Page 174 - Politics
Vijayan meets Modi; raises issue of Trivandrum airport's privatisation
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the assurance that he would consider the grievances of the state with regard to privatisation of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and seek a report from the Aviation Ministry in this regard. Vijayan, who met the media after the 5th Governing Council Meet of NITI Aayog here, said the credibility of Kerala government to run international airports has been appreciated by international agencies like the United Nations. The Adani group had, in February, won a bid to operate five out of six airports, including the Thiruvananthapuram airport, proposed for privatisation by the central government. "The Adani group lacks the experience of running an airport. However, the Kerala government has shown its experience in managing airports," the chief minister said. "The Cochin Airport is an example. The effort was even recognised by the United Nations. With this experience, we decided to start and ...
Open for talks with WB CM, will decide venue later: Agitating docs
The impasse in West Bengal showed signs of easing as agitating doctors said Saturday night that they were open for talks with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to end their stir, but they would decide on the venue of the meeting later. They had earlier in the evening turned down an invite for a closed-door meeting with Banerjee at the state secretariat and had instead asked her to visit the NRS Medical College and Hospital for an open discussion to resolve the impasse. Late on Saturday night, the joint forum of junior doctors held a press conference their meeting. "We are open for dialogue always. If the chief minister extends one hand we will extend 10 of ours... we are eagerly waiting to break the deadlock," the spokesperson said. The agitating doctors said they would wait for their governing body to decide on the proposed venue for the meeting. The agitating doctors had also turned down Banerjee's request saying there was no honest effort on her part to break the ...
Mamata rubbishes MHA advisory, oppn parties second it
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday rubbished the claims of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) about "poor" law and order in the state, saying the Centre should send such advisories to states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat where "several murders have been reported in the last couple of years". The MHA sought separate reports from the West Bengal government on the ongoing doctors' strike and on political violence that has left 160 people dead in the past four years. In an advisory, the MHA told the state government that the continued trend of political violence from 2016 through 2019 is an indicative of the "failure" on the part of the law-enforcement machinery of the state and asked the administration to inspire a sense of security among the people. While Banerjee dismissed the allegation, opposition parties in the state seconded it and demanded her resignation as home minister. "We do not have any such situation in West Bengal. It is a very peaceful state. Ask the ...
Barcelona's acting mayor re-elected after beating separatist
Barcelona's acting mayor Ada Colau was re-elected on Saturday, beating a Catalan separatist who had come first in municipal polls, after reaching a deal with the socialists and getting unexpected support from France's former prime minister Manuel Valls. Hundreds of independence supporters filled the square in front of the city hall as voting took place in a constituent session also attended by Joaquim Forn, Catalonia's former regional interior minister who is in jail and on trial over a failed secession bid in October 2017. Forn, who was elected as a councillor in municipal elections on May 26, was allowed to leave prison temporarily to attend the session. Colau narrowly lost those local elections to Ernest Maragall, a veteran politician from ERC, a party that wants Catalonia -- the northeastern region ruled by separatists -- to be independent from the rest of Spain. He gained 10 seats out of 41 in the city council, as did Colau. Maragall beat her by fewer than 5,000 votes. If he had
Ammunition depot explodes in Syrian capital: state media
An ammunition depot in Damascus exploded Saturday, state media reported, prompting a blast in the Syrian capital. "An ammunition depot for the Syrian army in western Damascus exploded after a fire in nearby fields started spreading," state news agency SANA said, citing a military source. The ammunition depot was located in a military zone in Mashrou Dummar, a western suburb, SANA reported. The explosion wounded eight pro-government fighters, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. The Syrian capital has been relatively calm since regime forces recaptured the Eastern Ghouta suburbs from rebel forces last year. However, strikes by Syria's rival Israel continue to target military installations around the capital. More than 370,000 people have been killed in Syria's war since it erupted in 2011 with a violent crackdown on anti-government protests.
Benin police open fire on protesters, kill two: mayor
Benin security forces killed two protesters Saturday in the city of Save while breaking up a demonstration by people who erected barricades and blocked the national road for days, the mayor said. This followed days of demonstrations over controversial April 28 parliamentary elections in the West African country. "This morning, a contingent of the republican police came to clear the roadblocks," said Timothee Biaou, mayor of the central town of Save. "Gunfire was exchanged between police and masked individuals. Seven civilians were taken to hospital and there were also two deaths." A witness to the confrontation, who asked not to be named, also said two people were killed, one a motorbike taxi driver and the other a teenager. "The road has been unblocked but it is total panic. Many people have fled, others are staying at home," said the witness. AFP reporters witnessed deserted streets, an abandoned market, and closed shops and businesses. On Friday, soldiers opened fire on protesters .
TN CM calls on Prime Minister Modi, discusses projects
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami Saturday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence here and sought his support for various state-specific projects. Palaniswami, during the brief interaction, also presented him a memorandum on various development projects. Later, the chief minister took part in the fifth governing council meeting of NITI Aayog here. "The Tamil Nadu government, working on the lines of my revered leader Amma (former chief minister J Jayalalithaa), is pushing forward her vision of a developed Tamil Nadu and I request the prime minister to support us by providing sufficient funds (for the developmental schemes)," Palaniswami said in his address. The schemes for which he sought financial assistance from the Centre included rejuvenation of water bodies in Tamil Nadu, setting up of rainwater harvesting structures, besides seeking linking of Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh with Cauvery river on a priority basis. Palaniswami sought Modi's intervention in .
Mamata, Jai Ram Thakur and Amarinder Singh miss NITI Aayog meet
In the fifth meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog held here on Saturday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur were the only ones who were absent, said Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog."On a very short notice, we have got an overwhelming response. Only three Chief Ministers have not come. Among the three one has gone to Germany (Thakur), one is ill (Amarinder) while West Bengal Chief Minister could not attend the meeting," Kumar said at a press briefing held after the meeting."Rest all were present. Delhi Chief Minister, two Lieutenant Governors, and Governor of Jammu and Kashmir was also present," he added."NITI Aayog governing council meeting is the governing council of only Chief Ministers and LG Andaman was also present. Because Jammu and Kashmir has no Chief Minister, Governor represented the state. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister has gone abroad so state chief
Fadnavis, other BJP CMs meet PM Modi
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and apprise him of the steps being taken to ensure a drought-free Marathwada region and of the river linking projects going on in the state."Had a very good meeting with Honourable PM Narendramodiji in New Delhi. We had a discussion on many issues, especially, river linking projects and drought free Marathwada. Thank you, Honourable Modiji, for the valuable guidance and your word of support for Maharashtra," Fadnavis tweeted after his meeting.Chief Minister Fadnavis was in the national capital to attend the 5th meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog on Saturday.Heads of many other BJP ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Manipur CM N Biren Singh and Tripura CM Biplab Deb also met PM Modi to congratulate him on the huge victory the party achieved in the ...
Telangana Congress MLA may join BJP
The Congress in Telangana received another jolt as senior party leader and legislator K. Rajagopal Reddy on Saturday dropped hints that he may join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Stalemate on; Doctors reject Mamata's call for talks
The much-wanted solution to the junior doctors' strike in West Bengal continued to look ellusive as the agitators on Saturday night turned down Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's appeal for talks, claiming that her initiatives lacked "honesty".
We will eradicate terrorism in J-K in coming days: MoS Home
We will eradicate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days, Minister of State in Home Ministry G Kishan Reddy said on Saturday."In coming days, I believe that the Kashmiri youth who are being attracted towards terrorism will understand the real situation. Pakistan is trying to spread terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and in coming days we will eradicate terrorism in the state," he told ANI.Terming Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao's absence from the NITI Aayog meeting as "unfortunate", the Minister said, "After elections here, TRS has formed the government and in Centre, BJP has come to power. And for the first time after that, the NITI Aayog meeting was held.""Chief Minister Rao not attending the meeting is not good for a new state like Telangana. KCR has time to go to Maharashtra and other places but he didn't go to NITI Aayog. KCR has many times said in the assembly that NITI Aayog is supporting state schemes and even then he didn't turn up at the meeting," he added.
RPI demands 10 assembly seats in Maharashtra
The Republican Party of India (RPI) on Saturday said that it wanted to contest on 10 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections slated to be held later this year."In the state elections, RPI, Shiv Sena and BJP will contest the elections together. We have demanded 10 seats. I spoke to the chief minister in this regard and has assured me of positive response," Athawale told reporters here.It may be noted that RPI is a part of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Maharashtra.Athawale said senior RPI leader Avinash Matekar has got a ministerial berth in the expanded Maharashtra Cabinet and is set to take oath at the Raj Bhavan on Sunday."Tomorrow, the cabinet expansion will take place. The Chief Minister (Devendra Fadnavis) has fulfilled our demand and our party will get a ministerial berth. I had forwarded the name of our senior party leader Avinash Matekar. (Cabinet minister) Chandrakant Patil informed me that he (Matekar) will take oath at Raj Bhavan at 11 am tomorrow," he said."I express my
CICA Summit: Jaishankar meets Iranian counterpart, discusses bilateral ties
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday met his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and discussed issues of mutual interest on the sidelines of the 5th Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Summit here on Saturday."EAM @DrSJaishankar met with Iranian Foreign Minister @JZarif on the sidelines of #CICA2019 summit in Dushanbe. Discussed issues of mutual interest. @Iran_in_India @IRIMFA_EN @IndEmbDushanbe," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.The meeting was held against the backdrop of the US sanctions on Iran as well as Tehran's partial withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), worsening ties between the two sides.This comes a day after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iran President Haasan Rouhani was cancelled on Friday due to "scheduling issues."Addressing the summit earlier in the day, Jaishankar had underlined that terrorism is the 'gravest threat' that people in Asia ...
Centre seeks report from Bengal on political violence, Mamata hits back
The Centre on Saturday sought a report from the West Bengal government on the measures it took to contain political violence in the state and the steps it took to bring the culprits to book.
Striking doctors in Bengal reject Mamata's call for talks
Striking junior doctors in West Bengal on Saturday again turned down Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's proposal for talks at the state secretariat Nabanna, and stuck to their demand that she would have to come down to the NRS Medical College and Hospital to listen to them.
'Ridiculous', says Telangana Oppn after KCR skips NITI Aayog meeting
Opposition in Telangana on Saturday said Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's decision to not attend the NITI Aayog meeting in New Delhi today was a "ridiculous act".Speaking to ANI, Senior Congress leader in Telangana Hanumantha Rao, said, "Not attending NITI Aayog meet by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is a very ridiculous act. It is a platform provided to ask and tell the centre the current status of the state and that could help to gain more funds for the development of the state. Andhra Pradesh reorganisation bill is pending, so is Biyyaram steel plant issue. And the promise of sanctioning a Tribal university is also pending."Rao maintained that though somewhere, it was obvious that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would not attend the meeting, KCR should have attended it as Telangana needs more development in the state, which can be achieved with the assistance of the central government."Relation of Mamata Banerjee with the NDA government is very ...
Terrorism has shrunk in Kashmir: Governor
The incidents of terrorist activities have come down in Jammu and Kashmir as the people of the state are not giving shelter to militants, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said here on Saturday.
"Govt to take tougher measures to root out terror in J&K"
: The NDA government at the centre would take tougher measures to put down terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said Saturday. "At the central government, we will make efforts in the days to come to root out terrorist activity in Jammu and Kashmir with more toughness. I am fully confident the Centre is trying to root out terrorism with a zero-tolerance (approach). The Narendra Modi government is making efforts to take the country forward in the coming days," he told reporters here. Reddy, Lok Sabha member from Secunderabad here, is scheduled to undertake a 'padayatra' in the city on Sunday. Meanwhile, he called on President Ram Nath Kovind in Delhi on Saturday, BJP sources said, adding that it was a courtesy call.
Kerala CM raises setting up AIIMS, Ayurveda research institute at NITI Aayog meet
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Saturday raised the issue of establishing a medical institute equivalent to AIIMS in the state during this financial year. He was in the national capital to attend the fifth Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog. Speaking at a press conference here, Vijayan maintained that his government has identified sites for establishing AIIMS-like institute in the southern state according to the direction of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. "We have informed the ministry that 200 acres of land in Kozhikode district of Kerala has been identified. The establishment of AIIMS in Kerala will augment the real-time efforts of Kerala government in setting higher standards of medical education and better quality of preventive and curative treatment facilities," he said. The Left leader said the Kerala government also intends to establish an international research institute on Ayurveda. He said it will be a laboratory-cum-study centre for the ...