Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue of global climate change in his meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale informed.

Gokhale said that the UN Secretary-General specifically acknowledged the fact that India played a very major role in climate change negotiations.

He also acknowledged that the Indian Prime Minister had taken a number of concrete steps towards addressing climate change in his own country.

Apart from mentioning the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as one of the major initiatives of India towards climate change, Guterres also recalled the environmental impacts of the Swachh Bharat Mission and other campaigns that he witnessed during his recent visit to India last month.

The UN Secretary-General also sincerely hoped and expected that in the forthcoming meeting on COP24 (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), scheduled next week in Poland, India will be playing the role of a good Samaritan and urge various countries to come up with certain solutions which would eventually feed into the climate change summit that Guterres is planning in 2019.

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Foreign Secy Vijay Gokhale in Buenos Aires, Argentina: The main subject of discussion in Prime Minister's meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was the forthcoming climate change meeting in Katowice, Poland, the so-called 'COP 24' <a href="https://t.co/zmrMtv6O8D">pic.twitter.com/zmrMtv6O8D</a>
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Prime Minister Modi also assured the UN Secretary-General that India would play a positive role in the climate change negotiations as it is a part of the Indian culture and civilisation to preserve the environment.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue of global climate change in his meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale informed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue of global climate change in his meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale informed. Gokhale said that the UN Secretary-General specifically acknowledged the fact that India played a very major role in climate change negotiations. He also acknowledged that the Indian Prime Minister had taken a number of concrete steps towards addressing climate change in his own country. Apart from mentioning the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as one of the major initiatives of India towards climate change, Guterres also recalled the environmental impacts of the Swachh Bharat Mission and other campaigns that he witnessed during his recent visit to India last month. The UN Secretary-General also sincerely hoped and expected that in the forthcoming meeting on COP24 (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), scheduled next week in Poland, India will be playing the role of a good Samaritan and urge various countries to come up with certain solutions which would eventually feed into the climate change summit that Guterres is planning in 2019. Foreign Secy Vijay Gokhale in Buenos Aires, Argentina: The main subject of discussion in Prime Minister's meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was the forthcoming climate change meeting in Katowice, Poland, the so-called 'COP 24' pic.twitter.com/zmrMtv6O8D — ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2018 × Prime Minister Modi also assured the UN Secretary-General that India would play a positive role in the climate change negotiations as it is a part of the Indian culture and civilisation to preserve the environment.

G20 Summit: PM Modi discusses global climate change with UN Secretary General

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said yoga is bridging the vast distance between Argentina and India, and connecting their people.&nbsp;

Addressing participants at 'Yoga for Peace'&nbsp;event, he said the practice is India's gift to the world for health and peace.&nbsp;

"I arrived here just a few hours ago after travelling over 15,000 kilometers in more than 24 hours. And because of your love and enthusiasm, I did not feel at all that I am outside India," the prime minister said in Hindi.&nbsp;

Praising the organisers of the "Yoga for Peace" event, he said it's hard to think of a better name. "Yoga keeps both your body and mind healthy. It strengthens your body and keeps your mind at peace," he said.

The prime minister said if the mind is at peace, there would be peace in family, society, country and the world as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;"Yoga is India's gift to the world for health, wellness and peace. It connects us with wellness and happiness.&nbsp;

"Yoga is bridging the vast distance between India and Argentina. It is connecting the two countries and their people," Prime Minister Modi said.

While Argentina has a keen interest in India's art, music and dance, there are lakhs of fans of Argentine soccer players in our country. Maradona's name has become part of our daily conversations and sayings, Prime Minister Modi said.&nbsp;

He also congratulated the Argentina hockey team for winning their first match of the Hockey World Cup being held in Odisha.&nbsp;

"It's a matter of pride and happiness for us that Argentina is hosting the G20 summit. Issues such as global economy, sustainable development, climate change, and fugitive economic offenders will be discussed during the summit. These are in the interest of the entire world, and not just India and Argentina," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said yoga is bridging the vast distance between Argentina and India, and connecting their people. Addressing participants at 'Yoga for Peace' event, he said the practice is India's gift to the world for health and peace.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said yoga is bridging the vast distance between Argentina and India, and connecting their people. Addressing participants at 'Yoga for Peace' event, he said the practice is India's gift to the world for health and peace. "I arrived here just a few hours ago after travelling over 15,000 kilometers in more than 24 hours. And because of your love and enthusiasm, I did not feel at all that I am outside India," the prime minister said in Hindi. Praising the organisers of the "Yoga for Peace" event, he said it's hard to think of a better name. "Yoga keeps both your body and mind healthy. It strengthens your body and keeps your mind at peace," he said. The prime minister said if the mind is at peace, there would be peace in family, society, country and the world as well. "Yoga is India's gift to the world for health, wellness and peace. It connects us with wellness and happiness. "Yoga is bridging the vast distance between India and Argentina. It is connecting the two countries and their people," Prime Minister Modi said. While Argentina has a keen interest in India's art, music and dance, there are lakhs of fans of Argentine soccer players in our country. Maradona's name has become part of our daily conversations and sayings, Prime Minister Modi said. He also congratulated the Argentina hockey team for winning their first match of the Hockey World Cup being held in Odisha. "It's a matter of pride and happiness for us that Argentina is hosting the G20 summit. Issues such as global economy, sustainable development, climate change, and fugitive economic offenders will be discussed during the summit. These are in the interest of the entire world, and not just India and Argentina," he said.

Yoga connecting India, Argentina: PM Modi at 'Yoga for Peace' event

Weak farm prices are threatening to hurt PM Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party as it faces a critical test in three state elections dominated by rural voters in the Hindi-speaking belt that is its traditional stronghold.

On a visit last week to the most crucial of the three states, Madhya Pradesh, which voted on Wednesday, Reuters spoke to 134 rural voters along a 400 km (250 miles) corridor - 89, or about two-thirds, said they would vote for the opposition Congress party rather than the ruling BJP.

"Diesel and fertiliser prices have shot up but paddy and wheat prices rose only marginally," said Prem Naryan Meena, a 60-year-old wheat farmer in Gudari Ghat village on the outskirts of Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal. "Our net realisation has been falling every year."

Meena says he will vote Congress for the first time in his life because the BJP has failed to lift farmers' earnings as promised. He voted BJP in the last state and general elections.

The latest survey from pollster C Voter puts Congress marginally ahead in both Madhya Pradesh and the second of the Hindi-speaking states, Chhattisgarh, where voting has been completed. Congress has an 8.2 percentage-point lead in the third state, Rajasthan, according to the survey. All three results are expected on December 11.

"WE CAN'T EAT ROADS"

The BJP currently controls all three states, and if it loses more than one it could prompt a re-think of its strategy heading into next year's general election, which is due to be held by May.

Political strategists say that could mean trying to find quick ways to bolster incomes in the countryside through additional subsidies. It could also mean forcefully playing the "Hindus-first" card, which they say could appeal to the majority population but risk creating communal conflict.

Investors are also likely to take fright if the pro-business BJP suffers major losses. It would create major policy uncertainty by raising the prospects that Modi could either lose next year's election or be faced with forming a much less powerful coalition government.

The BJP's message still can resonate in rural areas on the back of some of the government's development initiatives. These include a push for access to electricity, provision of better sanitation, subsidies for cooking systems run off liquefied petroleum gas, and better roads.

But that is not enough for many farmers struggling with low crop prices.

"Government says they are working to double farmers' income, but instead of rising, crop prices are falling. We sold soybean at 5,000 rupees (per 100 kg) in 2014 and now we are getting 2,900 rupees," said 30-year-old farmer Anil Verma, from the Sehore district, 50 km from Bhopal.

And while voters acknowledge the improved roads, some such as Ramnaryan Gour, a taxi driver in Bhopal, do not see it as enough of a reason to support the BJP.

"We can't eat roads. Our income should go up, which is not happening," said Gaur, who plans to vote for Congress.

PARALYSED TRADING

The government points to initiatives such as improved irrigation, crop insurance and electronic trading platforms for farmers to sell produce as evidence it has helped rural Indians, who make up around 70 per cent of the 1.3 billion population.

But the low farm prices can also be at least partially blamed on government policies.

After coming to power, the Modi administration tried to bring down food inflation by raising crop procurement prices much less than its predecessor, cutting import taxes on various farm commodities and restricting overseas sales of some crops. These policies, along with a supply glut overseas, hurt crop prices in India.

Then the government in 2016 scrapped high-value currency notes as it sought to crack down on the black economy. That paralysed trading of farm commodities and dragged prices down further.

The national government has more recently been trying to support rural incomes by steeply raising minimum support prices for summer-sown crops – prices at which the government says it is prepared to buy the crops from the farmers. But farmers have been selling crops at as much as a 30 percent discount to these prices when they have a big supply glut because a lack of storage and transport capacity means the government system does not function effectively.

And the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has been on the back foot since six farmers protesting against lower prices in mid-2017 were shot and killed by police in Mandsaur district. The incident angered farmers and prompted Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to offer them concessions.

The state rolled out a programme that promised to pay farmers the difference between the actual crop sale price and the government mandated price.

But it did not work as traders profited from the scheme and the difference between market prices and support prices widened further, according to Deviprasad Mandloi, who grows black lentils in Sehore.

Growers of garlic, onion and tomatoes – all big crops in the state - have been hit particularly hard as prices have plunged.

"In garlic we are not recovering half of the production cost," said Deepak Yogi, showing a reporter garlic bags stored in a cattle shed in Sehore.

Garlic prices have fallen to 9 rupees a kg, from nearly 100 rupees a kg in January 2017.

If the farmers' sentiments are reflected across Madhya Pradesh, which has been held by the BJP for the past three terms, or 15 years, then it will be a major defeat for Modi.

Congress has been trying to tap into farmers' discontent with promises to waive farm loans.

After winning all three state elections in late 2013, the BJP won 62 out of 65 seats - 27 out of 29 in Madhya Pradesh - that those states sent to the 545-member lower house in the 2014 general election.

A poor performance by the BJP in the three "will be indicative of slipping ground in strongholds," said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, a biographer of Modi. It would also make Congress more credible and put it in a stronger position to negotiate alliances with smaller regional parties, he said.

The expectation in financial markets is that the BJP will win at least two of the three states.

If the BJP loses all three "then there would be a sell-off in the market," said Sanjay Mookim, India equity strategist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, adding that there would be concerns that an unstable coalition government may result.

Weak farm prices are threatening to hurt PM Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party as it faces a critical test in three state elections dominated by rural voters in the Hindi-speaking belt that is its traditional stronghold.

Weak farm prices are threatening to hurt PM Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party as it faces a critical test in three state elections dominated by rural voters in the Hindi-speaking belt that is its traditional stronghold. On a visit last week to the most crucial of the three states, Madhya Pradesh, which voted on Wednesday, Reuters spoke to 134 rural voters along a 400 km (250 miles) corridor - 89, or about two-thirds, said they would vote for the opposition Congress party rather than the ruling BJP. "Diesel and fertiliser prices have shot up but paddy and wheat prices rose only marginally," said Prem Naryan Meena, a 60-year-old wheat farmer in Gudari Ghat village on the outskirts of Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal. "Our net realisation has been falling every year." Meena says he will vote Congress for the first time in his life because the BJP has failed to lift farmers' earnings as promised. He voted BJP in the last state and general elections. The latest survey from pollster C Voter puts Congress marginally ahead in both Madhya Pradesh and the second of the Hindi-speaking states, Chhattisgarh, where voting has been completed. Congress has an 8.2 percentage-point lead in the third state, Rajasthan, according to the survey. All three results are expected on December 11. "WE CAN'T EAT ROADS" The BJP currently controls all three states, and if it loses more than one it could prompt a re-think of its strategy heading into next year's general election, which is due to be held by May. Political strategists say that could mean trying to find quick ways to bolster incomes in the countryside through additional subsidies. It could also mean forcefully playing the "Hindus-first" card, which they say could appeal to the majority population but risk creating communal conflict. Investors are also likely to take fright if the pro-business BJP suffers major losses. It would create major policy uncertainty by raising the prospects that Modi could either lose next year's election or be faced with forming a much less powerful coalition government. The BJP's message still can resonate in rural areas on the back of some of the government's development initiatives. These include a push for access to electricity, provision of better sanitation, subsidies for cooking systems run off liquefied petroleum gas, and better roads. But that is not enough for many farmers struggling with low crop prices. "Government says they are working to double farmers' income, but instead of rising, crop prices are falling. We sold soybean at 5,000 rupees (per 100 kg) in 2014 and now we are getting 2,900 rupees," said 30-year-old farmer Anil Verma, from the Sehore district, 50 km from Bhopal. And while voters acknowledge the improved roads, some such as Ramnaryan Gour, a taxi driver in Bhopal, do not see it as enough of a reason to support the BJP. "We can't eat roads. Our income should go up, which is not happening," said Gaur, who plans to vote for Congress. PARALYSED TRADING The government points to initiatives such as improved irrigation, crop insurance and electronic trading platforms for farmers to sell produce as evidence it has helped rural Indians, who make up around 70 per cent of the 1.3 billion population. But the low farm prices can also be at least partially blamed on government policies. After coming to power, the Modi administration tried to bring down food inflation by raising crop procurement prices much less than its predecessor, cutting import taxes on various farm commodities and restricting overseas sales of some crops. These policies, along with a supply glut overseas, hurt crop prices in India. Then the government in 2016 scrapped high-value currency notes as it sought to crack down on the black economy. That paralysed trading of farm commodities and dragged prices down further. The national government has more recently been trying to support rural incomes by steeply raising minimum support prices for summer-sown crops – prices at which the government says it is prepared to buy the crops from the farmers. But farmers have been selling crops at as much as a 30 percent discount to these prices when they have a big supply glut because a lack of storage and transport capacity means the government system does not function effectively. And the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has been on the back foot since six farmers protesting against lower prices in mid-2017 were shot and killed by police in Mandsaur district. The incident angered farmers and prompted Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to offer them concessions. The state rolled out a programme that promised to pay farmers the difference between the actual crop sale price and the government mandated price. But it did not work as traders profited from the scheme and the difference between market prices and support prices widened further, according to Deviprasad Mandloi, who grows black lentils in Sehore. Growers of garlic, onion and tomatoes – all big crops in the state - have been hit particularly hard as prices have plunged. "In garlic we are not recovering half of the production cost," said Deepak Yogi, showing a reporter garlic bags stored in a cattle shed in Sehore. Garlic prices have fallen to 9 rupees a kg, from nearly 100 rupees a kg in January 2017. If the farmers' sentiments are reflected across Madhya Pradesh, which has been held by the BJP for the past three terms, or 15 years, then it will be a major defeat for Modi. Congress has been trying to tap into farmers' discontent with promises to waive farm loans. After winning all three state elections in late 2013, the BJP won 62 out of 65 seats - 27 out of 29 in Madhya Pradesh - that those states sent to the 545-member lower house in the 2014 general election. A poor performance by the BJP in the three "will be indicative of slipping ground in strongholds," said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, a biographer of Modi. It would also make Congress more credible and put it in a stronger position to negotiate alliances with smaller regional parties, he said. The expectation in financial markets is that the BJP will win at least two of the three states. If the BJP loses all three "then there would be a sell-off in the market," said Sanjay Mookim, India equity strategist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, adding that there would be concerns that an unstable coalition government may result.

Assembly elections 2018: Angry farmers could upset Modi in major state elections test

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Argentina today. India will be discussing all issues of bilateral and regional interest.

Oil prices is&nbsp;the&nbsp;key issue for India and foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale in a briefing before the G20 summit had said India will highlight the risks posed by oil price volatility at the summit as it "is something which has directly impacted the Indian economy."

He also added, "It is something which affects the lives of people and it is incumbent that the leaders of 20 largest economy to reflect upon both the price of oil and its availability in the market."

On the sidelines of the G-20 Hangzhou Summit in September 2016, Prime Minister had held&nbsp;bilateral meeting with the Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman during which the&nbsp;two leaders discussed ways of further strengthening and diversifying bilateral engagements.

For India, Saudi Arabia has been a valuable partner and the relationship has expanded beyond the Indian community to issues related to the economy, energy and security.

PM&nbsp;Narendra Modi had visited Riyadh from April 2-3, 2016 during which he had met King Salman &amp; Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. In a special gesture during the visit King Salman honoured Prime Minister Narendra&nbsp;Modi with the ‘Sash of King Abdulaziz’, the highest civilian decoration awarded by the&nbsp;Kingdom.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Argentina today. India will be discussing all issues of bilateral and regional interest.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Argentina today. India will be discussing all issues of bilateral and regional interest. Oil prices is the key issue for India and foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale in a briefing before the G20 summit had said India will highlight the risks posed by oil price volatility at the summit as it "is something which has directly impacted the Indian economy." He also added, "It is something which affects the lives of people and it is incumbent that the leaders of 20 largest economy to reflect upon both the price of oil and its availability in the market." On the sidelines of the G-20 Hangzhou Summit in September 2016, Prime Minister had held bilateral meeting with the Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman during which the two leaders discussed ways of further strengthening and diversifying bilateral engagements. For India, Saudi Arabia has been a valuable partner and the relationship has expanded beyond the Indian community to issues related to the economy, energy and security. PM Narendra Modi had visited Riyadh from April 2-3, 2016 during which he had met King Salman & Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. In a special gesture during the visit King Salman honoured Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the ‘Sash of King Abdulaziz’, the highest civilian decoration awarded by the Kingdom.

G20 summit: PM Modi to meet  Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman

The Congress Wednesday accused the Modi government of "manipulating" GDP data of previous years and said it reflects a desperate attempt to undermine India's growth story over the last 15 years.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala termed the step a "classic" case where "the operation is successful but the patient is dead".

"The entire GDP back series data released today reflects the desperate attempt of a defeatist Modi Government to undermine India's growth story over last 15 years. Modi Government and its puppet Niti Aayog want the people to believe that 2+2=8. Such is the gimmickry, jugglery, trickery and chicanery being sold as 'back series data'," he said in a statement.&nbsp;

There was no immediate reaction from the BJP on the Congress's claims and allegations.

The Congress leader said the economic mismanagement under the Modi government has led to economic anarchy and jugglery of GDP figures.

"Manipulated" back series data' will not change Modi government's "exit date'. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji's new definition of GDP is 'Gimmickry Data Product'," he said.

Surjewala alleged a failed "Modinomics plus a Pakoda economic vision" has put India's economy in complete turmoil, and the prime minister and his finance minister have caused economic "mayhem" by the "ill-conceived" decisions of demonetisation, a "flawed" GST coupled with "tax terrorism".

"Faced with utter and complete rejection of the 'voodoo economics' of the Modi-Jaitley duo, they are resorting to malicious and fraudulent jugglery of GDP figures to hide the enormous body blow caused by them to India's economy," he said.&nbsp;

Surjewala alleged that since the advent of the NDA government in May 2014, there has been a determined effort to run down the record of the two UPA governments under Manmohan Singh during 2004-2009 and 2009-2014.&nbsp;

A lot of confusion was sown and the Modi government added to the confusion by changing the base year from 2004-05 to 2011-12, he said.&nbsp;

The Congress leader said his party has repeatedly pointed out that when the base year was changed, the government should follow the healthy international practice and revise the numbers for the previous years.&nbsp;

"We had demanded that the back series data of GVA and GDP should be calculated and released so that meaningful comparisons can be made," he said, adding that the back series data as released by National Statistical Commission (NSC) in August 2018 is available in public domain and numbers prove that the truth cannot be suppressed.&nbsp;

The opposition leader claimed that UPA-1 and UPA-2 delivered the highest decadal growth of 8.13 per cent at factor cost since Independence and during this period 140 million people were lifted out of poverty.&nbsp;

When the UPA demitted office, economic growth had recovered to 6.39 per cent at market prices in 2013-14. Besides, the fiscal deficit had been reduced to 4.48 per cent and the current account deficit contained at 1.7 per cent, he claimed.

"The revised New Series' computed today by the Ministry of Statistics and Niti Aayog has completely undermined the NSC (National Statistical Commission), the autonomous body for deciding data transparently and in accordance with global standards of calculating GDP as per Market Price Linked Methodology.&nbsp;

"Today, the Modi government deceived the country by surreptitiously changing the methodology in order to manipulate GDP data. This is called 'Excel Sheet Management' in deciding the result first and filling the marks later. The new methodology is GVA based, which does not take into account tax+ subsidies and consequently is extremely flawed to subserve the myopic interests of the Modi government," he said.&nbsp;

Surjewala alleged that under this government, there has been complete stagnation in investment and the Gross Fixed Capital Formation in the last three years has remained constant at 28.5 per cent. "At that level of investment (GFCF), it is not possible to achieve higher growth rates," he said.

The government Wednesday lowered the country's economic growth rate during the previous Congress-led UPA regime, shaving off over one percentage point from the only year when India posted double-digit GDP growth post liberalisation and from each of the three years with 9-plus per cent expansion.

Recalibrating data of past years using 2011-12 as the base year instead of 2004-05, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) estimated that India's GDP grew by 8.5 per cent in the financial year 2010-11 (April 2010 to March 2011) and not at 10.3 per cent as previously estimated.

Similarly, 9.3 per cent growth rate each in 2005-06 and 2006-07 was lowered to 7.9 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively, while 7.7 per cent rate was now estimated for 2007-08 instead of 9.8 per cent.

The revised growth numbers have been released ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The Congress Wednesday accused the Modi government of "manipulating" GDP data of previous years and said it reflects a desperate attempt to undermine India's growth story over the last 15 years.

The Congress Wednesday accused the Modi government of "manipulating" GDP data of previous years and said it reflects a desperate attempt to undermine India's growth story over the last 15 years. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala termed the step a "classic" case where "the operation is successful but the patient is dead". "The entire GDP back series data released today reflects the desperate attempt of a defeatist Modi Government to undermine India's growth story over last 15 years. Modi Government and its puppet Niti Aayog want the people to believe that 2+2=8. Such is the gimmickry, jugglery, trickery and chicanery being sold as 'back series data'," he said in a statement. There was no immediate reaction from the BJP on the Congress's claims and allegations. The Congress leader said the economic mismanagement under the Modi government has led to economic anarchy and jugglery of GDP figures. "Manipulated" back series data' will not change Modi government's "exit date'. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji's new definition of GDP is 'Gimmickry Data Product'," he said. Surjewala alleged a failed "Modinomics plus a Pakoda economic vision" has put India's economy in complete turmoil, and the prime minister and his finance minister have caused economic "mayhem" by the "ill-conceived" decisions of demonetisation, a "flawed" GST coupled with "tax terrorism". "Faced with utter and complete rejection of the 'voodoo economics' of the Modi-Jaitley duo, they are resorting to malicious and fraudulent jugglery of GDP figures to hide the enormous body blow caused by them to India's economy," he said. Surjewala alleged that since the advent of the NDA government in May 2014, there has been a determined effort to run down the record of the two UPA governments under Manmohan Singh during 2004-2009 and 2009-2014. A lot of confusion was sown and the Modi government added to the confusion by changing the base year from 2004-05 to 2011-12, he said. The Congress leader said his party has repeatedly pointed out that when the base year was changed, the government should follow the healthy international practice and revise the numbers for the previous years. "We had demanded that the back series data of GVA and GDP should be calculated and released so that meaningful comparisons can be made," he said, adding that the back series data as released by National Statistical Commission (NSC) in August 2018 is available in public domain and numbers prove that the truth cannot be suppressed. The opposition leader claimed that UPA-1 and UPA-2 delivered the highest decadal growth of 8.13 per cent at factor cost since Independence and during this period 140 million people were lifted out of poverty. When the UPA demitted office, economic growth had recovered to 6.39 per cent at market prices in 2013-14. Besides, the fiscal deficit had been reduced to 4.48 per cent and the current account deficit contained at 1.7 per cent, he claimed. "The revised New Series' computed today by the Ministry of Statistics and Niti Aayog has completely undermined the NSC (National Statistical Commission), the autonomous body for deciding data transparently and in accordance with global standards of calculating GDP as per Market Price Linked Methodology. "Today, the Modi government deceived the country by surreptitiously changing the methodology in order to manipulate GDP data. This is called 'Excel Sheet Management' in deciding the result first and filling the marks later. The new methodology is GVA based, which does not take into account tax+ subsidies and consequently is extremely flawed to subserve the myopic interests of the Modi government," he said. Surjewala alleged that under this government, there has been complete stagnation in investment and the Gross Fixed Capital Formation in the last three years has remained constant at 28.5 per cent. "At that level of investment (GFCF), it is not possible to achieve higher growth rates," he said. The government Wednesday lowered the country's economic growth rate during the previous Congress-led UPA regime, shaving off over one percentage point from the only year when India posted double-digit GDP growth post liberalisation and from each of the three years with 9-plus per cent expansion. Recalibrating data of past years using 2011-12 as the base year instead of 2004-05, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) estimated that India's GDP grew by 8.5 per cent in the financial year 2010-11 (April 2010 to March 2011) and not at 10.3 per cent as previously estimated. Similarly, 9.3 per cent growth rate each in 2005-06 and 2006-07 was lowered to 7.9 per cent and 8.1 per cent respectively, while 7.7 per cent rate was now estimated for 2007-08 instead of 9.8 per cent. The revised growth numbers have been released ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Modi government manipulating GDP data of previous years: Congress

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/happy-to-meet-pm-modi-there-cant-be-a-military-solution-to-kashmir-imran-khan-at-media-interaction-180244">Happy to meet PM Modi, there can't be a military solution to Kashmir: Pak PM Imran Khan at </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/happy-to-meet-pm-modi-there-cant-be-a-military-solution-to-kashmir-imran-khan-at-media-interaction-180244">media</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/happy-to-meet-pm-modi-there-cant-be-a-military-solution-to-kashmir-imran-khan-at-media-interaction-180244"> interaction</a>

A day after laying the stone for the Kartarpur corridor, Pakistan PM Imran Khan interacted with a group Indian journalists and said he would happy to PM Narendra Modi and talk to him while adding that he was "willing to wait for (general) elections to get over in India for a gesture from New Delhi."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/central-asia/china-halts-activities-involved-with-baby-gene-editing-report-180239">China halts activities involved with baby gene editing: Report</a>

China today ordered a halt to activities of people involved in baby gene editing, state-run CCTV channel reported today.

The Chinese government had opened an investigation after a scientist He Jiankui claimed that he altered the genes of twin girls to create the first gene-edited babies.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-temple-row-pm-mahathir-steps-in-180257">Malaysia temple row: PM Mahathir steps in after rioting over </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-temple-row-pm-mahathir-steps-in-180257">relocation</a>

Peace was disturbed in culturally diverse Malaysia for two days this week after rioting over the relocation of the oldest Hindu temple near Kuala Lumpur.

The violence had broken out when a group attacked Indian devotees praying at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple, in Subang Jaya area.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sidhu-was-hugging-the-general-who-is-killing-our-men-union-minister-harsimrat-kaur-badal-180210">Sidhu was hugging the General who is killing our men: Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal</a>

Union minister for food processing industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday took a jibe on at Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu and said, ''Sidhu was hugging the General who is killing our men. He even spent 3 days with him there. Even his photo is out with the terrorist. He has become a Pakistan agent after going there. Rahul Gandhi should clearly state his stand on this.''

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-has-invited-brazils-president-elect-bolsonaro-to-us-john-bolton-180251">Trump has invited Brazil's President-elect Bolsonaro to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-has-invited-brazils-president-elect-bolsonaro-to-us-john-bolton-180251">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-has-invited-brazils-president-elect-bolsonaro-to-us-john-bolton-180251">: John Bolton</a>

US President Donald Trump has invited Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to the United States, National Security Advisor John Bolton tweeted on Thursday following a meeting with the right-wing former army captain, who takes office in January.

Happy to meet PM Modi, there can't be a military solution to Kashmir: Pak PM Imran Khan at media interaction A day after laying the stone for the Kartarpur corridor, Pakistan PM Imran Khan interacted with a group Indian journalists and said he would happy to PM Narendra Modi and talk to him while adding that he was "willing to wait for (general) elections to get over in India for a gesture from New Delhi.

Happy to meet PM Modi, there can't be a military solution to Kashmir: Pak PM Imran Khan at media interaction A day after laying the stone for the Kartarpur corridor, Pakistan PM Imran Khan interacted with a group Indian journalists and said he would happy to PM Narendra Modi and talk to him while adding that he was "willing to wait for (general) elections to get over in India for a gesture from New Delhi." China halts activities involved with baby gene editing: Report China today ordered a halt to activities of people involved in baby gene editing, state-run CCTV channel reported today. The Chinese government had opened an investigation after a scientist He Jiankui claimed that he altered the genes of twin girls to create the first gene-edited babies. Malaysia temple row: PM Mahathir steps in after rioting over relocation Peace was disturbed in culturally diverse Malaysia for two days this week after rioting over the relocation of the oldest Hindu temple near Kuala Lumpur. The violence had broken out when a group attacked Indian devotees praying at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple, in Subang Jaya area. Sidhu was hugging the General who is killing our men: Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal Union minister for food processing industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday took a jibe on at Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu and said, ''Sidhu was hugging the General who is killing our men. He even spent 3 days with him there. Even his photo is out with the terrorist. He has become a Pakistan agent after going there. Rahul Gandhi should clearly state his stand on this.'' Trump has invited Brazil's President-elect Bolsonaro to US: John Bolton US President Donald Trump has invited Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to the United States, National Security Advisor John Bolton tweeted on Thursday following a meeting with the right-wing former army captain, who takes office in January.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The former Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian has said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-economic-growth-held-back-due-to-demonetisation-gst-raghuram-rajan-176545">demonetisation was a "massive, draconian, monetary shock"</a> that dragged India's GDP growth rate down.&nbsp;

Subramanian was Chief Economic Adviser when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation on November 8, 2016. He has since quit.&nbsp;

Subramanian makes his assertion in his upcoming book "Of Counsel: The Challenges of the Modi-Jaitley Economy" to be published by Penguin.&nbsp;

"Demonetisation was a massive, draconian, monetary shock: In one fell swoop, 86 per cent of the currency in circulation was withdrawn. The real GDP growth was affected by the demonetisation. Growth had been slowing even before, but after demonetisation, the slide accelerated," IANS quoted Subramanian as writing in the book.&nbsp;

"In the six quarters before demonetisation, growth averaged 8 per cent and in the seven quarters after, it averaged about 6.8 per cent (with a four-quarter window, the relevant numbers are 8.1 per cent before and 6.2 per cent after)," IANS quoted Subramanian as saying in the chapter "The Two Puzzles of Demonetisation — Political and Economic".&nbsp;

Subramanian goes on to say that he does not think anybody is disputing the fact that demonetisation slowed growth. What they are debating is how big the hit was — did it slow GDP growth by two percentage points or less?&nbsp;

"...But when a shock like demonetisation occurs, that primarily affects the informal sector, relying on formal indicators to measure overall activity will overstate GDP. This hypothesis goes only a small way towards explaining the puzzle since any squeeze in informal sector incomes would depress demand in the formal sector, and this effect should have been sizable."&nbsp;

Subramanian answers his question by saying people may have found ways around the ban, the extension of credit for example. Or e-payments.&nbsp;

"Or, there may be other, completely different explanations that have eluded my understanding of demonetisation, one of the unlikeliest economic experiments in modern Indian history," he writes.&nbsp;

Looked at from the political perspective, Subramanian says the shock move was unprecedented. Countries either go in for demonetisation piecemeal or if they do it at one swoop, they do it during times of war or hyperinflation.&nbsp;

But, the IANS report quotes Subramanian as saying, the BJP government did not seem to pay a political price for the move. (Subramanian points to the BJP's massive victory in the UP elections a little after demonetisation was announced as proof.)&nbsp;

The answer that has been put forward, says Subramanian, is that perhaps the poor overlooked their own hardships because they thought the rich were having an even harder time. "I lost a goat, but they lost their cows," writes Subramanian.&nbsp;

According to this view, he says, the cost to the poor was unavoidable collateral damage for the attainment of a greater goal.&nbsp;

But he adds that the answer is not very plausible, for the collateral damage was in fact avoidable.&nbsp;

He finally goes on to say that perhaps what worked for the policy was that it hurt so many people.&nbsp;

"Understanding the political economy of demonetisation may require us, therefore, to confront one overlooked possibility -- that adversely impacting the many, far from being a bug, could perhaps have been a feature of the policy action.

"Not necessarily by design or in real time, but in retrospect, it appears that impacting the many adversely may have been intrinsic to the success of the policy," IANS quoted Subramanian as writing.&nbsp;

The former Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian has said demonetisation was a "massive, draconian, monetary shock" that dragged India's GDP growth rate down.

The former Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian has said demonetisation was a "massive, draconian, monetary shock" that dragged India's GDP growth rate down. Subramanian was Chief Economic Adviser when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation on November 8, 2016. He has since quit. Subramanian makes his assertion in his upcoming book "Of Counsel: The Challenges of the Modi-Jaitley Economy" to be published by Penguin. "Demonetisation was a massive, draconian, monetary shock: In one fell swoop, 86 per cent of the currency in circulation was withdrawn. The real GDP growth was affected by the demonetisation. Growth had been slowing even before, but after demonetisation, the slide accelerated," IANS quoted Subramanian as writing in the book. "In the six quarters before demonetisation, growth averaged 8 per cent and in the seven quarters after, it averaged about 6.8 per cent (with a four-quarter window, the relevant numbers are 8.1 per cent before and 6.2 per cent after)," IANS quoted Subramanian as saying in the chapter "The Two Puzzles of Demonetisation — Political and Economic". Subramanian goes on to say that he does not think anybody is disputing the fact that demonetisation slowed growth. What they are debating is how big the hit was — did it slow GDP growth by two percentage points or less? "...But when a shock like demonetisation occurs, that primarily affects the informal sector, relying on formal indicators to measure overall activity will overstate GDP. This hypothesis goes only a small way towards explaining the puzzle since any squeeze in informal sector incomes would depress demand in the formal sector, and this effect should have been sizable." Subramanian answers his question by saying people may have found ways around the ban, the extension of credit for example. Or e-payments. "Or, there may be other, completely different explanations that have eluded my understanding of demonetisation, one of the unlikeliest economic experiments in modern Indian history," he writes. Looked at from the political perspective, Subramanian says the shock move was unprecedented. Countries either go in for demonetisation piecemeal or if they do it at one swoop, they do it during times of war or hyperinflation. But, the IANS report quotes Subramanian as saying, the BJP government did not seem to pay a political price for the move. (Subramanian points to the BJP's massive victory in the UP elections a little after demonetisation was announced as proof.) The answer that has been put forward, says Subramanian, is that perhaps the poor overlooked their own hardships because they thought the rich were having an even harder time. "I lost a goat, but they lost their cows," writes Subramanian. According to this view, he says, the cost to the poor was unavoidable collateral damage for the attainment of a greater goal. But he adds that the answer is not very plausible, for the collateral damage was in fact avoidable. He finally goes on to say that perhaps what worked for the policy was that it hurt so many people. "Understanding the political economy of demonetisation may require us, therefore, to confront one overlooked possibility -- that adversely impacting the many, far from being a bug, could perhaps have been a feature of the policy action. "Not necessarily by design or in real time, but in retrospect, it appears that impacting the many adversely may have been intrinsic to the success of the policy," IANS quoted Subramanian as writing.

Demonetisation a 'massive, draconian, monetary shock': Arvind Subramanian 

US President Donald Trump will have a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires on November 30 and December 1, the White House said Tuesday.

The trilateral, which would be an expansion of the bilateral between Trump and Abe, is part of the series of meetings Trump would have later this week on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Argentina. The annual meeting is being attended by leaders of the top 20 economies of the world.

However, all eyes are expected to be on two meetings that Trump would have with the Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Briefing reporters ahead of the G-20 Summit, US National Security Advisor John Bolton said that Trump will also have meetings with President Mauricio Macri of Argentina, President Moon Jae-In of South Korea, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.

Bolton said the Trump-Abe bilateral meeting would expand into a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi.

"He is going to meet with President Macri, the host government of Argentina, he'll meet with President Moon of South Korea, he'll meet with President Erdogan of Turkey, Prime Minister Abe of Japan, that will transform at some point during that meeting a trilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi,"&nbsp;Bolton said.

"The president will meet with President Putin and have a working dinner with President Xi," he said. PTI&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump will have a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires on November 30 and December 1, the White House said Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump will have a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires on November 30 and December 1, the White House said Tuesday. The trilateral, which would be an expansion of the bilateral between Trump and Abe, is part of the series of meetings Trump would have later this week on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Argentina. The annual meeting is being attended by leaders of the top 20 economies of the world. However, all eyes are expected to be on two meetings that Trump would have with the Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Briefing reporters ahead of the G-20 Summit, US National Security Advisor John Bolton said that Trump will also have meetings with President Mauricio Macri of Argentina, President Moon Jae-In of South Korea, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. Bolton said the Trump-Abe bilateral meeting would expand into a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi. "He is going to meet with President Macri, the host government of Argentina, he'll meet with President Moon of South Korea, he'll meet with President Erdogan of Turkey, Prime Minister Abe of Japan, that will transform at some point during that meeting a trilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi," Bolton said. "The president will meet with President Putin and have a working dinner with President Xi," he said. PTI

PM Modi to have trilateral meeting with Trump and Japanese counterpart in Argentina

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday that Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was walking the Congress path and that he thinks he can win the elections without doing any work.&nbsp;

Modi was speaking at an election rally in Telanagana. The state goes to the polls on December 7.&nbsp;

"The Chief Minister of this state is walking on Congress' path. He thinks that if Congress can win elections without doing anything, he too can do it. But he must know that youth of the state are aware of the ground realities," Modi said.&nbsp;

Modi added that KCR says he will turn Nizamabad into London "but look at the condition of this region".&nbsp;

He then said that "the region lacks development"&nbsp;

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Those who believe in development, in forming a new Telangana,a new India, are placing their trust in BJP to take nation forward.Telangana was formed after several yrs' struggle&amp;sacrifices of youth.State govt doesn't have right to destroy that sacrifice: PM in Nizamabad <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Telangana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Telangana</a> <a href="https://t.co/DOUYMfd9r1">pic.twitter.com/DOUYMfd9r1</a>
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The Chief Minister of this state is walking on Congress' path. He thinks that if Congress can win elections without doing anything, he too can do it. But he must know that youth of the state are aware of the ground realities: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nizamabad <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Telangana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Telangana</a> <a href="https://t.co/FKJauKqDXX">pic.twitter.com/FKJauKqDXX</a>
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Modi went on to say that KCR learnt his politics from the Congress.&nbsp;

"He learnt from them and destroyed Telangana," Modi said. Adding that if the Congress now comes to power, "they’ll do 100 times more destruction".&nbsp;

And he accused both the Congress and KCR's TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi) of believing in dynastic politics.&nbsp;

"They are two sides of same coin. Both parties appease the minority, both parties believe in vote-bank politics, none of them have internal democracy," Modi said.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday that Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was walking the Congress path and that he thinks he can win the elections without doing any work.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday that Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was walking the Congress path and that he thinks he can win the elections without doing any work. Modi was speaking at an election rally in Telanagana. The state goes to the polls on December 7. "The Chief Minister of this state is walking on Congress' path. He thinks that if Congress can win elections without doing anything, he too can do it. But he must know that youth of the state are aware of the ground realities," Modi said. Modi added that KCR says he will turn Nizamabad into London "but look at the condition of this region". He then said that "the region lacks development" Those who believe in development, in forming a new Telangana,a new India, are placing their trust in BJP to take nation forward.Telangana was formed after several yrs' struggle&sacrifices of youth.State govt doesn't have right to destroy that sacrifice: PM in Nizamabad #Telangana pic.twitter.com/DOUYMfd9r1 — ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2018 × The Chief Minister of this state is walking on Congress' path. He thinks that if Congress can win elections without doing anything, he too can do it. But he must know that youth of the state are aware of the ground realities: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nizamabad #Telangana pic.twitter.com/FKJauKqDXX — ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2018 × Modi went on to say that KCR learnt his politics from the Congress. "He learnt from them and destroyed Telangana," Modi said. Adding that if the Congress now comes to power, "they’ll do 100 times more destruction". And he accused both the Congress and KCR's TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi) of believing in dynastic politics. "They are two sides of same coin. Both parties appease the minority, both parties believe in vote-bank politics, none of them have internal democracy," Modi said.

KCR walking Congress path, thinks he can win elections without doing any work: Modi in Telanagana 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress Sunday for dragging his parents into a political slugfest, alleging that it was being done at the behest of party chief Rahul Gandhi.

He also justified his own tirade against the Nehru-Gandhi family, pointing out that unlike his parents, they occupied top positions in politics and the government.

Congress leaders have kicked up a controversy recently by first comparing the falling value of the rupee to the advanced age of Modi's mother and then claiming that the father of the prime minister was not someone illustrious.

"What has happened to the Congress party? Naamdar (referring to Rahul Gandhi) is tacitly supporting it, and therefore, its leaders are dragging the name of my father, who passed away 30 years ago," Modi said, addressing a rally here in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.

"The Congress is running out of steam in this election, so they have started dragging my parents into politics,'' Modi said.

"No Congressman would make such a statement against me or my family without the consent of the party president (Rahul Gandhi). It is the 'naamdar' (dynast) who is making his leaders speak against me," he added.

"My mother sits in her house, performing religious rites, confining herself to a room, and has never visited Madhya Pradesh. She does not even know the 'R' of 'rajneeti' (politics)," Modi said.

"Yesterday, they took the name of my mother and now my father. The Congress chief is behind this....Naamdar alleges that the prime minister takes the names of his family members. Yes, I have to take their names as they were in politics, unlike my family members who sit quietly in their home and do their job," he added.

"Had my parents held any public post, they should also have been criticised," the prime minister said.

"Your family has occupied top positions at the national level. The more you ask me about my performance, the onus is more on your family as well," he added.

The opposition party was left with no issues and was, therefore, indulging in this kind of an abusive rhetoric, Modi said.

"The Congress should compare its 55 years of rule with my four years (at the Centre) and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's 15 years (in the state).

"The Congress is lying so much to people that the people of Madhya Pradesh should wake up and ensure that not a single Congress candidate wins," he added.

The previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had introduced a crop loan waiver scheme in 2008, but of the Rs 6-lakh crore agricultural debt in the country, loans of only Rs 60,000 crore were waived, the prime minister claimed.

Former Union minister Vilas Muttemwar made a controversial statement at a Congress meeting in Rajasthan Saturday.

"Who knew you (Modi) before you became the prime minister? Even now, nobody knows the name of your father, but everyone knows the name of Rahul Gandhi's father," Muttemwar was purportedly heard saying in a video that went viral.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar had compared the falling value of the rupee to the advanced age of Modi's mother.

In his speech in Vidisha Sunday, Modi also mentioned his cabinet colleague and local MP Sushma Swaraj.

Despite health issues, Swaraj had ensured the development of the constituency, the prime minister said.

The 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly will go to the polls on November 28 and the results will be announced on December 11. &nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress Sunday for dragging his parents into a political slugfest, alleging that it was being done at the behest of party chief Rahul Gandhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress Sunday for dragging his parents into a political slugfest, alleging that it was being done at the behest of party chief Rahul Gandhi. He also justified his own tirade against the Nehru-Gandhi family, pointing out that unlike his parents, they occupied top positions in politics and the government. Congress leaders have kicked up a controversy recently by first comparing the falling value of the rupee to the advanced age of Modi's mother and then claiming that the father of the prime minister was not someone illustrious. "What has happened to the Congress party? Naamdar (referring to Rahul Gandhi) is tacitly supporting it, and therefore, its leaders are dragging the name of my father, who passed away 30 years ago," Modi said, addressing a rally here in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. "The Congress is running out of steam in this election, so they have started dragging my parents into politics,'' Modi said. "No Congressman would make such a statement against me or my family without the consent of the party president (Rahul Gandhi). It is the 'naamdar' (dynast) who is making his leaders speak against me," he added. "My mother sits in her house, performing religious rites, confining herself to a room, and has never visited Madhya Pradesh. She does not even know the 'R' of 'rajneeti' (politics)," Modi said. "Yesterday, they took the name of my mother and now my father. The Congress chief is behind this....Naamdar alleges that the prime minister takes the names of his family members. Yes, I have to take their names as they were in politics, unlike my family members who sit quietly in their home and do their job," he added. "Had my parents held any public post, they should also have been criticised," the prime minister said. "Your family has occupied top positions at the national level. The more you ask me about my performance, the onus is more on your family as well," he added. The opposition party was left with no issues and was, therefore, indulging in this kind of an abusive rhetoric, Modi said. "The Congress should compare its 55 years of rule with my four years (at the Centre) and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's 15 years (in the state). "The Congress is lying so much to people that the people of Madhya Pradesh should wake up and ensure that not a single Congress candidate wins," he added. The previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had introduced a crop loan waiver scheme in 2008, but of the Rs 6-lakh crore agricultural debt in the country, loans of only Rs 60,000 crore were waived, the prime minister claimed. Former Union minister Vilas Muttemwar made a controversial statement at a Congress meeting in Rajasthan Saturday. "Who knew you (Modi) before you became the prime minister? Even now, nobody knows the name of your father, but everyone knows the name of Rahul Gandhi's father," Muttemwar was purportedly heard saying in a video that went viral. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar had compared the falling value of the rupee to the advanced age of Modi's mother. In his speech in Vidisha Sunday, Modi also mentioned his cabinet colleague and local MP Sushma Swaraj. Despite health issues, Swaraj had ensured the development of the constituency, the prime minister said. The 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly will go to the polls on November 28 and the results will be announced on December 11.

Congress dragging my parents into politics at Rahul's behest: PM Modi

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said Saturday Prime Minister Narendra Modi has betrayed the people, claiming that he had not fulfilled promises of providing two crore jobs every year and "depositing" Rs 15 lakh in their bank accounts.

The Congress chief was addressing a rally at Sagar in Madhya Pradesh, where assembly polls will be held on November 28.

"Modiji has betrayed the people on the issue of providing jobs to two crore people every year and depositing Rs 15 lakh cash into their accounts by bringing (back) black money stashed abroad," Gandhi said.

Modi, during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, had prominently highlighted the issue of black money and had promised to bring it back.&nbsp;

The fear of losing the 2019 general elections has created "hatred" in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mind against the Congress, Gandhi said addressing another rally at Damoh later.

The Congress chief said while Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan speaks with decency, Modi lacks it whenever he attacks the Congress and his family members.

"When you hear Modi's speech, he uses wrong words and speaks with hatred... And also speaks lies. The faith reposed by the people and youths in them has broken. Now, when Modi comes, people say he will speak lies," Gandhi said.

"He (Modi) speaks with hatred about me and my family, but Shivraj uses decent language. Modi doesn't know how to speak decently, but Rahul Gandhi will always maintain decency while speaking," he said.

"Though Chouhan has indulged in corruption, whenever he says anything against us, he speaks with decency," Gandhi added.&nbsp;

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said Saturday Prime Minister Narendra Modi has betrayed the people, claiming that he had not fulfilled promises of providing two crore jobs every year and "depositing" Rs 15 lakh in their bank accounts.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said Saturday Prime Minister Narendra Modi has betrayed the people, claiming that he had not fulfilled promises of providing two crore jobs every year and "depositing" Rs 15 lakh in their bank accounts. The Congress chief was addressing a rally at Sagar in Madhya Pradesh, where assembly polls will be held on November 28. "Modiji has betrayed the people on the issue of providing jobs to two crore people every year and depositing Rs 15 lakh cash into their accounts by bringing (back) black money stashed abroad," Gandhi said. Modi, during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, had prominently highlighted the issue of black money and had promised to bring it back. The fear of losing the 2019 general elections has created "hatred" in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mind against the Congress, Gandhi said addressing another rally at Damoh later. The Congress chief said while Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan speaks with decency, Modi lacks it whenever he attacks the Congress and his family members. "When you hear Modi's speech, he uses wrong words and speaks with hatred... And also speaks lies. The faith reposed by the people and youths in them has broken. Now, when Modi comes, people say he will speak lies," Gandhi said. "He (Modi) speaks with hatred about me and my family, but Shivraj uses decent language. Modi doesn't know how to speak decently, but Rahul Gandhi will always maintain decency while speaking," he said. "Though Chouhan has indulged in corruption, whenever he says anything against us, he speaks with decency," Gandhi added.

Modi 'betrayed' people on promises of jobs, 'depositing' Rs 15 lakh in accounts: Rahul Gandhi

The opposition is suffering from the "Narendra Modi-phobia", BJP president Amit Shah said today. Addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh's&nbsp;Narsinghpur ahead of the November 28 assembly election, Shah asked the Congress to give an account of what the four generations of the Nehru-Gandhi family did when they ruled the country.

"The opposition is suffering from Narendra Modi-phobia. They just want to get rid of (PM) Modi from the prime minister's post while we want to get rid of poverty, insecurity and air pollution among others," Shah said.

The BJP chief&nbsp;said the Narendra Modi government launched 129 developmental schemes in four years. "Give an account of what the four generations (of Nehru-Gandhi family) did when they ruled the country," he said.

"In a recent rally, Rahul Gandhi uttered (PM) Modi's name 44 times in his 22-minute speech. I am wondering whether he is campaigning for the BJP or the Congress," Shah said, in remarks laced with sarcasm.

He also lauded the centre for the army's surgical strike on terror launchpads across the border post the Uri attack in 2016.

"When the Uri terror attack took place, the entire country was angry. (PM) Modi ordered surgical strikes and made India the third country in the world after the US and Israel who have avenged killings of its soldiers," he said.

Shah alleged that former prime minister Manmohan Singh had left the Indian economy at ninth position in the world in 2014, which, he said, the BJP raised to sixth position.

"By the time counting of these polls is done, India would have surpassed the UK to become the fifth-largest economy in the world," he added.

The opposition is suffering from the "Narendra Modi-phobia", BJP president Amit Shah said today. Addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Narsinghpur ahead of the November 28 assembly election, Shah asked the Congress to give an account of what the four generations of the Nehru-Gandhi family did when they ruled the country.

The opposition is suffering from the "Narendra Modi-phobia", BJP president Amit Shah said today. Addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Narsinghpur ahead of the November 28 assembly election, Shah asked the Congress to give an account of what the four generations of the Nehru-Gandhi family did when they ruled the country. "The opposition is suffering from Narendra Modi-phobia. They just want to get rid of (PM) Modi from the prime minister's post while we want to get rid of poverty, insecurity and air pollution among others," Shah said. The BJP chief said the Narendra Modi government launched 129 developmental schemes in four years. "Give an account of what the four generations (of Nehru-Gandhi family) did when they ruled the country," he said. "In a recent rally, Rahul Gandhi uttered (PM) Modi's name 44 times in his 22-minute speech. I am wondering whether he is campaigning for the BJP or the Congress," Shah said, in remarks laced with sarcasm. He also lauded the centre for the army's surgical strike on terror launchpads across the border post the Uri attack in 2016. "When the Uri terror attack took place, the entire country was angry. (PM) Modi ordered surgical strikes and made India the third country in the world after the US and Israel who have avenged killings of its soldiers," he said. Shah alleged that former prime minister Manmohan Singh had left the Indian economy at ninth position in the world in 2014, which, he said, the BJP raised to sixth position. "By the time counting of these polls is done, India would have surpassed the UK to become the fifth-largest economy in the world," he added.

Rahul Gandhi has 'Modi-Phobia', named him 44 times in speech: Amit Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Kundli-Manesar section of the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) western peripheral expressway.

He also inaugurated the 3.2 km-long Ballabhgarh-Mujesar Metro rail link, which would facilitate travel for people of Delhi and Faridabad, and laid the foundation stone of the Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, which will come up at Dudhola in Palwal district.

The inaugurations and foundation laying stone ceremonies were done through remote from Sultanpur village of this district.

The prime minister, on his arrival at Sultanpur village in this district, went around visual art exhibition pertaining to the KMP project.

Modi was briefed by the officials about the project.

He was accompanied by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Union ministers Rao Inderjit Singh, who is a Gurgaon MP, and Birender Singh.

Haryana Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya was also present on the occasion.

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This western peripheral expressway had to be completed during commonwealth games, but we all know what was done back then, this expressway was also a victim of that: PM Narendra Modi <a href="https://t.co/yZbPHCdTK9">pic.twitter.com/yZbPHCdTK9</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1064426495198801920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Earlier this year, Manesar to Palwal stretch of the KMP, whose entire length is 135.65 km, was opened for public, Khattar said on the occasion.

A sum of Rs 6,400 crore has been spent on the expressway project and 3,846 acres of land was acquired at a cost of Rs 2,788 crore, a Haryana government spokesperson said.

The length of the stretch from Kundli to Manesar is over 83 km. This stretch would have 14 major or minor bridges, 56 underpass or agricultural vehicular underpasses, seven intersections and seven toll plazas.

The expressway will decongest the road traffic from Delhi, especially reducing the number of trucks entering the national capital, thus helping in reducing pollution.

Besides, the project will also provide a high-speed link between northern Haryana and southern districts and give an uninterrupted high-speed link for traffic, especially commercial traffic, from Haryana to neighbouring states.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana has blamed the previous Congress regime of delay in the KMP project.

The prime minister inaugurated the Rs 580 crore Metro link in Sultanpur village in the district.

Ballabhgarh becomes the fourth city in Haryana to get metro connectivity after Gurgaon, Faridabad and Bahadurgarh.

The skill university will come up over an area of 82.5 acres at a cost of Rs 989 crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Kundli-Manesar section of the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) western peripheral expressway. He also inaugurated the 3.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Kundli-Manesar section of the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) western peripheral expressway. He also inaugurated the 3.2 km-long Ballabhgarh-Mujesar Metro rail link, which would facilitate travel for people of Delhi and Faridabad, and laid the foundation stone of the Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, which will come up at Dudhola in Palwal district. The inaugurations and foundation laying stone ceremonies were done through remote from Sultanpur village of this district. The prime minister, on his arrival at Sultanpur village in this district, went around visual art exhibition pertaining to the KMP project. Modi was briefed by the officials about the project. He was accompanied by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Union ministers Rao Inderjit Singh, who is a Gurgaon MP, and Birender Singh. Haryana Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya was also present on the occasion. This western peripheral expressway had to be completed during commonwealth games, but we all know what was done back then, this expressway was also a victim of that: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/yZbPHCdTK9 — ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2018 × Earlier this year, Manesar to Palwal stretch of the KMP, whose entire length is 135.65 km, was opened for public, Khattar said on the occasion. A sum of Rs 6,400 crore has been spent on the expressway project and 3,846 acres of land was acquired at a cost of Rs 2,788 crore, a Haryana government spokesperson said. The length of the stretch from Kundli to Manesar is over 83 km. This stretch would have 14 major or minor bridges, 56 underpass or agricultural vehicular underpasses, seven intersections and seven toll plazas. The expressway will decongest the road traffic from Delhi, especially reducing the number of trucks entering the national capital, thus helping in reducing pollution. Besides, the project will also provide a high-speed link between northern Haryana and southern districts and give an uninterrupted high-speed link for traffic, especially commercial traffic, from Haryana to neighbouring states. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana has blamed the previous Congress regime of delay in the KMP project. The prime minister inaugurated the Rs 580 crore Metro link in Sultanpur village in the district. Ballabhgarh becomes the fourth city in Haryana to get metro connectivity after Gurgaon, Faridabad and Bahadurgarh. The skill university will come up over an area of 82.5 acres at a cost of Rs 989 crore.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates KMP expressway, Ballabhgarh-Mujesar Metro rail link

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was inaugurated Saturday as the new president of the Maldives after the opposition united to dislodge pro-China strongman leader Abdulla Yameen in September elections.

Solih, 54, emerged as common opposition candidate as all key dissidents were either jailed or forced into exile by Yameen who took power following a controversial run-off in 2013.

At a special session of parliament held at the National Football Stadium in the capital Male, Solih was sworn in with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi among those in attendance.

The Maldives foreign ministry said China's culture minister Luo Shugang was also an invitee.

The United States and the European Union had threatened sanctions if the vote had not been free and fair.

Both neighbouring India and Western nations watched with concern as Yameen moved closer to Beijing which loaned the strategically placed archipelago millions of dollars for infrastructure.

"I am confident that my visit will herald a new era of even closer exchanges and cooperation between our two countries," Modi said on Facebook, especially in "infrastructure, health care, connectivity and human resource development."

Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has pledged to end what it called "China's colonialism" and to resist a "land grab" in the country which straddles key East-West shipping routes.

MDP leader and former president Mohamed Nasheed has vowed his party would reduce reliance on China and renegotiate millions of dollars in loans taken from Beijing.

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was inaugurated Saturday as the new president of the Maldives after the opposition united to dislodge pro-China strongman leader Abdulla Yameen in September elections.

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was inaugurated Saturday as the new president of the Maldives after the opposition united to dislodge pro-China strongman leader Abdulla Yameen in September elections. Solih, 54, emerged as common opposition candidate as all key dissidents were either jailed or forced into exile by Yameen who took power following a controversial run-off in 2013. At a special session of parliament held at the National Football Stadium in the capital Male, Solih was sworn in with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi among those in attendance. The Maldives foreign ministry said China's culture minister Luo Shugang was also an invitee. The United States and the European Union had threatened sanctions if the vote had not been free and fair. Both neighbouring India and Western nations watched with concern as Yameen moved closer to Beijing which loaned the strategically placed archipelago millions of dollars for infrastructure. "I am confident that my visit will herald a new era of even closer exchanges and cooperation between our two countries," Modi said on Facebook, especially in "infrastructure, health care, connectivity and human resource development." Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has pledged to end what it called "China's colonialism" and to resist a "land grab" in the country which straddles key East-West shipping routes. MDP leader and former president Mohamed Nasheed has vowed his party would reduce reliance on China and renegotiate millions of dollars in loans taken from Beijing.

Solih sworn in as Maldives president, replacing pro-China leader

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he was ready for a contest between the performance of "four generations" of the Nehru-Gandhi family and that of "four years of a chaiwala", and asserted his government provided the poor people with amenities like access to banks, power and LPG which the Congress was unable to do during its 55-year rule.&nbsp;

Addressing a rally here ahead of the November 28 polls in Madhya Pradesh, Modi said the Congress, which was seeking an account of the BJP government's performance, should explain what it did for the state during its over five-decade rule.

"It is clear before you, 15 years (of the BJP rule in Madhya Pradesh) versus 55 years (of the Congress rule). And I am surprised! You should also seek an account of (the performance of) Modi. I insist on it.&nbsp;

"What have the governments of four generations of a family given to the nation and what has a chaiwala given in four years. Come on, let there be a contest," he added.

Modi said his government has ensured that every poor in the country has a bank account and it was done in just four years, while the Congress gave the slogan of 'garibi hatao' (eradicate poverty) in early 1970s, but did nothing.

"Indira Gandhi had carried out nationalisation of banks with an aim to ensure that all have access to the banking facilities. But the poor did not benefit.

"Now this government has ensured that all poor have bank accounts and we did it in just four years," he said.

"What they were unable to do in 55 years, we have done in four years including in (providing) electricity, LPG and roads, among other things," he said, listing the achievements of his government.

Calling Congress leaders "jhooth ke shehanshah" (king of lies), he alleged that their actions belie their words and it was "part of the Congress' character".

Without naming anyone, Modi said, "In Parliament, too, Congress leaders talk of love, but express anger in Madhya Pradesh."

Speaking on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on July 20 this year, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had targeted Modi and projected the RSS, BJP and its top leaders as agents of "anger and hatred" and "thanked" them for making him understand the meaning of being a Congressman, an Indian and a Hindu and enabling him to have only "love" for them. Gandhi had reated a flutter when he went across to the treasury benches and embraced the Prime Minister.

Accusing the Congress of spreading lies, Modi on Friday said he was surprised as to how the country's oldest political party could get elected "for so many years". Modi said it was because the opposition was less powerful then and the media was not as vibrant as it is now.

"Hence, whatever lies they would serve, those would percolate down. And people would buy the lies as being truths. Now, we learn how much lies the 'shehanshah of lies' speaks, how many times and where. They must be blabbering lies when asleep," he quipped.

Hitting back at Gandhi, who termed demonetisation as the biggest scam in the history of independent India during a rally in the state, Modi said "only those Congress leaders, who earned money unfairly, are crying" over the note ban and not the common man.

Modi said that the common man was no longer hassled due to the note-ban exercise announced by him on November 8, 2016.

"They did face problems earlier and even we have said so, but not now," he said.

He asked the audience whether they were still facing problems due to the scrapping of the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, and they replied in the negative. Modi also asked whether or not it was not right to bring the money "lying under the pillows and elsewhere" into the banking system.

"Post-demonetisation only those Congress leaders, who earned money unfairly, are crying and not the common man," he said.

Modi hailed the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in the state for building roads, hospitals and other public infrastructure facilities.

The PM said the Centre was working towards achieving the goal of housing for all by 2022, when India completes 75 years of its independence.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he was ready for a contest between the performance of "four generations" of the Nehru-Gandhi family and that of "four years of a chaiwala", and asserted his government provided the poor people with amenities like access to banks, power and LPG which the Congress was unable to do during its 55-year rule.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he was ready for a contest between the performance of "four generations" of the Nehru-Gandhi family and that of "four years of a chaiwala", and asserted his government provided the poor people with amenities like access to banks, power and LPG which the Congress was unable to do during its 55-year rule. Addressing a rally here ahead of the November 28 polls in Madhya Pradesh, Modi said the Congress, which was seeking an account of the BJP government's performance, should explain what it did for the state during its over five-decade rule. "It is clear before you, 15 years (of the BJP rule in Madhya Pradesh) versus 55 years (of the Congress rule). And I am surprised! You should also seek an account of (the performance of) Modi. I insist on it. "What have the governments of four generations of a family given to the nation and what has a chaiwala given in four years. Come on, let there be a contest," he added. Modi said his government has ensured that every poor in the country has a bank account and it was done in just four years, while the Congress gave the slogan of 'garibi hatao' (eradicate poverty) in early 1970s, but did nothing. "Indira Gandhi had carried out nationalisation of banks with an aim to ensure that all have access to the banking facilities. But the poor did not benefit. "Now this government has ensured that all poor have bank accounts and we did it in just four years," he said. "What they were unable to do in 55 years, we have done in four years including in (providing) electricity, LPG and roads, among other things," he said, listing the achievements of his government. Calling Congress leaders "jhooth ke shehanshah" (king of lies), he alleged that their actions belie their words and it was "part of the Congress' character". Without naming anyone, Modi said, "In Parliament, too, Congress leaders talk of love, but express anger in Madhya Pradesh." Speaking on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on July 20 this year, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had targeted Modi and projected the RSS, BJP and its top leaders as agents of "anger and hatred" and "thanked" them for making him understand the meaning of being a Congressman, an Indian and a Hindu and enabling him to have only "love" for them. Gandhi had reated a flutter when he went across to the treasury benches and embraced the Prime Minister. Accusing the Congress of spreading lies, Modi on Friday said he was surprised as to how the country's oldest political party could get elected "for so many years". Modi said it was because the opposition was less powerful then and the media was not as vibrant as it is now. "Hence, whatever lies they would serve, those would percolate down. And people would buy the lies as being truths. Now, we learn how much lies the 'shehanshah of lies' speaks, how many times and where. They must be blabbering lies when asleep," he quipped. Hitting back at Gandhi, who termed demonetisation as the biggest scam in the history of independent India during a rally in the state, Modi said "only those Congress leaders, who earned money unfairly, are crying" over the note ban and not the common man. Modi said that the common man was no longer hassled due to the note-ban exercise announced by him on November 8, 2016. "They did face problems earlier and even we have said so, but not now," he said. He asked the audience whether they were still facing problems due to the scrapping of the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, and they replied in the negative. Modi also asked whether or not it was not right to bring the money "lying under the pillows and elsewhere" into the banking system. "Post-demonetisation only those Congress leaders, who earned money unfairly, are crying and not the common man," he said. Modi hailed the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in the state for building roads, hospitals and other public infrastructure facilities. The PM said the Centre was working towards achieving the goal of housing for all by 2022, when India completes 75 years of its independence.

Let there be contest to assess performance of 'family' and 'chaiwala': PM Modi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday alleged that under the Modi government "fast entry gates" of ministries "open for those who possess fake degrees".&nbsp;

Gandhi also attacked the RSS alleging that its "farjical (fake) strike" continues on educational institutes of the Delhi University.

Taking to Twitter, he launched a tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying," Shri chappan aur unke mantriyon ne chatron ko dikhaya hai ki BJP mai mantrimandal ka shighra dwar farzi degree dikha kar khulta hai. ('Mr 56' and his ministers have shown students that under the BJP fast entry gates of ministries open for those who possess fake degrees)."&nbsp;

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श्री छप्पन और उनके मंत्रियों ने छात्रों को दिखाया है कि भाजपा में मंत्रीमंडल का शीघ्र द्वार फ़र्ज़ी डिग्री दिखा कर खुलता है| 
 
शैक्षिक संस्थानों पर प्रहार और फ़र्ज़ी डिग्री वालों को सत्ता पर बिठाना RSS का पुराना सिद्धांत है| 
 
इसीलिए DU पर RSS का फ़र्जिकल स्ट्राइक जारी है| <a href="https://t.co/VrKBLtzeDF">pic.twitter.com/VrKBLtzeDF</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1063374365822210049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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There was no immediate comment from the Prime Minister's Office or the BJP.&nbsp;

"The RSS' has an old tradition of attacking educational institutions and helping those with fake degrees attain power.

"That is why the 'farjical strikes' of RSS continue on Delhi University," he tweeted in Hindi.

The Congress chief also tweeted a picture of Modi, Union minister Smriti Irani and ABVP's Delhi University president Ankiv Baisoya, alleging "Fake degree is in BJP's DNA".

Baisoya has stepped down from his post after reports of him possessing a fake degree.

The ABVP said Thursday DUSU president Baisoya has resigned from his post after it asked him to do so, and has also been suspended from the students outfit till an inquiry into allegations that he gained admission to the Delhi University on the basis of a fake degree.

While the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said the decision was taken to maintain the "genuineness" of the Delhi University Students

Union (DUSU), the move drew criticism from the NSUI and AISA, which claimed it was done under pressure ahead of the high court hearing on November 20.

In a Facebook post, Baisoya said he was resigning form the post of DUSU president because he respects the mandate of Delhi University students, who voted for him.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday alleged that under the Modi government "fast entry gates" of ministries "open for those who possess fake degrees". Gandhi also attacked the RSS alleging that its "farjical (fake) strike" continues on educational institutes of the Delhi University.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday alleged that under the Modi government "fast entry gates" of ministries "open for those who possess fake degrees". Gandhi also attacked the RSS alleging that its "farjical (fake) strike" continues on educational institutes of the Delhi University. Taking to Twitter, he launched a tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying," Shri chappan aur unke mantriyon ne chatron ko dikhaya hai ki BJP mai mantrimandal ka shighra dwar farzi degree dikha kar khulta hai. ('Mr 56' and his ministers have shown students that under the BJP fast entry gates of ministries open for those who possess fake degrees)." श्री छप्पन और उनके मंत्रियों ने छात्रों को दिखाया है कि भाजपा में मंत्रीमंडल का शीघ्र द्वार फ़र्ज़ी डिग्री दिखा कर खुलता है| शैक्षिक संस्थानों पर प्रहार और फ़र्ज़ी डिग्री वालों को सत्ता पर बिठाना RSS का पुराना सिद्धांत है| इसीलिए DU पर RSS का फ़र्जिकल स्ट्राइक जारी है| pic.twitter.com/VrKBLtzeDF — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 16, 2018 × There was no immediate comment from the Prime Minister's Office or the BJP. "The RSS' has an old tradition of attacking educational institutions and helping those with fake degrees attain power. "That is why the 'farjical strikes' of RSS continue on Delhi University," he tweeted in Hindi. The Congress chief also tweeted a picture of Modi, Union minister Smriti Irani and ABVP's Delhi University president Ankiv Baisoya, alleging "Fake degree is in BJP's DNA". Baisoya has stepped down from his post after reports of him possessing a fake degree. The ABVP said Thursday DUSU president Baisoya has resigned from his post after it asked him to do so, and has also been suspended from the students outfit till an inquiry into allegations that he gained admission to the Delhi University on the basis of a fake degree. While the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said the decision was taken to maintain the "genuineness" of the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU), the move drew criticism from the NSUI and AISA, which claimed it was done under pressure ahead of the high court hearing on November 20. In a Facebook post, Baisoya said he was resigning form the post of DUSU president because he respects the mandate of Delhi University students, who voted for him.

Under Modi govt, 'fast entry gates' of ministries open for those with 'fake degrees': Rahul

Ministry of External Affairs addresses press conference in Singapore

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ousted-sri-lanka-pm-wickramasinghe-calls-for-alliance-to-save-the-country-177105">Sri Lanka Supreme Court overturns President Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament</a>

The Sri Lankan Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve the island nation's parliament.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/flipkart-ceo-binny-bansal-resigns-after-misconduct-probe-walmart-177091">Flipkart CEO Binny Bansal resigns after allegations of serious personal misconduct: Walmart</a>

Walmart on Tuesday announced that Flipkart CEO Binny Bansal has resigned over allegations of serious personal misconduct.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-doesnt-know-country-run-by-people-not-by-one-man-rahul-177092">Modi doesn't know country run by people, not by one man: Rahul Gandhi</a>

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a diatribe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "misleading" people on India's development.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gulberg-massacre-supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-clean-chit-given-to-pm-modi-177080">Gulberg massacre: On Monday, SC to hear </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gulberg-massacre-supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-clean-chit-given-to-pm-modi-177080">plea</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gulberg-massacre-supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-clean-chit-given-to-pm-modi-177080"> challenging clean chit given to PM Modi</a>

The Supreme Court will on Monday, November 19 hear Zakia Jafri's plea challenging the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other top politicians, and bureaucrats in the Gulberg massacre case.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sabarimala-case-sc-defers-hear-review-petitions-on-january-22-refuses-to-stay-earlier-verdict-177077">Sabarimala case: SC to hear review petitions on January 22, refuses to stay earlier verdict</a>

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stated that it would hear the review petitions against its Sabarimala verdict on January 22, adding that it will be an open court hearing. The apex court refused to stay its earlier verdict in the case.

Sri Lanka Supreme Court overturns President Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament The Sri Lankan Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve the island nation's parliament.

Sri Lanka Supreme Court overturns President Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament The Sri Lankan Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve the island nation's parliament. Flipkart CEO Binny Bansal resigns after allegations of serious personal misconduct: Walmart Walmart on Tuesday announced that Flipkart CEO Binny Bansal has resigned over allegations of serious personal misconduct. Modi doesn't know country run by people, not by one man: Rahul Gandhi Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a diatribe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "misleading" people on India's development. Gulberg massacre: On Monday, SC to hear plea challenging clean chit given to PM Modi The Supreme Court will on Monday, November 19 hear Zakia Jafri's plea challenging the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other top politicians, and bureaucrats in the Gulberg massacre case. Sabarimala case: SC to hear review petitions on January 22, refuses to stay earlier verdict The Supreme Court on Tuesday stated that it would hear the review petitions against its Sabarimala verdict on January 22, adding that it will be an open court hearing. The apex court refused to stay its earlier verdict in the case.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to spend the festival of Diwali in Kedarnath, sources said on Monday.

Prime Minister Modi, after assuming office in 2014, has primarily spent the festival every year with soldiers and security personnel at different parts of the country.

Last year, Prime Minister Modi celebrated Diwali with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel posted in Gurez at Jammu and Kashmir`s Bandipora district and a day later he visited Kedarnath to inaugurate various development projects.

In 2016, Prime Minister Modi met jawans of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITPB), the Indian Army and Dogra Scouts in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh on the day of Diwali.

In 2015, he visited the Dograi War Memorial in Khasa, Amritsar to celebrate Diwali with the troops.

Months after becoming Prime Minister in 2014, he had paid a surprise visit to the Siachen Base Camp to celebrate Diwali with the soldiers deployed at the World`s highest battlefield.

The festival of lights, Diwali, will be celebrated on November 7 this year.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to spend the festival of Diwali in Kedarnath, sources said on Monday. Prime Minister Modi, after assuming office in 2014, has primarily spent the festival every year with soldiers and security personnel at different parts of the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to spend the festival of Diwali in Kedarnath, sources said on Monday. Prime Minister Modi, after assuming office in 2014, has primarily spent the festival every year with soldiers and security personnel at different parts of the country. Last year, Prime Minister Modi celebrated Diwali with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel posted in Gurez at Jammu and Kashmir`s Bandipora district and a day later he visited Kedarnath to inaugurate various development projects. In 2016, Prime Minister Modi met jawans of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITPB), the Indian Army and Dogra Scouts in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh on the day of Diwali. In 2015, he visited the Dograi War Memorial in Khasa, Amritsar to celebrate Diwali with the troops. Months after becoming Prime Minister in 2014, he had paid a surprise visit to the Siachen Base Camp to celebrate Diwali with the soldiers deployed at the World`s highest battlefield. The festival of lights, Diwali, will be celebrated on November 7 this year.

PM Modi likely to spend Diwali at Kedarnath

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Thursday alleged that the Modi government was "destroying" various institutions, amid reports that Reserve Bank was being forced to resolve differences with the Centre which has cited powers that were never used before.

AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh also claimed the Centre has "invoked" a rare provision under section 7 of the RBI Act to "pressurise" the apex bank in its bid to benefit some businessmen, who he said is close to Modi government.

"The government is destroying various institutions. Invoking section 7 of RBI Act would end the 83-year-old autonomy of the RBI. Through this step, the Centre will direct the RBI to release funds to the banks so that they could compensate the deficit created due to huge loans given to big businessmen who are close to Modi government. This will push the country towards recession and bankruptcy," Singh alleged.

Questions are being raised over the autonomy of the RBI, with the RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya last week warning that undermining central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic."

However, the government Wednesday said the RBI's autonomy is "essential" and will be "nurtured".

The government is believed to have sent at least three letters on different issues under Section 7 of the RBI Act that gives it powers to issue any direction to the central bank governor on matters of public interest.

Singh said, "Those who take small loans of Rs 2-5lakh from banks have to mortgage their entire assets. But as the government fails to recover big loans from industrialists, such bad loans are recovered from people. The NPA of big industrialists has gone up to Rs 10.25 lakh crores and section 7 has been involved to compensate this".

Singh also alleged that the Rafale fighter jet deal is "Rs 36,000-crore scam".

"Government has not been disclosing the price of Rafale fighter jet because they have purchased a plane costing Rs 526 crore at an inflated price of Rs 1670 crore," he alleged.

He said there is a secret understanding between the Congress and the BJP in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, "as Prime Minister Narendra Modi never goes to campaign in the Lok Sabha constituency (Chhindwara) of state Congress president Kamal Nath".&nbsp;

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Thursday alleged that the Modi government was "destroying" various institutions, amid reports that Reserve Bank was being forced to resolve differences with the Centre which has cited powers that were never used before.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Thursday alleged that the Modi government was "destroying" various institutions, amid reports that Reserve Bank was being forced to resolve differences with the Centre which has cited powers that were never used before. AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh also claimed the Centre has "invoked" a rare provision under section 7 of the RBI Act to "pressurise" the apex bank in its bid to benefit some businessmen, who he said is close to Modi government. "The government is destroying various institutions. Invoking section 7 of RBI Act would end the 83-year-old autonomy of the RBI. Through this step, the Centre will direct the RBI to release funds to the banks so that they could compensate the deficit created due to huge loans given to big businessmen who are close to Modi government. This will push the country towards recession and bankruptcy," Singh alleged. Questions are being raised over the autonomy of the RBI, with the RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya last week warning that undermining central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic." However, the government Wednesday said the RBI's autonomy is "essential" and will be "nurtured". The government is believed to have sent at least three letters on different issues under Section 7 of the RBI Act that gives it powers to issue any direction to the central bank governor on matters of public interest. Singh said, "Those who take small loans of Rs 2-5lakh from banks have to mortgage their entire assets. But as the government fails to recover big loans from industrialists, such bad loans are recovered from people. The NPA of big industrialists has gone up to Rs 10.25 lakh crores and section 7 has been involved to compensate this". Singh also alleged that the Rafale fighter jet deal is "Rs 36,000-crore scam". "Government has not been disclosing the price of Rafale fighter jet because they have purchased a plane costing Rs 526 crore at an inflated price of Rs 1670 crore," he alleged. He said there is a secret understanding between the Congress and the BJP in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, "as Prime Minister Narendra Modi never goes to campaign in the Lok Sabha constituency (Chhindwara) of state Congress president Kamal Nath".

Centre destroying institutions like Reserve Bank of India: Aam Aadmi Party

The Statue of Unity, a 182-metre giant structure built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, will be dedicated to the nation on Wednesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The imposing monument, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/on-statue-of-unity-inaugeration-here-are-top-five-tallest-statues-in-the-world-174352">touted as the world's tallest statue</a>, is twice the height of Statue of Liberty and is built on an islet, Sadhu Bet, near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Narmada district.&nbsp;

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देश को एकता के सूत्र में पिरोने वाले लौह पुरुष सरदार वल्लभभाई पटेल को उनकी जयंती पर कोटि-कोटि नमन। 
 
We bow to the great Sardar Patel, the stalwart who unified India and served the nation tirelessly, on his Jayanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1057448135960616960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
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After Modi unveils the statue, three IAF planes would fly past and create the tricolour in the sky by emitting saffron, white and green colours, said an official release Tuesday.

Modi would also inaugurate the 'Wall of Unity' (a monument defining India's unity) near the statue. At that time, three Jaguar fighter jets would fly past the structure at a low altitude, said the release.

After inaugurating the Wall of Unity, Modi would offer floral tributes to Patel, whose birth anniversary falls on October 31. At the same time, two MI-17 helicopters would shower flowers on the statue, it said.

On the occasion, cultural and musical programmes will be performed by the bands of Gujarat Police, armed and paramilitary forces.

There will be dance and musical performances by artistes drawn from 29 states and two Union Territories.

Some of other major attractions include inauguration of a 17-km-long Valley of Flowers, a tent city for tourists near the statue and a museum dedicated to the life and times of Patel.

A viewing gallery at a height of 135 metres has been created inside the statue to enable tourists to have a view of the dam and nearby mountain ranges.

The statue has been built using over 70,000 tonnes of cement, 18,500 tonnes of reinforcement steel, 6,000 tonnes of structural steel and 1,700 metric tonnes of bronze, which was used for the outer cladding of the structure, according to the government statement.

The statue's construction had received opposition from some tribal groups in Narmada district.

Meanwhile, local tribal leaders have announced a boycott of Wednesday's event claiming "mass destruction" of natural resources due to the project.

In an open letter addressed to Modi, sarpanches of 22 villages situated near the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada river have said villagers will not welcome the prime minister when he arrives for the function.

"We villagers want to tell you with extreme grief that we will not welcome you on October 31. Even if you come here like an unwanted guest, you are not welcome here," said the common letter signed by sarpanches of the villages of Narmada district, located around 200 km from Ahmedabad.

The area still lacks basic facilities like schools, hospitals and drinking water, they alleged.&nbsp;

The Statue of Unity, a 182-metre giant structure built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, will be dedicated to the nation on Wednesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Statue of Unity, a 182-metre giant structure built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, will be dedicated to the nation on Wednesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The imposing monument, touted as the world's tallest statue, is twice the height of Statue of Liberty and is built on an islet, Sadhu Bet, near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Narmada district. देश को एकता के सूत्र में पिरोने वाले लौह पुरुष सरदार वल्लभभाई पटेल को उनकी जयंती पर कोटि-कोटि नमन। We bow to the great Sardar Patel, the stalwart who unified India and served the nation tirelessly, on his Jayanti. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2018 × After Modi unveils the statue, three IAF planes would fly past and create the tricolour in the sky by emitting saffron, white and green colours, said an official release Tuesday. Modi would also inaugurate the 'Wall of Unity' (a monument defining India's unity) near the statue. At that time, three Jaguar fighter jets would fly past the structure at a low altitude, said the release. After inaugurating the Wall of Unity, Modi would offer floral tributes to Patel, whose birth anniversary falls on October 31. At the same time, two MI-17 helicopters would shower flowers on the statue, it said. On the occasion, cultural and musical programmes will be performed by the bands of Gujarat Police, armed and paramilitary forces. There will be dance and musical performances by artistes drawn from 29 states and two Union Territories. Some of other major attractions include inauguration of a 17-km-long Valley of Flowers, a tent city for tourists near the statue and a museum dedicated to the life and times of Patel. A viewing gallery at a height of 135 metres has been created inside the statue to enable tourists to have a view of the dam and nearby mountain ranges. The statue has been built using over 70,000 tonnes of cement, 18,500 tonnes of reinforcement steel, 6,000 tonnes of structural steel and 1,700 metric tonnes of bronze, which was used for the outer cladding of the structure, according to the government statement. The statue's construction had received opposition from some tribal groups in Narmada district. Meanwhile, local tribal leaders have announced a boycott of Wednesday's event claiming "mass destruction" of natural resources due to the project. In an open letter addressed to Modi, sarpanches of 22 villages situated near the Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada river have said villagers will not welcome the prime minister when he arrives for the function. "We villagers want to tell you with extreme grief that we will not welcome you on October 31. Even if you come here like an unwanted guest, you are not welcome here," said the common letter signed by sarpanches of the villages of Narmada district, located around 200 km from Ahmedabad. The area still lacks basic facilities like schools, hospitals and drinking water, they alleged.

Modi to unveil Statue of Unity today on Sardar Patel's 143rd birth anniversary

Breaking News: 'Statue of Unity', world's tallest, unveiled by PM Narendra Modi

Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Tuesday that a currency swap agreement it signed with India was intended to function as a safety net in case of a financial crisis.

Japan&nbsp;and India signed a US $75 billion bilateral currency swap agreement on Monday during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tokyo.

The agreement will further strengthen and widen the depth and diversity of economic cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters, Aso also said the US $30 billion currency swap deal&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;signed with China last week would support&nbsp;Japanese companies and banks operating in China if they had trouble exchanging yen for yuan.

“India and Japan agreed to enter into a bilateral swap arrangement of $75 billion. This swap arrangement would be 50% higher than our last swap agreement,” finance minister Arun Jaitley tweeted.&nbsp;

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India and Japan agreed to enter into a bilateral swap arrangement of 75 billion dollars. This Swap arrangement would be 50% higher than our last Swap agreement. This bilateral swap reflects depth of our deeper economic relationship.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) <a href="https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/1056861791198867456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting Japan, and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe held delegation-level talks during which the two leaders discussed a range of bilateral, regional and global issues including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Tuesday that a currency swap agreement it signed with India was intended to function as a safety net in case of a financial crisis.

Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Tuesday that a currency swap agreement it signed with India was intended to function as a safety net in case of a financial crisis. Japan and India signed a US $75 billion bilateral currency swap agreement on Monday during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tokyo. The agreement will further strengthen and widen the depth and diversity of economic cooperation between the two countries. Speaking to reporters, Aso also said the US $30 billion currency swap deal Japan signed with China last week would support Japanese companies and banks operating in China if they had trouble exchanging yen for yuan. “India and Japan agreed to enter into a bilateral swap arrangement of $75 billion. This swap arrangement would be 50% higher than our last swap agreement,” finance minister Arun Jaitley tweeted. India and Japan agreed to enter into a bilateral swap arrangement of 75 billion dollars. This Swap arrangement would be 50% higher than our last Swap agreement. This bilateral swap reflects depth of our deeper economic relationship. — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) October 29, 2018 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting Japan, and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe held delegation-level talks during which the two leaders discussed a range of bilateral, regional and global issues including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

India, Japan sign $75 billion currency swap agreement

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will be on a day-long maiden visit to India today during which he will hold talks with PM Narendra Modi to boost cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, besides participating in the India-Italy Technology Summit.

The highlight of the visit will be the Italian prime minister's participation at the 24th edition of the India-Italy Technology Summit which is being organised by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The summit will focus on a number of areas including healthcare, aerospace, education, clean technology, renewable energy and information and communication technology.

During the Conte-Modi talks, focus is expected to be on discussing ways to boost trade and investment.<iframe data-google-container-id="6" data-load-complete="true" frameborder="0" height="1" id="google_ads_iframe_/1068322/NDTV_News_ROS_Native_Outstream_0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="google_ads_iframe_/1068322/NDTV_News_ROS_Native_Outstream_0" scrolling="no" srcdoc="" title="3rd party ad content" width="1"></iframe>

The bilateral trade between the countries increased to US $10.5 billion in 2017-18 from US $8.8 billion in the previous fiscal.

Italy is India's fifth largest trading partner in the European Union and the annual trade turnover between the two countries was USD 10.4 billion in 2017-18. Over 600 Italian companies are operating in India.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will be on a day-long maiden visit to India today during which he will hold talks with PM Narendra Modi to boost cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, besides participating in the India-Italy Technology Summit.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will be on a day-long maiden visit to India today during which he will hold talks with PM Narendra Modi to boost cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, besides participating in the India-Italy Technology Summit. The highlight of the visit will be the Italian prime minister's participation at the 24th edition of the India-Italy Technology Summit which is being organised by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The summit will focus on a number of areas including healthcare, aerospace, education, clean technology, renewable energy and information and communication technology. During the Conte-Modi talks, focus is expected to be on discussing ways to boost trade and investment. The bilateral trade between the countries increased to US $10.5 billion in 2017-18 from US $8.8 billion in the previous fiscal. Italy is India's fifth largest trading partner in the European Union and the annual trade turnover between the two countries was USD 10.4 billion in 2017-18. Over 600 Italian companies are operating in India.

On Italy prime minister-PM Modi bilateral talks, trade, energy on agenda

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