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Mon, 18 November 2019
1,029 ceasefire violations in J-K during Aug-Oct
Timeline Refresh
23:30 US stands ready to work with Sri Lanka's new president: Pompeo
The US stands ready to work with Sri Lanka's new president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday and urged him to uphold the country's commitments to security sector reform respect for human rights and non-recurrence of violence.
Gotabaya stormed to victory on Sunday in the presidential election, trouncing his nearest rival Sajith Premadasa by a margin of over 13 lakh votes - 52.25 per cent of votes polled against 41.99 per cent.
"The United States congratulates the people of Sri Lanka on their democratic election and stands ready to work with Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the new President of Sri Lanka," Pompeo said in a statement.
Pompeo, called on Rajapaksa to uphold Sri Lanka's commitments to security sector reform, accountability, respect for human rights, and non-recurrence of violence.
Sri Lanka continued to show the strength and resiliency of its democracy with a free, fair, and transparent presidential election befitting Asia's oldest democracy, he said.
The United States, he said applauds the Sri Lankan Elections Commission, Sri Lankan civil society, and the candidates themselves for promoting a peaceful election.
"Sri Lanka is a valued partner, and we want to work with the government and people of Sri Lanka to advance cooperation on bilateral and regional issues, including fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific region where all countries can prosper, deepening good governance, and promoting justice, reconciliation, and human rights," Pompeo said.
-- PTI
23:09 1,029 ceasefire violations in J-K during Aug-Oct
Pakistan has been resorting to the ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and there have been 950 incidents of CFVs along the Line of Control and 79 incidents of CFVs along International Border in Jammu region during the last three months (August to October), the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday.
As per the casualties classified so far, during the last three months, three personnel have been martyred and seven injured, said Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. Appropriate retaliation to the ceasefire violations, as required, has been carried out by the Indian Army, said the minister.
"Also all violations of ceasefire and infiltration are taken up with Pakistan authorities at the appropriate level through the established mechanism of hotlines, flag meetings, Directorate Generals of Military Operations talks as well as diplomatic channels between the two countries," he added.
-- ANI
22:51 Army slams ex-major gen for controversial remarks during TV debate
The army on Monday hit out at a former major general for his objectionable remarks on the issue of Kashmiri Pandit exodus during a TV debate, saying the views expressed are against the ethos of the Indian Army and not endorsed by any veteran of the armed forces.
Major General S P Sinha (retd), during the debate, called for "Maut ke badle maut (death for death)" and also appeared to make other objectionable remarks, drawing the ire of Army veterans.
The statement made by a retired army officer on a TV channel is rejected, an army source said.
The army stands to respect human rights and functions within the bounds of law, ensures safety and security of the countrymen, the source said.
The major general has reportedly written to the channel withdrawing his comments.
The views expressed on the channel are not the ethos of Indian Army and are not endorsed by any veteran of Indian Army, the source added.
-- PTI
22:17 3 killed at shooting at Walmart in Oklahoma
Three people were shot and killed at an Oklahoma Walmart on Monday, according to local media.
Three victims were killed, local media reported citing the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
A spokeswoman for the police in Duncan, Oklahoma, confirmed the shooting but said she had no information on the victims condition. Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
In August, a man killed 22 people at an El Paso, Texas, Walmart and injured 26 others. He is accused of deliberately targeting Mexicans and has pleaded not guilty.
21:39 Wonderful meeting: PM Modi reacts after meet with Bill Gates
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, is contributing towards making the planet a better place.
The prime minister made these remarks in a tweet after Gates called on him this evening.
"Wonderful meeting with @BillGates. Always a delight to interact with him on various subjects. Through his innovative zeal and grassroots level work, he is passionately contributing towards making our planet a better place," the prime minister said.
Earlier in the day, Gates participated in an event where NITI Aayog launched the 'Health System for a New India: Building Blocks - Potential Pathways to Reform' report.
Modi was recently conferred an award by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the ambitious Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
-- PTI
21:18 Brazil's Amazon deforestation highest since 2008
Deforestation of Brazil's Amazon rainforest increased by 29.5 per cent in 12 months, the highest rate since 2008, the country's space agency reports.
The rainforest lost 9,762 sq km (3,769 sq miles) of its vegetation between August 2018 and July 2019, Inpe says.
Far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has in the past questioned the accuracy of data provided by Inpe.
Scientists say the Amazon has suffered losses at an accelerated rate since Mr Bolsonaro took office in January.
They say the president favours development over conservation.
As the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon is a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming.
Over the past decade, previous governments in Brazil had managed to reduce deforestation with concerted action by federal agencies and a system of fines.
But Bolsonaro and his ministers have criticised the penalties and overseen a dramatic fall in confiscations of timber and convictions for environmental crimes.
21:07 Trump says will 'strongly consider' testifying in impeachment probe
US President Donald Trump on Monday said he is "strongly" considering answering a challenge from opposition Democrats to testify in his own impeachment investigation.
After the speaker of the lower house, Nancy Pelosi, upped the ante by suggesting that Trump come forward to tell the "truth," the Republican president said he was keen.
Pelosi suggested "that I testify about the phony Impeachment Witch Hunt. She also said I could do it in writing," Trump tweeted.
"Even though I did nothing wrong, and don't like giving credibility to this No Due Process Hoax, I like the idea & will, in order to get Congress focused again, strongly consider it!"
20:37 Sharad Yadav backs protesting JNU students
Opposition leader Sharad Yadav on Monday accused the JNU administration of acting at the behest of the Union government to "play" with the career of poor students.
In a statement, he also condemned Delhi police action against the students protesting against the fee hike, saying it was "completely unjustified" and may further flare up the situation.
Even the revised charges approved by the administration are far more than the existing ones, Yadav said, endorsing the agitation by students.
"The JNU administration on the directions of the government is playing with the career of the poor students. Police action on the students is completely unjustified which may further flare up the issue and therefore the administration should be refrained from stopping the students from peaceful demonstration," he said.
He asked the administration to roll back the increase in the fees and restore the existing charges.
This government, he alleged, is deliberately raising the cost of education and creating an atmosphere through the media that institutions like JNU are being given freebies.
-- PTI
20:25 Indian astronauts to start training in Russia's Gagarin Center in 2020
Indian "gaganauts" selected for the country's first manned space mission in 2022 will start their training sessions at Russia's Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center next year, a senior Russian space official said on Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Russia will train the Indian astronauts for India's ambitious Gaganyaan manned space mission. Scheduled for 2022, the mission is expected to carry three astronauts, who will be picked from among the test pilots in the Indian armed forces.
Russia will help train Indian astronauts for the Gaganyaan project, Modi said during a joint press meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin after their talks in the Far East Russian city of Vladivostok on September 4.
"The education and training of gaganauts (astronauts) at the Cosmonaut Training Centre are planned to start already next year but this largely depends on the results of the selection by health parameters and the timeframe for the Indian side to decide whom they finally select and send to Russia for training," Head of Glavcosmos (part of the Roscosmos space agency) Dmitry Loskutov told Tass news agency at the 'Dubai Airshow 2019' on Monday.
India intends to develop its own manned programme, he said, adding that the flight by an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station is not planned so far.
On July 1, Roscosmos announced that Glavcosmos and the Human Space Flight Center of the Indian Space Research Organisation had signed a contract on assistance in the medical check-up and training of Indian astronauts.
Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin announced on August 22 that Russian specialists from the Cosmonaut Training Center would select the first group of astronauts in India this autumn, the official Russian news agency reported.
The Gagarin Research & Test Cosmonaut Training Center is named after Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin, the Russian cosmonaut who became the first human to journey into outer space. The facility was built to support manned space programmes, space exploration activities, astronauts' training as well as ensuring their safety in space.
-- PTI
19:59 Soldiers trapped after avalanche in Siachen
A number of soldiers are trapped in snow after an avalanche hit army positions in the Siachen glacier. The soldiers were a part of a patrolling group of eight people.
The avalanche took place at 3.30 pm in the northern glacier at an altitude of 18,000 feet.
Rescue operations are underway.
19:23 Vodafone Idea to raise service rates from Dec 1
Debt-ridden telecom operator Vodafone Idea on Monday said it will raise mobile services rates from December 1 in the wake of ongoing financial stress.
"To ensure that its customers continue to enjoy world class digital experiences, Vodafone Idea will suitably increase the prices of its tariffs effective December 1, 2019," Vodafone Idea said in a statement.
The company, however, did not disclose the range or details of the proposed tariff hike.
Vodafone Idea last week reported consolidated loss of Rs 50,921 crore -- highest ever loss posted by any Indian corporate - for the second quarter ended September 30, on account of liability arising out of the Supreme Court order in the adjusted gross revenue case.
The Supreme Court last month ruled in favour of the government and directed telecom companies, including Vodafone Idea, to pay dues as demanded by the Department of Telecom.
Vodafone Idea said that now its ability to continue business will depend on reliefs sought from the government and positive outcome of the legal option it has.
"The acute financial stress in the telecom sector has been acknowledged by all stakeholders and a high level Committee of Secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary is looking into providing appropriate relief," the statement said.
Vodafone Idea has around 300 million mobile subscribers.
-- PTI
18:44 More talks needed: Pawar after meeting Sonia
Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar, after a 45-minute meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her home in Delhi today, said more discussions would be held before a final word on getting together with the Shiv Sena to form government in Maharashtra. "We have to sort out some more issues," Sharad Pawar told reporters.
With leaders from both parties denying any decision, the biggest hint of an alliance in the making was seen in the gesture by the Congress and NCP not to put up candidates for the post of mayor or deputy mayor in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. The cash-rich Mumbai civic body is controlled by the Shiv Sena.
Sources indicated that the two parties have inched closer to a Sena-NCP-Congress alliance but officially, asserted that more talks would be held to discuss the way forward.
"Sharad Pawar met the Congress president today and briefed her on the situation in Maharashtra. It was decided that in a day or two, representatives from the NCP and Congress will meet in Delhi to discuss the way forward," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.
This was seen as a clear indicator that the Congress is on board with aligning with the Shiv Sena. A formula that has been floating around is a Shiv Sena chief minister and a deputy chief minister each from the NCP and Congress.
But each party is seen to be holding out in negotiations to get a bigger share.
Pawar has largely been cryptic and noncommittal on these talks. It was a "courtesy call," said the NCP chief on his meeting with Sonia Gandhi.
18:38 Lata Mangeshkar still in ICU, doing fine: Hospital sources
Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, who has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital, is doing "fine", hospital sources said on Monday.
Lata Mangeshkar, 90, was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital here after she complained of difficulty in breathing last week.
"She is doing fine. She is still in the hospital's ICU," the insider said.
The hospital source added Lata Mangeshkar was on ventilator till Sunday night but could not confirm if she was still on it.
The veteran singer's younger sister, singer Usha Mangeshkar said they were waiting for the doctors to discharge her.
"She is doing fine. She is still in the hospital and when the doctors will tell us to take her home then we will do so," Usha Mangeshkar said.
-- PTI
18:19 Sharad Pawar's meeting with Sonia Gandhi ends
Amid talks of government formation in Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar met Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi at her residence in New Delhi.
The two leaders will take a final call on joining hands with the Shiv Sena. The state is under Presidents rule since the falling out of a pre-poll alliance between Sena and the BJP.
Sources said that Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal have been asked to reach Delhi on Tuesday, while Nawab Malik will arrive in the national capital late on Monday.
17:54 Delhi Police urges JNU students not to take law in their hands
The Delhi Police urged the protesting JNU students on Monday not to take law in their hands and to maintain peace as thousands of agitators continued with their march to Parliament.
The senior police officers on the spot were trying to convince the students to resolve their issues through dialogue, sources said.
"We are trying to mediate talks with the JNU students. Sufficient force have been deployed. We told them not to take law in their hands, block roads and cause inconvenience to the public. We are trying to convince them and hopefully, we will be able to solve the matter soon," Mandeep Singh Randhawa, Deputy Police Commissioner (Central) as well as the Delhi Police PRO, said.
While the students alleged that they were baton-charged as they marched towards Parliament, the police said they would look into the allegation.
"We will look into the allegation of lathicharge. We will speak to the students about it. It could be possible that some of them sustained injuries when the barricades were broken. Even some police personnel got injured," Randhawa said.
-- PTI
17:32 Investor summit soon in JK: LG Murmu
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu on Monday said an investor summit, which was earlier postponed following the abrogation of Article 370, would be held soon so that investments pour into the Union Territory for its development and to create employment avenues for the youth.
Murmu said about 30,000 to 40,000 employment opportunities would be created for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and sought people's cooperation in making the investor summit a success. "We want investments to pour in here so that people get jobs and there is overall development. That is why we are preparing for an investor summit which will take place soon.
For this, we want the cooperation of the people and the police will have a huge role in that,' the Lt Governor said. He was addressing the passing out parade of 1,145 newly recruited personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police at the Police Training School in Manigam.
17:28 No day flights to Kochi till 2020
The four-month-long runway re- surfacing work at Kochi Airport is set to start on Wednesday and there would be no flights from 10 am to 6 pm till March 28, 2020. Since almost all services have already been re- scheduled between 6 pm and 10 am, the project period would see cancellation of only five services during the major runway re-surfacing period, a statement from the airport said on Monday.
Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has started the preparatory work for the project well in advance and thereby ensured the minimal cancellation of services with the co-operation of the airlines, the statement said. -- PTI
17:19 Plastic do, rice lo
Mulugu District Collector C Narayana Reddy is offering 1 kilo of rice in exchange of 1 kilo of plastic waste to the public, as part of a campaign started by him on October 16, 2019 to make the district free from single use plastic.
17:13 Pawar-Sonia meet in Delhi begins
NCP chief Sharad Pawar's meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her residence, has just begun. Ahead of the meeting, Pawar said all the political parties seeking to stake claim in forming government in Maharashtra have to "choose their path."
The Sena had reached out to the Congress-NCP combine for support after its alliance with the BJP collapsed. "BJP-Shiv Sena fought together, we (the NCP) and the Congress fought together. They have to choose their path and we will do our politics," he told reporters this morning.
The saffron alliance had secured a comfortable majority by winning 105 and 56 seats, respectively, in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly. Pre-poll allies Congress and NCP won 44 and 54 seats.
16:52 Police brutally thrashed protestors: JNU students
Thousands of Jawaharlal Nehru University students who on Monday started their protest march towards the Parliament, were allegedly thrashed by police personnel and taken to unknown locations after detention.
In a recent development, the JNU students' march to Parliament was stopped by the police near Safdarjung Tomb. They are demanding a complete fee rollback along with other demands.
A student protestor alleged that by constituting a high-power committee to recommend ways to restore normal functioning in Jawaharlal Nehru University, the Ministry of Human Resource Development is trying to create a certain sense of fear among the students."Our demands are very clear.
Many student protestors have been thrashed brutally and they have been taken to unknown locations. Our demand is to release our detained friends. JNUSU has not received any notification regarding the high-power committee," said the student protestor.
"The teacher's association has also not received any notification in this regard. They haven't made it clear that what steps they will be taking. We want to convey a message to MHRD that no such committee is valid for us until the hostel manual gets cancelled," he added.
Students raised slogans and banners against the government. A large number of protestors chanted slogans like, "Halla Bol" and "Dekhna hai zor kitna bazue katil mein hai".
"When we left from JNU, police had created two lines of defence. Police stopped us for at least an hour over there and then the students who tried to step forward were thrown away like a sack. Those students have been taken to some unidentified locations in PCRs. We are still not able to track our friends," said a student protestor.
"The students are being treated very ruthlessly by the police. Later, we changed our way and now we are coming from Munirka Metro Station route. We are challenging the police who are behaving badly with the students protesting against the fee hike. We will try to reach the Parliament today no matter what," he added.
One of the protestors claimed that many students have been injured and they have been taken to the hospital. "We were heading very peacefully still police resorted to lathi-charge. We were carrying the tricolour flag with us still the police thrashed us. This protest will continue," said a female protestor.
In view of the protest, as advised by Delhi Police, trains are not halting at Udyog Bhawan and Patel Chowk. Exit/Entry Gates for Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk and Central Secretariat have been closed temporarily. -- ANI
16:44 Desperate Pak trying various tactics to provoke people: J&K DGP
Pakistan and militant handlers have become desperate and are trying various tactics to provoke and scare people, Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbag Singh has said.
"Pakistan and terrorist handlers have become desperate and tried various tactics and violence to provoke and scare people. The police should remain alert to thwart their attempts," a police spokesperson quoted Singh as having said during a function here on Sunday.
The Director General of Police inaugurated the Zonal Cyber police station at the District Police Office in Srinagar and reviewed security and law and order in the district, the spokesperson said on Monday. The state police chief asked officers to identify the saboteurs and elements who might disturb the peace in the Union territory, he added. -- ANI
Image: Public transport at Lal Chowk this morning. A semblance of normalcy has returned to the streets in Srinagar. Pic: Umar Ganie
16:38 Equity indices close in the red, telecom stocks gain
Equity benchmark indices ended marginally lower on Monday while oscillating in a range but telecom stocks gained after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government is looking for ways to support the debt-laden sector.
The BSE S&P Sensex closed 73 points lower at 40,284 while the Nifty 50 slipped by 1 point to 11,894. Sectoral indices at the National Stock Exchange were mixed with Nifty metal gaining by 1.8 per cent, PSU bank by 1.4 per cent and pharma by 1.1 per cent.
Nifty auto, financial service and FMCG were in the negative zone.Shares of telecom major Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel surged ahead amid reports that the government will step in to help the ailing sector. The development came a few days after both companies reported a combined loss of Rs 74,000 crore and warned their ability to operate will depend on relief measures.
Vodafone Idea closed 22.47 per cent higher at Rs 4.47 per share while Bharti Airtel gained by 4.62 per cent at Rs 411.20 per scrip. The other gainers were Tata Steel which moved up by 4.4 per cent, UPL and Hindalco. -- ANI
16:27 Abolition of states far-reaching step: Manmohan
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday called the "abolition of states and their conversion into union territories" a far-reaching step and urged the Central government to consult the Rajya Sabha before taking such "drastic" steps.
"Abolition of certain states, their conversion into union territories is a far-reaching proposal and legislation. This house [Rajya Sabha], a council of states, should be given more power and the government should consult the council of states much more effectively before taking such a drastic measure," Singh said in Rajya Sabha.
He said that it is the duty of the Upper House to ensure that no laws are passed in an atmosphere of 'heightened emotions'.
The former prime minister also gave a series of suggestions to improve the functioning of the house. "The members should get additional resources such as adequate research staff to allow them to study issues in more depth," he said.
"I suggest that every year Rajya Sabha should find time to discuss the centre-state relationship, said Singh."There should also be debates on the state of nation's health and education," Singh added. -- PTI
16:24 JNU students stopped ahead of Parliament
Jawaharlal Nehru University students march to Parliament stopped by Police near Safdarjung Tomb. They are demanding complete fee roll back along with other demands.
15:32 Pak successfully conducts test launch of surface-to-surface ballistic missile
Pakistan on Monday conducted a successful test launch of a surface-to-surface ballistic missile capable of delivering all types of warheads up to 650 kilometres, the military announced.
According to a press release issued by the media wing of Pakistani military, the launch of Shaheen-I missile was held as part of a training exercise "aimed at testing the operational readiness of Army Strategic Forces Command".
The Shaheen-1 missile is capable of delivering all types of warheads up to range of 650 KMs, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) tweeted. "The launch was aimed at testing operational readiness of Army Strategic Forces Command ensuring Pakistan's credible minimum deterrence," it said. The Pakistani missile test came days after India conducted the first night trial of 'Agni-II', its versatile surface-to-surface medium range nuclear-capable missile. The 'Agni-II' missile has a strike range of 2,000 km and is an intermediate range ballistic missile. It has already been inducted into the armed forces.
The Pakistani missile test took place amid bilateral tensions between India and Pakistan after New Delhi abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated it into two union territories.
Pakistan reacted strongly to India's decision and downgraded bilateral ties and expelled the Indian envoy. India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 was an internal matter. It has also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda. -- PTI
Representational image
15:17 Oppn leaders in Parl: Where's Farooq Abdullah?
Attacking the government over the detention of sitting Lok Sabha MP Farooq Abdullah, opposition members on Monday termed the National Conference leader's detention as illegal and demanded that he be allowed to attend the House.
Opposition leaders also raised the issue of MPs not being allowed to visit Jammu and Kashmir after abrogation of its special status, whereas parliamentarians from Europe have been taken to the state, with Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury describing the EU delegation as "bhade ke tattu" (hirelings).
"Our leader Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to visit (Jammu and Kashmir), several MPs were sent back...whereas bhade ke tatu from Europe were being taken there. Isn't it an insult to all MPs. I want to ask MPs of ruling alliance don't they think it was their insult," Chowdhury said.
On the detention of Abdullah, he said the NC supremo has been under detention for 106 days and it is his constitutional right to attend the House. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Chowdhary said it was an "atrocity" not to allow the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister to attend Lok Sabha proceedings.
The Speaker said when Home Minister Amit Shah informed the House in the previous session that Abdullah was not under detention, he was correct. The written information of his detention was received later by the Lok Sabha secretariat. He said now he has written information that Abdullah is under detention.
15:06 What's brewing? PM praises NCP in Parliament
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said in Rajya Sabha that people's hearts can be won by political parties even without rushing to the Well of the House to register their protest on various issues. Speaking in the House during a special discussion marking 250 sessions of Rajya Sabha, he said the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Biju Janata Dal have wonderfully adhered to parliamentary norms by not entering the Well of the House.
"Yet they have made their points effectively. Much can be learnt from this ... people's hearts can be won even without rushing to the Well," he said. Modi said parties, including his BJP, has to learn from the NCP and BJD in this regard. The prime minister also said Rajya Sabha is about checks and balances. "This is absolutely essential ... here is also a difference between checking and clogging," he said. PTI
14:44 Upper House is the soul of federal structure: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in Rajya Sabha during a discussion on the 250th session of the House. Highlights of his speech.
-- This house has seen many historic moments, it has made history also and has seen history being made as well. It is a far-sighted house.
-- The Rajya Sabha gives an opportunity to people away from electoral politics to contribute to the country and its development. Whenever it has been about good of the nation, Rajya Sabha has risen to the occasion.
-- It was widely believed that Triple Talaq bill would not pass here but it did.Even GST became a reality after it was passed in this house.We can never forget the role of the Rajya Sabha when bills related to Articles 370 and 35(A) were passed.
-- Upper House is the soul of federal structure. Atalji said don't make second house secondary house.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi said the winter session of the Parliament is an important one and all lawmakers should contribute to enriching the discussions.The winter session, which started from today, will go on till December 13.
14:37 JNU students marching towards Parliament stopped
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students heading towards the Parliament were stopped and detained by Delhi Police near the university's North gate. Heavy police deployment with barricades put across the roads stopped the march as hundreds of students came out of the varsity gate.
Equipped in riot gear, the police stopped the students at Ber Sarai road and blocked them from marching towards the Parliament. JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh and other students were detained and put inside buses.JNU students have been agitating against the JNU Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar, fee hike and the draft hostel manual which includes provisions on dress code and curfew timings.
14:23 Had to go for commentary: Gambhir explains missing pollution meet
Gautam Gambhir, former cricketer and BJP MP explains why he missed the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Urban Development meeting, over air pollution in Delhi, on 15 November: "I know the meeting was very important but I was contractually bound. I had signed the contract in January and I joined politics in April. Due to contractual obligation, I had to go for the commentary. On 11th November I received the mail and on the same day, I had informed them the reason for not attending the meeting."
Here's the story on how a jalebi-quaffing Gambhir made the AAP see red.
14:22 Parties have to choose their path: Pawar on Maha
Ahead of his meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Monday said all the political parties seeking to stake claim in forming government in Maharashtra have to "choose their path." The Sena had reached out to the Congress-NCP combine for support after its alliance with the BJP collapsed.
"BJP-Shiv Sena fought together, we (the NCP) and the Congress fought together. They have to choose their path and we will do our politics," he told reporters before the Winter Session of Parliament began. The saffron alliance had secured a comfortable majority by winning 105 and 56 seats, respectively, in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly. Pre-poll allies Congress and NCP won 44 and 54 seats. -- PTI
14:12 No 5% slump; India continues to be fastest growing eco: govt
India is not facing 5 per cent economic slowdown and continues to be the fastest growing economy in the world, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said in Lok Sabha on Monday. During Question Hour, Thakur also said that a number of steps are being taken by the government to strengthen the economy that includes merger of banks and tax concessions to industries.
"There is no 5 per cent slump. Where did you get the figure. Show us," he countered when Aam Aadmi Party MP Bhagwant Mann said the country is facing slump in the economy. The Union minister of state for finance said India continues to the fastest growing economy in the world even though many countries in the world are facing economic slowdown. "By 2025, India will be a five trillion dollars economy," he said.
Highlighting series of steps taken by the government to strengthen the economy, Thakur said tax concessions have been given to industries, foreign direct investments and MSME sector. The minister said several banks have been merged with bigger banks and ultimate aim of the government is to keep four strong banks with solid footing and ensure increased economic activities. He said strong actions have been taken against blackmoney and number of tax payers has been doubled due to demonetisation and implementation of the GST regime.
Thakur said as per the National Statistical Office (NSO), the GDP growth on average was 7.5 per cent in 2014-19, which is the highest amongst G-20 countries. He said the World Economic Outlook (WEO) of October 2019, projects a significant slowdown in world output and trade in 2019. -- PTI
13:58 Delhi skies clear, Kejriwal ends odd-even
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that the odd-even scheme is not required further as the skies have cleared up in the national capital.
"There is no need of odd-even scheme now as the skies have cleared up," Kejriwal said after being asked a question in this regard at a press conference in the national capital.
In an attempt to reduce traffic congestion and tackle pollution, the odd-even scheme was enforced in the national capital from November 4 to 15.The traffic rationing scheme prohibited plying of private vehicles based on the last digit of their registration numbers.
Vehicles with even digits were only allowed to ply on even dates, and those with odd numbers on odd dates.This was the third edition of the odd-even restrictions, a flagship scheme of the AAP government, on private vehicles in Delhi. The first two versions of the initiative were introduced in 2016. -- ANI
13:35 1st day bonhomie in Parliament
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad and Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury at the Parliament today. Political adversaries, not enemies.
13:12 Here's how Derek O'Brien paid tribute to Arun Jaitley
Trinamool Congress lawmaker Derek O'Brien went down the memory lane and recalled late BJP leader and former union minister Arun Jaitley's witty sense of humour while paying tributes to him at the Rajya Sabha.In a special session to remember its sitting and former members in the Upper House of the Parliament, O'Brien narrated two anecdotes and termed Jaitley as a "mentor" despite having stark ideological differences.
"I was sitting in the Central Hall with four to five journalists and told them that we have got a new name for Arun Jaitleyji... and that is plantation manager. I told them why. So being a comparatively junior MP, I thought he would be very upset. In the next morning, he saw me and said 'hey you called me a plantation manager, that was very funny'", the lawmaker said in the House in a light moment.
"We lightheartedly called him plantation manager because he was sitting in the Parliament and planting stories in the media. The way he reacted to it, was very positive with a good sense of humour," he said.
O'Brien recalled an incident where Jaitley wanted to escape arrest during Emergency in the 1970s."...He told us the story of the Emergency and he had to disappear somewhere. He was supposed to get on to his friend's scooter across the wall and disappear to avoid arrest. Everything went as per the plan and when he crossed the wall, there was no friend or no scooter. He did not know what to do. So, in a typical Arun Jaitley style, he walked back, had tea and biscuits. The police came in 10 minutes and took him away," he said.
O'Brien also said that Jaitley taught the parliamentarians not to get personal during discussions and stressed the need to focus on tone and tenor of debates.
"He was polar opposite in terms of ideology across the floor in Rajya Sabha, an occasional dualist with us in the media. Yet for many of us, he was a mentor in the Parliament and advised many of us on tone and tenor of the debate. He said that everything else you do, but never get personal," the TMC MP remarked.
13:07 JNU students march towards parliament
Protesting Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students on Monday marched towards the Parliament for a complete fee rollback along with other demands.
The students have been agitating against the JNU Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar, fee hike and the draft hostel manual which includes provisions on dress code and curfew timings.
The matter blew out of proportion last week after a clash broke out between the students and police during the students' protest.
The university had hiked the double room rent from Rs 10 to Rs 300 per month, single room from Rs 20 to Rs 600 per month and increased one-time refundable mess security deposit from Rs 5,500 to Rs 12,000.
The fee was, however, partially rolled back. Now, the room rent for single-seater rooms will be kept to Rs 600 per month, while it will be Rs 300 for those students who are from the below poverty line (BPL) category.
Similarly, the room rent for double seater rooms has been kept at Rs 300 per month for all while it is Rs 150 for eligible BPL category students.The BPL category students will also have to pay half of the service (mess and sanitation services etc) and utility (water and electricity) charges while the other students will have to pay it in full.
The refundable mess security has been left untouched at the existing Rs 5,500 mark instead of the proposed Rs 12,000, while the other charges too have been left untouched.
The Winter Session of Parliament began today and is scheduled to go on till December 13. -- PTI
12:46 Good student, good orator, good leader: Azad pays tribute to Jaitley
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday paid homage to former finance minister Arun Jaitley in the Rajya Sabha and said that the demise of the BJP stalwart is a loss to the entire country.
"The demise of people like Jaitleyji is not a loss to a party alone but the entire country. I pray that his soul rests in peace," Azad said in the Rajya Sabha recalling his bond with Jaitley.
"I had known Arun Jaitley personally. The rare political sourness between us used to turn into sweetness due to our personal relations. From his student life till his death, his life remained very active. He was a good student, good orator, and a good leader," he said.
The winter session of Parliament began today with obituary references to former Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Ram Jethmalan and Sushma Swaraj.
The former finance minister passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in August. He was 66.
12:43 108 days since Farooq detained: Cong in Parl
Ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, Congress MP and leader of the party in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Monday said it was the government's responsibility to run the House smoothly so that debates and discussions can be held on issues concerning the people. Speaking to reporters, Chowdhury said dialogue was the essence of Parliamentary democracy. "It is incumbent upon the government to run the House smoothly so that Opposition parties will be able to express their views, articulate their opinion in an appropriate manner. This is the essence of Parliamentary democracy.
"We also expect from the PM and the ruling party that all the issues concerning to the interest of the common people must be allowed to be discussed inside the Parliament. Parliament is meant for discussion, debate and dialogue," he said. He also accused the government of labelling anyone who disagreed with them as "urban naxals".
Chowdhury also said that it had been 108 days today since Farooq Abdullah was detained. "Yeh kya zulm ho raha hai? We want that he should be brought to the Parliament. It is his constitutional right," he said.
-- PTI
12:43 108 days since Farooq detained: Cong in Parl
Ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, Congress MP and leader of the party in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Monday said it was the government's responsibility to run the House smoothly so that debates and discussions can be held on issues concerning the people. Speaking to reporters, Chowdhury said dialogue was the essence of Parliamentary democracy. "It is incumbent upon the government to run the House smoothly so that Opposition parties will be able to express their views, articulate their opinion in an appropriate manner. This is the essence of Parliamentary democracy.
"We also expect from the PM and the ruling party that all the issues concerning to the interest of the common people must be allowed to be discussed inside the Parliament. Parliament is meant for discussion, debate and dialogue," he said. He also accused the government of labelling anyone who disagreed with them as "urban naxals".
Chowdhury also said that it had been 108 days today since Farooq Abdullah was detained. "Yeh kya zulm ho raha hai? We want that he should be brought to the Parliament. It is his constitutional right," he said.
-- PTI
12:12 Some considering themselves God: Raut targets BJP on Sena being allotted seats in Oppn in Parl
Update on Maharashtra government formation: After Shiv Sena MPs were allotted seats on the Opposition side in the Parliament, senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday hit back at the Bharatiya Janata Party stating that NDA is not the property of one party but some are 'considering themselves God'.
"Democracy shall be maintained. One should not consider himself or herself God. The political situation created in Maharashtra is due to ego. We are one of the four founders of the NDA. It is not the property of one party but sometimes they think they are God," Sanjay Raut said while speaking to ANI over his party MPs being allotted seats on the Opposition side in the Parliament.
"If you take a step back from the deal on which you agreed, it is not right. Babasaheb Thackeray was among the four leaders who formed the NDA. We have saved NDA several times. We never left their hand but today they think they are God. If you are thinking of removing Sena from NDA then you are not God," he said.
Raut further questioned if the BJP had asked Prakash Singh Badal and Nitish Kumar before taking the decision to remove Sena from NDA. "This attitude will not work," he said adding that Sena will work for the development of the nation no matter where it sits in the Parliament.Speaking about Sena's plan to form a tri-party alliance with NCP and Congress to form government in Maharashtra, he said: "Government will be formed in Maharashtra and the Chief Minister will be from Shiv Sena. The government will run on the basis of a common minimum programme agreed between the three parties." He added that Maharashtra is a progressive state and there will be a stable government.
12:09 Sonia, Hema, Kiron, Mary... women rule Parl
Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi arrived at the Parliament to participate in the winter session starting today. BJP MPs Hema Malini and Kirron Kher were also present at Parliament as was Rajya Sabha MP and Olympic medalist, Mary Kom.
The government recently withdrew SPG cover of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The government has accorded them Z Plus security.
The Rajya Sabha paid homage to Arun Jaitley with Tiruchi Siva of the DMK, saying, "Arun Jaitely was an ocean of knowledge, a master of vocabulary, a person of integrity. His performance on both the sides of this House is still remembered. He was so magnanimous in waiving off GST on sanitary napkins, considering the woes of poor women."
The winter session of Parliament began today and is scheduled to go on till December 13 and will provide a total of 20 sittings spread over a period of 26 days. Many key bills, including the Citizenship Bill, are scheduled to be tabled.
The Citizenship Bill, which the BJP seeks to pass with the aim of granting citizenship to non-Muslims from neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014, will be taken up during the proceedings of the House.
Other key bills that are likely to be taken up during the course of the Houses include the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, Anti Maritime Piracy Bill 2019 and Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019. -- ANI
12:05 4 dead in shootout at California
Fresno police say 10 people were shot at a backyard party in California and four of them died, ANI reports. Details awaited.
11:55 Javadekar uses electric car to Parliament
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar arrived at Parliament in an electric car today, he says, "Government is gradually switching to electric cars as they are pollution-free. I appeal to people to contribute to fight pollution- start using public transport, electric vehicles etc".
11:14 Winter session of Parl begins, Jaitley remembered
Winter session of Parliament begins. The TMC has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over detention of National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pays tribute to Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Ram Jethmalani, all whom passed away this year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning said the government is ready to discuss all issues in the winter session. The winter session is from November 18 to December 13. During the session, which will be the last session of Parliament in 2019, there should be high quality of debates in which all MPs should contribute, Modi said. "We are open to discussions on all issues," he said addressing journalists at the Parliament complex ahead of the beginning of the session. -- PTI
11:06 Sharad Pawar to meet Sonia Gandhi at 4 pm
Delhi: NCP Chief Sharad Pawar confirms a meeting with Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi today. The meeting is scheduled at 4 pm.
10:45 RPI: BJP+Sena govt in Maha, says Shah
As the Congress sits on the fence over government formation in Maharashtra, the Republican Party of India chief Ramdas Athawale on Sunday said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked him not to worry about the current political crisis in Maharashtra, and assured him that BJP and Shiv Sena would come together to form the government.
"I told Amit Bhai (BJP President Amit Shah) that if he mediates then a way can be found out to which he (Amit Shah) replied don't worry, everything will be fine. BJP and Shiv Sena will come together to form the government," Union Minister Athawale told ANI.
"I think that Shiv Sena should change its stand. Congress is not ready to support the Sena," he added.
NCP leader Nawab Malik has said that there is a meeting scheduled between NCP President Sharad Pawar and Congress President Sonia
Gandhi today. "Once it is decided in the meeting today on how to go ahead, definitely everything will speed up and there will be an alternate government in Maharashtra," Malik said.
The BJP and the Shiv Sena got an absolute majority in Maharashtra assembly polls but could not form the government due to differences over power-sharing.
Following the inability of BJP, the single largest party, to form the government, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari asked the Shiv Sena, and then NCP to form the government in the state. However, as they were not able to put together a viable alternative in the given time, the state came under President's Rule. -- Agencies
10:30 Sensex rises over 100 points; Nifty above 11,900
Equity benchmark BSE Sensex jumped over 100 points in early trade on Monday led by gains in index heavyweights RIL and ICICI Bank amid positive cues from global markets. After hitting a high of 40,542.40, the 30-share index pared some gains to trade 72.26 points, or 0.18 per cent, higher at 40,428.95, while the broader NSE Nifty rose 17.80 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 11,913.25.
Top gainers in the Sensex pack included Bharti Airtel, SBI, Tata Motors, Sun Pharma and L&T, rising up to 3.09 per cent. On the other hand, Yes Bank, M&M, ONGC, HDFC Bank, Asian Paints, HUL and Bajaj Auto fell up to 1.46 per cent. On Friday, the Sensex ended 70.21 points, or 0.17 per cent, higher at 40,356.69. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty rose 23.35 points, or 0.20 per cent, to end at 11,895.45. -- PTI
10:19 Indra Nooyi inducted into Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in US
Indian-American former PepsiCo head Indra Nooyi and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos have been inducted into the prestigious Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery for their accomplishments and positive impact on America's shared history, development and culture.
Founded by Congress in 1962, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery tell the story of America by portraying the people who have made significant contributions to the history, development, and culture of the people of the US.
Through the visual arts, performing arts and new media, the Portrait Gallery presents poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists whose lives form America's national identity. Over the years the collections - which were initially restricted to paintings, prints, drawings and engravings - have grown to over 23,000 items in all media, from daguerreotypes to digital.
"To be an immigrant, a South Asian immigrant of colour, a woman to be included in the Portrait Gallery... it really says that we are the country where people look for the people who make a positive impact and celebrate them," Nooyi, 64, told reporters during the portrait gallery induction ceremony on Sunday.
"It doesn't matter what your background, colour, creed, ethnicity is. As long as you've made a positive impact to the country, we are going to celebrate you - actually memorialise - which I thought was even more spectacular," she said.
The gallery has about 23,000 portraits in its permanent collection and adds 150 to 200 per year with 500 to 600 works on public display at any given time, the Washington Post reported.
Historians consider new names and then work with gallery board members to select who should be included and commission their portraits. The process can take a year, even more if the sitter and artist take a long time to complete a work, it said. "I feel very grateful to be making a home here in this country because this portrait gallery is an accolade which I've never dreamed of. And it's heartwarming to see this," Nooyi said.
Image: This portrait of Indra Nooyi has been drawn by artist Jon Friedman and looks like a photograph. Nooyi said she watched Friedman paint it as she saw it in different stages. Behind her, are pictures of her parents and her family. Pic courtesy: Smithsonian
09:56
After the oath taking, Chief Justice of India Arvind Bobde walks up to his mother to seek her blessings.
09:49 Delhi schools reopen as AQI improves to moderate
After being submerged under thick smog in the last few days, the quality of air in the national capital region has moved from "poor" category to "moderate" category on Monday.
All private and government schools in Delhi and National Capital Region reopened on Monday days after being closed due to the rise in pollution levels.
Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government had announced that all private and government-run schools in the national capital will remain closed until November 15 due to the deteriorating air quality in the city.The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) had also directed schools in Delhi and NCR to remain shut until November 15, as the air quality plummeted to the 'severe' category.
People experienced better air quality today morning as the Air Quality Index data by the Central Pollution Control Board in the RK Puram area was at 184-in 'Moderate' category.
On Sunday the overall air quality in Delhi continued to remain in the 'very poor' category for the second consecutive day, according to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research.
The overall AQI in the national capital was recorded at 365 which falls under the 'very poor' category.
The AQI between the range of 51 to 100 is considered as satisfactory; 101-200 is moderate; 201-300 falls under the category of poor. While 300-400 is considered as 'very poor', levels between 401-500 fall under the 'hazardous category'. -- ANI
09:40 Arvind Bobde takes oath as 47th CJI
Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde was sworn in as the 47th Chief Justice of India today.
He will succeed Justice Ranjan Gogoi who retired on November 17 after remaining in office for over 13 months.
President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office at 9.30 am.
Justice Bobde was born in 1956 at Nagpur, Maharashtra and obtained his B.A. and LL.B. degrees from Nagpur University.
He enrolled on the rolls of the Bar Council of Maharashtra in 1978.
He practised law at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay high court with appearances at Bombay before the Principal Seat and before the Supreme Court for over 21 years.
He was designated as a senior advocate in 1998.
Justice Bobde was elevated to the bench of the Bombay high court on March 29, 2000, as an Additional Judge.
He was sworn in as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh high court on October 16, 2012.
He was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court of India on April 12, 2013.
Justice Bobde will retire as CJI on April 23, 2021. -- ANI
IMAGE: CJI Arvind Bobde takes oath.
09:19 J-K police denies 'mistreatment' charge by Mehbooba's daughter
Jammu and Kashmir police officer Imtiyaz Hussain strongly denied the charges that some political detainees, including Shah Faesal, Sajad Lone and Waheed Para, were manhandled by the security personnel while being shifted to the MLA hostel in Srinagar.
'Apropos some twitter handle claiming manhandling of some people at MLA hostel Srinagar, it is hereby clarified that no such incident has taken place. Mandatory security drills were followed as required for lodgement,' Imtiyaz Hussain's tweet on Sunday read.
Mehbooba Mufti's daughter, Iltija Mufti, who tweets from her mother's account alleged on Sunday that police manhandled and roughed up Sajad Lone, Waheed Para, and Shah Faesal.
'SKICC detainees shifted to MLA hostel, Srinagar today. Police manhandled them and roughed up Sajad Lone, Waheed Para and Shah Faesal. Is this how you treat elected representatives? Why humiliate them? J-K is under martial law and police seems be inebriated with power,' Mufti's first tweet read.
'The same Waheed Para whose work for strengthening democracy in J-K was lauded by former Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh. The very same Shah Faesal who was called Kashmir's role model when he topped UPSC exam. Once appreciated and now humiliated. Why?' she added in her second tweet.
Alleging mistreatment, she put out another tweet in which she claimed that, 'Manhandling started when Sajad Lone was repeatedly frisked and asked to undress. New jail windows are blocked with wood, lacks heaters and has surveillance jammers. If a man who PM Modi called his younger brother is being humiliated like this, imagine the plight of others.'
Earlier on November 15, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief, Mufti too was shifted to Government Quarters in Srinagar from the Chashma Shahi hut in Srinagar. -- ANI
08:22 Winter session begins today; focus on economy
Many key bills, including the Citizenship Bill, are scheduled to be tabled in the Winter Session of the Parliament which begins today.
The Winter Session is scheduled to go on till December 13 and will provide a total of 20 sittings spread over a period of 26 days, including four Private Members' days.
The Opposition looks to corner the Union government over issues like economic slowdown and situation in Kashmir while the Modi dispensation seeks to push through the contentious Citizenship (amendment) Bill, a key part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's ideological agenda.
The bill seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslims from neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014, will be taken up during the proceedings of the House.
Other key bills that are likely to be taken up during the course of the Houses include the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, Anti Maritime Piracy Bill 2019 and Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 among the 47 items.
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended an all-party leaders meeting, where he said that the government will seek to work together will all parties in a constructive manner to take up all pending legislative work.
Union Ministers Amit Shah, Thawarchand Gehlot, V Muraleedharan and Arjun Ram Meghwal attended the meeting, convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi for the leaders of all parties in the House.
Opposition leaders such as Telugu Desam Party's Jaydev Galla, Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Satish Mishra of the Bahujan Samaj Party participated in the meeting.
Trinamool Congress lawmakers Derek O'Brien and Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Lok Janshakti Party lawmaker Chirag Paswan, Republican Party of India leader Ramdas Athawale, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's Navneet Krishnan and Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal-Sonelal were also present in the meeting.
After the all-party leaders meeting, Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu had also met the floor leaders yesterday.
This will be the second session of the Parliament since Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to office with a bigger majority for the second successive term. -- ANI/PTI
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