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Two women devotees, who were on their way to Sabarimala temple were stopped by protesters at Appachimedu, just two kilometres away from the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/group-of-11-women-devotees-return-from-sabarimala-amid-intensifying-protests-186015"> Lord Ayyappa's shrine</a> in the wee hours of Monday.

Trouble broke out&nbsp;when police accompanying the two women clashed with angry pilgrims after they created hurdles for the two women devotees, who are below the age of 50, from proceeding ahead for their darshan. 
 
The police had to resort to lathi-charge and shield Bindu from Malappuram and Kanaka Durga from Kannur as angry Ayyappa devotees chanted slogans and approached them menacingly.

Earlier on Sunday, a group of eleven women devotees who had arrived in Pamba to visit the Lord Ayyappa temple had to return without paying obeisance at the hill shrine after several people, including women, staged a protest opposing their entry.

The Sabarimala temple and surrounding areas witnessed a string of protests after the Supreme Court lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age (10-50 years) inside the temple in September this year.

However, until now, no woman of the previously-forbidden age group has been able to enter the temple due to widespread protests.

Two women devotees, who were on their way to Sabarimala temple were stopped by protesters at Appachimedu, just two kilometres away from the Lord Ayyappa's shrine in the wee hours of Monday.

Two women devotees, who were on their way to Sabarimala temple were stopped by protesters at Appachimedu, just two kilometres away from the Lord Ayyappa's shrine in the wee hours of Monday. Trouble broke out when police accompanying the two women clashed with angry pilgrims after they created hurdles for the two women devotees, who are below the age of 50, from proceeding ahead for their darshan. The police had to resort to lathi-charge and shield Bindu from Malappuram and Kanaka Durga from Kannur as angry Ayyappa devotees chanted slogans and approached them menacingly. Earlier on Sunday, a group of eleven women devotees who had arrived in Pamba to visit the Lord Ayyappa temple had to return without paying obeisance at the hill shrine after several people, including women, staged a protest opposing their entry. The Sabarimala temple and surrounding areas witnessed a string of protests after the Supreme Court lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age (10-50 years) inside the temple in September this year. However, until now, no woman of the previously-forbidden age group has been able to enter the temple due to widespread protests.

Two women stopped 2 km from Sabarimala, police lathi-charge protesters

A Gorakhpur-based doctor and owner of a hospital killed his ex-wife but kept her "alive" on social media for seven months.

The doctor told people his&nbsp;ex-wife was in Assam while simultaneously updating her social media profiles.&nbsp;

Dr Dharmendra Pratap Singh killed his ex-wife Rakhi on June 6, 2018 by throwing her off a cliff in Pokhara, Nepal. He had two employees help him.&nbsp;

Singh and the two aides, PK Singh and Deshdeepak Nishad, were arrested from Gorakhpur's Daudpur area on Saturday and sent to prison.

Rakhi's mobile phone was traced to Guwahati.

Police and her family had continued to believe she was&nbsp;in Assam because her phone was there.

It later emerged that Singh had sent Rakhi's phone to Guwahati through an aide, who dropped it off there.

A Gorakhpur-based doctor and owner of a hospital killed his ex-wife but kept her "alive" on social media for seven months. The doctor told people his ex-wife was in Assam while simultaneously updating her social media profiles.

A Gorakhpur-based doctor and owner of a hospital killed his ex-wife but kept her "alive" on social media for seven months. The doctor told people his ex-wife was in Assam while simultaneously updating her social media profiles. Dr Dharmendra Pratap Singh killed his ex-wife Rakhi on June 6, 2018 by throwing her off a cliff in Pokhara, Nepal. He had two employees help him. Singh and the two aides, PK Singh and Deshdeepak Nishad, were arrested from Gorakhpur's Daudpur area on Saturday and sent to prison. Rakhi's mobile phone was traced to Guwahati. Police and her family had continued to believe she was in Assam because her phone was there. It later emerged that Singh had sent Rakhi's phone to Guwahati through an aide, who dropped it off there.

Doctor kills ex-wife, keeps her 'alive' on social media for 7 months

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday targeted senior ally BJP by raking up the alleged corruption in the Rafale deal and said the party's perception of being a "world winner" had been shattered with the results of the just-held state assembly polls.

Thackeray, who had visited Ayodhya last month to push for the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in the holy town, said he may soon visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi.

The Sena leader, whose party is a constituent of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and state, was addressing a public rally in Solapur district here.

Thackeray, who has consistently attacked the Modi government on a range of issues, said he has already taken the decision on whether to form an alliance with the BJP for the upcoming General Elections.

The Sena chief in January had announced his party would contest all future Lok Sabha and assembly elections on its own.

In the last six months, the BJP leadership has been consistently stressing on an alliance with the Sena for the upcoming polls.

The Amit Shah-led party has regularly insisted that the Maharashtra-based outfit is its natural ally and they will resolve their differences amicably.

However, at the Pandharpur rally, Thackeray appeared to be in no mood to spare the lead NDA constituent.

"The BJP's perception of a 'world winner' has been shattered by the results of the assembly elections in the five states.

"The outcome of Mizoram and Telangana assembly elections has given a clear message that voters have rejected national parties and chosen strong regional options," he said.

In the just-held polls, the BJP was ousted from power in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh by the Congress, while regional parties did well in Mizoram and Telangana.

"The Chhattisgarh assembly election has also given a strong message against the BJP. People were fed up with the BJP government and hence they rejected it," said Thackeray.

He also took on the Modi government over issues like allegations of&nbsp;irregularities in the Rafale fighter jet deal and implementation of crop insurance scheme for farmers.

"There have been several allegations over the Rafale fighter jet deal and I do not know how the Supreme Court has given a clean cheat. But I know the Modi government has refused pay hike for jawans," the Sena chief said.

Commenting on the finalisation of seat-sharing in Bihar between the JD(U), the LJP and the BJP for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he asked chiefs of the two regional parties to clarify their stand on Ram Mandir and Hindutva.

"Nitish Kumar (the JD-U chief) and (LJP president) Ram Vilas Paswan should declare their views on Ram Mandir and Hindutva," the Sena leader said.&nbsp;

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday targeted senior ally BJP by raking up the alleged corruption in the Rafale deal and said the party's perception of being a "world winner" had been shattered with the results of the just-held state assembly polls.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday targeted senior ally BJP by raking up the alleged corruption in the Rafale deal and said the party's perception of being a "world winner" had been shattered with the results of the just-held state assembly polls. Thackeray, who had visited Ayodhya last month to push for the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in the holy town, said he may soon visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi. The Sena leader, whose party is a constituent of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and state, was addressing a public rally in Solapur district here. Thackeray, who has consistently attacked the Modi government on a range of issues, said he has already taken the decision on whether to form an alliance with the BJP for the upcoming General Elections. The Sena chief in January had announced his party would contest all future Lok Sabha and assembly elections on its own. In the last six months, the BJP leadership has been consistently stressing on an alliance with the Sena for the upcoming polls. The Amit Shah-led party has regularly insisted that the Maharashtra-based outfit is its natural ally and they will resolve their differences amicably. However, at the Pandharpur rally, Thackeray appeared to be in no mood to spare the lead NDA constituent. "The BJP's perception of a 'world winner' has been shattered by the results of the assembly elections in the five states. "The outcome of Mizoram and Telangana assembly elections has given a clear message that voters have rejected national parties and chosen strong regional options," he said. In the just-held polls, the BJP was ousted from power in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh by the Congress, while regional parties did well in Mizoram and Telangana. "The Chhattisgarh assembly election has also given a strong message against the BJP. People were fed up with the BJP government and hence they rejected it," said Thackeray. He also took on the Modi government over issues like allegations of irregularities in the Rafale fighter jet deal and implementation of crop insurance scheme for farmers. "There have been several allegations over the Rafale fighter jet deal and I do not know how the Supreme Court has given a clean cheat. But I know the Modi government has refused pay hike for jawans," the Sena chief said. Commenting on the finalisation of seat-sharing in Bihar between the JD(U), the LJP and the BJP for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he asked chiefs of the two regional parties to clarify their stand on Ram Mandir and Hindutva. "Nitish Kumar (the JD-U chief) and (LJP president) Ram Vilas Paswan should declare their views on Ram Mandir and Hindutva," the Sena leader said.

Shiv Sena chief Thackeray targets BJP over Rafale, assembly poll results

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bengal-bjp-appeals-to-supreme-court-against-hc-order-disallowing-its-3-rath-yatras-186128">Supreme Court</a> is scheduled to take up a batch of petitions for hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case on January 4. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The matter is listed before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul.

The bench is likely to constitute a three-judge bench for hearing as many as 14 appeals filed against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgement, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

The apex court on October 29 had fixed the matter in the first week of January before an "appropriate bench", which will decide the schedule of hearing.

Later, an application was moved for according an urgent hearing by advancing the date, but the top court had refused the plea, saying it had already passed an order on October 29 relating to the hearing on the matter.

The plea for early hearing was moved by the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) which is one of the respondents in the appeal filed by legal heirs of M Siddiq, one of the original litigants in the case.

A three-judge bench of the top court had on September 27 by a 2:1 majority refused to refer to a five-judge constitution bench the issue of reconsideration of the observations in its 1994 judgement that a mosque was not integral to Islam. The matter had arisen during the hearing of the Ayodhya land dispute.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court is scheduled to take up a batch of petitions for hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case on January 4. The matter is listed before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to take up a batch of petitions for hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case on January 4. The matter is listed before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul. The bench is likely to constitute a three-judge bench for hearing as many as 14 appeals filed against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgement, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. The apex court on October 29 had fixed the matter in the first week of January before an "appropriate bench", which will decide the schedule of hearing. Later, an application was moved for according an urgent hearing by advancing the date, but the top court had refused the plea, saying it had already passed an order on October 29 relating to the hearing on the matter. The plea for early hearing was moved by the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) which is one of the respondents in the appeal filed by legal heirs of M Siddiq, one of the original litigants in the case. A three-judge bench of the top court had on September 27 by a 2:1 majority refused to refer to a five-judge constitution bench the issue of reconsideration of the observations in its 1994 judgement that a mosque was not integral to Islam. The matter had arisen during the hearing of the Ayodhya land dispute.

Supreme Court to hear Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute case on January 4

Congress President Rahul Gandhi gave the party members a message stating that while hard workers will be rewarded, hardliners will be dealt with strictly.

After multiple meetings with Rajasthan leaders and observers, Rahul Gandhi gave the final nod to team Gehlot in Rajasthan.&nbsp;

As many as 23 MLAs are going to take oath on Monday including an MLA from alliance partner Rashtriya Lokdal.&nbsp;

However, five ministerial berths will reportedly remain vacant. While deciding the Rajasthan cabinet, AICC general secretary in charge of Rajasthan, Avinash Pandey and Congress observer for the state on government formation, KC Venugopal was involved in the process.

"Congress President intends to focus on having a cabinet with a majority being fresh faces. The cabinet can be summarised into a blend of the old guards with new energetic leaders from the state guard this will give governance a good shape," the Congress leader said.

Rahul Gandhi intends to send a message to his party men that any harm to the party will not be ignored. Cabinet has been finalised for Rajasthan and for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh meetings are underway with the state leaders, stated a source. Karnataka Cabinet Expansion is a clear example of Rahul`s actions, where two ministers, including Ramesh Jarkiholi, were shunned by Congress from the Cabinet.

Jarkiholi was dropped for his alleged hobnobbing with opposition leaders and by missing the Cabinet meetings and party assignments. The message from Gandhi was loud and clear that anti-party activities wouldn't be tolerated, the sources added. The source said Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are likely to follow Rajasthan Formula.&nbsp;

A senior Congress leader involved in the process told ANI, "Rahul Gandhi was of the opinion that those who have tried to harm the party or have ignored the party's agenda must not be let off."

Congress President is also expected to soon finalise the list for cabinet members for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, According to sources, 10 MLAs are expected to be the part of the cabinet in Chhattisgarh. The cabinet expansion is scheduled for December 25 in Raipur.&nbsp;

Recently Congress has witnessed victory in states of , Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, where the party was out of power for years. It is noteworthy that Lok Sabha elections are only a few months away and will be the real test for the party and party chief Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

Congress President Rahul Gandhi gave the party members a message stating that while hard workers will be rewarded, hardliners will be dealt with strictly. After multiple meetings with Rajasthan leaders and observers, Rahul Gandhi gave the final nod to team Gehlot in Rajasthan.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi gave the party members a message stating that while hard workers will be rewarded, hardliners will be dealt with strictly. After multiple meetings with Rajasthan leaders and observers, Rahul Gandhi gave the final nod to team Gehlot in Rajasthan. As many as 23 MLAs are going to take oath on Monday including an MLA from alliance partner Rashtriya Lokdal. However, five ministerial berths will reportedly remain vacant. While deciding the Rajasthan cabinet, AICC general secretary in charge of Rajasthan, Avinash Pandey and Congress observer for the state on government formation, KC Venugopal was involved in the process. "Congress President intends to focus on having a cabinet with a majority being fresh faces. The cabinet can be summarised into a blend of the old guards with new energetic leaders from the state guard this will give governance a good shape," the Congress leader said. Rahul Gandhi intends to send a message to his party men that any harm to the party will not be ignored. Cabinet has been finalised for Rajasthan and for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh meetings are underway with the state leaders, stated a source. Karnataka Cabinet Expansion is a clear example of Rahul`s actions, where two ministers, including Ramesh Jarkiholi, were shunned by Congress from the Cabinet. Jarkiholi was dropped for his alleged hobnobbing with opposition leaders and by missing the Cabinet meetings and party assignments. The message from Gandhi was loud and clear that anti-party activities wouldn't be tolerated, the sources added. The source said Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are likely to follow Rajasthan Formula. A senior Congress leader involved in the process told ANI, "Rahul Gandhi was of the opinion that those who have tried to harm the party or have ignored the party's agenda must not be let off." Congress President is also expected to soon finalise the list for cabinet members for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Meanwhile, According to sources, 10 MLAs are expected to be the part of the cabinet in Chhattisgarh. The cabinet expansion is scheduled for December 25 in Raipur. Recently Congress has witnessed victory in states of , Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, where the party was out of power for years. It is noteworthy that Lok Sabha elections are only a few months away and will be the real test for the party and party chief Rahul Gandhi.

Hard workers will be rewarded and hardliners will be dealt with strictly: Rahul Gandhi to party members

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's upcoming statue in Arabian sea off Mumbai coast will cost the Maharashtra exchequer Rs 3643.78 crore and construction of all aspects of the project will be over by 2022-23, the government said.

The state cabinet on November 1, 2018, had extended administrative approval to the project report and sanction to a total expenditure of Rs 3700.84 crore. As per the official sanction was given by the state government, the cost is now down by Rs 56.70 crore, stated a government order (GR) issued last week.

The Maharashtra government on December 19, extended administrative approval to the total expenditure of Rs 3643.78 crore over five years, which includes survey and investigation of the site to the implementation of security measures by the police.

The construction of the statue would cost Rs 2581 crore, while Rs 309.72 crore would be the GST on the amount. Rs 236 crore would be spent on security infrastructure, Rs 45 crore for permanent water and electricity supply at the completed statue, the GR said.

It stated that Rs 1 crore is allocated for the formation of SPV which will maintain and do repair work while Rs two crore will be spent on study tours for the project.

"Amounts of Rs 112.68 crore, Rs 56.34 crore and Rs 140.85 crore are allocated for a contingency fund, computerisation, and centage charges, respectively. A project management consultant would be paid Rs 82.46 crore while Rs 76.73 crore is for construction of jetty", it stated.

According to the timetable set by the government, the statue work and construction of a seawall will begin in 2019-20.

"Construction of balance pedestal building works, architectural works, electrical works, mechanical works, construction of Entrance Forecourt will take place in 2020-21", it said.

Since 2013, a total of Rs 36.86 crore have been spent on the project which is yet to take-off, which also includes Rs eight crore spent on stone-laying ceremony conducted by the Public Works Department in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's upcoming statue in Arabian sea off Mumbai coast will cost the Maharashtra exchequer Rs 3643.78 crore and construction of all aspects of the project will be over by 2022-23, the government said.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's upcoming statue in Arabian sea off Mumbai coast will cost the Maharashtra exchequer Rs 3643.78 crore and construction of all aspects of the project will be over by 2022-23, the government said. The state cabinet on November 1, 2018, had extended administrative approval to the project report and sanction to a total expenditure of Rs 3700.84 crore. As per the official sanction was given by the state government, the cost is now down by Rs 56.70 crore, stated a government order (GR) issued last week. The Maharashtra government on December 19, extended administrative approval to the total expenditure of Rs 3643.78 crore over five years, which includes survey and investigation of the site to the implementation of security measures by the police. The construction of the statue would cost Rs 2581 crore, while Rs 309.72 crore would be the GST on the amount. Rs 236 crore would be spent on security infrastructure, Rs 45 crore for permanent water and electricity supply at the completed statue, the GR said. It stated that Rs 1 crore is allocated for the formation of SPV which will maintain and do repair work while Rs two crore will be spent on study tours for the project. "Amounts of Rs 112.68 crore, Rs 56.34 crore and Rs 140.85 crore are allocated for a contingency fund, computerisation, and centage charges, respectively. A project management consultant would be paid Rs 82.46 crore while Rs 76.73 crore is for construction of jetty", it stated. According to the timetable set by the government, the statue work and construction of a seawall will begin in 2019-20. "Construction of balance pedestal building works, architectural works, electrical works, mechanical works, construction of Entrance Forecourt will take place in 2020-21", it said. Since 2013, a total of Rs 36.86 crore have been spent on the project which is yet to take-off, which also includes Rs eight crore spent on stone-laying ceremony conducted by the Public Works Department in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016.

Chhatrapati Shivaji statue in sea to cost Maharashtra exchequer Rs 3643.78 cr

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-irritated-by-resignation-letter-tells-mattis-to-go-2-months-early-186055">Trump, irritated by resignation letter, tells Mattis to go 2 months early</a>

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was replacing Defence Secretary Jim Mattis two months earlier than had been expected, a move officials said was driven by Trump's anger at Mattis' resignation letter and its rebuke of his foreign policy.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/relishing-battle-with-virat-kohli-says-australia-captain-tim-paine-186063">'Relishing' battle with Virat Kohli, says Australia captain Tim Paine</a>

Australia skipper Tim Paine said Monday he is relishing his sometimes heated battle with animated Indian counterpart Virat Kohli, and promised "intense, hard" cricket in the crunch Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.

The pair had some testy exchanges in the second Test at Perth, which at one point needed the umpire to intervene.

And Kohli offered only a frosty handshake at the end of the game, which Australia won to level the four-Test series 1-1, refusing to meet Paine's eye in a move blasted by some as disrespectful.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/another-tsunami-could-hit-indonesia-experts-warn-186056">Another tsunami could hit Indonesia, warn experts</a>

Another tsunami could strike Indonesia, experts warned on Sunday, a day after more than 200 people were killed by a wave triggered by a volcanic eruption.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/doctor-kills-ex-wife-keeps-her-alive-on-social-media-for-7-months-186064">UP doctor kills ex-wife, keeps her 'alive' on social media for 7 months</a>

A UP doctor and owner of a hospital killed his ex-wife and kept her "alive" on social media for seven months to hoodwink the authorities.&nbsp;

Dr Dharmendra Pratap Singh, with the help of two employees, killed his wife in Pokhara, Nepal in June 2018 by throwing her off a cliff.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ashutosh-rana-madhur-bhandarkar-back-naseeruddin-shahs-comment-on-bulandshahr-violence-186062">Ashutosh Rana, Madhur Bhandarkar come out in support of Naseeruddin Shah</a>

Bollywood actor Ashutosh Rana and film director Madhur Bhandarkar have come out in support of Naseeruddin Shah over the veteran actor`s recent comment on Bulandshahr violence.

Speaking on the ongoing controversy surrounding Shah`s comment, Rana stated that everyone has a right to share their thoughts. 
&nbsp;

Trump, irritated by resignation letter, tells Mattis to go 2 months early US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was replacing Defence Secretary Jim Mattis two months earlier than had been expected, a move officials said was driven by Trump's anger at Mattis' resignation letter and its rebuke of his foreign policy.

Trump, irritated by resignation letter, tells Mattis to go 2 months early US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was replacing Defence Secretary Jim Mattis two months earlier than had been expected, a move officials said was driven by Trump's anger at Mattis' resignation letter and its rebuke of his foreign policy. 'Relishing' battle with Virat Kohli, says Australia captain Tim Paine Australia skipper Tim Paine said Monday he is relishing his sometimes heated battle with animated Indian counterpart Virat Kohli, and promised "intense, hard" cricket in the crunch Boxing Day Test at Melbourne. The pair had some testy exchanges in the second Test at Perth, which at one point needed the umpire to intervene. And Kohli offered only a frosty handshake at the end of the game, which Australia won to level the four-Test series 1-1, refusing to meet Paine's eye in a move blasted by some as disrespectful. Another tsunami could hit Indonesia, warn experts Another tsunami could strike Indonesia, experts warned on Sunday, a day after more than 200 people were killed by a wave triggered by a volcanic eruption. UP doctor kills ex-wife, keeps her 'alive' on social media for 7 months A UP doctor and owner of a hospital killed his ex-wife and kept her "alive" on social media for seven months to hoodwink the authorities. Dr Dharmendra Pratap Singh, with the help of two employees, killed his wife in Pokhara, Nepal in June 2018 by throwing her off a cliff. Ashutosh Rana, Madhur Bhandarkar come out in support of Naseeruddin Shah Bollywood actor Ashutosh Rana and film director Madhur Bhandarkar have come out in support of Naseeruddin Shah over the veteran actor`s recent comment on Bulandshahr violence. Speaking on the ongoing controversy surrounding Shah`s comment, Rana stated that everyone has a right to share their thoughts.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The New prime minister of Bhutan, Lotay Tshering, will be visiting India on December 27th. This will be his first foreign visit after taking charge.&nbsp;

Tshering recently took&nbsp;over as the eighth prime minister of Bhutan.

After his victory in the Bhutanese elections, Prime Minister Modi had called Lotay Tshering and congratulated him on his victory in the elections.&nbsp;

PM Modi during his call had conveyed that India attaches the "highest priority to further strengthening unique ties of friendship and cooperation with Bhutan, which is based on shared interests and values, utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding."

Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale was the first Indian official to visit Bhutan to meet the new prime minister. During the meet, Bhutanese PM had said that he was committed to "strengthening the special bond of friendship and cooperation shared by the two countries."&nbsp;

Tshering also assured India that “our foreign policy should not change every five years with the change in government”.

The PM and the foreign secretary also discussed Bhutan’s 12th five-year plan. India plays a significant role in Bhutan's 5-year plans.

This year marks the golden jubilee year of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Bhutan, as a result, several events have been organized. "Bhutan Week" was celebrated in New Delhi in September with India's vice president Venkaiah Naidu the chief guest at the event.&nbsp;

India is Bhutan's largest trading partner. In 2016, total bilateral trade between the two countries stood at Rs 8,723 crore with total imports being Rs 5528.5 crore (82 per cent of Bhutan’s total imports) and exports recorded as Rs 3205.20 crore including electricity (90 per cent of Bhutan’s total exports). India soon plans to commission 720 MWs Mangdechhu hydro-power project.

In 2017, a crisis erupted at Doklam in Bhutan, which is a trijunction area of Bhutan, India and China, when the Chinese army tried to construct a road in the area. This led to an almost two-month long standoff between Indian and Chinese forces in the region.&nbsp;

Later during the official visit of the Bhutanese King and Queen to India in 2017, President Ram Nath Kovind had “conveyed deep appreciation for the King of Bhutan’s personal involvement and guidance and the support provided by Bhutan in addressing the recent situation in the Doklam area”.

India plays an important role in Bhutan's economic development and has constructed three Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs) in Bhutan totalling 1416 MW (336 MW Chukha HEP, 60 MW Kurichhu HEP and 1020 MW Tala HEP).

In April 2014, an Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed between India and Bhutan for development of four more HEP’s of capacity 2120 MW (600 MW Kholongchhu, 180 MW Bunakha, 570 MW Wangchhu and 770 MW Chamkharchhu) under the Joint Venture Model.&nbsp;

After taking charge in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit abroad was to Bhutan.

The New prime minister of Bhutan, Lotay Tshering, will be visiting India on December 27th. This will be his first foreign visit after taking charge. Tshering recently took over as the eighth prime minister of Bhutan.

The New prime minister of Bhutan, Lotay Tshering, will be visiting India on December 27th. This will be his first foreign visit after taking charge. Tshering recently took over as the eighth prime minister of Bhutan. After his victory in the Bhutanese elections, Prime Minister Modi had called Lotay Tshering and congratulated him on his victory in the elections. PM Modi during his call had conveyed that India attaches the "highest priority to further strengthening unique ties of friendship and cooperation with Bhutan, which is based on shared interests and values, utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding." Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale was the first Indian official to visit Bhutan to meet the new prime minister. During the meet, Bhutanese PM had said that he was committed to "strengthening the special bond of friendship and cooperation shared by the two countries." Tshering also assured India that “our foreign policy should not change every five years with the change in government”. The PM and the foreign secretary also discussed Bhutan’s 12th five-year plan. India plays a significant role in Bhutan's 5-year plans. This year marks the golden jubilee year of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Bhutan, as a result, several events have been organized. "Bhutan Week" was celebrated in New Delhi in September with India's vice president Venkaiah Naidu the chief guest at the event. India is Bhutan's largest trading partner. In 2016, total bilateral trade between the two countries stood at Rs 8,723 crore with total imports being Rs 5528.5 crore (82 per cent of Bhutan’s total imports) and exports recorded as Rs 3205.20 crore including electricity (90 per cent of Bhutan’s total exports). India soon plans to commission 720 MWs Mangdechhu hydro-power project. In 2017, a crisis erupted at Doklam in Bhutan, which is a trijunction area of Bhutan, India and China, when the Chinese army tried to construct a road in the area. This led to an almost two-month long standoff between Indian and Chinese forces in the region. Later during the official visit of the Bhutanese King and Queen to India in 2017, President Ram Nath Kovind had “conveyed deep appreciation for the King of Bhutan’s personal involvement and guidance and the support provided by Bhutan in addressing the recent situation in the Doklam area”. India plays an important role in Bhutan's economic development and has constructed three Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs) in Bhutan totalling 1416 MW (336 MW Chukha HEP, 60 MW Kurichhu HEP and 1020 MW Tala HEP). In April 2014, an Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed between India and Bhutan for development of four more HEP’s of capacity 2120 MW (600 MW Kholongchhu, 180 MW Bunakha, 570 MW Wangchhu and 770 MW Chamkharchhu) under the Joint Venture Model. After taking charge in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit abroad was to Bhutan.

New Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering to visit India on Thursday

India has begun its fourth tranche of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-sent-back-to-myanmar-camps-hungry-and-in-debt-182279">relief assistance to Rohingya refugees </a>sheltered in Bangladesh's Cox Bazar as part of "Operation Insaniyat" which began in September 2017.&nbsp;

The total aid in the fourth tranche would include 2,25,000 blankets, 2,00,000 woollen sweaters and 500 solar street lights. The new tranche is the result of a specific request made to the minister for disaster management and relief.&nbsp;

In a release, Indian High Commission to Bangladesh said:&nbsp;"As a special gesture, India is making available a part of the consignment of blankets and sweaters for distribution to vulnerable sections of the local community in Cox’s Bazar."

The material includes the latest consignment of assistance for displaced persons for the winter, while the solar street lights are meant to ensure environment-friendly lighting solutions for the camps.

The release by High Commission added that the aid "is part of India’s continuing partnership and support for Bangladesh especially in sharing the burden imposed upon it because of the influx of a large number of displaced persons from Rakhine State in Myanmar."&nbsp;

The distribution of aid began from Monday by the refugee, relief and repatriation commissioner of Bangladesh.

The first tranche under "Operation Insaniyat" in September last year&nbsp;comprised of 981 metric tonnes&nbsp;(MT) of relief supplies, including family packs of rice, pulses, sugar, salt, cooking oil, tea, ready-to-eat noodles, biscuits, mosquito nets among other relief services.&nbsp;

The second tranche was delivered in May 2018 with 373 MT&nbsp;of relief material. The consignment included 104 MT of milk powder, 102 MT of dried fish, 61 MT of baby food, 50,000 raincoats, and 50,000 pairs of gumboots.&nbsp;

The third consignment was provided in September 2018, where India handed over 1.1 million litres of SKO (super kerosene oil) and 20,000 kerosene multi-wick stoves.&nbsp;

India has been calling on Myanmar and Bangladesh to implement the Rohingya repatriation agreement.

Recently, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said:"Government of India has noted that governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar have recently reached a bilateral understanding and obviously as the only country that neighbours both Bangladesh and Myanmar, we believe it is in our interest and in the interest of the region that this bilateral understanding is implemented as soon as possible and that the displaced persons return to their homeland as soon as possible."

Late last year India had signed the Rakhine State Development Program with Myanmar. The program is designed to assist the government of Myanmar in Rakhine State to build housing infrastructure for the return of displaced persons.

India has begun its fourth tranche of relief assistance to Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh's Cox Bazar as part of "Operation Insaniyat" which began in September 2017.

India has begun its fourth tranche of relief assistance to Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh's Cox Bazar as part of "Operation Insaniyat" which began in September 2017. The total aid in the fourth tranche would include 2,25,000 blankets, 2,00,000 woollen sweaters and 500 solar street lights. The new tranche is the result of a specific request made to the minister for disaster management and relief. In a release, Indian High Commission to Bangladesh said: "As a special gesture, India is making available a part of the consignment of blankets and sweaters for distribution to vulnerable sections of the local community in Cox’s Bazar." The material includes the latest consignment of assistance for displaced persons for the winter, while the solar street lights are meant to ensure environment-friendly lighting solutions for the camps. The release by High Commission added that the aid "is part of India’s continuing partnership and support for Bangladesh especially in sharing the burden imposed upon it because of the influx of a large number of displaced persons from Rakhine State in Myanmar." The distribution of aid began from Monday by the refugee, relief and repatriation commissioner of Bangladesh. The first tranche under "Operation Insaniyat" in September last year comprised of 981 metric tonnes (MT) of relief supplies, including family packs of rice, pulses, sugar, salt, cooking oil, tea, ready-to-eat noodles, biscuits, mosquito nets among other relief services. The second tranche was delivered in May 2018 with 373 MT of relief material. The consignment included 104 MT of milk powder, 102 MT of dried fish, 61 MT of baby food, 50,000 raincoats, and 50,000 pairs of gumboots. The third consignment was provided in September 2018, where India handed over 1.1 million litres of SKO (super kerosene oil) and 20,000 kerosene multi-wick stoves. India has been calling on Myanmar and Bangladesh to implement the Rohingya repatriation agreement. Recently, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said:"Government of India has noted that governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar have recently reached a bilateral understanding and obviously as the only country that neighbours both Bangladesh and Myanmar, we believe it is in our interest and in the interest of the region that this bilateral understanding is implemented as soon as possible and that the displaced persons return to their homeland as soon as possible." Late last year India had signed the Rakhine State Development Program with Myanmar. The program is designed to assist the government of Myanmar in Rakhine State to build housing infrastructure for the return of displaced persons.

India sends another tranche of relief assistance to Rohingyas in Bangladesh

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-court-convicts-ex-pm-nawaz-sharif-in-corruption-case-sentenced-to-7-years-in-prison-186144">Pak court convicts ex-PM Nawaz Sharif in corruption case; sentenced to 7 years in prison</a>

Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, 68, was sentenced to seven years in prison by a Pakistan court in a corruption case.

The PML(N) supremo was however acquitted in another case connected with corruption.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-car-bomb-attack-in-kabul-gunmen-target-government-ministry-186183">Afghanistan: Car bomb attack in Kabul; gunmen target government ministry</a>

Gunmen entered a Kabul government compound in Afghanistan after detonating a car bomb, officials said.

The attack occurred outside Afghanistan's ministry of public works.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/ms-dhoni-returns-in-indias-squad-for-australia-and-nz-odis-pant-dropped-186204">MS Dhoni returns in India's squad for Australia and NZ ODIs; Pant dropped</a>

MS Dhoni Monday returned to India's T20 squad for the February series against New Zealand, while young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was dropped from the ODI squad.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/resolutely-oppose-demand-to-free-two-detained-canadians-china-186176">Resolutely oppose demand to free two detained Canadians: China</a>

China declared today it was "resolutely" opposed to Canada demanding release of two detained citizens as relations between the two countries continued to decline.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/puzzling-to-see-providing-loan-waiver-is-termed-as-economic-waste-varun-gandhi-to-wion-186169">Policy apathy has adversely impacted farmer condition: Varun Gandhi to WION</a>

BJP MP from Sultanpur Varun Gandhi has written a book called "Rural Manifesto" in which he has highlighted the problem faced by Indian agriculture. He spoke with WION on the issues faced by the Indian farmers. BJP recently lost the momentum in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh because of strong rural distress and subsequently lost elections to Congress in the three states.

Pak court convicts ex-PM Nawaz Sharif in corruption case; sentenced to 7 years in prison Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, 68, was sentenced to seven years in prison by a Pakistan court in a corruption case.

Pak court convicts ex-PM Nawaz Sharif in corruption case; sentenced to 7 years in prison Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, 68, was sentenced to seven years in prison by a Pakistan court in a corruption case. The PML(N) supremo was however acquitted in another case connected with corruption. Afghanistan: Car bomb attack in Kabul; gunmen target government ministry Gunmen entered a Kabul government compound in Afghanistan after detonating a car bomb, officials said. The attack occurred outside Afghanistan's ministry of public works. MS Dhoni returns in India's squad for Australia and NZ ODIs; Pant dropped MS Dhoni Monday returned to India's T20 squad for the February series against New Zealand, while young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was dropped from the ODI squad. Resolutely oppose demand to free two detained Canadians: China China declared today it was "resolutely" opposed to Canada demanding release of two detained citizens as relations between the two countries continued to decline. Policy apathy has adversely impacted farmer condition: Varun Gandhi to WION BJP MP from Sultanpur Varun Gandhi has written a book called "Rural Manifesto" in which he has highlighted the problem faced by Indian agriculture. He spoke with WION on the issues faced by the Indian farmers. BJP recently lost the momentum in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh because of strong rural distress and subsequently lost elections to Congress in the three states.

Former Union minister Captain Jai Narain Prasad Nishad died at a hospital here Monday following prolonged illness, sources said.

Nishad (88), also a former Member of Parliament, was undergoing treatment at the Max Hospital, Saket, in south Delhi, where he breathed his last, they said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his demise in a Twitter post.

"Saddened by the demise of Captain Jai Narain Prasad Nishad Ji. He served our nation with great diligence. Captain Nishad's efforts for the progress of Bihar were noteworthy. His work towards empowering the poor will always be remembered. Condolences to his family and supporters," he tweeted.

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Saddened by the demise of Captain Jai Narain Prasad Nishad Ji. He served our nation with great diligence. Captain Nishad’s efforts for the progress of Bihar were noteworthy. His work towards empowering the poor will always be remembered. Condolences to his family and supporters.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1077128041975943168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"The former minister died today and the body was handed over to the family at around 1 pm," a hospital source said.

He was an MP from the Muzaffarpur constituency in Bihar, and his son, Ajay Nishad, is currently a lawmaker.

Former Union minister Captain Jai Narain Prasad Nishad died at a hospital here Monday following prolonged illness, sources said. Nishad (88), also a former Member of Parliament, was undergoing treatment at the Max Hospital, Saket, in south Delhi, where he breathed his last, they said.

Former Union minister Captain Jai Narain Prasad Nishad died at a hospital here Monday following prolonged illness, sources said. Nishad (88), also a former Member of Parliament, was undergoing treatment at the Max Hospital, Saket, in south Delhi, where he breathed his last, they said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his demise in a Twitter post. "Saddened by the demise of Captain Jai Narain Prasad Nishad Ji. He served our nation with great diligence. Captain Nishad's efforts for the progress of Bihar were noteworthy. His work towards empowering the poor will always be remembered. Condolences to his family and supporters," he tweeted. Saddened by the demise of Captain Jai Narain Prasad Nishad Ji. He served our nation with great diligence. Captain Nishad’s efforts for the progress of Bihar were noteworthy. His work towards empowering the poor will always be remembered. Condolences to his family and supporters. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 24, 2018 × "The former minister died today and the body was handed over to the family at around 1 pm," a hospital source said. He was an MP from the Muzaffarpur constituency in Bihar, and his son, Ajay Nishad, is currently a lawmaker.

Former Union Minister Jai Narain Prasad Nishad dies at 88

BJP MP from Sultanpur Varun Gandhi has written a book called "Rural Manifesto" in which he has highlighted the problem faced by Indian agriculture. He spoke with WION&nbsp;on the issues faced by the Indian farmers. BJP recently lost the momentum in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh&nbsp;because of strong rural distress and subsequently lost elections to Congress in the three states.

WION caught up with the BJP MP to talk about his book, the future of Indian agriculture and the contentious farm waiver issue.&nbsp;

 
WION: What prompted you to come out with the book "Rural Manifesto"?

A: Throughout my travels to the Indian rural hinterland, one could sense that the existence of a village was largely dependent on agriculture although it remains fragmented along delicate faultlines.&nbsp;

The book explores the feasibility of an Indian village as an independent socio-economic entity, capable of sustaining itself independent of external linkages. The inspiration for the book came from my travels across India's hinterland.

WION: Has the Indian political discourse neglected agrarian issues post-1991 reforms?

A: Agrarian issues have always been at the forefront among Indian electorate since a majority of our rural population is still largely dependent on agriculture.&nbsp;

However, decreasing landholdings (average landholding size is 1.13 hectares, decreased marginally from 1.41 hectares in 2000, a far cry from the global average of 3.7 hectares), rising input prices, unsustainable water usage, inadequate energy access and failure to take any advantage of economies of scale make farming an increasingly difficult proposition.&nbsp;

Post-1991, agriculture has grown at one per cent on average, while the industry has grown at eight per cent - we have built our economy on the back of distraught peasants. Policy apathy and policy inefficiency have adversely impacted the farmer's condition over the long term. Perhaps it’s time for a relook at our national priorities.

WION: Is it correct to say that the "India and Bharat" divide continues to exist in the country?

&nbsp;A: My interface with hopes and aspirations of people in various parts of the country (primarily rural and urban) shows that there remains multiple worlds within one single nation. It seems as if India and Bharat exists and flourishes together, yet remains bifurcated along delicate socio-economic fault lines. Rural distress cannot be looked at in isolation, as agrarian distress can cause large-scale socio-economic unrest.

WION: What are the major problems being faced in Indian agriculture?

A: There are a host of issues with Indian agriculture primarily driven by agrarian distress – be it increasing cost of cultivation, access to clean water and energy, inadequate marketing reforms and limited avenues for non-farm income at the village level.&nbsp;

Inadequate marketing reforms are an important reason for dwindling farm incomes. The challenge is that the farmer loses out in both good and bad times. In bad times, crop failures lead to rural debt and in good times, it leads to drop in prices.

Our policies can also have unintended harmful consequences. Our increased focus on groundwater extraction, essentially a symptom of inadequate irrigation, has led India to top the list of countries with maximum freshwater withdrawals, with water availability declining by seventy per cent since independence.

Further, free or cheap electricity for running pumps has led to reduced investments in our agricultural mechanization, whilst contributing to the financial burden of the state electricity boards, which in turn remain ill-equipped financially to undertake transformative initiatives in our energy transmission and distribution. 
&nbsp; 
To make matters worse, decreasing landholdings mean that our farmers are increasingly failing to take any advantage of economies of scale. In such a scenario, we need retailers so that Indian agriculture can be revived, with the&nbsp;view towards increasing non-farm incomes (through increased focus on MNREGA, extra benefits for high employment-intensity sectors, job-creation at their doorstep) over the long term.

WION: Do loan waivers work? Many argue that sops do not work in the long run?

A: Farm loan waiver is essentially an emergency measure rather than a kneejerk reaction to agrarian distress - it remains a short-term, stop-gap arrangement till credit culture improves alongside rising farmer incomes.&nbsp;

Let us consider a few figures – indebted farm households have increased from 25 per cent in 1992 to 52 per cent in 2016. The average debt of an agricultural household stands at Rs 1.04 lakh, whereas the average monthly income stands at Rs 8,900 – thus, the average debt is roughly their annual income. Nearly seventy per cent of India’s estimated 90 million agricultural households ends up spending more than their earnings, thereby being caught in a spiral of ever-increasing debt. In such times of economic desperation, a farm loan waiver is needed to provide immediate relief.

WION: Is it correct to say that loan waivers equals populist politics?

A: It would be unfair to call loan waivers as populist, without understanding the condition of farmers in detail. At present, our farmers remain a beleaguered lot – lack of growth in farm incomes have meant that increasing number of agricultural households have sunk in debts - &nbsp;indebted farm households have increased from 25 per cent in 1992 to 52 per cent in 2016, with incidences of debt maximum in the lowest income farmer category. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Our fiscal pundits seem to have a rather curious penchant for decrying the offering of any fiscal sops offered to farmers, while discounting those offered to the industry. The current NPA crisis is not because of farmers holding back on repayments. It is puzzling that while putting money in people’s hands through increased salaries or easier loans for growth is termed economic stimulus, providing loan waiver at a time of perpetual indebtedness is termed as an "economic waste".

WION: Post 1990s, farm politics oriented socialist block disintegrated into caste-based social "justice politics". Are we witnessing revival of class over caste after 30 years of "mandalised" politics?

A: It would be quite early to say that we are witnessing the revival of class over caste after 30 years of mandalised politics. We need to keep in mind that farmers over the last few decades have not voted in a block. This happens as personal identity, as opposed to being a monolith, remains a complex dissemination of various factors and thus remains subject to caste and religious considerations.

During these years, we have witnessed farmer protests, independent of time or geography, against conditions arising from fundamental weaknesses in our agriculture. It is heartening to see that the farmers are uniting and making their voices heard. The government understands their struggles and shall be receptive to their demands with a view of improving their condition while undertaking effective reforms to empower them in the long run.

WION: Do elections results of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan indicate massive rural unrest?

&nbsp;A: About 70 per cent of our population lives in villages even after over 70 years of independence, and among them, a significant majority stays dependent on agriculture. The agrarian distress is primarily caused by certain structural weaknesses in our agricultural edifice. Even a century after Mahatma Gandhi sought freedom from farmer exploitation (Champaran), our farmers remain a beleaguered lot. &nbsp;

WION: When it comes to agriculture, the focus continues to remain on landed communities whereas landless workers get a raw deal. Do we require better intervention in this sector?

A: Non-farm diversification is typically an important pathway for empowering landless labourers and marginal farmers helping them overcome the land constraint for growth while offering sustainable income that can provide the capacity to absorb external farm shocks and provide capital for agricultural investment.&nbsp;

Most of the rural non-farm income is associated with urban migration, with most village youth working as labourers in nearby towns and cities. Among non-farm income sources, livestock and construction incomes are a broad-based critical component.

The recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee pertaining to distribution of ceiling surplus and wasteland shall help our landless and small/marginal farmers.

BJP MP from Sultanpur Varun Gandhi has written a book called "Rural Manifesto" in which he has highlighted the problem faced by Indian agriculture. He spoke with WION on the issues faced by the Indian farmers.

BJP MP from Sultanpur Varun Gandhi has written a book called "Rural Manifesto" in which he has highlighted the problem faced by Indian agriculture. He spoke with WION on the issues faced by the Indian farmers. BJP recently lost the momentum in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh because of strong rural distress and subsequently lost elections to Congress in the three states. WION caught up with the BJP MP to talk about his book, the future of Indian agriculture and the contentious farm waiver issue. WION: What prompted you to come out with the book "Rural Manifesto"? A: Throughout my travels to the Indian rural hinterland, one could sense that the existence of a village was largely dependent on agriculture although it remains fragmented along delicate faultlines. The book explores the feasibility of an Indian village as an independent socio-economic entity, capable of sustaining itself independent of external linkages. The inspiration for the book came from my travels across India's hinterland. WION: Has the Indian political discourse neglected agrarian issues post-1991 reforms? A: Agrarian issues have always been at the forefront among Indian electorate since a majority of our rural population is still largely dependent on agriculture. However, decreasing landholdings (average landholding size is 1.13 hectares, decreased marginally from 1.41 hectares in 2000, a far cry from the global average of 3.7 hectares), rising input prices, unsustainable water usage, inadequate energy access and failure to take any advantage of economies of scale make farming an increasingly difficult proposition. Post-1991, agriculture has grown at one per cent on average, while the industry has grown at eight per cent - we have built our economy on the back of distraught peasants. Policy apathy and policy inefficiency have adversely impacted the farmer's condition over the long term. Perhaps it’s time for a relook at our national priorities. WION: Is it correct to say that the "India and Bharat" divide continues to exist in the country? A: My interface with hopes and aspirations of people in various parts of the country (primarily rural and urban) shows that there remains multiple worlds within one single nation. It seems as if India and Bharat exists and flourishes together, yet remains bifurcated along delicate socio-economic fault lines. Rural distress cannot be looked at in isolation, as agrarian distress can cause large-scale socio-economic unrest. WION: What are the major problems being faced in Indian agriculture? A: There are a host of issues with Indian agriculture primarily driven by agrarian distress – be it increasing cost of cultivation, access to clean water and energy, inadequate marketing reforms and limited avenues for non-farm income at the village level. Inadequate marketing reforms are an important reason for dwindling farm incomes. The challenge is that the farmer loses out in both good and bad times. In bad times, crop failures lead to rural debt and in good times, it leads to drop in prices. Our policies can also have unintended harmful consequences. Our increased focus on groundwater extraction, essentially a symptom of inadequate irrigation, has led India to top the list of countries with maximum freshwater withdrawals, with water availability declining by seventy per cent since independence. Further, free or cheap electricity for running pumps has led to reduced investments in our agricultural mechanization, whilst contributing to the financial burden of the state electricity boards, which in turn remain ill-equipped financially to undertake transformative initiatives in our energy transmission and distribution. To make matters worse, decreasing landholdings mean that our farmers are increasingly failing to take any advantage of economies of scale. In such a scenario, we need retailers so that Indian agriculture can be revived, with the view towards increasing non-farm incomes (through increased focus on MNREGA, extra benefits for high employment-intensity sectors, job-creation at their doorstep) over the long term. WION: Do loan waivers work? Many argue that sops do not work in the long run? A: Farm loan waiver is essentially an emergency measure rather than a kneejerk reaction to agrarian distress - it remains a short-term, stop-gap arrangement till credit culture improves alongside rising farmer incomes. Let us consider a few figures – indebted farm households have increased from 25 per cent in 1992 to 52 per cent in 2016. The average debt of an agricultural household stands at Rs 1.04 lakh, whereas the average monthly income stands at Rs 8,900 – thus, the average debt is roughly their annual income. Nearly seventy per cent of India’s estimated 90 million agricultural households ends up spending more than their earnings, thereby being caught in a spiral of ever-increasing debt. In such times of economic desperation, a farm loan waiver is needed to provide immediate relief. WION: Is it correct to say that loan waivers equals populist politics? A: It would be unfair to call loan waivers as populist, without understanding the condition of farmers in detail. At present, our farmers remain a beleaguered lot – lack of growth in farm incomes have meant that increasing number of agricultural households have sunk in debts - indebted farm households have increased from 25 per cent in 1992 to 52 per cent in 2016, with incidences of debt maximum in the lowest income farmer category. Our fiscal pundits seem to have a rather curious penchant for decrying the offering of any fiscal sops offered to farmers, while discounting those offered to the industry. The current NPA crisis is not because of farmers holding back on repayments. It is puzzling that while putting money in people’s hands through increased salaries or easier loans for growth is termed economic stimulus, providing loan waiver at a time of perpetual indebtedness is termed as an "economic waste". WION: Post 1990s, farm politics oriented socialist block disintegrated into caste-based social "justice politics". Are we witnessing revival of class over caste after 30 years of "mandalised" politics? A: It would be quite early to say that we are witnessing the revival of class over caste after 30 years of mandalised politics. We need to keep in mind that farmers over the last few decades have not voted in a block. This happens as personal identity, as opposed to being a monolith, remains a complex dissemination of various factors and thus remains subject to caste and religious considerations. During these years, we have witnessed farmer protests, independent of time or geography, against conditions arising from fundamental weaknesses in our agriculture. It is heartening to see that the farmers are uniting and making their voices heard. The government understands their struggles and shall be receptive to their demands with a view of improving their condition while undertaking effective reforms to empower them in the long run. WION: Do elections results of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan indicate massive rural unrest? A: About 70 per cent of our population lives in villages even after over 70 years of independence, and among them, a significant majority stays dependent on agriculture. The agrarian distress is primarily caused by certain structural weaknesses in our agricultural edifice. Even a century after Mahatma Gandhi sought freedom from farmer exploitation (Champaran), our farmers remain a beleaguered lot. WION: When it comes to agriculture, the focus continues to remain on landed communities whereas landless workers get a raw deal. Do we require better intervention in this sector? A: Non-farm diversification is typically an important pathway for empowering landless labourers and marginal farmers helping them overcome the land constraint for growth while offering sustainable income that can provide the capacity to absorb external farm shocks and provide capital for agricultural investment. Most of the rural non-farm income is associated with urban migration, with most village youth working as labourers in nearby towns and cities. Among non-farm income sources, livestock and construction incomes are a broad-based critical component. The recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee pertaining to distribution of ceiling surplus and wasteland shall help our landless and small/marginal farmers.

Policy apathy has adversely impacted farmer condition: Varun Gandhi to WION

High alert will be sounded along the international border in Tripura, hours before the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pm-sheikh-hasina-on-top-in-battle-of-the-bangladesh-begums-186170">Bangladesh general election</a>, as the BSF steps up efforts to avert any "untoward situation" in the poll-bound country, a senior official said here Monday.

Tripura shares 856-km-long border with the neighbouring country.

Bangladesh is set to go to polls on December 30. Pitted against the Sheikh Hasina-led ruling Awami League (AL) and its various allies is the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which had boycotted the last parliamentary elections.

Security has already been beefed up in the border areas in Tripura to check infiltration bids, the senior Border Security Force (BSF) official said.

"Our main objective is to check influx of anti-social elements. We will ensure that law and order is maintained along the border to avoid any unpleasant situation in poll-bound Bangladesh," said AK Yadav, the officiating Inspector General (IG) of BSF, Tripura Frontier.

Talking to reporters, Yadav claimed that militancy has been largely contained in Tripura owing to persistent efforts by security forces over the past few years.

"Law enforcement agencies of Bangladesh have also adopted a zero tolerance attitude to anti-Indian activities on their soil and our joint efforts have paid off well," he said.

The IG, however, cautioned against militant activity in the border areas, given the fact that Bangladesh law enforcement agencies have demolished their hideouts in the past few months.

"The militants often befriend local people or try and make inroads into the country with the help of their relatives residing here," he said.

Altogether, 13 militants have surrendered before the BSF during 2018, while 17 insurgents laid down their arms last year, Yadav added.

High alert will be sounded along the international border in Tripura, hours before the Bangladesh general election, as the BSF steps up efforts to avert any "untoward situation" in the poll-bound country, a senior official said here Monday.

High alert will be sounded along the international border in Tripura, hours before the Bangladesh general election, as the BSF steps up efforts to avert any "untoward situation" in the poll-bound country, a senior official said here Monday. Tripura shares 856-km-long border with the neighbouring country. Bangladesh is set to go to polls on December 30. Pitted against the Sheikh Hasina-led ruling Awami League (AL) and its various allies is the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which had boycotted the last parliamentary elections. Security has already been beefed up in the border areas in Tripura to check infiltration bids, the senior Border Security Force (BSF) official said. "Our main objective is to check influx of anti-social elements. We will ensure that law and order is maintained along the border to avoid any unpleasant situation in poll-bound Bangladesh," said AK Yadav, the officiating Inspector General (IG) of BSF, Tripura Frontier. Talking to reporters, Yadav claimed that militancy has been largely contained in Tripura owing to persistent efforts by security forces over the past few years. "Law enforcement agencies of Bangladesh have also adopted a zero tolerance attitude to anti-Indian activities on their soil and our joint efforts have paid off well," he said. The IG, however, cautioned against militant activity in the border areas, given the fact that Bangladesh law enforcement agencies have demolished their hideouts in the past few months. "The militants often befriend local people or try and make inroads into the country with the help of their relatives residing here," he said. Altogether, 13 militants have surrendered before the BSF during 2018, while 17 insurgents laid down their arms last year, Yadav added.

BSF to issue high alert along Tripura border ahead of Bangladesh polls

More than 2,100 people were evacuated on Monday after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake jolted China's Tibet Autonomous Region.&nbsp;

No casualty has been reported so far in the quake which hit the Xaitongmoin County in the city of Xigaze at 3:32 am (local time).

The quake struck at a depth of 8 km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre.&nbsp;

Investigators have found cracks in some rural houses and damage on some live-stock sheds in the county, according to the county's publicity department.

The local authorities have prepared tents, quilts, coats and medical supplies for the affected people.

Traffic and telecommunications in the region have remained undisturbed, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.&nbsp;

More than 2,100 people were evacuated on Monday after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake jolted China's Tibet Autonomous Region. No casualty has been reported so far in the quake which hit the Xaitongmoin County in the city of Xigaze at 3:32 am (local time).

More than 2,100 people were evacuated on Monday after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake jolted China's Tibet Autonomous Region. No casualty has been reported so far in the quake which hit the Xaitongmoin County in the city of Xigaze at 3:32 am (local time). The quake struck at a depth of 8 km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre. Investigators have found cracks in some rural houses and damage on some live-stock sheds in the county, according to the county's publicity department. The local authorities have prepared tents, quilts, coats and medical supplies for the affected people. Traffic and telecommunications in the region have remained undisturbed, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Thousands evacuated after 5.8-magnitude earthquake hits Tibet

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Monday expressed grief over the loss of life in a volcano-triggered<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/factbox-indonesia-regularly-hit-by-quakes-and-tsunamis-185962"> tsunami in Indonesia</a> and said India stands by Indonesians in this hour of grief.&nbsp;

On Sunday, a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-tsunami-death-toll-climbs-to-222-over-800-injured-185999">powerful tsunami hit Indonesia</a>, known for its thousands of islands stretching from the Andaman Sea to the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, killing at least 281 people and injuring thousands.

"My deepest condolences to the families of victims who lost their lives in the Tsunami that struck the coast of Sunda Straits in Indonesia. Our prayers are with them as we stand by our Indonesian brothers in this hour of grief @Menlu_RI," Swaraj tweeted tagging the foreign ministry of Indonesia Menteri Luar Negeri.

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My deepest condolences to the families of victims who lost their lives in the Tsunami that struck the coast of Sunda Straits in Indonesia. Our prayers are with them as we stand by our Indonesian brothers in this hour of grief <a href="https://twitter.com/Menlu_RI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Menlu_RI</a>
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1077042094877954048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In October, when a deadly tsunami hit Indonesia India had pressed its Air Force and Navy for rescue and humanitarian work.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Monday expressed grief over the loss of life in a volcano-triggered tsunami in Indonesia and said India stands by Indonesians in this hour of grief.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Monday expressed grief over the loss of life in a volcano-triggered tsunami in Indonesia and said India stands by Indonesians in this hour of grief. On Sunday, a powerful tsunami hit Indonesia, known for its thousands of islands stretching from the Andaman Sea to the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, killing at least 281 people and injuring thousands. "My deepest condolences to the families of victims who lost their lives in the Tsunami that struck the coast of Sunda Straits in Indonesia. Our prayers are with them as we stand by our Indonesian brothers in this hour of grief @Menlu_RI," Swaraj tweeted tagging the foreign ministry of Indonesia Menteri Luar Negeri. My deepest condolences to the families of victims who lost their lives in the Tsunami that struck the coast of Sunda Straits in Indonesia. Our prayers are with them as we stand by our Indonesian brothers in this hour of grief @Menlu_RI — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 24, 2018 × In October, when a deadly tsunami hit Indonesia India had pressed its Air Force and Navy for rescue and humanitarian work.

India stands by tsunami-hit Indonesia: Sushma Swaraj

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhis-air-quality-severe-cpcb-urges-people-to-minimise-outdoor-activities-186041">A Central Pollution Control Board-led</a> task force Monday recommended closure of factories located in hotspot industrial areas and a ban on construction activities till Wednesday in view of the severe air pollution in the national capital.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhis-air-quality-deteriorates-further-10-areas-record-severe-pollution-authorities-185357">Delhi's air qualit</a>y&nbsp;remained in the 'severe' level for the third consecutive day on Monday as wind speed and other meteorological factors remained "highly unfavourable" for dispersion of pollutants.

People have been advised by the authorities to minimise outdoor activities and avoid the use of private vehicles as the city battles its worst pollution levels since Diwali.

The CPCB has recommended to the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) to shut down industries located in the hotspot industrial areas of Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana, Sahibabad and Faridabad until Wednesday.

It also recommended a ban on construction activities in Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Noida during the same period.

The CPCB added that the traffic police should deploy special teams to ensure smooth vehicular movement, especially in identified high traffic corridors.

"Police department concerned to strictly ensure that non-destined heavy-duty vehicles travel through eastern and western peripheral expressways. Agencies concerned to ensure strict action against illegal industries," the CPCB-led task force said.

On Saturday, the task force had recommended that authorities intensify ground actions to enforce measures already in place, particularly to control emissions from vehicles and burning of biomass.

The other recommendations made are: agencies concerned to increase surveillance to find industrial waste dumping or burning especially in hotspots that are vulnerable to high pollution level, water sprinkling and mechanized sweeping to be intensified and traffic police to ensure smooth flow of traffic, including during long holidays.

The task force also urged people to avoid using private vehicles particularly diesel vehicles and minimize outdoor exposure for the next three to five days, especially for those with respiratory illness, the CPCB said.

On Monday, 32 areas of the national capital recorded 'severe' air quality, while five areas recorded an air of 'very poor' quality, according to the CPCB.

In NCR, Noida recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 464. Faridabad and Ghaziabad also recorded 'severe' quality air, it said.

The overall PM2.5 level (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) was recorded at 369 and the PM10 level at 533 here, the CPCB said.

Delhi's air quality turned 'severe' on Saturday. On Sunday, the city recorded its second-highest pollution level of the year at an AQI of 450.

According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), the 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 an average wind speed less than 10 kmph is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants.

The index was 4,500 sqm/second on Monday, the IITM said.

A Central Pollution Control Board-led task force Monday recommended closure of factories located in hotspot industrial areas and a ban on construction activities till Wednesday in view of the severe air pollution in the national capital.

A Central Pollution Control Board-led task force Monday recommended closure of factories located in hotspot industrial areas and a ban on construction activities till Wednesday in view of the severe air pollution in the national capital. Delhi's air quality remained in the 'severe' level for the third consecutive day on Monday as wind speed and other meteorological factors remained "highly unfavourable" for dispersion of pollutants. People have been advised by the authorities to minimise outdoor activities and avoid the use of private vehicles as the city battles its worst pollution levels since Diwali. The CPCB has recommended to the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) to shut down industries located in the hotspot industrial areas of Wazirpur, Mundka, Narela, Bawana, Sahibabad and Faridabad until Wednesday. It also recommended a ban on construction activities in Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Noida during the same period. The CPCB added that the traffic police should deploy special teams to ensure smooth vehicular movement, especially in identified high traffic corridors. "Police department concerned to strictly ensure that non-destined heavy-duty vehicles travel through eastern and western peripheral expressways. Agencies concerned to ensure strict action against illegal industries," the CPCB-led task force said. On Saturday, the task force had recommended that authorities intensify ground actions to enforce measures already in place, particularly to control emissions from vehicles and burning of biomass. The other recommendations made are: agencies concerned to increase surveillance to find industrial waste dumping or burning especially in hotspots that are vulnerable to high pollution level, water sprinkling and mechanized sweeping to be intensified and traffic police to ensure smooth flow of traffic, including during long holidays. The task force also urged people to avoid using private vehicles particularly diesel vehicles and minimize outdoor exposure for the next three to five days, especially for those with respiratory illness, the CPCB said. On Monday, 32 areas of the national capital recorded 'severe' air quality, while five areas recorded an air of 'very poor' quality, according to the CPCB. In NCR, Noida recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 464. Faridabad and Ghaziabad also recorded 'severe' quality air, it said. The overall PM2.5 level (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) was recorded at 369 and the PM10 level at 533 here, the CPCB said. Delhi's air quality turned 'severe' on Saturday. On Sunday, the city recorded its second-highest pollution level of the year at an AQI of 450. According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), the 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 an average wind speed less than 10 kmph is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants. The index was 4,500 sqm/second on Monday, the IITM said.

Close industries at hotspots, ban construction in Delhi till Wednesday: CPCB-led task force

Srinagar -- the summer capital of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/un-snubs-pakistan-on-jammu-and-kashmir-185882">Jammu and Kashmir</a> -- recorded the coldest night in 11 years as the minimum temperature plunged to minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, resulting in partial freezing of the Dal Lake and water supply lines to residential areas on Monday.

The all-time low recorded in the month of December in Srinagar is minus 12.8 degrees Celsius on December 13, 1934.

"Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius. This is the coldest recorded temperature in the city in almost 11 years. The city had registered a low of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius on December 31, 2007," an official of the MET department told PTI on Monday.

The cold wave resulted in freezing of some water bodies, including the fringes of the famous Dal Lake here, and residential water supply pipes.

The official said Qazigund the gateway town to the valley - in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 5 degrees Celsius, while the nearby Kokernag town registered a low of minus 3.9 degrees Celsius on Sunday night.

Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 6 degrees Celsius on Sunday night, he said.

The night temperature in Pahalgam, which serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath yatra in south Kashmir, settled at a low of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday night, the official said, adding the resort was colder than Gulmarg and the coldest place in the valley.

The ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded the minimum temperature of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, he said.

The official said Leh recorded a low of minus 14.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday night down from minus 14.3 degrees Celsius the previous night which was the coldest night of the season in the frontier town.

The nearby Kargil recorded a low of minus 15.3 degrees Celsius, they added.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan' the 40-day harshest period of winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum and the temperature drops considerably.

'Chillai-Kalan' ends on January 31, but the cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir.&nbsp;

The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day long 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold).

However, the winter this season has been dry so far, although there was a spell of early snowfall in the valley in first and second week of November.

The prolonged dry spell has resulted in an increase in common ailments like cough, cold and other respiratory problems, especially among children and elderly.

The Met office has forecast mainly dry weather till Wednesday.

Srinagar -- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir -- recorded the coldest night in 11 years as the minimum temperature plunged to minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, resulting in partial freezing of the Dal Lake and water supply lines to residential areas on Monday.

Srinagar -- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir -- recorded the coldest night in 11 years as the minimum temperature plunged to minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, resulting in partial freezing of the Dal Lake and water supply lines to residential areas on Monday. The all-time low recorded in the month of December in Srinagar is minus 12.8 degrees Celsius on December 13, 1934. "Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius. This is the coldest recorded temperature in the city in almost 11 years. The city had registered a low of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius on December 31, 2007," an official of the MET department told PTI on Monday. The cold wave resulted in freezing of some water bodies, including the fringes of the famous Dal Lake here, and residential water supply pipes. The official said Qazigund the gateway town to the valley - in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 5 degrees Celsius, while the nearby Kokernag town registered a low of minus 3.9 degrees Celsius on Sunday night. Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 6 degrees Celsius on Sunday night, he said. The night temperature in Pahalgam, which serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath yatra in south Kashmir, settled at a low of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday night, the official said, adding the resort was colder than Gulmarg and the coldest place in the valley. The ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded the minimum temperature of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, he said. The official said Leh recorded a low of minus 14.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday night down from minus 14.3 degrees Celsius the previous night which was the coldest night of the season in the frontier town. The nearby Kargil recorded a low of minus 15.3 degrees Celsius, they added. Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan' the 40-day harshest period of winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum and the temperature drops considerably. 'Chillai-Kalan' ends on January 31, but the cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir. The 40-day period is followed by a 20-day long 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day long 'Chillai-Bachha' (baby cold). However, the winter this season has been dry so far, although there was a spell of early snowfall in the valley in first and second week of November. The prolonged dry spell has resulted in an increase in common ailments like cough, cold and other respiratory problems, especially among children and elderly. The Met office has forecast mainly dry weather till Wednesday.

Watch: Srinagar records coldest night in 11 years

Member of Parliament and AIMIM president&nbsp;Asaduddin Owaisi took to Twitter to hit out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan over the latter's remark that he would show the Narendra Modi government <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-lectures-india-on-treatment-of-minorities-says-will-show-modi-govt-how-to-treat-them-185894">"how to treat minorities"</a>.

In a tweet on Sunday, Owaisi said Khan should instead take a lesson from India's inclusive politics and minority right.

"According to the Pakistani Constitution, only a Muslim is qualified to be President. India has seen multiple Presidents from oppressed communities. It's high time Khan sahab learns something from us about inclusive politics &amp; minority rights," the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief said.

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According to the Pakistani Constitution, only a Muslim is qualified to be President. India has seen multiple Presidents from oppressed communities. It's high time Khan sahab learns something from us about inclusive politics &amp; minority rights.<a href="https://t.co/qarmZkqdhH">https://t.co/qarmZkqdhH</a>
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) <a href="https://twitter.com/asadowaisi/status/1076769828541673472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Addressing an event in Lahore on Saturday, Khan had referred to actor Naseeruddin Shah's remarks on mob violence in India and said, "We will show the Modi government how to treat minorities. Even in India, people are saying that minorities are not being treated as equal citizens."

Member of Parliament and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi took to Twitter to hit out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan over the latter's remark that he would show the Narendra Modi government "how to treat minorities".

Member of Parliament and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi took to Twitter to hit out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan over the latter's remark that he would show the Narendra Modi government "how to treat minorities". In a tweet on Sunday, Owaisi said Khan should instead take a lesson from India's inclusive politics and minority right. "According to the Pakistani Constitution, only a Muslim is qualified to be President. India has seen multiple Presidents from oppressed communities. It's high time Khan sahab learns something from us about inclusive politics & minority rights," the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief said. According to the Pakistani Constitution, only a Muslim is qualified to be President. India has seen multiple Presidents from oppressed communities. It's high time Khan sahab learns something from us about inclusive politics & minority rights.https://t.co/qarmZkqdhH — Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) December 23, 2018 × Addressing an event in Lahore on Saturday, Khan had referred to actor Naseeruddin Shah's remarks on mob violence in India and said, "We will show the Modi government how to treat minorities. Even in India, people are saying that minorities are not being treated as equal citizens."

Imran Khan should learn from India about minority rights: Asaduddin Owaisi

On the eve of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/atal-bihari-vajpayee-former-prime-minister-and-bjp-stalwart-dies-at-93-159594">Atal Bihari Vajpayee</a>'s 94th birth anniversary, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-flag-off-first-train-on-longest-rail-road-bridge-on-december-25-185986">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> Monday released a Rs 100 commemorative coin in the memory of the former premier.

Vajpayee's long-time associate and BJP veteran L K Advani, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah were also present at the event here.

The former prime minister died at the AIIMS in the national capital in August at the age of 93 following prolonged illness.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said he would go to Vajpayee's memorial on Tuesday to reiterate his commitment to the ideology and path shown by the statesman.&nbsp;

"Atal Ji wanted democracy to be supreme. He built the Jana Sangh. But, when the time came to rescue our democracy he and others went to Janata Party. Likewise, when the choice was between remaining in power or comprising on ideology, he left Janata Party and formed the BJP," the prime minister said.&nbsp;

He said while for some, power is oxygen and they cannot live without it, Vajpayee spent a long part of his career in the opposition benches raising issues of national interest.&nbsp;

The late prime minister never compromised on the ideology of the party, Modi said. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

He said, the party, which "Atalji built brick by brick" has become among the largest political parties.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Modi said Vajpayee as a speaker was unparalleled. "When he spoke, the nation spoke... When he spoke the nation listened," he said.

The mind is not ready to believe that Vajpayee is no longer alive. Though he was away from public glare for nearly a decade due to ill health, the way people gave him a farewell on his demise showed the mark he had created in people's minds, Modi said.&nbsp;

On the eve of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 94th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday released a Rs 100 commemorative coin in the memory of the former premier.

On the eve of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 94th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday released a Rs 100 commemorative coin in the memory of the former premier. Vajpayee's long-time associate and BJP veteran L K Advani, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president Amit Shah were also present at the event here. The former prime minister died at the AIIMS in the national capital in August at the age of 93 following prolonged illness. Addressing the gathering, Modi said he would go to Vajpayee's memorial on Tuesday to reiterate his commitment to the ideology and path shown by the statesman. "Atal Ji wanted democracy to be supreme. He built the Jana Sangh. But, when the time came to rescue our democracy he and others went to Janata Party. Likewise, when the choice was between remaining in power or comprising on ideology, he left Janata Party and formed the BJP," the prime minister said. He said while for some, power is oxygen and they cannot live without it, Vajpayee spent a long part of his career in the opposition benches raising issues of national interest. The late prime minister never compromised on the ideology of the party, Modi said. He said, the party, which "Atalji built brick by brick" has become among the largest political parties. Prime Minister Modi said Vajpayee as a speaker was unparalleled. "When he spoke, the nation spoke... When he spoke the nation listened," he said. The mind is not ready to believe that Vajpayee is no longer alive. Though he was away from public glare for nearly a decade due to ill health, the way people gave him a farewell on his demise showed the mark he had created in people's minds, Modi said.

PM Modi releases Rs 100 commemorative coin in memory of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

India is working towards a single <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gst-council-slashes-rates-of-7-items-from-28-jaitley-calls-meeting-fruitful-185843">national sales tax rate</a> which could be a mid-point between 12 and 18 per cent, finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Monday, in an effort to simplify the tax structure.

The government set the range for the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-ruled-states-oppose-rate-cuts-in-gst-citing-revenue-consideration-185889">Goods and Service Tax</a> from 28 per cent to 5 per cent on most items when the signature reform was introduced last year.

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Eighteen Months of the GST <a href="https://t.co/eIU3DCd90l">https://t.co/eIU3DCd90l</a>
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) <a href="https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/1077079145186803713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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The GST from the date of its implementation, has changed the situation radically. All seventeen taxes were combined into one. The whole of India became one market. The interstate barriers disappeared. Entry into the cities became open with abolition of the entry tax.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) <a href="https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/1077083957848616960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Multiple slabs were fixed transiently in order to ensure the tax of no commodity goes up radically. This contained the inflation impact," Jaitley wrote in his blog.

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Multiple slabs were fixed transiently in order to ensure the tax on no commodity goes up radically. This contained the inflation impact. Most Aam Aadmi items were placed in the 0 or 5% tax bracket. Returns became online; assessments will be online; multiple inspectors disappeared
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) <a href="https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/1077084558707908610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"A future roadmap could well be to work towards a single standard rate instead of two standard rates of 12 per cent and 18 per cent. It could be a rate at some mid-point between the two."

He also said the country should look towards having slabs of zero, five per cent and a standard rate for luxury and sin goods (alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, etc).

The government will also look at transferring cement into a lower tax slab as the next priority, he wrote.

India is working towards a single national sales tax rate which could be a mid-point between 12 and 18 per cent, finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Monday, in an effort to simplify the tax structure.

India is working towards a single national sales tax rate which could be a mid-point between 12 and 18 per cent, finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Monday, in an effort to simplify the tax structure. The government set the range for the Goods and Service Tax from 28 per cent to 5 per cent on most items when the signature reform was introduced last year. Eighteen Months of the GST https://t.co/eIU3DCd90l — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) December 24, 2018 × The GST from the date of its implementation, has changed the situation radically. All seventeen taxes were combined into one. The whole of India became one market. The interstate barriers disappeared. Entry into the cities became open with abolition of the entry tax. — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) December 24, 2018 × "Multiple slabs were fixed transiently in order to ensure the tax of no commodity goes up radically. This contained the inflation impact," Jaitley wrote in his blog. Multiple slabs were fixed transiently in order to ensure the tax on no commodity goes up radically. This contained the inflation impact. Most Aam Aadmi items were placed in the 0 or 5% tax bracket. Returns became online; assessments will be online; multiple inspectors disappeared — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) December 24, 2018 × "A future roadmap could well be to work towards a single standard rate instead of two standard rates of 12 per cent and 18 per cent. It could be a rate at some mid-point between the two." He also said the country should look towards having slabs of zero, five per cent and a standard rate for luxury and sin goods (alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, etc). The government will also look at transferring cement into a lower tax slab as the next priority, he wrote.

Future GST roadmap will be to work towards single standard rate: Jaitley

Srinagar records coldest night in 11 years, minus 6.8 Degrees

Congress party and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/former-ncp-leader-tariq-anwar-joins-congress-173795">National Congress Party (NCP) </a>have reached a consensus on sharing 40 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.&nbsp;

Speaking to ANI, NCP president <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sharad-pawar-hits-out-at-pm-modi-over-cbi-row-172994">Sharad Pawar</a>, stated on Monday, "In Maharashtra, NCP and Congress will together contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections along with Peasants and Workers Party of India.&nbsp;

Till now, we have decided the seat-sharing on 40 seats, still, eight are left. If any consensus is not reached on remaining eight seats then the final decision will be taken by the two party chiefs in New Delhi.

"During 2014 general elections, the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress had fielded political contenders for 27 constituencies in Maharashtra, while the Pawar-led NCP had contested on 21 seats.&nbsp;

Earlier, the seat sharing was fixed at 26:22, but later the NCP decided not to contest from the Hatkanangale constituency as it did not have any contender. This seat was later contested by the Congress.

Congress party and National Congress Party (NCP) have reached a consensus on sharing 40 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. Speaking to ANI, NCP president Sharad Pawar, stated on Monday, "In Maharashtra, NCP and Congress will together contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections along with Peasants and Workers Party of India.

Congress party and National Congress Party (NCP) have reached a consensus on sharing 40 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. Speaking to ANI, NCP president Sharad Pawar, stated on Monday, "In Maharashtra, NCP and Congress will together contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections along with Peasants and Workers Party of India. Till now, we have decided the seat-sharing on 40 seats, still, eight are left. If any consensus is not reached on remaining eight seats then the final decision will be taken by the two party chiefs in New Delhi. "During 2014 general elections, the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress had fielded political contenders for 27 constituencies in Maharashtra, while the Pawar-led NCP had contested on 21 seats. Earlier, the seat sharing was fixed at 26:22, but later the NCP decided not to contest from the Hatkanangale constituency as it did not have any contender. This seat was later contested by the Congress.

2019 polls: Congress, NCP reach seat-sharing consensus in Maharashtra

The West Bengal BJP has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court order refusing permission to its three planned rath yatras in the state.&nbsp;

A single judge bench of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-major-setback-for-mamata-govt-calcutta-hc-allows-bjp-to-hold-its-3-rath-yatras-in-bengal-185498">the court had on Thursday allowed the BJP to hold the yatras</a> but, after the West Bengal government appealed, a division bench of the court sent the order back to the single judge bench.&nbsp;

The single judge bench, while passing its order, had said the government had not even made an effort to allow the BJP to hold its yatras, and that it was therefore allowed to intervene.&nbsp;

In its appeal, the West Bengal government said the state's intelligence agencies have warned that the yatras may lead to communal strife.&nbsp;

The division judge bench said it was important to take the warning by the intelligence agencies into consideration.&nbsp;

The division bench then asked the single-judge bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty to hear the case again, take the inputs from the intelligence agencies into consideration, and dispose of the matter expeditiously.

The BJP's three yatras had originally been meant to kick off from Cooch Behar district on December 7, Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas on December 9, and Tarapith temple in Birbhum on December 14.&nbsp;

On Thursday, after Justice Chakraborty's order, the BJP said they would kick off on December 22, 24 and 26.&nbsp;

All three rath yatras were to be kicked off by BJP president Amit Shah and were meant to criss-cross the state before the general elections next year.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The West Bengal BJP has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court order refusing permission to its three planned rath yatras in the state.

The West Bengal BJP has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court order refusing permission to its three planned rath yatras in the state. A single judge bench of the court had on Thursday allowed the BJP to hold the yatras but, after the West Bengal government appealed, a division bench of the court sent the order back to the single judge bench. The single judge bench, while passing its order, had said the government had not even made an effort to allow the BJP to hold its yatras, and that it was therefore allowed to intervene. In its appeal, the West Bengal government said the state's intelligence agencies have warned that the yatras may lead to communal strife. The division judge bench said it was important to take the warning by the intelligence agencies into consideration. The division bench then asked the single-judge bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty to hear the case again, take the inputs from the intelligence agencies into consideration, and dispose of the matter expeditiously. The BJP's three yatras had originally been meant to kick off from Cooch Behar district on December 7, Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas on December 9, and Tarapith temple in Birbhum on December 14. On Thursday, after Justice Chakraborty's order, the BJP said they would kick off on December 22, 24 and 26. All three rath yatras were to be kicked off by BJP president Amit Shah and were meant to criss-cross the state before the general elections next year.

Bengal BJP appeals to Supreme Court against HC order disallowing its 3 rath yatras

A PIL was filed on Monday in the Supreme Court challenging the government's notification authorising 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any computer system.

The petition filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma seeks to quash the government's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-empowers-security-intelligence-agencies-for-mass-surveillance-185626">December 20 notification.</a>

According to the government's notification, 10 Central probe and snoop agencies are now empowered under the Information Technology (IT) Act for computer interception and analysis, Ministry of Home Affairs officials said.

The 10 agencies notified under the new order are the Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (for Income Tax Department), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Signal Intelligence (in service areas of J-K, North East and Assam) and the Delhi Police commissioner.&nbsp;

A PIL was filed on Monday in the Supreme Court challenging the government's notification authorising 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any computer system.

A PIL was filed on Monday in the Supreme Court challenging the government's notification authorising 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any computer system. The petition filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma seeks to quash the government's December 20 notification. According to the government's notification, 10 Central probe and snoop agencies are now empowered under the Information Technology (IT) Act for computer interception and analysis, Ministry of Home Affairs officials said. The 10 agencies notified under the new order are the Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (for Income Tax Department), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Signal Intelligence (in service areas of J-K, North East and Assam) and the Delhi Police commissioner.

PIL filed in SC against order authorising 10 govt agencies to monitor any computer

Faced with unrelenting protests from devotees, two women in their forties, who tried to trek to the hill shrine of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/group-of-11-women-devotees-return-from-sabarimala-amid-intensifying-protests-186015">Lord Ayyappa</a> here Monday returned without offering prayers.

The attempt by the two women - Bindu and Kanakdurga - came a day after a group of 11 women activists of "Manithi", a Chennai-based outfit unsuccessfully tried to make it to the shrine.

The two women, who reached Pamba at around 4 am, faced massive protests from devotees at Apachimedu and Marakootam, about one km from the 'Sannidhanam' (temple complex), as they were being escorted by police.

Ayyappa devotees surged in large numbers to the narrow pathway while the women were being escorted, and there was a minor scuffle with the police for over an hour.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> Two women devotees are being brought back to Pampa base camp following protests. They were stopped by protesters at Appachimedu, two kilometres away from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SabarimalaTemple?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SabarimalaTemple</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerala</a> <a href="https://t.co/PQEu94C2Ay">pic.twitter.com/PQEu94C2Ay</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1077080540677836801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Police tried to evict the pilgrims who shouted "go back" and chanted Ayyappa mantras and a tense situation prevailed with the restive devotees showing no signs of backing off.

Seeing the growing number of protesters, including young children and to prevent the situation from getting out of hand, the women were advised to return by the police.

The women were earlier stopped at Appachimedu, a place en route Sabarimala, by protesters, who were later evicted by police.

The BJP also held a protest in front of the houses of the two women against their attempt to trek the hill.

Amid reports that Kandakdurga had complained of uneasiness and that she had fainted, Bindu told reporters that it was only a "ploy" to stall their progress to Sabarimala and there was nothing wrong with her.

Bindu alleged the police had forcibly prevented them from reaching the shrine.

Both the women, who trekked nearly 4.5 km, were taken to a hospital in an ambulance for a medical check-up.

Earlier, Bindu told reporters that "our demand is that government implement the September 28 verdict of the Supreme Court. We should be allowed to go to the shrine. We have not done any wrong and are not doing anything illegal."

The women had claimed they had not sought police protection, but it was the responsibility of the police to provide security.

"We have not asked for police protection. The Supreme Court has given a verdict. So it is the government's duty to help us climb the hills", Bindu said.

Since the top court verdict, no women in the 10-50 age group, who are traditionally barred from entering the shrine, have been able to enter the 'sannidhanam' and offer worship to the presiding deity Lord Ayyappa, who is a "Naishtika Brahmachari" (perennial celibate).

Kerala had witnessed massive protests by devotees opposing the entry of girls and women in the 10-50 age group into the shrine after the CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement the top court verdict allowing all women to offer prayers at the temple.

The main opposition Congress-led UDF and BJP is opposing the entry of young women, saying they are with the devotees.

Four transgenders recently offered prayers at the temple while the attempt by over a dozen young women has been foiled by protesting devotees so far. 
The two-month long pilgrim season at the Sabarimala Temple began on November 16 and the first phase will end on December 27.

The shrine has been witnessing the heavy rush of pilgrims since the past few days.

Faced with unrelenting protests from devotees, two women in their forties, who tried to trek to the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa here Monday returned without offering prayers.

Faced with unrelenting protests from devotees, two women in their forties, who tried to trek to the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa here Monday returned without offering prayers. The attempt by the two women - Bindu and Kanakdurga - came a day after a group of 11 women activists of "Manithi", a Chennai-based outfit unsuccessfully tried to make it to the shrine. The two women, who reached Pamba at around 4 am, faced massive protests from devotees at Apachimedu and Marakootam, about one km from the 'Sannidhanam' (temple complex), as they were being escorted by police. Ayyappa devotees surged in large numbers to the narrow pathway while the women were being escorted, and there was a minor scuffle with the police for over an hour. #Visuals Two women devotees are being brought back to Pampa base camp following protests. They were stopped by protesters at Appachimedu, two kilometres away from #SabarimalaTemple. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/PQEu94C2Ay — ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2018 × Police tried to evict the pilgrims who shouted "go back" and chanted Ayyappa mantras and a tense situation prevailed with the restive devotees showing no signs of backing off. Seeing the growing number of protesters, including young children and to prevent the situation from getting out of hand, the women were advised to return by the police. The women were earlier stopped at Appachimedu, a place en route Sabarimala, by protesters, who were later evicted by police. The BJP also held a protest in front of the houses of the two women against their attempt to trek the hill. Amid reports that Kandakdurga had complained of uneasiness and that she had fainted, Bindu told reporters that it was only a "ploy" to stall their progress to Sabarimala and there was nothing wrong with her. Bindu alleged the police had forcibly prevented them from reaching the shrine. Both the women, who trekked nearly 4.5 km, were taken to a hospital in an ambulance for a medical check-up. Earlier, Bindu told reporters that "our demand is that government implement the September 28 verdict of the Supreme Court. We should be allowed to go to the shrine. We have not done any wrong and are not doing anything illegal." The women had claimed they had not sought police protection, but it was the responsibility of the police to provide security. "We have not asked for police protection. The Supreme Court has given a verdict. So it is the government's duty to help us climb the hills", Bindu said. Since the top court verdict, no women in the 10-50 age group, who are traditionally barred from entering the shrine, have been able to enter the 'sannidhanam' and offer worship to the presiding deity Lord Ayyappa, who is a "Naishtika Brahmachari" (perennial celibate). Kerala had witnessed massive protests by devotees opposing the entry of girls and women in the 10-50 age group into the shrine after the CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement the top court verdict allowing all women to offer prayers at the temple. The main opposition Congress-led UDF and BJP is opposing the entry of young women, saying they are with the devotees. Four transgenders recently offered prayers at the temple while the attempt by over a dozen young women has been foiled by protesting devotees so far. The two-month long pilgrim season at the Sabarimala Temple began on November 16 and the first phase will end on December 27. The shrine has been witnessing the heavy rush of pilgrims since the past few days.

Kerala: Women worshippers again made to return from Sabarimala shrine

Telangana&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/initiated-talks-to-bring-in-change-in-country-kcr-after-meeting-odisha-cm-naveen-patnaik-186039">Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao</a> Sunday met his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik and emphasised a "dire need" for the unification of regional parties to provide an alternative to the Congress and the BJP ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The meeting between the two leaders assumed significance amid talks about efforts on the formation of a new political front of like-minded, non-BJP and non-Congress parties to take on the national ones in the upcoming polls.

"I can say certainly that there is a dire need for unification of regional parties in the country. We strongly believe that there has to be an alternative to the Congress and the BJP," Rao told reporters after meeting BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here.

Both the chief ministers had a detailed discussion on national issues, including the need for "better friendship among regional parties", Patnaik said.

"This is just the beginning of a dialogue... We will meet again and discuss how to take things forward," Rao said.&nbsp;

After an impressive victory of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the state assembly poll, Rao has embarked on a journey to bring together anti-Congress and anti-BJP parties for next year's Lok Sabha polls.

The TRS chief is scheduled to meet West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Monday.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes to Hyderabad and says the TRS is the "B team" of the Congress, its president Rahul Gandhi claim that the TRS president is the "B team" of the BJP, Rao said, adding, "Let me tell you, we are our own team."

Senior Congress leader and the party in-charge for Telangana,&nbsp; 
Ramachandra Khuntia alleged that Rao's meeting with Patnaik is part of a game plan to weaken the proposed "Mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) among non-BJP parties.

The Telangana CM has been acting at the behest of the saffron party and the NDA to dilute efforts of like-minded, non-BJP parties for formation of a grand alliance before the general elections, Khuntia claimed.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Rao's visit will have no impact on the BJP's electoral prospects as "zero added to zero will have no value".&nbsp;

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Sunday met his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik and emphasised a "dire need" for the unification of regional parties to provide an alternative to the Congress and the BJP ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Sunday met his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik and emphasised a "dire need" for the unification of regional parties to provide an alternative to the Congress and the BJP ahead of the 2019 general elections. The meeting between the two leaders assumed significance amid talks about efforts on the formation of a new political front of like-minded, non-BJP and non-Congress parties to take on the national ones in the upcoming polls. "I can say certainly that there is a dire need for unification of regional parties in the country. We strongly believe that there has to be an alternative to the Congress and the BJP," Rao told reporters after meeting BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here. Both the chief ministers had a detailed discussion on national issues, including the need for "better friendship among regional parties", Patnaik said. "This is just the beginning of a dialogue... We will meet again and discuss how to take things forward," Rao said. After an impressive victory of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the state assembly poll, Rao has embarked on a journey to bring together anti-Congress and anti-BJP parties for next year's Lok Sabha polls. The TRS chief is scheduled to meet West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Monday. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes to Hyderabad and says the TRS is the "B team" of the Congress, its president Rahul Gandhi claim that the TRS president is the "B team" of the BJP, Rao said, adding, "Let me tell you, we are our own team." Senior Congress leader and the party in-charge for Telangana, Ramachandra Khuntia alleged that Rao's meeting with Patnaik is part of a game plan to weaken the proposed "Mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) among non-BJP parties. The Telangana CM has been acting at the behest of the saffron party and the NDA to dilute efforts of like-minded, non-BJP parties for formation of a grand alliance before the general elections, Khuntia claimed. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Rao's visit will have no impact on the BJP's electoral prospects as "zero added to zero will have no value".

Regional parties need to provide alternative to BJP, Congress in 2019: KCR

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