Rajan did not imply world economy slipping into new Great Depression, RBI clarifies
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MUMBAI: With Raghuram Rajan's comments on 1930s-like problems resurfacing having created a flutter, the RBI on Sunday said the governor did not imply there being an imminent risk of the world economy slipping again into the Great Depression as that was caused by "many factors".
The Reserve Bank, however, added Rajan indeed said that "the policies followed by major central banks around the world were in danger of slipping into the kind of beggar-thy-neighbour strategies that were followed in the 1930s".
"The Great Depression was a period of great turmoil, caused by many factors and not just beggar-thy-neighbour policies. Governor Rajan did not imply or suggest that there was any risk of the world economy, which is in steady recovery notwithstanding uncertainties like those in the Euro area, slipping into a new Great Depression."
This strategy involves 'making a beggar out of neighbouring nations' and is typically aimed at increasing the demand for one's exports while reducing the reliance on imports. This is generally done by devaluing the nation's currency to make the exports to other countries cheaper.
Delivering a lecture at London Business School on Thursday, Rajan had asked central banks from across the world to revisit the "rules of the game" to find a solution, as he warned of problems similar to the Great Depression of 1930s emerging again.
"I am not going to venture a guess as to how we establish new rules of the game. It has to be international discussion, international consensus built over time after much research and much action," the Reserve Bank of India governor had said.
"... But I do worry that we are slowly slipping into the kind of problems that we had in the thirties in attempts to activate growth ... I think it's a problem for the world. It's not just a problem for the industrial countries or emerging markets, it is a problem for all of us ... Now, it is a broader game," he had said.
Clarifying these remarks, the RBI on Sunday said in a statement that a section has "mis-characterised governor Raghuram Rajan's remarks at the AQR conference at London Business School on June 25, as saying -- the world is at risk of a Great Depression".
The RBI further said, "What Governor Rajan did say, in his remarks made off the attached written text, was that the policies followed by major central banks around the world were in danger of slipping into the kind of beggar-thy-neighbour strategies that were followed in the 1930s.
"He then called for new rules of the game in the international monetary system, a call that he has made before, and is gaining some traction.
The Great Depression refers to a period of severe global economic downturn in the 1930s, which had affected almost all countries across the world. It started in 1929 and continued till late 1930s and still remains the longest and most widespread period of the global economic depression.
Rajan, who is among the few to have predicted the 2008 financial crisis and has also been Chief Economist at IMF, had said the problem was a "broader" one and for the entire world -- not just for industrial countries or emerging markets.
The former IMF Chief Economist, who has earlier warned against competitive monetary policy easing by central banks globally, had also said the situation is different in India on this front and the RBI remains more focussed on bringing down the lending rates to spur investments.
"We need rules of the game in order to effect a better solution. I think it is time to start debating what should the global rules of the game be on what is allowed in terms of central bank action," he said.
MUMBAI: With Raghuram Rajan's comments on 1930s-like problems resurfacing having created a flutter, the RBI on Sunday said the governor did not imply there being an imminent risk of the world economy slipping again into the Great Depression as that was caused by "many factors". The Reserve Bank, however, added Rajan indeed said that "the policies followed by major central banks around the world were in danger of slipping into the kind of beggar-thy-neighbour strategies that were followed in the 1930s".
"The Great Depression was a period of great turmoil, caused by many factors and not just beggar-thy-neighbour policies. Governor Rajan did not imply or suggest that there was any risk of the world economy, which is in steady recovery notwithstanding uncertainties like those in the Euro area, slipping into a new Great Depression."
This strategy involves 'making a beggar out of neighbouring nations' and is typically aimed at increasing the demand for one's exports while reducing the reliance on imports. This is generally done by devaluing the nation's currency to make the exports to other countries cheaper.
Delivering a lecture at London Business School on Thursday, Rajan had asked central banks from across the world to revisit the "rules of the game" to find a solution, as he warned of problems similar to the Great Depression of 1930s emerging again.
"I am not going to venture a guess as to how we establish new rules of the game. It has to be international discussion, international consensus built over time after much research and much action," the Reserve Bank of India governor had said.
"... But I do worry that we are slowly slipping into the kind of problems that we had in the thirties in attempts to activate growth ... I think it's a problem for the world. It's not just a problem for the industrial countries or emerging markets, it is a problem for all of us ... Now, it is a broader game," he had said.
Clarifying these remarks, the RBI on Sunday said in a statement that a section has "mis-characterised governor Raghuram Rajan's remarks at the AQR conference at London Business School on June 25, as saying -- the world is at risk of a Great Depression".
The RBI further said, "What Governor Rajan did say, in his remarks made off the attached written text, was that the policies followed by major central banks around the world were in danger of slipping into the kind of beggar-thy-neighbour strategies that were followed in the 1930s.
"He then called for new rules of the game in the international monetary system, a call that he has made before, and is gaining some traction.
The Great Depression refers to a period of severe global economic downturn in the 1930s, which had affected almost all countries across the world. It started in 1929 and continued till late 1930s and still remains the longest and most widespread period of the global economic depression.
Rajan, who is among the few to have predicted the 2008 financial crisis and has also been Chief Economist at IMF, had said the problem was a "broader" one and for the entire world -- not just for industrial countries or emerging markets.
The former IMF Chief Economist, who has earlier warned against competitive monetary policy easing by central banks globally, had also said the situation is different in India on this front and the RBI remains more focussed on bringing down the lending rates to spur investments.
"We need rules of the game in order to effect a better solution. I think it is time to start debating what should the global rules of the game be on what is allowed in terms of central bank action," he said.
Advani talks of 'probity in public life', opposition sees context in remarks
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NEW DELHI: In what is being perceived as a message to the Narendra Modi-led government in the wake of controversy over Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje, BJP patriarch LK Advani has said there is a need to maintain probity in public life and recalled how he resigned soon after his name cropped up in the Hawala scam.
The senior BJP leader though did not want to comment on the controversy over Sushma Swaraj and Vasunadhara Raje's alleged help to former IPL boss Lalit Modi.
"I am far away from all this today. So I don't have anything to comment. I am not in the decision making and so I have no comments to offer in the matter," Advani was quoted as saying by the Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika.
Asked whether resignation should be the norm, Advani said, "I can tell about myself. What others will do, what's their issues, what their problems are I don't know. And I don't want to comment on these."
However, the Bengali daily's website did carry Advani's comments were he recalled how he had resigned when the Hawala scam broke out.
"The day allegations were raised against me based on Jain diaries that evening itself sitting in my house in Pandara road I took the decision to resign(as MP). It was no one else's decision, it was mine. Soon after I called up (Atal Bihari) Vajapyee to inform my decision. He asked me not to resign but I did not listen to anyone," he said.
"For a politician, to command people's trust is the biggest responsibility. What morality demands is 'rajdharma' and need to maintain probity in public life," Advani added.
Advani resigned as an MP in 1996 following allegations of his involvement in the infamous Hawala scam and he was consequently re-elected in 1998 after his name had been cleared. Entries found in the diaries of Hawala broker SK Jain were presented as crucial evidences against top politicians including Advani in the court by CBI.
His comments assume significance at a time when senior BJP leaders are embroiled in the Lalit Modi controversy over extending help to the former IPL boss in connection with his travel documents in the UK triggering demands by the Congress for their resignation.
On former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who resigned following corruption charges, he said, "Since Jan Sangh era... even before that in RSS shakhas, we were taught honesty is the best virtue. There should be no compromise on corruption."
"People vote for us in elections. So commitment to the people is most important," Advani emphasized.
Advani's comments gave opposition parties led by Congress fresh ammunition to attack the BJP.
Reacting to Advani's remarks, Congress leader Rashid Alvi said he is showing the way to the BJP as well as the Prime Minister that those people who are "tainted" should be made to resign whether it is Raje or Swaraj or anyone else.
Senior Congress leader PC Chacko said it is time the BJP should own up the responsibility. "The Prime Minister should come out with a clear explanation. Nothing is happening. It is in this context that he (Advani) has given this opinion. So, I think that Advaniji's opinion is the reflection of thinking in general of the people," Chacko said.
However, the Prime Minister chose to maintain his earlier stand of not speaking on the issue. Prime Minister spoke on number of social issues in his monthly radio address but chose to avoid any reference to the political storm that has been generated by Lalit Modi issue.
NEW DELHI: In what is being perceived as a message to the Narendra Modi-led government in the wake of controversy over Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje, BJP patriarch LK Advani has said there is a need to maintain probity in public life and recalled how he resigned soon after his name cropped up in the Hawala scam.The senior BJP leader though did not want to comment on the controversy over Sushma Swaraj and Vasunadhara Raje's alleged help to former IPL boss Lalit Modi.
"I am far away from all this today. So I don't have anything to comment. I am not in the decision making and so I have no comments to offer in the matter," Advani was quoted as saying by the Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika.
Asked whether resignation should be the norm, Advani said, "I can tell about myself. What others will do, what's their issues, what their problems are I don't know. And I don't want to comment on these."
However, the Bengali daily's website did carry Advani's comments were he recalled how he had resigned when the Hawala scam broke out.
"The day allegations were raised against me based on Jain diaries that evening itself sitting in my house in Pandara road I took the decision to resign(as MP). It was no one else's decision, it was mine. Soon after I called up (Atal Bihari) Vajapyee to inform my decision. He asked me not to resign but I did not listen to anyone," he said.
"For a politician, to command people's trust is the biggest responsibility. What morality demands is 'rajdharma' and need to maintain probity in public life," Advani added.
Advani resigned as an MP in 1996 following allegations of his involvement in the infamous Hawala scam and he was consequently re-elected in 1998 after his name had been cleared. Entries found in the diaries of Hawala broker SK Jain were presented as crucial evidences against top politicians including Advani in the court by CBI.
His comments assume significance at a time when senior BJP leaders are embroiled in the Lalit Modi controversy over extending help to the former IPL boss in connection with his travel documents in the UK triggering demands by the Congress for their resignation.
On former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who resigned following corruption charges, he said, "Since Jan Sangh era... even before that in RSS shakhas, we were taught honesty is the best virtue. There should be no compromise on corruption."
"People vote for us in elections. So commitment to the people is most important," Advani emphasized.
Advani's comments gave opposition parties led by Congress fresh ammunition to attack the BJP.
Reacting to Advani's remarks, Congress leader Rashid Alvi said he is showing the way to the BJP as well as the Prime Minister that those people who are "tainted" should be made to resign whether it is Raje or Swaraj or anyone else.
Senior Congress leader PC Chacko said it is time the BJP should own up the responsibility. "The Prime Minister should come out with a clear explanation. Nothing is happening. It is in this context that he (Advani) has given this opinion. So, I think that Advaniji's opinion is the reflection of thinking in general of the people," Chacko said.
However, the Prime Minister chose to maintain his earlier stand of not speaking on the issue. Prime Minister spoke on number of social issues in his monthly radio address but chose to avoid any reference to the political storm that has been generated by Lalit Modi issue.
Another Vyapam scam accused, Narendra Singh Tomar dies in Indore jail
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BHOPAL: Narendra Singh Tomar, an accused in the high-profile MPPEB scam, has died under mysterious circumstances in an Indore jail , adding another murky chapter to the scandal in which 24 accused and witnesses have died so far.
29-year-old Tomar, a veterinarian, complained of chest pain last night and was rushed to Maharaja Yashwant Rao Hospital where he was declared brought dead, official sources said on Sunday.
City superintendent of police Ajay Jain said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the death of Tomar, who was posted as assistant veterinary officer at Raisen before being embroiled in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam, also known as Vyapam scam.
He was an accused in the pre-medical test conducted by MPPEB in 2009. Tomar was said to have arranged for imposters who had written the papers in place of genuine aspirants.
Tomar's is the 24 death of those named as accused or witnesses in connection with a plethora of criminal cases registered in connection with the scam.
The special investigating team (SIT) probing the scandal had recently submitted a list of 23 deceased to the Madhya Pradesh high court who had died an "unnatural death". Some reports have claimed 40 such deaths.
The most high-profile death was that of Shailesh Yadav, son of Madhya Pradesh governor Ram Naresh Yadav. Shailesh, 50, was found dead at his father's residence in Mall Avenue area of Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow on March 25 this year.
Ram Naresh Yadav, also a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, was himself made an accused in the MPPEB scam before getting relief from the court.
Shailesh's name had cropped up in the multi-crore scam for allegedly fixing the recruitment of 10 candidates as Grade III teachers.
An FIR was registered against Ram Naresh Yadav, 88, by the SIT for his alleged complicity in irregularities in recruitment of forest guards by MPPEB.
However, the high court later quashed it, holding he enjoyed immunity while in office.
Vyapam scam is a massive admission and recruitment scandal involving politicians, bureaucrats and middlemen. Several politicians including former education minister Laxmikant Sharma, a host of officials and scores of aspirants have been arrested in the case.
Congress has even accused chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of complicity in the scam.
BHOPAL: Narendra Singh Tomar, an accused in the high-profile MPPEB scam, has died under mysterious circumstances in an Indore jail , adding another murky chapter to the scandal in which 24 accused and witnesses have died so far. 29-year-old Tomar, a veterinarian, complained of chest pain last night and was rushed to Maharaja Yashwant Rao Hospital where he was declared brought dead, official sources said on Sunday.
City superintendent of police Ajay Jain said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the death of Tomar, who was posted as assistant veterinary officer at Raisen before being embroiled in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam, also known as Vyapam scam.
He was an accused in the pre-medical test conducted by MPPEB in 2009. Tomar was said to have arranged for imposters who had written the papers in place of genuine aspirants.
Tomar's is the 24 death of those named as accused or witnesses in connection with a plethora of criminal cases registered in connection with the scam.
The special investigating team (SIT) probing the scandal had recently submitted a list of 23 deceased to the Madhya Pradesh high court who had died an "unnatural death". Some reports have claimed 40 such deaths.
The most high-profile death was that of Shailesh Yadav, son of Madhya Pradesh governor Ram Naresh Yadav. Shailesh, 50, was found dead at his father's residence in Mall Avenue area of Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow on March 25 this year.
Ram Naresh Yadav, also a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, was himself made an accused in the MPPEB scam before getting relief from the court.
Shailesh's name had cropped up in the multi-crore scam for allegedly fixing the recruitment of 10 candidates as Grade III teachers.
An FIR was registered against Ram Naresh Yadav, 88, by the SIT for his alleged complicity in irregularities in recruitment of forest guards by MPPEB.
However, the high court later quashed it, holding he enjoyed immunity while in office.
Vyapam scam is a massive admission and recruitment scandal involving politicians, bureaucrats and middlemen. Several politicians including former education minister Laxmikant Sharma, a host of officials and scores of aspirants have been arrested in the case.
Congress has even accused chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of complicity in the scam.
UK, Canadian, US students feared to have left Sudan to join Islamic State
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KHARTOUM: Twelve students including British, Canadian, Sudanese and US citizens are feared to have left Khartoum for Turkey to try to join the Islamic State group, their university said on Sunday.
Another group of British students of Sudanese origin from the same private University of Medical Sciences and Technology travelled to Turkey in March and it is believed they crossed into Syria.
"We confirmed reports from multiple parties that 12 medical students at the university left for Turkey on Friday," the dean for students Dr Ahmed Babikir told AFP.
Khartoum airport authorities confirmed the group had flown to Turkey and the students' families said they had not seen them since Friday and were unable to find their passports, Babikir added.
It was likely they were trying to reach Syria to join IS because they were still sitting their final exams and had not warned relatives they were leaving, he said.
"Logic says that they travelled to join the Daesh organisation," Babikir said, using the Arabic acronym for IS. Seven of the missing students are British, two Canadian, one American and two are Sudanese nationals, he said, although all are understood to be of Sudanese origin.
Three of the 12 are women, Babikir added, declining to provide any names. The British embassy in Khartoum confirmed that "seven British nationals have travelled to Turkey from Sudan".
"We are providing consular assistance and are working closely with Turkish authorities to establish their whereabouts," said embassy press officer Ishtiaq Ghafoor, without giving further details about the students.
The American and Canadian missions in Khartoum did not immediately comment on the report.
The University of Medical Sciences and Technology is a private university in central Khartoum.
The students who went missing on Friday were all in their final year at medical school, a university source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"These students were recruited to the Islamic State organisation by some individuals inside the university through conversations they had with them," the source added.
Many students at the university are foreign nationals of Sudanese origin.
Nine British students from the University of Medical Sciences and Technology were reported to have flown from Khartoum to Turkey to join the IS group in March.
Their families travelled to the Turkey-Syria border to try to trace them, but there has been no confirmation of the whereabouts of the nine since then.
Another group of British students of Sudanese origin from the same private University of Medical Sciences and Technology travelled to Turkey in March and it is believed they crossed into Syria.
"We confirmed reports from multiple parties that 12 medical students at the university left for Turkey on Friday," the dean for students Dr Ahmed Babikir told AFP.
Khartoum airport authorities confirmed the group had flown to Turkey and the students' families said they had not seen them since Friday and were unable to find their passports, Babikir added.
It was likely they were trying to reach Syria to join IS because they were still sitting their final exams and had not warned relatives they were leaving, he said.
"Logic says that they travelled to join the Daesh organisation," Babikir said, using the Arabic acronym for IS. Seven of the missing students are British, two Canadian, one American and two are Sudanese nationals, he said, although all are understood to be of Sudanese origin.
Three of the 12 are women, Babikir added, declining to provide any names. The British embassy in Khartoum confirmed that "seven British nationals have travelled to Turkey from Sudan".
"We are providing consular assistance and are working closely with Turkish authorities to establish their whereabouts," said embassy press officer Ishtiaq Ghafoor, without giving further details about the students.
The American and Canadian missions in Khartoum did not immediately comment on the report.
The University of Medical Sciences and Technology is a private university in central Khartoum.
The students who went missing on Friday were all in their final year at medical school, a university source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"These students were recruited to the Islamic State organisation by some individuals inside the university through conversations they had with them," the source added.
Many students at the university are foreign nationals of Sudanese origin.
Nine British students from the University of Medical Sciences and Technology were reported to have flown from Khartoum to Turkey to join the IS group in March.
Their families travelled to the Turkey-Syria border to try to trace them, but there has been no confirmation of the whereabouts of the nine since then.
External affairs ministry refuses to answer RTI query on Lalit Modi's passport issue
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NEW DELHI: At a time when Sushma Swaraj is under fierce opposition attack for "helping" Lalit Modi obtain UK travel documents, her external affairs ministry has refused to provide any information about the passport issue involving the scandal-tainted former IPL boss.
The ministry has refused to answer an RTI application containing seven questions including who had taken a decision not appeal in the Supreme Court the Delhi High Court's decision restoring Modi's passport.
"Kindly note that the office of External Affairs Minister (EAM) has informed that the questions in Serial 1 to 3 of your RTI does not seem to fall under the purview of the RTI act, 2005. As regards to queries Sl No 4 to 7, no information is available with EAM's office," the MEA said in its reply dated June 26.
The MEA, however, said the application has been "transferred" to its consular, Passport and Visa Division as well as to the ministry of finance, ministry of home.
The RTI query, filed by one Rayo from Haryana, was received by the ministry on June 19 when the opposition was piling up pressure on Swaraj on the 'Lalitgate' row.
The first three questions included why Swaraj did not advise Modi to apply for a temporary travel document to the Indian high commission in London instead if she intended to help him on humanitarian grounds to travel to Portugal. It also asked why the external affairs minister did not insist on Modi's return to India as a condition for issuing a temporary Indian travel document.
The questions from Sl no 4 to 7 included a query on whether the government has lodged any objections to UK for granting residency permit to Modi, who has refused to appear before the Enforcement Directorate, and what steps the government has taken since the issuance of fresh passport to the former IPL boss to enforce the ED summons.
It also included a query on who took the decision not to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against Delhi High Court's ruling setting aside cancellation of Modi's passport. It asked whether the ED, at whose instance the passport was cancelled, was consulted on the issue.
The RTI application also asked about government's response to Modi's "wild charge that his life will be in danger if he returned to India."
NEW DELHI: At a time when Sushma Swaraj is under fierce opposition attack for "helping" Lalit Modi obtain UK travel documents, her external affairs ministry has refused to provide any information about the passport issue involving the scandal-tainted former IPL boss. The ministry has refused to answer an RTI application containing seven questions including who had taken a decision not appeal in the Supreme Court the Delhi High Court's decision restoring Modi's passport.
"Kindly note that the office of External Affairs Minister (EAM) has informed that the questions in Serial 1 to 3 of your RTI does not seem to fall under the purview of the RTI act, 2005. As regards to queries Sl No 4 to 7, no information is available with EAM's office," the MEA said in its reply dated June 26.
The MEA, however, said the application has been "transferred" to its consular, Passport and Visa Division as well as to the ministry of finance, ministry of home.
The RTI query, filed by one Rayo from Haryana, was received by the ministry on June 19 when the opposition was piling up pressure on Swaraj on the 'Lalitgate' row.
The first three questions included why Swaraj did not advise Modi to apply for a temporary travel document to the Indian high commission in London instead if she intended to help him on humanitarian grounds to travel to Portugal. It also asked why the external affairs minister did not insist on Modi's return to India as a condition for issuing a temporary Indian travel document.
The questions from Sl no 4 to 7 included a query on whether the government has lodged any objections to UK for granting residency permit to Modi, who has refused to appear before the Enforcement Directorate, and what steps the government has taken since the issuance of fresh passport to the former IPL boss to enforce the ED summons.
It also included a query on who took the decision not to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against Delhi High Court's ruling setting aside cancellation of Modi's passport. It asked whether the ED, at whose instance the passport was cancelled, was consulted on the issue.
The RTI application also asked about government's response to Modi's "wild charge that his life will be in danger if he returned to India."
43 officials in Indian diplomatic missions to face action
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NEW DELHI: Government is taking action with regard to complaints against 43 officials of Indian diplomatic missions in 17 countries facing a variety of charges including corruption and dereliction of duty, top external affairs ministry sources said on Sunday.
"Action is being taken in all 43 cases as per established procedure," spokesman of the ministry of external affairs Vikas Swarup said.
Some of the complaints are against low-ranking officials and locally-hired staff and the cases are being dealt with as per laid down procedures, he said.
"The Ministry takes seriously any complaint that it receives about the performance of its missions and posts abroad. Complaints are dealt with as per established and prescribed procedures," Swarup told PTI from Bangkok where he is accompanying external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.
The recall of India's high commissioner to New Zealand Ravi Thapar following accusations of his wife assaulting a domestic help has brought the focus back on the conduct of the country's diplomats posted abroad.
As per official figures, six complaints against officials in Indian missions were received in 2012, 10 in 2013 and 27 in 2014.
A maximum of eight complaints each have been received from the missions in UK and Madagascar in the last three years.
Complaints have also been received against Indian embassy staff in Afghanistan, Austria, Canada, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Botswana, Thailand, Zambia, Mauritius, Morocco, Netherlands, South Africa and Mali.
Two complaints were received from UK in 2012, one in 2013 and five last year.
A chef at the Indian high commission in New Zealand had last month alleged he was kept in slavery and was assaulted by Sharmila Thapar, wife of Ravi Thapar, following which the external affairs ministry sent a team to conduct an inquiry.
The high commissioner was recalled here based on the inquiry report.
Further inquiries will be conducted in the matter, Swarup said.
Thapar, however, denied that the staff member had been assaulted by his wife and said he was returning to India to take care of his mother.
"Though no charges were pressed by the service staff member, the ministry will investigate the matter further. The high commissioner has been posted back to headquarters," Swarup said on Saturday.
"Action is being taken in all 43 cases as per established procedure," spokesman of the ministry of external affairs Vikas Swarup said.
Some of the complaints are against low-ranking officials and locally-hired staff and the cases are being dealt with as per laid down procedures, he said.
"The Ministry takes seriously any complaint that it receives about the performance of its missions and posts abroad. Complaints are dealt with as per established and prescribed procedures," Swarup told PTI from Bangkok where he is accompanying external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.
The recall of India's high commissioner to New Zealand Ravi Thapar following accusations of his wife assaulting a domestic help has brought the focus back on the conduct of the country's diplomats posted abroad.
As per official figures, six complaints against officials in Indian missions were received in 2012, 10 in 2013 and 27 in 2014.
A maximum of eight complaints each have been received from the missions in UK and Madagascar in the last three years.
Complaints have also been received against Indian embassy staff in Afghanistan, Austria, Canada, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Botswana, Thailand, Zambia, Mauritius, Morocco, Netherlands, South Africa and Mali.
Two complaints were received from UK in 2012, one in 2013 and five last year.
A chef at the Indian high commission in New Zealand had last month alleged he was kept in slavery and was assaulted by Sharmila Thapar, wife of Ravi Thapar, following which the external affairs ministry sent a team to conduct an inquiry.
The high commissioner was recalled here based on the inquiry report.
Further inquiries will be conducted in the matter, Swarup said.
Thapar, however, denied that the staff member had been assaulted by his wife and said he was returning to India to take care of his mother.
"Though no charges were pressed by the service staff member, the ministry will investigate the matter further. The high commissioner has been posted back to headquarters," Swarup said on Saturday.
ICC confirms receiving Lalit Modi's email in 2013
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DUBAI: The ICC on Sunday confirmed that it had received a letter from Lalit Modi in 2013 in which the former IPL Commissioner alleged that three players were bribed by a business tycoon.
London-based Modi on Saturday tweeted a letter, which he claims to have written to ICC CEO Dave Richardson in June 2013, passing on "some information" regarding the alleged involvement of two leading Indian cricketers and a West Indian player received cash and kind from the businessman.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday posted a statement on its website regarding the email and clarified that it acted as per standard procedure.
"The ICC confirms that Mr Modi's confidential email, which was received in June 2013, and which has recently been published on Twitter, was provided to the ACSU at the time. The ACSU handled that information in accordance with its standard operating procedures, which included sharing it with the BCCI's anti-corruption unit," said the ICC statement.
DUBAI: The ICC on Sunday confirmed that it had received a letter from Lalit Modi in 2013 in which the former IPL Commissioner alleged that three players were bribed by a business tycoon.London-based Modi on Saturday tweeted a letter, which he claims to have written to ICC CEO Dave Richardson in June 2013, passing on "some information" regarding the alleged involvement of two leading Indian cricketers and a West Indian player received cash and kind from the businessman.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday posted a statement on its website regarding the email and clarified that it acted as per standard procedure.
"The ICC confirms that Mr Modi's confidential email, which was received in June 2013, and which has recently been published on Twitter, was provided to the ACSU at the time. The ACSU handled that information in accordance with its standard operating procedures, which included sharing it with the BCCI's anti-corruption unit," said the ICC statement.
Govt. nod for revised cost estimate of freight corridor
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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the revised cost estimate of Rs. 81,459 crore for the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) Project. The Cabinet had in February 2008 approved the construction of the freight corridor.
The revised estimate includes Rs. 73,392 crore of construction costs and Rs. 8,067 crore of acquisition costs.
This cost does not include the cost of the 534 km Sonnagar-Dankuni section (in Eastern DFC), which is to be implemented through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Status: Already 75 per cent of the 4,807 hectares of land needed for the Eastern DFC has been acquired, and 85 per cent of the 5,860 hectares needed for the Western DFC has been acquired so far. Adesh Sharma, managing director of DFCCIL(Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India) recently said that he was confident of starting phased commissioning of the DFCs from 2018. Of the total 3,350 km of the DFC project, work is in progress in 360 km in EDFC and 650 km in WDFC.
What are DFCs?
With the present railway network in India becoming very congested, transportation of freight has been facing inefficiencies because of delays. To ease the overburdened network, government has envisaged dedicated freight corridors (DFCs). Of these the Eastern and Western DFCs are being implemented. They are expected to become the backbone of manufacturing sector in the country. They would be broad gauge corridors and fully electrified.
Western DFC:
- The Western DFC starts from JNPT Mumbai and passes through Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and terminates at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh.
- The total length will be about 1,483 km.
- The Western DFC is projected to carry 161 million tonnes by 2021 and 284 million tonnes by 2036.
- The Western DFC has secured a loan of 645.173 billion yen (around Rs.45,434 crore) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency
Eastern DFC:
- The Eastern DFC starts from Sahnewal near Ludhiana in Punjab and passes through Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand and terminates at Dankuni in West Bengal.
- The total length is about 1,856 km.
- The Eastern DFC is expected to carry around 153 million tonnes of cargo by 2021-22. This is set to increase to 251 million tonnes by 2036-37.
- The Eastern DFC has secured a loan of $2.725 billion (around Rs.17,327 crore) from the World Bank
The corridors will be connected at Khurja junction in UP, near to Delhi.
Requirement
- For the speedy delivery of goods across the country by having a dedicated corridor exclusively for freight. A freight consignment today takes two to three to move between Delhi and Mumbai. After completion of DFC, the time will be reduced to less than 24 hours.
- The average speed of trains will increase to 70 km per hour against 25 km per hour now. The unit cost of transport is also expected to reduce 40 per cent making DFC more economical than other modes of transport.
- WDFC will involve movement of double-stack containers with electric traction for the first time in the world.
- This will also help in improvement of railways’ share in transport from 36 per cent.
- These Projects will significantly reduce transportation cost and benefit power plants, mines, ports, and boost trade and industry.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the revised cost estimate of Rs. 81,459 crore for the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) Project. The Cabinet had in February 2008 approved the construction of the freight corridor.
The revised estimate includes Rs. 73,392 crore of construction costs and Rs. 8,067 crore of acquisition costs.
This cost does not include the cost of the 534 km Sonnagar-Dankuni section (in Eastern DFC), which is to be implemented through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Status: Already 75 per cent of the 4,807 hectares of land needed for the Eastern DFC has been acquired, and 85 per cent of the 5,860 hectares needed for the Western DFC has been acquired so far. Adesh Sharma, managing director of DFCCIL(Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India) recently said that he was confident of starting phased commissioning of the DFCs from 2018. Of the total 3,350 km of the DFC project, work is in progress in 360 km in EDFC and 650 km in WDFC.
What are DFCs?
With the present railway network in India becoming very congested, transportation of freight has been facing inefficiencies because of delays. To ease the overburdened network, government has envisaged dedicated freight corridors (DFCs). Of these the Eastern and Western DFCs are being implemented. They are expected to become the backbone of manufacturing sector in the country. They would be broad gauge corridors and fully electrified.
Western DFC:
- The Western DFC starts from JNPT Mumbai and passes through Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and terminates at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh.
- The total length will be about 1,483 km.
- The Western DFC is projected to carry 161 million tonnes by 2021 and 284 million tonnes by 2036.
- The Western DFC has secured a loan of 645.173 billion yen (around Rs.45,434 crore) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency
Eastern DFC:
- The Eastern DFC starts from Sahnewal near Ludhiana in Punjab and passes through Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand and terminates at Dankuni in West Bengal.
- The total length is about 1,856 km.
- The Eastern DFC is expected to carry around 153 million tonnes of cargo by 2021-22. This is set to increase to 251 million tonnes by 2036-37.
- The Eastern DFC has secured a loan of $2.725 billion (around Rs.17,327 crore) from the World Bank
The corridors will be connected at Khurja junction in UP, near to Delhi.
Requirement
- For the speedy delivery of goods across the country by having a dedicated corridor exclusively for freight. A freight consignment today takes two to three to move between Delhi and Mumbai. After completion of DFC, the time will be reduced to less than 24 hours.
- The average speed of trains will increase to 70 km per hour against 25 km per hour now. The unit cost of transport is also expected to reduce 40 per cent making DFC more economical than other modes of transport.
- WDFC will involve movement of double-stack containers with electric traction for the first time in the world.
- This will also help in improvement of railways’ share in transport from 36 per cent.
- These Projects will significantly reduce transportation cost and benefit power plants, mines, ports, and boost trade and industry.
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