https://www.aimsdaretosuccess.blogspot.com: NATIONAL FEBRUARY 2016

NATIONAL FEBRUARY 2016

Party launched in Kalam’s name

A political party was launched in the name of former President APJ Abdul Kalam in Tamilnadu on 28th February. After paying tributes at Kalam's samadhi, V. Ponraj, who was scientific adviser to Kalam, announced the name of the party as ‘Abdul Kalam Vision India Party’ and hoisted its flag.

Addressing a gathering, Mr. Ponraj said it was more of a mission to serve the people, empower the youth and develop the State than a political venture. Seeking to eradicate corruption in all its forms, he said the menace had spread like a deadly virus in recent years and was choking the life of the commoners.

Punjab imposes ban on sale of army uniforms in the state

Punjab government on 28th February imposed a ban on the sale of army uniforms across the state. Any person who wants to buy the uniform would have to submit a self-attested copy of his identity card and phone number with the shopkeeper, said official spokesman of state government. He said, this record would be duly maintained along with date of sale in the record register of the shopkeeper.

He added that these orders would remain in force till April 21, 2016 and next course of action will be decided afterwards. The state has also banned use of red and blue coloured stickers used by police on vehicles. The government has also prohibited the use of plates of political parties on vehicles with immediate effect.

Punjab had witnessed terror attacks in Pathankot and Gurdaspur in the recent past where militants had disguised themselves in the army fatigues.

Supreme Court seeks Centre’s response to Muslim woman’s plea against triple talaq

The Supreme Court sought on 29th February Centre’s response to a petition filed by a Muslim woman to end gender discrimination in the minority community.

Shayara Bano has challenged the practice of triple ‘talaq’, ‘nikah halal’ and polygamy, calling it unconstitutional as it violated the right to equality.

Under triple ‘talaq’, a Muslim man can divorce his wife by pronouncing the word “talaq” thrice, whereas ‘nikah halal’ allows a Muslim man to take back his wife if he divorces her under the influence of alcohol. However, the wife should have remarried and divorced her second husband before going back to the first one.

A bench of Justices AR Dave and AK Goel issued notices to the ministries of women and child development, law and justice and minority affairs. The National Commission for Women was also asked to submit its response. The bench declined to hear Shayara’s estranged husband Rizwan Ahmad and posted the matter for hearing on March 28.

This is the second time when the top court has decided to examine Islamic personal law to scrap provisions bias against Muslim women, often victims of polygamy and arbitrary divorce.

The same bench had in October last year taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged bias, a move welcomed by activists who saw it as a step closer to evolving a uniform civil code for the country.

A Mumbai-based Muslim organisation — Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind — has opposed the SC’s move, saying the judiciary cannot test the validity of personal law. On February 5, a bench headed by Chief Justice had asked the Attorney General to file a response to the issues raised before it.

Shayara’s counsel Amit Chadda and Balaji Srinivasan said that Muslim women on Monday are being divorced through Facebook, Skype and text messages.

Shayara, from Kashipur in Uttarakhand, was married to Rizwan of UP on April 11, 2002 and was divorced through triple-talaq on October 10, 2015.

Committee on Jats reservation

Centre Government has set up committee headed by Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu to look into demand of Jats for reservation in central government jobs.

According to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the committee has been asked to submit a comprehensive report to find the solution of this problem. Mr Singh also appealed to the people of Haryana to help in maintaining peace and order in the state.

Haryana government will bring a Bill in the upcoming Assembly session to give reservation to Jat community in the state.

Meanwhile, in Haryana, fresh incidents of violence have been reported with protesters in Bhiwani and Sonepat districts setting a fire two police chowkis, shops and an ATM. Violence has also been reported from Hansi in Hisar district and Dadri in Bhiwani district. Curfew is going on in district cities of Rohtak,Hissar,Jhajjar,Kaithal,Jind and Bhiwani besides some small towns of the state. Army is staging flag march in the towns where curfew is going on.

Nine districts are under Army's control as 73 columns have been deployed across the state. Haryana police and paramilitary forces have also been deployed along with army. 191 persons have been booked for indulging in violence.

This stir has severely hit the movement of more than 1000 trains, air fares from Chandigarh and Amritsar, both cut off from the National Capital by road and rail, have risen manifold.

The army along with state police and para military forces began flag march today morning in the towns of the state. Helicopters carrying army men continue to make rounds over Rohtak and other towns. People also felt safer owing to night patrol by army personnel. This action of security forces proved helpful in improving the situation towards normalcy.

Modi identifies 2nd village to develop

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among the few members of Lok Sabha who have identified a second gram panchayat under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.

Even though the deadline ended on January 31, Modi identified Nagepur gram panchayat in Varanasi as the second village to be developed into a model village on February 17.

The scheme that was launched with much fanfare seems to be so far evoking lukewarm response from Members of Parliament (MPs) in the second phase, where a second panchayat is to be developed into model village.

Rural Development Minister Chaudhury Birender Singh had written to all MPs on January 1, 2016 to identify a second gram panchayat by the end of January. Till February 19, only 26 among the 543 Lok Sabha members have identified a second gram panchayat for conversion into model village. Of the 252 Rajya Sabha members, only six did so. The notable absentees include former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Assam and Congress president Sonia Gandhi from Raebareli.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has a strength of 281 in the Lok Sabha, while in the Rajya Sabha, it has 48 members. Apart from Modi, others who have identified a second village in UP are Sakshi Maharaj, Mahendra Nath Pandey and Mukesh Rajput.

Under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, each MP has to develop one model village in their constituency by 2016 and two more by 2019.

A Lok Sabha MP has to choose a gram panchayat from within his constituency, while Rajya Sabha MPs can choose a gram panchayat from the rural area of a district of their choice in the state from which they are elected. The guidelines state that nominated MPs have to choose a gram panchayat from the rural area of any district in the country.

In case of urban constituencies - where there are no gram panchayats - the MP will identify a gram panchayat from a nearby rural constituency for developing as a model village.

Data show that in the first phase, 499 out of 543 Lok Sabha members have identified their villages, while of the 252 Rajya Sabha MPs, 198 have done so.

Work has started in only 30-40 villages in the first phase, though according to the guidelines framed by rural development ministry, the model village has to developed within 21 months from the date of identification. Modi had identified Jayapur in Varanasi as the first village.

According to officials, one reason why MPs are not showing much interest in identifying village for developing into a model village in their constituency is paucity of funds.

The villages to be developed under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana cannot be funded from the MPLAD (Member of Parliament Local Area Development) scheme, while line ministries are also not showing much interest in allocation of fund for the programme. The entire reliance is on private and corporate funding, which is not regular.

A model village under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana is expected to have basic minimum facilities. These include pucca houses for all, drinking water, all-weather roads with covered drains, electricity connection to all households, street lights, including from alternative sources of energy, and pucca infrastructure for public institutions - anganwadis, schools, health institutions, gram panchayat office and libraries.

48 hour long encounter ends in J&K's Pulwama; All 3 militants killed

In Jammu & Kashmir, the joint operation of Army, CRPF and J&K Police concluded with the killing of all the three holed up militants inside multi storeyed govt complex of J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) in Pampore town of Pulwama district. After attacking CRPF convoy and inflicting two fatal CRPF casualties, the militants on Saturday had taken refuge in EDI complex.

During 48 hour long standoff between militants and the security forces, two Army Captains, One Para Commando, two CRPF personnel and EDI gardener lost their lives. Over a dozen CRPF personnel and an army man injured during the operation are recuperating in the Srinagar Army hospital.

No militant outfit has owned the responsibility of the attack so far. Security officials suspected the involvement of Lashkar e Tayyeba in staging apparently a suicide attack by the three slain militants. State Governor N N Vohra, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, NC Working President Omar Abdullah and General Officer Commanding of Srinagar based 15 Corps, Lt General Satish Dua paid tributes to the deceased security personnel and a civilian. They expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, the army paid a befitting tribute with full military honours to Captain Tushar Mahajan and Lance Naik Om Parkash, in a solemn ceremony held at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar. A Defence spokesman said homage was paid to their valour and sacrifice. Late Captain Tushar Mahajan and Lance Naik Om Prakash were members of the team that had launched an operation on 27th February.

India has overtaken China's air pollution levels in 2015: Greenpeace

Indian citizens had a higher exposure to average particulate matter than their Chinese counterparts, an analysis of satellite data on particulate matter has shown, environmental group Greenpeace has claimed.

It said while China’s strong measures to curb pollution have contributed to the biggest year-on-year air quality improvement on record, in contrast, India’s pollution levels continued a decade-long increase to reach the highest level on record.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), India is home to 13 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world, with air pollution levels deteriorating during the past decade, particularly in north India.

Greenpeace, in its National Air Quality Index (NAQI) ranking report had revealed that as many as 15 of the 17 Indian cities with NAQI stations showed levels of air pollution that far exceeded prescribed Indian standards. The report also revealed 23 of the 32 stations across India showing levels which were more than 70 per cent higher than national standards, putting public health at risk.

India’s NAQI network, with 39 operating stations, compares poorly with the 1,500 stations in China. The satellite images until 2005 showed India’s pollution, while serious, was lot lower than eastern China’s. However, as of 2015, India’s particulate pollution stands higher than of China’s, after increasing at an average rate of two per cent over the past decade.

In China, particulate pollution levels rose an estimated 20 per cent between 2005 and 2011 due to growing dependence on fossil fuels. However, after adopting a comprehensive National Action Plan in 2013 along with strong policies and stricter enforcement, China’s particulate trend started bending, as 2015 witnessed a fall of 15 per cent as compared to 2014.

Looking at the change in particulate levels in the past 10 years, very significant reductions are seen across Eastern and Central China, testimony to the national scale of the key measures to tackle air pollution. In India, while the pollution levels are highest in the north, the trend of worsening pollution levels is seen across the subcontinent, with West Bengal, Bihar, UP and AP displaying the largest increases, and the NCR also seeing a significant increase.

Air pollution monitoring only covers one quarter of the population in China and only a few percent of the population in India, and in both countries, PM2.5 monitoring networks have only been created very recently, so long-term trends cannot be assessed.

2019 general elections to have paper-trail EVMs: CEC

Voting for 2019 general elections will be done via paper trail-based electronic voting machines to "enhance transparency". Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi also said that voting through the internet is not on EC's objectives in the near future though it is going to use information and communication technology (ICT) in a huge way to reach the voters in the coming days.

According to the Zaidi the paper audit trail machine or 'Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail' was first introduced by the Commission in 2013 in order to enhance transparency in the voting process and increase electorate's confidence that their vote goes without error to their desired candidate.

Jat protestors withdraw stir, Blockades lifted from Highways

Life is limping back to normalcy in parts of Haryana. Jat agitators have decided to end their protests as leaders were convinced with Govt proposal. The decision was taken on 22nd January

All roads leading to Chandigarh, Rohtak, Jaipur and Gurgaon have been cleared. Chief Minister Khattar visits Rohtak- the epicenter of the violence - to take stock of the situation before heading to Delhi.

Back ground

Jats are an agricultural caste group in Haryana, and seven other states in North India, notably Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat. In Haryana, they are the predominant caste, and therefore politically influential. In his tome on the “Panjab Castes” following the 1881 census, Sir Denzil Ibbetson noted that “from an economical and administrative point of view the Jat is the husbandsman, the peasant, the revenue-payer par excellence. The Jats currently out on the streets across Haryana are demanding reservation in government jobs and educational institutions under the OBC category.

Discontent boiled over after the 1991 Gurnam Singh Commission report included Jats in the Backward Classes category along with seven other groups, and after the Bhajan Lal government withdrew the notification that had been issued for inclusion.

Two more Backward Classes Commissions set up in the state excluded the group – in 1995 and 2011. Reservation for Jats was one of the poll promises made by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who came to power in 2004; he subsequently wrote several letters to the Union government seeking their inclusion of Jats.

After an agitation, in April 2011, the government set up the K C Gupta Commission to go into the question once again. In 2012, the commission recommended the inclusion of Jats and four other castes, Jat Sikhs, Ror, Tyagi and Bishnoi, in the category Special Backward Classes (SBC). The Hooda government accepted the report and 10% quota was granted, but this was later set aside by the Supreme Court.

On March 17, 2015, the Supreme Court quashed the UPA government’s decision to extend the OBC quota in central government jobs to Jats, refusing to accept that Jats were a backward community.

Consequently, the reservation introduced for Jats in Haryana and eight other states — Gujarat, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Bharatpur and Dholpur districts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand — was set aside.

In April 2015, the NDA government filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the March 17 verdict. A decision on it is pending.

Cabinet approves setting up of Atal Innovation Mission

The Centre on 24th February approved a proposal to establish Atal Innovation Mission and Self Employment and Talent Utilisation in NITI Aayog, which will encourage innovations and entrepreneurship.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for establishment of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Self Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) in NITI Aayog with appropriate manpower

Establishment of AIM and AIM Directorate would result in implementation of Mission activities in a focussed manner.

According to government the AIM would be a focal point for innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. It would be guided by a Mission High Level Committee (MHLC) which will take all decisions relating to approval of requisite guidelines including Grand Challenge areas, prize money and implementation of various elements of AIM and SETU.

NITI Aayog will hire Mission Director and other appropriate manpower. The headquarters of the Mission will be New Delhi. With a view to give substantial boost to the innovation ecosystem and to catalyse the entrepreneurial spirit in the country, Finance Minister in his Budget Speech 2015-16 announced the government's intention to establish AIM and a mechanism to be known as SETU in NITI with an initial sum of Rs 500 crore and Rs 1,000 crore, respectively. As a follow up of Budget announcement, NITI Aayog constituted an Expert Committee on Innovation and Entrepreneurship under the Chairmanship of Professor Tarun Khanna, Director, South Asia Institute, Harvard University, USA to work out detailed contours of AIM and SETU.

The Committee in its report made wide ranging recommendations for the short-term (where action can be taken relatively quickly to deliver almost immediate payoffs), medium-term (that can be addressed within a 5-7 years time frame) and long-term, which are likely to have long gestation period, but will lead to a profound transformation in the entrepreneurial fabric of the country.

The Committee also emphasized the need to establish clear systems to monitor implementation, execution, and impact. The AIM and SETU are being initiated as a follow up of Union Budget 2015-16 announcements. The proposal was considered by Expenditure Finance Committee on August 28, 2015, and it was observed that AIM is a Mission and SETU is an approach. Therefore, there should be one umbrella scheme titled as 'AIM' which will have two sub-components - firstly Innovation and secondly SETU, wherein the innovators would be supported and mentored as successful entrepreneurs.

India to set up satellite tracking centre in Vietnam for ASEAN countries

India is to set up a Satellite Tracking and Data Reception and Processing Centre in Vietnam for ASEAN Member countries. The facility is meant to acquire and process data from the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite relating to the ASEAN region.

Under this initiative, all ASEAN member countries including Vietnam will have access to the processed remote sensing data pertaining to the concerned country. Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh gave this information in the Lok Sabha on 24th February. In a written reply he said the ground facility is designed in such a way as not to allow Indian data to be accessed and processed by the system.

India moving U.N. to blacklist Masood

In its biggest diplomatic move after the Pathankot attack, India will approach the United Nations to include the Pakistan-based terror mastermind Maulana Masood Azhar on the list of globally designated terrorists, according to the official sources

According to Vikas Swarup, spokes person of the Ministry of External Affairs, India will be moving the 1267 Sanctions Committee to also include the name of Masood Azhar on the sanctions list. It is a great anomaly that the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) is listed but not its leader, pointing out that Azhar remained unsanctioned though his group, JeM, was included by the 1267 Sanctions Committee on the list of Foreign Terrorist Organisations in 2001.

Officials said India would formally request the 1267 Sanctions Committee, which consists of 15 members, to schedule a discussion on Masood Azhar. The decision is significant since it is the second time in less than a year that India will attempt to isolate an international terrorist through the anti-terror committee.

In June 2015, India moved the committee in the United Nations, demanding an explanation from Pakistan for its decision to release the 26/11 attack plotter Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi from jail.

The attempt to isolate Pakistan, however, failed at the last moment because of China’s opposition. Officials said that this year too, China’s attitude would be watched. However, according to experts, the attempt to isolate Masood Azhar has a greater possibility to succeed at the 1267 Sanctions Committee.

Supreme Court asks Centre to suggest measures to ban child pornography

The Supreme Court on 26th February asked the Centre to suggest ways to ban child pornography in all forms in the country. A bench of justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh said child pornography cannot be justified in the name of freedom of speech and expression.

The apex court asked the Centre to seek advice from experts and suggestions from the National Commission for Women (NCW) on banning of websites dealing with adult and child pornography.

Arguing about government's action on the issue, additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand told the Court that agencies like Interpol and the CBI are taking necessary steps to block sites which specifically deal in child pornography.

She cleared the centre's stand, which it has submitted in the Court earlier also, that it is possible to ban child pornography but it is difficult to ban pornographic websites as they are not under any country's jurisdiction.

After this reiteration, the Court also said, the centre will have to draw a line what can be viewed in public and what can be viewed in private saying that the court is not concerned what the group of people are doing in a room. The court said obscenity has been prohibited under law and government has to take steps to develop a mechanism in this regard.

Parliament passes Election Laws (Amendment) Bill

Parliament passed a bill to amend electoral laws for a limited delimitation exercise to grant voting rights to people of the former enclaves of Bangladesh, with the Rajya Sabha adopting it on 26th February. The Lok Sabha passed it on 25th February.

These enclaves were exchanged pursuant to the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement and 2011 Protocol and Instruments of Ratification during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh last year.

The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016 seeks to amend the Delimitation Act, 2002 and the Representation of the People Act, 1950. It enables the Election Commission to carry out delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal.

House panel seeks higher defence outlay

Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence has expressed dismay over the government’s reluctance to commit to a minimum percentage of its expenses for the armed forces, despite its recommendations.

The committee also feel dismayed to note that although the Ministry of Defence has reportedly conveyed the concern expressed by them to the Ministry of Finance on 14 January 2015, the response of the Ministry of Finance is still awaited,” said an action-taken report submitted to Parliament on 26th February.

The committee desire that this declining ratio should be arrested in the next financial year itself, so that the services are provided adequate funds, and hence they are not deprived of essential equipment and ammunition, it had said earlier.

The committee had then told the government that it should “consider fixing a minimum benchmark for this percentage, which should be adhered to, in every case”.

The Defence Ministry told the committee that it had written to the Finance Ministry on January 14 last year, drawing its attention to the recommendation of the parliamentary committee. The Ministry did not respond.

Though the defence budget is increasing numerically annually, as a proportion of the Central budget, it has consistently been declining. In 2009-10, the defence expenditure of Rs. 1,41,781 crore was 13.84 per cent of the total expenditure. In 2010-11, the budget increased in absolute terms, but in percentage terms, it came down to 12.87 per cent. In 2011-12, the defence expenditure rose to Rs. 1,70,913 crore, but in percentage terms, it was merely 13.1 per cent of the government’s expenditure. Since then, it has been sliding continuously.

In 2012-13, the defence expenditure was pegged at Rs. 1,81,776, which was 12.89 per cent of the government’s expenditure. However, it further came down to 12.81 per cent under the revised budget.

India sends aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya to Maldives

India has dispatched its largest and most potent warship, aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya to Maldives to reaffirm its abiding commitment to be the net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.

The warship accompanied by destroyer INS Mysore and tanker INS Deepak is scheduled to reach Male tomorrow. INS Vikramaditya made its first ever foreign port call at Colombo last Month where President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena visited the warship. It was the first Head of State visit to Indian Navy’s biggest warship and aircraft carrier.

The goodwill visit of INS Vikramaditya to Male is as part of the overall policy to shape a favourable maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region with both presence and engagement.

It is also a manifestation of the close maritime cooperation and mutual trust between India and Maldives.

In December 2014 INS Deepak had visited the Maldives to provide drinking water during the Male water crisis.

Swachh Survekshna: Visakhapatnam, Surat, Rajkot and Gangtok improve ranks to break into top 10

Mysuru, Chandigarh and Tiruchirappalli are the cleanest cities in India, according to a 73-city survey conducted to gauge the impact of Swachh Bharat Mission. PM Narendra Modi's Varanasi constituency, however, remains one of the 10 dirtiest cities despite his pet cleanliness initiative, the survey said.

The survey called Swachh Survekshna was conducted in cities with a population of 10 lakh and above. It has revealed that cities in the south and east have taken better to the Swachh Bharat Mission than cities in the north and west. The first survey was conducted in 2014, before the Mission was launched in October 2014. Even then the 476-city survey had thrown up Mysuru as the winner

A comparative analysis of the two successive surveys shows that four cities improved their ranks to break into top 10 in 2016. These include Visakhapatnam, Surat, Rajkot and Gangtok. The cities have pushed down Navi Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and Nashik, which had finished in the top 10 in 2014

The survey found Dhanbad the dirtiest city. The 10 dirtiest cities include three cities from Uttar Pradesh — Varanasi, Ghaziabad and Meerut, represented by BJP MPs.

While Mysuru has been the clear winner, Tiruchirappalli, ranked third in the 2016 survey, achieved best behavioural change. The study was conducted by Quality Council of India, which deployed 25 teams involving a total of 100 trained surveyors for verification of documents, field observation and obtaining citizen feedback.

NDA wins seven Assembly seats in bypolls in eight States

The results of the Assembly by-elections announced on 16th February sprang a few surprises and gave cause for worry for the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and the Congress in Karnataka. Both lost two of the three seats they had contested and held in the past.

The BJP and its allies won seven of the 12 seats in eight States.

The Congress and the BJP wrested two seats — Deoband and Muzaffarnagar — from the SP in Uttar Pradesh. The SP, however, retained Bikapur in Faizabad district.

In Deoband, Congress candidate Maviya Ali Khan won, while Kapil Deo Agarwal of the BJP won in Muzaffarnagar. The SP’s Anand Sen Yadav, a former Minister in the BSP government, won in Bikapur. Notably, in the 2014 by-polls in Uttar Pradesh, a few months after the Lok Sabha elections, the SP won nine of the 12 seats. In 2015, it won Charkhari and Pharendra.

In Karnataka, the Opposition BJP won two seats and the ruling Congress was able to win one.

The BJP retained Hebbal and wrested Devadurga from the Congress, while the ruling party wrested Bidar from the BJP.

Y.A. Narayanaswamy of the BJP won from the high-profile Hebbal seat in the North Bengaluru Lok Sabha constituency, defeating C.K. Abdul Rahman Sharief of the Congress.

In Devadurga (reserved) in Raichur district, K. Shivana Gouda Nayak of the BJP defeated A. Rajashekhara Nayak of the Congress. In Bidar, Congress candidate Rahim Khan defeated Prakash Khandre of the BJP.

The Palghar Assembly seat in Maharashtra was won by Shiv Sena candidate Amit Ghoda, who defeated Congress candidate Rajendra Gavit by 19,000 votes.

In Bihar, Sudhanshu Shekhar of the Rashtriya Lokmat Party, a constituent of the NDA, won in Harlakhi.

In Madhya Pradesh, the ruling BJP’s Narayan Tripathi won in Maihar, defeating Congress candidate Manish Patel.

In Punjab, Ravinder Singh Brahmpura of the ruling SAD won in Khadoor Sahib.

In Tripura, the CPI (M) candidate Parimal Debnath won in Amarpur.

Bhupal Reddy of the ruling TRS won in the Narayankhed seat in in Telangana.

TRS bags Narayankhed seat in Telangana

In Telangana, the ruling Telangana Rastra Samithi (TRS) bagged Narayankhed Assembly Constituency in the bye-poll. TRS Candidate Bhoopal Reddy won by a majority of 53,625 votes over his immediate rival of Congress candidate Sanjeev Reddy.

The TRS candidate got a total 93,076 votes while Congress Candidate polled 39,451 and TDP candidate Vijaypal Reddy got 14,787 votes.

The bye-poll witnessed 81.75 per cent voting and 632 voters opted for None Of The Above (NOTA) option also. The bye-election was necessitated due to sudden death of sitting Congress MLA Kista Reddy last year.

Two major lift schemes for Khammam (Telangana)

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said on 16th February that state government’s ambitious programme aimed at ensuring maximum utilisation of its due share from the waters of Godavari and Krishna and their tributaries would be translated into a reality with an outlay of Rs 1.24 lakh crore in the next four years.

The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for two important irrigation projects thus raising new hopes among the people of the upland areas in the district.

The redesigned Dummugudem lift scheme, now named as the Sitaram Project would be implemented at a cost of Rs 7916 crore to extend irrigation to 5.5 lakh acres.

He also laid the stone for the Rollapadu reservoir in Tekulapalli mandal. He assured that the lift-schemes, on which the entire district has pinned high hopes, would be completed in two years. He wanted the Irrigation minister and the department authorities to pay due attention to the works on the project so that it can be completed as scheduled.

He also laid the stone for Bhakta Ramdas lift irrigation scheme which is expected to help irrigate some 60,000 acres at a cost of Rs 9000 crores.

He said that the project would be made operational by October this year benefiting people in the upland areas of the district. He assured farmers of suitable compensation for the land acquired from them for construction of the Ramdas Irrigation project besides providing double bedroom houses in Khammam.

He called upon the people to participate in growth process. He also announced that the Lambada Tandas will be developed into gram panchayats.

Cabinet recommends revocation of President rule in Arunachal

Union Cabinet has recommended revocation of President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh. The decision in this regard was taken during Cabinet meeting in New Delhi on 17th February.

It came a day after the Supreme Court refused to restrain the Governor from swearing in a new government in the state. The central rule was imposed in the state on On 26th of last month.

On 16th February, 32 MLAs, led by Congress dissident Kalikho Pul, called on the Governor JP Rajkhowa to stake claim for forming the next government in the politically fragile state. The revolt by Congress dissidents led by Mr. Pul led to a political crisis in the state that finally led to imposition of President's Rule.

On 17th February, a Congress delegation met President Pranab Mukherjee and urged him not to take any action over withdrawal of President's Rule if Centre makes any recommendation in this regard. The Supreme Court is hearing petitions seeking examination about the scope of discretionary powers of the Governor.

Chhattisgarh govt cancels tribal rights over forest lands

Forest rights of tribals over their traditional lands in Ghatbarra village of Surguja district have been taken away by the Chhattisgarh government to facilitate coal mining of Prasa East and Kete Besan coal block.

The block has been allocated to Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) and Adani Minerals Private Limited. The latter is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Adani Enterprises and RVUNL is a Rajasthan government enterprise.

In an order passed on January 8, the government had cancelled the community land rights of the tribals in the village, given under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).

The government, in the order, stated that the villagers had been using their legal rights over the forest land to stop work of mining in their village, which falls in the Parsa East and Kete Besan coal block. It is the first such order to come to light in India, where community rights of tribals have been cancelled after being granted through the process laid down in the FRA.

The FRA does not provide for revocation of either community or individual land rights once granted under the law. The law and the attendant regulations provide only for the government diverting the forest land for some other purpose after prior consent of the tribals through their gram sabha.

Under the FRA, tribals are empowered to claim individual and community rights over forestlands they have traditionally hold on. The gram sabha of Bhatbarra did so and in September 3, 2013 they were handed over the lands by the state government.

Govt gives a global push to AYUSH medicines; approves pact with WHO

Giving a significant global push to alternative medicines, the Cabinet approved a pact between the AYUSH ministry and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the field of traditional medicine.

The agreement between the AYUSH ministry and the UN agency has scope for collaborative activities in the area of traditional medicine, which is expected to internationally promote AYUSH system of medicines and enhance their acceptability.

The move will also help in long-term collaboration with WHO in facilitating awareness about AYUSH medicines through education, skill development, workshops and exchange programmes between AYUSH and WHO for capacity building.

The collaboration will "facilitate advocacy and dissemination of information on AYUSH systems amongst the member states, collaboration with third parties for creating synergies in implementation of WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023 particularly in the context of AYUSH systems

The expenditure for carrying out collaborative activities will be met from the allocated budget under the existing plan schemes of AYUSH ministry. The activities will start subsequent to the signing of agreements by the two parties as per terms of reference.

As a first step in the long-term collaboration, India would assign to WHO activities for development of the its technical documents and publications like benchmarks for training in Yoga, practice in Ayurveda, Unani Medicine and Panchakarma.

Under the collaboration, AYUSH and WHO would take up other activities that could encompass multilateral collaboration for promotion of traditional and complementary medicine or systems, the statement said. This will include development of the WHO publication on the basic terminologies, establishment of a database for global practitioners and establishment of a network of international regulatory cooperation, the statement said, adding the agreement between WHO and AYUSH is expected to benefit the practitioners of AYUSH systems.

Supreme Court paves way for new govt in Arunachal Pradesh

Supreme Court on 18th February vacated its order to maintain status quo in the crisis-ridden state paving the way for government formation by rebel Congress MLAs with the support of BJP lawmakers.

Referring to the Gauhati High Court order staying the disqualification of 14 rebel MLAs, the five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice J S Khehar said, "It does not call for any interference".

After going through records summoned from Gawahati High Court pertaining to disqualification of the rebel legislators, the apex court said it was "prima facie" satisifed with the High Court order and not inclined to interfere with it.

Farmers to have pan-India access to mandis: Modi

From, 2016 April and Indian farmers will have pan-India access to all agriculture mandis for selling their farm yield. The platform, to be known as National Agricultural Market, will allow farmers to know best rates for their yield through the internet. Indian Prime Minister Modi also asked governments and farmers to join hands to take a pledge to double income for farmers by 2022, when India will mark 75th anniversary of its Independence.

The platform will be launched from April 14, to mark the birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar this year. The e-platform will provide Indian farmers access to minimum five hundred mandis of the country

Prime minister Narendra Modi has spoken in Sherpur village, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh. He was in the village to launch guidelines of a newly launched crop insurance scheme at a rally called Kisan Mahasammelan.

Elaborating upon his mission Digital India for farmers, he pitched for start-up initiatives in agriculture, by calling young entrepreneurs to join the Stand Up India scheme and begin with start-ups for farmers. Farmers will have to pay only two per cent of the total premium of the kharif crop and 1.5 per cent of the total premium during rabi crop, unlike 12 per cent mandatory as minimum in previous schemes.

Also, the prime minister spoke about Soil Health Card Scheme, organic farming, irrigation scheme, ensuring adequate availability of urea, and ethanol-blending programme to help the sugar cane farmers.

Telangana govt 100-day action plan

Telangana government is all set to offer online approval of applications seeking permission for building construction, new layouts and change of layout under a time frame, according K Tarakarama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA & UD) on 18th February.

Online building, layout approvals in all municipalities soon

As part of Swachh Hyderabad, he said, 2,500 autos will be pressed into service to collect garbage of two types from every household

Announcing his 100-day development plan for Hyderabad, he said the government was keen on introducing the online approvals in every municipality of the State in a phased manner.

The Minister assured hassle free one-time process for according permissions for construction of buildings and new structures under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits to avoid delay.

It will also process and dispose earlier applications received for Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS) and Building Regularisation Scheme (BRS) since 2007.

Already HMDA has started disposal of 10,000 LRS applications out of about 60,000 received till date,” the Minister informed. Telangana government is planning to start the first phase of Hyderabad metro rail services in the 20 km stretch from Nagole to Mettuguda and Miyapur to S R Nagar in June.

Besides allocating Rs 100 crore to 4,352 women Self Help Groups (SHGs), it was decided to establish five City Livelihood Centres at Warangal (3) and Nizamabad (2).

Within GHMC limits, the government was considering a proposal to increase the number of administrative circles from 24 to 30 and form joint working groups of officers drawn from different departments for better coordination. An integrated citizen services mobile app to apply, view request status, pay bills and register grievances, citizens interface to know file status, monitoring cell within MA & UD Department to check activities in urban bodies, convergence portal similar to the lines of the 'mygov' being run by the Central government, are on cards.

Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) will issue about 30,000 new connections at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore. It plans to construct over 1,000 rain harvesting structures in various localities for improvement of ground water table.

The trunk sewer mains will be completed to prevent the sewage pollution to Hussainsagar Lake, Durgam Cheruvu and Kukatpally Nala. HMWSSB is likely to clean Hussainsagar in 45 days period.

Regularisation and tap connections sanction in all urban local bodies together with inventorying and geo-tagging of open spaces are on the anvil, he said. As part of Swachh Hyderabad, he said, 2,500 autos will be pressed into service to collect garbage of two types from every household. He also stated that online monitoring system will be in place through e-office. A plan is on cards to develop 359 sports stadiums in cooperation of youth clubs and associations for setting up gyms.

Dissident Cong leader Kalikho Pul sworn-in as new Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh

In Arunachal Pradesh, dissident Congress leader Kalikho Pul has been sworn-in as the 9th Chief Minister of the state at Raj Bhawan in Itanagar on 19th February. Governor JP Rajkhowa administered the oath of office and secrecy to Pul in a simple function. The oath taking ceremony was attended by 31 MLAs including Congress rebels, BJP and 2 independent MLAs.

Kalikho Pul has been was 9th Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh

President's Rule was lifted on 19th February

Attack on Kanhaiya pre-planned: NHRC report

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in its report on the attacks on JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar in the Patiala House Court on 19th February, has said that the incident appears to be pre-planned and organised.

The human rights body has also came down heavily on the Delhi Police stating that "what happened in the Patiala House Court Complex on February 17 was "a major security lapse on the part of the police" and that "there was serious dereliction of duty on the part of the police".

Furthermore, the report by NHRC also raises serious questions on the letter supposedly written by Kanhaiya Kumar and issued by the police earlier this week.

According to NHRC statement which was issued by the police as an appeal on behalf of Kanhaiya Kumar was not written by him voluntarily.

The acting chairperson, NHRC directed that a team comprising CK Chaturvedi, registrar (law) and S K Jain, SSP (investigation) may visit Central Prison, Tihar and inquire into issues pertaining to Kanhaiya that included measures taken to ensure safety and security, ascertain the treatment meted out to Kanhaiya by the police and prison authorities and to ascertain whether the statement released to the press by the Commissioner of Police, Delhi in the name of Kanhaiya was made by him voluntarily and without any extraneous influence.

According to the NHRC teams findings, while Central Prison, Tihar has made special arrangements to ensure safety and security of Kanhaiya inside the prison and that Kanhaiya did not complain of any physical assault by the police while in custody, the JNU leader has said that he was subjected to psychological pressure during interrogation.

Coal scam: Court orders framing of charges against ex-Coal Secy

A special court on 19th February ordered framing of charges against former Coal Secretary H C Gupta and a private firm for allegedly entering into a conspiracy in a coal scam case.

Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar said the acts attributed to the former coal secretary prima facie show that he had favoured the company.

The Court put Gupta and Pushp Steels and Mining Pvt Ltd (PSMPL) on trial for alleged offences under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) of IPC and under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The court has now fixed the matter for February 26 for formal framing of charges against Gupta and the firm. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of Brahmapuri coal block in Madhya Pradesh to PSMPL.

JAT reservation issue turns violent

Jat leaders have refused to withdraw their agitation till a legislation is passed giving them an OBC quota. The stir has disrupted rail and road traffic, and in some places Government had to suspend Internet and mobile SMS services.

The state government called an all-party meeting to end the impasse,which decided to set up a committee, which will submit its report by the end of next month. Demand for Jat reservation is growing in Haryana with each passing day and situation is getting tense in some quarters. While one person has died in police firing, the state Government has stepped up the efforts in resolving the stalemate by forming a committee.

As the demand for state reservation for Jats got shriller, the Chief Ministerof Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar called for an all-party meeting, where detailed discussions took place with all parties. After the meeting, the Chief Minister announced formation of a committee, which will submit its report by 31st March. Khattar has appealed to the Jat community to end the movement and not to resort to destruction of public property.

Despite such steps, Jat agitation with regard to reservation is gaining momentum with every passing day. The Jat agitation demand is spreading like wild fire to other parts of the state, which has badly affected normal life.

Areas like Rohtak , Jhajjar, Sonipat, Bhiwani, Hisar, Sohna and Gurgaon are bearing the brunt of the reservation singe. The police resorted to firing to stop the violent protests in Rohtak, resulting in the death of one person. In anger, the protestors damaged the vehicle of the DSP.

The Jat protestors are demanding reservation in the OBC category for government jobs and educational institutions. It was during the UPA Government's tenure, that Jats were given reservation in the OBC quota, which was quashed by the Supreme Court last year.

Haryana Government announced to enhance the quota of reservation for Economically Backward Classes in the state from 10 to 20 per cent, in order to pacify the protesters but the agitationists are not ready to accept this. It is yet to be seen what stance the Jat community would adopt on the committee formed by Khattar.

Sea borne terror and piracy remain key challenges: PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7^th February called for the world nations to give highest priority in nurturing a cooperative and secure relationship amongst the seafaring countries to harness the rich benefits from economy, trade and commerce.

He stressed for establishing regional and global peace and stability to achieve the desired progress and prosperity between Indian and other maritime nations. The Prime Minister said over the last 15 years the value of commerce that takes place via sea routes has escalated to over 20 trillion dollars at present.

He said the oceans and world waterways are global common heritage, adding that the oceans are the life line of global prosperity offering great economic opportunity to build our nations.

The Indian Navy conducted an Operational Demonstration followed by International City Parade in Visakhapatnam this evening as part of the ongoing Fleet Review.

The operational demonstration culminated with the release of a book on 'Maritime Heritage of India' by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister also launched the e-version of the book. The Raksha Mantri presented a memento to the Prime Minister to mark the occasion.

The parade with an International flavour had a cross-section of Indian culture displayed in a festive atmosphere. Each participating foreign navy also showcased its cultural heritage and marching under their respective national colours.

Centre targets to reduce country's oil imports by 10 per cent: Government is targeting to reduce country's oil import dependence by 10 per cent by 2022 by creating policy environment that supports raising domestic output and mixing bio-fuels like ethanol in auto fuels.

Dedicating Indian Oil Corporation's new state of the art refinery at Paradip in Odisha to the nation on 7^th February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the plant is very significant for the development of the state. He said the refinery has established records of sorts when it comes to Make In India and it will change the fate of youth of Odisha.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, the plant will truly be a gateway to opportunities in Odisha and Eastern India. He said, Paradip is linked with Odisha's pride and the refinery has come up after 50 years of Paradip Port. Over thirty four thousand five hundred crore rupees Paradip refinery is the most advanced in the world and is equipped with the latest technology.

With this the state-owned firm has again become country's top refiner. The foundation stone of 15 million tonne per annum capacity refinery was laid by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000. Located 140 km from Bhubaneswar, it is one of the most modern refineries in the world which can process cheaper high sulphur heavy crude oils.

The first consignment of products comprising high speed diesel, superior kerosene oil and LPG from the refinery was first flagged off in November last year.

India's first fully solar-powered educational institute now in Puducherry

Even as the world debates the need for renewable energy amid concerns of climate change, a school in Puducherry has set an example for the rest of the country.

Sri Aurobindo International Centre for Education, Puducherry has become India's first fully solar-powered educational institute. The institute generates thrice the electricity it consumes through solar power plants installed on the roofs of the dining room, primary school, library and high school in the campus. The institute has been self-reliant in energy since September 2014.

Headley deposes before Mumbai court

In a crucial deposition of David Headley before Mumbai's session court through video conference on 8^th February Headley admitted two prior failed attempts were made by the same 10 terrorists involved in 26/11 Mumbai attacks, who tried similar attempts in September and October 2008.

Finally they succeeded on 26/11 and carried out terrorist attack in Mumbai. Headley was made an approver in the 26/11 attacks case which may further unravel the conspiracy behind the brazen terror strike. The deposition was initiated by establishing the background of Headley. Mahesh Jethmalani appeared as Counsel for Headley. Top Mumbai police and NIA officials alongside US Embassy officials were present in the court.

It is for the first time in the Indian legal history that a foreign terrorist is providing his evidences through video link. In a crucial disposition headley admitted changing his name from Dawood Gilani to David Headley to enter India and to conceal his identity.

Headley visited India 8 times before 26/11 attacks and once after the attack. David Headley also admitted to giving false information in Visa application. David Headley named Raymond Sanders, a man who helped him with the visa process in a vital revelation Headley admitted to meeting Sajid Mir of LeT who was his main contact.

Headley said that he changed his name in passport on instruction from Sajid Mir. While deposing Headley also admitted that he had a general idea on 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

Reacting to the development, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said deposition of David Headley will lead India to logical conclusion of 26/11 case. Mr Rijiju told reporters in New Delhi that it is already known who is involved in the entire case and whereabouts of Headley's working system.

Ishrat Jahan was LeT operative, says David Headley

Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley on 11^thFebruary named Ishrat Jehan as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative who was involved in shooting police at a post near Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Ishrat Jahan along with three others was killed in an encounter in 2004. David Headley is deposing in front of Special Mumbai court via video conferencing from an undisclosed location in the US.

The family and the lawyer of Ishrat Jahan have raised questions over David Coleman Headley's testimony that she was LeT operative, saying this was for the political benefit of some big people whose names have been besmirched. Ishrat's sister Musarrat and lawyer Vrinda Grover claimed that she had no terror links.

Meanwhile, retired IPS officer D G Vanzara said that David Headley's revelation has vindicated Gujarat police's stand that Ishrat Jahan was a terrorist. He said the gun-battle in which she was killed was genuine. Vanzara was jailed in 2007 for his alleged involvement in extra-judicial killings, include that of Ishrat Jahan. He secured bail in 2015.

India sets target to eliminate malaria by 2030

Government has set the target of eliminating malaria from the country, by 2030. Launching the National Framework for Malaria Elimination in New Delhi, Health Minister J P Nadda said the Centre is committed to achieving the target which will require huge financial resources. He said the government will effectively work with the development partners and civil society in this regard.

The Minister said 70 per cent of malaria cases and 69 per cent of malaria deaths among South East Asian Region countries occur in India. He said the objective of the framework is to reduce the incidence of malaria to less than one case per thousand population a year in all states by 2024. He also urged the states to include malaria eradication programme in their policy.

Sri Lanka has reported no malaria deaths in the last one decade, while there has been no death due to the vector-borne disease in Nepal since 2012.

Outreach International Radio Fair-2016' begins in Bhubaneswar

The two-day annual international radio fair 'Outreach International Radio Fair-2016' will kick off from February 13 in Bhubaneswar.

The objective of the event is to sensitize station owners, executives and broadcasters about a gender related policies and strategies for radio.

A part from the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and many other radio journalists are scheduled to attend the event. Overseas broadcasters, All India Radio, private FMs, community radio and internet radio stations will participate in the event. Many Radio stations from across the country will join the fair.

Centre drops plan for smart cities around Mumbai, Kolkata ports

The Centre has dropped the plan to develop smart cities around major ports in Mumbai and Kolkata. The government has decided to develop smart cities around all major ports across the country, barring Kolkata and Mumbai," Union Road, Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said at an event organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) on 10^th February.

Last year, Mr. Gadkari said the government had planned to build one smart city each at 12 major ports at an estimated cost of Rs. 50,000 crore. The ports — Kandla, Mumbai, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Mormugao, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, Chennai, New Mangalore, Ennore, V.O. Chidambaranar, Paradip and Kolkata — have 264,000 acres of land around them. These ports handle 61 per cent of the cargo traffic. Each port will construct one smart city. Each city will be built on an expenditure of about Rs. 3,000-4,000 crore. These will be green smart cities. This assumes significance as the Mumbai Port Trust has around 753 hectares of land, valued at Rs. 46,000 crore. The government has planned to build wider roads, advanced townships and special economic zones, along with ship-breaking and ship-building centres, as part of smart port cities.

AP Govt proposes to develop INS Viraat as tourism centre

\Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced that Aircraft carrier INS Viraat, will be developed as a tourism centre after its decommissioning following decades of service in the Navy. He said the Indian Navy is going to decommission INS Viraat very soon and there is a proposal by the defence ministry to develop it as a tourist centre.

Andhra Pradesh government has requested the Defence Ministry for allotment after decommissioning, the aircraft carrier INS Viraat, during the International Fleet Review. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu made it clear that he has plans to transform the warship into a major tourist attraction to be placed at Visakhapatnam.

Mr. Naidu said, only the process of allocation is pending. He informed that a joint venture would be set up by the Andhra Pradesh government the Indian Navy and a private organisation to take up the tourism-related activities such as yachting, sea sports, sailing, gliding and cruising would be promoted.

With nearly 1,500 rooms, a conference hall with a capacity to seat 500 people and a helipad are available in the aircraft carrier, the State government has plans to establish a restaurant too. Hoping that the warship-turned-tourist centre will get good response from the public the AP CM has another proposal to convert the ship into a museum on the beaches of the port city, adding that Visakhapatnam is one of the best places to host maritime activities and the Navy has agreed to support government's proposals in this regard.

Telangana CCE signs MOA with IIT Bombay

In a move to make students industry ready and employable, the Telangana Commissionerate of Collegiate Education has introduced 'Spoken Tutorial Project' for government degree colleges. Developed by the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) for Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the project intends to provide opportunity to conduct software training for the students.

The project is part of 'talk to a teacher activity' of the national mission on education through information and communication technology launched by the MHRD.

The Commissionerate of Collegiate Education has entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the IIT-B and introduced it in 130 degree colleges.

The project would provide students and teacher hands through training on free open source software like Linux, Scilab, LaTex, PhP and MySQL, Java, C, C++, Libre Office etc. The course duration ranges between two and three months and depends on the selected course.

Parliamentary panel favours setting up of International Law Dept

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice headed by E M Natchiappan has favoured setting up Department of International Law in order to synchronize laws of the land with various international treaties and conventions.

The Panel informed that, parliament being the supreme law making authority, in India, the Parliamentary Panel on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice is examining various modalities to be followed for implementing various treaties and conventions made at the international level.

Centre to set up IARI in Assam

Centre has decided to set up an Indian Agricultural Research Institute in Kamrup district of Assam. According to the Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh that his ministry has found 500 acre of suitable land at Bormula village for it.

He urged the Assam Chief Minister to hand over the land to the Centre so that construction works can be started as soon as possible. He said the Centre has given stress in organic farming in North East.

Mr. Singh hoped that production of Rabi crop will not be affected though there are chances of deficit rain falls in the country this year again. The minister said that more fund will be given to all states under Prime Minister Krishi Sichai Yojna next year for the better production.

In Andhra Pradesh, Kapu agitation turns violent

In Andhra Pradesh, agitators demanding reservation for Kapu community set on fire four bogies of the Ratnachal express train near Tuni Railway station in East Godavari district. Hundreds of agitators took to tracks and set on fire the train going from Vijayawada to Visakhapatnam, after stopping it. Panic-stricken passengers ran helter-skelter as the fire extended from coach to coach.

The agitators also set on fire a local police station. A few police vehicles were burnt and public property was damaged on large scale in the incident. They are demanding inclusion of Kapu Community in Backward Classes.

Arunachal Pradesh case in Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to handover copies of computer hard disks, govt files and letters siezed after imposition of President's rule from Arunachal CM, ministers and parliamentary secretaries to them. It has also directed the return of personal documents and computers by 5th February.

Former CM Nabam Tuki had submitted in court that he needed the documents to respond to charges levelled against his govt in the governor's report recommending President's rule. The CM and ministers' offices had been sealed right after imposition of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh on Republic day.

The apex court also recalled its notice to AP Governor after the Attorney General pointed out that the governor's office enjoys constitutional immunity.

The Supreme Court's 5-judge constitution bench is hearing petitions filed by Speaker Nabam Rebia, former CM Nabam Tuki and Congress party. The Speaker has challenged the High Court order staying the disqualification of 14 rebel Congress MLAs.

India tops global confidence index

India topped Nielsen's global consumer confidence index for the fourth quarter in a row in 2015. But the catch was that it continued to show signs of a recessionary sentiment for the third straight quarter.

Nielsen's report showed that India's consumer confidence index for the fourth quarter of 2015 was 131, ahead of the Philippines (117), Indonesia (115) and Thailand (114). But 50 per cent of the people polled said India was still in an economic recession, implying recessionary sentiment was strong.

While this was lower than the 54 per cent reported in the third quarter of 2015, it was equal to the figure reported in the second quarter and higher by six percentage points to the figure reported in the first quarter. Nielsen said this was a sign of weakness due to external factors.

Nonetheless, most key global economies appeared to be pessimistic in the fourth quarter, pointing to depressed market conditions. China's confidence index for the fourth quarter, for instance, was 107, up one point only from the third quarter.

Countries such as the UK, the US, Germany and Japan showed quarter-on-quarter decline in confidence, indicating the consumer's state of mind.

UK's confidence index was 101, USA's 100, Germany's 98, and Japan's 79 for the quarter under review.

Nielsen said Indians remained the most optimistic in the world about job prospects and personal finances, with 80 per cent and 82 per cent respondents, respectively, saying they were confident of these attributes. But job security and state of the economy were top concerns for Indians in the fourth quarter, Nielsen said.

On spending habits, 65 per cent of Indians said it was a good time for purchases, while 63 per cent said they would prefer to save money.

Seventy-nine per cent of the respondents said they had changed their spending habits to save on household expenses and 44 per cent said they would spend less on clothes.

Supreme Court holds out hope, will hear final plea to legalise gay sex

Exactly two years after refusing to review its judgment upholding the validity of Section 377 that criminalises gay sex, the Supreme Court on 2nd February opened the last narrow window of hope for the LGBT community by referring to a five-judge constitution bench curative petitions seeking to legalise consensual sex between adults of the same sex

The Delhi high court had decriminalised homosexual relationships on July 2, 2009, but the Supreme Court reversed the decision on December 11, 2013 by reinstating the validity of Section 377, which meant gay sex remained a punishable offence

The apex court had said it was for Parliament to amend Section 377. Petitions seeking review of the December 11 judgment were rejected on January 28, 2014. Naz Foundation, 'Voices Against 377' and six individuals, including the mother of an LGBT person and filmmaker Shyam Benegal, had filed curative petitions for a fresh look at the legality of the "oppressive law".

On 2nd February, in the jam-packed CJI's court, a three-judge bench of CJI T S Thakur and Justices A R Dave and J S Khehar took up the curative petitions for preliminary hearing. The court did not disappoint the many LGBT community members who had gathered. It did not issue notice on the petitions but said since important constitutional questions were raised, a five-judge constitution bench would decide whether to entertain the curative petitions, which are considered on a much narrower compass then a writ petition or a PIL.

Centre issues OROP implementation table

The government on 3rd February said the annual recurring financial implication on account of implementation of One Rank One Pension at the current rate will be approximately Rs 7,500 crore.

In a release, Defence Ministry said, the arrears from 1st July 2014 to 31st December 2015 would be Rs 10,900 crore. The Government had taken the historic decision to implement OROP in November last year. This fulfilled the long standing demand of the Defence Forces personnel after 42 years and benefited over 18 lakh ex-servicemen and war widows. 86 percent of the total expenditure on account of OROP will benefit the junior commissioned officers and others ranks.

Payment of arrears and revision of pension under OROP is to be made by the Pension Disbursing Authorities in four installments, except for family pensioners and pensioners in receipt of gallantry awards who will be paid arrears in one installment.

The total increase in the Defence Budget for pensions is estimated to go up from Rs 54,000 crore to around Rs 65,000 crore thereby increasing the Defence Pension Outlay by about 20 percent.

Govt extends Jal Kranti campaign for two years

Government has extended the Jal Kranti Abhiyan for two years for creating awareness on aspects of water security and water conservation.

Water resource Ministry in a release said, a High Level review meeting was held today and it was decided to set up a committee in the states to monitor the progress of Jal Gram. It said, a committee each has also been formed at village level and block level for implementation and monitoring of works.

The Abhiyan was launched by Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation in Rajasthan in June last year. Under Jal Kranti Abhiyan two villages, preferably facing acute water scarcity are being selected as Jal Grams.

Intergrated water security plan, water conservation, water management and allied activities are being planned for these villages by Panchayat level committee to ensure optimum and sustainable utilization of water.

Sexual abuse: SIT to probe into charges against Hockey captain Sardar Singh

An SIT has been formed by Punjab police to look into allegations of sexual exploitation against Indian Hockey Captain Sardar Singh. A former Under 19 British hockey player of Indian origin has accused Sardar Singh entering into a physical relationship with her after false promise of marriage.

In the complaint filed at Koom Kalan Police Station yesterday, the victim alleged that she also underwent an abortion at Singh's insistence. However, Sardar Singh has rubbished the allegations.

India ratifies nuclear liability convention, hopes to win foreign investment

India ratified an international convention on nuclear energy accident liability, the government said on 4th February, the final piece in its efforts to address the concerns of foreign nuclear suppliers and draw them into a market worth billions of dollars.

Nuclear reactor makers such as General Electric have been reluctant to set up plants in India because of a 2010 liability law that makes equipment suppliers potentially accountable for accidents, not just the plant operators as is the global norm.

Since then, India which wants to ramp up the share of nuclear power from barely 3 percent to 25 percent by 2050 has been trying to assuage the fears of the nuclear suppliers.

Last year it launched an insurance pool with a liability cap of 15 billion Indian rupees ($225 million) to cover the suppliers' risk of potential liability.

On 4th February, the Indian foreign ministry said it had submitted the document to ratify the Convention of Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, which seeks to establish a uniform global legal regime for the compensation of victims in the event of a nuclear accident.

Energy-starved India plans to construct about 60 nuclear reactors and has been in talks with Westinghouse Electric Co LLC, GE as well as France's Areva for setting them up at sites already selected around the country. Russia is separately building six reactors in southern India and is in talks for another six. The total size of the Indian market is estimated at $150 billion dollars, making it equal to or just behind China's.

India expects to seal an agreement with Westinghouse to build six reactors by the first half of this year, a government official said in December, after it ratified the international convention on compensation.

India shows Naval prowess at International Fleet Review

The 5-day International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam began on 4th February with the inauguration of maritime exhibition and IFR village. The world is witnessing the India's prowess at the international fleet review taking place in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Navies of 52 countries have gathered in the Bay of Bengal. Along with warships from across the world, Indian navy is displaying its firepower and blue sea capabilities in this event. 90 ships and vessels of the Indian navy are participating in the review.

The main event will take place on 6th February when the supreme commander of the three forces, President Pranab Mukherjee will review the naval fleet.

During the review, navy will showcase its capability and technical superiority. Along with other attractions, all eyes will be on aircraft carrier INS Virat and INS Vikramaditya.

On 7 February, Indian navy will display their operational capability. International city parade will also be organised. PM Modi will be present during the occasion. On the second day of the fleet review, Head of navy, Admiral R K Dhowan addressed the media.

Navies from 52 countries including China, Russia, USA, Japan, Vietnam, Israel, France, Britain and Australia are participating in the review. Representatives of the participating countries have the hailed the military exercise as a significant event.

Supreme Court asks BCCI to implement Lodha panel recommendations

The Supreme Court has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India, BCCI to implement the recommendations of Justice R M Lodha Committee which has suggested a massive restructuring of the country's apex cricket body.

The apex court on 4th February said the recommendations are straight, rational and understandable and deserve respect. It observed that there is no reason to disagree with the committee which has the most illuminated and respected members of the legal community.

The remarks by a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur came after the BCCI, sought another four weeks time, saying there was a need to consult the 30-odd members of the Board on the recommendations.

The bench, which also comprised Justice F M I Kalifulla said they all have been heard and have given their views to the Committee and now decks must be cleared for complete reform.

Fast begins seeking reservation for Kapus in AP

In Karlampudi village on 5th February, Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham and his wife, Padmavathi, launched an indefinite fast, demanding that the State government include Kapus in the BC list. Responding to Mr. Padmanabham’s call, Kapu youth launched indefinite fast at Amalapuram, Ambajipeta, Tuni, Jaggampeta, Prattipadu, Kattipudi, Sankhavaram, and Pithapuram.

Commission for providing reservation: Andhra Pradesh Home Minister N. China Rajappa said that the State government has constituted a Commission to provide reservation for Kapu community as Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu promised it in the election manifesto of the Telugu Desam Party.

Mission Kakatiya: Telangana Govt Inks MoU with IIT, BITS, NABARD

The Telangana State Irrigation Department on 4th February signed a MoU with the three prestigious institutions of IIT-H, BITS-Pilani (Hyd) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for the first time to share technical know-how and other assistance in the successful implementation of the flagship programme of ‘Mission Kakatiya’.

The agreement with three top institutions will herald a new era in the preservation of water bodies under the Mission Kakatiya in the country.

The institutions were being brought into the programme so as to provide a third party check in execution of works periodically besides also addressing technical issues reviving the abandoned tanks, said Mr. Harish Rao, adding that it would help in more efficient preservation of water bodies.

The Minister sought IIT-Hyd and BITS Pilani-Hyd help to create an integrated knowledge database for every irrigation project, training camps for the engineers of the department to acquaint knowledge on fresh trends emerged in irrigation sector worldwide, besides upgradation of official website for ensuring more transparency.

The Irrigation Minister pointed out a total of 10,000 lakes have been chosen for the second phase under the Mission. Mr. Rao also directed the engineers concerned not to hesitate to cancel works wherever the restoration works have not been taken under the first phase of the programme.

TRS got record victory in GHMC polls

In a record performance, ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) recorded huge victory in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) with a landslide victory bagging 99 out of the 150 divisions. It is after a gap of a decade that one party would have a full term. In the 2004 and 2009 elections, the Congress party had to approach the MIM for outside support to bag the Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s posts.

The Opposition Congress and TDP-BJP combine’s performance lay in tatters as these parties could not cross the single digit mark. Majlis-ittehadul-Muslimeen was the second largest party in the GHMC having won 44 seats. The TDP-BJP combine settled for five divisions while the Congress won only two divisions.

Centre launches Project Sunrise at Imphal for prevention of AIDS in NE states

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda has launched Project Sunrise at Imphal on 6th February for prevention of AIDS in the eight North-Eastern states.

Launching the Project funded by the Centre for Disease Control of the United States, Mr. Nadda said, the Project will be implemented in the North East, in addition to the existing projects of the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO).

He said, the AIDS prevention special programme for the North-East will be implemented in 20 districts of the eight states including four districts of Manipur- Imphal East, Bishnupur, Ukhrul and Churachandpur.

The Minister said, Centre is working towards bringing the people living with HIV/AIDS into the national mainstream. He also said that the new initiative will cover one lakh people living with HIV/AIDS giving them treatment and care facilities free of cost.

He said, there will be no dearth of fund for the HIV/AIDS prevention activities in North-East. He also said that NACO is going to directly transfer its funding to State AIDS Control Societies instead of the existing system of funding it through state governments.

Manipur Health Minister Phunjathang Tonsing, Meghalaya Health Minister AL Hek and Director General of NACO NS Kang also attended the launching function.

House panel slams Goa for tardy implementation of environmental laws

A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests on 6th February blamed the Goa government for its “tardy implementation of environmental laws and regulations.”

The committee, headed by Rajya Sabha member Ashwini Kumar, also slammed the State government for its recent amendment to the Preservation of Trees Act de-recognising the coconut palm as a tree and had recommended a review of the controversial amendment.

The Opposition and sections of civil society have accused the government of amending the Goa Daman and Diu Preservation of Trees Act, 1984 at the behest of real estate and industrial development lobby at the cost of environment. Many said coconut tree was part of coastal State’s culture.

Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar, however, defended the amendment saying a coconut palm did not fit into the definition of a tree and that the amendment was aimed at resolving the hassles of red tape faced by farmers and others while doing away with unproductive or dangerous coconut trees.

Mr. Kumar also found fault with the Goa government’s track record in implementation of green laws. He said the committee had directed that a representative of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests should engage with the State government authority with a view to “finding mechanisms to implement in letter and in spirit all laws intended to protect the environment.”

The committee had put on record its displeasure over the tardy implementation of environmental laws and regulations.

On the issue of Goa government’s Investment Promotion Board (IPB), set up to facilitate speedy clearances, Mr. Kumar said they discussed the single window clearances accorded by the IPB whereby a general exemption was given in terms of obtaining of various clearances.

Neolithic rock paintings found in Mahabubnagar

The officials of Archaeology Department have discovered Neolithic period red ochre hand print rock paintings in a rock shelter on Peerlagutta, an hillock, located on the outskirts of Dharmapur village in Mahabubnagar mandal.

Similar hand print rock paintings were found by the department on Pandavulagutta in Warangal district of Telangana State earlier.

Assistant Director, Archaeology, P. Nagaraju said that since they have also found tools used by Neolithic man at the same spot, they came to a conclusion the area was inhabited by humans from Neolithic period (3000-1500BC).

Dharmapur village is located just 7 km away from Mahabubnagar town. Mr. Nagaraju and his team also found a spring ball, parts of the red and black ware, hand-made pottery. Talking about the tools that were used by the Neolithic man, Mr. Nagaraju said spring ball was one of the main tool used by them to hunt the wild animals.

They have also found some stone circles (1000 BC-2nd Century AD), one type of megalithic burial, at the same spot. Meanwhile, the locals informed the Archaeology officials they have also found paintings such as a tiger hunting deer and others inside the rock shelter.

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Wednesday 29 November 2017

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