Page 2601 - Politics
Rly scraps flexi fare from 15 trains, discontinues it in 32 trains during lean periods
Railways on Wednesday scrapped flexi-fare in 15 premium trains in which the occupancy is less than 50 per cent throughout the year, while the scheme will be discontinued in 32 other trains during lean periods when occupancy dips to 50-75 per cent. It has also reduced flexi fares from 1.5 to 1.4 times the base ticket fare in 101 trains, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said. List of trains with occupancy less than 50 per cent (2017-18) from which Flexi Fare will be removed in 2018-19 S No. Train No. 1 12006 Shatabdi Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi 2 12012 Shatabdi Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi 3 12037 Shatabdi New Delhi-Ludhiana Shatabdi 4 12038 Shatabdi Ludhiana-New Delhi Shatabdi 5 12043 Shatabdi Moga(Ludhiana)-New Delhi Shatabdi 6 12044 Shatabdi New Delhi-Moga(Ludhiana) Shatabdi 7 12047 Shatabdi New Delhi-Bhatinda Shatabdi 8 12048 Shatabdi Bhatinda-New Delhi Shatabdi 9 12085 Shatabdi Guwahati-Dibrugarh Shatabdi 10 12086 Shatabdi Dibrugarh-Guwahati Shatabdi 11 12087 Shatabdi Naharlagun-Guwahati ...
Nepali Congress protests death of party cadre in clash with NCP
The Nepali Congress on Wednesday protested the death of one of its party cadres in a political clash and warned that they will not claim the body unless the person behind the killing was arrested. The main opposition party's cadre Ram Bilash Mahato, 55, was shot dead in a clash between the members of the NC and the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) on Tuesday at Ramnagar area in Sarlahi district, bordering Raxaul town in Bihar. The NC also demanded that Mahato be declared a martyr. During the protest, NC party cadres picketed District Administration Office and District Police Office in Sarlahi and handed over a protest letter to the District Administrator, the party's provincial lawmaker Amresh Singh said. Singh also said the party will not accept Mahato's body till the guilty were arrested.
Maha govt fared poorly in four years: Nirupam
Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam Wednesday attacked the BJP-led Maharashtra government over its "failure" on various fronts, on a day the ruling dispensation completed four years in office. Nirupam alleged that "unfulfilled electoral promises, rising unemployment and lack of investment" were among the "biggest failures" of the Devendra Fadnavis-led government. He attacked the chief minister, who also heads Home ministry, over the "rising rate of crime" in Mumbai. "How does the Chief Minister plan to curb crime rates? Simply by installing 5000 more CCTV cameras across Mumbai? The conviction rate is falling miserable. Neither women nor children are safe in the city or the state," he alleged. Nirupam claimed that a total of 4,356 women were raped across Maharashtra in 2017 and that 20 per cent of them are residents of Mumbai. The Congress chief also said the state is witnessing a "farm crisis", as the government has "failed" to cover 80 lakh farmers through the Rs 34,000
SC raps Assam govt over lack of facilities in detention centres
Garima TyagiNew Delhi [India], Oct 31 (ANI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Assam government to apprise it about the timeline by when necessary facilities like gas, medical facilities can be provided in detention centers.A bench comprising Justice Madan B Lokur, Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice Deepak Gupta, while taking into consideration that detention centers lack basic facilities, told the Assam government that planning should have been done in advance before putting people in the detention center."You (government) can't put a person in a detention center and say you will decide later what is to be done about them. It must have been planned out in advance. You are detaining people against their wish, you must provide them with certain basic facilities," observed the bench.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Assam government, apprised the court that tender has been floated for new detention homes in the state.The top court, while posting the matter for hearing .
RBI's institutional undermining betrayal to Sardar Patel's legacy: Cong
Launching a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Wednesday said that on the 143rd birth anniversary of the country's first home minister Sardar Patel, the institutional undermining of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is a betrayal to his legacy.Taking to his Twitter handle, Patel accused the Centre of "systematically" dismantling several public institutions in the last five years, adding that their existence is a "grave challenge to democracy"."Sardar Patel's legacy draws from his remarkable ability to strengthen institutions. On his birth anniversary the institutional undermining of the RBI is a betrayal to his legacy," he added"Several institutions successive governments helped build over the last 70 yrs are being systematically dismantled by the present government in just five years. Their inherent objective is to extinguish any kind of autonomy beyond their realm. The existence of this government is a grave challenge
Autonomy for RBI vital, public interest paramount: Government
Facing criticism for invoking a hitherto unused section to issue instructions to the RBI, the government on Wednesday said that it respected the autonomy of the central bank but within the framework of the RBI Act.
Cape Town mayor quits amid row in S Africa opposition
The mayor of South Africa's second city of Cape Town resigned on Wednesday, amid a bitter dispute roiling the country's main opposition in the runup to 2019 elections. Patricia De Lille vowed she would vacate her office at 7 pm (1700 GMT), ending uncertainty about her future following several conflicting statements. The 67-year-old had first announced in August that she would step down at the end of October but appeared to backtrack in recent weeks. She also announced her resignation from opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), which had tried unsuccessfully in recent months to strip her of her membership. "I can no longer stay in this abusive relationship. When people abuse you, you must walk away," she told reporters. "It's my long walk to freedom... I'm free, free from oppression," she said, describing the DA as "rudderless" and "leaderless". De Lille signed her resignation letter in front of television cameras outside the High Court in Cape Town where she was lodging an application ..
Turkish prosecutor says Saudi writer strangled, dismembered
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul as part of a premeditated killing, and his body was dismembered before being disposed of, a top Turkish prosecutor said Wednesday. A statement from chief Istanbul prosecutor Irfan Fidan's office also said that discussions with Saudi chief prosecutor Saud al-Mojeb have yielded no "concrete results" despite "good-willed efforts" by Turkey to uncover the truth. The statement is the first public confirmation by a Turkish official that Khashoggi was strangled and dismembered after he entered the Saudi Consulate on Oct. 2 to collect paperwork needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. The announcement came as Saudi Arabia's chief prosecutor, Saud al-Mojeb, ended a three-day visit to Istanbul during which he held talks with Fidan and other Turkish officials. Turkey is seeking the extradition of 18 Saudi suspects detained in Saudi Arabia over the killing of Khashoggi. It is also pressing Saudi ...
BJP workers clash at 'Run for Unity' event in South Delhi
Two groups of BJP workers clashed at a 'Run for Unity' event in South Delhi on Wednesday with a group alleging "misbehaviour and assault" by supporters of the party's local MP Ramesh Bidhuri, a charge denied by him as a "political conspiracy". Eyewitnesses claimed that two groups of BJP workers -- one led by Chandan Chaudhary and the other allegedly supporters of Bihduri -- clashed over sharing the dais in Sangam Vihar. "The supporters of Bidhuri humiliated us and shoved us off the stage," said Chaudhary. Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said that a committee has been formed to probe the incident and will give its report in two days. The groups reached the Delhi BJP office and raised slogans. Tiwari was at the office to attend a meeting. Bidhuri said that he was not present at the spot when the incident occurred. "The whole thing is a political conspiracy against me. I had already made complaints against Chaudhary to the party over some property-related matter he was involved with as .
Sidhu, wife summoned by commission probing Amritsar train tragedy
Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife Navjot Kaur have been summoned by a one-man commission conducting an inquiry into the Amritsar train tragedy in which 60 people were killed on October 19.
Vice President Naidu arrives in Botswana on first leg of Africa visit
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu arrived here Wednesday on the first leg of his three-nation visit to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi, during which he will hold talks with the top leaders of these African countries, meet business groups and interact with the Indian diaspora. Naidu was welcomed at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport here by Botswana Vice President Slumber Tsogwane and the High Commissioner of India to Botswana, Rajesh Ranjan. From the airport, the vice president proceeded to the Boipuso Hall, Fairground for the opening ceremony of the Global Expo Botswana 2018. The expo has participation of 25 Indian companies and business houses covering a range of sectors. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted that visit highlights the importance India accords to enhancing relations with African countries. Naidu is accompanied by a high-level delegation which includes Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar, Rajya Sabha .
Union ministers, BJP leaders participate in 'Run for Unity' in Delhi
Several Union ministers and thousands of people participated in the 'Run for Unity' organised by the Delhi BJP at several places here to celebrate the 143rd birth anniversary of India's first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. According to the BJP, the 'Rashtriya Ekta Daud' was organised in Pitampura, Shakti Nagar, Bhajan Pura, Gokalpur, Mayur Vihar, Anand Vihar, Dwarka, Vasant Kunj and Sangam Vihar among other areas. Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and several party leaders and workers participated in the event. Taking part in the run at Gokalpur in northeast Delhi alongside Tiwari, Prasad said, "Sardar Patel was a great leader who united the princely states." "It is (Patel's birth anniversary) a national festival which is being celebrated across the country," he said, alleging that it took 41 years to honour the first home minister of India with ...
Odisha to install CCTVs in SC/ST hostels
The Odisha government on Wednesday said it would install CCTV cameras in hostels run by the ST and SC Development Department for the safety of tribal students.
BJP, JD(U) may contest on 17 seats each
The BJP and the JD(U) might contest 17 seats each in Bihar in the Lok Sabha elections, with allies the Lok Janshakti Party and the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party fighting on four and two seats respectively, sources said Wednesday. They said talks with the Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP and the Union minister Upendra Kushwaha-led RLSP were still on to seal a seat-sharing arrangement. If the LJP, which had contested seven seats in 2014 and won six, agrees to the formula, then one of its leaders may be elected to the Rajya Sabha with the BJP's support, the sources said. There is speculation that Paswan might not contest the Lok Sabha polls due to health reasons and may be brought to the Upper House. In such a scenario, his MP son Chirag Paswan will fight from his father's pocket borough of Hajipur, they added. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), LJP and RLSP had contested 30, seven and three seats of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar in 2014 and won 22, six and three of them ...
Lawyers burn effigies of Odisha CM
Lawyers across Odisha burnt effigies of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday in front of the offices of their respective bar associations accusing the state government of having "failed" to resolve the two-month old advocate-police row. The lawyers have been agitating since August 29 demanding arrest of two policemen, who had allegedly assaulted a Cuttack-based lawyer on August 28 Alleging that the state government had not taken any initiative to settle the lawyers-police ugly bickering, the High Court Bar Association, which is agitating for over two months now, on Tuesday had given the call to burn the effigies of the chief minister. Lawyers of different bar associations burnt effigies of the chief minister and also raised slogans against Patnaik, his government, BJD Legal Front and the police. Lawyers of the High Court Bar Association in Cuttack took out a procession and burnt the effigy of the chief minister in front of the office of the bar association. On the .
Will intensify Maratha quota demand through Sanvaad Yatra: MKM
Marathas in Maharashtra are set to intensify their demand for quota with the launch of a ten-day community outreach programme beginning November 16, a Maratha Kranti Morcha (MKM) leader announced here Wednesday. The politically influential Marathas, who constitute around 30 per cent of the state's population, have been demanding 16 per cent reservation in government jobs and education under Other Backward Class (OBC) category. Against the backdrop of the violent protests, the Maharashtra government had in September this year told the Bombay High Court that the State Backward Class Commission is likely to finalise its report on the socio-economic status of the Maratha community by November 15. The upcoming Sanvaad Yatra, which is aimed at intensifying the demand for quota as well as to spread awareness in the Maratha community about the cause, would be taken out in each revenue division of the state in a "democratic manner". The MKM's core committee Wednesday accused the
After tragedies and big losses, Hyundai looks to reverse North Korea fortunes
SEOUL (Reuters) - For Hyundai, the South Korean conglomerate, North Korea has been a story of lost opportunities - and tragedy.
US calls for Yemen ceasefire 'within 30 days'
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have called on all parties in the Yemen civil war to agree to a truce "in the next 30 days" amid criticism of Washington's support for the Saudi-led coalition in the conflict.
N Korea readying nuclear site for inspectors: S Korea report
South Korea's spy agency has detected signs that Pyongyang is preparing to allow international inspectors to visit its nuclear and missile test sites, Yonhap news agency reported Wednesday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed his willingness to have foreign experts inspect the facilities, as part of on-off negotiations on denuclearisation, but there is no indication as to whether invitations have been sent. At a parliamentary audit on Wednesday, the South's National Intelligence Service (NIS) said it was "closely monitoring" the Punggye-ri nuclear test facility and the Tongchang-ri missile launching ground for possible inspections. "Signs have been detected that North Korea is doing some preparations and intelligence-related activity over a possible visit by outside experts," a lawmaker who was briefed by the NIS was cited as saying. At a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang last month, Kim pledged to close the Tongchang-ri site and allow international
Roadways strike: Police lathicharge workers in Fatehabad
The Haryana Roadways employees who are on a strike were lathicharged Wednesday by police as they tried to block the route from where a motorcade of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was passing, officials said. The protesters also pelted stones at policemen deployed in the area, injuring a few of them, SHO at the Bhuna police station Inspector Ramesh Kumar said. The workers of the roadways and other government department claimed that several of them were also injured. Notably, to express solidarity with agitating state roadways workers, government staffers across various departments had gone on a two-day strike Tuesday. The Haryana Roadways employees have been protesting for the last 16 days against the state government's decision to run 700 private buses. On Monday, they extended their strike till November 2. While union leaders have claimed that work in various government departments was badly affected for the second day on Wednesday, a government spokesman, however, said, "Work ..