Time to think out of box on Kashmir: Top Army officer

Jammu, Nov 24, 2016, PTI:

A top Indian Army officer today said that there is a need to think out of box and new way out for ensuring return of normalcy and prosperity to Kashmir.

"The seminar that is taking place in Jammu - Kashmir back to paradise - its importance cannot be overstated anymore. You are aware of the situation. There is need to think something new, something different and out of the box," Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Subrata Saha, said.

Addressing the conference organised by Art of Living Organisation, he said, "Every shade of opinion whether it is a political or apolitical says there is urgent need to hold dialogue and reconciliation.

"There will be challenges in the path of dialogue and reconciliation and we need to take care of them. For achieving sustained peace (in Kashmir) the way would be reconciliation and the means would be dialogue," he said.

"The ultimate beneficiary of this peace should be the people of Jammu and Kashmir. If that is the bottom line the initiative should be people-centric and if that is not there whatever you do you will return back to square one," the army officer said.

Lt Gen Saha, who was Corps Commander of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, said: "If you have to benefit the people then there is need for development and security is the most important factor for that.

"Without security there will be no development and progress and access to law and justice is very important and past wounds needs to be treated." Besides that the sense of alienation needs to be addressed and historical aspects need to be kept in mind.

Today's situation can be best understood through the lens of past history, he said, adding that by highlighting the economic aspect you are reducing the problem and all factors need to be taken into consideration while moving ahead towards peace.

Laying focus on dialogue, he said that dialogue is the traditional means of restoring balance in our society.

"This is rooted deeply in our culture. I don't think there is any solution through any other means. If people are to become beneficiaries then the issue is to be resolved through non-violence.

"How long you will continue with the liberation movement sooner or later liberty would have to get privacy over the liberation. "Unless the liberty does not get privacy over liberation, the people cannot be beneficiaries," he said.

"The dialogue may have to begin at a low pace but has to be inclusive and sensitive to the people," he said, adding that women, youth and children have to be part of the dialogue process and it has to be an expanding arch to include all shades of opinion and that is the way out.

Kochi: Air India Express plane lands under emergency conditions

Kochi, Nov 24, 2016, PTI:

A Dammam-bound Air India Express plane from Mangaluru with 131 passengers and crew onboard landed under emergency conditions at Kochi after sparks were seen by the Air Traffic Control as the aircraft got airborne.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft landed safely and there was no harm to any passenger or crew, an Air India Express spokesperson said, adding that after an inspection the aircraft was cleared for onward journey.

The flight IXE 885 took off at 1813 hours yesterday from Mangaluru airport for Dammam in Saudi Arabia.

"However, Mangaluru Air Traffic Control noticed sparks in the aircraft and reported the same to the flight commander.

"The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Kochi following permission from the ATC there," the spokesperson said.

The flight made a "precautionary" landing at Kochi International airport at 1930 hours, he said.

Air India Express engineers carried out a thorough inspection of the aircraft upon its arrival at Kochi but did not find any "snag" in it, the spokesperson said adding the aircraft departed for its destination at 1030 hours from Kochi.

KCR moves to new official bungalow;Cong says wastage of public money

Hyderabad, Nov 24, 2016, PTI:

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao moved into his new official residential buildings complex at Begumpet here today though main opposition Congress cried foul claiming that "over Rs 40 crore of public money" has been "wasted" on its construction.

On the occasion, the CM performed a string of rituals to mark the event.

Rao, who had been staying in the Chief Minister's Camp Office built during YS Rajasekhara Reddy's regime in undivided Andhra Pradesh, moved into the sprawling new buildings complex after performing a traditional ceremony.

Known to be a religious man, the TRS chief performed 'Griha Pravesam' (house warming ceremony) along with his wife as per traditional practices. The auspicious 'muhurtham' was 5.22 AM.

Under the guidance of seer Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Chinna Jeeyar Swamy, Rao and his wife performed 'Daiva Pravesam', 'Yati Pravesam', 'Go Pravesam' and other rituals. 'Sudarshana Homam' and 'Vastu Homam' were also performed.

Prayers of different religions were also recited on the occasion for the welfare of Telangana people.

Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ESL Narasimhan, Telangana Legislative Assembly Speaker S Madhusudanachary, Legislative Council Chairman Swamy Goud, Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali, state IT and Municipal Administration Minister and Rao's son K T Rama Rao, Nizamabad MP K Kavitha, who is Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter, and state irrigation minister T Harish Rao were among those present.

Rao assumed office about two-and-half years ago as the first chief minister of the newly-created Telangana.

The official buildings complex, including the CM's residence and office, a conference hall and two existing buildings, has been named as Pragathi Bhavan by government.

The conference hall, named 'Janahita', will serve as a meeting place for the Chief Minister.

In 'Janahita', the CM will interact with various sections of the people, including farmers, workers, employees, artisans and a host of others on policy formulation and on their implementation, a state government release said.

Slamming Rao over his "new posh bungalow", state Congress president and MLA N Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged the new buildings complex was built "wasting over Rs 40 crore of public money".

He claimed that the cost of Chief Minister's new house would be nearly Rs 150 crore if land price is also taken into account.

Accusing Rao of "wasting public money to satisfy his Vastu beliefs", Reddy maintained that such "wastage" is not permissible in a socialist and democratic country like India.

According to some media reports, the posh complex came up on a space of over one lakh square feet, with several facilities and measures, including bullet-proof bathrooms.

Govt effort to end Parliament stalemate fails to take off

New Delhi, Nov 24, 2016, PTI:

An attempt by the government to break the deadlock in Parliament by calling an informal meeting with opposition parties today failed to take off.

Leader of Congress party in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that if the Prime Minister of the Speaker calls an-all party meeting they would go. Kharge said that leaders of opposition parties would meet and discuss the issue.

The leaders of several opposition parties then held a meeting in the chamber of leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that an informal meeting had been called and the government is ready to listen to the concerns of the opposition parties.

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day due to Oppn uproar

New Delhi, Nov 24, 2016, PTI:

Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day today after the opposition continued its protest demanding discussion on the demonetisation issue under an adjournment motion.

As the Lower House met at noon after an adjournment, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan warned SP member Akshay Yadav, who had earlier torn some papers next to the chair of the Secretary General and thrown it across.

After this, she allowed members to lay listed papers on the table. She also rejected several adjournment notices given by members including Kamal Nath, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Dushyant Chautala and Dharmendra Yadav.

As several members from Congress, TMC and SP trooped into the Well raising anti-government slogans, Mahajan adjourned the House for the day.

Earlier, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for nearly an hour soon after it met for the day as a determined opposition pitched for discussing the demonetisation issue under adjournment motion.

It was pandemonium from the word go as high drama was witnessed when Akshay Yadav tore some papers in the Well and flung it across, as several members from Congress, TMC and SP rushed into the Well raising anti-government slogans.

Rape case: SC cancels bail granted to suspended RJD MLA

New Delhi, Nov 24, 2016, PTI:

Suspended RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav, accused of allegedly raping a minor girl, will continue to remain in jail as the Supreme Court today cancelled the bail granted to him by Patna High Court.

A bench of Justices A K Sikri and A M Sapre said that they have allowed the appeal of Bihar government, seeking cancellation of bail granted to Yadav by Patna High Court on September 30 this year.

The apex court had on November 8 directed Yadav to surrender before a trial court in Bihar after suspending the High Court order granting bail to him. Yadav had complied with the direction.

The apex court had also directed the trial court to record the statement of the minor rape survivor within two weeks and had asked Yadav not to interfere in the matter in any manner.

It had earlier rejected Yadav's plea to remain outside Bihar till the victim deposed before the trial court and felt that the RJD legislator should remain in jail till the victim records her statement "fairly and without any fear". It had said it was "more concerned" about the safety of the girl.

The apex court had on October 18 directed the trial court not to record the testimony of the victim till October 24 after the state government submitted that she felt threatened due to the accused being out on bail.

Yadav had allegedly raped the minor girl at his residence in Bihar Sharif on February 6 this year. After evading arrest for a considerable time, he surrendered after a local court had issued proclamation notice and an order to attach his properties for not surrendering before the police.

Bihar Police, in its charge sheet, had also named a woman and her relatives as accused on the ground that they had been allegedly "supplying women" to the MLA representing Nawada Assembly constituency. RJD had suspended Yadav from the party on February 14, a day after his arrest warrant was issued.

Public transport services resume in Kashmir, more shops open

Srinagar, Nov 24, 2016, PTI:

Public transport has resumed plying at many places in Kashmir and shops have been gradually reopening as more people are now carrying out their day to day activities giving a semblance of normalcy in the Valley despite a strike called by separatists.

Mini-buses, cabs and auto-rickshaws were plying in good numbers across the summer capital here leading to traffic snarls at some places.

"Even as there was a call for observing strike, public transport was plying in Srinagar and many other district headquarters of Kashmir," an official said, adding the inter-district transport has also improved.

Shops, fuel stations and other business establishments were open in some areas in the civil lines as well as in the outskirts of the city here, officials said.

Reports of shops being open as well as increased public transport plying on the roads were received from many other districts of the Valley, they said.

Vendors put up their stalls along TRC Chowk-Batamaloo axis through Lal Chowk city centre, they said. However, some other facets of life remained affected due to the strike.

While, annual board examinations were currently on, the attendance in schools and colleges remained affected.

Except for the past weekend, Kashmir has witnessed shutdown since July 8 when Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces.

The separatists, who have been issuing weekly protest programmes, have extended the strike till December 1, announcing two full days of relaxation on the weekend like the past week.

As many as 86 people, including two police personnel, have been killed and several thousand others injured in the ongoing unrest in the Valley. Around 5000 security forces personnel have also been injured in the clashes.

Case of organised loot and legalised plunder, says Manmohan

New Delhi, Nov 24, 2016, PTI:

After five days of confrontation, Rajya Sabha briefly saw resumed debate on demonetisation today during which former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the opposition attack, saying the step was "a case of organised loot and legalised plunder" and reflected a "monumental management failure".

He said the decision would lead to dip in the country's GDP growth by at least 2 per cent.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Upper House, the opposition and the ruling side came to an agreement to do away with the Question Hour and resume the debate, which had been left incomplete on November 16.

Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Prime Minister will also participate in the debate.

The opposition had been demanding presence of the Prime Minister for resumption of the debate for the last five days. Modi attended the House during Question Hour as Thursday is the day of questions listed against the PM's name.

Debate was resumed during the Question Hour, from 12 pm to 1 pm, after which the House went into lunch break. When it met again at 2 pm, the Prime Minister was not there, prompting the opposition parties to demand his presence again as they wanted him to listen to all the speakers.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the discussion should be carried forward as the Leader of the House has said that Prime Minister will come.

Opposition members then trooped into the Well of the House shouting slogans like "bring back black money, stop making false promises".

Jaitley said his "apprehensions" that the opposition did not want the debate had come true as they were looking for "excuses" to run away from the discussion.

As pandemonium prevailed, the House was adjourned till 3 PM and then for the day as the same situation existed.

Earlier speaking during the debate, Singh said, "These measures convinced me that the way the scheme has been implemented, it's a monumental management failure."

The noted economist said the decision will result in decline of GDP by 2 per cent, which was an "under-estimate and not an over-estimate".

He said he agreed with the objectives of the scheme to demonetise currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 as spelt out by the Prime Minister but he wished to highlight the problems that the common people and poor have been subjected to by the move.

"It is not my intention to pick holes what this side or other side does. But I sincerely hope that the PM even in this late hour will help find us practical and pragmatic ways to provide relief to the suffering of the people of this country," the former Prime Minister said.

Lok Sabha could not transact any business as opposition continued its protest demanding discussion on demonetisation issue under Adjournment Motion and a rule which entails voting.

Peace and normalcy in the Rajya Sabha, during which debate was witnessed from 12 pm to 1 pm, evaporated after it met again at 2 pm after lunch recess.

The Prime Minister, who was present in the House from 12 pm to 1 pm, was not in the House.

Mayawati raised the issue of his absence, saying it was a matter of regret that the Prime Minister had not arrived for the demonetisation debate.

She said that until and unless the PM is present, discussion will not move on and the House will not run.

She was joined by Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) and Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, who argued that if the Prime Minister listens to leaders, then the House will run smoothly.

Yechury said the government had given an assurance that the Prime Minister will be in the House all day.

Launching a counter offensive, Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Opposition was inventing reasons for running away from the debate.

He said the Opposition is coming up with a new pretext every day to avoid a debate.

The Finance Minister refused to accept the condition that the Prime Minister should sit in the House throughout the debate, saying it was not in the Rule book.

Azad countered Jaitley's assertion reminding that during debate on 2G spectrum scam few years back, BJP, then in opposition, had said that the House will not run until the then Prime Minister was present throughout the discussion.

Amid demands that Modi be present in the House during the course of the demonetisation debate, the Rajya Sabha witnessed uproar with leaders marching towards the well of the House, alleging that the Prime Minister had run away from the debate.

Due to the uproar, the House was adjourned till 3 pm and then for the day.

Earlier, when the lunch break was announced, the Prime Minister reached out to the opposition parties as he walked across in the House and exchanged pleasantries with his predecessor Manmohan Singh and other leaders of Congress as well as JD(U), NCP and DMK.

Modi, with Jaitley and Minister of State of Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in tow, shook hands and was seen chatting with Singh, as also Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma.

Modi also chatted with JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, Praful Patel of NCP and DMK's Kanimozhi and some other leaders.

In the morning, the united Opposition stalled the proceedings in the House as they continued to press for the Prime Minister's reply to the debate on demonetisation.

Soon after listed papers were laid and Zero Hour began, the Leader of Opposition said the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would like to speak, a request that Kurien agreed to.

However, Jaitley strongly objected to Singh being given an opportunity to speak outside the debate on the demonetisation issue.

Singh, he said, can participate after the debate resumes.

"If there is no debate, nobody from the Opposition should be allowed to speak," the Leader of the House asserted.

Jaitley said Zero Hour, where members are allowed to raise matters of public importance, cannot be allowed to be used as an opportunity to raise demonetisation issue.

Naresh Agarwal of SP pressed for admission of his notice under Rule 267 providing for suspension of business to discuss the demonetisation issue, during which Prime Minister should be present and also reply to it.

Kurien said no conditions can be put in this notice and disallowed it, saying it was not drawn in the proper format.

Jaitley cited the rule book to say that the House cannot take up another notice under rule 267 on the subject that has been debated in the House.

Derek O'Brien of TMC said Manmohan Singh should be allowed to speak and the Chair should take a sense of the House on the issue.

Singh was, however, not allowed to speak as members of the ruling side shouted slogans for resumption of the debate.

Naqvi said the discussion on demonetisation issue can be taken up immediately, while Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu asked why the Opposition was not willing to resume the debate.

Kurien said though the debate was listed to be taken up after the Question Hour, it was open to allowing it right away.

As the Opposition insisted on Manmohan Singh to be allowed to speak, the Deputy Chairman said he had not prevented him and that he could speak.

Singh, who had at the first instance of his name being called stood up to speak, sat down after BJP members protested. He did not rise to speak as the pandemonium continued.

Anand Sharma (Cong) said it was duty of the Prime Minister to respect the privilege of the House once a notice under rule 267 has been admitted on a subject which he had chosen to make public.

Kurien said he had yesterday clarified that the subject concerned the Finance Ministry and he can make sure that the concerned minister is present, but to call Prime Minister was beyond him.

As the slogan-shouting continued, he said he was helpless and the only way left for him was to adjourn the proceedings.

Mayawati (BSP) said the Opposition was united that the Prime Minister should come and listen to the debate as well as reply to it.

As the din continued, Kurien adjourned the proceedings till noon.

Mahajan warns SP MP Akshay Yadav for tearing papers in LS

New Delhi, Nov 24, 2016, PTI:

Expressing grave displeasure, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today warned SP member Akshay Yadav for tearing some papers in the Well and throwing it across, terming it a "disorderly Act".

While the Question Hour was in progress amid din created by Opposition members who had trooped into the Well, Yadav tore some papers and threw them towards the Speaker's podium.

This conduct of Yadav is a "gross violation of the norms of standards and etiquettes laid down under Rules and Conventions of the House", she said, adding "this conduct is not proper on the part of the member and also for the dignity and prestige of the House".

"I therefore, while, expressing my grave displeasure over the conduct of Shri Yadav warn him to refrain from such from disorderly act in future," she added.

Under Rule 349 (xxi) of Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha when it is in session, a member shall not tear off documents in the House in protest.

Mayawati dares PM to seek fresh mandate

New Delhi, Nov 24, 2016, PTI:

BSP supremo Mayawati today dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold fresh elections to know the people's view on demonetisation.

"I want to tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi that if you really are an honest man and want a correct survey and if you have guts, then dissolve Parliament and hold fresh elections," she said over the demonetisation issue.

Her remarks came a day after the PMO said that more than 93 per cent of the five lakh people who participated in a survey on Narendra Modi App have supported demonetisation.

The issue of demonetisation has rocked both the Houses since the commencement of the winter session. Blaming BJP for the disruption, Mayawati said the entire Opposition is seeking PM's presence in Parliament.

"The ruling party does not want Parliament to function as all the Opposition parties are demanding PM's presence in Parliament," she said outside Parliament.

Stiff withdrawal norms causing hardships for wedding families

Jaipur, Nov 24, 2016 (PTI)

 Stringent conditions imposed by the government on cash withdrawal limit of up to Rs 2.5 lakh for a marriage have made it difficult for the families with upcoming weddings to meet all guidelines in order to get the money needed for expenses.

Bank managers said most of the people who approach bank branches to withdraw cash for wedding are not able to fulfill the necessary criteria.

The RBI on Monday issued detailed operating guidelines for banks for dealing with such withdrawal requests.

It said that withdrawals would be allowed only from balance available before November 8 decision of the government to demonetise 500 and 1,000 currency notes and the same can be done only for marriages solemnised on or before December 30.

However, in a marginal relief, the RBI has relaxed one of several conditions for withdrawal of Rs 2.5 lakh from bank accounts by making declaration for payments beyond Rs 10,000 only. Earlier, the drawee had to declare all payments he had to make out of the Rs 2.5 lakh withdrawal from the account.

The apex bank said lenders will ask for three documents including a detailed list of persons to whom the cash withdrawn is proposed to be paid together with declaration from such persons that they do not have the bank accounts.

One Suresh Kumar, who has the marriage of his daughter on December 4, said, "I stood in a queue with a wedding invitation card but I was asked to furnish the detailed list of people, whom I have to pay, and also a declaration from them saying they do not have any bank account."

He said this is practically not possible to obtain such declaration from so many people so I returned without cash from the bank.

An SBI official in Mansarover branch said that he received many requests on Tuesday for withdrawal of money for weddings but people could not furnish the declaration so they returned without cash.

A PNB official said that a person requested the bank to allow him withdraw Rs 2.5 lakh but the cash was deposited in his account on November 10 therefore he was not eligible for the grant of the money. 

PM Modi reaches out to Opposition in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, Nov 25, 2016 (PTI)

 After days of confrontation between government and opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reached out to the rival parties as he walked across in the Rajya Sabha and exchanged pleasantries with his predecessor Manmohan Singh and other leaders of Congress as well as JD(U), NCP and DMK.
Modi, with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of State of Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in tow, made the gesture when the Upper House went into lunch break amid a debate on demonetisation.

The Prime Minister shook hands and was seen chatting with Singh, as also Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma.

Modi also chatted with JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, Praful Patel of NCP and DMK's Kanimozhi and some other leaders.

Earlier, Singh attacked the Government over demonetisation, saying it was a "monumental management failure" and a case of "organised loot and legalised plunder."
Singh said the decision will result in decline of GDP by 2 per cent.

The opposition had been stalling the House over the last five days, targeting the Prime Minister and demanding his presence in the House for resumption of debate on demonetisation, which had begun on November 16.

AP govt to distribute free mobiles for cashless transactions

Vijayawada, Nov 24, 2016 (PTI)

 The Andhra Pradesh government is planning to distribute free mobile phones to enable economically-backward people to undertake cashless transactions in the wake of the ongoing currency crisis.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu came up with this proposal during a review meeting with RBI officials and bankers here today.

"Everybody needs a mobile phone for digital transactions, so we want to implement this idea and distribute mobile phones," he said.

RBI officials informed the Chief Minister that another Rs 3,000 crore worth new currency notes were expected to reach the state by November 28.

Of this, notes of smaller denominations were expected to be around Rs 60 crore, they said.
The Chief Minister asked the bankers to review the situation constantly with their top officials through teleconference, till the problem eased out.

RBI representative Hari Sankar, Andhra Bank deputy general manager G S V Krishna Rao and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Army foils 2 infiltration bids in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 24, 2016 (PTI)

 The Army foiled two infiltration bids by militants in over the past 18 hours along the Line of Control in Gulmarg and Nowgam sectors in the Kashmir Valley.
"Two infiltration attempts by terrorists were foiled in the last 18 hours in Gulmarg and Nowgam sectors in the Kashmir Valley," an army official said.

The alert troops pushed back the intruders after heavy exchange of fire, he said.

FM says Opp running away from debate, hits back at Manmohan

New Delhi, Nov 24, 2016 (PTI)

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today accused the Opposition of inventing reasons to run away from a debate on demonetisation and took a swipe at former PM Manmohan Singh's over his criticism, saying it is no surprise that he is unhappy as "maximum blackmoney was generated" under his rule.

Rejecting Singh's contention that GDP growth will plunge by 2 per cent, he said demonetisation will have positive impact on the economy over medium to long term as the money from shadow economy will find its way into the mainstream.

"Those who did not consider the generation of so much black money and scams during their regime as blunder are now finding the crusade against black money as blunder," Jaitley said.

His response came after Singh castigated the government and the Prime Minister over demonetisation during Rajya Sabha debate, saying its implementation was a "monumental management failure" and a case of "organised loot and legalised plunder."

As the Rajya Sabha was repeatedly adjourned with Opposition insisting that the Prime Minister be present during the entire debate, Jaitley lashed out at the opposition saying it was not keen on debate but on disruption.

"The government position is very clear from the day one that we are ready for the debate.... The Opposition was finding excuses to avoid discussion but today morning they were taken by surprise when we announced that the Prime Minister will participate in the debate.

"Now they are inventing and manufacturing reasons to escape the debate," Jaitley told reporters here.

Lashing out at the previous UPA government, Jaitley alleged that "the maximum black money was generated during the 2004-14 as well as the period was engulfed in various scams like 2G and coal scam".

"We are not surprise that they did not like the anti-black money measures the government has taken...Those who did not consider the generation of so much black money and scams during their regime as blunder are now finding the crusade against black money as blunder," he said.

Stressing that demonetisation decision will have a "positive" impact on the economy, Jaitley said, "This (the move) will have positive impact as far as the medium and long terms are concerned. Lot of shadow money will become part of banking system (due to demonetisation)."

The Minister said the measure will increase lending capacity of banks which could extend the money to farmers, social sector and also industry.

Seeking to bring out contrast between the UPA and the current NDA regimes, the Minister said the previous government had "policy paralysis" and thus, could not take "tough decision" unlike the Modi dispensation.

On an allegation that the some BJP leaders were aware of the move, while Jaitley was not kept in the loop, the Finance Minister said, "This decision was kept a secret. The people who needed to know, knew (about it)... the allegation is already contradictory that the information was known to some BJP members as though I was not a BJP member."

Jaitley also rejected the accusation that RBI governor Urjit Patel did not address the media after the announcement of the scheme, saying the "office people are supposed to perform" and not come out in front of the camera.

Underlining that the demonetisation decision is in the interest of the country, he said the government has taken the "right steps" and is implementing it in the "right manner" and will defend it.

He also rejected the JPC demand by some of the Opposition parties, saying there should be some "evidence" or "blame" for initiating such investigation.

Sensible, pragmatic conversation needed b/w India, China: FS

New Delhi, Nov 24, 2016 (PTI)

With China not budging from its position on India's NSG bid, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar has called for a "sensible and pragmatic" conversation between the two sides on how "not accommodating" each other's aspiration was detrimental to the overall relationship.
The Foreign Secretary also observed India should use its soft power and do more in improving its image in China as people there do not have a very fair idea about the country.

The Foreign Secretary's comments featured in a report of the Standing Committee on External Affairs on India's soft power which was tabled in Lok Sabha yesterday.

"I do not think we should be in denial of what is the problem that we are having with China right now.

"So, at this time what is required with China is a sensible pragmatic conversation about how not accommodating each other's aspirations is not beneficial to the relationship. We need to have the conversation and we will have that conversation," Jaishankar has been quoted as saying in the report.

He was replying to a question on whether soft power can be employed in India's dealings with China.

Referring to the NSG issue, he said soft power has a value but asserted it cannot be substitute for some serious hard power arguments.

"..we cannot find a fix for a terrorism problem or a PoK problem or a NSG problem in soft power engagement per se."

At the same time, the Foreign Secretary said, "I do believe, particularly in China, we need to do more to improve our image there. I did two postings there back to back. I think an average American has an image of India which is much superior to what an average Chinese has of India.

"Therefore, clearly there is work to be done , there is soft power deficiency there which needs to be remedied."

Comparing India's soft power with that of China, the Foreign Secretary said India's pluralism, which does not have sharp edges, and the very lack of assertiveness make people comfortable and less threatened.

"A part of it was also because a democratic country with a culture of tolerance, culture of acceptance seems to be intellectually less domineering than China," he said.

The committee, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, said Indian diaspora is critical in promoting India's soft power besides Bollywood and Indian popular culture.

The Ministry told the panel that democratic and secular values, peaceful coexistence, friendly relations with neighbours and the strengthening of regional cooperation have been the tenets of Indian culture, political values and foreign policy.

In its comments, the committee felt government has been able to leverage India's soft power only in a fragmented way without the backing of a cohesive policy or commensurate financial resources. It recommended formulating a comprehensive and well structured policy delineating India's soft power resources.

The panel said a study can be done to establish the linkages between India's soft power and tangible outcomes in the field of diplomacy.

"The committee also recommends that India being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, we should propagate his values and philosophy through embassies in all parts of the world in a sustainable manner in the long run. In a world divided by strife and conflict, the path of non-violence and peace lit by Mahatma Gandhi decades ago could awaken nations around the globe to Indian's message once again.

"In addition, Gandhian values of environmental consciousness, 'small is beautiful' and moral living have once again become relevant to global public discourse. There could be no better time to revive interest in the Father of the Nation," it said.

Complimenting the role of Indian Council of Cultural Relations, the Parliamentary panel said budgetary constraints faced by it has a crippling effect on desired outcome. It said financial crunch is the sole reason responsible for decline in the number of activities by the ICCR.

Take Manmohan Singh's words seriously: Sena chief tells Govt

Mumbai, Nov 24, 2016(PTI)

After taking repeated digs at the Centre over demonetisation, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray today dubbed the move as "extortion of common man" and asked the BJP to take former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's words on the issue seriously as it came from a "renowned economist".
"I will not hesitate in taking a critical stand on the process in which demonetisation was implemented," Thackeray told reporters here.

"The way in which a referendum was sought in Britain before its withdrawal from the European Union, a survey is being done here. But seeing people's response, their (UK) Prime Minister chose to step down. Will something similar happen here?" he said.

Thackeray was apparently referring to the Prime Minister seeking people's feedback over demonetisation on the Narendra Modi App, where a number of questions have been posed with regard to scrapping of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

He said there was no point in Modi becoming emotional at a time when people have tears in their eyes.

"One person cannot take a decision for 125 crore people. Before taking the decision to demonetise the currency, people should have been taken into confidence," he said.

"Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a renowned economist. Thus, his words and opinions should be taken seriously. The way in which money is being collected, seems that money is being extorted from common man. You have brought tears in the eyes of people who made you come to power with a lot of aspirations," Thackeray said.

Coming down heavily on the government over the issue, Singh castigated the government and the Prime Minister over demonetisation during Rajya Sabha debate today, saying its implementation was a "monumental management failure" and a case of "organised loot and legalised plunder".

Referring to the Reserve Bank's decision not to allow district central co-operative (DCC) banks to exchange the old currency, the Sena chief asked if liquor baron Vijay Mallya had taken loans from these banks.

"Did Vijay Mallya take loans from any of the DCC banks? Banks from which he did take loans, how have they been allowed to exchange the old currency?" he questioned.
He said that the government should extend the dates up to December 31, until which defunct Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes are accepted at petrol pumps and hospitals.

Fallen wild elephant dies at construction site

Ghoramari (Assam), Nov 24, 2016, PTI

The female wild elephantthat had fallen into a pit along with her own calf and anotherbaby in a construction site in Assam's Sonitpur district, died today, forest officials said.

The female elephant died 19 hours after falling into thepit at the site of Patanjali Mega Herbal and Food Park at Ghoramari, leaving the animal immobilised there.

Assam Forest Minister Promila Rani Brahma visited the sitein the morning after the death of the elephant.

Brahma instructed Patanjali to leave 80 acres of land from the construction site so that wild elephants could move through that passage.

She also ordered the Forest Department to file an FIR against the contractor of the Park site for not taking measures like boundary walls to prevent wild elephants from falling into construction pits.

Stating the forest department does not have sufficient staff to regularly monitor one particular area, she said that it was impossible for one forest guard to protect wild elephants at the site 24 hours as there are many trenches in the construction site.

The minister said that the Forest Department have decidedto arrange a wild life medical team for this area.

The incident occurred yesterday morning when the calf ranout of the herd towards the construction site followed by hismother and another calf.

While one calf was able to come out of the pit, the otherwas rescued by people of the locality.

Uday Goswami, coordinator of Patanjali Mega Herbal and Food Park said, "It is a very unfortunate incident. From today we have arranged a generator-cum-inverter system electric boundary until we provide a permanent solar powered system to be completed very soon."

Of the 450 bigha land, Goswami said 200 bighas were leftfor the wild elephants to take rest as they have been taking shelter in that particular area, Goswami said.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesman Apurba Bhattacharya claimedhat the park area is an elephant corridor and a place thatthey use for giving birth to their calves.

In view of this, the previous Congress government in the state had kept the government land from being given to any one, he said.

He also demanded an enquiry as to how the land was provided to Patanjali.

The foundation stone of the Food Park was laid on November 6 by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in the presence of Patanjali founder Baba Ramdev.

Govt extends toll exemption on NHs till Dec 2 mid-night

New Delhi, Nov 24, 2016 (PTI)

 To ensure smooth traffic flow and mitigate currency hardships, the government has further extended the date for toll exemption on National Highways till mid-night of December 2.

The government also said the scrapped Rs 500 notes will be accepted at toll plazas on National Highways from December 2 mid-night to December 15.

"For smooth traffic movement across all National Highways, toll collection has now been suspended till mid-night of December 2," a road ministry official said.

Sufficient swipe machines will be installed at toll plazas with help from SBI and other banks in order to make help commuters make payments and facilitate easy flow of traffic, the official said.

The government had earlier announced its decision to keep the toll collection in abeyance till November 11 mid-night, which was later extended to November 14, then November 18 and later to November 24.

The decision has been taken to ensure smooth traffic flow across all National Highways and provide relief to the cash-starved people lining up outside banks and ATMs after Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were demonetised.

Instructions have been issued to all concessionaires, including BOT (build-operate-transfer), OMT (operate-maintain-transfer) operators and other fee collection agencies, about the extension of the toll suspension date.

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes to tackle corruption and black money, the government had on November 9 said no toll fee would be collected on National Highways till November 11 mid-night.

The government's earlier decision to accept the withdrawn notes at the toll plazas led to chaos in the absence of adequate change, causing massive traffic snarls. 

Demonetisation is 'organised loot, legalised plunder': Manmohan

New Delhi, Nov 24, 2016, PTI:

After five days of confrontation, Rajya Sabha today saw resumption of debate on demonetisation briefly during which former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the opposition attack, saying the step was a "monumental management failure" which would lead to dip in GDP growth by at least 2 per cent.

Singh termed demonetisation as "a case of organised loot and legalised plunder".

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the House, the opposition and the ruling side came to an agreement to do away with the Question Hour and resume the debate, which had been left incomplete on November 16.

Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Prime Minister will also participate in the debate.

The opposition had been demanding presence of the Prime Minister for resumption of the debate for the last five days. Modi attended the House during Question Hour as Thursday is the day of questions listed against the PM's name.

Debate was resumed during the Question Hour, from 12 pm to 1 pm, after which the House went into lunch break. When it met again at 2 pm, the Prime Minister was not there, prompting the opposition parties to demand his presence again as they wanted him to listen to all the speakers.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the discussion should be carried forward as the Leader of the House has said that Prime Minister will come.

Opposition members then trooped into the Well of the House shouting slogans like "bring back black money, stop making false promises".

Jaitley said his "apprehensions" that the opposition did not want the debate had come true as they were looking for "excuses" to run away from the discussion.

As pandemonium prevailed, the House was adjourned till 3 PM and then for the day as the same situation existed.

Earlier speaking during the debate, Singh said, "These measures convinced me that the way the scheme has been implemented, it's a monumental management failure."

The noted economist said the decision will result in decline of GDP by 2 per cent, which was an "under-estimate and not an over-estimate".

He said he agreed with the objectives of the scheme to demonetise currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 as spelt out by the Prime Minister but he wished to highlight the problems that the common people and poor have been subjected to by the move.

"It is not my intention to pick holes what this side or other side does. But I sincerely hope that the PM even in this late hour will help find us practical and pragmatic ways to provide relief to the suffering of the people of this country," the former Prime Minister said.

Singh said the common man and the poor have been in distress after the decision and hoped that the Prime Minister would find a "practical and pragmatic" decision to mitigate their sufferings.

He also disagreed with Modi's plea to wait for 50 days for the results of demonetisation to come about, saying no one knows about the final outcome of the decision.

"Well, 50 days is a short period but for those who are poor and deprived sections of the community even 50 days of torture can bring about disastrous effect," the former Prime Minister said, adding that's why about 60 to 65 people have lost their lives.

"What has been done can weaken and erode people's confidence in the currency system and in the banking system," he said, while observing that agriculture, unorganised sector and small industry have been hit hard.

Singh criticised the government for issuing instruction after instruction and modifying the rules every day on the conditions under which people can withdraw their own money.

"That reflects very poorly on the Prime Minister's Office, the Finance Minister's office and on the Reserve Bank of India," he said.

"I feel sorry that the Reserve Bank has been exposed to this kind of criticism which I think is fully justified," he said.

Referring to those saying that the move which was doing harm and creating distrust in the short run was good in the long run, Singh quoted renowned economist John Maynard Keyne to say that "in the long run, all of us are dead."

Asking Modi to spell out the names of countries where people have deposited their money in banks but are not allowed to withdraw it, he said, this alone is enough to condemn what has been done in the name of greater growth.

Participating in the debate, Naresh Agrawal (SP) said his party was against demonetisation and dubbed it as a "second emergency" that has brought about financial emergency in the country.

Such decisions have been taken "only by dictators" and not by elected governments anywhere in the world.

Agrawal said no one has the power to implement such a decision without the consent and approval of both Houses of Parliament, as the Parliamentarians are the true public representatives of people of the country.

He questioned as to how this decision was taken without any discussion in Parliament.
He said it is a very dangerous decision for the country and not in national interest.

The decision was taken only keeping in view the upcoming UP assembly polls, the Samajwadi Party leader said.

He also lamented that the decisions announced by the government have not been notified by the Reserve Bank of India which is yet to issue instructions to banks.

Welcoming Modi's presence in the House, the SP leader said it is good that government has shed its rigidity.

He said the Prime Minister was not aware of the ground realities where people were suffering largely on account of the scrapping of high value currency notes.

Agrawal recalled how even former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who enforced Emergency in the country, was informed at the time that the move has gone well with the public who support it.

But what happened in elections later was seen by all, the SP leader said, adding the demonetisation step will bring the same fate to this government if elections are held now.

Taking a dig at the BJP over its promise of bringing back black money stashed abroad, he asked it to declare when it would do so.

Agrawal also asked the government to declare how much is the NPAs of banks in India in comparison to foreign banks.

Agarwal also took a dig at the Prime Minister for making an emotive speech in Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh that he may be killed for his bold decisions.

He said Modi was free to roam around in Uttar Pradesh, which is ruled by his party SP, without fear as law and order situation was good in the state. This evoked laughter, with the Prime Minister too having a hearty laugh.

Agrawal also claimed that the demonetisation move was announced by Modi without taking Jaitley into confidence.

He said if the Finance Minister had known about it, he would have informed Samajwadi Party leaders, evoking another round of laughter.

In a retort, Jaitley said the real problem has come to light now.

BSP chief Mayawati said the decision to scrap high value notes was taken "without adequate preparation" because of which 95 per cent people were facing problems.

Referring to the government's survey to gauge people's views on demonetisation in which 90 per cent out of initial responses had supported the decision, she said that in fact 90 per cent people were facing immense problems.

She dared the government to dissolve the Lok Sabha and go to elections and see the result right now.

TMC leader Derek O'Brien said the government was trying to build a narrative that anyone opposing demonetisation is supporting the corrupt.

He questioned the government as to why it is giving lectures on corruption and blackmoney.

He said his party was opposing because it thinks the people are suffering and economy will be killed.

The Trinamool leader asked the government why it was creating this impression that it is some messiah and all in the opposition are devils.

O'Brien said if the government wanted to hold an inquiry, it should do it. He said if the government wanted to send his party leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to jail, it should try it.

He also took a swipe at the survey on Namo App and asked who were the 92 per cent people who were making the government happy.

He suggested that old Rs 500 notes should be allowed to function parallely with the new notes for a longer time as well as printing of more smaller denomination notes.

Secrecy cannot be an excuse for putting people to pain, he said, adding that 4 out of 5 villages did not have banks.