Modi government reconstitutes six cabinet committees

The Narendra Modi government on Thursday reconstituted six cabinet committees, including the one on appointments and on security.

“The government has reconstituted six committees of the Cabinet i.e. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Cabinet Committee on Accommodation, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs and Cabinet Committee on Security,” said an official statement. The Appointments Committee would comprise the prime minister and the home minister, according to an official statement.

The Cabinet Committee on Security would comprise Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs would comprise of the prime minister, home minister, external affairs minister, finance minister, Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Railways Minister D.V. Sadanand Gowda, Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju, Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh. The Cabinet Committee on Accommodation, on political affairs and parliamentary affairs were also reconstituted.

Source: Hindi News

GM recalls another 3.4 million cars for ignition problem

The bulk of the 2000 to 2014 model-year cars -- 3.2 million -- are in the United States, the largest US automaker said on Monday.

GM said that the ignition switch may move out of the "run" position if the key is carrying extra weight and is jarred, such as when the car hits a pothole or crosses railroad tracks.

Switching out of the "run" position affects power steering, power braking and could cause air bags not to deploy in a crash.

GM said it knows of eight crashes and six injuries related to this recall.

The company said the recall stems from its review of ignition issues following the recall in February of 2.6 million Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars for ignition switch problems.

The cars covered in the newest recall are Buick Lacrosses, Chevrolet Impalas, Cadillac Devilles, Cadillac DTS, Buick Lucernes, Buick Regals, and Chevy Monte Carlos, from various model years between 2000 and 2014.

GM said addressing the problem would involve replacing existing ignition keys with new ones designed differently, or retooling existing keys.

"Until the rework or replacement is completed, owners of the recalled cars are urged to remove additional weight from their key chains and drive with only the ignition key," GM said.

GM also announced US recalls for 165,770 vehicles for a variety of problems, including with automatic transmissions and power steering.

It said it would take a charge of about USD 700 million for recall repairs in the second quarter, including the USD 400 million provision it previously announced.

The automaker is under congressional and, reportedly, Justice Department investigation over why it failed to act on the Cobalt ignition switch problem until this February despite knowing about it for more than 11 years.

That problem has been tied to dozens of accidents and at least 13 deaths, according to GM. Outside analysts have said the death toll could be much higher.

The company is facing multiple lawsuits for that problem, which analysts say could ultimately cost the company billions of dollars in damages.

Source: Auto News in Hindi

From post.jagran News

2 killed as BSF, villagers clash in Tripura

 Two persons, including a BSF jawan, were killed and 10 injured in a clash between the border guards and villagers at South Ramnagar near Agartala.

The clash took place when the BSF personnel were chasing some people alleged to be smugglers during a routine patrol in the area near the India-Bangladesh border on Friday night, BSF DIG B.S. Rawat has said.

Among the injured were nine villagers and a BSF man, the BSF DIG said.

When the BSF jawans started chasing the group, villagers attacked the securitymen with lathis, the DIG said.

The BSF initially fired in the air to disperse the mob and then opened fire in “self defence” in which a villager, Ismail Mia, was killed and nine others were injured, the DIG said.

Sandeep Kumar, a BSF man, was then lynched by the villagers, the DIG said.

IG (Police control) N.C. Das also confirmed that a villager and a BSF jawan were killed in the violence.

The injured were rushed to G.B. hospital where nine of them were admitted. The injured BSF jawan was discharged after first-aid, hospital sources said.

Meanwhile, Bhanu Mia, the brother of the villager who was killed in BSF action, in a complaint lodged with the West Agartala police station said that the border guards opened fire after picking up a quarrel with them when they were resting near a pond.

Magisterial probe ordered

The Tripura government on Saturday announced a magisterial inquiry into the clash.

District Magistrate of West Tripura district, Abhishek Singh, who visited the scene on Saturday, said a magisterial level inquiry was ordered into the incident...

Source: Hindi  News

From ibnlive News

Will work on issues raised by Yadav, will try to get Shazia back: Arvind Kejriwal

A day after a bitter wat of words broke out between Aam Aadmi Party leaders Manish Sisodia and Yogendra Yadav, the party's national executive is met in the national capital on Saturday for the second day. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal said that Yadav is a 'good friend' and has raised some issues.

"Yogendra Yadav is a very dear friend and a very valued colleague. Had a long discussion with him. Yogendra Yadav has raised some important issues. All of us will work on it," Kejriwal tweeted. He also tweeted saying that the party will try to get Shazia Ilmi back.

Prashant Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal, Yogendra Yadav, Manish Sisodia and Naveen Jaihind were present at the national executive meet. Sources say that the issue of strengthening the organisation and the recent spate of resignations will be discussed. Sources also say that it is unlikely that anyone's resignation will be accepted...

Source: Latest News in Hindi 

From ibnlive News

Home Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Lucknow today

After being sworn-in as Union Minister of Home Affairs, Rajnath Singh will be visiting his parliamentary constituency Lucknow on Friday for the first time.

Singh, who was earlier a Member of Parliament from Lucknow, contested and won election from Lucknow in 2014 General Elections.

During the visit, Singh will attend a few functions in the Uttar Pradesh capital where he is expected to be felicitated by party workers.

The former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Singh will on Sunday attend the swearing in ceremony of TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu as Chief Minister of residuary Andhra Pradesh, sources said.

Source: News in Hindi

From zee News

PM Modi's 11 commandments to make top bureaucrats work better

Cabinet secretary Ajit Seth on Friday sent out an 11-point “to-do” list to top-ranking civil servants that Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes will help usher in a new work culture in the government and make public dealings with it less painful.

To begin with, all secretaries — who head central departments — are required to identify and remove at least 10 archaic rules and procedures that are redundant. Then, “identify forms that are in vogue and shorten them, where possible, to one page only”.

To ensure quicker decisions, all departments have been told that a file must not go through more than four layers before a final call is made.

Seth’s note is a follow-up to Modi’s meeting with secretaries earlier this week where he asked them to cut red-tape and work harder. Seth wants the secretaries to ensure their first-action plan to implement the 11-points reaches his table by Monday.

The list also asks the departments to work in collaboration rather than confrontation. In cases officials are unable to settle differences, Seth wants officers to bring the problem to the PMO or the Cabinet Secretary rather than sit on the files.

Seth has also encouraged departments to go online for “submission of information”...

Source: Latest News in Hindi

From  hindustantimes News

Be regular, speak well, stop touching feet: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fresh directives to BJP MPs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has some fresh directives for the MPs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Prime Minister has reportedly asked his MPs to stop touching feets of senior leaders, and be well prepared before speaking in the House.

According to reports, Modi has also asked party MPs to be regular in Parliament and do their homework. The Prime Minister made issued these directives to the MPs during the BJP Parliamentary party meeting.

The direction by the Prime Minister to stop greeting senior leaders by touching their feet is being seen as an attempt to put an end to what is seen as a culture of sycophancy.

This comes two days after Modi, in an apparent attempt to empower his Ministers of State by allocating clear responsibilities, asked his Cabinet ministers to give details on the “distribution of work” at the “earliest”.

In a note sent to the Cabinet ministers, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has said, “It is requested that the distribution of work between the Hon’ble Ministers of State in your Ministry kindly be sent to this office at the earliest.”..

Source: Hindi News

From indianexpress News

Nitin Gadkari Defamation Case: Charges Framed Against Arvind Kejriwal, He Needn't Appear in Person

A Delhi court framed charges under sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation) of the Indian Penal Code, or the IPC, against Aam Aam Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal after he refused to withdraw the allegations of corruption he had leveled against Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari. ('Why is Arvind Kejriwal Making This a Prestige Issue?' Asks Court)

An initiative by Judge Gomti Manocha, who is hearing the defamation case filed by the former BJP president against the AAP leader, to facilitate an amicable settlement between the two leaders earlier in the day had fallen through after Mr Kejriwal refused to retract his charges. (An Open Letter From Prisoner No. 3642, Arvind Kejriwal)

The 57-year-old Union Minister and the AAP leader, 45, faced each other for the first time this morning in the court at the Patiala House. (In Courtroom Packed With Supporters, Kejriwal Argues His Own Case)

The judge, at the same time, exempted Mr Kejriwal from making a personal appearance in the court on the day of hearing in the case.

Mr Gadkari, who is now a Cabinet Minister in the Narendra Modi government, told the judge in the hearing held this morning that he would be willing to withdraw the defamation case if the AAP chief retracted his allegations against him.

Mr Kejriwal had, in a press conference held in January, named the former BJP president among "the most corrupt politicians of India".

In retaliation, Mr Gadkari filed a defamation case against the AAP leader. "I have a conviction-oriented approach. My reputation has been damaged. I have suffered a loss of credibility and image. He doesn't even need to apologise. Even if he says he withdraws the allegation, I won't pursue this case,'' the BJP leader told the court in response to the judge's plea to withdraw his defamation case.

"Any defamation is a big blot for me. If he has proof, he should show. He has leveled wrong allegations against me. Either he proves his charges, or withdraws,'' Mr Gadkari added.  (Nitin Gadkari slaps defamation notice on Arvind Kejriwal)

Mr Kejriwal, however, refused, saying, "This is not a prestige issue.'' ..

Source: News in Hindi

From ndtv News

Blue Star anniversary: Radical groups clash at Golden Temple, shut down in Amritsar

Amritsar Police on Friday detained at least eight persons belonging to various groups over a clash between task force volunteers of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and radical Sikh activists on Friday during the 30th anniversary of the army's Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple.

The military's 1984 assault on the Golden Temple was aimed at flushing out militants holed up inside demanding an independent Sikh homeland.

"We have detained eight persons and more such detentions are likely. Nobody is allowed to force the residents for bandh," Amritsar police commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh told Hindustan Times.

At least eight people were injured in the fighting.

After radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa's call for the shutdown, at least 70% of the city's commercial outlets remained closed.

A few people were even forcing shopkeepers to close their shops but were nabbed by the police in the Hall Gate area.

Dal Khalsa had called for Amritsar shutdown to mark the 30th anniversary of the Operation Blue Star.

Swords and sticks were used as scores of men from both sides chased each other outside the Akal Takht building inside the complex, which is home to the holiest of Sikh shrines - the Harmandar Sahib.

Many people could be seen running for cover to save themselves..

Source: Hindi News

From hindustantimes News

Monsoon may arrive in 24 hours - weather official

India's southern coast could witness the arrival of this year's monsoon in the next day or so after sporadic rains in recent days heralded the arrival of the wet season that is crucial to farmers in Asia's third-largest economy.

"Conditions have turned favourable for the monsoon onset in about 24 hours," an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) told Reuters on Thursday.

In a typical year, the monsoon begins on or around June 1 but government forecasters had forecast a five-day delay and below-average rainfall in this year's wet season.

Rains are vital to rejuvenate an economy battling its longest economic slowdown since the 1980s and to cool inflation that has averaged nearly 10 percent for the past two years.

The farm sector accounts for 14 percent of India's nearly $2 trillion economy, with two-thirds of its 1.2 billion population living in rural areas.

Half of India's farmland still lacks access to irrigation. The country plans to expand irrigation coverage by at least a tenth by 2017 to cut its dependence on the seasonal rains.

Experts said the spread of rainfall near the southern coast does not qualify for a formal announcement of the monsoon onset.

Last month, the IMD predicted a delayed onset for this year's monsoon over the Kerala coast around June 5, give or take four days."IMD considers factors such as wind speed, cloud formation with rainfall quantum before announcing the onset of monsoon," said D.R. Sikka, former director of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.

Heavy rainfall has already reached Sri Lanka, with flooding reported earlier this week in capital Colombo.

Usually, it takes around 24-48 hours for the monsoon rains to arrive on the south of coastal Kerala after crossing northern tip of Sri Lanka. Sowing operations in rice, pulses and cotton have already started in many growing areas of Northwest and Southern India, taking advantage of pre-monsoon showers...

Source: Hindi News

From DNA News

Do not create conspiracy theories about my exit from AAP says Anjali Damania

Aam Aadmi Party's senior leader Anjali Damania from Maharashtra has quit the party.

"Dear colleagues, with a heavy heart, I am ending my association with AAP," she said in her resignation message to top AAP office bearers here.

"My greatest regards for Arvind (Kejriwal), who is like an elder brother. All I want to request is that please do not have any conspiracy theories over my exit," Damania said.

The AAP state convenor added she had never compromised her values and would never do so.

"I request the media to respect my privacy,"  She further stated in the letter, "All I want to request is that please do not have any conspiracy theories of my exit."

A former crusader against corruption in high places, Damania said she had nothing more to add except that she cared a lot for AAP and expressed her best wishes for it.

Senior AAP leader Mayank Gandhi's office in Mumbai confirmed the developments but declined to comment on the matter.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the AAP had put up candidates in all the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state, but the party was wiped out.

Many of its prominent and high-profile candidates like Damania, Gandhi, Medha Patkar and Vijay Pandhare, among others, lost the elections and Cadre sentiments were low since then.

Now, the AAP is planning to contest the forthcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections due in October this year, office bearers here indicated...

Source: News in Hindi

From DNA News

On second day of 16th Lok Sabha, Modi, Advani and Sonia take oath as new members

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several of his cabinet colleagues and Congress president Sonia Gandhi were among the prominent leaders who took oath as members of the 16th Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Pro-tem Speaker Kamal Nath chaired the second day of the 16th Lok Sabha as newly-elected members of the House took the oath of office.

Attired in spotless white, the Prime Minister was the first to take oath amid thumping of desks.

He took oath in Hindi in the name of God and was followed by Bharatiya Janata Party veteran LK Advani.

While several Union ministers took oath in Hindi in the name of God, Sushma Swaraj, Uma Bharti and Harsh Vardhan read their oath in Sanskrit.

The Congress president made the affirmation in Hindi and so did food minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

Several ministers preferred to take oath in their mother tongue, including DV Sadananda Gowda, Ananth Kumar and GM Siddheshwara, who took oath in Kannada. Sarbananda Sonowal took oath in Assamese and Jual Oram in Odia.

Senior members Arjun Charan Sethi (BJD), PA Sangma (NPP) and Biren Singh Engti (Cong), appointed on the panel of chairpersons by the President to help the pro-tem Speaker in the oath-taking process, took oath after Prime Minister Modi, Advani and Gandhi.

Of the newly elected MPs 315 are first time members of Lok Sabha.

The House could sit late on Thursday and continue the exercise of oath taking by members till the afternoon of June 6.

Sumitra Mahajan, an eight-time BJP member of Parliament from Indore, is set to take over as the next speaker of Lok Sabha.

Mahajan will be the second woman speaker ever after Meira Kumar, who presided over the House for the last five years.

Biju Janata Dal's Jay Panda told news channels that his party will support the proposal to make Mahajan the Speaker.

Reports also said that the deputy speaker's post could be given to J Jayalalithaa's AIADMK...

Source: Hindi News

From hindustantimes News

Nine-year-old boy dies after being beaten up by teacher for inability to answer a question

A nine-year-old boy died in Burdwan after he was thrashed by his private tutor for his inability to answer a question. Atanu Hazra, the son of a daily farm labourer, was beaten up with a stick by his private tutor, a neighbour at Ganphulia village in Katwa sub-division on May 27 evening, SP SMH Mirza said on Tuesday.

The deceased's mother Aparna alleged in her complaint that Hazra returned home and fell ill that night. He was given medicines but when his condition did not improve he was taken to Katwa sub-divisional hospital on Sunday evening, where doctors declared him brought dead. She said the boy had been injured by the teacher identified as Shristi Hazral. He bore injury marks throughout his body including his private parts..

Source: Latest News in Hindi

From dna News

Badaun gangrape: UP to send letter to Centre demanding CBI inquiry

UP police has received in writing the demand for CBI inquiry into the alleged gangrape of two teenaged cousins in Badaun from their relatives and a formal letter for the same would be sent to the Centre, the state DGP said.

The SP-led government in the state had earlier backed the demand of the victims' family members for a CBI probe into the matter.  DGP A L Bannerji, who came here on the directions of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, said, he has taken the demand for the CBI inquiry in writing from them and the formal letter by the state government would be sent on Tuesday itself.

The DGP said that armed guards would be deployed for the security of the victims' family and if needed arms licences would be issued to them.  The inquiry into the case is going on as per the lodged report. An uncle of the girls allegedly had seen them with the accused and also had a heated exchange with them earlier, Bannerji said, adding they had terrorised him with firearms after which he fled...

Source. News in Hindi

From ibnlive News

Crisis in Congress, mutinies everywhere TNN | Jun 3, 2014, 03.40 AM IST

 Congress appeared to be cracking up under state mutinies following the Lok Sabha debacle, with firebrand minister Narayan Rane raising a banner of revolt against Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and former Union minister Kumari Selja attacking Haryana CM Bhupinder Hooda for his leadership of the party in the state.

Coupled with rebellion against Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi and a regular stream of voices against Rahul Gandhi, the infighting in Congress seems to be coming to a head in the wake of its worst-ever defeat in parliamentary polls.

Few in the party are able to figure out how the dissidence will stop given that most leaders see the post-defeat vulnerability of CMs as the best moment to strike, either out of ambition or to settle factional scores or even to get back at their neglect in the past. Concerned Congressmen fear the contagion may only grow if it is not nipped right away.

Rane shook the Congress leadership by shooting off a two-page letter in which he expressed displeasure with the functioning of Chavan. He told TOI that he could even quit the party, complaining that he had been ignored despite his hard work in the nine years since his entry from Shiv Sena...

Source: Hindi News Live

From timesofindia News

Increase air connectivity to Leh, Srinagar to boost tourism to Kashmir from Gujarat: BJP

In an attempt to boost tourism in Ladakh, the first BJP Lok Sabha member from this region has asked for better air connectivity especially for tourists from Gujarat.

"There is a lot of scope and potential for promoting domestic tourism in Leh and Srinagar which needs to be tapped," Parliament Member Thupstan Chhewang told PTI in New Delhi after meeting Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati.

During the meeting, which took place last evening, Chhewang, who was earlier elected as an Independent MP from Ladakh Lok Sabha seat, said there was a lot of flow of tourists from Gujarat. "I have requested the Civil Aviation Minister for starting a direct flight which connects Leh and Srinagar to Gujarat," he said.

Chhewang said more flights to Leh and Srinagar will help in boosting tourism and generating employment in the state. "There is a long demand for increasing tourism activities in Jammu and Kashmir. We want frequent and hassle-free movement of people to the state from other parts of the country," he said...

Source: Latest News in Hindi

From DNA News

HTC launches One (E8), the plastic version of its flagship phone

Taiwanese handset giant HTC has announced One (E8), a variant of HTC One (M8) that sports a polycarbonate body instead of the metal one. HTC refers to the One (E8)'s design as 'Dual Curve' and claims that it fits naturally in the user's hand in virtually any position. The phone will also be available in a dual-sim version in select variants.

HTC One (E8) is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset and 2GB RAM. The clock speed of the processor has not been revealed. It comes with 16GB internal storage and a microSD card slot that supports memory cards of up to 128GB. It sports a 5-inch Full-HD, borderless display and dual stereo BoomSound speakers.

The smartphone runs Android 4.4 KitKat with Sense 6 UI running on top. It supports 'Motion Launch' gestures that were part of HTC One (M8).

One(E8) sports a 13MP rear camera (unlike the One (M8) that has an UltraPixel camera) and a 5MP front-facing camera for enhanced selfies. Both of the cameras can capture Full-HD video. It comes with a 2600mAh battery.

"The HTC One (M8) sets a new smartphone standard and now we're taking it in another exciting direction," said HTC's CEO Peter Chou. "Combining style and substance, the HTC One (E8) represents the incredible experience people expect from an HTC One device with a look and feel that's unlike anything else out there today. If you're looking for the best flagship smartphone experience, but want to stand out from the crowd, this is the phone for you."..

Source: Technology News 2014

From TOI News

Want Uddhav Thackeray to be Maharashtra Chief Minister, say Shiv Sena Leaders

In comments that are likely to strain the decades-long alliance between the Shiv Sena and the BJP, senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut today said, "The next Chief Minister of Maharashtra will be from the Shiv Sena".

He added, "Sainiks want (Shiv Sena chief) Uddhav Thackeray to be the Chief Minister".

The Sena-BJP alliance is expected to stage a political comeback in the Assembly elections scheduled to be held later this year.

But with both parties reportedly eyeing the Chief Minister's post, cracks have begun to show in the 25-year-old alliance.

Sena leaders believe that Uddhav should be the contender for the Chief Minister's post. Under the old formula, forged when the alliance formed their first, and till date only, state government in 1995, the top post goes to a leader from the Sena.

But the BJP - which won 23 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra while the Sena won 18 - is reportedly in no mood to relent.  Party leaders point out that political dynamics and ground realities have changed in the past decade.

Mr Raut's comments come in the wake of an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna that apparently took a dig at the BJP's aspirations for the top post.

"At present, a game is going on in Maharashtra: who will be the Chief Minister? No one can deny the fact that each one is gearing up to become the chief minister," said the editorial.

Equations between the allies have been further complicated by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, who will contest the Assembly Elections, possibly as the party's chief ministerial candidate.

Sena workers have since been urging Uddhav to contest the Assembly elections...

Source: Latest News in Hindi

From NDTV News

Congress-NCP ministry in Maharashtra expanded; two inducted

Within a week after the induction of a minister, CM Prithviraj Chavan on Monday once again included two new faces to take the number of ministers in his cabinet to 42. The swearing-in ceremony was held in Rajbhawan at 9 am.

Amit Deshmukh, son of former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, and Abdul Sattar, close friend of former CM Ashok Chavan have been given cabinet and minister-of-state berths respectively.

The names which CM Prithviraj Chavan and state unit chief Manikrao Thakre had suggested were reportedly not cleared by the party high command. Chavan reportedly had plans to drop a few non-performing ministers which too was not allowed, said sources...

Source: Hindi News

From TOI News

Moto E launched in India for Rs 6,999: Motorola’s massive challenge to Micromax and Co

Motorola has finally unveiled the Moto E and India will be the first country to get a taste of the latest budget effort from the one-time mobile giant. The phone is priced at an unbelievable Rs 6,999, which makes it great competition to the Indian low-cost smartphone brigade.

After facing a tough time in the Indian market ever since smartphones broke out on the scene, Motorola has been on the sidelines and nearly folded its Indian operations. With very limited resources, the company kept its India business alive and ticking, but if you had asked us this time last year if Motorola will be a force to reckon with, we would have laughed you off.

Cut to the present and three phones later, Motorola has well and truly made a comeback. It started with the Moto G earlier this year, which now is the most successful launch in the company’s history.

The exclusive deal with Flipkart helped in creating a big hype and that sumptuous price tag helped win buyers. But the Moto G did better than we expected. It looks more polished than phones in this price range and had very good specs too. This was how you did budget phones...

Source: Latest Technology News

From firstpost News