Politics

Narendra Modi- Nancy Powell meet draws varying reactions by politicos

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): US envoy Nancy Powell’s meeting with Narendra Modi brought about varying reactions by the politicos. JD (U) leader Ali Anwar and KC Tyagi said that it is unfortunate that Modi needs US certificate to prove himself and that even if he does, Modi will fail to reach the Red Fort. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that now is the time when not only US, but Pakistan and China will also be soft on India and Modi too.

Feb 12, 2014

MNS toll agitation: Raj Thackeray detained by Mumbai Police

Mumbai, Feb 12 (ANI): Mumbai police on Wednesday detained Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray near Chembur where he and his convoy was stopped en route to Vashi for flagging off the anti-toll agitation. He along with his workers was out on streets protesting against the collection of tax at toll plazas in the state. Earlier, Mumbai Police has warned MNS workers and Thackeray that action will be taken against them if they indulge in vandalism or disrupt law and order during their agitation against toll collection. Thackeray, who has announced a state-wide "rasta roko" on February 12 to press for the abolition of toll tax, has dared the government to arrest him.

Feb 12, 2014

Railway Minister Kharge to present Interim Budget today

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): Union Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said that his interim Budget for the next four months would be presented in the Lok Sabha at noon, and added that the Budget will also outline what the Rail Ministry has done in the past ten years. Kharge is likely to announce more trains, better amenities and safety measures for passengers, among other issues.

Feb 12, 2014

Shinde orders CBI probe in Nido Taniam's death case

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde ordered an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the death case of Arunachal student Nido Taniam, who was beaten up at South Delhi's Lajpat Nagar area.

Feb 12, 2014

Modi-Powell meet: Govt. won't interfere unless diplomats cross red lines: Khurshid

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): Commenting on the upcoming meeting between the Bharatiya janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and US Ambassador to India Nancy Powell, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said that there are some red lines beyond which the diplomats from other countries are not allowed to go. Khurshid also said the government has no problem if they want to exercise their own decisions.

Feb 12, 2014

Kejriwal is a CM and not a street politician who can point finger at anyone: Khurshid

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): Commenting on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's statement regarding the filling of FIR's against Union Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily and Reliance Industries Ltd. Chairman Mukesh Ambani over gas pricing issue, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said that Kejriwal is a CM and not a street politician who can point finger at anyone.

Feb 12, 2014

Polio free India to get WHO certification

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): India patted itself on its back, marking three years since its last reported case of polio, paving the way for it to be declared free of the virus and boosting efforts to wipe out the disease globally. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Pranab Mukherjee, Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi, Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad and the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Margaret Chan, attended an event held in New Delhi to celebrate India’s ‘victory over polio’. WHO would officially declare India as polio-free by the end of March, when the legal process for certification is completed. Meanwhile, Singh shared a proud moment with the country’s people and said that it was a big achievement. However, Sonia Gandhi, who also expressed happiness, said that it was still very important to be cautious as the neighbouring countries still had the disease prevalent.

Feb 12, 2014

Trade deficit narrows on 77 percent drop in gold imports

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): India's trade deficit narrowed in January, helped by a 77 percent drop in imports of gold and silver while exports ticked up, improving the outlook for the country's fragile current account balance. The Trade Ministry said it had recommended easing curbs on gold imports, prompted by the brighter trade picture.

Feb 12, 2014

China expresses interest in developing stronger bond with India

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): Chinese state councillor, Yang Jiechi, said that China looks forward to strengthen bilateral ties with India and to work in harmony with India on the five principles of peaceful co-existence - a pact formed by the two countries 60 years ago. Speaking at the launch ceremony of the "year of China-India friendly exchanges",in New Delhi, Yang said that border talks with India have yielded "initial results", facilitating peaceful relations. Meanwhile, Yang also said that he had held a meeting with India's National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon to discuss additional confidence building measures and the meeting had yielded positive results.

Feb 12, 2014

Gas pricing issue being raised for years, no new allegations: Sitaram Yechury

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): Senior Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that his party has been raising the issue on gas pricing for years in the parliament and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is late in his decision to order a probe in the case. Kejriwal directed anti-corruption branch to file criminal cases against Oil Minister Veerappa Moily, former Oil Minister Murli Deora, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani and others following complaints of irregularities in pricing of natural gas. Yechury also added that Third Front parties have always been against the hike in gas prices and on their insistence an empowered group of ministers, to be headed by the President, was formed to look into the matter.

Feb 12, 2014

Construction work on railway line from Jiribam to Tupul, in Manipur, in full swing

Manipur, Feb 11 (ANI): Work on the rail project connecting Manipur's Jiribam subdivision and Tupul in Tamenglong district, near Imphal, is in full swing. It is expected to be completed within three years at an estimated cost of around Rs 4,445 crores. A team of officials recently inspected the tunnels being constructed as part of the project. A total of 107 minor bridges, 7 major bridges and 3 Road Over Bridges and 2 Road under Bridges have been constructed so far. Four out of the 34 tunnels have also been completed. The railway bridge being constructed at Khumji village would also be the world’s highest railway bridge.

Feb 12, 2014

Experts discuss growing threat of Maoism in the Northeast

Guwahati, Feb 11 (ANI): “Responding to the Maoist Spread in India’s Northeast” was the title of a seminar organized by Guwahati-based think-tank, the Centre for Development and Peace Studies. Members of the civil society, government officials, journalists and NGOs shared their views about the challenge Maoists have been posing in the region. It is evident that Maoists have set up base in Upper Assam, close to Arunachal border, and are working closely with northeast based insurgent outfits.

Feb 12, 2014