LIVE! 'Resolutely committed to principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'

LIVE

Tue, 08 January 2019

'Resolutely committed to principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'

Timeline Refresh

23:33 Talks with China going on very well: Trump

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that talks with China to address the problem of 'trade imbalance' are going "very well."

"Talks with China are going on very well!" Trump tweeted on January 8.

However, US President Trump's comments did not divulge any details regarding the steps which may be taken to curtail the trade war between the US and China.

The US president's remark comes a day after China announced that the two countries were close to striking a deal over the ongoing 'trade imbalance' between the two nations.

At the moment, trade talks are ongoing between US and China in Beijing. Quoting US officials, South China Morning Post reported that discussions would continue for the third day on January 9 between the two sides.

"I think we will make a deal with China. We have a massive trade negotiation going on with China. President Xi is very much involved. So am I. We're dealing at the highest levels and we're doing very well," Trump had earlier said on Friday.

-- ANI

Shortly after a landmark bill seeking to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education for the general category poor was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked all who supported it.

The PM said, "The passage of The Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019 in Lok Sabha is a landmark moment in our nations history. It sets into motion the process to achieve an effective measure that ensures justice for all sections of society."

The PM further said, "I thank MPs from all parties who supported it. We're resolutely committed to the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. It's our endeavour to ensure every poor person, irrespective of caste or creed gets to lead a life of dignity, & gets access to all possible opportunities."

As many as 323 members voted in support of the bill and only three voted against, underlining the cross-party support the politically crucial bill elicited.

Replying to an over four-and-a-half hour debate, Social Justice Minister Thaavarchand Gehlot sought to allay doubts raised by several opposition members about the legislations fate if challenged in the Supreme Court, saying he can say with confidence that the apex court will accept it.

The Winter session of Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Tuesday after the House passed the crucial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2018 and Constitutional Amendment Bill enabling ten per cent reservation for the economically weaker sections.

This was the last full session of the 16th Lok Sabha.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said 400 starred questions and 4600 unstarred questions were answered during the Question Hour.

She said 49 members were suspended for unruly behaviour during the session.

-- PTI

Here's a breakup of how the Lok Sabha voted on the quota to the 'economically poorer'.

The constitutional amendment bill to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions for economically weaker sections in the general category has been passed in the Lok Sabha.

It will now face the test in the Rajya Sabha.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that he has never had any conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he does not talk to him. Rahul also said that PM Modi meets and greets in monosyllables. "He will say 'hello'," he said.

In an interview to Gulf News ahead of his United Arab Emirates visit on January 11, Rahul Gandhi said that he does acknowledge the lessons that PM Modi has given him.

Rahul also said that a lot of what PM Modi says about him comes from the anger he has. "For example, the frame he uses against my family, there is an element of that frame which is hatred and anger," Rahul said.

"And there is another element that says look, you come from a position where you have had certain advantages and it is true! I have to take into account that truth, I cant deny the fact that my family was in politics."

Rahul Gandhi said that he regrets that PM Modi fails to see the impact on his family after the "violent deaths of his grandmother Indira and father Rajiv", the pain that came with it and the lessons he learnt.

"Mr Modi has certain disadvantages and advantages. The biggest that Mr Modi has given me is that I listen now, I listen very deeply," he said.

British MPs are set to hold a critical vote on January 15 on the Brexit agreement negotiated by British Prime Minister Theresa May with the European Union, her spokesman said Tuesday.

The House of Commons will on Wednesday resume a debate on the deal that was halted in December when May postponed the vote in the face of widespread opposition.

May told her weekly cabinet meeting that, subject to approval by MPs, she would close the debate next Tuesday, January 15, when the vote will take place, her spokesman said.

He confirmed that the prime minister was still seeking assurances from the EU on controversial elements of the Brexit deal relating to Northern Ireland, in a bid to convince critics to back the agreement.

These assurances are set to be delivered to lawmakers before they vote, although not before they start their debate on Wednesday.

The work to secure those assurances is ongoing. I think whats important is that if we are to secure assurances, MPs are aware of what they are before the vote takes place, the spokesman said.

The BJP-led government in Assam should face fresh elections, senior AGP leader and former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said on Tuesday, a day after the Asom Gana Parishad pulled the plug on the saffron party over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

The AGP pulled out of the coalition government after its attempt to convince the Centre to withdraw the proposed legislation failed on Monday.

"The BJP-led government was formed in Assam on the basis of a pre-poll alliance with the AGP. As this alliance no longer exists now, we demand that the current Assam government be dissolved," Mahanta said.

The Citizenship Amendment Bill seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to people from minority communities -- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians -- from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan after six years of residence in India instead of 12 even if they do not possess any proper document.

The Bill has been opposed by large sections of people and organisations in the Northeast.

-- PTI

Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who had quit AAP two days ago, Tuesday floated a new regional, political outfit -- Punjabi Ekta Party --promising to end end corruption, sand mining, transport, cable mafia and justice in 2015 sacrilege, police firing incidents.

Khaira lambasted the Badal family and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in his over one-hour-long speech, accusing them of betraying the people of Punjab and alleging SAD and Congress were playing "fixed and friendly match".

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Punjabi Ekta Party was the second political outfit to have been floated in the state after rebel Akalis formed SAD (Taksali) last month.

On the occasion, six AAP rebel MLAs Kanwar Singh Sandhu, Jagdev Singh Kamalu, Jagtar Singh Hissowal, Pirmal Singh Khalsa, Master Baldev Singh and Nazar Singh Manshahia were present. Suspended AAP MP from Patiala Dharamvira Gandhi also attended the function.

On Sunday, Khaira, legislator from Bholath constituency, had quit AAP, six months after he was ousted from the post of Leader of Opposition of Punjab Assembly. However, he had not resigned as MLA and had dared AAP to get him disqualified.

"We have taken a very difficult and very big decision. We are thankful to all of you. With the blessing of God, I am going to announce Punjab-centric, regional party... it will raise burning issues in the state. Its name is Punjabi Ekta Party," Khaira said, during the launch function.

-- PTI

As the Supreme Court verdict reinstating Alok Verma as CBI director was being pronounced, BJP MPs in Central Hall of Parliament quietly slipped out, even as Congress MPs were very jubilant about the judicial drubbing to the government.

But once Finance Minister Arun Jaitley appeared on TV to clarify that the government will abide by the Supreme Court ruling which had certain provisions for the CVC and the CBI, the ruling party MPs were assuaged.

In other words Jaitley stated that based on the Supreme Court ruling, the government will re-appoint Verma as CBI director.

Following this the government has initiated the process for the appointments committee of the Union Cabinet to reappoint Verma, and the secretary, department of personnel, is expected to issue orders for the same by today evening.

Alok Verma also has to write a letter to the government that he is returning to office after his leave.

So all's well that ends well?

18:50 When Tony Blair met Rahul

Congress president Rahul Gandhi today met Former British PM Tony Blair in Delhi.

Photograph: ANI/Twitter

Here's what the Opposition is saying on the constitutional amendment bill to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and higher education to economically backward sections among the upper castes

"Have government schemes for the poor failed? There are enough schemes. This reservation bill which you are bringing will be struck down by the Supreme Court."

-- M Thambidurai, AIADMK

"Why does the government not take up the women reservation bill with the same priority as this quota bill? This bill is not only about jobs, but also about misleading the youth with false hopes and fake dreams."

-- Sudip Bandyopadhyay, TMC

On the last day of the winter session of the Lok Sabha, the BJP-led government Tuesday tabled a constitutional amendment bill to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and higher education to economically backward sections among the upper castes.

Jaitley says the bill won't disturb the already existing quota system and that it is to provide economic justice. He adds that this bill will strengthen the Economically Backward Sections of the upper class.

Speaking on the sealing of the 50 per cent quota set by SC, Jaitley says that in the past states tried and failed as they did it through notifications.

In a light-hearted jibe, Jaitley targets CPI leaders and says that India is the first country where communists are not happy when poor people are being empowered. Jaitley asks Congress to support the bill large heartedly not with a grudge.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party, over their decision of approving 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker upper caste and accused the party over their laidback attitude, asserting that it did not intend to give reservation, if the concerned bill was not passed in the Parliament and vice-versa.

Abdullah slammed BJP for remembering the economically weaker sections of the society with the Lok Sabha elections approaching, adding that they took the step after their electoral defeats in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Telangana Assembly elections.

"Only after defeat in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Telangana (Assembly elections), they (BJP) remembered to give reservation after four-and-a-half years. They actually don't intend to give reservation. If it doesn't get passed in the Parliament they will say, 'we tried, but the Parliament didn't pass it'", Abdullah, who is the vice-president of National Conference (NC), said at a gathering.

On Monday, the Narendra Modi-led government approved giving 10 per cent reservation to upper caste poor in jobs and education.

Earlier in the day, BSP chief Mayawati welcomed the reservation announced by the Centre for economically weaker sections of upper caste. However, she called the move a "political stunt."

-- ANI

17:11

The Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 has been passed in Lok Sabha.

17:04 5 judge bench to hear Ayodhya case on January 10

A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi will hear the Ayodhya case.

Other four judges are Justice SA Bobde, Justice NV Ramana, Justice UU Lalit and Justice DY Chandrachud.

On January 4, Supreme Court said an "appropriate bench" on January 10 will fix the date of hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute case.

The hearing had not even lasted 30 seconds.

Various Hindutva organisations have been demanding an ordinance on early construction of Ram temple at the disputed site.

The Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday constituted a high-level committee under Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani to suggest measures to strengthen the safety and security of digital payments in the country.

The five-member panel on deepening of digital payments has been constituted with a view to encourage digitisation of payments and enhance financial inclusion through digitisation, the RBI said in a statement.

"The committee shall submit its report within a period of 90 days from the date of its first meeting," it added.

The panel has been tasked with reviewing the existing status of digitisation of payments in the country, identifying the current gaps in the ecosystem and suggesting ways to bridge them and assessing the current levels of digital payments in financial inclusion.

It will also "suggest measures to strengthen the safety and security of digital payments... (and) a road map for increasing customer confidence and trust while accessing financial services through digital modes".

It has also been asked to undertake cross country analyses with a view to identify best practices that can be adopted in our country to accelerate digitisation of the economy and financial inclusion through greater use of digital payments.

Another term of reference of the panel, the RBI said is to suggest a medium-term strategy for deepening of digital payments.

-- PTI

A court in Muzaffarpur on Tuesday ordered lodging of an FIR against Bollywood actors Anupam Kher, Akshaye Khanna and 15 others associated with the upcoming movie "The Accidental Prime Minister" based on the tenure of former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

Sub Divisional Judge (East), Gaurab Kamal directed the Kanti police station in the district to lodge the FIR based on a complaint of advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha, who had moved the court on January 2 last with the complaint that the movie presented Singh and a number of other public figures in "bad light".

In his complaint, Ojha had named Kher, who plays the role of Singh, as well as Akshaye Khanna, who plays Singh's media advisor Sanjaya Baru, on whose book the movie is said to be based upon.

Others named in the complaint include actors essaying the roles of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress president (then national general secretary) Rahul Gandhi, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, his deputy Lal Krishna Advani and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav.

The movie's producer, director and other key persons associated with the project were also named in the complaint.

The complainant had alleged that he felt hurt upon watching the promos of the movie, scheduled for release on January 11, wherein the public figures were portrayed in a manner that projected a poor image of the country. -- PTI

A man in China attacked children inside a Beijing primary school, injuring 20 of them, state media reported Tuesday.

The attacker, whose motive was not immediately known, has been arrested, CGTN news channel reported.

The condition of three of the children is said to be critical.

All injured have been hospitalised.

The incident took place around 11:17 AM (local time) at the elementary school in central Beijing's Xicheng district.

In January 2017, a farmer slashed and injured 12 children with a knife at a kindergarten in Youyi town, Pingxiang city. Four children were seriously injured while eight others received minor injuries. The man has been executed. -- PTI

Renowned author Nayantara Sahgal was invited to inaugurate the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Mumbai but the invite was suddenly cancelled, prompting her to allege that the organisers did so under political pressure.

"It is only obvious because the organisers of the event are aware of my views, my writings and my concerns, which I have been talking about openly, and they had invited me with great happiness.

"I was all set to go for the event but I received a brief three-four line letter from the organisers on January 6, saying they were cancelling the invitation," the author, who was at the forefront of the "award wapsi" campaign, said on Tuesday.

Asked who could be behind the abrupt cancellation of her invite, she said, "Political pressure by those who are in power in Maharashtra."

The literary meet is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on January 11.

Sahgal had hit the headlines in 2015 when she returned her Sahitya Academy Award in protest against what she had termed as growing fundamentalism and intolerance in the country under the current Bharatiya Janata Party-led dispensation.

The Sahitya Academy award had been given to her in 1986 for her work in English titled "Rich Like Us".

Sahgal had inspired a number of distinguished people from different walks of life to return their awards.

Aged 91, Sahgal is the daughter of Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit and the niece of Jawaharlal Nehru.

She lives in Dehradun. -- PTI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the green tribunal's order of setting aside the Tamil Nadu government's decision to close Vedanta's Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin.

A bench, headed by Justice R F Nariman, sought response from Vedanta on the state government's appeal against the National Green Tribunal's order to reopen the plant.

The state had moved the top court, saying that the NGT had "erroneously" set aside various orders passed by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board last year with regard to the Sterlite plant.

It had said the tribunal had consequentially directed the TNPCB to pass fresh orders of renewal of consent and issue authorisation to handle hazardous substances to the Vedanta Limited.

On December 15, the NGT had set aside the state government's order for closure of the Sterlite copper plant, saying it was "non sustainable" and "unjustified". -- PTI

As many as 838 terrorists and 183 civilians were killed in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014, the Lok Sabha was informed Tuesday.

Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said since 2014 till December 31 last year there were 1,213 incidents involving terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.

"In these incidents, 183 civilians lost their lives and 838 terrorists were neutralised," he said replying a written question.

Ahir said during this period, six incidents involving terrorists were reported from other parts of the country in which 11 civilians lost their lives and seven terrorists were neutralised. -- PTI

No one can save Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Rafale investigation and the entire nation will know "without a shadow of doubt" that he has taken Rs 30,000 crore of people's money and given it to his "friend" Anil Ambani, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on a day the Supreme Court reinstated Central Bureau of Investigation Director Alok Verma.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi said the CBI chief was removed at 1 am as he was about to begin an investigation into the Rafale jet agreement and Prime Minister Modi and his government cannot run away from a probe into the deal.

"The CBI chief was ousted at 1 am in the night because he was about to begin a probe into the Rafale deal. The CBI chief has been reinstated and we have got some relief. Now let's see what happens," he told reporters.

"They cannot run away from Rafale, it is impossible. Modi ji ran away from a debate. He should have discussed with us the Rafale issue, in the people's court. No one can save them from Rafale, as Rafale is the truth. No one can run away from the truth," he said. -- PTI

The Pakistani army fired on forward posts along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Tuesday, the fifth ceasefire violation in a week, officials said.

Pakistani troops resorted to small arms firing on the forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector's Gulpur and Khadi Karmara areas, they said.

Indian troops have retaliated strongly, the officials said.

On Saturday, Pakistan resorted to heavy shelling and firing along the LoC in the Mankote, Khadi Karmara and Gulpur areas.

Ceasefire violations were also reported on Thursday, Wednesday and Tuesday from the Poonch sector.

Last year saw the highest number of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in the last 15 years. In total, 2,936 incidents were reported. -- PTI

Pakistan Prime Minister and former cricket captain, Imran Khan, Tuesday congratulated India on becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia.

"Congratulations to Virat Kohli and the Indian cricket team for the first ever win by a subcontinent team in a test series in Australia," Khan tweeted.

India sealed the four-match series 2-1 after the rain-hit Sydney Test ended in a draw on Monday. The triumph ended a 71-year wait for India.

Considered an inspirational former captain, Khan led Pakistan to their sole World Cup title till date, in Australia in 1992.

He played 88 Tests and 175 ODIs in an illustrious career. -- PTI

Lok Sabha for the first time in the winter session saw no protests by opposition parties in the Well during the Question Hour on Tuesday.

Protests in the Well with sloganeering and display of placards by members of various parties were a common scene in this session which led to frequent adjournments and suspension of 49 MPs belonging to the AIADMK, the TDP, and an 'unattached' YSR Congress member.

The AIADMK staged protests over construction of a dam over river Cauvery by Karnataka and the TDP lodged protests demanding special state status to Andhra Pradesh.

Congress members too disrupted proceedings on several occasions, demanding a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee into the Rafale aircraft deal.

The Winter session of Lok Sabha, which began on December 11, is slated to conclude in Tuesday. -- PTI

After Anupam Kher as Dr Manmohan Singh and Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Bal Thackeray, it is now Vivek Oberoi who gets to play Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Apparently, according to unconfirmed sources, the project has been approved by Modi himself, though several sources in the BJP describe this claim as questionable.

The one BJP voice that spoke up vehemently against the casting of Vivek Oberoi as Modi is Shatrughan Sinha, who commented acerbically, "It's a free world and anyone can play anyone on screen. Koi rok-tok nahin hai (there's no objection). Tomorrow Rakhi Sawant can decide to play Mrs Sonia Gandhi, who can stop her? So why not Vivek Oberoi as PM Modi? For that matter, even Vivek's father Suresh Oberoi can play the PM."

However, on a personal note, the member of Parliament from Patna Sahib does have reservations on this score.

"PM Modi has a certain national and international stature and only an actor of stature should play him. I would say me or Naseeruddin Shah would have been ideal. Mr Bachchan too, but he's too tall to play Mr Modi."

As for Vivek grabbing the opportunity Sinha sighs, "Itne bure din aa gaye, ab yeh bhi dekhna padega (such bad days have come that we've to see Oberoi as PM Modi).

"What is done is done. We just have to see how this project shapes up. Has it been approved by the PM? I don't think so."

-- Subhash K Jha

14:21 Govt tables Citizenship Bill in Lok Sabha

The government on Tuesday introduced the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha.

The bill seeks to amend the Citizenship Act 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to people from minority communities -- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians -- from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan after six years of residence in India instead of 12 even if they do not possess any proper document.

On Monday, the Asom Gana Parishad pulled out of the BJP-led ruling coalition in Assam over the bill.

The AGP and other groups in Assam have said the provisions of the bill will nullify the 1985 Assam Accord, which provides for deportation of all illegal migrants, irrespective of religion, who had entered the state after March, 1971.

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim has abruptly resigned nearly three years ahead of schedule to join a private infrastructure investment firm, setting up a potential clash between the US and other member countries over selecting the head of the world's largest development-finance institution.

His resignation will take effect from February 1.

Kim, 58, has been in this position for over six years now. He was not due to leave until 2022, after he was re-elected for a second five-year term in 2017.

"It has been a great honour to serve as President of this remarkable institution, full of passionate individuals dedicated to the mission of ending extreme poverty in our lifetime," Kim said.

He will "join a firm and focus on increasing infrastructure investments in developing countries", the World Bank said on Monday.

"The work of the World Bank Group is more important now than ever as the aspirations of the poor rise all over the world, and problems like climate change, pandemics, famine and refugees continue to grow in both their scale and complexity, Kim was quoted as saying in a World Bank press release.

"Serving as President and helping position the institution squarely in the middle of all these challenges has been a great privilege," Kim said.

Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank CEO, will assume the role of interim President effective February 1.

Kim, who was born in Seoul, South Korea, trained as a medical doctor. He later went on to join the World Health Organization as an adviser, later rising in ranks at the World Bank in 2012.

The World Bank said it would "immediately start the process" of appointing a replacement.

Kim's decision to quit for the private sector was described by sources close to the bank as a sudden and "personal decision" that surprised its shareholders -- the 189 nations that support its work. -- PTI

Sporadic incidents of vandalism have been reported from parts of West Bengal on Tuesday during the 48-hour-long nationwide general strike called by central trade unions protesting against the "anti-people" policies of

the Centre.

Stones were pelted at a school bus in Champadali area of Barasat in North 24 Parganas district.

A government bus was also ransacked by strike supporters at Champadali.

Protestors also vandalised a bus at Jamuria in Paschim Bardhaman district.

Scuffles were witnessed between police and strike supporters in some areas of the state.

At Jadavpur area in south Kolkata, senior CPI-M leader Sujan Chakraborty along with several other strike supporters were detained by the police.

Protestors squatted on tracks in some places to stop trains and burnt tyres on the roads.

Leaders of political parties, including the CPI-M, have come out on the streets in support of the strike.

The Trinamool Congress government in the state has opposed the strike call.

The 10 central trade unions who have called the strike have placed a charter of demands that include minimum wage, universal social security, workers status and including pay and facilities for the scheme workers, against privatisation of public and government organisations.

The state government had announced that its employees would be barred from availing casual leave or half day leave on Tuesday and Wednesday.

No leave will also be allowed on the day preceding the two-day strike or following it, a government notification said on Friday. -- PTI

13:40 Govt introduces 10 pc quota bill in Lok Sabha

The government on Tuesday introduced a Bill in Lok Sabha for 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions for the economically backward section in the general category.

The Bill, approved by the Union Cabinet on Monday, was brought in on the last day of the Winter Session of Lok Sabha.

Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot introduced the Bill in the House amid protests by Samajwadi Party. The debate on the bill is expected to start at 2 pm.

News agency Reuters put out a report on Sunday that WikiLeaks had advised journalists not to report 140 different "false and defamatory' statements about its founder Julian Assange, who has been holed up in the Ecuadorean embassy in London since June 2012.

Soon after the report, journalist Emma Best published the complete copy of the email as sent by WikiLeaks, upon which the latter tweeted a version with a few changes from what Best had posted. You can read the two versions here.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said the decision to send the CBI's two senior officers on leave was taken by the government on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission.

Jaitley, who speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex after the Supreme Court gave orders to reinstate CBI director Alok Verma, said the government would comply with the orders of the apex court.

"The government took this decision to protect the integrity of the CBI...Government took the action of sending two senior officers of CBI on leave on CVC's recommendation," he said, referring to the decision to send Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana on leave.

He said the court has referred the matter to the committee to decide on the issue within one week.

"The court apparently has strengthened the immunity given to the CBI director in the larger interest of the fair and impartial working of the CBI. At the same time, the court has devised an accountability mechanism. The directions of the court will obviously be complied with," he said. -- PTI

13:01 Quota for poor bill tabled in Lok Sabha

The Narendra Modi government today tabled a bill, which provides a 10 per cent quota in government jobs and education for "economically weaker" sections in general category, in Lok Sabha.

The proposed reservation will be over and above the existing 50 per cent reservation enjoyed by the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes, and will take the total reservation to 60 per cent.

Any economically weaker from Brahmins, Rajputs (Thakurs), Jats, Marathas, Bhumihars, several trading castes, Kapus and Kammas among other upper castes with an annual income below Rs 8 lakh and not owning more than five acres of agricultural land will get the benefits of the reservation.

The person should also not own a flat of 1000 sq ft or more, land of 100 yards in notified municipality area and 200 yards in non-notified area, sources said.

According to government sources, the poor among the other religions will also benefit from the quota.

12:51 Naidu to meet Rahul, Pawar in Delhi today

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu will meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi today at 6.30 pm at the latter's 12 Tughlak Lane, New Delhi residence.

Following this, Naidu, who will land in the national capital this evening, is scheduled to meet NCP leader Sharad Pawar at 7.30 pm at the latter's 6, Janpath residence.

Naidu is also expected to meet other opposition leaders at Andhra Bhavan as part of his efforts towards building up a grand alliance against the Narendra Modi government.

Narendra Modi is the first prime minister to have "his illegal orders set aside by the Supreme Court", the Congress said on Tuesday after the apex court reinstated CBI director Alok Kumar Verma.

Other parties also joined the Congress to say the apex court had dealt a blow to the government with its order reinstating Verma and setting aside the Centre's decision divesting him of his powers and sending him on leave.

The apex court, however, restrained him from taking any major policy decision till the Central Vigilance Commission inquiry is over.

"Modiji adds another 1st to his list. After being the first PM to be exposed destroying the #CBI before the SC, After having ruined CVC's credibility (requiring supervision by former SC judge),Mr. Modi has now become 1st PM to have his illegal orders set aside by the SC," tweeted Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

He asked Modi to remember that governments had come and gone but the integrity of institutions had survived.

"Let this be a lesson to you about the strength of our democracy and the Constitution. Let this be a lesson that howsoever despotic u may be, law catches up in the end," Surjewala said on Twitter.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha described the order as a "big slap" on the face of the government.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the order was a direct indictment of the government.

"SC reinstating CBI director Alok Verma is a direct indictment of the PM. Modi govt has ruined all institutions and democracy in our country. Wasn't CBI director illegally removed at midnight to stall the probe in Rafale scam which directly leads to PM himself?" the Aam Aadmi Party chief said on Twitter.

Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan said the Supreme Court order was a partial victory for Verma.

"He has been restored but strangely he has been restrained from taking any policy decisions," he said.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said that the Union Cabinet's decision to provide 10 per cent reservation in education and government jobs to the economically weaker sections was an "election stunt and political gimmick" of the BJP.

She said her party, however, welcomes the "immature" move.

The Cabinet on Monday cleared the quota for economically weaker sections. The move came as the upper castes, a staunch support base of the BJP, have shown signs of drifting away from the ruling party ahead of Lok Sabha polls, likely to be held in April-May this year.

"BSP's demand to provide reservation to the economically backward sections in general category is approved by the Cabinet in an immature way and without preparation. Our party, however, welcomes the decision though it appears to be an election stunt and political gimmick of BJP ahead of Lok Sabha polls," Mayawati said in a statement issued here.

Her reaction came a day after other opposition parties too questioned the timing of the Cabinet decision. But they have also extended support, reflecting the decision's political significance. The BJP has termed the government decision "historic".

Mayawati said her party has demanded reservation for economically weak Muslims and other minority communities but BJP did not do "justice" to them and that is condemnable.

"The party had written a letter in this regard to the government but Centre took a narrow and communal stand and provided the benefit to only a particular section (upper caste), which is injustice for other sections," she said.

"In reality, there should be review of reservation provided to SC/ST and OBC and these sections should be provided reservation as per their population by increasing their quota by amending the Constitution," she said, demanding the implementation of quota in promotions. -- PTI

11:55 Gujarat BJP leader shot dead in moving train

Senior Gujarat BJP leader and former MLA Jayanti Bhanushali was shot dead by unidentified persons while he was travelling in a train in the wee hours of Tuesday, police said.

The incident took place around 2 am in the Bhuj-Dadar Express trainwhen Bhanushali, 53, was returning to Ahmedabad from Bhuj town of Kutch district in Gujarat.

Bhanushali had stepped down from the post of Gujarat BJP's vice president in July last year after a woman accused him of rape. However, the Gujarat High Court had quashed the case in August 2018 after the woman withdrew the complaint.

He was apparently shot dead between Gandhidham and Surajbari stations in the neighbouring Kutch district, Morbi district's Superintendent of Police Karanraj Vaghela said.

"The railway police on board the Bhuj-Dadar Express informed the Morbi police that Bhanushali was shot dead in the train. When the train reached Maliya station of Morbi, we recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem," he said.

As per preliminary investigation, two bullets were fired at him, Vaghela said.

"We also recovered some empty bullet cases from the compartment and sent them for forensic examination. The railway police will file an FIR in connection with the incident," he said.

Bhanushali had represented the Abdasa assembly constituency in Kutch from 2007 to 2012. -- PTI

The Supreme Court has sought reply from the West Bengal government over Bharatiya Janata Party's proposed rath yatra in the state.

The apex court was hearing BJP's plea against the Calcutta high court's order which blocked its massive road show in West Bengal.

The rallies, according to the original schedule, were supposed to be flagged off by BJP president Amit Shah from Bengal's Cooch Behar district on Decemebr 7, Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas on December 9 and from Tarapith temple in Birbhum on December 14.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, along with his wife Ri Sol Ju and a train of the ministerial delegation, has left for a four-day visit to China on an invitation by President Xi Jinping, local media reported on Tuesday. He will be spending his 35th birthday in talks with Xi, reports the South China Morning Post.

Yonhap reported that the North Korean leader was accompanied by his government and military officials, including Kim Yong-chol, a key nuclear negotiator with the US, and Ri Yong-ho and No Kwang-chol, the country's foreign and defence ministers.

This trip marks the fourth visit by the North Korean leader to China, amid talks of fixing a location for the second meeting between the former and United States President Donald Trump.

Last year, the North Korean leader paid three visits to China to meet President Xi before attending his first-ever summit with Trump in June in Singapore, where Kim promised to work towards the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula in exchange of securities and guarantees from the US.

However, North Korea has marked slow progress in the denuclearisation process while seeking relief from sanctions.

Kim's visit comes even as an official delegation headed by deputy US trade representative Jeffrey Gerrish came to China on Monday to strike a deal over the ongoing 'trade imbalance' between the two major world economies.

The government has allowed an Iranian bank to open a branch in Mumbai, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday after a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Md Javad Zarif in New Delhi.

Iran's Bank Pasargad will open its branch within the next three months.

Gadkari said, "The Government of India has already given permission to Iran to open a bank branch in Mumbai. They are going to open a branch in Mumbai in three months. That will be used for transactions."

Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari termed his meeting with Iranian Minister on Chabahar Port "fruitful".

"We had detailed discussions... Our meeting was very fruitful and we have resolved a lot of issues," Gadkari said.

India has placed USD 85 million machinery order for Chabahar, which is a port on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, and is Iran's southernmost city.

"We have had a good discussion with the minister (Zarif). The first ship from Brazil has already been received at Chabahar... The financial arrangement is ready. There were some problems, but we have resolved the issues,' Gadkari said.

"Proposals on barter system between the two nations can also be considered," Gadkari said.

He said the Iranian minister had given many proposals.

"They need steel, particularly real steel and locomotive engines, and they are ready to supply urea," he stated.

India can provide steel rails to Iran and the Persian Gulf nation can provide urea to India, he added.

11:28 Bumrah rested from Australia ODIs, NZ tour

In-form Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah was Tuesday rested from the upcoming ODI series against Australia and the subsequent tour of New Zealand with Mohammad Siraj replacing the hero of the team's maiden Test series triumph Down Under.

With 21 scalps, Bumrah ended the four-Test series as the joint-leading wicket-taker alongside Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

"Keeping in mind the work load of the bowler, it was best felt to give him adequate rest ahead of the home series against Australia. Mohammed Siraj will replace Bumrah in the squad for the Australia and New Zealand tour," said the BCCI in a statement.

"Punjab pacer Siddarth Kaul has also been drafted into the squad for the three-match T20I series against New Zealand," it added.

Bumrah, who made his Test debut just 12 months ago, has become India's go to pacer in all three formats.

The attack comprising Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma has been hailed as India's best ever.

The decision to rest him comes after saptain Virat Kohli also emphasised on managing the workload of the pacers following India's maiden Test series win in Australia here on Monday.

"It's important to take care of these guys especially manage workloads, that's going to be our priority going forward. But even more so, finding three more guys who can bowl as fast as and as relentless as these guys," said Kohli.

India play three ODIs against Australia starting here on Saturday before travelling to New Zealand for a five-ODI and three-T20I assignment starting January 23. -- PTI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated Alok Kumar Verma as the CBI director and set aside the Centre's decision divesting him of his powers and sending him on leave.

The top court, however, restrained Verma from taking any major policy decision till the Central Vigilance Commission inquiry is over.

The apex court also said that any further decision against Verma would be taken by the high-powered committee which selects and appoints the CBI director.

The judgment was pronounced by a bench of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph.

Verma's two-year tenure as CBI Director ends on January 31.

Verma had moved the SC against the Centre's decision to divest him of powers and sending him on leave and sought the quashing of three orders of October 23, 2018 -- one by the Central Vigilance Commission and two by the Department of Personnel and Training -- as being without jurisdiction and in violation of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

-- PTI

Banking operations Tuesday have been affected in some parts of the country as a section of employees refrained from work in support of the two-day strike call given by 10 central trade unions to protest against alleged anti-labour policies of the government.

All India Bank Employees' Association and Bank Employees' Federation of India have supported the strike, which has impacted banking operation where these two unions are strong.

However, the operation in SBI and private sector banks remained unaffected as other seven unions in the banking sector are not part of the strike.

Many public sector banks have already informed their customers about likely impact on services if strike materialises.

"If the strike materialises, a section of the bank's employees may take part in the proposed strike on the said dates, in which case, the normal functioning of the branches/offices of the bank may get affected," Indian Bank said in a statement.

A two-day strike on January 8 and 9 has been called by the central trade unions against the alleged repressive policies for workers adopted by the government. -- PTI

10:34 Another top-level executive quits Infosys

Another top-level executive of India's second largest software services company, Infosys has tendered his resignation after close to a two decade-long stint.

Sudip Singh, the global head of the energy, utilities, resources and services unit of Infosys has quit the company.

However, Infosys declined to comment on Singh's exit.

Singh was managing a portfolio of around USD 1.5 billion under his vertical.

This comes after consulting global head Ken Toombs quit in October last year.

Prior to Toombs, in August, the most prominent company executive M D Ranganath had put in his papers as the Chief Financial Officer.

Singh has the distinction of growing the business from a mere USD 100 million to nearly USD 750 million in revenues. -- PTI

10:12 Mumbaikars hit as BEST buses go off roads

Over 33,000 employees of Mumbai's civic transport undertaking BEST went on an indefinite strike since midnight over their demands, including higher wages, paralysing bus services and causing inconvenience to nearly 25-lakh daily commuters.

Responding to a call given by their union leaders, the agitating staff did not take out any bus from all 27 depots on Tuesday, even as the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport administration and an industrial court declared the strike as "illegal".

The BEST has a fleet of over 3,200-red-colour buses which criss-cross the metropolis and also operate services in the neighbouring Thane district and Navi Mumbai. It is the second-biggest mode of transport in Mumbai after local trains, which ferry over 80-lakh passengers every day.

The employees are demanding higher salaries, merging budget of the loss-making BEST with that of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, deliberations on new wage agreement, resuming appointments on compassionate grounds and bonus equivalent to that of the civic body employees.

With its employees having gone on strike, the cash-strapped BEST is likely to face a loss of Rs 3 crore per day, a source said.

Shashank Rao, leader of the BEST Workers' Union, which has called the strike, alleged that the transport body's administration showed a lackadaisical approach in resolving the stalemate and that the employees had no option but to go on strike.

An industrial court had on Monday declared the strike as illegal and restrained the labour unions and BEST staffers from going ahead with their protest. But, Rao said they had not received the copy of the court order till they went on strike.

Meanwhile, some commuters opposed the strike, saying it was always the passengers who bore the brunt of the feud between the BEST administration and its employees. "Why torture innocent passengers? What wrong have we done to BEST employees and their management?" asked Anita Nayak, a Ghatkopar resident who commutes by bus everyday to go for work in suburban Mulund. -- PTI

United States President Donald Trump said he will "address the nation" on Tuesday night on his demand for a wall along the Mexico border to prevent illegal immigration, the differences over which has resulted in a partial government shutdown for over a fortnight.

Multiple television media outlets reported that they have received a request from the White House to disrupt their prime-time coverage Tuesday night for an Oval Office address to the nation by Trump.

Trump, who is at loggerheads with the Democrates over funding of the wall project, tweeted, "I am pleased to inform you that I will Address the Nation on the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border. Tuesday night at 9:00 P.M. Eastern."

He is also scheduled to visit the Southern border on Thursday, the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. -- PTI

Amnesty India on Monday said that the Indian government's expulsion of Rohingya asylum-seekers to Myanmar shows a disdain for international laws.

On January 4, the UN Refugee Agency said a family of Rohingya asylum-seekers from Rakhine state, registered with the UNHCR in India, was sent back to Myanmar after being detained in Assam, where they had been serving a prison term since 2013 for illegal entry into India.

Amnesty India issued a statement saying it regretted India's decision to repatriate the asylum-seekers to Myanmar, where conditions are not conducive for their return.

"The fact that the government ignored the UNHCR's requests for access to the family, who were registered as asylum-seekers, is deeply concerning. The government's actions indicate a blatant disregard for the international refugee protection mechanism and the mandate of the UN Refugee Agency," Abhirr V P, senior campaigner, Amnesty India, said. -- PTI

Social Justice Minister Thavarchand Gehlot is likely to table in Parliament today the bill, which provides a 10 per cent quota in government jobs and education for "economically weaker" sections in general category.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has issued a whip to its MPs, asking them to be present in Parliament on Tuesday as it seeks to push for the passage of the bill, a top government functionary said.

In a major move ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Union Cabinet Monday cleared a 10 per cent quota in government jobs and education for "economically weaker" sections, meeting a key demand of upper castes, a staunch BJP support base which has shown signs of a drift from the party.

The BJP termed the Narendra Modi government's move as "historic" while the Opposition questioned its timing with the Congress dubbing it a "election gimmick".

However, opposition parties extended its support, reflecting the bill's political significance.

The government has also extended Rajya Sabha proceedings during the winter session of Parliament by a day till January 9 to enable the House to take up the bill.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States president Donald Trump held a telephonic conversation during which they took positive note of bilateral cooperation in areas of defence, counter terrorism and energy, officials said.

During the conversation, they exchanged new year greetings and expressed satisfaction at the continued growth of the India-US strategic partnership in 2018, they said.

They also appreciated developments such as the launch of the new two plus two dialogue mechanism and the first ever trilateral summit of India, US and Japan.

The two leaders also took positive note of the growing bilateral cooperation in defence, counter-terrorism and energy, besides the co-ordination on regional and global issues, the officials said.

During the conversation that took place last evening, Modi and trump also agreed to continue to work together for further strengthening of India-US relation in 2019. -- PTI

Mysore-born Gita Gopinath has joined International Monetary Fund as its chief economist, becoming the first woman to occupy the top IMF post.

Gopinath's joined last week at a time, when she believes the world is experiencing a retreat from globalisation, posing challenges to multilateral institutions.

The John Zwaanstra professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University, Gopinath, 47, succeeds Maurice (Maury) Obstfeld as Economic Counsellor and Director of the IMF's Research Department. Obstfeld retired December 31.

Announcing her appointment on October 1, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde described her as "one of the world's outstanding economists with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership and extensive international experience."

The 11th chief economist of the IMF, Gopinath in a recent interview to The Harvard Gazette described her appointment at the IMF as a "tremendous honour" and said the appointment of the first ever woman for this position speaks highly of IMF's Managing Director Lagarde.

"She is phenomenal, not just in her leadership of the IMF but as a role model for women around the world," she said.

Identifying some of her top priorities at the IMF, Gopinath told The Harvard Gazette that she would like the IMF to continue to be a place that provides intellectual leadership on important policy questions.

"Among the research issues that I would like to push, one would be understanding the role of dominant currencies like the dollar in international trade and finance. We could do more on the empirical side to try to understand countries' dollar exposures and on the theoretical side in terms of the implications for international spillovers, consequences of dollar shortages, etc," she said.

Most countries invoice their trade in dollars and borrow internationally in dollars. This is a central part of the international price system and the international financial system and it will be exciting to explore its consequences in greater depth with the IMF, she said.

Gopinath considers the perceived retreat from globalisation as one of the top challenges being faced by the IMF. -- PTI

00:03 Trump to visit US-Mexico border on Thursday

US President Donald Trump will visit the US-Mexican border this week, his spokeswoman said on Monday, in the latest bid to pressure Congress over border wall negotiations that have led to a partial government shutdown.

He will "travel to the Southern border on Thursday to meet with those on the frontlines of the national security and humanitarian crisis," Sarah Sanders said in a tweet.

There was no further information on where Trump would travel.

The visit was announced as the White House and Democrats controlling the lower house of Congress refused to cede significant ground in what has become one of the biggest political challenges of Trump's turbulent presidency.

Trump is demanding more than $5 billion to fund construction of what he calls a "wall" to stop illegal immigrants. Democrats have dismissed the project as a political stunt.

In retaliation Trump has refused to sign a wider spending package -- leaving swaths of the government without funding and hundreds of thousands of employees facing delays in their paychecks.

The standoff has morphed from a debate over how to stem illegal immigration to a powerplay between the president and a Democratic Party enjoying control of the House of Representatives following their victory in November's mid-term legislative elections.

Timeline Refresh

TOP STORIES