Forest Owlet sighted in Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary

The elusive bird was recently spotted in Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary in Palghar district of Maharashtra. Tansa is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) based on the earlier studies carried out by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Atul Sathe, Manager-Communications, BNHS-India said.

This discovery is significant and more studies are required to identify its presence in other similar habitats in drier parts of northern Western Ghats, he said.

In an era when forests everywhere in general and in Western Ghats in particular are vanishing or getting degraded, the new discovery of Forest Owlet (Scientific name Heteroglaux blewitti, earlier called Athene blewitti) – a Critically Endangered bird according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List – brings new hope about the survival of biodiversity.

In October this year, former BNHS employee and naturalist Sunil Laad, along with his companions, spotted the Forest Owlet seated on a dry tree in the morning. The sighted bird was clearly differentiated from the commonly found Spotted Owlet (Scientific name: Athene brama) due to its unspotted crown, complete collar on breast, dark primaries and broadly banded tail.

Calls of Forest Owlet were also heard seven km away from this location during subsequent visits to Tansa.

Since the bird has been found significantly outside (250 km southwards) its earlier known range, reassessment of its earlier known distribution range is necessary, Sathe said.

For nearly 113 years, Forest Owlet was considered to be extinct, until researchers rediscovered it in 1997 in Toranmal Reserve Forest near Shahada in the Satpuda ranges in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, he said.

Source: Chhattisgarh Hindi News and MP Hindi News 

Will discuss possibility of Janata Dal-2 next month: JD(U)

'A meeting of all the scattered leaders of the Janata Dal has been convened at the residence of Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav in New Delhi in the first week of December to discuss the possibility of constituting Janata Dal-2", national general secretary of Janata Dal(U) K C Tyagi
told reporters here on Friday.
    
Attacking the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tyagi said that instead of doing work he has been making tall claims.

"Therefore I give him 100 per cent marks in the exam on making tall claims while in the exam on doing some work he gets zero from my side", Tyagi said adding that nothing has been done on his promise to bring back black money in 100 days.
  
Tyagi said that a "vada nibhao" (keep your promise) rally would be taken out.
  
On a question regarding Congress, Tyagi said that its president should consider reorganising the party for keeping it alive.
   
On the Bihar Chief Minister's statement considered to be in favour of Prime minister Narendra Modi, Tyagi said that it would be reviewed seriously.
  
Majhi had in a statement said that if Bihar was granted the status of special state, he was ready to support Modi.

Source: Chhattisgarh Hindi News and MP Hindi News 

Now Kejriwal to share his 'man ki baat' with people of national capital

Kejriwal's radio segment will play on private FM channels. AAP had made effective use of radio in its campaign when it debuted in the Delhi elections last year, airing messages from Kejriwal.

Fresh elections in Delhi are yet to be announced, but the airwaves have already turned into a political battlefield. 

During the 2013 assembly elections, about 7 FM channels aired AAP’s messages, essentially of 6-7 types, in phases.

The Delhi Assembly earlier this month was dissolved, paving the way for fresh elections that will end the political hibernation since the AAP government fell in February.

A notification issued by the Home Ministry said that President Pranab Mukherjee has dissolved the "Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi with immediate effect" on November 4.

The Union Cabinet had in November first week recommended the dissolution of the Assembly following recommendation of LG Najeeb Jung after talks on Monday with BJP, Congress and AAP which expressed inability to form government and sought fresh mandate.

While the fresh elections may be held early next year.

The Election Commission cancelled the notification for by-election in three assembly constituencies in Delhi following the dissolution of the state assembly.

The Election Commission had on October 25 announced that Mehrauli, Tughlakabad and Krishna Nagar would go to the polls on November 25.

BJP legislators from the three places were elected to the Lok Sabha in May. Delhi has been under President's rule since February 17.

Source: Chhattisgarh Hindi News and MP Hindi News 

Arms cache recovered from militant hideout in Doda

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Rashtriya Rifles and police launched a joint search operation and busted the hideout in Marmat in Bhaderwah tehsil of Doda district on Friday, he said.

The recoveries from the hideout include an AK-47 rifle, a chinese pistol, two .303 rifle, three 12 bore gun, one sniper rifle, one country-made pistol, four magazines of AK-47 and three magazines of .303 rifle, he said.

In addition, two radio sets, around 216 rounds of assorted ammunition, four hand grenades and several other logistic stores were also recovered, the spokesman added.

Source: Chhattisgarh Hindi News and MP Hindi News 

Noida traffic cops present roses to law-abiding motorists

Also, as part of a crackdown on traffic violations, a whopping Rs 3 lakh was collected from offenders on the day.

"Noida Traffic Police and Gramin Vikas Utthan Samiti jointly launched a campaign through the thoughtful gesture of offering red roses to law-abiding commuters at the Sector 60 crossing," said SP (Traffic), RN Mishra.

"We also offered helmets free of cost to those riders who were not wearing helmets. A number of motorists were also challaned for not wearing helmets," he added.

"The campaign was launched by SSP Preetinder Singh with the objective of enhancing road safety and awareness about the same among the public. Many local dignitaries took part in the campaign," he said.

Mishra added that a "total of 759 vehicles were challaned on Friday and a fine of Rs 3,01,100 collected, which is the highest for a single day during the drive".

Source: Chhattisgarh Hindi News and MP Hindi News

BJP to restart talks with Sena today over joining government

The BJP, facing the heat from several quarters over NCP's outside support to it to form the government, is keen to take the Sena onboard to ensure a stable government.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said his party is keen to join hands with the Sena once again after a bitter split in the run up to the Assembly elections.

"I spoke with Sena president Uddhav Thackeray on phone a few days back and talks between the two parties will start on Friday," Fadnavis told reporters on Thursday.

"From BJP, we have asked Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Maharashtra minister Chandrakant Patil to open the talks with the Sena. Both parties may have fought elections separately, but there is no reason why we cannot come together," he said.

Uddhav, however, chose to keep mum on Fadnavis' comments and said he would talk to the BJP when it initiates the process.

"I am willing to resume talks with them (BJP). But let them start at least," Thackeray said.

A senior BJP leader told on condition of anonymity that the Sena will almost certainly join the government during the next Cabinet expansion.

"The Cabinet expansion will happen either on 30th of this month or December 1. I'm almost certain that Sena will come on board," the leader said.

The state Assembly's winter session will commence from December 8.

In the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, the BJP has 121 MLAs, while the Shiv Sena is the second largest party with 63 legislators.

The Sena's inclusion in the Fadnavis government will also strengthen the latter's position as it is 22 short of simple majority in the House.

New surveillance system to protect Jarawa tribe in Andaman

Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lt General (Retd) A K Singh has ordered the formation of a new multi-task force to increase land patrolling of the reserve, officials said on Friday.
  
The 200 km-long coastline would be guarded by a strong three-layered joint operation team. In the outer layer, Navy and Coast Guard officials will be present while the middle layer will be manned by interceptor vessels of the police marine force.
  
The innermost layer which comprises innumerable creeks will be monitored by personnel from police, forest and members of the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS).
  
"There would be minimum of four boats having six persons each," Andaman and Nicobar's tribal welfare secretary Theva Neethi Dhas said from Port Blair.
  
He said that a multi-task force has also been appointed to increase surveillance on the Jarawa land area spread across 1000 sq km.
  
"There would be four teams with three officials of the health and forest department in each team. Their job would be to visit the area periodically and ensure that no one has ventured inside the Jarawa reserve and report any problem inside," the official said.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Dwarka water crisis: HC directs Haryana to release water

A division bench of Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Siddharth Mridul asked the Haryana government to release the water to the Munak CLC - which is cement-lined - instead of the unlined (kachcha) canal, because of which water is being lost every day. The court had earlier noted that over 80 MGD of water is being lost every day because of seepage as the water is being transported through a unline canal instead of the concrete Munak canal.The court's direction came on a PIL asking for commissioning of the new Munak canal.

The PIL filed by housing societies in Dwarka sought direction to the Delhi Jal Board and the government to solve the water crisis faced by them.The Munak canal-Haidarpur pipeline was expected to meet the needs of the area by supplying raw water for treatment which would then be supplied to the parched area.

The canal, constructed to stop loss of water through leakages in various existing canals, was built by Haryana with financial assistance of around Rs.400 crore from the Delhi government on the condition that the national capital will be supplied water from it. Haryana has opposed any water-sharing, saying it has been generously providing water to its neighbour even though the demand in the state has gone up in recent years.Construction work on the 102-km canal between Munak on the Haryana border and Haiderpur in Delhi has been almost completed.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

AMU VC writes to HRD Mininstry over plans to mark Raja's anniversary

In his letter to the minister, Zameer Uddin Shah said if "certain elements" go ahead with their plans to hold a demonstration at AMU on December 1, "it could lead to massive student unrest at the campus".

However, the VC did not take the name of any party or outfit.

The Vice Chancellor has pointed out the possibility of "communal conflagration if political machinations are not controlled".

Some BJP leaders have decided to hold a demonstration on the campus on the birth anniversary of Raja Mahendra Pratap, an alumnus of AMU, whose family was closely associated with Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of the institution.

"Some elements are threatening to hold a demonstration on the grounds that Raja Mahendra Pratap donated large tracts of land for establishment of AMU and should be honoured accordingly.

"We have always acknowledged that the Raja did lease 3.04 acres of land to AMU in 1929 at a rate of Rs. 2/- per annum. We are proud of this freedom fighter. However, there were a large number of other donors and the main campus of the AMU was built on a land procured from the British government originally belonging to the Aligarh cantonment," he said.

Some local and state BJP leaders had recently claimed that AMU was built on land donated by Raja Mahendra Pratap but AMU authorities "failed to acknowledge his contribution".

The Vice Chancellor said that in order to defuse the situation, they had agreed to hold a joint celebration on Raja's birth anniversary

"On November 25, at the instance of some ex-servicemen of this district, who offered to mediate, I held a meeting with representatives of some outfits who are threatening to hold the demonstration. The idea was to defuse the situation and we agreed to hold a joint celebration of the Raja's anniversary".

However, the decision to observe the anniversary has now been revoked due to reports that there are internal differences within the group which was holding the protest, he said.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Assembly elections: Political instability keeping Jharkhand behind

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also flagged the issue in his campaign speeches, terming it as the single-most important factor behind lack of development in the natural resources-rich state since it was created on November 15, 2000.

So did other political parties. But why is it that on an average there is a new government in the state every one and a half years?

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda, who had headed fragile coalition governments three times, said, "The single biggest factor for instability is the absence of institutional development."

A candidate from Kharsawan constituency in the latest round of Assembly election, Munda elucidated his point a little more.

"To implement state, district or panchayat plans, for instance, a policy is required and to put this policy into effect institutional development is a must, but Jharkhand is too young a state to allow it to happen."

Munda, now the leader of Opposition, explained that coalition governments in older states could last because they already had the well-developed institutions in place.

Former deputy chief minister and AJSU president Sudesh Mahto, who had been a minister in all the BJP-led governments, however, blamed instability on the lack of leadership.

"Lack of leadership is responsible for Jharkhand’s under development," Mahto felt.

Madhu Koda, who headed a 23-month-old UPA government, said pulls and pressures from regional parties making up a coalition government were responsible for the instability.

"Regional parties have influence in more than 50 percent of areas in the state, and people naturally think they can benefit from them," Koda, who is now contesting from Majhgaon seat and his MLA wife from Jagannathpur constituency, said. Voicing dimay at the state of affairs, Koda observed, "Pulls and pressures in coalition politics are natural, but there should not be any personal agenda while working for the state."

Koda and many of his ex-cabinet ministers drawn from different parties or independent MLAs had served jail sentences of varying period before coming out on bail in connection with corruption cases.

The fate of his former cabinet colleagues Kamlesh Singh of NCP and Bhanu Pratap Sahi of Navjawan Shangharsh Morcha has already been sealed in the EVM after the end of the first phase polling on November 25.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Goa airport gets visa-on-arrival facility for 43 countries

Goa's Dabolim airport is among one of the nine places that has extended this facility, which will further improve the prospects of its tourism growth, state tourism minister Dilip Parulekar told here on Thursday.

The cities where VoA (visa-on-arrival) will be issued include Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.

The countries included in the list are – Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Luxembourg, Marshal Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu and Vietnam, he said.

The single-entry tourist visa will be valid for 30 days, the minister said. The state government had been pursuing the issue of VoA and e-visa with the Central government for over two years, he said. "We are very happy to announce that the facilities have finally been launched and extended to 43 countries effectively from Thursday," Parulekar said.

"This facility will enable tourists from the 43 countries enlisted for the benefit to apply and procure the visa within 96 hours with a validity of 30 days, which is extendable subject to approval from the respective embassies," he said. He mooted the need for aggressive marketing in these countries in order to ensure that travel agencies and tourists are made aware of the facility and to encourage foreign visitors to avail it.

Goa tourism department is confident that the launch of VoA will increase foreign tourist arrivals from 12 to 15 percent annually. "Within the next four years, we could see the arrivals doubling from five lakh to one million," Parulekar said.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

High Court quashes Rajasthan University elections

Justice M N Bhandari said that the code of conduct fixed by the Lyngdoh committee has not been followed in the elections.

The code of conduct strictly states that no candidate shall use any poster, banner or any printed material for campaigning but contrary to this, every candidate has defied the rule, the judge said.

Besides, the rule says that the campaign should be confined to the university premises and the election expenditure should not be more than Rs 5000.   

But the flurry of activities, the fleet of vehicles and the luncheon parties could not have been possible within the stipulated amount, the bench said.

The order was passed on a writ petition filed by one Saransh Ghiya.

In the order running in more than 50 pages the judge directed that the Rajasthan University is free to hold fresh elections provided an undertaking in form of an affidavit is submitted in the court that the election will be held according to the moral code of conduct set by Lyngdoh Committee.

The bench also held that the state government may frame a policy in accordance with which the election to various student unions may be held.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Gujarat gets Rs 444.44 crore to conserve Sabarmati river

As per the approval, 70 percent of the cost (Rs 311.72 crore) would be borne by the Centre, while the remaining 30 percent (Rs 132.72 crore) would be borne jointly by the Gujarat government and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), according to an official press release issued here today.
  
Earlier, the Centre had granted Rs 90 crore for phase-1 of the project to construct 22 km of sewage network, two terminal pumping stations, two sewage treatment plants, as many crematoria and five toilets.
  
Phase-2 of the project includes construction of drainage lines at Pirana, Vasna and Chandrabhaga areas as well as setting up a sewage treatment plant (STP) at the cantonment area at a cumulative cost of Rs 176 crore, the release said.
  
Rs 115 crore would be spent for new sewage lines for Meghaninagar, Chiloda, Hathijan, Vasna and Nikol whereas Rs 42 crore would be spent on a new pumping plant at Vastral, and Rs 70 crore would be spent to repair old sewage lines.
  
The project would be executed as per provisions of the Central Public Health Engineering Environment Organisation's revised guidelines, the release said.
  
Phase-2 of the project is primarily aimed at stopping all kinds of untreated liquid sewage waste from being released directly into the Sabarmati river.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Bhopal gas tragedy: Toxic waste disposal still awaited

Though an NGO had in 2004 moved a PIL in Madhya Pradesh High Court after soil sample tests carried out in and around the closed plant revealed that the 350 metric tons of waste was causing air and water pollution in the surroundings having a huge human settlement, the toxic dump could not be cleared due to resistance from different environment groups.

The High Court later directed the Centre and the state that the toxic waste should be incinerated after tests at Pithampur in MP's Dhar district.
  
But the move could not see the light of the day after stiff opposition by NGOs which claimed that the waste disposal at the incinerator will harm Pithampur's people and its environment, Alok Pratap Singh, president of NGO 'Zahreeli Gas Kand Sangarsh Morcha', who had moved the High Court, said.
  
"After this, the HC ordered that the hazardous waste should be disposed of at Gujarat's Ankleshwar incinerator. Again the NGOs from that state protested against it. The Gujarat government petitioned the apex court to review the decision," Singh said.
  
Later, the Supreme Court directed that the waste should be incinerated at the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) facility near Nagpur. But, NGOs protested again in Maharashtra following which the state government expressed its unwillingness in court on the issue, he said.
  
A German firm later proposed to dispose of the waste in Germany, but backtracked following protests by NGOs in the European country, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation
Department's Deputy Secretary K K Dubey said.
  
After this, the apex court asked for the waste to be incinerated at Pithampur, and in a prelude 25-30 metric tonnes should be disposed on an experimental basis, he said.
  
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) got similar waste of some organisation in Kochi incinerated at Pithampur. "Now we are waiting for words from CPCB to hand over the waste to them for incineration," Dubey said.

In June 2010, a Group of Ministers (GoM) was formed to look into the problems related to the disaster which earmarked Rs 315 crore for disposal of the waste, he said.
  
The verdict on Bhopal Gas Tragedy came 25 years after poisonous gas leaked from the plant on December 2-3, 1984, killing over 3,500 people and injuring over 5 lakh residents.
  
"...but for the people near the defunct factory, the tragedy isn't over as they still face air and water pollution given that the hazard waste lying in the factory," said activist Abdul Jabbar, working for the tragedy's survivors.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

AAP collects Rs 91 lakh from Kejriwal's fund-raiser dinner

"We collected Rs 91 lakh from the fund-raiser dinner last night. Rs 36 lakh were collected from donor passes, Rs 36 lakh was through cheque donation from those who came and our volunteers collected Rs 21 lakh," AAP leader Preeti Sharma Menon told here on Friday.

"The next fundraiser will be in Bengaluru. We are impressed with the response to our fund-raiser drive," she said. With online donations, AAP is looking to raise funds differently to take on BJP which is relying on 'brand Modi'.

"The Mumbai dinner had space for a maximum of 200 donors, mostly our supporters. Most of those who attended were young professionals, some diamond merchants and a few directors from Bollywood," she said.

AAP's Maharashtra unit has a target of raising Rs 5 crore over the next two months through reach-out drives," she said.

In the run-up to this year's Lok Sabha elections, Kejriwal had in March hosted a fund-raising dinner in Bengaluru inviting criticism from Congress which questioned whether the AAP leader — who then also charged Rs 20,000 per person for having a meal with him — could claim to represent the common man.

"Kejriwal has appealed people to donate for the party," Menon said. To encourage donations, AAP is tweeting online donors' names with the hashtag #IfundHonestPolitics.

After the Delhi Assembly elections in December 2013, the party has so far received donations from over a lakh donors. The maximum money has come from Maharashtra, followed by Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Badaun sisters case: CBI finds no evidence of murder, rape

The CBI had already decided not to file a charge sheet against the five persons arrested by Uttar Pradesh police --Pappu, Awadhesh and Urvesh Yadav (all three brothers) and constables Chhatrapal Yadav and Sarvesh Yadav-- in connection with alleged gang-rape and murder of the two teenagers in Katra village.

Agency sources said today that they did not find evidence that the girls had been murdered or were sexually assaulted before their death. The agency is likely to file its final report tomorrow in Badaun court.

"The Medical Board has come to conclusion that sexual assault on either of the victims appears doubtful," a senior CBI official had said. The CBI had taken help of the Hyderabad-based Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) which ruled out sexual assault on the two girls.

There was also conflicting statements by the parents of the two cousins. The sources said the CDFD report had cleared a lot of doubts raised over the cousins being sexually assaulted before being killed.

The five persons had cleared the lie-detection test. The two cousin sisters--aged 14 and 15--were found hanging from a tree in Badaun district in UP in the last week of May. The incident sparked national outrage with the Samajwadi Party government in the state coming under fire on the issue of law and order situation.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi

Army foils infiltration bids on LoC in Jammu

A senior army officer said in winter capital Jammu on Thursday,"A group of heavily armed terrorists tried to infiltrate at Panjni Nallah in Balakote sector in Poonch."

"Alert troopers foiled their attempt and pushed them back. There was firing between two sides which continued till 11 a.m. yesterday," the officer added.

"There was another attempt at 2 am on Wednesday, but it was also foiled."

"They want to derail the poll process but we are alert and won't allow them to create disturbances".

Constituencies of Poonch Havelli, Surankore and Mendhar in Poonch border district go to polls on December 2 in the second phase of the five-phased Jammu and Kashmir state assembly elections.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

BJP releases 'vision document' for peaceful, developed J&K

"Our vision is to make the state of Jammu and Kashmir a peaceful, progressive and developed state of the Union of India through holistic and inclusive development of all the three regions including Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh," party MP and state in-charge Avinash Rai Khanna told reporters here on Thursday while releasing party's 'vision document'.

The party has promised to initiate the process of "just and honourable" re-settlement of the displaced members of the Kashmiri Pandit community in Kashmir valley with security and dignity.

The BJP said that if voted to power the party would reserve three seats in the state assembly for displaced Kashmiris out of the 46 assembly seats meant for Kashmir valley.

The party also said that it would reserve five seats for refugees from the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir from the 24 seats kept vacant for the PoK.

"The party would reserve five seats for POK refugees out of 24 left vacant in the assembly for POK and three for the displaced Kashmiris out of the 46 seats earmarked for the Kashmir valley," he said.

Underlining the party's 'TIME' model, he said "Our focus would be on the TIME model in which we would focus on tourism, infrastructure, modernisation, empowerment."

In its vision document the party also promises to give 33 percent reservation to women in the legislative assembly and legislative council.

He said that after coming to power, the first major work in hand would be to undertake the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of the floods triggered by the unprecedented rainfall during the first week of September.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Mobile court launched in Tripura to resolve pending cases

"A vehicle worth Rs 24 lakh has been designed in such a way that a judge would be able to hold court proceedings, hear and dispose of cases. There are sitting arrangements in the vehicle both for litigants, lawyers and officials," said an official of the Tripura Legal Service Authority.

He said, "The courts are equipped to receive applications relating to petty offences, grant bail and remand accused to custody, issue summons, receive police reports and pass sentences."

"With the launching of the mobile court, people in the rural areas would be able to get justice at their door steps. Besides, they would be more aware about their rights and prevailing laws," Chief Justice Gupta said.

The court can also hold "Lok Adalat" in the rural areas to resolve pending cases of diverse natures, including those of domestic affairs.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Keshav Nath Tripathi sworn in as new Bihar Governor

Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary, Leaders of  opposition in Assembly and Legislative Council Nand Kishore Yadav and Sushil Kumar Modi respectively, and several ministers and senior officials attended the oath taking programme.
  
Tripathi (80), a Constitutional expert is born at Allahabad and practised law in Allahabad High Court from 1956 till 2014 barring the time when he was Speaker of Uttar Pradesh three times -- in 1991, 1997 and 2002.

Later talking to reporters, the new Governor said he would work for welfare of the people. "I will give advise and guide the government where ever required," he said.

Asked how he would divide time to look after both Bihar and West Bengal as a Governor, he said "It will not be a problem." Tripathi praised Bihar's rich tradition in education particularly medical education and said he would try to promote them further.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Infiltration bid foiled along LoC in Rajouri, one arrested

"Alert troops troops noticed suspicious movement near Line of Control (LoC) in Leharan Company Operating Base in Lam Battalion area of Rajouri district around 0630 hours today" a senior Army officer said.

The security personnel responded immediately and foiled an infiltration bid, he said.

During search operation, a suspected militant was apprehended and one AK 47 with 30 rounds, one Pakistan made pistol and Rs 8100 Pakistan currency were seized from his possession.

The arrested accused was identified as Adul Qayoomi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will campaign for BJP in second phase of assembly elections in Udhampur and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow.

According to Kashmir BJP spokesman Farooq Khan, Modi will address rallies in Udhampur district and border district of Poonch at 12 PM and 2:30 PM on Friday.

Security has been beefed up by BSF along the border and also in Jammu city, Udhampur and Poonch areas.

The Army had yesterday said militants were out to disturb the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir but the forces were alert to foil their design.

"Apart from border, also in hinterlands, there are some inputs that these people (Militants) are trying to disturb election process (in Jammu and Kashmir)," 16 Corps Commander, Lieutenant General K H Singh had said on Wednesday.

Singh had asserted that armed forces were ready and alert to foil their designs and fully prepared to deal with these elements.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Jammu & Kashmir: One soldier killed in gunfight against separatist guerrillas

Police sources said that a group of three to four militants infiltrated into the Indian side of the international border at Arnia in RS Pura area of Jammu district.

They added the militants entered an abandoned army bunker. A soldier was killed at Pind Khote in Arnia, they informed.

"The infiltration attempt was supported by Pakistan Rangers who fired mortar shells at BSF (Border Security Force) positions in Arnia today (Thursday) morning so that the militants could sneak in," a senior police officer said.

Earlier on Thursday morning, the Army has foiled two infiltration bids along the line of control (LoC) in Poonch district in the last 48 hours.

A senior Army officer said, "A group  of heavily armed terrorists tried to infiltrate at Panjni Nallah in Balakote sector in Poonch."

"Alert troopers foiled their attempt and pushed them back. There was firing between two sides which continued till 11 am on Wednesday," the officer added.

"There  was another attempt at 2 am on Wednesday, but it was also foiled," he said.

They want to derail the poll process but we are alert and won't allow them to create disturbances, the officer added.

Constituencies of Poonch Havelli, Surankore and Mendhar in border district of Poonch will go to polls on December 2 in the second phase of the five-phased assembly elections.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Pesticides pose threat to wildlife in Kerala elephant corridor

The use of pesticides has caused water pollution and environment damage, leading to serious threats to all flora and fauna, especially jumbo population in the corridor, financed by UNESCO for natural forest development, they said.

Noted animal rights' group Heritage Animal Task Force alleged that as many as 17 wild elephants were found dead in mysterious circumstances in the region since January this year and many of them were victims of banned pesticides.
  
The latest in the list was a wild elephant which was found dead inside Vazhachal Forest Area on Tuesday. With this, the total wild jumbo deaths in Kerala has gone up to 113 since January this year.

In a recent letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also the Chairman of National Board for Wildlife, the group alleged that illegal planters were largely using banned pesticides around the corridor.

"Many of the areas near this elephant corridor is infamous for unauthorised occupation by illegal planters who use banned pestisides for the development of crops inside their plantation areas," the letter said.

The outfit also demanded a high-level enquiry into all unnatural deaths of wild elephants in forest areas of the state.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Vehicles aging over 15 years won't be allowed to ply in Delhi: NGT

A bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, also directed that wherever such vehicles of this age are noticed, the concerned authorities shall take appropriate steps in accordance with law including seizure of the vehicles.

"It is undisputed and in fact unquestionable that the air pollution of National Capital Territory (NCT), Delhi is getting worse with each passing day. It not only projects the very dismayed state of affairs existing with clear indication that worst is likely to follow...

"All vehicles, diesel or petrol, which are more than 15 years old shall not be permitted to ply on the roads...This direction would be applicable to all vehicles without exception i.e. two wheelers, three wheelers, four wheelers, light vehicles and heavy vehicles irrespective of whether commercial or otherwise," the bench said.

It further said that no person shall be permitted to burn plastic or any other material in the open.

If any person is found to be burning plastic or any other material including tree leaves in the open, he would be liable to be proceeded against in accordance with law," it said.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi 

Akali Dal, BJP to contest Punjab civic polls jointly

This was decided at a meeting of senior leaders of both the parties here on Wednesday night. Akali Dal general secretary Harcharan Bains said both parties decided to jointly contest the elections "as per the existing arrangement".

"Both parties also decided to set up district level coordination committees for any local adjustments and for streamlining the election campaign process," Bains said.

In a reference to the recent reports of differences between them, both the parties in a joint resolution said they would give "a befitting response to the mischievous, baseless and motivated propaganda misinformation campaign".

The meeting blamed the "disinformation campaign" on "the frustrated, rejected and rootless Congress party".The meeting was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister and Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma and other senior leaders from both sides.

The Akali Dal and the BJP have been running an alliance government in Punjab since 2007. Differences have been reported between both parties in recent months over certain issues. Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu had openly criticised the Badals and the Akali Dal, forcing the Akali Dal to take up the issue with the BJP and asking it to "tame" Sidhu.

Source: Chhattisgarh News in Hindi and MP News in Hindi

Land worth Rs 300 Cr freed from encroachment in Noida

The Noida authority team on directions from authority's Chairman Rama Raman on Tuesday demolished unauthorised construction in Salarpur area and freed one lakh square meter land from unauthorised occupation, he said.

The present market value of cleared land is around Rs 300  crore, he said.

City Magistrate KP Singh along with other officials and police force was present at the spot.

Around 100 senior and junior employees were present at the spot with 6 JCB machines, 2 cranes and 5 dumpers, he said.

Though, residents protested against the drive but police forcibly moved them out and drive continued smoothly thereafter, the official said.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News 

PM Modi to inaugurate Meghalaya's first train on November 29

The Prime Minister will flag-off the new rail connectivity to Mendipathar in North Garo Hills from Maligaon in Guwahati and then speak to the people of Garo hills through video conferencing, Deputy Commissioner of North Garo Hills  district D Sangma said.

Approved in 1992-93, foundation of the 19.47 km broad guage railway line was laid by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma in 2012.

The British had unsuccessfully built the Cherra Companyganj State Railways in Khasi and Jaintia hills region in 1895-96.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News 

Show cause notice to coal-based firm for receiving dubious subsidy

In reply to a question from Lalruatkima of the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) in the assembly, Rohluna said that the industrial firm was recommended to receive Rs 93.90 lakh and Rs 247.75 lakh of Central Capital Investment Subsidy (CCIS) and Central Transport Subsidy (CTS) respectively.

He said that the central committee of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) had asked the state government to investigate the alleged dubious CCIS and CTS received by the Mizo Carbon Products from the Centre.

The industrial unit, commissioned on February 14, 2012 was having an installed capacity to process 24,200 MT coal per month and manufacture coke.
  
The YMA general secretary Vanlalruata had alleged that the Mizo Carbon Products limited did not produce anything but set up the unit to avail industrial subsidies from the Centre.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News 

Vasan introduces party flag in Tamil Nadu

The flag is similar to that of the national flag and Congress party's which has orange, white and green with images of former Chief Minister K Kamaraj and former Congress leader G K Moopanar.

The images of the leaders are embossed in blue colour against the background of white in the middle. Vasan quit Congress on November three along with several functionaries including sitting MLAs John Jacob, Rangarajan former MPs, B S Gnanadesikan and NSV Chittan, finding fault with the central observer's role in the state unit.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News 

Saradha scam: CBI questions former Assam Health Minister

CBI sources said Sarma was asked to appear before the Special Investigation Team headed by Joint Director Rajiv Singh at the CGO Complex in Kolkata.

Sarma, who appeared in the morning, is being questioned for his purported proximity with Saradha group chief Sudipta Sen, the sources said.

The agency might also ask him about his alleged role in allowing Saradha to spread its network in Assam and his alleged involvement in business activities of the ponzi company under probe, they said.

Sarma was a powerful minister in the Tarun Gogoi Cabinet since 2001 but was dropped by the Chief Minister after he spearheaded a campaign to dislodge Gogoi.

The agency had searched his premises in connection with the scam probe along with former minister Anjan Dutta, who was recently questioned as well, and singer Sadananda Gogoi, who has been arrested by CBI.

There are four FIRs against Saradha Group in which it is alleged that thousands of investors were allegedly duped by company officials and their associates who swindled their deposits.

Besides, there are 44 FIRs in Odisha against ponzi companies.

The Supreme Court had handed over the Saradha chit fund scam probe to CBI and asked the State governments to provide all logistical help to the CBI team investigating the matter.

CBI has formed a Special Investigating Team headed by Joint Director Rajiv Singh to probe the role of Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and RBI.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News 

Muzaffarnagar riots: Victims refuse to return to villages

A team of the forest department had gone to the riot victim camps and appealed to the families to return to their native places as they had illegally established temporary shelters on forest land but they refused to go, forest department official H V Girish said.
  
While 55 families are camping in Malakpur, 45 in Noorpur, 35 in Khurgan, 25 in Sunheta and 20 in Akberpur in Shamli district.
  
The forest department had earlier also issued notices to these families to vacate the government land.
  
Over 60 people were killed and thousands of others displaced in the communal violence in Muzaffarnagar and surrounding districts in August-September last year.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

BJP leaders taken into preventive custody by police

More than 2,000 BJP workers, as planned earlier, had come in a rally to gherao the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) central division and submit a memorandum to him demanding stringent action against those involved in chit fund and land scam in the state.

The protest rally was led by senior party leaders Bijay Mohapatra, Samir Dey, former MLA Pratap Sarangi, former city mayor Nibedita Pradhan and other frontline leaders of BJP.

But the protesters got upset when they learnt that RDC Bikash Chandra Mohapatra was not in his office to receive the BJP memorandum. The BJP workers then tried to force their entry into the office of the RDC by breaking the police barricade leading to a scuffle.

The fracas between BJP workers and police continued for over 15 minutes and normalcy returned when the key leaders of BJP were taken into preventive custody.

"When the situation went out of control, we have taken some senior leaders into preventive custody," said city DCP Sanjiv Arora.

"We will continue our state wide protest in a more vigorous way till the Chief Minister and other ruling party leaders involved in chit fund and land scam are arrested," said Singhdeo while he was taken into custody by police.

Other leaders like Mohapatra and Sarangi also made similar threats saying that the "lawlessness" and "high handedness" of the ruling party shall not be tolerated in future.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

Government firm on abolishing LBT, looking for alternative: Fadnavis

"We do not approve LBT and our stand on abolishing it is clear. We are considering a suitable alternative in this regard," he told reporters here.

"I have myself suggested some alternatives and some have come from the concerned department. There will be further discussions on the issue in the next meeting," Fadnavis said.

The issue would also be discussed with the trading community in the state, he said.

Earlier, Fadnavis, who inaugurated the corporate office tower of Cosmos Cooperative Bank here, urged office-bearers of cooperative institutions to serve as "trustees" of people.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

Tributes paid to 26/11 attack martyrs

Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde, Minister of Industries, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Prakash Mehta, Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria and DGP Sanjeev Dayal were among dignitaries who paid homage at the 26/11 police memorial site at the Mumbai Police Gymkhana in south Mumbai.

"I pay homage to the brave policemen who fought for Mumbai's safety and laid down their lives for us on 26/11.

We are proud of them and we will strive hard for safety and security of our state," said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis could not attend the commemorative meeting as he is scheduled to attend various functions to be presided by President Pranab Mukherjee in Pune and Wardha in the state later today.

The chief minister in his message said, "We will strengthen police force with better equipment. It is out priority."

Family members of the policemen, who lost their lives during the November 2008 attacks, were also present during the ceremony.

On November 26, 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists arrived by sea route and opened fire indiscriminately at people killing 166, including 18 security personnel, and injuring several others, besides damaging property worth crores.

The then Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare, army Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Mumbai's Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte and Senior Police Inspector Vijay Salaskar were among those killed in the attack.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

Haryana reduces retirement age for staff

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that the decision to reduce the retirement age was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet here on Tuesday.

The Hooda government, just before the October 15 assembly election in the state, had announced a populist decision to increase retirement age for government staff from 58 to 60 years.

The cabinet also decided to increase value added tax (VAT) on diesel by nearly three percent. Khattar said that the reports on the land deals of  Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, sought from district authorities in the national capital region (NCR) are  awaited.

"A decision on this will be taken after the reports are received," he said.

The cabinet also decided to remove the chairman and members of the Haryana Staff Service Selection Commission.

Khattar said that 906 people have been arrested in the case related to controversial sect leader Rampal.

"Rampal has been arrested in this case. His key aides  have also been arrested. A number of weapons have been recovered from his  premises. There will be no place for unlawful activities in Haryana," he said.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

Meghalaya's most wanted militant arrested from Tamil Nadu

William A Sangma, a self-styled commander of the Achik National Cooperative Army (ANCA), and his accomplice Alas R Sangma were arrested from Chinakkarai in Tirupur district of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, a police spokesperson said.
   
Acting on a tip off, a special team took the help of the Tirupur district police and tracked William and his accomplice in a readymade garment manufacturing factory, he said.
   
William is the most wanted militant who escaped from Mendipathar police up in August last, he said.
   
His accomplice Alas R Sangma is also wanted in connection with a case in which he was accused of killing his six-year-old son.
   
William and his accomplice are being brought to Garo Hills on Wednesday. Earlier on Monday, Sanjeev Roy, a close associate of William A Sangma, was arrested from Lower Babupara in Tura and seized Rs 31,745, five mobile phones, and some documents from his possession.
   
Based on his leads, William was arrested.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

Indian Railways team in China for Delhi-Chennai bullet train

The high-level team of officials from Rail Vikas Nigam Limited led by Satish Agnihotri arrived here on Monday and is in talks with China's High Speed Rail Corp to build the Delhi-Chennai corridor for which the communist giant has agreed to conduct the study free of cost during President Xi Jinping's visit to India in September, officials here said.
  
The proposed corridor could be the second largest in the world after China's 2,298 km-long Beijing-Guangzhou line which was launched last year. Running at a speed of 300 km per hour, it covers the distance in about eight hours.

The Delhi-Chennai high speed line could cost around USD 32.6 billion, Chinese officials said. India is currently considering two corridors for high speed trains. While Japan is conducting feasibility study for the Bullet train project in Mumbai-Ahemdabad corridor, China will do the same for the Delhi-Chennai route which is expected to begin by early next year.
  
Under the agreement, China has agreed to provide training in heavy haul for 100 Indian Railways officials, redevelopment of existing railway stations and establishment of railway university in India. The training was expected to begin soon.
  
The two nations have also agreed to cooperate to identify the technical inputs required to increase speed on the existing railway line from Chennai to Mysore via Bangalore.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

SAARC: India terms terrorism as the biggest challenge for the region

Addressing the SAARC Foreign Ministers meeting here, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj strongly emphasised on improving road, rail, sea and air connectivity among the member countries to spur economic growth and asserted India's "neighbourhood first policy" to ensure overall development of the region.
  
Referring to a recent suicide bombing in Afghanistan that left more than 50 people dead, she said, "This cowardly act, of killing and maiming people watching a volleyball match, has shown once again that terrorism is the biggest challenge our region faces today, and requires a collective response."
  
She also conveyed condolences to the government and people of Afghanistan for the "terrible tragedy". Talking about making SAARC more effective, Swaraj said the new BJP-led government has been following the vision of "together with all; development for all" and it is also India’s vision for the regional grouping.

"My government and I are firm believers in the policy of Neighbourhood First. It was this vision that animated the invitation that Prime Minister Modi extended to the Heads of Government of all SAARC countries for his swearing in. It is the same vision that has made me travel to five of the seven SAARC countries in the six months that I have been in office.
    
"Another vision that my government is committed to is sabka saath, sabka vikas. Together with all; Development for all. This is also our vision for SAARC. "How together all eight member states can make faster progress and improve the quality of life for all our peoples.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

'Obama's visit indicative of robust nature of bilateral ties'

"It is entirely indicative of the robust nature and health of the relationship, and very good personal ties and chemistry between our two leaders," Atul Keshap, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, told reporters.

India has invited Obama to be the chief guest at the 2015 Republic Day celebrations, an invitation which has been accepted by the American leader.

This is for the first time that a US President would be attending the Republic Day ceremony. Obama would also be the first American President to visit India twice.

"It is indicative of all of the good work that the US and India are doing together," Keshap said in response to a question.

Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Right, Sarah Swell, said the visit is a "logical combination" of the way in which the relationship between Obama and Modi has developed.

"It's very exciting to see that trajectory, and I think this is the logical next step," she said.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

SAARC Summit to begin tomorrow in Nepal

The two-day 18th South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation summit will deliberate on a range of crucial issues such as defence and security, improving transport connectivity among the member states and ensuring greater flow of goods and services to boost trade and commerce.

Modi, after becoming Prime Minister, has been pushing for a stronger SAARC and there has been lot of enthusiasm among top diplomats of various countries about what he brings to the table to make the eight-nation grouping a regional powerhouse.

The theme of the summit is 'Deeper Regional Integration for Peace and Prosperity' and diplomats of a number of member countries said there have been expectations that the summit will have "breakthroughs" in some areas.

The leaders are also expected to deliberate on enhancing cooperation in the fields of education, health care, energy security and poverty alleviation.

Diplomats said there will be detailed discussion on removing hurdles for ensuring free flow of trade among the member countries.

Acting Foreign Secretary of Nepal Shanker Das Bairagi said strong commitment and decisive actions are required to fully and effectively implement South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement.

Prime Minister Modi leads a high-level delegation at the summit which includes External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and a number of senior officials of various ministries.

India sees SAARC as a regional cooperative framework for promoting active collaboration in economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields so as to accelerate regional growth and development.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

New era in India under PM Modi, say top US diplomats

"It really does feel like a new era in India under Prime Minister Modi. You see the focus on pushing the economy, opening and accelerating it, but you also see it paired with a commitment to greater openness as a society," Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Right, Sarah Swell, told reporters at a media round table.

Swell, who returned to US after concluding talks with the leadership of the new Indian government, and meeting members of the civil society and human rights groups, praised the Prime Minister for "effectively taking up the issues related to women, children and other sections of the society and his determination for development for all."

"It (Modi Government) is very hopeful, very dynamic, much more open," Swell told reporters in response to a question.

"I think one of the things that really struck me and that was very gratifying for me in my role as Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights is that PM Modi has opened up for bilateral discussion and for national discussion on many issues that have perhaps not been opened up in the same way before," she said.

Swell said one of the most exciting openings to build on in terms of her visit was Prime Minister Modi's recognition of the central role of women in the future and economy of the country.

Both the countries are involved in discussions about gender-based violence within our own societies and how we can best combat it, she said.

"This is a great example of an issue in which the country, the prime minister and country's desire for economic development coincides with the demand for greater realization of rights of all. It's just tremendously exciting," she said.

"American people have a profound respect for the fact that India stands for democracy, human rights, religious tolerance, pluralism, diversity, rule of law," said Atul Keshap, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia.

He said many people in US had been moved by the Prime Minister's statements, since he took office, about the need for broad-based inclusive growth in India that includes all Indians and ensures a bright future for all.

He also said US was "very committed" to engage with India as a vital and essential democratic partner that shares its values and perspectives.

"We're very focused on our forward agenda, on engaging across the board with the Government of India in every field of human endeavor, and we will continue to talk about any and all issues as friends," Keshap said in response to a question.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

Ebola crisis may result in more hunger: UNDP report

The report said that action is required to protect the poor and support farmers, media reported. "Border closures, movement restrictions and a slowdown in farming activity are shaking food markets badly," said Ayodele Odusola, chief economist at the Regional Bureau for Africa of the United Nations Development Program(UNDP).

Since the onset of the Ebola crisis early this year in West Africa, buying power went down by 20 percent in Sierra Leone and by more than 25 percent in Liberia, said the study.

The study also found rural communities were worst affected, due to soaring transport costs and declining farming incomes. Reduced traffic has been observed in more than two-thirds of Liberia's counties.

Till the date, WHO has reported 15,351 Ebola cases in eight countries since the outbreak began, with 5,459 reported deaths, mostly in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, the three hardest-hit West African countries.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News 

Chuck Hagel resigns as US defence secretary

It was the first major change to Obama's Cabinet since his Democrats were routed in midterm elections three weeks ago, and Republicans, who now control both houses of Congress, are looking for a new approach from the White house.

Hagel was appointed less than two years ago as Obama pushed his signature program of winding down wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, a process now being upended with US re-engagement in Iraq and greater military cooperation with Kabul.

He had privately expressed frustration to colleagues at the administration’s strategy toward Iraq and Syria and at his lack of influence over the decision-making process, a source familiar with the situation said.

Officials said publicly the decision for him to leave was mutual but privately others said he was forced out. "There’s no question he was fired," said one source with knowledge of the matter.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News 

India expresses concern over rising tensions in Jerusalem

"We are deeply concerned about rising tensions in East Jerusalem. The imperative need is for urgent de-escalati on, for restraint, for avoidance of provocation and for a return to the peace process. Diplomacy and statesmanship have to prevail over hatred and violence; there is no other road to a lasting peace," Permanent Representative of India to the UN Asoke Mukerji said in a UN General Assembly session on Monday.

Marking the International day of solidarity with the Palestinian People, Mukerji reiterated India's "unwavering support" for the cause of Palestine and solidarity with the Palestinian people for their struggle.Mukerji also extended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support and solidarity for the Palestinian cause. He said India firmly believes that dialogue is the "only viable option" for a durable, comprehensive and peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue.

"We hope that both sides will demonstrate the necessary political will to return to the negotiating table and resume dialogue," he said, adding that India supports a negotiated solution, resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side and at peace with Israel.

India called for the blockade on Gaza to be fully lifted and humanitarian supplies and desperately-needed materials for reconstruction be allowed in without restrictions. "The suffering of the people in Gaza persists in the aftermath of this summer's conflict which resulted in tragic loss of civilian lives, especially women and children and extensive destruction of houses and infrastructure," he said.

The fighting – which raged from July 8 to August 26 – saw entire neighbourhoods in the Strip flattened, and almost one-third of Gaza’s population uprooted. The violence killed more than 2,100 Palestinians, including more than 500 children, and more than 70 Israelis while also damaging or destroying over 100,000 homes.

Mukerji said apart from strong political support to the Palestinian cause, India continues to support the development and nation-building efforts of Palestine by consistently extending technical and financial assistance.

It has contributed a million dollars annually to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). India has recently pledged USD four million in response to the National Early Recovery & Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. India is implementing development projects in Palestine, jointly with Brazil and South Africa within the framework of IBSA, and has pledged USD a million dollars for a new project to reconstruct the Atta Habib medical centre in Gaza.
  
Invoking the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, Mukerji said the need of hour is to adhere to his ideology of non-violence and "eschew hatred and violence."

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

HC seeks EC, Kejriwal's response on plea for AAP derecognition

While issuing notice to Kejriwal and six of his party members, Justice Manmohan directed them to file their response within four weeks.
   
It also asked Election Commission of India (ECI) to file a counter affidavit within four weeks.
   
Rejoinder affidavit from the petitioner, if any, be filed before the next date of hearing, it said.
   
The court notice came on a plea filed by Janraajya Party, an unrecognised political party, which sought directions to the ECI to decide the issue of "whether or not AAP has indeed committed fraud and forgery while submitting the mandatory 100 affidavits of founding members to the poll panel at the time of its registration".
   
Advocates Lohitaksha Shukla and Raghav Awasthi, who filed the petition on behalf of Janraajya Party, submitted that the ECI instead of taking any action informed the petitioner that since the matter involves a criminal offence of forgery, it would not initiate any action until the police completes its investigation.

The plea has also sought necessary directions to the SHO of the police station concerned to register an FIR against the accused persons for criminal conspiracy, cheating and using forged documents as genuine ones.
   
It has said that the petitioner party had filed a complaint before poll panel on August 19, 2013 but the ECI has been delaying the matter without giving any plausible reasons.

Navy orders inquiry into sinking of Torpedo Vessel

In view of the incident, Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan, who is on a four-day visit to Seychelles till November 9, is cutting short his visit to reach Visakhapatnam, Navy officials said.

While one sailor was killed, four others are still missing in the accident and search and rescue operations were on to trace them.

Navy officials said the Board of Inquiry will look into the various aspects of the accident and find out what led to the sinking of the 31-year-old vessel. The vessel had sunk at 8 PM Thursday while it was on a "routine" mission to recover practice torpedoes fired by fleet ships during a "routine" exercise, a Navy statement had said. The vessel experienced flooding in one of the compartments, they said.

"One sailor has lost his life during the rescue operation and four personnel are reported missing. Twenty three personnel have been rescued safely by the Search and Rescue (SAR) ships dispatched to the area," it said.

The ship was built by Goa Shipyard Limited in 1983 and has served the Indian Navy for the last 31 years. The latest accident is one of the many in the series that the Navy has witnessed over the last year.

Dhowan took over as the Chief of the Naval Staff on April 17 after his predecessor D K Joshi quit in the wake of a series of accidents. Admiral Joshi's resignation came immediately after a fire on the INS Sindhuratna, which left two sailors dead.

On October 31, INS Kora suffered minor damage after it was scraped by a merchant vessel near Visakhapatnam.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

Government sees USD 250 billion investment in energy sector: Piyush Goyal

Efforts are also being made to increase coal production, strengthen electricity transmission network and get back gas- based power plants on stream, said Goyal, who also holds portfolios of Coal and New and Renewable Energy Ministries.
  
The investments, totalling USD 250 billion for power generation, coal mining as well as electricity distribution and transmission sectors, would help the government increase power generation and ensure electricity supplies to all households in the country by 2019, Goyal said.
  
Speaking at the India Economic Summit, organised here by Geneva-based World Economic Forum and Indian industry chamber CII, Goyal said that India's total power consumption would double to 2 trillion units by 2019 and the majority of investments would come from the private sector although the government would also invest more.
  
The government is also pushing ahead with ambitious plans for the renewable sector, especially solar energy, where the generation capacity is to be increased to 1,00,000 MW by 2022, he added.
  
"We are expecting around USD 250 billion investments in the next four to five years... About USD 100 billion will be in the renewable energy," Goyal said.
  
The country's electricity transmission segment is anticipated to see an investment of around USD 50 billion during this period, he added.
  
The government is sincere in its efforts and "will protect investments", the Minister said.
  
To meet the increasing electricity generation requirements, Goyal said, Coal India is expected to double its production to around one billion tonnes by 2019.
  
The private sector is also expected to play an increasing role in the coal sector and an ordinance issued recently by the government addresses many of the issues, he said.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

Goa CM Parrikar to resign on Saturday for taking up assignment at Centre

Parrikar, who is tipped to be India's Defence Minister, also said that he would also submit his resignation after the meeting of the BJP's parliamentary board, which is expected put a final seal on his elevation to the union cabinet.

The contenders for the Chief Ministerial post are Speaker Rajendra Arlekar, Health Minister Laxmikant Parsenkar and Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza.

Arlekar has solid Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) credentials and also enjoys the confidence of Parrikar. One potential blip on his record, however, is a petition by a lawyer activist pending in a trial court accusing the speaker of allegedly amassing disproportionate assets.

Parsenkar has been a state chief of the BJP on two occasions and like Arlekar has traditionally enjoyed the confidence of the chief minister.

On Wednesday, both Arlekar and Parsenkar said they were not actively gunning for the top slot.

D'Souza, on the other hand who has avoided the media, has in the past been a rallying point for dissenting legislators within the BJP, especially the Catholic legislators within the party.

He is also one of BJP's oldest minority faces. While his inconsistent health is a matter of concern, his appointment as chief minister could help the party appease the state's 26 percent Catholic population.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

PM Modi visits Varanasi, announces mega projects

Modi arrived at the airport located at Babatpur near here around 10 AM and left straight for Lalpur village where he will lay the foundation stone of a trade facilitation centre and a crafts museum.
  
The Prime Minister is also likely to adopt a village under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana under (MPs' Model Village Scheme).
  
He will interact with the general public in Ravindrapuri locality of the city and hold a meeting with local BJP leaders at the guest house of Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW).
  
Modi is also scheduled to unveil a statue of Swami Vivekananda, whom he has always held as his icon, at Vijayanagaram Tiraha crossroad in the city.
  
He is also likely to visit a hospital situated inside the "ashram" set up by followers of spiritual leader Shri Anandamay Maa.
  
Security has been tightened for the Prime Minister's visit.
  
According to Inspector General of Police (Public Grievances) Ashok Jain, 12 SP rank police officials of Uttar Pradesh, 18 Additional SPs, 20 Deputy SPs, 135 sub-inspectors, besides more than 1000 personnel of the Provincial Armed Constabulary have been deployed.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News