Page 2617 - Politics
SC unimpressed with submissions of Nagaland CS on appointment of Lokayukta
The Supreme Court Monday was not impressed with the Nagaland government's submissions in support of amendments to a local law to ensure the chief minister's role in selection and appointment of Lokayukta. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, which was hearing a PIL seeking appointment of an anti-graft ombudsman in every state, had earlier summoned the Nagaland chief secretary to interact on the issue of change in the local law governing selection and appointment of Lokayukta in the state. "The state says that it will give a go by to the Constitutional principle then we cannot help," the bench, which also comprised justices S K Kaul and K M Jopseph, said while expressing dissatisfaction with the response of the chief secretary. "If your chief secretary does not understand the simple question then we are sorry. We do not have the time," it said while adjourning the hearing to October 31. The top bureaucrat could not give satisfactory answers to the queries posed by the bench on
Brazil elects far-right president, worrying rights groups
In some of his first words to the nation as president-elect, far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro has promised to defend the constitution and unite a bitterly divided populace. His left-wing rival immediately vowed to mount a vigorous opposition, while rights groups warned against a rollback of civil liberties. That juxtaposition underscored that the end of the election was not the end of acrimony and that myriad challenges lay ahead for Latin America's largest nation. Bolsonaro appeared to try to allay those concerns Sunday night, saying he would "pacify" Brazil following a race that revealed deep divisions and was repeatedly marred by violence. The candidate himself was stabbed and almost died while campaigning in early September, and there were numerous reports of politically motivated violence, especially directed at gay people. "This country belongs to all of us, Brazilians by birth or by heart, a Brazil of diverse opinions, colors and orientations," he said, reading off a sheet ..
NCP to reach villages on "failures" of BJP-led govt in Maha
With the BJP-led government in Maharashtra set to complete four years in power on October 31, the NCP Monday said it would go to each village of the state from November 1 to tell people about its "failures". NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik attacked the Devendra Fadnavis-led dispensation, saying the government has failed to address several issues including those related to agriculture, irrigation, industries, law and order, employment generation, public distribution system and healthcare. The party also released a booklet that picks holes in various schemes and decisions of the state government. "Not progressive, the state has become regressive in each sphere. The government has failed on all fronts. We will go to each village from November 1 and tell people about the failures of the government," Malik told reporters here. Malik accused the government of hoodwinking people of the state, particularly peasants, on the farm loan waiver scheme. He said 8,074 farmers in ...
Merkel to step down as German Chancellor in 2021
German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Monday that she will not seek re-election when her term expires in 2021, following recent election setbacks.
No conflict with judiciary: BJP on Shah's Sabarimala verdict remark
The BJP Monday said party chief Amit Shah's remarks that courts should desist from pronouncing "impracticable" verdicts, against the backdrop of the Supreme Court ruling on Sabarimala, should not be misconstrued as a "conflict with the judiciary". Addressing a press conference here, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra said the saffron party was only raising the "issue of faith" with "utmost humbleness". A recent verdict of the apex court lifting the age restrictions on entry of women to the Kerala-based hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa, who is believed to be a celibate as per traditions, has led to massive protests by the devotees. The BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have extended their support to the devotees who are opposing the entry of women of menstruating age to the abode of the Lord. Shah had Saturday said that courts should desist from pronouncing verdicts that cannot be implemented, drawing flak from Kerala Chief ...
Srinagar: 5 BSF jawans injured in terrorist attack
Five Border Security Forces (BSF) personnel were injured on Monday after terrorists opened fire at two BSF patrol vehicles in Srinagar's Pantha Chowk.The injured jawans have been rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.Speaking about the attack, Ravi Deep Singh Sahi, inspector-general, CRPF said, "Things are under control now. Today around 6 pm near BSF HQ, two cars which were returning from duty were attacked by the terrorists. Four to five people sustained bullet injury. The search operation is on." Last week, one soldier was killed and two terrorists were gunned down after an encounter broke out in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore district.
J-K was peaceful under Hindu ruler: Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath triggered a fresh controversy on Monday by claiming that the state of Jammu and Kashmir was peaceful as long as it was governed by a Hindu ruler.Addressing the Sikh Sangam here, Adityanath further said that the Hindu community in the Valley started witnessing a downfall after the decline of Hindu rulers."As long as there was a Hindu ruler in Jammu and Kashmir, both Hindus and Sikhs were safe there. However, those belonging to the Hindu community witnessed a downfall when the Hindu ruler was gone," Adityanath said."What is the condition now in Kashmir? Can Hindus, Sikhs living there say the same thing now (that the Valley is still peaceful)? Absolutely not. We should learn something from history," he added.Announcing his government's decision to construct eight new medical colleges, Adityanath said that they all will be named after Guru Nanak Dev to coincide with his 550th birth anniversary."We are soon coming up with eight new medical ...
Tell China, Tibet is a 'core issue': Sangay to India
India should convey to China that Tibet is a "core issue" for it and seek "genuine autonomy" for Tibetans, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Lobsang Sangay said Monday. Releasing a flagship trilingual report titled 'Tibet was never a part of China but the middle way approach remains a viable solution', he called for a dialogue between the CTA and the Chinese government to find a way forward. "What we propose is a compromise, hence, the middle way approach is a viable option," Sangay said. He also asserted that the recognition of reincarnation of Lamas was the sole prerogative of the Tibetans and the Chinese government should not interfere with it. Warning that China was increasing its influence in all countries around India, Sangay, during a plenary discussion on the topic 'Changing Geopolitics: Why Tibet Remains the Core Issue in India-China Relations', called on the Indian government to convey to China that Tibet was a "core issue" for it. "India should respond to the .
Congress launches dedicated website for party manifesto
The Congress on Monday launched a dedicated website to take suggestions from the public to prepare the party's manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections under the theme 'Jan Aawaz' (people's voice).
Prasad hits out at 'Shiv bhakt' Gandhi for Tharoor's remarks
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Monday Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was trying to build his image as a "Shiv bhakt" with his temple visits, but warned him that the BJP would not tolerate this "drama" because a "small-time" leader of his party is repeatedly insulting Hindu gods. Prasad was referring to Gandhi's visit to the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on Monday as part of his two-day visit to poll-bound Madhya Pradesh and Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor's reported remarks last week against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shivlinga. Tharoor reportedly claimed that an unnamed RSS source had told a journalist that Modi was like a scorpion sitting on a Shivlinga which cannot be removed by hand or hit with a slipper. "Congress president Rahul Gandhi today visited a temple in Ujjain. I wish him on his new Shiv bhakti. With this temple run, he is trying to build his identity as a Shiv Bhakt but a leader of his party Shashi Tharoor has made objectionable statements against Shivlinga," .
Farmers' outfit flays UP Krishi Kumbh, BJP defends
A day after the Uttar Pradesh government's mega agri-expo Krishi Kumbh ended here, a farmers' outfit flayed it Monday terming it as a mere "window-shopping opportunity" for peasants, having no money to adopt the farming machineries or techniques displayed in the show. "The three-day Krishi Kumbh, which concluded in the state capital yesterday was a failure and blatant misuse of public fund," said Rashtriya Kisan Manch chief Shekhar Dixit. "It was simply a window-shopping opportunity for the farmers, who could see the modern agriculture machinery and the latest techniques. But, these could not be taken to the agriculture fields as the UP government has done nothing to empower the farmers economically," he added. Held at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow by the state government in association with the Centre, the agri-expo was aimed at showcasing the state's agriculture potential and provide farmers a platform to interact with experts in the field. Rebutting Dixit's ...
Chorus grows among Hindutva bodies for law to build Ram temple
The chorus for bringing a law to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya grew louder on Monday following the Supreme Court's decision to defer hearing on Ram Janmabhoomi land dispute case to January. While RSS spokesperson Arun Kumar said the court should deliver an early verdict and the government should make a law to remove hurdles in the way of giving land for a temple if required, the Sangh's affiliate VHP was more blunt, saying Hindus cannot wait eternally for judicial verdict as it pushed for a legislation. The ruling BJP, which has been looking at the issue as a potential rallying point for its voters during the Lok Sabha polls, maintained silence, but its leaders like Union minister Giriraj Singh and former minister Sanjeev Baliyan said they were for an early construction of the temple at the site where the Hindu God was believed to be born. Speaking in Mumbai hours after the court's decision, Kumar said the RSS believes a grand Ram temple should be constructed soon by allotting the ...
India, Japan commit to further concretise cooperation in Indo-Pacific
In what could be seen as remarks hinting at China, India and Japan on Monday called for a "free and open" Indo-Pacific and agreed to hold a 2+2 dialogue of foreign and defence ministers of the two countries.
Allotment of vacant industrial plots to be cancelled: Punjab minister
The Punjab government will cancel the allotment of industrial plots which have not been put to use, Industry and Commerce Minister Sundar Sham Arora said Monday. "The allotment of industrial plots which have been lying vacant for a long time will be cancelled and the same will be given to those who are interested in setting up industrial units in the state," Arora said at an interactive session organised by the Mohali Industries Association. The minister said there were vacant industrial plots that lay unused by allottees despite the expiry of the stipulated time period for setting up factories. He further said the new industrial policy was the best in the country and claimed that it would push industrial growth in the state. Arora said as many as 227 industrial units have restarted production after the new industrial policy was introduced. The minister also signed 25 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) for different projects worth Rs 591.66 crore on the occasion. D P S Kharbanda, ...
Cannot wait eternally for court judgement, govt should bring
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Monday said Hindus cannot wait eternally for a court judgement on the Ayodhya land dispute case and asked the Narendra Modi government to bring a law for building a Ram temple. The VHP said it will reach out to MPs of all parties, irrespective of political differences, and urge them to enact a law in Parliament to construct the temple. A three-judge Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Monday said an "appropriate bench" will decide in January the future course of hearing on the appeals filed against the Allahabad High Court verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case. VHP working president Alok Kumar, speaking soon after the apex court moved the hearing, urged the government to bring a legislation in the Winter Session of Parliament. "The apex court has once again adjourned the hearing. This fortifies VHP's stand that the solution to the Ram Janambhoomi issue is not in eternally waiting for hearing of appeals pending for over seven ...
ADB delegates meet Sonowal, assures continued support
Delegates of Asian Development Bank (ADB) led by its senior water resources specialist Olivier Drieu met Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal here on Monday and assured ADB's continued support to the state government. The two-member ADB team discussed with Sonowal various flood and erosion protection schemes presently being implemented in Assam with financial aid from it. The delegates said they were satisfied with the quality of flood and erosion protection works being implemented by the state water resources department and gave an assurance for continued support to the state. Additional funds would be released soon to the department to complete schemes which are under implementation. Sonowal told the delegation that the state government is taking up measures for expeditious implementation of schemes aided by ADB for flood and erosion control in Assam and hoped it would continue its support to the state government in future too. Water Resources Minister Keshav ...
U.S. urges EU to stop WTO steel spat, hopes for deal with Canada, Mexico
GENEVA (Reuters) - The United States urged European Union governments on Monday to reflect on whether it was really in their interest for the EU to go ahead with a trade dispute over U.S. metals tariffs, and said it was hopeful of settling the issue with Mexico and Canada.
Congress says Parrikar no more; BJP rebuts
The Congress on Monday said that ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who has not been seen in public since October 14, may be no more, drawing a sharp rebuttal from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Shivraj government's dharma is corruption: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "removing" CBI chief Alok Verma following an internal conflict in the agency and alleged that Madhya Pradesh's Shivraj Singh Chouhan government is pursuing a "dharma of corruption".
Indian Army targets Pak military admin HQs in PoK
The Indian Army has targeted Pakistani military administrative headquarters across the Line of Control in retaliation to the recent shelling in Poonch and Jhallas, security officials said Monday. The Army retaliated in the Khuiratta and Samani areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), they said. The Pakistani army had shelled the brigade headquarters and other Indian military formations in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch on October 23. "In response to Pakistani army's firing of stray shells on Poonch and Jhallas on October 23, 2018, the Indian Army has sent a strong signal by firing at Pakistani army administrative headquarters... and the residents of border villages also reported that they could see smoke emanating," the officials said. Following the shelling in Poonch, the Indian Army has in its "strong signal" to Pakistan, fired on its army administrative headquarters in PoK, they said. Quoting information received from across the border, the officials claimed that several photographs ..