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A two-day conference of the Chief Electoral Officers of all the States and Union Territories was organised by the Election commission on January 11 and 12 which focused on the integrity of the electoral roll, meticulous planning for elections, EVM and VVPAT assessment and training and extensive voter outreach.

A comprehensive review of poll preparedness of the states prior to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/2019-lok-sabha-elections-the-challenge-of-job-creation-188922">the General elections 2019</a> was conducted through these two days.

 
Addressing the CEOs, the Chief Election Commissioner of India Sunil Arora emphasised on the fact that the electoral roll that is currently under the process of revision and finalisation will be used in the forthcoming General elections. He also said that every effort must be made so that all voters are registered well in time. He reaffirmed the significance of the 1950 Helpline for the voters and its role as the First point of Care for the voter in finding her name in the Role, EPIC status and in connecting to the Election machinery and exercising her democratic right. He directed all the state CEOs to set in place support systems for the 1950 Helpline as early as possible.

Arora reiterated the commitment of the Election commission of India to provide assured minimum facilities in all polling stations. He also directed the CEOs to have their Booth level, District level, and State level Plans ready and conduct a meticulous assessment of all resources required for the conduct of elections. The States and the UTs must assess their EVM/ VVPAT requirements and also ensure adherence to the timelines specified for completion of their First Level checking. He laid stress upon extensive Hands on experience of the EVM and VVPAT among the voters as well as during the training of polling officials as it helps to minimize the glitches and also boosts confidence among the stakeholders.

Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, in his address to the CEOs, reiterated the immense significance of the integrity of the electoral roll at this crucial juncture. He said that the entire election machinery must now be geared up in order to deliver yet another flawless election to the country. In order to accomplish this herculean task, a detailed planning process and a leadership role have to be assumed by the CEO at the state and the DEOs in the districts. He suggested to each state to reach out to each and every voter and develop innovative mechanisms to facilitate voting for People with a disability. He also emphasised upon coordination with bordering states as well as with other agencies in order to give more teeth to the expenditure Monitoring mechanisms operative in the states.

Through the two-day conference, each and every aspect of the conduct of election including the availability of sufficient budget, manpower, resources, SVEEP, planning, polling station arrangements and IT applications including Suvidha, Sugam, and C-Vigil were discussed in detail and the preparedness of States/UTs on each of these parameters was assessed.

The five states which had recently undergone Assembly elections - Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Telangana, and Rajasthan gave a presentation on the takeaways and the learnings from their experiences. Chhattisgarh had developed an app to track their polling personnel which streamlined the process. Madhya Pradesh developed an app to ensure queue less voting experience for people with disabilities, pregnant women and women with infants. These five states demonstrated how technology can be leveraged to enhance voter experience and also provide crucial data in an instant to the election officers.

Mizoram highlighted its successful conduct of elections despite initial problems. The Mizoram experience was on building bridges with the civil society organizations, opening dialogue and also the setting up of polling stations for the Bru community in coordination with the state of Tripura was a notable achievement.

Both Rajasthan and Telangana cited several instances of innovative campaigns incorporating local cultural practices which led to a good turn out in these states.

All the other CEOs of States and UTs made comprehensive presentations to the Commission on the key areas of their preparations for the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

A comprehensive review of poll preparedness of the states prior to the General elections 2019 was conducted in the last two days.

A two-day conference of the Chief Electoral Officers of all the States and Union Territories was organised by the Election commission on January 11 and 12 which focused on the integrity of the electoral roll, meticulous planning for elections, EVM and VVPAT assessment and training and extensive voter outreach. A comprehensive review of poll preparedness of the states prior to the General elections 2019 was conducted through these two days. Addressing the CEOs, the Chief Election Commissioner of India Sunil Arora emphasised on the fact that the electoral roll that is currently under the process of revision and finalisation will be used in the forthcoming General elections. He also said that every effort must be made so that all voters are registered well in time. He reaffirmed the significance of the 1950 Helpline for the voters and its role as the First point of Care for the voter in finding her name in the Role, EPIC status and in connecting to the Election machinery and exercising her democratic right. He directed all the state CEOs to set in place support systems for the 1950 Helpline as early as possible. Arora reiterated the commitment of the Election commission of India to provide assured minimum facilities in all polling stations. He also directed the CEOs to have their Booth level, District level, and State level Plans ready and conduct a meticulous assessment of all resources required for the conduct of elections. The States and the UTs must assess their EVM/ VVPAT requirements and also ensure adherence to the timelines specified for completion of their First Level checking. He laid stress upon extensive Hands on experience of the EVM and VVPAT among the voters as well as during the training of polling officials as it helps to minimize the glitches and also boosts confidence among the stakeholders. Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, in his address to the CEOs, reiterated the immense significance of the integrity of the electoral roll at this crucial juncture. He said that the entire election machinery must now be geared up in order to deliver yet another flawless election to the country. In order to accomplish this herculean task, a detailed planning process and a leadership role have to be assumed by the CEO at the state and the DEOs in the districts. He suggested to each state to reach out to each and every voter and develop innovative mechanisms to facilitate voting for People with a disability. He also emphasised upon coordination with bordering states as well as with other agencies in order to give more teeth to the expenditure Monitoring mechanisms operative in the states. Through the two-day conference, each and every aspect of the conduct of election including the availability of sufficient budget, manpower, resources, SVEEP, planning, polling station arrangements and IT applications including Suvidha, Sugam, and C-Vigil were discussed in detail and the preparedness of States/UTs on each of these parameters was assessed. The five states which had recently undergone Assembly elections - Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Telangana, and Rajasthan gave a presentation on the takeaways and the learnings from their experiences. Chhattisgarh had developed an app to track their polling personnel which streamlined the process. Madhya Pradesh developed an app to ensure queue less voting experience for people with disabilities, pregnant women and women with infants. These five states demonstrated how technology can be leveraged to enhance voter experience and also provide crucial data in an instant to the election officers. Mizoram highlighted its successful conduct of elections despite initial problems. The Mizoram experience was on building bridges with the civil society organizations, opening dialogue and also the setting up of polling stations for the Bru community in coordination with the state of Tripura was a notable achievement. Both Rajasthan and Telangana cited several instances of innovative campaigns incorporating local cultural practices which led to a good turn out in these states. All the other CEOs of States and UTs made comprehensive presentations to the Commission on the key areas of their preparations for the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

Election Commission India reviews Poll Preparedness with all State CEOs

Thousands of Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan, who were eagerly awaiting the passage of a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bandh-in-northeast-states-against-police-firing-on-people-protesting-against-citizenship-bill-in-tripura-189902">bill by Parliament that would grant them Indian citizenship</a>, are disappointed that it could not fructify in the just-concluded Winter session but have not given up hope.

These people trickled into India over the last two decades, escaping religious persecution back in Pakistan and found a new home in India.

Most of them, hailing from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions of Pakistan, are staying in places like Amritsar and Ludhiana in Punjab.

Living here on the basis of a temporary visa, which is extended from time to time, these migrants are in a condition of statelessness, because of which they are unable to educate their children.

In 2017, 431 Pakistani Hindus were given Long Term Visa in line with the Modi government's policy to help rehabilitate minorities who fled from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

Without any provision for getting long-term visas, Hindu and Sikh migrant families from Pakistan are trying relentlessly to get their visas renewed. Another problem for these families is to find suitable guarantors for their visas. The movement of Pakistani passport holders are also restricted.

While talking to ANI, some of the migrants narrated their problems, recounting the stories of harassment and torture experienced back home in Pakistan.

They were keenly tracking <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/citizenship-bill-ex-assam-cm-tarun-gogoi-says-he-will-violate-prohibitory-order-189616">the fate of the Citizenship Amendment Bill</a> in Parliament during the just-concluded Winter Session in the hope that it would be passed into law.

The bill, which is aimed at amending the Act of 1955, was passed by the Lok Sabha but got stuck in the Rajya Sabha where the Opposition parties insisted on sending the legislation to a Select Committee for thorough scrutiny.

"We have been staying in Amritsar for last 22 years. My grandfather, father and aunt died here seeking the nationality. I request the government and the Opposition to grant us citizenship. I want to fulfill my mother`s last wish of dying as an Indian citizen," said Parminder, who refused to reveal his full identity fearing a backlash to his relatives in Pakistan.

"My sister is being threatened with divorce because her husband's family no longer wants to bear the problem of visa renewal. Most of us struggle to get our daughter and sister married because of our Pakistani nationality. I pray to the government to pass the bill as soon as possible. I do not want her marriage to break just of this," said Shyam, another refugee.

"We are thankful to the government which thought about us and initiated the Citizenship bill," said Balwinder (again name changed).

He said the family hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan. "We tried to stay there as long as possible but then the situation became worse. We were threatened by the Taliban to either change our religion or face prosecution. We thought it would be better to die one day rather than dying very moment," Balwinder added.

His wife Harpreet said, "In Pakistan, we had to obey several compulsions. We had no freedom to live our life. Men were allowed to go outside for work and women were mostly confined to homes. In India, we have got freedom. The only problem is the citizenship. Hope the government grants us citizenship so that we can at least get rid of visa requirement."

"I was only three-years-old when my parents along with other family members fled from Pakistan. I went there in 2008 but I find striking similarity between what my parents told and what I saw after visiting Pakistan after so many years. Nothing has changed. Even today, many Hindus and minorities staying in Pakistan face rampant discrimination and threats on religious grounds. All they want is to return to India for a safer life," said Visah Tiwari.

He went to Pakistan in 2008 for renewing his passport as mandated by the Pakistan government.

Rajinder, originally hailing from Peshawar, came to India in 2012 but he sent his family ahead of him in 2005 after the Taliban came to their area and demanded extortion of Rs 6 crore.

"We were asked to pay the amount then and there or face execution. I somehow managed to send my wife and children to India," he said. His extended family is still in Peshawar.

Ram Charan (name changed), another Hindu migrant from Peshawar, said, "I escaped to India in 1994 at the age of 14. In Peshawar, I saw how people were being bombed. When my father used to go out to earn, I would quietly pray inside our home that I should not hear about his demise. I also have a sister, I used to live in fear because young women were being kidnapped on broad daylight and nobody dares to resist."

As per the existing Citizenship Act, 1955 a migrant is declared 'illegal migrant' if they entered India or overstayed without any travel document. The present amended bill says that citizenship will be provided to people who were forced to flee from their country after being subjected to religious persecution or fear of persecution in their homeland, primarily Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

These people trickled into India over the last two decades, escaping religious persecution back in Pakistan and found a new home in India.

Thousands of Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan, who were eagerly awaiting the passage of a bill by Parliament that would grant them Indian citizenship, are disappointed that it could not fructify in the just-concluded Winter session but have not given up hope. These people trickled into India over the last two decades, escaping religious persecution back in Pakistan and found a new home in India. Most of them, hailing from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions of Pakistan, are staying in places like Amritsar and Ludhiana in Punjab. Living here on the basis of a temporary visa, which is extended from time to time, these migrants are in a condition of statelessness, because of which they are unable to educate their children. In 2017, 431 Pakistani Hindus were given Long Term Visa in line with the Modi government's policy to help rehabilitate minorities who fled from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Without any provision for getting long-term visas, Hindu and Sikh migrant families from Pakistan are trying relentlessly to get their visas renewed. Another problem for these families is to find suitable guarantors for their visas. The movement of Pakistani passport holders are also restricted. While talking to ANI, some of the migrants narrated their problems, recounting the stories of harassment and torture experienced back home in Pakistan. They were keenly tracking the fate of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Parliament during the just-concluded Winter Session in the hope that it would be passed into law. The bill, which is aimed at amending the Act of 1955, was passed by the Lok Sabha but got stuck in the Rajya Sabha where the Opposition parties insisted on sending the legislation to a Select Committee for thorough scrutiny. "We have been staying in Amritsar for last 22 years. My grandfather, father and aunt died here seeking the nationality. I request the government and the Opposition to grant us citizenship. I want to fulfill my mother`s last wish of dying as an Indian citizen," said Parminder, who refused to reveal his full identity fearing a backlash to his relatives in Pakistan. "My sister is being threatened with divorce because her husband's family no longer wants to bear the problem of visa renewal. Most of us struggle to get our daughter and sister married because of our Pakistani nationality. I pray to the government to pass the bill as soon as possible. I do not want her marriage to break just of this," said Shyam, another refugee. "We are thankful to the government which thought about us and initiated the Citizenship bill," said Balwinder (again name changed). He said the family hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan. "We tried to stay there as long as possible but then the situation became worse. We were threatened by the Taliban to either change our religion or face prosecution. We thought it would be better to die one day rather than dying very moment," Balwinder added. His wife Harpreet said, "In Pakistan, we had to obey several compulsions. We had no freedom to live our life. Men were allowed to go outside for work and women were mostly confined to homes. In India, we have got freedom. The only problem is the citizenship. Hope the government grants us citizenship so that we can at least get rid of visa requirement." "I was only three-years-old when my parents along with other family members fled from Pakistan. I went there in 2008 but I find striking similarity between what my parents told and what I saw after visiting Pakistan after so many years. Nothing has changed. Even today, many Hindus and minorities staying in Pakistan face rampant discrimination and threats on religious grounds. All they want is to return to India for a safer life," said Visah Tiwari. He went to Pakistan in 2008 for renewing his passport as mandated by the Pakistan government. Rajinder, originally hailing from Peshawar, came to India in 2012 but he sent his family ahead of him in 2005 after the Taliban came to their area and demanded extortion of Rs 6 crore. "We were asked to pay the amount then and there or face execution. I somehow managed to send my wife and children to India," he said. His extended family is still in Peshawar. Ram Charan (name changed), another Hindu migrant from Peshawar, said, "I escaped to India in 1994 at the age of 14. In Peshawar, I saw how people were being bombed. When my father used to go out to earn, I would quietly pray inside our home that I should not hear about his demise. I also have a sister, I used to live in fear because young women were being kidnapped on broad daylight and nobody dares to resist." As per the existing Citizenship Act, 1955 a migrant is declared 'illegal migrant' if they entered India or overstayed without any travel document. The present amended bill says that citizenship will be provided to people who were forced to flee from their country after being subjected to religious persecution or fear of persecution in their homeland, primarily Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Hindu, Sikh refugees from Pakistan hopeful for passage of Citizenship Bill

India and five Central Asian countries along with Afghanistan on Sunday condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and agreed to cooperate in countering the menace which poses a threat to people across the world.

This was part of a joint statement issued at the end of the first ever meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue which also saw the participation of Afghanistan at the ministerial level in Samarkand.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj along with the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting.

"All sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and agreed to cooperate in countering terrorism which posed a threat to the people and economies of the world," the statement said.

It referred to the ancient civilisational, cultural, trade, and people-to-people links between India and Central Asia and expressed commitment to dynamic and fruitful friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and the Central Asian countries at bilateral and multilateral formats.

"The countries reaffirmed their willingness for cooperation, mutual support, joint solution on relevant issues in order to ensure security, stability and sustainable development," the statement said.

The ministers welcomed the participation of Afghanistan in the India-Central Asia Dialogue as an important land link in the regional cooperation, the transit of goods and energy and expressed support and commitment of Central Asian countries and India to peace, security and stability of Afghanistan.

They also called for an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and reconciliation, and assistance in the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan through the implementation of joint infrastructure, transit and transport, energy projects including regional cooperation and investment projects, the statement said.

The ministers noted the importance of sustainable economic growth in Afghanistan by attracting Afghan women to participate in the public life of the country and welcomed the successful holding of forums and conferences on this issue in the countries of Central Asia.&nbsp;

They also noted the results of the seventh Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA VII), held in Ashgabat in November 2017 and expressed willingness to cooperate in preparation for the RECCA VIII meet in Tashkent in the second half of 2019.

The participants welcomed the accession of India into the Ashgabat agreement on creating an international transport and transit corridor.&nbsp;

The ministers emphasised the importance of developing and implementing projects, that provide a concerted solution to the problems and issues of economic growth of the countries of Central Asia based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit and respect for their interests.

The statement said the nations expressed their intention to strengthen cooperation in order to create real opportunities for expanding economic cooperation and ensuring favourable conditions for mutual free trade.&nbsp;

They discussed promising opportunities and areas of cooperation in promoting mutual trade, attracting investments, innovations and technologies in key spheres of industry, energy, information technologies, pharmaceuticals and agriculture, education and training.&nbsp;

They also highlighted the importance of concerted efforts to improve the investment climate and the market attractiveness of the region's economy, business opportunities of the Central Asian countries on the world stage.

The statement said special attention was paid to the need to expand and establish direct mutually beneficial economic and cultural ties between the regions and cities of India and the countries of Central Asia and expressed their intention to contribute to this direction.&nbsp;

India and five Central Asian countries along with Afghanistan on Sunday condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and agreed to cooperate in countering the menace which poses a threat to people across the world.

India and five Central Asian countries along with Afghanistan on Sunday condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and agreed to cooperate in countering the menace which poses a threat to people across the world. This was part of a joint statement issued at the end of the first ever meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue which also saw the participation of Afghanistan at the ministerial level in Samarkand. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj along with the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting. "All sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and agreed to cooperate in countering terrorism which posed a threat to the people and economies of the world," the statement said. It referred to the ancient civilisational, cultural, trade, and people-to-people links between India and Central Asia and expressed commitment to dynamic and fruitful friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between India and the Central Asian countries at bilateral and multilateral formats. "The countries reaffirmed their willingness for cooperation, mutual support, joint solution on relevant issues in order to ensure security, stability and sustainable development," the statement said. The ministers welcomed the participation of Afghanistan in the India-Central Asia Dialogue as an important land link in the regional cooperation, the transit of goods and energy and expressed support and commitment of Central Asian countries and India to peace, security and stability of Afghanistan. They also called for an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and reconciliation, and assistance in the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan through the implementation of joint infrastructure, transit and transport, energy projects including regional cooperation and investment projects, the statement said. The ministers noted the importance of sustainable economic growth in Afghanistan by attracting Afghan women to participate in the public life of the country and welcomed the successful holding of forums and conferences on this issue in the countries of Central Asia. They also noted the results of the seventh Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA VII), held in Ashgabat in November 2017 and expressed willingness to cooperate in preparation for the RECCA VIII meet in Tashkent in the second half of 2019. The participants welcomed the accession of India into the Ashgabat agreement on creating an international transport and transit corridor. The ministers emphasised the importance of developing and implementing projects, that provide a concerted solution to the problems and issues of economic growth of the countries of Central Asia based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit and respect for their interests. The statement said the nations expressed their intention to strengthen cooperation in order to create real opportunities for expanding economic cooperation and ensuring favourable conditions for mutual free trade. They discussed promising opportunities and areas of cooperation in promoting mutual trade, attracting investments, innovations and technologies in key spheres of industry, energy, information technologies, pharmaceuticals and agriculture, education and training. They also highlighted the importance of concerted efforts to improve the investment climate and the market attractiveness of the region's economy, business opportunities of the Central Asian countries on the world stage. The statement said special attention was paid to the need to expand and establish direct mutually beneficial economic and cultural ties between the regions and cities of India and the countries of Central Asia and expressed their intention to contribute to this direction.

India, Afghanistan, Central Asian nations agree to cooperate in countering terror

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law, Aparna Yadav on Saturday gave her best wishes to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sp-bsp-alliance-how-sworn-enemies-became-friends-again-189880">the newly formed SP-BSP alliance</a> and termed it a major political development.

"It is a very big political development. Its outcome and public mandate will be only clear in future after the 2019 election. In a democracy, the public is everything, they understand everything very well and they will have the last say," said Aparna.

She also added that it is very important for the vision and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/engaged-in-building-anti-bjp-front-mamata-hails-sp-bsp-alliance-in-up-189888">thoughts of both leaders to match</a>. The decisions which have been taken firmly today should be completed in 2019 election, then only the alliance will be successful.

Talking further about Mayawati's statement on Shivpal Yadav, she said, "Political blames are common but such statement should not be made against any particular person. Tomorrow such kind of statement can be made against someone else as well. Such kind of belittling statements must be avoided. I think that one should be careful about making such statements and such things are not right."

During the announcement of seat sharing at a press conference in Lucknow on Saturday, BSP president Mayawati had said that Shivpal Singh Yadav's party is funded by the BJP as a part of an alleged conspiracy to divide votes.

Speaking further about BJP president Amit Shah's remark about SP-BSP alliance she said, "I can only say that despite having BJP government in the state, SP-BSP alliance registered a euphoric win in bye-elections. I feel that it is not right to undermine anyone and it is good to be confident but inappropriate to be overconfident."

Earlier in the day, Shah had slammed the grand alliance of opposition parties, including the alliance between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

'It is a very big political development. Its outcome and public mandate will be only clear in future after the 2019 election,' said Aparna Yadav.

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law, Aparna Yadav on Saturday gave her best wishes to the newly formed SP-BSP alliance and termed it a major political development. "It is a very big political development. Its outcome and public mandate will be only clear in future after the 2019 election. In a democracy, the public is everything, they understand everything very well and they will have the last say," said Aparna. She also added that it is very important for the vision and thoughts of both leaders to match. The decisions which have been taken firmly today should be completed in 2019 election, then only the alliance will be successful. Talking further about Mayawati's statement on Shivpal Yadav, she said, "Political blames are common but such statement should not be made against any particular person. Tomorrow such kind of statement can be made against someone else as well. Such kind of belittling statements must be avoided. I think that one should be careful about making such statements and such things are not right." During the announcement of seat sharing at a press conference in Lucknow on Saturday, BSP president Mayawati had said that Shivpal Singh Yadav's party is funded by the BJP as a part of an alleged conspiracy to divide votes. Speaking further about BJP president Amit Shah's remark about SP-BSP alliance she said, "I can only say that despite having BJP government in the state, SP-BSP alliance registered a euphoric win in bye-elections. I feel that it is not right to undermine anyone and it is good to be confident but inappropriate to be overconfident." Earlier in the day, Shah had slammed the grand alliance of opposition parties, including the alliance between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

SP- BSP alliance is a major political development: Mulayam's daughter-in-law

Much water has flown under the bridge since the unprecedented presser on January 12, 2018, by four senior judges of the Supreme Court who had raised a litany of problems, including the issue of assigning of cases, plaguing the apex court.

The historical press conference was held by four judges Justices (retired) J Chelameswar, Madan B Lokur, Kurian Joseph and Ranjan Gogoi (current CJI). 
The then CJI Justice Dipak Misra has also retired.&nbsp;

Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi took over from Justice Misra, while the three judges-- Justices J Chelameswar, Kurian Joseph and Madan B Lokur -- have superannuated from service.

November end last year saw allegations against Justice Misra, with one of the judges again dropping a bombshell saying "someone from outside controlled the then CJI".

The judges had said the situation in the top court was "not in order" and many "less than desirable" things have taken place.

Unless this institution is preserved, "democracy will not survive in this country," the four judges had said in a letter to the then CJI Justice Misra.

The apex court, under the new CJI, has witnessed a spate of appointments to various high courts and the top court as well.

Four new judges joined the top court in November last year, increasing its strength to 28 against the sanctioned 31.

Recently, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended the names of Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, the chief justice of the Karnataka High Court, and Justice

Sanjiv Khanna of the Delhi High Court for elevation as judges to the apex court.

The five-member Collegium, headed by Chief Justice Gogoi, took the decision at its meeting on January 10.&nbsp;

Much water has flown under the bridge since the unprecedented presser on January 12, 2018, by four senior judges of the Supreme Court who had raised a litany of problems, including the issue of assigning of cases, plaguing the apex court.

Much water has flown under the bridge since the unprecedented presser on January 12, 2018, by four senior judges of the Supreme Court who had raised a litany of problems, including the issue of assigning of cases, plaguing the apex court. The historical press conference was held by four judges Justices (retired) J Chelameswar, Madan B Lokur, Kurian Joseph and Ranjan Gogoi (current CJI). The then CJI Justice Dipak Misra has also retired. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi took over from Justice Misra, while the three judges-- Justices J Chelameswar, Kurian Joseph and Madan B Lokur -- have superannuated from service. November end last year saw allegations against Justice Misra, with one of the judges again dropping a bombshell saying "someone from outside controlled the then CJI". The judges had said the situation in the top court was "not in order" and many "less than desirable" things have taken place. Unless this institution is preserved, "democracy will not survive in this country," the four judges had said in a letter to the then CJI Justice Misra. The apex court, under the new CJI, has witnessed a spate of appointments to various high courts and the top court as well. Four new judges joined the top court in November last year, increasing its strength to 28 against the sanctioned 31. Recently, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended the names of Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, the chief justice of the Karnataka High Court, and Justice Sanjiv Khanna of the Delhi High Court for elevation as judges to the apex court. The five-member Collegium, headed by Chief Justice Gogoi, took the decision at its meeting on January 10.

Developments in apex court a year after January 12 presser by Supreme Court judges

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said here on Sunday said that the cabinet has decided to ban production, sale and use of single-use plastic products in the Union Territory from March 1.

He said a massive drive would also be launched to create awareness among the merchants and the public on the necessity of the ban.

"We want to gift a plastic-free Puducherry to the future generation and curb the plastic in the larger interest of the environment," he told newsmen after the cabinet meeting.

The neighbouring Tamil Nadu government had in June 2018 announced that it would ban the use of plastic items including non-biodegradable carry bags from January 1, 2019, to "gift a plastic-free state to future generations".

A nominated BJP MLA caused a flutter on the Assembly premises here on December 31 by resorting to sudden dharna urging the Puducherry government to ban immediately production, sale and use of plastic products in the Union Territory on the lines of neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Narayanasamy also said the cabinet has decided to introduce 'voluntary retirement scheme' for the workers and staff of the century-old Anglo-French Textiles (AFT) mill and two other textile mills, named Bharathi and Swadeshi (run by Puducherry Textile corporation) in a phased manner in the next six months.

The liquor business of the Puducherry Agro Service and Industries Corporation Limited, popularly known as PASIC and the Civil Supplies Corporation (PAPSCO) would be handed shortly to private players by auctioning licenses, the CM said.

Narayanasamy also said the staff in the government-owned Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation Limited (PIPDIC) and Distillery and Power Corporations would be extended the benefit of the report of the Seventh Pay Commission as these three organisations were functioning profitably.

He said one per cent quota of reservation would also be provided to the members of the 'Irular, Villi and Vettaikaran' communities under the Scheduled Tribes Category in education and employment opportunities.PTI Corr RCJ 01132036

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said here on Sunday said that the cabinet has decided to ban production, sale and use of single-use plastic products in the Union Territory from March 1.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said here on Sunday said that the cabinet has decided to ban production, sale and use of single-use plastic products in the Union Territory from March 1. He said a massive drive would also be launched to create awareness among the merchants and the public on the necessity of the ban. "We want to gift a plastic-free Puducherry to the future generation and curb the plastic in the larger interest of the environment," he told newsmen after the cabinet meeting. The neighbouring Tamil Nadu government had in June 2018 announced that it would ban the use of plastic items including non-biodegradable carry bags from January 1, 2019, to "gift a plastic-free state to future generations". A nominated BJP MLA caused a flutter on the Assembly premises here on December 31 by resorting to sudden dharna urging the Puducherry government to ban immediately production, sale and use of plastic products in the Union Territory on the lines of neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Narayanasamy also said the cabinet has decided to introduce 'voluntary retirement scheme' for the workers and staff of the century-old Anglo-French Textiles (AFT) mill and two other textile mills, named Bharathi and Swadeshi (run by Puducherry Textile corporation) in a phased manner in the next six months. The liquor business of the Puducherry Agro Service and Industries Corporation Limited, popularly known as PASIC and the Civil Supplies Corporation (PAPSCO) would be handed shortly to private players by auctioning licenses, the CM said. Narayanasamy also said the staff in the government-owned Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation Limited (PIPDIC) and Distillery and Power Corporations would be extended the benefit of the report of the Seventh Pay Commission as these three organisations were functioning profitably. He said one per cent quota of reservation would also be provided to the members of the 'Irular, Villi and Vettaikaran' communities under the Scheduled Tribes Category in education and employment opportunities.PTI Corr RCJ 01132036

Puducherry government to ban single-use plastic products from March 1: CM Narayanasamy

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bid-for-asylum-in-canada-stirs-rights-push-in-saudi-arabia-189941">Runaway teen Rahaf Mohammed al-</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bid-for-asylum-in-canada-stirs-rights-push-in-saudi-arabia-189941">Qunun's</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bid-for-asylum-in-canada-stirs-rights-push-in-saudi-arabia-189941"> bid for asylum in Canada stirs women's rights debate in Saudi Arabia</a>

A young&nbsp;Saudi woman's&nbsp;flight from her family and country has stirred debate in Saudi Arabia about its requirement that women get permission from a male guardian to travel or marry, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report made available to EFE on Saturday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/number-of-yellow-vest-protesters-surges-to-84000-but-violence-down-189927">Number of 'yellow vest' protesters </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/number-of-yellow-vest-protesters-surges-to-84000-but-violence-down-189927">surges</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/number-of-yellow-vest-protesters-surges-to-84000-but-violence-down-189927"> to 84,000 but violence down</a>

The number of protesters in the latest&nbsp;"yellow vest" rallies&nbsp;across France surged on Saturday, but there was a marked decline in violence despite&nbsp;hundreds of arrests&nbsp;and clashes with police in Paris and other cities.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-call-up-vijay-shankar-shubman-gill-to-replace-suspended-pair-hardik-pandya-and-kl-rahul-189949">India call up Vijay Shankar, Shubman Gill to replace suspended Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul</a>

All-rounder Vijay Shankar and&nbsp;batsman Shubman Gill have been called up to fill the vacant spots in the Indian cricket team after&nbsp;Lokesh Rahul and Hardik Pandya were ordered home ahead of India&nbsp;vs Australia one-day series.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/600-people-leave-in-first-evacuation-from-syria-is-holdout-monitor-189921">600 people leave in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/600-people-leave-in-first-evacuation-from-syria-is-holdout-monitor-189921">first</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/600-people-leave-in-first-evacuation-from-syria-is-holdout-monitor-189921"> evacuation from Syria IS holdout: Monitor</a>

Over 600 people were evacuated Saturday from the Islamic State group's remaining holdout in eastern Syria, a monitor said, as&nbsp;US-backed fighters&nbsp;prepare for a final assault on the area.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/democrat-julian-castro-of-texas-launches-2020-us-presidential-bid-189935">Democrat Julian Castro of Texas launches 2020 US presidential bid</a>

Texas Democrat Julian Castro, a former San Antonio mayor who went on to be the top US housing official, announced his White House bid on Saturday, the first Hispanic in what looks to be a crowded field of&nbsp;candidates vying to challenge President Donald Trump&nbsp;in the November 2020 election.

Runaway teen Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun's bid for asylum in Canada stirs women's rights debate in Saudi Arabia A young Saudi woman's flight from her family and country has stirred debate in Saudi Arabia about its requirement that women get permission from a male guardian to travel or marry, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report made available to EFE on Saturday.

Runaway teen Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun's bid for asylum in Canada stirs women's rights debate in Saudi Arabia A young Saudi woman's flight from her family and country has stirred debate in Saudi Arabia about its requirement that women get permission from a male guardian to travel or marry, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report made available to EFE on Saturday. Number of 'yellow vest' protesters surges to 84,000 but violence down The number of protesters in the latest "yellow vest" rallies across France surged on Saturday, but there was a marked decline in violence despite hundreds of arrests and clashes with police in Paris and other cities. India call up Vijay Shankar, Shubman Gill to replace suspended Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul All-rounder Vijay Shankar and batsman Shubman Gill have been called up to fill the vacant spots in the Indian cricket team after Lokesh Rahul and Hardik Pandya were ordered home ahead of India vs Australia one-day series. 600 people leave in first evacuation from Syria IS holdout: Monitor Over 600 people were evacuated Saturday from the Islamic State group's remaining holdout in eastern Syria, a monitor said, as US-backed fighters prepare for a final assault on the area. Democrat Julian Castro of Texas launches 2020 US presidential bid Texas Democrat Julian Castro, a former San Antonio mayor who went on to be the top US housing official, announced his White House bid on Saturday, the first Hispanic in what looks to be a crowded field of candidates vying to challenge President Donald Trump in the November 2020 election.

News brief: Big stories of the day

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Afghanistan's foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani met in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Sunday on the sidelines of first India-Central Asia Dialogue.

This is the first meeting between both the ministers this year. Afghanistan was also invited to the dialogue. According to a release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, "Swaraj reaffirmed her country’s commitment toward&nbsp;Afghanistan."&nbsp;

During the meet "both sides exchanged views on the dynamics of the peace talks, the Afghan-leadership and ownership element of the peace process and regional cooperation."

The meeting comes in the backdrop of the Afghan National Security Advisory (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib and US Special Representative of Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad's New Delhi visit.

Mohib met his Indian counterpart NSA Ajit Doval and appreciated the assistance provided by India for the economic development and the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Zalmay, during his maiden visit to&nbsp;India, met Swaraj and foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale. During the meetings, the Indian side briefed Zalmay about Pakistan's destabilizing role and "made it very clear that peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan should be Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar noted.

A number of developments have taken place with respect to the Afghan&nbsp;peace process. US media suggest that Washington is keen to withdraw a certain number of its troops&nbsp;from the country. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's neighbours, along with Moscow and Washington but barring India, have also been engaging with the&nbsp;Taliban. India has a policy of not engaging with the Taliban but did participate at a non-official level at Moscow talks on Afghanistan last year in which the group was also present. &nbsp;&nbsp;

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Afghanistan's foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani met in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Sunday on the sidelines of first India-Central Asia Dialogue.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Afghanistan's foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani met in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Sunday on the sidelines of first India-Central Asia Dialogue. This is the first meeting between both the ministers this year. Afghanistan was also invited to the dialogue. According to a release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, "Swaraj reaffirmed her country’s commitment toward Afghanistan." During the meet "both sides exchanged views on the dynamics of the peace talks, the Afghan-leadership and ownership element of the peace process and regional cooperation." The meeting comes in the backdrop of the Afghan National Security Advisory (NSA) Hamdullah Mohib and US Special Representative of Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad's New Delhi visit. Mohib met his Indian counterpart NSA Ajit Doval and appreciated the assistance provided by India for the economic development and the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Zalmay, during his maiden visit to India, met Swaraj and foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale. During the meetings, the Indian side briefed Zalmay about Pakistan's destabilizing role and "made it very clear that peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan should be Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar noted. A number of developments have taken place with respect to the Afghan peace process. US media suggest that Washington is keen to withdraw a certain number of its troops from the country. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's neighbours, along with Moscow and Washington but barring India, have also been engaging with the Taliban. India has a policy of not engaging with the Taliban but did participate at a non-official level at Moscow talks on Afghanistan last year in which the group was also present.

India-Central Asia Dialogue: Indian, Afghan foreign ministers meet in Uzbekistan

The government has re-promulgated the ordinance banning the practice of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-committed-to-make-law-on-triple-talaq-pm-modi-185896">instant triple talaq</a>.

Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Ordinance, 2019, issued on Saturday, divorcing through instant triple talaq will be illegal, void and would attract a jail term of three years for the husband.

A Bill to convert the earlier ordinance, issued in September 2018, was cleared by Lok Sabha in December and was pending in Rajya Sabha.

Since the Bill could not get the parliamentary approval, the fresh ordinance was issued. The Union Cabinet had last week approved reissuance of the ordinance.

Seeking to allay fears that the proposed law could be misused, the government has included certain safeguards in it such as adding a provision of bail for the accused before trial

These amendments were cleared by the Cabinet on August 29, 2018.

While the ordinance makes it a "non-bailable" offence, an accused can approach a magistrate even before trial to seek bail.

In a non-bailable offence, bail cannot be granted by police at the police station itself.

A provision has been added to allow the magistrate to grant bail "after hearing the wife", the government had said.

The magistrate would ensure that bail is granted only after the husband agrees to grant compensation to the wife as provided in the bill.

The police would lodge an FIR only if approached by the victim (wife), her blood relations or people who become her relatives by virtue of her marriage.

Neighbours and others cannot lodge a complaint under the ordinance.

The offence of instant triple talaq will be "compoundable". A magistrate can use his powers to settle the dispute between a husband and his wife. This will happen only when the wife approaches the court.

Under a compoundable offence, both parties have the liberty of withdrawing the case.

The proposed law would only be applicable on instant triple talaq or 'talaq-e-biddat' and it would give power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking "subsistence allowance" for herself and minor children.

A woman can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate who will take a final call on the issue.&nbsp;

The government has re-promulgated the ordinance banning the practice of instant triple talaq. Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Ordinance, 2019, issued on Saturday, divorcing through instant triple talaq will be illegal, void and would attract a jail term of three years for the husband.

The government has re-promulgated the ordinance banning the practice of instant triple talaq. Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Ordinance, 2019, issued on Saturday, divorcing through instant triple talaq will be illegal, void and would attract a jail term of three years for the husband. A Bill to convert the earlier ordinance, issued in September 2018, was cleared by Lok Sabha in December and was pending in Rajya Sabha. Since the Bill could not get the parliamentary approval, the fresh ordinance was issued. The Union Cabinet had last week approved reissuance of the ordinance. Seeking to allay fears that the proposed law could be misused, the government has included certain safeguards in it such as adding a provision of bail for the accused before trial These amendments were cleared by the Cabinet on August 29, 2018. While the ordinance makes it a "non-bailable" offence, an accused can approach a magistrate even before trial to seek bail. In a non-bailable offence, bail cannot be granted by police at the police station itself. A provision has been added to allow the magistrate to grant bail "after hearing the wife", the government had said. The magistrate would ensure that bail is granted only after the husband agrees to grant compensation to the wife as provided in the bill. The police would lodge an FIR only if approached by the victim (wife), her blood relations or people who become her relatives by virtue of her marriage. Neighbours and others cannot lodge a complaint under the ordinance. The offence of instant triple talaq will be "compoundable". A magistrate can use his powers to settle the dispute between a husband and his wife. This will happen only when the wife approaches the court. Under a compoundable offence, both parties have the liberty of withdrawing the case. The proposed law would only be applicable on instant triple talaq or 'talaq-e-biddat' and it would give power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking "subsistence allowance" for herself and minor children. A woman can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate who will take a final call on the issue.

Government re-promulgates ordinance banning triple talaq, this time with safeguards

The Aam Aadmi Party Sunday said its convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not be contesting from Varanasi in the coming Lok Sabha elections, but the party will field a strong candidate for the seat.

"Kejriwal will not contest the Lok Sabha polls, as he wants to give special focus to his state. The AAP will contest on all the Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Goa. The party will contest on some seats in UP, and final modalities will be worked out by February. Apart from Varanasi, the party will contest from seats in eastern and western UP, where the organisation is strong," AAP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh told PTI.

Singh said in Delhi his party is working on education, health, farmers, power and providing drinking water. "If we foray into national politics, then our issues will be education for all, free education to economically weaker sections of the society, ending unemployment and implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission," Singh said.

On a recent statement made by Kejriwal to not vote for the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections, Singh said, "Kejriwal was quoted out of context. He had said that in a meeting in the national capital that if you want to defeat the BJP, then do not waste your vote by casting it in favour of the Congress. His statement was in the context of Delhi, from where the AAP is contesting on all the seats."&nbsp;

The Aam Aadmi Party Sunday said its convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not be contesting from Varanasi in the coming Lok Sabha elections, but the party will field a strong candidate for the seat.

The Aam Aadmi Party Sunday said its convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not be contesting from Varanasi in the coming Lok Sabha elections, but the party will field a strong candidate for the seat. "Kejriwal will not contest the Lok Sabha polls, as he wants to give special focus to his state. The AAP will contest on all the Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Goa. The party will contest on some seats in UP, and final modalities will be worked out by February. Apart from Varanasi, the party will contest from seats in eastern and western UP, where the organisation is strong," AAP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh told PTI. Singh said in Delhi his party is working on education, health, farmers, power and providing drinking water. "If we foray into national politics, then our issues will be education for all, free education to economically weaker sections of the society, ending unemployment and implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission," Singh said. On a recent statement made by Kejriwal to not vote for the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections, Singh said, "Kejriwal was quoted out of context. He had said that in a meeting in the national capital that if you want to defeat the BJP, then do not waste your vote by casting it in favour of the Congress. His statement was in the context of Delhi, from where the AAP is contesting on all the seats."

Kejriwal to not contest Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi, party to field another candidate

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-rejects-report-that-he-hid-details-of-putin-meetings-190050">Trump rejects report he hid details of his meetings with Putin</a>

President Donald Trump has rejected a Washington Post report that he has refused to share details of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin with top US government officials.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bollywood-director-rajkumar-hirani-accused-of-sexual-assault-filmmaker-denies-190031">#MeToo: Rajkumar Hirani accused of sexual assault, film-maker denies </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bollywood-director-rajkumar-hirani-accused-of-sexual-assault-filmmaker-denies-190031">allegation</a>

Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani has been accused of sexual assault by a woman who worked with him on his 2017 film "Sanju".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-aus-ambati-rayudu-reported-for-suspect-bowling-action-during-first-odi-190009">IND vs AUS: Ambati Rayudu reported for suspect bowling action during first ODI</a>

India's Ambati Rayudu has been reported for a suspect bowling action during the first one-day international (ODI) against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India lost the game by 34 runs.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/triple-talaq-ordinance-re-promulgated-190036">Government re-promulgates ordinance banning triple talaq</a>

Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Ordinance, 2019, issued on Saturday, divorcing through instant triple talaq will be illegal, void and would attract a jail term of three years for the husband.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-must-hold-khashoggi-killers-accountable-pompeo-190049">Saudi Arabia must hold Khashoggi killers 'accountable': Pompeo</a>

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that he would ask Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensure the murderers of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are held "accountable".

&nbsp;

Trump rejects report he hid details of his meetings with Putin President Donald Trump has rejected a Washington Post report that he has refused to share details of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin with top US government officials.

Trump rejects report he hid details of his meetings with Putin President Donald Trump has rejected a Washington Post report that he has refused to share details of his conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin with top US government officials. #MeToo: Rajkumar Hirani accused of sexual assault, film-maker denies allegation Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani has been accused of sexual assault by a woman who worked with him on his 2017 film "Sanju". IND vs AUS: Ambati Rayudu reported for suspect bowling action during first ODI India's Ambati Rayudu has been reported for a suspect bowling action during the first one-day international (ODI) against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India lost the game by 34 runs. Government re-promulgates ordinance banning triple talaq Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Ordinance, 2019, issued on Saturday, divorcing through instant triple talaq will be illegal, void and would attract a jail term of three years for the husband. Saudi Arabia must hold Khashoggi killers 'accountable': Pompeo US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that he would ask Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensure the murderers of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are held "accountable".

A total of 169 complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace have been received in private industries since 2017, the Women and Child Development Ministry has said.

The complaints were received through 'SHe-box', an online system for filing complaints by women, working in both government and private sectors, related to sexual harassment at the workplace.

A senior ministry official said 169 complaints have been received through 'SHe-box' since 2017. The highest number of complaints have been received from Maharashtra (33), followed by Delhi 23.

Central ministries have received as many as 141 sexual harassment complaints since last year, out of which 45 have been disposed of, the WCD Ministry said.

The highest number of complaints were received by the Finance Ministry (21), followed by the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Defence at 16, the ministry said.

Against the backdrop of the "MeToo" campaign, the WCD Ministry had last month linked the online portal to report complaints of sexual harassment at workplace, to all the central ministries, departments and 653 districts across 33 states and Union territories.

For prompt disposal of complaints on "SHe-Box", each case goes directly to the central or state authority concerned having jurisdiction to take action in the matter.

Cases on 'SHe-box' can be monitored by the complainant and the WCD Ministry, reducing the time taken in case disposal.&nbsp;

A total of 169 complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace have been received in private industries since 2017, the Women and Child Development Ministry has said.

A total of 169 complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace have been received in private industries since 2017, the Women and Child Development Ministry has said. The complaints were received through 'SHe-box', an online system for filing complaints by women, working in both government and private sectors, related to sexual harassment at the workplace. A senior ministry official said 169 complaints have been received through 'SHe-box' since 2017. The highest number of complaints have been received from Maharashtra (33), followed by Delhi 23. Central ministries have received as many as 141 sexual harassment complaints since last year, out of which 45 have been disposed of, the WCD Ministry said. The highest number of complaints were received by the Finance Ministry (21), followed by the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Defence at 16, the ministry said. Against the backdrop of the "MeToo" campaign, the WCD Ministry had last month linked the online portal to report complaints of sexual harassment at workplace, to all the central ministries, departments and 653 districts across 33 states and Union territories. For prompt disposal of complaints on "SHe-Box", each case goes directly to the central or state authority concerned having jurisdiction to take action in the matter. Cases on 'SHe-box' can be monitored by the complainant and the WCD Ministry, reducing the time taken in case disposal.

169 complaints of sexual harassment at workplace in private industries: Centre

Two terrorists, including one of the dreaded and oldest terrorists Zeenat-ul-Islam, were killed on Saturday in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, police said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Katpora area in south Kashmir's Kulgam district last evening after receiving specific information about the presence of terrorists there, a police official said.

As the forces were conducting the searches, the terrorists fired upon them.&nbsp;

The forces retaliated, ensuring an encounter in which two terrorists were killed, he said.

Arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site, the official said, adding that no collateral damage has been reported.

One of them was identified as dreaded terrorist Zeenat-ul-Islam, who was associated with the terror group Al Badr, the official said, adding that the identity of the second terrorist is being ascertained.

Zeenat, considered as an Improvised explosive device (IED) expert, was earlier associated with another terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen, the official said.

Two terrorists, including one of the dreaded and oldest terrorists Zeenat-ul-Islam, were killed on Saturday in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, police said.

Two terrorists, including one of the dreaded and oldest terrorists Zeenat-ul-Islam, were killed on Saturday in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Katpora area in south Kashmir's Kulgam district last evening after receiving specific information about the presence of terrorists there, a police official said. As the forces were conducting the searches, the terrorists fired upon them. The forces retaliated, ensuring an encounter in which two terrorists were killed, he said. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site, the official said, adding that no collateral damage has been reported. One of them was identified as dreaded terrorist Zeenat-ul-Islam, who was associated with the terror group Al Badr, the official said, adding that the identity of the second terrorist is being ascertained. Zeenat, considered as an Improvised explosive device (IED) expert, was earlier associated with another terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen, the official said.

Dreaded terrorist Zeenat-ul-Islam killed in an encounter with security forces in J&K's Kulgam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday derided opposition efforts to cobble up a grand alliance against the BJP and pitched for his party's re-election in the coming parliamentary election, saying these "opportunistic" alliance and "dynastic" parties "want to build their own empire while we want to empower people".

During an interaction with booth-level BJP workers from five parliamentary constituencies in Tamil Nadu via video-conference, Modi said, "Unlike other parties, we are not in politics for divide and rule or building vote banks. We are here to serve the country in every possible way."

"On one hand we have our development agenda and on the other, there are opportunistic alliance and dynastic parties. This election is an opportunity for us to take the agenda of development to new heights. On one hand, we have our development agenda and the vision of sabka saath sabka vikas. On the other hand, there are opportunistic alliance and dynasty parties," he said.

Such parties, the prime minister charged, "want to build their own empire while we want to empower people".

Modi's comments came a day after the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party announced their alliance for the coming Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh in a bid to counter the saffron party.

Billing his party as one that recognised the cultural diversity of the country, he also patted his party workers and exuded confidence they will once again ensure its victory in the coming elections.

A BJP worker is driven not by any self-interest but national interest, he said, adding only in the saffron party can a person born in the socially backward and economically poor family think of reaching the top.

"In the BJP one only needs hard work, not big wallets, high birth or loyalty to one family. We are proud that a party with two MPs (to start off with) is ruling so many states and is running the government at the Centre," Modi said.

He said that the BJP's success has "naturally angered so many people who have done nothing but done negative politics," and have been abusing both the party and himself, the prime minister said.&nbsp;

"But they should not underestimate the people of India. Our friends in the opposition are anyway a confused lot. They leave no opportunity to say Modi is bad, the government is not working, people dislike the BJP...The first thing that they do is make opportunist alliance with parties they disliked till recently and still do perhaps," he said, without naming anyone.

"If Modi is so bad, the government is not working and if the people dislike the BJP then why build these alliance. Should you not be confident about yourself.

The truth is they know it is a working government, that the poor of India, the youth of India, the farmers of India and the women of India have a strong bond with the BJP."

"Hence, for their own existence they are making a short-term alliance," he said during the interaction with party workers from Mayiladuthurai, Sivaganga, Perambalur, Virudhunagar and Theni parliamentary constituencies as part of his 'Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot' (My booth is the strongest) initiative.

Taking a dig at the previous UPA government, he said it had built only 25 lakh houses in its last five years under housing for poor scheme, whereas the present government has constructed 1.25 crore houses in four years.

"In the previous government, for them the name of schemes was important, not their functioning. For them houses were means of publicity, for us they are means of poverty elimination. Earlier, whatever schemes were made were only on paper. No one knew how many real beneficiaries existed," he said.

Responding to a question on the MSME sector, Modi hailed the role of small industries in the nation's growth.

The government's commitment to MSME sector can be proved by the fact that 15 crore collateral-free Mudra loans have been provided to entrepreneurs.&nbsp;

"Many people think ease of doing business only helps big companies. This is a completely wrong perception. Ease of doing business helps the MSME sector and small businesses most," he said.

To a question on GST, he said that the government has from day one of its roll-out been saying that it will improve the new taxation system as "we move ahead" and recalled the various sops being given from time to time, including the latest one where the exemption for suppliers for registration and payment of GST has been raised from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh.&nbsp;

"This will help a large number of MSMEs. Free accounting and billing software will also be provided to taxpayers. Making business easier also means devoting special focus where it is needed," Modi said.

"It would be have been tough to imagine India will one day leave even China behind in attracting foreign direct investment. Let me tell you, India has already surpassed China in 2018 in FDI," the prime minister said.

The "tallest" Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a model of India's design prowess and showed nothing is impossible, he said.&nbsp;

"We are changing all the assumptions that the world had about India, we had about ourselves. If this is possible in four years after we had inherited a mess, think what we can do in the next five years," he said.

Asked about first-time voters ahead of this year's polls, Modi asked his party workers to "make them your first priority" as they decide the future. "The BJP is a natural choice for first-time voters," Modi added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday derided opposition efforts to cobble up a grand alliance against the BJP and pitched for his party's re-election in the coming parliamentary election, saying these "opportunistic" alliance and "dynastic" parties "want to build their own empire while we want to empower people".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday derided opposition efforts to cobble up a grand alliance against the BJP and pitched for his party's re-election in the coming parliamentary election, saying these "opportunistic" alliance and "dynastic" parties "want to build their own empire while we want to empower people". During an interaction with booth-level BJP workers from five parliamentary constituencies in Tamil Nadu via video-conference, Modi said, "Unlike other parties, we are not in politics for divide and rule or building vote banks. We are here to serve the country in every possible way." "On one hand we have our development agenda and on the other, there are opportunistic alliance and dynastic parties. This election is an opportunity for us to take the agenda of development to new heights. On one hand, we have our development agenda and the vision of sabka saath sabka vikas. On the other hand, there are opportunistic alliance and dynasty parties," he said. Such parties, the prime minister charged, "want to build their own empire while we want to empower people". Modi's comments came a day after the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party announced their alliance for the coming Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh in a bid to counter the saffron party. Billing his party as one that recognised the cultural diversity of the country, he also patted his party workers and exuded confidence they will once again ensure its victory in the coming elections. A BJP worker is driven not by any self-interest but national interest, he said, adding only in the saffron party can a person born in the socially backward and economically poor family think of reaching the top. "In the BJP one only needs hard work, not big wallets, high birth or loyalty to one family. We are proud that a party with two MPs (to start off with) is ruling so many states and is running the government at the Centre," Modi said. He said that the BJP's success has "naturally angered so many people who have done nothing but done negative politics," and have been abusing both the party and himself, the prime minister said. "But they should not underestimate the people of India. Our friends in the opposition are anyway a confused lot. They leave no opportunity to say Modi is bad, the government is not working, people dislike the BJP...The first thing that they do is make opportunist alliance with parties they disliked till recently and still do perhaps," he said, without naming anyone. "If Modi is so bad, the government is not working and if the people dislike the BJP then why build these alliance. Should you not be confident about yourself. The truth is they know it is a working government, that the poor of India, the youth of India, the farmers of India and the women of India have a strong bond with the BJP." "Hence, for their own existence they are making a short-term alliance," he said during the interaction with party workers from Mayiladuthurai, Sivaganga, Perambalur, Virudhunagar and Theni parliamentary constituencies as part of his 'Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot' (My booth is the strongest) initiative. Taking a dig at the previous UPA government, he said it had built only 25 lakh houses in its last five years under housing for poor scheme, whereas the present government has constructed 1.25 crore houses in four years. "In the previous government, for them the name of schemes was important, not their functioning. For them houses were means of publicity, for us they are means of poverty elimination. Earlier, whatever schemes were made were only on paper. No one knew how many real beneficiaries existed," he said. Responding to a question on the MSME sector, Modi hailed the role of small industries in the nation's growth. The government's commitment to MSME sector can be proved by the fact that 15 crore collateral-free Mudra loans have been provided to entrepreneurs. "Many people think ease of doing business only helps big companies. This is a completely wrong perception. Ease of doing business helps the MSME sector and small businesses most," he said. To a question on GST, he said that the government has from day one of its roll-out been saying that it will improve the new taxation system as "we move ahead" and recalled the various sops being given from time to time, including the latest one where the exemption for suppliers for registration and payment of GST has been raised from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh. "This will help a large number of MSMEs. Free accounting and billing software will also be provided to taxpayers. Making business easier also means devoting special focus where it is needed," Modi said. "It would be have been tough to imagine India will one day leave even China behind in attracting foreign direct investment. Let me tell you, India has already surpassed China in 2018 in FDI," the prime minister said. The "tallest" Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a model of India's design prowess and showed nothing is impossible, he said. "We are changing all the assumptions that the world had about India, we had about ourselves. If this is possible in four years after we had inherited a mess, think what we can do in the next five years," he said. Asked about first-time voters ahead of this year's polls, Modi asked his party workers to "make them your first priority" as they decide the future. "The BJP is a natural choice for first-time voters," Modi added.

They want to build their own empire, we want to empower people: PM Modi's dig at opposition 

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Sunday&nbsp;said that Sikhs or anyone from India will soon be able to visit Kartapur Gurudwara in Narowal district of Pakistan without a visa.&nbsp;

He was speaking at a ceremony where a commemorative coin on Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti was released.&nbsp;

"It is because of the efforts of central government Kartarpur corridor is being built. Now, Indians and Sikh don't need to use binoculars, they can go to Narowal without visas and can pay respects at the Darbar Sahib," Modi said.

He explained that the corridor is "atonement of the mistake of August of 1947" and "despite the holy site being just a few kilometres away, the important pilgrimage site for Sikhs was not taken (on the Indian side.) The corridor will reduce the damage that was done."

Days after India and Pakistan announced that they build a corridor on the respective sides in November of 2018, PM Modi had then given parallels and said, "Who would have thought that Berlin wall would fall. With the blessings of Guru Nanak Dev ji, Kartarpur corridor will not be just a corridor but will act as a bridge to connect people"

The Indian cabinet had passed a resolution that a corridor will be built from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur District till the border on November 22, 2018. On that day itself, the Ministry of External Affairs also informed Islamabad through Pakistan's high commission in Delhi its decision to build Kartarpur Corridor and urged "Pakistan to develop a corridor in their territory from the International Border to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib."

The Indian Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu laid the foundation stone on November 26 while Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone on 28 of the same month. The corridor is being built as part of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak which is being celebrated this year.&nbsp;

Kartarpur Gurudwara is located just 3 kilometres away from the Pakistan- India border and the founder of the Sikh religion, Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji had spent the last 18 years of his life at the location. The Gurudwara holds huge significance for the Sikh community and it had been a long-standing demand of the community to ease the travel to the holy site.

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Sikhs or anyone from India will soon be able to visit Kartapur Gurudwara in Narowal district of Pakistan without a visa.

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Sikhs or anyone from India will soon be able to visit Kartapur Gurudwara in Narowal district of Pakistan without a visa. He was speaking at a ceremony where a commemorative coin on Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti was released. "It is because of the efforts of central government Kartarpur corridor is being built. Now, Indians and Sikh don't need to use binoculars, they can go to Narowal without visas and can pay respects at the Darbar Sahib," Modi said. He explained that the corridor is "atonement of the mistake of August of 1947" and "despite the holy site being just a few kilometres away, the important pilgrimage site for Sikhs was not taken (on the Indian side.) The corridor will reduce the damage that was done." Days after India and Pakistan announced that they build a corridor on the respective sides in November of 2018, PM Modi had then given parallels and said, "Who would have thought that Berlin wall would fall. With the blessings of Guru Nanak Dev ji, Kartarpur corridor will not be just a corridor but will act as a bridge to connect people" The Indian cabinet had passed a resolution that a corridor will be built from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur District till the border on November 22, 2018. On that day itself, the Ministry of External Affairs also informed Islamabad through Pakistan's high commission in Delhi its decision to build Kartarpur Corridor and urged "Pakistan to develop a corridor in their territory from the International Border to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib." The Indian Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu laid the foundation stone on November 26 while Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone on 28 of the same month. The corridor is being built as part of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak which is being celebrated this year. Kartarpur Gurudwara is located just 3 kilometres away from the Pakistan- India border and the founder of the Sikh religion, Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji had spent the last 18 years of his life at the location. The Gurudwara holds huge significance for the Sikh community and it had been a long-standing demand of the community to ease the travel to the holy site.

Sikhs will soon be able to visit Kartarpur Gurudwara in Pakistan without visas: PM Modi 

A month after 15 miners were trapped in a coal mine, search operations for which is still underway, a three-member committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Meghalaya Police to investigate into nearly 1200 cases of illegal quarrying across the state.

The green tribunal had imposed a blanket ban on coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya in 2014, citing unscientific methods and absence of safety measures.

The three-member NGT committee, constituted in August last year, is currently studying the environmental aspects of rat-hole mining in the state.

An official said the police have been told that their probe should reach a logical conclusion after taking into account all 1200 cases of illegal rat-hole mining in East Garo Hills, South-West Khasi Hills and West and East Jaintia Hills districts.

Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels, usually 3-4 feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal. The horizontal tunnels are often termed "rat-holes", as each just about fits one person.

On December 13, water from nearby Lytein river flooded a network of tunnels in a coal mine in Lumthari village of East Jaintia Hills, trapping 15 men and prompting a rescue attempt that has failed to yield any result so far.

That mining goes on unabated in the state can be gauged from the fact that heaps of freshly dug coal is dumped on both sides of the road that approaches Lumthari from Khliehriat, the district headquarters of East Jaintia Hills.

Meanwhile, official sources said the NGT committee, which has sought police investigation into the registered cases of illegal mining, is set to visit the state by January-end.

The committee, headed by retired judge Justice (Retd) B P Katakey, will conduct a field visit to South Garo Hills on January 30-31 to study the ground-level situation, they said.

Katakey told PTI that 98 cases of illegal quarrying have been registered in East Jaintia Hills district alone since the ban.

The committee, after a thorough study, will prepare a report and present it before the tribunal by March 31, he said.

"We have directed investigation into nearly 1200 cases of illegal mining and transportation of coal since the 2014 ban. In East Jaintia Hills, the SP has been asked to submit a report at the earliest in connection with the 98 cases recorded in the district," Katakey added.

An official in the state mining and geology department said Meghalaya does not maintain statistics on mining and mishaps.

"As there is no study or statistics on the prevalence of mining in the state, the three-member NGT panel has asked district deputy commissioners to furnish all available data in connection with the illegal practices," he added.

A month after 15 miners were trapped in a coal mine, search operations for which is still underway, a three-member committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Meghalaya Police to investigate into nearly 1200 cases of illegal quarrying across the state.

A month after 15 miners were trapped in a coal mine, search operations for which is still underway, a three-member committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Meghalaya Police to investigate into nearly 1200 cases of illegal quarrying across the state. The green tribunal had imposed a blanket ban on coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya in 2014, citing unscientific methods and absence of safety measures. The three-member NGT committee, constituted in August last year, is currently studying the environmental aspects of rat-hole mining in the state. An official said the police have been told that their probe should reach a logical conclusion after taking into account all 1200 cases of illegal rat-hole mining in East Garo Hills, South-West Khasi Hills and West and East Jaintia Hills districts. Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels, usually 3-4 feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal. The horizontal tunnels are often termed "rat-holes", as each just about fits one person. On December 13, water from nearby Lytein river flooded a network of tunnels in a coal mine in Lumthari village of East Jaintia Hills, trapping 15 men and prompting a rescue attempt that has failed to yield any result so far. That mining goes on unabated in the state can be gauged from the fact that heaps of freshly dug coal is dumped on both sides of the road that approaches Lumthari from Khliehriat, the district headquarters of East Jaintia Hills. Meanwhile, official sources said the NGT committee, which has sought police investigation into the registered cases of illegal mining, is set to visit the state by January-end. The committee, headed by retired judge Justice (Retd) B P Katakey, will conduct a field visit to South Garo Hills on January 30-31 to study the ground-level situation, they said. Katakey told PTI that 98 cases of illegal quarrying have been registered in East Jaintia Hills district alone since the ban. The committee, after a thorough study, will prepare a report and present it before the tribunal by March 31, he said. "We have directed investigation into nearly 1200 cases of illegal mining and transportation of coal since the 2014 ban. In East Jaintia Hills, the SP has been asked to submit a report at the earliest in connection with the 98 cases recorded in the district," Katakey added. An official in the state mining and geology department said Meghalaya does not maintain statistics on mining and mishaps. "As there is no study or statistics on the prevalence of mining in the state, the three-member NGT panel has asked district deputy commissioners to furnish all available data in connection with the illegal practices," he added.

Month after mishap, NGT asks Meghalaya police to crack whip on illegal mining

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-will-escalate-fight-against-iran-in-syria-after-us-exit-netanyahu-185518">Israel had at the weekend carried out an air strike on Iranian weapons in Syria</a>, a rare public confirmation of such attacks.

"Just in the last 36 hours the air force attacked Iranian warehouses containing Iranian weapons in the Damascus international airport," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting, according to his office.

"The accumulation of recent attacks shows that we're more determined than ever to act against Iran in Syria, just as we promised."

Late Friday Syrian air defences shot down Israeli missiles, Syria's official SANA news agency reported that day quoting a military source.

"Only a ministry of transport warehouse at Damascus international airport was hit," SANA cited the military source as saying at the time.

On Sunday Netanyahu said that Israel had attacked Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria hundreds of times.

Israel has pledged to prevent its main enemy Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, where it is backing President Bashar al-Assad's regime alongside Russia and Hezbollah.

It rarely publicly confirms such strikes, though outgoing military chief of staff Gadi syria &nbsp;has spoken of them in interviews in recent days.

Eisenkot told the New York Times that "we struck thousands of targets without claiming responsibility or asking for credit."

Netanyahu is also facing April 9 elections in Israel and has been seeking to burnish his security credentials.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel had at the weekend carried out an air strike on Iranian weapons in Syria, a rare public confirmation of such attacks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel had at the weekend carried out an air strike on Iranian weapons in Syria, a rare public confirmation of such attacks. "Just in the last 36 hours the air force attacked Iranian warehouses containing Iranian weapons in the Damascus international airport," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting, according to his office. "The accumulation of recent attacks shows that we're more determined than ever to act against Iran in Syria, just as we promised." Late Friday Syrian air defences shot down Israeli missiles, Syria's official SANA news agency reported that day quoting a military source. "Only a ministry of transport warehouse at Damascus international airport was hit," SANA cited the military source as saying at the time. On Sunday Netanyahu said that Israel had attacked Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria hundreds of times. Israel has pledged to prevent its main enemy Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, where it is backing President Bashar al-Assad's regime alongside Russia and Hezbollah. It rarely publicly confirms such strikes, though outgoing military chief of staff Gadi syria has spoken of them in interviews in recent days. Eisenkot told the New York Times that "we struck thousands of targets without claiming responsibility or asking for credit." Netanyahu is also facing April 9 elections in Israel and has been seeking to burnish his security credentials.

Israel says it has hit Iranian target in Syria with air strike

A team of a city-based company that specialises in submersible robotic inspections on Sunday joined the operation to rescue 15 miners trapped for a month now inside a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya.

According to the website of the company, Planys Technologies, it is an IIT Madras incubated company that provides submersible robotic inspections and survey solutions using Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV).

One ROV and a six-member team of the firm have joined the operation, a company official said.

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Home Minister Rajnath Singh after a meeting of BJP's Lok Sabha Election Manifesto Committee at BJP headquarters in Delhi: We will be forming 15 sub-committees*, these will include stakeholders from various fields to establish direct communication with the public. <a href="https://t.co/iWZ8JPNOAL">https://t.co/iWZ8JPNOAL</a>
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"The team joined Sunday. They are working with the Navy," the official, who did not want to be named, told PTI.

The miners have been trapped inside a 370-foot-deep illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district since December 13, 2018, after water from a nearby river gushed in, puncturing the mine wall.

Even as a multi-agency effort to rescue them is underway, the Supreme Court is hearing a PIL in the matter for urgent action.&nbsp;

The Centre on Friday told the apex court it has to "believe in miracles" and see if the miners come out alive.

The Indian Navy and planes and helicopters of the Indian Air Force have been deployed in the rescue operations.&nbsp;

A team of a city-based company that specialises in submersible robotic inspections on Sunday joined the operation to rescue 15 miners trapped for a month now inside a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya.

A team of a city-based company that specialises in submersible robotic inspections on Sunday joined the operation to rescue 15 miners trapped for a month now inside a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya. According to the website of the company, Planys Technologies, it is an IIT Madras incubated company that provides submersible robotic inspections and survey solutions using Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV). One ROV and a six-member team of the firm have joined the operation, a company official said. Home Minister Rajnath Singh after a meeting of BJP's Lok Sabha Election Manifesto Committee at BJP headquarters in Delhi: We will be forming 15 sub-committees*, these will include stakeholders from various fields to establish direct communication with the public. https://t.co/iWZ8JPNOAL — ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2019 × "The team joined Sunday. They are working with the Navy," the official, who did not want to be named, told PTI. The miners have been trapped inside a 370-foot-deep illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district since December 13, 2018, after water from a nearby river gushed in, puncturing the mine wall. Even as a multi-agency effort to rescue them is underway, the Supreme Court is hearing a PIL in the matter for urgent action. The Centre on Friday told the apex court it has to "believe in miracles" and see if the miners come out alive. The Indian Navy and planes and helicopters of the Indian Air Force have been deployed in the rescue operations.

Submersible robotic inspection firm joins Meghalaya mine rescue operation

The manifesto committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) for the 2019 Lok Sabha election met for the first time on Sunday at the party's Headquarter in New Delhi.

The 20-member committee, constituted by BJP national President Amit Shah, is headed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

"In today's meeting, we have discussed the structure of 'Sankalp Patra'&nbsp;(manifesto). A decision has been taken to constitute 15 sub committees which will include stakeholders from various fields to establish direct communication with the public," Rajnath Singh told media after the meeting.

The meeting was attended by Amit Shah and other members of the committee. The BJP's manifesto committee includes - Arun Jaitley, Nirmala Sitharaman, Thawar Chand Gahlot, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Piyush Goyal, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, KJ Alphons, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Kiran Rijiju, Sushil Kumar Modi, Keshav Prasad Maurya, Arjun Munda, Ram Madhav, Bhupendra Yadav, Narayan Rane, Meenakshi Lekhi, Sanjay Paswan, Hari Babu, and Rajendra Mohan Singh Cheema.

 
&nbsp;

The manifesto committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) for the 2019 Lok Sabha election met for the first time on Sunday at the party's Headquarter in New Delhi.

The manifesto committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) for the 2019 Lok Sabha election met for the first time on Sunday at the party's Headquarter in New Delhi. The 20-member committee, constituted by BJP national President Amit Shah, is headed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. "In today's meeting, we have discussed the structure of 'Sankalp Patra' (manifesto). A decision has been taken to constitute 15 sub committees which will include stakeholders from various fields to establish direct communication with the public," Rajnath Singh told media after the meeting. The meeting was attended by Amit Shah and other members of the committee. The BJP's manifesto committee includes - Arun Jaitley, Nirmala Sitharaman, Thawar Chand Gahlot, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Piyush Goyal, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, KJ Alphons, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Kiran Rijiju, Sushil Kumar Modi, Keshav Prasad Maurya, Arjun Munda, Ram Madhav, Bhupendra Yadav, Narayan Rane, Meenakshi Lekhi, Sanjay Paswan, Hari Babu, and Rajendra Mohan Singh Cheema.

BJP manifesto committee meets to prepare 'Sankalp Patra' for 2019 Lok Sabha elections

The government will construct 44 strategic roads <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-navy-has-grown-as-rapidly-in-the-last-200-years-as-chinas-indian-navy-chief-sunil-lanba-189264">along the border with China</a> and over 2100 km of axial and lateral roads in Punjab and Rajasthan, abutting Pakistan, a CPWD document shows.

According to an annual report (2018-19) prepared, and released earlier this month by the Central Public Works Department, the agency has been asked to construct 44 "strategically important" roads along the India-China border to ensure quick mobilisation of troops in case of a conflict.

The nearly 4000-km-long Line of Actual Control between India and China touches areas from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh.

The report comes at a time China is giving a priority to projects along its India borders. In 2017, Indian and Chinese troops engaged in a face-off at the Doklam tri-junction after the neighbouring country had begun building road in the area.

The standoff ended on August 28 following a mutual agreement under which China stopped the construction of the road and India withdrew its troops.

The report stated that these 44 strategically important roads along the India-China border will be constructed at a cost of nearly Rs 21,000 crore.

"The CPWD has been entrusted with construction of 44 strategically important roads along the Indo-China Border spanning 5 states of J&amp;K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh," the report stated.

"The total Cost of work as per DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) is Rs 21,040 crores (approx.)," the report stated

It said the process of approval of DPRs by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is underway.

The CPWD report also stated that lateral and axial roads measuring over 2,100 kilometres will be built with a cost of around Rs 5,400 crore in Rajasthan and Punjab along the Indo-Pakistan border.

The DPRs for this project are under preparation in CPWD, which is a major construction agency of the central government.

"A total of 945 km of lateral roads and 533 km of axial roads lie in Rajasthan (tentative cost Rs 3,700 crores) and 482 km of lateral roads and 219 km of axial roads in Punjab (tentative cost Rs 1,750 crores)," it stated.

The road projects will secure the vast and remote border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab, it stated.

India's border with Pakistan runs through four states, Jammu and Kashmir (1,225 km, which includes 740 km of Line of Control), Rajasthan (1,037 km), Punjab (553 km) and Gujarat (508 km).

The nearly 4000-km-long Line of Actual Control between India and China touches areas from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh.

The government will construct 44 strategic roads along the border with China and over 2100 km of axial and lateral roads in Punjab and Rajasthan, abutting Pakistan, a CPWD document shows. According to an annual report (2018-19) prepared, and released earlier this month by the Central Public Works Department, the agency has been asked to construct 44 "strategically important" roads along the India-China border to ensure quick mobilisation of troops in case of a conflict. The nearly 4000-km-long Line of Actual Control between India and China touches areas from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. The report comes at a time China is giving a priority to projects along its India borders. In 2017, Indian and Chinese troops engaged in a face-off at the Doklam tri-junction after the neighbouring country had begun building road in the area. The standoff ended on August 28 following a mutual agreement under which China stopped the construction of the road and India withdrew its troops. The report stated that these 44 strategically important roads along the India-China border will be constructed at a cost of nearly Rs 21,000 crore. "The CPWD has been entrusted with construction of 44 strategically important roads along the Indo-China Border spanning 5 states of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh," the report stated. "The total Cost of work as per DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) is Rs 21,040 crores (approx.)," the report stated It said the process of approval of DPRs by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is underway. The CPWD report also stated that lateral and axial roads measuring over 2,100 kilometres will be built with a cost of around Rs 5,400 crore in Rajasthan and Punjab along the Indo-Pakistan border. The DPRs for this project are under preparation in CPWD, which is a major construction agency of the central government. "A total of 945 km of lateral roads and 533 km of axial roads lie in Rajasthan (tentative cost Rs 3,700 crores) and 482 km of lateral roads and 219 km of axial roads in Punjab (tentative cost Rs 1,750 crores)," it stated. The road projects will secure the vast and remote border areas of Rajasthan and Punjab, it stated. India's border with Pakistan runs through four states, Jammu and Kashmir (1,225 km, which includes 740 km of Line of Control), Rajasthan (1,037 km), Punjab (553 km) and Gujarat (508 km).

Government to construct 44 'strategically important' roads along India-China border

Peace and stability in Afghanistan was the main focus of India at the 1st India-Central Asia dialogue in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in which External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj led the delegation.&nbsp;

Speaking at the dialogue, External Affair minister said, "peaceful and stable Afghanistan, which lies at the Heart of Asia, can be a bridge to connect Central Asia with South Asia."

Afghanistan's FM Salahuddin Rabbani was also present at the dialogue.&nbsp;

Hitting out at the "scourge of terrorism", Sushma Swaraj said, "We need to ask that who these terrorists are, who funds them, how do they find sustenance, who protects and sponsors them".&nbsp;

Adding, "For almost two decades now, these are the people who would not let Afghanistan return to peace and normalcy. Terrorism seriously erodes all avenues of development which a country can have. No business development, no investment can take place in a country suffering from terrorism."

Reiterating New Delhi's official stand on the Afghan peace process, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "India supports all efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan which are inclusive and Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled" and "efforts should preserve the gains of the last 18 years. The violence and terror imposed on Afghan people should end. It should strengthen unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country."

New Delhi has been a major development partner of Afghanistan and has extended assistance worth over US$ 3 billion to the country. &nbsp;Under the ‘New Development Partnership’ launched in September 2017, new projects are being taken up which include the Shahtoot Dam which is a drinking water project for Kabul city, low-cost housing in Nangarhar province, 116 High Impact Community Development Projects.&nbsp;

Over 3500 Afghan nationals are trained and receive education in India every year. India built the Afghan Parliament and the India Afghanistan friendship dam in Herat which were inaugurated by PM Modi who has been to the country twice.

Focusing on connectivity, EAM said, "While geographically Afghanistan and Central Asia are landlocked, there are several ways in which India, Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries can join hands to work on promoting connectivity in the region so that trade and commerce may flow between us and our people to people exchanges may prosper."&nbsp;

India has two projects to connect Afghanistan with India. The Chabahar port and the India Afghanistan air corridor. India has partially taken over Chabahar port, which has been built with New Delhi's help and will provide a viable and operational trade route to connect to Afghanistan and Central Asia. New Delhi is also looking at developing the Chabahar-Zahedan railway link which would bring it closer to the Zaranj-Delaram road link which India has already built in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Central Asian countries are also increasing connectivity with Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Uzbekistan has built a rail link between Hairatan to Mazar-i-Sharif and reports suggest that it might be further extended to Heart.

During the dialogue, India also announced a 2-week training course for 8 diplomats from each of the five Central Asian countries at the Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi.

PM Narendra Modi had visited all the five Central Asian countries in 2015 and India has been focusing on increasing ties with the region.

Peace and stability in Afghanistan was the main focus of India at the 1st India-Central Asia dialogue in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in which External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj led the delegation.

Peace and stability in Afghanistan was the main focus of India at the 1st India-Central Asia dialogue in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in which External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj led the delegation. Speaking at the dialogue, External Affair minister said, "peaceful and stable Afghanistan, which lies at the Heart of Asia, can be a bridge to connect Central Asia with South Asia." Afghanistan's FM Salahuddin Rabbani was also present at the dialogue. Hitting out at the "scourge of terrorism", Sushma Swaraj said, "We need to ask that who these terrorists are, who funds them, how do they find sustenance, who protects and sponsors them". Adding, "For almost two decades now, these are the people who would not let Afghanistan return to peace and normalcy. Terrorism seriously erodes all avenues of development which a country can have. No business development, no investment can take place in a country suffering from terrorism." Reiterating New Delhi's official stand on the Afghan peace process, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "India supports all efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan which are inclusive and Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled" and "efforts should preserve the gains of the last 18 years. The violence and terror imposed on Afghan people should end. It should strengthen unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country." New Delhi has been a major development partner of Afghanistan and has extended assistance worth over US$ 3 billion to the country. Under the ‘New Development Partnership’ launched in September 2017, new projects are being taken up which include the Shahtoot Dam which is a drinking water project for Kabul city, low-cost housing in Nangarhar province, 116 High Impact Community Development Projects. Over 3500 Afghan nationals are trained and receive education in India every year. India built the Afghan Parliament and the India Afghanistan friendship dam in Herat which were inaugurated by PM Modi who has been to the country twice. Focusing on connectivity, EAM said, "While geographically Afghanistan and Central Asia are landlocked, there are several ways in which India, Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries can join hands to work on promoting connectivity in the region so that trade and commerce may flow between us and our people to people exchanges may prosper." India has two projects to connect Afghanistan with India. The Chabahar port and the India Afghanistan air corridor. India has partially taken over Chabahar port, which has been built with New Delhi's help and will provide a viable and operational trade route to connect to Afghanistan and Central Asia. New Delhi is also looking at developing the Chabahar-Zahedan railway link which would bring it closer to the Zaranj-Delaram road link which India has already built in Afghanistan. Central Asian countries are also increasing connectivity with Afghanistan. Uzbekistan has built a rail link between Hairatan to Mazar-i-Sharif and reports suggest that it might be further extended to Heart. During the dialogue, India also announced a 2-week training course for 8 diplomats from each of the five Central Asian countries at the Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi. PM Narendra Modi had visited all the five Central Asian countries in 2015 and India has been focusing on increasing ties with the region.

At 1st India-Central Asia dialogue, New Delhi focuses on Afghanistan

Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal: How people welcome harvest season across India

Ahead of the crucial joint press conference by&nbsp;Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati,&nbsp;photographs of both the leaders in the same poster have sprung up in Lucknow.&nbsp;

Besides Akhilesh and Mayawati, the posters also feature senior leaders like BSP All India General Secretary Satish Chandra Misra and SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav, with a slogan humara kaam bolta hai and Bhajpa ka jhoot bolta hai (Our work speaks, BJP`s lie speaks).

SP and BSP have been in talks for weeks in order to&nbsp;forge an alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2019. A meeting between the two leaders recently had triggered a lot of speculation about seat-sharing being firmed up.&nbsp;

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SP-BSP posters and party flags seen in Lucknow. Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati will jointly address the media later today <a href="https://t.co/bfxRUVMJcx">pic.twitter.com/bfxRUVMJcx</a>
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The two parties are likely to announce an alliance ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the presser today.

Earlier, senior SP leader Prof Ram Gopal Yadav had said: "Mayawati and Akhilesh will decide with whom the `grand alliance` has to be formed in Uttar Pradesh," he said.

"Everyone knows that there is going to be a grand alliance. In Uttar Pradesh, SP and BSP are the most important parties," he added.

Among all the states, Uttar Pradesh has the maximum number of 80 Lok Sabha seats out the 543 and plays a crucial role in government formation in the Centre.

(With agency inputs)

Ahead of the crucial joint press conference by Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, photographs of both the leaders in the same poster have sprung up in Lucknow.

Ahead of the crucial joint press conference by Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, photographs of both the leaders in the same poster have sprung up in Lucknow. Besides Akhilesh and Mayawati, the posters also feature senior leaders like BSP All India General Secretary Satish Chandra Misra and SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav, with a slogan humara kaam bolta hai and Bhajpa ka jhoot bolta hai (Our work speaks, BJP`s lie speaks). SP and BSP have been in talks for weeks in order to forge an alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2019. A meeting between the two leaders recently had triggered a lot of speculation about seat-sharing being firmed up. SP-BSP posters and party flags seen in Lucknow. Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati will jointly address the media later today pic.twitter.com/bfxRUVMJcx — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 12, 2019 × The two parties are likely to announce an alliance ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the presser today. Earlier, senior SP leader Prof Ram Gopal Yadav had said: "Mayawati and Akhilesh will decide with whom the `grand alliance` has to be formed in Uttar Pradesh," he said. "Everyone knows that there is going to be a grand alliance. In Uttar Pradesh, SP and BSP are the most important parties," he added. Among all the states, Uttar Pradesh has the maximum number of 80 Lok Sabha seats out the 543 and plays a crucial role in government formation in the Centre. (With agency inputs)

Ahead of joint press conference, Akhilesh-Mayawati posters spring up in Lucknow

Two lawyers have separately urged the Supreme Court to ensure live streaming of its proceedings in the politically sensitive cases of the Ayodhya land dispute and the Sabarimala issue, saying justice should be made "accessible" to common man.&nbsp;

BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay has written to Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and four other judges seeking live streaming of the Ayodhya title dispute case scheduled for hearing on January 29.

The National Ayyappa Devotees' Association (NADA), represented by lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara, has also sought video recording and live streaming of hearing on the petitions seeking review of the apex court's September 22 verdict allowing all women inside Sabarimala temple, on January 22.

On Thursday, former RSS ideologue K N Govindacharya had written a letter to the Centre seeking live streaming of the top court proceedings in the Ayodhya land dispute case.

He had asked to make arrangements before the next date of hearing in the case to ensure that citizens get the opportunity to witness the proceedings in the "nation's oldest litigation having a lot of confusion and peculiarities".

The petition filed by Upadhyay sought directions to the ministries of law and information and broadcasting to take appropriate steps for live streaming of the Ayodhya case by Doordarshan, which is available on all platforms throughout the country.&nbsp;

Upadhyay's plea also said proceedings are often misquoted by panelists during debates on news channels and since the Ayodhya matter was politically sensitive, a wrong quote may create turbulence in the society.

"Therefore, until a full-fledged module and mechanism for live streaming of the court proceedings is evolved in spirit of the above stated judgment, my Lord may direct the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to take appropriate steps for live streaming of the Ayodhya case by Doordarshan, which is free to air and available on all platforms throughout the country," the plea said.

It also sought permission for other news to broadcast the proceedings through Doordarshan.

The other petition filed by NADA asked for live streaming and video recording of court proceedings during the hearing of the review petitions of Sabarimala so that "justice is made accessible to common man".

It said if the proceedings were allowed to be telecast, millions of devotees of Lord Ayyappa, not merely in Kerala, but all over the world, will have the opportunity to hear and watch what transpired in the court.

"There cannot be an issue of greater importance of public interest or concern than the Sabarimala case. Video recording of the said case would mean the entire proceeding thereof being perpetually available for posterity," the petition said.

On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, in a 4:1 verdict had paved the way for entry of women of all ages into the temple, saying the ban amounted to gender discrimination.

The temple in Kerala has been witnessing violent protests since the verdict.&nbsp;

Two lawyers have separately urged the Supreme Court to ensure live streaming of its proceedings in the politically sensitive cases of the Ayodhya land dispute and the Sabarimala issue, saying justice should be made "accessible" to common man.

Two lawyers have separately urged the Supreme Court to ensure live streaming of its proceedings in the politically sensitive cases of the Ayodhya land dispute and the Sabarimala issue, saying justice should be made "accessible" to common man. BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay has written to Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and four other judges seeking live streaming of the Ayodhya title dispute case scheduled for hearing on January 29. The National Ayyappa Devotees' Association (NADA), represented by lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara, has also sought video recording and live streaming of hearing on the petitions seeking review of the apex court's September 22 verdict allowing all women inside Sabarimala temple, on January 22. On Thursday, former RSS ideologue K N Govindacharya had written a letter to the Centre seeking live streaming of the top court proceedings in the Ayodhya land dispute case. He had asked to make arrangements before the next date of hearing in the case to ensure that citizens get the opportunity to witness the proceedings in the "nation's oldest litigation having a lot of confusion and peculiarities". The petition filed by Upadhyay sought directions to the ministries of law and information and broadcasting to take appropriate steps for live streaming of the Ayodhya case by Doordarshan, which is available on all platforms throughout the country. Upadhyay's plea also said proceedings are often misquoted by panelists during debates on news channels and since the Ayodhya matter was politically sensitive, a wrong quote may create turbulence in the society. "Therefore, until a full-fledged module and mechanism for live streaming of the court proceedings is evolved in spirit of the above stated judgment, my Lord may direct the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to take appropriate steps for live streaming of the Ayodhya case by Doordarshan, which is free to air and available on all platforms throughout the country," the plea said. It also sought permission for other news to broadcast the proceedings through Doordarshan. The other petition filed by NADA asked for live streaming and video recording of court proceedings during the hearing of the review petitions of Sabarimala so that "justice is made accessible to common man". It said if the proceedings were allowed to be telecast, millions of devotees of Lord Ayyappa, not merely in Kerala, but all over the world, will have the opportunity to hear and watch what transpired in the court. "There cannot be an issue of greater importance of public interest or concern than the Sabarimala case. Video recording of the said case would mean the entire proceeding thereof being perpetually available for posterity," the petition said. On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, in a 4:1 verdict had paved the way for entry of women of all ages into the temple, saying the ban amounted to gender discrimination. The temple in Kerala has been witnessing violent protests since the verdict.

Lawyers move Supreme Court for live streaming of Ayodhya, Sabarimala hearing

Global social media and technology giants are gearing up to fight sweeping new rules proposed by the Indian government that would require them to actively regulate content in one of the world's biggest Internet markets, sources close to the matter told Reuters.

The rules, proposed by the Information Technology ministry on Christmas Eve, would compel platforms such as Facebook, its messaging service WhatsApp and Twitter to remove unlawful content, such as anything that affected the "sovereignty and integrity of India". This had to be done within 24 hours, the rules propose.

The proposal, which caught many holidaying industry executives off guard, is open for public comment until January 31. It will then be adopted as law, with or without changes.

The move comes ahead of India's national election due by May and amid rising worries that activists could misuse social media, especially the WhatsApp messaging service, to spread fake news and sway voters.

Industry executives and civil rights activists say the rules smack of censorship and could be used by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase surveillance and crack down on dissent. Social media firms have long battled efforts by governments around the world to hold them responsible for what users post on their platforms.

US and India lobby groups, representing Facebook and other companies, have sought legal opinions from law firms on the impact of the federal proposal, and have started working on drafting objections to be filed with the IT ministry, four sources in the sector said.

"The companies can't take this lying down. We are all concerned, it's fundamental to how these platforms are governed," said an executive at a global social media company.

An estimated half a billion people in India have access to the Internet. Facebook has about 300 million users in the country and WhatsApp has more than 200 million. Tens of millions of Indians use Twitter.

The new rules, the sources said, would put privacy of users at risk and raise costs by requiring onerous round-the-clock monitoring of online content.

Internet firm Mozilla Corp said last week the proposal was a "blunt and disproportionate" solution to the problem of harmful content online, and one which could lead to over-censorship and "chill free expression".

The IT ministry has said the proposal was aimed at only making social media safer. "This is not an effort to curb freedom of speech, or (impose) censorship," Gopalakrishnan S., a joint secretary at India's IT ministry said on Saturday when the ministry ran a #SaferSocialMedia campaign on Twitter.

Facebook and WhatsApp declined to comment.

A Twitter spokesperson said the company continues to engage with the IT Ministry and civil society on the proposed rules.

"This will be like a sword hanging on technology companies," said Nikhil Narendran, a partner specializing in technology law at Indian law firm Trilegal.

Tight regulations

Such regulations are not unique to India. Vietnam has asked tech companies to open local offices and store data domestically, while Australia's parliament has passed a bill to force companies to give police access to encrypted data. Germany requires social media companies to remove illegal hate speech within 24 hours or face fines.

Nevertheless, the proposal would further strain relations between India and global technology firms. They have been at odds since last year due to federal proposals requiring them to store more user data locally to better assist legal investigations.

The new rules, called "intermediary guidelines", also propose requiring companies with more than 5 million users in India to have a local office and a nodal officer for "24x7 coordination with law enforcement".

When asked by a government agency or through a court order, companies should within 24 hours "remove or disable access" to "unlawful" content, they stipulate.

The rules also mandate companies to reveal the origin of a message when asked, which if enforced would deal a blow to WhatsApp which boasts of end-to-end encryption to protect user privacy. WhatsApp has battled criticism after fake messages about child kidnap gangs on its platform sparked mob lynchings in India last year.

"You have created a monster, you should have the ability to control the monster," a senior government official said, referring to WhatsApp.

"We remain flexible in principle (to suggestions), but we definitely want them to be more accountable, especially the big companies," the official said.

Global social media and technology giants are gearing up to fight sweeping new rules proposed by the Indian government that would require them to actively regulate content in one of the world's biggest Internet markets, sources close to the matter told Reuters.

Global social media and technology giants are gearing up to fight sweeping new rules proposed by the Indian government that would require them to actively regulate content in one of the world's biggest Internet markets, sources close to the matter told Reuters. The rules, proposed by the Information Technology ministry on Christmas Eve, would compel platforms such as Facebook, its messaging service WhatsApp and Twitter to remove unlawful content, such as anything that affected the "sovereignty and integrity of India". This had to be done within 24 hours, the rules propose. The proposal, which caught many holidaying industry executives off guard, is open for public comment until January 31. It will then be adopted as law, with or without changes. The move comes ahead of India's national election due by May and amid rising worries that activists could misuse social media, especially the WhatsApp messaging service, to spread fake news and sway voters. Industry executives and civil rights activists say the rules smack of censorship and could be used by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to increase surveillance and crack down on dissent. Social media firms have long battled efforts by governments around the world to hold them responsible for what users post on their platforms. US and India lobby groups, representing Facebook and other companies, have sought legal opinions from law firms on the impact of the federal proposal, and have started working on drafting objections to be filed with the IT ministry, four sources in the sector said. "The companies can't take this lying down. We are all concerned, it's fundamental to how these platforms are governed," said an executive at a global social media company. An estimated half a billion people in India have access to the Internet. Facebook has about 300 million users in the country and WhatsApp has more than 200 million. Tens of millions of Indians use Twitter. The new rules, the sources said, would put privacy of users at risk and raise costs by requiring onerous round-the-clock monitoring of online content. Internet firm Mozilla Corp said last week the proposal was a "blunt and disproportionate" solution to the problem of harmful content online, and one which could lead to over-censorship and "chill free expression". The IT ministry has said the proposal was aimed at only making social media safer. "This is not an effort to curb freedom of speech, or (impose) censorship," Gopalakrishnan S., a joint secretary at India's IT ministry said on Saturday when the ministry ran a #SaferSocialMedia campaign on Twitter. Facebook and WhatsApp declined to comment. A Twitter spokesperson said the company continues to engage with the IT Ministry and civil society on the proposed rules. "This will be like a sword hanging on technology companies," said Nikhil Narendran, a partner specializing in technology law at Indian law firm Trilegal. Tight regulations Such regulations are not unique to India. Vietnam has asked tech companies to open local offices and store data domestically, while Australia's parliament has passed a bill to force companies to give police access to encrypted data. Germany requires social media companies to remove illegal hate speech within 24 hours or face fines. Nevertheless, the proposal would further strain relations between India and global technology firms. They have been at odds since last year due to federal proposals requiring them to store more user data locally to better assist legal investigations. The new rules, called "intermediary guidelines", also propose requiring companies with more than 5 million users in India to have a local office and a nodal officer for "24x7 coordination with law enforcement". When asked by a government agency or through a court order, companies should within 24 hours "remove or disable access" to "unlawful" content, they stipulate. The rules also mandate companies to reveal the origin of a message when asked, which if enforced would deal a blow to WhatsApp which boasts of end-to-end encryption to protect user privacy. WhatsApp has battled criticism after fake messages about child kidnap gangs on its platform sparked mob lynchings in India last year. "You have created a monster, you should have the ability to control the monster," a senior government official said, referring to WhatsApp. "We remain flexible in principle (to suggestions), but we definitely want them to be more accountable, especially the big companies," the official said.

Social media giants plan push-back on India's new regulations: Sources

Describing Modi government as 'kisan hiteshi' (pro-farmers), the BJP on Friday resolved at its national convention that farmers are the top-most priority of the ruling dispensation.

Months ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the convention, the "biggest ever" gathering attended by over 12,000 party members, also passed a resolution on development in rural areas, citing a host of developmental measures taken by Modi government for transforming lives in villages.&nbsp;

It came at the time when the opposition has accused the government of "betraying" farmers and various farm organisations have protested in different parts of the country.

Farm distress has been cited by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi as a key issue for the upcoming parliamentary polls.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh proposed the resolution on agriculture which was seconded by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP farmer wing head Virendra Singh.&nbsp;

While the resolution on poverty alleviation was proposed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, which was seconded by Bihar BJP chief Nityanand Rai and party's vice-president Dushyant Gautam.

Swaraj at length described the initiatives taken by the Modi government in the last four-and-half-years such as Jan Dhan Yojana under which bank accounts were opened and how these measures brought positive change in the lives of the people.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

The convention with the presence of over 12000 party members is the biggest party get-together, a BJP leader said. It is expected to rejuvenate the party cadres ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The agriculture resolution lauded the government for "successfully" dealing with issues of farmers' income. The government will not just be able to reach the goal of doubling of farmers' income but would also be looking forward from there. The vision of the BJP is an independent, able, strong and prosperous farmer as annadata (food giver), who will take the country's economy to great heights, the resolution said.

The resolution described Modi government as 'kisan hiteshi' and farmers its top most priority. All speakers described Modi government as the "well-wisher" of farmer.

"Farmers are likely to get 50 per cent more benefit on their produce whereas on crops like urad and bajra the profit will be 96 per cent," Singh informed.&nbsp; 
The resolution at length compared the overall condition of agriculture sector and the support price given to farmers under the UPA rule and the NDA regime.&nbsp;

Singh said that the total budget allocation in the sector has almost doubled compared to the funds allocated during the UPA regime.

Later, addressing the press conference over the resolution, party's national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav said in case of natural disasters, the agriculture sector has got Rs 32,000 crores from National Disaster Relief Fund which is 2.5 times higher than previous government and the allocations made to states is 82 per cent more than previous government's allotment.

In 2013-14, the UPA government spent Rs 2151 crores on crop insurance which has now increased to 13,000 crores which is six times higher under Modi government, the resolution said.&nbsp;

"Earlier, they (farmers) were getting claims for minimum 50 per cent damage to their crops, whereas now, even if there is 33 per cent damage to crops, they are being benefitted, " Yadav added while briefing on the resolution.&nbsp;

Taking a dig at the Congress, Yadav asked why are farmers in Karnataka getting notices.

Listing the government's achievements, Yadav said the food grain production has increased to 11.4 per cent in 2017-18.

In horticulture, the production has shown 17.55 per cent rise.

The resolution said a total of 17.53 crores soil health cards have been distributed, helping farmers to decide on right fertilizers.&nbsp;

The party also lauded the government for taking some strong measures which include import duty on wheat increased to 20 per cent and on tur dal to 10 per cent.&nbsp;

Budget on agriculture education saw an increase of 55 per cent in 2018-2019 compared to 2013-2014, added Yadav.

Describing Modi government as 'kisan hiteshi' (pro-farmers), the BJP on Friday resolved at its national convention that farmers are the top-most priority of the ruling dispensation.

Describing Modi government as 'kisan hiteshi' (pro-farmers), the BJP on Friday resolved at its national convention that farmers are the top-most priority of the ruling dispensation. Months ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the convention, the "biggest ever" gathering attended by over 12,000 party members, also passed a resolution on development in rural areas, citing a host of developmental measures taken by Modi government for transforming lives in villages. It came at the time when the opposition has accused the government of "betraying" farmers and various farm organisations have protested in different parts of the country. Farm distress has been cited by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi as a key issue for the upcoming parliamentary polls. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh proposed the resolution on agriculture which was seconded by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP farmer wing head Virendra Singh. While the resolution on poverty alleviation was proposed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, which was seconded by Bihar BJP chief Nityanand Rai and party's vice-president Dushyant Gautam. Swaraj at length described the initiatives taken by the Modi government in the last four-and-half-years such as Jan Dhan Yojana under which bank accounts were opened and how these measures brought positive change in the lives of the people. The convention with the presence of over 12000 party members is the biggest party get-together, a BJP leader said. It is expected to rejuvenate the party cadres ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The agriculture resolution lauded the government for "successfully" dealing with issues of farmers' income. The government will not just be able to reach the goal of doubling of farmers' income but would also be looking forward from there. The vision of the BJP is an independent, able, strong and prosperous farmer as annadata (food giver), who will take the country's economy to great heights, the resolution said. The resolution described Modi government as 'kisan hiteshi' and farmers its top most priority. All speakers described Modi government as the "well-wisher" of farmer. "Farmers are likely to get 50 per cent more benefit on their produce whereas on crops like urad and bajra the profit will be 96 per cent," Singh informed. The resolution at length compared the overall condition of agriculture sector and the support price given to farmers under the UPA rule and the NDA regime. Singh said that the total budget allocation in the sector has almost doubled compared to the funds allocated during the UPA regime. Later, addressing the press conference over the resolution, party's national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav said in case of natural disasters, the agriculture sector has got Rs 32,000 crores from National Disaster Relief Fund which is 2.5 times higher than previous government and the allocations made to states is 82 per cent more than previous government's allotment. In 2013-14, the UPA government spent Rs 2151 crores on crop insurance which has now increased to 13,000 crores which is six times higher under Modi government, the resolution said. "Earlier, they (farmers) were getting claims for minimum 50 per cent damage to their crops, whereas now, even if there is 33 per cent damage to crops, they are being benefitted, " Yadav added while briefing on the resolution. Taking a dig at the Congress, Yadav asked why are farmers in Karnataka getting notices. Listing the government's achievements, Yadav said the food grain production has increased to 11.4 per cent in 2017-18. In horticulture, the production has shown 17.55 per cent rise. The resolution said a total of 17.53 crores soil health cards have been distributed, helping farmers to decide on right fertilizers. The party also lauded the government for taking some strong measures which include import duty on wheat increased to 20 per cent and on tur dal to 10 per cent. Budget on agriculture education saw an increase of 55 per cent in 2018-2019 compared to 2013-2014, added Yadav.

BJP passes resolution, terms Modi govt as pro-farmers

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BJP passes resolution, terms Modi govt as pro-farmers