General Affairs
PM Modi, Mamata Banerjee's Speeches Under Probe, Trinamool Leader Censured
-
KOLKATA: The Election Commission is examining speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made this this week in poll rallies in Asansol for any model code of conduct violation even as it censured Trinamool Congress candidate Abdur Razzak Molla for his remarks.
"CDs of their (PM Modi and Ms Banerjee) election rallies have been sent to the Election Commission of India in Delhi. Our media certification and monitoring committee have video footage of their speeches," an official of the Election Commission said.
He said the Delhi Election Commission team will examine if there were any violations.
In a poll rally two days ago, PM Modi had alleged that TMC stood for "terror, maut (death) and corruption" after which the party had raised objections with the poll watchdog.
He had also said that the flyover collapse in Kolkata, that had left 26 people dead, was a message from God that the people of West Bengal must be saved from the Trinamool.
However, the Commission did not provide any detail about Ms Banerjee's speeches. The West Bengal Chief Minister had termed PM Modi's party BJP "Bhayanak Jali Party (Dangerously Fraud Party)" after his remarks.
The Commission has also censured former CPI-M leader Abdur Razzak Molla who has now been fielded by Trinamool from Bhangar seat.
"He had made certain utterances after which he was showcaused as per the Election Commission's direction. His explanation was not satisfactory and he has been censured by the Commission," Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dibyendu Sarkar said.
KOLKATA: The Election Commission is examining speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made this this week in poll rallies in Asansol for any model code of conduct violation even as it censured Trinamool Congress candidate Abdur Razzak Molla for his remarks."CDs of their (PM Modi and Ms Banerjee) election rallies have been sent to the Election Commission of India in Delhi. Our media certification and monitoring committee have video footage of their speeches," an official of the Election Commission said.
He said the Delhi Election Commission team will examine if there were any violations.
He had also said that the flyover collapse in Kolkata, that had left 26 people dead, was a message from God that the people of West Bengal must be saved from the Trinamool.
However, the Commission did not provide any detail about Ms Banerjee's speeches. The West Bengal Chief Minister had termed PM Modi's party BJP "Bhayanak Jali Party (Dangerously Fraud Party)" after his remarks.
The Commission has also censured former CPI-M leader Abdur Razzak Molla who has now been fielded by Trinamool from Bhangar seat.
"He had made certain utterances after which he was showcaused as per the Election Commission's direction. His explanation was not satisfactory and he has been censured by the Commission," Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dibyendu Sarkar said.
Ajit Doval Likely To Raise Masood Azhar Issue With China During Visit
-
NEW DELHI: India is expected to take up the issue of China blocking its bid to have Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN when National Security Advisor Ajit Doval travels to the neighbouring country next week.
Top government sources said today the National Security Advisor will bring up the topic during his meeting with his counterpart and State Councilor Yang Jiechi when he meets him in China for a strategic dialogue.
Mr Doval was scheduled to hold these talks in January but had cancelled the visit to Beijing in the wake of the Pathankot terror attack. Among other security issues, boundary talks are also expected to be held between the two sides.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar early this week said that India has taken up at a "fairly high level" with China the issue of Beijing blocking its bid to have Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN but the issue will not "overflow" into other areas of bilateral ties.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is also expected to raise the issue with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, whom she will be meeting on the sidelines of a trilateral in Moscow on April 18.
Last week, China stopped UN sanctions committee from designating Pathankot attack mastermind as terrorist, maintaining that the case "did not meet the requirements" of the Security Council.
This is not the first time China has blocked India's bid to get Pakistan-based militant groups and leaders proscribed by the UN.
The UN had banned the Jaish-e-Mohammed in 2001 but India's efforts for slapping sanctions on Azhar after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack also did not fructify as China, that has veto powers, did not allow it apparently at the behest of Pakistan again.
While talking about recent comments made by Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit indicating that Indian investigators may not be allowed to visit Pakistan to pursue the probe in connection with the Pathankot terror attack, the government sources said that results would be seen soon and one should "wait and watch."
"The Indian position is good on this subject," the sources said.
India had countered Mr Basit's comments by saying that before the visit of the Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) here, both sides had agreed that it would be on the basis of reciprocity.
Top government sources said today the National Security Advisor will bring up the topic during his meeting with his counterpart and State Councilor Yang Jiechi when he meets him in China for a strategic dialogue.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar early this week said that India has taken up at a "fairly high level" with China the issue of Beijing blocking its bid to have Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN but the issue will not "overflow" into other areas of bilateral ties.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is also expected to raise the issue with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, whom she will be meeting on the sidelines of a trilateral in Moscow on April 18.
Last week, China stopped UN sanctions committee from designating Pathankot attack mastermind as terrorist, maintaining that the case "did not meet the requirements" of the Security Council.
This is not the first time China has blocked India's bid to get Pakistan-based militant groups and leaders proscribed by the UN.
The UN had banned the Jaish-e-Mohammed in 2001 but India's efforts for slapping sanctions on Azhar after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack also did not fructify as China, that has veto powers, did not allow it apparently at the behest of Pakistan again.
While talking about recent comments made by Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit indicating that Indian investigators may not be allowed to visit Pakistan to pursue the probe in connection with the Pathankot terror attack, the government sources said that results would be seen soon and one should "wait and watch."
"The Indian position is good on this subject," the sources said.
India had countered Mr Basit's comments by saying that before the visit of the Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) here, both sides had agreed that it would be on the basis of reciprocity.
Pluralism And Tolerance Hallmark Of Indian Civilisation: President Mukherjee
-
NEW DELHI: Pluralism and tolerance have been the hallmark of Indian civilisation, President Pranab Mukherjee said today asking people to remain alert to communal tensions rearing its "ugly head" anywhere.
Delivering the Arjun Singh memorial lecture at the Nehru Memorial museum in honour of the Congress veteran, he also stressed that democracy is not all about numbers but also calls for consensus building.
President Mukherjee said in a pluralistic democracy, it was important that the values of tolerance, respect for contrary views and patience are inculcated amongst the citizens particularly the youth.
"Pluralism and tolerance have been the hallmark of our civilisation. This is a core philosophy that must continue undeterred. For, India's strength lies in her diversity," he said.
"Diversity of our country is a fact. This cannot be turned into fiction due to the whims of a rigid few. Plurality of our society has come about through assimilation of ideas over centuries," President Mukherjee said.
He said India derives its strength from tolerance. It has been part of its collective consciousness for centuries and it was the only way it will work well for the country.
"There are divergent strands in public discourse. We may argue. We may not agree. But we cannot deny the essential prevalence of multiplicity of opinion. Otherwise, a fundamental character of our thought process will wither away," he said.
Delivering the Arjun Singh memorial lecture at the Nehru Memorial museum in honour of the Congress veteran, he also stressed that democracy is not all about numbers but also calls for consensus building.
"Pluralism and tolerance have been the hallmark of our civilisation. This is a core philosophy that must continue undeterred. For, India's strength lies in her diversity," he said.
"Diversity of our country is a fact. This cannot be turned into fiction due to the whims of a rigid few. Plurality of our society has come about through assimilation of ideas over centuries," President Mukherjee said.
He said India derives its strength from tolerance. It has been part of its collective consciousness for centuries and it was the only way it will work well for the country.
"There are divergent strands in public discourse. We may argue. We may not agree. But we cannot deny the essential prevalence of multiplicity of opinion. Otherwise, a fundamental character of our thought process will wither away," he said.
In Assam Assembly Elections, Only 8.6 Per Cent Women Candidates
-
GUWAHATI: They may have trumped men in the turnout for the first phase of the Assembly elections in Assam, but women make up an abysmal 8.6 per cent of the total candidates in the fray with all the major parties having given fewer tickets to them this time as compared to the 2011 polls.
The number of women in the electoral arena in these polls is only six more than that in 2011, when 85 of them had entered as contestants and 14 -- all from Congress -- made it to the state legislature.
All the major parties -- Congress, BJP and its allies AGP and BPF, and the AIUDF have given fewer tickets to women candidates this time than in the last elections.
The ruling Congress has fielded 16 women candidates, including 12 sitting legislators, as against 19 in the last polls. Two sitting Congress legislators -- Mandira Roy from Algapur and Amiya Gogoi from Duliajan -- were denied tickets.
BJP, which is contesting in 89 seats, too, has given fewer tickets to female candidates, fielding only six of them as against nine in 2011.
Similar is the case with AGP, which has put up only two women candidates as against eight in the last polls. The other BJP ally, BPF, which had fielded three women contestants in 2011 has given tickets to only two of them this time. AIUDF, the principal opposition party in the Assembly, is contesting 74 Assembly seats and has given tickets to five women candidates.
In the last assembly polls, 77.02 per cent male voted as against 75 per cent of women.
Election data said the turnout of women in the first phase of voting on Monday was 82.58 per cent while that of men was 81.84 per cent. The second and final phase of voting for Assam's 126-seat Assembly will be held on April 11.
The number of women in the electoral arena in these polls is only six more than that in 2011, when 85 of them had entered as contestants and 14 -- all from Congress -- made it to the state legislature.
All the major parties -- Congress, BJP and its allies AGP and BPF, and the AIUDF have given fewer tickets to women candidates this time than in the last elections.
BJP, which is contesting in 89 seats, too, has given fewer tickets to female candidates, fielding only six of them as against nine in 2011.
Similar is the case with AGP, which has put up only two women candidates as against eight in the last polls. The other BJP ally, BPF, which had fielded three women contestants in 2011 has given tickets to only two of them this time. AIUDF, the principal opposition party in the Assembly, is contesting 74 Assembly seats and has given tickets to five women candidates.
In the last assembly polls, 77.02 per cent male voted as against 75 per cent of women.
Election data said the turnout of women in the first phase of voting on Monday was 82.58 per cent while that of men was 81.84 per cent. The second and final phase of voting for Assam's 126-seat Assembly will be held on April 11.
Smaller Opposition Parties See NIT Srinagar Impasse As A Political Opportunity
-
As the impasse continues at NIT Srinagar, politics over it has taken centre stage.
Opposition parties in the state see the crisis for the newly formed PDP and BJP coalition as an opportunity to consolidate their positions.
The government has maintained that the events at NIT are not due to a fight between Kashmiri and non-Kashmiri students but an administrative issue concerning just the college. "It is not an issue of local (versus) non-local, it is not an issue of security, it is primarily an administrative matter which has to be resolved by the university itself," said Nayeem Akhtar, state Education Minister-and Senior Leader PDP-
But, more than what's happening on the campus is the dilemma for the PDP-BJP combine. The PDP has to manage sentiments in valley where anti-India emotions have seen an upsurge among the youth in the recent months. The BJP, on the other hand, has to live up to its own nationalism benchmark and cater to its electors in Jammu where it won all its seats in the state.
"Every student has a right to hoist the national flag and raise slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, whether in J&K or outside anywhere in India. But, the question is whether such a situation should be allowed to occur when there is clash between students and when the students go out and there is a clash with the local population ," said Nirmal Singh, Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader.
Chief Mehbooba Mufti has been silent on the controversy. Analysts say the issue has the potential to cause a regional divide and severely dent the vote bank of her party in Kashmir while the BJP which won all of its 25 seats from Jammu can lose ground in the region.
The NIT stand-off has provided ammunition to the Jammu-based non-BJP parties like the Panthers Party triggering protests in the region. In Srinagar, separatists have begun protesting attacks on Kashmiri students in other states.
As the impasse continues at NIT Srinagar, politics over it has taken centre stage.Opposition parties in the state see the crisis for the newly formed PDP and BJP coalition as an opportunity to consolidate their positions.
The government has maintained that the events at NIT are not due to a fight between Kashmiri and non-Kashmiri students but an administrative issue concerning just the college. "It is not an issue of local (versus) non-local, it is not an issue of security, it is primarily an administrative matter which has to be resolved by the university itself," said Nayeem Akhtar, state Education Minister-and Senior Leader PDP-
"Every student has a right to hoist the national flag and raise slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, whether in J&K or outside anywhere in India. But, the question is whether such a situation should be allowed to occur when there is clash between students and when the students go out and there is a clash with the local population ," said Nirmal Singh, Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader.
Chief Mehbooba Mufti has been silent on the controversy. Analysts say the issue has the potential to cause a regional divide and severely dent the vote bank of her party in Kashmir while the BJP which won all of its 25 seats from Jammu can lose ground in the region.
The NIT stand-off has provided ammunition to the Jammu-based non-BJP parties like the Panthers Party triggering protests in the region. In Srinagar, separatists have begun protesting attacks on Kashmiri students in other states.
Business Affairs
India very influential, powerful force in Asia Pacific: Ashton Carter
-
The United States has a "whole global agenda" with India covering all issues while the relationship with Pakistan has to do with issues of terrorism and Afghanistan, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said on the eve of his three-day India visit.
Carter also reiterated that from the perspective of the US there is no India-Pak hyphenation.
"The days are gone when we only deal with India as the other side of the Pakistan coin, or Pakistan as the other side of the India coin. I know that there are those in India and Pakistan who are still glued to that way of thinking. But the US put that behind us some time ago," Carter said yesterday in response to a question on impact of India-US relationship on Pakistan at the Council for Foreign Relations (CFR), a top American think-tank.
"With respect to Pakistan, that also is an important security partner. A whole lot of issues of which counter-terrorism looms largest. And we work with the Pakistanis all the time on that," he said.
"We are long past the point in US policy-making where we look at the India-Pakistan dyad as the whole story for either one of them. We have much more to do with India today than has to do with Pakistan," Carter said.
"There is important business with respect to Pakistan, but we have much more, a whole global agenda with India, agenda that covers all kinds of issues," he said.
"With respect to Pakistan totally different. We have a big set of issues having to do with the border with Afghanistan where we continue to operate, with terrorism, both on the territory of Pakistan and also obviously cross-border into Afghanistan, including affecting US service members there," he said.
Carter acknowledged that he would be asked about Pakistan during his India visit.
"I'm sure I'll be asked about it in India, but I think the first thing one needs to say from an American policy point of view, these are both respected partners and friends. They find themselves in very different situations," said the US Defence Secretary.
During his India visit beginning tomorrow at the invitation of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Carter will be in Goa and Delhi.
Carter said that enhanced co-operation in the maritime security would be another key feature of his India trip.
At the invitation of his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar, Carter would be spending nearly two days in Parrikar's home town Goa.
"I would be visiting western naval base," he said, adding that last year he had visited the eastern naval base.
When Parrikar was in the US in December last year, Carter took him to a nuclear-powered air craft career and the two leaders spend nearly one day.
His Goa trip is also expected to be marked by the India visit of USS Blue Ridge.
"The fact that there is a US navy vessel in port at the exact time, nothing could signify better close co-operation between us," Carter said.
After spending two days in Goa on April 10 and April 11, Carter would fly to New Delhi where among others he would meet Prime Minister Modi and the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Without going into details, he said the two countries would also be concluding several important agreements, including one on commercial shipping information exchange, which will "make many new things possible" in the future.
"US India relationship has grown incredibly over the past several years. And of course, Secretary Carter takes a strong personal interest in US-India defence relationship," a senior defense official said, adding that Carter has a close personal relationship with Parrikar.
"That s why he is going to the Minister's home town of Goa," he added.
The US is very interested in exploring the possibilities of co-production of fighter aircrafts and the issue is being discussed with India, the senior defence official said when asked about news reports of talks on manufacturing of fighter jets in India.
India, the official said, has also expressed interest in buying armed drones from the US.
Under Modi Government, the defence official on condition of anonymity said there has been strong progress in bilateral relationship.
The scope and depth of US-India defence ties has become much stronger, he said in response to a question.
The United States has a "whole global agenda" with India covering all issues while the relationship with Pakistan has to do with issues of terrorism and Afghanistan, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said on the eve of his three-day India visit.
Carter also reiterated that from the perspective of the US there is no India-Pak hyphenation.
"The days are gone when we only deal with India as the other side of the Pakistan coin, or Pakistan as the other side of the India coin. I know that there are those in India and Pakistan who are still glued to that way of thinking. But the US put that behind us some time ago," Carter said yesterday in response to a question on impact of India-US relationship on Pakistan at the Council for Foreign Relations (CFR), a top American think-tank.
"With respect to Pakistan, that also is an important security partner. A whole lot of issues of which counter-terrorism looms largest. And we work with the Pakistanis all the time on that," he said.
"We are long past the point in US policy-making where we look at the India-Pakistan dyad as the whole story for either one of them. We have much more to do with India today than has to do with Pakistan," Carter said.
"There is important business with respect to Pakistan, but we have much more, a whole global agenda with India, agenda that covers all kinds of issues," he said.
"With respect to Pakistan totally different. We have a big set of issues having to do with the border with Afghanistan where we continue to operate, with terrorism, both on the territory of Pakistan and also obviously cross-border into Afghanistan, including affecting US service members there," he said.
Carter acknowledged that he would be asked about Pakistan during his India visit.
"I'm sure I'll be asked about it in India, but I think the first thing one needs to say from an American policy point of view, these are both respected partners and friends. They find themselves in very different situations," said the US Defence Secretary.
During his India visit beginning tomorrow at the invitation of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Carter will be in Goa and Delhi.
Carter said that enhanced co-operation in the maritime security would be another key feature of his India trip.
At the invitation of his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar, Carter would be spending nearly two days in Parrikar's home town Goa.
"I would be visiting western naval base," he said, adding that last year he had visited the eastern naval base.
When Parrikar was in the US in December last year, Carter took him to a nuclear-powered air craft career and the two leaders spend nearly one day.
His Goa trip is also expected to be marked by the India visit of USS Blue Ridge.
"The fact that there is a US navy vessel in port at the exact time, nothing could signify better close co-operation between us," Carter said.
After spending two days in Goa on April 10 and April 11, Carter would fly to New Delhi where among others he would meet Prime Minister Modi and the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Without going into details, he said the two countries would also be concluding several important agreements, including one on commercial shipping information exchange, which will "make many new things possible" in the future.
"US India relationship has grown incredibly over the past several years. And of course, Secretary Carter takes a strong personal interest in US-India defence relationship," a senior defense official said, adding that Carter has a close personal relationship with Parrikar.
"That s why he is going to the Minister's home town of Goa," he added.
The US is very interested in exploring the possibilities of co-production of fighter aircrafts and the issue is being discussed with India, the senior defence official said when asked about news reports of talks on manufacturing of fighter jets in India.
India, the official said, has also expressed interest in buying armed drones from the US.
Under Modi Government, the defence official on condition of anonymity said there has been strong progress in bilateral relationship.
The scope and depth of US-India defence ties has become much stronger, he said in response to a question.
Bajaj Auto putting out misleading info on safety of Polo: Volkswagen
-
German carmaker Volkswagen today hit out at Bajaj Auto for putting out "misleading" information regarding Global NCAP safety rating for its premium hatch Polo saying the statement issued by the two-wheeler major is "incorrect and without merit".
Volkswagen's statement comes a day after Global NCAP had hit out at Bajaj Auto for making 'misleading' claims of better safety standards of the company's quadricycle Qute than some popular compact cars sold in India based on crash test results done by the UK-based vehicle safety group.
On Thursday, Bajaj Auto had said "...in a recent Euro NCAP report, the Bajaj Qute was accorded a 1 (one) star rating, superior to the 0 (zero) star rating of popular cars including the VW Polo, Ford Figo, Hyundai i10, Maruti Alto, and Tata Nano."
Rebuffing Bajaj Auto's claims, Volkswagen India said in a statement: "The information issued by Bajaj Auto Ltd with reference to Volkswagen Polo NCAP rating is misleading, incorrect and without merit."
The car maker said that contrary to the claim made by Bajaj Auto, the Global NCAP has given a 4-star rating for its Polo carline in India.
An independent charity focused on consumer-orientated vehicle safety initiatives, Global NCAP also said although it has given a one-star rating for quadricycles to Bajaj Qute, the vehicle does not perform well and there is a "likelihood of severe or fatal head and chest injuries".
In a letter written to Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj, Global NCAP Secretary General David Ward said: "It is also very disappointing to read that Bajaj was also reported to be making comparisons between Global NCAP's tests of Indian passenger cars suggesting that the Qute had performed better than cars with a zero-star result. To make such a comparison is misleading and wrong."
He further said: "The Euro NCAP quadricycle test uses a full frontal impact at 50 km/h whereas Global NCAP's passenger car tests use a 40 per cent overlap impact at 64 km/h. The latter is a much tougher test and should not be used as a relevant comparison."
Later on Bajaj Auto clarified that it had inferred on the basis of results that it has seen that while the Qute has achieved a '1 star' rating in its category of quadricycles, several popular small cars have "achieved a zero star rating in their category".
The company's MD Rajiv Bajaj retorted to Global NCAP statement saying, "We would equally respectfully suggest that in the future Global NCAP reflect a little longer and exhibit greater maturity in drawing conclusions before venturing to cast unwarranted aspersion upon an organization that has a track record for integrity and performance as does Bajaj Auto."
German carmaker Volkswagen today hit out at Bajaj Auto for putting out "misleading" information regarding Global NCAP safety rating for its premium hatch Polo saying the statement issued by the two-wheeler major is "incorrect and without merit".
Volkswagen's statement comes a day after Global NCAP had hit out at Bajaj Auto for making 'misleading' claims of better safety standards of the company's quadricycle Qute than some popular compact cars sold in India based on crash test results done by the UK-based vehicle safety group.
On Thursday, Bajaj Auto had said "...in a recent Euro NCAP report, the Bajaj Qute was accorded a 1 (one) star rating, superior to the 0 (zero) star rating of popular cars including the VW Polo, Ford Figo, Hyundai i10, Maruti Alto, and Tata Nano."
Rebuffing Bajaj Auto's claims, Volkswagen India said in a statement: "The information issued by Bajaj Auto Ltd with reference to Volkswagen Polo NCAP rating is misleading, incorrect and without merit."
The car maker said that contrary to the claim made by Bajaj Auto, the Global NCAP has given a 4-star rating for its Polo carline in India.
An independent charity focused on consumer-orientated vehicle safety initiatives, Global NCAP also said although it has given a one-star rating for quadricycles to Bajaj Qute, the vehicle does not perform well and there is a "likelihood of severe or fatal head and chest injuries".
In a letter written to Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj, Global NCAP Secretary General David Ward said: "It is also very disappointing to read that Bajaj was also reported to be making comparisons between Global NCAP's tests of Indian passenger cars suggesting that the Qute had performed better than cars with a zero-star result. To make such a comparison is misleading and wrong."
He further said: "The Euro NCAP quadricycle test uses a full frontal impact at 50 km/h whereas Global NCAP's passenger car tests use a 40 per cent overlap impact at 64 km/h. The latter is a much tougher test and should not be used as a relevant comparison."
Later on Bajaj Auto clarified that it had inferred on the basis of results that it has seen that while the Qute has achieved a '1 star' rating in its category of quadricycles, several popular small cars have "achieved a zero star rating in their category".
The company's MD Rajiv Bajaj retorted to Global NCAP statement saying, "We would equally respectfully suggest that in the future Global NCAP reflect a little longer and exhibit greater maturity in drawing conclusions before venturing to cast unwarranted aspersion upon an organization that has a track record for integrity and performance as does Bajaj Auto."
SC dismisses PIL against 4G licences to Reliance Jio
-
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a PIL challenging the grant of 4G licences to Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (RJIL), saying no undue favour was shown to the firm by the government and there was no loss to the exchequer.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said the government's decision permitting migration of the telecom licenses to unified license (UL) regime was "valid, legal and without any blemish".
The bench junked the petition of NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), challenging government's decision to allow RJIL to offer voice services on its 4G spectrum.
The apex court also dealt with the issue of spectrum usage charge (SUC) but it did not pass any order on this, observing that a committee, which was formed, has submitted its report and a decision on it was likely in two months.
"The decision on the report is expected in two months. In view of the aforesaid developments, for the time being, we leave the matter to the Government to take an appropriate decision in this behalf," the bench, also comprising justices A K Sikri and R Banumathi, said.
"We find no merit in this writ petition which is, accordingly, dismissed," it said.
The PIL, filed in 2014 through advocate Prashant Bhushan, had sought quashing of permission granted by the government to Reliance for providing voice telephony on Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum and pitched for a court-monitored CBI investigation in the alleged Rs 40,000 crore scam.
It had alleged that decision allowing voice telephony to RJIL on payment of Rs 1,658 crores entry fee was a pittance as in normal course, grant of this license would have fetched a whopping sum of Rs 25,000 crores approximately.
The bench, in its 55-page judgement, noted that a policy decision was taken by the government not only with regard to introduction of unified licensing regime but it also included allowing migration to UL from Unified Access Services Licence as well as internet service providers (ISP) to UL regime.
"Such a policy decision, when not found to be arbitrary or based on irrelevant considerations or mala fide or against any statutory provisions, does not call for any interference by the Courts in exercise of power of judicial review," it said.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said the government's decision permitting migration of the telecom licenses to unified license (UL) regime was "valid, legal and without any blemish".
The bench junked the petition of NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), challenging government's decision to allow RJIL to offer voice services on its 4G spectrum.
The apex court also dealt with the issue of spectrum usage charge (SUC) but it did not pass any order on this, observing that a committee, which was formed, has submitted its report and a decision on it was likely in two months.
"The decision on the report is expected in two months. In view of the aforesaid developments, for the time being, we leave the matter to the Government to take an appropriate decision in this behalf," the bench, also comprising justices A K Sikri and R Banumathi, said.
"We find no merit in this writ petition which is, accordingly, dismissed," it said.
The PIL, filed in 2014 through advocate Prashant Bhushan, had sought quashing of permission granted by the government to Reliance for providing voice telephony on Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum and pitched for a court-monitored CBI investigation in the alleged Rs 40,000 crore scam.
It had alleged that decision allowing voice telephony to RJIL on payment of Rs 1,658 crores entry fee was a pittance as in normal course, grant of this license would have fetched a whopping sum of Rs 25,000 crores approximately.
The bench, in its 55-page judgement, noted that a policy decision was taken by the government not only with regard to introduction of unified licensing regime but it also included allowing migration to UL from Unified Access Services Licence as well as internet service providers (ISP) to UL regime.
"Such a policy decision, when not found to be arbitrary or based on irrelevant considerations or mala fide or against any statutory provisions, does not call for any interference by the Courts in exercise of power of judicial review," it said.
DIPP asks departments to update 'Make in India' action plans
-
The Commerce and Industry Ministry has asked all the ministries and departments to constantly update their 'Make in India' action plans with a view to promote ease of doing business.
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Secretary Ramesh Abhishek said that action plans are in place for 22 sectors and there has been good progress on those.
"...but we are requesting the ministries and departments to also revise their plans because many of those things may have been done but there are new ideas which have come in the meantime.
"So we are requesting them that whatever policies and action points are required for 'Make in India' campaign, they should constantly revise and relook their plans," Abhishek told reporters here.
He was speaking after the inauguration of the 'Make in India Action Plan' and 'State level Business Reform Action Plan' dashboards developed by DIPP to monitor progress made on the two action plans.
The Make in India dashboard will allow ministries covered under the action plan to update progress made by them on short-term and medium-term targets, facilitate timely delivery of identified action points, and facilitate monitoring and identification of delays in implementation, if any.
It will also allow the Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Secretariat and the DIPP to monitor progress and suggest corrective course on the progress indicated.
Talking about the states ranking on ease of doing business, he said states have time till June 30 to update the progress on all the 340 parameters.
"Most of the states are working hard to ensure that they do as much as possible on these 340 points. We are also encouraging states to share their good practices with others," he said, adding that the DIPP is advising them to interact with users on a continuous basis.
He said that the ease of doing business dashboard will facilitate states to report progress made by them on state level business reforms action plan and validation of responses received from the states by the DIPP.
It also has a feature to identify and disseminate information about the good practices followed by the states/UTs.
The dashboard will provide real-time ranking of states/UTs once a response is validated by the DIPP.
The response posted by the states, their progress and inter-state ranking will be visible to public too.
The dashboards were inaugurated by Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The Commerce and Industry Ministry has asked all the ministries and departments to constantly update their 'Make in India' action plans with a view to promote ease of doing business.
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Secretary Ramesh Abhishek said that action plans are in place for 22 sectors and there has been good progress on those.
"...but we are requesting the ministries and departments to also revise their plans because many of those things may have been done but there are new ideas which have come in the meantime.
"So we are requesting them that whatever policies and action points are required for 'Make in India' campaign, they should constantly revise and relook their plans," Abhishek told reporters here.
He was speaking after the inauguration of the 'Make in India Action Plan' and 'State level Business Reform Action Plan' dashboards developed by DIPP to monitor progress made on the two action plans.
The Make in India dashboard will allow ministries covered under the action plan to update progress made by them on short-term and medium-term targets, facilitate timely delivery of identified action points, and facilitate monitoring and identification of delays in implementation, if any.
It will also allow the Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Secretariat and the DIPP to monitor progress and suggest corrective course on the progress indicated.
Talking about the states ranking on ease of doing business, he said states have time till June 30 to update the progress on all the 340 parameters.
"Most of the states are working hard to ensure that they do as much as possible on these 340 points. We are also encouraging states to share their good practices with others," he said, adding that the DIPP is advising them to interact with users on a continuous basis.
He said that the ease of doing business dashboard will facilitate states to report progress made by them on state level business reforms action plan and validation of responses received from the states by the DIPP.
It also has a feature to identify and disseminate information about the good practices followed by the states/UTs.
The dashboard will provide real-time ranking of states/UTs once a response is validated by the DIPP.
The response posted by the states, their progress and inter-state ranking will be visible to public too.
The dashboards were inaugurated by Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Defence ministry to promote start-ups: Manohar Parrikar
-
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said his ministry was in the process of formulating a special programme to promote start-ups.
"The defence ministry will start a programme to promote start-ups. The ministry has never done something like this before but is going out of the way into (doing) something different," Parrikar said at the inauguration of a business incubation centre here.
Parrikar, a former Goa chief minister, said he was keen on offering defence ministry-related research and development projects to the coastal state.
"There is an open offer to the Goa government... in another month or two, we can work out a mechanism to ensure that the talent among the Goans doesn't go waste," the minister said.
Lamenting the brain drain from Goa, Parrikar said: "All brilliant minds from Goa go to the US and hardworking Goans flock to the Middle-East. What is left is a very diluted form of society; so we should develop ourselves again. There shouldn't be any brain drain."
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said his ministry was in the process of formulating a special programme to promote start-ups.
"The defence ministry will start a programme to promote start-ups. The ministry has never done something like this before but is going out of the way into (doing) something different," Parrikar said at the inauguration of a business incubation centre here.
Parrikar, a former Goa chief minister, said he was keen on offering defence ministry-related research and development projects to the coastal state.
"There is an open offer to the Goa government... in another month or two, we can work out a mechanism to ensure that the talent among the Goans doesn't go waste," the minister said.
Lamenting the brain drain from Goa, Parrikar said: "All brilliant minds from Goa go to the US and hardworking Goans flock to the Middle-East. What is left is a very diluted form of society; so we should develop ourselves again. There shouldn't be any brain drain."
General Awareness
Gurgaon to get India’s first Metrino Pod Taxi project
-
-
The Central Government gave its stamp of approval to the nation’s first Metrino Pod project – A Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)network in Gurgaon, Haryana.
- The announcement in this regard has been made by Haryana Public Works (Building and Roads) Minister Rao Narbir Singh.
Project Outlay – Rs 850 crore
Speed of Pods – 60 km/hr
Financing of Project – It will be fully private project, so the financing will be made by the private company. Haryana Govt is not paying anything for this project.
Stretch of project – It will cover a distance of 13 Kilometres from the Gurgaon-Delhi border to Badshapur Mod on Sohna Roadwith a total of 16 stations.
Fare and accommodation – Each unit of Metrino taxi can put upfive travelers and the fare is expected to be similar to Delhi Metro.
Completion of project – Within 1 year, starting from June 1, 2016.
What is Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) network?
It is a creative, open transportation framework for urban communities. Small (car size), completely programmed, driverless vehicles (pods) travel freely suspended under an overhead system of light guide routes, 5 to 10m above road level.
- Travelers have an alternative to hire a whole pod that will take a traveler straight to the destination, avoiding the planned stops.
The private company implementing project will recuperate its investment in 25 years through tickets.
The Central Government gave its stamp of approval to the nation’s first Metrino Pod project – A Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)network in Gurgaon, Haryana.- The announcement in this regard has been made by Haryana Public Works (Building and Roads) Minister Rao Narbir Singh.
Speed of Pods – 60 km/hrFinancing of Project – It will be fully private project, so the financing will be made by the private company. Haryana Govt is not paying anything for this project.Stretch of project – It will cover a distance of 13 Kilometres from the Gurgaon-Delhi border to Badshapur Mod on Sohna Roadwith a total of 16 stations.Fare and accommodation – Each unit of Metrino taxi can put upfive travelers and the fare is expected to be similar to Delhi Metro.Completion of project – Within 1 year, starting from June 1, 2016.What is Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) network?
It is a creative, open transportation framework for urban communities. Small (car size), completely programmed, driverless vehicles (pods) travel freely suspended under an overhead system of light guide routes, 5 to 10m above road level.- Travelers have an alternative to hire a whole pod that will take a traveler straight to the destination, avoiding the planned stops.
The private company implementing project will recuperate its investment in 25 years through tickets.
No comments:
Post a Comment