Page 2803 - Politics
CPI(M) seeks resigntation of TN ministers facing graft charges
Targetting the AIADMK-led government over the issue of corruption, the CPI(M) Thursday said allegations were being levelled on a daily basis and sought the resignation of Ministers facing graft charges. Corruption charges were levelled against ministers, including Local Administration Minister, S P Velumani and Health minister Vijayabhaskar and they should step down immediately, CPI(M) Politburo member, G Ramakrishnan told reporters here. Stating that Velumani has been accused of corruption charges, particularly in the award of contract to a French firm for water supply to the city, he said the allegations were being levelled on a daily basis against many ministers. Vijayabhaskar is under the scanner in connection with the gutkha scam. In view of the continued opposition to the Sterlite unit in Tuticorin district, the govenrment should prevent the reported efforts (by the company) to operate its second unit, he said. On the heavy rain forecast for Tamil Nadu, the left ...
Reduce excise by Rs 10, demands Kejriwal
Calling the excise duty cut on fuel 'cheating', Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday demanded that the Modi government reduce duty by Rs 10 per litre.
Philippine police kill 9, arrest 117 mostly drug suspects
Philippine officials say nine drug suspects have been killed and 117 others have been arrested in police-led raids in a central province, as the government pressed a massive crackdown that has left more than 4,800 suspects dead. Regional police Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas says nine drug suspects were killed separately in gunbattles with law enforcers in dozens of coordinated raids from Wednesday to Thursday noon in central Cebu province. Nearly 1,000 packets of methamphetamine, a banned stimulant, and 78 firearms were seized in the raids. President Rodrigo Duterte has said his war on drug will be "as relentless and chilling" as when he launched it after taking office in 2016 despite facing two complaints for mass murder before the International Criminal Court and criticism from Western governments and UN watchdogs.
Petrol, diesel cheaper by Rs 5/litre in J-K
Petrol and Diesel prices in Jammu and Kashmir have been slashed by Rs 5 per litre, the state government said Thursday. "The state government this evening announced matching cut of Rs 2.50 per litre in fuel prices commensurate with the price cut of Rs 2.50, announced by the central government earlier today," an official spokesman said. The new fuel prices would be effective in the state from this midnight, he said.
Cong ridicules 'meagre' reduction in excise duty of petrol, diesel
The Congress on Thursday hit out at the Modi government over what it described as a "meagre" reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel, saying it is like applying a band-aid after inflicting a thousand wounds on the people of the country. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala claimed it was a "panic reaction" by the government after facing public ire and an "imminent defeat" for the BJP in upcoming assembly elections in five states, and said the step will bring little relief to the people as it is like "reducing death sentence to life imprisonment". Alleging over "Rs 13-lakh-crore fuel loot" through imposition of heavy excise duty on petrol and diesel and an equal amount through VAT by BJP-ruled states, he said the people "cannot be befooled" anymore by the government and demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. "Facing public ire and imminent defeat in the five election going states, Modi Government attempted to apply band aid'
PM to unveil statue of Sir Chhotu Ram in Rohtak on Oct 9: Khattar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the statue of peasant leader late Sir Chhotu Ram in Sampla township of Rohtak district on October 9, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Thursday. Sir Chhotu Ram was a prominent politician in British India's Punjab province and championed the interests of oppressed peasants. The prime minister will also lay the foundation stone of Rail Coach Factory in Barhi village of Sonipat district, Khattar said. The state government has transferred 160 acres of land to the Railway Ministry for this purpose, he added. On Tuesday, Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh had indicated that Modi, during his visit to Haryana, may make some major announcements. Singh is the grandson of Sir Chhotu Ram. Khattar said the prime minister has also been invited for a programme to be organised on the completion of four years of the BJP government in Haryana on November 1. In case he is not available, BJP National President Amit Shah would attend the ...
Himachal reduces VAT on petrol, diesel
With the Central government on Thursday announcing a cut of Rs 2.50 on a litre of petrol and diesel, the BJP-run Himachal Pradesh government also announced to slash VAT on the fuels by Rs 2.5 per litre, effectively making both cheaper by Rs 5 in the state.
Indian, Pak exchange heavy fire on LoC in Poonch
Indian and Pakistani troops on Thursday exchanged heavy fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir's Poonch district.
FIDE Elections: Arkady Dvorkovich is new FIDE President
Former Russian deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich won the FIDE elections defeating Georgios Makropoulos of Greece 103-78 in what was one of the most keenly fought FIDE election in almost 23 years. The Chess world welcomed the decision of the general assembly that elected a new president after a gap of 23 years. It may be recalled that the incumbent, Kirsan Illuyzhinov was dethroned after a long reign mainly because of the sanctions by the US on his alleged links to Syria. Technically, it was a three horse-race that was reduced to two as Grandmaster Nigel Short of England pulled out at the last minute endorsing Dvorkovich. Following Short's withdrawal, it was clear that Dvorkovich had the upper hand thanks to a wisely planned and well-executed campaign in the last couple of months. It was primarily that lack of corporate sponsorship in the game that resulted in FIDE seeking a revenue model where payments were sought from the member Federations, arbiters, coaches and the players ...
No patient will be denied treatment at GTB Hospital, AAP govt assures HC
The AAP government on Thursday assured the Delhi High Court that no patient would be denied treatment at the government-run GTB Hospital, where it has started a pilot project under which residents of the national capital are to be given preference over others. The Delhi government informed a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao that emergency, out patient and testing facilities were not being denied to anyone as was being claimed in a PIL filed in the court. The submission was made by the government's senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra who pleaded before the court not to pass interim directions, and take up the matter on October 8. The bench, however, asked "why not keep it (project) in abeyance till Monday (October 8)?" In response, Mehra said things were being shown to the court "in a coloured manner" and sought time till October 8 to place the facts on record. Earlier in the day, the court had expressed disapproval regarding the project and indicated that it ..
Cong open to talks with any anti-BJP party for pre-poll alliance: Pilot
The Congress is open to talks with any party willing to contribute to the defeat of the BJP in the upcoming elections, Rajasthan Congress president Sachin Pilot said Thursday. Pilot spoke of the Congress' willingness to forge an anti-BJP alliance a day after the BSP supremo Mayawati ruled out an alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh assembly polls and decided to contest them all alone. Rajasthan has always been a two-party state and it's okay that some independents or a few candidates from some other parties win in every election but there is not much of space for a third party in the state at present, Pilot told PTI. I do not know what was the reason for Mayawati to come out with (such) a strong statement. We have open minds and are willing to talk to any anti-BJP party that wants to contribute to the BJP's defeat BJP on issues that are common. It is not about the Congress or a state but it is about the Constitution and democracy, he said. Pilot ...
Cut in petrol, diesel prices shows government's sensitiveness: Shah
Hailing the government's decision to cut petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2.50 per litre, BJP President Amit Shah on Thursday said all the party-ruled states will give additional relief of Rs. 2.50 per litre by reducing VAT.
Govt to finalise Air India revival package in 10-15 days, says Choubey
The government is likely to finalise a revival package for debt-laden Air India in 10 to 15 days, a senior official said Thursday. Earlier this year, efforts for strategic disinvestment of the airline failed to take off. The national carrier is estimated to have a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore. Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey said the government is likely to finalise Air India revival package in 10-15 days. The difficult situation in the airline sector is mainly on account of high crude prices and depreciation of the rupee, he told reporters after his meeting with Economic Affairs Secretary S C Garg. The government has been looking at ways, including sale of non-core assets, to bolster the carrier's fortunes. Air India is staying afloat on a bailout package extended by the previous UPA regime in 2012. Earlier in the day, Choubey said the impact of increase in fuel prices and fall in the rupee have not significantly impacted air fares. "There is good competition in the .
Congress targets BJP's 'double-standards' over reports of assurance to Dhaka on NRC
The Congress has termed "double-standards" the reported assurance of the Indian government to Bangladesh not to deport the non-NRC people, saying the BJP has consistently called such people infiltrators.
Turkey summons Saudi ambassador over missing journalist
Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Turkey was on Thursday summoned to the foreign ministry after a prominent journalist critical of Riyadh went missing, a Turkish diplomatic source said. Jamal Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post, went to the Saudi consulate on Tuesday to receive an official document for his marriage and has not appeared since then. His Turkish fiancee reported him missing after the journalist, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the US since last year to avoid possible arrest, was not seen after he entered the consulate on Tuesday afternoon for marriage procedures. After an initial period of silence Saudi Arabia said the consulate was working with Turkish authorities "to uncover the circumstances of the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi after he left the consulate building". Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin however told reporters on Wednesday the journalist was being held at the consulate, adding that Ankara was in touch with Saudi officials. The ..
Russian Export Center opens representative office in India
Aiming to boost trade and strengthen cooperation between businesses, Russian Export Center Thursday announced the opening of its first representative office in India in Mumbai. "I am assured that opening of a representative office of REC in India will further aid in the development of trade and economic relations between the countries and establishment of partnership relations with potential importers," General Director of the Russian Export Center Andrey Slepnev said. The representative office of the Russian Export Center in India is being opened within the framework of the visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin here.
Lapang appointed chief adviser to Meghalaya govt
D D Lapang, who quit Congress, was Thursday appointed chief adviser to the NPP-led government in Meghalaya with perks and facilities as enjoyed by top political appointees in the state, an official said. Lapang, a four-time chief minister who had been associated with the Congress for over four decades, had headed the party in the state till December when its president asked him to hand over charge to younger leaders. The planning department secretary Pravin Bakshi in a notification issued here said The Governor of Meghalaya is pleased to appoint D D Lapang, former chief minister as chief adviser to the government of Meghalaya with perks and facilities under category A+ Under the category various political appointees who are made chairmen of government bodies are entitled two grade IV staff in the office apart from other allowances as specified by the planning department. Earlier, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma had met Lapang at his residence but failed to convince him
US Secretary of State Pompeo to visit China on Oct 8 for talks to defuse tensions
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit China on October 8 to hold talks with top Chinese leaders amid escalating tension between the world's two largest economies over trade and Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea. Announcing Pompeo's visit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement on Wednesday that China and the US will exchange views on bilateral ties and regional and international issues of common concern. The visit comes amid reports that China has cancelled talks with US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis after the US' allegations that Chinese naval ship conducted unsafe manoeuvres near its destroyer Decatur when passed through the islands off the disputed South China Sea to assert freedom of navigation. Hua, however, said it was Washington which proposed the postponement of the second round of their Diplomatic and Security Dialogue and refuted recent US media reports that China had proposed putting off the dialogue. "Such an argument
Russia targeted chemical weapons watchdog, MH17 probe: Dutch authorities
Dutch security services expelled four Russian intelligence officers in April over a cyber plot targeting the global chemical-weapons watchdog and an international probe into the downing of a passenger jet over Ukraine in 2014, officials here said on Thursday.
Final picture of alliance will be clear in a month: Chavan
Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan said Thursday that final contours of the proposed 'grand alliance' of opposition in the state will emerge within a month. The next meeting of the Congress and NCP leaders to discuss alliance will be held on October 12, Chavan told PTI from Faizpur in Jalgaon district of the state over phone. "We are keen to take Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr B R Ambedkar, with us and talks are on," he said, adding that the issue of Ambedkar's insistence to include the AIMIM in the alliance will be resolved after talks. While Ambedkar's Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh and Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen have announced a tie-up, the Congress is reportedly reluctant to join hands with the AIMIM. "I just want to tell everyone that we should not do anything that will help the BJP," Chavan said. "Final picture of the grand alliance will emerge in a month's time," he added. The Congress has already held talks with ...