New Delhi: In a pleasant development for Haj pilgrims, the government of Saudi Arabia has increased India’s annual Haj quota from 1.36 lakh to 1.70 lakh.

It is the biggest such expansion in the Haj quota in the last 29 years by the Saudi Arabian government, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Wednesday.

An agreement to this regard was inked by Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent charge) Naqvi with Saudi Arabia’s Haj and Umrah Minister Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten at Jeddah, making the expansion effective from the current year.

The Saudi authorities had five years ago slashed quotas for foreign pilgrims coming from each country by 20 percent in view of safety of the devotees as they undertook expansion of Grand Mosque there.

Accordingly, India’s quota was brought down to 1.36 lakh from nearly 1.70 lakh in 2012.

Expressing pleasure at signing of the agreement, Naqvi said his meeting with Benten was “very fruitful” as constructive discussion was held on the whole gamut of issues related to the pilgrimage, transport and accommodation facilities for pilgrims and their safety.

“On behalf of the people and Government of India, we also extend gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Excellency Saudi Arabia King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, for his keen personal interest and initiative in organising a successful Haj 2016,” Naqvi said in a statement.

Naqvi exuded confidence that under the visionary leadership of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud, the “excellent” relationship between India and Saudi Arabia will be further strengthened.

Stating India and Saudi Arabia share ideals of global peace, progress and prosperity, Naqvi said the two countries are tied together with strong civilisational, cultural, economic and political links.

“The regular visits by the leaders and senior-level officials of the two nations have further strengthened the relationship between the two nations. The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia during April last year added new dimensions to our vibrant relationship,” he said.

The Minister also expressed satisfaction over the improvements in services offered to pilgrims which indicates Saudi Arabia’s firm commitment towards welfare and betterment of pilgrims.

The NDA government has started issuing Haj applications from January 2. The last date for submission of applications is January 24.

Saudi Arabia is under major financial crisis and they have no option but to increase the quota of Haj pilgrimage.

As part of its efforts to streamline the process, the government has urged pilgrims to submit their applications online. In December last year, a new Haj website was launched which provides all necessary information to Haj pilgrims, the statement said.

On January 2, the Minister had launched the Haj Committee of India mobile application to help pilgrims apply online.

(Agencies)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to grant extension of time to Sahara chief Subrata Roy to pay Rs. 600 crore by February 6.

The court observed that If Sahara Chief does not pay the amount by Feb 6, he should commit himself to jail.

The apex court also granted liberty to Sahara chief to transfer Rs 285 cr deposited in London Bank to SEBI.

Roy had cited demonetisation and economic slowdown for extension of time to pay Rs. 600 crore. But the court refused to extend time, saying that too much indulgence was already given more than any other litigant.

(Agencies)

New Delhi: Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP government on the issue of demonetisation at Jan Vedna Sammelan in New Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi alleged that BJP, RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have weakened institutions like RBI.

Also, the Gandhi scion labelled demonetisation as a personal decision of PM Modi. ‘Achhe din’ would come when Congress returns to power in 2019, Rahul Gandhi said.

(Agencies)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by an NGO seeking a probe into the IT raids on Sahara and Birla in which certain politicians name came up.

Dismissing the plea, the apex court said that there was no conclusive evidence in the matter.

A bench of the apex court headed by Justice Arun Mishra and also comprising Justice Amitava Roy passed the order after a detailed hearing from the petitioner-NGO ‘Common Cause’ and Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi.

Attorney General Rohatgi, top law officer representing the Central Government, earlier in the day told the apex court division bench that there was no credible document or evidence which prove that former Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi was paid by the corporate houses.

“Nobody in the country would be safe if such documents are accepted as legal evidence. Anyone can put name of anybody on such papers,” he added.

The apex court said that it was not doubting the integrity of the settlement commission order, but examining the integrity of such diaries.

Senior apex court lawyer Prashant Bhushan appearing for the petitioner NGO told the apex court that there was sufficient evidence to prove that public officials were allegedly paid and probe must be ordered to find out the truth.

(IANS)

Bengaluru: The number of drought hit taluks in the state are expected to rise from 139 to 160 as the Karnataka is facing severe water shortage, said state Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa speaking to reporters herein the state capital on Tuesday after a sub committee meeting of the state cabinet which decided to declare 21 taluks of the state as drought hit in addition to 139 taluks which had been declared as drought hit last year.

Generally, cereals, pulses and others would have sown on an area of 33 lakh hectares in the state during Northeast monsoon season. However, sown area is limits to only 25 lakh hectares this year.

The names of 21 taluks will be released after a meeting of state cabinet very soon. A failure of Northeast monsoon rains has hit the life of the farmers and the government has ordered the respective deputy commissioners of the districts to collect information on crop damage due to water scarcity.

Answering to a question, Kogodu Thimmappa said, the government has asked the concerned authorities to drill bore wells where there is severe water scarcity and government has already released Rs 10 crore for the purchase of fodder.

The union government hasn’t yet released Rs 1782 crore as drought relief fund as declared last week. Once the drought relief fund is credited to the state treasury, then it will be deposited the bank accounts of 35 lakh farmers of drought-ridden taluks of Karnataka, revenue minister said.

(Agencies)

Bengaluru: The sixth and the last accused was arrested on Monday in connection with the alleged molestation of a woman by two scooter-borne men near her home here on New Year’s eve an incident that was caught on camera causing national outrage.

The absconding accused in the Kammanahalli molestation case George alias Pappi, an electrician, was caught at Anekal as he tried to return to the city, police said.

George allegedly aided the two main accused, who drove up to the woman and sexually harassed her, police said.

The woman was allegedly groped and assaulted by the two scooter-borne men on January one at Kammanahalli here.

According to police, it was a “plan” prepared by the six accused with four being accomplices.

The Kammanahalli incident had occurred even as on December 31 night, several women were molested and groped and lewd remarks passed by miscreants on M G Road and Brigade Road, despite the presence of 1,500 police personnel to control unruly New Year revellers.

The incidents had led to a national outrage, raising concerns over safety of women in the country’s IT capital.

(Agencies)