General Affairs
Centre Seeks Report From UP Government On Alleged Kairana 'Migration'
-
NEW DELHI: The Centre has sought a detailed report from Uttar Pradesh government on the alleged migration of Hindus from Kairana village in the state.
In a communication, the Union Home Ministry asked the state government to verify the allegations and send a detailed report to it as early as possible.
Official sources said the communication has been sent three days ago but no reply has been received.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had yesterday said it was unfortunate if people were being forced to leave their homes in their own country.
"If people have to leave their homes in their own country, then the state government should take the responsibility. If the state government seeks any help, we will definitely give them," he had said.
There have been allegations that Hindus from Kairana village in Shamli district in western Uttar Pradesh were forced to leave their homes by people from another community.
However, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had accused BJP leaders of being "dishonest" and "lying" on the issue.
Mr Yadav claimed that most of the people had left the village about 10 to 15 years back while others left in search of jobs about seven or eight years ago
In a communication, the Union Home Ministry asked the state government to verify the allegations and send a detailed report to it as early as possible.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had yesterday said it was unfortunate if people were being forced to leave their homes in their own country.
"If people have to leave their homes in their own country, then the state government should take the responsibility. If the state government seeks any help, we will definitely give them," he had said.
There have been allegations that Hindus from Kairana village in Shamli district in western Uttar Pradesh were forced to leave their homes by people from another community.
However, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had accused BJP leaders of being "dishonest" and "lying" on the issue.
Mr Yadav claimed that most of the people had left the village about 10 to 15 years back while others left in search of jobs about seven or eight years ago
Petition Urges US Government To Hold Dow Chemicals Accountable For Bhopal Leak
-
BHOPAL: A group of NGOs working for survivors of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy today said they have emailed a petition with over 1 lakh signatories to the White House to mount pressure on Dow Chemicals, owner of Union Carbide Corporation, to appear before a local court next month.
"We have collected 1.18 lakh signatures to the petition in a just short duration from May 14 to June 14," Satinath Sarangi, head of Bhopal Group for Information and Action told reporters.
Toxic gas leaked from the UCC's now defunct pesticide factory on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, killing thousands of people and maiming lakhs -- an incident termed as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the world's worst industrial disaster.
"As per the terms of the White House website, which has been petitioned, the US government is obliged to respond to our petition with 30 days," he said.
It is mandatory for White House to act after receiving a plea which crosses a threshold of 1 lakh signatures, he said. In the past, the Bhopal district court had sent three notices to Dow Chemicals, US, to appear before it.
Following this, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sent the notices to US Department of Justice for its execution under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) of 1991, Sarangi said. But unfortunately, the US Department of Justice didn't act, he claimed.
Recently, the district court for the fourth time has issued notice to Dow Chemical to appear before it on July 13, Mr Sarangi said.
He said UCC, US, is an absconder as it skipped the trial of Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
"We have collected 1.18 lakh signatures to the petition in a just short duration from May 14 to June 14," Satinath Sarangi, head of Bhopal Group for Information and Action told reporters.
Toxic gas leaked from the UCC's now defunct pesticide factory on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, killing thousands of people and maiming lakhs -- an incident termed as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the world's worst industrial disaster.
"As per the terms of the White House website, which has been petitioned, the US government is obliged to respond to our petition with 30 days," he said.
It is mandatory for White House to act after receiving a plea which crosses a threshold of 1 lakh signatures, he said. In the past, the Bhopal district court had sent three notices to Dow Chemicals, US, to appear before it.
Following this, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sent the notices to US Department of Justice for its execution under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) of 1991, Sarangi said. But unfortunately, the US Department of Justice didn't act, he claimed.
Recently, the district court for the fourth time has issued notice to Dow Chemical to appear before it on July 13, Mr Sarangi said.
He said UCC, US, is an absconder as it skipped the trial of Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
45 Bills Pending In Rajya Sabha, Some Introduced 30 Years Ago
-
NEW DELHI: Forty-five bills are pending in the Rajya Sabha, some of these introduced around 30 years ago, while the Lok Sabha is yet to take a decision on five Bills by the end of last session of Parliament in May.
The Bills pending in Rajya Sabha include the contentious Goods and Services Tax or the GST Bill, which was moved in the Upper House in August last year after being passed by Lok Sabha.
Another key bill is the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015, which was moved in December last year but the discussion on it remained inconclusive. In the Budget and Monsoon sessions this year, this bill could not be taken up.
In the Lok Sabha, important bills pending include the Consumer Protection Bill 2015 and the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2015.
Indicating that the long-pending GST Bill can see a forward movement in the next session of Parliament, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had yesterday expressed confidence that "legislation activity" can proceed at a faster face with the increase in strength of those parties which support the bills in the Rajya Sabha and do not "obstruct" proceedings.
He was asked about the implications of results of the recent Rajya Sabha elections that saw a dip in Congress' number, and the prospect of the GST Bill which is being blocked by the main Opposition party seeking amendments.
The last few sessions of Parliament have seen sparring even though the Monsoon sittings recorded relative improvement as far the completion of government business was concerned. But the problem of pending bills is not limited to the two years of the NDA government.
Some of the bills have been pending for decades. These include Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 1987, the Participation of Workers in Management Bill 1990 and the Constitution (Seventy-ninth Amendment) Bill 1992.
On the Medical Council Bill, the report of the Joint Committee was presented way back in July 1989 while on the Workers Management Bill, the report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour and Welfare was laid on the table of the Rajya Sabha in December 2001, 11 years after it was introduced.
Other important pending bills are the Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Bill 2014, The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill 2015 and The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill 2016.
Another bill pending in the Upper House since 2007 is the Private Detective Agencies (Regulation) Bill, 2007 of the Home Ministry on which the report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs was presented way back in February, 2009.
The proposed law aimed at regulating private detectives and the licencing process.
The Bills pending in Rajya Sabha include the contentious Goods and Services Tax or the GST Bill, which was moved in the Upper House in August last year after being passed by Lok Sabha.
Another key bill is the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015, which was moved in December last year but the discussion on it remained inconclusive. In the Budget and Monsoon sessions this year, this bill could not be taken up.
Indicating that the long-pending GST Bill can see a forward movement in the next session of Parliament, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had yesterday expressed confidence that "legislation activity" can proceed at a faster face with the increase in strength of those parties which support the bills in the Rajya Sabha and do not "obstruct" proceedings.
He was asked about the implications of results of the recent Rajya Sabha elections that saw a dip in Congress' number, and the prospect of the GST Bill which is being blocked by the main Opposition party seeking amendments.
The last few sessions of Parliament have seen sparring even though the Monsoon sittings recorded relative improvement as far the completion of government business was concerned. But the problem of pending bills is not limited to the two years of the NDA government.
Some of the bills have been pending for decades. These include Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 1987, the Participation of Workers in Management Bill 1990 and the Constitution (Seventy-ninth Amendment) Bill 1992.
On the Medical Council Bill, the report of the Joint Committee was presented way back in July 1989 while on the Workers Management Bill, the report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour and Welfare was laid on the table of the Rajya Sabha in December 2001, 11 years after it was introduced.
Other important pending bills are the Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Bill 2014, The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill 2015 and The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill 2016.
Another bill pending in the Upper House since 2007 is the Private Detective Agencies (Regulation) Bill, 2007 of the Home Ministry on which the report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs was presented way back in February, 2009.
The proposed law aimed at regulating private detectives and the licencing process.
Amarinder Singh Backs Kamal Nath, Says 'Row Won't Hurt Us'
-
CHANDIGARH: Responding to controversy over Kamal Nath's appointment as Congress Punjab unit in-charge, the party's Chief Ministerial candidate Captain Amarinder Singh candidate today strongly defended him. At a press conference Captain Singh said, "I know Kamal Nath for a long time. He is law-abiding person."
"Congress swept Delhi polls twice when he was in-charge of Delhi. When Delhi Sikhs didn't object why are political parties objecting here?" he said.
"Between 1st to 4th November, I visited all camps in Delhi. None of the refugees took the name of Kamal Nath. Also Mishra commission didn't summon him. No one took his name before the Commission," said Captain Singh.
He told reporters that in 2006, Kamal Nath's name was raised for the first time by advocate HS Phoolka, now an AAP member, and two witnesses were produced by him but the Nanavati commission rejected them.
"He has been appointed as party in-charge by party president and we abide by it. I don't think the perception created by Opposition will damage us. We will stand up against," he further added.
Captain Singh also released pictures of Kamal Nath with AAP leader Kumar Vishwas and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal saying that speculation was being fanned keeping the elections in mind.
"If the person is guilty hang him, but don't punish innocent," he said.
Both ruling Shiromani Akali Dal and Aam Admi Party have criticised the Congress party for appointing Kamal Nath as its general secretary in-charge of Punjab, where assembly elections will be held early next year, resurrecting allegations that Mr Nath was involved in Delhi's anti-Sikh riots after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984.
"Congress swept Delhi polls twice when he was in-charge of Delhi. When Delhi Sikhs didn't object why are political parties objecting here?" he said.
"Between 1st to 4th November, I visited all camps in Delhi. None of the refugees took the name of Kamal Nath. Also Mishra commission didn't summon him. No one took his name before the Commission," said Captain Singh.
"He has been appointed as party in-charge by party president and we abide by it. I don't think the perception created by Opposition will damage us. We will stand up against," he further added.
Captain Singh also released pictures of Kamal Nath with AAP leader Kumar Vishwas and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal saying that speculation was being fanned keeping the elections in mind.
"If the person is guilty hang him, but don't punish innocent," he said.
Both ruling Shiromani Akali Dal and Aam Admi Party have criticised the Congress party for appointing Kamal Nath as its general secretary in-charge of Punjab, where assembly elections will be held early next year, resurrecting allegations that Mr Nath was involved in Delhi's anti-Sikh riots after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984.
Jayalalithaa Raises NEET, Jallikattu Issue In Meeting With PM Modi
-
NEW DELHI: On her first visit after her second consecutive election victory, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and submitted a memorandum demanding among other things formation of Cauvery Management Board and addressing the issues related to NEET in state.
During the meeting at the Race Course residence of the prime minister, she presented a 29-page memorandum which also demanded the restoration of water level at Mullaperiyar dam to
152 feet.
Interlinking of rivers, retrieval of Katchatheevu island and inclusion of fishermen in the Scheduled Tribes list are also listed in the memorandum.
Ms Jayalalithaa pressed the Centre for addressing the state's grievances over issues related to the implementation of GST.
In the memorandum, the state has also urged for the early commissioning of Unit 2 of Kudankulam nuclear power plant.
Ms Jayalalithaa, who arrived in the afternoon, met 50 of her party lawmakers, the largest regional group in Parliament, before she drove to PM Modi's residence.
Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Thambidurai, Special Advisor Sheela Balakrishnan and Chief Secretary Rama Mohan Rao accompanied her.
The Tamil Nadu chief minister had also urged the Centre to set up an All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in the state along with addressing the issues related to NEET in state.
Sri Lankan Tamils issue, lifting of the ban on the conduct of Jallikattu and declaring Tamil as an official language were also among the demands made by Ms Jayalalithaa.
She wanted a decision to allow the use of Tamil as the language of Madras High Court.
Union Minister Nirmala Sitaraman and Pon Radhakrishnan also called on Ms Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu house in the evening.
During the meeting at the Race Course residence of the prime minister, she presented a 29-page memorandum which also demanded the restoration of water level at Mullaperiyar dam to
152 feet.
Interlinking of rivers, retrieval of Katchatheevu island and inclusion of fishermen in the Scheduled Tribes list are also listed in the memorandum.
Ms Jayalalithaa pressed the Centre for addressing the state's grievances over issues related to the implementation of GST.
In the memorandum, the state has also urged for the early commissioning of Unit 2 of Kudankulam nuclear power plant.
Ms Jayalalithaa, who arrived in the afternoon, met 50 of her party lawmakers, the largest regional group in Parliament, before she drove to PM Modi's residence.
Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Thambidurai, Special Advisor Sheela Balakrishnan and Chief Secretary Rama Mohan Rao accompanied her.
The Tamil Nadu chief minister had also urged the Centre to set up an All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in the state along with addressing the issues related to NEET in state.
Sri Lankan Tamils issue, lifting of the ban on the conduct of Jallikattu and declaring Tamil as an official language were also among the demands made by Ms Jayalalithaa.
She wanted a decision to allow the use of Tamil as the language of Madras High Court.
Union Minister Nirmala Sitaraman and Pon Radhakrishnan also called on Ms Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu house in the evening.
Business Affairs
All online purchases to attract GST, says law
-
All purchases made online will attract a uniform Goods and Services Tax , likely to take effect from April next year, according to the model Goods and Services Tax (GST) law approved by state finance ministers on Tuesday.
The tax, in lieu of local levies, will be imposed at the first point of financial transaction. This clears the air on applicability of GST in e-commerce in cases where goods were being sold in one state but was being bought in another state.
The model GST law, which has 162 clauses and four schedules, has also suggested a jail terms of up to five years and fine for violation of the provisions of the statute.
It prescribes a threshold of Rs 9 lakh annual turnover for applicability of the new levy and Rs 4 lakh for businesses in North Eastern states including Sikkim. Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers at their meeting on Tuesday in Kolkata approved the model GST law.
"We request all stakeholders to give their suggestions/ comments to secretariat of Empowered Committee of FMs and or to finance ministry," Adhia tweeted.
The government is hoping to get the Constitution Amendment Bill passed by Parliament in the upcoming Monsoon Session. It plans to roll out GST from April 1, 2017 that will subsume excise, service tax and all local levies.
Virtually all states have supported the idea of GST except Tamil Nadu which has "some reservations", Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said after the meeting of Empowered Committee on the long awaited indirect tax reform.
All purchases made online will attract a uniform Goods and Services Tax , likely to take effect from April next year, according to the model Goods and Services Tax (GST) law approved by state finance ministers on Tuesday.
The tax, in lieu of local levies, will be imposed at the first point of financial transaction. This clears the air on applicability of GST in e-commerce in cases where goods were being sold in one state but was being bought in another state.
The model GST law, which has 162 clauses and four schedules, has also suggested a jail terms of up to five years and fine for violation of the provisions of the statute.
It prescribes a threshold of Rs 9 lakh annual turnover for applicability of the new levy and Rs 4 lakh for businesses in North Eastern states including Sikkim. Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers at their meeting on Tuesday in Kolkata approved the model GST law.
"We request all stakeholders to give their suggestions/ comments to secretariat of Empowered Committee of FMs and or to finance ministry," Adhia tweeted.
The government is hoping to get the Constitution Amendment Bill passed by Parliament in the upcoming Monsoon Session. It plans to roll out GST from April 1, 2017 that will subsume excise, service tax and all local levies.
Virtually all states have supported the idea of GST except Tamil Nadu which has "some reservations", Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said after the meeting of Empowered Committee on the long awaited indirect tax reform.
Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad rules out penal power to Trai
-
Rejecting demand for giving penal power to telecom regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said the authority has enough power to protect the interest of consumers .
"It is intimated that Trai is empowered by the Trai Act to lay down the standards of quality of service to be provided by the service providers...so as to protect the interest of the consumers of telecommunication service. Since Trai has wide ranging powers, the need to change the Trai Act is not felt at this juncture," Prasad said in a letter dated June 9 to MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
There was no immediate reply to query made to the Telecom Ministry over the matter.
Chandrasekhar had written to Prasad over net neutrality which included reference to consumer rights in telecom and internet space like privacy, quality of service norms.
"Trai has to have broad power to protect consumers. There is need to for legitimate public debate on this. Entire technology sector has changed since the time Trai Act was made. I believe that the regulator must have more power," Chandrasekhar said in the letter.
To check the call drop menace and improve compliance to its rules, Trai has approached the Department of Telecom (DoT) to amend the Trai Act to empower it to impose fine of Rs 10 crore on operators as well jail term of up to two years to company executives for any violation of regulatory framework.
The move came after the Supreme Court on May 11 quashed a Trai order which mandated mobile service providers to compensate INR 1 for every call drop with maximum of INR 3 a day.
Telecom operators are lobbying hard against giving penal power to Trai, and has termed such powers as 'draconian'.
Telecom Secretary J S Deepak too has said that giving penal power cannot be "one and final solution" to the call drop menace. "I am not sure penal power will be one and final solution to this. In my personal opinion I do not agree that for every call drop a person has to be sent to jail," he had said after a review meeting with telecom operators last week.
Most of the mobile service providers have frequently failed in quarterly sample call drop tests conducted by Trai but telecom operators have contested the results saying that they comply with benchmark set by the regulator.
Rejecting demand for giving penal power to telecom regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said the authority has enough power to protect the interest of consumers .
"It is intimated that Trai is empowered by the Trai Act to lay down the standards of quality of service to be provided by the service providers...so as to protect the interest of the consumers of telecommunication service. Since Trai has wide ranging powers, the need to change the Trai Act is not felt at this juncture," Prasad said in a letter dated June 9 to MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
There was no immediate reply to query made to the Telecom Ministry over the matter.
Chandrasekhar had written to Prasad over net neutrality which included reference to consumer rights in telecom and internet space like privacy, quality of service norms.
"Trai has to have broad power to protect consumers. There is need to for legitimate public debate on this. Entire technology sector has changed since the time Trai Act was made. I believe that the regulator must have more power," Chandrasekhar said in the letter.
To check the call drop menace and improve compliance to its rules, Trai has approached the Department of Telecom (DoT) to amend the Trai Act to empower it to impose fine of Rs 10 crore on operators as well jail term of up to two years to company executives for any violation of regulatory framework.
The move came after the Supreme Court on May 11 quashed a Trai order which mandated mobile service providers to compensate INR 1 for every call drop with maximum of INR 3 a day.
Telecom operators are lobbying hard against giving penal power to Trai, and has termed such powers as 'draconian'.
Telecom Secretary J S Deepak too has said that giving penal power cannot be "one and final solution" to the call drop menace. "I am not sure penal power will be one and final solution to this. In my personal opinion I do not agree that for every call drop a person has to be sent to jail," he had said after a review meeting with telecom operators last week.
Most of the mobile service providers have frequently failed in quarterly sample call drop tests conducted by Trai but telecom operators have contested the results saying that they comply with benchmark set by the regulator.
Mahanagar Gas looks to raise more than Rs 1,000 crore via IPO
-
Mumbai-based cooking gas supplier Mahanagar Gas plans to raise a maximum of Rs 1040 crore ($154.65 million) through an initial pubic offering (IPO) on June 21, the company said on Tuesday.
The price band for the IPO is Rs 380 per share to Rs 420 per share. At the lower end of the price band, the company could raise up to Rs 9380 crore, a company statement showed. Mahanagar Gas is a joint venture of Indian gas transmission behemoth Gail (India) Ltd and BG Asia, which is now owned by Royal Dutch Shell.
The Maharashtra government also holds 10 per cent stake in the company.
According to its IPO prospectus, the company will not issue any additional shares and proceeds from the IPO will directly go to the two holding companies that will be offloading 12.5 percent stake each.
Mahanagar Gas is currently engaged in supplying cooking gas and compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles in Mumbai. The company also operates in the adjoining Thane district and recently bagged a licence to supply city gas to the coastal district of Raigad.
It also supplies natural gas to industries and commercial establishments such as hotels and shopping malls.
Mumbai-based cooking gas supplier Mahanagar Gas plans to raise a maximum of Rs 1040 crore ($154.65 million) through an initial pubic offering (IPO) on June 21, the company said on Tuesday.
The price band for the IPO is Rs 380 per share to Rs 420 per share. At the lower end of the price band, the company could raise up to Rs 9380 crore, a company statement showed. Mahanagar Gas is a joint venture of Indian gas transmission behemoth Gail (India) Ltd and BG Asia, which is now owned by Royal Dutch Shell.
The Maharashtra government also holds 10 per cent stake in the company.
According to its IPO prospectus, the company will not issue any additional shares and proceeds from the IPO will directly go to the two holding companies that will be offloading 12.5 percent stake each.
Mahanagar Gas is currently engaged in supplying cooking gas and compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles in Mumbai. The company also operates in the adjoining Thane district and recently bagged a licence to supply city gas to the coastal district of Raigad.
It also supplies natural gas to industries and commercial establishments such as hotels and shopping malls.
Gold prices edge Rs 140 up on global cues, jewellers' buying
-
Powered by a firm global trend and persistent buying by jewellers at the domestic spot market, gold prices climbed for the sixth straight day on Tuesday, gaining Rs 140 to Rs 29,800 per ten grams at the bullion market on Tuesday.
Silver also rebounded by Rs 260 to Rs 41,260 per kg due to increased offtake by industrial units and coin makers.
Analysts said a firming global trend where gold climbed to the highest in four weeks as uncertainty mounts over whether Britain will exit the European Union and speculations that the US Fed will keep interest rates unchanged at its two-day meeting that begins later in the day buoyed sentiment here.
Globally, gold rose 0.82 per cent to $1,283.80 an ounce - its highest since May 16 - and silver by 0.72 per cent to $17.41 an ounce in New York on Monday.
Furthermore, persistent buying by jewellers at the domestic spot market added to the upside.
The Indian rupee turning weak against the dollar that made the imports costlier influenced the precious metals.
In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity surged Rs 140 each to Rs 29,800 and Rs 29,650 per ten grams, respectively. It had gained Rs 630 in the last five days.
Sovereign, however, shed Rs 100 at Rs 23,000 per piece of eight grams.
Tracking gold, silver ready recovered Rs 260 to Rs 41,260 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 55 to Rs 41,185 per kg.
Silver coins too spurted by Rs 1,000 to Rs 70,000 for buying and Rs 71,000 for selling of 100 pieces.
Powered by a firm global trend and persistent buying by jewellers at the domestic spot market, gold prices climbed for the sixth straight day on Tuesday, gaining Rs 140 to Rs 29,800 per ten grams at the bullion market on Tuesday.
Silver also rebounded by Rs 260 to Rs 41,260 per kg due to increased offtake by industrial units and coin makers.
Analysts said a firming global trend where gold climbed to the highest in four weeks as uncertainty mounts over whether Britain will exit the European Union and speculations that the US Fed will keep interest rates unchanged at its two-day meeting that begins later in the day buoyed sentiment here.
Globally, gold rose 0.82 per cent to $1,283.80 an ounce - its highest since May 16 - and silver by 0.72 per cent to $17.41 an ounce in New York on Monday.
Furthermore, persistent buying by jewellers at the domestic spot market added to the upside.
The Indian rupee turning weak against the dollar that made the imports costlier influenced the precious metals.
In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity surged Rs 140 each to Rs 29,800 and Rs 29,650 per ten grams, respectively. It had gained Rs 630 in the last five days.
Sovereign, however, shed Rs 100 at Rs 23,000 per piece of eight grams.
Tracking gold, silver ready recovered Rs 260 to Rs 41,260 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 55 to Rs 41,185 per kg.
Silver coins too spurted by Rs 1,000 to Rs 70,000 for buying and Rs 71,000 for selling of 100 pieces.
Wholesale prices up 0.79% year-on-year in May, vegetable prices soar
-
Rising for the second straight month, wholesale price-based inflation jumped to 0.79 per cent in May with vegetable prices witnessing a double-digit growth.
The April WPI-based inflation was at 0.34 per cent and in March it was (-)0.45 per cent while it stood at (-)2.20 per cent in May last year. Food inflation rose to 7.88 per cent in May as against 4.23 per cent in April, showed a government data today.
Inflation in vegetables came in at 12.94 per cent, a sharp rise from 2.21 per cent, a month earlier. Pulses inflation remained stubborn at 35.56 per cent.
Prices of egg, meat and fish paced up by 9.75 per cent and in fruits the rise was 3.80 per cent. However, kitchen staple onion continued to witness decline at (-)21.70 per cent in May.
Manufactured products inflation too inched up to 0.91 per cent from 0.71 per cent in April.
The hardening of WPI food inflation follows the trend of retail inflation released yesterday.
Retail inflation touched a 21-month high of 5.76 per cent in May mainly due to rising prices of food items.
The hardening of inflation could further dent the chances of a interest rate cut by Reserve Bank in its policy review in the months ahead.
In its policy review earlier this month, RBI had retained January 2017 retail inflation target at 5 per cent, though with an upward bias on account of firming of oil prices and implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendations.
Rising for the second straight month, wholesale price-based inflation jumped to 0.79 per cent in May with vegetable prices witnessing a double-digit growth.
The April WPI-based inflation was at 0.34 per cent and in March it was (-)0.45 per cent while it stood at (-)2.20 per cent in May last year. Food inflation rose to 7.88 per cent in May as against 4.23 per cent in April, showed a government data today.
Inflation in vegetables came in at 12.94 per cent, a sharp rise from 2.21 per cent, a month earlier. Pulses inflation remained stubborn at 35.56 per cent.
Prices of egg, meat and fish paced up by 9.75 per cent and in fruits the rise was 3.80 per cent. However, kitchen staple onion continued to witness decline at (-)21.70 per cent in May.
Manufactured products inflation too inched up to 0.91 per cent from 0.71 per cent in April.
The hardening of WPI food inflation follows the trend of retail inflation released yesterday.
Retail inflation touched a 21-month high of 5.76 per cent in May mainly due to rising prices of food items.
The hardening of inflation could further dent the chances of a interest rate cut by Reserve Bank in its policy review in the months ahead.
In its policy review earlier this month, RBI had retained January 2017 retail inflation target at 5 per cent, though with an upward bias on account of firming of oil prices and implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendations.
General Awareness
Prime Minister visited USA & Mexico in the list of 5 Nations visit – Overview
-
-
After the successful visit to Afghanistan, Qatar and Switzerland, Prime Minister arrived in USA during the five days visit from 4th June 2016.
Delegates: Prime Minister of India NarendraModi and President of the United States of America Barack Obama
Arrived on 6th June 2016
Venue: White House, United States
The Delegates were discussed about the following matters related to strategic partnership between the nations and agreed to grab new opportunities
- To strengthen economic growth and sustainable development
- To Promote peace and security in and around the world
- To enhance inclusive, democratic governance and respect for universal human rights
- To provide global leadership on issues of shared interest
Note: Previous Visits of Prime Minister to United States: September 2014 and January 2015
Prime Minister made his last day to Mexico and had discussion with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto
The Delegates were discussed about the inclusion of India into the Nuclear Supplier Groups Membership.
Arrived on 8th June 2016
The following agreements were discussed:
- Economic Partnership
- Bilateral Cooperation
- Dialogue on Global Affairs
ii. India-US inked 8 Memorandum of Understandings to strengthen economic growth & sustainable development
The Prime Minister of India and President of United states were signed the 8 agreements related to various key areas such as
- Exchange of terrorist screening information
- Cooperation on Energy Security
- Clean Energy
- Climate Change
- Wildlife Conservation, Management and Combating Wildlife Trafficking
- Exchange of Terrorist Screening Information
- The Nations should be provided with privilege to get into terrorism screening information through the approved contact points abide to domestic laws and regulations
- It would enhance the counter terrorism cooperation between India and the United States
- Signed between the Intelligence Bureau of India and the Terrorist Screening Center of the United States
- Cooperation on Energy Security, Clean Energy and Climate Change
Objective:
To improve the collaboration between the nations regarding on energy Security, Clean Energy and Climate Change through
- Enhanced bilateral ties
- Future initiatives for installing sustainable growth
3. Collaboration on Wildlife Conservation, Management and Combating Wildlife Trafficking:
It pursues cooperation between two nations on
- Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Genetics
- Natural World Heritage Conservation and Nature Interpretation
- Conservation Awareness
- Enhancement of an International Expedited Traveller Initiative:
Under the initiative, pre-approved and low risk travellers are allowed to get expedited clearance upon arrival in the United States at Selected Airports through Automatic Kiosks.
The Facility would be extended on joint examination and clearance by Nations
Programme: US customs and Border Protection Programme
- Technical Planningrelating to Unclassified Maritime Information Sharing:
Signed between the Indian Navy and the United States Navy
Arrangements
Sharing of unclassified information on White Shipping between the nations under respective national laws, regulation and policies
Provides outline for mutually useful maritime information
- Cooperation in Gas Hydrates:
Signed between the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Department of Energy of the United States
Focus: Understanding of the geologic existence, distribution and production of natural gas hydrates along the continental margin of both nations.
- Information Exchange Annex (IEA) to the Master Information Exchange Agreement:
Related to Aircraft Carrier Technologies
Focus:To increase data and information sharing relating to aircraft carriers technology between the nations.
- Logistics Exchange:
Focused at assisting mutual logistic support between both nations for authorized port visits, joint exercises, joint training and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
iii. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed US Congress
On Addressing at US congress, the Prime Minister mentioned the issues from Climate change to terrorism, defence and security cooperation to trade and economic partnership
Invited by: House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan
Features of Address:
- NarendraModi became India’s sixth Prime Minister to speak at the US Congress
- Honoured the soldier’s courage and sacrifice for the ideals of freedom and democracy on occasion ofseventy-second Anniversary of the D-Day
- The impact of the U.S. constitution was reproduced in drafting of the Indian constitution
- India – US Civil Nuclear Co-operation made tremendous changes in the relationship which was passed Congress in 2008
- Norman Borlaug brought the Green Revolution and food security to India
- American Universities refined the education in Institutes of Technology and Management in India
- By 2022,Prime Minister wished to achieve in following areas including
- A vibrant rural economy with robust farm sector
- Electricity to all households
- To skill millions of our youth
- Build 100 smart cities
- Have a broad band for a billion and connect our villages to the digital world
- Developingrail, road and port infrastructure
- India and the U.S. have jointly increased the strength in science, technology and innovation to help fight hunger, poverty, diseases and illiteracy in different parts of the world
v. India’s membership of NSG dominated meet between PM NarendraModi and US President Barack Obama
Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to President of United States to support of India’s inclusion in Nuclear Suppliers Group and Mission Technology Control Regime.
Delegates had two hour dialogue at the White house and discussed the ties on Regional Security, Terrorism, Cyber Security, Climate Change, Clean Energy and Economic Partnership
Features of Inclusion in NSG and MTCR:
- To have civil nuclear Cooperation
- Access to latest Technology
vi. India, US agreed to initiate domestic processes to ratify Paris climate deal
On approval over 190 countries in December 2015, both nations initiated domestic processes to ratify the Paris agreement on climate change.
Initial step in civil nuclear cooperation, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India ltd has initiated to build six reactors in Gujarat by June 2017 with the help of Nuclear reactor builders.
The delegates were agreed to implement the Paris Agreement with effectively and ensure that climate financing will be embarked with vision for solar energy and clean energy
The Paris Agreement
177 signatories have been registered and 17 countries have ratified
At 6.96 per cent of the total global emissions, India ranks fourth after China, the U.S. and the EU on the list of polluters
vii. UN chief welcomed Indo-US commitment to join Paris agreement
United Nations Chief Ban Ki- Moon welcomed the initiatives taken by India and The United states to sign the Paris Climate Agreement.
- He encouraged framing the policies to lower down the greenhouse gas emission
- Chief wished to implement the Paris Agreement as soon as possible to deal with climate change and their issues.
- He advised to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions through the Montreal Protocol, The International Civil Aviation Organisation Assembly and the G20 Summit
viii. India, Mexico to uplift ties to strategic partnership
The Prime Minister and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto have signed to uplift their partnership and also extended support for inclusion of India into Nuclear Suppliers Group
The Mexican Government has also supported to India’s International Solar Alliance Initiative which was discussed at the Paris Climate deal in 2015.
Agreements Discussed:
- To enhance trade and Investment between two nations
- To expand the commercial, Science and Technology
- Widen the collaboration in the fields of Space and Agricultural research
- Priotitise the projcts such as Bio technology, waste management, disaster warning and management and solar energy
- Encouraging the necessity of Cooperation in pharmaceutical products, energy, automobile sector, Information and Communication Technology, agriculture, food processing
vii. India-Mexico Joint Statement during the visit of Prime Minister to Mexico
- Improve the bilateral relations in Economic field, Science and Technology
- President mentioned the structural reforms and Prime Minister has highlighted the initiatives taken by the Union for the economic growth
- Inculcated the Foreign ministers to initiate the framework of the Partnership fit for the 21st Century in ahead of the Seventh Mexico-India Joint Commission meeting to be held in Mexico in 2016.
- Strengthening of bilateral talks in the areas of Culture, education and tourism
- Exchanged the ideas of National Digital Strategy of Mexico and the Digital India Initiative as well as remote sensing, advance warning for disaster prevention and launch of satellites between the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
- After the successful visit to Afghanistan, Qatar and Switzerland, Prime Minister arrived in USA during the five days visit from 4th June 2016.
Delegates: Prime Minister of India NarendraModi and President of the United States of America Barack ObamaArrived on 6th June 2016
Venue: White House, United StatesThe Delegates were discussed about the following matters related to strategic partnership between the nations and agreed to grab new opportunities- To strengthen economic growth and sustainable development
- To Promote peace and security in and around the world
- To enhance inclusive, democratic governance and respect for universal human rights
- To provide global leadership on issues of shared interest
Note: Previous Visits of Prime Minister to United States: September 2014 and January 2015Prime Minister made his last day to Mexico and had discussion with Mexican President Enrique Pena NietoThe Delegates were discussed about the inclusion of India into the Nuclear Supplier Groups Membership.Arrived on 8th June 2016The following agreements were discussed:- Economic Partnership
- Bilateral Cooperation
- Dialogue on Global Affairs
ii. India-US inked 8 Memorandum of Understandings to strengthen economic growth & sustainable developmentThe Prime Minister of India and President of United states were signed the 8 agreements related to various key areas such as- Exchange of terrorist screening information
- Cooperation on Energy Security
- Clean Energy
- Climate Change
- Wildlife Conservation, Management and Combating Wildlife Trafficking
- Exchange of Terrorist Screening Information
- The Nations should be provided with privilege to get into terrorism screening information through the approved contact points abide to domestic laws and regulations
- It would enhance the counter terrorism cooperation between India and the United States
- Signed between the Intelligence Bureau of India and the Terrorist Screening Center of the United States
- Cooperation on Energy Security, Clean Energy and Climate Change
Objective:To improve the collaboration between the nations regarding on energy Security, Clean Energy and Climate Change through- Enhanced bilateral ties
- Future initiatives for installing sustainable growth
3. Collaboration on Wildlife Conservation, Management and Combating Wildlife Trafficking:It pursues cooperation between two nations on- Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Genetics
- Natural World Heritage Conservation and Nature Interpretation
- Conservation Awareness
- Enhancement of an International Expedited Traveller Initiative:
Under the initiative, pre-approved and low risk travellers are allowed to get expedited clearance upon arrival in the United States at Selected Airports through Automatic Kiosks.The Facility would be extended on joint examination and clearance by NationsProgramme: US customs and Border Protection Programme- Technical Planningrelating to Unclassified Maritime Information Sharing:
Signed between the Indian Navy and the United States NavyArrangementsSharing of unclassified information on White Shipping between the nations under respective national laws, regulation and policiesProvides outline for mutually useful maritime information- Cooperation in Gas Hydrates:
Signed between the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Department of Energy of the United StatesFocus: Understanding of the geologic existence, distribution and production of natural gas hydrates along the continental margin of both nations.- Information Exchange Annex (IEA) to the Master Information Exchange Agreement:
Related to Aircraft Carrier TechnologiesFocus:To increase data and information sharing relating to aircraft carriers technology between the nations.- Logistics Exchange:
Focused at assisting mutual logistic support between both nations for authorized port visits, joint exercises, joint training and humanitarian assistance and disaster reliefiii. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed US CongressOn Addressing at US congress, the Prime Minister mentioned the issues from Climate change to terrorism, defence and security cooperation to trade and economic partnershipInvited by: House of Representatives Speaker Paul RyanFeatures of Address:- NarendraModi became India’s sixth Prime Minister to speak at the US Congress
- Honoured the soldier’s courage and sacrifice for the ideals of freedom and democracy on occasion ofseventy-second Anniversary of the D-Day
- The impact of the U.S. constitution was reproduced in drafting of the Indian constitution
- India – US Civil Nuclear Co-operation made tremendous changes in the relationship which was passed Congress in 2008
- Norman Borlaug brought the Green Revolution and food security to India
- American Universities refined the education in Institutes of Technology and Management in India
- By 2022,Prime Minister wished to achieve in following areas including
- A vibrant rural economy with robust farm sector
- Electricity to all households
- To skill millions of our youth
- Build 100 smart cities
- Have a broad band for a billion and connect our villages to the digital world
- Developingrail, road and port infrastructure
- India and the U.S. have jointly increased the strength in science, technology and innovation to help fight hunger, poverty, diseases and illiteracy in different parts of the world
v. India’s membership of NSG dominated meet between PM NarendraModi and US President Barack ObamaPrime Minister expressed his gratitude to President of United States to support of India’s inclusion in Nuclear Suppliers Group and Mission Technology Control Regime.Delegates had two hour dialogue at the White house and discussed the ties on Regional Security, Terrorism, Cyber Security, Climate Change, Clean Energy and Economic PartnershipFeatures of Inclusion in NSG and MTCR:- To have civil nuclear Cooperation
- Access to latest Technology
vi. India, US agreed to initiate domestic processes to ratify Paris climate dealOn approval over 190 countries in December 2015, both nations initiated domestic processes to ratify the Paris agreement on climate change.Initial step in civil nuclear cooperation, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India ltd has initiated to build six reactors in Gujarat by June 2017 with the help of Nuclear reactor builders.The delegates were agreed to implement the Paris Agreement with effectively and ensure that climate financing will be embarked with vision for solar energy and clean energyThe Paris Agreement177 signatories have been registered and 17 countries have ratifiedAt 6.96 per cent of the total global emissions, India ranks fourth after China, the U.S. and the EU on the list of pollutersvii. UN chief welcomed Indo-US commitment to join Paris agreementUnited Nations Chief Ban Ki- Moon welcomed the initiatives taken by India and The United states to sign the Paris Climate Agreement.- He encouraged framing the policies to lower down the greenhouse gas emission
- Chief wished to implement the Paris Agreement as soon as possible to deal with climate change and their issues.
- He advised to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions through the Montreal Protocol, The International Civil Aviation Organisation Assembly and the G20 Summit
viii. India, Mexico to uplift ties to strategic partnershipThe Prime Minister and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto have signed to uplift their partnership and also extended support for inclusion of India into Nuclear Suppliers GroupThe Mexican Government has also supported to India’s International Solar Alliance Initiative which was discussed at the Paris Climate deal in 2015.Agreements Discussed:- To enhance trade and Investment between two nations
- To expand the commercial, Science and Technology
- Widen the collaboration in the fields of Space and Agricultural research
- Priotitise the projcts such as Bio technology, waste management, disaster warning and management and solar energy
- Encouraging the necessity of Cooperation in pharmaceutical products, energy, automobile sector, Information and Communication Technology, agriculture, food processing
vii. India-Mexico Joint Statement during the visit of Prime Minister to Mexico- Improve the bilateral relations in Economic field, Science and Technology
- President mentioned the structural reforms and Prime Minister has highlighted the initiatives taken by the Union for the economic growth
- Inculcated the Foreign ministers to initiate the framework of the Partnership fit for the 21st Century in ahead of the Seventh Mexico-India Joint Commission meeting to be held in Mexico in 2016.
- Strengthening of bilateral talks in the areas of Culture, education and tourism
- Exchanged the ideas of National Digital Strategy of Mexico and the Digital India Initiative as well as remote sensing, advance warning for disaster prevention and launch of satellites between the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
No comments:
Post a Comment