Page 946 - Politics
Goa govt plans to ban single-use plastics from Sept
The Goa government is planning to bring in a legislation to ban single-use plastic items like straws, cutlery and bags in the state from September, an official said on Thursday. The government wants to make an amendment to the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage Control Act to ensure a complete ban on the single-use plastics, a senior officer from the state panchayat department told PTI. The amendment is currently being drafted and is likely to be introduced during the state Assembly's monsoon session. "The legislation is aimed at banning manufacture, supply, storage and use such plastics in the state," the official said. It is expected to come into force from September this year, the official said, adding that it will empower the government to impose fine on those who violate the law and also penalise those who litter in public places. Goa had earlier banned the use of plastic carry bags below 50 micron thickness. The coastal state has total 34 registered plastic ...
R Kanagaraj replaces Ashutosh Shukla as DGP, Prisons
: A day after the Election Commission appointed Ashutosh Shukla as Director General of Police (Elections), the Tamil Nadu government Thursday said R Kanagaraj would replace him as DGP (Prisons). Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan in an order issued Thursday said, "he (Shukla) has to take charge of the new assignment immediately, after handing over charge of the post of IG Prisons to Deputy Inspector General of Prisons R Kanagaraj, Headquarters Chennai." The EC on Wednesday Shukla appointed as DGP (Elections), Tamil Nadu and said he would supervise all election related work involving police and shall not report to the DGP and all police officials connected with electoral process would report to him till completion of the Lok Sabha elections. Polls to the 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu and the lone seat in Puducherry would be held on April 18.
Amid allegations of EMV malfunction, J&K records over 35% turnout till 1 pm
Jammu and Kashmir has recorded over 35 per cent turnout till 1 pm in Jammu and Baramulla constituencies, where voting in underway in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, even as there were protests over defective EVMs in some areas, officials said. The two constituencies house over 33 lakh electorate. The National Conference and the PDP alleged that uniformed personnel "coerced" people to vote for the BJP and that EVMs malfunctioned in some places with Congress button not working in Jammu's Poonch area. While the Jammu Lok Sabha constituency recorded 44.65 per cent turnout, Baramula registered 22.3 per cent till 1 pm, the officials said. Amid tight security, polling began at 7 am in the Jammu constituency and has been peaceful so far with voters in Samba, Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch turning out early morning to exercise their franchise, the officials said. While Jammu district recorded 45.9 per cent polling, Samba registered highest 52.1 per cent, followed by Rajouri district with ...
Pro-Kurdish party slams Turkey ban on elected mayors taking office
Turkey's main pro-Kurdish party on Thursday hit out at electoral authorities for blocking some of its successful candidates from taking office after a March 31 local vote. The Supreme Electoral Council (YSK) on Wednesday ordered that individuals sacked by an emergency decree during purges after a 2016 failed coup could not take up their posts despite being elected, DHA news agency reported. The candidate who came second would be able to serve in the post instead, DHA said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has often accused the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) of ties with PKK Kurdish militants, a charge the party denies. The HDP said the YSK decision affects many candidates who had already been authorised to stand in the ballot by the same electoral council. "This step taken by the YSK is part of a deliberate political conspiracy, nothing else" by the ruling AKP and its coalition nationalist MHP partner, HDP spokesman Saruhan Oluc told reporters in Ankara. The HDP cannot ...
Russian MPs approve controversial bill restricting internet
Russian lawmakers on Thursday approved in a key second reading a controversial bill that would allow Moscow to cut off the country's internet traffic from foreign servers. Lawmakers in the State Duma, parliament's lower house, voted 320 to 15 to pass the proposed bill. It is set to take effect on November 1 once it formally becomes law. The proposed measures would create technology to monitor internet routing and steer Russian internet traffic away from foreign servers, ostensibly to prevent a foreign country from shutting it down. Authors of the initiative say Russia must ensure the security of its networks after US President Donald Trump unveiled a new American cybersecurity strategy last year that said Russia had carried out cyber attacks with impunity. The legislation has been dubbed a "sovereign internet" bill by Russian media. Critics say implementing the measures would be expensive and give vast censorship powers to the government's new traffic monitoring centre. "It's a bill .
France says Pakistani pilots were not trained on Rafale jets
France Ambassador to India, Alexandre Ziegler, on Thursday denied reports, which claimed that France is training Pakistani pilots on Rafale jets. Ziegler termed the reports as "fake news".The ambassador was referring to a report published in ainonline.com, an independent media firm focussing on the aviation sector, which on February 13 reported that "The first batch of pilots trained for Qatar in November 2017 were Pakistani exchange officers."Ziegler, however, refuted the reports and said, "I can confirm that it is fake news.".
PM-Kisan scheme for all farmers if voted to power: PM Modi in Bihar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday promised to ensure coverage of all farmers under the PM-Kisan scheme, irrespective of their land ownership, if the BJP is voted to power again.The PM-Kisan (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) scheme, which was launched in February this year, provides aid of Rs. 6,000 per year to small and marginal farmers having combined land holding or ownership of up to two hectares."We will scrap the condition of having maximum five acres of land to avail the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Yojna after the formation of our government," PM Modi said at an election rally here.The Prime Minister also promised regular pension cover for senior citizen farmers. "Our government will also provide pension to farmers who cross 60 years age," he said.PM Modi recited a poem by Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and said that he launched his government's ambitious Aayushman Bharat Yojna after being inspired by the Bihar born Hindi poet.In a veiled attack on jailed Rashtriya ...
Lok Sabha 2019: West Bengal clocks highest voter turnout till 11 am
West Bengal on Thursday recorded the highest voter turnout of 38.08 per cent till 11 am as the people came out to vote with zeal in the parliamentary constituencies of Alipurduars and Cooch Behar of the state.However, the polling in Maharashtra (seven seats) recorded at a low 13.7 per cent.The state of Uttrakhand recorded 23.78 per cent voter turnout till 11 in the morning, while Lakshadweep recorded 23.10 per cent of votes.Similarly, people in Telangana, including top stars from the Telugu film industry also came out in large numbers to elect new Lok Sabha MPs. The region recorded the voter turnout of 22.84 per cent till 11 am.Meanwhile, TRS candidate from Nizamabad and incumbent MP, K Kavitha appealed the voters to exercise their franchise and cast ballot in favour of TRS candidates.Speaking to ANI, K Kavitha said, "Earlier, whichever party MPs were elected to power, they failed to represent the aspirations of the people of Telangana in Delhi. But, in the last five years, TRS has ...
BJP candidate Smriti Irani files nomination from Amethi LS seat
Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on Thursday filed her nomination from Amethi parliamentary constituency for the Lok Sabha elections.Smriti performed 'puja' ahead of filing her nomination in Amethi where she is pitted against Congress president Rahul Gandhi.Her husband Zubin Irani was also present at the 'puja'.Rahul Gandhi, a three-time Member of Parliament from Amethi, had filed his nomination papers yesterday. He was accompanied by his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and sister and Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Priyanka's husband Robert Vadra and their two sons were also present.Polling will be held in Amethi on May 6 during the fifth phase of the general elections.In the 2014 general elections, Rahul Gandhi had defeated Smriti Irani by a margin of around one lakh votes.The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh started today and will end on May 19. Counting of votes will be held on May 23.
Go ahead take action: Rahul dares Modi on graft cases
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday made it clear that he doesn't attach much importance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's threats of putting Congress leaders behind bars if voted to power for the next five years.
Lakshadweep records 37.7% voter turnout till 1 p.m.
Around 37.7 per cent voters in Lakshadweep exercised their franchise till 1 p.m. on Thursday, as per the Election Commission.
SC declines urgent hearing to plea seeking prosecution of voters indulging in electoral fraud
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to grant urgent hearing on a petition seeking a direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for prosecution of voters who indulge in electoral malpractices during the Lok Sabha polls.A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi declined the urgent hearing plea made by advocate KV Dhananjay appearing for Karnataka-based society Lancha Muktha Karnataka Nirmana Vedike."It is an offence for a voter to demand or receive money or gratification to cast or otherwise deal with his vote... It is an offence for any person to attempt to impersonate another voter inside a polling booth, regardless of whether the attempt is successful or not," the society petition said.It submitted that the ECI should exercise powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and ask poll personnel to prosecute voters who indulge in electoral malpractices.
45% voter turnout in Meghalaya LS polls (2nd Lead)
Nearly 45 per cent of the total 19,14,795 electorate have cast their ballots in the first seven hours of polling for the two Lok Sabha seats in Meghalaya on Thursday, an election official said.
CM hits out at Shah for Pakistan jibe on Wayanad processions
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Thursday lashed out at Amit Shah's comment equating processions in Wayanad to those taking place in Pakistan and said the BJP chief had "no idea" about the hilly district. Shah had recently equated Wayanad, the second seat from where the Congress president Rahul Gandhi is contesting, to Pakistan, and said "when a procession is taken out, you cannot make out whether it is India or a Pakistan procession." Vijayan, at a campaign rally for the CPI candidate PSuneer at Wayanad, said if Shah had any idea about the history of Wayand in the freedom struggle, he would not have likened it with Pakistan. "Shah had insulted Wayanad. He said he could not make out whether a meetingat Wayanad looks like something happening in Pakistan. Does he have any idea about Wayanad? Does he have any idea about the role of Wayanad during the freedom struggle against the Britishers?" Vijayan said. Taking a dig at the BJP, Vijayan said the saffron party may be .
We will scrap Article 370, introduce NRC across country: Shah
The BJP will scrap Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and introduce National Register for Citizens across the country if voted to power again, BJP chief Amit Shah said Thursday, raking up the two hugely disputed issues. On the campaign trail in West Bengal, he also accused TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee of questioning the air strikes to "appease" her minority vote bank, and demanded that she clarify whether she too favoured a separate prime minister for Jammu and Kashmir like her ally National Conference leader Omar Abdullah. "We will remove Article 370 from Kashmir after forming the next BJP government at the Centre," Shah told an election rally here in Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency where the party has fielded industrialist Raju Singh Bisht. Shah alleged that Banerjee, who is vehemently opposed to the contentious National Register of Citizens (NRC) that is currently restricted to Assam, was "misleading" people, and vowed ..
Lok Sabha poll results will show Modi is not invincible: Rahul
Intensifying his attack on the prime minister a day after the Supreme Court agreed to hear review petitions on its Rafale verdict, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday that Narendra Modi was "not invincible" and it would be proved after the Lok Sabha elections. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not invincible," he told reporters after his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi filed her nomination papers from the Rae Bareli parliamentary constituency. "Modi has done nothing in the past five years...," the Congress president said. In a jolt to the Centre, the Supreme Court Wednesday agreed to hear petitions for a review of its verdict in the Rafale fighter jet deal on the basis of "leaked" secret documents by dismissing its preliminary objections. Buoyed by the apex court's decision, the Congress president once again dared the Prime Minister to join an open debate with him on the Rafale deal and said that he was "ready to go to Race Course Road (PM's residence)" for it. "I .
Enron-Dabhol power project: SC closes case of alleged corruption
The Supreme Court on Thursday closed the case of alleged corruption involving politicians, bureaucrats and corporates in the Enron-Dabhol power project, noting the inordinate delay in the case which was filed in 1997. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna allowed the plea of the Maharashtra government to close the case. The USD 3 billion mega power project was set up in Maharashtra by US-based Enron and its associates Dabhol Power Corporation in 1996 after signing of Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) in 1993. The apex Court had in 1997 admitted the petition of the Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU) challenging a Bombay High Court order upholding the PPA and issued notice to MSEB on the role of government and its officials in the signing of the agreement. In the previous hearing on February 14, the court was informed by the Maharashtra government about the developments that have taken ...
Over 50% polling recorded in Mizoram
Over half of the 787,777 electorate cast their votes in the first seven hours of polling on Thursday for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram under heavy security cover, a top official said.
Cong claims 'grave' security threat to Rahul; writes to Rajnath
The Congress has claimed "grave" security threat to party chief Rahul Gandhi and urged Home Minister Rajnath Singh to take immediate action to ensure full protection of its leader. In a letter, three Congress leaders said that a laser was pointed at Rahul during his interaction with journalists after filing nomination for the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency on Wednesday. "A perusal of his media interaction will reflect that a laser (green) was pointed at his head, intermittently on at least 7 separate occasions in a short period; including twice at his temple on the right side of the head," the letter, signed by Congress leader Ahmed Patel, Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Singh Surjewala, said. The Congress requested the home minister to investigate the matter and ensure full protection of Rahul, an SPG protectee. When contacted, a home ministry spokesperson said the ministry was seized of the matter.
Odisha Cong spokesperson quits party over ticket allotment
In a major jolt to Odisha Congress, party spokesperson Sonali Sahoo quit on Thursday, expressing displeasure over ticket distribution for Assembly elections. Sahoo's exit comes two days after Pradesh Mahila Congress president Sumitra Jena resigned from the party, alleging irregularities in selection of candidates. Jena, who joined the ruling BJD, has accused Congress state unit president Niranjan Patnaik of discrimination against the women members of the party. Talking to reporters, Sahoo, who was a ticket aspirant from Khurda Assembly seat, said she has sent her resignation letter to Patnaik. "I quit the party as I was not happy with the way tickets were distributed for the state polls," she added. With two women leaders quitting the Congress over ticket alottment, the party's state unit chief clarified Thursday that he "did not recommend any candidate for the Lok Sabha or the Assembly polls". "It (candidate selection) is the decision of the party, not mine. The ...