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In an attempt to continue his fight against the Centre, Telugu Desam Party chief and the <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/andhra-cm-chandrababu-naidu-braces-to-take-on-pm-over-broken-promises-in-niti-aayog-meeting-144830">Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu</a> reached out to the non-Congress and non- BJP parties on Sunday.

News agency ANI reported that the party chief wrote to the non- Congress and non-BJP parties' presidents and Parliamentary party leaders seeking cooperation and support for TDP’s fight against the Centre for justice to the state.

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TDP President and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu wrote to non-BJP, non-Congress parties’ presidents and Parliamentary party leaders seeking cooperation and support for TDP’s fight against the centre for justice to the state. (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/lOTU6rYZfN">pic.twitter.com/lOTU6rYZfN</a>
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The move has come two days after TDP chief said that he would move a no-confidence motion against the NDA in the upcoming monsoon session of the parliament.

TDP, once BJP's biggest ally partner in the south, broke its alliance with the NDA in March after it pulled out its ministers from the government.

The TDP claims that the PM Modi led government did not fulfil its promise of providing a special status to &nbspAndhra Pradesh.

Naidu had also tried bringing a no-confidence motion against the government earlier this year but the motion against the government was halted due to repeated adjournments in parliament.&nbsp

Naidu had said earlier, "In 2019, BJP will taste defeat. It gave false promise but could not deliver anything. Conspiracies are going on to create tension in the state. But we won`t let them happen." Naidu had claimed. He had also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he is a campaign PM who has failed to deliver on promises.

The move has come two days after TDP chief said that he would move a no-confidence motion against the NDA in the upcoming monsoon session of the parliament

In an attempt to continue his fight against the Centre, Telugu Desam Party chief and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu reached out to the non-Congress and non- BJP parties on Sunday. News agency ANI reported that the party chief wrote to the non- Congress and non-BJP parties' presidents and Parliamentary party leaders seeking cooperation and support for TDP’s fight against the Centre for justice to the state. TDP President and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu wrote to non-BJP, non-Congress parties’ presidents and Parliamentary party leaders seeking cooperation and support for TDP’s fight against the centre for justice to the state. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/lOTU6rYZfN — ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2018 × The move has come two days after TDP chief said that he would move a no-confidence motion against the NDA in the upcoming monsoon session of the parliament. TDP, once BJP's biggest ally partner in the south, broke its alliance with the NDA in March after it pulled out its ministers from the government. The TDP claims that the PM Modi led government did not fulfil its promise of providing a special status to &nbspAndhra Pradesh. Naidu had also tried bringing a no-confidence motion against the government earlier this year but the motion against the government was halted due to repeated adjournments in parliament. Naidu had said earlier, "In 2019, BJP will taste defeat. It gave false promise but could not deliver anything. Conspiracies are going on to create tension in the state. But we won`t let them happen." Naidu had claimed. He had also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he is a campaign PM who has failed to deliver on promises.

Chandrababu Naidu seeks support from non-BJP, non-Congress leaders in 'fight against Centre'

The Congress on Saturday hit back at Narendra Modi for calling it a party that stood only for Muslim men, alleging the prime minister was spreading the "poison of hatred and division" sensing defeat in the next election.

The reaction came after the prime minister attacked the Congress and Rahul Gandhi over his remarks reported by an Urdu daily and the party's stand on triple talaq issue.&nbsp

I read in the newspaper that the Congress president had said that Congress is a party of Muslims, and there has been discussion on this for the past two days. I am not surprised as when Manmohan Singh was PM, he had said that Muslims have the first right over natural resources, Modi said today in a rally in Uttar Pradesh.

Reacting to the remarks, Congress's communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said the prime minister was lying by using the names of Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

He said the prime minister looks "desperate" sensing defeat in the next polls and was seen spreading the "poison of hatred and division" in the society.

He alleged that prime minister Modi was blinded by his desire to take revenge on Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp

Congress spokesperson Pramod Tiwari said, "If any party that has taken every section of the society along it is the Congress. This tradition has been followed from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi."&nbsp

"We respect every religion and we don't believe in the politics of division," he told reporters.

On the triple talaq issue, Tiwari said, "We are in favour of triple talaq. Now the PM is saying he will talk why didn't he talk about it before introducing the bill. Deliberately you are bringing it in such a way..If you want to talk then talk, it should be in favour of women."

Countering Modi's charge on tripe talaq, senior Congress leader and former Union minister Salman Khurshid claimed the prime minister "knows nothing" about the issue and should not speak on it.

"Does the PM know what triple talaq is? Does the PM know any of these things? If he can say in public what is triple talaq, we will be very happy to answer him. I think, the PM should not speak on everything particularly on the subjects he does not know about," Khurshid said.&nbsp

"There is no Muslim, Hindu, Christian party. There are political parties and they are political parties made up of human beings. It is good if the BJP was to discover what human beings are. They have spent too much time amongst those who are not human beings," the Congress leader said in a scathing attack on the ruling party.

The BJP and the Congress have been sparring after the Urdu daily reported that the Rahul Gandhi who met Muslim intellectuals earlier this week had told them that the Congress was a party of Muslims. The Congress has dismissed the media report as a "rumour" and asserted that it was a party of 132 crore Indians.

Sitharaman had yesterday demanded that Gandhi clarify his stand and alleged that the Congress was "playing up the card of religion and communal division".

The Congress retorted by saying that the defence minister should first answer questions about the alleged corruption in the Rafale deal and accused her of carrying forward the "polarising agenda of the prime minister".

After taming Pakistan, eliminating terrorism, stopping infiltration and acquiring Rafale aircraft, the Defence Minister has all the time in the world to inquire into the religious affiliations of parties and persons!, former finance minister P Chidambaram tweeted.

Attacking prime minister Modi over his remarks in Azamgarh and his 'Namamdaar' jibe, Congress spokesperson Tiwari said be it social media or common man's language you also have a number of nicknames.

"If we take those names you will start crying that I am the PM and I was called this," he said.

"Before speaking about others, you must think that if you take jibes at leaders of other parties, lowering the dignity of the office you hold, till when will we keep respecting the office you hold, we will also have to call you by the names by which you are known," Tiwari said.

He said Modi's body language at the rally was one of a general whose army is facing defeats after defeats.

Tiwari also hit out at Modi for taking "undue credit" for the Purvanchal Expressway, saying the land acquisition for the project was done much before he came to power.

Tiwari also evoked the Unnao rape case and said the BJP MLA accused of raping a minor in Uttar Pradesh still holds his position in the party.

He also alleged that Parliament did not function in the last session because of the BJP government.

"They do not want it to function as they will have to answer on issues such as the Rafale deal and Nirav Modi," he said.

"Four years have passed, stop making claims and answer where are these Rs 15 lakh you promised. Where are the jobs? Answer about price rise, about the rupees' declining value, when will oil prices be reduced. You should have answered that in Azamgarh today," Tiwari said.&nbsp

The reaction came after the prime minister attacked the Congress and Rahul Gandhi over his remarks reported by an Urdu daily and the party's stand on triple talaq issue.

The Congress on Saturday hit back at Narendra Modi for calling it a party that stood only for Muslim men, alleging the prime minister was spreading the "poison of hatred and division" sensing defeat in the next election. The reaction came after the prime minister attacked the Congress and Rahul Gandhi over his remarks reported by an Urdu daily and the party's stand on triple talaq issue. I read in the newspaper that the Congress president had said that Congress is a party of Muslims, and there has been discussion on this for the past two days. I am not surprised as when Manmohan Singh was PM, he had said that Muslims have the first right over natural resources, Modi said today in a rally in Uttar Pradesh. Reacting to the remarks, Congress's communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said the prime minister was lying by using the names of Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh. He said the prime minister looks "desperate" sensing defeat in the next polls and was seen spreading the "poison of hatred and division" in the society. He alleged that prime minister Modi was blinded by his desire to take revenge on Rahul Gandhi. Congress spokesperson Pramod Tiwari said, "If any party that has taken every section of the society along it is the Congress. This tradition has been followed from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi." "We respect every religion and we don't believe in the politics of division," he told reporters. On the triple talaq issue, Tiwari said, "We are in favour of triple talaq. Now the PM is saying he will talk why didn't he talk about it before introducing the bill. Deliberately you are bringing it in such a way..If you want to talk then talk, it should be in favour of women." Countering Modi's charge on tripe talaq, senior Congress leader and former Union minister Salman Khurshid claimed the prime minister "knows nothing" about the issue and should not speak on it. "Does the PM know what triple talaq is? Does the PM know any of these things? If he can say in public what is triple talaq, we will be very happy to answer him. I think, the PM should not speak on everything particularly on the subjects he does not know about," Khurshid said. "There is no Muslim, Hindu, Christian party. There are political parties and they are political parties made up of human beings. It is good if the BJP was to discover what human beings are. They have spent too much time amongst those who are not human beings," the Congress leader said in a scathing attack on the ruling party. The BJP and the Congress have been sparring after the Urdu daily reported that the Rahul Gandhi who met Muslim intellectuals earlier this week had told them that the Congress was a party of Muslims. The Congress has dismissed the media report as a "rumour" and asserted that it was a party of 132 crore Indians. Sitharaman had yesterday demanded that Gandhi clarify his stand and alleged that the Congress was "playing up the card of religion and communal division". The Congress retorted by saying that the defence minister should first answer questions about the alleged corruption in the Rafale deal and accused her of carrying forward the "polarising agenda of the prime minister". After taming Pakistan, eliminating terrorism, stopping infiltration and acquiring Rafale aircraft, the Defence Minister has all the time in the world to inquire into the religious affiliations of parties and persons!, former finance minister P Chidambaram tweeted. Attacking prime minister Modi over his remarks in Azamgarh and his 'Namamdaar' jibe, Congress spokesperson Tiwari said be it social media or common man's language you also have a number of nicknames. "If we take those names you will start crying that I am the PM and I was called this," he said. "Before speaking about others, you must think that if you take jibes at leaders of other parties, lowering the dignity of the office you hold, till when will we keep respecting the office you hold, we will also have to call you by the names by which you are known," Tiwari said. He said Modi's body language at the rally was one of a general whose army is facing defeats after defeats. Tiwari also hit out at Modi for taking "undue credit" for the Purvanchal Expressway, saying the land acquisition for the project was done much before he came to power. Tiwari also evoked the Unnao rape case and said the BJP MLA accused of raping a minor in Uttar Pradesh still holds his position in the party. He also alleged that Parliament did not function in the last session because of the BJP government. "They do not want it to function as they will have to answer on issues such as the Rafale deal and Nirav Modi," he said. "Four years have passed, stop making claims and answer where are these Rs 15 lakh you promised. Where are the jobs? Answer about price rise, about the rupees' declining value, when will oil prices be reduced. You should have answered that in Azamgarh today," Tiwari said.

Congress hits back at PM, says he is 'spreading poison of division'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-and-gaza-militants-agree-to-end-fierce-flare-up-of-fighting-151768">Israel, Gaza militants agree to end fierce flare-up of fighting</a>

Israel and Gaza militant groups agreed a ceasefire on Saturday, a Palestinian official said, after Israel launched dozens of air strikes against the Palestinian enclave's ruling Hamas group and gunmen fired more than 100 rockets across the border.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/heading-coalition-government-is-like-swallowing-poison-teary-eyed-kumaraswamy-tells-jds-members-151770">Heading coalition government is like swallowing poison: Teary-eyed Kumaraswamy tells JD(S) </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/heading-coalition-government-is-like-swallowing-poison-teary-eyed-kumaraswamy-tells-jds-members-151770">members</a>

Karnataka's Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday expressed his distress of being the head of a coalition government in the state. He described his plight similar to swallowing poison.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-15-whipped-in-public-in-aceh-province-for-homosexuality-adultery-151757">Indonesia: 15 whipped in public in Aceh province for homosexuality, adultery</a>

As many as 15 people were publicly punished for violating Sharia law in Indonesia's conservative province of Aceh. The violators received canings in public for adultery, alcoholism and homosexuality.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-summit-trump-russia-ties-under-investigation-151759">Putin Summit: Trump-Russia ties under investigation</a>

US President Donald Trump's summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin caps decades of efforts by the New York property tycoon to establish top-level relations in Moscow.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-doesnt-even-know-how-onion-grows-shivraj-singh-chouhan-151769">Rahul doesn't even know how onion grows: Shivraj Singh Chouhan</a>

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today on Saturday poohed Rahul Gandhi's visit to Mandsaur to meet farmers, saying the Congress chief does not even know how an onion grows, news agency PTI Reported.

Israel, Gaza militants agree to end fierce flare-up of fighting Israel and Gaza militant groups agreed a ceasefire on Saturday, a Palestinian official said, after Israel launched dozens of air strikes against the Palestinian enclave's ruling Hamas group and gunmen fired more than 100 rockets across the border. Heading coalition government is like swallowing poison: Teary-eyed Kumaraswamy tells JD(S) members Karnataka's Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday expressed his distress of being the head of a coalition government in the state. He described his plight similar to swallowing poison. Indonesia: 15 whipped in public in Aceh province for homosexuality, adultery As many as 15 people were publicly punished for violating Sharia law in Indonesia's conservative province of Aceh. The violators received canings in public for adultery, alcoholism and homosexuality. Putin Summit: Trump-Russia ties under investigation US President Donald Trump's summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin caps decades of efforts by the New York property tycoon to establish top-level relations in Moscow. Rahul doesn't even know how onion grows: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today on Saturday poohed Rahul Gandhi's visit to Mandsaur to meet farmers, saying the Congress chief does not even know how an onion grows, news agency PTI Reported.

News brief: Big stories of the day

BSP supremo Mayawati on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the laying of the foundation stone for the Purvanchal Expressway "while the Lok Sabha elections were approaching is a 'chalava' (deception) with the people."

Modi laid the foundation stone for the Rs 23,000 crore Purvanchal Expressway at Azamgarh today and described the occasion as the beginning of a new chapter in the development of Uttar Pradesh, particularly its eastern part.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief, in a statement, said, "Laying of foundation stone for the Purvanchal Expressway while the Lok Sabha elections were approaching is a 'chalava' (deception) with the people."

"If the prime minister had implemented this old scheme after in 2014 (when he came to power), then instead of laying the foundation stone, it would had been inaugurated. But this did not happen," she said.

Mayawati claimed that the framework of Purvanchal Expressway, Jewar Airport and the 8-lane Ganga Expressway from Greater Noida to Ballia were prepared during the BSP rule in the state and work on setting up the basic infrastructure had already started.

"All these works could had been completed, if the then Congress government at the Centre had given no objection certificate, but that did not happen," she said.

Mayawati said, "If the BJP government rises above electoral politics and works in the larger public interest, then it would be better."

Hours before the inauguration of the Purvanchal Expressway project, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav dismissed it as a "relaunch" of a project which he had inaugurated as the previous chief minister of the state.

"This was originally Samajwadi Purvanchal Expressway, but the word Samajwadi has been dropped," he told a press conference at the party headquarters here.&nbsp

Mayawati said, 'If the BJP government rises above electoral politics and works in the larger public interest, then it would be better.'

BSP supremo Mayawati on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the laying of the foundation stone for the Purvanchal Expressway "while the Lok Sabha elections were approaching is a 'chalava' (deception) with the people." Modi laid the foundation stone for the Rs 23,000 crore Purvanchal Expressway at Azamgarh today and described the occasion as the beginning of a new chapter in the development of Uttar Pradesh, particularly its eastern part. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief, in a statement, said, "Laying of foundation stone for the Purvanchal Expressway while the Lok Sabha elections were approaching is a 'chalava' (deception) with the people." "If the prime minister had implemented this old scheme after in 2014 (when he came to power), then instead of laying the foundation stone, it would had been inaugurated. But this did not happen," she said. Mayawati claimed that the framework of Purvanchal Expressway, Jewar Airport and the 8-lane Ganga Expressway from Greater Noida to Ballia were prepared during the BSP rule in the state and work on setting up the basic infrastructure had already started. "All these works could had been completed, if the then Congress government at the Centre had given no objection certificate, but that did not happen," she said. Mayawati said, "If the BJP government rises above electoral politics and works in the larger public interest, then it would be better." Hours before the inauguration of the Purvanchal Expressway project, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav dismissed it as a "relaunch" of a project which he had inaugurated as the previous chief minister of the state. "This was originally Samajwadi Purvanchal Expressway, but the word Samajwadi has been dropped," he told a press conference at the party headquarters here.

Mayawati calls Purvanchal Expressway launch pre-poll 'deception'

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today on Saturday poohed Rahul Gandhi's visit to Mandsaur to meet farmers, saying the Congress chief does not even know how an onion grows, news agency PTI Reported.

Chouhan, who embarked on a `Jan Ashirwad Yatra' from the city earlier today, said, "A `bhaiya' (Gandhi) recently visited Mandsaur. He himself said I am ready to become prime minister. Who is making you PM?

"He hardly knows how a chilli grows, upward or downward, and has no idea whether onion grows above the ground or below," the chief minister said.

Rahul Gandhi had visited Mandsaur in West Madhya Pradesh in June to pay homage to six persons who were killed in police firing during a farmers' agitation last year.

"Congress is a slave of one family. On the other hand, the BJP has a strong leader such as Narendra Modi, under whose leadership country has been progressing and getting respect all over the world," Chouhan was quoted as saying.

Asking who would be the Congress's chief ministerial candidate in the Assembly elections which are due by year-end, Chouhan said, "Whenever there is a talk about leadership in Congress (in the state), 25 of them stand up to offer candidature. We have clarity on our side, but who is your commander?"

BJP chief Amit Shah flagged off Chouhan's state-wide tour to "seek people's blessings" this morning. The chief minister would be travelling through almost all Assembly constituencies in the state.&nbsp

(With PTI inputs)&nbsp

Chouhan, who embarked on a `Jan Ashirwad Yatra' from the city earlier today, said, "A `bhaiya' (Gandhi) recently visited Mandsaur. He himself said I am ready to become prime minister. Who is making you PM?

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today on Saturday poohed Rahul Gandhi's visit to Mandsaur to meet farmers, saying the Congress chief does not even know how an onion grows, news agency PTI Reported. Chouhan, who embarked on a `Jan Ashirwad Yatra' from the city earlier today, said, "A `bhaiya' (Gandhi) recently visited Mandsaur. He himself said I am ready to become prime minister. Who is making you PM? "He hardly knows how a chilli grows, upward or downward, and has no idea whether onion grows above the ground or below," the chief minister said. Rahul Gandhi had visited Mandsaur in West Madhya Pradesh in June to pay homage to six persons who were killed in police firing during a farmers' agitation last year. "Congress is a slave of one family. On the other hand, the BJP has a strong leader such as Narendra Modi, under whose leadership country has been progressing and getting respect all over the world," Chouhan was quoted as saying. Asking who would be the Congress's chief ministerial candidate in the Assembly elections which are due by year-end, Chouhan said, "Whenever there is a talk about leadership in Congress (in the state), 25 of them stand up to offer candidature. We have clarity on our side, but who is your commander?" BJP chief Amit Shah flagged off Chouhan's state-wide tour to "seek people's blessings" this morning. The chief minister would be travelling through almost all Assembly constituencies in the state. (With PTI inputs)

Rahul doesn't even know how onion grows: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Amid the continuous rains that lashed the city on Sunday morning,&nbsp;Mumbai also witnessed a high tide at around 1:50 pm.

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High tide in Mumbai as heavy rain lashes the city. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MumbaiRains?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MumbaiRains</a> <a href="https://t.co/XS7AYST1an">pic.twitter.com/XS7AYST1an</a>
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&nbsp;

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The Indian Meteorological Department had earlier issued a warning for a high tide of about 4.97 meters.

Several people had gathered at the Marine drive to witness the tide.

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Meanwhile, the traffic police personnel were filling the potholes on the bridge over Kamvari river, in Bhiwandi.&nbsp;

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The Indian Meteorological Department had earlier issued a warning for a high tide of about 4.97 meters

Amid the continuous rains that lashed the city on Sunday morning, Mumbai also witnessed a high tide at around 1:50 pm. High tide in Mumbai as heavy rain lashes the city. #MumbaiRains pic.twitter.com/XS7AYST1an — ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2018 × The Indian Meteorological Department had earlier issued a warning for a high tide of about 4.97 meters. Several people had gathered at the Marine drive to witness the tide. Meanwhile, the traffic police personnel were filling the potholes on the bridge over Kamvari river, in Bhiwandi. ×

High Tide hits Mumbai amid heavy rains

Days after the BJP opposed the idea of <a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/politicos-reject-shariat-court-proposal-150082">Shariat courts in the country</a>, Zafaryab Jilani from the &nbsp;All India Muslim Personal Law Board targetted the BJP-RSS saying that the two were doing politics in the name of Shariat courts.

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Jilani said, "Shariah Board is not a court. BJP-RSS is doing politics in the name of Shariat courts".

He said they never wanted to set up courts in all districts of the country and just advocated for setting up the courts in districts where it was required.

"We have never talked about setting up Shariat courts in all districts across the country. Our motive is to set them up in places where it is required and where people want them", he said.

He further said,"The board is working with full responsibility. It will hold workshops across the country to create awareness".

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Shariah Board is not a court. BJP-RSS is doing politics in the name of Shariat courts: Zafaryab Jilani, All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Shariat courts in all districts of the country <a href="https://t.co/IX50M7UORc">pic.twitter.com/IX50M7UORc</a>
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The All India Muslim Personal Law Board had earlier proposed the idea of establishing a Shariat court.&nbsp;

The idea was disapproved by both BJP and Congress.

The BJP rejected the proposal saying that the verdict passed by such court would be against the Indian Constitution and so is not enforceable.

While the Congress party spurned the proposal and termed the idea against the Indian Constitution.

Zafaryab Jilani said, 'Shariah Board is not a court. BJP-RSS is doing politics in the name of Shariat courts'

Days after the BJP opposed the idea of Shariat courts in the country, Zafaryab Jilani from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board targetted the BJP-RSS saying that the two were doing politics in the name of Shariat courts. × Jilani said, "Shariah Board is not a court. BJP-RSS is doing politics in the name of Shariat courts". He said they never wanted to set up courts in all districts of the country and just advocated for setting up the courts in districts where it was required. "We have never talked about setting up Shariat courts in all districts across the country. Our motive is to set them up in places where it is required and where people want them", he said. He further said,"The board is working with full responsibility. It will hold workshops across the country to create awareness". Shariah Board is not a court. BJP-RSS is doing politics in the name of Shariat courts: Zafaryab Jilani, All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Shariat courts in all districts of the country pic.twitter.com/IX50M7UORc — ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2018 × The All India Muslim Personal Law Board had earlier proposed the idea of establishing a Shariat court. The idea was disapproved by both BJP and Congress. The BJP rejected the proposal saying that the verdict passed by such court would be against the Indian Constitution and so is not enforceable. While the Congress party spurned the proposal and termed the idea against the Indian Constitution.

BJP-RSS doing politics in the name of Shariat courts: AIMPLB's Zafaryab Jilani

It is the third year since <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-targets-modi-on-jump-in-indians-swiss-bank-deposits-148031">Swiss banks</a> made public a list of accounts lying dormant without any trace of owners and no claimant has come forward for those with Indian links, even as a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-&-economy/indians-with-illegal-swiss-bank-deposits-to-face-harsh-penal-proceedings-says-arun-jaitley-147959">political slugfest continues in India</a> over alleged black money parked there.

The list of all such accounts — of Swiss citizens and foreigners including from India — was first published by the Switzerland Banking Ombudsman in December 2015 and it keeps getting updated as and when an account is declared dormant. This is to allow real owners of the accounts or their legal heirs to stake a claim with necessary proof.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/strong-action-to-be-taken-against-illicit-swiss-deposits-finance-minister-147886">Also read:&nbsp;Why it’s being assumed all the money in Swiss banks is illegal: Finance minister</a>

The details get deleted from the list when a successful claim is made and this was the case for as many as 40 accounts and two safe deposit boxes in the year 2017 itself, as per the latest information shared by the Ombudsman. However, the list of over 3,500 such accounts continues to have at least six with links to India since December 2015, as no successful claimant has come forward for them.

Switzerland was perceived to be among the safest havens globally for financial assets for many years before a global crackdown on alleged tax evasion by using such strong banking privacy practices as prevalent in Swiss banks led to Switzerland agreeing to tighten its rules. Subsequently, Switzerland has framed new laws for greater cooperation with several other countries on the exchange of information and for the stricter clampdown on illicit activities like money laundering and tax frauds.

India is one of the countries with which Switzerland has inked an automatic exchange of information pact on financial matters, while the Alpine nation has already been providing details on bank accounts in cases where Indian authorities have been able to provide proof of wrongdoings. As per the latest data released by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), funds parked by Indians with Swiss banks rose 50 per cent to CHF 1.01 billion (about Rs 7,000 crore) in 2017.

The funds, described by SNB as ‘liabilities’ of Swiss banks or ‘amounts due to’ their clients, are official figures disclosed by Swiss authorities and do not indicate to the exact quantum of the much-debated alleged black money held in the famed safe havens of Switzerland. The official figures, disclosed annually by Switzerland’s central bank, also do not include the money that Indians, NRIs or others might have in Swiss banks in the names of entities from different countries.

It has been often alleged that Indians and other nationals seeking to stash their illicit wealth abroad use multiple layers of various jurisdictions, including tax, havens, to shift the money in Swiss banks. Also, with Switzerland putting in place an automatic information exchange framework with India and various other countries, the famed secrecy walls of Swiss banks are said to have crumbled. India will start getting this automatic data from next year.

However, the increase in Indians’ money in Swiss banks has already triggered a sharp opposition attack on the government, which in turn has said that it would be wrong to assume that all funds deposited in Swiss banks were ‘black money’ and strong action would be taken against wrongdoers. The funds officially held by Indians with banks in Switzerland accounts for only 0.07 per cent of the total funds kept by all foreign clients in the Swiss banking system, as per the SNB data.

In terms of the dormant accounts, at least three individuals from India and three others of Indian origin — but resident of other countries — continue to figure on the list of unclaimed bank accounts made public by Switzerland since December 2015. While the specific figure for India-linked dormant accounts is not known, the total holding in all such accounts is estimated at about 44 million Swiss francs (about Rs 300 crore).

Of the six with Indian links, place of residence of three has been mentioned as India, while it is Paris (France) for one and London for another. The place of residence for the sixth person was not disclosed. These are Pierre Vachek and Bernet Rosmarie from ‘Bombay’, the earlier name of Mumbai, Bahadur Chandra Singh from Dehradun, Dr Mohan Lal from Paris, Suchah Yogesch Prabhudas from London. Kishore Lall is the person whose place of residence was not disclosed.

The date of birth has also been disclosed in one case — that is for Vachek as January 1, 1908. All these accounts were added to the public list in December 2015 and would remain there till December 2020, unless a successful claim is made for the money. There are also some such accounts from Pakistan, including of one Nawaz Haq of Wazirabad, which was added to the list in November last year.

The list is aimed at giving their owners or their legal heirs a chance to claim the funds in these accounts. Only those accounts form part of the list which have got at least 500 Swiss francs and have remained unclaimed for at least 60 years. The list contains a large number of people from Switzerland itself, as also from Germany, France, the UK, the US, Turkey, Austria and various other countries.

If no legitimate party claims the assets that have been published within one year of publication, the banks can transfer the assets in question to the government. The claim deadline for potential legitimate claimants is five years if the assets in question have been dormant since at least 1954.

It is the third year since Swiss banks made public a list of accounts lying dormant without any trace of owners and no claimant has come forward for those with Indian links, even as a political slugfest continues in India over alleged black money parked there.

It is the third year since Swiss banks made public a list of accounts lying dormant without any trace of owners and no claimant has come forward for those with Indian links, even as a political slugfest continues in India over alleged black money parked there. The list of all such accounts — of Swiss citizens and foreigners including from India — was first published by the Switzerland Banking Ombudsman in December 2015 and it keeps getting updated as and when an account is declared dormant. This is to allow real owners of the accounts or their legal heirs to stake a claim with necessary proof. Also read: Why it’s being assumed all the money in Swiss banks is illegal: Finance minister The details get deleted from the list when a successful claim is made and this was the case for as many as 40 accounts and two safe deposit boxes in the year 2017 itself, as per the latest information shared by the Ombudsman. However, the list of over 3,500 such accounts continues to have at least six with links to India since December 2015, as no successful claimant has come forward for them. Switzerland was perceived to be among the safest havens globally for financial assets for many years before a global crackdown on alleged tax evasion by using such strong banking privacy practices as prevalent in Swiss banks led to Switzerland agreeing to tighten its rules. Subsequently, Switzerland has framed new laws for greater cooperation with several other countries on the exchange of information and for the stricter clampdown on illicit activities like money laundering and tax frauds. India is one of the countries with which Switzerland has inked an automatic exchange of information pact on financial matters, while the Alpine nation has already been providing details on bank accounts in cases where Indian authorities have been able to provide proof of wrongdoings. As per the latest data released by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), funds parked by Indians with Swiss banks rose 50 per cent to CHF 1.01 billion (about Rs 7,000 crore) in 2017. The funds, described by SNB as ‘liabilities’ of Swiss banks or ‘amounts due to’ their clients, are official figures disclosed by Swiss authorities and do not indicate to the exact quantum of the much-debated alleged black money held in the famed safe havens of Switzerland. The official figures, disclosed annually by Switzerland’s central bank, also do not include the money that Indians, NRIs or others might have in Swiss banks in the names of entities from different countries. It has been often alleged that Indians and other nationals seeking to stash their illicit wealth abroad use multiple layers of various jurisdictions, including tax, havens, to shift the money in Swiss banks. Also, with Switzerland putting in place an automatic information exchange framework with India and various other countries, the famed secrecy walls of Swiss banks are said to have crumbled. India will start getting this automatic data from next year. However, the increase in Indians’ money in Swiss banks has already triggered a sharp opposition attack on the government, which in turn has said that it would be wrong to assume that all funds deposited in Swiss banks were ‘black money’ and strong action would be taken against wrongdoers. The funds officially held by Indians with banks in Switzerland accounts for only 0.07 per cent of the total funds kept by all foreign clients in the Swiss banking system, as per the SNB data. In terms of the dormant accounts, at least three individuals from India and three others of Indian origin — but resident of other countries — continue to figure on the list of unclaimed bank accounts made public by Switzerland since December 2015. While the specific figure for India-linked dormant accounts is not known, the total holding in all such accounts is estimated at about 44 million Swiss francs (about Rs 300 crore). Of the six with Indian links, place of residence of three has been mentioned as India, while it is Paris (France) for one and London for another. The place of residence for the sixth person was not disclosed. These are Pierre Vachek and Bernet Rosmarie from ‘Bombay’, the earlier name of Mumbai, Bahadur Chandra Singh from Dehradun, Dr Mohan Lal from Paris, Suchah Yogesch Prabhudas from London. Kishore Lall is the person whose place of residence was not disclosed. The date of birth has also been disclosed in one case — that is for Vachek as January 1, 1908. All these accounts were added to the public list in December 2015 and would remain there till December 2020, unless a successful claim is made for the money. There are also some such accounts from Pakistan, including of one Nawaz Haq of Wazirabad, which was added to the list in November last year. The list is aimed at giving their owners or their legal heirs a chance to claim the funds in these accounts. Only those accounts form part of the list which have got at least 500 Swiss francs and have remained unclaimed for at least 60 years. The list contains a large number of people from Switzerland itself, as also from Germany, France, the UK, the US, Turkey, Austria and various other countries. If no legitimate party claims the assets that have been published within one year of publication, the banks can transfer the assets in question to the government. The claim deadline for potential legitimate claimants is five years if the assets in question have been dormant since at least 1954.

Rs 300 crore, but no claimants, six India-linked Swiss bank accounts lie ‘dormant’

Maharashtra PWD minister Chandrakant Patil has claimed that pothole-ridden roads cannot be entirely blamed for accidents.

The statement came even as five persons have lost their lives due to damaged roads in the Mumbai region in the last two weeks.

Speaking to reporters in Sangli on Saturday, Patil said, "When you talk about a death in such an accident, you forget that five lakh other people have travelled on the same road. You can not put the entire blame on the (condition of) roads alone."

The senior minister hastened to add that he did not have all the information about the recent accidents, and action will be taken against officials based on the facts of each case. Family members of the deceased will get due compensation, he said.

Asked about people slamming civic bodies and the state government over the bad roads on social media, Patil said, "People have a habit of changing their opinions constantly. They will like something for a while and soon pass a negative remark (on the same issue)."

Opposition Congress termed the minister's comment as insensitive.

Patil was questioning people's view of roads, but he will understand what people can do after elections, said state Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant.

"Government is not expected to run away by raising doubts about accidental deaths. We condemn the minister for his insensitive comment," Sawant tweeted today.

Accidents on pothole-ridden roads claimed four lives in Kalyan area in the last two weeks. Another death was reported in Navi Mumbai. In all these cases, victims lost balance and fell when their two-wheelers hit a pothole.

Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam claimed today that there were 20,000 potholes on Mumbai roads, and not 300 as stated by the civic body BMC before the Bombay High Court.

He was going to "file an FIR" against chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray (whose party rules the BMC), the municipal commissioner and the mayor for the bad roads, he said.&nbsp

The statement came even as five persons have lost their lives due to damaged roads in the Mumbai region in the last two weeks

Maharashtra PWD minister Chandrakant Patil has claimed that pothole-ridden roads cannot be entirely blamed for accidents. The statement came even as five persons have lost their lives due to damaged roads in the Mumbai region in the last two weeks. Speaking to reporters in Sangli on Saturday, Patil said, "When you talk about a death in such an accident, you forget that five lakh other people have travelled on the same road. You can not put the entire blame on the (condition of) roads alone." The senior minister hastened to add that he did not have all the information about the recent accidents, and action will be taken against officials based on the facts of each case. Family members of the deceased will get due compensation, he said. Asked about people slamming civic bodies and the state government over the bad roads on social media, Patil said, "People have a habit of changing their opinions constantly. They will like something for a while and soon pass a negative remark (on the same issue)." Opposition Congress termed the minister's comment as insensitive. Patil was questioning people's view of roads, but he will understand what people can do after elections, said state Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant. "Government is not expected to run away by raising doubts about accidental deaths. We condemn the minister for his insensitive comment," Sawant tweeted today. Accidents on pothole-ridden roads claimed four lives in Kalyan area in the last two weeks. Another death was reported in Navi Mumbai. In all these cases, victims lost balance and fell when their two-wheelers hit a pothole. Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam claimed today that there were 20,000 potholes on Mumbai roads, and not 300 as stated by the civic body BMC before the Bombay High Court. He was going to "file an FIR" against chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray (whose party rules the BMC), the municipal commissioner and the mayor for the bad roads, he said.

Potholes alone cannot be blamed for accidents: Maharashtra PWD Minister

The Congress on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that it was a <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-hits-out-at-congress-says-is-party-only-for-muslim-men-151633">party for Muslim men </a>only highlighted his "sick mentality".

Modi during his speech in Azamgarh on Saturday had come down heavily on the Congress over its stand on triple talaq, asking if it was a party for Muslim men alone.&nbsp

"The prime minister has continuously hurt the dignity of his office. We strictly oppose what he said on Saturday. It shows his sick mentality and twisted mindset," senior Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said.

"There is an attempt by him to divide society... His main opposition, the INC, has led the national movement, spearheaded the fight for independence... To call it a Muslim party does not behove a PM.

"His sick mindset is an issue of national concern. The prime minister gives out statements which are wrong as per history and facts,"&nbspSharma said.

The Congress leader said Modi was the prime minister of the entire country and not only of the BJP.&nbsp

He said Modi had "less knowledge of history and writes his own history".

Modi needs to be reminded that Congress presidents such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Maulana Azad were iconic leaders, he said.

"It will be better if he keeps a list of Congress presidents in his office. Maybe then he will leave his habit of giving wrong statements," Sharma said.

The Congress, he said, was a party "for all Indians and respects the diversity the country has to offer".

He also said the Congress was against triple talaq and the prime minister should know that there were some rules and regulations that need to be followed in Parliament.&nbsp

"This government has tried time and again to bypass Parliament. They want to get bills approved without the scrutiny of Parliament," he alleged.&nbsp

The prime minister had yesterday said the opposition was stonewalling the government's efforts to secure the life of women, especially Muslim women.

The triple talaq bill has already been passed in the Lower House but remains pending in the Rajya Sabha amid opposition reservations over it.

Sharma alleged that the prime minister was a "peddler of untruths".

Instead of giving an account of the last four years, "the prime minister is resorting to untruths, half-truth and lies", he alleged.&nbsp

"The Congress does not need any certificate from Narendra Modi or the BJP about its credentials, ideologies or credibility and commitment to the country. It is very well documented," he said.&nbsp

Sharma also said that he can understand the prime minister's helplessness as he belonged to an ideology, the followers of which had even opposed Mahatma Gandhi.&nbsp

The Congress also alleged the Modi government provided false data about the upliftment of people from below poverty line.&nbsp

The prime minister's claim that five crore people have been lifted out of poverty in two years was "laughable", Sharma said.

In fact, after demonetisation and the launch of the GST, crores of people have been thrown below the poverty line, he added.

The Congress leader claimed that 14 crore people were lifted out of the poverty net from 2004 to 2014.&nbsp

Modi during his speech in Azamgarh on Saturday had come down heavily on the Congress over its stand on triple talaq, asking if it was a party for Muslim men alone

The Congress on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that it was a party for Muslim men only highlighted his "sick mentality". Modi during his speech in Azamgarh on Saturday had come down heavily on the Congress over its stand on triple talaq, asking if it was a party for Muslim men alone. "The prime minister has continuously hurt the dignity of his office. We strictly oppose what he said on Saturday. It shows his sick mentality and twisted mindset," senior Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said. "There is an attempt by him to divide society... His main opposition, the INC, has led the national movement, spearheaded the fight for independence... To call it a Muslim party does not behove a PM. "His sick mindset is an issue of national concern. The prime minister gives out statements which are wrong as per history and facts,"&nbspSharma said. The Congress leader said Modi was the prime minister of the entire country and not only of the BJP. He said Modi had "less knowledge of history and writes his own history". Modi needs to be reminded that Congress presidents such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Maulana Azad were iconic leaders, he said. "It will be better if he keeps a list of Congress presidents in his office. Maybe then he will leave his habit of giving wrong statements," Sharma said. The Congress, he said, was a party "for all Indians and respects the diversity the country has to offer". He also said the Congress was against triple talaq and the prime minister should know that there were some rules and regulations that need to be followed in Parliament. "This government has tried time and again to bypass Parliament. They want to get bills approved without the scrutiny of Parliament," he alleged. The prime minister had yesterday said the opposition was stonewalling the government's efforts to secure the life of women, especially Muslim women. The triple talaq bill has already been passed in the Lower House but remains pending in the Rajya Sabha amid opposition reservations over it. Sharma alleged that the prime minister was a "peddler of untruths". Instead of giving an account of the last four years, "the prime minister is resorting to untruths, half-truth and lies", he alleged. "The Congress does not need any certificate from Narendra Modi or the BJP about its credentials, ideologies or credibility and commitment to the country. It is very well documented," he said. Sharma also said that he can understand the prime minister's helplessness as he belonged to an ideology, the followers of which had even opposed Mahatma Gandhi. The Congress also alleged the Modi government provided false data about the upliftment of people from below poverty line. The prime minister's claim that five crore people have been lifted out of poverty in two years was "laughable", Sharma said. In fact, after demonetisation and the launch of the GST, crores of people have been thrown below the poverty line, he added. The Congress leader claimed that 14 crore people were lifted out of the poverty net from 2004 to 2014.

PM's remark that INC is party for 'Muslim men' only reflects his 'sick mentality': Congress

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi's recent visit to Mandsaur to meet farmers and said that he does not even know how an onion grows.

"A 'bhaiya' (Gandhi) recently visited Mandsaur. He himself said I am ready to become prime minister. Who is making you PM? He hardly knows how a chilli grows, upward or downward, and has no idea whether onion grows above the ground or below," Chouhan said while addressing a gathering.

Rahul had visited Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh last month to pay homage to six persons who were killed in police firing during a farmers' agitation last year.

The Chief Minister's earlier on Saturday kicked off his "Jan Ashirwad Yatra" from Ujjain. The yatra was flagged off by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah.

Before starting his journey, Chouhan offered prayers at Ujjain's famous Mahakaleshwar temple to seek blessings from the God.

During the yatra which will conclude on September 25, the chief minister is expected to address several rallies covering all the 230 Assembly segments in the state. The yatra is aimed at reaching and connecting with voters in all assembly segments of Madhya Pradesh before polls.

It is to be noted that the Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh are due later this year.

While the BJP is eyeing fourth consecutive term in the state, the opposition Congress is making effort to regain power in the state after 15 years.&nbsp

The Chief Minister's earlier on Saturday kicked off his 'Jan Ashirwad Yatra' from Ujjain.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi's recent visit to Mandsaur to meet farmers and said that he does not even know how an onion grows. "A 'bhaiya' (Gandhi) recently visited Mandsaur. He himself said I am ready to become prime minister. Who is making you PM? He hardly knows how a chilli grows, upward or downward, and has no idea whether onion grows above the ground or below," Chouhan said while addressing a gathering. Rahul had visited Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh last month to pay homage to six persons who were killed in police firing during a farmers' agitation last year. The Chief Minister's earlier on Saturday kicked off his "Jan Ashirwad Yatra" from Ujjain. The yatra was flagged off by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah. Before starting his journey, Chouhan offered prayers at Ujjain's famous Mahakaleshwar temple to seek blessings from the God. During the yatra which will conclude on September 25, the chief minister is expected to address several rallies covering all the 230 Assembly segments in the state. The yatra is aimed at reaching and connecting with voters in all assembly segments of Madhya Pradesh before polls. It is to be noted that the Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh are due later this year. While the BJP is eyeing fourth consecutive term in the state, the opposition Congress is making effort to regain power in the state after 15 years.

Rahul doesn't even know how onion grows: Shivraj Chouhan

Punjab Congress chief and Lok Sabha MP Sunil Jakhar said on Sunday the party will highlight the four-years of "failures" of the Narendra Modi government in the Parliament's Monsoon session beginning July 18.

In a statement issued in Chandigarh, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president said Modi had only six months left in the office, but the "government of jumlas has done nothing to fulfil its election promises."

In the upcoming Parliament session, the Congress will highlight Modi's "failures" in the implementation of promises made by him in the poll manifesto, the parliamentarian from Gurdaspur added.

"Election manifesto is a holy document for any political party, and when any party comes to power, it has to fulfil all the commitments during... The Modi government has badly failed in achieving its goals," Jakhar said.&nbsp

He then alleged that the Centre had done nothing on crucial issues like area specific crops and vegetable farming scheme, agricultural rail link and price stability fund.

On black money, the BJP had made a lot of noise before the elections, but after coming to power, they did not do anything special, Jakhar said further.

He also lashed out at the Centre for failing to generate jobs.

"NDA government did nothing on this front and unemployment increased many folds in last four years," he alleged.&nbsp

In a statement issued in Chandigarh, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president said Modi had only six months left in the office, but the 'government of jumlas has done nothing to fulfil its election promises'

Punjab Congress chief and Lok Sabha MP Sunil Jakhar said on Sunday the party will highlight the four-years of "failures" of the Narendra Modi government in the Parliament's Monsoon session beginning July 18. In a statement issued in Chandigarh, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president said Modi had only six months left in the office, but the "government of jumlas has done nothing to fulfil its election promises." In the upcoming Parliament session, the Congress will highlight Modi's "failures" in the implementation of promises made by him in the poll manifesto, the parliamentarian from Gurdaspur added. "Election manifesto is a holy document for any political party, and when any party comes to power, it has to fulfil all the commitments during... The Modi government has badly failed in achieving its goals," Jakhar said. He then alleged that the Centre had done nothing on crucial issues like area specific crops and vegetable farming scheme, agricultural rail link and price stability fund. On black money, the BJP had made a lot of noise before the elections, but after coming to power, they did not do anything special, Jakhar said further. He also lashed out at the Centre for failing to generate jobs. "NDA government did nothing on this front and unemployment increased many folds in last four years," he alleged.

Congress to highlight 'failures' of Modi govt in Parliament

<a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/civilian-deaths-in-afghanistan-hit-record-high-1692-killed-in-first-half-of-2018-151859">Civilian deaths in Afghanistan hit record high 1,692 killed in first half of 2018</a>

The number of civilians killed in Afghanistan reached a record in the first half of the year, despite last month's ceasefire, with a surge in suicide attacks claimed by ISIS, the United Nations said on Sunday.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/i-go-in-with-low-expectations-trump-says-for-putin-meeting-151867">"I go in with low expectations," Trump says for Putin meeting</a>

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said he had low expectations for the Monday summit with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin just days after 12 Russian intelligence officers were charged by a federal grand jury for hacking the Democrats ahead of the 2016 election.

<a href="http://wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-comes-to-dhonis-defence-says-questioning-his-finishing-skills-unfortunate--151828">Virat Kohli comes to Dhoni's defence, says questioning his finishing skills 'unfortunate'</a>

Minutes after India&nbsplost second ODI to England by huge 86 runs, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was once again at the receiving end for playing slow instead of hitting big ones.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/what-do-british-pm-mays-critics-say-of-her-and-her-brexit-plans-151886">What do British PM May's critics say of her and her Brexit plans?</a>

British Prime Minister Theresa May warned her divided party on Sunday that there may be "no Brexit at all" if they wrecked her plan to forge a close relationship with the European Union after leaving the world's biggest trading bloc.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/high-tide-hits-mumbai-amid-heavy-rains-151861">High Tide hits Mumbai amid heavy rains</a>

Amid the continuous rains that lashed the city on Sunday morning,&nbspMumbai also witnessed a high tide at around 1:50 pm.

Civilian deaths in Afghanistan hit record high 1,692 killed in first half of 2018 The number of civilians killed in Afghanistan reached a record in the first half of the year, despite last month's ceasefire, with a surge in suicide attacks claimed by ISIS, the United Nations said on Sunday. "I go in with low expectations," Trump says for Putin meeting US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said he had low expectations for the Monday summit with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin just days after 12 Russian intelligence officers were charged by a federal grand jury for hacking the Democrats ahead of the 2016 election. Virat Kohli comes to Dhoni's defence, says questioning his finishing skills 'unfortunate' Minutes after India&nbsplost second ODI to England by huge 86 runs, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was once again at the receiving end for playing slow instead of hitting big ones. What do British PM May's critics say of her and her Brexit plans? British Prime Minister Theresa May warned her divided party on Sunday that there may be "no Brexit at all" if they wrecked her plan to forge a close relationship with the European Union after leaving the world's biggest trading bloc. High Tide hits Mumbai amid heavy rains Amid the continuous rains that lashed the city on Sunday morning,&nbspMumbai also witnessed a high tide at around 1:50 pm.

With the launch of cost-effective innovative water project, Bihar will soon provide the cheapest drinking water in the world.

The first of such a water project was launched in Bihar's Darbhanga district on Saturday, by Sulabh International, an organisation that introduced the concept of 'Sulabh Sauchalya' in the country.

With the help of this project, the people will easily be able to get pure and clean water only in 50paisa/litre.

The 'Sulabh Jal' project converts contaminated pond and river water into safe drinking water.

The founder of Sulabh International Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak laid the foundation of the project at Haribol Pond in Darbhanga Nagar Nigam premises.

Darbhanga MLA Sanjay Saraogi and District Magistrate Chandrasekhar Prasad Singh were also present here on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Pathak said, "We have succeeded in producing pure drinking water at a very nominal cost by this new technology, which has not yet been introduced anywhere in the world. Villagers may get a direct benefit out the project."

"We have selected Darbhanga for this water project. The project will be functional by December," he added.

The water purification process has a capacity to purify 8,000 litres of water per day at nominal cost.

"Clean drinking water will be available at 50 paise/liter. We will also plant trees on the bank of Haribol tank here. It would be managed by Self Help group of Darbhanga Nagar Nigam," Dr Pathak said.

This project was earlier introduced in three districts of West Bengal - North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and Nadia, three years ago by Sulabh International and French organisation on trial basis, which turned out to be very successful.

"The pilot project of this water projected started by us turned out to be very successful, following which we chose Darbhanga to begin our operation," said Dr. Pathak.

The total cost of installing this project would cost around Rs 20 lakhs.

This project may be turn out to be very beneficial for the people, as the Groundwater in many districts of northern parts of Bihar bordering Nepal is severely affected by arsenic and other chemicals.

"In course of periodic medical checkup of a group of patients suffering from arsenic-related diseases, it was revealed that this water purification system has become a boon for them (villagers)," said Dr Pathak.

Many villagers living in these areas were forced to migrate to other places due to the contaminated water.

After the installation of the water purification system, the situation has considerably changed.

The Sulabh International Social Service Organisation (SISSO) and the French companies installed Rs 20-lakh pond-based water treatment plant in Madhusudan Kanti Village of North 24 Parganas district, located some 100 km from Kolkata.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), arsenic is a natural component of the earth's crust and is widely distributed throughout the environment -- in air, water, and land. It is highly toxic in its inorganic form.

Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic, mainly by drinking contaminated water, eating food grown or even prepared with this water, can cause skin lesions and cancer.&nbsp

The water purification process has a capacity to purify 8,000 litres of water per day at nominal cost.

With the launch of cost-effective innovative water project, Bihar will soon provide the cheapest drinking water in the world. The first of such a water project was launched in Bihar's Darbhanga district on Saturday, by Sulabh International, an organisation that introduced the concept of 'Sulabh Sauchalya' in the country. With the help of this project, the people will easily be able to get pure and clean water only in 50paisa/litre. The 'Sulabh Jal' project converts contaminated pond and river water into safe drinking water. The founder of Sulabh International Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak laid the foundation of the project at Haribol Pond in Darbhanga Nagar Nigam premises. Darbhanga MLA Sanjay Saraogi and District Magistrate Chandrasekhar Prasad Singh were also present here on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Pathak said, "We have succeeded in producing pure drinking water at a very nominal cost by this new technology, which has not yet been introduced anywhere in the world. Villagers may get a direct benefit out the project." "We have selected Darbhanga for this water project. The project will be functional by December," he added. The water purification process has a capacity to purify 8,000 litres of water per day at nominal cost. "Clean drinking water will be available at 50 paise/liter. We will also plant trees on the bank of Haribol tank here. It would be managed by Self Help group of Darbhanga Nagar Nigam," Dr Pathak said. This project was earlier introduced in three districts of West Bengal - North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and Nadia, three years ago by Sulabh International and French organisation on trial basis, which turned out to be very successful. "The pilot project of this water projected started by us turned out to be very successful, following which we chose Darbhanga to begin our operation," said Dr. Pathak. The total cost of installing this project would cost around Rs 20 lakhs. This project may be turn out to be very beneficial for the people, as the Groundwater in many districts of northern parts of Bihar bordering Nepal is severely affected by arsenic and other chemicals. "In course of periodic medical checkup of a group of patients suffering from arsenic-related diseases, it was revealed that this water purification system has become a boon for them (villagers)," said Dr Pathak. Many villagers living in these areas were forced to migrate to other places due to the contaminated water. After the installation of the water purification system, the situation has considerably changed. The Sulabh International Social Service Organisation (SISSO) and the French companies installed Rs 20-lakh pond-based water treatment plant in Madhusudan Kanti Village of North 24 Parganas district, located some 100 km from Kolkata. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), arsenic is a natural component of the earth's crust and is widely distributed throughout the environment -- in air, water, and land. It is highly toxic in its inorganic form. Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic, mainly by drinking contaminated water, eating food grown or even prepared with this water, can cause skin lesions and cancer.

Bihar to get world's cheapest clean drinking water

Israel launched on Saturday&nbsp;what it termed its most powerful attacks against Gaza's dominant Hamas group since a 2014 war as militants in the Palestinian enclave fired dozens of rockets across the border.

The flare-up followed mounting public criticism of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over failure to counter a new Palestinian tactic: incendiary kites and balloons launched from&nbsp;Gazathat burn agricultural fields and scrubland in southern Israel.

Two Palestinian teenagers were killed on Saturday,&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;health officials said, in one of more than 40 air strikes the Israeli military carried out in&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;since Friday (July 13).

The military said some 100 rockets were launched from&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;at southern Israel, where many residents have reinforced rooms in their homes but only seconds to reach them between the time sirens blare and missiles land.

Some of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome system, but police said three people were wounded in the southern town of Sderot.

"After consultations with the defence minister, the chief of staff and Israel's top defence officials, we decided on powerful action against Hamas terrorism," Netanyahu said in a video statement sent by a spokesman to reporters.

The Israeli military said one aerial attack hit a high-rise building in al-Shati refugee camp in the northern&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;Strip, describing the target as a Hamas urban warfare training facility with a tunnel underneath.

Health officials in&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;said the building was empty, but two Palestinians aged 15 and 16, among a crowd in a nearby public park, were killed. Around 10 other passers-by were wounded, the officials said. Nearby houses were damaged.

Rocket warning sirens went off in the coastal city of Ashkelon, about 12 km (7 miles) from the enclave, further north than in recent attacks. A police spokesman said no hits had been identified in the city.

Hamas stopped short of claiming responsibility for the rocket fire, but its spokesman Fawzi Barhoum, called it "an immediate response by the resistance to the escalation" by Israel and a deterrence to further Israeli attacks.

A Palestinian official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said Egypt and other international players were holding contacts with Israel and&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;to restore calm. There was no immediate comment from officials in Cairo.

The flare-up followed mounting public criticism of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over failure to counter a new Palestinian tactic: incendiary kites and balloons launched from Gazathat burn agricultural fields and scrubland in southern Israel.

Israel launched on Saturday what it termed its most powerful attacks against Gaza's dominant Hamas group since a 2014 war as militants in the Palestinian enclave fired dozens of rockets across the border. The flare-up followed mounting public criticism of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over failure to counter a new Palestinian tactic: incendiary kites and balloons launched from Gazathat burn agricultural fields and scrubland in southern Israel. Two Palestinian teenagers were killed on Saturday, Gaza health officials said, in one of more than 40 air strikes the Israeli military carried out in Gaza since Friday (July 13). The military said some 100 rockets were launched from Gaza at southern Israel, where many residents have reinforced rooms in their homes but only seconds to reach them between the time sirens blare and missiles land. Some of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome system, but police said three people were wounded in the southern town of Sderot. "After consultations with the defence minister, the chief of staff and Israel's top defence officials, we decided on powerful action against Hamas terrorism," Netanyahu said in a video statement sent by a spokesman to reporters. The Israeli military said one aerial attack hit a high-rise building in al-Shati refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, describing the target as a Hamas urban warfare training facility with a tunnel underneath. Health officials in Gaza said the building was empty, but two Palestinians aged 15 and 16, among a crowd in a nearby public park, were killed. Around 10 other passers-by were wounded, the officials said. Nearby houses were damaged. Rocket warning sirens went off in the coastal city of Ashkelon, about 12 km (7 miles) from the enclave, further north than in recent attacks. A police spokesman said no hits had been identified in the city. Hamas stopped short of claiming responsibility for the rocket fire, but its spokesman Fawzi Barhoum, called it "an immediate response by the resistance to the escalation" by Israel and a deterrence to further Israeli attacks. A Palestinian official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said Egypt and other international players were holding contacts with Israel and Gaza to restore calm. There was no immediate comment from officials in Cairo.

Israel has taken 'powerful action' against Hamas in Gaza: Benjamin Netanyahu

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday supported the Centre's idea of holding <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/simultaneous-elections-reform-or-an-attack-on-constitution-21092">simultaneous elections</a> to Lok Sabha and state assemblies, saying it would save time and money.

Talking to reporters in Chennai, he also backed the proposed Rs 10,000 crore greenfield Chennai-Salem eight-lane highway, being opposed by some quarters, and said such big projects should be taken up for the development of the country.

"Holding polls together is definitely a welcome move. It should come. It will save time and money," the actor said.

Rajinikanth, who had announced his decision to float a political party in December last year, was responding to a question about the one-nation, one-election concept mooted by the government.

It would be good if all political parties understood (the advantages) and cooperate in facilitating simultaneous polls, he added.

Seeking to give shape to the government's concept of "one nation, one election", the Law Commission's internal working paper has recommended holding the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls simultaneously but in two phases beginning in 2019, and a consultation with political parties was held on July 7 and 8.

As many as six parties, including the Biju Janata Dal, the AIADMK and NDA ally Shiromani Akali Dal, are in favour of the idea, while nine have opposed it during the consultations.

The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, however, wants it to be considered after 2021 when the present state Assembly's term would expire.

On the Salem-Chennai highway project, Rajinikanth said, "Taking up such big projects will lead to the development of the country. It will lead to job creation."

He also said the government should adequately compensate people who would lose their land due to such projects.

The 277-km long Salem-Chennai corridor has faced opposition from some quarters on grounds that farm and forest lands would be affected.

Rajinikanth welcomed the bill recently passed by Tamil Nadu Assembly for setting up the institution of Lokayukta to probe allegations of corruption against public servants.

"I defintely welcome it. It should be run as a powerful body comprising retired judges. Then, it will be good," the actor said.

The Lokayukta would be empowered to probe allegations of corruption against serving and former ministers, including the chief minister, sitting or retired legislators and state government employees.

On whether he would turn into a full time politician ahead of 2019 polls, he replied: "only time can tell that".

Rajinikanth had announced in December last year that he would join politics and contest the next polls in Tamil Nadu.

The actor said he would bear the higher education expenses of 7-year-old Mohammed Yasin, who earned praise after he handed over to the police Rs 50,000 he had found on a road near his school.

Yasin and his family members met Rajinikanth at his residence here earlier today.

The actor appreciated the boy's honesty.&nbsp

'Holding polls together is definitely a welcome move. It should come. It will save time and money,' the actor said

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday supported the Centre's idea of holding simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and state assemblies, saying it would save time and money. Talking to reporters in Chennai, he also backed the proposed Rs 10,000 crore greenfield Chennai-Salem eight-lane highway, being opposed by some quarters, and said such big projects should be taken up for the development of the country. "Holding polls together is definitely a welcome move. It should come. It will save time and money," the actor said. Rajinikanth, who had announced his decision to float a political party in December last year, was responding to a question about the one-nation, one-election concept mooted by the government. It would be good if all political parties understood (the advantages) and cooperate in facilitating simultaneous polls, he added. Seeking to give shape to the government's concept of "one nation, one election", the Law Commission's internal working paper has recommended holding the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls simultaneously but in two phases beginning in 2019, and a consultation with political parties was held on July 7 and 8. As many as six parties, including the Biju Janata Dal, the AIADMK and NDA ally Shiromani Akali Dal, are in favour of the idea, while nine have opposed it during the consultations. The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, however, wants it to be considered after 2021 when the present state Assembly's term would expire. On the Salem-Chennai highway project, Rajinikanth said, "Taking up such big projects will lead to the development of the country. It will lead to job creation." He also said the government should adequately compensate people who would lose their land due to such projects. The 277-km long Salem-Chennai corridor has faced opposition from some quarters on grounds that farm and forest lands would be affected. Rajinikanth welcomed the bill recently passed by Tamil Nadu Assembly for setting up the institution of Lokayukta to probe allegations of corruption against public servants. "I defintely welcome it. It should be run as a powerful body comprising retired judges. Then, it will be good," the actor said. The Lokayukta would be empowered to probe allegations of corruption against serving and former ministers, including the chief minister, sitting or retired legislators and state government employees. On whether he would turn into a full time politician ahead of 2019 polls, he replied: "only time can tell that". Rajinikanth had announced in December last year that he would join politics and contest the next polls in Tamil Nadu. The actor said he would bear the higher education expenses of 7-year-old Mohammed Yasin, who earned praise after he handed over to the police Rs 50,000 he had found on a road near his school. Yasin and his family members met Rajinikanth at his residence here earlier today. The actor appreciated the boy's honesty.

Rajinikanth backs 'one nation, one poll' concept

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has announced that the state government would examine the issue of including 30 nomadic communities among the backward classes (BC).

Rao has entrusted the responsibility of studying the issue to MP K. Keshava Rao and the Chief Secretary to the Government.

The Chief Minister released a Telugu Book titled "BC Castes and Nomads" authored by BC commission member Juluru Gowri Shankar at Pragathi Bhavan yesterday.

He said that after the survey, the BC commission would interact with the Chief Secretary to take a final decision.

The nomads likely to be included in the BCs list include, Sarollu, Aravakomati, Tholubommalatavaru, Kulla Kadagi, Bail Kammara, Aheer, Govili, Bagothula, Boppala, Ganjikutivaru, Sri Kshatriya Ramajogi, Enooti, Gurrapu Vaaru, Addapur Vaaru, Kadari Thidarollu, Saragaani, Od, Maasaiahlu or patam varu, Saadana soorulu, Rumja, Panasa, Pekkara, Pandavula varu, Gouda Jetti, Aadi Kodukulu, Thera Cheerala, Kaaki Padagala, Manda Hechchula, Paapala, Sannayollu/Bathina are to be include in the list of Backward classes.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rao instructed the officers of irrigation department that they should take care of every drop of water without any waste and should be diverted towards the tanks in the state.

The Chief Minister said, "All through the year, 365 days every tank in the state should blossom with water. The chain of tanks that have come into existence since days of kakatiyas should be converted as live sources of water and make complete use of the irrigated source in Telangana."

Rao suggested that an appropriate strategy has to be evolved to fill the chain of tanks through the waters flowing from the canals of major and medium irrigation projects, rain water and the regenerated water. He further instructed that linking the canals to the tanks Mandal wise irrigation maps are to be designed.

The Chief Minister also held a review meeting on linkage of chain of tanks with major and medium irrigation project canals water.

The Chief Minister said that an appropriate strategy to fill up the chain of tanks totally in the coming two months and also construction of required canals to fill the tanks should be completed in a year's time.

He also assured that the funds required for this will be released immediately.&nbsp

Chief Minister Rao instructed the officers of irrigation department that they should take care of every drop of water.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has announced that the state government would examine the issue of including 30 nomadic communities among the backward classes (BC). Rao has entrusted the responsibility of studying the issue to MP K. Keshava Rao and the Chief Secretary to the Government. The Chief Minister released a Telugu Book titled "BC Castes and Nomads" authored by BC commission member Juluru Gowri Shankar at Pragathi Bhavan yesterday. He said that after the survey, the BC commission would interact with the Chief Secretary to take a final decision. The nomads likely to be included in the BCs list include, Sarollu, Aravakomati, Tholubommalatavaru, Kulla Kadagi, Bail Kammara, Aheer, Govili, Bagothula, Boppala, Ganjikutivaru, Sri Kshatriya Ramajogi, Enooti, Gurrapu Vaaru, Addapur Vaaru, Kadari Thidarollu, Saragaani, Od, Maasaiahlu or patam varu, Saadana soorulu, Rumja, Panasa, Pekkara, Pandavula varu, Gouda Jetti, Aadi Kodukulu, Thera Cheerala, Kaaki Padagala, Manda Hechchula, Paapala, Sannayollu/Bathina are to be include in the list of Backward classes. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rao instructed the officers of irrigation department that they should take care of every drop of water without any waste and should be diverted towards the tanks in the state. The Chief Minister said, "All through the year, 365 days every tank in the state should blossom with water. The chain of tanks that have come into existence since days of kakatiyas should be converted as live sources of water and make complete use of the irrigated source in Telangana." Rao suggested that an appropriate strategy has to be evolved to fill the chain of tanks through the waters flowing from the canals of major and medium irrigation projects, rain water and the regenerated water. He further instructed that linking the canals to the tanks Mandal wise irrigation maps are to be designed. The Chief Minister also held a review meeting on linkage of chain of tanks with major and medium irrigation project canals water. The Chief Minister said that an appropriate strategy to fill up the chain of tanks totally in the coming two months and also construction of required canals to fill the tanks should be completed in a year's time. He also assured that the funds required for this will be released immediately.

Telangana government to examine inclusion of nomads in backward classes list

The green-shoots of demand growth seen in some rural pockets is driven by farm loan waivers and not likely due to real increases in rural incomes and wages, indicative that the economy is still some time away from a full-blown rural revival, says a report.

Noting that rural demand has been on the rise in recent months, the report says the upward trend is visible from the sale of big-ticket items like tractors and the latest corporate earnings of consumer goods companies.

According to recent Nielsen data, rural growth outpaced urban demand, rising by 13.5 per cent in the March quarter.

Many large states have announced farm loan waivers last year, as farmer suicides became a big political tool. Last week, Karnataka became the latest state to join UP, MP, Maharashtra and Punjab among others to write off farm loans.

“But the extent of this pick-up depends on a number of factors. Firstly, a good monsoon alone will not do the trick. Adequate procurement and the effectiveness of MSPs to act as a floor for crop prices will be crucial,” a report by HDFC Bank said.

Though there are clear signs that rural demand is recovering from setbacks due to the 2016 note-ban and GST disruptions, “we have our reservations over the extent of this increase as this could be due to the loan waivers,” says the report penned by the banks chief economist Abheek Barua.

“The recent jump in items such as tractor sales could have at least been driven by the farm loan waivers. A similar phenomenon was witnessed in 2009 when the then government had waived farm loans and tractor sales grew by 30 per cent. So, it is uncertain whether the recent increase is a one-time spike or a reflection of genuine improvement in the rural income situation,” he explained.

Secondly, the higher numbers come from weak a base. “The increase in rural demand is coming over two years of weak growth as demonetisation took a hit on consumption. Therefore, this could be a bounce back from the 2016 lows and not necessarily translate into the required higher momentum in rural demand,” argues Barua.

Thirdly, despite the fall in agriculture output in FY18, rural demand might have risen on the back of affluent farmers spending and the rise in items such as tractor sales could partly capture this.

As per the price-income survey, 34 per cent of rural consumption comes from only the top 5 per cent (according to income) of the rural population while 33 per cent come from the bottom 50 per cent. Therefore, strong demand from the more affluent rural population could have outweighed the decline in demand from majority.

Noting that the rural wages have been on a steady decline, which is the most important leg of the rural demand growth, the report says nominal rural wage growth has been moderating since the middle of 2017. Wage growth declined to 3 per cent in February 2018 from over 7 per cent in April 2017.

Also, real wage growth has seen a secular decline over the last year and has now turned negative. For a strong and sustainable rise in rural consumption, an increase in rural wage growth is essential.

Usually, rural wage growth is linked with the performance of the monsoons and agriculture growth. However, the non-farm sector of the rural economy bears an equal if not higher influence over overall rural wage pressures.

Non-farm activities like construction, manufacturing and services account for over 60 per cent of the value added in rural output. The break-up of rural wage growth into agri and non-agri shows that while farm wages saw a sharper decline, the fall is not restricted to the farm sector as both agri and non-agri wages declined with the former wages more than the latter.

Agriculture wage growth declined from close to 9 per cent in April 2017 to 2.3 per cent in February 2018 while nonagricultural wage growth moderated from 5 to 3.7 per cent during the same period.

Construction wage growth rose for during 2016 and 2017 driving up agriculture and overall rural wage growth during this period. However, in recent months, construction wage growth has declined sharply from over 6 per cent in April 2017 to 3.2 per cent in February 2018) and is likely to have pulled down agriculture and overall rural wage growth.

On the impact of the MSP hikes, the report says that mere announcement will not increase the income of farmers but adequate procurement holds the key. Similarly, a good monsoon does not necessarily imply a rise in rural incomes.

It can be noted that ahead of the elections, the Centre recently announced massive hikes in minimum support price across a slew of farm produces. This is the steepest such increase by the Modi government and analysts have warned that this would push up retail inflation by at least 70-80 basis points.

The green-shoots of demand growth seen in some rural pockets is driven by farm loan waivers and not likely due to real increases in rural incomes and wages, indicative that the economy is still some time away from a full-blown rural revival, says a report.

The green-shoots of demand growth seen in some rural pockets is driven by farm loan waivers and not likely due to real increases in rural incomes and wages, indicative that the economy is still some time away from a full-blown rural revival, says a report. Noting that rural demand has been on the rise in recent months, the report says the upward trend is visible from the sale of big-ticket items like tractors and the latest corporate earnings of consumer goods companies. According to recent Nielsen data, rural growth outpaced urban demand, rising by 13.5 per cent in the March quarter. Many large states have announced farm loan waivers last year, as farmer suicides became a big political tool. Last week, Karnataka became the latest state to join UP, MP, Maharashtra and Punjab among others to write off farm loans. “But the extent of this pick-up depends on a number of factors. Firstly, a good monsoon alone will not do the trick. Adequate procurement and the effectiveness of MSPs to act as a floor for crop prices will be crucial,” a report by HDFC Bank said. Though there are clear signs that rural demand is recovering from setbacks due to the 2016 note-ban and GST disruptions, “we have our reservations over the extent of this increase as this could be due to the loan waivers,” says the report penned by the banks chief economist Abheek Barua. “The recent jump in items such as tractor sales could have at least been driven by the farm loan waivers. A similar phenomenon was witnessed in 2009 when the then government had waived farm loans and tractor sales grew by 30 per cent. So, it is uncertain whether the recent increase is a one-time spike or a reflection of genuine improvement in the rural income situation,” he explained. Secondly, the higher numbers come from weak a base. “The increase in rural demand is coming over two years of weak growth as demonetisation took a hit on consumption. Therefore, this could be a bounce back from the 2016 lows and not necessarily translate into the required higher momentum in rural demand,” argues Barua. Thirdly, despite the fall in agriculture output in FY18, rural demand might have risen on the back of affluent farmers spending and the rise in items such as tractor sales could partly capture this. As per the price-income survey, 34 per cent of rural consumption comes from only the top 5 per cent (according to income) of the rural population while 33 per cent come from the bottom 50 per cent. Therefore, strong demand from the more affluent rural population could have outweighed the decline in demand from majority. Noting that the rural wages have been on a steady decline, which is the most important leg of the rural demand growth, the report says nominal rural wage growth has been moderating since the middle of 2017. Wage growth declined to 3 per cent in February 2018 from over 7 per cent in April 2017. Also, real wage growth has seen a secular decline over the last year and has now turned negative. For a strong and sustainable rise in rural consumption, an increase in rural wage growth is essential. Usually, rural wage growth is linked with the performance of the monsoons and agriculture growth. However, the non-farm sector of the rural economy bears an equal if not higher influence over overall rural wage pressures. Non-farm activities like construction, manufacturing and services account for over 60 per cent of the value added in rural output. The break-up of rural wage growth into agri and non-agri shows that while farm wages saw a sharper decline, the fall is not restricted to the farm sector as both agri and non-agri wages declined with the former wages more than the latter. Agriculture wage growth declined from close to 9 per cent in April 2017 to 2.3 per cent in February 2018 while nonagricultural wage growth moderated from 5 to 3.7 per cent during the same period. Construction wage growth rose for during 2016 and 2017 driving up agriculture and overall rural wage growth during this period. However, in recent months, construction wage growth has declined sharply from over 6 per cent in April 2017 to 3.2 per cent in February 2018) and is likely to have pulled down agriculture and overall rural wage growth. On the impact of the MSP hikes, the report says that mere announcement will not increase the income of farmers but adequate procurement holds the key. Similarly, a good monsoon does not necessarily imply a rise in rural incomes. It can be noted that ahead of the elections, the Centre recently announced massive hikes in minimum support price across a slew of farm produces. This is the steepest such increase by the Modi government and analysts have warned that this would push up retail inflation by at least 70-80 basis points.

Farm loan waivers, not real income growth, driving rural revival: Report

Taking serious note of the police’s failure to trace a minor girl who went missing from Thane district last year, the Bombay High Court said it was high time that the police machinery changed its mindset.&nbsp

In an order passed earlier on July 10, a bench of Justices S C Dharamadhikari and Bharati Dangre said the police authorities must stop assuming that every missing person’s case, involving a minor girl, was about her having eloped with a lover, as depicted in films. “We are most unhappy with the state of affairs and the prevailing mindset of the police… Let not the investigating teams and officials placed at the highest level treat every case as one where the girl child runs away with the boy she loves, particularly as depicted in cinema or a film on the screen,” the bench said.

Let the authorities not forget that these are real-life events and there are persons who are suffering on account of the loss of their children and also, where the children who have gone missing might be suffering too, it said. “…it is high time that a change is brought about in their mindsets,” the court said. The observations were made while the bench was hearing a writ petition filed earlier this year by the girl’s father, seeking that the police be directed to expedite its search for his daughter.

In compliance with the court’s previous directions, Additional Public Prosecutor J P Yagnik submitted a report in the court expressing helplessness on part of the police in tracing the girl. He submitted that as per the probe conducted so far, the minor girl had left the home of her own accord after being “enticed” by a senior boy from her school. The two of them had escaped to Tamil Nadu, and they kept changing their locations, Yagnik told the high court.

He also told the court that the police had recorded the statement of the boy’s parents and they were not under any suspicion. At this, the court asked the police how could they say with such certainty that the boy’s parents, his relatives, or friends were not involved? “Can school children stay on their own in an unknown place for so long? How are they changing locations, shifting hotels, who is giving them the money? Why don’t you go back to question the family and relatives? How can you (police) be sure that they haven’t been lying?” the bench asked.

It was such a mindset of the police and other probe agencies that was frustrating the purpose of laws such as the Juvenile Justice Act, and the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the court observed. “This is a case of the alleged minor being abducted/removed from the lawful custody from her parents. There could be a deeper intention and we have often found that such vulnerable children land up in either prostitution racket, or are forced to take up some other work at a young age,” the bench said.

The parents of such girls are left virtually with no support from any quarters, much less the police machinery, it said. The court has now granted an additional two weeks to the police to submit a fresh status report, and said it hoped that “some positive changes will emerge in the mindset of the officials”.&nbsp

In an order passed earlier on July 10, a bench of Justices S C Dharamadhikari and Bharati Dangre said the police authorities must stop assuming that every missing person’s case, involving a minor girl, was about her having eloped with a lover, as depicted in films

Taking serious note of the police’s failure to trace a minor girl who went missing from Thane district last year, the Bombay High Court said it was high time that the police machinery changed its mindset. In an order passed earlier on July 10, a bench of Justices S C Dharamadhikari and Bharati Dangre said the police authorities must stop assuming that every missing person’s case, involving a minor girl, was about her having eloped with a lover, as depicted in films. “We are most unhappy with the state of affairs and the prevailing mindset of the police… Let not the investigating teams and officials placed at the highest level treat every case as one where the girl child runs away with the boy she loves, particularly as depicted in cinema or a film on the screen,” the bench said. Let the authorities not forget that these are real-life events and there are persons who are suffering on account of the loss of their children and also, where the children who have gone missing might be suffering too, it said. “…it is high time that a change is brought about in their mindsets,” the court said. The observations were made while the bench was hearing a writ petition filed earlier this year by the girl’s father, seeking that the police be directed to expedite its search for his daughter. In compliance with the court’s previous directions, Additional Public Prosecutor J P Yagnik submitted a report in the court expressing helplessness on part of the police in tracing the girl. He submitted that as per the probe conducted so far, the minor girl had left the home of her own accord after being “enticed” by a senior boy from her school. The two of them had escaped to Tamil Nadu, and they kept changing their locations, Yagnik told the high court. He also told the court that the police had recorded the statement of the boy’s parents and they were not under any suspicion. At this, the court asked the police how could they say with such certainty that the boy’s parents, his relatives, or friends were not involved? “Can school children stay on their own in an unknown place for so long? How are they changing locations, shifting hotels, who is giving them the money? Why don’t you go back to question the family and relatives? How can you (police) be sure that they haven’t been lying?” the bench asked. It was such a mindset of the police and other probe agencies that was frustrating the purpose of laws such as the Juvenile Justice Act, and the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the court observed. “This is a case of the alleged minor being abducted/removed from the lawful custody from her parents. There could be a deeper intention and we have often found that such vulnerable children land up in either prostitution racket, or are forced to take up some other work at a young age,” the bench said. The parents of such girls are left virtually with no support from any quarters, much less the police machinery, it said. The court has now granted an additional two weeks to the police to submit a fresh status report, and said it hoped that “some positive changes will emerge in the mindset of the officials”.

Stop looking for ‘love angle’ in every missing girl case, Bombay high court to cops

After contesting the last two Lok Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Congress leader and former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin is keen to fight the 2019 polls from his home state Telangana's Secunderabad constituency.

Azhar, who won the Lok Sabha election from Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) in 2009 but lost in 2014 from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan), said the final decision from where he would contest would be taken by the Congress high command, but he has conveyed his desire to fight from Secunderabad to the party.

In an interview to PTI, Azhar said he contested from Moradabad and then moved to Tonk as he was "not the sort of person who likes to play safe".

Azhar said he is keen to contest from Secunderabad as a lot of people have told him that he should fight from his own state this time.

"I have visited so many places and villages in the constituency and spoken with farmers and other people, they all welcomed me to contest from there," he said.

"I have conveyed my feelings (to the party and the leaders in-charge of the state). At the end of the day, the party is the supreme power. I am not the captain (here), if I were the captain, I would have chosen the constituency right away," the 55-year-old cricketer-turned-politician said.

On his chances of winning from Secunderabad, Azhar said he does not think of winning and losing as he was motivated by the opinion of the people.

"I want to work for the people there (Secunderabad). I have worked very hard in the constituency, but I don't believe in publicity," said Azhar, who hails from Hyderabad, whose twin city is Secunderabad.

"What I gathered from my party is that, they are also keen that I go there (Secunderabad)," he said.

The Congress' Telangana unit last year had urged Azhar to contest either the state assembly polls or the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, from the state.

Asked if contesting from Tonk in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls was a mistake, he answered in the negative.

Azhar said that what happened with Moradabad was that in the assembly elections in 2012, there was an issue with ticket distribution and a lot of workers went away to different parties, so that was the reason for not contesting from there.

He said he gave a good fight from the Rajasthan seat and so it was not a mistake.

"You can't play safe all the time. I am not the sort of person who likes to play safe," he said.

Asked what made him choose Congress when he took the plunge into politics, Azhar said, "I wanted to join the Congress as it is a secular party. Also, I had great respect for Mr Rajiv Gandhi."

Azhar said the farmers' problems and difficulties caused by GST and demonetisation were the most important issues that needed to be addressed and claimed that there was resentment against the central government in rural areas over these issues.

Bandaru Dattatreya of the BJP is the sitting MP from Secunderabad.&nbsp

Azhar, who won the Lok Sabha election from Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) in 2009 but lost in 2014 from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan), said the final decision from where he would contest would be taken by the Congress high command

After contesting the last two Lok Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Congress leader and former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin is keen to fight the 2019 polls from his home state Telangana's Secunderabad constituency. Azhar, who won the Lok Sabha election from Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) in 2009 but lost in 2014 from Tonk-Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan), said the final decision from where he would contest would be taken by the Congress high command, but he has conveyed his desire to fight from Secunderabad to the party. In an interview to PTI, Azhar said he contested from Moradabad and then moved to Tonk as he was "not the sort of person who likes to play safe". Azhar said he is keen to contest from Secunderabad as a lot of people have told him that he should fight from his own state this time. "I have visited so many places and villages in the constituency and spoken with farmers and other people, they all welcomed me to contest from there," he said. "I have conveyed my feelings (to the party and the leaders in-charge of the state). At the end of the day, the party is the supreme power. I am not the captain (here), if I were the captain, I would have chosen the constituency right away," the 55-year-old cricketer-turned-politician said. On his chances of winning from Secunderabad, Azhar said he does not think of winning and losing as he was motivated by the opinion of the people. "I want to work for the people there (Secunderabad). I have worked very hard in the constituency, but I don't believe in publicity," said Azhar, who hails from Hyderabad, whose twin city is Secunderabad. "What I gathered from my party is that, they are also keen that I go there (Secunderabad)," he said. The Congress' Telangana unit last year had urged Azhar to contest either the state assembly polls or the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, from the state. Asked if contesting from Tonk in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls was a mistake, he answered in the negative. Azhar said that what happened with Moradabad was that in the assembly elections in 2012, there was an issue with ticket distribution and a lot of workers went away to different parties, so that was the reason for not contesting from there. He said he gave a good fight from the Rajasthan seat and so it was not a mistake. "You can't play safe all the time. I am not the sort of person who likes to play safe," he said. Asked what made him choose Congress when he took the plunge into politics, Azhar said, "I wanted to join the Congress as it is a secular party. Also, I had great respect for Mr Rajiv Gandhi." Azhar said the farmers' problems and difficulties caused by GST and demonetisation were the most important issues that needed to be addressed and claimed that there was resentment against the central government in rural areas over these issues. Bandaru Dattatreya of the BJP is the sitting MP from Secunderabad.

Azhar keen to contest 2019 polls from Secunderabad in Telangana

India and the US are likely to hold their first tri-services military drill later this year and talks to finalise the modalities of the exercise are on, a senior Defence Ministry official has said.

The three wings of the armed forces of India and the US hold separate military exercises, but this will be the first time that the two countries will have a joint drill of their Army, Air Force and the Navy.&nbsp;

The topic is likely to come up for discussion in September during the 2 plus 2 Dialogue involving External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on one side and US Secretary of State

Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis on the other.

Sitharaman and Mattis, during his visit to India last year, had deliberated on exploring additional specialised military drills between the two countries.

This will be second such international military drill involving all the three services.&nbsp;

Last year, an Indian contingent comprising 350 personnel from Army, 80 from Air Force, two IL 76 aircraft and one Frigate and Corvette each from the Navy participated in a bilateral exercise, 'Indra 2017', with the Russian forces in Eastern Military District of Russia.

The armies of India and the US also participated in Exercise Yudh Abhyas - 2017 at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, while the navies of India and the US had last month participated in Malabar 2018, a trilateral exercise involving Japan.&nbsp;

India and the US hold separate military exercises, but this will be the first time that the two countries will have a joint drill of their Army, Air Force and the Navy.

India and the US are likely to hold their first tri-services military drill later this year and talks to finalise the modalities of the exercise are on, a senior Defence Ministry official has said. The three wings of the armed forces of India and the US hold separate military exercises, but this will be the first time that the two countries will have a joint drill of their Army, Air Force and the Navy. The topic is likely to come up for discussion in September during the 2 plus 2 Dialogue involving External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on one side and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis on the other. Sitharaman and Mattis, during his visit to India last year, had deliberated on exploring additional specialised military drills between the two countries. This will be second such international military drill involving all the three services. Last year, an Indian contingent comprising 350 personnel from Army, 80 from Air Force, two IL 76 aircraft and one Frigate and Corvette each from the Navy participated in a bilateral exercise, 'Indra 2017', with the Russian forces in Eastern Military District of Russia. The armies of India and the US also participated in Exercise Yudh Abhyas - 2017 at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, while the navies of India and the US had last month participated in Malabar 2018, a trilateral exercise involving Japan.

India, US likely to hold first tri-services military drill later this year: Official

Days after Amartya Sen lamented that India has taken a quantum jump backwards since 2014, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar today said the Nobel laureate should spend some time in the country to see the structural reforms undertaken by the Modi government.

"I wish Professor Amartya Sen would spend some time within India and actually look at conditions on the ground. And at least review all work that has been done in the last four years by the Modi government before making such statements," Kumar told us in an interview.

He was responding to a query regarding Sen's recent remarks about the present government.

"I actually would like to challenge him to show me another period of four years where so much work has been done for the making India cleaner, inclusive and more caring economy," Kumar said.

According to him, structural reforms that have been taken are ensuring that benefits of growth reach to the last person.

"If these things are not clear to him, then, I think he should spend some time here," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the Chairman of Niti Aayog. Modi-led NDA government came to power in May 2014.

On July 7, speaking at the launch of 'Bharat Aur Uske Virodhabhas' -- the Hindi edition of his book 'An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions' -- Sen had said that due to moving back the country is now the second worst in the region.

"Things have gone pretty badly wrong... It has taken a quantum jump in the wrong direction since 2014. We are getting backwards in the fastest-growing economy.

"Now, India is the second worst. Pakistan has managed to shield us from being the worst," Sen had said.&nbsp;

Professor Amartya Sen would spend some time within India and actually look at conditions on the ground said, Rajiv Kumar.

Days after Amartya Sen lamented that India has taken a quantum jump backwards since 2014, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar today said the Nobel laureate should spend some time in the country to see the structural reforms undertaken by the Modi government. "I wish Professor Amartya Sen would spend some time within India and actually look at conditions on the ground. And at least review all work that has been done in the last four years by the Modi government before making such statements," Kumar told us in an interview. He was responding to a query regarding Sen's recent remarks about the present government. "I actually would like to challenge him to show me another period of four years where so much work has been done for the making India cleaner, inclusive and more caring economy," Kumar said. According to him, structural reforms that have been taken are ensuring that benefits of growth reach to the last person. "If these things are not clear to him, then, I think he should spend some time here," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the Chairman of Niti Aayog. Modi-led NDA government came to power in May 2014. On July 7, speaking at the launch of 'Bharat Aur Uske Virodhabhas' -- the Hindi edition of his book 'An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions' -- Sen had said that due to moving back the country is now the second worst in the region. "Things have gone pretty badly wrong... It has taken a quantum jump in the wrong direction since 2014. We are getting backwards in the fastest-growing economy. "Now, India is the second worst. Pakistan has managed to shield us from being the worst," Sen had said.

Wish Amartya Sen spends some time in India to see structural reforms: Niti Aayog Vice Chairman

Karnataka's Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday expressed his distress of being the head of a coalition government in the state. He described his plight similar to swallowing poison.&nbsp;

During a felicitation event in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy refused to accept bouquets and garlands stating that he is not at all happy on being the head of a coalition government. Kumaraswamy further stated his government is not the ultimate and absolute choice of the people of Karnataka.&nbsp;

"You are standing with bouquets to wish me as one of your brothers became the Chief Minister and you all are happy, but I'm not. I know the pain of coalition government. I became Vishkanth and swallowed pain of this government," he stated.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy breaks down at an event in Bengaluru; says 'You are standing with bouquets to wish me, as one of your brother became CM & you all are happy, but I'm not. I know the pain of coalition govt. I became Vishkanth&swallowed pain of this govt' (14.07) <a href="https://t.co/cQ8f90KkFT">pic.twitter.com/cQ8f90KkFT</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1018349636174647296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The chief minister stated how difficult it gets for him to convince various officials to get projects through. Tinged with distress, Kumaraswamy got teary-eyed while speaking.&nbsp;

He also stated that the urge to become the chief minister was only to work for the people of Karnataka and to ''realise unfinished agenda of my&nbsp;father HD Deve Gowda''.&nbsp;

Kumaraswamy refused to accept bouquets and garlands stating that he is not at all happy on being the head of a coalition a government.

Karnataka's Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday expressed his distress of being the head of a coalition government in the state. He described his plight similar to swallowing poison. During a felicitation event in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy refused to accept bouquets and garlands stating that he is not at all happy on being the head of a coalition government. Kumaraswamy further stated his government is not the ultimate and absolute choice of the people of Karnataka. "You are standing with bouquets to wish me as one of your brothers became the Chief Minister and you all are happy, but I'm not. I know the pain of coalition government. I became Vishkanth and swallowed pain of this government," he stated. #WATCH: Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy breaks down at an event in Bengaluru; says 'You are standing with bouquets to wish me, as one of your brother became CM & you all are happy, but I'm not. I know the pain of coalition govt. I became Vishkanth&swallowed pain of this govt' (14.07) pic.twitter.com/cQ8f90KkFT — ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2018 × The chief minister stated how difficult it gets for him to convince various officials to get projects through. Tinged with distress, Kumaraswamy got teary-eyed while speaking. He also stated that the urge to become the chief minister was only to work for the people of Karnataka and to ''realise unfinished agenda of my father HD Deve Gowda''.

Heading coalition govt is like swallowing poison: Teary-eyed Kumaraswamy

The government think tank Niti Aayog is working on a proposal to replace LPG subsidy with cooking subsidy in order to extend the benefits to people using piped natural gas and biofuels for cooking purposes, a top official said today.

Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said subsidy should be applicable for all fuels that are used for cooking.

At present, the government extends the subsidy to users of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

"Niti Aayog is working on a proposal to replace LPG subsidy with cooking subsidy. LPG is a specific product, a subsidy should be for a larger set of all products/ fuels which are used for cooking.

"(For) all fuels which are used for cooking, the subsidy should be applicable. Because if there are some cities where PNG (Piped Natural Gas) is used, then it is only logical that the subsidy is extended to them also," Kumar told us in an interview.

Kumar's comments also come against the backdrop of apprehensions in certain quarters that subsidy only for LPG users is inhibiting the adoption of clean and cheap fuels such as biofuels in rural areas and PNG in urban areas.

The changes pertaining to cooking subsidy are likely to be incorporated in the draft National Energy Policy 2030. The draft was made public last year.

After inter-ministerial consultations, the policy would be taken up by the Cabinet.

All LPG consumers have to buy fuel at market price. However, the government subsidises 12 cylinders of 14.2 kilograms each per household in a year by directly transferring the subsidy amount to the users' bank accounts.

Replying to queries about rising trade tensions, Kumar said the whole economy has got used to open economy framework and that the trade war, which was started by the US, would add to the turbulence.

"We are watching the situation very carefully but to say that we are worried at this time, I think will not be correct.

"We are not worried simply because there is enough space for our exports to be increased. Because trade war is not directed against India not so far," Kumar said.

However, the Niti Aayog Vice Chairman that if the trade war between the US and China leads to greater turbulence, then India should be prepared for that.

There is the looming threat of intensified trade war with the US imposing tariffs on products from various countries, including China, Russia and India. Some of the nations have responded back by slapping tariffs on American products.

Noting that India's macro conditions are very good very strong, Kumar said, "I think, despite some sluggishness in private investments, we will surely grow at 7-7.5 per cent this fiscal year".

He said oil prices have risen but now are stable and are not rising anymore. "... When you look at six months future, prices have slightly declined, not rising that's a big comfort," he added.

"I think the worst is over. Also inflation, we have seen that core inflation is higher than headline inflation. Fuel and food are not contributing to inflation, so this will also tend to weaken as supplies improve," he said.

Kumar, who himself is a noted economist, admitted that a little cause of worry was that out merchandise trade exports were not rising and that invisible trade exports have not performed well.

"So, I think it is an external account that we need to do much better and there we will have a focused approach," he said.&nbsp;

The changes pertaining to cooking subsidy are likely to be incorporated in the draft National Energy Policy 2030.

The government think tank Niti Aayog is working on a proposal to replace LPG subsidy with cooking subsidy in order to extend the benefits to people using piped natural gas and biofuels for cooking purposes, a top official said today. Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said subsidy should be applicable for all fuels that are used for cooking. At present, the government extends the subsidy to users of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). "Niti Aayog is working on a proposal to replace LPG subsidy with cooking subsidy. LPG is a specific product, a subsidy should be for a larger set of all products/ fuels which are used for cooking. "(For) all fuels which are used for cooking, the subsidy should be applicable. Because if there are some cities where PNG (Piped Natural Gas) is used, then it is only logical that the subsidy is extended to them also," Kumar told us in an interview. Kumar's comments also come against the backdrop of apprehensions in certain quarters that subsidy only for LPG users is inhibiting the adoption of clean and cheap fuels such as biofuels in rural areas and PNG in urban areas. The changes pertaining to cooking subsidy are likely to be incorporated in the draft National Energy Policy 2030. The draft was made public last year. After inter-ministerial consultations, the policy would be taken up by the Cabinet. All LPG consumers have to buy fuel at market price. However, the government subsidises 12 cylinders of 14.2 kilograms each per household in a year by directly transferring the subsidy amount to the users' bank accounts. Replying to queries about rising trade tensions, Kumar said the whole economy has got used to open economy framework and that the trade war, which was started by the US, would add to the turbulence. "We are watching the situation very carefully but to say that we are worried at this time, I think will not be correct. "We are not worried simply because there is enough space for our exports to be increased. Because trade war is not directed against India not so far," Kumar said. However, the Niti Aayog Vice Chairman that if the trade war between the US and China leads to greater turbulence, then India should be prepared for that. There is the looming threat of intensified trade war with the US imposing tariffs on products from various countries, including China, Russia and India. Some of the nations have responded back by slapping tariffs on American products. Noting that India's macro conditions are very good very strong, Kumar said, "I think, despite some sluggishness in private investments, we will surely grow at 7-7.5 per cent this fiscal year". He said oil prices have risen but now are stable and are not rising anymore. "... When you look at six months future, prices have slightly declined, not rising that's a big comfort," he added. "I think the worst is over. Also inflation, we have seen that core inflation is higher than headline inflation. Fuel and food are not contributing to inflation, so this will also tend to weaken as supplies improve," he said. Kumar, who himself is a noted economist, admitted that a little cause of worry was that out merchandise trade exports were not rising and that invisible trade exports have not performed well. "So, I think it is an external account that we need to do much better and there we will have a focused approach," he said.

Niti Aayog working on a proposal to replace LPG subsidy with cooking subsidy

A fresh batch of over 3,000 pilgrims left Jammu for the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas today.

The 60-day yatra commenced from the twin routes of Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Anantnag districts on June 28 and till Friday, over 1.6 lakh pilgrims from across the country visited the cave shrine.

"The fresh batch of 3,048 pilgrims, including 623 women and 144 sadhus, left Jammu in 112 vehicles for the twin base camps in the Valley under tight security in the wee hours," a police official said.

He said while 1,973 pilgrims, including 310 women and 144 sadhus, were heading for the Nunwan base camp along the 36-km Pahalgam track, the remaining pilgrims had opted for the shortest 12km Baltal route. They would reach the base camp later in the day.

The 60-day yatra commenced from the twin routes of Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Anantnag districts on June 28 and till Friday, over 1.6 lakh pilgrims from across the country visited the cave shrine.

A fresh batch of over 3,000 pilgrims left Jammu for the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas today. The 60-day yatra commenced from the twin routes of Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Anantnag districts on June 28 and till Friday, over 1.6 lakh pilgrims from across the country visited the cave shrine. "The fresh batch of 3,048 pilgrims, including 623 women and 144 sadhus, left Jammu in 112 vehicles for the twin base camps in the Valley under tight security in the wee hours," a police official said. He said while 1,973 pilgrims, including 310 women and 144 sadhus, were heading for the Nunwan base camp along the 36-km Pahalgam track, the remaining pilgrims had opted for the shortest 12km Baltal route. They would reach the base camp later in the day.

Fresh batch of 3000 pilgrims leaves Jammu for Amarnath

Former finance minister and Congress leader&nbsp;P Chidambaram on Saturday hit out at Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and said ''she has all the time inquire into the religious affiliations of parties and persons!''

Taking on the defence minister with a rather sarcastic tweet which implicitly referred to BJP's much vaunted surgical strikes and often&nbsp;derided Rs 58,000 crore Rafale deal,&nbsp;Chidambaram said: "After taming Pakistan, eliminating terrorism, stopping infiltration and acquiring Rafale aircraft, the Defence Minister has all the time in the world to inquire into the religious affiliations of parties and persons!"

He further stated that Sitharaman "says there are 'plans to incite riots in the run-up to Lok Sabha election'. She should share her secret information with the Home Minister."

Sitharaman on Friday said that Congress wanted to fight the 2019 Lok Sabha election on religious lines and slammed the Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his alleged remarks to a group of Muslim intellectuals on Wednesday.

She alleged that people are trying to instigate communal riots in the country ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. She also blamed the Congress party for trying to fan religious passions by playing communal card.&nbsp;

The Congress hit back at the BJP, saying Sitharaman’s remarks are aimed at creating tension in the society.

“Sitharaman is a responsible Defence Minister and her statement today is clearly in line with Prime Minister Modi’s agenda of polarising this country,” Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev told reporters on Thursday.

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The Defence Minister says there are 'plans to incite riots in the run-up to Lok Sabha election'. She should share her secret (?) information with the Home Minister.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/1017986548665466881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Chidambaram on Friday attacked the BJP government for the slip in industrial production growth and said that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/retail-inflation-hits-5-month-high-p-chidambaram-attacks-centre-151522">retail inflation</a> had hit a five-month high.

The senior Congress leader's comments came in the wake of reports that industrial production growth slipped to a seven-month low of 3.2 per cent in May, mainly, due to sluggish performance of the manufacturing and the power sectors coupled with poor offtake of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG).

Earlier, Sitharaman on Friday said that Congress wanted to fight the 2019 Lok Sabha election on religious lines and attacked Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his alleged remarks to a group of Muslim intellectuals on Wednesday.

Former finance minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday hit out at Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and said ''she has all the time inquire into the religious affiliations of parties and persons!'' Taking on the defence minister with a rather sarcastic tweet which implicitly referred to BJP's much vaunted surgical strikes and often derided Rs 58,000 crore Rafale deal, Chidambaram said: "After taming Pakistan, eliminating terrorism, stopping infiltration and acquiring Rafale aircraft, the Defence Minister has all the time in the world to inquire into the religious affiliations of parties and persons!" He further stated that Sitharaman "says there are 'plans to incite riots in the run-up to Lok Sabha election'. She should share her secret information with the Home Minister." Sitharaman on Friday said that Congress wanted to fight the 2019 Lok Sabha election on religious lines and slammed the Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his alleged remarks to a group of Muslim intellectuals on Wednesday. She alleged that people are trying to instigate communal riots in the country ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. She also blamed the Congress party for trying to fan religious passions by playing communal card. The Congress hit back at the BJP, saying Sitharaman’s remarks are aimed at creating tension in the society. “Sitharaman is a responsible Defence Minister and her statement today is clearly in line with Prime Minister Modi’s agenda of polarising this country,” Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev told reporters on Thursday. The Defence Minister says there are 'plans to incite riots in the run-up to Lok Sabha election'. She should share her secret (?) information with the Home Minister. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) July 14, 2018 × Chidambaram on Friday attacked the BJP government for the slip in industrial production growth and said that retail inflation had hit a five-month high. The senior Congress leader's comments came in the wake of reports that industrial production growth slipped to a seven-month low of 3.2 per cent in May, mainly, due to sluggish performance of the manufacturing and the power sectors coupled with poor offtake of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG).

Sitharaman has all the time to inquire into religious affiliations of parties, persons: Chidambaram

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PM's remark that INC is party for 'Muslim men' only reflects his 'sick mentality': Congress

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Congress to highlight 'failures' of Modi govt in Parliament

News brief: Big stories of the day

Bihar to get world's cheapest clean drinking water

Israel has taken 'powerful action' against Hamas in Gaza: Benjamin Netanyahu

Rajinikanth backs 'one nation, one poll' concept

Telangana government to examine inclusion of nomads in backward classes list

Farm loan waivers, not real income growth, driving rural revival: Report

Stop looking for ‘love angle’ in every missing girl case, Bombay high court to cops

Azhar keen to contest 2019 polls from Secunderabad in Telangana

India, US likely to hold first tri-services military drill later this year: Official

Wish Amartya Sen spends some time in India to see structural reforms: Niti Aayog Vice Chairman

Heading coalition govt is like swallowing poison: Teary-eyed Kumaraswamy

Niti Aayog working on a proposal to replace LPG subsidy with cooking subsidy

Fresh batch of 3000 pilgrims leaves Jammu for Amarnath

Sitharaman has all the time to inquire into religious affiliations of parties, persons: Chidambaram