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Security has been tightened around the Sterlite Copper plant following information that attempts were on by some outfits to organise a major protest in the backdrop of the NGT setting aside a Tamil Nadu government order permanently closing it, officials said Monday.

Besides, security was strengthened in other parts of the district as well, including at the Collectorate where many police personnel had been posted, as a precautionary measure in view of the violent protests witnessed in May this year demanding the closure of the plant.

Thirteen people were killed in police firing on May 22-23 after the 99-day long protest by the locals against Sterlite turned violent and government properties came under attack. The protesters were demanding the closure of the plant citing pollution concerns.

While the Tamil Nadu government had on May 28 ordered permanent closure of the plant in the wake of the protests, the National Green Tribunal on Saturday set it aside, allowing an appeal by the Sterlite.

The state government has said it would file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the NGT order even as opposition parties attacked it for "negligent" handling of the issue.

An official Monday said there was information that some religious and political outfits were trying to coordinate and organize major agitation against Sterlite.

Police personnel from five neighbouring districts of Virudhungar, Dindigul, Sivaganga, Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli have been deployed in the district to meet any situation, police informed. Outsiders were being monitored to find if the locals were being instigated, they said.

Meanwhile, a group of students, affiliated to the Democratic Youth Federation and the Students Federation of India, staged a protest in front of a college demanding that a resolution should be passed by the state assembly for continued closure of the Sterlite unit.

A report from Coimbatore said 20 activists of "Makkal Adhikaram", a fringe outfit, were arrested when they attempted to stage a demonstration condemning the NGT order.&nbsp;

Security has been tightened around the Sterlite Copper plant following information that attempts were on by some outfits to organise a major protest in the backdrop of the NGT setting aside a Tamil Nadu government order permanently closing it, officials said Monday.

Security has been tightened around the Sterlite Copper plant following information that attempts were on by some outfits to organise a major protest in the backdrop of the NGT setting aside a Tamil Nadu government order permanently closing it, officials said Monday. Besides, security was strengthened in other parts of the district as well, including at the Collectorate where many police personnel had been posted, as a precautionary measure in view of the violent protests witnessed in May this year demanding the closure of the plant. Thirteen people were killed in police firing on May 22-23 after the 99-day long protest by the locals against Sterlite turned violent and government properties came under attack. The protesters were demanding the closure of the plant citing pollution concerns. While the Tamil Nadu government had on May 28 ordered permanent closure of the plant in the wake of the protests, the National Green Tribunal on Saturday set it aside, allowing an appeal by the Sterlite. The state government has said it would file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the NGT order even as opposition parties attacked it for "negligent" handling of the issue. An official Monday said there was information that some religious and political outfits were trying to coordinate and organize major agitation against Sterlite. Police personnel from five neighbouring districts of Virudhungar, Dindigul, Sivaganga, Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli have been deployed in the district to meet any situation, police informed. Outsiders were being monitored to find if the locals were being instigated, they said. Meanwhile, a group of students, affiliated to the Democratic Youth Federation and the Students Federation of India, staged a protest in front of a college demanding that a resolution should be passed by the state assembly for continued closure of the Sterlite unit. A report from Coimbatore said 20 activists of "Makkal Adhikaram", a fringe outfit, were arrested when they attempted to stage a demonstration condemning the NGT order.

Security tightened around Sterlite plant amid reports of fresh protest by college students

Lack of synergy and miscommunication between various wings of security forces led to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-encounter-in-jk-8-civilians-3-militants-and-one-soldier-among-12-dead-184239">mayhem in South Kashmir's Pulwama</a> district Saturday that resulted in the death of seven civilians after an encounter with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, officials said on Monday.

The lack of synergy was to the extent that civilians had almost reached the Army vehicles engaged in an encounter and there was serious apprehension that the mob could harm the personnel or loot the weapons, they said.&nbsp;

This had prompted the security forces to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-pm-imran-khan-condemns-killing-of-seven-civilians-in-kashmirs-pulwama-threatens-to-raise-the-issue-at-un-184640">open fire at the unruly crowd</a> which approached the encounter site at Sirnoo village from multiple directions Saturday, officials added.

Even the governor's advisor K Vijay Kumar, in his address to senior police officials on Sunday, stressed on ensuring effective coordination and synergy between security agencies, besides exercising restraint to avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage during anti-militancy operations and security-related drills in the valley.

According to an internal probe, the day for the crack team began early Saturday morning and a hideout was raided in an area adjacent to Simroo village, which is the native area of Zahoor Thoker, an army deserter-turned-militant.&nbsp;

He is wanted in several cases of killings of security forces, including rifleman Aurangzeb in June and sub-inspector Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir in October.

After drawing a blank from the first hideout, the crack team of security forces did not come up with anything at the second hideout as well. They rather established contact with holed up terrorists in a couple of houses near an orchard.

"This was the third place raided by the crack team and here they were fired upon by the holed up militants," a senior security official said.&nbsp;

In the ensuing encounter, Thoker, who had gone missing in July last year from his camp in Gantmulla area along with an AK-47 rifle, was killed along with his two other accomplices.

However, the crack team had not made adequate arrangements to ensure complete sanitisation of the encounter site because of the paucity of time, the officials said.

People started thronging the encounter site as the outer cordon, which was to be thrown around by the CRPF and the local police was not in place due to lack of communication, they said.

As many as 20 people sustained bullet injuries on Saturday out of which seven civilians died, including 28-year-old MBA graduate Abid Hussain Lone, who had come home along with his Indonesian wife and a three-month-old baby.

By the time local police along with the CRPF could reach the spot of the encounter, the damage was done and people were seen running helter-skelter rushing the injured people to the hospital in Srinagar, a distance of 34 kilometres.

Lack of synergy and miscommunication between various wings of security forces led to mayhem in South Kashmir's Pulwama district Saturday that resulted in the death of seven civilians after an encounter with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, officials said on Monday.

Lack of synergy and miscommunication between various wings of security forces led to mayhem in South Kashmir's Pulwama district Saturday that resulted in the death of seven civilians after an encounter with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, officials said on Monday. The lack of synergy was to the extent that civilians had almost reached the Army vehicles engaged in an encounter and there was serious apprehension that the mob could harm the personnel or loot the weapons, they said. This had prompted the security forces to open fire at the unruly crowd which approached the encounter site at Sirnoo village from multiple directions Saturday, officials added. Even the governor's advisor K Vijay Kumar, in his address to senior police officials on Sunday, stressed on ensuring effective coordination and synergy between security agencies, besides exercising restraint to avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage during anti-militancy operations and security-related drills in the valley. According to an internal probe, the day for the crack team began early Saturday morning and a hideout was raided in an area adjacent to Simroo village, which is the native area of Zahoor Thoker, an army deserter-turned-militant. He is wanted in several cases of killings of security forces, including rifleman Aurangzeb in June and sub-inspector Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir in October. After drawing a blank from the first hideout, the crack team of security forces did not come up with anything at the second hideout as well. They rather established contact with holed up terrorists in a couple of houses near an orchard. "This was the third place raided by the crack team and here they were fired upon by the holed up militants," a senior security official said. In the ensuing encounter, Thoker, who had gone missing in July last year from his camp in Gantmulla area along with an AK-47 rifle, was killed along with his two other accomplices. However, the crack team had not made adequate arrangements to ensure complete sanitisation of the encounter site because of the paucity of time, the officials said. People started thronging the encounter site as the outer cordon, which was to be thrown around by the CRPF and the local police was not in place due to lack of communication, they said. As many as 20 people sustained bullet injuries on Saturday out of which seven civilians died, including 28-year-old MBA graduate Abid Hussain Lone, who had come home along with his Indonesian wife and a three-month-old baby. By the time local police along with the CRPF could reach the spot of the encounter, the damage was done and people were seen running helter-skelter rushing the injured people to the hospital in Srinagar, a distance of 34 kilometres.

Lack of synergy between forces resulted in civilian casualties in Pulwama: Officials

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Monday issued notice to Enforcement Directorate on anticipatory bail plea of Rajeev Saxena, a Dubai-based businessman who is accused in the VVIP chopper deal case, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

As per reports, the next date of hearing is December 24.

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VVIP-chopper scam case: Delhi's Patiala House Court issues notice to Enforcement Directorate on anticipatory bail plea of Rajeev Saxena, a Dubai-based businessman &amp; an accused in the case. Next date of hearing is December 24
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1074610151720509441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Saxena, accused in a money laundering case connected with the Rs 3,600-crore <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vvip-chopper-case-middleman-christian-michel-extradited-to-india-181534">VVIP chopper deal</a>, moved the Delhi court on Monday seeking anticipatory bail.

Rajeev Saxena, director of two Dubai-based firms UHY Saxena and Matrix Holdings filed an application through his advocate before Special Judge Arvind Kumar, saying he was anticipating an arrest.

The court has already issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Saxena in the case.&nbsp;

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Monday issued notice to Enforcement Directorate on anticipatory bail plea of Rajeev Saxena, a Dubai-based businessman who is accused in the VVIP chopper deal case, news agency ANI reported.

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Monday issued notice to Enforcement Directorate on anticipatory bail plea of Rajeev Saxena, a Dubai-based businessman who is accused in the VVIP chopper deal case, news agency ANI reported. As per reports, the next date of hearing is December 24. VVIP-chopper scam case: Delhi's Patiala House Court issues notice to Enforcement Directorate on anticipatory bail plea of Rajeev Saxena, a Dubai-based businessman & an accused in the case. Next date of hearing is December 24 — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018 × Saxena, accused in a money laundering case connected with the Rs 3,600-crore VVIP chopper deal, moved the Delhi court on Monday seeking anticipatory bail. Rajeev Saxena, director of two Dubai-based firms UHY Saxena and Matrix Holdings filed an application through his advocate before Special Judge Arvind Kumar, saying he was anticipating an arrest. The court has already issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Saxena in the case.

VVIP chopper case: Delhi court issues notice to ED over anticipatory bail plea of Dubai-based accused

A massive fire broke out at the ESIC Kamgar Hospital in Mumbai's Andheri on Monday.&nbsp;

At least six people are dead.&nbsp;ANI meanwhile reported that 147 people had been rescued so far.

Rescue operations continue with as many as 10 fire tenders, 1 rescue van and 16 ambulances on spot.

A number of doctors, nurses, and patients are feared trapped in the ESIC Kamgar Hospital, the department said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a> Death toll rises to 6 in the fire that broke out in ESIC Kamgar hospital in Andheri, Mumbai. 147 people have been rescued till now. <a href="https://t.co/bCSbsAOxHZ">https://t.co/bCSbsAOxHZ</a>
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As per the officials, the injured have been rushed to Cooper Hospital, P. Thakrey Hospital (Trauma), Holi Spirit Hospital and Seven Hills Hospital for treatment, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

The fire brigade got a call around 4 pm about the blaze at the government-run ESIC Kamgar Hospital located at Marol in suburban Andheri, the official from the city civic body's disaster management cell told news agency PTI.

"Some people are feared trapped...rescue operation is going on," an official said.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A massive fire broke out at the ESIC Kamgar Hospital in Mumbai's Andheri on Monday. At least six people are dead. ANI meanwhile reported that 147 people had been rescued so far.

A massive fire broke out at the ESIC Kamgar Hospital in Mumbai's Andheri on Monday. At least six people are dead. ANI meanwhile reported that 147 people had been rescued so far. Rescue operations continue with as many as 10 fire tenders, 1 rescue van and 16 ambulances on spot. A number of doctors, nurses, and patients are feared trapped in the ESIC Kamgar Hospital, the department said. #UPDATE Death toll rises to 6 in the fire that broke out in ESIC Kamgar hospital in Andheri, Mumbai. 147 people have been rescued till now. https://t.co/bCSbsAOxHZ — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018 × As per the officials, the injured have been rushed to Cooper Hospital, P. Thakrey Hospital (Trauma), Holi Spirit Hospital and Seven Hills Hospital for treatment, news agency ANI reported. The fire brigade got a call around 4 pm about the blaze at the government-run ESIC Kamgar Hospital located at Marol in suburban Andheri, the official from the city civic body's disaster management cell told news agency PTI. "Some people are feared trapped...rescue operation is going on," an official said. (With inputs from agencies)

Massive fire breaks out at Mumbai hospital; 6 dead, 147 rescued

Thirty-four years after the killing of more than 3,000 people in the anti-Sikh riots, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/1984-anti-sikh-riots-congress-leader-sajjan-kumar-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-to-surrender-by-december-31-184695">Sajjan Kumar</a>, a leader from the Congress, has been sentenced to life by the Delhi High Court for his role in the riots that took place in the year 1984.

Kumar has been convicted for instigating the mob during the riots. However, there are still over 400 cases pending, waiting for justice.

The Delhi High Court, in October this year, had reserved its order on Sajjan Kumar for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plea challenged the lower court’s judgment where Sajjan Kumar was acquitted along with five other men in the case.

On Monday, the higher court found the 72-year-old guilty of instigating the mob during the riots. The order said that the 1984 riots were engineered by political actors and the convicts enjoyed political patronage. The court agreed that the criminals escaped prosecution and punishment for over two decades.

Hailing the judgement, Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the Kumar's conviction is a delayed vindication of justice.

As per the information shared in the Rajya Sabha, so far 442 people convicted by various courts of Delhi in connection to the anti-Sikh massacre which saw as many as 3,000 people killed in Delhi alone.&nbsp;

The rare punishment of death sentence was handed down to only two accused in the case. According to reports, only 587 First Information Reports (FIR), official complaints were received for the three days of violence in Delhi. Out of those, the police closed 241 cases without investigation, citing the inability to trace evidence.&nbsp;

The court, in its verdict, stated that the police failed to register separate FIRs for several cases. Lawyer HS Phoolka, who fought the case for over three decades, said that the political patronage was provided to the convicts for many years.

The anti-Sikh riots erupted after former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards. The riots gripped several parts of the country. It is estimated that around 8,000-17,000 Sikhs, or more, were killed in other parts of India. Cases are still pending in several courts across India, primarily in Delhi.

Thirty-four years after the killing of more than 3,000 people in the anti-Sikh riots, Sajjan Kumar, a leader from the Congress, has been sentenced to life by the Delhi High Court for his role in the riots that took place in the year 1984.

Thirty-four years after the killing of more than 3,000 people in the anti-Sikh riots, Sajjan Kumar, a leader from the Congress, has been sentenced to life by the Delhi High Court for his role in the riots that took place in the year 1984. Kumar has been convicted for instigating the mob during the riots. However, there are still over 400 cases pending, waiting for justice. The Delhi High Court, in October this year, had reserved its order on Sajjan Kumar for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plea challenged the lower court’s judgment where Sajjan Kumar was acquitted along with five other men in the case. On Monday, the higher court found the 72-year-old guilty of instigating the mob during the riots. The order said that the 1984 riots were engineered by political actors and the convicts enjoyed political patronage. The court agreed that the criminals escaped prosecution and punishment for over two decades. Hailing the judgement, Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the Kumar's conviction is a delayed vindication of justice. As per the information shared in the Rajya Sabha, so far 442 people convicted by various courts of Delhi in connection to the anti-Sikh massacre which saw as many as 3,000 people killed in Delhi alone. The rare punishment of death sentence was handed down to only two accused in the case. According to reports, only 587 First Information Reports (FIR), official complaints were received for the three days of violence in Delhi. Out of those, the police closed 241 cases without investigation, citing the inability to trace evidence. The court, in its verdict, stated that the police failed to register separate FIRs for several cases. Lawyer HS Phoolka, who fought the case for over three decades, said that the political patronage was provided to the convicts for many years. The anti-Sikh riots erupted after former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards. The riots gripped several parts of the country. It is estimated that around 8,000-17,000 Sikhs, or more, were killed in other parts of India. Cases are still pending in several courts across India, primarily in Delhi.

1984 anti-Sikh riots case: More than 440 cases still pending after over three decades

Maldives and India officially announced the positive reset in their ties with the visit of Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih.&nbsp;

While President Solih reaffirmed his government’s "India First" policy and commitment to working closely with India, New Delhi announced a $1.4 billion aid package for the Maldives.&nbsp;

India will provide the cash in the form of budgetary support, currency swap, and concessional lines of credit to fulfil the Maldives' socio-economic development programmes. This was announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Solih during their joint press statement.&nbsp;

"I am happy to announce, for social and economic development of Maldives, we will provide currency swap, credit with lines of credit worth 1.4 billion dollar," Modi said in Delhi on Monday.&nbsp;

Both leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean region.&nbsp;

Modi announced that both countries "will increase cooperation to maintain stability in the Indian Ocean region" and "security interests of both the countries are interlinked in the region and both will not allowing their respective territories to be used for any activity inimical to the other."&nbsp;

Solih talked of how both countries can strengthen security in the Indian Ocean. "India and Maldives agreed to strength maritime security in Indian Ocean region &nbsp;coordinated patrolling and aerial surveillance, exchange of information and capacity building," the Maldivian president said.&nbsp;

India will provide a thousand additional slots over the next five years for training and capacity building in diverse fields including judicial, policing and law-enforcement, audit and financial management, local governance, community development etc.

President Solih reiterated his country's support for India's candidature for permanent membership of an expanded and reformed UN Security Council. The Maldives will also support for India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat for the year 2020-21.

Visa pact

India and Maldives signed four agreements. One was an agreement on the facilitation of visa arrangements which will ease the issuance of visas for the people of both countries. PM Modi noted that the new agreement will address common concerns and ensure that people-to-people contacts are enhanced. President Solih said the agreement will allow many Maldivians who send their children to school in India to be able to accompany them. The agreement also facilitates easier visa arrangements for Maldivian citizens and their families to come to India for medical treatment.&nbsp;

The Maldives is one of the very few countries with which India has a visa-free arrangement.

In an important gesture, President Solih is staying in the Rashtrapati Bhawan as a special guest of President Ram Nath Kovind.&nbsp;

According to the joint statement released by the ministry of external affairs: "This demonstrates the close ties between India and the Maldives, and the warmth and mutual respect between the two governments."

This is President Solih's first foreign visit after entering office.&nbsp;

The visit comes exactly a month after PM Modi's visit to the Maldives on November 17 to take part in President Solih's swearing-in ceremony.&nbsp;

PM Modi was the only head of state invited to take part in the swearing-in ceremony.&nbsp;

India's relationship with the Maldives had suffered under the previous Yameen government who had junked his country's pro-India policy for a pro-China policy.&nbsp;

Maldives and India officially announced the positive reset in their ties with the visit of Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih. While President Solih reaffirmed his government’s "India First" policy and commitment to working closely with India, New Delhi announced a $1.

Maldives and India officially announced the positive reset in their ties with the visit of Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih. While President Solih reaffirmed his government’s "India First" policy and commitment to working closely with India, New Delhi announced a $1.4 billion aid package for the Maldives. India will provide the cash in the form of budgetary support, currency swap, and concessional lines of credit to fulfil the Maldives' socio-economic development programmes. This was announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Solih during their joint press statement. "I am happy to announce, for social and economic development of Maldives, we will provide currency swap, credit with lines of credit worth 1.4 billion dollar," Modi said in Delhi on Monday. Both leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean region. Modi announced that both countries "will increase cooperation to maintain stability in the Indian Ocean region" and "security interests of both the countries are interlinked in the region and both will not allowing their respective territories to be used for any activity inimical to the other." Solih talked of how both countries can strengthen security in the Indian Ocean. "India and Maldives agreed to strength maritime security in Indian Ocean region coordinated patrolling and aerial surveillance, exchange of information and capacity building," the Maldivian president said. India will provide a thousand additional slots over the next five years for training and capacity building in diverse fields including judicial, policing and law-enforcement, audit and financial management, local governance, community development etc. President Solih reiterated his country's support for India's candidature for permanent membership of an expanded and reformed UN Security Council. The Maldives will also support for India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat for the year 2020-21. Visa pact India and Maldives signed four agreements. One was an agreement on the facilitation of visa arrangements which will ease the issuance of visas for the people of both countries. PM Modi noted that the new agreement will address common concerns and ensure that people-to-people contacts are enhanced. President Solih said the agreement will allow many Maldivians who send their children to school in India to be able to accompany them. The agreement also facilitates easier visa arrangements for Maldivian citizens and their families to come to India for medical treatment. The Maldives is one of the very few countries with which India has a visa-free arrangement. In an important gesture, President Solih is staying in the Rashtrapati Bhawan as a special guest of President Ram Nath Kovind. According to the joint statement released by the ministry of external affairs: "This demonstrates the close ties between India and the Maldives, and the warmth and mutual respect between the two governments." This is President Solih's first foreign visit after entering office. The visit comes exactly a month after PM Modi's visit to the Maldives on November 17 to take part in President Solih's swearing-in ceremony. PM Modi was the only head of state invited to take part in the swearing-in ceremony. India's relationship with the Maldives had suffered under the previous Yameen government who had junked his country's pro-India policy for a pro-China policy.

With President Solih's visit, Maldives resets 'India First' policy; India reciprocates with $1.4 bn aid package

Pakistan on Monday released Indian prisoner <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indian-prisoner-hamid-nehal-ansari-to-be-released-from-pak-prison-tomorrow-sources-to-wion-184741">Hamid Nihal Ansari</a>, who was detained by the country's intelligence agencies in 2012 and subsequently sentenced to three years' imprisonment by a military court in 2015 for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card. As per reports, Ansari will cross over to India on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Ansari, a 33-year-old Mumbai resident, was lodged in the Peshawar Central Jail after being sentenced by the military court on December 15, 2015. His three-year jail term ended on December 15, 2018 but he was not able to leave for India as his legal documents were not ready.

On Thursday, the Peshawar High Court gave the federal government a month deadline to complete his repatriation process.

"Ansari is being released upon completion of his sentence and is being repatriated to India," Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said.

He claimed that Ansari was an "Indian spy who had illegally entered Pakistan and was involved in anti-state crimes and forging documents."

Ansari went missing after he was taken into custody by Pakistani intelligence agencies and local police in Kohat in 2012 and finally in reply to a habeas corpus petition filed by his mother, Fauzia Ansari, the high court was informed that he was in custody of the Pakistan Army and was being tried by a military court.&nbsp;

He entered Pakistan from Afghanistan, reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online.

A two-judge Peshawar High Court bench, comprising Justice Roohul Amin and Justice Qalandar Ali Khan, on Thursday heard an appeal filed by Ansari through his lawyer Qazi Muhammad Anwar.

Anwar informed the bench that both the Ministry of Interior and authorities of prison, where he was lodged, were completely silent about his release and deportation to India.

After hearing this, Justice Khan asked the Additional Attorney General to explain how would they keep the prisoner in jail after completion of his term.

An officer, representing the interior ministry, informed the court that a prisoner could be kept for one month while the legal documents were being prepared.

After knowing the legal position, the court directed the ministry to make all the arrangements within a month for releasing and deportation of the prisoner.&nbsp;

Pakistan on Monday released Indian prisoner Hamid Nihal Ansari, who was detained by the country's intelligence agencies in 2012 and subsequently sentenced to three years' imprisonment by a military court in 2015 for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card.

Pakistan on Monday released Indian prisoner Hamid Nihal Ansari, who was detained by the country's intelligence agencies in 2012 and subsequently sentenced to three years' imprisonment by a military court in 2015 for possessing a fake Pakistani identity card. As per reports, Ansari will cross over to India on Tuesday. Ansari, a 33-year-old Mumbai resident, was lodged in the Peshawar Central Jail after being sentenced by the military court on December 15, 2015. His three-year jail term ended on December 15, 2018 but he was not able to leave for India as his legal documents were not ready. On Thursday, the Peshawar High Court gave the federal government a month deadline to complete his repatriation process. "Ansari is being released upon completion of his sentence and is being repatriated to India," Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said. He claimed that Ansari was an "Indian spy who had illegally entered Pakistan and was involved in anti-state crimes and forging documents." Ansari went missing after he was taken into custody by Pakistani intelligence agencies and local police in Kohat in 2012 and finally in reply to a habeas corpus petition filed by his mother, Fauzia Ansari, the high court was informed that he was in custody of the Pakistan Army and was being tried by a military court. He entered Pakistan from Afghanistan, reportedly to meet a girl he had befriended online. A two-judge Peshawar High Court bench, comprising Justice Roohul Amin and Justice Qalandar Ali Khan, on Thursday heard an appeal filed by Ansari through his lawyer Qazi Muhammad Anwar. Anwar informed the bench that both the Ministry of Interior and authorities of prison, where he was lodged, were completely silent about his release and deportation to India. After hearing this, Justice Khan asked the Additional Attorney General to explain how would they keep the prisoner in jail after completion of his term. An officer, representing the interior ministry, informed the court that a prisoner could be kept for one month while the legal documents were being prepared. After knowing the legal position, the court directed the ministry to make all the arrangements within a month for releasing and deportation of the prisoner.

Indian prisoner Hamid Nihal Ansari being released by Pak, will cross over to India on Tuesday

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-nath-sworn-in-as-madhya-pradesh-chief-minister-184795">Kamal Nath sworn in as Madhya Pradesh CM, </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-nath-sworn-in-as-madhya-pradesh-chief-minister-184795">first</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-nath-sworn-in-as-madhya-pradesh-chief-minister-184795"> act is to sign off on farm loan waiver</a>

Congress leader Kamal Nath who has held several portfolios in the Union cabinet&nbsp;was sworn in as the 18th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh on Monday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maldives-president-solih-pm-modi-pledge-to-renew-ties-in-joint-statement-184786">India offers </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maldives-president-solih-pm-modi-pledge-to-renew-ties-in-joint-statement-184786">Maldives</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maldives-president-solih-pm-modi-pledge-to-renew-ties-in-joint-statement-184786"> $1.4 billion in aid</a>

India has offered $1.4 billion in aid to the Maldives. "Our country recognises the long-standing generosity of Indian people," Maldives foreign minister Abdullah Shahid told WION.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhupesh-baghel-sworn-in-as-chhattisgarh-cm-184861">Bhupesh Baghel sworn in as Chhattisgarh CM</a>

Bhupesh Baghel has served as Congress party chief for Chattisgarh and is also an MLA from Patan, he is credited for bringing the party back to power after 15 years in oblivion.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/1984-anti-sikh-riots-congress-leader-sajjan-kumar-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-to-surrender-by-december-31-184695">1984 anti-Sikh riots: Congress leader Sajjan Kumar sentenced to life imprisonment</a>

Sajjan Kumar has been sentenced to life imprisonment. He has to surrender by December 31, 2018.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-next-for-brexit-four-main-scenarios-184840">What next for Brexit? Four main scenarios</a>

Here are the four main scenarios facing Britain while the clock ticks down to March 29, 2019, the day it is scheduled to depart the European project after 46 years.

&nbsp;

Kamal Nath sworn in as Madhya Pradesh CM, first act is to sign off on farm loan waiver Congress leader Kamal Nath who has held several portfolios in the Union cabinet was sworn in as the 18th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh on Monday.

Kamal Nath sworn in as Madhya Pradesh CM, first act is to sign off on farm loan waiver Congress leader Kamal Nath who has held several portfolios in the Union cabinet was sworn in as the 18th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh on Monday. India offers Maldives $1.4 billion in aid India has offered $1.4 billion in aid to the Maldives. "Our country recognises the long-standing generosity of Indian people," Maldives foreign minister Abdullah Shahid told WION. Bhupesh Baghel sworn in as Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has served as Congress party chief for Chattisgarh and is also an MLA from Patan, he is credited for bringing the party back to power after 15 years in oblivion. 1984 anti-Sikh riots: Congress leader Sajjan Kumar sentenced to life imprisonment Sajjan Kumar has been sentenced to life imprisonment. He has to surrender by December 31, 2018. What next for Brexit? Four main scenarios Here are the four main scenarios facing Britain while the clock ticks down to March 29, 2019, the day it is scheduled to depart the European project after 46 years.

News brief: Big stories of the day

New Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said Monday that there was "no case, FIR, or charge sheet against me". Nath was responding to the allegation that he was involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.&nbsp;

"I took oath in 1991 and several times after that, no one said anything," <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-nath-sworn-in-as-madhya-pradesh-chief-minister-184795">Nath said Monday soon after being sworn in as the chief minister</a>.&nbsp;

"There is no case, FIR, or charge sheet against me. Today they are raking up this matter. You can understand politics behind this," he added.&nbsp;

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Kamal Nath on 1984 Anti-Sikh riots: I took oath in 1991 &amp; several times after that, no one said anything. There is no case,FIR,or chargesheet against me. Today they are raking up this matter. You can understand politics behind this. Did eyewitness tell you(about his involvement)? <a href="https://t.co/506LqcBD4I">pic.twitter.com/506LqcBD4I</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1074644047220871168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Nanavati Commission which probed the 1984 riots gave Nath the benefit of the doubt.&nbsp;

Eyewitness however allege that Nath led the mob outside Delhi's Rakabganj gurudwara that burnt two people alive. The Rakabganj gurudwara is near Parliament House.&nbsp;

The Nanavati Commission heard the testimonies of eyewitnesses, including then Indian Express reporter Sanjay Suri, which established Nath's presence at the spot. Nath has admitted he was there but said he was trying to calm down the mob not incite it.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

New Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said Monday that there was "no case, FIR, or charge sheet against me". Nath was responding to the allegation that he was involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

New Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said Monday that there was "no case, FIR, or charge sheet against me". Nath was responding to the allegation that he was involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. "I took oath in 1991 and several times after that, no one said anything," Nath said Monday soon after being sworn in as the chief minister. "There is no case, FIR, or charge sheet against me. Today they are raking up this matter. You can understand politics behind this," he added. Kamal Nath on 1984 Anti-Sikh riots: I took oath in 1991 & several times after that, no one said anything. There is no case,FIR,or chargesheet against me. Today they are raking up this matter. You can understand politics behind this. Did eyewitness tell you(about his involvement)? pic.twitter.com/506LqcBD4I — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018 × The Nanavati Commission which probed the 1984 riots gave Nath the benefit of the doubt. Eyewitness however allege that Nath led the mob outside Delhi's Rakabganj gurudwara that burnt two people alive. The Rakabganj gurudwara is near Parliament House. The Nanavati Commission heard the testimonies of eyewitnesses, including then Indian Express reporter Sanjay Suri, which established Nath's presence at the spot. Nath has admitted he was there but said he was trying to calm down the mob not incite it.

On anti-Sikh riot allegations, Kamal Nath says 'no case, FIR' against me

Maldives President Ibrahim <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-maldivian-president-solih-arrives-in-india-on-sunday-visa-pact-on-the-cards-184252">Mohamed Solih and PM Modi issued</a>&nbsp;a joint statement&nbsp;in New Delhi today as the two leaders sought to strengthen ties between the two countries.

During the joint address, PM Modi said a new chapter had begun in India-Maldives relationship. "We wish success to people of Maldives, we want to strengthen trade ties with Maldives," the Indian prime minister said.

India and Maldives held delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

India has offered $1.4 billion in aid to the Maldives. "Our country recognises the long-standing generosity of Indian people," Maldives foreign minister Abdullah Shahid told WION.

During his address, the Maldives president thanked India for the warm hospitality as the two countries prepared to sign agreements to enhance people-to-people contracts.

President Solih had arrived in the Indian capital on Sunday in his first foreign visit. The Maldives president received the guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan today and met President Kovind.

During his three-day visit, the Maldives president will be meeting Indian business leaders and sign trade agreements with India to bolster ties which had received a setback during President Yameen's regime.

President Solih's visit to India comes after PM Modi visited the Maldives to attend Solih's swearing-in ceremony. Solih had assumed charge as head of state of the Maldives on November 17th.

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and PM Modi issued a joint statement in New Delhi today as the two leaders sought to strengthen ties between the two countries.

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and PM Modi issued a joint statement in New Delhi today as the two leaders sought to strengthen ties between the two countries. During the joint address, PM Modi said a new chapter had begun in India-Maldives relationship. "We wish success to people of Maldives, we want to strengthen trade ties with Maldives," the Indian prime minister said. India and Maldives held delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. India has offered $1.4 billion in aid to the Maldives. "Our country recognises the long-standing generosity of Indian people," Maldives foreign minister Abdullah Shahid told WION. During his address, the Maldives president thanked India for the warm hospitality as the two countries prepared to sign agreements to enhance people-to-people contracts. President Solih had arrived in the Indian capital on Sunday in his first foreign visit. The Maldives president received the guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan today and met President Kovind. During his three-day visit, the Maldives president will be meeting Indian business leaders and sign trade agreements with India to bolster ties which had received a setback during President Yameen's regime. President Solih's visit to India comes after PM Modi visited the Maldives to attend Solih's swearing-in ceremony. Solih had assumed charge as head of state of the Maldives on November 17th.

India offers Maldives $1.4 billion in aid

Congress leader Kamal Nath was sworn in as the 18th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh on Monday.Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to Nath.

The governor had on Friday invited Nath to form the new government in the state.

The Congress on Thursday named Nath, a nine-time Lok Sabha member from Chhindwara, to head the state Congress Legislature Party, after hours of hectic parleying between party chief Rahul Gandhi and senior party leaders.&nbsp;

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Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath: Our schemes of providing incentives of investment will only be imposed after 70% people from Madhya Pradesh get employment. People from other states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh come here &amp; local people don't get jobs. I have signed file for this <a href="https://t.co/qjORqyBuFc">pic.twitter.com/qjORqyBuFc</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1074641506571640834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Nath's first act as chief minister was to sign off on the farm loan waiver promised by the Congress.&nbsp;

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Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath signs on the files for farm loan waiver <a href="https://t.co/NspxMA8Z6i">pic.twitter.com/NspxMA8Z6i</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1074624016466489345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Bhopal: Kamal Nath takes oath as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. <a href="https://t.co/3OyyFymcXK">pic.twitter.com/3OyyFymcXK</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1074591886273171456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Nath, who has held several portfolios in the Union cabinet, was appointed the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president on April 26 and was at the forefront in steering the party to a win in the November 28 Assembly polls.

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Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath: After joining this post (of Chief Minister), the first file I have signed is of farm loan waiver of Rs 2 lakh each, as I had promised to the farmers <a href="https://t.co/E7Goc2T425">pic.twitter.com/E7Goc2T425</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1074640322318209025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, the venue of CM designate Bhupesh Baghel's oath-taking ceremony was changed&nbsp;due to rainfall today.

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Chhattisgarh: The venue of CM designate Bhupesh Baghel's oath taking ceremony has been changed from Science College ground to Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur, due to continuous rainfall. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/esrXc4oKuG">pic.twitter.com/esrXc4oKuG</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1074594347570479107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Due to rainfall, the venue was changed from Science College ground to Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhupesh-baghel-sworn-in-as-chhattisgarh-cm-184861">Baghel was sworn in as Chhattisgarh CM</a> on Monday evening.&nbsp;

Bhupesh Baghel has served as Congress party chief for Chattisgarh and is also an MLA from Patan, he is credited for bringing the party back to power after 15 years in oblivion.

Apart from Baghel, TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu and Charan Das Mahant were the top contenders for the post.

After mulling over various options for the past four days, Rahul Gandhi led Congress decided on Baghel, said sources.&nbsp;

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot was sworn in as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ashok-gehlot-takes-oath-as-12th-rajasthan-chief-minister-at-jaipurs-historic-albert-hall-184717">Rajasthan Chief Minister</a> earlier in the day.

(With inputs from agencies)

Congress leader Kamal Nath was sworn in as the 18th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh on Monday.Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to Nath. The governor had on Friday invited Nath to form the new government in the state.

Congress leader Kamal Nath was sworn in as the 18th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh on Monday.Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to Nath. The governor had on Friday invited Nath to form the new government in the state. The Congress on Thursday named Nath, a nine-time Lok Sabha member from Chhindwara, to head the state Congress Legislature Party, after hours of hectic parleying between party chief Rahul Gandhi and senior party leaders. Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath: Our schemes of providing incentives of investment will only be imposed after 70% people from Madhya Pradesh get employment. People from other states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh come here & local people don't get jobs. I have signed file for this pic.twitter.com/qjORqyBuFc — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018 × Nath's first act as chief minister was to sign off on the farm loan waiver promised by the Congress. Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath signs on the files for farm loan waiver pic.twitter.com/NspxMA8Z6i — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018 × Bhopal: Kamal Nath takes oath as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/3OyyFymcXK — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018 × Nath, who has held several portfolios in the Union cabinet, was appointed the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president on April 26 and was at the forefront in steering the party to a win in the November 28 Assembly polls. Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath: After joining this post (of Chief Minister), the first file I have signed is of farm loan waiver of Rs 2 lakh each, as I had promised to the farmers pic.twitter.com/E7Goc2T425 — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018 × Meanwhile, the venue of CM designate Bhupesh Baghel's oath-taking ceremony was changed due to rainfall today. Chhattisgarh: The venue of CM designate Bhupesh Baghel's oath taking ceremony has been changed from Science College ground to Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur, due to continuous rainfall. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/esrXc4oKuG — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018 × Due to rainfall, the venue was changed from Science College ground to Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur, news agency ANI reported. Baghel was sworn in as Chhattisgarh CM on Monday evening. Bhupesh Baghel has served as Congress party chief for Chattisgarh and is also an MLA from Patan, he is credited for bringing the party back to power after 15 years in oblivion. Apart from Baghel, TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu and Charan Das Mahant were the top contenders for the post. After mulling over various options for the past four days, Rahul Gandhi led Congress decided on Baghel, said sources. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot was sworn in as Rajasthan Chief Minister earlier in the day. (With inputs from agencies)

Kamal Nath sworn in as Madhya Pradesh CM, first act is to sign off on farm loan waiver

Senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's lawyer reacted to the Delhi High Court verdict of convicting Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots stating that it was a "case of no evidence." &nbsp;

Sajjan Kumar's lawyer, Anil Kumar Sharma said that he respects the verdict and that the judgement needs to be interpreted. He added that the only option left is to move the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

"Anil Kumar Sharma, Sajjan Kumar's lawyer on Delhi HC awards him life imprisonment in 1984 Anti-Sikh riots case: This was a case of no evidence. We need time to interpret the judgement. We respect Delhi HC's judgement. Only option left to us is to go to SC against the judgement," Sharma told reporters.&nbsp;

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Anil Kumar Sharma, Sajjan Kumar's lawyer on Delhi HC awards him life imprisonment in 1984 Anti-Sikh riots case: This was a case of no evidence. We need time to interpret the judgement. We respect Delhi HC's judgement. Only option left to us is to go to SC against the judgement <a href="https://t.co/zxNU4u5PHq">pic.twitter.com/zxNU4u5PHq</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1074622182351810560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Delhi High Court on Monday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/1984-anti-sikh-riots-congress-leader-sajjan-kumar-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-to-surrender-by-december-31-184695">convicted senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar</a> in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

Sajjan Kumar has been sentenced to life imprisonment. He has to surrender by December 31, 2018.

The order was passed while reversing the verdict of the trial court which had acquitted Kumar.

"In the summer of 1947, during partition, several people were massacred. 37 years later Delhi was the witness of a similar tragedy. The accused enjoyed political patronage and escaped trial," said Delhi High Court while reading the judgement.

(With inputs from agencies)

Senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's lawyer reacted to the Delhi High Court verdict of convicting Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots stating that it was a "case of no evidence.

Senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's lawyer reacted to the Delhi High Court verdict of convicting Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots stating that it was a "case of no evidence." Sajjan Kumar's lawyer, Anil Kumar Sharma said that he respects the verdict and that the judgement needs to be interpreted. He added that the only option left is to move the Supreme Court. "Anil Kumar Sharma, Sajjan Kumar's lawyer on Delhi HC awards him life imprisonment in 1984 Anti-Sikh riots case: This was a case of no evidence. We need time to interpret the judgement. We respect Delhi HC's judgement. Only option left to us is to go to SC against the judgement," Sharma told reporters. Anil Kumar Sharma, Sajjan Kumar's lawyer on Delhi HC awards him life imprisonment in 1984 Anti-Sikh riots case: This was a case of no evidence. We need time to interpret the judgement. We respect Delhi HC's judgement. Only option left to us is to go to SC against the judgement pic.twitter.com/zxNU4u5PHq — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018 × The Delhi High Court on Monday convicted senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Sajjan Kumar has been sentenced to life imprisonment. He has to surrender by December 31, 2018. The order was passed while reversing the verdict of the trial court which had acquitted Kumar. "In the summer of 1947, during partition, several people were massacred. 37 years later Delhi was the witness of a similar tragedy. The accused enjoyed political patronage and escaped trial," said Delhi High Court while reading the judgement. (With inputs from agencies)

1984 anti-Sikh riots case: 'Only option left is to move SC,' says convict Sajjan Kumar's lawyer 

India will raise the issue of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-may-soon-get-kim-davy-denmark-pm--131258">the extradition of Kim Davy</a>, an accused in the 1995 arms drop in West Bengal's Purulia district, with the visiting foreign minister of Denmark, Anders Samuelsen.&nbsp;

Davy aka Niels Holck is accused of air dropping arms and ammunition, including hundreds of AK-47 rifles and anti-tank grenades, in Purulia 23 years ago in December 1995.&nbsp;

Anders will be on a two-day visit to India on December 17 and 18 and will be meeting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Top government sources told WION, "All issues will be discussed including consular access."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met Danish PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen during the India-Nordic summit in April this year with both deciding to enhance ties.&nbsp;

India had decided to scale down ties with Denmark in 2012 after a lower court in that country refused Davy's extradition.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION in Stockholm back in April, Løkke Rasmussen had said about Davy, "These issues... we deal in the legal track. When I was PM in 2011, my minister of justice took the decision to extradite him. But it was rejected by our courts. But now our director of general prosecution is looking into this. On political track, we will restart joint commission."

India's ministry of external affairs had sent Denmark's ministry of justice, through its ministry of foreign affairs, a formal request for Davy's extradition in 2016.

Back in April, Rasmussen also called for stronger ties between Copenhagen and New Delhi. "We have strong historical ties and we have bilateral relation for 400 years. I have agreed with your PM its time to enhance it. We are restarting Indo-Danish Joint Commission," he told WION.&nbsp;

The inaugural meeting of the India-Denmark Joint Commission took place in 2010.

India will raise the issue of the extradition of Kim Davy, an accused in the 1995 arms drop in West Bengal's Purulia district, with the visiting foreign minister of Denmark, Anders Samuelsen.

India will raise the issue of the extradition of Kim Davy, an accused in the 1995 arms drop in West Bengal's Purulia district, with the visiting foreign minister of Denmark, Anders Samuelsen. Davy aka Niels Holck is accused of air dropping arms and ammunition, including hundreds of AK-47 rifles and anti-tank grenades, in Purulia 23 years ago in December 1995. Anders will be on a two-day visit to India on December 17 and 18 and will be meeting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu. Top government sources told WION, "All issues will be discussed including consular access." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met Danish PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen during the India-Nordic summit in April this year with both deciding to enhance ties. India had decided to scale down ties with Denmark in 2012 after a lower court in that country refused Davy's extradition. Speaking to WION in Stockholm back in April, Løkke Rasmussen had said about Davy, "These issues... we deal in the legal track. When I was PM in 2011, my minister of justice took the decision to extradite him. But it was rejected by our courts. But now our director of general prosecution is looking into this. On political track, we will restart joint commission." India's ministry of external affairs had sent Denmark's ministry of justice, through its ministry of foreign affairs, a formal request for Davy's extradition in 2016. Back in April, Rasmussen also called for stronger ties between Copenhagen and New Delhi. "We have strong historical ties and we have bilateral relation for 400 years. I have agreed with your PM its time to enhance it. We are restarting Indo-Danish Joint Commission," he told WION. The inaugural meeting of the India-Denmark Joint Commission took place in 2010.

India to raise extradition of Kim Davy with visiting Danish FM

Parliament proceedings were disrupted for the fourth consecutive day Monday over the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rafale-judgement-govt-moves-sc-seeking-correction-in-para-which-makes-reference-to-cag-report-pac-184280">Rafale jet deal</a> and Cauvery issues, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/potests-over-rafale-cauvery-both-houses-adjourned-for-day-183475">leading to adjournment</a> of Rajya Sabha for the day soon after it met, and Lok Sabha after passing a bill on transgender rights amid adjournments.

In Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu adjourned the House within minutes of assembling as Members of Tamil Nadu parties DMK and AIADMK&nbsp;stormed into the well and Congress and treasury benches raised slogans.

The leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said he has given a notice for taking up of a discussion over the government allegedly misguiding the Supreme Court over the purchase of Rafale jets from France.

He was countered by slogan-shouting from members of treasury benches who demanded an apology from the Congress after the Supreme Court gave a clean chit to the deal.

AIADMK and DMK members were in the well seeking a permanent solution to the Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned thrice since it met in the morning, before being adjourned for the day.

The treasury and the opposition benches sparred over the Rafale jet deal issue with both sides raising slogans against each other.

While the AIADMK raised issues related to the construction of a dam over the Cauvery river, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) sought special status for Andhra Pradesh.

Congress members raised the issue of government's stand in the Supreme Court over the Rafale deal and accused it of misleading the top court.

BJP members, who were on their feet, raised slogans such as "Rahul Gandhi apologise" to counter the Congress offensive.

Monday was the fifth sitting of the Winter session.

While on Tuesday last, the two Houses were adjourned for the day after obituary references to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Cabinet Minister Ananth Kumar and other sitting members, little business was transacted in the two Houses on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, which makes the practice of instant triple talaq a penal offence, was introduced in Lok Sabha after it met in the noon on Monday.

It seeks to replace an ordinance issued in September.

Amid slogan shouting, Congress' Shashi Tharoor opposed the introduction of the bill, terming it as unconstitutional.

When the House met again after a second adjournment, The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill was moved for passage.

Amid din, five members participated in the debate questioning the provisions of the legislation.

The 27 amendments moved by the government, along with some others moved by opposition members, were considered amid noisy scenes.

The bill was later passed and the House adjourned for the day. &nbsp;

Parliament proceedings were disrupted for the fourth consecutive day Monday over the Rafale jet deal and Cauvery issues, leading to adjournment of Rajya Sabha for the day soon after it met, and Lok Sabha after passing a bill on transgender rights amid adjournments.

Parliament proceedings were disrupted for the fourth consecutive day Monday over the Rafale jet deal and Cauvery issues, leading to adjournment of Rajya Sabha for the day soon after it met, and Lok Sabha after passing a bill on transgender rights amid adjournments. In Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu adjourned the House within minutes of assembling as Members of Tamil Nadu parties DMK and AIADMK stormed into the well and Congress and treasury benches raised slogans. The leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said he has given a notice for taking up of a discussion over the government allegedly misguiding the Supreme Court over the purchase of Rafale jets from France. He was countered by slogan-shouting from members of treasury benches who demanded an apology from the Congress after the Supreme Court gave a clean chit to the deal. AIADMK and DMK members were in the well seeking a permanent solution to the Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Lok Sabha was adjourned thrice since it met in the morning, before being adjourned for the day. The treasury and the opposition benches sparred over the Rafale jet deal issue with both sides raising slogans against each other. While the AIADMK raised issues related to the construction of a dam over the Cauvery river, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) sought special status for Andhra Pradesh. Congress members raised the issue of government's stand in the Supreme Court over the Rafale deal and accused it of misleading the top court. BJP members, who were on their feet, raised slogans such as "Rahul Gandhi apologise" to counter the Congress offensive. Monday was the fifth sitting of the Winter session. While on Tuesday last, the two Houses were adjourned for the day after obituary references to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Cabinet Minister Ananth Kumar and other sitting members, little business was transacted in the two Houses on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, which makes the practice of instant triple talaq a penal offence, was introduced in Lok Sabha after it met in the noon on Monday. It seeks to replace an ordinance issued in September. Amid slogan shouting, Congress' Shashi Tharoor opposed the introduction of the bill, terming it as unconstitutional. When the House met again after a second adjournment, The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill was moved for passage. Amid din, five members participated in the debate questioning the provisions of the legislation. The 27 amendments moved by the government, along with some others moved by opposition members, were considered amid noisy scenes. The bill was later passed and the House adjourned for the day.

Lok Sabha adjourns after passing Transgender bill

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-phethai-likely-to-make-landfall-in-coastal-andhra-today-afternoon-high-alert-sounded-184622">Cyclone Phethai </a>has made a landfall at Katrenikona in East Godavari district on Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Heavy rains and winds experienced in many areas in the district. Entire Konaseema region is receiving heavy rainfall. The government has issued alerts to people to be careful.

Incessant rains were lashing East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts since Sunday night under the impact of 'Phethai' in the Bay of Bengal. Squally winds have uprooted trees and electricity poles in some places.

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CG Raju, PRO Eastern Naval Command: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CyclonePhethai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CyclonePhethai</a> is expected to make landfall around Kakinada coast this afternoon. Post-landfall, Naval helicopters &amp; aircraft will be flown to undertake an aerial survey for relief &amp; rescue operations. <a href="https://t.co/6HIqAZBF9M">pic.twitter.com/6HIqAZBF9M</a>
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Electricity supply to Kakinada town and several other parts of East Godavari district was snapped. The meteorologists have asked people to remain indoors during the landfall of the storm.

Authorities have sounded a red alert in seven out of nine coastal districts and opened over 300 relief camps to provide shelter to people evacuated from coastal villages and low-lying areas.

22 passenger trains have been cancelled, one train rescheduled and one train partially cancelled in view of the rainfall due to cyclone Phethai.&nbsp;

Coastal Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Odisha are likely to experience rainfall in the next two days with a deep depression set to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and make a landfall between Ongole and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.

(With inputs from agencies)

Cyclone Phethai has made a landfall at Katrenikona in East Godavari district on Monday afternoon. Heavy rains and winds experienced in many areas in the district.

Cyclone Phethai has made a landfall at Katrenikona in East Godavari district on Monday afternoon. Heavy rains and winds experienced in many areas in the district. Entire Konaseema region is receiving heavy rainfall. The government has issued alerts to people to be careful. Incessant rains were lashing East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts since Sunday night under the impact of 'Phethai' in the Bay of Bengal. Squally winds have uprooted trees and electricity poles in some places. CG Raju, PRO Eastern Naval Command: #CyclonePhethai is expected to make landfall around Kakinada coast this afternoon. Post-landfall, Naval helicopters & aircraft will be flown to undertake an aerial survey for relief & rescue operations. pic.twitter.com/6HIqAZBF9M — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018 × Electricity supply to Kakinada town and several other parts of East Godavari district was snapped. The meteorologists have asked people to remain indoors during the landfall of the storm. Authorities have sounded a red alert in seven out of nine coastal districts and opened over 300 relief camps to provide shelter to people evacuated from coastal villages and low-lying areas. 22 passenger trains have been cancelled, one train rescheduled and one train partially cancelled in view of the rainfall due to cyclone Phethai. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, north Tamil Nadu and Odisha are likely to experience rainfall in the next two days with a deep depression set to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and make a landfall between Ongole and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. (With inputs from agencies)

Heavy rains lash Andhra Pradesh's coastal area as Cyclone Phethai makes landfall in East Godavari district

A portion of the Rampura flyover on the Delhi-Jaipur national highway broke and fell on Monday morning. The incident affected the traffic movement between Manesar and Gurugram.

According to reports, a chunk of concrete fell from the middle of the four-lane flyover. No casualties have been reported.&nbsp;

The flyover is located around 50 kilometres away from Delhi in Haryana. The authorities have cordoned off the affected area while heavy traffic has been diverted to service lanes until the damage is restored.&nbsp;

Light traffic is being allowed on the two two lanes of the flyover, traffic passing under the flyover has been stopped.&nbsp;

A portion of the Rampura flyover on the Delhi-Jaipur national highway broke and fell on Monday morning. The incident affected the traffic movement between Manesar and Gurugram.

A portion of the Rampura flyover on the Delhi-Jaipur national highway broke and fell on Monday morning. The incident affected the traffic movement between Manesar and Gurugram. According to reports, a chunk of concrete fell from the middle of the four-lane flyover. No casualties have been reported. The flyover is located around 50 kilometres away from Delhi in Haryana. The authorities have cordoned off the affected area while heavy traffic has been diverted to service lanes until the damage is restored. Light traffic is being allowed on the two two lanes of the flyover, traffic passing under the flyover has been stopped.

Haryana: Portion of Rampura flyover collapses, traffic on Manesar-Gurugram route affected

The BJP has moved a privilege motion against Congress President Rahul Gandhi over the Rafale issue.&nbsp;

The motion was moved by BJP MP from Himachal's Hamirpur Anurag Thakur.&nbsp;

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BJP moves Privilege Motion in Lok Sabha against Rahul Gandhi over <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rafale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rafale</a> issue. The Motion has been moved by Anurag Thakur. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/Lfia6e1WPE">pic.twitter.com/Lfia6e1WPE</a>
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Gandhi and other leaders had alleged <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-increased-benchmark-price-of-rafale-jets-negotiating-team-overruled-by-mr-56-rahul-gandhi-177594">the price of the Rafale jets were inflated</a> in the new deal signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then French president Francois Hollande. Gandhi said the price of the jets was inflated by as much as three times what the previous UPA government had agreed on with Rafale.&nbsp;

Gandhi had also alleged that that Rafale's India partner — Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence — had been offered a sweetheart deal by the Modi government. The original offset partner had been HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) but the PSU had suddenly been junked in favour of Reliance Defence.&nbsp;

Consequently, a number of petitions were filed in the Supreme Court asking the court to look into the deal.&nbsp;

The court however said last week that there appeared to be nothing wrong with the deal and that it did not need to be probed.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The BJP has moved a privilege motion against Congress President Rahul Gandhi over the Rafale issue. The motion was moved by BJP MP from Himachal's Hamirpur Anurag Thakur.

The BJP has moved a privilege motion against Congress President Rahul Gandhi over the Rafale issue. The motion was moved by BJP MP from Himachal's Hamirpur Anurag Thakur. BJP moves Privilege Motion in Lok Sabha against Rahul Gandhi over #Rafale issue. The Motion has been moved by Anurag Thakur. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/Lfia6e1WPE — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018 × Gandhi and other leaders had alleged the price of the Rafale jets were inflated in the new deal signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then French president Francois Hollande. Gandhi said the price of the jets was inflated by as much as three times what the previous UPA government had agreed on with Rafale. Gandhi had also alleged that that Rafale's India partner — Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence — had been offered a sweetheart deal by the Modi government. The original offset partner had been HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) but the PSU had suddenly been junked in favour of Reliance Defence. Consequently, a number of petitions were filed in the Supreme Court asking the court to look into the deal. The court however said last week that there appeared to be nothing wrong with the deal and that it did not need to be probed.

BJP's Anurag Thakur moves privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi over Rafale deal

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Monday hailed the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/1984-anti-sikh-riots-case-after-sajjan-kumars-sentencing-harsimrat-targets-gandhi-family-184784">conviction of Congress leader Sajjan </a>Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, describing it as "a case of justice finally delivered"&nbsp;to the victims of one of independent India's worst instances of communal violence.&nbsp;

The reversal, by the Delhi High Court, of the trial court's earlier acquittal to Kumar had once again proved that the judiciary in India continues to stand tall as a pillar of the nation's democratic system, Singh said in a statement.&nbsp;

The Delhi High Court convicted Kumar for conspiracy to commit murder in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case and sentenced him to imprisonment for life.&nbsp;

According to Singh, the conviction vindicated the stand he had been taking since those dark days of the violence perpetrated on thousands of innocent Sikhs in the wake of the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi.&nbsp;

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Punjab CMO: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has welcomed the conviction of Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 riots case, terming it a case of justice finally delivered to the victims of one of the worst instances of communal violence in independent India. <a href="https://t.co/PsM7F7YTHn">pic.twitter.com/PsM7F7YTHn</a>
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The chief minister said he had been naming Kumar as well as a few other former Congress leaders, including Dharam Das Shastri, H K L Bhagat and Arjun Das, for the past 34 years, based on information personally received from victims in refugee camps in Delhi during the riots.

Kumar is the only surviving former Congress leaders implicated in the riots, as the others have since passed away.

Kumar's name repeatedly cropped up in his interactions with the victims in the refugee camps, said 76-year-old Singh, who last month also welcomed the first death sentence awarded in the 1984 riots case.&nbsp;

Though the years, Singh has been calling for the strictest of punishments for the handful of individual Congress leaders who had been involved in instigating the riots.

The leaders, including Kumar, did not have any official party sanction and deserved to be punished for their horrendous crime, he has maintained.&nbsp;

The chief minister reiterated his stand that neither the Congress party nor the Gandhi family had any role to play in the rioting. He lashed out at the Badals for continuing to drag their names into the case at the behest of their "political masters"&nbsp;the Bharatiya Janata Party, who he said were clearly shaken by the clear mandate given by the people to Rahul Gandhi's leadership in the recent Assembly elections in three states.

There was no Congress conspiracy behind the violence and the names of the Gandhis did not come up even once during his visits to the refugee camps, Singh said, adding that "vested political interests" were trying to draw the Gandhis into the controversy and the conspiracy for their personal motivations.

The case against Kumar relates to killing of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar part-I area in Palam Colony in South West Delhi on November 1-2, 1984 and burning down of a Gurudwara in Raj Nagar part II.&nbsp;

T A bench of Justices S Muralidhar and Vinod Goel convicted Kumar for criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity and acts against communal harmony.&nbsp;

The high court said Kumar's life imprisonment will be for the remainder of his life and asked him to surrender by December 31.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Monday hailed the conviction of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, describing it as "a case of justice finally delivered" to the victims of one of independent India's worst instances of communal violence.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Monday hailed the conviction of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, describing it as "a case of justice finally delivered" to the victims of one of independent India's worst instances of communal violence. The reversal, by the Delhi High Court, of the trial court's earlier acquittal to Kumar had once again proved that the judiciary in India continues to stand tall as a pillar of the nation's democratic system, Singh said in a statement. The Delhi High Court convicted Kumar for conspiracy to commit murder in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case and sentenced him to imprisonment for life. According to Singh, the conviction vindicated the stand he had been taking since those dark days of the violence perpetrated on thousands of innocent Sikhs in the wake of the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi. Punjab CMO: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has welcomed the conviction of Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 riots case, terming it a case of justice finally delivered to the victims of one of the worst instances of communal violence in independent India. pic.twitter.com/PsM7F7YTHn — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2018 × The chief minister said he had been naming Kumar as well as a few other former Congress leaders, including Dharam Das Shastri, H K L Bhagat and Arjun Das, for the past 34 years, based on information personally received from victims in refugee camps in Delhi during the riots. Kumar is the only surviving former Congress leaders implicated in the riots, as the others have since passed away. Kumar's name repeatedly cropped up in his interactions with the victims in the refugee camps, said 76-year-old Singh, who last month also welcomed the first death sentence awarded in the 1984 riots case. Though the years, Singh has been calling for the strictest of punishments for the handful of individual Congress leaders who had been involved in instigating the riots. The leaders, including Kumar, did not have any official party sanction and deserved to be punished for their horrendous crime, he has maintained. The chief minister reiterated his stand that neither the Congress party nor the Gandhi family had any role to play in the rioting. He lashed out at the Badals for continuing to drag their names into the case at the behest of their "political masters" the Bharatiya Janata Party, who he said were clearly shaken by the clear mandate given by the people to Rahul Gandhi's leadership in the recent Assembly elections in three states. There was no Congress conspiracy behind the violence and the names of the Gandhis did not come up even once during his visits to the refugee camps, Singh said, adding that "vested political interests" were trying to draw the Gandhis into the controversy and the conspiracy for their personal motivations. The case against Kumar relates to killing of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar part-I area in Palam Colony in South West Delhi on November 1-2, 1984 and burning down of a Gurudwara in Raj Nagar part II. T A bench of Justices S Muralidhar and Vinod Goel convicted Kumar for criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity and acts against communal harmony. The high court said Kumar's life imprisonment will be for the remainder of his life and asked him to surrender by December 31.

Amarinder Singh hails Sajjan Kumar's conviction in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case 

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu appealed to all political parties to arrive at a consensus and ensure the passage of Women's Reservation Bill for providing reservation to women in Parliament and state legislatures.

Vice President Naidu pointed out that reservation of seats for women in Panchayats and Municipalities has proved to be successful.

Addressing the gathering at the Women Entrepreneurship Platform Conclave on Sunday and after presenting Women Transforming India Awards 2018, organised by the NIITI Aayog, WEP and UN in India, the Vice President said, "The contribution of Indian women to GDP, currently at 17 per cent, was well below the global average of 37 per cent. Only 27 per cent of women in India were gainfully employed. These are the numbers that pose a challenge to the lawmakers and lawmakers of this country, and this is where NITI Aayog's efforts in empowering women entrepreneurs through WEP is especially commendable."

The CEO of NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant, the UN Resident Coordinator in India, Yuri Afanasiev, Tennis star Sania Mirza and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Observing that a country cannot progress if half of its population was not encouraged to be an equal partner in progress, he said that India in the past few years has recorded a healthy growth in women entrepreneurship.

"Discrimination against women has to end in terms of differential wages or skewed opportunities for career advancement. The private sector can play a major role in ending discrimination by being equal opportunity employers and it is time that the 'glass ceiling' is shattered," he added.

The Vice President said that it was high time that people should focus on gender equality while adding that "women have to be given a level playing field". He presented Women Transforming India Awards 2018 to 13 women who have excelled in various fields from different parts of the country.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu appealed to all political parties to arrive at a consensus and ensure the passage of Women's Reservation Bill for providing reservation to women in Parliament and state legislatures.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu appealed to all political parties to arrive at a consensus and ensure the passage of Women's Reservation Bill for providing reservation to women in Parliament and state legislatures. Vice President Naidu pointed out that reservation of seats for women in Panchayats and Municipalities has proved to be successful. Addressing the gathering at the Women Entrepreneurship Platform Conclave on Sunday and after presenting Women Transforming India Awards 2018, organised by the NIITI Aayog, WEP and UN in India, the Vice President said, "The contribution of Indian women to GDP, currently at 17 per cent, was well below the global average of 37 per cent. Only 27 per cent of women in India were gainfully employed. These are the numbers that pose a challenge to the lawmakers and lawmakers of this country, and this is where NITI Aayog's efforts in empowering women entrepreneurs through WEP is especially commendable." The CEO of NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant, the UN Resident Coordinator in India, Yuri Afanasiev, Tennis star Sania Mirza and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Observing that a country cannot progress if half of its population was not encouraged to be an equal partner in progress, he said that India in the past few years has recorded a healthy growth in women entrepreneurship. "Discrimination against women has to end in terms of differential wages or skewed opportunities for career advancement. The private sector can play a major role in ending discrimination by being equal opportunity employers and it is time that the 'glass ceiling' is shattered," he added. The Vice President said that it was high time that people should focus on gender equality while adding that "women have to be given a level playing field". He presented Women Transforming India Awards 2018 to 13 women who have excelled in various fields from different parts of the country.

Discrimination against women has to end, says Vice President Venkaiah Naidu

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entire-world-knows-pak-link-to-2611-general-bipin-rawat-182624">Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat</a> Saturday said there are women officers engaged in exercises like mining and de-mining operations and also manning the air defence system, but cited difficulties in assigning them frontline combat role.

He said that in frontline combat there are risks of officers getting killed.&nbsp;

"See, I am not saying a woman who has children doesn't die. She can also die in a road accident. But in combat, when body bags come back, our country is not ready to see that," Rawat said in an interview with a TV channel.

"We have women officers as engineers, they are doing mining and demining work. In air defence, they are manning our weapon systems. But we have not put women in frontline combat because what we are engaged in right now is a proxy war, like in Kashmir," he said.

He cited logistical reason also behind not posting women on frontlines.

"Our orders are that a lady officer will get a hut in the COB, then there are orders that we have to cocoon her separately. She will say somebody is peeping, so we will have to give a sheet around her," Rawat said.

Rawat questioned whether a women officer with commanding responsibilities can stay away from her post for long?&nbsp;

"I am ready, it is not that army is not ready (for combat role for the women). Will she command? Ok, so now I make her a commanding officer. She is commanding a battalion.Do I put a restriction on her to say that in that command tenure you will not be given maternity leave? If I say that, there will be ruckus created," he added.

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat Saturday said there are women officers engaged in exercises like mining and de-mining operations and also manning the air defence system, but cited difficulties in assigning them frontline combat role.

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat Saturday said there are women officers engaged in exercises like mining and de-mining operations and also manning the air defence system, but cited difficulties in assigning them frontline combat role. He said that in frontline combat there are risks of officers getting killed. "See, I am not saying a woman who has children doesn't die. She can also die in a road accident. But in combat, when body bags come back, our country is not ready to see that," Rawat said in an interview with a TV channel. "We have women officers as engineers, they are doing mining and demining work. In air defence, they are manning our weapon systems. But we have not put women in frontline combat because what we are engaged in right now is a proxy war, like in Kashmir," he said. He cited logistical reason also behind not posting women on frontlines. "Our orders are that a lady officer will get a hut in the COB, then there are orders that we have to cocoon her separately. She will say somebody is peeping, so we will have to give a sheet around her," Rawat said. Rawat questioned whether a women officer with commanding responsibilities can stay away from her post for long? "I am ready, it is not that army is not ready (for combat role for the women). Will she command? Ok, so now I make her a commanding officer. She is commanding a battalion.Do I put a restriction on her to say that in that command tenure you will not be given maternity leave? If I say that, there will be ruckus created," he added.

Army chief cites difficulties in putting women in combat role

The Modi government has so far succeeded in ensuring that India is least affected by challenges like immigration and working visas unveiled in the US under President Donald Trump, BJP leader Ram Madhav said Saturday, stressing that foreign policies cannot be guided by emotions or romanticism. 
 
Congress leader Anand Sharma said that foreign policy should uphold, secure and promote a country's national interest, but not be an extension of or reflect domestic narrative. 
 
They made these remarks during a discussion at the release of a book titled "Open Embrace: India-US Ties in the Age of Modi and Trump", by journalist Varghese K George. 
 
They were joined by academic C Rajamohan in the discussion moderated by journalist Suhasini Haider. 
 
"We are conscious of the challenges, whether it is his (Trump's) emphasis on domestic production, visa issues...We are negotiating, trying to ensure that India gets the best deal out of it. You cannot dictate Trump's policies. You can only try and ensure that India is least affected if there is anything adverse happening. We have more or less succeeded in ensuring that India is not affected," Madhav said. 
 
The BJP national general secretary said it could be easy to criticise the government but one must take note of the increment in trade and exports. 
"I am not saying that it has happened only in four years (of BJP), but we must acknowledge it," he said. 
 
Noting that the Indian diaspora played a role in the Indo-US nuclear agreement in 2005 during the Congress-led UPA regime, he said the current government had felt that it should leverage that not just in the US but other countries also. 
 
"We felt why not make it (diaspora) an important dimension in the foreign policy and with that objective in mind we started engaging with different diaspora in different countries," he said. 
 
On a continuum in the foreign policy, Sharma, who had served as a Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs from 2006 to 2009 in the UPA government, said there cannot be abrupt changes in strategic engagements of a country as big as India. 
 
"But I would also like to say that the foreign policy of this country has evolved over a long period of time, not written in one day or one government. 
 
"Foreign policy is meant to uphold, secure and promote your supreme national interest. It is not de-linked to your national ambitions but you have to be careful not to allow the domestic narrative to reflect in the foreign policy," he said. 
 
"It cannot be personalised, it cannot be an extension of domestic politics particularly in our neighbourhood vis-a-vis Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka. We have to be careful there. It is easy to say that we have moved or walked away from non-alignment movement...," Sharma said. 
 
BJP's Madhav said a lot of changes in the foreign policy were made by the Congress and held that the direction should be guided by national interest. 
"Congress has changed many things in our foreign policy. Who changed the foreign policy's focus from SAARC to BIMSTEC? Congress! Did we oppose it? We said no India needs BIMSTEC to engage with the extended neighbourhood because these are things that happen as per your requirement. 
 
"Foreign policy is not guided by emotions or romanticism, it is guided by national interest. Today your national interest demands, that you look for better platforms, look for reviving Commonwealth, which was also a Nehruvian-era creation, and we did it. 
 
"Where is the relevance of the NAM when there are no two poles in the world at all, it is a multi-polar world and who do we remain non-aligned with?" he asked. 
 
On the personal level relationship between PM Modi and President Trump, Madhav said, "The best relationship that we could have with the present leadership in the US we tried to establish it while maintaining strategic autonomy on many issues." 
 
On voting against the US on the Jerusalem issue in the UN, he said India is not influenced by any ideology except for the "nation-first" ideology and that is what happened. 
 
He said PM Modi is doing a stand-alone visit to Israel, then visiting Palestine also separately even as the country has the best of partners in the Middle East also. 
 
"We have strengthened the relationship with Israel but today our strongest relations are with the countries in the middle east, with the UAE, Saudi. We have a lasting strong legacy. We have strong ties with Iran also where we have not buckled under the pressure of any other power. 
 
"So, we are guided by the interest of our country. At that level it may be a continuum, but again it (BJP) is a new government, it has new ideas, it will implement them in a different way, that difference should be appreciated and the continuum should also be acknowledged," he said.&nbsp;

The Modi government has so far succeeded in ensuring that India is least affected by challenges like immigration and working visas unveiled in the US under President Donald Trump, BJP leader Ram Madhav said Saturday, stressing that foreign policies cannot be guided by emotions or romanticism.

The Modi government has so far succeeded in ensuring that India is least affected by challenges like immigration and working visas unveiled in the US under President Donald Trump, BJP leader Ram Madhav said Saturday, stressing that foreign policies cannot be guided by emotions or romanticism. Congress leader Anand Sharma said that foreign policy should uphold, secure and promote a country's national interest, but not be an extension of or reflect domestic narrative. They made these remarks during a discussion at the release of a book titled "Open Embrace: India-US Ties in the Age of Modi and Trump", by journalist Varghese K George. They were joined by academic C Rajamohan in the discussion moderated by journalist Suhasini Haider. "We are conscious of the challenges, whether it is his (Trump's) emphasis on domestic production, visa issues...We are negotiating, trying to ensure that India gets the best deal out of it. You cannot dictate Trump's policies. You can only try and ensure that India is least affected if there is anything adverse happening. We have more or less succeeded in ensuring that India is not affected," Madhav said. The BJP national general secretary said it could be easy to criticise the government but one must take note of the increment in trade and exports. "I am not saying that it has happened only in four years (of BJP), but we must acknowledge it," he said. Noting that the Indian diaspora played a role in the Indo-US nuclear agreement in 2005 during the Congress-led UPA regime, he said the current government had felt that it should leverage that not just in the US but other countries also. "We felt why not make it (diaspora) an important dimension in the foreign policy and with that objective in mind we started engaging with different diaspora in different countries," he said. On a continuum in the foreign policy, Sharma, who had served as a Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs from 2006 to 2009 in the UPA government, said there cannot be abrupt changes in strategic engagements of a country as big as India. "But I would also like to say that the foreign policy of this country has evolved over a long period of time, not written in one day or one government. "Foreign policy is meant to uphold, secure and promote your supreme national interest. It is not de-linked to your national ambitions but you have to be careful not to allow the domestic narrative to reflect in the foreign policy," he said. "It cannot be personalised, it cannot be an extension of domestic politics particularly in our neighbourhood vis-a-vis Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka. We have to be careful there. It is easy to say that we have moved or walked away from non-alignment movement...," Sharma said. BJP's Madhav said a lot of changes in the foreign policy were made by the Congress and held that the direction should be guided by national interest. "Congress has changed many things in our foreign policy. Who changed the foreign policy's focus from SAARC to BIMSTEC? Congress! Did we oppose it? We said no India needs BIMSTEC to engage with the extended neighbourhood because these are things that happen as per your requirement. "Foreign policy is not guided by emotions or romanticism, it is guided by national interest. Today your national interest demands, that you look for better platforms, look for reviving Commonwealth, which was also a Nehruvian-era creation, and we did it. "Where is the relevance of the NAM when there are no two poles in the world at all, it is a multi-polar world and who do we remain non-aligned with?" he asked. On the personal level relationship between PM Modi and President Trump, Madhav said, "The best relationship that we could have with the present leadership in the US we tried to establish it while maintaining strategic autonomy on many issues." On voting against the US on the Jerusalem issue in the UN, he said India is not influenced by any ideology except for the "nation-first" ideology and that is what happened. He said PM Modi is doing a stand-alone visit to Israel, then visiting Palestine also separately even as the country has the best of partners in the Middle East also. "We have strengthened the relationship with Israel but today our strongest relations are with the countries in the middle east, with the UAE, Saudi. We have a lasting strong legacy. We have strong ties with Iran also where we have not buckled under the pressure of any other power. "So, we are guided by the interest of our country. At that level it may be a continuum, but again it (BJP) is a new government, it has new ideas, it will implement them in a different way, that difference should be appreciated and the continuum should also be acknowledged," he said.

Government ensured India least affected by challenges like immigration, US working visa issue: Ram Madhav

Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel will be the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The decision was announced at the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party on Sunday.

Bhupesh Baghel is Congress party chief for Chattisgarh and also an MLA from Patan, he is credited for bringing the party back to power after 15 years in oblivion.

Apart from Baghel, TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu and Charan Das Mahant were the top contenders for the post.

After mulling over various options for the past four days, Rahul Gandhi led Congress decided on Baghel, said sources.&nbsp;

The Gandhi scion held discussions with senior state leaders&nbsp;for the top post&nbsp;in New Delhi.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister designate Bhupesh Baghel with Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and PL Punia in Raipur <a href="https://t.co/Des7A6fhFZ">pic.twitter.com/Des7A6fhFZ</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1074227486521769984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Sources said the process of consultation on who will be the next chief minister of Chhattisgarh was marked by flip-flop throughout the day.

<img alt="Congress Legislature Party" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bb6a1779-4a63-4bdb-9f08-9dcf8eee5a46" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202018-12-16%20at%2013.09.54.jpeg" />

Yesterday, the Congress president tweeted a smiling picture of all the four aspirants for the Chhattisgarh CM's post along with a quote by Reid Hoffman.

"No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you're playing a solo game, you'll always lose out to a team. - Reid Hoffman," he tweeted.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you’re playing a solo game, you’ll always lose out to a team. 
 
– Reid Hoffman <a href="https://t.co/TL5rPwiCDX">pic.twitter.com/TL5rPwiCDX</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1073898465938300928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Congress had romped home to power in Chhattisgarh after 15 years with a two-third majority.

The Congress had on Friday named Ashok Gehlot Rajasthan's next chief minister after several rounds of discussions lasting more than two days.&nbsp;

In Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Kamal Nath was announced as chief minister-designate on December 13.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel will be the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The decision was announced at the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party on Sunday.

Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel will be the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The decision was announced at the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party on Sunday. Bhupesh Baghel is Congress party chief for Chattisgarh and also an MLA from Patan, he is credited for bringing the party back to power after 15 years in oblivion. Apart from Baghel, TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu and Charan Das Mahant were the top contenders for the post. After mulling over various options for the past four days, Rahul Gandhi led Congress decided on Baghel, said sources. The Gandhi scion held discussions with senior state leaders for the top post in New Delhi. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister designate Bhupesh Baghel with Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and PL Punia in Raipur pic.twitter.com/Des7A6fhFZ — ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2018 × Sources said the process of consultation on who will be the next chief minister of Chhattisgarh was marked by flip-flop throughout the day. Yesterday, the Congress president tweeted a smiling picture of all the four aspirants for the Chhattisgarh CM's post along with a quote by Reid Hoffman. "No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you're playing a solo game, you'll always lose out to a team. - Reid Hoffman," he tweeted. No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you’re playing a solo game, you’ll always lose out to a team. – Reid Hoffman pic.twitter.com/TL5rPwiCDX — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 15, 2018 × Congress had romped home to power in Chhattisgarh after 15 years with a two-third majority. The Congress had on Friday named Ashok Gehlot Rajasthan's next chief minister after several rounds of discussions lasting more than two days. In Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Kamal Nath was announced as chief minister-designate on December 13. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress picks Bhupesh Baghel as chief minister of Chhattisgarh

Union Minister Gen VK Singh (retd) Sunday said the debate surrounding Rafale deal has become pointless after the Supreme court dismissed the pleas challenging the fighter aircraft deal, and asked whether the Gandhi family was above the country's top court.

In a relief to the Modi government, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the pleas challenging the deal between India and France for procurement of 36 Rafale jets saying there was no occasion to "really doubt the decision making the process" warranting setting aside of the contract.

Accusing the Congress of not refraining from "spreading lies" on the issue, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs said by questioning constitutional institutions like the apex court, the Congress had made its intentions suspicious.

"I want to ask one question. Is the Gandhi family even above the Supreme Court?" the former Army chief said at a press conference in&nbsp;Dehradun.

Asked whether as a former army chief and an expert on defence matters he thought it was correct to ignore the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in the deal, he said, "Better if Dassault, which makes Rafale jets, is asked this question."

Accusing the Congress of giving false statements over the Rafale deal "again and again" to mislead people, Gen Singh (retd) said the grand old party's leaders have become so desperate that they are now questioning the verdict of a constitutional institution like the Supreme Court.

"Rafale agreement was a government-to-government deal where there were no middlemen involved. It is unfortunate that those practising law at the Supreme Court is now passing their own verdict on it like judges," he said.

"The Congress is running away from a debate on the issue in Parliament but spreading lies about the deal outside it. This makes the party's intentions suspicious," the Union Minister said.&nbsp;

Union Minister Gen VK Singh (retd) Sunday said the debate surrounding Rafale deal has become pointless after the Supreme court dismissed the pleas challenging the fighter aircraft deal, and asked whether the Gandhi family was above the country's top court.

Union Minister Gen VK Singh (retd) Sunday said the debate surrounding Rafale deal has become pointless after the Supreme court dismissed the pleas challenging the fighter aircraft deal, and asked whether the Gandhi family was above the country's top court. In a relief to the Modi government, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the pleas challenging the deal between India and France for procurement of 36 Rafale jets saying there was no occasion to "really doubt the decision making the process" warranting setting aside of the contract. Accusing the Congress of not refraining from "spreading lies" on the issue, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs said by questioning constitutional institutions like the apex court, the Congress had made its intentions suspicious. "I want to ask one question. Is the Gandhi family even above the Supreme Court?" the former Army chief said at a press conference in Dehradun. Asked whether as a former army chief and an expert on defence matters he thought it was correct to ignore the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in the deal, he said, "Better if Dassault, which makes Rafale jets, is asked this question." Accusing the Congress of giving false statements over the Rafale deal "again and again" to mislead people, Gen Singh (retd) said the grand old party's leaders have become so desperate that they are now questioning the verdict of a constitutional institution like the Supreme Court. "Rafale agreement was a government-to-government deal where there were no middlemen involved. It is unfortunate that those practising law at the Supreme Court is now passing their own verdict on it like judges," he said. "The Congress is running away from a debate on the issue in Parliament but spreading lies about the deal outside it. This makes the party's intentions suspicious," the Union Minister said.

'Is Gandhi family even above Supreme Court?' VK Singh asks on Rafale deal

Ruling out referring the Rafale deal to a parliamentary panel, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday launched a blistering attack on the Congress, calling it "bad losers" and said the CAG's view of the deal is not relevant after the Supreme Court's clean chit.&nbsp;

With the first four days of the winter session of Parliament washed out over various protests, Jaitley said the opposition Congress will prefer disruptions over discussion on Rafale during the remainder of the session.

The Congress, which was not a petitioner before the apex court, wants the Rafale deal to be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to go into the price arrived at by the BJP government versus the one negotiated by the previous UPA regime, as also how billionaire Anil Ambani's group with virtually no experience in manufacture of fighter jets was selected as an offset partner for the deal.

"After the Supreme Court has spoken the last word, it gets legitimacy. A political body can never come to a finding contrary to what the Court has said," Jaitley wrote in a Facebook blog, titled 'Rafale - Lies, Shortlived lies and now further lies?'.

On the Congress claiming 'ambiguity' in the Supreme Court judgment that said the deal has been examined by the CAG and is now before Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Jaitley said defence transactions go to the CAG for an audit review, which then are referred to the PAC.

"This was factually and accurately stated by the Government before the Court. The audit review of Rafale is pending before the CAG. All facts are shared with it. When its report is out, it will go to the PAC. Notwithstanding this factually correct statement made, if an ambiguity has emerged in the Court Order, the correct course is for anyone to apply / mention before the Court and have it corrected," he said.

The correct picture has been presented to the court and it must now be left to the wisdom of the court to state at which stage the CAG review is pending.

"The CAG review is not relevant to the final findings on procedure, pricing and offset suppliers. But bad losers never accept the truth. Having failed in multiple lies they have now started an innuendo about the Judgement," he said.

Jaitley said Congress, having failed in their initial falsehood, is now "manufacturing further lies about the Judgement."

"On facts it lied. The judgement of the Supreme Court conclusively establishes the Congress party's vulnerabilities in a discussion on defence transactions.

"It will be a great opportunity to remind the nation of the legacy of the Congress Party and its defence acquisitions - a great opportunity indeed for some of us to speak," he wrote.

The finance minister, who had alongside the defence minister led a spirited counter-attack against the Congress on Friday post the Supreme Court ruling, said the opponents of the Rafale deal had a choice of forum to present their side, and they chose the Supreme Court.

"The Court conducts a judicial review, it is a non-partisan, independent and a fair Constitutional authority. The Court's verdict is final. It can't be reviewed by anyone except by the Court itself," he said.&nbsp;

Ruling out setting up a JPC to go into the deal, Jaitley said, "How can a Parliamentary Committee go into the correctness or otherwise to what the Court has said. Is a Committee of Politicians both legally and in terms of human resources capable of reviewing issues already decided by the Supreme Court?"

"On areas such as procedure, offset suppliers and pricing, can a Parliamentary Committee take a different view of what the Court has said?," he said, asking if a contract be breached, nation's security be compromised and the pricing data be made available to Parliament or its panel.

He asked what was the experience of JPC when it took up the Bofors deal -- the only occasion when it investigated a defence transaction.

"The B. Shankaranand Committee in 1987-88 went into the Bofors transaction. Since Parliamentarians are always split on party lines, it came out with a finding that no kickbacks were paid and the monies paid to the middlemen were 'winding up' charges.

"At that time only Win Chaddha appeared to be a middlemen. But then others including Ottavio Quattrocchi, whose bank accounts got detected subsequently, were not entitled to any winding up charges," he wrote.&nbsp; 
Rafale, he said, is a combat aircraft with its weaponry required to improve the strike ability of the Indian Air Force.

"As a political opponent Rahul Gandhi's opposition to the deal was a desperate attempt. It was the UPA Government which had shortlisted the Rafale as it was technically the best and the cheapest," he said.

Jaitley also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an inter-governmental agreement, struck a deal with the French government to further improve the terms and conditions, including the prices on which the UPA had agreed.

He claimed Gandhi's opposition was because Modi has run the cleanest ever government in recent Indian history.&nbsp;

"Secondly, Rahul Gandhi has the burden of a stigmatised legacy which was tainted by Bofors. He was desperately trying to bring an 'immoral equivalence' between Rafale and Bofors. But Rafale did not have middlemen, no kickbacks and obviously no Ottavio Quattrocchi," he said.&nbsp;

"Thirdly, with international cooperation and Governmental cooperation, scamsters of the UPA Government are now being extradited into India. There is obviously a scare of who will talk how much," he said. PTI ANZ ABM 12161654

Ruling out referring the Rafale deal to a parliamentary panel, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday launched a blistering attack on the Congress, calling it "bad losers" and said the CAG's view of the deal is not relevant after the Supreme Court's clean chit.

Ruling out referring the Rafale deal to a parliamentary panel, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday launched a blistering attack on the Congress, calling it "bad losers" and said the CAG's view of the deal is not relevant after the Supreme Court's clean chit. With the first four days of the winter session of Parliament washed out over various protests, Jaitley said the opposition Congress will prefer disruptions over discussion on Rafale during the remainder of the session. The Congress, which was not a petitioner before the apex court, wants the Rafale deal to be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to go into the price arrived at by the BJP government versus the one negotiated by the previous UPA regime, as also how billionaire Anil Ambani's group with virtually no experience in manufacture of fighter jets was selected as an offset partner for the deal. "After the Supreme Court has spoken the last word, it gets legitimacy. A political body can never come to a finding contrary to what the Court has said," Jaitley wrote in a Facebook blog, titled 'Rafale - Lies, Shortlived lies and now further lies?'. On the Congress claiming 'ambiguity' in the Supreme Court judgment that said the deal has been examined by the CAG and is now before Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Jaitley said defence transactions go to the CAG for an audit review, which then are referred to the PAC. "This was factually and accurately stated by the Government before the Court. The audit review of Rafale is pending before the CAG. All facts are shared with it. When its report is out, it will go to the PAC. Notwithstanding this factually correct statement made, if an ambiguity has emerged in the Court Order, the correct course is for anyone to apply / mention before the Court and have it corrected," he said. The correct picture has been presented to the court and it must now be left to the wisdom of the court to state at which stage the CAG review is pending. "The CAG review is not relevant to the final findings on procedure, pricing and offset suppliers. But bad losers never accept the truth. Having failed in multiple lies they have now started an innuendo about the Judgement," he said. Jaitley said Congress, having failed in their initial falsehood, is now "manufacturing further lies about the Judgement." "On facts it lied. The judgement of the Supreme Court conclusively establishes the Congress party's vulnerabilities in a discussion on defence transactions. "It will be a great opportunity to remind the nation of the legacy of the Congress Party and its defence acquisitions - a great opportunity indeed for some of us to speak," he wrote. The finance minister, who had alongside the defence minister led a spirited counter-attack against the Congress on Friday post the Supreme Court ruling, said the opponents of the Rafale deal had a choice of forum to present their side, and they chose the Supreme Court. "The Court conducts a judicial review, it is a non-partisan, independent and a fair Constitutional authority. The Court's verdict is final. It can't be reviewed by anyone except by the Court itself," he said. Ruling out setting up a JPC to go into the deal, Jaitley said, "How can a Parliamentary Committee go into the correctness or otherwise to what the Court has said. Is a Committee of Politicians both legally and in terms of human resources capable of reviewing issues already decided by the Supreme Court?" "On areas such as procedure, offset suppliers and pricing, can a Parliamentary Committee take a different view of what the Court has said?," he said, asking if a contract be breached, nation's security be compromised and the pricing data be made available to Parliament or its panel. He asked what was the experience of JPC when it took up the Bofors deal -- the only occasion when it investigated a defence transaction. "The B. Shankaranand Committee in 1987-88 went into the Bofors transaction. Since Parliamentarians are always split on party lines, it came out with a finding that no kickbacks were paid and the monies paid to the middlemen were 'winding up' charges. "At that time only Win Chaddha appeared to be a middlemen. But then others including Ottavio Quattrocchi, whose bank accounts got detected subsequently, were not entitled to any winding up charges," he wrote. Rafale, he said, is a combat aircraft with its weaponry required to improve the strike ability of the Indian Air Force. "As a political opponent Rahul Gandhi's opposition to the deal was a desperate attempt. It was the UPA Government which had shortlisted the Rafale as it was technically the best and the cheapest," he said. Jaitley also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an inter-governmental agreement, struck a deal with the French government to further improve the terms and conditions, including the prices on which the UPA had agreed. He claimed Gandhi's opposition was because Modi has run the cleanest ever government in recent Indian history. "Secondly, Rahul Gandhi has the burden of a stigmatised legacy which was tainted by Bofors. He was desperately trying to bring an 'immoral equivalence' between Rafale and Bofors. But Rafale did not have middlemen, no kickbacks and obviously no Ottavio Quattrocchi," he said. "Thirdly, with international cooperation and Governmental cooperation, scamsters of the UPA Government are now being extradited into India. There is obviously a scare of who will talk how much," he said. PTI ANZ ABM 12161654

Arun Jaitley rules out setting up JPC on Rafale deal

The coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu will experience heavy rainfall for the next two days as a deep depression is set to intensify into Cyclone 'Phethai'.

"The deep depression in the south-eastern area of the Bay of Bengal has moved to the northern side with a speed of 17 Kilometres an hour and has now intensified and developed into a cyclonic storm named 'Phethai'. It is very likely to move to the northeastern side and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Kakinada during December 17, "the statement from the meteorological department read.

The department also predicted light to moderate rain and thunderstorm in parts of Odisha on Sunday. It also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in various districts of the state.

The statement also said, "Light to moderate rain/thundershower likely to occur at many places over districts of south Odisha and a few places over districts of north Odisha on December 16, at many places over districts of Odisha on 17. and at a few places over districts of Odisha on December 18."

The Department informed that Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada and Kalahandi district would experience heavy rainfall on Sunday.&nbsp;

While on Monday, heavy rainfall is expected in various districts including Kalahandi, Malkangiri. Koraput, Rayagada, Nawarangpur.

(With inputs from ANI)

The coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu will experience heavy rainfall for the next two days as a deep depression is set to intensify into Cyclone 'Phethai'.

The coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu will experience heavy rainfall for the next two days as a deep depression is set to intensify into Cyclone 'Phethai'. "The deep depression in the south-eastern area of the Bay of Bengal has moved to the northern side with a speed of 17 Kilometres an hour and has now intensified and developed into a cyclonic storm named 'Phethai'. It is very likely to move to the northeastern side and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Kakinada during December 17, "the statement from the meteorological department read. The department also predicted light to moderate rain and thunderstorm in parts of Odisha on Sunday. It also predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in various districts of the state. The statement also said, "Light to moderate rain/thundershower likely to occur at many places over districts of south Odisha and a few places over districts of north Odisha on December 16, at many places over districts of Odisha on 17. and at a few places over districts of Odisha on December 18." The Department informed that Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada and Kalahandi district would experience heavy rainfall on Sunday. While on Monday, heavy rainfall is expected in various districts including Kalahandi, Malkangiri. Koraput, Rayagada, Nawarangpur. (With inputs from ANI)

Cyclone Phethai to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh on Monday, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry to receive heavy rainfall

The Congress Sunday urged the Supreme Court to recall its Rafale judgment and issue notices to the central government for contempt of court and perjury, alleging the Centre had provided false information to the apex court.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma alleged that the government was guilty of committing breach of privilege of both houses of Parliament by claiming that the CAG report on Rafale aircraft pricing had been presented to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

The Congress leader also took a broad swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, saying "they should seek penance and take a dip in the holy Ganges instead".

"We demand that the Supreme Court immediately recall that judgment which is void. It would be in the interest of the dignity of the Supreme Court to do so because this entire episode has dented the dignity of the highest court which cannot be allowed," he told reporters, adding that what has happened is unacceptable.

"It is important that the Supreme Court issues a notice of perjury to the government and the concerned officials and the law officers. The Supreme Court must also issue contempt notice to the government," he said.

The Supreme Court Friday dismissed the pleas, saying there was no occasion to "really doubt the decision-making process" warranting setting aside of the defence contract for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets.

In its judgment, the court has made a reference to a CAG report on the aircraft deal. It has said the CAG report was examined by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

But the Congress has insisted that the government presented "wrong facts" before the court during the hearing of pleas challenging the aircraft deal with France, which gave the government relief in the cases.

On Saturday, the Centre moved the Supreme Court seeking correction in the judgment, saying "misinterpretation" of its note has "resulted in a controversy in the public domain".

The Centre made it clear that it did not say the CAG report was examined by the PAC or a redacted portion was placed before Parliament. It clarified the note had said the government "has already shared" the price details with CAG, written in past tense and "is factually correct".

On Sunday, Sharma said there is no ground for the apex court to even consider the government's petition seeking to correct the judgment. He said the government's conduct and its credentials are certainly "under dark shadow" as it has in the process of "misleading" the court committed "a grave act of the breach of privilege of the Parliament which is Sovereign".

"The Government, therefore, is guilty of breaching the privileges of all the members of Parliament by having claimed that the CAG has examined and given its report which has been further scrutinized by the PAC, which it has given...All of this is false," he said.

The Congress leader said two processes must follow now and "we have urged the Supreme Court that it has become imperative without any delay to recall and issue the notices to the government. The Parliament is in session and the government surely is in the dock for having committed a grave breach of privilege of not only the PAC but both the houses of the Indian Parliament."

He said the Congress has been of this consistent view that the Supreme Court is not the right forum to investigate the issues related to the Rafale deal, to probe, which it has not done and the court itself has said so.

"The Supreme Court judgment is not only self-contradictory, but we are shocked to find factual inaccuracies and the aversions which were made, submissions of the government were false," he said.

Sharma said the judgment is based on the premise that the government had shared the pricing details with the CAG, which submitted the report through the Public Accounts Committee and portions of that have been shared with Parliament and thus in public domain.

"There has been no CAG report," he said, adding Congress leaders had met the CAG a few months ago demanding a "forensic audit" of the global tender for the Rafale aircraft deal.

The former union minister said it is mandatory for the CAG to give the report to Parliament, but no such report has been received by Parliament.

He said what has happened is "unprecedented" and the government's curative petition filed on Saturday "adds insult to the injury caused".&nbsp;

The Congress Sunday urged the Supreme Court to recall its Rafale judgment and issue notices to the central government for contempt of court and perjury, alleging the Centre had provided false information to the apex court.

The Congress Sunday urged the Supreme Court to recall its Rafale judgment and issue notices to the central government for contempt of court and perjury, alleging the Centre had provided false information to the apex court. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma alleged that the government was guilty of committing breach of privilege of both houses of Parliament by claiming that the CAG report on Rafale aircraft pricing had been presented to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. The Congress leader also took a broad swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, saying "they should seek penance and take a dip in the holy Ganges instead". "We demand that the Supreme Court immediately recall that judgment which is void. It would be in the interest of the dignity of the Supreme Court to do so because this entire episode has dented the dignity of the highest court which cannot be allowed," he told reporters, adding that what has happened is unacceptable. "It is important that the Supreme Court issues a notice of perjury to the government and the concerned officials and the law officers. The Supreme Court must also issue contempt notice to the government," he said. The Supreme Court Friday dismissed the pleas, saying there was no occasion to "really doubt the decision-making process" warranting setting aside of the defence contract for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets. In its judgment, the court has made a reference to a CAG report on the aircraft deal. It has said the CAG report was examined by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. But the Congress has insisted that the government presented "wrong facts" before the court during the hearing of pleas challenging the aircraft deal with France, which gave the government relief in the cases. On Saturday, the Centre moved the Supreme Court seeking correction in the judgment, saying "misinterpretation" of its note has "resulted in a controversy in the public domain". The Centre made it clear that it did not say the CAG report was examined by the PAC or a redacted portion was placed before Parliament. It clarified the note had said the government "has already shared" the price details with CAG, written in past tense and "is factually correct". On Sunday, Sharma said there is no ground for the apex court to even consider the government's petition seeking to correct the judgment. He said the government's conduct and its credentials are certainly "under dark shadow" as it has in the process of "misleading" the court committed "a grave act of the breach of privilege of the Parliament which is Sovereign". "The Government, therefore, is guilty of breaching the privileges of all the members of Parliament by having claimed that the CAG has examined and given its report which has been further scrutinized by the PAC, which it has given...All of this is false," he said. The Congress leader said two processes must follow now and "we have urged the Supreme Court that it has become imperative without any delay to recall and issue the notices to the government. The Parliament is in session and the government surely is in the dock for having committed a grave breach of privilege of not only the PAC but both the houses of the Indian Parliament." He said the Congress has been of this consistent view that the Supreme Court is not the right forum to investigate the issues related to the Rafale deal, to probe, which it has not done and the court itself has said so. "The Supreme Court judgment is not only self-contradictory, but we are shocked to find factual inaccuracies and the aversions which were made, submissions of the government were false," he said. Sharma said the judgment is based on the premise that the government had shared the pricing details with the CAG, which submitted the report through the Public Accounts Committee and portions of that have been shared with Parliament and thus in public domain. "There has been no CAG report," he said, adding Congress leaders had met the CAG a few months ago demanding a "forensic audit" of the global tender for the Rafale aircraft deal. The former union minister said it is mandatory for the CAG to give the report to Parliament, but no such report has been received by Parliament. He said what has happened is "unprecedented" and the government's curative petition filed on Saturday "adds insult to the injury caused".

Congress urges Supreme Court to recall Rafale judgment

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