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Former Congress MP Mohammed Azharuddin was on Friday appointed working president of the party in Telangana days ahead of assembly elections in the southern state.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi also cleared some fresh appointments in the Telangana Pradesh Congress, approving the names of two vice presidents - B M Vinod Kumar and Jaffer Javed, eight new general secretaries and four secretaries in the state unit.

"Congress president Rahul Gandhi has approved the appointment of Mohammed Azharuddin, ex-MP, as working president of the Telanagana Pradesh Congress Committee," a statement from AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot said.

Azharuddin was a former captain of the Indian cricket team. His cricket career came to an abrupt end when he was implicated in the infamous match-fixing scandal in 2000 and was banned by the BCCI for life. However, the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2012 declared the life ban on him as illegal.

Azharuddin was an MP from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh in 2009, after he joined the Congress in the same year. He again unsuccessfully contested the 2014 election from Rajasthan's Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency in 2014.

The former cricketer, who hails from Hyderabad, is seeking to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Secunderabad constituency in Telangana.

Telangana goes to polls on December 7 and the Congress has forged an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the state to oust the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Government of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS).

The Congress chief also appointed former Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit as Secretary of AICC and attached him to the AICC Civic and Social Outreach Congress.

Dikshit is the son of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit and has been an MP from the Delhi East constituency earlier.

The party chief also appointed Lingaraju as president of Karnataka Pradesh Fishermen Congress.

Among those appointed new general secretaries of Telanagana Pradesh Congress are Jagadeeshwara Rao, Nagesh Mudiraj, T Narsa Reddy, Manavatha Roy, Faheem, Kailash, Laxma Reddy and Krishank.

The new secretaries of TPCC are Durgam Bhaskar, Daruvu Ellanna, Vijay Kumar and Bala Laxmi.

Former Congress MP Mohammed Azharuddin was on Friday appointed working president of the party in Telangana days ahead of assembly elections in the southern state.

Former Congress MP Mohammed Azharuddin was on Friday appointed working president of the party in Telangana days ahead of assembly elections in the southern state. Congress president Rahul Gandhi also cleared some fresh appointments in the Telangana Pradesh Congress, approving the names of two vice presidents - B M Vinod Kumar and Jaffer Javed, eight new general secretaries and four secretaries in the state unit. "Congress president Rahul Gandhi has approved the appointment of Mohammed Azharuddin, ex-MP, as working president of the Telanagana Pradesh Congress Committee," a statement from AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot said. Azharuddin was a former captain of the Indian cricket team. His cricket career came to an abrupt end when he was implicated in the infamous match-fixing scandal in 2000 and was banned by the BCCI for life. However, the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2012 declared the life ban on him as illegal. Azharuddin was an MP from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh in 2009, after he joined the Congress in the same year. He again unsuccessfully contested the 2014 election from Rajasthan's Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency in 2014. The former cricketer, who hails from Hyderabad, is seeking to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Secunderabad constituency in Telangana. Telangana goes to polls on December 7 and the Congress has forged an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the state to oust the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Government of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS). The Congress chief also appointed former Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit as Secretary of AICC and attached him to the AICC Civic and Social Outreach Congress. Dikshit is the son of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit and has been an MP from the Delhi East constituency earlier. The party chief also appointed Lingaraju as president of Karnataka Pradesh Fishermen Congress. Among those appointed new general secretaries of Telanagana Pradesh Congress are Jagadeeshwara Rao, Nagesh Mudiraj, T Narsa Reddy, Manavatha Roy, Faheem, Kailash, Laxma Reddy and Krishank. The new secretaries of TPCC are Durgam Bhaskar, Daruvu Ellanna, Vijay Kumar and Bala Laxmi.

Azharuddin named Telangana Congress working president days before Assembly polls

The Election Commission on Friday ordered repoll at Ajasora polling station in Tuichawng Assembly constituency of Mizoram for non-functioning of EVMs on the polling day, an election official said.

The repoll will be conducted on December 4, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer H Lianzela said.

Over 300 voters could not exercise their franchise in the polling station due to persistent EVM snag on November 28, he said.

The Ajasora polling station belongs to the Chakma dominated Assembly constituency in Lawngtlai district of the state.

The Election Commission on Friday ordered repoll at Ajasora polling station in Tuichawng Assembly constituency of Mizoram for non-functioning of EVMs on the polling day, an election official said.

The Election Commission on Friday ordered repoll at Ajasora polling station in Tuichawng Assembly constituency of Mizoram for non-functioning of EVMs on the polling day, an election official said. The repoll will be conducted on December 4, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer H Lianzela said. Over 300 voters could not exercise their franchise in the polling station due to persistent EVM snag on November 28, he said. The Ajasora polling station belongs to the Chakma dominated Assembly constituency in Lawngtlai district of the state.

Election Commission orders repoll in Ajasora polling station in Mizoram

Telangana's Kawal Tiger Reserve is nowadays getting new kind of visitors, not the typical nature-loving tourists, as assembly election candidates of different political parties are thronging this place to woo tribal voters settled deep inside the Jannaram forest here.

The 42nd tiger reserve zone in India, located over 250 km away from the state capital Hyderabad, falls under the Khanapur assembly constituency which has 1.83 lakh electorate and is reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates.

Spread over 893 km, the reserve is one of the richest teak forests in the state and is home to animals like tiger, cheetal, sambar, nilgai, barking deer, chowsingha, and sloth bear, as also various species of birds and reptiles.

"Campaiging is not easy in jungle," said Thodasam Nagorao, who is contesting from little-know Prem Janata Dal party, as he got down from a Safari car that got struck in the forest and he had to walk to reach the Dongapalli village in Jannaram mandal.

He said reaching 'Lambada' tribes is relatively easy in Khanapur as they have come out of the forest area and are doing other works, but the 'Gondus' adivasis continue to stay in secluded areas deep inside the jungle.

After delimitation, Jannaram now falls in Khanapur assembly constituency.

With the election campaign peaking, candidates from different parties including the TRS, BJP and Congress are begun frequently visiting these areas with promises to do better work if they come to power.

But adivasis in Dongapalli and other villages appear to be disenchanted with what they call "false promises" made by the present government.

"We are not getting Rs 4,000 per acre incentive from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government under the Rythu Bandhu scheme because we don't have title deeds for our forest land," said a tribal woman, Rekha Nayak.

She wants the government to give title deeds for the land parcel she owns to avail benefits like other farmers.

"Our land issues have not been solved yet. But the TRS has done some good work and that we cannot deny," Malyala gram panchayat ex-sarpanch Manik Rao said.

Senior tribal citizens are getting a pension of Rs 1,000 per month and those who have title deeds of forest area are getting Rs 4,000 per acre for two crop seasons under the Rythu Bandhu scheme, he added.

The tribals are keen to come out of the forest life if the government gives them house and the similar land parcels that they own.

Another tribal woman, who makes cane-based products using bamboo from the forests, had a different problem to share.

"We received a free cooking gas cylinder from the government but we are unable to refill as prices have shot up to Rs 1,070 per cyclinder," she said.

As a result, most tribal women have gone back to old ways of using dead wood logs found in the forest for cooking purpose.

A forest department driver D Ashok said, "They have refilled their cylinder only once so far. Normally, the entire village collects the empty cylinders for refilling at a time."

Some need to hire a vehicle and travel 60 km to get the refill and the transportation charges adds to their burden, he said, showing empty cylinders outside a tribal family's house.

According to Ashok, there is no grocery store in the village and adivasis have to travel 6-8 km to buy daily-use items and it becomes more difficult in rainy season to step out of the forest.

Outsiders are not allowed to visit these adivasi settlements without permission in order to check wood felling and smuggling, he added.

As per the state government data, there are more than 26 lakh tribals in Telangana. Besides dominant tribal groups of Lambadas and Gonds, other tribes include Koya, Yerukala and Pradhan.

For this state assembly election scheduled for December 7, a polling booth is being set up in their village for the first time.

"The polling booth will be set up here for the first time," the ex-sarpanch said pointing out at the gram panchayat office in the village.

Two independents and 10 party candidates are trying their luck from Khanapur. These include Ajmeera Rekha from Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Ashok Satla (BJP), Ramesh Rathod (Congress), Ajmera Hair Naik (BSP) and Thodasam Bhim Rao (CPI-M).

TRS' Ajmeera Rekha defeated Telugu Desam Party's Rathod Ritesh in the 2014 assembly election by a margin of 38,000 votes.

Telangana's Kawal Tiger Reserve is nowadays getting new kind of visitors, not the typical nature-loving tourists, as assembly election candidates of different political parties are thronging this place to woo tribal voters settled deep inside the Jannaram forest here.

Telangana's Kawal Tiger Reserve is nowadays getting new kind of visitors, not the typical nature-loving tourists, as assembly election candidates of different political parties are thronging this place to woo tribal voters settled deep inside the Jannaram forest here. The 42nd tiger reserve zone in India, located over 250 km away from the state capital Hyderabad, falls under the Khanapur assembly constituency which has 1.83 lakh electorate and is reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. Spread over 893 km, the reserve is one of the richest teak forests in the state and is home to animals like tiger, cheetal, sambar, nilgai, barking deer, chowsingha, and sloth bear, as also various species of birds and reptiles. "Campaiging is not easy in jungle," said Thodasam Nagorao, who is contesting from little-know Prem Janata Dal party, as he got down from a Safari car that got struck in the forest and he had to walk to reach the Dongapalli village in Jannaram mandal. He said reaching 'Lambada' tribes is relatively easy in Khanapur as they have come out of the forest area and are doing other works, but the 'Gondus' adivasis continue to stay in secluded areas deep inside the jungle. After delimitation, Jannaram now falls in Khanapur assembly constituency. With the election campaign peaking, candidates from different parties including the TRS, BJP and Congress are begun frequently visiting these areas with promises to do better work if they come to power. But adivasis in Dongapalli and other villages appear to be disenchanted with what they call "false promises" made by the present government. "We are not getting Rs 4,000 per acre incentive from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government under the Rythu Bandhu scheme because we don't have title deeds for our forest land," said a tribal woman, Rekha Nayak. She wants the government to give title deeds for the land parcel she owns to avail benefits like other farmers. "Our land issues have not been solved yet. But the TRS has done some good work and that we cannot deny," Malyala gram panchayat ex-sarpanch Manik Rao said. Senior tribal citizens are getting a pension of Rs 1,000 per month and those who have title deeds of forest area are getting Rs 4,000 per acre for two crop seasons under the Rythu Bandhu scheme, he added. The tribals are keen to come out of the forest life if the government gives them house and the similar land parcels that they own. Another tribal woman, who makes cane-based products using bamboo from the forests, had a different problem to share. "We received a free cooking gas cylinder from the government but we are unable to refill as prices have shot up to Rs 1,070 per cyclinder," she said. As a result, most tribal women have gone back to old ways of using dead wood logs found in the forest for cooking purpose. A forest department driver D Ashok said, "They have refilled their cylinder only once so far. Normally, the entire village collects the empty cylinders for refilling at a time." Some need to hire a vehicle and travel 60 km to get the refill and the transportation charges adds to their burden, he said, showing empty cylinders outside a tribal family's house. According to Ashok, there is no grocery store in the village and adivasis have to travel 6-8 km to buy daily-use items and it becomes more difficult in rainy season to step out of the forest. Outsiders are not allowed to visit these adivasi settlements without permission in order to check wood felling and smuggling, he added. As per the state government data, there are more than 26 lakh tribals in Telangana. Besides dominant tribal groups of Lambadas and Gonds, other tribes include Koya, Yerukala and Pradhan. For this state assembly election scheduled for December 7, a polling booth is being set up in their village for the first time. "The polling booth will be set up here for the first time," the ex-sarpanch said pointing out at the gram panchayat office in the village. Two independents and 10 party candidates are trying their luck from Khanapur. These include Ajmeera Rekha from Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Ashok Satla (BJP), Ramesh Rathod (Congress), Ajmera Hair Naik (BSP) and Thodasam Bhim Rao (CPI-M). TRS' Ajmeera Rekha defeated Telugu Desam Party's Rathod Ritesh in the 2014 assembly election by a margin of 38,000 votes.

Telangana polls: Leaders throng Kawal Tiger Reserve to woo tribal voters

Fighting the most keenly observed contest in Rajasthan polls, Congress candidate Manvendra Singh said on Friday that it was an "uphill task" to beat Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in her political fortress of Jhalrapatan, but he was here to "fight and win" the election.

With a battle cry of "Jhalawar azaad hoga (Jhalawar will be free)", Singh said he is determined to live up to the challenge of taking on his formidable opponent.

"I am here to fight and win the election and not to contest for the sake of contesting," the son of former BJP leader Jaswant Singh said.

Manvendra Singh, who crossed over from the BJP to the Congress just weeks before joining the electoral fray, said when he was asked to fight against the chief minister, it took him just a second to accept the challenge.

Asked if he was viewing it as a "David and Goliath" battle, Singh answered in the negative.

"It is an uphill task no doubt. I am not belittling the challenge. It is an uphill task and I don't see myself as David at all. Besides the three Vidhan Sabha victories, she (Raje) has been MP from here for five times," Singh said.

"She has an advantage of 30 years and I have to cover that handicap of 30 years in 15 days. So it is a challenge... But it is a challenge I am living up to," said Singh, who had contested and won from Sheo assembly seat in 2013.

Rejecting his rivals' claims of being seen as an outsider here, Singh said he has been accepted "very wholeheartedly, very warmly" by the people of Jhalrapatan. 
It doesn't take people more than a day or two to know whether one belongs to them or not, Singh said.

On the kind of feedback he was getting after campaigning extensively in the Jhalrapatan constituency, Singh said: "I am being realistic. I am not pinning my hopes on a miracle, but it is not impossible. I am getting very positive feedback from the people and from the Congress workers who have been toiling on this seat for many years."

Despite the "very positive" feedback, Singh said, he keeps putting himself through a reality check and every time he gets a positive report, he keeps questioning that report to figure out where all it could go wrong.

Asked if the treatment meted out to his father by the BJP will have a bearing on the election, he said: "I don't think the BJP as such is answerable for this as Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi told me, it is some individual in Rajasthan and a couple of people in Delhi that are responsible for it."

He asserted that it will have a bearing on this election as it was a topic of discussion, not by him but by other speakers in some of the meetings.

On whether he would be in the running for the chief minister's post if he succeeds in the giant-killing act of defeating Raje, Singh said, "No, not at all."

What has made the Singh-Raje battle the most talked about is the tension between the two leaders that is well known.

Singh, 54, quit the BJP in September and joined the Congress in October after being sidelined within the ruling party, reportedly because of Raje's feud with his father Jaswant Singh, who was denied a BJP ticket in the last Lok Sabha polls.

Asked if it was also a "prestige battle" for him, Singh said, "I don't personally (take it as a prestige battle) and I don't link it to any kind of revenge that people talk about. I am just looking at it as an electoral contest and it should remain that way."

The contest should remain clean and fair, he added.

On Raje's statement that the Congress could not find a constituency for him and therefore fielded him against her from here, Singh said he didn't ask for a constituency.

"I was very clear from the time I joined the Congress party that I wasn't interested in a Vidhan Sabha election and I didn't ask for a seat for myself. So I think she is off the mark when she says that," he asserted.

He said the main issue in this constituency, on which he was taking on Raje, was farmers' distress.

"I was surprised by the distress among the farmers. Within the MLA constituency, there have been two farmer suicides in the last year or so," he said.

There is a seething anger about the garlic crop and how badly it has been handled in terms of the minimum support price issue, Singh said.

To resolve the MSP issue, the government came up with some kind of token system and those who have got a token would have their crop picked up, while others had their produce rotting in their house, he alleged.

Singh said the decision to switch to the Congress from the BJP evolved over a period of time and it was cemented by two factors - his friendship and fondness for Rahul Gandhi and a senior member of the BJP family telling him that wherever former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would be, he would be blessing him.

Fighting the most keenly observed contest in Rajasthan polls, Congress candidate Manvendra Singh said on Friday that it was an "uphill task" to beat Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in her political fortress of Jhalrapatan, but he was here to "fight and win" the election.

Fighting the most keenly observed contest in Rajasthan polls, Congress candidate Manvendra Singh said on Friday that it was an "uphill task" to beat Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in her political fortress of Jhalrapatan, but he was here to "fight and win" the election. With a battle cry of "Jhalawar azaad hoga (Jhalawar will be free)", Singh said he is determined to live up to the challenge of taking on his formidable opponent. "I am here to fight and win the election and not to contest for the sake of contesting," the son of former BJP leader Jaswant Singh said. Manvendra Singh, who crossed over from the BJP to the Congress just weeks before joining the electoral fray, said when he was asked to fight against the chief minister, it took him just a second to accept the challenge. Asked if he was viewing it as a "David and Goliath" battle, Singh answered in the negative. "It is an uphill task no doubt. I am not belittling the challenge. It is an uphill task and I don't see myself as David at all. Besides the three Vidhan Sabha victories, she (Raje) has been MP from here for five times," Singh said. "She has an advantage of 30 years and I have to cover that handicap of 30 years in 15 days. So it is a challenge... But it is a challenge I am living up to," said Singh, who had contested and won from Sheo assembly seat in 2013. Rejecting his rivals' claims of being seen as an outsider here, Singh said he has been accepted "very wholeheartedly, very warmly" by the people of Jhalrapatan. It doesn't take people more than a day or two to know whether one belongs to them or not, Singh said. On the kind of feedback he was getting after campaigning extensively in the Jhalrapatan constituency, Singh said: "I am being realistic. I am not pinning my hopes on a miracle, but it is not impossible. I am getting very positive feedback from the people and from the Congress workers who have been toiling on this seat for many years." Despite the "very positive" feedback, Singh said, he keeps putting himself through a reality check and every time he gets a positive report, he keeps questioning that report to figure out where all it could go wrong. Asked if the treatment meted out to his father by the BJP will have a bearing on the election, he said: "I don't think the BJP as such is answerable for this as Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi told me, it is some individual in Rajasthan and a couple of people in Delhi that are responsible for it." He asserted that it will have a bearing on this election as it was a topic of discussion, not by him but by other speakers in some of the meetings. On whether he would be in the running for the chief minister's post if he succeeds in the giant-killing act of defeating Raje, Singh said, "No, not at all." What has made the Singh-Raje battle the most talked about is the tension between the two leaders that is well known. Singh, 54, quit the BJP in September and joined the Congress in October after being sidelined within the ruling party, reportedly because of Raje's feud with his father Jaswant Singh, who was denied a BJP ticket in the last Lok Sabha polls. Asked if it was also a "prestige battle" for him, Singh said, "I don't personally (take it as a prestige battle) and I don't link it to any kind of revenge that people talk about. I am just looking at it as an electoral contest and it should remain that way." The contest should remain clean and fair, he added. On Raje's statement that the Congress could not find a constituency for him and therefore fielded him against her from here, Singh said he didn't ask for a constituency. "I was very clear from the time I joined the Congress party that I wasn't interested in a Vidhan Sabha election and I didn't ask for a seat for myself. So I think she is off the mark when she says that," he asserted. He said the main issue in this constituency, on which he was taking on Raje, was farmers' distress. "I was surprised by the distress among the farmers. Within the MLA constituency, there have been two farmer suicides in the last year or so," he said. There is a seething anger about the garlic crop and how badly it has been handled in terms of the minimum support price issue, Singh said. To resolve the MSP issue, the government came up with some kind of token system and those who have got a token would have their crop picked up, while others had their produce rotting in their house, he alleged. Singh said the decision to switch to the Congress from the BJP evolved over a period of time and it was cemented by two factors - his friendship and fondness for Rahul Gandhi and a senior member of the BJP family telling him that wherever former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would be, he would be blessing him.

Uphill task to beat Raje, but I'm here to win: Manvendra Singh

BJP chief Amit Shah targeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday for raising the issue of bank loans and non-performing assets (NPA) in poll rallies, saying those were the results of the misdeeds of the previous Congress-led government.

"The loans given through corrupt practices during the Congress government have turned into NPA. These are not loans given by the Narendra Modi government. These are the results of the misdeeds of the Congress government," he said, addressing an election rally at Kuchaman city of Nagaur district.

Referring to a report carried by the Indian Express newspaper on its front page, Shah alleged that the Nehru-Gandhi family's son-in-law had received commissions after a loan of thousands of crores of rupees was sanctioned to a big company.

"A company got a loan of thousands of crores and its commission reached the Nehru family's son-in-law within a few months, with which he bought 150 hectares of land in Bikaner at a throwaway price. I want to ask Rahul Gandhi if he can answer now," he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief also said fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi and liquor baron Vijay Mallya were given loans during the days of the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

"They did not fly away abroad (during the Congress rule) as they had no fear of the Congress. They believed that they had a partnership. Those who are being guarded, why will they run away? After the Modi government came to power, they had a fear of being jailed," he said.

Shah added that the BJP government would work towards getting each penny held by the fugitives back to the country.

The 200-member Rajasthan Assembly will go to the polls on December 7 and the results will be announced on December 11.

BJP chief Amit Shah targeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday for raising the issue of bank loans and non-performing assets (NPA) in poll rallies, saying those were the results of the misdeeds of the previous Congress-led government.

BJP chief Amit Shah targeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday for raising the issue of bank loans and non-performing assets (NPA) in poll rallies, saying those were the results of the misdeeds of the previous Congress-led government. "The loans given through corrupt practices during the Congress government have turned into NPA. These are not loans given by the Narendra Modi government. These are the results of the misdeeds of the Congress government," he said, addressing an election rally at Kuchaman city of Nagaur district. Referring to a report carried by the Indian Express newspaper on its front page, Shah alleged that the Nehru-Gandhi family's son-in-law had received commissions after a loan of thousands of crores of rupees was sanctioned to a big company. "A company got a loan of thousands of crores and its commission reached the Nehru family's son-in-law within a few months, with which he bought 150 hectares of land in Bikaner at a throwaway price. I want to ask Rahul Gandhi if he can answer now," he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief also said fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi and liquor baron Vijay Mallya were given loans during the days of the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. "They did not fly away abroad (during the Congress rule) as they had no fear of the Congress. They believed that they had a partnership. Those who are being guarded, why will they run away? After the Modi government came to power, they had a fear of being jailed," he said. Shah added that the BJP government would work towards getting each penny held by the fugitives back to the country. The 200-member Rajasthan Assembly will go to the polls on December 7 and the results will be announced on December 11.

NPAs result of previous Congress-led government's misdeeds: Amit Shah in Rajasthan

The 13th G20 Summit is all set to begin in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires today with India focusing on issues such as terror, black money and fugitive economic offenders.

Outlining his agenda at the G20 summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a yoga event in here said, "At G-20 summit many issues will be discussed, such as global economy, sustainable development, climate change, fugitive economic offenders. These are in the interest of the entire world, not just India and Argentina".

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Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale: The Secretary-General specifically acknowledged that India plays a very major role in climate change negotiations. He acknowledged that Prime Minister had taken a number of very concrete steps towards addressing climate change. <a href="https://t.co/DllEsahVa2">pic.twitter.com/DllEsahVa2</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1068302103452385280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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This comes even as fellow G20 country United Kingdom has been hosting fugitives like Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya who have duped India's banks with billions of Rupees. 
&nbsp; 
India's G20 sherpa had told WION in an exclusive interview last week that, 'India will like the need for greater cooperation on economic offence and the issue of fugitive economic offenders."

He added, "economic offence offences have posed a major threat to the global economy and can undermine the economic stability of the global economy"

Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi will also take part in two trilateral meetings and an informal BRICS meet. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-summit-a-day-of-trilaterals-for-india-180323">The </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-summit-a-day-of-trilaterals-for-india-180323">trilaterals</a> will include Japan, America and India or JAI and Russia, India and China or RIC. While the Russia-India-China trilateral is happening for the second time in 12 years, the Japan, America and India trilateral is taking place for the first time. This is an important trilateral coming on the background of the Indo Pacific concept gaining currency and quad meeting--India, Japan, Australia and US-- taking place earlier this year in Singapore.&nbsp;

Need to have stable oil prices: PM Modi tells Saudi Crown Prince

Indian Prime minister has a number of bilaterals lined-up ahead of the&nbsp;G20 Summit. He has already met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. With UN chief, the main subject of discussion was the forthcoming climate change meeting in Katowice, Poland, the so-called 'COP 24'. With the Saudi Crown Prince, PM raised the issue of having stable oil prices.

Briefing the media after the meet foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "Crown Prince informed PM that Saudi will be finalising an initial investment into the&nbsp;national infrastructure fund. He referred to future prospects for investment in tech, agricultural and energy sectors. PM, in particular, stressed on&nbsp; the importance of having stable energy prices."

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PM Narendra Modi held bilateral meeting with Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in Buenos Aires, Argentina. PM Modi is in Argentina to attend the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G20Summit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G20Summit</a>. <a href="https://t.co/hKV9HZQhH8">pic.twitter.com/hKV9HZQhH8</a>
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The Prime Minister will be meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, the fourth meeting between the two leaders this year after Wuhan Informal summit and the meet on the sidelines of SCO summit and BRICS Summit.

Other than this, the focus will be on the ongoing trade war as US president Donald Trump sits down with Chinese President. Trump has already cancelled his talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin over the crisis in Ukraine. Clearly, it is a high voltage summit.

The 13th G20 Summit is all set to begin in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires today with India focusing on issues such as terror, black money and fugitive economic offenders.

The 13th G20 Summit is all set to begin in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires today with India focusing on issues such as terror, black money and fugitive economic offenders. Outlining his agenda at the G20 summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a yoga event in here said, "At G-20 summit many issues will be discussed, such as global economy, sustainable development, climate change, fugitive economic offenders. These are in the interest of the entire world, not just India and Argentina". Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale: The Secretary-General specifically acknowledged that India plays a very major role in climate change negotiations. He acknowledged that Prime Minister had taken a number of very concrete steps towards addressing climate change. pic.twitter.com/DllEsahVa2 — ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2018 × This comes even as fellow G20 country United Kingdom has been hosting fugitives like Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya who have duped India's banks with billions of Rupees. India's G20 sherpa had told WION in an exclusive interview last week that, 'India will like the need for greater cooperation on economic offence and the issue of fugitive economic offenders." He added, "economic offence offences have posed a major threat to the global economy and can undermine the economic stability of the global economy" Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi will also take part in two trilateral meetings and an informal BRICS meet. The trilaterals will include Japan, America and India or JAI and Russia, India and China or RIC. While the Russia-India-China trilateral is happening for the second time in 12 years, the Japan, America and India trilateral is taking place for the first time. This is an important trilateral coming on the background of the Indo Pacific concept gaining currency and quad meeting--India, Japan, Australia and US-- taking place earlier this year in Singapore. Need to have stable oil prices: PM Modi tells Saudi Crown Prince Indian Prime minister has a number of bilaterals lined-up ahead of the G20 Summit. He has already met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. With UN chief, the main subject of discussion was the forthcoming climate change meeting in Katowice, Poland, the so-called 'COP 24'. With the Saudi Crown Prince, PM raised the issue of having stable oil prices. Briefing the media after the meet foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "Crown Prince informed PM that Saudi will be finalising an initial investment into the national infrastructure fund. He referred to future prospects for investment in tech, agricultural and energy sectors. PM, in particular, stressed on the importance of having stable energy prices." PM Narendra Modi held bilateral meeting with Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in Buenos Aires, Argentina. PM Modi is in Argentina to attend the #G20Summit. pic.twitter.com/hKV9HZQhH8 — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2018 × The Prime Minister will be meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, the fourth meeting between the two leaders this year after Wuhan Informal summit and the meet on the sidelines of SCO summit and BRICS Summit. Other than this, the focus will be on the ongoing trade war as US president Donald Trump sits down with Chinese President. Trump has already cancelled his talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin over the crisis in Ukraine. Clearly, it is a high voltage summit.

G20 Summit: PM Modi says focus on fugitive economic offenders, boosting global economy

Major parties appear to be engaged in a game of one-upmanship in poll-bound Telangana to woo the electorate with farmers and unemployed youth being among key sections getting extra weightage.

The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) led by caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, has promised farm loan waiver of up to Rs one lakh, if the party returns to a second term in office.

The Congress, leading the "Prajakutami" (People's Alliance) that comprises TDP, Telangana Jana Samiti and CPI, and the BJP, going it alone in the December 7 elections, have said they would waive farm loans up to Rs two lakh.

The Congress has promised a dole of Rs 3,000 per month for the unemployed youth, while the TRS and BJP are quoting a figure of Rs 3,016 and Rs 3,116, respectively.

All parties have sought to reach out to various sections of society in the "battle for Telangana".

The BJP has promised <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-promises-free-distribution-of-cows-to-1-lakh-people-every-year-in-manifesto-for-telangana-polls-180214">free distribution of one lakh cows</a> for people every year and enactment of a legislation to prevent forcible religious conversions and steps to send back Rohingyas and those who have illegally entered from Bangladesh.

The Congress has promised free power supply to all temples, mosques, churches and other places of worship, and judicial powers to the Wakf Board, if it came to power.

Major parties appear to be engaged in a game of one-upmanship in poll-bound Telangana to woo the electorate with farmers and unemployed youth being among key sections getting extra weightage.

Major parties appear to be engaged in a game of one-upmanship in poll-bound Telangana to woo the electorate with farmers and unemployed youth being among key sections getting extra weightage. The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) led by caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, has promised farm loan waiver of up to Rs one lakh, if the party returns to a second term in office. The Congress, leading the "Prajakutami" (People's Alliance) that comprises TDP, Telangana Jana Samiti and CPI, and the BJP, going it alone in the December 7 elections, have said they would waive farm loans up to Rs two lakh. The Congress has promised a dole of Rs 3,000 per month for the unemployed youth, while the TRS and BJP are quoting a figure of Rs 3,016 and Rs 3,116, respectively. All parties have sought to reach out to various sections of society in the "battle for Telangana". The BJP has promised free distribution of one lakh cows for people every year and enactment of a legislation to prevent forcible religious conversions and steps to send back Rohingyas and those who have illegally entered from Bangladesh. The Congress has promised free power supply to all temples, mosques, churches and other places of worship, and judicial powers to the Wakf Board, if it came to power.

Assembly elections 2018: Parties in one-upmanship game to woo voters in Telangana

Tyeb Mehta's painting "Durga Mahisasura Mardini" was sold for $2.9 million (Rs 20.49 crore) at Boundless India, Sotheby's inaugural auction in Mumbai Thursday evening.

Art works worth $7.9 million (Rs 55.40 crore) were sold at the auction, a Sotheby's official said, adding over 75 per cent of sold lots achieved prices above their pre-sale high estimates.

Mehta's painting had remained in the same private collection ever since it was commissioned from the artist in 1993.

Strong competition for Amrita Sher-Gil's "The Little Girl in Blue" drove the painting to sell over the high estimate for Rs 18.69 crore (USD 2.7 million), a record price for the artist in India.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6sbGBw0yarY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This is only the seventh oil painting by the artist to be offered anywhere in the world. The work had remained in the same collection for 80 years, since it was selected by the artist for her first solo show in 1937.

Earlier in the sale, a second work by Sher-Gil, a work on paper created by the artist when she was just 10 years old, was also sold.

Edward Gibbs, Sotheby's Chairman for the Middle East and India, said, "This is a milestone moment for Sotheby's. Tonights sale reflects Sotheby's continued commitment to the South Asian market."

Yamini Mehta, Sotheby's International Head of Indian and South Asian Art, said, "Tonight's results are a vote of confidence for the South Asian art market, with significant new records and benchmarks achieved across different artists and genres."

One of the most important sculptures created in modern India, an untitled 1950s bronze by Sadanand Bakre, achieved a record price for any 20th century Indian sculpture at Rs 1.88 crore.&nbsp;

Tyeb Mehta's painting "Durga Mahisasura Mardini" was sold for $2.9 million (Rs 20.49 crore) at Boundless India, Sotheby's inaugural auction in Mumbai Thursday evening.

Tyeb Mehta's painting "Durga Mahisasura Mardini" was sold for $2.9 million (Rs 20.49 crore) at Boundless India, Sotheby's inaugural auction in Mumbai Thursday evening. Art works worth $7.9 million (Rs 55.40 crore) were sold at the auction, a Sotheby's official said, adding over 75 per cent of sold lots achieved prices above their pre-sale high estimates. Mehta's painting had remained in the same private collection ever since it was commissioned from the artist in 1993. Strong competition for Amrita Sher-Gil's "The Little Girl in Blue" drove the painting to sell over the high estimate for Rs 18.69 crore (USD 2.7 million), a record price for the artist in India. This is only the seventh oil painting by the artist to be offered anywhere in the world. The work had remained in the same collection for 80 years, since it was selected by the artist for her first solo show in 1937. Earlier in the sale, a second work by Sher-Gil, a work on paper created by the artist when she was just 10 years old, was also sold. Edward Gibbs, Sotheby's Chairman for the Middle East and India, said, "This is a milestone moment for Sotheby's. Tonights sale reflects Sotheby's continued commitment to the South Asian market." Yamini Mehta, Sotheby's International Head of Indian and South Asian Art, said, "Tonight's results are a vote of confidence for the South Asian art market, with significant new records and benchmarks achieved across different artists and genres." One of the most important sculptures created in modern India, an untitled 1950s bronze by Sadanand Bakre, achieved a record price for any 20th century Indian sculpture at Rs 1.88 crore.

Tyeb Mehta's painting fetches Rs 20 crore at art auction in Mumbai

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Friday approached the Bombay High Court for Muslim reservation in Maharashtra, a day after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-government-proposes-16-quota-for-maratha-180173">state legislature passed the Maratha Reservation Bill</a> in Socially and Economically Backward category (SEBC).AIMIM`s Imtiyaz Jalil told ANI:

"We won`t challenge it but will go to the court with new facts for Muslim reservation."

On Thursday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that reservation for the Maratha community in government jobs and admission in public sector academic institutions would not have any adverse impact on the state`s existing quota policy.

Lashing out at the opposition over the reservation issue, Fadnavis asked why the previous government did not give scholarships to Muslim students.

"The opposition is dividing the people and they are doing politics on the reservation. They are talking about Muslim reservation for the sake of vote bank politics," he claimed.

The Maharashtra government had recently approved the Maratha Reservation Bill, for which the community has been protesting since 2017.

According to the Bill, the government will give separate reservation to Maratha community people under the category called socially and economically backward class or SEBC as per the recommendation of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission.&nbsp;

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Friday approached the Bombay High Court for Muslim reservation in Maharashtra, a day after the state legislature passed the Maratha Reservation Bill in Socially and Economically Backward category (SEBC).

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Friday approached the Bombay High Court for Muslim reservation in Maharashtra, a day after the state legislature passed the Maratha Reservation Bill in Socially and Economically Backward category (SEBC).AIMIM`s Imtiyaz Jalil told ANI: "We won`t challenge it but will go to the court with new facts for Muslim reservation." On Thursday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that reservation for the Maratha community in government jobs and admission in public sector academic institutions would not have any adverse impact on the state`s existing quota policy. Lashing out at the opposition over the reservation issue, Fadnavis asked why the previous government did not give scholarships to Muslim students. "The opposition is dividing the people and they are doing politics on the reservation. They are talking about Muslim reservation for the sake of vote bank politics," he claimed. The Maharashtra government had recently approved the Maratha Reservation Bill, for which the community has been protesting since 2017. According to the Bill, the government will give separate reservation to Maratha community people under the category called socially and economically backward class or SEBC as per the recommendation of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission.

AIMIM approaches Mumbai High Court for Muslim reservation in Maharashtra

The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned the final hearing in the extradition&nbsp;of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/biometric-details-of-rohingya-in-jk-will-be-collected-within-2-months-governor-satya-pal-malik-175636">Rohingyas </a>to January 2019.

The apex court was hearing the petition filed by two Rohingya immigrants, Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir, who claim that the Rohingyas have&nbsp;taken refuge in India after escaping from Myanmar due to widespread discrimination, violence and bloodshed against the community there.

The petition also sought a direction that Rohingyas be provided "basic amenities to ensure that they can live in human conditions as required by international law".

More than 650,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar's Rakhine state in August 2017 after Myanmar's army launched a massive crackdown in its northern state. India and Bangladesh are known to have given shelter to a large number of Rohingya refugees.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The military campaign — which the UN has called ethnic cleansing — followed an attack on police and army posts by the militant Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army group.&nbsp;

About 40,000 Rohingya currently live in Indian states of Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan.

The Centre had earlier asked the apex court to not to interfere in the Rohingya deportation case. Citing it as a threat for the national security the Centre also added that it was trying to resolve the issue by diplomatic efforts.

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Supreme Court today adjourned the Rohingya case for final disposal in January 2019. <a href="https://t.co/p5g08qKbr5">pic.twitter.com/p5g08qKbr5</a>
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Earlier Union Minister Rajnath Singh had directed the state governments to identify Rohingyas and carry out biometrics.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned the final hearing in the extradition of Rohingyas to January 2019. The apex court was hearing the petition filed by two Rohingya immigrants, Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir, who claim that the Rohingyas have taken refuge in India after escaping from Myanmar due to widespread discrimination, violence and bloodshed against the community there.

The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned the final hearing in the extradition of Rohingyas to January 2019. The apex court was hearing the petition filed by two Rohingya immigrants, Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir, who claim that the Rohingyas have taken refuge in India after escaping from Myanmar due to widespread discrimination, violence and bloodshed against the community there. The petition also sought a direction that Rohingyas be provided "basic amenities to ensure that they can live in human conditions as required by international law". More than 650,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar's Rakhine state in August 2017 after Myanmar's army launched a massive crackdown in its northern state. India and Bangladesh are known to have given shelter to a large number of Rohingya refugees. The military campaign — which the UN has called ethnic cleansing — followed an attack on police and army posts by the militant Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army group. About 40,000 Rohingya currently live in Indian states of Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan. The Centre had earlier asked the apex court to not to interfere in the Rohingya deportation case. Citing it as a threat for the national security the Centre also added that it was trying to resolve the issue by diplomatic efforts. Supreme Court today adjourned the Rohingya case for final disposal in January 2019. pic.twitter.com/p5g08qKbr5 — ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2018 × Earlier Union Minister Rajnath Singh had directed the state governments to identify Rohingyas and carry out biometrics. (With inputs from agencies)

Supreme Court adjourns Rohingya case for final extradition till January 2019

Traffic in central and Lutyens' Delhi went into a tizzy on Friday as thousands of farmers, who have been camping at the Ramlila ground since Thursday, began their <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/farmers-begin-march-towards-parliament-from-ramlila-maidan-3500-cops-deployed-180376">march to Parliament</a> amid heavy policy deployment, to press for their various demands including debt relief and remunerative prices for their produce.

Traffic was affected on the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, on the stretch near Guru Nanak Eye hospital, Maharaja Ranjit Singh flyover, Barakhamba Chowk and Janpath on Friday morning. Commuters were advised to avoid these routes.

Around 1,000 traffic police personnel have been deployed between Ramlila Maidan and Parliament to ensure that commuters do not face inconvenience.

"Due to this march, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Ferozshah Road, Janpath, Mandir Marg, Panchkuian Marg, Ashoka Road, Jai Singh Marg and inner and outer circles of Connaught Place will be affected. Our senior traffic officials, along with other traffic personnel, are managing traffic," a senior traffic police official said.

Citizens were advised to follow the Delhi Traffic Police Facebook page, Twitter handle, WhatsApp and the traffic helpline for live updates.

Over 3,500 police personnel have also been deployed on the route of the march and special arrangements have been made in Central and New Delhi police districts.

As many as 850 police personnel, up to the rank of sub-inspectors, have been deployed in the Central district. They have been augmented by the presence of 12 police companies, including two of women, each comprising 75-80 personnel, a police official said.

In New Delhi district, 346 police personnel, up to the rank of sub-inspectors, have been deployed and 600 personnel from other districts will also help them, the official said.

Farmers from different parts of the country, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh converged at the Ramlila ground on Thursday.

Banded under the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), which claims to be an umbrella body of 207 organisations of farmers and agricultural workers, many farmers arrived in the city on Thursday, on trains, buses and other modes of transport.

Traffic in central and Lutyens' Delhi went into a tizzy on Friday as thousands of farmers, who have been camping at the Ramlila ground since Thursday, began their march to Parliament amid heavy policy deployment, to press for their various demands including debt relief and remunerative prices for their produce.

Traffic in central and Lutyens' Delhi went into a tizzy on Friday as thousands of farmers, who have been camping at the Ramlila ground since Thursday, began their march to Parliament amid heavy policy deployment, to press for their various demands including debt relief and remunerative prices for their produce. Traffic was affected on the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, on the stretch near Guru Nanak Eye hospital, Maharaja Ranjit Singh flyover, Barakhamba Chowk and Janpath on Friday morning. Commuters were advised to avoid these routes. Around 1,000 traffic police personnel have been deployed between Ramlila Maidan and Parliament to ensure that commuters do not face inconvenience. "Due to this march, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Ferozshah Road, Janpath, Mandir Marg, Panchkuian Marg, Ashoka Road, Jai Singh Marg and inner and outer circles of Connaught Place will be affected. Our senior traffic officials, along with other traffic personnel, are managing traffic," a senior traffic police official said. Citizens were advised to follow the Delhi Traffic Police Facebook page, Twitter handle, WhatsApp and the traffic helpline for live updates. Over 3,500 police personnel have also been deployed on the route of the march and special arrangements have been made in Central and New Delhi police districts. As many as 850 police personnel, up to the rank of sub-inspectors, have been deployed in the Central district. They have been augmented by the presence of 12 police companies, including two of women, each comprising 75-80 personnel, a police official said. In New Delhi district, 346 police personnel, up to the rank of sub-inspectors, have been deployed and 600 personnel from other districts will also help them, the official said. Farmers from different parts of the country, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh converged at the Ramlila ground on Thursday. Banded under the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), which claims to be an umbrella body of 207 organisations of farmers and agricultural workers, many farmers arrived in the city on Thursday, on trains, buses and other modes of transport.

Farmers' march to Parliament throws traffic in tizzy in central, Lutyens' Delhi

A Delhi court Friday held ex-coal secretary H C Gupta guilty of the offences of corruption and criminal conspiracy in a coal scam case relating to allotment of coal blocks in West Bengal.

Besides Gupta, Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar also held guilty private firm Vikash Metals and Power Limited (VMPL), ex-joint secretary in the Ministry of Coal (MoC) KS Kropha, who is still in service and then director (CA-I) in MoC KC Samria in the case.

The court also convicted the firm's managing director Vikash Patni and its authorised signatory Anand Mallick in the case.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of Moira and Madhujore (North and South) coal blocks in West Bengal to VMPL. In September 2012, the CBI had registered an FIR in the case.

After pronouncement of the decision, all the five convicted persons were taken into custody by the court which fixed December 3 for hearing arguments on the quantum of punishment.

The convicts may get a maximum seven-year jail term.

The court had on August 19, 2016, framed charges, including cheating and criminal conspiracy against Gupta, the two public servants, the firm and its two officials in the case. They all had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. All the accused were currently out on bail.

It had said, "Charge for the offences under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servants), 420 (cheating) of IPC and also under sections 13(1)(c) and 13(1) (d) (criminal misconduct by public servants) of the PC Act has been framed against all the accused..."

It had put on trial all the accused in the case in which the CBI's closure report was earlier rejected by the court, asking the probe agency to further investigate the matter.

Gupta was earlier also convicted in two other coal scam cases relating to Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd (KSSPL) and Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL). Kropha and Samria were also convicted in KSSPL case.

Around eight different charge sheets have been filed against Gupta and proceedings are going on separately in each case.

On July 25, 2014, the Supreme Court had approved the appointment of Additional Sessions Judge Parashar as the special judge to deal with all coal scam cases.

A Delhi court Friday held ex-coal secretary H C Gupta guilty of the offences of corruption and criminal conspiracy in a coal scam case relating to allotment of coal blocks in West Bengal.

A Delhi court Friday held ex-coal secretary H C Gupta guilty of the offences of corruption and criminal conspiracy in a coal scam case relating to allotment of coal blocks in West Bengal. Besides Gupta, Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar also held guilty private firm Vikash Metals and Power Limited (VMPL), ex-joint secretary in the Ministry of Coal (MoC) KS Kropha, who is still in service and then director (CA-I) in MoC KC Samria in the case. The court also convicted the firm's managing director Vikash Patni and its authorised signatory Anand Mallick in the case. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of Moira and Madhujore (North and South) coal blocks in West Bengal to VMPL. In September 2012, the CBI had registered an FIR in the case. After pronouncement of the decision, all the five convicted persons were taken into custody by the court which fixed December 3 for hearing arguments on the quantum of punishment. The convicts may get a maximum seven-year jail term. The court had on August 19, 2016, framed charges, including cheating and criminal conspiracy against Gupta, the two public servants, the firm and its two officials in the case. They all had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. All the accused were currently out on bail. It had said, "Charge for the offences under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servants), 420 (cheating) of IPC and also under sections 13(1)(c) and 13(1) (d) (criminal misconduct by public servants) of the PC Act has been framed against all the accused..." It had put on trial all the accused in the case in which the CBI's closure report was earlier rejected by the court, asking the probe agency to further investigate the matter. Gupta was earlier also convicted in two other coal scam cases relating to Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd (KSSPL) and Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd (VISUL). Kropha and Samria were also convicted in KSSPL case. Around eight different charge sheets have been filed against Gupta and proceedings are going on separately in each case. On July 25, 2014, the Supreme Court had approved the appointment of Additional Sessions Judge Parashar as the special judge to deal with all coal scam cases.

Court holds ex-secretary HC Gupta, five others guilty in coal scam case

The Madras High Court has stayed proceedings in a criminal defamation case against DMK president M K Stalin over certain remarks made by him against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami in September.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh issued the interim order on Thursday on a petition by Stalin against the proceedings arising out of a complaint filed against him under Section 500 (defamation) of the IPC over his alleged public speech in Salem on September 18 criticising the chief minister.

The case was initially filed in a court in Salem and later transferred to the special court for cases against MPs and MLAs in Chennai.

Stalin submitted that the trial court had failed to note that the allegations made against the chief minister did not amount to defamation.

He alleged that the complaint had been filed with malicious and political motive to harass him.

Making a statement against Palaniswami in his individual capacity cannot be said to be damaging the reputation of the office of the chief minister, the DMK chief submitted.

The public prosecutor opposed the plea and argued that baseless and unsubstantiated allegations made by the petitioner against the chief minister constituted criminal defamation and he was liable to be prosecuted.

<img src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif" />

The Madras High Court has stayed proceedings in a criminal defamation case against DMK president M K Stalin over certain remarks made by him against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami in September.

The Madras High Court has stayed proceedings in a criminal defamation case against DMK president M K Stalin over certain remarks made by him against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami in September. Justice N Anand Venkatesh issued the interim order on Thursday on a petition by Stalin against the proceedings arising out of a complaint filed against him under Section 500 (defamation) of the IPC over his alleged public speech in Salem on September 18 criticising the chief minister. The case was initially filed in a court in Salem and later transferred to the special court for cases against MPs and MLAs in Chennai. Stalin submitted that the trial court had failed to note that the allegations made against the chief minister did not amount to defamation. He alleged that the complaint had been filed with malicious and political motive to harass him. Making a statement against Palaniswami in his individual capacity cannot be said to be damaging the reputation of the office of the chief minister, the DMK chief submitted. The public prosecutor opposed the plea and argued that baseless and unsubstantiated allegations made by the petitioner against the chief minister constituted criminal defamation and he was liable to be prosecuted.

Madras High Court stays proceedings in defamation case against DMK chief Stalin

Weak farm prices are threatening to hurt PM Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party as it faces a critical test in three state elections dominated by rural voters in the Hindi-speaking belt that is its traditional stronghold.

On a visit last week to the most crucial of the three states, Madhya Pradesh, which voted on Wednesday, Reuters spoke to 134 rural voters along a 400 km (250 miles) corridor - 89, or about two-thirds, said they would vote for the opposition Congress party rather than the ruling BJP.

"Diesel and fertiliser prices have shot up but paddy and wheat prices rose only marginally," said Prem Naryan Meena, a 60-year-old wheat farmer in Gudari Ghat village on the outskirts of Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal. "Our net realisation has been falling every year."

Meena says he will vote Congress for the first time in his life because the BJP has failed to lift farmers' earnings as promised. He voted BJP in the last state and general elections.

The latest survey from pollster C Voter puts Congress marginally ahead in both Madhya Pradesh and the second of the Hindi-speaking states, Chhattisgarh, where voting has been completed. Congress has an 8.2 percentage-point lead in the third state, Rajasthan, according to the survey. All three results are expected on December 11.

"WE CAN'T EAT ROADS"

The BJP currently controls all three states, and if it loses more than one it could prompt a re-think of its strategy heading into next year's general election, which is due to be held by May.

Political strategists say that could mean trying to find quick ways to bolster incomes in the countryside through additional subsidies. It could also mean forcefully playing the "Hindus-first" card, which they say could appeal to the majority population but risk creating communal conflict.

Investors are also likely to take fright if the pro-business BJP suffers major losses. It would create major policy uncertainty by raising the prospects that Modi could either lose next year's election or be faced with forming a much less powerful coalition government.

The BJP's message still can resonate in rural areas on the back of some of the government's development initiatives. These include a push for access to electricity, provision of better sanitation, subsidies for cooking systems run off liquefied petroleum gas, and better roads.

But that is not enough for many farmers struggling with low crop prices.

"Government says they are working to double farmers' income, but instead of rising, crop prices are falling. We sold soybean at 5,000 rupees (per 100 kg) in 2014 and now we are getting 2,900 rupees," said 30-year-old farmer Anil Verma, from the Sehore district, 50 km from Bhopal.

And while voters acknowledge the improved roads, some such as Ramnaryan Gour, a taxi driver in Bhopal, do not see it as enough of a reason to support the BJP.

"We can't eat roads. Our income should go up, which is not happening," said Gaur, who plans to vote for Congress.

PARALYSED TRADING

The government points to initiatives such as improved irrigation, crop insurance and electronic trading platforms for farmers to sell produce as evidence it has helped rural Indians, who make up around 70 per cent of the 1.3 billion population.

But the low farm prices can also be at least partially blamed on government policies.

After coming to power, the Modi administration tried to bring down food inflation by raising crop procurement prices much less than its predecessor, cutting import taxes on various farm commodities and restricting overseas sales of some crops. These policies, along with a supply glut overseas, hurt crop prices in India.

Then the government in 2016 scrapped high-value currency notes as it sought to crack down on the black economy. That paralysed trading of farm commodities and dragged prices down further.

The national government has more recently been trying to support rural incomes by steeply raising minimum support prices for summer-sown crops – prices at which the government says it is prepared to buy the crops from the farmers. But farmers have been selling crops at as much as a 30 percent discount to these prices when they have a big supply glut because a lack of storage and transport capacity means the government system does not function effectively.

And the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has been on the back foot since six farmers protesting against lower prices in mid-2017 were shot and killed by police in Mandsaur district. The incident angered farmers and prompted Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to offer them concessions.

The state rolled out a programme that promised to pay farmers the difference between the actual crop sale price and the government mandated price.

But it did not work as traders profited from the scheme and the difference between market prices and support prices widened further, according to Deviprasad Mandloi, who grows black lentils in Sehore.

Growers of garlic, onion and tomatoes – all big crops in the state - have been hit particularly hard as prices have plunged.

"In garlic we are not recovering half of the production cost," said Deepak Yogi, showing a reporter garlic bags stored in a cattle shed in Sehore.

Garlic prices have fallen to 9 rupees a kg, from nearly 100 rupees a kg in January 2017.

If the farmers' sentiments are reflected across Madhya Pradesh, which has been held by the BJP for the past three terms, or 15 years, then it will be a major defeat for Modi.

Congress has been trying to tap into farmers' discontent with promises to waive farm loans.

After winning all three state elections in late 2013, the BJP won 62 out of 65 seats - 27 out of 29 in Madhya Pradesh - that those states sent to the 545-member lower house in the 2014 general election.

A poor performance by the BJP in the three "will be indicative of slipping ground in strongholds," said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, a biographer of Modi. It would also make Congress more credible and put it in a stronger position to negotiate alliances with smaller regional parties, he said.

The expectation in financial markets is that the BJP will win at least two of the three states.

If the BJP loses all three "then there would be a sell-off in the market," said Sanjay Mookim, India equity strategist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, adding that there would be concerns that an unstable coalition government may result.

Weak farm prices are threatening to hurt PM Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party as it faces a critical test in three state elections dominated by rural voters in the Hindi-speaking belt that is its traditional stronghold.

Weak farm prices are threatening to hurt PM Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party as it faces a critical test in three state elections dominated by rural voters in the Hindi-speaking belt that is its traditional stronghold. On a visit last week to the most crucial of the three states, Madhya Pradesh, which voted on Wednesday, Reuters spoke to 134 rural voters along a 400 km (250 miles) corridor - 89, or about two-thirds, said they would vote for the opposition Congress party rather than the ruling BJP. "Diesel and fertiliser prices have shot up but paddy and wheat prices rose only marginally," said Prem Naryan Meena, a 60-year-old wheat farmer in Gudari Ghat village on the outskirts of Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal. "Our net realisation has been falling every year." Meena says he will vote Congress for the first time in his life because the BJP has failed to lift farmers' earnings as promised. He voted BJP in the last state and general elections. The latest survey from pollster C Voter puts Congress marginally ahead in both Madhya Pradesh and the second of the Hindi-speaking states, Chhattisgarh, where voting has been completed. Congress has an 8.2 percentage-point lead in the third state, Rajasthan, according to the survey. All three results are expected on December 11. "WE CAN'T EAT ROADS" The BJP currently controls all three states, and if it loses more than one it could prompt a re-think of its strategy heading into next year's general election, which is due to be held by May. Political strategists say that could mean trying to find quick ways to bolster incomes in the countryside through additional subsidies. It could also mean forcefully playing the "Hindus-first" card, which they say could appeal to the majority population but risk creating communal conflict. Investors are also likely to take fright if the pro-business BJP suffers major losses. It would create major policy uncertainty by raising the prospects that Modi could either lose next year's election or be faced with forming a much less powerful coalition government. The BJP's message still can resonate in rural areas on the back of some of the government's development initiatives. These include a push for access to electricity, provision of better sanitation, subsidies for cooking systems run off liquefied petroleum gas, and better roads. But that is not enough for many farmers struggling with low crop prices. "Government says they are working to double farmers' income, but instead of rising, crop prices are falling. We sold soybean at 5,000 rupees (per 100 kg) in 2014 and now we are getting 2,900 rupees," said 30-year-old farmer Anil Verma, from the Sehore district, 50 km from Bhopal. And while voters acknowledge the improved roads, some such as Ramnaryan Gour, a taxi driver in Bhopal, do not see it as enough of a reason to support the BJP. "We can't eat roads. Our income should go up, which is not happening," said Gaur, who plans to vote for Congress. PARALYSED TRADING The government points to initiatives such as improved irrigation, crop insurance and electronic trading platforms for farmers to sell produce as evidence it has helped rural Indians, who make up around 70 per cent of the 1.3 billion population. But the low farm prices can also be at least partially blamed on government policies. After coming to power, the Modi administration tried to bring down food inflation by raising crop procurement prices much less than its predecessor, cutting import taxes on various farm commodities and restricting overseas sales of some crops. These policies, along with a supply glut overseas, hurt crop prices in India. Then the government in 2016 scrapped high-value currency notes as it sought to crack down on the black economy. That paralysed trading of farm commodities and dragged prices down further. The national government has more recently been trying to support rural incomes by steeply raising minimum support prices for summer-sown crops – prices at which the government says it is prepared to buy the crops from the farmers. But farmers have been selling crops at as much as a 30 percent discount to these prices when they have a big supply glut because a lack of storage and transport capacity means the government system does not function effectively. And the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has been on the back foot since six farmers protesting against lower prices in mid-2017 were shot and killed by police in Mandsaur district. The incident angered farmers and prompted Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to offer them concessions. The state rolled out a programme that promised to pay farmers the difference between the actual crop sale price and the government mandated price. But it did not work as traders profited from the scheme and the difference between market prices and support prices widened further, according to Deviprasad Mandloi, who grows black lentils in Sehore. Growers of garlic, onion and tomatoes – all big crops in the state - have been hit particularly hard as prices have plunged. "In garlic we are not recovering half of the production cost," said Deepak Yogi, showing a reporter garlic bags stored in a cattle shed in Sehore. Garlic prices have fallen to 9 rupees a kg, from nearly 100 rupees a kg in January 2017. If the farmers' sentiments are reflected across Madhya Pradesh, which has been held by the BJP for the past three terms, or 15 years, then it will be a major defeat for Modi. Congress has been trying to tap into farmers' discontent with promises to waive farm loans. After winning all three state elections in late 2013, the BJP won 62 out of 65 seats - 27 out of 29 in Madhya Pradesh - that those states sent to the 545-member lower house in the 2014 general election. A poor performance by the BJP in the three "will be indicative of slipping ground in strongholds," said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, a biographer of Modi. It would also make Congress more credible and put it in a stronger position to negotiate alliances with smaller regional parties, he said. The expectation in financial markets is that the BJP will win at least two of the three states. If the BJP loses all three "then there would be a sell-off in the market," said Sanjay Mookim, India equity strategist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, adding that there would be concerns that an unstable coalition government may result.

Assembly elections 2018: Angry farmers could upset Modi in major state elections test

Amid the raging controversy surrounding Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu`s visit to Pakistan, the cricketer-turned-politician has now landed in a soup after Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla posted a photograph with the Congress leader on social media.

Chawla posted the snap on his Facebook page, where he is seen standing next to Sidhu during the latter`s visit to Pakistan for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor.

The foundation stone of the route was laid down by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday.

The Kartarpur corridor along the India-Pakistan border is three kilometres away from Gurdaspur in Punjab. Once opened, it would allow Sikh pilgrims a direct access to the historic Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev died in 1539.

The Khalistani leader was also seen meeting and hugging Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Jawed Bajwa at the same event.

Chawla`s presence in Pakistan comes at a time when Khalistan separatist groups have already strategised and become active to use the route to push terrorism and separatist activities in India.

A US-based separatist organisation, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has announced that it would hold "Kartarpur Sahib Convention - 2019" in Pakistan for anti-India propaganda in November 2019 during the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev.

The pro-Khalistan outfit has termed the route as a "Bridge to Khalistan".Sidhu`s remarks at the Kartarpur Corridor ceremony also created furore back home as he not only mentioned the Rafale deal controversy in his speech, but also heaped praises on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The Congress leader had grabbed headlines when he extended a hug to the Pakistani Army Chief at Imran Khan`s oath-taking ceremony as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, in August this year.&nbsp;

Amid the raging controversy surrounding Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu`s visit to Pakistan, the cricketer-turned-politician has now landed in a soup after Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla posted a photograph with the Congress leader on social media.

Amid the raging controversy surrounding Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu`s visit to Pakistan, the cricketer-turned-politician has now landed in a soup after Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla posted a photograph with the Congress leader on social media. Chawla posted the snap on his Facebook page, where he is seen standing next to Sidhu during the latter`s visit to Pakistan for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor. The foundation stone of the route was laid down by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday. The Kartarpur corridor along the India-Pakistan border is three kilometres away from Gurdaspur in Punjab. Once opened, it would allow Sikh pilgrims a direct access to the historic Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev died in 1539. The Khalistani leader was also seen meeting and hugging Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Jawed Bajwa at the same event. Chawla`s presence in Pakistan comes at a time when Khalistan separatist groups have already strategised and become active to use the route to push terrorism and separatist activities in India. A US-based separatist organisation, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has announced that it would hold "Kartarpur Sahib Convention - 2019" in Pakistan for anti-India propaganda in November 2019 during the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev. The pro-Khalistan outfit has termed the route as a "Bridge to Khalistan".Sidhu`s remarks at the Kartarpur Corridor ceremony also created furore back home as he not only mentioned the Rafale deal controversy in his speech, but also heaped praises on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. The Congress leader had grabbed headlines when he extended a hug to the Pakistani Army Chief at Imran Khan`s oath-taking ceremony as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, in August this year.

Khalistani leader Gopal Chawla posts snap with Sidhu

The Congress on Thursday announced farm loan waiver, allowance to educated unemployed youths, and Accountability Bill among a slew of promises in its manifesto to win the Rajasthan assembly polls, scheduled for December 7.

Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) president Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot released the manifesto in the presence of other party leaders.

"Our manifesto is not just a document, but a commitment," said Pilot.

With a view to empowering girls in a holistic manner, the Congress leader said, "Our government, if formed, will bear the entire education expenses of girls.

We will finance their entire education," he added.

Pilot said that unemployed educated youths would get Rs 3,500 as monthly allowance.

"We will also give jobs to them and easy loans so that they set up their own businesses too," he said.

Moreover, students will get free travel facilities to appear in the examination, he added.

"The Congress will waive off farmers` loan once the party forms the government in the state. Farm equipment will be freed from the Goods and Services Tax (GST)," he said, adding that old farmers would get pension.

He also promised to set up the `Gauchar Bhumi Board` which will ensure that cows are provided with adequate fodder.

"If the Congress is voted to power, we will make college and university curriculum industry-friendly. We will also form a board for the workers of unorganised sector so that they are taken care of in a better manner," he said.

Pilot also said the Congress, if voted to power, will bring the Accountability Bill within 30 days of coming to power.

The former union minister also said it was the people`s thought which was embodied in the manifesto, and not that of the Congress.

"The BJP should apologise to the people of the state for not fulfilling its promises. The BJP, which kept the people jobless for five years, is now talking about allowance to them. We ascertained the views and suggestions of 2 lakh people on different digital platforms (to create the manifesto)," he added.

The Congress on Thursday announced farm loan waiver, allowance to educated unemployed youths, and Accountability Bill among a slew of promises in its manifesto to win the Rajasthan assembly polls, scheduled for December 7.

The Congress on Thursday announced farm loan waiver, allowance to educated unemployed youths, and Accountability Bill among a slew of promises in its manifesto to win the Rajasthan assembly polls, scheduled for December 7. Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) president Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot released the manifesto in the presence of other party leaders. "Our manifesto is not just a document, but a commitment," said Pilot. With a view to empowering girls in a holistic manner, the Congress leader said, "Our government, if formed, will bear the entire education expenses of girls. We will finance their entire education," he added. Pilot said that unemployed educated youths would get Rs 3,500 as monthly allowance. "We will also give jobs to them and easy loans so that they set up their own businesses too," he said. Moreover, students will get free travel facilities to appear in the examination, he added. "The Congress will waive off farmers` loan once the party forms the government in the state. Farm equipment will be freed from the Goods and Services Tax (GST)," he said, adding that old farmers would get pension. He also promised to set up the `Gauchar Bhumi Board` which will ensure that cows are provided with adequate fodder. "If the Congress is voted to power, we will make college and university curriculum industry-friendly. We will also form a board for the workers of unorganised sector so that they are taken care of in a better manner," he said. Pilot also said the Congress, if voted to power, will bring the Accountability Bill within 30 days of coming to power. The former union minister also said it was the people`s thought which was embodied in the manifesto, and not that of the Congress. "The BJP should apologise to the people of the state for not fulfilling its promises. The BJP, which kept the people jobless for five years, is now talking about allowance to them. We ascertained the views and suggestions of 2 lakh people on different digital platforms (to create the manifesto)," he added.

Congress promises farm loan waiver, unemployment allowance to youths in Rajasthan

The government Wednesday lowered the country's economic growth rate <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-government-manipulating-gdp-data-of-previous-years-congress-180145">during the previous Congress-led UPA regime</a>, shaving off over 1 percentage point from the only year when India posted double-digit GDP growth post-liberalisation and from each of the three years with 9-plus per cent expansion.

Recalibrating data of past years using 2011-12 as the base year instead of 2004-05, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) estimated that India's GDP grew by 8.5 per cent in the financial year 2010-11 (April 2010 to March 2011) and not at 10.3 per cent as previously estimated.

Similarly, 9.3 per cent growth rate each in 2005-06 and 2006-07 was lowered to 7.9 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively, while 7.7 per cent rate was now estimated for 2007-08 instead of 9.8 per cent.

The revised growth numbers have been released ahead of the 2019 general elections. 
Meanwhile, the BJP tweeted that the average growth during UPA period (2005-06 to 2013-14) works out to be 6.7 per cent, less than 7.35 per cent recorded during the four years of NDA rule (2014-15 to 2017-18).

At a joint press conference along with Chief Statistician Pravin Srivastava, Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar said variation in two sets of numbers was due to the recalibration of data in certain sectors of the economy, including mining, quarrying and telecom.

"A complex exercise has been carried out by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation to update the National Accounts Series. The new series has made significant methodological improvements," Kumar said.

He added that the New Series, with its supporting back series, is "internationally comparable and is in sync with UN Standard National Account."

When asked if it is a coincidence that GDP numbers have been revised downwards only for the UPA period, Kumar replied in the negative.

"No it was not a coincidence. It was a matter of hard work done by the CSO officials who had taken the pain to do all the recalibration of economy that they have done," he said, adding, the methodology adopted has been vetted by leading statisticians.

Kumar further said the government has no intention to "mislead or try and do something purposefully" which does not reflect the reality.

The GDP growth rate for 2008-09 -- the year that witnessed the global financial crisis -- was lowered to 3.1 per cent from 3.9 per cent in the previous estimate. For the following fiscal, the same was revised to 7.9 per cent from 8.5 per cent and for 2011-12, the growth was lowered to 5.2 per cent from 6.6 per cent.

In January 2015, the government moved to a new base year of 2011-12 from the earlier 2004-05 for national accounts. The base year of national accounts had been revised earlier in January 2010.

The so-called back-series data released Wednesday is in contrast to an August 2018 report by the Committee on Real Sector Statistics appointed by the National Statistical Commission (NSC), the autonomous body that helps in collection of data by India's statistical agencies.

In the report, which the government had subsequently stated was a draft seeking comments from stakeholders, the economy grew at a faster pace under the UPA government from 2004-05 to 2013-14, compared with the average growth during the first four years of the current government.

It had put the GDP growth at 10.08 per cent in 2006-07 under the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the highest since the liberalisation of the economy in 1991. 
The committee's report has not been accepted and Kumar said the methodology adopted by them was flawed.

Giving reasons for divergence in the data sets, Srivastava said in the new series the share of primary sector in total Gross Value Added (GVA) is higher than that in the earlier 2004-05 series primarily due to changes in the data sources.

In the mining and quarrying sector, regular annual returns of public sector have been used instead of the Indian Bureau of Mines data in the 2004-05 base.

As per the CSO, the share of secondary sector in total GVA has increased in the back-series compared to the 2004-05 series. The increase is largely due to use of Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) data and public sector data in organised electricity and manufacturing sectors, which was earlier sourced from annual reports of private electricity companies and annual survey of industries, respectively.

The share of the tertiary sector, which mainly includes services, in overall GVA has reduced in the back-series compared to the 2004-05 series.

Giving an example, Kumar said in the communication sector, in the old series benchmark estimates were moved with telecom subscriber growth, where the growth was over 20 per cent.

In the new series, minutes of usage has been adopted, which better reflects the behaviour of this sector, said the Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman.

The GDP figures for fiscals 2012-13 onwards on old series are not available for comparison, Kumar said, adding that the methodology used for computing the national accounts is in line with global standards.

He further said that it would be not be appropriate to compare back series GDP data with the one prepared by the NSC committee.

According to former chief statistician TCA Anant, the changes are quite substantial and based on data related to hotel, retail and wholesale trade.

"When we got final trade survey based data in 2010-11 from NSS survey, we found trade estimates in old series were significantly overestimated," Anant said.&nbsp;

The government Wednesday lowered the country's economic growth rate during the previous Congress-led UPA regime, shaving off over 1 percentage point from the only year when India posted double-digit GDP growth post-liberalisation and from each of the three years with 9-plus per cent expansion.

The government Wednesday lowered the country's economic growth rate during the previous Congress-led UPA regime, shaving off over 1 percentage point from the only year when India posted double-digit GDP growth post-liberalisation and from each of the three years with 9-plus per cent expansion. Recalibrating data of past years using 2011-12 as the base year instead of 2004-05, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) estimated that India's GDP grew by 8.5 per cent in the financial year 2010-11 (April 2010 to March 2011) and not at 10.3 per cent as previously estimated. Similarly, 9.3 per cent growth rate each in 2005-06 and 2006-07 was lowered to 7.9 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively, while 7.7 per cent rate was now estimated for 2007-08 instead of 9.8 per cent. The revised growth numbers have been released ahead of the 2019 general elections. Meanwhile, the BJP tweeted that the average growth during UPA period (2005-06 to 2013-14) works out to be 6.7 per cent, less than 7.35 per cent recorded during the four years of NDA rule (2014-15 to 2017-18). At a joint press conference along with Chief Statistician Pravin Srivastava, Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar said variation in two sets of numbers was due to the recalibration of data in certain sectors of the economy, including mining, quarrying and telecom. "A complex exercise has been carried out by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation to update the National Accounts Series. The new series has made significant methodological improvements," Kumar said. He added that the New Series, with its supporting back series, is "internationally comparable and is in sync with UN Standard National Account." When asked if it is a coincidence that GDP numbers have been revised downwards only for the UPA period, Kumar replied in the negative. "No it was not a coincidence. It was a matter of hard work done by the CSO officials who had taken the pain to do all the recalibration of economy that they have done," he said, adding, the methodology adopted has been vetted by leading statisticians. Kumar further said the government has no intention to "mislead or try and do something purposefully" which does not reflect the reality. The GDP growth rate for 2008-09 -- the year that witnessed the global financial crisis -- was lowered to 3.1 per cent from 3.9 per cent in the previous estimate. For the following fiscal, the same was revised to 7.9 per cent from 8.5 per cent and for 2011-12, the growth was lowered to 5.2 per cent from 6.6 per cent. In January 2015, the government moved to a new base year of 2011-12 from the earlier 2004-05 for national accounts. The base year of national accounts had been revised earlier in January 2010. The so-called back-series data released Wednesday is in contrast to an August 2018 report by the Committee on Real Sector Statistics appointed by the National Statistical Commission (NSC), the autonomous body that helps in collection of data by India's statistical agencies. In the report, which the government had subsequently stated was a draft seeking comments from stakeholders, the economy grew at a faster pace under the UPA government from 2004-05 to 2013-14, compared with the average growth during the first four years of the current government. It had put the GDP growth at 10.08 per cent in 2006-07 under the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the highest since the liberalisation of the economy in 1991. The committee's report has not been accepted and Kumar said the methodology adopted by them was flawed. Giving reasons for divergence in the data sets, Srivastava said in the new series the share of primary sector in total Gross Value Added (GVA) is higher than that in the earlier 2004-05 series primarily due to changes in the data sources. In the mining and quarrying sector, regular annual returns of public sector have been used instead of the Indian Bureau of Mines data in the 2004-05 base. As per the CSO, the share of secondary sector in total GVA has increased in the back-series compared to the 2004-05 series. The increase is largely due to use of Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) data and public sector data in organised electricity and manufacturing sectors, which was earlier sourced from annual reports of private electricity companies and annual survey of industries, respectively. The share of the tertiary sector, which mainly includes services, in overall GVA has reduced in the back-series compared to the 2004-05 series. Giving an example, Kumar said in the communication sector, in the old series benchmark estimates were moved with telecom subscriber growth, where the growth was over 20 per cent. In the new series, minutes of usage has been adopted, which better reflects the behaviour of this sector, said the Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman. The GDP figures for fiscals 2012-13 onwards on old series are not available for comparison, Kumar said, adding that the methodology used for computing the national accounts is in line with global standards. He further said that it would be not be appropriate to compare back series GDP data with the one prepared by the NSC committee. According to former chief statistician TCA Anant, the changes are quite substantial and based on data related to hotel, retail and wholesale trade. "When we got final trade survey based data in 2010-11 from NSS survey, we found trade estimates in old series were significantly overestimated," Anant said.

Ahead of 2019 polls, govt slashes GDP growth rates during UPA era

Pakistan PM Imran Khan meets Indian journalists

In an exclusive conversation with WION ahead of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/13th-g20-summit-from-trade-wars-to-terror-to-south-south-cooperation-focus-on-consensus-making-179885">G20 summit in Buenos Aires</a>, Argentina’s ambassador to India Daniel Chuburu said the focus of the summit will be on putting forward the perspective of developing countries. Argentina will be hosting this year's G20 summit form November 30 to December 1, becoming the first South American country to do so. Chuburu added that the focus will be on terror, trade wars and cryptocurrency.

WION:&nbsp;What will be the focus of this year's G20 summit?

Daniel Chuburu:&nbsp;The main theme has been— during this year— it has been the fact of trying to get consensus. That was something that came very clearly from last years summit in Germany in which there was a need to have a consensus. So we felt the question of consensus has to be clearly&nbsp;spoken. Argentina, India come from the south. We are developing countries. The question of sustainable development is something that is very important. We believe sustainable development that can give us the greater benefit. The very important question of fairness. We believe the world has been doing well in the last years, a lot of growth coming to a lot of countries, but the benefits of growth have not been fairly distributed.&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;What will the G20 summit in Argentina be remembered for?

Daniel Chuburu: As far as we can be credible to the theme we develop, we would like to be remembered for that. Unfortunately, this has been the year of trade wars that have been on the first page of newspapers for a long time. So this is one of the issues that are there in the mind of everyone for the summit. There have been a lot of discussions. The process of G20 happens through the summit, 20 G20 leaders, 30 Leaders in total. This is a whole year process. We had more than 60 meetings, 10 at minister levels. During the meet, we prepare what is discussed. The bureaucracy goes in one direction, then 20 leaders get together to discuss. It's not a strict agenda. We have to give leaders the possibility to sit down and discuss. We firmly believe G20 document should be short, final, action-oriented document. G20 doesn’t have a secretariat. G20 is not an international organization. G20 is an informal mechanism whose main expression is leaders summit.

 
WION: How can G20 bring viability to South America?

Daniel Chuburu: That was one of the main preoccupations of the government of Argentina since we took office in December last year. Our sherpa and our minister have been visiting the region and developing member countries of the G20. We thought it was very important to bring the perspective of the south. The perspective of developing countries. We have stressed that and we have been transmitting the idea in all the meets. There is not such a thing or a single answer to any problem. Tried to put the perspective of region and countries.

WION: How much will the focus be on cryptocurrency?

Daniel Chuburu: Argentina has accepted that issue is to be discussed. It was discussed by the minister of finance and presidents of the central bank in July this year. They have interpreted that it is not a threat but have to keep eye on it. It touches a very sensitive area. The question of illegality brings me to clarify that there is not yet such a consensus on G20 on a need to establish a regulation on it. The decision has to be taken. Yes, the consensus is that cryptocurrency touches important issues like money laundering, protection of the right of investors, consumers, financing of terror, transparency of the market. No clear consensus on regulation.

 
WION: How much will terror be the issue?

Daniel Chuburu: I believe terror is one of the issues that are on the international agenda. But not a specific group dealing with it in G20. So I guess it will be in the final document. It will reflect the concern that a lot of countries and region within G20 have especially on the financing of terror.

 
WION: Will you be calling neighbours?

Daniel Chuburu: Chile has been invited. Netherland has been invited. Two countries, Argentina has invited themselves. Chair of international groupings like ASEAN with Singapore and African Union with Rwanda invited. So, seven countries have been invited. Spain is always invited to G20. Participation of every region. South Africa has been invited. Some countries do have representation in their own region and they are part of the G20.

 
WION: How do you see the future of G20?

Daniel Chuburu: We believe the composition of G20 plus do represent the changes that have taken place in the world. Its a place where you can discuss world problems and the impacts of the different crisis. It's not an international organisation. It is an informal mechanism. They further take it to an international organisation. We don’t intend to take a further step on formalisation or institutionalisation of G20.

WION: Any update on bilaterals at the summit?

Daniel Chuburu:&nbsp;I can’t confirm you any bilateral. We can deal with meeting that we are going to deal bilaterally. Difficult to keep track of bilateral. Will reassure you that a lot of bilateral will take place.

In an exclusive conversation with WION ahead of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s ambassador to India Daniel Chuburu said the focus of the summit will be on putting forward the perspective of developing countries.

In an exclusive conversation with WION ahead of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s ambassador to India Daniel Chuburu said the focus of the summit will be on putting forward the perspective of developing countries. Argentina will be hosting this year's G20 summit form November 30 to December 1, becoming the first South American country to do so. Chuburu added that the focus will be on terror, trade wars and cryptocurrency. WION: What will be the focus of this year's G20 summit? Daniel Chuburu: The main theme has been— during this year— it has been the fact of trying to get consensus. That was something that came very clearly from last years summit in Germany in which there was a need to have a consensus. So we felt the question of consensus has to be clearly spoken. Argentina, India come from the south. We are developing countries. The question of sustainable development is something that is very important. We believe sustainable development that can give us the greater benefit. The very important question of fairness. We believe the world has been doing well in the last years, a lot of growth coming to a lot of countries, but the benefits of growth have not been fairly distributed. WION: What will the G20 summit in Argentina be remembered for? Daniel Chuburu: As far as we can be credible to the theme we develop, we would like to be remembered for that. Unfortunately, this has been the year of trade wars that have been on the first page of newspapers for a long time. So this is one of the issues that are there in the mind of everyone for the summit. There have been a lot of discussions. The process of G20 happens through the summit, 20 G20 leaders, 30 Leaders in total. This is a whole year process. We had more than 60 meetings, 10 at minister levels. During the meet, we prepare what is discussed. The bureaucracy goes in one direction, then 20 leaders get together to discuss. It's not a strict agenda. We have to give leaders the possibility to sit down and discuss. We firmly believe G20 document should be short, final, action-oriented document. G20 doesn’t have a secretariat. G20 is not an international organization. G20 is an informal mechanism whose main expression is leaders summit. WION: How can G20 bring viability to South America? Daniel Chuburu: That was one of the main preoccupations of the government of Argentina since we took office in December last year. Our sherpa and our minister have been visiting the region and developing member countries of the G20. We thought it was very important to bring the perspective of the south. The perspective of developing countries. We have stressed that and we have been transmitting the idea in all the meets. There is not such a thing or a single answer to any problem. Tried to put the perspective of region and countries. WION: How much will the focus be on cryptocurrency? Daniel Chuburu: Argentina has accepted that issue is to be discussed. It was discussed by the minister of finance and presidents of the central bank in July this year. They have interpreted that it is not a threat but have to keep eye on it. It touches a very sensitive area. The question of illegality brings me to clarify that there is not yet such a consensus on G20 on a need to establish a regulation on it. The decision has to be taken. Yes, the consensus is that cryptocurrency touches important issues like money laundering, protection of the right of investors, consumers, financing of terror, transparency of the market. No clear consensus on regulation. WION: How much will terror be the issue? Daniel Chuburu: I believe terror is one of the issues that are on the international agenda. But not a specific group dealing with it in G20. So I guess it will be in the final document. It will reflect the concern that a lot of countries and region within G20 have especially on the financing of terror. WION: Will you be calling neighbours? Daniel Chuburu: Chile has been invited. Netherland has been invited. Two countries, Argentina has invited themselves. Chair of international groupings like ASEAN with Singapore and African Union with Rwanda invited. So, seven countries have been invited. Spain is always invited to G20. Participation of every region. South Africa has been invited. Some countries do have representation in their own region and they are part of the G20. WION: How do you see the future of G20? Daniel Chuburu: We believe the composition of G20 plus do represent the changes that have taken place in the world. Its a place where you can discuss world problems and the impacts of the different crisis. It's not an international organisation. It is an informal mechanism. They further take it to an international organisation. We don’t intend to take a further step on formalisation or institutionalisation of G20. WION: Any update on bilaterals at the summit? Daniel Chuburu: I can’t confirm you any bilateral. We can deal with meeting that we are going to deal bilaterally. Difficult to keep track of bilateral. Will reassure you that a lot of bilateral will take place.

Perspective of developing countries to be put forward at G20: Argentina envoy to WION

The Congress Wednesday accused the Modi government of "manipulating" GDP data of previous years and said it reflects a desperate attempt to undermine India's growth story over the last 15 years.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala termed the step a "classic" case where "the operation is successful but the patient is dead".

"The entire GDP back series data released today reflects the desperate attempt of a defeatist Modi Government to undermine India's growth story over last 15 years. Modi Government and its puppet Niti Aayog want the people to believe that 2+2=8. Such is the gimmickry, jugglery, trickery and chicanery being sold as 'back series data'," he said in a statement.&nbsp;

There was no immediate reaction from the BJP on the Congress's claims and allegations.

The Congress leader said the economic mismanagement under the Modi government has led to economic anarchy and jugglery of GDP figures.

"Manipulated" back series data' will not change Modi government's "exit date'. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji's new definition of GDP is 'Gimmickry Data Product'," he said.

Surjewala alleged a failed "Modinomics plus a Pakoda economic vision" has put India's economy in complete turmoil, and the prime minister and his finance minister have caused economic "mayhem" by the "ill-conceived" decisions of demonetisation, a "flawed" GST coupled with "tax terrorism".

"Faced with utter and complete rejection of the 'voodoo economics' of the Modi-Jaitley duo, they are resorting to malicious and fraudulent jugglery of GDP figures to hide the enormous body blow caused by them to India's economy," he said.&nbsp;

Surjewala alleged that since the advent of the NDA government in May 2014, there has been a determined effort to run down the record of the two UPA governments under Manmohan Singh during 2004-2009 and 2009-2014.&nbsp;

A lot of confusion was sown and the Modi government added to the confusion by changing the base year from 2004-05 to 2011-12, he said.&nbsp;

The Congress leader said his party has repeatedly pointed out that when the base year was changed, the government should follow the healthy international practice and revise the numbers for the previous years.&nbsp;

"We had demanded that the back series data of GVA and GDP should be calculated and released so that meaningful comparisons can be made," he said, adding that the back series data as released by National Statistical Commission (NSC) in August 2018 is available in public domain and numbers prove that the truth cannot be suppressed.&nbsp;

The opposition leader claimed that UPA-1 and UPA-2 delivered the highest decadal growth of 8.13 per cent at factor cost since Independence and during this period 140 million people were lifted out of poverty.&nbsp;

When the UPA demitted office, economic growth had recovered to 6.39 per cent at market prices in 2013-14. Besides, the fiscal deficit had been reduced to 4.48 per cent and the current account deficit contained at 1.7 per cent, he claimed.

"The revised New Series' computed today by the Ministry of Statistics and Niti Aayog has completely undermined the NSC (National Statistical Commission), the autonomous body for deciding data transparently and in accordance with global standards of calculating GDP as per Market Price Linked Methodology.&nbsp;

"Today, the Modi government deceived the country by surreptitiously changing the methodology in order to manipulate GDP data. This is called 'Excel Sheet Management' in deciding the result first and filling the marks later. The new methodology is GVA based, which does not take into account tax+ subsidies and consequently is extremely flawed to subserve the myopic interests of the Modi government," he said.&nbsp;

Surjewala alleged that under this government, there has been complete stagnation in investment and the Gross Fixed Capital Formation in the last three years has remained constant at 28.5 per cent. "At that level of investment (GFCF), it is not possible to achieve higher growth rates," he said.

The government Wednesday lowered the country's economic growth rate during the previous Congress-led UPA regime, shaving off over one percentage point from the only year when India posted double-digit GDP growth post liberalisation and from each of the three years with 9-plus per cent expansion.

Recalibrating data of past years using 2011-12 as the base year instead of 2004-05, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) estimated that India's GDP grew by 8.5 per cent in the financial year 2010-11 (April 2010 to March 2011) and not at 10.3 per cent as previously estimated.

Similarly, 9.3 per cent growth rate each in 2005-06 and 2006-07 was lowered to 7.9 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively, while 7.7 per cent rate was now estimated for 2007-08 instead of 9.8 per cent.

The revised growth numbers have been released ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The Congress Wednesday accused the Modi government of "manipulating" GDP data of previous years and said it reflects a desperate attempt to undermine India's growth story over the last 15 years.

The Congress Wednesday accused the Modi government of "manipulating" GDP data of previous years and said it reflects a desperate attempt to undermine India's growth story over the last 15 years. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala termed the step a "classic" case where "the operation is successful but the patient is dead". "The entire GDP back series data released today reflects the desperate attempt of a defeatist Modi Government to undermine India's growth story over last 15 years. Modi Government and its puppet Niti Aayog want the people to believe that 2+2=8. Such is the gimmickry, jugglery, trickery and chicanery being sold as 'back series data'," he said in a statement. There was no immediate reaction from the BJP on the Congress's claims and allegations. The Congress leader said the economic mismanagement under the Modi government has led to economic anarchy and jugglery of GDP figures. "Manipulated" back series data' will not change Modi government's "exit date'. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji's new definition of GDP is 'Gimmickry Data Product'," he said. Surjewala alleged a failed "Modinomics plus a Pakoda economic vision" has put India's economy in complete turmoil, and the prime minister and his finance minister have caused economic "mayhem" by the "ill-conceived" decisions of demonetisation, a "flawed" GST coupled with "tax terrorism". "Faced with utter and complete rejection of the 'voodoo economics' of the Modi-Jaitley duo, they are resorting to malicious and fraudulent jugglery of GDP figures to hide the enormous body blow caused by them to India's economy," he said. Surjewala alleged that since the advent of the NDA government in May 2014, there has been a determined effort to run down the record of the two UPA governments under Manmohan Singh during 2004-2009 and 2009-2014. A lot of confusion was sown and the Modi government added to the confusion by changing the base year from 2004-05 to 2011-12, he said. The Congress leader said his party has repeatedly pointed out that when the base year was changed, the government should follow the healthy international practice and revise the numbers for the previous years. "We had demanded that the back series data of GVA and GDP should be calculated and released so that meaningful comparisons can be made," he said, adding that the back series data as released by National Statistical Commission (NSC) in August 2018 is available in public domain and numbers prove that the truth cannot be suppressed. The opposition leader claimed that UPA-1 and UPA-2 delivered the highest decadal growth of 8.13 per cent at factor cost since Independence and during this period 140 million people were lifted out of poverty. When the UPA demitted office, economic growth had recovered to 6.39 per cent at market prices in 2013-14. Besides, the fiscal deficit had been reduced to 4.48 per cent and the current account deficit contained at 1.7 per cent, he claimed. "The revised New Series' computed today by the Ministry of Statistics and Niti Aayog has completely undermined the NSC (National Statistical Commission), the autonomous body for deciding data transparently and in accordance with global standards of calculating GDP as per Market Price Linked Methodology. "Today, the Modi government deceived the country by surreptitiously changing the methodology in order to manipulate GDP data. This is called 'Excel Sheet Management' in deciding the result first and filling the marks later. The new methodology is GVA based, which does not take into account tax+ subsidies and consequently is extremely flawed to subserve the myopic interests of the Modi government," he said. Surjewala alleged that under this government, there has been complete stagnation in investment and the Gross Fixed Capital Formation in the last three years has remained constant at 28.5 per cent. "At that level of investment (GFCF), it is not possible to achieve higher growth rates," he said. The government Wednesday lowered the country's economic growth rate during the previous Congress-led UPA regime, shaving off over one percentage point from the only year when India posted double-digit GDP growth post liberalisation and from each of the three years with 9-plus per cent expansion. Recalibrating data of past years using 2011-12 as the base year instead of 2004-05, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) estimated that India's GDP grew by 8.5 per cent in the financial year 2010-11 (April 2010 to March 2011) and not at 10.3 per cent as previously estimated. Similarly, 9.3 per cent growth rate each in 2005-06 and 2006-07 was lowered to 7.9 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively, while 7.7 per cent rate was now estimated for 2007-08 instead of 9.8 per cent. The revised growth numbers have been released ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Modi government manipulating GDP data of previous years: Congress

Even as the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-government-proposes-16-quota-for-maratha-180173">Maharashtra government</a> has asserted that reservation for the Marathas would not affect existing quotas, an OBC organisation said Thursday that it would challenge the decision in the court.

The Maharashtra legislature has unanimously passed a bill granting 16 per cent quota in education and government jobs to the Maratha community.

"The quota for Marathas will surely affect the existing OBC reservation. So we have decided to approach the court," said J D Tandel, vice president of Panvel-Uran Aagri Samaj Mandal and OBC Sangharsh Samanvay Samiti.

The ruling BJP will have to pay a heavy price for this decision in coming elections, he claimed.

Another OBC leader demanded that the government conduct a caste-wise census in the state.

"How can we believe that there are 30 per cent Marathas in the state? The number is definitely less than that, so the government should conduct a caste-wise census," said Bhushan Bare of the Kunbi Samaj Unnati Sangh.&nbsp;

Even as the Maharashtra government has asserted that reservation for the Marathas would not affect existing quotas, an OBC organisation said Thursday that it would challenge the decision in the court.

Even as the Maharashtra government has asserted that reservation for the Marathas would not affect existing quotas, an OBC organisation said Thursday that it would challenge the decision in the court. The Maharashtra legislature has unanimously passed a bill granting 16 per cent quota in education and government jobs to the Maratha community. "The quota for Marathas will surely affect the existing OBC reservation. So we have decided to approach the court," said J D Tandel, vice president of Panvel-Uran Aagri Samaj Mandal and OBC Sangharsh Samanvay Samiti. The ruling BJP will have to pay a heavy price for this decision in coming elections, he claimed. Another OBC leader demanded that the government conduct a caste-wise census in the state. "How can we believe that there are 30 per cent Marathas in the state? The number is definitely less than that, so the government should conduct a caste-wise census," said Bhushan Bare of the Kunbi Samaj Unnati Sangh.

OBC outfit to challenge Maratha reservation in court

An Air India plane carrying 179 passengers struck a building at Stockholm's Arlanda airport with its wingtip as it taxied to gate on Wednesday, but no injuries were reported, police said.

"The 179 passengers could disembark from the plane on a mobile staircase and thereafter enter the terminal," police wrote in a statement.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known, police said.

It occurred at 5:45 pm (1645 GMT), about 50 meters (yards) from Terminal 5, the main terminal for international flights.

Pictures from the scene showed the Boeing aircraft parked on the runway with the very tip of its left wing stuck in the side of a building.

Several police cars and fire trucks were parked by the plane. According to airport operator Swedavia's website, the flight had originated in New Delhi.

An Air India plane carrying 179 passengers struck a building at Stockholm's Arlanda airport with its wingtip as it taxied to gate on Wednesday, but no injuries were reported, police said.

An Air India plane carrying 179 passengers struck a building at Stockholm's Arlanda airport with its wingtip as it taxied to gate on Wednesday, but no injuries were reported, police said. "The 179 passengers could disembark from the plane on a mobile staircase and thereafter enter the terminal," police wrote in a statement. The cause of the accident was not immediately known, police said. It occurred at 5:45 pm (1645 GMT), about 50 meters (yards) from Terminal 5, the main terminal for international flights. Pictures from the scene showed the Boeing aircraft parked on the runway with the very tip of its left wing stuck in the side of a building. Several police cars and fire trucks were parked by the plane. According to airport operator Swedavia's website, the flight had originated in New Delhi.

Air India plane with 179 on board hits building at Stockholm airport

The polling for the fifth phase of panchayat elections began in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.

The polling, which commenced at 8 am, will conclude at 2 pm.

As of now, no violence has been reported from any part of the state where the voting is taking place.

The voting is taking place in a total of 37 blocks including 19 in seven districts of Jammu division and 18 blocks of Kashmir Valley.

According to the State Election Commission, after withdrawal and scrutiny, 4,763 candidates are in the fray for 309 sarpanch and 1,534 panch seats in the fifth phase, while 118 sarpanches and 1,046 panches have been elected unopposed.

For hassle-free voting, the poll body has set up as many as 2,512 polling stations across the region including 1,743 in Jammu division and 769 in Kashmir Valley.

Moreover, 848 polling booths have been categorised as hypersensitive.

Security has been beefed up across the state so that the elections are conducted in a peaceful manner.

Majority of the candidates have been provided with either cluster security or individually in the region.

The overall turnout for the fourth phase of panchayat body elections which concluded peacefully on November 27 was 71.3 per cent.

According to the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir, Shaleen Kabra, over 82 per cent polling was registered in Jammu division and 32.3 per cent in Kashmir division in the fourth phase of voting.

The panchayat elections are being held in nine phases in the state.

The sixth phase of panchayat polling is scheduled to take place on December 1 and the counting of votes will take place on the same day.

The last panchayat polls in the state took place in 2001.

The current round of panchayat elections were announced last month, but two major political parties which dominate the region-the National Conference and the People`s Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the polls accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NAD government at the Centre of not taking a firm stand on the protection of Article 35(A) of the Constitution which has been challenged in the Supreme Court.

The polling for the fifth phase of panchayat elections began in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. The polling, which commenced at 8 am, will conclude at 2 pm. As of now, no violence has been reported from any part of the state where the voting is taking place.

The polling for the fifth phase of panchayat elections began in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. The polling, which commenced at 8 am, will conclude at 2 pm. As of now, no violence has been reported from any part of the state where the voting is taking place. The voting is taking place in a total of 37 blocks including 19 in seven districts of Jammu division and 18 blocks of Kashmir Valley. According to the State Election Commission, after withdrawal and scrutiny, 4,763 candidates are in the fray for 309 sarpanch and 1,534 panch seats in the fifth phase, while 118 sarpanches and 1,046 panches have been elected unopposed. For hassle-free voting, the poll body has set up as many as 2,512 polling stations across the region including 1,743 in Jammu division and 769 in Kashmir Valley. Moreover, 848 polling booths have been categorised as hypersensitive. Security has been beefed up across the state so that the elections are conducted in a peaceful manner. Majority of the candidates have been provided with either cluster security or individually in the region. The overall turnout for the fourth phase of panchayat body elections which concluded peacefully on November 27 was 71.3 per cent. According to the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir, Shaleen Kabra, over 82 per cent polling was registered in Jammu division and 32.3 per cent in Kashmir division in the fourth phase of voting. The panchayat elections are being held in nine phases in the state. The sixth phase of panchayat polling is scheduled to take place on December 1 and the counting of votes will take place on the same day. The last panchayat polls in the state took place in 2001. The current round of panchayat elections were announced last month, but two major political parties which dominate the region-the National Conference and the People`s Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the polls accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NAD government at the Centre of not taking a firm stand on the protection of Article 35(A) of the Constitution which has been challenged in the Supreme Court.

Voting for fifth phase of J&K panchayat polls underway

A day after the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir killed Naveed Jatt, the LeT terrorist who police say was involved in the assassination of journalist Shujaat Bukhari, the police on Thursday gunned down two more terrorists in the valley.

The terrorists were killed in an encounter in the Khrew area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in a search operation that followed a tip-off.

The police have also recovered arms and ammunition from the slain terrorists.

The police stated that no collateral damage took place during the encounter.

(With inputs from agencies)

A day after the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir killed Naveed Jatt, the LeT terrorist who police say was involved in the assassination of journalist Shujaat Bukhari, the police on Thursday gunned down two more terrorists in the valley.

A day after the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir killed Naveed Jatt, the LeT terrorist who police say was involved in the assassination of journalist Shujaat Bukhari, the police on Thursday gunned down two more terrorists in the valley. The terrorists were killed in an encounter in the Khrew area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in a search operation that followed a tip-off. The police have also recovered arms and ammunition from the slain terrorists. The police stated that no collateral damage took place during the encounter. (With inputs from agencies)

Two terrorists killed in encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama 

The 28-hour countdown for the launch of earth observation satellite HysISalong with 30 satellites from eight countries on board <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-to-launch-gsat-29-shortly-satellite-to-meet-communication-needs-of-remote-areas-177320">ISRO</a>'s trusted workhorse PSLV-C43 began at 5.58 AM on Wednesday.

The launch is scheduled at 9.58 am on Thursday from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh about 110 km from Chennai, said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

"The countdown for the launch of PSLV-C43/HysIS mission started today at 05:58 hrs IST," it said.

The space agency said fuel filling of a PS4 stage (fourth stage) has been completed.

The Hyper Spectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS), an earth observation satellite developed by ISRO, is the primary satellite of the PSLV-C43 mission.

The mass of the spacecraft is about 380 kg, the space agency said adding that the satellite would be placed in 636 km-polar sun-synchronous orbits with an inclination of 97.957 degrees.

The primary goal of HysIS, whose mission life is five years, is to study the earth's surface invisible near infrared and shortwave infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The co-passengers of HysIS include 1 micro and 29 nanosatellites from eight different countries.

All these satellites have been commercially contracted for launch through ISRO's commercial arm Antrix Corporation Limited.

All the satellites would be placed in a 504 km orbit by PSLV-C43, the space agency said PSLV is a four-stage launch vehicle with alternating solid and liquid stages.

PSLV-C43, which is the 45th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), is the 'Core Alone' version of PSLV.

It is the lightest version of the launch vehicle. This will be ISRO's second launch in the month.

The space agency had launched its latest communication satellite GSAT-29 on board GSLV MkIII-D2 on November 14.

The 28-hour countdown for the launch of earth observation satellite HysISalong with 30 satellites from eight countries on board ISRO's trusted workhorse PSLV-C43 began at 5.

The 28-hour countdown for the launch of earth observation satellite HysISalong with 30 satellites from eight countries on board ISRO's trusted workhorse PSLV-C43 began at 5.58 AM on Wednesday. The launch is scheduled at 9.58 am on Thursday from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh about 110 km from Chennai, said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). "The countdown for the launch of PSLV-C43/HysIS mission started today at 05:58 hrs IST," it said. The space agency said fuel filling of a PS4 stage (fourth stage) has been completed. The Hyper Spectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS), an earth observation satellite developed by ISRO, is the primary satellite of the PSLV-C43 mission. The mass of the spacecraft is about 380 kg, the space agency said adding that the satellite would be placed in 636 km-polar sun-synchronous orbits with an inclination of 97.957 degrees. The primary goal of HysIS, whose mission life is five years, is to study the earth's surface invisible near infrared and shortwave infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The co-passengers of HysIS include 1 micro and 29 nanosatellites from eight different countries. All these satellites have been commercially contracted for launch through ISRO's commercial arm Antrix Corporation Limited. All the satellites would be placed in a 504 km orbit by PSLV-C43, the space agency said PSLV is a four-stage launch vehicle with alternating solid and liquid stages. PSLV-C43, which is the 45th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), is the 'Core Alone' version of PSLV. It is the lightest version of the launch vehicle. This will be ISRO's second launch in the month. The space agency had launched its latest communication satellite GSAT-29 on board GSLV MkIII-D2 on November 14.

ISRO's PSLV-C43 all set to launch 31 satellites on Thursday

G20 Summit: PM Modi to reach Argentina

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