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<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-is-how-increase-in-repo-reverse-repo-rate-will-affect-your-loan-emis-156285">This is how </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-is-how-increase-in-repo-reverse-repo-rate-will-affect-your-loan-emis-156285">increase</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-is-how-increase-in-repo-reverse-repo-rate-will-affect-your-loan-emis-156285"> in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-is-how-increase-in-repo-reverse-repo-rate-will-affect-your-loan-emis-156285">repo</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-is-how-increase-in-repo-reverse-repo-rate-will-affect-your-loan-emis-156285">, reverse repo rate will affect your loan EMIs</a>

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday again hiked the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.50% in its bi-monthly monetary policy review, further increasing the woes of home loan borrowers.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/imran-khan-invites-sunil-gavaskar-kapil-dev-aamir-khan-and-navjot-singh-sidhu-to-oath-ceremony-156313">Imran Khan invites Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Aamir Khan and Navjot Singh Sidhu &nbspto oath ceremony</a>

Imran Khan's political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has invited ex-Indian cricketers to Imran Khan's oath-taking ceremony in August, PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said on Wednesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-muslims-to-now-pledge-allegiance-to-communist-party-wear-gps-device-before-hajj-pilgrimage-156270">Chinese Muslims to now pledge allegiance to Communist Party, wear GPS device before Hajj pilgrimage</a>

Over 11,000 Chinese Muslims belonging to the Xinjian region will begin their journey on the annual Hajj pilgrimage. However, they will first have to pledge their allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party as well as to the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and national unity, reports said on Wednesday.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-policy-on-zimbabwe-hinges-on-transparency-of-election--156309">US policy on Zimbabwe hinges on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-policy-on-zimbabwe-hinges-on-transparency-of-election--156309">transparency</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-policy-on-zimbabwe-hinges-on-transparency-of-election--156309"> of election</a>

US policy on Zimbabwe will depend on the transparency of this week's election, US lawmaker Karen Bass told reporters in Harare, after the release of the National Democratic Institute's (NDI) preliminary report on the election.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-&-economy/jet-airways-employees-told-to-take-up-to-25-per-cent-pay-cut--156271">Jet Airways employees told to take up to 25 </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-&-economy/jet-airways-employees-told-to-take-up-to-25-per-cent-pay-cut--156271">per cent</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-&-economy/jet-airways-employees-told-to-take-up-to-25-per-cent-pay-cut--156271"> pay cut</a>

Jet Airways has informed its members of staff to take up to 25 per cent pay cut on the back of increasing fuel price and falling rupees.

This is how increase in repo, reverse repo rate will affect your loan EMIs The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday again hiked the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.50% in its bi-monthly monetary policy review, further increasing the woes of home loan borrowers. Imran Khan invites Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Aamir Khan and Navjot Singh Sidhu &nbspto oath ceremony Imran Khan's political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has invited ex-Indian cricketers to Imran Khan's oath-taking ceremony in August, PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said on Wednesday. Chinese Muslims to now pledge allegiance to Communist Party, wear GPS device before Hajj pilgrimage Over 11,000 Chinese Muslims belonging to the Xinjian region will begin their journey on the annual Hajj pilgrimage. However, they will first have to pledge their allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party as well as to the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and national unity, reports said on Wednesday. US policy on Zimbabwe hinges on transparency of election US policy on Zimbabwe will depend on the transparency of this week's election, US lawmaker Karen Bass told reporters in Harare, after the release of the National Democratic Institute's (NDI) preliminary report on the election. Jet Airways employees told to take up to 25 per cent pay cut Jet Airways has informed its members of staff to take up to 25 per cent pay cut on the back of increasing fuel price and falling rupees.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday again hiked the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.50% in its bi-monthly monetary policy review, further increasing the woes of home loan borrowers.

Both public and private sector banks will soon pass on the repo rate hike to consumers by increasing their marginal cost-based lending rate (MCLR).&nbsp;

The repo rate is the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends money to all commercial bank.

A 25 bps hike in this rate will mean that the EMIS are expected to go up between Rs 500-Rs 1000 depending on the quantum of loan.&nbsp;

For example: If one has taken Rs 30 lakh home loan, which currently carries an interest rate of 8.50 per cent for a tenure of 20 years, the EMI at present will stand at Rs 26, 034.&nbsp;

But if your bank hikes its interest rate by 25 bps to pass on the burden of the repo rate hike, at 8.75 per cent interest rate, the new EMI will be 26,511. The increase in EMI due to hike is Rs 477, while the total increase in interest cost is 1,14,480.

In the announcement, the central bank changed the&nbsp;reverse repo rate, a rate at which commercial banks lend money to RBI, and&nbsp;hiked it from 6 per cent to 6.25 per cent.

As per reports, the hike comes on the back of rising retail inflation, which spiked to a five-month high of 5 per cent in June. &nbsp;

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RBI's Monetary Policy Committee has decided to increase the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points to 6.5% Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 6.25% & marginal standing facility rate & Bank Rate to 6.75% <a href="https://t.co/C3caihMsGX">pic.twitter.com/C3caihMsGX</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1024581415525122050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The RBI Governor Urijit Patel, who was announcing the hikes and new rates, retained the GDP forecast for the current fiscal at 7.4 per cent, thanks to the firm investments and improved FDI in first two months.&nbsp;

The repo rate is the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends money to all commercial bank.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday again hiked the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.50% in its bi-monthly monetary policy review, further increasing the woes of home loan borrowers. Both public and private sector banks will soon pass on the repo rate hike to consumers by increasing their marginal cost-based lending rate (MCLR). The repo rate is the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends money to all commercial bank. A 25 bps hike in this rate will mean that the EMIS are expected to go up between Rs 500-Rs 1000 depending on the quantum of loan. For example: If one has taken Rs 30 lakh home loan, which currently carries an interest rate of 8.50 per cent for a tenure of 20 years, the EMI at present will stand at Rs 26, 034. But if your bank hikes its interest rate by 25 bps to pass on the burden of the repo rate hike, at 8.75 per cent interest rate, the new EMI will be 26,511. The increase in EMI due to hike is Rs 477, while the total increase in interest cost is 1,14,480. In the announcement, the central bank changed the reverse repo rate, a rate at which commercial banks lend money to RBI, and hiked it from 6 per cent to 6.25 per cent. As per reports, the hike comes on the back of rising retail inflation, which spiked to a five-month high of 5 per cent in June. RBI's Monetary Policy Committee has decided to increase the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points to 6.5% Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 6.25% & marginal standing facility rate & Bank Rate to 6.75% pic.twitter.com/C3caihMsGX — ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2018 × The RBI Governor Urijit Patel, who was announcing the hikes and new rates, retained the GDP forecast for the current fiscal at 7.4 per cent, thanks to the firm investments and improved FDI in first two months.

This is how increase in repo, reverse repo rate will affect your loan EMIs

Former Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi speaks to WION and clarifies Congress stand on citizenship bill.

Former Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi on NRC

The Kolkata Police on Wednesday granted permission for BJP president Amit Shah's proposed rally here on August 11, news agency PTI reported quoting police sources.

The development came hours after the BJP Yuva Morcha alleged that they are yet to receive any communication from the Kolkata Police regarding permission for Shah's rally.

The ruling Trinamool Congress took a swipe at the BJP and Shah, claiming that they had become nervous and wished them "happy journey to the land of peace and harmony".

"Some unwarranted speculation in social media about denial of permission to a political party on 11 August has come to our notice. It is to clarify that on request permission for meeting has already been granted," the Kolkata Police said in a tweet.

State BJP Yuva Morcha chief Debjit Sarkar said he has been informed by the police that the permission has been given to hold the rally at Mayo Road in the heart of the city.

Sarkar had earlier told&nbspthat the organisation has submitted a formal application to the police, seeking permission for Shah's rally.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and the BJP have been locked in a bitter war of words amid attempts by the saffron party to make inroads in the TMC stronghold.

The latest flashpoint has been the issues of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Shah is aiming to win 22 of its 42 Lok Sabha seats in the next elections. It had won two in 2014.&nbsp The TMC had bagged 34.

"BJP & its national President have become nervous, tense. Their programme for Aug 3 in Kolkata was promptly granted permission. For their Aug 11 program, they only just sent a letter & permission granted" (sic), TMC chief national spokesperson Derek O'Brien said in a statement.

"Happy journey to the land of peace and harmony #Bangla Love Your Neighbour", he said in a tweet.

(With PTI inputs)

The development came hours after the BJP Yuva Morcha alleged that they are yet to receive any communication from the Kolkata Police regarding permission for Shah's rally

The Kolkata Police on Wednesday granted permission for BJP president Amit Shah's proposed rally here on August 11, news agency PTI reported quoting police sources. The development came hours after the BJP Yuva Morcha alleged that they are yet to receive any communication from the Kolkata Police regarding permission for Shah's rally. The ruling Trinamool Congress took a swipe at the BJP and Shah, claiming that they had become nervous and wished them "happy journey to the land of peace and harmony". "Some unwarranted speculation in social media about denial of permission to a political party on 11 August has come to our notice. It is to clarify that on request permission for meeting has already been granted," the Kolkata Police said in a tweet. State BJP Yuva Morcha chief Debjit Sarkar said he has been informed by the police that the permission has been given to hold the rally at Mayo Road in the heart of the city. Sarkar had earlier told&nbspthat the organisation has submitted a formal application to the police, seeking permission for Shah's rally. The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and the BJP have been locked in a bitter war of words amid attempts by the saffron party to make inroads in the TMC stronghold. The latest flashpoint has been the issues of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Shah is aiming to win 22 of its 42 Lok Sabha seats in the next elections. It had won two in 2014. The TMC had bagged 34. "BJP & its national President have become nervous, tense. Their programme for Aug 3 in Kolkata was promptly granted permission. For their Aug 11 program, they only just sent a letter & permission granted" (sic), TMC chief national spokesperson Derek O'Brien said in a statement. "Happy journey to the land of peace and harmony #Bangla Love Your Neighbour", he said in a tweet. (With PTI inputs)

Kolkata police grants permission to Amit Shah's rally

In last three years - between &nbsp;January 1, 2015 and November 30, 2017, the MEA has received over 3,000 complaints from Indian women who have been deserted by their NRI husbands.&nbsp;

To protect rights of the aggrieved women and help them get justice, government is in process of developing a new MEA portal to upload summons against NRI men&nbsp;facing charges of abandoning, ill-treating or harassing their wives. If the accused do not respond, they will be declared proclaimed offenders and their properties would be seized along with cancellation of passport.

And if they still don't return to the country, their property could be sold to give financial aid to their wives.

This will make it little easier for authorities to track&nbsp;down the offenders.&nbsp;According to the existing rule, police write to embassies, which then send summons to accused NRIs. Moreover, due to non availability of the correct/latest address - it often becomes difficult to serve summons. This comes after another crucial development, wherein government accepted an expert committee's recommendation of compulsory registration of NRI marriages.

As of now registration of NRI marriages is mandatory only in some&nbsp;states.

The plan of action will now be forwarded to the cabinet and government says it would try to get the new law passed in the next session of parliament.&nbsp;

Currently, all the NRI marital dispute cases are first forwarded to the National Commission for Women (NCW) for scrutiny. On the basis of NCW recommendations, the Integrated Nodel Agency (INA), which also includes officials from the ministries of law, MEA and home affairs, then take necessary decisions, like - issuing Look Out Notices (LOCs).

In last two months, government revoked passports of eight NRI men who were issued Look Out Notices (LOCs) after they abandoned their wives. 
 
Furthermore, following the footsteps of Maharashtra state commission, other state commissions could also set up separate cells to deal with disputes pertaining to NRI marriages.&nbsp;

Government is visibly firm and focused on framing a new&nbsp;law at the earliest in order to create a stronger deterrent for NRIs who abandon their wives. However, no matter how hard government tries, nothing would be of much help unless women and their families come forward and follow government instructions and guidelines to avoid fraud and abuse in NRI marriages.

In India, marrying off their daughters to NRIs is somehow linked to higher social status. At times, families do not even conduct mandatory checks.

To trick a girl into a fraudulent marriage, sometimes NRI men give wrong information about employment, earning status, marital status and property. Therefore, families should conduct detailed verifications and cross-check background of prospective grooms.

Family members of brides should ensure immediate registration of marriages. Also, women&nbsp;and their families should maintain records of all the necessary documents - marriage certificate, wedding invitation, copy of passport and photographs.

Moreover, women&nbsp;should have some knowledge about laws of the country - related to domestic violence and dowry harassment. It's advisable to keep the contacts (phone numbers, email ids and addresses) of Indian embassies in the respective countries, local relatives and friends handy. They also should not, under any circumstances, hand over their passports to someone else. There have been several instances when husbands/in-laws ended up seizing important documents of women.

Dealing with any kind of problem/issue is a two-way process, and hence with government extending full coordination and support, onus is now on women&nbsp;and their family members to take all necessary steps to avoid fraud and abuse in NRI marriages. After all, prevention is better than cure.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Government is visibly firm and focused on bringing this new law at the earliest in order to create a stronger deterrent for NRIs who abandon their wives. However, no matter how hard government tries, nothing would be of much help unless women and their families follow government guidelines.

In last three years - between January 1, 2015 and November 30, 2017, the MEA has received over 3,000 complaints from Indian women who have been deserted by their NRI husbands. To protect rights of the aggrieved women and help them get justice, government is in process of developing a new MEA portal to upload summons against NRI men facing charges of abandoning, ill-treating or harassing their wives. If the accused do not respond, they will be declared proclaimed offenders and their properties would be seized along with cancellation of passport. And if they still don't return to the country, their property could be sold to give financial aid to their wives. This will make it little easier for authorities to track down the offenders. According to the existing rule, police write to embassies, which then send summons to accused NRIs. Moreover, due to non availability of the correct/latest address - it often becomes difficult to serve summons. This comes after another crucial development, wherein government accepted an expert committee's recommendation of compulsory registration of NRI marriages. As of now registration of NRI marriages is mandatory only in some states. The plan of action will now be forwarded to the cabinet and government says it would try to get the new law passed in the next session of parliament. Currently, all the NRI marital dispute cases are first forwarded to the National Commission for Women (NCW) for scrutiny. On the basis of NCW recommendations, the Integrated Nodel Agency (INA), which also includes officials from the ministries of law, MEA and home affairs, then take necessary decisions, like - issuing Look Out Notices (LOCs). In last two months, government revoked passports of eight NRI men who were issued Look Out Notices (LOCs) after they abandoned their wives. Furthermore, following the footsteps of Maharashtra state commission, other state commissions could also set up separate cells to deal with disputes pertaining to NRI marriages. Government is visibly firm and focused on framing a new law at the earliest in order to create a stronger deterrent for NRIs who abandon their wives. However, no matter how hard government tries, nothing would be of much help unless women and their families come forward and follow government instructions and guidelines to avoid fraud and abuse in NRI marriages. In India, marrying off their daughters to NRIs is somehow linked to higher social status. At times, families do not even conduct mandatory checks. To trick a girl into a fraudulent marriage, sometimes NRI men give wrong information about employment, earning status, marital status and property. Therefore, families should conduct detailed verifications and cross-check background of prospective grooms. Family members of brides should ensure immediate registration of marriages. Also, women and their families should maintain records of all the necessary documents - marriage certificate, wedding invitation, copy of passport and photographs. Moreover, women should have some knowledge about laws of the country - related to domestic violence and dowry harassment. It's advisable to keep the contacts (phone numbers, email ids and addresses) of Indian embassies in the respective countries, local relatives and friends handy. They also should not, under any circumstances, hand over their passports to someone else. There have been several instances when husbands/in-laws ended up seizing important documents of women. Dealing with any kind of problem/issue is a two-way process, and hence with government extending full coordination and support, onus is now on women and their family members to take all necessary steps to avoid fraud and abuse in NRI marriages. After all, prevention is better than cure. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Tackling NRI marital disputes requires equal involvement of government and families

The political response on the National Register of Citizens (NRC) has shown that the Congress lacks institutional memory. On the pretext of tardy implementation, the party has attacked the process itself. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee went a step forward and declared that NRC would result in a civil war. This attempt to browbeat is a grim reminder to the horrible violence and long 'bandhs' which Assam has gone through. One has to visit North Eastern states to understand that how ethnic communities feel threatened by economic immigrants from Bangladesh. 
&nbsp; 
Firstly, all immigrants from Bangladesh are not refugees. Most of them are citizens of Bangladesh who left their country for better economic opportunity. Only Rohingyas are stateless people. Their existence is not acknowledged by Myanmar, where they originally belong&nbsp;to. They are called Bengalis in Myanmar - in an attempt to project them as Bangladeshis. They are in the true sense refugees and the issue of their settlement in Jammu acquired communal overtone because the majority felt threatened. 
&nbsp; 
The question is: Who decides people from different nationality can settle where? Modern states strictly monitor immigration. In India, land is a scarce resource and any perceived threat to alter demography is to invite trouble. So, is it correct to for any public intellectual to be sitting in any part of India to pontificate on the issue of poor immigrants when the local community has an objection to it? Such public intellectuals do disservice to liberal values because liberal values do not entail ridiculing local sentiments even at the cost of sounding boorish or rough. It is for this reason that Congress finds itself in the minority today it comes across as a party of ageing liberal elites who find the anxiety of local communities in North East communal, false and even provoked by BJP-RSS combine. However, the matter should also not be confused with internal migration which is legit. Even then, massive migration gives rise to ethnic politics represented&nbsp;by the Shiv Sena, which opposes North Indians,&nbsp;especially those from Bihar and UP, migrating to Maharashtra. Like it or not, it exists and survives. 
&nbsp; 
It needs to be understood that NRC is a promise made by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi under Assam Accord. It was the inability of the successive governments that matter went to the court and process became Supreme Court monitored. The fact that it is being monitored by the Supreme Court further demonstrates the failure of the Executive to carry out important policy decisions. The bottomline remains that Assam Accord was a successful exercise done by Rajiv Gandhi which normalised Assam and calmed the anxiety of the local community. 
&nbsp; 
The opposition is attacking NRC on case-to-case basis. It is being made to look that as if each and every Muslim in the North East is being targeted. Is it to say that there has been no immigration? That no Bangladeshi immigrant ever came to Delhi? That there is no Rohingya colony in Delhi and Jammu region? That demography of Assam and West Bengal has not been altered at all? That not one Bangladeshi has been able to enlist him or herself as a voter in North East and West Bengal and the demography of our border states has not changed? All of it has happened but the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Congress have chosen to do sectional politics on this issue. It will suit the TMC but not Congress. Despite making all the noise, Mamata Banerjee will choose to remain in Writers Building from where she will prefer to play the role of a kingmaker in different political circumstances. 
&nbsp; 
Congress on the other hand will bear the brunt of NRC politics nationally where party's commitment to country's own citizens would be questioned. It has the same potential to go down as triple talaq controversy where the issue split the party and it came across as indulging in appeasement of minorities. 
&nbsp; 
NRC should be treated as a commitment made to the communities of North East and West Bengal. For the issue to be turned Hindu-Muslim ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and be made into a case of witch hunting would do no good to the Congress party. The coercive politics of BJP should not be answered with a sectional response. Instead of coming across as tough on the issue of national security, the opposition is repeatedly ending up looking unconcerned. 
&nbsp; 
The way to deal with anxiety of the majority community does not lie in assuming it as false, motivated or inspired by an external agency like RSS. It always existed in different forms but that is a matter of another debate. The Partition of sub-continent on the basis of religion solidified it. Congress needs to embrace the anxiety of the majority community to tackle hard-edged ugly Hindutva which we see every day in form of lynching and indefensible behaviour in public. 
&nbsp; 
A larger Hindu identity overriding caste has become a reality. The answer to this is not caste politics. The answer lies in acknowledging it. NRC is reflecting the ideological instability in Congress. As once India's first Prime Minister famously said, "By education I'm an Englishman, by views an internationalist, by culture a Muslim and a Hindu only by accident of birth." 
&nbsp; 
A lot has changed since then. At that point of time, it sounded modern but today it sounds aristocratic. Politics across the world is getting rooted in cultural sphere and those opposed to it come across as unconcerned elites. It would a travesty that the Grand Old Party of Indian politics would meet its political nemesis on an issue on which it was first to take a tough and principled stand. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The opposition is attacking NRC on case-to-case basis. It is being made to look that as if each and every Muslim in the North East is being targeted.

The political response on the National Register of Citizens (NRC) has shown that the Congress lacks institutional memory. On the pretext of tardy implementation, the party has attacked the process itself. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee went a step forward and declared that NRC would result in a civil war. This attempt to browbeat is a grim reminder to the horrible violence and long 'bandhs' which Assam has gone through. One has to visit North Eastern states to understand that how ethnic communities feel threatened by economic immigrants from Bangladesh. Firstly, all immigrants from Bangladesh are not refugees. Most of them are citizens of Bangladesh who left their country for better economic opportunity. Only Rohingyas are stateless people. Their existence is not acknowledged by Myanmar, where they originally belong to. They are called Bengalis in Myanmar - in an attempt to project them as Bangladeshis. They are in the true sense refugees and the issue of their settlement in Jammu acquired communal overtone because the majority felt threatened. The question is: Who decides people from different nationality can settle where? Modern states strictly monitor immigration. In India, land is a scarce resource and any perceived threat to alter demography is to invite trouble. So, is it correct to for any public intellectual to be sitting in any part of India to pontificate on the issue of poor immigrants when the local community has an objection to it? Such public intellectuals do disservice to liberal values because liberal values do not entail ridiculing local sentiments even at the cost of sounding boorish or rough. It is for this reason that Congress finds itself in the minority today it comes across as a party of ageing liberal elites who find the anxiety of local communities in North East communal, false and even provoked by BJP-RSS combine. However, the matter should also not be confused with internal migration which is legit. Even then, massive migration gives rise to ethnic politics represented by the Shiv Sena, which opposes North Indians, especially those from Bihar and UP, migrating to Maharashtra. Like it or not, it exists and survives. It needs to be understood that NRC is a promise made by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi under Assam Accord. It was the inability of the successive governments that matter went to the court and process became Supreme Court monitored. The fact that it is being monitored by the Supreme Court further demonstrates the failure of the Executive to carry out important policy decisions. The bottomline remains that Assam Accord was a successful exercise done by Rajiv Gandhi which normalised Assam and calmed the anxiety of the local community. The opposition is attacking NRC on case-to-case basis. It is being made to look that as if each and every Muslim in the North East is being targeted. Is it to say that there has been no immigration? That no Bangladeshi immigrant ever came to Delhi? That there is no Rohingya colony in Delhi and Jammu region? That demography of Assam and West Bengal has not been altered at all? That not one Bangladeshi has been able to enlist him or herself as a voter in North East and West Bengal and the demography of our border states has not changed? All of it has happened but the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Congress have chosen to do sectional politics on this issue. It will suit the TMC but not Congress. Despite making all the noise, Mamata Banerjee will choose to remain in Writers Building from where she will prefer to play the role of a kingmaker in different political circumstances. Congress on the other hand will bear the brunt of NRC politics nationally where party's commitment to country's own citizens would be questioned. It has the same potential to go down as triple talaq controversy where the issue split the party and it came across as indulging in appeasement of minorities. NRC should be treated as a commitment made to the communities of North East and West Bengal. For the issue to be turned Hindu-Muslim ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and be made into a case of witch hunting would do no good to the Congress party. The coercive politics of BJP should not be answered with a sectional response. Instead of coming across as tough on the issue of national security, the opposition is repeatedly ending up looking unconcerned. The way to deal with anxiety of the majority community does not lie in assuming it as false, motivated or inspired by an external agency like RSS. It always existed in different forms but that is a matter of another debate. The Partition of sub-continent on the basis of religion solidified it. Congress needs to embrace the anxiety of the majority community to tackle hard-edged ugly Hindutva which we see every day in form of lynching and indefensible behaviour in public. A larger Hindu identity overriding caste has become a reality. The answer to this is not caste politics. The answer lies in acknowledging it. NRC is reflecting the ideological instability in Congress. As once India's first Prime Minister famously said, "By education I'm an Englishman, by views an internationalist, by culture a Muslim and a Hindu only by accident of birth." A lot has changed since then. At that point of time, it sounded modern but today it sounds aristocratic. Politics across the world is getting rooted in cultural sphere and those opposed to it come across as unconcerned elites. It would a travesty that the Grand Old Party of Indian politics would meet its political nemesis on an issue on which it was first to take a tough and principled stand. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Congress's stand on NRC threatens its very existence

The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas challenging the ban on entry of women in the age group of 10-50 into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, news agency PTI reportedf.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked the counsels of both sides to compile the submissions and submit before these within seven days.&nbsp

"We will pass orders. Judgment reserved. Hearing concluded. Advocate on Record of both the sides will collect written submissions and compile it and submit before the court in seven days," the bench also comprising justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra said.

The apex court had yesterday said that the constitutional scheme prohibiting exclusion has "some value" in a "vibrant democracy".&nbsp

The court was hearing a batch of pleas filed by petitioners Indian Young Lawyers Association and others.

The Kerala government, which has been changing its stand on the contentious issue of women of a particular age group entering the Sabarimala temple, had on July 18 told the Supreme Court that it now favours their entry.

The apex court had on October 13 last year referred the issue to a Constitution bench after framing five "significant" questions including whether the practice of banning entry of women into the temple amounted to discrimination and violated their fundamental rights under the Constitution.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked the counsels of both sides to compile the submissions and submit before these within seven days

The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas challenging the ban on entry of women in the age group of 10-50 into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, news agency PTI reportedf. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked the counsels of both sides to compile the submissions and submit before these within seven days. "We will pass orders. Judgment reserved. Hearing concluded. Advocate on Record of both the sides will collect written submissions and compile it and submit before the court in seven days," the bench also comprising justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra said. The apex court had yesterday said that the constitutional scheme prohibiting exclusion has "some value" in a "vibrant democracy". The court was hearing a batch of pleas filed by petitioners Indian Young Lawyers Association and others. The Kerala government, which has been changing its stand on the contentious issue of women of a particular age group entering the Sabarimala temple, had on July 18 told the Supreme Court that it now favours their entry. The apex court had on October 13 last year referred the issue to a Constitution bench after framing five "significant" questions including whether the practice of banning entry of women into the temple amounted to discrimination and violated their fundamental rights under the Constitution.

Supreme Court reserves order on pleas against ban on entry of women at Sabarimala

At present no terrorist of ISJK is reportedly active in Jammu and Kashmir, said&nbspUnion minister&nbspHansraj Gangaram Ahir in response to a written question.

No terrorist of the ISJK, an outfit influenced by ISIS ideology, is active in Jammu and Kashmir and the extent of ISIS presence in the state was till recently limited to waving flags of the global terror group and Pakistan, Ahir said on Wednesday.

The minister also said that appropriate action under law has been initiated against those who were involved in cases of waving ISIS and Pakistani flags in Jammu and Kashmir.

There were eight such cases in 2015, 31 cases in 2016 and five cases in 2017, the minister was quoted as saying.

"Till recently the extent of ISIS presence in Jammu and Kashmir was limited to waving of ISIS and Pakistani flags by some miscreants. However, on June 22, 2018, four terrorists belonging to the ISJK, an outfit influenced by ISIS ideology, were neutralised in Anantnag district.

Since the imposition of Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir on June 20, 176 people have been arrested for pelting stones, Ahir said in reply to another question.&nbsp

Besides, there were 39 incidents of terrorist violence in which eight security forces personnel were martyred and three civilians lost their lives, he added.

Fourteen terrorists were also killed in these incidents.

The minister also said 213 terrorists, including 86 local terrorists, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir in 2017. In 2016, 150 terrorists, including 33 local militants, were killed in the state.

Appropriate action under the law has been taken against those who were involved in cases of waving ISIS and Pakistani flags in Jammu and Kashmir, the minister said.

At present no terrorist of ISJK is reportedly active in Jammu and Kashmir, said&nbspUnion minister&nbspHansraj Gangaram Ahir in response to a written question. No terrorist of the ISJK, an outfit influenced by ISIS ideology, is active in Jammu and Kashmir and the extent of ISIS presence in the state was till recently limited to waving flags of the global terror group and Pakistan, Ahir said on Wednesday. The minister also said that appropriate action under law has been initiated against those who were involved in cases of waving ISIS and Pakistani flags in Jammu and Kashmir. There were eight such cases in 2015, 31 cases in 2016 and five cases in 2017, the minister was quoted as saying. "Till recently the extent of ISIS presence in Jammu and Kashmir was limited to waving of ISIS and Pakistani flags by some miscreants. However, on June 22, 2018, four terrorists belonging to the ISJK, an outfit influenced by ISIS ideology, were neutralised in Anantnag district. Since the imposition of Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir on June 20, 176 people have been arrested for pelting stones, Ahir said in reply to another question. Besides, there were 39 incidents of terrorist violence in which eight security forces personnel were martyred and three civilians lost their lives, he added. Fourteen terrorists were also killed in these incidents. The minister also said 213 terrorists, including 86 local terrorists, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir in 2017. In 2016, 150 terrorists, including 33 local militants, were killed in the state.

No presence of ISIS in Jammu and Kashmir, only cases of waving of flags

Seven people, including three women, waiting at a bus stop were killed and three others seriously injured when a speeding car mowed them down on Wednesday in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, news agency PTI reported quoting police sources.

The driver of the SUV lost control over it and ploughed into the crowd, the police sources added.

The driver, who was said to be under the influence of alcohol, was caught by the public and later handed over to the police.

The injured have been admitted to a hospital, police said, adding that investigation was underway.&nbsp

A few vehicles and an electric pole were also damaged in the incident

The driver of the SUV lost control over it and ploughed into the crowd

Seven people, including three women, waiting at a bus stop were killed and three others seriously injured when a speeding car mowed them down on Wednesday in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, news agency PTI reported quoting police sources. The driver of the SUV lost control over it and ploughed into the crowd, the police sources added. The driver, who was said to be under the influence of alcohol, was caught by the public and later handed over to the police. The injured have been admitted to a hospital, police said, adding that investigation was underway. A few vehicles and an electric pole were also damaged in the incident

Tamil Nadu: Seven killed as speeding SUV ploughs into crowd

BJP Chief Amit Shah on Wednesday was invited by Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu to continue his comments on the National Register of Citizens (NRC) final draft. Amid opposition-led uproar, Shah was unable to make his comments while Home Minister Rajnath Singh was also not able to speak in the House. The House was adjourned for the day.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Tuesday after Shah's comments led to vociferous protests from the Congress and the TMC.&nbsp;

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/opposition-sees-vote-bank-in-nrc-for-bjp-its-national-security-shah-156191">Shah on Tuesday hit out at the Congress</a> stating that the party did not have the courage to identify illegal immigrants living in Assam.&nbsp;

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Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow after protests by TMC and other opposition members over <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NRCAssam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NRCAssam</a> draft issue <a href="https://t.co/AGknEmUoDa">pic.twitter.com/AGknEmUoDa</a>
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"NRC is being conducted on the SC order. There are 40 lakh people (missing in the list) ... Whom do you want to save? You want to save illegal Bangladeshis," PTI quoted the BJP chief as saying.&nbsp;

Shah added that the National Register of Citizens was similar to the Assam Accord, signed by Rajiv Gandhi and the leaders of the Assam Movement in 1985. The movement — to identify and deport illegal immigrants living in Assam — had been launched in 1979. It culminated in the signing of the Assam Accord.&nbsp;

"This was the Congress PM's initiative. He (Rajiv Gandhi) did not have the courage. We have the courage and we are doing it," PTI quoted Shah as saying.&nbsp;

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Tuesday after Shah's comments led to vociferous protests from the Congress and the TMC.

BJP Chief Amit Shah on Wednesday was invited by Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu to continue his comments on the National Register of Citizens (NRC) final draft. Amid opposition-led uproar, Shah was unable to make his comments while Home Minister Rajnath Singh was also not able to speak in the House. The House was adjourned for the day. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Tuesday after Shah's comments led to vociferous protests from the Congress and the TMC. Shah on Tuesday hit out at the Congress stating that the party did not have the courage to identify illegal immigrants living in Assam. Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow after protests by TMC and other opposition members over #NRCAssam draft issue pic.twitter.com/AGknEmUoDa — ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2018 × "NRC is being conducted on the SC order. There are 40 lakh people (missing in the list) ... Whom do you want to save? You want to save illegal Bangladeshis," PTI quoted the BJP chief as saying. Shah added that the National Register of Citizens was similar to the Assam Accord, signed by Rajiv Gandhi and the leaders of the Assam Movement in 1985. The movement — to identify and deport illegal immigrants living in Assam — had been launched in 1979. It culminated in the signing of the Assam Accord. "This was the Congress PM's initiative. He (Rajiv Gandhi) did not have the courage. We have the courage and we are doing it," PTI quoted Shah as saying.

Rajya Sabha adjourned amid furore; Amit Shah, Rajnath unable to speak on NRC

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Wednesday took to Twitter criticising central government's National Register of Citizens (NRC) move, calling it an attempt to "polarise" India.

"Not guts but greed for power, driving them to polarise India over NRC," Patel tweeted.&nbsp;

Patel further added that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi "championed Assam and Punjab accords".&nbsp;

"Earlier INC sacrificed its government in J&K for peace. Legacy of Congress is to keep nation before party," read his tweet.&nbsp;

The Upper House of Parliament on Wednesday was adjourned till noon without any proceedings owing to disruptions over the NRC issues.&nbsp;

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Not guts but greed for power,driving them to polarise India over NRC 
 
Rajivji championed Assam&Punjab accords knowing it will adversely affect party’s chances in polls.Earlier INC sacrificed its govt in J&K for peace 
Legacy of Congress is to keep nation before party,this is guts
— Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahmedpatel/status/1024514274218192897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asked Amit Shah to conclude his statement from Tuesday on the NRC and later adjourned the House till noon. &nbsp;

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Uproar in Rajya Sabha after RS Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asked Amit Shah to conclude his statement from yesterday on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NRCAssam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NRCAssam</a>. House adjourned till 12 pm <a href="https://t.co/ltWmhVvDhF">pic.twitter.com/ltWmhVvDhF</a>
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"I was very upset yesterday when some members ran menacingly towards the well of the House, I hope it will not be repeated. I don't want to name anybody, the House should function smoothly," Naidu noted.&nbsp;

The Upper House of Parliament on Wednesday was adjourned till noon without any proceedings owing to disruptions over the NRC issues.

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Wednesday took to Twitter criticising central government's National Register of Citizens (NRC) move, calling it an attempt to "polarise" India. "Not guts but greed for power, driving them to polarise India over NRC," Patel tweeted. Patel further added that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi "championed Assam and Punjab accords". "Earlier INC sacrificed its government in J&K for peace. Legacy of Congress is to keep nation before party," read his tweet. The Upper House of Parliament on Wednesday was adjourned till noon without any proceedings owing to disruptions over the NRC issues. Not guts but greed for power,driving them to polarise India over NRC Rajivji championed Assam&Punjab accords knowing it will adversely affect party’s chances in polls.Earlier INC sacrificed its govt in J&K for peace Legacy of Congress is to keep nation before party,this is guts — Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) August 1, 2018 × Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asked Amit Shah to conclude his statement from Tuesday on the NRC and later adjourned the House till noon. Uproar in Rajya Sabha after RS Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asked Amit Shah to conclude his statement from yesterday on #NRCAssam. House adjourned till 12 pm pic.twitter.com/ltWmhVvDhF — ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2018 × "I was very upset yesterday when some members ran menacingly towards the well of the House, I hope it will not be repeated. I don't want to name anybody, the House should function smoothly," Naidu noted.

Greed for power driving them to polarise India over NRC: Ahmed Patel targets Centre 

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday asked opposition parties to make their stand clear on the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants while asserting that National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be implemented in Assam "to the last full stop" as his party stands for national security and Indians' rights.

Dismissing criticism by parties like the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Shah told a press conference that the process for NRC, whose mandate is to identify illegal immigrants, was started in 2005, when the UPA was in power, but the government lacked the courage "to throw out illegal Bangladeshi immigrants".

"It (NRC) will be implemented to the last full stop and comma," he said.

Taking on West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, who has accused the BJP of pursuing a 'divide and rule' policy, Shah alleged that she saw a "vote bank" in illegal immigrants to win in elections while his party was looking at the security of the country and rights of its citizens.

He rejected NRC's criticism on the ground of human rights, saying people who are talking about it should also be concerned about human rights of the people of Assam.

"Do people of Assam have no human rights? NRC has been made to protect human rights of Indian citizens," he said.

No Indian citizen should be concerned and natives of any other state living in Assam would not be meted out any injustice, Shah said, adding, NRC will be implemented firmly and fairly.

The BJP has seized on the issue that resonates with its broader agenda of nationalism and Hindutva to corner opposition parties in the election year, with Shah pitching the party as one standing for rights of Indians as opposed to its rivals who are concerned with the rights of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

"The BJP is committed to the national security and safety of its citizens. This is our top priority. All other parties should clarify their stand," he said, asking them to answer is 'yes or no' on whether they support NRC.

He said the NRC is the soul of the Assam accord which the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had signed and it clearly stipulates that every single illegal immigrant would be identified and his name struck off the voters list.

However, several Congress governments which ruled at the centre and the state lacked the courage to implement it.

The Supreme Court later stepped in and the Modi government started the process, he said, adding that the apex court is monitoring the entire exercise.

"I want to ask the Congress why you are questioning the NRC for vote bank. The Congress started the NRC process in 2005. But you lacked the courage to throw out illegal Bangladeshi immigrants because vote bank was important for you, not national security and rights of citizens," he said.

The Congress should not put vote bank politics should above national interest, he said.&nbsp;

It is a matter of "grave sorrow" that no party apart from the BJP and the BJD found it fit to say that illegal immigrants have no place in this country.

The BJP is not doing politics over it and its stand has been consistent on the issue of whether in power or in opposition, he said.

The Congress has a habit of changing its stand, he alleged and took a dig at its president Rahul Gandhi, asking him to remember his grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi's statements that illegal immigrants have no place in India.

Asked about human rights concerns raised by some parties and rights bodies, he said he is concerned about the rights of India citizens whose resources were being grabbed by illegal immigrants.

He also condemned Banerjee for her warning that there could be civil war and bloodbath, saying the country was divided once in the name of civil war.

"She should clarify what kind of civil war she is talking about," he said.&nbsp;

Asked about a demand of West Bengal BJP leaders for an NRC in the state, Shah said the NRC is presently confined to Assam and the party will take a stand on such issues at an appropriate time.

The BJP has often spoken about the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in West Bengal and hopes that it will become a major political plank in the state, where Shah is aiming to win 22 of its 42 Lok Sabha seats in the next elections. It had won two in 2014.&nbsp;

Shah said he chose to express his views on the NRC through the media after opposition members did not let him speak in the Rajya Sabha, which was adjourned for the day following protests by rival members over his attack on the Congress.

The claim by some parties that it will become an inter-state dispute is an attempt to create confusion, Shah said, condemning such statements.

He said the NRC in its initial inquiry has found that 40 lakh people living in Assam are not Indian citizens but people can file their objections and verifications will be done as per the process laid down by the apex court.&nbsp;

Shah told a press conference that the process for NRC was started in 2005 under the UPA.

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday asked opposition parties to make their stand clear on the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants while asserting that National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be implemented in Assam "to the last full stop" as his party stands for national security and Indians' rights. Dismissing criticism by parties like the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Shah told a press conference that the process for NRC, whose mandate is to identify illegal immigrants, was started in 2005, when the UPA was in power, but the government lacked the courage "to throw out illegal Bangladeshi immigrants". "It (NRC) will be implemented to the last full stop and comma," he said. Taking on West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, who has accused the BJP of pursuing a 'divide and rule' policy, Shah alleged that she saw a "vote bank" in illegal immigrants to win in elections while his party was looking at the security of the country and rights of its citizens. He rejected NRC's criticism on the ground of human rights, saying people who are talking about it should also be concerned about human rights of the people of Assam. "Do people of Assam have no human rights? NRC has been made to protect human rights of Indian citizens," he said. No Indian citizen should be concerned and natives of any other state living in Assam would not be meted out any injustice, Shah said, adding, NRC will be implemented firmly and fairly. The BJP has seized on the issue that resonates with its broader agenda of nationalism and Hindutva to corner opposition parties in the election year, with Shah pitching the party as one standing for rights of Indians as opposed to its rivals who are concerned with the rights of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. "The BJP is committed to the national security and safety of its citizens. This is our top priority. All other parties should clarify their stand," he said, asking them to answer is 'yes or no' on whether they support NRC. He said the NRC is the soul of the Assam accord which the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had signed and it clearly stipulates that every single illegal immigrant would be identified and his name struck off the voters list. However, several Congress governments which ruled at the centre and the state lacked the courage to implement it. The Supreme Court later stepped in and the Modi government started the process, he said, adding that the apex court is monitoring the entire exercise. "I want to ask the Congress why you are questioning the NRC for vote bank. The Congress started the NRC process in 2005. But you lacked the courage to throw out illegal Bangladeshi immigrants because vote bank was important for you, not national security and rights of citizens," he said. The Congress should not put vote bank politics should above national interest, he said. It is a matter of "grave sorrow" that no party apart from the BJP and the BJD found it fit to say that illegal immigrants have no place in this country. The BJP is not doing politics over it and its stand has been consistent on the issue of whether in power or in opposition, he said. The Congress has a habit of changing its stand, he alleged and took a dig at its president Rahul Gandhi, asking him to remember his grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi's statements that illegal immigrants have no place in India. Asked about human rights concerns raised by some parties and rights bodies, he said he is concerned about the rights of India citizens whose resources were being grabbed by illegal immigrants. He also condemned Banerjee for her warning that there could be civil war and bloodbath, saying the country was divided once in the name of civil war. "She should clarify what kind of civil war she is talking about," he said. Asked about a demand of West Bengal BJP leaders for an NRC in the state, Shah said the NRC is presently confined to Assam and the party will take a stand on such issues at an appropriate time. The BJP has often spoken about the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in West Bengal and hopes that it will become a major political plank in the state, where Shah is aiming to win 22 of its 42 Lok Sabha seats in the next elections. It had won two in 2014. Shah said he chose to express his views on the NRC through the media after opposition members did not let him speak in the Rajya Sabha, which was adjourned for the day following protests by rival members over his attack on the Congress. The claim by some parties that it will become an inter-state dispute is an attempt to create confusion, Shah said, condemning such statements. He said the NRC in its initial inquiry has found that 40 lakh people living in Assam are not Indian citizens but people can file their objections and verifications will be done as per the process laid down by the apex court.

Opposition sees vote bank in NRC, for BJP it's national security: Amit Shah

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Wednesday allowed Shashi Tharoor to travel abroad. The senior Congress leader has been directed to furnish a fixed deposit receipt of Rs 2 lakh. The deposit will be refunded to him on his return to the country, ANI reported.&nbsp;

Tharoor was granted bail by a Delhi court on July 7 in the case. He was also directed to furnish a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP was directed not to leave the country without permission.&nbsp;

Delhi Police, on May 14, filed a charge sheet naming Tharoor as an accused under sections 306 (Abetment of suicide) and 498A (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

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Sunanda Pushkar Case: Delhi's Patiala House Court allows Shashi Tharoor to travel abroad, directs him to furnish a fixed deposit receipt (and not Flight Data Recorder as reported earlier. error regretted) of Rs 2 lakh before it, which shall be refunded after his return (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/zNcB7xaRlV">pic.twitter.com/zNcB7xaRlV</a>
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Tharoor dismissed the charge sheet describing it as "preposterous".

Shashi Tharoor's wife, Sunanda Pushkar, was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in Delhi on January 17, 2014.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Tharoor was granted bail by a Delhi court on July 7 in the case.

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Wednesday allowed Shashi Tharoor to travel abroad. The senior Congress leader has been directed to furnish a fixed deposit receipt of Rs 2 lakh. The deposit will be refunded to him on his return to the country, ANI reported. Tharoor was granted bail by a Delhi court on July 7 in the case. He was also directed to furnish a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh. The Thiruvananthapuram MP was directed not to leave the country without permission. Delhi Police, on May 14, filed a charge sheet naming Tharoor as an accused under sections 306 (Abetment of suicide) and 498A (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Sunanda Pushkar Case: Delhi's Patiala House Court allows Shashi Tharoor to travel abroad, directs him to furnish a fixed deposit receipt (and not Flight Data Recorder as reported earlier. error regretted) of Rs 2 lakh before it, which shall be refunded after his return (file pic) pic.twitter.com/zNcB7xaRlV — ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2018 × Tharoor dismissed the charge sheet describing it as "preposterous". Shashi Tharoor's wife, Sunanda Pushkar, was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in Delhi on January 17, 2014.

Sunanda Pushkar case: Delhi's Patiala House Court allows Shashi Tharoor to travel abroad

India's population growth rate is highly overestimated by existing models, say scientists who suggest that accounting for the diversity and differences in the levels of education among people can help arrive at more accurate projections.

Accurate population projections could help India and its workforce catch up to more developed Asian countries with higher GDP per capita, researchers suggest.

"India is an extremely heterogeneous sub-continent. Simply because it is one nation, unlike composite Europe, it should not be treated as a uniform entity," said Wolfgang Lutz, the World Population programme director at International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria.

"The forecasts for India over the coming decades strongly depend on which sources of heterogeneity are explicitly included in the model," said Lutz.

By 2025, India is expected to surpass China as the world's most populous country due to higher fertility rates and a younger population.

However, India's population outlook depends heavily on the degree to which differences between regions within its population, or heterogeneity, are incorporated into population projection models.

To account for the diversity between different areas of India, researchers designed a study that pioneered a five-dimensional model of India's population differences that include rural or urban place of residence, state, age, sex, and level of education.

The model was then used to show the population projection changes within scenarios that combine different levels of these factors.

For example, a much higher population projection results from a model that combines data from individual states as compared to the overall national projection, since states with higher fertility rates eventually add up to a higher national population projection.

If the projection is carried out while only explicitly accounting for age and sex, influential factors like higher education, associated with decreased fertility, are left out.

Thus, a projection based on today's much higher fertility rate of uneducated and rural women predicts a drastically larger population in the future.

Since education level across all of India has increased over time and is associated with a lower fertility rate, the same projection may predict a drastically smaller population when accounting for education and increasing urbanisation.

Combining both effects, the influence of education appears to dominate, resulting in a lower population projection.

Depending on the dimensions considered, when fertility, mortality, education and migration rates are frozen at the 2011 levels, stratification by education, states, or residence can result in population projections that span a huge range from 1.6 to 3.1 billion.

Where these rates change according to plausible model predictions, the population peaks between 1.65 to around 1.8 billion.

The difference between projections shows the critical importance of deciding which demographical measures to include in a projection model, and at what rates of change.&nbsp;

Accurate population projections could help India and its workforce catch up to more developed Asian countries with higher GDP per capita, researchers suggest

India's population growth rate is highly overestimated by existing models, say scientists who suggest that accounting for the diversity and differences in the levels of education among people can help arrive at more accurate projections. Accurate population projections could help India and its workforce catch up to more developed Asian countries with higher GDP per capita, researchers suggest. "India is an extremely heterogeneous sub-continent. Simply because it is one nation, unlike composite Europe, it should not be treated as a uniform entity," said Wolfgang Lutz, the World Population programme director at International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria. "The forecasts for India over the coming decades strongly depend on which sources of heterogeneity are explicitly included in the model," said Lutz. By 2025, India is expected to surpass China as the world's most populous country due to higher fertility rates and a younger population. However, India's population outlook depends heavily on the degree to which differences between regions within its population, or heterogeneity, are incorporated into population projection models. To account for the diversity between different areas of India, researchers designed a study that pioneered a five-dimensional model of India's population differences that include rural or urban place of residence, state, age, sex, and level of education. The model was then used to show the population projection changes within scenarios that combine different levels of these factors. For example, a much higher population projection results from a model that combines data from individual states as compared to the overall national projection, since states with higher fertility rates eventually add up to a higher national population projection. If the projection is carried out while only explicitly accounting for age and sex, influential factors like higher education, associated with decreased fertility, are left out. Thus, a projection based on today's much higher fertility rate of uneducated and rural women predicts a drastically larger population in the future. Since education level across all of India has increased over time and is associated with a lower fertility rate, the same projection may predict a drastically smaller population when accounting for education and increasing urbanisation. Combining both effects, the influence of education appears to dominate, resulting in a lower population projection. Depending on the dimensions considered, when fertility, mortality, education and migration rates are frozen at the 2011 levels, stratification by education, states, or residence can result in population projections that span a huge range from 1.6 to 3.1 billion. Where these rates change according to plausible model predictions, the population peaks between 1.65 to around 1.8 billion. The difference between projections shows the critical importance of deciding which demographical measures to include in a projection model, and at what rates of change.

India's population growth rate highly overestimated: Study

The India-China face-off over Doklam was resolved through "diplomatic maturity without losing any ground" and status quo has been maintained, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said today.

Swaraj told the Lok Sabha that the main objective of the informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Wuhan was to ensure mutual comfort, mutual understanding and mutual trust between the two leaders and all the three objectives have been achieved.

"We have resolved the Doklam issue with diplomatic maturity without losing any ground. There is no change in the status quo (on the ground). There is not an iota of change. The face-off at sight has been resolved on August 28, 2017," she said during Question Hour.

The External Affairs Minister said the Wuhan informal summit was held without any agenda and without having any objections to discuss any specific issue.

Before the summit, the foreign ministers of the two countries decided that the leaders should not be restricted to any specific issue, she said.

"The decision to host Wuhan was taken not to resolve any issue but to create a conducive environment. Three main objectives were to ensure mutual comfort, mutual understanding and mutual trust. In all the three objectives, we have achieved success," she said.

Swaraj said as a follow up to the Wuhan summit, the Chinese Defence Minister is coming to enhance military cooperation while the Foreign Minister will arrive later this year as part of efforts to enhance the people-to-people contact.

The first informal summit between Modi and Jinping was held at the Chinese city of Wuhan on April 27-28.

India and China were locked in a face-off in the Doklam area of the Sikkim sector for over 50 days after Indian troops stopped the Chinese Army from building a road in the area.

China claimed it was constructing the road within their territory which India had objected saying the territory does not belong to China.

To another query, Swaraj also made it clear that the boundary dispute between Bhutan and China was continuing and it was a matter between those two countries.

"Our concern was related only to the tri-junction area (India-Bhutan-China)," she said.

Trinamool Congress member Sugata Bose said that since the external affairs minister was not present in Wuhan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House, he should make an intervention and disclose what had happened in his informal summit with the Chinese leader.

Swaraj dismissed the suggestion, saying she was capable of answering all questions relating to the Wuhan summit as she was fully abreast of it.

"I am capable to answer all the questions, irrespective of whether I was present there or not. I am fully aware of what was happening there," she said.

Replying to a question regarding the South-China sea dispute, Swaraj said India believed that the international sea route should be free for navigation.

"There should be freedom of navigation. Our stand on the South China Sea is clear that there should be freedom of navigation and all international laws should be adhered to," she said.

Regarding the Wuhan summit, Swaraj said as an innovative format for leadership-level diplomatic engagement, it enabled the two leaders to hold a direct, free and candid exchange of views on issues of over-arching, long-term and strategic significance, without the constraints of protocol and pre-agenda.

She said it was not meant to discuss specific topics but to strengthen mutual trust and understanding between the two leaders in order to forge a common understanding on the future direction of India-China relations and to create the appropriate conditions for the two sides to deal with their differences constructively.

President Jinping has accepted the Prime Minister's invitation for visiting India for the second informal summit at a mutually convenient time in 2019, Swaraj said.

'The face-off at sight has been resolved on August 28, 2017,' Swaraj said during Question Hour.

The India-China face-off over Doklam was resolved through "diplomatic maturity without losing any ground" and status quo has been maintained, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said today. Swaraj told the Lok Sabha that the main objective of the informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Wuhan was to ensure mutual comfort, mutual understanding and mutual trust between the two leaders and all the three objectives have been achieved. "We have resolved the Doklam issue with diplomatic maturity without losing any ground. There is no change in the status quo (on the ground). There is not an iota of change. The face-off at sight has been resolved on August 28, 2017," she said during Question Hour. The External Affairs Minister said the Wuhan informal summit was held without any agenda and without having any objections to discuss any specific issue. Before the summit, the foreign ministers of the two countries decided that the leaders should not be restricted to any specific issue, she said. "The decision to host Wuhan was taken not to resolve any issue but to create a conducive environment. Three main objectives were to ensure mutual comfort, mutual understanding and mutual trust. In all the three objectives, we have achieved success," she said. Swaraj said as a follow up to the Wuhan summit, the Chinese Defence Minister is coming to enhance military cooperation while the Foreign Minister will arrive later this year as part of efforts to enhance the people-to-people contact. The first informal summit between Modi and Jinping was held at the Chinese city of Wuhan on April 27-28. India and China were locked in a face-off in the Doklam area of the Sikkim sector for over 50 days after Indian troops stopped the Chinese Army from building a road in the area. China claimed it was constructing the road within their territory which India had objected saying the territory does not belong to China. To another query, Swaraj also made it clear that the boundary dispute between Bhutan and China was continuing and it was a matter between those two countries. "Our concern was related only to the tri-junction area (India-Bhutan-China)," she said. Trinamool Congress member Sugata Bose said that since the external affairs minister was not present in Wuhan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House, he should make an intervention and disclose what had happened in his informal summit with the Chinese leader. Swaraj dismissed the suggestion, saying she was capable of answering all questions relating to the Wuhan summit as she was fully abreast of it. "I am capable to answer all the questions, irrespective of whether I was present there or not. I am fully aware of what was happening there," she said. Replying to a question regarding the South-China sea dispute, Swaraj said India believed that the international sea route should be free for navigation. "There should be freedom of navigation. Our stand on the South China Sea is clear that there should be freedom of navigation and all international laws should be adhered to," she said. Regarding the Wuhan summit, Swaraj said as an innovative format for leadership-level diplomatic engagement, it enabled the two leaders to hold a direct, free and candid exchange of views on issues of over-arching, long-term and strategic significance, without the constraints of protocol and pre-agenda. She said it was not meant to discuss specific topics but to strengthen mutual trust and understanding between the two leaders in order to forge a common understanding on the future direction of India-China relations and to create the appropriate conditions for the two sides to deal with their differences constructively. President Jinping has accepted the Prime Minister's invitation for visiting India for the second informal summit at a mutually convenient time in 2019, Swaraj said.

Doklam dispute resolved through 'diplomatic maturity': Sushma Swaraj in Lok Sabha

At least eight people were arrested with arms and ammunition from Jharkhand's Kulburu and Khunti district in a joint operation by state police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Wednesday.

The troupe of 94 battalions CRPF has recovered one Carbine (country made) along with one magazine and five rounds of bullets as well as one country made double bore gun along with two live rounds of bullets.

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8 people arrested from Kulburu & Khunti in a joint operation by Jharkhand police & Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Arms & ammunition recovered. More details awaited. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jharkhand?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jharkhand</a>
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All suspects were apprehended in the early hours of this morning and they have been handed over to the police for further investigation. The search operation is still on in concerned districts.

Further details in this matter are awaited.

The troupe of 94 battalions CRPF has recovered one Carbine (country made) along with one magazine and five rounds of bullets.

At least eight people were arrested with arms and ammunition from Jharkhand's Kulburu and Khunti district in a joint operation by state police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Wednesday. The troupe of 94 battalions CRPF has recovered one Carbine (country made) along with one magazine and five rounds of bullets as well as one country made double bore gun along with two live rounds of bullets. 8 people arrested from Kulburu & Khunti in a joint operation by Jharkhand police & Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Arms & ammunition recovered. More details awaited. #Jharkhand — ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2018 × All suspects were apprehended in the early hours of this morning and they have been handed over to the police for further investigation. The search operation is still on in concerned districts. Further details in this matter are awaited.

Jharkhand: 8 arrested with arms, ammunition

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said there would be a collective leadership of the opposition front to take on the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, indicating that the proposed coalition may not name a prime ministerial candidate ahead of the polls.

Banerjee will meet Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and other prominent opposition leaders today to personally invite them for her rally on January 19 in Kolkata aimed at showcasing opposition unity. NCP chief Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule met the Trinamool chief this evening.&nbsp;

"There will be a collective leadership to take on BJP in the coming Lok Sabha polls in 2019. I will meet all the opposition leaders and invite them for the rally. I will also meet Congress leader Sonia Gandhi," Banerjee told reporters.

The Trinamool Congress leader was asked whether she could be the prime ministerial candidate for the proposed anti-BJP front. Banerjee is considered a strong contender and the January 19 rally is also seen as an opportunity to consolidate her position within the opposition fold.&nbsp;

The Congress had earlier given indications that it is not averse to accepting a nominee for the top post from any other party who does not have the backing of the RSS.&nbsp;

The BJP has ridiculed the proposed opposition alliance, saying it may not materialise at all as leaders of its various constituents harbour prime ministerial aspirations.

While addressing a conclave organised by Catholic Bishops Conference in Delhi, the West Bengal chief minister cautioned the BJP and said that politics of intolerance would not be tolerated in the country.

This is not Indian politics as Indian politics is about tolerance, she said.

Banerjee said that the country needs a change and it would happen in 2019.

"BJP can do the politics of dividing the people into states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh. But they can never do it in West Bengal. Because we are there. They also can not do it in states like Andhra Pradesh or

Karnataka as leaders like Chandrababu Naidu and HD Kumaraswamy are there," she asserted.

Asserting that she would never allow a "divided motherland", Banerjee said the BJP should remember that "they (BJP) were not there a few years back" and claimed, "they will not be in the coming year too".&nbsp;

Banerjee, however, praised Union ministers Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh stating that these leaders are "good", and added, "others are not".

"Potato and potato chips are not same," Banerjee quipped.

Lashing out at the BJP, she claimed that the while the saffron party is trying to attack the Dalits, minorities and tribals, her politics is about taking them along.

Later Banerjee went to meet former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, Ram Jethmalani and disgruntled BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, who have been vocal critics of the Modi government, to invite them for her rally.

"I invited them to participate in the rally in Kolkata. The people who fight against the ruling party win," she said after meeting the leaders at Jethmalani's residence.&nbsp;

"I am not so liberal and cannot forgive the people behind lynching and violent attacks," she said.

Former Union minister Arun Shourie, who had met Banerjee earlier, is expected to meet the TMC chief in Kolkata as he is out of Delhi at the moment.&nbsp;

Banerjee, will meet Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and other prominent opposition leaders today to personally invite them for her rally.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said there would be a collective leadership of the opposition front to take on the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, indicating that the proposed coalition may not name a prime ministerial candidate ahead of the polls. Banerjee will meet Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and other prominent opposition leaders today to personally invite them for her rally on January 19 in Kolkata aimed at showcasing opposition unity. NCP chief Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule met the Trinamool chief this evening. "There will be a collective leadership to take on BJP in the coming Lok Sabha polls in 2019. I will meet all the opposition leaders and invite them for the rally. I will also meet Congress leader Sonia Gandhi," Banerjee told reporters. The Trinamool Congress leader was asked whether she could be the prime ministerial candidate for the proposed anti-BJP front. Banerjee is considered a strong contender and the January 19 rally is also seen as an opportunity to consolidate her position within the opposition fold. The Congress had earlier given indications that it is not averse to accepting a nominee for the top post from any other party who does not have the backing of the RSS. The BJP has ridiculed the proposed opposition alliance, saying it may not materialise at all as leaders of its various constituents harbour prime ministerial aspirations. While addressing a conclave organised by Catholic Bishops Conference in Delhi, the West Bengal chief minister cautioned the BJP and said that politics of intolerance would not be tolerated in the country. This is not Indian politics as Indian politics is about tolerance, she said. Banerjee said that the country needs a change and it would happen in 2019. "BJP can do the politics of dividing the people into states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh. But they can never do it in West Bengal. Because we are there. They also can not do it in states like Andhra Pradesh or Karnataka as leaders like Chandrababu Naidu and HD Kumaraswamy are there," she asserted. Asserting that she would never allow a "divided motherland", Banerjee said the BJP should remember that "they (BJP) were not there a few years back" and claimed, "they will not be in the coming year too". Banerjee, however, praised Union ministers Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh stating that these leaders are "good", and added, "others are not". "Potato and potato chips are not same," Banerjee quipped. Lashing out at the BJP, she claimed that the while the saffron party is trying to attack the Dalits, minorities and tribals, her politics is about taking them along. Later Banerjee went to meet former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, Ram Jethmalani and disgruntled BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, who have been vocal critics of the Modi government, to invite them for her rally. "I invited them to participate in the rally in Kolkata. The people who fight against the ruling party win," she said after meeting the leaders at Jethmalani's residence. "I am not so liberal and cannot forgive the people behind lynching and violent attacks," she said. Former Union minister Arun Shourie, who had met Banerjee earlier, is expected to meet the TMC chief in Kolkata as he is out of Delhi at the moment.

Collective leadership would take on BJP in Lok Sabha polls: Mamata

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on late Tuesday night rescued 39 girls from a hotel in Paharganj. The girls are reported to have been trafficked from Nepal.

The DCW had rescued 16 girls from Delhi's Munirka on July 25.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh's crime branch on Monday rescued 18 women from Delhi's Maidan Garhi, 16 hailed from Nepal.&nbsp;

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Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) rescued 39 girls from a hotel in Paharganj late last night. These girls were trafficked from Nepal. The DCW had earlier rescued 16 girls from Munirka area on July 25. <a href="https://t.co/J06iOOCirl">pic.twitter.com/J06iOOCirl</a>
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The women are suspected to have been brought to Delhi with a promise of employment but were being trafficked to the Middle-East instead. Some 68 Indian and Nepali passports were also recovered at the site.

Police officials said the gang had been operating in various parts of the country including Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur and parts of Uttar Pradesh for around to five years.

It is suspected that as many as 1000 girls may have already been trafficked to the Middle-East by the gang.

The DCW had rescued 16 girls from Delhi's Munirka on July 25.

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on late Tuesday night rescued 39 girls from a hotel in Paharganj. The girls are reported to have been trafficked from Nepal. The DCW had rescued 16 girls from Delhi's Munirka on July 25. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh's crime branch on Monday rescued 18 women from Delhi's Maidan Garhi, 16 hailed from Nepal. Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) rescued 39 girls from a hotel in Paharganj late last night. These girls were trafficked from Nepal. The DCW had earlier rescued 16 girls from Munirka area on July 25. pic.twitter.com/J06iOOCirl — ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2018 × The women are suspected to have been brought to Delhi with a promise of employment but were being trafficked to the Middle-East instead. Some 68 Indian and Nepali passports were also recovered at the site. Police officials said the gang had been operating in various parts of the country including Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur and parts of Uttar Pradesh for around to five years. It is suspected that as many as 1000 girls may have already been trafficked to the Middle-East by the gang.

Delhi: Human trafficking gang busted in Paharganj, 39 Nepali girls rescued 

As the row over National Register of Citizens(NRC) <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/greed-for-power-driving-them-to-polarise-india-over-nrc-ahmed-patel-targets-centre-156185">in Assam reached Parliament this week</a>, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said West Bengal chief minister&nbsp;Mamata Banerjee's "civil war" remark was condemnable.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/nrc-row-i-have-become-unknown-in-my-own-country-says-resident-156137">Also Read: NRC row: 'I have become unknown in my own country,' says </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/nrc-row-i-have-become-unknown-in-my-own-country-says-resident-156137">resident</a>

As the Assam government released the NRC on Tuesday, controversy erupted after 40 lakh people were excluded from the list.

After the NRC was published, CM Mamata Banerjee had said that it was done with "political motive" asserting that the BJP was trying to divide the country and that it would not be tolerated.

"The NRC is being done with a political motive. We will not let this happen. They (BJP) are trying to divide the people. The situation cannot be tolerated. There will be a civil war, bloodbath in the country," the West Bengal chief minister had said.

"It is the duty of the chief minister to maintain law and order in the state & not incite violence," the minister said, adding,"her remark on civil war is condemnable."

Banerjee met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh later on Tuesday, the CM said she had asked the home minister to either amend the NRC bill or introduce a new bill, informing that Rajnath Singh had assured her the government would not "harass people".&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon as Congress members created an uproar, insisting on removal from House records certain remarks made by BJP MP Amit Shah in connection with the NRC.

"It will have no impact on Assam as it is absolutely peaceful there, Ripun Bora said. Ahmed Patel, Sonia Gandhi's longtime political aide blamed the BJP for "polarisation" over NRC.

"Rajivji championed Assam and Punjab accords knowing it'll adversely affect party’s chances in polls," Patel said, adding,"Earlier INC sacrificed its government in J&K for peace, legacy of Congress is to keep nation before party, this is guts."

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RmmYMf_FLZg" width="560"></iframe>

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon as Congress members created an uproar over NRC

As the row over National Register of Citizens(NRC) in Assam reached Parliament this week, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's "civil war" remark was condemnable. Also Read: NRC row: 'I have become unknown in my own country,' says resident As the Assam government released the NRC on Tuesday, controversy erupted after 40 lakh people were excluded from the list. After the NRC was published, CM Mamata Banerjee had said that it was done with "political motive" asserting that the BJP was trying to divide the country and that it would not be tolerated. "The NRC is being done with a political motive. We will not let this happen. They (BJP) are trying to divide the people. The situation cannot be tolerated. There will be a civil war, bloodbath in the country," the West Bengal chief minister had said. "It is the duty of the chief minister to maintain law and order in the state & not incite violence," the minister said, adding,"her remark on civil war is condemnable." Banerjee met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh later on Tuesday, the CM said she had asked the home minister to either amend the NRC bill or introduce a new bill, informing that Rajnath Singh had assured her the government would not "harass people". Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon as Congress members created an uproar, insisting on removal from House records certain remarks made by BJP MP Amit Shah in connection with the NRC. "It will have no impact on Assam as it is absolutely peaceful there, Ripun Bora said. Ahmed Patel, Sonia Gandhi's longtime political aide blamed the BJP for "polarisation" over NRC. "Rajivji championed Assam and Punjab accords knowing it'll adversely affect party’s chances in polls," Patel said, adding,"Earlier INC sacrificed its government in J&K for peace, legacy of Congress is to keep nation before party, this is guts."

Duty of chief minister to maintain law and order, Mamata's remark on NRC condemnable: Kiren Rijiju

As rains continue to lash parts of North India and Yamuna river level rises undeterred, 14 more people were killed in rain-related incidents across Uttar Pradesh.

The total death toll in the state now rests at 108 owing to rain-related incidents which recently injured 7 more people, PTI reported. &nbsp;

"The toll since the last week in such incidents has reached 106 while the total number of those injured is over 100," officials stated.

According to reports, two people were killed each in Farukhabad and Bahraich while one each in Kheri, Raebareli, Lucknow, Kanpur Dehat, Barabanki, Sitapur and Sultanpur.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed senior district officials to alert people and has asked them to undertake extensive tours of the affected areas and carry out evacuations.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/yamuna-overflow-water-levels-expected-to-rise-in-delhincr-inching-towards-danger-mark-in-mathura-156126">Yamuna river, on Tuesday, rose to 206.05 meters in Delhi/NCR</a>, leading to around 14,000 evacuations.

"The level of Yamuna maintained at 206.05 meters for seven hours (till 8 pm). The rise was contributed by hourly discharge from Hathani Kund Barrage," Delhi government's flood control room said.

The river was flowing at 206.04 metres on Tuesday noon with the danger mark being 204.83 metres, officials said.

Yamuna river's water level is inching towards the danger mark in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district, an official said today.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Yamuna river, on Tuesday, rose to 206.05 meters in Delhi/NCR, leading to around 14,000 evacuations.

As rains continue to lash parts of North India and Yamuna river level rises undeterred, 14 more people were killed in rain-related incidents across Uttar Pradesh. The total death toll in the state now rests at 108 owing to rain-related incidents which recently injured 7 more people, PTI reported. "The toll since the last week in such incidents has reached 106 while the total number of those injured is over 100," officials stated. According to reports, two people were killed each in Farukhabad and Bahraich while one each in Kheri, Raebareli, Lucknow, Kanpur Dehat, Barabanki, Sitapur and Sultanpur. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed senior district officials to alert people and has asked them to undertake extensive tours of the affected areas and carry out evacuations. Meanwhile, Yamuna river, on Tuesday, rose to 206.05 meters in Delhi/NCR, leading to around 14,000 evacuations. "The level of Yamuna maintained at 206.05 meters for seven hours (till 8 pm). The rise was contributed by hourly discharge from Hathani Kund Barrage," Delhi government's flood control room said. The river was flowing at 206.04 metres on Tuesday noon with the danger mark being 204.83 metres, officials said. Yamuna river's water level is inching towards the danger mark in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district, an official said today. (With inputs from PTI)

Uttar Pradesh rains: 14 more deaths, 7 injured; death toll mounts to 106

The West Bengal Assembly passed today a motion against the final draft of the National Register of Citizens in Assam and adopted a unanimous proposal condemning it.

The motion was moved under the Rule 185 by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee.

"We have to stage a protest together irrespective of our political colour. The NRC is nothing but a game plan for vote bank politics," Chatterjee said.

He claimed several well-known people have expressed their wish to visit Assam in this connection.

The leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan (Congress) questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue and said that if needed political parties might visit the national capital to stage protest against the NRC in Assam.

Senior CPI(M) leader and Left Front legislature party leader Sujan Chakraborty expressed his concern and described the entire exercise as anti-human.

The BJP's three MLAs were not present in the House during the discussion on the motion.

Mannan and Chakraborty had yesterday demanded that a motion is brought in the Assembly to discuss the issue.

Registrar General of India Sailesh had announced in Guwahati yesterday that 2,89,83,677 people were found to be eligible for inclusion in the final draft of the NRC out of a total 3,29,91,384 applicants and around 40.07 lakh of them did not find a place in the document.

The fate of these about 40 lakh people remains in limbo with the Centre declining to comment on their citizenship status.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today warned that exclusion of 4 million people from National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam could lead to "bloodbath" and a "civil war" in the country.

She also asked Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to clarify whether the Centre intends to carry out an exercise similar to NRC-Assam in her state.

Banerjee had hit out at the Centre yesterday accusing it of resorting to "vote bank politics".&nbsp;

"This divide and rule policy will finish the country," she told a press conference in Kolkata and alleged it was a "game plan" to isolate and "throw out of the state" Bengali speaking people and Biharis.

Banerjee also claimed that names of people who have passports, Aadhaar and voter cards have also been excluded from the final draft.

Assam, which has witnessed an influx of people from neighbouring Bangladesh since the early 20th century, is the only state to have the NRC, which was first prepared in 1951.

The current NRC is being updated with March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date to include names of genuine Indian citizens.

The motion was moved under the Rule 185 by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee.

The West Bengal Assembly passed today a motion against the final draft of the National Register of Citizens in Assam and adopted a unanimous proposal condemning it. The motion was moved under the Rule 185 by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee. "We have to stage a protest together irrespective of our political colour. The NRC is nothing but a game plan for vote bank politics," Chatterjee said. He claimed several well-known people have expressed their wish to visit Assam in this connection. The leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan (Congress) questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue and said that if needed political parties might visit the national capital to stage protest against the NRC in Assam. Senior CPI(M) leader and Left Front legislature party leader Sujan Chakraborty expressed his concern and described the entire exercise as anti-human. The BJP's three MLAs were not present in the House during the discussion on the motion. Mannan and Chakraborty had yesterday demanded that a motion is brought in the Assembly to discuss the issue. Registrar General of India Sailesh had announced in Guwahati yesterday that 2,89,83,677 people were found to be eligible for inclusion in the final draft of the NRC out of a total 3,29,91,384 applicants and around 40.07 lakh of them did not find a place in the document. The fate of these about 40 lakh people remains in limbo with the Centre declining to comment on their citizenship status. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today warned that exclusion of 4 million people from National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam could lead to "bloodbath" and a "civil war" in the country. She also asked Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to clarify whether the Centre intends to carry out an exercise similar to NRC-Assam in her state. Banerjee had hit out at the Centre yesterday accusing it of resorting to "vote bank politics". "This divide and rule policy will finish the country," she told a press conference in Kolkata and alleged it was a "game plan" to isolate and "throw out of the state" Bengali speaking people and Biharis. Banerjee also claimed that names of people who have passports, Aadhaar and voter cards have also been excluded from the final draft. Assam, which has witnessed an influx of people from neighbouring Bangladesh since the early 20th century, is the only state to have the NRC, which was first prepared in 1951. The current NRC is being updated with March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date to include names of genuine Indian citizens.

West Bengal assembly passes motion against NRC final draft

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday suggested the use of ballot papers in India instead of EVMs, like Pakistan.&nbsp;

While addressing the media, Gandhi said that if Pakistan can use ballot papers then India should consider doing so as well as it could save a lot of electricity which gets wasted to&nbsp;keep the machines operational for hours.&nbsp;

Earlier this year as well, the Congress asserted that the Election Commission should go back to using ballot in order to ensure credibility to the election process.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi-led grand old party had said that the voting and counting process must remain transparent to retain people's faith in the integrity of the electoral system.

His comments come as voting for Pakistan general elections are underway. A <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-elections-at-least-25-killed-in-blast-near-polling-booth-in-quetta-154380">powerful blast</a> ripped through an area in Quetta close to a booth as polling was underway on Wednesday morning, killing 32 and injuring at least 40.&nbsp;

In another incident, there were reports of a cracker being thrown at Bhuttos' Pakistan Peoples Party(PPP) facilitation camp near Shah Muhammad Primary School in Larkana. According to preliminary information, four people have been injured.

As many as 12,570 candidates will be contesting for a total 849 seats of national and provincial assemblies in the general election scheduled for July 25.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-pakistan-general-election-2018--pakistan-all-set-to-vote-today-amid-high-security-and-allegations-of-army-meddling-154268">Read the live updates on the Pakistan elections here&nbsp;</a>

His comments come as voting for Pakistan general elections are underway.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday suggested the use of ballot papers in India instead of EVMs, like Pakistan. While addressing the media, Gandhi said that if Pakistan can use ballot papers then India should consider doing so as well as it could save a lot of electricity which gets wasted to keep the machines operational for hours. Earlier this year as well, the Congress asserted that the Election Commission should go back to using ballot in order to ensure credibility to the election process. Rahul Gandhi-led grand old party had said that the voting and counting process must remain transparent to retain people's faith in the integrity of the electoral system. His comments come as voting for Pakistan general elections are underway. A powerful blast ripped through an area in Quetta close to a booth as polling was underway on Wednesday morning, killing 32 and injuring at least 40. In another incident, there were reports of a cracker being thrown at Bhuttos' Pakistan Peoples Party(PPP) facilitation camp near Shah Muhammad Primary School in Larkana. According to preliminary information, four people have been injured. As many as 12,570 candidates will be contesting for a total 849 seats of national and provincial assemblies in the general election scheduled for July 25. Read the live updates on the Pakistan elections here

India should also use ballot papers like Pakistan, save electricity: Rahul Gandhi

Nirav Modi's Firestar Diamonds International and Mehul Choksi's Gitanjali Gems withdrew their pleas from Delhi High Court today. The pleas were filed against the Enforcement Directorate's proceedings on Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.

On July 26, the special &nbspPrevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court in Mumbai issued summons against diamond jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi. Both have been asked to appear before the court on September 26 and 27.

The move came after Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the multi-crore PNB scam, was reported to have moved to Antigua from the United States. Choksi was also reported having an Antiguan passport.&nbsp

Choksi reportedly claimed he had taken Antigua citizenship last year to expand his business as the passport of the Caribbean nation provides visa-free travel to 132 countries.

Meanwhile, it was reported that India requested authorities in Antigua and Barbuda to detain PNB scam fugitive Mehul Choksi after it received information about his presence in the Caribbean island, government sources said today.

"As soon as MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) received information of the likely presence of Mehul Choksi in Antigua, our High Commission in Georgetown had alerted the A&B (Antigua and Barbuda) government, in writing and verbally, to confirm his presence in their territory and detain him and prevent his movement by land, air or sea," a government source said.

Nirav Modi and Choksi are being investigated by the ED and the CBI after it was detected that they allegedly cheated the Punjab National Bank of more than Rs 13,400 crore with the purported involvement of a few of its employees.

The scam, which reportedly began in 2011, was detected in January this year, after which PNB officials reported it to the probe agencies.

The move came after Mehul Choksi was reported to have moved to Antigua from the United States.

Nirav Modi's Firestar Diamonds International and Mehul Choksi's Gitanjali Gems withdrew their pleas from Delhi High Court today. The pleas were filed against the Enforcement Directorate's proceedings on Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. On July 26, the special &nbspPrevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court in Mumbai issued summons against diamond jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi. Both have been asked to appear before the court on September 26 and 27. The move came after Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the multi-crore PNB scam, was reported to have moved to Antigua from the United States. Choksi was also reported having an Antiguan passport. Choksi reportedly claimed he had taken Antigua citizenship last year to expand his business as the passport of the Caribbean nation provides visa-free travel to 132 countries. Meanwhile, it was reported that India requested authorities in Antigua and Barbuda to detain PNB scam fugitive Mehul Choksi after it received information about his presence in the Caribbean island, government sources said today. "As soon as MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) received information of the likely presence of Mehul Choksi in Antigua, our High Commission in Georgetown had alerted the A&B (Antigua and Barbuda) government, in writing and verbally, to confirm his presence in their territory and detain him and prevent his movement by land, air or sea," a government source said. Nirav Modi and Choksi are being investigated by the ED and the CBI after it was detected that they allegedly cheated the Punjab National Bank of more than Rs 13,400 crore with the purported involvement of a few of its employees. The scam, which reportedly began in 2011, was detected in January this year, after which PNB officials reported it to the probe agencies.

Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi's firms withdraw pleas against ED's proceedings 

The Opposition TMC today forced adjournment of proceedings in the Rajya Sabha till noon over the issue of non-inclusion of over 40 lakh people in Assam's National Register of Citizens.

Amid the uproar, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu told members that Home Minister Rajnath Singh will come to the House after attending to his duties in the Lok Sabha and reply to the "sensitive and serious matter".

TMC leader Derek O'Brien wanted his notice under Rule 267, which calls for setting aside of the day's business to take up issue pressed, to be taken up.

TMC members, who had yesterday led the protests that saw Rajya Sabha proceedings being adjourned without transacting any business, vociferously protested from the aisles.

As other members joined in, Naidu adjourned proceedings till noon

Before doing so Naidu pointed out that the home minister had on his request come to the House yesterday but could not make a statement.

Maintaining that the issue at hand had a historical background as it was rooted in the Assam Accord, he said today he has asked the home minister to come to the House.

The home minister, he said, has agreed to do so once he finishes replying to questions in the Lok Sabha.

The leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad asked if members would be given an opportunity to seek clarification after the home minister makes his statement. 
Naidu replied in the affirmative.

Out of the 3.29 crore applicants, 2.89 crores have been found eligible for inclusion in the complete draft of NRC, that was released in Guwahati yesterday. This meant that the names of 40.07 lakh have been left out.

Amid the uproar, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu told members that Home Minister Rajnath Singh will come to the House after attending to his duties in the Lok Sabha.

The Opposition TMC today forced adjournment of proceedings in the Rajya Sabha till noon over the issue of non-inclusion of over 40 lakh people in Assam's National Register of Citizens. Amid the uproar, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu told members that Home Minister Rajnath Singh will come to the House after attending to his duties in the Lok Sabha and reply to the "sensitive and serious matter". TMC leader Derek O'Brien wanted his notice under Rule 267, which calls for setting aside of the day's business to take up issue pressed, to be taken up. TMC members, who had yesterday led the protests that saw Rajya Sabha proceedings being adjourned without transacting any business, vociferously protested from the aisles. As other members joined in, Naidu adjourned proceedings till noon Before doing so Naidu pointed out that the home minister had on his request come to the House yesterday but could not make a statement. Maintaining that the issue at hand had a historical background as it was rooted in the Assam Accord, he said today he has asked the home minister to come to the House. The home minister, he said, has agreed to do so once he finishes replying to questions in the Lok Sabha. The leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad asked if members would be given an opportunity to seek clarification after the home minister makes his statement. Naidu replied in the affirmative. Out of the 3.29 crore applicants, 2.89 crores have been found eligible for inclusion in the complete draft of NRC, that was released in Guwahati yesterday. This meant that the names of 40.07 lakh have been left out.

TMC creates uproar in Rajya Sabha, House adjourned till noon over NRC issue

Four men narrowly escaped from floods after climbing out of their car in the nick of time as heavy water currents swept away the cars and the auto rickshaw.

Haldwani: Cars, auto get swept away in floods

Congress President Rahul will travel to Chennai today to meet ailing DMK chief M Karunanidhi.

Karunanidhi's son and DMK working President MK Stalin on Monday informed that his father's condition is now stable. The same was stated in the medical bulletin released by the hospital authorities on Sunday.

M Karunanidhi was rushed to hospital from Gopalapuram residence in Chennai around 1:30 AM on Saturday following a sudden drop in blood pressure. The DMK Chief was admitted to Kauvery hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU).&nbsp;

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Congress President Rahul Gandhi to travel to Chennai today to meet DMK chief M Karunanidhi who is admitted to Kauvery Hospital. (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/O8LBm6BEPi">pic.twitter.com/O8LBm6BEPi</a>
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The nonagenarian leader was suffering from fever and infection for the past few days and was being treated round-the-clock by a team of hospitals and nursing professionals at his house. &nbsp;

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He continues to be under keen observation of the doctors. M Karunanidhi's condition is stable as stated in yesterday's medical bulletin: DMK working President MK Stalin <a href="https://t.co/A6R45fc006">pic.twitter.com/A6R45fc006</a>
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Hundreds of DMK supporters have thronged outside Kauvery Hospital to pray for the wellbeing and speedy recovery of Tamil Nadu's 'Kalaignar' Karunanidhi.&nbsp;

Karunanidhi's son and DMK working President MK Stalin on Monday informed that his father's condition is now stable.

Congress President Rahul will travel to Chennai today to meet ailing DMK chief M Karunanidhi. Karunanidhi's son and DMK working President MK Stalin on Monday informed that his father's condition is now stable. The same was stated in the medical bulletin released by the hospital authorities on Sunday. M Karunanidhi was rushed to hospital from Gopalapuram residence in Chennai around 1:30 AM on Saturday following a sudden drop in blood pressure. The DMK Chief was admitted to Kauvery hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Congress President Rahul Gandhi to travel to Chennai today to meet DMK chief M Karunanidhi who is admitted to Kauvery Hospital. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/O8LBm6BEPi — ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2018 × The nonagenarian leader was suffering from fever and infection for the past few days and was being treated round-the-clock by a team of hospitals and nursing professionals at his house. He continues to be under keen observation of the doctors. M Karunanidhi's condition is stable as stated in yesterday's medical bulletin: DMK working President MK Stalin pic.twitter.com/A6R45fc006 — ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2018 × Hundreds of DMK supporters have thronged outside Kauvery Hospital to pray for the wellbeing and speedy recovery of Tamil Nadu's 'Kalaignar' Karunanidhi.

Rahul Gandhi to visit ailing Karunanidhi at Kauvery Hospital today

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