Page 1642 - Politics

V K Singh raises questions over HAL's condition, capability

Minister of State for External Affairs General V K Singh Wednesday raised questions over the "capability and condition" of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) amid the Congress' claim that the Modi government denied the defence PSU an offset contract in the Rafale deal. Talking to reporters here, the minister defended the Rafale deal, saying the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France was necessary to enhance the Indian Air Force's capabilities. "Look at the condition of HAL. Our two pilots died. Sorry to say, but the programmes at HAL are running late by three-and-a-half years...parts of aircraft are falling off on the runway. Is this capability? On the other hand, we say that HAL is not getting the (Rafale) work," he said. The minister was referring to the death of two pilots in a crash of Mirage 2000 trainer aircraft in Bengaluru on February 1. The aircraft was on an "acceptance sortie" after an upgrade by the HAL. On claims by the Congress that the Modi ...

Pakistan announces 'massive' social media crackdown

Pakistani authorities Wednesday vowed to carry out a "massive" crackdown targeting hate speech and extremism on social media, as a minister boasted arrests have already been made. Officials in Pakistan are frequently accused of muzzling the media and targeting individuals critical of the country's powerful military establishment and have blocked hundreds of websites and social media accounts over the years. Information minister Fawad Chaudhry announced the government was setting up a new enforcement arm to regulate social media during a speech in the capital Islamabad. "We made some arrests last week and by the will of Allah we are launching a massive crackdown against social media users spreading hate speech and violence," he said. Self censorship in the South Asia nation is widely believed to be rife at traditional news outlets. "Our problem is that digital media is over taking formal media so it is important for us to regulate this," Chaudhry added, saying: "Informal media is a ...

Neither did any plane fly, nor did any earthquake happen: PM's dig at Rahul on last day of Lok Sabha

In his last speech in the 16th Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took potshots at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for his various gestures and comments made in the House during the last 5 years, including raking up of the Rafale fighter deal.He listed various initiatives of his government which were endorsed by the House during its term and said "a lot more needs to be done", inferring his intent to return to power.In this context, he thanked Samajwadi Party veteran Mulayam Singh Yadav for wishing that he returns to the top post.Modi also appeared to be sending a message to the voters as he emphasised that the world had taken India more seriously during his tenure because his government had a full majority in Parliament."This was the first House without a Congress 'gotra' (lineage)," he said in his valedictory address.He used the occasion to take potshots at Gandhi, who was not present in the House but was addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters ..

Mention caste, sub-caste: Congress feedback form asks party workers

After the recent Congress roadshow in Lucknow, party workers meeting with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jyotiraditya Scindia in Uttar Pradesh are being asked to fill in a feedback form that asks for their caste and sub-caste as well as details of their social media accounts.The comprehensive data collection exercise by the party is considered as its endeavor towards ensuring adequate and equal representation to all castes in the party. However, during elections in Uttar-Pradesh, almost every major party in poll fray attempts to play the caste card.Moreover, the collection of information about the social media presence of Congress workers is perceived as the party's attempt to optimally tap the social media presence of its workers so as to reach out to maximum number of voters with party's policies and poll promises.After her debut in the party as general secretary in charge of UP east, Priyanka is holding marathon meetings with the party workers from various Lok Sabha constituencies ...

Modi's claims of cheaper Rafale, faster delivery exposed: Rahul

Referring to the findings of experts in the Indian negotiating team for the Rafale deal, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said here on Wednesday the two major claims made by the government of cheaper deal and faster delivery of aircraft stood demolished.

Brussels proposes adding Saudi Arabia to EU money laundering blacklist

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed adding seven countries including Saudi Arabia to the EU's money-laundering blacklist of governments that do too little to thwart the financing of terrorism and organised crime. The move comes as tensions between Riyadh and European capitals are heightened over the murder last year of the columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The proposal must now be approved by the European Parliament and the 28 member states, with France and Britain against the new list. The new countries targeted by the commission, including Saudi Arabia and Panama, would join another 16 already on this register -- such as Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Ethiopia and North Korea. Inclusion on the list does not trigger sanctions, but it does oblige European banks to apply tighter controls on transactions with customers and institutions in those countries. "We have put in place the highest standards in the world in the fight against money laundering," said ...

Northern Army commander visits Akhnoor, Reasi sectors in Jammu

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh Wednesday visited operational bases in Akhnoor and Reasi sectors in Jammu division, a defence spokesperson said. The commander was accompanied by White Knight Corps Commander Lt Gen Paramjit Singh during the visit to review the operational preparedness and the prevalent security situation, he said. He exhorted all ranks to remain vigilant to counter the nefarious designs of the "enemy and anti-national elements", the official said. The Northern Army commander was briefed on the actions being taken to ensure a robust counter-infiltration and counter-terrorist grid to enable continued peace and stability in the region and on the use of new generation technology to enhance operational capability, the spokesman said.

BJP protests force Speaker to adjourn Karnataka Assembly

Protests by BJP legislators on Wednesday against an attack by JD-S workers on the house of one of its MLAs in Hassan forced Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar to adjourn the House.

Rajasthan grants 5% quota to Gujjars, wants Centre to amend Constitution

The Rajasthan government on Wednesday passed the Reservation Amendment Bill 2019 in the Assembly, which promises 5 per cent reservation to five communities, including Gujjars, in educational institutions and government jobs.

CM, ministerial colleagues begin dharna outside Raj Nivas

: Stepping up the attack on Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy began a dharna with his ministerial colleagues outside Raj Nivas, demanding that she accord sanction for 39 government proposals, including a free rice scheme. Congress and DMK mlas are also participating in the protest outside the Raj Nivas, the official office cum residence of the Lt Governor. Sporting black shirts, they squatted on the road outside Raj Nivas, protesting against her 'negative stand' in rejecting files on various matters sent to her for approval. The Chief Minister later told reporters that they took strong exception to the "continued rejection of government proposals to ameliorate the lot of the poor and have-nots". Narayanasamy said Bedi's recent decision to make helmet wearing mandatory without generating awareness among two wheeler riders, as proposed by the government "is a clear case of her going her way and causing harassment to the people". He alleged ...

PM to launch on Feb 24 scheme to give Rs 6,000 to farmers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate on February 24 the government scheme of giving Rs 6,000 annual financial assistance to farmers which was announced in the interim budget, a senior BJP leader said Wednesday. The first installment of Rs 2,000 will be credited in farmers' accounts by the prime minister at the proposed Kisan Maha Adhiveshan at Fertilizer ground here, BJP zonal vice president Stayendra Sinha said. Sinha, however, did not give the number of farmers who will receive the money on the day the scheme is launched. The two-day farmers' conclave will be inaugurated by BJP president Amit Shah on February 23. On Wednesday, BJP state president Sunil Bansal along with party MPs and MLAs took stock of preparation at the rally ground. "PM Modi will inaugurate the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna, announced in the budget, under which the first installment of Rs 2,000 will be credited in farmers' account. There will be a huge rush of over 7,000 farmers from Gorakhpur ..

Citizenship Bill lapsing in Rajya Sabha is victory of the people: Manipur CM

The lapsing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 as it was not cleared by the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday "is a victory of the people".

Will go alone in LS polls if Cong, others also do so: AIADMK

Taunted by the Congress to face the coming Lok Sabha polls alone, the ruling AIADMK Wednesday hit back, saying it was strong enough and prepared for fighting the elections on its own provided other parties in Tamil Nadu also go without allies. Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam made the remarks in the assembly after the Congress asked the ruling party to assess its strength in the post-Jayalalithaa era. During the debate on the budget, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader K R Ramasamy said the AIADMK should prove its strength by facing the polls without allies, saying it has not faced a major election after the demise of late chief minister and party supremo J Jayalalithaa in 2016. The AIADMK had lost the only poll held after her demise -- the December 2017 RK Nagar bypoll held to fill the vacancy created by her death, Ramasamy said. He also made some remarks which seemed to indicate the AIADMK was under some kind of 'problem' vis-a-vis a possible alliance with the

Modi trying to tear apart Constitution, destroy democracy: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging he is trying to tear apart the Constitution and destroy democracy. On a day when the CAG report on the 2015 Rafale fighter deal was tabled in Parliament, Kejriwal said Modi should speak the truth on the agreement between India and France because, as prime minister, he is accountable to the nation. "Modi is trying to tear apart the Constitution. He is destroying democracy," he said at a mega rally of opposition parties organised by his Aam Aadmi Party at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Referring to the controversy over the visit of a number of CBI officials visiting the Kolkata police commissioner's residence in connection with its probe into chit-fund cases, Kejriwal said sending "40 CBI officers" from Delhi was an attack on the elected government of West Bengal. He also alleged that the Modi government has "captured" the Anti Corruption Branch in the last four years. "Who ...

Celebrations in Assam as Citizenship Bill is not tabled in RS

With the contentious Citizenship (amendment) Bill set to lapse on June 3 as it was not tabled in the Rajya Sabha which adjourned sine die on Wednesday, celebrations broke out across Assam which had been vehemently protesting against it. The Budget session was the last Parliament session of the present government as the Lok Sabha polls are due this summer. Supporters of various organisations agitating against the bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8, were seen coming out to the streets, bursting crackers, sharing sweets and dancing. Slogans such as "Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Sarbananda Sonowal, Himanta Biswa Sarma hai hai" rent the air here. Organisations like the All Assam Students Union (AASU), Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS), Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) claimed that not passing of the bill in the Rajya Sabha is a "victory of democracy, of the people of Assam and the northeast region against communal forces". AGP leader and former Assam chief .

Delhi govt colluded with pvt transporters to stop plying of Punjab buses up to IGIA: Minister

Punjab minister Aruna Chowdhary Wednesday accused the AAP government in the national capital of colluding with private transporters to stop plying of the government-owned luxury buses up to the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). However, AAP MLA Aman Arora rejected the allegations and claimed that the state -owned PRTC and the Punjab Roadways could ply their luxury buses up to the Delhi ISBT as per the stage carrier permit they hold. During the Question Hour, Chowdhary informed the House that private buses were allowed to ply from Punjab till the IGIA but state-owned buses had been denied permission. "The AAP government in Delhi in collusion with private transporters stopped plying of our buses. Despite having tourist permit, our buses were not allowed to ply," he said. The transport minister's statement triggered angry reactions from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs. They vociferously objected to the accusation of the minister. Some of the AAP legislators rushed towards the ...

1,986 migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan granted Indian citizenship in 3 yrs: Govt

Altogether 1,986 migrants of all religions from Pakistan and Afghanistan were granted Indian citizenship in the last three years, Parliament was informed on Wednesday. Replying to a written question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said according to the available data, 295 Hindus and Sikhs from Afghanistan and Pakistan were granted Indian citizenship since 2018. "As per the data available online, 1,595 Pakistani and 391 Afghanistani migrants of all religions have been granted Indian citizenship in the last three years (2016 to 2018). "The provision for capturing online citizenship data of migrants from minority communities namely Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian hailing from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh was introduced in 2018," he added.

Jubilation across northeast as citizenship bill set to die

A wave of jubilation swept through Assam and other northeastern states, in ferment for the last few weeks, after the hugely divisive Citizenship Bill could not be tabled in the Rajya Sabha and was destined to die a natural death with the expiry of the term of the current Lok Sabha on June 3. Celebrations erupted across Assam with opponents of the bill bursting crackers, distributing sweets and breaking into frenzied dancing on the streets. Leaders of the AGP, AASU, KMSS, AJYCP--all antagonists of the Citizenship (amendment) Bill, 2019, claimed the Centre's failure to pass the legislation in the Rajya Sabha was a victory of democracy and of the people of Assam and the northeast over "communal" forces. "Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Sarbananda Sonowal, Himanta Biswa Sarma hai, hai," they chanted, as fireworks reverberated in cities, towns and villages of Assam. The BJP, which stood isolated on the issue, with even its alliance partners in the northeast raising a banner of ...

Cong begins exercise for selecting candidates for LS, assembly

Congress Wednesday began the exercise for selection of candidates for the coming simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha, party sources said. The party has decided to release its list of probable candidates for the state by the end of this month, much before the rival parties, they said. AICC screening committee chairman V D Satishan and member Naushad Solanki, who are in the state, have started meeting the aspiring candidates for both the elections, they said. The committee will be in Odisha for three days and have discussions with Congress members of all levels, the sources said adding the aspiring candidates can directly submit their documents with the committee. "The candidates will be selected on the basis of their possibilities to winning the polls. However, youths and women will get priority," OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik said. He said that Congress president Rahul Gandhi is slated to visit the state in the last week of February and attend a ..

London denies plotting last-minute Brexit vote

The British government denied Wednesday it was secretly plotting to force MPs into a last-minute choice on Brexit between a rejigged deal or a lengthy delay. ITV television reported that it had overheard Prime Minister Theresa May's chief Brexit negotiator Olly Robbins in a Brussels bar saying the European Union would probably let Britain extend its March 29 departure date. Such a move would effectively mean removing the possibility of Britain leaving the EU without a deal. ITV reported that it eavesdropped on Robbins, one of the key figures in the Brexit negotiations, talking to colleagues in a hotel bar on Monday. He was said to have indicated that if lawmakers - who overwhelmingly rejected the deal struck between London and Brussels - did not vote for a rehashed withdrawal agreement, then the delay to Brexit would be "a long one". "The issue is whether Brussels is clear on the terms of extension. In the end, they will probably just give us an extension," he was quoted as ...