Page 1477 - Politics
Chhattisgarh budget passed
The Chhattisgarh Assembly Wednesday passed the budget for 2019-20 by a voice vote. His government's "definition of development" is uplifting villagers, farmers and workers and "not devastating tribal lands in the name of erecting buildings, bridges and concrete-jungle", Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said in his reply to the discussion on the Chhattisgarh Appropriation Bill, 2019. Afterwards, the Rs 95,899 crore budget was passed with a voice vote. Baghel said the financial deficit stands at Rs 10,880 crore while the public debt as of March 31, 2018 was Rs 39,300 crore, 17.4 percent of GSDP, much less than the average 23.2 per cent for other states. Baghel, who holds the finance portfolio, noted that his government waived short-term agricultural loans and procured paddy at Rs 2,500 per quintal from farmers. "My government has borrowed loans for the welfare of farmers and villages. The loan was not taken to misuse money for works like unnecessary increasing the height of a
'Let the country speak in one voice': Jaitley on Oppn's claim of blatant politicisation of soldiers' sacrifices
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday asked the Opposition to "introspect" on its "blatant politicisation" of the sacrifices made by the armed forces and said Pakistan is using the "ill-advised statement" to strengthen its claims.A day after India carried out aerial strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) camp in Balakot in Pakistan in which a "large number" of terrorists were killed, Jammu and Kashmir saw heightened military activity on Wednesday, with Pakistani jets violating the Indian air space and dropping some bombs in Rajouri sector after which one of their fighters was shot down."Cross border terror attack in Pulwama was a reality. Balakot Operation was India's anti-terror preemptive strike to defend its sovereignty. The whole nation has spoken in one voice. Why, then is India's opposition alleging that Govt is politicising our anti-terror Ops?" Jaitley said.Following Pakistan's action, India said it foiled an attempt by Pakistan Air Force to carry out strikes in Jammu and ...
Air Canada temporarily suspends flights to India
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Air Canada on Wednesday temporarily suspended its flight services to India, following a decision by the Pakistan government to close its airspace.Air Canada cancelled one flight to New Delhi from Vancouver, while another flight en route to India has turned back to Toronto."We have put in place a goodwill policy for affected customers and are monitoring the situation in order to resume service once the situation normalizes and we determine it is safe to do so," Canada's largest air carrier said in a statement.Air Canada operates daily service from Toronto and Vancouver to New Delhi and four times weekly between Toronto and Mumbai.A day after India carried out aerial strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) camp in Balakot in Pakistan in which a "large number" of terrorists were killed, Jammu and Kashmir saw heightened military activity today, with Pakistani jets violating the Indian air space and dropping some bombs in Rajouri sector ...
Opposition's charge of 'politicisation' baseless: BJP
The BJP on Wednesday rejected as "baseless" the opposition's charge of its "blatant politicisation of the armed forces' sacrifices" and said such allegations help Pakistan as their media is using this against India.
Mayors, councillors of 3 corporations protest outside Delhi Assembly
Mayors and councillors of the three BJP-led municipal corporations of Delhi Wednesday held a demonstration outside the Assembly, protesting against the "cut in MCD funds" in the budget, officials said. North Delhi Mayor Adesh Gupta said the Delhi government has fixed an amount of Rs 6,380 crore for three corporations in the budget of 2019-20, which is "Rs 510 crore less than the sum allocated in the previous financial year". He said instead of increasing the funds every year, the dispensation was "deducting" the same. Gupta along with South Delhi Mayor Narender Chawla, East Delhi Mayor Bipin Bihari Singh and BJP councillors of all the three civic bodies demonstrated at the Vidhan Sabha against the "cut" in funds for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), officials said. During the demonstration, they demanded the AAP-led government to "release the outstanding dues of the corporations". Gupta claimed the government "did not issue arrears due to the north corporation despite a court .
EU expresses concern over escalating tensions between India-Pakistan
European Union on Wednesday expressed concern about the escalating tension between India and Pakistan.The High Representative of EU Federica Mogherini issued a statement saying, "Following the recent terrorist attack in Pulwama, tensions along the 'Line of Control' between India and Pakistan have escalated militarily during the last days. This has the potential to lead to serious and dangerous consequences for the two countries and the wider region."He further asserted that the EU expects both the countries to exercise utmost restraint and avoid any further escalation of the situation."To this end, the resumption of diplomatic contacts at the political level and implementation of urgent measures by both sides is vital," he added.Stating that terrorism could never be justified, Mogherini said, "I spoke a few days ago by telephone with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to emphasise the need to continue to address terrorism, including clear and targeted actions ...
J-K: Schools near International Border, LOC to remain shut
All government and private schools within a range of five Kilometers from the International Border will remain closed on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district as per orders of District Development Commissioner, Samba.Similarly, Deputy Commissioner Jammu also informed that all government and private schools upto 10+2 level falling within five kilometers of the international border and the Line of Control (LoC) in the district will remain closed tomorrow.Moreover, Director School Education has also announced that Class 8 and Class 9 Mathematics exam scheduled to be held on February 28 stands postponed due to unavoidable circumstances in Jammu division and the rescheduled date shall be notified separately.The decisions have been taken keeping the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir in mind.On Tuesday, Governor Satya Pal Malik had reviewed the prevailing law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the air strikes carried out earlier that day.In the meeting, Malik
North Korea has 'tremendous economic potential': Trump tells Kim
United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday told North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un that his country has tremendous economic potential.CNN quoted Trump as saying, "I think your country has tremendous economic potential. I think you will have a tremendous future for your country, you're a great leader. We will help it to happen."The two leaders met for a second summit here and Trump made these comments during a dinner with Kim.The North Korean leader said that his second meeting with the US President was possible because of the "courageous political decision" taken by Trump.While addressing reporters on Wednesday here, Kim said that there had been "a lot of thinking, effort and patience" between now and last June.Trump and Kim met in June last year for their first-ever summit in Singapore.Kim further asserted that the "outside world" has "misunderstood" the US-North Korean relationship in the period after the Singapore summit. He also expressed hope that the Hanoi summit delivers ...
Spain's ex-PM Rajoy testifies in Catalan separatists' trial
Spain's former prime minister Mariano Rajoy, in power when Catalonia's executive tried to secede, on Wednesday accused separatist leaders of wanting to "liquidate national sovereignty" by organising a banned referendum as he testified in their trial. Rajoy governed Spain from 2011 until he was ousted in June last year by a no-confidence vote over a corruption trial that hit his conservative Popular Party (PP). He was replaced by socialist rival Pedro Sanchez. The 63-year-old appeared at Madrid's Supreme Court as a witness in the trial of 12 separatist leaders and activists - nine of them on rebellion charges - for pushing the referendum in October 2017 and for a subsequent short-lived declaration of independence. "They were fully aware that... as long as Mariano Rajoy was prime minister, there would be no (legal) referendum to liquidate national sovereignty," he defiantly told the court. Defence lawyers had yet to question him. Before him, his former right-hand woman Soraya Saenz de ..
European Union urges India, Pakistan to exercise restraint
The European Union (EU) on Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to exercise "utmost restraint" and avoid any further escalation of the situation on their border, as it could lead to "serious and dangerous consequences" for both countries and the wider region.
BJP accuses Delhi government of lying on issue of voters' deletion
Delhi's Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta on Wednesday accused the Arvind Kejriwal government of "hiding" a reply of Delhi's chief electoral officer on the issue of the alleged mass deletion of voters' names.
Narayanasamy urges Centre for safe release of IAF pilot
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy urged the Centre on Wednesday to take all possible steps for the safe release of the Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who is in the custody of Pakistan. "I feel sad for our Wing Commander IAF Pilot Shri #AbhinandanVarthaman is in the custody of Pakistan. I urge the Govt to take all possible steps including Diplomatic channel for release of the Pilot," Narayanasamy tweeted. India on Wednesday demanded immediate and safe return of IAF pilot Abhinandan, captured by Pakistan after an aerial confrontation, and strongly objected to the neighbouring country's "vulgar display" of an injured defence personnel in violation of international norms.
Where is Pulwama terrorist's body, asks Goa Cong leader; BJP hits back
Congress secretary A Chellakumar Wednesday asked why has the government not produced the body of the suicide bomber who attacked a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, prompting the ruling BJP to hit back at the opposition party. "They (the government) identified bodies of the jawans but where is the body of the terrorist? So far, they have not been able to show the body to people," Chellakumar said. Asked if the BJP was misusing the defence forces for electoral gains, he said, "Yes." "People are thinking so now... Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and (BJP president) Amit Shah can go to any extent to retain power," he alleged. Reacting to his remarks, BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma demanded that Congress president Rahul Gandhi clarify his party's stand on the Pulwama attack on Feb 14. Pointing out that the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for the attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed, Sharma asked why it was only the Congress which raises doubts about our defence ...
Delhi-Lahore bus service continuing: Official
The Delhi-Lahore bus service is running as usual, an official said Wednesday. "The service is continuing. Even today, 10 persons boarded the Lahore-bound bus," Manoj Kumar, the managing director of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), told PTI. In the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, the bus service was affected and the number of passengers using it had gone down. The DTC buses to Lahore are operated from the Ambedkar Stadium bus terminal near the Delhi Gate. These buses ply every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) runs buses to Delhi on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Earlier in the day, the railways said the Samjhauta Express would continue to run as per schedule from Delhi to Attari in India, amidst reports that Pakistan has suspended its operations between Wagah to Lahore on its side. The tension between India and Pakistan has escalated after Indian fighter jets struck inside the neighbouring country's territory, destroying ...
India demand immediate, safe return of pilot in Pak custody
India on Wednesday said Pakistan has committed an "unprovoked act of aggression" by targeting Indian military posts with its air force and sought immediate and safe return of an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot in its custody.
Athawale meets party workers in UP
Union minister and RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale Wednesday held a meeting with party workers here ahead of the general elections this year. The politically crucial Uttar Pradesh sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. "A meeting of party workers from different parts of the state was held at Jhulelal Maidan in the state capital. I came here to strengthen the party, which was quite active and strong in Uttar Pradesh when Chaudhary Charan Singh was the chief minister," Athawale told PTI. He said he came here to "protect my land (vote-bank) which has been encroached by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)". The Minister of State for Social Justice also showered praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the latter's vision of taking everyone along. "People of Uttar Pradesh know that SP and BSP were once arch enemies. Why have they joined hands now? Only to defeat Narendra Modiji. All people are not happy with this alliance," he said. Athawale also claimed that the BJP will win 300 seats in the general ...
UK minister holds talks with Sushma Swaraj, Qureshi
Britain's foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt Wednesday held talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi to prevent a further escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the Pulwama attack. Tensions between India and Pakistan rose following the February 14 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group claimed responsibility for the attack. Following the incident, India bombed and destroyed JeM's biggest training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, about 80-km from the Line of Control (LoC) early Tuesday, killing a "very large number" of terrorists, trainers and senior commanders. On Wednesday, Pakistan claimed it shot down two Indian fighter jets over Pakistani air space and arrested a pilot. "I've been in touch with foreign minister Swaraj of India and foreign minister Qureshi
No one other than IAF should claim credit for air strike: Sena
Shiv Sena chief and BJP ally Uddhav Thackeray said Wednesday that no political party should take credit for the air strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force on Jaish-e-Mohammed's training camp in Pakistan. "My heart is swollen with pride over the elimination of terror hide-outs in Pakistan. I salute the brave-hearts who conducted the operation," Thackeray told reporters here. "Nobody (other than the defence forces) should take credit for their (IAF pilots') valour and nobody should doubt it either," he added. Thackeray, who stitched a pre-poll alliance with the BJP last week, also said he made it clear to the latter that the Sena will continue to fight it on common people's issues. "When everybody was with you (BJP), we stood in front of you with questions of the common man and when everybody deserted you, we stood with you for Hindutva," he said. "There have been allegations that I made a U-turn (from earlier stand of not going for an alliance). However, I know what ..
Vij blames Cong for Art 370 during swine flu debate in House
A debate in Haryana assembly on swine flu spread in the state Wednesday took a curious turn with Health Minister Anil Vij blaming Congress for the Kashmir problems and Articles 370 and 35-A. Vij blamed the Congress while rebutting its allegations that the state government had been suppressing death figures due to the epidemic and doing little to prevent its spread. With the Congress members repeatedly interrupting his reply to a Calling Attention Motion, Vij pointed towards them and said, "I have already given a detailed reply on what all measures we have taken." "But, I cannot help anyone for his ignorance. I want to say that swine flu is not malaria or dengue that we can take preventive measures like spraying or fumigation. The only solution is to avoid coming into contact with an infected person, besides other preventive measures, he said. Apparently at his wits' end amid the recurrent supplementaries by the members over the issue, he alleged the Congress members were spreading ...
Opposition's allegations of 'politicisation' baseless: BJP
The BJP on Wednesday rejected as "baseless" the opposition's charge of its "blatant politicisation of the armed forces' sacrifices" and said such allegations help Pakistan as their media is using this against India.