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Sat, 30 April 2016
U'khand forest fire: Mi-17 chopper deployed to control blaze
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23:55
JUST IN: Petrol price hiked by Rs1.06 per litre, diesel by Rs2.94 per litre
23:21 Still negotiating F-16 deal with US: Pak official
Pakistan is still negotiating with the United States to purchase F-16 fighter jets despite difficulties in getting the 700$ deal partially financed by American government, a top official said today.
The purchase hit snags after the US Congress withheld 60 per cent of the aid earmarked for subsidising the deal opposed by some American lawmakers and India.
Tariq Fatemi, the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, responding to reports about the deadlock over the deal said that the "negotiations aren't over yet", reported BBC Radio.
He said Pakistan's mission in Washington is currently in talks with members of Congress to raise awareness of Islamabad's views on the matter.
"America understands how important a role these eight F-16s can play in the fight against terror, which is why the request was made in the first place."
According to the deal, Pakistan would have paid $270 million and the remaining $430 million was to come from the US.
22:36 U'khand forest fire: Mi-17 chopper deployed to control blaze
With major fires blighting around 1,900 hectares of forests in Uttarakhand, the government on Saturday decided to press two MI-17 helicopters into service as the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force and army personnel struggled to douse the flames which have claimed six lives till now.
A total of 1890.79 hectares of green cover have been destroyed this fire season which had an early start on February 2 due to a dry winter.
Chamoli, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Almora, Pithoragarh and Nainital are the worst-affected districts.
While three NDRF teams and one SDRF company are busy dousing the flames in different parts of the state, two Indian Air Force choppers have been sent to Nainital and Pauri districts, among the worst hit, to spray water over the burning jungles, Raj Bhawan officials in Dehradun said.
Enough funds have been made available to all affected districts besides required personnel and equipment to deal with any situation, they said.
"One MI-17 chopper has been stationed at Bhimtal near Nainital right which is being loaded with water collected from the waterbodies in the area and begin spraying water over affected areas," Chief Secretary Shatrughna Singh said.
Another IAF chopper sent to Pauri will operate in similar fashion, a Raj Bhawan official said.
22:30 9576 people challaned during second phase of odd-even scheme
The second phase of odd-even scheme saw slight drop in number of challans issued for violating the rule with government agencies penalising a total of 9576 people this time, 482 less than that reported during the first leg.
The transport department of Delhi government and traffic police recovered a penalty of Rs 1.91 crore from violators during the 15-day period of implementation of the scheme which ended on Saturday.
In the first phase, implemented from January 1 to January 15, the Government, sub-divisional magistrates and traffic wing had collected Rs 2.01 crore in the form of penalty.
According to the Delhi government, a total of 5514 motorists were penalised by its transport department during the second phase, while the traffic police acted against 4062 violators.
The figures include 402 and 186 motorists against whom the state transport department and traffic police acted for violating the rule.
Meanwhile, the transport department received 13476 calls on its helpline number 42400400. Out of these, 12250 pertained to enquiry, while 978 were made for making complaints. The department received 248 suggestion calls.
22:09 'No achhe din' even after 2 yrs of Modi govt: Survey
With the Modi government close to completing its two years in office, a new survey on Saturday said nearly half of the respondents (49 per cent) feel "no change" in their living standards while another 15 per cent feel the
situation has actually worsened.
The survey, conducted by the Centre for Media Studies, further claimed that "a significant percentage (43 per cent) feels that poor people are not benefitting from programmes and schemes under the Modi government."
At the same time, the 'performance appraisal' of the two years of the Modi government also found that Narendra Modi's performance as the prime minister was being liked by a vast majority (62 per cent) and as many as 70 per cent wanted him to continue as the prime minister beyond the first five years.
The survey, of around 4,000 respondents across rural and urban areas of 15 states, still observed that less than one third feel the prime minister has fulfilled promises while around 48 per cent felt the promises have been met partially.
"On whether living and life of people is any better today than two years ago, nearly half (49 per cent) feel 'no change' in scenario while 15 per cent feel that situation or conditions has worsened," the survey said.
Announcing the survey results at a press conference in New Delhi, former Secretary General of Lok Sabha Subhash C Kashyap said the personal image of the prime minister remains very bright and his performance is being liked by a majority.
Modi's efforts to improve India's stand globally as well as improving administration at home got a thumbs up from a majority in the survey.
"While National Democratic Alliance government's initiatives are generally appreciated, concern for increasing prices and unemployment at grass root continues," CMS Director General P N Vasanti said.
Among major failures of the Union government, inflation was cited by 32 per cent of the respondents, followed by inability to provide employment (29 per cent) and inability to bring much talked about black money (26 per cent) -- one of the key promises made in the 2014 election manifesto.
21:40 Cong attacks PM over degree row, calls govt 'habitual offender'
The Congress on Saturday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue of his educational qualification saying his government was a "habitual offender" on the matter.
"If the prime minister himself is seeking to hide his educational qualifications, then how could common man have the confidence to use the right to information as a tool to fight corruption," party's chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala said when asked about the Central Information Commission's direction to universities in Delhi and Gujarat to provide proper responses to RTI applications seeking details of education qualification of the prime minister.
Recalling the degree row in which HRD Minister Smriti Irani was involved, he noted that a court case is also on in the matter. He said there is also controversy over the degree of Minister of State of HRD Ram Shankar Katheria.
Insisting that the Congress respected the prime minister despite being his opponent, Surjewala, however, said if the prime minister "himself hides his degrees, then how could be the Right to Information be defended".
He said that not only should the prime minister make public his educational qualifications, but he should also "act against those in the PMO who attempted to malign him by not giving the information".
He alleged that other BJP leaders too have "misled" on their educational qualifications and that they were "habitual offenders".
21:29 Restrictions imposed on movement during anti-militancy ops
Authorities in Baramulla district of Kashmir on Saturday announced restrictions on movement of people within three km radius of counter-insurgency operations, apparently to curb the growing trend of locals staging
protests to distract security forces from hunting down militants.
"According to the District Magistrate Baramulla, restrictions on the movement of people within the radius of three kms from counter-insurgency operation sites has been imposed under the section 144 CrPC in the district," an official spokesman said.
In case of any exigency, the spokesman said the local population can seek the assistance of the district administration or the local police concerned.
"These restrictions shall however not apply to the movement of ambulances, medical, para medical staff and government employees," the spokesman said.
The decision was taken apparently to discourage people, especially youth, from interfering in operations to track down militants as a new phenomenon has emerged in the valley over the past several months wherein protesters indulge in stone-pelting on security forces engaged in gunbattles with militants.
20:53 Bipasha Basu marries Karan Singh Grover
Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu has tied the knot with Karan Singh Grover in a private ceremony which was a mix of Punjabi and Bengali rituals at a suburban hotel in Mumbai.
Bipasha, 37, looked radiant in her all red bridal attire which she teamed with the traditional Bengali white tiara and red-white chandan dots adorning her forehead.
Karan, who co-starred with Bipasha in "Alone", made a quirky entry as he arrived at the venue on a segway wearing a white sherwani.
Bipasha's former boyfriend Dino Morea, model Candice Pinto were among guests at the wedding ceremony.
The entrance of the venue was decorated with flowers, while Bipasha and Karan's pre-wedding photoshoot pictures have been used as wallpapers.
The couple will host a dinner party later.
A mehendi and sangeet ceremony was held on Friday which was attended by family and close friends like Shilpa and Shamita Shetty and Anusha Dandekar among others.
A traditional Bengali ritual was also held at her residence on Thursday.
It is Bipasha's first marriage while Karan has tied the knot for the third time. He was previously married to TV actresses Shraddha Nigam and Jennifer Winget.
20:29 Real Estate Act comes into force tomorrow
The Real Estate Act, designed to protect consumer interest and improve accountability of developers, will come into force tomorrow, setting in motion the process of making necessary operational rules and creation
of institutional infrastructure.
An official statement said that the rules will made "within a maximum period of 6 months" as per the provisions of the Act.
It also said the proposed authorities, which will ensure timely execution of projects, and the appellate tribunals to adjudicate cases will come up in one year.
The Act makes it difficult for promoters and builders to delay projects and gives relief to home-buyers and proposes imprisonment of up to three years besides monetary penalties for any violation of rules.
The law also makes it mandatory for all residential and commercial projects to register with the Regulator and will apply to new and ongoing projects.
20:24 Narrow escape for Hema as vehicles in her cavalcade collide
Actor-turned-politician Hema Malini today had a narrow escape as two vehicles in her cavalcade collided with each other under Highway police station area in Mathura, police said.
"MP Hema Malini is safe," SP City, Mukul Dwivedi said.
The accident took place when the BJP MP was going to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Veterinary University and Gau Anusandhan Kendra to inaugurate a function.
"One of the vehicles in the MP's cavalcade suddenly applied the brakes, halting the movement of the other vehicles. Meanwhile, a speeding car entered into the fleet and brushed past the vehicle carrying the MP," Sanjai Govil, BJP leader, said.
The stray vehicle fled the spot thereafter, he added.
The Bollywood actor had met with an accident in Rajasthan last year, in which a four-year-old girl was killed and five others were injured, including Hema Malini.
19:55 84 migrants still missing after boat sinks off Libya
Eighty-four migrants are still missing after an inflatable craft sank off the coast of Libya, according to survivors cited by the International Organization for Migrantion today.
Twenty-six people were rescued from the boat which sank Friday, and were questioned overnight.
"According to testimonies gathered by the IOM in Lampedusa 84 people went missing," said IOM spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo on his Twitter feed.
19:43 Mumbai civic body workers have offered to pay my fine: Kanhaiya
JNU student union president Kanhaiya Kumar who is out on bail in a sedition case today claimed that contractual labourers of Mumbai Municipal Corporation have volunteered to pay the fine slapped on him by the varsity in connection with the February 9 event.
"Contract labourers of Mumbai Municipal Corporation hv collected 10K to pay my fine. We will not pay the fine and fight the unfair HLEC of JNU. But our solidarity long live! Chatra, Mazdoor, Kisaan ekta Zindabad!," he said in a series of tweets.
The 29-year-old research scholar, who is among those on an indefinite hunger strike in protest against punishments awarded by JNU for involvement in the event, is in Patna today for a student meeting.
He also visited his family in Begusarai. Following the Patna visit he has plans to go to Kerala to campaign for a fellow JNU student who is in the fray for May 16 elections.
Kanhaiya along with Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya were arrested in connection with an event on campus against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. They are now out on bail.
18:40 4-yr old boy slips into 200-ft borewell in Pune
A four-year-old boy accidentally fell into a 200-feet deep open borewell today at a village in Shirur taluka of Pune district even as rescue operation was on to pull him out, police said.
The incident took place this afternoon at Mandwan village in Shirur, nearly 63 km from Pune, when Sunil More, son of a labourer who was working at a farm nearby, slipped into the borewell while playing, station duty officer at Shirur Police Station A J Jagdale said.
The boy got struck at 20-feet depth from the ground level, he added.
"Local administration along with fire brigade, medical team and police have reached the spot and an operation has been launched to rescue the boy," Jagdale said.
The rescue teams are digging a parallel hole near the borewell in an attempt to pull out the child, the officer said, adding that oxygen is being pumped into the borewell and the boy is responding.
18:09 Hindu tailor hacked to death in north Bangladesh
A Hindu tailor was hacked to death by unidentified men near his workplace today in north Bangladesh, the latest in a series of brutal attacks on intellectuals, activists and minorities in the Muslim majority country.
Nikhil Chandra Joarder, 50, a resident of the Dubail village under Gopalpur upazila of the Tangail district, was hacked to death this afternoon.
"Three young men riding a motorcycle have come to Nikhil's shop around 12 PM and called him to nearby road on which they hacked him. The killers left the spot promptly after the incident," Gopalpur police station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdul Jalil was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune.
The attackers left a black bag at the spot, which contained three to four bomb-like objects, reports said.
Asked about the possible motive behind the attack, Jalil told reporters that a case was filed against Nikhil in 2012 for making a "derogatory" comment about the Prophet of Islam.
He had been arrested for allegedly making the comments and then released.
It can be the reason for the murder," The Daily Star quoted him as saying.
18:07 All issues sorted, BCCI resumes ties with West Indies
Claiming to have resolved all outstanding issues, the BCCI today announced the resumption of bilateral cricket ties with the West Indies starting with a four-Test series in July-August.
"The Board of Control for Cricket in India and the West Indies Cricket Board have resolved outstanding issues arising out of the abandonment of the tour of the West Indies team to India in 2014," the BCCI said in a statement.
With this understanding, a proposed bilateral series as part of the Future Tours Programme will be resumed with the Indian cricket team touring the West Indies in July-August, for a Test series.
In October 2014, when West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo led the players' revolt over payment issues, the team had returned home after the fourth ODI against India in Dharamsala.
17:52 Protesters break into Baghdad 'Green Zone'; ransack Iraq parliament
Thousands of protesters broke into Baghdad's heavily fortified "Green Zone" today and ransacked parliament after lawmakers again failed to approve new cabinet ministers, AFP reported.
An AFP reporter said thousands of angry protesters moved into the restricted area, which houses the country's key government institutions, and some began ransacking the parliament building.
17:35 Congress to gherao Parliament over Uttarakhand, drought, Agusta issues
Amid escalating confrontation with the government, Congress today announced a gherao of Parliament on May 6 to highlight issues like Uttarakhand, drought and the campaign of deceit and deliberate lies against opposition.
Party chief Sonia Gandhi, vice president Rahul Gandhi and a host of other leaders and party workers would march from Jantar Mantar early morning on next Friday to gherao Parliament.
Last year, the Congress had organised a rally at Ram Lila grounds on April 19 to protest the controversial Land acquisition bill which it had dubbed as anti-farmer and pro-corporate.
Before that Sonia Gandhi had led a march of opposition leaders to Rashtrapati Bhawan on the issue.
The announcement was made by partys chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala, who said the gherao would be the culmination of a save democracy march.
He said it is being undertaken in the wake of attempts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government to topple duly elected governments as was witnessed in the conspiracies in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
In an obvious reference to the AgustaWestland issue, he said the march was also against the drama being enacted by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the government and the campaign of deceit and deliberate lies launched by it.
Party chief Sonia Gandhi, vice president Rahul Gandhi and a host of other leaders and party workers would march from Jantar Mantar early morning on next Friday to gherao Parliament.
Last year, the Congress had organised a rally at Ram Lila grounds on April 19 to protest the controversial Land acquisition bill which it had dubbed as anti-farmer and pro-corporate.
Before that Sonia Gandhi had led a march of opposition leaders to Rashtrapati Bhawan on the issue.
The announcement was made by partys chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala, who said the gherao would be the culmination of a save democracy march.
He said it is being undertaken in the wake of attempts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government to topple duly elected governments as was witnessed in the conspiracies in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
In an obvious reference to the AgustaWestland issue, he said the march was also against the drama being enacted by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the government and the campaign of deceit and deliberate lies launched by it.
17:14 NIA officer murder case: Property of prime accused attached
Police today attached the property of the alleged mastermind in the murder case of National Investigation Agency officer Tanzil Ahmad and his wife.
SP Bijnor Subhash Singh Baghel said the property ofabsconding accused Muneer was impounded by eight police teams.
Uttar Pradesh Police had arrested two alleged killers including a relative of Ahmad even as the alleged mastermind, Muneer, is still on the run.
The STF and ATS are also on the lookout for Muneer and hewould be nabbed soon, Baghel said.
Ahmad, probing terror cases related to Indian Mujahideen,was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants who also wounded his wife when they were returning home from a wedding near UP's Bijnor town.
SP Bijnor Subhash Singh Baghel said the property ofabsconding accused Muneer was impounded by eight police teams.
Uttar Pradesh Police had arrested two alleged killers including a relative of Ahmad even as the alleged mastermind, Muneer, is still on the run.
The STF and ATS are also on the lookout for Muneer and hewould be nabbed soon, Baghel said.
Ahmad, probing terror cases related to Indian Mujahideen,was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants who also wounded his wife when they were returning home from a wedding near UP's Bijnor town.
16:37
JUST IN: A Junior Commissioned Officer killed in accidental firing at Langate area of Handwara (Kupwara, J&K)
15:59 3 die, several trapped as building collapses in Mumbai
A three-storey building collapsed in Mumbai on Saturday afternoon, killing three persons and trapping many others, civic officials said.
"According to info, three people have died and six have been admitted to hospital. Many are still feared to be trapped in the debris," MLA Amin Patel said.
Five persons were rescued from the debris of the building in Kamathipura area of Grant Road, which caved in at around 2 pm, a Fire Brigade official said.
However, two of the injured succumbed to injuries at J J Hospital and Nair Hospital, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Disaster Control Room officials.
The condition of the other injured is said to be critical.
Many people are still feared trapped under the rubble, the Fire Brigade official said, adding the structure housed a beer bar and a factory, among others.
Eight fire engines and three ambulances were pressed into rescue operation, the official said.
"According to info, three people have died and six have been admitted to hospital. Many are still feared to be trapped in the debris," MLA Amin Patel said.
Five persons were rescued from the debris of the building in Kamathipura area of Grant Road, which caved in at around 2 pm, a Fire Brigade official said.
However, two of the injured succumbed to injuries at J J Hospital and Nair Hospital, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Disaster Control Room officials.
The condition of the other injured is said to be critical.
Many people are still feared trapped under the rubble, the Fire Brigade official said, adding the structure housed a beer bar and a factory, among others.
Eight fire engines and three ambulances were pressed into rescue operation, the official said.
15:32 Auction fails, no bidder turns up for Kingfisher brands
Auction of brands and trademarks of Kingfisher Airlines turned out to be a damp squib today as lenders failed to attract a single bidder for sale of these pledged assets at a reserve price of Rs 366.70 crore in their efforts to recover unpaid loans from beleaguered Vijay Mallya.
This is the second failed attempt by the 17-bank consortium led by state-run behemoth the State Bank of India to recover some money from Mallya, after an earlier auction of Kingfisher House -- the erstwhile headquarters of the long-defunct airline -- met with a similar fate, with no bidder coming forward.
The items on sale during today's e-auction included the the Kingfisher logo as also the once-famous tagline 'Fly the Good Times'.
The other trademarks on sale included Flying Models, Funliner, Fly Kingfisher and Flying Bird Device.
The reserve price for the trademarks was kept at Rs 366.70 crore, which is not even one-tenth of the price at which it was pledged as a collateral for the loan. Sources, however, said the reserve price was 'too high' for any bidder to come in.
"There were no bids, possibly because the reserve price was considered very high. Though the reserve price was set much lower than its original valuation at the time of taking the brand as collateral, people still found it to be high," a banking source said.
This is the second failed attempt by the 17-bank consortium led by state-run behemoth the State Bank of India to recover some money from Mallya, after an earlier auction of Kingfisher House -- the erstwhile headquarters of the long-defunct airline -- met with a similar fate, with no bidder coming forward.
The items on sale during today's e-auction included the the Kingfisher logo as also the once-famous tagline 'Fly the Good Times'.
The other trademarks on sale included Flying Models, Funliner, Fly Kingfisher and Flying Bird Device.
The reserve price for the trademarks was kept at Rs 366.70 crore, which is not even one-tenth of the price at which it was pledged as a collateral for the loan. Sources, however, said the reserve price was 'too high' for any bidder to come in.
"There were no bids, possibly because the reserve price was considered very high. Though the reserve price was set much lower than its original valuation at the time of taking the brand as collateral, people still found it to be high," a banking source said.
15:23 One killed, several trapped as 2-storey building collapses in Mumbai
JUST IN: A portion of a two-storey building collapsed in Mumbai's Kamathipura area on Saturday afternoon, reportedly killing one person.
Four persons have been rescued from the rubble, while some are feared to be trapped under the debris.
CNN News 18 reported that one person was killed in the mishap.
More details are awaited.
Four persons have been rescued from the rubble, while some are feared to be trapped under the debris.
CNN News 18 reported that one person was killed in the mishap.
More details are awaited.
15:15 TMC minister called part of Kolkata port 'mini Pakistan': BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party has alleged that a state minister and Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim has described a part of Kolkata port area as 'mini Pakistan' in an interview to Pakistan daily Dawn and demanded an explanation, even as Hakim denied having made such comment.
"How can a minister say such things? We demand an explanation from both Mr Firhad Hakim and also Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh said.
When contacted, Hakim said he never made such comment. "The Pakistani journalist came along with a journalist of a local Bengali daily. She only asked me that this place looks like Karachi of Pakistan. I did not make any comment. She spoke to me about my election campaign. I answered those questions. That's all," he said.
According to an article in Dawn, a journalist of the newspaper who was in Kolkata a few days ago, spoke to Hakim during his campaign trail in Muslim-dominated Kolkata port area and it was during this interview that he termed the part of Kolkata port area as 'Mini Pakistan'.
"How can a minister say such things? We demand an explanation from both Mr Firhad Hakim and also Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh said.
When contacted, Hakim said he never made such comment. "The Pakistani journalist came along with a journalist of a local Bengali daily. She only asked me that this place looks like Karachi of Pakistan. I did not make any comment. She spoke to me about my election campaign. I answered those questions. That's all," he said.
According to an article in Dawn, a journalist of the newspaper who was in Kolkata a few days ago, spoke to Hakim during his campaign trail in Muslim-dominated Kolkata port area and it was during this interview that he termed the part of Kolkata port area as 'Mini Pakistan'.
13:40 Modi to visit Varanasi tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi tomorrow where he will launch solar-powered boats for plying on river Ganga apart from distributing 1,000 e-rickshaws.
The prime minister will arrive at the Babatpur airport from New Delhi by a special aircraft and will leave by helicopter for Ballia in eastern Uttar Pradesh to launch the Pradhanmantri Ujjwala Yojana.
The PMUY scheme aims to provide free LPG connections to about five crore families living below poverty line across the country.
From Ballia, the PM will fly back to Varanasi where will preside over a function to distribute 1000 e-rickshaws to beneficiaries at Diesel Locomotive Works ground.
Modi will then visit 'Jnana Pravaha', a centre of cultural studies and research, in Samne Ghat area. The centre was founded in 1997 by city-borne philanthropist Bimla Poddar, who was conferred with Padma Shri last year
The Jnana Pravaha boasts of a museum with rare artefacts belonging to ancient and medieval ages, a library equipped with rare books and manuscripts and a handicraft atelier where artisans churn out exquisite specimens of brass, copper and Ashtadhatu (alloy comprising eight metals).
The PM will thereafter head to the Assi Ghat on river Ganga, where he will launch 11 solar-powered 'e-boats'.
Widespread use of motorboats, mostly powered by diesel, has been a cause of concern in view of the alarming pollution level in the holy river.
The prime minister will arrive at the Babatpur airport from New Delhi by a special aircraft and will leave by helicopter for Ballia in eastern Uttar Pradesh to launch the Pradhanmantri Ujjwala Yojana.
The PMUY scheme aims to provide free LPG connections to about five crore families living below poverty line across the country.
From Ballia, the PM will fly back to Varanasi where will preside over a function to distribute 1000 e-rickshaws to beneficiaries at Diesel Locomotive Works ground.
Modi will then visit 'Jnana Pravaha', a centre of cultural studies and research, in Samne Ghat area. The centre was founded in 1997 by city-borne philanthropist Bimla Poddar, who was conferred with Padma Shri last year
The Jnana Pravaha boasts of a museum with rare artefacts belonging to ancient and medieval ages, a library equipped with rare books and manuscripts and a handicraft atelier where artisans churn out exquisite specimens of brass, copper and Ashtadhatu (alloy comprising eight metals).
The PM will thereafter head to the Assi Ghat on river Ganga, where he will launch 11 solar-powered 'e-boats'.
Widespread use of motorboats, mostly powered by diesel, has been a cause of concern in view of the alarming pollution level in the holy river.
13:05 UPA must answer who received kickbacks in Agusta deal:Parrikar
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the previous United Progressive Alliance dispensation will have to answer who received the alleged kickbacks in the AgustaWestland chopper deal.
"The moot question is who took the money in Agusta deal. Those who were at the helm at the time when the deal was struck owe an explanation. The Italian court has clearly said that an amount of Rs 125 crore was paid. It has even disclosed some names. The government of that day needs to answer," he told reporters.
"Investigations will make it clear how much in kickbacks was paid and to whom but the manner in which the deal was inked and efforts were made to favour a particular company will have to be explained by those in power at the time," the Union minister said.
However, he said he would not speak much on the issue as the matter is to be sorted out out in Parliament
"The moot question is who took the money in Agusta deal. Those who were at the helm at the time when the deal was struck owe an explanation. The Italian court has clearly said that an amount of Rs 125 crore was paid. It has even disclosed some names. The government of that day needs to answer," he told reporters.
"Investigations will make it clear how much in kickbacks was paid and to whom but the manner in which the deal was inked and efforts were made to favour a particular company will have to be explained by those in power at the time," the Union minister said.
However, he said he would not speak much on the issue as the matter is to be sorted out out in Parliament
11:56 CBI grills former deputy IAF chief in Agusta case
The Central Bureau of Investigation is questioning former vice chief of the Indian Air Force Air Marshal J S Gujral (retd) in connection with the probe in the AgustaWestland VVIP choppers deal.
Sources said that Gujral, who has earlier been examined as a witness in the case, has been asked by the agency to come for questioning in the case.
Gujral had retired as deputy chief of air staff, where he was in charge of procurements.
The agency has also summoned former IAF chief S P Tyagi for questioning in the case on Monday.
Sources said that Gujral, who has earlier been examined as a witness in the case, has been asked by the agency to come for questioning in the case.
Gujral had retired as deputy chief of air staff, where he was in charge of procurements.
The agency has also summoned former IAF chief S P Tyagi for questioning in the case on Monday.
11:44 SC allows Delhi police, water board to buy diesel vehicles above 2000 CC
The Supreme Court has allowed the Delhi Police to get its 190 diesel vehicles of 2000 CC and above registered on payment of green cess.
The Delhi Police will have to pay 30 per cent environmental compensation charge to buy special diesel vehicles of over 2000 CC.
The interim order banning registration of diesel-run vehicles with engine capacity of 2000 CC and above was in force till April 30.
The SC also allowed Delhi Jal Board to get its new diesel-run water tankers to be registered with transport authority.
The DJB was exempted from paying the green cess.
On March 31, the Supreme Court had extended the ban on registration of diesel cars with engine capacity over 2000 cc in the national capital region and indicated imposing a one-time cess on their purchase in a bid to clean up Delhi's toxic air.
The Delhi Police will have to pay 30 per cent environmental compensation charge to buy special diesel vehicles of over 2000 CC.
The interim order banning registration of diesel-run vehicles with engine capacity of 2000 CC and above was in force till April 30.
The SC also allowed Delhi Jal Board to get its new diesel-run water tankers to be registered with transport authority.
The DJB was exempted from paying the green cess.
On March 31, the Supreme Court had extended the ban on registration of diesel cars with engine capacity over 2000 cc in the national capital region and indicated imposing a one-time cess on their purchase in a bid to clean up Delhi's toxic air.
11:35 SC refuses to modify order on NEET
The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a plea seeking modification of its order on National Eligibility Entrance Test.
In reply to a petition, filed by a group of students, the court said 'let the exams go on'.
On Thursday, the court had fixed the timeline for conducting the NEET for admissions to MBBS and BDS courses and clarified that its directive will supersede all other orders relating to medical admissions.
Students who filed the petition seeking modification of NEET order said syllabus of the Central Board of Secondary Education and state boards are different and they won't have time to prepare.
The Supreme Court, however, told the students, "Nothing stops you from preparing for exams."
First phase of NEET examination will be held on May 1.
Students who have registered for the All-India Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Test, that will now be NEET phase 1, feel they are at a disadvantage as those who take NEET in phase 2 will get nearly three months more to prepare. The second phase of NEET is scheduled on July 24 for candidates who have not registered for AIPMT.
In reply to a petition, filed by a group of students, the court said 'let the exams go on'.
On Thursday, the court had fixed the timeline for conducting the NEET for admissions to MBBS and BDS courses and clarified that its directive will supersede all other orders relating to medical admissions.
Students who filed the petition seeking modification of NEET order said syllabus of the Central Board of Secondary Education and state boards are different and they won't have time to prepare.
The Supreme Court, however, told the students, "Nothing stops you from preparing for exams."
First phase of NEET examination will be held on May 1.
Students who have registered for the All-India Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Test, that will now be NEET phase 1, feel they are at a disadvantage as those who take NEET in phase 2 will get nearly three months more to prepare. The second phase of NEET is scheduled on July 24 for candidates who have not registered for AIPMT.
10:43 19% voting till 9 am in WB; CPI-M, TMC workers clash
The overall voting percentage for the fifth phase of West Bengal polls till 9 am was 19.64 per cent.
In Kolkata, prominent personalities, including cricketer Sourav Ganguly and Netaji's grandnephew and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Chandra Kumar Bose, cast their votes in the crucial fifth phase.
Meanwhile in Arambag, Hooghly, workers of the Trinamool Congress and the Communist Party of India-Marxists clashed, in which one CPI-M supporter was injured.
The CPI-M alleged that the TMC supporters threatened people to not vote.
Image: Cricketer Sourav Ganguly at a polling booth in Kolkata on Saturday. Photograph: ANI
In Kolkata, prominent personalities, including cricketer Sourav Ganguly and Netaji's grandnephew and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Chandra Kumar Bose, cast their votes in the crucial fifth phase.
Meanwhile in Arambag, Hooghly, workers of the Trinamool Congress and the Communist Party of India-Marxists clashed, in which one CPI-M supporter was injured.
The CPI-M alleged that the TMC supporters threatened people to not vote.
Image: Cricketer Sourav Ganguly at a polling booth in Kolkata on Saturday. Photograph: ANI
09:54 Kanhaiya on two-day visit to Bihar; to meet Nitish, Lalu
Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar arrived in Patna on Saturday morning on a two-day visit to his home state Bihar to address several meetings.
He will meet top non-Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and will visit his native village in Begusarai district to meet parents.
According to sources, Kanhaiya is likely to meet Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad and other leaders on Saturday, who had supported his campaign.
"Kanhaiya has finally reached here, first time after he hit national and international media and became a national figure," Sushil Kumar, a leader of the All India Students' Federation, the student wing of Communist Party of India, said.
Tight security arrangements have been made in view of Kanhaiya's visit. M I Khan in Patna.
He will meet top non-Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and will visit his native village in Begusarai district to meet parents.
According to sources, Kanhaiya is likely to meet Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad and other leaders on Saturday, who had supported his campaign.
"Kanhaiya has finally reached here, first time after he hit national and international media and became a national figure," Sushil Kumar, a leader of the All India Students' Federation, the student wing of Communist Party of India, said.
Tight security arrangements have been made in view of Kanhaiya's visit. M I Khan in Patna.
02:55 Morarji had declined to accept inquiry commissions report: Declassified files
Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai had declined to accept the findings of two Commission of Inquiries that concluded Subhas Chandra Bose died in a plane crash in August 1945, according to the 25 declassified files on Netaji released today.
He also re-opened the issue of a fresh enquiry about the mysterious disappearance of Netaji and felt it would be more effective to have an investigative inquiry by experts to find out the reality.
Former MP Samar Guha, in a letter dated February 26, 1991, to then MP Madhu Dandavate, said, "...Morarji Desai, in a public statement in Lok Sabha in September 1978, declined to accept the findings of the Shah Nawaz Committee and Khosla Commission of Enquiry into 'disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose' since August 18, 1945 as 'conclusive'.
"Shri Morarji Desai as the Prime Minister of India, thus, re-opened the issue of a fresh inquiry about Netaji mystery," the letter read.
02:53 'India's self-contradictory actions may land it in trouble'
India's efforts to manoeuvre nimbly to forge closer ties with the US while stepping up dialogue with China and its "self-contradictory actions" in the foreign policy front may land it in a "difficult position", Chinese media has warned.
"While the lack of political leadership and ideological self-doubt regarding non-alignment hindered previous Indian governments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is better positioned to manoeuvre nimbly and therefore take seemingly self- contradictory actions in his foreign policymaking," an article in the website of the state-run Global Times said yesterday.
"In mid-February, a US military official revealed that the Indian Navy would join the US in patrolling South China Sea. Although the Indian side soon denied such joint patrols, Modi's government has clearly taken a bolder stance on China- related issues in the region than its predecessors," it said.
01:54 Kunduz hospital attack human error: Pentagon
The tragic US military attack on a 'Doctors Without Borders' hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz last October was a mistake, a combination of human errors compounded by process and equipment failures, the Pentagon said today.
Following a details investigation, the Pentagon has not only taken action against more than a dozen of its officials but also have decided to make condolence payments worth $5.7 million to 170 individuals and families victims of tragic attack on a Kunduz.
"US Forces-Afghanistan leaders have offered their sympathies and provided condolence payments to more than 170 individuals and families affected by this tragedy.
These modest payments are not designed to compensate the victims or place a value on their lives, but are a gesture of sympathy," General Joseph L Votel, Commander of the US Central Command told reporters at a news conference here.
01:37 Will free jailed Pak doc who tracked bin Laden: Trump
Republican presidential front runner Donald Trump today claimed if elected he would ensure the Pakistani doctor who helped the CIA trace Osama bin Laden is freed from jail within "two minutes".
"Yes, I do. I think I would get him out in two minutes," Trump told Fox News in an interview when asked if he would help free Shakeel Afridi, the doctor jailed for helping the US track down al-Qaeda leader bin Laden who was killed in a covert raid by US commandos in 2011.
"I would tell them let him out and I'm sure they would let him out," Trump said with confidence.
"Because we give a lot of aid to Pakistan. We give a lot of money to Pakistan. And frankly, they don't have any respect for our president. But when you say they take advantage or they are no friend, nobody is a friend to us," he said.
"They just take us like a bunch of suckers. And that's what my speech was about to a certain extent. It was also economic in terms of economic, relative to aid and the military. But Pakistan certainly takes advantage like everybody else. Nobody is different," Trump said.
00:04 7 cops injured as foreign drug peddlers hurl stones; 2 held
A group of drug peddlers, allegedly of foreign origin, hurled stones at a police party injuring seven policemen during a raid at Wadi Bunder area in South Mumbai, prompting them to fire three rounds in the air.
The incident took place late night, in which two foreign nationals-- Infunanya Ginika Minke, 37, and Ique Chikwneni Emaniyal, 24,-- were arrested by city Crime Branch and cocaine worth Rs 2.5 lakh was seized from them.
According to the police, a raid was conducted at Wadi Bunder around 11.30 pm, following which the group of drug peddlers started fleeing away from the spot taking advantage of darkness.
"The area was dimly lit and there was complete darkness along the railway tracks. After the raid, the group members started running from the spot and during the chase they even attacked police with stones, which they picked up from the nearby railway tracks," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Atul Kulkarni said.
00:01 Top headlines of the last 24 hours
Agusta case: Centre says PM didn't strike any deal with Italy
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Kanchi seer acquitted in auditor assault case
HC orders demolition of Adarsh building
CIC asks varsities to provide details of PM's degrees to Kejriwal
Agusta row: Swamy, Congress give notice for Privilege Motion in RS
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Kanchi seer acquitted in auditor assault case
HC orders demolition of Adarsh building
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