Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will be in India on a 4-day visit starting Wednesday.

During his visit,&nbsp;Momen is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday and Friday respectively.

On Friday, Momen will take part in the fifth Joint Consultative Committee Meeting, considered an important part of his visit.

This will be the first high-level visit from Bangladesh to India since Sheikh Hasina's landslide victory in December's Parliamentary elections.

Speaking to local state news agency, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, ahead of the visit, Momen said, "We want to consult with my counterpart about the early resolution of Rohingya crisis as it may affect regional stability. I am visiting India in my maiden foreign tour to honour our great neighbour, the world's greatest democracy."

Last year in December India began the fourth tranche of relief assistance to Rohingya refugees camping in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar as a part of Operation Insaniyat. India's Operation Insaniyat started in September 2017 to help the refugees who had fled Myanmar and are currently taking shelter in Bangladesh.

During the visit, five memoranda of understandings (MoUs) are expected to be signed. These are MoU between the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh and CBI, Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Prasar Bharati, Directorate General of Health Services of Bangladesh and National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of Ayush in the field of Medicinal plants and Hiranandani group and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) for developing Indian Economic Zone in Mongla, Bangladesh.&nbsp;

Other than this, a MoU between National Centre for Good Governance, Departement of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, India and Ministry of Public Administration, Bangladesh will be signed on training and capacity building programme for Bangladesh Civil servants.

Modi was the first leader to congratulate PM Hasina after the victory in December elections and reiterated the priority "India attaches to Bangladesh as a neighbour".

Modi met Hasina three times in 2018. First was in London during the Commonwealth summit, second in Nepal during the BIMSTEC summit and third was during her visit to India. She had visited India in 2018 for the inauguration of Bangladesh Bhaban at Santiniketan University in West Bengal along with Modi.

During the visit, Hasina was awarded a Doctor of Literature (D Lit) by Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will be in India on a 4-day visit starting Wednesday. During his visit, Momen is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday and Friday respectively.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will be in India on a 4-day visit starting Wednesday. During his visit, Momen is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday and Friday respectively. On Friday, Momen will take part in the fifth Joint Consultative Committee Meeting, considered an important part of his visit. This will be the first high-level visit from Bangladesh to India since Sheikh Hasina's landslide victory in December's Parliamentary elections. Speaking to local state news agency, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, ahead of the visit, Momen said, "We want to consult with my counterpart about the early resolution of Rohingya crisis as it may affect regional stability. I am visiting India in my maiden foreign tour to honour our great neighbour, the world's greatest democracy." Last year in December India began the fourth tranche of relief assistance to Rohingya refugees camping in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar as a part of Operation Insaniyat. India's Operation Insaniyat started in September 2017 to help the refugees who had fled Myanmar and are currently taking shelter in Bangladesh. During the visit, five memoranda of understandings (MoUs) are expected to be signed. These are MoU between the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh and CBI, Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Prasar Bharati, Directorate General of Health Services of Bangladesh and National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of Ayush in the field of Medicinal plants and Hiranandani group and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) for developing Indian Economic Zone in Mongla, Bangladesh. Other than this, a MoU between National Centre for Good Governance, Departement of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, India and Ministry of Public Administration, Bangladesh will be signed on training and capacity building programme for Bangladesh Civil servants. Modi was the first leader to congratulate PM Hasina after the victory in December elections and reiterated the priority "India attaches to Bangladesh as a neighbour". Modi met Hasina three times in 2018. First was in London during the Commonwealth summit, second in Nepal during the BIMSTEC summit and third was during her visit to India. She had visited India in 2018 for the inauguration of Bangladesh Bhaban at Santiniketan University in West Bengal along with Modi. During the visit, Hasina was awarded a Doctor of Literature (D Lit) by Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol.

Bangladesh foreign minister's maiden India visit to focus on Rohingya crisis; five MoUs expected to be signed

Pakistan's former dictator <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-musharraf-zardaris-national-reconciliation-ordinance-case-closed-188390">Gen Pervez Musharraf</a> was responsible for no breakthrough on the Kashmir issue as he launched the Kargil operation without the civilian government's approval to "sabotage" the talks with India and topple the Nawaz Sharif government, a close aide of the then prime minister said Monday.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader and Senator Pervaiz Rashid told reporters that "Sharif and the Indian leadership were holding talks on Kashmir and the latter was ready to resolve it but Musharraf launched the Kargil operation to sabotage the talks and topple the Sharif government".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/leaked-video-shows-musharraf-seeking-covert-us-support-to-regain-power-187143">General Musharraf</a>, 75, who lives in Dubai, is facing several cases including a treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007. The former military ruler left for the UAE in 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since. He was the army chief during the Kargil War in 1999.

"Gen Musharraf is responsible for the blood of Kashimiris. Musharraf was the reason behind the suffering of Kashmiris as he did not let this issue resolved," he said, terming the Kargil operation a 'misadventure'.

This is Musharraf's biggest crime even more than toppling the Sharif government in October 1999, Rashid, a close confidant of Sharif, said. Before Musharraf went for the misadventure, India's then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to Lahore and went to Minar-e-Pakistan to accept the creation of Pakistan, the Senator claimed. Rashid demanded that Musharraf is brought to justice for his crimes, especially against Kashmiris.

Though Pakistan initially claimed that mujahideen were responsible for occupying strategic heights along the Line of Control in early 1999, Musharraf later revealed in his autobiography 'In The Line Of Fire' that regular army soldiers participated in the Kargil operation.

Over 500 Indian armed forces personnel laid down their lives during the 60-day long war. Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on July 26, marking the successful conclusion of the war with Pakistan in the Kargil-Drass sector of Jammu and Kashmir in 1999.

Pakistan's former dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf was responsible for no breakthrough on the Kashmir issue as he launched the Kargil operation without the civilian government's approval to "sabotage" the talks with India and topple the Nawaz Sharif government, a close aide of the then prime minister said Monday.

Pakistan's former dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf was responsible for no breakthrough on the Kashmir issue as he launched the Kargil operation without the civilian government's approval to "sabotage" the talks with India and topple the Nawaz Sharif government, a close aide of the then prime minister said Monday. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader and Senator Pervaiz Rashid told reporters that "Sharif and the Indian leadership were holding talks on Kashmir and the latter was ready to resolve it but Musharraf launched the Kargil operation to sabotage the talks and topple the Sharif government". General Musharraf, 75, who lives in Dubai, is facing several cases including a treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007. The former military ruler left for the UAE in 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since. He was the army chief during the Kargil War in 1999. "Gen Musharraf is responsible for the blood of Kashimiris. Musharraf was the reason behind the suffering of Kashmiris as he did not let this issue resolved," he said, terming the Kargil operation a 'misadventure'. This is Musharraf's biggest crime even more than toppling the Sharif government in October 1999, Rashid, a close confidant of Sharif, said. Before Musharraf went for the misadventure, India's then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to Lahore and went to Minar-e-Pakistan to accept the creation of Pakistan, the Senator claimed. Rashid demanded that Musharraf is brought to justice for his crimes, especially against Kashmiris. Though Pakistan initially claimed that mujahideen were responsible for occupying strategic heights along the Line of Control in early 1999, Musharraf later revealed in his autobiography 'In The Line Of Fire' that regular army soldiers participated in the Kargil operation. Over 500 Indian armed forces personnel laid down their lives during the 60-day long war. Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on July 26, marking the successful conclusion of the war with Pakistan in the Kargil-Drass sector of Jammu and Kashmir in 1999.

Pakistan's former dictator Pervez Musharraf responsible for unresolved Kashmir issue: Sharif's confidant

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-tells-bengal-government-to-initiate-disciplinary-proceedings-against-kolkata-police-chief-195345">Centre tells </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-tells-bengal-government-to-initiate-disciplinary-proceedings-against-kolkata-police-chief-195345">Bengal</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-tells-bengal-government-to-initiate-disciplinary-proceedings-against-kolkata-police-chief-195345"> government to begin disciplinary proceedings against Kolkata Police chief</a>

The Centre has told the West Bengal government to begin disciplinary proceedings against Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar.&nbsp;

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs told the Bengal government Tuesday that Kumar had sat in on the dharna with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee — and that that was in contravention of the All India Services (Conduct) rules, 1968 and All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/yogi-adityanath-holds-rally-in-purulia-after-reaching-west-bengal-by-road-slams-mamata-for-protecting-corrupt-officer-195333">Nothing more shameful than a CM sitting on dharna: Yogi Adityanath in Bengal</a>

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath managed to reach Purulia, West Bengal from Bokaro, Jharkhand by road today after being denied permission to enter the state via a helicopter.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/government-expects-963-billion-in-dividend-from-rbi-in-upcoming-financial-year-195311">Government</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/government-expects-963-billion-in-dividend-from-rbi-in-upcoming-financial-year-195311"> expects 690 billion rupees in dividend from RBI </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/government-expects-963-billion-in-dividend-from-rbi-in-upcoming-financial-year-195311">in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/government-expects-963-billion-in-dividend-from-rbi-in-upcoming-financial-year-195311">coming</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/government-expects-963-billion-in-dividend-from-rbi-in-upcoming-financial-year-195311"> financial year</a>

The Indian government expects the central bank to pay a dividend of 690 billion rupees ($9.63 billion) in the next financial year beginning April 2019, a senior finance ministry source, who requested anonymity, told reporters on Tuesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-holds-historic-public-mass-in-uae-195298">Francis holds first mass by </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-holds-historic-public-mass-in-uae-195298">pope</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-holds-historic-public-mass-in-uae-195298"> on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-holds-historic-public-mass-in-uae-195298">Arabian</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-holds-historic-public-mass-in-uae-195298"> peninsula</a>

Pope Francis held a historic public mass for an estimated 170,000 Catholics at a stadium in the capital of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, capping the first ever papal visit to the Gulf where Islam was born.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/economy-is-where-you-have-to-concentrate-chandrababu-naidu-on-oppositions-plan-for-2019-elections-195300">Economy</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/economy-is-where-you-have-to-concentrate-chandrababu-naidu-on-oppositions-plan-for-2019-elections-195300"> is where you have to concentrate: Chandrababu Naidu on Opposition’s plan for 2019 elections</a>

An alliance of regional parties in India is working on a combined economic plan, one of its leaders said, in the latest sign that Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces an increasingly united opposition in the upcoming general election.

Centre tells Bengal government to begin disciplinary proceedings against Kolkata Police chief The Centre has told the West Bengal government to begin disciplinary proceedings against Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar.

Centre tells Bengal government to begin disciplinary proceedings against Kolkata Police chief The Centre has told the West Bengal government to begin disciplinary proceedings against Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs told the Bengal government Tuesday that Kumar had sat in on the dharna with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee — and that that was in contravention of the All India Services (Conduct) rules, 1968 and All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. Nothing more shameful than a CM sitting on dharna: Yogi Adityanath in Bengal Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath managed to reach Purulia, West Bengal from Bokaro, Jharkhand by road today after being denied permission to enter the state via a helicopter. Government expects 690 billion rupees in dividend from RBI in coming financial year The Indian government expects the central bank to pay a dividend of 690 billion rupees ($9.63 billion) in the next financial year beginning April 2019, a senior finance ministry source, who requested anonymity, told reporters on Tuesday. Francis holds first mass by pope on Arabian peninsula Pope Francis held a historic public mass for an estimated 170,000 Catholics at a stadium in the capital of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, capping the first ever papal visit to the Gulf where Islam was born. Economy is where you have to concentrate: Chandrababu Naidu on Opposition’s plan for 2019 elections An alliance of regional parties in India is working on a combined economic plan, one of its leaders said, in the latest sign that Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces an increasingly united opposition in the upcoming general election.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The ‘middle class’ is a humongous classification. It can consist of a salaried employee, a small businessman, a pensioner, even an under-employed person who survives on a generous contribution to his wellbeing by relatives. To add to the complexity, the middle class is subdivided into ‘lower middle class’, middle class’ and ‘upper middle class’, all with varying incomes and different concerns and desires. But what binds them together is the taxes they pay as individual assesses, and the perennial grievance which arises from such a tax-trap. The middle class is also the most difficult to appease and its loyalty takes no time in shifting from one political party to another.&nbsp;

When finance minister Piyush Goyal stood up to deliver his Budget speech on Friday, he was not unaware of the challenge of pleasing this mercurial section of the population. And more so, since in recent months, his party had suffered electoral reversals in three important north Indian states, with one of the major causes being the shift of the middle-class votes away from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Something had to be done, since this was the last Budget, even if an interim one, before the party faced the people in the Lok Sabha election. And something was done. Whether the last-ditch effort will bring rewards, will be known in about four months. 
&nbsp; 
Given the middle class’s expanse, just one measure would not have sufficed. So the finance minister announced a slew of dramatic proposals, which were greeted with loud thumps and vocal cheering from the treasury bench. A nonplussed opposition looked on with a somewhat dazed expression, though its leaders later recovered and, outside Parliament, rubbished the announcements as the ‘final jumla’ of a government on its way out. Nevertheless, the moment belonged to the Modi regime. &nbsp;

The one announcement which most energised the NDA rank and possibly the millions that fall in the middle-class category was the 100 per cent tax rebate for individual tax-payers whose annual income does not cross five lakh rupees.&nbsp;

Until now, they had to pay five per cent as the tax on their income. The five lakh rupee ceiling can go even higher if the individual takes advantage of various tax-saving measures related to interest on educations, national pension schemes, medical claims, interest on home loans etc. According to experts, it is possible for individuals earning as high as eight to ten lakh rupees per year to remain out of the tax net with some help from the existing tax-saving avenues. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
To understand the potential political reach of this proposal, one needs to only remember that close to 30 million taxpayers from the middle class will end up saving more than Rs 18,000 crore annually. There are the other spinoffs. Savings on tax can result in a boost to consumption, which in turn could positively affect industrial output, even if that impacts largely the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. At any rate, it could lead to more money flowing in tax-saving instruments, which is not a bad thing in itself.&nbsp;

The middle class was given further bonanzas. The standard deduction limit has been proposed to be raised from the present Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000; &nbsp;second-time home buyers, again an important constituent of the aspirational middle-class category, will get exemption on notional rent earned on the second house, benefits from long-term capital gains tax, and relief on tax deducted at source (TDS) for rental income (up to Rs 2.40 lakh). Here too, there are multiple benefits, besides those to the middle class. With more middle-class taxpayers being encouraged to own a second home, the housing sector, which is struggling with unsold properties, can get a leg-up.

As if these were not enough — clearly the finance minister believed that if he had come this far, a little further would do no harm — the tax exemption limit on interest on savings in banks and post offices was increased fourfold, from Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000. &nbsp;

Leave aside the economics — where is the government going to find the money for these concessions, or, will it be able to adhere to the fiscal deficit target, etc — for now. That is for the next regime to grapple with. If it’s going to be the BJP-led NDA again, then it will be judged by its ability to deliver on those promises and also simultaneously offer a roadmap for fiscal prudence; if it’s a new regime, it can simply junk Goyal’s proposals in its full-fledged Budget and dish out something else in their place. It’s the politics that matters in the immediate term, which is what the Budget has been all about.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The ‘middle class’ is a humongous classification. It can consist of a salaried employee, a small businessman, a pensioner, even an under-employed person who survives on a generous contribution to his wellbeing by relatives.

The ‘middle class’ is a humongous classification. It can consist of a salaried employee, a small businessman, a pensioner, even an under-employed person who survives on a generous contribution to his wellbeing by relatives. To add to the complexity, the middle class is subdivided into ‘lower middle class’, middle class’ and ‘upper middle class’, all with varying incomes and different concerns and desires. But what binds them together is the taxes they pay as individual assesses, and the perennial grievance which arises from such a tax-trap. The middle class is also the most difficult to appease and its loyalty takes no time in shifting from one political party to another. When finance minister Piyush Goyal stood up to deliver his Budget speech on Friday, he was not unaware of the challenge of pleasing this mercurial section of the population. And more so, since in recent months, his party had suffered electoral reversals in three important north Indian states, with one of the major causes being the shift of the middle-class votes away from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Something had to be done, since this was the last Budget, even if an interim one, before the party faced the people in the Lok Sabha election. And something was done. Whether the last-ditch effort will bring rewards, will be known in about four months. Given the middle class’s expanse, just one measure would not have sufficed. So the finance minister announced a slew of dramatic proposals, which were greeted with loud thumps and vocal cheering from the treasury bench. A nonplussed opposition looked on with a somewhat dazed expression, though its leaders later recovered and, outside Parliament, rubbished the announcements as the ‘final jumla’ of a government on its way out. Nevertheless, the moment belonged to the Modi regime. The one announcement which most energised the NDA rank and possibly the millions that fall in the middle-class category was the 100 per cent tax rebate for individual tax-payers whose annual income does not cross five lakh rupees. Until now, they had to pay five per cent as the tax on their income. The five lakh rupee ceiling can go even higher if the individual takes advantage of various tax-saving measures related to interest on educations, national pension schemes, medical claims, interest on home loans etc. According to experts, it is possible for individuals earning as high as eight to ten lakh rupees per year to remain out of the tax net with some help from the existing tax-saving avenues. To understand the potential political reach of this proposal, one needs to only remember that close to 30 million taxpayers from the middle class will end up saving more than Rs 18,000 crore annually. There are the other spinoffs. Savings on tax can result in a boost to consumption, which in turn could positively affect industrial output, even if that impacts largely the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. At any rate, it could lead to more money flowing in tax-saving instruments, which is not a bad thing in itself. The middle class was given further bonanzas. The standard deduction limit has been proposed to be raised from the present Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000; second-time home buyers, again an important constituent of the aspirational middle-class category, will get exemption on notional rent earned on the second house, benefits from long-term capital gains tax, and relief on tax deducted at source (TDS) for rental income (up to Rs 2.40 lakh). Here too, there are multiple benefits, besides those to the middle class. With more middle-class taxpayers being encouraged to own a second home, the housing sector, which is struggling with unsold properties, can get a leg-up. As if these were not enough — clearly the finance minister believed that if he had come this far, a little further would do no harm — the tax exemption limit on interest on savings in banks and post offices was increased fourfold, from Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000. Leave aside the economics — where is the government going to find the money for these concessions, or, will it be able to adhere to the fiscal deficit target, etc — for now. That is for the next regime to grapple with. If it’s going to be the BJP-led NDA again, then it will be judged by its ability to deliver on those promises and also simultaneously offer a roadmap for fiscal prudence; if it’s a new regime, it can simply junk Goyal’s proposals in its full-fledged Budget and dish out something else in their place. It’s the politics that matters in the immediate term, which is what the Budget has been all about. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Budget 2019: The moment belonged to Narendra Modi government and middle-class taxpayers

Credibility Lost

At the heart of CBI’s attempted raid in West Bengal, lies the credibility of the central agency as an institution in India. Indian politicians have failed the institution miserably. CBI continues to derive its power from the Delhi Police Establishment Act of 1946. Today, entire Opposition is crying foul and accusing the present government of misusing CBI.&nbsp;

In 2012, the then minister of the state in charge of DOPT, Narayan Swami, went on to say that CBI has adequate and functional autonomy and there exists no proposal within the government to grant constitutional status to the investigative agency.

Both Congress and BJP, despite being in government for several years, neither initiated reform within the institution nor pushed for legislative debate to reconceive the legal architecture of the agency.&nbsp;

This inertia continues despite the fact that Guwahati high court declared CBI unconstitutional on November 7, 2013. The agency, thereafter, had to rush to the Supreme Court to take a stay order on the decision on November 9.

It proves that both Congress and BJP want the makeshift arrangement to stay alive and kicking because it allows them to use the CBI as a 'political weapon'.

This arrangement received further nourishment after the 1989 elections when the era of coalition dawned on Indian politics. The successive governments ended up using CBI to shore up political support by hectoring regional parties with cases of corruption.&nbsp;

It allowed them to survive with less numbers in Parliament. It is for this reason, even BJP, which enjoys majority in Lok Sabha, did not move an inch to appoint the Lokpal system which UPA 2 had to adopt under duress.

What makes the case of government even weaker is that the Supreme Court itself has passed relevant instructions to the CBI. As per the Supreme Court’s interim order given on July 16, 2018, both state police and CBI were supposed to work in tandem. More so, the court had directed CBI to approach high court in Calcutta in case they faced any obstruction.&nbsp;

Though Centre did give reminders to the state government on multiple occasion but the relief should have been sought from the relevant court as directed by the Apex Court.

In this case, it becomes very clear as to what direction the Apex Court may head to. For many, it may be a case of constitutional crisis and deteriorating relationship between the Centre and state, but CBI’s credibility and its pending reform lies at heart of the matter. 
 
Regional Chauvinism vs Corruption

There is no doubt that Rose valley and Sharda scams represent underbelly of India’s crony capitalism. It represents the way political parties organise funding for its day-to-day running, and election expenses.&nbsp;

BJP wants the matter to appear as a campaign against corrupt politicians, whereas TMC wants it to turn into an issue of regional pride and authoritarian assault by Centre against non-BJP state governments.

There is no denying the fact that most of the accused in the scam were closely associated with TMC. It explains TMC’s nervousness in the case and proves that case cannot be hushed forever.&nbsp;

Regional chauvinism has succeeded on multiple occasions in Indian politics. Be it the case of NT Rama Rao in Andhra Pradesh or Nitish Kumar during 2015 Bihar elections or Naveen Patnaik in Odisha.&nbsp;

BJP wants West Bengal to be the new harvest ground to make up for the losses in other states.

Mamata, on the other hand, is trying to turn the issue into Federal constitutionalism. She has rallied support from many regional parties on this issue. Which issue will succeed in run up to the Lok Sabha elections is a million-dollar question, but one thing is clear that Mamata’s role will not be limited to West Bengal in case electorate throws up a hung house.

Regional Parties

BJP has already mangled its equations with regional parties. It has been primarily a result of expansion of BJP’s footprint in far corners of India.&nbsp;

BJP has taken up issues which have pitted the party against small and regional parties.

It is going to pose a great challenge to the Saffron party in case it falls short of numbers. BJP will have to face a lot of political hectoring from smaller players in case it needs to shore up numbers for a simple majority in Lok Sabha.

The attempted raid not only brings many smaller players on one platform but will also test the issue of corruption in 2019 elections. It worked in 2014. However, same can’t be said today when the focus has turned to economy and jobs where it has failed miserably.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Credibility Lost At the heart of CBI’s attempted raid in West Bengal, lies the credibility of the central agency as an institution in India. Indian politicians have failed the institution miserably.

Credibility Lost At the heart of CBI’s attempted raid in West Bengal, lies the credibility of the central agency as an institution in India. Indian politicians have failed the institution miserably. CBI continues to derive its power from the Delhi Police Establishment Act of 1946. Today, entire Opposition is crying foul and accusing the present government of misusing CBI. In 2012, the then minister of the state in charge of DOPT, Narayan Swami, went on to say that CBI has adequate and functional autonomy and there exists no proposal within the government to grant constitutional status to the investigative agency. Both Congress and BJP, despite being in government for several years, neither initiated reform within the institution nor pushed for legislative debate to reconceive the legal architecture of the agency. This inertia continues despite the fact that Guwahati high court declared CBI unconstitutional on November 7, 2013. The agency, thereafter, had to rush to the Supreme Court to take a stay order on the decision on November 9. It proves that both Congress and BJP want the makeshift arrangement to stay alive and kicking because it allows them to use the CBI as a 'political weapon'. This arrangement received further nourishment after the 1989 elections when the era of coalition dawned on Indian politics. The successive governments ended up using CBI to shore up political support by hectoring regional parties with cases of corruption. It allowed them to survive with less numbers in Parliament. It is for this reason, even BJP, which enjoys majority in Lok Sabha, did not move an inch to appoint the Lokpal system which UPA 2 had to adopt under duress. What makes the case of government even weaker is that the Supreme Court itself has passed relevant instructions to the CBI. As per the Supreme Court’s interim order given on July 16, 2018, both state police and CBI were supposed to work in tandem. More so, the court had directed CBI to approach high court in Calcutta in case they faced any obstruction. Though Centre did give reminders to the state government on multiple occasion but the relief should have been sought from the relevant court as directed by the Apex Court. In this case, it becomes very clear as to what direction the Apex Court may head to. For many, it may be a case of constitutional crisis and deteriorating relationship between the Centre and state, but CBI’s credibility and its pending reform lies at heart of the matter. Regional Chauvinism vs Corruption There is no doubt that Rose valley and Sharda scams represent underbelly of India’s crony capitalism. It represents the way political parties organise funding for its day-to-day running, and election expenses. BJP wants the matter to appear as a campaign against corrupt politicians, whereas TMC wants it to turn into an issue of regional pride and authoritarian assault by Centre against non-BJP state governments. There is no denying the fact that most of the accused in the scam were closely associated with TMC. It explains TMC’s nervousness in the case and proves that case cannot be hushed forever. Regional chauvinism has succeeded on multiple occasions in Indian politics. Be it the case of NT Rama Rao in Andhra Pradesh or Nitish Kumar during 2015 Bihar elections or Naveen Patnaik in Odisha. BJP wants West Bengal to be the new harvest ground to make up for the losses in other states. Mamata, on the other hand, is trying to turn the issue into Federal constitutionalism. She has rallied support from many regional parties on this issue. Which issue will succeed in run up to the Lok Sabha elections is a million-dollar question, but one thing is clear that Mamata’s role will not be limited to West Bengal in case electorate throws up a hung house. Regional Parties BJP has already mangled its equations with regional parties. It has been primarily a result of expansion of BJP’s footprint in far corners of India. BJP has taken up issues which have pitted the party against small and regional parties. It is going to pose a great challenge to the Saffron party in case it falls short of numbers. BJP will have to face a lot of political hectoring from smaller players in case it needs to shore up numbers for a simple majority in Lok Sabha. The attempted raid not only brings many smaller players on one platform but will also test the issue of corruption in 2019 elections. It worked in 2014. However, same can’t be said today when the focus has turned to economy and jobs where it has failed miserably. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

West Bengal fiasco: Credibility of CBI is the issue and not Mamata vs Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday told a gathering of Kolis in Gujarat that it was very unfortunate that the community was used as a vote bank in the past.

The gathering at Chotila town in Surendranagar district, 65 km from here, was organised to felicitate community leader Kunvarji Bavaliya who was elected in a by-poll recently, a government press release said.&nbsp;

The prime minister addressed the gathering through a recorded eight-minute video.

"The Koli community is present all over India and is also present in Gujarat and Mumbai in large numbers. The community members have qualities like they are very hard working and have social unity," the release quoted the prime minister as saying.

"It is very unfortunate that the community was just used as a vote bank for so many years," he said.

Modi said they had worked for uplift and development of every community. "The Koli community is still lagging behind in education. Many more such caste gatherings need to be organised to bring awareness and change in society," he said.

Bavaliya told PTI that he had sought time from the prime minister but as his tour of another state was already organised he gave a recorded message.

Kolis are a numerically strong OBC community, residing mainly in the coastal belt of Gujarat, and have traditionally supported the Congress.

However, with Bavaliya quitting the Congress and joining the BJP government in the state, the saffron party is hopeful that the community too will switch the loyalty in the Lok Sabha polls.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was present at the function, asked the community to come together and help build "a new Gujarat and new India".

Bavaliya said he would work for the betterment of the community using his position as minister.

The five-time Congress MLA from Jasdan seat quit the party in July 2018 and was made a cabinet minister in the Rupani government.

He won the by-poll from Jasdan in December on BJP ticket with a margin of over 19,000 votes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday told a gathering of Kolis in Gujarat that it was very unfortunate that the community was used as a vote bank in the past. The gathering at Chotila town in Surendranagar district, 65 km from here, was organised to felicitate community leader Kunvarji Bavaliya who was elected in a by-poll recently, a government press release said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday told a gathering of Kolis in Gujarat that it was very unfortunate that the community was used as a vote bank in the past. The gathering at Chotila town in Surendranagar district, 65 km from here, was organised to felicitate community leader Kunvarji Bavaliya who was elected in a by-poll recently, a government press release said. The prime minister addressed the gathering through a recorded eight-minute video. "The Koli community is present all over India and is also present in Gujarat and Mumbai in large numbers. The community members have qualities like they are very hard working and have social unity," the release quoted the prime minister as saying. "It is very unfortunate that the community was just used as a vote bank for so many years," he said. Modi said they had worked for uplift and development of every community. "The Koli community is still lagging behind in education. Many more such caste gatherings need to be organised to bring awareness and change in society," he said. Bavaliya told PTI that he had sought time from the prime minister but as his tour of another state was already organised he gave a recorded message. Kolis are a numerically strong OBC community, residing mainly in the coastal belt of Gujarat, and have traditionally supported the Congress. However, with Bavaliya quitting the Congress and joining the BJP government in the state, the saffron party is hopeful that the community too will switch the loyalty in the Lok Sabha polls. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was present at the function, asked the community to come together and help build "a new Gujarat and new India". Bavaliya said he would work for the betterment of the community using his position as minister. The five-time Congress MLA from Jasdan seat quit the party in July 2018 and was made a cabinet minister in the Rupani government. He won the by-poll from Jasdan in December on BJP ticket with a margin of over 19,000 votes.

Unfortunate that Koli community was used as vote bank: PM Narendra Modi

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The deputy chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has warned Europe against forcing the Islamic Republic into boosting the range of its missiles by trying to halt their development.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-break-backbone-of-terror-in-jammu-and-kashmir-pm-narendra-modi-194857">Will break backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir: PM Narendra Modi</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in Srinagar that his government would "break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir".&nbsp;

"We will break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir and fight it with all our might," Modi said.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/yogi-adityanath-addresses-rally-in-west-bengal-via-audio-link-after-his-chopper-was-denied-permission-194825">Bengal government 'anti-democratic', says Yogi Adityanath after his chopper is refused permission to land</a>

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has cancelled his rally at West Bengal's Raiganj and Balurghat after his chopper was refused permission to land by the Mamata Banerjee-led government.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-trade-minister-says-eu-irresponsible-to-refuse-to-reopen-brexit-deal-194815">UK trade minister says EU 'irresponsible' to refuse to reopen Brexit deal</a>

It would be irresponsible for the European Union to refuse to reopen negotiations over Britain's exit deal, British trade minister Liam Fox said in an interview aired on Sunday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/5th-odi-india-beat-new-zealand-by-35-runs-win-series-4-1-194799">5th ODI: India beat New Zealand by 35 runs, win series 4-1</a>

India's bowlers rattled New Zealand's batsmen to win the fifth and final ODI by 35 runs at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington. That also meant they won the ODI series 4-1, having lost the fourth ODI at Hamilton by eight wickets.

Do not thwart our missile development or we 'will be forced to make strategic leap': Iran The deputy chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has warned Europe against forcing the Islamic Republic into boosting the range of its missiles by trying to halt their development.

Do not thwart our missile development or we 'will be forced to make strategic leap': Iran The deputy chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards has warned Europe against forcing the Islamic Republic into boosting the range of its missiles by trying to halt their development. Will break backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir: PM Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in Srinagar that his government would "break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir". "We will break the backbone of terror in Jammu and Kashmir and fight it with all our might," Modi said. Bengal government 'anti-democratic', says Yogi Adityanath after his chopper is refused permission to land Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has cancelled his rally at West Bengal's Raiganj and Balurghat after his chopper was refused permission to land by the Mamata Banerjee-led government. UK trade minister says EU 'irresponsible' to refuse to reopen Brexit deal It would be irresponsible for the European Union to refuse to reopen negotiations over Britain's exit deal, British trade minister Liam Fox said in an interview aired on Sunday. 5th ODI: India beat New Zealand by 35 runs, win series 4-1 India's bowlers rattled New Zealand's batsmen to win the fifth and final ODI by 35 runs at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington. That also meant they won the ODI series 4-1, having lost the fourth ODI at Hamilton by eight wickets.

Three powerful women politicians, each from a very different section of Indian society, may pose a big threat to the chances of Prime Minister Narendra Modi winning a second term in a general election due by May.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, part of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has ruled India for much of the time since its independence from the British in 1947, joined the struggle in January, when the opposition Congress party made her its face in the nation's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh.

Two other senior female politicians - the firebrand chief minister of West Bengal state, Mamata Banerjee, and Mayawati, a former Uttar Pradesh chief minister - are also plotting to unseat Modi's ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition by forming big opposition groupings, though there is no firm agreement between them as yet.

"The opposition has more powerful women leaders than the NDA, and therefore they will be able to carry conviction with voters generally, and with women voters, in particular," said Yashwant Sinha, 81, a former finance minister who quit Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which dominates the NDA, last year.

"They should be very worried, especially after the defeat in the three major Hindi heartland states," he said, referring to BJP's losses in recent state elections.

The entry of Priyanka - she is usually referred to by just her first name - into the political fray drew a gushing reaction from much of the Indian media.

There were pictures of elated supporters dancing, a lot of talk of the 47-year-old's resemblance to her grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and comments about her gifts as a speaker able to connect with voters. That contrasts with her brother, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who in the past has been criticized for lacking the common touch.

Triple challenge

The other two women seen threatening Modi's grip on power have a lot more experience than Priyanka, and both could be seen as potential prime ministerial candidates in a coalition government.

Mayawati, a 63-year-old former teacher who goes by just the one name, last month formed an alliance between her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) – which mainly represents&nbsp;the Dalits - and its once bitter foes, the Samajwadi Party that tends to draw support from other lower castes and Muslims.

Then there is 64-year-old Banerjee, who has twice been railways minister in federal governments. Last month, Banerjee – who built her All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) party after leaving Congress in 1997 - organised an anti-BJP rally in Kolkata that attracted hundreds of thousands.

Party colleagues of the three women leaders said they were not available for comment.

To be sure, Modi remains, for now, the most popular leader in the country, opinion polls show.

Modi also cannot be accused of ignoring women's issues during his first term. He has launched a government campaign - Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, or "Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter" - and called for the eradication of female foeticide. His campaigns to provide toilets and subsidised gas cylinders for poorer Indians are often promoted as ways to empower women.

He has six women in his 26-strong cabinet, though a lot of power is centralised with Modi and a couple of senior male lieutenants.

The BJP said it would seek votes on the basis of achievements under Modi and the opposition did not have a "positive alternative to the government and its activities".

Personal Ties

Congress has said it wants to form a post-poll partnership with Mayawati's BSP and SP alliance, though it will be fighting against it in 78 seats. The alliance will not contest two Gandhi strongholds won multiple times by Rahul and his mother Sonia.

Mayawati told a press conference announcing the alliance with the SP that Congress was not part of it because they did not think "there would be much benefit in having them with us before the election".

The BSP, however, backs Congress-led governments in the northern states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

There is no formal alliance between Banerjee and Congress, though she does know Rahul and Priyanka.

Dinesh Trivedi, a former federal minister and a close aide to Banerjee, said she enjoys a good personal relationship with Sonia Gandhi, the matriarch of the dynasty and a former Congress president, and so working with her two children would not be a problem.

"In terms of experience, Mamata Banerjee is far ahead," Trivedi said. "I wouldn't be surprised if Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi would look at Mamata Banerjee as somebody who could really inspire them."

The strength of Priyanka, Mayawati and Banerjee as a potential opposition alliance is that they can appeal to different parts of the electorate.

Two Congress sources said the formal entry into politics of Priyanka could help rejuvenate the party in Uttar Pradesh, where it is a marginal player.

Coming from what is India's first family, they said she could appeal to upper caste voters in the state who typically vote for the pro-business BJP.

A Congress leader close to the Gandhis said she would attract women, young people, and floating voters.

Priyanka is far from a political neophyte, having supported her brother and mother during previous election campaigns. She has also experienced political and personal tragedy, as Rahul Gandhi stressed in a speech last week.

"You have to understand my relationship with my sister – we have been through a hell of a lot together," he said.

"Everybody is like 'look, you come from this illustrious family, and everything is easy'. Actually, it's not so easy. My father was assassinated, my grandmother was assassinated, huge political battles, wins in political battles, losses in political battles."

'National leader'

BSP spokesman Sudhindra Bhadoria said Mayawati's gender did not matter.

"She has managed a party from scratch to this level. The important fact is that she has organised large numbers, both men and women, Dalits, other backward castes, the poor, minorities," Bhadoria said. "I don't fit them in the straightjacket of male-female. I think she's a national leader."

She is regarded as ambitious. A US&nbsp;diplomatic cable in 2008, among many thousands leaked by Wikileaks two years later, described her as "first-rate egomaniac" who "is obsessed with becoming prime minister".

But Mayawati has also been credited with empowering oppressed lower caste Hindus.

Banerjee, who defeated a 34-year-old communist government in West Bengal in an election in 2011, is known for her streetwise political skills and portrays herself as a secular leader in a country polarised under the BJP.

Three powerful women politicians, each from a very different section of Indian society, may pose a big threat to the chances of Prime Minister Narendra Modi winning a second term in a general election due by May.

Three powerful women politicians, each from a very different section of Indian society, may pose a big threat to the chances of Prime Minister Narendra Modi winning a second term in a general election due by May. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, part of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has ruled India for much of the time since its independence from the British in 1947, joined the struggle in January, when the opposition Congress party made her its face in the nation's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh. Two other senior female politicians - the firebrand chief minister of West Bengal state, Mamata Banerjee, and Mayawati, a former Uttar Pradesh chief minister - are also plotting to unseat Modi's ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition by forming big opposition groupings, though there is no firm agreement between them as yet. "The opposition has more powerful women leaders than the NDA, and therefore they will be able to carry conviction with voters generally, and with women voters, in particular," said Yashwant Sinha, 81, a former finance minister who quit Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which dominates the NDA, last year. "They should be very worried, especially after the defeat in the three major Hindi heartland states," he said, referring to BJP's losses in recent state elections. The entry of Priyanka - she is usually referred to by just her first name - into the political fray drew a gushing reaction from much of the Indian media. There were pictures of elated supporters dancing, a lot of talk of the 47-year-old's resemblance to her grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and comments about her gifts as a speaker able to connect with voters. That contrasts with her brother, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who in the past has been criticized for lacking the common touch. Triple challenge The other two women seen threatening Modi's grip on power have a lot more experience than Priyanka, and both could be seen as potential prime ministerial candidates in a coalition government. Mayawati, a 63-year-old former teacher who goes by just the one name, last month formed an alliance between her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) – which mainly represents the Dalits - and its once bitter foes, the Samajwadi Party that tends to draw support from other lower castes and Muslims. Then there is 64-year-old Banerjee, who has twice been railways minister in federal governments. Last month, Banerjee – who built her All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) party after leaving Congress in 1997 - organised an anti-BJP rally in Kolkata that attracted hundreds of thousands. Party colleagues of the three women leaders said they were not available for comment. To be sure, Modi remains, for now, the most popular leader in the country, opinion polls show. Modi also cannot be accused of ignoring women's issues during his first term. He has launched a government campaign - Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, or "Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter" - and called for the eradication of female foeticide. His campaigns to provide toilets and subsidised gas cylinders for poorer Indians are often promoted as ways to empower women. He has six women in his 26-strong cabinet, though a lot of power is centralised with Modi and a couple of senior male lieutenants. The BJP said it would seek votes on the basis of achievements under Modi and the opposition did not have a "positive alternative to the government and its activities". Personal Ties Congress has said it wants to form a post-poll partnership with Mayawati's BSP and SP alliance, though it will be fighting against it in 78 seats. The alliance will not contest two Gandhi strongholds won multiple times by Rahul and his mother Sonia. Mayawati told a press conference announcing the alliance with the SP that Congress was not part of it because they did not think "there would be much benefit in having them with us before the election". The BSP, however, backs Congress-led governments in the northern states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. There is no formal alliance between Banerjee and Congress, though she does know Rahul and Priyanka. Dinesh Trivedi, a former federal minister and a close aide to Banerjee, said she enjoys a good personal relationship with Sonia Gandhi, the matriarch of the dynasty and a former Congress president, and so working with her two children would not be a problem. "In terms of experience, Mamata Banerjee is far ahead," Trivedi said. "I wouldn't be surprised if Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi would look at Mamata Banerjee as somebody who could really inspire them." The strength of Priyanka, Mayawati and Banerjee as a potential opposition alliance is that they can appeal to different parts of the electorate. Two Congress sources said the formal entry into politics of Priyanka could help rejuvenate the party in Uttar Pradesh, where it is a marginal player. Coming from what is India's first family, they said she could appeal to upper caste voters in the state who typically vote for the pro-business BJP. A Congress leader close to the Gandhis said she would attract women, young people, and floating voters. Priyanka is far from a political neophyte, having supported her brother and mother during previous election campaigns. She has also experienced political and personal tragedy, as Rahul Gandhi stressed in a speech last week. "You have to understand my relationship with my sister – we have been through a hell of a lot together," he said. "Everybody is like 'look, you come from this illustrious family, and everything is easy'. Actually, it's not so easy. My father was assassinated, my grandmother was assassinated, huge political battles, wins in political battles, losses in political battles." 'National leader' BSP spokesman Sudhindra Bhadoria said Mayawati's gender did not matter. "She has managed a party from scratch to this level. The important fact is that she has organised large numbers, both men and women, Dalits, other backward castes, the poor, minorities," Bhadoria said. "I don't fit them in the straightjacket of male-female. I think she's a national leader." She is regarded as ambitious. A US diplomatic cable in 2008, among many thousands leaked by Wikileaks two years later, described her as "first-rate egomaniac" who "is obsessed with becoming prime minister". But Mayawati has also been credited with empowering oppressed lower caste Hindus. Banerjee, who defeated a 34-year-old communist government in West Bengal in an election in 2011, is known for her streetwise political skills and portrays herself as a secular leader in a country polarised under the BJP.

Three women who could be Modi's biggest nightmare in upcoming general election

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-russia-suspending-missile-treaty-after-us-move-agencies-194569">Following US move, Putin says Russia is pulling out of nuclear missile treaty</a>

President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said Russia was suspending its participation in a key Cold War-era missile treaty in a mirror response to a US move the day before.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rishi-kumar-shukla-appointed-new-cbi-chief-officials-194608">Rishi Kumar Shukla appointed new CBI chief</a>

Rishi Kumar Shukla has been appointed the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, PTI quoted officials as saying Saturday.&nbsp;

Shukla is a 1983-batch Indian Police Service officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-to-mamata-in-bengal-there-is-a-trinamool-tolabaji-hafta-tax-all-over-the-state-194622">Modi to Mamata in Bengal: Trinamool Tolabaji (</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-to-mamata-in-bengal-there-is-a-trinamool-tolabaji-hafta-tax-all-over-the-state-194622">hafta</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-to-mamata-in-bengal-there-is-a-trinamool-tolabaji-hafta-tax-all-over-the-state-194622">) Tax all over the state</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of foisting a tolabaji (hafta) culture all over the state.&nbsp;

“Trinamool Tolabaji Tax is prevalent in the state. Every child in West Bengal is aware of this TTT. West Bengal is the only state where you have to pay tax for education. No one opposed this culture of syndicate and TTT, which is why the Trinamool Congress got a free run," Modi said. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-government-begins-serious-work-on-uk-staying-in-eu-customs-union-the-independent-194575">British government begins 'serious work' on UK staying in EU customs union: Report</a>

British officials have begun "serious work" on the UK staying in a permanent EU customs union as a way to rescue the Brexit deal, the Independent newspaper reported on Friday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/indias-smriti-mandhana-becomes-no1-odi-batswoman-194600">India's Smriti Mandhana becomes No. 1 ODI batswoman</a>

Smriti Mandhana has moved up three spots to attain the number one rank in the updated ICC ODI batting rankings, released on Saturday.

After scoring her fourth ODI century and an unbeaten 90 in the three-match series against New Zealand, Mandhana now sits above the Australians Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning.&nbsp;

Following US move, Putin says Russia is pulling out of nuclear missile treaty President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said Russia was suspending its participation in a key Cold War-era missile treaty in a mirror response to a US move the day before.

Following US move, Putin says Russia is pulling out of nuclear missile treaty President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said Russia was suspending its participation in a key Cold War-era missile treaty in a mirror response to a US move the day before. Rishi Kumar Shukla appointed new CBI chief Rishi Kumar Shukla has been appointed the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, PTI quoted officials as saying Saturday. Shukla is a 1983-batch Indian Police Service officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre. Modi to Mamata in Bengal: Trinamool Tolabaji (hafta) Tax all over the state Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of foisting a tolabaji (hafta) culture all over the state. “Trinamool Tolabaji Tax is prevalent in the state. Every child in West Bengal is aware of this TTT. West Bengal is the only state where you have to pay tax for education. No one opposed this culture of syndicate and TTT, which is why the Trinamool Congress got a free run," Modi said. British government begins 'serious work' on UK staying in EU customs union: Report British officials have begun "serious work" on the UK staying in a permanent EU customs union as a way to rescue the Brexit deal, the Independent newspaper reported on Friday. India's Smriti Mandhana becomes No. 1 ODI batswoman Smriti Mandhana has moved up three spots to attain the number one rank in the updated ICC ODI batting rankings, released on Saturday. After scoring her fourth ODI century and an unbeaten 90 in the three-match series against New Zealand, Mandhana now sits above the Australians Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-roasts-mamata-on-her-home-turf-accuses-her-of-orchestrating-violence-against-bjp-workers-194559">Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government</a> of foisting a tolabaji (hafta) culture all over the state.&nbsp;

“Trinamool Tolabaji Tax is prevalent in the state. Every child in West Bengal is aware of this TTT. West Bengal is the only state where you have to pay tax for education. No one opposed this culture of syndicate and TTT, which is why the Trinamool Congress got a free run," Modi said. &nbsp;

"But now, the BJP will oppose this. The chowkidar has started a cleanliness drive against this culture,” Modi added.&nbsp;

Modi was speaking in Durgapur, where he kickstarted the BJP campaign in the state before the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

“People are having to pay tax to get education, find jobs and also pay syndicate tax, when the focus should have been on recruiting teachers. You don't have to fear the syndicate when you enrol in Central government schemes,” Modi added.&nbsp;

Modi also took a swipe at the West Bengal government for opting out of the Ayushman scheme.&nbsp; 
“West Bengal could've been the largest beneficiary of Ayushman Bharat. But the local government snatched it from the poor people of Bengal," Modi said.&nbsp;

"A government which betrays the poor can never benefit anyone. Those who play with the lives of the poor should be punished,” he added.&nbsp;

The government's Ayushman Bharat scheme provides health insurance cover of upto Rs 5 lakh a year to each family.&nbsp;

And for the second time on Saturday, the prime minister slammed the West Bengal chief minister for violence in the state.&nbsp;

“The pure and austere land of Bengal won't tolerate this abuse of democracy. The party which can't respect democracy and indulges in dirty politics is bound to be thrown out. It is imperative that the TMC go."&nbsp;

Modi had earlier in the day attended another public meeting organised by the All India Matua community at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of foisting a tolabaji (hafta) culture all over the state. “Trinamool Tolabaji Tax is prevalent in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of foisting a tolabaji (hafta) culture all over the state. “Trinamool Tolabaji Tax is prevalent in the state. Every child in West Bengal is aware of this TTT. West Bengal is the only state where you have to pay tax for education. No one opposed this culture of syndicate and TTT, which is why the Trinamool Congress got a free run," Modi said. "But now, the BJP will oppose this. The chowkidar has started a cleanliness drive against this culture,” Modi added. Modi was speaking in Durgapur, where he kickstarted the BJP campaign in the state before the Lok Sabha elections. “People are having to pay tax to get education, find jobs and also pay syndicate tax, when the focus should have been on recruiting teachers. You don't have to fear the syndicate when you enrol in Central government schemes,” Modi added. Modi also took a swipe at the West Bengal government for opting out of the Ayushman scheme. “West Bengal could've been the largest beneficiary of Ayushman Bharat. But the local government snatched it from the poor people of Bengal," Modi said. "A government which betrays the poor can never benefit anyone. Those who play with the lives of the poor should be punished,” he added. The government's Ayushman Bharat scheme provides health insurance cover of upto Rs 5 lakh a year to each family. And for the second time on Saturday, the prime minister slammed the West Bengal chief minister for violence in the state. “The pure and austere land of Bengal won't tolerate this abuse of democracy. The party which can't respect democracy and indulges in dirty politics is bound to be thrown out. It is imperative that the TMC go." Modi had earlier in the day attended another public meeting organised by the All India Matua community at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district.

Modi to Mamata in Bengal: Trinamool Tolabaji (hafta) Tax all over the state

Prime Minister Narendra Modi kick started the Lok Sabha campaign for the BJP in West Bengal on Saturday by addressing a gathering of the Matua community.

PM Modi addressed the&nbsp;gathering at North 24 Parganas in&nbsp;Thakurnagar area after taking blessings from&nbsp;Binapani Devi,&nbsp;current leader of the community and widow of the founder of Matua Mahasangh Harichand&nbsp;Thakur. She is popularly known as 'boro ma'.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Thakurnagar was a witness to a social movement. It is my good fortune that I've been able to speak in front of the Matua community. You have showered me with lots of love and respect. Things in Bengal will turn around for sure. Looking at the current scenario, I've now understood why Didi resorts to violence. Those who claim to be democratic are killing innocent people. There will be no syndicate tax, no obstacles. The people will directly receive the Rs. 6,000 meant for them under the new budget. The farmers can use this money to meet the expenditures needed for agriculture,"&nbsp;said PM Modi.

PM Modi also&nbsp;took a dig at the West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress party supremo Mamata Banerjee for opposing the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

"Shouldn't those who have had to come back from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh be allowed to live respectfully in India? For them, we have introduced the Citizens Amendment Bill. But, the TMC is opposing it for no reason,"&nbsp;he said.

Thakurnagar is a village inhabited by the Matua community who settled from Bangladesh, the erstwhile East Pakistan after a religious reformation movement led by the late Harichand Thakur. Thakurnagar falls under the Bongaon constituency, housing more than 60% Matua voters.

This vote bank was instrumental in making Mamata Banerjee win during the 2011 assembly polls and bringing her into power.

On the other hand, claiming that the budget presented on Friday will bring relief to farmers and middle income groups, PM Modi said, "Most farmers didn't receive the benefits of loan waivers. Those who did, fell into the debt trap even after that. Congress bought votes by promising farmer loan waivers. But the situation is entirely different in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Leaders haven't focused on the development of rural areas. New India cannot function in this way. The Central government is making every effort for the past 4.5 years for the development of farmers and agricultural laborers."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi kick started the Lok Sabha campaign for the BJP in West Bengal on Saturday by addressing a gathering of the Matua community. PM Modi addressed the gathering at North 24 Parganas in Thakurnagar area after taking blessings from Binapani Devi, current leader of the community and widow of the founder of Matua Mahasangh Harichand Thakur.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi kick started the Lok Sabha campaign for the BJP in West Bengal on Saturday by addressing a gathering of the Matua community. PM Modi addressed the gathering at North 24 Parganas in Thakurnagar area after taking blessings from Binapani Devi, current leader of the community and widow of the founder of Matua Mahasangh Harichand Thakur. She is popularly known as 'boro ma'. "Thakurnagar was a witness to a social movement. It is my good fortune that I've been able to speak in front of the Matua community. You have showered me with lots of love and respect. Things in Bengal will turn around for sure. Looking at the current scenario, I've now understood why Didi resorts to violence. Those who claim to be democratic are killing innocent people. There will be no syndicate tax, no obstacles. The people will directly receive the Rs. 6,000 meant for them under the new budget. The farmers can use this money to meet the expenditures needed for agriculture," said PM Modi. PM Modi also took a dig at the West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress party supremo Mamata Banerjee for opposing the Citizenship Amendment Bill. "Shouldn't those who have had to come back from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh be allowed to live respectfully in India? For them, we have introduced the Citizens Amendment Bill. But, the TMC is opposing it for no reason," he said. Thakurnagar is a village inhabited by the Matua community who settled from Bangladesh, the erstwhile East Pakistan after a religious reformation movement led by the late Harichand Thakur. Thakurnagar falls under the Bongaon constituency, housing more than 60% Matua voters. This vote bank was instrumental in making Mamata Banerjee win during the 2011 assembly polls and bringing her into power. On the other hand, claiming that the budget presented on Friday will bring relief to farmers and middle income groups, PM Modi said, "Most farmers didn't receive the benefits of loan waivers. Those who did, fell into the debt trap even after that. Congress bought votes by promising farmer loan waivers. But the situation is entirely different in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Leaders haven't focused on the development of rural areas. New India cannot function in this way. The Central government is making every effort for the past 4.5 years for the development of farmers and agricultural laborers."

West Bengal: PM Modi addresses Matua community in Thakurnagar; launches blistering attack on Mamata Banerjee

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is expected to try and shore up its political support with big ticket farm giveaways and tax cuts for the middle class in its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/key-expectations-from-indias-2019-20-interim-budget-194188">final federal budget </a>on Friday, months before elections.

Modi is facing growing discontent over depressed farm incomes and doubts over whether his policies are creating enough jobs. A local media report on Thursday quoted a government survey as saying the jobless rate was the highest in at least 45 years, putting further pressure on the government.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/budget-2019-what-is-interim-budget-and-how-is-it-different-from-the-regular-one-193702">What is interim Budget and how is it different from the regular one?</a>

Piyush Goyal, the interim finance minister, will present the 2019-20 budget to parliament, in the absence of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who is currently in the United States for medical treatment.

The government is set to step up rural welfare spending by 16 per cent for the fiscal year beginning April to 1.3 trillion rupees ($18.25 billion), two government sources said, aiming to boost support in the countryside where more than two-thirds of India's 1.3 billion people live.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/union-budget-2019-how-it-is-formulated-and-presented-194051">How Union Budget 2019 is formulated and presented</a>

The budget, which is interim and is likely to be followed by a full one in July, is expected to project economic growth of around 7.5 percent for the next financial year, while expanding capital spending on railways, roads, ports by 7-8 per cent, and estimating an increase in revenue of about 15 percent, officials said.

Stung by opposition parties' victories in three state polls in December and need to call a national election by May, Modi has already exempted many small businesses from paying taxes under a unified goods and services tax (GST).

The government is now considering raising the income level at which people need to pay personal tax, long demand for the country's influential middle class.

"The pressure to further expand the farmer welfare programme ahead of the 2019 elections is high for PM Modi," said CLSA India.

More than 900 million people will be eligible to cast votes in the world's biggest ever democratic exercise and the pressure to woo them is intense.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the main opposition Congress party, is closing in on Modi's lead, according to polls. His promise of a minimum income for the poor has increased pressure on the government to make populist announcements in its budget.

The electoral compulsions mean that major economic reforms, such as tax cuts for bigger companies and plans to bring down the budget deficit, could be put on hold at least until after the election, government sources said.

The higher spending, along with a shortfall in tax collections, will push the fiscal deficit up to the equivalent of 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product for the year ending in March, overshooting a previous 3.3 per cent target, according to one of the sources with direct knowledge of budget discussions.

That would fit with the expectations of a Reuters poll of economists.

The source said there was a chance that the government could take corrective action in March, with an expectation that the election schedule will be settled by that time and that public focus will shift to campaigning.

"In our view, with the upcoming polls gaining precedence, fiscal consolidation is likely to take a back seat," said Nirmal Bang, a brokerage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is expected to try and shore up its political support with big ticket farm giveaways and tax cuts for the middle class in its final federal budget on Friday, months before elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is expected to try and shore up its political support with big ticket farm giveaways and tax cuts for the middle class in its final federal budget on Friday, months before elections. Modi is facing growing discontent over depressed farm incomes and doubts over whether his policies are creating enough jobs. A local media report on Thursday quoted a government survey as saying the jobless rate was the highest in at least 45 years, putting further pressure on the government. Also read: What is interim Budget and how is it different from the regular one? Piyush Goyal, the interim finance minister, will present the 2019-20 budget to parliament, in the absence of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who is currently in the United States for medical treatment. The government is set to step up rural welfare spending by 16 per cent for the fiscal year beginning April to 1.3 trillion rupees ($18.25 billion), two government sources said, aiming to boost support in the countryside where more than two-thirds of India's 1.3 billion people live. Also read: How Union Budget 2019 is formulated and presented The budget, which is interim and is likely to be followed by a full one in July, is expected to project economic growth of around 7.5 percent for the next financial year, while expanding capital spending on railways, roads, ports by 7-8 per cent, and estimating an increase in revenue of about 15 percent, officials said. Stung by opposition parties' victories in three state polls in December and need to call a national election by May, Modi has already exempted many small businesses from paying taxes under a unified goods and services tax (GST). The government is now considering raising the income level at which people need to pay personal tax, long demand for the country's influential middle class. "The pressure to further expand the farmer welfare programme ahead of the 2019 elections is high for PM Modi," said CLSA India. More than 900 million people will be eligible to cast votes in the world's biggest ever democratic exercise and the pressure to woo them is intense. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the main opposition Congress party, is closing in on Modi's lead, according to polls. His promise of a minimum income for the poor has increased pressure on the government to make populist announcements in its budget. The electoral compulsions mean that major economic reforms, such as tax cuts for bigger companies and plans to bring down the budget deficit, could be put on hold at least until after the election, government sources said. The higher spending, along with a shortfall in tax collections, will push the fiscal deficit up to the equivalent of 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product for the year ending in March, overshooting a previous 3.3 per cent target, according to one of the sources with direct knowledge of budget discussions. That would fit with the expectations of a Reuters poll of economists. The source said there was a chance that the government could take corrective action in March, with an expectation that the election schedule will be settled by that time and that public focus will shift to campaigning. "In our view, with the upcoming polls gaining precedence, fiscal consolidation is likely to take a back seat," said Nirmal Bang, a brokerage.

PM Narendra Modi looks to budget to shore up political base

The government will unveil its<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ndas-interim-budget-on-friday-likely-to-offer-some-hope-and-relief-194176">&nbsp;budget&nbsp;for the 2019-20 fiscal year </a>on Friday, with investors expecting increased investment in areas such as agriculture, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi tries to woo voters ahead of general elections to be held by May.

After a string of recent setbacks in key state elections for Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the government is expected to woo rural and urban middle-class voters via farm relief measures and tax cuts.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/budget-2019-what-is-interim-budget-and-how-is-it-different-from-the-regular-one-193702">What is interim Budget and how is it different from the regular one?</a>

The government is expected to project economic growth of around 7.5 per cent for the next financial year while expanding capital spending on railways, roads and ports by 7-8 per cent.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/union-budget-2019-how-it-is-formulated-and-presented-194051">How Union Budget 2019 is formulated and presented</a>

Below is a list of some of the items expected in the&nbsp;budget, based on published media reports.

AGRICULTURE

Farm relief package itself could run to at least 1 trillion rupees ($14.04 billion)

Set to earmark about 1.8 trillion rupees for food subsidies in the fiscal year

Expected to waive premium for taking insurance policy for food crops

Proposal for waiving interest on crop loans for farmers who pay on time

DIVESTMENT

Target of about $11 billion from state asset sales in FY 2019-20

Potential stake sales via IPOs include Telecommunications Consultants India, Indian Railways' subsidiaries IRCTC, RailTel Corp India and National Seeds Corp

METALS

Gold - Speculation around a duty cut

HEALTH

Budget&nbsp;allocation for health is likely to increase by 5 per cent from a year ago

Taxes

An anticipated corporate tax rate cut to 25 per cent from 30 per cent may be put on hold until after the elections

Higher tax exemptions for the middle class and for small businesses anticipated

BANKS

Discount of 2 percentage points on loans for businesses with annual sales of less than 50 million rupees; government to compensate banks for the costs

40 billion-rupee capital infusion for public-sector general insurers

AUTOS

Reduction of goods and services tax (GST) on electric vehicles and batteries

IT/TELECOM

Better digital infrastructure in rural areas

Abolition of the angel tax to boost start-ups

Exemption from GST for spectrum and licence fee payouts, reduction in spectrum fees and cuts in import duty on telecom equipment (currently at 20 pct)

The government will unveil its budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year on Friday, with investors expecting increased investment in areas such as agriculture, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi tries to woo voters ahead of general elections to be held by May.

The government will unveil its budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year on Friday, with investors expecting increased investment in areas such as agriculture, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi tries to woo voters ahead of general elections to be held by May. After a string of recent setbacks in key state elections for Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the government is expected to woo rural and urban middle-class voters via farm relief measures and tax cuts. Also read: What is interim Budget and how is it different from the regular one? The government is expected to project economic growth of around 7.5 per cent for the next financial year while expanding capital spending on railways, roads and ports by 7-8 per cent. Also read: How Union Budget 2019 is formulated and presented Below is a list of some of the items expected in the budget, based on published media reports. AGRICULTURE Farm relief package itself could run to at least 1 trillion rupees ($14.04 billion) Set to earmark about 1.8 trillion rupees for food subsidies in the fiscal year Expected to waive premium for taking insurance policy for food crops Proposal for waiving interest on crop loans for farmers who pay on time DIVESTMENT Target of about $11 billion from state asset sales in FY 2019-20 Potential stake sales via IPOs include Telecommunications Consultants India, Indian Railways' subsidiaries IRCTC, RailTel Corp India and National Seeds Corp METALS Gold - Speculation around a duty cut HEALTH Budget allocation for health is likely to increase by 5 per cent from a year ago Taxes An anticipated corporate tax rate cut to 25 per cent from 30 per cent may be put on hold until after the elections Higher tax exemptions for the middle class and for small businesses anticipated BANKS Discount of 2 percentage points on loans for businesses with annual sales of less than 50 million rupees; government to compensate banks for the costs 40 billion-rupee capital infusion for public-sector general insurers AUTOS Reduction of goods and services tax (GST) on electric vehicles and batteries IT/TELECOM Better digital infrastructure in rural areas Abolition of the angel tax to boost start-ups Exemption from GST for spectrum and licence fee payouts, reduction in spectrum fees and cuts in import duty on telecom equipment (currently at 20 pct)

Key expectations from India's 2019-20 interim budget

The NDA government poured extra money into the support for farmers, delivering on Friday its last Budget ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2019.

Here is how experts reacted to the Budget:

Upasna Bharadwaj, Senior Economist, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Mumbai

"The fiscal deficit flat at 3.4 per cent of GDP, which is a sharp deviation from fiscal consolidation roadmap, is a disappointment. The consequent numbers of both net and gross market borrowings seem higher than the market expectation."

"Fiscal slippage on the back of more spending to support the consumer class will probably delay the rate cut by the monetary policy committee and these concerns will weigh on the bond markets."

"The fillip to the consumer/farm demand is expected to provide the much-needed support to the fading private consumption demand.

Tanvee Gupta Jain, Chief India Economist, UBS Securities India, Mumbai

"The fiscal deficit target for this year was largely in line with market expectations but the fiscal deficit target at 3.4 per cent for full-year 2020 was a little disappointing."

"Populism remained the focus ahead of elections. The budget provided a consumption boost to farmers and middle-class households. However, it will further delay the much-needed investment cycle recovery."

Anubhuti Sahay, Senior Economist, Standard Chartered Bank, Mumbai

"The fiscal deficit targets for FY19 as well as FY20 are far better than market expectations, though there is a slight slippage... It is likely to bring a lot of relief to the market, which was excessively worried about the massive fiscal slippage."

"Having said that, what we would like to see are its revenue projections and it is possible that the projections might be ambitious at this particular juncture. Maybe once we get the numbers going forward there can be some worries again around the fiscal deficit, whether it can be adhered to or not."

"The Budget was focused on farmers and the middle class that should help consumption and probably support the domestic growth." 
 
Shilan Shah, Senior India Economist, Capital Economics, Singapore

"Pretty much in line with what was expected. The one thing that has surprised is the extent of election-related sweeteners that have been rolled out."

"So, we thought there would be less space to announce big giveaways, but the government has actually managed to pull it off, at least on paper."

"I think ultimately, their spending plans look very unfeasible to me, so I wouldn't be surprised to see spending get cut later in the year."

"It looks pretty difficult to achieve but it seems to be based on quite ambitious revenue projections."&nbsp;

"The biggest stops that we have seen are the giveaways for farmers especially."

Garima Kapoor, Economist and Vice President, Elara Capital, Mumbai

"The Budget is clearly farm-focused, with elections on the mind. Farmers, age-old, unorganised sector, MSME and middle class - they're all finding favour, with the agricultural sector getting the biggest support."

"The 750 billion rupees in the Centre's Budget for the farmers' scheme is a huge number, so we need to watch out for where the funding is coming from. If the scheme is implemented well, you can expect consumption to be supported next year."

"The catch here is, even if the BJP does not come back to power in May, the new government will also implement this scheme because no government will want to look anti-poor or anti-farmer. The government will have to find fresh resources to the tune of 750 billion rupees."

"Although the equity markets will be happy because of the consumption boost, the bond market may not be, as we need to see the intricacies of how much is getting funded through what route and what deficit numbers."

"If the government has provided enough consumption boost, then RBI would want to take a cautious stance and would not undertake a rate cut."

Rupa Rege Nitsure, Group Chief Economist, L&amp;T Finance Holdings, Mumbai

"It's more of performance reporting and aspirations than any big-ticket changes. This was expected as it is an interim Budget valid for a few months. It needs to be stated in an unambiguous fashion that the credit for inflation control and AQR primarily goes to the RBI." 
 
Abheek Barua, Chief Economist, HDFC Bank, Delhi

"This is on expected lines. There is a slight slip in the fiscal deficit."

"The new income support scheme is tepid, in terms of the actual numbers. It should not lead to a blowout in the fiscal deficit if it indeed is part of the Budget when it is finally announced in full form."

"The only issue here is that there is no substitution away from indirect benefits in the form of subsidies to a direct transfer. This is on top of some benefits they are receiving."

"If this is the model going forward, let's see what fiscal implications it might have." "This is a top-up on an existing regime and that is something that worries me, but not at this stage." 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the experts and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The NDA government poured extra money into the support for farmers, delivering on Friday its last Budget ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2019. Here is how experts reacted to the Budget: Upasna Bharadwaj, Senior Economist, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Mumbai "The fiscal deficit flat at 3.

The NDA government poured extra money into the support for farmers, delivering on Friday its last Budget ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2019. Here is how experts reacted to the Budget: Upasna Bharadwaj, Senior Economist, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Mumbai "The fiscal deficit flat at 3.4 per cent of GDP, which is a sharp deviation from fiscal consolidation roadmap, is a disappointment. The consequent numbers of both net and gross market borrowings seem higher than the market expectation." "Fiscal slippage on the back of more spending to support the consumer class will probably delay the rate cut by the monetary policy committee and these concerns will weigh on the bond markets." "The fillip to the consumer/farm demand is expected to provide the much-needed support to the fading private consumption demand. Tanvee Gupta Jain, Chief India Economist, UBS Securities India, Mumbai "The fiscal deficit target for this year was largely in line with market expectations but the fiscal deficit target at 3.4 per cent for full-year 2020 was a little disappointing." "Populism remained the focus ahead of elections. The budget provided a consumption boost to farmers and middle-class households. However, it will further delay the much-needed investment cycle recovery." Anubhuti Sahay, Senior Economist, Standard Chartered Bank, Mumbai "The fiscal deficit targets for FY19 as well as FY20 are far better than market expectations, though there is a slight slippage... It is likely to bring a lot of relief to the market, which was excessively worried about the massive fiscal slippage." "Having said that, what we would like to see are its revenue projections and it is possible that the projections might be ambitious at this particular juncture. Maybe once we get the numbers going forward there can be some worries again around the fiscal deficit, whether it can be adhered to or not." "The Budget was focused on farmers and the middle class that should help consumption and probably support the domestic growth." Shilan Shah, Senior India Economist, Capital Economics, Singapore "Pretty much in line with what was expected. The one thing that has surprised is the extent of election-related sweeteners that have been rolled out." "So, we thought there would be less space to announce big giveaways, but the government has actually managed to pull it off, at least on paper." "I think ultimately, their spending plans look very unfeasible to me, so I wouldn't be surprised to see spending get cut later in the year." "It looks pretty difficult to achieve but it seems to be based on quite ambitious revenue projections." "The biggest stops that we have seen are the giveaways for farmers especially." Garima Kapoor, Economist and Vice President, Elara Capital, Mumbai "The Budget is clearly farm-focused, with elections on the mind. Farmers, age-old, unorganised sector, MSME and middle class - they're all finding favour, with the agricultural sector getting the biggest support." "The 750 billion rupees in the Centre's Budget for the farmers' scheme is a huge number, so we need to watch out for where the funding is coming from. If the scheme is implemented well, you can expect consumption to be supported next year." "The catch here is, even if the BJP does not come back to power in May, the new government will also implement this scheme because no government will want to look anti-poor or anti-farmer. The government will have to find fresh resources to the tune of 750 billion rupees." "Although the equity markets will be happy because of the consumption boost, the bond market may not be, as we need to see the intricacies of how much is getting funded through what route and what deficit numbers." "If the government has provided enough consumption boost, then RBI would want to take a cautious stance and would not undertake a rate cut." Rupa Rege Nitsure, Group Chief Economist, L&T Finance Holdings, Mumbai "It's more of performance reporting and aspirations than any big-ticket changes. This was expected as it is an interim Budget valid for a few months. It needs to be stated in an unambiguous fashion that the credit for inflation control and AQR primarily goes to the RBI." Abheek Barua, Chief Economist, HDFC Bank, Delhi "This is on expected lines. There is a slight slip in the fiscal deficit." "The new income support scheme is tepid, in terms of the actual numbers. It should not lead to a blowout in the fiscal deficit if it indeed is part of the Budget when it is finally announced in full form." "The only issue here is that there is no substitution away from indirect benefits in the form of subsidies to a direct transfer. This is on top of some benefits they are receiving." "If this is the model going forward, let's see what fiscal implications it might have." "This is a top-up on an existing regime and that is something that worries me, but not at this stage." (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the experts and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Expert's view: How Budget 2019 impacts farmers and middle class

On an oppressively hot June day in Lucknow 23 years ago, events unfolded that could impact the 2019 Lok Sabha election. &nbsp;Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav was chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. SP had 109 seats in the 425-seat Uttar Pradesh Assembly. It was supported in a tense if outwardly cordial coalition government by Kanshi Ram’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with 67 seats. Mayawati, then 39-year-old and BSP’s general secretary was a rising star of the party.

On the evening of June 2, 1995, fearing that BSP would withdraw support for the SP-led coalition government, several SP MLAs and workers attacked a group of BSP MLAs closeted in a strategy meeting in the Lucknow state guest house.&nbsp;

The SP leaders’ aim was to break the BSP party by intimidating its MLAs. What followed exposed the violent DNA that characterises the SP even today.

As a leading daily reported on June 3, 1995, in an article titled Mulayam’s men attack BSP legislators’ meet: “The Samajwadi Party workers, armed with rifles and weapons, barged into a meeting room of the BSP workers…and assaulted the BSP legislators, ‘kidnapping’ some of them.&nbsp;

Senior BSP leaders, including Mayawati, slipped into a suite reserved for her in the guest house. The Lucknow SSP, OP Singh, as well as his men, were a mute witness as the SP men snapped the telephone and power lines…and started beating (the BSP MLAs) with lathis. About 300 SP miscreants were led by over a dozen party MLAs, mostly with a criminal background.” &nbsp;

The impact on Uttar Pradesh politics was immediate and dramatic. Motilal Vora, the longtime Congress loyalist (and currently in the news as one of those on bail in the National Herald case), was governor of Uttar Pradesh. Acting on Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s advice, Vora promptly sacked Mulayam’s government on June 3.&nbsp;

The chief minister was not given an opportunity to prove his majority on the floor of the assembly. In an era bereft of television, social media and PIL activists, the Congress action went unchallenged.&nbsp;

But the Narasimha Rao government was in for a surprise. Within hours of Mulayam’s sacking, Mayawati tied up with the BJP and Janata Dal to extend outside support. She was sworn in as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh the same evening.&nbsp;

The ensuing decades-long enmity between the BSP and SP ensured that elections in Uttar Pradesh would henceforth be multi-cornered. The decline of the Congress, which had governed Uttar Pradesh for most of the period from 1950 to 1989, but never after 1989, coincided with the rise of Mayawati and the growing electoral importance of the Dalit vote.&nbsp;

Today Mayawati could prove the biggest obstacle for Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his bid to lead the anti-Narendra Modi mahagathbandhan.

Mayawati takes slights to heart. It took 23 years and an electoral wipeout of the BSP in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, for Mayawati to again collaborate with the SP’s new leadership under Akhilesh Yadav who was 18-year-old when the Lucknow state guest house attack took place.&nbsp;

Mayawati declared at her press conference with Akhilesh after formalising the BSP-SP pact in Uttar Pradesh that BSP would never support the Congress in the state or nationally. Mayawati, not Akhilesh, vetoed inclusion of the Congress in 2019 UP gathbandhan.&nbsp;

Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra’s entry into frontline politics in Uttar Pradesh complicates matters. The battle between Mayawati, guarding her turf in Uttar Pradesh, and Priyanka, seeking to re-establish Congress in the state, could lead to unintended consequences for both.

Sterner tests meanwhile await Mayawati at the national level. Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has thrown her hat into the mahagathbandhan ring. Meanwhile, the YSRCP’s Jaganmohan Reddy, TRS’s K Chandrashekar Rao and BJD’s Naveen Patnaik are manoeuvring to form a non-BJP, non-Congress front.

As Opposition leaders jockey for position, the Congress may be left with the task of being an anti-Modi choreographer, not a principal actor. That task could come down to a contest between Mayawati and Mamata. With each likely to win between 25 and 30 Lok Sabha seats in 2019, they will need to attract the non-BJP, non-Congress Third Front to join them in a coalition government and seek Congress support from within or outside.

Mayawati has a record as a tough administrator, but her government was beset with accusations of corruption, though none have been proved. Mamata too is under a cloud in the Saradha and Rosy Blue probes. Rahul Gandhi could thus end up as queen-maker.&nbsp;

With around 100 seats in 2019, the Congress will be the second largest party after the BJP. Rahul will have to put his prime ministerial ambitions on hold while he decides who between Mayawati and Mamata poses the least potent long-term threat to the Congress.

Watching this drama unfold, Modi and his Svengali Amit Shah will be doing some plotting of their own. As the events of June 3, 1995, demonstrated, the BJP and BSP have done business together. Mayawati is as unpredictable as Modi is imperturbable. Uttar Pradesh lifted him to power in 2014. Five years later, while the 10 per cent quota for economically weaker sections (EWS) may help the BJP arrest the alienation of UP’s upper castes, the Mayawati-Akhilesh gathbandhan could determine his future.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-mayawati-holds-the-key-to-2019-2714388">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
&nbsp;

On an oppressively hot June day in Lucknow 23 years ago, events unfolded that could impact the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav was chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

On an oppressively hot June day in Lucknow 23 years ago, events unfolded that could impact the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav was chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. SP had 109 seats in the 425-seat Uttar Pradesh Assembly. It was supported in a tense if outwardly cordial coalition government by Kanshi Ram’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with 67 seats. Mayawati, then 39-year-old and BSP’s general secretary was a rising star of the party. On the evening of June 2, 1995, fearing that BSP would withdraw support for the SP-led coalition government, several SP MLAs and workers attacked a group of BSP MLAs closeted in a strategy meeting in the Lucknow state guest house. The SP leaders’ aim was to break the BSP party by intimidating its MLAs. What followed exposed the violent DNA that characterises the SP even today. As a leading daily reported on June 3, 1995, in an article titled Mulayam’s men attack BSP legislators’ meet: “The Samajwadi Party workers, armed with rifles and weapons, barged into a meeting room of the BSP workers…and assaulted the BSP legislators, ‘kidnapping’ some of them. Senior BSP leaders, including Mayawati, slipped into a suite reserved for her in the guest house. The Lucknow SSP, OP Singh, as well as his men, were a mute witness as the SP men snapped the telephone and power lines…and started beating (the BSP MLAs) with lathis. About 300 SP miscreants were led by over a dozen party MLAs, mostly with a criminal background.” The impact on Uttar Pradesh politics was immediate and dramatic. Motilal Vora, the longtime Congress loyalist (and currently in the news as one of those on bail in the National Herald case), was governor of Uttar Pradesh. Acting on Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s advice, Vora promptly sacked Mulayam’s government on June 3. The chief minister was not given an opportunity to prove his majority on the floor of the assembly. In an era bereft of television, social media and PIL activists, the Congress action went unchallenged. But the Narasimha Rao government was in for a surprise. Within hours of Mulayam’s sacking, Mayawati tied up with the BJP and Janata Dal to extend outside support. She was sworn in as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh the same evening. The ensuing decades-long enmity between the BSP and SP ensured that elections in Uttar Pradesh would henceforth be multi-cornered. The decline of the Congress, which had governed Uttar Pradesh for most of the period from 1950 to 1989, but never after 1989, coincided with the rise of Mayawati and the growing electoral importance of the Dalit vote. Today Mayawati could prove the biggest obstacle for Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his bid to lead the anti-Narendra Modi mahagathbandhan. Mayawati takes slights to heart. It took 23 years and an electoral wipeout of the BSP in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, for Mayawati to again collaborate with the SP’s new leadership under Akhilesh Yadav who was 18-year-old when the Lucknow state guest house attack took place. Mayawati declared at her press conference with Akhilesh after formalising the BSP-SP pact in Uttar Pradesh that BSP would never support the Congress in the state or nationally. Mayawati, not Akhilesh, vetoed inclusion of the Congress in 2019 UP gathbandhan. Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra’s entry into frontline politics in Uttar Pradesh complicates matters. The battle between Mayawati, guarding her turf in Uttar Pradesh, and Priyanka, seeking to re-establish Congress in the state, could lead to unintended consequences for both. Sterner tests meanwhile await Mayawati at the national level. Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has thrown her hat into the mahagathbandhan ring. Meanwhile, the YSRCP’s Jaganmohan Reddy, TRS’s K Chandrashekar Rao and BJD’s Naveen Patnaik are manoeuvring to form a non-BJP, non-Congress front. As Opposition leaders jockey for position, the Congress may be left with the task of being an anti-Modi choreographer, not a principal actor. That task could come down to a contest between Mayawati and Mamata. With each likely to win between 25 and 30 Lok Sabha seats in 2019, they will need to attract the non-BJP, non-Congress Third Front to join them in a coalition government and seek Congress support from within or outside. Mayawati has a record as a tough administrator, but her government was beset with accusations of corruption, though none have been proved. Mamata too is under a cloud in the Saradha and Rosy Blue probes. Rahul Gandhi could thus end up as queen-maker. With around 100 seats in 2019, the Congress will be the second largest party after the BJP. Rahul will have to put his prime ministerial ambitions on hold while he decides who between Mayawati and Mamata poses the least potent long-term threat to the Congress. Watching this drama unfold, Modi and his Svengali Amit Shah will be doing some plotting of their own. As the events of June 3, 1995, demonstrated, the BJP and BSP have done business together. Mayawati is as unpredictable as Modi is imperturbable. Uttar Pradesh lifted him to power in 2014. Five years later, while the 10 per cent quota for economically weaker sections (EWS) may help the BJP arrest the alienation of UP’s upper castes, the Mayawati-Akhilesh gathbandhan could determine his future. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Mayawati holds the key to 2019

Madam Speaker, I rise to present the Interim Budget for the year 2019-20. PART A 2. I am deeply conscious of the absence of Shri Arun Jaitley today. Also read: Big takeaways from Union Budget 2019 I am sure the House joins me in wishing Shri Jaitley speedy recovery, good health and long life in the service of the nation.

Budget 2019: Full text of finance minister Piyush Goyal's speech in Parliament

Keeping up with the tradition, the Narendra Modi-led government ahead of the general election will present an interim Budget on February 1, 2019, at 11 am.

The last Budget of the present NDA government is likely to be presented by interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal in the Lok Sabha.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/nine-landmark-budgets-and-their-impact-on-republic-of-india-194050">In pics: Nine landmark budgets and their impact on the Republic of India</a>

Before the presentation of the Budget in Lok Sabha here we bring the entire process in brief:

Printing of Budget documents begins with 'Halwa' ceremony

The process of creating budget starts some 10-15 days before the exact budget presentation. The process flags off with a dessert 'Halwa'.

Ministers and senior officials of the Finance Ministry observe a symbolic 'Halwa Ceremony' to mark the launch of formal printing of documents relating to the Union Budget.

As part of the ritual, 'halwa' is prepared in a big 'kadhai' (large frying pot) and served to the entire staff in the ministry.

This year, the 'Halwa Ceremony' was held on January 21, in presence of Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla and senior officials. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, however, missed the customary pre-Budget event as he is currently in the US for a medical check-up.

Secrecy of top level

The printing of the budget documents is carried out in top secrecy at the finance ministry in North Block. Confidentiality and secrecy are the primary ingredients of the whole process.

A large number of officials and support staff, who are directly associated with the Budget making and printing process, are required to stay in the ministry and remain cut off from their families till the presentation of the Budget in the Lok Sabha.

They are not even allowed to contact their near and dear ones through phone or any other form of communication, like e-mail.

Only very senior officials in the finance ministry are permitted to go home.

The budget process

Budget is an account of the finances. It lays down the consolidated report of revenue from all sources. The budget also carries Budgeted Estimates which are the estimates of the Central government’s accounts for the upcoming fiscal.

During the final stage of budget preparation, ministries provide the estimates for their revenue receipts in the current fiscal year (revised estimates) and next fiscal year (budget estimates) to the finance ministry.

The budget speech

Before the presentation of the Budget, President's recommendation is obtained under Article 117(1) and 117(3) for introduction and consideration in the lower house of Parliament.

After President's recommendation, the Budget is then laid before the Lok Sabha by the finance minister with the "Budget speech".

The two-part Budget speech contains an overview of the economy and tax proposals.

The first part comprises major policy initiatives taken by the govt and an overview of the economy. and after the introduction of GST most indirect tax changes are carried outside the Budget.

In Rajya Sabha

Before the actual presentation of the budget in the house, the members of the parliament are given a gist a day before.

The annual financial statement is laid on the table of Rajya Sabha only after the finance minister concludes his budget speech in Lok Sabha.

Keeping up with the tradition, the Narendra Modi-led government ahead of the general election will present an interim Budget on February 1, 2019, at 11 am. The last Budget of the present NDA government is likely to be presented by interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal in the Lok Sabha.

Keeping up with the tradition, the Narendra Modi-led government ahead of the general election will present an interim Budget on February 1, 2019, at 11 am. The last Budget of the present NDA government is likely to be presented by interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal in the Lok Sabha. In pics: Nine landmark budgets and their impact on the Republic of India Before the presentation of the Budget in Lok Sabha here we bring the entire process in brief: Printing of Budget documents begins with 'Halwa' ceremony The process of creating budget starts some 10-15 days before the exact budget presentation. The process flags off with a dessert 'Halwa'. Ministers and senior officials of the Finance Ministry observe a symbolic 'Halwa Ceremony' to mark the launch of formal printing of documents relating to the Union Budget. As part of the ritual, 'halwa' is prepared in a big 'kadhai' (large frying pot) and served to the entire staff in the ministry. This year, the 'Halwa Ceremony' was held on January 21, in presence of Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla and senior officials. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, however, missed the customary pre-Budget event as he is currently in the US for a medical check-up. Secrecy of top level The printing of the budget documents is carried out in top secrecy at the finance ministry in North Block. Confidentiality and secrecy are the primary ingredients of the whole process. A large number of officials and support staff, who are directly associated with the Budget making and printing process, are required to stay in the ministry and remain cut off from their families till the presentation of the Budget in the Lok Sabha. They are not even allowed to contact their near and dear ones through phone or any other form of communication, like e-mail. Only very senior officials in the finance ministry are permitted to go home. The budget process Budget is an account of the finances. It lays down the consolidated report of revenue from all sources. The budget also carries Budgeted Estimates which are the estimates of the Central government’s accounts for the upcoming fiscal. During the final stage of budget preparation, ministries provide the estimates for their revenue receipts in the current fiscal year (revised estimates) and next fiscal year (budget estimates) to the finance ministry. The budget speech Before the presentation of the Budget, President's recommendation is obtained under Article 117(1) and 117(3) for introduction and consideration in the lower house of Parliament. After President's recommendation, the Budget is then laid before the Lok Sabha by the finance minister with the "Budget speech". The two-part Budget speech contains an overview of the economy and tax proposals. The first part comprises major policy initiatives taken by the govt and an overview of the economy. and after the introduction of GST most indirect tax changes are carried outside the Budget. In Rajya Sabha Before the actual presentation of the budget in the house, the members of the parliament are given a gist a day before. The annual financial statement is laid on the table of Rajya Sabha only after the finance minister concludes his budget speech in Lok Sabha.

Union Budget 2019: How it is formulated and presented

The Hugo Chavez model of politics pivoting around the concept of neopatrimonialism was followed with determined zeal by the previous Manmohan Singh-led UPA government at the Centre, presided over by the then Congress party president Sonia Gandhi.

The drawback of the model that was carved and implemented to the hilt by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez between 2002 and 2013, a period that almost coincided with the Manmohan Singh's rule in India, was more tuned to addressing social inequalities rather than structural inequalities.

The present job crisis in India can be attributed and described as a direct fallout of the politics of populism practiced by the Congress party when it was in power between 2004 and 2014 since equity distribution was lopsided and the growth on economic infrastructure front also was compromised with maximum focus on direct cash transfer to the deprived sections through acts passed by the Indian Parliament to guarantee jobs, food, and education. While doing this, they typically aped the cash transfer policy that was being followed in Brazil and Mexico without bothering about the impact it would leave on the middle class wage earners and the economic growth of the country.

Following on the same footsteps, present Congress president Rahul Gandhi announced at a "Kisan Abhaar Sammelan" at Raipur this Monday that his party would implement a minimum income guarantee scheme for every poor if his party comes to power at the Centre this year.

Former finance minister P Chidambaram has laced the Congress decision regarding "minimum income guarantee" with the assertion that it would "wipe out poverty" and uplift about one-fifth of India's population that lacks the purchasing power to provide itself food, clothing and shelter.

Chidambaram has defended the decision by pointing out that India owes itself the responsibility of mobilising resources to rescue the deprived sections caught in the trap of poverty. For this purpose only 1.5 per cent of the GDP would be required and there should be no difficulty in meeting the target, he adds.

Before the nation goes to polls, the Congress party, through the sop of "minimum income guarantee", has tried to address that section of the Indian population which is suffering the most due to joblessness and poverty. According to basic estimates their number is huge - about 200 million. Obviously, the Congress party would like to use them as a vote bank in the coming parliamentary election.

Scarcity of jobs is a burning problem that is haunting the NDA government led by Narendra Modi at the Centre in a big way as its five year term is nearing completion.

Joblessness in India is an issue that has caught the attention of analysts in neighbouring China. Global Times, published under China's official People's Daily, also points to growing discontent, being faced by Prime Minister Modi. Hu Weijia, a reporter with the Global Times says: "If New Delhi restricts Chinese investment, the move will unavoidably cut job opportunities for young people (In India)."

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) also has expressed concerns about financing and the lending environment in India "due to the collapse of Indian infrastructure development and high rate of non-performing assets among Indian banks" in its inaugural Asian Infrastructure Finance report released in Beijing on Tuesday.

The AIIB report talks of the downward trajectory when it comes to India's infrastructure transaction activity in terms of total completed and ongoing transactions each year from 2014 to 2016.

Economists and analysts of the long-term South Asian scenario, especially in the backdrop of the China-US trade disputes that have got aggravated by the US President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese imports, have started talking of the advantages of Chinese companies investing in India's labour intensive industries. The Global Times has underscored that the Modi administration needs good news in terms of job growth ahead of the upcoming general election.

The projection by commentators exploring the prospects of mutual gain by both India and China under the current global scenario notwithstanding, what cannot be ignored is that the clock is ticking for Modi. Come elections and the top bulb of the sandglass will soon be empty.

Instead of populism, it is important at this juncture to address the issue of highly unequal levels of development, human development index and lopsided distribution of equity. Seeking investments and channelising resources for the purpose of building the economic infrastructure, so essential for improving the quality of life of the people across the board, should be the priority. Ahead of elections, the Modi government will have to take the Congress head on. Without wasting time, it will have to place on the table a policy design for evolving and creating a vibrant job market in India.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The Hugo Chavez model of politics pivoting around the concept of neopatrimonialism was followed with determined zeal by the previous Manmohan Singh-led UPA government at the Centre, presided over by the then Congress party president Sonia Gandhi.

The Hugo Chavez model of politics pivoting around the concept of neopatrimonialism was followed with determined zeal by the previous Manmohan Singh-led UPA government at the Centre, presided over by the then Congress party president Sonia Gandhi. The drawback of the model that was carved and implemented to the hilt by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez between 2002 and 2013, a period that almost coincided with the Manmohan Singh's rule in India, was more tuned to addressing social inequalities rather than structural inequalities. The present job crisis in India can be attributed and described as a direct fallout of the politics of populism practiced by the Congress party when it was in power between 2004 and 2014 since equity distribution was lopsided and the growth on economic infrastructure front also was compromised with maximum focus on direct cash transfer to the deprived sections through acts passed by the Indian Parliament to guarantee jobs, food, and education. While doing this, they typically aped the cash transfer policy that was being followed in Brazil and Mexico without bothering about the impact it would leave on the middle class wage earners and the economic growth of the country. Following on the same footsteps, present Congress president Rahul Gandhi announced at a "Kisan Abhaar Sammelan" at Raipur this Monday that his party would implement a minimum income guarantee scheme for every poor if his party comes to power at the Centre this year. Former finance minister P Chidambaram has laced the Congress decision regarding "minimum income guarantee" with the assertion that it would "wipe out poverty" and uplift about one-fifth of India's population that lacks the purchasing power to provide itself food, clothing and shelter. Chidambaram has defended the decision by pointing out that India owes itself the responsibility of mobilising resources to rescue the deprived sections caught in the trap of poverty. For this purpose only 1.5 per cent of the GDP would be required and there should be no difficulty in meeting the target, he adds. Before the nation goes to polls, the Congress party, through the sop of "minimum income guarantee", has tried to address that section of the Indian population which is suffering the most due to joblessness and poverty. According to basic estimates their number is huge - about 200 million. Obviously, the Congress party would like to use them as a vote bank in the coming parliamentary election. Scarcity of jobs is a burning problem that is haunting the NDA government led by Narendra Modi at the Centre in a big way as its five year term is nearing completion. Joblessness in India is an issue that has caught the attention of analysts in neighbouring China. Global Times, published under China's official People's Daily, also points to growing discontent, being faced by Prime Minister Modi. Hu Weijia, a reporter with the Global Times says: "If New Delhi restricts Chinese investment, the move will unavoidably cut job opportunities for young people (In India)." Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) also has expressed concerns about financing and the lending environment in India "due to the collapse of Indian infrastructure development and high rate of non-performing assets among Indian banks" in its inaugural Asian Infrastructure Finance report released in Beijing on Tuesday. The AIIB report talks of the downward trajectory when it comes to India's infrastructure transaction activity in terms of total completed and ongoing transactions each year from 2014 to 2016. Economists and analysts of the long-term South Asian scenario, especially in the backdrop of the China-US trade disputes that have got aggravated by the US President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese imports, have started talking of the advantages of Chinese companies investing in India's labour intensive industries. The Global Times has underscored that the Modi administration needs good news in terms of job growth ahead of the upcoming general election. The projection by commentators exploring the prospects of mutual gain by both India and China under the current global scenario notwithstanding, what cannot be ignored is that the clock is ticking for Modi. Come elections and the top bulb of the sandglass will soon be empty. Instead of populism, it is important at this juncture to address the issue of highly unequal levels of development, human development index and lopsided distribution of equity. Seeking investments and channelising resources for the purpose of building the economic infrastructure, so essential for improving the quality of life of the people across the board, should be the priority. Ahead of elections, the Modi government will have to take the Congress head on. Without wasting time, it will have to place on the table a policy design for evolving and creating a vibrant job market in India. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Minimum income guarantee: Populism versus long-term policy for a vibrant job market

Right on schedule, the makers of next biopic on sitting Indian PM Narendra Modi has started shooting for the film with lead actor Vivek Oberoi.&nbsp;

Vivek who has not been seen in any major Hindi film release, shared a few pictures from the set of the film as the makers start the film. He wrote: "We finally begin this journey with the love and blessings of Ganpati Bappa, dad @sureshoberoi and each and every one of you. Thank you for your love and support. @OmungKumar @sandip_Ssingh @bomanirani @DarshanKumaar #PMNarendraModi"

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We finally begin this journey with the love and blessings of Ganpati Bappa, dad <a href="https://twitter.com/sureshoberoi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sureshoberoi</a> and each and every one of you. Thank you for your love and support. <a href="https://twitter.com/OmungKumar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OmungKumar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sandip_Ssingh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sandip_Ssingh</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/bomanirani?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bomanirani</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DarshanKumaar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DarshanKumaar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMNarendraModi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMNarendraModi</a> <a href="https://t.co/Dgldj7vUmV">pic.twitter.com/Dgldj7vUmV</a>
— Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) <a href="https://twitter.com/vivekoberoi/status/1089796827656925184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
At the Akshardham Temple in Gujarat- the global icon of peace and forgiveness, to seek the blessings of Lord Swami Narayan. Jai Shri Swami Narayan 🙏 <a href="https://t.co/uPBNTo29ED">pic.twitter.com/uPBNTo29ED</a>
— Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) <a href="https://twitter.com/vivekoberoi/status/1088822064729985024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Earlier, the team had shared the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/first-look-of-vivek-oberoi-as-pm-narendra-modi-in-new-biopic-is-out-188898">first look poster </a>of the film showing Vivek's transformation as Modi in the film.

The film is said to chronicle Modi's journey from a common man to the prime position that he holds today. It is directed by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/filmmaker-omung-kumar-scouting-for-locations-for-biopic-on-modi-193411">Omung Kumar who was scouting for locations </a>for the film recently.&nbsp;

Right on schedule, the makers of next biopic on sitting Indian PM Narendra Modi has started shooting for the film with lead actor Vivek Oberoi. Vivek who has not been seen in any major Hindi film release, shared a few pictures from the set of the film as the makers start the film.

Right on schedule, the makers of next biopic on sitting Indian PM Narendra Modi has started shooting for the film with lead actor Vivek Oberoi. Vivek who has not been seen in any major Hindi film release, shared a few pictures from the set of the film as the makers start the film. He wrote: "We finally begin this journey with the love and blessings of Ganpati Bappa, dad @sureshoberoi and each and every one of you. Thank you for your love and support. @OmungKumar @sandip_Ssingh @bomanirani @DarshanKumaar #PMNarendraModi" We finally begin this journey with the love and blessings of Ganpati Bappa, dad @sureshoberoi and each and every one of you. Thank you for your love and support. @OmungKumar @sandip_Ssingh @bomanirani @DarshanKumaar #PMNarendraModi pic.twitter.com/Dgldj7vUmV — Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) January 28, 2019 × At the Akshardham Temple in Gujarat- the global icon of peace and forgiveness, to seek the blessings of Lord Swami Narayan. Jai Shri Swami Narayan 🙏 pic.twitter.com/uPBNTo29ED — Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) January 25, 2019 × Earlier, the team had shared the first look poster of the film showing Vivek's transformation as Modi in the film. The film is said to chronicle Modi's journey from a common man to the prime position that he holds today. It is directed by Omung Kumar who was scouting for locations for the film recently.

Vivek Oberoi starrer Narendra Modi biopic goes on floors

The presentation of Union Budget 2019 is just days away. The Budget, which will be presented on February 1, is going to be Modi government's last Budget of the current tenure and is expected to be an interim one.

As the government gets ready to present its financial plan for the coming months, we highlight some critical details related to a few significant terms like 'GST', 'Fiscal Deficit', 'Revenue Deficit', ‘Primary Deficit', 'Capital Expenditure', Direct &amp; Indirect Taxes etc, used in the annual financial statement.

These definitions are provided by the Finance Ministry.

Budget estimates: Amount of money allocated in the Budget to any ministry or scheme for the coming financial year.

Fiscal deficit: When the government's non-borrowed receipts fall short of its entire expenditure, it has to borrow money from the public to meet the shortfall. The excess of total expenditure over total non-borrowed receipts is called a fiscal deficit.

Revenue Deficit: The difference between revenue expenditure and revenue receipt is known as revenue deficit. It shows the shortfall of government's current receipts over current expenditure.

Primary deficit: The primary deficit is the fiscal deficit minus interest payments. It tells how much of the government's borrowings are going towards meeting expenses other than interest payments.

Goods and Services Tax: The Constitution defines Goods and Services Tax as any tax on the supply of goods or services or both except taxes on the supply of alcoholic liquor for human consumption. 'Goods' means every kind of movable property other than money and securities but includes the actionable claim, growing crops, grass and things attached to or forming part of the land which is agreed to be severed before supply or under a contract of supply. 'Services' means anything other than goods, money and securities but includes activities relating to the use of money or its conversion by cash or by any other mode, from one form, currency or denomination for which a separate consideration is charged.

Direct and indirect taxes: Direct taxes are the one that falls directly on individuals and corporations. For example, income tax, corporate tax etc. Indirect taxes are imposed on goods and services They are paid by consumers when they buy goods and services. These include excise duty, customs duty etc.

Customs duty: These are levies charged when goods are imported into, or exported from, the country, and they are paid by the importer or exporter. Usually, these are also passed on to the consumer.

Monetary policy: This comprises actions taken by the central bank (RBI) to regulate the level of money or liquidity in the economy, or change the interest rates.

Fiscal policy: It is the government actions with respect to aggregate levels of revenue and spending. Fiscal policy is implemented through the Budget and is the primary means by which the government can influence the economy.

Inflation: A sustained increase in the general price level. The inflation rate is the percentage rate of change in the price level.

Finance bill: The bill produced immediately after presentation of the Union Budget detailing the imposition, abolition, alteration or regulation of taxes proposed in the Budget.

Excess grants: If the total expenditure under a grant exceeds the provision allowed through its original grant and supplementary grant, then the access requires regularisation by obtaining the excess grant from Parliament under Article 115 of the Constitution of India. It will have to go through the whole process as in the case of the annual Budget i.e. through a presentation of demands for grants and passing of appropriation bills.

Re-appropriations: Re-appropriations allow the government to re-appropriate provisions from one sub-head to another within the same grant. Re-appropriation provisions may be sanctioned by a competent authority at any time before the close of the financial year to which such grant or appropriation relates. The Comptroller and Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee review these re-appropriations and comments on them for taking corrective actions.

Cut motions: Motions for reduction to various demands for grants are made in the form of cut motions seeking to reduce the sums sought by the government on grounds of economy or difference of opinion on matters of policy or just in order to voice a grievance.

Guillotine: Parliament, unfortunately, has very limited time for scrutinising expenditure demands of all the ministries. So, once the prescribed period for discussion on demands for grants is over, the Speaker of Lok Sabha puts all the outstanding demands for grants, whether discussed or not, to the vote of the House. This process is popularly known as 'Guillotine'. 
&nbsp;

The presentation of Union Budget 2019 is just days away. The Budget, which will be presented on February 1, is going to be Modi government's last Budget of the current tenure and is expected to be an interim one.

The presentation of Union Budget 2019 is just days away. The Budget, which will be presented on February 1, is going to be Modi government's last Budget of the current tenure and is expected to be an interim one. As the government gets ready to present its financial plan for the coming months, we highlight some critical details related to a few significant terms like 'GST', 'Fiscal Deficit', 'Revenue Deficit', ‘Primary Deficit', 'Capital Expenditure', Direct & Indirect Taxes etc, used in the annual financial statement. These definitions are provided by the Finance Ministry. Budget estimates: Amount of money allocated in the Budget to any ministry or scheme for the coming financial year. Fiscal deficit: When the government's non-borrowed receipts fall short of its entire expenditure, it has to borrow money from the public to meet the shortfall. The excess of total expenditure over total non-borrowed receipts is called a fiscal deficit. Revenue Deficit: The difference between revenue expenditure and revenue receipt is known as revenue deficit. It shows the shortfall of government's current receipts over current expenditure. Primary deficit: The primary deficit is the fiscal deficit minus interest payments. It tells how much of the government's borrowings are going towards meeting expenses other than interest payments. Goods and Services Tax: The Constitution defines Goods and Services Tax as any tax on the supply of goods or services or both except taxes on the supply of alcoholic liquor for human consumption. 'Goods' means every kind of movable property other than money and securities but includes the actionable claim, growing crops, grass and things attached to or forming part of the land which is agreed to be severed before supply or under a contract of supply. 'Services' means anything other than goods, money and securities but includes activities relating to the use of money or its conversion by cash or by any other mode, from one form, currency or denomination for which a separate consideration is charged. Direct and indirect taxes: Direct taxes are the one that falls directly on individuals and corporations. For example, income tax, corporate tax etc. Indirect taxes are imposed on goods and services They are paid by consumers when they buy goods and services. These include excise duty, customs duty etc. Customs duty: These are levies charged when goods are imported into, or exported from, the country, and they are paid by the importer or exporter. Usually, these are also passed on to the consumer. Monetary policy: This comprises actions taken by the central bank (RBI) to regulate the level of money or liquidity in the economy, or change the interest rates. Fiscal policy: It is the government actions with respect to aggregate levels of revenue and spending. Fiscal policy is implemented through the Budget and is the primary means by which the government can influence the economy. Inflation: A sustained increase in the general price level. The inflation rate is the percentage rate of change in the price level. Finance bill: The bill produced immediately after presentation of the Union Budget detailing the imposition, abolition, alteration or regulation of taxes proposed in the Budget. Excess grants: If the total expenditure under a grant exceeds the provision allowed through its original grant and supplementary grant, then the access requires regularisation by obtaining the excess grant from Parliament under Article 115 of the Constitution of India. It will have to go through the whole process as in the case of the annual Budget i.e. through a presentation of demands for grants and passing of appropriation bills. Re-appropriations: Re-appropriations allow the government to re-appropriate provisions from one sub-head to another within the same grant. Re-appropriation provisions may be sanctioned by a competent authority at any time before the close of the financial year to which such grant or appropriation relates. The Comptroller and Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee review these re-appropriations and comments on them for taking corrective actions. Cut motions: Motions for reduction to various demands for grants are made in the form of cut motions seeking to reduce the sums sought by the government on grounds of economy or difference of opinion on matters of policy or just in order to voice a grievance. Guillotine: Parliament, unfortunately, has very limited time for scrutinising expenditure demands of all the ministries. So, once the prescribed period for discussion on demands for grants is over, the Speaker of Lok Sabha puts all the outstanding demands for grants, whether discussed or not, to the vote of the House. This process is popularly known as 'Guillotine'.

Fiscal deficit, cut motion, guillotine: Terms to know for Budget

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while referring to surgical strikes and his address in Hindi at the UN General Assembly.

"Pakistan attacked Uri by sending its terrorists. Within 10 days, Prime Minister Modi took the revenge through surgical strikes. This only he can do. The Congress can’t do this. When Prime Minister Modi speaks in Hindi at the UN General Assembly, every Indian feels proud,"&nbsp;said Shah, while addressing a rally here.

Projecting BJP as the true custodian of marginalised sections of the society, he said, "BJP-led Central government is for the poor, tribal people and Dalits. Congress ruled India for decades but the poor did not get even basic amenities such as gas connections, medical benefits and electricity."

"After Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, many houses got LPG connections. We made toilets for eight crore houses and two crore electricity connections were given to the poor people,"&nbsp;said the BJP chief.

Shah also criticised Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for allegedly restricting the people from taking direct benefits of Central government’s various welfare schemes.

"In Odisha, the poor people are unable to benefit from the schemes of Central government due to the narrow mindset of the state government led by Naveen Patnaik. I want to ask the Chief Minister why poor people in the state are not getting the benefit of Ayushman Bharat,"&nbsp;he said.

"The state government is afraid because if they will allow people to benefit from Ayushman Bharat, then Prime Minister Modi will become famous and the BJP’s roots will get stronger. The Panchayat elections show that the next government will be made by BJP in the state,"&nbsp;said Shah.

Talking about how the BJP has been generous in giving funds to Odisha, Shah said, "In 13th Finance Commission, Congress gave around Rs 79,000 crore to the state. When the BJP came to power at the Centre, we gave Rs 2,11,510 crore for development works in Odisha as per the recommendation of 14th Finance Commission."

"Apart from this, we also gave Rs 51,000 crore more. In total, we have given Rs 5,13,000 crore for Odisha's development. Has this money reached the villages in Odisha? Do you get electricity for 24 hours in your villages? Do you get drinking water from taps,"&nbsp;he asked.

Talking about the much-hyped grand alliance of opposition parties, BJP chief Shah said, "BJP is all set to contest the coming Lok Sabha election under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. We have more than 26 parties with us in the NDA. On the other hand, there is a grand alliance, which is fake. All these parties under Congress’ leadership do not have even a leader and a positive agenda for development.''

In a bid to infuse confidence in the BJP workers, he said, "I want the party workers to go home today with the vision of creating a ‘new Odisha’ by taking motivation from Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das. Also, take the pledge that in the next Vidhan Sabha elections Odisha will get an Odia speaking Chief Minister."&nbsp;

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while referring to surgical strikes and his address in Hindi at the UN General Assembly.

BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday heaped praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while referring to surgical strikes and his address in Hindi at the UN General Assembly. "Pakistan attacked Uri by sending its terrorists. Within 10 days, Prime Minister Modi took the revenge through surgical strikes. This only he can do. The Congress can’t do this. When Prime Minister Modi speaks in Hindi at the UN General Assembly, every Indian feels proud," said Shah, while addressing a rally here. Projecting BJP as the true custodian of marginalised sections of the society, he said, "BJP-led Central government is for the poor, tribal people and Dalits. Congress ruled India for decades but the poor did not get even basic amenities such as gas connections, medical benefits and electricity." "After Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, many houses got LPG connections. We made toilets for eight crore houses and two crore electricity connections were given to the poor people," said the BJP chief. Shah also criticised Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for allegedly restricting the people from taking direct benefits of Central government’s various welfare schemes. "In Odisha, the poor people are unable to benefit from the schemes of Central government due to the narrow mindset of the state government led by Naveen Patnaik. I want to ask the Chief Minister why poor people in the state are not getting the benefit of Ayushman Bharat," he said. "The state government is afraid because if they will allow people to benefit from Ayushman Bharat, then Prime Minister Modi will become famous and the BJP’s roots will get stronger. The Panchayat elections show that the next government will be made by BJP in the state," said Shah. Talking about how the BJP has been generous in giving funds to Odisha, Shah said, "In 13th Finance Commission, Congress gave around Rs 79,000 crore to the state. When the BJP came to power at the Centre, we gave Rs 2,11,510 crore for development works in Odisha as per the recommendation of 14th Finance Commission." "Apart from this, we also gave Rs 51,000 crore more. In total, we have given Rs 5,13,000 crore for Odisha's development. Has this money reached the villages in Odisha? Do you get electricity for 24 hours in your villages? Do you get drinking water from taps," he asked. Talking about the much-hyped grand alliance of opposition parties, BJP chief Shah said, "BJP is all set to contest the coming Lok Sabha election under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. We have more than 26 parties with us in the NDA. On the other hand, there is a grand alliance, which is fake. All these parties under Congress’ leadership do not have even a leader and a positive agenda for development.'' In a bid to infuse confidence in the BJP workers, he said, "I want the party workers to go home today with the vision of creating a ‘new Odisha’ by taking motivation from Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das. Also, take the pledge that in the next Vidhan Sabha elections Odisha will get an Odia speaking Chief Minister."

Shah heaps praises on PM Modi, says he makes India proud by speaking in Hindi at UN

For the first time since the fall of PDP-BJP collation government in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir this Sunday and inaugurate several projects. He will also address a public rally and panchayat members.

The visit is being considered crucial for PM Modi as the state will be heading to assembly elections this year, amid questions whether J&amp;K will go to polls with Lok Sabha.

During the visit, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for various development projects. He will also inaugurate projects worth Rs. 35,000 crore and Rs. 9,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir, PTI reported.&nbsp;

BJP general sectary and J&amp;K in charge, Ram Madhav told media earlier this month that "PM will lay the foundation stone for AIIMS, IIM, IIT, Jammu-Akhnoor road, Shahpur-Kandi road, Sunderbani college and IIMC in Jammu".&nbsp;

Sources in the police told WION that a team from the Prime Minister's office and special protection group will land in the state today, to check all the arrangements made for his visit. &nbsp;

This visit is important from other aspects as well as PM will also visit Ladakh region amid growing chorus over giving it divisional status, a demand echoed by BJP leaders.&nbsp;

After the demand for divisional status to Ladakh, PDP President and former chief minister of the state, Mehbooba Mufti had also raised demand for giving divisional status to Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley regions.&nbsp;

BJP has a large voter base in Jammu division and it helped them to form a coalition government in the state during 2014 elections. Prime Minister had last visited the State on 19 May 2018 to lay the foundation of Zojilla Tunnel project.

For the first time since the fall of PDP-BJP collation government in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir this Sunday and inaugurate several projects.

For the first time since the fall of PDP-BJP collation government in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir this Sunday and inaugurate several projects. He will also address a public rally and panchayat members. The visit is being considered crucial for PM Modi as the state will be heading to assembly elections this year, amid questions whether J&K will go to polls with Lok Sabha. During the visit, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for various development projects. He will also inaugurate projects worth Rs. 35,000 crore and Rs. 9,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir, PTI reported. BJP general sectary and J&K in charge, Ram Madhav told media earlier this month that "PM will lay the foundation stone for AIIMS, IIM, IIT, Jammu-Akhnoor road, Shahpur-Kandi road, Sunderbani college and IIMC in Jammu". Sources in the police told WION that a team from the Prime Minister's office and special protection group will land in the state today, to check all the arrangements made for his visit. This visit is important from other aspects as well as PM will also visit Ladakh region amid growing chorus over giving it divisional status, a demand echoed by BJP leaders. After the demand for divisional status to Ladakh, PDP President and former chief minister of the state, Mehbooba Mufti had also raised demand for giving divisional status to Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley regions. BJP has a large voter base in Jammu division and it helped them to form a coalition government in the state during 2014 elections. Prime Minister had last visited the State on 19 May 2018 to lay the foundation of Zojilla Tunnel project.

PM Modi to visit J&K on February 3, first since government collapse

Pakistan will try to resume peace talks with India only after election results are out as it is "useless" to talk to New Delhi because no big decisions are expected from the present Indian government, a senior minister has said.

Fawad Chaudhry, Minister of Information of Pakistan, said that the time is not right to hold dialogue as the Indian leaders are preparing for the upcoming general elections, Gulf News reported.

"It is useless to talk to them (India) now unless there is some stability. We will move forward once the new government is formed after the elections," he said.

"We have delayed our efforts to hold talks with India because we do not expect any big decision from the present Indian leadership," he said.

He said the Pakistan government would respect any Indian leader and the party elected by the Indian people.&nbsp;

When asked which Indian leader will suit Pakistan more when it comes to peace talks Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi, the minister said it does not matter for Pakistan.

"And, we would like to move forward to hold dialogue with whosoever comes into power in India," he said.

The Indo-Pak ties strained after the terror attacks by Pakistan-based terrorists in 2016 and India's surgical strikes inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The ties further nose-dived in 2017 with no bilateral talks taking place between them.&nbsp;

India has been maintaining that terror and talks cannot go together.&nbsp;

Chaudhry said the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor between India and Pakistan in November last year is a remarkable development between the two countries because it will not only help the Sikh community but also benefit the Indo-Pak relations.&nbsp;

On being asked who calls the shots in Pakistan when it comes to foreign policy the army or the civilian government, Chaudhry said, "Of course Prime Minister Imran Khan."

"During the earlier regimes, there had been conflicts between the civilian government and the army on various issues as they were not capable of talking to each other frankly. But this is the not the case anymore since Imran Khan has come into power," he said.&nbsp;

Pakistan will try to resume peace talks with India only after election results are out as it is "useless" to talk to New Delhi because no big decisions are expected from the present Indian government, a senior minister has said.

Pakistan will try to resume peace talks with India only after election results are out as it is "useless" to talk to New Delhi because no big decisions are expected from the present Indian government, a senior minister has said. Fawad Chaudhry, Minister of Information of Pakistan, said that the time is not right to hold dialogue as the Indian leaders are preparing for the upcoming general elections, Gulf News reported. "It is useless to talk to them (India) now unless there is some stability. We will move forward once the new government is formed after the elections," he said. "We have delayed our efforts to hold talks with India because we do not expect any big decision from the present Indian leadership," he said. He said the Pakistan government would respect any Indian leader and the party elected by the Indian people. When asked which Indian leader will suit Pakistan more when it comes to peace talks Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi, the minister said it does not matter for Pakistan. "And, we would like to move forward to hold dialogue with whosoever comes into power in India," he said. The Indo-Pak ties strained after the terror attacks by Pakistan-based terrorists in 2016 and India's surgical strikes inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The ties further nose-dived in 2017 with no bilateral talks taking place between them. India has been maintaining that terror and talks cannot go together. Chaudhry said the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor between India and Pakistan in November last year is a remarkable development between the two countries because it will not only help the Sikh community but also benefit the Indo-Pak relations. On being asked who calls the shots in Pakistan when it comes to foreign policy the army or the civilian government, Chaudhry said, "Of course Prime Minister Imran Khan." "During the earlier regimes, there had been conflicts between the civilian government and the army on various issues as they were not capable of talking to each other frankly. But this is the not the case anymore since Imran Khan has come into power," he said.

Pak to resume talks with India only after elections: Information minister Fawad Chaudhry

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in his first Mann ki Baat of 2019 talked about India's space programme and how it helped the region and provided "competitive launch" service to many countries.

He said, "Our satellites are a symbol of India's growing prowess. It has an important role in our better relations with many countries."

PM explained, through its competitive launch services "India is launching satellites for both developing and developed countries."

Talking about South Asia satellite he said it is a "unique initiative that has facilitated development in our friendly ties with neighbouring countries."

The satellite was launched on 5th May 2017 and barring Pakistan, all countries — Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives is part of the project. &nbsp;Under the South Asia satellite, India is providing one transponder free of cost for each country.&nbsp;

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is building a Ground-Station in Bhutan to reap the benefits of the South Asian Satellite and it is expected to be completed soon.

India will be launching Chandrayaan-2 next month. On 24th a student satellite KALAMSAT was launched.&nbsp;

In 2022, India will be launching its first man mission to space. According to the ISRO, Gaganyaan will cost less than Rs 10,000 crore and generate employment for 15000 people.

In 2017, India made history by launching the maximum number of satellites in one go. 104 satellites were launched by ISRO on PSLV C37 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. A significant number of satellites on board were from countries like the United state, Israel, Kazakhstan, UAE.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in his first Mann ki Baat of 2019 talked about India's space programme and how it helped the region and provided "competitive launch" service to many countries.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in his first Mann ki Baat of 2019 talked about India's space programme and how it helped the region and provided "competitive launch" service to many countries. He said, "Our satellites are a symbol of India's growing prowess. It has an important role in our better relations with many countries." PM explained, through its competitive launch services "India is launching satellites for both developing and developed countries." Talking about South Asia satellite he said it is a "unique initiative that has facilitated development in our friendly ties with neighbouring countries." The satellite was launched on 5th May 2017 and barring Pakistan, all countries — Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives is part of the project. Under the South Asia satellite, India is providing one transponder free of cost for each country. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is building a Ground-Station in Bhutan to reap the benefits of the South Asian Satellite and it is expected to be completed soon. India will be launching Chandrayaan-2 next month. On 24th a student satellite KALAMSAT was launched. In 2022, India will be launching its first man mission to space. According to the ISRO, Gaganyaan will cost less than Rs 10,000 crore and generate employment for 15000 people. In 2017, India made history by launching the maximum number of satellites in one go. 104 satellites were launched by ISRO on PSLV C37 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. A significant number of satellites on board were from countries like the United state, Israel, Kazakhstan, UAE.

South Asia Satellite helping better ties with neighbouring countries: PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to address the nation in the 52nd episode of his “Mann Ki Baat” radio programme on Sunday.&nbsp;

The radio podcast, which is the first one in 2019, will be broadcasted on the entire network of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan at 11 am.&nbsp;

The programme will also be streamed on the YouTube channels of the Prime Minister's Office, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, AIR and DD News.

In addition, Mann Ki Baat will be simultaneously broadcast on AIR`s website www.allindiaradio.gov.in. AIR will broadcast the programme in regional languages immediately after the Hindi broadcast.&nbsp;

The regional language versions will also be repeated at 8 PM.

The Prime Minister through his address on the radio aims to connect with the common man on a regular basis and inform them about the initiatives of the Government and also seeks the support of the common man in nation building and governance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to address the nation in the 52nd episode of his “Mann Ki Baat” radio programme on Sunday. The radio podcast, which is the first one in 2019, will be broadcasted on the entire network of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan at 11 am.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to address the nation in the 52nd episode of his “Mann Ki Baat” radio programme on Sunday. The radio podcast, which is the first one in 2019, will be broadcasted on the entire network of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan at 11 am. The programme will also be streamed on the YouTube channels of the Prime Minister's Office, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, AIR and DD News. In addition, Mann Ki Baat will be simultaneously broadcast on AIR`s website www.allindiaradio.gov.in. AIR will broadcast the programme in regional languages immediately after the Hindi broadcast. The regional language versions will also be repeated at 8 PM. The Prime Minister through his address on the radio aims to connect with the common man on a regular basis and inform them about the initiatives of the Government and also seeks the support of the common man in nation building and governance.

PM Narendra Modi to address nation in first 'Mann Ki Baat' of 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday hit out at critics of the 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections, saying some persons in Tamil Nadu were creating an "atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust" to serve their interest.

Sounding the poll bugle in Tamil Nadu at a well-attended BJP rally here, he took a swipe at the proposed grand alliance of the opposition parties, saying they had set aside their differences to "remove this watchman," in the coming Lok Sabha polls.

He also said his government was taking effective steps to rid the country of corruption and nepotism.

"Any person who has cheated or looted the country shall be brought to justice," Modi said in an apparent reference to economic offenders -- Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi who are wanted in connection with defaulting on huge bank loans.

Asserting that the provision of 10 per cent quota to economically weaker sections (EWS) in the general category will in no way impact the existing reservation benefits for Dalits, Tribals and others, Modi urged the youth to "reject forces of negativity."

The EWS quota had been earmarked with the 'spirit' of providing opportunities to all in education and employment.

"This decision has been taken in such a way that it doesn't affect Dalit, tribals," and others, he said.

"It is unfortunate that an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust is being created by some people in Tamil Nadu to serve their interest," he said.

Opposition DMK and some other parties in the state have opposed the 10 per cent quota, saying social backward alone should be the criterion for reservation.

The DMK has moved the Madras High Court challenging the Constitution amendment providing for 10 per cent EWS quota.

The Prime Minister said "Narendra Modi will firmly stand with the poor," drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday hit out at critics of the 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections, saying some persons in Tamil Nadu were creating an "atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust" to serve their interest.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday hit out at critics of the 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections, saying some persons in Tamil Nadu were creating an "atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust" to serve their interest. Sounding the poll bugle in Tamil Nadu at a well-attended BJP rally here, he took a swipe at the proposed grand alliance of the opposition parties, saying they had set aside their differences to "remove this watchman," in the coming Lok Sabha polls. He also said his government was taking effective steps to rid the country of corruption and nepotism. "Any person who has cheated or looted the country shall be brought to justice," Modi said in an apparent reference to economic offenders -- Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi who are wanted in connection with defaulting on huge bank loans. Asserting that the provision of 10 per cent quota to economically weaker sections (EWS) in the general category will in no way impact the existing reservation benefits for Dalits, Tribals and others, Modi urged the youth to "reject forces of negativity." The EWS quota had been earmarked with the 'spirit' of providing opportunities to all in education and employment. "This decision has been taken in such a way that it doesn't affect Dalit, tribals," and others, he said. "It is unfortunate that an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust is being created by some people in Tamil Nadu to serve their interest," he said. Opposition DMK and some other parties in the state have opposed the 10 per cent quota, saying social backward alone should be the criterion for reservation. The DMK has moved the Madras High Court challenging the Constitution amendment providing for 10 per cent EWS quota. The Prime Minister said "Narendra Modi will firmly stand with the poor," drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.

10% quota will not affect reservations for Dalits, tribals & others: Modi in Tamil Nadu

In pics: Dazzling tableaux add sheen to 70th Republic Day parade

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended cordial wishes to India's president, prime minister and the people of the country on its 70th Republic Day, embassy officials said Saturday.

Putin in his message said India has achieved "impressive success" in socio-economic, scientific, technical and other spheres.&nbsp;

India celebrated the august occasion with a grand military parade and exhibition of its history, cultural diversity and strategic weaponry at the Rajpath -- the city's centrepiece boulevard -- in the presence of thousands of spectators including foreign dignitaries and the country's top political and military brass.

South African President Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the 90-minute celebrations here marking the day when the world's biggest democracy has declared a republic in 1950.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin sends his cordial congratulations to President of India Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to all citizens of the Republic of India," a senior official of the Russian Embassy here said.

"India has achieved impressive success in socio-economic, scientific, technical and other spheres," Putin was quoted as saying in the statement. 
Putin had visited India last year in October.

"Your country rightfully enjoys high authority in the international arena, actively participates in tackling pressing issues of the regional and global agenda," he said in his message.

The relations between the two countries are "dynamically developing" in the spirit of privileged strategic partnership, he said.

"I am convinced that further advance of the entire gamut of Russian - Indian ties fully meets the interests of our friendly peoples and contributes to ensuring international stability and security."

"I sincerely wish you good health, well-being and success, and to all citizens of India - happiness and prosperity!," reads the message.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended cordial wishes to India's president, prime minister and the people of the country on its 70th Republic Day, embassy officials said Saturday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended cordial wishes to India's president, prime minister and the people of the country on its 70th Republic Day, embassy officials said Saturday. Putin in his message said India has achieved "impressive success" in socio-economic, scientific, technical and other spheres. India celebrated the august occasion with a grand military parade and exhibition of its history, cultural diversity and strategic weaponry at the Rajpath -- the city's centrepiece boulevard -- in the presence of thousands of spectators including foreign dignitaries and the country's top political and military brass. South African President Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the 90-minute celebrations here marking the day when the world's biggest democracy has declared a republic in 1950. "Russian President Vladimir Putin sends his cordial congratulations to President of India Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to all citizens of the Republic of India," a senior official of the Russian Embassy here said. "India has achieved impressive success in socio-economic, scientific, technical and other spheres," Putin was quoted as saying in the statement. Putin had visited India last year in October. "Your country rightfully enjoys high authority in the international arena, actively participates in tackling pressing issues of the regional and global agenda," he said in his message. The relations between the two countries are "dynamically developing" in the spirit of privileged strategic partnership, he said. "I am convinced that further advance of the entire gamut of Russian - Indian ties fully meets the interests of our friendly peoples and contributes to ensuring international stability and security." "I sincerely wish you good health, well-being and success, and to all citizens of India - happiness and prosperity!," reads the message.

Republic Day: Putin sends wishes to President Kovind, PM Modi; says India achieved 'impressive success'

Indian envoy to China, Vikram Misri, called on Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and they took stock of "positive developments" since the 2018 Wuhan summit between <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-support-congress-if-next-prime-minister-is-from-their-party-aap-leader-192364&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi6wMvjs4bgAhXFto8KHVSaDTgQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3oQVPh4et2CaNeT71ii0Ty">Prime Minister</a> Narendra Modi and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/us-regional-powers-recognise-maduro-opponent-as-venezuela-leader-192345&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj25rrPs4bgAhWEfisKHaiPDPoQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1oXY0ysVc8rMi_lwDQh8in">President</a> Xi Jinping, the Indian Embassy said here Thursday.&nbsp;

Misri, who took charge early this month, called on Kong on Tuesday.

The meeting between Misri and Kong was termed as a "courtesy call" by the Indian officials here.

"They took stock of positive developments since Wuhan Informal Summit and also exchanged views on further strengthening of India-China relations," the Embassy tweeted.

Modi and Xi met at Wuhan in April last year in the first informal summit between the two leaders. It was conceived by both sides following the 2017 military standoff at Doklam which ratchet up tensions between the two countries.

Since the summit, the two countries steadily normalised relations with intensified dialogue on various fronts including the military and trade.

 
India's Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan also concluded his two-day tour to China on Tuesday.

He held talks with Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen and Zhang Jiwen, Chinese Vice Minister of General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to enhance Indian exports to China to reduce over USD 57 billion trade deficit.

Indian envoy to China, Vikram Misri, called on Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and they took stock of "positive developments" since the 2018 Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping, the Indian Embassy said here Thursday.

Indian envoy to China, Vikram Misri, called on Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and they took stock of "positive developments" since the 2018 Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping, the Indian Embassy said here Thursday. Misri, who took charge early this month, called on Kong on Tuesday. The meeting between Misri and Kong was termed as a "courtesy call" by the Indian officials here. "They took stock of positive developments since Wuhan Informal Summit and also exchanged views on further strengthening of India-China relations," the Embassy tweeted. Modi and Xi met at Wuhan in April last year in the first informal summit between the two leaders. It was conceived by both sides following the 2017 military standoff at Doklam which ratchet up tensions between the two countries. Since the summit, the two countries steadily normalised relations with intensified dialogue on various fronts including the military and trade. India's Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan also concluded his two-day tour to China on Tuesday. He held talks with Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen and Zhang Jiwen, Chinese Vice Minister of General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to enhance Indian exports to China to reduce over USD 57 billion trade deficit.

India, China review progress of ties post Wuhan summit

In an interview with a popular social media page, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went over his past experiences and his journey to becoming the Prime Minister of the country.&nbsp;

The interview is being released online in parts with the third part published by Humans of Bombay on Tuesday on its various social media handles.&nbsp;

In the interview, PM Modi reminisced over his visit to the Himalayas and how his resolve to be "in the service of others" became resolute once he returned from the mighty mountains.&nbsp;

He shared how he visited Ahmedabad and gained the experience of city life for the very first time.&nbsp;

"Eventually, I became a full time Pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. There, I got the opportunity to interact with people from different walks of life and do a wide range of work. We all took turns to clean the RSS office, prepare tea and food for colleagues and clean utensils," the prime minister added.&nbsp;

However, the humdrum of his busy life never took away his Himalayan learnings, Modi said.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs79RG8hPNc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">(3/5) “After coming back from the Himalayas, I knew that I wanted my life to be one that is lived in the service of others. Within a short span of returning, I left for Ahmedabad. It was my first brush with living in a big city – the pace of life was very different. I began my time there by occasionally helping my uncle at his canteen. Eventually, I became a full time Pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. There, I got the opportunity to interact with people from different walks of life and do a wide range of work. We all took turns to clean the RSS office, prepare tea and food for colleagues and clean utensils. Life was rigorous and busy. But amidst all of my duties, I was determined to not let go of my learnings from the Himalayas. To ensure that this new phase of life didn’t take over the sense of peace that I achieved there, I decided to take out some time every year and introspect. It was my way of maintaining a balanced life. Not many people know this, but I would go away for the 5 days of Diwali. Somewhere in a jungle – a place with only clean water and no people. I would pack enough food to last for those 5 days. There would be no radio’s or newspapers, and during that time, there was no TV or internet anyway. I would reflect – and the strength that this alone time gave me still helps me to handle life and its various experiences. People often asked me, ‘Who are you going to meet?’ And I would say, ‘मैं मुझसे मिलने जा रहा हूं।’ Which is why, I always urge everyone, especially my young friends, in the midst of your fast paced life and busy schedules, take some time off…think and introspect. It will change your perception – you will understand your inner self better. You will start living in the true sense of the word. It will also make you more confident and undeterred by what others say about you. All of these things will help you in times to come. So I just want each and every one of you to remember that you are special and that you don’t have to look outside for the light...it’s already within you.” #TheModiStory</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/officialhumansofbombay/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Humans of Bombay</a> (@officialhumansofbombay) on <time datetime="2019-01-22T12:28:08+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 22, 2019 at 4:28am PST</time>
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PM Modi emphasised the significance of introspection and shared that he would always delve into the practice of self-scrutiny every once in a while.&nbsp;

"Not many people know this, but I would go away for the 5 days of Diwali. Somewhere in a jungle – a place with only clean water and no people. I would pack enough food to last for those 5 days. There would be no radio’s (sic) or newspapers, and during that time, there was no TV or internet anyway. I would reflect – and the strength that this alone time gave me still helps me to handle life and its various experiences. People often asked me, ‘Who are you going to meet?’ And I would say, "Mai mujhse milne ja raha hu (I am going to meet myself,)" the PM noted.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister, often during his 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme, would give motivational speeches and share anecdotes from his life to inspire children and youngsters.&nbsp;

In the interview, PM Modi urged his "young friends" to take some time off "in the midst of fast paced life and busy schedules."

"Take some time off… think and introspect. It will change your perception – you will understand your inner self better. You will start living in the true sense of the word. It will also make you more confident and undeterred by what others say about you. All of these things will help you in times to come. So I just want each and every one of you to remember that you are special and that you don’t have to look outside for the light...it’s already within you,” he concluded. &nbsp;

In an interview with a popular social media page, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went over his past experiences and his journey to becoming the Prime Minister of the country.

In an interview with a popular social media page, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went over his past experiences and his journey to becoming the Prime Minister of the country. The interview is being released online in parts with the third part published by Humans of Bombay on Tuesday on its various social media handles. In the interview, PM Modi reminisced over his visit to the Himalayas and how his resolve to be "in the service of others" became resolute once he returned from the mighty mountains. He shared how he visited Ahmedabad and gained the experience of city life for the very first time. "Eventually, I became a full time Pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. There, I got the opportunity to interact with people from different walks of life and do a wide range of work. We all took turns to clean the RSS office, prepare tea and food for colleagues and clean utensils," the prime minister added. However, the humdrum of his busy life never took away his Himalayan learnings, Modi said. View this post on Instagram (3/5) “After coming back from the Himalayas, I knew that I wanted my life to be one that is lived in the service of others. Within a short span of returning, I left for Ahmedabad. It was my first brush with living in a big city – the pace of life was very different. I began my time there by occasionally helping my uncle at his canteen. Eventually, I became a full time Pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. There, I got the opportunity to interact with people from different walks of life and do a wide range of work. We all took turns to clean the RSS office, prepare tea and food for colleagues and clean utensils. Life was rigorous and busy. But amidst all of my duties, I was determined to not let go of my learnings from the Himalayas. To ensure that this new phase of life didn’t take over the sense of peace that I achieved there, I decided to take out some time every year and introspect. It was my way of maintaining a balanced life. Not many people know this, but I would go away for the 5 days of Diwali. Somewhere in a jungle – a place with only clean water and no people. I would pack enough food to last for those 5 days. There would be no radio’s or newspapers, and during that time, there was no TV or internet anyway. I would reflect – and the strength that this alone time gave me still helps me to handle life and its various experiences. People often asked me, ‘Who are you going to meet?’ And I would say, ‘मैं मुझसे मिलने जा रहा हूं।’ Which is why, I always urge everyone, especially my young friends, in the midst of your fast paced life and busy schedules, take some time off…think and introspect. It will change your perception – you will understand your inner self better. You will start living in the true sense of the word. It will also make you more confident and undeterred by what others say about you. All of these things will help you in times to come. So I just want each and every one of you to remember that you are special and that you don’t have to look outside for the light...it’s already within you.” #TheModiStory A post shared by Humans of Bombay (@officialhumansofbombay) on Jan 22, 2019 at 4:28am PST × PM Modi emphasised the significance of introspection and shared that he would always delve into the practice of self-scrutiny every once in a while. "Not many people know this, but I would go away for the 5 days of Diwali. Somewhere in a jungle – a place with only clean water and no people. I would pack enough food to last for those 5 days. There would be no radio’s (sic) or newspapers, and during that time, there was no TV or internet anyway. I would reflect – and the strength that this alone time gave me still helps me to handle life and its various experiences. People often asked me, ‘Who are you going to meet?’ And I would say, "Mai mujhse milne ja raha hu (I am going to meet myself,)" the PM noted. The Prime Minister, often during his 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme, would give motivational speeches and share anecdotes from his life to inspire children and youngsters. In the interview, PM Modi urged his "young friends" to take some time off "in the midst of fast paced life and busy schedules." "Take some time off… think and introspect. It will change your perception – you will understand your inner self better. You will start living in the true sense of the word. It will also make you more confident and undeterred by what others say about you. All of these things will help you in times to come. So I just want each and every one of you to remember that you are special and that you don’t have to look outside for the light...it’s already within you,” he concluded.

I would go away during Diwali... live somewhere in a jungle for 5 days: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Tuesday in this temple town and hold talks with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth after the inaugural session.

External Affairs Minister Sushma <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indians-leading-the-world-today-sushma-swaraj-on-pravasi-bharatiya-divas-191776">Swaraj inaugurated the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas</a> on Monday, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and said the Indian diaspora has dramatically changed the world's perception of Indians and India.

Mauritian Premier Jugnauth arrived here in the afternoon and was received by Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh. Later, Swaraj called on the Mauritian PM and exchanged views on a range of issues, including strengthening bilateral cooperation.

For the first time, the three-day-long convention is being organised from January 21 to 23 instead of January 9 to allow participants to visit the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad and attend the Republic Day parade here.

The theme of this year's convention is 'role of the Indian diaspora in building new India', a statement from the prime minister's office said. 
Varanasi in Modi's parliamentary constituency.

Jugnauth will be the chief guest of the convention, while Himanshu Gulati, member of the Parliament of Norway, will be the special guest. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, member of Parliament of New Zealand, will be the guest of honour.

President Ram Nath Kovind will address the concluding function on January 23.

Over 4,000 NRI delegates from about 85 countries are attending the event and many of them will be staying in the tent city, built specially for them.?

After Pravasi Divas, the guests will be taken for a visit to the Kumbh Mela on January 24 where also a tent city has been set up.

A cultural village has been developed in Prayagraj, showing the history from the Indus Valley Civilisation. The 'pravasis' will be taken to New Delhi on the night of January 24 and will have a "Delhi darshan" the next day.

They will also witness the Republic Day Parade on January 26.

Uttar Pradesh is the partner state for the event and a novel feature this year is the concept of 'Varanasi hospitality' under which local people are hosting the Indians living abroad at their homes as "family guests".

The First Plenary Session on 'Engagement with younger members of Indian Diaspora', co-chaired by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Rathore and Singh, was held on Monday.?

Uttar Pradesh Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas was also held on Monday where renowned NRIs with family roots in the state took part.

The decision to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was taken by the late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the first event was celebrated on January 9, 2003, here.

January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi had returned to India from South Africa.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is now celebrated once every two years and provides a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and reconnect with their roots, the statement said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Tuesday in this temple town and hold talks with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth after the inaugural session.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Tuesday in this temple town and hold talks with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth after the inaugural session. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj inaugurated the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Monday, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and said the Indian diaspora has dramatically changed the world's perception of Indians and India. Mauritian Premier Jugnauth arrived here in the afternoon and was received by Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh. Later, Swaraj called on the Mauritian PM and exchanged views on a range of issues, including strengthening bilateral cooperation. For the first time, the three-day-long convention is being organised from January 21 to 23 instead of January 9 to allow participants to visit the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad and attend the Republic Day parade here. The theme of this year's convention is 'role of the Indian diaspora in building new India', a statement from the prime minister's office said. Varanasi in Modi's parliamentary constituency. Jugnauth will be the chief guest of the convention, while Himanshu Gulati, member of the Parliament of Norway, will be the special guest. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, member of Parliament of New Zealand, will be the guest of honour. President Ram Nath Kovind will address the concluding function on January 23. Over 4,000 NRI delegates from about 85 countries are attending the event and many of them will be staying in the tent city, built specially for them.? After Pravasi Divas, the guests will be taken for a visit to the Kumbh Mela on January 24 where also a tent city has been set up. A cultural village has been developed in Prayagraj, showing the history from the Indus Valley Civilisation. The 'pravasis' will be taken to New Delhi on the night of January 24 and will have a "Delhi darshan" the next day. They will also witness the Republic Day Parade on January 26. Uttar Pradesh is the partner state for the event and a novel feature this year is the concept of 'Varanasi hospitality' under which local people are hosting the Indians living abroad at their homes as "family guests". The First Plenary Session on 'Engagement with younger members of Indian Diaspora', co-chaired by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Rathore and Singh, was held on Monday.? Uttar Pradesh Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas was also held on Monday where renowned NRIs with family roots in the state took part. The decision to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was taken by the late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the first event was celebrated on January 9, 2003, here. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi had returned to India from South Africa. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is now celebrated once every two years and provides a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and reconnect with their roots, the statement said.

PM Modi to inaugurate 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas; to hold talks with Mauritian PM 

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