Month: April 2015

Evacuation of Indian nationals from Yemen ‘a national effort’: MEA

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The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday said the evacuation of 348 Indian nationals from strife-torn Yemen was a national effort involving various aspects of the country’s assets like the Air Force, Navy and Air India.

“I can confirm to you that national effort is underway to bring back our nationals who are engulfed in the turbulence in Yemen. Last night the first phase of this national effort involving the Indian navy was successful,” MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told ANI.

AAP Maha unit expresses its “displeasure” to Kejriwal

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Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Maharashtra unit today flagged its “displeasure and worry” over ongoing tumult in the party at the top level, that has “eroded the confidence” of the volunteers in entire country.

After a marathon meeting held at Pune today, state chief Subhash Ware dashed off an email to National Convener Arvind Kejriwal urging him to “sort out and get out” of the controversies immediately to prevent “further loss of the confidence and credential” of the party.

ACP suspended for corrupt practises

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An assistant commissioner of police attached to the Cyberabad police commissionerate here has been suspended for corrupt practises.

Telangana Director General of Police Anurag Sharma placed P Seetharam, ACP (L B Nagar Division), under suspension due to his “continuous indulgence in corrupt practises”, an official release said.

There were complaints that he interfered in land disputes, the release said, adding that disciplinary proceedings were contemplated against him.

Kidnapped businessman rescued in Meghalaya

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A businessman who was abducted for ransom on Monday night, was rescued today by police in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills District, a top police official said.

Ajit Kunda, a businessman from Williamnagar Bazar, who was kidnapped at gun point by gangs, was rescued unharmed, Inspector General of Police GHP Raju told PTI.

Kunda was coming home after closing his shop in Williamnagar bazar when four criminals way laid and forced him into a car, he said.

Subsequently, the gang demanded Rs 50 lakh from his family for the safe release of the victim.

2 youths sentenced to life imprisonment for raping elderly

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A local court today sentenced two persons to life imprisonment for raping a 65-year-old woman in December, 2012.

District and Session Judge Ramesh Chandra Meena convicted and sentenced Hari Prashad Meena (25) and Jamanashankar Meena (26) for raping the elderly woman.

The court also awarded ten years concurrent sentence to the youths for indulging in unnatural sex with the woman, said public prosecutor Bhupendra Shahay Saxena.

A fine of Rs 200 each has also been slapped on the convicts.

Speed up ‘Godavari Pushkaram’ works: AP Minister

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Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister N Chinnarajappa today directed officials to speed up works related to ‘Godavari Pushkaram’, a mega religious gathering being held here in July, and complete them on time.

Chinnarajappa held a review meeting on preparations for the event and other matters related with East Godavari district with Collector H Arun Kumar and Joint Collector S Satyanarayana, among others, at a Government guest house here.

“Maintain standard in works and complete all Godavari Pushkaram works in time,” he directed the officials.

Major fire breaks out at a Surat dyeing mill

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A major fire broke out at a dyeing mill in Pandesara Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) area of the city today, after which a ‘brigade call’ was given by the Surat fire brigade, a control room officer said.

“A major fire has been reported in Maruti Dyeing Mill at Pandesara GIDC area here today, after which, we gave a brigade call,” Fire Control Room Officer Ajit Jadhav said.

No reports of casualty has been reported so far, he said.

Delhi govt orders study of Rs 400 cr BRT project

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Delhi government has ordered to conduct a study of Rs 400 crore Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor the result of which will decide the fate of the capital’s most controversial traffic project.

Sources, however, said government was keen to scrap the BRT corridor as five AAP MLAs, whose constituencies fall along the BRT corridor, are mounting pressure on it.

“An internal study is being conducted by the transport department on BRT corridor. Officials will soon complete the study,” Transport Minister Gopal Rai said here.

RBI imposes Rs 5 lakh fine on 16 banks for violation of norms

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The Reserve Bank today penalised 16 central cooperative banks with a fine of Rs 5 lakh each for non-adherence of the Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering guidelines.

The lenders were issued show-cause notices and the action was taken after going through the responses, the RBI said in a notification late this evening.

“After considering the facts of the cases, the banks’ replies and personal submissions in the matter, the Reserve Bank of India came to the conclusion that the violations were substantiated and warranted imposition of penalty,” it said.

Six arrested for trying to capture Har Fin Min’s mother’s plot

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Six persons were arrested today for allegedly trying to capture a land plot at Narwana More here registered in the name of mother of Haryana Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu, police said.

The suspects have used fraudulent papers and have also been accused of smashing down the boundary wall raised on the plot, SP Abhishek Jorwal said.

He said that Sanjay, Rajesh, Jayhind, Jasbir, Vijendra, and Sandeep, all hailing from different places, have been arrested for fraud, cheating, and damaging private properties.

Lufthansa, Germanwings bosses to visit crash area tomorrow

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The chief executives of Lufthansa and Germanwings will tomorrow travel to the area near last week’s plane crash in the French Alps, the airline said.

Carsten Spohr, head of the parent company Lufthansa and Thomas Winkelmann from the Germanwings low-cost subsidiary will visit Seyne-les-Alpes early tomorrow to inspect recovery operations and pay their respects to the 150 dead.

Admission in progress in Siasat EAMCET Crash Course

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Engineering and Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET) 2015 is scheduled on May 14 in Telangana and on May 8 in AP. Crash coaching is offered by Siasat for students appearing in EAMCET at Sri Chandra Junior College, Moti Gali, Khilwat, Charminar and Royal Regency Garden, Asif Nagar, Mehdipatnam from 8 to 11 am. Services of senior EAMCET experts have been engaged. Interested candidates can avail the opportunity. Notes, complete EAMCET syllabus and important model test papers will be provided. Names can be registered at Mahboob Husain Jigar Hall, Siasat office, Abids between 5 to 6 pm.

Missing Indian-origin boy found, admitted to hospital in UK

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A 10-year-old Indian-origin boy suffering from a rare genetic illness, who ran away from his home in the wee hours today, was found by an off-duty Scotland officer soon after the force launched a search to trace him.

A police spokesperson said: “Malakhi Chijiutomi-Ghosh has been found this afternoon by an off duty police officer in Hertfordshire. He has been taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.”

Swami Sivananda starts indefinite fast against Ganga mining

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Demanding a complete ban on mining around the banks of River Ganga, Swami Sivananda Saraswati today started his indefinite fast at his ashram here.

“I have no other way to stop the activity and save the river other than sacrifice myself for the cause,” he said.

Attacking the Uttarakhand government, he said that the government is trying to extend the Kumbh area to 100 kilometers from Haridwar to Devaprayag.

CAG slams Gujarat’s poor efforts to save female children

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The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has observed “significant deficiencies” by the Gujarat government in implementing its schemes for protection and welfare of female children.

The CAG report, for the year 2013-14 tabled in the Gujarat Assembly today, noted that the Gujarat State Child Protection Society (GSCPS) had not formulated its State Child Protection Policy and State Plan of Action, as a result of which the Gujarat state government failed in setting goals and establishing accountability of the departments meant for child protection and welfare services.

M A Hameed to provide information regarding Teachers’ Education on Deccan Radio

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This week the topic of the live weekly Career Guidance Programme aired on Deccan Radio is ‘Teachers’ Education and its importance’. Information will be provided regarding admission process for D.Ed, B.Ed., M.Ed. courses, their eligibility etc by Career Counsellor M A Hameed. Questions can be asked live during the programme between 5 to 6 pm or can also be recorded on phone no 040-2740024 between 11 am to 4 pm. Programme coordinator Zahed Farooqui has requested readers/audience to avail the opportunity.

Siasat news

BJP demands probe into Rajesh Garg’s allegations

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Reacting to former AAP MLA Rajesh Garg’s allegations that calls were made to him with the “consent” of Arvind Kejriwal impersonating officials of Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Nitin Gadkari’s office offering crores to support BJP, the saffron party today demanded a probe into the matter.

BJP’s Delhi unit also said Garg’s claims affirmed BJP’s stand that Kejriwal is a “manipulator”.

PM Modi greets people of Odisha on ‘Utkala Dibasa’

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday greeted the people of Odisha on the occasion of ‘Utkala Dibasa’.

“Wishing my sisters and brothers of Odisha on Utkala Dibasa. My best wishes for Odisha’s progress”, Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

Odisha Day, better known as Utkala Dibasa, is celebrated in the memory of the formation of the state as a separate province on April 1, 1936.

Delhi govt orders study of Rs 400 cr BRT project

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Delhi government has ordered to conduct a study of Rs 400 crore Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor the result of which will decide the fate of the capital’s most controversial traffic project.

Sources, however, said government was keen to scrap the BRT corridor as five AAP MLAs, whose constituencies fall along the BRT corridor, are mounting pressure on it.

“An internal study is being conducted by the transport department on BRT corridor. Officials will soon complete the study,” Transport Minister Gopal Rai said here.

Cong asks BJP to pass Women’s Reservation Bill

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Assuring its support in both houses of Parliament, Congress today called upon BJP to pass the Women’s Reservation bill and ensure 33 per cent reservation to women in the country.

BJP has absolute majority government at Centre. I throw a challenge to them to pass the pending Women’s Reservation bill now,” AICC spokesperson Shobha Ojha, who is also the All India President of Mahila Congress, said.

PM Modi extends birthday wishes to Vice-President Ansari

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended birthday wishes to Vice- President Hamid Ansari and prayed for his long life.

Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter for extending his wishes.

“Birthday greetings to Shri Hamid Ansari ji. I pray for his long life and good health,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted. (ANI)

Cruise had Kidman’s phone wiretapped, claims documentary

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A controversial new documentary ‘Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief’ claims the church facilitated Tom Cruise’s breakup with the then wife Nicole Kidman.

The Alex Gibney documentary, which premiered on HBO on Sunday, has interviewed a slew of high-profile former members including ‘Crash’ director Paul Haggis.

Karnataka makes Kannada a mandatory subject in schools

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Kannada language will be a mandatory subject in classes one to ten in schools affiliated to Karnataka board and a compulsory medium of instruction from classes one to five.

This is envisaged in the Kannada Language Learning Bill, 2015 making Kannada a mandatory subject in classes one to ten and Right To Education Act Amendment Bill which were passed by a voice vote in the state Assembly on Tuesday.

Flood threat resurfaces as J&K experiences fresh rainfall

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Flood fears resurfaced in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday after fresh rainfall was reported in Srinagar.

The Met department has forecast light to moderate rains today, raising fresh concerns among people who were hoping to see the end of woes caused by floods.

The director of Indian Meteorological Department in Jammu and Kashmir, Sonam Lotus, said the first few days of April would receive heavy rainfall.

“We have issued warning of heavy rainfall from April 1-3 and thereafter the weather will gradually improve,” Lotus said in Srinagar city.

People think I am Ava’s brother: Phillippe

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Actor Ryan Phillippe says his fourteen-year-old daughter freaks out when people mistake him for her brother.

The actor, who turned 40 in September, says his youthful appearance is disliked by Ava, his daughter with ex-wife Reese Witherspoon.

“My daughter hates it. Because sometimes people have thought I’m her brother, and she’s freaked out by that,” Phillippe told Variety.

The actor, who also Deacon, 11, with Witherspoon, is looking forward to the remake of his 1997 film “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, which launched his career.