L A T E S T      N E W S

Parties should reconsider their stand on FDI issue vote: Govt

NEW DELHI: With a consensus eluding the all-party meeting on the FDI issue, government on Monday appealed to political parties who want discussion on it with a vote to reconsider their stand and hoped that a solution will be found. 

“I have appealed to those who want a discussion under Rule 184 (in Lok Sabha) to reconsider their views. I have heard everybody’s view. I will discuss the matter with the presiding officers of both Houses to see how Parliament gets to work. We will find a way out,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath told reporters after the meeting here. 

The meeting attended by BJP leaders L.K.Advani, Sushma Swaraj, RJD leader Lalu Prasad, TMC leader Sudeep Bandyopadhayay, DMK leader T.R.Baalu, BJD leader Arjun Charan Sethi, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav and BSP leader Mayawati among others lasted almost two hours. 

Describing the meeting as “very useful”, Nath said, “All political parties have given their views that the House must run. Political parties are unanimous that the House should run.” 

On differences of opinions at the meeting, he said, “Some political parties expressed their opinion that they want discussion with voting. Many others have said they want discussion and it does not matter under which rule...it should be left to presiding officers of both Houses.” 

Asked whether the government is shying away from voting, Nath replied in negative. 

“We are not shying away from a vote but we have to respect the feelings of other political parties also,” he said. 

BJD leader B.Mahatab said his party has already given notice for a discussion under Rule 184 in Lok Sabha which entails voting. He made it clear that his party is opposed to FDI in multi-brand retail, saying it will ruin the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. — PTI

Cauvery row: SC asks TN, Karnataka CMs to meet

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday asked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar to meet and find an amicable solution to the Cauvery river water dispute. 

The apex court bench of Justice D.K. Jain and Justice Madan B. Lokur said both the Chief Ministers should give top priority to the interests of farmers while finding an amicable solution. 

The court said: “There would be a problem if either of the two sides blinks, so we want them to meet in a congenial atmosphere.” 

The court said this in the course of the hearing of Tamil Nadu’s petition seeking direction to Karnataka to release 9,000 cusecs of water every day for 15 days as directed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who presided over the meeting of the Cauvery River Authority Sep 19. 

The Cauvery River Authority comprises all the basin states — Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, besides the union territory of Puducherry. — IANS

Kejriwal formally launches Aam Admi Party

NEW DELHI: Arvind Kejriwal on Monday formally launched his ‘Aam Admi Party’, saying now the fight will be between leaders and the common man who has been suffering for the past 65 years since Independence.

Addressing an impressive gathering at Parliament Street here, Kejriwal said the new party was the result of the struggle against corruption.

“We have named this party Aam Admi Party. Hope you support it,” he told the people who kept waving the tricolour and shouting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai.’

Before the official launch of the party, Kejriwal and some of his supporters visited Rajghat and then B.R. Ambedkar Memorial in Civil Lines.

He chose November 26 for the launch as it was on this day in 1949 when the country’s Constitution was adopted.

At the function, Kejriwal and others also paid rich tributes to those NSG commandos who fought valiantly against terrorists in Mumbai on the same day four years ago.

A former NSG commando Surinder Singh, who came out in open alleging that he was not given pension, was honoured by Admiral (retd) L. Ramdas.

“Now it will be neta (politician) versus aam admi (common man). The common man, suffering for the last 65 years, is going to establish own party and sit in Parliament,” Kejriwal told reporters.

Asked about his experience in politics, he said, “Indeed I don’t have experience of corruption and crime record like they (politicians) have and I don’t even wish to have such experiences.” 

He said inflation is due to rising corruption and if graft can be controlled, then a lot can be done to control price rise. — PTI

England win Mumbai Test by 10 wkts

Mumbai: India's ploy to prepare a spinning track backfired heavily as a spirited England inflicted a humiliating ten-wicket victory on the clueless hosts in the second cricket Test to level the four-match series 1-1 here on Monday.

Resuming at a precarious 117 for seven after conceding a vital 86-run first innings lead, the Indians were skittled out for a paltry 141 within an hour`s play on the fourth morning, leaving the visitors an easy target of 57 for victory which they achieved without much fuss with more than five sessions to spare.

Only Gautam Gambhir (65) provided a semblance of resistance before being the last man to be dismissed though television replays indicated that he was distinctly unlucky to be ruled out.

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar was the pick of the English bowlers with figures of 22-3-81-6 for a match haul of 11 wickets while Graeme Swann snapped up the remaining four wickets in a fine exhibition of spin bowling.

The two England openers Alastair Cook (18) and Nick Compton (30) overhauled the target in just 9.4 overs to complete the rout in a match which was dominated by the visitors in conditions which were tailor-made for the home team spinners.

Nation pays homage to 26/11 victims

Mumbai: It is four years since 26/11 terror attacks; Mumbai and India have not forgotten the pain and the bravery of the martyrs.

A solemn function was held at the 26/11 memorial at Mumbai Police Gymkhana. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar joined others, including the family of the heroes, paid tribute to the 166 people who died in one of most daring terror attack on Indian soil.

Family members of the victims, security personnel and residents of the city were present during the commemoration ceremony at the Gymkhana memorial to remember the victims of the attacks.

The wife of ATS chief Hemant Karkare and daughter of Vijay Salaskar, who were killed while fighting the terrorists, also paid tribute at the memorial.

Tight security has been put in place all across Mumbai and elsewhere in the country, as it is the first anniversary after the lone caught 26/11 terrorist, Mohammad Ajmal Kasab, was executed at Yerawada prison in Pune on November 21. The security has also been tightened after the Pakistan Taliban said they would attack Indian targets to avenge the 'killing' of Kasab.