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Modi, Sharif shake hands after cold vibes
Kathmandu: The frosty Indo-Pak ties briefly gave way to some warmth when a smiling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif today shook hands and exchanged
pleasantries. But India cautioned against reading too much into such "courtesies".
Moments before the 18th SAARC Summit concluded after two days of deliberations here, Modi and Sharif shook hands and exchanged a few sentences to loud applause of other leaders and their delegations,
who were witness to the cold vibes between the two Prime Ministers at the opening session yesterday when they ignored each other.
"Let's not read too many things into courtesies that are being extended," Indian External Affairs Ministry
spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said on the brief interaction between Modi and Sharif.
"Baat bhi hui mulaqaat bhi hui (they met and also talked)," the spokesperson said, but categorically denied that there was any "one-on-one" contact between
the both.
Noting that India had already made it clear that there were no "substantive and structured" discussions between the two Prime Ministers, Akbaruddin said, "This is what exactly happened" and reiterated India's position for "cooperative, peaceful" relations with Pakistan.
During their brief interaction towards the end of the summit, Modi put his hand on Sharif's arm as the two leaders looked at cameras with a long handshake even as they exchanged a few sentences.
The brief Modi-Sharif bonhomie was summed up by a tweet by Akbaruddin, "the photo all were waiting for".
This was the second time during the day that the two leaders had shaken hands and exchanged pleasantries, the first occasion being the retreat in Dhulikhel, a picturesque tourist resort, about 30 km from Kathmandu, where the SAARC leaders held deliberations in an informal setting.
At the concluding session, Modi also clapped before and after Sharif's vote of thanks as the host for the next SAARC Summit in Islamabad.
As in the past SAARC Summits, the chemistry between Indian and Pakistani leaders grabbed much attention at this conclave of the eight South Asian nations.
There were hectic efforts to pursue the Pakistani side, which stalled the inking of the pacts on the pretext that internal processes were not completed following which three months' time was set for getting approval. - PTI
SAARC
countries sign energy pact
KATHMANDU: South Asian heads of state attending their first summit in
three years have reached a deal on energy sharing but failed on two
other economic agreements.
On the last day of the two-day summit on Thursday, the leaders flew to a
mountain resort near Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and agreed on
electricity sharing through a common grid.
During the retreat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan
counterpart Nawaz Sharif shook hands and talked in a group, but did have
one-on-one dialogue, according to Nepalese officials.
Indian officials have already said exchanging courtesies among the
leaders did not mean talks between the two South Asian nations. — AP
India moving towards tax friendly regime: Jaitley
NEW DELHI: With an aim to improve the environment for investments, India is moving towards a tax-friendly regime to correct the image which had become "bad" over the years, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today.
"Our tax system has to be friendly with tax payers and that is what we are trying to do step by step," he
said. He was replying to a debate on black money in the Lok Sabha.
Advocating a tax structure which discourages evasion, he said there was a misconception that high tax rates lead to higher revenues.
"High tax rates do not necessarily mean more revenue collection... The direct and indirect tax rates have to be brought to reasonable level so that the basket increases and there is no incentive for evasion," Jaitley said.
The government, he said, should not lose out of revenues.
"Those who have to pay taxes must pay taxes. Those who do not have to pay taxes, merely by raising demands does not serve purpose as they get stuck up in courts... We cannot allow tax evasion or avoidance," Jaitley said.
He further said there was a time when India had very high tax rates and the country's growth rate was mocked at as "Hindu rate of growth".
Referring to the steps being taken by the government to unearth black money, Jaitley said
the government had identified 427 account holders, associated with HSBC list, and efforts
had been on to complete tax assessment by March 31, 2015. He also said prosecution
had already been launched in several cases, and cases would be filed every week, and names would become public.
"When media comes to know, it will note that there are influential people in the list (of foreign account holders)," Jaitley said.
Members of Congress and TMC staged a walkout saying they were not satisfied with the Minister's reply.
Jaitley said, "In the last few years as an economy, we got a bad name from the world of investment that you are not
a tax-friendly regime."
While giving an overview about the treaties India has signed with various countries to deal with the black money, the Finance Minister hinted at changing laws as he noted there was some weaknesses in them.
"I admit that there is a weakness in law. If the black money stashed abroad has to come, how will it come? Even the SIT is worried about this," Jaitley said, while answering
a question in the house.
Asserting that the government would have to move carefully, he said those pushing for immediate disclosure of names would be helping black money account holders as they
would get alerted.
"Some account holders have already withdrawn money (from offshore illegal accounts)... We necessarily do not need to show bravado and adventurism," he said, while replying to Mulayam Singh, who wanted to know if there was still money in those accounts.
He made the mention about withdrawal of money with regard to 18 illegal accounts in Lichenstein. Asserting that government will not rest till the last account is disclosed, he said, "We are on right legal path...They (Black money holders) will be punished and forced to bring money back in the country."
Jaitley said if the government falters and make a hasty disclosure, "I will not get any evidence and the account holder will have the last laugh." -PTI
3
jawans, 3 militants among 7 killed in Jammu encounter
JAMMU/NEW DELHI: Three Army personnel and as many militants were among seven killed in a fierce gun battle that broke out today between security forces and militants who had sneaked into Arnia border sector along international border in Jammu district.
One civilian was also killed and two others were injured in the fresh bloodletting that came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu region tomorrow for Assembly poll campaign.
Elsewhere, Army troops foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control
(LoC) in Rajouri district and arrested a suspected armed militant.
"Three Army personnel and as many militants have been killed in the attack in Arnia sector in Jammu," an Army source in New Delhi said.
"As per initial reports from the area, a group of militants numbering between two to four infiltrated from Arnia belt of Jammu district and resorted to firing," a police officer told
PTI, adding that the security grid of the Army, BSF and police swung into action and launched a cordon and search for the militants this morning.
Army sources said the militants occupied a vacant bunker of Army's 92 infantry brigade in Pindi Khattar belt of Arnia border sector of Jammu district.
A fierce encounter broke out between hiding militants and security forces in which three militants were reported to have been killed, they said.
The encounter was on when the reports last came in from the area.
A car has also been seized in the area which might have been used by the militants.
A senior District administration official told PTI that the deceased civilian has been identified as Sunil
Sabarwal.
Meanwhile, a suspected militant was arrested after security forces foiled an infiltration bid this morning near the LoC in Rajouri district.
Troops noticed some suspicious movement near LoC in Leharan Company Operating Base in Lam Battalion area of Rajouri district around 0630 hours today, a senior army officer said.
The security personnel responded immediately and foiled an infiltration bid, he said.
During search operation, a suspected militant was apprehended and one AK-47 with 30 rounds, one Pakistan made pistol and Rs 8,100 Pakistan currency were seized from his possession.
He was identified as Adul Qayoomi alias Punjabi, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to campaign for BJP in second phase of Assembly elections in Udhampur and Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow.
Modi will address a rally in Udhampur district, which is 100 km from
Arnia.
According to Kashmir BJP spokesman Farooq Khan, Modi will address rallies in Udhampur district and border district of Poonch at 12
pm and 2:30 pm tomorrow.
Security has been beefed up by the BSF along the border and also in Jammu city, Udhampur and Poonch areas.
Army had yesterday said militants were out to disturb the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir but the forces were on alert to foil their designs. — PTI
J&K
Assembly polls: BJP releases 'vision document'
JAMMU: Promising to initiate the process of "just and honourable" re-settlement of Kashmiri Pandits, the BJP today released its 'vision document' aiming to make Jammu and Kashmir a peaceful and progressive state through "holistic" development.
"Our vision is to make the state of Jammu and Kashmir a peaceful, progressive and developed state of the Union of India through holistic and inclusive development of all the three regions including Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh," party MP and state in-charge Avinash Rai Khanna told reporters here today while releasing party's 'vision document'.
The party has promised to initiate the process of "just and honourable" re-settlement of the displaced members of the Kashmiri Pandit community in Kashmir Valley with security and dignity.
The BJP said if voted to power, the party would reserve three seats in the state Assembly for displaced Kashmiris out of the 46 Assembly seats meant for Kashmir Valley.
The party also said it would reserve five seats for refugees from the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir from the 24 seats kept vacant for the PoK.
"The party would reserve five seats for POK refugees out of 24 left vacant in the Assembly for POK and three for the displaced Kashmiris out of the 46 seats earmarked for the Kashmir Valley," he said.
Underlining the party's 'TIME' model, he said "our focus would be on the TIME model in which we would focus on tourism, infrastructure, modernisation, empowerment." In its vision document the party also promises to give 33 per cent reservation to women in the legislative Assembly and legislative council.
He said after coming to power, the first major work in hand would be to undertake the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of the floods triggered by the unprecedented rainfall during the first week of September.
"Favoritisms will be curbed and we will ensure justice to all aggrieved individuals and families. Direct cash transfer in the accounts of the affected persons would also ensured," Khanna said.
The party refrained from mentioning the much-debated revocation of the Article 370 in its vision document with the BJP leader saying the party had cleared its stand on the issue.
"We are fighting these elections on the issue of development and on rest of the issues we have made our stand clear," Khanna said.
The party stated that it would create a livable condition in exile in Jammu and elsewhere in the state until proper rehabilitation of the displaced members of the Kashmiri Pandit community in the valley.
The BJP had also said that it would bring reforms in governance, "BJP will ensure corruption-free and people friendly government. We will keep all public authorities out of political influences," he said. — PTI
Army foils infiltration bids in
Poonch
JAMMU: Army has foiled two infiltration bids on the line of control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir during the last 48 hours.
A senior Army officer told IANS in winter capital Jammu on Thursday,
"A group of heavily armed terrorists tried to infiltrate at Panjni Nallah in Balakote sector in
Poonch."
"Alert troopers foiled their attempt and pushed them back. There was firing between two sides which continued till 11
am yesterday," the officer added.
"There was another attempt at 2 am on Wednesday, but it was also foiled." "They want to derail the poll process but we are alert and won't allow them to create disturbances".
Constituencies of Poonch Havelli, Surankore and Mendhar in Poonch border district go to polls on December 2 in the second phase of the five-phased Jammu and Kashmir state assembly elections.
–IANS
Injured Hughes dead
SYDNEY: Australian batsman Phillip Hughes passed away on Thursday after succumbing to his injuries sustained during a domestic match when he was hit by a bouncer, Cricket Australia said.
He was 25.
"It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away," Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said in a statement.
"He never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday. He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends.
"As a cricket community we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip's family and friends at this incredibly sad time.
"Cricket Australia kindly asks that the privacy of the Hughes family, players and staff be respected." Hughes was fighting for life in St Vincent's Hospital after being struck on the head in a freak accident during a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground here yesterday.
The 25-year-old left-hander, who was on the verge of a Test recall, was hit on the lower head by a Sean Abbot bouncer following which he underwent an emergency surgery and was placed in an induced coma in the Intensive Care Unit of the St Vincent's Hospital.
-PTI
It's not cricket: tradition trumps innovation in helmets
SYDNEY: Former Australia cricketer Bryce McGain wore a new, safety-conscious helmet for a series of televised one-day matches a few years ago - and quickly found himself the butt of commentator and player jibes.
"They explained the technology and I liked the idea that it was safer," McGain said of the futuristic-looking helmet he wore in 2009.
"The commentators had a go, saying 'he looks like Darth Vader', 'he looks like Robocop'."
"It didn't bother me too much, but only a couple of other players wore it and if you don't have the players at the top, the ones on TV, wearing them, they won't sell."
They didn't. Sports manufacturer Albion Sports Pty Ltd pulled the helmet, which was designed to provide more coverage and deflection capability, after poor sales.
Helmet safety is in the spotlight after Australia cricketer Phillip Hughes
scrummed to his serious head injuries when struck by a short delivery on Tuesday. Hughes
died Thursday morning in a Sydney hospital after a devastating blow that experts likened to the trauma experienced by car crash victims.
Manufacturers say Hughes's accident was unusual and nothing on the market now would likely have prevented it. But they also say advances in cricket helmet technology are being stymied by a lack of enforcement of international safety standards and the reluctance of elite-level players who prefer the game's traditional aesthetics to adopt new styles.
Investment in new designs has gone instead to other sports such as cycling and baseball, which have been more open to radically different helmet designs than the so-called "gentleman's game".
A number of players, including West Indies batting great Brian Lara, say the incident was a rare but unavoidable reminder that the game is a dangerous one.
Others say that more could be done in a sport that became popular thanks to English aristocrats in the 17th century but only introduced helmets, without enforcement, in the 1970s.
"The ability of manufacturers to innovate is reliant on players embracing new technology and they are very, very traditional in cricket," Brendan Denning, chief executive of Melbourne-based Albion, said in a telephone interview.
"At the moment, we make incremental changes while trying not to upset the traditionalists," Denning said. "Other sports, like horse racing, more readily accept that injury is an issue."
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the British Standards Institution (BCI) agreed new helmet safety guidelines a year ago, the first revision of the code in 15 years. The changes focused on risks including a ball slipping between the faceguard and the peak and a ball hitting the faceguard.
Cricket Australia supports the new guidelines but neither the ICC nor any country regulators have moved to actively enforce the new rules, meaning players can continue to wear older helmets - if any at all.
"The issue now is having the professional and amateur players invest in the new products," said Tom
Milsom, founder and director of another major manufacturer, Ayrtek Ltd. "What it all comes down to really is enforcement." Albion's Denning said enforced standards "would justify us spending more on new technology".
The ICC, Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA), which represents players, declined to comment on helmet technology. The ACA said safety was a major concern and it would review the Hughes incident.
Officials haven't confirmed exactly where Hughes was struck, but footage suggests the batsman was hit on the back of the head, just beneath the helmet and behind his ear.
British sports firm Masuri Group Ltd, which made the 'Original Test' helmet worn by Hughes, said its new 'Vision Series' model released about a year ago offers more protection.
Masuri, the third major manufacturer of cricket helmets, declined to comment further.
Helmets have made some progress. Many now have faceguards manufactured from titanium and shells from carbon
fibre, lighter materials than the traditional steel and specialist plastics.
Albion's Denning said there were still several more possibilities for improvement, dismissing arguments about potentially limiting mobility or visibility.
"You could say that for baseball and we've had queries from the US about making helmets for them," he said. "They're surpassing cricket." -Reuters
SAARC leaders to push for connectivity agreements at retreat
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other SAARC leaders on Thursday headed for Dhulikhel in Kavre district, 20 km east from here, for a retreat as they are expected to make a last ditch effort to push Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif to ink the regional connectivity agreements.
Retreat is a tradition of SAARC Summit where leaders hold private, unofficial bilateral and multilateral talks in a relaxed and more informal atmosphere.
SAARC retreats are ideally organised outside the summit venue in resorts and hotels where the leaders can relax and discuss the bilateral and multilateral agendas.
It also provides an opportunity to quell disagreements on unresolved issues.
Since Pakistan has stalled the inking of SAARC connectivity on the pretext that they have not completed the "internal process", the leaders are expected to convey their keenness to ink the pacts.
Nepalese Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey had told PTI yesterday that "There are some roadblocks and we are working to clear them."
He also said his country will make all efforts to ensure that the connectivity pacts, including the motor vehicle agreement, are signed before the SAARC declaration.
"What was anticipated (inking of agreements) had not happened here. Virtually everybody who met the Prime Minister felt that this will not augur well for the
organisation. They were looking a possible review of the current situation given that the leaders will meet tomorrow at a retreat.
"They will informally perhaps raise these issues and convey their sentiments. This could be raised as a major discussion point at the retreat tomorrow," the External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson said yesterday.
-PTI
Modi to campaign in Jammu
on Friday
JAMMU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive here on Friday to address election rallies ahead of the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir polls.
Bharatiya Janata Party sources here said Modi will address poll rallies in Udhampur and Poonch districts of Jammu region.
"Like the Kishtwar election rally, we are expecting record a attendance of BJP supporters at these rallies tomorrow (Friday)," a party source said.
More than 40,000 people came to hear Modi in the mountainous Kishtwar town Nov 22 before the first phase of assembly elections Nov 25.
The second phase of polling will take place December 2.
Surankote, Mendhar and Poonch Haveli constituencies in Poonch district,
Ramnagar, Chenani and Udhampur in Udhampur district and Gulabgarh, Reasi, and Gool Arnas in Reasi district are going to poll.
In the Kashmir Valley, the constituencies going to poll include Devsar,
Noorabad, Homeshalibugh and Kulgam in Kulgam district and Handwara,
Kupwara, Karnah, Lolab and Langate in Kupwara district.
An unprecedented 70 per cent voter turnout was witnessed in the first phase of elections.
–IANS
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