NEW DELHI : In order to attract investments in infrastructure sector, the finance ministry will organize a two-day India Investment Summit from February 4, which would see the participation of various global investors.
“India Investment Summit organized by Finmin will be held in New Delhi on February 4-5. Global long-term investors will participate,” economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das tweeted on Wednesday.
India has been trying to attract foreign investment for “Make in India” campaign with a view to boost economic growth and generating employment. Other economic ministries, roads, highways, oil and gas and railways are expected to participate in the summit.
Various global private equity funds and sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are likely to participate in the event, which is being organized by the finance ministry. The ministry is seeking participation from SWFs for the Rs 40,000 crore National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), which will act as a nodal agency for fund long-term projects, including stalled ones.
Since coming to power in May 2014, the NDA government has relaxed foreign direct investment norms in over a dozen sectors including defence, banking, railways, construction and medical devices.
Finance minister Arun Jaitley has on several occasions said the country needs to attract foreign investment to supplement domestic efforts to accelerate growth.
@Agency news.
Hyderabad : Eleven men have been arrested from various parts of the city by the ‘SHE Teams’ of Hyderabad Police for eve-teasing and allegedly harassing women. Two among the arrested persons are drivers and were caught while teasing women during Republic Day celebrations at Parade Grounds here yesterday, police said today.
They were caught red-handed with video evidence, arrested and are being produced in court,” Additional Commissioner of Police (Crimes and SIT) Swati Lakra said.
The nine men were arrested from different areas on charges of making frequent calls to women, sending messages and obscene pictures, proposing and harassing, stalking, besides teasing and passing comments on them, she added.
‘SHE Teams’ set up in October 2014, are tasked with cracking down on eve-teasers and stalkers.
@ Agency report.
New Delhi : The imposition of President’s rule in crisis-hit Arunachal Pradesh today came under the scanner of the Supreme Court. The court sought the report of Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa recommending central rule in the state.
It posted the matter for February one asking the Governor and the Ministry of Home Affairs to file responses by Friday on petitions filed by Congress leaders including the plea of Rajesh Tacho, Chief Whip of Congress Legislature party in the state assembly which is now kept under suspended animation.
When Additional Solicitor General Satpal Jain, appearing for the Governor, sought to maintain secrecy of the report and the recommendation for the President’s rule, the bench said, “He will only mention the date of report recommending President’s rule to opposite parties during the course of the day.”
However, the bench for its own perusal sought in a sealed cover the report and recommendation on imposition of the President’s rule.
@Agency report.
Panaji : The Goa government is considering banning consumption of liquor in public places to check nuisance, a senior official said here today.
“There are complaints from common people about consumption of liquor in public places, which leads to littering and other nuisance. The existing excise law needs to be amended for the same,” Goa’s Excise Commissioner Menino D’Souza told PTI.
“The state excise department would amend the Goa, Daman and Diu Excise Act, 1964, which would give powers to the department’s inspectors to punish the offenders,” he said.
The department has already formed a committee headed by former excise commissioner Ashok Desai to review the existing excise law, D’Souza said.
According to government records, there are 332 wholesale liquor shops in Goa, besides 9,445 bars and restaurants serving alcohol.
D’Souza said the state tourism department has already amended the Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act to check the nuisance of drunken people at tourist places.
“The tourist places are defined as beaches and other spots, and India Reserve Battalion (IRB) of Goa Police have been asked to take action against those found drinking at these places. It is working as a deterrent,” he said.
New Delhi : In a stern order, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has said schools and Education Department should not disclose information about children under the RTI Act without consulting their parents.
The Commission admonished the principal of R D Public School and Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of Directorate of Education (DoE) of Delhi government for disclosing information about a student to his relatives who had a dispute with the student’s family.
Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu said the principal of the school himself told the DoE that his school does not come under RTI Act and applicant was involved in a dispute with the school student’s family.
“There are several incidents reported that rivals of the parents or quarreling spouses take the child from the school. Revealing the details of the child might lead to kidnap or murder etc.
“During the stay of child in school, the principal and teachers have a duty of guardian and any negligence on their part might harm the student,” Acharyulu said.
The principal apprehended disclosure would cause damage to the boy but still gave documents related to the student, he noted.
“The school should not have furnished the copies of CBSE certificate of the child. Another letter from CBSE given to school granting direct admission to ten students including Nishit Anand was also furnished to appellant,” Achayulu said.
The Information Commissioner said the CPIO of DDE gave all this information to RTI applicant Lalit Kapur without applying his mind and not thinking about the security issues that might arise for the boy.
“The Commission directs the CPIO and principal not to disclose personal information of the students to any person, much less to his so called relatives without following the procedure under Section 11 of the RTI Act,” he said.
He said it was revealed that CPIO did not follow the
mandatory process in Section 11 of the RTI Act to seek opinion of the parents of the child, the third party.
“The request for information is certainly personal in nature and third party information of a minor student and its disclosure may not enhance the welfare of the child. It is interrogative in nature and he is fishing to find basis to embarrass the child or his family not with a good motive and for some unspecified purpose, which is certainly not ‘public purpose’,” Acharyulu said.
The Commissioner said irrespective of the opinion given by a third party, the CPIO has to decide based on his discretion in public interest to fulfil the objectives of RTI Act.
“The CPIO can refuse to disclose even if the third party has agreed to disclose or provide information,” he said.
“During the stay of child in school, the principal and teachers have a duty of guardian and any negligence on their part might harm the student,” Acharyulu said.
The principal apprehended disclosure would cause damage to the boy but still gave documents related to the student, he noted.
“The school should not have furnished the copies of CBSE certificate of the child. Another letter from CBSE given to school granting direct admission to ten students including Nishit Anand was also furnished to appellant,” Achayulu said.
The Information Commissioner said the CPIO of DDE gave all this information to RTI applicant Lalit Kapur without applying his mind and not thinking about the security issues that might arise for the boy.
“The Commission directs the CPIO and principal not to disclose personal information of the students to any person, much less to his so called relatives without following the procedure under Section 11 of the RTI Act,” he said.
He said it was revealed that CPIO did not follow the mandatory process in Section 11 of the RTI Act to seek opinion of the parents of the child, the third party.
“The request for information is certainly personal in nature and third party information of a minor student and its disclosure may not enhance the welfare of the child. It is interrogative in nature and he is fishing to find basis to embarrass the child or his family not with a good motive and for some unspecified purpose, which is certainly not ‘public purpose’,” Acharyulu said.
The Commissioner said irrespective of the opinion given by a third party, the CPIO has to decide based on his discretion in public interest to fulfil the objectives of RTI Act.
“The CPIO can refuse to disclose even if the third party has agreed to disclose or provide information,” he said.
Karachi : Minority students in Pakistan’s Sindh province will not be required to study Islamic studies in future and can instead follow a book on ethics that includes the teachings of religions like Hinduism and Sikhism, authorities said today.
“Students belonging to minority communities in government schools will study the curriculum according to their own religion,” Sindh Text Book Board (STBB) chairman Syed Zakir Ali Shah said.
“The book which has been named Ikhlaqiat (ethics) will be included in the curriculum of all public schools across Sindh from April 1 of the current year from Grade 7 classes,” he added.
The content of the book has been prepared to include teachings from different religions.
“The book has been prepared to include the teachings of different religions, including Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism and mystic poetry,” Shah said.
Last year, Sindh government has announced to include a speech made on August 11, 1947, by the founder of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in the syllabus to promote religious tolerance.
Jinnah has talked about giving equal rights and freedom to all religious minorities in the speech.
Pakistani school textbooks have often been criticised for fostering prejudice and intolerance of Hindus and other religious minorities in the country.
A study by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom in 2014 has found systematic negative portrayals of minorities, especially Hindus and to a lesser extent of Christians, in the Pakistani school textbooks.
“Religious minorities are often portrayed as inferior or second-class citizens who have been granted limited rights and privileges by generous Pakistani Muslims, for which they should be grateful,” the report has said.
Hindus make up a little more than one per cent of Pakistan’s over 199 million population.
However, over two million Hindus live in Sindh and over half a million of them live in Karachi city alone.
@Agency news.
New Delhi : The political turmoil in the state is set to deepen inside Parliament with the Congress determined to stall the ratification of President’s Rule in the State.
Top party sources said here on Tuesday that a meeting was held between senior leaders of the party and Chief Minister Nabam Tuki at the residence of former Union Minister Kapil Sibal and both legal and political options to fight the imposition of President’s Rule were discussed.
“A proclamation of President’s Rule needs to be ratified in both Houses of Parliament within two months of notification or whenever the next session of Parliament is held. In this case, the budget session. The party will oppose it tooth and nail and try and build opposition unity around the issue,” said a top source in the party.
On Tuesday evening, the Janata Dal (U) also issued a statement in support of the Congress, appealing to all non-BJP parties to unite in raising the issue in Parliament.
“This decision of the NDA-led Central government is an attempt to sabotage the Constitutional mandate, which is a threat to democracy. This act also shows the BJP’s mindset towards cooperative federalism. The JD(U) calls upon all non-BJP parties including NDA partners Telugu Desam Party, People’s Democratic Party, Shiv Sena and Akali Dal to stand together in the hour of need and raise the issue in the upcoming budget session,” the statement read. The opposition enjoys comfort in numbers in the Rajya Sabha and the imposition of President’s Rule in an Opposition-run state has set the stage for a stormy Budget Session.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the imposition of President’s rule was a “disaster” in the making. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal likened the situation to the Emergency. “President’s rule in Arunachal. Advaniji was right in saying that there are Emergency-like conditions in the country,” he said.
Arunachal Pradesh plunged into a political crisis in June last year after a section of the Congress MLAs (14 of them) was suspended by Speaker Nabam Rebia, along with two Ministers. The Congress retained its majority, but very soon Deputy Speaker T.N. Thongdok cleared an impeachment motion against the Speaker “owing to his personal relationship with Chief Minister Nabam Tuki”.
@Agency news.
The Republic Day commemmorates India’s constitution coming into force on January 26, 1950, declaring India a democratic republic. The date is the anniversary of Purna Swaraj Day held on January 26, 1930.
Military parades are a tradition that inspire patriotism across nations and, in that vein, the Republic Day parade has become an emblem of India’s national pride.
Men in crisp uniforms marching across Rajpath following strict military discipline is an awe-inspiring sight on Republic Day.
Rigorous selection
For the military, it is one of the high points of the year. The selection of personnel is a very rigorous process. The first selection starts in June and the men are trained at the regimental centres. Each regiment’s turn comes once in three years and usually only those in peace locations are involved.
The units are informed beforehand so they start preparation much earlier. They congregate in Delhi by end November. The parade is timed to the last minute and there is thorough coordination with all services.
Huge expense
Apart from the effort and time invested in rolling out the columns and colourful tableau, there is also a huge financial cost involved. According to reports and Right To Information (RTI) reply from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) the Centre spent Rs. 320 crore on the parade in 2014. In 2001, the expenditure was Rs. 145 crore . Republic day parade is a four -hour show.
Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, popularly known as Rajinikanth, is one of the most popular film personalities in India. The superstar who works mostly in Tamil films has also acted in other industries including Hollywood, Hindi, Bengali. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2000.
Ramoji Rao is a media entrepreneur. He is the owner of Ramoji Group, the world’s largest film production facility Ramoji Film City and film production company Ushakiran Movies.
Former J&K Governor Jagmohan is a recipient of the Padma Shri in 1971 and the Padma Bhushan in 1977. A retired civil servant, he is also a published author.
Ravi Shankar, populary known as Shri Shri Ravi Shankar, is the founder of the Art Of Living Foundation.
She is a renowned Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer.
is an eminent vocalist of the Banaras gharana. She is known to have elevated the profile of thumri.
A former Defence Research and Development Organisation chief , Aatre is also a Padma Bhushan recipient.
The late business tycoon was the founder of Reliance Industries.
is an Indian-American economist and the author of a number of books in economics.
Dr.V. Shanta is a prominent Oncologist and chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute, Chennai. She is also a Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan recipient.
London : Libya will fall further into chaos if its factions don’t quickly form a unity government, the head of the state oil company Mustafa Sanalla has warned.He noted that the country has already lost some USD 68 billion in oil sales amid political infighting.
Mustafa Sanalla, who is in London to attend a conference and get support from investors, made his comments yesterday just after the internationally recognised parliament in the divided country rejected a plan to move toward a unified government.
The vote underscored the turmoil that continues to wrack Libya.
Sanalla argued that without a single government, there will be “neither security nor stability.”
“This vacuum will permit the other terrorist group and extremist groups to step in,” he told The Associated Press.
The appeal came a week after representatives of Libya’s rival factions announced they would attempt to create a government of unity to stabilise a country engulfed in chaos since the 2011 death of dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
The United Nations is trying to broker a single government featuring the country’s two factions, the Islamist one in the capital, Tripoli, and the internationally backed one in the eastern part of the country.
With each side backed by its own fighters, the Libyans allied with the Islamic State group have gained strength, claiming responsibility for a series of deadly attacks and attacking oil terminals and fields, the sole source of Libya’s wealth.
“This problem in Libya, it is not so sophisticated,” Sanalla said after the first day of the conference at Chatham House.
“We have two factions in Libya. They are not looking (out) for the interests of Libya, unfortunately.”
Aside from the obvious turmoil a dysfunctional government provides, the troubles also mean extremists are gaining strength. Islamic State militants have been attacking Libyan oil facilities since the start of the year.
Sanalla said the group doesn’t want to hold the facilities, but disable them. His 68 billion estimate of lost production and exports since 2013 does not include damage and losses from the fire at the big port of Ras Lanuf last week or to any other facilities.
Instead of blaming Islamic State alone, he leveled his most harsh criticisms at the Petroleum Facilities Guard, the force that is meant to protect oil facilities.
@AGENCY NEWS.