NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday admitted before the Supreme Court that something went wrong with the coal blocks allocation and that it could have been done in a more refined manner.

“We took decision in good faith but something turned out to be wrong,” Attorney General Goolam E Vahanvati told a three-judge Bench headed by Justice R.M. Lodha.

“In hindsight, we can say something has gone wrong and some correction is required to be done,” he said, virtually accepting that mistakes were committed by the government in coal blocks allocation.

Vahanvati’s response came after the Bench observed that the exercise could have been done in a “far better manner”.

“Everything could have been done in more refined and better manner. I accept my lordships view,” the AG further said.

At the outset of the day’s hearing, the Bench asked the AG about the Centre’s stand on de-allocation of certain coal blocks.

In response, Vahanvati submitted the government would next week make its stand clear on the issue.

The AG had in September 2013 submitted that coal blocks allocation was merely a letter of intent and does not confer any right to the companies over the natural resource which is decided by the state government.

He had contended that decision of coal blocks allocation to companies is only the first stage and firms get rights over coal only when they start mining for which they have to take various clearances.

The mining states of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, however, had earlier told the apex court that coal blocks allocation was “entirely controlled and regulated” by the Centre and they only played a minimal role in the whole exercise.

The court is scrutinising coal blocks allocation since 1993 on three PILs seeking cancellation of blocks on the ground that rules were flouted in giving away the natural resource and that certain companies were favoured in the process. — PTI

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has decided not to pursue its proposed tie-up with Internet giant Google after concerns over national security were raised from several quarters, including major parties.

The US-based Google had earlier this week made a formal presentation to the Election Commission proposing a tie-up with it for voter facilitation services ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The Commission, in its meeting in New Delhi on Thursday which was attended by Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath and Election Commissioners H.S. Brahma and S.N.A. Zaidi, deliberated on the issue and decided not to go ahead.

“After due consideration, the Commission has decided not to pursue it any further,” said an EC official.

The EC said Google had proposed to provide electoral look up services for citizens to help in Commission’s efforts for better electoral information services.

The Commission had earlier signed a non-disclosure agreement with Google but had not shared or handed over any data to the Internet giant so far and was deliberating on the tie-up with it for using its search engines for voter facilitation.

Congress and BJP, besides some cyberspace experts, had voiced concerns over the proposed tie-up, saying stakeholders should have been consulted before a decision.

The Congress legal cell has written to the Chief Election Commissioner raising security concerns over the proposed tie-up and hoped it will not have any effect on the electoral process and national security.

BJP also expressed concerns and said the issue could have been discussed first at an all-party meeting by EC.

Questioning the EC’s move, a group of cyber security experts had written to the panel amid concerns over sharing of vital data pertaining to Indians to a foreign company.

The concerns also come at a time when eyebrows have been raised over leaking of vital data of Indians to United States intelligence agencies as exposed by Edward Snowden. — PTI

WASHINGTON: US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz has cancelled his crucial trip to India this month in view of the strained relations between the two countries over the arrest of an Indian diplomat on alleged visa fraud charges.

The India-US Energy Dialogue to be led by Moniz was expected to make significant progress in energy co-operation and export of American shale gas to India.

It would be rescheduled for a mutually convenient date later, State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said.

"We place great emphasis, as you know, on the US-India energy partnership. It was an issue when the Secretary (of State, John Kerry) was there, and he even gave a speech talking about these issues — a key element of our strategic partnership," Psaki said.

"In view of these important matters and in order to find the time to allow both sides to deliver on the important issues that we need to from both sides, we're looking for a mutually convenient time in the near future that will permit both sides to do that," she said.

"We remain committed to holding this dialogue and we'll look for a time to hold it," she said, adding that the energy dialogue would be re-scheduled soon.

Ties between India and US have suffered a setback after the arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in New York on alleged visa fraud charges last month.

Moniz's visit for the India-US Energy Dialogue was considered an important one for both the countries after a summit between US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the White House in September last year.

Both the leaders had identified co-operation in the energy sector as an important pillar of India-US Strategic Partnership. In fact, clean energy was the focus of Kerry's India visit last summer.

During their meeting, Obama and Singh had discussed ways to strengthen bilateral efforts to promote energy efficiency, clean energy, and address climate change.

The US-India Energy Dialogue was launched on May 31, 2005 to promote increased trade and investment in the energy sector. Five working groups had been set up under the initiative in areas of oil & gas, coal, power and energy efficiency, new technologies & renewable energy and civil nuclear co-operation.

Another working group on 'sustainable development' was added recently. The last India-US Energy Dialogue took place in September 2012.

Preparations were on to make significant progress on US giving approval for LNG export to India during this visit, sources said.

India has been pushing the US to expedite this process to meet its galloping energy needs.

The now postponed India-US Energy Dialogue was also expected to implement the decisions taken by Obama and Singh with regard to clean energy. — PTI

US court rejects Devyani's request to extend hearing

NEW YORK: In a major setback to Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, a federal judge has denied her request to extend the January 13 deadline for a preliminary hearing, the date by which she has to be indicted.

Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York said adjournment of the date will not grant her the “relief she seeks” regarding plea negotiations between her and the government to resolve the visa fraud case.

An indictment or information charging the defendant with the commission of an offence must be filed within 30 days of the date of the defendant’s arrest or service of a summons in connection with such charges, she said in her order.

Any adjournment of the preliminary hearing date will not have any impact on the filing of the indictment.

“The defendant has requested only that the preliminary date be adjourned for 30 days for good cause shown... Because a modification of the hearing date will not itself alter the time period for the filing of an indictment or information, the defendant’s concerns regarding the pressures of an impending indictment on plea negotiations will not grant her the relief she seeks.”

“Therefore, good cause has not been demonstrated, and the defendant’s request for an adjournment of the preliminary hearing date is Denied,” Netburn said in her three-page order issued late on Wednesday.

She said since Khobragade was arrested on December 12, 2013, she “must be indicted (or an information by the government must be filed against her)” by January 13.

“Therefore, an extension of the preliminary hearing date ...will not relieve the pressure identified by the defendant. Moreover, the defendant cannot extend Speedy Trial time limits merely by filing a waiver.”

“The Speedy Trial Act is not solely a protection for the defendant,” Netburn said in her judgement, “it is also designed to serve the public’s interest in a speedy trial of those charged with federal criminal offences.”

The order means the indictment against Khobragade will now have to filed before or on January 13.

Her lawyer Daniel Arshack had sought postponement of the preliminary hearing date and extension of the indictment deadline by 30 days “to and including February 12, 2014”.

He had said that the extension is being sought in order to facilitate the plea discussions that have been ongoing between his office and Khobragade.

Netburn ruled that “an adjournment of the preliminary hearing date will not grant the defendant the relief she (Khobragade) seeks”.

A 1999-batch IFS officer, Khobragade was arrested on charges of making false declarations in a visa application for her maid Sangeeta Richard. She was released on a $250,000 bond.

Meanwhile, more than 20 days after it was submitted by the UN, the US continues to review the visa application of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade which would give her full diplomatic immunity.

The unusual delay in granting Khobragade G-visa, which would prevent her from any further arrest, has raised the anxiety level among Indian officials as the next day of court hearing fast approaches in New York next week.

“We’ve received the paperwork. It’s under review. I don’t have any other details on it, or updates,” State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters.

Days after Khobragade was arrested on December 12, in New York on charges of visa fraud and misrepresentation, India transferred her to the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, with the hope that she would get the necessary G-visa that would grant her full diplomatic immunity.

Her paperwork was processed immediately by the United Nations and was sent to the State Department on December 20.

The process normally takes a few days, but in this case it is into its third week now.

Khobragade, who is now staying in New York at the Permanent Mission of India, was released on bail of $250,000 and her passport is in possession of a New York court.

The case is scheduled for January 13.

The State Department spokesperson said the legal piece is being managed by the Southern District of New York.

“We’re, of course, in touch with the Indian government, but I don’t have any other details beyond that,” she said in response to a question. — PTI

NEW DELHI: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Thursday said NRIs should not be "weighed in dollars and pounds" and their experience should be used to give new direction to the nation.

"When we talk about NRIs, we think that they will bring dollars and pounds. Our Indian brothers and sisters should not be weighed in dollars and pounds," Modi said at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

"They have a different work culture, global exposure, knowledge and experience. This experience can take us in a new direction," he said.

Modi also made several veiled attacks at the Central government, and said NRIs and other investors now want to deal directly with state governments.

"Prime Minister said something good yesterday (Wednesday). He said one should not lose hope, good days will be back soon," Modi said addressing the NRIs meet on its third day.

"Maybe we will have to wait four-six months for that, but I am sure good days are ahead," Modi said, referring to the time when a new Central government will assume office. — IANS

NEW DELHI: Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli are the leading candidates for the 2013 ESPNCricinfo awards, nominations for which were announced on Thursday.

The annual ESPNCricinfo awards recognise the best performances in Tests and ODIs through the year and the Indian trio figured in both the Test batting performance of the year and ODI batting performance of the year nominations.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made the grade in the Test bowling performance of the year, while Ravindra Jadeja was shortlisted for the ODI bowling performance of the year.

An independent jury will decide the winners in the four individual performance categories, while fan voting on ESPNcricinfo will determine the Best Debut of the Year award.

The winners will be announced later this year at a gala event in Mumbai.

Dhoni figured in the list of Test nominations for his herculean 224 effort in the first Test against Australia in Chennai, while his unbeaten 139-run knock in the lost cause against the same opponent in the third one-dayer in Mohali also found a place in the ODI scheme of things.

Dhawan also got two nominations — 187 in his debut match against Australia in the third Test in Mohali and his 114 in the first match of the ICC Champions Trophy one—day series against South Africa in Cardiff.

The nominations also included Kohli’s 119 against South Africa in the first Test at Johannesburg and his superb unbeaten 52-ball 100 while chasing the target of 360 runs against Australia in the second one-dayer in Jaipur.

Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking 209, which included a world record 16 sixes, against Australia in the seventh ODI in Bangalore also found a mention in the ODI performance of the year.

Ashwin was nominated for his 7 for 103 against Australia in the first Test in Chennai, while Jadeja’s 5 for 36 against West Indies in the sixth match of the ICC Champions Trophy at The Oval saw him shortlisted in ODI’s best.

Australia, England and South Africa players got three nominations each in the Test bowling category, while their players also led the batting list with two nominations each.

The winners in four Performance categories will be selected by a jury panel that includes Ian Chappell, Rahul Dravid, Martin Crowe, Mark Butcher, Sanjay Manjrekar, Daryll Cullinan, Ramiz Raja, Rusell Arnold, Mark Nicholas, and the senior editors and writers of ESPNcricinfo.

The awards also again feature the Statsguru awards — more than 30 award categories based purely on statistical achievement from international matches in 2013.— PTI

PANAJI: With the recovery of three more bodies from the debris, the death toll in Canacona building collapse in Goa has risen to 24 even as the operation to remove the rubble has entered its final phase.

"We recovered three more bodies from the debris of the building last night and search is on for more," Ashok Menon, in charge of rescue operation, said on Thursday.

He said the rescue operation had been continuing manually after buildings adjacent to the site tilted.

The demolition of these buildings is likely to start on Thursday, he added.

More than 40 people were trapped under the debris when the under-construction five-storey building caved in on Saturday afternoon.

Rescuers have since managed to pull out 16 people alive from the debris.

Police had arrested deputy town planner Prakash Bandodkar on Monday night in connection with the collapse.

However, municipal engineer Ajay Desai and three directors of a property firm (Bharat Realtors and Developers), constructing the structure, are still untraceable. 
— PTI

Srinagar: The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed on Thursday after fresh snowfall in Bannihal and Patnitop sectors of the over 300-kilometre long road in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Fresh snowfall has occurred during the night in Bannihal and Patnitop sectors of Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

"Keeping passenger safety and road conditions in view, the highway has been closed today (Thursday) morning for all sorts of vehicular traffic.

"Intending passengers are advised not to undertake the journey before contacting traffic police control rooms in Srinagar and Jammu.

"Snow clearance operations will be started today after the snowfall stops in these sectors of the road.

"Around one and half feet deep snow had accumulated on the road in Bannihal and Patnitop in the morning and latest reports indicate intermittent snowfall still continues there," a senior official of the traffic police told IANS in Srinagar.

All supplies of essential goods, including petrol, diesel, kerosene oil, foodstuffs, cooking gas, and medicines are brought in through this highway which is the only connection between Kashmir and the country.

Rail services between Bannihal town in Jammu and Baramulla in North Kashmir were also suspended Thursday morning due to snowfall. Railway officials said the services would resume after the tracks were cleared later in the day. — IANS