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AAP govt scraps FDI in retail in Delhi
Patkar extends support to AAP
Social activist Medha Patkar with AAP leader Mayank Gandhi in Mumbai on Monday. PTI Mumbai Cong protests against high power tariff
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Ruckus at Bhushan’s press meet over referendum remark
Vishnu Gupta, who shouted slogans against AAP leader Prashant Bhushan during a press conference, talks to mediapersons in New Delhi on Monday.
PTI
Modi’s ‘Jayanthi tax’ remark ruffles a few political feathers
Interest rate on PF deposits up by .25%
BSP rally: 23 trains booked for Rs 3.5 cr
sexual harassment
ED to chargesheet Kanimozhi, Raja soon in 2G case
Gujarat ‘misled’ Centre on farmer suicides in state
India, Lanka release fishermen
Rahul's car runs out of fuel
Nagaland Govt takes steps to protect Karbis
Diplomat’s Arrest in NY IAF Chief reviews preparedness in Leh
Copter deal: CBI to quiz IAF ex-chief’s cousins again
Shinde interfered in IPL scam probe, claims RK Singh
Korean, Japanese leaders invited for key deals
‘Nirbheek’: Lightweight firepower for women
India to host two key meets on Afghanistan
Another minor gang-raped in Kolkata
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AAP govt scraps FDI in retail in Delhi
New Delhi, January 13 In a complete U-turn from the stance of the earlier Congress government, the Delhi Government has written to the Industry Ministry asking it to exclude it from the states which are allowing foreign retail chains under the policy of FDI in multi-brand retail. Delhi has become the first state to withdraw permission for FDI in multi brand retail. Last year, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka with new Congress governments had asked for the policy to be introduced in their states. Rajasthan, which is now being led by the BJP, is also expected to take a view on the policy on which the earlier government had given its consent. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the party manifesto had expressed its opposition to the policy of FDI in multi-brand retail. Industry has slammed the move by AAP government in Delhi saying it would send the wrong signal to foreign investors. “It is not a question of allowing or not allowing foreign investment in retail. What has happened in Delhi is the reversal of the decision taken by the previous government of the Congress Party. If one party reverses the decision of its rival dispensation upon change of guard, the policy and political risks for global investors would definitely increase in India, scaring them away,” said D S Rawat, Secretary General, Assocham. Since the implementation of the FDI in retail policy has been left to the states, such changes in stance may render the policy almost unworkable in its present form. Due to such apprehensions, most foreign chains have shied away from entering the highly promising space even though the policy was announced some time ago.
Industry slams move * Industry has slammed the AAP government move saying it will send the wrong signal to foreign investors *
Delhi has become the first state to withdraw the permission * The Aam Aadmi Party had expressed its opposition to the policy of FDI in multi-brand retail in its party manifesto
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Patkar extends support to AAP
Mumbai, January 13 "We extend our complete support to Aam Aadmi Party. AAP has included fighting corruption in its agenda, while we have been fighting corruption through Adarsh (housing society scam) and Lavasa," Patkar told reporters in Mumbai. "We have studied their (AAP's) documents and we have found that micro to macro-economic view point is more or less reflected into it. We will further continue with the dialogue and would like to contribute our views in not just the manifesto but also in the working culture and their working documents," the 59-year-old social activist said. Patkar also said she would further announce the future course of action about the role she will play in AAP, after holding discussions with senior AAP leaders on January 16 and 17. Attributing the work done by the movements led by Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal on the Jan Lokpal Bill, she said, "The anti-corruption movement has really shown a way." Slamming political parties for indulging in corruption, she said, "We do not consider electoral politics as untouchable." "We see this party as part of our agenda. With dialogue and deliberations we have decided to support the AAP actively. Active support will be based on both ideological commonality and clarity," Patkar said. — PTI
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Mumbai Cong protests against high power tariff
Mumbai, January 13 Raising slogans against promoter of R-Infra Anil Ambani, the protesters demanded that the company should bring down electricity tariff in suburban Mumbai where it operated. Nirupam said the company was not doing enough to reduce the burden on consumers. Shortly after the MP threatened an agitation, the Maharashtra Government set up a committee to provide subsidies to domestic power consumers. The MP also told mediapersons that he wanted the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to audit the books of Reliance Infrastructure to determine the company's actual cost of power generation and distribution.
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Ruckus at Bhushan’s press meet over referendum remark
New Delhi, January 13 A supporter of Hindu Sena, Vishnu Gupta, barged into the room while the briefing was on and shouted slogans against Bhushan and AAP calling them traitors. He accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of misusing the media to garner public support. Accepting the invitation of AAP chief to have an open dialogue over these issues, Gupta said, “We are ready for discussion but have one condition that you (Arvind Kejriwal) answer our 12 questions in the presence of the public.” In a 12-point letter addressed to Kejriwal, he told him and his party to clarify their stand on several national and religious issues including Kashmir (AFSPA) 1958, Article 370, Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act 1999, the disputes around reconstruction of temples at Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi, family-planning policy for the Muslim community and maintenance for divorced Muslim women, subsidy for pilgrims of Kailash Mansarovar and Nankana Sahib. Gupta also sought a reply as to whether Bhushan and Kumar Vishwas would be expelled from the party for their alleged jibes directed at a specific religious section. Earlier during the day, the AAP chief said he had spoken to Bhushan about the row over the referendum in Naxal-affected areas. After the incident, Prashant said, “There may be differences of opinion on issues, but attempts are being made to show the party as anti-national. Statements by our leaders are being misconstrued.” NBA’s Alok Agarwal said, “For long, both the Congress and BJP have turned a blind eye to the sufferings of lakhs of displaced people of the Narmada valley. They are being deprived even of their basic rights. People of the Narmada valley see a glimmer of hope in AAP and we will walk together in the struggle to oust the corrupt system.”
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Modi’s ‘Jayanthi tax’ remark ruffles a few political feathers
New Delhi, January 13 While Modi made a veiled reference to the removal of Jayanthi as the Environment Minister at Panaji yesterday, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman was more specific. She said “the kind of demands made to clear files were public knowledge”, adding that Modi’s remarks were certainly not off-the-cuff or made to slight the former minister, but based on the facts pertaining to number of projects stalled and held pending ever since Jayanthi took charge of the ministry. “I have a reason to believe that she was removed for non-performance and holding back files,” she said, referring to the number of projects cleared by her successor and senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily. Sitharaman said the way the Environment Ministry opposed setting up of an SC-empowered committee for more transparency in environment clearances was a proof that the key department to grant environmental clearances to projects was not functioning the way it should have been under Jayanthi's charge. Though Jayanthi has called the charges against her baseless and false, sources say she was removed following complaints at the highest level about delays in projects even when files had been cleared by the minister. When Jayanthi was removed, Sitharaman alleged that under Jayanthi, the “green ministry functioned as the red ministry”. “Apart from showing red flags, it also cherry picked,” Sitharaman said. The Congress demanded an apology from Modi for targeting a senior woman minister with bad remarks and demanded proof.
Reason for removal BJP spokesperson says former environment minister was removed for non-performance and holding back files .
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Interest rate on PF deposits up by .25%
New Delhi, January 13
The decision to raise interest rate was taken by the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the apex decision making body of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). “We have decided to recommend to the government 8.75 per cent rate of interest for 2013-14 to its subscribers,” said Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, who chaired the CBT meeting. The EPFO’s recommendations would now be vetted by the Finance Ministry. Once the ministry gives its concurrence to the decision, the interest would be credited into the accounts of subscribers. The retirement fund body also announced a 20 per cent increase on Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976 as an interim measure. Under this scheme, the family of a worker can get a maximum sum assured of Rs 1,30,000 in case of his/her demise during the service period. After 20 per cent raise, the maximum amount would now be Rs 1,56,000. The CBT has also approved increasing the minimum administrative charges for managing the EPF Scheme, 1952 and the EDLI Scheme to Rs 500 and Rs 200 per month from existing rate of Rs 5 and Rs 2, respectively. These charges for non-functional firms having no contributory members has been increased to Rs 75 and Rs 25 per month, respectively, for the two schemes. — PTI Final nod awaited * The EPFO's recommendations would be vetted by the Finance Ministry * Once the ministry agrees, the interest would be credited into subscribers’ accounts
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BSP rally: 23 trains booked for Rs 3.5 cr
Lucknow, January 13 The 58th birthday of party supremo Mayawati is being observed by organising a mammoth ‘Rashtriya Saavdhan Rally’ at the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan on the outskirts of the city where around 5 lakh party workers are expected to be present. BSP national president, known for her high profile and lavish birthday parties, is not celebrating her birthday this year due to the Muzaffarnagar riots. Preparations are in full swing for the rally for which arrangements are being made at a grand scale. To bring party supporters from various parts of the state and beyond the BSP has booked 23 trains each at the cost of between Rs 15 to 18 lakh each. With Lok Sabha polls round the corner, a large number of party workers are expected from states like Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. Having 18 coaches each the special trains are being provided by the Northern Railways divisions in Lucknow, Moradabad, Firozabad, Delhi and Ambala. Northern Railway DCM AK Srivastava said money for 19 trains had already been deposited with the railways. Special counters were also to be opened to facilitate the passengers. A vast tent is being put up at the venue to ensure that the visitors do not suffer due to sudden rains and inclement weather. Besides, arrangements are being made in the adjoining Smriti Upvan for the stay of the party workers arriving from different parts of the state.
LS Poll: Party to go it alone New Delhi: Ruling out the possibility of a pre-poll tie up, Bahujan Samaj Party on Monday said it would contest the coming Lok Sabha elections alone. Senior BSP leader Satish Chandra Misra termed as “baseless” reports that Congress and BSP leaders have been in touch on the issue of forging a pre-poll alliance
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Ganguly case: SC rejects PIL against lawyer
Legal Correspondent
New Delhi, January 13 The petitioner, advocate ML Sharma, argued that forcing judges to quit their post-retirement assignments on the basis of such charges without following the normal legal procedure would set a dangerous precedent which was not in the interest of the judicial system. The alleged victims should be asked to approach the police instead of raising vague allegations against judges. In her blog post on a website run by a London-based organisation, the law intern had not even named Justice Ganguly and had merely stated that her tormentor had retired recently, thereby casting aspersions on all the seven SC judges who had retired since the time of the alleged incident on December 24, 2012 till her complaint late last year, he said. Rejecting his plea, the Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam advised him to pursue other remedies available under law.
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ED to chargesheet Kanimozhi, Raja soon in 2G case
New Delhi, January 13 The Attorney General's office has vetted and sent back the agency's chargesheet in this regard to the Law Ministry recently for further action. The ED had asked for a legal vetting of the chargesheet by country's top law officer Ghoolam E Vahanvati through the Department of Revenue early last year. Official sources said the Attorney General perused the chargesheet and sent it back to the Law Ministry. The ED is expected to soon follow the set procedure and file the chargesheet in the case. The opinion on the chargesheet included that of Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran who has cleared it for being placed before the competent court trying the 2G case. The legal opinion to file a chargesheet in this case, sources said, is reinforced by a 2010 Jharkhand High Court order which validates application of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in cases prior to its amendment in 2009. The agency claimed to have found evidence with regard to the channelling of Rs 200 crore to the DMK family-run Kalaignar TV through a circuitous route and relying on the Jharkhand High Court order it has decided to slap the charge of "criminal proceeds" against the accused, including the duo, under the PMLA. The High Court order, relating to Hari Narain Roy vs Union of India, had stated that any money laundering related offences prior to the date of amendment of PMLA can be prosecuted under the said Act. — PTI
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Gujarat ‘misled’ Centre on farmer suicides in state
Ahmedabad, January 13 The Narendra Modi government’s claim came to light from letters written by Joint Secretary in the Union Agriculture Ministry RK Singh to the relatives of the farmers having committed suicide due to crop failure. Turning down the demands for compensation by the relatives of the farmers who were claimed to have been forced to commit suicide, the ministry quoted from the letters from the Modi Government to the PMO and the ministry concerned that only one farmer had committed suicide due to crop failure. Refuting the claims of the relatives of other farmers having committed suicide, the Modi government had told the Centre that the suicides by 668 other farmers were “all for personal reasons”. The state government had itself established the falsehood of its claim made before the Centre earlier. In a reply to a query in the Assembly on September 29, the state government had admitted to suicidal deaths due to crop failure of 26 farmers between April 2008, and March 2013. The Opposition had challenged the state government’s claim about farmers’ deaths maintaining that more than 1,000 farmers were forced to end their lives due to “faulty agricultural policy” of the state government. Modi during his elections rallies outside the state had been painting a rosy picture about the growth of the agriculture sector and financial well being of the farmers in Gujarat. Besides claiming that Gujarat had registered an agricultural growth of over 11 per cent in the last decade as against the national average of a mere three per cent growth in the same period, Modi had been claiming in his rallies that “almost every farmer in Gujarat owned a car”. The Congress leaders pointed out that in a bid to project his image as a “messiah” of the farm sector Modi had been making such false claim and was trying to “mislead” the centre. The state government had been consistently denying compensation to the relatives of the farmers having committed suicide to maintain its image which forced the members of the bereaved family to approach the centre and the PMO for compensation but the Modi government there too came in their way.
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India, Lanka release fishermen
New Delhi, January 13
“The process is likely to continue as we go forward… that the process began on Pongal is of some satisfaction to us,” an MEA spokesperson said. TNS
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Rahul's car runs out of fuel
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 13 The vehicle then stopped at the next petrol pump for refuelling. Gandhi was returning to the airport after participating in the 'Kerala Yatra' organized by the state unit of the Youth Congress. — PTI
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Nagaland Govt takes steps to protect Karbis
Guwahati, January 13 The order came in the wake of prevailing tension among people belonging to Karbi and Rengma Naga tribes in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district following the killing of some Rengma Naga villagers by Karbi tribe militants in Assam and the subsequent retaliatory killings of nine Karbis by Rengma Naga tribe militants in Nagaland. Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner, Nagaland, Banuo Z Jamir said the district administrations had been advised to establish communication with members of the Karbi community and involve tribal bodies, civil societies and NGOs in creating a congenial environment conducive to maintaining normalcy and in providing a sense of security to members of the Karbi community.
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Govt mulls changes in status of domestic helps
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 13 Addressing mediapersons here, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said the proposal to change the status of IBDAs working in the US and Europe had, in fact, been in gestation from the beginning of the last year. There were various issues such as legal aspects, financial implications and the visa status which were currently being discussed by officials of the MEA and the Finance Ministry. “We hope to pursue the proposal vigorously and have a successful outcome,” he said. Asked if the Devyani issue had affected the Indo-US relations, the spokesman said the ties between the two nations were not based on one issue. In this connection, he said the Consulate General of India in New York would on Tuesday receive from the US Department of Homeland Security Indian artifacts which had recently been found in America. “The event is taking place in the city where Devyani was employed. This only reflects the broad nature of relationship between the two nations,” he added.
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IAF Chief reviews preparedness in Leh
New Delhi, January 13 Supplies for Army troops during the winter, when road passes close in the Himalayas, are sent through IAF’s transport planes. There are full-fledged paved landing strips in Leh, Kargil and Thoise to meet the needs of troops. The IAF Chief visited operations bases in the Leh and Ladakh sector, the IAF said tonight. The IAF has already made public its plans of having a full-fledged fighter air base at Nyoma in south-eastern Ladakh. This is his first visit to base after having taken over as Air Force Chief on December 31, 2013. On arrival he was briefed on the prevailing situation in the region by Army’s 14 Corps Commander Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma. Raha interacted with Army personnel. AOC Air Commodore R Isser updated the IAF Chief on the progress of significant infrastructure projects in the Leh and Ladakh sector. “Our air warriors are performing exceptionally well under very harsh geographical conditions but are committed to ensure that supplies to forward areas are not affected adversely,” he said.
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Copter deal: CBI to quiz IAF ex-chief’s cousins again
New Delhi, January 13 Haschke had told the CBI that money was given to Tyagi brothers for the engineering works and meeting other administrative requirements in India, official sources said. Haschke had denied that he had ever met the former IAF Chief or handed over any money to him to clear the VVIP helicopter deal in favour of AgustaWestland. Tyagi refused to comment on the development, saying, "I do not wish to say anything on this issue." — PTI
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Korean, Japanese leaders invited for key deals
New Delhi, January 13 South Korean President Park Geun-Hye will be in India from January 15-18, while Japanese PM Shinzo Abe will be the chief guest at Republic Day parade. South Korea and Japan have maritime disputes with China, while India has a boundary dispute with Beijing. It is for this reason that there is disquiet in Beijing over the two visits to India. — TNS
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‘Nirbheek’: Lightweight firepower for women
Kanpur, January 13 With its nomenclature inspired by “Nirbhaya”, the 500-gm revolver is light and can be kept by women in their purses or handbags. The revolver, priced at Rs 1.22 lakh, will be made available from the last week of February from the Field Gun Factory here, factory general manager Abdul Hamid said. “After the gang-rape incident, our researchers were working on a revolver that is light and can be carried by women in their purses or small handbags. Generally, the weight of a .32 bore revolver is 750 gm, but Nirbheek weighs only 500 gm,” said Hamid. The name of the revolver has been inspired by “Nirbhaya” as a tribute to the December 16 victim, he said. — PTI
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India to host two key meets on Afghanistan
New Delhi, Janaury 13 The International Contact Group on Afghanistan and Pakistan will meet here on Thursday. Representatives of 53 countries will participate in the meeting, being coordinated by Germany. Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Afghanistan SK Lambah will lead the Indian delegation at the meeting. — TNS
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No new polio case in India for third consecutive year
New Delhi, January 13 "It is a matter of pride for the nation that not a single case of polio has been detected in three years. This is one of India's monumental and biggest milestone achieved through a massive and sustained immunisation programme," Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said. "India accounted for half of all the cases of polio reported globally in 2009. Within four and a half years, we have been able to eradicate the crippling disease," Azad said adding that 36 months ago, the last case was reported on January 13, 2011 when a two-year-old girl suffered polio paralysis in Howrah district of West Bengal. 741 cases were reported in 2009, 42 in 2010 and one case in 2011. An official function to celebrate the occasion will be held on February 11 in which President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj and WHO Director General Margaret Chan along with members of international NGOs will be present. On the issue of risks of infection from neighbouring countries, Azad said, "Right from the beginning, we have vaccinating the children coming from Pakistan when they would cross the border. There are some other neighbouring countries from where people come here by air. We have issued advisories a few months back that they will not be allowed to come unless they have been vaccinated in their respective countries.” He further said his next focus is going to be on non-communicable diseases, that is cancer, diabetes and cardio-vascular diseases. Polio or infantile paralysis is a viral, infectious disease which spreads from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route. Polio, which usually infects children under the age of five, can be prevented by vaccine. — PTI
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Another minor gang-raped in Kolkata
Kolkata, January 13 A student of Class 10, the girl was allegedly abducted by two men on a motorcycle while she was returning home after buying textbooks from a local bookshop and later taken near a brick kiln at
Raipur. It has been alleged that six men had raped the girl and filmed the crime, threatening the minor of dire consequences if she reported the incident to anyone. She had returned home around 11pm and is still unconscious. She is being treated at a local hospital. Meanwhile, various protests were staged against the police and the administration. The Congress and the CPI (M), however, alleged that the accused belonged to the Trinamool Congress. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was waiting for the police report, but had already asked officials to deal firmly with those arrested, irrespective of their party affiliations. Instructed by
Banerjee, two ministers - Joytipriya Mallick and Monjul Krishna Thakur - reached the victim’s house to take a stock of the situation. A 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped twice in two days in Madhyamgram in October 2013, triggering state-wide protests.
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In a boost to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), social activist Medha Patkar today extended her "complete" support to the fledging party while left intellectual Kamal Mitra Chenoy joined it.
A reported suggestion regarding referendum in Naxal-hit regions by AAP senior leader Prashant Bhushan today resulted with ruckus during a press conference here where he was accompanied by NBA’s Alok Agarwal and JNU Prof Kamal Mitra Chinoy, former member of central committee of the CPI.
New Delhi, January 13
As Ladakh shivers at -15 °C, the Indian Air Force Chief Arup Raha, today visited Leh to check out winter preparedness and see if the winter supply sorties of the IL-76 and the C-17 Globemaster flying from the base in Chandigarh were adequate.
Supplies for Army troops during the winter, when road passes close in the Himalayas, are sent through IAF’s transport planes. There are full-fledged paved landing strips in Leh, Kargil and Thoise to meet the needs of troops.
The interest rate on the PF deposits in the previous financial year was
8.5 per cent.