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‘Visibly’ upset Modi leaves Lok Sabha amid uproar

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Narendra Modi

New Delhi: A visibly upset Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as opposition members created a din demanding the sacking of minister V.K. Singh.

After some 40 minutes of uproar, during which Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s repeated requests to the protesting MPs to calm down fell on deaf ears, Modi left the house.

The opposition MPs said they wanted Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh out of the government for making “derogatory comments” against Dalits.

The trouble began soon after the house met for question hour as opposition members assembled near the speaker’s chair shouting slogans against the minister.

“V.K. Singh should resign!” they shouted. Mahajan tried to pacify them on one hand and asked the rest of the house to continue with parliamentary business.

Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptullah looked on from the front rows of the treasury benches.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu also tried to pacify the agitated members, saying the minister had already clarified the issue and there was no point stretching it further.

As the question hour got over amid the din, the speaker again requested the opposition to let the house function but the protesting MPs instead walked out.

(IANS)

Chennai rain fury: Airport shut, Army assisting in rescue operations

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Heavy rain Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Rain-ravaged Chennai was today crawling with air and road traffic severely hit as Army, Navy and NDRF teams stepped up rescue operations in worst-hit localities of the city that is also witnessing power outages.

 

The non-stop torrential rains pounding the city since last night showed some let up in the morning but the inundated streets left commuters stranded.

In view of the water logging, Chennai Airport authorities have shut operations till 6 AM tomorrow. All airlines, including Air India, have cancelled their operations from Chennai airport.

The Airports Authority of India has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) to all air operators in this regard, an AAI spokesperson said in New Delhi.

The spokesperson said Chennai airport authorities had initially shut operations till this morning but due to incessant rains it has now decided to extend it till 6 AM tomorrow.

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) is a notice containing information concerning the establishment, condition, or change in any facility, service or procedure, among others, in airspace management.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in view of the situation, the Centre has deployed Army, Navy and NDRF teams in sufficient numbers.

“The Prime Minister has issued a memorandum and we have deployed our Central team there to assess the situation and make a report so that every possible help can also reach there,” Singh said.

Two columns of army’s Garrison Infantry Battalion have been pressed into service in Tambaram and Oorapakkam after the Tamil Nadu government sought military assistance.

The Navy has also been deployed to assist in the operations.

“More army personnel are coming to Chennai from Bengaluru,” a Defence Public Relations official said.

Navy personnel have been deployed in Sadiapet area of Chennai to rescue people marooned in low-lying areas.

The NDRF is airlifting another 15 teams to the rain-battered state. While 10 teams are being airlifted from Bhubaneshwar to Tirupati, another five teams are being lifted from Delhi, NDRF DG O P Singh said.

Each team comprises 40 personnel.

The teams are also carrying 20 inflatable boats along with them for the rescue operations.

NDRF DIG and commanding officer have been stationed in Chennai to take stock of the operations, he said.

Singh said that he is also in constant touch with the Relief Commissioner of Tamil Nadu.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said more forces will be deployed to tackle the situation.

However, “we are facing difficulty in bringing them (forces) there as the airport is also not operating,” he said.

The rains that have virtually broken a 100-year-old record with one day’s rainfall covering a month’s average have flooded areas in Vadapalani, Valasaravakkam and Nandamvakkam as nearby lakes overflowed into the city.

The situation has worsened in suburban areas of Tambaram and Mudichur after the Chembarakam lake overflowed and an unprecedented 26,000 cusecs of water was released flooding the downstream areas. These areas had already suffered heavily during the earlier spells of rains.

A large part of the road near Madhya Kailash temple in the heart of the city in an area that connects the IT corridor has caved in resulting in a huge crater and disrupting traffic.

Even in hitherto unaffected areas, people have complained that water entered their homes and roads flooded with surging waters. Several areas in the city went without power as supply was cut as a safety precaution.

DG MeT Department Laxman Singh Rathore said, “Extremely heavy rainfall has been occurring for sometime and today Tamil Nadu has witnessed 35 cm of rainfall that has created havoc.

“Its intensity, however, will decrease in the next 48 hours and further by 72 hours but it is likely to continue for five-seven days,” he said.

DMK MP Kanimozhi demanded that the Centre should declare it as a national disaster as it is not only Chennai that is affected but also coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.

“The rain is unrelenting and more rains have been predicted in another few more days. I really don’t understand how state government can handle the situation. We need more resources, more help and everything has to be rushed quickly. We need whatever support Centre can give to the state government,” she said.

Meanwhile, Spicejet has cancelled all its flights till tomorrow, while Jet Airways has cancelled all its flights to and from Chennai for today.

Budget carrier IndiGo has announced cancellation of all flights from Chennai.

“Due to heavy rains causing water logging on the Chennai runway all the inbound and outbound flights to and fro Chennai have been cancelled,” Indigo tweeted.

(Agencies)

Be the revolution – A street play

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SIBM

Bengaluru: In the memory of the tragic 26/11 Mumbai attacks that took place seven years back, students of Jzaa – the drama club of Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Bengaluru performed an outstanding street play on the theme “Shaurya” to enlighten the crowd on issues at hand,thereby creating awareness and developing a strong impetus for change.

With a crisp script, catchy phrases, songs and intelligent emphasis on speech, the nukkad-natak created a prevailing effect on viewers and reflected on the sacrifices made by the defense authorities we so easily dismiss as “useless”.

It was a tribute to brave-hearts like Hemant Karkare, Tukaram Gopal Omble, Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Vijay Salaskarand Ashok Kamte who lost their lives fighting terrorism on the day whichwas by far Mumbai’sworst nightmare. These high ranking, extremely proficient police officers lost their lives during the brazen 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks due to lack of proper defence aids (bulletproof jackets, advanced arms and ammunitionsetc.). Poor investment, negligence towards security and respect for policemen were the main focus of the act presented.

With an interesting depiction of crimes, performers illustrated the conventional reaction we righteous change seekers give, hampering the growth rather than being progressive-holding the government responsible, questioning the competency of our crime squads and policemen, and even blaming victims in cases of rape. The performers portrayed how change in society does not merely mean reacting-accusing-rioting-forgetting, playing the age-old blame game on the government for mishandling the affairs. It is to find an alternative that will help mitigate the situation.

Throwing in jingles like “HUM HAI AAJKE YOUTH.. “,” BANDE ME HAI DUM. . . . “,” HO GAI HAI PEER PARVAT..” and widely intense expression, with appropriate loudness in voice and well structured dialogues, the students stormed the floor emphasizing the power of youth to bring about improvement in society.Nothing is more impactful than a clever mixture of entertainment andan attempt to bring about change.

BalaJanaagrah Project by students of Oasis International School

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Oasis International School

Bengaluru: The students of Oasis International School chose to work towards the improvement of Thanisandra Main Road as a part of their Bala Janaagraha Project on – Or Roads, the Tender Sure Way.This road is divided by a median which separates the road into two different wards.One part of the road comes under ward number 6; coperatorMrs.

Mamtha Venkatesh, MLA Krishnabyregowda and Byatarayanapura Constituency. The other part comes under ward number 24; corporator. Mr.P Anand and MLA as Mr. K J George, Sarvagnanagar Constituency.

The problems faced by the residents of this area are:

  • Traffic congestion especially after 5:00 in evening create alot of air pollution and sometimes causes accidents.
  • Footpaths are not properly built; they are too narrow, irregular, uneven and broken all along the road. Many shops have encroached on the footpath.
    There is no parking facility anywhere along this road.
  • Along the part of the road which the students surveyed, two streetlights were broken and two not in working conditions. A major part is lit by hoardings and light from the apartments.
  • The drains overflow due to heavy rains.
  • There is alot of garbage found nearly everywhere.
  • There are no public washrooms, park, etc.
  • The median is not straight at places and has not a single plant.

Actions taken by the students were as follows:

  • The students spoke to the corporators of both the wards who said that they would ensure that the garbage is pick-up regularly and the potholes are filled.
  • The students spoke to the security manager of 4 Star Hotel Howard Johnson who offered to place dustbins and saplings along this road in future when the road is done.
  • They lodged complaints in many websites such as www.ichangemycity., People’s Problems, Deccan Herald, wrote to “Saytrees” who would provide saplings to plant.
  • A cleanliness drive was organized in the presence of the health officer of ward 6 and civil engineer of BBMP.
  • An invited was emailed to Dettol India for their contribution in the cleanliness drive.
  • The students sent water sample to BS Analytical Testing Laboratory to check if the water was safe for drinking. The report said that the water was chemical and physical safe for drinking.
  • They hung pollution catchers by greasing two paper plates to check the dust collecting on them due to traffic movement.
  • A traffic and pedestrian count to verify the amount of traffic flow and people using the footpath was conducted.

Solutions:

  • Immediate results were that intense cleaning took place, manhole and some storm water drains were covered and a few potholes were filled soon after.
  • The students organized a free medical camp at Saraipalya at Umar Farooq Masjid with the help of Islamic Information Centre. There were about 300 people who got their eyes, dental and general check up. Free medicines and toothpastes were distributed. Many people had their blood sugar test done and 13 free cataract surgery were registered.
  • Many people in the locality were made aware of their situation and informed to contact helpline number to lodge complaint regarding civic issues. A tract was allotted as auto stand which eased the people shopping/travelling in this area.

This project by BalaJanaagraha organisation has got not only the students actively involved the local issues but also their parents and neighbours.; and inturn, made the officials alert and reminded them of their duties. This could be a drop in the ocean, never-the-less, it has made a difference in the lives of all these janaagrahis!

Heavy rain disrupts normal life again in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry

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Heavy rain Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Heavy rainfall inundated parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, and Puducherry on Tuesday, severely affecting daily life. The weather office also forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and neighbouring Puducherry on Wednesday, reported PTI.

A holiday has been declared on Tuesday for educational institutions in these districts as well as in Puducherry. In Chennai, the rain resulted in water-logging in several areas, while flight operations were also hit due to the inclement weather conditions.

Chennai Collector E Sundaravalli said there was a possibility of increasing discharge of excess water from Chembarambakkam lake, a key reservoir which provides drinking water to the city, into Adyar river. With the discharge likely to go up, the collector asked residents living along the banks of Adyar river to move to safer areas.

(Agencies)

Malicious onslaught launched by govt, says Chidambaram after raid on son’s firms

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Chidambaram-karthi

New Delhi: Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday accused the government of a “malicious onslaught” launched by it against his family and said if it wants to target him it should do so directly and not harass friends of his son Karti.

“If the government wishes to target me, they should do so directly, not harass friends of my son who carry on their own businesses and have nothing to do with politics,” he said in a statement shortly after reports of Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate searches on some premises connected with Karti’s friends.

“My family and I are quite prepared to face the malicious onslaught launched by the government,” Chidambaram said.

The senior Congress leader said he was travelling and he had been informed about searches conducted on certain firms in Chennai allegedly linked to his son. “We have made it clear, repeatedly, that no member of my family has any equity or economic interest in any of the firms that are being targetted.

“They are companies that are professionally managed and are capable of answering any questions that may be put to them by the authorities. I condemn the attempt to link them to my son and harass them on that ground,” he said.

Chidambaram alleged that the agenda of the government was being implemented by an officer of the Enforcement Directorate who has a pending dispute with the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

“Orders in his case were apparently passed during the term of my predecessor. He met me and wanted me to intervene in his favour. I declined and I told him that I cannot reverse orders that were issued during the term of my predecessor.

“The change of government has given him an opportunity to misuse his powers to harass my son and his friends,” he said.

(Agencies)

Will step in if Centre obstructs Delhi Janlokpal Bill: Anna Hazare

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Anna-Hazare

Ralegan Siddhi: Social activist Anna Hazare today said he will step in if the NDA government at the Centre puts obstructions in the way of Janlokpal Bill, introduced in Delhi Assembly by the AAP government.

The anti-corruption crusader was talking to reporters after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Kumar Vishwas and Sanjay Singh met him at his native Ralegan Siddhi village in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district to brief him on the salient features of the Janlokpal Bill, tabled in Delhi Assembly by the Arvind Kejriwal government yesterday.

Hazare said that during his discussions with the AAP leaders, he expressed apprehension that the Centre may pose obstructions as the legislation provides for probing corruption in Delhi, where the central government offices are located.

“If that is the case then I assured them of my full support. I told them I am with them,” Hazare said when asked if he would launch an agitation on the issue.

He said the central government lacks the will to fight corruption and there should be no “parochial attitude” on the issue of dealing with graft.

Hazare and some top activists of his team had in 2012 parted ways with the Kejriwal-led group, opposing their plans to form a political party, after a roller-coaster ride of 18 months in which they came together to run a high-steam anti-graft movement. One of its prominent poll promises, the AAP emphasised that the Bill is similar to its original 2011 version.

It will empower the proposed ombudsman to act against any public servant in the national capital, including those of the Centre.

While the draft bill of 2015 states that no prosecution or legal proceedings can be initiated against the Janlokpal or any staff member of the Janlokpal office, AAP leaders said the process of impeachment will be applied for removal of any member of the Lokpal.

The Bill has to be cleared by the Lieutenant Governor before it becomes a law.

Mining baron Janardhana Reddy gets bail

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Janardhan Reddy

Bengaluru: Mining baron and former BJP minister G Janardhan Reddy was granted bail by the Lokayukta Special Court on Monday in connection with an illegal mining case.

Justice V.G. Bopaiah accepted the bail plea on the condition that Reddy would give two sureties and a bond for Rs. 5 lakh.

The court last week sent Reddy to judicial custody till December 3, when he was produced before it by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Reddy was arrested on November 20 under the Provisions of Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988 and the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act of 1957.

A CBI team in 2011 had arrested the former Karnataka minister and mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy in Bellary, on charges of illegal mining operations in the Reddys’ Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) in Andhra Pradesh. He had secured anticipatory bail in 13 cases.

After spending three years and four months in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Prison, Reddy was granted conditional bail by the Supreme Court in January 2015.

(Agencies)

Petrol cheaper by 58 paise, diesel 25 paise

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petrol-price

New Delhi: The price of petrol was today cut by 58 paise per litre and that of diesel by 25 paise, reversing the trend of increasing rates, on global cues.

Petrol will cost Rs 60.48 per litre from mid-night tonight in Delhi as against Rs 60.70 a litre currently.

A litre of diesel will cost Rs 46.55 from tomorrow compared with the Rs 46.80 now, said Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the nation’s biggest fuel retailer.

The price cut more than reverses the hike of 36 paise a litre in petrol rates effected on November 16, the first increase in five months. Similarly, in the case of diesel, it reverses the three rounds of hikes since October — the last being 87 paise a litre on November 16.

“The current level of international product prices of petrol and diesel and rupee-dollar exchange rate warrants a decrease in prices, the impact of which is being passed on to consumers with this price revision,” IOC said in a statement here.

Prior to the November 16 hike, petrol price had been slashed on four occasions — by Rs 2.43 on August 1, Rs 1.27 on August 16, Rs 2 on September 1 and 50 paise on November 1.

Diesel rates were not changed on November 1, but hiked by 95 paise on October 16 and 50 paise on October 1. Rates of diesel were last cut by 50 paise on September 1.

State-owned fuel retailers — IOC, Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) — revise petrol and diesel prices on 1st and 16th of every month based on average imported cost and rupee-dollar exchange rate in the previous fortnight.

“The movement of prices in the international oil market and INR-USD exchange rate shall continue to be monitored closely and developing trends of the market will be reflected in future price changes,” the IOC statement added.

(PTI)

BJP MPs asked to avoid making provocative statements

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Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

New Delhi: BJP MPs were today asked to avoid making provocative statements amid the debate in Parliament over the issue of intolerance where controversial comments by some party leaders, including ministers, have come in handy for the opposition in its attack on the government.

In the first parliamentary party meeting during the Winter session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told the members that provocative statements are being used by the anti-BJP forces to deflect the attention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development agenda.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said members were also briefed about the recent elections, including one in Bihar where BJP suffered a big defeat, and the need to work to spread the party ideology was stressed.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in the meeting that the economic growth of 7.4 per cent in the last quarter was a positive sign for the country and will help the government take development to the poor.

“MPs were told to speak with understanding and decorum. There is a need to avoid controversy… At a time when the Prime Minister is pushing ahead with his development agenda, many people are unable to digest it and any misstep will allow anti-BJP forces to work it to their benefit. We should avoid making provocative statements,” Naqvi said, quoting Naidu.

He said the debate on the issue of intolerance was “unmasking” those who were misleading the country and added that the party MPs were told that communal riots were controlled under the BJP-led NDA government and there was social harmony everywhere.

The “constructive discussion” between Modi and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was also flagged in the meeting. We have all hopes that developmental issues will be discussed and passed, Naqvi said, apparently referring to the GST bill.

Naqvi said the parliamentary party, which includes MPs of both the Houses, expressed happiness over BJP’s success in local elections in a number of states.

Asked about Bihar results, he said the party had tried hard. “We respect the people’s mandate. But no mandate is final.”

Speaking on the briefing in the meeting over intolerance debate, he said sarcastically that those protesting over the issue include many “great intellectuals” who had issued an appeal to the people to vote against Modi during the Lok Sabha poll.

People rejected their appeal but they have not able to get over it, he said.

Jaitley told the members that the economic growth at a good rate in India was a happy development at a time when it was weakening across the world.

(IANS)

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