Page 2273 - Politics
AAI employees to go on hunger strike against proposed privatisation of airports
Airports Authority of India (AAI) Employees Union has called for a three-day hunger strike to protest against the Government of India's decision to privatise six airports.The protest will begin from Monday.The Union Cabinet last month cleared a proposal to manage Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow and three other airports under the PPP. The three other aerodromes are those at Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mangaluru.In a release, the AAI employees union has said, "The policy of the government is not clear with regard to profit making industries and the Union is carrying out the Industrial Action due to media report of the proposal of PPP, the Union carrying out Industrial action as well as Mass Casual Leave 28.12.2018 Relay Hunger Strike on 10.12.2018 to 12.12.2018."It added, "Public-private partnership (PPP) model causes denial of Job opportunities to the society coming under the purview of SC/ST/OBC group as reservation policies restricted only to Govt. sector. The government not ...
Hansraj Ahir stresses CISF role in tackling terrorism
Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir on Sunday said that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officers should be ready to effectively meet emerging challenges posed by new forms of terrorism and insurgency.Ahir was the Chief Guest at the passing out parade of 32nd batch Assistant Commandants and 44th batch of Sub-Inspector/Executive at the National Industrial Security Academy (NISA). He said the CISF plays a crucial role in the changing security scenario of the country, particularly pertaining to VIP security, disaster management, aviation security and government buildings security.The minister said that in its Golden Jubilee year, the CISF is poised to reach greater heights in the security management area and is providing training to officers from countries like Sri Lanka. He said India is a peace-loving country but is always ready to counter any challenge to its democracy.A total of 24 Assistant Commandants and 733 Sub-Inspectors have completed their basic training ...
Bargari sacrilege stir ends after six months
Panthic organisations staging a sit-in at Bargari to press for the arrest of those involved in sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib, among other demands, on Sunday announced their decision to end the six-month long protest. The first part of this protest comes to an end and the next course of action will be announced soon, said Dhian Singh Mand, who was leading the sit-in. The announcement followed assurances by Punjab cabinet ministers Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa that the state government was committed to bringing those behind the sacrilege and police firing incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan to justice. The 'Bargari Morcha' also demands the release of Sikh detainees languishing in various jails or their transfer to those in Punjab. Mand asserted that the Bargari Morcha had not ended, rather its "outline" was being changed. "From today, this morcha will acquire a new shape and the announcement in this regard will be made in the coming days," he said. Mand .
TRS will form govt in Telangana on its own: Owaisi
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday claimed that K Chandrashekar Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is going to form the government in Telangana with a clear majority.Speaking to ANI, Owaisi said: "The TRS is going to form the government in Telangana on their own strength; all the speculations which are being raised are baseless. We should wait for the result. I don't want to comment on the Congress welcoming the AIMIM to Praja Kutami."Nearly all the exit polls have predicted incumbent caretaker Chief Minister Rao-led TRS retaining another term with a clear majority.For Telangana's 119 seats, Times Now-CNX projected a clean sweep for the ruling the TRS with 66 seats. It gave 37 to Congress and 7 to BJP while others were given 9.Republic TV-Jan Ki Baat gave TRS 50-65 seats and 38-52 to Congress, 4-7 to BJP and 8-14 to others. The majority mark is 60.Telangana Legislative Assembly election was held on December 7. The results will be ...
U.S. trade rep Lighthizer says 90 days a 'hard deadline' for China deal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said on Sunday he considers March 1 "a hard deadline" to reach a deal on trade with China, and that new tariffs will be imposed otherwise.
Delhi government to make roads in unauthorised colonies
The Delhi government will construction 83 metalled roads and streets in three unauthorised colonies in North-West Delhi "despite the BJP obstructing our initiative to develop and regulate unauthorised colonies in the national capital", announced Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday.
Kashmir mainstream politicians more dangerous than Separatists: Jitendra
Union minister Jitendra Singh said Sunday the "so-called" mainstream politicians of Kashmir are more "dangerous" than separatist leaders whose stand is relatively predictable. "The so-called mainstream politicians of Kashmir are more dangerous than separatist leaders, because the stand of separatists is relativelypredictable but that of these mainstream politicians is absolutely unpredictable and subject to variations depending upon the political expediency of the situation", Singh said while addressing a seminar on the eve of human rights day at the BJP headquarters, Mukherjee Bhawan, here. He alleged that while separatists are separatists only by convenience and not by conviction, the so-called mainstream leaders alternately switch sides by convenience. Coming down heavily on what he described as "selective" condemnation of human rights violation, Singh said, "The Kashmir-centric political parties are quick to point an accusing finger at a security person even on the basis of ...
Yashwant Sinha yet again compares Modi with Tughluq
Charging the Narendra Modi government with destroying and compromising all important institutions of democracy, including the Union Cabinet, Parliament, Supreme Court and the media, former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha on Sunday said the only way out for the country is to elect a new government in the coming Lok Sabha polls.
Karnataka legislature set for stormy winter session from Monday
The Karnataka legislature is set for a stormy 10-day winter session from Monday at Belagavi in the state's northwest district, where it meets every year in December, ostensibly to address issues concerning the region.
Thousands turn out for pro and anti Brexit marches in UK ahead of crucial vote in Parliament
Ahead of a crucial vote on Britain's divorce deal with the European Union (EU), thousands of protesters marched through London in support of Brexit on Sunday amid tight security measures in place by Scotland Yard. The pro-Brexit march through London, dubbed the "Brexit Betrayal" march, was met by a counter-protest at the same time but taking different routes. The Metropolitan Police had earlier urged protesters to keep their demonstrations peaceful but indicated it is taking no chances against the backdrop of some violent clashes during the "Yellow Vests" street protests in the neighbouring French city of Paris over the weekend. The march comes days before a crunch vote in the Parliament on the Withdrawal Agreement struck by Prime Minister Theresa May's government with the European Union on December 11. May on Sunday warned that parliament's rejection of her Brexit deal could leave Britain in the EU and bring the opposition Labour Party to power. Britain is scheduled to leave the EU ..
Rights activists go into slumber when soldiers' human rights violated: BJP
Jammu and Kashmir state BJP president Ravinder Raina said on Sunday that human rights activists raise issues related to "anti-national elements" but go into "slumber" when such rights of soldiers are compromised with. "Terrorists have no human rights whatsoever and the value of human rights must be considered for the brave security personnel who perform their duty for the love of motherland without any thought for a second," Raina said. Raina was speaking at a function organised by the party's human rights cell on the eve of 70th international human rights day at BJP headquarters here. The BJP leader lambasted the human rights activists who, he claimed, surface only for the protection of human rights of "anti-nationals" and go into "slumber" as and when the human rights of a soldier are brazenly violated. Union minister of state in the Prime Minister's office, Jitendra Singh, also addressed the function, dwelling at length about the adherence to human rights by India since 'Vedic ...
Chouhan confident of BJP win in MP; targets Congress
Two days ahead of counting, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Sunday said his party BJP will retain power in the state and accused the Congress of creating doubts in minds of people about the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Chouhan, seeking a fourth straight term in office, said the Congress will try to create hindrances on the counting day. Votes polled in the November 28 elections for the 230- member assembly in Madhya Pradesh will be counted on December 11. Talking to reporters at state BJP headquarters here, Chouhan said, "BJP is going to form government again in Madhya Pradesh. Friends in Congress are talking baseless things out of desperation. "We think as doubts were created about EVMs and even the Election Commission was not spared, they (Congress) will try to create hindrances on every step during the counting." Earlier in the day, Chouhan held an audio conference with all the 230 party candidates and discussed the ...
Modi to attend BJP govt's first anniversary function in HP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend a function to celebrate the BJP government's completion of one year in power in Himachal Pradesh on December 27, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said. He said Modi had accepted a request by the state government to be the chief guest at the function which will be held in Dharamsala, he said. The state government is committed to expediting the pace of development so that benefits of development reach the person living at the lowest ebb, Thakur said. The Centre has always remained considerate to the developmental demands of the state's people, he said. He added that coordination between the Centre and state government ensures approvals for Himachal Pradesh's development projects. Thakur also announced that Ladbhadol Community Health Centre will be upgraded to a civil hospital and its bed capacity will be increased to 30 to 50.
Religious leaders confident of Modi govt construction Ram
Religious leaders are confident about the Narendra Modi government completing necessary "formalities" for construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) functionary said here Sunday. Addressing a 'dharma sabha' at Navlakhi compound in the city, VHP Secretary Umashankar Sharma said the formalities include bringing in a legislation in Parliament. "The VHP and and religious leaders are confidentthat the Narendra Modi-led government will complete all formalities, including making a law, when it comes to the construction of a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya", he said. Sharma said Modi had emerged as a "unanimous choice" as the prime ministerial candidate in 2014, after the religious leaders were "convinced" that he could build the temple at the disputed site. The VHP leader said the Members of Parliament (MPs) who would not support the passage of lawfor construction of the temple will face defeat in the 2019 polls. "There is only one way to construct a Ram ...
Ending terrorism pre-condition for dialogue with Pak: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said ending terrorist activities was a pre-condition for any dialogue with Pakistan as its "dual" role is unacceptable to India. "Promoting terrorist activities and entering into a dialogue for peace cannot run together," he said, when asked by reporters to explain why India is avoiding any dialogue with Pakistan. He said either Islamabad should stop aiding terrorist activities or express its commitment against terrorism with assurance that it would not allow it to grow in Pakistan. "If it finds difficult to control terrorist activities, why it is not seeking help from its neighbour India?" he asked. "If a crusade against Taliban can start in Afghanistan with the help of the US , why not commence a similar action in Pakistan? the home minister asked. On the outcome of election results in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana, he said, "Prayas to Bhartiya Janta Party ka yahi raha hai ki hame kamyabi mile, milni bhi ...
Will play vital role in formation of next Telangana govt: BJP
Predicting a fractured poll mandate in Telangana, the BJP Sunday claimed that it would play a "vital role" in the formation of the next government in the southern state, where the TRS is eyeing to retain power. Telangana went to polls on December 7 and the results for the state's 119 Assembly seats will be announced on December 11. "We have contested the election on our own for the first time after a decade. We have contested the polls to win. The BJP will be part of the government. Without the BJP, there cannot be any government. What happens after the results are declared, we will think of it," state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president K Laxman told PTI. He asserted that the saffron party had become a formidable force in Telangana and that it would increase its vote share substantially and the number of seats considerably. "We have surely become a formidable force in Telangana. We will increase our vote share and even the number of seats. The BJP is definitely going to play a ...
No response from WB govt to request for 'rath yatra' meeting: BJP
West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh on Sunday claimed the TMC-led state government has not responded to requests for a meeting over the saffron party's proposed 'rath yatra'. "We had sent the letters on Saturday and had requested for a meeting. We are yet to receive any response from the state government," Ghosh said at a press conference. A division bench of the Calcutta High Court had on Friday directed the state's chief secretary, the home secretary and the director general of police (DGP) to hold a meeting with three representatives of the BJP by December 12, and take a decision on the matter by December 14. Ghosh claimed that a senior police officer called up party officials on Sunday and said the DGP was "very busy". "He declined to give us any specific time frame within which we can sit for a discussion with him (DGP) regarding the 'rath yatra' programme," he said. The state BJP chief said the party had also sent letters to the home secretary, but in vain. "This is really ...
Request TN parties to give opportunity to explain Mekedatu project benefits: Shivakumar
Karnataka Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar Sunday sought an opportunity to explain the benefits of the proposed Mekedatu project on the Cauvery river in his state to the AIADMK-led Tamil Nadu government and the opposition DMK, while asserting that it was aimed at helping the farmers of Tamil Nadu. The ruling AIADMK and the opposition parties have opposed the Centre's nod for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) on the proposed balancing reservoir-cum-drinking water project at Mekedatu in Karnataka, claiming that it would affect the rights of the lower riparian state. In a specially convened session, the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Union government to withdraw its approval for the DPR, while the upper riparian state, Karnataka, asserted that the project was its "right". Interacting with reporters at Chennai airport on Sunday, Shivakumar said, "We are brothers... With folded hands, I request the people and the chief minister of
China summons US ambassador over Huawei arrest
China summoned the US ambassador on Sunday to protest the "extremely bad" arrest of telecom giant Huawei's chief financial officer in Canada and demand that the United States drop its extradition request. "The Chinese side firmly opposes this and strongly urges the United States to attach great importance to China's solemn and just position," the foreign ministry said in a statement after Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng called in ambassador Terry Branstad.
Those in power should take positive steps on Ram temple: RSS
Mounting pressure on the government ahead of the winter session of Parliament to bring a legislation for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, the RSS on Sunday called for "one last push," saying "those in power" should respect public sentiment and take positive steps.