Nirmala Sitharaman is the new Finance Minister while Anurag Thakur is the MoS in Finance Ministry. Amit Shah has become the new Home Minister of India while Rajnath Singh has got the Defence Ministry.

Nirmala Sitharaman joins Modi cabinet 2.0 as India's 2nd woman Finance Minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has picked his closest aide Amit Shah as Home Minister in the new government. Rajnath Singh will be Defence Minister and Nitin Gadkari will be Minister of Road Transport and Highways. Nirmala Sitharaman will be Finance Minister and Minister of Corporate Affairs. Smriti Irani will be Minister for Women and Child Development.

Modi 2.0: Amit Shah gets Home, Rajnath Singh defence, Nirmala Sitharaman finance

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/choking-back-tears-britains-theresa-may-says-goodbye-to-downing-street-221288">Choking back tears, Britain's Theresa May says goodbye to Downing Street</a>

British Prime Minister Theresa May was barely able to finish her&nbsp;resignation&nbsp;speech on Friday, her voice breaking as she fought back tears when describing her "enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/major-fire-breaks-out-at-surat-building-8-killed-several-injured-221344">15 dead, several injured in major fire in Surat building</a>

At least 15 died following a major fire at a building in Sarthana area of Surat, Gujarat on Friday evening.&nbsp;Surat Police Commissioner Satish Kumar Mishra confirmed the death of 15 people adding that the toll might go up.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/union-cabinet-passes-resolution-to-dissolve-16th-lok-sabha-221359">Union cabinet passes resolution to dissolve 16th Lok Sabha</a>

The Union Cabinet met on Friday and adopted a resolution for the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, setting in motion the process of constituting the new House and formation of the government after the conclusion of the general elections.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bomb-kills-at-least-one-during-friday-prayers-at-mosque-in-afghan-capital-ministry-221277">Bomb kills senior cleric during Friday prayers at Afghan mosque</a>

A bomb killed a senior Islamic preacher and wounded at least 16 devotees inside a mosque in the Afghan capital during Friday prayers, interior ministry officials said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blames-us-for-failed-summit-urges-new-calculation-221306">North Korea blames US for failed summit, urges 'new calculation'</a>

North Korea&nbsp;said on Friday an "arbitrary and dishonest" US&nbsp;position had resulted in the failure to reach a deal during a second&nbsp;North Korea-US&nbsp;summit, warning the nuclear issue would never be resolved without a new approach.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Choking back tears, Britain's Theresa May says goodbye to Downing Street British Prime Minister Theresa May was barely able to finish her resignation speech on Friday, her voice breaking as she fought back tears when describing her "enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love".

Choking back tears, Britain's Theresa May says goodbye to Downing Street British Prime Minister Theresa May was barely able to finish her resignation speech on Friday, her voice breaking as she fought back tears when describing her "enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love". 15 dead, several injured in major fire in Surat building At least 15 died following a major fire at a building in Sarthana area of Surat, Gujarat on Friday evening. Surat Police Commissioner Satish Kumar Mishra confirmed the death of 15 people adding that the toll might go up. Union cabinet passes resolution to dissolve 16th Lok Sabha The Union Cabinet met on Friday and adopted a resolution for the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, setting in motion the process of constituting the new House and formation of the government after the conclusion of the general elections. Bomb kills senior cleric during Friday prayers at Afghan mosque A bomb killed a senior Islamic preacher and wounded at least 16 devotees inside a mosque in the Afghan capital during Friday prayers, interior ministry officials said. North Korea blames US for failed summit, urges 'new calculation' North Korea said on Friday an "arbitrary and dishonest" US position had resulted in the failure to reach a deal during a second North Korea-US summit, warning the nuclear issue would never be resolved without a new approach.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The Union Cabinet met on Friday and adopted a resolution for the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, setting in motion the process of constituting the new House and formation of the government after the conclusion of the general elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the meeting, will meet President Ram Nath Kovind to handover the resolution that will pave the way for constituting the 17th Lok Sabha.

The Election Commission will then issue a formal notification constituting the new House.

It is speculated that the new government under Modi may be sworn-in on May 30.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will be held on May 25 when Modi will be formally elected leader of the coalition before the President will invite him to form the next government.

Earlier in the day, government spokesperson Sitanshu Kar had tweeted that "the Cabinet and Union Council of Ministers will meet this evening"

He said the dates for the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and Union Council of Ministers are yet to be decided.

With the official count in the Lok Sabha elections over on Friday, the BJP has secured 303 seats, which is 22 more than it got in the 2014 elections and along with its allies, the NDA took its tally up to 352 in the 17th Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

The Union Cabinet met on Friday and adopted a resolution for the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, setting in motion the process of constituting the new House and formation of the government after the conclusion of the general elections.

The Union Cabinet met on Friday and adopted a resolution for the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, setting in motion the process of constituting the new House and formation of the government after the conclusion of the general elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the meeting, will meet President Ram Nath Kovind to handover the resolution that will pave the way for constituting the 17th Lok Sabha. The Election Commission will then issue a formal notification constituting the new House. It is speculated that the new government under Modi may be sworn-in on May 30. Meanwhile, a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will be held on May 25 when Modi will be formally elected leader of the coalition before the President will invite him to form the next government. Earlier in the day, government spokesperson Sitanshu Kar had tweeted that "the Cabinet and Union Council of Ministers will meet this evening" He said the dates for the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and Union Council of Ministers are yet to be decided. With the official count in the Lok Sabha elections over on Friday, the BJP has secured 303 seats, which is 22 more than it got in the 2014 elections and along with its allies, the NDA took its tally up to 352 in the 17th Lok Sabha.

Union cabinet passes resolution to dissolve 16th Lok Sabha

India’s first Union cabinet under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru embraced the idea of lateral talent. Among the 15 members of the cabinet in 1947 was John Mathai, an economist who served as Railways Minister and then Finance Minister before leaving the government in 1950. &nbsp;

Over the years, inducting such lateral professional talent into the Union cabinet from outside party politics has grown rarer.&nbsp;

In welcome contrast, none of the nine professionals recently selected under the aegis of the UPSC to serve the government as joint secretaries, belong to a political party. All have specialised domain knowledge.&nbsp;

Amber Dubey, for example, was head of aerospace and defence at KPMG. He has been selected to join the civil aviation ministry where his experience of over 26 years in the aviation and defence domain will be useful as India reforms its aviation, space and defence technology sectors.&nbsp;

The selection of Dubey, an IIT Bombay and IIM Ahmedabad alumni, who has spent his entire career in the private sector, reflects the winds of change blowing over a critical area of Indian governance: technocratic talent. &nbsp;

The country is run at four levels. One, the Prime Minister-led Union cabinet and the Chief Minister-led state cabinets where specialised domain talent is slender. Two, the central and state bureaucracies which are largely filled with generalists, not specialists.&nbsp;

Three, local civic municipalities where again political affiliations often carry more weight than competence. Four, village panchayats and local bodies where caste and religion cast a long shadow.&nbsp;

In the United States, the cabinet is small (16 members) and mostly technocratic, drawn from the private sector, the professions and academia. The Narendra Modi cabinet is large (over 70 ministers and ministers of state) and apart from some honourable exceptions, does not exactly overflow with talent.&nbsp;

That is why the lateral selection of nine professionals as joint secretaries is a welcome development.&nbsp;

Consider the core competencies of some of the new lateral recruits: Dinesh Jagdale, CEO of Panama Renewable Energy Group, will join the renewable energy ministry. Kakoli Ghosh, who has deep knowledge of the multilateral farm sector, will join the agriculture ministry. Most of the others have been placed in ministries where their professional experience and knowledge will be put to good use.&nbsp;

These infusions are just the beginning. Indian bureaucracies, central and state, must absorb UPSC-selected lateral appointments of technocrats with ever-greater urgency.&nbsp;

In a technology-enabled world, specialisation is mandatory. IAS officers, however competent and dedicated, have two handicaps, First, they are generalists with little specialised domain expertise. Second, they are transferred so often across the country – for example, from animal husbandry to defence acquisitions – that focus is lost.&nbsp; 
 
The certainty of tenure among civil servants also engenders a sense of complacency. Over the years, the ministries of finance and defence, in particular, have developed a reputation for cronyism and corruption.&nbsp;

Leaks to the media in the Rafale fighter jet case and examples of department officers surreptitiously encouraging arms dealers (though they were explicitly banned in 2014) have damaged the national interest.&nbsp;

The introduction of fresh professional blood should act as a deterrent when the minister in charge of a particular portfolio has not been able to impose his or her will with sufficient authority on department officers.&nbsp;

If Prime Minister Narendra Modi does win a second term, it’s possible the BJP’s majority in Parliament will be significantly reduced. That is not a bad thing. Modi was used to running a compact state like Gujarat with a group of loyal and competent bureaucrats who dared not defy his authority or miss deadlines on projects.&nbsp;

The same modus operandi has not worked in the Byzantine culture of Delhi. Days after he took office as prime minister, Modi called more than 70 senior bureaucrats to meet him. As they stood in a line before him, he told them to work without fear or favour. They could come to him with any problems they had, he said.&nbsp;

The senior IAS officers, still standing in a parabolic line, nodded silently. But every one of them must have thought cynically to himself or herself that fear and favour were the time-honoured way bureaucracy worked. How would Modi break that habit? He hasn’t.&nbsp;

The series of legal setbacks in the 2G, Rafale and other cases has exposed the government’s poor selection of its law officers.&nbsp;

Equally lacklustre has been its communications strategy. Instead of being proactive over a range of contentious issues – from Rafale to electoral bonds – the government has been slow and reactive when perception damage has already been done.&nbsp;

In a 24x7 news cycle, every major government holds briefings in near real-time. The Chinese and American administrations respond to any issue concerning their government promptly and clearly. 
 
Even Pakistan’s information ministry reacts rapidly to events though in its case it is to add a positive spin to negative stories about, for example, Islamabad’s likely blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for terror financing and money laundering.&nbsp;

The under-utilisation by the Indian government of an articulate and credible Information &amp; Broadcasting (I&amp;B) minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, an Olympian and a former soldier, in delivering daily media briefings underscores how unprofessionally the government has communicated its agenda to voters. They will now deliver their verdict. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-lateral-hiring-in-govt-bridging-the-talent-deficit-2742935">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

India’s first Union cabinet under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru embraced the idea of lateral talent. Among the 15 members of the cabinet in 1947 was John Mathai, an economist who served as Railways Minister and then Finance Minister before leaving the government in 1950.

India’s first Union cabinet under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru embraced the idea of lateral talent. Among the 15 members of the cabinet in 1947 was John Mathai, an economist who served as Railways Minister and then Finance Minister before leaving the government in 1950. Over the years, inducting such lateral professional talent into the Union cabinet from outside party politics has grown rarer. In welcome contrast, none of the nine professionals recently selected under the aegis of the UPSC to serve the government as joint secretaries, belong to a political party. All have specialised domain knowledge. Amber Dubey, for example, was head of aerospace and defence at KPMG. He has been selected to join the civil aviation ministry where his experience of over 26 years in the aviation and defence domain will be useful as India reforms its aviation, space and defence technology sectors. The selection of Dubey, an IIT Bombay and IIM Ahmedabad alumni, who has spent his entire career in the private sector, reflects the winds of change blowing over a critical area of Indian governance: technocratic talent. The country is run at four levels. One, the Prime Minister-led Union cabinet and the Chief Minister-led state cabinets where specialised domain talent is slender. Two, the central and state bureaucracies which are largely filled with generalists, not specialists. Three, local civic municipalities where again political affiliations often carry more weight than competence. Four, village panchayats and local bodies where caste and religion cast a long shadow. In the United States, the cabinet is small (16 members) and mostly technocratic, drawn from the private sector, the professions and academia. The Narendra Modi cabinet is large (over 70 ministers and ministers of state) and apart from some honourable exceptions, does not exactly overflow with talent. That is why the lateral selection of nine professionals as joint secretaries is a welcome development. Consider the core competencies of some of the new lateral recruits: Dinesh Jagdale, CEO of Panama Renewable Energy Group, will join the renewable energy ministry. Kakoli Ghosh, who has deep knowledge of the multilateral farm sector, will join the agriculture ministry. Most of the others have been placed in ministries where their professional experience and knowledge will be put to good use. These infusions are just the beginning. Indian bureaucracies, central and state, must absorb UPSC-selected lateral appointments of technocrats with ever-greater urgency. In a technology-enabled world, specialisation is mandatory. IAS officers, however competent and dedicated, have two handicaps, First, they are generalists with little specialised domain expertise. Second, they are transferred so often across the country – for example, from animal husbandry to defence acquisitions – that focus is lost. The certainty of tenure among civil servants also engenders a sense of complacency. Over the years, the ministries of finance and defence, in particular, have developed a reputation for cronyism and corruption. Leaks to the media in the Rafale fighter jet case and examples of department officers surreptitiously encouraging arms dealers (though they were explicitly banned in 2014) have damaged the national interest. The introduction of fresh professional blood should act as a deterrent when the minister in charge of a particular portfolio has not been able to impose his or her will with sufficient authority on department officers. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi does win a second term, it’s possible the BJP’s majority in Parliament will be significantly reduced. That is not a bad thing. Modi was used to running a compact state like Gujarat with a group of loyal and competent bureaucrats who dared not defy his authority or miss deadlines on projects. The same modus operandi has not worked in the Byzantine culture of Delhi. Days after he took office as prime minister, Modi called more than 70 senior bureaucrats to meet him. As they stood in a line before him, he told them to work without fear or favour. They could come to him with any problems they had, he said. The senior IAS officers, still standing in a parabolic line, nodded silently. But every one of them must have thought cynically to himself or herself that fear and favour were the time-honoured way bureaucracy worked. How would Modi break that habit? He hasn’t. The series of legal setbacks in the 2G, Rafale and other cases has exposed the government’s poor selection of its law officers. Equally lacklustre has been its communications strategy. Instead of being proactive over a range of contentious issues – from Rafale to electoral bonds – the government has been slow and reactive when perception damage has already been done. In a 24x7 news cycle, every major government holds briefings in near real-time. The Chinese and American administrations respond to any issue concerning their government promptly and clearly. Even Pakistan’s information ministry reacts rapidly to events though in its case it is to add a positive spin to negative stories about, for example, Islamabad’s likely blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for terror financing and money laundering. The under-utilisation by the Indian government of an articulate and credible Information & Broadcasting (I&B) minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, an Olympian and a former soldier, in delivering daily media briefings underscores how unprofessionally the government has communicated its agenda to voters. They will now deliver their verdict. (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.)

Inducting lateral professional skills into the cabinet by Narendra Modi government is a welcome step

Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday addressed a joint press conference on key decisions taken by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening.&nbsp;

The Centre has taken a decision to approve 10 per cent quota for the general category poor.

The government also gave its nod to the promulgation of an ordinance for giving reservation benefits to SCs and STs in Jammu and Kashmir by amending a clause of the contentious Article 370, which gives special status to the state.

Both the decisions were taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.

"It will serve the purpose of application of relevant provisions of the Constitution of India, as amended through the Constitution (Seventy-Seventh Amendment) Act, 1995 and Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019 for Jammu and Kashmir, by issuing the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Amendment Order, 2019 by the President under clause (1) of Article 370," he said.

The ordinance will have to be promulgated by the President.

(With inputs from PTI)

Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday addressed a joint press conference on key decisions taken by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening.

Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday addressed a joint press conference on key decisions taken by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening. The Centre has taken a decision to approve 10 per cent quota for the general category poor. The government also gave its nod to the promulgation of an ordinance for giving reservation benefits to SCs and STs in Jammu and Kashmir by amending a clause of the contentious Article 370, which gives special status to the state. Both the decisions were taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. "It will serve the purpose of application of relevant provisions of the Constitution of India, as amended through the Constitution (Seventy-Seventh Amendment) Act, 1995 and Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019 for Jammu and Kashmir, by issuing the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Amendment Order, 2019 by the President under clause (1) of Article 370," he said. The ordinance will have to be promulgated by the President. (With inputs from PTI)

Union Cabinet approves Constitution amendment to pave way for 10% quota to EWS in J&K

Union Cabinet passes Citizenship amendment bill

The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) decided to pull out of an alliance with the BJP in Assam soon after the union cabinet approved the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/union-cabinet-clears-citizenship-amendment-bill-to-be-introduced-in-lok-sabha-tuesday-188821">Citizenship Amendment Bill </a>on Monday.

The approval came after the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) chairman Rajendra Agarwala tabled the bill in Lok Sabha. The bill is likely to be passed tomorrow in the Lok Sabha. &nbsp;

The official announcement of the AGP was made by the party president Atul Bora in New Delhi after meeting the union home minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.

“The bill will make the Assam Accord meaningless. We were against the bill and now that it is being passed, there is no question of being an alliance partner of the BJP. We have been fighting against the bill and will continue to do so to protect the Assamese community. Unfortunately, the Centre approved the bill without even thinking about the people of Assam,” said Bora.

Bora was leading a delegation of AGP members - Keshab Mahanta, Phani Bhushan Choudhury, Ramendra Narayan Kalita and Birendra Prasad Baishya.

The AGP is an electoral ally of the BJP in Assam and also part of the NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance).

On the other hand, Assam Congress MPs including the president Assam Congress President Ripun Bora lead a protest in front of the Parliament today demanding immediate repeal of the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016.

Back in Assam, All Assam Students Union (AASU) and 30 other organisations put up protests against the Central government’s move to pass the Citizenship Amendment Bill.

Protestors set alight copies of the bill as a mark of protest across several places in Assam.

The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) members stripped themselves naked in Assam’s Tinsukia to register their protest against the bill.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955, to grant nationality to people belonging to minority communities — Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians — in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan after six years of their residence in India.

The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) decided to pull out of an alliance with the BJP in Assam soon after the union cabinet approved the Citizenship Amendment Bill on Monday.

The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) decided to pull out of an alliance with the BJP in Assam soon after the union cabinet approved the Citizenship Amendment Bill on Monday. The approval came after the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) chairman Rajendra Agarwala tabled the bill in Lok Sabha. The bill is likely to be passed tomorrow in the Lok Sabha. The official announcement of the AGP was made by the party president Atul Bora in New Delhi after meeting the union home minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. “The bill will make the Assam Accord meaningless. We were against the bill and now that it is being passed, there is no question of being an alliance partner of the BJP. We have been fighting against the bill and will continue to do so to protect the Assamese community. Unfortunately, the Centre approved the bill without even thinking about the people of Assam,” said Bora. Bora was leading a delegation of AGP members - Keshab Mahanta, Phani Bhushan Choudhury, Ramendra Narayan Kalita and Birendra Prasad Baishya. The AGP is an electoral ally of the BJP in Assam and also part of the NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance). On the other hand, Assam Congress MPs including the president Assam Congress President Ripun Bora lead a protest in front of the Parliament today demanding immediate repeal of the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016. Back in Assam, All Assam Students Union (AASU) and 30 other organisations put up protests against the Central government’s move to pass the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Protestors set alight copies of the bill as a mark of protest across several places in Assam. The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) members stripped themselves naked in Assam’s Tinsukia to register their protest against the bill. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955, to grant nationality to people belonging to minority communities — Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians — in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan after six years of their residence in India.

AGP pulls out of alliance with BJP in Assam after Union cabinet approves Citizenship Amendment Bill

The Union Cabinet Friday approved the Gaganyaan project under which a three-member crew will be sent to space for at least seven days, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-to-become-trillion-dollar-digital-economy-in-two-to-three-years-ravi-shankar-prasad-184431">Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad</a> said.

The project will cost Rs 10,000 crore, he said at a press conference here.

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Cabinet approves indigenous human spaceflight programme; Gaganyaan programme to carry 3 member crew for minimum 7 days in space at a total cost of Rs 10k crores.
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1078594488233222144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Gaganyaan project was announced by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-will-contribute-rs-4500-crore-in-bhutans-12th-five-year-planpm-modi-186982">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> in his Independence Day speech.&nbsp;

He had said the mission will be undertaken by 2022.&nbsp;

India has already inked agreements with Russia and France for assistance in the ambitious project.&nbsp;

The Union Cabinet Friday approved the Gaganyaan project under which a three-member crew will be sent to space for at least seven days, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

The Union Cabinet Friday approved the Gaganyaan project under which a three-member crew will be sent to space for at least seven days, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. The project will cost Rs 10,000 crore, he said at a press conference here. Cabinet approves indigenous human spaceflight programme; Gaganyaan programme to carry 3 member crew for minimum 7 days in space at a total cost of Rs 10k crores. — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2018 × The Gaganyaan project was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech. He had said the mission will be undertaken by 2022. India has already inked agreements with Russia and France for assistance in the ambitious project.

Gaganyaan project: Govt allocates Rs 10,000 crore to send 3 Indians into space by 2022

The Cabinet Thursday approved the signing and ratifying of an extradition agreement between India and Morocco.

The decision was taken at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agreement will be signed during a proposed VIP visit from Morocco from November 11-18, an official statement said.

The agreement will provide a strong legal base for the extradition of fugitive offenders who are accused of economic offences, terrorism and other serious offences in one state and found in the other state.&nbsp;

The Cabinet also approved the agreement between India and Morocco on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters.

This agreement between India and Morocco will enhance cooperation in the service of summons, judicial documents, letters of request and the execution of judgments decrees and arbitral awards.

The Cabinet Thursday approved the signing and ratifying of an extradition agreement between India and Morocco. The decision was taken at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Cabinet Thursday approved the signing and ratifying of an extradition agreement between India and Morocco. The decision was taken at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agreement will be signed during a proposed VIP visit from Morocco from November 11-18, an official statement said. The agreement will provide a strong legal base for the extradition of fugitive offenders who are accused of economic offences, terrorism and other serious offences in one state and found in the other state. The Cabinet also approved the agreement between India and Morocco on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters. This agreement between India and Morocco will enhance cooperation in the service of summons, judicial documents, letters of request and the execution of judgments decrees and arbitral awards.

Cabinet approves signing, ratifying extradition pact between India and Morocco

The Centre has given its nod to an ordinance to amend the existing Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act, allowing courts to award death penalty to those convicted of raping minors.

President Ram Nath Kovind has also promulgated The Criminal Law amendment ordinance, 2018 to amend POCSO Act to pave way for the death penalty.

Key features of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018, for death to child rapists.

* Minimum punishment in case of rape of women has been increased from the rigorous imprisonment of 7 to 10 years, extendable to life imprisonment.

* In case of rape of a girl under 16 years, minimum punishment has been increased from 10 to 20 years, extendable to imprisonment for rest of life, which shall mean imprisonment till that person’s natural life.

* The punishment for the gang-rape of a girl under 16 years of age will invariably be imprisonment for the rest of the life of the convict.

* Stringent punishment for rape of a girl under 12 years has been provided – minimum 20 years’ imprisonment or imprisonment for rest of life or with death.

* In case of a gang-rape of a girl below 12 years, punishment will be imprisonment for rest of life or death sentence.

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The Cabinet has approved an Ordinance to be promulgated to provide for stringent punishments for perpetrators of rape. <a href="https://t.co/PSKv8L5cW2">pic.twitter.com/PSKv8L5cW2</a>
— Ministry of WCD (@MinistryWCD) <a href="https://twitter.com/MinistryWCD/status/987649436791681025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Speedy investigation and trial:

* Time limit for investigation of all cases of rape has been prescribed, which has to be mandatorily completed within 2 months.

* Time limit for completion of the trial of all rape cases has also been prescribed and it has to be necessarily completed in 2 months.

* Six months’ time limit for disposal of appeals in rape cases has also been prescribed.

Restrictions on bail:

* It has been prescribed that there will be no provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of rape or gang-rape of a girl under 16 years.

* It has also been provided that court has to give notice of 15 days to Public Prosecutor and the representative of the victim before deciding bail applications in case of rape of a girl under 16 years of age.

Strengthening the courts and prosecution:

* New fast-track courts will be set up in consultation with States/UTs and High Courts.

* Creation of new posts of public prosecutors and related infrastructure in consultation with States/UTs.

* Special forensic kits for rape cases to all police stations and hospitals.

* Dedicated manpower will be provided for investigation of rape cases in a time bound manner.

* Setting up special forensic labs in each State/UT exclusively for rape cases.

* These measures will form part of a new mission mode project to be launched within 3 months.

National Database:

* National Crime Records Bureau will maintain a national database and profile of sexual offenders.

* This data will be regularly shared with States/UTs for tracking, monitoring and investigation, including verification of antecedents by police.

Assistance to victims:

* The present scheme of One Stop Centres for assistance to the victim to be extended to all districts in the country.

In case of a gang-rape of a girl below 12 years, punishment will be imprisonment for rest of life or death sentence.

The Centre has given its nod to an ordinance to amend the existing Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act, allowing courts to award death penalty to those convicted of raping minors. President Ram Nath Kovind has also promulgated The Criminal Law amendment ordinance, 2018 to amend POCSO Act to pave way for the death penalty. Key features of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018, for death to child rapists. * Minimum punishment in case of rape of women has been increased from the rigorous imprisonment of 7 to 10 years, extendable to life imprisonment. * In case of rape of a girl under 16 years, minimum punishment has been increased from 10 to 20 years, extendable to imprisonment for rest of life, which shall mean imprisonment till that person’s natural life. * The punishment for the gang-rape of a girl under 16 years of age will invariably be imprisonment for the rest of the life of the convict. * Stringent punishment for rape of a girl under 12 years has been provided – minimum 20 years’ imprisonment or imprisonment for rest of life or with death. * In case of a gang-rape of a girl below 12 years, punishment will be imprisonment for rest of life or death sentence. The Cabinet has approved an Ordinance to be promulgated to provide for stringent punishments for perpetrators of rape. pic.twitter.com/PSKv8L5cW2 — Ministry of WCD (@MinistryWCD) April 21, 2018 × Speedy investigation and trial: * Time limit for investigation of all cases of rape has been prescribed, which has to be mandatorily completed within 2 months. * Time limit for completion of the trial of all rape cases has also been prescribed and it has to be necessarily completed in 2 months. * Six months’ time limit for disposal of appeals in rape cases has also been prescribed. Restrictions on bail: * It has been prescribed that there will be no provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of rape or gang-rape of a girl under 16 years. * It has also been provided that court has to give notice of 15 days to Public Prosecutor and the representative of the victim before deciding bail applications in case of rape of a girl under 16 years of age. Strengthening the courts and prosecution: * New fast-track courts will be set up in consultation with States/UTs and High Courts. * Creation of new posts of public prosecutors and related infrastructure in consultation with States/UTs. * Special forensic kits for rape cases to all police stations and hospitals. * Dedicated manpower will be provided for investigation of rape cases in a time bound manner. * Setting up special forensic labs in each State/UT exclusively for rape cases. * These measures will form part of a new mission mode project to be launched within 3 months. National Database: * National Crime Records Bureau will maintain a national database and profile of sexual offenders. * This data will be regularly shared with States/UTs for tracking, monitoring and investigation, including verification of antecedents by police. Assistance to victims: * The present scheme of One Stop Centres for assistance to the victim to be extended to all districts in the country.

Death for raping children: What the ordinance says

Nirbhaya's father alleged today that the Union Cabinet's approval to promulgate an ordinance to give the death penalty to those convicted of raping girls below 12 years has no "logic" and the decision was taken in view of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The man, whose daughter was raped and tortured by six people in a moving bus in a south Delhi neighbourhood on December 16, 2012, said there should be "no differentiation between the rape of minors and adults".

"Rape is rape, be it of a minor or an adult. Why the ordinance has the provision for death penalty for those found guilty of raping children below 12 years only? All rapists should get life term or death penalty, irrespective of the age of victim," he told.&nbsp

He also wondered how a juvenile accused will be dealt with under the new provision.

One of the six people who assaulted his daughter was a juvenile and according to the Juvenile Justice Act, no minor can be sentenced to death.

"Rapists don't have fear in their minds, it's the biggest reason such acts are committed," he stressed.

He said to deter people from committing such crimes against women and children, all rapists should be given life term or the death sentence.

"I don't see logic behind bringing this ordinance. This is just being done in view of the general elections in 2019. I have been battling over last six years to secure justice for my daughter and yet the culprits have not been hanged," he said.

The Cabinet today approved an ordinance to provide stringent punishment, including the death penalty, for those convicted of rape of girls below 12 years.

The man, whose daughter was raped and tortured by six people in a moving bus in a south Delhi neighbourhood on December 16, 2012, said there should be "no differentiation between the rape of minors and adults".

Nirbhaya's father alleged today that the Union Cabinet's approval to promulgate an ordinance to give the death penalty to those convicted of raping girls below 12 years has no "logic" and the decision was taken in view of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The man, whose daughter was raped and tortured by six people in a moving bus in a south Delhi neighbourhood on December 16, 2012, said there should be "no differentiation between the rape of minors and adults". "Rape is rape, be it of a minor or an adult. Why the ordinance has the provision for death penalty for those found guilty of raping children below 12 years only? All rapists should get life term or death penalty, irrespective of the age of victim," he told. He also wondered how a juvenile accused will be dealt with under the new provision. One of the six people who assaulted his daughter was a juvenile and according to the Juvenile Justice Act, no minor can be sentenced to death. "Rapists don't have fear in their minds, it's the biggest reason such acts are committed," he stressed. He said to deter people from committing such crimes against women and children, all rapists should be given life term or the death sentence. "I don't see logic behind bringing this ordinance. This is just being done in view of the general elections in 2019. I have been battling over last six years to secure justice for my daughter and yet the culprits have not been hanged," he said. The Cabinet today approved an ordinance to provide stringent punishment, including the death penalty, for those convicted of rape of girls below 12 years.

Ordinance decision taken in view of LS polls: Nirbhaya's father

The Union Cabinet on Saturday approved an ordinance to allow courts to award death penalty to those convicted of raping children up to 12 years of age.

Official sources said here that the criminal law amendment ordinance seeks to amend the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Evidence Act, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to introduce a new provision to sentence convicts of such crimes punishment of death.

The move comes against the backdrop of the alleged rape and murder of girls in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and Gujarat's Surat district recently.

The rape of a minor in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district had also outraged the nation.

The ordinance would be now sent to the President for his approval.&nbsp;

The move comes against the backdrop of the alleged rape and murder of girls in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and Gujarat's Surat district recently

The Union Cabinet on Saturday approved an ordinance to allow courts to award death penalty to those convicted of raping children up to 12 years of age. Official sources said here that the criminal law amendment ordinance seeks to amend the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Evidence Act, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to introduce a new provision to sentence convicts of such crimes punishment of death. The move comes against the backdrop of the alleged rape and murder of girls in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and Gujarat's Surat district recently. The rape of a minor in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district had also outraged the nation. The ordinance would be now sent to the President for his approval.

Union cabinet approves ordinance for death penalty for rape of children

An ordinance to award death penalty to those convicted of raping a child up to 12 years of age is likely to come up before the Union Cabinet tomorrow.

Against the backdrop of outrage over the incidents of rape of minors in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao and Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, the government plans to bring the ordinance to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act by bringing an ordinance, sources aware of the development said today.

According to the proposal, those convicted of committing rape on children up to 12 years can also be awarded death penalty.

As the POCSO law stands today, the maximum punishment for "aggravated assault" is life in jail. The minimum sentence prescribed is seven years in jail.

After the Nirbhaya case in December 2012, when the criminal laws were amended, a provision of death penalty in case the woman either dies or is left in a "vegetative state" after rape was introduced through an ordinance which later became the Criminal Law Amendment Act.

The government informed the Supreme Court today that it is actively considering amending the penal law to introduce death penalty to those convicted of sexually abusing children up to 12 years of age.

The assertion of the Centre assumes significance following the public outcry for award of death penalty to such sexual offenders, including the assaulters of an eight-year-old girl who was gangraped and killed at Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir recently.

A similar incident has been reported in Surat. Police had found the body of a nine-year-old near a cricket field in Bhestan with over 80 injuries, including some on her private parts.

Post-mortem has revealed she was raped for at least eight days before being strangled.

"An ordinance today is the best way to deal with the issue. An amendment bill will have to wait (till July) when the Monsoon session commences," said a law ministry official.

In his first comments on the gruesome incidents of rape in Unnao and Kathua, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last week said that no criminal will be spared and daughters will get justice.

He said such incidents shake our sensibilities.

''I want to assure the nation that no criminal will be spared. Justice will be done. Our daughters will get justice,''&nbsphe had said at an event to inaugurate the B R Ambedkar memorial here.

In London, Modi had said, "We always ask our daughters about what they are doing, where they are going. We must ask our sons too."

The person who is committing these crimes is also someone's son, he said, adding that rape of a daughter is a matter of shame for the country.&nbsp

The government informed the Supreme Court today that it is actively considering amending the penal law to introduce death penalty to those convicted of sexually abusing children up to 12 years of age.

An ordinance to award death penalty to those convicted of raping a child up to 12 years of age is likely to come up before the Union Cabinet tomorrow. Against the backdrop of outrage over the incidents of rape of minors in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao and Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, the government plans to bring the ordinance to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act by bringing an ordinance, sources aware of the development said today. According to the proposal, those convicted of committing rape on children up to 12 years can also be awarded death penalty. As the POCSO law stands today, the maximum punishment for "aggravated assault" is life in jail. The minimum sentence prescribed is seven years in jail. After the Nirbhaya case in December 2012, when the criminal laws were amended, a provision of death penalty in case the woman either dies or is left in a "vegetative state" after rape was introduced through an ordinance which later became the Criminal Law Amendment Act. The government informed the Supreme Court today that it is actively considering amending the penal law to introduce death penalty to those convicted of sexually abusing children up to 12 years of age. The assertion of the Centre assumes significance following the public outcry for award of death penalty to such sexual offenders, including the assaulters of an eight-year-old girl who was gangraped and killed at Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir recently. A similar incident has been reported in Surat. Police had found the body of a nine-year-old near a cricket field in Bhestan with over 80 injuries, including some on her private parts. Post-mortem has revealed she was raped for at least eight days before being strangled. "An ordinance today is the best way to deal with the issue. An amendment bill will have to wait (till July) when the Monsoon session commences," said a law ministry official. In his first comments on the gruesome incidents of rape in Unnao and Kathua, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last week said that no criminal will be spared and daughters will get justice. He said such incidents shake our sensibilities. ''I want to assure the nation that no criminal will be spared. Justice will be done. Our daughters will get justice,''&nbsphe had said at an event to inaugurate the B R Ambedkar memorial here. In London, Modi had said, "We always ask our daughters about what they are doing, where they are going. We must ask our sons too." The person who is committing these crimes is also someone's son, he said, adding that rape of a daughter is a matter of shame for the country.

Ordinance likely to award death penalty for raping children up to 12 years

The two TDP ministers who resigned Thursday from Prime Minister Modi&#39;s cabinet said today that they would continue to be part of the NDA but that they would not take up any ministerial positions. &nbsp;

The two ministers &mdash; Ashok Gajapathi Raju who was civil aviation minister, and YS Chowdary who was minister of state for science and technology &mdash; addressed a press conference after meeting with the prime minister. The two had been ordered yesterday by TDP chief and Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu to resign from the union cabinet.&nbsp;

&quot;I don&#39;t think it&#39;s fair on our part to expect PM to deal with these issues. It&#39;s for the concerned ministries to take up, already considerable amount of time has lapsed,&quot; said Chowdary.&nbsp;

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I don&#39;t think it&#39;s fair on our part to expect PM to deal with these issues. It&#39;s for the concerned ministries to take up, already considerable amount of time has lapsed: YS Choudhary,TDP <a href="https://t.co/tAt0Tu4iBs">pic.twitter.com/tAt0Tu4iBs</a>
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Chowdary was also asked whether the BJP might now tie up with the YSR Congress Party.&nbsp;

&quot;That is between those two parties, we have nothing to say on that, you can ask them,&quot; said Chowdary.&nbsp;

The two union ministers were Ashok Gajapathi Raju who was civil aviation minister, and YS Chowdary who was minister of state for science and technology

The two TDP ministers who resigned Thursday from Prime Minister Modi's cabinet said today that they would continue to be part of the NDA but that they would not take up any ministerial positions. The two ministers — Ashok Gajapathi Raju who was civil aviation minister, and YS Chowdary who was minister of state for science and technology — addressed a press conference after meeting with the prime minister. The two had been ordered yesterday by TDP chief and Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu to resign from the union cabinet. "I don't think it's fair on our part to expect PM to deal with these issues. It's for the concerned ministries to take up, already considerable amount of time has lapsed," said Chowdary. I don't think it's fair on our part to expect PM to deal with these issues. It's for the concerned ministries to take up, already considerable amount of time has lapsed: YS Choudhary,TDP pic.twitter.com/tAt0Tu4iBs — ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2018 × Chowdary was also asked whether the BJP might now tie up with the YSR Congress Party. "That is between those two parties, we have nothing to say on that, you can ask them," said Chowdary.

Not fair to expect PM to deal with these issues: TDP ministers who resigned from Modi's cabinet

The Union Cabinet Wednesday approved the construction of Asia&#39;s longest bi-directional Zojila Pass tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir to provide all-weather connectivity between areas of Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, which remains cut-off from the rest of India during winters due to heavy snowfall.

The tunnel is pegged to cost&nbsp;Rs 6,089 crore and will reduce the travel time through Zojila Pass to 15 minutes from the current 3.5 hours between Srinagar and Leh.&nbsp;

The project was approved by the&nbsp;Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave his go-ahead to the 14.2-km long tunnel project.&nbsp;

In a statement,&nbsp;road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said,&nbsp;&quot;Zojila tunnel will be the longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia. (Its) construction period (will be) seven years because of a very difficult terrain where in some areas temperature dips to minus 45 degree Celsius. The tunnel shall be an engineering marvel as first of its kind in such a geographical area.&quot;

He added, &quot;Defense forces have to face a hard time ensuring supplies to border posts during winters. This pass is most strategic for the entire Kargil sector which has seen intrusion and war in the past.&quot;

It was announced that the&nbsp;Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the project and work on the tunnel is likely to start this year.

Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway which remains closed during winters (December to April) due to heavy snowfall and avalanches cutting off Leh-Ladakh region from Kashmir. 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

Estimated to cost Rs 6,089 crore, once constructed, the tunnel will reduce travel time from 3.5 hours to 15 minutes

The Union Cabinet Wednesday approved the construction of Asia's longest bi-directional Zojila Pass tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir to provide all-weather connectivity between areas of Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, which remains cut-off from the rest of India during winters due to heavy snowfall. The tunnel is pegged to cost Rs 6,089 crore and will reduce the travel time through Zojila Pass to 15 minutes from the current 3.5 hours between Srinagar and Leh. The project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave his go-ahead to the 14.2-km long tunnel project. In a statement, road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said, "Zojila tunnel will be the longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia. (Its) construction period (will be) seven years because of a very difficult terrain where in some areas temperature dips to minus 45 degree Celsius. The tunnel shall be an engineering marvel as first of its kind in such a geographical area." He added, "Defense forces have to face a hard time ensuring supplies to border posts during winters. This pass is most strategic for the entire Kargil sector which has seen intrusion and war in the past." It was announced that the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the project and work on the tunnel is likely to start this year. Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway which remains closed during winters (December to April) due to heavy snowfall and avalanches cutting off Leh-Ladakh region from Kashmir.

Srinagar to Leh in 15 minutes, Cabinet approves Zojila Pass tunnel project

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