100,000 strikes in 3 years: How October 7 redefined Israel's war 

Happy Birthday Rekha: Watch these 7 evergreen Bollywood hits on Netflix, Prime Video and more

‘Your people don’t even let us near it’: IAF chief’s blunt response on US F-35; India yet to decide on Russia’s Su-57

Real or fake? PIB fact-checks protest videos; Delhi Police clarifies on Gurdwara Bangla Sahib clip

Delhi on high alert for CJP protest: Delhi police to use body cams to 'prove whether we did anything’; Pink Force, RAF, 35,000 personnel deployed

‘Never-ending flow of cheap labour’: JD Vance hits back at Indian-origin Congresswoman over US green card curbs for major tech companies

Panama president declares ‘major disaster’ after powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake; over 80 aftershocks recorded

Why Rajinikanth turned down Baasha 2 and Petta 2 but returned for Jailer 2

'Jantar Mantar not the story of India': BJP's Sambit Patra claims 'anarchists' tried to hold Delhi captive

IND vs WI, 3rd T20I: When and where to watch live streaming in India?

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad slams CJP protests, calls it 'shadow boxing for AAP'

Riyadh airport hit in missile attack, dozens injured; 5 in intensive care

'Spent Rs 2,000 cr to elect Trump': Elon Musk bought US President's loyalty by writing the biggest political cheque in human history

Powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Panama, tsunami warning issued

INDIA bloc plans mega protest on Monday amid Delhi crackdown, Wangchuk's warns to launch 'padyatra'

New Friday OTT releases (October 9, 2026): Reporting Live, Animals, Take Charge of My Heart- 6 new titles coming on Netflix, JioHotstar and more

'Ouch!!! That must hurt': Kangana Ranaut hails Kamal Haasan's sharp reply to Elon Musk over Starlink row

‘Right to protest must be protected, but...’: Delhi Police reveals why it denied CJP permission for October 10 Jantar Mantar protest

Hamas used double agents, deceived Israel to carry out October 7 massacre

'I miss Manisha': When Nana Patekar barely held back tears while speaking about his breakup

NIA files FIR in Flydubai hijack attempt and attack on Smit Machchhar, probes ‘larger conspiracy’

Portugal Federation confirms Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to national team despite suspension

All 22 Indian seafarers safe in attack on Panama-flagged tanker off UAE coast

‘Time for Ukraine to get a new president’: Trump lashes out at Zelensky over Russia strikes

Food shortages, suicide attempts and more: USS Abraham Lincoln returns to US after 321 day deployment — What happened aboard the US carrier?

 Thai queen becomes first reigning monarch to fly jet solothailand #queen #wion 

‘Every game against Liverpool is special’: Erling Haaland ahead of Anfield clash

Rahul Gandhi calls Modi, Shah ‘cowards’ amid CJP protest crackdown in Delhi

Four years, 3 licenses, zero launch: Why is Elon Musk’s Starlink still struggling to crack Indian market? EXPLAINED

AUS vs SA 1st Test, Day 2: Renshaw shines with 190 as Australia dominate South Africa

Why was CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke detained? What Delhi Police said

Putin conveys Iran’s proposal to Trump, offers to take Tehran’s enriched uranium

'It’s been 12 hours': CJP writes to Delhi Police, demands release of Dipke, Saurav Das and Ranka

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/good-momentum-achieved-in-relations-with-india-china-186424">Good momentum achieved in relations with India: China</a>

A day after Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi concluded his India visit, China's foreign ministry said a good momentum has been achieved in the current China-India relations.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-pm-modi-takes-a-walk-ridges-on-bogibeel-bridge-in-assam-186371">Watch: PM Modi takes a walk, rides on Bogibeel bridge in Assam</a>

PM Modi today inaugurated the rail-road bridge over the Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in Assam today.

The 4.94 km bridge has double line broad gauge rail tracks and upper deck road spread in three lanes. The bridge connects Assam's Dibrugarh to Nharlgun in Itanagar in just four hours.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-aus-bcci-announces-playing-xi-for-boxing-day-test-186410">IND vs AUS: BCCI announces playing XI for Boxing Day Test</a>

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia.

In the list, both openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul have been dropped while rookies Hanuma Vihari and debutant Mayank Agarwal will be given the opportunity to open, according to Reuters.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rat-hole-mining-rampant-in-meghalaya-despite-ngt-ban-15-labours-still-trapped-186369">After two weeks, 15 miners still trapped in Meghalaya; search operation suspended</a>

There seems to be no hope at the end of the tunnel for the 15 labourers trapped in a coal mine a fortnight ago, as search operations have been suspended by the Meghalaya government for want of high-powered pumps to flush out water from the pit.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/attackers-hit-libya-foreign-ministry-in-tripoli-one-dead-186382">Watch: Attackers hit Libya foreign ministry in Tripoli; 3 dead</a>

Gunfire and explosions rocked Libya's foreign ministry on Tuesday as attackers stormed the building in the capital Tripoli, killing at least three people.

A car bomb exploded in front of the ministry, after which "three or four assailants" entered, the source told AFP from the scene.

Good momentum achieved in relations with India: China A day after Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi concluded his India visit, China's foreign ministry said a good momentum has been achieved in the current China-India relations.

Good momentum achieved in relations with India: China A day after Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi concluded his India visit, China's foreign ministry said a good momentum has been achieved in the current China-India relations. Watch: PM Modi takes a walk, rides on Bogibeel bridge in Assam PM Modi today inaugurated the rail-road bridge over the Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in Assam today. The 4.94 km bridge has double line broad gauge rail tracks and upper deck road spread in three lanes. The bridge connects Assam's Dibrugarh to Nharlgun in Itanagar in just four hours. IND vs AUS: BCCI announces playing XI for Boxing Day Test The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Australia. In the list, both openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul have been dropped while rookies Hanuma Vihari and debutant Mayank Agarwal will be given the opportunity to open, according to Reuters. After two weeks, 15 miners still trapped in Meghalaya; search operation suspended There seems to be no hope at the end of the tunnel for the 15 labourers trapped in a coal mine a fortnight ago, as search operations have been suspended by the Meghalaya government for want of high-powered pumps to flush out water from the pit. Watch: Attackers hit Libya foreign ministry in Tripoli; 3 dead Gunfire and explosions rocked Libya's foreign ministry on Tuesday as attackers stormed the building in the capital Tripoli, killing at least three people. A car bomb exploded in front of the ministry, after which "three or four assailants" entered, the source told AFP from the scene.

News brief: Big stories of the day

India is the second most spammed country in the world, according to a global survey by caller ID app Truecaller.

According to the report, India's 1.5 per cent decrease in spam calls per user has put it on the second spot, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebooks-whatsapp-taking-legal-action-against-brazil-election-spammers-172412">while Brazil has zoomed past</a> to the first position with an 81 per cent increase in spam calls in a year.&nbsp;

In its survey that screened 74 billion calls, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/smartphones-booming-indias-electronics-manufacturing-sector-173345">it was found that 17.7 billion calls were spam</a>. Users in Brazil received 37.5 spam calls per month whereas Indian users received 22.3 calls per month. Chile came a close third with 22.9 spam calls and South Africa followed next with 21.

"As a platform, we don’t mark any number as spam, it is completely user-generated. Every time you get a call you have the right to edit the name. Many a time you see on the interface names like insurance scam, credit card scam and the like. This is how the user warns others. Our user community is very active and helps identify such culprits," says Manan Shah, Director of marketing, Truecaller.

Overall India continues to top the charts when it comes to sheer volume of spam calls.

According to the survey, the US that featured high on the list last year, significantly dropped down to the eighth position. But Brazil and most other emerging markets have seen a spurt in the volume of calls and the percentage of spam calls. As per numbers, every fourth call is a spam call in India.

"Our hypothesis of what happened in Brazil is that there is a shift in terms of new technology with phones and smartphones which has led to an 80 per cent surge which is unprecedented. It is quite possible it could happen in India. In fact, as per the numbers that we have, every fourth call is a spam call in India," says Manan Shah.

What is more worrying for India is the two-fold increase in scam calls. From 3 per cent, the number has more than doubled to 7 per cent. Scam or fraudulent calls are those where callers attempt to cheat users of their money by posing as bank or insurance agents.

While the calls are a nuisance, Santhosh Kumar, a cybersecurity expert in Bengaluru says that the problem is much deeper than that. The high level of such unsolicited calls indicates data theft.

"Spam callers that are not registered call centres use all kinds of data. Data can be procured from the internet specific to a city, telecom providers or even a locality. This data is available for a price range of Rs 2,000 to Rs 20,000. The data is used around election time extensively to reach out to voters. Every application that you have shared your data with can leak it. No specific mandate has been given by the government on who can manage this data. No one knows whether this data is securely kept or misused," says Santosh.

The laws are there, but it is not specific to data theft. These regulations come under TRAI and DoT and not IPC or IT Act. TRAI enables DND numbers, but it doesn’t stop the spam caller from using another SIM card and calling you," Santhosh adds. &nbsp;

In July 2018, TRAI came out with a new set of regulations with the intention of containing pesky spam calls.

According to the new regulations, telecom operators are expected to ensure that communication takes place only through registered senders and with subscribers' consent.

However, the impact of these rules do not reflect in the survey and interestingly 90 per cent of the spam calls in India come from the operators themselves.

India is the second most spammed country in the world, according to a global survey by caller ID app Truecaller. According to the report, India's 1.5 per cent decrease in spam calls per user has put it on the second spot, while Brazil has zoomed past to the first position with an 81 per cent increase in spam calls in a year.

India is the second most spammed country in the world, according to a global survey by caller ID app Truecaller. According to the report, India's 1.5 per cent decrease in spam calls per user has put it on the second spot, while Brazil has zoomed past to the first position with an 81 per cent increase in spam calls in a year. In its survey that screened 74 billion calls, it was found that 17.7 billion calls were spam. Users in Brazil received 37.5 spam calls per month whereas Indian users received 22.3 calls per month. Chile came a close third with 22.9 spam calls and South Africa followed next with 21. "As a platform, we don’t mark any number as spam, it is completely user-generated. Every time you get a call you have the right to edit the name. Many a time you see on the interface names like insurance scam, credit card scam and the like. This is how the user warns others. Our user community is very active and helps identify such culprits," says Manan Shah, Director of marketing, Truecaller. Overall India continues to top the charts when it comes to sheer volume of spam calls. According to the survey, the US that featured high on the list last year, significantly dropped down to the eighth position. But Brazil and most other emerging markets have seen a spurt in the volume of calls and the percentage of spam calls. As per numbers, every fourth call is a spam call in India. "Our hypothesis of what happened in Brazil is that there is a shift in terms of new technology with phones and smartphones which has led to an 80 per cent surge which is unprecedented. It is quite possible it could happen in India. In fact, as per the numbers that we have, every fourth call is a spam call in India," says Manan Shah. What is more worrying for India is the two-fold increase in scam calls. From 3 per cent, the number has more than doubled to 7 per cent. Scam or fraudulent calls are those where callers attempt to cheat users of their money by posing as bank or insurance agents. While the calls are a nuisance, Santhosh Kumar, a cybersecurity expert in Bengaluru says that the problem is much deeper than that. The high level of such unsolicited calls indicates data theft. "Spam callers that are not registered call centres use all kinds of data. Data can be procured from the internet specific to a city, telecom providers or even a locality. This data is available for a price range of Rs 2,000 to Rs 20,000. The data is used around election time extensively to reach out to voters. Every application that you have shared your data with can leak it. No specific mandate has been given by the government on who can manage this data. No one knows whether this data is securely kept or misused," says Santosh. The laws are there, but it is not specific to data theft. These regulations come under TRAI and DoT and not IPC or IT Act. TRAI enables DND numbers, but it doesn’t stop the spam caller from using another SIM card and calling you," Santhosh adds. In July 2018, TRAI came out with a new set of regulations with the intention of containing pesky spam calls. According to the new regulations, telecom operators are expected to ensure that communication takes place only through registered senders and with subscribers' consent. However, the impact of these rules do not reflect in the survey and interestingly 90 per cent of the spam calls in India come from the operators themselves.

Every fourth call is a spam call in India: Survey

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his government has changed the "dilly-dallying" work culture regarding the implementation of development projects.

Addressing a rally here after inaugurating the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge, at Bogibeel in Assam, he said completion of projects within a given time frame is no longer confined to paper but has become a reality.

"We have changed the earlier 'latkane bhatkane' (dilly-dallying) work culture... Completion of projects within a time frame is no longer confined to paper but has become a truth in the real sense," he said in a apparent dig at the previous Congress-led UPA government.

If former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a second term, Bogibeel Bridge would have been ready by 2008-09. After his government, no attention was paid to the project till 2014, the prime minister said.

''About 16 years ago, Atal Ji came here. He had a vision for the development of the Bogibeel Bridge. This Bridge is also a tribute to his vision. When Vajpayee ji's Government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed,'' Modi said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
PM Modi: About 16 years ago, Atal Ji came here. He had a vision for the development of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BogibeelBridge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BogibeelBridge</a>. This Bridge is also a tribute to his vision. When Vajpayee ji's Government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed. <a href="https://t.co/qFyeQiuhCu">pic.twitter.com/qFyeQiuhCu</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1077512145670033409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Asserting that the Bogibeel bridge will strengthen the country's defence prowess with movement of vehicles and trains, he said, it is not only a bridge, it is a lifeline for crores of people in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

The bridge will cut down rail distance (between Dibrugarh in Assam to Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh) to below 200 km from 700 km now, Modi said.

After inaugurating the bridge, the prime minister flagged off the Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express, which will run five days a week and use the 4.9-km bridge to cut down the train-travel time between Tinsukia in Assam to Naharlagun town of Arunachal Pradesh by more than 10 hours.

Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh is just over 15 km from Naharlagun.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his government has changed the "dilly-dallying" work culture regarding the implementation of development projects. Addressing a rally here after inaugurating the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge, at Bogibeel in Assam, he said completion of projects within a given time frame is no longer confined to paper but has become a reality.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his government has changed the "dilly-dallying" work culture regarding the implementation of development projects. Addressing a rally here after inaugurating the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge, at Bogibeel in Assam, he said completion of projects within a given time frame is no longer confined to paper but has become a reality. "We have changed the earlier 'latkane bhatkane' (dilly-dallying) work culture... Completion of projects within a time frame is no longer confined to paper but has become a truth in the real sense," he said in a apparent dig at the previous Congress-led UPA government. If former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a second term, Bogibeel Bridge would have been ready by 2008-09. After his government, no attention was paid to the project till 2014, the prime minister said. ''About 16 years ago, Atal Ji came here. He had a vision for the development of the Bogibeel Bridge. This Bridge is also a tribute to his vision. When Vajpayee ji's Government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed,'' Modi said. PM Modi: About 16 years ago, Atal Ji came here. He had a vision for the development of the #BogibeelBridge. This Bridge is also a tribute to his vision. When Vajpayee ji's Government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed. pic.twitter.com/qFyeQiuhCu — ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2018 × Asserting that the Bogibeel bridge will strengthen the country's defence prowess with movement of vehicles and trains, he said, it is not only a bridge, it is a lifeline for crores of people in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The bridge will cut down rail distance (between Dibrugarh in Assam to Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh) to below 200 km from 700 km now, Modi said. After inaugurating the bridge, the prime minister flagged off the Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express, which will run five days a week and use the 4.9-km bridge to cut down the train-travel time between Tinsukia in Assam to Naharlagun town of Arunachal Pradesh by more than 10 hours. Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh is just over 15 km from Naharlagun.

Bogibeel bridge tribute to Vajpayee's vision: PM Modi in Assam

Asserting that India should adopt a "clear-cut roadmap" to tackle the Kashmir issue, former DGP of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-slams-farooq-abdullah-over-promising-regional-autonomy-in-jammu-kashmir-if-his-party-comes-to-power-185789">Jammu &amp; Kashmir</a> K Rajendra Kumar has said the US pulling out troops from Afghanistan will have implications in the Valley and terrorist outfits may feel emboldened.

Kumar was delivering the Lalitaditya Memorial Lecture in Pune, organised by Sarhad organisation. During his speech, he also said that there is a need to send a stern <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-raised-kashmir-issue-with-un-chief-says-un-spokesman-185764">message to Pakistan </a>for its support to militancy.

"A stern message needs to be sent to Pakistan in terms of retaliation. We need to make it more costly for Pakistan because today Pakistan is not feeling the pinch it should feel," said Kumar.

He said India should deal strongly with Pakistan as far as training camps and terrorist launchpads are concerned.

"Now USA is existing Afghanistan. It has its implications in Kashmir. It is a matter of time that we will be feeling its implications in the Valley. After the US withdrawal, the terrorists organisations would feel pumped up, emboldened," he said.

Seeing America's withdrawal as a "sign of victory", terrorist outfits can feel that New Delhi can also be defeated, so there is an urgent need for India to adopt a "clear-cut roadmap" to deal with terrorism in Kashmir, he asserted.

The US is planning to withdraw 7,000 troops from Afghanistan. The American troops contribute to training and advising local forces fighting the Taliban and the Islamic State group.

Underlying Pakistan's active role in spreading terrorism in the Valley, the former IPS officer said Pakistan is not only sponsoring terrorism but also sending its nationals to Kashmir in the garb of fighting jihad.

"No matter which government is in power, Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism in the Valley," he said.

He said militancy in Kashmir started with local terrorist organisations but now it is tilting towards Islamic extremism.

"The Valley has a rich history of Sufism but over the years it has moved towards Wahabism," he said, adding that efforts should be made to take Kashmir back to Sufism.

Suggesting measures, he said the state needs stringent laws to deal with anti-national forces, a concrete policy to encourage youths to give up militancy.

The surrender policy must ensure that youth who give up militancy are gainfully employed and discouraged from returning to the menace, he said.&nbsp;

He also called for political outreach and empowerment of the civil society.

He said social media has played a destructive role in inciting sentiments of the youth.

Asserting that India should adopt a "clear-cut roadmap" to tackle the Kashmir issue, former DGP of Jammu & Kashmir K Rajendra Kumar has said the US pulling out troops from Afghanistan will have implications in the Valley and terrorist outfits may feel emboldened.

Asserting that India should adopt a "clear-cut roadmap" to tackle the Kashmir issue, former DGP of Jammu & Kashmir K Rajendra Kumar has said the US pulling out troops from Afghanistan will have implications in the Valley and terrorist outfits may feel emboldened. Kumar was delivering the Lalitaditya Memorial Lecture in Pune, organised by Sarhad organisation. During his speech, he also said that there is a need to send a stern message to Pakistan for its support to militancy. "A stern message needs to be sent to Pakistan in terms of retaliation. We need to make it more costly for Pakistan because today Pakistan is not feeling the pinch it should feel," said Kumar. He said India should deal strongly with Pakistan as far as training camps and terrorist launchpads are concerned. "Now USA is existing Afghanistan. It has its implications in Kashmir. It is a matter of time that we will be feeling its implications in the Valley. After the US withdrawal, the terrorists organisations would feel pumped up, emboldened," he said. Seeing America's withdrawal as a "sign of victory", terrorist outfits can feel that New Delhi can also be defeated, so there is an urgent need for India to adopt a "clear-cut roadmap" to deal with terrorism in Kashmir, he asserted. The US is planning to withdraw 7,000 troops from Afghanistan. The American troops contribute to training and advising local forces fighting the Taliban and the Islamic State group. Underlying Pakistan's active role in spreading terrorism in the Valley, the former IPS officer said Pakistan is not only sponsoring terrorism but also sending its nationals to Kashmir in the garb of fighting jihad. "No matter which government is in power, Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism in the Valley," he said. He said militancy in Kashmir started with local terrorist organisations but now it is tilting towards Islamic extremism. "The Valley has a rich history of Sufism but over the years it has moved towards Wahabism," he said, adding that efforts should be made to take Kashmir back to Sufism. Suggesting measures, he said the state needs stringent laws to deal with anti-national forces, a concrete policy to encourage youths to give up militancy. The surrender policy must ensure that youth who give up militancy are gainfully employed and discouraged from returning to the menace, he said. He also called for political outreach and empowerment of the civil society. He said social media has played a destructive role in inciting sentiments of the youth.

US withdrawal from Afghanistan will have implications in Kashmir: Former J&K DGP K Rajendra Kumar

As many Indian cities battle air pollution, officials at the country's top medical institute AIIMS said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-residents-spend-christmas-indoors-as-smog-emergency-reaches-fourth-day-186396">poor air quality</a> has increased the number of patients visiting hospitals with respiratory problems.

All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Dr Randeep Guleria said there has been an increase in the number of patients visiting hospitals with complaints of respiratory problems and after suffering cardiac arrests during the months when pollution levels are high.

Studies are being conducted to asses the impact of pollution on public health, he told reporters at the sidelines of an event at the AIIMS here.&nbsp;

Delhi's air quality remained in the 'severe' category for the fourth consecutive day Tuesday as meteorological conditions continued to be unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants. The city is facing its worst pollution crisis since Diwali.

While the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) at 'severe' level of 416, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) recorded an AQI of 423.

While, the national capital has been battling air pollution for quite a few years now, air quality in Kolkata has dropped significantly over the last few months and in November it was the most polluted city in India.

Guleria asked people to avoid visiting most polluted areas and taking preventive measures.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Health Minister J P Nadda Tuesday inaugurated water cooler facilities in AIIMS, donated by the Girdhari Lal Memorial Trust.&nbsp;

As many Indian cities battle air pollution, officials at the country's top medical institute AIIMS said poor air quality has increased the number of patients visiting hospitals with respiratory problems.

As many Indian cities battle air pollution, officials at the country's top medical institute AIIMS said poor air quality has increased the number of patients visiting hospitals with respiratory problems. All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Dr Randeep Guleria said there has been an increase in the number of patients visiting hospitals with complaints of respiratory problems and after suffering cardiac arrests during the months when pollution levels are high. Studies are being conducted to asses the impact of pollution on public health, he told reporters at the sidelines of an event at the AIIMS here. Delhi's air quality remained in the 'severe' category for the fourth consecutive day Tuesday as meteorological conditions continued to be unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants. The city is facing its worst pollution crisis since Diwali. While the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) at 'severe' level of 416, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) recorded an AQI of 423. While, the national capital has been battling air pollution for quite a few years now, air quality in Kolkata has dropped significantly over the last few months and in November it was the most polluted city in India. Guleria asked people to avoid visiting most polluted areas and taking preventive measures. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Health Minister J P Nadda Tuesday inaugurated water cooler facilities in AIIMS, donated by the Girdhari Lal Memorial Trust.

Number of patients with respiratory problems has increased: AIIMS director

BJP MLA and former minister P Manikyala Rao Tuesday sent his "resignation" letter to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu protesting the state government's 'failure' to implement the promises made to his Tadepalligudem constituency.

Rao also threatened to go on an indefinite fast if the chief minister did not address the issues within 15 days.

Naidu, however, brushed it aside saying the resignation was "politically motivated."

Manikyala Rao served as the Endowments minister in the Naidu Cabinet from June 2014 to March 2018 when the TDP and the BJP were in alliance.

He quit as minister after the TDP pulled out of the NDA and severed ties with the BJP.

Addressing a press conference in his hometown, Rao alleged the Naidu government totally neglected the development of West Godavari district in general and Tadepalligudem Assembly constituency in particular.

"For the past three months, I have been repeatedly requesting the chief minister to resolve the problems related to my constituency but to no avail.&nbsp;

The government has not been taking up any development in the constituency only because the TDP doesn't exist here," he alleged.

"I feel ashamed being a member of the House. Develop the constituency at least by removing me. You may forward my resignation to the Assembly Speaker," Rao said in the letter.

Asked about this, the Chief Minister said at a press conference that he would have been happy if the MLA resigned in protest against the Centre's indifference towards Polavaram project.

"West Godavari is special to me as people of the district gave me all the 15 Assembly seats. I will do everything for the district's development even going out of the way. The MLA's resignation is politically motivated," Chandrababu remarked.&nbsp;

BJP MLA and former minister P Manikyala Rao Tuesday sent his "resignation" letter to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu protesting the state government's 'failure' to implement the promises made to his Tadepalligudem constituency.

BJP MLA and former minister P Manikyala Rao Tuesday sent his "resignation" letter to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu protesting the state government's 'failure' to implement the promises made to his Tadepalligudem constituency. Rao also threatened to go on an indefinite fast if the chief minister did not address the issues within 15 days. Naidu, however, brushed it aside saying the resignation was "politically motivated." Manikyala Rao served as the Endowments minister in the Naidu Cabinet from June 2014 to March 2018 when the TDP and the BJP were in alliance. He quit as minister after the TDP pulled out of the NDA and severed ties with the BJP. Addressing a press conference in his hometown, Rao alleged the Naidu government totally neglected the development of West Godavari district in general and Tadepalligudem Assembly constituency in particular. "For the past three months, I have been repeatedly requesting the chief minister to resolve the problems related to my constituency but to no avail. The government has not been taking up any development in the constituency only because the TDP doesn't exist here," he alleged. "I feel ashamed being a member of the House. Develop the constituency at least by removing me. You may forward my resignation to the Assembly Speaker," Rao said in the letter. Asked about this, the Chief Minister said at a press conference that he would have been happy if the MLA resigned in protest against the Centre's indifference towards Polavaram project. "West Godavari is special to me as people of the district gave me all the 15 Assembly seats. I will do everything for the district's development even going out of the way. The MLA's resignation is politically motivated," Chandrababu remarked.

Andhra Pradesh: BJP MLA 'resigns' over government's failure to fulfil promises

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-to-file-appeal-in-herald-house-eviction-case-sources-185857">The Congress</a> in Tamil Nadu Tuesday announced state-wide public meetings next month to highlight the "anti-people" approach of the Central and state governments, with focus on the Rafale deal.

TNCC President Su Thirunavukkarasar said the meetings would be held between January 2 and 12, 2019, in line with a decision arrived earlier in a party's district leaders meeting.

In a statement, he recalled Congress President Rahul Gandhi's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe into the pricing issue relating to the French combat aircraft.

"The Congress has a big democratic responsibility to inform people about this mega scam," Thirunavukkarasar said.

The party also had the 'responsibility' to highlight the 'anti-people' approach of both the BJP-led Central government as well as the AIADMK rule in Tamil Nadu on many issues, he added.

With the Lok Sabha elections "due soon," the party's high command has issued directions to conduct such meetings.

Opposition parties led by the Congress have been attacking the Modi government over the deal, alleging that it was struck at an exorbitant price and benefited an Indian businessman at the cost of the government-run HAL.

However, the charges have been denied by the government.

The Supreme Court had on December 14 given the Narendra Modi government a clean chit on the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France and dismissed all petitions seeking a direction to the CBI to register an FIR for alleged irregularities in the deal.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh had recently demanded in the Lok Sabha that Rahul Gandhi should apologise on the floor of the House for "misleading" the country on the Rafale jet deal issue.

The Congress in Tamil Nadu Tuesday announced state-wide public meetings next month to highlight the "anti-people" approach of the Central and state governments, with focus on the Rafale deal.

The Congress in Tamil Nadu Tuesday announced state-wide public meetings next month to highlight the "anti-people" approach of the Central and state governments, with focus on the Rafale deal. TNCC President Su Thirunavukkarasar said the meetings would be held between January 2 and 12, 2019, in line with a decision arrived earlier in a party's district leaders meeting. In a statement, he recalled Congress President Rahul Gandhi's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe into the pricing issue relating to the French combat aircraft. "The Congress has a big democratic responsibility to inform people about this mega scam," Thirunavukkarasar said. The party also had the 'responsibility' to highlight the 'anti-people' approach of both the BJP-led Central government as well as the AIADMK rule in Tamil Nadu on many issues, he added. With the Lok Sabha elections "due soon," the party's high command has issued directions to conduct such meetings. Opposition parties led by the Congress have been attacking the Modi government over the deal, alleging that it was struck at an exorbitant price and benefited an Indian businessman at the cost of the government-run HAL. However, the charges have been denied by the government. The Supreme Court had on December 14 given the Narendra Modi government a clean chit on the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France and dismissed all petitions seeking a direction to the CBI to register an FIR for alleged irregularities in the deal. Home Minister Rajnath Singh had recently demanded in the Lok Sabha that Rahul Gandhi should apologise on the floor of the House for "misleading" the country on the Rafale jet deal issue.

Congress announces meetings in Tamil Nadu on Rafale deal

All you need to know about India's Bogibeel bridge

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-nath-sworn-in-as-madhya-pradesh-chief-minister-184795">Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath</a> expanded his Cabinet on Tuesday, with 28 MLAs, including two woman legislators, sworn in as ministers.

Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to the new ministers at the Raj Bhavan here.

Sajjan Singh Verma, Vijayalaxmi Sadho, Hukum Singh Karada, Govind Singh Rajput, Bala Bachchan, Arif Akil, Pradeep Jayaswal, Imarti Devi were among those sworn in as ministers.

Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Kamal Nath had taken oath as the chief minister on December 17, after the Congress won the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, defeating the BJP in a nail-biting contest.

The Congress returned to power in the state after a hiatus of 15 years.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath expanded his Cabinet on Tuesday, with 28 MLAs, including two woman legislators, sworn in as ministers. Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to the new ministers at the Raj Bhavan here.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath expanded his Cabinet on Tuesday, with 28 MLAs, including two woman legislators, sworn in as ministers. Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to the new ministers at the Raj Bhavan here. Sajjan Singh Verma, Vijayalaxmi Sadho, Hukum Singh Karada, Govind Singh Rajput, Bala Bachchan, Arif Akil, Pradeep Jayaswal, Imarti Devi were among those sworn in as ministers. Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Kamal Nath had taken oath as the chief minister on December 17, after the Congress won the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, defeating the BJP in a nail-biting contest. The Congress returned to power in the state after a hiatus of 15 years.

28 legislators take oath as ministers in Madhya Pradesh

Many Delhi residents were forced to spend Christmas indoors this year as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pollution-at-emegency-level-in-past-two-days-in-delhi-186191">air quality remained at "severe to emergency" </a>levels for a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhis-air-quality-remains-severe-for-4th-consecutive-day-186325">fourth day</a>, in the Indian capital's worst smog crisis this year.

Senior officials predicted the severe pollution would last another three days due to unusually stagnant and cold air. They issued a three-day emergency response on Monday that included closing area factories and banning construction works.

"We are preferring to stay at home due to pollution despite Christmas celebrations and a public holiday," said Amit Azad, a financial consultant. He bought an air purifier this week after developing a cough because of the smog.

A Delhi government official blamed the pollution for lighter-than-usual traffic on already holiday-thinned streets, while a Delhi airport official said some domestic and international flights were delayed for up to two hours due to poor visibility.

Delhi's air quality index, which measures the concentration of poisonous particulate matter, averaged 420 on Tuesday morning, slightly better than 449-450 the previous two days - the worst this year - data from the government's Central Pollution Control Board showed. A reading above 100 is considered unhealthy.

Delhi is ranked among the world's worst cities in air quality, after years of breakneck growth in auto sales and coal-fired power generation.

Environmentalists say the federal and city governments, while focusing on temporary responses, are side-stepping more effective, long-term measures that would hit at the sources of pollution and promote cleaner fuels.

"There is a lack of political will to take required measures on a sustained basis to contain pollution levels," said Sunil Dahiya, a senior campaigner with Greenpeace India. He called for higher car parking fees and reduced dependence on coal-fired power plants.

Dahiya also said the government should immediately close down schools and urge people to curtail outdoor activities given the serious health effects of the current pollution levels.

Many Delhi residents were forced to spend Christmas indoors this year as air quality remained at "severe to emergency" levels for a fourth day, in the Indian capital's worst smog crisis this year.

Many Delhi residents were forced to spend Christmas indoors this year as air quality remained at "severe to emergency" levels for a fourth day, in the Indian capital's worst smog crisis this year. Senior officials predicted the severe pollution would last another three days due to unusually stagnant and cold air. They issued a three-day emergency response on Monday that included closing area factories and banning construction works. "We are preferring to stay at home due to pollution despite Christmas celebrations and a public holiday," said Amit Azad, a financial consultant. He bought an air purifier this week after developing a cough because of the smog. A Delhi government official blamed the pollution for lighter-than-usual traffic on already holiday-thinned streets, while a Delhi airport official said some domestic and international flights were delayed for up to two hours due to poor visibility. Delhi's air quality index, which measures the concentration of poisonous particulate matter, averaged 420 on Tuesday morning, slightly better than 449-450 the previous two days - the worst this year - data from the government's Central Pollution Control Board showed. A reading above 100 is considered unhealthy. Delhi is ranked among the world's worst cities in air quality, after years of breakneck growth in auto sales and coal-fired power generation. Environmentalists say the federal and city governments, while focusing on temporary responses, are side-stepping more effective, long-term measures that would hit at the sources of pollution and promote cleaner fuels. "There is a lack of political will to take required measures on a sustained basis to contain pollution levels," said Sunil Dahiya, a senior campaigner with Greenpeace India. He called for higher car parking fees and reduced dependence on coal-fired power plants. Dahiya also said the government should immediately close down schools and urge people to curtail outdoor activities given the serious health effects of the current pollution levels.

Delhiites spend Christmas indoors as smog level increases

Hospitals, universities and other institutions in developed countries receive large endowments due to factors like inheritance tax, which is not the case in India, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/future-roadmap-will-be-to-work-towards-a-single-standard-rate-instead-of-two-arun-jaitley-186136">Finance Minister Arun Jaitley</a> said Tuesday.

Analysing the means of funding for India's healthcare and educational bodies as against the global ways, Jaitley said such institutions in the country receive donations from religious groups and CSR programmes.

"Most hospitals internationally have some of the largest endowments.&nbsp;Most educational institutes have some of the largest endowments. Those endowments come to the educational institutions from their alumni, who have benefitted from the quality of those institutions.''

"Once they are successful in life, they keep supporting the institutions with those endowments. Some IITs have started that experiment now in India. But still it's not very largely prevalent," Jaitley said at an event in AIIMS here.

He said the endowments received by some major hospitals in the US and Europe run into billions of dollars, which are provided by people and patients who have benefitted from them.

"So I was analysing that why that condition doesn't exist in our country. And one of the reasons I found out was that those societies have a very large inheritance tax. Therefore a lot of people in their old age prefer to go for charitable donations in order to get around that inheritance tax. Since we don't have that inheritance tax in India, our charities are not in terms of such endowments," he said.

The finance minister said charities in India depend on social endowments.

"Educational institutions, hospitals are set up by religious groups, caste groups by communities and so on. The social sector in India gets funded more on a community basis, except for this new beginning that we started in the last four years when we started the corporate social responsibility," he noted.

Under the Companies Act, 2013, certain class of profitable entities are required to shell out at least 2 per cent of their three-year annual average net profit towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.

Inheritance tax is levied on the wealth inherited by the legal heirs of a deceased person. Also known as estate tax, it is levied by governments of most western countries, including the US and the UK.

India too had this tax, but it was abolished by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1985.

Hospitals, universities and other institutions in developed countries receive large endowments due to factors like inheritance tax, which is not the case in India, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Tuesday.

Hospitals, universities and other institutions in developed countries receive large endowments due to factors like inheritance tax, which is not the case in India, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Tuesday. Analysing the means of funding for India's healthcare and educational bodies as against the global ways, Jaitley said such institutions in the country receive donations from religious groups and CSR programmes. "Most hospitals internationally have some of the largest endowments. Most educational institutes have some of the largest endowments. Those endowments come to the educational institutions from their alumni, who have benefitted from the quality of those institutions.'' "Once they are successful in life, they keep supporting the institutions with those endowments. Some IITs have started that experiment now in India. But still it's not very largely prevalent," Jaitley said at an event in AIIMS here. He said the endowments received by some major hospitals in the US and Europe run into billions of dollars, which are provided by people and patients who have benefitted from them. "So I was analysing that why that condition doesn't exist in our country. And one of the reasons I found out was that those societies have a very large inheritance tax. Therefore a lot of people in their old age prefer to go for charitable donations in order to get around that inheritance tax. Since we don't have that inheritance tax in India, our charities are not in terms of such endowments," he said. The finance minister said charities in India depend on social endowments. "Educational institutions, hospitals are set up by religious groups, caste groups by communities and so on. The social sector in India gets funded more on a community basis, except for this new beginning that we started in the last four years when we started the corporate social responsibility," he noted. Under the Companies Act, 2013, certain class of profitable entities are required to shell out at least 2 per cent of their three-year annual average net profit towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. Inheritance tax is levied on the wealth inherited by the legal heirs of a deceased person. Also known as estate tax, it is levied by governments of most western countries, including the US and the UK. India too had this tax, but it was abolished by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1985.

Inheritance tax has spurred large endowments to hospitals, universities in West: Jaitley

PM Modi today inaugurated the rail-road bridge over the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-indias-longest-rail-road-bridge-today-186250">Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel</a> near Dibrugarh in Assam today.

The 4.94 km bridge has double line broad <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/fighter-jets-can-land-on-indias-longest-rail-road-bridge-bogibeel-other-top-facts-186294">gauge rail tracks and upper deck </a>road spread in three lanes. The bridge connects Assam's Dibrugarh to Nharlgun in Itanagar in just four hours.

The bridge provides an alternate route to Dibrugarh for the residents through the Brahmaputra. The Bogibeel bridge was part of the Assam accord and sanctioned in 1997-98 and seeks to connect northeastern states with the rest of the country.

The strategically important bridge is also expected to facilitate troop movement during an emergency situation. It connects parts of Arunachal Pradesh ending at Dhemaji districts in Assam.

The prime minister took a short walk over the bridge accompanied by Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi and chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. PM Modi flew directly to the bridge in a chopper and inaugurated the bridge which is touted as India's longest rail-cum-road bridge.

The prime minister flagged off the train which is set to cut train travel between Dibrugarh and &nbsp;Itanagar by 705 kms.

While inaugurating the bridge, the prime minister congratulated the north-east declaring that it was a historic day for the residents.&nbsp;

"The railroad will improve trade and is a lifeline for commuters," the prime minister said during his speech.&nbsp;"About sixteen years ago, Atalji came here. He had a vision for the development of the Bogibeel bridge. This bridge is also a tribute to his vision," PM Modi said.&nbsp;

"When Vajpayeeji's government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed," the PM added. 
&nbsp;&nbsp;

PM Modi today inaugurated the rail-road bridge over the Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in Assam today. The 4.94 km bridge has double line broad gauge rail tracks and upper deck road spread in three lanes.

PM Modi today inaugurated the rail-road bridge over the Brahmaputra river at Bogibeel near Dibrugarh in Assam today. The 4.94 km bridge has double line broad gauge rail tracks and upper deck road spread in three lanes. The bridge connects Assam's Dibrugarh to Nharlgun in Itanagar in just four hours. The bridge provides an alternate route to Dibrugarh for the residents through the Brahmaputra. The Bogibeel bridge was part of the Assam accord and sanctioned in 1997-98 and seeks to connect northeastern states with the rest of the country. The strategically important bridge is also expected to facilitate troop movement during an emergency situation. It connects parts of Arunachal Pradesh ending at Dhemaji districts in Assam. The prime minister took a short walk over the bridge accompanied by Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi and chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. PM Modi flew directly to the bridge in a chopper and inaugurated the bridge which is touted as India's longest rail-cum-road bridge. The prime minister flagged off the train which is set to cut train travel between Dibrugarh and Itanagar by 705 kms. While inaugurating the bridge, the prime minister congratulated the north-east declaring that it was a historic day for the residents. "The railroad will improve trade and is a lifeline for commuters," the prime minister said during his speech. "About sixteen years ago, Atalji came here. He had a vision for the development of the Bogibeel bridge. This bridge is also a tribute to his vision," PM Modi said. "When Vajpayeeji's government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed," the PM added.

Watch: PM Modi takes a walk, rides on Bogibeel bridge in Assam

In Jammu and Kashmir(J&amp;K), night markets are bringing life back which was once scarred due to violence. Now, these markets open after the sunset and close mid-night bringing cheer on the faces of tourists and locals in the Valley.

At the world famous Dal lake, houseboats present a mesmerising look with the sunset, tourists come out to enjoy the scenic beauty and buy souvenirs and other traditional items in the bone-chilling cold. These shops are set up on the footpaths and often till midnight they find customers.&nbsp;

"We open our shops at 4:30 pm&nbsp;and when we have good customer flow, we shut them at 12 to 1 mid-night," says Sheraz Ahmad, a local shopkeeper.&nbsp;

Popular food stalls of barbeques and other mouth-watering food also open at night despite the freezing temperatures.

People come out to taste the food along with their families which now seems unimaginable after the terrorism broke out in the Valley in the 1990s. These markets help tourists in recreation as there are no other activities in the Valley after&nbsp;dark. &nbsp;

"We feel good to come out here at night. In Kolkata, we don't have these kinds of markets. Despite cold, these markets are open. They give us the opportunity to go out at night because night activities are very few here," said Subra Nastar, a tourist from West Bengal.&nbsp;

But people here blame the government for failing to provide electricity which could help in boosting night activities. Unscheduled and scheduled electricity cuts hamper not only these night shopkeepers but also tourism which plays an important role in the Valley.

"We have been asking that there should be night activities in Srinagar. We have very few cafes here at night. We used to have sound and light show at Mughal garden but it has been shut. We have been seeking all this from the government from a very long time," says a tourist Hamid Wangnoo.&nbsp;

With the improvement in the security situation in the Valley, the hope is that there would be more to do in the state after sunset.

In Jammu and Kashmir(J&K), night markets are bringing life back which was once scarred due to violence. Now, these markets open after the sunset and close mid-night bringing cheer on the faces of tourists and locals in the Valley.

In Jammu and Kashmir(J&K), night markets are bringing life back which was once scarred due to violence. Now, these markets open after the sunset and close mid-night bringing cheer on the faces of tourists and locals in the Valley. At the world famous Dal lake, houseboats present a mesmerising look with the sunset, tourists come out to enjoy the scenic beauty and buy souvenirs and other traditional items in the bone-chilling cold. These shops are set up on the footpaths and often till midnight they find customers. "We open our shops at 4:30 pm and when we have good customer flow, we shut them at 12 to 1 mid-night," says Sheraz Ahmad, a local shopkeeper. Popular food stalls of barbeques and other mouth-watering food also open at night despite the freezing temperatures. People come out to taste the food along with their families which now seems unimaginable after the terrorism broke out in the Valley in the 1990s. These markets help tourists in recreation as there are no other activities in the Valley after dark. "We feel good to come out here at night. In Kolkata, we don't have these kinds of markets. Despite cold, these markets are open. They give us the opportunity to go out at night because night activities are very few here," said Subra Nastar, a tourist from West Bengal. But people here blame the government for failing to provide electricity which could help in boosting night activities. Unscheduled and scheduled electricity cuts hamper not only these night shopkeepers but also tourism which plays an important role in the Valley. "We have been asking that there should be night activities in Srinagar. We have very few cafes here at night. We used to have sound and light show at Mughal garden but it has been shut. We have been seeking all this from the government from a very long time," says a tourist Hamid Wangnoo. With the improvement in the security situation in the Valley, the hope is that there would be more to do in the state after sunset.

Night markets bring cheer to locals in J&K

There seems to be no hope at the end of the tunnel for the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/flooding-in-illegal-coal-mine-in-meghalaya-13-feared-dead-183935">15 labourers trapped in a coal mine</a> a fortnight ago, as search operations have been suspended by the Meghalaya government for want of high-powered pumps to flush out water from the pit.

Four years after the National Green Tribunal ordered a ban on coal mining in Meghalaya, illegal practices continue unabated in the state, putting lives at risk every day.

A top police officer told PTI that it took them long to locate the quarry as local people were scared to divulge information, fearing a backlash from mine owners.

Sylvester Nongtynger, the East Jaintia Hills superintendent of police, said he came to know about the accident from Rajabala MLA Azad Aman.

"It took the police hours to locate the mine as the villagers feigned ignorance about the accident. They are afraid that mine owners might cause them harm. Some who consider mining to be their only means of livelihood fear police action may add to their woes," he said.

A month ago, rights activist Agnes Kharshiing and her companion were attacked by a group of people who were suspected to be members of coal mining mafia in East Jaintia Hills district.

Kharshiing had reportedly captured photographs of illegal rat-hole mining in the district and was stopped by miscreants on their way back.

Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels, usually 3-4 feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal. The horizontal tunnels are often termed "rat-holes", as each just about fits one person.

According to government reports, the coal mining industry was among the biggest revenue earners for the state, generating about Rs 700 crore annually, prior to its ban in 2014.

The National Green Tribunal had cited safety of miners as one of the reasons when it clamped down on coal mining in the state.

Heaps of freshly dug coal could be seen dumped on both sides of the road that approaches Lumthari village, where the miners were trapped on December 13, from Khliehriat, the district headquarters of East Jaintia Hills.

District Deputy Commissioner F M Dopth told this PTI correspondent to take security cover if he intended to tour the village as local people are agitated over the incident.

Three from the village are among the 15 labourers who got trapped in the mine when water from nearby Lytein river gushed into it.

A senior home department official said the district police force do not have adequate personnel to deal with the problem.

"There are less than 100 police officers posted in the district. East Jaintia Hills, spanning an area of 2,000 sq km, has only 26 armed constables, 31 unarmed constables, 12 sub-inspectors and three inspectors. That isn't enough to curb a menace, which has only grown in proportions over the years," he said.

Nongtynger, on his part, said he had written to the headquarters for sanctioning more posts in the district for effective implementation of the NGT order.

"Despite limited resources, over 100 arrests were made and an equal number of coal-laden trucks seized since the ban was ordered," he said.

A three-member panel, formed in August by the NGT, is assessing the steps taken by the state government to restore the environment damaged due to rat-hole mining.

Retired Justice B P Kakoti, who is heading the panel, recently visited East Jaintia Hills district and sought help from North Eastern Space Application Centre at Umiam, near here, to use satellite imagery for authentic proofs of illegal mining.

"The judicial panel will submit a report before the NGT within a month and all facts and figures of the illegal mining activities will be taken into account," he said.

A group of coal miners had challenged the ban on haulage of already extracted coal, following which the NGT relaxed transportation rules temporarily.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court set January 31 as deadline for transporting the extracted coal.

According to Kakoti, "Miners are taking advantage of the order and digging out fresh coal."

Opposition Congress leader H M Shangpliang accused the state government of facilitating illegal mining activities in the state.

"Without the involvement of those in the government and their wholehearted support, how can illegal mining and transportation take place openly?" he reasoned.

He also said that the state government had failed to live up to its promise to curb the menace.

"The government should provide alternative livelihood for the families of people in mining areas who are affected by the ban," he said.

Activist Kharshiing's brother John, who heads an organisation of tribal body chiefs (Syiem aka Raja) in the state, said the "ban had come across a rude shock for the mine owners, who just could not accept the fact that the&nbsp; 
NGT controlled activities on their land".

Unlike other parts of the country, land in Meghalaya is owned privately or by a community, under customary laws and protected by the Autonomous District Councils formed under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

"The local people still have a problem with the NGT ban. They are yet to come to terms with it," he added.

There seems to be no hope at the end of the tunnel for the 15 labourers trapped in a coal mine a fortnight ago, as search operations have been suspended by the Meghalaya government for want of high-powered pumps to flush out water from the pit.

There seems to be no hope at the end of the tunnel for the 15 labourers trapped in a coal mine a fortnight ago, as search operations have been suspended by the Meghalaya government for want of high-powered pumps to flush out water from the pit. Four years after the National Green Tribunal ordered a ban on coal mining in Meghalaya, illegal practices continue unabated in the state, putting lives at risk every day. A top police officer told PTI that it took them long to locate the quarry as local people were scared to divulge information, fearing a backlash from mine owners. Sylvester Nongtynger, the East Jaintia Hills superintendent of police, said he came to know about the accident from Rajabala MLA Azad Aman. "It took the police hours to locate the mine as the villagers feigned ignorance about the accident. They are afraid that mine owners might cause them harm. Some who consider mining to be their only means of livelihood fear police action may add to their woes," he said. A month ago, rights activist Agnes Kharshiing and her companion were attacked by a group of people who were suspected to be members of coal mining mafia in East Jaintia Hills district. Kharshiing had reportedly captured photographs of illegal rat-hole mining in the district and was stopped by miscreants on their way back. Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels, usually 3-4 feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal. The horizontal tunnels are often termed "rat-holes", as each just about fits one person. According to government reports, the coal mining industry was among the biggest revenue earners for the state, generating about Rs 700 crore annually, prior to its ban in 2014. The National Green Tribunal had cited safety of miners as one of the reasons when it clamped down on coal mining in the state. Heaps of freshly dug coal could be seen dumped on both sides of the road that approaches Lumthari village, where the miners were trapped on December 13, from Khliehriat, the district headquarters of East Jaintia Hills. District Deputy Commissioner F M Dopth told this PTI correspondent to take security cover if he intended to tour the village as local people are agitated over the incident. Three from the village are among the 15 labourers who got trapped in the mine when water from nearby Lytein river gushed into it. A senior home department official said the district police force do not have adequate personnel to deal with the problem. "There are less than 100 police officers posted in the district. East Jaintia Hills, spanning an area of 2,000 sq km, has only 26 armed constables, 31 unarmed constables, 12 sub-inspectors and three inspectors. That isn't enough to curb a menace, which has only grown in proportions over the years," he said. Nongtynger, on his part, said he had written to the headquarters for sanctioning more posts in the district for effective implementation of the NGT order. "Despite limited resources, over 100 arrests were made and an equal number of coal-laden trucks seized since the ban was ordered," he said. A three-member panel, formed in August by the NGT, is assessing the steps taken by the state government to restore the environment damaged due to rat-hole mining. Retired Justice B P Kakoti, who is heading the panel, recently visited East Jaintia Hills district and sought help from North Eastern Space Application Centre at Umiam, near here, to use satellite imagery for authentic proofs of illegal mining. "The judicial panel will submit a report before the NGT within a month and all facts and figures of the illegal mining activities will be taken into account," he said. A group of coal miners had challenged the ban on haulage of already extracted coal, following which the NGT relaxed transportation rules temporarily. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court set January 31 as deadline for transporting the extracted coal. According to Kakoti, "Miners are taking advantage of the order and digging out fresh coal." Opposition Congress leader H M Shangpliang accused the state government of facilitating illegal mining activities in the state. "Without the involvement of those in the government and their wholehearted support, how can illegal mining and transportation take place openly?" he reasoned. He also said that the state government had failed to live up to its promise to curb the menace. "The government should provide alternative livelihood for the families of people in mining areas who are affected by the ban," he said. Activist Kharshiing's brother John, who heads an organisation of tribal body chiefs (Syiem aka Raja) in the state, said the "ban had come across a rude shock for the mine owners, who just could not accept the fact that the NGT controlled activities on their land". Unlike other parts of the country, land in Meghalaya is owned privately or by a community, under customary laws and protected by the Autonomous District Councils formed under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. "The local people still have a problem with the NGT ban. They are yet to come to terms with it," he added.

After two weeks, 15 miners still trapped in Meghalaya; search operation suspended

PM Narendra Modi at Bogibeel Bridge, a combined rail and road bridge over Brahmaputra river in Dibrugarh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bogibeel bridge in Dibrugarh, Assam on Tuesday. Bogibeel is be the country's longest rail-road bridge.&nbsp;

The first passenger train passing through Bogibeel was flagged off by PM Modi, PTI reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

December 25 is also the birth anniversary of late former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and is observed by the government as "Good Governance Day".

Bogibeel&nbsp;connects the south bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assam's Dibrugarh district with Silapathar in Dhemaji district, bordering Arunachal Pradesh.

The 4.9-km bridge will cut down train travel time between Tinsukia in Assam and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh by over 10 hours.

"It will take five-and-a-half hours compared to the 15-20 hours it currently takes. Passengers had to change trains multiple times and take a long-winded route," Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Nripen Bhattacharya said.

The Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express will run five days a week.

(With inputs from PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bogibeel bridge in Dibrugarh, Assam on Tuesday. Bogibeel is be the country's longest rail-road bridge. The first passenger train passing through Bogibeel was flagged off by PM Modi, PTI reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bogibeel bridge in Dibrugarh, Assam on Tuesday. Bogibeel is be the country's longest rail-road bridge. The first passenger train passing through Bogibeel was flagged off by PM Modi, PTI reported. December 25 is also the birth anniversary of late former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and is observed by the government as "Good Governance Day". Bogibeel connects the south bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assam's Dibrugarh district with Silapathar in Dhemaji district, bordering Arunachal Pradesh. The 4.9-km bridge will cut down train travel time between Tinsukia in Assam and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh by over 10 hours. "It will take five-and-a-half hours compared to the 15-20 hours it currently takes. Passengers had to change trains multiple times and take a long-winded route," Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Nripen Bhattacharya said. The Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express will run five days a week. (With inputs from PTI)

Modi inaugurates Bogibeel bridge in Assam, it will be India's longest

Test Headline

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-indias-longest-rail-road-bridge-today-186250">Bogibeel bridge</a> in Dibrugarh, Assam. Bogibeel is the country's longest rail-road bridge.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister also flagged-off first passenger train passing through Bogibeel.

Bogibeel connects the south bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assam's Dibrugarh district with Silapathar in Dhemaji district, bordering Arunachal Pradesh.

The 4.9-km bridge will cut down train travel time between Tinsukia in Assam and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh by over 10 hours.

"It will take five-and-a-half hours compared to the 15-20 hours it currently takes. Passengers had to change trains multiple times and take a long-winded route," Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Nripen Bhattacharya said.

The Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express will run five days a week. &nbsp;

The bridge was inaugurated on the occasion of the Good Governance Day which commemorates the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.&nbsp;

Here are some top facts about the bridge.&nbsp;

1. The foundation of the bridge was laid over two decades back in the year 1997.

2. The bridge is built across the mighty Brahmaputra river.

3. The bridge is sturdy enough to support the movement of tanks and fighter jet landings. As reported by PTI, the bridge's three-lane roads can act as landing strips for the Air Force

4. The bridge is said to have a lifespan on around 120 years. It is the country's only fully-welded bridge.

5. On the lower deck the bridge there exists a two-line railway track while on top it has a three-lane road. It will reduce the Delhi to Dibrugarh train travel time by nearly three hours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the Bogibeel bridge in Dibrugarh, Assam. Bogibeel is the country's longest rail-road bridge. The Prime Minister also flagged-off first passenger train passing through Bogibeel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the Bogibeel bridge in Dibrugarh, Assam. Bogibeel is the country's longest rail-road bridge. The Prime Minister also flagged-off first passenger train passing through Bogibeel. Bogibeel connects the south bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assam's Dibrugarh district with Silapathar in Dhemaji district, bordering Arunachal Pradesh. The 4.9-km bridge will cut down train travel time between Tinsukia in Assam and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh by over 10 hours. "It will take five-and-a-half hours compared to the 15-20 hours it currently takes. Passengers had to change trains multiple times and take a long-winded route," Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Nripen Bhattacharya said. The Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express will run five days a week. The bridge was inaugurated on the occasion of the Good Governance Day which commemorates the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Here are some top facts about the bridge. 1. The foundation of the bridge was laid over two decades back in the year 1997. 2. The bridge is built across the mighty Brahmaputra river. 3. The bridge is sturdy enough to support the movement of tanks and fighter jet landings. As reported by PTI, the bridge's three-lane roads can act as landing strips for the Air Force 4. The bridge is said to have a lifespan on around 120 years. It is the country's only fully-welded bridge. 5. On the lower deck the bridge there exists a two-line railway track while on top it has a three-lane road. It will reduce the Delhi to Dibrugarh train travel time by nearly three hours.

Fighter jets can land on India's longest rail-road bridge Bogibeel & other facts about it

Mehul Choksi has said he cannot travel 41 hours to reach India. He has however said he would be willing to be questioned over video call.&nbsp;

Choksi is one of the prime accused, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, in the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank scam. Choksi is currently in Antigua.&nbsp;

Choksi submitted his answer to a Bombay court where a case has been filed against him by the Enforcement Directorate.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Mehul Choksi also submitted in Bombay Court that he has expressed his willingness to join the investigation through video conferencing <a href="https://t.co/pE3CACK2DQ">https://t.co/pE3CACK2DQ</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1077447757231808512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Choksi cited his poor health and inability to travel long hours for not being able to come to India for investigations.&nbsp;

He also accused&nbsp;the ED of misleading the court by deliberately not revealing his health condition. Choksi added that he is in constant touch with the banks and wishes to settle his dues.&nbsp;

The Interpol had on December 13 a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pnb-bank-case-interpol-issues-red-corned-notice-against-mehul-choksi-183652">issued&nbsp;a red&nbsp;corner notice (RCN) against Mehul Choksi</a>.

An RCN issued by Interpol works like an international arrest warrant. The notice was issued at the request of India's CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation).

Mehul Choksi who owns Gitanjali Gems is under investigation for his role in the PNB scam along with his nephew Nirav Modi. The CBI had earlier arrested the vice-president of Gitanjali group Vipul Chitalia.

Choksi had reportedly taken Antiguan citizenship last year and moved to the Caribbean country in July this year after leaving India. He had said in a statement that he had moved to Antigua and Barbuda under the Citizenship by Investment program.

A similar Interpol notice was issued to Nirav Modi and his executive Mihir R Bhansali in September.

Punjab National Bank, the country'a second-largest state-run bank, said earlier in 2018 that two jewellery groups headed by Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi had defrauded it of about $2.2 billion by raising credit from overseas branches of other Indian banks using illegal guarantees issued by rogue PNB staff at a Mumbai branch over several years.

Mehul Choksi has said he cannot travel 41 hours to reach India. He has however said he would be willing to be questioned over video call. Choksi is one of the prime accused, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, in the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank scam.

Mehul Choksi has said he cannot travel 41 hours to reach India. He has however said he would be willing to be questioned over video call. Choksi is one of the prime accused, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, in the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank scam. Choksi is currently in Antigua. Choksi submitted his answer to a Bombay court where a case has been filed against him by the Enforcement Directorate. Mehul Choksi also submitted in Bombay Court that he has expressed his willingness to join the investigation through video conferencing https://t.co/pE3CACK2DQ — ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2018 × Choksi cited his poor health and inability to travel long hours for not being able to come to India for investigations. He also accused the ED of misleading the court by deliberately not revealing his health condition. Choksi added that he is in constant touch with the banks and wishes to settle his dues. The Interpol had on December 13 a issued a red corner notice (RCN) against Mehul Choksi. An RCN issued by Interpol works like an international arrest warrant. The notice was issued at the request of India's CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation). Mehul Choksi who owns Gitanjali Gems is under investigation for his role in the PNB scam along with his nephew Nirav Modi. The CBI had earlier arrested the vice-president of Gitanjali group Vipul Chitalia. Choksi had reportedly taken Antiguan citizenship last year and moved to the Caribbean country in July this year after leaving India. He had said in a statement that he had moved to Antigua and Barbuda under the Citizenship by Investment program. A similar Interpol notice was issued to Nirav Modi and his executive Mihir R Bhansali in September. Punjab National Bank, the country'a second-largest state-run bank, said earlier in 2018 that two jewellery groups headed by Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi had defrauded it of about $2.2 billion by raising credit from overseas branches of other Indian banks using illegal guarantees issued by rogue PNB staff at a Mumbai branch over several years.

Cannot travel 41 hours to reach India: Mehul Choksi

On the eve of Christmas celebrations, international sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik attempted yet another world record. He created a breath-taking installation of the world's biggest Santa Clause on sand, using plastic bottles.

As per reports, Pattnaik's installation attempt was inspired by this year's theme for World Environment Day which called for beating plastic pollution.

The Santa Claus installation was attempted at Odisha's Puri beach and is&nbsp;a whopping 30 feet high and 100 feet wide.

Pattnaik is believed to have used about 800 tonnes of sand, including coloured sand, and 10,000 plastic bottles for the giant attempt.&nbsp;

The master sculptor was assisted by 40 of his students from Sudarsan Sand Art Institute. The entire masterpiece took about two days to get ready. Once the installation is taken down, all the plastic bottles will be recycled, said Sudarsan.

"We can make changes in our everyday lives to reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution on our natural places, our wildlife and on our own health," Sudarsan stated.&nbsp;

The giant sculpture will be on display till January 1.&nbsp;

Sudarsan Pattnaik is a proud recipient of several world records for his sand art and installations. He holds world records in the Limca Book of Records and is also a Guinness World Record holder for creating world's tallest sand castle.

Padma Shri awardee sand artist Pattnaik has participated in over 60 international sand sculpture championships and festivals across the globe and has won many accolades for the country.&nbsp;

On the eve of Christmas celebrations, international sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik attempted yet another world record. He created a breath-taking installation of the world's biggest Santa Clause on sand, using plastic bottles.

On the eve of Christmas celebrations, international sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik attempted yet another world record. He created a breath-taking installation of the world's biggest Santa Clause on sand, using plastic bottles. As per reports, Pattnaik's installation attempt was inspired by this year's theme for World Environment Day which called for beating plastic pollution. The Santa Claus installation was attempted at Odisha's Puri beach and is a whopping 30 feet high and 100 feet wide. Pattnaik is believed to have used about 800 tonnes of sand, including coloured sand, and 10,000 plastic bottles for the giant attempt. The master sculptor was assisted by 40 of his students from Sudarsan Sand Art Institute. The entire masterpiece took about two days to get ready. Once the installation is taken down, all the plastic bottles will be recycled, said Sudarsan. "We can make changes in our everyday lives to reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution on our natural places, our wildlife and on our own health," Sudarsan stated. The giant sculpture will be on display till January 1. Sudarsan Pattnaik is a proud recipient of several world records for his sand art and installations. He holds world records in the Limca Book of Records and is also a Guinness World Record holder for creating world's tallest sand castle. Padma Shri awardee sand artist Pattnaik has participated in over 60 international sand sculpture championships and festivals across the globe and has won many accolades for the country.

Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik attempts world's biggest Santa Claus with plastic bottles

Delhi's air quality remained in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhis-air-quality-severe-cpcb-urges-people-to-minimise-outdoor-activities-186041">'severe' category</a> for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday as meteorological conditions continued to be unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants, authorities said.

The city is facing its worst <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/close-industries-at-hotspots-ban-construction-till-wednesday-cpcb-led-task-force-186146">pollution crisis </a>since Diwali.

While the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) at 'severe' level of 416, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) recorded an AQI of 423.

Twenty-five areas recorded severe pollution levels, while nine recorded very poor air quality, the CPCB data showed.

In the NCR, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Noida recorded severe pollution while Gurgaon recorded 'very poor' quality air.

The overall PM2.5 level (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometre) was recorded at 271 and the PM10 level at 422 here, the CPCB said.

Delhi's air quality had turned 'severe' on Saturday. The national capital recorded its second-highest pollution level of the year on Sunday with an AQI of 450.

According to the SAFAR, the overall air quality in Delhi is expected to remain in the 'severe' range till Tuesday.

"Recovery got delayed mainly due to slowing of wind speed, leading to persistence of fog which rapidly multiplied finer particles, leading to rapid increase in PM2.5 and even PM1 (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 1 micrometre)," it said.

"Improvement is expected from late Tuesday evening only when radiation fog get dissipated with sufficient sunshine," it added.

According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), air quality is likely to improve on Tuesday, but will remain in the upper end of the 'very poor' or in the 'severe' category.

"The wind speed and ventilation index are highly unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants," it said.

Ventilation index is the speed at which pollutants can get dispersed. A ventilation index lower than 6,000 sqm/second, with average wind speed less than 10 kmph, is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants.

The index on Tuesday was 5,000 sqm/second on Tuesday, the IITM said.

In view of the prevalence of severe pollution in the national capital,&nbsp;industrial activities in pollution hotspots of Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana, Sahibabad and Faridabad, and construction work across the Delhi-NCR will remain shut till Wednesday, EPCA Chairperson Bhure Lal said.

The Environment Pollution Control and Prevention Authority (EPCA) has directed traffic police to deploy special teams and ensure congestion-free vehicular movement, particularly in identified high traffic corridors.

The agencies concerned have also been asked to ensure strict action against illegal industries and make all efforts to control polluting activities, particularly waste burning.

In a health advisory, the SAFAR has asked Delhiites not to rely on common dust masks for protection.

The agency has advised people to avoid all outdoor activities, such as taking walks. "If the room has windows, close them, if the air conditioner provides a fresh air intake option then choose it, avoid burning anything such as wood, candle or even an incense," it said.

The advisory also recommended frequent wet mopping and use of masks known as N-95 or P-100 respirators only for outdoor activities.

"Do not rely on dust masks for protection," the advisory added.&nbsp;

Delhi's air quality remained in the 'severe' category for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday as meteorological conditions continued to be unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants, authorities said.

Delhi's air quality remained in the 'severe' category for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday as meteorological conditions continued to be unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants, authorities said. The city is facing its worst pollution crisis since Diwali. While the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) at 'severe' level of 416, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) recorded an AQI of 423. Twenty-five areas recorded severe pollution levels, while nine recorded very poor air quality, the CPCB data showed. In the NCR, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Noida recorded severe pollution while Gurgaon recorded 'very poor' quality air. The overall PM2.5 level (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometre) was recorded at 271 and the PM10 level at 422 here, the CPCB said. Delhi's air quality had turned 'severe' on Saturday. The national capital recorded its second-highest pollution level of the year on Sunday with an AQI of 450. According to the SAFAR, the overall air quality in Delhi is expected to remain in the 'severe' range till Tuesday. "Recovery got delayed mainly due to slowing of wind speed, leading to persistence of fog which rapidly multiplied finer particles, leading to rapid increase in PM2.5 and even PM1 (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 1 micrometre)," it said. "Improvement is expected from late Tuesday evening only when radiation fog get dissipated with sufficient sunshine," it added. According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), air quality is likely to improve on Tuesday, but will remain in the upper end of the 'very poor' or in the 'severe' category. "The wind speed and ventilation index are highly unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants," it said. Ventilation index is the speed at which pollutants can get dispersed. A ventilation index lower than 6,000 sqm/second, with average wind speed less than 10 kmph, is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants. The index on Tuesday was 5,000 sqm/second on Tuesday, the IITM said. In view of the prevalence of severe pollution in the national capital, industrial activities in pollution hotspots of Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana, Sahibabad and Faridabad, and construction work across the Delhi-NCR will remain shut till Wednesday, EPCA Chairperson Bhure Lal said. The Environment Pollution Control and Prevention Authority (EPCA) has directed traffic police to deploy special teams and ensure congestion-free vehicular movement, particularly in identified high traffic corridors. The agencies concerned have also been asked to ensure strict action against illegal industries and make all efforts to control polluting activities, particularly waste burning. In a health advisory, the SAFAR has asked Delhiites not to rely on common dust masks for protection. The agency has advised people to avoid all outdoor activities, such as taking walks. "If the room has windows, close them, if the air conditioner provides a fresh air intake option then choose it, avoid burning anything such as wood, candle or even an incense," it said. The advisory also recommended frequent wet mopping and use of masks known as N-95 or P-100 respirators only for outdoor activities. "Do not rely on dust masks for protection," the advisory added.

Delhi's air quality remains 'severe' for 4th consecutive day

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sunil-arora-takes-charge-as-new-chief-election-commissioner-of-india-180847">The Election Commission</a> will make a fresh push for electoral reforms with the government, including making the filing of false declaration a ground for disqualification and putting a cap on expenditure by candidates in legislative council polls, in the coming days.

According to highly-placed sources in the poll panel, the EC top brass, at the planned meeting with Legislative Secretary G Narayana Raju after the end of the winter session of Parliament, will also ask the government to make bribery during the poll period a cognisable offence.

The winter session of Parliament will end on January 8.

While the Law Ministry is the administrative ministry for the EC, the Legislative Department is the nodal unit for issues related to the poll panel.

The sources said, the Commission would also ask the ministry to take a call on its demand to extend constitutional protection to the two election commissioners on the lines of the Chief Election Commissioner.

The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners after the Law Ministry initiates the file for their appointment.

A Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from the office only through impeachment by Parliament. The President can remove the ECs based on the recommendation of the CEC.

In its report on electoral reforms submitted in March&nbsp;2015, the Law Commission had proposed extending constitutional protection to the two ECs.

The EC had been pushing to extend constitutional protection to the election commissioners.

Another proposal that the EC would press for is making electoral law gender neutral for armed forces personnel.

As of now, an army man's wife is entitled to be enrolled as a service voter, but a woman army officer's husband is not, according to the provisions in the electoral law.

But a bill pending before the Rajya Sabha proposes to replace the term 'wife' with 'spouse', thus making the provision of gender neutral.

Members of the armed forces, central armed police forces, personnel of state police forces posted outside their state and employees of the Centre&nbsp; 
posted outside India are eligible to be enrolled as service voters.

"Much depends on Parliament. The bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha... It is a major electoral reform for service voters ahead of the Lok Sabha polls... We want government to get it passed at the earliest," an EC official said.

Referring to the issue of filing the false declaration, the sources said, as of now, it attracts a six months' jail term. But the EC wants to make it into an "electoral offence", they said.

Conviction in an electoral offence is a ground for disqualification. "Jail term of six months does not instil fear. Disqualification would," another official explained.

As of now, candidates contesting legislative council elections don't have a bar on campaigning expenses, which, the EC wants to put a cap on.

The expenditure should be half of what is allowed for candidates contesting assembly polls. Every state has a different expenditure limit based on its size, a number of voters and assembly seats.

As of today, bribery in elections is a non-cognisable offence where an investigation cannot take place without a magistrate's permission. The EC wants to make it a cognizable offence and bring in the category of "serious" crimes like murder, dowry, death,and rape.&nbsp;

The Election Commission will make a fresh push for electoral reforms with the government, including making the filing of false declaration a ground for disqualification and putting a cap on expenditure by candidates in legislative council polls, in the coming days.

The Election Commission will make a fresh push for electoral reforms with the government, including making the filing of false declaration a ground for disqualification and putting a cap on expenditure by candidates in legislative council polls, in the coming days. According to highly-placed sources in the poll panel, the EC top brass, at the planned meeting with Legislative Secretary G Narayana Raju after the end of the winter session of Parliament, will also ask the government to make bribery during the poll period a cognisable offence. The winter session of Parliament will end on January 8. While the Law Ministry is the administrative ministry for the EC, the Legislative Department is the nodal unit for issues related to the poll panel. The sources said, the Commission would also ask the ministry to take a call on its demand to extend constitutional protection to the two election commissioners on the lines of the Chief Election Commissioner. The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners after the Law Ministry initiates the file for their appointment. A Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from the office only through impeachment by Parliament. The President can remove the ECs based on the recommendation of the CEC. In its report on electoral reforms submitted in March 2015, the Law Commission had proposed extending constitutional protection to the two ECs. The EC had been pushing to extend constitutional protection to the election commissioners. Another proposal that the EC would press for is making electoral law gender neutral for armed forces personnel. As of now, an army man's wife is entitled to be enrolled as a service voter, but a woman army officer's husband is not, according to the provisions in the electoral law. But a bill pending before the Rajya Sabha proposes to replace the term 'wife' with 'spouse', thus making the provision of gender neutral. Members of the armed forces, central armed police forces, personnel of state police forces posted outside their state and employees of the Centre posted outside India are eligible to be enrolled as service voters. "Much depends on Parliament. The bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha... It is a major electoral reform for service voters ahead of the Lok Sabha polls... We want government to get it passed at the earliest," an EC official said. Referring to the issue of filing the false declaration, the sources said, as of now, it attracts a six months' jail term. But the EC wants to make it into an "electoral offence", they said. Conviction in an electoral offence is a ground for disqualification. "Jail term of six months does not instil fear. Disqualification would," another official explained. As of now, candidates contesting legislative council elections don't have a bar on campaigning expenses, which, the EC wants to put a cap on. The expenditure should be half of what is allowed for candidates contesting assembly polls. Every state has a different expenditure limit based on its size, a number of voters and assembly seats. As of today, bribery in elections is a non-cognisable offence where an investigation cannot take place without a magistrate's permission. The EC wants to make it a cognizable offence and bring in the category of "serious" crimes like murder, dowry, death,and rape.

Make false disclosure an 'electoral offence': Election Commission to tell Law Ministry

One person was killed and 34 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel were injured Monday when a bus carrying them skidded off the road and fell into a gorge along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, police said.

The vehicle was part of a Jammu-bound convoy and the accident occurred near Khuni Nallah in Ramban district around 8.45 am, a police officer said.

Trees prevented the bus from falling further down in the gorge, the officer said.&nbsp;

Around 35 people were travelling on the bus.

A team of rescue personnel comprising Army, police and local volunteers are at the spot.

While one person died, 34 persons were rescued from the wreckage of the vehicle and rushed to the district hospital in Ramban, the officer said.

One person was killed and 34 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel were injured Monday when a bus carrying them skidded off the road and fell into a gorge along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, police said.

One person was killed and 34 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel were injured Monday when a bus carrying them skidded off the road and fell into a gorge along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, police said. The vehicle was part of a Jammu-bound convoy and the accident occurred near Khuni Nallah in Ramban district around 8.45 am, a police officer said. Trees prevented the bus from falling further down in the gorge, the officer said. Around 35 people were travelling on the bus. A team of rescue personnel comprising Army, police and local volunteers are at the spot. While one person died, 34 persons were rescued from the wreckage of the vehicle and rushed to the district hospital in Ramban, the officer said.

1 killed, 34 ITBP personnel injured as bus falls into gorge

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-one-ultra-killed-in-encounter-between-security-forces-and-maoists-176612">The Border Security Force (BSF) </a>on Sunday seized 17 kgs of heroin along with two arms, three magazines and 26 live rounds of ammunition from Karma post in Ferozepur sector of Punjab.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/5-bsf-jawans-injured-in-militant-attack-in-srinagar-174265">BSF troops</a> on duty observed some suspicious movement ahead of the border security fence in the Karma post following which a special search operation was launched.

Keeping in view the vulnerability of the border, the setting of fog and smog and heightened activities of smugglers and anti-national elements on the border, Inspector General, BSF Punjab Frontier Mahipal Yadav, issued operational guidelines for further strengthening the border domination so as to effectively check illegal activities on Punjab border with Pakistan.

The Deputy Inspector General, Sector BSF Ferozepur directed field commanders to maintain extra vigil on the border to thwart the attempts of anti-national elements. Tactical operations are being mounted to foil the attempts of the smugglers.

According to an official statement, this year, the BSF has seized 221.3 kg of heroin (including today`s seizure) on the Punjab Border and 435 grams of opium while 66 people have been held for illegally crossing the border and five smugglers have been apprehended.

"As many as 31 Pakistani SIM cards were recovered by the BSF, while five two Pakistani smugglers were apprehended. Furthermore, two Pakistani smugglers were interdicted. Apart from this, 10 mobile phones from Pakistan were seized," the statement further said.&nbsp;

Around 19 different types of weapons have been seized, while 502 rounds of ammunition of various calibres have been recovered by the BSF so far.&nbsp;

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday seized 17 kgs of heroin along with two arms, three magazines and 26 live rounds of ammunition from Karma post in Ferozepur sector of Punjab.

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday seized 17 kgs of heroin along with two arms, three magazines and 26 live rounds of ammunition from Karma post in Ferozepur sector of Punjab. BSF troops on duty observed some suspicious movement ahead of the border security fence in the Karma post following which a special search operation was launched. Keeping in view the vulnerability of the border, the setting of fog and smog and heightened activities of smugglers and anti-national elements on the border, Inspector General, BSF Punjab Frontier Mahipal Yadav, issued operational guidelines for further strengthening the border domination so as to effectively check illegal activities on Punjab border with Pakistan. The Deputy Inspector General, Sector BSF Ferozepur directed field commanders to maintain extra vigil on the border to thwart the attempts of anti-national elements. Tactical operations are being mounted to foil the attempts of the smugglers. According to an official statement, this year, the BSF has seized 221.3 kg of heroin (including today`s seizure) on the Punjab Border and 435 grams of opium while 66 people have been held for illegally crossing the border and five smugglers have been apprehended. "As many as 31 Pakistani SIM cards were recovered by the BSF, while five two Pakistani smugglers were apprehended. Furthermore, two Pakistani smugglers were interdicted. Apart from this, 10 mobile phones from Pakistan were seized," the statement further said. Around 19 different types of weapons have been seized, while 502 rounds of ammunition of various calibres have been recovered by the BSF so far.

17 kg heroin, ammunition seized by BSF in Ferozepur

Separatist-turned-mainstream politician Sajjad Lone Sunday said his party, People's Conference, favours constructive engagement for resolution of the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-becomes-first-state-to-have-a-law-banning-sextortion-184134"> Kashmir</a> problem for lasting peace in the region. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/presidents-rule-imposed-in-jammu-and-kashmir-185375">Jammu and Kashmir</a> Assembly has a role to control the situation but the solution is not available with our assembly. At the political level, it is the central government which has a bigger role and then it spans across the Line of Control (LoC) as well.

We are in favour of it and it should be done through constructive engagement, Lone told reporters while welcoming several prominent persons to his party fold here.

The people who joined Lone's party included former MLA Zanskar Syed Mohammad Baqir Rizvi, Peoples Democratic Party's additional spokesperson, lawyers Abrar Ahmad and Irfan Inquilabi from Poonch and Ashish Pandita.

He said that the state assembly does not have the power to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"If I promise you a solution of the conflict on the basis of a vote which is inadequate to resolve it, it will tantamount to lying (to the people). This is beyond the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly as the provincial government has a limited role to control the symptoms, which is violence," said the People's Conference leader, flanked by former minister Imran Ansari.

He said that the People's conference is not against the constructive engagement or dialogue to resolve the issue.

The constructive engagement of any sort on the conflict is not a substitute to reach out to the people of the state. Two measures are there to address any conflict— the operational, which the Army and the police are taking care of and the second one is structural which is not based on dialogue alone," he said.

He said the central government should have a long time strategy on reaching out to the J&amp;K people across the state.

"When I say reach out, it does not mean economic doles, it means engaging and removing the mistrust and when you speak about the conflict resolution, you never talk in days and years but it takes decades. The state assembly has a six-year tenure while the conflict resolution takes decades," he said.

Replying to a question about the lack of measures by the BJP-led government at the Centre to address the Kashmir problem, Lone shot back, "Why only five years, let us talk about 15, 20 and 25 years. I am saying there should be a long time strategy. The Manmohan Singh-led government have done no wonders. What type of dialogue or engagement he held? The working group were formed and I prepared a roadmap under the name of 'Achievable Nationhood' on their direction but they refused to acknowledge it. Instead, it was shelved."

Referring to the roundtable conferences and working groups, he said, "Roundtable was meant to be with separatist but the PDP went under the table and pleaded that they will be left irrelevant if the mainstream parties were involved, they were aware that they (separatists) will then not share the table with them."

"What happened to the recommendations of the working groups, interlocutor's reports? Nothing was implemented. It is a fine art of lying. How long we will lie? First, whom they met, their own people who have no grudge," he said, adding "they (the National Conference and the PDP) are propagating dialogue with separatists but who sabotaged the dialogue with militants in 2002 when the PDP was in power?"

He asked, "Who called the media to the guest house where dialogue was scheduled between militants and the government. All the three (Hizbul Mujahideen militant commanders involved in the dialogue) were killed. Who is sabotaging?"

The former minister in the PDP-BJP government said one is trying to go sincerely to reach out and resolve, other is pretending to resolve.&nbsp; 
"What we have seen are the pretensions of different sorts," he asserted.

Criticising the National Conference leadership, he said "it was the rigging in 1987 state elections which led to the eruption of militancy in the state. 
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the recent court order handing over life imprisonment to Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in 1984 Sikh riots case. The verdict plays a deterrent for others although the sentence was given after 34 years but who is responsible for the death and destruction in the valley and why they are being allowed to walk away with it,?" he said.

"I am not saying that it (1987 rigging of elections) was the cause but it definitely was the greatest facilitator to change a historically peaceful population and trigger violence. Nobody is talking about it. Why are we obsessed with only the symptom, killing is the symptom, there is a disease and 1987 is the part of the disease and unless you bring the perpetrators of 1987 to book, this thing will not stop," he said.&nbsp;

Separatist-turned-mainstream politician Sajjad Lone Sunday said his party, People's Conference, favours constructive engagement for resolution of the Kashmir problem for lasting peace in the region.

Separatist-turned-mainstream politician Sajjad Lone Sunday said his party, People's Conference, favours constructive engagement for resolution of the Kashmir problem for lasting peace in the region. Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has a role to control the situation but the solution is not available with our assembly. At the political level, it is the central government which has a bigger role and then it spans across the Line of Control (LoC) as well. We are in favour of it and it should be done through constructive engagement, Lone told reporters while welcoming several prominent persons to his party fold here. The people who joined Lone's party included former MLA Zanskar Syed Mohammad Baqir Rizvi, Peoples Democratic Party's additional spokesperson, lawyers Abrar Ahmad and Irfan Inquilabi from Poonch and Ashish Pandita. He said that the state assembly does not have the power to resolve the Kashmir issue. "If I promise you a solution of the conflict on the basis of a vote which is inadequate to resolve it, it will tantamount to lying (to the people). This is beyond the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly as the provincial government has a limited role to control the symptoms, which is violence," said the People's Conference leader, flanked by former minister Imran Ansari. He said that the People's conference is not against the constructive engagement or dialogue to resolve the issue. The constructive engagement of any sort on the conflict is not a substitute to reach out to the people of the state. Two measures are there to address any conflict— the operational, which the Army and the police are taking care of and the second one is structural which is not based on dialogue alone," he said. He said the central government should have a long time strategy on reaching out to the J&K people across the state. "When I say reach out, it does not mean economic doles, it means engaging and removing the mistrust and when you speak about the conflict resolution, you never talk in days and years but it takes decades. The state assembly has a six-year tenure while the conflict resolution takes decades," he said. Replying to a question about the lack of measures by the BJP-led government at the Centre to address the Kashmir problem, Lone shot back, "Why only five years, let us talk about 15, 20 and 25 years. I am saying there should be a long time strategy. The Manmohan Singh-led government have done no wonders. What type of dialogue or engagement he held? The working group were formed and I prepared a roadmap under the name of 'Achievable Nationhood' on their direction but they refused to acknowledge it. Instead, it was shelved." Referring to the roundtable conferences and working groups, he said, "Roundtable was meant to be with separatist but the PDP went under the table and pleaded that they will be left irrelevant if the mainstream parties were involved, they were aware that they (separatists) will then not share the table with them." "What happened to the recommendations of the working groups, interlocutor's reports? Nothing was implemented. It is a fine art of lying. How long we will lie? First, whom they met, their own people who have no grudge," he said, adding "they (the National Conference and the PDP) are propagating dialogue with separatists but who sabotaged the dialogue with militants in 2002 when the PDP was in power?" He asked, "Who called the media to the guest house where dialogue was scheduled between militants and the government. All the three (Hizbul Mujahideen militant commanders involved in the dialogue) were killed. Who is sabotaging?" The former minister in the PDP-BJP government said one is trying to go sincerely to reach out and resolve, other is pretending to resolve. "What we have seen are the pretensions of different sorts," he asserted. Criticising the National Conference leadership, he said "it was the rigging in 1987 state elections which led to the eruption of militancy in the state. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the recent court order handing over life imprisonment to Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in 1984 Sikh riots case. The verdict plays a deterrent for others although the sentence was given after 34 years but who is responsible for the death and destruction in the valley and why they are being allowed to walk away with it,?" he said. "I am not saying that it (1987 rigging of elections) was the cause but it definitely was the greatest facilitator to change a historically peaceful population and trigger violence. Nobody is talking about it. Why are we obsessed with only the symptom, killing is the symptom, there is a disease and 1987 is the part of the disease and unless you bring the perpetrators of 1987 to book, this thing will not stop," he said.

'Constructive engagement not a substitute for Kashmir issue', says Sajjad Lone

An Indian woman was Sunday rescued by authorities in Bahrain after a Bahraini “enslaver” allegedly threatened to keep her for at least 25 days.

The Indian Embassy in Bahrain announced her rescue on Twitter hours after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, in a tweet, directed the Indian Ambassador in the Gulf nation to intervene in the case. The Indian mission said the woman has been rescued by Bahraini authorities. 
 
On Saturday, humanitarian organisation ‘Justice Upheld’ had tweeted that an Indian woman has been enslaved by her employer in Bahrain and she feared for her life. The organisation, quoting the “enslaver”, Sunday said he was going to keep her for at least 25 days as he had paid ‘lots of money for her’. “He is extremely annoyed that the matter has been reported to the Indian authorities. 
 
We are concerned about her safety,” the organisation said. Soon after the Indian Embassy in Bahrain, headed by Ambassador Alok Kumar, tweeted that the Mission has initiated action to rescue her. However, Swaraj asked Kumar for immediate intervention, saying the situation appeared to be serious. “Alok – I know you are working for her rescue. The situation appears to be serious 
 
This requires immediate intervention on your part. Pls keep me informed,” Swaraj tweeted.

Details of the case, as well as about the woman, are not immediately available. In a separate case, Swaraj asked the Indian Embassy in Washington to assist an Indian family which sought her help saying their passports and other belongings were stolen from their hotel room in Chicago. 
 
“Dear @SushmaSwaraj Ji, an unusual incident of theft has left us devastated here in Chicago while returning back to India. All our belongings, including passports, were stolen from our hotel room booked at Edward Hotel and there’s no one willing to help. Please intervene,” Jyoti, a member of the family, tweeted.

An Indian woman was Sunday rescued by authorities in Bahrain after a Bahraini “enslaver” allegedly threatened to keep her for at least 25 days. The Indian Embassy in Bahrain announced her rescue on Twitter hours after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, in a tweet, directed the Indian Ambassador in the Gulf nation to intervene in the case.

An Indian woman was Sunday rescued by authorities in Bahrain after a Bahraini “enslaver” allegedly threatened to keep her for at least 25 days. The Indian Embassy in Bahrain announced her rescue on Twitter hours after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, in a tweet, directed the Indian Ambassador in the Gulf nation to intervene in the case. The Indian mission said the woman has been rescued by Bahraini authorities. On Saturday, humanitarian organisation ‘Justice Upheld’ had tweeted that an Indian woman has been enslaved by her employer in Bahrain and she feared for her life. The organisation, quoting the “enslaver”, Sunday said he was going to keep her for at least 25 days as he had paid ‘lots of money for her’. “He is extremely annoyed that the matter has been reported to the Indian authorities. We are concerned about her safety,” the organisation said. Soon after the Indian Embassy in Bahrain, headed by Ambassador Alok Kumar, tweeted that the Mission has initiated action to rescue her. However, Swaraj asked Kumar for immediate intervention, saying the situation appeared to be serious. “Alok – I know you are working for her rescue. The situation appears to be serious This requires immediate intervention on your part. Pls keep me informed,” Swaraj tweeted. Details of the case, as well as about the woman, are not immediately available. In a separate case, Swaraj asked the Indian Embassy in Washington to assist an Indian family which sought her help saying their passports and other belongings were stolen from their hotel room in Chicago. “Dear @SushmaSwaraj Ji, an unusual incident of theft has left us devastated here in Chicago while returning back to India. All our belongings, including passports, were stolen from our hotel room booked at Edward Hotel and there’s no one willing to help. Please intervene,” Jyoti, a member of the family, tweeted.

Indian woman in captivity of ‘enslaver’ in Bahrain rescued: Indian mission

india-news

India, News on India, stories on India, articles on India, India stories at Wion, India news, India latest news

india news