NEW DELHI: Faced with the daunting task of getting back black money stashed abroad, the government on Saturday said it was having a relook at some of the bilateral tax treaties signed with foreign countries that may be hindering the repatriation of the money.

“Of course, we are,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in an interaction with PTI journalists at the PTI headquarters in New Delhi.

He was asked whether the government would have a relook at the bilateral treaties through which the government was not easily getting information about black money hoarders abroad.

Jaitley said he had sent a delegation recently to Switzerland and they have come back with some positive movement.

“We have to furnish evidence independent of the HSBC list. I can’t go to them (foreign countries) and they say the HSBC list is stolen, I won’t cooperate. So I won’t go to you on the basis of stolen list. But if I present to you some independent evidence about names which happen to come on the stolen list, then will you provide me the evidence?” he said referring to the discussions with Swiss government.

Asked if this was not provided in the current bilateral treaties, the Minister said, “This is what we have discussed. Increasingly the cooperation is increasing. Now if you see the US laws, they want more and more countries to accept that law which provides for automatic exchange of information.”

To a question whether India would be signing such a treaty, the Minister said, “Our application is precisely that. The Supreme Court, the earlier judgement, needs a clarification. So the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is looking into it.”

On another question relating to difficulties in getting black money from abroad, a promise of which was made by BJP during elections, Jaitley said there is a settled procedure and government has to go by that settled process.

“The world today is uniting to unearth these unauthorised transactions. Conventionally they were against crime money and not tax evaded money.

“Today even tax evaded money, which flies from one part of the world to another, there is exchange of information. And then if you are able to prove that it’s contrary to law they give you the supporting evidence. You have to go through that procedure. There is no other short cut,” he said.

The Minister parried a question about the possibility of an amnesty scheme to unearth black money, both within and outside the country.

“Every institution in this matter has to realise its responsibilities,” he said without elaborating.

To a question on the Congress criticism of the relaunching of the Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) in which even narco terrorism money can be laundered, Jaitley dismissed such fears saying there are adequate safeguards built in it.

He said the Congress gave its reaction without reading the notification on the KVP scheme and there cannot be a debate on “ill-informed or semi-informed facts”.

“In the notification we have said that the moment you buy those patras you have to give name and address. So the KYC norms are there and if you are buying more than Rs 50,000 then you have to give your PAN card.

“So the argument is narcotic dealers and narco terrorism and all those people will buy. But then they have to give their PAN cards and we will arrest all of them. You can’t have a debate on ill-informed or semi-informed facts,” he said. PTI

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked Centre to fix minimum support prices of crops like wheat and paddy in sync with rising input costs, while calling for implementation of the recommendations of Swaminathan Committee in this regard.

"In Punjab alone, farmers are under heavy debt to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore. If the Swaminathan formula is not implemented, there could be more suicides. "Further, agriculture being the backbone of economy, I would request Centre to have separate Budget for agriculture like Railways and Defence, which should be discussed and passed," Badal said after inaugurating CII Agro Tech 2014.

Further, he said, there is urgent need to develop and modernise water irrigation facilities like canals, while renewing focus on developing technologies and research. He asked Centre to fund all agricultural universities that are all financially starved. Recommending a concession on loans given to small and marginal farmers which should be set at nearly 2 per cent, Badal said this would help make farming more lucrative and bring latency to the sector. He said it is heartening to see the new government at Centre having focused policies for agriculture.

"To encourage diversification which would save the burden on soil and water, Centre must start procuring the certain commodities like maize for which it has just fixed the MSPs," stated the Punjab Chief Minister.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar noted that the Indian economy will progress if agriculture sector advances, while asserting the need for a second 'Green Revolution'. "Hence, it is the time for a second Green Revolution which calls for an urgent cooperation of various stakeholders including the state & central governments, scientists, universities and institutes," he added. He laid emphasis on the need to promote agro-processing industry and setting up of required logistics and supply chain requirement including the cold chains.

Industry body CII's President Ajay S Shriram highlighted the challenges faced by farmers. "Although farmers are now able to meet growing demands of food, but still structural barriers remain in the growth of the sector," he stated.

Pawan Goenka, Chairman, CII Agro Tech 2014, said Indian agriculture has come a long way since 1960, with the Green and White revolution paving the way for greater success. As many as 162 companies, including 36 overseas exhibitors are taking part in 11th edition of CII Agro Tech.- PTI 

NEW DELHI: In a fresh bid to break the Bofors jinx, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today cleared proposal to acquire 814 artillery guns for Rs 15,750 crore while deferring decision on joint bid by Tata Sons and Airbus to replace IAF's Avro transport fleet and also procurement of 106 Swiss Pilatus basic trainer aircraft.

The artillery guns would be procured as per the "Buy and Make" procedure introduced last year under which 100 such guns would be bought off the shelf while 714 would be made in India.

The Indian Army has not acquired artillery guns in the past three decades after the Bofors scam surfaced in 1986. Sources said at least six tenders have been issued so far but were cancelled due to a number of reasons including blacklisting and single vendor scenario. The plans to acquire such guns were first mooted under Army's Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP) formulated in 1999.


The decisions were taken after Parrikar chaired his maiden meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) here this morning. Defence Ministry sources said the DAC has cleared the long pending proposal to acquire 814 mounted guns of 155mm/52 calibre. Sources said a fresh Request for Proposal (RFP) would be issued for the procurement which will be open to public as well as private companies. The Indian private companies that are likely to make a bid for this project include L&T, TATA and Bharat Forge.

"The Indian company, when selected, will be the lead partner now. They can either show their ability to make the product completely here or tie-up with a foreign firm and build the guns here," a source said. Talking about the multi-crore joint bid by Tata Sons and European firm Airbus to manufacture 56 transport aircraft to replace the Avro fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF), sources said the DAC has sought additional information. A similar decision was also taken on the proposal to acquire an additional 106 Swiss Pilatus basic trainer aircraft for the IAF at an estimated cost of about Rs 8,200 crore.

The DAC also approved the revised payment schedule of Rs 7,160 crore for the IAF's Integrated Air Command and Control System which aims to integrate all ground and air censors.-PTI 

Will go after tax evaders: Arun Jaitley

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said he does not favour burdening the salaried and middle-class with more taxes but would go after the evaders in widening the net.

In fact, he would encourage more money being put in the pockets of tax payers that will lead to spending and collection of more indirect taxes.

"This widening of the tax base. What does it mean? I pay the same indirect tax as my attendant. Our volume of consumption may be different. So, everybody is paying indirect taxes.

"And literally almost half your taxes are indirect taxes today. He pays excise, he pays customs duty, he pays service tax. Now, as far as income tax is concerned, to bring those who evade tax is widening the tax net, I am all for it," the Minister said in an interaction with PTI journalists at PTI headquarters.

He was replying to a question on whether his Budget would look at widening the tax base to maximise revenue.

Jaitley, who will be presenting his first full-fledged Budget in February, said in his last Budget he had increased the tax exemption limit from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh and would even raise it further if he had more money.

"After all what are we talking about Rs 2.5 lakh today means, taking all the deductions which we have given, somebody up to Rs 3.5-4 lakh does not have to pay tax. So, we have reached the situation broadly.

"One earning Rs 35,000-40,000 per month; if the person puts some money for savings, (he) won't have to pay tax. But people falling in this bracket say they don't save anything with salary of Rs 35,000-40,000 (with) the present cost of living — the transport cost, the fees of children and so on," Jaitley said.

Therefore, the Minister said, he was against reducing the exemptions to widen the tax net. "Then, that's not my approach," he added.

"So I am quite willing, if I had my way and I had more money in my pocket, I would like to expand. But today the revenue position is challenging. Last time I gave several concessions, which were actually beyond my means.

"But it's all fine to bring those who evade tax under the tax net. But to bring this vulnerable section into the tax net, that can't be the policy today. In fact, if you put additional money in their pockets and allow them to spend, then I collect correspondingly more indirect taxes so I will rather encourage more economic activity."

On black money within the country, he said: "It is huge quantity and more easily traceable. Because you go to real estate, you go to land, you go to mining, you go to jewellery, you go to luxury goods, you will find the domestic (black money). You go to educational institutions, you will find it there. Therefore, to trace out the buyers and the recipients is also easy." — PTI

Obama’s R-Day visit great chance for bolstering ties: US officials

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama’s proposed visit to India in January 2015 is a great opportunity to strengthen and expand bilateral strategic partnership, top American administration officials and experts have said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday invited Obama to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, an invitation which has been accepted by the American leader. 

“First time a US President is to attend Republic Day (celebrations), which commemorates the adoption of India’s Constitution. We are committed to strengthening and expanding the US-India strategic partnership,” National Security Adviser, Susan Rice, tweeted.

Welcoming the visit Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications and a close confidant of Obama, tweeted: “President Obama is honored to be going to India in January as the chief guest for Indian Republic Day. Sign of our close ties and friendship.”

Teresita Schaffer, a retired American diplomat said, “A great honor and opportunity in what is still a complicated relationship.”

“This is a huge deal. Obama will be part of what may be the most theatrical parade in the world. The Chief Guest slot is by far the most prestigious invitation India can extend to a foreign leader,” Schaffer wrote on her blog SouthAsiahand.cm.

“Japanese Prime Minister was last year’s honoree. Obama is the first US President to be honored in this way, and the first to visit India twice during his time in office,” she said in the blog.

South Asia expert Michael Kugelman from Wilson Centre, a top American think-tank, described  Obama accepting the invitation as a great news that would “send strong message just weeks after the end of drawdown in Afghanistan”.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal, in a news dispatch from New Delhi, said the visit is a symbol of improving US-India ties after Modi travelled to the US in September.

“In a summit that officials said gave the two leaders an opportunity to establish a rapport, the two leaders agreed to strengthen security relations,” the daily reported. — PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday asked U.S. President Barack Obama to take up the Kashmir issue with the Indian leadership when he travels to India in January 2015.

Sharif made the request when Obama telephoned him, informing about his forthcoming India visit and discussing bilateral ties and the regional situation.

“The Prime Minister also urged President Obama to take up the cause of Kashmir with the Indian leadership, as its early resolution would bring enduring peace, stability and economic cooperation to Asia,” said a Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office statement on the discussions between the two leaders.

It said that Obama informed Sharif of his forthcoming visit to India in January to attend India’s Republic Day Parade as the chief guest.

During the call, Sharif recalled an invitation he extended to Obama in 2013 in Washington and conveyed the expectation of the people of Pakistan to welcome the US President to the country some time in the future.

“The President also assured the Prime Minister that he would undertake a visit to Pakistan at an early date, as soon as the situation normalises in the country,” the Prime Minister’s Office statement said.

During the call, Sharif also referred to his visit to India earlier this year to take relations forward.

Sharif alleged that India subsequently took “unfortunate steps, including cancellation of Foreign Secretary-level talks” and “firing across the LoC resulting in civilian casualties” which showed that “India was averse to normalisation of relations with Pakistan.”

Sharif said Pakistan “remains open to the resumption of bilateral dialogue, the onus is on India to create a conducive environment in this regard”.

“President Obama expressed his understanding for our position,” the statement said.

The two leaders also discussed the regional situation.

The Prime Minister referred to the improvement of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations as manifest in President Ashraf Ghani’s recent visit to Islamabad.

Later, the White House also confirmed that  Obama had called  Sharif on Friday.

“I can confirm that the President did speak with PM (Prime Minister) Sharif,” Mark Stroh, spokesman of the National Security Council, said. — PTI

KENEMA: An invisible, murderous enemy that puts caregivers in almost unbearable working conditions, Ebola is a gruelling test for even the most experienced humanitarian.

Joachim Gardemann had spent 20 years with the Red Cross in Rwanda, Bosnia and Syria before his toughest mission in eastern Sierra Leone.

"In a conflict, you avoid areas where there is risk, landmines... Here the enemy is everywhere," says the German paediatrician, who runs an Ebola treatment unit in Kenema district.

"Usually medicine is your best protection because if you work well, no one will attack you. With Ebola, you yourself are a target."

The virus has infected hundreds of local healthcare workers in west Africa, and has not spared their colleagues from more developed countries either.

A doctor from the Cuban contingent in Sierra Leone was evacuated Thursday to Geneva and a Spanish Doctors Without Borders volunteer in Mali was repatriated as a precaution on Friday.

On Monday a Sierra Leonean doctor evacuated to the United States died of the virus.

Gardemann's 60-bed unit has around 20 doctors and nurses originating from Switzerland, Canada, Norway and Portugal.

"We have experience, we've lived through wars, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods... In a catastrophe, after a few days you have fewer and fewer new patients. Here, they increase," he says.

And more than half of those patients leave the unit in disinfected body bags, he tells AFP.

The working conditions are exhausting for his team, who toil head to toe in rubber biohazard suits, plexiglass masks protecting their face and eyes in temperatures of more than 35C (95F).

Scottish nurse Margie Lee and her colleague Liz, from New Zealand, finish a round of the patients, having just given a pale toddler a blood transfusion.

Exhausted, the women pass together through a chlorinated shower to the undressing area, the most dangerous part of the process where they must peel off their suits without touching the outside.

Despite the exhaustion, they proceed meticulously, not letting their concentration drop.

Liz looks up, while Margie closes her eyes. Each item is methodically removed under the orders of a "dresser" who directs the procedure.

It takes 15 to 20 minutes for the nurses to remove everything, revealing blouses drenched in sweat.

"Without the dresser, even after three weeks we would end up missing a step," says Margie.

"We do two to three rounds per day, of one hour at most. Always in a pair and with a watch on the sleeve to check the time. We have to move slowly.

"Sweat forms a cloud on the mask, it runs down the inside... It's difficult to put in a drip, especially with gloves on. We know we have no room for error."

The heat and the intense concentration take their toll on the mind as well as the body, she says, describing the work as "emotionally exhausting".

Patients can die suddenly, the latest example an 18-month-old baby a day earlier who had arrived two weeks ago with its mother, who has also died.

The infant seemed to be doing well. But that's Ebola, says Margie.

"You are talking to someone who seems good and an hour later, he's dead," she tells AFP, voice faltering.

"The children... they die alone, suddenly, no one at their side. The others are afraid of them so they don't come near."

And when the young patients do get to see the nurse, she is hidden behind her mask.

"But they do not seem disturbed by our appearance, they accept it," Margie says.

For centre manager Ranveig Tveitnes, there is no let-up. Even in the evenings, the team get together to talk about the day's cases.
"The strange thing about this situation is that here, your safety comes first, then public health and only then the patient. It is difficult for caregivers," he says.

Healthcare workers are on assignment for four to five weeks -- a month or more with no physical contact, no handshakes, no kisses, no helping hands.

Recently a British medic who had become a friend of Gardemann left the centre.

"We both put on protective suits to be able to give each other a big hug," he says. — AFP

NEW DELHI: Voicing confidence of a breakthrough in talks with the Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said it has been a friend of BJP, and the two parties will remain friends in the future.

"The Shiv Sena has always been a friend and in future we will be friends," Fadnavis said at a leadership summit organised by an English daily.

The comment by the Chief Minister comes two days after Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who was BJP's Maharashtra in-charge, hoped that something good will emerge out of the talks between the two parties.

There is growing pressure from the ranks of both parties to patch up and be part of the ruling alliance in a bid to keep the NCP at a distance.

Fadnavis said the RSS was not mediating between the Shiv Sena and BJP, who parted ways just ahead of the Assembly polls due to differences over seat-sharing.

On the confidence vote, the Maharashtra Chief Minister said, "I have never faced so much criticism in 22 years of my political life as much I faced in the three days after facing no confidence motion." — PTI

KISHTWAR (J&K): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday exhorted the people in this Jammu and Kashmir town to unshackle themselves from the yoke of dynastic politics.

Modi said Jammu and Kashmir had been held hostage by two families for over 50 years - without naming either the Congress or the National Conference.

"One family rules and robs the sate for five years and then after it becomes unpopular, it gives the power to rob the state to the other family. They have done a political match fixing between themselves.

"I appeal to you to unshackle yourselves from the yoke of this dynastic rule," said Modi while addressing a well-attended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) poll rally here.

He asked people to vote for the BJP in large numbers so that the next government in the state is formed by the BJP on its own strength. — IANS

NAIROBI: At least 28 persons were killed on Saturday in an attack on a bus in Kenya's Mandera county, authorities said.

A group of over 100 armed men stopped the Nairobi-bound bus and ordered everyone out at around 5.30 am, Xinhua quoted Mandera Deputy County Commissioner Elvis Korir as saying.

"We were told that 100 armed men stopped the bus just after it left Arabia area and all the passengers were asked to come down and divided into two groups of Somalis and non-Somalis," Korir said, adding the non-Somalis were sprayed with bullets.

"We were also told that over 28 have been killed and many others injured, but we are yet to know the exact circumstances. We are planning to dispatch a team of security personnel to the spot," he said.

Mandera County Police Commander Noah Mvivanda said initial reports indicated that the attackers were from the Al-Shabaab group from Somalia. He said the attack occurred at a place near the Kenya-Somalia border.

Mvivanda said the armed militants asked everyone on board to recite the Islamic doctrine and those who failed were shot dead.

"Two young ladies who managed to escape said four police officers were among the dead, but we are yet to confirm," Mvivanda said.

As Kenya sent troops across the border into Somalia in 2011, northern and parts of eastern Kenya have been hit by a series of blasts, with many targeting security forces and humanitarian workers. — IANS

MUMBAI: An 18-member Indian team, led by Virat Kohli, on Saturday left for Australia to play in the four-match Test series starting in Brisbane from December 4.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will miss the first Test due to a right thumb injury and is expected the join side from the second Test onwards. Naman Ojha has been named the reserve wicketkeeper for the first Test and will return home after Dhoni joins the team for the second Test.

The other Tests are to be played at Adelaide (December 12-16), Melbourne (December 26-30) and Sydney (January 3-7).

The Test series will be followed by a tri-nation series comprising hosts Australia, India and England from January 16 to February 1.

The squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C), Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha, Naman Ojha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Karn Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron. — PTI