LIVE! Oppn parties to meet tomorrow to discuss EVM issue

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Thu, 31 January 2019

Oppn parties to meet tomorrow to discuss EVM issue

Timeline Refresh

23:25 Raise income tax exemption limit to Rs 8 lakhs, demands Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena Thursday demanded that income tax exemption limit be raised from 2.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh after the Parliament passed the bill to give 10 per cent quota to economically weaker sections.

Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai said a four-member party delegation met Finance Minister Piyush Goyal and gave a memorandum stating that since the government has taken the decision of giving EWS quota to people earning up to Rs 8 lakh, income tax for this group should be waived.

The government has admitted that people in this income group are poor, so they must be exempted from paying taxes, he said.

Currently, income tax is waived for people earning up to Rs 2.5 lakh a year. -- PTI

Former chief minister Tarun Gogoi has been appointed as the chairman of the Congress campaign committee for Assam while senior party leader Debabrata Saikia named as the chairman of the coordination committee of the state.

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and former chief minister Siddaramaiah have been appointed as the members of the campaign committee in Karnataka.

N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Bhatti Vikramark Mallu have been appointed members of the Telangana election committee while Girish Dewangan and Shailesh Nitin Trivedi members of the party's Chhattisgarh election management team.

The party has also appointed social media coordinators and co-coordinators for the states of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, J&K, Kerala, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, Mizoram and Meghalaya. -- PTI

Sean Fernandes is immensely proud of the legacy left behind by his father George Fernandes, but the New York-based banker says he has no immediate plans to enter politics and is comfortable watching this field from the sidelines.

"Politics is not a vocation. My grandfather was a not a politician and my father did what he did, because he was passionate about it and put his heart and soul in it. I am quite comfortable with the life I have made for myself," he said.

Sean, who travelled from the US to attend his father's last rites, lives with his Japanese wife and two children, a son and a daughter, in New York City.

The mortal remains of Fernandes were Thursday cremated inNew Delhi amid chants of 'George Sahab amar rahe' as family, friends and admirers bid an emotional goodbye to the socialist leader.

Fernandes, 88, died Tuesday at his residence after a prolonged illness.

After the cremation, many former colleagues and comrades who had worked with Fernandes, from all-India railway strike to trade union stirs, encouraged Sean to take on the mantle of his father and carry forward his political legacy.

But, the banker said, "For the country and its people, he may have been a minister or a political stalwart, but for me, he was just a dad".

"He was in politics because he believed in it, and he lived a very simple life nonetheless. He was a very good man and his life is inspirational. But, I do not wish to enter politics and play the game. I am comfortable watching the field from the sidelines," Sean told PTI in an interview.

Fernandes' son said he wanted to devote his life to his family and children, "though my dad's legacy is more than just one person, it is his body of work".

"But, in life, you never say never again. So, maybe the day when I feel it is my passion (to enter politics), I will think about it," he said.

Asked what factors influenced his decision to not take up politics, Sean said there are issues which disconcert him.

"It is not just corruption, but there is a systemic inefficiency and it is tough for many people to live their lives... Also, there are societal issues like inequality, and today, even after the abolition of untouchability, it still exists informally, as we speak, and then there is casteism, which is a major factor in Indian politics as well," he rued.

Top leaders of various opposition parties will meet Friday to discuss their future course of action on the issue of alleged tampering of EVMs and might also move the Election Commission thereafter, opposition leaders said.

Sources said the Congress has convened a meeting of opposition leaders to discuss a joint strategy on the issue of alleged tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs) as some parties have questioned their efficacy and demanded that the EC revert to the old system of ballot paper.

The sources add that the opposition parties may petition the Election Commission (EC) to demand that some percentage of VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail) be compulsorily counted to match the EVMs.

"The opposition parties are meeting seriously to raise the issue of EVMs. We are trying to discuss the issue in a meeting of all opposition parties. We are demanding that the EC compulsorily count some percentage of VVPAT (paper trail of votes) with the EVMs," said TMC leader Derek O'Brien.

Various opposition parties have been claiming that only 2-3 countries across the world are using EVMs and the rest have reverted to the ballot paper system following complaints of EVM malfunctioning.

The Congress, while supporting the demand for reverting to the ballot paper system, has maintained that since there is very less time left for Lok Sabha elections, the EC should ensure counting of paper trail in 50 per cent booths across the country to ensure that there is no doubt in the minds of the voters. -- PTI

Pakistan has invited India to undertake a visit to the Indus basin on its side as mandated under the Indus Waters Treaty, a senior official of the Water Resources Ministry said Thursday.

The invitation was extended after the Pakistani delegation led by its Indus commissioner concluded a four-day site visit to the Chenab basin on the Indian side on Thursday.

Pakistani Indus Commissioner Syed Mohammad Mehar Ali Shah and Indian Commissioner PK Saxena, along with advisers, visited the under-construction Indian hydropower projects in Chenab basin, namely Pakal Dul (1000 MW), Ratle (850 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW).

The delegation also visited under operation Baglihar hydroelectric project (900 MW).

"The Pakistani commissioner extended invitation to his counterpart to undertake a visit of the Indus basin on Pakistani side. The visit of the Indian commissioner and his advisers shall be undertaken in Pakistan at a mutually convenient date to be decided between the two commissioners," the official said.

This tour was originally scheduled in October 2018 but later postponed because of local bodies and panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

This tour is mandatory under the Indus Waters Treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960.

The delegations returned to Delhi in the evening. The Pakistan delegation, which arrived in India on January 27 will return to Pakistan on Friday.

The last tours of the commission in Pakistan and India were held in July 2013 and September 2014 respectively. No tour could be held in the current five years block which ends in March 2020.

Under the Indus Water Treaty, waters flowing in three of Indus tributaries, the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ravi, have been allotted to India, while the Chenab, Jhelum and Indus waters have been allotted to Pakistan. -- PTI

21:57 RBI lifts lending curbs on BoI, BoM, OBC

The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday removed three state-owned banks from its weak-bank watch list, a move that will lift lending restrictions on them.

"It has been decided that Bank of India (BoI) and Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) which meet the regulatory norms including Capital Conservation Buffer (CCB) and have Net NPAs (non-performing assets) of less than 6 per cent as per third quarter results, are taken out of the PCA (prompt corrective action) framework subject to certain conditions and continuous monitoring," the RBI said in a statement.

In case of Oriental Bank of Commerce, the net NPA has come down to less than 6 per cent as the government has infused sufficient capital, it said.

Hence, it has been decided to remove the restrictions placed on Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) under PCA framework, subject to certain conditions and close monitoring, the apex bank added.

Commeting on the RBI's decision, Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar said: "Government's sustained 4R's strategy for banking transformation delivers again. 3 better-performing PSBs (BoM, BoI & OBC) exit PCA. Banks need to be more responsible, adopt high underwriting & risk management standards to avoid recurrence." -- PTI

Disgruntled Bharatiya Janata Party MP Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday disapproved of Prime Minister Narendra Modi using the term thugbandhan to describe the opposition grand alliance and asked him about the "unity" of 42 parties in the National Democratic Alliance.

In a series of tweets, the Patna Sahib MP also remarked that while the PM's recent Pariksha pe charcha initiative was laudable, the government would do well to focus on the "parikshas (tests) faced by itself which included sensitive issues like the Citizenship Amendment Bill and great agni pariksha of general elections."

"Sir, your initiative of Pariksha pe Charcha is truly appreciated and applauded. But sir, we are going through so many parikshas ourselves. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the North East and the great Agni Pariksha of the general elections," Sinha tweeted in his trademark style, refraining to address the Prime Minister by name.

"All pending burning issues still remain unanswered. We need to handle every step with extra care and fasten our seat belts. Hardly any time on hand. We have to face the mighty opposition coming together, as we head for the elections round the corner. God Bless sir, find answers soon, sooner the better," Sinha said in another tweet.

The actor-turned-politician has of late been sharing the stage with opposition leaders on a number of platforms, the latest instance being his participation in a rally at Kolkata earlier this month organized by West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC president Mamata Bannerjee which was attended by leaders of a number of opposition parties.

"Sir, do you have any answer to the question asked by the very mature Congress spokesperson. He says that when 22 political parties showed their unity..strength of the mahagathbandhan, you called it thugbandhan but what about the unity of 42 parties who are trying to sail under your leadership," Sinha came up with another tweet referring to the rally and Modi's criticism of it.

"Hamara hai to Raas Leela aur koi kare to character dheela," Sinha signed off in a filmy style, drawing from the lyrics of a chartbuster from a Salman Khan-starrer. -- PTI

India on Thursday said it has "very strongly" taken up with the United Kingdom the issue of a conference on Kashmir being allowed to be hosted in London which is scheduled to be addressed by Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India was expecting the British government to address its concerns on the issue, adding the conference is "very clearly" intended to undermine unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.

It is learnt that the conference will be held inside the British Parliament complex on February 4.

"We have taken it up with the UK very strongly. We hope that they will understand our objections to the proposed conference and take appropriate action," Kumar said replying to a question on the issue during a media briefing.

He said the UK was aware about India's sensitivities in the matter.

"As a friendly country and as a strategic partner, we hope that the government of United Kingdom will address our concerns which we have explained to them on the proposed conference," he said.

The spokesperson said the event reflected Pakistan's "duplicity" in its relations with India.

"There is no doubt that it (the conference) exposes Pakistan's duplicity when they talk about peace (with India) on one hand and at the same time working with forces which are fomenting anti-India sentiments," Kumar said.

Diplomatic sources indicated that there was a possibility that Britain may not have any official engagement with Qureshi during the trip. -- PTI

Former Central Bureua of Investigation director Alok Verma, who defied a government order asking him to join as chief of Fire Services on Thursday, has told the home ministry that he superannuated from the post of CBI director on January 10, officials said.

The ministry of home affairs had directed Verma to take charge as director general of the Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards on Thursday.

Verma immediately responded to the letter from the MHA dated January 30, reiterating his position that he had already retired from the service on July 31, 2017 and was serving the tenure of director CBI.

In his response to R S Vaidya, Deputy Secretary in the home ministry, Verma said his date of birth from the official records is July 14, 1957 which implies that date of superannuation was July 31, 2017.

"The undersigned has already crossed the age of 61 years and continued to serve even after his superannuation date as Director, CBI which is a tenure post for a period of two years," Verma wrote in a letter accessed by PTI.

He said since he ceased to be director of CBI from the evening of January 10, 2019 and has already crossed 60 years, he stands superannuated from the post of Director, CBI with effect from the evening of January 10, 2019.

Verma was removed following a split decision of a high- level committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge and Justice A K Sikri, nominated by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.

Kharge has given a strong dissent note against the decision of the committee to oust Verma from the post. -- PTI

The Central Bureau of Investigation has questioned a close aide of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Manik Majumdar, in connection with the Saradha ponzi scam, officials said on Thursday.

The agency had given a notice to Majumdar, who has been Banerjee's secretary since her early days in politics, to appear before it, the officials said in New Delhi.

But he had expressed his inability to come to the agency's Salt Lake city office in Kolkata citing his age and health, they said.

Considering his application, the CBI team reached Majumdar's residence near the famous Kalighat temple in Kolkata to question him and record his statement Thursday, they said.

The sources said the CBI suspected that Majumdar was a key player in managing funds of the party who had knowledge about the purchase of Banerjee's paintings by Sudipta Sen, the promoter of Saradha group.

The Supreme Court had ordered a probe into the multi-crore-rupee Saradha scam and transferred the case to CBI in 2014.

Thousands of investors were left in the lurch by the scam and it led to the arrest of many leaders and ministers of the state's ruling Trinamool Congress. All of them are now out on bail.

Saradha group founder Sudipta Sen and his associate Debjani Mukherjee, arrested in 2013 from Kashmir, are in custody. -- PTI

The Bharatiya Janata Party's oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal on Thursday said it skipped the meeting of the National Democratic Alliance as the regional party was "extremely upset" over Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's interference in the management of gurdwaras and also demanded a package for farmers in the country.

Shiromani Akali Dal's Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson Naresh Gujral said the party wanted to attend the meeting of NDA leaders, held on Thursday, to chalked out a strategy for the Budget Session, but "skipped" it over the issue of interference of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in management of gurdwaras.

"We are extremely upset and hurt by what is happening in Hazur Sahib in Nanded. The RSS should not interfere in the religious issues related to the Sikhs. We have also been demanding a package for the farmers," Gujral said.

When asked about the SAD not attending the meeting of floor leaders of the National Democratic Alliance, Union parliamentary affairs minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the BJP's ally in advance had informed that it will not attend the meeting due to some prior engagement.

Ousted Central Bureau of Investigation director Alok Verma may face departmental action for defying a government order asking him to join as chief of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, officials said on Thursday.

According to the officials, this non-compliance of the directive amounted to violation of service rules for all India services officers.

The ministry of home affairs had directed Verma to take charge as director general of the Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards on Thursday, the day of his superannuation.

As Verma did not take up the new assignment as directed, he is likely to face departmental action which may include suspension of pensionary benefits, home ministry officials said.

Attempts to reach Verma for his comment did not fructify.

In a letter sent to Verma Wednesday, the MHA said, "You are directed to join the post of DG, Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards immediately" which was seen as rejection of his letter addressed to Secretary Department of Personnel earlier this month in which he wrote that he should be deemed to have retired from the services on July 31, 2017, the day he completed his 60 years.

Verma had contended that he had crossed the superannuation age for DG Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards and he wanted to be treated as having superannuated from the day he was moved out of the CBI.

He said that he "was only serving the government as CBI director until January 31, 2019 as it was a fixed tenure role". The tenure of CBI director is fixed for two years. -- PTI

Citing a report that says the country's unemployment rate was at a 45-year-high in 2017-18, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Thursday said the jobless youths will oust the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha polls.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which presented fake data on providing employment, stands exposed. In the last 25 years, the rate of unemployment was highest in 2017-18, Yadav said in a tweet with the hashtag 'HowsTheJobs', a twist on "How's The Josh", a popular line from the film "Uri: The Surgical Strike".

Now these unemployed youths will defeat the BJP in the next polls, added the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister who also shared a media report which published the findings of the National Sample Survey Office's periodic labour force survey.

In a statement, the SP president further alleged that BJP was a party of "conspirators" and an "expert" in communalising atmosphere.

"It's the responsibility of all the SP workers to make the people aware of the BJP's conspiracies and expose them. BJP has ruined the country," he said.

"While farmers are suffering... GST and demonetisation have adversely affected traders and youths who could not get jobs," he added.

He asked the party workers to remain active on booths and ensure the BJP's defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. -- PTI

Union minister Arun Jaitley Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced a culture of honesty in governance and no one who cheats India can hide anywhere in the world and escape.

His statement comes against the backdrop of Dubai-based businessman Rajeev Saxena and corporate aviation lobbyist Deepak Talwar getting deported to India. They have been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate.

In a series of tweets, Jaitley said "The UPA Skeletons are tumbling out by the day. Why did all Defence purchases need middlemen?".

Saxena is wanted in the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper money laundering case while Talwar is wanted by the ED and the CBI in a case of allegedly misusing over Rs 90 crore taken through foreign funding route.

"No one who cheats INDIA can hide anywhere in the world and escape. INDIA's Diplomatic strength and more civilised International procedures will get better of him.

"If the Prime Minister is honest, if he imposes a culture of honesty in governance, no person who cheats India will escape," Jaitley said.

Jaitley is in the US for medical treatment. -- PTI

Hours after the unreleased government report showed that the unemployment rate in India had hit a 45-year high in the year 2017-18, NITI Aayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar said that the government did not release the data (on jobs) as it is still being processed.

"The government did not release the data as it is still being processed. When the data is ready we will release it," Kumar said.

"I want to tell you there is enough evidence to show jobs have been created," Kumar said, adding that the NSSO released as jobs data is being collected in a new manner.

"Data collection method is different now, we are using a computer assisted personal interviewee in the new survey. It is not right to compare the two data sets, this data is not verified. It is not correct to use this report as final," he added.

The assessment by the National Sample Survey Office conducted between July 2017-June 2018, showed the unemployment rate stood at 6.1%, the highest since 1972-73, Business Standard reported on Thursday.

The government Thursday revised the economic growth rate upwards to 7.2 per cent for 2017-18 from the 6.7 per cent estimated earlier.

"Real GDP or GDP at constant (2011-12) prices for 2017-18 and 2016-17 stand at Rs 131.80 lakh crore and Rs 122.98 lakh crore, respectively, showing growth of 7.2 per cent during 2017-18 and 8.2 per cent during 2016-17," the CSO said.

Earlier, the CSO in its advance estimate had pegged the GDP growth rate for 2018-19 at 7.2 per cent.

"The First Revised Estimates for 2017-18 have been compiled using industry-wise/institution-wise detailed information instead of using the benchmark-indicator method employed at the time of release of Provisional Estimates on 31st May, 2018," said the Central Statistics Office.

The CSO has also released the Second Revised Estimates of National Income, Consumption Expenditure, Saving and Capital Formation for 2016-17.

During 2017-18, the growth rates of primary (comprising agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining and quarrying), secondary (comprising manufacturing, electricity, gas, water supply and other utility services, and construction) and tertiary (services) sectors have been estimated as 5 per cent, 6 per cent and 8.1 per cent as against a growth of 6.8 per cent, 7.5 per cent and 8.4 per cent, respectively, in the previous year. -- PTI

Former PM and Janata Dal-Secular chief HD Deve Gowda speaks up on the acrimony between his party and coalition partner Congress. "I am in pain. Today six months have completed since Kumaraswamy became Chief Minister. All kinds of things have happened in these six months. Till now I have not opened my mouth but I cant keep quiet now.

"Is this any way to run a coalition government, where every day you have to request your coalition partner to not give unparliamentary remarks?" he asked.

The acrimony between the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular in Karnataka reached a new high last week with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Monday threatening to step down, saying he never craved for power.

His comments a day after a ruling Congress MLA demanded that Siddaramaiah be made the chief minister again.

At an event in the city on Sunday, ST Somashekhar had claimed that development works had come to a grinding halt here and other parts of the state.

Strongly reacting to the comments, Kumaraswamy said, If my way of functioning is not acceptable, I am ready to resign. I dont crave for position."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed to the Opposition that his government will present an interim budget, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Thursday.

Azad also said the Opposition has asked the government to take up only non-controversial bills for passage in Parliament in the Budget Session.

The budget will be presented on Friday.

"We should take up only those bills which are not controversial... on which there is total unanimity," the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha told reporters after an all-party meeting here.

Azad also suggested that it will be difficult for Parliament to function if the government pushes for contentious bills.

Echoing similar views, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said the government should not take up controversial bills during the session.

He alleged that the government has found an "ally" in the Central Bureau of Investigation ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. -- PTI

Former ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar, who was terminated with retrospective effect Wednesday, may have to return over Rs 9 crore performance bonus received as the bank's executive head since 2009, sources said.

Besides, she will also have to forgo her unexercised stocks options, they said.

Kochhar became the CEO and managing director of the country's leading private sector lender in May 2009 and left the bank in October 2018.

Sources divulge Thursday that performance bonus for the last two financial years has not been approved by the RBI, therefore that amount is not taken into account in Kochhar's total bonus payout.

They also said that bonuses of Axis Bank and Yes Bank chief executives and executive directors have not been approved by the central bank for the last two fiscals.

As per the various annual reports of the bank, Kochhar was granted 94 lakh shares but it could not be verified that how much stock options she had exercised.

If Employee Stock Ownership Plan granted to Kochhar is taken into account, the total amount comes to about Rs 340 crore at the present market value.

However, the amount would be much less than ESOPs granted because she might have sold some shares in the last 9 years.

Following an independent enquiry panel led by Justice (Retd) B N Srikrishna, the board of the ICICI Bank Wednesday decided to treat "the separation of Kochhar from the bank as a 'Termination for Cause' under the bank's internal policies, schemes and the Code of Conduct, with all attendant consequences".

These, the statement said, include revocation of all her existing and future entitlements such as any unpaid amounts, unpaid bonuses or increments, unvested and vested and unexercised stock options, and medical benefits.

The board has also asked the bank to take steps for "clawback of all bonuses paid from April 2009 until March 2018, and to take such further actions as may be warranted in the matter".

For the 9-year period, shareholders approved Rs 9.82 crore bonus payout to Kochhar.

However, considering that the last two performance bonuses are yet to get regulatory approval from the RBI, the recovery amount would be less than what has been approved by the shareholders' Annual General Meeting.

Besides, experts also feel that there may be legal tangle involved in the revoking of the ESOPs and refund of the performance bonus.

The Srikrishna committee report concluded that there was lack of diligence with respect to annual disclosures as required by the bank in terms of its internal policies and violation of Code of Conduct and applicable Indian laws. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra is expected to announce a mega alliance with the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu on February 10 in Tirupur.

It is believed that the BJP and the AIADMK have reached an understanding over the number of seats they will contest as an alliance in Tamil Nadu in the Lok Sabha polls.

Sources say that of the 40 Lok Sabha seats, the BJP will contest 8, while the AIADMK will contest 32. BJP President Amit Shah has already initiated negotiations with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami. On Monday, there will be a meeting between the AIADMK and BJP leaders in Chennai.

The AIADMK yesterday invited applications from candidates aspiring to contest the Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry even as it made it clear that party cadres were strongly opposed to a tie-up with the BJP.

There are 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls the AIADMK had won 37 of the 39 seats in the state. However, now the party is divided and factionalism between its leaders have ensured that arriving at a consensus regarding seat sharing will not be easy.

Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Thursday voiced scepticism at the central government's official data, and said that unemployment was rising due to the Narendra Modi government's 'pakodanomics'.

"Two members of National Statistical Commission (NSC) resigned. They don't want to bring the data forward. In other countries we have heard people being encountered, but in our country data is being encountered. The rate of unemployment in the country has increased. This is a result of Modiji's pakodanomics," he added.

Two members of the NSC resigned on January 28, saying that the government had withheld release of a key National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) report.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi too tweeted on unemployment and criticised Prime Minister Modi for not being able to fulfil the promise of creating 2 crore jobs every year."

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also commented on the issue of unemployment and tweeted, "Unemployment rate is at a 45-year high. This is why the NSSO Report was kept under the wraps. This is why members of NSC resigned. The promise of 2 Cr Jobs turned out to be a cruel joke! India does not want a Govt that has left the future of our youth in jeopardy." -- ANI

15:41 Sahara chief summoned on Feb 28

The Supreme Court directs Sahara group chief Subrata Roy to appear before it on February 28 for failing to deposit Rs 25,700 cr in the SEBI-Sahara case.

15:40 Will follow PM's schemes: Middha

BJP's KL Middha after winning the Jind Bypoll: "I would like to thank everyone who supported the party and me. It's their victory. There were big leaders in the contest as well, but we have defeated them too. We will follow the schemes launched by the PM and take them forward."

The ruling BJP won the high-stakes Jind bypoll in Haryana on Thursday with party candidate Krishan Middha defeating his nearest rival, Digvijay Singh Chautala of JJP, by over 12,000 votes.

The BJP wrested the seat from the main opposition INLD, which was decimated in the by-election. Middha won by a margin of 12,935 votes, Jind Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer Amit Khatri said.

JJP was floated last month by Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala after a split in the INLD following a family feud. The Congress, which had fielded its senior leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, an MLA from Kaithal, ended up at the third spot. Middha (48) is a BAMS doctor, whose father's death necessitated the bypoll.

Surjewala said, "I hope Manohar Lal Khattar and Krishna Middhaji will fulfil the dreams of the people of Jind. I was given a responsibility by the party which I fulfilled to the best of my abilities; I congratulate Krishna Middhaji."

Image: Randeep Surjewala came in at the third spot.

15:32 U'khand MLAs will have to ski to work

Gairsain in Uttarakhand received fresh snowfall today. That's just outside the legislative assembly building.

The ruling BJP won the high-stakes Jind bypoll in Haryana on Thursday with party candidate Krishan Middha defeating his nearest rival, Digvijay Singh Chautala of JJP, by over 12,000 votes.

The BJP wrested the seat from the main opposition INLD, which was decimated in the by-election.

Middha won by a margin of 12,935 votes, Jind deputy commissioner-cum-returning officer Amit Khatri said.

The JJP was floated last month by Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala after a split in the INLD following a family feud.

The Congress, which had fielded its senior leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, an MLA from Kaithal, ended up at the third spot.

Middha (48) is a BAMS doctor, whose father's death necessitated the bypoll.

After the mining case that had links to former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav, the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted searches in connection with alleged irregularities of over Rs 111 crore in construction of memorials in the state during Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati's tenure.

Officials said the central probe agency has filed a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to investigate these instances after taking cognisance of a state vigilance department complaint of 2014.

The raids are being conducted at seven places and those include premises of some officials and other private people, they said.

The vigilance complaint was filed under various sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act and it pertained to alleged financial irregularities in the construction of memorials, including statues of BSP founder Kanshi Ram and the party's poll symbol 'elephant', during the regime of former Chief Minister Mayawati, between 2007 and 2012.

It was alleged that the said act "resulted in the loss of over Rs 111,44,35,066 to the government exchequer and unlawful gain to public servants and private individuals".

The state government headed by Mayawati had built the memorials, statues and parks at a cost of over Rs 2,600 crore in Lucknow, Noida and few other places in the state.

The UP Lokayukta had earlier indicted Mayawati's two cabinet colleagues -- Nasmeedunin Siddiqui and Babu Singh Kushwaha, besides 12 BSP MLAs and several others for alleged 'wrong-doings' in the purchase of sandstone for the memorials.

On the Lokayukta's report, the vigilance department FIR was been lodged against them in 2014.

The other persons against whom the case was registered include more than 100 engineers and officers of the UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, Public Works Department and New Okhla Industrial Development Authority.

Earlier this month, the agency had raided several locations in a money laundering case, booked to probe illegal mining in the state and this case has links to former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Yadav and Mayawati have recently forged an alliance to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

-- PTI

The BJP responds to Rahul Gandhi's jibe on unemployment figures. "It's clear that he has inherited Mussolini's shortsightedness and has myopic understanding of issues. EPFO's real data shows sharp increase in jobs, created in just the last 15 months. Only a man who hasn't ever held a proper job & is totally jobless can peddle such #FakeNews!"

When you can't defend the indefensible launch a personal attack.

Rahul Gandhi had tweeted earlier attacking the PM on the unemployment situation in the country, writing:

NoMo Jobs!

The Fuhrer promised us 2 Cr jobs a year. 5 years later, his leaked job creation report card reveals a National Disaster. Unemployment is at its highest in 45 yrs.

6.5 Cr youth are jobless in 2017-18 alone.

Time for NoMo2Go.

#HowsTheJobs

India's unemployment rate hit a 45-year-high of 6.1 per cent in 2017-18, as per the National Sample Survey Office's (NSSO's) periodic labour force survey (PLFS) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

14:57 Not Siberia, that's Shimla

An intense cold wave saw most parts of Himachal Pradesh shivering on Tuesday with Shimla recording 0.8 degree Celsius. The hill state is likely to get more snow and rain. Widespread rainfall and snow is expected in the state till February 1, according to the IMD. At many places the night temperature nose-dived to sub-zero. The Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment in Manali has advised people not to venture in avalanche prone slopes that are loaded with snow.

14:43 Army chief meets Goa CM

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat leaves after meeting Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. General Rawat says, "I had just come to check on him, how is his health, how is he feeling."

A day after presenting the budget, ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday skipped the morning proceedings of the ongoing budget session of the state Assembly.

Parrikar, 63, is suffering from a pancreatic ailment. Despite his ill-health, he had presented the state budget on Wednesday in the House, saying, "I am presenting the budget in josh. The josh that is too high, very high, and fully in hosh". The three-day-long budget session of the state Assembly will end on Thursday.

14:23 NoMo jobs! Rahul targets PM on unemployment

Rahul Gandhi targets PM Narendra Modi on the unemployment rate, which is at an all time 45-year-high of 6.1 per cent.

‏

The Congress president tweeted:

NoMo Jobs!

The Fuhrer promised us 2 Cr jobs a year. 5 years later, his leaked job creation report card reveals a National Disaster.

Unemployment is at its highest in 45 yrs.

6.5 Cr youth are jobless in 2017-18 alone.

Time for NoMo2Go.

#HowsTheJobs

The latest data on unemployment in India, which is yet to come in public domain, is the first comprehensive survey on employment conducted by a government agency after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation move in November 2016. The unemployment rate was at its highest level since 1972-73 - a period from when the jobs data is comparable.

The report further said that unemployment was higher in urban areas (7.8%) as compared to 5.3% in rural areas of the country, as mentioned in a report in Business Standard. The unemployment rate among youth reached a record high level in 2017-18 as compared to previous year and 'much higher compared to that in the overall population,' highlighted the report.

Pitching for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Shiv Sena on Thursday said the issue should not become as complicated as the Kashmir matter, which is still awaiting resolution.

It also wondered why Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders were not holding the prime minister and other BJP leaders accountable for the delay in temple construction, instead of targeting judges hearing the case.

"The construction of Ram temple should not become as complicated as that of Jammu and Kashmir, where no solution is in sight in near future," the Sena said in an editorial in its party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

The BJP should stop pointing fingers at the Congress for halting the temple construction, it said. Facing growing pressure to move swiftly on the Ram temple issue, the Modi government had on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to allow it to return the "non-disputed" surplus land acquired around the disputed structure in Ayodhya to a Hindu trust and other original owners.

Commenting on the Centre's move, the Uddhav Thackeray- led party said if this was the solution, why the BJP-led government could not think of it in last four years. -- PTI

India is set to boost its defence capabilities with induction of the Rafale fighter aircraft in the coming months and compromising with security needs is not in the interest of the country, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Thursday in his address to the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

"Compromising with security needs is not in the interest of the present and future of the country. New deals in the last year, purchase of defence equipment, raised the morale of the defence. After decades, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will use the ultramodern Rafale aircraft in the coming months and strengthen itself," he said.

The statement from the President comes at a time when the Rafale jet deal controversy is on the boil.The Congress and other opposition parties have been alleging irregularities in the high-profile deal. The fighter jet is a twin-engine Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, which security analysts believe can be a 'game-changer' for India's defence system.

President Kovind also hailed the Indian Armed Forces for the September 29, 2016 cross-border "surgical strikes" and stated that by making such a move India has introduced its new policies and strategies to the world.

"In the International context, while India is a staunch supporter of friendly ties with all countries, there is also a need to constantly strengthen our capabilities to tackle any challenges. Through surgical strikes on cross-border terror posts, India has shown its new policy and strategy. Last year India joined the handful of countries that possess the Nuclear Triad capability," he said.

On the issue of One Rank One Pension (OROP), the President said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre was successful in fulfilling the longstanding demand of the Indian armed forces and has disbursed the required amount. -- ANI

Scientists are developing reversible male contraceptives -- inspired by colourful layered cocktails -- that would be more effective than condoms but not permanent like vasectomies.

For decades, women have shouldered most of the burden of contraception. However, long-term use of female birth control pills could increase the risk for side effects such as blood clots or breast cancer. One the other hand, common forms of male contraception are either short-term (condoms) or long-term (vasectomy).

However, condoms can fail, and vasectomies, while effective, are not reversible. Researchers from Nanchang University in the China wanted to devise a medium-term, reversible form of male contraception.

They drew inspiration from cocktails that bartenders make by layering colourful liquids in a glass. If the beverage is stirred or heated, the layers combine into a uniform liquid. Researchers wondered if they could use a similar approach to inject layers of materials to block the vas deferens, the duct that conveys sperm from the testicle to the urethra. -- PTI

13:34 Parrikar skips morning session of Goa Assembly

A day after presenting the budget, ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday skipped the morning proceedings of the ongoing budget session of the state Assembly. Though the reason behind his absence from the House was not mentioned, Speaker Pramod Sawant during the session announced that questions listed under Parrikar's name be postponed to the next session.

Meanwhile, sources in the Chief Minister's Office said Parrikar was expected to attend the afternoon session of the House. Parrikar, 63, is suffering from a pancreatic ailment. Despite his ill-health, he had presented the state budget on Wednesday in the House, saying, "I am presenting the budget in josh. The josh that is too high, very high, and fully in hosh". The three-day-long budget session of the state Assembly will end on Thursday. -- PTI

Image: Manohar Parrikar presenting the interim budget in the Goa Assembly yesterday.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on the Ramgarh bypoll result: I'm happy that people took a well meditated step. They've taken the right decision. I thank them and express my gratitude to them. They've given a message at a time when it was much needed. It'll encourage the party ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Social activist Anna Hazare's hunger strike entered the second day on Thursday as he remained defiant on his demand for appointment of anti-corruption watchdogs at the Centre and in Maharashtra and resolution of farmers' issues.

A bandh was also observed by locals in Hazare's native Ralegan Siddhi village in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district in support of his demands. Hazare is sitting on a hunger strike in his village since Wednesday against "non-fulfilment" of assurances by the Centre and the Maharashtra government on the appointment of Lokpal and passage of the Lokayukta Act in the state.

The 81-year-old Army man-turned-activist has also been demanding appointment of Lokayuktas in states where such statutory anti-corruption watchdogs do not exist. He has also been demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations on ways to address agrarian distress, besides some electoral reforms. Locals of Ralegan Siddhi village issued a statement on Thursday to local tehsildar, as an official representative of the state government, to look into Hazare's demands. Doctors conducted a check-up of Hazare and asked his caretakers to monitor the activist's condition closely.

"He is over 80 years' old. He needs to be looked after," the doctors told Hazare's close aides. Hazare had earlier declined to meet state government envoy and minister Girish Mahajan for talks over his demands. However, Mahajan said on Wednesday that talks were going on with Hazare and his supporters. -- PTI

12:26 ICICI Bank shares rise over 3%

Shares of ICICI Bank rose by over 3 per cent Thursday after its asset quality improved in the December 2018 quarter. Shares of the bank gained 3.10 per cent to Rs 376.60 on BSE. On the NSE, it rose by 2.93 per cent to Rs 376.65. The country's largest private sector lender ICICI Bank Wednesday reported improvement in its asset quality with gross non-performing assets (NPAs) falling to 7.75 per cent of gross loans at December-end 2018 compared to 7.82 per cent a year ago. -- PTI

12:25

Jammu & Kashmir: Terrorists lob grenade near Shairbagh police station in Anantnag; More details awaited.

12:01 Congress wins Ramgarh, BJP leads in Jind

Congress wins the Ramgarh assembly seat with a margin of 12228 votes. Congress candidate Shafia Zubair garnered a total of 83311 votes. BJP's Suwant Singh garnered 71083 votes.

The results of assembly election in Rajasthan's Ramgarh and bypoll in Haryana's Jind are likely to be read as important indicators ahead of the national election, due by May.

BJP candidate Krishan Middha is leading by 15,481 votes in the Jind bypoll. The stakes are high for both the ruling BJP, Congress in these polls, though other state players like the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Rajasthan and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in Haryana are also in the contest.

As many as 20 candidates contested the Ramgarh election, which could not be held along with other constituencies due to the death of the BSP candidate Laxman Singh before the December 7 state polls.

11:30

Just in: NDA to hold a meeting in Parliament later today.

11:29

President Ram Nath Kovind: Citizenship Amendment Bill will make it easier to provide Indian citizenship to those who had to take refuge in India after facing oppression somewhere else. They were not at fault, they were victims of situations like that.

11:22 My govt has taken a pledge for a new India: Prez Kovind

Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind addresses both Houses of the Parliament #BudgetSession.

-- An important year for our country. 2019 not only marks the 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi's birth, but also the 100th year since the Jallianwala Bagh massacre

-- The year marks the 70 anniversary of Constitution Day At the same historical Central hall, our great constituent manufacturers had created the Constitution of India. 2019 also marks the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who learned to live life with service sense and harmony, is also celebrating the same year.

--The country was going through a phase of uncertainty before the election (2014). After the election, my govt took up the initiative to form a New India -- an India where nobody remains hungry, an India where everyone gets basic healthcare and education.

-- My government has taken a pledge for a 'New India', an India where nobody remains hungry, an India where everyone gets basic healthcare and education

-- I am happy to inform you all that the benefits of government schemes are reaching the masses, as had been aimed from the start. The poorest of poor are getting basic needs of life fulfilled, from healthcare to sanitation, education to cooking gas, and much more. The direct benefit transfers are also reaching the poor without any pilferage.

- We know that expenses on health makes a poor even poorer. My govt understood this & started Ayushman Bharat Yojana. In last 4 months more than 10 Lakh poor people availed health benefits in hospitals under this scheme. Healthcare is my governments topmost priority. I am happy to inform you that the benefits of governments schemes are reaching poorest of the poor.

Ahead of the Budget session, the PM called for a meaningful debate in the House. "Today, the country is observing the proceedings of the Parliament. The MPs should hold a meaningful debate in this session of the Parliament. We are eager to hold a debate on all important issues."

President Ram Nath Kovind leaves for the Parliament where he will address both Houses before the Budget session today. The prime minister will also be addressing the house.

Parliament will meet from today till February 13 for the Budget session with interim budget to be presented on February 1. The session, which ends on February 13 will begin with an address by the President to a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. It will be the last session of the 16th Lok Sabha as the elections are likely to be held in April-May.

The country's unemployment rate stood at a 45-year-high of 6.1 per cent in 2017-18, according to the National Sample Survey Office's periodic labour force survey.

The report, accessed by Business Standard (paywalled report here), is at the centre of a controversy after two National Statistical Commission members, including acting chairman, resigned on Monday, alleging that the government had withheld its release.

According to the report, the unemployment rate was at its highest level since 1972-73.

The report reveals in 2011-12, the unemployment rate stood at 2.2 per cent and youth unemployment is at "astronomically high" levels of 13 to 27 per cent.

10:12 Hindu temple vandalised in US

In a hate crime, a Hindu temple has been vandalised in the US state of Kentucky by miscreants who sprayed black paint on the deity and left a knife stabbed into a chair in the main hall.

The incident happened between Sunday night and Tuesday morning at the Swaminarayan Temple in the Louisville city.

According to local media report, vandalism resulted in deity image sprayed with black paint, broken windows, walls spray-painted with inappropriate messages and graffiti. A knife was stabbed in the chair, and cabinets were emptied.

The incident has sent shock waves through the Indian-American community in Louisville Kentucky.

Authorities are investigating the incident as a hate crime.

Condemning the incident of vandalism, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer called upon the city residents to stand up against this hatred.

"Anytime we see hatred or bigotry we will stand against it. The cowards who did this have only given our community more fuel and determination to embrace compassion, understanding, and each other," Fischer said as he visited the vandalised temple on Wednesday.

"Sometime between the end of services at the Swaminarayan Temple on Bardstown Road on Sunday and the time a repairman arrived on Tuesday morning, vandals broke into a window and vandalised spots throughout the building," he said.

The vandalism of this temple, Fischer said is another example of the work "we still have to do as a city and a nation to make sure we live to our ideals of equality, of a country where everyone is treated with the respect we all deserve."

-- PTI

The counting of votes to the bye-election to Haryanas Jind assembly constituency has begun and independent candidate Digvijay Chautala has taken the lead, with BJP snapping at his heels.

Counting has also begun in Rajasthans Ramgarh, which witnessed a voter turnout of 79.12 per cent, and Congress is in the drivers seat here, followed by BJP. Polls could not be held on December 7 in Ramgarh owing to the death of BSP candidate Laxman Singh.

While the Jind bypoll is being seen as a test of the popularity of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar ahead of the Lok Sabha and assembly elections, a victory in Ramgarh will help the Congress touch the 100 mark in the 200-member House, reducing its dependence on support from non-BJP parties.

The high-stakes Jind bypoll, which saw a voter turnout of 75.77 per cent, was necessitated following the death of INLD legislator Hari Chand Midha last year. Jind witnessed a multi-cornered contest involving the BJP, which fielded Middha son Krishan Middha, INLD, which nominated local Jat leader Umedh Singh Redhu and Congress, represented by Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal will present interim Budget on February 1, the finance ministry has clarified. There were speculations over the nature of the Budget following a workshop by Press Information Bureau on Tuesday, where it was reportedly mentioned that it will be titled General Budget, 2019-20.

Confusion gathered momentum after the commerce ministry on Wednesday in a whatsapp message to media said: "Do not refer Budget 2019-20 as interim Budget, it is officially referred as general Budget 2019-20".

As some TV channels ran the story that it would be a full-fledged Budget, the finance ministry intervened on Wednesday and clarified that it will be called Interim Budget 2019-20.

This Budget will be called Interim Budget 2019-20 and, therefore, don't have any confusion on this issue, a finance ministry spokesperson told reporters. The spokespersons statement referred to what the Budget speech and documents will officially be titled.

Full-fledged budgets are titled "Union Budget", while interim Budget are titled Interim Budget.

There have been suppositions among markets and policy watchers that, as the government heads into Lok Sabha elections this year, after losses in three state elections, the 2019-20 Budget could be more than just an interim Budget.

Goyal, filling in for Arun Jaitley, could announce a massive nationwide income-support scheme for farmers, as well as a forward-looking commitment to bringing in tax sops for the middle and salaried people if the Modi government is reelected.

-- Arup Roychoudhury/Business Standard

Yoga guru Ramdev has urged saints and seers at the Kumbh Mela to quit smoking.

"We follow Ram and Krishna who never smoked in their life then why should we? We must take a pledge to quit smoking," he said. "We sadhus have left everything including our home, mother and father for a greater cause, then why can't we leave smoking."

The 55-day long Kumbh Mela will end on March 4. It is the largest human congregation in the world, with over 130 million pilgrims expected to participate in the festival with the belief that taking a dip in the holy water of Ganges River will pave the way for their salvation and would rid them of their sins.

-- ANI

US President Donald Trump has plenty of detractors, but for spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, he has support from above.

"I think God calls all of us to fill different roles at different times and I think that he wanted Donald Trump to become president," Sanders says in an interview to be aired by the Christian Broadcasting Network.

CBN journalist David Brody tweeted Sanders' claim after the interview was taped.

Trump, a Republican, has strong backing from the politically influential US evangelical movement, which early on decided to overlook multiple lurid reports regarding his private life.

Giving his stamp of approval to the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban, President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that negotiations are "proceeding well" with the militant group to end over 17-year old war in Afghanistan.

Trump made the comment after US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad held fourth round of talks with the Taliban in Qatar last week, following which he said significant progress was made.

"Negotiating are proceeding well in Afghanistan after 18 years of fighting...," Trump said in a series of foreign policy tweets Wednesday.

"...Fighting continues but the people of Afghanistan want peace in this never-ending war. We will soon see if talks will be successful?" Trump said.

Khalilzad held six days of intense negotiations with the Taliban representatives in Doha last week. After the talks, Khalilzad said that the US and the Taliban have drafted the framework of a deal which could pave the way for peace talks with Kabul.

Since being appointed in September last, Khalilzad has met with all sides in an attempt to end America's longest war in which the US has lost over 2,400 soldiers in more than 17 years.

The Taliban control nearly half of Afghanistan, and are more powerful than at any time since the 2001 US-led invasion after the 9/11 terror attacks.

A day earlier, CIA Director Gina Haspel said "a very robust monitoring regime would be essential in Afghanistan and the US needed to retain the capability to act in "national interests".

"It's very important that we maintain pressure on the terrorist groups that are there and so if there were an eventual peace agreement a very robust monitoring regime would be critical and we would still need to retain the capability to act in our national interests if we needed to, Haspel said in testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Coats, Director of National Intelligence said that his assessment is that neither the Afghan government nor the Taliban will be able to gain a strategic advantage in the Afghan war in the coming year, even if coalitions support remains at current levels.

However, former US Ambassador to Afghanistan has said the US has de-legitimised the Afghan government by negotiating with the Taliban without its involvement. He described as "surrender" the Trump administration's framework of a deal with the terror outfit. -- PTI

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