Month: January 2015

Amendment of Land Acquisition Act to revive infrastructure growth, says Jaitley

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Asserting that the amendment of Land Acquisition Act will revive infrastructure growth, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said the new act that was passed by the previous regime had stalled development.

He further said that the government has taken a number of bold steps like Goods and services Tax (GST).

He also said that the present government has taken necessary steps to change this act so as to revive infrastructure growth.

Search on for suspected Pakistani terror boats wreckage

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Search is on for the wreckage of the suspect terror boat, the indian Coast Guard said Saturday, adding that surveillance has been increased along Gujarat coast.

Coast Guard officials said that ships and aircraft are continuing the search operation to recover wreckage or bodies of those who were seen on the boat.

However, an official said that with the sea being atleast 2,000 metres deep in the area, the task is not an easy one.

Talking to reporters in Gandhinagar, Coast Guard Commander (North-West Region) Kuldip Singh Sheoran also said surveillance has been increased.

World perception of India changing fast: BJP chief

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Claiming that India was being praised in nations Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited during the last six months, BJP president Amit Shah Saturday said the country’s perception was changing fast in the world.

“Perception about India is changing fast in the world. India is being praised in countries where Modi visited over the last few months. Our relations with all countries are improving and there is respect for India across the world,” Shah told reporters here.

Consensus in JD-U over merger with RJD

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A consensus emerged Saturday in Bihar’s ruling JD-U over the party’s merger with the RJD of Lalu Prasad to counter the BJP in state assembly polls later this year.

“A consensus has emerged in the JD-U political advisory committee in its meeting Saturday for the party’s merger with the RJD to counter the BJP…,” JD-U state president Vashisht Narayan Singh told the media here.

BJP to put ‘Modi video raths’ on Delhi roads

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The BJP’s Delhi unit Saturday inducted a new campaign tool – the “Modi video rath” – to do rounds of the capital’s roads in the run up to the assembly election likely to be held next month.

The vans with screens would be used for canvassing in all 70 assembly constituencies, showcasing the party’s policies and the Narendra Modi government’s achievements, said a statement by the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Bills for military courts to try terrorists in Pakistan parliament

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The Pakistani government Saturday introduced two bills in parliament to set up special military courts for speedy trial of “hardcore” terrorists.

The parliament will also amend the constitution to incorporate tough anti-terror legislation and empower the military courts to try those accused in terrorism-related cases and other heinous crimes, reported Xinhua.

The National Assembly, or the lower house of the Pakistan parliament, suspended the routine business and allowed Information Minister Pervez Rashid to table the two bills.

India, US moving in the right direction: Gabbard

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Noting that there were “challenges” that needed to be overcome to further strengthen ties between India and US, Congressperson Tulsi Gabbard today said both the nations have a great opportunity to work together in various sectors and “intentions and hearts” were moving in the right direction.

Gabbard, a member of the US House of Representative, said that terrorism was one of the key issues likely to be discussed between between the two nations during US President Barack Obama’s visit to India, apart from deliberations on cooperation in sectors like technology and renewable energy.

CM congratulates Etv and TOI for bagging National Media Awards

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu congratulated Etv Andhra Pradesh and Etv Telangana and Times of India, Mumbai for winning National Media Awards for carrying out an outstanding campaign for voters.

The campaigns focused on creating voter awareness and education in order to improve electoral participation, the Chief Minister said. Such awards, Naidu said, should inspire the media to maintain highest standards of professionalism and constructive journalism.

HMDA to give prime commercial spaces for lease

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The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority on Saturday informed that the space for shops / office blocks is available on lease basis in Maitrivanam, Swarnajayanthi and Maitrivihar commercial complexes of HMDA at Ameerpet and Tarnaka Commercial Complex at Tarnaka in the city.

SCB residents asked to deposit licensed weapons

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City Police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy on Saturday asked all the holders of Arms Licensees residing in the limits of seven police stations to deposit their licensed weapons in view of elections for Secunderabad Cantonment Board to be held on January 11.

TS Govt constitutes panel to review MPLADS implementation

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The Telangana Government on Saturday constituted a State Level Monitoring Committee to review the implementation of MPLADS in the State.

The Committee, to be headed by Chief Secretary as Chairman, will review the implementation of MPLAD scheme in the State and guide the district authorities with suitable instructions in the matter, from time to time. The Committee will also review the utilization of the funds in SC/ST areas, audit objection and issues arising out of the audit and Utilization Certificates.

‘Come clean’ on Pakistani boat issue: Cong to govt

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Congress today asked the government to “come clean” on the Pakistani boat issue and explain “which terrorist organisation” was behind the episode that unfolded on the high seas.

“Government should come clean on it. There is no evidence … How can you say that a terrorist attack was prevented?

Jharkhand CM seeks Advani’s blessings

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Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das , who met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran Lal Krishna Advani here on Saturday, said that he would do his best to accomplish all the dreams of the people of his state

“This is the first time that a government was formed in Jharkhand by a majority. Now, this government will accomplish all the goals. I came to take blessings from Advaniji. Both he and Atal ji had a huge contribution in the formation of Jharkhand and even I will do my best to accomplish all the dreams of the people of the state,” said Das.

Dhoni has done a “wonderful job” as India captain: Clarke

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He might have copped a lot of criticism for his uninspiring leadership in overseas Tests but Mahendra Singh Dhoni has got a supporter in Michael Clarke who said the wicket-keeper batsman has done a “wonderful job” as India captain.

Clarke, who had to relinquish captaincy job due to a chronic injury during the ongoing series against India, said he was amazed at how Dhoni held the the captaincy while playing all three forms of the game.

AP to distribute pensions under NTR Bharosa scheme from Jan 5

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Andhra Pradesh government will distribute social security pensions under ‘NTR Bharosa Scheme’ to various categories of beneficiaries through post offices from January 5 to 12, state Rural Development Minister K Mrinalini said here today.

“A sum of Rs 577 crore has been released for the pensions to 40,52,357 old age, widow, physically-challenged, toddy tappers and weavers across the state,” the minister told reporters.

Hughes family to attend SCG Test: Clarke

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Australia captain Michael Clarke, currently undergoing rehabilitation post his hamstring surgery, today revealed that Phil Hughes’ family will be present for the final Test at this venue, where the cricketer was hit by a bouncer and eventually succumbed to his injuries.

“Phillip Hughes’ family will be at the game and I will be spending my time with them when I’m not in the commentary box,” Clarke, who would be doing commentary for Channel Nine, said.

Rapist policemen absconding, STF roped in to trace them

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As the two police constables accused of gang-raping a teenage girl in a police station here remained elusive for the third day, Uttar Pradesh government today asked Special Task Force of state police to trace the duo and suspended two policemen of the station.

Additional Director General of Police (Crime) H S Awasthi said that the STF has been roped in as constables Veer Pal Singh Yadav and Avnish Yadav, both dismissed, were absconding after the crime on the new year eve.

Ganga will transform in five years: Javadekar

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Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today expressed confidence that under the Centre’s ‘Clean Ganga’ campaign, the river will become clean and its flow will be unhindered in the next five years.

“The Clean Ganga campaign is in full swing. Under the programme, the river will be transformed in five years and its stream would be made free and unhindered,” Javadekar told reporters here.

Other rivers in India would also be cleaned in a similar way under this campaign at a later stage, he added.

Man arrested after biting SI’s finger

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An inebirated man who reportedly bit the finger of a Sub-Inspector at nearby Krishnankovil after he was reprimanded for causing a public nuisance was arrested today, police said.

They said the SI had reprimanded the 40-year-old man for causing nuisance and mouthing obscene words. The man then suddenly bit his finger.

The SI has been hospitalised, police said.

BSF seizes 5 kg of heroin from Indo-Pak border

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Ahead of the ruling party SAD’s proposed sit-in against drug smuggling, Border Security Force (BSF), which guards the International Border along Pakistan, today recovered five kg of heroin with a street value of Rs 25 crore from the border outpost Rattoke here.

DIG BSF R K Thapa today said that early this morning, the BSF troops deployed on duty in the area of responsibility of BOP Rattoke observed some suspicious movement across the fencing from Pakistan side.

Two accused of gangraping Japnese tourist in jail custody

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A city court today remanded two persons, accused of repeatedly gangraping a Japanese tourist in Gaya, to judicial custody for seven days after they were brought here on transit remand.

The detective department of Kolkata Police did not seek police remand of the two accused siblings – Zahir and Shahid – as they want to hold the Test Identification parade before the tourist leaves for her country.

AAP, BJP workers clash in Delhi

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Many people were injured Saturday in a clash between AAP and BJP workers following a debate show on a Hindi television channel, police said.

The clash broke out over an issue after the debate show in Tughlakabad area of south Delhi.

Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party pushed each other and pelted stones.

Both the parties accused each other of abusing and using derogatory remarks. The vehicle of an AAP candidate was also torched in the incident.

Police immediately cordoned off the area, while a few injured persons were admitted to a hospital.

–IANS

‘Banking sector of a country mirrors its economic rise’: PM Modi

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Asserting that the banking sector of a country mirrors its economic rise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Japan and China had the top ten banks of the world during their economic rise.

He said banks would be run professionally and there would be no interference but accountability was essential. He said the government had no vested interest, and public sector banks can derive strength from this fact.