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<p>The MeT department on Tuesday predicted Cyclone Gaja to cross Tamil Nadu coast, between Pamban and Cuddalore, on November 15. According to reports, the fast-moving cyclonic storm on Tuesday drifted southwestwards away from Chennai and would cross the Tamil Nadu coast between Cuddalore and Pamban on Thursday.</p>

<p>The department warned that before weakening gradually on Thursday, the cyclone is likely to intensify and create very rough sea conditions along and off Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh coasts from Wednesday morning with high swelling sea during the night, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to media persons, IMD deputy director S Balachandran said, "The sea will be very rough, and fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea till November 15."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">From tomorrow evening, there may be an increase in isolated heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu &amp; south coastal Andhra Pradesh. On 15 Nov, extremely heavy rainfall expected in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu: K Sathi Devi, India Meteorological Department. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GajaCyclone?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GajaCyclone</a> <a href="https://t.co/vJE4hJVnF8">pic.twitter.com/vJE4hJVnF8</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1062318110257102848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Cyclone Gaja to intensify</strong></p>

<p>"It is very likely to move west-southwestwards and intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours and maintain the intensity during subsequent 24 hours. Thereafter, while moving west-southwestwards, it is likely to weaken gradually and cross north Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and Chennai as a cyclonic storm during November 15 forenoon," a statement released by the IMD read.</p>

<p>According to IMD, cyclone Gaja will affect districts like Thiruvarur, Cuddalore, Karaikal, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Puducherry, and Vizhuppuram. During that time, the speed of wind in the affected areas is expected to be in the range of around 80-90 km per hour and can go up to 100 km per hour, news agency ANI reported.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cyclone Gaja is lying about 790 km north east of Nagapattinam. It is expected to move in south southwest direction &amp; cross between Pamban and Cuddalore on November 15. Rainfall will occur in most of the places in 5 districts: Director, Met Dept, Chennai on Cyclone Gaja <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://t.co/fBATr8JDN8">pic.twitter.com/fBATr8JDN8</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1062306606078148610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Red alert issued</strong></p>

<p>In the wake of the cyclonic situation, a red alert has been issued for the administration in Tamil Nadu to keep the government authorities ready to mobilise resources to meet any eventuality. "However, the alert is not for the entire state," Balachandran stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The weather department has advised total suspension of fishing operations along and off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts from November 13 to 15.</p>

<p><strong>Rescue teams on standby</strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu government has put its machinery on alert and kept on standby 30,500 rescue personnel. Chief Minister K Palaniswami chaired a high-level meeting at the Secretariat of Ministers and top officials to review the preparedness in the wake of the storm and forecast of heavy rainfall.</p>

<p>A total of 4,399 locations have been identified as vulnerable across Tamil Nadu, teams have been deployed for rescue including teams of the National and State Disaster Response Forces.</p>

<p>Coastal and vulnerable districts including Cuddalore and Nagapattinam have been advised high alert, Tamil Nadu Revenue Minister Udaya Kumar said.</p>

<p>Puducherry Revenue and Industries Minister said the union territory has been put on high alert.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from agencies</em>)&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The MeT department on Tuesday predicted Cyclone Gaja to cross Tamil Nadu coast, between Pamban and Cuddalore, on November 15. According to reports, the fast-moving cyclonic storm on Tuesday drifted southwestwards away from Chennai and would cross the Tamil Nadu coast between Cuddalore and Pamban on Thursday.

The MeT department on Tuesday predicted Cyclone Gaja to cross Tamil Nadu coast, between Pamban and Cuddalore, on November 15. According to reports, the fast-moving cyclonic storm on Tuesday drifted southwestwards away from Chennai and would cross the Tamil Nadu coast between Cuddalore and Pamban on Thursday. The department warned that before weakening gradually on Thursday, the cyclone is likely to intensify and create very rough sea conditions along and off Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh coasts from Wednesday morning with high swelling sea during the night, news agency PTI reported. Speaking to media persons, IMD deputy director S Balachandran said, "The sea will be very rough, and fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea till November 15." From tomorrow evening, there may be an increase in isolated heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu & south coastal Andhra Pradesh. On 15 Nov, extremely heavy rainfall expected in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu: K Sathi Devi, India Meteorological Department. #GajaCyclone pic.twitter.com/vJE4hJVnF8 — ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018 × Cyclone Gaja to intensify "It is very likely to move west-southwestwards and intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours and maintain the intensity during subsequent 24 hours. Thereafter, while moving west-southwestwards, it is likely to weaken gradually and cross north Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and Chennai as a cyclonic storm during November 15 forenoon," a statement released by the IMD read. According to IMD, cyclone Gaja will affect districts like Thiruvarur, Cuddalore, Karaikal, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Puducherry, and Vizhuppuram. During that time, the speed of wind in the affected areas is expected to be in the range of around 80-90 km per hour and can go up to 100 km per hour, news agency ANI reported. Cyclone Gaja is lying about 790 km north east of Nagapattinam. It is expected to move in south southwest direction & cross between Pamban and Cuddalore on November 15. Rainfall will occur in most of the places in 5 districts: Director, Met Dept, Chennai on Cyclone Gaja #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/fBATr8JDN8 — ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018 × Red alert issued In the wake of the cyclonic situation, a red alert has been issued for the administration in Tamil Nadu to keep the government authorities ready to mobilise resources to meet any eventuality. "However, the alert is not for the entire state," Balachandran stated. The weather department has advised total suspension of fishing operations along and off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts from November 13 to 15. Rescue teams on standby Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu government has put its machinery on alert and kept on standby 30,500 rescue personnel. Chief Minister K Palaniswami chaired a high-level meeting at the Secretariat of Ministers and top officials to review the preparedness in the wake of the storm and forecast of heavy rainfall. A total of 4,399 locations have been identified as vulnerable across Tamil Nadu, teams have been deployed for rescue including teams of the National and State Disaster Response Forces. Coastal and vulnerable districts including Cuddalore and Nagapattinam have been advised high alert, Tamil Nadu Revenue Minister Udaya Kumar said. Puducherry Revenue and Industries Minister said the union territory has been put on high alert. (With inputs from agencies)

Cyclone Gaja to intensify before crossing Tamil Nadu on Nov 15, red alert issued 

<p>In this small hill state of just about 10 lakh people, parties' political equations appear as treacherous as its twisting and turning roads - both the ruling BJP and main opposition MNF are trying hard to prove their 'anti-BJP' credentials and both have had their own alliances with the saffron party.</p>

<p>The sudden prominence attained by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) for the November 28 elections for 40 assembly seats of this christian-majority state also contradicts a basic statistics of Mizoram's three-decade-old electoral history that the saffron party has never won an assembly seat so far.</p>

<p>But the BJP is now the main target of poll campaigns mounted by the Congress as well as the Mizo National Front (MNF) - the two parties that have always ruled Mizoram one after another.</p>

<p>As the campaign gains momentum, both the Congress and the MNF are accusing each other of being the BJP's "real ally", by digging out old pictures, documents and meeting details from the past and splashing them all over before the voters.</p>

<p>While the Congress and the MNF are leaving no stones unturned to paint the BJP as "anti-Christian", the saffron party has launched a spirited campaign to get power in this strategically important north-eastern state sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh, with the party president Amit Shah declaring that Christmas would be celebrated in Mizoram under the BJP rule this December.</p>

<p>The counting of votes would take place on December 11.</p>

<p>Mizoram is been seen by the BJP leaders as the "final frontier" in its 'Congree-free North East' campaign, as the party has already secured power in Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, besides joining ruling coalition in Meghalaya and Nagaland.</p>

<p>Mizoram is significant for the Congress too, as it remains the only state under the party's rule as against as many as five just about two years ago, which included Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.</p>

<p>The Congress has been in power in Mizoram since 2008 and is eyeing the third consecutive term. In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won 34 seats, while the MNF got five and Mizoram People's Conference one.</p>

<p>The Congress improved its tally in 2013 elections, from 32 in 2008, but the BJP is making an all-out effort to snatch the power.</p>

<p>Earlier in two other Christian-dominated north-eastern states, Meghalaya and Nagaland, the BJP went on to become part of the government after joining hands with the runners-up, while the parties with highest number of seats (including Congress in Meghalaya) could not get the power.</p>

<p>While the MNF has been party of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the saffron party has decided to fight the assembly elections alone and has put up candidates on 39 seats.</p>

<p>The Congress is, however, accusing the MNF, its traditional rival in the state, of being silently in league with the BJP for the upcoming polls, in which about 7.68 lakh voters including 3.93 women are eligible to exercise their franchise.</p>

<p>The Congress has published 50,000 copies of a leaflet in Mizo language depicting the relationship between the BJP and the MNF, while putting on front a picture of the two party chiefs - Amit Shah and Zoramthanga - sitting together.</p>

<p>It contains various pictures and details of the former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga of MNF attending NDA and North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) meetings with senior BJP leaders.</p>

<p>On its part, the MNF is vehemently denying any relationship with the BJP for the polls and points out at the alliance the two national parties had in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Mizoram.</p>

<p>Congress had to publicly announce that it is no longer an ally of the BJP in the Council, an autonomous council for ethnic Chakma people that exercises legislative, executive and judicial powers over allotted departments in its territory spread over 1500 sq km.</p>

<p>Election to the 20-member CADC on April 20 gave a fractured mandate - the MNF got eight seats, the Congress won six, and the BJP got five. Poll to one seat was stayed by the Gauhati High Court.</p>

<p>Traditional national rivals - BJP and Congress - later formed a coalition to stake claim to form the executive committee of the tribal council. The coalition, however, faced a setback after some Congress members withdrew support to the BJP-led CADC.</p>

<p>"The Congress's allegation that the BJP is behind MNF and is a secret ally has been reversed. It is having an adverse impact on the Congress itself and has exposed the party," said Robert Romawia Royte, a senior MNF leader and the party's candidate from Aizawl East-II constituency.</p>

<p>He said the MNF was planning to expose the "alliance" in a big way, but the Congress itself admitted it by saying they were breaking the alliance.</p>

<p>A Congress leader, however, said that the people are well aware of the fact that the MNF is part of the BJP-led NDA and NEDA.</p>

<p>"The NEDA Convenor and the BJP leader from Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has come here several times and worked with the MNF in selection of candidates," he alleged.</p>

<p>The Congress leader alleged the BJP is not liked by the people here as the party is seen as being anti-Christian and therefore it was banking on the MNF.</p>

<p>"We want to protect the dignity of the church, which is already at stake in Meghalaya and Nagaland," he said.</p>


In this small hill state of just about 10 lakh people, parties' political equations appear as treacherous as its twisting and turning roads - both the ruling BJP and main opposition MNF are trying hard to prove their 'anti-BJP' credentials and both have had their own alliances with the saffron party.

In this small hill state of just about 10 lakh people, parties' political equations appear as treacherous as its twisting and turning roads - both the ruling BJP and main opposition MNF are trying hard to prove their 'anti-BJP' credentials and both have had their own alliances with the saffron party. The sudden prominence attained by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) for the November 28 elections for 40 assembly seats of this christian-majority state also contradicts a basic statistics of Mizoram's three-decade-old electoral history that the saffron party has never won an assembly seat so far. But the BJP is now the main target of poll campaigns mounted by the Congress as well as the Mizo National Front (MNF) - the two parties that have always ruled Mizoram one after another. As the campaign gains momentum, both the Congress and the MNF are accusing each other of being the BJP's "real ally", by digging out old pictures, documents and meeting details from the past and splashing them all over before the voters. While the Congress and the MNF are leaving no stones unturned to paint the BJP as "anti-Christian", the saffron party has launched a spirited campaign to get power in this strategically important north-eastern state sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh, with the party president Amit Shah declaring that Christmas would be celebrated in Mizoram under the BJP rule this December. The counting of votes would take place on December 11. Mizoram is been seen by the BJP leaders as the "final frontier" in its 'Congree-free North East' campaign, as the party has already secured power in Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, besides joining ruling coalition in Meghalaya and Nagaland. Mizoram is significant for the Congress too, as it remains the only state under the party's rule as against as many as five just about two years ago, which included Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. The Congress has been in power in Mizoram since 2008 and is eyeing the third consecutive term. In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won 34 seats, while the MNF got five and Mizoram People's Conference one. The Congress improved its tally in 2013 elections, from 32 in 2008, but the BJP is making an all-out effort to snatch the power. Earlier in two other Christian-dominated north-eastern states, Meghalaya and Nagaland, the BJP went on to become part of the government after joining hands with the runners-up, while the parties with highest number of seats (including Congress in Meghalaya) could not get the power. While the MNF has been party of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the saffron party has decided to fight the assembly elections alone and has put up candidates on 39 seats. The Congress is, however, accusing the MNF, its traditional rival in the state, of being silently in league with the BJP for the upcoming polls, in which about 7.68 lakh voters including 3.93 women are eligible to exercise their franchise. The Congress has published 50,000 copies of a leaflet in Mizo language depicting the relationship between the BJP and the MNF, while putting on front a picture of the two party chiefs - Amit Shah and Zoramthanga - sitting together. It contains various pictures and details of the former Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga of MNF attending NDA and North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) meetings with senior BJP leaders. On its part, the MNF is vehemently denying any relationship with the BJP for the polls and points out at the alliance the two national parties had in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Mizoram. Congress had to publicly announce that it is no longer an ally of the BJP in the Council, an autonomous council for ethnic Chakma people that exercises legislative, executive and judicial powers over allotted departments in its territory spread over 1500 sq km. Election to the 20-member CADC on April 20 gave a fractured mandate - the MNF got eight seats, the Congress won six, and the BJP got five. Poll to one seat was stayed by the Gauhati High Court. Traditional national rivals - BJP and Congress - later formed a coalition to stake claim to form the executive committee of the tribal council. The coalition, however, faced a setback after some Congress members withdrew support to the BJP-led CADC. "The Congress's allegation that the BJP is behind MNF and is a secret ally has been reversed. It is having an adverse impact on the Congress itself and has exposed the party," said Robert Romawia Royte, a senior MNF leader and the party's candidate from Aizawl East-II constituency. He said the MNF was planning to expose the "alliance" in a big way, but the Congress itself admitted it by saying they were breaking the alliance. A Congress leader, however, said that the people are well aware of the fact that the MNF is part of the BJP-led NDA and NEDA. "The NEDA Convenor and the BJP leader from Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has come here several times and worked with the MNF in selection of candidates," he alleged. The Congress leader alleged the BJP is not liked by the people here as the party is seen as being anti-Christian and therefore it was banking on the MNF. "We want to protect the dignity of the church, which is already at stake in Meghalaya and Nagaland," he said.

Mizoram: Where all parties have allied with BJP despite claiming to be anti-BJP

<p>The Supreme Court will on Monday, November 19 hear Zakia Jafri's plea challenging the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other top politicians, and bureaucrats&nbsp;in the Gulberg massacre case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sixty-nine Muslims, including Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, had been killed in the Gulberg massacre during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Jafri had been dragged out of his Gulberg Society home and hacked to death. Jafri's frantic calls to politicians and senior policemen had gone unanswered.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Zakia Jafri, 80, is his widow. Her plea to the Supreme Court alleges a "larger conspiracy".&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Supreme Court to hear on 19th November a plea by filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging clean chit given by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to PM Narendra Modi, other top politicians and bureaucrats in the 2002 Gujarat riots.</p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1062252648152395778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Gujarat High Cout had last year rejected Jafri's plea telling her to approach higher forums for further investigation into the massacre.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi — he was then chief minister of Gujarat — had been given by a Supreme Court-monitored <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2002-gujarat-riots-ex-army-officer-dubs-sit-report-as-blatant-lie-171374">SIT or special investigation team</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The SIT report concluded that Gujarat chief minister Modi did everything he could to stop the riots.&nbsp;</p>


The Supreme Court will on Monday, November 19 hear Zakia Jafri's plea challenging the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other top politicians, and bureaucrats in the Gulberg massacre case.

The Supreme Court will on Monday, November 19 hear Zakia Jafri's plea challenging the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other top politicians, and bureaucrats in the Gulberg massacre case. Sixty-nine Muslims, including Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, had been killed in the Gulberg massacre during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Jafri had been dragged out of his Gulberg Society home and hacked to death. Jafri's frantic calls to politicians and senior policemen had gone unanswered. Zakia Jafri, 80, is his widow. Her plea to the Supreme Court alleges a "larger conspiracy". Supreme Court to hear on 19th November a plea by filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging clean chit given by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to PM Narendra Modi, other top politicians and bureaucrats in the 2002 Gujarat riots. — ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018 × The Gujarat High Cout had last year rejected Jafri's plea telling her to approach higher forums for further investigation into the massacre. The clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi — he was then chief minister of Gujarat — had been given by a Supreme Court-monitored SIT or special investigation team. The SIT report concluded that Gujarat chief minister Modi did everything he could to stop the riots.

Gulberg massacre: On Monday, SC to hear plea challenging clean chit given to PM Modi

<p>Dassault Aviation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Trappier in an exclusive interview to ANI rubbished allegations made by Congress Party president Rahul Gandhi that the former lied about the details of the Dassault- Reliance Joint Venture (JV) for offset contracts in the Rafale Jet deal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I don`t lie. The truth I declared before and the statements I made are true. I don`t have a reputation of lying. In my position as CEO, you don`t lie," said Trappier when asked to respond to Rahul Gandhi`s charge that Dassault was covering up for possible cronyism in awarding the offset deal to Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi, in a press conference on November 2, alleged that Dassault invested Rs 284 crore in a loss-making company promoted by Anil Ambani which was used to procure land in Nagpur.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It is clear the Dassault CEO is lying.If an inquiry starts on this Modi is not going to survive it. Guaranteed," added Gandhi.Speaking to ANI in the Dassault hangar housed in Istres-Le Tube Air base located North of the French city of Marseille, Dassault`s CEO Eric Trappier said that they had prior experience dealing with the Congress party and the comments made by the Congress president made him sad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have a long experience with the Congress party. Our first deal was with India in 1953 with Nehru and other Prime Ministers. We have been working with India. We are not working for any party. We are supplying strategic products like fighters to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Government. That is what is most important," said Trappier.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: ANI editor Smita Prakash interviews CEO Eric Trappier at the Dassault aviation hangar in Istre- Le Tube air… <a href="https://t.co/0igomqmE2i">https://t.co/0igomqmE2i</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1062216460422901761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>When pressed further for the reason behind Dassault`s choice of Reliance as an offset partner which had no experience in manufacturing fighter jets, Trappier clarified that the money being invested was not going to Reliance directly but in a Joint Venture (JV) that included Dassault.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We are not putting the money in Reliance. The money is going into the JV. I put my know-how free of charge on how to produce people. I have engineers and workers from Dassault who are taking the lead as far as the industrial part of this deal is concerned. At the same time, I have an Indian company like Reliance who is putting money into this JV as they want to develop their country. So the company is going to know how to produce aircraft," added Trappier.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trappier clarified further about the investments being made by Dassault, adding that Reliance would match the amount since the shareholding pattern is 49% Dassault and 51% Reliance as per prescribed Government norms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We are supposed to put in this company together about Rs 800 crore as 50:50. For the time being, to start work in the hangar and to pay workers and employees, we have already put Rs 40 crore. But it will be increased to Rs 800 crore, which implies Rs 400 crore by Dassault in the coming five years," said Trappier.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added Dassault has seven years to perform offset. "During first three years, we are not obliged to say with who we are working. We have already settled work and agreement with 30 companies, which represents 40% of total offset obligation as per contract. Reliance is 10% out of the 40, while rest 30% is a direct agreement between these companies and Dassault," Trappier said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the pricing issue, the CEO said that the present aircrafts are cheaper by 9 %. "Price of 36 was exactly the same when you compare with 18 flyaway. 36 is the double of 18, so as far as I was concerned, it should have been double the price. But because it was government to government, there was some negotiation, I had to decrease price by 9%.&nbsp;<br />
The price of Rafale in flyaway condition is less expensive in the 36 contract than the 126 contract," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When asked about the initial agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the subsequent breakdown of talks with the Indian PSU for production of Rafale jets, the Dassault CEO said that if the initial deal of 126 jets went through they would not have hesitated to work with HAL and Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It`s because the 126 didn`t go smooth that the Government of India had to reconfigure to urgently acquire 36 from France. And then I took the decision to continue with Reliance, and HAL even said in the last few days that they were not interested to be part of the offset. So, it has been done by my decision and the decision of Reliance to invest in a new private company," added Trappier.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that Dassault was earlier in discussions with several other companies for offset tie-ups. "Obviously, we could have gone to Tata or other family groups. At that time, the decision to go ahead was not given to Dassault. We were in 2011, Tata was also discussing with other flying companies. We finally decided to go ahead with Reliance as they have experience in big engineering facilities," Trappier said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Talking about the aircraft, the Dassault CEO explained that the present planes will have all necessary equipments but not weapons and missiles. "The weapons will be sent in different contract. But the aircraft with everything other than weapons will be dispatched by Dassault," he said.&nbsp;</p>


Dassault Aviation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Trappier in an exclusive interview to ANI rubbished allegations made by Congress Party president Rahul Gandhi that the former lied about the details of the Dassault- Reliance Joint Venture (JV) for offset contracts in the Rafale Jet deal.

Dassault Aviation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Trappier in an exclusive interview to ANI rubbished allegations made by Congress Party president Rahul Gandhi that the former lied about the details of the Dassault- Reliance Joint Venture (JV) for offset contracts in the Rafale Jet deal. "I don`t lie. The truth I declared before and the statements I made are true. I don`t have a reputation of lying. In my position as CEO, you don`t lie," said Trappier when asked to respond to Rahul Gandhi`s charge that Dassault was covering up for possible cronyism in awarding the offset deal to Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group. Rahul Gandhi, in a press conference on November 2, alleged that Dassault invested Rs 284 crore in a loss-making company promoted by Anil Ambani which was used to procure land in Nagpur. "It is clear the Dassault CEO is lying.If an inquiry starts on this Modi is not going to survive it. Guaranteed," added Gandhi.Speaking to ANI in the Dassault hangar housed in Istres-Le Tube Air base located North of the French city of Marseille, Dassault`s CEO Eric Trappier said that they had prior experience dealing with the Congress party and the comments made by the Congress president made him sad. "We have a long experience with the Congress party. Our first deal was with India in 1953 with Nehru and other Prime Ministers. We have been working with India. We are not working for any party. We are supplying strategic products like fighters to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Government. That is what is most important," said Trappier. #WATCH: ANI editor Smita Prakash interviews CEO Eric Trappier at the Dassault aviation hangar in Istre- Le Tube air… https://t.co/0igomqmE2i — ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018 × When pressed further for the reason behind Dassault`s choice of Reliance as an offset partner which had no experience in manufacturing fighter jets, Trappier clarified that the money being invested was not going to Reliance directly but in a Joint Venture (JV) that included Dassault. "We are not putting the money in Reliance. The money is going into the JV. I put my know-how free of charge on how to produce people. I have engineers and workers from Dassault who are taking the lead as far as the industrial part of this deal is concerned. At the same time, I have an Indian company like Reliance who is putting money into this JV as they want to develop their country. So the company is going to know how to produce aircraft," added Trappier. Trappier clarified further about the investments being made by Dassault, adding that Reliance would match the amount since the shareholding pattern is 49% Dassault and 51% Reliance as per prescribed Government norms. "We are supposed to put in this company together about Rs 800 crore as 50:50. For the time being, to start work in the hangar and to pay workers and employees, we have already put Rs 40 crore. But it will be increased to Rs 800 crore, which implies Rs 400 crore by Dassault in the coming five years," said Trappier. He added Dassault has seven years to perform offset. "During first three years, we are not obliged to say with who we are working. We have already settled work and agreement with 30 companies, which represents 40% of total offset obligation as per contract. Reliance is 10% out of the 40, while rest 30% is a direct agreement between these companies and Dassault," Trappier said. On the pricing issue, the CEO said that the present aircrafts are cheaper by 9 %. "Price of 36 was exactly the same when you compare with 18 flyaway. 36 is the double of 18, so as far as I was concerned, it should have been double the price. But because it was government to government, there was some negotiation, I had to decrease price by 9%. The price of Rafale in flyaway condition is less expensive in the 36 contract than the 126 contract," he said. When asked about the initial agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the subsequent breakdown of talks with the Indian PSU for production of Rafale jets, the Dassault CEO said that if the initial deal of 126 jets went through they would not have hesitated to work with HAL and Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance. "It`s because the 126 didn`t go smooth that the Government of India had to reconfigure to urgently acquire 36 from France. And then I took the decision to continue with Reliance, and HAL even said in the last few days that they were not interested to be part of the offset. So, it has been done by my decision and the decision of Reliance to invest in a new private company," added Trappier. He added that Dassault was earlier in discussions with several other companies for offset tie-ups. "Obviously, we could have gone to Tata or other family groups. At that time, the decision to go ahead was not given to Dassault. We were in 2011, Tata was also discussing with other flying companies. We finally decided to go ahead with Reliance as they have experience in big engineering facilities," Trappier said. Talking about the aircraft, the Dassault CEO explained that the present planes will have all necessary equipments but not weapons and missiles. "The weapons will be sent in different contract. But the aircraft with everything other than weapons will be dispatched by Dassault," he said.

Price of 36 Rafale jets cheaper by 9%: Dassault CEO Eric Trappier

<p>The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has awarded tickets to close family members of several party leaders to contest the December 7 assembly election in Rajasthan, deviating from its stand against dynastic politics.</p>

<p>Party leaders said the deviation was necessitated to avoid revolt within the party.</p>

<p>The party was taking each step in ticket distribution cautiously to avoid revolt within the party, which otherwise could play spoilsport and affect its prospects in the crucial election.</p>

<p>In the BJP's first list of 131 candidates released on Sunday night, the party has given ticket to its 85 sitting MLAs and has taken care of the family members of prominent leaders who were denied ticket.</p>

<p>The first list comprises sons, grandsons and daughter-in-laws of several prominent leaders of the BJP.</p>

<p>The saffron party has given due attention to family members of leaders who died owing to health issues.</p>

<p>The BJP has given ticket to Ram Swaroop Lamba, the son of late MP Sanwar Lal Jat, to contest election from Nasirabad seat and to Shailesh Singh, the son of late former state minister Digamber Singh, from Deeg-Kumher seat.</p>

<p>The party has once again reposed faith in Lamba, who was fielded to contest the Lok Sabha bypoll from Ajmer seat earlier this year. He had lost the election to Congress's Raghu Sharma by 80,000 votes.</p>

<p>From Kolayat Assembly seat in Bikaner district, the party has given ticket to senior leader Devi Singh Bhati's daughter-in-law Poonam Kanwar. It has fielded Rishi Bansal's wife Ritu from Bayana seat in Bharatpur district.</p>

<p>The other names include former minister Nandlal Meena's son Hemant Meena from Pratapgarh, former legislator Gurjant Singh's grandson Gurveer Singh Brar, former legislator Kailash Bhansali's nephew Atul Bhansali from Jodhpur and former legislator Kunjilal's son Rajendra Meena from Bamanwas.</p>

<p>The leaders say that the step has been taken to avoid revolt as well as to avert results similar to the 2008 assembly election when the BJP had to lose power due to loss of more than 15 seats. The party could secure 78 seats and the Congress too could not touch the magic figure to form government.</p>

<p>If the party had not suffered a jolt due to revolt against then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the BJP could have formed the government taking along Independent candidates, they said. The Congress won 96 seats in the 2008 assembly election. The BSP won six seats and Independents 14 in the 2008 election.</p>


The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has awarded tickets to close family members of several party leaders to contest the December 7 assembly election in Rajasthan, deviating from its stand against dynastic politics.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has awarded tickets to close family members of several party leaders to contest the December 7 assembly election in Rajasthan, deviating from its stand against dynastic politics. Party leaders said the deviation was necessitated to avoid revolt within the party. The party was taking each step in ticket distribution cautiously to avoid revolt within the party, which otherwise could play spoilsport and affect its prospects in the crucial election. In the BJP's first list of 131 candidates released on Sunday night, the party has given ticket to its 85 sitting MLAs and has taken care of the family members of prominent leaders who were denied ticket. The first list comprises sons, grandsons and daughter-in-laws of several prominent leaders of the BJP. The saffron party has given due attention to family members of leaders who died owing to health issues. The BJP has given ticket to Ram Swaroop Lamba, the son of late MP Sanwar Lal Jat, to contest election from Nasirabad seat and to Shailesh Singh, the son of late former state minister Digamber Singh, from Deeg-Kumher seat. The party has once again reposed faith in Lamba, who was fielded to contest the Lok Sabha bypoll from Ajmer seat earlier this year. He had lost the election to Congress's Raghu Sharma by 80,000 votes. From Kolayat Assembly seat in Bikaner district, the party has given ticket to senior leader Devi Singh Bhati's daughter-in-law Poonam Kanwar. It has fielded Rishi Bansal's wife Ritu from Bayana seat in Bharatpur district. The other names include former minister Nandlal Meena's son Hemant Meena from Pratapgarh, former legislator Gurjant Singh's grandson Gurveer Singh Brar, former legislator Kailash Bhansali's nephew Atul Bhansali from Jodhpur and former legislator Kunjilal's son Rajendra Meena from Bamanwas. The leaders say that the step has been taken to avoid revolt as well as to avert results similar to the 2008 assembly election when the BJP had to lose power due to loss of more than 15 seats. The party could secure 78 seats and the Congress too could not touch the magic figure to form government. If the party had not suffered a jolt due to revolt against then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, the BJP could have formed the government taking along Independent candidates, they said. The Congress won 96 seats in the 2008 assembly election. The BSP won six seats and Independents 14 in the 2008 election.

Dynasty politics? BJP fields kin of several leaders in Rajasthan polls

<p>Air India Captain, Arvind Kathpalia, has been removed as the Director of Operations, Air India. Kathpalia's dismissal comes <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/dgca-suspends-air-india-operations-directors-pilot-license-for-3-years-176895">a day after his licence was revoked</a> by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The privileges of his licence have been suspended for a period of three years from 11.11.2018 as per the provisions of applicable regulations," a spokesman at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Air India's Captain Arvind Kathpalia relieved from the charge of Director Operations with immediate effect. He was suspended for 3 months after he failed the Breath Analyser (BA) Test before his flight. <a href="https://t.co/670Erh6UNG">pic.twitter.com/670Erh6UNG</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1062302735285018624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>On Sunday, Kathpalia made headlines for failing two breathalyzer tests before a flight to London from New Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is the second time Arvind Kathpalia has been in trouble over alcohol tests. He was suspended for three months in 2017 for allegedly refusing to take breathalyzer tests, news agency Reuters reported.</p>

<p>Kathpalia, who was on the airline's board, told Reuters the DGCA directive "is a rule and so it is meant to be followed".</p>

<p>Between 2015-2017, 132 pilots in India failed a breathalyzer test during the mandatory pre-flight examination, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu told parliament in August.</p>

<p>Of these, 112 pilots were first-time offenders and their pilot licence was suspended for three months. Fifteen pilots were repeat offenders and had their license suspended for three years, Prabhu said.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Air India Captain, Arvind Kathpalia, has been removed as the Director of Operations, Air India. Kathpalia's dismissal comes a day after his licence was revoked by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday.

Air India Captain, Arvind Kathpalia, has been removed as the Director of Operations, Air India. Kathpalia's dismissal comes a day after his licence was revoked by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday. "The privileges of his licence have been suspended for a period of three years from 11.11.2018 as per the provisions of applicable regulations," a spokesman at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement. Air India's Captain Arvind Kathpalia relieved from the charge of Director Operations with immediate effect. He was suspended for 3 months after he failed the Breath Analyser (BA) Test before his flight. pic.twitter.com/670Erh6UNG — ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018 × On Sunday, Kathpalia made headlines for failing two breathalyzer tests before a flight to London from New Delhi. This is the second time Arvind Kathpalia has been in trouble over alcohol tests. He was suspended for three months in 2017 for allegedly refusing to take breathalyzer tests, news agency Reuters reported. Kathpalia, who was on the airline's board, told Reuters the DGCA directive "is a rule and so it is meant to be followed". Between 2015-2017, 132 pilots in India failed a breathalyzer test during the mandatory pre-flight examination, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu told parliament in August. Of these, 112 pilots were first-time offenders and their pilot licence was suspended for three months. Fifteen pilots were repeat offenders and had their license suspended for three years, Prabhu said.

Drunk Air India pilot: Arvind Kathpalia removed from Director of Operations post

<p>Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court has reserves bail orders in Janardhan Reddy case for tomorrow, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ballari mining baron Janardhan Reddy was arrested by Bengaluru Central Crime Branch, in connection with Ambident Group alleged bribery case, on Sunday and was sent to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ponzi-scheme-case-ballari-mining-baron-janardhan-reddy-sent-to-judicial-custody-till-november-24-176663">judicial custody until November 24</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additional CP Crime Branch, Alok Kumar, stated that the arrest has been made on the basis of "credible evidence and witnesses' statements".&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengaluru?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengaluru</a>: Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court reserves bail orders for tomorrow in Janardhan Reddy case. He was arrested by Bengaluru Central Crime Branch, in connection with Ambident Group alleged bribery case.</p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1062267675567681536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>"We will produce him before the magistrate. We are going to recover the money and give it to the investors," Kumar added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Central Crime Branch also arrested Ali Khan, Reddy's close aide.&nbsp;</p>


Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court has reserves bail orders in Janardhan Reddy case for tomorrow, news agency ANI reported. Ballari mining baron Janardhan Reddy was arrested by Bengaluru Central Crime Branch, in connection with Ambident Group alleged bribery case, on Sunday and was sent to judicial custody until November 24.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court has reserves bail orders in Janardhan Reddy case for tomorrow, news agency ANI reported. Ballari mining baron Janardhan Reddy was arrested by Bengaluru Central Crime Branch, in connection with Ambident Group alleged bribery case, on Sunday and was sent to judicial custody until November 24. Additional CP Crime Branch, Alok Kumar, stated that the arrest has been made on the basis of "credible evidence and witnesses' statements". #Bengaluru: Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court reserves bail orders for tomorrow in Janardhan Reddy case. He was arrested by Bengaluru Central Crime Branch, in connection with Ambident Group alleged bribery case. — ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018 × "We will produce him before the magistrate. We are going to recover the money and give it to the investors," Kumar added. The Central Crime Branch also arrested Ali Khan, Reddy's close aide.

Ponzi scheme case: Orders on Janardhan Reddy's bail plea reserved for Wednesday

<p>The Uttar Pradesh government Tuesday approved the renaming of Faizabad and Allahabad divisions as Ayodhya and Prayagraj respectively.</p>

<p>The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna told reporters.</p>

<p>Prayagraj division will comprise Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Fatehpur and Pratapgarh districts, while Ayodhya division will include Ayodhya, Ambedkarnagar, Sultanpur, Amethi and Barabanki districts, Khanna said.</p>

<p>The decision came a day after the Allahabad High Court asked the Centre and the state government to file counter-affidavits within a week on a petition challenging the decision to rename Allahabad as Prayagraj.</p>

<p>Justices Vikram Nath and Rajesh Singh Chauhan of the Lucknow bench fixed the next hearing on Monday.</p>

<p>The sudden spate in changing the names of key UP districts, towns and railway stations drew criticism from not only the opposition but the ruling NDA constituent Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) too.</p>

<p>Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav blamed the chief minister for taking credit by just renaming cities.</p>

<p>"Raja Harshvardhan made 'Prayag Kumbh' great by offering donations, but today's rulers are trying to take credit for the work just by renaming the city to 'Prayagraj'," the former chief minister tweeted earlier.</p>

<p>"They (BJP) have even re-named 'Ardh Kumbh' as 'Kumbh'. This mocks our tradition and belief," he said.</p>

<p>The Congress, too, had hit out at the ruling dispensation, with a party leader saying that changing the name of the historic city to 'Prayagraj' is an attempt to toy with the history of the nation.</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh minister and SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar mocked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the move and said the party should change names of its Muslim leaders before changing the names of different towns and places.</p>

<p>"The BJP changed the names of Mughalsarai and Faizabad. They say they were named after the Mughals. They have a national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Uttar Pradesh Minister Mohsin Raza - three Muslim faces of the BJP. They should change their names first."</p>

<p>He said that the names of places were changed just to divert the attention of the backward and oppressed people from the issues, which concern them.</p>

<p>"This is all a drama to distract the backward and oppressed people whenever they raise their voices for their rights. No one else has given the things that Muslims have given. Should we throw away the GT Road? Who built the Red Fort? Who built the Taj Mahal," he asked.</p>

<p>Earlier, the government renamed the Mughalsarai Railway station, another historic spot, as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction.</p>

<p>In August this year, the UP government had sent a request to the Centre to rename the airports in Agra, Bareilly and Kanpur. According to reports, the proposal is to rename the Agra airport after Jan Sangh founder Deen Dayal Upadhyay.</p>

<p>The ruling BJP has, however, justified the name changes across Uttar Pradesh, saying they are merely restoring older names and correcting historical distortions.</p>

<p>Allahabad's ancient name was 'Prayag', but was changed after 16th-century Mughal emperor Akbar built a fort near 'Sangam', the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.</p>

<p>Akbar named the fort and its neighbourhood 'Ilahabad'. Later, Akbar's grandson Shah Jahan renamed the entire city as 'Allahabad'. But the area near the 'Sangam', the site of the Kumbh Mela, continues to be known as 'Prayag'.</p>


The Uttar Pradesh government Tuesday approved the renaming of Faizabad and Allahabad divisions as Ayodhya and Prayagraj respectively. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna told reporters.

The Uttar Pradesh government Tuesday approved the renaming of Faizabad and Allahabad divisions as Ayodhya and Prayagraj respectively. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna told reporters. Prayagraj division will comprise Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Fatehpur and Pratapgarh districts, while Ayodhya division will include Ayodhya, Ambedkarnagar, Sultanpur, Amethi and Barabanki districts, Khanna said. The decision came a day after the Allahabad High Court asked the Centre and the state government to file counter-affidavits within a week on a petition challenging the decision to rename Allahabad as Prayagraj. Justices Vikram Nath and Rajesh Singh Chauhan of the Lucknow bench fixed the next hearing on Monday. The sudden spate in changing the names of key UP districts, towns and railway stations drew criticism from not only the opposition but the ruling NDA constituent Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) too. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav blamed the chief minister for taking credit by just renaming cities. "Raja Harshvardhan made 'Prayag Kumbh' great by offering donations, but today's rulers are trying to take credit for the work just by renaming the city to 'Prayagraj'," the former chief minister tweeted earlier. "They (BJP) have even re-named 'Ardh Kumbh' as 'Kumbh'. This mocks our tradition and belief," he said. The Congress, too, had hit out at the ruling dispensation, with a party leader saying that changing the name of the historic city to 'Prayagraj' is an attempt to toy with the history of the nation. Uttar Pradesh minister and SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar mocked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the move and said the party should change names of its Muslim leaders before changing the names of different towns and places. "The BJP changed the names of Mughalsarai and Faizabad. They say they were named after the Mughals. They have a national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Uttar Pradesh Minister Mohsin Raza - three Muslim faces of the BJP. They should change their names first." He said that the names of places were changed just to divert the attention of the backward and oppressed people from the issues, which concern them. "This is all a drama to distract the backward and oppressed people whenever they raise their voices for their rights. No one else has given the things that Muslims have given. Should we throw away the GT Road? Who built the Red Fort? Who built the Taj Mahal," he asked. Earlier, the government renamed the Mughalsarai Railway station, another historic spot, as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction. In August this year, the UP government had sent a request to the Centre to rename the airports in Agra, Bareilly and Kanpur. According to reports, the proposal is to rename the Agra airport after Jan Sangh founder Deen Dayal Upadhyay. The ruling BJP has, however, justified the name changes across Uttar Pradesh, saying they are merely restoring older names and correcting historical distortions. Allahabad's ancient name was 'Prayag', but was changed after 16th-century Mughal emperor Akbar built a fort near 'Sangam', the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Akbar named the fort and its neighbourhood 'Ilahabad'. Later, Akbar's grandson Shah Jahan renamed the entire city as 'Allahabad'. But the area near the 'Sangam', the site of the Kumbh Mela, continues to be known as 'Prayag'.

UP cabinet approves renaming of Faizabad as Ayodhya, Allahabad as Prayagraj

<p>Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday hit out at Dassault Aviation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rafale-deal-i-dont-lie-we-chose-ambani-by-ourselves-says-dassault-ceo-trappier-177000">Eric Trappier</a>, terming his interview with news agency ANI as "dictated" and said, "Manufactured lies can not suppress the Rafale scam."</p>

<p>Eric Trappier in an interview with news agency ANI on Tuesday dismissed Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s allegations that he had lied about the details of the Dassault- Reliance Joint Venture (JV) for offset contracts in the Rafale fighter jet deal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As a reaction to the interview Surjewala took to twitter and posted "The first rule of Law - Mutual Beneficiaries and co-accused's statements hold no value. Second Rule: Beneficiaries and Accused can't be Judge in their own case. Truth has a way of coming out."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">‘Dictated Interviews’ &amp; ‘Manufactured Lies’ can not suppress the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rafale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rafale</a> Scam!<br />
<br />
First rule of Law-<br />
Mutual Beneficiaries &amp; Co-accused’s statements hold no value.<br />
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Second Rule:-Beneficiaries &amp; Accused can’t be Judge in their own case.<br />
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Truth has a way of coming out. <a href="https://t.co/rRoGlKNl6q">https://t.co/rRoGlKNl6q</a></p>
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) <a href="https://twitter.com/rssurjewala/status/1062224546256760832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He also called the interview "a fixed match between BJP Govt &amp; Dassault and PR Stunts of PM Modi &amp; Eric Trappier can’t hide the blatant corruption."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rafale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rafale</a> Scam!<br />
<br />
Nation doesn’t need ‘doctored explanations’ but ‘fair investigation’!<br />
<br />
Fixed match between BJP Govt &amp; Dassault and PR Stunts of PM Modi &amp; Eric Trappier can’t hide the blatant corruption.<br />
<br />
Our Statement-: <a href="https://t.co/P4xAGiUj7z">pic.twitter.com/P4xAGiUj7z</a></p>
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) <a href="https://twitter.com/rssurjewala/status/1062244158566481920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>During the interview, Trappier told ANI,&nbsp;"I don't lie. The truth I declared before and the statements I made are true. I don't have a reputation of lying".</p>


Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday hit out at Dassault Aviation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Trappier, terming his interview with news agency ANI as "dictated" and said, "Manufactured lies can not suppress the Rafale scam.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday hit out at Dassault Aviation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Trappier, terming his interview with news agency ANI as "dictated" and said, "Manufactured lies can not suppress the Rafale scam." Eric Trappier in an interview with news agency ANI on Tuesday dismissed Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s allegations that he had lied about the details of the Dassault- Reliance Joint Venture (JV) for offset contracts in the Rafale fighter jet deal. As a reaction to the interview Surjewala took to twitter and posted "The first rule of Law - Mutual Beneficiaries and co-accused's statements hold no value. Second Rule: Beneficiaries and Accused can't be Judge in their own case. Truth has a way of coming out." ‘Dictated Interviews’ & ‘Manufactured Lies’ can not suppress the #Rafale Scam! First rule of Law- Mutual Beneficiaries & Co-accused’s statements hold no value. Second Rule:-Beneficiaries & Accused can’t be Judge in their own case. Truth has a way of coming out. https://t.co/rRoGlKNl6q — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) November 13, 2018 × He also called the interview "a fixed match between BJP Govt & Dassault and PR Stunts of PM Modi & Eric Trappier can’t hide the blatant corruption." #Rafale Scam! Nation doesn’t need ‘doctored explanations’ but ‘fair investigation’! Fixed match between BJP Govt & Dassault and PR Stunts of PM Modi & Eric Trappier can’t hide the blatant corruption. Our Statement-: pic.twitter.com/P4xAGiUj7z — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) November 13, 2018 × During the interview, Trappier told ANI, "I don't lie. The truth I declared before and the statements I made are true. I don't have a reputation of lying".

‘Dictated interviews’ cannot suppress the Rafale scam: Congress hits back at Dassault CEO

<p>Dassault CEO Eric Trappier has rubbished allegations made by Congress president Rahul Gandhi that the former lied about the details of the Dassault-Reliance Joint Venture (JV) for offset contracts in the Rafale Jet deal. Tappier <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-is-confused-man-on-rafale-says-nirmala-sitharaman-175207">said that the company chose</a> Ambani and it has 30 partners other than Reliance.</p>

<p>"I don't lie. The truth I declared before and the statements I made are true. I don't have a reputation of lying," Trappier said during an interview with newswire ANI when asked to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/dictated-interviews-and-manufactured-lies-cannot-suppress-the-rafale-scam-congress-hits-back-at-dassault-ceo-177048">respond to Rahul Gandhi's charge</a> that Dassault was covering up for possible cronyism in awarding the offset deal to Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group.</p>

<p>"In my position as CEO, you don't lie," the Dassault CEO added.</p>

<p>The government on Monday had submitted documents related to the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault while emphasising that it had followed the "due process".</p>

<p>The pricing documents were submitted in a sealed cover. The government informed the court that it followed the process as laid down by the previous UPA government in 2013.</p>

<p>"We have long experience with Congress," he said, adding, "our first deal was with India in 1953 was during Nehru, later other PMs. We are not working for any party, we are supplying strategic products to the Indian Air Force and the Indian government."</p>

<p>"The first delivery of Rafale to the IAF is going to take place next year in September as per the contract. It is totally in time, Trappier said.</p>

<p>"We have seven years to perform our offset. During the first three years, we are not obliged to say with who we are working. Already settled agreement with 30 companies&nbsp;which represents 40% of total offset obligation as per contract. Reliance is 10% out of the 40,"&nbsp;he informed.</p>

<p>The document submitted in court by the government addressed allegations made by Congress president Rahul Gandhi that PM Modi forced the French company Dassault Aviation to select a Reliance group firm of Anil Ambani as an offset partner to help it "pocket" Rs 30,000 crore.</p>

<p>"As per available information, our adversaries inducted more than 400 fighters (equivalent to more than 20 Squadrons) during the period from 2010 to 2015. They not only inducted 4th Generation Aircraft but also inducted 5th Generation Stealth Fighter Aircraft," the government told the top court.</p>

<p>It stated that as per the Defence Offset Guidelines, the vendor is "free to select its Indian Offset Partners (IOPs) for implementing offset obligation".</p>

<p>"We chose Ambani by ourselves. We already have 30 partners other than Reliance. The IAF is supporting the deal because they need the fighter jets for their own defence to be at the top," Dassault CEO Trappier said.</p>

<p>"We are not putting the money in Reliance. The money is going into the JV (Dassault-Reliance). Engineers and workers from Dassault are taking the lead as far as the industrial part of the deal is concerned," Trappier added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;Centre told the Supreme Court that 74 meetings of the Indian Negotiating Team (INT) took place, including 26 with the French side, from May 2015 to April 2016 on the Rafale deal.</p>

<p>INT was constituted to negotiate the terms and conditions of the procurement of 36 Rafale aircraft.</p>

<p>The INT was headed by the Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS) of IAF and comprised of the Joint Secretary &amp; Acquisition Manager (Air); Joint Secretary (Defence Offset Management Wing); Joint Secretary &amp; Additional Financial Advisor; Finance Manager (Air); Advisor (Cost) and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans) as members from Indian Government side.</p>

<p>The French side was headed by the Director General of Armament (DGA), Ministry of Defense, Government of France, it said.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Dassault CEO Eric Trappier has rubbished allegations made by Congress president Rahul Gandhi that the former lied about the details of the Dassault-Reliance Joint Venture (JV) for offset contracts in the Rafale Jet deal.

Dassault CEO Eric Trappier has rubbished allegations made by Congress president Rahul Gandhi that the former lied about the details of the Dassault-Reliance Joint Venture (JV) for offset contracts in the Rafale Jet deal. Tappier said that the company chose Ambani and it has 30 partners other than Reliance. "I don't lie. The truth I declared before and the statements I made are true. I don't have a reputation of lying," Trappier said during an interview with newswire ANI when asked to respond to Rahul Gandhi's charge that Dassault was covering up for possible cronyism in awarding the offset deal to Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group. "In my position as CEO, you don't lie," the Dassault CEO added. The government on Monday had submitted documents related to the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault while emphasising that it had followed the "due process". The pricing documents were submitted in a sealed cover. The government informed the court that it followed the process as laid down by the previous UPA government in 2013. "We have long experience with Congress," he said, adding, "our first deal was with India in 1953 was during Nehru, later other PMs. We are not working for any party, we are supplying strategic products to the Indian Air Force and the Indian government." "The first delivery of Rafale to the IAF is going to take place next year in September as per the contract. It is totally in time, Trappier said. "We have seven years to perform our offset. During the first three years, we are not obliged to say with who we are working. Already settled agreement with 30 companies which represents 40% of total offset obligation as per contract. Reliance is 10% out of the 40," he informed. The document submitted in court by the government addressed allegations made by Congress president Rahul Gandhi that PM Modi forced the French company Dassault Aviation to select a Reliance group firm of Anil Ambani as an offset partner to help it "pocket" Rs 30,000 crore. "As per available information, our adversaries inducted more than 400 fighters (equivalent to more than 20 Squadrons) during the period from 2010 to 2015. They not only inducted 4th Generation Aircraft but also inducted 5th Generation Stealth Fighter Aircraft," the government told the top court. It stated that as per the Defence Offset Guidelines, the vendor is "free to select its Indian Offset Partners (IOPs) for implementing offset obligation". "We chose Ambani by ourselves. We already have 30 partners other than Reliance. The IAF is supporting the deal because they need the fighter jets for their own defence to be at the top," Dassault CEO Trappier said. "We are not putting the money in Reliance. The money is going into the JV (Dassault-Reliance). Engineers and workers from Dassault are taking the lead as far as the industrial part of the deal is concerned," Trappier added. The Centre told the Supreme Court that 74 meetings of the Indian Negotiating Team (INT) took place, including 26 with the French side, from May 2015 to April 2016 on the Rafale deal. INT was constituted to negotiate the terms and conditions of the procurement of 36 Rafale aircraft. The INT was headed by the Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS) of IAF and comprised of the Joint Secretary & Acquisition Manager (Air); Joint Secretary (Defence Offset Management Wing); Joint Secretary & Additional Financial Advisor; Finance Manager (Air); Advisor (Cost) and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans) as members from Indian Government side. The French side was headed by the Director General of Armament (DGA), Ministry of Defense, Government of France, it said.

Rafale deal: We chose Ambani ourselves, not putting the money in Reliance, says Dassault CEO Trappier

<p>The Election Commission Monday issued notification for the December 7 election to the Telangana LegislativeAssembly.</p>

<p>According to the notification, nominations would be accepted from November 12 to 19 while the date for scrutiny of papers has been fixed on November 20.</p>

<p>The last date for withdrawing nominations is November 22.<br />
Polls are scheduled to be held on December 7 and counting would be held on December 11.</p>

<p>According to an earlier communication from the Chief Electoral officer's office, the total number of voters in Telangana have gone down by nearly nine lakh to 2.73 crore for the Assembly polls.</p>

<p>There would be more than 32,574 polling stations in the state and few more may be set up depending on the number of voters.</p>

<p>The 119-member Assembly was dissolved on September 6 on the recommendation of the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led government, more than eight months ahead of the expiry of its term.</p>

<p>The Election Commission on Friday imposed a near month-long ban on holding exit polls beginning November 12 in the five poll-bound states including Telangana.</p>

<p>Caretaker Chief Minister and TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao handed over B-Forms to party's contesting candidates Sunday after a brainstorming session with them.</p>

<p>He is expected to file his nomination from Gajwel constituency in Medak district on November 14.</p>

<p>"Honourable KCR garu giving away the B-form to the MLAs of my parliament constituency. We seek the blessings of T-people for the success of all our mlas,"TRS MP and CM's daughter Kavitha tweeted.</p>

<p>The TRS has already announced its candidates for 107 segments, including 105 at one go within minutes of the Assembly dissolution, giving it a jump-start to the campaign and stunning the opposition.</p>

<p>The main opposition Congress forged an electoral pact with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) headed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) founded by retired Osmania University Political Science Professor Kodandaram and the Communist Party of India.</p>

<p>However the "Grand Alliance" is yet to announce the list of the contesting candidates.</p>

<p>BJP had so far announced 66 nominees in two tranches.</p>


The Election Commission Monday issued notification for the December 7 election to the Telangana LegislativeAssembly. According to the notification, nominations would be accepted from November 12 to 19 while the date for scrutiny of papers has been fixed on November 20.

The Election Commission Monday issued notification for the December 7 election to the Telangana LegislativeAssembly. According to the notification, nominations would be accepted from November 12 to 19 while the date for scrutiny of papers has been fixed on November 20. The last date for withdrawing nominations is November 22. Polls are scheduled to be held on December 7 and counting would be held on December 11. According to an earlier communication from the Chief Electoral officer's office, the total number of voters in Telangana have gone down by nearly nine lakh to 2.73 crore for the Assembly polls. There would be more than 32,574 polling stations in the state and few more may be set up depending on the number of voters. The 119-member Assembly was dissolved on September 6 on the recommendation of the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led government, more than eight months ahead of the expiry of its term. The Election Commission on Friday imposed a near month-long ban on holding exit polls beginning November 12 in the five poll-bound states including Telangana. Caretaker Chief Minister and TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao handed over B-Forms to party's contesting candidates Sunday after a brainstorming session with them. He is expected to file his nomination from Gajwel constituency in Medak district on November 14. "Honourable KCR garu giving away the B-form to the MLAs of my parliament constituency. We seek the blessings of T-people for the success of all our mlas,"TRS MP and CM's daughter Kavitha tweeted. The TRS has already announced its candidates for 107 segments, including 105 at one go within minutes of the Assembly dissolution, giving it a jump-start to the campaign and stunning the opposition. The main opposition Congress forged an electoral pact with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) headed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) founded by retired Osmania University Political Science Professor Kodandaram and the Communist Party of India. However the "Grand Alliance" is yet to announce the list of the contesting candidates. BJP had so far announced 66 nominees in two tranches.

Notification issued for Telangana Assembly election

<p>The Supreme Court Monday declined early hearing of petitions in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case.</p>

<p>A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul said it had already listed the appeals before the appropriate bench in January.</p>

<p>"We have already passed the order. The appeals are coming up in January. Permission declined," the bench said while rejecting the request of early hearing of lawyer Barun Kumar Sinha, appearing for the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha.</p>

<p>The top court had earlier fixed the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case for the first week of January before an "appropriate bench", which will decide the schedule of hearing.</p>

<p>Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocate CS Vaidyanathan, appearing for the UP government and deity Ramlala respectively, had sought early listing of the appeals in the case after referring to their long pendency.</p>

<p>Earlier, a three-judge bench, by a 2:1 majority, refused to refer to a five-judge constitution bench the issue of reconsideration of the observations in its 1994 judgement of the Allahabad High Court that a mosque was not integral to Islam. The matter had arisen during the hearing of the Ayodhya land dispute.</p>

<p>The apex court bench headed by the then Chief Justice Dipak Misra had said that the civil suit has to be decided on the basis of evidence.</p>

<p>It had also said that the previous verdict has no relevance to this issue.</p>

<p>As many as 14 appeals have been filed against the high court judgement, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.</p>


The Supreme Court Monday declined early hearing of petitions in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul said it had already listed the appeals before the appropriate bench in January.

The Supreme Court Monday declined early hearing of petitions in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul said it had already listed the appeals before the appropriate bench in January. "We have already passed the order. The appeals are coming up in January. Permission declined," the bench said while rejecting the request of early hearing of lawyer Barun Kumar Sinha, appearing for the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha. The top court had earlier fixed the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case for the first week of January before an "appropriate bench", which will decide the schedule of hearing. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocate CS Vaidyanathan, appearing for the UP government and deity Ramlala respectively, had sought early listing of the appeals in the case after referring to their long pendency. Earlier, a three-judge bench, by a 2:1 majority, refused to refer to a five-judge constitution bench the issue of reconsideration of the observations in its 1994 judgement of the Allahabad High Court that a mosque was not integral to Islam. The matter had arisen during the hearing of the Ayodhya land dispute. The apex court bench headed by the then Chief Justice Dipak Misra had said that the civil suit has to be decided on the basis of evidence. It had also said that the previous verdict has no relevance to this issue. As many as 14 appeals have been filed against the high court judgement, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

Supreme Court declines early hearing of pleas in Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet United States Vice President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pence-accuses-china-of-seeking-to-change-us-president-169494">Mike Pence</a> on the sidelines of the 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore on November 14, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Addressing a presser here, Secretary (East) Vijay Thakur Singh&nbsp;said, "We can confirm that a meeting will take between the Prime Minister and the US Vice President on November 14. We will brief you later about the meeting and the outcomes of that meeting."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Delving on Prime Minister Modi`s two-day visit to Singapore, Singh said that this would be Prime Minister`s second visit to the island nation. Previously, he undertook a visit to Singapore in June.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"He will leave for Singapore on 14th morning and leave for Delhi late afternoon of 15th November. His first engagement would be a keynote address in the Singapore FinTech festival, where there is an Indian pavilion. It is one of the largest festivals. This year`s FinTech festival will be the third edition. This will be the first time a head of government will give a keynote address. This is because India has done lots of work in leveraging technology for innovation, development and financial inclusion," Singh elaborated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On November 15, the prime minister will participate in the ASEAN-India breakfast summit, followed by East Asia lunch retreat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After that, Prime Minister Modi will take part in the East Asia Summit in a plenary setting.&nbsp;After the meetings, the prime minister will depart for India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi will also meet with the participants of the India-Singapore hackathon programme.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There has been an enthusiastic participation where about 80 participants are participating," Singh said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the East Asia summit, regional and global issues would be discussed between the leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prominent issues such as ICT, Smart Cities project, maritime cooperation and terrorism would be on the agenda during the plurilateral meeting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We hope that the Prime Minister`s visit would give a new momentum to our relationship and engagement with ASEAN and East Asia Summit and would also strengthen India`s relations with Singapore. India has been engaging with ASEAN countries because we have an active Act East Policy, thereby having continued engagement with our eastern neighbours," Singh said.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet United States Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of the 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore on November 14, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet United States Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of the 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore on November 14, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed. Addressing a presser here, Secretary (East) Vijay Thakur Singh said, "We can confirm that a meeting will take between the Prime Minister and the US Vice President on November 14. We will brief you later about the meeting and the outcomes of that meeting." Delving on Prime Minister Modi`s two-day visit to Singapore, Singh said that this would be Prime Minister`s second visit to the island nation. Previously, he undertook a visit to Singapore in June. "He will leave for Singapore on 14th morning and leave for Delhi late afternoon of 15th November. His first engagement would be a keynote address in the Singapore FinTech festival, where there is an Indian pavilion. It is one of the largest festivals. This year`s FinTech festival will be the third edition. This will be the first time a head of government will give a keynote address. This is because India has done lots of work in leveraging technology for innovation, development and financial inclusion," Singh elaborated. On November 15, the prime minister will participate in the ASEAN-India breakfast summit, followed by East Asia lunch retreat. After that, Prime Minister Modi will take part in the East Asia Summit in a plenary setting. After the meetings, the prime minister will depart for India. Prime Minister Modi will also meet with the participants of the India-Singapore hackathon programme. "There has been an enthusiastic participation where about 80 participants are participating," Singh said. In the East Asia summit, regional and global issues would be discussed between the leaders. Prominent issues such as ICT, Smart Cities project, maritime cooperation and terrorism would be on the agenda during the plurilateral meeting. "We hope that the Prime Minister`s visit would give a new momentum to our relationship and engagement with ASEAN and East Asia Summit and would also strengthen India`s relations with Singapore. India has been engaging with ASEAN countries because we have an active Act East Policy, thereby having continued engagement with our eastern neighbours," Singh said.

Modi to meet US Vice-President Mike Pence in Singapore on November 14

<p>Gujarat government is mulling a law to curb the spread of fake news and information on social media, state Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel noted on Monday.</p>

<p>Patel stated that the spread of fake news and misuse of social media will harm the country's unity, peace and security.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Such misuse of social media would harm the country's unity, peace and security. Inciting conflicts between various castes and communities, spreading religious rumours or about any person is not good," Patel said.</p>

<p>"It is necessary to stop such practice (of spreading fake news and information). While some laws are being enacted (at the Centre), the Gujarat government is also mulling to enact a law in this regard," he added.</p>

<p>The minister further informed that the state government is taking time to formulate such a law to ensure that the citizens do not see it as "censorship" imposed by the government.</p>

<p>"Discussions (in the government) are going on for the last three-four months on how the law can be implemented. People should not feel we are imposing censorship on them," Patel told media.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nationalism-behind-spread-of-fake-news-in-india-bbc-report-176848">a BBC report</a> on Monday stated that people in India share fake news stories with nationalistic messages for "nation-building" purposes without any attempt at fact-checking.</p>

<p>The findings come from extensive research in India, Kenya, and Nigeria into the way ordinary citizens engage with and spread fake news, the British public broadcaster said.</p>

<p>According to the report, there is also an overlap of fake news sources on Twitter and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support networks.</p>

<p>The report, analysing the spread of fake news from the perspective of ordinary citizens, suggests an "overlap between fake news and pro-Modi political activity" in India.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from PTI</em>)&nbsp;</p>


Gujarat government is mulling a law to curb the spread of fake news and information on social media, state Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel noted on Monday. Patel stated that the spread of fake news and misuse of social media will harm the country's unity, peace and security.

Gujarat government is mulling a law to curb the spread of fake news and information on social media, state Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel noted on Monday. Patel stated that the spread of fake news and misuse of social media will harm the country's unity, peace and security. "Such misuse of social media would harm the country's unity, peace and security. Inciting conflicts between various castes and communities, spreading religious rumours or about any person is not good," Patel said. "It is necessary to stop such practice (of spreading fake news and information). While some laws are being enacted (at the Centre), the Gujarat government is also mulling to enact a law in this regard," he added. The minister further informed that the state government is taking time to formulate such a law to ensure that the citizens do not see it as "censorship" imposed by the government. "Discussions (in the government) are going on for the last three-four months on how the law can be implemented. People should not feel we are imposing censorship on them," Patel told media. Meanwhile, a BBC report on Monday stated that people in India share fake news stories with nationalistic messages for "nation-building" purposes without any attempt at fact-checking. The findings come from extensive research in India, Kenya, and Nigeria into the way ordinary citizens engage with and spread fake news, the British public broadcaster said. According to the report, there is also an overlap of fake news sources on Twitter and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support networks. The report, analysing the spread of fake news from the perspective of ordinary citizens, suggests an "overlap between fake news and pro-Modi political activity" in India. (With inputs from PTI)

Gujarat govt mulling law to curb fake news on social media: Deputy CM Nitin Patel

<p>The Karnataka government has declared a three-day state mourning till November 14 as a mark of respect to Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, who died early in the morning today.</p>

<p>The Karnataka government has also declared a holiday today as a mark of respect to Kumar, who died at the age of 59. "His last rites would be performed with full government honour," an official release from the state government said.</p>

<p>Kumar died at a private hospital in Bengaluru at around 2 am this morning. He was being treated for lung cancer for several months.</p>

<p>The government notification said that there would be no official programs held during the state mourning. The national flag would fly at half mast on all government buildings, it said.</p>

<p>Condoling Ananth Kumar's death, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said he has "lost a great friend."</p>

<p>"Our families had a friendship beyond politics. He always valued and gave priority to friendship. I have lost a great friend in his death," Kumaraswamy said in a statement.</p>

<p>Describing him as a "value-based politician", who made a significant contribution to the country as an MP and Union Minister, the chief minister said, his pro-people attitude and activities had made him the "apple of the eye of Bengalurians".</p>

<p>Kumaraswamy will directly arrive at the National College Ground from Mysuru today, and will pay his last respects to the departed leader, the chief minister's office said.</p>


The Karnataka government has declared a three-day state mourning till November 14 as a mark of respect to Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, who died early in the morning today.

The Karnataka government has declared a three-day state mourning till November 14 as a mark of respect to Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, who died early in the morning today. The Karnataka government has also declared a holiday today as a mark of respect to Kumar, who died at the age of 59. "His last rites would be performed with full government honour," an official release from the state government said. Kumar died at a private hospital in Bengaluru at around 2 am this morning. He was being treated for lung cancer for several months. The government notification said that there would be no official programs held during the state mourning. The national flag would fly at half mast on all government buildings, it said. Condoling Ananth Kumar's death, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said he has "lost a great friend." "Our families had a friendship beyond politics. He always valued and gave priority to friendship. I have lost a great friend in his death," Kumaraswamy said in a statement. Describing him as a "value-based politician", who made a significant contribution to the country as an MP and Union Minister, the chief minister said, his pro-people attitude and activities had made him the "apple of the eye of Bengalurians". Kumaraswamy will directly arrive at the National College Ground from Mysuru today, and will pay his last respects to the departed leader, the chief minister's office said.

Karnataka declares three-day mourning as mark of respect to Ananth Kumar

<p>The national capital's air quality turned severe on Monday evening as the pollution level increased again due to unfavourable meteorological conditions such as low wind speed, authorities said.</p>

<p>The overall air quality index (AQI) in the city was recorded at 407 which falls in the severe category, according to data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).</p>

<p>The PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) level on Monday was recorded at 262 while the PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) was recorded at 460, the CPCB said.</p>

<p>Nineteen areas in Delhi recorded severe air quality while 17 areas showed very poor air quality, it said, adding Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Greater Noida and Noida recorded severe air quality while Gurgaon showed improvement with the AQI being in the moderate category.</p>

<p>An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".</p>

<p>Satellite images by Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) showed moderate stubble burning fire count that is contributing to seven per cent pollution at PM2.5 in Delhi.</p>

<p>Authorities have attributed the dip in air quality to unfavourable weather conditions such as low wind speed.</p>

<p>SAFAR said the air quality is likely to improve further by Tuesday but will remain in the "very poor" category.</p>

<p>"The stubble related impact continue to remain nominal due to slow transport height winds," it said.</p>

<p>The air quality in the national capital deteriorated severely on Thursday, a day after Diwali and continued to remain in the 'severe'&nbsp;category before showing a slight improvement on Saturday. Since then it has been oscillating between very poor and severe.&nbsp;</p>


The national capital's air quality turned severe on Monday evening as the pollution level increased again due to unfavourable meteorological conditions such as low wind speed, authorities said.

The national capital's air quality turned severe on Monday evening as the pollution level increased again due to unfavourable meteorological conditions such as low wind speed, authorities said. The overall air quality index (AQI) in the city was recorded at 407 which falls in the severe category, according to data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The PM2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) level on Monday was recorded at 262 while the PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) was recorded at 460, the CPCB said. Nineteen areas in Delhi recorded severe air quality while 17 areas showed very poor air quality, it said, adding Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Greater Noida and Noida recorded severe air quality while Gurgaon showed improvement with the AQI being in the moderate category. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". Satellite images by Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) showed moderate stubble burning fire count that is contributing to seven per cent pollution at PM2.5 in Delhi. Authorities have attributed the dip in air quality to unfavourable weather conditions such as low wind speed. SAFAR said the air quality is likely to improve further by Tuesday but will remain in the "very poor" category. "The stubble related impact continue to remain nominal due to slow transport height winds," it said. The air quality in the national capital deteriorated severely on Thursday, a day after Diwali and continued to remain in the 'severe' category before showing a slight improvement on Saturday. Since then it has been oscillating between very poor and severe.

Unfavourable meteorological conditions turn Delhi's air quality severe again: Authorities

<p>Air safety watchdog on Monday suspended the licence of a senior Air India pilot, who is also the carrier's director of operations, for three years, a day after he failed two breathalyzer tests before a flight to London from New Delhi.</p>

<p>This is the second time Arvind Kathpalia has been in trouble over alcohol tests. He was suspended for three months in 2017 for allegedly refusing to take breathalyzer tests.</p>

<p>"The privileges of his licence have been suspended for a period of three years from 11.11.2018 as per the provisions of applicable regulations," a spokesman at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement.</p>

<p>Kathpalia, who sits on the airline's board, told Reuters the DGCA directive "is a rule and so it is meant to be followed".</p>

<p>"At present, I don't see how" to contest it, he added.</p>

<p>On Sunday, he had said that he would contest the results of the tests and claimed he was the victim of internal feuding within the loss-making state-owned airline.</p>

<p>An Air India spokesman could not be reached for comment.</p>

<p>India is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets with about 20 per cent growth in the number of passengers taking domestic and international flights over the past few years.</p>

<p>More than 1 million flights departed from the country last fiscal year, ended March 31, according to DGCA data.</p>

<p>Between 2015-2017, 132 pilots in India failed a breathalyzer test during the mandatory pre-flight examination, the Minister of Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu told parliament in August.</p>

<p>Of these, 112 pilots were first-time offenders and their pilot licence was suspended for three months. Fifteen pilots were repeat offenders and had their license suspended for three years, Prabhu said.</p>

<p>The licence of one pilot, who failed the test for the third time, was cancelled while four expatriate pilots lost their foreign licence for failing the test.</p>

<p>In 2017, Kathpalia was suspended for three months when he had allegedly refused to take a breathalyzer test before a flight to Bengaluru from New Delhi, the DGCA said.</p>

<p>In August 2018, the Indian Commercial Pilots Association, a trade union representing pilots of the state-owned carrier, filed a court case against Kathpalia requesting stern action against him over the missed breathalyzer tests and other behaviour.</p>

<p>Kathpalia was appointed operations director in June 2017. According to the job description at the time, he is responsible for flight operations, ground operations, and flight safety and training operations.</p>

<p>It is unclear if those remain the job specifications. It is also unclear if he will retain his position as operations director and stay on Air India's board.</p>


Air safety watchdog on Monday suspended the licence of a senior Air India pilot, who is also the carrier's director of operations, for three years, a day after he failed two breathalyzer tests before a flight to London from New Delhi.

Air safety watchdog on Monday suspended the licence of a senior Air India pilot, who is also the carrier's director of operations, for three years, a day after he failed two breathalyzer tests before a flight to London from New Delhi. This is the second time Arvind Kathpalia has been in trouble over alcohol tests. He was suspended for three months in 2017 for allegedly refusing to take breathalyzer tests. "The privileges of his licence have been suspended for a period of three years from 11.11.2018 as per the provisions of applicable regulations," a spokesman at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement. Kathpalia, who sits on the airline's board, told Reuters the DGCA directive "is a rule and so it is meant to be followed". "At present, I don't see how" to contest it, he added. On Sunday, he had said that he would contest the results of the tests and claimed he was the victim of internal feuding within the loss-making state-owned airline. An Air India spokesman could not be reached for comment. India is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets with about 20 per cent growth in the number of passengers taking domestic and international flights over the past few years. More than 1 million flights departed from the country last fiscal year, ended March 31, according to DGCA data. Between 2015-2017, 132 pilots in India failed a breathalyzer test during the mandatory pre-flight examination, the Minister of Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu told parliament in August. Of these, 112 pilots were first-time offenders and their pilot licence was suspended for three months. Fifteen pilots were repeat offenders and had their license suspended for three years, Prabhu said. The licence of one pilot, who failed the test for the third time, was cancelled while four expatriate pilots lost their foreign licence for failing the test. In 2017, Kathpalia was suspended for three months when he had allegedly refused to take a breathalyzer test before a flight to Bengaluru from New Delhi, the DGCA said. In August 2018, the Indian Commercial Pilots Association, a trade union representing pilots of the state-owned carrier, filed a court case against Kathpalia requesting stern action against him over the missed breathalyzer tests and other behaviour. Kathpalia was appointed operations director in June 2017. According to the job description at the time, he is responsible for flight operations, ground operations, and flight safety and training operations. It is unclear if those remain the job specifications. It is also unclear if he will retain his position as operations director and stay on Air India's board.

DGCA suspends Air India pilot's licence for 3 years

<p>An encounter between security forces and Maoists broke out in Chhattisgarh's Sukma region on Monday wherein two Maoists were killed, news agency ANI reported, adding that two rifles have been recovered.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-polls-3-more-crpf-commandos-injured-5-naxals-killed-in-bijapur-encounter-176850">five Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) jawans were injured</a> in another encounter that broke out between security forces and Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur's Pamed. The security forces gunned down five Naxals, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>IEDs were detected and defused by security forces in Bijapur area and Sukma district on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amid Naxal attacks, Chhattisgarh went to polls on Monday in the first phase of the assembly elections.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Two Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Sukma. Two rifles also recovered. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chhattisgarh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chhattisgarh</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y5EVrBW6su">pic.twitter.com/Y5EVrBW6su</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1061979429629497345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>As many as 18 assembly constituencies, out of a total of 90, went to polls today in the first phase, the remaining 72 seats of Chhattisgarh assembly will go to vote on November 20 as part of a multi-phased voting across five states that also include neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram.</p>

<p>Polling concluded on Monday evening with nearly <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-elections-voter-turnout-recorded-at-close-to-60-as-1st-phase-of-polling-ends-176901">70 per cent voter turnout</a>. Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat stated that the polling went peacefully as compared to earlier elections.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Polling was peaceful. In comparison to earlier elections, this elections have been singular achievement of the people working in fields. Attempts were made to create fear among people but enthusiasm in voters was appreciable: OP Rawat, Chief Election Commissioner <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chhattisgarh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chhattisgarh</a> <a href="https://t.co/eUXaT3iD7c">pic.twitter.com/eUXaT3iD7c</a></p>
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<p>"Polling was peaceful. In comparison to earlier elections, this election has been singular achievement of the people working in fields. Attempts were made to create fear among people but enthusiasm in voters was appreciable," Rawat told media.&nbsp;</p>


An encounter between security forces and Maoists broke out in Chhattisgarh's Sukma region on Monday wherein two Maoists were killed, news agency ANI reported, adding that two rifles have been recovered.

An encounter between security forces and Maoists broke out in Chhattisgarh's Sukma region on Monday wherein two Maoists were killed, news agency ANI reported, adding that two rifles have been recovered. Earlier in the day, five Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) jawans were injured in another encounter that broke out between security forces and Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur's Pamed. The security forces gunned down five Naxals, news agency ANI reported. IEDs were detected and defused by security forces in Bijapur area and Sukma district on Monday. Amid Naxal attacks, Chhattisgarh went to polls on Monday in the first phase of the assembly elections. Two Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Sukma. Two rifles also recovered. #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/Y5EVrBW6su — ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2018 × As many as 18 assembly constituencies, out of a total of 90, went to polls today in the first phase, the remaining 72 seats of Chhattisgarh assembly will go to vote on November 20 as part of a multi-phased voting across five states that also include neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram. Polling concluded on Monday evening with nearly 70 per cent voter turnout. Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat stated that the polling went peacefully as compared to earlier elections. Polling was peaceful. In comparison to earlier elections, this elections have been singular achievement of the people working in fields. Attempts were made to create fear among people but enthusiasm in voters was appreciable: OP Rawat, Chief Election Commissioner #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/eUXaT3iD7c — ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2018 × "Polling was peaceful. In comparison to earlier elections, this election has been singular achievement of the people working in fields. Attempts were made to create fear among people but enthusiasm in voters was appreciable," Rawat told media.

Chhattisgarh poll unrest: Two Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Sukma region

<p>Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government said it has been mulling over the idea of declaring 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to reports, the move will be directed to check and stop the sale and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian items in the area, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>UP minister Shrikant Sharma stated that crores of devotees want the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian items to be banned in the holy cities of Mathura and Ayodhya, adding that the state government is "working" towards "honouring their demands."</p>

<p>"Honouring their demands, the state government is working to declare the area around 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres. Once this happens, a ban on the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food and liquor will automatically come into effect," Sharma said, adding that Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Giriraj ji and Sapt Kosi Parikrama area of Govardhan already have a ban on sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food and liquor. The cities had been declared pilgrim centres previously.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Monday, reports claimed that the state government is now considering a proposal to ban the sale of liquor and meat in the entire district, a demand made by local seers.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from PTI</em>)&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government said it has been mulling over the idea of declaring 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government said it has been mulling over the idea of declaring 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres. According to reports, the move will be directed to check and stop the sale and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian items in the area, news agency PTI reported. UP minister Shrikant Sharma stated that crores of devotees want the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian items to be banned in the holy cities of Mathura and Ayodhya, adding that the state government is "working" towards "honouring their demands." "Honouring their demands, the state government is working to declare the area around 14 Kosi Parikrama Marg in Ayodhya and the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura as pilgrim centres. Once this happens, a ban on the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food and liquor will automatically come into effect," Sharma said, adding that Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Giriraj ji and Sapt Kosi Parikrama area of Govardhan already have a ban on sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food and liquor. The cities had been declared pilgrim centres previously. On Monday, reports claimed that the state government is now considering a proposal to ban the sale of liquor and meat in the entire district, a demand made by local seers. (With inputs from PTI)

UP government mulls banning sale of liquor, meat in parts of Ayodhya and Mathura

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/naxals-denote-bomb-in-dantewada-as-polls-get-underway-in-chhattisgarh-176729">Naxals denote bomb in Dantewada as polls get underway in Chhattisgarh</a></p>

<p>Naxals denoted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near Tumakpal camp in Katekalyan block in Dantewada as poll booths opened today in Chhattisgarh for the first phase of voting.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/union-minister-ananth-kumar-passes-away-at-59-in-bengaluru-176720">Union Minister Ananth Kumar passes away at 59 in Bengaluru</a></p>

<p>Union Minister Ananth Kumar passed away in the wee hours of Monday in Bengaluru.</p>

<p>The 59-year-old political leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had not been keeping well for the past few months.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killers-to-be-held-accountable-us-to-saudi-prince-salman-176722">Khashoggi killers to be held accountable: </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killers-to-be-held-accountable-us-to-saudi-prince-salman-176722">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killers-to-be-held-accountable-us-to-saudi-prince-salman-176722"> to Saudi Prince Salman</a></p>

<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday the US will hold accountable all those involved in the killing of a dissident Saudi journalist, in a telephone call that also took in the conflict in Yemen.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/clashes-erupts-during-gaza-operation-1-israeli-soldier-and-6-palestinians-killed-176719">Clashes erupt during Gaza operation; 1 Israeli soldier and 6 Palestinians killed</a></p>

<p>An exchange of fire erupted during an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing six Palestinians and an Israeli soldier, officials said, while potentially dashing hopes that a recent agreement would restore calm.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-had-good-conversation-with-trump-in-paris-report-176726">Had </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-had-good-conversation-with-trump-in-paris-report-176726">good</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-had-good-conversation-with-trump-in-paris-report-176726"> conversation with Trump in Paris: Vladimir Putin</a></p>

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday he had a brief but good conversation with US leader Donald Trump at World War I centenary events in Paris, Russian media reported.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Naxals denote bomb in Dantewada as polls get underway in Chhattisgarh Naxals denoted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near Tumakpal camp in Katekalyan block in Dantewada as poll booths opened today in Chhattisgarh for the first phase of voting.

Naxals denote bomb in Dantewada as polls get underway in Chhattisgarh Naxals denoted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near Tumakpal camp in Katekalyan block in Dantewada as poll booths opened today in Chhattisgarh for the first phase of voting. Union Minister Ananth Kumar passes away at 59 in Bengaluru Union Minister Ananth Kumar passed away in the wee hours of Monday in Bengaluru. The 59-year-old political leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had not been keeping well for the past few months. Khashoggi killers to be held accountable: US to Saudi Prince Salman Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday the US will hold accountable all those involved in the killing of a dissident Saudi journalist, in a telephone call that also took in the conflict in Yemen. Clashes erupt during Gaza operation; 1 Israeli soldier and 6 Palestinians killed An exchange of fire erupted during an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing six Palestinians and an Israeli soldier, officials said, while potentially dashing hopes that a recent agreement would restore calm. Had good conversation with Trump in Paris: Vladimir Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday he had a brief but good conversation with US leader Donald Trump at World War I centenary events in Paris, Russian media reported.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>Union Minister Ananth Kumar passed away in the wee hours of Monday in Bengaluru.</p>

<p>The 59-year-old political leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had not been keeping well for the past few months.</p>

<p>Kumar held charge of two key ministries - serving as Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers since May 2014 and as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs since July 2016 in the Narendra Modi government. Since 1996 he has represented Bengaluru South constituency in the Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Extremely saddened by the passing away of my valued colleague and friend, Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. He was a remarkable leader, who entered public life at a young age and went on to serve society with utmost diligence and compassion. He will always be remembered for his good work."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Extremely saddened by the passing away of my valued colleague and friend, Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. He was a remarkable leader, who entered public life at a young age and went on to serve society with utmost diligence and compassion. He will always be remembered for his good work.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1061784899802152960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ananth Kumar Ji was an able administrator, who handled many ministerial portfolios and was a great asset to the BJP organisation. He worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. He was always accessible to his constituents.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1061785099635613696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I spoke to his wife, Dr. Tejaswini Ji and expressed condolences on the passing away of Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. My thoughts are with his entire family, friends and supporters in this hour of grief and sadness. Om Shanti.</p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1061785790269640704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda expressed grief over Kumar's demise and tweeted, "Shocked, it's unbelievable, my friend , Brother Ananthkumar is no more."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shocked , it’s unbelievable , My friend , Brother Ananthkumar is no more . <a href="https://t.co/zMOYEn7gXc">pic.twitter.com/zMOYEn7gXc</a></p>
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSBJP) <a href="https://twitter.com/DVSBJP/status/1061776579540455424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted, "Deep sense of grief on hearing that Shri Ananth Kumar is no more with us. Served BJP all along. Bengaluru was in his head and heart, always. May God give his family the strength to bear with this loss."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Deep sense of grief on hearing that Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/AnanthKumar_BJP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnanthKumar_BJP</a> is no more with us. Served <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4India</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Karnataka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4Karnataka</a> all along. Bengaluru was in his head and heart, always. May God give his family the strength to bear with this loss.</p>
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) <a href="https://twitter.com/nsitharaman/status/1061777925186486277?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Born on 22 July 1959 in Bengaluru, Kumar did his graduation in the faculty of Arts (B.A) from K S Arts College, Hubli affiliated to the Karnataka University and later, completed his bachelors in law (L.L.B) from J.S.S. Law College affiliated to the Karnataka University.</p>

<p>He is survived by two daughters- Aishwarya and Vijeta and wife Tejaswini.</p>

<p>The mortal remains of Union Minister Ananth Kumar will be kept at National College, Bengaluru, for last tributes.</p>


Union Minister Ananth Kumar passed away in the wee hours of Monday in Bengaluru. The 59-year-old political leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had not been keeping well for the past few months.

Union Minister Ananth Kumar passed away in the wee hours of Monday in Bengaluru. The 59-year-old political leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had not been keeping well for the past few months. Kumar held charge of two key ministries - serving as Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers since May 2014 and as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs since July 2016 in the Narendra Modi government. Since 1996 he has represented Bengaluru South constituency in the Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Extremely saddened by the passing away of my valued colleague and friend, Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. He was a remarkable leader, who entered public life at a young age and went on to serve society with utmost diligence and compassion. He will always be remembered for his good work." Extremely saddened by the passing away of my valued colleague and friend, Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. He was a remarkable leader, who entered public life at a young age and went on to serve society with utmost diligence and compassion. He will always be remembered for his good work. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2018 × Ananth Kumar Ji was an able administrator, who handled many ministerial portfolios and was a great asset to the BJP organisation. He worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. He was always accessible to his constituents. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2018 × I spoke to his wife, Dr. Tejaswini Ji and expressed condolences on the passing away of Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. My thoughts are with his entire family, friends and supporters in this hour of grief and sadness. Om Shanti. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2018 × Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda expressed grief over Kumar's demise and tweeted, "Shocked, it's unbelievable, my friend , Brother Ananthkumar is no more." Shocked , it’s unbelievable , My friend , Brother Ananthkumar is no more . pic.twitter.com/zMOYEn7gXc — Sadananda Gowda (@DVSBJP) November 12, 2018 × Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted, "Deep sense of grief on hearing that Shri Ananth Kumar is no more with us. Served BJP all along. Bengaluru was in his head and heart, always. May God give his family the strength to bear with this loss." Deep sense of grief on hearing that Shri @AnanthKumar_BJP is no more with us. Served @BJP4India @BJP4Karnataka all along. Bengaluru was in his head and heart, always. May God give his family the strength to bear with this loss. — Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) November 12, 2018 × Born on 22 July 1959 in Bengaluru, Kumar did his graduation in the faculty of Arts (B.A) from K S Arts College, Hubli affiliated to the Karnataka University and later, completed his bachelors in law (L.L.B) from J.S.S. Law College affiliated to the Karnataka University. He is survived by two daughters- Aishwarya and Vijeta and wife Tejaswini. The mortal remains of Union Minister Ananth Kumar will be kept at National College, Bengaluru, for last tributes.

Union Minister Ananth Kumar passes away at 59 in Bengaluru

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his visit to parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Monday, inaugurated a host of developmental projects including country's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-parliamentary-constituency-varanasi-pm-modi-inaugurates-countrys-first-multi-modal-terminal-on-inland-waterways-176874">first multi-modal terminal on inland waterways</a>, National Waterway-1.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Prime Minister also inaugurated two sewage infrastructure projects worth Rs 425.41 and laid the foundation stone for another project worth Rs 72.91 crore for Ramnagar.</p>

<p>These projects, along with two other ongoing projects of 120 MLD at Goitha and 50 MLD STP at Ramana, will take the sewage treatment capacity in the city to 412 MLD, news agency PTI reported. The&nbsp;projects will provide sewage treatment requirements to Varanasi till 2035 and prevent pollution of river Ganga from drains in Ramnagar, an official release said. As of now, there is no sewage treatment facility in Ramnagar town.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During his address in Varanasi, the Prime Minister stated that "such projects should have been launched decades ago, but that did not happen".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Varanasi will witness the confluence of nature, culture and adventure," he added. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Kuch der pehle maine nadi marg se pahunche desh ke pehle container vessel ka swagat kiya. Ye container vessel chalne ka matlab hai ki poorvi uttar pradesh, aur purvi bharat jalmarg se ab Bengal ki khaadi se jud gaya hai: PM Modi in Varanasi <a href="https://t.co/axmanr1THb">pic.twitter.com/axmanr1THb</a></p>
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<p>Later in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated Ring Road, Babatpur Airport road in the holy city.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 16.55-km-long Varanasi Ring Road Phase-I has been built at a cost of Rs 759.36 crore, while the work of four-laning and construction of 17.25 km Babatput-Varanasi road on NH-56 cost Rs 812.59 crore, an official release said.</p>

<p>The Ring Road, with two rail overbridges and a flyover, will allow traffic on NH 56 (Lucknow-Varanasi), NH 233 (Azamgarh-Varanasi), NH 29 (Gorakhpur-Varanasi) and Ayodhya-Varanasi highways to bypass Varanasi, thereby reducing traffic congestion in the city. This will reduce travel time, fuel usage and pollution in the area.</p>

<p>The Ring Road will provide easier and more convenient access to Sarnath, an important site for Buddhist pilgrimage. Besides, there are seven targeted projects of 235 km costing Rs 8,265 crore. Also, 20 projects for 1455 km roads are in detailed project report stage, PTI reported.</p>

<p>The Babatpur Airport highway will connect the city with the airport and go on to link Jaunpur, Sultanpur and Lucknow. With a flyover at Harhua and a rail overbridge at Tarna, it will reduce the travel time from Varanasi to the airport, providing a big relief to the people of the holy city and tourists.</p>

<p>While inaugurating the projects in Varanasi, PM Modi said, "These projects are living examples of new India's new vision."</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his visit to parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Monday, inaugurated a host of developmental projects including country's first multi-modal terminal on inland waterways, National Waterway-1.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his visit to parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Monday, inaugurated a host of developmental projects including country's first multi-modal terminal on inland waterways, National Waterway-1. The Prime Minister also inaugurated two sewage infrastructure projects worth Rs 425.41 and laid the foundation stone for another project worth Rs 72.91 crore for Ramnagar. These projects, along with two other ongoing projects of 120 MLD at Goitha and 50 MLD STP at Ramana, will take the sewage treatment capacity in the city to 412 MLD, news agency PTI reported. The projects will provide sewage treatment requirements to Varanasi till 2035 and prevent pollution of river Ganga from drains in Ramnagar, an official release said. As of now, there is no sewage treatment facility in Ramnagar town. During his address in Varanasi, the Prime Minister stated that "such projects should have been launched decades ago, but that did not happen". "Varanasi will witness the confluence of nature, culture and adventure," he added. Kuch der pehle maine nadi marg se pahunche desh ke pehle container vessel ka swagat kiya. Ye container vessel chalne ka matlab hai ki poorvi uttar pradesh, aur purvi bharat jalmarg se ab Bengal ki khaadi se jud gaya hai: PM Modi in Varanasi pic.twitter.com/axmanr1THb — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 12, 2018 × Later in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated Ring Road, Babatpur Airport road in the holy city. The 16.55-km-long Varanasi Ring Road Phase-I has been built at a cost of Rs 759.36 crore, while the work of four-laning and construction of 17.25 km Babatput-Varanasi road on NH-56 cost Rs 812.59 crore, an official release said. The Ring Road, with two rail overbridges and a flyover, will allow traffic on NH 56 (Lucknow-Varanasi), NH 233 (Azamgarh-Varanasi), NH 29 (Gorakhpur-Varanasi) and Ayodhya-Varanasi highways to bypass Varanasi, thereby reducing traffic congestion in the city. This will reduce travel time, fuel usage and pollution in the area. The Ring Road will provide easier and more convenient access to Sarnath, an important site for Buddhist pilgrimage. Besides, there are seven targeted projects of 235 km costing Rs 8,265 crore. Also, 20 projects for 1455 km roads are in detailed project report stage, PTI reported. The Babatpur Airport highway will connect the city with the airport and go on to link Jaunpur, Sultanpur and Lucknow. With a flyover at Harhua and a rail overbridge at Tarna, it will reduce the travel time from Varanasi to the airport, providing a big relief to the people of the holy city and tourists. While inaugurating the projects in Varanasi, PM Modi said, "These projects are living examples of new India's new vision."

These projects are living examples of new India's new vision: PM Modi gifts projects worth 2,413 crore to Varanasi

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday released the first list of 131 candidates for the upcoming assembly polls in Rajasthan. The names were announced by Union Minister and party leader JP Nadda after a meeting of the BJP central election committee.</p>

<p>As per the list, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will contest from Jhalrapatan assembly constituency from where she has been contesting since 2003. Kailash Meghwal, the speaker in the outgoing Rajasthan assembly has been shifted from Bhilwara district`s Shahpura constituency to Jhunjhun`s Pilani constituency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP has fielded 25 new faces and 85 sitting MLAs for the assembly polls. Apart from this, 12 female candidates, 32 young candidates, 17 candidates from Schedule Caste category, 19 from Schedule Tribe category have also made it to the first list.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Other ministers who got the tickets are Gulab Chand Kataria, Gajendra Singh Khimsar, Vasudev Devnani, Anita Bhadel, Kiran Maheshwari, Arun Chaturvedi, Ram Pratap, Krishnendra Kaur Deepa, and Rajendra Rathore.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The assembly polls in the state are slated to take place on December 7 in a single phase for all 200 seats, which are at stake in the state. The counting of votes will take place on December 11. In last assembly polls, the BJP had won 163 of the 200 assembly seats in the state.&nbsp;</p>


The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday released the first list of 131 candidates for the upcoming assembly polls in Rajasthan. The names were announced by Union Minister and party leader JP Nadda after a meeting of the BJP central election committee.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday released the first list of 131 candidates for the upcoming assembly polls in Rajasthan. The names were announced by Union Minister and party leader JP Nadda after a meeting of the BJP central election committee. As per the list, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will contest from Jhalrapatan assembly constituency from where she has been contesting since 2003. Kailash Meghwal, the speaker in the outgoing Rajasthan assembly has been shifted from Bhilwara district`s Shahpura constituency to Jhunjhun`s Pilani constituency. The BJP has fielded 25 new faces and 85 sitting MLAs for the assembly polls. Apart from this, 12 female candidates, 32 young candidates, 17 candidates from Schedule Caste category, 19 from Schedule Tribe category have also made it to the first list. Other ministers who got the tickets are Gulab Chand Kataria, Gajendra Singh Khimsar, Vasudev Devnani, Anita Bhadel, Kiran Maheshwari, Arun Chaturvedi, Ram Pratap, Krishnendra Kaur Deepa, and Rajendra Rathore. The assembly polls in the state are slated to take place on December 7 in a single phase for all 200 seats, which are at stake in the state. The counting of votes will take place on December 11. In last assembly polls, the BJP had won 163 of the 200 assembly seats in the state.

Rajasthan assembly polls 2018: BJP releases first list of 131 candidates

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/retail-inflation-cools-down-to-331-in-october-from-370-in-september-176891">Retail inflation cools to 3.31% in October, was at 3.70% in September</a></p>

<p>Retail inflation eased to 3.31 per cent in October from 3.70 per cent which was recorded in September, news agency ANI reported on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-elections-voter-turnout-recorded-at-close-to-60-as-1st-phase-of-polling-ends-176901">Chhattisgarh elections: Voter turnout recorded at 70% </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-elections-voter-turnout-recorded-at-close-to-60-as-1st-phase-of-polling-ends-176901">as</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-elections-voter-turnout-recorded-at-close-to-60-as-1st-phase-of-polling-ends-176901"> 1st phase of polling ends</a></p>

<p>Voting has ended in the 18 seats that went to the polls in Chhattisgarh today. Voter turnout was recorded at 70 per cent.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-mj-akbar-a-thorough-gentleman-woman-journalist-says-in-court-176880">#MeToo: MJ Akbar 'a thorough gentleman', woman journalist says in court</a></p>

<p>A woman journalist and former colleague of MJ Akbar's came to his defence Monday, telling a Delhi court that Akbar was "a thorough journalist".&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nationalism-behind-spread-of-fake-news-in-india-bbc-report-176848">Nationalism behind </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nationalism-behind-spread-of-fake-news-in-india-bbc-report-176848">spread</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nationalism-behind-spread-of-fake-news-in-india-bbc-report-176848"> of fake news in India: BBC report</a></p>

<p>People in India share fake news stories with nationalistic messages for "nation building" purposes without any attempt at fact-checking, a BBC report released Monday said.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/im-suffocating-take-this-bag-off-my-head-jamal-khashoggis-last-words-176839">I'm suffocating... take this bag off my head: Jamal Khashoggi's last words</a></p>

<p>A Turkish newspaper has said Jamal Khashoggi's last words were: "I'm suffocating... take this bag off my head, I'm claustrophobic."&nbsp;</p>


Retail inflation cools to 3.31% in October, was at 3.70% in September Retail inflation eased to 3.31 per cent in October from 3.70 per cent which was recorded in September, news agency ANI reported on Monday.

Retail inflation cools to 3.31% in October, was at 3.70% in September Retail inflation eased to 3.31 per cent in October from 3.70 per cent which was recorded in September, news agency ANI reported on Monday. Chhattisgarh elections: Voter turnout recorded at 70% as 1st phase of polling ends Voting has ended in the 18 seats that went to the polls in Chhattisgarh today. Voter turnout was recorded at 70 per cent. #MeToo: MJ Akbar 'a thorough gentleman', woman journalist says in court A woman journalist and former colleague of MJ Akbar's came to his defence Monday, telling a Delhi court that Akbar was "a thorough journalist". Nationalism behind spread of fake news in India: BBC report People in India share fake news stories with nationalistic messages for "nation building" purposes without any attempt at fact-checking, a BBC report released Monday said. I'm suffocating... take this bag off my head: Jamal Khashoggi's last words A Turkish newspaper has said Jamal Khashoggi's last words were: "I'm suffocating... take this bag off my head, I'm claustrophobic."

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reached Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to inaugurate a slew of development projects. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.</p>

<p>According to reports, PM Modi inaugurated country's first multi-modal terminal on inland waterways in Varanasi on river Ganga. The Prime Minister also received the country's first container cargo transported on inland waterways from Kolkata. This was the first time that a container vessel travelled on inland waterways on river Ganga.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Kuch der pehle maine nadi marg se pahunche desh ke pehle container vessel ka swagat kiya. Ye container vessel chalne ka matlab hai ki poorvi uttar pradesh, aur purvi bharat jalmarg se ab Bengal ki khaadi se jud gaya hai: PM Modi in Varanasi <a href="https://t.co/axmanr1THb">pic.twitter.com/axmanr1THb</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1061953134606589953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The terminal is being constructed on the National Waterway-1 (river Ganga) as part of the World Bank-aided Jal Marg Vikas project of the Inland Waterways Authority of India.&nbsp;National Waterway-1, an inland water transport route, stretches between Haldia in West Bengal to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="it">Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the first multi modal terminal constructed on River Ganga <a href="https://t.co/ozfx2HQvdv">pic.twitter.com/ozfx2HQvdv</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1061926741944475648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 5,369.18 crore, which will be equally shared between the Government of India and the World Bank, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi's Varanasi visit comes ahead of Lok Sabha polls scheduled next year. Earlier in the day, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-politics-begins-and-ends-with-one-family-pm-modi-in-bilaspur-chhattisgarh-176829">he visited poll-bound Chhattisgarh's Bilaspu</a>r and addressed a rally ahead of the second phase of elections in the BJP-led state.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="it">Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the first multi modal terminal constructed on River Ganga <a href="https://t.co/qH3eSE9fL6">pic.twitter.com/qH3eSE9fL6</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1061926140762382336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>As many as 18 assembly constituencies, out of a total of 90, have gone to polls today in the first phase of the electoral fight marred by Naxal attacks.</p>

<p>The voter turnout in the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly election on Monday was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-assembly-polls-nearly-50-voter-turnout-recorded-till-3pm-176837">recorded at 56.58 per cent till 4.30pm</a>. By 2pm the same was recorded at nearly 38 per cent, the figure rose to nearly 50 per cent by 3pm.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from agencies</em>)&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reached Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to inaugurate a slew of development projects. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reached Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to inaugurate a slew of development projects. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. According to reports, PM Modi inaugurated country's first multi-modal terminal on inland waterways in Varanasi on river Ganga. The Prime Minister also received the country's first container cargo transported on inland waterways from Kolkata. This was the first time that a container vessel travelled on inland waterways on river Ganga. Kuch der pehle maine nadi marg se pahunche desh ke pehle container vessel ka swagat kiya. Ye container vessel chalne ka matlab hai ki poorvi uttar pradesh, aur purvi bharat jalmarg se ab Bengal ki khaadi se jud gaya hai: PM Modi in Varanasi pic.twitter.com/axmanr1THb — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 12, 2018 × The terminal is being constructed on the National Waterway-1 (river Ganga) as part of the World Bank-aided Jal Marg Vikas project of the Inland Waterways Authority of India. National Waterway-1, an inland water transport route, stretches between Haldia in West Bengal to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the first multi modal terminal constructed on River Ganga pic.twitter.com/ozfx2HQvdv — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 12, 2018 × The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 5,369.18 crore, which will be equally shared between the Government of India and the World Bank, news agency PTI reported. PM Modi's Varanasi visit comes ahead of Lok Sabha polls scheduled next year. Earlier in the day, he visited poll-bound Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur and addressed a rally ahead of the second phase of elections in the BJP-led state. Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the first multi modal terminal constructed on River Ganga pic.twitter.com/qH3eSE9fL6 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 12, 2018 × As many as 18 assembly constituencies, out of a total of 90, have gone to polls today in the first phase of the electoral fight marred by Naxal attacks. The voter turnout in the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly election on Monday was recorded at 56.58 per cent till 4.30pm. By 2pm the same was recorded at nearly 38 per cent, the figure rose to nearly 50 per cent by 3pm. (With inputs from agencies)

In parliamentary constituency Varanasi, PM Modi inaugurates National Waterway-1 on river Ganga

<p>Voting has ended in the 18 seats that went to the polls in Chhattisgarh today.&nbsp;Voter turnout was recorded at 70 per cent.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Voting has ended, turnout is 70% till now in the first phase of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChhattisgarhElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChhattisgarhElections2018</a>. Figures will be updated later: Umesh Sinha, Election Commission <a href="https://t.co/I26aNS7qB7">pic.twitter.com/I26aNS7qB7</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1061964253488431105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>This included turnouts of 61.47% in Kondagaon, 63.51% &nbsp;in Keshkal, 62% in Kanker; 58% in Bastar, 49% in Dantewada, 60.5% in Khairagarh, 64% in Dongargarh, and 65.5% in Khujji.</p>

<p>While polling percentages were high — most of the areas mentioned above are in the Naxal-hit districts of southern Chhattisgarh — <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-one-ultra-killed-in-encounter-between-security-forces-and-maoists-176612">polling was marred by violence</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Five CRPF personnel were injured and five Maoists killed in an encounter that broke out in Bijapur's Pamed area.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Maoists had called for a boycott of the polls and had carried out six attacks over the last fortnight.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">After the Nilwaya naxal attack, the challenges have gone up. Naxals had threatened villagers against voting. We assured the villagers of a secure environment, put in place a three level security so that people can vote without fear:CRPF official <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChhattisgarhAssemblyElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChhattisgarhAssemblyElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/gqV7H5Vb4F">pic.twitter.com/gqV7H5Vb4F</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1061910156584386560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chhattisgarh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chhattisgarh</a>: People in Dantewada's Madenda village cast their votes even after threat from the Naxals to cut their fingers if the ink mark is seen on their fingers. Local says, "there are 263 registered voters in the village and many are voting even after the threat." <a href="https://t.co/WPDYX9OiEs">pic.twitter.com/WPDYX9OiEs</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1061910147122061312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Three of the attacks were major, leaving 13 people dead including a Doordarshan cameraman. The Maoists are not known for attacking journalists but the DD cameraman and his colleagues, who were covering the elections, were travelling with security forces.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One lakh security personnel meanwhile had been deployed in Chhattisgarh for the polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The remaining seats in the 90-member house will go to the polls on November 20.&nbsp;</p>


Voting has ended in the 18 seats that went to the polls in Chhattisgarh today. Voter turnout was recorded at 70 per cent. Voting has ended, turnout is 70% till now in the first phase of #ChhattisgarhElections2018.

Voting has ended in the 18 seats that went to the polls in Chhattisgarh today. Voter turnout was recorded at 70 per cent. Voting has ended, turnout is 70% till now in the first phase of #ChhattisgarhElections2018. Figures will be updated later: Umesh Sinha, Election Commission pic.twitter.com/I26aNS7qB7 — ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2018 × This included turnouts of 61.47% in Kondagaon, 63.51% in Keshkal, 62% in Kanker; 58% in Bastar, 49% in Dantewada, 60.5% in Khairagarh, 64% in Dongargarh, and 65.5% in Khujji. While polling percentages were high — most of the areas mentioned above are in the Naxal-hit districts of southern Chhattisgarh — polling was marred by violence. Five CRPF personnel were injured and five Maoists killed in an encounter that broke out in Bijapur's Pamed area. The Maoists had called for a boycott of the polls and had carried out six attacks over the last fortnight. After the Nilwaya naxal attack, the challenges have gone up. Naxals had threatened villagers against voting. We assured the villagers of a secure environment, put in place a three level security so that people can vote without fear:CRPF official #ChhattisgarhAssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/gqV7H5Vb4F — ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2018 × #Chhattisgarh: People in Dantewada's Madenda village cast their votes even after threat from the Naxals to cut their fingers if the ink mark is seen on their fingers. Local says, "there are 263 registered voters in the village and many are voting even after the threat." pic.twitter.com/WPDYX9OiEs — ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2018 × Three of the attacks were major, leaving 13 people dead including a Doordarshan cameraman. The Maoists are not known for attacking journalists but the DD cameraman and his colleagues, who were covering the elections, were travelling with security forces. One lakh security personnel meanwhile had been deployed in Chhattisgarh for the polls. The remaining seats in the 90-member house will go to the polls on November 20.

Chhattisgarh elections: Voter turnout recorded at 70% as 1st phase of polling ends

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Rajasthan assembly polls 2018: BJP releases first list of 131 candidates

News brief: Big stories of the day

In parliamentary constituency Varanasi, PM Modi inaugurates National Waterway-1 on river Ganga

Chhattisgarh elections: Voter turnout recorded at 70% as 1st phase of polling ends