Page 2206 - Politics
Gandhi accuses government of lies in Rafale deal
Seeking to counter the BJP attack, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the government of telling "lies" and raised questions over the statement that a parliamentary committee had examined the pricing details of the Rafale deal and asserted that there was no such meeting.
Farm loans waiver soon in MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgrah: Rahul
With the Congress coming to power in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, party President Rahul Gandhi on Friday affirmed his party's commitment to waive off farm loans in all the three states.
Hope BJP also waits for SC's Babri Masjid verdict: Mehbooba
On a day the Supreme Court dismissed pleas challenging the Rafale deal, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said the BJP should also wait for the apex court's verdict on the Babri Masjid issue. In a relief to the Modi government, the Supreme Court Friday dismissed the pleas challenging the deal between India and France for procurement of 36 Rafale jets saying there was no occasion to "really doubt the decision making process" warranting setting aside of the contract. "Like the Rafale decision was welcomed, I hope they (the BJP) will wait for the decision (of Supreme Court) on Babri Masjid as well and won't start pointing fingers at the SC. We have an institution which is highly respected," Mehbooba said. She was replying to questions at an event held by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been demanding an ordinance or a law to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya at the earliest. It had also criticised the Supreme Court's decision to defer the hearing in
Bills to supersede MCI, set up tribal university in Andhra introduced in Lok Sabha
The government on Friday introduced a bill in Lok Sabha for superseding the Medical Council of India (MCI) and entrusting its responsibilities to a Board of Governors as part of efforts to develop an alternative regulatory mechanism for medical education to bring in transparency and quality. It also introduced the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill for setting up a university in Andhra Pradesh to provide avenues of higher education and research facilities primarily for the tribal population of the county. Union Health Minister J P Nadda introduced The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018 for passage as the government had brought an ordinance in this regard on September 26, 2018, when Parliament was not in session. Under the provisions of the bill, MCI's affairs will be entrusted to a Board of Governors consisting of eminent doctors for a period of one year or until the said Council is reconstituted, whichever is earlier. The National Medical Commission Bill 2017 which ...
Statement of ex-French Prez Hollande triggered PILs which can't be scrutinised: SC
The Supreme Court said Friday that a statement made by former French president Francois Hollande triggered the filing of pleas against the Rafale fighter jet deal, which cannot be scrutinised based on "mere press interviews and suggestions". The top court, which junked PILs challenging the deal between India and France for procurement of 36 Rafale jets, took note of the fact that the controversy came to light and pleas were filed after Hollande purportedly made startling revelations that the French side was told to choose a Reliance firm as its Indian Offset Partner (IOP). A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that Rafale jet deal was sealed on September 23, 2016 and "nothing was called in question then". "It is only taking advantage of the statement by the ex-President of France, Francois Hollande that these set of petitions have been filed, not only qua the aspect which formed the statement, that is, the issue of IOPs but also with respect to the entire decision-making ..
"No occasion to really doubt" Rafale deal: SC; verdict relief for govt but sparks pol slugfest
In a major relief to the Modi government, the Supreme Court Friday said it was "satisfied" with the decision making process in concluding the Rafale fighter jet deal and rejected demands for a probe, sparking bitter exchanges between the BJP and the Congress. The verdict by the apex court that it found no reason to intervene on what it called the "sensitive issue" of purchase of 36 jets from France came as a political victory for the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi just days after the defeat of the party in three Hindi-heartland states--Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh-- in the Assembly polls at the hands of the Congress. Modi had come in for a relentless attack from Congress President Rahul Gandhi who alleged corruption in procurement of the fighter jets for the IAF from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, calling it a scam which allegedly benefitted industrialist Anil Ambani. Holding it did not find any substantial material on record to show there was "commercial
Pb CM appeals to parties not to hold political conferences at 'Shaheedi Jor Mela'
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday appealed to all parties not to hold any political conferences during the 'Shaheedi Jor Mela' in Fatehgarh Sahib, keeping in mind the sanctity of the event. The Shaheedi Jor Mela is held every year to mark the martyrdom day of Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, the younger sons of 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh, and his mother. However, the people of Punjab felt that it was increasingly becoming a forum for political parties to score brownie points, the chief minister said. Neither the ruling Congress nor the state government will organise any public function during this solemn occasion, he said. Notably, over the years, various parties had been holding political conferences at the event, which is held in December. However, in 2017, many parties including the Congress, SAD and AAP had decided not to hold such conferences. Since it is a solemn occasion, the event should not be used as a platform to gain political mileage, the ...
I will stay in state politics: Raman Singh
Outgoing Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said Friday that he will not move to the Centre but remain in state politics. The Congress, in the recently concluded election, ended the BJP's 15-year rule in the state. "Mai yahi tha aur yahi rahunga (I was here and will stay here)," Singh said at a press conference. "Now I will keep on coming to the BJP office in my new role. I will be meeting the press more often. Earlier as a CM, there were certain limitations for me but now I will come to party office and keep on meeting my workers," a smiling Singh said. He also touched on the Supreme Court's ruling on the Rafale issue, and slammed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. "For the last eight months, as part of a well-planned conspiracy, an attempt was being made to malign the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by levelling false charges. "The Supreme Court's decision has exposed the lies of the Congress president," he said. The Congress, itself embroiled in corruption ...
No case of "commercial favouritism" in Reliance as offset partner for Rafale: SC
The Centre had no role in the choice of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Aerostructure as an Indian Offset Partner in the Rafale fighter jet deal and there is no substantial material to show that it was a case of "commercial favouritism", the Supreme Court said Friday. Mere press interviews or suggestions cannot form the basis for judicial review, especially when there is categorical denial of the statements made in the Press, by both the governments involved, India and France, it said. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph said the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)-2013 envisages that the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will chose its own Indian Offset Partner (IOPs). "In this process, the role of the Government is not envisaged and, thus, mere press interviews or suggestions cannot form the basis for judicial review by this Court, especially when there is categorical denial of the statements made in the Press, by both the sides. "We do not find ..
Discontent simmers in Congress against state leadership
: Discontent within the Congress in Karnataka has come to the fore again, with several party legislators holding a separate meeting during the ongoing winter session of legislature here, to express their dismay against the party leadership in the state. The legislators, mostly the party's old guard, are also scheduled to meet Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge soon, party sources said. During the meeting a few days ago, the legislators, mostly ministerial aspirants, expressed discontent over the delay and lack of clarity on cabinet expansion, and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah's style of functioning, they said. According to reports, about eight to 10 party legislators were part of the meeting, including senior MLAs Roshan Baig, Ramalinga Reddy and MTB Nagraj, among others. At least two legislators have confirmed about such a meeting taking place in Belagavi during the initial days of the session that began on Monday. "Yes, we had a .
Saudi hails Yemen accord, wants 'political solution'
Saudi Arabia, which leads a military coalition backing Yemen's government, on Friday hailed the accord reached at UN-brokered peace talks in Sweden between Yemen's warring parties. In a statement by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom backed "the agreements reached in Sweden in UN-sponsored talks between a delegation of Yemen's legitimate government and the Huthi rebels", the official SPA news agency reported. "The kingdom remains engaged in the search for a political solution in Yemen which guarantees the security and stability of the country," the statement said. The statement also called on the Iran-aligned Huthis to "embark on this path" towards a political solution. Yemen's warring parties on Thursday agreed to a ceasefire on a vital port in a series of breakthroughs in the talks. If implemented, the deal on Hodeida port, a key gateway for aid and food imports, could bring relief to a country where 14 million people stand on the brink of ...
Agriculture, women safety, jobs are my priorities: Kamal Nath
Madhya Pradesh chief minister-designate Kamal Nath said Friday that strengthening the farm sector, ensuring safety of women and job creation will be his priorities. He also said that the promise of farm loan waiver made by the Congress will be fulfilled. "Our priority will be to strengthen the agriculture sector to ramp up farm-based economy in Madhya Pradesh," he told reporters at his residence here. "My government will provide a safe environment to women and shore up employment avenues for the youth," Nath said. An alarming number of cases of crime against women in the state in the last couple of years has been a matter of concern. "We are going to waive farmers' loans as promised," Nath said, adding, "I thank the people from the bottom of my heart for voting for the Congress. I assure them I will never let them down." Nath (72) will be sworn in as the 18th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh on Monday. The nine-time Lok Sabha member from Chhindwara was elected as the leader of ...
Punjab CM expresses concern over falling potato prices
In a bid to stabilise falling prices, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh Friday said the state government has asked the Centre for permission to export potato crop to Russia, USA, Iran and Sri Lanka. The chief minister further conveyed the state government's complete solidarity with the distressed potato growers. In response to a call attention notice raised by SAD MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Amarinder, who holds the agriculture portfolio, said the state government had sought the personal intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the Ministry of Commerce and Industries to allow Punjab to export crops to ensure price stabilisation Earlier, Wadala had said the issue had given way to "resentment among potato growers as they were not getting fair prices for their crops". The chief minister said the Centre had been asked for permission to allow the export of potatoes and sugarcane to Russia, UAE, Iran and Sri Lanka as both crops were hit by massive price fluctuations. "Once
Hundreds attend Khole Chetkoh Konyak's memorial service
Hundreds of people from all walks of life Friday attended a memorial service of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M) vice president Khole Chetkoh Konyak who passed away on Wednesday in New Delhi. The service, held at Agri Expo here, was jointly organised by Naga Hoho and Naga Council, Dimapur. A representative of Naga Hoho, the apex body of the Naga tribes, described Khole as a true Naga nationalist who made significant contributions to the Naga freedom struggle and stood tall till his last breath. Minister for Agriculture, G Kaito Aye said Khole was at the forefront of Naga political struggle and his demise is a big loss to the Nagas. This is not a good moment for the Nagas, he said, adding that the need of the hour is to remain united for Naga political solution without sabotaging it. Opposition Leader T R Zeliang said Khole stood his ground in his quest to bring about a solution to the Naga political issue. "He was not a man of greed or for personal gain but ..
EU court rejects Hamas appeal over terror listing
A top EU court on Friday threw out an appeal by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas against its listing by the bloc as a terrorist organisation. The General Court of the EU rejected a bid by Hamas, the militant group which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, to end a freeze on assets held in the bloc that was imposed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the United States. The ruling by the Luxembourg-based court is the latest round in a protracted legal battle between the EU and Hamas, which has opposed the sanctions from the outset. "By its judgment today... the General Court dismisses Hamas' appeal concerning the acts of the Council adopted between 2010 and 2014 and in 2017," the bloc's second-highest tribunal said. In July 2017 the European Court of Justice (ECJ) overturned an earlier ruling by the General Court that Hamas should be dropped from the terror list because the EU had made the decision based on information from the media and internet. The ECJ, the bloc's highest ...
Parrikar's aide Satish Dhond appointed Goa BJP organising secretary
With an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and the by-polls in two legislative assembly constituencies, the BJP on Friday announced the appointment of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak Satish Dhond as the organising secretary for Goa.
Express your views firmly under democratic norms: Modi to Kerala workers
With the BJP leading protests against the Kerala government over the Sabarimala issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday told party workers in the state to express their views firmly to convince people while following democratic and constitutional norms. In an interaction with party workers in the state as part of his nation-wide dialogue with BJP workers in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, Modi said there should be no let-up in their efforts to spread public awareness as he referred to a "sad news". He was referring to the death of 55-year old Venugopalan Nair, who died after setting himself afire near the venue of the party's protest in the state on Thursday. The BJP had called for a bandh in the state, claiming that Nair took the extreme step due to the "adamant" stand of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government on the Sabarimala issue. However, police claimed that Nair in his dying declaration given to the Magistrate said he did so due to depression and ran towards the protest .
UK PM May stands firm as ex-premier Blair pitches for new Brexit referendum
Former British premier Tony Blair on Friday made a strong pitch for a fresh Brexit referendum to break the current deadlock over a controversial Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union (EU), even as Prime Minister Theresa May insisted the deal she has struck remains the best one on the table. The former Labour Party leader's speech in London in favour of a 'People's Vote' came just before May admitted at a press conference in Brussels that there was "work to do" to reassure British MPs that they should vote for the Withdrawal Agreement when it comes before Parliament in the new year. "There is work to be done. It is clear we can look at this issue of further clarification. We will be working expeditiously over the coming days to seek those further assurances I believe MPs will need," May told reporters. "I had a robust discussion with (European Commission President) Jean-Claude Juncker I think that's the sort of discussion you're able to have when you have developed a working ...
Two fold hike in salaries, allowances of Pb MLAs proposed
A sub-committee of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Friday recommended a two-fold jump in the salaries and allowances of MLAs, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition parties. The sub-committee proposed that the legislators' total monthly salary including allowances be hiked from the current Rs 95,500 to over Rs 2 lakh, Lok Insaaf Party MLA Balwinder Singh Bains, a member of the committee, said. The salary of a legislator at present is Rs 25,000 and has been proposed to be hiked to Rs 55,000, the MLA from Ludhiana said, adding that he boycotted the meeting as he was upset by the proposed hike. In addition to the enhanced salary, it was proposed that the constituency allowance be hiked from the current Rs 25,000 to Rs 60,000, while the compensatory allowance be increased to Rs 15,000, up from Rs 5,000 at present, Bains said. Similarly, the sub-committee proposed a hike in sumptuary, water and electricity and daily allowances of the MLAs, he said, adding that a hike in the fuel budget for the ...
KCR's nephew assures full support to Rama Rao
With Telangana Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) President K. Chandrashekhar Rao naming his son K.T. Rama Rao as the party's Working President, his nephew T. Harish Rao on Friday assured the latter his full support.