Posts
Evening NEWS DIGEST
12 Jan.2017: 13 Rabius Sani 1438: Vol:8, No:87
INDIA
Islamic Development Bank to open first Indian branch in Gujarat
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/islamic-development-bank-to-open-first-indian-branch-in-gujarat-117011101195_1.html
Gandhinagar: India will soon have Islamic banking facilities with the Saudi Arabia-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) set to start its India operations from Gujarat, the Gulf kingdom's envoy in New Delhi said on Wednesday."I would like to point to a very important development in our cooperation with the state of Gujarat, and that is Jeddah-based IDB is set to start its India operations from Gujarat," Saudi Ambassador to India Saud Al Sati said at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit here.During PM Narendra Modi's visit to UAE in April last year, the Indian Exim Bank had signed a MoU with IDB for a $100 million line of credit to facilitate exports to IDB's member countries."IDB also signed a $55 million agreement with the Rashtriya Institute of Skill and Education to invest in medical care in some areas in Gujarat, including Chhota Udaipur, Narmad and Bharuch," the Ambassador said.The state will also get 30 medical vans as part of IDB's social sector initiatives, he added.IDB's main objective is to foster the economic development and social progress of member countries, as well as of the Muslim community, in accordance with principles of Shariah -- Islamic law. The bank has 56 Islamic countries as its members.IANS
Saudi increases India’s annual Haj quota to 1.70 lakh
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/saudi-arabia-increases-india-s-annual-haj-quota-to-1-70-lakh/story-Dsk1xMZU6GVgiUFmyGMXZP.html
New Delhi:Saudi Arabia has increased India’s annual Haj quota from 1.36 lakh to 1.70 lakh, biggest such expansion in last 29 years, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said. An agreement to this regard was inked by minister with Saudi Arabia’s Haj and Umrah minister Dr Mohammad Saleh at Jeddah on Wednesday, making the expansion effective from the current year. Saudi authorities had 5 years ago slashed quotas for foreign pilgrims coming from each country by 20% in view of safety of the devotees as they undertook expansion of Grand Mosque there. Accordingly, India’s quota was brought down to 1.36 lakh from nearly 1.70 lakh in 2012.PTI
SC refuses to allow Jallikattu; Tamil govt requests Centre for ordinance
http://www.firstpost.com/india/sc-refuses-to-allow-jallikattu-tamil-nadu-govt-requests-centre-for-ordinance-3200366.html
In a major setback to Tamil Nadu govt, the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the petition urging the apex court to pass an interim order allowing Jallikattu before Saturday, reported News18. With the SC refusing to intervene, 2014 ban on the traditional Tamil sport remains. Meanwhile, reports suggested that the Tamil Nadu govt requested the Centre to pass an ordinance on jallikattu before Pongal. The traditional bull-taming sport is played during 3-day harvest festival across the state. The SC commented that no one can force it to hasten the process of judgement, and said, it was "unfair to ask bench to pass an order", the report added.Taking a measured approach, Environment minister Anil Dave said the govt will look into the SC order and then react.Reacting to the verdict, AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswarthi told News18 that Tamil Nadu govt will do whatever it can to allow Jallikattu to be played. DMK, while supporting a positive verdict on the traditional sport, said that it is disheartened by the SC's decision and wanted the state govt to act fast. The Opposition party lashed out at CM O Panneerselvam for his statement on Jallikattu on Wednesday, calling it a "strategic mistake" and expected CM to have been more circumspect in his statement. Both, CM Panneerselvam as well as AIADMK supremo Sasikala had written letters to the centre urging them to allow Jallikattu during Pongal. Urging Centre to intervene by isuing an ordinance, Panneerselvam on Monday wrote a letter stating that the sport of Jallikattu is about bull taming and not harming the animal. firstpost
SC turns down plea to allow bull-taming sport Jallikattu
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/supreme-court-turns-down-plea-to-allow-bull-taming-sport-jallikattu-before-pongal/articleshow/56494779.cms
Jallikattu plea denied by SC: Protests in Tamil Nadu, students lathicharged
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/protests-erupt-in-tn-over-sc-refusal-to-expedite-jallikattu-order/story-LcPXdC0fTzC7fKQYBDqUAP.html
Minority body opposes eviction drives in Assam
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jan1217/at055
New Delhi: Alleging discrimination in the ongoing eviction drives, Assam Minority Jatiya Parishad (AMJP) has called for intervention of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) stating that the BJP-led govt in the State has adopted double standards in these operations. Addressing media here on Wednesday, AMJP president Abdul Aziz and general secretary Ali Akbar Miah alleged that Muslim encroachers are being harassed, while Hindu Bengali encroachers are being allowed to go scot-free. 2 Muslim leaders also blasted AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal alleging that he has never raised his voice on sensitive issues concerning the community. So far he has not opened his mouth on the issue of NRC, they said.“People belonging to all communities have taken shelter on govt land. But only the Muslims are being evicted without touching the people of other communities... We have submitted a petition on January 10 before the CJI seeking justice,” the duo said. assamtribune
Sonowal-led Assam govt doing nothing but evicting people of one community: Ajmal
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/sonowal-doing-nothing-but-evicting-people-of-one-community-badruddin-ajmal-4470856/
Guwahati; BJP-led govt of Sarbananda Sonowal had done nothing significant in its first 8 months except targeting people of a particular community and evicting them, Lok Sabha member and AIUDF chief Maulana Badruddin Ajmal alleged here on Thursday. “Sonowal govt has been in office for almost eight months now, and has done nothing except specifically targeting members of one particular community and carrying out an eviction drive against them. This is gross violation of human rights,” Ajmal said. He also described the eviction drive as ‘inhuman’ and complained that the BJP-led govt had not looked at the human angle. indianexpress
HC notice to govt for ‘uprooting’ 80 families in Mewat
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/haryana-hc-notice-to-govt-for-uprooting-80-families-in-mewat-4470101/
Chandigarh: Punjab and Haryana High Court Wednesday put Haryana govt on notice over a petition highlighting that the govt has uprooted over 80 families in Tundlaka village of Mewat district last month without any rehabilitation plan to establish a CRPF camp. Petition filed by Mushtaque and other displaced villagers came up for hearing before the division bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Sudip Ahluwalia and the state govt has been asked to file a reply by April 5.Appearing for petitioners, advocate Mohammad Arshad sought directions to the authorities to rehabilitate the uprooted villagers who have been staying on the land for the last around 30 years. The court was informed that it was on Dec.18, 2016, that the concerned authorities came on the spot and with the help of police demolished hutments of around 80 villagers and got cleared around 70 acres panchayat land. Some of uprooted families shifted to their relatives but many of them have been forced to live in makeshift tents, the court was informed. It was submitted that petitioners have also submitted representation to Mewat Deputy Commissioner,Panchayat and Development Minister as well as the CM but of no use. indianexpress
Ishrat encounter case: Mother moves special court to oppose discharge plea of Gujarat DGP
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ishrat-jahan-encounter-case-mother-shamima-kauser-moves-special-court-to-oppose-discharge-plea-of-gujarat-dgp-4470875/
Ahmedabad; A special CBI court on Thursday issued notice to CBI on the discharge application moved by Director General of Police PP Pandey, the senior most accused in Ishrat Jahan encounter case, who is currently out on bail. Pandey is also the in-charge police chief of Gujarat. On the other hand, Shamima Kauser, mother of Ishrat Jahan, has also moved an application in the court seeking permission to join the proceeding as a party in order to challenge the discharge application. Her lawyer, IH Syed confirmed the move and said, “there is a statutory provision for victims to join the proceedings as party. We are going to oppose the discharge application for sure.”The special judge MK Pandya issued the notice to CBI and sought agency’s reply by Jan.20. Pandey has sought relief on the ground that no case is made out against him and the CBI has not charged him with any specific role in the case. indianexpress
CRPF jawan claims service conditions disparity in video
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/armed-and-complaining-crpf-man-claims-unfair-deal-after-bsf-soldier-s-video/story-tLUOvaWPAp3xr187tdUbTM.html
Agra: Close on the heels of BSF Jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav’s “revelations” about the way soldiers are treated at the border, a CRPF constable posted at Mount Abu has alleged disparity in service conditions among security forces.A video that surfaced on Wednesday shows the constable, Jeet Singh from Sahjua Thok village in Mathura district, asking PM Narendra Modi to resolve the matter at the earliest.Officials at the ministry of home affairs said they were trying to verify the authenticity of clip, which has Singh lamenting that though CRPF personnel are asked to attend to various tasks – from guarding religious events to VIP security and election duty – they are not provided facilities on a par with the army.“Those with the armed forces avail of medical and canteen facilities, besides other welfare schemes, but nothing of the sort is provided to CRPF personnel. After retirement, we are not given ex-servicemen quota benefits that could help us bag good jobs,” Singh laments in the video.HT
My husband being forced to withdraw his complaint: BSF jawan's wife
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/my-husband-being-forced-to-withdraw-his-complaint-says-bsf-jawans-wife/articleshow/56496104.cms
The wife of BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav, who claimed that poor quality food was being served to soldiers on the LoC, on Thursday said that her husband is being pressurised to withdraw his complaint and apologise."He told me that he is being pressurised to take the complaint back, and apologise," the BSF jawan's wife Sharmila told ANI.Earlier on Wednesday, Sharmila backed her husband while asserting that what he did was not wrong as his intentions were to just bring out truth.ANI
BSF jawan: Govt sends dieticians to border-posts to assess food quality
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bsf-jawan-s-video-govt-sends-dieticians-to-border-posts-to-assess-food-quality/story-552yLUk4H9OSOoHvZSXUeI.html
CISF constable opens fire, kills 4 colleagues in Bihar
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cisf-constable-opens-fire-kills-four-colleagues-in-bihar-s-aurangabad/story-FrTNVM9mY7uEWEKski4jvK.html
Patna: 4 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawans were killed when a constable opened fire on them in a case of alleged fratricide at the Nabinagar power plant in Aurangabad district, 175 km south-west of Patna on Thursday.The accused, identified as Balbir Singh, has been arrested and was being interrogated. According to unconfirmed reports, the accused had reportedly sought leave.Those killed have been identified as Bacha Sharma, Amarnath Mishra (both head constables), GS Ram (ASI) and Arvind Ram (havildar).CISF deputy inspector general of police, eastern sector,SN Singh hinted at the fact that the constable could have been “disturbed”.HT
Demonetisation
‘It’s a Decentralised Emergency… A Pyramidal Mafia State’: Arun Shourie on Modi Sarkar
https://thewire.in/98900/decentralised-emergency-pyramidal-mafia-state-arun-shourie-modi-sarkar/
Former BJP leader Arun Shourie – a man who has also been viciously trolled on social media by ‘bhakts’ when on the Karan Thapar show he first went public with his criticism of the Modi govt .The interview with Shourie, who was a minister in the Vajpayee-led NDA govt , was conducted in the summer of 2016 and the edited transcript is being published in The Wire for the first time. In an explosive interview, the former BJP leader Arun Shourie hits out at PM Narendra Modi. Shourie, said "It’s a decentralised emergency. What we are going towards is a pyramidal decentralised mafia state, where local goons will belabour anyone whom they think is doing something wrong. The central people will look the other way. The central people will provide a rationale for the goondas at the local level. Like “gau rakshaks’’, like “love jihad” – this becomes the rationale for me to beat up anybody. It’s not love for the cow but just an instrument for domination.The one big difference is at that time Mrs [Indira] Gandhi still used the law. Now it is not the law. These people are acting outside the law. This is true fascism because you say what is the law? I am the law. All this action is being done outside the govt , worse, things are being done inside the govt to choke the existing laws – for instance the RTI is being choked, the PIL is being denigrated unless it’s in your favour. The judiciary is being denigrated, therefore you keep the vacancies going the same way, probably about a hundred vacancies. The judiciary keeps saying, and these people keep denying on one ground or another. And, to hell with the people who suffer because of want of courts." the wire
After Rs 2000 note without Gandhi, MP ATM dispenses Rs 500 with one side blank
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/demonetization-after-rs-2000-note-without-gandhi-atm-dispenses-rs-500-with-one-side-blank/story-pjgmVRXXpiSC2YpZRlbTqM.html
Days after a farmer in MP received Rs 2,000 notes from a bank without the image of Mahatma Gandhi, an ATM at a village in Khargone district dispensed two ‘one-side blank’ currency of the new Rs 500 denomination.Hemant Soni on Tuesday night used his card to withdraw Rs 1,500 from a public sector bank’s ATM at Segaon village, about 40 km from Khargone district headquarters.“Of the three Rs 500 notes, 2 were printed on one side while the other side was completely blank,” Soni said.He registered a complaint on Wednesday with the concerned bank officials, who subsequently replaced his notes with new ones.The bank officials said the misprinted notes were received from the RBI.PTI
Now, Rs 500 note with one printed side found in MP
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/now-rs-500-note-with-one-printed-side-found-in-madhya-pradesh/articleshow/56487221.cms
World Bank cuts Indian GDP growth for fiscal to 7%
http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/world-bank-cuts-indian-gdp-growth-for-fiscal-to-7?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailemail&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Indiatomorrownet+%28IndiaTomorrow.net%29
Washington: In its first projection on India post-demonetisation, the World Bank has lowered the country's GDP growth estimate for this fiscal to 7%, from its earlier estimate of 7.6% made in June last year."Growth in India is estimated to reach 7% in financial year (FY) 2017...reflecting a modest downgrade to India's expansion," the multilateral lender said in its Global Economic Prospects report released here on Tuesday. "Unexpected demonetisation - the phasing out of large denomination currency notes - weighed on growth in the third quarter of FY 2017," it said.IANS
Demonetisation Hits HT, Telegraph? Hundreds of Media Employees Sacked in Hush Hush Move
http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/NewsDetail/index/1/9654/Demonetisation-Hits-HT-Telegraph-Hundreds-of-Media-Employees-Sacked-in-Hush-Hush-Move
new delhi: Demonetisation has hit at least two mainstream newspapers, one of which has been actually in the forefront of a campaign supporting the controversial move till date.Both have moved to dismiss hundreds of employees in what remains a hush-hush almost covert operation as journalists and other staff struggle to cope with the sudden notices served on them. In Dec.the Ananda Bazaar Group that publishes The Telegraph in English, and the Ananda Bazaar Patrika in Bengali from Kolkata moved to check the losses that insiders claim were caused by demonetisation. ABP reduced the pages of each publication that the Business Standard, once owned by the group but since independent, reported were at least 6 per publication;informed departmental heads to cut down the staff; and reduced the retirement age arbitarily of course, from 60 to 58 years that impacted immediately on 45 employees, again according to BS report. There have been reports whispering their way on to the internet, of a drastic fall in advertisement revenues of the entire media. A major newspaper that does not seem to have the ability to cushion the losses is the Hindustan Times that has closed down at least 6 editions, and some Bureaus. At least 200 employees have been adversely affected, again according to the grapevine without official confrmation, with a new editor Bobby Ghosh being brought in to preside over the largescale retrenchment. the citizen
Shut down SBI branches till supply of cash normalizes; trade union
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/shut-down-sbi-branches-till-supply-of-cash-normalises-says-trade-union-4470759/
Chennai: State Bank of India (SBI) can shut down its branches till the supply of cash gets normalised and staff are not put to risk to face the ire of banking public, a top union leader said. “We have suggested to the SBI management to down the branch shutters till the supply of cash gets normalised. It is better to close down the branches for some time than the staff face the ire of the public for no fault of theirs,” D. Thomas Franco Rajendra Dev, Senior vice-president of the All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), told IANS.IANS
Note ban disastrous for agroforestry, wood industry: Farmers body
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/note-ban-disastrous-for-agroforestry-wood-industry-farmers-body-4470979/
New Delhi;Demonetisation has proved disastrous for agroforestry and wood industry in Haryana resulting in losses to the farmers and unemployment among migrant labour, a farmers’ association said on Thursday. The agro-forestry practitioners and wood industry concentrated in Haryana’s Yamuna Nagar and Jagadhari as well as in western districts of UP has been “crippled” due to lack of cash caused by demonetisation, said Ranjit Raina, president of Haryana AgroForestry Farmers Association.PTI
OTHERS
Najeeb Jung says PM Modi not anti-Muslim, calls for relook at triple talaq
http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/najeeb-jung-says-pm-modi-not-anti-muslim-calls-for-relook-at-triple-talaq/story-7k3r3wM1aNozs79dJIWZVJ.html
New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi has no bias against Muslims and is, in fact, concerned about the lack of leadership among the community, former lieutenant governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung has said.Jung, who took everyone by surprise when he quit on Dec.23, told India Today channel in an interview on Wednesday that Modi was concerned about his party BJP’s ties with Muslims.Political rivals often accuse the PM of being prejudicial towards the minority community.“In my own interaction with the PM, I found no bias. I have had long, long discussions with him. Even on issues of relationship with Muslims, I found no bias,”Jung said during the programme. His comments assume significance as they come ahead of the assembly elections in UP, where Muslims account for 20% of the electorate.Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal often targeted Jung for allegedly doing the bidding of the Modi govt and not allowing him to perform his duties.HT
PM Modi has no bias against Muslims, wants to win them over: Najeeb Jung
http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/pm-modi-has-no-bias-against-muslims-wants-to-win-them-over-najeeb-jung-117011101293_1.html
Talaq certificate issued by chief kazi not legal: Madras HC
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/triple-talaq-certificate-issued-by-chief-kazi-not-legal-madras-high-court/story-DAfYOjP3uvh5jGL4x1h8aO.html
Chennai: Madras high court on Wednesday said triple talaq certificate issued by the chief kazi had “no legal authority” and must instead be seen as opinions under the 1880 Kazis Act. A bench comprising chief justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and justice MM Sundresh also announced — pending approval from Muslim Personal Law Board — no further certificates on triple talaq will be issued.The bench made its judgment in response to a plea by A Bader Sayeed, a former MLA and currently a practising lawyer, who sought directions to restrain the kazis from issuing documents that approve talaq. Her PIL had the support of the Women Lawyers Association of Madras HC. A counsel for the All India Muslim Personal Board and the Shariat Defence Forum said the nature of certificates issued by the chief kazi was only an opinion. The board also said it would examine the format in which talaq certificate could be issued by the kazi so that there would be no further legal ambiguities.The bench posted the matter for hearing on Feb.21.HT
Khazis have no power to declare marriages invalid
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2017/jan/12/khazis-have-no-power-to-declare-marriages-invalid-1558726.html
Grateful to Portugal for Uniform Civil Code: Goa CM
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/grateful-to-portugal-for-uniform-civil-code-cm/articleshow/56486826.cms
Panaji: Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar was all praise for Portugal's role in establishment of Uniform Civil Code in Goa, the only state in India to have it. Calling the uniform civil code a "gift" of the Portuguese, Parsekar said he was proud that a Goan-origin person was the head of Portugal."Common civil code is only practised in Goa and appreciated by the other states," Parsekar said after his early morning formal interaction with Portuguese PM Antonio Costa.Costa, who has roots in Goa, is on a 3-day official visit to the state and had a formal interaction with Parsekar at the consul general of Portugal Rui Carvalho Baceira's residence at Altinho, Panaji.TOI
JNU faculty announces new lecture series to protest against admin
https://thewire.in/99117/jnu-vice-chancellor-faculty/
New Delhi: In a press release on January 11, JNU teachers’ association (JNUTA) has asserted its right to protest and hold public lectures within the university. In its ‘Statement Against Administrative Threat’, JNUTA spelled out its intention to resist the administration, which has been intimidating faculty members with threats of disciplinary action. Expressing concern over the shrinking democratic space at the university, the statement called out the administration for unethical surveillance. “The unethical and illegal recording of activities of faculty and students by JNU administration and use of selective and unauthenticated video footage against our faculty colleagues in statutory body meetings is highly condemnable,” the statement said. THE WIRE
Has PM Modi’s ‘isolate Pakistan’ plan failed? Forbes claims ‘terror state’ beat India in geopolitics
http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/has-pm-narendra-modis-isolate-pakistan-plan-failed-forbes-claims-terror-state-beat-india-in-geopolitics/504084/
New Delhi: Modi govt’s efforts to push diplomatic isolation of Pakistan globally for sponsoring terrorism doesn’t seem to have been fruitful as desired if a recent Forbes article is to be believed. It claims that Pakistan has “skillfully” beaten India in geopolitics. In the article, Panos Mourdoukoutas says Pakistan has achieved an edge vis-a-vis India in geopolitics after beating the former in equity markets.Mourdoukoutas writes that Pak leaders have leveraged the country’s strategic location to “extract” benefits from America and China. He goes on to say that geopolitics is a “major” driver for Pakistan’s financial markets. Apparently impressed by Pakistani authorities’ ability to bank on their country’s strategic location, Mourdoukoutas writes “Pakistan’s gain is India’s loss.” financialexpress
World is watching how India treats Hindu nationalist tendencies: Report
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/56485604.cms?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ETFBMain&utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
New Delhi: A key US intelligence report has painted a bright outlook for India as the fastest growing economy in the next 5 years, but has said that the world is watching how it deals with “Hindu nationalist impulses” that are “sparking increased tensions” with the minority. The Global Trends report by US National Intelligence Council — prepared once every four years and timed for the new US administration — says India will grow as China’s economy cools, but internal tensions over inequality and religion will complicate this expansion. The report says that BJP’s Hinduvta drive into policy is sparking tensions within and around India. “India’s largest political party, BJP, increasingly is leading the govt to incorporate Hindutva into policy, sparking increased tension in the current sizable Muslim minority as well as with Muslim-majority Pakistan and Bangladesh,” it reads. US report, which assesses key trends that could shape the world over the next 20 years, says that a more interconnected world will increase differences over ideas and identities, leading to rising identity politics. Among global trends that include authoritarian control in China and Russia, the report says India’s approach will be a key factor. “How New Delhi treats Hindu nationalist tendencies and Israel balances ultra-orthodox religious extremes will be key determinants, for example, of future tensions,” the report says. Predicting that the threat of terrorism is likely to increase in the coming years, the report identifies ‘violent Hinduvta’ in India, besides ‘Militant Christianity and Islam’ as factors. economic times
Internal tension to terror threats, US report says India faces many challenges
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/internal-tension-to-terror-threats-us-reports-says-india-faces-many-challenges/story-JRMMHKv7PmZxRJIwB2KhxO.html
PM's Degree Row: CIC takes away HRD from commissioner who ordered disclosure of DU records
http://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/pms-degree-row-cic-takes-away-hrd-from-commissioner-who-ordered-disclosure-of-du-records/964293
New Delhi:Chief Information Commissioner RK Mathur has taken away Ministry of HRD from Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu who had recently ordered Delhi University to make public records related to students of BA course of 1978, the year in which PM Narendra Modi had passed out.Soon after reports of Acharyulu ordering disclosure of records pertaining to students passing out BA course in 1978 came in public domain, an order was issued for reallocation of work among the information commissioners. Revised reallocation of work will come into force with immediate effect. The deputy registrars concerned are directed to transfer all the pending case files (except in which notice(s) of hearing have already been issued) with them to the concerned registry as per the re-allocation of work under intimation to the Registrar," the order, issued yesterday, said.It said the reallocation has been done "by CIC."The change come within 10 days of a previous order dated Dec.29, 2016 in which Acharyulu had retained the Ministry as part of his job portfolio. CIC is the administrative head of the Central Information Commission having powers to allocate or reallocate work.Out look
Is Jana Gana Mana our national anthem? PMO gives no info in RTI
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/is-jana-gana-mana-our-national-anthem-pmo-gives-no-info-in-rti/story-BpYjj8ojrAgTEiX4JcfdRI.html
Central Information Commission (CIC) has pulled up PMO and the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) for not giving any information on the certifications of Jana Gana Mana as our national anthem and Vande Mataram as national song, raising doubts whether the Union govt has any records about the two songs.Deciding on appeal of a Gurgaon-based RTI activist, the commission has directed PMO to initiate fresh efforts to find out the historical facts about Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram, and the status accorded to them to place facts before the nation to dispel widespread misnomers about them in larger public interest. CIC stated that the PMO’s response of not giving information was not proper and legal, and it breached the right to information of people. The decision states that it was imperative for the GoI, especially PMO and MoEF to gather the historical evidence to explain the significance of national anthem, national song, national animal, bird and flower, besides national game. CIC, tracing several media reports and information on social media, noted that there was misunderstanding among people about Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram, and the nation needed authentic information about their national song and national anthem. “Before punishing the people for not standing/respecting the national anthem, they should be informed of its greatness,” the judgement given by M Sridhar Acharyulu, CIC, said. HT
ED summons IRF over source, flow of funds
http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/ed-summons-irf-over-source-flow-of-funds/story-nKPOCG5ToI5OWwjzr4y7BI.html
Mumbai: Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a summons to Dr Zakir Naik’s IRF. It had filed Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIR) against Naik. Sources stated that based on IRF-related investigations, they will issue summons to Naik. “We are tracing the flow of funds, including foreign funding. A substantial amount of money was deposited in the IRF’s account and Naik’s personal account,” said a high-ranking ED officer. Sources said IRF representatives may be questioned next week. HT
‘Dark net’ Islamic preachers under intelligence lens: New Indian Express
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2017/jan/12/dark-net-islamic-preachers-under-intelligence--lens-1558736.html
Kozhikode: After nailing Zakir Naik, intelligence agencies and the NIA are now after a new breed of preachers who have become active in social media by airing videos with discourses instigating communal hatred.Intelligence officers said the group of new preachers was aping the ‘bayans’ (discourses and lectures) of radical Islamic preachers like Anwar Awlaki, Abdu Sami Qasmi, Meraj Rabbani,Tausif ur Rehman and Jerjees Ansari. “With enforcement agencies upping the surveillance in social media, the videos are being circulated using dark net through Tor browser, use of encryption applications such as Orbot, Amn al Mujahid (an encryption programme by Al-Fajr Media Centre, an exclusive distributor of Al Qaeda’s Propaganda), Chatsecure, Telegram and encrypted emails systems,” the officers added. newindianexpress
NHRC issues fresh directive to Delhi govt for paying Rs 5 lakh to terror- exoneree Aamir Khan
http://muslimmirror.com/eng/nhrc-issues-fresh-directive-to-delhi-govt-for-paying-rs-5-lakh-to-terror-exoneree-aamir-khan
New Delhi: Coming down heavily on the Delhi govt for not complying its directive of paying monetary relief of Rs 5 lakh to terror exoneree Mohammad Aamir Khan, NHRC today has once again directed the Govt of NCT of Delhi to submit the proof of payment made to the victim within a period of six weeks. Commission also made it clear that the reply to its show cause notice was not based on merits and it was not concerned with the appeals pending in two cases of the victim. Aamir, who was framed by Delhi police in 18 terror cases and got acquitted after spending 14 years in jail, has welcomed the NHRC fresh order but said mere monetary help could not rebuild his destroyed life. Aamir, who is now 36 years old, said that like him there are scores of Muslim youth whose lives have been destroyed by the prejudiced prosecution and biased investigative agencies and it is the duty of the state to fully rehabilitate them. MuslimMirror
Aurangabad arms haul case: Suspect's kin rebutts police claims infront of SIT
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/sit-records-terror-suspect-kins-statement/articleshow/56462781.cms
Aurangabad: SIT that is probing the disappearance of a terror suspect, on the directives of the Bombay high court, recorded the statements of 7 members of the suspect's family last week. In her replies to SIT, the suspect's mother insisted that her son has either been killed by the cops or illegally detained by investigating agencies.Shaikh Abdul Nayeem, a resident of Siddheshwar Colony, was arrested in 2006 in Aurangabad arms haul case. He is suspected to be involved in the Mecca Masjid blast in Hyderabad and the Mumbai serial train blasts. West Bengal police have claimed that he escaped while being brought from Dum Dum Central Correctional Home in Kolkatta to Mumbai's MCOCA court for a hearing on Aug.24, 2014. Nayeem's 65-year-old mother, Qamar Nasreen, later filed a criminal writ petition in the HC in Dec.2014, raising serious questions over the police version. She said that her son may have been killed by the police.She said that if at all Nayeem is alive, then the possibility of him being in illegal detention of the agencies cannot be ruled. Taking cognizance of the petition, the division bench of Bombay HC comprising justices Prakash Naik and Naresh Patil, in June 2016, ordered the formation of a 3-member SIT comprising an ADG, police from Maharashtra, DGP Chhattisgarh and the DGP West Bengal. "I have clearly stated that my son was due to be discharged from all the cases as the Bombay HC had ordered a completion of his case in the span of three months. But before the order was implemented, the police cooked up a story," she told SIT team. TOI
Mecca Masjid police firing: Govt ducks RTI query on report
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/mosque-firing-govt-ducks-rti-query-on-panel-report/articleshow/56467219.cms
Charminar: State govt appears to be not so keen to provide Justice Bhaskara Rao Commission report on the Mecca Masjid police firing. After having declined in Nov. to provide a copy of the report for academic purpose to a RTI activist, on Tuesday it even skipped a hearing before CIC on the issue. 5 people were killed in police firing on the crowd after the blast in the mosque on May 18, 2007. When the case came up for hearing before CIC M Ratan on Tuesday, RTI activist SQ Masood was present but there was no official from the general administration department. This despite the commission sending both the parties a notice on Jan.2, 2016 to appear with documents specifying what kind of action had been taken on RTI query.
Battle for the ‘quiet minority’ votes poised to be an intense one in Uttarakhand: TOI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/uttarakhand/news/battle-for-the-quiet-minority-votes-poised-to-be-an-intense-one-in-uttarakhand/articleshow/56483822.cms?
Om Puri’s post mortem report says he had head injuries, cops record statements of friends, kin
http://www.jantakareporter.com/entertainment/om-puri-post-mortem/93366/
Om Puri's death mystery deepens; Annu Kapoor accuses Nandita Puri of harassment
http://www.newsx.com/entertainment/52279-om-puris-death-mystery-deepens-annu-kapoor-accuses-nandita-puri-of-harassment
Director Kamaluddin asked to leave India by Kerala BJP; Vidya Balan quits his film
http://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/director-kamaluddin-muhammed-asked-to-leave-india-by-state-bjp-vidya-balan-quits-his-film/505528/
HC dismisses petition against Kolkata Police’s alleged reluctance for RSS rally
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/gWzqXjh8tqojDhmMuZwNAN/Calcutta-HC-dismisses-plea-against-Kolkata-Polices-alleged.html
No arrests in Jaipur gangrape case, Congress slams govt
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/no-arrests-in-jaipur-gangrape-case-congress-slams-govt/
Maharashtra: 2 years later, poll talk near Deonar abattoir revolves around beef ban: indianexpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/maharashtra-2-years-later-poll-talk-near-deonar-abattoir-revolves-around-beef-ban-4470065/
WORLD
Palestinian factions agree on forming new National Council
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170112-palestinian-factions-agree-on-forming-new-national-council/
The preparatory committee for the Palestinian National Council (PNC), which was attended by the main Palestinian factions, agreed on forming a new PNC that includes all factions, Palestinian Quds Net reported.The secretary general of the Palestinian Initiative, Mustafa Al-Barghouti, described the meetings of the preparatory committee as “successful” and said: “They came out with a complete agreement on the basic issues.”Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the meetings which were held in Beirut, Al-Barghouti said that the participants agreed on the formation of a new national council that includes all the Palestinian factions. middleeastmonitor
Fatah: No choice but to reconcile with Hamas
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170112-fatah-no-choice-but-to-reconcile-with-hamas/
A Palestinian Fatah official said that his movement has “no other choice than to end the internal Palestinian division” and reach a reconciliation with their Hamas political rivals.Political and geographic divisions have been prevalent in territories under the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA) since mid-June 2007 after Hamas gained control of the Gaza Strip following a failed Fatah-Israeli coup attempt.middleeastmonitor
UK: Israel funding spin trips as it smears critics
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/uk-israel-funding-spin-trips-smears-critics-170112065256872.html
Israel is attempting to smear activists who question the illegal occupation of Palestinian land by helping to build racism cases against them, an investigation by Al Jazeera's Investigative Unit reveals.The investigation, The Lobby, also uncovers Israel's extensive, well-financed propaganda campaign in UK to counter negative news stories about its policies and to fund trips to Israel for young activists. aljazeera
Palestinians in Israel strike over home demolitions
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/palestinians-israel-strike-home-demolitions-170111093205406.html
US forces admit killing 33 civilians in Taliban clash
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/military-admits-33-civilians-killed-taliban-clash-170112081032540.html
A US military investigation has found that air raids targeting the Taliban during a gun battle in northern Afghanistan last year killed 33 civilians.Twenty-seven other civilians were wounded in the village of Boz in Kunduz city, a statement from US Forces Afghanistan said on Thursday.The incident on Nov.3 saw US and Afghan troops carrying out a ground assault against the Taliban when they came under fire from the armed group, prompting a call for air reinforcements. "Regardless of the circumstances, I deeply regret the loss of innocent lives," General John Nicholson, the top commander of US forces and NATO mission, said.Civilian deaths caused an uproar and UN and humanitarian bodies condemned the bombing. Al Jazeera.
King Salman feted Shah Faisal Prize for service to Islam
http://gulftoday.ae/portal/79fcf103-0cec-4633-83dd-d1004ca2fab7.aspx
Riyadh: King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, has been named the winner of the King Faisal International Prize 2017 for Service to Islam.King Salman was awarded the prestigious Prize in its 39th session for his outstanding services to Islam and Muslims. The prize in the Islamic Studies category was awarded to Professor Ridwan Al-Sayyid of the University of Lebanon in recognition of his specialised publications that have enriched the Arabic Library. The prize for Arabic Language and Literature for this year was awarded to Arabic Language Academy of Jordan for its distinguished efforts in the transfer of science and technology through translation, Arabisation of technical terms. Gulf Today
Bombed Mosul bridge still lifeline for long-suffering civilians:Reuters
http://in.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-iraq-muthanna-idINKBN14V1LT
Mosul: The rubble of a bridge blown up by Islamic State in Mosul to block advancing Iraqi forces has become a lifeline for civilians as more and more of the northern city breaks loose from the grip of the IS militants.Men and women, children and the elderly scramble down the banks of the Khosr River, a tributary of the Tigris some 30 metres wide and a metre deep which counter-terrorism forces crossed last week in a nighttime raid.Lumbering over ladders and pipes, civilians crawl onto the span of the bridge, which has collapsed into the murky water, and shimmy up the opposite bank along a dirt path.
399 ceasefire violations by Assad regime, Iran in 11 days
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170112-399-ceasefire-violations-by-assad-regime-iran-in-11-days/
The number of Syria ceasefire breaches committed by Assad regime forces and Iran-sponsored Shia jihadists has reached 399 violations over first 11 days since the Russia and Turkey brokered truce came into effect less than 2 weeks ago.
Syria regime strikes kill 6 civilians
https://guardian.ng/news/syria-regime-strikes-kill-six-civilians/
Compiled and edited by Anwarulhaq (Released at: 7:57 PM)
