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Coal India Limited (CIL) on Monday started pumping out water from the old shaft at around 3.30 pm as part of the ongoing operations to rescue the miners who have been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/meghalaya-miners-rescue-technical-glitches-in-high-power-pumps-operation-hit-roadblock-188606">trapped in a mine</a> at Ksan near Lyteiñ River in East Jaintia Hills.

In 2 hours, approximately 2,26,800 litre of water was pumped out from the mine.

Indian Navy divers have also put down Under Water Remotely Operating Vehicle (UWROV) and work is in progress.

Meanwhile, NDRF is also coordinating with agencies and providing assistance accordingly. Odisha Fire Service had reported that they stopped pumping from 2 old shafts at 5.30 pm yesterday.

Both the pumps were run for 10 hours each and total water discharge pumped out today was 1,80,000 litre.

Multiple agencies are involved in the operation which is underway to rescue the miners who have been trapped in a mine at Ksan near Lyteiñ River in East Jaintia Hills. They are trapped there since 13 December 2018.

Coal India Limited (CIL) on Monday started pumping out water from the old shaft at around 3.30 pm as part of the ongoing operations to rescue the miners who have been trapped in a mine at Ksan near Lyteiñ River in East Jaintia Hills.

Coal India Limited (CIL) on Monday started pumping out water from the old shaft at around 3.30 pm as part of the ongoing operations to rescue the miners who have been trapped in a mine at Ksan near Lyteiñ River in East Jaintia Hills. In 2 hours, approximately 2,26,800 litre of water was pumped out from the mine. Indian Navy divers have also put down Under Water Remotely Operating Vehicle (UWROV) and work is in progress. Meanwhile, NDRF is also coordinating with agencies and providing assistance accordingly. Odisha Fire Service had reported that they stopped pumping from 2 old shafts at 5.30 pm yesterday. Both the pumps were run for 10 hours each and total water discharge pumped out today was 1,80,000 litre. Multiple agencies are involved in the operation which is underway to rescue the miners who have been trapped in a mine at Ksan near Lyteiñ River in East Jaintia Hills. They are trapped there since 13 December 2018.

Meghalaya: Over 2 lakh litre water pumped out in efforts to rescue trapped miners

In pictures: Schools shut, banks closed for Bharat Bandh; everyday life affected

The Uttar Pradesh government has allotted Rs 4,300 crore for creating the infrastructure necessary to conduct the Kumbh Mela 2019, scheduled to begin from January 15, the state's Minister of Excise and Prohibition Jai Pratap Singh said here Saturday.

Participating in an event organised by trade body FICCI Tamil Nadu Council, he said, the Prayagraj (Allahabad) has UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage of humanity acknowledgement.

The Kumbh Mela is expected to witness an attendance over 20 lakh devotees, he said, adding the whole idea behind the event was to promote 'spiritual tourism'.

"The UP government is making efforts to familiarise the world with high-quality life, conduct and thoughts of Indian culture through the Kumbh Mela," he said.

Besides stepping up transportation connectivity for devotees to reach the Mela area, over 40,000 LED lights have been installed at the venue, he said&nbsp;

The Uttar Pradesh government has allotted Rs 4,300 crore for creating the infrastructure necessary to conduct the Kumbh Mela 2019, scheduled to begin from January 15, the state's Minister of Excise and Prohibition Jai Pratap Singh said here Saturday.

The Uttar Pradesh government has allotted Rs 4,300 crore for creating the infrastructure necessary to conduct the Kumbh Mela 2019, scheduled to begin from January 15, the state's Minister of Excise and Prohibition Jai Pratap Singh said here Saturday. Participating in an event organised by trade body FICCI Tamil Nadu Council, he said, the Prayagraj (Allahabad) has UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage of humanity acknowledgement. The Kumbh Mela is expected to witness an attendance over 20 lakh devotees, he said, adding the whole idea behind the event was to promote 'spiritual tourism'. "The UP government is making efforts to familiarise the world with high-quality life, conduct and thoughts of Indian culture through the Kumbh Mela," he said. Besides stepping up transportation connectivity for devotees to reach the Mela area, over 40,000 LED lights have been installed at the venue, he said

Rs 4,300 crore earmarked for creating infra for Kumbh Mela

US&nbsp;President Donald <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mocks-indian-pm-for-library-in-afghanistan-187955">Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> discussed reducing the US&nbsp;trade deficit with India and increasing their cooperation in Afghanistan in a telephone call on Monday, the White House said.

"The leaders agreed to strengthen the US-India strategic partnership in 2019 and exchanged perspectives on how to reduce the US&nbsp;trade deficit with India, expand security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, and increase cooperation in Afghanistan," the White House said in a statement.

The United States has slapped tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium from India, part of Trump's drive to reduce the US&nbsp;trade deficit and boost American manufacturing jobs.

India has threatened to retaliate but said it would not take action until the end of this month.

In Afghanistan, Trump is planning to withdraw more than 5,000 of the 14,000 US&nbsp;troops there, a US&nbsp;official said last month.

With a reduced military presence in Afghanistan, the United States would almost certainly have to curtail its missions, which include training and advising Afghan forces and waging an air campaign against the Taliban and other militant groups.

US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed reducing the US trade deficit with India and increasing their cooperation in Afghanistan in a telephone call on Monday, the White House said.

US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed reducing the US trade deficit with India and increasing their cooperation in Afghanistan in a telephone call on Monday, the White House said. "The leaders agreed to strengthen the US-India strategic partnership in 2019 and exchanged perspectives on how to reduce the US trade deficit with India, expand security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, and increase cooperation in Afghanistan," the White House said in a statement. The United States has slapped tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium from India, part of Trump's drive to reduce the US trade deficit and boost American manufacturing jobs. India has threatened to retaliate but said it would not take action until the end of this month. In Afghanistan, Trump is planning to withdraw more than 5,000 of the 14,000 US troops there, a US official said last month. With a reduced military presence in Afghanistan, the United States would almost certainly have to curtail its missions, which include training and advising Afghan forces and waging an air campaign against the Taliban and other militant groups.

Trump and PM Modi discuss trade, Afghanistan in phone call: White House

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-hear-ayodhya-case-from-january-10-189035">5-judge Supreme Court bench to hear Ayodhya case on January 10</a>

The Supreme Court has set up a five-judge constitution bench to hear the Ayodhya case.&nbsp;The bench will be headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and will include Justice&nbsp;SA Bobde, Justice NV Ramana, Justice UU Lalit, Justice DY Chandrachud.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/citizenship-amendment-bill-2019-passed-in-lok-sabha-189033">Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 passed in Lok Sabha</a>

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 has been passed in the Parliament on Tuesday after a discussion regarding various&nbsp;clauses of the Bill.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/nandan-nilekani-appointed-chairman-of-panel-by-rbi-to-assess-digitisation-of-payments-in-india-189026">RBI appoints Nandan Nilekani as chairman of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/nandan-nilekani-appointed-chairman-of-panel-by-rbi-to-assess-digitisation-of-payments-in-india-189026">committee</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/nandan-nilekani-appointed-chairman-of-panel-by-rbi-to-assess-digitisation-of-payments-in-india-189026"> to assess digital payments</a>

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys, as the chairman of the committee to assess digitisation of payments in India.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-call-off-peace-talks-with-us-officials-189044">Taliban call off peace talks with US officials</a>

The Taliban on Tuesday cancelled the planned peace talks with the US officials in Qatar over an agenda disagreement.The meeting was cancelled even after the change&nbsp;in the&nbsp;venue of the meet on the demands of the&nbsp;Taliban. The Taliban had earlier demanded a shift in the venue of the talks to Qatar.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/suspect-20-held-over-massive-german-politician-data-hack-189024">20-year-old suspect held over massive German politician data hack</a>

German police said Tuesday they have arrested a 20-year-old suspect in the case of&nbsp;private data stolen from hundreds of politicians, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, and published online.

5-judge Supreme Court bench to hear Ayodhya case on January 10 The Supreme Court has set up a five-judge constitution bench to hear the Ayodhya case. The bench will be headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and will include Justice SA Bobde, Justice NV Ramana, Justice UU Lalit, Justice DY Chandrachud.

5-judge Supreme Court bench to hear Ayodhya case on January 10 The Supreme Court has set up a five-judge constitution bench to hear the Ayodhya case. The bench will be headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and will include Justice SA Bobde, Justice NV Ramana, Justice UU Lalit, Justice DY Chandrachud. Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 passed in Lok Sabha The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 has been passed in the Parliament on Tuesday after a discussion regarding various clauses of the Bill. RBI appoints Nandan Nilekani as chairman of committee to assess digital payments The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys, as the chairman of the committee to assess digitisation of payments in India. Taliban call off peace talks with US officials The Taliban on Tuesday cancelled the planned peace talks with the US officials in Qatar over an agenda disagreement.The meeting was cancelled even after the change in the venue of the meet on the demands of the Taliban. The Taliban had earlier demanded a shift in the venue of the talks to Qatar. 20-year-old suspect held over massive German politician data hack German police said Tuesday they have arrested a 20-year-old suspect in the case of private data stolen from hundreds of politicians, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, and published online.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The Supreme Court has set up a five-judge constitution bench to hear the Ayodhya case.&nbsp;

The bench will be headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and will include Justice&nbsp;SA Bobde, Justice NV Ramana, Justice UU Lalit, Justice DY Chandrachud.&nbsp;

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Five-judge Constitution bench of Supreme Court to hear Ayodhya case on January 10. <a href="https://t.co/fke7uIiAaS">pic.twitter.com/fke7uIiAaS</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1082599654662029312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The Ayodhya dispute is over 2.77 acres of land over which the Babri Masjid used to stand before it was demolished on December 6, 1992. It is also the most divisive in the country.&nbsp;

On Friday, the court had said — in a hearing that lasted all of 60 seconds — that further orders in the matter would be passed on January 10 by "the appropriate bench, as may be constituted".

In 2010, the Allahabad High Court had accepted that the disputed site was the birthplace of Lord Ram and had given two-thirds of it to the Hindus. The rest of the site was given to the Sunni Waqf Board.&nbsp;

The order was appealed by both Hindu and Muslim groups in the Supreme Court — as many as 14 appeals were filed — which stayed the order in 2011.&nbsp;

With the general elections fast approaching (they have to be held before May) the dispute, one of the country's oldest, has once again begun to take centre stage.&nbsp;

Right-wing Hindu groups have recently been calling for an ordinance saying that a temple will be built on the disputed site. Prime Minister Narendra Modi however said recently in an interview to ANI that any decision on an ordinance would be taken&nbsp;only after the Supreme Court&nbsp;had finished hearing the matter.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Supreme Court has set up a five-judge constitution bench to hear the Ayodhya case. The bench will be headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and will include Justice SA Bobde, Justice NV Ramana, Justice UU Lalit, Justice DY Chandrachud.

The Supreme Court has set up a five-judge constitution bench to hear the Ayodhya case. The bench will be headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and will include Justice SA Bobde, Justice NV Ramana, Justice UU Lalit, Justice DY Chandrachud. Five-judge Constitution bench of Supreme Court to hear Ayodhya case on January 10. pic.twitter.com/fke7uIiAaS — ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2019 × The Ayodhya dispute is over 2.77 acres of land over which the Babri Masjid used to stand before it was demolished on December 6, 1992. It is also the most divisive in the country. On Friday, the court had said — in a hearing that lasted all of 60 seconds — that further orders in the matter would be passed on January 10 by "the appropriate bench, as may be constituted". In 2010, the Allahabad High Court had accepted that the disputed site was the birthplace of Lord Ram and had given two-thirds of it to the Hindus. The rest of the site was given to the Sunni Waqf Board. The order was appealed by both Hindu and Muslim groups in the Supreme Court — as many as 14 appeals were filed — which stayed the order in 2011. With the general elections fast approaching (they have to be held before May) the dispute, one of the country's oldest, has once again begun to take centre stage. Right-wing Hindu groups have recently been calling for an ordinance saying that a temple will be built on the disputed site. Prime Minister Narendra Modi however said recently in an interview to ANI that any decision on an ordinance would be taken only after the Supreme Court had finished hearing the matter.

5-judge Supreme Court bench to hear Ayodhya case on January 10

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 has been passed in the Parliament on Tuesday after a discussion regarding various <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agp-pulls-out-of-alliance-with-bjp-in-assam-after-the-union-cabinet-approves-citizenship-amendment-bill-188833">clauses of the Bill.</a>

The Bill seeks to enable Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh without valid travel documents or those whose valid documents expired in recent years to acquire Indian citizenship through the process of naturalisation.&nbsp;

"We want that the minorities of other countries should remain in their countries peacefully, but unfortunately that is not happening, which is why this Bill is being proposed," said Rajnath Singh while debating on The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Rajnath Singh appeals to the people of Assam and says their customs, tradition, linguistics and culture will be protected by the Centre. Singh said that the burden of the Citizenship Bill will not fall only on Assam, but the entire country.

Earlier, moving the bill for passage, Rajnath Singh said it will help the migrants who had "faced problematic conditions" including religious prosecution in the three countries get citizenship of the country.

He said religious minorities in Pakistan have been facing systematic discrimination and, though the present governments in Afghanistan and Bangladesh, were committed to the welfare of the minorities, they have faced problems in the past.

He said no other country except India could have provided interim protection from punitive legal action to minorities facing difficulties in the neighbouring countries.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 has been passed in the Parliament on Tuesday after a discussion regarding various clauses of the Bill. The Bill seeks to enable Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh without valid travel documents or those whose valid documents expired in recent years to acquire Indian citizenship through the process of naturalisation.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 has been passed in the Parliament on Tuesday after a discussion regarding various clauses of the Bill. The Bill seeks to enable Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh without valid travel documents or those whose valid documents expired in recent years to acquire Indian citizenship through the process of naturalisation. "We want that the minorities of other countries should remain in their countries peacefully, but unfortunately that is not happening, which is why this Bill is being proposed," said Rajnath Singh while debating on The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Rajnath Singh appeals to the people of Assam and says their customs, tradition, linguistics and culture will be protected by the Centre. Singh said that the burden of the Citizenship Bill will not fall only on Assam, but the entire country. Earlier, moving the bill for passage, Rajnath Singh said it will help the migrants who had "faced problematic conditions" including religious prosecution in the three countries get citizenship of the country. He said religious minorities in Pakistan have been facing systematic discrimination and, though the present governments in Afghanistan and Bangladesh, were committed to the welfare of the minorities, they have faced problems in the past. He said no other country except India could have provided interim protection from punitive legal action to minorities facing difficulties in the neighbouring countries. (With inputs from agencies)

Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 passed in Lok Sabha

Private FM channels will be allowed to broadcast All India Radio news in English and Hindi after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Tuesday launched the facility.

The FM channels will have to carry the AIR news in an unaltered format and the service will be available free of cost on a trial basis till May 31 this year.

As per the terms and conditions, during the trial period, private FM broadcasters may avoid broadcasting in disturbed or border and Naxalism-affected areas.

Information and Broadcasting minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said the move empowers citizens.

“This empowers me as a citizen. What else does a democracy need? We should be able to make our citizens aware and empowered. This was approved much before and I would like to congratulate the Information and Broadcasting Ministry officials for the nudge,” he said.

He said the All India Radio and the Prasar Bharati were in discussion on costs.

“Our priority is awareness among citizens and secondary is revenue generation. We have made it available free of cost so that there are no further delays,” he added.

He said now that people will be listening to announcers from the All India Radio on different FM channels, it is also an occasion for the Prasar Bharati and the All India Radio to step up.

Through a televised message, Prasar Bharati chairman A Surya Prakash termed the initiative significant in this era of collaboration and convergence.

Anuradha Prasad, president, Association of Radio Operators of India, thanked the government for accepting the long-standing demand of private radio broadcasters to present news on their platform.

Private FM radio broadcasters would be permitted to broadcast AIR news bulletins in English and Hindi as per the list of bulletins given in news schedule, subject to certain terms and conditions.

Any private FM broadcaster which intends to broadcast the news bulletins will first have to register with the News Services Division: All India Radio on its website.

The commercials which are broadcast during news bulletins shall also have to be carried along with the news in toto.

The private FM broadcasters will have to give due credit to the AIR for sourcing their news and will have to carry AIR news bulletins either simultaneously or deferred live by not more than 30 minutes.

In case of deferred live, an announcement should precede that it is a deferred live broadcast.

Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary Amit Khare, CEO, Prasar Bharati, Shashi Shekhar Vempati and DG, AIR F Sheheryar were among those present at the event.

Private FM channels will be allowed to broadcast All India Radio news in English and Hindi after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Tuesday launched the facility.

Private FM channels will be allowed to broadcast All India Radio news in English and Hindi after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Tuesday launched the facility. The FM channels will have to carry the AIR news in an unaltered format and the service will be available free of cost on a trial basis till May 31 this year. As per the terms and conditions, during the trial period, private FM broadcasters may avoid broadcasting in disturbed or border and Naxalism-affected areas. Information and Broadcasting minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said the move empowers citizens. “This empowers me as a citizen. What else does a democracy need? We should be able to make our citizens aware and empowered. This was approved much before and I would like to congratulate the Information and Broadcasting Ministry officials for the nudge,” he said. He said the All India Radio and the Prasar Bharati were in discussion on costs. “Our priority is awareness among citizens and secondary is revenue generation. We have made it available free of cost so that there are no further delays,” he added. He said now that people will be listening to announcers from the All India Radio on different FM channels, it is also an occasion for the Prasar Bharati and the All India Radio to step up. Through a televised message, Prasar Bharati chairman A Surya Prakash termed the initiative significant in this era of collaboration and convergence. Anuradha Prasad, president, Association of Radio Operators of India, thanked the government for accepting the long-standing demand of private radio broadcasters to present news on their platform. Private FM radio broadcasters would be permitted to broadcast AIR news bulletins in English and Hindi as per the list of bulletins given in news schedule, subject to certain terms and conditions. Any private FM broadcaster which intends to broadcast the news bulletins will first have to register with the News Services Division: All India Radio on its website. The commercials which are broadcast during news bulletins shall also have to be carried along with the news in toto. The private FM broadcasters will have to give due credit to the AIR for sourcing their news and will have to carry AIR news bulletins either simultaneously or deferred live by not more than 30 minutes. In case of deferred live, an announcement should precede that it is a deferred live broadcast. Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary Amit Khare, CEO, Prasar Bharati, Shashi Shekhar Vempati and DG, AIR F Sheheryar were among those present at the event.

Private FM channels to be permitted to broadcast AIR news

Several protesters were arrested as sporadic incidents of vandalism were reported from parts of West Bengal on Tuesday during the two-day nationwide strike called by central trade unions protesting against the "anti-people" policies of the Centre.

Stones were pelted at a school bus in Champadali area of Barasat in North 24 Parganas district. The students were later deboarded from the bus, police said.

Strike supporters burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and burnt tyres in various parts of the state including Kolkata.

In Howrah, Siliguri, Bardhaman, Birbhum, North and South 24 Paraganas, clashes broke out between Trinamool Congress workers and strike supporters as TMC activists tried to stop them from forcibly imposing the strike.

Despite the incidents of violence, normal life in an around Kolkata and other parts of the state remained more or less unaffected by the strike call till 12 noon, except a few pockets.

Buses and other modes of transportation were seen on the roads although the number of passengers were much less than in other week days.

Tyres were burnt in Central Avenue of Kolkata to stop buses from plying in the roads. The protesters had a scuffle with the police when they tried to stop them from squatting on the roads.

A government bus was damaged by strike supporters at Champadali. Protesters also vandalised a bus at Jamuria in Paschim Bardhaman district.

Scuffles were witnessed between police and strike supporters in some areas of the state.

At Jadavpur area in south Kolkata, senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty along with several other strike supporters were detained by the police.

Protesters squatted on tracks in some places to stop trains and burnt tyres on the roads.

 
In Kerala

Trains were stopped, buses and auto-rickshaws kept off roads as the 48-hour general strike called by 10 central trade unions against "anti-labour policies" of the central government, hit normal life in the southern state Tuesday.

Workers from various sectors have extended support to the two-day strike.

Trains were stopped in Thiruvananthapuram, Tripunithura, Shoranur railway stations.

Venad Express, which runs from the state capital to Shoranur Junction daily, was delayed by more than one hour as agitators squatted on tracks, blocking its route, and raised slogans. Other trains that were stopped here were Jan Shatabdi and Raptisagar Express.

All trade unions except the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh have supported the strike, which has come five days after a 'hartal' was observed by right-wing groups in protest against the entry of two young women into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.

The Sabarimala pilgrims, tourists, social and religious functions have been exempted from the strike Tuesday.

To ensure Sabarimala pilgrims were not affected by the strike, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has been operating buses from various destinations to Pamba, the foothills of the Sabarimala temple. However, KSRTC buses were not plying on other routes.

Meanwhile, pilgrims at Nilackal said they have been waiting for hours to reach the hill shrine.&nbsp;Private-run buses are also keeping off the roads.

Several protesters were arrested as sporadic incidents of vandalism were reported from parts of West Bengal on Tuesday during the two-day nationwide strike called by central trade unions protesting against the "anti-people" policies of the Centre.

Several protesters were arrested as sporadic incidents of vandalism were reported from parts of West Bengal on Tuesday during the two-day nationwide strike called by central trade unions protesting against the "anti-people" policies of the Centre. Stones were pelted at a school bus in Champadali area of Barasat in North 24 Parganas district. The students were later deboarded from the bus, police said. Strike supporters burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and burnt tyres in various parts of the state including Kolkata. In Howrah, Siliguri, Bardhaman, Birbhum, North and South 24 Paraganas, clashes broke out between Trinamool Congress workers and strike supporters as TMC activists tried to stop them from forcibly imposing the strike. Despite the incidents of violence, normal life in an around Kolkata and other parts of the state remained more or less unaffected by the strike call till 12 noon, except a few pockets. Buses and other modes of transportation were seen on the roads although the number of passengers were much less than in other week days. Tyres were burnt in Central Avenue of Kolkata to stop buses from plying in the roads. The protesters had a scuffle with the police when they tried to stop them from squatting on the roads. A government bus was damaged by strike supporters at Champadali. Protesters also vandalised a bus at Jamuria in Paschim Bardhaman district. Scuffles were witnessed between police and strike supporters in some areas of the state. At Jadavpur area in south Kolkata, senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty along with several other strike supporters were detained by the police. Protesters squatted on tracks in some places to stop trains and burnt tyres on the roads. In Kerala Trains were stopped, buses and auto-rickshaws kept off roads as the 48-hour general strike called by 10 central trade unions against "anti-labour policies" of the central government, hit normal life in the southern state Tuesday. Workers from various sectors have extended support to the two-day strike. Trains were stopped in Thiruvananthapuram, Tripunithura, Shoranur railway stations. Venad Express, which runs from the state capital to Shoranur Junction daily, was delayed by more than one hour as agitators squatted on tracks, blocking its route, and raised slogans. Other trains that were stopped here were Jan Shatabdi and Raptisagar Express. All trade unions except the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh have supported the strike, which has come five days after a 'hartal' was observed by right-wing groups in protest against the entry of two young women into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. The Sabarimala pilgrims, tourists, social and religious functions have been exempted from the strike Tuesday. To ensure Sabarimala pilgrims were not affected by the strike, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has been operating buses from various destinations to Pamba, the foothills of the Sabarimala temple. However, KSRTC buses were not plying on other routes. Meanwhile, pilgrims at Nilackal said they have been waiting for hours to reach the hill shrine. Private-run buses are also keeping off the roads.

Bharat Bandh: School bus attacked in West Bengal, buses & autos stay off roads in Kerala

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages Sikh shrines, has banned photography and videography in the precincts of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/golden-temples-main-entrance-to-get-gold-plating--129173">Golden Temple </a>here.

It has put a notice board in the marbled periphery of the Sikh shrine, prohibiting devotees to click photos and make videos, an SGPC official said.

The decision was taken to avoid any "disturbance" to the spiritual atmosphere inside the Golden Temple, the official said.

Devotees take selfies with the Golden Temple in the background. A large number of devotees visit the Golden Temple daily, the holiest Sikh shrine, to pay obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum.

The decision was taken to avoid any 'disturbance' to the spiritual atmosphere inside the Golden Temple, an SGPC official said.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages Sikh shrines, has banned photography and videography in the precincts of the Golden Temple here. It has put a notice board in the marbled periphery of the Sikh shrine, prohibiting devotees to click photos and make videos, an SGPC official said. The decision was taken to avoid any "disturbance" to the spiritual atmosphere inside the Golden Temple, the official said. Devotees take selfies with the Golden Temple in the background. A large number of devotees visit the Golden Temple daily, the holiest Sikh shrine, to pay obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum.

SGPC bans photography, video shoot inside Golden Temple

Sounding an alarm for those who aid and abet cheating during board exams, the Uttar Pradesh government said Tuesday it might use the stringent National Security Act (NSA) to save the future of thousands of children who take the test.

"We will take stringent action against those who run gangs that aid the use of unfair means during board exams, change answer sheets, leak question papers and resort to other mass-copying antics. We will take stringent action against them and not hesitate in imposing the NSA on them," Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma told PTI here.

The state board examinations will begin on February 7 and will be conducted over 16 working days.

The NSA is a stringent law that allows preventive detention for months if the authorities are satisfied that the person is a threat to national security or law and order.

Sharma, who holds the portfolio of secondary and higher education, said examination centres in the state, which reported maximum cases of cheating in the past, would be strictly monitored.

"At sensitive exam centres, Aadhaar of students has been linked with registration. However, not every centre across the state has been linked to Aadhaar. A district-wise list of suspicious centres has also been prepared," he said.

"The intention of the UP government is to curtail use of unfair means by students, while making efforts to improve quality of education. Owing to efforts of the UP government, use of unfair means has stopped, and the number of students studying in government schools has increased by 18-20 per cent," he said.

The Adityanath government, he said, had taken a lot of steps to check cheating in exams.

"Before the BJP came to power in Uttar Pradesh, the prevailing atmosphere in the state prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to say that tenders were floated in UP for copying. After the BJP came to power in UP, steps&nbsp;have been taken to curtail the evil practice," the deputy chief minister said. Sharma said the use of unfair means was so rampant in the past that students from specific states were kept together at one exam centre.

"At these centres, stringent measures were initiated to ensure that use of unfair means does not take place. Last year, strict vigil was maintained on suspicious centres. As a result, 67 persons were arrested from a place. A press, printing answer sheets, was unearthed in Jaunpur, while a gang involved in leakage of question paper was busted in Hardoi. Impersonators were caught in Kaushambi and Aligarh," he said.

The state government held out the NSA threat in the past while mentioning efforts to deal with cow slaughter, power theft, an insult to the national anthem and circulation of fake currency.

Recently, the Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration invoked the law against the alleged-sand mining kingpin for building an illegal dam on the Yamuna.

Among the cases where the NSA has been invoked in the state is that of Dalit leader and Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar Azad, who was arrested in June 2017 for his alleged role in the Saharanpur caste clashes.&nbsp;

The NSA is a stringent law that allows preventive detention for months if the authorities are satisfied that the person is a threat to national security or law and order.

Sounding an alarm for those who aid and abet cheating during board exams, the Uttar Pradesh government said Tuesday it might use the stringent National Security Act (NSA) to save the future of thousands of children who take the test. "We will take stringent action against those who run gangs that aid the use of unfair means during board exams, change answer sheets, leak question papers and resort to other mass-copying antics. We will take stringent action against them and not hesitate in imposing the NSA on them," Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma told PTI here. The state board examinations will begin on February 7 and will be conducted over 16 working days. The NSA is a stringent law that allows preventive detention for months if the authorities are satisfied that the person is a threat to national security or law and order. Sharma, who holds the portfolio of secondary and higher education, said examination centres in the state, which reported maximum cases of cheating in the past, would be strictly monitored. "At sensitive exam centres, Aadhaar of students has been linked with registration. However, not every centre across the state has been linked to Aadhaar. A district-wise list of suspicious centres has also been prepared," he said. "The intention of the UP government is to curtail use of unfair means by students, while making efforts to improve quality of education. Owing to efforts of the UP government, use of unfair means has stopped, and the number of students studying in government schools has increased by 18-20 per cent," he said. The Adityanath government, he said, had taken a lot of steps to check cheating in exams. "Before the BJP came to power in Uttar Pradesh, the prevailing atmosphere in the state prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to say that tenders were floated in UP for copying. After the BJP came to power in UP, steps have been taken to curtail the evil practice," the deputy chief minister said. Sharma said the use of unfair means was so rampant in the past that students from specific states were kept together at one exam centre. "At these centres, stringent measures were initiated to ensure that use of unfair means does not take place. Last year, strict vigil was maintained on suspicious centres. As a result, 67 persons were arrested from a place. A press, printing answer sheets, was unearthed in Jaunpur, while a gang involved in leakage of question paper was busted in Hardoi. Impersonators were caught in Kaushambi and Aligarh," he said. The state government held out the NSA threat in the past while mentioning efforts to deal with cow slaughter, power theft, an insult to the national anthem and circulation of fake currency. Recently, the Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration invoked the law against the alleged-sand mining kingpin for building an illegal dam on the Yamuna. Among the cases where the NSA has been invoked in the state is that of Dalit leader and Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar Azad, who was arrested in June 2017 for his alleged role in the Saharanpur caste clashes.

Cheating mafia to be booked under National Security Act: UP Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/northeast-bandh-begins-against-citizenship-amendment-bill-188915">Agitators clashed with the police</a>, gheraoed Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's house at his native place in Dibrugarh, blocked national highways and damaged vehicles in Assam during an 11-hour "bandh" called by the AASU to protest against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agp-pulls-out-of-alliance-with-bjp-in-assam-after-the-union-cabinet-approves-citizenship-amendment-bill-188833">The All Assam Students' Union (AASU)</a> activists clashed with the police when they attempted to ransack a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Dibrugarh, prompting the security forces to resort to lathi-charge and fire rubber bullets to disperse the protestors.

Nobody was injured in the incident, the police said.

The AASU has called for a statewide "bandh" and it is being supported by the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which withdrew support to the BJP-led government in Assam on Monday.

Opposition Congress, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) are also supporting the bandh.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 aims to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to those Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014.

Normal life was hit in the Brahmaputra valley and was partially affected in the Barak valley due to a "north-east bandh" called separately by the North East Students' Organisation (NESO), an umbrella organisation of students' bodies in the region, of which the AASU is a constituent.

The "bandh" called by the NESO on the same issue is being supported by over 100 organisations in Assam as well as in the other north-eastern states.

The agitators gheraoed Sonowal's house in his hometown, Dibrugarh, to register their protest against the bill. They raised slogans that the chief minister had no reason to continue on his post as he could not protect the interests of the people of the state.

The protesters blocked roads and national highways by burning tyres and smashed the windshields of trucks, cars, and autorickshaws at many places, including in Guwahati, the police said.

The picketers squatted on the railway tracks at various places in Guwahati and Dibrugarh district, but the movement of trains, including that of the Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express and the Kolkata-bound Kamrup Express, resumed after the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel removed them from the tracks, railway sources said.

There was no movement of goods-laden trucks on all the national highways, following an economic blockade call issued by the KMSS, sources said.

Private and government vehicles plying on the national highways were being escorted by the police in convoys, they added.

Banners and posters at a BJP office were set ablaze in Golaghat, while a black flag was put up at another office of the saffron party in Lakhimpur district, the police said.

Shops, markets, banks, and other financial institutions kept their shutters down, educational institutions, private offices remained closed and private vehicles including long-distance buses kept off the roads in the Brahmaputra valley, the police and official sources said.

The attendance was thin in government offices as the employees faced difficulty in reaching the workplace in the absence of adequate public transport, the sources said.

The "bandh" also evoked a response in the Barak valley, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced on January 4 that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 would be passed in Parliament as soon as possible as a penance for past injustices.

Thirty ethnic organisations, besides 69 other groups along with the KMSS, have extended their support to the "bandh".

AASU and NESO chief adviser Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharyya told reporters, "If Meghalaya and Mizoram can adopt a cabinet resolution opposing the bill, why can't Assam do the same?"

"The people of Assam, for the last 70 years since Independence, have been forced by the Centre to agitate for their rights, language, existence, culture, heritage and infrastructure."

Dipankar Nath, the president of AASU, which had led the six-year-long Assam Movement against illegal immigrants, said, "Despite wide opposition to it, the BJP government at the Centre has undemocratically imposed the bill on us as they want to win the (Lok Sabha) election by taking the votes of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants."

The "north-east bandh" called by the NESO is being enforced by its member organisations such as the Mizo Zirlai Pawal (MZP), the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), the Khasi Students' Union (KSU), the Garo Students' Union (GSU), the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), the All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) and the Twipra Students' Federation (TSF).

The "bandh" has hit normal life in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland, according to reports from these states.

The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) activists clashed with the police when they attempted to ransack a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Dibrugarh.

Agitators clashed with the police, gheraoed Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's house at his native place in Dibrugarh, blocked national highways and damaged vehicles in Assam during an 11-hour "bandh" called by the AASU to protest against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) activists clashed with the police when they attempted to ransack a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Dibrugarh, prompting the security forces to resort to lathi-charge and fire rubber bullets to disperse the protestors. Nobody was injured in the incident, the police said. The AASU has called for a statewide "bandh" and it is being supported by the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which withdrew support to the BJP-led government in Assam on Monday. Opposition Congress, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) are also supporting the bandh. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 aims to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to those Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. Normal life was hit in the Brahmaputra valley and was partially affected in the Barak valley due to a "north-east bandh" called separately by the North East Students' Organisation (NESO), an umbrella organisation of students' bodies in the region, of which the AASU is a constituent. The "bandh" called by the NESO on the same issue is being supported by over 100 organisations in Assam as well as in the other north-eastern states. The agitators gheraoed Sonowal's house in his hometown, Dibrugarh, to register their protest against the bill. They raised slogans that the chief minister had no reason to continue on his post as he could not protect the interests of the people of the state. The protesters blocked roads and national highways by burning tyres and smashed the windshields of trucks, cars, and autorickshaws at many places, including in Guwahati, the police said. The picketers squatted on the railway tracks at various places in Guwahati and Dibrugarh district, but the movement of trains, including that of the Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express and the Kolkata-bound Kamrup Express, resumed after the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel removed them from the tracks, railway sources said. There was no movement of goods-laden trucks on all the national highways, following an economic blockade call issued by the KMSS, sources said. Private and government vehicles plying on the national highways were being escorted by the police in convoys, they added. Banners and posters at a BJP office were set ablaze in Golaghat, while a black flag was put up at another office of the saffron party in Lakhimpur district, the police said. Shops, markets, banks, and other financial institutions kept their shutters down, educational institutions, private offices remained closed and private vehicles including long-distance buses kept off the roads in the Brahmaputra valley, the police and official sources said. The attendance was thin in government offices as the employees faced difficulty in reaching the workplace in the absence of adequate public transport, the sources said. The "bandh" also evoked a response in the Barak valley, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced on January 4 that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 would be passed in Parliament as soon as possible as a penance for past injustices. Thirty ethnic organisations, besides 69 other groups along with the KMSS, have extended their support to the "bandh". AASU and NESO chief adviser Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharyya told reporters, "If Meghalaya and Mizoram can adopt a cabinet resolution opposing the bill, why can't Assam do the same?" "The people of Assam, for the last 70 years since Independence, have been forced by the Centre to agitate for their rights, language, existence, culture, heritage and infrastructure." Dipankar Nath, the president of AASU, which had led the six-year-long Assam Movement against illegal immigrants, said, "Despite wide opposition to it, the BJP government at the Centre has undemocratically imposed the bill on us as they want to win the (Lok Sabha) election by taking the votes of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants." The "north-east bandh" called by the NESO is being enforced by its member organisations such as the Mizo Zirlai Pawal (MZP), the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), the Khasi Students' Union (KSU), the Garo Students' Union (GSU), the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), the All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) and the Twipra Students' Federation (TSF). The "bandh" has hit normal life in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland, according to reports from these states.

Bandh against Citizenship Bill hits normal life in Assam, other NE states

The setting up of a new city in the huge <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rs-4300-crore-earmarked-for-creating-infra-for-kumbh-mela-188483">Mela area</a>, has 250 kilometre long roads and 22 pontoon bridges which will make it the largest temporary city of the world, informed Uttar Pradesh government on Monday while sharing details of the Prayagraj Kumbh.

It also informed that for the first time, the Mela area is being brightened up by installing over 40,000 LED lights there. UNESCO has already included Kumbh in the list of "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity".

Uttar Pradesh government expects over 5000 NRIs to visit the Kumbh apart from people of over 6 lakh villages of India along with the overseas devotees will participate.

It is also for the first time in the last 450 years that the devotees coming to the Kumbh will have an opportunity to pray at 'Akshay Vat'&nbsp;and 'Sarasvati Koop'.

"The Kumbh is organised at Triveni Sangam, but it is related to entire Prayagraj area. Keeping this in view, the state government has beautified all the places directly or indirectly linked to the Kumbh. For convenience of devotees and tourists visiting the Kumbh, the facility of reaching there by air, road and river has been made for the first time", read a statement issued by the state government.

The state government had earmarked an amount of Rs&nbsp;2800 crore for Kumbh Mela-2019 along with the various projects of stable development.

Besides, works of stable development are being carried out at Kumbh Mela and Prayagraj with a total amount of Rs&nbsp;4300 crore from other budget.

During 2013 Kumbh held in Prayagraj an amount of Rs&nbsp;1,214 crore was spent. Ambassadors of about 71 countries have already witnessed the preparations for this grand event.

They have unfurled the national flag of their countries on the bank of Triveni in Kumbh Mela area. The state government also opined that the representatives of 192 countries will be visiting Kumbh in the month of February.

In order to boost security, the Kumbh Mela Area has been brought under the surveillance of Integrated Control and Command Centre and CCTV Cameras.

"Integrated Control and Command Centre of the smart city project has been dedicated to Prayagraj. The system will facilitate controlling and keeping safe the traffic movement and the crowd coming to Mela. There will be two Control and Command Centres under a scheme of about Rs&nbsp;247 crore in Prayagraj. Of these, one Control and Command Centre costing Rs&nbsp;116 crore has been completed and made functional,"&nbsp;said the government.

Earlier on January 4, the Air India has announced new flights to Prayagraj from Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata.

These flights will help facilitate the movement of passengers during the Kumbh Mela 2019.

The flights are scheduled to operate from January 13 to March 30.

The Ardh Kumbh Mela will commence from January 14 to March 3 at the Triveni Sangam - the holy confluence of river Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.

Thousands of devotees are expected to arrive in the city to take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam.

The setting up of a new city in the huge Mela area, has 250 kilometre long roads and 22 pontoon bridges which will make it the largest temporary city of the world, informed Uttar Pradesh government on Monday while sharing details of the Prayagraj Kumbh.

The setting up of a new city in the huge Mela area, has 250 kilometre long roads and 22 pontoon bridges which will make it the largest temporary city of the world, informed Uttar Pradesh government on Monday while sharing details of the Prayagraj Kumbh. It also informed that for the first time, the Mela area is being brightened up by installing over 40,000 LED lights there. UNESCO has already included Kumbh in the list of "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity". Uttar Pradesh government expects over 5000 NRIs to visit the Kumbh apart from people of over 6 lakh villages of India along with the overseas devotees will participate. It is also for the first time in the last 450 years that the devotees coming to the Kumbh will have an opportunity to pray at 'Akshay Vat' and 'Sarasvati Koop'. "The Kumbh is organised at Triveni Sangam, but it is related to entire Prayagraj area. Keeping this in view, the state government has beautified all the places directly or indirectly linked to the Kumbh. For convenience of devotees and tourists visiting the Kumbh, the facility of reaching there by air, road and river has been made for the first time", read a statement issued by the state government. The state government had earmarked an amount of Rs 2800 crore for Kumbh Mela-2019 along with the various projects of stable development. Besides, works of stable development are being carried out at Kumbh Mela and Prayagraj with a total amount of Rs 4300 crore from other budget. During 2013 Kumbh held in Prayagraj an amount of Rs 1,214 crore was spent. Ambassadors of about 71 countries have already witnessed the preparations for this grand event. They have unfurled the national flag of their countries on the bank of Triveni in Kumbh Mela area. The state government also opined that the representatives of 192 countries will be visiting Kumbh in the month of February. In order to boost security, the Kumbh Mela Area has been brought under the surveillance of Integrated Control and Command Centre and CCTV Cameras. "Integrated Control and Command Centre of the smart city project has been dedicated to Prayagraj. The system will facilitate controlling and keeping safe the traffic movement and the crowd coming to Mela. There will be two Control and Command Centres under a scheme of about Rs 247 crore in Prayagraj. Of these, one Control and Command Centre costing Rs 116 crore has been completed and made functional," said the government. Earlier on January 4, the Air India has announced new flights to Prayagraj from Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. These flights will help facilitate the movement of passengers during the Kumbh Mela 2019. The flights are scheduled to operate from January 13 to March 30. The Ardh Kumbh Mela will commence from January 14 to March 3 at the Triveni Sangam - the holy confluence of river Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Thousands of devotees are expected to arrive in the city to take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam.

Kumbh 2019: Largest temporary city of world to have 250-kilometre long roads, 22 bridges

The Government on Tuesday introduced a Bill in Lok Sabha for 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions for economically backward section in the general category.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cabinet-approves-10-quota-for-economically-weak-among-upper-castes-188798">The Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on Monday</a> and was brought in on the last day of the Winter Session of Lok Sabha.

Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot introduced the Bill in the House amid protests by Samajwadi Party. The debate on the bill is expected to start at 2 pm.

The 10% quota is over and above the 50% reservation already given to the scheduled castes, tribes, and other backward castes (OBCs). The Supreme Court however has repeatedly struck down any further reservations over the 50% mark.&nbsp;

The upper castes have never before been given the benefit of a quota.&nbsp;

The move to give the upper castes a quota comes just before the 2019 general elections.&nbsp;

PTI quoted sources as saying the reservation is likely to be availed by those whose annual income is below Rs 8 lakh and have up to five acres of land, he said.&nbsp;

Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution will have to be amended for implementation of the decision, the sources added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

The Government on Tuesday introduced a Bill in Lok Sabha for 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions for economically backward section in the general category.

The Government on Tuesday introduced a Bill in Lok Sabha for 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions for economically backward section in the general category. The Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on Monday and was brought in on the last day of the Winter Session of Lok Sabha. Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot introduced the Bill in the House amid protests by Samajwadi Party. The debate on the bill is expected to start at 2 pm. The 10% quota is over and above the 50% reservation already given to the scheduled castes, tribes, and other backward castes (OBCs). The Supreme Court however has repeatedly struck down any further reservations over the 50% mark. The upper castes have never before been given the benefit of a quota. The move to give the upper castes a quota comes just before the 2019 general elections. PTI quoted sources as saying the reservation is likely to be availed by those whose annual income is below Rs 8 lakh and have up to five acres of land, he said. Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution will have to be amended for implementation of the decision, the sources added. (With inputs from PTI)

Government introduces quota bill in Lok Sabha

India is hopeful to fully operationalise the strategic Chabahar port in the Sistan-Balochistan province of Iran and the government has allowed an Iranian bank to open a branch in Mumbai for related transactions, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said Tuesday.

Gadkari, after Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif called on him, said that the meeting was "fruitful" and both the sides could resolve several issues.

"Chabahar port is very important for us. We are working very hard on it... Some problems were there, but the Iranian government and their minister... Are also in the process to resolve all the issues as early as possible. I am confident that we will be in a position to start full function of Chabahar Port at the earliest," Gadkari said.

The Chabahar port in the Sistan-Balochistan province in the energy-rich nation's southern coast is easily accessible from India's western coast and is increasingly seen as a counter to Pakistan's Gwadar port located at distance of around 80 km from Chabahar.

Zarif said, "We are very happy that both UCO Bank from India and Pasargad Bank from Iran are getting started with the business."

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Union Shipping &amp; Water Resources Min Nitin Gadkari: We had a good discussion over Chabahar port. The first ship to the port has already been received. GoI has given permission to Iranian bank to open a branch in Mumbai, they'll open it in 3 months, it’ll make transactions easier. <a href="https://t.co/FtPdrraxat">pic.twitter.com/FtPdrraxat</a>
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The two banks will facilitate transactions relating to the operation of berths at Chabahar port.

Shipping and Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari said the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given all clearances to an Iranian bank which to open a branch within the next three months.

"The government of India has given permission to an Iranian bank to open its branch in Mumbai. It is going to open within three months, and will be used for transactions (related to Chabahar port)," Gadkari said.

India has placed $85 million machinery order for Chabahar, he said.

He said India has already taken over partial operations at Chabahar, and the first ship from Brazil has already been received at the Iranian port.

This is the first time India will be operating a port outside its territory.

The government of India took over the operations of a part of Shahid Beheshti Port, Chabahar, in Iran during the Chabahar Trilateral Agreement meeting held there on December 24, 2018.

The heads of Indian, Iranian and Afghanistan delegations had jointly inaugurated the office of the Indian SPV - India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ) at Chabahar.

Commercial operations began at IPGCFZ with the arrival of a vessel, a Cyprus registered bulk carrier that arrived at Chabahar with 72,458 MT of corn cargo.

The vessel MV Macheras berthed at the terminal at 0130 hrs on December 30, 2018, and IPGCFZ carried out its first cargo operation by discharging the imported cargo (ex-Brazil) using pneumatic un-loaders.

Gadkari said the Iranian Minister has given many proposals including those on a barter system between the two nations.

"They need steel, particularly rail steel and locomotive engines in large quantities, and they are ready to supply urea," he stated.

India can provide steel rails to Iran and the Persian Gulf nation can provide urea to India, he added.

"For railway line, IRCON has to work. We have got a proposal for locomotive engines ...," the minister added.

Iranian Minister Zarif said, "We had very good discussions on both Chabahar as well as other areas of cooperation between Iran and India. The two countries complement each other and we can cooperate in a whole range of areas... We hope that in spite of the illegal US sanctions, Iran and India can cooperate further for the benefit of the people of the two countries and for the region."

India started interacting with Iran on Chabahar Port around 2003, but a major push was received in the second half of 2014, resulting in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries for the development of Chabahar Port in May 2015.

This MoU translated into a formal ten-year contract for equipping and operating the Chabahar port, which was executed on May 23, 2016, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tehran.

On account of challenges in activation of the said contract, the foundation of an interim period contract was laid during the visit of Hassan Rouhani, President of Islamic Republic of Iran to New Delhi in February 2018. Resultant was a formal short-term contract between the two sides that was signed on May 6, 2018.

The first phase of the Chabahar port was inaugurated in December 2017 by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, opening a new strategic route connecting Iran, India and Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

The Chabahar port is being considered as a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries, besides ramping up trade among the three countries in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi.

Under the agreement signed between India and Iran earlier, India is to equip and operate two berths in Chabahar port Phase-I with a capital investment of $85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of $22.95 million on a 10-year lease.&nbsp;

India is hopeful to fully operationalise the strategic Chabahar port in the Sistan-Balochistan province of Iran and the government has allowed an Iranian bank to open a branch in Mumbai for related transactions, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said Tuesday.

India is hopeful to fully operationalise the strategic Chabahar port in the Sistan-Balochistan province of Iran and the government has allowed an Iranian bank to open a branch in Mumbai for related transactions, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said Tuesday. Gadkari, after Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif called on him, said that the meeting was "fruitful" and both the sides could resolve several issues. "Chabahar port is very important for us. We are working very hard on it... Some problems were there, but the Iranian government and their minister... Are also in the process to resolve all the issues as early as possible. I am confident that we will be in a position to start full function of Chabahar Port at the earliest," Gadkari said. The Chabahar port in the Sistan-Balochistan province in the energy-rich nation's southern coast is easily accessible from India's western coast and is increasingly seen as a counter to Pakistan's Gwadar port located at distance of around 80 km from Chabahar. Zarif said, "We are very happy that both UCO Bank from India and Pasargad Bank from Iran are getting started with the business." Union Shipping & Water Resources Min Nitin Gadkari: We had a good discussion over Chabahar port. The first ship to the port has already been received. GoI has given permission to Iranian bank to open a branch in Mumbai, they'll open it in 3 months, it’ll make transactions easier. pic.twitter.com/FtPdrraxat — ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2019 × The two banks will facilitate transactions relating to the operation of berths at Chabahar port. Shipping and Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari said the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given all clearances to an Iranian bank which to open a branch within the next three months. "The government of India has given permission to an Iranian bank to open its branch in Mumbai. It is going to open within three months, and will be used for transactions (related to Chabahar port)," Gadkari said. India has placed $85 million machinery order for Chabahar, he said. He said India has already taken over partial operations at Chabahar, and the first ship from Brazil has already been received at the Iranian port. This is the first time India will be operating a port outside its territory. The government of India took over the operations of a part of Shahid Beheshti Port, Chabahar, in Iran during the Chabahar Trilateral Agreement meeting held there on December 24, 2018. The heads of Indian, Iranian and Afghanistan delegations had jointly inaugurated the office of the Indian SPV - India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ) at Chabahar. Commercial operations began at IPGCFZ with the arrival of a vessel, a Cyprus registered bulk carrier that arrived at Chabahar with 72,458 MT of corn cargo. The vessel MV Macheras berthed at the terminal at 0130 hrs on December 30, 2018, and IPGCFZ carried out its first cargo operation by discharging the imported cargo (ex-Brazil) using pneumatic un-loaders. Gadkari said the Iranian Minister has given many proposals including those on a barter system between the two nations. "They need steel, particularly rail steel and locomotive engines in large quantities, and they are ready to supply urea," he stated. India can provide steel rails to Iran and the Persian Gulf nation can provide urea to India, he added. "For railway line, IRCON has to work. We have got a proposal for locomotive engines ...," the minister added. Iranian Minister Zarif said, "We had very good discussions on both Chabahar as well as other areas of cooperation between Iran and India. The two countries complement each other and we can cooperate in a whole range of areas... We hope that in spite of the illegal US sanctions, Iran and India can cooperate further for the benefit of the people of the two countries and for the region." India started interacting with Iran on Chabahar Port around 2003, but a major push was received in the second half of 2014, resulting in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries for the development of Chabahar Port in May 2015. This MoU translated into a formal ten-year contract for equipping and operating the Chabahar port, which was executed on May 23, 2016, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tehran. On account of challenges in activation of the said contract, the foundation of an interim period contract was laid during the visit of Hassan Rouhani, President of Islamic Republic of Iran to New Delhi in February 2018. Resultant was a formal short-term contract between the two sides that was signed on May 6, 2018. The first phase of the Chabahar port was inaugurated in December 2017 by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, opening a new strategic route connecting Iran, India and Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan. The Chabahar port is being considered as a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries, besides ramping up trade among the three countries in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to New Delhi. Under the agreement signed between India and Iran earlier, India is to equip and operate two berths in Chabahar port Phase-I with a capital investment of $85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of $22.95 million on a 10-year lease.

India to fully operationalise Chabahar port; Iranian bank branch to open in Mumbai: Gadkari 

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the green tribunal's order of setting aside the Tamil Nadu government's decision to close Vedanta's Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin.

A bench, headed by Justice R F Nariman, sought response from Vedanta on the state government's appeal against the National Green Tribunal's (NGT's) order to reopen the plant.

The state had moved the top court, saying that the NGT had "erroneously" set aside various orders passed by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) last year with regard to the Sterlite plant.

It had said the tribunal had consequentially directed the TNPCB to pass fresh orders of renewal of consent and issue authorisation to handle hazardous substances to the Vedanta Limited.

On December 15, the NGT had set aside the state government's order for closure of the Sterlite copper plant, saying it was "non sustainable" and "unjustified".

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the green tribunal's order of setting aside the Tamil Nadu government's decision to close Vedanta's Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the green tribunal's order of setting aside the Tamil Nadu government's decision to close Vedanta's Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin. A bench, headed by Justice R F Nariman, sought response from Vedanta on the state government's appeal against the National Green Tribunal's (NGT's) order to reopen the plant. The state had moved the top court, saying that the NGT had "erroneously" set aside various orders passed by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) last year with regard to the Sterlite plant. It had said the tribunal had consequentially directed the TNPCB to pass fresh orders of renewal of consent and issue authorisation to handle hazardous substances to the Vedanta Limited. On December 15, the NGT had set aside the state government's order for closure of the Sterlite copper plant, saying it was "non sustainable" and "unjustified".

Supreme Court refuses to stay NGT's order to reopen Sterlite plant

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-born-gita-gopinath-appointed-imf-chief-economist-168840">Prominent Indian-American economist Gita Gopinath </a>has joined as the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund, becoming the first woman to occupy the top post at the global lender.

Gopinath, 47, joined last week at a time, when she believes the world is experiencing a retreat from globalisation, posing challenges to multilateral institutions.

The John Zwaanstra professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University, Gopinath, a US citizen, succeeds Maurice (Maury) Obstfeld as Economic Counsellor and Director of the IMF's Research Department. Obstfeld retired December 31.

Announcing her appointment on October 1, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde described her as "one of the world's outstanding economists with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership and extensive international experience."

The 11th chief economist of the IMF, Mysore-born Gopinath in a recent interview to The Harvard Gazette described her appointment at the IMF as a "tremendous honour" and said the appointment of the first ever woman for this position speaks highly of IMF's Managing Director Lagarde.

"She is phenomenal, not just in her leadership of the IMF but as a role model for women around the world," she said.

Identifying some of her top priorities at the IMF, Gopinath told The Harvard Gazette that she would like the IMF to continue to be a place that provides intellectual leadership on important policy questions.

Among the research issues that I would like to push, one would be understanding the role of dominant currencies like the dollar in international trade and finance. We could do more on the empirical side to try to understand countries' dollar exposures and on the theoretical side in terms of the implications for international spillovers, consequences of dollar shortages, etc, she said.

Most countries invoice their trade in dollars and borrow internationally in dollars. This is a central part of the international price system and the international financial system and it will be exciting to explore its consequences in greater depth with the IMF, she said.

Gopinath considers the perceived retreat from globalisation as one of the top challenges being faced by the IMF.

"The one (biggest issues being faced by the IMF) that is absolutely clear and present is that we are seeing the first serious retreat from globalisation. This has not happened in the past 50 or 60 years when the world moved toward lower tariffs and increasing trade across countries," she told the prestigious Harvard publication.

"Over the past several months, we have the US-imposed tariffs and retaliation to them from China and other nations. There is in general growing uncertainty about trade policy, including the one arising out of Brexit (the British move to leave the European Union)."

"While the trade has reduced global poverty and raised livelihoods, its consequences for inequality, and on whether the rules of engagement are fair, are real concerns that need to be addressed," she said.

Gopinath said there is also a concern about whether there is the right multilateral institutions and frameworks in place to make sure everybody feels that there is fairness in trade. "And the same goes for capital flows," she added.

"Foreign direct investment (FDI) was always viewed very favourably by countries. But because most of the FDI is now in tech-heavy firms, there are growing concerns about national security and international property theft. So I believe this retreat from globalisation and this retreat from multilateralism is quite unique to the times we are living in," Gopinath said.

Another important concern, she said, is the health of emerging markets as the US continues to normalize its interest rates.

The capital flows to several markets have reversed, putting pressure on their exchange rates and consequently on inflation, and on balance sheets, given that several emerging markets borrow heavily in dollars, said the IMF chief economist.

Gita Gopinath considers the perceived retreat from globalisation as one of the top challenges being faced by the IMF.

Prominent Indian-American economist Gita Gopinath has joined as the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund, becoming the first woman to occupy the top post at the global lender. Gopinath, 47, joined last week at a time, when she believes the world is experiencing a retreat from globalisation, posing challenges to multilateral institutions. The John Zwaanstra professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University, Gopinath, a US citizen, succeeds Maurice (Maury) Obstfeld as Economic Counsellor and Director of the IMF's Research Department. Obstfeld retired December 31. Announcing her appointment on October 1, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde described her as "one of the world's outstanding economists with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership and extensive international experience." The 11th chief economist of the IMF, Mysore-born Gopinath in a recent interview to The Harvard Gazette described her appointment at the IMF as a "tremendous honour" and said the appointment of the first ever woman for this position speaks highly of IMF's Managing Director Lagarde. "She is phenomenal, not just in her leadership of the IMF but as a role model for women around the world," she said. Identifying some of her top priorities at the IMF, Gopinath told The Harvard Gazette that she would like the IMF to continue to be a place that provides intellectual leadership on important policy questions. Among the research issues that I would like to push, one would be understanding the role of dominant currencies like the dollar in international trade and finance. We could do more on the empirical side to try to understand countries' dollar exposures and on the theoretical side in terms of the implications for international spillovers, consequences of dollar shortages, etc, she said. Most countries invoice their trade in dollars and borrow internationally in dollars. This is a central part of the international price system and the international financial system and it will be exciting to explore its consequences in greater depth with the IMF, she said. Gopinath considers the perceived retreat from globalisation as one of the top challenges being faced by the IMF. "The one (biggest issues being faced by the IMF) that is absolutely clear and present is that we are seeing the first serious retreat from globalisation. This has not happened in the past 50 or 60 years when the world moved toward lower tariffs and increasing trade across countries," she told the prestigious Harvard publication. "Over the past several months, we have the US-imposed tariffs and retaliation to them from China and other nations. There is in general growing uncertainty about trade policy, including the one arising out of Brexit (the British move to leave the European Union)." "While the trade has reduced global poverty and raised livelihoods, its consequences for inequality, and on whether the rules of engagement are fair, are real concerns that need to be addressed," she said. Gopinath said there is also a concern about whether there is the right multilateral institutions and frameworks in place to make sure everybody feels that there is fairness in trade. "And the same goes for capital flows," she added. "Foreign direct investment (FDI) was always viewed very favourably by countries. But because most of the FDI is now in tech-heavy firms, there are growing concerns about national security and international property theft. So I believe this retreat from globalisation and this retreat from multilateralism is quite unique to the times we are living in," Gopinath said. Another important concern, she said, is the health of emerging markets as the US continues to normalize its interest rates. The capital flows to several markets have reversed, putting pressure on their exchange rates and consequently on inflation, and on balance sheets, given that several emerging markets borrow heavily in dollars, said the IMF chief economist.

Indian-American Gita Gopinath joins IMF as first female chief economist

BSP Chief Mayawati on Tuesday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cabinet-approves-10-quota-for-economically-weak-among-upper-castes-188798">welcomed the reservation </a>announced by the Centre for economically weaker sections of the upper caste.&nbsp;

However, she called the move a 'political stunt.'

"The decision taken by the Central government is good but the intention behind the decision seems to be not good. It looks more of a political stunt as it has come just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. It would have been better had the government taken the decision earlier," Mayawati, in an exclusive interview, told ANI.

The BSP supremo was referring to the announcement made on Tuesday by the Narendra Modi-led government of giving 10 per cent r<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-corners-centre-over-general-category-quota-188911">eservation to upper caste poor</a> in jobs and education.

The former UP CM stressed that the reservation should also be extended to the poor, who belong to the various minority religious groups.

"Reservation to the poor, tribals, Dalits should not be confined to education sector or jobs but also other sectors in which till now it has not been introduced," she added.

Mayawati also demanded that the Centre should chalk out a new reservation policy for the backwards and poor after taking note of their increasing population.

"I also demand that the reservation for SC, ST, and OBC should be increased to 50%, considering their increasing population," stressed Mayawati.

The former UP CM stressed that the reservation should also be extended to the poor, who belong to the various minority religious groups.

BSP Chief Mayawati on Tuesday welcomed the reservation announced by the Centre for economically weaker sections of the upper caste. However, she called the move a 'political stunt.' "The decision taken by the Central government is good but the intention behind the decision seems to be not good. It looks more of a political stunt as it has come just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. It would have been better had the government taken the decision earlier," Mayawati, in an exclusive interview, told ANI. The BSP supremo was referring to the announcement made on Tuesday by the Narendra Modi-led government of giving 10 per cent reservation to upper caste poor in jobs and education. The former UP CM stressed that the reservation should also be extended to the poor, who belong to the various minority religious groups. "Reservation to the poor, tribals, Dalits should not be confined to education sector or jobs but also other sectors in which till now it has not been introduced," she added. Mayawati also demanded that the Centre should chalk out a new reservation policy for the backwards and poor after taking note of their increasing population. "I also demand that the reservation for SC, ST, and OBC should be increased to 50%, considering their increasing population," stressed Mayawati.

10% reservation for upper caste poor a 'political stunt': BSP chief Mayawati

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/evolution-of-central-banking-in-india-176794">Banking operations </a>Tuesday have been affected in some parts of the country as a section of employees refrained from work in support of the two-day strike call given by 10 central trade unions to protest against alleged anti-labour policies of the government.

All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) and Bank Employees' Federation of India (BEFI) have supported the strike, which has impacted banking operation where these two unions are strong.

However, the operation in SBI and private sector banks remained unaffected as other seven unions in the banking sector are not part of the strike.

Many public sector banks have already informed their customers about likely impact on services if strike materialises.

"If the strike materialises, a section of the bank's employees may take part in the proposed strike on the said dates, in which case, the normal functioning of the branches/offices of the bank may get affected," Indian Bank said in a statement.

A two-day strike on January 8 and 9 has been called by the central trade unions against the alleged repressive policies for workers adopted by the government.

Many public sector banks have already informed their customers about likely impact on services if strike materialises.

Banking operations Tuesday have been affected in some parts of the country as a section of employees refrained from work in support of the two-day strike call given by 10 central trade unions to protest against alleged anti-labour policies of the government. All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) and Bank Employees' Federation of India (BEFI) have supported the strike, which has impacted banking operation where these two unions are strong. However, the operation in SBI and private sector banks remained unaffected as other seven unions in the banking sector are not part of the strike. Many public sector banks have already informed their customers about likely impact on services if strike materialises. "If the strike materialises, a section of the bank's employees may take part in the proposed strike on the said dates, in which case, the normal functioning of the branches/offices of the bank may get affected," Indian Bank said in a statement. A two-day strike on January 8 and 9 has been called by the central trade unions against the alleged repressive policies for workers adopted by the government.

Banking operations partially affected due to trade union strike

The Supreme Court Tuesday sought a response from the West Bengal government on a plea by the BJP seeking permission to take out <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rath-yatra-in-west-bengal-supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-bjps-plea-on-january-7-187986">Rath Yatra in the state.</a>

The West Bengal unit of the BJP has challenged the December 21 order of the division bench of the Calcutta High Court, which had set aside the order of a single-judge bench allowing the procession.

An apex court bench headed by Justice S K Kaul also asked the BJP state unit to submit a revised plan for its "Save Democracy Rally" for consideration by the state government.

The bench posted the matter for hearing on January 15.

The BJP's West Bengal unit has approached the apex court seeking permission to take out the rally, which would cover 42 parliamentary constituencies in the state ahead of general elections to be held this year.&nbsp;

In its plea, the BJP has said that their fundamental right to hold a peaceful yatra cannot be withheld.

The party had planned to launch the yatra from three districts of the state.

The high court's division bench had sent the case back to a single-judge bench to hear it afresh and also to consider the intelligence inputs by state agencies.

The order of the division bench had come after hearing an appeal moved by the West Bengal government challenging the order of the single-judge bench.

The rallies, according to the original schedule, were supposed to be flagged off by BJP president Amit Shah from Bengal's Cooch Behar district on December 7, Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas on December 9, and from Tarapith temple in Birbhum on December 14.

In the plea filed in the top court, the BJP's West Bengal unit has contended that authorities cannot abridge their right and they have a duty to facilitate them in exercising their democratic right.

The BJP has alleged in the plea that the state government was repeatedly "attacking" the fundamental right of citizens due to which different petitions have been filed challenging the activities of the state government in denying permission to different organisations.

It has claimed that earlier too, permission was denied several times at the last moment to "harass the BJP" which later moved the high court and that the party "is facing such political vendetta since 2014 in West Bengal".

An apex court bench headed by Justice S K Kaul also asked the BJP state unit to submit a revised plan for its 'Save Democracy Rally' for consideration by the state government.

The Supreme Court Tuesday sought a response from the West Bengal government on a plea by the BJP seeking permission to take out Rath Yatra in the state. The West Bengal unit of the BJP has challenged the December 21 order of the division bench of the Calcutta High Court, which had set aside the order of a single-judge bench allowing the procession. An apex court bench headed by Justice S K Kaul also asked the BJP state unit to submit a revised plan for its "Save Democracy Rally" for consideration by the state government. The bench posted the matter for hearing on January 15. The BJP's West Bengal unit has approached the apex court seeking permission to take out the rally, which would cover 42 parliamentary constituencies in the state ahead of general elections to be held this year. In its plea, the BJP has said that their fundamental right to hold a peaceful yatra cannot be withheld. The party had planned to launch the yatra from three districts of the state. The high court's division bench had sent the case back to a single-judge bench to hear it afresh and also to consider the intelligence inputs by state agencies. The order of the division bench had come after hearing an appeal moved by the West Bengal government challenging the order of the single-judge bench. The rallies, according to the original schedule, were supposed to be flagged off by BJP president Amit Shah from Bengal's Cooch Behar district on December 7, Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas on December 9, and from Tarapith temple in Birbhum on December 14. In the plea filed in the top court, the BJP's West Bengal unit has contended that authorities cannot abridge their right and they have a duty to facilitate them in exercising their democratic right. The BJP has alleged in the plea that the state government was repeatedly "attacking" the fundamental right of citizens due to which different petitions have been filed challenging the activities of the state government in denying permission to different organisations. It has claimed that earlier too, permission was denied several times at the last moment to "harass the BJP" which later moved the high court and that the party "is facing such political vendetta since 2014 in West Bengal".

SC seeks West Bengal government's response on BJP plea seeking permission for Rath Yatra

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said the decision to send the CBI's two senior officers on leave was taken by the government on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission.

Jaitley, who speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex after the Supreme Court gave orders to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-sets-aside-government-order-reinstates-alok-verma-as-cbi-chief-188935">reinstate CBI director Alok Verma</a>, said the government would comply with the orders of the apex court.&nbsp;

"The government took this decision to protect the integrity of the CBI...Government took the action of sending two senior officers of CBI on leave on CVC's recommendation," he said, referring to the decision to send Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana on leave.

He said the court has referred the matter to the committee to decide on the issue within one week.

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FM:This action was taken perfectly bonafide as there were cross-allegations made by both the officers,&amp;in accordance with recommendations of CVC.The govt had felt that in the larger interest of fair&amp;impartial investigation&amp;credibility of CBI,the 2 officers must recuse themselves.
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"The court apparently has strengthened the immunity given to the CBI director in the larger interest of the fair and impartial working of the CBI. At the same time, the court has devised an accountability mechanism. The directions of the court will obviously be complied with," he said.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court reinstated Verma, setting aside the Centre's decision to divest him of his powers, but restrained him from taking any major policy decision till the CVC probe into corruption charges against him is over.

The apex court said any further decision against Verma, who was sent on leave following the Centre's October 23 decision and retires on January 31, would be taken by the high-powered committee which selects and appoints the CBI director.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said the decision to send the CBI's two senior officers on leave was taken by the government on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said the decision to send the CBI's two senior officers on leave was taken by the government on the recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission. Jaitley, who speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex after the Supreme Court gave orders to reinstate CBI director Alok Verma, said the government would comply with the orders of the apex court. "The government took this decision to protect the integrity of the CBI...Government took the action of sending two senior officers of CBI on leave on CVC's recommendation," he said, referring to the decision to send Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana on leave. He said the court has referred the matter to the committee to decide on the issue within one week. FM:This action was taken perfectly bonafide as there were cross-allegations made by both the officers,&in accordance with recommendations of CVC.The govt had felt that in the larger interest of fair&impartial investigation&credibility of CBI,the 2 officers must recuse themselves. — ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2019 × "The court apparently has strengthened the immunity given to the CBI director in the larger interest of the fair and impartial working of the CBI. At the same time, the court has devised an accountability mechanism. The directions of the court will obviously be complied with," he said. The Supreme Court reinstated Verma, setting aside the Centre's decision to divest him of his powers, but restrained him from taking any major policy decision till the CVC probe into corruption charges against him is over. The apex court said any further decision against Verma, who was sent on leave following the Centre's October 23 decision and retires on January 31, would be taken by the high-powered committee which selects and appoints the CBI director.

CBI senior officers were sent on leave on CVC recommendation: Jaitley

Supreme Court today reinstated <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/have-fixed-tenure-of-2-years-that-cannot-be-changed-cbi-chief-alok-verma-to-sc-180188">Alok Verma as CBI chief</a> overruling the government's decision.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/alok-verma-case-leak-of-cbi-directors-confidential-reply-irks-supreme-court-178369"> India(CJI) Ranjan Gogoi delivered</a> the verdict asserting that Verma can't be stripped of his power.

The Supreme Court asked the government to go back to the selection committee.

Verma has been reinstated but cannot take policy decisions, the top court said in its verdict.

The apex court also said that any further decision against Verma would be taken by the high-powered committee which selects and appoints the CBI Director.

It said the high-powered committee will take its decision on the basis of the findings of the CVC inquiry. It said the meeting of the committee should be convened within a week.

The court also set aside the Centre's decision to appoint senior IPS officer M Nageswara Rao, who was the joint director, as the interim chief of the agency.

The bench had reserved the verdict on December 6 last year after hearing arguments of Verma, the union government, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), NGO Common Cause and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and others who were the party in the case.

The CVC had told the apex court that "extraordinary situations sometimes need extraordinary remedies."

CJI Ranjan Gogoi had earlier raised questions over the timing of the order and asked why the government took immediate steps to divest Verma of his powers without consulting the selection committee.

Attorney General KK Venugopal appearing for the DoPT had told the bench that the government was well within its jurisdiction to send both officers (Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana) on leave by divesting them of their powers.

In October, Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana were asked to go on leave by the government in the midst of an internal rift over bribery allegations against the latter.

The feud between Verma and Asthana was&nbsp;marked by allegations and counter-allegations of corruption and interference in high-profile cases.

Supreme Court today reinstated Alok Verma as CBI chief overruling the government's decision. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India(CJI) Ranjan Gogoi delivered the verdict asserting that Verma can't be stripped of his power.

Supreme Court today reinstated Alok Verma as CBI chief overruling the government's decision. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India(CJI) Ranjan Gogoi delivered the verdict asserting that Verma can't be stripped of his power. The Supreme Court asked the government to go back to the selection committee. Verma has been reinstated but cannot take policy decisions, the top court said in its verdict. The apex court also said that any further decision against Verma would be taken by the high-powered committee which selects and appoints the CBI Director. It said the high-powered committee will take its decision on the basis of the findings of the CVC inquiry. It said the meeting of the committee should be convened within a week. The court also set aside the Centre's decision to appoint senior IPS officer M Nageswara Rao, who was the joint director, as the interim chief of the agency. The bench had reserved the verdict on December 6 last year after hearing arguments of Verma, the union government, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), NGO Common Cause and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and others who were the party in the case. The CVC had told the apex court that "extraordinary situations sometimes need extraordinary remedies." CJI Ranjan Gogoi had earlier raised questions over the timing of the order and asked why the government took immediate steps to divest Verma of his powers without consulting the selection committee. Attorney General KK Venugopal appearing for the DoPT had told the bench that the government was well within its jurisdiction to send both officers (Verma and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana) on leave by divesting them of their powers. In October, Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana were asked to go on leave by the government in the midst of an internal rift over bribery allegations against the latter. The feud between Verma and Asthana was marked by allegations and counter-allegations of corruption and interference in high-profile cases.

Supreme Court sets aside government order, reinstates Alok Verma as CBI chief

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, during his two-day official visit to Turkey last week, appeared in an interview with a Turkish news channel. In the almost 30 minute-long interview to TRT World, Khan spoke on a range of topics including ties with India, China, the United States along with the Kashmir issue.&nbsp;

China - 'breath of fresh air'

Describing the Chinese as a "breath of fresh air for Pakistan," Khan stated that the country, led by Xi Jinping, is going to play a huge part in reviving Pakistan's crisis-hit economy.&nbsp;

"I would speak to the Chinese in confidentiality and would never talk about it in public because that's how Chinese are, they like confidentiality," he noted, adding that the Chinese want to keep their help in some areas as confidential.&nbsp;

NATO and Afghan troops

He reiterated that Pakistan was made a scapegoat for "one of the most ill-thought-out policies on Afghanistan." He said that the Afghan issue had a one-dimensional solution and that Pakistan's role is only to get Taliban to sit down to talk.&nbsp;

India: 9/11 and Kashmir

The Pak PM reiterated that his country will not join war waged by some other country. He added that post-9/11, Pakistan joined United States' 'War on terror' when the country had nothing to do with 9/11.&nbsp;

"We lost around 80,000 Pakistanis due to this, still recovering and we paid a huge price," he stated.

He went on to say that two nuclear-armed nations like India an Pakistan can never think of going to war, not even cold war, "it's suicide." Khan reiterated that the only way forward is through dialogue.

Khan alleged that the Indian government has rebuffed Pakistan which he thinks is because of the upcoming general elections. "The anti-Pakistan rhetoric gets votes in India for the party, I have to say that I am disappointed," Khan said.&nbsp;

On the Kashmir issue, he called for dialogue, maintaining that global institutions like the United Nations have also identified the Kashmir crisis a result of an indigenous struggle. "There is a solution there but it isn't with violence," Khan said.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trying-to-have-dialoge-with-india-but-new-delhi-refusing-pak-pm-imran-khan-188316">Khan on Friday</a>, while standing alongside the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said that he has been calling for dialogue with India but New Delhi is not responding, leading to a "bizarre situation."&nbsp;

"We are trying to have a dialogue. Trying to move towards a friendly relationship with India. We had a stand-off with India and India refuses to talk to Pakistan under the pretext that until Pakistan stops terrorism India will not talk to us. Its a bizarre situation were we feel how can you move forward if there is no dialogue, " Khan said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, during his two-day official visit to Turkey last week, appeared in an interview with a Turkish news channel. In the almost 30 minute-long interview to TRT World, Khan spoke on a range of topics including ties with India, China, the United States along with the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, during his two-day official visit to Turkey last week, appeared in an interview with a Turkish news channel. In the almost 30 minute-long interview to TRT World, Khan spoke on a range of topics including ties with India, China, the United States along with the Kashmir issue. China - 'breath of fresh air' Describing the Chinese as a "breath of fresh air for Pakistan," Khan stated that the country, led by Xi Jinping, is going to play a huge part in reviving Pakistan's crisis-hit economy. "I would speak to the Chinese in confidentiality and would never talk about it in public because that's how Chinese are, they like confidentiality," he noted, adding that the Chinese want to keep their help in some areas as confidential. NATO and Afghan troops He reiterated that Pakistan was made a scapegoat for "one of the most ill-thought-out policies on Afghanistan." He said that the Afghan issue had a one-dimensional solution and that Pakistan's role is only to get Taliban to sit down to talk. India: 9/11 and Kashmir The Pak PM reiterated that his country will not join war waged by some other country. He added that post-9/11, Pakistan joined United States' 'War on terror' when the country had nothing to do with 9/11. "We lost around 80,000 Pakistanis due to this, still recovering and we paid a huge price," he stated. He went on to say that two nuclear-armed nations like India an Pakistan can never think of going to war, not even cold war, "it's suicide." Khan reiterated that the only way forward is through dialogue. Khan alleged that the Indian government has rebuffed Pakistan which he thinks is because of the upcoming general elections. "The anti-Pakistan rhetoric gets votes in India for the party, I have to say that I am disappointed," Khan said. On the Kashmir issue, he called for dialogue, maintaining that global institutions like the United Nations have also identified the Kashmir crisis a result of an indigenous struggle. "There is a solution there but it isn't with violence," Khan said. Khan on Friday, while standing alongside the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said that he has been calling for dialogue with India but New Delhi is not responding, leading to a "bizarre situation." "We are trying to have a dialogue. Trying to move towards a friendly relationship with India. We had a stand-off with India and India refuses to talk to Pakistan under the pretext that until Pakistan stops terrorism India will not talk to us. Its a bizarre situation were we feel how can you move forward if there is no dialogue, " Khan said.

There's solution to Kashmir issue and it isn't with violence: Pak PM Imran Khan

In yet another mine-related mishap, two people lost their lives after a coal mine collapsed in Mooknor village on Sunday.

S Nongtnger, SP, East Jaintia Hills said, "It is suspected that boulders hit them while they were trying to extract coal. The investigation is underway to identify the owner of the quarry."

Meanwhile, the operation to rescue the miners who have been trapped in a mine at Ksan near Lyteiñ River in East Jaintia Hills is still underway.

Fire service operated their pumps for 7 hours and 6.30 hours respectively from shaft No. 2 and 3.

One pump was started at 10:00 am and another pump was started at 10.30 am respectively.

The water from both the shafts reduced by 4 feet but due to heavy seepage from other shafts, the water level increased and only 2 feet water has been reduced.

A total 12,15,000 litres water has so far been pumped out from both the shafts.

The Indian Navy divers and the NDRF jointly assisted the Coal India in their works. The miners have been stuck in the mine since December 13 last year.&nbsp;

In yet another mine-related mishap, two people lost their lives after a coal mine collapsed in Mooknor village on Sunday. S Nongtnger, SP, East Jaintia Hills said, "It is suspected that boulders hit them while they were trying to extract coal.

In yet another mine-related mishap, two people lost their lives after a coal mine collapsed in Mooknor village on Sunday. S Nongtnger, SP, East Jaintia Hills said, "It is suspected that boulders hit them while they were trying to extract coal. The investigation is underway to identify the owner of the quarry." Meanwhile, the operation to rescue the miners who have been trapped in a mine at Ksan near Lyteiñ River in East Jaintia Hills is still underway. Fire service operated their pumps for 7 hours and 6.30 hours respectively from shaft No. 2 and 3. One pump was started at 10:00 am and another pump was started at 10.30 am respectively. The water from both the shafts reduced by 4 feet but due to heavy seepage from other shafts, the water level increased and only 2 feet water has been reduced. A total 12,15,000 litres water has so far been pumped out from both the shafts. The Indian Navy divers and the NDRF jointly assisted the Coal India in their works. The miners have been stuck in the mine since December 13 last year.

Meghalaya: 2 dead after another coal mine collapses

The Supreme Court of India on Monday issued a notice to Reliance Communications chairman Anil Ambani and others on a contempt petition filed by Ericsson.&nbsp;

According to reports, the contempt petition has been filed because of non-payment of dues.&nbsp;

A bench headed by Justice R F Nariman sought a response from Ambani and others in four weeks. It is reported that Ericsson India Pvt Ltd has moved a contempt plea against Anil Ambani's RCom for allegedly not complying with the top court's order to clear dues of Rs 550 crore.&nbsp;

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Appearing for R Com, senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi asked the court to accept Rs 118 crore towards outstanding dues to Ericsson India to establish its bonafide, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

The counsel appearing for Ericsson, however, refused to accept the amount and said the entire outstanding sum of Rs 550 crore should be deposited.&nbsp;

The bench then directed R Com to deposit a demand draft of Rs 118 crore in the registry.&nbsp;

On Sunday, telecom company Reliance Communications Ltd (RCom) said it remained "fully committed" to settle dues with Swedish telecom gearmaker Ericsson from the proceeds of its sale of wireless assets to Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

"RCom has taken all required steps towards enabling the settlement and remains fully committed to making the payment to Ericsson from the proceeds of the spectrum sale," it said in a clarification filed to the exchanges on Sunday.

The transaction was key to the debt-laden telecom operator's restructuring plan, announced in May 2018, which entailed the sale of telecom assets such as towers and airwaves to Jio.

The plan to sell the assets had followed a settlement with telecom gearmaker Ericsson for partial payment of dues owed by RCom to the Swedish company.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Supreme Court of India on Monday issued a notice to Reliance Communications chairman Anil Ambani and others on a contempt petition filed by Ericsson. According to reports, the contempt petition has been filed because of non-payment of dues.

The Supreme Court of India on Monday issued a notice to Reliance Communications chairman Anil Ambani and others on a contempt petition filed by Ericsson. According to reports, the contempt petition has been filed because of non-payment of dues. A bench headed by Justice R F Nariman sought a response from Ambani and others in four weeks. It is reported that Ericsson India Pvt Ltd has moved a contempt plea against Anil Ambani's RCom for allegedly not complying with the top court's order to clear dues of Rs 550 crore. SC issues notice seeking a reply within 4 weeks from Reliance Communication Ltd. (RCom),Anil Ambani on a contempt plea filed by Ericsson India Pvt Ltd, for allegedly not complying with SC's order to clear dues of Rs 550 crore. RCom offers to deposit Rs 118 crore with SC registry — ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2019 × Appearing for R Com, senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi asked the court to accept Rs 118 crore towards outstanding dues to Ericsson India to establish its bonafide, news agency PTI reported. The counsel appearing for Ericsson, however, refused to accept the amount and said the entire outstanding sum of Rs 550 crore should be deposited. The bench then directed R Com to deposit a demand draft of Rs 118 crore in the registry. On Sunday, telecom company Reliance Communications Ltd (RCom) said it remained "fully committed" to settle dues with Swedish telecom gearmaker Ericsson from the proceeds of its sale of wireless assets to Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, news agency Reuters reported. "RCom has taken all required steps towards enabling the settlement and remains fully committed to making the payment to Ericsson from the proceeds of the spectrum sale," it said in a clarification filed to the exchanges on Sunday. The transaction was key to the debt-laden telecom operator's restructuring plan, announced in May 2018, which entailed the sale of telecom assets such as towers and airwaves to Jio. The plan to sell the assets had followed a settlement with telecom gearmaker Ericsson for partial payment of dues owed by RCom to the Swedish company. (With inputs from agencies)

Supreme Court issues notice to Anil Ambani's RCom over non-payment of dues

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till noon on Monday following protests by the Congress and other parties on various issues.

Congress members, seeking to raise the Rafale fighter jet deal, trooped into the Well of the House with placards as soon as the House met for the day.

A lone AIADMK member was also in the Well, protesting the construction of a dam across the Cauvery river. He was joined by a TDP member, who was dressed like former Tamil Nadu chief minister M G Ramachandran.

Members from the Left and the SP also sought to raise certain issues from their seats and a few Left members were standing in the aisle.

Within five minutes, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the proceedings till noon as the din continued.&nbsp;

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till noon on Monday following protests by the Congress and other parties on various issues. Congress members, seeking to raise the Rafale fighter jet deal, trooped into the Well of the House with placards as soon as the House met for the day.

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till noon on Monday following protests by the Congress and other parties on various issues. Congress members, seeking to raise the Rafale fighter jet deal, trooped into the Well of the House with placards as soon as the House met for the day. A lone AIADMK member was also in the Well, protesting the construction of a dam across the Cauvery river. He was joined by a TDP member, who was dressed like former Tamil Nadu chief minister M G Ramachandran. Members from the Left and the SP also sought to raise certain issues from their seats and a few Left members were standing in the aisle. Within five minutes, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the proceedings till noon as the din continued.

Lok Sabha adjourns till noon amid protests over various issues

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