Pakistani national among two militants killed in Kashmir
Srinagar, Dec 31, 2015, (IANS):
Two separatist guerrillas were killed on Thursday in an overnight gunfight between holed up militants and security forces in south Kashmir's Pulwama district. "Two militants including Manzoor Ahmad Dar of Samboora (Pulwama) and a Pakistani national have been killed in Gusoo village encounter," a senior police officer told IANS in summer capital here.
Security forces including troops of 53 Rashtriya Rifles, 183 battalion of CRPF and special operations group (SOG) of state police had surrounded Gusoo village in Pulwama district late Wednesday following reports that two to three militants were hiding inside a house there.
As security forces came closer to the suspected house, the militants fired upon the security forces after which a gunfight broke out which ended around 1.30 a.m.
"Searches are still going on in the area. The exact identity of the slain Pakistani militant is being established", the police officer added.
AAP govt suspends 2 Home Dept officers; Top officers on mass leave
New Delhi, Dec 31, 2015, (PTI/Agencies):
After the AAP government suspended two senior civil service officers of the Home Department for refusing to sign on a Cabinet decision file, around 200 DANICS-cadre officers are on mass leave today protesting government's move.
However, Home Minister of Delhi, Satyendra Jain (HM, ) said he had no information of any strike by the officers, reports ANI.
Yashpal Garg, special secretary (Prosecution), and Subhash Chandra, special secretary (Prisons), have been suspended, a Delhi government spokesperson had said yesterday. The action, threatening to blow into another AAP-Centre confrontation, was taken after Garg and Chandra refused to sign a file pertaining to the Cabinet decision to increase salary of public prosecutors, the spokesperson said.
Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) are selected through civil servic exams conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Officers of the service are recruited directly through the Civil Services Examination and are responsible for the diverse administrative functions of the National Capital, Delhi and the Union Territories.
Supporting the DANICS Officers's Association's move to go on mass leave, IAS Officers have also threatened to go on a half-day leave today.
There are around 70 IAS officers working in different departments of the national capital.
"IAS officers will also go on a half-day leave tomorrow supporting the DANICS officers Association. There was a joint meeting of IAS and DANICS officers today wherein a resolution was passed against the suspension of two DANICS officers working the Home Department," said yesterday an IAS officer who works with the Delhi government.
The Kejriwal government's decision may lead to fresh tussle with the Centre as only the Delhi Lt Governor can suspend DANICS-cadre officers with permission from the Union Home Ministry.
If DANICS-cadre officers in Delhi go on mass leave , preparations for the odd-even scheme, which will come into force on January 1, may be affected as most of these officers are looking after the projects pertaining to the road-rationing plan.
The DANICS Officers' Association comprise around 200 members who hold crucial posts including that of SDM, secretary to minister and special secretary.
Delhi govt bureaucrats on mass leave agst suspension order
New Delhi, Dec 31, 2015, (PTI):
Delhi government bureaucrats today went on mass leave to protest against the suspension of two DANICS-cadre officers even as the Union Home Ministry declared the suspension as null and void. A day after two senior civil service officers of the Home Department were suspended by the AAP government for refusing to sign on a Cabinet decision file, around 200 DANICS officers went on mass leave while 70 IAS officers have gone on half-day leave, showing solidarity with the suspended officers.
The action was taken against Yashpal Garg, special secretary (Prosecution), and Subhash Chandra, after they refused to sign a file pertaining to the Cabinet decision to increase salary of public prosecutors.
However, the Union Home Ministry termed the suspension as null and void. Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) are selected through civil service exams conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Only the Delhi Lt Governor can suspend DANICS-cadre officers with permission from the Union Home Ministry.
Reacting to the protest, Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain said DANICS and IAS officers do not have the right to go on strike as it is against their service rule.
Unfazed by IAS and DANICS officers associations' decision to skip work today, he said, "People will be happy if they go on strike. All system pertaining to governance is based online today and government will not suffer."
The Delhi Home Minister further said that Delhi government was ready to grant all officers even one month or 15-day leave if they apply for the same.
"The two officers were suspended for not implementing Cabinet decision on December 28. If they had any problem with my order, they should have approached Chief Minister not LG.Lt Governor has already asked officers to defy government decision," he charged. "I know that by the evening, LG will declare the suspension of two officers by Delhi Government as null and void," Jain said here.
Jain said that if officers working in the Delhi government have any problem, they can get themselves transferred to the LG office, adding that government will not tolerate "disobedience".
Jain also alleged that BJP is provoking Delhi Government officers to go on strike. The DANICS Officers' Association comprise around 200 members who hold crucial posts including that of SDM, Secretary to minister and special secretary.
"Delhi Government does not have power to suspend any DANICS officer and it can only recommend suspension of DANICS officer and on this, LG can suspend him or her with permission from MHA," a representative of the association said.
Earlier this month, Kejriwal had also suspended two sub-divisional magistrates for failing to provide instant relief to victims whose shanties were demolished by Railways in West Delhi's Shakur Basti area.
However, these two SDMs are still holding their posts and doing their work.
MHA declares AAP Govt order to suspend officers as 'non-est'
New Delhi, Dec 31, 2015, (PTI):
Amid the fresh round of confrontation with the AAP government, the Centre today termed its decision to suspend two DANICS-cadre officers as 'non est' (does not exist) and said the two officers should be considered deemed to be on duty. The Home Ministry is issuing a formal order terming the suspension order of the two DANICS cadre officers by the Arvind Kejriwal government as null and void.
"The Home Ministry has received a reference from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on the suspension of two DANICS officers. It declares the suspension order is 'non est' (mistake or does not exist) and the two officers should be considered deemed to be on duty," a Home Ministry spokesperson said.
The two officers - Subhash Chandra and Yashpal Garg - belonging to Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Services were suspended after they allegedly refused to sign Delhi government cabinet notes pertaining to a salary hike for public prosecutors and prison staff. After their suspension, the DANICS officers have decided to go on mass leave today protesting the "illegal" suspension of their two colleagues by the AAP government.
The DANICS officers have maintained that the appointing and disciplinary authority of DANICS officers is the President of India, who acts through the aid and advice of the Union Home Ministry.
They said the Home Minister of the Delhi government has no authority to take any disciplinary action against DANICS officers as specified under the existing rules.
29 TN fishermen detained by Lankan navy
Rameswaram (TN), Dec 31, 2015, (PTI):
Twentynine fishermen from Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu were today detained by Sri Lankan naval personnel when they were fishing off Trincomallee coast in Sri Lanka, a fisheries department official said. The navalmen also took their three boats along with them, according to information reaching Joint Director of Fisheries Department, Subburaj.
He said that the fishermen from Akkaraipettai in Nagapattinam district, along with their boats, had been taken to an army camp in Trincomallee, adding, they have been detained there.
On December 23, fishing nets of a group of fishermen from Rameswaram were allegedly cut by Lankan navy personnel when they were fishing near Katchatheevu and four fishermen were taken into custody while fishing there two days earlier.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi voicing concern at recurring instances of such arrests.
Take resolution to allow Parliament to function: PM to Cong
Noida, Dec 31, 2015, (PTI)
Attacking Congress yet again over disruptions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked the party to take a New Year resolution to allow Parliament to function for the sake of development. He said having "enjoyed power" for over six decades it has no right to destroy its functioning for "political reasons" and hold back the country's development.
"Tomorrow is January 1. When you are going to celebrate New Year, you should take a vow to allow Parliament to run and do its work and not pose hurdles for the country's development," Modi said.
He was addressing a public rally after laying foundation stone of a 14-lane expressway connecting Delhi with Meerut.
Focusing his attack primarily on Congress, Modi said, "This is the misfortune of India, Parliament where laws are made is not being allowed to function. Those who have been rejected by people seized its functioning.
"They do not allow Parliament to run. I request all these political parties not to do so. Since I have not got an opportunity to speak in Lok Sabha, I am taking the opportunity to air my views in 'Jan Sabha'. People have sent us to Parliament to debate, discuss and decide," he said.
The Prime Minister said Congress has more responsibility to ensure functioning of Parliament as they had "enjoyed power" for over six decades.
"It is our responsibility to accomplish the work entrusted on us by people. This responsibility specially lies on those who have ruled the country for over 60 years. They know what is the responsibility of Parliament.
"It is specially their responsibility to ensure that country's development is not stopped because of their political reasons. They have more responsibility as people had given them opportunity to run the country for over six decades.
"I understand the anger of those who have not got a chance to rule the country. But those who have enjoyed all kinds of power for 60 years have no right to halt Parliament and destroy its functioning," he said.
Inculcate compassion, tolerance for harmony in society: Prez New Year message
New Delhi, Dec 31, 2015, (PTI):
President Pranab Mukherjee today asked people to make a fresh beginning in the New Year and inculcate compassion and tolerance for building a peaceful and harmonious society.
On the eve of New Year, the President conveyed his greetings to the people and expressed hope that this would be an "occasion to make a fresh beginning and renew our resolve for individual as well as collective growth".
"Let us inculcate in ourselves love, compassion, tolerance and work towards creating an inclusive society where peace and harmony prevails," the President, who has in the past raised the issue of growing intolerance, said.
This is the time to reinforce the civilisational values that bind together the complex diversity of modern-day India and promote them in the country and the world, he said. The President also spoke about making the country clean and green.
"Let us resolve to make the year 2016 a year in which the people of our country work towards preserving the symbiotic relationship between man and nature. Let us strive to make our country clean and green and the environment pollution free," he said.
Mercury settles at sub-zero temp in Kashmir; Leh coldest
Srinagar, Dec 31, 2015, (PTI):
Mercury continued its free fall in Kashmir division as Leh in Ladakh region recorded the coldest night this winter with a minimum temperature of minus 16. 3 degrees Celsius. "Leh was the coldest recorded place in the state at minus 16.3 degrees Celsius, down from yesterday's minus 13.2 degrees Celsius. This was the coldest temperature recorded this winter in the state," an official of the MET department said here.
Kargil also recorded extreme sub-zero temperature of minus 14.6 degrees Celsius, 5.6 degrees drop from yesterday's low of minus 9.0 degrees Celsius, the official added. Gulmarg in north Kashmir, the star attraction for the tourists visiting the valley during winter, remained the coldest recorded place in the valley with a low of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam hill resort in south Kashmir, which serves as a base camp during the annual Amarnath yatra, recorded a low of minus 6.7 degrees Celsius, a drop of over a degree from the previous night's minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, the official said.
The minimum temperature dropped by nearly a degree in Srinagar city as the mercury settled at minus 4.0 degrees Celsius against yesterday's minus 3.3 degrees Celsius, he added.
Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 3.7 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature dropped in southern Kokernag resort to minus 2.2 against yesterday's minus 1.3 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir along the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, recorded a minimum of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius against minus 2.4 degrees Celsius the previous night, the official said.
Kashmir Valley is currently under the grip of the 40-day harsh winter period known as 'Chillai-Kalan' which began on December 21 and during which the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum.
The temperatures also drop during this period leading to shivering cold across the state. Though the Chillai-Kalan ends on January 31 next year, the cold wave usually continues even after that.
The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day long 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold).
Meanwhile, tourists and locals have assembled at Gulmarg in large numbers to welcome New year even though the weathermen has forecast continued dry weather for the next four days.
The New Year revelers might miss the fresh snowfall but can enjoy their visit in the snow-bound hill resort, 52 km from here, which had experienced snowfall on several occasions since November.
Due to sub-zero temperature, the snow remained on the slopes and played an attraction to the tourists to head towards the hill resort.
The weatherman forecast snow-less New Year, saying the dry weather is expected to continue till January four.
Delhi babus go on mass leave, AAP govt sees 'conspiracy'
New Delhi, Dec 31, 2015, (PTI)
Almost all senior bureaucrats of Delhi Government today went on mass leave protesting suspension of two officials, an action declared void by the Centre, setting the stage for yet another tussle between the two sides as AAP dispensation called the strike part of a "conspiracy" to "fail" the odd-even scheme.
While around 200 DANICS-cadre officers went on a day-long mass-leave, over 70 IAS officials struck work from 9 AM to 2 PM, expressing protesting AAP government's action against Yashpal Garg and Subhash Chandra, both Special Secretaries.
The two DANICS (Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service) cadre officials, serving at the Home Department, were suspended after they refused to sign a file pertaining to the Cabinet decision to increase salary of public prosecutors.
A defiant Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sent out a stern warning to agitating officers saying government was exploring "all options" against those who are on leave today. He said government will not tolerate corruption and insubordination.
"DANICS and IAS associations in Delhi have become full fledged B teams of BJP," Kejriwal said, while accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "firing" at the AAP government through the Lt Governor and the officers.
In a series of tweets, he also said time has come to replace bureaucrats with professionals and sector experts to infuse fresh energy and ideas in governance.
"People will be very happy if these officers go on long leave. Govt is ready to give paid leave. Governance will become honest, smooth and efficient," he said.
Hours after the Home Ministry declared the punitive action against the officials as null and void, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also questioned the timing of the protest by the bureaucrats, calling it part of a conspiracy to ensure failure of the odd-even scheme being rolled out tomorrow.
"Why they have decided to go on mass leave just a day before start of the odd-even scheme. It is part of conspiracy so that we fail to implement the scheme...the PMO and the Lt Governor's office were in direct contact with DANICS officers when they were holding a meeting yesterday," alleged Sisodia.
Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) are selected through civil service exams conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Union Home Ministry is their cadre-controlling authority.
Tavera recall: GM India asks owners to get vehicles fixed
New Delhi, Dec 31, 2015, (PTI)
After failing to elicit a positive response from owners over its recall of its multi-purpose vehicle Tavera announced in 2013, General Motors India today asked customers to get their vehicles repaired to address emission and specification issues.
At a time when air pollution has taken the centre-stage, with Delhi in particular grappling with the issue, General Motors India (GM India) issued a public notice asking the owners to get their vehicles to its dealerships.
"We hereby again request all the impacted Tavera owners that if they have not rectified the potential problem in their Tavera vehicles as yet, please take vehicles to the nearest dealership with prior appointment to carry out the repair," the company said.
In 2013, the company had recalled 1.14 lakh units of Chevrolet Tavera, manufactured between 2005 and 2013, to address emission and specification issues.
Despite the company shooting off letters to the affected customers as well as the public notice given earlier, all the users did not report their vehicles to the dealerships for repair under the campaign, it said.
GM India said it has already sent individual letters offering details pertaining to the issue, vehicle identification/chassis number and other logistical aspects as per the record available with it and also through local dealers.
The company, however, did not give details on how many vehicles have been repaired till now out of the total 1.14 lakh in question.
The recall of 1.14 lakh Tavera vehicles by General Motors was the biggest in India at that point.
The record has been broken by Volkswagen this year, which is recalling 3.23 lakh vehicles in India after a government- ordered probe found the company using diesel engines equipped with a defeat device which helps cheat emission tests, as it had done in the US and other global markets.
Growing levels of emission and pollution are posing serious risks, with the Supreme Court banning registration of SUVs and cars powered by diesel engines of 2,000 cc and above.
The Delhi government will start a fortnight-long odd-even programme from tomorrow to restrict the number of cars plying on the roads of the national capital in order to curb pollution.
Trai to write back to people who commented via FB template
New Delhi, Dec 31, 2015, (PTI)
Telecom regulator Trai will write back to people who have commented through a template supporting Free Basics to answer specific questions asked by it in consultation paper on differential pricing of data -- a net neutrality issue.
Trai Chairman R S Sharma said that the authority has got about 18.27 lakh responses till now out of which 8.9 lakh through phone and 5.44 lakh through Facebook mail supporting Free Basics but the comments did not answer the questions asked by the regulator.
The regulator has received 3.81 lakh comments from people claiming supporters of net neutrality.
Sharma said although these comments are also in a template form but the template answers all the questions with minor variations so there is no need to write back to them.
The regulator has received around 12,000 messages other than template based comments.
Trai extended the last date for receiving comments on its paper on differential data pricing to January 7.
The date has been extended at a time when social network Facebook has launched a massive campaign in support of its Free Basics Internet service, which has been dubbed in various quarters as violative of the principle of net neutrality.
Although the paper by Trai does not mention or use the term net neutrality, it details the idea of zero-rating platforms that have stirred up a big debate on the issue across the country.
As per SavetheInternet forum, the net neutrality principle says that Internet service providers should not block or discriminate against any applications or content that rides over their networks.
The Internet.org project, which Facebook launched in India in association with Reliance Communications, was recently renamed as Free Basics and offers free access to a set of websites and services with the objective of introducing Internet.
Earlier this month, telecom regulator Trai has asked Reliance Communications to keep services of Facebook's free Internet platform, Free Basics, in abeyance, till the issue on differential pricing is sorted out.
PAN must for hotel bill cash payment over Rs 50k from tomorrow
New Delhi, Dec 31, 2015, (PTI)
Furnishing PAN will be mandatory from tomorrow for cash transactions such as hotel or foreign travel bills exceeding Rs 50,000 - a move aimed at curbing the black money menace. Besides, PAN will be a must for all transactions, including purchase of jewellery, above Rs 2 lakhs in cash or through card with effect from January 1, 2016, the Finance Ministry said in a notification.
PAN will also be mandatory on purchase of immovable property of over Rs 10 lakh. This will be a relief to small home buyers as previously the government had proposed to make PAN mandatory for property worth Rs 5 lakh.
Quoting of Permanent Account Number (PAN) will also be mandatory for term deposits exceeding Rs 50,000 at one go or Rs 5 lakh in a year with banks, Post Offices and NBFCs.
The notification said PAN would be mandatory for payments of more than Rs 50,000 for cash cards or prepaid instruments as well as for acquiring shares of unlisted companies for Rs 1 lakh and above.
It has also been made mandatory for opening all bank accounts except Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana accounts.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had earlier this month announced in Parliament that PAN would be made mandatory for all cash and card transactions beyond Rs 2 lakh.
The limit is double of Rs 1 lakh that he had proposed in 2015-16 Budget, but is lower than the existing threshold of Rs 5 lakh.
Making cash deposit of more than Rs 50,000 or purchase of bank draft/pay orders/bankers cheque of equal denomination on a single day, payment of life insurance premium of Rs 50,000 in a year would also require quoting of PAN.
In keeping with the government's thrust on financial inclusion, opening of a no-frills bank account such as a Jan Dhan account will not require PAN.
Other than that, the requirement of PAN applies to opening of all bank accounts including in co-operative banks.
Alleging that he is being "victimised" because of his Scheduled Caste origins, a senior IAS officer here has changed his religion and applied today for Voluntary Retirement from Service (VRS) in protest against the extension of tenure awarded to Chief Secretary CS Rajan.
"I am Chairman of RSRTC and Additional Chief Secretary for over the last four years and competent for the post of Chief Secretary but the present CS is given 3 months extension by the state government. Hence I cannot work under a junior," Chairman of Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation Umrao Salodiya said here.
"I was under the impression that being a member of Scheduled Caste (SC) and senior IAS officer cadre, I would be given a chance to work as Chief Secretary. I feel victimised.
Hence I submitted three months notice of VRS to the state government," the Additional Chief Secretary rank IAS officer said.
"Now the state government has to take a decision on my VRS cum protest letter within three months. However my retirement is due June, 2016," he said.
Giving another example of a case in which he filed an FIR with GandhiNagar police station against a judicial officer in 2014, he said that no action was initiated by the police.
"Now I will be called as Umrao Khan," the officer said.
"Being a Hindu and SC member, I was always victimised. Hence I converted my religion to Muslim by reading "Kalma" in a masjid but members of my family have not changed religion," he said.
When asked whether he has any plans for re-marriage with any Muslim woman/girl, he said, "No way. I have my family. I feel happy now. I am satisfied that I protested against victimisation".
Incumbent Chief Secretary C S Rajan, who was to retire today, has been given three months extension by the Raje government.
When contacted, the Department of Personnel Official said he had also heard about the matter on a TV news channel, but so far no letter landed there.
India's dismisses suggestions of quid pro quo deal with Italy
New Delhi, Dec 31, 2015 (PTI)
India today said there was no link between its bid for membership in the nuclear export control regimes, of which Italy is a member, and the marines issue, dismissing suggestion that the two countries were working on a quid pro quo deal. "It's known that marines issue is in international arbitration under UNCLOS (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). They are two separate issues, each will be handled on its merits," the External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson tweeted.
The Spokesperson's reaction came amid reports that India was secretly negotiating a deal with Italy under which the government will not object to any Italian plea in the case of marines, who are charged with killing two Kerala fishermen and Rome will not object to India's membership of export control regimes.
The two Italian marines are charged with killing the two fishermen off India's coast on February 15, 2012. While Massimiliano Latorre, one of the marines, is in Italy on medical grounds since September last year, Italy is making efforts before the Supreme Court to allow Salvatore Girone, the other marine, also to return.
Italy, a member of all four export control regimes that control the world's trade in nuclear supplies including Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the Wassenaar Arrangement had in September vetoed India's membership application to the MTCR.
Bengal Congress approaches Sonia seeking seat-sharing with Left
Kolkata, Dec 31, 2015, (IANS)
The West Bengal unit of the Congress has written to party chief Sonia Gandhi seeking seat adjustment with the CPI-M led Left Front to dethrone the Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee.
"A Congress-Left Front seat adjustment with a declared common minimum programme would dethrone the TMC government and usher in a Congress-Left Front alliance in West Bengal," state Congress general Secretary O.P. Mishra said in the letter giving vote and seat projections for the 2016 assembly polls.
"Given the rapid deterioration of support for the BJP in the state, it is expected that a high percentage of BJP vote would travel back to the Left and Congress combine.
"The assembly segment-wise vote projection assumes transfer of 40 percent of the total vote received by the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, in favour of Congress-Left nominees," he said.
Mishra said that if free and fair polls are conducted, then the Trinamool, which enjoys an overwhelming advantage in South Bengal because of its "terror tactics, can lose its stronghold.
The move comes amidst speculations of a coalition between the Congress and the Communist Party of India-Marxist led Left Front.
While there have been feelers from the camps, the CPI-M which concluded its five-day organisational plenum in the city on Thursday hinted at the possibility but remained evasive on the issue.
CPI(M) for flexible tactics to deal with changed pol situation
Kolkata, Dec 31, 2015, (PTI)
As it toyed with the idea of sewing up an alliance with Congress in poll-bound West Bengal, the CPI-M today said it will employ "flexible tactics" to deal with "swift changes" that may occur in emerging political situations.
With assembly polls in West Bengal due next year, the CPI(M) leadership also called for an effort to increase youth participation and people's mobilisation in the party besides setting up joint platforms with various social and issue-based movements.
"To employ flexible tactics to deal with swift changes that may occur in the political situation in accordance with our Political-Tactical Line. To set up joint platforms with various social movements, people's mobilisations and issue- based movements," said a resolution adopted at CPI-M's organisational Plenum that charted the roadmap for the party.
The five-day plenum held after a gap of 37 years to revamp the party organisation ended here today.
CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the party's central committee would take a final call if the West Bengal state committee took a decision to have an alliance with the Congress in the state.
"It was not the agenda of the plenum to discuss the matter. As far as election tactics are concerned, the state committees will discuss and take the decision on the basis of the concrete situation. Once the state committees have taken the decision, they will send us (central committee & politburo) the proposal and we will take the final call," Yechury told reporters.
Yesterday, Prakash Karat, the former CPI-M chief, had said that "flexibility tactics" was always there in the party to deal with emerging political situations and added that there was nothing called "yes" and "no" in politics.
Omprakash Mishra, WBPCC spokesperson wrote a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi seeking seat adjustment with Left Front in the upcoming polls.
In his letter, the copy of which was released to the press, Mishra, an AICC member said, "A Congress-Left Front seat adjustment with a declared common minimum programme would dethrone the TMC government and usher in a Congress-LF alliance in West Bengal."
It is expected that a high percentage of votes which had gone in favour of the BJP, which had secured 17 per cent of votes in the last Lok Sabha poll, will land in the kitty of the Left-Congress combine, Mishra said.
The ruling Trinamool Congress ridiculed talk of a Left-Congress alliance in the state, saying it was not in their character to observe 'jotdharma'.
But, even if such an alliance did take shape, the grassroot Congress workers would always support the Trinamool Congress, TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee claimed.
"It (CPI-M) has an alliance in the form of Left Front. What happened now to make them talk about another alliance? They want to replicate the model of a civic body poll in the state Assembly election. It is a ridiculous proposition!" Chatterjee told reporters here.
Wednesday, 30 December 2015
J&K govt to probe revelation concerning Asiya Andrabi: Dy CM
Jammu, Dec 30, 2015, (PTI):
The Jammu and Kashmir government and police will verify claims with regard to the alleged plan for meeting separatist leader Asiya Andrabi by three youths who have been arrested for trying to join jihadi terror groups, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh said. "Definitely, the government and police will verify these facts. There is every apprehension of such a thing. If it is proved, then the government will act as per law," Singh told reporters here.
He was replying to a question on the revelation that three Hyderabad-based cousins who were arrested for allegedly planning to join jihadi terror groups had been looking to meet Andrabi using the name of their late uncle, the former chief of Students Islamic Movement of India, Syed Salahuddin.
"Mohd Abdulla Basith, Maaz Hasan Farooq and Syed Omer Farooq Hussaini had no direct connection with Andrabi, nor did she know them.
"After reaching Srinagar, they wanted to meet her using their uncle's name and seek her help to cross the border and reach Jalalabad in Afghanistan," said a senior officer of the special investigation team of Hyderabad police.
Andrabi is a leader of the separatist Kashmiri women's group, Dukhtaran-e-Millat.
The trio, all students (aged around 20-22), were picked up from Nagpur airport last week and arrested by Hyderabad police on December 27.
During interrogation, they confessed to holding jihadi ideology and said they were trying to go to Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Palestine via Kashmir to join jihadi forces of ISIS/ISIL to wage war against the state (India or elsewhere), the officer said.
J &K HC quashes Separatist leader Masrat Alam's detention under PSA
Srinagar, Dec 30, 2015 (IANS)
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Tuesday quashed the detention order of hardline separatist leader Masrat Alam under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA). A single bench of Justice M.H. Attar quashed the PSA order of the state government under which Alam has been detained.
Authorities had again arrested Alam in September after he was released from Kothbalwal Jail in Jammu following an earlier high court order issued by Justice Hasnain Masoodi in August this year.
Alam had been released by the Mufti Muhammad Sayeed-headed Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state days after it took office here on March 1 this year.
Following hoisting of Pakistani flags at a separatist rally here in April organized and led by Alam, authorities arrested him under the PSA and shifted him to Kothbalwal Jail.
Under the PSA, no bail can be granted to the detainee and the arrest can only be challenged in the high court.
IAF kept tab on 'spy' for four months
Vishnu Sukumaran, New Delhi, Dec 30, 2015, DHNS:
He will be taken to R'than for further interrogation
Delhi Police now plan to take arrested Indian Air Force technician to Rajasthan in the probe to unearth the entire Inter-Services Intelligence espionage network. Sources said IAF had been monitoring leading aircraftman (LAC) Ranjith K K for the last three-four months.
Police said he was caught red-handed while giving out vital information. Ranjith hails from Kerala’s Malappuram district and joined IAF in 2010. He was nabbed after a combined operation conducted by Delhi Police Crime Branch’s military intelligence unit and Air Force Liaisoning Unit.
“Ranjith has been booked under provisions of Official Secrets Act. We will take him out of the capital for interrogation,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav. He will also be jointly interrogated by the IAF and Intelligence Bureau.
Sources said Ranjith will be taken to Rajasthan’s Gwalior and Jaisalmer districts. Gwalior is the biggest station of IAF fighter jets. It is alleged that he recently shared photographs of two IAF bases.
“The documents shared by Ranjith will be analysed to evaluate the damage and potential threat to national security,” Yadav added.
The Jaisalmer link is the arrest of a former Indian Army man and detention of a revenue inspector on Sunday for supplying ISI with sensitive information about Indian Army. Gordhan Singh Rathore’s leaks included the Indian Army’s recently held war exercises. His son is also serving the Indian Army and posted in Ahmedabad.
Ranjith claimed that the motivating factor was money, but the initial probe has revealed that a woman had lured him and he was then blackmailed. His Facebook posts and some videos are being analysed.
Ranjith’s interrogation is also likely to ascertain the identities of more defence personnel associated with the network. Police, however, have not been able to establish any link between Ranjith and the ISI network busted last month.
That network was headed by a man named Kafaitullah Khan, which was even found to have sources in the Pakistan High Commission in India.
On Tuesday, a Delhi court remanded Ranjeet to four-day police custody. Delhi Police had sought five days.
'Noida jinx' to keep UP CM Akhilesh away from PM event
Lucknow, Dec 30, 2015, (PTI):
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister is unlikely to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's programme in Noida on December 31, owing to the so-called "Noida jinx". "In the meeting to review preparations for the PM's visit, Panchyati Raj Minister Kailash Yadav was nominated to represent the CM in Noida. Arrangement has been made on the dias for the minister (in place of CM)," IG, Law and Order A Satish Ganesh told reporters when asked about possibility of Akhilesh visiting Noida.
"As of now, only the minister will be attending PM's programme," he said. Noida jinx, as per political circles, has in the past caught up with several chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, including Veer Bahadur Singh, Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Kalyan Singh and Mayawati, who lost their chairs soon after visiting Noida.
The jinx started in 1988 when former chief minister Vir Bahadur Singh lost power within days of visiting Noida in 1988.
Later in 1997, Mayawati lost power after visiting Noida. Earlier, in 1989, ND Tiwari and 10 years later, in 1999, Kalyan Singh suffered the same fate.
In 1995, Mulayam was out of power within months of his Noida visit. The last one was Mayawati, who lost power in 2012 assembly elections after she flew down to Noida in October 2011 to inaugurate the Dalit Prerna Sthal.
In August 2012, CM Akhilesh Yadav inaugurated the Yamuna Expressway from Lucknow and avoided travelling to Noida.
The following year, he inaugurated infrastructure projects in Gautam Buddh Nagar without visiting the city.
In 2001, the then UP CM Rajnath Singh inaugurated the DND flyway from Delhi, but did not visit Noida.
PM Modi is scheduled to visit Noida to lay the foundation of Delhi-Meerut Expressway on December 31.
School kids take pledge in CM's presence on odd-even scheme
New Delhi, Dec 30, 2015, (PTI):
Hundreds of school children today took pledge in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to fight pollution and convince their parents, relatives and friends to adhere to the odd-even scheme to be rolled out in two days.
"Convince your parents, relatives and friends to follow the odd-even scheme. We are to do this not out of any imposition, but because it is important for our health and life.
"If you see anyone violating the odd-even scheme, just roll down your car window and ask that person to go back home. If the same person receives 10 such remarks in a day, it would stir his conscience and persuade him to keep his car off the road," Kejriwal said, addressing the students at Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya in north Delhi's Civil Lines. Before the students took the oath, the Chief Minister also encouraged them to convince their parents and relatives to go for carpooling, as public transport vehicles like buses and Delhi Metro are likely to be quite crowded for 15 days during which the scheme is to be implemented, starting January 1.
"I, myself, shall carpool with Transport Minister Gopal Rai, who lives not very far away from my residence," Kejriwal said.
During the programme 'Pollution Free Delhi', a student asked the Chief Minister about the exemption on medical emergencies provided in the scheme and how is it to be implemented on the ground, to which Kejriwal replied by saying that the scheme is largely based on trust.
On being asked about the probability of people buying two cars to evade the scheme, the Chief Minister called it a "baseless claim" being propagated for the past few days.
"Media is exaggerating about people buying two cars to evade the scheme. Not too many people are that rich, and the affluent ones already have more than one car. These are all baseless claims being propagated from the past few days. And above all, it is not a permanent scheme anywhere," said Kejriwal.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rai were also present on the occasion.
PM Modi wants to revamp cabinet, but can't find the people
NEW DELHI, Dec 30, 2015, (Reuters):
After a drubbing in a state poll in November, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to overhaul his cabinet to weed out underperformers and improve his government's image. Problem is, several sources said, he can't find the right replacements.
As New Delhi buzzes with speculation about changes in several ministries, senior members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a close aide to Modi said some changes could come early next year but the talent pool was too shallow to engineer a major revamp.
Pressure is mounting on Modi to revive his party's fortunes. Nearly two years after he swept to power on a promise of jobs and growth, the shine is coming off - reforms to revive investment have withered and the economy is stuttering. Rural distress has grown after two successive droughts.
"The challenge is to identify the right candidates who can deliver fast-paced reforms and policies in their work sphere," the prime minister's aide said.
Articulate and suave, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has been considered for the defence portfolio, another high-profile role that is crucial to Modi's geopolitical ambitions and plans to boost Indian industry. But there was no one to take Jaitley's place in finance, the sources said.
A spokesman for Modi declined to comment.
An official in Jaitley's office said they didn't have any knowledge of a possible reshuffle.
Modi tends to keep such decisions close to his chest, and the sources said the final decision lay with the prime minister. They added that he has yet to make up his mind on the changes, and that nothing has been confirmed.
Another close aide to the prime minister dismissed talk of a reshuffle as speculation, saying it had no basis.
DEARTH OF TALENT
The problem with the government's search for talent is that Modi's Hindu nationalist administration is loath to tap people who are associated with other ideologies, such as liberals or the left.
At the same time, the right-wing intelligentsia has not developed after decades of rule by the centrist Congress party, under which liberal institutions flourished.
"Compared to the Congress, we have a smaller talent pool and less exposure, but it's only a matter of time that we expand our base," BJP vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said.
He said Modi has "embarked on the process of fine-tuning the government machinery and also send a concrete signal that inefficiency will be checked."
BJP's defeat in Bihar state polls earlier this year led to calls from within the party and the Hindu group that is its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), to remove ministers and party officials who failed to deliver.
Although a general election is not due until 2019, the government's fortunes will depend on upcoming provincial polls, including an election in bellwether Uttar Pradesh state in 2017.
Top RSS and BJP leaders are expected to meet in New Delhi in the second week of January, where these issues are likely to be discussed.
A revamp is also expected to send the message that Modi will not tolerate remarks by ministers that fan intolerance against India's non-Hindu minorities.
Junior ministers Giriraj Singh and Niranjan Jyoti could be removed after they made public remarks construed as anti-minority, the sources said. Singh's and Jyoti's offices said they have no information about Modi's reshuffle plans.
Some ministers are also looking for a change. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has asked to be moved to a portfolio with a more domestic focus, the sources said.
Swaraj's office said they will not comment about her plans.
Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari was offered additional charge of the agriculture ministry, but he declined saying he already had too big a job, the sources said.
A source in Gadkari's office declined to comment, calling it a "hypothetical question."
Modi is looking to the RSS and may go further afield in southern and northeastern states to find new, lesser-known faces to bring to his government, his aide said. That would also give his cabinet a more pan-India feel, the aide said.
Navy successfully test fires surface-to-air missile Barak-8
Mumbai, Dec 30, 2015, (PTI):
Making a quantum jump in its air defence capability, the Indian Navy today successfully test-fired the Barak-8 Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) from INS Kolkata. Two missiles were fired yesterday and today on high speed targets, during naval exercises being undertaken in the Arabian Sea, a Defence spokesperson said.
This is a significant step towards Indian Navy's transformation into a force capable of projecting power in its area of interest, the spokesperson said.
The Barak-8 missile has been developed in joint collaboration by India and Israel. While two tests have been successfully conducted onboard Israeli ships, this is the first time that the test has been held onboard an Indian one.
The Barak-8 has been designed to defend against a variety of short-to-long-range airborne threats, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, drones and projectiles.
It incorporates a state-of-the-art phased array multi- mission radar, two-way data link, and a flexible command and control system that enables it to simultaneously engage multiple targets day and night and in all-weather conditions.
The missile system is being jointly developed by IAI, DRDO, Israel's Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure, Elta Systems, Rafael and other companies.
Govt committed to building Ram Temple at Ayodhya
Bulandshahr (UP), Dec 30, 2015, (PTI):
Union Minister Mahesh Sharma has said that his government is committed to building the Ram Temple at Ayodhya but would wait for the Supreme Court verdict or arrive at a "mutual understanding" on constructing the temple. He said it is the "dream" of the people of the country that Ram Mandir is built as early as possible.
"Our party and government have already given their mandate on this issue. We want to build Ram Mandir but we will either follow the Supreme Court's order or would come at a common conclusion about constructing the Mandir. This is why it is taking time," he said while speaking at a function here yesterday.
"BJP is committed to build Ram Temple and even the people of the country want that the Ram Temple should be established. But the issue is pending in court," he said.
With his remarks sparking a controversy, Sharma later stressed that senior party leaders will take a decision on the issue.
"Till an order is issued or mutual understanding arrived at, BJP should follow the situation and even I am not authorised to speak on this topic. Our senior party leader or government will take decision," he said.
The Minister also said that a grand museum is being constructed in Ayodhya.
"A grand museum is being constructed in Ayodhya. The Centre has given its nod to a Rs 170 crore Ram Van Gaman Path project which will depict Lord Rama's ideals," he said. Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stressed the Ram Mandir issue is in court.
"The Ram Mandir issue is in court. Steps will be taken on the direction of the court and this is a non-political issue," he said
