Page 1481 - Politics
16 lakh public grievances received this year: Jitendra Singh
A significant jump has been recorded in the number of public grievances received against government departments as it touched the 16-lakh mark this year as compared to 2 lakh such plaints received four years ago, an official statement said Wednesday. Addressing a function, Union minister Jitendra Singh said 99 per cent grievances have been disposed by the government. He said about 16 lakh grievances were received this year compared to about two lakh grievances four years ago, the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry said. "This is due to the better and prompt response from the government," the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said. He called upon state governments to follow the best practices developed by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) under them and activate their grievance cells for prompt response to citizens. The minister also expressed satisfaction over the fact that about 99 per cent grievances were ...
TN CM hands over appointment letters to widows of martyred CRPF troopers
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Wednesday handed over appointment orders to the widows of two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers who were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.
Opposition flays BJP's blatant politicisation of armed forces' sacrifice
Amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions, the opposition on Wednesday collectively flayed the ruling BJP for "blatant politicisation" of the armed forces' sacrifices and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not convening an all-party meeting.
2 Indian aircraft shot, 1 IAF pilot arrested: claims Pakistan
Pakistan on Wednesday claimed that it shot down two Indian fighter jets over Pakistani air space and arrested a pilot, as it closed its airspace amid escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistani military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor claimed that two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were arrested. One pilot is injured and has been shifted to a hospital, while another one is unhurt, the spokesman added. He also showed items and documents recovered from the arrested pilots. However, he later said "only one" Indian pilot was under Pakistan Army's custody, retracting from his earlier statement. "There is only one pilot under Pakistan Army's custody. Wing Comd Abhinandan is being treated as per norms of military ethics," Ghafoor said. "I am an IAF officer. My service No is 27981," a blindfolded man - who identified himself as Wing Commander Abhinandan - said in a 46-second video released by the Pakistan Army. In a second video, the man refused to talk ...
No further order needed as violence against Kashmiris stopped, says SC
The Supreme Court Wednesday said no further orders were "called for" on a PIL over violence against Kashmiris as the Centre has informed it that no fresh incident has been reported in the country since February 22, the day when it took cognisance of the issue. The top court had on February 22 issued a slew of directions including asking the chief secretaries and DGPs of 11 states to take "prompt" and "necessary" action to prevent incidents of alleged threat, social boycott and violence against Kashmiris following the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi took on record the statement of Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, that after the apex court intervened and issued directions to protect Kashmiris, no incidents of violence has taken place against them. "We are of the view that at this stage, no further directions in addition to those recorded in the order dated February 22, ...
'Very strong plan' to ensure fuel supplies to defence in place; 500 trucks move to refill depots
As tensions with Pakistan escalated, Indian oil companies have put in motion a "very strong plan" including moving a convoy of 500 trucks to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies to all defence and strategic assets, top officials said Wednesday. Tanks feeding defence establishment in forward areas along the border with Pakistan are all "topped up" and have enough fuel to meet any eventuality, they said. Oil companies had topped up all storages in Jammu and Kashmir and other forward areas before the Tuesday's pounding of a terrorist camp inside Pakistan as retaliation to Jaish-e-Mohammed operative killing 40 paramilitary personnel in a suicide car bombing in Kashmir on February 14. And now, as many as 500 oil tankers are being moved to the state and other forward locations to stock up jet fuel (ATF), diesel and other petroleum products for ensuring fuel supplies beyond the 10-day stock firms generally maintain, they said. Indian and Pakistani fighter jets shot down war planes of each ...
CM Gehlot directs officials to stay alert
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Wednesday directed security forces and administrative officials in the state to remain on alert in the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. There should be strict surveillance on activities in the districts along the international border in the state, Gehlot directed officials in a high-level meeting on security arrangement here. He directed top administrative officials to monitor the situation in coordination with counterparts in districts, police, Army and the BSF. The chief minister directed officials to coordinate with the Health, Transport, Food, Water and Power departments and be prepared to tackle any situation. Chief Secretary D B Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Rajeeva Swarup, DGP Kapil Garg, DG (home guard) O P Galhotra and DG (SOG and ATS) Bhupendra Singh were present at the meeting, besides other officials. Jaisalmer District Collector Namit Mehta said all departments have been asked to remain on alert, ...
Imran again offers dialogue with India, warns against 'miscalculation'
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday offered talks to India and urged that "better sense should prevail" as tensions spiked between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following an aerial engagement between their air forces.
India asks Pak to immediately return IAF pilot, ensure his safety
India Wednesday summoned the acting high commissioner of Pakistan and demanded immediate and safe return of an IAF pilot who was detained by Pakistan following an aerial engagement by air forces of the two countries. It has also been made clear to Pakistan that no harm should be caused to the Indian defence personnel, the External Affairs Ministry said, adding it has conveyed strong objection to the neighbouring country at the "vulgar display" of an injured personnel in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention. Pakistan detained Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman following a fierce engagement between air forces of the two sides along the Line of Control in which a Pakistani jet was downed. IAF also lost a MiG 21 jet in the engagement. "It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return," the MEA said. The Pakistani
Twitterati talk peace, call to bring IAF pilot home
Amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan, some of the trending hashtags on Twitter on Wednesday were talking about bringing peace to the region -- along with the call to bring back the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot in Pakistan's custody.
Kanpur native killed in Budgam chopper crash
Corporal Deepak Pandey, a resident of Mangla Vihar here, was killed after an Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17 transport chopper crashed in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district on Wednesday morning.
Britain secures post-Brexit place in WTO pact
Britain on Wednesday secured the right to remain part of a World Trade Organization agreement covering the USD 1.7 trillion public procurement market whether or not it leaves the EU with a withdrawal deal. Becoming an independent member of the 19-party Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) had been a priority for British negotiators at the WTO. If a Brexit deal is agreed, Britain will remain part of the GPA under its current terms as an EU-member during the transition period, the British mission in Geneva said in a statement. But if Britain crashes out of the EU without an agreement, it will automatically become an independent member of the GPA within a matter of weeks, the statement added, confirming a compromise agreed among GPA members. "This is an important win for British diplomacy... which will give British businesses certainty that they can continue bidding for 1.3 trillion pound worth of government procurement contracts overseas," British trade minister Liam Fox said in a ...
Prince William flies to N Ireland amid Brexit tensions
Prince William arrived in Northern Ireland on Wednesday as the British government seeks to reassure the once-troubled province at the centre of the Brexit drama that its hard-won stability will endure. The hastily-arranged two-day visit by the second-in-line to the throne and his wife Kate comes as MPs argue over the terms of Brexit with just over a month to go until the scheduled departure date. The royals began their trip with a visit to Windsor Park football stadium to find out about outreach programmes and the tour will include a meeting with a youth charity in the border region of Fermanagh. Even though the royals tend to steer well clear of politics, their visits are often organised in conjunction with the government to assist Britain's wider political and economic agenda at home and abroad. The shock result of the 2016 EU membership referendum has forced the royals into diplomatic overdrive. Not long after the referendum, William toured Canada, then Europe, in what was seen as .
Pre-emptive strike will help BJP win 22 of 28 LS seats in
Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa Wednesday said India's pre-emptive strikes on terror camps in Pakistan has created a wave in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will help the party win over 22 of 28 seats in the state in the coming Lok Sabha polls. "The atmosphere....day by day the wind is increasingly blowing in favour of BJP. Yesterday's action of destroying terror hideouts by entering inside Pakistan has resulted in a pro-Modi wave in the country, the results of which can be seen in coming Lok Sabha polls," Yeddyurappa said. Speaking to reporters in Chitradurga, he said "It has enthused youths; all this will help us in winning more than 22 Lok Sabha seats (in Karnataka)." India conducted a major preemptive strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp early Tuesday, killing a "very large number" of terrorists, trainers and senior commanders. India's action comes close on the heels of the Pulwama incident in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in one of the ...
Venezuela calls for Trump-Maduro talks
Venezuela's foreign minister Jorge Arreaza on Wednesday called for direct talks between President Nicolas Maduro and his US counterpart Donald Trump, to help ease the crisis gripping his country. "We are proposing the path of dialogue, even with the United States... Why shouldn't they meet, President Trump and President Maduro?" Arreaza said in an address at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. "Enough of all this aggression," he added. The US has led a diplomatic campaign in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido who has declared himself interim president and is recognised by about 50 countries. Maduro has accused the United States of using aid as a political tool aimed at overthrowing him, and blames US sanctions for the economic turmoil in his country. Arreaza also renewed an invitation to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, to visit Venezuela to evaluate the impact of what he described as a US-led "blockade".
Secure IAF pilot's release: DMK
DMK President M.K. Stalin on Wednesday urged the Indian government to do everything necessary to bring back Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Varthaman Abhinandan who has been captured by the Pakistan Army.
CWC meet postponed amid India-Pakistan tensions
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has cancelled a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and the 'Jan Sankalp rally' which was to be held here on Thursday.
Israel PM rivals seek to bar 'racist' party candidates from polls
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attempts to boost an extreme-right party many view as racist in April elections could be blocked if his opponents succeed in a bid to disqualify its candidates. A range of politicians seeking to oust Netanyahu have supported a petition seeking to have candidates for the party, Jewish Power, barred from participating in the election on the grounds of incitement to racism. Netanyahu last week brokered a deal that saw Jewish Power join with two other far-right parties to form one list to boost its chances of making it into parliament after April 9 elections. The prime minister, with an eye on his next coalition government should he win, says the move was necessary to ensure enough seats in the next parliament for right-wing parties. But Netanyahu has received harsh criticism both at home and abroad over the move, with many accusing him of easing the path for anti-Arab "racists" to make it into parliament. Left-wing party Meretz filed a petition
Netanyahu talks Iran with Putin in Moscow
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday met Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing security in the Middle East with a focus on Iran. During the talks at the Kremlin, the two leaders were also set to discuss how to coordinate and avoid military clashes on Syrian territory, where Israel is taking action against Iran. "The biggest threat to stability and security of the region is Iran, and we will do everything to prevent this threat," Netanyahu said in opening remarks translated into Russian before closed-door negotiations. Iran, Hezbollah and Russia are allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Netanyahu has stressed that he will not let Israel's arch-foe Iran use Syrian territory as a base for its military. Prior to his Moscow visit, Netanyahu said the talks will focus on "preventing Iran from entrenching in Syria, the entrenchment of a country which explicitly says that its goal is to wipe us out." He is accompanied in Moscow by his national security advisor ...
HC seeks EC reply on plea to de-register ruling NDPP in Nagaland
The Delhi High Court Wednesday sought response of the Election Commission on a plea seeking de-registration of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), which leads the alliance government in Nagaland. Justice Yogesh Khanna also sought reply of NDPP on the petition filed by a resident of the state, challenging the order passed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) dismissing her plea. The plea filed by Zeneisilie Ate Louchii accused several NDPP members of furnishing "false" and "fabricated" information while seeking registration as a political party. Formed in October 2017, NDPP is an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with which it formed a government in the state after the March 2018 assembly polls. While the NDPP got the chief minister's post, the BJP filled the deputy chief minister's post in the state. NDPP is led by Neiphu Rio as the chief minister of Nagaland. Senior advocate Arvind Nigam and advocate Arunabh Chowdhury, appearing for Louchii, said the ...