 degree Celsius in some parts.
Vardhan said monsoon is likely to be 96 per cent of the Long Period Average, which falls on the border line of normal and below normal category.
-- PTI
20:36
Election Commission: Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir shall be considered later in this year, to announce election schedule after the conclusion of Amarnath Yatra.
20:30 DMK bats for two-language policy across nation
The two-language formula devised by Dravidian icon C N Annadurai should be implemented across the country, the DMK proposed on Tuesday, a day after the Centre dropped the contentious provision of compulsory teaching of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states.
In an editorial, DMK mouthpiece 'Murasoli' demanded a "full-stop" to the issue.
On the Centre's decision to revise the draft National Education Policy to drop the three-language proposal, the party daily said this was done following opposition to the proposal.
"The Centre has retreated. Imposing (Hindi) and retreating is their chameleon like acting," it said.
"The two-language policy drafted by Anna is the formula that should be implemented in the whole of India. Journeying in the path of Anna alone will protect Indianness," Murasoli said in the editorial.
In Tamil Nadu, a two-language formula of Tamil and English is being followed since 1968 after the DMK stormed to power in 1967 under the leadership of Dravidian stalwart and party founder C N Annadurai.
Annadurai, a stalwart of the Dravidian movement and founder of the DMK, is addressed as "Anna," (elder brother) as a mark of respect.
Tracing the decades-old opposition to Hindi in the state, the paper accused the BJP-led government of imposing the language and expressed apprehension that the Centre may thrust Sanskrit in future.
"Their (BJP's) final goal is only Sanskrit," it alleged. Saffron party's precursor Jan Sangh had once said that Sanskrit should be the official language for the whole of India, the DMK alleged.
On June 3, Stalin had said: "The announcement (by the Centre on dropping the contentious clause mandating Hindi learning) has been made with an intent to deceive...
"And if there is no explanation (assuring that Hindi will not be thrust) in two to three days, the leaders of the alliance partners here will get together, decide and following that, Tamil Nadu will witness a massive agitation. Be prepared."
Revising the draft education policy, the Centre Monday dropped the contentious provision of compulsory teaching of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states after the three-language proposal sparked outrage, mainly in Tamil Nadu.
-- PTI
20:04 Over 1.10 lakh registration for Amarnath Yatra
Over 1.10 lakh pilgrims have registered themselves for the annual Amarnath Yatra which will begin on July 1, said ministry of home affair sources.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also said to have reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Amarnath Yatra in a meeting with MHA officials on Tuesday.
The registration of pilgrims is being undertaken through 440 designated branches of the Punjab National Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank and the YES Bank located in 32 states and Union Territories.
The 46-day-long yatra will begin on July 1, the day of Masik Shivratri, and would conclude on August 15, the day of Shravan Purnima.
-- ANI
19:35 Cong leaders flay Gehlot's remark against Pilot
Rifts in the Rajasthan Congress resurfaced on Tuesday with two party leaders criticising Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for suggesting that state unit president Sachin Pilot should take responsibility for his son Vaibhav Gehlot's election defeat.
"The statement by the chief minister is totally wrong and against the interest of the party. He himself should take responsibility for the Jodhpur seat," Congress MLA Prithviraj Meena said.
In a television interview on Monday, the chief minister had said Sachin Pilot should bear responsibility for the Congress loss in Jodhpur as he got Vaibhav Gehlot the party ticket from there.
Meena said the CM seemed "obsessed" with his son.
On the back foot after Monday's interview, the CM said the media was making an unnecessary issue out of it.
Reacting to Gehlot's earlier comments, Rajendra Chaudhary, a Congress leader from Jodhpur, said Gehlot's word was final in decisions regarding that constituency.
"The statement is surprising. Gehlot should take the responsibility for the Jodhpur seat because it has been his domain for 40 years," he said.
"He should take the responsibly as he was made the CM to ensure the Congress Party's win in Rajasthan," Chaudhary added.
Sachin Pilot, who is also the deputy chief minister of the state, refused to comment.
In the interview, Gehlot said Pilot had assured a win by big margin for his son.
"We have six MLAs there. We carried out a fantastic campaign. I understand that Pilot sahab should at least take the responsibility of the seat. A complete post-mortem should be done for the Jodhpur seat," he said.
Gehlot had claimed that there were no differences between him and Pilot.
-- PTI
19:18 Resigned from Congress for personal reasons: Vikhe Patil
Veteran Maharashtra leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil who on Tuesday resigned from the Congress party and is likely to join the BJP said he quit for personal reasons.
He added that he met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier in the day to discuss personal matters.
"It was my personal decision to resign from the MLA position, I submitted my resignation to the Governor. I met the Chief Minister for some other work which is not related to politics neither is there any offer for me to join BJP," Patil said.
Patil denied having any issues with Congress' state or central leadership and said he was happy with whatever decisions the party took.
19:08 Javadekar launches #SelfiewithSapling campaign, urges people to take part
Calling for active public participation in World Environment Day celebrations on June 5, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday launched #SelfieWithSapling campaign, urging people to plant a sapling and click a selfie with it.
Javadekar, who took charge of as the environment minister on Saturday, said 'jan bhagidari' (people's participation) is integral to tackling environmental issues and it has to be a people's movement.
"June 5 is celebrated as World Environment Day. I am sure people of this country will enthusiastically participate in it. I appeal to the people to plant a sapling, click a picture with it and post it on social media using '#SelfieWithSapling'. We need such initiatives as we are creating a carbon sink," the minister said.
"The Modi government believes that environment is not just a government programme but a people's programme," he added.
World Environment Day 2019 will be hosted by China with a theme of 'Air Pollution'.
In January this year, the Centre launched the National Clean Air Programme to reduce air pollution by 2024.
-- PTI
18:44 Amit Shah rebukes Giriraj Singh for Iftar dig
Union Minister Giriraj Singh has been reprimanded by Home Minister Amit Shah over his tweet targeting Nitish Kumar, Sushil Modi for attending an Iftar party.
Amit Shah, the BJP president, called the minister and asked him to avoid making such statements, sources said. It should not happen again, Amit Shah reported told Giriraj Singh, a repeat offender.
In the tweet posted this morning, Giriraj Singh appeared to take a swipe at Sushil Modi as well as BJP's allies Nitish Kumar and Ram Vilas Paswan, who are seen smiling in group photos at an Iftar party. "How beautiful would this picture have been if a Navratri meal would have been organised with the same eagerness. Why do we hold back on our own faith and get into pretence," Singh wrote in Hindi.
The accompanying photos also feature Paswan's son Chirag Paswan and the Iftar host, Jitan Ram Manjhi of the Hindustan Awam Morcha (Secular), which was a part of the opposition coalition. They are seen in white kurtas, a traditional cap and scarves.
"Giriraj Singh makes such remarks deliberately, so that you (media) make news out of it," Nitish Kumar said in response to the minister's tweet.
Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, is already upset with the BJP after being denied more than one cabinet spot in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
18:12 'Won't implement Ayushman Bharat in Delh'
Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said that the AAP government would not implement the Ayushman Bharat Health scheme in the city-state.
"Delhi has a population of around two crore. The scheme (Ayushman Bharat) will only take care of 10 lakh poor people. We don't want this. Delhi government will not indulge in pick and choose policy. It's our responsibility to give free treatment to all -- poor or rich," said Jain.
Jain was responding to the statement of Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan where he had said that he would ask Delhi government to reconsider its stand on the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Health scheme.
Alleging that the Central government has only implemented the scheme on paper, Jain said: "Why do THE people from states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana come to Delhi hospitals for treatment? Everything is on paper. Implement the scheme in Haryana and UP. We will take care of Delhi."
-- ANI
17:36 No objection if Nitish Kumar joins Grand Alliance again: Rabri Devi
After a senior RJD leader asked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to join the Grand Alliance again, jailed party chief Lalu Prasads wife Rabri Devi has said she has no objection if he does so.
If Nitish Kumar joins the Grand Alliance again, we have no objection to it, Rabri Devi said.
However, she made it clear that any decision on this will be taken by top leaders of the Rashtriya Janata Dal.
Rabri Devis statement came after Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, a former Union Minister, said Janata Dal-United chief Nitish Kumar should join hands with non-BJP parties to fight against the saffron party.
He (Nitish Kumar) will surely switch sides but no one can predict when will he do that or what will he say. This has happened several times earlier. Its not surprising... All I want is that everyone should come together against the BJP, he said on Monday.
Singhs offer came a day after Nitish Kumar inducted eight JD-U MLAs as Cabinet Ministers, leaving out the Bharatiya Janata Party, leading to speculation of a rift between the two allies.
The Cabinet expansion on Sunday came two days after the JD-U chief decided that his party wont join Prime Minister Narendra Modis new government because it was offered just one seat - a symbolic representation.
The RJDs relation with Nitish Kumar turned bitter after he dumped the RJD-led Grand Alliance in July 2017 and joined hands with the BJP and formed the government.
17:05 TMC launches 'postcard war' against BJP
After BJP's pledge to send 10 lakh postcards with 'Jai Shri Ram' written on them to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, TMC workers have sent 10,000 postcards with Vande Mataram, Jai Hind, and Jai Bangla - to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Chief Minister Banerjee on Wednesday lost her cool when a group of men chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' as her convoy was passing through Bhatpara area of North 24 Parganas district.
"These are all outsiders and BJP people. They are criminals and were abusing me. They are not from Bengal. We will take action," she had said after getting off from her car.
"BJP workers are coming in front of the vehicle of Chief Minister Banerjee and shouting 'Jai Shri Ram.' Is it fair to do so? Is it right to interrupt and come in front of the car of somebody? The hooligans are also after our MLAs and MPs and are shouting 'Jai Shri Ram'. We will not do any such mischievous thing and will not stop the way of Prime Minister," said Debashree Banerjee, a TMC worker. "But we will send a message. We have sent 10, 000 post-cards with Vande Mataram, Jai Hind and Jai Bangla, written on them," he said.
16:59 Injured Steyn replaced with Hendricks
Cricket South Africa: Dale Steyn has suffered a second shoulder injury which has not responded to treatment and has ruled him out of bowling for the foreseeable future. Beuran Hendricks to replace him.
Full report shortly.
16:30 ISRO satellites join hunt for missing IAF jet
AN-32 search update: ISRO satellites have been pressed into service over parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam to locate the missing AN-32 transport aircraft with 13 people on board. Su-30MKI, C-130J Super Hercules and other assets continuing search ops in cloudy weather.
Over 24 hours after the Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft with 13 people on board took off from Jorhat in Assam for Arunachal's Menchuka, the plane continues to be missing. Thirteen people, including eight crew members, were on board the aircraft. The Antonov AN-32 was headed to the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground, located in Mechuka Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
File pic of an Antonov AN-32 plane
16:26 Sensex ends 184 pts lower on profit-booking
The BSE benchmark Sensex Tuesday retreated from its peak level to end 184 points lower as investors resorted to profit taking at higher valuation. The broader Nifty too came off life-time highs to settle 67 points down.
Top losers in the Sensex pack were Hero MotoCorp, HCL Tech, TCS, Asian Paints, IndusInd Bank and Infosys, shedding up to 3.08 per cent.
On the other hand, Yes Bank, NTPC and Axis Bank emerged as major gainers, rising up to 2.71 per cent. The BSE gauge settled 184.08 points, or 0.46 per cent, lower at 40,083.54.
The broader NSE benchmark fell 66.90 points, or 0.55 per cent, to settle at 12,021.65.
16:24 Giriraj's snide remark on Iftaar parties draws JD(U) flak
A snide remark by Union minister and firebrand BJP leader Giriraj Singh on Tuesday over 'iftaar' parties hosted by political leaders drew sharp criticism from Nitish Kumar's JD(U), an alliance partner of the NDA in the state.
"How beautiful would the picture have emerged, had phalaahaar (a fruit feast) been organized during Navaratra with the same fervour with splendid photographs taken. Why do we lag behind in observance of our own karm-dharm (religious customs) in public, while staying ahead in making a show for those of others," Singh tweeted in Hindi.
With the tweet were photographs taken at Iftaar parties hosted in Patna by the JD(U) on Sunday, and former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM and NDA ally Lok Janshakti Party, headed by Ram Vilas Paswan, the day after.
A known detractor of Kumar since the days when he served in the state cabinet, Singh appeared to have aimed his barb specifically at the chief minister as all photographs featured him wearing a skullcap and a namaz kerchief covering his shoulders.
Interestingly, in one of the photographs taken at the "Iftaar" hosted by Paswan, Kumar was sharing space with his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi - a senior BJP leader who was among the hosts at an Iftaar hosted by his own party on Sunday.
Lashing out at Singh, JD(U) MLC and state minister Ashok Chowdhury said, "Had anybody stopped Giriraj from arranging phalahaar during Navaratra? I wish to warn him, not the entire BJP, but him alone that he must refrain from making such statements.
"Giriraj must remember that his party is part of a coalition government in Bihar and he owes his stupendous victory in the Lok Sabha polls in no small measure to the support of our leader (Nitish Kumar)," Chowdhury said.
Image: The iftaar picture Giriraj Singh shared with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, NDA ally Lok Janshakti Party's Ram Vilas Paswan and his son and BJP's Sushil Modi.
16:17 U'khand hospital makes rape victim share vehicle with accused
The parents of a nine-year-old rape survivor here have alleged that their daughter was discharged from a hospital in Dehradun without proper treatment and then made to travel with the accused in a police vehicle to record her statement before the magistrate.
The girl, who hailed from Tehri district, was allegedly raped in Nainbagh area on May 30.
The Circle Officer of the area Uttam Singh has been suspended on charges of negligence of duty.The victim was admitted to Doon Medical College and Hospital. Her parents alleged that she was discharged from the hospital even before she could recover fully.
According to the parents, their daughter could not give her statement properly as her condition worsened after she travelled four hours with the accused.
Meanwhile, Women and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya has expressed deep concern over the way the case has been handled. She announced financial assistance of Rs 7 lakh to the victim.
15:58 Amit Shah meets top ministers
Home minister Amit Shah is holding a meeting with senior ministers -- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan -- arrive at the meeting. BJP leader Uma Bharati, who is not a minister, was also at meeting held at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Earlier today, Gautam Gambhir, the newly-elected MP of the BJP from East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, had a Twitter spat with former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for attacking Shah.
Mufti had criticised Amit Shah for resorting to "brute force" to "quick fix" the Kashmir issue which, she said, would be "ridiculously naive".
Taking to Twitter, Gautam Gambhir said that terming Amit Shah's process is "brute" is "ridiculously nave". The newly elected BJP MP also said that if oppression can ensure security, "so be it".
"While I am all for a talk-based solution to Kashmir problem but for @mehboobamufti to term Shri @AmitShah's process as 'brute' is 'ridiculously nave'. History has been witness to our patience and endurance. But if oppression ensures security for my people, then so be it," Gautam Gambhir said.
Mehbooba had accused the home minister of resorting to "brute force" to "quick fix" the problem, which, she said, would be "ridiculously naive".
She had tweeted, "Since 1947, Kashmir's been looked through the prism of security by successive governments. It's a political problem that needs a political redressal by involving all stakeholders including Pak. Expecting a quick fix through brute force by newly appointed HM is ridiculously naive."
Image: External Affairs minister S Jaishankar at the Home ministry.
15:44
NIA gets 10-day custody of separatists Shabbir Shah, Asiya Andrabi, Masarat Alam Bhat.
15:38 PM to go on temple hopping ahead of Maldives visit
After a thumping victory in the Lok Sabha elections, it's now time for thanksgiving.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will first go to the Guruvayoor Krishna temple in Kerala on June 8. From there, he will head to Maldives, his first official visit as PM in his second term.
From Maldives, Modi heads to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
On the way back to India, he will stop at Tirupati and spend the night at the temple town.
If you recall, Modi had visited the Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath just ahead of the poll results.
15:26
NIA arrests separatists Masarat Alam, Asiya Andrabi and Shabir Shah in terror funding case involving JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, says lawyer.
15:21 Mamata attends Ramzan iftar
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at an 'iftar' hosted by Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
15:12 Halibut filet, Windsor lamb... for Trumps in UK
US President Donald Trump along with his wife Melania Trump met the royal family and other British politicians on Monday night for the state dinner at Buckingham Palace.
Trump sat beside the Duchess of Cornwall among a total of 170 guests. Steamed filet of halibut, new Windsor lamb, strawberry sable with lemon verbena cream, fresh fruit and coffee and petit fours, were served for the dinner, reported E! News.
Queen Elizabeth II recited a warm speech eulogizing the relationship between the two nations and added that she was "delighted to welcome" President Trump to the Palace.
"American Presidents always remind us of the close and longstanding friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States, and I am so glad that we have another opportunity to demonstrate the immense importance that both our countries attach to our relationship," the Queen said.
She continued her speech and said, "Mr President, as we look to the future, I am confident that our common values and shared interests will continue to unite us. Tonight we celebrate an alliance that has helped to ensure the safety and prosperity of both our peoples for decades, and which I believe will endure for many years to come."
In response, Trump reportedly called Queen Elizabeth, a "great, great woman''.
On their three-day official visit to the UK, the Trumps earlier on Monday were welcomed for a State Banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II. Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, PM Theresa May among others.
Donald and Melania Trump were accompanied by their children- Ivanka, Donald Trump Jr., Tiffany and Eric Ivanka and Eric were present with their partners Jared Kushner and Lara Trump, respectively.
File pic of Halibut filet.
14:55 Govt creating 50,000 tonne of onion buffer to curb price rise
The Centre has started creating a buffer stock of 50,000 tonne of onion to check prices in the coming months in view of drought conditions in producing states, a senior food ministry official said Tuesday. Wholesale prices at Lasalgaon in Maharashtra,
Asia's largest wholesale market for onion, have shot up by over 29 per cent to Rs 11 per kg Tuesday when compared to Rs 8.50 per kg on the same day a year ago, as per official data. In the national capital, retail onion prices are ruling at Rs 20-25 per kg depending on the varieties, as per the trade data.
"Due to drought conditions in producing region, the production of rabi onion is expected to be lower. The likely shortfall in production may put pressure on both availability and prices during the lean season," the official told PTI.
14:46 NIA nod to arrest Kashmir separatists
NIA grants permission to formally arrest Shabbir Shah, Asiya Andrabi, and Masarat Alam in a stone pelting case. Alam was produced before an NIA court in the Patiala House Court today.
14:39 After Jagan's mega win, it's time for blessings...
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy visits the Sharada Peetham today to seek the blessings of Swami Swaroopanandendra Saraswati. He also offered prayers at Raja Shyamala Temple in Sharada Peetham.
14:33 Vikhe Patil quits as Congress MLA
Senior Congress leader in Maharashtra and former leader of opposition in Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil Tuesday submitted his resignation as a member of the Lower House.
"I didn't even campaign for the party during Lok Sabha elections. I don't doubt High Command, they had given me an opportunity by making me the Leader of Opposition. I tried to do good work but situation made me resign," Vikhe-Patil said.
The development comes amid reports that he will be joining the BJP along with some Congress MLAs and may be inducted in the Devendra Fadnavis-led state ministry. Vikhe Patil's son Sujay Vikhe Patil had switched to BJP from Congress before Lok Sabha Polls.
He won with a margin of 2.81 lakh votes from Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency. Vikhe Patil had quit as Leader of Opposition in March, days after his son joined the BJP. The Congress leader submitted his resignation as an MLA to Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagade at his office here, an official said. -- PTI
13:54 Update on Nirbhaya case
Nirbhaya rape convicts execution plea: Delhi's Patiala House Court issues a notice to Tihar jail Superintendent through DG Prisons with a direction to appear in person along with the status report of the convicts on July 19. The court has sought response on the application of Nirbhaya's parents seeking to expedite the execution of the rape convicts. The court has asked jail authorities to apprise it with various legal remedies that all four convicts have availed and which are pending.
13:30 Deep sea rescue of fishermen
And a rescue that went well... The Indian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel ICGS Vikram is towing 2 crippled fishing boats Star of Sea 1 and Star of Sea 2 with 9 and 11 fishermen on board respectively that were stranded in Kiltan Island, Lakshadweep due to engine failure around 10:45 pm yesterday,
13:27 Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil resigns as MLA
Maharashtra Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil resigns as MLA, submits his resignation to Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha.
13:14 24 hours on, IAF plane still missing
Over 24 hours after the Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft with 13 people on board took off from Jorhat in Assam for Arunachal's Menchuka, the plane continues to be missing.
Thirteen people, including eight crew members, were on board the aircraft. The Antonov AN-32 was headed to the Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground, located in Mechuka Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Indian Air Force has deployed Sukhoi Su-30 combat fighter jets, a C-130 Hercules special operations aircraft to locate the aircraft but the AN-32 is yet to be traced.
The Indian Air Force aircraft took off from Jorhat at 12.27 pm for the Menchuka advance landing ground in Shi-Yomi district in Arunachal Pradesh near the China border and made last contact with the ground control at 1pm.
The Indian Army has pressed into service advance light helicopters to locate the missing Antonov AN-32 aircraft. The search operations from air and by ground parties of the Indian Army continued through the night.
Ground reports were received on the possible location of a crash site on Monday but when helicopters were routed to the location, no wreckage was found. Search and rescue operation resumed as the weather cleared up today.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh said he had spoken to the vice chief of the force on steps to find the missing aircraft and was praying for the safety of all those on board.
File pic of an AN-32 plane.
12:37 SP will also fight UP bypolls alone: Akhilesh
SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav on SP-BSP coalition: "If the coalition has broken, I will reflect deeply on it & if the coalition isn't there in the by-elections, then Samajwadi Party will prepare for the elections. SP will also fight on all 11 seats alone."
Akhilesh's announcement comes after the BSP chief Mayawati said the Samajwadi Party's vote base did not support the alliance in the Lok Sabha elections and said she would fight the by-polls to 11 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh alone, but said this is not a "permanent break" from her alliance with the Samajwadi Party.
12:32 Rift over bid to make Modi saint
An attempt by some members of a premier body of Hindu scholars to confer sainthood on Prime Minister Narendra Modi has run into trouble, with other members calling the effort illegitimate and politically motivated.
Some members of the Kashi Vidwat Parishad, an organisation based in Modi's constituency of Varanasi, had last week announced the Prime Minister would be honoured with the title of "Rashtra Rishi' (National Sage or National Saint).
But several other members, including Parishad general secretary Shivaji Upadhyaya, told reporters on Monday the so-called decision was not taken at the correct forum or with the requisite quorum. Read the report here.
12:22 Medical reports of Choksi 'misleading': ED tells HC
Enforcement Directorate has termed as "misleading" the medical reports submitted by fugitive dimondtaire Mehul Choksi, an accused in 13,000 crore PNB scam case, as an excuse for not appearing before the Bombay High Court.
The law enforcement agency, in its affidavit submitted before a division bench headed by Justice I A Mahanty, said that the submission made by Choksi to the court on his medical conditions appear to be "facades being erected merely to mislead the court in an obvious attempt to delay the lawful proceedings."
"The documentation submitted by the appellant are merely copies. In the absence of the original, both the genesis and veracity of the contents of the documents cannot relied upon by the court," read the ED affidavit.Seeking dismissal of medical records submitted by Choksi, the ED stated that the intention of Choksi appeared to be suspicious as he "purposefully failed to submit the medical records February 17, 2018, onwards."
12:18 Rain or thunderstorm forecast in Delhi
It was a warm Tuesday morning in the national capital, with partly cloudy skies, as the minimum temperature settled one notch above the season's average at 28.7 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 39 degrees Celsius and there are chances of rain or thunderstorm in the later part of the day which may provide relief from the scorching heat, a MeT Department official said.
The relative humidity was 54 per cent at 8.30 am, he said. Heatwave conditions abated in Delhi on Monday, but high humidity added to the discomfort of the people.The maximum temperature was 40.6 degrees Celsius and the minimum was 29.4 degrees Celsius. -- PTI
12:03 Maya to go solo in UP bypolls, SP still BFF
Claiming that the Samajwadi Party's vote base did not support the alliance in the Lok Sabha elections, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Tuesday announced that she will fight the by-polls to 11 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh alone, but said this is not a "permanent break" from her alliance with the Samajwadi Party.
"Its not a permanent break. If we feel in future that SP Chief succeeds in his political work, we'll again work together. But if he doesn't succeed, it'll be good for us to work separately. So we've decided to fight the by-elections alone," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister told ANI.
"We can't ignore political compulsions. In the results of Lok Sabha elections in UP, base vote of Samajwadi Party, the Yadav community, didn't support the party. Even strong contenders of SP were defeated," she asserted.
The statement from the BSP supremo came after reports surfaced that she had asked her party cadre to get ready to contest the upcoming assembly by-polls on their own after her party fared poorly in Lok Sabha polls, despite being in alliance with Samajwadi Party and RLD.
Mayawati, however, also praised Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and said that their relation will continue in the future.
"Ever since SP-BSP coalition took place, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav and his wife Dimple Yadav have given me a lot of respect. I also forgot all our differences in the interest of the nation, and gave them respect. Our relation is not only for politics, it will continue forever," she added.
Mayawati had also reportedly asked her MLAs and the newly-elected MPs to not depend on allies to win votes and work towards improving the party's organisation.
11:55 Home minister calls meeting on Nipah virus
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on the Nipah virus: "Today I have called a meeting at my residence with all the officers including health secretary. Yesterday itself we had dispatched a team of six officers to Kerala. We are vigorously following upon everything that is needed. I have assured the Health Minister of Kerala of all possible support from the Central Government."
Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja confirmed Tuesday that a 23-year-old college student admitted to a hospital here has been infected with the Nipah virus. The results of blood samples of the student, which were tested at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, have confirmed Nipah, she said.
11:34 Jiggs Kalra - czar of Indian cuisine - dies
Jiggs Kalra, the 'Czar of Indian Cuisine' and a pioneer food columnist, is no more. He was in his early seventies.
A Padma Shri recipient, Kalra, in career spanning close to 50 years has been instrumental in introducing Indian cuisine to the international audience and has cooked for Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Bill Clinton among many luminaries.
He has also authored over 11 titles on Indian cuisine.
Food columnist and journalist Vir Sanghvi tweeted, "Goodbye old friend.The great Jiggs Kalra who did so much to rediscover the lost secrets of Indian food and who gave chefs their rightful place in the sun goes off to that great kitchen in the sky to ensure that the gods eat his wonderful food.There will never be another Jiggs."
Jiggs has been wheelchair bound for a while now and his son Zorawar, owns and manages Massive Restaurants Pvt Ltd, which runs three restaurants - Masala Library, a fine dine brand; Made in Punjab, a casual-dining chain and Farzi Cafe, an Indian bistro serving molecular gastronomy from world.
Photograph: Courtesy, Zorawar Kalra on Facebook
11:06 Own the defeat and regroup
"They promised the electorate refined cow urine. How many seats did that win you? Why blame the liberals? A religious Gandhi and an agnostic Nehru defined Indian liberalism, and people of India ate out of their hands. Hear Gandhi on cow protection, and listen to Nehru on temple building. Stop blaming the boots for the faults of your feet."
The Dawn's Javed Naqvi on how Modi won and Rahul lost the elections. Read the column here.
11:01 Money laundering case: Vadra reaches ED
Robert Vadra arrives at the office of Enforcement Directorate in Delhi in connection with a money laundering case.
The ED has summoned Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law to appear before the agency in connection with a land grabbing case. He has been summoned for questioning in cases related to alleged land grab in Delhi NCR, Bikaner, and properties abroad.
On May 30 too, Robert Vadra had appeared before the ED for questioning in the same case. On the same day, he had stated that he will comply with all summons by the government agencies until his name is cleared of "false allegations".
"Till date, I have deposed 11 times with questioning of approximately 70 hours. In the future also, I will cooperate as always, till my name is cleared of all false allegations and accusations. I maintain my belief in the Indian judiciary is unshakeable I have and will adhere to all summons/norms of the government agencies," he had said in a Facebook post.
On May 24, the agency had requested the Delhi High Court for custodial interrogation of Robert Vadra for questioning him about the source of funds used for the purchase of a London-based property worth 1.9 million pounds and ascertain the role of certain other people, who allegedly helped him launder the money.
10:47 Police arrest alleged serial killer
An alleged serial killer, who targeted middle-aged women when they were alone at home, has been arrested in this small town in East Burdwan district, the police said Tuesday.
Kamaruzzaman Sarkar, a small-time trader of discarded materials, is a suspect in the killing of five women and injuring several others in East Burdwan and neighbouring Hooghly districts, the police said.
The 42-year old Sarkar, attired in trendy clothes, would enter homes during afternoon hours in the pretext of taking electricity meter readings and then pounce upon the women with a cycle chain and an iron rod, East Burdwan Superintendent of Police, Bhaskar Mukhopadhyay said that the district court has on Monday remanded Sarkar to 12 days in police custody in connection with the murder of Putul Majhi at Goara village here on May 21.
The SP said that the police sought Sarkar's custody to interrogate him on his role in the other four murders, all of which were committed in the same manner. -- PTI
10:28 Kochi student infected with deadly Nipah virus
Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja confirmed Tuesday that a 23-year-old college student admitted to a hospital in Kochi has been infected with the Nipah virus. The results of blood samples of the student, which were tested at the National Institute of Virology in Pune, have confirmed Nipah, she said. The result came this morning, she said.
The student has been admitted to a private hospital. Earlier, blood samples examined at two virology institutes -- Manipal Institute of Virology and Kerala Institute of Virology and Infectious Diseases -- had indicated Nipah.
Sixteen persons lost their lives to the Nipah virus in Kerala last year. The natural host of the virus is believed to be fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family, Pteropus genus.
File pic: Staff at a hospital in Kochi take precautions when the virus affected several patients in 2018.
10:13 Rupee rises 26 paise to 69 vs USD in early trade
The rupee appreciated by 26 paise to 69.00 against the US dollar in early trade Tuesday driven by weakening of the greenback in overseas markets and sustained foreign fund inflows. Forex dealers said, selling of the American currency by exporters, fresh foreign fund inflows and easing crude oil prices supported the rupee.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened on a weak note at 69.10, but gathered momentum and rose to a high of 69.00 against the US dollar, showing 26 paise gain over its previous closing. The local unit, however, pared some gains and was quoted at 69.13 against the American currency at 0949 hrs.
The rupee had settled at 69.26 against the US dollar on Monday. Forex traders said the rupee strengthened on expectation of a rate cut in key policy rates by the Reserve Bank of India.
Domestic bourses opened on a cautious note Tuesday with benchmark indices Sensex trading 58.44 points down at 40,209.18 and Nifty down 19.75 points at 12,068.80. PTI
09:57 Sudhakar Reddy quits as CPI general secy, D Raja likely to succeed him
Communist Party of India general secretary Sudhakar Reddy has tendered his resignation, taking moral responsibility of the rout of the party in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The CPI's Party Congress has been called in New Delhi in third week of August.
Insiders in the CPI say that D Raja and Atul Kumar Anjan are in the race to succeed Sudhakar Reddy.
The CPI won two Lok Sabha seats in the last elections in Tamil Nadu, thanks to their alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Hence, Raja's chances to succeed Reddy are better.
After the loss, the CPI is on the verge of losing its national party status.
09:38 Delhi likely to get respite from heat in 48 hrs
Delhi and its adjoining areas are likely to get slight relief from the intense heat in the next 48 hours, said India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The minimum and maximum temperatures of the national capital are likely to hover at 30 degree Celsius and 40 degree Celsius tomorrow (June 5).
Besides, the weather forecasting agency also predicted that moderate to heavy rain, thundershowers along with lightning and gusty winds up to 40-50 km per hour with possibility of hail at one or two places very likely to continue in the districts of Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, Shimla, Kinnaur, Sirmaur, Mandi and Kullu in the next few hours.
Heat wave conditions in many parts with a severe heat wave in isolated pockets very likely over East Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha.
East Rajasthan and in isolated pockets over Haryana, Marathwada Chhattisgarh, and Telangana are also likely to bear the brunt of the summer heat. -- ANI
09:15 Rivals take a swipe at strained BJP-JD(U) ties
Reports of strained ties between Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal-United has raised the political temperature in Bihar with key opposition parties uniting in lashing out at the two parties.
Bihar's main opposition party Rashtriya Janata Dal has alleged that the current situation reaffirms that the public has been cheated.
"Though it is an internal issue of these two parties, it cannot be denied that these two parties came together to betray people of Bihar. This is why the public has to bear the brunt of political strain between these two parties," RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha told ANI.
Congress leader Tariq Anwar outlined JD-U's missing representation from the Union Cabinet to assert that everything doesn't seem right between the two parties.
"Nitish Kumar is teaching BJP a lesson. He refused its offer of giving one cabinet birth in Central cabinet to JD-U and later expanded the Bihar cabinet by completely sidelining the BJP legislators.
"This makes it evident that not everything is right between two alliance partners and in coming times Nitish Kumar can create problems for BJP. He has already hinted that he has other options", said Anwar.
Previously, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party leader Upendra Kushwaha had taken a jibe at the JD(U)-BJP alliance by stating that BJP must be ready for a 'second betrayal' from Nitish Kumar.
However, the JD-U has already refuted claims of having a strained relationship with BJP.
The JDU on May 30 decided to not be a part of Prime Minister Modi's new ministry, rejecting the BJP's offer of only one ministerial berth. -- ANI
08:11 Search continues for IAF's missing AN-32
UPDATE: Indian Air Force's missing AN-32 aircraft with 13 people on board is still not located.
C-130J and ground patrols of the Army are still carrying out search operations.
Earlier, the IAF said while reports of possible location of the crash site were received, no wreckage of the AN-32 transport aircraft which went missing earlier in the day in Arunachal Pradesh has been sighted so far.
'Some reports of possible location of the crash site were received, however, no wreckage has been sighted so far,' IAF said in a series of tweets.
'IAF is coordinating with the Indian Army, various government and civil agencies to locate the missing aircraft. Search operations will continue from the air and by ground parties of Indian Army through the night. Efforts are on to establish the whereabouts of the aircraft,' it added.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been apprised of the situation by the Vice-Chief of the Air Force, Air Marshal Rakesh Singh Bhadauria.
The Air Marshal also informed the minister about the steps taken by the IAF to find the missing aircraft.
'Spoke to Vice Chief of @IAF_MCC, Air Marshal Rakesh Singh Bhadauria regarding the missing IAF AN-32 Aircraft which is overdue for some hours. He has apprised me of the steps taken by the IAF to find the missing aircraft. I pray for the safety of all passengers on board,' Singh who was on an official visit to Kashmir said in a tweet. -- ANI
00:02 Japanese women submit anti-high heels petition
Around 19,000 people have signed a petition calling for Japan to end dress codes that require women to wear high heels in the workplace.
The petition was started by Yumi Ishikawa who says she was made to wear high heels while working at a funeral parlour.
Her tweets on the issue went viral with more than 30,000 shares.
In 2015, a London receptionist was sent home from work without pay after she refused to wear high heels.
The campaign is referred to in Japan as #KuToo. It plays on the Japanese words for shoes "kutsu" and pain "kutsuu" and also references the #MeToo movement, according to Kyodo News.
Campaigners say that wearing high heels is seen as obligatory when applying for jobs.
Ishikawa, also an actress, said: "I hope this campaign will change the social norm so that it won't be considered to be bad manners when women wear flat shoes like men."
She added that she had met a ministry official who was "sympathetic" towards the petition.
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