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The Centre is likely to announce the name of next CBI chief soon, ignoring the objections raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee, on the names of probable contenders proposed by the government, officials said.

During the second meeting of the committee on Friday, the government is understood to have put forth a few names of officers who could be considered for appointment as the CBI director, they said.

However, these names were objected to by Kharge, who is part of the three-member committee, the officials said.

Senior IPS officers of 1984 batch, Javeed Ahmed, Rajni Kant Misra and S S Deswal, are said to be among the top contenders for the coveted post.

Ahmed, an officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, is at present the chief of National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences here.

Ahmed's cadre and batchmate Misra is head of the Border Security Force (BSF).

Deswal, who is from Haryana cadre, is the director general of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

"The meeting was inconclusive. No decision could be taken during the meeting," a senior government official said, without citing further details on the selection committee's meeting held here.

The development assumes significance as earlier in the day, the Supreme Court said it was "averse" to the arrangement of an interim CBI director and the Centre should "immediately" appoint a regular chief of the probe agency.

The post of CBI director is "sensitive" and "important", and it is not good to keep an interim director of the agency for a longer period, the top court observed and sought to know as to why the government has not made the appointment yet.

The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the unceremonious exit of Alok Verma, who had been engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges.

Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption.

M Nageswara Rao has been working as the interim CBI chief after Verma's ouster.

Friday's meeting was held at the prime minister's residence -- that lasted for over an hour -- and attended by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Kharge. 
The panel's January 24 meeting had also remained inconclusive.

A list of eligible officers along with their dossiers was shared with the panel members in the last meeting.

"The government presented names of 70-80 officers. There was no mention of their career details including relevant experience. We (referring to CJI Gogoi) have asked them to provide all the necessary details. The next meeting will be convened maybe by next week," Kharge had told reporters after the January 24 meeting.

Verma, after being removed from the post of CBI director by the PM-led panel, was named as the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards -- a less significant portfolio.

Verma did not accept the offer and wrote to the government, saying he should be considered as deemed superannuated as he has completed 60 years age of superannuation on July 31, 2017.

He had taken over as the CBI chief on February 1, 2017, for a fixed two-year tenure that ended Thursday.

The Centre is likely to announce the name of next CBI chief soon, ignoring the objections raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee, on the names of probable contenders proposed by the government, officials said.

The Centre is likely to announce the name of next CBI chief soon, ignoring the objections raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee, on the names of probable contenders proposed by the government, officials said. During the second meeting of the committee on Friday, the government is understood to have put forth a few names of officers who could be considered for appointment as the CBI director, they said. However, these names were objected to by Kharge, who is part of the three-member committee, the officials said. Senior IPS officers of 1984 batch, Javeed Ahmed, Rajni Kant Misra and S S Deswal, are said to be among the top contenders for the coveted post. Ahmed, an officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, is at present the chief of National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences here. Ahmed's cadre and batchmate Misra is head of the Border Security Force (BSF). Deswal, who is from Haryana cadre, is the director general of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). "The meeting was inconclusive. No decision could be taken during the meeting," a senior government official said, without citing further details on the selection committee's meeting held here. The development assumes significance as earlier in the day, the Supreme Court said it was "averse" to the arrangement of an interim CBI director and the Centre should "immediately" appoint a regular chief of the probe agency. The post of CBI director is "sensitive" and "important", and it is not good to keep an interim director of the agency for a longer period, the top court observed and sought to know as to why the government has not made the appointment yet. The post of the CBI chief has been lying vacant since January 10 after the unceremonious exit of Alok Verma, who had been engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges. Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption. M Nageswara Rao has been working as the interim CBI chief after Verma's ouster. Friday's meeting was held at the prime minister's residence -- that lasted for over an hour -- and attended by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Kharge. The panel's January 24 meeting had also remained inconclusive. A list of eligible officers along with their dossiers was shared with the panel members in the last meeting. "The government presented names of 70-80 officers. There was no mention of their career details including relevant experience. We (referring to CJI Gogoi) have asked them to provide all the necessary details. The next meeting will be convened maybe by next week," Kharge had told reporters after the January 24 meeting. Verma, after being removed from the post of CBI director by the PM-led panel, was named as the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards -- a less significant portfolio. Verma did not accept the offer and wrote to the government, saying he should be considered as deemed superannuated as he has completed 60 years age of superannuation on July 31, 2017. He had taken over as the CBI chief on February 1, 2017, for a fixed two-year tenure that ended Thursday.

Ignoring Congress objection, government to announce new CBI director soon

The third India-China ceremonial border personnel meeting (BPM) in a month's time took place on Saturday in eastern Ladakh. The meet took place on the occasion of the Chinese spring festival at the Chinese BPM huts at Chushul-Moldo and DBO-TWD (Daulat Beg Oldie-Ten Wen Den) meeting points.

The Indian delegation was led by led by Brig VK Purohit and Col SS Lamba, the Chinese delegation by Sr Col Bai Min and Col Song Zhang Li.

According to a press release from the Indian Army, both sides focused on "mutual desire for maintaining and improving relations at the functional level at the border." &nbsp;

The release added that "both sides also sought to build on the mutual desire to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border."&nbsp;<img alt="india-china bpm meet" data-align="left" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d76dbf2-a889-4f00-a4f0-943295f793e1" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2885%29_0.jpg" />

<img alt="india-china bpm meeting2" data-align="left" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fef6f72f-e710-41de-9093-946f00d67209" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2884%29.jpg" />The first such meeting this year happened on January 1 to celebrate New Year's Day followed by a second on January 26 on India's Republic Day.

Last week saw the thirteenth meeting of the working mechanism for consultation and coordination on India-China border affairs during which the Indian side reiterated the "importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas as a prerequisite to smooth development", according to a release from the ministry of external affairs.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met 4 times in 2018, starting with the famous Wuhan informal summit in April.&nbsp;

Xi will visit India this year for the second informal summit.

The third India-China ceremonial border personnel meeting (BPM) in a month's time took place on Saturday in eastern Ladakh. The meet took place on the occasion of the Chinese spring festival at the Chinese BPM huts at Chushul-Moldo and DBO-TWD (Daulat Beg Oldie-Ten Wen Den) meeting points.

The third India-China ceremonial border personnel meeting (BPM) in a month's time took place on Saturday in eastern Ladakh. The meet took place on the occasion of the Chinese spring festival at the Chinese BPM huts at Chushul-Moldo and DBO-TWD (Daulat Beg Oldie-Ten Wen Den) meeting points. The Indian delegation was led by led by Brig VK Purohit and Col SS Lamba, the Chinese delegation by Sr Col Bai Min and Col Song Zhang Li. According to a press release from the Indian Army, both sides focused on "mutual desire for maintaining and improving relations at the functional level at the border." The release added that "both sides also sought to build on the mutual desire to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border." The first such meeting this year happened on January 1 to celebrate New Year's Day followed by a second on January 26 on India's Republic Day. Last week saw the thirteenth meeting of the working mechanism for consultation and coordination on India-China border affairs during which the Indian side reiterated the "importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas as a prerequisite to smooth development", according to a release from the ministry of external affairs. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met 4 times in 2018, starting with the famous Wuhan informal summit in April. Xi will visit India this year for the second informal summit.

India-China border personnel meet for third time in 1 month

Anand Teltumbde, an accused in Bhima Koregaon case, has been arrested by Pune Police from Mumbai early morning on Saturday.

The Pune Sessions Court on Friday rejected an anticipatory bail application of the activist and professor.

"In my view, there is sufficient material collected by the investigating officer to show the involvement of the present accused in the alleged commission of the offence. Moreover, investigation in respect of present applicant/accused is at (a) very crucial stage," said an order pronounced by special judge KD Vadane.

Presently, he has been kept at Ville Parle police station in Mumbai.

Last month, the Supreme Court dismissed Teltumbde`s plea seeking quashing of an FIR registered against him by the Pune Police in connection with the Bhima-Koregaonviolence.

On January 1 last year, violence had erupted during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle, leaving one dead and several injured. 
&nbsp;

Anand Teltumbde, an accused in Bhima Koregaon case, has been arrested by Pune Police from Mumbai early morning on Saturday. The Pune Sessions Court on Friday rejected an anticipatory bail application of the activist and professor.

Anand Teltumbde, an accused in Bhima Koregaon case, has been arrested by Pune Police from Mumbai early morning on Saturday. The Pune Sessions Court on Friday rejected an anticipatory bail application of the activist and professor. "In my view, there is sufficient material collected by the investigating officer to show the involvement of the present accused in the alleged commission of the offence. Moreover, investigation in respect of present applicant/accused is at (a) very crucial stage," said an order pronounced by special judge KD Vadane. Presently, he has been kept at Ville Parle police station in Mumbai. Last month, the Supreme Court dismissed Teltumbde`s plea seeking quashing of an FIR registered against him by the Pune Police in connection with the Bhima-Koregaonviolence. On January 1 last year, violence had erupted during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle, leaving one dead and several injured.

Activist Anand Teltumbde accused in Bhima Koregaon case arrested at Mumbai airport

Mallikarjung Kharge, the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, has sent a dissent note to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rishi-kumar-shukla-appointed-new-cbi-chief-officials-194608">the appointment of former Madhya Pradesh police chief Rishi Kumar Shukla as the new CBI chief</a>.&nbsp;

In his dissent note, Kharge said the Supreme Court has said the selection committee should choose a CBI director on the basis of seniority, integrity, and experience in the field of anti-corruption.&nbsp;

He added that the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act also says the committee shall recommend a panel of officers for appointment as director on the basis of seniority, integrity and experience.&nbsp;

Kharge then said in his dissent note that the criteria were however diluted in the selection committee meetings — and that it took into account only the candidates' investigation experience, and not their anti-corruption experience.&nbsp;

In his dissent note, Kharge says Shukla has 117 months of investigation experience but no (see below) anti-corruption experience.&nbsp;

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The dissent note of Mallikarjun Kharge on CBI says it all <a href="https://t.co/WKiZXOCR1k">pic.twitter.com/WKiZXOCR1k</a>
— Kartikeya Sharma (@kartikeya_1975) <a href="https://twitter.com/kartikeya_1975/status/1091703632901390336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The CBI chief is chosen by a committee comprising the prime minister, the leader of the opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha (in this case Kharge himself) and the Chief Justice of India.&nbsp;

Kharge added in his dissent note that seniority cannot be the only criterion while making an appointment to such a crucial post and that experience in investigating anti-corruption cases should have been very seriously considered.&nbsp;

"One cannot stand by and accept the dilution of norms when appointment to such a critical post is being made," Kharge said in his note. "I record my dissent for aforementioned reasons," he added.&nbsp;

Shukla is at the moment chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Police Housing Corporation. He was before that director general of the MP Police.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Mallikarjung Kharge, the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, has sent a dissent note to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the appointment of former Madhya Pradesh police chief Rishi Kumar Shukla as the new CBI chief.

Mallikarjung Kharge, the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, has sent a dissent note to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the appointment of former Madhya Pradesh police chief Rishi Kumar Shukla as the new CBI chief. In his dissent note, Kharge said the Supreme Court has said the selection committee should choose a CBI director on the basis of seniority, integrity, and experience in the field of anti-corruption. He added that the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act also says the committee shall recommend a panel of officers for appointment as director on the basis of seniority, integrity and experience. Kharge then said in his dissent note that the criteria were however diluted in the selection committee meetings — and that it took into account only the candidates' investigation experience, and not their anti-corruption experience. In his dissent note, Kharge says Shukla has 117 months of investigation experience but no (see below) anti-corruption experience. The dissent note of Mallikarjun Kharge on CBI says it all pic.twitter.com/WKiZXOCR1k — Kartikeya Sharma (@kartikeya_1975) February 2, 2019 × The CBI chief is chosen by a committee comprising the prime minister, the leader of the opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha (in this case Kharge himself) and the Chief Justice of India. Kharge added in his dissent note that seniority cannot be the only criterion while making an appointment to such a crucial post and that experience in investigating anti-corruption cases should have been very seriously considered. "One cannot stand by and accept the dilution of norms when appointment to such a critical post is being made," Kharge said in his note. "I record my dissent for aforementioned reasons," he added. Shukla is at the moment chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Police Housing Corporation. He was before that director general of the MP Police.

New CBI chief: Selection criteria were diluted, says Mallikarjun Kharge in dissent note to PM

The Indian embassy in the US has opened a 24/7 hotline to assist 129 Indian students arrested by the American authorities in the "pay-and-stay" university visa scam, officials have said.

As many as 129 Indians are among the 130 foreign students arrested for enrolling at a fake university allegedly to remain in the US.

The university in Detroit's Farmington Hills was part of an undercover operation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designed to expose immigration fraud, according to federal prosecutors who announced charges in the case.

The two numbers 202-322-1190 and 202-340-2590 would be manned by senior embassy officials round the clock, officials said on Friday.

The arrested students, their friends and family members can contact the embassy at cons3.Washington@mea.Gov.In.

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For queries and assistance related to the detention of Indian students in the US, please contact our special 24/7 helpline. <a href="https://t.co/iorYgZ5cxX">pic.twitter.com/iorYgZ5cxX</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1091538300374966272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The Indian embassy has appointed a nodal officer to handle and coordinate all issues related to helping Indian students affected by the busting of the "pay-and-stay" racket run by a group of Indians that has put some 600 students under trouble.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE, till Thursday, had arrested 130 students from the fake Farmington University in Greater Detroit area.

The ICE officials said 129 of them are Indian nationals. The fake university was opened by Homeland Security Investigations to trap those involved in illegal student visa racket. It has now been closed.

The arrest of such a large number of students has created panic among the Indian students.

Federal investigators say, the students who took admission in the university knew that the university programme was illegal.

Officials said all of them face deportation, besides being put under detention. A number of students have been put under some kind of house arrest with tracking device on their ankle, that prohibits them from moving out of a designated area in their neighbourhood.

As part of its investigations, early this week, the ICE arrested eight recruiters on criminal charges. From their names it appears that all of them are either Indian nationals or Indian-Americans.

"These suspects aided hundreds of foreign nationals to remain in the United States illegally by helping to portray them as students, which they most certainly were not. HSI remains vigilant to ensure the integrity of US immigration laws and will continue to investigate this and other transnational crimes," said Special Agent Charge Francis.

According to the ICE, in 2017, as many as 249,763 Indian students were enrolled in the various American universities.

Students from China topped the list with 481,106 in 2017. 
This is for the first time probably that such a large number of Indian students have been arrested in one go.

The number is expected to increase further, as ICE officials continue with their nationwide crackdown on Indian students enrolled in this fake university while working at different places.

"Embassy of India, Washington and all five Consulates in the US working closely together to help Indian students detained in the US," the Indian embassy said Friday.

Consular Officers from Indian Consulate in Houston met the arrested Indian students at Prairieland Detention Centre, Alvarado, Texas.

This intervention by officials from the Indian embassy and its consulates has helped in release of some of the arrested students.

Some friends and families of the detained Indian students are using Twitter seeking help from the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

"Madam, This is regarding fake university (University of Farmington Michigan) issue. My husband has been taken into custody today morning and I don't have any update on his status till now. Could you please help me on this," one Madhuri wrote on Twitter to Swaraj.

Acting promptly, the Indian embassy sought the details of her husband. Her husband was a student at the fake university.

"Hi, I have mailed to Indian embassy and they told that they are trying to meet my husband through the consulate. After that I didn't get any update from them," Madhuri wrote on Twitter in response to a question.&nbsp;

In New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "We are aware about this incident. We are ascertaining more details (through) our embassy in Washington and different consulates in the US...We have also mobilised the Indian community organisations in the US to extend all possible support to the Indian students who are affected by this incident".

The ICE said foreign students are granted what is called "F" and "M" visas to study in the US and must maintain their legal status by enrolling in a varsity certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The ICE said since the Farmington varsity did not offer courses, the students were using the programme as a way to work.&nbsp;

The Indian embassy in the US has opened a 24/7 hotline to assist 129 Indian students arrested by the American authorities in the "pay-and-stay" university visa scam, officials have said.

The Indian embassy in the US has opened a 24/7 hotline to assist 129 Indian students arrested by the American authorities in the "pay-and-stay" university visa scam, officials have said. As many as 129 Indians are among the 130 foreign students arrested for enrolling at a fake university allegedly to remain in the US. The university in Detroit's Farmington Hills was part of an undercover operation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designed to expose immigration fraud, according to federal prosecutors who announced charges in the case. The two numbers 202-322-1190 and 202-340-2590 would be manned by senior embassy officials round the clock, officials said on Friday. The arrested students, their friends and family members can contact the embassy at cons3.Washington@mea.Gov.In. For queries and assistance related to the detention of Indian students in the US, please contact our special 24/7 helpline. pic.twitter.com/iorYgZ5cxX — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 2, 2019 × The Indian embassy has appointed a nodal officer to handle and coordinate all issues related to helping Indian students affected by the busting of the "pay-and-stay" racket run by a group of Indians that has put some 600 students under trouble. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE, till Thursday, had arrested 130 students from the fake Farmington University in Greater Detroit area. The ICE officials said 129 of them are Indian nationals. The fake university was opened by Homeland Security Investigations to trap those involved in illegal student visa racket. It has now been closed. The arrest of such a large number of students has created panic among the Indian students. Federal investigators say, the students who took admission in the university knew that the university programme was illegal. Officials said all of them face deportation, besides being put under detention. A number of students have been put under some kind of house arrest with tracking device on their ankle, that prohibits them from moving out of a designated area in their neighbourhood. As part of its investigations, early this week, the ICE arrested eight recruiters on criminal charges. From their names it appears that all of them are either Indian nationals or Indian-Americans. "These suspects aided hundreds of foreign nationals to remain in the United States illegally by helping to portray them as students, which they most certainly were not. HSI remains vigilant to ensure the integrity of US immigration laws and will continue to investigate this and other transnational crimes," said Special Agent Charge Francis. According to the ICE, in 2017, as many as 249,763 Indian students were enrolled in the various American universities. Students from China topped the list with 481,106 in 2017. This is for the first time probably that such a large number of Indian students have been arrested in one go. The number is expected to increase further, as ICE officials continue with their nationwide crackdown on Indian students enrolled in this fake university while working at different places. "Embassy of India, Washington and all five Consulates in the US working closely together to help Indian students detained in the US," the Indian embassy said Friday. Consular Officers from Indian Consulate in Houston met the arrested Indian students at Prairieland Detention Centre, Alvarado, Texas. This intervention by officials from the Indian embassy and its consulates has helped in release of some of the arrested students. Some friends and families of the detained Indian students are using Twitter seeking help from the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. "Madam, This is regarding fake university (University of Farmington Michigan) issue. My husband has been taken into custody today morning and I don't have any update on his status till now. Could you please help me on this," one Madhuri wrote on Twitter to Swaraj. Acting promptly, the Indian embassy sought the details of her husband. Her husband was a student at the fake university. "Hi, I have mailed to Indian embassy and they told that they are trying to meet my husband through the consulate. After that I didn't get any update from them," Madhuri wrote on Twitter in response to a question. In New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "We are aware about this incident. We are ascertaining more details (through) our embassy in Washington and different consulates in the US...We have also mobilised the Indian community organisations in the US to extend all possible support to the Indian students who are affected by this incident". The ICE said foreign students are granted what is called "F" and "M" visas to study in the US and must maintain their legal status by enrolling in a varsity certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The ICE said since the Farmington varsity did not offer courses, the students were using the programme as a way to work.

Indian embassy opens hotline after 129 Indian students arrested in US 'pay-and-stay' visa scam

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/virginia-governor-deeply-sorry-for-racist-yearbook-photo-194500">http://www.wionews.com/world/virginia-governor-deeply-sorry-for-racist-yearbook-photo-194500</a>US governor Ralph Northam 'deeply sorry' for racist yearbook photo

Ralph Northam, the Democratic governor of the US state of Virginia, on Friday confirmed he appeared in a racist yearbook photo and said he is "deeply sorry."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/65-magnitude-quake-shakes-guatemala-mexico-3-injured-194487">3 injured as 6.5-magnitude quake shakes Guatemala, Mexico</a>

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake shook Mexico and Guatemala on Friday, leaving three people injured and causing infrastructure damage, authorities said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/general-motors-to-lay-off-about-4000-salaried-workers-report-194493">General Motors to lay off about 4,000 salaried workers: Report</a>

General Motors is expected to lay off about 4,000 salaried workers under a reorganization announced late last year, a person familiar with the matter said Friday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-courts-russia-powers-divided-on-maduro-194491">Venezuela's opposition leader </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-courts-russia-powers-divided-on-maduro-194491">Guaido</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-courts-russia-powers-divided-on-maduro-194491"> courts Russia, China; powers divided </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-courts-russia-powers-divided-on-maduro-194491">on</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-courts-russia-powers-divided-on-maduro-194491"> Maduro</a>

Global jostling intensified on Thursday between countries that want Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in power and those trying to force him to resign, as opposition leader Juan Guaido made overtures to his rival's allies Russia and China.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-renews-attack-on-nancy-pelosi-says-she-is-very-bad-for-our-country-194492">Good chance we will have to declare </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-renews-attack-on-nancy-pelosi-says-she-is-very-bad-for-our-country-194492">emergency</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-renews-attack-on-nancy-pelosi-says-she-is-very-bad-for-our-country-194492">,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-renews-attack-on-nancy-pelosi-says-she-is-very-bad-for-our-country-194492"> says Trump on wall funding row</a>

President Donald Trump stepped up his attacks on House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday, saying "she's very bad for our country" and "doesn't mind human trafficking" because she opposes his long-promised wall along the US-Mexico border.

&nbsp;

http://www.wionews.com/world/virginia-governor-deeply-sorry-for-racist-yearbook-photo-194500US governor Ralph Northam 'deeply sorry' for racist yearbook photo Ralph Northam, the Democratic governor of the US state of Virginia, on Friday confirmed he appeared in a racist yearbook photo and said he is "deeply sorry.

http://www.wionews.com/world/virginia-governor-deeply-sorry-for-racist-yearbook-photo-194500US governor Ralph Northam 'deeply sorry' for racist yearbook photo Ralph Northam, the Democratic governor of the US state of Virginia, on Friday confirmed he appeared in a racist yearbook photo and said he is "deeply sorry." 3 injured as 6.5-magnitude quake shakes Guatemala, Mexico A 6.5-magnitude earthquake shook Mexico and Guatemala on Friday, leaving three people injured and causing infrastructure damage, authorities said. General Motors to lay off about 4,000 salaried workers: Report General Motors is expected to lay off about 4,000 salaried workers under a reorganization announced late last year, a person familiar with the matter said Friday. Venezuela's opposition leader Guaido courts Russia, China; powers divided on Maduro Global jostling intensified on Thursday between countries that want Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in power and those trying to force him to resign, as opposition leader Juan Guaido made overtures to his rival's allies Russia and China. Good chance we will have to declare emergency, says Trump on wall funding row President Donald Trump stepped up his attacks on House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday, saying "she's very bad for our country" and "doesn't mind human trafficking" because she opposes his long-promised wall along the US-Mexico border.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Rishi Kumar Shukla has been appointed the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Shukla is a 1983-batch Indian Police Service officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre; he has before this been director general of the Madhya Pradesh Police.&nbsp;

He is at the moment chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Police Housing Corporation.

Shukla's appointment came a day after the second meeting of the PM Modi-led selection panel remained inconclusive.&nbsp;

The CBI chief is chosen by a three-member panel made up of the prime minister (Modi), the leader of the&nbsp;opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha (Mallikarjun Kharge), and the Chief Justice of India (Ranjan Gogoi).&nbsp;

Kharge had not agreed with Shukla's appointment, citing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-cbi-chief-selection-criteria-were-diluted-says-kharge-in-dissent-note-to-pm-194637?utm_source=izooto&amp;utm_medium=push_notifications&amp;utm_campaign=New%20CBI%20chief&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=">his lack of experience in anti-corruption investigations</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge in a dissent note to the Prime Minister expressed his objection over the appointment of IPS officer Rishi Kumar Shukla as the new CBI Director citing the officer's lack of experience in anti-corruption investigations. (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/B8XcEfbSqc">pic.twitter.com/B8XcEfbSqc</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1091691991790804994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The BJP responded saying "whatever is being said by him (Kharge) is totally unfounded and not based on facts".&nbsp;

"It's rather Mr&nbsp;Kharge who is guilty of trying to have manipulated independent assessment based criteria, in order to accommodate names of his preference," said Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Prime Minister Office.&nbsp;

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Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO on Mallikarjun Kharge's dissent note to PM over appointment of new CBI Director: Whatever is being said by him is totally unfounded &amp; not based on facts. For the selection of CBI Director, a very objective criteria was followed. <a href="https://t.co/Y5fwZQXuLD">pic.twitter.com/Y5fwZQXuLD</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1091703399962226688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The CBI chief has a fixed tenure of two years, during which time he cannot be sacked or transferred.&nbsp;

On Saturday, the appointments committee of the Cabinet approved Shukla's appointment as the new CBI director for a period of two years.&nbsp;

Shukla takes over the country's premier investigative agency at a difficult time.

His predecessor, Alok Verma, was the first the CBI chief to not complete his tenure.

Verma was sent on leave after he and his deputy, Rakesh Asthana, filed charges of corruption against each other.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Verma had fought Asthana's appointment as his deputy, saying he was being investigated for corruption. But after Asthana was foisted on the agency, he filed counter-charges against Verma.&nbsp;

Asthana too was sent on leave a little after Verma.&nbsp;

Verma fought his removal in the Supreme Court, which reinstated him with curtailed powers. (He was not allowed to make any major policy changes.)&nbsp;

The court added that a final call on his staying or leaving would be made by a high-powered committee&nbsp;consisting of the prime minister, the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India or a stand-in for him.&nbsp;

The committee (Justice AK Sikri stood in for CJI Gogoi) later voted to let go of Verma.&nbsp;

The government then appointed Verma Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards — a less important portfolio. Verma declined, telling the government to consider him retired.&nbsp;

Rishi Kumar Shukla has been appointed the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation. Shukla is a 1983-batch Indian Police Service officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre; he has before this been director general of the Madhya Pradesh Police.

Rishi Kumar Shukla has been appointed the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation. Shukla is a 1983-batch Indian Police Service officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre; he has before this been director general of the Madhya Pradesh Police. He is at the moment chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Police Housing Corporation. Shukla's appointment came a day after the second meeting of the PM Modi-led selection panel remained inconclusive. The CBI chief is chosen by a three-member panel made up of the prime minister (Modi), the leader of the opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha (Mallikarjun Kharge), and the Chief Justice of India (Ranjan Gogoi). Kharge had not agreed with Shukla's appointment, citing his lack of experience in anti-corruption investigations. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge in a dissent note to the Prime Minister expressed his objection over the appointment of IPS officer Rishi Kumar Shukla as the new CBI Director citing the officer's lack of experience in anti-corruption investigations. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/B8XcEfbSqc — ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2019 × The BJP responded saying "whatever is being said by him (Kharge) is totally unfounded and not based on facts". "It's rather Mr Kharge who is guilty of trying to have manipulated independent assessment based criteria, in order to accommodate names of his preference," said Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Prime Minister Office. Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO on Mallikarjun Kharge's dissent note to PM over appointment of new CBI Director: Whatever is being said by him is totally unfounded & not based on facts. For the selection of CBI Director, a very objective criteria was followed. pic.twitter.com/Y5fwZQXuLD — ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2019 × The CBI chief has a fixed tenure of two years, during which time he cannot be sacked or transferred. On Saturday, the appointments committee of the Cabinet approved Shukla's appointment as the new CBI director for a period of two years. Shukla takes over the country's premier investigative agency at a difficult time. His predecessor, Alok Verma, was the first the CBI chief to not complete his tenure. Verma was sent on leave after he and his deputy, Rakesh Asthana, filed charges of corruption against each other. Verma had fought Asthana's appointment as his deputy, saying he was being investigated for corruption. But after Asthana was foisted on the agency, he filed counter-charges against Verma. Asthana too was sent on leave a little after Verma. Verma fought his removal in the Supreme Court, which reinstated him with curtailed powers. (He was not allowed to make any major policy changes.) The court added that a final call on his staying or leaving would be made by a high-powered committee consisting of the prime minister, the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India or a stand-in for him. The committee (Justice AK Sikri stood in for CJI Gogoi) later voted to let go of Verma. The government then appointed Verma Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards — a less important portfolio. Verma declined, telling the government to consider him retired.

Former Madhya Pradesh police chief Rishi Kumar Shukla appointed new director of CBI

The Maharashtra government Saturday gave administrative approval to a pension scheme for senior journalists in the state, which has been a long-pending demand of the media fraternity.

Last year, the government had made a budgetary provision of Rs 15 crore towards implementation of such a scheme in view of rising demands from various quarters.

As per a Government Order (GO) issued Saturday, the "Acharya Balshastri Jambhekar Sanman Yojana" will be implemented by the board of trustees of the 'Shankarrao Chavan Suvarna Mahotsavi Patrakar Kalyan Nidhi'.

The pension amount is not yet finalised.

Under the scheme, working journalists, photographers, editors of newspapers and other news broadcast media as well as freelancers who have attained 60 years of age and above and have completed 30 years in profession, will be eligible.

The senior journalists have to be accredited for minimum ten years, and journalism should be their only source of income.

Except the Employee Provident Fund (EPF), the applicant should not be getting any pension from any other source, the GO said.

Interestingly, one of the eligibility criteria makes it mandatory that the applicant should not be a Income Tax payee.

The pension will be given only during the beneficiary's lifetime and not to his/her kin after death, it said.

To avail of the scheme, senior journalists nearing their retirement will have to submit requisite documents to district information office. The documents will be scrutinised by a committee of Directorate of Information and Public Relations.

It will be committee's discretion to decide about granting pension to non-accredited journalists who fulfill the eligibility conditions.

The Maharashtra government Saturday gave administrative approval to a pension scheme for senior journalists in the state, which has been a long-pending demand of the media fraternity.

The Maharashtra government Saturday gave administrative approval to a pension scheme for senior journalists in the state, which has been a long-pending demand of the media fraternity. Last year, the government had made a budgetary provision of Rs 15 crore towards implementation of such a scheme in view of rising demands from various quarters. As per a Government Order (GO) issued Saturday, the "Acharya Balshastri Jambhekar Sanman Yojana" will be implemented by the board of trustees of the 'Shankarrao Chavan Suvarna Mahotsavi Patrakar Kalyan Nidhi'. The pension amount is not yet finalised. Under the scheme, working journalists, photographers, editors of newspapers and other news broadcast media as well as freelancers who have attained 60 years of age and above and have completed 30 years in profession, will be eligible. The senior journalists have to be accredited for minimum ten years, and journalism should be their only source of income. Except the Employee Provident Fund (EPF), the applicant should not be getting any pension from any other source, the GO said. Interestingly, one of the eligibility criteria makes it mandatory that the applicant should not be a Income Tax payee. The pension will be given only during the beneficiary's lifetime and not to his/her kin after death, it said. To avail of the scheme, senior journalists nearing their retirement will have to submit requisite documents to district information office. The documents will be scrutinised by a committee of Directorate of Information and Public Relations. It will be committee's discretion to decide about granting pension to non-accredited journalists who fulfill the eligibility conditions.

Maharashta approves pension scheme for senior journalists

The condition of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is admitted to AIIMS in Delhi for a routine check up, is stable, sources at the hospital said Saturday.

The former defence minister who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment was admitted to the hospital on Thursday evening for a routine check up.

"His condition is stable," a source said.

He is admitted at the Institute Rotary Cancer hospital at AIIMS under the observation of oncologist Atul Sharma.

Parrikar was diagnosed with a pancreatic ailment in February last year. Since then he has been admitted to hospitals in Delhi, New York, Mumbai and Goa.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The condition of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is admitted to AIIMS in Delhi for a routine check up, is stable, sources at the hospital said Saturday.

The condition of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is admitted to AIIMS in Delhi for a routine check up, is stable, sources at the hospital said Saturday. The former defence minister who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment was admitted to the hospital on Thursday evening for a routine check up. "His condition is stable," a source said. He is admitted at the Institute Rotary Cancer hospital at AIIMS under the observation of oncologist Atul Sharma. Parrikar was diagnosed with a pancreatic ailment in February last year. Since then he has been admitted to hospitals in Delhi, New York, Mumbai and Goa.

Condition of Manohar Parrikar stable: AIIMS sources

A top American business advocacy group on Friday lauded the interim budget presented by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal, saying that the many positive elements in it will support consumer spending and economic growth.

Reaching out to a large electorate ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Modi government Friday announced a cash dole for small farmers, a mega pension scheme for the unorganised sector and doubled the threshold income tax exemption limit to Rs 5 lakh.

Minister Goyal proposed an array of incentives for both middle-class and farmers, whose disenchantment was said to have cost the BJP dearly in recent assembly elections.

"We see many positive elements that will support consumer spending and economic growth, including a boost in defence and health spending as well as a renewed focus on digitisation of government processes as well as artificial intelligence," US India Business Council (USIBC) president Nisha Desai Biswal told.

The creation of a single window for approvals in film production will boost the media and entertainment industries as well as measures on anti-piracy, she said.

"USIBC applauds the interim budget released by the government," she added.

However, the budget comes on the heels of disappointing moves by the Indian government to mandate a rushed implementation of changes in its eCommerce policy, she rued.

The Indian government's failure to extend the February 1 deadline to comply with the foreign direct investment policy in e-commerce has already created disruptions in the industry and disadvantaged Indian consumers and suppliers, she said.

"The policy changes add unnecessary costs and burdens to e-commerce platforms and will inhibit growth in the e-commerce sector in India," Biswal said.

Karun Rishi, president of USA-India Chamber of Commerce said the interim Budget was pro farmers and middle class.

Fiscal stimulus to small and marginal farmers and tax sops for the middle class will lead to more disposable income. "This will result in increased consumption. It will likely boost the rural economy and surge domestic growth," Rishi said.

Even with these sops, the finance minister has managed to keep the anticipated fiscal deficit at 3.4 per cent. The deficit is well within range.&nbsp;

Finance Minister has succeeded in doing a fine balancing act, he said.

"With this budget, growth is likely to improve further and meeting 7.5 per cent real GDP target," Rishi said.

Noting that the 13 per cent increase in Department of Health and Family Welfare budget is laudable, he said this confirms Indian government's dedication to Healthy India initiatives and its commitment to serving the poor and needy.

Threefold increase in allocation to Ayushman Bharat reinforces the commitment towards Universal Healthcare for all citizens, he said. 
For the last 13 years, USAIC has been pitching for increased outlay on Science and Technology.

"Science and Technology are vital for the National progress. We are pleased to see largest ever allocation for the S&amp;T. This will help India play a leading role in innovation. Plan to develop one hundred thousand digital villages in the next five years is laudable," Rishi said.&nbsp;

A top American business advocacy group on Friday lauded the interim budget presented by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal, saying that the many positive elements in it will support consumer spending and economic growth.

A top American business advocacy group on Friday lauded the interim budget presented by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal, saying that the many positive elements in it will support consumer spending and economic growth. Reaching out to a large electorate ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Modi government Friday announced a cash dole for small farmers, a mega pension scheme for the unorganised sector and doubled the threshold income tax exemption limit to Rs 5 lakh. Minister Goyal proposed an array of incentives for both middle-class and farmers, whose disenchantment was said to have cost the BJP dearly in recent assembly elections. "We see many positive elements that will support consumer spending and economic growth, including a boost in defence and health spending as well as a renewed focus on digitisation of government processes as well as artificial intelligence," US India Business Council (USIBC) president Nisha Desai Biswal told. The creation of a single window for approvals in film production will boost the media and entertainment industries as well as measures on anti-piracy, she said. "USIBC applauds the interim budget released by the government," she added. However, the budget comes on the heels of disappointing moves by the Indian government to mandate a rushed implementation of changes in its eCommerce policy, she rued. The Indian government's failure to extend the February 1 deadline to comply with the foreign direct investment policy in e-commerce has already created disruptions in the industry and disadvantaged Indian consumers and suppliers, she said. "The policy changes add unnecessary costs and burdens to e-commerce platforms and will inhibit growth in the e-commerce sector in India," Biswal said. Karun Rishi, president of USA-India Chamber of Commerce said the interim Budget was pro farmers and middle class. Fiscal stimulus to small and marginal farmers and tax sops for the middle class will lead to more disposable income. "This will result in increased consumption. It will likely boost the rural economy and surge domestic growth," Rishi said. Even with these sops, the finance minister has managed to keep the anticipated fiscal deficit at 3.4 per cent. The deficit is well within range. Finance Minister has succeeded in doing a fine balancing act, he said. "With this budget, growth is likely to improve further and meeting 7.5 per cent real GDP target," Rishi said. Noting that the 13 per cent increase in Department of Health and Family Welfare budget is laudable, he said this confirms Indian government's dedication to Healthy India initiatives and its commitment to serving the poor and needy. Threefold increase in allocation to Ayushman Bharat reinforces the commitment towards Universal Healthcare for all citizens, he said. For the last 13 years, USAIC has been pitching for increased outlay on Science and Technology. "Science and Technology are vital for the National progress. We are pleased to see largest ever allocation for the S&T. This will help India play a leading role in innovation. Plan to develop one hundred thousand digital villages in the next five years is laudable," Rishi said.

Budget will support consumer spending, growth: US India Business Council

Hundreds of farmers from Uttar Pradesh stayed put near the DND flyway, at the junction of Noida and Delhi, on Saturday demanding enhanced compensation in lieu of their land acquired before 2013.

The Delhi-Noida-Direct flyway, a crucial route connecting UP and Delhi, was shut briefly on Friday evening as farmers from western UP districts protested on the route, throwing traffic movement out of gear.

The rally, organised by Kisan Uday Abhiyan, led by Manveer Teotia, included farmers from Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Aligarh and Meerut.

Many of them were women from villages with their heads covered. The women had their hands raised and tied with a piece of cloth in a symbolic gesture expressing helplessness.

"We are here to demand that we be given compensation in accordance with the law on land acquisition that was passed in Parliament in 2013. Our lands were acquired prior to that and we have been left out from the benefits as doled out under the new law," Kaale Singh from Bhatta Parsaul village of Gautam Buddh Nagar told PTI.

He said the farmers want local authorities and administrations to take up the matter with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, but nothing fruitful has happened so far, hence the protest.

"Yesterday we tried to go to Delhi but were stopped midway, so we decided to stay put near the DND. We won't budge unless we get a satisfactory response from top officials," he said.

Gautam Buddh Nagar District Magistrate B N Singh met the farmers Saturday morning and assured them he would take up the matter with the state government. But Kaale Singh said the "protestors remained dissatisfied with the assurance".

The protest organisers claimed there were 1,500 farmers at the DND Saturday morning. Other reports, however, said a little over 500 people were protesting at the site.

Two policemen and two farmers were killed in clashes in May 2011 following protests over acquisition of land in Greater Noida's Bhatta Parsaul, the Jat-dominated village which had become the epicentre of protests of land acquisitions in the country.

Two years since that upheaval, the country had got the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (also Land Acquisition Act, 2013).

The new law was aimed at providing "fair compensation"&nbsp;to those whose land is taken away, brings transparency to the process of acquisition of land to set up factories or buildings, infrastructure projects and assures rehabilitation of those affected.&nbsp;

Hundreds of farmers from Uttar Pradesh stayed put near the DND flyway, at the junction of Noida and Delhi, on Saturday demanding enhanced compensation in lieu of their land acquired before 2013.

Hundreds of farmers from Uttar Pradesh stayed put near the DND flyway, at the junction of Noida and Delhi, on Saturday demanding enhanced compensation in lieu of their land acquired before 2013. The Delhi-Noida-Direct flyway, a crucial route connecting UP and Delhi, was shut briefly on Friday evening as farmers from western UP districts protested on the route, throwing traffic movement out of gear. The rally, organised by Kisan Uday Abhiyan, led by Manveer Teotia, included farmers from Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Aligarh and Meerut. Many of them were women from villages with their heads covered. The women had their hands raised and tied with a piece of cloth in a symbolic gesture expressing helplessness. "We are here to demand that we be given compensation in accordance with the law on land acquisition that was passed in Parliament in 2013. Our lands were acquired prior to that and we have been left out from the benefits as doled out under the new law," Kaale Singh from Bhatta Parsaul village of Gautam Buddh Nagar told PTI. He said the farmers want local authorities and administrations to take up the matter with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, but nothing fruitful has happened so far, hence the protest. "Yesterday we tried to go to Delhi but were stopped midway, so we decided to stay put near the DND. We won't budge unless we get a satisfactory response from top officials," he said. Gautam Buddh Nagar District Magistrate B N Singh met the farmers Saturday morning and assured them he would take up the matter with the state government. But Kaale Singh said the "protestors remained dissatisfied with the assurance". The protest organisers claimed there were 1,500 farmers at the DND Saturday morning. Other reports, however, said a little over 500 people were protesting at the site. Two policemen and two farmers were killed in clashes in May 2011 following protests over acquisition of land in Greater Noida's Bhatta Parsaul, the Jat-dominated village which had become the epicentre of protests of land acquisitions in the country. Two years since that upheaval, the country had got the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (also Land Acquisition Act, 2013). The new law was aimed at providing "fair compensation" to those whose land is taken away, brings transparency to the process of acquisition of land to set up factories or buildings, infrastructure projects and assures rehabilitation of those affected.

Delhi: Farmers tie their hands in symbolic protest on DND

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-russia-suspending-missile-treaty-after-us-move-agencies-194569">Following US move, Putin says Russia is pulling out of nuclear missile treaty</a>

President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said Russia was suspending its participation in a key Cold War-era missile treaty in a mirror response to a US move the day before.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rishi-kumar-shukla-appointed-new-cbi-chief-officials-194608">Rishi Kumar Shukla appointed new CBI chief</a>

Rishi Kumar Shukla has been appointed the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, PTI quoted officials as saying Saturday.&nbsp;

Shukla is a 1983-batch Indian Police Service officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-to-mamata-in-bengal-there-is-a-trinamool-tolabaji-hafta-tax-all-over-the-state-194622">Modi to Mamata in Bengal: Trinamool Tolabaji (</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-to-mamata-in-bengal-there-is-a-trinamool-tolabaji-hafta-tax-all-over-the-state-194622">hafta</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-to-mamata-in-bengal-there-is-a-trinamool-tolabaji-hafta-tax-all-over-the-state-194622">) Tax all over the state</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of foisting a tolabaji (hafta) culture all over the state.&nbsp;

“Trinamool Tolabaji Tax is prevalent in the state. Every child in West Bengal is aware of this TTT. West Bengal is the only state where you have to pay tax for education. No one opposed this culture of syndicate and TTT, which is why the Trinamool Congress got a free run," Modi said. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-government-begins-serious-work-on-uk-staying-in-eu-customs-union-the-independent-194575">British government begins 'serious work' on UK staying in EU customs union: Report</a>

British officials have begun "serious work" on the UK staying in a permanent EU customs union as a way to rescue the Brexit deal, the Independent newspaper reported on Friday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/indias-smriti-mandhana-becomes-no1-odi-batswoman-194600">India's Smriti Mandhana becomes No. 1 ODI batswoman</a>

Smriti Mandhana has moved up three spots to attain the number one rank in the updated ICC ODI batting rankings, released on Saturday.

After scoring her fourth ODI century and an unbeaten 90 in the three-match series against New Zealand, Mandhana now sits above the Australians Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning.&nbsp;

Following US move, Putin says Russia is pulling out of nuclear missile treaty President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said Russia was suspending its participation in a key Cold War-era missile treaty in a mirror response to a US move the day before.

Following US move, Putin says Russia is pulling out of nuclear missile treaty President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said Russia was suspending its participation in a key Cold War-era missile treaty in a mirror response to a US move the day before. Rishi Kumar Shukla appointed new CBI chief Rishi Kumar Shukla has been appointed the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, PTI quoted officials as saying Saturday. Shukla is a 1983-batch Indian Police Service officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre. Modi to Mamata in Bengal: Trinamool Tolabaji (hafta) Tax all over the state Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of foisting a tolabaji (hafta) culture all over the state. “Trinamool Tolabaji Tax is prevalent in the state. Every child in West Bengal is aware of this TTT. West Bengal is the only state where you have to pay tax for education. No one opposed this culture of syndicate and TTT, which is why the Trinamool Congress got a free run," Modi said. British government begins 'serious work' on UK staying in EU customs union: Report British officials have begun "serious work" on the UK staying in a permanent EU customs union as a way to rescue the Brexit deal, the Independent newspaper reported on Friday. India's Smriti Mandhana becomes No. 1 ODI batswoman Smriti Mandhana has moved up three spots to attain the number one rank in the updated ICC ODI batting rankings, released on Saturday. After scoring her fourth ODI century and an unbeaten 90 in the three-match series against New Zealand, Mandhana now sits above the Australians Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-roasts-mamata-on-her-home-turf-accuses-her-of-orchestrating-violence-against-bjp-workers-194559">Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government</a> of foisting a tolabaji (hafta) culture all over the state.&nbsp;

“Trinamool Tolabaji Tax is prevalent in the state. Every child in West Bengal is aware of this TTT. West Bengal is the only state where you have to pay tax for education. No one opposed this culture of syndicate and TTT, which is why the Trinamool Congress got a free run," Modi said. &nbsp;

"But now, the BJP will oppose this. The chowkidar has started a cleanliness drive against this culture,” Modi added.&nbsp;

Modi was speaking in Durgapur, where he kickstarted the BJP campaign in the state before the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

“People are having to pay tax to get education, find jobs and also pay syndicate tax, when the focus should have been on recruiting teachers. You don't have to fear the syndicate when you enrol in Central government schemes,” Modi added.&nbsp;

Modi also took a swipe at the West Bengal government for opting out of the Ayushman scheme.&nbsp; 
“West Bengal could've been the largest beneficiary of Ayushman Bharat. But the local government snatched it from the poor people of Bengal," Modi said.&nbsp;

"A government which betrays the poor can never benefit anyone. Those who play with the lives of the poor should be punished,” he added.&nbsp;

The government's Ayushman Bharat scheme provides health insurance cover of upto Rs 5 lakh a year to each family.&nbsp;

And for the second time on Saturday, the prime minister slammed the West Bengal chief minister for violence in the state.&nbsp;

“The pure and austere land of Bengal won't tolerate this abuse of democracy. The party which can't respect democracy and indulges in dirty politics is bound to be thrown out. It is imperative that the TMC go."&nbsp;

Modi had earlier in the day attended another public meeting organised by the All India Matua community at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of foisting a tolabaji (hafta) culture all over the state. “Trinamool Tolabaji Tax is prevalent in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of foisting a tolabaji (hafta) culture all over the state. “Trinamool Tolabaji Tax is prevalent in the state. Every child in West Bengal is aware of this TTT. West Bengal is the only state where you have to pay tax for education. No one opposed this culture of syndicate and TTT, which is why the Trinamool Congress got a free run," Modi said. "But now, the BJP will oppose this. The chowkidar has started a cleanliness drive against this culture,” Modi added. Modi was speaking in Durgapur, where he kickstarted the BJP campaign in the state before the Lok Sabha elections. “People are having to pay tax to get education, find jobs and also pay syndicate tax, when the focus should have been on recruiting teachers. You don't have to fear the syndicate when you enrol in Central government schemes,” Modi added. Modi also took a swipe at the West Bengal government for opting out of the Ayushman scheme. “West Bengal could've been the largest beneficiary of Ayushman Bharat. But the local government snatched it from the poor people of Bengal," Modi said. "A government which betrays the poor can never benefit anyone. Those who play with the lives of the poor should be punished,” he added. The government's Ayushman Bharat scheme provides health insurance cover of upto Rs 5 lakh a year to each family. And for the second time on Saturday, the prime minister slammed the West Bengal chief minister for violence in the state. “The pure and austere land of Bengal won't tolerate this abuse of democracy. The party which can't respect democracy and indulges in dirty politics is bound to be thrown out. It is imperative that the TMC go." Modi had earlier in the day attended another public meeting organised by the All India Matua community at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district.

Modi to Mamata in Bengal: Trinamool Tolabaji (hafta) Tax all over the state

A Pune sessions court has ordered the release of Dalit scholar Anand Teltumbde.&nbsp;

Teltumbde had been arrested Saturday, reportedly at 3.30 am, by Mumbai Police at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.&nbsp;

He was later handed over to the Pune Police.&nbsp;

What was surprising about the arrest was that the Supreme Court had ordered that Teltumbde — a professor at the Goa Institute of Management — was not to be arrested till at least February 11.&nbsp;

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Bhima Koregaon case: Pune Sessions Court orders to release Anand Teltumbde, an accused in the case.
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&nbsp;

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Dr Anand Teltumbde arrested at 330am at Mumbai airport by Pune Police in Gross violation of SC order giving him protection from arrest till 11th February , this is contempt of the order of the Supreme Court of India <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReleaseDrAnandTeltumbde?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReleaseDrAnandTeltumbde</a> immediately
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Teltumbde is an accused in the Bhima Koregaon case.&nbsp;

Violence had broken out there in 2017 as the Dalits celebrated the 1818 victory of a British army over the Peshwas. (The British army had a number of Mahars in it.)&nbsp;

Police have said the Elgar Parishad conclave at Bhima Koregaon had been backed by the Maoists, who had encouraged the violence. They have also said that some Maoist leaders are trying to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

The only evidence they have produced so far to back up their claims have been letters written to the accused in the case, allegedly by Maoist leaders. The accused however — they include&nbsp;Sudha Bharadwaj, P Varavara Rao, Gautam Navlakha, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves — say the letters are clear forgeries.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Anand Teltumbde, an accused in Bhima Koregaon case, after Pune Sessions Court ordered his release: I welcome the decision. But what police has done, the arrest and all the drama, is objectionable. <a href="https://t.co/uT0Su4WUe9">pic.twitter.com/uT0Su4WUe9</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1091676172595929088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"I welcome the decision," Teltumbde said after his release. "But what police has done, the arrest and all the drama, is objectionable," he added.&nbsp;

A Pune sessions court has ordered the release of Dalit scholar Anand Teltumbde. Teltumbde had been arrested Saturday, reportedly at 3.30 am, by Mumbai Police at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

A Pune sessions court has ordered the release of Dalit scholar Anand Teltumbde. Teltumbde had been arrested Saturday, reportedly at 3.30 am, by Mumbai Police at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. He was later handed over to the Pune Police. What was surprising about the arrest was that the Supreme Court had ordered that Teltumbde — a professor at the Goa Institute of Management — was not to be arrested till at least February 11. Bhima Koregaon case: Pune Sessions Court orders to release Anand Teltumbde, an accused in the case. — ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2019 × Dr Anand Teltumbde arrested at 330am at Mumbai airport by Pune Police in Gross violation of SC order giving him protection from arrest till 11th February , this is contempt of the order of the Supreme Court of India #ReleaseDrAnandTeltumbde immediately — indira jaising (@IJaising) February 2, 2019 × Teltumbde is an accused in the Bhima Koregaon case. Violence had broken out there in 2017 as the Dalits celebrated the 1818 victory of a British army over the Peshwas. (The British army had a number of Mahars in it.) Police have said the Elgar Parishad conclave at Bhima Koregaon had been backed by the Maoists, who had encouraged the violence. They have also said that some Maoist leaders are trying to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The only evidence they have produced so far to back up their claims have been letters written to the accused in the case, allegedly by Maoist leaders. The accused however — they include Sudha Bharadwaj, P Varavara Rao, Gautam Navlakha, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves — say the letters are clear forgeries. Anand Teltumbde, an accused in Bhima Koregaon case, after Pune Sessions Court ordered his release: I welcome the decision. But what police has done, the arrest and all the drama, is objectionable. pic.twitter.com/uT0Su4WUe9 — ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2019 × "I welcome the decision," Teltumbde said after his release. "But what police has done, the arrest and all the drama, is objectionable," he added.

Bhima Koregaon case: Pune court orders release of Dalit scholar Anand Teltumbde

A Delhi Court on Saturday granted interim bail till February 16 to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/robert-vadra-calls-his-false-prosecution-a-political-witch-hunt-194530">Robert Vadra</a> in a money laundering case.

Special judge Arvind Kumar also directed Vadra to appear before the Enforcement&nbsp;Directorate (ED) on February 6 and cooperate with the investigation.&nbsp;

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Money laundering case: Robert Vadra's lawyer KTS Tulsi ensured in Court that Vadra will join the ED investigation on February 6. <a href="https://t.co/1gbGBQo3o8">https://t.co/1gbGBQo3o8</a>
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Robert Vadra moved Supreme Court On February 1, seeking anticipatory bail in a&nbsp;case related to allegations of money laundering in a purchase of a London-based property.

The property, located at 12, Bryanston Square is worth 1.9 million pounds, which is allegedly owned by Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

Meanwhile, speaking to media before the court hearing&nbsp;Robert Vadra had said that he was being subjected to ''false prosecution''.&nbsp;

A Delhi Court on Saturday granted interim bail till February 16 to Robert Vadra in a money laundering case. Special judge Arvind Kumar also directed Vadra to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on February 6 and cooperate with the investigation.

A Delhi Court on Saturday granted interim bail till February 16 to Robert Vadra in a money laundering case. Special judge Arvind Kumar also directed Vadra to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on February 6 and cooperate with the investigation. Money laundering case: Robert Vadra's lawyer KTS Tulsi ensured in Court that Vadra will join the ED investigation on February 6. https://t.co/1gbGBQo3o8 — ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2019 × Robert Vadra moved Supreme Court On February 1, seeking anticipatory bail in a case related to allegations of money laundering in a purchase of a London-based property. The property, located at 12, Bryanston Square is worth 1.9 million pounds, which is allegedly owned by Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, speaking to media before the court hearing Robert Vadra had said that he was being subjected to ''false prosecution''.

Delhi court grants interim bail to Robert Vadra in money laundering case

A Delhi court on Saturday extended by six days the ED custody of lawyer Gautam Khaitan, an accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, in connection with a fresh case of alleged possession of black money and money laundering.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar extended the ED custody of Khaitan, who was already being prosecuted in a case related to AgustaWestland and was out on bail.

The court also directed the agency to take medical care of Khaitan after he complained that he was not able to sleep properly.&nbsp;

The court had earlier sent him to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody after the agency alleged that he was operating and holding a number of foreign accounts illegally and thereby possessing black money and stashing assets.

The fresh criminal case under the PMLA was filed by the ED against Khaitan on the basis of a case filed by the Income Tax Department against him under Section 51 of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015.

A Delhi court on Saturday extended by six days the ED custody of lawyer Gautam Khaitan, an accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, in connection with a fresh case of alleged possession of black money and money laundering.

A Delhi court on Saturday extended by six days the ED custody of lawyer Gautam Khaitan, an accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, in connection with a fresh case of alleged possession of black money and money laundering. Special Judge Arvind Kumar extended the ED custody of Khaitan, who was already being prosecuted in a case related to AgustaWestland and was out on bail. The court also directed the agency to take medical care of Khaitan after he complained that he was not able to sleep properly. The court had earlier sent him to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody after the agency alleged that he was operating and holding a number of foreign accounts illegally and thereby possessing black money and stashing assets. The fresh criminal case under the PMLA was filed by the ED against Khaitan on the basis of a case filed by the Income Tax Department against him under Section 51 of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015.

Delhi court extends ED custody of Gautam Khaitan by 6 days in fresh money laundering case

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sent a demarche to the United States embassy in New Delhi in connection with the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-embassy-opens-hotline-after129-indian-students-arrested-in-us-pay-and-stay-visa-scam-194502">immigration scam</a>&nbsp;busted by US&nbsp;authorities. that according to US immigration authorities tried to exploit the US student visa system.

Some 129 Indian students and eight other individuals were arrested after the US Department of Homeland Security conducted a sting operation to bust the scam that had included the setting up of a&nbsp;fake university in Farmington Hills, Michigan, US.&nbsp;

According to court documents accessed by WION, the students were allegedly using a "pay to stay" scheme — and were aware that they would not have to attend class&nbsp;but still be able to maintain their student visa status.&nbsp;

In the demarche, India called for the "need for immediate consular access for Indian officials to the detainees" and underlined that the students, "who may have been duped into enrolling in the ‘University’ should be treated differently from those recruiters who have duped them."&nbsp;

So far, about 30 Indian students have been contacted by Indian consular officers.

Meanwhile, the US embassy spokesperson has confirmed that it received a Demarche from the Ministry of External Affairs.

Speaking to WION, Deputy Consul General of the Indian consulate in Houston Surendra Adhana said, "Each consulate in the USA is getting consular access to students detained in their jurisdiction. We got these two. There will be a third one in San Antonio (on Saturday) despite it being a holiday"

Officials from the Indian consulate in Houston have met the detained students at the Montgomery Processing Centre and Prairieland Detention Centre in Texas.

New Delhi has asked the US to share all details of the students and asked them to "release them from detention at the earliest and not to resort to deportation against their will."

All the arrested Indian students have been put on "removal proceedings". The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told WION that it will "seek to maintain them in its custody pending the outcome of those proceedings."&nbsp;

This comes even as the Indian mission in Washington has established a 24/7 helpline -- +1-202-322-1190 and +1-202-340-2590 and an email: cons3.washington@mea.gov.in &nbsp;for assistance related to the detention of Indian students.

India has said that its Embassy and Consulates in the United States attach "the highest priority to the welfare of the detained students" and "will continue to work with the US authorities and other stakeholders to address the issue."

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sent a demarche to the United States embassy in New Delhi in connection with the immigration scam busted by US authorities.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sent a demarche to the United States embassy in New Delhi in connection with the immigration scam busted by US authorities. that according to US immigration authorities tried to exploit the US student visa system. Some 129 Indian students and eight other individuals were arrested after the US Department of Homeland Security conducted a sting operation to bust the scam that had included the setting up of a fake university in Farmington Hills, Michigan, US. According to court documents accessed by WION, the students were allegedly using a "pay to stay" scheme — and were aware that they would not have to attend class but still be able to maintain their student visa status. In the demarche, India called for the "need for immediate consular access for Indian officials to the detainees" and underlined that the students, "who may have been duped into enrolling in the ‘University’ should be treated differently from those recruiters who have duped them." So far, about 30 Indian students have been contacted by Indian consular officers. Meanwhile, the US embassy spokesperson has confirmed that it received a Demarche from the Ministry of External Affairs. Speaking to WION, Deputy Consul General of the Indian consulate in Houston Surendra Adhana said, "Each consulate in the USA is getting consular access to students detained in their jurisdiction. We got these two. There will be a third one in San Antonio (on Saturday) despite it being a holiday" Officials from the Indian consulate in Houston have met the detained students at the Montgomery Processing Centre and Prairieland Detention Centre in Texas. New Delhi has asked the US to share all details of the students and asked them to "release them from detention at the earliest and not to resort to deportation against their will." All the arrested Indian students have been put on "removal proceedings". The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told WION that it will "seek to maintain them in its custody pending the outcome of those proceedings." This comes even as the Indian mission in Washington has established a 24/7 helpline -- +1-202-322-1190 and +1-202-340-2590 and an email: cons3.washington@mea.gov.in for assistance related to the detention of Indian students. India has said that its Embassy and Consulates in the United States attach "the highest priority to the welfare of the detained students" and "will continue to work with the US authorities and other stakeholders to address the issue."

Indian students arrested in immigration scam: India sends demarche to US

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of orchestrating violence against BJP workers

Claiming she had become jittery due to people's love for BJP, Modi accused his political rivals of misleading the distressed farming community through farm loan waivers.

Modi was addressing a public rally in Thakurnagar, West Bengal.

Prime minister also made a strong pitch for the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that seeks to accord Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who fled their countries due to religious persecution, according to news agency PTI.

Addressing a well-attended event of the Scheduled Caste Matua community, where his speech was welcomed with loud cheers, Modi said, "Now I can understand why Didi (Banerjee) and her party are indulging in violence...Killing innocent people. She has become jittery because of your love for us."

Calling yesterday's Budget a "historic step" for the welfare of farmers, the working and middle class, he said these sections were neglected for years after Independence.

Modi said that his government took honest steps to improve the condition of farmers and the working class.&nbsp;

"We have announced measures in our budget that will benefit 12 crore, small farmers, 30-40 crore workmen, and three crore middle-class people," he said.

He also said villages were neglected for many, many years after Independence.

There was commotion at the rally ground which prompted him to cut short his speech barely after 14 minutes, according to PTI.

Before the rally, the prime minister visited the Matua Thakurbari and sought the blessings of Baro Ma, the current leader of the community and widow of the founder of Matua Mahasangh Harishchandra Thakur.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of orchestrating violence against BJP workers Claiming she had become jittery due to people's love for BJP, Modi accused his political rivals of misleading the distressed farming community through farm loan waivers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of orchestrating violence against BJP workers Claiming she had become jittery due to people's love for BJP, Modi accused his political rivals of misleading the distressed farming community through farm loan waivers. Modi was addressing a public rally in Thakurnagar, West Bengal. Prime minister also made a strong pitch for the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that seeks to accord Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who fled their countries due to religious persecution, according to news agency PTI. Addressing a well-attended event of the Scheduled Caste Matua community, where his speech was welcomed with loud cheers, Modi said, "Now I can understand why Didi (Banerjee) and her party are indulging in violence...Killing innocent people. She has become jittery because of your love for us." Calling yesterday's Budget a "historic step" for the welfare of farmers, the working and middle class, he said these sections were neglected for years after Independence. Modi said that his government took honest steps to improve the condition of farmers and the working class. "We have announced measures in our budget that will benefit 12 crore, small farmers, 30-40 crore workmen, and three crore middle-class people," he said. He also said villages were neglected for many, many years after Independence. There was commotion at the rally ground which prompted him to cut short his speech barely after 14 minutes, according to PTI. Before the rally, the prime minister visited the Matua Thakurbari and sought the blessings of Baro Ma, the current leader of the community and widow of the founder of Matua Mahasangh Harishchandra Thakur. (With inputs from PTI)

Modi roasts Mamata on her home turf, accuses TMC of orchestrating violence against BJP workers

Within hours of the interim Budget being presented in Parliament Friday, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking that it be quashed on the alleged ground that there is no Constitutional provision for an interim budget.

The petition, filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma, submitted that under the Constitution, there is the only provision for presenting a full annual Budget and vote-on-account.

A vote-on-account is an approval taken in an election year for a limited period for government spending; a full-fledged budget is presented later by the newly elected government.

The interim Budget was presented in the Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal proposing an array of incentives for both middle class and farmers.

The 2019 Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to take place within a few months.

In December last year, the top court had imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on Sharma for filing public interest litigation against the then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley over an issue related to the Reserve Bank of India's capital reserve.&nbsp;

Within hours of the interim Budget being presented in Parliament Friday, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking that it be quashed on the alleged ground that there is no Constitutional provision for an interim budget.

Within hours of the interim Budget being presented in Parliament Friday, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking that it be quashed on the alleged ground that there is no Constitutional provision for an interim budget. The petition, filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma, submitted that under the Constitution, there is the only provision for presenting a full annual Budget and vote-on-account. A vote-on-account is an approval taken in an election year for a limited period for government spending; a full-fledged budget is presented later by the newly elected government. The interim Budget was presented in the Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal proposing an array of incentives for both middle class and farmers. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to take place within a few months. In December last year, the top court had imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on Sharma for filing public interest litigation against the then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley over an issue related to the Reserve Bank of India's capital reserve.

Plea in Supreme Court against interim budget

Nagpur Rural police on Friday booked five persons including three Chinese nationals for allegedly carrying beef.

On January 18, the police had intercepted an SUV heading for Gumgaon mines at Khapa in the district, and on search found 10 kg or meat inside.

Police detained its driver Afroz Sheikh (29), Devendra Nagrale (31) and Chinese nationals Li Chu Chung (55), Lu Weng Chung (51) and Lu Wong Kong (53) who were travelling by the SUV as they could not explain what the meat was.

The meat samples were sent for chemical analysis which revealed that it was cow meat, the police said.

Following which, the police Friday booked all five including the Chinese nationals under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act.

They were produced before a court at Saoner which remanded them in judicial custody till February 14.

While others were sent to Nagpur Central Jail, Li Chu Chung was admitted to a government hospital as he complained of ill-health.

The three Chinese nationals are employees of China Coal India and were working as technicians at a Manganese Ore India Limited (Moil) mine at Gumgaon.

Nagpur Rural police on Friday booked five persons including three Chinese nationals for allegedly carrying beef. On January 18, the police had intercepted an SUV heading for Gumgaon mines at Khapa in the district, and on search found 10 kg or meat inside.

Nagpur Rural police on Friday booked five persons including three Chinese nationals for allegedly carrying beef. On January 18, the police had intercepted an SUV heading for Gumgaon mines at Khapa in the district, and on search found 10 kg or meat inside. Police detained its driver Afroz Sheikh (29), Devendra Nagrale (31) and Chinese nationals Li Chu Chung (55), Lu Weng Chung (51) and Lu Wong Kong (53) who were travelling by the SUV as they could not explain what the meat was. The meat samples were sent for chemical analysis which revealed that it was cow meat, the police said. Following which, the police Friday booked all five including the Chinese nationals under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act. They were produced before a court at Saoner which remanded them in judicial custody till February 14. While others were sent to Nagpur Central Jail, Li Chu Chung was admitted to a government hospital as he complained of ill-health. The three Chinese nationals are employees of China Coal India and were working as technicians at a Manganese Ore India Limited (Moil) mine at Gumgaon.

Five including 3 Chinese nationals arrested for carrying beef

Rejecting claims about high unemployment in India as “disinformation”, Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said it would be “economic absurdity” to believe that jobs are not being created at a time when the country is witnessing high economic growth.

Jaitley, who could not present the interim Budget because of his indisposition, also defended the budgetary provision of Rs 6000 for each marginal farmer which has been mocked by the Opposition as a meagre amount, saying it is meant to be an “additional support” to the agriculturists.

In an interview to ANI here, he underlined that the Narendra Modi government had efficiently maintained the fiscal discipline as the fiscal deficit and Current Account Deficit (CAD) have been contained and inflation has been reduced drastically while GDP kept growing.

"Our fiscal deficit, we inherited about, 4.5-4.6 per cent, which is now down to 3.4 %, we had targeted 3.3 % but because of the last minute adjustments in the farm sector, we had to make 0.1 % compromise," he said.

He was asked about the ‘leaked report’ of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) which said there was unprecedented unemployment in the country, “I don’t think it is a report. It is a draft which has not been approved,” he replied.

Jaitley, the Finance Minister since 2014 whose charge has been temporarily given to Piyush Goyal, said it would be “economic absurdity to say that there are no jobs” when the country is witnessing high economic growth rate.“I completely refute (claims about joblessness),” he said.

While terming the contention as “disinformation”.He said if there was such acute joblessness as projected, there would have been agitation, which is not the case.

Talking about the budgetary provision of Rs 6000 each for marginal farmers, Jaitley said it is an additional support to the agriculturists.

Reacting to the Opposition mocking the amount as being meagre, he said they should stop shedding “crocodile tears for the farmers”.

Noting that the provision will involve annual outlay of Rs 75,000 crore, the senior minister said this allocation is for the first year which can increase in the future.

Jaitley emphasised that loan waivers are not a solution to the farmers’ woes but acknowledged that India’s farm sector still needs support.

Attacking the Congress, Jaitley questioned what the UPA government had done during its 10-year rule."What did the UPA do in 10 years of power- a onetime loan waiver of 70,000 crores. Only 52,ooo crores were waived.&nbsp;

And the CAG report was that, out of the 52,ooo crores a significant part went to the traders and businessmen and not to the farmers. &nbsp;So a political group or a party which came out with a national hoax of this kind has the audacity to say that a scheme like this at a pan-India level is too little, " he said."Please don’t shed crocodile tears today for the farmers.&nbsp;

The opposition also has several governments, let them announce similar schemes, I am sure the other governments within their fiscal space will also consider this and therefore you can top it off. And it is not like this is the sole prerogative or the responsibility of the Centre, we are in a cooperative federalism both Centre and state must cooperate.&nbsp;

This is a huge amount we are doing and we are now as against a onetime loan waiver of 52,000 cr which was partly eaten by traders and businessmen. This is 75,000 cr in the first year itself, I am sure it will expand in future years," he added.

Asked to comment on criticism that the interim Budget presented on Friday was aimed at wooing the voters in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Jaitley said, “Budgets are a part of Parliamentary democracy, so are the elections.”Citing the previous examples of populist budgets, he said in 2009 and 2014 the then Finance Ministers of UPA governments Pranab Mukherjee and P. Chidambaram had announced stimulus packages.

&nbsp;"In the 2009 interim budget, Mr. Paranab Mukherjee, not even in the interim budget, but while replying to it announced a stimulus package, where he reduced the excise duty to 2 per cent across the board, well the same argument was applicable then? In 2014 Mr. Chidambaram on a number of products including engineering products and automobiles gave a duty rebate, the same argument can be taken now?" he asked.

He also refuted allegations of any agrarian crisis in the nation and said, " I guess by saying crisis, we are overstating it. the Indian farmer is really the producer of our food, his productivity levels have immensely improved and therefore in the last few decades we have seen shortages becoming into surpluses.

&nbsp;Four years ago pulses were in shortage, he is now producing in surpluses. Now he gets hit because he is producing more and the cost goes down and therefore world over, even the US is subsidizing its farmers, the EU is subsidizing there farmers ."

"Everywhere you maintain a balance between food prices and subsidizing the framers so that the farmer gets the incentive for producing something.

I think our farm sector still needs support and I am quite sure if the Centre and the states come together, with these kinds of programs, rather than mere myopic slogans, which really will not give long term sustenance to the farmers, &nbsp;it can certainly achieve a lot more," he added.

He saw no wrong if the middle class, which is a big chunk in India, gets some help through a budgetary exercise."The kind of fiscal space that we have created enables us to help the middle class and mind you India`s middle class is being very vastly strengthened.

&nbsp;I recently went through a study; Which said in 2005, &nbsp;we had 18 % middle class, in 2015 it was 29 %, in 2025 it is projected to be 44 %," he said."So within a generation, you will see a large majority of Indians graduating into the middle class.

&nbsp;And if the UPA inflicted a 10% inflation on them, which we brought down, obviously the taxpayer also, his real value of money has declined and therefore exempting the smaller taxpayer and mind you his ability to spend more &nbsp;means a boost to the economy.

&nbsp;What given by a way of direct tax benefit also comes back by a way of indirect taxes &nbsp;because the purchasing power of the India`s middle class has improved," he added. &nbsp;(ANI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Rejecting claims about high unemployment in India as “disinformation”, Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said it would be “economic absurdity” to believe that jobs are not being created at a time when the country is witnessing high economic growth.

Rejecting claims about high unemployment in India as “disinformation”, Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said it would be “economic absurdity” to believe that jobs are not being created at a time when the country is witnessing high economic growth. Jaitley, who could not present the interim Budget because of his indisposition, also defended the budgetary provision of Rs 6000 for each marginal farmer which has been mocked by the Opposition as a meagre amount, saying it is meant to be an “additional support” to the agriculturists. In an interview to ANI here, he underlined that the Narendra Modi government had efficiently maintained the fiscal discipline as the fiscal deficit and Current Account Deficit (CAD) have been contained and inflation has been reduced drastically while GDP kept growing. "Our fiscal deficit, we inherited about, 4.5-4.6 per cent, which is now down to 3.4 %, we had targeted 3.3 % but because of the last minute adjustments in the farm sector, we had to make 0.1 % compromise," he said. He was asked about the ‘leaked report’ of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) which said there was unprecedented unemployment in the country, “I don’t think it is a report. It is a draft which has not been approved,” he replied. Jaitley, the Finance Minister since 2014 whose charge has been temporarily given to Piyush Goyal, said it would be “economic absurdity to say that there are no jobs” when the country is witnessing high economic growth rate.“I completely refute (claims about joblessness),” he said. While terming the contention as “disinformation”.He said if there was such acute joblessness as projected, there would have been agitation, which is not the case. Talking about the budgetary provision of Rs 6000 each for marginal farmers, Jaitley said it is an additional support to the agriculturists. Reacting to the Opposition mocking the amount as being meagre, he said they should stop shedding “crocodile tears for the farmers”. Noting that the provision will involve annual outlay of Rs 75,000 crore, the senior minister said this allocation is for the first year which can increase in the future. Jaitley emphasised that loan waivers are not a solution to the farmers’ woes but acknowledged that India’s farm sector still needs support. Attacking the Congress, Jaitley questioned what the UPA government had done during its 10-year rule."What did the UPA do in 10 years of power- a onetime loan waiver of 70,000 crores. Only 52,ooo crores were waived. And the CAG report was that, out of the 52,ooo crores a significant part went to the traders and businessmen and not to the farmers. So a political group or a party which came out with a national hoax of this kind has the audacity to say that a scheme like this at a pan-India level is too little, " he said."Please don’t shed crocodile tears today for the farmers. The opposition also has several governments, let them announce similar schemes, I am sure the other governments within their fiscal space will also consider this and therefore you can top it off. And it is not like this is the sole prerogative or the responsibility of the Centre, we are in a cooperative federalism both Centre and state must cooperate. This is a huge amount we are doing and we are now as against a onetime loan waiver of 52,000 cr which was partly eaten by traders and businessmen. This is 75,000 cr in the first year itself, I am sure it will expand in future years," he added. Asked to comment on criticism that the interim Budget presented on Friday was aimed at wooing the voters in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Jaitley said, “Budgets are a part of Parliamentary democracy, so are the elections.”Citing the previous examples of populist budgets, he said in 2009 and 2014 the then Finance Ministers of UPA governments Pranab Mukherjee and P. Chidambaram had announced stimulus packages. "In the 2009 interim budget, Mr. Paranab Mukherjee, not even in the interim budget, but while replying to it announced a stimulus package, where he reduced the excise duty to 2 per cent across the board, well the same argument was applicable then? In 2014 Mr. Chidambaram on a number of products including engineering products and automobiles gave a duty rebate, the same argument can be taken now?" he asked. He also refuted allegations of any agrarian crisis in the nation and said, " I guess by saying crisis, we are overstating it. the Indian farmer is really the producer of our food, his productivity levels have immensely improved and therefore in the last few decades we have seen shortages becoming into surpluses. Four years ago pulses were in shortage, he is now producing in surpluses. Now he gets hit because he is producing more and the cost goes down and therefore world over, even the US is subsidizing its farmers, the EU is subsidizing there farmers ." "Everywhere you maintain a balance between food prices and subsidizing the framers so that the farmer gets the incentive for producing something. I think our farm sector still needs support and I am quite sure if the Centre and the states come together, with these kinds of programs, rather than mere myopic slogans, which really will not give long term sustenance to the farmers, it can certainly achieve a lot more," he added. He saw no wrong if the middle class, which is a big chunk in India, gets some help through a budgetary exercise."The kind of fiscal space that we have created enables us to help the middle class and mind you India`s middle class is being very vastly strengthened. I recently went through a study; Which said in 2005, we had 18 % middle class, in 2015 it was 29 %, in 2025 it is projected to be 44 %," he said."So within a generation, you will see a large majority of Indians graduating into the middle class. And if the UPA inflicted a 10% inflation on them, which we brought down, obviously the taxpayer also, his real value of money has declined and therefore exempting the smaller taxpayer and mind you his ability to spend more means a boost to the economy. What given by a way of direct tax benefit also comes back by a way of indirect taxes because the purchasing power of the India`s middle class has improved," he added. (ANI)

Claims on joblessness economic absurdity: Arun Jaitley

India was officially handed over the first of the Chinook helicopters at Boeing's facility in the presence of Indian ambassador to US Harsh Shringla during ‘India-Chinook Transfer Ceremony’ which took place at &nbsp;Boeing's facility in Philadelphia on Friday.&nbsp;

In 2015, India had placed the order for 22 AH-64E Apache attack, and 15 CH-47F(I) Chinook transport helicopters and will receive all of them in 2019. &nbsp;

<img alt="Chinook helicopters" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="941d366d-8cb5-4819-b14c-8962cb18da11" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/DyRn1eJWkAASerK_0.jpg" />

The AH-64E Apache attack and CH-47F(I) Chinook transport helicopters are the newest models of the aircraft which are expected to help modernise the Indian Air Force’s helicopter fleet.

According to Boeing, Apache is the world’s leading multi-role attack helicopter and CH-47F Chinook is an advanced multi-mission helicopter that can help in delivering heavy payloads to high altitudes. Both of them are also being used by the US Army.

<img alt="Chinook helicopters" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="348068e9-e25c-46db-8ca5-b2f8bd104474" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/DyRoQ2XWkAAXWQR.jpg" />

CH-47F Chinook is also being operated by 18 other defence forces around the world. Large sections of the Chinook fuselage are being manufactured in India.

Boeing is also training Indian Air Force (IAF) crew for the helicopter. In October of 2018, 4 pilots and 4 flight engineers of IAF were trained for Chinook helicopters in Delaware USA.

<img alt="Chinook helicopters" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8955fa81-5f54-45bf-b596-f7e1e20091f0" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/DyRnuMLWsAYH886.jpg" />

India is the 14th nation use Apache and 19th nation to use Chinook in its forces.&nbsp;

Ambassador Shringla lauded the "growing industry partnerships between India and US and commended Boeing for their commitment for the commitment to make in India."

DGAO, Air Marshal A Dev, from Air HQ (Vayu Bhawan), Consul General of India in New York Sandeep Chakravorty and Air Attache Air Cmde Shivanand were also present on the occasion.

India was officially handed over the first of the Chinook helicopters at Boeing's facility in the presence of Indian ambassador to US Harsh Shringla during ‘India-Chinook Transfer Ceremony’ which took place at Boeing's facility in Philadelphia on Friday.

India was officially handed over the first of the Chinook helicopters at Boeing's facility in the presence of Indian ambassador to US Harsh Shringla during ‘India-Chinook Transfer Ceremony’ which took place at Boeing's facility in Philadelphia on Friday. In 2015, India had placed the order for 22 AH-64E Apache attack, and 15 CH-47F(I) Chinook transport helicopters and will receive all of them in 2019. The AH-64E Apache attack and CH-47F(I) Chinook transport helicopters are the newest models of the aircraft which are expected to help modernise the Indian Air Force’s helicopter fleet. According to Boeing, Apache is the world’s leading multi-role attack helicopter and CH-47F Chinook is an advanced multi-mission helicopter that can help in delivering heavy payloads to high altitudes. Both of them are also being used by the US Army. CH-47F Chinook is also being operated by 18 other defence forces around the world. Large sections of the Chinook fuselage are being manufactured in India. Boeing is also training Indian Air Force (IAF) crew for the helicopter. In October of 2018, 4 pilots and 4 flight engineers of IAF were trained for Chinook helicopters in Delaware USA. India is the 14th nation use Apache and 19th nation to use Chinook in its forces. Ambassador Shringla lauded the "growing industry partnerships between India and US and commended Boeing for their commitment for the commitment to make in India." DGAO, Air Marshal A Dev, from Air HQ (Vayu Bhawan), Consul General of India in New York Sandeep Chakravorty and Air Attache Air Cmde Shivanand were also present on the occasion.

First Chinook helicopter handed over to India at Boeing's facility in Philadelphia 

Fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya Friday claimed his group's properties worth over Rs 13,000 crore have been attached, more than the 'claimed' Rs 9,000 crore that he "ran away with" asking where is justice and how far will it go.

In a series of tweets, Mallya, who intends to appeal against a UK court's extradition verdict, also claimed that the banks to which he owes money "have given an open licence to their Lawyers in England to pursue multiple frivolous litigations against" him questioning the "brazen" spending of "public money on legal fees".

"Every morning I wake up to yet another attachment by the DRT (debt recovery tribunal) recovery officer. Value already crossed (Rs) 13,000 crore. Banks claim dues including all interest of (Rs) 9,000 crore which is subject to review. How far will this go and well beyond? Justified??", Mallya tweeted.

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Every morning I wake up to yet another attachment by the DRT recovery officer. Value already crossed 13,000 crores. Banks claim dues including all interest of 9,000 crores which is subject to review. How far will this go and well beyond ? Justified ??
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheVijayMallya/status/1091188402400178176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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He further said the DRT recovery officer recently attached his group's assets worth over Rs 13,000 crore in India on behalf of the consortium of banks.

"Yet the narrative is that I ran away with the claimed amount of (Rs) 9000 crore causing loss to the public sector banks. Where is Justice or fair play?," he asked.

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The DRT Recovery Officer recently attaches my Group assets worth over 13,000 crores in India on behalf of the Consortium of Banks. Yet the narrative is that I ran away with the claimed amount of 9000 crores causing loss to the Public Sector Banks. Where is Justice or fair play ?
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheVijayMallya/status/1091187395259781121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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And despite all the attachments in India, Banks have given an open licence to their Lawyers in England to pursue multiple frivolous litigations against me. Who is accountable for spending Public money on Legal fees in such a brazen manner ?
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheVijayMallya/status/1091191112507756550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The embattled liquor baron further said "despite all the attachments in India, banks have given an open licence to their lawyers in England to pursue multiple frivolous litigations against me. Who is accountable for spending public money on legal fees in such a brazen manner?"

Mallya also claimed that the banks' lawyers in England have objected in writing to his paying "my legitimate tax dues to HMRC which I requested".

"Irony is, Indian state banks want my money in England to settle an Indian debt already secured and deny payment to the UK. Tax exchequer. Disgraceful," he added.

Last year in December Westminster Magistrates' Court Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot had ruled in favour of extradition of Mallya, who is wanted in India for alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crore.

Later on, he had stated that he intended to file an application to appeal against a British court's verdict.&nbsp;

Fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya Friday claimed his group's properties worth over Rs 13,000 crore have been attached, more than the 'claimed' Rs 9,000 crore that he "ran away with" asking where is justice and how far will it go.

Fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya Friday claimed his group's properties worth over Rs 13,000 crore have been attached, more than the 'claimed' Rs 9,000 crore that he "ran away with" asking where is justice and how far will it go. In a series of tweets, Mallya, who intends to appeal against a UK court's extradition verdict, also claimed that the banks to which he owes money "have given an open licence to their Lawyers in England to pursue multiple frivolous litigations against" him questioning the "brazen" spending of "public money on legal fees". "Every morning I wake up to yet another attachment by the DRT (debt recovery tribunal) recovery officer. Value already crossed (Rs) 13,000 crore. Banks claim dues including all interest of (Rs) 9,000 crore which is subject to review. How far will this go and well beyond? Justified??", Mallya tweeted. Every morning I wake up to yet another attachment by the DRT recovery officer. Value already crossed 13,000 crores. Banks claim dues including all interest of 9,000 crores which is subject to review. How far will this go and well beyond ? Justified ?? — Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) February 1, 2019 × He further said the DRT recovery officer recently attached his group's assets worth over Rs 13,000 crore in India on behalf of the consortium of banks. "Yet the narrative is that I ran away with the claimed amount of (Rs) 9000 crore causing loss to the public sector banks. Where is Justice or fair play?," he asked. The DRT Recovery Officer recently attaches my Group assets worth over 13,000 crores in India on behalf of the Consortium of Banks. Yet the narrative is that I ran away with the claimed amount of 9000 crores causing loss to the Public Sector Banks. Where is Justice or fair play ? — Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) February 1, 2019 × And despite all the attachments in India, Banks have given an open licence to their Lawyers in England to pursue multiple frivolous litigations against me. Who is accountable for spending Public money on Legal fees in such a brazen manner ? — Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) February 1, 2019 × The embattled liquor baron further said "despite all the attachments in India, banks have given an open licence to their lawyers in England to pursue multiple frivolous litigations against me. Who is accountable for spending public money on legal fees in such a brazen manner?" Mallya also claimed that the banks' lawyers in England have objected in writing to his paying "my legitimate tax dues to HMRC which I requested". "Irony is, Indian state banks want my money in England to settle an Indian debt already secured and deny payment to the UK. Tax exchequer. Disgraceful," he added. Last year in December Westminster Magistrates' Court Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot had ruled in favour of extradition of Mallya, who is wanted in India for alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crore. Later on, he had stated that he intended to file an application to appeal against a British court's verdict.

Property worth over Rs 13,000 crore attached, how far will it go, asks Vijay Mallya

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday presented Modi government's last Budget of the current tenure. While presenting the Budget, Goyal said he is deeply concerned by Arun Jaitley's absence.

With elections due in a few months, Goyal listed the achievements of Modi government in the last five years.

Here are the highlights of his Budget speech:

<ul>
	<li>Committed to eliminating the scourge of black money; the anti-black money measures we took brought an undisclosed income of about Rs 1.30 lakh crore to the fore; 3.38 lakh shell companies de-registered</li>
	<li>We have gone beyond incremental growth,to attain trans-formative achievements. As far as infrastructure development is concerned, we now have more than 100 operational airports, domestic passenger traffic has doubled in last five years and India is today the fastest highway developer in the world</li>
	<li>GST is the undoubtedly the biggest taxation reform implemented since Independence; through tax consolidation, India became one common market; inter-state movements became faster through e-way bills, improving ease of doing business. GST collections in January 2019 has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore</li>
	<li>The defence budget has enhanced beyond Rs 3 lakh crore</li>
	<li>75% of women beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, 26 weeks of maternity leave and the Pradhan Mantri Matritva Yojana, are all empowering women in the country</li>
	<li>Rs 1 crore loan can now be obtained under 59 minutes</li>
	<li>A pension scheme is being launched called Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan, to provide assured monthly pension of Rs 3000 per month, with the contribution of Rs 100 per month, for workers in unorganised sector after 60 years of age</li>
	<li>Ayushman Bharat the world's largest healthcare programme was launched to provide medical care to almost 50 crore people, resulting in 3,000 crore savings by poor families</li>
	<li>We have provide electricity connection to almost all households in the country - aiming to provide it to the rest by March 2019</li>
	<li>India's youth have turned job creators from job seekers, India has become the second largest hub for start-ups</li>
	<li>Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Rs 6000 per year for each farmer, in three instalments, will be transferred directly to farmers' bank accounts, for those who hold less than two hectares of land</li>
	<li>This initiative will benefit 12 crore small and marginal farmers, at an estimated cost of Rs 75,000 crore</li>
	<li>Rs 60,000 crore set aside for MNREGA this year</li>
	<li>We have prepared the foundation for sustainable growth</li>
	<li>Country saw best phase of macro economic stability in last four years</li>
	<li>Bad debts worth almost Rs 3 lakh crore recovered</li>
	<li>Today, India is recognised as a bright spot in the global economy</li>
	<li>To restore the health of public sector banks, recapitalisation has been done with an investment of Rs. 2.6 lakh crore. Amalgamation of banks has also been done to reap the benefits of economies of scale, improved access to capital and to cover a larger geographical spread</li>
	<li>The 4R approach and a number of measures have been implemented to ensure clean banking: Recognition, resolution, recapitalisation and reforms</li>
	<li>As a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, world's largest behavioural change movement - the Swachh Bharat - was initiated. More than 98% rural sanitation coverage has been achieved under this mission and more than 5.45 lakh villages have been declared open defecation free (ODF)</li>
	<li>Rs 19,000 crore allocated for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana</li>
	<li>During 2014-18, 1.53 crore houses have been constructed under PM Awas Yojana</li>
	<li>We strived to change the mindset and ignited self-confidence in the entire nation</li>
	<li>We also worked towards bridging the urban and rural divide in the country</li>
</ul>

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday presented Modi government's last Budget of the current tenure. While presenting the Budget, Goyal said he is deeply concerned by Arun Jaitley's absence.

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday presented Modi government's last Budget of the current tenure. While presenting the Budget, Goyal said he is deeply concerned by Arun Jaitley's absence. With elections due in a few months, Goyal listed the achievements of Modi government in the last five years. Here are the highlights of his Budget speech: Committed to eliminating the scourge of black money; the anti-black money measures we took brought an undisclosed income of about Rs 1.30 lakh crore to the fore; 3.38 lakh shell companies de-registered We have gone beyond incremental growth,to attain trans-formative achievements. As far as infrastructure development is concerned, we now have more than 100 operational airports, domestic passenger traffic has doubled in last five years and India is today the fastest highway developer in the world GST is the undoubtedly the biggest taxation reform implemented since Independence; through tax consolidation, India became one common market; inter-state movements became faster through e-way bills, improving ease of doing business. GST collections in January 2019 has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore The defence budget has enhanced beyond Rs 3 lakh crore 75% of women beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, 26 weeks of maternity leave and the Pradhan Mantri Matritva Yojana, are all empowering women in the country Rs 1 crore loan can now be obtained under 59 minutes A pension scheme is being launched called Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan, to provide assured monthly pension of Rs 3000 per month, with the contribution of Rs 100 per month, for workers in unorganised sector after 60 years of age Ayushman Bharat the world's largest healthcare programme was launched to provide medical care to almost 50 crore people, resulting in 3,000 crore savings by poor families We have provide electricity connection to almost all households in the country - aiming to provide it to the rest by March 2019 India's youth have turned job creators from job seekers, India has become the second largest hub for start-ups Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Rs 6000 per year for each farmer, in three instalments, will be transferred directly to farmers' bank accounts, for those who hold less than two hectares of land This initiative will benefit 12 crore small and marginal farmers, at an estimated cost of Rs 75,000 crore Rs 60,000 crore set aside for MNREGA this year We have prepared the foundation for sustainable growth Country saw best phase of macro economic stability in last four years Bad debts worth almost Rs 3 lakh crore recovered Today, India is recognised as a bright spot in the global economy To restore the health of public sector banks, recapitalisation has been done with an investment of Rs. 2.6 lakh crore. Amalgamation of banks has also been done to reap the benefits of economies of scale, improved access to capital and to cover a larger geographical spread The 4R approach and a number of measures have been implemented to ensure clean banking: Recognition, resolution, recapitalisation and reforms As a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, world's largest behavioural change movement - the Swachh Bharat - was initiated. More than 98% rural sanitation coverage has been achieved under this mission and more than 5.45 lakh villages have been declared open defecation free (ODF) Rs 19,000 crore allocated for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana During 2014-18, 1.53 crore houses have been constructed under PM Awas Yojana We strived to change the mindset and ignited self-confidence in the entire nation We also worked towards bridging the urban and rural divide in the country

Union Budget 2019: Highlights of Finance Minister Piyush Goyal's speech

A Mirage-2000 aircraft crashed at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Yemalur news Bengaluru today morning.

The crash occurred during a sortie at around 10:30 am.

According to a report by ANI, &nbsp;two pilots who were onboard during the crash&nbsp;succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a> The other pilot who had also ejected has succumbed to injuries in hospital. Both were test pilots- Squadron leader Negi and Squadron leader Abrol. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengaluru?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengaluru</a> <a href="https://t.co/WZYA5RzWSU">https://t.co/WZYA5RzWSU</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1091221559178612736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Both were test pilot identified as Squadron leader Negi and Squadron leader Abrol.&nbsp;

The reason for the crash is not known yet.

Further details awaited. 
&nbsp;

A Mirage-2000 aircraft crashed at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Yemalur news Bengaluru today morning. The crash occurred during a sortie at around 10:30 am.

A Mirage-2000 aircraft crashed at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Yemalur news Bengaluru today morning. The crash occurred during a sortie at around 10:30 am. According to a report by ANI, two pilots who were onboard during the crash succumbed to their injuries in hospital. #UPDATE The other pilot who had also ejected has succumbed to injuries in hospital. Both were test pilots- Squadron leader Negi and Squadron leader Abrol. #Bengaluru https://t.co/WZYA5RzWSU — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2019 × Both were test pilot identified as Squadron leader Negi and Squadron leader Abrol. The reason for the crash is not known yet. Further details awaited.

Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft crashes in Bengaluru, 2 pilots succumbed to injuries

It is expected to be a long haul for the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/detention-of-indian-students-in-us-india-places-consular-request-says-according-highest-priority-194456"> eight Indians who were involved in the immigration scam</a> in the United States by enrolling 129 other Indians in a fake university in an attempt to exploit the US student visa system. These individuals have now been placed in "removal proceedings" and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has told WION that it will "seek to maintain them in its custody pending the outcome of those proceedings."&nbsp;

If convicted, the eight accused will face a maximum penalty of five years in a US federal prison.

The individuals who were arrested in the immigration scam are Barath Kakireddy, Suresh Kandala, Phanideep Karnati, Prem Rampeesa, Santosh Sama, Avinash Thakkallapally, Aswanth Nune and Naveen Prathipati.

It also looks difficult for the 129 Indians who enrolled themselves in the fake university and have been arrested. WION has accessed the court documents in which it has been mentioned that "Each of the foreign citizens who “enrolled” and made “tuition” payments to the University knew that they would not attend any actual classes, earn credits, or make academic progress toward an actual degree in a particular field of study – a “pay to stay” scheme", clearly suggesting they are also considered culpable by US authorities.

It further added, "each student knew that the University’s program was not approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was illegal and that discretion should be used when discussing the program with others."
<img alt="US Documents" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="957d9ff5-f1d6-478d-99b4-0757188a084d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/us%201.jpg" />
 
&nbsp;All of them were arrested after the US Department of Homeland security did an operation by setting up a fake university in Farmington Hills, Michigan state of US.

This comes even as India has "highlighted" to the US government "that a distinction should be made between those involved in recruiting or enrolling students and students who have been duped or defrauded in the process."

The Ministry of external affairs in a press release said that it is "according the highest priority to the situation" arising out of the detention of Indian students in the United States and has placed a formal request for consular access for the students.&nbsp;

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) further said, "We are monitoring the situation closely and have impressed upon the US Government the need to address the situation at the earliest."

The Indian mission is in touch with US State Department and the Department of Homeland Security and has requested for a list of the detained students and other details such as place of detention and Identity.

Indian mission, according to MEA, is rendering "all assistance to Indian students in the US to deal with the emerging situation" and has also involved Indian community organizations in reaching out to the students.

It is expected to be a long haul for the eight Indians who were involved in the immigration scam in the United States by enrolling 129 other Indians in a fake university in an attempt to exploit the US student visa system.

It is expected to be a long haul for the eight Indians who were involved in the immigration scam in the United States by enrolling 129 other Indians in a fake university in an attempt to exploit the US student visa system. These individuals have now been placed in "removal proceedings" and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has told WION that it will "seek to maintain them in its custody pending the outcome of those proceedings." If convicted, the eight accused will face a maximum penalty of five years in a US federal prison. The individuals who were arrested in the immigration scam are Barath Kakireddy, Suresh Kandala, Phanideep Karnati, Prem Rampeesa, Santosh Sama, Avinash Thakkallapally, Aswanth Nune and Naveen Prathipati. It also looks difficult for the 129 Indians who enrolled themselves in the fake university and have been arrested. WION has accessed the court documents in which it has been mentioned that "Each of the foreign citizens who “enrolled” and made “tuition” payments to the University knew that they would not attend any actual classes, earn credits, or make academic progress toward an actual degree in a particular field of study – a “pay to stay” scheme", clearly suggesting they are also considered culpable by US authorities. It further added, "each student knew that the University’s program was not approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was illegal and that discretion should be used when discussing the program with others." All of them were arrested after the US Department of Homeland security did an operation by setting up a fake university in Farmington Hills, Michigan state of US. This comes even as India has "highlighted" to the US government "that a distinction should be made between those involved in recruiting or enrolling students and students who have been duped or defrauded in the process." The Ministry of external affairs in a press release said that it is "according the highest priority to the situation" arising out of the detention of Indian students in the United States and has placed a formal request for consular access for the students. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) further said, "We are monitoring the situation closely and have impressed upon the US Government the need to address the situation at the earliest." The Indian mission is in touch with US State Department and the Department of Homeland Security and has requested for a list of the detained students and other details such as place of detention and Identity. Indian mission, according to MEA, is rendering "all assistance to Indian students in the US to deal with the emerging situation" and has also involved Indian community organizations in reaching out to the students.

Immigration scam: Long haul for detained Indians as US puts its foot down

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Immigration scam: Long haul for detained Indians as US puts its foot down