Page 297 - Politics
Kumaraswamy, his deputy greet Sonia on election as leader of Cong Parliamentary Party
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Saturday congratulated UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on her election as leader of Congress Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha and said her vast experience and leadership will give a "stronger voice" to the opposition in Parliament. Gandhi was once again elected leader of Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) at a meeting of party MPs at the Central Hall of Parliament on Saturday. "Hearty congratulations to Ms Sonia Gandhi on being elected as leader of the #Congress Parliamentary Party. Her vast experience and leadership will give a stronger voice to the Opposition in the Parliament. I wish her the best. @INCIndia @INCKarnataka," Kumaraswamy tweeted. Congress Legislature Party leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah said her leadership would strengthen the opposition and help in keeping a check on the BJP. "Congratulations to Smt.#SoniaGandhi for being elected as @INCIndia Parliamentary leader. Her vision, commitment & ...
Khomeini's legacy looms over Iran 30 years after death
Thirty years ago millions of mourners crowded the streets of Tehran for the funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and today the founder of the Islamic republic remains a guiding figure in Iran. The image of the black-turbaned cleric who brought down the monarchy in 1979 stares out at people across the country, from hotel lobbies and the front of stadiums to hospitals and banknotes. In life Khomeini was recognised by his followers as the "Imam", leader of the Shiite community, and decades after his death he remains enshrined in the Iranian constitution as "the great source of imitation". "His key legacy is the strong notion of independence, sovereignty and resilience against foreign hegemony and imperialism that still continues to exist among Iranians," Mohammad Marandi, head of the American studies department at Tehran University, told AFP. Born in 1902, Khomeini died on 3 June 1989 following a battle with cancer just over 10 years after he led the Islamic revolution that swept ...
Language row erupts in Tamil Nadu
A controversy broke out in Tamil Nadu on Saturday over the new Draft Education Policy of the government at the Centre that has recommended a three language formula with political parties opposing "imposition" of Hindi in the state.Leaders cutting across party lines said the state has a history on the language issue and would not tolerate any imposition.The comments came in the wake of the draft education policy prepared by the Kasturirangan Committee, released yesterday, which spoke of continuation of the three language formula in the schools.DMK leader and Rajya Sabha member T Siva said any attempt to "force" Hindi language on the people of Tamil Nadu will not be tolerated by them. "We are ready to face any consequences to stop the Hindi language from being forced on the people here," he said.TNCC president K S Alagiri said people of Tamil Nadu will not allow the imposition of Hindi in the state. He said Congress was not opposed to any language and it was up to the students to learn .
Ready to face any consequences to stop Hindi language being forced on TN people: DMK
DMK leader T Siva on Saturday warned the central government and said that the party is "ready to face any consequences" against any attempt to make Hindi compulsory in Tamil Nadu through the new education policy."The attempt to force Hindi language on people of Tamil Nadu will not be tolerated by its people. We are ready to face any consequences to stop Hindi language being forced on the people here," Siva said here.Siva stated that a committee has been appointed by the central government to draft a new education policy.
IPS welcomes changes in PM's Scholarship Scheme by Modi government
Indian Police Service (IPS) Association on Saturday welcomed the Narendra Modi government's decision to enhance Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme given under the National Defence Fund (NDF)."We at IPS Association express our heartfelt gratitude to PM Sri @narendramodi for his Cabinet's decision to include wards of police martyrs in the Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme as well as raising the amount disbursed under it," it said in a tweet.In his first decision after being sworn-in to head the government for a second term, Modi, who had made national security an important plank in the elections, on Friday hiked the scholarship assistance under the NDF.The rates of scholarship have been increased from Rs 2000 per month to Rs 2500 per month for boys and from Rs 2250 per month to Rs 3000 per month for girls.The ambit of the Scholarship Scheme has been extended to the wards of State Police officials who are or were martyred during terror or Naxal attacks. The quota of new scholarships for
US won't ignore China's behaviour in Asia-Pacific: Shanahan
In his first major public appearance in Asia, Acting US Defence Secretary Pat Shanahan said on Saturday that Washington would no longer "ignore Chinese behaviour" in the Asia-Pacific region, calling its activity a "tool kit of coercion".
I thank Modiji and Shah for taking steps to ensure welfare of farmers: Virendra Singh Mast
The decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet will go a long way in improving the status of farmers in the country, said Bhartiya Kisan Morcha president Virendra Singh Mast on Saturday."I want to thank Modiji and his cabinet for taking the biggest step since Independence for the welfare of farmers. This will boost the agricultural economy which will empower crores of farmers across the country. This is the first time when the farmers have felt that they are important and cared for in the country," Mast said at a press conference here.Addressing rural distress in its first meeting on Friday, the Union Cabinet approved a new pension scheme for small and marginal farmers across the country and extended the ambit of the direct income support scheme for farmers by removing the ceiling of two hectares to cover more beneficiaries.The benefits of PM KISAN Yojana have now been extended to all 14.5 crore farmers of the country.Mast also said that there is joy amidst the farmers .
Dass to be inducted in Assam cabinet expansion
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is likely to expand his cabinet soon, ahead of the next session of the Assam legislative assembly tentatively slated to take place in July this year, when state BJP President Ranjit Kumar Dass is among those expected to be inducted.
Clash as 'Jai Shri Ram' shouting BJP workers protest in Bengal
Police carried out a baton charge to disperse a group of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters shouting "Jai Shri Ram" at a demonstration at Kanchrapara in North 24 Parganas district on Saturday, ahead of a Trinamool Congress meeting in the area.
Tamil Nadu parties against imposition of Hindi
Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu on Saturday opposed the three-language formula for schools in the state, as stated in the draft national education policy presented by K. Kasturirangan Committee to the central government.
Tripura minister Burman removed for poor show: BJP
Tripura Health and Family Welfare Minister Sudip Roy Burman, 53, was removed from his post on the basis of his performance, a BJP leader said here on Saturday.
US scrapping preferential trade status 'double whammy' for India, PM should give statement:Cong
The Congress on Saturday said the US government's decision to terminate special trade status for India will have adverse consequences on exports and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the country into confidence and make a comprehensive statement explaining how he intends to overcome this "grave trade and economic crisis". Addressing a press conference, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it is a "double whammy" for India which has "succumbed to US pressure" of not buying crude oil from Iran and has also lost the special trade status and alleged that the government did "nothing to preempt it" despite being informed of the decision in March. "On behalf of the people of India, we urge upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a comprehensive statement on the issue to the nation and place before the public a way forward to overcome this grave trade and economic crisis," he told reporters. "The Prime Minister should take the nation into confidence," he also ...
Chautala equates Khattar with 'useless animal', Haryana CM hits back
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Saturday hit back at former chief minister and INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala for equating him with a "useless animal", saying people have taught his party a lesson for using "such undignified" language. Khattar took to his Twitter handle to express his displeasure over the Indian National Lok Dal president's remarks against him. "Om Prakash Chautala ji, people have taught you a lesson for using such undignified language. You can violate dignity but my education is not like that. Will pray to the Almighty to give you good sense and bless with a long life," Khattar said. Chautala, in a meeting with party workers on Friday after being released on furlough, made stinging remarks against the Haryana chief minister. "We call animals, be it milch ones or others, who turn ineffective and useless 'Khatter'. This 'nakara' (useless) has come to Haryana. Never thought he would get a chance (to rule the state). It was the state's misfortune. It was ...
Shah takes charge as 30th Home Minister
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Saturday took charge as the 30th Union Home Minister. The 55-year-old leader suceeded Rajnath Singh and assumed charge a day after he was assigned the home portfolio as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government returned for a second term in office.
Pak likely to remove restriction on air space usage
Pakistan is likely to lift the airspace ban along its eastern border with India in reciprocation to India's decision to remove all the temporary restrictions on all air routes in the Indian air space, a senior Pakistani government official indicated Saturday. The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday announced on Twitter: "Temporary restrictions on all air routes in the Indian airspace, imposed by the Indian Air Force on 27 Feb 19, have been removed." Reacting to India's decision, a senior officials of the Pakistan government said, "Once the Indian government lifts the air restriction on Pakistani flights, Pakistan is likely to reciprocate it." The official told PTI that India has yet to inform Pakistan about lifting of airspace ban for its flights. "We only heard about this through the media as there is no communication in this respect has taken place as yet. We may follow the suit once India lifts air restrictions on our flights, he said. The IAF said it had removed restrictions that ...
This is double whammy: Cong attacks BJP on unemployment rise, US ending special trade status for India
The Congress on Saturday attacked the BJP-led government at the Centre over issues of unemployment and the US' decision to end its preferential trade treatment to India, saying it is a double whammy and urged the government to take steps to tackle the crises."The US' decision to end special trade status to India has grave trade and economic implications for our country. It will directly affect 16 per cent of India's exports. This special status was availed by India in 1975 when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. With unemployment at a 45-year high, it is a double whammy," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said at a press conference here.The US is slated to revoke India's status as a beneficiary developing country for purposes of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) from June 5, according to a proclamation issued by President Donald Trump.In its response, India downplayed the possibility of any negative impact on trade relations with the US."These are unilateral,
Cong to not stake claim for Leader of Oppn post in LS
Congress leader K Suresh on Saturday said that his party will claim for the Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Deputy Speaker posts, even as spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala maintained that they don't have required numbers to ask for the LoP position in the Lok Sabha.A party has to win at least 54 seats or 10 per cent of the total strength of the 543-member Lok Sabha in order to have a Leader of Opposition."Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will consult senior leaders and nominate the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. She will take the decision. We will claim the Leader of Opposition and Deputy Speaker posts," Suresh, an MP from Mavelikara parliamentary constituency, told ANI earlier in the day.However, Surjewala, while addressing a press conference, said that Congress will not stake a claim to the Leader of the Opposition post."It is a fact that it's 10 per cent of the strength of House. Since we are officially two short, we cannot have a Leader of ...
Trump supports Boris Johnson to be next Tory leader
US President Donald Trump has expressed his support for former UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson as the next leader of the Conservative Party, saying he would be an "excellent" choice and is "a very talented person".
EU says Czech PM in conflict of interest, wants money back
The European Commission says Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis must return millions of euros subsidies after a draft audit report found the billionaire in a conflict of interest, Czech media reported Saturday. The Commission conducted the audit in January and February, suspecting Babis of taking decisions on EU subsidies as a politician but drawing them as an entrepreneur. It found Babis, the second wealthiest Czech, still rakes in profits from the Agrofert food, chemicals and media holding he founded. The Commission, which halted subsidies to Agrofert pending the audit verdict, said it wanted the Czech Republic to return the equivalent of 17.4 million euros (USD 19.5 million) in subsidies drawn counter to the rules. The 64-year-old Slovak-born Babis transferred Agrofert to two trust funds in February 2017 -- months before he became prime minister -- to comply with conflict of interest regulations. But citing the funds' articles of association, the Commission said that "Mr Babis is ...
Oli invites Modi to visit Nepal
Nepal Prime Minister K P Oli has extended an invitation to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for a visit to his country and strengthen bilateral relations through regular exchange of visits. Oli was on a two-day visit to New Delhi along with leaders of other BIMSTEC countries to take part in Modi's swearing-in ceremony on Thursday as the country's prime minister for the second term. Besides India, BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. According to the statement by the Nepal foreign ministry, Modi has accepted the invitation. Oli, who returned to Nepal on Friday, also met Modi during the visit where the two leaders expressed commitment to take bilateral relations to a new height. "He (Oli) extended best wishes for the successful tenure of Modi," the statement said. "Both prime ministers expressed happiness over the progress made in Nepal-India relations under their respective leadership," it added. The two leaders underlined the importance of