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Recent reports of deaths, neglect, malnourishment, starvation, exploitation, sexual assault, sodomy, beatings and even murder in childcare homes or institutions have shocked the nation. It seems to be the norm rather than isolated incidents, although these institutions are established to provide care, treatment and protection to children. Disabled children especially are perfect targets for the ‘hunterwala uncles, papas and mamas’. They are abused and exploited by the same people who they trust and who are supposed to take care of them. Their vulnerabilities are taken advantage of by those in power and authority.

Childcare has become a business. There are many institutions which have a valid registration but no childcare plan, no counsellors, no therapists, no special educators, no rehabilitation and reintegration process, and no expertise on child rights. How they got these registrations or licences is the moot question. There are many institutions running without even valid registrations. All these institutions violate constitutional provisions, national laws and international conventions on rights of the child. The juvenile justice system has completely failed the children. Child welfare committees, inspection committees, government departments, law enforcers and implementers, the NGOs … all seemed to be guilty of dereliction of duty. The failure to hold perpetrators accountable only ensures that violence continues. They go smiling when arrested as they are ‘confident’ that they will escape the law as those in a position to act may many times be complicit in the abuse.

It is a well-established universal principle that institutionalisation should be the last resort and only in the best interest of the child. But in practice unfortunately, it is not so as institutionalisation seems to be the only option. Studies and visits to institutions over a period of time have shown that only a minority of children in institutions are orphans, with many of them having being displaced and separated from a living parent or relative whose whereabouts may be unknown, while some of them are abandoned due to disability or illness. An area of concern is that the vast category of children in institutions, who are there only for ‘education and better life’, have parent(s) or relatives and they go home in vacations or during festivals. They take ‘admission in institutions’ for the new academic year like any other child being admitted in school. It is this disturbing trend that has led to overcrowding and resulting in misuse of the scarce resources of the State.

There does not seem to be any attempt at rehabilitation, social reintegration nor deinstitutionalisation, in majority of the homes. Once in institutions they are doomed to remain there with no proper education, training or skill. Why are we using our scarce resources to take children out of their families and placing them in institutions? Why should our children, including those with disabilities, be in institutions and get exploited? They need care and protection, treatment and not abuse, detention and exploitation. The State must invest in keeping children in their own families or communities. There need to be investment in medical services, non-institutional services, and community-support centres where of course staff and resources are employed but it benefits all children and families in that community. It is now proved that institutional care is more expensive than providing support to vulnerable families.

It’s time to move away from institutionalisation and towards empowerment, deinstitutionalisation, social integration and independent living. Closed institutions should be open to educators, social workers, teachers and civil society. The State must take effective legislative and other measures to protect children in care or detention from violence, and reduce significantly the number of children who are institutionalised and detained. The Right to Education, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the National Institute for Open Schooling must be accessible to children in institutions. Teachers and managements must be sensitised to include these children in their schools. Many government schemes do not reach the children in institutions. The government schemes for poverty alleviation, health, housing and employment must be extended to children’s institutions.

Children should have clear, accessible and safe channels to complain about the way they are treated, and the State must ensure effective monitoring, investigation, and accountability mechanisms to address violence when it occurs and to hold the perpetrators responsible. Why not have a child line (1098) in all institutions which children can access. Children should also have opportunities to express themselves freely. There must be a joint civil society and government inspection panels that can visit the homes regularly and talk to the children without the presence of the staff and management.

Licenses to run homes for vulnerable children must be given to those who have a proven record of child protection and the selection must be by a panel including government officials along with child rights experts. The entire licensing process must be transparent and online. Another important institution to be strengthened is the child welfare committees. Currently, many of them are part time members. At least some of them must be full time members as they have a very important role to play. Compulsory training and assessment for all those who want to be members of CWCs and JJBs.

Quick, exemplary punishment must be given to the perpetrators. Besides criminal punishment, compensation, loss of employment and loss of position including political positions of power and authority and other civil sanctions must also be included. Our children must be protected from brutalities. Like every social change this too will be a gradual process. There will be several challenges, including protests from parents and owners of institutions, many of whom have strong political connections, and who run homes as business enterprises because more the number of children, greater is the amount of grants. This will need commitment, policy and resources. 
 
(The author is Professor of Law, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai)

(This article was first published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-childcare-a-thriving-business-2655112">original article</a>.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp

&nbsp

There are many institutions which have a valid registration but no childcare plan, no counsellors, no therapists, no special educators, no rehabilitation and reintegration process, and no expertise on child rights.

Recent reports of deaths, neglect, malnourishment, starvation, exploitation, sexual assault, sodomy, beatings and even murder in childcare homes or institutions have shocked the nation. It seems to be the norm rather than isolated incidents, although these institutions are established to provide care, treatment and protection to children. Disabled children especially are perfect targets for the ‘hunterwala uncles, papas and mamas’. They are abused and exploited by the same people who they trust and who are supposed to take care of them. Their vulnerabilities are taken advantage of by those in power and authority. Childcare has become a business. There are many institutions which have a valid registration but no childcare plan, no counsellors, no therapists, no special educators, no rehabilitation and reintegration process, and no expertise on child rights. How they got these registrations or licences is the moot question. There are many institutions running without even valid registrations. All these institutions violate constitutional provisions, national laws and international conventions on rights of the child. The juvenile justice system has completely failed the children. Child welfare committees, inspection committees, government departments, law enforcers and implementers, the NGOs … all seemed to be guilty of dereliction of duty. The failure to hold perpetrators accountable only ensures that violence continues. They go smiling when arrested as they are ‘confident’ that they will escape the law as those in a position to act may many times be complicit in the abuse. It is a well-established universal principle that institutionalisation should be the last resort and only in the best interest of the child. But in practice unfortunately, it is not so as institutionalisation seems to be the only option. Studies and visits to institutions over a period of time have shown that only a minority of children in institutions are orphans, with many of them having being displaced and separated from a living parent or relative whose whereabouts may be unknown, while some of them are abandoned due to disability or illness. An area of concern is that the vast category of children in institutions, who are there only for ‘education and better life’, have parent(s) or relatives and they go home in vacations or during festivals. They take ‘admission in institutions’ for the new academic year like any other child being admitted in school. It is this disturbing trend that has led to overcrowding and resulting in misuse of the scarce resources of the State. There does not seem to be any attempt at rehabilitation, social reintegration nor deinstitutionalisation, in majority of the homes. Once in institutions they are doomed to remain there with no proper education, training or skill. Why are we using our scarce resources to take children out of their families and placing them in institutions? Why should our children, including those with disabilities, be in institutions and get exploited? They need care and protection, treatment and not abuse, detention and exploitation. The State must invest in keeping children in their own families or communities. There need to be investment in medical services, non-institutional services, and community-support centres where of course staff and resources are employed but it benefits all children and families in that community. It is now proved that institutional care is more expensive than providing support to vulnerable families. It’s time to move away from institutionalisation and towards empowerment, deinstitutionalisation, social integration and independent living. Closed institutions should be open to educators, social workers, teachers and civil society. The State must take effective legislative and other measures to protect children in care or detention from violence, and reduce significantly the number of children who are institutionalised and detained. The Right to Education, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the National Institute for Open Schooling must be accessible to children in institutions. Teachers and managements must be sensitised to include these children in their schools. Many government schemes do not reach the children in institutions. The government schemes for poverty alleviation, health, housing and employment must be extended to children’s institutions. Children should have clear, accessible and safe channels to complain about the way they are treated, and the State must ensure effective monitoring, investigation, and accountability mechanisms to address violence when it occurs and to hold the perpetrators responsible. Why not have a child line (1098) in all institutions which children can access. Children should also have opportunities to express themselves freely. There must be a joint civil society and government inspection panels that can visit the homes regularly and talk to the children without the presence of the staff and management. Licenses to run homes for vulnerable children must be given to those who have a proven record of child protection and the selection must be by a panel including government officials along with child rights experts. The entire licensing process must be transparent and online. Another important institution to be strengthened is the child welfare committees. Currently, many of them are part time members. At least some of them must be full time members as they have a very important role to play. Compulsory training and assessment for all those who want to be members of CWCs and JJBs. Quick, exemplary punishment must be given to the perpetrators. Besides criminal punishment, compensation, loss of employment and loss of position including political positions of power and authority and other civil sanctions must also be included. Our children must be protected from brutalities. Like every social change this too will be a gradual process. There will be several challenges, including protests from parents and owners of institutions, many of whom have strong political connections, and who run homes as business enterprises because more the number of children, greater is the amount of grants. This will need commitment, policy and resources. (The author is Professor of Law, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai) (This article was first published on The DNA. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Childcare, a thriving business

The Congress including other opposition parties will once again appeal to the Election Commission (EC) to introduce ballot papers for future elections ahead of EC's all-party meet on Monday.&nbsp;

The party had moved a resolution in this regard in its 84th plenary session in March.

The EC has called the meeting with seven national and 51 state recognised political parties to discuss various electoral issues such as electoral rolls, limiting political parties' expenditure and timely submission of annual audited reports by parties among other things.&nbsp;

At least <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/17-opposition-parties-demand-voting-via-ballot-papers-156955">17 parties</a>, including the NDA ally Shiv Sena, have been pitching for returning to ballot papers. The parties are - Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Samajwadi Party, CPI-M, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), DMK, CPI, YSR Congress, Kerala Congress Mani (KCM) and AIUDF.&nbsp;

Earlier in March, the Congress had asked the EC to allow voters to exercise their franchise by stamping the ballot paper in the 2019 elections, alleging tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

On August 2, at least 17 political parties, including Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) sang in tune with the Congress and expressed their distrust on the existing voting process.

However, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-claims-evms-worked-for-bjps-victory-in-up-civic-polls-25677">the BJP</a> brushed aside the tampering allegations, saying, it's an attempt by the opposition parties to cover up their own defeats in the recently concluded polls.

(With inputs from ANI) 
&nbsp;

The party had moved a resolution in this regard in its 84th plenary session in March.

The Congress including other opposition parties will once again appeal to the Election Commission (EC) to introduce ballot papers for future elections ahead of EC's all-party meet on Monday. The party had moved a resolution in this regard in its 84th plenary session in March. The EC has called the meeting with seven national and 51 state recognised political parties to discuss various electoral issues such as electoral rolls, limiting political parties' expenditure and timely submission of annual audited reports by parties among other things. At least 17 parties, including the NDA ally Shiv Sena, have been pitching for returning to ballot papers. The parties are - Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Samajwadi Party, CPI-M, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), DMK, CPI, YSR Congress, Kerala Congress Mani (KCM) and AIUDF. Earlier in March, the Congress had asked the EC to allow voters to exercise their franchise by stamping the ballot paper in the 2019 elections, alleging tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). On August 2, at least 17 political parties, including Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) sang in tune with the Congress and expressed their distrust on the existing voting process. However, the BJP brushed aside the tampering allegations, saying, it's an attempt by the opposition parties to cover up their own defeats in the recently concluded polls. (With inputs from ANI)

Ahead of EC's all-party meet, Congress urges to bring back ballot papers for 2019 elections

For the first time, arch-rivals India and Pakistan are taking part in a mega anti-terror drill of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Russia aimed at expanding cooperation among the member countries to deal with terrorism and extremism.

The exercise 'Peace Mission-2018', in which soldiers from China, Russia and other SCO countries are also participating, kicked off in Russia on Friday.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a China-dominated security grouping which is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO

Defence Specialist RSN Singh agree that India and Pakistan have bilateral hostility but he said "India is a member of SCO too and we can't be selective" he also added that we can't leave the field open to Pakistan by not participating in this exercise.&nbsp;

On contrary Lt Gen (Retd) B S Jaswal said the participation of India with Pakistan army is not right, India's stand on Pakistan is clear he also clarify that UN peacekeeping mission is different according to him.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Ex <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCO2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCO2018</a>. Indian Contingent Armr & Mech Component took part in firing involving all <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCOcontingents?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCOcontingents</a> at Chebarkul. Meanwhile Lt Gen Satish Dua, CISC arrived at Russia for final days of Ex Was recd by Maj Gen Sergie Medvedskiy <a href="https://twitter.com/SpokespersonMoD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpokespersonMoD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IAF_MCC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/adgpi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adgpi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IndEmbMoscow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndEmbMoscow</a> <a href="https://t.co/ax9UStsker">pic.twitter.com/ax9UStsker</a>
— HQ IDS (@HQ_IDS_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/HQ_IDS_India/status/1034095412507037701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Air Vice Marshal (retd) Kapil Kak &nbsp;also see no wrong of India participation in SCO drill with Pakistan, he said "countries fighting on LOC but cooperating in international setting is par for the course and there is no wrong in this, armies of the two nation have worked together in UN peacekeeping mission earlier also" &nbsp;

Former Major general Ashok Mehta said it's good exercise, this type of drill should happen more.

India is participating in the drill for the first time since becoming a full member of the SCO in June 2017.

As part of the SCO initiatives, the SCO Peace Mission Exercise is conducted biennially for the SCO member states.

The joint exercise is being conducted by the Central Military Commission of Russia from August 22 to August 29 at Chebarkul, Russia.

India is participating in the drill for the first time since becoming a full member of the SCO in June 2017.

For the first time, arch-rivals India and Pakistan are taking part in a mega anti-terror drill of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Russia aimed at expanding cooperation among the member countries to deal with terrorism and extremism. The exercise 'Peace Mission-2018', in which soldiers from China, Russia and other SCO countries are also participating, kicked off in Russia on Friday. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a China-dominated security grouping which is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO Defence Specialist RSN Singh agree that India and Pakistan have bilateral hostility but he said "India is a member of SCO too and we can't be selective" he also added that we can't leave the field open to Pakistan by not participating in this exercise. On contrary Lt Gen (Retd) B S Jaswal said the participation of India with Pakistan army is not right, India's stand on Pakistan is clear he also clarify that UN peacekeeping mission is different according to him. Ex #SCO2018. Indian Contingent Armr & Mech Component took part in firing involving all #SCOcontingents at Chebarkul. Meanwhile Lt Gen Satish Dua, CISC arrived at Russia for final days of Ex Was recd by Maj Gen Sergie Medvedskiy @SpokespersonMoD @IAF_MCC @adgpi @IndEmbMoscow pic.twitter.com/ax9UStsker — HQ IDS (@HQ_IDS_India) August 27, 2018 × Air Vice Marshal (retd) Kapil Kak also see no wrong of India participation in SCO drill with Pakistan, he said "countries fighting on LOC but cooperating in international setting is par for the course and there is no wrong in this, armies of the two nation have worked together in UN peacekeeping mission earlier also" Former Major general Ashok Mehta said it's good exercise, this type of drill should happen more. India is participating in the drill for the first time since becoming a full member of the SCO in June 2017. As part of the SCO initiatives, the SCO Peace Mission Exercise is conducted biennially for the SCO member states. The joint exercise is being conducted by the Central Military Commission of Russia from August 22 to August 29 at Chebarkul, Russia.

India, Pak take part in military exercise: This is how India's defence analysts are reacting

Two days after the 11th anniversary of the 2007 Hyderabad twin bomb blasts, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court is set to pronounce the judgement in the case today, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp

"Many leaders have promised action, but nothing has happened so far. We demand strict punishment for those involved. We've been waiting for this day for past 11 years, and hope we'll get justice," Raheem, a survivor, told ANI.

Twin blasts jolted Hyderabad's Gokul Chat Bhandar and Lumbini Park on August 25, 2007. As many as 42 people were killed in the explosion with over 60 injured.&nbsp

Four people were arrested in the case and are currently lodged in Cherlapally Central Jail in Secunderabad, Telangana. The four accused, Mohammed Sadiq, Ansar Ahmed Badshah Shaik, Akber Ismail and Anique Shafeeq Syed, were reported to be Indian Mujahideen operatives.

Twin blasts jolted Hyderabad's Gokul Chat Bhandar and Lumbini Park on August 25, 2007. As many as 42 people were killed.

Two days after the 11th anniversary of the 2007 Hyderabad twin bomb blasts, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court is set to pronounce the judgement in the case today, news agency ANI reported. "Many leaders have promised action, but nothing has happened so far. We demand strict punishment for those involved. We've been waiting for this day for past 11 years, and hope we'll get justice," Raheem, a survivor, told ANI. Twin blasts jolted Hyderabad's Gokul Chat Bhandar and Lumbini Park on August 25, 2007. As many as 42 people were killed in the explosion with over 60 injured. Four people were arrested in the case and are currently lodged in Cherlapally Central Jail in Secunderabad, Telangana. The four accused, Mohammed Sadiq, Ansar Ahmed Badshah Shaik, Akber Ismail and Anique Shafeeq Syed, were reported to be Indian Mujahideen operatives.

2007 Hyderabad twin blast: NIA to announce verdict today 

Undeterred by legal notices served on its leaders, the Congress has decided to intensify its campaign against the Rafale fighter aircraft deal which, the party claimed, was altered to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's industrialist "friend" and "promote crony capitalism".

The Congress has lined up a series of events to take the issue to the people and "expose" the Narendra Modi government ahead of next year's parliamentary election.

The main opposition party will stage agitations and take out marches at district and state levels over the alleged scam worth thousands of crores of rupees.

Besides, senior party leaders will hold press conferences across the country till September 6 to "reveal the truths" about the revised deal which, it claimed, was inked at a much higher price than the one the previous UPA dispensation had negotiated.

The district-level agitations will be held from September 7 to 15, while the state-level agitations will be organised from September 16 to 30.

The Congress has also set up a separate control room at the party headquarters to monitor district-level agitations.

"Please ensure that a massive state-level agitation and a march to the Governor's House for submission of memorandum to the Governor," party general secretary Ashok Gehlot has said in a letter to the party's state unit chiefs.

According to party sources, the Congress will make the alleged Rafale scam a "poll issue" and target the Modi government over its claim of corruption-free governance.

The Congress has accused the Modi government of not disclosing the price of the aircraft and alleged that the price was three times higher than that negotiated during the UPA government with France's Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the aircraft.

The Congress has also accused PM Modi of "personally benefitting" from the deal, and alleged that it was the reason behind his continued silence on the issue.

"The Rafale scam is a sordid saga of squandering our national interests and promoting crony capitalism by the Modi government," the party said.

It has also accused PM Modi of helping his "friend" Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group in getting offset contracts for the aircraft, bypassing the public-sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

The Reliance Group has sent defamation notices to many Congress leaders warning them against levelling charges that are "misleading".

The company has asked Congress leaders to "cease and desist" from levelling such charges.

Ambani recently wrote to Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the deal, saying his party has been "misinformed, misdirected and misled" by "malicious vested interests and corporate rivals" on the issue.

Leading the Congress attack on the government over the deal, Gandhi, during his recent interactions in Germany and the UK, alleged that the deal smelt of corruption, which has caused loss to the state exchequer to the tune of thousands of crores of rupees.

The Congress has lined up a series of events to take the issue to the people and 'expose' the Narendra Modi government ahead of next year's parliamentary election.

Undeterred by legal notices served on its leaders, the Congress has decided to intensify its campaign against the Rafale fighter aircraft deal which, the party claimed, was altered to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's industrialist "friend" and "promote crony capitalism". The Congress has lined up a series of events to take the issue to the people and "expose" the Narendra Modi government ahead of next year's parliamentary election. The main opposition party will stage agitations and take out marches at district and state levels over the alleged scam worth thousands of crores of rupees. Besides, senior party leaders will hold press conferences across the country till September 6 to "reveal the truths" about the revised deal which, it claimed, was inked at a much higher price than the one the previous UPA dispensation had negotiated. The district-level agitations will be held from September 7 to 15, while the state-level agitations will be organised from September 16 to 30. The Congress has also set up a separate control room at the party headquarters to monitor district-level agitations. "Please ensure that a massive state-level agitation and a march to the Governor's House for submission of memorandum to the Governor," party general secretary Ashok Gehlot has said in a letter to the party's state unit chiefs. According to party sources, the Congress will make the alleged Rafale scam a "poll issue" and target the Modi government over its claim of corruption-free governance. The Congress has accused the Modi government of not disclosing the price of the aircraft and alleged that the price was three times higher than that negotiated during the UPA government with France's Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the aircraft. The Congress has also accused PM Modi of "personally benefitting" from the deal, and alleged that it was the reason behind his continued silence on the issue. "The Rafale scam is a sordid saga of squandering our national interests and promoting crony capitalism by the Modi government," the party said. It has also accused PM Modi of helping his "friend" Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group in getting offset contracts for the aircraft, bypassing the public-sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The Reliance Group has sent defamation notices to many Congress leaders warning them against levelling charges that are "misleading". The company has asked Congress leaders to "cease and desist" from levelling such charges. Ambani recently wrote to Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the deal, saying his party has been "misinformed, misdirected and misled" by "malicious vested interests and corporate rivals" on the issue. Leading the Congress attack on the government over the deal, Gandhi, during his recent interactions in Germany and the UK, alleged that the deal smelt of corruption, which has caused loss to the state exchequer to the tune of thousands of crores of rupees.

Congress plans month-long agitation, marches against Rafale deal

The Samajwadi Party will begin its 'cycle yatra' from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh on Monday to throw light on its policies and the projects adopted by the previous government.&nbsp;

The 'samaajik nyay evam prajatantra bachao-desh bachao' yatra will pass through various parts of the state before concluding at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on September 23, SP chief spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said in a statement.

He said young workers of the party will take part in the cycle yatra.

Party leader, Akhilesh Yadav will also kickstart his campaign for 2019 Lok Sabha polls from September 16 by undertaking a 'cycle yatra' from September 16.

Yadav will begin his cycle yatra from Thathia Mandi in Kannauj, from where he going to contest the Lok Sabha polls again. He will ride a bicycle for 50 kms on his dream project Lucknow-Agra Expressway.

His yatra will be flagged off by the family of a child who was born in a bank queue during demonetisation. Yadav had named him as Khajanchi (treasurer).

The yatra will carry a message of 'Rights and Respect to All'.&nbsp;

The party hopes to revive its political fortunes in the upcoming elections through cycle yatras which had in 2012 proved to be a blessing for it as it secured a clear majority in the assembly for the first time ever.&nbsp;

Party leader, Akhilesh Yadav will also kickstart his campaigne for 2019 Lok Sabha polls from September 16 by undertaking a 'cycle yatra' from September 16.

The Samajwadi Party will begin its 'cycle yatra' from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh on Monday to throw light on its policies and the projects adopted by the previous government. The 'samaajik nyay evam prajatantra bachao-desh bachao' yatra will pass through various parts of the state before concluding at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on September 23, SP chief spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said in a statement. He said young workers of the party will take part in the cycle yatra. Party leader, Akhilesh Yadav will also kickstart his campaign for 2019 Lok Sabha polls from September 16 by undertaking a 'cycle yatra' from September 16. Yadav will begin his cycle yatra from Thathia Mandi in Kannauj, from where he going to contest the Lok Sabha polls again. He will ride a bicycle for 50 kms on his dream project Lucknow-Agra Expressway. His yatra will be flagged off by the family of a child who was born in a bank queue during demonetisation. Yadav had named him as Khajanchi (treasurer). The yatra will carry a message of 'Rights and Respect to All'. The party hopes to revive its political fortunes in the upcoming elections through cycle yatras which had in 2012 proved to be a blessing for it as it secured a clear majority in the assembly for the first time ever.

Samajwadi party's 'cycle yatra' from UP to Delhi to begin today

Opposition parties on Monday demanded that the next general election be held on ballot papers. In an all-party meet with the Election Commission.

The demand for replacing the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) by paper ballots, transparency in electoral rolls and ceiling on party election expenditure dominated the meeting.

Congress had moved a resolution for the use of ballot paper in the polls in its 84th plenary session in March this year.

The poll panel invited seven national parties and 51 regional parties, of which 41 representatives came to the meet. Each party was allotted 10 minutes to put their point.

The representatives from several opposition parties including the Indian National Congress (INC), Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), even NDA ally Shiv Sena also stressed on EVMs vulnerability.

Talking to reporters after meeting the poll body, Congress leader Mukul Wasnik questioned the authenticity of EVMs.

"We have seen a rise in the repetitive problems occurring in the EVMs. One presses any button but the vote goes to only one political party. We want to know how the EVMs are repaired and do we use the old one," he asked.

Kalyan Banerjee of TMC echoed the similar sentiment, adding that his party had no faith on the EVMs.

A representative from JD-S, Danish Ali, asked as to why the commission didn't cap the expenditure of political parties.

"There is a cap on individual expenditure but parties can spend any amount. The corporates fund the party in power, then how come it's a level playing field for all? The commission must put a ceiling on party election expenditure if it wants a fair election," Danish added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, stressed on the electoral roll revision and urged the election commission to take action in this regard. 
"The commission should ensure that every eligible voter gets enrolled and cast his vote we have seen instances of voter slips being sold, there should be a provision of carrying another identity card along with it," Bhupendra Yadav, General Secretary, BJP said.

On being asked about the majority of opposition uniting in demand for switching back to ballot papers, Yadav said, "These parties often claim credit in victory, but blame EVMs in their defeats".

Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat, after hearing all the parties, said that the poll body has taken a note of the concern raised by parties on EVMs and assured of appropriate majors to overcome the shortcomings.

"All political parties were very positive and constructive in suggesting ways and means to further improve the integrity of elections. The Commission will take all the suggestions, examine and whatever needs to be done to improve the delivery of elections will be done," CEC Rawat said.

"Some of the parties said going back to the ballot is bad as it would bring back booth capturing", he added.

When asked if the issue of 'One Nation One Election' was discussed in the meeting, Rawat said a few parties did come up with it, but a few had their reservations".

(With inputs from ANI)

The poll panel invited seven national parties and 51 regional parties, of which 41 representatives came to the meet. Each party was allotted 10 minutes to put their point.

Opposition parties on Monday demanded that the next general election be held on ballot papers. In an all-party meet with the Election Commission. The demand for replacing the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) by paper ballots, transparency in electoral rolls and ceiling on party election expenditure dominated the meeting. Congress had moved a resolution for the use of ballot paper in the polls in its 84th plenary session in March this year. The poll panel invited seven national parties and 51 regional parties, of which 41 representatives came to the meet. Each party was allotted 10 minutes to put their point. The representatives from several opposition parties including the Indian National Congress (INC), Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), even NDA ally Shiv Sena also stressed on EVMs vulnerability. Talking to reporters after meeting the poll body, Congress leader Mukul Wasnik questioned the authenticity of EVMs. "We have seen a rise in the repetitive problems occurring in the EVMs. One presses any button but the vote goes to only one political party. We want to know how the EVMs are repaired and do we use the old one," he asked. Kalyan Banerjee of TMC echoed the similar sentiment, adding that his party had no faith on the EVMs. A representative from JD-S, Danish Ali, asked as to why the commission didn't cap the expenditure of political parties. "There is a cap on individual expenditure but parties can spend any amount. The corporates fund the party in power, then how come it's a level playing field for all? The commission must put a ceiling on party election expenditure if it wants a fair election," Danish added. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, stressed on the electoral roll revision and urged the election commission to take action in this regard. "The commission should ensure that every eligible voter gets enrolled and cast his vote we have seen instances of voter slips being sold, there should be a provision of carrying another identity card along with it," Bhupendra Yadav, General Secretary, BJP said. On being asked about the majority of opposition uniting in demand for switching back to ballot papers, Yadav said, "These parties often claim credit in victory, but blame EVMs in their defeats". Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat, after hearing all the parties, said that the poll body has taken a note of the concern raised by parties on EVMs and assured of appropriate majors to overcome the shortcomings. "All political parties were very positive and constructive in suggesting ways and means to further improve the integrity of elections. The Commission will take all the suggestions, examine and whatever needs to be done to improve the delivery of elections will be done," CEC Rawat said. "Some of the parties said going back to the ballot is bad as it would bring back booth capturing", he added. When asked if the issue of 'One Nation One Election' was discussed in the meeting, Rawat said a few parties did come up with it, but a few had their reservations". (With inputs from ANI)

Return to ballot paper voting for 2019 polls: Opposition to Election Commission

A policeman in Pakistan, who intercepted the former husband of Bushra Maneka for speeding has been transferred.

Attributing to police sources, Geo News reported that Pakpattan District Police Officer (DPO) Rizwan Gondal and his party attempted to intercept Khawar Maneka, at a checkpoint on August 23, but he did not stop.

Subsequently, the cops chased his vehicle and managed to intercept him. Sources added that Khawar verbally abused the policemen when the policemen stopped him.

On August 27, the Punjab provincial government summoned Gondal and demanded him to apologise to Khawar. The Police sources added that the latter did not obey the orders and argued that the policemen were not at fault for stopping Khawar, following which he was transferred.

Gondal had also informed Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on his decision of not apologising to Khawar, sources further said.

Meanwhile, sources in the Punjab provincial government revealed that Buzdar had persuaded Pakpattan DPO and Khawar to resolve the matter.&nbsp

A policeman in Pakistan, who intercepted the former husband of Bushra Maneka for speeding has been transferred.

A policeman in Pakistan, who intercepted the former husband of Bushra Maneka for speeding has been transferred. Attributing to police sources, Geo News reported that Pakpattan District Police Officer (DPO) Rizwan Gondal and his party attempted to intercept Khawar Maneka, at a checkpoint on August 23, but he did not stop. Subsequently, the cops chased his vehicle and managed to intercept him. Sources added that Khawar verbally abused the policemen when the policemen stopped him. On August 27, the Punjab provincial government summoned Gondal and demanded him to apologise to Khawar. The Police sources added that the latter did not obey the orders and argued that the policemen were not at fault for stopping Khawar, following which he was transferred. Gondal had also informed Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on his decision of not apologising to Khawar, sources further said. Meanwhile, sources in the Punjab provincial government revealed that Buzdar had persuaded Pakpattan DPO and Khawar to resolve the matter.

Pakistan cop transferred after refusing to apologise to Bushra Maneka's ex-husband

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Sunday announced that he will be sending a group of 26 farmers to Israel to learn new and advanced techniques in farming.&nbsp

The farmers will be accompanied by other state officials for the four-day visit which will help them overcome challenges posed by lack of irrigation facilities and generate better produce like Israel, which also faced similar challenges.

"At present, the farmers here are facing challenges of lack of irrigation facilities and scarcity of land for agriculture. They are only farming one crop a year. However, Israel has overcome similar problems by using technologically advanced methods of farming. If our farmers learn those techniques, it will be beneficial for them and even they can overcome the present challenges," PTI quoted Das as saying.

This is for the first time in Jharkhand that any state government has sent a farmers' delegation on an exposure trip overseas.

The chief&nbspminister further said that on their return, the farmers would be appointed as master trainers and entrusted with the responsibility of imparting knowledge of hi-tech farming techniques to farmers in various parts of the state.

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नवंबर में सरकार बागवानी मोंमेटम झारखण्ड का आयोजन करने जा रही हैं। इसमें दुनिया भर के कृषि तकनीकी से जुड़े जानकार हिस्सा लेंगे।झारखण्ड के किसान भी इसमें हिस्सा लेंगे। इस तरीके से टेक्नोलॉजी का आदान-प्रदान होगा। 2022 में हमारा किसान उन्नत किसान कहलाए यही हमारा प्रयास है। <a href="https://t.co/aSb2l8wJhj">pic.twitter.com/aSb2l8wJhj</a>
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Jharkhand is now lagging behind in grain production but the day is not far when it would not only become self-sufficient in producing grains but also would supply grains to other states,&nbspDas said.

Agriculture Director Ramesh Gholop, Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner Ravi Shankar Shukla, Garwha Deputy Commissioner Neha Arora, Horticulture Director Vijay Singh and Joint Director (Agriculture) Dr Subhas Singh are accompanying the farmers.

The farmers will be accompanied by other state officials for the four-day visit which will help them challenges posed by lack of irrigation facilities and generate better produce like Israel, which also faced similar challenges.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Sunday announced that he will be sending a group of 26 farmers to Israel to learn new and advanced techniques in farming. The farmers will be accompanied by other state officials for the four-day visit which will help them overcome challenges posed by lack of irrigation facilities and generate better produce like Israel, which also faced similar challenges. "At present, the farmers here are facing challenges of lack of irrigation facilities and scarcity of land for agriculture. They are only farming one crop a year. However, Israel has overcome similar problems by using technologically advanced methods of farming. If our farmers learn those techniques, it will be beneficial for them and even they can overcome the present challenges," PTI quoted Das as saying. This is for the first time in Jharkhand that any state government has sent a farmers' delegation on an exposure trip overseas. The chief&nbspminister further said that on their return, the farmers would be appointed as master trainers and entrusted with the responsibility of imparting knowledge of hi-tech farming techniques to farmers in various parts of the state. नवंबर में सरकार बागवानी मोंमेटम झारखण्ड का आयोजन करने जा रही हैं। इसमें दुनिया भर के कृषि तकनीकी से जुड़े जानकार हिस्सा लेंगे।झारखण्ड के किसान भी इसमें हिस्सा लेंगे। इस तरीके से टेक्नोलॉजी का आदान-प्रदान होगा। 2022 में हमारा किसान उन्नत किसान कहलाए यही हमारा प्रयास है। pic.twitter.com/aSb2l8wJhj — Raghubar Das (@dasraghubar) August 26, 2018 × Jharkhand is now lagging behind in grain production but the day is not far when it would not only become self-sufficient in producing grains but also would supply grains to other states,&nbspDas said. Agriculture Director Ramesh Gholop, Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner Ravi Shankar Shukla, Garwha Deputy Commissioner Neha Arora, Horticulture Director Vijay Singh and Joint Director (Agriculture) Dr Subhas Singh are accompanying the farmers.

26 Jharkhand farmers being sent to Israel to learn high-tech farming

China on Friday welcomed the participation of militaries of India and Pakistan for the first time in a mega anti-terror drill of the SCO and hoped that the two countries could enhance dialogue and cooperation both bilaterally and within multilateral mechanisms to maintain regional peace and stability.

The anti-terror exercise of the Beijing-based Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) being held at Chebarkul town in Chelyabinsk region in Russia from August 22 to August 29 aimed at expanding cooperation among the member countries to deal with the growing menace of terrorism and extremism.

India and Pakistan are participating in the drill for the first time since becoming full members of the SCO in June 2017.

The joint exercise titled Peaceful Mission 2018 being conducted by the Central Military Commission of Russia involve tactical level operations in an international counter-insurgency or counter-terrorism environment under the SCO Charter.

"We welcome India and Pakistan's joint participation in this counter-terrorism exercise under the SCO framework," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing.

"These two countries are important ones in South Asia," she said, adding that stable relationship between the two countries is "significant to the peace and development of the region and the whole world."&nbsp

"We sincerely hope that they could enhance their dialogue and cooperation both bilaterally and within multilateral mechanisms like the SCO, work together to improve their ties and jointly maintain regional peace and stability," she said.

At least 3,000 soldiers from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India and Pakistan are participating in the drill.

The Indian contingent of 200 personnel is primarily composed of troops from infantry and affiliated arms and services along with the Indian Air Force. Chinese military experts also welcomed the participation of India and Pakistan in the counter-terrorism drill.

The previous SCO counter-terrorism drills were mainly limited to the Central Asian nations. But due to the entry of India and Pakistan, the SCO's counter-terrorism mission has expanded to South Asia, Li Wei, a counter-terrorism expert at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations in Beijing, told state-run Global Times.&nbsp

"The effective counter-terrorism cooperation among SCO countries has greatly undermined terrorist groups in Central Asia in recent years, and it's expected that this effective cooperation will also boost stability in South Asia, a region facing a more complicated counter-terrorism situation with a variety of active terrorist groups," Li said.&nbsp

Sun Zhuangzhi, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said Peace Mission 2018 will also greatly improve military and political mutual trust among SCO countries, especially between India and Pakistan.&nbsp

"It's a rare opportunity for Pakistan and India, which have long been involved in military conflict, to enhance military exchanges and trust. This could improve regional stability," Sun said.&nbsp

Li said future counter-terrorism drills among SCO countries have to come up with new drills on targeting terrorist groups in South Asia.&nbsp

He suggested that the SCO further expand to include Afghanistan, which is currently an observer country, to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts in South Asia.&nbsp

The SCO was established in Shanghai in 2001, with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as founding members. It expanded to include India and Pakistan in 2017.

India and Pakistan are participating in the drill for the first time since becoming full members of the SCO in June 2017.

China on Friday welcomed the participation of militaries of India and Pakistan for the first time in a mega anti-terror drill of the SCO and hoped that the two countries could enhance dialogue and cooperation both bilaterally and within multilateral mechanisms to maintain regional peace and stability. The anti-terror exercise of the Beijing-based Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) being held at Chebarkul town in Chelyabinsk region in Russia from August 22 to August 29 aimed at expanding cooperation among the member countries to deal with the growing menace of terrorism and extremism. India and Pakistan are participating in the drill for the first time since becoming full members of the SCO in June 2017. The joint exercise titled Peaceful Mission 2018 being conducted by the Central Military Commission of Russia involve tactical level operations in an international counter-insurgency or counter-terrorism environment under the SCO Charter. "We welcome India and Pakistan's joint participation in this counter-terrorism exercise under the SCO framework," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing. "These two countries are important ones in South Asia," she said, adding that stable relationship between the two countries is "significant to the peace and development of the region and the whole world." "We sincerely hope that they could enhance their dialogue and cooperation both bilaterally and within multilateral mechanisms like the SCO, work together to improve their ties and jointly maintain regional peace and stability," she said. At least 3,000 soldiers from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India and Pakistan are participating in the drill. The Indian contingent of 200 personnel is primarily composed of troops from infantry and affiliated arms and services along with the Indian Air Force. Chinese military experts also welcomed the participation of India and Pakistan in the counter-terrorism drill. The previous SCO counter-terrorism drills were mainly limited to the Central Asian nations. But due to the entry of India and Pakistan, the SCO's counter-terrorism mission has expanded to South Asia, Li Wei, a counter-terrorism expert at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations in Beijing, told state-run Global Times. "The effective counter-terrorism cooperation among SCO countries has greatly undermined terrorist groups in Central Asia in recent years, and it's expected that this effective cooperation will also boost stability in South Asia, a region facing a more complicated counter-terrorism situation with a variety of active terrorist groups," Li said. Sun Zhuangzhi, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said Peace Mission 2018 will also greatly improve military and political mutual trust among SCO countries, especially between India and Pakistan. "It's a rare opportunity for Pakistan and India, which have long been involved in military conflict, to enhance military exchanges and trust. This could improve regional stability," Sun said. Li said future counter-terrorism drills among SCO countries have to come up with new drills on targeting terrorist groups in South Asia. He suggested that the SCO further expand to include Afghanistan, which is currently an observer country, to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts in South Asia. The SCO was established in Shanghai in 2001, with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as founding members. It expanded to include India and Pakistan in 2017.

China hails first-time participation of India, Pakistan in SCO counter-terror drill

Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be visiting flood-hit Kerala on August 28 and August 29.&nbsp;

Gandhi will be reaching the state on Tuesday morning at 10 am, reports said.&nbsp;He will go to Chengannur in helicopter and from there to Alappuzha to visit the flood affected areas and people.

On Wednesday, the Congress president would flag off trucks with relief materials collected by the Ernakulam district congress committee for distribution at various relief camps.

He would proceed to Kozhikode in a special flight and would visit parts of Wayanad by helicopter. He will visit the calamity-hit areas of Kottathala village from 11.30 am&nbsp;He is scheduled to return to Kozhikode airport by 1.15 pm&nbsp;and return to Delhi.

Earlier on August 24, Rahul had expressed his solidarity with the people of Kerala and tweeted, "This is a difficult time for the people of Kerala. In relief camps and homes across the state, people are grieving for their loved ones. On this Onam let us pledge to put aside our differences, stand united together and focus on the task of #RebuildingKerala."

Kerala has been facing the worst flood in a century, which claimed lives of as many as 357 people.

The Congress leader was in London on Thursday evening from Berlin for the two-day visit, which is packed with a set of meetings, interaction with parliamentarians, students, doctors, businessmen and UK Congress cadre.

The Congress chief will reach the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow following which he will visit the flood-affected areas of Chengannur, Alappuzha and Angamaly.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be visiting flood-hit Kerala on August 28 and August 29. Gandhi will be reaching the state on Tuesday morning at 10 am, reports said. He will go to Chengannur in helicopter and from there to Alappuzha to visit the flood affected areas and people. On Wednesday, the Congress president would flag off trucks with relief materials collected by the Ernakulam district congress committee for distribution at various relief camps. He would proceed to Kozhikode in a special flight and would visit parts of Wayanad by helicopter. He will visit the calamity-hit areas of Kottathala village from 11.30 am He is scheduled to return to Kozhikode airport by 1.15 pm and return to Delhi. Earlier on August 24, Rahul had expressed his solidarity with the people of Kerala and tweeted, "This is a difficult time for the people of Kerala. In relief camps and homes across the state, people are grieving for their loved ones. On this Onam let us pledge to put aside our differences, stand united together and focus on the task of #RebuildingKerala." Kerala has been facing the worst flood in a century, which claimed lives of as many as 357 people. The Congress leader was in London on Thursday evening from Berlin for the two-day visit, which is packed with a set of meetings, interaction with parliamentarians, students, doctors, businessmen and UK Congress cadre.

Rahul Gandhi to visit flood-hit Kerala on Tuesday

Expenses incurred on the security cover of BJP president Amit Shah cannot be disclosed, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has held citing RTI Act exemption clauses of "personal information" and "safety".

The commission has denied the appeal of a petitioner who had also sought to know the rules governing extension of security cover to a private individual and the authorities, which foot the bill of such cover to a private individual.

The application was filed by Deepak Juneja on July 5, 2014, when Shah was not a member of the Rajya Sabha.

He had also sought to know the list of people who have been given security by the government.

The information was denied by the Home Ministry citing Section 8(1)(g) that exempts from disclosure information that would endanger the life or physical safety of any person.

The ministry had also cited Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which exempts information that is personal, would cause unwarranted invasion of privacy and is not linked to any "public activity".

In its previous order in the matter, the CIC had upheld denial of information as it was not disclosed before Parliament.

Juneja challenged the CIC order in the Delhi High Court where Justice Vibhu Bakhru set aside the transparency panel's order stating that the commission was first required to examine whether information sought by the petitioner was exempted under clauses (g) and (j) of Section 8(1) of the RTI Act.

It lobbed the matter before the CIC again to consider private contentions in the light of the exemption clauses of Section 8(1) of the act.

The commission again heard Juneja and the Home Ministry in the matter.

Juneja submitted that the grant of security cover to eminent persons under threat is the duty of the state in cases where the beneficiary holds a high office as they cannot perform their vital functions while reeling under threat, Information Commissioner Yashovardhan Azad noted in the order.

However, the appellant submits that defraying cost of elite Z+ security cover to private persons must not be from the state exchequer, Azad pointed out.

"Amit Shah, who happens to be the national president of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has been granted Z+ security cover by the MHA since July 2014 despite him not being holding any constitutional or statutory office," Juneja said, adding that since it was public money he has the right to know.

The ministry said the respondent's contention is that revelation of expenses incurred in providing security cover would reveal the intricacies, and magnitude and rigour of security cover.

It said rules governing the entitlement of grant of security cover and process of threat assessment among others are framed in consultation with central security agencies, which are exempted from the purview of the RTI Act, and disclosure would nullify the exemptions.

"Judicial notice can be taken of the fact that the protectees are already facing the highest level of threat and that is why they have been accorded with the highest level of security cover," Azad, a former IB special director, held.

He said revelation of names of protectees if not adding on to the danger to their life or physical safety would be counterproductive to the efficacy of security cover.

The names of private Z+ protectees are personal since they do not owe the security cover to their public office but private position in life, the information commissioner said.

"The public eminence of the private person, threat perception and the potential harm... are key determinative factors while granting security cover," he said.

He said the identity, specific threat perception analysis among other factors are personal information of a protectee who does not hold a public office.

"The right to know, in such a case, must make way for the right to privacy of the individual and the efficiency of governance since the same furthers the concept of 'practical regime' of the RTI as conceptualised in the preamble of the RTI Act," Azad said.

He also cited last year's Supreme Court order on Right to Privacy to buttress his argument.

On December 9, 2015, the list of protectees in political and judicial field was disclosed in a Rajya Sabha question by the Home Ministry, hence making a further case for not disclosing it, Azad said.

&nbsp;

The commission has denied the appeal of a petitioner who had also sought to know the rules governing extension of security cover to a private individual and the authorities, which foot the bill of such cover to a private individual.

Expenses incurred on the security cover of BJP president Amit Shah cannot be disclosed, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has held citing RTI Act exemption clauses of "personal information" and "safety". The commission has denied the appeal of a petitioner who had also sought to know the rules governing extension of security cover to a private individual and the authorities, which foot the bill of such cover to a private individual. The application was filed by Deepak Juneja on July 5, 2014, when Shah was not a member of the Rajya Sabha. He had also sought to know the list of people who have been given security by the government. The information was denied by the Home Ministry citing Section 8(1)(g) that exempts from disclosure information that would endanger the life or physical safety of any person. The ministry had also cited Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which exempts information that is personal, would cause unwarranted invasion of privacy and is not linked to any "public activity". In its previous order in the matter, the CIC had upheld denial of information as it was not disclosed before Parliament. Juneja challenged the CIC order in the Delhi High Court where Justice Vibhu Bakhru set aside the transparency panel's order stating that the commission was first required to examine whether information sought by the petitioner was exempted under clauses (g) and (j) of Section 8(1) of the RTI Act. It lobbed the matter before the CIC again to consider private contentions in the light of the exemption clauses of Section 8(1) of the act. The commission again heard Juneja and the Home Ministry in the matter. Juneja submitted that the grant of security cover to eminent persons under threat is the duty of the state in cases where the beneficiary holds a high office as they cannot perform their vital functions while reeling under threat, Information Commissioner Yashovardhan Azad noted in the order. However, the appellant submits that defraying cost of elite Z+ security cover to private persons must not be from the state exchequer, Azad pointed out. "Amit Shah, who happens to be the national president of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has been granted Z+ security cover by the MHA since July 2014 despite him not being holding any constitutional or statutory office," Juneja said, adding that since it was public money he has the right to know. The ministry said the respondent's contention is that revelation of expenses incurred in providing security cover would reveal the intricacies, and magnitude and rigour of security cover. It said rules governing the entitlement of grant of security cover and process of threat assessment among others are framed in consultation with central security agencies, which are exempted from the purview of the RTI Act, and disclosure would nullify the exemptions. "Judicial notice can be taken of the fact that the protectees are already facing the highest level of threat and that is why they have been accorded with the highest level of security cover," Azad, a former IB special director, held. He said revelation of names of protectees if not adding on to the danger to their life or physical safety would be counterproductive to the efficacy of security cover. The names of private Z+ protectees are personal since they do not owe the security cover to their public office but private position in life, the information commissioner said. "The public eminence of the private person, threat perception and the potential harm... are key determinative factors while granting security cover," he said. He said the identity, specific threat perception analysis among other factors are personal information of a protectee who does not hold a public office. "The right to know, in such a case, must make way for the right to privacy of the individual and the efficiency of governance since the same furthers the concept of 'practical regime' of the RTI as conceptualised in the preamble of the RTI Act," Azad said. He also cited last year's Supreme Court order on Right to Privacy to buttress his argument. On December 9, 2015, the list of protectees in political and judicial field was disclosed in a Rajya Sabha question by the Home Ministry, hence making a further case for not disclosing it, Azad said.

BJP chief Amit Shah's security expenses can’t be disclosed: CIC

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has established a link between the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru in 2017 and rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in Pune in 2013, the CBI claimed before a court on Sunday. The CBI has&nbsp;recovered a pistol used for killing Lankesh while probing Dabholkar's case.&nbsp;

The pistol was recovered from Shubham Surale, the brother-in-law of Sachin Andure, an accused in the Dabholkar murder case, who was arrested from Aurangabad by the CBI on August 18. Following the court hearing on Sunday, the CBI custody of Sachin was extended till August 30.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told the court that one of the accused in the Lankesh murder case had handed over a pistol and three bullets with a magazine to him.

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Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials investigating Narendra Dabholkar murder case recover pistol used to kill Gauri Lankesh, while investigating Sachin Andure who is an accused in both the cases. The pistol was recovered from Andure's brother-in-law
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1033699907264073729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister also said: "Certainly, there are possibilities of similarities. When we got the bullets & forensic lab checked them, they were fired from same revolver."

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Certainly, there are possibilities of similarities. When we got the bullets & forensic lab checked them,they were fired from same revolver:Karnataka Dy CM on CBI recovers pistol used to kill Gauri Lankesh from brother-in-law of Narendra Dabholkar murder case accused Sachin Andure <a href="https://t.co/pNEvK3TAdu">pic.twitter.com/pNEvK3TAdu</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1033763170018422784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Dabholkar, a Pune-based anti-superstition activist, was shot dead while he was on a morning walk in August 2013. Lankesh was shot dead in front of her residence in Bengaluru in September 2017. The CBI told the court that the agency would seek the custody of Sharad Kalaskar, another alleged shooter in the Dabholkar murder case.

During the hearing, it was stated that Sharad Kalaskar, who was arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in explosives recovery case from Nalasopara, will be handed over to the CBI after August 28 at the end of his custody, on grounds of the need for a joint interrogation of Kalaskar and Andure.

Apart from the connect established in the killing of Gauri Lankesh and Narendra Dabholkar, a link has also been established with the Nalasopara explosives case, the investigation of which led to Andure's arrest.

“Kalaskar is currently in the custody of the ATS in the Nalasopara explosives seizure case. The CBI will seek his custody in the Dabholkar case also as he and Andure need to be interrogated together,” PTI quoted Special Public prosecutor Vijaykumar Dhakane as saying.

“During Andure’s interrogation, it was revealed that one of the accused in the Lankesh murder case had handed over a 7.65 mm country-made pistol and three bullets to him and he had passed those over to his brother-in-law, Shubham Surale, at Aurangabad (Maharashtra) on August 11,” Dhakane told the court.

The CBI had seized a black-coloured country-made pistol with a magazine and three 7.65 mm “live cartridges” (bullets) from Rege’s Aurangabad residence, Dhakane said, adding that the agency was probing if the weapon was used to kill Dabholkar.

Apart from Kalaskar, the ATS had arrested Vaibhav Raut (40), Sudhanwa Gondhalekar (39), Shrikant Pangarkar and Avinash Pawar (30) in the arms seizure case from various parts of the state.

(With inputs from PTI)

The CBI has recovered a pistol used for killing Lankesh while probing Dabholkar's case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has established a link between the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru in 2017 and rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in Pune in 2013, the CBI claimed before a court on Sunday. The CBI has recovered a pistol used for killing Lankesh while probing Dabholkar's case. The pistol was recovered from Shubham Surale, the brother-in-law of Sachin Andure, an accused in the Dabholkar murder case, who was arrested from Aurangabad by the CBI on August 18. Following the court hearing on Sunday, the CBI custody of Sachin was extended till August 30. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told the court that one of the accused in the Lankesh murder case had handed over a pistol and three bullets with a magazine to him. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials investigating Narendra Dabholkar murder case recover pistol used to kill Gauri Lankesh, while investigating Sachin Andure who is an accused in both the cases. The pistol was recovered from Andure's brother-in-law — ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2018 × Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister also said: "Certainly, there are possibilities of similarities. When we got the bullets & forensic lab checked them, they were fired from same revolver." Certainly, there are possibilities of similarities. When we got the bullets & forensic lab checked them,they were fired from same revolver:Karnataka Dy CM on CBI recovers pistol used to kill Gauri Lankesh from brother-in-law of Narendra Dabholkar murder case accused Sachin Andure pic.twitter.com/pNEvK3TAdu — ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2018 × Dabholkar, a Pune-based anti-superstition activist, was shot dead while he was on a morning walk in August 2013. Lankesh was shot dead in front of her residence in Bengaluru in September 2017. The CBI told the court that the agency would seek the custody of Sharad Kalaskar, another alleged shooter in the Dabholkar murder case. During the hearing, it was stated that Sharad Kalaskar, who was arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in explosives recovery case from Nalasopara, will be handed over to the CBI after August 28 at the end of his custody, on grounds of the need for a joint interrogation of Kalaskar and Andure. Apart from the connect established in the killing of Gauri Lankesh and Narendra Dabholkar, a link has also been established with the Nalasopara explosives case, the investigation of which led to Andure's arrest. “Kalaskar is currently in the custody of the ATS in the Nalasopara explosives seizure case. The CBI will seek his custody in the Dabholkar case also as he and Andure need to be interrogated together,” PTI quoted Special Public prosecutor Vijaykumar Dhakane as saying. “During Andure’s interrogation, it was revealed that one of the accused in the Lankesh murder case had handed over a 7.65 mm country-made pistol and three bullets to him and he had passed those over to his brother-in-law, Shubham Surale, at Aurangabad (Maharashtra) on August 11,” Dhakane told the court. The CBI had seized a black-coloured country-made pistol with a magazine and three 7.65 mm “live cartridges” (bullets) from Rege’s Aurangabad residence, Dhakane said, adding that the agency was probing if the weapon was used to kill Dabholkar. Apart from Kalaskar, the ATS had arrested Vaibhav Raut (40), Sudhanwa Gondhalekar (39), Shrikant Pangarkar and Avinash Pawar (30) in the arms seizure case from various parts of the state. (With inputs from PTI)

CBI establishes link in Dabholkar, Gauri Lankesh killings

Three people have been rescued and some were still feared trapped after two&nbsp;four-storey buildings collapsed on Sunday in Ahmedabad's Odhav area.

The two building blocks were constructed under a government housing scheme nearly two decades ago.&nbsp;

The reason for the collapse is unknown.&nbsp;

"One team is on standby in Vadodara. Dog squad is also here. We are using various equipment to rescue people. Rescue operation will take at least three-four more hours," N KK Prasad, the second in command of the sixth battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (Gandhinagar), told ANI.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LatestVisuals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LatestVisuals</a> from Ahmedabad's Odhav area where a four-storey building collapsed last night. 3 people have been rescued, at least five still feared trapped under the debris. Rescue operation is underway. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a> <a href="https://t.co/g2ZEPE2Ka5">pic.twitter.com/g2ZEPE2Ka5</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1033880883327975425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Five of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the local fire brigade were deployed to rescue people from the debris of the two blocks, each four-storeyed, said Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja.

Jadeja has also informed that about 8-10 people are still feared trapped under the debris but the exact number is unknown.&nbsp;

As per a fire brigade official, there were 32 flats in the building, which were vacated after a notice was issued recently. 
&nbsp;

The two building blocks were constructed under a government housing scheme nearly two decades ago.

Three people have been rescued and some were still feared trapped after two four-storey buildings collapsed on Sunday in Ahmedabad's Odhav area. The two building blocks were constructed under a government housing scheme nearly two decades ago. The reason for the collapse is unknown. "One team is on standby in Vadodara. Dog squad is also here. We are using various equipment to rescue people. Rescue operation will take at least three-four more hours," N KK Prasad, the second in command of the sixth battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (Gandhinagar), told ANI. #LatestVisuals from Ahmedabad's Odhav area where a four-storey building collapsed last night. 3 people have been rescued, at least five still feared trapped under the debris. Rescue operation is underway. #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/g2ZEPE2Ka5 — ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2018 × Five of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the local fire brigade were deployed to rescue people from the debris of the two blocks, each four-storeyed, said Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja. Jadeja has also informed that about 8-10 people are still feared trapped under the debris but the exact number is unknown. As per a fire brigade official, there were 32 flats in the building, which were vacated after a notice was issued recently.

4 rescued, several trapped after decades-old buildings collapse in Ahmedabad

The Congress Party’s research department is undergoing a slow but sure transformation.

A department which was expected to only provide handouts for debates for its leaders is acquiring an important role for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The research department is expected to organise discussions on political issues across India before the 2019 elections. WION has learnt that for this purpose, a number of non-political platforms will be chosen and the party will touch base with various segments of civil society. Most issues will be discussed under the department's "Current Issue Forum".

The idea behind the concept is that complex issues should be taken out to society and discussed threadbare so that the party receives proper feedback. The first function was organised in Varanasi last week and the second in Delhi on Sunday.

Speaking to WION, Rajeev Gowda, the head of the research department and a former IIM-Bangalore professor and a sitting Rajya Sabha MP, said, "The Social media department is more focused on technology platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. The Communication Department’s concerns are more immediate and focused on press conferences. The research department has a different battlefield to tackle.”

The department has selected three "battlefield"&nbsp;areas for itself.

The first job they have decided to focus on is supplying research and political input to parliamentarians. The second area of focus is to come up with deep data publications on crucial issues like demonetisation and GST. (The department's report on demonetisation was called "Earthquake".)

And lastly, the department has tasked itself with "discovering" political trends and future issues.

Ranajit Mukherjee, the department's secretary, says their motto is the 4 D's. And their aim is to discuss ideas, debate issues, develop solutions, and drive change.

Sources said the shift in the perception of research work has stemmed from Congress President Rahul Gandhi who believes the party's&nbsp;view should be based on facts and data and not on rhetoric and hearsay.

The research department has also decided to create parallel units in every state which can independently operate with local organisational units.&nbsp;

“The biggest challenge for us is to create data and transmit it to people from the district level to Delhi on critical issues so that opinion remains constant and roughly on the same page,” says Rajeev Gowda. But he admits that the bigger challenge is that his party's leaders and workers read the material.

It is for that reason that the department is also thinking of producing audio-video files so that the message on crucial issues can be transmitted and absorbed easily. Broadly the idea is that local and national leaders should have the same views on important issues related to the party.

“We will also do the heavy lifting for the Manifesto Committee,” says Gowda. Time has changed and so has election management. Like the West, the Indian election too has become data and mobile phone-centric.

It is a good start for the grand old party. But the fact of the matter is that it has a lot of catching up to do even in this department since the BJP-RSS machine continues to remain miles ahead of the Congress Party.

The department will supply research and political input to parliamentarians, will come up with deep data publications on crucial issues, and will 'discover' political trends and future issues.

The Congress Party’s research department is undergoing a slow but sure transformation. A department which was expected to only provide handouts for debates for its leaders is acquiring an important role for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The research department is expected to organise discussions on political issues across India before the 2019 elections. WION has learnt that for this purpose, a number of non-political platforms will be chosen and the party will touch base with various segments of civil society. Most issues will be discussed under the department's "Current Issue Forum". The idea behind the concept is that complex issues should be taken out to society and discussed threadbare so that the party receives proper feedback. The first function was organised in Varanasi last week and the second in Delhi on Sunday. Speaking to WION, Rajeev Gowda, the head of the research department and a former IIM-Bangalore professor and a sitting Rajya Sabha MP, said, "The Social media department is more focused on technology platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. The Communication Department’s concerns are more immediate and focused on press conferences. The research department has a different battlefield to tackle.” The department has selected three "battlefield" areas for itself. The first job they have decided to focus on is supplying research and political input to parliamentarians. The second area of focus is to come up with deep data publications on crucial issues like demonetisation and GST. (The department's report on demonetisation was called "Earthquake".) And lastly, the department has tasked itself with "discovering" political trends and future issues. Ranajit Mukherjee, the department's secretary, says their motto is the 4 D's. And their aim is to discuss ideas, debate issues, develop solutions, and drive change. Sources said the shift in the perception of research work has stemmed from Congress President Rahul Gandhi who believes the party's view should be based on facts and data and not on rhetoric and hearsay. The research department has also decided to create parallel units in every state which can independently operate with local organisational units. “The biggest challenge for us is to create data and transmit it to people from the district level to Delhi on critical issues so that opinion remains constant and roughly on the same page,” says Rajeev Gowda. But he admits that the bigger challenge is that his party's leaders and workers read the material. It is for that reason that the department is also thinking of producing audio-video files so that the message on crucial issues can be transmitted and absorbed easily. Broadly the idea is that local and national leaders should have the same views on important issues related to the party. “We will also do the heavy lifting for the Manifesto Committee,” says Gowda. Time has changed and so has election management. Like the West, the Indian election too has become data and mobile phone-centric. It is a good start for the grand old party. But the fact of the matter is that it has a lot of catching up to do even in this department since the BJP-RSS machine continues to remain miles ahead of the Congress Party.

Congress' latest weapon for 2019 elections? Its research department

After Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Karnataka Tourism Minister Sa Ra Mahesh had a tiff on August 25 over her itinerary during her visit to the flood-hit Kerala last week, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday issued a statement to resolve matters between the two leaders.&nbsp

In the statement, the CM expressed regret and said that it is "time to forgive each other and join hands for the rehabilitation of the flood affected people in Kodagu".

Saying that he was "deeply pained at the turn of events" with regard to the visit of Sitharaman to the flood-affected areas in Kodagu district, the Chief Minister said, "Though the government and the district administration have ensured and followed protocol despite the tough situation in the region during her visit, it was unfortunate that the Defence Minister had to go through certain inconveniences, which we regret. I also spoke to her over the phone on the matter."

In a letter, tweeted from Chief Minister of Karnataka Twitter handle, Kumaraswamy said, "Tourism and Kodagu district in-charge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh is with the rescue and relief team, at the affected areas, coordinating their operations from the day one. He has tirelessly worked to oversee the rescue and relief operations on the ground."

The entire incident happened during the presence of officials and the media at the district commissioner's office in Kerala on August 24.&nbsp

Sitharaman was interacting with a group of affected people here when Mashesh, the district in-charge minister, told her that officials were waiting for her for a review meeting and they have to go for rehabilitation work.

However, Sitharaman noted that she was only going by the minute-by-minute programme drawn up for her visit and she had been following the minister in-charge and the itinerary.

"I follow the minister in charge. Central minister follows the minister in charge here. Unbelievable! You have a list of minute-to-minute for me to follow...I am doing as per your schedule," she said.

Later, Mahesh dubbed Sitharaman's comments as a reaction to the demand for funds from the centre to Kodagu.

The entire incident happened during the presence of officials and the media at the district commissioner's office in Kerala on August 24.

After Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Karnataka Tourism Minister Sa Ra Mahesh had a tiff on August 25 over her itinerary during her visit to the flood-hit Kerala last week, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday issued a statement to resolve matters between the two leaders. In the statement, the CM expressed regret and said that it is "time to forgive each other and join hands for the rehabilitation of the flood affected people in Kodagu". Saying that he was "deeply pained at the turn of events" with regard to the visit of Sitharaman to the flood-affected areas in Kodagu district, the Chief Minister said, "Though the government and the district administration have ensured and followed protocol despite the tough situation in the region during her visit, it was unfortunate that the Defence Minister had to go through certain inconveniences, which we regret. I also spoke to her over the phone on the matter." In a letter, tweeted from Chief Minister of Karnataka Twitter handle, Kumaraswamy said, "Tourism and Kodagu district in-charge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh is with the rescue and relief team, at the affected areas, coordinating their operations from the day one. He has tirelessly worked to oversee the rescue and relief operations on the ground." The entire incident happened during the presence of officials and the media at the district commissioner's office in Kerala on August 24. Sitharaman was interacting with a group of affected people here when Mashesh, the district in-charge minister, told her that officials were waiting for her for a review meeting and they have to go for rehabilitation work. However, Sitharaman noted that she was only going by the minute-by-minute programme drawn up for her visit and she had been following the minister in-charge and the itinerary. "I follow the minister in charge. Central minister follows the minister in charge here. Unbelievable! You have a list of minute-to-minute for me to follow...I am doing as per your schedule," she said. Later, Mahesh dubbed Sitharaman's comments as a reaction to the demand for funds from the centre to Kodagu.

Time to forgive each other and join hands: Karnataka CM plays peacemaker after Sitharaman-Mahesh spat

The announcement by Arun Kumar on the three-day seminar - Future of Bharat : An RSS Perspective, where RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat would be present, was not a knee jerk reaction. The summit, which is to be held in Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi, is actually coming of age of RSS which has been extremely shy to deal with the media.&nbsp;

It had remained equally shy in dealing with civil society actors openly. Most of the time engagement with top RSS brass has been episodic or hush hush affair. It is only after 2014 that senior RSS functionaries have become visible in public programmes under media’s glare. So, the seminar is an attempt to set the record straight. 
 
Whether Rahul Gandhi gets invited or Sitaram Yechury, it is immaterial to this gathering. RSS wants to set the record straight on issues which it hold dear. The unease within the RSS has been that on multiple issues it has been attacked, and during that time it witnessed itself being defended by BJP. Many felt that agenda was being decided by the Opposition and RSS &nbsp;was only reacting to the charges levelled against them. RSS wants to reverse the trend.&nbsp;

RSS wants to set the intellectual agenda on which it has been on the receiving end. It wants to wrest this space from the Congress-Left combine. Most of the attacks on the RSS are based on the conception that RSS is the big daddy of the government. However, RSS doesn't feel the same.

The debate remains alive and create grey areas which leaves the organisation vulnerable. It is for this reason that RSS has decided to hold this gathering. &nbsp;It feels intellectually robust today. The outfit would try to kill ambiguity on major issues.

The interaction is a double edged sword. It can cut both ways. It can expose the fact that there does not exist 6 degree of separation between BJP and RSS. It can create electoral embarrassment for BJP on the issues of reservation, Ram Temple , Article 35 (A), 370, &nbsp;and several other issues on which RSS purists have their strong opinion.&nbsp;

Or it can set the agenda for the BJP. It has the potential to create a public display of synergy on all the important issues before the elections. It can also kill the image of RSS as a secretive organisation. Rahul Gandhi compared RSS with Muslim Brotherhood (MB). The attempt was to portray RSS as an organisation which is above public accountability. This interaction would be first of its own kind.

The access given by the RSS to the noted historian Walter Andersen on his new book on the outfit&nbsp;brought many hidden facets of the organisation in the public domain. This exercise in September may do the same.&nbsp;

RSS today is not fighting the battle to occupy right of centre space in the Indian politics. RSS is the right. It is fighting the battle to occupy the middle ground, which for long, was held by the Congress.&nbsp;

Thus gathering is an outreach program of huge proportion. If RSS succeeds in occupying the middle ground of Indian politics then Congress will end up becoming the new Left and Left would become marginal to the Indian politics. It is here the challenge for the Opposition lies.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

RSS is fighting the battle to occupy the middle ground, which for long, was held by the Congress.

The announcement by Arun Kumar on the three-day seminar - Future of Bharat : An RSS Perspective, where RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat would be present, was not a knee jerk reaction. The summit, which is to be held in Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi, is actually coming of age of RSS which has been extremely shy to deal with the media. It had remained equally shy in dealing with civil society actors openly. Most of the time engagement with top RSS brass has been episodic or hush hush affair. It is only after 2014 that senior RSS functionaries have become visible in public programmes under media’s glare. So, the seminar is an attempt to set the record straight. Whether Rahul Gandhi gets invited or Sitaram Yechury, it is immaterial to this gathering. RSS wants to set the record straight on issues which it hold dear. The unease within the RSS has been that on multiple issues it has been attacked, and during that time it witnessed itself being defended by BJP. Many felt that agenda was being decided by the Opposition and RSS was only reacting to the charges levelled against them. RSS wants to reverse the trend. RSS wants to set the intellectual agenda on which it has been on the receiving end. It wants to wrest this space from the Congress-Left combine. Most of the attacks on the RSS are based on the conception that RSS is the big daddy of the government. However, RSS doesn't feel the same. The debate remains alive and create grey areas which leaves the organisation vulnerable. It is for this reason that RSS has decided to hold this gathering. It feels intellectually robust today. The outfit would try to kill ambiguity on major issues. The interaction is a double edged sword. It can cut both ways. It can expose the fact that there does not exist 6 degree of separation between BJP and RSS. It can create electoral embarrassment for BJP on the issues of reservation, Ram Temple , Article 35 (A), 370, and several other issues on which RSS purists have their strong opinion. Or it can set the agenda for the BJP. It has the potential to create a public display of synergy on all the important issues before the elections. It can also kill the image of RSS as a secretive organisation. Rahul Gandhi compared RSS with Muslim Brotherhood (MB). The attempt was to portray RSS as an organisation which is above public accountability. This interaction would be first of its own kind. The access given by the RSS to the noted historian Walter Andersen on his new book on the outfit brought many hidden facets of the organisation in the public domain. This exercise in September may do the same. RSS today is not fighting the battle to occupy right of centre space in the Indian politics. RSS is the right. It is fighting the battle to occupy the middle ground, which for long, was held by the Congress. Thus gathering is an outreach program of huge proportion. If RSS succeeds in occupying the middle ground of Indian politics then Congress will end up becoming the new Left and Left would become marginal to the Indian politics. It is here the challenge for the Opposition lies. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: RSS kicks off the battle for setting 2019 agenda

Senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz today said an all-party delegation from Jammu and Kashmir should call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urge the Centre to defend Article 35 A in the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

Article 35A, which accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, is facing a legal challenge in the Supreme Court.

“Let the delegation of mainstream parties call on the PM and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and propose that the Government of India take a position before the Supreme Court,” Soz said in a statement here.

The former Union minister said it was ridiculous for the central government to watch the situation from a distance and be unmindful of the turmoil that can be caused by any attempt to amend Article 35A, against the will of the people of the state. He said the people of Kashmir have shown a unique sense of solidarity on the need to safeguard Article 35A of the Constitution of India.

“It is a heartening situation that certain sections of society in Jammu and Ladakh have also realized that Article 35A cannot be abrogated”. Earlier today, the spontaneous shutdown was observed at several places in Kashmir after clashes broke out between youths and security forces following rumours about the scrapping of Article 35A, police officials said.

Stone-pelters clashed with security personnel in Anantnag and Safakadal area here in the wake of the rumours, they said.

Senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz today said an all-party delegation from Jammu and Kashmir should call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urge the Centre to defend Article 35 A in the Supreme Court.

Senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz today said an all-party delegation from Jammu and Kashmir should call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urge the Centre to defend Article 35 A in the Supreme Court. Article 35A, which accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, is facing a legal challenge in the Supreme Court. “Let the delegation of mainstream parties call on the PM and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and propose that the Government of India take a position before the Supreme Court,” Soz said in a statement here. The former Union minister said it was ridiculous for the central government to watch the situation from a distance and be unmindful of the turmoil that can be caused by any attempt to amend Article 35A, against the will of the people of the state. He said the people of Kashmir have shown a unique sense of solidarity on the need to safeguard Article 35A of the Constitution of India. “It is a heartening situation that certain sections of society in Jammu and Ladakh have also realized that Article 35A cannot be abrogated”. Earlier today, the spontaneous shutdown was observed at several places in Kashmir after clashes broke out between youths and security forces following rumours about the scrapping of Article 35A, police officials said. Stone-pelters clashed with security personnel in Anantnag and Safakadal area here in the wake of the rumours, they said.

All-party delegation from J&K should call on PM to defend Article 35A: Saifuddin Soz

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Stating that he was "happy" that Rahul Gandhi has made it clear he was not driven by prime ministerial ambitions, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said today the party getting the maximum number of seats after 2019 polls would claim the post.

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The RSS is planning on inviting Congress President Rahul Gandhi to an event next month in Delhi, news reports said Monday.&nbspThe reports said the event will look at "The India of the Future", and will be held between September 17 and 19. The reports added that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address the meet.&nbsp

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Myanmar's military carried out mass killings and gang rapes of Rohingyas with "genocidal intent" and the commander-in-chief and five generals should be prosecuted for orchestrating the gravest crimes under law, UN investigators said on Monday.

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Iran on Monday demanded the UN's top court suspend US nuclear-linked sanctions against Tehran, accusing Washington of plotting its "economic strangulation". The Islamic Republic launched a suit at the International Court of Justice over US President Donald Trump's decision to reimpose the sanctions that had been lifted in a 2015 accord.

<a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/russia-tajikistan-deny-any-air-attack-in-afghan-border-clash-161879">Russia, Tajikistan deny any air attack in Afghan border clash</a>

Afghanistan officials said on Monday a&nbspTajik or Russian aircraft had bombed a northeastern Afghan border&nbspdistrict during a clash between gunmen and Tajik border guards, but officials in both Tajikistan and Russia denied that they had done so.

Happy Rahul not driven by PM ambitions, party with most seats will claim post: Pawar Stating that he was "happy" that Rahul Gandhi has made it clear he was not driven by prime ministerial ambitions, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said today the party getting the maximum number of seats after 2019 polls would claim the post. RSS to invite Rahul Gandhi to Delhi event next month: Reports The RSS is planning on inviting Congress President Rahul Gandhi to an event next month in Delhi, news reports said Monday.&nbspThe reports said the event will look at "The India of the Future", and will be held between September 17 and 19. The reports added that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address the meet. Myanmar military must be prosecuted for 'genocidal intent': UN Myanmar's military carried out mass killings and gang rapes of Rohingyas with "genocidal intent" and the commander-in-chief and five generals should be prosecuted for orchestrating the gravest crimes under law, UN investigators said on Monday. Iran urges UN court to halt 'economic strangulation' by United States Iran on Monday demanded the UN's top court suspend US nuclear-linked sanctions against Tehran, accusing Washington of plotting its "economic strangulation". The Islamic Republic launched a suit at the International Court of Justice over US President Donald Trump's decision to reimpose the sanctions that had been lifted in a 2015 accord. Russia, Tajikistan deny any air attack in Afghan border clash Afghanistan officials said on Monday a&nbspTajik or Russian aircraft had bombed a northeastern Afghan border&nbspdistrict during a clash between gunmen and Tajik border guards, but officials in both Tajikistan and Russia denied that they had done so.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Stating that he was "happy" that Rahul Gandhi has made it clear he was not driven by prime ministerial ambitions, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said today the party getting the maximum number of seats after 2019 polls would claim the post.

"Let elections take place, remove these people (BJP) from power. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amid-talk-of-broad-front-against-bjp-in-2019-17-opposition-party-leaders-to-attend-sonia-dinner-tomorrow-35560">We will sit together</a>. Whichever party has got more seats can claim the prime minister's post," Pawar, 78, said.

"And I am happy that the Congress leader (Rahul Gandhi) has also said he is not in the race for the prime minister's post," he said at a party meeting in Mumbai.

His remarks has come a day after the Congress president said he was not driven by an ambition to become prime minister.

"I dont have these visions. I view myself as fighting an ideological battle and this change has come in me after 2014. I realised that there's a risk to Indian state, to Indian way of doing things and I'm defending that," Gandhi said.

At the Mumbai meeting, Pawar reminded NCP leaders that the United Progressive Alliance, formed after the 2004 general election, had dislodged the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, formed in 1998.

He said he will "try to go to each state and make regional parties which are not with the BJP to join us (the opposition alliance)".

"Congress is strong in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati-Akhilesh are there. Situation is different in each state. Hence, we will have to get along with parties which are strong in each state," the former Union minister said.

Lok Janshakti Party leader and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Saturday said that there was no vacancy for the post of prime minister in 2019.

He said the united opposition front should start worrying about the 2024 elections, as Modi faces no challenge in 2019.&nbsp;

'Let elections take place, remove these people (BJP) from power. We will sit together. Whichever party has got more seats can claim the prime minister's post,' Sharad Pawar said.

Stating that he was "happy" that Rahul Gandhi has made it clear he was not driven by prime ministerial ambitions, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said today the party getting the maximum number of seats after 2019 polls would claim the post. "Let elections take place, remove these people (BJP) from power. We will sit together. Whichever party has got more seats can claim the prime minister's post," Pawar, 78, said. "And I am happy that the Congress leader (Rahul Gandhi) has also said he is not in the race for the prime minister's post," he said at a party meeting in Mumbai. His remarks has come a day after the Congress president said he was not driven by an ambition to become prime minister. "I dont have these visions. I view myself as fighting an ideological battle and this change has come in me after 2014. I realised that there's a risk to Indian state, to Indian way of doing things and I'm defending that," Gandhi said. At the Mumbai meeting, Pawar reminded NCP leaders that the United Progressive Alliance, formed after the 2004 general election, had dislodged the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, formed in 1998. He said he will "try to go to each state and make regional parties which are not with the BJP to join us (the opposition alliance)". "Congress is strong in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati-Akhilesh are there. Situation is different in each state. Hence, we will have to get along with parties which are strong in each state," the former Union minister said. Lok Janshakti Party leader and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Saturday said that there was no vacancy for the post of prime minister in 2019. He said the united opposition front should start worrying about the 2024 elections, as Modi faces no challenge in 2019.

Happy Rahul not driven by PM ambitions, party with most seats will claim top post: Pawar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday followed 55 women on Twitter, including sports and media personalities, to mark Raksha Bandhan.

These women include professional badminton doubles player Ashwini Ponnappa, tennis players Sania Mirza and Karman Kaur Thandi, athlete PT Usha, former Miss India and child rights activist Swaroop, and journalists Romana Isar Khan, Sweta Singh, Padmaja Joshi, Sheela Bhatt and Shalini Singh.

Others followed by PM Modi on the micro-blogging platform include actor Koena Mitra, weightlifter Karnam Malleswari, photo journalist Renuka Puri and some BJP members and state government ministers.

Some of those followed by PM Modi, thanked him and wished him on Raksha Bandhan.

Sources in the government said the Prime Minister followed them on Twitter to mark the festival.

PM Modi follows 2,000 people on his personal Twitter handle @narendramodi and is followed by 43.7 million people.

His official Twitter handle @PMOIndia follows 438 people, including world leaders. The official account is followed by 26.9 million people.

These women include professional badminton doubles player Ashwini Ponnappa, tennis players Sania Mirza and Karman Kaur Thandi, athlete PT Usha, former Miss India and child rights activist Swaroop etc.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday followed 55 women on Twitter, including sports and media personalities, to mark Raksha Bandhan. These women include professional badminton doubles player Ashwini Ponnappa, tennis players Sania Mirza and Karman Kaur Thandi, athlete PT Usha, former Miss India and child rights activist Swaroop, and journalists Romana Isar Khan, Sweta Singh, Padmaja Joshi, Sheela Bhatt and Shalini Singh. Others followed by PM Modi on the micro-blogging platform include actor Koena Mitra, weightlifter Karnam Malleswari, photo journalist Renuka Puri and some BJP members and state government ministers. Some of those followed by PM Modi, thanked him and wished him on Raksha Bandhan. Sources in the government said the Prime Minister followed them on Twitter to mark the festival. PM Modi follows 2,000 people on his personal Twitter handle @narendramodi and is followed by 43.7 million people. His official Twitter handle @PMOIndia follows 438 people, including world leaders. The official account is followed by 26.9 million people.

PM Modi follows 55 women on Twitter to mark Raksha Bandhan

The Tamil Nadu government filed a counter affidavit before the Supreme Court denying the allegations of mismanagement of the release of water from the Mullaperiyar dam.

The 21-page affidavit, filed by the Tamil Nadu government on August 24, claimed that it was incorrect for the Kerala government to say that Tamil Nadu had not alerted Kerala on time, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

Kerala government, on August 23, told the Supreme Court that the sudden release of water from the Mullaperiyar dam by the Tamil Nadu government was one of the reasons for the devastating deluge in the state.

The government of Tamil Nadu, in the affidavit, stated that it was fully committed to the safety of the people of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The affidavit further added that the dam was safe and has no constructional or operational loopholes. It stated that the designed Maximum Water Level (MWL) of the dam is 155 ft. for which the safety was examined and was found to be safe by the Supreme Court.

The Tamil Nadu government maintained giving enough warnings to the Kerala government on water level crossing 136 ft in the Mullaperiyar dam. It also stated that the overall condition of the dam was found satisfactory after multiple checks done by various authorities.&nbsp;

Mullaperiyar dam, situated at the confluence of Mullayar and Periyar rivers, was built under an accord in the year 1886. Although the dam is built in Kerala, Tamil Nadu government operates it.&nbsp;

Kerala has pressed for the dam's operating rights for long. Tamil Nadu government maintains that the dam is safe. A 2014 Supreme Court directive allowed Tamil Nadu to increase the water level from 136 feet to a maximum of 142 feet.

On August 15, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sought Tamil Nadu's intervention to reduce the rising water level of Mullaperiyar dam.

Pinarayi requested Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami to direct authorities to release water from Mullaperiyar dam in order to bring the water level down to 139 ft.

CM Vijayan's office fears the widespread devastation that would follow if water from the dam is released suddenly and therefore, "water levels must be lowered immediately," a statement from Vijayan's office noted.

Kerala government, on August 23, told the Supreme Court that the sudden release of water from the Mullaperiyar dam by the Tamil Nadu government was one of the reasons for the devastating deluge in the state

The Tamil Nadu government filed a counter affidavit before the Supreme Court denying the allegations of mismanagement of the release of water from the Mullaperiyar dam. The 21-page affidavit, filed by the Tamil Nadu government on August 24, claimed that it was incorrect for the Kerala government to say that Tamil Nadu had not alerted Kerala on time, news agency ANI reported. Kerala government, on August 23, told the Supreme Court that the sudden release of water from the Mullaperiyar dam by the Tamil Nadu government was one of the reasons for the devastating deluge in the state. The government of Tamil Nadu, in the affidavit, stated that it was fully committed to the safety of the people of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The affidavit further added that the dam was safe and has no constructional or operational loopholes. It stated that the designed Maximum Water Level (MWL) of the dam is 155 ft. for which the safety was examined and was found to be safe by the Supreme Court. The Tamil Nadu government maintained giving enough warnings to the Kerala government on water level crossing 136 ft in the Mullaperiyar dam. It also stated that the overall condition of the dam was found satisfactory after multiple checks done by various authorities. Mullaperiyar dam, situated at the confluence of Mullayar and Periyar rivers, was built under an accord in the year 1886. Although the dam is built in Kerala, Tamil Nadu government operates it. Kerala has pressed for the dam's operating rights for long. Tamil Nadu government maintains that the dam is safe. A 2014 Supreme Court directive allowed Tamil Nadu to increase the water level from 136 feet to a maximum of 142 feet. On August 15, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sought Tamil Nadu's intervention to reduce the rising water level of Mullaperiyar dam. Pinarayi requested Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami to direct authorities to release water from Mullaperiyar dam in order to bring the water level down to 139 ft. CM Vijayan's office fears the widespread devastation that would follow if water from the dam is released suddenly and therefore, "water levels must be lowered immediately," a statement from Vijayan's office noted.

Mullaperiyar dam row: Tamil Nadu files counter affidavit in SC, denies charges of mismanagement

Dangerous trends have started surfacing on the terrorism front in Jammu and Kashmir with nearly 130 joining various terror outfits this year, the highest since 2010, and a majority of them affiliating themselves with groups ideologically aligned with the Al-Qaeda, officials said.

According to data compiled till July 31, around 131 have joined various terror outfits, with South Kashmir's Shopian district contributing the maximum of 35 so far. The number of local recruits last year was 126.

The officials say many youngsters are joining the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, a group which claims support of Al-Qaeda and is headed by Zaqir Rashid Bhat alias Zaqir Musa, who hails from a village in the Tral area of Pulwama district.

The acceptance of this group is steadily increasing as Musa emerged as the only terrorist who ended the 27-year-old show of separatists leaders from Hurriyat Conference and threatened them of beheading if they termed Kashmir as a political issue.

Musa's slogan of "Shariyat ya Shahadat" (Enforcing Islamic law or death) has replaced many age-old pro-Pakistan slogans, feel the officials who have been monitoring the security situation in the Kashmir Valley.

The 24-year-old engineering college drop-out has been able to capture the imagination of youngsters, especially after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen poster boy Burhan Wani, who was killed in 2016.

He was good at studies as well as sports and had represented the state in inter-state carom championship, recalls a senior police official, adding this is one of the reasons that he has started emerging as a hero to many youths in the Valley.

Believed to have been influenced by Anwar al-Awlaki, a Yemini-American preacher killed by allied forces attack in Afghanistan in September 2011, Musa has been mainly focussing on recruitment for his outfit and brainwashing the youths to pick up arms.

Awlaki too was considered the brain behind recruitment for Al-Qaeda.

His motivational skills left terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba also in a fix when he was able to draw Abu Dujana into his group, the officials said. Abu Dujana was killed killed.

Though the Jammu and Kashmir Police has time and again termed Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind a non-starter in the valley, the growing popularity and graffiti of his name and slogans have taken maximum spaces of towns and villages.

ISJK, an affiliate of the banned ISIS, was also a source of attraction, but after the killing of its chief Dawood Sofi, the group does not find many takers.

The officials of security agencies said the highly-volatile South Kashmir comprising Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam and Awantipora districts had more youngsters joining terror groups. Together, the five districts have contributed over 100 to various terror groups operating in the Kashmir Valley.

This year's figures were the highest since 2010, according to a recent data presented in the state assembly and Parliament.

There has been a steady rise in the number of youths taking up arms in the valley since 2014 onwards as compared to the period from 2010 to 2013 when the figure stood at 54, 23, 21 and 6 respectively. In 2014, the number shot up to 53 and in 2015, it reached 66 before touching the highest mark of 88 in 2016, the data showed.&nbsp

According to data compiled till July 31, around 131 have joined various terror outfits, with South Kashmir's Shopian district contributing the maximum of 35 so far. The number of local recruits last year was 126.

Dangerous trends have started surfacing on the terrorism front in Jammu and Kashmir with nearly 130 joining various terror outfits this year, the highest since 2010, and a majority of them affiliating themselves with groups ideologically aligned with the Al-Qaeda, officials said. According to data compiled till July 31, around 131 have joined various terror outfits, with South Kashmir's Shopian district contributing the maximum of 35 so far. The number of local recruits last year was 126. The officials say many youngsters are joining the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, a group which claims support of Al-Qaeda and is headed by Zaqir Rashid Bhat alias Zaqir Musa, who hails from a village in the Tral area of Pulwama district. The acceptance of this group is steadily increasing as Musa emerged as the only terrorist who ended the 27-year-old show of separatists leaders from Hurriyat Conference and threatened them of beheading if they termed Kashmir as a political issue. Musa's slogan of "Shariyat ya Shahadat" (Enforcing Islamic law or death) has replaced many age-old pro-Pakistan slogans, feel the officials who have been monitoring the security situation in the Kashmir Valley. The 24-year-old engineering college drop-out has been able to capture the imagination of youngsters, especially after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen poster boy Burhan Wani, who was killed in 2016. He was good at studies as well as sports and had represented the state in inter-state carom championship, recalls a senior police official, adding this is one of the reasons that he has started emerging as a hero to many youths in the Valley. Believed to have been influenced by Anwar al-Awlaki, a Yemini-American preacher killed by allied forces attack in Afghanistan in September 2011, Musa has been mainly focussing on recruitment for his outfit and brainwashing the youths to pick up arms. Awlaki too was considered the brain behind recruitment for Al-Qaeda. His motivational skills left terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba also in a fix when he was able to draw Abu Dujana into his group, the officials said. Abu Dujana was killed killed. Though the Jammu and Kashmir Police has time and again termed Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind a non-starter in the valley, the growing popularity and graffiti of his name and slogans have taken maximum spaces of towns and villages. ISJK, an affiliate of the banned ISIS, was also a source of attraction, but after the killing of its chief Dawood Sofi, the group does not find many takers. The officials of security agencies said the highly-volatile South Kashmir comprising Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam and Awantipora districts had more youngsters joining terror groups. Together, the five districts have contributed over 100 to various terror groups operating in the Kashmir Valley. This year's figures were the highest since 2010, according to a recent data presented in the state assembly and Parliament. There has been a steady rise in the number of youths taking up arms in the valley since 2014 onwards as compared to the period from 2010 to 2013 when the figure stood at 54, 23, 21 and 6 respectively. In 2014, the number shot up to 53 and in 2015, it reached 66 before touching the highest mark of 88 in 2016, the data showed.

Locals joining terror outfits in Kashmir highest since 2010: Data

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday said it is aiming to emerge as the "best alternative" to the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and increase its organisational strength at the grassroots level in the state over the next six months.

"We will try to explain to the masses that the best alternative to the ruling Trinamool Congress or other opposition parties in West Bengal can only be AAP. We plan to spread our network in every district of the state. From Delhi, we will visit the state in every six months to monitor the progress," senior AAP leader Rakesh Kumar Sinha said.

He said the party is on the lookout for activists who will pick up local issues, fight for justice and take up the problems faced by the common man.

He was in the city to participate in the third state convention of the party today.

He said the party leadership will decide if it will contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal.

&nbspAAP National Spokesperson and head of Delhi Women's wing of the party, Richa Pandey Mishra said, the West Bengal women's wing of AAP was launched during the convention on Sunday.

"We would fight for women's issues - from safety to empowerment," she said listing the priorities of the wing.

An estimated 300 members from 14 districts of the state participated in the convention where a state-level working committee of AAP was also formed.

Senior AAP leader Rakesh Kumar Sinha said the party is on the lookout for activists who will pick up local issues, fight for justice and take up the problems faced by the common man.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday said it is aiming to emerge as the "best alternative" to the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and increase its organisational strength at the grassroots level in the state over the next six months. "We will try to explain to the masses that the best alternative to the ruling Trinamool Congress or other opposition parties in West Bengal can only be AAP. We plan to spread our network in every district of the state. From Delhi, we will visit the state in every six months to monitor the progress," senior AAP leader Rakesh Kumar Sinha said. He said the party is on the lookout for activists who will pick up local issues, fight for justice and take up the problems faced by the common man. He was in the city to participate in the third state convention of the party today. He said the party leadership will decide if it will contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. &nbspAAP National Spokesperson and head of Delhi Women's wing of the party, Richa Pandey Mishra said, the West Bengal women's wing of AAP was launched during the convention on Sunday. "We would fight for women's issues - from safety to empowerment," she said listing the priorities of the wing. An estimated 300 members from 14 districts of the state participated in the convention where a state-level working committee of AAP was also formed.

Aiming to become best alternative to Trinamool Congress in Bengal: AAP

Dr <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/being-framed-by-administration-for-gorakhpur-tragedy-jailed-doctor-kafeel-khan-131437">Kafeel Khan</a> has said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is lying when he says the children who died in Gorakhpur last year did not do so because of a lack of oxygen.&nbsp

Sixty children had died in one week at the government-run BRD Medical College last year in August.&nbsp

News reports had at the time said the children had died because of a lack of oxygen. And that the supply of oxygen cylinders had been cut off because of the non-payment of dues. The UP government has since denied the charge.&nbsp

Adityanath had on Sunday again said the deaths were not caused due to a lack of oxygen. He instead blamed the deaths on internal politics at the hospital.&nbsp

He added that he began to take the situation seriously after the media reported that the death toll had gone up from 13 to 59. Adityanath said he had thought up till then that the deaths were because of Japanese encephalitis, which "usually happens at that time of the year."&nbsp

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: UP CM Yogi Adityanath speaks on 2017 Gorakhpur infants death case, says, 'had there been a shortage of oxygen, then the children on ventilator would have died first.' (25.08.18) <a href="https://t.co/lPjoVUmi5P">pic.twitter.com/lPjoVUmi5P</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1033653798689009664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Yogiji is doing politics and trying to mislead people," Dr Khan was quoted as saying by ANI on Monday.&nbsp

"What CM has said is incorrect," he added. "Many newborns also died in the incident, newborns don’t get encephalitis."&nbsp

And Khan reiterated that the oxygen supplier had written to hospital authorities to clear his dues.&nbsp

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What CM has said is incorrect.Many newborns also died in the incident, newborns don’t get Encephalitis.The supplier of oxygen had written to hospital authorities to clear his dues,to cont. oxygen supply: Dr Kafeel Khan on UP CM’s remark ‘infants didn’t die due to lack of oxygen’ <a href="https://t.co/jzA51XKpme">pic.twitter.com/jzA51XKpme</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1034043131237289986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Khan had been in charge of the paediatric ward at BRD Medical College when the deaths occurred.&nbsp

He was later arrested by police, along with BRD Medical College principal Rajeev Kumar Mishra, and spent eight months in jail.&nbsp&nbsp

Adityanath said on Sunday that the children did not die due to a lack of oxygen. 'Yogiji is doing politics and trying to mislead people,' Dr Khan said.

Dr Kafeel Khan has said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is lying when he says the children who died in Gorakhpur last year did not do so because of a lack of oxygen. Sixty children had died in one week at the government-run BRD Medical College last year in August. News reports had at the time said the children had died because of a lack of oxygen. And that the supply of oxygen cylinders had been cut off because of the non-payment of dues. The UP government has since denied the charge. Adityanath had on Sunday again said the deaths were not caused due to a lack of oxygen. He instead blamed the deaths on internal politics at the hospital. He added that he began to take the situation seriously after the media reported that the death toll had gone up from 13 to 59. Adityanath said he had thought up till then that the deaths were because of Japanese encephalitis, which "usually happens at that time of the year." #WATCH: UP CM Yogi Adityanath speaks on 2017 Gorakhpur infants death case, says, 'had there been a shortage of oxygen, then the children on ventilator would have died first.' (25.08.18) pic.twitter.com/lPjoVUmi5P — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 26, 2018 × "Yogiji is doing politics and trying to mislead people," Dr Khan was quoted as saying by ANI on Monday. "What CM has said is incorrect," he added. "Many newborns also died in the incident, newborns don’t get encephalitis." And Khan reiterated that the oxygen supplier had written to hospital authorities to clear his dues. What CM has said is incorrect.Many newborns also died in the incident, newborns don’t get Encephalitis.The supplier of oxygen had written to hospital authorities to clear his dues,to cont. oxygen supply: Dr Kafeel Khan on UP CM’s remark ‘infants didn’t die due to lack of oxygen’ pic.twitter.com/jzA51XKpme — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 27, 2018 × Khan had been in charge of the paediatric ward at BRD Medical College when the deaths occurred. He was later arrested by police, along with BRD Medical College principal Rajeev Kumar Mishra, and spent eight months in jail.

Gorakhpur child deaths: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lying, says Dr Kafeel Khan

Stating that he was “happy” that Rahul Gandhi has made it clear he was not driven by prime ministerial ambitions, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said today the party getting the maximum number of seats after 2019 polls would claim the post.&nbsp

“Let elections take place, remove these people (BJP) from power. We will sit together. Whichever party has got more seats can claim the prime minister’s post,” Pawar, 78, said.&nbsp

“And I am happy that the Congress leader (Rahul Gandhi) has also said he is not in the race for the prime minister’s post,” he said at a party meeting in Mumbai.

His remarks have come a day after the Congress president said he was not driven by an ambition to become prime minister.

“I don't have these visions. I view myself as fighting an ideological battle and this change has come in me after 2014. I realised that there’s a risk to Indian state, to Indian way of doing things and I’m defending that,” Gandhi said.

At the Mumbai meeting, Pawar reminded NCP leaders that the United Progressive Alliance, formed after the 2004 general election, had dislodged the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, formed in 1998. He said he will “try to go to each state and make regional parties which are not with the BJP to join us (the opposition alliance)”.

“Congress is strong in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati-Akhilesh are there. The situation is different in each state. Hence, we will have to get along with parties which are strong in each state,” the former Union minister said. Lok Janshakti Party leader and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Saturday said that there was no vacancy for the post of prime minister in 2019. He said the united opposition front should start worrying about the 2024 elections, as Modi faces no challenge in 2019.

Stating that he was "happy" that Rahul Gandhi has made it clear he was not driven by prime ministerial ambitions, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said today the party getting the maximum number of seats after 2019 polls would claim the post.

Stating that he was “happy” that Rahul Gandhi has made it clear he was not driven by prime ministerial ambitions, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said today the party getting the maximum number of seats after 2019 polls would claim the post. “Let elections take place, remove these people (BJP) from power. We will sit together. Whichever party has got more seats can claim the prime minister’s post,” Pawar, 78, said. “And I am happy that the Congress leader (Rahul Gandhi) has also said he is not in the race for the prime minister’s post,” he said at a party meeting in Mumbai. His remarks have come a day after the Congress president said he was not driven by an ambition to become prime minister. “I don't have these visions. I view myself as fighting an ideological battle and this change has come in me after 2014. I realised that there’s a risk to Indian state, to Indian way of doing things and I’m defending that,” Gandhi said. At the Mumbai meeting, Pawar reminded NCP leaders that the United Progressive Alliance, formed after the 2004 general election, had dislodged the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, formed in 1998. He said he will “try to go to each state and make regional parties which are not with the BJP to join us (the opposition alliance)”. “Congress is strong in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati-Akhilesh are there. The situation is different in each state. Hence, we will have to get along with parties which are strong in each state,” the former Union minister said. Lok Janshakti Party leader and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Saturday said that there was no vacancy for the post of prime minister in 2019. He said the united opposition front should start worrying about the 2024 elections, as Modi faces no challenge in 2019.

Party getting maximum seats will claim PM’s post, says Sharad Pawar

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