General Affairs
Learn From Pranab Mukherjee, Arun Jaitley Tells Rahul Gandhi On Rafale
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Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today hit back at the Congress over the controversy around the Rafale fighter jet deal, accusing it of "seriously compromising" country's security by seeking details of weaponry purchased along with the aircraft. He also advised Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to "learn" from former Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee "lessons on national security", drawing loud protests from the opposition parties.
"Your party was stigmatised when you were in government because of allegation of corruption. Now the new act is, let us manufacture an allegation of corruption against the NDA. So when you couldn't find anything, you said please disclose the price of the Rafale deal," Mr Jaitley said while replying to the debate on the budget.
"I charge the Congress of seriously compromising India's security...Mr Modi has run a clean government for last four years, so let us manufacturer a crisis, let us manufacture an issue.
"And the manufactured issue is: 'please tell me the details of the Rafale deal'," the finance minister said in the Lok Sabha referring to the demands by the Congress to make public details of the Indian government deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.
rafale
India has signed an agreement with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets
Defending the government's decision against making the break-up of the nearly Rs. 58,000 crore deal public, Mr Jaitley said when UPA was in power, then defence ministers Pranab Mukherjee and A K Antony had on 15 occasions told parliament that giving out such details would be against the interest of national security.
Mr Gandhi has targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 2016 deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets. "What is the price that the Prime Minister has spent on Rafale," Mr Gandhi had asked on Tuesday.
Mr Jaitley said security pacts were an inherent part of defence transactions "because when you disclose the details of the price, you can give an approximate price, but when you give those specific details, you are giving details of the weapon system that you possess, and the capacity of the weapon systems which you don't want to inform the enemy".
Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor told Mr Jaitley that his party was not seeking details to compromise national security but only demanding transparency.
Saugata Roy of the Trinamool Congress and some Congress members demanded that Mr Gandhi be allowed to speak as Mr Jaitley had referred to him in his speech.
But Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said till the time the Finance Minister does not yield, she cannot allow the Congress leader to speak.
As both Congress and BJP members shouted charges at each other, Mr Jaitley said the opposition had raised the issues it wanted and now he should be allowed to complete his speech.
"Your party was stigmatised when you were in government because of allegation of corruption. Now the new act is, let us manufacture an allegation of corruption against the NDA. So when you couldn't find anything, you said please disclose the price of the Rafale deal," Mr Jaitley said while replying to the debate on the budget.
"I charge the Congress of seriously compromising India's security...Mr Modi has run a clean government for last four years, so let us manufacturer a crisis, let us manufacture an issue.
"And the manufactured issue is: 'please tell me the details of the Rafale deal'," the finance minister said in the Lok Sabha referring to the demands by the Congress to make public details of the Indian government deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.
rafale
India has signed an agreement with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets
Defending the government's decision against making the break-up of the nearly Rs. 58,000 crore deal public, Mr Jaitley said when UPA was in power, then defence ministers Pranab Mukherjee and A K Antony had on 15 occasions told parliament that giving out such details would be against the interest of national security.
Mr Gandhi has targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 2016 deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets. "What is the price that the Prime Minister has spent on Rafale," Mr Gandhi had asked on Tuesday.
Mr Jaitley said security pacts were an inherent part of defence transactions "because when you disclose the details of the price, you can give an approximate price, but when you give those specific details, you are giving details of the weapon system that you possess, and the capacity of the weapon systems which you don't want to inform the enemy".
Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor told Mr Jaitley that his party was not seeking details to compromise national security but only demanding transparency.
Saugata Roy of the Trinamool Congress and some Congress members demanded that Mr Gandhi be allowed to speak as Mr Jaitley had referred to him in his speech.
But Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said till the time the Finance Minister does not yield, she cannot allow the Congress leader to speak.
As both Congress and BJP members shouted charges at each other, Mr Jaitley said the opposition had raised the issues it wanted and now he should be allowed to complete his speech.
BJP Developing Northeast India, Tripura Backward Due To Left: PM Modi
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Saying his government was working to develop northeast India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that Tripura was lagging behind the rest of the country due to 25 years of "misrule" by the Left.
"The BJP government at the Centre is working with all sincerity for all round progress of northeast India. But Tripura lagged behind due to misrule of Left parties for the past 25 years," the prime minister said at an election rally in Tripura's Sonamura, which is located around 50 km south-west of Agartala.
He said that the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had set up the Development of North Eastern Region Ministry to develop the region. His government also gave top priority to develop the infrastructure of the region and to improve the lives of the people.
Prime Minister Modi also said that the Rs. 1,300 crore National Bamboo Mission had been launched to utilise the huge bamboo resources in the northeast.
Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's Dhanpur Assembly constituency falls in the Sonamura Sub-Division.
Giving the slogan "Cholo Paltai" (Go for Change), the Prime Minister urged the people to vote the BJP to power to transform Tripura.
"Voting for BJP's lotus symbol will be a punishment for the Left Front government in the February 18 Assembly elections as during its 25 years of misrule people did not get anything, poverty went up and backwardness widened."
Criticizing Mr Sarkar, Prime Minister Modi said: "under his (Sarkar's) white kurta there is a dark side. His government cheated people by giving poor wages when the people of other parts of the country got higher wages and the government employees got higher salaries.
"In the past 25 years, the Left parties hypnotized the people. People could not understand how backward they are. Now the time has come to change the future of the state and the fortune of the people."
PM Modi went on to say: "Out of every Rs. 100 spent in Tripura, the central government is giving Rs. 80. The Manik Sarkar government is unable to spend Central money properly. The Left government is also looting the money of the poor."
"If the Left government is allowed to govern (further), there will be no development in the state."
The Prime Minister said that if the BJP took power in the state, corruption will end.
"People are committing suicide in Tripura. Youths are not getting jobs... The time has come to throw out the Left.
"The BJP government at the Centre is working with all sincerity for all round progress of northeast India. But Tripura lagged behind due to misrule of Left parties for the past 25 years," the prime minister said at an election rally in Tripura's Sonamura, which is located around 50 km south-west of Agartala.
He said that the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had set up the Development of North Eastern Region Ministry to develop the region. His government also gave top priority to develop the infrastructure of the region and to improve the lives of the people.
Prime Minister Modi also said that the Rs. 1,300 crore National Bamboo Mission had been launched to utilise the huge bamboo resources in the northeast.
Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's Dhanpur Assembly constituency falls in the Sonamura Sub-Division.
Giving the slogan "Cholo Paltai" (Go for Change), the Prime Minister urged the people to vote the BJP to power to transform Tripura.
"Voting for BJP's lotus symbol will be a punishment for the Left Front government in the February 18 Assembly elections as during its 25 years of misrule people did not get anything, poverty went up and backwardness widened."
Criticizing Mr Sarkar, Prime Minister Modi said: "under his (Sarkar's) white kurta there is a dark side. His government cheated people by giving poor wages when the people of other parts of the country got higher wages and the government employees got higher salaries.
"In the past 25 years, the Left parties hypnotized the people. People could not understand how backward they are. Now the time has come to change the future of the state and the fortune of the people."
PM Modi went on to say: "Out of every Rs. 100 spent in Tripura, the central government is giving Rs. 80. The Manik Sarkar government is unable to spend Central money properly. The Left government is also looting the money of the poor."
"If the Left government is allowed to govern (further), there will be no development in the state."
The Prime Minister said that if the BJP took power in the state, corruption will end.
"People are committing suicide in Tripura. Youths are not getting jobs... The time has come to throw out the Left.
Father Of Army Officer Accused In Kashmir Civilian Deaths Goes To Supreme Court
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The father of the army officer named in the case involving the deaths of three men in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian, has approached the Supreme Court. The petition by Lt Colonel Karamveer Singh, a serving officer of the Indian army, challenges the police case and says it violates the fundamental rights of his son, Major Aditya Singh. The petition also appeals that the Centre be asked to protect the rights of soldiers working in Jammu and Kashmir.
The contentious police case -- which has now turned a political controversy - had named Major Aditya Singh and his Garhwal Regiment. They were accused of opening fire on a group of protesters, in which three men had died. The army said the soldiers were vastly outnumbered by the stone-throwing mob, and opened fire only after the crowd disregarded repeated warnings.
The petition said the police cannot file cases against army officers in Jammu and Kashmir, since AFSPA (the Armed Forces' Special Powers Act) is operating in the state. The law gives special powers to the army in insurgency-hit areas. The police registered an FIR against the Major "knowing fully well that he was not present at the place of the incident and that the personnel so acting were doing lawful military duty," the petition read.
"My son was doing his duty to protect the soldiers who were being stoned and about to be lynched... He carried out the orders of his superiors," it further said.
In his petition, Lt Colonel Singh said he was compelled to move the Supreme Court directly because of the "extremely hostile situation in Jammu and Kashmir". This, the petition said, became evident in the "manner of lodging the FIR" and the way it was projected by the state's political and administration heads. It appealed that the investigation be carried out in another state with independent and unbiased authorities.
The police case was filed as the shooting on the protesters triggered uproar in the state and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said it would be taken to its "logical conclusion".
But trouble started after it became known that the police had named the officer and his unit instead of filing a generic First Information Report that does not name anyone. The BJP, which is part of the ruling alliance in the state, raised strong objections. Ms Mufti said the action was taken after consultations with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The army has already filed a case after conducting its internal inquiries. It said the soldiers had acted in "self-defence" after extreme provocation.
The contentious police case -- which has now turned a political controversy - had named Major Aditya Singh and his Garhwal Regiment. They were accused of opening fire on a group of protesters, in which three men had died. The army said the soldiers were vastly outnumbered by the stone-throwing mob, and opened fire only after the crowd disregarded repeated warnings.
The petition said the police cannot file cases against army officers in Jammu and Kashmir, since AFSPA (the Armed Forces' Special Powers Act) is operating in the state. The law gives special powers to the army in insurgency-hit areas. The police registered an FIR against the Major "knowing fully well that he was not present at the place of the incident and that the personnel so acting were doing lawful military duty," the petition read.
"My son was doing his duty to protect the soldiers who were being stoned and about to be lynched... He carried out the orders of his superiors," it further said.
In his petition, Lt Colonel Singh said he was compelled to move the Supreme Court directly because of the "extremely hostile situation in Jammu and Kashmir". This, the petition said, became evident in the "manner of lodging the FIR" and the way it was projected by the state's political and administration heads. It appealed that the investigation be carried out in another state with independent and unbiased authorities.
The police case was filed as the shooting on the protesters triggered uproar in the state and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said it would be taken to its "logical conclusion".
But trouble started after it became known that the police had named the officer and his unit instead of filing a generic First Information Report that does not name anyone. The BJP, which is part of the ruling alliance in the state, raised strong objections. Ms Mufti said the action was taken after consultations with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The army has already filed a case after conducting its internal inquiries. It said the soldiers had acted in "self-defence" after extreme provocation.
Need Taj Action Plan Within 4 Weeks, Supreme Court Tells UP Government
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As pollution continues to rob the Taj Mahal of its beauty and splendour, the Supreme Court today told the Uttar Pradesh government that it wants to see a comprehensive plan for its protection and preservation in the next four weeks. The top court also asked the state government to explain why there was a sudden burst of activities in and around the Taj Mahal and the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ).
The TTZ is an area of about 10,400 sq kms spread over Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras and Etah in Uttar Pradesh and Bharatpur in Rajasthan.
"There is sudden flurry of activities in TTZ. Is there any particular reason for that? Leather industries and hotels are coming up there. Why?" Justices M B Lokur and Deepak Gupta asked Additional Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, who is representing the state.
The top Court had earlier said that "ad hoc" measures were not enough to preserve the Taj Mahal for "a few hundred years" asked the Uttar Pradesh government to prepare a comprehensive design for the protection of the 17th century mausoleum for generations.
The Taj, said to be one of the seven wonders of the world, has been battling too many challenges with pollution being the most devastating. Observers have noticed a yellow-brown layer on the white marble. A team of researchers from India and the US in 2014 found that the browning was mainly due to dust and airborne carbon particles.
Mudpacks are being applied in stages to erase stains but critics say the process is as damaging as bleaching the fine stone. Authorities have, however, rejected the concern.
The Archeological Society of India (ASI), which is in charge of conservation of the monument, has undertaken many projects to clean up the marble. But critics warn that restoration is only half the solution, pointing to the industrial factories across the river that belch out noxious fumes, leaving the air thick with smog.
Efforts to curb these pollutants, including banning motor vehicles within 500 metres of the building, have also failed to clear up the air.
Experts also warn that iron scaffolding, erected to carry out restorations works, risks leaving irrevocable scars on the fine marble. But bamboo frames are inadequate for such heights.
"We have to clean the dome, but the challenge is how to erect the scaffolding," Bhuvan Vikrama, the government archaeologist overseeing restoration efforts, told AFP.
Among other efforts to ease pressure on the monument, the number of local tourists is being capped to 40,000 a day. Right now, an average of 10,000-15,000 visitors come here every day and the number swells to about 70,000 on weekends.
Meanwhile, the state government has filed a separate application asking for permission to cut 234 trees to lay pipelines for water supply in Agra.
The bench, however, asked the state how many trees have already been planted in the TTZ and posted the matter for hearing after four weeks.
The Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1631, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The TTZ is an area of about 10,400 sq kms spread over Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras and Etah in Uttar Pradesh and Bharatpur in Rajasthan.
"There is sudden flurry of activities in TTZ. Is there any particular reason for that? Leather industries and hotels are coming up there. Why?" Justices M B Lokur and Deepak Gupta asked Additional Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, who is representing the state.
The top Court had earlier said that "ad hoc" measures were not enough to preserve the Taj Mahal for "a few hundred years" asked the Uttar Pradesh government to prepare a comprehensive design for the protection of the 17th century mausoleum for generations.
The Taj, said to be one of the seven wonders of the world, has been battling too many challenges with pollution being the most devastating. Observers have noticed a yellow-brown layer on the white marble. A team of researchers from India and the US in 2014 found that the browning was mainly due to dust and airborne carbon particles.
Mudpacks are being applied in stages to erase stains but critics say the process is as damaging as bleaching the fine stone. Authorities have, however, rejected the concern.
The Archeological Society of India (ASI), which is in charge of conservation of the monument, has undertaken many projects to clean up the marble. But critics warn that restoration is only half the solution, pointing to the industrial factories across the river that belch out noxious fumes, leaving the air thick with smog.
Efforts to curb these pollutants, including banning motor vehicles within 500 metres of the building, have also failed to clear up the air.
Experts also warn that iron scaffolding, erected to carry out restorations works, risks leaving irrevocable scars on the fine marble. But bamboo frames are inadequate for such heights.
"We have to clean the dome, but the challenge is how to erect the scaffolding," Bhuvan Vikrama, the government archaeologist overseeing restoration efforts, told AFP.
Among other efforts to ease pressure on the monument, the number of local tourists is being capped to 40,000 a day. Right now, an average of 10,000-15,000 visitors come here every day and the number swells to about 70,000 on weekends.
Meanwhile, the state government has filed a separate application asking for permission to cut 234 trees to lay pipelines for water supply in Agra.
The bench, however, asked the state how many trees have already been planted in the TTZ and posted the matter for hearing after four weeks.
The Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1631, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Max Hospital Death Case: Stay On Licence Cancellation Extended Till April 12
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An appellate body hearing the Max hospital twin death case today extended by two months the stay on a Delhi government order cancelling its licence in December, authorities said.
The stay will be in effect till April 12, the next date of hearing, they said.
Today's hearing was the second one in connection with the case, by the Financial Commissioner's court, Delhi.
The licence cancellation case pertains to the birth of a premature twin at the hospital in Shalimar Bagh on November 30 last year.
Both the babies were declared stillborn by the hospital, one of them wrongly, and handed over to the family allegedly in a polythene bag.
While the family was on its way to perform the final rites, they found that one of them (a baby boy) was still alive.
The case triggered an outrage, prompting the AAP government's Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to cancel the hospital's licence on December 8 for alleged medical negligence.
The upscale hospital group on December 13 had filed an appeal in the Financial Commissioner's court against the cancellation of the licence, which stayed the order.
"The appellate body has set April 12 as the next date of hearing. So, the stay order stands extended by two month for the hospital," Director General in the DGHS, Kirti Bhushan said, adding that the hearing lasted around 40 minutes.
He, however, said, the Delhi government, has now emphasised on two other factors as the major grounds for cancellation of its license.
"From our (DGHS) side, now the main grounds for taking action are the lapses on part of the hospital, involving the EWS (extremely weaker section) quota patients and dengue fever beds. And, we had sent notices to Max for these cases, even before the twin baby case was reported in the media," he said.
The alleged medical negligence in the twin baby case is, over and above these two grounds, Bhushan said.
Today, the Max Healthcare group, in a statement, said, "The relief granted to Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, earlier will continue, as the next date of hearing is fixed for April 12."
Following the initial stay order, the Max hospital had resumed its operation on December 20.
"Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, continues to serve over 15,000 patients in its OPD, 3,000 patients in IPD per month including those from the economically weaker sections of the society," the group claimed.
Last month, the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) had sent the Max hospital twin baby case to its disciplinary committee and the hearing in the matter is likely to be held later this month.
The stay will be in effect till April 12, the next date of hearing, they said.
Today's hearing was the second one in connection with the case, by the Financial Commissioner's court, Delhi.
The licence cancellation case pertains to the birth of a premature twin at the hospital in Shalimar Bagh on November 30 last year.
Both the babies were declared stillborn by the hospital, one of them wrongly, and handed over to the family allegedly in a polythene bag.
While the family was on its way to perform the final rites, they found that one of them (a baby boy) was still alive.
The case triggered an outrage, prompting the AAP government's Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to cancel the hospital's licence on December 8 for alleged medical negligence.
The upscale hospital group on December 13 had filed an appeal in the Financial Commissioner's court against the cancellation of the licence, which stayed the order.
"The appellate body has set April 12 as the next date of hearing. So, the stay order stands extended by two month for the hospital," Director General in the DGHS, Kirti Bhushan said, adding that the hearing lasted around 40 minutes.
He, however, said, the Delhi government, has now emphasised on two other factors as the major grounds for cancellation of its license.
"From our (DGHS) side, now the main grounds for taking action are the lapses on part of the hospital, involving the EWS (extremely weaker section) quota patients and dengue fever beds. And, we had sent notices to Max for these cases, even before the twin baby case was reported in the media," he said.
The alleged medical negligence in the twin baby case is, over and above these two grounds, Bhushan said.
Today, the Max Healthcare group, in a statement, said, "The relief granted to Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, earlier will continue, as the next date of hearing is fixed for April 12."
Following the initial stay order, the Max hospital had resumed its operation on December 20.
"Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, continues to serve over 15,000 patients in its OPD, 3,000 patients in IPD per month including those from the economically weaker sections of the society," the group claimed.
Last month, the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) had sent the Max hospital twin baby case to its disciplinary committee and the hearing in the matter is likely to be held later this month.
Business Affairs
To take on Amazon in India, Walmart may double Flipkart valuation to $20 billion
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American retail giant Walmart may be planning to take a piece of India's e-commerce pie. The multinational chain which operates hypermarkets chains and department stores is reportedly eyeing a large stake in online marketplace Flipkart, and may offer to double the valuation of Flipkart to about $20 billion.
Walmart, the world's largest company by revenue, is gearing up for a renewed online push to take on Amazon in the US and across the world, a TOI report said. The ongoing talks between Walmart and the Indian e-tailer entail multiple options, including one to buy out Flipkart's numerous early shareholders, paving the way for a substantial interest, it said.
If the deal goes through, then the world's biggest brick-and-mortar retailer will own a significant stake in homegrown e-commerce major Flipkart. The deal could help both companies to pool their resources to compete against Amazon in both online and offline retail channels.
Walmart has been vying for a bigger footprint in e-commerce market, whereas Flipkart has been engaged in a head-to-head competition against Amazon India locally. The reports of a deal between the two companies surfaced around September last year when Walmart acquired Jet.com to get a foothold in the e-commerce market. Walmart has been forging new partnerships to take on Seattle-based Amazon.
At present, SoftBank is the largest shareholder in Flipkart. In August, Japanese internet giant SoftBank invested over $2.5 billion in Flipkart to become one of its largest shareholders. SoftBank's new investment came through its $100 billion technology-focused Vision Fund.
Walmart could spend anywhere between $5-10 billion if the offer to buy a large stake finds favour with Flipkart, making it one of the largest cross-border deals in India, the report added.
"Post the diligence, Walmart's offer involves one-fifth in primary capital with the rest of the transaction being secondary sale of shares to Walmart by existing investors. Walmart wants to start ahead of Amazon and India will be the only market where it can possibly do that by investing in Flipkart, which is being valued at $18-20 billion," the report quoted a person aware of the details.
Walmart, the world's largest company by revenue, is gearing up for a renewed online push to take on Amazon in the US and across the world, a TOI report said. The ongoing talks between Walmart and the Indian e-tailer entail multiple options, including one to buy out Flipkart's numerous early shareholders, paving the way for a substantial interest, it said.
If the deal goes through, then the world's biggest brick-and-mortar retailer will own a significant stake in homegrown e-commerce major Flipkart. The deal could help both companies to pool their resources to compete against Amazon in both online and offline retail channels.
Walmart has been vying for a bigger footprint in e-commerce market, whereas Flipkart has been engaged in a head-to-head competition against Amazon India locally. The reports of a deal between the two companies surfaced around September last year when Walmart acquired Jet.com to get a foothold in the e-commerce market. Walmart has been forging new partnerships to take on Seattle-based Amazon.
At present, SoftBank is the largest shareholder in Flipkart. In August, Japanese internet giant SoftBank invested over $2.5 billion in Flipkart to become one of its largest shareholders. SoftBank's new investment came through its $100 billion technology-focused Vision Fund.
Walmart could spend anywhere between $5-10 billion if the offer to buy a large stake finds favour with Flipkart, making it one of the largest cross-border deals in India, the report added.
"Post the diligence, Walmart's offer involves one-fifth in primary capital with the rest of the transaction being secondary sale of shares to Walmart by existing investors. Walmart wants to start ahead of Amazon and India will be the only market where it can possibly do that by investing in Flipkart, which is being valued at $18-20 billion," the report quoted a person aware of the details.
WhatsApp Payments feature seen on beta app, company to also rollout group video calling, stickers
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After popularizing chats, free phone call and video calls, and media sharing, WhatsApp will soon allow you to send and receive money. Reports suggest WhatsApp may soon launch a UPI-linked payments option for its customers. According to Gizmo Times, the feature, which allows you to make a payment through a UPI-linked bank account both online and offline, has been seen on the latest Beta version of the app.
So when clicked on the Attachment list, the option was seen with other icons like Documents, Gallery, Audio, Location, and Contact. Click on Payments, and you are directed to a page that asks to link your UPI account. If it's not linked, go to your bank website or UPI app and link your bank account.
With more than 1.5 billion people - over 200 million in India alone - in over 180 countries using WhatsApp right now, the feature could be an instant hit once it'll be rolled out in the country.
Group video calling
Reports suggest the Facebook-owned application is also working on a group video calling feature. The latest option has been seen on WhatsApp's beta version 2.18.39, reported WABetaInfo. But, there's no option to switch from video to audio call. You can add up only three people at a time. The feature could be extremely useful for business purposes as well.
WhatsApp sticker packs
Like Facebook allows you to choose stickers according to your mood on its messenger app, WhatsApp is also planning to launch a similar feature on the app. Deccan Chronicle reported the option will have 'featured' and 'My' categories. The 'featured' category will show preset stickers while you can customize your sticker packs on 'My' section.
WhatsApp keeps updating its app with new features to facilitate users and stay ahead of the competition. In January, the company had launched WhatsApp Business, a separate app specifically for people who don't want to make hefty investments in website development, and infrastructure related to customer support. The instant messaging app is available on Android's Play Store.
So when clicked on the Attachment list, the option was seen with other icons like Documents, Gallery, Audio, Location, and Contact. Click on Payments, and you are directed to a page that asks to link your UPI account. If it's not linked, go to your bank website or UPI app and link your bank account.
With more than 1.5 billion people - over 200 million in India alone - in over 180 countries using WhatsApp right now, the feature could be an instant hit once it'll be rolled out in the country.
Group video calling
Reports suggest the Facebook-owned application is also working on a group video calling feature. The latest option has been seen on WhatsApp's beta version 2.18.39, reported WABetaInfo. But, there's no option to switch from video to audio call. You can add up only three people at a time. The feature could be extremely useful for business purposes as well.
WhatsApp sticker packs
Like Facebook allows you to choose stickers according to your mood on its messenger app, WhatsApp is also planning to launch a similar feature on the app. Deccan Chronicle reported the option will have 'featured' and 'My' categories. The 'featured' category will show preset stickers while you can customize your sticker packs on 'My' section.
WhatsApp keeps updating its app with new features to facilitate users and stay ahead of the competition. In January, the company had launched WhatsApp Business, a separate app specifically for people who don't want to make hefty investments in website development, and infrastructure related to customer support. The instant messaging app is available on Android's Play Store.
India improves ranking in US Chamber's intellectual property index
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A US lobby group which ranks countries on the basis of its intellectual property friendliness to innovation based global corporations has improved India's position in its current year's ranking.
The Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce stated that India ranked 44th of 50 economies - a jump from 43rd of 45 economies one year ago - improving its performance both in relative and absolute terms in its annual International IP Index.
The index, released on February 8 ranks economies based on 40 unique indicators that benchmark activity critical to innovation development surrounding patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secrets protection.
"Compared with 25 percent (8.75 out of 35) of the possible total score in the fifth edition, India scored 30 percent (12.03 out of 40) in the sixth edition, representing the largest percentage improvement of any country measured", GIPC stated.
It attributed the improved performance on the Index to the revised computer related inventions (CRI) Guidelines issued in July removing the novel hardware requirement as well as initiatives to expedite injunctive-style relief and disabling of infringing content online. The report also considered India's "forward-leaning" approach "in addressing patent pendency with 459 additional patent examiners, procedural reforms to expedite trademark backlogs, and expanding the list of well-known trademarks", it said.
"For the first time, India has broken free of the bottom ten percent of economies measured, and its score represents the largest percentage improvement of any country measured. This is further evidence of a country on the move," said Patrick Kilbride, vice president of GIPC. "Several factors figure into the improved score. India passed guidelines to strengthen the patentability environment for technological innovations, improved the protection of well-known marks, and initiated IP awareness and coordination programs, thereby implementing some tenets of the 2016 National IPR Policy. However, additional, meaningful reforms are still needed to incentivize domestic innovation, attract foreign investors, and improve access to innovation", he added.
Incidentally, India had moved 30 spots up in the World Bank's Doing Business ranking recently. Similarly, the 2017-18 World Economic Forum (WEF)'s Global Competitiveness Index, saw India's ranked at its highest ever at 40, continuing to improve compared to its emerging market peers. India also continued to rise in the 2017 Global Innovation Index (GII) rankings for the second year in succession, after four consecutive years of decline.
The Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce stated that India ranked 44th of 50 economies - a jump from 43rd of 45 economies one year ago - improving its performance both in relative and absolute terms in its annual International IP Index.
The index, released on February 8 ranks economies based on 40 unique indicators that benchmark activity critical to innovation development surrounding patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secrets protection.
"Compared with 25 percent (8.75 out of 35) of the possible total score in the fifth edition, India scored 30 percent (12.03 out of 40) in the sixth edition, representing the largest percentage improvement of any country measured", GIPC stated.
It attributed the improved performance on the Index to the revised computer related inventions (CRI) Guidelines issued in July removing the novel hardware requirement as well as initiatives to expedite injunctive-style relief and disabling of infringing content online. The report also considered India's "forward-leaning" approach "in addressing patent pendency with 459 additional patent examiners, procedural reforms to expedite trademark backlogs, and expanding the list of well-known trademarks", it said.
"For the first time, India has broken free of the bottom ten percent of economies measured, and its score represents the largest percentage improvement of any country measured. This is further evidence of a country on the move," said Patrick Kilbride, vice president of GIPC. "Several factors figure into the improved score. India passed guidelines to strengthen the patentability environment for technological innovations, improved the protection of well-known marks, and initiated IP awareness and coordination programs, thereby implementing some tenets of the 2016 National IPR Policy. However, additional, meaningful reforms are still needed to incentivize domestic innovation, attract foreign investors, and improve access to innovation", he added.
Incidentally, India had moved 30 spots up in the World Bank's Doing Business ranking recently. Similarly, the 2017-18 World Economic Forum (WEF)'s Global Competitiveness Index, saw India's ranked at its highest ever at 40, continuing to improve compared to its emerging market peers. India also continued to rise in the 2017 Global Innovation Index (GII) rankings for the second year in succession, after four consecutive years of decline.
CCI slaps Rs 136 crore fine on Google for unfair business practices
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The Competition Commission today imposed a fine of Rs 136 crore on search engine major Google for unfair business practices in the Indian market for online search. Passing the order on complaints that were filed back in 2012, the regulator said the penalty is being imposed on Google for "infringing anti-trust conduct".
Globally, this is one of the rare cases where Google has been penalised for unfair business ways. It was alleged that Google is indulging in abuse of dominant position in the market for online search through practices leading to search bias and search manipulation, among others.
The penalty amount of Rs 135.86 crore translates to 5 per cent of the companys average total revenue generated from India operations from its different business segments for the financial years 2013, 2014 and 2015, according to the CCI order.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it has given thoughtful consideration on the submissions made by Google on issue of penalty and found it appropriate to impose a fine. The ruling has come on complaints filed by Matrimony.com and Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) -- back in 2012 -- against Google LLC, Google India Pvt Ltd and Google Ireland Ltd.
Globally, this is one of the rare cases where Google has been penalised for unfair business ways. It was alleged that Google is indulging in abuse of dominant position in the market for online search through practices leading to search bias and search manipulation, among others.
The penalty amount of Rs 135.86 crore translates to 5 per cent of the companys average total revenue generated from India operations from its different business segments for the financial years 2013, 2014 and 2015, according to the CCI order.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it has given thoughtful consideration on the submissions made by Google on issue of penalty and found it appropriate to impose a fine. The ruling has come on complaints filed by Matrimony.com and Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) -- back in 2012 -- against Google LLC, Google India Pvt Ltd and Google Ireland Ltd.
Home loans taken prior to April 2016 may become cheaper
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Old home loans are likely to become cheaper with the RBI asking banks to link from April 1 the base rate with MCLR, which is more sensitive to policy rate signals.
The Reserve Bank had introduced the Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rates (MCLR) system with effect from April 1, 2016 on account of limitations in the base rate regime.
Home loans taken before April 1, 2016 were based on base rate, which was arbitrarily decided by banks. Interest rates, which have a bearing on the MCLR, has been moving southwards post demonetisation.
"With the introduction of the MCLR system, it was expected that the existing Base Rate linked credit exposures shall also migrate to MCLR system," RBI said in the statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies yesterday.
It is observed, however, that a large proportion of bank loans continue to be linked to the Base Rate despite the Reserve Bank of India highlighting this concern in earlier monetary policy statements.
"Since MCLR is more sensitive to policy rate signals, it has been decided to harmonise the methodology of determining benchmark rates by linking the Base Rate to the MCLR with effect from April 1, 2018," the RBI said.
RBI Deputy Governor NS Vishwanathan said told reporters after MPC meet that the RBI has been concerned about inadequacy of monetary transmission to the base rate and about large number of accounts still being under the base rate regime.
"We are now harmonising the calculation of base rate with the MCLR so that the responsiveness of the credit portfolio to monetary policy signals is not hindered by interest rate on large part of bank portfolio being linked to base rate," he said.
Under the base rate and BPLR, banks were following individual methodologies for computing the minimum rate at which they could lend. Under the MCLR, RBI asked all banks to follow the marginal cost of funds method to arrive at their benchmark lending rate.
MCLR is calculated after factoring in banks' marginal cost of funds (largely, the interest at which they borrow money), return on equity (a measure of banks' profitability), and negative carry on account of cash reserve ratio.
The RBI has on several occasions flayed lenders for keeping interest rates high and flagged concerns over base rate and MCLR, saying these have not improved monetary transmission.
The Reserve Bank had introduced the Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rates (MCLR) system with effect from April 1, 2016 on account of limitations in the base rate regime.
Home loans taken before April 1, 2016 were based on base rate, which was arbitrarily decided by banks. Interest rates, which have a bearing on the MCLR, has been moving southwards post demonetisation.
"With the introduction of the MCLR system, it was expected that the existing Base Rate linked credit exposures shall also migrate to MCLR system," RBI said in the statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies yesterday.
It is observed, however, that a large proportion of bank loans continue to be linked to the Base Rate despite the Reserve Bank of India highlighting this concern in earlier monetary policy statements.
"Since MCLR is more sensitive to policy rate signals, it has been decided to harmonise the methodology of determining benchmark rates by linking the Base Rate to the MCLR with effect from April 1, 2018," the RBI said.
RBI Deputy Governor NS Vishwanathan said told reporters after MPC meet that the RBI has been concerned about inadequacy of monetary transmission to the base rate and about large number of accounts still being under the base rate regime.
"We are now harmonising the calculation of base rate with the MCLR so that the responsiveness of the credit portfolio to monetary policy signals is not hindered by interest rate on large part of bank portfolio being linked to base rate," he said.
Under the base rate and BPLR, banks were following individual methodologies for computing the minimum rate at which they could lend. Under the MCLR, RBI asked all banks to follow the marginal cost of funds method to arrive at their benchmark lending rate.
MCLR is calculated after factoring in banks' marginal cost of funds (largely, the interest at which they borrow money), return on equity (a measure of banks' profitability), and negative carry on account of cash reserve ratio.
The RBI has on several occasions flayed lenders for keeping interest rates high and flagged concerns over base rate and MCLR, saying these have not improved monetary transmission.
General Awareness
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Mahamastakabhisheka
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Context: 88th Mahamastakabhisheka (head anointing ceremony) of the monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali has begun at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka.
About Mahamastakabhisheka:
The mastakabhisheka is held once in 12 years. One of the biggest festivals for the Jain community, it honors Lord Bahubali, a revered Jain icon. According to Jain texts, Bahubali attained liberation from the cycle of births and deaths (moksha) at Mount Kailash and is revered as a liberated soul (Siddha) by the Jains.
Bahubali is also called Gommateshwara because of the Gommateshwara statue dedicated to him and as lord “Kammateswara” from an inscription. The Gommateshwara statue was built by the Ganga dynasty minister and commander Chavundaraya; it is a 57-foot monolith situated above a hill in Shravanabelagola in the Hassan district, Karnataka state, India. It was built in around 981 A.D. and is one of the largest free-standing statues in the world.
About Mahamastakabhisheka:
The mastakabhisheka is held once in 12 years. One of the biggest festivals for the Jain community, it honors Lord Bahubali, a revered Jain icon. According to Jain texts, Bahubali attained liberation from the cycle of births and deaths (moksha) at Mount Kailash and is revered as a liberated soul (Siddha) by the Jains.
Bahubali is also called Gommateshwara because of the Gommateshwara statue dedicated to him and as lord “Kammateswara” from an inscription. The Gommateshwara statue was built by the Ganga dynasty minister and commander Chavundaraya; it is a 57-foot monolith situated above a hill in Shravanabelagola in the Hassan district, Karnataka state, India. It was built in around 981 A.D. and is one of the largest free-standing statues in the world.
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