Ahmedabad: As the government announced scrapping high denomination notes in move to root out black money, a case of bribery has to the light from Gujarat.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested two officials of the trust port officials for accepting a bribe of Rs 2.9 lakh, but what stunned the officials was that the whole amount was in Rs 2000 note — newly issued on November 11.

The arrested officials, Superintending Engineer P Srivivasu and Sub-Divisional officer K Komtekar of the Kandla Port Trust, sought Rs 4.4 lakh in bribe to clear the bills of a private electrical firm.

A middleman of the two officials accepted a part of the bribe, which was a sum of Rs 2.5 lakh. But he was arrested after a trap was laid by the agency officials.

(Agencies)

New Delhi: Government today lowered the exchange limit for now-defunct 500 and 1,000 rupee notes to Rs 2,000 from the existing cap of Rs 4,500, effective tomorrow.

Among other measures, it has allowed up to Rs 2.5 lakh cash withdrawal from bank account of a bride or groom or their parents for a marriage during the ongoing wedding season.

“To enable larger number of people to get benefit of over-the-counter exchange of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, the existing limit of Rs 4,500 will be reduced to Rs 2,000 with effect from tomorrow,” Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das told reporters.

The over-the-counter exchange of Rs 500/1,000 in return of new currency will be available “once per person till December 30”.

“This will enable larger number of people to exchange notes. There is no cash shortage and enough cash is available,” he said.

The decision comes a day after the government directed banks to put indelible ink mark on the right index finger of persons to screen them from using the exchange facility more than once.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 8 demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in his bigger war against black money, terror financing and counterfeit notes.

Since then a lot of representations have come to Prime Minister and Finance Minister to ease withdrawal norms for wedding purposes.

“This has been considered by the government and decided that for wedding ceremonies, up to Rs 2.5 lakh will be allowed to be withdrawn from account if father or mother or the bride and groom,” Das said.

He said the account has to be KYC compliant and self declaration has to be given to the bank. The Rs 2.5 lakh can be withdrawn from only one account.

(Agencies)

Rohtak: A 56-year-old bank manager in Haryana died of a massive heart attack after spending three frantic days serving hundreds of customers following the government’s shock withdrawal of high-value currency.

Police say Rajesh Kumar, the manager of Rohtak’s Cooperative Bank, was found dead in his chamber on Wednesday morning after spending three nights in the office because of the increased work load.

Banks across India have struggled since Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes were recalled last week as millions have poured in to exchange or deposit old currency. Banks have been asked to open early or close late to accommodate the large crowds, adding to the woes of bank staff.

“Due to increased work-load, Kumar had been sleeping in his office from the past three days. His family said he was on medications for heart disease,” Shivaji colony police station in-charge Neeraj Kumar said. Work at the bank has been suspended.

When a security guard reached the bank on Wednesday morning, he knocked at the manager’s office door but got no reply. He alerted other employees who called in the police, who broke the door to find him dead.

The police said Kumar belonged to Gurgaon and is survived by his wife and two children.

(Agencies)

Mumbai: Following the Centre’s ban on Zakir Naik’s NGO, the Islamic Research Foundation, for five years, the counsel of the controversial Islamist preacher, has asserted that it is an ‘illegal and unjustified’ ban and added that they will move the tribunal against the order. Naik’s lawyer, Mubin Solkar, told media, “So far, we have not been served with any such kind of notification under Section 3 of the UAPA. We are clear that this ban is not justified at all and is an illegal ban, because, the provision of the UAPA has been wrongly invoked in this case. According to us, it is a clear misuse of the provisions of UAPA.”

He further said that in order to declare an organisation as unlawful, it has to reveal, highlight and promote the offence under Section 153A, that is promoting enmity on grounds of religion which the Islamic Research Foundation has not done.

“The IRF since its inception has promoted peace and harmony, charitable, sociable and humanitarian activities. This ban is wholly unjustified. So, even if this notification is issued, it does not normally take effect unless it is confirmed by the tribunal,” he added.

A confident Solkar said he is sure that the tribunal would cancel the ban. On Tuesday, the Centre banned the IRF for five years and asked law enforcement agencies to maintain a strict surveillance on activities of all establishments of the organisation. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security after Naik was found to deliver provocative speeches.

The development comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a show cause notice to Naik’s NGO thereby initiating the process for cancellation of its FCRA licence.

MHA sources stated that the process for putting Zakir Naik’s educational trust in prior permission category has also been initiated. The Centre had time and again asserted that Naik’s IRF is maligning India and, therefore, on several occasions insisted that there is a need for it to be banned.

Naik came under the scanner after the Bangladeshi newspaper ‘Daily Star’ revealed that one of the perpetrators of the July 1 terror attack in Dhaka, Rohan Imtiaz, was inspired by Naik. He is banned in both the United Kingdom and Canada for his alleged hate speeches aimed against other religions.

He is also among the 16 banned Islamic scholars in Malaysia and is accused of radicalizing and attracting youth for terror acts and has come under the scanner of the security agencies.

(ANI)

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was admitted to the AIIMS due to kidney failure and underwent tests for a transplant, but the doctors said the procedure may take some time as a donor was yet to be found.

Swaraj took to twitter to inform about her health condition.

“Friends: This is to update you on my health.

“I am in AIIMS because of kidney failure. Presently, I am on dialysis. I am undergoing tests for a kidney transplant. Lord Krishna will bless,” she tweeted this morning.

Doctors at the hospital said since a suitable donor was yet to be found, the transplant would not be conducted immediately.

“Since a donor from her immediate family is not available right now, the kidney transplant might take some more time. The search for a suitable donor is on. Meanwhile, she is on maintenance dialysis (as and when required),” said sources.

Swaraj has been allowed to go home today but she will be back at AIIMS tomorrow, the sources said.

64-year-old Swaraj, who has been in and out of the hospital for last few months, was admitted to AIIMS on November 7. A team of doctors comprising Dr Sandip Mahajan, professor (Nephrology), Nikhil Tandon, HOD (Endocrinology), Dr Randeep Guleria, HOD (Pulmonary Medicine) and Balram Airan, Chief of the Cardio Thoracic Centre are treating her.

After Swaraj tweeted about her health, there was a flood of get well soon wishes from politicians as also people from a cross section of society. Some even offered to donate a kidney to her.

“Respected @SushmaSwaraj ma’am. My blood group is B Positive. I will be happy to donate my kidney to you, if needed. God bless,” tweeted Rahul Verma.

Many saw her announcement as setting new standards of transparency as politicians usually are not forthcoming about divulging details of their health condition.

“@SushmaSwaraj sets yet another benchmark. In terms of being honest about health issues. This is truly a new India as it should be,” tweeted marketing expert Suhel Seth.

Politicians cutting across party lines including Congress leader Ambika Soni, National Conference’s Omar Abdullah, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Jayant Sinha and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje wished Swaraj speedy recovery.

“Very sorry to hear about your health problems @SushmaSwaraj ji. My father went through the same so I know how you & the family must feel,” Abdullah tweeted.

Earlier she was admitted to AIIMS in April for treatment of pneumonia and other health issues.

(IANS)

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct Reserve Bank of India to review its decision of not allowing District Central Cooperative Banks to exchange demonetised notes and said his government stands committed to every anti- corruption measure that benefits common man.

“I would request your goodself to personally intervene in the matter and direct the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to review its decision on withdrawal of facilities from the District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCB) and allow them to take part in the implementation of the scheme,” Patnaik wrote in a letter to Modi.

He also spoke to the Prime Minister over phone and drew his attention to the farmers’ plights following demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. Earlier, the RBI had prohibited the DCCBs to refrain from exchanging demonetised notes.

Stating that 44 lakh farmer families, who have taken agricultural loans, have been affected due to the ban imposed by RBI on DCCBs, the CM said this would severely affect paddy procurement.

In his letter, Patnaik also mentioned that the DCCBs have been playing pivotal role in Odisha by dispensing crop loans to the extent of around 65 per cent through their affiliated Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) and catering to the requirement of around 44 lakh agricultural families under Kisan Credit Card Scheme.

(Agencies)

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with leaders of National Conference, AAP and NDA constituent Shiv Sena, today led a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan from Parliament, protesting against the Centre’s move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes.

“The march is to save common people from disaster,” she told reporters before heading towards the President’s House to submit a memorandum seeking reversal of the move.

Besides Banerjee, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, AAP’s Bhagwant Mann and Chandrakant Khaire and Gajanan Kirtikar of Shiv Sena took part in the march.Leaders of the other opposition parties including Congress, Left parties, SP and BSP did not took part in the protest march.

While the opposition parties participating in the march demanded complete reversal of demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes, the Shiv Sena differed on the issue and insisted the government to extend the deadline of accepting the old currency.

“We welcome the demonetisation move. But we are against the inconvenience caused to people due to it. We have not signed the memorandum (that will be presented to the President Pranab Mukherjee).

“We are going to submit a separate memorandum seeking redressal of the inconvenience caused to people. We also want the period to be extended,” Kirtikar said.

(Agencies)

New Delhi: Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Opposition parties today alleged selective leak of information on demonetisation of 500 and 1000 rupee notes to ‘friends of BJP’ and demanded making public the names of those who had bought gold and foreign exchange of over Rs one crore since April.

Initiating a debate after listed business was suspended to take up a discussion on the November 8 decision to withdraw old higher denomination currency, Anand Sharma (Cong) used wit and humour to attack Modi for being insensitive to problems caused to the common man.

He asked the Prime Minister to state where he got Rs 23,000-24,000 crore, estimated by the International Money Watch Group, for his Lok Sabha elections.

He also asked if cheque or credit card payments were made to organise his rally in Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh a few days ago.

Alleging that the information on demonetisation was selectively leaked, he said, “your BJP units have deposited crores (just before the November 8 decision).”

As the debate was in progress, BSP chief Mayawati demanded the presence of the Prime Minister in the House to hear out the Opposition parties and address their concerns. Supporting her, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said since Lok Sabha has adjourned for the day, Modi should hear out at least the major parties.

Quoting media reports, Sharma said State Bank of India – the country’s largest lender – knew of the decision way back in March and a Gujarati newspaper had in April published a report of move to withdraw 500 and 1000 rupee notes.

He demanded a probe into “how many people bought more than Rs 1 crore of foreign currency and bullion” since April. “This is a serious issue… you never kept secrecy (about the decision),” Sharma said.

The “ill-timed” and “ill-conceived” move had unleashed “economic anarchy” in the country and benefited a few, he said, adding that to fight blackmoney created by higher denomination currency, a bigger Rs 2000 note has been brought which is similar to the paper on which ‘churan’ is sold and “shed colour” was brought.

“Your government is insensitive,” he said adding Modi was riding a bullet train in Japan when old, women and common man were queueing up at banks at 3 am in the morning to get currency to buy their daily needs.

Sharma said Modi had in his Goa speech had stated that those standing in line at banks were those involved in 2G spectrum and coal scam as well as holding blackmoney.

“I condemn the Prime Minister for calling the poor standing in queue for his Rs 4000-4,500, blackmoney holders and scamster,” he said.

Referring to Modi’s statement in Goa last week that certain forces were out to eliminate him, the Congress leader asked him to name the conspirators wanting to eliminate Prime Minister of India. Congress will not tolerate anyone planning to harm the Prime Minister of the country, he said.

Taking a dig at the Modi, he said someone who “changes clothes five times a day”, has become Prime Minister and travels around the globe was “calling himself a sanyasi and tapasvi”.

Sharma demanded that the names of persons holding accounts in Swiss bank and those revealed in the Leichtenstein and HSBC lists should be made public. The names of bank loan defaulters above Rs 5000 crore should also be made public.

While the decision had put the common man to immense hardship by way of having to stand in long queues to lay hands on valid currency to meet daily needs, the information about demonetisation was selectively leaked to the “friends of BJP,” Sharma alleged.

The move had branded 86 per cent of the currency in circulation blackmoney and “everyone a criminal,” he said adding when Modi announced the plan it was expected that adequate arrangements would be made for dispensing new notes.

So banks and ATMs were shut on November 9 but the expectation of normalcy from next day were dashed with queues only getting longer by the day.

The government policy was to “benefit those who are your friends and hurt those who question you,” he said adding an atmosphere has been created in the country where questions cannot be asked and those doing so branded anti-nationals.

“The magnanimous Prime Minister allowed Rs 4000 of old currency to be changed… what right does the Constitution give the government to place restrictions on withdrawal of ones hard-earned money,” he asked, adding one has to “beg to be allowed to withdraw his own money.”

He said former RBI Governor IG Patel had written about the government’s decision to demonetise currency in 1978 and it would be absurd to think that all ill-gotten money is kept in cash and not invested in real estate, billion, equities or foreign exchange.

Modi, Sharma said, had reasoned that withdrawal of the higher denomination currency to fight against blackmoney, terrorist funding and counterfeit currency.

Congress is unequivocally opposed to blackmoney and opposes any force that print counterfeit currency.

Sharma said the government in one stroke took away 86.4 per cent of the over Rs 16 lakh crore currency in circulation. “Did the government think that 86 per cent of the currency in circulation was counterfeit or blackmoney,” he asked.

(Agencies)

Bengaluru: Rolling out red carpet to women entrepreneurs, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday expressed confidence that with several initiatives taken, the state would soon occupy the top slot for women entrepreneurship.

He urged women entrepreneurs to explore entrepreneurial opportunities in Karnataka and make the state their base.

“I am happy to note that Karnataka’s diversity ratio in employment and entrepreneurship is amongst the best in India. Our eco-system is regarded as the benchmark for women to live and work and I am happy that we are in the right direction,” Siddaramaiah said at the event “Think Big 2016”.

He said that according to the fourth Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME) census, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have 51.9 per cent of the country’s women-owned business indicating the potential that exists in our State and country.

“I am sure with the initiatives taken up, Karnataka would soon be in the top slot…,” he said.

“Think Big 2016”, which is projected to be Asia’s largest women entrepreneurship and economic empowerment summit, is being organised by Karnataka government, together with WEConnect International in India and Thinkthrough Consulting (TTC).

According to the organisers, the event is aimed at bringing together more than 2,000 women entrepreneurs, 300 Industry leaders and 400 businesses and 35 top banks to connect women entrepreneurs across the globe with the “thriving” business ecosystem in Karnataka.

Speaking on special attention being given to women entrepreneurs to encourage enterprise creation and industrial capacity building, he said, there has been unprecedented response from them.

“Initially we thought of developing one Women’s Park at Harohally near Bangalore. But, surprisingly there was a great response from all over the State to set up parks for women.

Going by the enthusiasm generated amongst women entrepreneurs, I am sure we would have Women’s Park all over the State soon,” he added.

(Agencies)