Page 2178 - Politics
Chhattisgarh CM announces farm loan waiver
Soon after taking charge as Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel on Monday announced that his government will waive farm loans within 10 days as promised by Congress president Rahul Gandhi during campaigning of recently-concluded state Assembly election.Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Kamal Nath also waived farm loans of Rs 2 lakh as promised at the time of elections, shortly after he took oath as the chief minister.Addressing the media after his swearing-in ceremony, Baghel said, "Congress President Rahul Gandhi had announced that farm loans will be waived within 10 days and that Minimum Support Price (MSP) for maize will be increased to Rs 2500 from Rs 1700 per quintal. These two decisions have been taken today."The agricultural loan waiver was the Congress' key promise to the farmers of Chhattisgarh ahead of the Assembly polls. During poll campaigning, Gandhi had promised to implement the loan-waiver programme within 10 days if Congress is voted to power in the state.The ...
Pakistan a democracy in name not in reality: Husain Haqqani
Progressive Pakistani thinkers have expressed their grave concerns over Pakistan's drift towards authoritarianism, expansion of the military's control over public policy and weakening of civilian institutions.Addressing a conference titled 'Democracy, Human Rights and Ending Terrorism in Pakistan' here, Husain Haqqani, the former Ambassador of Pakistan to the US said, "Pakistan is only a democracy in name not in reality." The event was organised by South Asians Against Terrorism & for Human Rights (SAATH) Forum.He raised concerns over growing threats to minority communities and the deteriorating human rights situation in the country where the elected government has failed to protect civil rights.Assurances given by current Pakistan Army Chief (General Qamar Javed Bajwa) proved sufficient to halt target killings of Hazara citizens in Balochistan, which raises questions as to why similar assurances and actions were not available under previous army chiefs, Haqqani said.He added, ...
US accepts Assad staying in Syria -- but won't give aid
The US has said it is no longer seeking to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but renewed warnings it would not fund reconstruction unless the regime is "fundamentally different." James Jeffrey, the US special representative in Syria, said that Assad needed to compromise as he had not yet won the brutal seven-year civil war, estimating that some 100,000 armed opposition fighters remained in Syria. "We want to see a regime that is fundamentally different. It's not regime change -- we're not trying to get rid of Assad," Jeffrey said at the Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank. Estimating that Syria would need USD 300-400 billion to rebuild, Jeffrey warned that Western powers and international financial institutions would not commit funds without a change of course. "There is a strong readiness on the part of Western nations not to ante up money for that disaster unless we have some kind of idea that the government is ready to compromise and thus not create yet another horror ..
China marks 40-year economic rise as clouds gather
China celebrates Tuesday the 40th anniversary of its transformative "reform and opening up" policy, which turned the world's most populous country into an economic juggernaut that now faces slowing growth and a stern US challenge. The brainchild of late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, the programme was ratified at a Communist Party conclave on December 18, 1978, breaking with the chaotic policies of his predecessor, Chairman Mao Zedong. The reforms ditched Maoist-style collectivisation that left the nation impoverished and backward, launching a new era which led to double-digit annual growth that pulled millions out of poverty and turned China into the world's second biggest economy. China now boasts the most dollar billionaires in the world with 620, according to Shanghai-based magazine publisher Hurun Report. But the economic transformation has not brought changes to the Communist Party-controlled political system, with authorities harshly cracking down on the Tiananmen protests in .
Facing opposition, Britain's May will bring Brexit deal back to parliament
LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday she would bring her Brexit deal back to parliament for a vote in mid-January, pledging to get assurances from the European Union before then to break deadlock.
Washington careens towards government shutdown with no deal in sight
US lawmakers were scrambling Monday to avert a partial government shutdown, with Republican and Democratic leaders locked in a stalemate over President Donald Trump's demands for border wall funding. As Washington barreled towards a shuttering of key federal agencies in just four days, the White House appeared dug in on Trump's call for Congress to budget USD 5 billion in 2019 to fund a wall on the US-Mexico border that he insists will check illegal immigration. If no breakthrough is reached, the shutdown would occur over the Christmas holiday -- when most lawmakers flee the US Capitol -- leaving Washington red-faced at the end of the year. The closure could potentially spill into early January, when the new Congress -- including a Democratically controlled House of Representatives -- is sworn in. Congressional leaders say they are opposed to a shutdown. Democrats are united in their opposition to Trump's USD 5 billion ask, saying their intent is to offer no more than USD 1.6 billion .
Haryana Minister wants Rajiv Gandhi punished posthumously for anti-Sikh riots
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij kicked up a new controversy on Monday when he demanded that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi should be "punished posthumously" so that families of about 3,400 Sikhs, who died in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, get justice.
Unfurl tricolour on Goa Liberation Day: Congress to Parrikar
After Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikars much discussed visit to inspect two under- construction bridges, the Congress Monday said he should show the same efforts to unfurl the tricolour on December 19 to mark the Liberation Day of Goa. Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule on December 19, 1961. Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar said the party will appreciate if the chief minister unfurled the tri-colour on December 19 and delivered the Liberation Day address. "To unfurl the tricolour is a much easier and honourable job than inspecting bridges," Chodankar said. Earlier in the day, the BJP accused the Congress of politicising the health condition of Parrikar. On Sunday, Parrikar inspected two under-construction bridges on Mandovi and Zuari rivers. This was the first time the CM was seen in public since returning to Goa on October 14 post hospitalisation in Delhi's AIIMS.
Halt on 'Rath Yatra': BJP to hold protest rallies, law violations across Bengal
The BJP on Monday kick-started a week-long protest by taking out a rally in Hooghly district against the Mamata Banerjee-government's denial of permission to the party's proposed "Rath Yatra" in West Bengal and threatened to hold law violation programmes wherever they are stopped.
UP to revive 74 companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary
Uttar Pradesh government will revive 74 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), which were abolished by the previous government, said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday.He said that this is being done keeping in view the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 as PAC manage law and order in "crucial areas" very effectively. He was speaking at PAC Day celebration in Lucknow."Lok Sabha elections are to be held across the nation and in Uttar Pradesh also. PAC manages law and order very easily in the areas, which are considered critical. We have decided to reinstate those Companies and have also started the procedure to float 3 women companies of PAC," said Adityanath.PAC is an armed police maintained at key locations across the state. It is usually assigned to VIP duty or to maintain order during elections and other big events.
Cong's JPC demand in Rafale deal 'political grandstanding': Sitharaman
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Monday termed the Congress' demand for a JPC probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal as a "political grandstanding". She said the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) probe into the Bofors deal in 1980s was of little value. Speaking to reporters at the BJP's Mumbai office, the defence minister said, "To ask for a JPC (in Rafale deal), is more for their (Congress) political grandstanding rather than for genuinely knowing (truth) post the Supreme Court's verdict." She was speaking as part of the BJP's decision to hold pressers in 70 cities across the country to attack the main opposition party in the backdrop of the Supreme Court's verdict on the controversial Rafale jet deal. The SC had on Friday said there is no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the procurement of 36 Rafale jets from France, and dismissed all the petitions seeking an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Rs 58,000-crore deal. She said, "If you want to just ...
Ousted Pak premier Sharif's security guards assault cameraman of TV channel
A cameraman of a Pakistani television channel was assaulted by security guards of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif here on Monday. The incident occurred outside the Parliament when the ousted premier arrived to meet his younger brother Shehbaz, who is facing a probe by the National Accountability Bureau. A TV footage showed cameraman Syed Wajid Ali of a private media channel, Samaa TV, lying on the ground outside the Parliament building after being knocked down by a security guard of Sharif when he came in the way of the PML-N chief to record his movements. Another guard is then seen rushing towards the cameraman and kicking him squarely in the face. The guard then escapes the scene in one of the vehicles. The cameraman was rushed to a hospital. Doctors said he is out of danger. Condemning the incident, Pakistani journalists staged a protest at the Parliament and demanded arrest of the guards. While one of the security personnel involved in the attack has been arrested, the guard ...
Chhattisgarh govt to waive short-term agri loans: CM
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Monday announced that his government will waive short-term agricultural loans of farmers, fulfilling a promise made by the Congress ahead of the just concluded state assembly polls. Short-term agriculture loans to the tune of over Rs 6,100 crore of over 16.65 lakh farmers drawn from cooperative banks and Chhattisgarh Gramin Banks, as on November 30, 2018, will be completely waived, he said. Baghel was addressing a press conference after chairing the first cabinet meeting of the newly-formed Congress government in the state. Besides, loans of farmers borrowed from commercial banks will also be waived after proper examination, he said. Fulfilling another pre-poll promise, the cabinet decided to hike the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of paddy to Rs 2,500 per quintal, he said. Another important decision taken in the Cabinet was that a Special Investigation Team will be formed to probe the 2013 Jhiram valley Naxal attack in Bastar district, where ..
BJP declares income of Rs 1,027.34 cr in 2017-18, spends 74 pc
The BJP has declared a total income of Rs 1,027.34 crore during financial year 2017-18 and spent 74 per cent (Rs 758.47 cr) of it, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The ADR said the Congress was yet to file its audit report for the year. The BSP's total income during year 2017-18 was Rs 51.7 cr of which the party spent only 29 per cent (Rs 14.78 cr), the report said. The NCP was the only party to have spent more than its total income of Rs 8.15 crore. The party spent Rs 8.84 crore, the report said. Between 2016-17 and 2017-18, the income of BJP decreased from Rs 1,034.27 crore during 2016-17 to Rs 1027.34 crore during 2017-18. Six national parties collected 86.91 pc (Rs 1,041.80 crore) of their total income from voluntary contributions for 2017-18. During 2017-18, out of the 6 national parties, only BJP declared receiving an income of Rs 210 crore from contribution through electoral bonds. The Communist Party of India (Marxists) alleged that the ..
Madhya Pradesh to waive up to $5.3 billion in farm debts
MUMBAI (Reuters) - The new leader of the state of Madhya Pradesh is to waive up to $5.3 billion of farm loans, becoming the latest area to offer relief ahead of a national election next year as farmers reel from losses caused by falling crop prices.
Meghalaya Guv inaugurates exhibition on rare Gandhi photos
Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy on Monday inaugurated an exhibition on rare photographs of Mahatma Gandhi. The five-day exhibition on 'Saaf Niyat Sahi Vikas' and the photographs of the Father of the Nation will be on display till December 21, officials said. At the event, the Governor also felicitated 12 heroes of the 1971 Indo-Pak War, from Meghalaya, they said. Roy hailed the efforts of the state government in strengthening the information machinery in the entire north-east through the Act East Policy.
Kamal Nath announces sops after taking charge as MP CM
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath Monday said incentives would be granted to industries giving preference to the state's youths in recruitment and announced a slew of other sops as he got down to the business of running the first Congress government in the state 15 years. Nath, who did not contest the November 28 assembly elections, was sworn in as the 18th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh this afternoon. Talking to reporters at the state secretariat after taking charge, Nath announced setting up of four garment parks in the state to generate job opportunities. Nath also increased the financial assistance provided under the 'Kanyadan Yojana' to Rs 51,000 from around Rs 26,000 now. The scheme covers families having girls of marriageable age. He said government incentives would be offered to industries which give 70 per cent of their jobs to the youths from the state. "This (new garment parks) would increase opportunities for youths besides creating auxiliary jobs in hotels and ..
BJP earned over Rs 1000 crore, spent Rs 758 crore in 2017-18; ADR
The ruling BJP has declared a total income of over Rs 1,000 crore in 2017-18 spending over Rs 750 crore in the year. However, the income and expenditure of the Congress party was not known with the party yet to submit its audited reports to the Election Commission.
Law amended to empower govt to appoint administrator, board for coop banks in JK
The State Administrative Council (SAC) Monday amended Cooperative Societies Act (CSA) to pave the way for appointment of administrators, professional boards for cooperative banks by the state government. The State Administrative Council (SAC) headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik approved amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Societies Act, 1989. The Bill seeks to replace the J&K Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 promulgated by the governor on June 14 this year, an official spokesman said. The amendments will enable the government to constitute a board of management or administrator for a period of 2 years to manage the affairs of cooperative banks instead of six months as contained in the earlier legislation. The amendment will also help to implement the various revival packages of central and the state governments for such Banks, he said. It will also enable the government constitution of professional boards for three district central cooperative banks ...
Best time to talk as Pak army's 'proxy' is in power: Mehbooba
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said it was the "best time" for India to hold talks with Pakistan as the neighbouring country's new Prime Minister Imran Khan is being touted as a "proxy" their army. If initiated now, she said, the talks between the two neighbours at this time could prove "beneficial". "If Imran is a proxy of the Pak army then this is the best time to talk. When Imran Khan says he is ready to talk, to open corridors, then I think army is also on the same page...," Mufti said at the 'Agenda Aaj Tak' event here. She said the "best bargain" for India, vis-a-vis the Kashmir issue, was during the time when Pervez Musharraf was the President of Pakistan as during that time ceasefire was initiated at the border and the Muzaffarabad route was opened up. "The talks could be beneficial now....why should we not talk?" she asked. The PDP leader also said her party will "join hands" with any political party that will support the "resolution of the ..