Chennai skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that his side should have read the pitch better after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2019-mumbai-enter-final-after-defeating-chennai-by-6-wickets-216823">losing to Mumbai in Qualifier 1</a> of Indian Premier League 2019 on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Suryakumar Yadav dazzled as he scored an unbeaten 71 runs off 54 balls, which included 10 boundaries at the Chidambaram Stadium.&nbsp;

On Chepauk's a sluggish pitch, which offered considerable turn and odd bounce, Suryakumar played a brilliant innings with Mumbai reaching the target in 18.3 overs.&nbsp;

During the post-match presentation, Dhoni said, "We had to assess the conditions quickly, we have played 6 to 7 games on this pitch and should have read the pitch better, that's the home advantage."&nbsp;

Chennai, however, will get another chance to make it to their eighth summit clash as they will now play the second Qualifier against the winner of the 'Eliminator' between Delhi and Hyderabad.&nbsp;

He further added, "We needed to know how the pitch behaves, would it be tacky? Is the ball coming on or not, those were the things we didn't do well, I think the batting needs to get better."&nbsp;

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/mipaltan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mipaltan</a> can book an early ✈ to Hyderabad as <a href="https://twitter.com/ChennaiIPL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChennaiIPL</a> await one of DC or SRH in Qualifier 2.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIvCSK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIvCSK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VIVOIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VIVOIPL</a> <a href="https://t.co/0gfyvT4unR">pic.twitter.com/0gfyvT4unR</a>
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Dhoni also said, "Hopefully, we will do well in the next game."&nbsp;

Dhoni also pointed out the mistakes his team made during the match, he said, "I think we were a bit unlucky at times, some balls dropped right in the middle, a few catches weren't taken."

"We perhaps had to bowl slightly away from the batsmen, could have slowed down the pace and bowl with more variations," he added.&nbsp;

On the other hand, the ecstatic winning captain Rohit Sharma said, "Great feeling to know that we'll be playing the finals. Three days now in which we can switch off before the final."&nbsp;

Chennai skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that his side should have read the pitch better after losing to Mumbai in Qualifier 1 of Indian Premier League 2019 on Tuesday.

Chennai skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that his side should have read the pitch better after losing to Mumbai in Qualifier 1 of Indian Premier League 2019 on Tuesday. Suryakumar Yadav dazzled as he scored an unbeaten 71 runs off 54 balls, which included 10 boundaries at the Chidambaram Stadium. On Chepauk's a sluggish pitch, which offered considerable turn and odd bounce, Suryakumar played a brilliant innings with Mumbai reaching the target in 18.3 overs. During the post-match presentation, Dhoni said, "We had to assess the conditions quickly, we have played 6 to 7 games on this pitch and should have read the pitch better, that's the home advantage." Chennai, however, will get another chance to make it to their eighth summit clash as they will now play the second Qualifier against the winner of the 'Eliminator' between Delhi and Hyderabad. He further added, "We needed to know how the pitch behaves, would it be tacky? Is the ball coming on or not, those were the things we didn't do well, I think the batting needs to get better." .@mipaltan can book an early ✈ to Hyderabad as @ChennaiIPL await one of DC or SRH in Qualifier 2.#MIvCSK #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/0gfyvT4unR — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 7, 2019 × Dhoni also said, "Hopefully, we will do well in the next game." Dhoni also pointed out the mistakes his team made during the match, he said, "I think we were a bit unlucky at times, some balls dropped right in the middle, a few catches weren't taken." "We perhaps had to bowl slightly away from the batsmen, could have slowed down the pace and bowl with more variations," he added. On the other hand, the ecstatic winning captain Rohit Sharma said, "Great feeling to know that we'll be playing the finals. Three days now in which we can switch off before the final."

'We should have read pitch better', says MS Dhoni after losing to Mumbai in Qualifier 1

The Supreme Court Tuesday allowed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/aircel-maxis-case-special-cbi-court-extends-protection-to-chidambaram-karti-till-may-30-216381">Karti Chidambaram</a>, who is facing criminal cases being probed by the ED and CBI, to travel to the US, Germany and Spain this month.&nbsp;

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said this nod to travel abroad was subject to compliance of conditions imposed earlier.&nbsp;

The apex court had in January granted Karti, son of Congress leader P Chidambaram, permission to travel abroad after depositing Rs 10 crore with the secretary general of the Supreme Court.

The top court had also asked him to file an undertaking that he would return and cooperate with the investigation.

Karti is facing criminal cases which are being probed by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI.

One of the cases relates to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media for receiving foreign funds of Rs 305 crore when his father was the finance minister.

The Supreme Court Tuesday allowed Karti Chidambaram, who is facing criminal cases being probed by the ED and CBI, to travel to the US, Germany and Spain this month.

The Supreme Court Tuesday allowed Karti Chidambaram, who is facing criminal cases being probed by the ED and CBI, to travel to the US, Germany and Spain this month. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said this nod to travel abroad was subject to compliance of conditions imposed earlier. The apex court had in January granted Karti, son of Congress leader P Chidambaram, permission to travel abroad after depositing Rs 10 crore with the secretary general of the Supreme Court. The top court had also asked him to file an undertaking that he would return and cooperate with the investigation. Karti is facing criminal cases which are being probed by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI. One of the cases relates to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media for receiving foreign funds of Rs 305 crore when his father was the finance minister.

Supreme Court allows Karti Chidambaram to travel abroad in May

A Delhi court on Friday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in connection with the Aircel-Maxis cases till May 6.

The cases are being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The ED, through its counsel Advocate Naveen Kumar Matta, sought adjournment of the matter for four weeks as the response to Letters Rogatory from Singapore is awaited.

The court fixed the next date of hearing as May 6.

During the course of today's hearing, Chidambaram's counsel insisted on argument and objected ED's demand for a four-week extension.

The court, however, adjourned the matter to May 6 for arguments on bail but told the ED that the matter won't be delayed any further.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented the father-son duo, argued why bail cannot be granted to their clients when a charge sheet in the matter has been filed.

"They should show the court what they have found. Till then they should grant us bail. As and when they come up with the information we will come to you. CBI has not gone further in the matter. We should get bail in CBI case," said Sibal.

"There is a triple test that we need to look into. Just because someone says that they may get something that doesn't mean the bail cannot be granted," Singhvi argued.

The ED's counsel then retorted to Sibal's statement, saying it was incorrect to say that no steps were taken.

"We have deputed a senior officer in Singapore. We have taken steps even in March and we have put that on the affidavit."

The case pertains to an approval granted by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), a body under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to Mauritius-based firm Global Communication and Services Holdings Limited for investment in Aircel in alleged violation of norms.

The FIPB approval was allegedly granted in 2006 when Chidambaram was India's Finance Minister.

According to rules and foreign direct investment (FDI) policy of the Central government, Chidambaram was only empowered to give approval to proposals involving foreign investment up to Rs 600 crore.

However, he is accused of approving foreign investment proposal of Global Communication and Services Holdings Ltd worth around Rs 3,560 crore.

A Delhi court on Friday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in connection with the Aircel-Maxis cases till May 6.

A Delhi court on Friday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in connection with the Aircel-Maxis cases till May 6. The cases are being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED, through its counsel Advocate Naveen Kumar Matta, sought adjournment of the matter for four weeks as the response to Letters Rogatory from Singapore is awaited. The court fixed the next date of hearing as May 6. During the course of today's hearing, Chidambaram's counsel insisted on argument and objected ED's demand for a four-week extension. The court, however, adjourned the matter to May 6 for arguments on bail but told the ED that the matter won't be delayed any further. Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented the father-son duo, argued why bail cannot be granted to their clients when a charge sheet in the matter has been filed. "They should show the court what they have found. Till then they should grant us bail. As and when they come up with the information we will come to you. CBI has not gone further in the matter. We should get bail in CBI case," said Sibal. "There is a triple test that we need to look into. Just because someone says that they may get something that doesn't mean the bail cannot be granted," Singhvi argued. The ED's counsel then retorted to Sibal's statement, saying it was incorrect to say that no steps were taken. "We have deputed a senior officer in Singapore. We have taken steps even in March and we have put that on the affidavit." The case pertains to an approval granted by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), a body under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to Mauritius-based firm Global Communication and Services Holdings Limited for investment in Aircel in alleged violation of norms. The FIPB approval was allegedly granted in 2006 when Chidambaram was India's Finance Minister. According to rules and foreign direct investment (FDI) policy of the Central government, Chidambaram was only empowered to give approval to proposals involving foreign investment up to Rs 600 crore. However, he is accused of approving foreign investment proposal of Global Communication and Services Holdings Ltd worth around Rs 3,560 crore.

Aircel-Maxis case: Protection from arrest to P Chidambaram, son Karti extended till May 6

IPL 2019: Mumbai to take on Chennai at Chidambaram Stadium

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Sunday alleged that the government was planning Income Tax raids at his residence in a bid to cripple the Lok Sabha election campaign.

He said the people of the country were watching and would give a befitting reply in this election.

"I have been told that the I-T Department has plans to raid my residence in Sivaganga constituency and in Chennai. We will welcome the search party," he said on Twitter.

"The I-T department knows that we have nothing to hide. They and other agencies have searched our residences before and found nothing. The intention is to cripple the election campaign," he claimed.

The former finance minister said the people are watching the "excesses of this government and will deliver a fitting lesson in the elections".

Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram is contesting the Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu. He is facing charges of corruption and is out on bail.&nbsp;

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Sunday alleged that the government was planning Income Tax raids at his residence in a bid to cripple the Lok Sabha election campaign.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Sunday alleged that the government was planning Income Tax raids at his residence in a bid to cripple the Lok Sabha election campaign. He said the people of the country were watching and would give a befitting reply in this election. "I have been told that the I-T Department has plans to raid my residence in Sivaganga constituency and in Chennai. We will welcome the search party," he said on Twitter. "The I-T department knows that we have nothing to hide. They and other agencies have searched our residences before and found nothing. The intention is to cripple the election campaign," he claimed. The former finance minister said the people are watching the "excesses of this government and will deliver a fitting lesson in the elections". Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram is contesting the Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu. He is facing charges of corruption and is out on bail.

Chidambaram claims IT raids being planned at his residence to cripple poll campaign

IEW: Karti Chidambaram's candidature sparks a furor in Congress

The Delhi High Court Monday allowed a plea by the CBI for taking on record additional submissions in the anticipatory bail plea of former Union minister P Chidambaram in connection with the INX media case.

Justice Sunil Gaur took the submissions on record and again reserved the order on the anticipatory bail of the senior Congress leader.

The court had earlier on January 25 reserved its order on Chidambaram's anticipatory bail plea in the cases lodged by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

In the INX Media case, the CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to the media group for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister in the UPA I government.

The ED lodged a money laundering case in this regard last year.

In its application filed through central government standing counsel Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, the CBI said it wanted to file additional submission regarding ongoing investigation in the larger interest of justice.

Earlier, while opposing the anticipatory bail plea, the CBI and the ED had asserted that custodial interrogation of Chidambaram was required in the case as he was evasive during questioning.

The high court had reserved its order and said that the interim protection from arrest granted to Chidambaram will continue till the decision is passed on his plea for anticipatory bail.

It had on July 25, 2018, granted interim protection from arrest to Chidambaram in both the cases and it was extended from time to time.

The senior Congress leader's role had come under the scanner of various investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore.

It was during his tenure as finance minister that clearances from the FIPB were given to the two ventures.

A trial court here had also on May 30, 2018, directed the ED not to take coercive action against Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case.

He was also granted protection from arrest in the Aircel-Maxis case, in which he and his son Karti have been named in the charge sheet filed by the CBI.

The interim protection has been extended from time to time.

Chidambaram's petition had said that though no summons had ever been served on him by the ED in this case, he had an apprehension of arrest in view of the summons issued to him by the CBI, which was investigating the scheduled offence.

The Delhi High Court Monday allowed a plea by the CBI for taking on record additional submissions in the anticipatory bail plea of former Union minister P Chidambaram in connection with the INX media case.

The Delhi High Court Monday allowed a plea by the CBI for taking on record additional submissions in the anticipatory bail plea of former Union minister P Chidambaram in connection with the INX media case. Justice Sunil Gaur took the submissions on record and again reserved the order on the anticipatory bail of the senior Congress leader. The court had earlier on January 25 reserved its order on Chidambaram's anticipatory bail plea in the cases lodged by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). In the INX Media case, the CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to the media group for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister in the UPA I government. The ED lodged a money laundering case in this regard last year. In its application filed through central government standing counsel Ripu Daman Bhardwaj, the CBI said it wanted to file additional submission regarding ongoing investigation in the larger interest of justice. Earlier, while opposing the anticipatory bail plea, the CBI and the ED had asserted that custodial interrogation of Chidambaram was required in the case as he was evasive during questioning. The high court had reserved its order and said that the interim protection from arrest granted to Chidambaram will continue till the decision is passed on his plea for anticipatory bail. It had on July 25, 2018, granted interim protection from arrest to Chidambaram in both the cases and it was extended from time to time. The senior Congress leader's role had come under the scanner of various investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore. It was during his tenure as finance minister that clearances from the FIPB were given to the two ventures. A trial court here had also on May 30, 2018, directed the ED not to take coercive action against Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case. He was also granted protection from arrest in the Aircel-Maxis case, in which he and his son Karti have been named in the charge sheet filed by the CBI. The interim protection has been extended from time to time. Chidambaram's petition had said that though no summons had ever been served on him by the ED in this case, he had an apprehension of arrest in view of the summons issued to him by the CBI, which was investigating the scheduled offence.

INX Media case: HC allows CBI to submit additional documents in Chidambaram's anticipatory bail plea

A Delhi court on Monday extended till March 8 the interim protection from arrest granted to former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) counsel informed the Patiala House Court that Karti has been asked to appear before it for questioning on March 5, 6, 7 and 12 for his alleged role in the Aircel-Maxis and INX Media cases.

The ED also pleaded that the matter be posted for hearing after March 12.

However, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and A M Singhvi, appearing on behalf of the father-son duo, opposed the agency`s request.

The Aircel-Maxis case emerged out of the 2G spectrum cases, pertaining to an approval granted to a Mauritius-based firm, M/S Global Communication and Services Holdings Limited, by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for investment in Aircel.

The FIPB approval was allegedly granted in 2006 when Chidambaram was the finance minister. According to the rules and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy of the government, Chidambaram was only empowered to give approval to proposals involving a foreign investment amount of up to Rs 600 crore.

However, he reportedly approved the foreign investment proposal of Global Communication and Services Holdings Ltd worth around Rs 3560 crore.&nbsp;

A Delhi court on Monday extended till March 8 the interim protection from arrest granted to former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case.

A Delhi court on Monday extended till March 8 the interim protection from arrest granted to former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) counsel informed the Patiala House Court that Karti has been asked to appear before it for questioning on March 5, 6, 7 and 12 for his alleged role in the Aircel-Maxis and INX Media cases. The ED also pleaded that the matter be posted for hearing after March 12. However, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and A M Singhvi, appearing on behalf of the father-son duo, opposed the agency`s request. The Aircel-Maxis case emerged out of the 2G spectrum cases, pertaining to an approval granted to a Mauritius-based firm, M/S Global Communication and Services Holdings Limited, by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for investment in Aircel. The FIPB approval was allegedly granted in 2006 when Chidambaram was the finance minister. According to the rules and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy of the government, Chidambaram was only empowered to give approval to proposals involving a foreign investment amount of up to Rs 600 crore. However, he reportedly approved the foreign investment proposal of Global Communication and Services Holdings Ltd worth around Rs 3560 crore.

Aircel-Maxis case: Interim protection from arrest of Chidambaram, Karti extended till March 8

In what could spell fresh trouble for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-summons-p-chidambaram-to-appear-on-june-6-in-inx-media-case--141621">P Chidambaram</a>, the Law Ministry has told the Centre that the CBI can be granted sanction to prosecute the former Union minister in the INX media case.

A senior government functionary said the law ministry's opinion was sought on whether the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) demand to prosecute Chidambaram was legally sound.&nbsp;

The law ministry has now told the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that there was "no legal infirmity" in the CBI's request seeking prosecution sanction.

The ministry, he said, gave its opinion based on evidence&nbsp;provided by the premier investigative agency.

The CBI has already been granted approval by the Centre to prosecute Chidambaram in Aircel Maxis case.

The agency had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 against alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister.

The veteran Congress leader's son Karti Chidambaram was also arrested in the matter for allegedly receiving funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh in the case.&nbsp;

In what could spell fresh trouble for P Chidambaram, the Law Ministry has told the Centre that the CBI can be granted sanction to prosecute the former Union minister in the INX media case.

In what could spell fresh trouble for P Chidambaram, the Law Ministry has told the Centre that the CBI can be granted sanction to prosecute the former Union minister in the INX media case. A senior government functionary said the law ministry's opinion was sought on whether the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) demand to prosecute Chidambaram was legally sound. The law ministry has now told the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that there was "no legal infirmity" in the CBI's request seeking prosecution sanction. The ministry, he said, gave its opinion based on evidence provided by the premier investigative agency. The CBI has already been granted approval by the Centre to prosecute Chidambaram in Aircel Maxis case. The agency had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 against alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister. The veteran Congress leader's son Karti Chidambaram was also arrested in the matter for allegedly receiving funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh in the case.

INX media case: CBI can prosecute Chidambaram, law ministry tells Centre

Congress leader P Chidambaram Wednesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for declaring that his government has won in the Supreme Court, which ordered that income tax cases against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi be reopened.&nbsp;

The former finance minister said whoever has briefed the Prime Minister on the proceedings in the apex court on Tuesday in the income tax cases “deserves to be sacked”. 
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“If nobody briefed him and it was the Prime Minister’s own conclusion that he had ‘won’ in the SC, the government deserves to be thrown out,” Chidambaram said.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court allowed the Income Tax Department to reopen the tax assessment of Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi for 2011-12 in connection with the National Herald case.&nbsp;

Taking on the Gandhi family a day after the Supreme Court order, the prime minister said at an election rally in Rajasthan on Wednesday that his government had scored a win thanks to the courage of a “chaiwala”.

Alleging that the Gandhi family had been enjoying privileges for four generations, Modi said the court order was the “victory of the honest”.

“Now I will see how you escape… Look at the courage of a ‘chaiwala’ who took those running countries for four generations to the court’s door,” Modi said.

Congress leader P Chidambaram Wednesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for declaring that his government has won in the Supreme Court, which ordered that income tax cases against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi be reopened.

Congress leader P Chidambaram Wednesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for declaring that his government has won in the Supreme Court, which ordered that income tax cases against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi be reopened. The former finance minister said whoever has briefed the Prime Minister on the proceedings in the apex court on Tuesday in the income tax cases “deserves to be sacked”. Advertising “If nobody briefed him and it was the Prime Minister’s own conclusion that he had ‘won’ in the SC, the government deserves to be thrown out,” Chidambaram said. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court allowed the Income Tax Department to reopen the tax assessment of Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi for 2011-12 in connection with the National Herald case. Taking on the Gandhi family a day after the Supreme Court order, the prime minister said at an election rally in Rajasthan on Wednesday that his government had scored a win thanks to the courage of a “chaiwala”. Alleging that the Gandhi family had been enjoying privileges for four generations, Modi said the court order was the “victory of the honest”. “Now I will see how you escape… Look at the courage of a ‘chaiwala’ who took those running countries for four generations to the court’s door,” Modi said.

Chidambaram slams PM for saying govt ‘won’ in SC in tax case against Sonia, Rahul

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday informed the Patiala House Court that it has been granted permission by the government to prosecute former finance minister P <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/aircel-maxis-case-p-chidambaram-son-deny-allegations-of-non-cooperation-levelled-by-cbi-ed-179027">Chidambaram</a> in connection with the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/aircel-maxis-case-chidambaram-describes-cbis-allegations-unfounded-179146">Aircel-Maxis case</a>.

Patiala House Court`s Special Judge OP Saini took up the Aircel-Maxis case, which arose out of the 2G spectrum allocation scam case. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and submitted that requisite sanction from the concerned authority has been received to prosecute Chidambaram in the matter.

Mehta further said that there were a total of 18 accused in the case and prosecution sanctions were needed for six of them. He added that efforts were being made to obtain prosecution sanctions in respect of other five accused.

Meanwhile, the court extended the interim protection granted to Chidambaram and his son, Karti, till December 18.

On Saturday, Chidambaram had denied all charges levelled by the CBI and said the decision of his arrest was "plainly motivated and totally untenable."

In his rejoinder submitted to the Patiala House Court, Chidambaram said that after he was granted interim protection on July 23 this year, a reason was "suddenly discovered" to arrest him without even having issued summons in the past four years.

The Aircel Maxis case emerged out of the 2G spectrum cases, pertaining to a grant of FIPB approval to firm M/S Global Communication and Services Holdings Limited, Mauritius for investment in Aircel.

The FIPB approval was allegedly granted in the year 2006 when Chidambaram was the finance minister. According to the rules and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy of the government, Chidambaram was only empowered to give approval to proposals involving a foreign investment amount of up to Rs 600 crore.&nbsp;

However, he reportedly approved the foreign investment proposal of Global Communication and Services Holdings Ltd worth Rs 3560 crore approximately.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday informed the Patiala House Court that it has been granted permission by the government to prosecute former finance minister P Chidambaram in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday informed the Patiala House Court that it has been granted permission by the government to prosecute former finance minister P Chidambaram in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case. Patiala House Court`s Special Judge OP Saini took up the Aircel-Maxis case, which arose out of the 2G spectrum allocation scam case. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and submitted that requisite sanction from the concerned authority has been received to prosecute Chidambaram in the matter. Mehta further said that there were a total of 18 accused in the case and prosecution sanctions were needed for six of them. He added that efforts were being made to obtain prosecution sanctions in respect of other five accused. Meanwhile, the court extended the interim protection granted to Chidambaram and his son, Karti, till December 18. On Saturday, Chidambaram had denied all charges levelled by the CBI and said the decision of his arrest was "plainly motivated and totally untenable." In his rejoinder submitted to the Patiala House Court, Chidambaram said that after he was granted interim protection on July 23 this year, a reason was "suddenly discovered" to arrest him without even having issued summons in the past four years. The Aircel Maxis case emerged out of the 2G spectrum cases, pertaining to a grant of FIPB approval to firm M/S Global Communication and Services Holdings Limited, Mauritius for investment in Aircel. The FIPB approval was allegedly granted in the year 2006 when Chidambaram was the finance minister. According to the rules and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy of the government, Chidambaram was only empowered to give approval to proposals involving a foreign investment amount of up to Rs 600 crore. However, he reportedly approved the foreign investment proposal of Global Communication and Services Holdings Ltd worth Rs 3560 crore approximately.

Aircel-Maxis case: CBI says it has Centre’s permission to prosecute P Chidambaram

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Saturday urged Home Minister Rajnath Singh to depute a team of two officers immediately to inspect the extent of damage caused by cyclone Gaja in Tamil Nadu.

The former union home and finance minister also requested Singh to modify the practice of sending inter-ministerial team to a disaster-affected state only after receiving a memorandum from the concerned state government.

"I have requested home&nbsp;minister through Home Secretary to depute a team of two officers immediately to visually inspect the extent of damage caused by cyclone Gaja (sic)," Chidambaram said in a tweet.

He said the usual practice is for the state to submit a memorandum after a disaster hits it and a visit by the inter-ministerial team.

He said this takes at least 2-3 weeks and full impact of the disaster is not measurable because of repair and restoration work.

"I have appealed to MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) to modify the practice," he said.

At least 13 people have lost their lives and over 81,000 others were affected after cyclone 'Gaja' hit the Tamil Nadu coast Friday.

Six districts of Tamil Nadu and two in Puducherry were hit by the cyclonic storm which also brought heavy rains in the southern state and the Union Territory.

The National Emergency Response Centre has said that total 81,948 people were affected by the cyclone.

Cyclone 'Gaja' crossed Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and nearby Vedaranyam, bringing with it heavy rains in the coastal region Friday.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Saturday urged Home Minister Rajnath Singh to depute a team of two officers immediately to inspect the extent of damage caused by cyclone Gaja in Tamil Nadu.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Saturday urged Home Minister Rajnath Singh to depute a team of two officers immediately to inspect the extent of damage caused by cyclone Gaja in Tamil Nadu. The former union home and finance minister also requested Singh to modify the practice of sending inter-ministerial team to a disaster-affected state only after receiving a memorandum from the concerned state government. "I have requested home minister through Home Secretary to depute a team of two officers immediately to visually inspect the extent of damage caused by cyclone Gaja (sic)," Chidambaram said in a tweet. He said the usual practice is for the state to submit a memorandum after a disaster hits it and a visit by the inter-ministerial team. He said this takes at least 2-3 weeks and full impact of the disaster is not measurable because of repair and restoration work. "I have appealed to MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) to modify the practice," he said. At least 13 people have lost their lives and over 81,000 others were affected after cyclone 'Gaja' hit the Tamil Nadu coast Friday. Six districts of Tamil Nadu and two in Puducherry were hit by the cyclonic storm which also brought heavy rains in the southern state and the Union Territory. The National Emergency Response Centre has said that total 81,948 people were affected by the cyclone. Cyclone 'Gaja' crossed Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and nearby Vedaranyam, bringing with it heavy rains in the coastal region Friday.

Gaja cyclone: Chidambaram asks Rajnath Singh to send team to Tamil Nadu to assess damage

A Delhi Court on Monday extended till November 1 the interim protection from arrest granted to former Union Minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti in the Aircel-Maxis case filed by the CBI and the ED.&nbsp;

Special CBI Judge O P Saini put up the matter for November 1 after the counsel appearing for agencies sought an adjournment in the matter.

Advocates appearing for the CBI and the ED, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Nitesh Rana, told the court that the agencies required time to file a detailed reply and argue on the application filed through Chidambaram's lawyers P K Dubey and Arshdeep Singh.

Chidambaram and his son were named in the chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the case on July 19.

The agency filed a supplementary charge sheet before the special judge, who will consider it on next date.

The CBI is probing how Chidambaram, who was the Union finance minister in 2006, granted a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to a foreign firm, when only the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) was empowered to do it.

The senior Congress leader's role has come under the scanner of investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore.

In its charge sheet filed earlier in the case against former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and others, the agency had alleged that Chidambaram had granted an FIPB approval in March, 2006 to Mauritius-based Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxis.

The Maran brothers and the other accused named in the CBI chargesheet were discharged by the special court, which had said the agency had failed to produce any material against them to proceed with the trial.

The Enforcement Directorate is also probing a separate money-laundering case in the Aircel-Maxis matter, in which Chidambaram and Karti have been questioned by the agency.

Both Chidambaram and Karti have denied the allegations levelled against them by the CBI and the ED.&nbsp;

A Delhi Court on Monday extended till November 1 the interim protection from arrest granted to former Union Minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti in the Aircel-Maxis case filed by the CBI and the ED.

A Delhi Court on Monday extended till November 1 the interim protection from arrest granted to former Union Minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti in the Aircel-Maxis case filed by the CBI and the ED. Special CBI Judge O P Saini put up the matter for November 1 after the counsel appearing for agencies sought an adjournment in the matter. Advocates appearing for the CBI and the ED, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Nitesh Rana, told the court that the agencies required time to file a detailed reply and argue on the application filed through Chidambaram's lawyers P K Dubey and Arshdeep Singh. Chidambaram and his son were named in the chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the case on July 19. The agency filed a supplementary charge sheet before the special judge, who will consider it on next date. The CBI is probing how Chidambaram, who was the Union finance minister in 2006, granted a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to a foreign firm, when only the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) was empowered to do it. The senior Congress leader's role has come under the scanner of investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore. In its charge sheet filed earlier in the case against former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and others, the agency had alleged that Chidambaram had granted an FIPB approval in March, 2006 to Mauritius-based Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxis. The Maran brothers and the other accused named in the CBI chargesheet were discharged by the special court, which had said the agency had failed to produce any material against them to proceed with the trial. The Enforcement Directorate is also probing a separate money-laundering case in the Aircel-Maxis matter, in which Chidambaram and Karti have been questioned by the agency. Both Chidambaram and Karti have denied the allegations levelled against them by the CBI and the ED.

Aircel-Maxis case: Chidambaram, son Karti protected from arrest till November 1

A Delhi court today granted seven weeks to the CBI to obtain sanction to prosecute former Union minister P Chidambaram and other serving or former public servants in the Aircel-Maxis deal case.

The court pulled up the agency for filing the charge sheet without proper sanction and told the CBI that if required documents are not filed by November 26, the next day of hearing, the court may take appropriate action. “You (CBI) should not have filed the charge sheet. It is only increasing the pendency of the court.

A lot of time of the court has been wasted due to this,” Special Judge O P Saini said. The agency had on July 19 filed a charge sheet against the Congress leader, his son Karti, ten individuals including public servants and six companies as accused in the case. The judge allowed the CBI’s request for grant of some time after senior advocate Sonia Mathur, representing the agency, informed the judge that sanctions are awaited.

“If the sanction is not received, appropriate actions will be taken,” the court said. “Granting of sanction is under active consideration of the government,” Mathur said. Chidambaram’s name is among the persons against whom sanction for prosecution from authorities concerned was awaited. The court also adjourned a money laundering case, which is an off-shoot of the Aircel-Maxis deal case, against Karti and others, after Mathur and advocates N K Matta and Nitesh Rana requested an adjournment on behalf of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED had on July 13 filed a charge sheet against Karti and others for the alleged offence of money laundering.

However, the former Union minister was not arrayed as an accused in the case. In the case filed by CBI, Mathur told the court that the agency was expecting sanctions for prosecution from authorities concerned in about four weeks. The counsel told the court that there were serving public servants and some retired ones against whom the sanctions would be needed before proceeding with their prosecution in the case. The CBI had filed the charge sheet for the alleged offences of criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), public servant taking illegal gratification, punishment for abetting this offence and public servant committing criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act. If convicted, the offences entail a maximum punishment of seven years.

The agency has alleged that when foreign investment in Aircel by Malaysian telecom major Maxis was cleared by the finance ministry in March 13, 2006, a payment of Rs 26 lakh was made by Aircel to Chennai-based Advantage Strategic Consulting, officials said. It is alleged that Advantage Strategic Consulting was indirectly controlled by Karti and had raised an invoice on March 29, 2006 against which Aircel made a payment on April 1, 2006. The CBI has alleged that Chess Management Services Holding Ltd, a company in which Karti is promoter and director, also received Rs 87 lakh in several installments from an associate company of Maxis, they said.

While the payment of Rs 26 lakh to Advantage Strategic Consulting was shown as fee for market research, Rs 87 lakh to Chess Management was shown as fee for a software, the CBI had alleged in the charge sheet. During investigation, the agency had asked Chess Management officials and Karti to produce the software which was allegedly provided to Maxis for a fee but they could not produce any such software, they said alleging that it was a bribe for the clearance of foreign investment proposal which was laced with several irregularities. The agency said this is a fresh charge sheet in the matter even as it stems from the FIR related to Aircel-Maxis deal registered in 2012 in which the then telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran and others have been charged and later discharged by a trial court. The CBI has filed an appeal against the court order.

The officials said this is a completely separate aspect of the case related to clearance of now defunct Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), under Finance Ministry, to the foreign investment clearance of Maxis in Aircel. Among others listed in the charge sheet are the then secretary (economic affairs) Ashok Jha, the then additional secretary Ashok Chawla, the then joint secretary in finance ministry Kumar Sanjay Krishna, and the then director in the ministry Dipak Kumar Singh. The agency has also named in the charge sheet former CEO of Aircel V Srinivasan, nephew of Chidambaram A Palaniappan who was also the promoter of Chess Management Services, Malaysian nationals Ananda Krishnan Tatparanandam, Augustus Ralph Marshall, both linked with Maxis, one S Bhaskaraman, and the then under secretary in the ministry Ram Sharan.

The six companies listed as accused are Chess Management Services Holding Ltd, Chennai-based Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd and Malaysian companies Astro All Asia Networks, Maxis Mobile, Bumi Armada Berhad and Bumi Armada Navigation. The agency has charged all the accused with criminal conspiracy, bribery and abuse of official position. It is alleged that FIPB approval in the Aircel-Maxis FDI case was granted in March 2006 by Chidambaram even though he was empowered to accord approval on project proposals only up to Rs 600 crore and beyond that it required the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

A Delhi court today granted seven weeks to the CBI to obtain sanction to prosecute former Union minister P Chidambaram and other serving or former public servants in the Aircel-Maxis deal case.

A Delhi court today granted seven weeks to the CBI to obtain sanction to prosecute former Union minister P Chidambaram and other serving or former public servants in the Aircel-Maxis deal case. The court pulled up the agency for filing the charge sheet without proper sanction and told the CBI that if required documents are not filed by November 26, the next day of hearing, the court may take appropriate action. “You (CBI) should not have filed the charge sheet. It is only increasing the pendency of the court. A lot of time of the court has been wasted due to this,” Special Judge O P Saini said. The agency had on July 19 filed a charge sheet against the Congress leader, his son Karti, ten individuals including public servants and six companies as accused in the case. The judge allowed the CBI’s request for grant of some time after senior advocate Sonia Mathur, representing the agency, informed the judge that sanctions are awaited. “If the sanction is not received, appropriate actions will be taken,” the court said. “Granting of sanction is under active consideration of the government,” Mathur said. Chidambaram’s name is among the persons against whom sanction for prosecution from authorities concerned was awaited. The court also adjourned a money laundering case, which is an off-shoot of the Aircel-Maxis deal case, against Karti and others, after Mathur and advocates N K Matta and Nitesh Rana requested an adjournment on behalf of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED had on July 13 filed a charge sheet against Karti and others for the alleged offence of money laundering. However, the former Union minister was not arrayed as an accused in the case. In the case filed by CBI, Mathur told the court that the agency was expecting sanctions for prosecution from authorities concerned in about four weeks. The counsel told the court that there were serving public servants and some retired ones against whom the sanctions would be needed before proceeding with their prosecution in the case. The CBI had filed the charge sheet for the alleged offences of criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), public servant taking illegal gratification, punishment for abetting this offence and public servant committing criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act. If convicted, the offences entail a maximum punishment of seven years. The agency has alleged that when foreign investment in Aircel by Malaysian telecom major Maxis was cleared by the finance ministry in March 13, 2006, a payment of Rs 26 lakh was made by Aircel to Chennai-based Advantage Strategic Consulting, officials said. It is alleged that Advantage Strategic Consulting was indirectly controlled by Karti and had raised an invoice on March 29, 2006 against which Aircel made a payment on April 1, 2006. The CBI has alleged that Chess Management Services Holding Ltd, a company in which Karti is promoter and director, also received Rs 87 lakh in several installments from an associate company of Maxis, they said. While the payment of Rs 26 lakh to Advantage Strategic Consulting was shown as fee for market research, Rs 87 lakh to Chess Management was shown as fee for a software, the CBI had alleged in the charge sheet. During investigation, the agency had asked Chess Management officials and Karti to produce the software which was allegedly provided to Maxis for a fee but they could not produce any such software, they said alleging that it was a bribe for the clearance of foreign investment proposal which was laced with several irregularities. The agency said this is a fresh charge sheet in the matter even as it stems from the FIR related to Aircel-Maxis deal registered in 2012 in which the then telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran and others have been charged and later discharged by a trial court. The CBI has filed an appeal against the court order. The officials said this is a completely separate aspect of the case related to clearance of now defunct Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), under Finance Ministry, to the foreign investment clearance of Maxis in Aircel. Among others listed in the charge sheet are the then secretary (economic affairs) Ashok Jha, the then additional secretary Ashok Chawla, the then joint secretary in finance ministry Kumar Sanjay Krishna, and the then director in the ministry Dipak Kumar Singh. The agency has also named in the charge sheet former CEO of Aircel V Srinivasan, nephew of Chidambaram A Palaniappan who was also the promoter of Chess Management Services, Malaysian nationals Ananda Krishnan Tatparanandam, Augustus Ralph Marshall, both linked with Maxis, one S Bhaskaraman, and the then under secretary in the ministry Ram Sharan. The six companies listed as accused are Chess Management Services Holding Ltd, Chennai-based Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd and Malaysian companies Astro All Asia Networks, Maxis Mobile, Bumi Armada Berhad and Bumi Armada Navigation. The agency has charged all the accused with criminal conspiracy, bribery and abuse of official position. It is alleged that FIPB approval in the Aircel-Maxis FDI case was granted in March 2006 by Chidambaram even though he was empowered to accord approval on project proposals only up to Rs 600 crore and beyond that it required the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Aircel-Maxis case: Court grants time to CBI for obtaining sanction to prosecute P Chidambaram

Former finance minister P Chidambaram&nbsp;blamed the NDA government on Monday for the prevailing state of the Indian economy.

He said that the policies implemented by the NDA were responsible for the bad economy of the state.

He further said the tyres of three of the four wheels on which the economy rides were punctured.

"The tyres of three of the four wheels on which the economy rides are punctured. Firstly exports: the growth rate in the last four years have been negative. Secondly, private investment: it is in the doldrums, if not dead. Gross fixed capital formation is stuck at 28.5 per cent for three years. Thirdly, private consumption: it was limping until a few months ago, there is a mild up-pick, and we keep our fingers crossed".

Hitting out at the government's GST and Demonetisation policies, he said a flawed road to GST continues to haunt trade and business, and the adverse effect of demonetisation have been established 'beyond doubt'.

He added that the various sections of the country like the farmers and the youth were distressed due to the unavailability of enough remunerative prices for their produce and unemployment.

"The only tyre that seems to be inflated is government expenditure, but here too the government's options are getting limited because of the pressure on the current account deficit and the fiscal deficit," he said.

"So far nobody has bought the innovative idea that 'frying pakoras is also a job'," he quipped.&nbsp;

Chidambaram was addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Monday.

&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

'The tyres of three of the four wheels on which the economy rides are punctured. Firstly exports: the growth rate in the last four years have been negative. Secondly, private investment: it is in the doldrums, if not dead'

Former finance minister P Chidambaram blamed the NDA government on Monday for the prevailing state of the Indian economy. He said that the policies implemented by the NDA were responsible for the bad economy of the state. He further said the tyres of three of the four wheels on which the economy rides were punctured. "The tyres of three of the four wheels on which the economy rides are punctured. Firstly exports: the growth rate in the last four years have been negative. Secondly, private investment: it is in the doldrums, if not dead. Gross fixed capital formation is stuck at 28.5 per cent for three years. Thirdly, private consumption: it was limping until a few months ago, there is a mild up-pick, and we keep our fingers crossed". Hitting out at the government's GST and Demonetisation policies, he said a flawed road to GST continues to haunt trade and business, and the adverse effect of demonetisation have been established 'beyond doubt'. He added that the various sections of the country like the farmers and the youth were distressed due to the unavailability of enough remunerative prices for their produce and unemployment. "The only tyre that seems to be inflated is government expenditure, but here too the government's options are getting limited because of the pressure on the current account deficit and the fiscal deficit," he said. "So far nobody has bought the innovative idea that 'frying pakoras is also a job'," he quipped. Chidambaram was addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Monday. (With inputs from PTI)

Tyres of Indian economy are punctured: Chidambaram

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said it has again summoned former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on June 12 for questioning in the Rs 3,500 crore Aircel-Maxis case.

Chidambaram was quizzed by the ED on Tuesday for over five hours and his statement recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the Aircel-Maxis case.&nbsp;

Chidambaram's alleged role came under the scanner of investigating agencies in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance of Rs 305 crore.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED are investigating how Karti Chidambaram allegedly managed to get clearance from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in the Aircel-Maxis deal when his father was the Union Finance Minister in 2006.

The ED, in September 2017, had attached assets worth Rs 1.16 crore of Karti, who is under probe for allegedly receiving kickbacks in lieu of the FIPB clearance.

Questioned by CBI in INX media case

Chidambaram on Tuesday went to the CBI headquarters to be questioned for foreign investment clearances given to INX Media when he was Union Minister.

INX media is a venture promoted by former media baron Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani. His alleged role came under the scanner of the investigating agencies in connection with the FIPB clearance of ₹305 crore.

The ED has again summoned former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram for recording his statement in the Aircel-Maxis deal case on June 12.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said it has again summoned former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on June 12 for questioning in the Rs 3,500 crore Aircel-Maxis case. Chidambaram was quizzed by the ED on Tuesday for over five hours and his statement recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the Aircel-Maxis case. Chidambaram's alleged role came under the scanner of investigating agencies in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance of Rs 305 crore. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED are investigating how Karti Chidambaram allegedly managed to get clearance from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in the Aircel-Maxis deal when his father was the Union Finance Minister in 2006. The ED, in September 2017, had attached assets worth Rs 1.16 crore of Karti, who is under probe for allegedly receiving kickbacks in lieu of the FIPB clearance. Questioned by CBI in INX media case Chidambaram on Tuesday went to the CBI headquarters to be questioned for foreign investment clearances given to INX Media when he was Union Minister. INX media is a venture promoted by former media baron Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani. His alleged role came under the scanner of the investigating agencies in connection with the FIPB clearance of ₹305 crore.

Aircel-Maxis case: Enforcement Directorate summons Chidambaram again on June 12 

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has been granted protection from arrest in corruption cases relating to the Aircel Maxis deal, in which he has been asked by probe agencies to join investigations. 
&nbsp; 
There won't be any arrest till 10 July.

Meanwhile, the ED has sought time to file a detailed reply in the case. The court has fixed the matter for further hearing on July 10, the same date on which the hearing against Karti Chidambaram in Aircel-Maxis case is scheduled.

This is the second time the former finance minister has got relief from arrest.

On May 30 too, the court had allowed Chidambaram protection from arrest till June 5 in the case, after he had filed an anticipatory bail plea.

The Aircel-Maxis deal case, which emerged out of 2G spectrum cases, pertains to a grant by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to firm M/S Global Communication Holding Services Ltd for investment in Aircel.

The ED had said that the FIPB approval granted in 2006 by Chidambaram was beyond his mandate as he was only authorised to accord approval on project proposals up to Rs 600 crore.

P Chidambaram's son Karti was arrested on February 28 at the Chennai airport upon his return from the United Kingdom, for his alleged role in the case. Currently, Karti is on bail too.

(With inputs from ANI)

Chidambaram’s son Karti Chidambaram was also arrested in the matter for allegedly receiving funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh in the case.

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has been granted protection from arrest in corruption cases relating to the Aircel Maxis deal, in which he has been asked by probe agencies to join investigations. There won't be any arrest till 10 July. Meanwhile, the ED has sought time to file a detailed reply in the case. The court has fixed the matter for further hearing on July 10, the same date on which the hearing against Karti Chidambaram in Aircel-Maxis case is scheduled. This is the second time the former finance minister has got relief from arrest. On May 30 too, the court had allowed Chidambaram protection from arrest till June 5 in the case, after he had filed an anticipatory bail plea. The Aircel-Maxis deal case, which emerged out of 2G spectrum cases, pertains to a grant by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to firm M/S Global Communication Holding Services Ltd for investment in Aircel. The ED had said that the FIPB approval granted in 2006 by Chidambaram was beyond his mandate as he was only authorised to accord approval on project proposals up to Rs 600 crore. P Chidambaram's son Karti was arrested on February 28 at the Chennai airport upon his return from the United Kingdom, for his alleged role in the case. Currently, Karti is on bail too. (With inputs from ANI)

Aircel-Maxis case: Court gives Chidambaram protection from arrest till July 10 

Former Union minister&nbsp;P Chidambaram&nbsp;was on Tuesday questioned in the&nbsp;Aircel-Maxis&nbsp;case for the first time by the Enforcement Directorate, a department which was under him during his tenure in the finance ministry. 
 
The senior Congress leader, who was considered one of the most powerful ministers in the previous UPA government, was questioned by the probe agency for over six hours. 
 
The agency recorded his statement under the&nbsp;PMLA&nbsp;(Prevention of Money Laundering Act) with some specific queries on the circumstances and procedures adopted by the now-defunct Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) while giving approval to the Aircel-Maxis deal during his tenure. 
 
Chidambaram's son Karti has already been questioned by the ED twice in this case. 
 
Soon after leaving the ED office, Chidambaram tweeted to say that all the answers he gave to the probe agency were already recorded in government documents. 
 
He also said that there is no FIR, yet a probe had been initiated. 
 
"More than half the time taken up by typing the answers without errors, reading the statement and signing it!" he said in his tweet.

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More than half the time taken up by typing the answers without errors, reading the statement and signing it!
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/1003998639180546049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Chidambaram arrived at the agency's headquarters annexe office here around 10:58 am accompanied by a lawyer, even as a strong contingent of police and CRPF personnel set up a security cordon at the office. 
 
He was allowed by the agency to go out for lunch around 1:30 pm after over two hours of questioning, officials said. 
 
The next round of questioning began about 3:30 pm which ended around 7 pm, they said. 
 
It is expected that the agency may call him again. 
 
The ED had issued a fresh summons to him yesterday to appear before the investigating officer of the case. 
 
Chidambaram, also a former home minister, had last week approached the court of special judge OP Saini seeking relief from arrest by the ED in the case. 
 
The same court today directed the ED not to take any coercive action or arrest him till July 10 in connection with the case. 
 
The ED had first asked him to appear before it on May 30 and on the same day, Chidambaram knocked the court's door. 
 
The court, in its order on May 30, had noted that Chidambaram has undertaken to comply with the summons issued by the ED, while saying he apprehended his arrest by the agency. 
 
The Aircel-Maxis cases pertains to grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to firm M/S Global Communication Holding Services Ltd in 2006 for investment in Aircel. 
 
The Supreme Court had on March 12 directed investigating agencies -- the CBI and the ED -- to complete their probe into the 2G spectrum allocation cases, including the Aircel Maxis alleged money laundering case, in six months. 
 
The agency had said that the FIPB approval in the Aircel-Maxis FDI case was granted in March 2006 by Chidambaram even though he was competent to accord approval on project proposals only up to Rs 600 crore and beyond that it required the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). 
 
The ED is investigating "the circumstances of the FIPB approval granted (in 2006) by the then finance minister." 
 
"In the instant case, the approval for FDI of $800 million (over Rs 3,500 crore) was sought. Hence, the CCEA was competent to grant the approval. 
 
"However, the approval was not obtained from the CCEA," the ED had alleged. 
 
The agency said its probe revealed that the case of the said FDI was "wrongly projected as an investment of Rs 180 crore so that it need not be sent to the CCEA to avoid a detailed scrutiny".&nbsp;

The senior Congress leader, who was considered one of the most powerful ministers in the previous UPA government, was questioned by the probe agency for over six hours

Former Union minister P Chidambaram was on Tuesday questioned in the Aircel-Maxis case for the first time by the Enforcement Directorate, a department which was under him during his tenure in the finance ministry. The senior Congress leader, who was considered one of the most powerful ministers in the previous UPA government, was questioned by the probe agency for over six hours. The agency recorded his statement under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) with some specific queries on the circumstances and procedures adopted by the now-defunct Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) while giving approval to the Aircel-Maxis deal during his tenure. Chidambaram's son Karti has already been questioned by the ED twice in this case. Soon after leaving the ED office, Chidambaram tweeted to say that all the answers he gave to the probe agency were already recorded in government documents. He also said that there is no FIR, yet a probe had been initiated. "More than half the time taken up by typing the answers without errors, reading the statement and signing it!" he said in his tweet. More than half the time taken up by typing the answers without errors, reading the statement and signing it! — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) June 5, 2018 × Chidambaram arrived at the agency's headquarters annexe office here around 10:58 am accompanied by a lawyer, even as a strong contingent of police and CRPF personnel set up a security cordon at the office. He was allowed by the agency to go out for lunch around 1:30 pm after over two hours of questioning, officials said. The next round of questioning began about 3:30 pm which ended around 7 pm, they said. It is expected that the agency may call him again. The ED had issued a fresh summons to him yesterday to appear before the investigating officer of the case. Chidambaram, also a former home minister, had last week approached the court of special judge OP Saini seeking relief from arrest by the ED in the case. The same court today directed the ED not to take any coercive action or arrest him till July 10 in connection with the case. The ED had first asked him to appear before it on May 30 and on the same day, Chidambaram knocked the court's door. The court, in its order on May 30, had noted that Chidambaram has undertaken to comply with the summons issued by the ED, while saying he apprehended his arrest by the agency. The Aircel-Maxis cases pertains to grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to firm M/S Global Communication Holding Services Ltd in 2006 for investment in Aircel. The Supreme Court had on March 12 directed investigating agencies -- the CBI and the ED -- to complete their probe into the 2G spectrum allocation cases, including the Aircel Maxis alleged money laundering case, in six months. The agency had said that the FIPB approval in the Aircel-Maxis FDI case was granted in March 2006 by Chidambaram even though he was competent to accord approval on project proposals only up to Rs 600 crore and beyond that it required the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). The ED is investigating "the circumstances of the FIPB approval granted (in 2006) by the then finance minister." "In the instant case, the approval for FDI of $800 million (over Rs 3,500 crore) was sought. Hence, the CCEA was competent to grant the approval. "However, the approval was not obtained from the CCEA," the ED had alleged. The agency said its probe revealed that the case of the said FDI was "wrongly projected as an investment of Rs 180 crore so that it need not be sent to the CCEA to avoid a detailed scrutiny".

Aircel-Maxis case: Chidambaram appears before ED, grilled for 6 hours

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Congress to challenge the appointment of KG Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker in the Supreme Court on Friday. According to television reports, Congress is moving Supreme Court to challenge the Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to appoint KG Bopiah as pro-tem speaker ahead of the floor test on Saturday 4 pm.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-pm-modis-visit-to-jk-pakistan-summons-indian-high-commissioner-over-unprovoked-ceasefire-violations-along-loc-137934">Pakistan summons Indian High Commissioner over 'unprovoked ceasefire violations' along LoC</a>

As PM Modi prepares to visit J&K on Saturday, Pakistan today summoned Indian High Commissioner over "unprovoked ceasefire violations" allegedly carried out by Indian forces along the Line of Control(LoC).

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-allows-karti-chidambaram-to-travel-abroad-137929">Supreme Court allows Karti Chidambaram to travel abroad</a>

The Supreme Court on Friday allowed Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, to travel to offshore locations in United Kingdom, Germany and Spain with certain conditions, including that he would not open or close a bank account abroad.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-denies-offering-200-billion-package-to-slash-us-trade-gap-137953">China denies offering $200 billion </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-denies-offering-200-billion-package-to-slash-us-trade-gap-137953">package</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-denies-offering-200-billion-package-to-slash-us-trade-gap-137953"> to slash US trade gap</a>

China denied on Friday that it had offered a package to slash the US trade deficit by up to $200 billion, hours after it dropped an anti-dumping probe into US sorghum imports in a conciliatory gesture as top negotiators meet in Washington.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/congo-faces-very-high-risk-from-ebola-outbreak-who--137926">Congo faces 'very high' risk from Ebola outbreak: WHO</a>

Democratic Republic of Congo faces a "very high" public health risk from Ebola because the disease has been confirmed in a patient in a big city, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, raising its assessment from "high" previously.

&nbsp

Karnataka crisis: Congress to challenge KG Bopaiah's appointment as pro-tem Speaker in Supreme Court Congress to challenge the appointment of KG Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker in the Supreme Court on Friday. According to television reports, Congress is moving Supreme Court to challenge the Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to appoint KG Bopiah as pro-tem speaker ahead of the floor test on Saturday 4 pm. Pakistan summons Indian High Commissioner over 'unprovoked ceasefire violations' along LoC As PM Modi prepares to visit J&K on Saturday, Pakistan today summoned Indian High Commissioner over "unprovoked ceasefire violations" allegedly carried out by Indian forces along the Line of Control(LoC). Supreme Court allows Karti Chidambaram to travel abroad The Supreme Court on Friday allowed Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, to travel to offshore locations in United Kingdom, Germany and Spain with certain conditions, including that he would not open or close a bank account abroad. China denies offering $200 billion package to slash US trade gap China denied on Friday that it had offered a package to slash the US trade deficit by up to $200 billion, hours after it dropped an anti-dumping probe into US sorghum imports in a conciliatory gesture as top negotiators meet in Washington. Congo faces 'very high' risk from Ebola outbreak: WHO Democratic Republic of Congo faces a "very high" public health risk from Ebola because the disease has been confirmed in a patient in a big city, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, raising its assessment from "high" previously.

News brief: Big stories of the day

A day after the Delhi police, in their chargesheet, named senior Congress Party leader Shashi Tharoor for abetting the suicide of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram rubbished the charge, calling it "absurd."

"Charge against Shashi Tharoor is absurd. The investigating agency has manufactured a case out of an unfortunate tragedy," he tweeted on Tuesday.

For those unversed, Sunanda was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a suite of a five-star hotel in Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014.

The Delhi Police has repeatedly come under fire for delaying the investigation into the case.

However, the police, in their chargesheet filed before a Delhi court on Monday, named Tharoor as an accused, under sections 306 (Abetment of suicide) and 498A (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Soon after, Tharoor took to Twitter to dismiss the charge as "preposterous".

"I have taken note of the filing of this preposterous charge sheet and intend to contest it vigorously. No one who knew Sunanda believes she would ever have committed suicide, let alone abetment on my part. If this is conclusion arrived at after 4+ yrs of investigation, (contd.)," he tweeted.

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1/2 I have taken note of the filing of this preposterous charge sheet &intend to contest it vigorously. No one who knew Sunanda believes she would ever have committed suicide, let alone abetment on my part. If this is conclusion arrived at after 4+ yrs of investigation, (contd.)
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/995977116884729856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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2/2) it does not speak well of the methods or motivations of the Delhi Police. In oct 17, the Law Officer made a statement in the DelhiHighCourt that they have not found anything against anyone & now in 6 months they say that I have abetted a suicide. unbelievable!
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/995977356933136384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Tharoor's wife Sunanda was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a suite of a five-star hotel in Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014.

A day after the Delhi police, in their chargesheet, named senior Congress Party leader Shashi Tharoor for abetting the suicide of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram rubbished the charge, calling it "absurd." "Charge against Shashi Tharoor is absurd. The investigating agency has manufactured a case out of an unfortunate tragedy," he tweeted on Tuesday. For those unversed, Sunanda was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a suite of a five-star hotel in Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014. The Delhi Police has repeatedly come under fire for delaying the investigation into the case. However, the police, in their chargesheet filed before a Delhi court on Monday, named Tharoor as an accused, under sections 306 (Abetment of suicide) and 498A (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Soon after, Tharoor took to Twitter to dismiss the charge as "preposterous". "I have taken note of the filing of this preposterous charge sheet and intend to contest it vigorously. No one who knew Sunanda believes she would ever have committed suicide, let alone abetment on my part. If this is conclusion arrived at after 4+ yrs of investigation, (contd.)," he tweeted. 1/2 I have taken note of the filing of this preposterous charge sheet &intend to contest it vigorously. No one who knew Sunanda believes she would ever have committed suicide, let alone abetment on my part. If this is conclusion arrived at after 4+ yrs of investigation, (contd.) — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 14, 2018 × 2/2) it does not speak well of the methods or motivations of the Delhi Police. In oct 17, the Law Officer made a statement in the DelhiHighCourt that they have not found anything against anyone & now in 6 months they say that I have abetted a suicide. unbelievable! — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 14, 2018 ×

Chidambaram rubbishes charge against Tharoor as 'absurd'

Congress leader P Chidambaram retaliated to the BJP's potshots over the charge sheets filed against him and his family.

"The buzz in Delhi is that Ms Nirmala Sitaraman will be removed as Defence Minister and appointed as lawyer of the Income-tax department. Welcome to the bar, Ms Sitaraman," wrote Chidambaram on Twitter.

BJP leader and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had sarcastically remarked that this was the Congress party's "Nawaz Sharif moment".

"The parallels cannot be missed out in this case. I am wondering if for Congress party in India, we are seeing the Nawaz Sharif moment," Nirmala Sitharaman had told the press.

The Defence Minister was referring to the Pakistan Supreme Court's decision to disqualify former prime minister Nawaz Sharif from holding office because of non-disclosure of assets and income earned abroad.

BJP president Amit Shah also launched an attack on the Congress and cited the four charge sheets filed by the Income Tax department against Chidambaram's family members to allege they had illegal assets worth 3 billion dollars, a claim dismissed by Chidambaram as a dream of the chief of "India's richest political party".

"This explains why despite Supreme Court's orders Sonia Gandhi, former PM Dr Manmohan Singh & then FM P Chidambaram dragged their feet on the formation of SIT, one of the first decisions taken by Modi govt, to fight black money! How could they indict their own selves," Amit Shah tweeted.

Chidambaram retorted to Amit Shah's charge in a tweet, urging the BJP to bring back black money stashed abroad -- as promised by the party before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

"The president of the richest political party in India is dreaming of billions of dollars! Bring the money back and put Rs 15 lakh in the account of every Indian as you promised," he said.

The Income Tax department on May 11 filed charge sheets against Chidambaram's wife Nalini, son Karti, daughter-in-law Srinidhi and a firm under the Black Money Act for allegedly not disclosing their foreign assets.

Sitharaman asked whether Congress president Rahul Gandhi would investigate the issue involving his party's senior leader.

"The Congress party president, incidentally who is also out on bail on some financial transactions which are questionable, should certainly comment and tell the entire party and people of India whether he is going to investigate this," she said.

She pointed out that the Pakistan Supreme Court had disqualified Sharif from holding office because of not disclosing assets held in foreign countries.

Sitharaman said the law on black money was brought in by PM Modi's government because it had pledged to fight black money held in India and abroad before the last Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

The chargesheets or prosecution complaints have been filed by the IT department before a special court in Chennai under Section 50 of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015, officials had said.&nbsp;

Nalini Chidambaram, Karti and Srinidhi and a firm linked to Karti have been accused of not disclosing, either partly or fully, immovable assets such as one at Barton, Cambridge, UK, worth Rs 5.37 crore, property worth Rs 80 lakh in the same country and assets worth Rs 3.28 crore in the US.

The family of the former finance minister had said the Income Tax Department (ITD) charge sheets against them under the black money law were "baseless allegations" as the overseas investments under question had been reflected in their IT returns.

(With inputs from PTI)

 
&nbsp;

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had drawn a parallel between the chargesheet against Chidambaram and the Pakistan Supreme Court's decision to disqualify former prime minister Nawaz Sharif from holding office because of non-disclosure of assets and income earned abroad

Congress leader P Chidambaram retaliated to the BJP's potshots over the charge sheets filed against him and his family. "The buzz in Delhi is that Ms Nirmala Sitaraman will be removed as Defence Minister and appointed as lawyer of the Income-tax department. Welcome to the bar, Ms Sitaraman," wrote Chidambaram on Twitter. BJP leader and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had sarcastically remarked that this was the Congress party's "Nawaz Sharif moment". "The parallels cannot be missed out in this case. I am wondering if for Congress party in India, we are seeing the Nawaz Sharif moment," Nirmala Sitharaman had told the press. The Defence Minister was referring to the Pakistan Supreme Court's decision to disqualify former prime minister Nawaz Sharif from holding office because of non-disclosure of assets and income earned abroad. BJP president Amit Shah also launched an attack on the Congress and cited the four charge sheets filed by the Income Tax department against Chidambaram's family members to allege they had illegal assets worth 3 billion dollars, a claim dismissed by Chidambaram as a dream of the chief of "India's richest political party". "This explains why despite Supreme Court's orders Sonia Gandhi, former PM Dr Manmohan Singh & then FM P Chidambaram dragged their feet on the formation of SIT, one of the first decisions taken by Modi govt, to fight black money! How could they indict their own selves," Amit Shah tweeted. Chidambaram retorted to Amit Shah's charge in a tweet, urging the BJP to bring back black money stashed abroad -- as promised by the party before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. "The president of the richest political party in India is dreaming of billions of dollars! Bring the money back and put Rs 15 lakh in the account of every Indian as you promised," he said. The Income Tax department on May 11 filed charge sheets against Chidambaram's wife Nalini, son Karti, daughter-in-law Srinidhi and a firm under the Black Money Act for allegedly not disclosing their foreign assets. Sitharaman asked whether Congress president Rahul Gandhi would investigate the issue involving his party's senior leader. "The Congress party president, incidentally who is also out on bail on some financial transactions which are questionable, should certainly comment and tell the entire party and people of India whether he is going to investigate this," she said. She pointed out that the Pakistan Supreme Court had disqualified Sharif from holding office because of not disclosing assets held in foreign countries. Sitharaman said the law on black money was brought in by PM Modi's government because it had pledged to fight black money held in India and abroad before the last Lok Sabha elections. The chargesheets or prosecution complaints have been filed by the IT department before a special court in Chennai under Section 50 of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015, officials had said. Nalini Chidambaram, Karti and Srinidhi and a firm linked to Karti have been accused of not disclosing, either partly or fully, immovable assets such as one at Barton, Cambridge, UK, worth Rs 5.37 crore, property worth Rs 80 lakh in the same country and assets worth Rs 3.28 crore in the US. The family of the former finance minister had said the Income Tax Department (ITD) charge sheets against them under the black money law were "baseless allegations" as the overseas investments under question had been reflected in their IT returns. (With inputs from PTI)

Nirmala Sitharaman IT lawyer: Chidambaram responds to Nawaz Sharif comparison

Launching a scathing attack at Congress leader P Chidambaram, the BJP on Sunday accused former Finance Minister of holding assets to the tune of $3 billion in illegal foreign bank accounts.

Calling it the “Nawaz Sharif moment” of the Congress Party, Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the alleged financial discrepancies can’t be an overlooked by the party and demanded how the former finance minister forgot to reveal details of his family’s foreign investments. She also asked whether Congress president Rahul Gandhi would investigate the matter.&nbsp;

In July 2017, Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from holding public office over corruption charges brought to fore by the Panama Papers case.

“Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who is himself out on bail should come out and tell us if he is going to investigate this case involving one of his leaders,” Sitharaman said.

"The present chargesheets are for not disclosing, either partly or fully, immovable assets like the one at Cambridge in the UK worth Rs. 5.37 crore, property worth Rs. 80 lakh in the same country and assets worth Rs.3.28 crore in the US," informed Sitharaman.

“Chidambaram didn’t disclose his investments to the tax authority, violating Black Money Law, which was brought by Modi govt as part of its drive against black money and to prosecute those Indians who have secretly stashed illicit wealth abroad,” she said.

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Under the Black Money Act, 4 chargesheets have been filed against P Chidambaram and his family for possessing and operating several illegal assets and accounts in foreign countries. IT estimates illegal assets held by UPA's FM to be to the tune of 3 Bn dollars! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackMoneyOfPC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackMoneyOfPC</a>
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/995568418978979840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Under the Black Money Act, 4 charge sheets have been filed against P Chidambaram and his family for possessing and operating several illegal assets and accounts in foreign countries," BJP President Amit Shah tweeted on Sunday, adding that the income tax department estimates illegal assets held by UPA's FM to be to the tune of 3 billion dollars.

Sitharaman claimed that Chidambaram didn't disclose its investments to tax authority, violating Black Money Law.

Launching a scathing attack at Congress leader P Chidambaram, the BJP on Sunday accused former Finance Minister of holding assets to the tune of $3 billion in illegal foreign bank accounts. Calling it the “Nawaz Sharif moment” of the Congress Party, Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the alleged financial discrepancies can’t be an overlooked by the party and demanded how the former finance minister forgot to reveal details of his family’s foreign investments. She also asked whether Congress president Rahul Gandhi would investigate the matter. In July 2017, Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from holding public office over corruption charges brought to fore by the Panama Papers case. “Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who is himself out on bail should come out and tell us if he is going to investigate this case involving one of his leaders,” Sitharaman said. "The present chargesheets are for not disclosing, either partly or fully, immovable assets like the one at Cambridge in the UK worth Rs. 5.37 crore, property worth Rs. 80 lakh in the same country and assets worth Rs.3.28 crore in the US," informed Sitharaman. “Chidambaram didn’t disclose his investments to the tax authority, violating Black Money Law, which was brought by Modi govt as part of its drive against black money and to prosecute those Indians who have secretly stashed illicit wealth abroad,” she said. Under the Black Money Act, 4 chargesheets have been filed against P Chidambaram and his family for possessing and operating several illegal assets and accounts in foreign countries. IT estimates illegal assets held by UPA's FM to be to the tune of 3 Bn dollars! #BlackMoneyOfPC — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 13, 2018 × "Under the Black Money Act, 4 charge sheets have been filed against P Chidambaram and his family for possessing and operating several illegal assets and accounts in foreign countries," BJP President Amit Shah tweeted on Sunday, adding that the income tax department estimates illegal assets held by UPA's FM to be to the tune of 3 billion dollars.

Take action on Chidambaram's foreign assets: Sitharaman to Rahul Gandhi

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chidambaram-helpedmehul-choksiin2014-ravi-shankar-prasad-34759">Chidambaram helped Mehul Choksi in 2014: Ravi Shankar Prasad</a>

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad hit out at the Congress saying that the entire banking system was out of control under the leadership of Economist Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-hikes-defence-budget-to-175-billion-three-times-that-of-indias-34743">China increases </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-hikes-defence-budget-to-175-billion-three-times-that-of-indias-34743">defence</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-hikes-defence-budget-to-175-billion-three-times-that-of-indias-34743"> budget to $175 billion, three times higher than India&#39;s</a>

China today announced a 8.1 per cent hike in its defence expenditure for this year to a whopping $175 billion, which is over three times higher than India&#39;s defence budget as it seeks to further advance an ambitious modernisation drive for its military.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-imposes-curfew-after-anti-muslim-riots-34765">Sri Lanka imposes curfew after anti-Muslim riots</a>

Sri Lanka imposed a curfew Monday in a central hill station town popular with tourists after days of communal unrest that saw a man killed and Muslim businesses set alight.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/italy-faces-political-gridlock-after-5-star-surges-34756">Italy faces political gridlock after 5-Star surges</a>

Italy faces a prolonged period of political instability after voters delivered a hung parliament on Sunday, spurning traditional parties and flocking to anti-establishment and far-right groups in record numbers.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-to-contest-2018-general-elections-from-karachi-34763">Imran Khan to contest 2018 general elections from Karachi</a>

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on Monday announced he would contest the upcoming general election from Karachi.

Chidambaram helped Mehul Choksi in 2014: Ravi Shankar Prasad Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad hit out at the Congress saying that the entire banking system was out of control under the leadership of Economist Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. China increases defence budget to $175 billion, three times higher than India's China today announced a 8.1 per cent hike in its defence expenditure for this year to a whopping $175 billion, which is over three times higher than India's defence budget as it seeks to further advance an ambitious modernisation drive for its military. Sri Lanka imposes curfew after anti-Muslim riots Sri Lanka imposed a curfew Monday in a central hill station town popular with tourists after days of communal unrest that saw a man killed and Muslim businesses set alight. Italy faces political gridlock after 5-Star surges Italy faces a prolonged period of political instability after voters delivered a hung parliament on Sunday, spurning traditional parties and flocking to anti-establishment and far-right groups in record numbers. Imran Khan to contest 2018 general elections from Karachi Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on Monday announced he would contest the upcoming general election from Karachi.

WION Evening News brief, March 8, 2018

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday criticised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government for making jumlas (false promises) to the people.

The former finance minister said that the National Health Protection Scheme which stated that 50 crore people would be covered up to Rs 5 lakhs per person was one such example of the false promise made by the government to the people.

&quot;They have announced some great jumlas, one of them is &#39;National Health Protection Bill&#39;. 10 crore families, 50 crores people will be covered up to 5 lakhs each. How much is the extra money provided? - Zero,&quot; said Chidambaram at an event in Kolkata.

The Congress leader also took on the government for not recovering the money that had been swindled by fugitive businessman Lalit Modi and billionaire jewellery designer Nirav Modi.

He accused the government of being aware of a hidden source of income which nobody knew about.

&quot;Where is the money? Finance Minister said I will find money. You can find money only by raising taxes. Or is there some hidden source of income we don&#39;t know about? Are the Lalit Modis &amp; Nirav Modis promised you money?,&quot; said Chidambaram.

The Congress spoke about the need for an &quot;alternative approach&quot; to the problem in Kashmir, stating that there were security forces everywhere in the state which was not a solution. In a reference to PM Modi&#39;s boast of a &quot;56-inch chaati (chest) during his 2014 poll campaign, &nbsp;the Congress leader said the the &quot;56 chaati&quot; muscular approach, had worsened things.He also spoke about the need to reduce the paramilitary force in the state.

&quot;We have to look for an alternative approach. After every 10 feet in Kashmir, there are security forces.That&#39;s not the way to solve Kashmir problem. When I was Home Minister &amp; Omar Abdullah was CM, we did reduce presence of paramilitary by 10,000 troops,&quot; P Chidambaram said.

&quot;Graph of violence in Jammu and Kashmir came down from 2010-14, and in 1st year of their government also. Only when they started adopting macho, muscular &#39;56 chaati&#39; approach, things turned to worst. We must entrust law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, reduce presence of paramilitary and talk to the people.&quot;

P Chidambaram said it is time to amend the Armed Forces Special (Powers) Act now in force in Jammu and Kashmir.

&quot;There is a need to amend the AFSPA if you cannot repeal it. The law and order should be entrusted to the Jammu and Kashmir police and not on the paramilitary forces,&quot; he said.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Congress leader also took on the government for not recovering the money that had been swindled by fugitive businessman Lalit Modi and billionaire jewellery designer Nirav Modi

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday criticised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government for making jumlas (false promises) to the people. The former finance minister said that the National Health Protection Scheme which stated that 50 crore people would be covered up to Rs 5 lakhs per person was one such example of the false promise made by the government to the people. "They have announced some great jumlas, one of them is 'National Health Protection Bill'. 10 crore families, 50 crores people will be covered up to 5 lakhs each. How much is the extra money provided? - Zero," said Chidambaram at an event in Kolkata. The Congress leader also took on the government for not recovering the money that had been swindled by fugitive businessman Lalit Modi and billionaire jewellery designer Nirav Modi. He accused the government of being aware of a hidden source of income which nobody knew about. "Where is the money? Finance Minister said I will find money. You can find money only by raising taxes. Or is there some hidden source of income we don't know about? Are the Lalit Modis & Nirav Modis promised you money?," said Chidambaram. The Congress spoke about the need for an "alternative approach" to the problem in Kashmir, stating that there were security forces everywhere in the state which was not a solution. In a reference to PM Modi's boast of a "56-inch chaati (chest) during his 2014 poll campaign, the Congress leader said the the "56 chaati" muscular approach, had worsened things.He also spoke about the need to reduce the paramilitary force in the state. "We have to look for an alternative approach. After every 10 feet in Kashmir, there are security forces.That's not the way to solve Kashmir problem. When I was Home Minister & Omar Abdullah was CM, we did reduce presence of paramilitary by 10,000 troops," P Chidambaram said. "Graph of violence in Jammu and Kashmir came down from 2010-14, and in 1st year of their government also. Only when they started adopting macho, muscular '56 chaati' approach, things turned to worst. We must entrust law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, reduce presence of paramilitary and talk to the people." P Chidambaram said it is time to amend the Armed Forces Special (Powers) Act now in force in Jammu and Kashmir. "There is a need to amend the AFSPA if you cannot repeal it. The law and order should be entrusted to the Jammu and Kashmir police and not on the paramilitary forces," he said.

National Health Protection Scheme jumla: Chidambaram

BJP&#39;s &#39;Modicare&#39; came under renewed attack from the Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram a day after the Union Budget. Taking to Twitter, Chidambaram referring to &#39;healthcare scheme&#39;, stated that a scheme without money is like flying a kite without a string. The kite flyer will say that the kite is flying, but there will be no kite and nothing will be flying.

&#39;&#39;Yesterday, I had said that the new HEALTH CARE SCHEME is a jumla with no money provided in the budget. Today, FM has admitted that no money has been provided and he will &#39;raise money in the future&#39;. Perfect jumla,&#39;&#39; he said in another Tweet.

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Scheme without money is like flying a kite without a string. The kite flyer will say that the kite is flying, but there will be no kite 
and nothing will be flying.
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/959340415454363654?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his budget speech announced a flagship national health insurance scheme that will cover about 50 crore people in India.&nbsp;

The health coverage of the scheme will be up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. &ldquo;We are slowly progressing towards universal health coverage,&rdquo; Arun Jaitley said in his budget speech, adding that the scheme will be the &ldquo;world&rsquo;s largest healthcare programme,&rdquo; Jaitley added.

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Yesterday, I had said that the new HEALTH CARE SCHEME is a jumla with no money provided in the budget. Today, FM has admitted that no money has been provided and he will &#39;raise money in the future&#39;. Perfect jumla.
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/959340378120896513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The minister said out of the 25 crore families in India, the bottom 10 crore family which constitute 40 per cent of the population will benefit from the new healthcare plan.

&quot;The poor families will now have an insurance card and can go to any hospital and show their card to avail health benefits,&quot; he said.

&quot;We can make this scheme universal, then the world will have to acknowledge that whether Obamacare became successful or not, &#39;Modicare&#39; can definitely be made successful,&quot; the finance minister said.

On the question of funding of &quot;Modicare&quot;, the minister said it was mainly an operational detail and that it would be funded by the government.

&quot;The healthcare plan is a major step in ensuring the social security of the country,&quot; the minister said.

 
&nbsp;

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his budget speech announced a flagship national health insurance scheme that will cover about 50 crore people in India.

BJP's 'Modicare' came under renewed attack from the Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram a day after the Union Budget. Taking to Twitter, Chidambaram referring to 'healthcare scheme', stated that a scheme without money is like flying a kite without a string. The kite flyer will say that the kite is flying, but there will be no kite and nothing will be flying. ''Yesterday, I had said that the new HEALTH CARE SCHEME is a jumla with no money provided in the budget. Today, FM has admitted that no money has been provided and he will 'raise money in the future'. Perfect jumla,'' he said in another Tweet. Scheme without money is like flying a kite without a string. The kite flyer will say that the kite is flying, but there will be no kite and nothing will be flying. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 2, 2018 × Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his budget speech announced a flagship national health insurance scheme that will cover about 50 crore people in India. The health coverage of the scheme will be up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. “We are slowly progressing towards universal health coverage,” Arun Jaitley said in his budget speech, adding that the scheme will be the “world’s largest healthcare programme,” Jaitley added. Yesterday, I had said that the new HEALTH CARE SCHEME is a jumla with no money provided in the budget. Today, FM has admitted that no money has been provided and he will 'raise money in the future'. Perfect jumla. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 2, 2018 × The minister said out of the 25 crore families in India, the bottom 10 crore family which constitute 40 per cent of the population will benefit from the new healthcare plan. "The poor families will now have an insurance card and can go to any hospital and show their card to avail health benefits," he said. "We can make this scheme universal, then the world will have to acknowledge that whether Obamacare became successful or not, 'Modicare' can definitely be made successful," the finance minister said. On the question of funding of "Modicare", the minister said it was mainly an operational detail and that it would be funded by the government. "The healthcare plan is a major step in ensuring the social security of the country," the minister said.

Scheme without money is like flying kite without string: Chidambaram mocks 'Modicare'

Former Union Finance Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram termed ED&#39;s raid on his son&nbsp;Karti Chidambaram&#39;s&nbsp;residence as &#39;&#39;a comedy of errors&quot;.&nbsp;

While speaking to reporters at Delhi&#39;s Jor Bagh today, the minister described the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to have &quot;no jurisdiction&quot; to conduct such searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).&nbsp;

He also noted that the ED, having found nothing out of the raids, took away a few documents to &quot;justify themselves&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;They (ED officials) searched and found nothing but since they had to justify themselves they took papers of a statement made by the government in the Parliament, a few years back. The ED has no jurisdiction to investigate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA),&quot; Chidambaram noted.

He also spoke about the absence of an FIR or any Police agency.

&quot;Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued notice on the cases filed by my son Karti Chidambaram. These cases have been filed some time ago, notices were issued yesterday and the respondents were asked to file their reply if they wish to and the cases posted for hearing on January 30. The main ground in the case is that there is no FIR in respect of a scheduled crime registered by any police agency including the CBI,&quot; said Chidambaram.

Chidambaram also noted that he had somehow anticipated the raids and was expecting, &quot;the ED has to conduct some drama in order to cover up some track,&quot; after the notices were issued by the SC. &nbsp;

&quot;They came to search the premises in Delhi&#39;s Jor Bagh and offices and told me they believed that Karti Chidambaram was the occupant of the house I told them otherwise,&quot; he noted.&nbsp;

&nbsp;P. Chidambaram&#39;s son Karti Chidambaram&#39;s residences in Delhi and Chennai were raided by the Enforcement Directorate earlier today with respect to the Aircel-Maxis case.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nothing-found-or-seized-after-raids-at-chidambarams-premises-in-chennai-delhi-lawyer-29397">The raid took place at around 7.30 a.m</a> and involved five officials.

Chidambaram&#39;s approval to Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) last year, in Airtel-Maxis case, was found to be beyond his mandate by the ED.

The amount of FIPB approval was found as wrongly projected to conceal the facts.

The company promoted by Karti and P Chidambaram&#39;s nephew was found to have allegedly received two lakh dollars from the Maxis Group.

The Aircel-Maxis deal refers to a series of alleged kickbacks in the telecom sector which was part of the wider 2G scam.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

He also spoke about the absence of an FIR or any Police agency.

Former Union Finance Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram termed ED's raid on his son Karti Chidambaram's residence as ''a comedy of errors". While speaking to reporters at Delhi's Jor Bagh today, the minister described the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to have "no jurisdiction" to conduct such searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He also noted that the ED, having found nothing out of the raids, took away a few documents to "justify themselves". "They (ED officials) searched and found nothing but since they had to justify themselves they took papers of a statement made by the government in the Parliament, a few years back. The ED has no jurisdiction to investigate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)," Chidambaram noted. He also spoke about the absence of an FIR or any Police agency. "Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued notice on the cases filed by my son Karti Chidambaram. These cases have been filed some time ago, notices were issued yesterday and the respondents were asked to file their reply if they wish to and the cases posted for hearing on January 30. The main ground in the case is that there is no FIR in respect of a scheduled crime registered by any police agency including the CBI," said Chidambaram. Chidambaram also noted that he had somehow anticipated the raids and was expecting, "the ED has to conduct some drama in order to cover up some track," after the notices were issued by the SC. "They came to search the premises in Delhi's Jor Bagh and offices and told me they believed that Karti Chidambaram was the occupant of the house I told them otherwise," he noted. P. Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram's residences in Delhi and Chennai were raided by the Enforcement Directorate earlier today with respect to the Aircel-Maxis case. The raid took place at around 7.30 a.m and involved five officials. Chidambaram's approval to Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) last year, in Airtel-Maxis case, was found to be beyond his mandate by the ED. The amount of FIPB approval was found as wrongly projected to conceal the facts. The company promoted by Karti and P Chidambaram's nephew was found to have allegedly received two lakh dollars from the Maxis Group. The Aircel-Maxis deal refers to a series of alleged kickbacks in the telecom sector which was part of the wider 2G scam. (With inputs from agencies)

Chidambaram terms ED raids as 'comedy of errors'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/governments-hard-approach-in-kashmir-not-working-chidambaram-tweets-bjp-calls-him-pakistani-poodle-28799" target="_blank">Government&#39;s &#39;hard&#39; approach in Kashmir not working, Chidambaram tweets; BJP calls him &#39;Pakistani poodle&#39;</a>

Former union home minister P Chidambaram posted a total of nine tweets on Kashmir on Sunday -- the gist of his argument being that the government&#39;s &quot;hard, militaristic&quot; approach in the state was not working. &quot;From time to time we are rudely reminded that there is an issue concerning the state of Jammu &amp; Kashmir,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/up-loudspeakers-in-religious-places-to-be-removed-28794" target="_blank">UP: Loudspeakers in religious places to be removed</a>

The Uttar Pradesh police was on Sunday directed to remove all loudspeakers present in public places, religious and otherwise, that have been installed without appropriate permission being sanctioned towards the same, in a bid to curb noise pollution caused by these.The order was issued following directions from the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on the matter, citing the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-open-to-proposals-to-further-clean-up-political-funding-jaitley-28779">Government open to proposals to further clean up political funding: Jaitley</a>

The electoral bonds mechanism is a substantial improvement in transparency over the present system and the government is open to suggestions to further cleanse political funding, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today. In a Facebook post, Jaitley said the conventional practice of funding the political system was to take donations as well as undertake expenditures in cash.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bengal-man-arrested-for-allegedly-stalking-sachin-tendulkars-daughter-28780">Bengal man arrested for allegedly stalking Sachin Tendulkar&#39;s daughter</a>

A 32-year-old man has been arrested in West Bengal for allegedly stalking Sachin Tendulkar&#39;s daughter Sara. News reports said Sunday that the man got hold of the Tendulkars&#39; landline number and made around 20 calls to it. In the calls, he passed lewd comments about Sara and even threatened to kidnap her. The reports identified the arrested man as Debkumar Maity, who is allegedly a college dropout.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/heel-injury-restricts-dale-steyn-from-bowling-in-first-test-likely-to-miss-series-28801" target="_blank">Heel injury restricts Dale Steyn from bowling in first test, likely to miss series</a>

In a major setback for South Africa, Dale Steyn will not bowl for his team in the remaining first Test match and is likely to miss the remaining series against India also, due to the heel injury he suffered.&nbsp;However, he can bat for his team if required. The right-arm pacer had injured his left heel on the second day of the first test match at Newlands, Cape Town.

Government's 'hard' approach in Kashmir not working, Chidambaram tweets; BJP calls him 'Pakistani poodle' Former union home minister P Chidambaram posted a total of nine tweets on Kashmir on Sunday -- the gist of his argument being that the government's "hard, militaristic" approach in the state was not working. "From time to time we are rudely reminded that there is an issue concerning the state of Jammu & Kashmir," he said. UP: Loudspeakers in religious places to be removed The Uttar Pradesh police was on Sunday directed to remove all loudspeakers present in public places, religious and otherwise, that have been installed without appropriate permission being sanctioned towards the same, in a bid to curb noise pollution caused by these.The order was issued following directions from the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on the matter, citing the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. Government open to proposals to further clean up political funding: Jaitley The electoral bonds mechanism is a substantial improvement in transparency over the present system and the government is open to suggestions to further cleanse political funding, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today. In a Facebook post, Jaitley said the conventional practice of funding the political system was to take donations as well as undertake expenditures in cash. Bengal man arrested for allegedly stalking Sachin Tendulkar's daughter A 32-year-old man has been arrested in West Bengal for allegedly stalking Sachin Tendulkar's daughter Sara. News reports said Sunday that the man got hold of the Tendulkars' landline number and made around 20 calls to it. In the calls, he passed lewd comments about Sara and even threatened to kidnap her. The reports identified the arrested man as Debkumar Maity, who is allegedly a college dropout. Heel injury restricts Dale Steyn from bowling in first test, likely to miss series In a major setback for South Africa, Dale Steyn will not bowl for his team in the remaining first Test match and is likely to miss the remaining series against India also, due to the heel injury he suffered. However, he can bat for his team if required. The right-arm pacer had injured his left heel on the second day of the first test match at Newlands, Cape Town.

WION Evening News Brief, January 7, 2018

Sparks flew in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress traded charges over bringing petroleum products under the purview of Goods and Service Tax (GST). &nbsp;&nbsp;

Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram said now that BJP is in power in 19 states, what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST.

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Now that BJP is in power in 19 states and at the Centre what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST? When will the GST Council take up this subject: P Chidambaram, Congress in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://t.co/xWybbIjTDB">pic.twitter.com/xWybbIjTDB</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943018996839751680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&#39;&#39;Now that BJP is in power in 19 states and at the Centre what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST? When will the GST Council take up this subject,&#39;&#39; P Chidambaram said in Rajya Sabha.

Responding to Chidambaram, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that they are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST.&nbsp;

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We are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We would await consensus of the states and hope states agree to the consensus sooner or later: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://t.co/jO4eZILPSq">pic.twitter.com/jO4eZILPSq</a>
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&#39;&#39;We are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We would await consensus of the states and hope states agree to the consensus sooner or later,&#39;&#39; said&nbsp;Jaitley.

Since the GST came into effect, bringing petroleum products under the purview of GST has been a contentious issue with Congress accusing BJP led NDA government of dragging its feet on the matter. &nbsp;

Amid an outcry over spiralling fuel prices, state governments, including those ruled by the BJP, are opposing petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan&rsquo;s suggestion that petroleum products should be brought under the Goods and Service Tax (GST).

States say the move would adversely impact their revenue, which has increased by almost 50 per cent&nbsp;for most states in the past three years on account of high value-added (VAT) tax.

Consumers pay more than 100 per cent&nbsp;tax &ndash;central and state levies combined -- on petrol and diesel which actually cost Rs 29.53 and Rs 29.12 after refining.

The Centre levies excise duty of Rs 21.14 on petrol and Rs 17.33 on diesel and the states impose value-added tax that ranges between 20-47 per cent.&nbsp;

Sparks flew in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress traded charges over not brining petroleum products under the purview of Goods and Service Tax (GST). Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram said that not that BJP is in powe in 19 states, what

Sparks flew in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress traded charges over bringing petroleum products under the purview of Goods and Service Tax (GST). Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram said now that BJP is in power in 19 states, what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST. Now that BJP is in power in 19 states and at the Centre what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST? When will the GST Council take up this subject: P Chidambaram, Congress in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/xWybbIjTDB — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017 × ''Now that BJP is in power in 19 states and at the Centre what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST? When will the GST Council take up this subject,'' P Chidambaram said in Rajya Sabha. Responding to Chidambaram, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that they are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We would await consensus of the states and hope states agree to the consensus sooner or later: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/jO4eZILPSq — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017 × ''We are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We would await consensus of the states and hope states agree to the consensus sooner or later,'' said Jaitley. Since the GST came into effect, bringing petroleum products under the purview of GST has been a contentious issue with Congress accusing BJP led NDA government of dragging its feet on the matter. Amid an outcry over spiralling fuel prices, state governments, including those ruled by the BJP, are opposing petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s suggestion that petroleum products should be brought under the Goods and Service Tax (GST). States say the move would adversely impact their revenue, which has increased by almost 50 per cent for most states in the past three years on account of high value-added (VAT) tax. Consumers pay more than 100 per cent tax –central and state levies combined -- on petrol and diesel which actually cost Rs 29.53 and Rs 29.12 after refining. The Centre levies excise duty of Rs 21.14 on petrol and Rs 17.33 on diesel and the states impose value-added tax that ranges between 20-47 per cent.

Chidambaram questions Jaitley's push to bring petroleum products under GST

Former Finance Minister and Congress leader P&nbsp;Chidambaram on Saturday lashed out at Modi&#39;s government after the government brought down the 28 per cent&nbsp; Goods and Services Tax (GST) slab to just 50 products against earlier&nbsp;227 products.

In a series of tweets, Chidambaram took potshots at Modi government.&nbsp;

&quot;It took four months and ten days for common&nbsp;sense to germinate, flower and ripen into a fruit,&quot; the Congress leader said in the first of several tweets posted on his Twitter handle on Friday.

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4 months and 10 days is the time taken for commonsense to germinate, flower and ripen into a fruit.
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/929212211792199680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Congress is vindicated. I am vindicated. The merit of capping GST at 18 percent is now recognised,&quot; Chidambaram tweeted on Friday.&nbsp;

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Congress is vindicated. I am vindicated. The merit of capping GST at 18% is now recognised.
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/929032922916462592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The BJP) government at the Centre realised&nbsp;its mistake as Gujarat Assembly election&nbsp;is around the corner, he further said.

Responding to Chidambaram&#39;s allegations,&nbsp;Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said GST&nbsp;was adopted taking all political parties into consideration and every change that has been made was done after looking into one&#39;s needs.&nbsp;

Congress has just been trying to misinterpret the fact.

&quot;Modiji government listens to everything that public says and respond to people.The GST was implemented with the agreement of all political parties. We are ready if there is a need for any change like the Centre did in yesterday&#39;s GST Council meeting. The Congress party is trying to misinterpret the fact,&quot; new agency ANI quoted&nbsp;Sitharaman as saying.&nbsp;

The rearrangements in the tax system were carried out at the 23rd GST Council meeting headed by the finance minister, at Guwahati on Friday.&nbsp;

Chidambaram also took a dig at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said that the government has realised their mistake because of the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections.

Former Finance Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday lashed out at Modi's government after the government brought down the 28 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) slab to just 50 products against earlier 227 products. In a series of tweets, Chidambaram took potshots at Modi government. "It took four months and ten days for common sense to germinate, flower and ripen into a fruit," the Congress leader said in the first of several tweets posted on his Twitter handle on Friday. 4 months and 10 days is the time taken for commonsense to germinate, flower and ripen into a fruit. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 11, 2017 × "Congress is vindicated. I am vindicated. The merit of capping GST at 18 percent is now recognised," Chidambaram tweeted on Friday. Congress is vindicated. I am vindicated. The merit of capping GST at 18% is now recognised. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 10, 2017 × The BJP) government at the Centre realised its mistake as Gujarat Assembly election is around the corner, he further said. Responding to Chidambaram's allegations, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said GST was adopted taking all political parties into consideration and every change that has been made was done after looking into one's needs. Congress has just been trying to misinterpret the fact. "Modiji government listens to everything that public says and respond to people.The GST was implemented with the agreement of all political parties. We are ready if there is a need for any change like the Centre did in yesterday's GST Council meeting. The Congress party is trying to misinterpret the fact," new agency ANI quoted Sitharaman as saying. The rearrangements in the tax system were carried out at the 23rd GST Council meeting headed by the finance minister, at Guwahati on Friday.

It took 4 months for common sense to germinate on GST: Chidambaram

Congress leader P Chidambaram today criticised the Election Commission saying that by not announcing the Gujarat poll schedule, it has &quot;authorised&quot; Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the dates at his last rally, after all &quot;freebies&quot; for the state were doled out.

The former finance and home minister also claimed the Election Commission will be &quot;recalled&quot; from its &quot;extended holiday&quot; after the Gujarat government has announced all &quot;concessions and freebies&quot;. 
&nbsp;

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EC will be recalled from its extended holiday after Gujarat Govt has announced all concessions and freebies.
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/921194798572175360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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EC has authorised PM to announce date of Gujarat elections at his last rally (and kindly keep EC informed).
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/921194860035555328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The poll body had on October 12 announced that polling for the assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh will take place on November 9, but held back the announcement of&nbsp;the Gujarat election schedule.

The Election Commission had simply said the polling in the western state would be held before December 18.

The Congress had alleged that the government put &quot;pressure&quot; on the poll panel to &quot;delay&quot; the announcement of Gujarat assembly poll schedule to enable the prime minister to act as a &quot;false santa claus&quot; and offer sops, use &quot;jumlas&quot; (rhetoric) during his October 16 visit to his home state.

The model code of conduct would have come into immediate effect in Gujarat had the poll schedule been announced along with Himachal Pradesh, the party had said.

Hitting back at the Congress for targeting the EC, BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said allegations levelled against the constitutional body were without any basis.

&quot;It is absolutely absurd. It&#39;s like questioning the prudence of the EC. The Congress is perhaps speaking out of its own experience where interference in the functioning of constitutional bodies used to be a thing in their rule. Such is not the case since 2014,&quot; he had said.&#39;

&quot;Let me also add, this tells that they are jittery about BJP?s prospects in the state,&quot; Prasad had said. 
&nbsp;

The senior Congress leader claimed the election schedule would be announced at PM Modi's last rally after all 'freebies' for the state were doled out

Congress leader P Chidambaram today criticised the Election Commission saying that by not announcing the Gujarat poll schedule, it has "authorised" Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the dates at his last rally, after all "freebies" for the state were doled out. The former finance and home minister also claimed the Election Commission will be "recalled" from its "extended holiday" after the Gujarat government has announced all "concessions and freebies". EC will be recalled from its extended holiday after Gujarat Govt has announced all concessions and freebies. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 20, 2017 × EC has authorised PM to announce date of Gujarat elections at his last rally (and kindly keep EC informed). — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 20, 2017 × The poll body had on October 12 announced that polling for the assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh will take place on November 9, but held back the announcement of the Gujarat election schedule. The Election Commission had simply said the polling in the western state would be held before December 18. The Congress had alleged that the government put "pressure" on the poll panel to "delay" the announcement of Gujarat assembly poll schedule to enable the prime minister to act as a "false santa claus" and offer sops, use "jumlas" (rhetoric) during his October 16 visit to his home state. The model code of conduct would have come into immediate effect in Gujarat had the poll schedule been announced along with Himachal Pradesh, the party had said. Hitting back at the Congress for targeting the EC, BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said allegations levelled against the constitutional body were without any basis. "It is absolutely absurd. It's like questioning the prudence of the EC. The Congress is perhaps speaking out of its own experience where interference in the functioning of constitutional bodies used to be a thing in their rule. Such is not the case since 2014," he had said.' "Let me also add, this tells that they are jittery about BJP?s prospects in the state," Prasad had said.

Chidambaram slams Election Commission for not announcing Gujarat poll schedule

Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram has asked the BJP government to respond to their senior party leader Yashwant Sinha&#39;s scathing attack on the central government&#39;s economic policies, particularly the &quot;mess&quot; that finance minister Arun Jaitley had made of the economy.

In an opinion piece in the Indian Express, Yashwant Sinha, former finance minister, criticised his own government for sinking economy. The senior BJP leader said he would &quot;fail in my national duty if I did not speak up even now against the mess the finance minister has made of the economy.&quot;

Yashwant Sinha pointed out that the growth rate of 5.7 per cent was actually 3.7 per cent or less by the old method of calculation. He attributed the misleading growth rate to the government&#39;s decision to change the methodology for calculation of the GDP &nbsp;in 2015 as a result of which the growth rate recorded earlier increased statistically by over 200 basis points on an annual basis.&nbsp; 
 
In a series of Twitter posts, Chidambaram asked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government to admit that Yashwant Sinha was speaking the truth.

&quot;Will Power now admit the Truth that economy is sinking?&quot; the former finance minister wrote.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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Yashwant Sinha speaks Truth to Power. Will Power now admit the Truth that economy is sinking?
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TRUTH 1: &quot;The growth rate of 5.7% is actually 3.7% or less &quot; says Yashwant Sinha.
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/912874532599296002">September 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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TRUTH 1: &quot;The growth rate of 5.7% is actually 3.7% or less &quot; says Yashwant Sinha.
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/912874532599296002">September 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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TRUTH 2: &quot;Instilling fear in the minds of the people is the name of the new game&quot; says Yashwant Sinha.
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/912874589851500544">September 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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ETERNAL TRUTH: No matter what Power does, ultimately Truth will prevail.
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/912874651230990336">September 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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In the opinion piece titled &quot;I need to speak up now&quot;, Yashwant Sinha also called PM Modi&#39;s demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes an &quot;unmitigated economic disaster&quot;. He also said the recently-introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) was a &quot;badly conceived and poorly implemented&quot; havoc.

He said the economy was on a downward spiral and many in the BJP did not dare to speak up out of fear.

&quot;Arun Jaitley is considered to be the best and the brightest in this government. It was a foregone conclusion before the 2014 elections that he would be the finance minister in the new government.&quot;

Citing the State Bank of India, Yashwant Sinha said BJP president Amit Shah had wrongly attributed &#39;technical&#39; reasons for the slowdown in the GDP growth rate.

&quot;Even the SBI, the largest public sector bank of the country, has stated with an unusual frankness that the slowdown is not transient or &#39;technical&#39;, it is here to stay and the slowdown in demand has only aggravated the situation. It has openly contradicted what the BJP president said just a few days ago that the slowdown in the last quarter was on account of &quot;technical&quot; reasons and will be corrected soon,&quot; he said.

The figures of the first quarter of fiscal 2017-18, released last month,&nbsp;the GDP growth rate was 5.7 per cent &nbsp;as compared to&nbsp;7.6 per cent &nbsp;in the concurrent period last year.

In his article, Yashwant Sinha also took a jibe at raids conducted by Income Tax department, Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation and said that it has become &quot;a new game to instill fear in the minds of people,&quot; adding, &quot;We protested against raid raj when we were in opposition. Today it has become the order of the day.&quot;

He also ridiculed the &quot;massive&quot; loan waivers given to the farmers &quot;varying from one paise to a few rupees.&quot;

Sinha concluded his article by saying, &quot;The prime minister claims that he has seen poverty from close quarters. His finance minister is working over-time to make sure that all Indians also see it from equally close quarters.&quot;&nbsp; 
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In an opinion piece, former finance minister Yashwant Sinha criticised the BJP government for sinking the economy

Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram has asked the BJP government to respond to their senior party leader Yashwant Sinha's scathing attack on the central government's economic policies, particularly the "mess" that finance minister Arun Jaitley had made of the economy. In an opinion piece in the Indian Express, Yashwant Sinha, former finance minister, criticised his own government for sinking economy. The senior BJP leader said he would "fail in my national duty if I did not speak up even now against the mess the finance minister has made of the economy." Yashwant Sinha pointed out that the growth rate of 5.7 per cent was actually 3.7 per cent or less by the old method of calculation. He attributed the misleading growth rate to the government's decision to change the methodology for calculation of the GDP in 2015 as a result of which the growth rate recorded earlier increased statistically by over 200 basis points on an annual basis. In a series of Twitter posts, Chidambaram asked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government to admit that Yashwant Sinha was speaking the truth. "Will Power now admit the Truth that economy is sinking?" the former finance minister wrote. Yashwant Sinha speaks Truth to Power. Will Power now admit the Truth that economy is sinking? — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 27, 2017 × TRUTH 1: "The growth rate of 5.7% is actually 3.7% or less " says Yashwant Sinha. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 27, 2017 × TRUTH 1: "The growth rate of 5.7% is actually 3.7% or less " says Yashwant Sinha. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 27, 2017 × TRUTH 2: "Instilling fear in the minds of the people is the name of the new game" says Yashwant Sinha. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 27, 2017 × ETERNAL TRUTH: No matter what Power does, ultimately Truth will prevail. — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 27, 2017 × In the opinion piece titled "I need to speak up now", Yashwant Sinha also called PM Modi's demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes an "unmitigated economic disaster". He also said the recently-introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) was a "badly conceived and poorly implemented" havoc. He said the economy was on a downward spiral and many in the BJP did not dare to speak up out of fear. "Arun Jaitley is considered to be the best and the brightest in this government. It was a foregone conclusion before the 2014 elections that he would be the finance minister in the new government." Citing the State Bank of India, Yashwant Sinha said BJP president Amit Shah had wrongly attributed 'technical' reasons for the slowdown in the GDP growth rate. "Even the SBI, the largest public sector bank of the country, has stated with an unusual frankness that the slowdown is not transient or 'technical', it is here to stay and the slowdown in demand has only aggravated the situation. It has openly contradicted what the BJP president said just a few days ago that the slowdown in the last quarter was on account of "technical" reasons and will be corrected soon," he said. The figures of the first quarter of fiscal 2017-18, released last month, the GDP growth rate was 5.7 per cent as compared to 7.6 per cent in the concurrent period last year. In his article, Yashwant Sinha also took a jibe at raids conducted by Income Tax department, Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation and said that it has become "a new game to instill fear in the minds of people," adding, "We protested against raid raj when we were in opposition. Today it has become the order of the day." He also ridiculed the "massive" loan waivers given to the farmers "varying from one paise to a few rupees." Sinha concluded his article by saying, "The prime minister claims that he has seen poverty from close quarters. His finance minister is working over-time to make sure that all Indians also see it from equally close quarters."

Will power admit the truth? Chidambaram on Yashwant Sinha's attack on Arun Jaitley's economic 'mess'

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