Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said the move of sending <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbi-top-boss-and-deputy-removed-nageswar-rao-takes-interim-charge-173104">CBI chief and deputy on leave </a>was taken to maintain the investigative agency's institutional integrity and credibility.

"CBI is India's premier investigation agency and hence the maintenance of its institutional integrity is essential. This is important not only for the scandals being probed in India, but also to maintain the credible image of the agency globally. Unfortunately, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ex-cbi-chief-alok-verma-moves-supreme-court-challenging-govts-leave-order-173134">top two officers of CBI</a> have alleged bribery cases against each other," Jaitley said.

On midnight order of the government, Jaitley said, 'The CVC met last evening. If the government acts fast, it is said why the hurry and if it is slow, it is termed as policy paralysis. The CVCs recommendation and the government's action is intended to restore the institutional integrity and credibility of CBI'.

Calling the battle in CBI as an "extraordinary," Jaitley said, "It is important that the fairness of our investigation agency is maintained."

"Regarding, the charge the three opposition parties have made, I regard this charge as a rubbish. The fact that the 3 opposition parties are saying, that we know what the agency was going to do next, itself casts a serious doubt on the fairness process," said Union finance minister Arun Jaitley.

The Opposition has come down heavily on the Modi government for Verma’s removal, with the Congress dubbing it the “last nail” in the agency’s independence and the CPI(M) calling it illegal.

Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said the move of sending CBI chief and deputy on leave was taken to maintain the investigative agency's institutional integrity and credibility.

Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said the move of sending CBI chief and deputy on leave was taken to maintain the investigative agency's institutional integrity and credibility. "CBI is India's premier investigation agency and hence the maintenance of its institutional integrity is essential. This is important not only for the scandals being probed in India, but also to maintain the credible image of the agency globally. Unfortunately, the top two officers of CBI have alleged bribery cases against each other," Jaitley said. On midnight order of the government, Jaitley said, 'The CVC met last evening. If the government acts fast, it is said why the hurry and if it is slow, it is termed as policy paralysis. The CVCs recommendation and the government's action is intended to restore the institutional integrity and credibility of CBI'. Calling the battle in CBI as an "extraordinary," Jaitley said, "It is important that the fairness of our investigation agency is maintained." "Regarding, the charge the three opposition parties have made, I regard this charge as a rubbish. The fact that the 3 opposition parties are saying, that we know what the agency was going to do next, itself casts a serious doubt on the fairness process," said Union finance minister Arun Jaitley. The Opposition has come down heavily on the Modi government for Verma’s removal, with the Congress dubbing it the “last nail” in the agency’s independence and the CPI(M) calling it illegal.

Government action intended to restore credibility of CBI: Arun Jaitley

The Centre is ready to hold talks with anyone including <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-pm-imran-khan-vows-to-hold-peace-talks-with-india-173006">Pakistan</a> but terror and dialogue can never go together, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here Tuesday.

The Home Minister, who reviewed the security situation in the state, told reporters that over the past four to five months there has been a big shift as incidents of stone-pelting have come down and the recruitment of militants has also decreased.

Singh met representatives of various political parties in Srinagar during his day-long visit here and said he has appealed to all of them to participate in the upcoming panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

Asked about the controversy over Article 35-A, the Union Minister said the Centre has no proposal to change any constitutional provision regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

He congratulated the state on the successful conduct of urban local bodies elections in a fair and transparent manner and said the holding of ULB and panchayat polls in the state is a historical step.

"Biggest of problems can be faced and issues resolved through democratic means.&nbsp; 
Many problems of Jammu and Kashmir can also be addressed through democracy. I appeal to people of the state to take part in this festival of democracy," he said at a press conference here.

Singh said those who do not believe in democracy can never be well-wishers of people.

The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party had boycotted the recent urban bodies election in Jammu and Kashmir.

Singh told reporters that as far as talks are concerned, the government has no problem in holding dialogue with anyone.

"But there is a condition from our side. At least, they should see that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism in India and promoting terrorism also. Give us this much of assurance that there will not be any such attempt by Pakistan. Terror and dialogue both can never go together," he said.

Asked if there was any initiative to hold talks with separatists, Singh said the government will talk to anyone who is willing to enter dialogue, but refused to elaborate.&nbsp;

"Government will not shy away from talks. We have been saying this time and again, anyone who wants to talk, we are ready," he said,

Singh said India has made all efforts on its part but Pakistan did not take any positive step to improve ties.

"Our Prime Minister, breaking all protocols, went there and met Pakistan Prime Minister, met his family members. Why did he meet? Our relations should be neighbourly. But from their side, they did not take any positive step," Singh said. 
In response to a question, the Home Minister said the Centre has no proposal to change any constitutional provision regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

"There is no initiative by the Centre on this (Article 35-A). The provisions in the Constitution are there and the Centre has not tinkered with any of those provisions. It is difficult to answer when a non-issue is made into an issue," he said.

The Home Minister said the Centre and the state government are working together to improve the life of people of the state.

"We want to engage the youth of the state in a constructive way. The state government along with the Centre has taken several initiatives in this regard. Through the Home Ministry alone, we are providing 11,000 jobs by various initiatives which will be implemented in several stages.

"Through various schemes of the central government, steps are afoot to provide employment to nearly 2.5 lakh youths of the state. Our government will provide all assistance needed that will help the youth of the state to chart their own destiny," he said.

On the local bodies elections, Singh said it was for the first time that an attempt has been made to empower the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh through devolution of power.&nbsp;

Every panchayat of the state will get Rs 60 lakh to Rs 70 lakh every year for carrying out development works in their respective areas, he said.

"The aim of empowering these bodies is to make them autonomous so that they can resolve their issues," he said.

On Centre's interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, the Minister said he will continue in his role till talks are held.

He termed as "very unfortunate" the death of seven civilians in a blast after an encounter had ended in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to people not to venture such places where security operations were on.

The minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for next of kin of the deceased.

"If there is an operation by security forces, I appeal the people that they should not try to go there. The security forces do take precautions and we have repeatedly directed them to do it," he said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Centre is ready to hold talks with anyone including Pakistan but terror and dialogue can never go together, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here Tuesday.

The Centre is ready to hold talks with anyone including Pakistan but terror and dialogue can never go together, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here Tuesday. The Home Minister, who reviewed the security situation in the state, told reporters that over the past four to five months there has been a big shift as incidents of stone-pelting have come down and the recruitment of militants has also decreased. Singh met representatives of various political parties in Srinagar during his day-long visit here and said he has appealed to all of them to participate in the upcoming panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir. Asked about the controversy over Article 35-A, the Union Minister said the Centre has no proposal to change any constitutional provision regarding Jammu and Kashmir. He congratulated the state on the successful conduct of urban local bodies elections in a fair and transparent manner and said the holding of ULB and panchayat polls in the state is a historical step. "Biggest of problems can be faced and issues resolved through democratic means. Many problems of Jammu and Kashmir can also be addressed through democracy. I appeal to people of the state to take part in this festival of democracy," he said at a press conference here. Singh said those who do not believe in democracy can never be well-wishers of people. The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party had boycotted the recent urban bodies election in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh told reporters that as far as talks are concerned, the government has no problem in holding dialogue with anyone. "But there is a condition from our side. At least, they should see that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism in India and promoting terrorism also. Give us this much of assurance that there will not be any such attempt by Pakistan. Terror and dialogue both can never go together," he said. Asked if there was any initiative to hold talks with separatists, Singh said the government will talk to anyone who is willing to enter dialogue, but refused to elaborate. "Government will not shy away from talks. We have been saying this time and again, anyone who wants to talk, we are ready," he said, Singh said India has made all efforts on its part but Pakistan did not take any positive step to improve ties. "Our Prime Minister, breaking all protocols, went there and met Pakistan Prime Minister, met his family members. Why did he meet? Our relations should be neighbourly. But from their side, they did not take any positive step," Singh said. In response to a question, the Home Minister said the Centre has no proposal to change any constitutional provision regarding Jammu and Kashmir. "There is no initiative by the Centre on this (Article 35-A). The provisions in the Constitution are there and the Centre has not tinkered with any of those provisions. It is difficult to answer when a non-issue is made into an issue," he said. The Home Minister said the Centre and the state government are working together to improve the life of people of the state. "We want to engage the youth of the state in a constructive way. The state government along with the Centre has taken several initiatives in this regard. Through the Home Ministry alone, we are providing 11,000 jobs by various initiatives which will be implemented in several stages. "Through various schemes of the central government, steps are afoot to provide employment to nearly 2.5 lakh youths of the state. Our government will provide all assistance needed that will help the youth of the state to chart their own destiny," he said. On the local bodies elections, Singh said it was for the first time that an attempt has been made to empower the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh through devolution of power. Every panchayat of the state will get Rs 60 lakh to Rs 70 lakh every year for carrying out development works in their respective areas, he said. "The aim of empowering these bodies is to make them autonomous so that they can resolve their issues," he said. On Centre's interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, the Minister said he will continue in his role till talks are held. He termed as "very unfortunate" the death of seven civilians in a blast after an encounter had ended in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to people not to venture such places where security operations were on. The minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for next of kin of the deceased. "If there is an operation by security forces, I appeal the people that they should not try to go there. The security forces do take precautions and we have repeatedly directed them to do it," he said.

Government ready to talk to anyone, including Pakistan: Rajnath Singh in Kashmir

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Saturday demanded the resignation of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the death of a multi-national company executive in police shooting in Lucknow.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also sought a judicial inquiry in the case.

"What else can we expect from UP's BJP government? Numerous fake encounters are taking place in the state," Yadav told mediapersons at Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh.

If the family members demand, a sitting judge should conduct an inquiry into the Lucknow incident, he said. "Uttar Pradesh cannot be saved from fake encounters until inquiry of such incidents is conducted by a sitting judge."

"The Yogi Adityanath government should resign as it is responsible for this incident," he said.

Vivek Tiwari (38) was shot dead early Saturday morning by a policeman when he allegedly refused to stop his car for checking in Lucknow's posh Gomti Nagar area.&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Saturday demanded the resignation of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the death of a multi-national company executive in police shooting in Lucknow.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Saturday demanded the resignation of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the death of a multi-national company executive in police shooting in Lucknow. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also sought a judicial inquiry in the case. "What else can we expect from UP's BJP government? Numerous fake encounters are taking place in the state," Yadav told mediapersons at Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh. If the family members demand, a sitting judge should conduct an inquiry into the Lucknow incident, he said. "Uttar Pradesh cannot be saved from fake encounters until inquiry of such incidents is conducted by a sitting judge." "The Yogi Adityanath government should resign as it is responsible for this incident," he said. Vivek Tiwari (38) was shot dead early Saturday morning by a policeman when he allegedly refused to stop his car for checking in Lucknow's posh Gomti Nagar area.

Akhilesh seeks resignation of UP government over Apple employee shooting

India is open to listing ailing state carrier Air India, a government source said&nbsp;on Wednesday, after failing to attract buyers for a 76 percent stake in the company.

While the government is considering several proposals related to reviving the divestment process, it will not allow complete foreign ownership of the airline, the source said, declining to be named before a final decision is reached.

One of the proposals could involve the government retaining a share in the debt-laden carrier and selling it at a later date so it can capitalise on any financial upside that may occur from listing the airline, the source said.&nbsp;

The government may also consider reducing the debt it passes on to potential buyers and restructuring the large workforce, another senior government official told Reuters.

"We will take a decision in next few days on changing conditions before inviting fresh bids," the official said, adding that the government is committed to selling its stake in the national carrier in the current financial year but could defer it if it fails to get the right price.

The government in March finalised plans to divest a majority stake in Air India and offload about $5.1 billion of its debt, but prospective buyers stayed away, with some citing onerous terms as a reason for their lack of interest.

The lack of buyers in a booming aviation market underlines the challenges the government faces in fixing the debt-laden national carrier, and is a setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s credentials as a reformer willing to step away from running money-losing businesses.

Air India, known for its Maharaja mascot, has some of India`s most lucrative international and domestic landing and parking slots that are key for airlines.

While a buyer would have got management control and gained access to more than 2,500 international slots and over 3,700 domestic slots, it would also have been required to take on Air India`s 27,000 employees, 40 percent of whom are permanent staff.&nbsp;

The terms had also stipulated that the government would have continued to hold a 24 percent stake, with the need for the bidder to abide by conditions, not yet detailed, designed to safeguard employee interests.

The government will soon arrange a bank loan for Air India, the second official said, to meet working capital needs and buy time for a few months before inviting fresh bids.

"The heavens would not fall if the stake sale is deferred to the next fiscal year," the official said adding that ahead of national elections next year, the government could not take the risk of selling the national carrier at a low price.&nbsp;

This could cost the government politically and hurt the process of further privatisation of other state companies, he said.

Government will not allow complete foreign ownership of the airline

India is open to listing ailing state carrier Air India, a government source said on Wednesday, after failing to attract buyers for a 76 percent stake in the company. While the government is considering several proposals related to reviving the divestment process, it will not allow complete foreign ownership of the airline, the source said, declining to be named before a final decision is reached. One of the proposals could involve the government retaining a share in the debt-laden carrier and selling it at a later date so it can capitalise on any financial upside that may occur from listing the airline, the source said. The government may also consider reducing the debt it passes on to potential buyers and restructuring the large workforce, another senior government official told Reuters. "We will take a decision in next few days on changing conditions before inviting fresh bids," the official said, adding that the government is committed to selling its stake in the national carrier in the current financial year but could defer it if it fails to get the right price. The government in March finalised plans to divest a majority stake in Air India and offload about $5.1 billion of its debt, but prospective buyers stayed away, with some citing onerous terms as a reason for their lack of interest. The lack of buyers in a booming aviation market underlines the challenges the government faces in fixing the debt-laden national carrier, and is a setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s credentials as a reformer willing to step away from running money-losing businesses. Air India, known for its Maharaja mascot, has some of India`s most lucrative international and domestic landing and parking slots that are key for airlines. While a buyer would have got management control and gained access to more than 2,500 international slots and over 3,700 domestic slots, it would also have been required to take on Air India`s 27,000 employees, 40 percent of whom are permanent staff. The terms had also stipulated that the government would have continued to hold a 24 percent stake, with the need for the bidder to abide by conditions, not yet detailed, designed to safeguard employee interests. The government will soon arrange a bank loan for Air India, the second official said, to meet working capital needs and buy time for a few months before inviting fresh bids. "The heavens would not fall if the stake sale is deferred to the next fiscal year," the official said adding that ahead of national elections next year, the government could not take the risk of selling the national carrier at a low price. This could cost the government politically and hurt the process of further privatisation of other state companies, he said.

India open to listing Air India after failed divestment: Government source

Days after the government pledged to eliminate single-use plastic from the country by 2022, a green body said there should be stricter implementation of laws and big corporations should be held accountable for the plastic waste they produce.

“The Indian government has pledged to eradicate single- use plastic by 2022. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, we need to wait and how well the government is implementing it,” Greenpeace India said.

“We need to remember that protecting the environment is not about grand announcement or a one-day celebration, it’s about better regulations, stricter implementation of laws and about being a conscious citizen throughout the year,” Nandikesh Sivalingam, senior climate and energy campaigner at Greenpeace India, told PTI. During an event to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had pledged to eliminate single-use plastic by 2022.

“The government must hold big corporations accountable for the plastic waste they produce. The companies need to drastically reduce their plastic production and distribution and stop passing the onus of dealing with their plastic waste onto the end consumer,” Sivalingam said. “If the government is serious about a plastic-free India by 2022, it cannot just continue to frame laws and dilute them, like it has been doing in the past,” he said.

India played the global host to the World Environment Day that was themed ‘beat plastic pollution’. “In the recent past, we were disturbed by state violence in Tuticorin in which the major culprit was industrial pollution and systemic failures by the pollution control body to regulate,” Sivalingam said. “There is an urgent need to control pollution from the industries and the power sector to improve air, water and public health. We still have a long way to go,” Sivalingam said. He said Greenpeace was surprised that the government chose not to address the issue of air pollution, which is right now plaguing the country and has created a situation of national health emergency.

“The government must come up with the final National Clean air Action Plan (NCAP) and incorporate the recommendations of stakeholders and air pollution experts, who have given their inputs to the draft NCAP. The draft plan lacked time-bound implementation targets and had completely overlooked the implementation of emission norms for thermal power plants,” he said.

World Environment Day celebrations began pan-India and the events included cleanliness campaigns by state governments, cleaning of 24 beaches and 24 rivers in 19 states, making national parks and sanctuaries plastic free, media as well as social media campaigns and organising Envirothon mini-marathons in five other cities, besides Delhi.

“We expect that the government manages to retain the momentum of the proactiveness shown on World Environment Day. Or else World Environment Day will be reduced to a day of tokenism signifying big promises and little implementation whatsoever,” Sivalingam said.

"The Indian government has pledged to eradicate single- use plastic by 2022. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, we need to wait and how well the government is implementing it," Greenpeace India said.

Days after the government pledged to eliminate single-use plastic from the country by 2022, a green body said there should be stricter implementation of laws and big corporations should be held accountable for the plastic waste they produce. “The Indian government has pledged to eradicate single- use plastic by 2022. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, we need to wait and how well the government is implementing it,” Greenpeace India said. “We need to remember that protecting the environment is not about grand announcement or a one-day celebration, it’s about better regulations, stricter implementation of laws and about being a conscious citizen throughout the year,” Nandikesh Sivalingam, senior climate and energy campaigner at Greenpeace India, told PTI. During an event to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had pledged to eliminate single-use plastic by 2022. “The government must hold big corporations accountable for the plastic waste they produce. The companies need to drastically reduce their plastic production and distribution and stop passing the onus of dealing with their plastic waste onto the end consumer,” Sivalingam said. “If the government is serious about a plastic-free India by 2022, it cannot just continue to frame laws and dilute them, like it has been doing in the past,” he said. India played the global host to the World Environment Day that was themed ‘beat plastic pollution’. “In the recent past, we were disturbed by state violence in Tuticorin in which the major culprit was industrial pollution and systemic failures by the pollution control body to regulate,” Sivalingam said. “There is an urgent need to control pollution from the industries and the power sector to improve air, water and public health. We still have a long way to go,” Sivalingam said. He said Greenpeace was surprised that the government chose not to address the issue of air pollution, which is right now plaguing the country and has created a situation of national health emergency. “The government must come up with the final National Clean air Action Plan (NCAP) and incorporate the recommendations of stakeholders and air pollution experts, who have given their inputs to the draft NCAP. The draft plan lacked time-bound implementation targets and had completely overlooked the implementation of emission norms for thermal power plants,” he said. World Environment Day celebrations began pan-India and the events included cleanliness campaigns by state governments, cleaning of 24 beaches and 24 rivers in 19 states, making national parks and sanctuaries plastic free, media as well as social media campaigns and organising Envirothon mini-marathons in five other cities, besides Delhi. “We expect that the government manages to retain the momentum of the proactiveness shown on World Environment Day. Or else World Environment Day will be reduced to a day of tokenism signifying big promises and little implementation whatsoever,” Sivalingam said.

Hold big corporations accountable for plastic waste they produce: Greenpeace to government

Shares of&nbsp;Indian&nbsp;sugar&nbsp;companies rose on Tuesday following&nbsp;reports&nbsp;that the federal government would announce a bailout package of over 70 billion rupees ($1.04 billion) for cash-starved&nbsp;sugar&nbsp;mills to help clear dues to farmers.

Dhampur&nbsp;Sugar&nbsp;Mills Ltd and Mawana&nbsp;Sugars Ltd gained 7 per cent each, while Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd and Avadh&nbsp;Sugar&nbsp;& Energy Ltd climbed more than 6 per cent each.

Uttam&nbsp;Sugar&nbsp;Mills Ltd, Magadh&nbsp;Sugar&nbsp;& Energy Ltd and Dalmia Bharat&nbsp;Sugar&nbsp;and Industries Ltd rose 4 per cent each.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to decide on the bailout, according to the report.

Reuters reported late last month, citing official sources, that the government would soon approve a plan to create "buffer&nbsp;stocks" of 3 million tonnes of&nbsp;sugar&nbsp;to prune surplus in the domestic market and stem a free fall in prices.

Uttam Sugar Mills Ltd, Magadh Sugar & Energy Ltd and Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries Ltd rose 4 percent each

Shares of Indian sugar companies rose on Tuesday following reports that the federal government would announce a bailout package of over 70 billion rupees ($1.04 billion) for cash-starved sugar mills to help clear dues to farmers. Dhampur Sugar Mills Ltd and Mawana Sugars Ltd gained 7 per cent each, while Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd and Avadh Sugar & Energy Ltd climbed more than 6 per cent each. Uttam Sugar Mills Ltd, Magadh Sugar & Energy Ltd and Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries Ltd rose 4 per cent each. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to decide on the bailout, according to the report. Reuters reported late last month, citing official sources, that the government would soon approve a plan to create "buffer stocks" of 3 million tonnes of sugar to prune surplus in the domestic market and stem a free fall in prices.

Sugar stocks surge as Centre announces a bailout package of Rs 7000 crore

The wife of Superintendent Police (city) Mukul Dwivedi, who was killed during clashes in Mathura on June 2, 2016, is upset at the treatment given by the Yogi Adityanath government to the slain officer.

"Neither we got justice nor respect from the Yogi government," said Archana Dwivedi. She said BJP leaders had promised support when their government was not in power, but so far "nothing has come from them".

"Even Jawahar Bagh has not been named after my husband who sacrificed his life," Archana Dwivedi said.

At least 29 people, including Mukul Dwivedi and Farah police station officer Santosh Yadav, were killed in the clashes during a drive to evict illegal occupants of Jawahar Bagh in Mathura by activists, believed to be of Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik on June 2, 2016.

The CBI is investigating the case following orders of the Allahabad High Court.

Uttar Pradesh Minister for Power Srikant Sharma admitted that the CBI investigation in the case was moving slowly but said that Jawahar Bagh would be renamed soon.

Archana Dwivedi said none of the promises made by the Yogi Adityanath have been kept.

The wife of Superintendent Police (city) Mukul Dwivedi, who was killed during clashes in Mathura on June 2, 2016, is upset at the treatment given by the Yogi Adityanath government to the slain officer. "Neither we got justice nor respect from the Yogi government," said Archana Dwivedi. She said BJP leaders had promised support when their government was not in power, but so far "nothing has come from them". "Even Jawahar Bagh has not been named after my husband who sacrificed his life," Archana Dwivedi said. At least 29 people, including Mukul Dwivedi and Farah police station officer Santosh Yadav, were killed in the clashes during a drive to evict illegal occupants of Jawahar Bagh in Mathura by activists, believed to be of Azad Bharat Vidhik Vaicharik on June 2, 2016. The CBI is investigating the case following orders of the Allahabad High Court. Uttar Pradesh Minister for Power Srikant Sharma admitted that the CBI investigation in the case was moving slowly but said that Jawahar Bagh would be renamed soon.

Mathura violence: Slain police officer's wife disappointed with Yogi Adityanath's government

The threat posed by Islamist militants to Britain is expected to remain high for the next two years and could even rise, the interior ministry said on Sunday, on the first anniversary of an attack that killed eight people in central London.

The current threat level to Britain is assessed as severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. The government said it had foiled 25 Islamist militant plots since June 2013 - 12 of those since March 2017 - and was currently handling over 500 live operations.

Britain will publish a revised counter-terrorism strategy on Monday designed to cope with what it said was a shift in the threats the country faces as militants of all ideologies adopt new tactics.

"In summary we expect the threat from Islamist terrorism to remain at its current, heightened level for at least the next two years, and that it may increase further," the ministry said in a statement.

The threat level was raised to "critical", its highest, twice in 2017.

A review found existing counter-terrorism policy was well-organised and comprehensive, but suggested ways it could be improved.

"The threat from terrorism is constantly evolving. Globally, terrorist groups and networks of all ideologies continue to develop organically, exploiting social media, technology and science to further their aims and ambitions," the ministry said.

The statement said the threat from "extreme right-wing terrorism" was also growing and four plots had been disrupted since March last year.

Interior minister Sajid Javid will speak at a memorial service for those killed in the London Bridge attack when three men drove a van into pedestrians and then stabbed passers-by in the popular nightlife area.

"The government is absolutely committed to doing everything possible to tackle the terrorist threat. It is my first priority every day in this job," he will say, according to the department.

The revised strategy will try to develop police and security services data analysis capability, coordinate more closely between intelligence agencies and police on specific suspects, and look in more detail at the activity of right wing groups.

It is due to be announced in full on Monday.

Meanwhile, a British man, who suggested Islamist militants should target four-year-old Prince George - destined to be Britain's future king - pleaded guilty to terrorism offences on Thursday.

Husnain Rashid, 32, posted information on the Telegram messaging service to encourage jihadis to carry out attacks along with information to help them with possible targets such as soccer stadia.

Prosecutors said this included posting a picture of Prince George, son of Queen Elizabeth’s grandson Prince William and his wife Kate and third-in-line to the throne, next to a silhouette of a jihadi fighter.

The post included the address of his school in southwest&nbspLondon&nbspwhich he started attending last September and was accompanied with the caption "even the royal family will not be left alone".

Rashid had initially denied the charges but during his trial at Woolwich Crown Court he changed his plea to guilty, admitting three counts of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorism and one count of encouraging terrorism, police said.

He will be sentenced on June 28.

The government said it had foiled 25 Islamist militant plots since June 2013 - 12 of those since March 2017 - and was currently handling over 500 live operations

The threat posed by Islamist militants to Britain is expected to remain high for the next two years and could even rise, the interior ministry said on Sunday, on the first anniversary of an attack that killed eight people in central London. The current threat level to Britain is assessed as severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. The government said it had foiled 25 Islamist militant plots since June 2013 - 12 of those since March 2017 - and was currently handling over 500 live operations. Britain will publish a revised counter-terrorism strategy on Monday designed to cope with what it said was a shift in the threats the country faces as militants of all ideologies adopt new tactics. "In summary we expect the threat from Islamist terrorism to remain at its current, heightened level for at least the next two years, and that it may increase further," the ministry said in a statement. The threat level was raised to "critical", its highest, twice in 2017. A review found existing counter-terrorism policy was well-organised and comprehensive, but suggested ways it could be improved. "The threat from terrorism is constantly evolving. Globally, terrorist groups and networks of all ideologies continue to develop organically, exploiting social media, technology and science to further their aims and ambitions," the ministry said. The statement said the threat from "extreme right-wing terrorism" was also growing and four plots had been disrupted since March last year. Interior minister Sajid Javid will speak at a memorial service for those killed in the London Bridge attack when three men drove a van into pedestrians and then stabbed passers-by in the popular nightlife area. "The government is absolutely committed to doing everything possible to tackle the terrorist threat. It is my first priority every day in this job," he will say, according to the department. The revised strategy will try to develop police and security services data analysis capability, coordinate more closely between intelligence agencies and police on specific suspects, and look in more detail at the activity of right wing groups. It is due to be announced in full on Monday. Meanwhile, a British man, who suggested Islamist militants should target four-year-old Prince George - destined to be Britain's future king - pleaded guilty to terrorism offences on Thursday. Husnain Rashid, 32, posted information on the Telegram messaging service to encourage jihadis to carry out attacks along with information to help them with possible targets such as soccer stadia. Prosecutors said this included posting a picture of Prince George, son of Queen Elizabeth’s grandson Prince William and his wife Kate and third-in-line to the throne, next to a silhouette of a jihadi fighter. The post included the address of his school in southwest&nbspLondon&nbspwhich he started attending last September and was accompanied with the caption "even the royal family will not be left alone". Rashid had initially denied the charges but during his trial at Woolwich Crown Court he changed his plea to guilty, admitting three counts of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorism and one count of encouraging terrorism, police said. He will be sentenced on June 28.

Britain says militant Islamist threat to stay high and may rise further

Italy's new anti-establishment government will change the labour reform introduced by the previous administration, Labour and Industry Minister Luigi di Maio said.

The legislation introduced in 2015 eased firing restrictions for large companies, while offering generous, temporary fiscal incentives for firms that hired permanent workers on new, less protected terms.

Italy's government was finally sworn in on Friday, ending months of political turmoil and the threat of a repeat election. But investors remain nervous, since the coalition promises to increase spending, slash taxes and challenge European Union fiscal rules, which would add to&nbspItaly's debt pile.

"People not only don't have any (job) security to get married, they don't even have any (job) security to book their holidays," Di Maio, 5-Star Movement's leader said in a Facebook post. Di Maio was appointed as deputy prime minister and head of the newly merged labour and industry ministry.

Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi pushed through the so-called Jobs Act in 2015, promising it would crate jobs and end a situation where the vast majority of young people were employed via insecure short-term contracts.

While the formation of a new coalition government in&nbspItaly&nbspmay help to stabilize markets rattled by weeks of uncertainty, this does not signal an end to&nbspItaly's economic woes.

A slew of old problems such as stifling bureaucracy and deep-rooted corruption has made it difficult for&nbspItaly&nbspto pull out of its political and economic crisis.

"We have had a very big decline in investment in the last 10 years so we could not succeed in making reforms in&nbspItaly. We have a lot of problems from the labor market and also we have problems with productivity growth," said Umberto Triulzi, an economics professor at Sapienza University in Rome.

Most alarming is&nbspItaly's national debt which is nearly 2.7 trillion U.S. dollars.

As a member of the European Union, Brussels has placed strict and unfavorable austerity measures on the country to stop it from defaulting.

Italy's public debt now stands at around 132 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), more than double of the 60-percent limit set by the EU.

"We have to reduce the debt ratio, the bill, which is today 132 percent over the bill, up to 60 percent. So we are obliged in the next 20 years to reduce by 120 percent the debt ratio in the 20 years. So it's very heavy and the austerity doesn't help us to grow, because we cannot invest because we are too much in debt," said Triulzi.

Over the past nine years,&nbspItaly's annual economic growth has struggled to reach one percent, while its unemployment rate hovers around 11 percent.

The legislation introduced in 2015 eased firing restrictions for large companies, while offering generous, temporary fiscal incentives for firms that hired permanent workers on new, less protected terms

Italy's new anti-establishment government will change the labour reform introduced by the previous administration, Labour and Industry Minister Luigi di Maio said. The legislation introduced in 2015 eased firing restrictions for large companies, while offering generous, temporary fiscal incentives for firms that hired permanent workers on new, less protected terms. Italy's government was finally sworn in on Friday, ending months of political turmoil and the threat of a repeat election. But investors remain nervous, since the coalition promises to increase spending, slash taxes and challenge European Union fiscal rules, which would add to&nbspItaly's debt pile. "People not only don't have any (job) security to get married, they don't even have any (job) security to book their holidays," Di Maio, 5-Star Movement's leader said in a Facebook post. Di Maio was appointed as deputy prime minister and head of the newly merged labour and industry ministry. Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi pushed through the so-called Jobs Act in 2015, promising it would crate jobs and end a situation where the vast majority of young people were employed via insecure short-term contracts. While the formation of a new coalition government in&nbspItaly&nbspmay help to stabilize markets rattled by weeks of uncertainty, this does not signal an end to&nbspItaly's economic woes. A slew of old problems such as stifling bureaucracy and deep-rooted corruption has made it difficult for&nbspItaly&nbspto pull out of its political and economic crisis. "We have had a very big decline in investment in the last 10 years so we could not succeed in making reforms in&nbspItaly. We have a lot of problems from the labor market and also we have problems with productivity growth," said Umberto Triulzi, an economics professor at Sapienza University in Rome. Most alarming is&nbspItaly's national debt which is nearly 2.7 trillion U.S. dollars. As a member of the European Union, Brussels has placed strict and unfavorable austerity measures on the country to stop it from defaulting. Italy's public debt now stands at around 132 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), more than double of the 60-percent limit set by the EU. "We have to reduce the debt ratio, the bill, which is today 132 percent over the bill, up to 60 percent. So we are obliged in the next 20 years to reduce by 120 percent the debt ratio in the 20 years. So it's very heavy and the austerity doesn't help us to grow, because we cannot invest because we are too much in debt," said Triulzi. Over the past nine years,&nbspItaly's annual economic growth has struggled to reach one percent, while its unemployment rate hovers around 11 percent.

Italy's new government will overhaul Renzi labour reform, minister says

In an endeavour to curb the menace of&nbsp;illegal sand mining&nbsp;in the state, the&nbsp;Andhra Pradesh&nbsp;Government will be introducing GPS tracking system by July end this year.

State minister&nbsp;R Sujayakrishna Ranga Rao&nbsp;while addressing a press conference, said, "Andhra Pradesh&nbsp;government is about to bring GPS tracking system by the end of July 2018 to prevent illegal transport of sand in the state. The government is taking stern actions to avoid interstate illegal transport of sand. After the Government of&nbsp;Andhra Pradesh&nbsp;has implemented free sand policy, reports of the sand mafia are on rife."

The minister said that there are 150 notified sand reaches in the state and that 54 check posts have been established to prevent illegal transport of sand.

Ranga Rao further said that geo referral policy is being brought for all major minerals in the state and the permissions for mining activities are being given through auction in an e-permit model.

In an endeavour to curb the menace of illegal sand mining in the state, the Andhra Pradesh Government will be introducing GPS tracking system by July end this year

In an endeavour to curb the menace of illegal sand mining in the state, the Andhra Pradesh Government will be introducing GPS tracking system by July end this year. State minister R Sujayakrishna Ranga Rao while addressing a press conference, said, "Andhra Pradesh government is about to bring GPS tracking system by the end of July 2018 to prevent illegal transport of sand in the state. The government is taking stern actions to avoid interstate illegal transport of sand. After the Government of Andhra Pradesh has implemented free sand policy, reports of the sand mafia are on rife." The minister said that there are 150 notified sand reaches in the state and that 54 check posts have been established to prevent illegal transport of sand. Ranga Rao further said that geo referral policy is being brought for all major minerals in the state and the permissions for mining activities are being given through auction in an e-permit model.

Illegal sand mining: Andhra Pradesh to use GPS to curb menace

Italy searched for a last-minute exit from almost three months of political turmoil on Wednesday, with its biggest party looking to make a renewed attempt to form a coalition government with the right-wing League, a source said.

The two anti-establishment parties, the 5-Star Movement and League, had abandoned plans to jointly take power at the weekend after the president blocked their proposed cabinet lineup.

President Sergio Mattarella's veto of 81-year-old eurosceptic Paolo Savona as economy minister appeared to tip the country back towards repeat elections and triggered a dramatic speculative attack on Italian financial markets.

The parties are now trying to find "a point of compromise on another name" for the economy ministry, said the source close to 5-Star, the single-biggest party in the new parliament.

The sense that a resolution of the stalemate might be at hand came from Prime Minister-designate Carlo Cottarelli, who was tasked by the head of state this week to calm the turmoil and plan for repeat elections after the summer.

"New possibilities have emerged for the birth of a political government," Cottarelli was quoted as saying by ANSA news agency, implying that a government headed by politicians rather than technocrats like himself could be in the offing.

"These circumstances, also considering the market tensions, have caused me to wait for further developments."

However, League leader Matteo Salvini, who is surging in opinion polls, appeared to throw cold water on the notion that his party and 5-Star could try again to take power, saying Italy should return to an election as soon as possible.

"The earlier we vote the better because it's the best way to get out of this quagmire and confusion," Salvini told reporters.

He did, however, appear open to an interim administration to govern for a few months, saying an election at the end of July would be "disruptive" for Italian seasonal workers.

He invited Mattarella to make the first move, to "explain to us how we can get out of this situation". A League source said the party would not block any quick political solution that would enable Italy to deal with possible "emergencies".

Currently, Prime Minister-designate Cottarelli has no major parliamentary support for a stopgap government of technocrats.

Despite the softer tone from 5-Star and hopeful remarks from Cottarelli, a top adviser to Salvini said the League was not prepared to abandon Savona, the sole obstacle to the League and 5-Star winning the president's blessing for a coalition.

"If it wasn't possible three days ago, then it's hard to see why it would be now," Giancarlo Giorgetti was quoted as saying to online news site Il Fatto Quotidiano.

A surprise breakthrough between the president and 5-Star/League would ease uncertainty but still usher in a coalition planning to ramp up spending in the heavily indebted nation and push for changes to European Union and euro-zone fiscal rules.

In the event of continued stalemate, Italy will go back to elections, with most major parties calling for the president to dissolve parliament and hold a vote as soon as July 29.

A new opinion poll showed the League, which argues that fiscal rules governing the euro zone are "enslaving" Italians, would boost its share of the vote to a quarter, from around 17 percent on March 4.

The IPSOS poll, in the Corriere della Sera newspaper, showed support for the League's would-be coalition partner, the 5-Star Movement, steady at about 32.6 percent -- implying a much more comfortable majority if the pair were to try again to govern.

That prospect has rocked financial markets, with the euro sinking to multi-month lows on fears that snap elections would lead to a eurosceptic government in Rome.

Italian government bonds, which suffered one of its most dramatic speculative attacks in years on Tuesday, found some support from local investors on Wednesday.

The yield on 10-year bonds edged away from four-year highs and two-year yields, the focus of earlier attacks, also fell.

Shares in Italian banks also recovered a little ground after five straight days of losses.

The two anti-establishment parties, the 5-Star Movement and League, had abandoned plans to jointly take power at the weekend after the president blocked their proposed cabinet lineup

Italy searched for a last-minute exit from almost three months of political turmoil on Wednesday, with its biggest party looking to make a renewed attempt to form a coalition government with the right-wing League, a source said. The two anti-establishment parties, the 5-Star Movement and League, had abandoned plans to jointly take power at the weekend after the president blocked their proposed cabinet lineup. President Sergio Mattarella's veto of 81-year-old eurosceptic Paolo Savona as economy minister appeared to tip the country back towards repeat elections and triggered a dramatic speculative attack on Italian financial markets. The parties are now trying to find "a point of compromise on another name" for the economy ministry, said the source close to 5-Star, the single-biggest party in the new parliament. The sense that a resolution of the stalemate might be at hand came from Prime Minister-designate Carlo Cottarelli, who was tasked by the head of state this week to calm the turmoil and plan for repeat elections after the summer. "New possibilities have emerged for the birth of a political government," Cottarelli was quoted as saying by ANSA news agency, implying that a government headed by politicians rather than technocrats like himself could be in the offing. "These circumstances, also considering the market tensions, have caused me to wait for further developments." However, League leader Matteo Salvini, who is surging in opinion polls, appeared to throw cold water on the notion that his party and 5-Star could try again to take power, saying Italy should return to an election as soon as possible. "The earlier we vote the better because it's the best way to get out of this quagmire and confusion," Salvini told reporters. He did, however, appear open to an interim administration to govern for a few months, saying an election at the end of July would be "disruptive" for Italian seasonal workers. He invited Mattarella to make the first move, to "explain to us how we can get out of this situation". A League source said the party would not block any quick political solution that would enable Italy to deal with possible "emergencies". Currently, Prime Minister-designate Cottarelli has no major parliamentary support for a stopgap government of technocrats. Despite the softer tone from 5-Star and hopeful remarks from Cottarelli, a top adviser to Salvini said the League was not prepared to abandon Savona, the sole obstacle to the League and 5-Star winning the president's blessing for a coalition. "If it wasn't possible three days ago, then it's hard to see why it would be now," Giancarlo Giorgetti was quoted as saying to online news site Il Fatto Quotidiano. A surprise breakthrough between the president and 5-Star/League would ease uncertainty but still usher in a coalition planning to ramp up spending in the heavily indebted nation and push for changes to European Union and euro-zone fiscal rules. In the event of continued stalemate, Italy will go back to elections, with most major parties calling for the president to dissolve parliament and hold a vote as soon as July 29. A new opinion poll showed the League, which argues that fiscal rules governing the euro zone are "enslaving" Italians, would boost its share of the vote to a quarter, from around 17 percent on March 4. The IPSOS poll, in the Corriere della Sera newspaper, showed support for the League's would-be coalition partner, the 5-Star Movement, steady at about 32.6 percent -- implying a much more comfortable majority if the pair were to try again to govern. That prospect has rocked financial markets, with the euro sinking to multi-month lows on fears that snap elections would lead to a eurosceptic government in Rome. Italian government bonds, which suffered one of its most dramatic speculative attacks in years on Tuesday, found some support from local investors on Wednesday. The yield on 10-year bonds edged away from four-year highs and two-year yields, the focus of earlier attacks, also fell. Shares in Italian banks also recovered a little ground after five straight days of losses.

Italy renews attempt to form a government and end turmoil

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said a total of 619 terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir had been killed in gun battles with security forces in last four years.

Asked about the continuing violence during the Ramzan "ceasefire", Singh said the Centre had only announced a suspension of operations.

"If there is a terrorist attack, the hands of the jawans are not tied," he added.

On his recent comment on the possibility of talks with Pakistan or the separatists for peace in Kashmir, he said the country has no aversion to dialogue.

Singh, who is also an MP from Lucknow, was addressing reporters on the completion of four years of the NDA government.

He said the Centre was trying to bring petroleum prices under control, saying the hikes were the result of the increase in international crude oil rates and the rise in the value of the dollar.

"I accept that problems have emerged because of the rise in dollar and crude oil prices," he said at a joint press conference with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The home minister said while 471 terrorists were killed in 2010-13, 619 have been killed in 2014-17.

He said the number of districts affected by Naxalism has dropped from 76 in 2013 to 58 in 2018.

"Our crime and criminal tracking network and systems (CCTNS) is winning praise from all over the world," he said.

Lauding the para-military forces, he said,"When a jawan attained martyrdom, Rs 50 lakh to Rs 55 lakh used to be given to his family but now we have decided that the amount should not be less than Rs 1 crore."

Asked about economic offenders leaving the country, the minister said, "I want to ask the Congress people if no one had fled during their government."

He said there was special thrust on infrastructure development under the Narendra Modi government, and by 2040 four to five trillion dollar investment was likely in this field alone.&nbsp;

"It is a fact that during the last four years of the UPA government, on an average, 12 km of highways were constructed on a daily basis, which went up to 27 km in the four years of the present government," he said.&nbsp;

He said road connectivity was a gift from former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and the effort has been taken forward by Modi.&nbsp;

Singh stressed that none of the ministers in the Modi government faced any corruption charge.

He praised the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, saying there has been fear among criminal elements since he came to power.

(With inputs from PTI)

Addressing media persons here, the senior BJP leader said the number of terrorists killed in the previous UPA-II government was 471.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said a total of 619 terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir had been killed in gun battles with security forces in last four years. Asked about the continuing violence during the Ramzan "ceasefire", Singh said the Centre had only announced a suspension of operations. "If there is a terrorist attack, the hands of the jawans are not tied," he added. On his recent comment on the possibility of talks with Pakistan or the separatists for peace in Kashmir, he said the country has no aversion to dialogue. Singh, who is also an MP from Lucknow, was addressing reporters on the completion of four years of the NDA government. He said the Centre was trying to bring petroleum prices under control, saying the hikes were the result of the increase in international crude oil rates and the rise in the value of the dollar. "I accept that problems have emerged because of the rise in dollar and crude oil prices," he said at a joint press conference with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The home minister said while 471 terrorists were killed in 2010-13, 619 have been killed in 2014-17. He said the number of districts affected by Naxalism has dropped from 76 in 2013 to 58 in 2018. "Our crime and criminal tracking network and systems (CCTNS) is winning praise from all over the world," he said. Lauding the para-military forces, he said,"When a jawan attained martyrdom, Rs 50 lakh to Rs 55 lakh used to be given to his family but now we have decided that the amount should not be less than Rs 1 crore." Asked about economic offenders leaving the country, the minister said, "I want to ask the Congress people if no one had fled during their government." He said there was special thrust on infrastructure development under the Narendra Modi government, and by 2040 four to five trillion dollar investment was likely in this field alone. "It is a fact that during the last four years of the UPA government, on an average, 12 km of highways were constructed on a daily basis, which went up to 27 km in the four years of the present government," he said. He said road connectivity was a gift from former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and the effort has been taken forward by Modi. Singh stressed that none of the ministers in the Modi government faced any corruption charge. He praised the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, saying there has been fear among criminal elements since he came to power. (With inputs from PTI)

619 militants killed in four years in J&K: Rajnath Singh

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday ordered the permanent closure of the Sterlite copper smelting plant in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) following the death of 13 people in police firing during anti-Sterlite protests there last week.&nbsp;

The Sterlite plant in Tuticorin is owned and operated by the Vedanta group.

The Government Order (GO) said it endorsed the recent closure direction of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, and also asked the TNPCB to "seal the unit and close the plant permanently".

The document cited the Constitution's directive principles of state policy (Article 48-A) enjoining protection of environment and provisions of the Water Act, 1974, to order the permanent closure of the copper factory "in the larger public interest".

It referred to the PCB order of April 9 refusing to renew its consent to allow Vedanta's copper smelter plant at Tuticorin to operate.

The order recalled how on May 23 the TNPCB had issued directions for the closure of the unit and disconnection of power supply to it. The power supply was disconnected a day later.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami said the government has issued the GO in deference to the sentiments of the people.

The locals were protesting for the closure of the factory for 99 days. Protesters turned violent on May 22, the 100th day of their stir, and 13 people were killed in police action against them last Tuesday and Wednesday.

(With inputs from PTI)

The locals in the area had been on a three-month protest, which ended in tragedy last week as 13 protesters died in clash with police.

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday ordered the permanent closure of the Sterlite copper smelting plant in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) following the death of 13 people in police firing during anti-Sterlite protests there last week. The Sterlite plant in Tuticorin is owned and operated by the Vedanta group. The Government Order (GO) said it endorsed the recent closure direction of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, and also asked the TNPCB to "seal the unit and close the plant permanently". The document cited the Constitution's directive principles of state policy (Article 48-A) enjoining protection of environment and provisions of the Water Act, 1974, to order the permanent closure of the copper factory "in the larger public interest". It referred to the PCB order of April 9 refusing to renew its consent to allow Vedanta's copper smelter plant at Tuticorin to operate. The order recalled how on May 23 the TNPCB had issued directions for the closure of the unit and disconnection of power supply to it. The power supply was disconnected a day later. Chief Minister K Palaniswami said the government has issued the GO in deference to the sentiments of the people. The locals were protesting for the closure of the factory for 99 days. Protesters turned violent on May 22, the 100th day of their stir, and 13 people were killed in police action against them last Tuesday and Wednesday. (With inputs from PTI)

Tamil Nadu govt orders permanent closure of Sterlite plant after death of 13

The opposition launched a multi-pronged attack on the Narendra Modi-led government on its fourth anniversary today, saying it "failed" to fulfil its promises, had no achievement to highlight, and that the prime minister-BJP president duo was "harmful" for the country.

The Congress described the four years of the BJP government as one of "treachery, trickery, revenge and lies", while the Left parties, the SP and the BSP said all sections of the society suffered due its "failures".

While the Congress described BJP as "Betrayal Janata Party" for failing to deliver on its promises, party chief Rahul Gandhi led the attack by mocking the NDA government's performance and calling Narendra Modi a "master communicator" who struggled with complex issues and had a short attention span.

Taking to Twitter, he gave grades to the BJP-led NDA government in a mock report card of the Prime Minister. While he gave 'F' to the Modi government for agriculture, foreign policy and job creation, he gave 'A+' to the prime minister for 'slogan creation and self-promotion'.

"4 year Report Card. Agriculture: F, Foreign Policy: F, Fuel Prices: F, Job Creation: F, Slogan Creation: A+, Self Promotion: A+, Yoga: B-. Remarks: Master communicator struggles with complex issues short attention span," Mr Gandhi said on Twitter.

Separately at a joint press conference, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot and Randeep Surjewala released a booklet, titled 'India Betrayed', to mark the occasion, in which it posed 40 questions and alleged that an atmosphere of fear and hatred had been created under the NDA rule.

The Congress observed "Betrayal Day" to mark four years of the Modi government by organising protests in all district headquarters in the country. The party also released a short-film on the prevailing atmosphere in the country.

"People now know that the Modi-(BJP president) Amit Shah duo is harmful for the country. The four years of the Modi government can be defined in four terms -- treachery, trickery, revenge and lies," AICC communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said.

He said while the Prime Minister is in perpetual campaign mode, he refuses to understand peoples' pain and he has accumulated publicity but India only accumulated pain.

Referring to alleged atrocities on Dalits, tribals, minorities and women, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters, "Under Modi's Government, nobody is safe. Everybody is having sleepless nights including all of you. Whatever you think, you cannot express. Whatever you want to write, you cannot write."

Highlighting the importance of national security, he said PM Modi exploited this "to the hilt" as this was one of the major points which he tried to score during election campaign and got maximum votes on it.

"National security does not mean only territorial integrity of the country. National security means whether we have peace and harmony in the country, but that is least at the moment. National security also means whether downtrodden, minorities, SCs, poor people and have-nots are secure, but they are not," he told reporters.

AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot said an "atmosphere of fear, hatred and violence has been created in the last four years of the Modi government".

"There has never been such betrayal with the people. One has never had such a prime minister in the history of the country, who has lowered the dignity of the office he holds. He speaks lies all the time and misleads people," he alleged.

BSP chief Mayawati slammed the Modi government for its historic failure on dealing with issues concerning the common man.

"The four years of Narendra Modi government prove that it has historically failed on the issues of inflation, poverty, unemployment, welfare work and other issues which affect the life of the people in the country," Ms Mayawati said, as she accused the government of misusing official machinery to weaken opposition parties.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav hit out at the Modi government, alleging that the poor, Dalits and women suffered in the last four years.

Taking to Twitter, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister raised the issue of bank frauds and alleged that the corrupt were allowed to flee the country. He said farmers, businessmen and unemployed masses were reeling from the decisions of the Modi government.

The Left claimed that the BJP government had nothing to show for its four years at the Centre except "failures and rhetoric" and should be ousted from power.

The CPI (M) alleged that these four years had seen an "unprecedented assault" on India's social fabric and the livelihood of the people.

"These four years have seen an unprecedented assault on India as a country and the livelihood of our people. There has been a four-pronged attack that continued to intensify by the day during these four years," CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said.

CPI leader D Raja alleged that the BJP-RSS combine had unleashed "fascism, fear and intimidation".

"There is no other achievement. It is full of failures. All we got is rhetoric in these years...All this rhetoric and there is nothing to celebrate and term as achievements," he said, adding that PM Modi had "not even respected his own promises".

The Congress described BJP as "Betrayal Janata Party" for failing to deliver on its promises.

The opposition launched a multi-pronged attack on the Narendra Modi-led government on its fourth anniversary today, saying it "failed" to fulfil its promises, had no achievement to highlight, and that the prime minister-BJP president duo was "harmful" for the country. The Congress described the four years of the BJP government as one of "treachery, trickery, revenge and lies", while the Left parties, the SP and the BSP said all sections of the society suffered due its "failures". While the Congress described BJP as "Betrayal Janata Party" for failing to deliver on its promises, party chief Rahul Gandhi led the attack by mocking the NDA government's performance and calling Narendra Modi a "master communicator" who struggled with complex issues and had a short attention span. Taking to Twitter, he gave grades to the BJP-led NDA government in a mock report card of the Prime Minister. While he gave 'F' to the Modi government for agriculture, foreign policy and job creation, he gave 'A+' to the prime minister for 'slogan creation and self-promotion'. "4 year Report Card. Agriculture: F, Foreign Policy: F, Fuel Prices: F, Job Creation: F, Slogan Creation: A+, Self Promotion: A+, Yoga: B-. Remarks: Master communicator struggles with complex issues short attention span," Mr Gandhi said on Twitter. Separately at a joint press conference, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot and Randeep Surjewala released a booklet, titled 'India Betrayed', to mark the occasion, in which it posed 40 questions and alleged that an atmosphere of fear and hatred had been created under the NDA rule. The Congress observed "Betrayal Day" to mark four years of the Modi government by organising protests in all district headquarters in the country. The party also released a short-film on the prevailing atmosphere in the country. "People now know that the Modi-(BJP president) Amit Shah duo is harmful for the country. The four years of the Modi government can be defined in four terms -- treachery, trickery, revenge and lies," AICC communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said. He said while the Prime Minister is in perpetual campaign mode, he refuses to understand peoples' pain and he has accumulated publicity but India only accumulated pain. Referring to alleged atrocities on Dalits, tribals, minorities and women, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters, "Under Modi's Government, nobody is safe. Everybody is having sleepless nights including all of you. Whatever you think, you cannot express. Whatever you want to write, you cannot write." Highlighting the importance of national security, he said PM Modi exploited this "to the hilt" as this was one of the major points which he tried to score during election campaign and got maximum votes on it. "National security does not mean only territorial integrity of the country. National security means whether we have peace and harmony in the country, but that is least at the moment. National security also means whether downtrodden, minorities, SCs, poor people and have-nots are secure, but they are not," he told reporters. AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot said an "atmosphere of fear, hatred and violence has been created in the last four years of the Modi government". "There has never been such betrayal with the people. One has never had such a prime minister in the history of the country, who has lowered the dignity of the office he holds. He speaks lies all the time and misleads people," he alleged. BSP chief Mayawati slammed the Modi government for its historic failure on dealing with issues concerning the common man. "The four years of Narendra Modi government prove that it has historically failed on the issues of inflation, poverty, unemployment, welfare work and other issues which affect the life of the people in the country," Ms Mayawati said, as she accused the government of misusing official machinery to weaken opposition parties. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav hit out at the Modi government, alleging that the poor, Dalits and women suffered in the last four years. Taking to Twitter, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister raised the issue of bank frauds and alleged that the corrupt were allowed to flee the country. He said farmers, businessmen and unemployed masses were reeling from the decisions of the Modi government. The Left claimed that the BJP government had nothing to show for its four years at the Centre except "failures and rhetoric" and should be ousted from power. The CPI (M) alleged that these four years had seen an "unprecedented assault" on India's social fabric and the livelihood of the people. "These four years have seen an unprecedented assault on India as a country and the livelihood of our people. There has been a four-pronged attack that continued to intensify by the day during these four years," CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said. CPI leader D Raja alleged that the BJP-RSS combine had unleashed "fascism, fear and intimidation". "There is no other achievement. It is full of failures. All we got is rhetoric in these years...All this rhetoric and there is nothing to celebrate and term as achievements," he said, adding that PM Modi had "not even respected his own promises".

Opposition targets PM Modi, Amit Shah on 4th anniversary of government

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the government was ready to hold dialogue with the Hurriyat Conference leadership if the separatists come forward for talks.&nbsp

Mr Singh, however, made it clear that so far there has been no indication from the Hurriyat that it was ready for peace talks with the government.

"I have already said that we are ready for dialogue with all stakeholders in Kashmir. If Hurriyat comes forward for talks, we don't mind talking to them. Whoever wants to talk with us, we are ready for talks," he told a TV channel in New Delhi.

On whether there was any indication from the separatists leadership for peace dialogue with the government, Mr Singh said, "There has been no indication so far."

The government's special representative Dineshwar Sharma is holding talks with a cross-section of people in Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister said.

Mr Singh's comments came days after the government had announced suspension of operations against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan that began on May 17.

Past attempts to initiate dialogue with the Hurriyat had failed after the separatists demanded a declaration of Kashmir as "disputed" and involvement of Pakistan in the dialogue.

Rajnath Singh, however, made it clear that so far there has been no indication from the Hurriyat that it was ready for peace talks with the government.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the government was ready to hold dialogue with the Hurriyat Conference leadership if the separatists come forward for talks. Mr Singh, however, made it clear that so far there has been no indication from the Hurriyat that it was ready for peace talks with the government. "I have already said that we are ready for dialogue with all stakeholders in Kashmir. If Hurriyat comes forward for talks, we don't mind talking to them. Whoever wants to talk with us, we are ready for talks," he told a TV channel in New Delhi. On whether there was any indication from the separatists leadership for peace dialogue with the government, Mr Singh said, "There has been no indication so far." The government's special representative Dineshwar Sharma is holding talks with a cross-section of people in Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister said. Mr Singh's comments came days after the government had announced suspension of operations against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan that began on May 17. Past attempts to initiate dialogue with the Hurriyat had failed after the separatists demanded a declaration of Kashmir as "disputed" and involvement of Pakistan in the dialogue.

Government ready for talks if Hurriyat agrees, says Rajnath Singh

Sitapur District Magistrate has taken the Swacch Bharat mission to another level by issuing an order, asking all government employees to submit a picture of them posing in front of the toilet at their home.

The employees will also have to submit a certificate proof of their respective toilets to ensure that every household has a toilet built.

The step has been taken by the District Magistrate in a bid to make the district free from open defecation.

The order also stated that the salary for the month of May would be stalled if the order was not abided by.

The order has come with a warning which states that "Salary for May month may be stalled if you failed to obey".

The step has been taken by the District Magistrate in a bid to make the district free from open defecation.

Sitapur District Magistrate has taken the Swacch Bharat mission to another level by issuing an order, asking all government employees to submit a picture of them posing in front of the toilet at their home. The employees will also have to submit a certificate proof of their respective toilets to ensure that every household has a toilet built. The step has been taken by the District Magistrate in a bid to make the district free from open defecation. The order also stated that the salary for the month of May would be stalled if the order was not abided by. The order has come with a warning which states that "Salary for May month may be stalled if you failed to obey".

Uttar Pradesh government employees asked to take selfies in front of toilets

Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Tuesday addressed a press conference to present party’s report card and details of the NDA government’s achievements in the last four years.&nbsp;

BJP chief said that the NDA government had achieved its goal of electrification of villages in the country. Due to the efforts of the Modi government, every house in 16,850 villages now has an electricity and a gas cylinder connection. We have completed the task of providing an insurance policy to every member of the households in these villages."&nbsp;

He added that that the government had also undertaken the distribution of LED bulbs in these villages under the Ujala scheme.&nbsp;

Speaking on the rising petrol and diesel prices, Amit Shah said, “The government is taking the matter of oil prices seriously. Petroleum minister will have a meeting with the officials of the oil companies tomorrow. We are working out a formula to reduce the prices.”

Shah also termed the government’s scheme of ‘Gram Swaraj Yojana’ &nbsp;as a “unique” &nbsp;experiment which was undertaken from 14 April to May 15. “This was the first time after Independence that a government took the initiative to solve the problems of 16,850 villages,” Shah said.

“This was the first time after Independence that a government took the initiative to solve the problems of 16,850 villages,” Shah said.

Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Tuesday addressed a press conference to present party’s report card and details of the NDA government’s achievements in the last four years. BJP chief said that the NDA government had achieved its goal of electrification of villages in the country. Due to the efforts of the Modi government, every house in 16,850 villages now has an electricity and a gas cylinder connection. We have completed the task of providing an insurance policy to every member of the households in these villages." He added that that the government had also undertaken the distribution of LED bulbs in these villages under the Ujala scheme. Speaking on the rising petrol and diesel prices, Amit Shah said, “The government is taking the matter of oil prices seriously. Petroleum minister will have a meeting with the officials of the oil companies tomorrow. We are working out a formula to reduce the prices.” Shah also termed the government’s scheme of ‘Gram Swaraj Yojana’ as a “unique” experiment which was undertaken from 14 April to May 15. “This was the first time after Independence that a government took the initiative to solve the problems of 16,850 villages,” Shah said.

BJP chief Amit Shah presents 4-year report card of Modi govt, addresses media

As fuel prices hit record highs, the government may be mulling a tax cut.&nbsp

Petrol was selling in Delhi on Sunday at <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/petrol-diesel-prices-hit-record-highs-in-delhi-138381">Rs 76.24 a litre</a>, the highest ever since September 14, 2013.&nbsp

On Monday, prices climbed even higher to Rs 76.57 a litre.&nbsp

This is the eighth straight day fuel prices have risen.&nbsp

Oil retailers had frozen prices on April 24 — after being nudged by the government to do so&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp— as Karnataka went to the polls.&nbsp

The freeze was lifted on May 14, two days after the elections.&nbsp

The retailers are now trying to catch up with global oil prices.&nbsp

On Sunday however, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in Bhubaneshwar that the Centre was "sensitive" about "rising fuel prices". That alternatives were being explored and that he hoped something would "work out soon".&nbsp

That, news reports said Monday, indicated the government may be thinking about a tax cut.&nbsp

Pradhan has so far&nbspruled out an excise cut, saying the price rise is temporary. He has blamed the price rise on OPEC's decision to cut production, US sanctions on Iran, and the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-maduro-wins-presidential-vote-138497">instability in Venezuela</a>.&nbsp

He has instead urged states to cut VAT and bring fuels under the GST regime.&nbsp

But the minister's statement on Sunday, the reports said, indicates a rethink by the government in order to avoid the public outcry getting any louder. 
&nbsp

Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Sunday that the Centre was 'sensitive' about 'rising fuel prices'. That alternatives were being explored and that he hoped something would 'work out soon'

As fuel prices hit record highs, the government may be mulling a tax cut. Petrol was selling in Delhi on Sunday at Rs 76.24 a litre, the highest ever since September 14, 2013. On Monday, prices climbed even higher to Rs 76.57 a litre. This is the eighth straight day fuel prices have risen. Oil retailers had frozen prices on April 24 — after being nudged by the government to do so — as Karnataka went to the polls. The freeze was lifted on May 14, two days after the elections. The retailers are now trying to catch up with global oil prices. On Sunday however, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in Bhubaneshwar that the Centre was "sensitive" about "rising fuel prices". That alternatives were being explored and that he hoped something would "work out soon". That, news reports said Monday, indicated the government may be thinking about a tax cut. Pradhan has so far&nbspruled out an excise cut, saying the price rise is temporary. He has blamed the price rise on OPEC's decision to cut production, US sanctions on Iran, and the instability in Venezuela. He has instead urged states to cut VAT and bring fuels under the GST regime. But the minister's statement on Sunday, the reports said, indicates a rethink by the government in order to avoid the public outcry getting any louder.

As fuel prices hit record highs, government may be mulling a tax cut

The battle between the Bhartiya Janata Party and Congress-JD(S) alliance over the formation of government in Karnataka witnessed another historic move today after the Supreme court intervened and asked Yeddyurappa led BJP government to prove their majority in the state by tomorrow.&nbsp;

Senior lawyer and BJP's counsel Mukul Rohatgi has opposed the apex courts decision for conducting&nbsp;the floor test tomorrow saying that the BJP "needs time".

Rohatgi asked the Supreme Court to fix floor test on Monday claiming that Congress and JD(S) MLAs were locked outside the state. He said, "they also have to come to vote. So give more time".

In his letter to the Supreme Court, Rohatgi had claimed&nbsp;that Yeddyurappa&nbsp;government had the&nbsp;required number of&nbsp;MLAs and was ready to prove its majority in the assembly.

He said," Yeddyurappa has been elected as leader of the largest party, BJP and he has the support of other necessary numbers of MLAs". &nbsp;

He also said&nbsp;that the Congress did not have written support of many MLAs.

He said, 'We have certain information that many MLAs from other parties have not given any kind of written support to Congress-JD(S).'

Earlier, talking to a press he had said, "We'll show CM's letter to Court, it shows he has support and support will be shown in the house. There is no issue of horse-trading, it is the other way, as MLAs have been taken to resorts".

&nbsp;

Rohatgi asked the Supreme Court to fix floor test on Monday claiming that Congress and JD(S) MLAs were locked outside the state. He said, 'they also have to come to vote. So give more time'

The battle between the Bhartiya Janata Party and Congress-JD(S) alliance over the formation of government in Karnataka witnessed another historic move today after the Supreme court intervened and asked Yeddyurappa led BJP government to prove their majority in the state by tomorrow. Senior lawyer and BJP's counsel Mukul Rohatgi has opposed the apex courts decision for conducting the floor test tomorrow saying that the BJP "needs time". Rohatgi asked the Supreme Court to fix floor test on Monday claiming that Congress and JD(S) MLAs were locked outside the state. He said, "they also have to come to vote. So give more time". In his letter to the Supreme Court, Rohatgi had claimed that Yeddyurappa government had the required number of MLAs and was ready to prove its majority in the assembly. He said," Yeddyurappa has been elected as leader of the largest party, BJP and he has the support of other necessary numbers of MLAs". He also said that the Congress did not have written support of many MLAs. He said, 'We have certain information that many MLAs from other parties have not given any kind of written support to Congress-JD(S).' Earlier, talking to a press he had said, "We'll show CM's letter to Court, it shows he has support and support will be shown in the house. There is no issue of horse-trading, it is the other way, as MLAs have been taken to resorts".

BJP has required number of MLAs, but 'need time': Mukul Rohatgi to Supreme Court

Newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore today stressed on media adopting self-regulation and asserted that the government had no plan to regulate news portals and media websites.

Dismissing the government vs media debate, he said his ministry would work in a direction where any media, whether public broadcaster Prasar Bharati or private channels, becomes the 'voice of people'.

"The Prime Minister is very clear that the media in our country is one of the very important pillars of democracy and they have to self-regulate," Mr Rathore told reporters.

Mr Rathore assumed charge as Minister of State (Independent charge) of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry after replacing Smriti Zubin Irani. He also holds the portfolio of Sports Ministry.

In the Indian media, the minister said, self-regulation was done in various layers, first by a journalist and then by editors. The government believes in self-regulation by the media, he added.

The comments assume significance in the backdrop of a controversial press release issued by the ministry last month on fake news. The communique was widely criticised by media organisations and subsequently withdrawn after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention.

To a query over the ministry issuing an order last month for the constitution of a committee to frame rules to regulate news portals and media websites, Mr Rathore said, I think you have misunderstood it.

He said Prasar Bharati will be strengthened and high priority would be given to better and informative programmes.

"It is not us vs them...It is not about two teams. It is about a collective responsibility that media becomes the voice of the people, whether it is Prasar Bharati or private network or channel. We will work in this direction," the Union minister said.

Mr Rathore, who was a junior minister in the ministry, said that in the last four years, the government was able to establish a two-way communication with the people of the country.

"We will continue to do that," he said.

On the challenges posed by social media, Mr Rathore said social media platforms were totally independent.

"We hope people put across their views with responsibility," he added.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore dismissed the government vs media debate, stressing on self-regulation.

Newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore today stressed on media adopting self-regulation and asserted that the government had no plan to regulate news portals and media websites. Dismissing the government vs media debate, he said his ministry would work in a direction where any media, whether public broadcaster Prasar Bharati or private channels, becomes the 'voice of people'. "The Prime Minister is very clear that the media in our country is one of the very important pillars of democracy and they have to self-regulate," Mr Rathore told reporters. Mr Rathore assumed charge as Minister of State (Independent charge) of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry after replacing Smriti Zubin Irani. He also holds the portfolio of Sports Ministry. In the Indian media, the minister said, self-regulation was done in various layers, first by a journalist and then by editors. The government believes in self-regulation by the media, he added. The comments assume significance in the backdrop of a controversial press release issued by the ministry last month on fake news. The communique was widely criticised by media organisations and subsequently withdrawn after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention. To a query over the ministry issuing an order last month for the constitution of a committee to frame rules to regulate news portals and media websites, Mr Rathore said, I think you have misunderstood it. He said Prasar Bharati will be strengthened and high priority would be given to better and informative programmes. "It is not us vs them...It is not about two teams. It is about a collective responsibility that media becomes the voice of the people, whether it is Prasar Bharati or private network or channel. We will work in this direction," the Union minister said. Mr Rathore, who was a junior minister in the ministry, said that in the last four years, the government was able to establish a two-way communication with the people of the country. "We will continue to do that," he said. On the challenges posed by social media, Mr Rathore said social media platforms were totally independent. "We hope people put across their views with responsibility," he added.

No plans to regulate news websites: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

BJP president Amit Shah has said that Karnataka Assembly poll is crucial not just in ensuring another big state in the BJP kitty, but also as a "gateway to the south".

In a conversation with WION editor in chief Sudhir Chaudhary, Shah said that Congress is an anti-farmer govt with 3,500 farmers have committed suicide in Karnataka. 
&nbsp; 
"The wave is in favour of BJP and one can see it. One can take a look at the rallies of PM Modi, the size of the rallies, the enthusiasm among people, that itself tells you that there is a wave in favour of BJP," he told WION.

"Karnataka elections are important for us, as this is our gateway to the south," said Shah during the interview. 
&nbsp; 
Shah has been in Karnataka for quite some time now for the aggressive election campaign.

Earlier at an election rally in Nargund, BJP president Amit Shah alleged that fearing defeat, the Congress has colluded with "anti-national" SDPI and PFI in the Karnataka assembly polls.

He said the BJP and RSS lost 24 workers in the last four years but the Siddaramaiah government "did not arrest the murderers."

Shah said once the BJP comes to power, it will send every culprit behind bars even if they were hiding in the remotest corner of the world.

"Fearing defeat, the Congress government is sitting with the anti-national forces. They aren't ashamed to take the support of PFI and SDPI. JD-S has taken the support of (AIMIM chief Asaduddin) Owaisi," said Shah. 
&nbsp; 
After travelling more than 40,000 kilometres in Karnataka for party's poll campaign, Amit Shah is confident of winning the Karnataka assembly polls as he believes PM&nbsp;Modi’s personal popularity has helped the party tap “people’s anger” against the Siddaramaiah government in the state.

Shah has been in Karnataka for quite some time now for the aggressive election campaign.

BJP president Amit Shah has said that Karnataka Assembly poll is crucial not just in ensuring another big state in the BJP kitty, but also as a "gateway to the south". In a conversation with WION editor in chief Sudhir Chaudhary, Shah said that Congress is an anti-farmer govt with 3,500 farmers have committed suicide in Karnataka. "The wave is in favour of BJP and one can see it. One can take a look at the rallies of PM Modi, the size of the rallies, the enthusiasm among people, that itself tells you that there is a wave in favour of BJP," he told WION. "Karnataka elections are important for us, as this is our gateway to the south," said Shah during the interview. Shah has been in Karnataka for quite some time now for the aggressive election campaign. Earlier at an election rally in Nargund, BJP president Amit Shah alleged that fearing defeat, the Congress has colluded with "anti-national" SDPI and PFI in the Karnataka assembly polls. He said the BJP and RSS lost 24 workers in the last four years but the Siddaramaiah government "did not arrest the murderers." Shah said once the BJP comes to power, it will send every culprit behind bars even if they were hiding in the remotest corner of the world. "Fearing defeat, the Congress government is sitting with the anti-national forces. They aren't ashamed to take the support of PFI and SDPI. JD-S has taken the support of (AIMIM chief Asaduddin) Owaisi," said Shah. After travelling more than 40,000 kilometres in Karnataka for party's poll campaign, Amit Shah is confident of winning the Karnataka assembly polls as he believes PM Modi’s personal popularity has helped the party tap “people’s anger” against the Siddaramaiah government in the state.

Karnataka government has failed on all fronts: Amit Shah to WION

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on May 4 met with students of government residential schools for SCs and STs. He appreciated students, who performed well in IIT JEE Mains and Tenth Standard exams.

He said, it is a proud moment because 216 students from Government residential schools have qualified for IIT JEE Mains exam. The Chief Minister also wished 400 students of the tenth standard who attained 10 out of 10 GPA.

CM Naidu expressed his hope that the number of rankers which is in hundreds would grow to thousands next year.

He further said, "The Government aims at providing corporate-level quality education to all poor students. If students are ready to focus on studies and explore their inherent talent, the Government will encourage them. Andhra Pradesh is the only state in India that is giving Rs 15 lakhs for foreign education."

"Education to the poor can eradicate economic disparities in the society. All of you students have proved that anybody can perform well given a chance. I appreciate the parents and teachers of these students. Providing good character and education is important than giving wealth to the children. Our Government is planning to set up many more residential schools so that all poor students can get quality education," he added.

The CM said that the Government is trying to make Andhra Pradesh synonymous to IIT studies.

CM Naidu expressed his hope that the number of rankers which is in hundreds would grow to thousands next year

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on May 4 met with students of government residential schools for SCs and STs. He appreciated students, who performed well in IIT JEE Mains and Tenth Standard exams. He said, it is a proud moment because 216 students from Government residential schools have qualified for IIT JEE Mains exam. The Chief Minister also wished 400 students of the tenth standard who attained 10 out of 10 GPA. CM Naidu expressed his hope that the number of rankers which is in hundreds would grow to thousands next year. He further said, "The Government aims at providing corporate-level quality education to all poor students. If students are ready to focus on studies and explore their inherent talent, the Government will encourage them. Andhra Pradesh is the only state in India that is giving Rs 15 lakhs for foreign education." "Education to the poor can eradicate economic disparities in the society. All of you students have proved that anybody can perform well given a chance. I appreciate the parents and teachers of these students. Providing good character and education is important than giving wealth to the children. Our Government is planning to set up many more residential schools so that all poor students can get quality education," he added. The CM said that the Government is trying to make Andhra Pradesh synonymous to IIT studies.

Government aims at providing corporate-level education to poor: Andhra CM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his second rally of the day in Karnataka, once again went on the offensive against the Congress.&nbsp;

"We are talking about enhancing 'ease of doing business' in the country, but Congress believes in 'ease of doing murder'," he said.&nbsp;

"This is the culture they have developed," he added.&nbsp;

"Violence cannot exist in a democracy. It is shameful how BJP karyakartas were murdered in Karnataka. The Congress must answer on increasing crimes," Modi said.&nbsp;

Modi was speaking at Udupi. He had earlier in the day addressed a rally at Mysuru. He will after his address another rally in Chikkodi.

Modi's campaign blitzkrieg will include 12 more rallies in Karnataka until May 8.

The state goes to the polls on May 12, with the results out on May 15.&nbsp;

In Udupi, Modi promised the people of Karnataka&nbsp;"development" in return for their "love".&nbsp;

"Your enthusiasm is proof that you've made up your mind to punish the Congress party," he said.&nbsp;

"Your love is such that language cannot act as a barrier between us. I will not let your hard work go in vain. I will return this love in the form of development," he added.&nbsp;

Siddaramaiah: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/siddaramaiah-janata-parivar-veteran-and-congresss-best-bet-in-karnataka-polls-133957">Janata Parivar veteran and Congress's best bet in Karnataka polls</a>

BS Yeddyurappa: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/b-s-yeddyurappa-karnatakas-lingayat-strongman-bjp-is-pinning-its-hope-on-133936">Karnataka's Lingayat strongman BJP is pinning its hope on</a>

The Congress, Modi said, promotes violence and intolerance. "There can be nothing worse than the&nbsp;attack on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-lokayukta-justice-vishwanath-shetty-stabbed-attacker-arrested-34982">Lokayukta</a>," he said.&nbsp;

Modi accused Karnataka's Congress government of shielding the sand mafia. "Those who loot cannot be allowed to remain in power. They must go," he said.&nbsp;

Adding that "atkana, latkana and bhatkana&nbsp;has become the habit of the Congress".&nbsp;

"Government opened bank accounts for the poor. Over 31 crores accounts have been opened under Jan Dhan Yojana. If Congress had ensured their bank accounts, the poor would have contributed so much to the economy," Modi said.&nbsp;

Hitting a softer note, he said: "There might be political differences between parties but civility and respect should be maintained. Whenever former PM Deve Gowda Ji visits me in Delhi I always welcome him with respect and always give him time."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Before going on the offensive again and saying, "The way Rahul Gandhi talked about him recently is shameful."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Modi had attacked Rahul in the morning too, in his address in Mysuru.&nbsp;

"Can <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/can-rahul-gandhi-speak-for-15-minutes-pm-modi-at-karnataka-rally-133953">Rahul speak for 15 minutes</a> without the help of a paper?"&nbsp;Modi had asked then. The comment was a riposte to the Congress President challenging Modi to a 15-minute debate.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

'Violence cannot exist in a democracy. It is shameful how BJP karyakartas were murdered in Karnataka. The Congress must answer on increasing crimes,' Modi said

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his second rally of the day in Karnataka, once again went on the offensive against the Congress. "We are talking about enhancing 'ease of doing business' in the country, but Congress believes in 'ease of doing murder'," he said. "This is the culture they have developed," he added. "Violence cannot exist in a democracy. It is shameful how BJP karyakartas were murdered in Karnataka. The Congress must answer on increasing crimes," Modi said. Modi was speaking at Udupi. He had earlier in the day addressed a rally at Mysuru. He will after his address another rally in Chikkodi. Modi's campaign blitzkrieg will include 12 more rallies in Karnataka until May 8. The state goes to the polls on May 12, with the results out on May 15. In Udupi, Modi promised the people of Karnataka "development" in return for their "love". "Your enthusiasm is proof that you've made up your mind to punish the Congress party," he said. "Your love is such that language cannot act as a barrier between us. I will not let your hard work go in vain. I will return this love in the form of development," he added. Siddaramaiah: Janata Parivar veteran and Congress's best bet in Karnataka polls BS Yeddyurappa: Karnataka's Lingayat strongman BJP is pinning its hope on The Congress, Modi said, promotes violence and intolerance. "There can be nothing worse than the attack on the Lokayukta," he said. Modi accused Karnataka's Congress government of shielding the sand mafia. "Those who loot cannot be allowed to remain in power. They must go," he said. Adding that "atkana, latkana and bhatkana has become the habit of the Congress". "Government opened bank accounts for the poor. Over 31 crores accounts have been opened under Jan Dhan Yojana. If Congress had ensured their bank accounts, the poor would have contributed so much to the economy," Modi said. Hitting a softer note, he said: "There might be political differences between parties but civility and respect should be maintained. Whenever former PM Deve Gowda Ji visits me in Delhi I always welcome him with respect and always give him time." Before going on the offensive again and saying, "The way Rahul Gandhi talked about him recently is shameful." Modi had attacked Rahul in the morning too, in his address in Mysuru. "Can Rahul speak for 15 minutes without the help of a paper?" Modi had asked then. The comment was a riposte to the Congress President challenging Modi to a 15-minute debate.

Govt talks of 'ease of doing business', Congress believes in 'ease of doing murder': Modi in Karnataka's Udupi

The UK government today faced an embarrassing defeat on Brexit as the House of Lords voted to give Parliament powers to block or delay the final deal on the country's departure from the European Union (EU).

The peers from the Upper House voted 335 to 244 in favour of an amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill that could allow Parliament to send Britain back to the negotiating table with Brussels or even halt the country's exit from the EU if it is not happy with the final offer.

"We are disappointed that the House of Lords has voted for this amendment inspite of the assurances we have provided," said Lord Martin Callanan, Britain's Minister for Exiting the EU.

"What this amendment would do is weaken the UK's hand in our negotiations with the EU by giving Parliament unprecedented powers to instruct the government to do anything with regard to the negotiations including trying to keep the UK in the EU indefinitely," he said, adding that the government will now consider the implications of the House of Lords' decision.

The amendment to the Bill can be overturned by MPs in the House of Commons, where British Prime Minister Theresa May's government has a narrow majority.

The government maintains that it is open to Parliament being able to scrutinise the final deal, and has therefore committed to giving both Houses a vote on the final deal.

But on Monday the House of Lords voted for what they believe is a more meaningful say over the final Brexit offer.

Peers have already defeated the government six times, with the vote on the latest amendment tabled by Lord Hailsham marking the seventh defeat.

Meanwhile, there is mounting pressure on the UK from another quarter as the EU's chief Brexit negotiator said that Britain and the EU must reach an agreement on the key points of the Northern Ireland border issue by June.

Michel Barnier, who was speaking at a conference in the Irish border town of Dundalk on Monday, warned that talks were at risk of collapse if no agreement was made on a "backstop" to prevent a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland once Britain is a non-member of the EU.

The issue of border arrangements between EU member Ireland and soon-to-be non-member Northern Ireland are seen as a major stumbling block in the ongoing negotiations.

The amendment to the Bill can be overturned by MPs in the House of Commons, where British Prime Minister Theresa May's government has a narrow majority.

The UK government today faced an embarrassing defeat on Brexit as the House of Lords voted to give Parliament powers to block or delay the final deal on the country's departure from the European Union (EU). The peers from the Upper House voted 335 to 244 in favour of an amendment to the EU (Withdrawal) Bill that could allow Parliament to send Britain back to the negotiating table with Brussels or even halt the country's exit from the EU if it is not happy with the final offer. "We are disappointed that the House of Lords has voted for this amendment inspite of the assurances we have provided," said Lord Martin Callanan, Britain's Minister for Exiting the EU. "What this amendment would do is weaken the UK's hand in our negotiations with the EU by giving Parliament unprecedented powers to instruct the government to do anything with regard to the negotiations including trying to keep the UK in the EU indefinitely," he said, adding that the government will now consider the implications of the House of Lords' decision. The amendment to the Bill can be overturned by MPs in the House of Commons, where British Prime Minister Theresa May's government has a narrow majority. The government maintains that it is open to Parliament being able to scrutinise the final deal, and has therefore committed to giving both Houses a vote on the final deal. But on Monday the House of Lords voted for what they believe is a more meaningful say over the final Brexit offer. Peers have already defeated the government six times, with the vote on the latest amendment tabled by Lord Hailsham marking the seventh defeat. Meanwhile, there is mounting pressure on the UK from another quarter as the EU's chief Brexit negotiator said that Britain and the EU must reach an agreement on the key points of the Northern Ireland border issue by June. Michel Barnier, who was speaking at a conference in the Irish border town of Dundalk on Monday, warned that talks were at risk of collapse if no agreement was made on a "backstop" to prevent a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland once Britain is a non-member of the EU. The issue of border arrangements between EU member Ireland and soon-to-be non-member Northern Ireland are seen as a major stumbling block in the ongoing negotiations.

UK government suffers Brexit defeat in House of Lords

According to reports, Collegium may resend its recommendation for Justice KM Joseph's elevation back to government.

Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra is understood to have decided to urgently convene a meeting of the Collegium to reconsider the name of the Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice K M Joseph for elevation as a judge of the Supreme Court.

A Supreme Court official said it is but natural to hold the meeting of the Collegium and it will be convened as soon as possible. If the quorum is complete, the Collegium meeting will be convened immediately, the official said.

Meanwhile, Justice Joseph recently noted that Supreme Court judges cannot be selected on the basis of regional representation or the level of their seniority.

Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice K M Joseph was not considered to be elevated as a Supreme Court judge by the Centre on Friday.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-returns-recommendation-to-collegium-on-elevation-of-justice-k-m-joseph-133109">government returned the Collegium's recommendation</a> to elevate Justice Joseph seeking its reconsideration, saying the proposal was not in accordance with the top court's parameters and there was an adequate representation of Kerala in the higher judiciary from where he hails.&nbsp;

59-year-old Justice Joseph headed the bench that had quashed the Narendra Modi government's decision to impose President's rule in the Congress-ruled hill state in 2016.

Justice Joseph has been the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court since July 2014. He was appointed a permanent judge of the Kerala High Court on October 14, 2004, and had assumed charge of the Uttarakhand HC on July 31, 2014.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Senior Advocate <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indu-malhotra-takes-over-as-supreme-court-judge-133160">Indu Malhotra was sworn-in as a Supreme Court judge on Friday</a>.

Malhotra becomes the first woman lawyer to be elevated directly from the Bar to the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court's Collegium in January had recommended her name for the role which was later approved by the Centre on Wednesday.

&nbsp;

Justice Joseph has been the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court since July 2014

According to reports, Collegium may resend its recommendation for Justice KM Joseph's elevation back to government. Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra is understood to have decided to urgently convene a meeting of the Collegium to reconsider the name of the Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice K M Joseph for elevation as a judge of the Supreme Court. A Supreme Court official said it is but natural to hold the meeting of the Collegium and it will be convened as soon as possible. If the quorum is complete, the Collegium meeting will be convened immediately, the official said. Meanwhile, Justice Joseph recently noted that Supreme Court judges cannot be selected on the basis of regional representation or the level of their seniority. Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice K M Joseph was not considered to be elevated as a Supreme Court judge by the Centre on Friday. The government returned the Collegium's recommendation to elevate Justice Joseph seeking its reconsideration, saying the proposal was not in accordance with the top court's parameters and there was an adequate representation of Kerala in the higher judiciary from where he hails. 59-year-old Justice Joseph headed the bench that had quashed the Narendra Modi government's decision to impose President's rule in the Congress-ruled hill state in 2016. Justice Joseph has been the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court since July 2014. He was appointed a permanent judge of the Kerala High Court on October 14, 2004, and had assumed charge of the Uttarakhand HC on July 31, 2014. Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Indu Malhotra was sworn-in as a Supreme Court judge on Friday. Malhotra becomes the first woman lawyer to be elevated directly from the Bar to the Supreme Court. Supreme Court's Collegium in January had recommended her name for the role which was later approved by the Centre on Wednesday.

Supreme Court Collegium likely meet soon, may resend Justice Joseph's name back to government

Showing urgency in dealing with absconding loan defaulters, the government has come out with a series of rules to operationalise the fugitive economic offenders law, for which an ordinance was promulgated by the President last week. 
 
The Fugitive Economic Offenders Ordinance 2018 is aimed at deterring economic offenders from evading the process of law by remaining outside the jurisdiction of Indian courts. 
 
The law seeks to expedite recovery of losses incurred by banks and other entities by confiscating their properties. 
 
The fugitive economic offenders law comes in the backdrop of alleged fraudsters like Nirav Modi running away from the country after cheating Punjab National Bank to the tune of about $2 billion. 
 
The notifications regarding rules, issued by the finance ministry, spell out the process for declaration of fugitive economic offender, issuance of attachment order, and management of confiscated properties, among others. 
 
As per one of the notifications, only officers of the rank of Assistant Directors or above in the Enforcement Directorate could exercise the power to search and seize record/property which may be useful for proceedings under the fugitive law.

Special Directors of Enforcement of ED's regional offices will function as administrator of confiscated properties, said another notification. 
 
On management of confiscated property, the rules said that the administrator will arrange for the proper maintenance and custody of the immovable properties. 
 
In case, the property confiscated consists of cash, government or other securities, bullion, jewellery or other valuables, the administrator would deposit them for safe custody in the nearest government treasury or a branch of the RBI or SBI or any authorised bank. 
 
The ordinance, which got nod of the President on April 21, makes provisions for Special Court under the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 to declare a person as a Fugitive Economic Offender. 
 
"A Fugitive Economic Offender is a person against whom an arrest warrant has been issued in respect of a scheduled offence and who has left India so as to avoid criminal prosecution, or being abroad, refuses to return to India to face criminal prosecution," said a finance ministry statement.

However, only cases of frauds, cheque dishonour or loan default of over&nbspRs.200 crore will come under this ordinance. 
 
The government expects the new law will help the banks and other financial institutions to achieve higher recovery from financial defaults committed by fugitive economic offenders, improving the financial health of such institutions.

The Fugitive Economic Offenders Ordinance 2018 is aimed at deterring economic offenders from evading the process of law by remaining outside the jurisdiction of Indian courts

Showing urgency in dealing with absconding loan defaulters, the government has come out with a series of rules to operationalise the fugitive economic offenders law, for which an ordinance was promulgated by the President last week. The Fugitive Economic Offenders Ordinance 2018 is aimed at deterring economic offenders from evading the process of law by remaining outside the jurisdiction of Indian courts. The law seeks to expedite recovery of losses incurred by banks and other entities by confiscating their properties. The fugitive economic offenders law comes in the backdrop of alleged fraudsters like Nirav Modi running away from the country after cheating Punjab National Bank to the tune of about $2 billion. The notifications regarding rules, issued by the finance ministry, spell out the process for declaration of fugitive economic offender, issuance of attachment order, and management of confiscated properties, among others. As per one of the notifications, only officers of the rank of Assistant Directors or above in the Enforcement Directorate could exercise the power to search and seize record/property which may be useful for proceedings under the fugitive law. Special Directors of Enforcement of ED's regional offices will function as administrator of confiscated properties, said another notification. On management of confiscated property, the rules said that the administrator will arrange for the proper maintenance and custody of the immovable properties. In case, the property confiscated consists of cash, government or other securities, bullion, jewellery or other valuables, the administrator would deposit them for safe custody in the nearest government treasury or a branch of the RBI or SBI or any authorised bank. The ordinance, which got nod of the President on April 21, makes provisions for Special Court under the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 to declare a person as a Fugitive Economic Offender. "A Fugitive Economic Offender is a person against whom an arrest warrant has been issued in respect of a scheduled offence and who has left India so as to avoid criminal prosecution, or being abroad, refuses to return to India to face criminal prosecution," said a finance ministry statement. However, only cases of frauds, cheque dishonour or loan default of over&nbspRs.200 crore will come under this ordinance. The government expects the new law will help the banks and other financial institutions to achieve higher recovery from financial defaults committed by fugitive economic offenders, improving the financial health of such institutions.

Government notifies rules to operationalise fugitive economic offenders law

As many as 3,292 NGOs and institutes, including some top academic centres like JNU, IGNOU, IIT Delhi and Madras, besides the Infosys Foundation in Bangalore have not disclosed their annual foreign donations and expenditure for the last fiscal or previous years, the Home Ministry has said. 
 
The ministry told the NGOs and institutes in a notice that after scrutiny of records for 2011-12 to 2016-17, it has been observed that the mandatory annual returns/accounts for some of the financial years in the said period have not been found uploaded on the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act portal despite several opportunities were given to them to do so. 
 
Those whose names figure in the Home Ministry list include Infosys Foundation, University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Panjab University, University of Rajasthan, Madras Christian College, Indian Council Of Agricultural Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and Madras, besides others. 
 
The ministry said in the notice that those associations which have not filed the annual returns must file it immediately online.

"The status of submission of mandatory annual return will be reviewed after 15 days of issue of this notice (electronically/physically) in respect of your association, being dispatched to your known addresses. If you fail to submit any of the missing return (s) within this period, appropriate action under Section 10 of the FCRA, 2010 would be initiated against your association for the said violation," it said. 
 
No organisation is allowed to receive funds from abroad unless it is registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). 
 
It is mandatory under the law for such organisations to submit income and expenditure statement to the government annually else their registration is cancelled. 
 
According to the FCRA, the renewal of registration for receiving foreign funds cannot be granted unless the annual returns are uploaded on the FCRA website by the organisation. 
 
Executive Vice President of the Infosys and a trustee of Infosys Foundation, Ramadas Kamath, said the Foundation receives donations only from Infosys Ltd and does not come under the purview of the FCRA. 
 
He said the central government had bought in an amendment to the FCRA regulations to say that even though the FII holding in the share capital of a listed Indian company is more than 51 per cent, the donations given by such a listed Indian company to any Indian charitable trust will not be considered as a foreign contribution. 
 
Mr Kamath said this amendment was bought in by the government of India with retrospective effect and pursuant to this amendment, Infosys Foundation has written to the Home Ministry to derecognise Infosys Foundation under the FCRA provisions as it does not recieve any foreign contributions as per the amended act.

"The Home Ministry has to take appropriate administrative measures to derecognise Infosys Foundation from the purview of the FCRA in consequence to the retrospective amendments to the FCRA," he said 
 
A senior IIT Delhi official said, "We have been pointing this out every year that there are procedural lapses in issuing notices on the FCRA licenses as far as IITs are concerned. We are exempted from registration under the FCRA as IITs are set up through an Act of Parliament and are audited by the CAG."

The ministry said in the notice that those associations which have not filed the annual returns must file it immediately online

As many as 3,292 NGOs and institutes, including some top academic centres like JNU, IGNOU, IIT Delhi and Madras, besides the Infosys Foundation in Bangalore have not disclosed their annual foreign donations and expenditure for the last fiscal or previous years, the Home Ministry has said. The ministry told the NGOs and institutes in a notice that after scrutiny of records for 2011-12 to 2016-17, it has been observed that the mandatory annual returns/accounts for some of the financial years in the said period have not been found uploaded on the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act portal despite several opportunities were given to them to do so. Those whose names figure in the Home Ministry list include Infosys Foundation, University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Panjab University, University of Rajasthan, Madras Christian College, Indian Council Of Agricultural Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and Madras, besides others. The ministry said in the notice that those associations which have not filed the annual returns must file it immediately online. "The status of submission of mandatory annual return will be reviewed after 15 days of issue of this notice (electronically/physically) in respect of your association, being dispatched to your known addresses. If you fail to submit any of the missing return (s) within this period, appropriate action under Section 10 of the FCRA, 2010 would be initiated against your association for the said violation," it said. No organisation is allowed to receive funds from abroad unless it is registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). It is mandatory under the law for such organisations to submit income and expenditure statement to the government annually else their registration is cancelled. According to the FCRA, the renewal of registration for receiving foreign funds cannot be granted unless the annual returns are uploaded on the FCRA website by the organisation. Executive Vice President of the Infosys and a trustee of Infosys Foundation, Ramadas Kamath, said the Foundation receives donations only from Infosys Ltd and does not come under the purview of the FCRA. He said the central government had bought in an amendment to the FCRA regulations to say that even though the FII holding in the share capital of a listed Indian company is more than 51 per cent, the donations given by such a listed Indian company to any Indian charitable trust will not be considered as a foreign contribution. Mr Kamath said this amendment was bought in by the government of India with retrospective effect and pursuant to this amendment, Infosys Foundation has written to the Home Ministry to derecognise Infosys Foundation under the FCRA provisions as it does not recieve any foreign contributions as per the amended act. "The Home Ministry has to take appropriate administrative measures to derecognise Infosys Foundation from the purview of the FCRA in consequence to the retrospective amendments to the FCRA," he said A senior IIT Delhi official said, "We have been pointing this out every year that there are procedural lapses in issuing notices on the FCRA licenses as far as IITs are concerned. We are exempted from registration under the FCRA as IITs are set up through an Act of Parliament and are audited by the CAG."

3,292 NGOs, institutes yet to disclose foreign donations: Government

The Congress on Thursday accused the government of seeking to appoint its "own people" in higher judiciary and claimed that the independence of the judiciary was in "danger" after the Centre turned down a Supreme Court collegium proposal to elevate Justice K M Joseph to the top court.

The government returned the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium, saying Justice Joseph's promotion may not be "appropriate" and needs to be reconsidered. The government decision evoked sharp reactions from the legal fraternity and opposition parties.

The Congress urged the judiciary to speak in one voice to state "enough is enough".

The CPI(M) sought President Ram Nath Kovind's intervention in the matter to ensure that the laid-out procedure in the selection of judges is followed and the collegium's recommendation to elevate Justice Joseph to the Supreme Court is cleared.

"Indian judiciary is in danger. And if our judiciary is not united to protect its independence, then democracy is in danger," senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal told reporters.

"This is a huge loss for the litigant. We want to know as to who will stand up for judicial independence. Will the judiciary speak in one voice that enough is enough," he said.

Sibal said if the Supreme Court thinks no one is more competent than Justice Joseph, then how can the government raise a finger.

"They (the government) want to pack High Courts with their own people," he alleged, adding that it seems the government does not want to appoint Justice Joseph to the Supreme Court.

He said that there are 410 vacancies of judges across the country, out of the total approved strength of 1079 judges.

The Congress leader also read out the Supreme Court collegium decision of January 10 which said, "The collegium considers that at present Justice K M Joseph is more deserving and suitable than other judges of High courts to be appointed as SC judge."

Wondering what was holding up Justice Joseph's appointment, Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram asked whether it was his state, religion or the judgement that he delivered in the Uttarakhand case.

He also asked whether the Modi government was above the law as the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium was binding on the appointment of judges.

Congress's communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of indulging in "revenge politics" by "refusing" to clear Justice Joseph's elevation.

The judiciary is under the ?most vicious attack ever" and "totalitarianism will stump democracy" if the nation does not rise now, Surjewala alleged.

"PM Modi's 'revenge politics' qua judiciary and 'conspiratorial suffocation' of Supreme Court exposed again," he said on Twitter.

Asserting that Justice Joseph was the senior most chief justice in the country, Surjewala said, "Yet Modi Government refuses to clear his elevation to SC as retribution for quashing presidential rule in Uttarakhand".

Asked about Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad citing problems in the past on appointment of SC/ST judges, Sibal said, "They are very concerned about SC/STs now, is it because Karnataka election is on. Why did they not think of SC/STs for the last four years? In last 4 years, which SC/ST Judge they have recommended."

"Even now, why are they worried. Why give spurious, illogical, ill-thought reasons. If you do not want to appoint somebody, have the courage to say I will not appoint him. Why sort of try to make a fool of the public," he said.

On the BJP charge that judges were superceded by former prime minister Indira Gandhi, Sibal said, "I want to ask Ravi Shankar Prasad, will you do the same. Are your intentions the same? If you have to move forward, then you must look forward."

Dealing a major blow to the Modi government, a bench headed by Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice Joseph in 2016 had quashed the imposition of President's rule in the state and had revived the Congress government headed by Harish Rawat.

Modiji shredded Parliamentary privileges and supremacy. He road-rolled independent media. Democracy's last refuge ie Judiciary is now under most vicious attack ever. If the nation doesn't rise in unison now, totalitarianism will stump democracy"&nbsp;Surjewala tweeted.

He accused the government of being a "habitual offender" of trashing "judicial integrity" and the "constitutional supremacy" of institutions.

In June 2014, the government refused to clear noted jurist Gopal Subramaniam's name for elevation to the Supreme Court as he was a lawyer against Amit Shah and Co, the Congress leader alleged.

The Congress on Thursday accused the government of seeking to appoint its "own people" in higher judiciary and claimed that the independence of the judiciary was in "danger" after the Centre turned down a Supreme Court collegium proposal to elevate Justice K M Joseph to the top court

The Congress on Thursday accused the government of seeking to appoint its "own people" in higher judiciary and claimed that the independence of the judiciary was in "danger" after the Centre turned down a Supreme Court collegium proposal to elevate Justice K M Joseph to the top court. The government returned the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium, saying Justice Joseph's promotion may not be "appropriate" and needs to be reconsidered. The government decision evoked sharp reactions from the legal fraternity and opposition parties. The Congress urged the judiciary to speak in one voice to state "enough is enough". The CPI(M) sought President Ram Nath Kovind's intervention in the matter to ensure that the laid-out procedure in the selection of judges is followed and the collegium's recommendation to elevate Justice Joseph to the Supreme Court is cleared. "Indian judiciary is in danger. And if our judiciary is not united to protect its independence, then democracy is in danger," senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal told reporters. "This is a huge loss for the litigant. We want to know as to who will stand up for judicial independence. Will the judiciary speak in one voice that enough is enough," he said. Sibal said if the Supreme Court thinks no one is more competent than Justice Joseph, then how can the government raise a finger. "They (the government) want to pack High Courts with their own people," he alleged, adding that it seems the government does not want to appoint Justice Joseph to the Supreme Court. He said that there are 410 vacancies of judges across the country, out of the total approved strength of 1079 judges. The Congress leader also read out the Supreme Court collegium decision of January 10 which said, "The collegium considers that at present Justice K M Joseph is more deserving and suitable than other judges of High courts to be appointed as SC judge." Wondering what was holding up Justice Joseph's appointment, Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram asked whether it was his state, religion or the judgement that he delivered in the Uttarakhand case. He also asked whether the Modi government was above the law as the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium was binding on the appointment of judges. Congress's communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of indulging in "revenge politics" by "refusing" to clear Justice Joseph's elevation. The judiciary is under the ?most vicious attack ever" and "totalitarianism will stump democracy" if the nation does not rise now, Surjewala alleged. "PM Modi's 'revenge politics' qua judiciary and 'conspiratorial suffocation' of Supreme Court exposed again," he said on Twitter. Asserting that Justice Joseph was the senior most chief justice in the country, Surjewala said, "Yet Modi Government refuses to clear his elevation to SC as retribution for quashing presidential rule in Uttarakhand". Asked about Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad citing problems in the past on appointment of SC/ST judges, Sibal said, "They are very concerned about SC/STs now, is it because Karnataka election is on. Why did they not think of SC/STs for the last four years? In last 4 years, which SC/ST Judge they have recommended." "Even now, why are they worried. Why give spurious, illogical, ill-thought reasons. If you do not want to appoint somebody, have the courage to say I will not appoint him. Why sort of try to make a fool of the public," he said. On the BJP charge that judges were superceded by former prime minister Indira Gandhi, Sibal said, "I want to ask Ravi Shankar Prasad, will you do the same. Are your intentions the same? If you have to move forward, then you must look forward." Dealing a major blow to the Modi government, a bench headed by Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice Joseph in 2016 had quashed the imposition of President's rule in the state and had revived the Congress government headed by Harish Rawat. Modiji shredded Parliamentary privileges and supremacy. He road-rolled independent media. Democracy's last refuge ie Judiciary is now under most vicious attack ever. If the nation doesn't rise in unison now, totalitarianism will stump democracy" Surjewala tweeted. He accused the government of being a "habitual offender" of trashing "judicial integrity" and the "constitutional supremacy" of institutions. In June 2014, the government refused to clear noted jurist Gopal Subramaniam's name for elevation to the Supreme Court as he was a lawyer against Amit Shah and Co, the Congress leader alleged.

Government wants to appoint 'own people' in higher judiciary: Congress

Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice K M Joseph , who headed the bench that had quashed the Narendra Modi government's decision to impose President's rule in the Congress-ruled hill state in 2016, was not considered to be elevated as a Supreme Court judge by the Centre today.

The government returned the Collegium's recommendation to elevate Justice Joseph seeking its reconsideration, saying the proposal was not in accordance with the top court's parameters and there was an adequate representation of Kerala in the higher judiciary from where he hails.

Justice Joseph, who will turn 60 this June, has been the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court since July 2014. He was appointed a permanent judge of the Kerala High Court on October 14, 2004, and had assumed charge of the Uttarakhand HC on July 31, 2014.

A High Court judge retires at the age of 62 while the retirement age for an apex court judge is 65 years.

The NDA government's decision to return to Collegium its recommendation came after almost three and half months since January 10 when his name was cleared by the five-member Collegium comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph.

Time and again since then, the members of the Collegium had expressed concern over the government sitting on their recommendations to elevate Malhotra and Joseph. The latest communication in this regard was made to the CJI by Justices Gogoi and Lokur, a day before Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu rejected the notice of impeachment moved by the Congress-led MPs against the CJI.

The collegium resolution had earlier said it "considers that at present Justice K M Joseph, who hails from Kerala High Court and is currently functioning as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court, is more deserving and suitable in all respects than other Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of High Courts for being appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court of India."

"While recommending the name of Justice Joseph, the collegium has taken into consideration combined seniority on the all-India basis of Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of High Courts, apart from their merit and integrity," it had said, adding "he stands at Sl. No.45 in the combined seniority of High Court Judges on an all-India basis."&nbsp;

Justifying its stand of returning the recommendation, the Centre sent a detailed note to Chief Justice Dipak Misra giving reasons to the Supreme Court collegium for its decision, including that seniority may not be an important consideration to ensure regional representation.

The Law Ministry note addressed to the CJI who heads the five-member apex court collegium, said the proposal to reconsider Justice Joseph's name had the approval of President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"It is also, in our considered view, not in accord with the parameters laid down by the Supreme Court itself in the Second Judges case and reiterated in Third Judges case," it said.

The Ministry said "the seniority of judges also plays its own critical role. It is understood that seniority of judges of the high court is only maintained at all India level. Obviously, this is reflective of their seniority and also the parent high court.&nbsp;

"From our records, it is evident that to ensure regional representation, seniority may not have been taken as an important consideration, but in case where the high court concerned is adequately represented in the Supreme Court and also as Chief Justices of different high courts, then this consideration cannot be, and should not be ignored altogether to the detriment and prejudice of other senior judges."

On the acceptance of one of the two proposed names for elevation, the Centre said such segregation of proposals has been done in many cases earlier, including the appointment of judges to various high courts and also to the Supreme Court in the interest of expeditious action of appointments and filling up vacancies.&nbsp;

Regarding judges in the top court from Kerala, it said that besides Justice Kurian Joseph who was elevated as a judge in the top court from the Kerala High Court on March 8, 2013, there were two other Chief Justices, Justices T B Radhakrishnan and Antony Dominic, whose parent high court was also the same.

The note said at this stage, the elevation of one more judge from Kerala High Court as an apex court judge does not appear to be justified as it does not address the legitimate claims of the Chief Justices and puisne judges of many other high courts and "forestalls" the claim of other senior chief justices and puisne judges.&nbsp;

"It would be appropriate to mention here that Kerala High Court has adequate representation in the Supreme Court and among Chief Justices in various high courts," the note to the collegium said.

The Law Ministry's note said the proposal to reconsider Justice Joseph's name had the approval of President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice K M Joseph , who headed the bench that had quashed the Narendra Modi government's decision to impose President's rule in the Congress-ruled hill state in 2016, was not considered to be elevated as a Supreme Court judge by the Centre today. The government returned the Collegium's recommendation to elevate Justice Joseph seeking its reconsideration, saying the proposal was not in accordance with the top court's parameters and there was an adequate representation of Kerala in the higher judiciary from where he hails. Justice Joseph, who will turn 60 this June, has been the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court since July 2014. He was appointed a permanent judge of the Kerala High Court on October 14, 2004, and had assumed charge of the Uttarakhand HC on July 31, 2014. A High Court judge retires at the age of 62 while the retirement age for an apex court judge is 65 years. The NDA government's decision to return to Collegium its recommendation came after almost three and half months since January 10 when his name was cleared by the five-member Collegium comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan B Lokur and Kurian Joseph. Time and again since then, the members of the Collegium had expressed concern over the government sitting on their recommendations to elevate Malhotra and Joseph. The latest communication in this regard was made to the CJI by Justices Gogoi and Lokur, a day before Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu rejected the notice of impeachment moved by the Congress-led MPs against the CJI. The collegium resolution had earlier said it "considers that at present Justice K M Joseph, who hails from Kerala High Court and is currently functioning as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court, is more deserving and suitable in all respects than other Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of High Courts for being appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court of India." "While recommending the name of Justice Joseph, the collegium has taken into consideration combined seniority on the all-India basis of Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of High Courts, apart from their merit and integrity," it had said, adding "he stands at Sl. No.45 in the combined seniority of High Court Judges on an all-India basis." Justifying its stand of returning the recommendation, the Centre sent a detailed note to Chief Justice Dipak Misra giving reasons to the Supreme Court collegium for its decision, including that seniority may not be an important consideration to ensure regional representation. The Law Ministry note addressed to the CJI who heads the five-member apex court collegium, said the proposal to reconsider Justice Joseph's name had the approval of President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "It is also, in our considered view, not in accord with the parameters laid down by the Supreme Court itself in the Second Judges case and reiterated in Third Judges case," it said. The Ministry said "the seniority of judges also plays its own critical role. It is understood that seniority of judges of the high court is only maintained at all India level. Obviously, this is reflective of their seniority and also the parent high court. "From our records, it is evident that to ensure regional representation, seniority may not have been taken as an important consideration, but in case where the high court concerned is adequately represented in the Supreme Court and also as Chief Justices of different high courts, then this consideration cannot be, and should not be ignored altogether to the detriment and prejudice of other senior judges." On the acceptance of one of the two proposed names for elevation, the Centre said such segregation of proposals has been done in many cases earlier, including the appointment of judges to various high courts and also to the Supreme Court in the interest of expeditious action of appointments and filling up vacancies. Regarding judges in the top court from Kerala, it said that besides Justice Kurian Joseph who was elevated as a judge in the top court from the Kerala High Court on March 8, 2013, there were two other Chief Justices, Justices T B Radhakrishnan and Antony Dominic, whose parent high court was also the same. The note said at this stage, the elevation of one more judge from Kerala High Court as an apex court judge does not appear to be justified as it does not address the legitimate claims of the Chief Justices and puisne judges of many other high courts and "forestalls" the claim of other senior chief justices and puisne judges. "It would be appropriate to mention here that Kerala High Court has adequate representation in the Supreme Court and among Chief Justices in various high courts," the note to the collegium said.

Government returns recommendation on elevation of Justice K M Joseph

A controversy in Algeria over the growing popularity of Saudi-inspired Salafi scholars spotlights the risk governments run in a region in which they strive to control religion in a bid to counter militant strands of Islam, often by touting apolitical, ultra-conservative trends. &nbspThese efforts are proving difficult to contain within the limits of the government’s agenda.

The controversy over Saudi support of Salafi scholars highlights how state control, frequently exercised through degrees of micro-management of weekly Friday prayer sermons, and/or putting clerics on the government payroll as well as supervision of mosques and school textbooks, often backfires. &nbspFor one, the credibility of government-sponsored Islamic scholars is undermined as they become increasingly viewed as functionaries and parrots of regimes.

It also thrusts into the limelight the slippery slope on which governments play politics with conservative and ultra-conservative religion for opportunistic reasons or as in the case of Turkey in a bid to establish state-controlled Turkish Islam as a global force.

Ultra-conservatism’s increasing attractiveness is magnified by the inability of governments to comprehensively police alternative expressions of religion on the Internet and social media as well as halt the popping up of unlicensed mosques and informal study groups.

As a result, Saudi-inspired ultra-conservative, as well as militant strands of Islam, emerge as the only alternative release valve, particularly in countries that restrict freedom of expression, the media, and religion and have failed in their delivery of public goods and services

“Whatever the state does to control the religious realm, it cannot oblige or guarantee that people will rely on official bodies and individuals for their religious guidance. In fact, Algerian youths, in particular, are disillusioned and have lost confidence in their religious institutions. As such, they may be attracted to other religious voices, especially those offering ‘grab and go’ solutions to complex issues or a Manichean view of the world,” said Algeria scholar Dalia Ghanem-Yazbeck.

The controversy in Algeria further raises questions about definitions of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s declared effort to return the kingdom to what he termed ‘moderate Islam’ given that Saudi Arabia played a key role in globally promoting Sunni Muslim ultra-conservatism for almost half a century.

In Saudi Arabia, the jury is still out on Prince Mohammed’s approach to moderation. In an ultra-conservative country in which religious leaders were not only popular but government employees who shared power with the ruling Al Saud family, Prince Mohammed has whipped the religious establishment into subservience and kowtowing to his reforms with little indication that they have had a true change of heart.

Algeria has long seen Saudi-inspired quietist strands of Salafism that preach unreserved obedience to a Muslim ruler as a way of countering expressions of popular discontent and more militant strands of Islam.

“The onset of the 2011 Arab uprisings only increased the utility of quietist Salafists to the state. All the main quietist figures issued calls for Algerians to resist the wave of political contestation rocking the Arab world… This drove a wedge between rulers and ruled, exacerbating social divisions, which would inevitably lead to a rise in insecurity and worsening corruption,” said international relations scholar Anouar Boukhars.

A recent study showed that many Algerians were turning on social media to Saudi and Egyptian rather than Algerian religious scholars.

Some Saudi scholars like Sheikh Mohamed al-Arefe, a controversial ultra-conservative, known for his misogynist and anti-Shiite tirades, who ranks among the top 100 global and top 10 Arab social media personalities with 21.6 million followers on Twitter and 24.3 million on Facebook boast a larger following in Algeria than in the kingdom itself.

The study concluded that Mr. Al-Arefe had two million Algerian followers as opposed to 1.3 million Saudis.

Algerian media reports, echoing secular concerns, detailed earlier this year Saudi propagation of a quietist, apolitical yet supremacist and anti-pluralistic form of Islam in the North African country. The media published a letter by a prominent Saudi scholar that appointed three ultra-conservative Algerian clerics as representatives of Salafism.

“While Saudi Arabia tries to promote the image of a country that is ridding itself of its fanatics, it sends to other countries the most radical of its doctrines,” asserted independent Algerian newspaper El Watan.

El Watan and other media reproduced a letter written by Saudi Sheikh Hadi Ben Ali Al-Madkhali, a scion of Sheikh Rabia Al-Madkhali, the intellectual father of what French Islam scholar Stephane Lacroix terms a loyalist strand of Salafism that projects the kingdom as the ideal place for those who seek a pure Islam that has not been compromised by non-Muslim cultural practices and secularism.

The letter appoints three prominent Algerian scholars, including Mohamed Ali Ferkous, widely viewed as the spiritual guide of Algerian Madkhalists, as Salafism’s representatives in Algeria.

“Madkhalism…(is) perhaps Saudi Arabia’s own Trojan Horse,” quipped North Africa scholar George Joffe. “State-approved imams in Algeria now find themselves under considerable pressure, in mosques that have been targeted, to adapt their teachings and doctrines to Salafi precept, even if this challenges the authority of the ministry of religious affairs,” Mr. Joffe added.

The mixed results of the Algerian government’s effort to control and use religion are replicated across the Muslim world.

Pakistan, a country in which ultra-conservatism and militancy has over decades been woven into the fabric of the state and society and that is struggling with political violence against the state as well as minorities, serves as an example of the risks involved in playing politics with religion and state support for non-pluralistic, intolerant and supremacist interpretations of Islam.

Attempting to rollback the fallout of such policies is proving to be a gargantuan task. The Pakistani government earlier this year launched a pilot project in Islamabad to regulate Friday prayer sermons. The problem is that it controls a mere 86 of the city’s 1,003 mosques.

Some critics warn that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may be taking his country down a road like that of Pakistan. They compare the Turkish leader to former Pakistani ruler General Zia ul-Haq who in the 1980s accelerated Islamisation of Pakistani society.

Former Pakistani ambassador to the United States and director of South and Central Asia for the Washington-based Hudson Institute Husain Haqqani asserted that Mr. Erdogan was adopting the “Pakistani formula of mixing hard-line nationalism with religiosity” and pouring money into Islamic schools.

"Erdogan has taken the Pakistani formula of mixing hard-line nationalism with religiosity. Zia imposed Islamic laws by decree, amended the constitution, marginalised secular scholars and leaders, and created institutions for Islamisation that have outlasted him. Erdogan is trying to do the same in Turkey," Mr. Haqqani told journalist and columnist Eli Lake.

Mr. Lake argued that Turkey, despite having tacitly supported the Islamic State at one point during the Syrian civil war, Turkey had not yet “sunk” to Pakistan’s level of cooperation with Islamic militants in its dispute with India and manoeuvring in Afghanistan.

However, suggesting that Turkey risked becoming another Pakistan, Mr. Lake quoted former US ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman as saying: "Turkey is not Pakistan yet, but if it continues the trajectory that Erdogan has put it on, there is a prospect it could become like Pakistan.”

At the other extreme, Chinese authorities in the north-western province of Xinjiang, home to China’s Uyghur Muslim minority, were several months ago shutting down some 100 illegal, underground religious seminaries a month despite creating in the region the world’s most repressive surveillance state, according to a Chinese communist party official.

The crackdown involves the banning of religious practices and the teaching of the Uyghur language in schools and the detention of thousands in political re-education camps.

The controversy in Algeria, Mr. Erdogan’s embrace of Islam, Pakistan’s struggle to come to grips with the fallout of ultra-conservatism, China’s efforts to crackdown on religion, anti-government and anti-clergy protests in Iran earlier this year, and examples of societies elsewhere in Asia turning towards intolerance and conservatism as governments employ or repress religion for opportunistic political purposes, suggest that political leaders have learnt little, if anything.

Yet, the lesson is that government control and/or playing with religion seldom produces sustainable results. The lesson is also that repression, including restricting freedoms of expression, media and religion, aggravates problems and benefits ultra-conservatives and militants.

Finally, the lesson is that the solution likely lies in inclusive rather than exclusionary policies and transparent and accountable governments capable of delivering pubic goods and services that ensure that all segments of the population have a stake in society. That lesson is one that governments in Algeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and China seemingly prefer to overlook.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Algeria has long seen Saudi-inspired quietist strands of Salafism that preach unreserved obedience to a Muslim ruler as a way of countering expressions of popular discontent and more militant strands of Islam

A controversy in Algeria over the growing popularity of Saudi-inspired Salafi scholars spotlights the risk governments run in a region in which they strive to control religion in a bid to counter militant strands of Islam, often by touting apolitical, ultra-conservative trends. &nbspThese efforts are proving difficult to contain within the limits of the government’s agenda. The controversy over Saudi support of Salafi scholars highlights how state control, frequently exercised through degrees of micro-management of weekly Friday prayer sermons, and/or putting clerics on the government payroll as well as supervision of mosques and school textbooks, often backfires. &nbspFor one, the credibility of government-sponsored Islamic scholars is undermined as they become increasingly viewed as functionaries and parrots of regimes. It also thrusts into the limelight the slippery slope on which governments play politics with conservative and ultra-conservative religion for opportunistic reasons or as in the case of Turkey in a bid to establish state-controlled Turkish Islam as a global force. Ultra-conservatism’s increasing attractiveness is magnified by the inability of governments to comprehensively police alternative expressions of religion on the Internet and social media as well as halt the popping up of unlicensed mosques and informal study groups. As a result, Saudi-inspired ultra-conservative, as well as militant strands of Islam, emerge as the only alternative release valve, particularly in countries that restrict freedom of expression, the media, and religion and have failed in their delivery of public goods and services “Whatever the state does to control the religious realm, it cannot oblige or guarantee that people will rely on official bodies and individuals for their religious guidance. In fact, Algerian youths, in particular, are disillusioned and have lost confidence in their religious institutions. As such, they may be attracted to other religious voices, especially those offering ‘grab and go’ solutions to complex issues or a Manichean view of the world,” said Algeria scholar Dalia Ghanem-Yazbeck. The controversy in Algeria further raises questions about definitions of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s declared effort to return the kingdom to what he termed ‘moderate Islam’ given that Saudi Arabia played a key role in globally promoting Sunni Muslim ultra-conservatism for almost half a century. In Saudi Arabia, the jury is still out on Prince Mohammed’s approach to moderation. In an ultra-conservative country in which religious leaders were not only popular but government employees who shared power with the ruling Al Saud family, Prince Mohammed has whipped the religious establishment into subservience and kowtowing to his reforms with little indication that they have had a true change of heart. Algeria has long seen Saudi-inspired quietist strands of Salafism that preach unreserved obedience to a Muslim ruler as a way of countering expressions of popular discontent and more militant strands of Islam. “The onset of the 2011 Arab uprisings only increased the utility of quietist Salafists to the state. All the main quietist figures issued calls for Algerians to resist the wave of political contestation rocking the Arab world… This drove a wedge between rulers and ruled, exacerbating social divisions, which would inevitably lead to a rise in insecurity and worsening corruption,” said international relations scholar Anouar Boukhars. A recent study showed that many Algerians were turning on social media to Saudi and Egyptian rather than Algerian religious scholars. Some Saudi scholars like Sheikh Mohamed al-Arefe, a controversial ultra-conservative, known for his misogynist and anti-Shiite tirades, who ranks among the top 100 global and top 10 Arab social media personalities with 21.6 million followers on Twitter and 24.3 million on Facebook boast a larger following in Algeria than in the kingdom itself. The study concluded that Mr. Al-Arefe had two million Algerian followers as opposed to 1.3 million Saudis. Algerian media reports, echoing secular concerns, detailed earlier this year Saudi propagation of a quietist, apolitical yet supremacist and anti-pluralistic form of Islam in the North African country. The media published a letter by a prominent Saudi scholar that appointed three ultra-conservative Algerian clerics as representatives of Salafism. “While Saudi Arabia tries to promote the image of a country that is ridding itself of its fanatics, it sends to other countries the most radical of its doctrines,” asserted independent Algerian newspaper El Watan. El Watan and other media reproduced a letter written by Saudi Sheikh Hadi Ben Ali Al-Madkhali, a scion of Sheikh Rabia Al-Madkhali, the intellectual father of what French Islam scholar Stephane Lacroix terms a loyalist strand of Salafism that projects the kingdom as the ideal place for those who seek a pure Islam that has not been compromised by non-Muslim cultural practices and secularism. The letter appoints three prominent Algerian scholars, including Mohamed Ali Ferkous, widely viewed as the spiritual guide of Algerian Madkhalists, as Salafism’s representatives in Algeria. “Madkhalism…(is) perhaps Saudi Arabia’s own Trojan Horse,” quipped North Africa scholar George Joffe. “State-approved imams in Algeria now find themselves under considerable pressure, in mosques that have been targeted, to adapt their teachings and doctrines to Salafi precept, even if this challenges the authority of the ministry of religious affairs,” Mr. Joffe added. The mixed results of the Algerian government’s effort to control and use religion are replicated across the Muslim world. Pakistan, a country in which ultra-conservatism and militancy has over decades been woven into the fabric of the state and society and that is struggling with political violence against the state as well as minorities, serves as an example of the risks involved in playing politics with religion and state support for non-pluralistic, intolerant and supremacist interpretations of Islam. Attempting to rollback the fallout of such policies is proving to be a gargantuan task. The Pakistani government earlier this year launched a pilot project in Islamabad to regulate Friday prayer sermons. The problem is that it controls a mere 86 of the city’s 1,003 mosques. Some critics warn that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may be taking his country down a road like that of Pakistan. They compare the Turkish leader to former Pakistani ruler General Zia ul-Haq who in the 1980s accelerated Islamisation of Pakistani society. Former Pakistani ambassador to the United States and director of South and Central Asia for the Washington-based Hudson Institute Husain Haqqani asserted that Mr. Erdogan was adopting the “Pakistani formula of mixing hard-line nationalism with religiosity” and pouring money into Islamic schools. "Erdogan has taken the Pakistani formula of mixing hard-line nationalism with religiosity. Zia imposed Islamic laws by decree, amended the constitution, marginalised secular scholars and leaders, and created institutions for Islamisation that have outlasted him. Erdogan is trying to do the same in Turkey," Mr. Haqqani told journalist and columnist Eli Lake. Mr. Lake argued that Turkey, despite having tacitly supported the Islamic State at one point during the Syrian civil war, Turkey had not yet “sunk” to Pakistan’s level of cooperation with Islamic militants in its dispute with India and manoeuvring in Afghanistan. However, suggesting that Turkey risked becoming another Pakistan, Mr. Lake quoted former US ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman as saying: "Turkey is not Pakistan yet, but if it continues the trajectory that Erdogan has put it on, there is a prospect it could become like Pakistan.” At the other extreme, Chinese authorities in the north-western province of Xinjiang, home to China’s Uyghur Muslim minority, were several months ago shutting down some 100 illegal, underground religious seminaries a month despite creating in the region the world’s most repressive surveillance state, according to a Chinese communist party official. The crackdown involves the banning of religious practices and the teaching of the Uyghur language in schools and the detention of thousands in political re-education camps. The controversy in Algeria, Mr. Erdogan’s embrace of Islam, Pakistan’s struggle to come to grips with the fallout of ultra-conservatism, China’s efforts to crackdown on religion, anti-government and anti-clergy protests in Iran earlier this year, and examples of societies elsewhere in Asia turning towards intolerance and conservatism as governments employ or repress religion for opportunistic political purposes, suggest that political leaders have learnt little, if anything. Yet, the lesson is that government control and/or playing with religion seldom produces sustainable results. The lesson is also that repression, including restricting freedoms of expression, media and religion, aggravates problems and benefits ultra-conservatives and militants. Finally, the lesson is that the solution likely lies in inclusive rather than exclusionary policies and transparent and accountable governments capable of delivering pubic goods and services that ensure that all segments of the population have a stake in society. That lesson is one that governments in Algeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and China seemingly prefer to overlook. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Algerian controversy over Salafism puts government control of religion on the spot

The government has asked the collegium to reconsider the elevation of Justice KM Joseph to the Supreme Court, PTI has reported government sources as saying.&nbsp;

Joseph is currently Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court.&nbsp;

The Centre's decision to not clear Joseph's nomination as a Supreme Court judge is expected to set up a massive confrontation between the government and the judiciary.&nbsp;

The government had so far been sitting on Joseph's nomination along with that of Indu Malhotra's. Both names were recommended in January.&nbsp;

Malhotra's name however was cleared yesterday, making her the first woman to directly go from being a lawyer to a Supreme Court judge.&nbsp;

In a ruling in 2016, Justice Joseph had cancelled President's rule in Uttarakhand and brought back the Congress government of Harish Rawat to power. The judgement was seen as major set back to the BJP-ruled government at the Centre.

The government's decision of not approving Joseph's name has evoked sharp reactions with the Supreme Court Bar Association President terming it as "disturbing". 
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad wrote to Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra this morning requesting the collegium, a group of five senior-most judges that selects judges for the apex court, to reconsider its decision on recommending Justice Joseph to be a judge of the top court.

Prasad also informed the CJI that senior advocate Malhotra has today been appointed a judge of the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

The Centre's decision to not clear Joseph's — he is currently Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court — nomination as a Supreme Court judge is expected to set up a massive confrontation between the government and the judiciary

The government has asked the collegium to reconsider the elevation of Justice KM Joseph to the Supreme Court, PTI has reported government sources as saying. Joseph is currently Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court. The Centre's decision to not clear Joseph's nomination as a Supreme Court judge is expected to set up a massive confrontation between the government and the judiciary. The government had so far been sitting on Joseph's nomination along with that of Indu Malhotra's. Both names were recommended in January. Malhotra's name however was cleared yesterday, making her the first woman to directly go from being a lawyer to a Supreme Court judge. In a ruling in 2016, Justice Joseph had cancelled President's rule in Uttarakhand and brought back the Congress government of Harish Rawat to power. The judgement was seen as major set back to the BJP-ruled government at the Centre. The government's decision of not approving Joseph's name has evoked sharp reactions with the Supreme Court Bar Association President terming it as "disturbing". Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad wrote to Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra this morning requesting the collegium, a group of five senior-most judges that selects judges for the apex court, to reconsider its decision on recommending Justice Joseph to be a judge of the top court. Prasad also informed the CJI that senior advocate Malhotra has today been appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. (With inputs from PTI)

Government asks collegium to reconsider elevation of Justice KM Joseph to Supreme Court: Sources

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