New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday granted bail to former Delhi University Professor G.N. Saibaba, who was arrested for alleged links with the Maoists.
Mehbooba Mufti takes oath as first woman CM of J&K
Jammu: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday took oath as Jammu and Kashmir’s first woman chief minister, heading a 22-member ministry with the BJP as the junior ally.
Mehbooba Mufti, 56 and now a Lok Sabha member, was sworn in by Governor N.N. Vohra here, almost three months after the state came under Governor’s Rule on January 8.
The Peoples Democratic Party has nine cabinet and three junior ministers — the chief minister included — and the Bharatiya Janata Party has eight cabinet and two junior ministers in the new government.
BJP leader Nirmal Singh remains the deputy chief minister.
The new coalition takes office after three months of political uncertainty sparked by the death on January 7 of then chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
The PDP dropped two cabinet ministers — Altaf Bukhari and Javaid Mustafa Mir and inducted three-time legislator Zahoor Mir.
The BJP dropped cabinet minister Chaudary Sukhnandan and brought in his place Shyam Lal Chaudhary. The BJP also dropped a junior minister, Pawan Gupta.
The BJP share of cabinet ministers includes People’s Conference leader Sajjad Lone, son of separatist politician Abdul Ghani Lone.
Mehbooba Mufti is the 13th chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, India’s only Muslim-majority state.
(IANS)
Massive tax evasion: Amitabh, Aishwarya among 500 Indians with hidden assets
New Delhi: The names of actors Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, real estate tycoon KP Singh and late gangster Iqbal Mirchi figured in a list of over 500 Indians who allegedly used a law firm in Panama to set up offshore entities in tax havens across the world, a newspaper reported on Monday.
The Indian Express said a study of more than 11 million documents from the secret files of Mossack Fonseca, the Panama law firm, showed that Indians possibly violated tax rules or masked ownership of firms they allegedly set up abroad.
The newspaper claimed that while Aishwarya Rai was a shareholder of a firm in the British Virgin Islands, her father-in-law – superstar Amitabh Bachchan – was the director of four shipping companies in the Bahamas. It said Indiabulls owner Sameer Gahlaut acquired “three top London properties” via “entities” in the Bahamas and Jersey, and DLF promoter KP Singh and his family owned firms in the British Virgin Islands.
The promoters of Apollo Tyres, business tycoon Gautam Adani’s elder brother Vinod Adani, West Bengal politician Shishir Bajoria and former Loksatta Party leader Anurag Kejriwal were some other Indians named in the newspaper report.
Until 2003, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) norms did not allow an Indian citizen to set up an overseas entity. In 2004, resident Indians were allowed to remit funds of up to $25,000 a year under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) – the limit of which stands at $250,000 a year now.
The media claimed that while RBI let individuals buy shares under LRS, it never permitted them to set up companies abroad. The Mossack Fonseca documents allegedly show companies were set up long before the rules were changed, and the purpose may have been to park foreign exchange in a tax haven.
Individuals named in the newspaper report were yet to comment, and government officials were expected to respond later. The report in the Indian Express formed part of an investigation by an international coalition of media outlets into the offshore financial dealings of the rich and famous, based on a vast trove of documents provided by an anonymous source.
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism, a non-profit organisation based in Washington, said the cache of 11.5 million records detailed the offshore holdings of a dozen present and former world leaders, besides businessmen, criminals, celebrities and sports stars. Political figures from Iceland, Ukraine, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Argentina were named in the reports.
Hindustan Times wasn’t immediately able to verify the allegations made in the articles that were published by over 100 news organisations across the world.
(Agencies)
India to finally join nuclear security ‘gift baskets’
Washington: India has finally decided to join “gift baskets” at the Fourth Nuclear Security Summit here on Friday even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held meetings with several leaders, including British Prime Minister David Cameron, on the sidelines of the summit.
Addressing a media briefing here as the summit got underway, Amandeep Singh Gill, joint secretary (disarmament and international security affairs), said that India has decided to join some gift baskets, including those on counter nuclear smuggling and sharing best practices.
Gift basket diplomacy involves an approach to a crucial issue where, if consensus is not reached till the lowest common denominator, then those willing can join in. In other words, it is a system of getting around the system of universal consensus at any multilateral summit.
The US had first introduced the gift basket diplomacy during negotiations in 2011 for the Second Nuclear Security Summit.
Fourteen such gift baskets were put up in the summit held in Seoul next year.
India, which had so far refrained from joining any of these gift baskets, has finally decided to go for it.
Gill said India would join the Trilateral Initiative which is the joint statement of the previous three co-chairs of the nuclear security summit which has been circulated in the form of a document in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“So, this group of countries which India is joining are committed to holding the bar high on nuclear security,” the joint secretary said.
“We will also be joining three other gift baskets in priority areas like counter nuclear smuggling, the sharing of best practices through centres of excellence such as GCNEP (Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership), and finally NSS follow-up through contact group in Vienna,” he said.
In Friday’s summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would underline that India would continue to reflect its nuclear obligations to the international community through its national actions, Gill said.
In the national progress report on the work India has done in terms of nuclear security in the two years since the last summit, Modi would underline the continued priority the country attached to nuclear security at home.
“Second, the prime minister will underline the continued priority we attach to the technology direction of nuclear security,” he said.
As leaders of over 50 nations met for the biennial summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held bilateral meetings with British Prime Minister Cameron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“My meeting with PM @David_Cameron focused on defence cooperation, @makeinindia & other key issues,” Modi tweeted.
The meeting assumes significance as Tata Steel, after having suffered nearly $3 billion in losses on its British operations, is exploring to put its entire portfolio there up for sale, some 10 years after it forayed into Europe by acquiring Anglo-Dutch Corus for over $8.1 billion.
With around 40,000 jobs at stake, Cameron was expected to take up the matter with Modi during the meeting, according to media reports.
Earlier in the day, Modi met with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and invited Canadian faculty members to teach at institutes of higher learning in India for short stretches.
“He (Modi) said that Canadian professors and teachers, including retired faculty members, could consider coming to India during the harsh winter months in Canada and teaching at Indian universities for periods ranging from three to six months under the GIAN (Global Initiative of Academic Networks),” external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said at a media briefing here following the meeting.
GIAN is a programme under the union human resources ministry that aims at tapping the talent pool of academia and scientists internationally to encourage their engagement with institutes of higher education in India.
Trudeau, according to Swarup, said that there was “real potential for harnessing the opportunity of helping so many young people in India get better skills and Canada would also be happy to provide help in education and infrastructure support”.
Modi also invited Canadian companies to participate in India’s flagship development programmes such as the smart cities project and in India’s new policy for hydrocarbon sector, in particular for deep sea and high temperature exploration, that came into effect on Friday.
On the sidelines of the summit, Modi also had informal meetings with Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
This year’s summit is the fourth and final edition of the biennial affair.
The first summit was held in Washington in 2010 which was followed by the summits in Seoul in 2012 and The Hague in 2014.
(Agencies)
Survey: AAP likely to win 100 seats in Punjab
Chandigarh: In what is likely to be an encouraging development for the Aam Aadmi Party supporters, a new survey has predicted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s party to win nearly 100 seats in Punjab.
The survey conducted by HuffPost-CVoter in February shows a consolidation of favourable sentiment in favour of AAP from the same time last year.
As per the findings of the survey, AAP is likely to bag between 94-100 out of the 117 seats in the Punjab Legislative Assembly, up from the 83-89 projection of the CVoter poll from April, 2015.
The latest CVoter-HuffPost poll has the Congress Party trailing in the second position with 8-14 seats in the Assembly, down from the 12-18 seats projection, last year.
The ruling SAD-BJP alliance will come with just 6-12 seats, down from 13-19 seats last year, the survey claimed.
Interestingly, the survey claimed that 48 percent would vote for AAP if the election was held today.
In the 2012 State Assembly Election for Punjab, SAD won 56 seats followed by the Congress Party with 46 seats, and the BJP with 12 seats. 78 percent of respondents said that they wanted a change in government, indicating a huge wave of anti-incumbency.
According to the survey, AAP’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal is the most favoured face as chief ministerial candidate for Punjab, while Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh turns out to be the second favourite choice for the top job.
While 59% respondents wanted Kejriwal to be declared the chief ministerial candidate for Punjab, 51% said they would choose Arvind Kejriwal over Amarinder Singh. They also chose him over deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Among Kejriwal, Sukhbir Badal and Captain Amarinder for CM’s choice, 51% backed Kejriwal, 35% Amarinder and 7% Sukhbir.
Unemployment, drug abuse and corruption were identified as the three main problems of Punjab.
(Agencies)
‘Balika Vadhu’ suicide : Boyfriend taken into custody, friends cry foul
Mumbai: With the truth behind television star Pratyusha Banerjee’s suicide yet to be unravelled–the anticipation around the case is only increasing by the minute.
While some have assigned Banerjee’s death to her tumultuous relationship with boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh, others have gone on to say she was suffering from an acute case of depression.
Rahul Raj Singh who has been under the radar of the police since the news of Banerjee’s death surfaced–has now been taken into custody for interrogation. While the location of the inquiry remains a secret–the tension around Singh’s involvement in the case is gaining attention from all quarters.
According to reports, Rahul Raj Singh has said that he left the house at 10 in the morning and when he got back home at 4 pm, he saw Pratyusha hanging from the ceiling. He added that Pratyusha was fine at the time he left the house.
Reports say he wasn’t taken into custody yesterday because there was nothing to indicate his involvement in the death. After the cops spoke to their cook and watchman, it emerged that Pratyusha and Rahul used to have frequent fights.
The Jamshedpur-born actress, Banerjee who had been part of shows like Balika Vadhu, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Bigg Boss was declared dead at Mumbai’s Koikilaben Hospital last night after her body was discovered by her boyfriend.
Her parents landed in Mumbai this morning.
The 24-year-old television actress was found hanging from the ceiling of her Bangur Nagar flat in suburban Kandivli, according to the Police. After being rushed to Mumbai’s Koikilaben Hospital, the actress was declared dead soon after.
With Banerjee’s friends from the television industry are still in shock over her sudden demise–actor Ajaz Khan alleged that Pratyusha Banerjee’s death wasn’t a case of a suicide, but a murder. Banerjee’s close friend Dolly Bindra was also quoted as saying that “Pratyusha was a strong girl, and couldn’t have committed suicide.”
(Agencies)
Villagers Stop Women Activists At Shani Temple Despite Court Orders
Nashik: A day after the Bombay High Court ruled that it is the fundamental right of women to go into places of worship, around 25 women activists led by Trupti Desai today entered the premises of Shani Shingnapur temple in Maharashtra, but were stopped by locals from offering prayer in the inner sanctum.
As the standoff escalated, the police took away Ms Desai and other protesters away from the temple premises.
Angry women villagers allegedly pushed the members of Bhumata Ranragini Brigade led by Ms Desai as they tried to enter the inner sanctum of the temple which according to tradition is forbidden for women.
Activist Desai, who had pledged to pray at the famous temple in the state’s Ahmednagar district, said: “We are not going to turn around we have the court order and if need be we will file an FIR (first information report) against the home minister and chief minister.”
“What is the police doing? They were directed to provide protection to us by the court,” Ms Desai said questioning the state government.
The court on Friday ruled that offering prayers at a temple “is the fundamental right of a woman and the government’s fundamental duty to protect their (women) right.”
The Maharashtra government had said that it will take all steps to comply with the order by enforcing a law that provides six months in prison for preventing anyone from entering a temple.
Ms Desai has been stopped in the past by the police and hundreds of locals, including women, from forcing her way into the Shani Shingnapur temple.
Last year, after a woman worshipper managed to offer her prayers to the idol at the Shani Shingnapur temple, an elaborate cleansing ritual was immediately carried out by a priest.
Meanwhile, member of an action committee formed to maintain the 400-year-old tradition, Sambhaji Dahatonde said: “We will soon approach the Supreme Court against the High Court ruling as it is a matter of protecting the faith of devotees.”
(Agencies)
6 from Karnataka qualify for Mrs India 2016
It was an evening of glitz and glamour in Bengaluru when the women walked the ramp for the coveted Mrs India-Karnataka 2016. Hundreds of contestants from different parts of the state had participated in the event that was dedicated to honour the married women. After various rounds, 28 women were shortlisted for the finale. The finale held on Sunday night turned out to be one of the most exciting and well organised events in the recent times. The finale had everything from the rocking dance performances to stunning cat walks. As the event progressed, the audience were on the edge of the seat waiting as to who would be the proud winner of the event. Finally, six winners; three each from under 45 and under 60 categories were chosen by the panel of judges.
The winners from under-45 category were; Archana, Shubha Shriram and Asha Jois; in 45-60 were; Vajahathunisa Kowser Khan, Chavi Sharma and Usha Rani. The winners of Mrs India-Karnataka 2016 will qualify for the national event to be held at Pune on May 20, 2016. The winners at the nationals will represent India in three different international beauty pageants; MRS ASIA INTERNATIONAL, MRS PLANET and MRS WORLD. MRS INDIA-KARNATAKA 2016 is the first of its kind beauty pageant for married women in Karnataka; providing a platform to women of all age groups to compete and showcase their talents and their hidden potential.
Even the tinsel world stars had descended to cheer for the Mrs Karnataka event. The teams from Kirigoorina Gayyaligalu headed by Suman Kittur and Cinema My Darling headed by Gowrish Akki added glitter to the evening as they shared anecdotes and wished the participants. This time, the beauty pageant had also had a separate category for TV artistes where in the leading artistes from the state participated.
The highlight of the event was the 60 plus category. When the participants walked the ramp, they were welcomed by a thunderous applause. The winners of this category were Radha Ramachandra and Pushpa Swamy while the first runner up was Rajeshwari Patil.
The winners were also adjudged for the following titles; Best Hair, Skin, Smile, Walk, Photogenic, Glamour, Inner Beauty, Eyes, Personality, Intellectual, Healthy and Diva. The chief guests of the event were; former hockey player Ashish Ballal, former cricketer Syed Kirmani.
Protest against the declaration form issued by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu language
The following is a statement:
We, Writers/Poets/Play wrights hereby strongly condemn the declaration form issued by NCPUL to give an undertaking by the author who is entitled for monetary assistance by the council should not write anything against the Government policies.
Such declaration Form has been introduced by the ministry of Human Resources Development recently.
So far we had not heard of any such declaration nor we have sign such imposed draconian declaration by the government in a democratic country like India.
Writers across the world, from all languages, have the freedom to criticize the government.
Why should we be made to sign such a declaration?
Why do the Government demand it to be signed by two witnesses?
This is an insult to the writers, and such interference cannot be tolerated by the writers community.
We strongly feel this undemocratic move by the Government is aimed at humiliating a section of the Indian population with preconceived notion that Urdu writers belong to a certain community, they would criticize the Government, and hence should be doubted and would have to keep proving himself/herself a loyal citizen.
As the history goes and everyone knows that Urdu is an Indian language Born and brought up by Indians. (Imbibed or nation) Urdu played a very vital and instrumental role in the freedom movement of India. Freedom fighters such as Bhagat singh Wrote his diary in Urdu before sacrificing his life for the Nation.
Munshi Premchand, Raghupati Sahay (Firaq Gorakhpuri), Brij narayan Chakbast, Jagannath Azad, Ratan nath Sharshar, were the great Urdu writers and poets of our nation.
The Present renowned contemporary writers such as Gopi chand Narang, Gulzar (Sampooran Singh Kalra), Rajesh reddy, are known for their versatility in Urdu prose and poetry.
The narrow minds that have drafted this declaration form are unaware of our history and the Contribution of Urdu to the freedom struggle of our Nation.
A government is not the Nation, criticism of any Government is an important part of a democracy and this right cannot be snatched away from the citizens.
It is disgusting the present government is restoring to these steps because it has no economic, social or political agenda.
This is an undeclared censorship on poetry, literature and theatre.
We the writers community ask the Government of India why are only Urdu writers asked to give such an autocratic declaration?
This clearly indicated that the present Union Government looks at Urdu publications and its writers with an eye of suspicion.
Its an attack on all creative work in society.
We are able and matured enough to understand the objection to content that goes against national interest, but how can they ask us not to criticize Government.
This is nothing but to stifle our creativity and freedom of Speech.
We all the writers, poets and play writes will continue our rightful protest against the move and will continue asserting our demand the HRD ministry withdraw this anti-art and anti-literature dictum which is nothing but sign of fascism. We strongly recommend the government to immediately withdraw the Declaration Form.
Temple entry row: HC asks Maha govt to protect ‘fundamental right’ of women
Pune: The Bombay High Court today directed Maharashtra government to take pro-active steps for ensuring compliance of law to prevent discrimination against women on entry to places of worship, saying “it is the fundamental right of a woman” and the government should protect it.
The court, which disposed of a PIL challenging the bar on entry of women in the sanctum sanctorum of Shani Shingnapur temple in the state’s Ahmednagar district, said that it can only pass a general direction to the government and cannot go into individual and specific cases.
The Maharashtra government assured the High Court that it is completely against gender discrimination and the provisions of Maharashtra Hindu Place of Worship (Entry Authorisation) Act shall be scrupulously implemented.
“Secretary of Home Department, Maharashtra, will ensure due compliance and enforcement of the provisions of the Act, and in order to ensure that the policy and purpose of the Act is fully carried out, they (Home department) will issue directions to all superintendents of police and collectors in each district of Maharashtra,” a division bench of Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice M S Sonak said.
“The government shall take all necessary steps to implement the Act,” it further said.
“Ultimately it is the fundamental right of a woman and the government’s fundamental duty to protect their (women) right,” Chief Justice Waghela said.
The state’s acting Advocate General Rohit Deo, in a submission to the high court, said that a circular or a directive shall be issued to all district collectors and Superintendents of Police, making them aware of the provisions of the Act.
The accepted the government’s statement.
The government’s submission was made following high court’s rap to the government on Wednesday on the issue, during the hearing of a PIL challenging the prohibition of entry of women in the Shani Shingnapur temple.
“The acting Advocate General has assured the court that the state government is against gender discrimination and keeping in view Articles 14, 15 and 25 of the Constitution. The government can take pro-active steps to ensure that the fundamental rights are fully realised and not allowed to be encroached upon by any authority,” he observed.
The high court further said that it can only pass a general direction to the government and cannot go into individual and specific cases.
The court said if any person has any grievance that the Act is not being implemented, then he or she can approach local authority with their complaint.
Under the Maharashtra Hindu Place of Worship (Entry Authorisation) Act, 1956, if any temple or person prohibits any person from entering a temple then he or she faces a six-month imprisonment.
The acting AG, however, clarified to HC that if a temple in the state does not allow any person, irrespective of their gender, inside the sanctum sanctorum, then this Act and its provisions will not be of any help.
“However, if a temple allows men in the sanctum sanctorum but prohibits women, then this Act and its provisions can be used,” Deo said.
(PTI)