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A $2 billion fraud at India's Punjab National Bank (PNB) may have been orchestrated by a few rogue employees, but it escaped detection because of widespread risk-control and monitoring lapses in many areas of the bank, the bank's own internal probe has found.

India's second-biggest state-controlled lender, has previously alleged that a handful of staff at a single Mumbai branch issued <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pnb-scam-same-person-sent-requests-for-bank-guarantees-approved-them-33322">fake bank guarantees</a> over several years to help two jewellery groups — controlled by Indian diamond magnate Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi — raise billions of dollars in foreign credit and commit India's biggest-ever bank fraud.

The bank's CEO Sunil Mehta told Reuters in April he had suspended 21 officials and "will not spare" others found involved in lapses, but he also described the fraud as a "small turmoil".

However, a 162-page internal report, produced by PNB officials tasked with probing the fraud, lays bare lapses that go far beyond a few branch officers. The report, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, lays out how failings by 54 PNB officials — ranging from clerks to foreign exchange managers, and auditors to heads of regional offices, allowed the fraud to be perpetrated. Eight of the 54 are among those who have been charged by the federal police for their roles in the scandal.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pnb-scam-how-punjab-national-bank-fell-victim-to-countrys-biggest-bank-fraud-33009">How Punjab National Bank fell victim to the country's biggest bank fraud</a>

The report, which the PNB officials presented to the bank's fraud risk management arm on April 5, along with dozens of pages of annexed bank records and internal e-mails, is also part of the evidence submitted by the federal police in its court case against those allegedly involved in the fraud. The report's findings have not previously been made public.

DAMNING CONCLUSIONS

The unearthing of the fraud in January has not only exposed shortcomings in the management of PNB, but has also undermined confidence in India's state-run banking sector, which controls over two-thirds of the nation's bank assets.

The damning conclusions of the report stand in contrast to the lack of regulatory action taken by the authorities since the fraud was reported.

No penalty has been imposed on PNB as a result of the fraud and there has been no senior management shake-up.

A PNB spokesman told Reuters the bank "cannot share details on a sub-judice case". He added: "We must reiterate that we will not spare anybody who is found guilty irrespective of the level or position in the bank," he said.

PNB did not respond to a question about what action was taken against the "erring" officials mentioned in the report.

The Reserve Bank of India, the nation's central bank, and the Indian government's federal banking secretary, Rajiv Kumar, didn't respond to requests for comment.

The report does not say whether the PNB investigators believe those involved in the monitoring failures were aware of the fraud.

Significantly, they said one of the reasons the fraud went undetected for years was because of lapses within some of the bank's critical areas at its New Delhi headquarters, such as its credit review and international banking units.

"There was enough evidence to suggest failures," the team of four senior PNB investigators said in its report. "It was observed that blatant system violations/unethical practices/dereliction of responsibilities led bank to such a catastrophe."

FRAUD AT BRADY HOUSE

The epicentre of the fraud was PNB's Brady House branch, housed in a building with an imposing colonial facade in downtown Mumbai. From there, deputy manager Gokulnath Shetty for years issued fraudulent credit guarantees over the SWIFT interbank messaging network, the bank and prosecutors have alleged.

Using those guarantees, companies controlled by Nirav Modi, whose jewellery creations were once adorned by global celebrities, and Choksi, received credit from banks overseas to fraudulently fund their businesses, PNB alleges.

Modi and Choksi, both of whom left India before PNB filed its first police complaint on Jan 29, have denied any wrongdoing.

Shetty's lawyer has said his client is not guilty.

All face charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating, as well as allegations under India's prevention of corruption law.

A police source told Reuters on Monday the federal investigating agency last week asked the international police agency Interpol to help locate Modi and Choksi.

Calls and text messages to lawyers for Modi and Choksi went unanswered.

LACK OF INTEGRATION

Shetty escaped detection because he did not log his SWIFT transactions on the bank's internal software - something he was supposed to do because the two systems were not integrated.

PNB investigators said the bank's international banking department and the IT division had delayed the integration work. They had also not complied with central bank advisories in 2016 calling for a comprehensive audit of SWIFT systems in use.

But more simply, the fraud could have been detected if the branch did the basic daily SWIFT reconciliation that, according to internal rules, required logs of transactions on the global payments network to be manually checked against the bank's internal system, the investigators said.

"Only one activity would have nailed the whole act at the incipient stage," said the report.

The lapses, however, extended beyond the branch.

As per protocol, the daily reconciliation reports should travel up the chain to PNB's headquarters in New Delhi. Along the way, they would be signed off by the Brady House branch head and sent each month to a Mumbai city regional office that would issue all-clear certificates for the branches it controls.

But despite receiving just two of the 12 monthly reports from the Brady House branch last year, the regional office signed off on a "false" compliance certificate, signalling a clean bill of health for the branch, the report said.

Moreover, despite a massive missing paper trail, none of the senior inspection officers, who conducted 10 visits between 2010 and 2017 to the branch, reported anything "adverse", PNB's report stated.

MISSED MAJOR RED FLAG

The Mumbai city regional office also missed another vital red flag - the Brady House branch was a star performer, largely because of its dealings with Modi firms, the PNB report said.

Its import and export transactions in the 12 months to March 2017 stood at $3.3 billion, 50 percent higher than recorded two years prior. "The exceptional growth should have been noticed," the report said.

A former PNB internal audit official who declined to be identified but reviewed the growth numbers mentioned in the report for Reuters, said: "This was sufficient to raise a cause of concern and the reasons thereof should have been investigated."

Signs that audit practices at Brady House were weak were also flagged by the branch itself, according to two internal PNB documents reviewed by Reuters.

In March 2012, the branch said in an internal memo that an almost 50 percent of the observations flagged in its annual inspection report – mainly auditor queries - remained "un-replied/unattended to by respective concerned officers", calling it a "critical situation".

Four years later, in 2016, the branch's assistant general manager issued an internal memo saying around 18 observations -- five described as zero-tolerance level issues -- were pending. The memo was signed by 10 bank officers, including Shetty.

LATE-NIGHT EMAILS

Shetty joined the forex division at Brady House in April 2010. In March 2011, the branch issued the first fake credit guarantees of $15.5 million to Modi's firms through SWIFT messages, bypassing the internal banking system, the PNB investigators said.

Over the coming years, Shetty authorized more than 1200 fraudulent credit guarantees, the report said.

As a mid-level employee, Shetty should only have been able to approve transactions of up to 2.5 million rupees ($37,000) without sign-off from more senior officials. But he had been given unlimited approval powers, the investigators said without explaining how this happened.

In the few weeks before his retirement in May last year, Shetty used his personal Yahoo e-mail address to send 22 e-mails -- 18 at around midnight -- to reconcile large forex transactions involving the Modi group. The use of personal e-mail was "overlooked" by the bank's treasury department, the report said.

Under PNB policy, no officer should remain in the same office for more than three years, but Shetty retired after serving in Brady House for seven years. Three transfer orders were issued for him during his tenure, but he was never moved, the investigators found.

The report said that it is "incomprehensible" that branch staff did not notice the fraud being committed. 
&nbsp;

The 54 employees ranged from clerks to foreign exchange managers, and auditors to heads of regional offices. Eight of the 54 have been charged by police

A $2 billion fraud at India's Punjab National Bank (PNB) may have been orchestrated by a few rogue employees, but it escaped detection because of widespread risk-control and monitoring lapses in many areas of the bank, the bank's own internal probe has found. India's second-biggest state-controlled lender, has previously alleged that a handful of staff at a single Mumbai branch issued fake bank guarantees over several years to help two jewellery groups — controlled by Indian diamond magnate Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi — raise billions of dollars in foreign credit and commit India's biggest-ever bank fraud. The bank's CEO Sunil Mehta told Reuters in April he had suspended 21 officials and "will not spare" others found involved in lapses, but he also described the fraud as a "small turmoil". However, a 162-page internal report, produced by PNB officials tasked with probing the fraud, lays bare lapses that go far beyond a few branch officers. The report, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, lays out how failings by 54 PNB officials — ranging from clerks to foreign exchange managers, and auditors to heads of regional offices, allowed the fraud to be perpetrated. Eight of the 54 are among those who have been charged by the federal police for their roles in the scandal. Also read: How Punjab National Bank fell victim to the country's biggest bank fraud The report, which the PNB officials presented to the bank's fraud risk management arm on April 5, along with dozens of pages of annexed bank records and internal e-mails, is also part of the evidence submitted by the federal police in its court case against those allegedly involved in the fraud. The report's findings have not previously been made public. DAMNING CONCLUSIONS The unearthing of the fraud in January has not only exposed shortcomings in the management of PNB, but has also undermined confidence in India's state-run banking sector, which controls over two-thirds of the nation's bank assets. The damning conclusions of the report stand in contrast to the lack of regulatory action taken by the authorities since the fraud was reported. No penalty has been imposed on PNB as a result of the fraud and there has been no senior management shake-up. A PNB spokesman told Reuters the bank "cannot share details on a sub-judice case". He added: "We must reiterate that we will not spare anybody who is found guilty irrespective of the level or position in the bank," he said. PNB did not respond to a question about what action was taken against the "erring" officials mentioned in the report. The Reserve Bank of India, the nation's central bank, and the Indian government's federal banking secretary, Rajiv Kumar, didn't respond to requests for comment. The report does not say whether the PNB investigators believe those involved in the monitoring failures were aware of the fraud. Significantly, they said one of the reasons the fraud went undetected for years was because of lapses within some of the bank's critical areas at its New Delhi headquarters, such as its credit review and international banking units. "There was enough evidence to suggest failures," the team of four senior PNB investigators said in its report. "It was observed that blatant system violations/unethical practices/dereliction of responsibilities led bank to such a catastrophe." FRAUD AT BRADY HOUSE The epicentre of the fraud was PNB's Brady House branch, housed in a building with an imposing colonial facade in downtown Mumbai. From there, deputy manager Gokulnath Shetty for years issued fraudulent credit guarantees over the SWIFT interbank messaging network, the bank and prosecutors have alleged. Using those guarantees, companies controlled by Nirav Modi, whose jewellery creations were once adorned by global celebrities, and Choksi, received credit from banks overseas to fraudulently fund their businesses, PNB alleges. Modi and Choksi, both of whom left India before PNB filed its first police complaint on Jan 29, have denied any wrongdoing. Shetty's lawyer has said his client is not guilty. All face charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating, as well as allegations under India's prevention of corruption law. A police source told Reuters on Monday the federal investigating agency last week asked the international police agency Interpol to help locate Modi and Choksi. Calls and text messages to lawyers for Modi and Choksi went unanswered. LACK OF INTEGRATION Shetty escaped detection because he did not log his SWIFT transactions on the bank's internal software - something he was supposed to do because the two systems were not integrated. PNB investigators said the bank's international banking department and the IT division had delayed the integration work. They had also not complied with central bank advisories in 2016 calling for a comprehensive audit of SWIFT systems in use. But more simply, the fraud could have been detected if the branch did the basic daily SWIFT reconciliation that, according to internal rules, required logs of transactions on the global payments network to be manually checked against the bank's internal system, the investigators said. "Only one activity would have nailed the whole act at the incipient stage," said the report. The lapses, however, extended beyond the branch. As per protocol, the daily reconciliation reports should travel up the chain to PNB's headquarters in New Delhi. Along the way, they would be signed off by the Brady House branch head and sent each month to a Mumbai city regional office that would issue all-clear certificates for the branches it controls. But despite receiving just two of the 12 monthly reports from the Brady House branch last year, the regional office signed off on a "false" compliance certificate, signalling a clean bill of health for the branch, the report said. Moreover, despite a massive missing paper trail, none of the senior inspection officers, who conducted 10 visits between 2010 and 2017 to the branch, reported anything "adverse", PNB's report stated. MISSED MAJOR RED FLAG The Mumbai city regional office also missed another vital red flag - the Brady House branch was a star performer, largely because of its dealings with Modi firms, the PNB report said. Its import and export transactions in the 12 months to March 2017 stood at $3.3 billion, 50 percent higher than recorded two years prior. "The exceptional growth should have been noticed," the report said. A former PNB internal audit official who declined to be identified but reviewed the growth numbers mentioned in the report for Reuters, said: "This was sufficient to raise a cause of concern and the reasons thereof should have been investigated." Signs that audit practices at Brady House were weak were also flagged by the branch itself, according to two internal PNB documents reviewed by Reuters. In March 2012, the branch said in an internal memo that an almost 50 percent of the observations flagged in its annual inspection report – mainly auditor queries - remained "un-replied/unattended to by respective concerned officers", calling it a "critical situation". Four years later, in 2016, the branch's assistant general manager issued an internal memo saying around 18 observations -- five described as zero-tolerance level issues -- were pending. The memo was signed by 10 bank officers, including Shetty. LATE-NIGHT EMAILS Shetty joined the forex division at Brady House in April 2010. In March 2011, the branch issued the first fake credit guarantees of $15.5 million to Modi's firms through SWIFT messages, bypassing the internal banking system, the PNB investigators said. Over the coming years, Shetty authorized more than 1200 fraudulent credit guarantees, the report said. As a mid-level employee, Shetty should only have been able to approve transactions of up to 2.5 million rupees ($37,000) without sign-off from more senior officials. But he had been given unlimited approval powers, the investigators said without explaining how this happened. In the few weeks before his retirement in May last year, Shetty used his personal Yahoo e-mail address to send 22 e-mails -- 18 at around midnight -- to reconcile large forex transactions involving the Modi group. The use of personal e-mail was "overlooked" by the bank's treasury department, the report said. Under PNB policy, no officer should remain in the same office for more than three years, but Shetty retired after serving in Brady House for seven years. Three transfer orders were issued for him during his tenure, but he was never moved, the investigators found. The report said that it is "incomprehensible" that branch staff did not notice the fraud being committed.

Failings by 54 officials allowed PNB scam to be perpetrated, internal bank report shows

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said his government had doubled the agriculture budget to Rs 2.12 lakh crore from 2014-19 to achieve its objective of doubling farm income by 2022, news agency PTI reported.

Interacting with farmers from over 600 districts via video conferencing, Modi said the four cornerstones of the government policy for raising farm income are cutting input cost, fair price for the crop, preventing the produce from rotting and creating alternate sources of income.

He said the budget for the agriculture sector has been doubled to Rs 2.12 lakh crore during the first four years of his government compared to the previous five years of the UPA regime.

The budget for 2018-19 fiscal has taken steps to provide farmers with a price equivalent to 150 per cent of their cost of production, he was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

"We are working towards ensuring that the income of our hardworking farmers doubles by 2022. For that, we are facilitating proper assistance wherever required. We have faith in the farmers of India," he said.

Modi said the country is not just witnessing record foodgrain production but milk, fruit and vegetable output too are at all-time highs. In 2017-18, 280 million tonnes of foodgrains were produced as compared to an average of 250 million tonnes between 2010 and 2014. Pulses production has increased 10.5 per cent.&nbsp;

"Our effort is to provide farmers assistance at all stage of agriculture -- at the time of sowing, after sowing and at the time of harvesting," he said, adding the policy interventions are being planned to help farmers right from seeds to markets.

First, soil health cards are being provided to help farmers better understand soil nutrient status of his/her holding and advice them on the dosage of fertilisers.&nbsp;

Thereafter, loans are being made available to farmers to help them procure good quality seeds, he said, adding neem coating of urea has ensured that black-marketing of the crop nutrient is stopped and farmers get it without any problem.

To ensure farmers get the right price for their crops, online platform e-NAM has been started to eliminate middlemen.&nbsp;

(With PTI)&nbsp;

Modi spoke to farmers from over 600 districts via video conferencing, He said the agriculture budget had been doubled to achieve his government's objective of doubling farm incomes by 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said his government had doubled the agriculture budget to Rs 2.12 lakh crore from 2014-19 to achieve its objective of doubling farm income by 2022, news agency PTI reported. Interacting with farmers from over 600 districts via video conferencing, Modi said the four cornerstones of the government policy for raising farm income are cutting input cost, fair price for the crop, preventing the produce from rotting and creating alternate sources of income. He said the budget for the agriculture sector has been doubled to Rs 2.12 lakh crore during the first four years of his government compared to the previous five years of the UPA regime. The budget for 2018-19 fiscal has taken steps to provide farmers with a price equivalent to 150 per cent of their cost of production, he was quoted as saying. "We are working towards ensuring that the income of our hardworking farmers doubles by 2022. For that, we are facilitating proper assistance wherever required. We have faith in the farmers of India," he said. Modi said the country is not just witnessing record foodgrain production but milk, fruit and vegetable output too are at all-time highs. In 2017-18, 280 million tonnes of foodgrains were produced as compared to an average of 250 million tonnes between 2010 and 2014. Pulses production has increased 10.5 per cent. "Our effort is to provide farmers assistance at all stage of agriculture -- at the time of sowing, after sowing and at the time of harvesting," he said, adding the policy interventions are being planned to help farmers right from seeds to markets. First, soil health cards are being provided to help farmers better understand soil nutrient status of his/her holding and advice them on the dosage of fertilisers. Thereafter, loans are being made available to farmers to help them procure good quality seeds, he said, adding neem coating of urea has ensured that black-marketing of the crop nutrient is stopped and farmers get it without any problem. To ensure farmers get the right price for their crops, online platform e-NAM has been started to eliminate middlemen. (With PTI)

Modi speaks to farmers, says his government doubled agriculture budget to Rs 2.12 lakh crore

A court here in Thane has sentenced two Bangladeshi couples to two years of imprisonment for staying illegally in India.

Assistant Sessions Judge S A Sinha convicted the four Bangladeshi nationals last week under the Foreigners Act and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on each of them.

The police raided a hutment colony in the Mira Road area of Thane district on December 28 last year after getting a tip-off, according to the prosecution.

They arrested Uttam Golap Sikandar (27) Mau Uttam Sikandar (24), Allauddin Gani Malik (40) and Muslima Allauddin Malik (38) from there.

The prosecution said the accused admitted that they were Bangladeshi nationals, but failed to produce valid proof of their identity and residence.

The accused told the police that they did petty jobs to earn their livelihood.

After hearing both the sides, the judge said it appears from the record that all the accused are poor people and they entered the country because of their bad financial condition and unemployment.

They did daily wage jobs in India, she noted.

Hence, while imposing the punishment on them, it is necessary to show leniency, the judge observed.

Therefore, considering the situation, the judge sentenced them to two years imprisonment each, and said it is required to give a message to the society and prospective criminals that crime never goes unpunished.

The court also directed authorities concerned to take necessary steps to deport the accused to their country on the completion of their sentence.&nbsp;

Assistant Sessions Judge S A Sinha convicted the four Bangladeshi nationals last week under the Foreigners Act and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on each of them.

A court here in Thane has sentenced two Bangladeshi couples to two years of imprisonment for staying illegally in India. Assistant Sessions Judge S A Sinha convicted the four Bangladeshi nationals last week under the Foreigners Act and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on each of them. The police raided a hutment colony in the Mira Road area of Thane district on December 28 last year after getting a tip-off, according to the prosecution. They arrested Uttam Golap Sikandar (27) Mau Uttam Sikandar (24), Allauddin Gani Malik (40) and Muslima Allauddin Malik (38) from there. The prosecution said the accused admitted that they were Bangladeshi nationals, but failed to produce valid proof of their identity and residence. The accused told the police that they did petty jobs to earn their livelihood. After hearing both the sides, the judge said it appears from the record that all the accused are poor people and they entered the country because of their bad financial condition and unemployment. They did daily wage jobs in India, she noted. Hence, while imposing the punishment on them, it is necessary to show leniency, the judge observed. Therefore, considering the situation, the judge sentenced them to two years imprisonment each, and said it is required to give a message to the society and prospective criminals that crime never goes unpunished. The court also directed authorities concerned to take necessary steps to deport the accused to their country on the completion of their sentence.

Two Bangladeshi couples get 2-year jail for illegally staying in India

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According to reports, terrorists opened fire on a police party in Pulwama's Kandizal in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. Two policemen have suffered injuries and are currently undergoing treatment in the nearest hospital, ANI reported.&nbsp;

In a gunfight that started on Tuesday and ended late last evening, three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants were killed and five security men injured in a gunfight in Tral area of Pulwama district, police said.

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Terrorists fired upon a Police party in Pulwama's Kandizal. 2 Policemen suffered injuries & are undergoing treatment. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/GBxFYlYBRd">pic.twitter.com/GBxFYlYBRd</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1009455581747392512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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According to police, all the three JeM militants hiding in Nazneenpora village of Tral area have been killed by the security forces.

The slain militants include one Pakistan national and two locals.

"Five security personnel including on CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) jawan and four army soldiers have been injured in this encounter," the police was quoted as saying.

Following specific information about three militants hiding in Nazneenpora village of Tral area, troops of Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF and Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police surrounded the village.

As the security forces tightened the cordon around hiding militants, they fired at the security forces triggering a gunfight that ended with the killing of the three JeM militants.

This was the first anti-militancy operation in J&K after the Bharatiya Janata party withdrew support from the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led coalition government headed by Mehbooba Mufti.

The state has been placed under Governor's rule which as per the J&K constitution can last for three months.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a gunfight that started on Tuesday and ended late last evening, three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants were killed

According to reports, terrorists opened fire on a police party in Pulwama's Kandizal in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. Two policemen have suffered injuries and are currently undergoing treatment in the nearest hospital, ANI reported. In a gunfight that started on Tuesday and ended late last evening, three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants were killed and five security men injured in a gunfight in Tral area of Pulwama district, police said. Terrorists fired upon a Police party in Pulwama's Kandizal. 2 Policemen suffered injuries & are undergoing treatment. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/GBxFYlYBRd — ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2018 × According to police, all the three JeM militants hiding in Nazneenpora village of Tral area have been killed by the security forces. The slain militants include one Pakistan national and two locals. "Five security personnel including on CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) jawan and four army soldiers have been injured in this encounter," the police was quoted as saying. Following specific information about three militants hiding in Nazneenpora village of Tral area, troops of Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF and Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police surrounded the village. As the security forces tightened the cordon around hiding militants, they fired at the security forces triggering a gunfight that ended with the killing of the three JeM militants. This was the first anti-militancy operation in J&K after the Bharatiya Janata party withdrew support from the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led coalition government headed by Mehbooba Mufti. The state has been placed under Governor's rule which as per the J&K constitution can last for three months. (With inputs from agencies)

J&K: Two cops injured as terrorists open fire on police party in Pulwama

PDP and BJP abandoned the state of Jammu and Kashmir for pure electoral reasons. The PDP's feeble response to the sudden move of BJP pulling out of the alliance which was ruling the state also looked fake. It came across as an orchestrated exercise where two partners wanted a breather from a responsibility which they failed to carry through. Tuesday's drama is a grim reminder of the state of politics that even responsibility of governance can be sacrificed at the altar of pure electoral politics and that too in the name of national security and nationalism.

Like a choreographed exercise, PDP stressed upon sacrifice of the PDP workers and dialogue while BJP stressed upon the assassination of Shujaat Bukhari and deteriorating situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Not once was PDP's attack on BJP scathing. The point in case is that both ran the government for three years and looked pretty thick in the affairs of the state barring issues which concerned their own political constituencies. The sudden withdrawal is a cold step in preserving whatever is left of both parties in the state. 
&nbsp; 
The fact is that hope had turned into despair in Jammu and Kashmir. Both Centre and the state looked feeble and politically disoriented. The experiment which began with great fanfare became Kashmir's and PDP-BJP's biggest nightmare. Both the parties were unable to reconcile the core agenda and were becoming victims of their own politics. While PDP's supporters desired political solution, BJP's member wanted abolition of Article 370 and rehabilitation of pandits in the Valley. Both front with numerable expectations never moved an inch. Whatever happened was a low-level political discourse where 'us' and 'them' became central to the political talk. 
&nbsp; 
The decision looks sudden but writing on the fall was clear for BJP and PDP for last one year. Shujaat Bukhari's assassination was just a trigger. It was a mirror which showed that both PDP and BJP were left with no political capital in the state. Both parties lost trust of the people in the Valley. But what is more interesting is that Kashmir has demonstrated the limit of BJP's electoral agenda. The BJP could not move an inch on Sainik colonies, rehabilitation of pandits, Article 370 and Article 35(A). All these issues were central to BJP's election campaign in the state. 
&nbsp; 
Jammu and Kashmir, initially a jewel in the crown, became the crown of thorn for BJP. The party's muscular approach failed in the state and led to radicalisation of youth. Hyper-nationalist discourse supported in rest of the India impacted an average Kashmiri adversely. It allowed the other parts of the country to believe that Kashmir can be solved through the power of gun and talks, and reconciliation can happen later. The discourse met a stiff resistance at the local level. The locals resist the idea of free hand to the Army. The debates and controversies galore ultimately led to delegitimisation of the PDP-BJP alliance.

In the end, both parties in order to save themselves, politically abandoned the state. Jammu and Kashmir is unlike any other state. Congress committed a similar mistake in 1980s and paid the price. History has repeated itself, but this time with the BJP. Once again, the state of Jammu and Kashmir has been abandoned for electoral reasons. The only way to start again is to acknowledge that state has political issues and that military response can be one part of a counter response but not the main. We all need to learn to live with this reality.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The decision looks sudden but writing on the fall was clear for BJP and PDP for last one year

PDP and BJP abandoned the state of Jammu and Kashmir for pure electoral reasons. The PDP's feeble response to the sudden move of BJP pulling out of the alliance which was ruling the state also looked fake. It came across as an orchestrated exercise where two partners wanted a breather from a responsibility which they failed to carry through. Tuesday's drama is a grim reminder of the state of politics that even responsibility of governance can be sacrificed at the altar of pure electoral politics and that too in the name of national security and nationalism. Like a choreographed exercise, PDP stressed upon sacrifice of the PDP workers and dialogue while BJP stressed upon the assassination of Shujaat Bukhari and deteriorating situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Not once was PDP's attack on BJP scathing. The point in case is that both ran the government for three years and looked pretty thick in the affairs of the state barring issues which concerned their own political constituencies. The sudden withdrawal is a cold step in preserving whatever is left of both parties in the state. The fact is that hope had turned into despair in Jammu and Kashmir. Both Centre and the state looked feeble and politically disoriented. The experiment which began with great fanfare became Kashmir's and PDP-BJP's biggest nightmare. Both the parties were unable to reconcile the core agenda and were becoming victims of their own politics. While PDP's supporters desired political solution, BJP's member wanted abolition of Article 370 and rehabilitation of pandits in the Valley. Both front with numerable expectations never moved an inch. Whatever happened was a low-level political discourse where 'us' and 'them' became central to the political talk. The decision looks sudden but writing on the fall was clear for BJP and PDP for last one year. Shujaat Bukhari's assassination was just a trigger. It was a mirror which showed that both PDP and BJP were left with no political capital in the state. Both parties lost trust of the people in the Valley. But what is more interesting is that Kashmir has demonstrated the limit of BJP's electoral agenda. The BJP could not move an inch on Sainik colonies, rehabilitation of pandits, Article 370 and Article 35(A). All these issues were central to BJP's election campaign in the state. Jammu and Kashmir, initially a jewel in the crown, became the crown of thorn for BJP. The party's muscular approach failed in the state and led to radicalisation of youth. Hyper-nationalist discourse supported in rest of the India impacted an average Kashmiri adversely. It allowed the other parts of the country to believe that Kashmir can be solved through the power of gun and talks, and reconciliation can happen later. The discourse met a stiff resistance at the local level. The locals resist the idea of free hand to the Army. The debates and controversies galore ultimately led to delegitimisation of the PDP-BJP alliance. In the end, both parties in order to save themselves, politically abandoned the state. Jammu and Kashmir is unlike any other state. Congress committed a similar mistake in 1980s and paid the price. History has repeated itself, but this time with the BJP. Once again, the state of Jammu and Kashmir has been abandoned for electoral reasons. The only way to start again is to acknowledge that state has political issues and that military response can be one part of a counter response but not the main. We all need to learn to live with this reality. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: The burning leaves of Chinar - Why PDP & BJP abandoned Jammu & Kashmir

Meghalaya capital <a href="http://wionews.com/science-tech/huawei-keen-on-indias-smart-city-project-14683">Shillong has been selected </a>as the 100th smart city to be&nbsp;built in India, the Ministry of Housing and Urban affairs said.

Shillong was selected after four rounds of competition under the Smart Cities Mission. Under the scheme, 60 cities were selected two years ago with another 30 last year and another 10 cities this year.

The Smart City Mission has earmarked Rs 2,05,018 crore for the project involving the development of 100 cities.

This year three cities were selected from Uttar Pradesh - Bareilly, Moradabad and Saharanpur, one from Bihar - Bihar Sharif, another in Tamil Nadu - Erode, Silvassa in Dadra and Nagar Havelli, Daman and Diu, Itanagar in Arunachal and Kavaratti in Lakshadweep.

The project launched in 2015 by PM Narendra Modi is part of NDA's flagship programme. The project entrails the state to pull 50 per cent of the finances with the Centre providing another 50 per cent investment.

According to the government, over 99 crore people will be impacted under the Smart City project. The project aims to have at least one smart city in each state or Union Territory.

However, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had decided not to take part in the competition two years over taxation and investment policy of the scheme.

The Mamata government had decided to develop New Town-Rajarhat as "Green City" although it had qualified in the smart city competition. &nbsp;

The Smart City Mission has earmarked Rs 2,05,018 crore for the project involving the development of 100 cities.

Meghalaya capital Shillong has been selected as the 100th smart city to be built in India, the Ministry of Housing and Urban affairs said. Shillong was selected after four rounds of competition under the Smart Cities Mission. Under the scheme, 60 cities were selected two years ago with another 30 last year and another 10 cities this year. The Smart City Mission has earmarked Rs 2,05,018 crore for the project involving the development of 100 cities. This year three cities were selected from Uttar Pradesh - Bareilly, Moradabad and Saharanpur, one from Bihar - Bihar Sharif, another in Tamil Nadu - Erode, Silvassa in Dadra and Nagar Havelli, Daman and Diu, Itanagar in Arunachal and Kavaratti in Lakshadweep. The project launched in 2015 by PM Narendra Modi is part of NDA's flagship programme. The project entrails the state to pull 50 per cent of the finances with the Centre providing another 50 per cent investment. According to the government, over 99 crore people will be impacted under the Smart City project. The project aims to have at least one smart city in each state or Union Territory. However, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had decided not to take part in the competition two years over taxation and investment policy of the scheme. The Mamata government had decided to develop New Town-Rajarhat as "Green City" although it had qualified in the smart city competition.

Shillong selected as 100th Smart City

A day after the Chinese ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui proposed India, Pakistan, and China cooperation under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), there seems to have been some backtracking.&nbsp

A copy of the Chinese ambassador's speech uploaded online says, "We hope that in the future China, India, Pakistan leaders' meeting could be held under the SCO framework."&nbsp

But in his original speech — the one that everyone heard — Zhaohui had said, "Some Indian friends suggested that China, India and Pakistan may have some kind of trilateral cooperation under the SCO."

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A case of changing statements. Chinese amb amends monday speech of chinese amb. Removes the line "at the suggestion of Indian friends" 
 
Gray: What He Said 
Blue: New Statement <a href="https://t.co/tSpJWwYAYI">pic.twitter.com/tSpJWwYAYI</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1009152184666079232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Whatever the reason for the amendment, many would say China may have suggested a trilateral summit to test the waters.

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China Amb <a href="https://twitter.com/China_Amb_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@China_Amb_India</a> on India, Pak, China cooperation at SCO: proposal suggested by Indian friends. Its a great idea. <a href="https://t.co/EmG666C6Bj">pic.twitter.com/EmG666C6Bj</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1008593465599459329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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India and Pakistan participated as full members of the SCO at the Qingdao Summit. In August, India and Pakistan will be participating in SCO military exercises in Russia.

India reacted sharply to the statement made by the Chinese ambassador in New Delhi.&nbsp

Calling it the ambassador's personal opinion, India said, "We have not received any such suggestion from the Chinese government ." India also said, "Matters related to India-Pakistan relations are purely bilateral in nature and have no scope for involvement of any third country."

China, a honest broker?

Experts believe China might be trying to play negotiator when it comes to India and Pakistan, an idea New Delhi has dismissed many times. China is deeply involved with Pakistan and with the CPEC — China-Pakistan Economic Corridor — passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, experts say China cannot be an honest broker in the region.

Changing speeches: Not for the first time

This is not for the first time such an an amendment has been made. The Chinese ambassador had suggested last year that China could rename the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor if India agreed to join it, but his remarks were expunged from the uploaded copy of his speech.

When the Chinese foreign ministry was asked why, it had nothing to say.

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Who did it? The Missing Line "ready to change <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CPEC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CPEC</a> name" case becomes bigger. China MOFA has nthng to offer P <a href="https://t.co/yWeMwiZzSW">pic.twitter.com/yWeMwiZzSW</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/861974734614929409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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India and China have been trying to increase engagement between them.&nbsp

In the last three months, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met twice. First at their informal summit in Wuhan, China and the then on the sidelines of the Qingdao summit. The two of them are likely to meet again on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in South Africa next month.&nbsp

The Doklam incident last year had put a strain on India-China ties. During his speech on Monday, the Chinese ambassador had said, "We <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-cannot-stand-another-doklam-incident-chinese-ambassador-145188">cannot stand</a> another Doklam incident." And the two countries have recently agreed to work together on a project in Afghanistan.&nbsp

Clearly, both the Asians giants understand that cooperation and not conflict is the way forward.&nbsp 
&nbsp

In his original statement, Luo Zhaohui had said the idea of an India-Pak-China summit was a 'suggestion of Indian friends'. That statement however was removed from the copy of his speech that was uploaded online

A day after the Chinese ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui proposed India, Pakistan, and China cooperation under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), there seems to have been some backtracking. A copy of the Chinese ambassador's speech uploaded online says, "We hope that in the future China, India, Pakistan leaders' meeting could be held under the SCO framework." But in his original speech — the one that everyone heard — Zhaohui had said, "Some Indian friends suggested that China, India and Pakistan may have some kind of trilateral cooperation under the SCO." A case of changing statements. Chinese amb amends monday speech of chinese amb. Removes the line "at the suggestion of Indian friends" Gray: What He Said Blue: New Statement pic.twitter.com/tSpJWwYAYI — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 19, 2018 × Whatever the reason for the amendment, many would say China may have suggested a trilateral summit to test the waters. China Amb @China_Amb_India on India, Pak, China cooperation at SCO: proposal suggested by Indian friends. Its a great idea. pic.twitter.com/EmG666C6Bj — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 18, 2018 × India and Pakistan participated as full members of the SCO at the Qingdao Summit. In August, India and Pakistan will be participating in SCO military exercises in Russia. India reacted sharply to the statement made by the Chinese ambassador in New Delhi. Calling it the ambassador's personal opinion, India said, "We have not received any such suggestion from the Chinese government ." India also said, "Matters related to India-Pakistan relations are purely bilateral in nature and have no scope for involvement of any third country." China, a honest broker? Experts believe China might be trying to play negotiator when it comes to India and Pakistan, an idea New Delhi has dismissed many times. China is deeply involved with Pakistan and with the CPEC — China-Pakistan Economic Corridor — passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, experts say China cannot be an honest broker in the region. Changing speeches: Not for the first time This is not for the first time such an an amendment has been made. The Chinese ambassador had suggested last year that China could rename the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor if India agreed to join it, but his remarks were expunged from the uploaded copy of his speech. When the Chinese foreign ministry was asked why, it had nothing to say. Who did it? The Missing Line "ready to change #CPEC name" case becomes bigger. China MOFA has nthng to offer P pic.twitter.com/yWeMwiZzSW — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) May 9, 2017 × India and China have been trying to increase engagement between them. In the last three months, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met twice. First at their informal summit in Wuhan, China and the then on the sidelines of the Qingdao summit. The two of them are likely to meet again on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in South Africa next month. The Doklam incident last year had put a strain on India-China ties. During his speech on Monday, the Chinese ambassador had said, "We cannot stand another Doklam incident." And the two countries have recently agreed to work together on a project in Afghanistan. Clearly, both the Asians giants understand that cooperation and not conflict is the way forward.

After he proposes India-Pak-China summit, China quietly amends ambassador's statement

India and France will work on strengthening their student exchange programme, news agency ANI reported quoting External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj.

The two countries aim at increasing the number of students through such programmes by 2020, the report added.

"We remain committed to work upon set agreements and aim at doubling up the number of student exchanges by 2020," Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday while addressing the Indian students studying in France at Maison de l'Inde in Paris.

"Student community is always at the heart of our efforts. A large number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between educational institutes of India and France. Almost all the branches of the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) have collaboration with the French management institutes and business schools," she added.

Swaraj used the occasion to propose a hostel which would be run by a person of Indian origin, adding that the hostel be named as "India House".

Prior to the commencement of the address, Sushma Swaraj also unveiled the plaque on the 50th anniversary of the India Hostel, Maison de L'Inde, which is the residential area of the University City of Paris for Indian students!, tweeted the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Swaraj is on a week-long four-nation visit to Italy, France, Luxembourg and Brussels.

Later on Tuesday, she arrived in Luxembourg after concluding her France visit.

Swaraj used the occasion to propose a hostel which would be run by a person of Indian origin, adding that the hostel be named as "India House".

India and France will work on strengthening their student exchange programme, news agency ANI reported quoting External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj. The two countries aim at increasing the number of students through such programmes by 2020, the report added. "We remain committed to work upon set agreements and aim at doubling up the number of student exchanges by 2020," Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday while addressing the Indian students studying in France at Maison de l'Inde in Paris. "Student community is always at the heart of our efforts. A large number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between educational institutes of India and France. Almost all the branches of the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) have collaboration with the French management institutes and business schools," she added. Swaraj used the occasion to propose a hostel which would be run by a person of Indian origin, adding that the hostel be named as "India House". Prior to the commencement of the address, Sushma Swaraj also unveiled the plaque on the 50th anniversary of the India Hostel, Maison de L'Inde, which is the residential area of the University City of Paris for Indian students!, tweeted the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Swaraj is on a week-long four-nation visit to Italy, France, Luxembourg and Brussels. Later on Tuesday, she arrived in Luxembourg after concluding her France visit.

India, France to boost student exchange programme, says Sushma Swaraj

National Human Rights Commission, on Wednesday, sent notices to central and state governments of Rajasthan and Haryana over reported massive deforestation in Aravali Hills, ANI reported. According to reports, an increase in deforestation has led to the loss of vegetative cover over the Aravalis causing dust storm and health concerns in and around the national capital.&nbsp

Environmentalists and experts have long drawn attention to the ever-degrading Aravallis in order to make sense of the alarming frequency of dust and sandstorm episodes in north India. Reports suggest a remarkable increase in the intensity and frequency of such storms in the past few decades.&nbsp

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in its study on Economics of Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD) in India, explains how land degradation cost around 2.5 per cent of India's GDP in 2014/15.&nbsp

The lush range of Aravalli sprawls from Delhi to Gujarat, protecting the national capital and neighbouring areas from harsh climatic battering. However, the rapid degradation and denudation of the green cover of the mountainous range pose a severe threat to the environment.&nbsp

Environmentalists and experts have long drawn attention to the ever-degrading Aravallis

National Human Rights Commission, on Wednesday, sent notices to central and state governments of Rajasthan and Haryana over reported massive deforestation in Aravali Hills, ANI reported. According to reports, an increase in deforestation has led to the loss of vegetative cover over the Aravalis causing dust storm and health concerns in and around the national capital. Environmentalists and experts have long drawn attention to the ever-degrading Aravallis in order to make sense of the alarming frequency of dust and sandstorm episodes in north India. Reports suggest a remarkable increase in the intensity and frequency of such storms in the past few decades. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in its study on Economics of Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD) in India, explains how land degradation cost around 2.5 per cent of India's GDP in 2014/15. The lush range of Aravalli sprawls from Delhi to Gujarat, protecting the national capital and neighbouring areas from harsh climatic battering. However, the rapid degradation and denudation of the green cover of the mountainous range pose a severe threat to the environment.

National Human Rights Commission sends notices to government over reported deforestation in Aravalis

Editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary spoke to RJD's Tejashwi Yadav

India Ka DNA Conclave

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-kovind-approves-governors-rule-in-jammu-and-kashmir-145691">President Kovind approves Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir</a>

President Ram Nath Kovind has approved Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir. The move comes after the BJP pulled out of its alliance with the PDP on Tuesday. The announcement was made by BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav in Delhi.&nbsp;​

​​​​​​<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/now-trump-accuses-canadian-citizens-of-smuggling-us-shoes-145692">US withdraws from UN Human Rights Council, accuses it of 'chronic bias' against Israel</a>

The United States withdrew from a "hypocritical and self-serving" United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday over what it called chronic bias against Israel and a lack of reform, a move activists warned would make advancing human rights globally even more difficult.<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/failings-by-54-officials-allowed-pnb-scam-to-be-perpetrated-internal-bank-report-shows-145685">Trump is upset with Canada again, says its citizens smuggle shoes</a>

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday escalated his attack on Canada and accused its America's northern neighbour's citizens of smuggling shoes across the border.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/now-trump-accuses-canadian-citizens-of-smuggling-us-shoes-145692">FIFA World Cup 2018: Russia on brink of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/now-trump-accuses-canadian-citizens-of-smuggling-us-shoes-145692">knockout</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/now-trump-accuses-canadian-citizens-of-smuggling-us-shoes-145692"> stage after </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/now-trump-accuses-canadian-citizens-of-smuggling-us-shoes-145692">win</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/now-trump-accuses-canadian-citizens-of-smuggling-us-shoes-145692"> over Egypt</a>

World Cup hosts Russia virtually booked their place in the second round with a 3-1 win over Egypt on Tuesday that moved them to top of Group A with six points from two games.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2018-russia-on-brink-of-knockout-stage-after-win-over-egypt-145672">Failings by 54 officials allowed PNB scam to be perpetrated, internal bank report shows</a>

A $2 billion fraud at India's Punjab National Bank (PNB) may have been orchestrated by a few rogue employees, but it escaped detection because of widespread risk-control and monitoring lapses in many areas of the bank, the bank's own internal probe has found.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/this-is-the-worlds-best-restaurant-145682">This is the world's best restaurant, again</a>

Italy's Osteria Francescana, which serves innovative and artful Italian food, was crowned the world's best restaurant for the second time on Monday at an awards ceremony put on by British trade magazine Restaurant, beating out top eateries in Spain and France.

President Kovind approves Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir President Ram Nath Kovind has approved Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir. The move comes after the BJP pulled out of its alliance with the PDP on Tuesday. The announcement was made by BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav in Delhi. US withdraws from UN Human Rights Council, accuses it of 'chronic bias' against Israel The United States withdrew from a "hypocritical and self-serving" United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday over what it called chronic bias against Israel and a lack of reform, a move activists warned would make advancing human rights globally even more difficult.Trump is upset with Canada again, says its citizens smuggle shoes US President Donald Trump on Tuesday escalated his attack on Canada and accused its America's northern neighbour's citizens of smuggling shoes across the border. FIFA World Cup 2018: Russia on brink of knockout stage after win over Egypt World Cup hosts Russia virtually booked their place in the second round with a 3-1 win over Egypt on Tuesday that moved them to top of Group A with six points from two games. Failings by 54 officials allowed PNB scam to be perpetrated, internal bank report shows A $2 billion fraud at India's Punjab National Bank (PNB) may have been orchestrated by a few rogue employees, but it escaped detection because of widespread risk-control and monitoring lapses in many areas of the bank, the bank's own internal probe has found. This is the world's best restaurant, again Italy's Osteria Francescana, which serves innovative and artful Italian food, was crowned the world's best restaurant for the second time on Monday at an awards ceremony put on by British trade magazine Restaurant, beating out top eateries in Spain and France.

News brief: Big stories of the day

President Ram Nath Kovind has approved Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

The BJP had on Tuesday pulled out of its alliance in the state with the PDP. The announcement that the party was pulling out of the alliance was made <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ramzan-ceasefire-over-kashmir-bjp-leaders-summoned-to-delhi-by-amit-shah-145427">in Delhi</a> by BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav.&nbsp;

After the announcement, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti handed in her resignation to Governor NN Vohra.&nbsp;

Vohra then forwarded a report to President Kovind asking for the imposition of Governor's rule in the state.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/withdrawal-of-bjp-from-kashmir-government-could-herald-muscular-policy-145594">Withdrawal of BJP from Kashmir government could herald 'muscular policy'</a>

In all states of India, the state government's failure results in President's rule. The process is slightly more nuanced in J&K where not the President's but Governor's rule is imposed.

Under the provision of Section 92 of the J&K Constitution, Governor's rule is imposed for six months, but only after the consent of the President of India.

The Constitution of India grants special status to J&K among Indian states, and it is the only state in India to have a separate Constitution and regulations specific to it.

The move comes after the BJP pulled out of its alliance with the PDP on Tuesday. The announcement was made by BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav in Delhi

President Ram Nath Kovind has approved Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP had on Tuesday pulled out of its alliance in the state with the PDP. The announcement that the party was pulling out of the alliance was made in Delhi by BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav. After the announcement, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti handed in her resignation to Governor NN Vohra. Vohra then forwarded a report to President Kovind asking for the imposition of Governor's rule in the state. Also read: Withdrawal of BJP from Kashmir government could herald 'muscular policy' In all states of India, the state government's failure results in President's rule. The process is slightly more nuanced in J&K where not the President's but Governor's rule is imposed. Under the provision of Section 92 of the J&K Constitution, Governor's rule is imposed for six months, but only after the consent of the President of India. The Constitution of India grants special status to J&K among Indian states, and it is the only state in India to have a separate Constitution and regulations specific to it.

President Kovind approves Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir

According to reports, Sakshi Dhoni, wife of former Indian men's cricket captain MS Dhoni, has applied for an arms licence in order to own a personal gun as she has expressed a threat to her security. The reports also say that her application for the licence is still being processed at Ranchi Magistrate's office. After the approval, she intends to get a pistol or a .32 revolver for her protection.&nbsp;

Sakshi Dhoni allegedly claimed that she stays alone at home with her daughter Ziva as her husband, MS Dhoni, travels most of the time with Indian men's cricket team.

MSD already has a gun licence which he obtained in 2010 and also enjoys Y category security from the Jharkhand government.

Dhoni's house in Jharkhand receives police protection throughout the year, with special arrangements made on sensitive occasions for extra safety.&nbsp;

According to reports, Sakshi Dhoni intends to get a pistol or a .32 revolver for her protection.

According to reports, Sakshi Dhoni, wife of former Indian men's cricket captain MS Dhoni, has applied for an arms licence in order to own a personal gun as she has expressed a threat to her security. The reports also say that her application for the licence is still being processed at Ranchi Magistrate's office. After the approval, she intends to get a pistol or a .32 revolver for her protection. Sakshi Dhoni allegedly claimed that she stays alone at home with her daughter Ziva as her husband, MS Dhoni, travels most of the time with Indian men's cricket team. MSD already has a gun licence which he obtained in 2010 and also enjoys Y category security from the Jharkhand government. Dhoni's house in Jharkhand receives police protection throughout the year, with special arrangements made on sensitive occasions for extra safety.

After husband, Sakshi Dhoni applies for arms licence

In a gunfight that started on Tuesday and ended late last evening, three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants were killed and five security men injured in a gunfight in Tral area of Pulwama district, police said.

According to police, all the three JeM militants hiding in Nazneenpora village of Tral area have been killed by the security forces.

The slain militants include one Pakistan national and two locals.

"Five security personnel including on CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) jawan and four army soldiers have been injured in this encounter," the police was quoted as saying.

Following specific information about three militants hiding in Nazneenpora village of Tral area, troops of Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF and Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police surrounded the village.

As the security forces tightened the cordon around hiding militants, they fired at the security forces triggering a gunfight that ended with the killing of the three JeM militants.

This was the first anti-militancy operation in J&K after the Bharatiya Janata party withdrew support from the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led coalition government headed by Mehbooba Mufti.

The state has been placed under Governor`s rule which as per the J&K constitution can last for three months.

The slain militants include one Pakistan national and two locals.

In a gunfight that started on Tuesday and ended late last evening, three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants were killed and five security men injured in a gunfight in Tral area of Pulwama district, police said. According to police, all the three JeM militants hiding in Nazneenpora village of Tral area have been killed by the security forces. The slain militants include one Pakistan national and two locals. "Five security personnel including on CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) jawan and four army soldiers have been injured in this encounter," the police was quoted as saying. Following specific information about three militants hiding in Nazneenpora village of Tral area, troops of Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF and Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police surrounded the village. As the security forces tightened the cordon around hiding militants, they fired at the security forces triggering a gunfight that ended with the killing of the three JeM militants. This was the first anti-militancy operation in J&K after the Bharatiya Janata party withdrew support from the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led coalition government headed by Mehbooba Mufti. The state has been placed under Governor`s rule which as per the J&K constitution can last for three months.

Jammu and Kashmir: 3 militants killed, 5 security men injured in gunfight

According to reports, India and <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/we-only-stopped-our-operations-during-ramzan-in-jk-says-army-chief-bipin-rawat--145838">Pakistan held </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/we-only-stopped-our-operations-during-ramzan-in-jk-says-army-chief-bipin-rawat--145838">a commander-level</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/we-only-stopped-our-operations-during-ramzan-in-jk-says-army-chief-bipin-rawat--145838"> meeting in</a> Poonch earlier today. Both the sides discussed instances of ceasefire violations, ANI reported.

The continued instances of ceasefire violations along the Indo-Pak border and the Line of Control have raised questions over security in&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir.

The month-long Ramzan ceasefire initiated by the government resulted in increased incidents of terrorist activities including the killing of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari and the abduction and murder of rifleman Aurangzeb.&nbsp;

According to various reports, the number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan so far has increased by&nbsp;400% as compared to last year.

In 2017, Pakistan violated ceasefire slightly over 100 times, this year the Pakistani side has reportedly violated the ceasefire more than 400 times.

&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WVAuzyL2mqo" width="560"></iframe>

The continued instances of ceasefire violations along the Indo-Pak border and the Line of Control has raised questions over the security of the people of Jammu and Kashmir

According to reports, India and Pakistan held a commander-level meeting in Poonch earlier today. Both the sides discussed instances of ceasefire violations, ANI reported. The continued instances of ceasefire violations along the Indo-Pak border and the Line of Control have raised questions over security in Jammu and Kashmir. The month-long Ramzan ceasefire initiated by the government resulted in increased incidents of terrorist activities including the killing of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari and the abduction and murder of rifleman Aurangzeb. According to various reports, the number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan so far has increased by 400% as compared to last year. In 2017, Pakistan violated ceasefire slightly over 100 times, this year the Pakistani side has reportedly violated the ceasefire more than 400 times.

J&K: India, Pakistan hold commander-level meeting in Poonch; discuss ceasefire violations

Indian budget carrier IndiGo today stated that it did not receive any summon from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) violation.&nbsp

"We hereby clarify that we have not received any such summons," IndiGo Airlines on reports that Enforcement Directorate summoned its top management for FEMA violation.&nbsp

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We hereby clarify that we have not received any such summons: IndiGo Airlines on reports that Enforcement Directorate summoned its top 
management for FEMA violation. <a href="https://t.co/8dauQrOnVf">pic.twitter.com/8dauQrOnVf</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1009399879469330433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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IndiGo's parent company, InterGlobe Aviation, released the statement today, rubbishing any such report. It was previously reported that the ED had summoned IndiGo's top management for Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violation.

IndiGo's parent company, InterGlobe Aviation, released a statement today, rubbishing any such report

Indian budget carrier IndiGo today stated that it did not receive any summon from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) violation. "We hereby clarify that we have not received any such summons," IndiGo Airlines on reports that Enforcement Directorate summoned its top management for FEMA violation. We hereby clarify that we have not received any such summons: IndiGo Airlines on reports that Enforcement Directorate summoned its top management for FEMA violation. pic.twitter.com/8dauQrOnVf — ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2018 × IndiGo's parent company, InterGlobe Aviation, released the statement today, rubbishing any such report. It was previously reported that the ED had summoned IndiGo's top management for Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violation.

'Did not receive any such summons from ED over FEMA violation,' IndiGo clarifies

Several students faced difficulties in completing their admission formalities as the Delhi University's server came under severe pressure and the DigiLocker, a government-owned public cloud storage where certificates and documents were stored, was not integrated with the varsity portal yet.

The website was inaccessible for quite some time, forcing the students to flock to colleges and seeking help from professors in generating forms.

According to the admission rules, applicants need to study the cut-off list, select courses and colleges on the university website, take printout of the admission slip and finally approach the respective colleges with the slip and required documents.

While some students and professors claimed that the website was inaccessible, a senior Delhi University official said that there was heavy traffic on the website but said that it was functioning properly.

A Delhi University professor said that students were quite hassled after they were not able to generate admission slips since the website was not functioning properly.

"There was heavy traffic on the website between 9.30 am and 11.30 am but later, the traffic eased...Around 1,070 students registered on the website today," said the varsity official.

Students also faced problems since DigiLocker is not yet integrated with the system.

"The certificates and documents stored on DigiLocker could not be accessed by the students since they are not yet integrated with our system. However, the university has given them a time of 10 days to furnish documents," said an official.

DigiLocker refers to dedicated personal electronic space in a government-owned public cloud storage, where individuals can keep their documents, files or certificates.

The individual is also able to download or share them online with various stakeholders as and when required and the storage space is linked to the Aadhaar of the user.

The university had also changed norms for students seeking admission under the OBC category by stating that they will have to produce certificates issued only after March 31, 2018.

"Many students had not read the rules properly and were confused when we did not accept their documents. We sent them to varsity officials and later they issued a clarification saying that the colleges can provisionally admit the students, who are mandated to submit the certificates within a period of two weeks," said a professor of Shri Ram College of Commerce.

Delhi University yesterday announced its first cut-off list for merit-based undergraduate courses in the 2018-19 academic year, recording a drop in the minimum required marks as compared to last year.

The highest cut-off this year is 98.75 per cent for BA (programme) in Lady Shri Ram College. Delhi College of Arts and Commerce has a cut-off of 98.50 per cent for BA (Hons) in Journalism, while LSR College has a cut-off of 98.25 per cent for BA (Hons) in Psychology.

Last year, the highest cut-off was 99.66 per cent for B.Sc (Hons) in Electronics in SGTB Khalsa College. In humanities stream, Khalsa College had set the highest cut-off at 99 per cent for BA (Hons) in Political Science.

In science stream this year, the highest cut-off is 98 per cent for B.Sc (Hons) in Physics in Hindu College. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College also has a cut-off of 98 per cent for its B.Sc(Hons) in Computer Science course.

The varsity threw open its admission portal for aspirants of various undergraduate courses on May 15. The registration for these courses ended on June 7.

According to an official from the university, 2,78,544 aspirants have made payments.&nbsp;

The website was inaccessible for quite some time, forcing the students to flock to colleges and seeking help from professors in generating forms.

Several students faced difficulties in completing their admission formalities as the Delhi University's server came under severe pressure and the DigiLocker, a government-owned public cloud storage where certificates and documents were stored, was not integrated with the varsity portal yet. The website was inaccessible for quite some time, forcing the students to flock to colleges and seeking help from professors in generating forms. According to the admission rules, applicants need to study the cut-off list, select courses and colleges on the university website, take printout of the admission slip and finally approach the respective colleges with the slip and required documents. While some students and professors claimed that the website was inaccessible, a senior Delhi University official said that there was heavy traffic on the website but said that it was functioning properly. A Delhi University professor said that students were quite hassled after they were not able to generate admission slips since the website was not functioning properly. "There was heavy traffic on the website between 9.30 am and 11.30 am but later, the traffic eased...Around 1,070 students registered on the website today," said the varsity official. Students also faced problems since DigiLocker is not yet integrated with the system. "The certificates and documents stored on DigiLocker could not be accessed by the students since they are not yet integrated with our system. However, the university has given them a time of 10 days to furnish documents," said an official. DigiLocker refers to dedicated personal electronic space in a government-owned public cloud storage, where individuals can keep their documents, files or certificates. The individual is also able to download or share them online with various stakeholders as and when required and the storage space is linked to the Aadhaar of the user. The university had also changed norms for students seeking admission under the OBC category by stating that they will have to produce certificates issued only after March 31, 2018. "Many students had not read the rules properly and were confused when we did not accept their documents. We sent them to varsity officials and later they issued a clarification saying that the colleges can provisionally admit the students, who are mandated to submit the certificates within a period of two weeks," said a professor of Shri Ram College of Commerce. Delhi University yesterday announced its first cut-off list for merit-based undergraduate courses in the 2018-19 academic year, recording a drop in the minimum required marks as compared to last year. The highest cut-off this year is 98.75 per cent for BA (programme) in Lady Shri Ram College. Delhi College of Arts and Commerce has a cut-off of 98.50 per cent for BA (Hons) in Journalism, while LSR College has a cut-off of 98.25 per cent for BA (Hons) in Psychology. Last year, the highest cut-off was 99.66 per cent for B.Sc (Hons) in Electronics in SGTB Khalsa College. In humanities stream, Khalsa College had set the highest cut-off at 99 per cent for BA (Hons) in Political Science. In science stream this year, the highest cut-off is 98 per cent for B.Sc (Hons) in Physics in Hindu College. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College also has a cut-off of 98 per cent for its B.Sc(Hons) in Computer Science course. The varsity threw open its admission portal for aspirants of various undergraduate courses on May 15. The registration for these courses ended on June 7. According to an official from the university, 2,78,544 aspirants have made payments.

Technical glitches hamper Delhi University admission process

A retired Army personnel and two others were shot dead separately when they were sleeping outside their homes at a village in the Raya police station area of the district, police said on Tuesday.

The three -- retired army personnel Bhanvar Singh (55), former village head Satya Prakaskh (72), and Sundar Singh (45) -- were killed at Bharau village last night.&nbsp;

In protest against the killings, the villagers refused to allow the bodies to be taken for post-mortem.

Senior police officers reached the village and pacified the villagers, after which the bodies were sent for autopsy.

Five teams of police have been formed to work out the case," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prabhakar Chaudhary said.

In protest against the killings, the villagers refused to allow the bodies to be taken for post-mortem.

A retired Army personnel and two others were shot dead separately when they were sleeping outside their homes at a village in the Raya police station area of the district, police said on Tuesday. The three -- retired army personnel Bhanvar Singh (55), former village head Satya Prakaskh (72), and Sundar Singh (45) -- were killed at Bharau village last night. In protest against the killings, the villagers refused to allow the bodies to be taken for post-mortem. Senior police officers reached the village and pacified the villagers, after which the bodies were sent for autopsy. Five teams of police have been formed to work out the case," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prabhakar Chaudhary said.

Uttar Pradesh: 3 including  retired army personnel shot dead

Get over kids of Bollywood actors and actresses, here is another star kid that looks promising -- TV star Shweta Tiwari’s daughter Palak Tiwari.&nbsp;

Dressed for Gold Awards 2018, Palak looked drop-dead gorgeous for her red carpet appearance. Palak shared a few pictures of herself on her Instagram profile. She donned a graffiti printed crop top with a thigh-high slit green coloured long skirt. She completed her look by keeping her hair loose open and teamed it all up with black strappy heels.&nbsp;

See her photos here:&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkN8Q-jn6G1/" style=" color:#000 font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px text-decoration:none word-wrap:break-word" target="_blank">Gold awards ✨ Makeup by my favourite: @makeupbyashokchandra Styled by the sweetest: @ruchika_jalan Bustier by @jagx_ Skirt by @zeba_byparul Clutch by @beaumondeaccessories Jewellery by @diosajewels Shoes by @shein_in @sheinofficial</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px margin-bottom:0 margin-top:8px overflow:hidden padding:8px 0 7px text-align:center text-overflow:ellipsis white-space:nowrap">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/palaktiwarii/" style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px" target="_blank"> Palak Tiwari</a> (@palaktiwarii) on <time datetime="2018-06-19T19:23:10+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px">Jun 19, 2018 at 12:23pm PDT</time>
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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px margin-bottom:0 margin-top:8px overflow:hidden padding:8px 0 7px text-align:center text-overflow:ellipsis white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BhvtBsrFDQQ/" style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Palak Tiwari (@palaktiwarii)</a> on <time datetime="2018-04-19T08:30:00+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px">Apr 19, 2018 at 1:30am PDT</time>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgWtf89gBfp/" style=" color:#000 font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px text-decoration:none word-wrap:break-word" target="_blank">Sunlit</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px margin-bottom:0 margin-top:8px overflow:hidden padding:8px 0 7px text-align:center text-overflow:ellipsis white-space:nowrap">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/palaktiwarii/" style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px" target="_blank"> Palak Tiwari</a> (@palaktiwarii) on <time datetime="2018-03-15T19:01:44+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px">Mar 15, 2018 at 12:01pm PDT</time>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfxzMJIAkIx/" style=" color:#000 font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px text-decoration:none word-wrap:break-word" target="_blank">Shot by: @sachin113photographer Makeup by: @makeupbyashokchandra</a>

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Meanwhile, on the work front, her mother Shweta Tiwari recently announced that the much-awaited debut of Palak in the film Quickie has been postponed. She was supposed to star opposite Taare Zameen Par actor Darsheel Safary in the film.&nbsp;

Announcing the news, Shweta said that Palak's education is of importance to them and hence they have decided to retract from the project. Shweta, however, did assure her fans that Palak will be making her debut soon. Shweta wrote: "We really wanted quickie to be the way to go but the process was too protracted and Palak’s 12th grade has now begun. Therefore we decided it would be best if we retracted ourselves from the project.”

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkIsAFiHsep/" style=" color:#000 font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px text-decoration:none word-wrap:break-word" target="_blank">My Gorgeous Baby?❤️ For the past few months i was constantly bombarded with questions regarding quickie, and palak’s debut. We really wanted quickie to be the way to go but the process was too protracted and Palak’s 12th grade has now begun. Therefore we decided it would be best if we retracted ourselves from the project since Palak’s education is of Paramount importance at this point in time. We wish Oddball the very best, but sadly we had to come to this decision. However i assure you, Palak’s debut is soon enough.</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px margin-bottom:0 margin-top:8px overflow:hidden padding:8px 0 7px text-align:center text-overflow:ellipsis white-space:nowrap">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shweta.tiwari/" style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px" target="_blank"> Shweta Tiwari</a> (@shweta.tiwari) on <time datetime="2018-06-17T18:24:51+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px">Jun 17, 2018 at 11:24am PDT</time>
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&nbsp;

She will soon be making her Bollywood debut

Get over kids of Bollywood actors and actresses, here is another star kid that looks promising -- TV star Shweta Tiwari’s daughter Palak Tiwari. Dressed for Gold Awards 2018, Palak looked drop-dead gorgeous for her red carpet appearance. Palak shared a few pictures of herself on her Instagram profile. She donned a graffiti printed crop top with a thigh-high slit green coloured long skirt. She completed her look by keeping her hair loose open and teamed it all up with black strappy heels. See her photos here: Gold awards ✨ Makeup by my favourite: @makeupbyashokchandra Styled by the sweetest: @ruchika_jalan Bustier by @jagx_ Skirt by @zeba_byparul Clutch by @beaumondeaccessories Jewellery by @diosajewels Shoes by @shein_in @sheinofficial A post shared by Palak Tiwari (@palaktiwarii) on Jun 19, 2018 at 12:23pm PDT × A post shared by Palak Tiwari (@palaktiwarii) on Apr 19, 2018 at 1:30am PDT × Sunlit A post shared by Palak Tiwari (@palaktiwarii) on Mar 15, 2018 at 12:01pm PDT × Shot by: @sachin113photographer Makeup by: @makeupbyashokchandra A post shared by Palak Tiwari (@palaktiwarii) on Mar 1, 2018 at 2:59am PST × Meanwhile, on the work front, her mother Shweta Tiwari recently announced that the much-awaited debut of Palak in the film Quickie has been postponed. She was supposed to star opposite Taare Zameen Par actor Darsheel Safary in the film. Announcing the news, Shweta said that Palak's education is of importance to them and hence they have decided to retract from the project. Shweta, however, did assure her fans that Palak will be making her debut soon. Shweta wrote: "We really wanted quickie to be the way to go but the process was too protracted and Palak’s 12th grade has now begun. Therefore we decided it would be best if we retracted ourselves from the project.” My Gorgeous Baby?❤️ For the past few months i was constantly bombarded with questions regarding quickie, and palak’s debut. We really wanted quickie to be the way to go but the process was too protracted and Palak’s 12th grade has now begun. Therefore we decided it would be best if we retracted ourselves from the project since Palak’s education is of Paramount importance at this point in time. We wish Oddball the very best, but sadly we had to come to this decision. However i assure you, Palak’s debut is soon enough. A post shared by Shweta Tiwari (@shweta.tiwari) on Jun 17, 2018 at 11:24am PDT ×

Meet TV star Shweta Tiwari's daughter Palak Tiwari as she makes heads turn!

Tamil Nadu's Anukreethy Vas was crowned Miss India 2018 at a glittering ceremony in Mumbai on Tuesday.&nbsp;Meenakshi Chaudhary from Haryana and Shreya Rao from Andhra Pradesh were named first and second runner-up respectively.&nbsp; 
 
Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar crowned her successor Anukreethy at the star-studded grand finale on Tuesday night in Mumbai at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium.

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Congratulations to the winners of <a href="https://twitter.com/fbb_india?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fbb_india</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ColorsTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ColorsTV</a> Femina Miss India 2018 
Co powered by <a href="https://twitter.com/Sephora_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sephora_India</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/DS_SilverPearls?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DS_SilverPearls</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MissIndiaFinale?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MissIndiaFinale</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/DomeIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DomeIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/8DZqrxuNP1">pic.twitter.com/8DZqrxuNP1</a>
— Miss India (@feminamissindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/feminamissindia/status/1009174010825977858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Ninteen-year-old Anukreethy is a student of Chennai`s Loyola College, pursuing B.A. in French to become an interpreter. Raised by a single mother, the just-crowned Miss India World 2018 wishes to become a supermodel as she loves facing the camera. She defeated 30 contestants to clinch the title.&nbsp;

Participants proved their aptitude by facing some of the tricky questions from the judges` panel which was studded with some personalities like actor Bobby Deol, Kunal Kapoor, Malaika Arora, fashion designer Gaurav Gupta and cricketer Irfan Pathan, along with Manushi.

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Shine on pretty ladies! ❤️ 
 
Shreya Rao, Meenakshi Chaudhary, and Anukreethy Vas enjoying their moment of victory. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FeminaMissIndia2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FeminaMissIndia2018</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/feminamissindia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@feminamissindia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MissIndiaFinale?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MissIndiaFinale</a> <a href="https://t.co/gxtKsCy0nQ">pic.twitter.com/gxtKsCy0nQ</a>
— COLORS (@ColorsTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/ColorsTV/status/1009174584506142720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The event was hosted by Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Ayushmann Khurrana. Bollywood was prominently present at the grand finale as Jacqueline Fernandez set the stage on fire by shaking a leg on 'Desi Girl'.

Dancing diva and actress Madhuri Dixit Nene performed a beautiful dance number during the India round, with her co-dancers presenting various forms of Indian classical dance.

Kareena Kapoor Khan looked ravishing in her stage performance on 'Tareefa'&nbsp;from her latest released film 'Veere Di Wedding'.

All the selected participants were groomed by Neha Dhupia, Rakul Preet Singh, Pooja Chopra and Pooja Hegde.

The organising team of the beauty pageant toured all 30 states (including Delhi) of the country and crowned one representative from each state, all aspiring for the coveted Miss India crown.

Anukreethy is a student of Chennai`s Loyola College, pursuing B.A. in French.

Tamil Nadu's Anukreethy Vas was crowned Miss India 2018 at a glittering ceremony in Mumbai on Tuesday. Meenakshi Chaudhary from Haryana and Shreya Rao from Andhra Pradesh were named first and second runner-up respectively. Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar crowned her successor Anukreethy at the star-studded grand finale on Tuesday night in Mumbai at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium. Congratulations to the winners of @fbb_india @ColorsTV Femina Miss India 2018 Co powered by @Sephora_India and @DS_SilverPearls#MissIndiaFinale at @DomeIndia pic.twitter.com/8DZqrxuNP1 — Miss India (@feminamissindia) June 19, 2018 × Ninteen-year-old Anukreethy is a student of Chennai`s Loyola College, pursuing B.A. in French to become an interpreter. Raised by a single mother, the just-crowned Miss India World 2018 wishes to become a supermodel as she loves facing the camera. She defeated 30 contestants to clinch the title. Participants proved their aptitude by facing some of the tricky questions from the judges` panel which was studded with some personalities like actor Bobby Deol, Kunal Kapoor, Malaika Arora, fashion designer Gaurav Gupta and cricketer Irfan Pathan, along with Manushi. Shine on pretty ladies! ❤️ Shreya Rao, Meenakshi Chaudhary, and Anukreethy Vas enjoying their moment of victory. #FeminaMissIndia2018 @feminamissindia #MissIndiaFinale pic.twitter.com/gxtKsCy0nQ — COLORS (@ColorsTV) June 19, 2018 × The event was hosted by Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Ayushmann Khurrana. Bollywood was prominently present at the grand finale as Jacqueline Fernandez set the stage on fire by shaking a leg on 'Desi Girl'. Dancing diva and actress Madhuri Dixit Nene performed a beautiful dance number during the India round, with her co-dancers presenting various forms of Indian classical dance. Kareena Kapoor Khan looked ravishing in her stage performance on 'Tareefa' from her latest released film 'Veere Di Wedding'. All the selected participants were groomed by Neha Dhupia, Rakul Preet Singh, Pooja Chopra and Pooja Hegde. The organising team of the beauty pageant toured all 30 states (including Delhi) of the country and crowned one representative from each state, all aspiring for the coveted Miss India crown.

Chennai girl Anukreethy Vas crowned Miss India 2018

After a mixed reaction by fans and crirics to currently running Race 3, producer Ramesh Taurani has announced another sequel to the hit series, titled&nbsp;Race 4!

Speaking to an entertainment website, Ramesh revealed, “Woh Banegi… Race 4 zarur banegi. Par pehle script banegi, phir decide hoga. Nothing is decided.” He did point out that film depends on the time frame that the script takes as it’s still to be written though the makers have decided that there should be another film from the franchise.&nbsp;

On Salman Khan being a part of the film, Ramesh said, “Zarur honge…Salman Khan nahi honge to kaise hoga” (meaning that Salman is an integral part of the new Race films and that the sequel has to have him).&nbsp;

Many feel that the makers have decided for the same as Race 3 has broken many records and has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-salman-khans-race-3-predictably-earns-rs-100-crore-in-its-opening-weekend-145183">earned the first Rs 100 crore mark</a> in just three days.&nbsp;

'Race 3' has witnessed the biggest openings of the year, crossing Rs 100 crore in first three days of its release

After a mixed reaction by fans and crirics to currently running Race 3, producer Ramesh Taurani has announced another sequel to the hit series, titled Race 4! Speaking to an entertainment website, Ramesh revealed, “Woh Banegi… Race 4 zarur banegi. Par pehle script banegi, phir decide hoga. Nothing is decided.” He did point out that film depends on the time frame that the script takes as it’s still to be written though the makers have decided that there should be another film from the franchise. On Salman Khan being a part of the film, Ramesh said, “Zarur honge…Salman Khan nahi honge to kaise hoga” (meaning that Salman is an integral part of the new Race films and that the sequel has to have him). Many feel that the makers have decided for the same as Race 3 has broken many records and has earned the first Rs 100 crore mark in just three days.

'Race 4': Producer Ramesh Taurani confirms another sequel with Salman Khan

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/process-to-find-buyers-for-air-india-stopped-looking-for-alternative-mechanism-mos-jayant-sinha-145897">Process</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/process-to-find-buyers-for-air-india-stopped-looking-for-alternative-mechanism-mos-jayant-sinha-145897"> to find buyers for Air India stopped, looking for </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/process-to-find-buyers-for-air-india-stopped-looking-for-alternative-mechanism-mos-jayant-sinha-145897">alternative</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/process-to-find-buyers-for-air-india-stopped-looking-for-alternative-mechanism-mos-jayant-sinha-145897"> mechanism: MoS Jayant Sinha</a>

Minister of state(MoS) for civil aviation Jayant Sinha said today that the government is committed to making Air India into a 'competitive airlines', asserting that it has legacy issues but it has begun to make operating profit.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/it-was-the-best-job-enriching-and-exciting-says-outgoing-cea-arvind-subramanian-145861">'It was the best job, enriching and exciting,' says outgoing CEA Arvind Subramanian</a>

Outgoing Chief Economic Advisor, Arvind Subramanian, called it quits earlier today and stated that it was an honour to serve the country and frame numerous reforms.&nbsp

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/children-held-in-us-detention-cages-deeply-disturbing-says-pm-theresa-may-in-uk-parliament-145876">Children held in US detention 'cages' deeply disturbing, says PM Theresa May in UK Parliament</a>

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday said images of children being held in cages in US migrant detention facilities were deeply disturbing and that Britain did not approve of separating migrant families.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/we-only-stopped-our-operations-during-ramzan-in-jk-says-army-chief-bipin-rawat--145838">'We only stopped operations during Ramzan in J&K, but saw what happened,' says Army chief Bipin Rawat</a>

A day after the Modi government at the Centre disassociated itself from the PDP in J&K, India's army chief Bipin Rawat said the armed force won't face "any political interference" while tackling terrorists in the state.

<a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/helmand-peace-team-places-demands-before-afghan-president-145880">Helmand peace team places demands before Afghan President</a>

A peace team from Afghanistan's Helmand province called on President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday and placed a list of demands aimed at facilitating peace in the region. 
 
&nbsp

Process to find buyers for Air India stopped, looking for alternative mechanism: MoS Jayant Sinha Minister of state(MoS) for civil aviation Jayant Sinha said today that the government is committed to making Air India into a 'competitive airlines', asserting that it has legacy issues but it has begun to make operating profit. 'It was the best job, enriching and exciting,' says outgoing CEA Arvind Subramanian Outgoing Chief Economic Advisor, Arvind Subramanian, called it quits earlier today and stated that it was an honour to serve the country and frame numerous reforms. Children held in US detention 'cages' deeply disturbing, says PM Theresa May in UK Parliament British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday said images of children being held in cages in US migrant detention facilities were deeply disturbing and that Britain did not approve of separating migrant families. 'We only stopped operations during Ramzan in J&K, but saw what happened,' says Army chief Bipin Rawat A day after the Modi government at the Centre disassociated itself from the PDP in J&K, India's army chief Bipin Rawat said the armed force won't face "any political interference" while tackling terrorists in the state. Helmand peace team places demands before Afghan President A peace team from Afghanistan's Helmand province called on President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday and placed a list of demands aimed at facilitating peace in the region.

India today told the Trump administration that the Generalized System of Preference program (GSP) would enhance India's development and the pace of economic reforms, urging it not to withdraw the south Asian country from the US' trade preference programme. 
 
"India, being a beneficiary developing country, the GSP benefits are integral and geared to enhance its development and the pace of economic reforms," Puneet Roy Kundal, Minister Commerce at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, told members of USTR's GSP Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee. 
 
The US' Generalized System of Preferences program provides for the preferential treatment of designated articles when imported from beneficiary developing countries. 
 
A self-initiated review by the USTR focuses on whether India is meeting the US criteria for a GSP beneficiary country, and particularly whether India provides "equitable and reasonable" market access to products from the US. 
 
The products on which India receives GSP benefits belong to sectors which employ thousands of men and women, especially in the rural areas through micro, small and medium enterprises, the senior Indian diplomat told the committee.

<iframe frameborder="0" height="1" id="google_ads_iframe_/1068322/NDTV_News_ROS_Native_Outstream_0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_iframe_/1068322/NDTV_News_ROS_Native_Outstream_0" scrolling="no" srcdoc="" title="3rd party ad content" width="1"></iframe>Kundal urged the USTR to retain the GSP beneficiary status to India. 
 
"Picking out India along with a few GSP benefiting countries, for potential withdrawal of tariff preferences on the ground that India does not provide the US 'equitable and reasonable access' to its market would be inconsistent with the non-discrimination and non-reciprocal obligations under Enabling Clause," he said. 
 
Noting that a predominant share of the GSP beneficiary items exported from India are intermediaries and semi-manufactured goods, Kundal said the provision of GSP benefits to these products enables availability of cost effective and price competitive inputs to the US downstream industry. 
 
"This is helping the US industries to maintain their domestic and export competitiveness," he argued.

Kundal said the rules governing the GSP under the WTO contained in the 1979 Decision on Differential and More Favourable Treatment, Reciprocity and Fuller Participation of Developing Countries (Enabling Clause) envisage non-discriminatory and non-reciprocal grant of tariff benefits. 
 
The USTR has accepted two petitions related to the same criterion. The petitions filed by the US dairy industry and the US medical device industry requested a review of India's GSP benefits, given India's alleged trade barriers affecting the US exports in these sectors. 
 
"In respect of export of dairy products from the US to India, the issue is not of market access but certification given high religious, cultural and moral sensitivities. India provides unimpeded market access to dairy products from all countries, and there are exports of these products into India," Kundal said. 
 
He said India was a progressive nation and envisages that its citizens are provided with equitable and affordable access to essential medicines and medical devices. 
 
The emphasis is on providing good quality, affordable and comprehensive healthcare to all the citizens. These values have also been enshrined in the National Health Policy, 2017, he added. 
 
Kundal denied that India has undertaken any "unnecessary or discriminatory" measures or steps to reduce access of US medical devices industry to the Indian market. 
 
"Nevertheless, to address the concerns of the stakeholders, the government think-tank NITI Aayog placed a concept note on trade margin rationalisation model for public comments and which ultimately would address the concerns," he told the USTR's GSP subcommittee.

Review of the tariff preferences accorded under the criteria set out in Section 502(c)(4) of the Trade Act and any consequent action thereof would create irreparable damage for India's exports to the US and such an action will also be contrary to the objective enshrined in Section 501 of the Trade Act of 1974 and enabling provisions of the WTO, Mr Kundal said in his oral submission. 
 
In his testimony, he argued that "dilution of GSP benefits to India would be discriminatory, arbitrary and detrimental to the development, finance and trade needs of India - a vast and diverse developing country with unique challenges".

The US' Generalized System of Preferences program provides for the preferential treatment of designated articles when imported from beneficiary developing countries.

India today told the Trump administration that the Generalized System of Preference program (GSP) would enhance India's development and the pace of economic reforms, urging it not to withdraw the south Asian country from the US' trade preference programme. "India, being a beneficiary developing country, the GSP benefits are integral and geared to enhance its development and the pace of economic reforms," Puneet Roy Kundal, Minister Commerce at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, told members of USTR's GSP Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee. The US' Generalized System of Preferences program provides for the preferential treatment of designated articles when imported from beneficiary developing countries. A self-initiated review by the USTR focuses on whether India is meeting the US criteria for a GSP beneficiary country, and particularly whether India provides "equitable and reasonable" market access to products from the US. The products on which India receives GSP benefits belong to sectors which employ thousands of men and women, especially in the rural areas through micro, small and medium enterprises, the senior Indian diplomat told the committee. Kundal urged the USTR to retain the GSP beneficiary status to India. "Picking out India along with a few GSP benefiting countries, for potential withdrawal of tariff preferences on the ground that India does not provide the US 'equitable and reasonable access' to its market would be inconsistent with the non-discrimination and non-reciprocal obligations under Enabling Clause," he said. Noting that a predominant share of the GSP beneficiary items exported from India are intermediaries and semi-manufactured goods, Kundal said the provision of GSP benefits to these products enables availability of cost effective and price competitive inputs to the US downstream industry. "This is helping the US industries to maintain their domestic and export competitiveness," he argued. Kundal said the rules governing the GSP under the WTO contained in the 1979 Decision on Differential and More Favourable Treatment, Reciprocity and Fuller Participation of Developing Countries (Enabling Clause) envisage non-discriminatory and non-reciprocal grant of tariff benefits. The USTR has accepted two petitions related to the same criterion. The petitions filed by the US dairy industry and the US medical device industry requested a review of India's GSP benefits, given India's alleged trade barriers affecting the US exports in these sectors. "In respect of export of dairy products from the US to India, the issue is not of market access but certification given high religious, cultural and moral sensitivities. India provides unimpeded market access to dairy products from all countries, and there are exports of these products into India," Kundal said. He said India was a progressive nation and envisages that its citizens are provided with equitable and affordable access to essential medicines and medical devices. The emphasis is on providing good quality, affordable and comprehensive healthcare to all the citizens. These values have also been enshrined in the National Health Policy, 2017, he added. Kundal denied that India has undertaken any "unnecessary or discriminatory" measures or steps to reduce access of US medical devices industry to the Indian market. "Nevertheless, to address the concerns of the stakeholders, the government think-tank NITI Aayog placed a concept note on trade margin rationalisation model for public comments and which ultimately would address the concerns," he told the USTR's GSP subcommittee. Review of the tariff preferences accorded under the criteria set out in Section 502(c)(4) of the Trade Act and any consequent action thereof would create irreparable damage for India's exports to the US and such an action will also be contrary to the objective enshrined in Section 501 of the Trade Act of 1974 and enabling provisions of the WTO, Mr Kundal said in his oral submission. In his testimony, he argued that "dilution of GSP benefits to India would be discriminatory, arbitrary and detrimental to the development, finance and trade needs of India - a vast and diverse developing country with unique challenges".

India says US trade-preference program enhances pace of economic reforms

A peak tax rate of 28 per cent plus states levying some amount of local sales tax or VAT on petrol and diesel is likely to be the tax structure when the two auto fuels are covered under the GST regime, a top government official said.

The peak GST rate plus VAT will be equal to the present tax incidence, which is made up of excise duty, levied by the central government, and VAT charged by the states.

But before the two fuels are put under GST, the Centre has to decide if it is willing to let go the Rs 20,000 crore input tax credit it currently pockets by keeping petrol, diesel, natural gas, jet fuel and crude oil out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime that came into force from July 1, 2017, the official said.

"There is no pure GST on petrol and diesel anywhere in the world and so in India too it will have to be a combination of GST and VAT," said the official, who is closely involved with the GST implementation.

The timing of including petro products in GST will be a political call which the centre and states will have to take collectively, he said.

The Centre currently levies a total of Rs 19.48 per litre of excise duty on petrol and Rs 15.33 per litre on diesel. On top of this, states levy Value Added Tax (VAT) - the lowest being in Andaman and Nicobar Islands where a 6 per cent sales tax is charged on both the fuel. Mumbai has the highest VAT of 39.12 per cent on petrol while Telangana levies highest VAT of 26 per cent on diesel. Delhi charges a VAT of 27 per cent on petrol and 17.24 per cent on diesel.

The total tax incidence on petrol comes to 45-50 per cent and on diesel, it is 35-40 per cent.

The official said that under GST the total incidence of taxation on a particular good or a service has been kept at the same level as the sum total of central and state levies existing pre-July 1, 2017. This was done by fitting them into one of the four GST tax slabs of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent.

For petrol and diesel, the total incidence of present taxation is already beyond the peak rate and if the tax rate was to be kept at just 28 per cent it would result in a big loss of revenue to both centre and states, he said.

"The Centre doesn't have the money to compensate states for loss of revenue and so the solution is to have a peak rate of tax plus allowing states to levy some amount of VAT keeping in mind that the overall incidence should not exceed the present levels," he said.

GST has been spoken of as a panacea for high fuel prices but the structure in works would ensure rates remain almost at same levels unless centre and states decide to levy pure GST of 28 per cent and not go for an additional VAT or a cess.

After hitting all-time high of Rs 78.43 a litre for petrol and Rs 69.31 for diesel on May 29, rates have marginally fallen during the subsequent days on softening in international oil prices and rupee strengthening against the US dollar. Petrol costs Rs 76.27 a litre and diesel Rs 67.78 in Delhi.

More importantly, GST being an ad valorem levy -- charged as a percentage on ex-factory price --- would have a cascading impact on retail prices whenever refinery gate prices are increased because of a rise benchmark international oil prices. The inverse would also be true.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley had in a blog post&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;alluded to states earning more through ad valorem VAT when oil prices rise. The central excise is a fixed levy and does not change with changes in prices.

"The States charge ad valorem taxes on oil. If oil prices go up, States earn more," he had written.

Mahesh Jaisingh, Partner, Deloitte India, said the ideal way for inclusion of petroleum products would be to levy only GST at a designated rate and allow full input tax credit on the same.

"However, this may look utopian at this stage and the Government may consider a hybrid structure to begin with wherein these products would attract GST as well as some of the existing state levies in a manner where the overall percentage of tax rates remains same but the industry gets the ability to claim input credit of GST," he said.

This would ensure some stability in revenues in the first couple of years and also give some relief to the industry at large, he said. "Gradually, this hybrid model can be phased out making these products subject only to the levy of GST."

Alternatively, while cesses are not at all ideal in a GST framework, the possibility of a GST plus cess structure cannot be ruled out, he said.

Pratik Jain, Partner & Leader, Indirect Tax, PwC said it would be better to consider bringing ATF and natural gas within the ambit first before bringing in passenger fuels like petrol & diesel.

"Government has an option to have a dual structure to have a&nbsp;non-creditable excise duty, in addition to GST which was discussed in early 2009. The other option is to have GST (possibly at a higher rate of say 40 per cent) with restriction on input credit in some cases," he said.

The Central government had raised excise duty on petrol by Rs 11.77 a litre and that on diesel by 13.47 a litre in nine instalments between November 2014 and January 2016 to shore up finances as global oil prices fell, but then cut the tax just once in October last year by Rs 2 a litre.

This led to its excise collections from petro goods more than doubling in last four years - from Rs 99,184 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 229,019 crore in 2017-18. States saw their VAT revenue from petro goods rise from Rs 137,157 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 184,091 crore in 2017-18.

GST subsumed more than a dozen central and state levies like excise duty, service tax and VAT when it was implemented from July 1, 2017.

However, its implementation on five petro products - petrol, diesel, natural gas, crude oil and ATF was deferred. This resulted in the industry losing on revenue as they were not able to offset GST tax they paid on input from those paid on the sale of products like petrol, diesel and ATF.&nbsp;

The peak GST rate plus VAT will be equal to the present tax incidence, which is made up of excise duty

A peak tax rate of 28 per cent plus states levying some amount of local sales tax or VAT on petrol and diesel is likely to be the tax structure when the two auto fuels are covered under the GST regime, a top government official said. The peak GST rate plus VAT will be equal to the present tax incidence, which is made up of excise duty, levied by the central government, and VAT charged by the states. But before the two fuels are put under GST, the Centre has to decide if it is willing to let go the Rs 20,000 crore input tax credit it currently pockets by keeping petrol, diesel, natural gas, jet fuel and crude oil out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime that came into force from July 1, 2017, the official said. "There is no pure GST on petrol and diesel anywhere in the world and so in India too it will have to be a combination of GST and VAT," said the official, who is closely involved with the GST implementation. The timing of including petro products in GST will be a political call which the centre and states will have to take collectively, he said. The Centre currently levies a total of Rs 19.48 per litre of excise duty on petrol and Rs 15.33 per litre on diesel. On top of this, states levy Value Added Tax (VAT) - the lowest being in Andaman and Nicobar Islands where a 6 per cent sales tax is charged on both the fuel. Mumbai has the highest VAT of 39.12 per cent on petrol while Telangana levies highest VAT of 26 per cent on diesel. Delhi charges a VAT of 27 per cent on petrol and 17.24 per cent on diesel. The total tax incidence on petrol comes to 45-50 per cent and on diesel, it is 35-40 per cent. The official said that under GST the total incidence of taxation on a particular good or a service has been kept at the same level as the sum total of central and state levies existing pre-July 1, 2017. This was done by fitting them into one of the four GST tax slabs of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent. For petrol and diesel, the total incidence of present taxation is already beyond the peak rate and if the tax rate was to be kept at just 28 per cent it would result in a big loss of revenue to both centre and states, he said. "The Centre doesn't have the money to compensate states for loss of revenue and so the solution is to have a peak rate of tax plus allowing states to levy some amount of VAT keeping in mind that the overall incidence should not exceed the present levels," he said. GST has been spoken of as a panacea for high fuel prices but the structure in works would ensure rates remain almost at same levels unless centre and states decide to levy pure GST of 28 per cent and not go for an additional VAT or a cess. After hitting all-time high of Rs 78.43 a litre for petrol and Rs 69.31 for diesel on May 29, rates have marginally fallen during the subsequent days on softening in international oil prices and rupee strengthening against the US dollar. Petrol costs Rs 76.27 a litre and diesel Rs 67.78 in Delhi. More importantly, GST being an ad valorem levy -- charged as a percentage on ex-factory price --- would have a cascading impact on retail prices whenever refinery gate prices are increased because of a rise benchmark international oil prices. The inverse would also be true. Union Minister Arun Jaitley had in a blog post on Monday alluded to states earning more through ad valorem VAT when oil prices rise. The central excise is a fixed levy and does not change with changes in prices. "The States charge ad valorem taxes on oil. If oil prices go up, States earn more," he had written. Mahesh Jaisingh, Partner, Deloitte India, said the ideal way for inclusion of petroleum products would be to levy only GST at a designated rate and allow full input tax credit on the same. "However, this may look utopian at this stage and the Government may consider a hybrid structure to begin with wherein these products would attract GST as well as some of the existing state levies in a manner where the overall percentage of tax rates remains same but the industry gets the ability to claim input credit of GST," he said. This would ensure some stability in revenues in the first couple of years and also give some relief to the industry at large, he said. "Gradually, this hybrid model can be phased out making these products subject only to the levy of GST." Alternatively, while cesses are not at all ideal in a GST framework, the possibility of a GST plus cess structure cannot be ruled out, he said. Pratik Jain, Partner & Leader, Indirect Tax, PwC said it would be better to consider bringing ATF and natural gas within the ambit first before bringing in passenger fuels like petrol & diesel. "Government has an option to have a dual structure to have a non-creditable excise duty, in addition to GST which was discussed in early 2009. The other option is to have GST (possibly at a higher rate of say 40 per cent) with restriction on input credit in some cases," he said. The Central government had raised excise duty on petrol by Rs 11.77 a litre and that on diesel by 13.47 a litre in nine instalments between November 2014 and January 2016 to shore up finances as global oil prices fell, but then cut the tax just once in October last year by Rs 2 a litre. This led to its excise collections from petro goods more than doubling in last four years - from Rs 99,184 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 229,019 crore in 2017-18. States saw their VAT revenue from petro goods rise from Rs 137,157 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 184,091 crore in 2017-18. GST subsumed more than a dozen central and state levies like excise duty, service tax and VAT when it was implemented from July 1, 2017. However, its implementation on five petro products - petrol, diesel, natural gas, crude oil and ATF was deferred. This resulted in the industry losing on revenue as they were not able to offset GST tax they paid on input from those paid on the sale of products like petrol, diesel and ATF.

No pure GST on petrol, diesel; 28% tax plus VAT on anvil under it

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No pure GST on petrol, diesel; 28% tax plus VAT on anvil under it