Politics

Railway tracks should be improved before bringing high speed trains: AR Chowdhury

New Delhi, July 08 (ANI): Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday said that before introducing bullet trains the railway tracks must be improved. He said that though UPA government faced difficulties in taking steps regarding Railways but worked for its improvement. The Railway Budget for 2014-15 will be presented today by Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda and is expected to deliver a slew of new measures like bullet trains and speedier commute.

Jul 8, 2014

BJP Parliamentary meet ends, PM Modi said ready to debate on all issues: Javadekar

New Delhi, July 08 (ANI): As BJP___s Parliamentary meet ends Tuesday, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that PM Narendra Modi said that the government is ready to debate on all issues. He said that Modi also appealed that opposition does not create hindrance in the functioning of the Parliament like yesterday and all the major issues will be discussed. The meeting was held ahead of Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda is to present the Rail Budget.

Jul 8, 2014

Expectations poured in as Sadanand Gowda is to present maiden Rail Budget

Bhopal/ Nagpur, July 8 (ANI): As Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda is to present his maiden rail budget on Tuesday, Indians expected improved facilities, nominal fares and safe travel. Majority of people see the railways, which transport an estimated 25 million people each day, as a service for the _common man_. In Kerala, daily commuters said they expected Narendra Modi-led government to charge normal fares and enhanced facilities. India_s railway network is one of the world_s largest, but years of low investment and populist policies to subsidise fares at affordable levels have crimped growth in new lines and hindered private investment.

Jul 8, 2014

Red cross begins air drops in South Sudan

The Red Cross begins its first air drops for nearly two decades, hoping to reach hundreds of thousands of starving people in crisis-hit South Sudan. Duration 01:37

Jul 8, 2014

Railway Budget: AP, Telangana Hope to Get New Trains, Lines; Bangalore May Get Commuter Trains

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are hoping for several new railway lines, introduction of new trains completion of several pending rail projects from the new rail budget.

Jul 8, 2014

Government would ensure continuous flow of River Ganges: Uma Bharti

New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): India_s minister for water resources and river development, Uma Bharti has said that earlier there was lack of coordination between departments for carrying out river cleaning project but now Prime Minister Narendra Modi_s government will ensure uninterrupted and clean flow of River Ganges. Speaking at an event, _Ganga Manthan_ in New Delhi, Bharti said Modi-led government will work with full sincerity on the outcome of this dialogue. She added there won_t be any shortage of funds for the Ganges cleaning campaign.

Jul 8, 2014

UK ministers seek deals on first India visit since Modi_s election

Mumbai, July 8 (ANI): Two of Britain_s most senior government ministers- finance minister, George Osborne and Foreign Secretary William Hague, began a two-day visit to India hoping to open up opportunities in the defence and infrastructure sectors, the first such trip since Prime Minister Narendra Modi_s May election win. Osborne expressed UK_s interest in investing in infrastructure projects in India while addressing a news conference in western Mumbai city on Monday (July 07). London also wants British firms to help India develop new cities and districts along a 1,000 km (600 mile) corridor between Mumbai and southern Bangalore city. The arrival of Osborne and Hague, is the latest in a series of high-profile visits by foreign governments keen to build strong relations with Modi and to position themselves for a possible further opening up of India_s defence industry.

Jul 8, 2014

Assam_s students_ union opposes govt_s move to restart dam project along Assam-Arunachal border

Guwahati, July 8 (ANI): The All Assam Students_ Union (AASU) staged a protest in Guwahati city of Assam, opposing any move by the central government to resume construction of hydroelectric project along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. The protesters resisted reconstruction of 2,000-MW Lower Subansiri hydroelectric project of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation at Gerukamukh. India_s power minister, Piyush Goyal, had announced that work on the dam project would resume within a week. Members of the student union took to streets asking Narendra Modi-led government to honour the opinion of experts on safety of the dam as well as downstream impact.

Jul 8, 2014

BJP workers take to streets, demand resignation of governor in Kerala

Kochi, July 8 (ANI): Leaders and members of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala took to streets, demanding immediate resignation of Governor Sheila Dikshit, appointed by previous Congress-led UPA government. Senior BJP leader, Subramanian Swamy, had demanded resignation of governors who were appointed by Congress party during its regime. District president of BJP in Kerala, PJ Thomas, said Dikshit was not fit for the post as she faced corruption charges in Commonwealth Games 2010 scam. He added the party had earlier taken out a march to Raj Bhavan and will continue to protest if the demand was not fulfilled.

Jul 8, 2014

Political parties skeptical about rail budget even as BJP remains positive

New Delhi, July 08 (ANI): As Railway Minister DV Sadananda Gowda is to present his Rail Budget on Tuesday, political leaders remained skeptical about the same, while BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi remained positive about the same recalling _good days will come_ slogan. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that it would be interesting to see if BJP can provide with everything they promised. NCP leader Tariq Anwar welcomed the concept of bullet train though he said that increasing the rail fare has hardly left any significance of this budget. Meanwhile, BJD leader Jay Panda said that idea of bullet train is good but it should not come at the cost of basic railway requirements.

Jul 8, 2014

Canadian minister lauds PM Narendra Modi_s vision of good governance

New Delhi/ Katra, July 8 (ANI): Minister of citizenship and immigration of Canada, Chris Alexander praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for good governance, economic success and prudent management of public finances. Alexander is on a visit to India from July 05 to July 10. He is scheduled to meet India_s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Interior Minister Rajnath Singh besides entrepreneurs, students, and business leaders in information technology and entertainment industries during his stay in Delhi.

Jul 8, 2014

Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar on rail budget

New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): Railway Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar on Tuesday said that the Railway Ministry has put in great efforts to get the suggestions of common man to come up with a good budget. Kumar said that the Indian Railways would use technology for the benefit of common man. He also added that any issue related to cleanliness, safety, catering, ticketing would be looked after.

Jul 8, 2014

South Asia Newsline - July 07, 2014

South Asia Newsline - July 07, 2014

Jul 8, 2014

World Cup tickets official arrested over illegal sales

Brazilian police arrest a director from the FIFA partner company handling World Cup ticket packages, accusing him of leading a network that illegally sells game passes. Duration: 00:58

Jul 8, 2014

Government to consider setting up more agriculture universities in Northeast

Manipur/ Assam/ New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh has directed the Indian Council for Agricultural Research to study the feasibility of opening agriculture and veterinary universities in the northeastern states. A delegation led by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju met the agriculture minister recently to push forward a proposal for setting up at least six agriculture universities in the North East along with a few research centers at an estimated cost of over Rs 700 crore. The delegation submitted a memorandum highlighting the requirements of the north-eastern region in the areas of agricultural education and research. Focus will also be given on upgrading the infrastructure of the existing institutions.

Jul 8, 2014