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Security forces today killed at least eight naxals, including four women, in a fierce encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, a senior police official said.

A cache of firearms, including two Insas rifles, was recovered from the encounter site.

The gunbattle took place around 6 am in a forest area near Timinar and Pusnar villages along the boundary of Bijapur and Dantewada districts, Deputy Inspector General of Police (anti-naxal operations) Sundarraj P told PTI.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the District Reserve Guard and the Special Task Force launched the operation from Dantewada yesterday in the forest area, he said.

While the security men were cordoning off the forest areas in Timinar and Pusnar villages in Bijapur, around 450 km from the state capital Raipur, an exchange of fire broke out between the two sides today, he said.

The gunbattle lasted for about two hours, following which naxals fled into the core forest area, the DIG said.

"After guns fell silent, bodies of seven naxals, including three women, were initially recovered from the spot," he said.

Later, one more body of a woman naxal was found, he said.

Two Insas rifles, two .303 rifles, a 12 bore gun and a few muzzle loading guns were also recovered, the DIG said.

More details would be known when security forces return to their camp, he added.&nbsp;

A cache of firearms, including two Insas rifles, was recovered from the encounter site.

Security forces today killed at least eight naxals, including four women, in a fierce encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, a senior police official said. A cache of firearms, including two Insas rifles, was recovered from the encounter site. The gunbattle took place around 6 am in a forest area near Timinar and Pusnar villages along the boundary of Bijapur and Dantewada districts, Deputy Inspector General of Police (anti-naxal operations) Sundarraj P told PTI. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the District Reserve Guard and the Special Task Force launched the operation from Dantewada yesterday in the forest area, he said. While the security men were cordoning off the forest areas in Timinar and Pusnar villages in Bijapur, around 450 km from the state capital Raipur, an exchange of fire broke out between the two sides today, he said. The gunbattle lasted for about two hours, following which naxals fled into the core forest area, the DIG said. "After guns fell silent, bodies of seven naxals, including three women, were initially recovered from the spot," he said. Later, one more body of a woman naxal was found, he said. Two Insas rifles, two .303 rifles, a 12 bore gun and a few muzzle loading guns were also recovered, the DIG said. More details would be known when security forces return to their camp, he added.

Chhattisgarh: 8 naxals killed in encounter with security forces, say police

The Delhi high court on Thursday directed the Jawaharlal Nehru University not to take any coercive steps till tomorrow against its student Umar Khalid, who was rusticated and slapped with a fine of Rs 20,000 in connection with a 2016 incident of alleged anti-India slogans being raised at an event.

Justice Siddharth Mridul issued notice to JNU on a plea by Khalid challenging the penalty imposed on him by an appellate authority of the university on July 4 in connection with the incident.&nbsp;

The court said the matter be listed tomorrow along with another plea filed by JNU's former students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, on whom Rs 10,000 fine has been imposed by the appellate authority.

During the hearing, Khalid's counsel said the urgency was that two weeks time was given by the authorities to pay the fine amount.

JNU's counsel said Khalid has been rusticated for one semester starting from July 23.

The court said there cannot be any urgency as far as depositing of fine was concerned and added, "in the meantime, JNU shall not take any coercive steps against the petitioner (Khalid)".&nbsp;

The court had yesterday directed the varsity not to take any coercive step against Kumar, who has also challenged the penalty.&nbsp;

Both of them have sought direction to quash the office order of July 4 passed by the JNU through the chief proctor.

Kumar has alleged in the plea that there were serious lapses towards observing the principles of natural justice and violation of the high court's earlier order.

On February 9, 2016, a poetry event was held at JNU in connection with the third anniversary of Afzal Guru's hanging for his role in the attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001.

A high-level panel of JNU had in 2016 recommended a fine of Rs 10,000 on Kumar. It also suggested that Khalid be rusticated in connection with the incident. Besides, financial penalty was imposed on 13 other students for violation of disciplinary norms.

The students had then moved the high court, which had on October 12 last year directed the university to place the matter before an appellate authority to review the panel's decision.

On July 5, the university stated that the appellate authority had upheld the decision against Khalid and Kumar, and in some cases, the penalty had been reduced.

Kumar, Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, arrested on charges of sedition in connection with the 2016 controversial event, are out on bail.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Justice Siddharth Mridul issued notice to JNU on a plea by Khalid challenging the penalty imposed on him by an appellate authority of the university on July 4 in connection with the incident

The Delhi high court on Thursday directed the Jawaharlal Nehru University not to take any coercive steps till tomorrow against its student Umar Khalid, who was rusticated and slapped with a fine of Rs 20,000 in connection with a 2016 incident of alleged anti-India slogans being raised at an event. Justice Siddharth Mridul issued notice to JNU on a plea by Khalid challenging the penalty imposed on him by an appellate authority of the university on July 4 in connection with the incident. The court said the matter be listed tomorrow along with another plea filed by JNU's former students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, on whom Rs 10,000 fine has been imposed by the appellate authority. During the hearing, Khalid's counsel said the urgency was that two weeks time was given by the authorities to pay the fine amount. JNU's counsel said Khalid has been rusticated for one semester starting from July 23. The court said there cannot be any urgency as far as depositing of fine was concerned and added, "in the meantime, JNU shall not take any coercive steps against the petitioner (Khalid)". The court had yesterday directed the varsity not to take any coercive step against Kumar, who has also challenged the penalty. Both of them have sought direction to quash the office order of July 4 passed by the JNU through the chief proctor. Kumar has alleged in the plea that there were serious lapses towards observing the principles of natural justice and violation of the high court's earlier order. On February 9, 2016, a poetry event was held at JNU in connection with the third anniversary of Afzal Guru's hanging for his role in the attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001. A high-level panel of JNU had in 2016 recommended a fine of Rs 10,000 on Kumar. It also suggested that Khalid be rusticated in connection with the incident. Besides, financial penalty was imposed on 13 other students for violation of disciplinary norms. The students had then moved the high court, which had on October 12 last year directed the university to place the matter before an appellate authority to review the panel's decision. On July 5, the university stated that the appellate authority had upheld the decision against Khalid and Kumar, and in some cases, the penalty had been reduced. Kumar, Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, arrested on charges of sedition in connection with the 2016 controversial event, are out on bail.

Delhi high court asks JNU not to take coercive step against Umar Khalid

The Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that Puducherry being a Union Territory has no control over "services" and its officers belong to a separate cadre controlled by the central government.&nbsp

A bench of justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan was told by Attorney General (AG) K K Venugopal, appearing for Centre, that it is the Union of India that exercises control through its representative or administrator on the Union Territory (UT).&nbsp

"As far as services are concerned they have a special cadre of officers and not the All India cadre of IAS or IPS. The officers are from separate cadres like the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS)," the AG said.&nbsp

The Centre is leaving no stone unturned to buttress its stand and has decided to field three senior advocates Harish Salve, C Aryaman Sundaram and Rakesh Dwivedi to defend it in the matters related to disputes with the Delhi government, including that of control over services.&nbsp

The bench was hearing pleas filed by two Congress leaders S Dhanalakshmi and K Lakshminarayanan, challenging the "unilateral" decision of the Centre to appoint the three BJP members as MLAs in the assembly.&nbsp

The Congress leaders have challenged the Madras high court decision of March 22 by which it had upheld the nomination of BJP members V Saminathan, K G Shankar and S Selvaganapathy to the Assembly by the Centre and their swearing-in by Lt Governor Kiran Bedi on July 4 last year, over which the Congress government had protested.&nbsp

It had also held as invalid the speaker's order cancelling the nominations of the MLAs.

Venugopal during the hearing before the apex court said that as per the Constitutional scheme every UT shall be administrated through the President and its delegatee who can be an administrator or the lieutenant governor (L-G).&nbsp

He said, "It is not a federal unit which could function independent of the central government. It has no autonomy or autonomous powers".&nbsp

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Centre in a notification has said lawyers Salve, Sundaram and Dwivedi will defend it in the matters related to the disputes with the Delhi government.

Yesterday, the Delhi government had told the apex court that its functioning is "completely paralysed" and it can't order transfer or posting of officers despite the recent Constitution bench verdict on the national capital's administration.

The court said it is in the know-how of things and the matter will be taken on July 26 for hearing.

"Functioning of the government is completely paralysed. We cannot post officers, we cannot transfer officers despite the recent constitution bench verdict which has explained every aspect. These issues needs to be adjudicated at the earliest," senior advocate P Chidambaram, appearing for the Delhi government had said.

A five-judge Constitution bench had recently laid down broad parameters for the governance of the national capital, which has witnessed a power struggle between the Centre and Delhi government since the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power in 2014.

The bench had clarified that issues regarding various notifications issued by the Delhi government in exercise of its administrative and legislative powers would be dealt with separately by an appropriate smaller bench.

A bench of justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan was told by Attorney General (AG) K K Venugopal, appearing for Centre, that it is the Union of India that exercises control through its representative or administrator on the Union Territory (UT).

The Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that Puducherry being a Union Territory has no control over "services" and its officers belong to a separate cadre controlled by the central government. A bench of justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan was told by Attorney General (AG) K K Venugopal, appearing for Centre, that it is the Union of India that exercises control through its representative or administrator on the Union Territory (UT). "As far as services are concerned they have a special cadre of officers and not the All India cadre of IAS or IPS. The officers are from separate cadres like the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS)," the AG said. The Centre is leaving no stone unturned to buttress its stand and has decided to field three senior advocates Harish Salve, C Aryaman Sundaram and Rakesh Dwivedi to defend it in the matters related to disputes with the Delhi government, including that of control over services. The bench was hearing pleas filed by two Congress leaders S Dhanalakshmi and K Lakshminarayanan, challenging the "unilateral" decision of the Centre to appoint the three BJP members as MLAs in the assembly. The Congress leaders have challenged the Madras high court decision of March 22 by which it had upheld the nomination of BJP members V Saminathan, K G Shankar and S Selvaganapathy to the Assembly by the Centre and their swearing-in by Lt Governor Kiran Bedi on July 4 last year, over which the Congress government had protested. It had also held as invalid the speaker's order cancelling the nominations of the MLAs. Venugopal during the hearing before the apex court said that as per the Constitutional scheme every UT shall be administrated through the President and its delegatee who can be an administrator or the lieutenant governor (L-G). He said, "It is not a federal unit which could function independent of the central government. It has no autonomy or autonomous powers". Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Centre in a notification has said lawyers Salve, Sundaram and Dwivedi will defend it in the matters related to the disputes with the Delhi government. Yesterday, the Delhi government had told the apex court that its functioning is "completely paralysed" and it can't order transfer or posting of officers despite the recent Constitution bench verdict on the national capital's administration. The court said it is in the know-how of things and the matter will be taken on July 26 for hearing. "Functioning of the government is completely paralysed. We cannot post officers, we cannot transfer officers despite the recent constitution bench verdict which has explained every aspect. These issues needs to be adjudicated at the earliest," senior advocate P Chidambaram, appearing for the Delhi government had said. A five-judge Constitution bench had recently laid down broad parameters for the governance of the national capital, which has witnessed a power struggle between the Centre and Delhi government since the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power in 2014. The bench had clarified that issues regarding various notifications issued by the Delhi government in exercise of its administrative and legislative powers would be dealt with separately by an appropriate smaller bench.

Puducherry has no control over 'services', officers are of separate cadre: Centre to SC

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday termed the mob lynching incidents "unfortunate" as he emphasised on social media being misused to spread fake news.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh said that the Centre has directed social media sites to regulate norms accordingly to curb the issue.

"These are unfortunate incidents. We had issued an advisory on this recently, and one in 2016 also. Social media being used to spread fake news and rumours is also a reason. We have asked social sites for regulation," Singh said.

Rajnath Singh further asked state governments to take "appropriate actions" as he was answering a question raised by KC Venugopal of the Congress party during Zero Hour.

Following the Home Minister's statement, the Congress party which has been protesting against the BJP on the matter staged a walkout from the house along with RJD and CPI-M members.

Expressing dissatisfaction to the entire issue, senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP, Shashi Tharoor said, "The home minister's statement in Lok Sabha on mob lynching was not satisfactory at all, that is why we staged a walkout from the House. This is not a game of ping-pong that states and Centre keep shifting responsibilities."

Earlier in the day, the Congress raised slogans against Civil Aviation Minister Jayant Sinha for garlanding men convicted of lynching a meat trader in Jharkhand recently.

Congress leader KC Venugopal asked why one of the members of the Union Council of Ministers was found "garlanding" the mob lynching accused.&nbsp;

According to media reports, this year, at least 20 people&nbsp;have died in lynching cases across the country so far.

(With inputs from ANI)

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh said that the Centre has directed social media sites to regulate norms accordingly to curb the issue.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday termed the mob lynching incidents "unfortunate" as he emphasised on social media being misused to spread fake news. Addressing the Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh said that the Centre has directed social media sites to regulate norms accordingly to curb the issue. "These are unfortunate incidents. We had issued an advisory on this recently, and one in 2016 also. Social media being used to spread fake news and rumours is also a reason. We have asked social sites for regulation," Singh said. Rajnath Singh further asked state governments to take "appropriate actions" as he was answering a question raised by KC Venugopal of the Congress party during Zero Hour. Following the Home Minister's statement, the Congress party which has been protesting against the BJP on the matter staged a walkout from the house along with RJD and CPI-M members. Expressing dissatisfaction to the entire issue, senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP, Shashi Tharoor said, "The home minister's statement in Lok Sabha on mob lynching was not satisfactory at all, that is why we staged a walkout from the House. This is not a game of ping-pong that states and Centre keep shifting responsibilities." Earlier in the day, the Congress raised slogans against Civil Aviation Minister Jayant Sinha for garlanding men convicted of lynching a meat trader in Jharkhand recently. Congress leader KC Venugopal asked why one of the members of the Union Council of Ministers was found "garlanding" the mob lynching accused. According to media reports, this year, at least 20 people have died in lynching cases across the country so far. (With inputs from ANI)

Rajnath's statement on mob lynching not satisfactory: Shashi Tharoor

Trai on Thursday revamped the regulations on pesky calls and spam as it spelt out new rules mandating subscribers' consent for receiving telemarketing messages, news agency PTI reported.

The regulator also asked telecom operators to ensure that commercial communication takes place only through registered senders.

"...A complete overhaul of the regulation had become unavoidable. The objective of the regulation notified today is to effectively deal with the nuisance of spam experienced by the subscribers," the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said in a statement.

The regulations provide for registration of senders, registration of headers (that segregate different types of messages), and, more importantly, registration of subscribers' consent.

"Unscrupulous telemarketers today override the stated preference of the subscriber by claiming consent that may have been surreptitiously obtained. New regulations provide the subscriber with complete control over their consent and the ability to revoke the consent already granted, at their option," Trai statement added.

The registration of subscriber consent will put an end to "major abuse of the current regulations", it noted.

Trai said that every access provider should establish 'Customer Preference Registration Facility (CPRF)' and make necessary arrangements to facilitate customers by providing ways and means to record consent (or its revocation) related to commercial communication.&nbsp;

Also, Trai has introduced the concept of registered templates for both SMS and voice communication to prevent deliberate mixing of promotional messages into the transactional stream.&nbsp;

"This will give relief to subscribers who feel targeted by unwanted communication today," the regulator added.

Violations under various category will attract a penalty ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 50 lakh, based on the type of offence.

The regulations also involve adoption of blockchain or the Distributed Ledger Technology, to ensure regulatory compliance while allowing innovation in the market.

These measures will bring in the flexibility and speed "necessary to combat the spammers who continually change their tactics and morph their identities to escape detection" said Trai.

Terming its fix for pesky calls "user friendly and automated", the regulator said that the technological advancements will smoothen processes and reduce the cost of compliance.

"The infrastructure may be outsourced and shared, while the unbundling of the functions allows third-party provider to compete for providing best quality solutions at lowest cost. Considering the large volume of messages (between 20 to 30 billion per month), the per unit cost of compliance would be negligible," it said.&nbsp;

The regulations provide for registration of senders, registration of headers (that segregate different types of messages), and, more importantly, registration of subscribers' consent.

Trai on Thursday revamped the regulations on pesky calls and spam as it spelt out new rules mandating subscribers' consent for receiving telemarketing messages, news agency PTI reported. The regulator also asked telecom operators to ensure that commercial communication takes place only through registered senders. "...A complete overhaul of the regulation had become unavoidable. The objective of the regulation notified today is to effectively deal with the nuisance of spam experienced by the subscribers," the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said in a statement. The regulations provide for registration of senders, registration of headers (that segregate different types of messages), and, more importantly, registration of subscribers' consent. "Unscrupulous telemarketers today override the stated preference of the subscriber by claiming consent that may have been surreptitiously obtained. New regulations provide the subscriber with complete control over their consent and the ability to revoke the consent already granted, at their option," Trai statement added. The registration of subscriber consent will put an end to "major abuse of the current regulations", it noted. Trai said that every access provider should establish 'Customer Preference Registration Facility (CPRF)' and make necessary arrangements to facilitate customers by providing ways and means to record consent (or its revocation) related to commercial communication. Also, Trai has introduced the concept of registered templates for both SMS and voice communication to prevent deliberate mixing of promotional messages into the transactional stream. "This will give relief to subscribers who feel targeted by unwanted communication today," the regulator added. Violations under various category will attract a penalty ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 50 lakh, based on the type of offence. The regulations also involve adoption of blockchain or the Distributed Ledger Technology, to ensure regulatory compliance while allowing innovation in the market. These measures will bring in the flexibility and speed "necessary to combat the spammers who continually change their tactics and morph their identities to escape detection" said Trai. Terming its fix for pesky calls "user friendly and automated", the regulator said that the technological advancements will smoothen processes and reduce the cost of compliance. "The infrastructure may be outsourced and shared, while the unbundling of the functions allows third-party provider to compete for providing best quality solutions at lowest cost. Considering the large volume of messages (between 20 to 30 billion per month), the per unit cost of compliance would be negligible," it said.

Trai revamps regulations on pesky calls and spam

Two Indian-origin individuals are among 10 shortlisted by Britain's ruling Conservative party as prospective candidates to run for London mayor in 2020 against Labour's Pakistan-origin Sadiq Khan.&nbsp

Lucknow-born businesswoman Ruby McGregor-Smith joins the race alongside British Sikh politician Kulveer Ranger, both of whom will go head to head with the others at hustings next month before a vote on the final candidate by October.

It's time for a Mayor who will re-ignite the possibility, opportunity and the confidence of the greatest city on earth. That's why I'm running to be London's Mayor, McGregor said in reference to her bid yesterday.

The 55-year-old peer in the House of Lords made history as the first Indian-origin woman to run a FTSE-250 company, Mitie Group, nearly a decade ago. She was awarded a Commander of British Empire (CBE) honour by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for services to business and promoting diversity.

''Our wonderful capital and our great country have given me everything and now I want to repay that debt,'' she said.

She will compete with Ranger, a former transport adviser in the London Mayor's office, who also made the Tory shortlist for the mayoral race held every four years.

''I was born here, grew up, studied, have worked in and for London. I am proud and humbled to be part of this list,''&nbsphe said.

The Tories said all 10 people on the shortlist came "from a wide range of backgrounds, including business, politics and the charity sector".

At the last mayoral elections in May 2016, Labour's Khan defeated the Conservative party candidate Zac Goldsmith, brother of Jemima Khan - the ex-wife of Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan. The Green Party's Sian Berry was third in the 2016 race and Lib Dem Caroline Pidgeon came fourth.&nbsp

Boris Johnson, who recently resigned as UK foreign secretary, was the last Conservative Mayor of London, following election victories in 2008 and 2012.&nbsp

Lucknow-born businesswoman Ruby McGregor-Smith joins the race alongside British Sikh politician Kulveer Ranger, both of whom will go head to head with the others at hustings next month before a vote on the final candidate by October.

Two Indian-origin individuals are among 10 shortlisted by Britain's ruling Conservative party as prospective candidates to run for London mayor in 2020 against Labour's Pakistan-origin Sadiq Khan. Lucknow-born businesswoman Ruby McGregor-Smith joins the race alongside British Sikh politician Kulveer Ranger, both of whom will go head to head with the others at hustings next month before a vote on the final candidate by October. It's time for a Mayor who will re-ignite the possibility, opportunity and the confidence of the greatest city on earth. That's why I'm running to be London's Mayor, McGregor said in reference to her bid yesterday. The 55-year-old peer in the House of Lords made history as the first Indian-origin woman to run a FTSE-250 company, Mitie Group, nearly a decade ago. She was awarded a Commander of British Empire (CBE) honour by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for services to business and promoting diversity. ''Our wonderful capital and our great country have given me everything and now I want to repay that debt,'' she said. She will compete with Ranger, a former transport adviser in the London Mayor's office, who also made the Tory shortlist for the mayoral race held every four years. ''I was born here, grew up, studied, have worked in and for London. I am proud and humbled to be part of this list,''&nbsphe said. The Tories said all 10 people on the shortlist came "from a wide range of backgrounds, including business, politics and the charity sector". At the last mayoral elections in May 2016, Labour's Khan defeated the Conservative party candidate Zac Goldsmith, brother of Jemima Khan - the ex-wife of Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan. The Green Party's Sian Berry was third in the 2016 race and Lib Dem Caroline Pidgeon came fourth. Boris Johnson, who recently resigned as UK foreign secretary, was the last Conservative Mayor of London, following election victories in 2008 and 2012.

Two Indian-origin candidates join race for London Mayor

A 30-year-old cab driver working with ride hailing firm Uberride-hailingd for allegedly misbehaving with a woman passenger, news agency PTI reported quoting police sources.

The incident took place Tuesday evening in suburban Khar, police said.

The driver was arrested the same day, they added.

The cab was near the Khar subway when the incident happened, police said. The woman, in her 20s, was travelling from Chembur to her residence in Khar, a senior official of the Khar police station said.

The cab driver Sadanand told the passenger that he was taking an alternate route due to water-logging in the subway, police said. When the woman refused, he abused her and asked her to get out of the cab, they added.

The woman then approached the Khar police station, after which an FIR was registered, the official said.

"Based on the complaint, we booked the driver under sections 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of IPC and arrested him the same day," the official said.

The Uber spokesperson was unavailable for comment.&nbsp;

The incident took place Tuesday evening in suburban Khar, police said.

A 30-year-old cab driver working with ride hailing firm Uberride-hailingd for allegedly misbehaving with a woman passenger, news agency PTI reported quoting police sources. The incident took place Tuesday evening in suburban Khar, police said. The driver was arrested the same day, they added. The cab was near the Khar subway when the incident happened, police said. The woman, in her 20s, was travelling from Chembur to her residence in Khar, a senior official of the Khar police station said. The cab driver Sadanand told the passenger that he was taking an alternate route due to water-logging in the subway, police said. When the woman refused, he abused her and asked her to get out of the cab, they added. The woman then approached the Khar police station, after which an FIR was registered, the official said. "Based on the complaint, we booked the driver under sections 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of IPC and arrested him the same day," the official said. The Uber spokesperson was unavailable for comment.

Mumbai: Uber driver arrested for 'misbehaving' with woman passenger

India continues to engage with China on a number of fronts including New Delhi's bid for Nuclear suppliers group(NSG) membership.

In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, MoS MEA VK Singh said,"Government is engaged with all NSG members including China at the appropriate levels for a decision on India’s application for membership of the group." The most recent talks were held in Beijing on April 10, 2018.&nbsp;

The development comes at a time when India&nbsp;and China&nbsp;have been talking to each other to iron out differences.

PM Modi is likely to meet Chinese President XI Jinping in Johannesburg on the sidelines of BRICS summit.

This will be the third&nbsp;meet between both the two leaders in just matter of three&nbsp;months. Both met first in April during the "informal summit"&nbsp;in Wuhan, then in June for the SCO summit.

India has been the member of three&nbsp;out of four export control regimes. The three regimes are Wassenaar arrangement, Australia group and Missile Technology Control Regime(MTCR).

USA and France continue to strongly support India’s membership but Bejing has been a tough nut to crack. Bejing has been demanding Pakistan&nbsp;entry into the elite club.

Earlier in June meeting of NSG in Latvia, the grouping in a release had said that it "discussed the NSG relationship with India".

USA and France continue to strongly support India’s membership

India continues to engage with China on a number of fronts including New Delhi's bid for Nuclear suppliers group(NSG) membership. In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, MoS MEA VK Singh said,"Government is engaged with all NSG members including China at the appropriate levels for a decision on India’s application for membership of the group." The most recent talks were held in Beijing on April 10, 2018. The development comes at a time when India and China have been talking to each other to iron out differences. PM Modi is likely to meet Chinese President XI Jinping in Johannesburg on the sidelines of BRICS summit. This will be the third meet between both the two leaders in just matter of three months. Both met first in April during the "informal summit" in Wuhan, then in June for the SCO summit. India has been the member of three out of four export control regimes. The three regimes are Wassenaar arrangement, Australia group and Missile Technology Control Regime(MTCR). USA and France continue to strongly support India’s membership but Bejing has been a tough nut to crack. Bejing has been demanding Pakistan entry into the elite club. Earlier in June meeting of NSG in Latvia, the grouping in a release had said that it "discussed the NSG relationship with India".

India engaging with everyone including China over NSG membership: Government

India and Ghana on Wednesday signed two agreements in an effort to enhance the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Taking to his Twitter handle, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar confirmed that two MOUs on Cultural Exchange Programme and on cooperation between Bureau of Indian Standards and Ghana Standards Authority were signed.

"Following the meeting between EAM @sushmaswaraj and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana Shirley Botchwey, two MOUs on Cultural Exchange Programme and on cooperation between Bureau of Indian Standards and Ghana Standards Authority were signed," he wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Botchwey, who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, is on a four-day visit to India, having arrived in the country on Monday.

She met External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj, following which both held delegation-level talks respectively.

According to Kumar, the two ministers discussed enhancing cooperation in development cooperation, capacity building, trade and investment and people-to-people relationship.

He wrote on Twitter, "Cementing our connect with Africa! EAM @SushmaSwaraj and Ghana Foreign Minister Shirley Botchwey lead the delegation-level talks. Two sides discussed enhancing cooperation in development cooperation, capacity building, trade and investment and people-to-people relationship."

Swaraj also hosted a lunch in honour for the visiting Ghanaian Foreign Minister.

India-Ghana relations have traditionally been warm and close, based on a common history, shared vision and values. Ghana is one of India's important partners in West Africa.

"While bilateral trade stands at $ 3.5 billion, other important aspects of our relations are investments (India is the second largest investor in Ghana), development partnership, defence cooperation, capacity building, cultural cooperation and people-to-people contacts," as per a statement by MEA.

A sizeable Indian community, numbering around 10,000, resides in Ghana.

Botchwey, who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, is on a four-day visit to India, having arrived in the country on Monday

India and Ghana on Wednesday signed two agreements in an effort to enhance the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Taking to his Twitter handle, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar confirmed that two MOUs on Cultural Exchange Programme and on cooperation between Bureau of Indian Standards and Ghana Standards Authority were signed. "Following the meeting between EAM @sushmaswaraj and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana Shirley Botchwey, two MOUs on Cultural Exchange Programme and on cooperation between Bureau of Indian Standards and Ghana Standards Authority were signed," he wrote on the micro-blogging site. Botchwey, who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, is on a four-day visit to India, having arrived in the country on Monday. She met External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj, following which both held delegation-level talks respectively. According to Kumar, the two ministers discussed enhancing cooperation in development cooperation, capacity building, trade and investment and people-to-people relationship. He wrote on Twitter, "Cementing our connect with Africa! EAM @SushmaSwaraj and Ghana Foreign Minister Shirley Botchwey lead the delegation-level talks. Two sides discussed enhancing cooperation in development cooperation, capacity building, trade and investment and people-to-people relationship." Swaraj also hosted a lunch in honour for the visiting Ghanaian Foreign Minister. India-Ghana relations have traditionally been warm and close, based on a common history, shared vision and values. Ghana is one of India's important partners in West Africa. "While bilateral trade stands at $ 3.5 billion, other important aspects of our relations are investments (India is the second largest investor in Ghana), development partnership, defence cooperation, capacity building, cultural cooperation and people-to-people contacts," as per a statement by MEA. A sizeable Indian community, numbering around 10,000, resides in Ghana.

India, Ghana ink 2 MoUs to enhance bilateral ties

The government on Thursday shot off another notice to WhatsApp asking it to come out with effective solutions to curb the menace of fake news beyond just labelling forwards.&nbsp

It also warned the company that mediums used for propagation of rumours are liable to be treated as 'abettors' and can face legal consequences if they remain "mute spectators".

Facebook-owned WhatsApp has been under fire from the Indian government over the fake news and false information being circulated on its messaging platform.&nbsp

Such messages have incited mob-fury, triggering multiple cases of lynching across the country.&nbsp

The government had in the past too issued a stern warning to the company to clamp down on hoax messages designed to "provoke" and "instigate" people.

"When rumours and fake news get propagated by mischief mongers, the medium used for such propagation cannot evade responsibility and accountability. If they remain, mute spectators, they are liable to be treated as abettors and thereafter face consequent legal action," the IT Ministry said in a statement today.

The ministry said it has approached WhatsApp to bring more effective solutions to the table, to ensure greater "accountability and facilitate enforcement of the law" beyond the existing efforts towards labelling forwards and identifying fake news. 
"It has been conveyed to them in unmistakable terms that it is a very serious issue which deserves a more sensitive response," the ministry said.

Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today informed the Rajya Sabha that he will hold a discussion with stakeholders, including political parties, to evolve a policy to deal with the misuse of social media.

Prasad had earlier told WhatsApp that the platform "cannot evade accountability and responsibility".

In response, WhatsApp announced a new feature to let its users identify the messages that are forwarded.&nbsp

The messaging service also brought out a full-page advertisement in leading newspapers, first in the series of its user awareness campaign, giving "easy tips" to decide if the information received is indeed true.

At the same time, WhatsApp had informed the Centre that fake news, misinformation and hoaxes can be checked by the government, civil society and technology companies "working together".

Outlining steps it has taken to curb abuse of its platform, WhatsApp -- in its response to the first notice sent by the IT Ministry -- had said that it has the ability to prevent spam but since it cannot see the content of private messages, blocking can be done only based on user reports.

WhatsApp had also told the government that it is "horrified by these terrible acts of violence" and its strategy to deal with the situation involves giving people the controls and information they need to stay safe while working pro-actively to prevent misuse of the service.

Rumours on WhatsApp have sparked off a spate of incidents involving mob fury, including one where five men were lynched on the suspicion of being child lifters in Maharashtra's Rainpada village of Dhule district. More recently, a man was beaten to death, while three others were injured after a mob attacked them suspecting them to be child-lifters, near Bidar in Karnataka.

The Supreme Court, earlier this week, asked parliament to consider enacting a new law to effectively deal with incidents of mob lynching, saying "horrendous acts of mobocracy" cannot be allowed to become a new norm.

It also warned the company that mediums used for propagation of rumours are liable to be treated as 'abettors' and can face legal consequences if they remain 'mute spectators'.

The government on Thursday shot off another notice to WhatsApp asking it to come out with effective solutions to curb the menace of fake news beyond just labelling forwards. It also warned the company that mediums used for propagation of rumours are liable to be treated as 'abettors' and can face legal consequences if they remain "mute spectators". Facebook-owned WhatsApp has been under fire from the Indian government over the fake news and false information being circulated on its messaging platform. Such messages have incited mob-fury, triggering multiple cases of lynching across the country. The government had in the past too issued a stern warning to the company to clamp down on hoax messages designed to "provoke" and "instigate" people. "When rumours and fake news get propagated by mischief mongers, the medium used for such propagation cannot evade responsibility and accountability. If they remain, mute spectators, they are liable to be treated as abettors and thereafter face consequent legal action," the IT Ministry said in a statement today. The ministry said it has approached WhatsApp to bring more effective solutions to the table, to ensure greater "accountability and facilitate enforcement of the law" beyond the existing efforts towards labelling forwards and identifying fake news. "It has been conveyed to them in unmistakable terms that it is a very serious issue which deserves a more sensitive response," the ministry said. Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today informed the Rajya Sabha that he will hold a discussion with stakeholders, including political parties, to evolve a policy to deal with the misuse of social media. Prasad had earlier told WhatsApp that the platform "cannot evade accountability and responsibility". In response, WhatsApp announced a new feature to let its users identify the messages that are forwarded. The messaging service also brought out a full-page advertisement in leading newspapers, first in the series of its user awareness campaign, giving "easy tips" to decide if the information received is indeed true. At the same time, WhatsApp had informed the Centre that fake news, misinformation and hoaxes can be checked by the government, civil society and technology companies "working together". Outlining steps it has taken to curb abuse of its platform, WhatsApp -- in its response to the first notice sent by the IT Ministry -- had said that it has the ability to prevent spam but since it cannot see the content of private messages, blocking can be done only based on user reports. WhatsApp had also told the government that it is "horrified by these terrible acts of violence" and its strategy to deal with the situation involves giving people the controls and information they need to stay safe while working pro-actively to prevent misuse of the service. Rumours on WhatsApp have sparked off a spate of incidents involving mob fury, including one where five men were lynched on the suspicion of being child lifters in Maharashtra's Rainpada village of Dhule district. More recently, a man was beaten to death, while three others were injured after a mob attacked them suspecting them to be child-lifters, near Bidar in Karnataka. The Supreme Court, earlier this week, asked parliament to consider enacting a new law to effectively deal with incidents of mob lynching, saying "horrendous acts of mobocracy" cannot be allowed to become a new norm.

Government slams WhatsApp again over mob lynching cases

Despite American pressure on Tehran and on New Delhi to cut its oil imports from Iran, India has come out and said it will have independent ties with Iran.

In a written reply in the Lok sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh said, "India’s bilateral relations with Iran stand on their own and are not influenced by India’s relations with any third country." He added that "both sides are engaged in developing a long-term partnership in energy deepening of trade and investment cooperation and an early and full operations of Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar."

The answer comes a little after Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/india-iran-exploring-ways-of-working-around-us-sanctions-iran-deputy-foreign-minister-to-wion-152365">Dr Seyyed Abbas Araghchi visited New Delhi</a> and met Foreign Secretary Shri Vijay Gokhale. India and Iran exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including efforts being made by various parties to address issues that have arisen over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the Iran nuclear deal.

India has always maintained that the Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved through dialogue, with the resolution respecting Iran's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Interestingly, the US Treasury's Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, Marshall Billingslea, was also in Delhi. The treasury department, in reply to a WION question, said Billingslea was in Delhi to talk on a "range of bilateral issues including countering terrorism finance, the regulation of virtual currency, Iran, and other AML/CFT issues."

India and US will hold the first 2+2 dialogue — between India's external affairs and defence ministers and the US' secretaries of state and defence — in September in which talk of Iran and Russia is expected to dominate. The dialogue was postponed in July since US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in Pyongyang. 
&nbsp

'India’s bilateral relations with Iran stand on their own and are not influenced by India’s relations with any third country,' Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh said in written reply in the Lok Sabha

Despite American pressure on Tehran and on New Delhi to cut its oil imports from Iran, India has come out and said it will have independent ties with Iran. In a written reply in the Lok sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh said, "India’s bilateral relations with Iran stand on their own and are not influenced by India’s relations with any third country." He added that "both sides are engaged in developing a long-term partnership in energy deepening of trade and investment cooperation and an early and full operations of Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar." The answer comes a little after Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Seyyed Abbas Araghchi visited New Delhi and met Foreign Secretary Shri Vijay Gokhale. India and Iran exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including efforts being made by various parties to address issues that have arisen over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the Iran nuclear deal. India has always maintained that the Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved through dialogue, with the resolution respecting Iran's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Interestingly, the US Treasury's Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, Marshall Billingslea, was also in Delhi. The treasury department, in reply to a WION question, said Billingslea was in Delhi to talk on a "range of bilateral issues including countering terrorism finance, the regulation of virtual currency, Iran, and other AML/CFT issues." India and US will hold the first 2+2 dialogue — between India's external affairs and defence ministers and the US' secretaries of state and defence — in September in which talk of Iran and Russia is expected to dominate. The dialogue was postponed in July since US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in Pyongyang.

Despite American pressure, India says it will have independent ties with Iran

The Indian Army will take part in the International Army Games to be held in China which will also be attended by Pakistan troops.

The games to be held in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region will be attended by troops from 26 countries.&nbsp;

The games initiated by the Russian defense ministry in 2015 will include teams from Belarus, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.&nbsp;

India's neighbour Myanmar will also be part of the games, along with Algeria, Vietnam, &nbsp;Sudan and the Philippines. The wargames aims to improve sharing experiences and boost training of troops.&nbsp;

The events will be held in the city of Korla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 30 to August 12.

Russia has won all previous editions of the games with China placed second and Kazakhstan third. 
&nbsp;

Russia has won all previous editions of the games with China placed second and Kazakhstan second.

The Indian Army will take part in the International Army Games to be held in China which will also be attended by Pakistan troops. The games to be held in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region will be attended by troops from 26 countries. The games initiated by the Russian defense ministry in 2015 will include teams from Belarus, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. India's neighbour Myanmar will also be part of the games, along with Algeria, Vietnam, Sudan and the Philippines. The wargames aims to improve sharing experiences and boost training of troops. The events will be held in the city of Korla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 30 to August 12. Russia has won all previous editions of the games with China placed second and Kazakhstan third.

Watch: India, Pakistan, Myanmar to take part in International Army Games in China

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/trump-now-says-he-told-putin-we-cant-have-meddling-in-us-elections-152735">Trump now says he told Putin 'we can't have meddling' in US elections</a>

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he told Russian leader Vladimir Putin during their summit in Helsinki that the United States would not tolerate meddling in US elections.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/greater-noida-building-collapse-death-toll-goes-up-to-9-152754">Greater Noida building collapse: Death toll goes up to 9</a>

Nine bodies have been pulled out of the rubble in Greater Noida's Shahberi village where two buildings collapsed on Tuesday night.&nbsp;

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/hungry-constantly-cold-migrants-to-us-describe-life-in-custody-152741">Children hungry, constantly cold: Migrants to </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/hungry-constantly-cold-migrants-to-us-describe-life-in-custody-152741">US</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/hungry-constantly-cold-migrants-to-us-describe-life-in-custody-152741"> describe life in custody</a>

During their detention last month in a US&nbsp;Customs and Border Protection facility in Laredo, Texas, Karen and her two young sons were constantly cold. The family, which fled violence in Honduras, slept on a hard floor in a holding cell without mattresses, she said, their clothes still wet from crossing the Rio Grande.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/trump-now-questions-natos-mutual-defence-clause-152749">Trump questions NATO's mutual defence clause</a>

Days after a widely slammed summit with his Russian counterpart, President Donald Trump drew fresh scorn Wednesday for questioning NATO's undergirding principle and for attacking "tiny" Montenegro, whose accession to the alliance enraged Moscow.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/new-york-governor-opens-door-to-criminal-case-against-trump-foundation-152743">New York governor opens door to </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/new-york-governor-opens-door-to-criminal-case-against-trump-foundation-152743">criminal</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/new-york-governor-opens-door-to-criminal-case-against-trump-foundation-152743"> case against Trump Foundation</a>

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday opened the door to a possible criminal case against the Donald J. Trump Foundation, but the state attorney general's office said it had not determined that a criminal referral was warranted.

Trump now says he told Putin 'we can't have meddling' in US elections President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he told Russian leader Vladimir Putin during their summit in Helsinki that the United States would not tolerate meddling in US elections. Greater Noida building collapse: Death toll goes up to 9 Nine bodies have been pulled out of the rubble in Greater Noida's Shahberi village where two buildings collapsed on Tuesday night. Children hungry, constantly cold: Migrants to US describe life in custody During their detention last month in a US Customs and Border Protection facility in Laredo, Texas, Karen and her two young sons were constantly cold. The family, which fled violence in Honduras, slept on a hard floor in a holding cell without mattresses, she said, their clothes still wet from crossing the Rio Grande. Trump questions NATO's mutual defence clause Days after a widely slammed summit with his Russian counterpart, President Donald Trump drew fresh scorn Wednesday for questioning NATO's undergirding principle and for attacking "tiny" Montenegro, whose accession to the alliance enraged Moscow. New York governor opens door to criminal case against Trump Foundation New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday opened the door to a possible criminal case against the Donald J. Trump Foundation, but the state attorney general's office said it had not determined that a criminal referral was warranted.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The body of 19-year old army jawan, Surendra Singh Garhwal was found on the banks of Chambal River in Rajasthan.

Police said that the body has been sent for postmortem.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Dharampal said, "Wounds on his body suggest that he was attacked by a bear, the body has been sent for postmortem."

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Assistant Sub-Inspector Dharampal said, 'Wounds on his body suggest that he was attacked by a bear, the body has been sent for postmortem'

The body of 19-year old army jawan, Surendra Singh Garhwal was found on the banks of Chambal River in Rajasthan. Police said that the body has been sent for postmortem. Assistant Sub-Inspector Dharampal said, "Wounds on his body suggest that he was attacked by a bear, the body has been sent for postmortem."

Body of army jawan recovered from banks of Chambal River in Rajasthan

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) amongst BRICS nations on Regional Aviation Partnership.

The government aims for the BRICS nations to benefit from the establishment of an institutional framework to corporate in the field of civil aviation.

The cabinet released an official statement which said that the MoU will be an important landmark in civil aviation between BRICS nations and India.

Also, it would spur trade and investment.

"The MoU signifies an important landmark in the civil aviation relations between India and the other BRICS Member States and has the potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges amongst the BRICS Nations," read the statement.

Public policies in regional services, airport infrastructure management, and air navigation services, regional airports, environment sustainability, including deliberation of global initiatives, innovation were identified as other areas of cooperation.&nbsp

'The MoU signifies an important landmark in the civil aviation relations between India and the other BRICS Member States and has the potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges amongst the BRICS Nations,' read the statement

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) amongst BRICS nations on Regional Aviation Partnership. The government aims for the BRICS nations to benefit from the establishment of an institutional framework to corporate in the field of civil aviation. The cabinet released an official statement which said that the MoU will be an important landmark in civil aviation between BRICS nations and India. Also, it would spur trade and investment. "The MoU signifies an important landmark in the civil aviation relations between India and the other BRICS Member States and has the potential to spur greater trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges amongst the BRICS Nations," read the statement. Public policies in regional services, airport infrastructure management, and air navigation services, regional airports, environment sustainability, including deliberation of global initiatives, innovation were identified as other areas of cooperation.

Cabinet approves MoU on aviation with BRICS nations

Nine bodies have been pulled out of the rubble in Greater Noida's Shahberi village where <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/six-storey-building-collapses-in-greater-noida-people-dead-several-feared-trapped-152480">two buildings collapsed</a> on Tuesday night.&nbsp

A six-storey building under construction had collapsed and fallen on an adjacent five-storey building.&nbsp

Officials said at least one the buildings was unauthorised.&nbsp

Officials added that at least 12 construction workers were in the building under consruction and that all of them are feared trapped.&nbsp

A 150 personnel from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with the police and fire department, are carrying out a search and rescue operation at the site.&nbsp

Rescuers have deployed heavy machinery to shift concrete slabs and used drills in a bid to reach people buried under the debris. Sniffer dogs have been deployed to detect any sign of life.

NDRF Director General Sanjay Kumar said the rescuers were exercising caution while operating the machines so that those trapped under the debris were not harmed.&nbsp

This was leading to a delay, he said. Kumar added that rescue operations are likely to be completed on Thursday.

The police have arrested four people, including the landowner. Altogether, 24 people have been named in the FIR. Charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Three of those arrested have been identified as landowner Ganga Shankar Dwivedi and brokers Dinesh Singh and Sanjeev Kumar, both residents of Shahberi.

According to the FIR, poor quality material was used in the construction of the building.

In a press statement, Greater Noida Authority CEO Parth Sarthi Sen Sharma said Shahberi is a "notified village" under phase-1 of Greater Noida.

The notification related to acquisition of land there was cancelled by a Supreme Court order in May 2011, he said.

Local residents claimed that some builders had purchased land directly from the farmers and developed an unauthorised colony.

(With inputs from PTI)

NDRF Director General Sanjay Kumar said rescuers were exercising caution while operating the heavy machinery deployed to sift through the rubble, which was leading to a delay. He added that rescue operations are likely to be completed by Thursday

Nine bodies have been pulled out of the rubble in Greater Noida's Shahberi village where two buildings collapsed on Tuesday night. A six-storey building under construction had collapsed and fallen on an adjacent five-storey building. Officials said at least one the buildings was unauthorised. Officials added that at least 12 construction workers were in the building under consruction and that all of them are feared trapped. A 150 personnel from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with the police and fire department, are carrying out a search and rescue operation at the site. Rescuers have deployed heavy machinery to shift concrete slabs and used drills in a bid to reach people buried under the debris. Sniffer dogs have been deployed to detect any sign of life. NDRF Director General Sanjay Kumar said the rescuers were exercising caution while operating the machines so that those trapped under the debris were not harmed. This was leading to a delay, he said. Kumar added that rescue operations are likely to be completed on Thursday. The police have arrested four people, including the landowner. Altogether, 24 people have been named in the FIR. Charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Three of those arrested have been identified as landowner Ganga Shankar Dwivedi and brokers Dinesh Singh and Sanjeev Kumar, both residents of Shahberi. According to the FIR, poor quality material was used in the construction of the building. In a press statement, Greater Noida Authority CEO Parth Sarthi Sen Sharma said Shahberi is a "notified village" under phase-1 of Greater Noida. The notification related to acquisition of land there was cancelled by a Supreme Court order in May 2011, he said. Local residents claimed that some builders had purchased land directly from the farmers and developed an unauthorised colony. (With inputs from PTI)

Greater Noida building collapse: Death toll goes up to 9

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday has filed a chargesheet in the Patiala House Court against the director of Vadodara-based Sterling Biotech Limited, Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit, in a bank loan fraud case of over Rs 5,000 crore.

Last year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered an FIR for bank loan fraud against Sterling Biotech Ltd, its group companies, its directors and others.

Sterling Biotech Ltd is promoted by Nitin Sandesara and Chetan Sandesara, who have reportedly fled abroad to escape proceedings in India.

The Enforcement Directorate has also obtained Non-Bailable Warrants (NBW) from a Special PMLA court, against several absconding persons, including Nitin Sandesara and Chetan Sandesara.

Following the FIR, the agency in June attached several movable and immovable properties worth more than Rs. 4,700 crores under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

"ED had arrested Rajbhushan Dixit in January on the basis of an NBW issued against him by a Special PMLA court on ED`s application. This is the third prosecution complaint filed by ED in this matter. The agency had earlier filed prosecution complaints against a Delhi-based businessman Gagan Dhawan and ex-Director of Andhra Bank, Anup Garg" said an official statement released by the agency.

ED has found, during the investigation that several companies promoted by the Sandesara brothers, had fraudulently obtained credit facilities of more than Rs 5000 Crores from various banks, which subsequently turned into Non-Performing Assets (NPAs).

The loans were sanctioned by consortium of banks led by Andhra Bank, UCO Bank, State Bank of India, Allahabad Bank and Bank of India.&nbsp

Till date, the banks have declared as fraud, various outstanding loan accounts to the tune of about Rs 5000 Crores in respect of various companies of Sterling Group, including Sterling Biotech Ltd., Sterling Port Ltd., PMT Machines Ltd., Sterling SEZ and Infrastructure Ltd and Sterling Oil Resources Ltd.

The probe revealed that the promoters set up more than 300 shell and benami companies in India and abroad to divert and misuse loan funds, manipulate balance sheets and fudging other documents to inflate turnovers and insider shares trading.

The Sandesaras reportedly controlled these shell and benami companies through dummy directors, who were shown as employees of various companies of the Sterling Group.

Information available in the public domain indicates that bogus sale/purchase was shown between the benami companies and the Sterling Group of companies to facilitate diversion of loan funds and inflate turnovers to obtain further bank loans.

These loans were then rotated in multiple layers through various shell and benami companies to conceal the original source from where funds were collected.

As per ED`s complaint, Rajbhushan Dixit was instrumental in setting up and management of such benami companies which were used for siphoning loan funds and he was paid around Rs. 2.5 Crores by Sandesaras using the bank accounts of such benami companies.

The ED is still investigating whether any more payments were made to him by Sandesaras.

The siphoned off loan funds were used to buy properties in the names of various companies, to purchase shares of Sterling Biotech Ltd and Sterling International Enterprises Ltd to attract investors. Some of the diverted loan funds were also paid to public servants.&nbsp

The Enforcement Directorate is also investigating various cross-border transactions undertaken by the group.

The Enforcement Directorate achieved a major breakthrough in the case when it recovered truckloads of material from a room in the Jogeshwari area of Mumbai that provided information on how various shell and benami companies were formed and managed.&nbsp

The seized material included original chequebooks, rubber stamps, company seals, original property documents, original PAN cards, and more than 10 lakh pages of other incriminating documents.

In total, the Enforcement Directorate has carried out more than 50 searches at various premises in several cities, including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Surat.

It is being reported that over 50 foreign bank accounts and several other assets and properties situated abroad linked to the Sterling Group are under the ED`s scanner.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday has filed a charge sheet in the Patiala House Court against the director of Vadodara-based Sterling Biotech Limited, Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit, in a bank loan fraud case of over Rs 5,000 crore

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday has filed a chargesheet in the Patiala House Court against the director of Vadodara-based Sterling Biotech Limited, Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit, in a bank loan fraud case of over Rs 5,000 crore. Last year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered an FIR for bank loan fraud against Sterling Biotech Ltd, its group companies, its directors and others. Sterling Biotech Ltd is promoted by Nitin Sandesara and Chetan Sandesara, who have reportedly fled abroad to escape proceedings in India. The Enforcement Directorate has also obtained Non-Bailable Warrants (NBW) from a Special PMLA court, against several absconding persons, including Nitin Sandesara and Chetan Sandesara. Following the FIR, the agency in June attached several movable and immovable properties worth more than Rs. 4,700 crores under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. "ED had arrested Rajbhushan Dixit in January on the basis of an NBW issued against him by a Special PMLA court on ED`s application. This is the third prosecution complaint filed by ED in this matter. The agency had earlier filed prosecution complaints against a Delhi-based businessman Gagan Dhawan and ex-Director of Andhra Bank, Anup Garg" said an official statement released by the agency. ED has found, during the investigation that several companies promoted by the Sandesara brothers, had fraudulently obtained credit facilities of more than Rs 5000 Crores from various banks, which subsequently turned into Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). The loans were sanctioned by consortium of banks led by Andhra Bank, UCO Bank, State Bank of India, Allahabad Bank and Bank of India. Till date, the banks have declared as fraud, various outstanding loan accounts to the tune of about Rs 5000 Crores in respect of various companies of Sterling Group, including Sterling Biotech Ltd., Sterling Port Ltd., PMT Machines Ltd., Sterling SEZ and Infrastructure Ltd and Sterling Oil Resources Ltd. The probe revealed that the promoters set up more than 300 shell and benami companies in India and abroad to divert and misuse loan funds, manipulate balance sheets and fudging other documents to inflate turnovers and insider shares trading. The Sandesaras reportedly controlled these shell and benami companies through dummy directors, who were shown as employees of various companies of the Sterling Group. Information available in the public domain indicates that bogus sale/purchase was shown between the benami companies and the Sterling Group of companies to facilitate diversion of loan funds and inflate turnovers to obtain further bank loans. These loans were then rotated in multiple layers through various shell and benami companies to conceal the original source from where funds were collected. As per ED`s complaint, Rajbhushan Dixit was instrumental in setting up and management of such benami companies which were used for siphoning loan funds and he was paid around Rs. 2.5 Crores by Sandesaras using the bank accounts of such benami companies. The ED is still investigating whether any more payments were made to him by Sandesaras. The siphoned off loan funds were used to buy properties in the names of various companies, to purchase shares of Sterling Biotech Ltd and Sterling International Enterprises Ltd to attract investors. Some of the diverted loan funds were also paid to public servants. The Enforcement Directorate is also investigating various cross-border transactions undertaken by the group. The Enforcement Directorate achieved a major breakthrough in the case when it recovered truckloads of material from a room in the Jogeshwari area of Mumbai that provided information on how various shell and benami companies were formed and managed. The seized material included original chequebooks, rubber stamps, company seals, original property documents, original PAN cards, and more than 10 lakh pages of other incriminating documents. In total, the Enforcement Directorate has carried out more than 50 searches at various premises in several cities, including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Surat. It is being reported that over 50 foreign bank accounts and several other assets and properties situated abroad linked to the Sterling Group are under the ED`s scanner.

ED files chargesheet against Sterling Biotech director

Eight people were killed and several feared trapped under the rubble of two adjacent buildings which collapsed in Greater Noida on the outskirts of the national capital, officials said on Wednesday.

A six-floor under-construction building crashed on a five-storey building next to it, bringing it down as well, in Shahberi village under Bisrakh police station on Tuesday night.

Officials said at least one of the buildings was unauthorised.

At least 12 labourers were in the under-construction building and all of them were feared trapped, Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Arun Kumar Singh said.

Two bodies were pulled out of the rubble late last night and another removed this morning as 150 personnel as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) mounted a rescue operation along with the police and the fire department.

Five more bodies were brought out in the evening and later at night.

Rescuers deployed heavy machinery to shift concrete slabs and used drills in a bid to reach people buried under the debris. Sniffer dogs tried to detect any sign of life.

A crowd of people hung around the mishap site, including some who believed their relatives were trapped under the debris.

Some flat owners who were planning to move into their new homes in the next few days also watched the rescue effort.

Local politicians and media teams thronged the area as NDRF personnel asked people to keep away.

Three of the victims have been identified as Ranjit, Shamshad and Priyanka. Three members of Priyanka's family were still trapped, Singh said after her body was pulled out.

The police have arrested four people, including the landowner. Altogether, 24 people have been named in the FIR. Charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in Greater Noida Development Authority, Vibha Chahal, has been removed from her post.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath also ordered the suspension of two other officials, project manager V P Singh and assistant project manager Akhtar Abbas Zaidi, for dereliction of duty.

Adityanath asked the Meerut divisional commissioner to conduct an inquiry and determine the extent of illegal construction in the area.

Earlier in the day, Gautam Budh Nagar District Magistrate Brajesh Narayan Singh had also ordered an investigation into the mishap, to be completed within 15 days.

"They have tried to sell an unauthorised construction to the people. We will initiate proceedings under the National Security Act against them," Singh told PTI.

NDRF Director General Sanjay Kumar took stock of the rescue operations.

He said the rescuers were exercising caution while operating the machines so that those trapped under the debris were not harmed. This was leading to the delay, he said.

Kumar said the rescue operations were likely to be completed on Thursday.

A state government statement said a magisterial probe will find out whether the buildings were under the jurisdiction of the Greater Noida Development Authority and if a no-objection certificate (NOC) was obtained before carrying out the construction.

It will also determine if the quality of the building material was up to the mark and the construction workers were registered in accordance with the labour laws.

In a press statement, the Greater Noida authority CEO Parth Sarthi Sen Sharma said Shahberi is a "notified village" under phase-1 of Greater Noida.

But the notification related to acquisition of land there was cancelled by a Supreme Court order in May 2011, he said.

Local residents claimed that some builders had purchased land directly from the farmers and developed an unauthorised colony.

According to the FIR lodged at Bisrakha police station, poor quality material was used in the construction of the building.

The FIR said district authorities had been warning builders and contractors in general against unauthorised construction.

Three of those arrested have been identified as landowner Ganga Shankar Dwivedi and brokers Dinesh Singh and Sanjeev Kumar, both residents of Shahberi.

A six-floor under-construction building crashed on a five-storey building next to it, bringing it down as well, in Shahberi village under Bisrakh police station on Tuesday night

Eight people were killed and several feared trapped under the rubble of two adjacent buildings which collapsed in Greater Noida on the outskirts of the national capital, officials said on Wednesday. A six-floor under-construction building crashed on a five-storey building next to it, bringing it down as well, in Shahberi village under Bisrakh police station on Tuesday night. Officials said at least one of the buildings was unauthorised. At least 12 labourers were in the under-construction building and all of them were feared trapped, Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Arun Kumar Singh said. Two bodies were pulled out of the rubble late last night and another removed this morning as 150 personnel as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) mounted a rescue operation along with the police and the fire department. Five more bodies were brought out in the evening and later at night. Rescuers deployed heavy machinery to shift concrete slabs and used drills in a bid to reach people buried under the debris. Sniffer dogs tried to detect any sign of life. A crowd of people hung around the mishap site, including some who believed their relatives were trapped under the debris. Some flat owners who were planning to move into their new homes in the next few days also watched the rescue effort. Local politicians and media teams thronged the area as NDRF personnel asked people to keep away. Three of the victims have been identified as Ranjit, Shamshad and Priyanka. Three members of Priyanka's family were still trapped, Singh said after her body was pulled out. The police have arrested four people, including the landowner. Altogether, 24 people have been named in the FIR. Charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in Greater Noida Development Authority, Vibha Chahal, has been removed from her post. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath also ordered the suspension of two other officials, project manager V P Singh and assistant project manager Akhtar Abbas Zaidi, for dereliction of duty. Adityanath asked the Meerut divisional commissioner to conduct an inquiry and determine the extent of illegal construction in the area. Earlier in the day, Gautam Budh Nagar District Magistrate Brajesh Narayan Singh had also ordered an investigation into the mishap, to be completed within 15 days. "They have tried to sell an unauthorised construction to the people. We will initiate proceedings under the National Security Act against them," Singh told PTI. NDRF Director General Sanjay Kumar took stock of the rescue operations. He said the rescuers were exercising caution while operating the machines so that those trapped under the debris were not harmed. This was leading to the delay, he said. Kumar said the rescue operations were likely to be completed on Thursday. A state government statement said a magisterial probe will find out whether the buildings were under the jurisdiction of the Greater Noida Development Authority and if a no-objection certificate (NOC) was obtained before carrying out the construction. It will also determine if the quality of the building material was up to the mark and the construction workers were registered in accordance with the labour laws. In a press statement, the Greater Noida authority CEO Parth Sarthi Sen Sharma said Shahberi is a "notified village" under phase-1 of Greater Noida. But the notification related to acquisition of land there was cancelled by a Supreme Court order in May 2011, he said. Local residents claimed that some builders had purchased land directly from the farmers and developed an unauthorised colony. According to the FIR lodged at Bisrakha police station, poor quality material was used in the construction of the building. The FIR said district authorities had been warning builders and contractors in general against unauthorised construction. Three of those arrested have been identified as landowner Ganga Shankar Dwivedi and brokers Dinesh Singh and Sanjeev Kumar, both residents of Shahberi.

Greater Noida building collapse: 8 bodies recovered, many feared trapped in rubble

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018 with the majority of the house supporting it. The bill will now empower authorities to attach and confiscate the properties and assets of economic offenders like loan defaulters who flee the country.

According to the Bill, a person can be declared as a fugitive economic offender (FEO) if an arrest warrant is issued against him for any specified offences involving over Rs 100 crore and he has left the country and refuses to return to face prosecution.

To declare a person an FEO, an application will be filed in a Special Court designated under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002.

The Bill provides for confiscation of any FEO`s property bought from the proceeds of crime as also his other assets, benami or otherwise.

Earlier, taking part in the discussion on The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018, BJP`s Nishikant Dubey blamed the previous Congress-led UPA government for the rise in non-performing assets of banks.

Opposition parties, however, termed the Bill as "eyewash", saying the government wanted to be seen to be taking action in various cases involving Lalit Modi, Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, all of whom are living outside the country.&nbsp;

Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) member NK Premchandran, who had on Wednesday moved a statutory resolution, said he supported the intent behind the Bill, but the government should not have resorted to an ordinance, he said.

He said the bill was introduced in the Budget session of Parliament and efforts should have been made to pass it in that session.

Congress member Shashi Tharoor said the Bill was poorly drafted and would not withstand judicial scrutiny.

He questioned the logic behind the provision putting the minimum value of offence before the special court at Rs 100 crore. He said the threshold should be removed.&nbsp;

"This (the Bill) will not survive a constitutional test. It has been brought purely for optics and to play to the gallery. It suffers major lacunae. Any Bill we pass should be legally sound. It is too serious an issue to become another jumla," he said.

Tharoor said the government should also review its extradition process with other countries.

Nationalist Congress Party member Supriya Sule said there was a provision of confiscation of property in the Criminal Procedure Code also. She said the banking system should improve. There was a need to look into problems of employees who worked in companies floated by the fugitive offenders.&nbsp;

Kalyan Banejree of Trinamool Congress termed the Bill as "eyewash" and said it had some provisions which could be misused.

BJP`s Nishikant Dubey said bank NPAs had gone up as some high-value loans were given during the UPA rule without adequate scrutiny.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha has passed amendments to Prevention of corruption act bill (2013). Both houses have been adjourned for the day. &nbsp;It will resume on Friday at 11 am with the crucial no-confidence motion debate and voting.

 
&nbsp;

Opposition parties, however, termed the Bill as "eyewash", saying the government wanted to be seen to be taking action in various cases involving Lalit Modi, Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, all of whom are living outside the country.

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018 with the majority of the house supporting it. The bill will now empower authorities to attach and confiscate the properties and assets of economic offenders like loan defaulters who flee the country. According to the Bill, a person can be declared as a fugitive economic offender (FEO) if an arrest warrant is issued against him for any specified offences involving over Rs 100 crore and he has left the country and refuses to return to face prosecution. To declare a person an FEO, an application will be filed in a Special Court designated under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002. The Bill provides for confiscation of any FEO`s property bought from the proceeds of crime as also his other assets, benami or otherwise. Earlier, taking part in the discussion on The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018, BJP`s Nishikant Dubey blamed the previous Congress-led UPA government for the rise in non-performing assets of banks. Opposition parties, however, termed the Bill as "eyewash", saying the government wanted to be seen to be taking action in various cases involving Lalit Modi, Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, all of whom are living outside the country. Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) member NK Premchandran, who had on Wednesday moved a statutory resolution, said he supported the intent behind the Bill, but the government should not have resorted to an ordinance, he said. He said the bill was introduced in the Budget session of Parliament and efforts should have been made to pass it in that session. Congress member Shashi Tharoor said the Bill was poorly drafted and would not withstand judicial scrutiny. He questioned the logic behind the provision putting the minimum value of offence before the special court at Rs 100 crore. He said the threshold should be removed. "This (the Bill) will not survive a constitutional test. It has been brought purely for optics and to play to the gallery. It suffers major lacunae. Any Bill we pass should be legally sound. It is too serious an issue to become another jumla," he said. Tharoor said the government should also review its extradition process with other countries. Nationalist Congress Party member Supriya Sule said there was a provision of confiscation of property in the Criminal Procedure Code also. She said the banking system should improve. There was a need to look into problems of employees who worked in companies floated by the fugitive offenders. Kalyan Banejree of Trinamool Congress termed the Bill as "eyewash" and said it had some provisions which could be misused. BJP`s Nishikant Dubey said bank NPAs had gone up as some high-value loans were given during the UPA rule without adequate scrutiny. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha has passed amendments to Prevention of corruption act bill (2013). Both houses have been adjourned for the day. It will resume on Friday at 11 am with the crucial no-confidence motion debate and voting.

Lok Sabha passes Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill to halt 'loot and scoot' brigade

It is seldom that an Army man pens tribute to a Kashmiri pro-freedom activist on his death. But for Brigadier PS Gothra, a serving Indian Army officer, Noor Khan was much more than just a jailed bird.

Khan, also known as Gulam Hassan Malik who died on Tuesday, had joined terrorism in 1989 to become a terrorist leader. The news of his demise left a deep emotional vacuum for Brigadier Gothra who felt a sense of personal loss.

On his Facebook post, Brigadier Gothra explained the bond that Army officers gradually develop over a period of time during their posting in a particular area. "You seek and ask welfare of some old lady who blessed you for a long life, some young girl who forewarned you of some deadly mine laid for you, some SPO or policeman who took the bullet aimed at you on his chest, and some boys who helped you in operations," he noted.

His relationship with Khan, however, meant more than any of these.

"On a cold night in 1991, Noor Khan and his accomplices were surrounded by security forces. He jumped off from the first floor and got away but his leg got fractured. He could drag himself to a distance. By midnight he was lying helpless by the side of a road when a couple of NHPC employees on a vehicle spotted him. They took him along, gave him shelter and medical aid. In a month he was hale and hearty," he recollected.

Two years later, on a dark night when his father, Major GS Gothra (retd), then a Chief Engineer of Uri Hydroelectric Project (NHPC), was kidnapped by a group of terrorists. Perturbed by the situation, locals and NHPC employees approached Khan to help trace his kidnapped father.

"Noor Khan through his network could trace that my father was taken to a village in Sheri Valley. A local truck driver of the Project volunteered to go with Noor Khan to that village. Noor Khan at his peril argued with those terrorists and by midnight my father was brought back safely," he noted.

Later Brigadier Gothra's father offered Khan a reward for helping him return home safe. But, Khan refused to accept a single penny.

"The man had a lot of dignity," wrote Brig Gothra as he penned the tribute.

In 2013, Brigadier Gothra on being posted to Sheri Valley headed to Khan's house to pay him a visit, only to find that Khan had surrendered, grown old and voluntarily offered to pass information from his connections across the Line of Control.

Reminiscing about the conversations he had with Khan, Brigadier Gothra cherished the dignity in that man. While highlighting how Khan never approached him for any help, Brigadier Gothra wrote how Khan's need was only limited to some medical aid, and too only for his grandchild.

"He died yesterday at 70 years. I wish him eternal peace," he signed off.&nbsp;

Noor Khan had secured the release of the brigadier's father from terrorists in 1993. Khan died yesterday at 70

It is seldom that an Army man pens tribute to a Kashmiri pro-freedom activist on his death. But for Brigadier PS Gothra, a serving Indian Army officer, Noor Khan was much more than just a jailed bird. Khan, also known as Gulam Hassan Malik who died on Tuesday, had joined terrorism in 1989 to become a terrorist leader. The news of his demise left a deep emotional vacuum for Brigadier Gothra who felt a sense of personal loss. On his Facebook post, Brigadier Gothra explained the bond that Army officers gradually develop over a period of time during their posting in a particular area. "You seek and ask welfare of some old lady who blessed you for a long life, some young girl who forewarned you of some deadly mine laid for you, some SPO or policeman who took the bullet aimed at you on his chest, and some boys who helped you in operations," he noted. His relationship with Khan, however, meant more than any of these. "On a cold night in 1991, Noor Khan and his accomplices were surrounded by security forces. He jumped off from the first floor and got away but his leg got fractured. He could drag himself to a distance. By midnight he was lying helpless by the side of a road when a couple of NHPC employees on a vehicle spotted him. They took him along, gave him shelter and medical aid. In a month he was hale and hearty," he recollected. Two years later, on a dark night when his father, Major GS Gothra (retd), then a Chief Engineer of Uri Hydroelectric Project (NHPC), was kidnapped by a group of terrorists. Perturbed by the situation, locals and NHPC employees approached Khan to help trace his kidnapped father. "Noor Khan through his network could trace that my father was taken to a village in Sheri Valley. A local truck driver of the Project volunteered to go with Noor Khan to that village. Noor Khan at his peril argued with those terrorists and by midnight my father was brought back safely," he noted. Later Brigadier Gothra's father offered Khan a reward for helping him return home safe. But, Khan refused to accept a single penny. "The man had a lot of dignity," wrote Brig Gothra as he penned the tribute. In 2013, Brigadier Gothra on being posted to Sheri Valley headed to Khan's house to pay him a visit, only to find that Khan had surrendered, grown old and voluntarily offered to pass information from his connections across the Line of Control. Reminiscing about the conversations he had with Khan, Brigadier Gothra cherished the dignity in that man. While highlighting how Khan never approached him for any help, Brigadier Gothra wrote how Khan's need was only limited to some medical aid, and too only for his grandchild. "He died yesterday at 70 years. I wish him eternal peace," he signed off.

Indian Army brigadier writes tribute to Kashmiri pro-freedom activist

As the Lok Sabha gets set to&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/debate-on-no-trust-motion-in-lok-sabha-on-friday-bjp-remains-unperturbed-152670">debate the no-confidence motion</a> on Friday, the Speaker has allotted time to various political parties as they try to take on the Modi government in&nbsp;the lower house of Parliament.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/no-confidence-motion--amit-shah-dials-uddhav-thackeray-shiv-sena-to-vote-against-no-confidence-motion--152917">Also Read:&nbsp;AAP issues whip, directs its MPs to vote against Modi government</a>

The ruling BJP has been allotted 3 hours and 33 minutes as their MPs including PM Modi set out to thwart Opposition attempts to dismiss the government.

BJP's principal rival the <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/who-says-we-dont-have-the-numbers-sonia-gandhi-said-on-trust-vote-152647">Congress has been granted </a>38 minutes during the confidence vote while Mamata Banerjee's TMC has been given 27 minutes during the debate.

Tamil Nadu chief minister&nbsp;Palaniswami's AIADMK which is likely to back the BJP has been given 29 minutes, more than the TMC.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal(BJD) has been given 15 minutes to put their views on the confidence vote in the Lok Sabha.

The Shiv Sena which has issued a whip for its MPs to vote against the no-confidence motion will get just 14 minutes.&nbsp;

Interestingly, Andhra Pradesh's TDP government led by Chandrababu Naidu, who had &nbsp;moved the no-confidence motion over the issue of Modi's government's refusal to give the state special &nbsp;category status, will get just 13 minutes to put forth their views while Telangana Rashtra Samithi(TRS) which is the ruling party in Telangana will get just 9 minutes to speak during&nbsp;the crucial vote. 
&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami's AIADMK which is likely to back the BJP has been given 29 minutes, more than the TMC.

As the Lok Sabha gets set to debate the no-confidence motion on Friday, the Speaker has allotted time to various political parties as they try to take on the Modi government in the lower house of Parliament. Also Read: AAP issues whip, directs its MPs to vote against Modi government The ruling BJP has been allotted 3 hours and 33 minutes as their MPs including PM Modi set out to thwart Opposition attempts to dismiss the government. BJP's principal rival the Congress has been granted 38 minutes during the confidence vote while Mamata Banerjee's TMC has been given 27 minutes during the debate. Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami's AIADMK which is likely to back the BJP has been given 29 minutes, more than the TMC. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal(BJD) has been given 15 minutes to put their views on the confidence vote in the Lok Sabha. The Shiv Sena which has issued a whip for its MPs to vote against the no-confidence motion will get just 14 minutes. Interestingly, Andhra Pradesh's TDP government led by Chandrababu Naidu, who had moved the no-confidence motion over the issue of Modi's government's refusal to give the state special category status, will get just 13 minutes to put forth their views while Telangana Rashtra Samithi(TRS) which is the ruling party in Telangana will get just 9 minutes to speak during the crucial vote.

No-confidence vote: BJP gets over 3 hrs to speak, Congress allotted 38 minutes

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/forces-in-us-ready-to-easily-sacrifice-russian-american-relations-putin-152950">Watch: Forces in </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/forces-in-us-ready-to-easily-sacrifice-russian-american-relations-putin-152950">US</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/forces-in-us-ready-to-easily-sacrifice-russian-american-relations-putin-152950"> ready to easily sacrifice Russian-American relations, says Putin</a>

Just days after the Helsinki meeting with Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin while addressing ambassadors in Moscow accused "forces in the US" for "sacrificing" Russian-American ties.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/rbi-to-introduce-new-rs-100-denomination-banknotes-shortly-152912">RBI to introduce new Rs 100 denomination banknotes shortly</a>

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to introduce new Rs 100 denomination banknotes shortly, reported news agency ANI.&nbsp

<a href="http://wionews.com/sports/watch-like-sachin-arjun-tendulkar-out-on-duck-in-debut-match-152926">Watch: Like Sachin, Arjun Tendulkar out on duck in debut match</a>

Allrounder Arjun Tendulkar, who recently grabbed the headlines for taking his maiden international wicket to dismiss Sri Lanka's Kamil Mishara, failed to score a single run in his debut Test match against Sri Lanka in Colombo's Nondescripts Cricket Club ground.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/no-confidence-motion--amit-shah-dials-uddhav-thackeray-shiv-sena-to-vote-against-no-confidence-motion--152917">AAP issues </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/no-confidence-motion--amit-shah-dials-uddhav-thackeray-shiv-sena-to-vote-against-no-confidence-motion--152917">whip,</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/no-confidence-motion--amit-shah-dials-uddhav-thackeray-shiv-sena-to-vote-against-no-confidence-motion--152917"> directs its MPs to vote against Modi government in </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/no-confidence-motion--amit-shah-dials-uddhav-thackeray-shiv-sena-to-vote-against-no-confidence-motion--152917">no-confidence</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/no-confidence-motion--amit-shah-dials-uddhav-thackeray-shiv-sena-to-vote-against-no-confidence-motion--152917"> motion</a>

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday issued a whip, directing its MPs to vote against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in no-nonfidence motion in parliament on Friday.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/eu-warns-it-will-retaliate-if-us-imposes-disastrous-auto-tariffs-152929">EU warns it will retaliate if </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/eu-warns-it-will-retaliate-if-us-imposes-disastrous-auto-tariffs-152929">US</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/eu-warns-it-will-retaliate-if-us-imposes-disastrous-auto-tariffs-152929"> imposes 'disastrous' auto tariffs</a>

The European Union will retaliate if US President Donald Trump imposes "disastrous" tariffs on automobiles, EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom warned Thursday.

&nbsp

Watch: Forces in US ready to easily sacrifice Russian-American relations, says Putin Just days after the Helsinki meeting with Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin while addressing ambassadors in Moscow accused "forces in the US" for "sacrificing" Russian-American ties. RBI to introduce new Rs 100 denomination banknotes shortly Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to introduce new Rs 100 denomination banknotes shortly, reported news agency ANI. Watch: Like Sachin, Arjun Tendulkar out on duck in debut match Allrounder Arjun Tendulkar, who recently grabbed the headlines for taking his maiden international wicket to dismiss Sri Lanka's Kamil Mishara, failed to score a single run in his debut Test match against Sri Lanka in Colombo's Nondescripts Cricket Club ground. AAP issues whip, directs its MPs to vote against Modi government in no-confidence motion Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday issued a whip, directing its MPs to vote against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in no-nonfidence motion in parliament on Friday. EU warns it will retaliate if US imposes 'disastrous' auto tariffs The European Union will retaliate if US President Donald Trump imposes "disastrous" tariffs on automobiles, EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom warned Thursday.

Mangal Pandey, the man who is credit to have started the famous sepoy mutiny in 1857, is widely regarded as a hero in modern India. More than a century later, the man and his heroics continue to fascinate and inspire Indians. On his birth anniversary, here's a look at some of the fascinating facts about the man who fought the mighty British.&nbsp 
 
- Born to a traditional Brahmin family in 1827, Pandey hailed from Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp 
 
- He was a private soldier of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry. It is here that he rebelled against the British Army on 29th March 1857 in an inebriated state.&nbsp 
 
- During his trial, he had admitted that he was under the influence of opium and Bhang when he raised his voice and revolted against the British army.&nbsp 
 
- Though&nbsphistorians feel that Pandey's outburst was motivated due to the introduction of a&nbspnew type of cartridge that the British Army was using for war fare. The cartridges were greased with animal fat, primarily from cows and pigs, which could not be consumed by Hindus and Muslims respectively. The cartridges had to be bitten at one end before use. The Indian troops in some regiments were of the opinion that this was an intentional act of the British, with the aim of defiling their religions

- Pandey was declared&nbspa traitor by the British Army and was hanged on April 18&nbsp

- His act of revolt, subsequent arrest and hanging triggered nation-wide uproar and marked the beginning of the revolt of 1857.&nbsp

- Pandey's act is considered as the one of the earliest manifestations of Indian nationalism, and inspired many associated to the freedom movemnet to fight against the tyrinical rile of the British.

- Pandey's act has insipred several literarry and film works including a film by Ketan Mehta- Mangal Pandey: The Rising- which featured Aamir Khan in the lead role.&nbsp

Pandey heroic act led to the first revolt against the British

Mangal Pandey, the man who is credit to have started the famous sepoy mutiny in 1857, is widely regarded as a hero in modern India. More than a century later, the man and his heroics continue to fascinate and inspire Indians. On his birth anniversary, here's a look at some of the fascinating facts about the man who fought the mighty British. - Born to a traditional Brahmin family in 1827, Pandey hailed from Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh. - He was a private soldier of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry. It is here that he rebelled against the British Army on 29th March 1857 in an inebriated state. - During his trial, he had admitted that he was under the influence of opium and Bhang when he raised his voice and revolted against the British army. - Though&nbsphistorians feel that Pandey's outburst was motivated due to the introduction of a&nbspnew type of cartridge that the British Army was using for war fare. The cartridges were greased with animal fat, primarily from cows and pigs, which could not be consumed by Hindus and Muslims respectively. The cartridges had to be bitten at one end before use. The Indian troops in some regiments were of the opinion that this was an intentional act of the British, with the aim of defiling their religions - Pandey was declared&nbspa traitor by the British Army and was hanged on April 18 - His act of revolt, subsequent arrest and hanging triggered nation-wide uproar and marked the beginning of the revolt of 1857. - Pandey's act is considered as the one of the earliest manifestations of Indian nationalism, and inspired many associated to the freedom movemnet to fight against the tyrinical rile of the British. - Pandey's act has insipred several literarry and film works including a film by Ketan Mehta- Mangal Pandey: The Rising- which featured Aamir Khan in the lead role.

Remembering Mangal Pandey: The man who brought revolution

Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram, against whom the CBI has filed a charge-sheet in Aircel-Maxis case, on Thursday alleged that the probe agency has been pressured to take action against him to support a "preposterous" allegation.

Soon after the CBI filed the supplementary charge-sheet against him and his son Karti, the former finance minister in a Tweet said he will "vigorously" contest the case in the court.

"CBI has been pressured to file a charge sheet to support a preposterous allegation against me and officers with a sterling reputation," he tweeted.&nbsp;

Chidambaram said the case is now before a court and it will be "vigorously" contested. "I shall make no more public comment," he added.

The senior Congress leader's role had come under the scanner of investigating agencies in the Aircel-Maxis deal of Rs 3,500 crore and INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore.

The CBI was conducting a probe as to how Chidambaram, who was the finance minister in 2006, granted Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to a foreign firm when only Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) was empowered to do it.

In its charge sheet filed earlier in the case against former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and others, the agency had alleged that Chidambaram had granted FIPB approval in March 2006 to Mauritius-based Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxis.

The Enforcement Directorate is also probing a separate money laundering case in the Aircel-Maxis deal in which Chidambaram and Karti have been questioned by the agency.

Both Chidambaram and Karti have denied the allegations levelled against them by the CBI and ED.&nbsp;

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CBI has been pressured to file a charge sheet to support a preposterous allegation against me and officers with a sterling reputation. The case is now before the Hon'ble Court and it will be contested vigorously. I shall make no more public comment.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/1019913987691966464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Soon after the CBI filed the supplementary charge-sheet against him and his son Karti, the former finance minister in a Tweet said he will "vigorously" contest the case in the court.

Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram, against whom the CBI has filed a charge-sheet in Aircel-Maxis case, on Thursday alleged that the probe agency has been pressured to take action against him to support a "preposterous" allegation. Soon after the CBI filed the supplementary charge-sheet against him and his son Karti, the former finance minister in a Tweet said he will "vigorously" contest the case in the court. "CBI has been pressured to file a charge sheet to support a preposterous allegation against me and officers with a sterling reputation," he tweeted. Chidambaram said the case is now before a court and it will be "vigorously" contested. "I shall make no more public comment," he added. The senior Congress leader's role had come under the scanner of investigating agencies in the Aircel-Maxis deal of Rs 3,500 crore and INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore. The CBI was conducting a probe as to how Chidambaram, who was the finance minister in 2006, granted Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to a foreign firm when only Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) was empowered to do it. In its charge sheet filed earlier in the case against former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and others, the agency had alleged that Chidambaram had granted FIPB approval in March 2006 to Mauritius-based Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxis. The Enforcement Directorate is also probing a separate money laundering case in the Aircel-Maxis deal in which Chidambaram and Karti have been questioned by the agency. Both Chidambaram and Karti have denied the allegations levelled against them by the CBI and ED. CBI has been pressured to file a charge sheet to support a preposterous allegation against me and officers with a sterling reputation. The case is now before the Hon'ble Court and it will be contested vigorously. I shall make no more public comment. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) July 19, 2018 ×

Aircel Maxis case: Chidambaram says CBI pressured to file charge sheet against him

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday filed fresh charge-sheet against former finance minister and Congress leader P chidambaram and his son Karti in Aircel Maxis case pertaining to Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval.

The charge-sheet filed in the Patiala House Court included 18 accused including P Chidambaram and his son.&nbsp;

The charge-sheet mentioned six companies including Chest Management Services, Advantage Strategic, Astro All Asia Networks and others.&nbsp;

The case pertains to Aircel seeking permission to bring in&nbsp;foreign direct investment (FDI) of Rs 3,500 crore in 2006 and the then finance ministry P Chidambaram allegedly suppressing the figure to make the case that the telecom company was seeking clearance for getting only Rs 180 crore in FDI&nbsp;to avoid the matter being referred to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

As per rules applicable at that time, foreign investment of up to Rs 600 crore could be cleared by the finance minister through FIPB.

CBI says in its new charge-sheet that two sets of money trails were discovered regarding Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance. Patiala House Court to take cognizance of the charge-sheet on July 31. Some government officials -- both serving & retired -- have been named in charge-sheet, reports said.

Karti was arrested by CBI at the Chennai airport after he returned from the United Kingdom on February 28 for his alleged role in the case. Karti is currently out on bail.&nbsp;

In August 2014, the CBI chargesheeted&nbsp;former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, Maxis' owner Ananda Krishnan besides Maran's brother and media baron Kalanithi Maran among others in the case.&nbsp;

The charge-sheet filed in the Patiala House Court included 18 accused including P Chidambaram and his son.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday filed fresh charge-sheet against former finance minister and Congress leader P chidambaram and his son Karti in Aircel Maxis case pertaining to Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval. The charge-sheet filed in the Patiala House Court included 18 accused including P Chidambaram and his son. The charge-sheet mentioned six companies including Chest Management Services, Advantage Strategic, Astro All Asia Networks and others. The case pertains to Aircel seeking permission to bring in foreign direct investment (FDI) of Rs 3,500 crore in 2006 and the then finance ministry P Chidambaram allegedly suppressing the figure to make the case that the telecom company was seeking clearance for getting only Rs 180 crore in FDI to avoid the matter being referred to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). As per rules applicable at that time, foreign investment of up to Rs 600 crore could be cleared by the finance minister through FIPB. CBI says in its new charge-sheet that two sets of money trails were discovered regarding Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance. Patiala House Court to take cognizance of the charge-sheet on July 31. Some government officials -- both serving & retired -- have been named in charge-sheet, reports said. Karti was arrested by CBI at the Chennai airport after he returned from the United Kingdom on February 28 for his alleged role in the case. Karti is currently out on bail. In August 2014, the CBI chargesheeted former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, Maxis' owner Ananda Krishnan besides Maran's brother and media baron Kalanithi Maran among others in the case.

Aircel Maxis case: P Chidambaram, son karti charged by CBI

This is a segment of WION which talks about female genital mutilation. SC hearing plea seeking female genital mutilation ban. Watch this video for more information.

SC hearing plea seeking female genital mutilation ban

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Remembering Mangal Pandey: The man who brought revolution

Aircel Maxis case: Chidambaram says CBI pressured to file charge sheet against him

Aircel Maxis case: P Chidambaram, son karti charged by CBI

SC hearing plea seeking female genital mutilation ban