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Hitting back at the Congress for charging the BJP-led central and state governments with corruption, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Thursday that the opposition party should not talk on the issue as it has a history of corruption and its chief is out on bail.

Addressing a press conference, the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said, "It is inappropriate for a party, which is neck-deep in corruption and has a history of being mired in corruption cases for the last three generations, to talk about corruption. Leaders of the Congress, whose chief is out on bail, are insulting people by making such statements."

Shekhawat said Congress leaders were trying to create confusion among the people of the state ahead of the December 7 assembly election.

He was responding to Congress spokesperson Rajeev Shukla's remarks on the Rafale fighter jet deal.

Earlier in the day, Shukla attacked the Centre alleging corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal. He also alleged that the BJP-led state government pushed Rajasthan into 'BIMARU' category and conditions of employment, roads, education, health and water facilities in the state were poor.

Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh used to be called 'BIMARU' states for lack of development.

Shekhawat said Rajasthan was no more a 'BIMARU' state and the BJP dispensation worked to take the state on the path of progress.

He blamed the Congress for stalling the appointment process of 26,000 teachers by complaining to the Election Commission.

Hitting back at the Congress for charging the BJP-led central and state governments with corruption, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Thursday that the opposition party should not talk on the issue as it has a history of corruption and its chief is out on bail.

Hitting back at the Congress for charging the BJP-led central and state governments with corruption, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Thursday that the opposition party should not talk on the issue as it has a history of corruption and its chief is out on bail. Addressing a press conference, the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said, "It is inappropriate for a party, which is neck-deep in corruption and has a history of being mired in corruption cases for the last three generations, to talk about corruption. Leaders of the Congress, whose chief is out on bail, are insulting people by making such statements." Shekhawat said Congress leaders were trying to create confusion among the people of the state ahead of the December 7 assembly election. He was responding to Congress spokesperson Rajeev Shukla's remarks on the Rafale fighter jet deal. Earlier in the day, Shukla attacked the Centre alleging corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal. He also alleged that the BJP-led state government pushed Rajasthan into 'BIMARU' category and conditions of employment, roads, education, health and water facilities in the state were poor. Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh used to be called 'BIMARU' states for lack of development. Shekhawat said Rajasthan was no more a 'BIMARU' state and the BJP dispensation worked to take the state on the path of progress. He blamed the Congress for stalling the appointment process of 26,000 teachers by complaining to the Election Commission.

Congress has history of corruption: Union minister hits back at Rajeev Shukla

With assembly elections in the state inching closer, the political battle has intensified, not only among political rivals but within the parties as well.

On Thursday, Congress party workers created ruckus at the district party office in Bilaspur and protested against an alleged anomaly in ticket distribution for the upcoming assembly polls.&nbsp;

In a similar incident, the party office in Raipur witnessed the wrath of aggrieved workers, who vented out their anger against ticket allocation for one seat.

At the Bilaspur party office, Congress workers raised slogans against one of the party candidate who was given a ticket for one of the constituencies of the district. Slogans were also raised against senior party leader and Chhattisgarh Congress in-charge PL Punia.

Some protestors also broke chairs and ransacked the office of the Congress district president, while a large group staged a sit-in outside the district party office.

Following the ruckus, district Congress President Vijay Kesharwani said, "If party workers have a grievance over ticket distribution, they have a right to raise an objection and we will be taking their concerns to the party leaders. There is some resentment among party workers but we want to assure that all will fight together to defeat Bharatiya Janata Party."

District party functionary Narendra Bolar added, "From last 15 years we are out of power but have been struggling for the party. We believe that workers who have been dedicatedly working for all these years must be considered for the candidature of the party. There is some angst among some workers and we will be bringing their concerns to the notice state leadership of the party."Later in the day, ruckus ensued at the Congress office in Raipur following arguments over the Raipur South seat.

Speaking about the incident in Raipur, party leader R Tiwari said, "It is Congress workers` sentiments for the seat as they have the right to speak. They had a discussion with state in-charge PL Punia. There may be some resentment on any issue among party workers but their voice will be heard."

Chhattisgarh will go to the polls in two phases- first on November 12 and second on November 20. The high stakes political battle will conclude on December 11 with the counting of votes.

In the 2013 polls, BJP had won 49 seats, Congress bagged 39, while Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and an Independent candidate had won a seat each.

With assembly elections in the state inching closer, the political battle has intensified, not only among political rivals but within the parties as well. On Thursday, Congress party workers created ruckus at the district party office in Bilaspur and protested against an alleged anomaly in ticket distribution for the upcoming assembly polls.

With assembly elections in the state inching closer, the political battle has intensified, not only among political rivals but within the parties as well. On Thursday, Congress party workers created ruckus at the district party office in Bilaspur and protested against an alleged anomaly in ticket distribution for the upcoming assembly polls. In a similar incident, the party office in Raipur witnessed the wrath of aggrieved workers, who vented out their anger against ticket allocation for one seat. At the Bilaspur party office, Congress workers raised slogans against one of the party candidate who was given a ticket for one of the constituencies of the district. Slogans were also raised against senior party leader and Chhattisgarh Congress in-charge PL Punia. Some protestors also broke chairs and ransacked the office of the Congress district president, while a large group staged a sit-in outside the district party office. Following the ruckus, district Congress President Vijay Kesharwani said, "If party workers have a grievance over ticket distribution, they have a right to raise an objection and we will be taking their concerns to the party leaders. There is some resentment among party workers but we want to assure that all will fight together to defeat Bharatiya Janata Party." District party functionary Narendra Bolar added, "From last 15 years we are out of power but have been struggling for the party. We believe that workers who have been dedicatedly working for all these years must be considered for the candidature of the party. There is some angst among some workers and we will be bringing their concerns to the notice state leadership of the party."Later in the day, ruckus ensued at the Congress office in Raipur following arguments over the Raipur South seat. Speaking about the incident in Raipur, party leader R Tiwari said, "It is Congress workers` sentiments for the seat as they have the right to speak. They had a discussion with state in-charge PL Punia. There may be some resentment on any issue among party workers but their voice will be heard." Chhattisgarh will go to the polls in two phases- first on November 12 and second on November 20. The high stakes political battle will conclude on December 11 with the counting of votes. In the 2013 polls, BJP had won 49 seats, Congress bagged 39, while Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and an Independent candidate had won a seat each.

Chhattisgarh: Congress workers create ruckus over ticket distribution

As Delhi's air quality remained on the brink of turning "severe", the Centre Thursday said steps taken by states to control stubble burning were "far from satisfactory" as the environment ministers of four states, including Punjab and Haryana, where the practice is rampant, skipped a crucial meet to discuss the deteriorating air quality in the national capital.

A ban on construction activities came into force on Thursday as Delhi's air quality was on the brink of turning "severe" due to stubble burning in the adjoining regions and unfavourable meteorological conditions, authorities&nbsp;said.

The meeting called by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan ahead of Diwali to discuss the plan for the next 10 days, when the pollution level is expected to spike, witnessed the participation of Delhi's Environment Minister Imran Hussain apart from officials of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Delhi's air quality has severely deteriorated in the past two weeks and is currently oscillating between "very poor" and "severe" categories.

The absence of environment ministers from the crucial meet was questioned by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Cabinet colleague, who said neighbouring states should take the issue of air pollution "seriously".

"Why didn't ministers from other states attend? It's a collective problem and I urge everyone to please work together. Only then can we find a soln (sic)." Kejriwal tweeted.

Hussain said the Delhi government had been urging the Centre to intervene and give farmers resources so they do not have to depend on stubble burning.

"Today also, you saw that ministers from Haryana, Punjab, UP and Rajasthan did not attend the meeting by the Union Environment Minister.&nbsp; 
Seriousness is needed to deal with the issue of increasing pollution in the national capital," he said.

However, Vardhan said the issue of air pollution "should not be politicised" and everyone should cooperate fully to protect the environment, while stressing the need for an "aggressive" plan to combat air pollution in Delhi.&nbsp;

Union Minister Vijay Goel blamed Kejriwal for polluting Delhi.

Amid a rise in health-related problems due to air pollution, Vardhan launched a manual on asthma, detailing how school administrations must act in case of an emergency.

The Delhi government also told the Supreme Court on Thursday that out of 1.10 crore vehicles registered in the national capital, 40 lakh "overage" vehicles more than 15 years old in case of petrol and over 10 years old for diesel have been de-registered by the transport department.

This information was shared as the top court expressed displeasure that orders passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court in 2015, prohibiting the plying of such old vehicles in the Delhi-national capital region (NCR), had not yet been complied with.

Harsh Vardhan underlined that despite a decrease in incidents of stubble burning by 30 per cent from the previous year, more needed to be done, while asking the Delhi government to ensure 100 per cent stoppage of open burning of domestic and industrial wastes.

An aggressive 10 day-long "Clean Air Campaign" was also launched by Harsh Vardhan. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee, meanwhile, directed the transport department and the traffic police to intensify checking of polluting vehicles and control travel congestion in the region during November 1-10.

The building department has also fined owners of 39 sites for not complying with its directives to check pollution and a fine of Rs 8 lakh was imposed on them.&nbsp;

Moreover, a total penalty of Rs 6.60 lakh was also imposed for causing dust pollution, NDMC authorities said.&nbsp;

A total of 4,385 vehicles have been prosecuted for plying without valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) during October, Alok Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police (traffic), said.&nbsp;

Around 177 vehicles have been prosecuted for carrying uncovered building material and amount of Rs 3,54,000 has been imposed as penalty on such vehicles, he said.

At the border check-posts of Delhi, a total of 70,480 vehicles were checked, out of which 1,738 vehicles not destined for Delhi were made to turn back and take other routes to reach their destinations, he said.

Apart from that, a total of 1,89,290 vehicles were checked this year till October 31, of which 391 vehicles were impounded as they were "overage", Kumar said.

Further, to decongest city roads, reduce the travel time of motorists, save fuel and reduce pollution, a total of 10,23,156 vehicles were prosecuted for obstructive and improper parking, he added.

On Thursday, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Noida recorded an AQI of 416, which falls in the "severe" category, while air quality was "very poor" in Ghaziabad and Greater Noida. Eleven areas in Delhi recorded "severe" air quality while 16 areas recorded "very poor" air quality, according to the CPCB data.

The PM2.5 level was recorded at 217. Fine particulates can be a matter of more serious health concern than PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres).

As per the CPCB data, the PM10 level in Delhi stood at 368. The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) said the AQI of Delhi-NCR would continue to remain in the upper range of the "very poor" category in the next three days.

As Delhi's air quality remained on the brink of turning "severe", the Centre Thursday said steps taken by states to control stubble burning were "far from satisfactory" as the environment ministers of four states, including Punjab and Haryana, where the practice is rampant, skipped a crucial meet to discuss the deteriorating air quality in the national capital.

As Delhi's air quality remained on the brink of turning "severe", the Centre Thursday said steps taken by states to control stubble burning were "far from satisfactory" as the environment ministers of four states, including Punjab and Haryana, where the practice is rampant, skipped a crucial meet to discuss the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. A ban on construction activities came into force on Thursday as Delhi's air quality was on the brink of turning "severe" due to stubble burning in the adjoining regions and unfavourable meteorological conditions, authorities said. The meeting called by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan ahead of Diwali to discuss the plan for the next 10 days, when the pollution level is expected to spike, witnessed the participation of Delhi's Environment Minister Imran Hussain apart from officials of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana. Delhi's air quality has severely deteriorated in the past two weeks and is currently oscillating between "very poor" and "severe" categories. The absence of environment ministers from the crucial meet was questioned by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Cabinet colleague, who said neighbouring states should take the issue of air pollution "seriously". "Why didn't ministers from other states attend? It's a collective problem and I urge everyone to please work together. Only then can we find a soln (sic)." Kejriwal tweeted. Hussain said the Delhi government had been urging the Centre to intervene and give farmers resources so they do not have to depend on stubble burning. "Today also, you saw that ministers from Haryana, Punjab, UP and Rajasthan did not attend the meeting by the Union Environment Minister. Seriousness is needed to deal with the issue of increasing pollution in the national capital," he said. However, Vardhan said the issue of air pollution "should not be politicised" and everyone should cooperate fully to protect the environment, while stressing the need for an "aggressive" plan to combat air pollution in Delhi. Union Minister Vijay Goel blamed Kejriwal for polluting Delhi. Amid a rise in health-related problems due to air pollution, Vardhan launched a manual on asthma, detailing how school administrations must act in case of an emergency. The Delhi government also told the Supreme Court on Thursday that out of 1.10 crore vehicles registered in the national capital, 40 lakh "overage" vehicles more than 15 years old in case of petrol and over 10 years old for diesel have been de-registered by the transport department. This information was shared as the top court expressed displeasure that orders passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court in 2015, prohibiting the plying of such old vehicles in the Delhi-national capital region (NCR), had not yet been complied with. Harsh Vardhan underlined that despite a decrease in incidents of stubble burning by 30 per cent from the previous year, more needed to be done, while asking the Delhi government to ensure 100 per cent stoppage of open burning of domestic and industrial wastes. An aggressive 10 day-long "Clean Air Campaign" was also launched by Harsh Vardhan. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee, meanwhile, directed the transport department and the traffic police to intensify checking of polluting vehicles and control travel congestion in the region during November 1-10. The building department has also fined owners of 39 sites for not complying with its directives to check pollution and a fine of Rs 8 lakh was imposed on them. Moreover, a total penalty of Rs 6.60 lakh was also imposed for causing dust pollution, NDMC authorities said. A total of 4,385 vehicles have been prosecuted for plying without valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) during October, Alok Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police (traffic), said. Around 177 vehicles have been prosecuted for carrying uncovered building material and amount of Rs 3,54,000 has been imposed as penalty on such vehicles, he said. At the border check-posts of Delhi, a total of 70,480 vehicles were checked, out of which 1,738 vehicles not destined for Delhi were made to turn back and take other routes to reach their destinations, he said. Apart from that, a total of 1,89,290 vehicles were checked this year till October 31, of which 391 vehicles were impounded as they were "overage", Kumar said. Further, to decongest city roads, reduce the travel time of motorists, save fuel and reduce pollution, a total of 10,23,156 vehicles were prosecuted for obstructive and improper parking, he added. On Thursday, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Noida recorded an AQI of 416, which falls in the "severe" category, while air quality was "very poor" in Ghaziabad and Greater Noida. Eleven areas in Delhi recorded "severe" air quality while 16 areas recorded "very poor" air quality, according to the CPCB data. The PM2.5 level was recorded at 217. Fine particulates can be a matter of more serious health concern than PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres). As per the CPCB data, the PM10 level in Delhi stood at 368. The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) said the AQI of Delhi-NCR would continue to remain in the upper range of the "very poor" category in the next three days.

Delhi air quality on the brink of turning 'severe'; 4 states skip crucial meet

The Environment Ministry is likely to come out with its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which proposes multiple strategies to combat air pollution, next month, a top environment ministry official said Thursday.&nbsp;

This comes as the air quality in the national capital deteriorated to the "very poor" category.

The key components of the NCAP include city-specific air pollution abatement action plans for 100 polluting cities of the country, increasing the number of monitoring stations, data dissemination, public participation on planning and implementation.

"We are going to come out with NCAP next month," a top official told PTI.&nbsp;

Greenpeace India said in a statement that an Environment Ministry official had also given a presentation regarding this at a conference on air pollution and health by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva.&nbsp;

Although the top Environment Ministry official confirmed that an Indian delegation took part in the meet, he, however, could not give details about the presentation.&nbsp;

Greenpeace India said while presenting on air pollution, Environment Deputy Secretary Satyendra Kumar assured that the country would have a comprehensive, time-bound and target reduction plan by December 2018.&nbsp;

The green body said the acknowledgement that air pollution is causing a health emergency at the international platform by the Environment Ministry is a good thing but a lot of time has been wasted to acknowledge it.&nbsp;

"After the Environment Ministry MoEFCC presentation, I want to believe that now Dr Harsh Vardhan and Environment Ministry will enforce the National Clean Air Programme without any further delay," Sunil Dahiya, senior air pollution campaigner, Greenpeace India, said.&nbsp;

"The programme has been in discussion since October last year and despite coming up with a draft plan in April 2018, the ministry continues to sit on it," he added.

Dahiya said despite knowing all the polluting sources, from industries, power plants and transport systems to episodic events like stubble burning and Diwali, there seemed to be an absolute lack of synchronisation between the policies and their implementation.

"Even if the NCAP is enforced, its compliance is going to be a large bottleneck. Looking at how the public health emergency has been dealt with in the past years, the talks must translate into action.

"The way the Ministry have been shying away from announcing the clean air plan, we really anticipate an aggressive, time-bound and target-oriented NCAP to achieve clean air and a breathable India," he added.

The Environment Ministry is likely to come out with its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which proposes multiple strategies to combat air pollution, next month, a top environment ministry official said Thursday.

The Environment Ministry is likely to come out with its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which proposes multiple strategies to combat air pollution, next month, a top environment ministry official said Thursday. This comes as the air quality in the national capital deteriorated to the "very poor" category. The key components of the NCAP include city-specific air pollution abatement action plans for 100 polluting cities of the country, increasing the number of monitoring stations, data dissemination, public participation on planning and implementation. "We are going to come out with NCAP next month," a top official told PTI. Greenpeace India said in a statement that an Environment Ministry official had also given a presentation regarding this at a conference on air pollution and health by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva. Although the top Environment Ministry official confirmed that an Indian delegation took part in the meet, he, however, could not give details about the presentation. Greenpeace India said while presenting on air pollution, Environment Deputy Secretary Satyendra Kumar assured that the country would have a comprehensive, time-bound and target reduction plan by December 2018. The green body said the acknowledgement that air pollution is causing a health emergency at the international platform by the Environment Ministry is a good thing but a lot of time has been wasted to acknowledge it. "After the Environment Ministry MoEFCC presentation, I want to believe that now Dr Harsh Vardhan and Environment Ministry will enforce the National Clean Air Programme without any further delay," Sunil Dahiya, senior air pollution campaigner, Greenpeace India, said. "The programme has been in discussion since October last year and despite coming up with a draft plan in April 2018, the ministry continues to sit on it," he added. Dahiya said despite knowing all the polluting sources, from industries, power plants and transport systems to episodic events like stubble burning and Diwali, there seemed to be an absolute lack of synchronisation between the policies and their implementation. "Even if the NCAP is enforced, its compliance is going to be a large bottleneck. Looking at how the public health emergency has been dealt with in the past years, the talks must translate into action. "The way the Ministry have been shying away from announcing the clean air plan, we really anticipate an aggressive, time-bound and target-oriented NCAP to achieve clean air and a breathable India," he added.

Environment Ministry likely to come out with 'National Clean Air Programme' next month

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal met Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat Friday alleging that names of party supporters have been deleted from voters’ list, and claimed that the EC has agreed to take up a verification exercise at two places in Delhi. He accused the ruling BJP of having gotten the names deleted from the voters’ list in “collusion” with lower-rung officials because it was apparently staring at a defeat in 2019 general elections.

“It’s possible your name is deleted but you can not check it on Election Commission website because an old list is there. We have appealed to them (EC) to upload the names deleted till October 31,” Kejriwal said. On Thursday, Kejriwal had written to Rawat, seeking an appointment to raise the matter. In the letter, he had said a cursory look on the deleted names “showed” most of them were AAP or Congress voters. He also alleged the deletion of names might have been done by officials “at the instance of BJP”.

During his meeting with Rawat Friday, Kejriwal was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Kejriwal said the Election Commission informed him that 10 lakh voters’ names were deleted and 13 lakh were added since the last assembly election in Delhi in 2015. “Most of the deleted names are those of our volunteers, family members of MLAs and others supporting the party,” he claimed.

Kejriwal also demanded that “strict action” be taken against officials found guilty in the matter. The Election Commission has agreed for a sample survey in Lalkuan and Tughlaqabad by its officials in presence of representatives of political parties. The verification will be video recorded, he said.

“If it is found that names have been deleted wrongly, not only guilty officials will be punished but the exercise will be carried out in all assembly segments in Delhi, Election Commission said,” he told reporters. The AAP has said a “verification inquiry” directed by Kejriwal found that nine names of AAP volunteers were deleted without proper verification of their addresses. If lists of deleted names are uploaded on Election Commission website political parties can at least help people get their names added to the voters’ list, he said adding the commission has rejected the demand to provide soft copies of deleted names to political parties.

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal met Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat Friday alleging that names of party supporters have been deleted from voters’ list, and claimed that the EC has agreed to take up a verification exercise at two places in Delhi.

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal met Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat Friday alleging that names of party supporters have been deleted from voters’ list, and claimed that the EC has agreed to take up a verification exercise at two places in Delhi. He accused the ruling BJP of having gotten the names deleted from the voters’ list in “collusion” with lower-rung officials because it was apparently staring at a defeat in 2019 general elections. “It’s possible your name is deleted but you can not check it on Election Commission website because an old list is there. We have appealed to them (EC) to upload the names deleted till October 31,” Kejriwal said. On Thursday, Kejriwal had written to Rawat, seeking an appointment to raise the matter. In the letter, he had said a cursory look on the deleted names “showed” most of them were AAP or Congress voters. He also alleged the deletion of names might have been done by officials “at the instance of BJP”. During his meeting with Rawat Friday, Kejriwal was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Kejriwal said the Election Commission informed him that 10 lakh voters’ names were deleted and 13 lakh were added since the last assembly election in Delhi in 2015. “Most of the deleted names are those of our volunteers, family members of MLAs and others supporting the party,” he claimed. Kejriwal also demanded that “strict action” be taken against officials found guilty in the matter. The Election Commission has agreed for a sample survey in Lalkuan and Tughlaqabad by its officials in presence of representatives of political parties. The verification will be video recorded, he said. “If it is found that names have been deleted wrongly, not only guilty officials will be punished but the exercise will be carried out in all assembly segments in Delhi, Election Commission said,” he told reporters. The AAP has said a “verification inquiry” directed by Kejriwal found that nine names of AAP volunteers were deleted without proper verification of their addresses. If lists of deleted names are uploaded on Election Commission website political parties can at least help people get their names added to the voters’ list, he said adding the commission has rejected the demand to provide soft copies of deleted names to political parties.

Arvind Kejriwal meets CEC over deletion of names from voters’ list

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Senior Congress leaders have been entrusted with the task of sorting out differences between party leaders from Madhya Pradesh over allotment of tickets for the November 28 assembly elections as talks at the central election committee meeting remained inconclusive, sources said on Thursday.

According to sources, during the meeting of the central election committee on late on Wednesday, Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia exchanged heated notes in the presence of party chief Rahul Gandhi.

The CEC meeting for Madhya Pradesh remained inconclusive after it continued till hours beyond midnight.

This was followed by a meeting of the leaders from Madhya Pradesh and the central screening committee of the state chaired by Madhusudan Mistry with Ahmed Patel, Ashok Gehlot and M Veerappa Moily.

While batting for their respective candidates, Scindia and Singh exchanged heated notes, the sources said.

This forced Gandhi to ask Patel, Gehlot and Moily to sit with the "warring" leaders and resolve the differences, they said.

"The senior leaders have also been asked to first evolve a consensus among the various factions of Madhya Pradesh Congress and hold the next meeting," a senior leaders told PTI.

Insiders say a third meeting of the CEC, the party's body for selecting candidates, for Madhya Pradesh to be held on Thursday evening was cancelled as no consensus could be brought about between the various state leaders over party tickets.

The meeting is now likely to be held on Friday.

No candidate has been announced for the state polls.

The process of nominations for Madhya Pradesh starts Friday with the issue of gazette notification.

Asked about the issue, AICC general secretary Gehlot denied reports of any differences between the leaders and claimed that the party leadership in Madhya Pradesh was united.

"There was no such fight between the leaders as reported in a section of the media. All the leaders in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are united," he said.

Gehlot said lengthy meetings of the CEC have taken place to ensure that the candidate selection process ends soon.

"Long meetings are taking place to speed up the selection process for candidates," he said.

Singh also rejected reports about any differences with Scindia or any argument with him in Gandhi's presence.

"It is being wrongly reported in press that I and Jyotiraditya Scindia ji had any argument and Rahul ji had to intervene. All of us in MP Congress are one and determined to defeat the corrupt BJP Government in MP," he said.

Senior Congress leaders have been entrusted with the task of sorting out differences between party leaders from Madhya Pradesh over allotment of tickets for the November 28 assembly elections as talks at the central election committee meeting remained inconclusive, sources said on Thursday.

Senior Congress leaders have been entrusted with the task of sorting out differences between party leaders from Madhya Pradesh over allotment of tickets for the November 28 assembly elections as talks at the central election committee meeting remained inconclusive, sources said on Thursday. According to sources, during the meeting of the central election committee on late on Wednesday, Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia exchanged heated notes in the presence of party chief Rahul Gandhi. The CEC meeting for Madhya Pradesh remained inconclusive after it continued till hours beyond midnight. This was followed by a meeting of the leaders from Madhya Pradesh and the central screening committee of the state chaired by Madhusudan Mistry with Ahmed Patel, Ashok Gehlot and M Veerappa Moily. While batting for their respective candidates, Scindia and Singh exchanged heated notes, the sources said. This forced Gandhi to ask Patel, Gehlot and Moily to sit with the "warring" leaders and resolve the differences, they said. "The senior leaders have also been asked to first evolve a consensus among the various factions of Madhya Pradesh Congress and hold the next meeting," a senior leaders told PTI. Insiders say a third meeting of the CEC, the party's body for selecting candidates, for Madhya Pradesh to be held on Thursday evening was cancelled as no consensus could be brought about between the various state leaders over party tickets. The meeting is now likely to be held on Friday. No candidate has been announced for the state polls. The process of nominations for Madhya Pradesh starts Friday with the issue of gazette notification. Asked about the issue, AICC general secretary Gehlot denied reports of any differences between the leaders and claimed that the party leadership in Madhya Pradesh was united. "There was no such fight between the leaders as reported in a section of the media. All the leaders in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are united," he said. Gehlot said lengthy meetings of the CEC have taken place to ensure that the candidate selection process ends soon. "Long meetings are taking place to speed up the selection process for candidates," he said. Singh also rejected reports about any differences with Scindia or any argument with him in Gandhi's presence. "It is being wrongly reported in press that I and Jyotiraditya Scindia ji had any argument and Rahul ji had to intervene. All of us in MP Congress are one and determined to defeat the corrupt BJP Government in MP," he said.

Madhya Pradesh elections: Talks over Congress's ticket allotment inconclusive

Study: Vehicles main cause of pollution in Delhi

Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat on Thursday reviewed the ongoing preparations for the Chhattisgarh assembly polls scheduled to be held in two phases on November 12 and 20.

In a series of meetings, the CEC, accompanied by senior officials, also reviewed the law and order situation especially in the Naxal-affected areas that will go to polls on November 12.

"The state election officials have been directed to ensure strict compliance of the Model Code of Conduct and to carry out impartial action against any complaint regarding its violation," Rawat said in a press conference this evening.

The commission is committed to conduct a free, fair and transparent election, he said.

During his visit to the state, meetings were held with representatives of different political parties.

Besides, district-wise preparations were reviewed during meetings with collectors and superintendents of police and officials engaged in electioneering, he said.

State election machinery has been directed to carry out effective steps to address issues raised by political parties.

"The state election machinery was also asked to carry out effective supervision and vigilance so that the apprehensions can be removed from the mind of political parties and a trust develops among the voters that they can participate in election process," he said.

Responding to a question, the CEC said the poll watchdog has taken a serious cognisance of the recent Naxal incidents in Bijapur and Dantewada districts in Bastar.

Discussions were also held with the administrative and police officials in this connection (Naxal attacks) and they have been directed to ensure peace and security of the voters so that they can come out and exercise their franchise without any fear, he said.

Several other points regarding the Left-wing extremism were also discussed and directives were issued accordingly, but these matters cannot be divulged, he added.

Officials have been asked to use Central Armed Police Force for confidence-building measures so that people can fearlessly participate in the process, he added.

Responding to a query on the use of indelible ink on the index finger of voters in Naxal affected areas, he ruled out relaxation of norms.

"A proposal was received in this connection. The commission had very well examined it from every aspects. After holding talks with all the stakeholder, it was found that nothing had happened due to applying indelible ink mark.&nbsp;If we stop applying ink mark that it will lead to chances of other irregularities to take place. In such places where such violent people are there, they can do anything," he added.

He informed that of the total 90 Assembly segments, 51 are general while 10 segments are reserved for Scheduled Caste and 29 for Scheduled Tribes.

As per the final electoral rolls, a total 1,85,59,936 voters including 92,95,301 male, 92,49,459 female and 1059 third gender voters are expected to exercise their franchise.

Also, there are 14,177 service voters in the state. There are 19545 polling centres having 23,678 polling booths with 46 supporting polling booths.

The full bench of the election commission, headed by the chief election commissioner, had reached Raipur Wednesday evening to review poll preparedness.

The polling will be held in the state in two phases on November 12 and November 20.

Eighteen constituencies in 8 Naxal-affected districts will witness polling in the first phase while the rest 72 seats in the second phase.

Counting of votes will be taken up on December 11.&nbsp;

Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat on Thursday reviewed the ongoing preparations for the Chhattisgarh assembly polls scheduled to be held in two phases on November 12 and 20.

Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat on Thursday reviewed the ongoing preparations for the Chhattisgarh assembly polls scheduled to be held in two phases on November 12 and 20. In a series of meetings, the CEC, accompanied by senior officials, also reviewed the law and order situation especially in the Naxal-affected areas that will go to polls on November 12. "The state election officials have been directed to ensure strict compliance of the Model Code of Conduct and to carry out impartial action against any complaint regarding its violation," Rawat said in a press conference this evening. The commission is committed to conduct a free, fair and transparent election, he said. During his visit to the state, meetings were held with representatives of different political parties. Besides, district-wise preparations were reviewed during meetings with collectors and superintendents of police and officials engaged in electioneering, he said. State election machinery has been directed to carry out effective steps to address issues raised by political parties. "The state election machinery was also asked to carry out effective supervision and vigilance so that the apprehensions can be removed from the mind of political parties and a trust develops among the voters that they can participate in election process," he said. Responding to a question, the CEC said the poll watchdog has taken a serious cognisance of the recent Naxal incidents in Bijapur and Dantewada districts in Bastar. Discussions were also held with the administrative and police officials in this connection (Naxal attacks) and they have been directed to ensure peace and security of the voters so that they can come out and exercise their franchise without any fear, he said. Several other points regarding the Left-wing extremism were also discussed and directives were issued accordingly, but these matters cannot be divulged, he added. Officials have been asked to use Central Armed Police Force for confidence-building measures so that people can fearlessly participate in the process, he added. Responding to a query on the use of indelible ink on the index finger of voters in Naxal affected areas, he ruled out relaxation of norms. "A proposal was received in this connection. The commission had very well examined it from every aspects. After holding talks with all the stakeholder, it was found that nothing had happened due to applying indelible ink mark. If we stop applying ink mark that it will lead to chances of other irregularities to take place. In such places where such violent people are there, they can do anything," he added. He informed that of the total 90 Assembly segments, 51 are general while 10 segments are reserved for Scheduled Caste and 29 for Scheduled Tribes. As per the final electoral rolls, a total 1,85,59,936 voters including 92,95,301 male, 92,49,459 female and 1059 third gender voters are expected to exercise their franchise. Also, there are 14,177 service voters in the state. There are 19545 polling centres having 23,678 polling booths with 46 supporting polling booths. The full bench of the election commission, headed by the chief election commissioner, had reached Raipur Wednesday evening to review poll preparedness. The polling will be held in the state in two phases on November 12 and November 20. Eighteen constituencies in 8 Naxal-affected districts will witness polling in the first phase while the rest 72 seats in the second phase. Counting of votes will be taken up on December 11.

Chief Election Commissioner Rawat reviews poll preparations in Chhattisgarh

Mastercard told the United States government in June that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using nationalism to promote the use of a domestic payments network RuPay, and New Delhi's protectionist policies were hurting foreign payment companies, a document seen by Reuters showed.

In recent years, Modi has backed India's homegrown payments network RuPay, whose rise has broken the dominance of US payment giants such as Mastercard and Visa. More than half of India's 1 billion debit and credit cards now go through the RuPay payment system, and that means companies such as Mastercard face an uphill task to expand rapidly in one of the world's biggest payments growth markets.

Modi has publicly endorsed the indigenous card payment network, saying using RuPay was like serving the country as its transaction fee stays within India and could help build roads, schools and hospitals.

In a written reference to Modi's stance, Mastercard told the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on June 21 that the prime minister "associated the use of RuPay cards with nationalism, claiming it serves as 'kind of national service'."

The note, which was sent by a Mastercard Vice President for Global Public Policy, Sahra English, said that, while Modi's digital payments push was "commendable", the Indian government had adopted "a series of protectionist measures" to the detriment of global companies.

US companies in India have been increasingly battling Modi's policies they perceive to be protectionist. This year, US technology companies have protested against an Indian law that would require them to store more data locally, raising their costs.

The previously unreported note, which was seen by Reuters, shows the extent to which Modi's support for RuPay frustrated the Purchase, New York-based company, which is the world's second-largest payments processor.

"Increasing rhetoric from the prime minister and government mandates on promotion and preference for RuPay ... continues to create market access issues for US payments technology companies," Mastercard said in the note.

"The Indian government's preferential treatment of RuPay coupled with fallacies on pricing must be discontinued," the company asked the US government to propose.

In response to Reuters queries, Mastercard said in a statement it "fully supports" the Indian government's initiatives and is "deeply invested" in the country. The company did not comment on its USTR note and its executive Sahra English did not respond to questions.

The USTR did not respond to a request for comment and it was not clear whether the US agency raised Mastercard's concerns with New Delhi. Visa did not respond to Reuters queries.

There was no response to requests for comment from Modi's office.

Mastercard, whose president and chief executive is India-born Ajay Banga, has a planned investment outlay of $1 billion in its key Indian market for 2014-2019. With 2,000 people, India accounts for 14 per cent of the global Mastercard workforce, the largest outside the United States.

The company recruited a Bollywood actor this year for a campaign aimed at encouraging consumers in smaller cities to use debit cards more regularly as it seeks to grow in India.

DIGITAL BOOST

In November 2016, Modi started promoting the use of digital payments after replacing high-value currency notes in an attempt to crack down on the black economy.

That increased card usage: Indians in August clocked transactions worth $51 billion on debit and credit cards, nearly double the amount recorded in November 2016, according to data from the central bank, which does not provide separate usage statistics comparing Indian and foreign payment networks.

Foreign card companies have also had to contend with a growing use of mobile wallets and state-backed digital money transfer services, some of which Modi promoted.

RuPay received a major boost due to Modi's so-called financial inclusion programme launched in 2014, which meant that all Indians opening a bank account for the first time were offered a RuPay card, not a Mastercard or Visa.

The Indian card network was developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), a group largely owned by state banks but which also counts private and foreign banks among its shareholders. It also oversees the payments services in India.

In its note to the USTR, Mastercard said the government had mandated banks to support the NPCI directly and indirectly, making it the "sole beneficiary" of Modi's financial inclusion programme.

The NPCI acted both as "a quasi-regulator and a competing payment network", Mastercard said, adding that this was "compounded by the government's open preference for RuPay with misleading statements and inaccurate information on pricing, despite Mastercard being priced lower than RuPay".

Pricing refers to the fee paid by banks to payment processors such as Mastercard for card transactions. The company did not detail which specific statements it was referring to.

The chief executive of the NPCI, Dilip Asbe, did not respond to a request for comment.

At one point, RuPay levied a transaction fee which was half of that charged by Mastercard and Visa, one industry source said, but the US card companies reduced charges in recent months. The pricing and charges are not publicly available.

Modi in June said foreign card companies take their transaction fees abroad and as "everyone cannot go to the border to protect the country, we can use RuPay card to serve the nation".

A month later, Mastercard issued a press statement which said the company gets only 15-20 per cent of debit card transaction fees, while the rest stays "within the Indian economy". It did not name RuPay.

Mastercard told the United States government in June that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using nationalism to promote the use of a domestic payments network RuPay, and New Delhi's protectionist policies were hurting foreign payment companies, a document seen by Reuters showed.

Mastercard told the United States government in June that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using nationalism to promote the use of a domestic payments network RuPay, and New Delhi's protectionist policies were hurting foreign payment companies, a document seen by Reuters showed. In recent years, Modi has backed India's homegrown payments network RuPay, whose rise has broken the dominance of US payment giants such as Mastercard and Visa. More than half of India's 1 billion debit and credit cards now go through the RuPay payment system, and that means companies such as Mastercard face an uphill task to expand rapidly in one of the world's biggest payments growth markets. Modi has publicly endorsed the indigenous card payment network, saying using RuPay was like serving the country as its transaction fee stays within India and could help build roads, schools and hospitals. In a written reference to Modi's stance, Mastercard told the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on June 21 that the prime minister "associated the use of RuPay cards with nationalism, claiming it serves as 'kind of national service'." The note, which was sent by a Mastercard Vice President for Global Public Policy, Sahra English, said that, while Modi's digital payments push was "commendable", the Indian government had adopted "a series of protectionist measures" to the detriment of global companies. US companies in India have been increasingly battling Modi's policies they perceive to be protectionist. This year, US technology companies have protested against an Indian law that would require them to store more data locally, raising their costs. The previously unreported note, which was seen by Reuters, shows the extent to which Modi's support for RuPay frustrated the Purchase, New York-based company, which is the world's second-largest payments processor. "Increasing rhetoric from the prime minister and government mandates on promotion and preference for RuPay ... continues to create market access issues for US payments technology companies," Mastercard said in the note. "The Indian government's preferential treatment of RuPay coupled with fallacies on pricing must be discontinued," the company asked the US government to propose. In response to Reuters queries, Mastercard said in a statement it "fully supports" the Indian government's initiatives and is "deeply invested" in the country. The company did not comment on its USTR note and its executive Sahra English did not respond to questions. The USTR did not respond to a request for comment and it was not clear whether the US agency raised Mastercard's concerns with New Delhi. Visa did not respond to Reuters queries. There was no response to requests for comment from Modi's office. Mastercard, whose president and chief executive is India-born Ajay Banga, has a planned investment outlay of $1 billion in its key Indian market for 2014-2019. With 2,000 people, India accounts for 14 per cent of the global Mastercard workforce, the largest outside the United States. The company recruited a Bollywood actor this year for a campaign aimed at encouraging consumers in smaller cities to use debit cards more regularly as it seeks to grow in India. DIGITAL BOOST In November 2016, Modi started promoting the use of digital payments after replacing high-value currency notes in an attempt to crack down on the black economy. That increased card usage: Indians in August clocked transactions worth $51 billion on debit and credit cards, nearly double the amount recorded in November 2016, according to data from the central bank, which does not provide separate usage statistics comparing Indian and foreign payment networks. Foreign card companies have also had to contend with a growing use of mobile wallets and state-backed digital money transfer services, some of which Modi promoted. RuPay received a major boost due to Modi's so-called financial inclusion programme launched in 2014, which meant that all Indians opening a bank account for the first time were offered a RuPay card, not a Mastercard or Visa. The Indian card network was developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), a group largely owned by state banks but which also counts private and foreign banks among its shareholders. It also oversees the payments services in India. In its note to the USTR, Mastercard said the government had mandated banks to support the NPCI directly and indirectly, making it the "sole beneficiary" of Modi's financial inclusion programme. The NPCI acted both as "a quasi-regulator and a competing payment network", Mastercard said, adding that this was "compounded by the government's open preference for RuPay with misleading statements and inaccurate information on pricing, despite Mastercard being priced lower than RuPay". Pricing refers to the fee paid by banks to payment processors such as Mastercard for card transactions. The company did not detail which specific statements it was referring to. The chief executive of the NPCI, Dilip Asbe, did not respond to a request for comment. At one point, RuPay levied a transaction fee which was half of that charged by Mastercard and Visa, one industry source said, but the US card companies reduced charges in recent months. The pricing and charges are not publicly available. Modi in June said foreign card companies take their transaction fees abroad and as "everyone cannot go to the border to protect the country, we can use RuPay card to serve the nation". A month later, Mastercard issued a press statement which said the company gets only 15-20 per cent of debit card transaction fees, while the rest stays "within the Indian economy". It did not name RuPay.

Mastercard lodged protest with US govt over Modi's promotion of Indian RuPay card

After curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar following BJP leader and his brother killing by militants on Thursday, the army was called on to maintain law and order in town, officials said.

State secretary of BJP Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet were returning from their shop in Kishtwar when they were fired upon from close range at a dark, narrow lane leading to their house, the officials said.

The assailants were apparently waiting for the brothers to return home and used pistols to target them, they said.

The officials also mentioned that they were rushed to a hospital where doctors declared them brought dead.

An order for imposition of the curfew was issued by Kishtwar District Magistrate A S Rana late in the night.

Tension mounted in the town as residents staged protests and manhandled policemen, including senior officials, prompting the authorities to clamp prohibitory orders under CRPC Section 144 and thus army was called to handle the situation.

After curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar following BJP leader and his brother killing by militants on Thursday, the army was called on to maintain law and order in town, officials said.

After curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar following BJP leader and his brother killing by militants on Thursday, the army was called on to maintain law and order in town, officials said. State secretary of BJP Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet were returning from their shop in Kishtwar when they were fired upon from close range at a dark, narrow lane leading to their house, the officials said. The assailants were apparently waiting for the brothers to return home and used pistols to target them, they said. The officials also mentioned that they were rushed to a hospital where doctors declared them brought dead. An order for imposition of the curfew was issued by Kishtwar District Magistrate A S Rana late in the night. Tension mounted in the town as residents staged protests and manhandled policemen, including senior officials, prompting the authorities to clamp prohibitory orders under CRPC Section 144 and thus army was called to handle the situation.

Army called out to maintain peace after BJP leader Anil Parihar shot dead in J&K

BJP leader Anil Parihar, brother shot dead by suspected militants in J&K's Kishtwar

The Centre's clearing of names of four chief justices of high courts for elevation as Supreme Court judges within 48 hours of the recommendation has left Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi awe-struck. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
The apex court collegium, headed by the CJI and comprising its four-senior most judges, had on October 30 recommended to the Centre the names of the four judges for the elevation, and they took the oath of office on Friday. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
"We sent the recommendations at about 11 o'clock on Wednesday and on Wednesday evening, when I was informed that the medical (test of the judges to be elevated) has been done, I myself was very shocked. I couldn't believe it. I said what you are saying. I am as much in awe as you are," the CJI said in an informal chat with journalists covering the apex court. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
When a senior journalist asked Justice Gogoi that he has created history as he was the first person from the north-east zone to become the CJI and he got cleared the names of judges from the Centre within 48 hours, he said that the best person would be the Law Minister to answer this. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
The CJI, who on Thursday inaugurated the Centre for Research and Planning, an "in-house think tank" also made an important announcement that the apex court would provide translated copies of its judgments to litigants in their mother tongue if they are unable to understand English. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
"To start with, we may do it in Hindi," the CJI said. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
The CJI, who was accompanied by fourth senior most judge Justice S A Bobde and his successor during his interaction with the scribes, dismissed the query as to how he was sure that Justice Bobde would succeed him. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
"Yes of course. There can be no doubt on that," Justice Gogoi said and outlined his idea to tackle the cases by the benches of different strength in future. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
He said that on Mondays and Fridays, the court takes up miscellaneous cases and there was no need of many three-judge benches and this would increase the number of courts, he said. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
He also made light of the recent controversy in which second senior most judge Akil Kureshi of the Gujarat High Court could not become the Acting Chief Justice as the Centre notified his junior Justice AS Dave to the post. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
The post of Acting Chief Justice in the Gujarat High Court had fallen vacant due to the elevation of Justice Subhash Reddy to the Supreme Court. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
"We all make mistakes and we correct ourselves. Kureshi is the senior-most judge. There is no mystery in it," the CJI said, adding that a second notification corrected the mistake. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
Now Justice Kureshi will remain the Acting Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court till November 14 and he would be joining the Bombay High Court a day later. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
In response to the query that the Centre has not honoured the recommendations of the collegium to appoint nearly 40 judges in high courts, the CJI said, "I did not say it has not been honoured by the government. I will not say it has not been honoured. It has been kept pending. So that's around 40. Maybe it could be a little more." 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
On the issue of "in-house think tank", the CJI said, it will help in "judicial reforms, judicial jurisprudence and judicial education". 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
"We have to evolve. Nobody is denying the fact that there is a need for judicial reforms. I have ideas. I have ideas which are being implemented from time to time but these are the people which will be doing the research on the prevailing system in so many jurisprudence and so many jurisdictions," he said. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
The think tank would give the judges inputs, and academician Mohan Gopal and his small team will give us the "inputs and the inputs will be debated by the jurists. If they are fine we will implement it". 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
The CJI said that it wanted to help the litigants who lose their properties after a prolonged legal battle and have been given a judgement in English which they cannot even understand. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
He stressed on the need for providing judgements in vernacular languages but rued manpower crunch and other resources in implementing the idea. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

"At this moment it is very difficult to say whether it will be translated in other languages as well. We have a gross deficiency of resources," he said.

The Centre's clearing of names of four chief justices of high courts for elevation as Supreme Court judges within 48 hours of the recommendation has left Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi awe-struck.

The Centre's clearing of names of four chief justices of high courts for elevation as Supreme Court judges within 48 hours of the recommendation has left Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi awe-struck. The apex court collegium, headed by the CJI and comprising its four-senior most judges, had on October 30 recommended to the Centre the names of the four judges for the elevation, and they took the oath of office on Friday. "We sent the recommendations at about 11 o'clock on Wednesday and on Wednesday evening, when I was informed that the medical (test of the judges to be elevated) has been done, I myself was very shocked. I couldn't believe it. I said what you are saying. I am as much in awe as you are," the CJI said in an informal chat with journalists covering the apex court. When a senior journalist asked Justice Gogoi that he has created history as he was the first person from the north-east zone to become the CJI and he got cleared the names of judges from the Centre within 48 hours, he said that the best person would be the Law Minister to answer this. The CJI, who on Thursday inaugurated the Centre for Research and Planning, an "in-house think tank" also made an important announcement that the apex court would provide translated copies of its judgments to litigants in their mother tongue if they are unable to understand English. "To start with, we may do it in Hindi," the CJI said. The CJI, who was accompanied by fourth senior most judge Justice S A Bobde and his successor during his interaction with the scribes, dismissed the query as to how he was sure that Justice Bobde would succeed him. "Yes of course. There can be no doubt on that," Justice Gogoi said and outlined his idea to tackle the cases by the benches of different strength in future. He said that on Mondays and Fridays, the court takes up miscellaneous cases and there was no need of many three-judge benches and this would increase the number of courts, he said. He also made light of the recent controversy in which second senior most judge Akil Kureshi of the Gujarat High Court could not become the Acting Chief Justice as the Centre notified his junior Justice AS Dave to the post. The post of Acting Chief Justice in the Gujarat High Court had fallen vacant due to the elevation of Justice Subhash Reddy to the Supreme Court. "We all make mistakes and we correct ourselves. Kureshi is the senior-most judge. There is no mystery in it," the CJI said, adding that a second notification corrected the mistake. Now Justice Kureshi will remain the Acting Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court till November 14 and he would be joining the Bombay High Court a day later. In response to the query that the Centre has not honoured the recommendations of the collegium to appoint nearly 40 judges in high courts, the CJI said, "I did not say it has not been honoured by the government. I will not say it has not been honoured. It has been kept pending. So that's around 40. Maybe it could be a little more." On the issue of "in-house think tank", the CJI said, it will help in "judicial reforms, judicial jurisprudence and judicial education". "We have to evolve. Nobody is denying the fact that there is a need for judicial reforms. I have ideas. I have ideas which are being implemented from time to time but these are the people which will be doing the research on the prevailing system in so many jurisprudence and so many jurisdictions," he said. The think tank would give the judges inputs, and academician Mohan Gopal and his small team will give us the "inputs and the inputs will be debated by the jurists. If they are fine we will implement it". The CJI said that it wanted to help the litigants who lose their properties after a prolonged legal battle and have been given a judgement in English which they cannot even understand. He stressed on the need for providing judgements in vernacular languages but rued manpower crunch and other resources in implementing the idea. "At this moment it is very difficult to say whether it will be translated in other languages as well. We have a gross deficiency of resources," he said.

CJI in awe as Centre clears names of 4 judges for elevation to SC in 48 hours

The rupee appreciated 31 paise to 73.14 against the dollar at the interbank foreign exchange Friday after crude prices fell to seven-month lows in the global market amid fresh foreign fund inflows.

The rise was also supported by dollar-selling by exporters and banks and the US unit's weakness against some currencies overseas, traders said.

They said a higher opening in the domestic equity market too supported the rupee.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped 3.48 per cent to trade at a seven-month low of $ 72.65 per barrel on higher supply from world's major producers.

The rupee had gained 50 paise to close at 73.45 against the US dollar Thursday, posting its biggest single-session spurt in three weeks on increased selling of the greenback by exporters, softening crude oil prices and upbeat economic numbers.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs), which had been selling on Indian bourses, made fresh purchases worth Rs 348.75 crore Thursday, as per provisional data.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex rose 271.38 points, 0.81 per cent, to trade at 34,703.35 in early trade.

The rupee appreciated 31 paise to 73.14 against the dollar at the interbank foreign exchange Friday after crude prices fell to seven-month lows in the global market amid fresh foreign fund inflows.

The rupee appreciated 31 paise to 73.14 against the dollar at the interbank foreign exchange Friday after crude prices fell to seven-month lows in the global market amid fresh foreign fund inflows. The rise was also supported by dollar-selling by exporters and banks and the US unit's weakness against some currencies overseas, traders said. They said a higher opening in the domestic equity market too supported the rupee. Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped 3.48 per cent to trade at a seven-month low of $ 72.65 per barrel on higher supply from world's major producers. The rupee had gained 50 paise to close at 73.45 against the US dollar Thursday, posting its biggest single-session spurt in three weeks on increased selling of the greenback by exporters, softening crude oil prices and upbeat economic numbers. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs), which had been selling on Indian bourses, made fresh purchases worth Rs 348.75 crore Thursday, as per provisional data. Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex rose 271.38 points, 0.81 per cent, to trade at 34,703.35 in early trade.

Rupee rises 31 paise against US dollar on falling crude prices

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Pakistan's ultra-Islamist party&nbsp;blocked roads in major cities for a third day on Friday in&nbsp;protest against the acquittal of a Christian woman&nbsp;Asia Bibi on death row for blasphemy allegations.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-will-move-its-embassy-in-israel-to-jerusalem-president-elect-jair-bolsonaro-174991">Brazil will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem: President-elect Jair Bolsonaro</a>

Brazil will move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro said Thursday, making the Latin American giant the largest country after the United States to make the controversial switch.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-dept-spokeswoman-heather-nauert-could-be-next-un-envoy-donald-trump-174983">US State Dept spokeswoman Heather Nauert could be next UN envoy: Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed reports that State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert is under "serious consideration" to become the next US ambassador to the United Nations.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-moves-to-crack-down-on-asylum-seekers-ahead-of-us-elections-174989">Trump moves to crack down on asylum seekers ahead of US elections</a>

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was finalising a plan that would require&nbsp;immigrants seeking asylum&nbsp;in the United States to approach a legal port of entry, pushing a hard line on immigration ahead of next week's congressional elections.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/apple-quarterly-profit-leaps-but-shares-slip-on-outlook-174974">Apple quarterly profit leaps but shares slip on weaker-than-expected iPhone sales</a>

Apple on Thursday reported that its profit leapt in the recently ended quarter, but shares slid on weaker-than-expected iPhone sales and the forecast going into the year-end holiday.

Asia Bibi: Pakistan Islamists block roads to protest acquittal of Christian woman over blasphemy allegations Pakistan's ultra-Islamist party blocked roads in major cities for a third day on Friday in protest against the acquittal of a Christian woman Asia Bibi on death row for blasphemy allegations.

Asia Bibi: Pakistan Islamists block roads to protest acquittal of Christian woman over blasphemy allegations Pakistan's ultra-Islamist party blocked roads in major cities for a third day on Friday in protest against the acquittal of a Christian woman Asia Bibi on death row for blasphemy allegations. Brazil will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem: President-elect Jair Bolsonaro Brazil will move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro said Thursday, making the Latin American giant the largest country after the United States to make the controversial switch. US State Dept spokeswoman Heather Nauert could be next UN envoy: Trump US President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed reports that State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert is under "serious consideration" to become the next US ambassador to the United Nations. Trump moves to crack down on asylum seekers ahead of US elections President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was finalising a plan that would require immigrants seeking asylum in the United States to approach a legal port of entry, pushing a hard line on immigration ahead of next week's congressional elections. Apple quarterly profit leaps but shares slip on weaker-than-expected iPhone sales Apple on Thursday reported that its profit leapt in the recently ended quarter, but shares slid on weaker-than-expected iPhone sales and the forecast going into the year-end holiday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The ruling Congress-JDS coalition in Karnataka faces a litmus test as three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies go to bypolls Saturday, the outcome of which is expected to have a bearing on the state’s political scene. The polls are significant as the coalition partners, who have decided to contest them together, have termed it as a “prelude” to the May 2019 general elections and called for a similar “grand secular alliance” against the BJP at the national level.

BJP which has been questioning the longevity of the coalition government has predicted its fall once the by-poll results are out. Polling in the by-polls to three Lok Sabha seats -Ballari, Shivamogga and Mandya and Ramanagara – and Jamkhandi assembly segments will be held between7 am to 6 pm Saturday, with a total of 54,54,275 voters eligible to cast their franchise in about 6,450 polling stations. There are a total 31 candidates in the fray in all the five constituencies, though the contest is mainly between the Congress-JDS combine and the BJP. Counting of votes will be on November 6.

Among the prominent candidates in the fray is Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s wife Anita Kumaraswamy, who is expected to have a smooth sail facing a virtual no-contest in Ramanagara after BJP nominee L Chandrashekhar withdrew from the contest and rejoined Congress, giving a jolt days before the polls.

Officials at the state Chief Electoral Officer’s office said a total of 1,502 polling stations had been declared as sensitive. A total of 35,495 polling personnel will be on duty for the bypolls in which 8,922 Voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) will be used, they added. Senior police officials said elaborate security arrangements have been made in all the five constituencies.

The announcement of the by-polls for the Lok Sabha seats came as a surprise to all the three major political parties in the state — Congress, BJP and JD(S) — who questioned the need for the exercise when the general elections are due early next year. Congress and JDS, who came together in a post-poll alliance after the assembly elections in May this year threw up a hung House, have decided to face the polls unitedly against the BJP, which they perceive as their common enemy. While the Congress has fielded its candidates in Jamkhandi and Ballari, JD(S) is contesting in Shivamogga, Ramanagara and Mandya under an electoral understanding.

The outcome of the by-polls is expected to have a bearing on the alliance between Congress and JDS for the 2019 polls and also be a factor in determining the respective bargaining power of the two parties. The bypolls brought to for family politics with kin of several leaders being fielded.

In Jamkhandi, Congress candidate Anand Nyamagowda, son of former MLA Siddu Nyamagouda, is pitted against Srikant Kulkarni of the BJP. In Shivamogga, state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa’s son B Y Raghavendra is testing his fortunes against another former chief ministerS Bangarappa’s son Madhu Bangarappa of the JD(S).

In Ballari, senior BJP leader Sriramulu’s sister J Shantha is fighting against V S Ugrappa of the Congress, considered an outsider. In the Vokkaliga bastion of Mandya, JD(S)’s Shivarame Gowda, is pitted against a fresh face in Dr Siddaramaiah, a retired Commercial Tax officer from the BJP. BJP has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission about the developments in Ramanagara and requested it to “annul” the elections immediately.

During campaigning, open expression of displeasure by Congress workers came to fore in Ramanagara and Mandya constituencies that come under old Mysuru region over the party’s decision to support the JDS candidates. Congress and JD(S) that had fought bitterly against each other in the assembly polls, especially in the old Mysururegion.

The by-elections have been necessitated after Yeddyurappa (Shivamogga) and Sriramalu (Ballari), and CS Puttaraju of JD(S) (Mandya) resigned as MPs on their election to the assembly in May this year. Bypolls to Jamkhandi assembly seat was caused by the death of Congress MLA Siddu Nyamagouda, while Ramanagara fell vacant after Kumaraswamy gave up the seat preferring Chennapatna, the other constituency from where he had won.

The ruling Congress-JDS coalition in Karnataka faces a litmus test as three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies go to bypolls Saturday, the outcome of which is expected to have a bearing on the state’s political scene.

The ruling Congress-JDS coalition in Karnataka faces a litmus test as three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies go to bypolls Saturday, the outcome of which is expected to have a bearing on the state’s political scene. The polls are significant as the coalition partners, who have decided to contest them together, have termed it as a “prelude” to the May 2019 general elections and called for a similar “grand secular alliance” against the BJP at the national level. BJP which has been questioning the longevity of the coalition government has predicted its fall once the by-poll results are out. Polling in the by-polls to three Lok Sabha seats -Ballari, Shivamogga and Mandya and Ramanagara – and Jamkhandi assembly segments will be held between7 am to 6 pm Saturday, with a total of 54,54,275 voters eligible to cast their franchise in about 6,450 polling stations. There are a total 31 candidates in the fray in all the five constituencies, though the contest is mainly between the Congress-JDS combine and the BJP. Counting of votes will be on November 6. Among the prominent candidates in the fray is Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s wife Anita Kumaraswamy, who is expected to have a smooth sail facing a virtual no-contest in Ramanagara after BJP nominee L Chandrashekhar withdrew from the contest and rejoined Congress, giving a jolt days before the polls. Officials at the state Chief Electoral Officer’s office said a total of 1,502 polling stations had been declared as sensitive. A total of 35,495 polling personnel will be on duty for the bypolls in which 8,922 Voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) will be used, they added. Senior police officials said elaborate security arrangements have been made in all the five constituencies. The announcement of the by-polls for the Lok Sabha seats came as a surprise to all the three major political parties in the state — Congress, BJP and JD(S) — who questioned the need for the exercise when the general elections are due early next year. Congress and JDS, who came together in a post-poll alliance after the assembly elections in May this year threw up a hung House, have decided to face the polls unitedly against the BJP, which they perceive as their common enemy. While the Congress has fielded its candidates in Jamkhandi and Ballari, JD(S) is contesting in Shivamogga, Ramanagara and Mandya under an electoral understanding. The outcome of the by-polls is expected to have a bearing on the alliance between Congress and JDS for the 2019 polls and also be a factor in determining the respective bargaining power of the two parties. The bypolls brought to for family politics with kin of several leaders being fielded. In Jamkhandi, Congress candidate Anand Nyamagowda, son of former MLA Siddu Nyamagouda, is pitted against Srikant Kulkarni of the BJP. In Shivamogga, state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa’s son B Y Raghavendra is testing his fortunes against another former chief ministerS Bangarappa’s son Madhu Bangarappa of the JD(S). In Ballari, senior BJP leader Sriramulu’s sister J Shantha is fighting against V S Ugrappa of the Congress, considered an outsider. In the Vokkaliga bastion of Mandya, JD(S)’s Shivarame Gowda, is pitted against a fresh face in Dr Siddaramaiah, a retired Commercial Tax officer from the BJP. BJP has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission about the developments in Ramanagara and requested it to “annul” the elections immediately. During campaigning, open expression of displeasure by Congress workers came to fore in Ramanagara and Mandya constituencies that come under old Mysuru region over the party’s decision to support the JDS candidates. Congress and JD(S) that had fought bitterly against each other in the assembly polls, especially in the old Mysururegion. The by-elections have been necessitated after Yeddyurappa (Shivamogga) and Sriramalu (Ballari), and CS Puttaraju of JD(S) (Mandya) resigned as MPs on their election to the assembly in May this year. Bypolls to Jamkhandi assembly seat was caused by the death of Congress MLA Siddu Nyamagouda, while Ramanagara fell vacant after Kumaraswamy gave up the seat preferring Chennapatna, the other constituency from where he had won.

Congress-JDS coalition in Karnataka faces acid test in by-polls

A student leader of the Allahabad University, named Sumit Shukla, was shot dead at a party in the varsity hostel on Thursday.

Shukla reportedly had a reward of Rs 25000 on his head and had a number of cases registered against him.

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Prayagraj: A student leader of Allahabad University was shot dead at a party in varsity hostel yesterday. Brijesh Srivastava, SP City says,"Main accused is a student leader of CMP Degree College. Teams have been deployed to nab him &amp; two accused. Investigation underway." (1.11) <a href="https://t.co/aj9j7lLx1m">pic.twitter.com/aj9j7lLx1m</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1058146488445034501?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"The main accused, who killed Shukla, is a student leader of the CMP Degree College. Teams have been deployed to nab him and two others," said Superintendent of Police Brijesh Srivastava.

Further investigation in the case is currently underway.

A student leader of the Allahabad University, named Sumit Shukla, was shot dead at a party in the varsity hostel on Thursday. Shukla reportedly had a reward of Rs 25000 on his head and had a number of cases registered against him.

A student leader of the Allahabad University, named Sumit Shukla, was shot dead at a party in the varsity hostel on Thursday. Shukla reportedly had a reward of Rs 25000 on his head and had a number of cases registered against him. Prayagraj: A student leader of Allahabad University was shot dead at a party in varsity hostel yesterday. Brijesh Srivastava, SP City says,"Main accused is a student leader of CMP Degree College. Teams have been deployed to nab him & two accused. Investigation underway." (1.11) pic.twitter.com/aj9j7lLx1m — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 1, 2018 × "The main accused, who killed Shukla, is a student leader of the CMP Degree College. Teams have been deployed to nab him and two others," said Superintendent of Police Brijesh Srivastava. Further investigation in the case is currently underway.

Allahabad University student leader shot dead in Prayagraj

The International Monetary Fund has said it was monitoring the development in India with regard to the reported rift between the Reserve Bank of India and the Centre.

It expressed its opposition to any move that compromises with the independence of central banks anywhere in the world.

"We're monitoring the development on that issue and will continue to do so," IMF Director of Communications Gerry Rice told reporters on Thursday when asked about the row.

"Just stepping back, as a general principle, and we've said this before. I've said this before standing here that we support clear lines of responsibility and accountability... And, international best practice is that there should be no government or industry interference that compromises the independence of the central bank and financial supervisor," Rice said.

This is true across the range of countries that the independence of the central bank and the financial supervisor is of utmost importance, he asserted.

"We regard it as such and we have to make that statement in the context of a number of countries. So, I think that's probably the best response I can give you," Rice said, responding to a question on the increasing efforts globally to criticise central banks, including the one by the US President Donald Trump in recent weeks.

The row was sparked off last Friday when RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya in a hard-hitting speech warned that undermining central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic", possible indication of the RBI being pushed to relax its policies ahead of general elections next year.

Sources privy to the development said the government had sent at least three letters on different issues under Section 7 of the RBI Act that gives it powers to issue any direction to the central bank governor on matters of public interest.

The standoff was in relation to RBI's handling of weak public sector banks, tight liquidity in the market and ways of resolving bad loans in the power sector. Unconfirmed reports claimed Governor Urjit Patel was considering stepping down if the government were to issue an unprecedented direction.

Without acknowledging that the notices have been sent to the RBI, the Finance Ministry in a statement said that the "autonomy for the central bank, within the framework of the RBI Act, is an essential and accepted governance requirement. Governments in India have nurtured and respected this".

The International Monetary Fund has said it was monitoring the development in India with regard to the reported rift between the Reserve Bank of India and the Centre.

The International Monetary Fund has said it was monitoring the development in India with regard to the reported rift between the Reserve Bank of India and the Centre. It expressed its opposition to any move that compromises with the independence of central banks anywhere in the world. "We're monitoring the development on that issue and will continue to do so," IMF Director of Communications Gerry Rice told reporters on Thursday when asked about the row. "Just stepping back, as a general principle, and we've said this before. I've said this before standing here that we support clear lines of responsibility and accountability... And, international best practice is that there should be no government or industry interference that compromises the independence of the central bank and financial supervisor," Rice said. This is true across the range of countries that the independence of the central bank and the financial supervisor is of utmost importance, he asserted. "We regard it as such and we have to make that statement in the context of a number of countries. So, I think that's probably the best response I can give you," Rice said, responding to a question on the increasing efforts globally to criticise central banks, including the one by the US President Donald Trump in recent weeks. The row was sparked off last Friday when RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya in a hard-hitting speech warned that undermining central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic", possible indication of the RBI being pushed to relax its policies ahead of general elections next year. Sources privy to the development said the government had sent at least three letters on different issues under Section 7 of the RBI Act that gives it powers to issue any direction to the central bank governor on matters of public interest. The standoff was in relation to RBI's handling of weak public sector banks, tight liquidity in the market and ways of resolving bad loans in the power sector. Unconfirmed reports claimed Governor Urjit Patel was considering stepping down if the government were to issue an unprecedented direction. Without acknowledging that the notices have been sent to the RBI, the Finance Ministry in a statement said that the "autonomy for the central bank, within the framework of the RBI Act, is an essential and accepted governance requirement. Governments in India have nurtured and respected this".

RBI row: IMF against govt interference that compromises central bank's independence

The RSS raised the pitch for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. In a &nbsp;veiled threat, senior RSS functionary Bhaiyyaji Joshi said that a 1992-like movement can also take place.

It was the movement in the 1990s and LK Advani's Rath Yatra which subsequently led to pulling down of the Babri Masjid by the mob. Bhaiyyaji Joshi made these statements after a three-day brainstorming session. 
&nbsp; 
Joshi in the press conference also said that the RSS expected a sweet Diwali surprise but was disappointed by the decision of the Supreme Court which pushed the nearing to 2019.&nbsp;

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Avashyakta padi to karenge: Bhaiyyaji Joshi, RSS when asked 'Jis tarah se 1992 mein aandolan kiya gaya tha us tarike se aadnolan kiya jaagea iss mudde par?' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamMandir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamMandir</a> <a href="https://t.co/x0YkEC7VIQ">pic.twitter.com/x0YkEC7VIQ</a>
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The RSS says that Hindu sentiments must be respected. Joshi also said that the court must take sentiments of the majority community into account. 
&nbsp; 
The temple issue is currently in the Supreme Court. The courts have shown no hurry to expedite the matter whereas the BJP and the RSS want the temple to be built as soon as possible.

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Ram sab ke hriday mein rehte hain par wo prakat hote hain mandiron ke dwara. Hum chahte hain ki mandir bane. Kaam mein kuch baadhaein awashya hain aur hum apeksha kar rahe hain ki nyalalya Hindu bhavnaon ko samajh ke nirnay dega: Bhaiyyaji Joshi, RSS <a href="https://t.co/LU37D4pILi">pic.twitter.com/LU37D4pILi</a>
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What is new is that the Ram temple issue by 2004 had become redundant. It was not an issue in 2004, 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP and the RSS have now revived the issue as it feels that the 2019 elections will be fought on Hindu consolidation rather than over good governance plank.&nbsp;

Though the RSS also added that they are hopeful of a favourable order from the Supreme Court, the interesting part is that the apex court is treating that issue as a land dispute issue.

The RSS raised the pitch for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. In a veiled threat, senior RSS functionary Bhaiyyaji Joshi said that a 1992-like movement can also take place.

The RSS raised the pitch for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. In a veiled threat, senior RSS functionary Bhaiyyaji Joshi said that a 1992-like movement can also take place. It was the movement in the 1990s and LK Advani's Rath Yatra which subsequently led to pulling down of the Babri Masjid by the mob. Bhaiyyaji Joshi made these statements after a three-day brainstorming session. Joshi in the press conference also said that the RSS expected a sweet Diwali surprise but was disappointed by the decision of the Supreme Court which pushed the nearing to 2019. Avashyakta padi to karenge: Bhaiyyaji Joshi, RSS when asked 'Jis tarah se 1992 mein aandolan kiya gaya tha us tarike se aadnolan kiya jaagea iss mudde par?' #RamMandir pic.twitter.com/x0YkEC7VIQ — ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2018 × The RSS says that Hindu sentiments must be respected. Joshi also said that the court must take sentiments of the majority community into account. The temple issue is currently in the Supreme Court. The courts have shown no hurry to expedite the matter whereas the BJP and the RSS want the temple to be built as soon as possible. Ram sab ke hriday mein rehte hain par wo prakat hote hain mandiron ke dwara. Hum chahte hain ki mandir bane. Kaam mein kuch baadhaein awashya hain aur hum apeksha kar rahe hain ki nyalalya Hindu bhavnaon ko samajh ke nirnay dega: Bhaiyyaji Joshi, RSS pic.twitter.com/LU37D4pILi — ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2018 × What is new is that the Ram temple issue by 2004 had become redundant. It was not an issue in 2004, 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP and the RSS have now revived the issue as it feels that the 2019 elections will be fought on Hindu consolidation rather than over good governance plank. Though the RSS also added that they are hopeful of a favourable order from the Supreme Court, the interesting part is that the apex court is treating that issue as a land dispute issue.

RSS' Bhaiyyaji Joshi hints at second Ram temple campaign

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said he has no prime ministerial ambitions and would rather work for upliftment of his state Uttar Pradesh.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister was speaking at a panel discussion here, which included BJP leader Ram Madhav, National Conference's Omar Abdullah, Sachin Pilot of the Congress and Jayant Choudhary of the Rashtriya Lok Dal, at the release of a book by journalist-author Priya Sahgal, titled 'Contenders Who Will Lead India Tomorrow'.

As the discussion turned towards 'Mahagathbandhan' or the grand alliance that opposition parties are trying to forge to take on the ruling BJP at the Centre ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year, moderator Vir Sanghvi asked how such an alliance will work when all opposition leaders have prime ministerial ambitions.

To this, Yadav replied he does not have any such aspirations.

Answering a pointed 'no' from Sanghvi, Yadav replied, "No". When the moderator asked ''never", the Samajwadi leader said, "Never".

Yadav said he would rather work to improve conditions of his state and cited examples of the development work done during his tenure as the Uttar Pradesh chief minister.&nbsp;

Yadav, who was UP's chief minister from 2012 to 2017, talked about the work done for the Gomti river as also on the Agra Expressway, saying aircraft like Sukhoi, Mirage and Hercules landed on that expressway, which was proof of the good work that was done there.

"Now, you can land your Rafale also," Yadav said tongue-in-cheek looking at the BJP's Madhav.

Yadav's statement that he had no prime ministerial ambitions was also seen as being directed towards Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, apparently as a bid to placate her ambition of the prime ministerial role.

Congress leader Pilot said one should not start his life with an ambition to become the prime minister as several events play a role in shaping a political career and nothing was any way permanent in politics.

While Yadav had talked about not being interested in prime ministerial role in February last year also, his statement now assumes significance in the wake of intensified efforts by various opposition parties to forge an anti-BJP alliance to give a strong fight to the ruling party.

However, there have already been some cracks visible in the opposition unity, even before a grand alliance gets formed, with BSP and some other parties going separate ways in some states such as Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, including due to their differences with the Congress, the main opposition party.

Trying to reach out to various non-BJP parties, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday met several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, even as he called his party's alliance with the Congress a "democratic compulsion" to protect the country.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said he has no prime ministerial ambitions and would rather work for upliftment of his state Uttar Pradesh. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister was speaking at a panel discussion here, which included BJP leader Ram Madhav, National Conference's Omar Abdullah, Sachin Pilot of the Congress and Jayant Choudhary of the Rashtriya Lok Dal, at the release of a book by journalist-author Priya Sahgal, titled 'Contenders Who Will Lead India Tomorrow'.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said he has no prime ministerial ambitions and would rather work for upliftment of his state Uttar Pradesh. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister was speaking at a panel discussion here, which included BJP leader Ram Madhav, National Conference's Omar Abdullah, Sachin Pilot of the Congress and Jayant Choudhary of the Rashtriya Lok Dal, at the release of a book by journalist-author Priya Sahgal, titled 'Contenders Who Will Lead India Tomorrow'. As the discussion turned towards 'Mahagathbandhan' or the grand alliance that opposition parties are trying to forge to take on the ruling BJP at the Centre ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year, moderator Vir Sanghvi asked how such an alliance will work when all opposition leaders have prime ministerial ambitions. To this, Yadav replied he does not have any such aspirations. Answering a pointed 'no' from Sanghvi, Yadav replied, "No". When the moderator asked ''never", the Samajwadi leader said, "Never". Yadav said he would rather work to improve conditions of his state and cited examples of the development work done during his tenure as the Uttar Pradesh chief minister. Yadav, who was UP's chief minister from 2012 to 2017, talked about the work done for the Gomti river as also on the Agra Expressway, saying aircraft like Sukhoi, Mirage and Hercules landed on that expressway, which was proof of the good work that was done there. "Now, you can land your Rafale also," Yadav said tongue-in-cheek looking at the BJP's Madhav. Yadav's statement that he had no prime ministerial ambitions was also seen as being directed towards Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, apparently as a bid to placate her ambition of the prime ministerial role. Congress leader Pilot said one should not start his life with an ambition to become the prime minister as several events play a role in shaping a political career and nothing was any way permanent in politics. While Yadav had talked about not being interested in prime ministerial role in February last year also, his statement now assumes significance in the wake of intensified efforts by various opposition parties to forge an anti-BJP alliance to give a strong fight to the ruling party. However, there have already been some cracks visible in the opposition unity, even before a grand alliance gets formed, with BSP and some other parties going separate ways in some states such as Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, including due to their differences with the Congress, the main opposition party. Trying to reach out to various non-BJP parties, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday met several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, even as he called his party's alliance with the Congress a "democratic compulsion" to protect the country.

Have no prime ministerial ambitions, would rather work for UP: Akhilesh Yadav

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Thursday alleged that the Modi government was "destroying" various institutions, amid reports that Reserve Bank was being forced to resolve differences with the Centre which has cited powers that were never used before.

AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh also claimed the Centre has "invoked" a rare provision under section 7 of the RBI Act to "pressurise" the apex bank in its bid to benefit some businessmen, who he said is close to Modi government.

"The government is destroying various institutions. Invoking section 7 of RBI Act would end the 83-year-old autonomy of the RBI. Through this step, the Centre will direct the RBI to release funds to the banks so that they could compensate the deficit created due to huge loans given to big businessmen who are close to Modi government. This will push the country towards recession and bankruptcy," Singh alleged.

Questions are being raised over the autonomy of the RBI, with the RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya last week warning that undermining central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic."

However, the government Wednesday said the RBI's autonomy is "essential" and will be "nurtured".

The government is believed to have sent at least three letters on different issues under Section 7 of the RBI Act that gives it powers to issue any direction to the central bank governor on matters of public interest.

Singh said, "Those who take small loans of Rs 2-5lakh from banks have to mortgage their entire assets. But as the government fails to recover big loans from industrialists, such bad loans are recovered from people. The NPA of big industrialists has gone up to Rs 10.25 lakh crores and section 7 has been involved to compensate this".

Singh also alleged that the Rafale fighter jet deal is "Rs 36,000-crore scam".

"Government has not been disclosing the price of Rafale fighter jet because they have purchased a plane costing Rs 526 crore at an inflated price of Rs 1670 crore," he alleged.

He said there is a secret understanding between the Congress and the BJP in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, "as Prime Minister Narendra Modi never goes to campaign in the Lok Sabha constituency (Chhindwara) of state Congress president Kamal Nath".&nbsp;

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Thursday alleged that the Modi government was "destroying" various institutions, amid reports that Reserve Bank was being forced to resolve differences with the Centre which has cited powers that were never used before.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Thursday alleged that the Modi government was "destroying" various institutions, amid reports that Reserve Bank was being forced to resolve differences with the Centre which has cited powers that were never used before. AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh also claimed the Centre has "invoked" a rare provision under section 7 of the RBI Act to "pressurise" the apex bank in its bid to benefit some businessmen, who he said is close to Modi government. "The government is destroying various institutions. Invoking section 7 of RBI Act would end the 83-year-old autonomy of the RBI. Through this step, the Centre will direct the RBI to release funds to the banks so that they could compensate the deficit created due to huge loans given to big businessmen who are close to Modi government. This will push the country towards recession and bankruptcy," Singh alleged. Questions are being raised over the autonomy of the RBI, with the RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya last week warning that undermining central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic." However, the government Wednesday said the RBI's autonomy is "essential" and will be "nurtured". The government is believed to have sent at least three letters on different issues under Section 7 of the RBI Act that gives it powers to issue any direction to the central bank governor on matters of public interest. Singh said, "Those who take small loans of Rs 2-5lakh from banks have to mortgage their entire assets. But as the government fails to recover big loans from industrialists, such bad loans are recovered from people. The NPA of big industrialists has gone up to Rs 10.25 lakh crores and section 7 has been involved to compensate this". Singh also alleged that the Rafale fighter jet deal is "Rs 36,000-crore scam". "Government has not been disclosing the price of Rafale fighter jet because they have purchased a plane costing Rs 526 crore at an inflated price of Rs 1670 crore," he alleged. He said there is a secret understanding between the Congress and the BJP in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, "as Prime Minister Narendra Modi never goes to campaign in the Lok Sabha constituency (Chhindwara) of state Congress president Kamal Nath".

Centre destroying institutions like Reserve Bank of India: Aam Aadmi Party

Delhi’s air quality remained in the very poor category Friday despite a slew of measures that were implemented in the national capital ahead of Diwali when a spike in pollution was expected to hit the city.&nbsp;

The Overall Air Quality Index of the national capital was recorded at 368 which falls in the very poor category, according to data by the Central Pollution Control Board.

According to a study, conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri) on environment and pollution issues, 36 per cent of the Delhi's pollution has its source within the city itself, 34 per cent in National Capital Region while 30 per cent comes from across international borders.

Teri's study shows that vehicle pollution is the cause of 28% of PM2.5 emissions, dust pollution contributes 18%, Industries contribute 30%, Delhi's residential areas contribute 10% and stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring states contribute only 4% to pollution levels during the winter season.

PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that have a diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometres, which is about 3% the diameter of a human hair. Commonly written as PM2.5, particles in this category are so small that they can only be detected with an electron microscope.

Delhi’s air quality remained in the very poor category Friday despite a slew of measures that were implemented in the national capital ahead of Diwali when a spike in pollution was expected to hit the city.

Delhi’s air quality remained in the very poor category Friday despite a slew of measures that were implemented in the national capital ahead of Diwali when a spike in pollution was expected to hit the city. The Overall Air Quality Index of the national capital was recorded at 368 which falls in the very poor category, according to data by the Central Pollution Control Board. According to a study, conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri) on environment and pollution issues, 36 per cent of the Delhi's pollution has its source within the city itself, 34 per cent in National Capital Region while 30 per cent comes from across international borders. Teri's study shows that vehicle pollution is the cause of 28% of PM2.5 emissions, dust pollution contributes 18%, Industries contribute 30%, Delhi's residential areas contribute 10% and stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring states contribute only 4% to pollution levels during the winter season. PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that have a diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometres, which is about 3% the diameter of a human hair. Commonly written as PM2.5, particles in this category are so small that they can only be detected with an electron microscope.

Delhi pollution: 70% source in NCR, vehicles are main cause, says Teri report

Three members of a family were among five people shot dead by suspected ULFA (Independent) while two others were injured at Kheroni in Assam's Tinsukia district Thursday night, police said.

A group of assailants with sophisticated weapons came to this village near Dhola-Sadiya bridge and called out five-six people from their house around 8 pm, they said.

They then opened indiscriminate fire upon those people before fleeing under the cover of darkness, a police officer said.

Police suspect the gunmen belonged to the ULFA (Independent) faction as they were in battle fatigue.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned "the killing of innocent people" and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families.

"Strong action will be taken against the perpetrators of this dastardly violence. We will not tolerate such cowardly act," he told PTI.

Sonowal said he has directed state ministers Keshav Mahanta and Tapan Gogoi along with DGP Kuladhar Saikia to rush to the spot.

"We will not spare the culprits of the killings and they will be brought to book," he said.

The chief minister appealed to the people of Assam to maintain peace and harmony.

He also directed all deputy commissioners and SPs to remain alert. 
According to Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Mukdhajyoti Mahanta, the bodies have been taken to the Sadia Civil Hospital for postmortem.

Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, opposition Congress state president Ripun Bora, AIUDF general secretary Aminul Islam and the Assam Sahitya Sabha were among those who also denounced the incident.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a Twitter post, wondered if the attack was related to developments around the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

"Is this the outcome of recent NRC development," she questioned. 
Banerjee strongly condemned the incident and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.

"Terrible news coming out of Assam. We strongly condemn the brutal attack in Tinsukia... We have no words to express our deep sorrow to the grieving families. The perpetrators must be punished at the very earliest," she added.&nbsp;

Three members of a family were among five people shot dead by suspected ULFA (Independent) while two others were injured at Kheroni in Assam's Tinsukia district Thursday night, police said.

Three members of a family were among five people shot dead by suspected ULFA (Independent) while two others were injured at Kheroni in Assam's Tinsukia district Thursday night, police said. A group of assailants with sophisticated weapons came to this village near Dhola-Sadiya bridge and called out five-six people from their house around 8 pm, they said. They then opened indiscriminate fire upon those people before fleeing under the cover of darkness, a police officer said. Police suspect the gunmen belonged to the ULFA (Independent) faction as they were in battle fatigue. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned "the killing of innocent people" and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families. "Strong action will be taken against the perpetrators of this dastardly violence. We will not tolerate such cowardly act," he told PTI. Sonowal said he has directed state ministers Keshav Mahanta and Tapan Gogoi along with DGP Kuladhar Saikia to rush to the spot. "We will not spare the culprits of the killings and they will be brought to book," he said. The chief minister appealed to the people of Assam to maintain peace and harmony. He also directed all deputy commissioners and SPs to remain alert. According to Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Mukdhajyoti Mahanta, the bodies have been taken to the Sadia Civil Hospital for postmortem. Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, opposition Congress state president Ripun Bora, AIUDF general secretary Aminul Islam and the Assam Sahitya Sabha were among those who also denounced the incident. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a Twitter post, wondered if the attack was related to developments around the National Register of Citizens (NRC). "Is this the outcome of recent NRC development," she questioned. Banerjee strongly condemned the incident and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. "Terrible news coming out of Assam. We strongly condemn the brutal attack in Tinsukia... We have no words to express our deep sorrow to the grieving families. The perpetrators must be punished at the very earliest," she added.

5 shot in Assam; strong action against perpetrators, says CM

Former Union minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/20-women-demand-hearing-of-their-testimonies-against-mj-akbar-171959">M J Akbar </a>on Friday denied allegations of rape levelled against him by a US-based journalist. Speaking to news agency ANI, Akbar said that the two were in a consensual relationship which perhaps didn't end on a "best note".

"Somewhere around 1994, she and I entered into a consensual relationship that spanned several months. This relationship gave rise to talk and would later cause strife in my home life as well. This consensual relationship ended, perhaps not on the best note," Akbar said.

"Several people who worked with me and knew both of us have indicated that they would be happy to testify and that at no stage did her behaviour give any one of them impression that she was working under duress," he added.

The US-based journalist, in a newspaper article, narrated her side in detail and described the incident of rape and various others incidents of sexual assault on her 23 years ago.

Akbar's wife Mallika Joseph too is standing by her husband. "I have been silent all this while as a 'MeToo' campaign has been unleashed against my husband, Mr MJ Akbar. However, article by journalist alleging that she was raped by him forces me to step in with what I know to be true," she has said in her statement.

"The journalist was often at our home, happily drinking and dining with us. Neither carried the haunted look of victims of sexual assault. I don't know her reasons for telling this lie but a lie it is," said Joseph.

"At a party at our home, crowded with young journalists, I have watched with mortification and pain as they danced close. I had confronted my husband at the time and he decided to prioritize his family," she added.

Akbar, who was the Minister of State for External Affairs at the Centre, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mj-akbar-resigns-as-minister-of-state-for-external-affairs-171938">resigned last month </a>after as many as 16 women journalists accused him of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor.

Former Union minister M J Akbar on Friday denied allegations of rape levelled against him by a US-based journalist. Speaking to news agency ANI, Akbar said that the two were in a consensual relationship which perhaps didn't end on a "best note".

Former Union minister M J Akbar on Friday denied allegations of rape levelled against him by a US-based journalist. Speaking to news agency ANI, Akbar said that the two were in a consensual relationship which perhaps didn't end on a "best note". "Somewhere around 1994, she and I entered into a consensual relationship that spanned several months. This relationship gave rise to talk and would later cause strife in my home life as well. This consensual relationship ended, perhaps not on the best note," Akbar said. "Several people who worked with me and knew both of us have indicated that they would be happy to testify and that at no stage did her behaviour give any one of them impression that she was working under duress," he added. The US-based journalist, in a newspaper article, narrated her side in detail and described the incident of rape and various others incidents of sexual assault on her 23 years ago. Akbar's wife Mallika Joseph too is standing by her husband. "I have been silent all this while as a 'MeToo' campaign has been unleashed against my husband, Mr MJ Akbar. However, article by journalist alleging that she was raped by him forces me to step in with what I know to be true," she has said in her statement. "The journalist was often at our home, happily drinking and dining with us. Neither carried the haunted look of victims of sexual assault. I don't know her reasons for telling this lie but a lie it is," said Joseph. "At a party at our home, crowded with young journalists, I have watched with mortification and pain as they danced close. I had confronted my husband at the time and he decided to prioritize his family," she added. Akbar, who was the Minister of State for External Affairs at the Centre, resigned last month after as many as 16 women journalists accused him of sexual assault and harassment from when he was a newspaper editor.

M J Akbar denies rape allegations by US journalist, wife defends him

The Delhi government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it has deregistered 40 lakh vehicles, out of a total of 1.1 crore, which include <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-pollution-hits-emergency-level-again-24027">vehicles running on petrol</a> and diesel that are over 15 years and 10 years old respectively.

A bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur said that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-holds-breath-as-burning-farms-herald-pollution-season-172590">National Green Tribunal</a> (NGT) and the apex court had passed an order three-and-a-half years ago, directing all 15-year-old petrol vehicles and 10-year-old diesel vehicles to be barred from the city’s roads, adding that there has been no initiative from the Delhi government so far to implement the order.

The counsel appearing for the Delhi government informed the bench that in compliance with the order, as many as 40 lakh vehicles have been deregistered under the Motor Vehicle Act.

The Delhi government further said the by December 30, Radio and Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) will be installed at 13 entry points in the city in order to check entry of commercial vehicles.

The top court ordered that priority should be given to the entry points with high congestion of vehicles coming from different cities.

"You should give priority to congested entry points where entry of commercial vehicles are high because that will have a greater impact," Justice Lokur said.

Amicus Curiae advocate Aparajita, assisting the court in the air pollution matter, told the bench that there was rampant corruption at entry points of commercial vehicles and, as per a report, the number of vehicles and collection of money did not match.

With the installation of RFIDs for commercial vehicle, everything will be automated so that human interference is avoided, the lawyer added.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also told the court that accounts on Facebook and Twitter have been created to allow citizens to complain about pollution. It has received 18 complaints so far.

The top court asked the CPCB to publicise the social media sites and set November 26 as the date for further hearing in matters related to air pollution.

Earlier, the apex court had directed the CPCB to open social media account so that citizens can complain about pollution.

The Delhi government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it has deregistered 40 lakh vehicles, out of a total of 1.1 crore, which include vehicles running on petrol and diesel that are over 15 years and 10 years old respectively.

The Delhi government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it has deregistered 40 lakh vehicles, out of a total of 1.1 crore, which include vehicles running on petrol and diesel that are over 15 years and 10 years old respectively. A bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur said that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the apex court had passed an order three-and-a-half years ago, directing all 15-year-old petrol vehicles and 10-year-old diesel vehicles to be barred from the city’s roads, adding that there has been no initiative from the Delhi government so far to implement the order. The counsel appearing for the Delhi government informed the bench that in compliance with the order, as many as 40 lakh vehicles have been deregistered under the Motor Vehicle Act. The Delhi government further said the by December 30, Radio and Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) will be installed at 13 entry points in the city in order to check entry of commercial vehicles. The top court ordered that priority should be given to the entry points with high congestion of vehicles coming from different cities. "You should give priority to congested entry points where entry of commercial vehicles are high because that will have a greater impact," Justice Lokur said. Amicus Curiae advocate Aparajita, assisting the court in the air pollution matter, told the bench that there was rampant corruption at entry points of commercial vehicles and, as per a report, the number of vehicles and collection of money did not match. With the installation of RFIDs for commercial vehicle, everything will be automated so that human interference is avoided, the lawyer added. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also told the court that accounts on Facebook and Twitter have been created to allow citizens to complain about pollution. It has received 18 complaints so far. The top court asked the CPCB to publicise the social media sites and set November 26 as the date for further hearing in matters related to air pollution. Earlier, the apex court had directed the CPCB to open social media account so that citizens can complain about pollution.

40 lakh old vehicles de-registered in Delhi: Govt tells Supreme Court

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