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Near total bandh in coastal, southern AP
Telangana resolution may be rejected in Assembly |
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Khurshid to attend Iranian Prez inauguration
Local area development grant of K’taka legislators doubled
IAS officer’s suspension
CRPF to train Chhattisgarh cops to fight Maoists
Several hurt in Lucknow sectarian violence
Koda released on bail after 44 months in jail
UK move on visa bond a ‘negative step’
Delhi’s Shame
Complaint against KBC for ‘defaming’ legal profession
Koda released on bail after 44 months in jail
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Near total bandh in coastal, southern AP
Hyderabad, July 31 The two regions, comprising 13 of the state’s total 23 districts, observed a shutdown in response to a call given by the United Andhra Joint Action Committee (JAC) to protest the division. Apparently depressed by the decision to divide the state, an MBA student committed suicide in the south coastal town of Guntur while a Home Guard tried to end his life in the north coastal city of Visakhapatnam. Educational institutions and commercial establishments were closed while protesters resorted to arson and attacked public properties and buses. Statues of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were desecrated in the Seemandhra region. Agitated youth turned Anantapur town into a battleground, pelted stones and attacked party offices of the Congress and the BJP. The police baton-charged the protesters and arrested several JAC leaders in an attempt to defuse the situation. The RTC buses of various depots across the two regions did not move out, as the staff refused to operate the services. With buses off the roads, including inter-state and inter-district services, passengers were stranded at various bus depots in the region. Members of the Student JAC staged dharnas in front of residences of Congress and TDP leaders in various districts. Yielding to the students’ demand, TDP’s Hindupur MLA Abdul Ghani submitted his resignation. The residence of Union Minister for Textiles K Sambasiva Rao in Eluru of West Godavari district also became the target of attack by agitators, who raised slogans demanding his resignation. In Kadapa, workers of a thermal power project boycotted their duties. In Anantapur, bordering Karnataka, truck drivers refused to move oil tankers in solidarity with the agitators. Even as protests broke out in Seemandhra, ministers from the region called on Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy here and deliberated about their future course action. The Chief Minister counselled restraint and asked them not to resign. Following the decision to bifurcate the state, security has been beefed up in the two regions. In addition to the state police, central paramilitary forces have also been deployed in large numbers. Meanwhile, main Opposition Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu demanded constitution of an expert committee to assess the quantum of funds required to develop a new capital city for Seemandhra. Stating that a staggering Rs 4 to 5 lakh crore was required to build and develop a new capital with all infrastructure in place, he said the new capital should be on par with Hyderabad on all aspects. “The Centre should provide full monetary support for building the new capital and should also ensure that that a number of public sector undertakings, research institutes and premier educational institutions are set up for the people of the other two regions,” he said. 1 dead in Assam An indefinite curfew was imposed in Diphu after one person was killed and 21 injured in a police firing on Wednesday. Protesters set on fire several government buildings and vehicles to press for their demand for a separate state for Karbi tribe comprising Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts. The civil administration called out the Army to control the situation. Fire-tenders were pressed into service to save government quarters that were set on fire by protesters.
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Telangana resolution may be rejected in Assembly Hyderabad, July 31 As a procedural formality, the Union Cabinet will request the President to ask the Andhra Pradesh Legislature to adopt a resolution spelling out where it stands on the issue of bifurcation. The state Assembly and the Council will have to send their "opinion" within 30 days. But it will not be binding on the Centre. Since the UPA government has decided to carve out Telangana state, it will introduce the Bill in Parliament under Article 3 of the Constitution. It is required to be passed by a simple majority. In the 294-member Assembly, the legislators are divided on regional lines. While Telangana members, irrespective of their party affiliation, have been rooting for a separate state, their counterparts from Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra, jointly referred in the media as Seemandhra, are opposed to bifurcation. The Telangana region accounts for 119 members in the Assembly, while Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema have 123 and 52 members, respectively. They are expected to vote according to their regional loyalties. In such an eventuality, any resolution on bifurcation is bound to be defeated.
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PC hints at steps to arrest
Rs decline, boost FDI flows New Delhi, July 31 Finance Minister P Chidambaram spelled out these measures along with liberalising long-term external commercial borrowings (ECB) and talking to sovereign wealth funds and pension funds for financing the current account deficit (CAD) in a stable way. The CAD is among the main reasons for the weakness in the rupee which even after a liquidity squeeze by the RBI breached the 61 mark to the dollar in trade today. Addressing a press conference on the completion of one year in North Block, Chidambaram said the government was looking at some compression in non-oil and non-gold imports, especially of non-essential goods. This, he cited could be stuff like electronic hardware which can be manufactured within the country. Elaborating on compression on imports, Chidambaram said officials were preparing a list of non-essential goods with a view to limit their inward shipments. This was one of the suggestions made at the meeting on Monday that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held with industry. The Finance Minister while not ruling out a sovereign bond issue said the government would not rush into it. The RBI had yesterday cautioned against such an issue. The government is, however, exploring a quasi sovereign bond issue in the form of PSUs raising money in international markets and tapping
NRIs for long-term funds which could be in the form of a deposit scheme through banks. While stressing on the need to revive investment, Chidambaram acknowledged that the big industrial houses have not been investing and credit demand has been sluggish. On FDI in multi-brand retail, Chidambaram said the Industry Ministry is giving final touches to tweaking some of the norms for sourcing and the changes will be cleared shortly after Cabinet approval. He said that the economic growth rate in the current fiscal will improve to 5.5-6 per cent from 5 per cent a year ago. This is lower than the target of 6.5 per cent set at the time of the presentation of the Union Budget in February. On giving further extension to RBI Governor D Subbarao, Chidambaram said he had expressed his desire to move on and the government has started looking for new central bank head. The government, the minister said, would achieve targets with regard to fiscal deficit and fully finance the CAD. The government expects to make considerable savings in foreign exchange by curbing the imports of gold. "We hope to contain gold imports at a level of well below last year's total imports of 845 million tonnes and save a considerable amount of foreign exchange which will have a positive impact on CAD", he added. FM’s prescription
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Khurshid to attend Iranian Prez inauguration New Delhi, July 31 The visit will provide Khurshid an opportunity to ascertain the new Iranian leadership’s views not only on India-Iran relations but also on global affairs, particularly Tehran’s ongoing stand-off with the West over its controversial nuclear
programme. Rouhani, considered a moderate, was a surprise winner in the June 14 elections. Even the Western nations are expecting a change in Tehran’s defiant attitude under his leadership. Outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was treated like a pariah by the West. Significantly, Iran has sent out invitations to all countries, barring the US and Israel, for attending the swearing-in ceremony of its new President. His inauguration will take place a day after Rouhani’s official endorsement by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari are among the dignitaries likely to attend the ceremony. So far, India has been represented at such swearing-in functions in Tehran by its diplomats. But this time around, the PM himself took the initiative to depute Khurshid to attend the ceremony, keeping in view various factors like the historical ties between the two nations as also the evolving situation in the region. Rouhani had written to Manmohan Singh earlier this month, emphasising that developing relations with India “will be a foreign policy priority for the next Iranian administration.” Iran is critical to India in the context of the planned withdrawal by NATO forces from Afghanistan in 2014. Both India and Iran are worried over the scenario likely to unfold in Afghanistan after the drawdown. India also has decided to build the Chabahar Port in Iran that will provide it a critical transit route to Afghanistan and Central Asian states. Although India has reduced its oil imports from Iran in view of the sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic by the US, New Delhi still depends heavily on Tehran for meeting its energy needs. Khurshid, who had visited Iran in early May on a bilateral visit, is said to have good equation with several Iranian leaders. Outgoing Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi had last week telephoned Khurshid to convey his condolences over the death of the latter’s father Khurshid Alam Khan. A surprise winner
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Local area development grant of K’taka legislators doubled
Bangalore, July 31 Siddaramaiah announced this in the Assembly here today while replying to the debate on the budget proposals. A total of 300 legislators - 225 MLAs and 75 MLCs - will have their local area development grant doubled following Siddharamaiah’s announcement. The reply was marred by a heated exchange of words between Siddaramaiah and Leader of the Opposition HD Kumaraswamy of the Janata Dal (Secular). It all started when Siddharamaiah recalled how he had been prevented from becoming the CM twice in the past by the Gowda family (Kumaraswamy and his father former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda) when the Janata Dal was in power on its own in Karnataka from 1994 to 1999 and in coalition with the Congress in 2004. Siddharamaiah alleged that despite having the support of the majority in the Janata Dal Legislature party (Siddaramaiah was in the JD-S then) and eligibility to become the CM, he was sidelined and JH Patel was chosen ahead of him for the top post when it became vacant following Deve Gowda becoming the Prime Minister. While the revelation amused the opposition members, Kumaraswamy took strong exception and said it was the JD (S) only that made Siddharamaiah the Deputy CM. Siddharamaiah also mentioned that Kumaraswamy had ditched BS Yeddyurappa during the JD(S)’s coalition with the BJP, breaking the promise of sharing the CM’s post with Yeddyurappa. Siddharamaiah further alleged that in 2004, when the JD(S)’s coalition with the Congress was being formed, Deve Gowda did not press for Siddaramaiah’s candidature with the Congress high command for the CM’s post. Dharam Singh of the Congress was then made the CM and Siddaramaiah, still with the JD(S), became his deputy. As the argument showed signs of going out of control, senior Congress MLA Ramesh Kumar intervened and advised the fighting duo to not rake up past issues. Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa tried to bring the house to order by asking the two leaders to close the issue and proceed with the budgetary discussions.
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IAS officer’s suspension
Lucknow, July 31 Senior minister and uncle of Chief Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav said if the officer would not have been suspended there would have been communal violence in Gautam Buddha Nagar where Nagpal had reportedly ordered the demolition of the wall of the mosque in Kadalpur village. “The owner of the land where mosque was being built had no problem, still the SDM got it demolished. There would have been riots if we did not act,” said Yadav adding that if officers are negligent then the state government would have to act against them. Categorically denying any correlation between Nagpal’s suspension and her clamp down on the illegal sand mining mafia in the area, Yadav said there was no such mining activity in the district. Amidst reports that the Akhilesh Yadav government was likely to file a chargesheet against Nagpal, the suspended officer
has taken up her new assignment with the Board of Revenue in Lucknow. Meanwhile, BSP president Mayawati said that Nagpal’s suspension proved that the rule of the mafia was prevailing in Uttar Pradesh. Demanding the Central and Governor’s intervention in UP, she said justice must be given to the woman officer who had been sacrificed to appease the mining mafia. “The law and order situation is dismal and honest and upright officers are facing hardships and punitive action. If the center and the Governor do not intervene, it will be difficult for honest officials to function under the SP government and this does not augur well for democracy,” she pointed out.
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AFT stays top-level JAG Dept promotion
Chandigarh, July 31 While two Brigadiers from the JAG Department had alleged manipulation and violation of policy in the selection board proceedings to promote officers to the department’s apex position, the Central government’s representatives stated in court today that it was not only always practical to adhere to the stipulated policy in the overall interest of the force. In their separate petitions, Brig Dinker Adeeb and Brig PK Sharma had averred that that a junior officer, Brig T Parshad, was hastily granted out of turn relief on the eve of the selection board’s meeting and then his name was considered with a changed, improved profile resulting in his empanelment for promotion to the rank of Major General and consequently superseding those senior to him. The petitioners have alleged that the agenda and career profiles of officers are frozen five days prior to the selection board’s meeting and changes cannot be introduced just prior to the board’s meeting. However, in this case the records were edited and changed to include Brig Prashad’s improved profile just two days before the meeting. They also pointed out that selection board was postponed from May 2012 to September 2012 and then again postponed to October 18, 2012. Then suddenly, Brig Parshad, who had filed a statutory complaint against his ACR profile, was granted relief on the eve of the board’s scheduled meeting and the board was again postponed by a day wherein his changed, improved profile was considered and he was promoted. They pointed out that as per policy, no out of turn relief can be granted on complaints. Brig Prashad argued before the bench that the entire process of his complaint redressal and promotion was in accordance with norms and he was being targeted for no fault of his. The Tribunal’s Chandigarh Bench, comprising Justice VK Ahuja and Lt Gen HS Panag, however, granted liberty to the defence ministry to hold a fresh selection board only if the respondent’s improved profile is not considered and the board goes by the old career profile. The Bench also observed that policy letters issued by the Military Secretary’s Branch, responsible for management of the officer cadre, were ambiguous. The bench fixed August 12 s the next date of hearing.
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CRPF to train Chhattisgarh cops to fight Maoists
Abohar, July 31 The decision gains significance in view of recent spurt in Maoist activities that had led to killing of top state Congress leadership in an ambush by Maoists in the trouble-torn tribe area. CRPF Inspector-General Sunil Kumar said during a visit to Suratgarh in neighbouring Sriganganagar district that 3,500 cops of the Chhattisgarh police have been listed for commando style training. Out of them, 700 cops will be trained at the 221 battalion of the CRPF at Suratgarh. The decision to shift the battalion to Maharashtra has been deferred under instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs. It will now be stationed at Suratgarh. The new male recruits were to be trained initially at Ajmer but they were asked to report at Suratgarh, 70 km from Sriganganagar, as training of women cops was already going at Ajmer.
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Several hurt in Lucknow sectarian violence
Lucknow, July 31 IG (Law and Order) R K Vishwarma said the situation in the old city was tense but stable as heavy police force has been rushed in to monitor the situation and prevent further incidents. Eleven companies of PAC, 2 RAF as well as a large contingent of district police are keeping a watch on the situation. The procession of about 20,000 to 25,000 started at Rauza Kazmein at 4.40 am and reached Patan Nala at around 6.45 am. “Trouble started when some elements starting pelting stones at the procession when it reached near Bazar Khala” said IG law and order. Within no time, a few shops selling plastic goods and tyres were set ablaze.
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Koda released on bail after 44 months in jail
Ranchi, July 31 The Jharkhand High Court had yesterday granted him the bail in connection with rural electrification scam. "I have faith in the judiciary, and I will establish my innocence," Koda told reporters after coming out from the Birsa Munda jail, where he was lodged in judicial custody from November 30, 2009. He was accused of involvement in money laundering, illegal investments, rural electrification and other scams. Koda was the head of the UPA government, which was supported by the Congress, the RJD and the JMM, between 2006 and 2008 when the alleged scams surfaced.
— PTI
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UK move on visa bond a ‘negative step’
New Delhi, July 31 However, he said India’s High Commissioner in UK and the foreign office have not received any confirmation of any such step having being put in place or a proposal cleared by the British cabinet. “As far as we are concerned, we have made it abundantly clear that after the successful visit of David Cameron and the clear assurances that have been given, growing partnership that exists between India and the UK, this would be a retrograde measure and negative step and should not be taken,” Sharma told reporters here. Britain plans to introduce a scheme of demanding a whopping £3,000 visa bond from visitors from certain countries, including India. Sharma said this issue was on the agenda when he had met his UK counterpart Vince Cable in London. “I was assured both by Cable as well as Oliver Letwin that no such proposal has come before the Cabinet for consideration and the government of UK will not take any measures considering the strategic and important partnership (with India)...when it comes to movement of professionals, tourists,” he said.
— PTI
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Delhi’s Shame
New Delhi, July 31 A Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam asked Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy to convey to the JJB that the verdict on the juvenile accused should not be delivered till the SC disposed of Swamy’s petition pleading for a fresh interpretation of the term “juvenile”. Swamy had sought an assessment of the “mental and intellectual maturity” of minor offenders instead of strictly going by the age limit of 18 years. The Central Government and counsel for the juvenile accused, however, opposed Swamy’s plea. The Centre contended that no third party could intervene in criminal cases. Also, no court ruling could have retrospective effect to cover a crime that had taken place earlier. While the case against the juvenile, who was 17 at the time of crime and has since become 18, was heard by the JJB, the other five were made to stand trial in a criminal court.
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Complaint against KBC for ‘defaming’ legal profession
Bhopal, July 31 The complaint was filed in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Sanjay Pande by Nasir Ali, legal cell coordinator of 'Gondwana Gantantra Party'. The court has fixed a hearing on August 23 to record the statement of the complainant.
— PTI
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Koda released on bail after 44 months in jail Ranchi, July 31 The Jharkhand High Court had yesterday granted him the bail in connection with rural electrification scam. "I have faith in the judiciary, and I will establish my innocence," Koda told reporters after coming out from the Birsa Munda jail, where he was lodged in judicial custody from November 30, 2009. “This was the first case in the country where someone was kept in jail for so long without being proved guilty,” Koda said. He was accused of involvement in money laundering, illegal investments, rural electrification and other scams. Koda was the head of the UPA government, which was supported by the Congress, the RJD and the JMM, between 2006 and 2008 when the alleged scams surfaced. — PTI
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UPA delayed Telangana decision: Rajnath
Singh
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Foreign Secretary Mathai passes on baton to Sujatha Singh
President Hassan Rouhani
(pic), considered a moderate, was a surprise winner in the June 14 elections.
