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Opposition parties Monday attacked the Modi government over the feud between the CBI director and his deputy, with Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleging that the probe agency was being used as a “weapon of political vendetta” under the current dispensation and was in “terminal decline”.&nbsp;

The feud between CBI Director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana turned murkier with the arrest of Devender Kumar, a deputy superintendent of police in the special investigation team headed by Asthana.

The Congress said there is a serious credibility crisis in the CBI with its top officers accusing each other of massive corruption and blamed “vested interests” within the government for bringing the agency to “such a pass”. Gandhi alleged the CBI was being used as a “weapon of political vendetta” under the Modi government and that the premier investigation agency was on a terminal decline and “at war with itself”.

Taking to Twitter, he cited a media report in which the Central Bureau of Investigation’s second-in-command, Asthana, has been named as an accused in a bribery case.

“The PM’s blue-eyed boy, Gujarat cadre officer, of Godra SIT fame, infiltrated as No. 2 into the CBI, has now been caught taking bribes (sic),” Gandhi tweeted. “Under this PM, the CBI is a weapon of political vendetta. An institution in terminal decline that’s at war with itself,” he said.

Terming the issue “very serious”, Congress leader Sachin Pilot accused the government of interference in the CBI and asked why it was silent on the issue.

“How do we trust the CBI to look at corruption issues when their top people are themselves involved and allegations are flying thick and fast? The fact that it has reached this point tells you how long and how deep the rot may be within this government,” Pilot told reporters at the Congress headquarters.

The CBI’s top officers are accusing each other of massive corruption, he said, questioning the sanctity and the credibility of the government and the &nbsp;CBI to function in an “honest, unbiased transparent way”. &nbsp;“So there are serious credibility issues and I think there are vested interests within the government and within the CBI that have brought this agency to such a pass,” Pilot said.

As far as the internal functioning of the CBI is concerned, it is apparent that there is “power play and a blame game going on”, he said. Later Congress leader Anand Sharma tweeted: “Under the watch of PM Modi it is a rotten Affairs of state. CBI, ED &amp; DRI were reduced to compliant political tools to target political opponents. The politicisation and institutional corruption is total. New twist in CBI saga finally destroys it’s credibility.”

“Every institution including intelligence agencies have been compromised or undermined. Remember only last week all institutional sanctity was destroyed with Cabinet Secretary, Army Navy Airforce Chiefs, IB and RAW all subordinated to a political appointee NSA. A power hungry PM has inflicted a lasting damage to India’s Institutions,” he claimed.

The Congress has been attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the appointment of Asthana as CBI special director. &nbsp;In an unprecedented move, the agency has booked its special director Asthana for allegedly receiving bribes from middlemen to give relief to a businessman being probed by him in a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, officials had said Sunday.

Responding to the developments, the CPI said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should clarify the situation in CBI as the credibility of the premier investigation agency is at stake.

CPI national secretary D Raja said questions are being raised over CBI’s functioning after Asthana was booked by the agency last week. Asthana, too, had written about 10 cases of alleged corruption and irregularities against CBI Director Alok Verma in his letters to the Cabinet Secretary and the Central Vigilance Commission about a month ago.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari, in a tweet, said, “Governments that run like a Mafia also fight like a Mafia! Watch the #MafiaWar that BJP has led CBI into… #CBIVsCBI (sic).”

Opposition parties Monday attacked the Modi government over the feud between the CBI director and his deputy, with Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleging that the probe agency was being used as a “weapon of political vendetta” under the current dispensation and was in “terminal decline”.

Opposition parties Monday attacked the Modi government over the feud between the CBI director and his deputy, with Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleging that the probe agency was being used as a “weapon of political vendetta” under the current dispensation and was in “terminal decline”. The feud between CBI Director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana turned murkier with the arrest of Devender Kumar, a deputy superintendent of police in the special investigation team headed by Asthana. The Congress said there is a serious credibility crisis in the CBI with its top officers accusing each other of massive corruption and blamed “vested interests” within the government for bringing the agency to “such a pass”. Gandhi alleged the CBI was being used as a “weapon of political vendetta” under the Modi government and that the premier investigation agency was on a terminal decline and “at war with itself”. Taking to Twitter, he cited a media report in which the Central Bureau of Investigation’s second-in-command, Asthana, has been named as an accused in a bribery case. “The PM’s blue-eyed boy, Gujarat cadre officer, of Godra SIT fame, infiltrated as No. 2 into the CBI, has now been caught taking bribes (sic),” Gandhi tweeted. “Under this PM, the CBI is a weapon of political vendetta. An institution in terminal decline that’s at war with itself,” he said. Terming the issue “very serious”, Congress leader Sachin Pilot accused the government of interference in the CBI and asked why it was silent on the issue. “How do we trust the CBI to look at corruption issues when their top people are themselves involved and allegations are flying thick and fast? The fact that it has reached this point tells you how long and how deep the rot may be within this government,” Pilot told reporters at the Congress headquarters. The CBI’s top officers are accusing each other of massive corruption, he said, questioning the sanctity and the credibility of the government and the CBI to function in an “honest, unbiased transparent way”. “So there are serious credibility issues and I think there are vested interests within the government and within the CBI that have brought this agency to such a pass,” Pilot said. As far as the internal functioning of the CBI is concerned, it is apparent that there is “power play and a blame game going on”, he said. Later Congress leader Anand Sharma tweeted: “Under the watch of PM Modi it is a rotten Affairs of state. CBI, ED & DRI were reduced to compliant political tools to target political opponents. The politicisation and institutional corruption is total. New twist in CBI saga finally destroys it’s credibility.” “Every institution including intelligence agencies have been compromised or undermined. Remember only last week all institutional sanctity was destroyed with Cabinet Secretary, Army Navy Airforce Chiefs, IB and RAW all subordinated to a political appointee NSA. A power hungry PM has inflicted a lasting damage to India’s Institutions,” he claimed. The Congress has been attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the appointment of Asthana as CBI special director. In an unprecedented move, the agency has booked its special director Asthana for allegedly receiving bribes from middlemen to give relief to a businessman being probed by him in a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, officials had said Sunday. Responding to the developments, the CPI said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should clarify the situation in CBI as the credibility of the premier investigation agency is at stake. CPI national secretary D Raja said questions are being raised over CBI’s functioning after Asthana was booked by the agency last week. Asthana, too, had written about 10 cases of alleged corruption and irregularities against CBI Director Alok Verma in his letters to the Cabinet Secretary and the Central Vigilance Commission about a month ago. Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari, in a tweet, said, “Governments that run like a Mafia also fight like a Mafia! Watch the #MafiaWar that BJP has led CBI into… #CBIVsCBI (sic).”

Opposition parties attack govt over CBI ‘feud’; Rahul Gandhi says agency at war with itself under Modi rule

An Indian national on Tuesday hit a jackpot to become the latest winner of the $ 1 million Dubai Duty Free raffle, a media report said.

Sourav Dey, the 45-year-old who has been living in Dubai since last six years, works as a department head for an insurance company, the Khaleej Times reported.

He bagged the jackpot with his first ever ticket to Dubai Duty Free, which he bought on his way to Kolkata for a vacation in September, the paper said.

"I'm so grateful to Dubai Duty Free for giving me this new fortune that my family will truly treasure this for a long time," he was quoted as saying by the paper.

Two other winners, including an Indian, drove away luxury vehicles. 
Babu Ajith Babu, a 44-year-old Indian national, drove home a BMW R 1200 RT motorbike, while 40-year-old Sri Lankan national Sajeewa Niranjan won a Range Rover HSE 380HP.

An Indian national on Tuesday hit a jackpot to become the latest winner of the $ 1 million Dubai Duty Free raffle, a media report said. Sourav Dey, the 45-year-old who has been living in Dubai since last six years, works as a department head for an insurance company, the Khaleej Times reported.

An Indian national on Tuesday hit a jackpot to become the latest winner of the $ 1 million Dubai Duty Free raffle, a media report said. Sourav Dey, the 45-year-old who has been living in Dubai since last six years, works as a department head for an insurance company, the Khaleej Times reported. He bagged the jackpot with his first ever ticket to Dubai Duty Free, which he bought on his way to Kolkata for a vacation in September, the paper said. "I'm so grateful to Dubai Duty Free for giving me this new fortune that my family will truly treasure this for a long time," he was quoted as saying by the paper. Two other winners, including an Indian, drove away luxury vehicles. Babu Ajith Babu, a 44-year-old Indian national, drove home a BMW R 1200 RT motorbike, while 40-year-old Sri Lankan national Sajeewa Niranjan won a Range Rover HSE 380HP.

Indian wins $1 million with his first ever Dubai Duty Free ticket

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has said his state could use the know-how and technology of Israel to solve issues of farmers and water conservation, describing his first day of official engagements in the Jewish nation as “extremely productive”. &nbsp;Singh, who is on a three-day visited to Israel, reached Sunday evening.

“Had an extremely productive 1st day in Israel, beginning with some major investment talks, followed by field visits to NaanDanJain Irrigation farms, &amp; Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant. &nbsp;“Impressed by the Homeland Security presentation on latest technologies to prevent crime,” he tweeted Monday.

The Punjab chief minister started his official engagements seeking Israeli investments in his state in areas such as infrastructure development, housing, energy, water supply and irrigation. He met officials of Israel’s Tyros International Group Ltd to discuss investments opportunities in Punjab’s infrastructure sector.

Singh and his accompanying high-level delegation on Tuesday will be participating in a seminar “Investment Opportunities in Punjab”.The seminar aims to attract Israeli investors to Punjab. The chief minister then went to visit facilities of NaanDan Jain Irrigation Ltd, accompanied by officials of the state, to witness the latest technology deployed in precision farming and horticulture.

The company is among the leading global producers and providers of irrigation solutions, and its expertise drives higher crop yields, minimising risks and saving precious non-renewable resources . “Really interesting to see NaanDanJain Irrigation use precision agriculture to deliver increased productivity in Israel.

“Will brainstorm with them on how we can use their micro-irrigation technology effectively in Punjab to help our distressed farmers,”Singh said. 
He also visited the waste water treatment plant (Shafdan) in the Dan region.The Shafdan is the largest wastewater treatment plant in Israel. 
Singh said identifying water conservation techniques is a priority area for his state.

The chief minister also met Ehud Hallel, chief executive officer of Israel’s National Water Company Mekorot. Singh and the delegation were give a tour of the waste water treatment and effluent reuse plant. “What an innovation! The Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant I visited in Shafdan, Israel, is an amazing example of use of technology to collect, treat &amp; reclaim municipal wastewater. Discussed with Mekorot officials the possibility of using it for Punjab’s urban areas”, the chief minister tweeted.

Singh is heading a the delegation to Israel to strengthen cooperation with the Jewish nation in the field of agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming and waste water management, besides trying to attract investments in the state. &nbsp;The delegation has also interacted with Israeli companies having expertise in homeland security sector to boost Punjab’s internal security preparedness.

The chief minister was also shown a presentation on homeland security and he latest technologies to prevent crime on Monday evening. He is also scheduled to visit the academy of a leading Israeli defence company on Wednesday.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will be meeting the Punjab leader and his delegation on Tuesday morning. &nbsp;He will then visit the cemetery of Indian soldiers who laid their lives during the War of Liberation of Haifa in 1918.

Haifa celebrated the centenary year of its liberation by Indian cavalry units in September paying warm tributes to the courage shown by them in what is considered by most of the War Historians as the “last great cavalry campaign in history”.

Singh, a well-acclaimed military historian who has penned books like Saragarhi and The Defence of the Samana Fort, will also be visiting the Haifa Historical Society for presentation on the battle of Haifa. The Haifa municipality has immortalised the sacrifice of the Indian soldiers in the liberation of Haifa by including a chapter on their bravery in history textbooks taught at schools.

The Punjab Agricultural University will also be signing three agreements of cooperation with Tel Aviv University, Arava Institute and Galilee International Management Institute on Tuesday evening.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has said his state could use the know-how and technology of Israel to solve issues of farmers and water conservation, describing his first day of official engagements in the Jewish nation as “extremely productive”.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has said his state could use the know-how and technology of Israel to solve issues of farmers and water conservation, describing his first day of official engagements in the Jewish nation as “extremely productive”. Singh, who is on a three-day visited to Israel, reached Sunday evening. “Had an extremely productive 1st day in Israel, beginning with some major investment talks, followed by field visits to NaanDanJain Irrigation farms, & Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant. “Impressed by the Homeland Security presentation on latest technologies to prevent crime,” he tweeted Monday. The Punjab chief minister started his official engagements seeking Israeli investments in his state in areas such as infrastructure development, housing, energy, water supply and irrigation. He met officials of Israel’s Tyros International Group Ltd to discuss investments opportunities in Punjab’s infrastructure sector. Singh and his accompanying high-level delegation on Tuesday will be participating in a seminar “Investment Opportunities in Punjab”.The seminar aims to attract Israeli investors to Punjab. The chief minister then went to visit facilities of NaanDan Jain Irrigation Ltd, accompanied by officials of the state, to witness the latest technology deployed in precision farming and horticulture. The company is among the leading global producers and providers of irrigation solutions, and its expertise drives higher crop yields, minimising risks and saving precious non-renewable resources . “Really interesting to see NaanDanJain Irrigation use precision agriculture to deliver increased productivity in Israel. “Will brainstorm with them on how we can use their micro-irrigation technology effectively in Punjab to help our distressed farmers,”Singh said. He also visited the waste water treatment plant (Shafdan) in the Dan region.The Shafdan is the largest wastewater treatment plant in Israel. Singh said identifying water conservation techniques is a priority area for his state. The chief minister also met Ehud Hallel, chief executive officer of Israel’s National Water Company Mekorot. Singh and the delegation were give a tour of the waste water treatment and effluent reuse plant. “What an innovation! The Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant I visited in Shafdan, Israel, is an amazing example of use of technology to collect, treat & reclaim municipal wastewater. Discussed with Mekorot officials the possibility of using it for Punjab’s urban areas”, the chief minister tweeted. Singh is heading a the delegation to Israel to strengthen cooperation with the Jewish nation in the field of agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming and waste water management, besides trying to attract investments in the state. The delegation has also interacted with Israeli companies having expertise in homeland security sector to boost Punjab’s internal security preparedness. The chief minister was also shown a presentation on homeland security and he latest technologies to prevent crime on Monday evening. He is also scheduled to visit the academy of a leading Israeli defence company on Wednesday. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will be meeting the Punjab leader and his delegation on Tuesday morning. He will then visit the cemetery of Indian soldiers who laid their lives during the War of Liberation of Haifa in 1918. Haifa celebrated the centenary year of its liberation by Indian cavalry units in September paying warm tributes to the courage shown by them in what is considered by most of the War Historians as the “last great cavalry campaign in history”. Singh, a well-acclaimed military historian who has penned books like Saragarhi and The Defence of the Samana Fort, will also be visiting the Haifa Historical Society for presentation on the battle of Haifa. The Haifa municipality has immortalised the sacrifice of the Indian soldiers in the liberation of Haifa by including a chapter on their bravery in history textbooks taught at schools. The Punjab Agricultural University will also be signing three agreements of cooperation with Tel Aviv University, Arava Institute and Galilee International Management Institute on Tuesday evening.

Punjab can use Israeli tech to solve issues of farmers, water conservation, says CM Amarinder Singh

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pulling-out-of-atomic-treaty-with-russia-also-aimed-at-china-says-trump-172898">Pulling out of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pulling-out-of-atomic-treaty-with-russia-also-aimed-at-china-says-trump-172898">atomic</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pulling-out-of-atomic-treaty-with-russia-also-aimed-at-china-says-trump-172898"> treaty with Russia also aimed at </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pulling-out-of-atomic-treaty-with-russia-also-aimed-at-china-says-trump-172898">China,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pulling-out-of-atomic-treaty-with-russia-also-aimed-at-china-says-trump-172898"> says Trump</a>

President Donald Trump said Monday that his decision to withdraw from a decades-old atomic accord with Russia was also driven by a need to respond to China's nuclear build-up.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/west-asia/journalist-khashoggis-murder-us-official-meets-saudi-crown-prince-despite-global-backlash-172896">Journalist Khashoggi's murder: US official meets Saudi crown prince despite </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/west-asia/journalist-khashoggis-murder-us-official-meets-saudi-crown-prince-despite-global-backlash-172896">global</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/west-asia/journalist-khashoggis-murder-us-official-meets-saudi-crown-prince-despite-global-backlash-172896"> backlash</a>

The official Saudi Press Agency said they stressed "the importance of the Saudi-US strategic partnership" in a meeting on the eve of a key investment conference in Riyadh.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pix-president-xi-inaugurates-worlds-longest-sea-bridge-connecting-hong-kong-macau-zhuhai-172915">In Pics: President Xi inaugurates world's longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau &amp; Zhuhai</a>

China's President Xi Jinping launched the world's longest sea bridge, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China. 
&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/petrol-diesel-prices-cut-for-sixth-consecutive-day-172897">Petrol, diesel prices cut for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/petrol-diesel-prices-cut-for-sixth-consecutive-day-172897">sixth</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/petrol-diesel-prices-cut-for-sixth-consecutive-day-172897"> consecutive day</a>

For the sixth consecutive day in a row, petrol and diesel prices were cut in the range of 07-10 paise across metro cities on Tuesday (October 23, 2018).

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/after-scoring-stunning-goal-mesut-ozil-praises-arsenals-sexy-football-172906">Watch: After </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/after-scoring-stunning-goal-mesut-ozil-praises-arsenals-sexy-football-172906">stunning</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/after-scoring-stunning-goal-mesut-ozil-praises-arsenals-sexy-football-172906"> goal, Mesut Ozil praises Arsenal's 'sexy' football</a>

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came off the bench to score twice and Mesut Ozil scored the other to stretch Arsenal's winning streak in all competitions to 10 games of this season.

Pulling out of atomic treaty with Russia also aimed at China, says Trump President Donald Trump said Monday that his decision to withdraw from a decades-old atomic accord with Russia was also driven by a need to respond to China's nuclear build-up.

Pulling out of atomic treaty with Russia also aimed at China, says Trump President Donald Trump said Monday that his decision to withdraw from a decades-old atomic accord with Russia was also driven by a need to respond to China's nuclear build-up. Journalist Khashoggi's murder: US official meets Saudi crown prince despite global backlash The official Saudi Press Agency said they stressed "the importance of the Saudi-US strategic partnership" in a meeting on the eve of a key investment conference in Riyadh. In Pics: President Xi inaugurates world's longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau & Zhuhai China's President Xi Jinping launched the world's longest sea bridge, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China. Petrol, diesel prices cut for sixth consecutive day For the sixth consecutive day in a row, petrol and diesel prices were cut in the range of 07-10 paise across metro cities on Tuesday (October 23, 2018). Watch: After stunning goal, Mesut Ozil praises Arsenal's 'sexy' football Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came off the bench to score twice and Mesut Ozil scored the other to stretch Arsenal's winning streak in all competitions to 10 games of this season.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Just hours before the mortal remains of Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh were consigned to flames at his ancestral village in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday, his wife delivered a baby girl-- the first child of the couple after a wait of 10 years.&nbsp;

The soldier was among the three personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry who fell to the bullets of Pakistani intruders along the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district on Sunday.&nbsp;

Two heavily-armed Pakistani infiltrators, believed to be members of the border action team, were also killed in the gunfight.&nbsp;

The tricolour-wrapped coffin carrying the body of the 36-year-old soldier reached his Suligam village on Monday after a wreath-laying ceremony at Akhnoor Garrison.

But due to some delay, the cremation could not take place and the family decided to perform the last rites on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

However, his pregnant wife Shimu Devi developed labour pain at around midnight and was admitted to district hospital where she delivered the baby girl at around 5 am, officials said.&nbsp;

They said Devi along with the newborn was taken to the cremation ground Chamba-Seri in an ambulance for the last glimpse of her husband. Later, the last rites of the soldier were performed with full military honours, the officials said.&nbsp;

The soldier waited for 10 years for the birth of his first child but destiny had something else in store for him, Vijay Kumar, a local resident known to the family, said.&nbsp;

Singh had joined the Army in 2003 and was planning to take a leave to be with his wife who was expecting a baby anytime, he said.&nbsp;

The entire village is in deep mourning but the arrival of the child is expected to help the family to overcome the grief, Kumar added.&nbsp;

The soldier is survived by his parents, three younger sisters and as many brothers who live in a joint family.

Just hours before the mortal remains of Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh were consigned to flames at his ancestral village in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday, his wife delivered a baby girl-- the first child of the couple after a wait of 10 years.

Just hours before the mortal remains of Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh were consigned to flames at his ancestral village in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday, his wife delivered a baby girl-- the first child of the couple after a wait of 10 years. The soldier was among the three personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry who fell to the bullets of Pakistani intruders along the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district on Sunday. Two heavily-armed Pakistani infiltrators, believed to be members of the border action team, were also killed in the gunfight. The tricolour-wrapped coffin carrying the body of the 36-year-old soldier reached his Suligam village on Monday after a wreath-laying ceremony at Akhnoor Garrison. But due to some delay, the cremation could not take place and the family decided to perform the last rites on Tuesday morning. However, his pregnant wife Shimu Devi developed labour pain at around midnight and was admitted to district hospital where she delivered the baby girl at around 5 am, officials said. They said Devi along with the newborn was taken to the cremation ground Chamba-Seri in an ambulance for the last glimpse of her husband. Later, the last rites of the soldier were performed with full military honours, the officials said. The soldier waited for 10 years for the birth of his first child but destiny had something else in store for him, Vijay Kumar, a local resident known to the family, said. Singh had joined the Army in 2003 and was planning to take a leave to be with his wife who was expecting a baby anytime, he said. The entire village is in deep mourning but the arrival of the child is expected to help the family to overcome the grief, Kumar added. The soldier is survived by his parents, three younger sisters and as many brothers who live in a joint family.

Wife of soldier killed in J&K delivers baby hours before his cremation

The Centre is ready to hold talks with anyone including <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-pm-imran-khan-vows-to-hold-peace-talks-with-india-173006">Pakistan</a> but terror and dialogue can never go together, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here Tuesday.

The Home Minister, who reviewed the security situation in the state, told reporters that over the past four to five months there has been a big shift as incidents of stone-pelting have come down and the recruitment of militants has also decreased.

Singh met representatives of various political parties in Srinagar during his day-long visit here and said he has appealed to all of them to participate in the upcoming panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

Asked about the controversy over Article 35-A, the Union Minister said the Centre has no proposal to change any constitutional provision regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

He congratulated the state on the successful conduct of urban local bodies elections in a fair and transparent manner and said the holding of ULB and panchayat polls in the state is a historical step.

"Biggest of problems can be faced and issues resolved through democratic means.&nbsp; 
Many problems of Jammu and Kashmir can also be addressed through democracy. I appeal to people of the state to take part in this festival of democracy," he said at a press conference here.

Singh said those who do not believe in democracy can never be well-wishers of people.

The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party had boycotted the recent urban bodies election in Jammu and Kashmir.

Singh told reporters that as far as talks are concerned, the government has no problem in holding dialogue with anyone.

"But there is a condition from our side. At least, they should see that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism in India and promoting terrorism also. Give us this much of assurance that there will not be any such attempt by Pakistan. Terror and dialogue both can never go together," he said.

Asked if there was any initiative to hold talks with separatists, Singh said the government will talk to anyone who is willing to enter dialogue, but refused to elaborate.&nbsp;

"Government will not shy away from talks. We have been saying this time and again, anyone who wants to talk, we are ready," he said,

Singh said India has made all efforts on its part but Pakistan did not take any positive step to improve ties.

"Our Prime Minister, breaking all protocols, went there and met Pakistan Prime Minister, met his family members. Why did he meet? Our relations should be neighbourly. But from their side, they did not take any positive step," Singh said. 
In response to a question, the Home Minister said the Centre has no proposal to change any constitutional provision regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

"There is no initiative by the Centre on this (Article 35-A). The provisions in the Constitution are there and the Centre has not tinkered with any of those provisions. It is difficult to answer when a non-issue is made into an issue," he said.

The Home Minister said the Centre and the state government are working together to improve the life of people of the state.

"We want to engage the youth of the state in a constructive way. The state government along with the Centre has taken several initiatives in this regard. Through the Home Ministry alone, we are providing 11,000 jobs by various initiatives which will be implemented in several stages.

"Through various schemes of the central government, steps are afoot to provide employment to nearly 2.5 lakh youths of the state. Our government will provide all assistance needed that will help the youth of the state to chart their own destiny," he said.

On the local bodies elections, Singh said it was for the first time that an attempt has been made to empower the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh through devolution of power.&nbsp;

Every panchayat of the state will get Rs 60 lakh to Rs 70 lakh every year for carrying out development works in their respective areas, he said.

"The aim of empowering these bodies is to make them autonomous so that they can resolve their issues," he said.

On Centre's interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, the Minister said he will continue in his role till talks are held.

He termed as "very unfortunate" the death of seven civilians in a blast after an encounter had ended in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to people not to venture such places where security operations were on.

The minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for next of kin of the deceased.

"If there is an operation by security forces, I appeal the people that they should not try to go there. The security forces do take precautions and we have repeatedly directed them to do it," he said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Centre is ready to hold talks with anyone including Pakistan but terror and dialogue can never go together, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here Tuesday.

The Centre is ready to hold talks with anyone including Pakistan but terror and dialogue can never go together, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here Tuesday. The Home Minister, who reviewed the security situation in the state, told reporters that over the past four to five months there has been a big shift as incidents of stone-pelting have come down and the recruitment of militants has also decreased. Singh met representatives of various political parties in Srinagar during his day-long visit here and said he has appealed to all of them to participate in the upcoming panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir. Asked about the controversy over Article 35-A, the Union Minister said the Centre has no proposal to change any constitutional provision regarding Jammu and Kashmir. He congratulated the state on the successful conduct of urban local bodies elections in a fair and transparent manner and said the holding of ULB and panchayat polls in the state is a historical step. "Biggest of problems can be faced and issues resolved through democratic means. Many problems of Jammu and Kashmir can also be addressed through democracy. I appeal to people of the state to take part in this festival of democracy," he said at a press conference here. Singh said those who do not believe in democracy can never be well-wishers of people. The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party had boycotted the recent urban bodies election in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh told reporters that as far as talks are concerned, the government has no problem in holding dialogue with anyone. "But there is a condition from our side. At least, they should see that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism in India and promoting terrorism also. Give us this much of assurance that there will not be any such attempt by Pakistan. Terror and dialogue both can never go together," he said. Asked if there was any initiative to hold talks with separatists, Singh said the government will talk to anyone who is willing to enter dialogue, but refused to elaborate. "Government will not shy away from talks. We have been saying this time and again, anyone who wants to talk, we are ready," he said, Singh said India has made all efforts on its part but Pakistan did not take any positive step to improve ties. "Our Prime Minister, breaking all protocols, went there and met Pakistan Prime Minister, met his family members. Why did he meet? Our relations should be neighbourly. But from their side, they did not take any positive step," Singh said. In response to a question, the Home Minister said the Centre has no proposal to change any constitutional provision regarding Jammu and Kashmir. "There is no initiative by the Centre on this (Article 35-A). The provisions in the Constitution are there and the Centre has not tinkered with any of those provisions. It is difficult to answer when a non-issue is made into an issue," he said. The Home Minister said the Centre and the state government are working together to improve the life of people of the state. "We want to engage the youth of the state in a constructive way. The state government along with the Centre has taken several initiatives in this regard. Through the Home Ministry alone, we are providing 11,000 jobs by various initiatives which will be implemented in several stages. "Through various schemes of the central government, steps are afoot to provide employment to nearly 2.5 lakh youths of the state. Our government will provide all assistance needed that will help the youth of the state to chart their own destiny," he said. On the local bodies elections, Singh said it was for the first time that an attempt has been made to empower the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh through devolution of power. Every panchayat of the state will get Rs 60 lakh to Rs 70 lakh every year for carrying out development works in their respective areas, he said. "The aim of empowering these bodies is to make them autonomous so that they can resolve their issues," he said. On Centre's interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, the Minister said he will continue in his role till talks are held. He termed as "very unfortunate" the death of seven civilians in a blast after an encounter had ended in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to people not to venture such places where security operations were on. The minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for next of kin of the deceased. "If there is an operation by security forces, I appeal the people that they should not try to go there. The security forces do take precautions and we have repeatedly directed them to do it," he said.

Government ready to talk to anyone, including Pakistan: Rajnath Singh in Kashmir

New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) E-commerce giants -Amazon and Flipkart- have been issued notices by the country's drug regulator DCGI for allegedly selling "spurious and adulterated" cosmetics including imported brands, and have been warned of penal actions in case of failing to respond within 10 days.

The notice from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) follows raids by drug inspectors at various locations across the country on October 5-6, during which they found that some indigenously manufactured cosmetics without valid manufacturing licence and having ingredients imported without necessary registration certificates were being sold on the e-commerce platforms.

The law provides for penal actions ranging from monetary fine to imprisonment for sale of such "unapproved" products.

When contacted, an Amazon India spokesperson told PTI the company takes strict action against sellers of "illegal or fake products" as and when such incidents are reported to it.

"Amazon.In is a third-party marketplace which enables sellers to list their products for sale to Indian customers. Sellers on Amazon. In own, their respective products and are responsible for product compliances, as may be applicable.

"Amazon.In has a very high bar of customer experience and does take strict action against sellers who are selling illegal or fake products...In accordance with the due process of law, as and when such incidents are reported to us," the spokesperson said.

Among cosmetics being sold by these websites included imported brands without valid documents and containing ingredients in the "negative list" of the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards).

Asking the companies to reply to its notice within 10 days, the DGCI has warned them of penal action for "offering for sale, sale and distribution of spurious, adulterated cosmetics and cosmetics manufactured without valid licence in contravention of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940."

"In case, you fail to submit the reply within the stipulate period, it will be presumed that you have no reply to offer and appropriate action as deemed fit will be initiated against you," DCGI S Eswara Reddy said in the notice.&nbsp;

Under the Drug and Cosmetics Act, it is mandatory to get a registration certificate for import of cosmetics into India, while all cosmetics manufactured in the country need to have a valid licence.

Besides, cosmetics need to conform to the standards laid down by the BIS and cannot have any ingredient mentioned in its negative list.

A similar notice was also issued to the Indiamart, another e-commerce website, Reddy said. Reactions from Flipkart and Indiamart were not immediately available.&nbsp;

Illegal cosmetics estimated to be worth Rs four crore were seized during pan-India raids carried out after which the central drug regulator lodged five FIRs across three cities -- Mumbai, Pune and Delhi -- against manufacturers who were making these cosmetics without licence.

Asserting that the raids revealed the extent of illegal cosmetics in the market, Reddy also cautioned against purchase of such products.

New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) E-commerce giants -Amazon and Flipkart- have been issued notices by the country's drug regulator DCGI for allegedly selling "spurious and adulterated" cosmetics including imported brands, and have been warned of penal actions in case of failing to respond within 10 days.

New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) E-commerce giants -Amazon and Flipkart- have been issued notices by the country's drug regulator DCGI for allegedly selling "spurious and adulterated" cosmetics including imported brands, and have been warned of penal actions in case of failing to respond within 10 days. The notice from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) follows raids by drug inspectors at various locations across the country on October 5-6, during which they found that some indigenously manufactured cosmetics without valid manufacturing licence and having ingredients imported without necessary registration certificates were being sold on the e-commerce platforms. The law provides for penal actions ranging from monetary fine to imprisonment for sale of such "unapproved" products. When contacted, an Amazon India spokesperson told PTI the company takes strict action against sellers of "illegal or fake products" as and when such incidents are reported to it. "Amazon.In is a third-party marketplace which enables sellers to list their products for sale to Indian customers. Sellers on Amazon. In own, their respective products and are responsible for product compliances, as may be applicable. "Amazon.In has a very high bar of customer experience and does take strict action against sellers who are selling illegal or fake products...In accordance with the due process of law, as and when such incidents are reported to us," the spokesperson said. Among cosmetics being sold by these websites included imported brands without valid documents and containing ingredients in the "negative list" of the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). Asking the companies to reply to its notice within 10 days, the DGCI has warned them of penal action for "offering for sale, sale and distribution of spurious, adulterated cosmetics and cosmetics manufactured without valid licence in contravention of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940." "In case, you fail to submit the reply within the stipulate period, it will be presumed that you have no reply to offer and appropriate action as deemed fit will be initiated against you," DCGI S Eswara Reddy said in the notice. Under the Drug and Cosmetics Act, it is mandatory to get a registration certificate for import of cosmetics into India, while all cosmetics manufactured in the country need to have a valid licence. Besides, cosmetics need to conform to the standards laid down by the BIS and cannot have any ingredient mentioned in its negative list. A similar notice was also issued to the Indiamart, another e-commerce website, Reddy said. Reactions from Flipkart and Indiamart were not immediately available. Illegal cosmetics estimated to be worth Rs four crore were seized during pan-India raids carried out after which the central drug regulator lodged five FIRs across three cities -- Mumbai, Pune and Delhi -- against manufacturers who were making these cosmetics without licence. Asserting that the raids revealed the extent of illegal cosmetics in the market, Reddy also cautioned against purchase of such products.

Drug regulator issues notice to Amazon, Flipkart for alleged sale of spurious cosmetics 

The 12-hour Assam bandh called by 46 organisations against the citizenship bill evoked a widespread response in the state Tuesday with markets and financial institutions closed.

Though BJP-led Assam government's alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) was not in support of the bandh, it took out a massive rally to protest against the bill. It was led by party president and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora from Latasil Field to Chandmari area in Guwahati.

During the bandh, picketeers burnt tyres on roads across the state to prevent movement of vehicular traffic and blocked rail tracks early morning in a bid to prevent movement of trains, official sources said.

Shops, markets and financial institutions kept their shutters down, while attendance in offices and educational institutions was thin, the sources said.

State-run Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) city and long distance buses plied with police escort Tuesday. Private commercial vehicles, however, kept off the roads as operators claimed that damage to their vehicles during bandhs and riots were not compensated by insurance companies.

Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and 44 other organisations had called the 12-hour bandh from 5 am to protest against the Centre's bid to pass the bill in winter session. The Congress and the AIUDF had extended support to the bandh.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014.

The Assam government had on Monday directed all district administrations to ensure that there was no bandh Tuesday. Deputy commissioners had issued orders that all shops, business establishments and educational institutions remain open, transport facilities ply normally and all government officials should attend to their duties.&nbsp;

Carrying the AGP flag, placards and banners, the participants in the 'pratibadi samadal' (protest rally) walked through the main thoroughfare Gopinath Bordoloi Road to Chandmari to create awareness against the bill.

Party cabinet colleagues Kesab Mahanta and Phani Bhusan Choudhury were part of the protest rally besides former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta.

Addressing a gathering before the start of the procession, AGP president Atul Bora said the rally was called against the bill as it threatened the existence, identity, culture and language of the indigenous people of the state.

"We have already made our stand clear on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. Under no circumstances, are going to support it. We will fight till the end against the bill," he said.

Bora said the party was opposed to the bill as it "violated" the Assam Accord which was the result of a six-year long Assam agitation from 1979 against illegal migrants when 855 people died for the cause.

A team of AGP ministers, MLAs and leaders had recently visited Delhi to meet the members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the bill to put forward the party's views on it, he added.

Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Monday said the Gauhati High Court had ruled that calling a bandh was illegal and as such the state-wide bandh called by 46 organisations could not be allowed and anyone supporting it would be committing contempt of court.

KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi said that this was the first time that they had called a bandh as the very "existence of the Assamese and their identity was at stake".

Gauhati West MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita said, "We will not allow the bill to be passed in Parliament and we are taking all measures towards it. The Centre has to understand the sentiments of the people of Assam."

He said the government should realise that the people of Assam had come out to protest against its move to endanger their existence.

"We have been opposing the passage of the bill in Parliament and will continue to do so," said another AGP MLA Satyabrat Kalita.

Other party leaders said the bill would frustrate the Assam Accord and there should not be any division of illegal migrants on the basis of religion as proposed by the bill.

The granting of Indian citizenship to Bangladeshi Hindus would turn the indigenous people of the state to minorities in their state, threatening their existence and heritage, the speakers asserted.

Assam Water Resource Minister Keshav Mahanta told the gathering that his party would "under no circumstance" allow the Centre to pass the bill.

"Come what may, we will not allow the Centre to pass the bill. Anything that goes against the Assamese community, we will never support it," Mahanta asserted.

The 12-hour Assam bandh called by 46 organisations against the citizenship bill evoked a widespread response in the state Tuesday with markets and financial institutions closed.

The 12-hour Assam bandh called by 46 organisations against the citizenship bill evoked a widespread response in the state Tuesday with markets and financial institutions closed. Though BJP-led Assam government's alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) was not in support of the bandh, it took out a massive rally to protest against the bill. It was led by party president and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora from Latasil Field to Chandmari area in Guwahati. During the bandh, picketeers burnt tyres on roads across the state to prevent movement of vehicular traffic and blocked rail tracks early morning in a bid to prevent movement of trains, official sources said. Shops, markets and financial institutions kept their shutters down, while attendance in offices and educational institutions was thin, the sources said. State-run Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) city and long distance buses plied with police escort Tuesday. Private commercial vehicles, however, kept off the roads as operators claimed that damage to their vehicles during bandhs and riots were not compensated by insurance companies. Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and 44 other organisations had called the 12-hour bandh from 5 am to protest against the Centre's bid to pass the bill in winter session. The Congress and the AIUDF had extended support to the bandh. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. The Assam government had on Monday directed all district administrations to ensure that there was no bandh Tuesday. Deputy commissioners had issued orders that all shops, business establishments and educational institutions remain open, transport facilities ply normally and all government officials should attend to their duties. Carrying the AGP flag, placards and banners, the participants in the 'pratibadi samadal' (protest rally) walked through the main thoroughfare Gopinath Bordoloi Road to Chandmari to create awareness against the bill. Party cabinet colleagues Kesab Mahanta and Phani Bhusan Choudhury were part of the protest rally besides former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. Addressing a gathering before the start of the procession, AGP president Atul Bora said the rally was called against the bill as it threatened the existence, identity, culture and language of the indigenous people of the state. "We have already made our stand clear on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. Under no circumstances, are going to support it. We will fight till the end against the bill," he said. Bora said the party was opposed to the bill as it "violated" the Assam Accord which was the result of a six-year long Assam agitation from 1979 against illegal migrants when 855 people died for the cause. A team of AGP ministers, MLAs and leaders had recently visited Delhi to meet the members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the bill to put forward the party's views on it, he added. Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Monday said the Gauhati High Court had ruled that calling a bandh was illegal and as such the state-wide bandh called by 46 organisations could not be allowed and anyone supporting it would be committing contempt of court. KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi said that this was the first time that they had called a bandh as the very "existence of the Assamese and their identity was at stake". Gauhati West MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita said, "We will not allow the bill to be passed in Parliament and we are taking all measures towards it. The Centre has to understand the sentiments of the people of Assam." He said the government should realise that the people of Assam had come out to protest against its move to endanger their existence. "We have been opposing the passage of the bill in Parliament and will continue to do so," said another AGP MLA Satyabrat Kalita. Other party leaders said the bill would frustrate the Assam Accord and there should not be any division of illegal migrants on the basis of religion as proposed by the bill. The granting of Indian citizenship to Bangladeshi Hindus would turn the indigenous people of the state to minorities in their state, threatening their existence and heritage, the speakers asserted. Assam Water Resource Minister Keshav Mahanta told the gathering that his party would "under no circumstance" allow the Centre to pass the bill. "Come what may, we will not allow the Centre to pass the bill. Anything that goes against the Assamese community, we will never support it," Mahanta asserted.

Assam bandh against citizenship bill evokes widespread response

Potterheads take note! A law university in Kolkata is offering a new course on Harry Potter which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of JK Rowling's fictional world and its many real life lessons.&nbsp;

The course titled "An interface between Fantasy Fiction Literature and Law: Special focus on Rowling's Potterverse" will be offered as an elective to 4th and 5th year students of the BA LLB (Hons) programme at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) in Kolkata.

The course, designed for the winter semester by Assistant Professor Shouvik Kumar Guha, attempts to serve as a breather from the orthodox law school curriculum.

"This course is meant to be more of an experiment. It will take both me and the students out of our comfort zones," Guha told PTI in a phone interview.

"In law schools, people get a very specific set of subjects. The curriculum revolves around the hard letter of the law, case laws etc. Given the fact that this course lasts about five years, students also get bored," he said.

Students will learn to apply legal principles in a completely new scenario, and understand how things will work through insights into a wizarding world constantly under government surveillance.

Given the many societal, legal and political changes, including the slew of landmark Supreme Court judgements, law students need to learn to adapt and respond to events unfolding around them, Guha said.

"I could have designed the course based on our real political situation but it is not necessary that all my students will share my political leanings," he said.&nbsp;

Guha decided instead to turn to a fictional universe, which would not create political controversies but help students learn to apply their legal knowledge to a completely alien set of scenarios.

According to a statement by NUJS, the Harry Potter series vividly exposes the limitations of laws and institutions.

In Potterverse for example, The Ministry of Magic uses its representatives to torture children for daring to tell the truth, and imprisons or even executes its citizens without the benefit of due process of law.

Its infamous prison Azkaban is designed to drive inmates to despair and suicidal tendencies without any hope of reformation.

In numerous instances, the wealthy control and influence government policy. Freedom of the press in Potterverse is curtailed, and the major newspaper 'The Daily Prophet' is used to spread propaganda.

The series thus provides a unique platform for students to reflect and compare the legal situations with their own government. The course aims to cover legal traditions and institutions, crimes and punishments, economy, politics, contracts in the Potterverse.

Guha says his assignments to the students would be very creative in nature, and hopes that some of the works can eventually be published.

"I was introduced to Potterverse in my tenth standard. Since then I have read the books multiple times. I am familiar with each and every line of all the seven books. So it will come to me naturally," said Guha, quipping that he probably knows Harry Potter literature better than Company Law.

Classes for the course are due to start this December.

This is not the first time in India that a professor has turned to the magical world of Harry Potter to pique student interest.

Rashmi Raman, a former student of NUJS, first started a Potterverse-centric elective law course at the Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat in 2012.

The course was one of the most popular among students in the law school, Raman told PTI.

"I have not offered it for the last two semesters because it always exceeds the class limit, and I end up having to teach a class of 40-45, when I could teach another elective and get away with 15-20 students," she said.

Raman said she plans to bring back the course again in the spring semester.

Rowling's series of seven books which were made into eight films about the boy wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermoine has already found its way into classrooms abroad.&nbsp;

The Kansas State University in the US, for instance, offers a class called&nbsp; 
"Harry Potter's Library," where students have the opportunity to examine political themes that reoccur in the series.&nbsp;

Frostburg University, also in the US, offers "Science of Harry Potter" which teaches students about the scientific concepts behind the magical events in the series.

For example, students explore the physics that makes Quidditch possible and the possible genetics associated with magical creatures.

Potterheads take note! A law university in Kolkata is offering a new course on Harry Potter which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of JK Rowling's fictional world and its many real life lessons.

Potterheads take note! A law university in Kolkata is offering a new course on Harry Potter which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of JK Rowling's fictional world and its many real life lessons. The course titled "An interface between Fantasy Fiction Literature and Law: Special focus on Rowling's Potterverse" will be offered as an elective to 4th and 5th year students of the BA LLB (Hons) programme at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) in Kolkata. The course, designed for the winter semester by Assistant Professor Shouvik Kumar Guha, attempts to serve as a breather from the orthodox law school curriculum. "This course is meant to be more of an experiment. It will take both me and the students out of our comfort zones," Guha told PTI in a phone interview. "In law schools, people get a very specific set of subjects. The curriculum revolves around the hard letter of the law, case laws etc. Given the fact that this course lasts about five years, students also get bored," he said. Students will learn to apply legal principles in a completely new scenario, and understand how things will work through insights into a wizarding world constantly under government surveillance. Given the many societal, legal and political changes, including the slew of landmark Supreme Court judgements, law students need to learn to adapt and respond to events unfolding around them, Guha said. "I could have designed the course based on our real political situation but it is not necessary that all my students will share my political leanings," he said. Guha decided instead to turn to a fictional universe, which would not create political controversies but help students learn to apply their legal knowledge to a completely alien set of scenarios. According to a statement by NUJS, the Harry Potter series vividly exposes the limitations of laws and institutions. In Potterverse for example, The Ministry of Magic uses its representatives to torture children for daring to tell the truth, and imprisons or even executes its citizens without the benefit of due process of law. Its infamous prison Azkaban is designed to drive inmates to despair and suicidal tendencies without any hope of reformation. In numerous instances, the wealthy control and influence government policy. Freedom of the press in Potterverse is curtailed, and the major newspaper 'The Daily Prophet' is used to spread propaganda. The series thus provides a unique platform for students to reflect and compare the legal situations with their own government. The course aims to cover legal traditions and institutions, crimes and punishments, economy, politics, contracts in the Potterverse. Guha says his assignments to the students would be very creative in nature, and hopes that some of the works can eventually be published. "I was introduced to Potterverse in my tenth standard. Since then I have read the books multiple times. I am familiar with each and every line of all the seven books. So it will come to me naturally," said Guha, quipping that he probably knows Harry Potter literature better than Company Law. Classes for the course are due to start this December. This is not the first time in India that a professor has turned to the magical world of Harry Potter to pique student interest. Rashmi Raman, a former student of NUJS, first started a Potterverse-centric elective law course at the Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat in 2012. The course was one of the most popular among students in the law school, Raman told PTI. "I have not offered it for the last two semesters because it always exceeds the class limit, and I end up having to teach a class of 40-45, when I could teach another elective and get away with 15-20 students," she said. Raman said she plans to bring back the course again in the spring semester. Rowling's series of seven books which were made into eight films about the boy wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermoine has already found its way into classrooms abroad. The Kansas State University in the US, for instance, offers a class called "Harry Potter's Library," where students have the opportunity to examine political themes that reoccur in the series. Frostburg University, also in the US, offers "Science of Harry Potter" which teaches students about the scientific concepts behind the magical events in the series. For example, students explore the physics that makes Quidditch possible and the possible genetics associated with magical creatures.

University in Kolkata offers law course based on Harry Potter 

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Deputy SP Devender Kumar has been sent to 7 days CBI custody.

CBI on Tuesday produced before a Delhi court its DSP Devender Kumar, arrested in connection with bribery allegations involving agency's Special Director Rakesh Asthana.

The investigating agency sought his custody for 10 days and told Special CBI Judge Santosh Snehi Mann that incriminating documents and evidence found after raiding his office and residence.

It claimed that Kumar was part of extortion racket being run in the garb of investigation.

Kumar's counsel opposed the submission and moved a bail plea before the court. The hearing in the case is underway.

CBI has sought the court's nod to add some more sections in the present FIR against accused including Kumar.

The present case is an effort to derail the probe in a separate case lodged against meat exporter Moin Qureshi, the arrested CBI official alleged in the court.

The special court has reserved its order on the CBI plea till 4 PM. Kumar was arrested yesterday

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Deputy SP Devender Kumar has been sent to 7 days CBI custody. CBI on Tuesday produced before a Delhi court its DSP Devender Kumar, arrested in connection with bribery allegations involving agency's Special Director Rakesh Asthana.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Deputy SP Devender Kumar has been sent to 7 days CBI custody. CBI on Tuesday produced before a Delhi court its DSP Devender Kumar, arrested in connection with bribery allegations involving agency's Special Director Rakesh Asthana. The investigating agency sought his custody for 10 days and told Special CBI Judge Santosh Snehi Mann that incriminating documents and evidence found after raiding his office and residence. It claimed that Kumar was part of extortion racket being run in the garb of investigation. Kumar's counsel opposed the submission and moved a bail plea before the court. The hearing in the case is underway. CBI has sought the court's nod to add some more sections in the present FIR against accused including Kumar. The present case is an effort to derail the probe in a separate case lodged against meat exporter Moin Qureshi, the arrested CBI official alleged in the court. The special court has reserved its order on the CBI plea till 4 PM. Kumar was arrested yesterday

CBI Deputy SP Devender Kumar remanded in CBI custody for 7 days

The Delhi High court on Tuesday refused to stay the FIR filed by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-arrests-its-own-deputy-sp-in-bribery-case-involving-its-special-director-172826">the CBI</a> against its own second-in-command Rakesh Asthana.&nbsp;

The court however added that no action can be taken against Asthana till Monday when CBI Director Alok Verma will have to respond to the allegations levelled by Asthana against Verma.&nbsp;

Both Verma and Asthana have accused each other of corruption.&nbsp;

Verma had accused Asthana — who is a Gujarat cadre officer — of corruption before he was appointed to the CBI. Verma pointed out the alleged corruption to the Central Vigilance Commission.&nbsp;

Asthana in turn wrote to the Central Vigilance Commission and the&nbsp;Cabinet Secretary <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-terms-allegations-against-its-director-alok-verma-as-false-and-malicious-172714">accusing Verma of corruption</a>.&nbsp;

A little later, the CBI filed the FIR against Asthana. Asthana is accused of demanding a bribe of Rs 5 crore to let businessman Satish Sana off the hook in the Moin Qureshi case.&nbsp;

"This is a case of illegal registration of FIR against CBI Spl Director (Asthana) based on a statement of an accused," Asthana's lawyer told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday.&nbsp;

"This matter is of great urgency. The person whose arrest was recommended by Asthana has now been made a complainant and based on his complaint, this FIR has been filed. Any investigation without proper permission will be illegal," Asthana's lawyer added.&nbsp;

The CBI counsel replied: "Charges very serious against the accused including that of bribery. Charges under prevention of corruption act along with criminal conspiracy. Charges of extortion and forgery will be added."&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Delhi High court on Tuesday refused to stay the FIR filed by the CBI against its own second-in-command Rakesh Asthana. The court however added that no action can be taken against Asthana till Monday when CBI Director Alok Verma will have to respond to the allegations levelled by Asthana against Verma.

The Delhi High court on Tuesday refused to stay the FIR filed by the CBI against its own second-in-command Rakesh Asthana. The court however added that no action can be taken against Asthana till Monday when CBI Director Alok Verma will have to respond to the allegations levelled by Asthana against Verma. Both Verma and Asthana have accused each other of corruption. Verma had accused Asthana — who is a Gujarat cadre officer — of corruption before he was appointed to the CBI. Verma pointed out the alleged corruption to the Central Vigilance Commission. Asthana in turn wrote to the Central Vigilance Commission and the Cabinet Secretary accusing Verma of corruption. A little later, the CBI filed the FIR against Asthana. Asthana is accused of demanding a bribe of Rs 5 crore to let businessman Satish Sana off the hook in the Moin Qureshi case. "This is a case of illegal registration of FIR against CBI Spl Director (Asthana) based on a statement of an accused," Asthana's lawyer told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday. "This matter is of great urgency. The person whose arrest was recommended by Asthana has now been made a complainant and based on his complaint, this FIR has been filed. Any investigation without proper permission will be illegal," Asthana's lawyer added. The CBI counsel replied: "Charges very serious against the accused including that of bribery. Charges under prevention of corruption act along with criminal conspiracy. Charges of extortion and forgery will be added."

Delhi High Court refuses to stay FIR filed by CBI against CBI's 2nd-in-command

Former IFS officer Satendar Kumar joined the Congress in the presence of senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Uttar Pradesh PCC chief Raj Babbar Tuesday.

Welcoming Kumar's decision, Azad said the Congress was the only party that could keep the unity and integrity of the country intact.

He added that Kumar, a former Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer who retired on June 30, had decided to join the opposition party along with his supporters.

Kumar, who hails from the Dalit community in Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, has held several important positions on foreign shores and was also the consul general of lndia in Zanzibar, ambassador of lndia to the Republic of Suriname and high commissioner of India to Barbados and Saint Lucia.

Babbar said Kumar joining the party showed that the educated and intellectual class was drifting towards the Congress.

He added that former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Kanhaiya Lal would also join the party in Lucknow on Wednesday.

Kumar said he was attracted to the Congress because of its ideology and ideals right from his childhood days, adding that it was the only party that carried all sections of people and communities along.

In an apparent reference to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he hit out at those seeking to appropriate BR Ambedkar's legacy, saying they had nothing to do with the Dalit icon's ideology or thinking.

Kumar said Ambedkar gave us a Constitution that guaranteed justice to all.&nbsp;

Former IFS officer Satendar Kumar joined the Congress in the presence of senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Uttar Pradesh PCC chief Raj Babbar Tuesday. Welcoming Kumar's decision, Azad said the Congress was the only party that could keep the unity and integrity of the country intact.

Former IFS officer Satendar Kumar joined the Congress in the presence of senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Uttar Pradesh PCC chief Raj Babbar Tuesday. Welcoming Kumar's decision, Azad said the Congress was the only party that could keep the unity and integrity of the country intact. He added that Kumar, a former Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer who retired on June 30, had decided to join the opposition party along with his supporters. Kumar, who hails from the Dalit community in Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, has held several important positions on foreign shores and was also the consul general of lndia in Zanzibar, ambassador of lndia to the Republic of Suriname and high commissioner of India to Barbados and Saint Lucia. Babbar said Kumar joining the party showed that the educated and intellectual class was drifting towards the Congress. He added that former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Kanhaiya Lal would also join the party in Lucknow on Wednesday. Kumar said he was attracted to the Congress because of its ideology and ideals right from his childhood days, adding that it was the only party that carried all sections of people and communities along. In an apparent reference to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he hit out at those seeking to appropriate BR Ambedkar's legacy, saying they had nothing to do with the Dalit icon's ideology or thinking. Kumar said Ambedkar gave us a Constitution that guaranteed justice to all.

Former IFS officer Satendar Kumar joins Congress

China on Tuesday made it clear that there is no change in its position on India's request to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN and said it will decide on the issue on the "merits of the matter".&nbsp;

India on Monday asked China to support the pending application in the UN to designate Azhar as a global terrorist during the first India-China high-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation which was co-chaired by&nbsp;Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Zhao Kezhi, State Councilor and Minister&nbsp;of Public Security, China, in New Delhi.&nbsp;

A veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked India's bid at the United Nations to list Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Azhar as a global terrorist.

When asked to comment on India's request, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said she has to check the specific details of the talks between the two ministers.

"As per to India's request for the listing of Masood (Azhar) we already stated our position for many times," she said.

"On the counter-terrorism issue, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations. We have always made our decisions and judgements on the merits of the matter itself," she said.

"We will continue to step up the security cooperation to uphold the regional peace and stability with parties," she said.&nbsp;

Azhar is accused of several deadly terrorist attacks in India, including one on the Uri military base in Kashmir in 2016 in which 17 security personnel were killed.&nbsp;

China has blocked India's efforts to designate Azhar under the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council citing lack of consensus among the members of the Council. &nbsp; &nbsp;

On reports that India has requested China to not to give shelter to hard-line United Liberation Front Of Assam (ULFA) leader Paresh Baruah, Hua said, "I shall stress that the Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This remains unchanged."&nbsp;

China on Tuesday made it clear that there is no change in its position on India's request to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN and said it will decide on the issue on the "merits of the matter".

China on Tuesday made it clear that there is no change in its position on India's request to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN and said it will decide on the issue on the "merits of the matter". India on Monday asked China to support the pending application in the UN to designate Azhar as a global terrorist during the first India-China high-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation which was co-chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Zhao Kezhi, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, China, in New Delhi. A veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked India's bid at the United Nations to list Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Azhar as a global terrorist. When asked to comment on India's request, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said she has to check the specific details of the talks between the two ministers. "As per to India's request for the listing of Masood (Azhar) we already stated our position for many times," she said. "On the counter-terrorism issue, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations. We have always made our decisions and judgements on the merits of the matter itself," she said. "We will continue to step up the security cooperation to uphold the regional peace and stability with parties," she said. Azhar is accused of several deadly terrorist attacks in India, including one on the Uri military base in Kashmir in 2016 in which 17 security personnel were killed. China has blocked India's efforts to designate Azhar under the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council citing lack of consensus among the members of the Council. On reports that India has requested China to not to give shelter to hard-line United Liberation Front Of Assam (ULFA) leader Paresh Baruah, Hua said, "I shall stress that the Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This remains unchanged."

China still elusive on backing India's request on listing Azhar as global terrorist 

The Ministry of External Affairs summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission in the national capital and a demarche was made lodging strong protest at the fatal casualties of Indian soldiers during an attempted cross-border infiltration by Pakistani terrorists in Sunderbani sector of Jammu and Kashmir on October 21.

Five to six Pakistani armed intruders tried to cross the Line of Control (LoC) and fired on an Indian Army patrol in the Sunderbani sector of Jammu region.

Three Indian Army soldiers were killed and one suffered injuries in the unprovoked cross-border action by Pakistan. Two intruders were also killed by the Indian armed forces.

The Pakistani side was informed that two of their armed intruders have been killed by the Indian security forces during the ensuing firefight and the Government of Pakistan should take custody of the dead bodies of its nationals, the MEA statement said.

"(The) Ministry condemned in the strongest terms such provocative action by Pakistan, which reveals their complicity in aiding and abetting terrorism and exposes the hollowness of Pakistan`s deceitful claims to promote constructive engagement and desire for peace," the statement added.

"Our grave concern at the continuing incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistan forces along the LoC and the International Border (IB) was also shared," it said.

Despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the ceasefire understanding of 2003 for maintaining peace and tranquility, Pakistani forces have carried out 1591 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC and IB in 2018 so far.

The MEA said that Pakistan was called on to "abide by its bilateral commitment not to allow any territory under its control to be used to support terrorism against India in any manner".&nbsp;

The Ministry of External Affairs summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission in the national capital and a demarche was made lodging strong protest at the fatal casualties of Indian soldiers during an attempted cross-border infiltration by Pakistani terrorists in Sunderbani sector of Jammu and Kashmir on October 21.

The Ministry of External Affairs summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission in the national capital and a demarche was made lodging strong protest at the fatal casualties of Indian soldiers during an attempted cross-border infiltration by Pakistani terrorists in Sunderbani sector of Jammu and Kashmir on October 21. Five to six Pakistani armed intruders tried to cross the Line of Control (LoC) and fired on an Indian Army patrol in the Sunderbani sector of Jammu region. Three Indian Army soldiers were killed and one suffered injuries in the unprovoked cross-border action by Pakistan. Two intruders were also killed by the Indian armed forces. The Pakistani side was informed that two of their armed intruders have been killed by the Indian security forces during the ensuing firefight and the Government of Pakistan should take custody of the dead bodies of its nationals, the MEA statement said. "(The) Ministry condemned in the strongest terms such provocative action by Pakistan, which reveals their complicity in aiding and abetting terrorism and exposes the hollowness of Pakistan`s deceitful claims to promote constructive engagement and desire for peace," the statement added. "Our grave concern at the continuing incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistan forces along the LoC and the International Border (IB) was also shared," it said. Despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the ceasefire understanding of 2003 for maintaining peace and tranquility, Pakistani forces have carried out 1591 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC and IB in 2018 so far. The MEA said that Pakistan was called on to "abide by its bilateral commitment not to allow any territory under its control to be used to support terrorism against India in any manner".

Sunderbani sector firing: Senior Pak High Commission official summoned

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar Tuesday said if the central government was "effective", there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI, and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act over the matter.

He also attacked the BJP-led Centre over the Rafale jet deal and demanded a probe into it by a joint parliamentary committee.

Pawar was replying to queries during an interaction at the "Mumbai Manthan" conclave organised by television news channel Aaj Tak.

The feud between Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana turned murkier with the arrest of a deputy superintendent of police in the Special Investigation Team headed by Asthana over bribery charges.

Asked about the Modi government's performance, Pawar said people's expectations from the present dispensation were not fulfilled.

"What was promised in 2014 is not seen on the ground after four years. (Former prime minister) Manmohan Singh tried his best to give a good government, intentions were best. That is not the situation today.

"If the present government was effective, there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI. Still the prime minister is silent. He should act," the former Union minister said.

Pawar said Modi was a strong leader for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but not the country.

"His ministerial team does not have the capacity to deliver. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is the most powerful. All decisions are taken there and the files are sent to the ministers to sign. The present government does only 'man ki baat' and does not listen to 'jan ki baat' (people's voice)," he added.

Firing a fresh salvo over the Rafale fighter jet deal, Pawar said the Centre should clarify why the price of one aircraft increased from Rs 570 crore to Rs 1,600 crore.

"There is room for suspicion. So there should be a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe. If the BJP stalled Parliament for three weeks for a JPC probe in (the) Bofors (case), why should the BJP, now in power, oppose a JPC," he asked.

Asked if he felt there was corruption in the Rafale deal as alleged by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Pawar said he had no information about it.

"I only know the aircraft is good. Rahul Gandhi may have more information than me about corruption," he said.

Led by the Congress, the opposition parties have been attacking the Modi government, alleging that it is procuring 36 Rafale jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost.

The government has denied the allegations of irregularities in the Rafale deal and industrialist Anil Ambani has also dismissed the Congress's charge that he got undue benefits under it.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar Tuesday said if the central government was "effective", there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI, and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act over the matter.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar Tuesday said if the central government was "effective", there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI, and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act over the matter. He also attacked the BJP-led Centre over the Rafale jet deal and demanded a probe into it by a joint parliamentary committee. Pawar was replying to queries during an interaction at the "Mumbai Manthan" conclave organised by television news channel Aaj Tak. The feud between Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana turned murkier with the arrest of a deputy superintendent of police in the Special Investigation Team headed by Asthana over bribery charges. Asked about the Modi government's performance, Pawar said people's expectations from the present dispensation were not fulfilled. "What was promised in 2014 is not seen on the ground after four years. (Former prime minister) Manmohan Singh tried his best to give a good government, intentions were best. That is not the situation today. "If the present government was effective, there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI. Still the prime minister is silent. He should act," the former Union minister said. Pawar said Modi was a strong leader for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but not the country. "His ministerial team does not have the capacity to deliver. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is the most powerful. All decisions are taken there and the files are sent to the ministers to sign. The present government does only 'man ki baat' and does not listen to 'jan ki baat' (people's voice)," he added. Firing a fresh salvo over the Rafale fighter jet deal, Pawar said the Centre should clarify why the price of one aircraft increased from Rs 570 crore to Rs 1,600 crore. "There is room for suspicion. So there should be a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe. If the BJP stalled Parliament for three weeks for a JPC probe in (the) Bofors (case), why should the BJP, now in power, oppose a JPC," he asked. Asked if he felt there was corruption in the Rafale deal as alleged by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Pawar said he had no information about it. "I only know the aircraft is good. Rahul Gandhi may have more information than me about corruption," he said. Led by the Congress, the opposition parties have been attacking the Modi government, alleging that it is procuring 36 Rafale jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost. The government has denied the allegations of irregularities in the Rafale deal and industrialist Anil Ambani has also dismissed the Congress's charge that he got undue benefits under it.

Sharad Pawar hits out at PM Modi over CBI row

Hyundai launches Santro 2018 in new avatar, price starts at Rs 3.9 lac

China on Tuesday said its first internal security cooperation agreement with India will provide an institutional guarantee to combat trans-border crimes, but did not indicate any change in its stance on blocking India's efforts to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN.

The agreement was inked during the first India-China high-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation which was co-chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Zhao Kezhi, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, China, in New Delhi.&nbsp;

"This cooperation treaty is very important in terms of advancing law enforcement and security cooperation so that the two countries enjoy the sound development of bilateral relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing answering a question on the pact and the talks between the two ministers.

Referring to the April informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Hua said, "We believe this cooperation on security and law enforcement will help us to combat crimes as it will provide more institutional and systematic guarantee on this".

"We will continue to step up our cooperation in combating separatist forces, telecom fraud the drug crimes and other trans-border crimes. We will explore more areas for security and law enforcement cooperation and ensure the security of our personnel that carrying projects in each other's countries," she said.

On India's request for China's support to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Azhar as global terrorist by the UN, Hua said she has to check the specific details of the talks between the two ministers.

"As per to India's request for the listing of Masood (Azhar) we already stated our positon for many times," she said.

"On the counter-terrorism issue, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations. We have always made our decisions and judgements on the merits of the matter itself," she said.

"We will continue to step up the security cooperation to uphold the regional peace and stability with parties," she said.

A veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked India's bid at the United Nations to list Azhar as a global terrorist.

On reports that India has requested China to not to give shelter to hard-line United Liberation Front Of Assam (ULFA) leader Paresh Baruah, Hua said, "I shall stress that the Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This remains unchanged."

China on Tuesday said its first internal security cooperation agreement with India will provide an institutional guarantee to combat trans-border crimes, but did not indicate any change in its stance on blocking India's efforts to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN.

China on Tuesday said its first internal security cooperation agreement with India will provide an institutional guarantee to combat trans-border crimes, but did not indicate any change in its stance on blocking India's efforts to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. The agreement was inked during the first India-China high-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation which was co-chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Zhao Kezhi, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, China, in New Delhi. "This cooperation treaty is very important in terms of advancing law enforcement and security cooperation so that the two countries enjoy the sound development of bilateral relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing answering a question on the pact and the talks between the two ministers. Referring to the April informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Hua said, "We believe this cooperation on security and law enforcement will help us to combat crimes as it will provide more institutional and systematic guarantee on this". "We will continue to step up our cooperation in combating separatist forces, telecom fraud the drug crimes and other trans-border crimes. We will explore more areas for security and law enforcement cooperation and ensure the security of our personnel that carrying projects in each other's countries," she said. On India's request for China's support to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Azhar as global terrorist by the UN, Hua said she has to check the specific details of the talks between the two ministers. "As per to India's request for the listing of Masood (Azhar) we already stated our positon for many times," she said. "On the counter-terrorism issue, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations. We have always made our decisions and judgements on the merits of the matter itself," she said. "We will continue to step up the security cooperation to uphold the regional peace and stability with parties," she said. A veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked India's bid at the United Nations to list Azhar as a global terrorist. On reports that India has requested China to not to give shelter to hard-line United Liberation Front Of Assam (ULFA) leader Paresh Baruah, Hua said, "I shall stress that the Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This remains unchanged."

Security pact with India provides institutional guarantee to combat trans- border crimes: China

India summons Pakistani official over Sunderbani killings

Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that oil marketing companies (OMC) have taken a slew of measures to assist the people affected by cyclone Titli and the subsequent floods in Odisha.

The OMCs deployed all the resources at their command and ensured uninterrupted supply of petroleum products in the areas affected by floods, the Union Minister said in a letter to Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister S N Patro on Monday.

Pradhan said the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and public sector oil marketing companies had immediately taken stock of the damage due to the cyclone and the floods in Odisha. "I myself visited the flood-affected areas in Ganjam and Gajapati districts," he said.

Patro in a letter had urged the Union Petroleum minister to provide LPG cylinders free of cost to beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana (PMUY) in calamity-hit Gajapati, Ganjam and Rayagada districts.

"The OMCs will make arrangements for providing cylinders in lieu of lost cylinders during flood," Pradhan said.

For BPL families, the OMCs will charge a nominal Rs 200 per cylinder, while the manufacturing cost of Rs 1,200 will be charged per cylinder from APL families, he said.

The Union minister said that the OMCs will organise special camps for LPG customers for suppling documents on priority basis to people who have lost their documents.

Similar assistance had been provided by his ministry in collaboration with OMCs in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Jammu and Kashmir during floods in those states and the local people had widely appreciated these measures, he said.

Patro, in his letter to Pradhan, had stated that people in Gajapati, Ganjam and Rayagada were the "worst sufferers" and unable to pay the subsidised rate for the cylinders.

"I would request you to waive off the subsidised cost of the domestic LPG cylinders and supply the same free of cost, which will help in ameliorating the sufferings of the poor beneficiaries in the three districts," the letter read.

Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that oil marketing companies (OMC) have taken a slew of measures to assist the people affected by cyclone Titli and the subsequent floods in Odisha.

Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that oil marketing companies (OMC) have taken a slew of measures to assist the people affected by cyclone Titli and the subsequent floods in Odisha. The OMCs deployed all the resources at their command and ensured uninterrupted supply of petroleum products in the areas affected by floods, the Union Minister said in a letter to Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister S N Patro on Monday. Pradhan said the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and public sector oil marketing companies had immediately taken stock of the damage due to the cyclone and the floods in Odisha. "I myself visited the flood-affected areas in Ganjam and Gajapati districts," he said. Patro in a letter had urged the Union Petroleum minister to provide LPG cylinders free of cost to beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana (PMUY) in calamity-hit Gajapati, Ganjam and Rayagada districts. "The OMCs will make arrangements for providing cylinders in lieu of lost cylinders during flood," Pradhan said. For BPL families, the OMCs will charge a nominal Rs 200 per cylinder, while the manufacturing cost of Rs 1,200 will be charged per cylinder from APL families, he said. The Union minister said that the OMCs will organise special camps for LPG customers for suppling documents on priority basis to people who have lost their documents. Similar assistance had been provided by his ministry in collaboration with OMCs in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Jammu and Kashmir during floods in those states and the local people had widely appreciated these measures, he said. Patro, in his letter to Pradhan, had stated that people in Gajapati, Ganjam and Rayagada were the "worst sufferers" and unable to pay the subsidised rate for the cylinders. "I would request you to waive off the subsidised cost of the domestic LPG cylinders and supply the same free of cost, which will help in ameliorating the sufferings of the poor beneficiaries in the three districts," the letter read.

OMC measures to help cyclone-affected people in Odisha: Union Petroleum Minister

The Supreme Court said today that there would be no complete ban on firecrackers, adding that sale of firecrackers would be allowed only through licenses.

India's top court said the manufacture and&nbsp;sale of safe and green firecrackers would be&nbsp;allowed, reports said.

The Supreme Court, in its order, banned the online sale of firecrackers and put a stay on e-commerce portals from selling firecrackers.

Last year in October, the Supreme Court had ordered a complete ban on the sale of firecrackers ahead of Diwali as pollution peaked in the national capital.

Supreme Court had kept the ban in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh even after Diwali last year.

The court later said that its order lifting the ban on the sale of firecrackers might require a "review" after Diwali depending on the ambient air quality after the festival.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Supreme Court said today that there would be no complete ban on firecrackers, adding that sale of firecrackers would be allowed only through licenses. India's top court said the manufacture and sale of safe and green firecrackers would be allowed, reports said.

The Supreme Court said today that there would be no complete ban on firecrackers, adding that sale of firecrackers would be allowed only through licenses. India's top court said the manufacture and sale of safe and green firecrackers would be allowed, reports said. The Supreme Court, in its order, banned the online sale of firecrackers and put a stay on e-commerce portals from selling firecrackers. Last year in October, the Supreme Court had ordered a complete ban on the sale of firecrackers ahead of Diwali as pollution peaked in the national capital. Supreme Court had kept the ban in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh even after Diwali last year. The court later said that its order lifting the ban on the sale of firecrackers might require a "review" after Diwali depending on the ambient air quality after the festival.

No ban on sale of firecrackers during Diwali but online sales banned: Supreme Court

Amid protests against the Supreme Court order opening the Sabarimala temple in Kerala to women of all ages, Union minister Smriti Irani Tuesday said the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate.

On September 28, a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine.

Women have been stopped by Ayyappa devotees from climbing up to the Sabarimala temple as protests against the Supreme Court order opening the hilltop shrine to women of all ages continued across Kerala.

"I am nobody to speak against the Supreme Court verdict as I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense is that would you carry a napkin seeped with menstrual blood and walk into a friend's house. You would not.

"And would you think it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of god That is the difference. I have the right to pray, but no right to desecrate. That is the difference that we need to recognise and respect," Irani said.

The Union textile minister was speaking at the "Young Thinkers" conference organised by the British High Commission and the Observer Research Foundation here.

"I am a practising Hindu married to a Zoroastrian. I have ensured that both my kids are practising Zoroastrians, who can go to the fire temple and pray," she said.

Irani recalled that when her children were inside the fire temple, she had to stand outside on the road or sit in the car.

"When I took my newborn son (to the fire temple), I would give him at the (temple) entrance to my husband and wait outside, because I was shooed away and told not to stand there," she said.&nbsp;

Amid protests against the Supreme Court order opening the Sabarimala temple in Kerala to women of all ages, Union minister Smriti Irani Tuesday said the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate.

Amid protests against the Supreme Court order opening the Sabarimala temple in Kerala to women of all ages, Union minister Smriti Irani Tuesday said the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate. On September 28, a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine. Women have been stopped by Ayyappa devotees from climbing up to the Sabarimala temple as protests against the Supreme Court order opening the hilltop shrine to women of all ages continued across Kerala. "I am nobody to speak against the Supreme Court verdict as I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense is that would you carry a napkin seeped with menstrual blood and walk into a friend's house. You would not. "And would you think it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of god That is the difference. I have the right to pray, but no right to desecrate. That is the difference that we need to recognise and respect," Irani said. The Union textile minister was speaking at the "Young Thinkers" conference organised by the British High Commission and the Observer Research Foundation here. "I am a practising Hindu married to a Zoroastrian. I have ensured that both my kids are practising Zoroastrians, who can go to the fire temple and pray," she said. Irani recalled that when her children were inside the fire temple, she had to stand outside on the road or sit in the car. "When I took my newborn son (to the fire temple), I would give him at the (temple) entrance to my husband and wait outside, because I was shooed away and told not to stand there," she said.

Right to pray, but no right to desecrate: Smriti Irani on Sabarimala

Supreme court accepts Sabarimala Review pleas

Supreme Court: No ban on sale of Firecrackers

The air quality of Delhi nosedived on Tuesday just a few days after scores of effigies were burned across the region on the occasion of Dussehra.

According to the latest System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) data, the air quality in capital`s Lodhi Road area showed levels of prominent pollutants PM (particulate matter) 10 and PM 2.5 at 237 and 214, respectively.

The AQI between the range of 51 to 100 is considered as satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 falls under the poor category, whereas 401-500 range is severe.

The organisation has adviced the people residing in Delhi to avoid all outdoor physical activities. It has warned all asthmatics to keep relief medicines handy. "Stop any activity level if you experience any usual coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, breathing difficulty, or fatigue," it added.

On a related note, SAFAR has also conducted a scientific study which revealed that 41 per cent of the pollution in the national capital is caused by the transport sector. It also said that "after transport, wind-blown dust is the second major contributor with 21.5 per cent followed by industries at 18.6 per cent.&nbsp;

The other minor contributors are power and residential sectors contributing about 4.9 and 3 per cent, respectively. Others contribute about 11 per cent.&nbsp;

Residential sector includes slum, crop residue, cow dung, a street vendor, household, DG Set, wood burning, etc while other sectors include MSW Plants, MSW open burning, crematory, aviation, incense sticks, brick kilns".

On the contrary, air quality has shown slight improvement in Mumbai with PM 1o at 137. Though it is not as severe as Delhi but is quite high considering the fact that Mumbai is along the sea.&nbsp;

Tomorrow, air quality is expected to be around 141, SAFAR said.

According to a May 2018 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Delhi featured in the list of the 20 most polluted cities in the world.&nbsp;

The air quality of Delhi nosedived on Tuesday just a few days after scores of effigies were burned across the region on the occasion of Dussehra. According to the latest System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) data, the air quality in capital`s Lodhi Road area showed levels of prominent pollutants PM (particulate matter) 10 and PM 2.

The air quality of Delhi nosedived on Tuesday just a few days after scores of effigies were burned across the region on the occasion of Dussehra. According to the latest System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) data, the air quality in capital`s Lodhi Road area showed levels of prominent pollutants PM (particulate matter) 10 and PM 2.5 at 237 and 214, respectively. The AQI between the range of 51 to 100 is considered as satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 falls under the poor category, whereas 401-500 range is severe. The organisation has adviced the people residing in Delhi to avoid all outdoor physical activities. It has warned all asthmatics to keep relief medicines handy. "Stop any activity level if you experience any usual coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, breathing difficulty, or fatigue," it added. On a related note, SAFAR has also conducted a scientific study which revealed that 41 per cent of the pollution in the national capital is caused by the transport sector. It also said that "after transport, wind-blown dust is the second major contributor with 21.5 per cent followed by industries at 18.6 per cent. The other minor contributors are power and residential sectors contributing about 4.9 and 3 per cent, respectively. Others contribute about 11 per cent. Residential sector includes slum, crop residue, cow dung, a street vendor, household, DG Set, wood burning, etc while other sectors include MSW Plants, MSW open burning, crematory, aviation, incense sticks, brick kilns". On the contrary, air quality has shown slight improvement in Mumbai with PM 1o at 137. Though it is not as severe as Delhi but is quite high considering the fact that Mumbai is along the sea. Tomorrow, air quality is expected to be around 141, SAFAR said. According to a May 2018 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Delhi featured in the list of the 20 most polluted cities in the world.

Delhi gasps for breath as air quality dips further

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Srinagar this morning to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. &nbsp;

He is also expected to take stock of the overall situation following recently held Municipal elections and the deteriorating ground situation in Kashmir. &nbsp;&nbsp;

He will also discuss with officials the ground situation in Kashmir following killings in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Sunday.

All educational institutions from Class 11th to college level shall also remain closed in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Baramulla and Sopore.

The home minister is expected to meet leaders of political parties in Jammu and Kashmir during his visit, the official said.

The state has been under the Governor’s rule after PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti had resigned as Chief Minister in June following the withdrawal of support by the BJP to her government.

Singh is also likely to meet representatives of some civil society groups, another official said.

Unrest in Jammu and Kashmir has been continuing with incidents of violence perpetrated by terror groups taking place regularly.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Srinagar this morning to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He is also expected to take stock of the overall situation following recently held Municipal elections and the deteriorating ground situation in Kashmir.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Srinagar this morning to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He is also expected to take stock of the overall situation following recently held Municipal elections and the deteriorating ground situation in Kashmir. He will also discuss with officials the ground situation in Kashmir following killings in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Sunday. All educational institutions from Class 11th to college level shall also remain closed in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Baramulla and Sopore. The home minister is expected to meet leaders of political parties in Jammu and Kashmir during his visit, the official said. The state has been under the Governor’s rule after PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti had resigned as Chief Minister in June following the withdrawal of support by the BJP to her government. Singh is also likely to meet representatives of some civil society groups, another official said. Unrest in Jammu and Kashmir has been continuing with incidents of violence perpetrated by terror groups taking place regularly.

Rajnath Singh arrives in Srinagar for a high-level security review meet

The Supreme Court Tuesday directed the Rajasthan government to stop illegal mining in a 115.34-hectare area in Aravalli hills within 48 hours.

A bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said it was compelled to pass this order because Rajasthan has taken the issue “very lightly”.

The apex court also referred to a central empowered committee report that 31 hills or hillocks have vanished in the state’s Aravalli area.

The court was hearing a matter related to illegal mining activities in Aravalli hills.

The Supreme Court Tuesday directed the Rajasthan government to stop illegal mining in a 115.34-hectare area in Aravalli hills within 48 hours. A bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said it was compelled to pass this order because Rajasthan has taken the issue “very lightly”.

The Supreme Court Tuesday directed the Rajasthan government to stop illegal mining in a 115.34-hectare area in Aravalli hills within 48 hours. A bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said it was compelled to pass this order because Rajasthan has taken the issue “very lightly”. The apex court also referred to a central empowered committee report that 31 hills or hillocks have vanished in the state’s Aravalli area. The court was hearing a matter related to illegal mining activities in Aravalli hills.

SC directs Rajasthan government to stop illegal mining in Aravalli hills within 48 hours

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