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Wed, 04 May 2016
Kasich to drop out of US presidential race, clear path for Trump
Timeline Refresh
23:49 Kasich to drop out of US presidential race, clear path for Trump
Republican presidential candidate John Kasich, the last man standing in controversial billionaire Donald Trump's path to party's nomination, is withdrawing from the race to the White House, a media report said on Wednesday.
Trump's main rival Texas Senator Ted Cruz dropped out of the race on Tuesday after his humiliating defeat in Indiana.
The development, after Trump's decisive win in the Indiana primary, has vituallty sealed the real-estate tycoon's position as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
Kasich's campaign abruptly cancelled an event in the Washington area on Wednesday and rescheduled a press conference in his his home state Ohio's capital Columbus.
"Governor Kasich will deliver a statement in Columbus, Ohio," the campaign said.
Soon after, NBC news reported quoting his senior advisors that Kasich will suspend his presidential campaign.
Kasich has so far won only one state, Ohio and has only 153 delegates as against 1,047 by Trump. He is mathematically eliminated from winning the nomination outright.
23:38 Join hands to deal with drought like situation: Mahajan to MPs
Concerned over the severe impact of drought on agriculture, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday called upon the parliamentarians to unite to find solution to preserve natural resources of water.
Inaugurating a two-day workshop organised by Speaker's Research Initiative, Mahajan said that diminishing water resources and other related factors are posing formidable challenges before the policymakers.
The workshop, which was attended by 89 MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, is being organised to sensitise parliamentarians on issues related to drought.
Access to safe water for drinking, irrigation and other purposes are becoming a matter of daily survival for a large population, she said.
"...parliamentarians across the party lines need to unite to overcome drought-like situation by devising credible strategies to manage and preserve water resources," Mahajan said.
The speaker said the MPs have been discussing issues related to drought but also need to find and suggest solutions to this challenge.
Highlighting the impact of drought-like situation on agricultural production in the country, the speaker said this could cause instability to India's food security.
She also emphasised on research to augment the existing technology and importance of water harvesting.
23:22 Not happy with Maha performance in tackling drought: Uddhav
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said that he was not satisfied with the performance of the BJP-led government, of which his party is also a constituent, pertaining to drought mitigation.
"I am unhappy with the government's performance about drought work. However, it's time to help out people in crisis and not to blame government," Thackeray said.
The Sena chief was on tour of Osmanabad district in worst-hit Marathwada region.
On the occasion, he dedicated to people the 'Shiv Jal Kranti' water conservation project in Paranda tehsil.
The project covers 78 villages in the district.
He took a dig at NCP MP Supriya Sule over her tour of the region recently.
"Maharashtra has a 137-year-old history of drought. However, the previous governments failed to work effectively. Recently, an NCP leader came here in a big van on drought tour. NCP was in power for last 15 years. Had it worked well this situation would not have arrived," Thackeray said.
22:37 PM holds meeting with senior ministers after Cabinet meet
Against the backdrop of developments in the Supreme Court on the Uttarakhand issue and the heated debate in Rajya Sabha on the AgustaWestland chopper scam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a meeting with senior ministers of his Cabinet this evening.
Soon after the meeting of the Union Cabinet, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stayed back to have a meeting with the PM.
While Singh and Naidu left soon after, Parrikar and Prasad remained closetted with the Prime Minister in the conference room of Parliament Library Building.
In fact, Parrikar was talking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting when he was asked to rush back to the Cabinet venue.
The Supreme Court this morning accepted the plea of the Centre that two more days be given to it to respond to its suggestion about the feasibility of holding a floor test in Uttarakhand Assembly under its supervision.
In the Rajya Sabha, Parrikar targeted the previous UPA government over the controversial AgustaWestland deal, saying the ongoing probe will focus on those named in the Italian court judgement.
22:33 Azam calls Adityanath 'frustrated', advises him to get married
Terming sages in India as a "frustrated" lot, Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan courted a fresh controversy as he advised BJP MP Yogi Adityanath to get married and "prove his masculinity" with the latter seeking his expulsion.
"Yogi Adityanath should first get married and prove his masculinity," Khan told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Gorakhpur on Tuesday.
Replying to question on whether he considered all sages in the country did not possess masculinity, Khan said, "they are frustrated."
"How would a Mahant know what love is ... he should first get married and help in growth of generation," he said.
Following the Samajwadi Party leader's remarks, a fuming Adityanath advised Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to sack him so that people can set him right.
He said Khan has lost his mental balance and needed medical attention.
Meanwhile in Lucknow, state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said such a statement only indicated Khan's mental bankruptcy.
22:30
JUST IN: Bodies of four terrorists involved in the Pathankot terror attack buried after 4 months.
22:25 I blacklisted Agusta, not the UPA: Jaitley
Rubbishing Congress' claim of having blacklisted AgustaWestland, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said he had as defence minister in June 2014 put the transaction to buy 12 helicopters from the Italian firm on hold and in July barred any future contract with it.
The National Democratic Alliance government, he said, has no political motive except to identify the beneficiaries of the kickbacks received in award of the helicopter contract.
"Today we are at a stage that we have reason to suspect that bribes have been taken. And therefore that is a launching pad for a proper investigation.... Today it is only reason to suspect that somebody has taken bribe," Jaitley said in Frankfurt.
Maintaining that the government has no political intention in pursuing the case except that the beneficiaries should be identified, he said "The identity of the beneficiaries cannot be camouflaged behind a political controversy".
Noting that defence procurement decisions were influenced by "extraneous factors", he said bribe givers have been identified and convicted in Italy, and now the beneficiaries of the bribes in India have to be identified.
"So, obviously this is a ground for a serious investigation," he said.
Attacking the Congress, Jaitley said they "invented" an argument that the United Progressive Alliance had blacklisted Agusta and the NDA had removed it from the black list.
"The UPA never blacklisted Agusta. On June 9, 2014, I had put the whole transaction on hold and then a formal order was issued on July 3 after taking Attorney General's advice that no new contracts will be entered into till the matter is investigated," he said.
Jaitley had held additional charge of Ministry of Defence from May 2014 till early November 2014.
21:13 Would not let other countries take advantage of the US: Trump
The United States is the policeman for the world and "protects" other countries, but it does not get the respect it deserves and is treated unfairly, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump rued on Wednesday.
He said that countries need to respect the US and treat it fairly. Trump said that he would not let other countries take advantage of America.
The US is the policemen for the world and "we protect" other countries, Trump said.
But "they don't respect us and they don't take care of us and they don't treat us right in many cases," he said in his victory speech after winning the Indiana primary, following which he was declared the presumptive nominee by the party.
"That's not going to happen," Trump said amidst applause from the audience.
"Now, we can keep things going and we're going to keep things going very nicely. But we owe, soon, $21 trillion. It's $19, but with the budget that was recently done, soon it will be $21 trillion. We are just not in the position that we were in 30 years ago, 40 years ago, 50 years ago when a lot of these things took place and began taking place," he said.
"We are going to have unbelievably good relationships with other countries. But likewise, they have to treat us fairly and they have to understand that what we've been doing over the years has been so wrong and so unfair to the US and to its people and to its taxpayers. So that will change," Trump said.
20:32 UK bows to pressure, will accept Syrian children from Europe
Britain's government bowed to pressure on Wednesday and agreed to take in some unaccompanied children from Syria who have made their way to Europe.
Prime Minister David Cameron's office said children who registered in Greece, Italy or France before March 20, when the European Union struck a deal to return many migrants to Turkey, would be eligible to come to the UK. It did not specify how many Britain would accept.
The government said that "the retrospective nature" of its resettlement plan "will avoid creating a perverse incentive for families to entrust their children to people traffickers."
Britain has already agreed to resettle up to 3,000 vulnerable child refugees from the Middle East and Africa by 2020, as well as 20,000 Syrians from Middle Eastern refugee camps.
But the government had argued that accepting children already in Europe would encourage others to make the dangerous journey.
20:00 Pranav Pandya nominated to Rajya Sabha
Head of All World Gayatri Parivar, Pranav Pandya has been nominated to Rajya Sabha by the Narendra Modi government.
President Pranab Mukherjee has nominated the 65-year-old Pandya to the Upper House following a recommendation by the central government.
Pandya is the 7th persons nominated by the Modi government to the Rajya Sabha after six members -- Subramanian Swamy, Narendra Jadhav, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Suresh Gopi, Swapan Dasgupta and Mary Kom took oath as the new Rajya Sabha member on April 23.
19:52 Chinkara case: Court relief to Salman on pellets issue
In a major relief to Bollywood star Salman Khan, the Rajasthan high court on Tuesday observed that pellets recovered from his hotel room did not match with those recovered from the vehicle allegedly used by him in poaching of Chinkara.
The pellets and the knife, which are the exhibits in a case of poaching in Kankani on October 1-2, 1998, were produced in the high court in Jodhpur for observation.
Justice Nirmal Jeet Kaur had a close look at the objects with regard to their link with the case during the hearing of a revision petition moved by Salman against a sentence of five years in the poaching case of a Chinkara on September 28-29, 1998 in Mathania.
The court observed that the pellets recovered from the hotel rooms of Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan were not only different from those said to have been recovered from the vehicle, but also of inferior quality.
Similarly about the knife, which was allegedly used by Salman for slitting the throat and peeling off the skin of the poached Chinkara, the court observed that it was like a pocket knife.
The judge said she wanted to have a look at the knife to see if it was big enough to be used by Khan for killing the animal.
Defence counsel Mahesh Bora argued that all the pellets belonged to air guns and could not be fatal for any animal.
19:43 Rajay Sabha chairman accepts Vijay Mallya's resignation
Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari has accepted resignation of Vijay Mallya after he resubmitted the resignation letter as per correct procedure.
Yesterday, the chairman had turned down Mallya's resignation on procedural grounds.
19:39
Congress stages walk out from Rajya Sabha after uproar over Defence Minister's statement on AgustaWestland.
19:05
"There must be robust rationale for deviation from policy," says Manohar Parrikar. "The benchmark cost given by CNC was unreasonably high and had provided no realistic basis for price negotiations," he says.
18:46 Country wants to know who benefitted from corruption: Parrikar
Manohar Parrikar: Italy court says there are omissions in various stages of decision making.
-- (Parrikar does an Arnab) The country wants to know as to who instigated, supported and benefited from corruption. We can't let this pass.
-- Fact that there was corruption in matter is brought out in extensive details in recent judgments of Milan court.
-- Italian court says there is proof of malafide intent.
-- (Parrikar does an Arnab) The country wants to know as to who instigated, supported and benefited from corruption. We can't let this pass.
-- Fact that there was corruption in matter is brought out in extensive details in recent judgments of Milan court.
-- Italian court says there is proof of malafide intent.
18:34 I will not take names, so House will not be disturbed: Parrikar
"Abhishek Singhvi-ji almost convinced me with his argument, but in the end a poor brief can make the best lawyer lose an argument," Manohar Parrikar begins his speech in Parliament on the AgustaWestland issue.
"Let me make it very clear. I will not take any names so that you don't get a reason to disturb. At the outset it may be useful to highlight to honourable members some of the salient issues. Creation of a single vendor scenario since 2005 onwards, SKURS reset and requirements changed," Parrikar says.
"Let me make it very clear. I will not take any names so that you don't get a reason to disturb. At the outset it may be useful to highlight to honourable members some of the salient issues. Creation of a single vendor scenario since 2005 onwards, SKURS reset and requirements changed," Parrikar says.
18:26 Defence minister speaks in Parliament.
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar speaking in the House.
18:26 UPA did not compromise on corruption, AK Antony counters Swamy
Former defence minster AK Antony is speaking.
UPA made a conscious effort to eliminate corruption in defence procurement. We introduced DPP - Defence Procurement Procedures. We also introduced pre-contract integrity pact.
Defence procurement created a lot of controversy. A government cannot appreciate a previous government but I can tell you sincerely our government had zero tolerance for corruption in defence.
For the first time so many companies - six - were blacklisted together. Not just talking, we sent a message to the world - that India will not tolerate corruption, says AK Antony. This process started in 1999 when NDA was in power
Undisputed fact is a principal secretary observed that raising the height had reduced it to a single vendor. And also the PM and President rarely visited any place above 4,000 metres.
The move to reduce the altitude was taken at that time by the government (in 2003) and cabin height was also revised at that time. The official MoD release said increasing cabin height was desirable.
On Nov 19, 2003, a meeting took place and it was decided that the altitude will be brought down from 6,00 metres to 4,500 metres. All these decisions in 2003 were taken by your government, Antony tells BJP in the House.
My dear Subramanian Swamy, prosecute us if you have evidence but don't threaten us.
UPA made a conscious effort to eliminate corruption in defence procurement. We introduced DPP - Defence Procurement Procedures. We also introduced pre-contract integrity pact.
Defence procurement created a lot of controversy. A government cannot appreciate a previous government but I can tell you sincerely our government had zero tolerance for corruption in defence.
For the first time so many companies - six - were blacklisted together. Not just talking, we sent a message to the world - that India will not tolerate corruption, says AK Antony. This process started in 1999 when NDA was in power
Undisputed fact is a principal secretary observed that raising the height had reduced it to a single vendor. And also the PM and President rarely visited any place above 4,000 metres.
The move to reduce the altitude was taken at that time by the government (in 2003) and cabin height was also revised at that time. The official MoD release said increasing cabin height was desirable.
On Nov 19, 2003, a meeting took place and it was decided that the altitude will be brought down from 6,00 metres to 4,500 metres. All these decisions in 2003 were taken by your government, Antony tells BJP in the House.
My dear Subramanian Swamy, prosecute us if you have evidence but don't threaten us.
18:01
Former defence minister AK Antony speaking in Parliament now.
17:59 If you can prove allegations I will quit public life: Ahmed Patel
Ahmed Patel: My name only comes four times in the entire report. Does it say anywhere in the report that the Cong leaders have taken a bribe? And if anyone can prove that from this report, I will submit my resignation. If you can find an iota of truth in the allegations that are being made, I will quit public life. This is a matter of investigation and the matter should be probed quickly. Congress and its leaders are being blamed. CAG should not be used as a tool for political bickering.
17:51 Ahmed Patel speaks in Parliament
Congress president Sonia Gandhi's close aide Ahmed Patel speaking in Parliament. He says it takes a lot of time to build your reputation when you are in public life, and a moment to destroy it. I did not leave my old mother in the village many years ago and come to Delhi to get embroiled in a corruption case.
17:45 Cabinet nod for Kalam's memorial in Delhi
The Delhi cabinet approves the setting up of a memorial for late former president APJ Abdul Kalam in the capital.
Kalam's memorial will be housed at Dilli Haat. The memorial, which will have the notes, books, clothes and other personal items of the former president, will be opened to the public on July 27 Kalams death anniversary.
Kalam's memorial will be housed at Dilli Haat. The memorial, which will have the notes, books, clothes and other personal items of the former president, will be opened to the public on July 27 Kalams death anniversary.
17:22 Agusta debate: Manmohan was overruled by a super PM, says Swamy
Subramanian Swamy: The person named as driving force should be named. If I name the person, the remarks will be expunged. PM Dr Manmohan Singh was overruled by a super PM.
17:22 Govt saved Rs 21000 crore on LPG subsidy
The government has saved over Rs 21,000 crore in cooking gas LPG subsidy in the last two financial years as paying the dole directly into bank accounts of actual users helped eliminate duplicate connections as well as diversions, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Wednesday (04 May).
The government began paying subsidy directly into bank accounts of cooking gas consumers in select districts from November 2014 and in the rest of the country from January 1, 2015.As on April 1, 2015, there were 18.19 crore registered LPG consumers and 14.85 crore active consumers implying a gap of 3.34 crore consumers which were duplicate, fake or inactive accounts.
"Eliminating such 3.34 crore consumers helped save Rs 14,672 crore in 2014-15 fiscal (year ending March 31, 2015)," Pradhan said at an seminar on subsidies in New Delhi. The saving in 2015-16 was about Rs 7,000 crore, lower than the previous fiscal mainly because global oil prices slumped thereby cutting the subsidy required.
The government began paying subsidy directly into bank accounts of cooking gas consumers in select districts from November 2014 and in the rest of the country from January 1, 2015.As on April 1, 2015, there were 18.19 crore registered LPG consumers and 14.85 crore active consumers implying a gap of 3.34 crore consumers which were duplicate, fake or inactive accounts.
"Eliminating such 3.34 crore consumers helped save Rs 14,672 crore in 2014-15 fiscal (year ending March 31, 2015)," Pradhan said at an seminar on subsidies in New Delhi. The saving in 2015-16 was about Rs 7,000 crore, lower than the previous fiscal mainly because global oil prices slumped thereby cutting the subsidy required.
16:47 Agusta debate: Manmohan Singh did no wrong, but he takes orders easily
Swamy debates Agusta in Parliament:
Highlights...
-- The RS MP says the NDA raised a point that it had become a single vendor and more importantly the SPG was not consulted.
-- They didn't use AW101 aircraft (which was bought) for field trials bt used some other helicopter, which is fraud in its itself.
-- Someone went over AK Antony (former defence minister), from my personal knowledge I don't think it was Dr Manmohan Singh (former PM). Personally he will do nothing wrong. But he takes orders very easily.
-- The Congress finds the facts indigestable.
Highlights...
-- The RS MP says the NDA raised a point that it had become a single vendor and more importantly the SPG was not consulted.
-- They didn't use AW101 aircraft (which was bought) for field trials bt used some other helicopter, which is fraud in its itself.
-- Someone went over AK Antony (former defence minister), from my personal knowledge I don't think it was Dr Manmohan Singh (former PM). Personally he will do nothing wrong. But he takes orders very easily.
-- The Congress finds the facts indigestable.
16:35 Suspected JeM men sent to police custody
Meanwhile, Delhi court sends three suspected members of the Jaish-e-Mohammed who were planning an attack in the city to 10 days of police custody.
16:30 Agusta debate: This has nothing to do with vendetta, says Swamy
BJP's Subramanian Swamy counters Congress on Agusta case. I will begin by point out that on one occasion last week you had expunged my statement in which I tried to quote the letter from Michel, says Swamy.
"This has nothing to do with vendetta," says Swamy, who was inducted into the Rajya Sabha just last week. The Congress has said that Swamy, whose statements in the RS has been struck off the record twice, is a gift from the BJP government.
As the debate continues in Parliament, Swamy said, "It is true that NDA had initiated the process for buying eight new choppers to replace six old choppers which were purchased in 1998. The investigation is in its early stages. There are some admitted facts which cannot be denied. It is a lie to say that NDA Govt was the one to change specification of height (of the helicopters)."
"This has nothing to do with vendetta," says Swamy, who was inducted into the Rajya Sabha just last week. The Congress has said that Swamy, whose statements in the RS has been struck off the record twice, is a gift from the BJP government.
As the debate continues in Parliament, Swamy said, "It is true that NDA had initiated the process for buying eight new choppers to replace six old choppers which were purchased in 1998. The investigation is in its early stages. There are some admitted facts which cannot be denied. It is a lie to say that NDA Govt was the one to change specification of height (of the helicopters)."
16:20 Monsoon to hit India by May-end, early June: Govt
The government on Wednesday said the monsoon is expected to hit Kerala by May-end or early June and that a formal forecast may be issued by May 15.
"Climatologically, monsoon is expected to reach south Kerala either by the end of May or early days of June, forecast for which will be issued on May 15," Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan told Lok Sabha during question hour.
He said during the current year (2016), normal or above normal rainfall has been predicted by many forecasting agencies, including the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
He said the "skill" of IMD's present seasonal forecasting system for India as a whole is "better" than other countries in the world.
As per IMD's operational Long Range Forecast (LRF), quantitatively, the monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be 106 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a model error of plus-minus 5 per cent.
Vardhan also said the forecast for monsoon onset over Kerala has been correct and within the forecast limits during all the 10 years from 2005 till 2014.
"Climatologically, monsoon is expected to reach south Kerala either by the end of May or early days of June, forecast for which will be issued on May 15," Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan told Lok Sabha during question hour.
He said during the current year (2016), normal or above normal rainfall has been predicted by many forecasting agencies, including the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
He said the "skill" of IMD's present seasonal forecasting system for India as a whole is "better" than other countries in the world.
As per IMD's operational Long Range Forecast (LRF), quantitatively, the monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be 106 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a model error of plus-minus 5 per cent.
Vardhan also said the forecast for monsoon onset over Kerala has been correct and within the forecast limits during all the 10 years from 2005 till 2014.
16:10 Karunanidhi promises return of 'jallikattu' if elected CM
DMK president M Karunanidhi today assured to revive the banned bull-taming sport 'jallikattu' and hold it next year if his party was elected to power in the May 16 assembly elections.
Responding to AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa accusing his party of "betrayal" on the issue, Karunanidhi in a statement said the DMK had not only monitored the proper conduct of the sport in the past, but had even enacted a law in 2009 for regulating 'jallikattu'.
Recalling the Supreme Court banning jallikattu in May 2014, Karunanidhi charged his arch-rival Jayalalithaa with not taking adequate steps to ensure the conduct of the sport, organised during the annual Pongal festivities in January in southern districts, especially Madurai.
15:59 Clashes as French police clear migrants from Paris school
Police used tear gas today to disperse protesters as they evacuated a high school under renovation in Paris that has been occupied by migrants for two weeks.
Protesters, some masked and hooded, had formed a human chain around the high school in the north of the French capital to try to prevent police entering in the early morning raid.
Demonstrators pelted the police with objects and chanted "everyone hates the police", said journalists.
Police entered the school by forcing their way in through another door where tables and chairs were piled up to try to block their passage.
"This morning, the police gassed us and pushed us out of the way. At midnight, we built a barrier of tables and chairs, but they moved it all out of the way," said Emmanuel, a Ghanaian in his 20s who left the school when the police entered.
15:56 Shoes, bottles hurled at Capt Amrinder Singh in California
Shoes and bottles were hurled at former Punjab chief minister Captain Amrinder Singh during a gathering in California yesterday.
The untoward incident took place when Captain Amrinder was addressing the people of Indian origin. One of the kin of a victim of the 1984 Delhi riots reportedly wanted to question the Congress leader over his recent remark that 'Jagdish Tytler had no role in killing of Sikhs in Delhi', but he was asked to keep quiet by Captain Amrinder's supporters.
As the former chief minister was about to leave the venue under tight security, a group of Sikh separatists started raising pro-Khalistan slogans and threw shoes and bottles at him.
Confirming the clash, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, attorney, Sikhs for Justice, said: "It's unfortunate that instead of answering questions regarding his statement about Tytler's role in 1984 Captain Amrinder took support of his henchmen and created an atmosphere of fear."
15:51 Poll panel cracks whip, shifts cop, bars IPS officer in Bengal
Acting on complaints, the Election Commission has transferred a policeman in West Midnapore district and also instructed IPS officer Bharati Ghosh not to go to any poll-bound district ahead of the last phase of election tomorrow.
The EC said it will not hesitate to respond to violence of any sort, anywhere and anytime and take appropriate legal action irrespective of political affiliations, official sources said.
The poll panel has directed the police to take strict action on all cases of post-poll violence.
"All matters pertaining to law and order are being pursued by West Bengal chief secretary and the director general of police and EC has directed time-bound follow-up action on FIRs lodged in these cases (post-poll violence) and legal action be taken," the officials said.
They said the officer-in-charge of Sabang police station in West Midnapore district, which went to polls in the second part of phase one on April 11, has been transferred.
The action comes after reports of post-poll violence in the district and allegations of police inaction made by the Congress-Left alliance.
While on the subject, have you read Payal Mohanka's article, Why did EC axe Bengal's biased babus?
15:48 Bankrupt may soon be barred from contesting polls
A bankrupt person would stand automatically disqualified from becoming a lawmaker once the new legislation that looks to slash the time it takes to wind up a dying company or recover dues from a defaulter is enacted.
According to a clause in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2015, the bankrupt would stand disqualified from being appointed or acting as a public servant or being elected to any public office from the date of commencement of proceedings.
The draft legislation provides for disqualification unless exempted by the Adjudicating Authority.
But a 30-member Joint Committee of Parliament, headed by the BJP's Bhupender Yadav, has recommended not giving "discretion to the Adjudicating Authority to exempt the bankrupt from disqualifications".
Finance ministry officials said the government has accepted all the changes suggested by the Joint Committee, including on disqualification of the bankrupt.
15:46 Markets close lower
Just In: Sensex falls 127.97 points to end the day at 25,101.73; Nifty down 40.45 points to close at 7,706.55.
15:42 No reservation in appointments at senior positions: Govt
There is no provision for reservation in appointments at senior positions, the government said today.
Of the total 69 IAS officers working as secretaries in various central government ministries, one belongs to Scheduled Caste and two to Scheduled Tribe, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
"There is no provision for reservation in appointments at senior positions under the central staffing scheme. Secretaries are appointed on the basis of their experiences and suitability as per the established procedures," he said.
15:39 China objects to US envoy's remarks on Arunachal Pradesh
Taking exception to a US diplomat's recent remarks that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India, China today said it plans to seek a clarification from Washington as any "irresponsible" third party intervention in Sino-Indian border dispute will "complicate" the issue.
"The Chinese side has noted the report and will ask the US side for verification and clarification," Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a written response to a question from PTI here about US Consul General in Kolkata Craig L Hall's comments that Washington regards Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as Southern Tibet, as part of India.
15:24 Monsoon to hit India by May-end, early June: Govt
The government on Wednesday said the monsoon is expected to hit Kerala by May-end or early June and that a formal forecast may be issued by May 15.
"Climatologically, monsoon is expected to reach south Kerala either by the end of May or early days of June, forecast for which will be issued on May 15," Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan told Lok Sabha during question hour.
He said during the current year (2016), normal or above normal rainfall has been predicted by many forecasting agencies, including the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
He said the "skill" of IMD's present seasonal forecasting system for India as a whole is "better" than other countries in the world.
As per IMD's operational Long Range Forecast (LRF), quantitatively, the monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be 106 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a model error of plus-minus 5 per cent.
Vardhan also said the forecast for monsoon onset over Kerala has been correct and within the forecast limits during all the 10 years from 2005 till 2014.
"Climatologically, monsoon is expected to reach south Kerala either by the end of May or early days of June, forecast for which will be issued on May 15," Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan told Lok Sabha during question hour.
He said during the current year (2016), normal or above normal rainfall has been predicted by many forecasting agencies, including the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
He said the "skill" of IMD's present seasonal forecasting system for India as a whole is "better" than other countries in the world.
As per IMD's operational Long Range Forecast (LRF), quantitatively, the monsoon seasonal rainfall is likely to be 106 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a model error of plus-minus 5 per cent.
Vardhan also said the forecast for monsoon onset over Kerala has been correct and within the forecast limits during all the 10 years from 2005 till 2014.
15:21 Afghanistan poses the next challenge for Indian foreign policy
When Narendra Modi was sworn in as prime minister two years ago, he probably did not expect that in foreign policy his government would be confronted by challenges at every turn. The next big challenge, which is looming out of the unpredictable for the National Democratic Alliance government, is Afghanistan. Read more
15:19 EC hems in Mamata's special cop
The Election Commission of India today asked the Bengal government to ensure that IPS officer Bharati Ghosh does not leave her station of duty till the end of polling on May 5. The order, triggered by information yet to be verified, capped an unexpected turn of events, and the lengths to which the commission went suggested it did not want to take any chances in Bengal.
Read more
Read more
14:59 Sania Mirza autobiography Ace Against Odds to hit stands in July
Ace tennis star Sania Mirza has documented her journey to become the World No. 1 in the women's doubles rankings in an autobiography set for release this July, according to publishers Harper Collins.
Titled, 'Ace Against Odds,' the book has been penned by Mirza with her father Imran Mirza. "Sania's is an extraordinary achievement and her autobiography is as compelling as it is inspirational. We are privileged to be able to work with her on the book,' says Karthika V K, Publisher and Chief Editor, Harper Collins.
Titled, 'Ace Against Odds,' the book has been penned by Mirza with her father Imran Mirza. "Sania's is an extraordinary achievement and her autobiography is as compelling as it is inspirational. We are privileged to be able to work with her on the book,' says Karthika V K, Publisher and Chief Editor, Harper Collins.
14:44 Agusta debate in Parl: There is an AP heading Gujarat, Cong responds
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, responds to Tyagi. He will be leading the Congress charge in the House. "Here is an insecure ruling party trying to foist a charge of corruption on persons unconnected. Insinuation of corruption against Congress won't work: We need to have more sense than sensationalism.The Italian judge said there is no evidence against Sonia. Italian court witness said he does not know who the AP in the papers is, but according to the Internet it is Ahmed Patel. There is an AP heading Gujarat as well."
The AP Singhvi refers to is Gujarat CM is Anandiben Patel.
However, the Agusta papers refers to an AP, which the BJP says is Ahmed Patel, a close aide of Sonia Gandhi.
A file pic of Sonia Gandhi with Ahmed Patel.
The AP Singhvi refers to is Gujarat CM is Anandiben Patel.
However, the Agusta papers refers to an AP, which the BJP says is Ahmed Patel, a close aide of Sonia Gandhi.
A file pic of Sonia Gandhi with Ahmed Patel.
14:20 Agusta debate in Parl: Why did Cong create a single-vendor situation, asks BJP
After a desultory morning session, the Parliament will now begin debating and discussing the AgustaWestland chopper deal. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar rises to make his statement on the AgustaWestland chopper deal. It's the Gandhis vs the government, as the BJP comes armed with questions. BJP's Bhupender Yadav begins the discussions saying the AgustaWestland debate is important because it's directly related to military and procurement for the nation's defence. The Congress changed operational requirements to include Agusta The government created a single vendor situation to help Agusta. The truth of the deal must come out. A convenient backdoor entry was created for Agusta, says Yadav.
Subramanian Swamy sitting just behind Yadav fidgets and scans through papers before him of Yadav's speech.
Subramanian Swamy sitting just behind Yadav fidgets and scans through papers before him of Yadav's speech.
13:57 Pakistan wont blink on F-16 discord with US
The discord between Washington and Islamabad over the sale of F-16 jets and related issues has welled up to the surface even as New Delhi began preparatory discussions regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the United States. This is fortuitous coincidence.
Read MK Bhadrakumar's blog here.
Read MK Bhadrakumar's blog here.
13:55 'I will go to China as a proud Indian, not as some half citizen'
Ninong Ering, the MP from Arunachal East, wants to meet his tribes folk across the border in China. But he is not going to make that trip on a stapled visa issued by China to residents of Arunachal Pradesh. "I will go on a regular visa and as a proud Indian," the two-time MP tells Archana Masih/Rediff.com.
Read
Read
13:52 Dera chief's new opus: Online Gurukul
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Dera Sacha Sauda Chief, will be playing six roles in his upcoming film 'Online Gurukul'
A report in the Indian Express quoted him saying, "My all roles will be different. I will play a Guru in one role and a young boy in the other."
Talking about the story of the film, he said, "The film, 'Online Gurukul' will be based on "Vedic concepts and shall galvanise the children and youth against terrorism in particular."
His last films were,' The Messenger of God' and its sequel ' The Messenger of God 2'.
A report in the Indian Express quoted him saying, "My all roles will be different. I will play a Guru in one role and a young boy in the other."
Talking about the story of the film, he said, "The film, 'Online Gurukul' will be based on "Vedic concepts and shall galvanise the children and youth against terrorism in particular."
His last films were,' The Messenger of God' and its sequel ' The Messenger of God 2'.
13:46
Screenwriter Juhi Chaturvedi who won a National Award for Piku tweets: How ironic it is that i got national award for a father daughter film bt my daughter n her father couldnt see me get the award.
While on the awards, here's a look at some of the winners who received the National Award yesterday.
While on the awards, here's a look at some of the winners who received the National Award yesterday.
13:39 'All forest fires in Himachal doused'
Himachal Pradesh forest department chief says all forest fires in the state have been doused.
Summer fires in Himachal Pradesh's grasslands and forests have so far led to 378 incidents, mainly in the low hills, and destroyed flora and fauna in over 3,000 hectares, a senior forest official had said on Monday.
Summer fires in Himachal Pradesh's grasslands and forests have so far led to 378 incidents, mainly in the low hills, and destroyed flora and fauna in over 3,000 hectares, a senior forest official had said on Monday.
"The sudden rise in mercury and the prolonged dry spell are mainly the reasons for these forest fires. Most of the fire-related cases are from the Shivalik ranges in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan and Sirmaur districts and a majority of them are ground fires," principal chief forest conservator SP Vasudeva said.
Records of the forest department said 22 per cent
or 8,267 sq.km of the total forest area in the state is fire-prone. A
majority of the fires were reported from the pine forests since during
summer, the trees shed pine needles that are highly inflammable due to
the rich content of turpentine oil.
Billowing smoke from the hills of Shimla, Kasauli, Chail, Dharampur and Nahan towns were seen in the last few days.
The fire had also temporarily disrupted the railway route between Kalka and Shimla in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh.
13:27 Four new judges shortlisted for SC
The Supreme court Collegium has shortlisted four names for appointment to the apex court. The names shortlisted are:
-- Allahabad High Court chief justice D Y Chandrachud.
-- Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan of Kerala HC
-- Chief Justice A M Khanwilkar of Madhya
Pradesh HC.
-- Former Additional Solicitor General Nageswara Rao.
While the names will soon be forwarded to the government, the selection will be done by SC chief justice TS Thakur and senior judges. Appointments are expected soon after the government completes the formalities.
-- Allahabad High Court chief justice D Y Chandrachud.
-- Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan of Kerala HC
-- Chief Justice A M Khanwilkar of Madhya
Pradesh HC.
-- Former Additional Solicitor General Nageswara Rao.
While the names will soon be forwarded to the government, the selection will be done by SC chief justice TS Thakur and senior judges. Appointments are expected soon after the government completes the formalities.
13:16 What happened on day three of ex-IAF chief's questioning
The CBI today questioned former IAF Chief S P Tyagi and examined lawyer Gautam Khaitan for the first time after an Italian court held that bribes were paid to clinch the Rs 3600 crore VVIP Helicopter deal. CBI sources said both arrived at the agency headquarters this morning to appear before the investigation team.
While Tyagi is being questioned for the third consecutive day today, Khaitan is appearing for the first time after Milan Court of Appeals order in Italy which claimed bribes were paid to get the lucrative deal. Khaitan who is an advocate and a former Board member of company Aeromatrix which was allegedly used to route bribe amount is named in the CBI FIR an one of the accused.
The focus of the questioning is his alleged links with Italian middlemen-- Carlo Gerosa and Guido Haschkhe, CBI sources said. CBI had registered a case against Tyagi along with 13 others including his cousins and European middlemen. The allegation against the former Air Chief was that he reduced flying ceiling of the helicopter from 6,000m to 4,500m (15,000ft) which put AgustaWestland helicopters in the race for the deal without which its choppers were not even qualified for submission of bids. Tyagi has denied allegations against him and said that the change of specifications, which brought AgustaWestland into contention, was a collective decision in which senior officers of Indian Air Force, SPG, NSA and other departments were involved.
While Tyagi is being questioned for the third consecutive day today, Khaitan is appearing for the first time after Milan Court of Appeals order in Italy which claimed bribes were paid to get the lucrative deal. Khaitan who is an advocate and a former Board member of company Aeromatrix which was allegedly used to route bribe amount is named in the CBI FIR an one of the accused.
The focus of the questioning is his alleged links with Italian middlemen-- Carlo Gerosa and Guido Haschkhe, CBI sources said. CBI had registered a case against Tyagi along with 13 others including his cousins and European middlemen. The allegation against the former Air Chief was that he reduced flying ceiling of the helicopter from 6,000m to 4,500m (15,000ft) which put AgustaWestland helicopters in the race for the deal without which its choppers were not even qualified for submission of bids. Tyagi has denied allegations against him and said that the change of specifications, which brought AgustaWestland into contention, was a collective decision in which senior officers of Indian Air Force, SPG, NSA and other departments were involved.
13:12 Govt red-faced over absence of ministers in LS
The government today faced embarrassment in the Lok Sabha when a question relating to the Railway Ministry was taken up but both Minister Suresh Prabhu and junior minister Manoj Sinha were absent, leading the Speaker to issue a stricture saying such instances should not recur.
The incident happened during Question Hour when Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took up the issue of 'Go-India Smart Card', an initiative of the Railway Ministry, for discussion. As neither Prabhu, nor Sinha were present in the House, Congress members led by Mallikarjun Kharge strongly protested and wanted to know why the Ministers were absent when the question relating to their Ministry was listed for business in the House.
Kharge said this was not for the first time that a Minister was absent when matters related to their Ministries were taken up.
"They (Ministers) are not following rules. Earlier, when a Cabinet Minister was not present, we kept mum. For running the House, Ministers must be present. They are not following rules. It will have a repercussion on you (Speaker), not on them (treasury)," Kharge said.
Congress chief whip Jyotiraditya Scindia asked the Speaker to issue a stricture and said "we are fighting for you, Madam". Speaker Mahajan expressed her displeasure over the absence of MoS Sinha, saying "I am sorry, it is unfair" "I was informed that the Cabinet Minister is busy somewhere else. The MoS was here. But I think he has left. This should not happen. Ministers should be present till the last. This should not happen again," she said.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also expressed regret for the absence of the Minister saying it will not be repeated. "The Minister (MoS) was here. But he has left perhaps under the impression that it (the question related to the Railway Ministry) will not come up. I am sorry and it will not be repeated. Minister should be in the House. It is a mistake," he said.
The incident happened during Question Hour when Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took up the issue of 'Go-India Smart Card', an initiative of the Railway Ministry, for discussion. As neither Prabhu, nor Sinha were present in the House, Congress members led by Mallikarjun Kharge strongly protested and wanted to know why the Ministers were absent when the question relating to their Ministry was listed for business in the House.
Kharge said this was not for the first time that a Minister was absent when matters related to their Ministries were taken up.
"They (Ministers) are not following rules. Earlier, when a Cabinet Minister was not present, we kept mum. For running the House, Ministers must be present. They are not following rules. It will have a repercussion on you (Speaker), not on them (treasury)," Kharge said.
Congress chief whip Jyotiraditya Scindia asked the Speaker to issue a stricture and said "we are fighting for you, Madam". Speaker Mahajan expressed her displeasure over the absence of MoS Sinha, saying "I am sorry, it is unfair" "I was informed that the Cabinet Minister is busy somewhere else. The MoS was here. But I think he has left. This should not happen. Ministers should be present till the last. This should not happen again," she said.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also expressed regret for the absence of the Minister saying it will not be repeated. "The Minister (MoS) was here. But he has left perhaps under the impression that it (the question related to the Railway Ministry) will not come up. I am sorry and it will not be repeated. Minister should be in the House. It is a mistake," he said.
12:50 BJP MP raises Rahul aide's link to Agusta in Parl, Sonia rubbishes claim
BJP MP Kirit Somaiya raises Emaar MGF issue in the Lok Sabha and demands Rahul Gandhi to come clean on the issue.
Emaar MGF on Tuesday said the real estate company had no business links with Rahul Gandhis aide Kanishka Singh while Guido Haschke was its independent director for a brief period in 2009.
Haschkes name figures in connection with the AgustaWestland chopper deal.
Somaiya had accused Kanishka Singh of holding shares in Emaar MGF, which he said also had Guido Ralph Haschke as its director.
This morning Sonia Gandhi said there was no truth in Somaiya's accusations.
Emaar MGF on Tuesday said the real estate company had no business links with Rahul Gandhis aide Kanishka Singh while Guido Haschke was its independent director for a brief period in 2009.
Haschkes name figures in connection with the AgustaWestland chopper deal.
Somaiya had accused Kanishka Singh of holding shares in Emaar MGF, which he said also had Guido Ralph Haschke as its director.
This morning Sonia Gandhi said there was no truth in Somaiya's accusations.
12:36 RS Ethics Committee recommends expulsion of Mallya
Rajya Sabha Ethics Committee recommends expulsion of Vijay Mallya with immediate effect. The Ethics Committee hopes that message would reach the public that "Parliament is committed to take such steps as are necessary against erring members".
12:20 Vyapam arrest
Big breakthrough in Vyapam scam, UP Special Task Force arrests main accused Ramesh Shivhare in Kanpur.
12:16 Pakistan: No military action against Afghan Taliban on its soil
Pakistan is rejecting Afghan demands for military action against Taliban
commanders within Pakistan and emphasizes the need to continue talks
for a settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan. Read more
12:14 Sena calls ally BJP a chameleon over Hurriyat stance
Hitting out at the Modi government, the Shiv Sena today said that the BJP's change in stand regarding the Hurriyat and Kashmir can be compared to a 'sarda', a chameleon.
In its editorial mouthpiece Saamna, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, a key ally of BJP said, "The way they have changed their position on Hurriyat and Kashmir, if the same would have been done by the Congress then BJP would have called them agents of Pakistan and would have not allowed Parliament to function."
It further said that now the BJP government is involved in appeasement of Hurriyat leaders whom they had earlier termed as pro-Pakistanis.
"PM Narendra Modi himself had said that he will discuss anything and everything with Pakistan except Kashmir, but now the same government has taken U-turn and have allowed Hurriyat leaders to hold talks with Pakistan government", the editorial said.
The party in its editorial mentioned that the changed position hasn't surprised them as BJP has already changed their old position by aligning with PDP in Kashmir, the same PDP who was supporting Afzal Guru.
Taking a dig at BJP, the editorial said if Congress would have formed an alliance with PDP then the BJP would have criticised them.
Through the editorial, Shiv Sena demanded that the BJP should clarify what secret understanding is going on between them and the Hurriyat leaders.
In its editorial mouthpiece Saamna, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, a key ally of BJP said, "The way they have changed their position on Hurriyat and Kashmir, if the same would have been done by the Congress then BJP would have called them agents of Pakistan and would have not allowed Parliament to function."
It further said that now the BJP government is involved in appeasement of Hurriyat leaders whom they had earlier termed as pro-Pakistanis.
"PM Narendra Modi himself had said that he will discuss anything and everything with Pakistan except Kashmir, but now the same government has taken U-turn and have allowed Hurriyat leaders to hold talks with Pakistan government", the editorial said.
The party in its editorial mentioned that the changed position hasn't surprised them as BJP has already changed their old position by aligning with PDP in Kashmir, the same PDP who was supporting Afzal Guru.
Taking a dig at BJP, the editorial said if Congress would have formed an alliance with PDP then the BJP would have criticised them.
Through the editorial, Shiv Sena demanded that the BJP should clarify what secret understanding is going on between them and the Hurriyat leaders.
12:05 Parliament to be prorogued
The BJP government has taken a decision to get the Parliament prorogued. But this decision will attract a huge expenditure of about Rs 2 crore for the Government of India.
Prorogation means the termination of a session of the House by an order made by the President under article 85(2)(a) of the Constitution. Usually, prorogation follows the adjournment of the sitting of the House sine die.
Each time when the Parliament is prorogued, the following session is said to be a new session altogether. So, to convene a new session there are set procedures, protocols which cost the government a hefty buck.
The Parliament security has been caught up with the prorogation procedure. This means new security passes which cost the exchequer Rs 15000 will be issued. The security office worked overnight to get the fresh passes made. About time the Parliament Security systems finds a way to avoid the wastage of issuing photo ID passes.
Prorogation means the termination of a session of the House by an order made by the President under article 85(2)(a) of the Constitution. Usually, prorogation follows the adjournment of the sitting of the House sine die.
Each time when the Parliament is prorogued, the following session is said to be a new session altogether. So, to convene a new session there are set procedures, protocols which cost the government a hefty buck.
The Parliament security has been caught up with the prorogation procedure. This means new security passes which cost the exchequer Rs 15000 will be issued. The security office worked overnight to get the fresh passes made. About time the Parliament Security systems finds a way to avoid the wastage of issuing photo ID passes.
11:48
Here's what's happening in Parliament.
-- The Rajya Sabha Ethics committee report on expulsion of Vijay Mallya presented in House. Zero hour begins in Rajya Sabha.
-- Kerala law student rape, murder case: BJP MP Tarun Vijay gave notice to suspend business in RS, Chair allowed him to raise the question in the zero hour.
-- JDU MP KC Tyagi raises Bhagat Singh issue in RS, says in his earlier submission he did not ask to withdraw the textbooks, but 'terrorist' reference to be removed.
-- Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien says, "I also feel Bhagat Singh cannot be categorised as terrorist. I already gave direction to the government that such reference of terrorist to Bhagat Singh may be removed."
-- The Rajya Sabha Ethics committee report on expulsion of Vijay Mallya presented in House. Zero hour begins in Rajya Sabha.
-- Kerala law student rape, murder case: BJP MP Tarun Vijay gave notice to suspend business in RS, Chair allowed him to raise the question in the zero hour.
-- JDU MP KC Tyagi raises Bhagat Singh issue in RS, says in his earlier submission he did not ask to withdraw the textbooks, but 'terrorist' reference to be removed.
-- Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien says, "I also feel Bhagat Singh cannot be categorised as terrorist. I already gave direction to the government that such reference of terrorist to Bhagat Singh may be removed."
11:40 SC re-implements 85% pictoral warnings on cigarette packs
Just in: The Supreme Court asks tobacco companies to immediately implement larger pictorial warnings on tobacco products. The SC lifts the stay on the Centre's order for 85% warning granted by Dharwar bench of Karnataka High Court. The SC transfers all cases challenging tobacco product warning rule to Karnataka High Court and directs the Karnataka HC to decide the case in 8 weeks.
India's tobacco industry has sought to delay strict new health warning rules by appealing to the country's highest court, a move anti-smoking activists say could backfire given that the court has ruled against cigarette makers in the past.
India's tobacco industry has sought to delay strict new health warning rules by appealing to the country's highest court, a move anti-smoking activists say could backfire given that the court has ruled against cigarette makers in the past.
Last month Indian tobacco companies went on strike by closing
factories in protest against demands that 85% of a cigarette packet's
surface be covered by health warnings, up from the older requirement of
20%.
11:31
Just in: BCCI officially confirms India tour of Zimbabwe. Itinerary has been finalised.
11:20 Ajay Devgn set up offshore company in British Virgin Islands: Panama Papers
Actor-entrepreneur Ajay Devgan, born Vishal Veeru Devgan, bought over the entire shareholding of a British Virgin Islands (BVI) company Marylebone Entertainment Limited in 2013, claiming it was done to acquire and exploit overseas rights of Hindi films.
Mossack Fonseca & Co (BVI) Ltd was the registered agent of Marylebone Entertainment Ltd at the time of incorporation.
The original shareholder of the company, registered in the BVI on October 29, 2013, was Hassan N Sayani, an individual based in London. Sayani was issued 1,000 shares on October 31, 2013. Ajay Devgan bought over the entire shareholding from Sayani the same day.
When contacted, Ajay Devgan told The Indian Express, "This company was set up with RBI guidelines for overseas direct investment route. Proper disclosures have been made by my family in the tax returns as required by law." Read more
Mossack Fonseca & Co (BVI) Ltd was the registered agent of Marylebone Entertainment Ltd at the time of incorporation.
The original shareholder of the company, registered in the BVI on October 29, 2013, was Hassan N Sayani, an individual based in London. Sayani was issued 1,000 shares on October 31, 2013. Ajay Devgan bought over the entire shareholding from Sayani the same day.
When contacted, Ajay Devgan told The Indian Express, "This company was set up with RBI guidelines for overseas direct investment route. Proper disclosures have been made by my family in the tax returns as required by law." Read more
10:52 Centre considering floor test in Uttarakhand: Rohatgi tells SC
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi has told the Supreme Court that the Centre is seriously considering the court's suggestion to hold a floor test in Uttarakhand.
A bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh had yesterday asked the Centre to explore the feasibility of holding a floor test in Uttarakhand assembly under court's supervision.
The court asked the attorney general to take instructions from the Centre in this regard and respond to the court today.
The AG told the apex court that he has conveyed it to the Centre but has not received any instruction so far.
The SC adjourned the hearing on Centre's plea against Uttarakhand high court order revoking President's till May 6.
A bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh had yesterday asked the Centre to explore the feasibility of holding a floor test in Uttarakhand assembly under court's supervision.
The court asked the attorney general to take instructions from the Centre in this regard and respond to the court today.
The AG told the apex court that he has conveyed it to the Centre but has not received any instruction so far.
The SC adjourned the hearing on Centre's plea against Uttarakhand high court order revoking President's till May 6.
10:29 You'll see our strategy in House: Sonia on Agusta issue
"You will see the strategy in the house," said Congress president Sonia Gandhi before a strategy meet on the AgustaWestland issue today.
The ongoing Congress Lok Sabha strategy meeting is being chaired by Gandhi.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu ahead of the Rajya Sabha session today.
Parrikar is scheduled to make a statement in the Rajya Sabha today over the controversial deal.
The ongoing Congress Lok Sabha strategy meeting is being chaired by Gandhi.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu ahead of the Rajya Sabha session today.
Parrikar is scheduled to make a statement in the Rajya Sabha today over the controversial deal.
09:45 Delhi police arrests 12 Jaish 'terrorists' planning a strike
A special cell of the Delhi police has busted a terror module of Pakistan-based group Jaish-e-Mohammed on Wednesday.
Improvised explosive device has been recovered from some of the arrested terror suspects and the investigation is on, CNN News 18 reported.
Five teams of Delhi police were sent to Uttar Pradesh last evening and they conducted raids at various places since last night.
The arrested terror suspects were planning to target major installations and sensitive areas.
They have been quizzed about the source of the IEDs.
The cops are likely to arrest more terrorists.
Improvised explosive device has been recovered from some of the arrested terror suspects and the investigation is on, CNN News 18 reported.
Five teams of Delhi police were sent to Uttar Pradesh last evening and they conducted raids at various places since last night.
The arrested terror suspects were planning to target major installations and sensitive areas.
They have been quizzed about the source of the IEDs.
The cops are likely to arrest more terrorists.
09:32 Another Dalit student raped in Kerala
A Dalit nursing student was allegedly raped at Ayanthi in Varkala, an incident which comes close on the heels of the brutal rape and murder of a law college student in Kerala.
A case has been registered against three persons on the basis of the girl's complaint and investigations are on, police said today.
The incident occurred yesterday near Ayanthi bridge in Varkala. The 19-year-old second year BSc nursing student had gone with an autorickshaw driver, who was known to her, in his vehicle.
Two of his friends also got into the vehicle later. They then took the autorickshaw to a deserted spot and allegedly raped her. The girl was in a state of shock and suffered from fits when she was found by some people who rushed to the vehicle on hearing her cries for help.
She has been admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. The incident comes days after a Dalit law student was raped and murdered in Ernakulam district.
A case has been registered against three persons on the basis of the girl's complaint and investigations are on, police said today.
The incident occurred yesterday near Ayanthi bridge in Varkala. The 19-year-old second year BSc nursing student had gone with an autorickshaw driver, who was known to her, in his vehicle.
Two of his friends also got into the vehicle later. They then took the autorickshaw to a deserted spot and allegedly raped her. The girl was in a state of shock and suffered from fits when she was found by some people who rushed to the vehicle on hearing her cries for help.
She has been admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. The incident comes days after a Dalit law student was raped and murdered in Ernakulam district.
09:14
JUST IN: Special Cell of Delhi Police conduct raids after receiving intelligence information on a possible terror plot, 8 youth detained: ANI report.
09:11 CBI to grill Tyagi for third day in Agusta case
Former Air Force chief S.P Tyagi will be questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation for the third day on Wednesday, in connection with the controversial Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal.
The CBI had earlier said that the former IAF chief has admitted to have financial interest in three companies -- Banshi, Anuras and Shavan -- involved in the chopper deal.
The agency further stated that Tyagi has accepted that he met COO of Finmeccanica Zapa in 2005 in India. The CBI also said the former IAF chief and his wife are the owners of the three companies in addition to a fourth company -- Meghanshu -- and added that all the four companies are based in Noida.
The agency had registered a case against Tyagi along with 13 others including his cousins and European middlemen.
The CBI had earlier said that the former IAF chief has admitted to have financial interest in three companies -- Banshi, Anuras and Shavan -- involved in the chopper deal.
The agency further stated that Tyagi has accepted that he met COO of Finmeccanica Zapa in 2005 in India. The CBI also said the former IAF chief and his wife are the owners of the three companies in addition to a fourth company -- Meghanshu -- and added that all the four companies are based in Noida.
The agency had registered a case against Tyagi along with 13 others including his cousins and European middlemen.
08:53 Parrikar to place 'facts' about Agusta deal in RS today
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will make a statement on the controversial AgustaWestland chopper deal in the Rajya Sabha today, during which he will place all the facts in chronological order before the House.
Parrikar, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, is expected to address the Rajya Sabhaat 2 pm during the short duration debate.
Parrikar, had on Monday in Panaji, said his Parliament address would include how and when necessary clauses or provisions were relaxed to suit the company.
Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, had earlier on Monday accused the Centre of pursuing a politically motivated campaign to defame the grand old party through theAgustaWestland copter scam.
Parrikar, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, is expected to address the Rajya Sabhaat 2 pm during the short duration debate.
Parrikar, had on Monday in Panaji, said his Parliament address would include how and when necessary clauses or provisions were relaxed to suit the company.
Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, had earlier on Monday accused the Centre of pursuing a politically motivated campaign to defame the grand old party through theAgustaWestland copter scam.
08:22 Bernie Sanders surprises Hillary with Indiana win
Bernie Sanders has won the Indiana Democratic primary, according to three television networks.
The victory offers a much-needed boost to the Vermont senator, but Hillary Clinton still holds a commanding lead in the delegate race and has begun shifting her focus to a general election battle against Donald Trump.
Indiana awards its 83 pledged Democratic delegates on a proportional basis, with 56 allocated from district-level winners, 18 at-large delegates and nine pledged party officials and leaders -- meaning that Sanders is unlikely to net many
Read full report HERE
The victory offers a much-needed boost to the Vermont senator, but Hillary Clinton still holds a commanding lead in the delegate race and has begun shifting her focus to a general election battle against Donald Trump.
Indiana awards its 83 pledged Democratic delegates on a proportional basis, with 56 allocated from district-level winners, 18 at-large delegates and nine pledged party officials and leaders -- meaning that Sanders is unlikely to net many
Read full report HERE
02:09 Kerry warns Assad of repercussions over Syria truce violations
US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday of "repercussions" if his regime flouts a new ceasefire being negotiated with Moscow for the battered city of Aleppo, AFP reported.
"If Assad does not adhere to this, there will clearly be repercussions and one of them may be the total destruction of the ceasefire and they go back to war," Kerry told reporters.
"I don't think that Russia wants that. I don't think that Assad is going to benefit from that," he said.
"There may be even other repercussions that are being discussed but that is for the future to determine."
A February 27 truce between the Syrian regime and non-jihadist rebels raised hopes for efforts to resolve the five-year conflict.
But it has all but collapsed amid renewed fighting, the worst of it in Aleppo where a surge in violence has claimed more than 270 lives since April 22.
00:52 Zimbabwe parks authority to sell animals due to drought
A severe drought has prompted Zimbabwe's national parks and wildlife agency to put some of the animals in its reserves up for sale, CNN reported.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) said in a statement Monday it's planning to "destock its parks estates."
The agency didn't say what kind, how many or exactly how it intends to sell the animals that have made parks in Zimbabwe a long-time tourist draw.
00:38 IS kills US Navy SEAL in Iraq attack
The Islamic State group broke through Kurdish defences in northern Iraq on Tuesday and killed a United States Navy SEAL deployed as part of the US-led coalition against the jihadists, AFP reported.
The attack came as the United Nations said that fighting with IS in northern Iraq could displace another 30,000 people, adding to millions who have already fled their homes. And in Baghdad, throngs of Shiite pilgrims braved the threat of bombings by IS, which have killed dozens of people in recent days, to take part in a major annual religious commemoration.
The fighter from the special operations force was at least the third coalition member killed by enemy fire in Iraq since IS overran swathes of the country in 2014.
President Barack Obama hailed the 2011 withdrawal of American troops from Iraq as a major accomplishment of his presidency, but US forces have been drawn back into combat in the country against IS.
Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said the death occurred during an IS attack on a peshmerga position north of Iraq's jihadist-held second city Mosul.
A US defence official said the US SEAL's death as the result of "an orchestrated attack with shots and multiple IEDs (bombs) going off."
US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said from Germany: "Our thoughts and prayers are with that service member's family."
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