INDIA TO GROW AT 7.3% IN 2019 AND 7.5% IN 2020: IMF
India is projected to grow
at 7.3 per cent in 2019 and 7.5 per cent in 2020, supported by the continued
recovery of investment and robust consumption, thus remaining the fastest
growing major economy of the world, according to the IMF. In 2018, India's
growth rate was 7.1 per cent, as against China's 6.6 per cent. In 2019, the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected a growth rate of 6.3 per cent for
China and 6.1 per cent in 2020, according to the latest World Economic Outlook
projections released ahead of the annual spring meetings of the International
Monetary Fund and the World Bank. In India, growth is projected to pick up to
7.3 per cent in 2019 and 7.5 per cent in 2020, supported by the continued
recovery of investment and robust consumption amid a more expansionary stance
of monetary policy and some expected impetus from fiscal policy, the report
said. Nevertheless, reflecting the recent revision to the national account
statistics that indicated somewhat softer underlying momentum, growth forecast
have been revised downward compared with the October 2018 WEO by 0.1 percentage
point for 2019 and 0.2 percentage point for 2020, respectively, it said. Growth
in India, the report said, is expected to stabilise at just under 7¾ per cent
over the medium term, based on continued implementation of structural reforms
and easing of infrastructure bottlenecks. The World Economic Outlook believes
that in India, continued implementation of structural and financial sector
reforms with efforts to reduce public debt remain essential to secure the economy's
growth prospects. In the near term, continued fiscal consolidation is needed to
bring down India's elevated public debt. This should be supported by
strengthening goods and services tax compliance and further reducing subsidies,
it said. Important steps have been taken to strengthen financial sector balance
sheets, including through accelerated resolution of non-performing assets under
a simplified bankruptcy framework, it noted. These efforts should be reinforced
by enhancing governance of public sector banks. Reforms to hiring and dismissal
regulations would help incentivise job creation and absorb the country's large
demographic dividend; efforts should also be enhanced on land reform to
facilitate and expedite infrastructure development, the report said. On the
other hand, economic growth in China, despite fiscal stimulus and no further
increase in tariffs from the US relative to those in force as of September
2018, is projected to slow on an annualised basis in 2019 and 2020. This
reflects weaker underlying growth in 2018, especially in the second half, and
the impact of lingering trade tensions with the United States, the IMF said.
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INDIA MEETS FISCAL DEFICIT TARGET OF 3.4% VIA SPENDING CUTS
India has met the fiscal
deficit target of 3.4 percent of gross domestic product in 2018/19 fiscal year
ended March 31, by cuts in state spending and higher borrowings from small
savings funds, a government source told. The government missed the tax
collections target by over 1 trillion rupees ($14.41 billion), including about
500 billion rupees shortfall in income tax receipts, said the source, who
requested anonymity. The official declined to share further details about
expenditure cuts in the fund allocations to different ministries.
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DATA USERS’ CONFERENCE DELIBERATES ON STRATEGY AND
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CENSUS 2021
For the first time in the
140 year long Census exercise in India, data is proposed to be collected
through a mobile app officials of Registrar General of India said at the
conference of data users to finalize the strategy and questionnaire for the
Census 2021. They said enumerators would be encouraged to use their own mobile
phone for which they would be paid appropriate remuneration or else there is
also option to collect and record the data through paper schedules which will
eventually be submitted electronically by them. Describing the Census 2021 as
the world’s largest such exercise, Rajiv Gauba informed the conference that 33
lakh enumerators would be mobilized for data collection for which notification
has already been issued. The reference date is 1st October 2020 for Jammu &
Kashmir and snow bound areas of Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand while for
the rest of country the reference date is 1st March 2021. Shri Gauba said
Census is not just an exercise of head count but also provides invaluable
socio-economic data which forms credible basis for informed policy formulation
and allocation of resources. The changing demographics and socio economic
parameters reflected by the census helps in reformulation of country’s plans
for the economic development and welfare schemes for its people, he added.
Besides, census data caters to the Constitutional requirement of delimitation
of constituencies and reservation of seats for SCs & STs, Shri Gauba said. He
urged caution while using technology for data collection in Census 2021 and
stressed that data confidentiality should be maintained. He asked the
participants – representatives from Ministries of Central and State
governments, academic institutions and international organizations-- to
deliberate on the strategy and questionnaire for the census to maximize the
benefits from this exercise.
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US CRITICISES INDIA’S DATA LOCALISATION NORMS, DRAFT
E-COMMERCE POLICY
The US has criticised
India’s data localisation norms and draft e-commerce policy terming certain
proposals as most discriminatory and trade-distortive. India has recently
promulgated a number of data localisation requirements that would serve as
significant barriers to digital trade between the US and India, the US Trade
Representative’s 2019 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers
said. It said these requirements raise costs for suppliers of data-intensive
services by forcing the construction of unnecessary, redundant data centres and
prevent local firms from taking advantage of the best global services available.
The report also said the proposals of India’s draft national e-commerce policy
such as data localisation requirements and restrictions on cross-border data
flows are discriminatory in nature. India is currently developing a new
electronic commerce policy early drafts of which have contemplated broad-based
data localisation requirements and restrictions on cross-border data flows,
expanded grounds for forced transfer of intellectual property and proprietary
source code, preferential treatment for domestic digital products, and other
discriminatory policies. The US strongly encourages India to reconsider the
most discriminatory and trade-distortive aspects of this draft policy and the
other measures described above, it added. The report also said requirement of
local storage of all payment information would raise costs for payment service
suppliers, and disadvantages foreign firms, which are more likely to be
dependent on globally distributed data storage and information security
systems. The Reserve Bank of India has stated that all system providers shall
ensure that the entire data related to payment systems operated by them are
stored in a system only in India to ensure better monitoring of payment service
operators. The government has floated a draft e-commerce policy which seeks to
provide a policy framework that will enable the country to benefit from rapid
digitisation of the domestic as well as global economy. It addresses six broad
issues of the e-commerce ecosystem — data, infrastructure development,
e-commerce marketplaces, regulatory issues, stimulating domestic digital
economy and export promotion through e-commerce. It also alleged that India
applies several non-tariff and other barriers on trade such as capping prices
of certain medical devices, import restriction on ethanol, and package size and
labelling requirements on food items. India’s customs authority generally
requires extensive clearance documentation, which leads to frequent and lengthy
processing delays. India’s complex tariff structure, including the provision of
multiple exemptions varying according to product, user, or intended use, also
creates uncertainty and contributes to delays in customs approvals, it added. On
the subject of intellectual property rights (IPRs), the report said enforcement
of IPRs remains a concern in India. India currently lacks an effective system
for protecting against unfair commercial use, as well as unauthorised
disclosure of undisclosed test or other data generated to obtain marketing
approval for pharmaceutical and agricultural products, it added.
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PILOTS' BODY SERVES LEGAL NOTICE TO JET AIRWAYS OVER SALARY
DUES
Jet Airways domestic
pilots body, the National Aviators Guild (NAG) Tuesday served a legal notice to
the airline, setting an April 14 deadline for the new management to clear their
salary dues. Jet Airways pilots along with engineers and senior executives have
not been paid for the last three months amid cash-drought in the airline that
saw an ownership change last month with banks taking majority shares. Along
with these staff, the airline has defaulted on the payment of March salaries to
other employees as well. My client (NAG) calls upon the management of Jet
Airways to pay their outstanding salaries for January, February and March, by
April 14 (and future salaries by the first of every month, NAG said in a legal
notice. Failing which my client shall be constrained to resort to all
constitutional and legal means available with them to ensure payment of their
salaries, the notice stated.
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DGCA REQUESTS AIRLINES TO INCREASE NUMBER OF FLIGHTS AS FARES
RISE
As airfares continue to
rise, Indian aviation watchdog DGCA has requested the airlines to bring the
immediate and medium-term plan on Wednesday to augment the number of flights,
which will be over and above the flights approved for the summer schedule,
government officials said on Tuesday. With the grounding of the 737 Max
aircraft and the continuing cancellation of flights by Jet Airways, the
airfares have been rising. Therefore, the DGCA has been meeting with the
airlines continuously so that they augment the additional capacity, which would
be over and above the flights approved for the summer schedule, a senior
government official said.
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JET AIRWAYS FAILS TO PAY INTEREST TO ETIHAD-LINKED ENTITY
An entity set up to
finance affiliates of Etihad Airways PJSC said Jet Airways India Ltd has become
the third carrier in the group to fall behind on interest payments EA Partners
I, a vehicle created in 2015 to allow Etihad to provide funds to airlines in
which it owned stakes, said in a statement that Jet Airways failed to make a
payment on 19 March on account of 'temporary liquidity constraints.' Etihad set
up two vehicles, EA Partners I and II, which sold $1.2 billion of bonds to
raise funds for several airlines. The structure was designed to provide
financing for the airlines while minimising the burden on the balance sheet of
their Abu Dhabi-based parent company. The airlines each guarantee as much as
20% of the bonds, making regular contributions into a cash pool from which
coupons are paid to investors who bought the securities. EA Partners I’s $700
million of bonds maturing in September 2020 have been trading at about 40%
below face value after two other airlines in the group, Air Berlin and
Alitalia, started insolvency proceedings in 2017. Etihad owns a 24% stake in
Jet Airways.
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RAGHURAM RAJAN'S TO-DO LIST FOR THE NEXT GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
As with every Indian
election, this one is touted as one that will shape the future of India.
Political parties seem to be either emphasising national security or
job-creating economic growth The reality is that these are not two different
issues – they are the same. There is no immediate national security emergency –
we have faced terrorism and cross-border interference for decades now. Over the
medium term, however, our national security depends primarily on our economic
strength. If we do not have strong job-creating economic growth in coming
years, we will suffer on multiple fronts. We will not have the resources to upgrade
our military’s equipment. We will not have the economic clout that will
persuade other nations to arrest our terrorists and extradite those who flee
our laws. And we will have rising levels of internal political unrest as our
unemployed youths start venting their frustration. One cannot have meaningful
national security without strong job-creating economic growth. On both growth
and jobs, it is unquestionable that we need to do better Given the discrepancy
between government claims on these, and those of quasi-government and private
bodies, it is better to turn to other evidence. On growth, the slow pace of
private investment thus far suggests low capacity utilisation and the absence
of animal spirits that would otherwise accompany strong growth. On jobs, in a
survey of 2.7 lakh voters by the Association for Democratic Reform, the most
frequent concern on voter minds was better employment prospects (47% of
respondents). Even if the government thinks good jobs are plentiful, the
electorate seems concerned.
How will we create jobs?
Undoubtedly, we have to elevate our pace of growth, especially in job creating
sectors. And that requires a new generation of reforms since the old ones are
running out of steam. Consider just one sector, construction, to see the range
of interlinked reforms that are needed. Construction – of affordable housing,
roads, railways, ports, airports and commercial real estate – is the primary
source of jobs for the moderately skilled in many emerging markets. Yet our
construction sector is held back, in part by a cumbersome process of land
acquisition, and in part by limited access to credit. The next government will
have to learn from best practices in states how to acquire land in a
transparent, fair and speedy way, and convert that learning into legislation.
That will help reduce the risk in financing large infrastructure projects, to
which delays in land acquisition contribute significantly. Better digital
mapping and titling of land, a state subject, will help ease land acquisition.
We have discussed land mapping and titling for many years, and a few states
have done it, but many have not. This needs to be expedited. It will not just
facilitate land sales; a collateral benefit will be to ease land leasing. Many
marginal farmers can leave agriculture, getting good rents by leasing to farms
of now-viable size. Land use is also constrained by a plethora of permissions,
including zoning and environmental permissions. There is no question that the
unsightly and damaging development that mars so much of India needs to be
stopped or even reversed. The private sector also needs reform Banks have shied
away from lending to firms in the construction sector because of their murky
practices. Finance companies have filled the gap, but they have gotten into
trouble. Construction companies have to come clean. A transparent land
acquisition process, as well as more regulations improving practices, like the
Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, will help. A cleaned-up
construction sector will attract formal financing, which could drive out the
dirty money that it has historically relied on. We also need to respect
resource constraints. The portfolio of government schemes has to be
rationalised so that the budget is fiscally sound, even while it targets
genuine needs more efficiently.
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NARESH GOYAL OFFERS TO PLEDGE REST OF SHARES FOR RS 1.5K CR TO
JET AIRWAYS
Jet Airways founder Naresh
Goyal told lenders seeking to rescue the carrier that he will pledge the rest
of his shares to them on condition they release the promised interim loan
funding of Rs 1,500 crore without delay, said three people with knowledge of
the matter. Goyal owns 51% in the airline, but has pledged 31.2% with lenders.
The response of the lenders to the proposal is not known. Meanwhile, Etihad
Airways, Jet’s second-largest shareholder, is planning a board meeting to
discuss the revival plan proposed by the lenders led by State Bank of India
(SBI) before taking a call on whether to invest further in Jet Airways, said
one of the persons cited above. The airline had earlier refused to be part of
the plan and wanted to exit the company. But negotiations with the Abu Dhabi
carrier resumed after Goyal resigned as chairman and director and agreed to
relinquish control. Etihad has stuck to the demand that it should be exempted
from the takeover norm that requires investors to make an open offer for a
further 20% stake if they exceed a 25% threshold. Etihad has a 24% stake in Jet.
The pledging of Goyal’s remaining shares are critical to the plan by the banks
to sell a controlling stake in the airline to a new investor. Interim funds are
equally critical for Jet, which has grounded most of its planes, defaulted on
vendor payments and delayed salaries. The Jet management has estimated it won’t
survive beyond this month without an urgent release of the promised loans.
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CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST 213 CANDIDATES IN FIRST PHASE: REPORT
As many as 213 (17 per
cent) out of 1,266 candidates in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections have
declared criminal cases against themselves while 146 (12 per cent) have
declared serious criminal cases, as per Association for Democratic Reforms
(ADR). The election watchdog has analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 1,266
out of 1,279 candidates contesting in the first phase. About 12 candidates have
declared convicted cases against themselves while 10 candidates have declared
cases related to murder against themselves and 25 candidates related to attempt
to murder. About four candidates have declared cases related to kidnapping for
ransom, kidnapping or abducting in order to murder, Kidnapping, abducting or
inducing woman to compel her marriage against themselves. As many as 16
candidates have declared cases related to crime against women such as rape,
assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty, husband
or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty against themselves
while 12 candidates have declared cases related to hate speech against
themselves. Among major parties, 30 (36 per cent) out of 83 candidates from
Bharatiya Janata Party, 35 (42 per cent) out of 83 candidates from Congress,
eight (25 per cent) out of 32 candidates from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), 13 (52
per cent) out of 25 candidates from YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), four (16 per
cent) out of 25 candidates from Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and five (29 per cent)
out of 17 candidates from Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) have declared
criminal cases against themselves. Among the major parties, 16 (19 per cent)
out of 83 candidates from BJP, 22 (27 per cent) out of 83 candidates from
Congress, four (13 per cent) out of 32 candidates from BSP, 10 (40 per cent)
out of 25 candidates from YSRCP, two (8 per cent) out of 25 candidates from TDP
and three (18 per cent) out of 17 candidates from TRS have declared serious
criminal cases against themselves. As many as 37 out of 91 constituencies are
red alert constituencies. Red alert constituencies are those constituencies
where three or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against
themselves. There are 401 (32 per cent) candidates who have assets worth Rs 1
crore and more Among the major parties, 69 (83 per cent) out of 83 candidates
from Congress, 65 (78 per cent) out of 83 candidates from BJP, 15 (47 per cent)
out of 32 candidates from BSP, 25 (100 per cent) candidates from TDP, 22 (88
per cent) out of 25 candidates from YSRCP and 17 (100 per cent) candidates from
TRS have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore. The average asset per
candidate contesting in the Lok Sabha phase one election is Rs 6.63 crore.
Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 83 Congress
candidates is Rs 21.93 crores, 83 BJP candidates is Rs 14.56 crores, 32 BSP
candidates have average assets of Rs 12.63 crore, 25 YSRCP candidates have
average assets worth Rs 62.94 crores, 25 TDP candidates have average assets
worth Rs 57.77 crore, and 17 TRS candidates have average assets of Rs 45.87
crore. Congress candidate from Telangana Konda Vishweshwar Reddy has declared
highest assets worth Rs 895 crore while Prem Janata Dal candidate Nalla Prem
Kumar from the same state has declared lowest asset, of Rs 500. As many as 114
candidates have not given PAN details while 690 (55 per cent) candidates have
not declared their income tax details. There are 33 candidates who have
declared their annual total income to be more than Rs 1 crore. There are 70
candidates with assets worth more than Rs 1 crore who have not declared their
ITR details.
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CENTRE ASKS CVC FOR CLARITY OVER SUPERVISION IN PRIVATISED
IDBI BANK
The government has asked
the Central Vigilance Commission if it still has vigilance jurisdiction on the
now privatised IDBI Bank, and sought its advice on the course of action in case
of ongoing complaints or investigations a government official said. In January,
the Reserve bank of India had classified IDBI Bank as a private sector lender
after state-run Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) acquired 51% stake by infusing
around Rs 20,800 crore capital. Since the lender is now owned by a state run
financial institution we need to have clarity if we still can take up vigilance
issues in the bank, the official said. Another government official confirmed
that the finance ministry has sought the CVC’s views and will proceed as
advised. In 2017, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrested former
IDBI chairman Yogesh Agarwal and three other ex-officials in connection with
the Kingfisher Airlines loan default case. They were accused of sanctioning
loans worth over Rs 1,000 crore to the now-defunct airline despite its weak
financial record. Agarwal and the other officials were later released on bail.
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NEW FAME2 GUIDELINES TO HIKE E-SCOOTER PRICES BY RS 10,000-RS
20,000
Electric scooters have
become Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000 more expensive overnight as the government has
tweaked the subsidy scheme for these vehicles. The new stringent FAME2
guidelines have effectively left out 90%-95% of the electric two-wheeler market
from the subsidy net. This means an electric two-wheeler in the affordable
segment, which earlier cost around Rs 70,000, will now cost anywhere between Rs
80,000 and Rs 90,000. The battery-led subsidy means the higher powered more
premium products qualify for the subsidy and the local content stipulations
leave out many smaller players who were importing CKD kits from China and
Taiwan and assembling locally. Electric vehicle makers say this is effectively
killing off the entire industry, which currently is too nascent to ensure the
high localisation levels demanded by the new regulation. Society of Manufacturers
of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) director general Sohinder Gill said, The affordable
segment of the electric two-wheeler market will see prices go up as subsidies
will come down by half or more. The higher end premium products with more
battery power in the Rs 1.2-lakh and above price range will enjoy an advantage.
Industry officials say the price hike could shrink the industry by half. Avan
Motors business development head Pankaj Tiwari said, Cutting down the subsidy
will negatively impact the sale of two-wheeler EVs, causing it to drop by more
than 50% of the current volume, which stands at 1.2 lakh units. There are
several cut-offs in the new regulations, including minimum top speed,
range-per-charge, acceleration and average speed along with a stringent rule on
localisation where an average 50% of the cost of the scooter must comprise
parts sourced locally.
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TRAI BEGINS CONSULTATION ON ENTRY-LEVEL NET WORTH CRITERIA FOR
MSOS IN CABLE TV SERVICES
Broadcast regulator Trai
Tuesday initiated a discussion on entry-level net worth requirement of
multi-system operators (MSOs) in cable TV services. The objective of the
consultation paper is to deliberate whether there is a need to fix entry-level
net worth for MSO? If yes, what should be the value of the net worth required
at the time of registration for MSO, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
(Trai) said in its latest consultation paper. Typically, a consultation paper,
where Trai seeks stakeholders' written comments on multiple questions, serves
as the starting point for discussion on a particular issue, and the regulator
comes out with its views on the matter after following a consultative process.
A MSO is an authorised service provider, providing cable TV services to its
subscribers. Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, mentions about financial
strength of the applicant for grant of MSO registration without explicitly the
details thereof, a Trai statement said. The consultation paper also seeks views
regarding the documents and method to assess the net worth of an applicant, if
a minimum value is prescribed, it added. The consultation paper follows a
reference received from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in May
2018 seeking recommendations of Trai on the suitable levels for fixation of
entry-level net worth of the MSOs for operationalising cable TV digitisation
across the country. Trai has fixed May 8 as the deadline for submission of
written comments on the consultation paper while the counter comments have to
be given by May 15.
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FITCH AFFIRMS ‘BBB-‘ RATING TO EXIM BANK, STABLE OUTLOOK
Global rating agency Fitch
Ratings Tuesday affirmed the Exim Bank’s long-term rating at ‘BBB-‘ with a
stable outlook, citing the government support to the developmental institution.
The rating is on a par with the sovereign rating. We view that the Exim Bank
will benefit from timely state support due to its unique policy role, strong
government linkages and 100 percent ownership, the rating agency said in a
note. The government injected regular Rs 5,000 crore capital into the bank in
the year to March 2019. It has budgeted an additional Rs 1,500 crore of fresh
equity to be injected in FY20. The capital support from the government has
improved the bank’s capital position, raising its tier 1 ratio to 11.1 percent
by the third quarter of FY19 from 8.8 percent in FY18 when a sizeable loss
caused a significant deterioration. We expect the tier 1 ratio to further
improve in FY19, considering that a large chunk of capital was injected after
December 2018, the agency said. The bank also receives support in the form of
interest subvention from the government on the lines of credit it extends to
other countries, it said, adding these loans represent 37 percent of its
loan-book in the first three quarters of FY19. The state exercises strong
oversight and control over the bank via its 100 percent ownership, which cannot
be lowered unless its founding law is modified by Parliament. Its board has
representation from ministries of finance, external affairs and commerce &
industry.
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1.5 CRORE ELECTORS IN EIGHT LOK SABHA CONSTITUENCIES OF UTTAR
PRADESH
Uttar Pradesh- India’s
largest state electorally, will see polling in seven phases in the upcoming
General Elections -2019. During the first phase, polling will be held for eight
Lok Sabha seats namely– Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Meerut,
Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar - all in the western Uttar
Pradesh. As per the data sourced from CEO (Uttar Pradesh) website, there are a
total of 14,40,61,892 electors in all 80 Lok Sabha seats of the Uttar Pradesh
in this General Election. The eight constituencies going for polls in the first
phase have 10.45 percent of total electorate of the State. The above mentioned
08 constituencies have 1,50,65,682 electors including 82,24,835 men and
68,39,833 women electors. Of these eight seats, Ghaziabad is the largest
parliamentary constituency with 26,56,779 electors and Baghpat is the smallest
one with 1,592,297 electors. The data sourced from ECI website shows that in
previous General Election -2014, there were a total of 1,39,04,381 electors in
these eight Parliamentary Constituencies. This means an increase of 11,61,301
(8.35 %) electors since last General Elections.
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VOTING PERCENTAGE IN LAST TWO GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE EIGHT
LOK SABHA SEATS
During the first phase,
polling will be held for eight Lok Sabha seats namely– Saharanpur, Kairana,
Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Meerut, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha
Nagar - all in the western Uttar Pradesh. As per the data sourced from the ECI
website, polling percentage on all eight seats was higher in the General
Elections -2014 than the General Elections -2009. In 2014, highest polling
percentage among these eight seats was seen by the Saharanpur parliamentary constituency
at 74.26 percent. Total 3,66,61,315 electors in Andhra Pradesh in first General
Election post reorganization; out of these 5,39,804 electors in age group of
18-19 years The State of Andhra Pradesh will see its first General Election
post reorganisation after two days on 11th April, 2019. All 25 constituencies
in the reorganised State are scheduled to go for polls in the first phase of
the upcoming General Elections -2019. This year the State has a total of
3,66,61,315 electors. As per the data sourced from the National Election
Planner, the number of electors in Andhra Pradesh includes 18123437 men,
18474714 women and 3745 others. As many as 56908 Service electors and 2511
overseas Indian electors are also part of the Electoral Roll 2019. Number of women
electors in the Andhra Pradesh is more than men electors by 3,51,277 (1.93
percent).Also, there are 5,39,804 electors in the State who are in the age
group of 18-19 years. If we combine 2,95,30,838 electors of Telangana and
3,66,61,315 electors in Andhra Pradesh, the total number of electors has
increased by 12,58,015 (i.e. 1.94 percent) since the previous General
Election-2014 in the undivided Andhra Pradesh. It may be noted that polling
percentage was highest at 74.64 percent in undivided Andhra Pradesh in the last
General Elections -2014.
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POLL HOURS: GENERAL ELECTIONS-PHASE-1
Election Commission of
India has notified the schedule of voting hours for the first phase of Lok
Sabha elections -2019. Polling will be held in 91 out of 543 Lok Sabha
constituencies spread over 20 states & UTs in the first phase on Thursday,
11th April, 2019. The voting time in most of the Parliamentary Constituencies
going to polls in the first phase is between 7am-6pm. However in left wing
extremism affected areas and NE States the timings vary from 7am-5pm/ 7am-4pm/
7am-3pm. Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal, Andaman &Nicobar
Islands, Lakshadweep will see voting between 7am-6pm. In Andhra Pradesh, voting
will take place between 7am-6pm except for Araku Lok Sabha seat, where votes
will be cast in Kurupam, Parvathipuram, Sailur, Rampachodovaram constituencies,
between 7am-5pm. In Araku seat, Araku Valley and Paderu, will see voting
between 7am -4pm. Uttarakhand will go to polls during 7am-5pm in the first
phase of polls. Voting in Odisha, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
and Maharashtragoing to polls in phase-1 of general elections-2019 have varied
timings from 7am-6pm/ 7am-5pm/7am-4pm/ 7am-3pm. Among the NE States, voting
will take place between 7am-5pm in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim
and Tripura West. While, Outer Manipur, Nagaland and Meghalayawill go to polls
between 7am-4pm.
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IN A FIRST AFTER REORGANIZATION, 17 PARLIAMENTARY
CONSTITUENCIES IN TELANGANA GO TO POLLS IN PHASE-I
Post reorganisation, the
State of Telangana will see its first General Election on 11th April, 2019. All
17 constituencies across 31 districts of the newly formed State are scheduled
to go to polls in the first phase of the upcoming General Elections 2019. Out
of the 17 constituencies, 3 are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and 2 for
Scheduled Tribes (ST). A total of 34,603Polling Stations have been set up
across the State. As per the data sourced from the National Election Planner,
the State has a total of 2,95,30,838 electors out of which 1,48,42,582 are men,
1,46,74,217 are women and 2,089 are from third gender. Further, of the total
electors, 10,823 Service electors and 1,127 are overseas Indian electors. Interestingly,
there are 5,99,933 electors in the State who are in the age group of 18-19
years, which is significantly higher than its sister State Andhra Pradesh that
has5,39,804 electors in the same category. If we combine 2,95,30,838 electors
in Telangana and 3,66,61,315 electors in Andhra Pradesh, the total number of
electors has increased by 12,58,015 (i.e. 1.94 percent) since the previous
General Election-2014 in the undivided Andhra Pradesh. It may be noted that
polling percentage was highest at 74.64% in the undivided Andhra Pradesh in the
General Elections 2014.
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BMTC MANUALLY ISSUING TICKETS ON 15% OF ITS ROUTES
With the cash-strapped
Trimax IT Infrastructure and Services hitting a rough patch, Bangalore
Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is facing a crisis. Reason: Trimax is
not carrying out replacement or repair of BMTC’s existing electronic ticketing
machines (ETM). This has forced BMTC to opt for manual issuing of tickets on
about 15% of its routes, replacing the ETMs. BMTC, which operates 2,250 routes,
has a daily ridership of about 45 lakh. Sources say Trimax, which implemented
BMTC’s Intelligent Transport System (ITS), is now undergoing corporate
insolvency resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. An
interim resolution professional (IRP) has been appointed to carry out functions
of Trimax.
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UP CANE ARREARS OF RS 10,000 CRORE TO EASE BY 40% AS POLLING
NEARS
With polling in the
sugarcane belt of Western Uttar Pradesh starting Thursday onward, the farmers’
outstanding in the country’s largest sugarcane and sugar producing region is
likely to ease by nearly 40% in the next couple of days. This will provide some
respite to Adityanath government against the backdrop of the opposition
sharpening attacks over mounting sugarcane arrears, which are currently
hovering above Rs 10,000 crore. While, the government had recently released Rs
1,100 crore for the private and state-owned sugar mills, private millers in UP
have been sanctioned about Rs 3,000 crore under the central sponsored soft loan
scheme for the current crushing season 2018-19. Sanjay Bhoosreddy told beneficiary
sugar mills had started to receive soft loans, which would be used by them to
settle their outstanding. Nearly, Rs 900 crore of soft loans were released,
while another large chunk is likely to be released today, he said, adding that
the remaining of these funds would be disbursed to the respective units within
a couple of days. While the state had released Rs 500 crore against cane dues
on 24 government controlled cooperatives mills, state power utility UP Power
Corporation Limited (UPPCL) had released Rs 600 crore to sugar mills against
the purchase of cogenerated power. However, the Western UP constituencies,
which would witness polling in the initial phases, may not benefit in the same
proportion as nearly 60% of the total arrears are from the region. Bajaj
Hindusthan and Simbhaoli Groups could not avail of the soft loan scheme owing
to stringent eligibility criteria. Besides, the mills have been directed to
operate until all ‘bonded sugarcane’ in their respective areas has been
exhausted, thus ensuring they would be operational through the polling process
in UP. The crushing season is expected to continue through May end. The issue
of sugarcane payments has always been a burning political issue in UP with
regional parties and organisations, including Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) owing their elevation to representing cane farmers
and the cash commodity.
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MP GOVT INVITES BIDS FOR 25 MW ROOFTOP SOLAR PROJECTS
Madhya Pradesh government
Tuesday said it has invited bids for 25 MegaWatt (MW) rooftop solar projects
for industrial units in the state. The tenders have been invited by state-owned
Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) and the last day to submit
financial bids is May 10, 2019.
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SCARED OF DEBATING ME ON CORRUPTION: RAHUL GANDHI ASKS PM
NARENDRA MODI
Rahul Gandhi asked Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday if he was scared of debating with him on
corruption and suggested that they could go open book for it. Gandhi has been
repeatedly daring Modi to debate with him on issues of national security,
especially the Rafale fighter jets deal, asserting that when it happens, the
truth will be out in the open. The BJP has scoffed at the idea and described
the Congress chief as an ignorant politician. The Congress has also accused
Modi of helping industrialist Anil Ambani make a profit of Rs 30,000 crore by
favouring him as the offset partner in the Rafale deal.
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ARUNACHAL ASSEMBLY POLLS: 29 CANDIDATES HAVE CRIMINAL RECORDS
A report by an election
watchdog has revealed that 29 of the 184 candidates contesting the April 11
Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh have criminal antecedents. Nine of the
29 candidates belong to the Congress, the report by Association for Democratic
Reforms (ADR) said. The BJP, which is contesting all 60 seats in the State for
the first time, has seven candidates with criminal charges against them, it
said. The ADR report also stated that those with criminal cases account for 16%
of the total candidates who filed their nominations this time as against 6%
during the 2014 elections. The National People’s Party, which is making its
maiden entry into the State’s electoral scene, has two candidates with criminal
records. The JD(S), too, will be contesting the State polls for the first time
with one of its candidates having criminal charges against him. One independent
candidate out of the total 11 in the fray has also declared a criminal case
against him.
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BSNL COLLECTS RECORD RS 6,500 CR IN REVENUE FROM ENTERPRISE
DIVISION
State-owned telecom firm
BSNL has collected a record revenue of Rs 6,500 crore from enterprise segment,
making it sufficiently funded, which will help in meeting its various
requirement. We have collected Rs 6,500 crore from enterprise segment for
2018-19. This is highest ever that BSNL has collected with 91 enterprise making
payment On average, annual collection used to be from 50-60 enterprises, Anupam
Shrivastava told. When asked if this will help BSNL to make salary payments, he
said that financially, the company is in comfortable position and it has seen
revenue stabilising in other segments as well. Even in consumer and mobility
segment revenue has stabilised and we have seen slightly increase in it. Worst
is behind us. We are looking for revival only. In my five years, I have
realised that BSNL has so much with it that this organisation should never face
problem, Shrivastava said. BSNL has been ailing because of high revenue-to-wage
ratio as a large number of government employees were transferred by the telecom
department to the telecom PSU. We are sitting on gold mine. Department of
Public Enterprise has declared that BSNL has networth of Rs 83,000 crore which
is humongous. If we start working on asset monetisation, we will be able to
resolve most of our issues, Shrivastava said. Despite being a loss-making
telecom firm, BSNL has the lowest debt of Rs 14,000 crore among all telecom
operators. The company has been operating in the highly competitive telecom
market without having spectrum for 4G services. It is the only incumbent
operator that has been adding new subscribers every month while others have
lost millions in last few months. It has sought 4G spectrum across India
through equity infusion of Rs 7,000 crore. The total spectrum will cost the
firm Rs 14,000 crore.
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EFFORTS TO TRACE, DEPORT ILLEGAL FOREIGNERS IN ASSAM HAVE BEEN
POOR, UNSATISFACTORY
Assam Chief Secretary Alok
Kumar orally owned up before the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the performance
of both the State and its task force to trace illegal foreigners and deport
them has been poor and not satisfactory in the past five years. Put that on
record, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, leading a three-judge Bench, told
Mr. Kumar. Mr. Kumar was responding to Chief Justice Gogoi’s queries about how
out of 46,000 illegal foreigners identified in Assam from 2015-2018, the
government could only manage to deport four. Out of 46,000, you could only find
2000. Of this, you could deport only four? Chief Justice Gogoi asked Mr. Kumar.
When Mr. Kumar tried to explain, Chief Justice Gogoi broke in and asked is your
government being run in accordance with the Constitution? Performance (to trace
the illegal foreigners in the State) in the last five years has been poor, Mr.
Kumar acknowledged. Put that on record, the Chief Justice retorted. The
performance of the task force to identify them is also not satisfactory, Mr.
Kumar added. Put that also on record, the Chief Justice reacted. The CJI then
referred to how 38 lakh of the 40 lakh people excluded from the draft National
Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam have filed citizenship claims. If they fail
in their claims, they will immediately file complaints with the Foreigners
Tribunals in Assam. Do you know how many tribunals would be required to deal
with such a large number of complaints? Chief Justice asked. Mr. Kumar said a
1000 more tribunals would be required to deal with the tide. He said the
government has already proposed a ₹900 crore budget for
setting up these tribunals. But the CJI expressed doubts about how the State
would find another 1000 judges, that too, for a tenure of just three years. Which
good advocate would leave his practice and come for a three-year term as a tribunal
judge? Chief Justice Gogoi asked.
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AIR INDIA PUTS UP 22 FLATS WORTH RS 240.11 CRORE IN MUMBAI FOR
SALE
Air India has put up 22
flats worth Rs 240.11 crore in various parts of Mumbai for sale. Located at
Bandra, Cuffe Parade, Prabhadevi, Mahim, and Khar, these properties will be
auctioned on April 26. Last month, the national carrier sold three of its flats
for Rs 24.33 crore located in the Jupiter apartment at Altamount Road to
Accountant General's office, Maharashtra. The biggest in the sale is a
residential building with 14 apartments measuring 2030 sq mt located at
Bandra's Pali Hill which comes with a price tag of Rs 200 crore.
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GUJARAT HIGH COURT DISPOSES PIL ON NON-INCLUSION OF VOTERS
The Gujarat High Court, on
Monday, disposed a public interest litigation filed by advocate KR Koshti
alleging that the names of several eligible voters who have completed the
registration process, have not been included in the electoral rolls finalised
for the general elections in the state scheduled on April 23. The division
bench of Acting Chief Justice AS Dave and Justice Biren Vaishnav disposed the
PIL after the Election Commission (EC) submitted to the court that it has added
around 6.96 lakh voters across the state, which includes 3.35 lakh men, 3.60
lakh women, and 154 persons from the third gender. As against the addition, the
poll panel has deleted 3.16 lakh electors, which includes 1.63 lakh men, 1.53
lakh women, and five persons from the third gender. In a bid to facilitate
litigants as well as the bar and bench to cast their vote, the Gujarat High
Court has issued instructions to all courts in the state to prepone the hearing
of the cases scheduled on April 23 to April 22. The directions came from the
high court's acting chief justice AS Dave who has asked courts to prepone the
hearing as well as to ensure that the matters which are being taken up for
hearing are not adjourned to April 23. Notably, the directions have been issued
in view of the general elections scheduled on April 23 and in anticipation of
the same being declared as holiday by the state government.
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DON'T KNOW WHY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SHOULD MANAGE TEMPLES: SC
The Supreme Court Monday
asked as to why should government officials manage religious places and temples
in the country while taking note of the fact that several devotees visiting the
Jagannath temple in Puri were being harassed. A bench of Justices SA Bobde and
SA Nazeer observed this while hearing a plea which has highlighted difficulties
faced by the devotees at Jagannath temple and their alleged harassment and
exploitation by the 'sevaks' (staff). It is a matter of perspective. I do not
know why government officials should manage temples?, Justice Bobde observed
during the hearing. In Tamil Nadu, there is theft of idols. These idols, apart
from the religious sentiments, are priceless, the bench said. Attorney General
K K Venugopal told the apex court that Kerala's Sabarimala temple was being run
by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) while board appointed by governments
were managing several other temples in the country. How far the government, in
a secular state, can control or manage a temple, Venugopal said. At the outset,
senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, assisting the apex court as an amicus curiae in
the case, said he has already filed the detailed report after his visit to the
shrine. To this, the bench observed, People (visiting the temple) are harassed
due to several reasons. Priests restrict them. Lot of them do not have voice.
They are poor and uneducated. The counsel appearing for the petitioner told the
bench that Jagannath temple administration should apprise the court as to what
steps they have taken pursuant to the report filed by the Puri's District Judge
in the matter.The bench said the matter would be heard next month. During the
hearing, one of the lawyers, who has filed an intervention application in the
matter, said the petition was not maintainable. When the counsel raised his
pitch, Justice Bobde said, It is enough. You are behaving in the most
undignified manner in the court. We do not want to be shouted out. We do not
want somebody to speak out of turn. You will not use the tone in which you are
addressing the court. The amicus had earlier told the court thatone of the
major issues at the temple was lack of proper crowd management and absence of
queue system for devotees. However, Odisha's counsel had said it was not easy
to have a typical queue system for the devotees at the shrine, as its
architecture was different. Puri's District Judge had earlier given a report to
the apex court which had raised the issue of alleged harassment of devotees by
the 'sevaks' (staffs) of the temple. In July last year, the top court had
directed the Jagannath temple management to consider allowing every visitor,
irrespective of faith, to offer prayers to the deity. However, it had said that
it would be subject to regulatory measures regarding dress code and giving an
appropriate declaration. It had directed the Centre to constitute a committee
to look into the issues raised by the district judge of Puri regarding alleged
exploitation of devotees, abolishment of hereditary 'sevaks' and appointment of
'sevaks' in the temple.
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SIX ADDITIONAL JUDGES SWORN IN AS PERMANENT JUDGES OF PATNA HC
Six additional judges were
on Monday sworn in as permanent judges of the Patna High Court. With the six
judges becoming permanent, the strength of judges in the Patna High Court has
increased to 27 out of 53 sanctioned posts.
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1,500 RAILWAY STATIONS IN INDIA ARE NOW WI-FI ENABLED
Giving a boost to Modi
government's ‘Digital India’ initiative, RailTel has provided free high-speed
Wi-Fi services to as many as 500 stations in just seven days. Sahibabad has
become the 1500th station in the country to get free Wi-Fi facility provided by
RailTel. RailTel Corp. of India is a PSU under the Ministry of Railways which
focuses on providing broadband and VPN services. In order to set up free Wi-Fi
at all railway stations on the Indian Railways network (except the halt
stations) within a year, RailTel has tied up with Tata Trusts for providing
Wi-Fi at 4,791 B, C, D and E category stations. So far, the entire Delhi-Ambala
and Ambala-Chandigarh sections and Kalka Shimla Hill Railways have been covered
with free Wi-Fi service at stations.
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MUMBAI-AHMEDABAD BULLET TRAIN: NHSRCL’S PROPOSAL TO REMOVE 1.5
LAKH MANGROVES APPROVED BY ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY
The proposal by National
High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), seeking permission to eliminate
mangroves in the districts of Thane, Navi Mumbai and Palghar in order to make
way for the country’s first bullet train corridor, has been approved by the
expert appraisal committee of Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). The
NHSRCL is executing the bullet train project, which will run between Mumbai and
Ahmedabad. The corporation had moved to Bombay High Court last month, after the
Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) told NHSRCL that it could
not grant permission to remove 19 hectares of mangroves, owing to a direction
by High Court not allowing to do so. Following this, the corporation approached
the High Court after MCZMA rejected its proposal on December 22, 2018.
According to the petition, 155.642 km out of the 508 km long Mumbai-Ahmedabad
bullet train corridor passes through the state of Maharashtra and affects 131.3
hectares of forest land. The forest area includes mangroves, which are spread
over 32.43 hectares. The report further stated that the NHSRCL in its proposal
had stated that around 1.5 lakh mangroves spread over an area of 18.92 hectares
will be affected by the bullet train corridor. According to the affidavit, the
project is visionary and will herald a new era of speed, safety, and service
for the people. Also, the project will help Indian Railways become an
international leader in speed, scale, and skill, it added.
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INDIA DELAYS MAY ORDER FOR IRAN OIL, AWAITS CLARITY ON
SANCTIONS WAIVER: REPORT
Indian refiners are
holding back from ordering Iranian oil for loading in May pending clarity on
whether Washington will extend a waiver from US sanctions against the
Opec-member, four sources said. Washington, however, gave a six-month waiver to
eight nations including India, allowing them to import some Iranian oil until
early May. India, Iran’s top oil client after China, was allowed to buy about 9
million barrels a month. India hopes to get clarity in seven to 10 days on any extension
of the waiver, as well as the amount of oil that could be purchased if an
extension is given, the sources said. We don’t know about US thinking, whether
they will allow India to buy oil or not, said one of the sources, all of whom
declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue. Under the current
waiver, India can buy about 300,000 bpd of Iranian oil - about half the amount
before the sanctions were imposed - and New Delhi wants to keep buying Iranian
oil at that level, Indian sources said last month.
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CLEAN GANGA SCHEME FANTASTIC COMMUNITY PROJECT: HAWAII SC
JUDGE MICHAEL D WILSON
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has a cultural faith-based perspective towards the Ganga and there will be
an Indian solution to a clean river says Justice Michael D Wilson of the Hawaii
Supreme Court who has played a leading role in establishing a court that
specialises in environmental laws in the US state. He says Modi cares about the
river and dubbed the government's National Mission for Clean Ganga scheme as a
fantastic community project. When somebody goes into the Ganga, they are not
just getting wet. They are getting inspired. It's a fantastic community
project. Ganga has not been abandoned despite all the poisoning, people still
revere it. So I think it will be cleaned up. There will be an Indian solution
which will have an epic approach, Justice Wilson said. This is a culture which
believes in longevity - a commitment that is reflected in over 2000 years of
culture and faith. People of India are committed to changing the present trend
of global warming and unacceptable levels of carbon emissions. Their commitment
is power - it is cultural, he says. On being asked about similarities between
Donald Trump and Modi, Justice Wilson says there is a big difference between
the two leaders and the Indian prime minister cares about the river. People
compare him to Trump. There can be some comparisons which can be made, but
there is a big difference. I know all politicians have certain amount of
hyperbole and rhetoric but I don't doubt that the prime minister of India cares
about the river Ganges. He cares about the river. This is the big difference
between the Prime Minister of India and the President of the United States.
Prime minister Modi's commitment is one of faith. He says there is a need to
pass a law that puts a cap on pollution and public transport system needs to be
strengthened besides replacing the cars on the roads. It's not a matter of
difficult administrative theory or science. It's known from where the
contamination is coming from. The major problems are burning of fossil fuel and
agricultural residue. Most of the poisoning is of poor children. The fact that
India has a high percentage of young people in population, it is a very strong
indication of power in terms of civil participation, the judge says.
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POLL AFFIDAVIT: URMILA MATONDKAR OWNS ASSETS WORTH RS 68.28
CRORE
Priya Dutt and Urmila
Matondkar have declared assets worth Rs 87.61 crore and Rs 68.28 crore (as per
current market value), respectively, in their election affidavits. Mumbai
Congress president Milind Deora, who also filed his nomination papers Monday
before the Election Commission, has individual assets worth Rs 47.33 crore as
per the current market value. Dutt is contesting from Mumbai North-Central seat
while Matondkar, a Bollywood actress, is testing political waters for the first
time. As per Dutt’s affidavit, her annual income rose from Rs 51.86 lakh in
2013-14 to Rs 13.13 crore in 2017-18. Dutt had lost the 2014 general elections
against BJP’s Poonam Mahajan. As per his affidavit, Deora’s income rose to Rs
1.59 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 83,09,190 in 2013-14. In 2014 general elections,
Deora had lost to Shiv Sena candidate Arvind Sawant. Deora owns movable assets
worth Rs 33,73,94,451 and immovable assets worth Rs 13,59,18,000, as per the
affidavit. His wife’s movable assets worth Rs 31,97,56,713, it stated. Mumbai
region goes to polls in the fourth phase on April 29.
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CONGRESS RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATION OF PAKISTAN, SAYS NARENDRA
MODI
Modi appeared to be
treading sensitive ground by asking first-time voters to dedicate their first
vote to those who carried out air strike in Balakot. Can your first vote be
dedicated to those who carried out air strike, Modi said, appealing to
first-time voters. Pakistan would not have born had Congress leaders acted
wisely in the pre-independence era, Modi said, as he stepped attack on the
Grand Old Party. Had Congress leaders acted wisely during the pre- independence
era, this Pakistan would not have born, Modi said. Modi said the Congress
party's manifesto speaks the same language as that of Pakistan. He accused the
Congress and its ally NCP of standing with those who want a separate Prime
Minister for Jammu and Kashmir. Hitting out at NCP chief Sharad Pawar on the
issue, Modi asked if it behoved the Maratha strongman to join forces with the
parties holding such a view. On the other hand, Modi said under the BJP's watch
it was the policy of 'New India' that it will kill terrorists barging into
their dens. The prime minister reiterated his allegation that the opposition
parties that they were questioning the valour of the security forces post last
month's Pulwama terror attack. Modi also hailed the manifesto of the BJP,
released in Delhi Monday, and said the party was committed to national security
and farmers' welfare among other. Your trust is my biggest accomplishment in
last five years, Modi told the crowd. He also said his objective is to rid
India of naxal and Maoist menace.
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MODI TO FIRST-TIME VOTERS: DEDICATE VOTE FOR 'AIR STRIKE' MEN
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi Tuesday appeared treading on sensitive ground, as he asked first-time
voters to dedicate their vote to those who carried out the air strike in
Balakot. Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air
strike, Modi said, appealing to first-time voters at a poll rally here in Latur
district of Maharashtra. The PM said the first-time voters should remember that
their first vote is something which they will remember for the rest of their
lives. You will always remember to whom did you vote and in which election,
Modi said. Should not you vote for 'healthcare for all' and the Ayushman Bharat
scheme, Modi said.
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BJP'S POLL MANIFESTO VOICE OF AN ISOLATED MAN: RAHUL GANDHI
In a scathing criticism of
the BJP's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday
said it was the voice of an isolated man, besides being short sighted and
arrogant. The Congress manifesto was created through discussion. The voice of
over a million Indian people it is wise and powerful, Gandhi said. The BJP
Manifesto was created in a closed room. The voice of an isolated man, it is
short sighted and arrogant, he added.
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FARMERS IN MAHARASHTRA VILLAGE FINALLY GET THEIR CROP-COVER
DUES
Settlement has been done
to 146 farmers of Jalna district in Aurangabad (Maharashtra) under the crop
insurance scheme (for Kharif 2017) by the insurer, IFFCO Tokio. Jalna was badly
hit by a drought during the 2017 kharif season with most farmers in the
district losing their crops. Having paid the premium under the crop insurance
scheme (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna or PMFBY in short), they were hopeful
that the insurance company will pay for the loss However, many farmers in the
district did not receive the insurance amount. Interestingly, all the 146 fruit
farmers in Jalna district, who didn’t get their insurance settlement, had paid
their premium through the SBI branch in Badnapur. Others who had paid premium
through the Common Service Centres or through banks other than SBI or through
branches of SBI other than the one in Badnapur had received their settlement
from IFFCO Tokio. The Manager of the SBI branch in Badnapur was not very
forthcoming. He just said that the premium and the documents relating to the
farmers had been sent to the insurer. When the author managed to track down the
agent, he said that the bank didn’t send the details of the farmers on time and
this resulted in the company not processing the papers. It also turned out that
the insurance company had not applied for the government’s subsidy on premium
for those farmers. When published the story on February 18, both SBI and IFFCO
Tokio wrote to the paper offering some explanation, but continued to pass the
buck. The paper then took up the issue on social media and brought it to the
notice of the State government and the PMO. In a few days following this, the
aggrieved farmers got a message from the insurance company that action will be
taken on the pending claim settlement. On March 26, 146 farmers of Jalna were
settled their due amount in full. With the region staring at drought this year
again, the farmers are happy that they have some money to meet their daily
needs.
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BARAMULLA AND JAMMU PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES GO TO POLLS
IN PHASE I ON 11TH APRIL 2019
In the first phase of
General Elections 2019, Baramulla and Jammu parliamentary constituencies (PC)
would be going to polls on 11th April 2019. Seven Districts would be covered in
the two PCs. These are Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipore in Baramulla (PC No. 1)
and Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu and Samba in Jammu (PC No. 6). All the PC seats in
Phase I belong to the General category. As per the data sourced from CEO (Jammu
& Kashmir) website, there are a total of 33,17,882 general electors in the
two PCs, out of which 17,16,933 are general male electors, 16,00,897 general
female electorsand 52 third gender electors. In addition to this, there are
41,755 service electors and 21,122 persons with disabilities (PWD) electors in
Phase I. A total of 4,489 polling stations have been set up for during this
phase.
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MULLING FIRS AGAINST FOREIGNERS: ASSAM TO SUPREME COURT
The Assam government on
Tuesday told SC that it was considering filing FIRs and attaching the immovable
properties of foreigners after the court demanded to know what it had done in
the last five years to trace and deport foreigners from the state. A
three-judge bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi is hearing a petition filed by
activist Harsh Mander demanding the release of those foreigners who have been
detained indefinitely in detention centres in the state. He has argued that it
was against their right to liberty guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.
His lawyer Prashant Bhushan has urged the court to set them free to lead a life
of dignity with sureties and other such conditions such as reporting in local
police stations.
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J&J AGREES TO PAY ONLY RS 25 LAKH COMPENSATION FOR FAULTY
HIP IMPLANTS
On Monday US device maker
Johnson and Johnson (J&J) agreed to pay a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to
patients who received the faulty hip implants. J&J statement to the Delhi
HC comes a month after the drug controller directed the company to pay up two
patients in Maharashtra Rs 65 lakh and Rs 74 lakh, respectively. In March this
year, a committee under Dr Arun Kumar Agarwal submitted its report to the
health ministry with its final recommendation. After consultation with various
state and central governments, the drug regulator announced that it came to the
compensation figure of Rs 74.5 lakh. A company official told that it has also
challenged this circular of the drug regulator on the grounds that the
regulator has no jurisdiction under the drugs and cosmetics act. The
Maharashtra state drug regulator received an application from one patient of
the state over the faulty implant from J&J. The drug regulator said after
recommendations from the state-level committee it came to the conclusion that
the patient was implanted with faulty ASR hip implant in both hips and
subsequent revision of left hip and is entitled for the financial compensation
as per the formula.
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#METOO MOVEMENT: DEFAMATION CHARGE AGAINST JOURNALIST WHO
OUTED MJ AKBAR
A Delhi court Wednesday
admits defamation charge against journalist Priya Ramani in a case filed by
ex-Union minister M J Akbar after she levelled allegations of sexual misconduct
against him. Ramani, who appeared before Additional Chief Metropolitan
Magistrate Samar Vishal, however, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. Akbar,
who resigned as Union minister on October 17 last year, filed a private
criminal defamation complaint against Ramani after his name cropped up on
social media as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India. Ramani accused Akbar of
sexual misconduct, a charge denied by him. The court listed the matter for
hearing on May 4 and also granted permanent exemption to Ramani from personal
appearance.
#For Source of Information copy and paste the heading in google.
Thanks & Regards,
CS Meetesh Shiroya
Thanks & Regards,
CS Meetesh Shiroya
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