Wednesday, 26 June 2019

PM Modi: Congress insulted voters by questioning BJP's huge win

New Delhi, June 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday blamed the Congress for offending voters of the nation by questioning the massive victory of the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls.

Answering to the debate on the Motion of Thaks to the President's address in the Rajya Sabha, Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress, saying by questioning the mamdate of the people, the opposition party has put voters in the dock.

"After such a major command, you state you (BJP) have won, yet the nation has lost....If the Congress loses, does the nation get vanquished. Does the Congress mean the nation and nation implies the Congress. There is a point of confinement of haughtiness," Modi said.

The prime minister said that by using such language the Congress has hurt voters of the nation.

Passing by the Congress gathering's contentions, he pondered whether triumph of the Congress in Wayanad and Rae Bareli situates too were "destruction of the nation".

"Due to narrow-mindedness and perversity of thoughts, if some people don't accept mandate of the people by saying that 'you may have won the race however the nation has lost', there can be nothing more offending for our popular government than this," he said.

Taking note of that the Congress was not ready to win even a solitary Lok Sabha situate in 17 states, he said it was the ideal opportunity for the Congress to introspect and "acknowledge rout".

The PM also hit out the Congress for questioning EVMs, which have been praised globally.

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Sensex rises 157 points;

Mumbai, Jun 26 The BSE Sensex finished 157 points higher Wednesday, driven by gains in metal, power and financial stocks in front of June subsidiaries expiry.

Extending its gains for the second session, the 30-share index settled 157.14 points, or 0.40 percent, higher at 39,592.08. The file hit an intra-day high of 39,674.22 and a low of 39,319.64.

The broader NSE Nifty also climbed 51.10 points, or 0.43 percent, to complete at 11,847.55. During the day, the file contacted a high of 11,871.85 and a low of 11,757.55.

Vedanta was the greatest gainer in the Sensex pack, rising 4.40 percent. PowerGrid, Sun Pharma, Yes Bank, Tata Steel, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank and Bajaj Auto also wound up to 4.12 percent higher.

Then again, Infosys, IndusInd Bank, Tech Mahindra, Bharti Airtel, Maruti, TCS and HDFC were among the top washouts, shedding up to 1.12 percent.

Purchasing interest was found in metal, control, human services, capital merchandise and money related counters in front of the expiry of June prospects and alternatives (F&O) contracts planned for Thursday, merchants said.

Domestic investors are also hoping for positive news on the trade front in the backdrop of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, dealers included.

According to experts, equities witnessed gains after positive momentum was triggered in the residential stock market reports of quick storm advance in the nation.

On the currency front, the Indian rupee was appreciated 22 paise to 69.13 against the US dollar intra-day.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, rose 1.17 percent to USD 65.03 per barrel.

Globally, while bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul finished on a blended note, value advertises in Europe were exchanging the green in early deals.

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Congress: Government supressing media

New Delhi, Jun 26 Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday blamed the government of using "suppressive" tactics against the media.

He alleged during the Zero Hour that the administration was "undemocratic" and experienced "conceit", guaranteeing that it used its advertisement measures to pressure the media.

His comments drew protests from treasury seats.

Speaker Om Birla asked the next member to raise his issue during the Zero Hour, provoking Congress members to challenge as Chowdhury needed to talk further.

Among different issues, Manish Tewari of the Congress asked the government to make its stand clear the US choice to pull back its waiver to India to import unrefined petroleum from Iran, saying it might have a sweeping effect on India and lead to rise in costs of oil items.

Will the government keep on bringing in oil from Iran or not, he inquired.

Gurjeet Singh Aujla of the Congress requested that the administration get rid of the precarious ascent in obligations on Pakistani items, saying it has prompted joblessness in the border area in his voting demographic in Amritsar as more than 5000 families relied upon exchange with Pakistan for work.

The obligation was climbed after the Pulwama dread assault.

BJP's Nihal Chand focused on the Congress government in Rajasthan over suicide of a rancher in the state. In a video message, the rancher accused the state government for his choice.

BJP's Rajiv Pratap Rudy communicated worry over India's terrible showing in Olympics and proposed that a parliamentary committee be formed as many members have also been keen sportspersons.

He also noted that the next global games are due next year.

BJP's Tapir Gao talked around a few political murders in Arunachal Pradesh. He said one of the cases was given over to the NIA but no capture has been made yet.

The government should ensure action, he said.

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Monday, 24 June 2019

Gold costs fall by Rs 100 on easing demand

New Delhi, Jun 24 Gold prices declined by Rs 100 to Rs 34,270 per 10 gram in the bullion market here on Monday due to easing demand from jewellers despite a positive overseas trend, according to the All India Sarafa Association.

Silver, however advanced by Rs 90 to Rs 39,090 for every kg on expanded offtake by mechanical units and coin makers.

As indicated by dealers, decrease sought after from local jewellers at the domestic spot market prompted the plunge in gold costs, however a firm global trend capped the fall.

Globally, spot gold was trading higher at USD 1,404.92 an ounce, while silver was up at USD 15.36 an ounce in New York.

"Spot gold costs are hovering near six-year highs on developing pressures in the Middle East and hesitant remarks from the significant national banks that boosted the yellow metal's of refuge offer," said Hareesh V, Head-Commodity Research, Geojit Financial Services.

"A weak dollar, which dove to a three-month low on desires for an inescapable loan cost cut by the US Federal Reserve, additionally helped the feelings," he said.

In the national capital, gold of 99.9 percent and 99.5 percent immaculateness fell by Rs 100 each to Rs 34,270 and Rs 34,100 for every 10 gram, separately.

Sovereign gold, however, held consistent at Rs 26,800 per eight gram.

On Saturday, gold had ascended by Rs 70 to Rs 34,370 for each 10 gram.

Meanwhile, silver ready gained Rs 90 to Rs 39,090 per kg, while weekly-based delivery gained Rs 144 to Rs 38,098 for each kg.

Cost of silver coins held flat at Rs 80,000 for buying and Rs 81,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

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Sensex closes 72 pts lower; oil, metal stocks drag

Mumbai, Jun 24 The BSE Sensex Monday slipped by another 72 points, dragged by losses in oil and gas and metal stocks in the midst of rising US-Iran pressures.

After swinging nearly 300 points in a volatile session, the BSE gauge settled 71.53 points, or 0.18 percent, lower at 39,122.96. The record hit an intra-day low of 39,021.70 and a high of 39,300.02.

Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty dropped 24.45 points, or 0.21 percent, to 11,699.65. During the day, the list contacted a low of 11,670.20 and a high of 11,754.

ONGC was the top loser in the Sensex pack, finishing 3.48 percent lower.

Tata Steel, Vedanta, Bajaj Auto, TechM, RIL, Hero MotoCorp, Kotak Bank, Axis Bank, and Infosys too fell up to 2.33 percent.

On the other hand, Yes Bank, M&M, TCS, SBI, IndusInd Bank, Maruti and ITC rose up to 2.19 per cent.

The US on Monday was expected to fix authorizes on Iran as the two nations exchanged thorns a strained standoff started by Washington's withdrawal from an atomic arrangement.

As per merchants, household bourses turned uneven as unrefined petroleum costs continued ascending in the midst of rising strains between the US and Iran.

Brent unrefined fates, the worldwide oil benchmark, rose 0.16 percent to USD 64.55 per barrel.

Meanwhile, bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul ended on a positive note, equity markets in Europe were trading in the red in early deals.

On the currency front, the Indian rupee appreciated 15 paise to 69.43 against the US dollar intra-day.

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Sunday, 23 June 2019

Indian Navy looked for Pakistani submarine for 21 days after Balakot airstrikes: Source

 

New Delhi, 23 June Soon after the Pulwama terror attack, India pulled out its Navy from an exercise and deployed a major part of its fleet, including nuclear and conventional submarines, close to Pakistani territorial waters.

During the aggressive deployment of the naval assets by the Indian side, the Pakistanis were getting an impression that New Delhi might use its sea power to retaliate for the killing of its 40 CRPF personnel in the suicide bombing by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). India was consistently watching out for the development of the Pakistani military yet after Indian Air Force hit the Jaish fear based oppressor production line in Balakot, a standout amongst the most exceptional Pakistani Agosta-class submarines - PNS Saad - evaporated from the Pakistani waters, a senior government source said.

Having represented all other surface warships and all the submarines, the vanishing act done by the PNS Saad fitted with Air Independent Propulsion (an innovation which enables the submarines to remain for a more drawn out period under the water than normal submarines) swung the entire Indian Navy swung into action. "The area close Karachi from where the PNS Saad evaporated, it could achieve the Gujarat coast in three days and the central station of the western armada in Mumbai inside five days and was viewed as a noteworthy danger to the security of the nation," the sources said.

The anti submarine warfare specialist warships and aircraft were situated to help in the chase for the missing Pakistani submarine. "All the areas where it could have gone in the given time allotment, broad pursuits were completed by the Indian Navy. P-8Is were pressed into service to locate the submarine along with the coastal areas of Gujarat followed by Maharashtra and other states," the sources said.

All precautionary measures had been taken by the Navy to guarantee that regardless of whether the PNS Saad had entered Indian waters, all necessary actions were to be taken to force it to come on the surface, and if required take military punitive action against it, the sources said. Nuclear submarine INS Chakra had also been sent in an aggressive posture long the Pakistani waters and educated to keep looking for the missing Pakistani submarine.

The Indian Navy's latest induction, Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari, was additionally sent in the chase while their stance continued undermining Pakistan against doing any misfortune in the Indian waters. As the days advanced, the Indian Navy continued growing its region of quest for the Pakistani boat and satellites were additionally used to find it, then, the power was practically sure that the Pakistanis may have kept it concealed elsewhere.

After 21 days of an extensive search, the Indian Navy finally found the PNS Saad on the western side of Pakistan. It was sent there for hiding, to guarantee a secretive ability in the event of expansion in threats in the repercussions of the Balakot airstrikes. Sources said the Navy is maintaining complete surveillance of the Arabian Sea, especially Pakistani waters, and is aware of Pakistan`s naval activities in the area.

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BSP chief Mayawati appoints brother, nephew to key party posts

 

Lucknow, Jun 23 BSP chief Mayawati Sunday appointed his sibling Anand Kumar as the party's national VP and named her nephew Akash Anand as its national coordinator, a senior leader said.

The decision was taken at a meeting held here, which was gone to by top functionaries of the party.

Amroha MP Danish Ali has been made leader of the party in Lok Sabha and its Nagina MP Girish Chandra has been appointed chief whip, he said.

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India on US religious freedom report: No locus standi

New Delhi, Jun 23 India Sunday dismissed a US religious freedom report, saying it sees no locus standi for a foreign government to articulate on the condition of its citizens' constitutionally protected rights.

In its yearly 2018 International Religious Freedom Report, the State Department affirmed Friday that mob assaults by violent extremist Hindu groups against minority communities, particularly Muslims, proceeded in India in 2018, amid rumours that victims had traded or killed cows for beef.

Reacting to media inquiries on the report, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stated: "India is glad for its secular credentials, its status as the biggest democracy and pluralistic society with a longstanding promise to resistance and inclusion."

The Indian Constitution ensures major rights to every one of its natives, including its minority networks, he said.

It is widely acknowledged that India is a vibrant democracy where the Constitution gives insurance of religious freedom, and where democratic governance and rule of law further promote and protect fundamental rights, Kumar asserted.

"We see no locus standi for a foreign entity/government to pronounce on the state of our citizens' constitutionally protected rights," he said.

Mandated by the Congress, the State Department in its voluminous report gives its evaluation of the status of religious opportunity in practically every one of the nations and territories of the world.

Releasing the report at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo a week ago said the report was like a report card which tracks nations to perceive how well they have regarded this fundamental human right.

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Saturday, 22 June 2019

NEWS HEADLINES FROM NEWS4EXCHANGE.COM DTD 22.6.2019

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CJI writes to PM Modi, looks for an increase in number of SC judges

New Delhi, Jun 22 Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi trying to build the quality of judges and raise the retirement age of high court judges to 65 years.

Gogoi has also urged the prime minister to make tenure arrangements of resigned zenith court judges and high court judges under Articles 128 and 224A of the Constitution separately to clear backlog of cases pending for years.

The CJI, who wrote three letters to the PM, said there was a pendency of 58,669 cases in the top court and the number was increasing due to filing of more fresh cases.

Due to paucity of judges, the required number of Constitution seats to choose significant cases including inquiries of law were not being shaped, the CJI said.

"You would recall that route in 1988, around three decades back, the judge quality of the SC was expanded from 18 to 26, and afterward again following two decades in 2009, it was expanded to 31, including the CJI, to speed up transfer of cases to keep pace with the rate of establishment," he composed.

"I demand you to generously consider, on top need, to increase the judge-quality in the SC suitably with the goal that it can work all the more proficiently and adequately as it will go far to achieve extreme objective of rendering auspicious equity to the prosecutor open," Gogoi composed.

He said that however the size of the feeder unit of boss equity and judges of the high courts has expanded previously yet the quality has not been expanded relatively in the top court.

In his second letter, the CJI urged Modi to consider carrying a protected revision to expand the retirement time of high court made a decision from 62 to 65 years.

"One of the prime reasons why we are not ready to contain the regularly developing pendency is deficiency of HC judges. At present, 399 posts, or 37 percent of endorsed judge-quality, are empty. The current opportunities should be filled right away. Be that as it may, notwithstanding best endeavors put in by all partners, it has not been conceivable to designate judges to bring the working judge-quality anyplace near the authorized judge-quality," Gogoi wrote.

The CJI also wrote that the retirement period of high court judges ought to be raised by three years to 65 years.

"This, thus, would help in improving the opening position and therefore diminishing pendency of cases. This would also be in consonance with the (rehashed) suggestions made by parliamentary standing boards of trustees," he composed.

Gogoi further stated, "A judge sets aside some effort to develop and when he is in a situation to put inventive musings dependent on rich experience to rehearse, he winds up nearing retirement. This can be maintained a strategic distance from if the time of retirement is raised to a proper dimension with the goal that his huge experience, further knowledge and mastery can be used for a more drawn out period."

"In my view also, if retired HC judges are considered for appointment in tribunals beyond the age of 62 years, they may continue in HCs up to 65 years. The proposal suggested will ensure continued availability of more experiences judges for a longer tenure," he wrote.

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PM Narendra Modi to meet top financial experts at NITI Aayog today, review economic growth

New Delhi, 22 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet driving market analysts and money related specialists on Saturday during which the macroeconomic circumstance of the nation will be looked into.

Today,s meeting comes in the midst of worries over moderate monetary development in the nation. The abnormal state meeting comes days in front of the introduction of the Union Budget in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 5.

As per government sources, Prime Minister Modi will also hold discussions on the Union Budget and the proposition made for citizens.

The meeting is planned to take place at NITI Aayog around 4.30 PM.

During the review meeting, the financial experts and top NITI Aayog authorities will also make introductions before the Prime Minister.

It might be reviewed that Union Finance Minister Sitharaman held a pre-spending meeting with the state fund serves on Friday.

She is planned to display the Union Budget for 2019-20 on July 5. The Economic Survey for the current financial year will be postponed on July 4.

On Wednesday, the Finance Minister held the twentieth gathering of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) to audit the current worldwide and local monetary circumstance and money related dependability issues including, between alia, those concerning Banking and NBFCs.

The Council was additionally informed of the progress made towards setting-up of the Financial Data Management Center (FDMC) to encourage incorporated information accumulation and examination as also a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-Fin) towards strengthening the cyber-security framework for the financial sector.

Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier reviewed the state of the economy and talked about different budget-related suggestions and proposals at a meeting with financial sector regulators here on Wednesday.

The FSDC meeting was also attended by Anurag Thakur, MoS (Finance &Corporate Affairs), Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI); Subhash Chandra Garg, Finance Secretary and Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs; Rajiv Kumar, Secretary, Department of Financial Services; Injeti Srinivas, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs; Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Revenue Secretary; Dr. Krishnamurthy V. Subramanian, Chief Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance; Ajay Tyagi, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India; Subhash Chandra Khuntia, Chairman, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India(IRDAI); Dr. M. S. Sahoo, Chairperson, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI); Ravi Mital, Additional Secretary, Department of Financial Services and in control, Chairperson, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority(PFRDA); and other senior officers of the Government of India and the Financial Sector Regulators.

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Modi congratulates those gave PM's Award for Outstanding Contribution for Promotion of Yoga

New Delhi, Jun 22 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday congratulated those who have been conferred with the Prime Minister's Award for Outstanding Contribution for Promotion and Development of Yoga, 2019.

"We are tremendously glad for their rich work to guarantee more individuals grasp Yoga and our planet ends up more advantageous," he tweeted.

Modi posted the congratulatory message on Twitter in Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, Japanese and English.

Established in 1980, the Japan Yoga Niketan has advanced yoga crosswise over Japan. It runs numerous yoga preparing foundations and courses. They have had the option to draw individuals from all sections of Japanese society, Modi said.

Established by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, the Bihar School of Yoga, Munger has been effectively working for more than 50 years.

"They combine ancient wisdom with present day patterns with a plan to improve wellness. Their yoga projects and distributions are broadly mainstream," the PM said.

Modi also referred to Antonietta Rozzi, who has a place with Italy and has been rehearsing Yoga for more than four decades. She established the Sarva Yoga International and promoted Yoga across Europe.

"We are glad for devoted people like her," he tweeted.

The PM said Swami Rajarshi Muni, who hails from Gujarat's Limbdi, has endeavored astounding endeavors to spread yoga. Most strikingly, he established the LIFE Mission and is related with Lakulish Yoga University that tutors understudies, he said.

"His commitment to social service is also outstanding," Modi said.

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India says Pak must take verifiable, irreversible steps against terrorism: FATF

New Delhi, Jun 22 India on Saturday said it anticipates that Pakistan should make every single fundamental move to successfully execute the FATF activity plan completely by September and take solid, certain, and irreversible measures to deliver global concerns related to terrorism and terrorist financing emanating from its soil.

Because of a media query regarding the FATF report, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the FATF has chosen to keep on keeping Pakistan on its compliance document (for example Grey List) for the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) observing for its inability to finish the activity plan things due in January and May 2019.

"We expect Pakistan should make every vital move to viably actualize the FATF Action Plan completely inside the rest of the time allotment for example by September 2019 as per its political commitment to the FATF and take credible, verifiable, irreversible and maintainable measures to deliver global concerns related to terrorism and terrorist financing from any domain under its control," he said.

FATF, the Paris-based global body, is attempting to curb terrorism financing and money laundering and has asked Pakistan to reassess the operation of banned terrorist outfits in the country.

In June a year ago, the FATF set Pakistan on the dim rundown of nations whose residential laws are viewed as feeble to handle the difficulties of tax evasion and terrorism financing.

In a statement issued at the finish of its Plenary meeting in Orlando, Florida, the FATF communicated concern "that in addition to the fact that Pakistan failed to finish its activity plan things with January due dates, it also failed to finish its activity plan things due May 2019".

The FATF "strongly" urges Pakistan to quickly finish its action plan when the last set of action plan things are set to lapse.

"Otherwise, the FATF will choose the following stage around then for inadequate advancement," the worldwide money related body said leaving a solid cautioning to Pakistan.

The FATF said Pakistan had made strides towards improving its AML/CFT (against tax evasion/battling the monetary fear based oppression) routine, including the ongoing improvement of its terror funding risk assessment addendum.

however, it doesn't show an appropriate comprehension of Pakistan's transnational fear subsidizing hazard.

Reacting to the FATF's warning, Pakistan on Friday said it was committed to taking measures needed to implement the action plan agreed with the FATF to come out of the grey list.

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Wednesday, 22 May 2019

No change in counting process, Opposition request on VVPAT rejected

The Election Commission on Wednesday rejected Opposition demand to tally the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips before the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) on counting day - May 23.

The confirmation of results, on Supreme Court's order, will be matched with the VVPAT slips of five randomly-selected EVMs per assembly segment.

On Tuesday, 22 Opposition parties Tuesday requested that VVPAT slips ought to be checked first, and in the event that any inconsistency happens, then VVPAT slips should be counted for the entire assembly segments. However, the EC today dismissed the update presented by the Opposition parties.

"We told the EC that the VVPAT machines ought to be checked first and on the off chance that there is any discrepancy, at that point every one of them in that portion ought to be counted. During elections, there were many EVMs which broke down and much of the time, when votes for one political party were cast, it showed votes for some other party, especially the BJP," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters here after meeting EC officials.

"These things we have told the EC. We, in the last three-four years have been complaining about the EVMs in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and even in states," he included.

Leaders of these opposition parties, who held a meeting here on the issue and then jointly approached the EC, also raised concerns over reports about EVMs being "replaced" at various places.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha election took place from April 11 to May 19. The counting of votes begins at 8 am on May 23.

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India focuses on terror, connectivity, Afghanistan at SCO Foriegn Ministers meet

NEW DELHI, May 22 Terror, connectivity and Afghanistan were the main focus areas for India during External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj statement at the Shanghai Co-task Organization (SCO) Foriegn Ministers meet in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Recalling the Sri Lanka terror attack on April 21, Swaraj stated, "Our wounds of Pulwama attack were still raw and the news from the neighborhood has made us more determined to fight firmly resolutely against this menace."

SCO's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure or RATS has emerged as a significant discussion for counter-terror cooperation and India has called for making it more effective. On connectivity, India discussed 5 connectivity activities the International North-South Transport Corridor that will connect Mumbai with Moscow, Chabahar Port that will interface India to afghanistan and past, the Ashgabat Agreement for central asia connectivity, the India Afghanistan air corridor and towards the east the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. However, New Delhi said the connectivity projects needs to be, "inclusive, sustainable, transparent and respect the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity", a comment that questions Chinese Belt & road initiative that is causing debt crisis in many countries participating in it.

Lastly on Afghanistan, Sushma Swaraj stated, "India stands committed to any process" which can help "Afghanistan to rise as an assembled, quiet, secure, stable, inclusive and economically vibrant nation, with guaranteed gender and human rights." Comments on Afghanistan comes in the backdrop of Delhi's increased engagement with stakeholders such as US, China, Iran and Russia on the Afghan peace process.

This is the last high level engagement of Sushma Swaraj in a foriegn nation as the external affairs minister under the present government. This is the second SCO FMs meet in which New Delhi is participating as a full member of SCO, the last being in April last year in Beijing.

During the SCO FMs meet on Wednesday, Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani partner Shah Mahmood Qureshi met for first time since the Pulwama terror attack on 14th February whose obligation was taken by Pakistan based UN listed terror group Jaish e Mohammad. On expected lines, no meeting happened between the 2 India Pakistan ministers.

The last time both ministers were under same roof was during informal SAARC meet on the sidelines of United Nation General Assembly in New York in 2018. India got full membership of the grouping along with Pakistan in 2017 amid the Astana summit of SCO with the process starting during 2015SCO summit in Russia.

The SCO FMs meet comes weeks before the SCO leaders summit in Kyrgyzstan in which the new Indian Prime Minister will be participating. Focus in that summit will be on his possible meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping or if New Indian PM might want to meet his Pakistani counterpart- Pakistani PM Imran Khan.

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Expound arrangements in MP for LS polls counting

Bhopal, May 22 Counting of votes in favor of 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh will be held at 292 centres crosswise over 51 district headquarters on Thursday and results are expected by late evening, a senior election official said.

Around 1,800 CCTV cameras have been introduced at the counting centres where internet and wi-fi services won't be accessible, state Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao told reporters here on Tuesday.

"The counting of votes for the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be held from 8 am on Thursday in 292 halls across 51 district headquarters. Given the number of candidates and counting rounds, the first result may start coming in by 10 pm," he said.

After the finish of counting, five randomly selected Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips from each Assembly segment of that particular Lok Sabha seat would be matched with the electronic voting machines (EVMs), he said.

The highest 29 rounds of counting will be held in Indore and the lowest 14 in Katni, he said.

Around 9,000 personnel, including 17 companies of central forces, have been sent for the security of strong rooms in which the EVMs have been kept, Rao said.

Polling for the 29 seats in the central state was held in four stages on April 29 (six seats), May 6 (seven seats), May 12 (eight seats) and May 19 (eight seats).

In the 2014 parliamentary elections, the BJP packed away 27 of these seats while the Congress figured out how to win just two.

Afterward, the Congress increased its tally to three by winning the Ratlam seat by-election.

After wresting power from the BJP in the state after a year ago's Assembly elections, the Congress is optimistic of a good show in the Lok Sabha polls.

The Bhopal Lok Sabha seat saw one of the most keenly watched contest between Congress veteran Digvijay Singh and Hindutva activist and 2008 Malegaon blast case denounced Pragya Singh Thakur.

The Guna and Chhindwara seats, won by Congress leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kamal Nath, respectively, in 2014 were also in spotlight this time.

The Congress this time selected Nakul Nath from Chhindwara after his dad and sitting MP Kamal Nath turned into the state's chief minister.

Other prominent faces in this election were BJP state president Rakesh Singh (from Jabalpur), party pioneer Prahlad Patel (Damoh), Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar (Morena), ex-Union ministers and Congress candidates Kantilal Bhuria (Ratlam-Jhabua), Arun Yadav (Khandwa), and former leader of opposition Ajay Singh (Sidhi).

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Counting of votes at 28 centres in Gujarat:LS polls

Ahmedabad, May 22 Counting of votes for elections to 26 Lok Sabha constituencies and bypolls in four Assembly seats of Gujarat will be taken up on Thursday at 28 centres over the express, a senior authority said.

Polling for all the 26 Lok Sabha and four Assembly seats was held in a single phase on April 23, recording a voter turnout of 64.11 percent, the highest in the state since 1976 when there was around 63.77 voting.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah saw 63.66 percent polling.

The BJP at that time won all the 26 seats.

"Counting of votes will be held on Thursday at 28 centres. Elaborate security arrangements have been made at all the counting centres," state Chief Electoral Officer S Murali Krishnan said in a release.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani expressed confidence that the BJP will hold all the 26 seats in the state.

"There is a Modi 'wave', people of the state are enthusiastic to make Modi the prime minister once more. The results are sure," Rupani told reporters in Gandhinagar.

Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda, however, claimed his party will succeed at least 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

"The results of Gujarat will surprise all," he said.

In the 2017 state Assembly polls to 182 seats, the Congress won 77 seats while the BJP bagged 99 and came to power with a wafer thing majority.

The Congress is hoping to repeat that performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

The main contenders from the BJP this time were party chief Amit Shah from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat and Union minister Jaswantsinh Bhabhor from Dahod.

The Congress fielded former Union minister Bharatsinh Solanki from Anand and its leader of opposition in the Assembly Paresh Dhanani from Amreli situate.

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Tuesday, 21 May 2019

NEWS HEADLINES FROM NEWS4EXCHANGE.COM DTD 21.5.2019

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EVMs 'totally safe' in strongrooms: EC

New Delhi, May 21 The Election Commission Tuesday declared that EVMs used in the Lok Sabha polls are "totally safe" in strongrooms, rejecting allegations that the voting machines used in the elections were being exchanged with fresh ones ahead of counting of votes on May 23.

Alluding to the claims and complaints, the commission said it would like to "emphatically and unambiguously" clarify that all such report and allegations are "completely false and factually incorrect."

The visuals on TV and social media "don't pertain to any EVMs used during the polls", it said.

In aa statement, the EC stated, after the end of polls, all polled EVMs and VVPATs are brought under security cover to designated strongrooms, which are fixed with twofold secures within the sight of competitors and observers of the commission.

The whole process of storage and sealing of the strongroom is videoed.

"Continuous CCTV camera coverage is done till completion of counting. Every strongroom is protected with nonstop security by Central Armed Police Forces.

"Further, candidates or their designated agents stay present at the strongroom for 24X7 vigil at all times," the statement said.

On counting day, the strongrooms are opened within the presence of candidates or their specialists and onlookers. This is likewise videoed.

Prior to tallying begins, the checking specialists are demonstrated the location labels, seals and sequential number of EVMs to fulfill themselves to the validity and realness of the machines used in the polls, it said.

The provisions and protocols have been explained to political parties on multiple occasions, including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the commission, since the announcement of elections, the EC pointed out.

"It very well may be valued, the definite managerial conventions, security structure and procedural rules commanded by the commission totally abandon and pre-empt the likelihood of any naughtiness or control in the surveyed EVMs and VVPATs put away in the assigned strongrooms.

"The slanders in clasps being used in media just relate to the capacity or movement of reserve unused EVMs," the statement said.

It made it clear that any case of lapse, even in handling of reserve EVMs, is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action taken against the officers responsible.

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Nitish Kumar terms EVM issue fake, clears stand on Article 370

Patna, May 21 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi to attend a dinner hosted by BJP president Amit Shah for NDA allies and before flying from Patna, Kumar associated with media and talked on Article 370, Uniform Civil Code (UCC), EVMs and on Ayodhya matter.

The Bihar chief minister said that people are raising bogus questions on the credibility of EVMs, including that elections have turned out to be straightforward after the presentation of EVMs. "It's an innovation which has been scrutinized on different occasions and has been replied by the election commission ... faction which starts losing says there were errors in elections. It's not new," said Nitish.

The Bihar chief minister also talked about the contentious issues of Article 370 and Uniform Civil Code and said that JD(U) has no inconsistency over these issues. "There's no contradiction. We've always maintained Article 370 shouldn't be scrapped, Uniform Civil Code shouldn't be imposed," Nitish said.

Discussing Ayodhya issue, Nitish Kumar said that the dispute should be resolved either through mutual understanding or court's intervention. "The dispute ought to be settled through mutual agreement/court's intervention. We've kept up this since we first forged an alliance with BJP," Nitish stated, including that BJP's stand these issues isn't new and it is known to everybody. "A party has its very own stand yet when there is a coalition, the majority of this is talked about. So there is no issue there," commented the JD(U) leader.

Meanwhile, besides Nitish, several other NDA leaders including Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and AIADMK leaders E K Palaniswamy and O. Pannerselvam are expected to attend Shah's dinner at BJP headquarters in Delhi.

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ISRO chief K Sivan: PSLV-C 46 will concentrate on movements of terrorists near border areas

Tirumalai, May 21 Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman K Sivan on Tuesday said that PSLV-C 46 satellite, which will be launched on Wednesday, will concentrate on the developments of terrorists in border areas. Sivan included that the satellite will help the security forces out terrorism from the nation by helping them spot the hideouts of the terrorists near border areas.

ISAT 2 BR 1 satellite into space. The satellite will concentrate on terrorists' movements and their hideouts in the borders," ISRO director was quoted as saying by ANI. Sivan included that PSLV-C 46 satellite's life span is five years. He included that the Bengaluru-put together ISRO is also focused on launching Chandrayan 2 in July next year.

The nation's premier space agency is set to launch PSLV-C 46 from Sriharikota in Nellore locale of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. Sivan visited Lord Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati on Tuesday with model of PSLV-C 46 and unique 'pooja' was performed by Tirumala temple authorities for success of mission.

It might be recalled that few days ago, ISRO had declared RISAT-2B, a radar imaging earth observation satellite, will be launched by PSLV-C46 on May 22. The launch will take place from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 5.27 am IST, subject to climate condition. "PSLV-C46 set to dispatch RISAT-2B from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota at 0527 Hrs IST on May 22, 2019, subject to weather conditions," ISRO had tweeted.

PSLV-C46 is the 48th mission of PSLV. It will dispatch RISAT-2B from the First Launch Pad (FLP) of SDSC. As indicated by ISRO, PSLV-C46 is the fourteenth trip of PSLV in 'center alone' arrangement (without the utilization of strong lash on engines). This will be the 72nd dispatch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota and 36th dispatch from the First Launchpad. RISAT-2B will be placed into an orbit of 555 km at an inclination of 37 degrees.

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Arvind Kejriwal dials Akhilesh to talk about post-results strategy

New Delhi, May 21 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday addressed Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to talk opposition strategy after Lok Sabha election results are announced on 23 May. Talking via telephone, the two leaders also discussed the political situation prevailing in the country.

Preparation about the discussion between the two party chiefs, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh said that the need of the AAP is to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from returning to control. "Results will be declared after 2 days. We met to talk about the technique to be trailed that. The first priority is to stop BJP, pair of Narendra Modi-Amit Shah and common powers. This was also a courtesy call," he said.

While most exit polls have predicted BJP winning majority seats in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said that not BJP but rather the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party coalition will get more than 60 out of the 80 seats in the state. "I feel the gathbandhan will get in excess of 60 seats in UP. BJP will be cleared off the nation over," he said.

He also rubbished the exit polls which have projected over 300 seats for the BJP-drove NDA in the Lok Sabha elections stating that the Opposition will form the next government at the Center. "Exit polls will prove to be totally false like it had occurred previously. The opposition will form a strong government at the Center," he said. Exit poll results for Uttar Pradesh have hurled mistaking numbers for certain surveyors demonstrating that SP-BSP-RLD mahagathbandhan is in the number one spot, while some have anticipated that BJP would do better.

Prior on Monday, Akhilesh had met BSP supremo Mayawati at the latter's residence in Lucknow to have discussions over post-poll scenarios.

The two chiefs are sure of succeeding at least 55 out of 80 seats at stake in Uttar Pradesh. They also exuded confidence that the nation would get a new prime minister after the declaration of results on May 23.

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Protests in Uttar Pradesh after videos show 'tampering' of EVMS

Lucknow/New Delhi, May 21 Protests broke out in some parts of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday after videos of alleged movement and tampering of EVMs turned into a web sensation via web-based networking media, a charge rejected by the Election Commission as "unimportant" and "unwarranted".

As the videos went viral, workers of various parties held challenges in Ghazipur, Chandauli and Dumariyaganj alleging that EVMs were being "moved around" outside strongrooms.

A video clasp of EVMs being off-loaded and put in a room inside the counting centre complex in Chandauli was doing the rounds via web-based networking media. BJP's state unit president Mahendra Nath Pandey is looking for re-appointment from the seat.

Another video is from Ghazipur where SP-BSP alliance candidate Afzal Ansari is seen staging protest alleging that the organization was trying to change EVMs.

In the video, Ansari and his supporters were seen having a heated exchange with a police officer. The officer is urging them to clear the area, but the leader and his supporters refuse to budge, claiming there was an attempt to take out a vehicle loaded with EVMs.

Afzal Ansari is the brother of don turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who is serving sentence in Uttar Pradesh's Banda jail in connection with various criminal cases and is pitted against Union Minister Manoj Sinha of the BJP.

Ansari also demanded that at any rate two BSP workers must be issued goes to sit close to the premises where EVMs were kept in solid rooms at five different places.

Chief Electoral Officer of the state Venkateshwarlu allayed fears of political parties.

Referring to the Ghazipur incident, he said the candidate wanted more number of people to keep a watch on EVMs based on his apprehensions and the DM there has fulfilled him and those organizing protest have returned.

On Chandauli, he said the issue relates to unused EVMs which had been brought back and after talks they were kept independently from the used ones kept in the strong room.

There are CCTV cameras installed in strong rooms. Candidates are permitted to keep a watch on strong rooms through their representatives. All apprehensions are unfounded, he said.

"EVMS and VVPATs were sealed properly in front of political party candidates. CCTV cameras are installed ... one representative of each candidate is present. The allegations are baseless, an EC report said.

On Chandauli, the EC report stated, "Unimportant claim by certain people as EVMs are in proper security and protocol.

The protest took place when additional (reserved) EVMs from the Sakaldiha assembly segment were brought there.

The Commission said all aid down protocol relating to safekeep of voting machines and paper trail machines after voting were followed.

It said candidates and their representatives have been allowed to watch over strongrooms for which places have been earmarked.

In view of the viral videos, political parties directed their leaders, applicants and workers to stay additional careful in all regions where EVMs have been stored.

All opposition parties have issued directives to their district and city units asking their cadres to prepare for counting of votes.

Fearing irregularities during counting of votes, the high command of all opposition parties have asked their units not to be lax in maintaining security of strongrooms where electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been kept.

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PM Modi pays tribute to Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary

New Delhi, May 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday took to Twitter to pay tribute to former PM Rajiv Gandhi on his 28th death anniversary.

"Tributes to previous PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary," Modi tweeted

This comes after Modi named Rajiv Gandhi "bhrashtachari no 1" (degenerate no 1) at a election rally earlier this month

Hitting out at the former prime minister's son and Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his allegations of corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal, Modi had stated, "Your dad was named 'Mr. Clean' by his retainers, yet his life finished as 'Bhrashtachari?No:1'."

Rajiv Gandhi was killed by a suicide bomber during a election rally in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur town on this day in 1991.

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Friday, 17 May 2019

NEWS HEADLINES FROM NEWS4EXCHANGE.COM DTD 17.5.2019

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PM Narendra Modi certain of BJP getting full majority in 2019 Lok Sabha surveys

NEW DELHI, May 17 In his first media instructions in the previous five years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday communicated certainty that his party will form the government with absolute majority for the second time.

"I am confident that BJP will form the government with a full majority for a second term,'' the PM said.

''After a long time, a legislature will come back with a full majority,'' the PM included.

While outlining the achievements of his government in the previous five years, the PM also hailed the performance of the BJP-drove NDA government at the Center.

The PM made these comments while tending to a joint press conference with party president Amit Shah at the BJP headquarters in the national capital.

The press conference was organised shortly before the poll campaign ended for the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

During his brief press interaction, the PM stated, ''It was an excellent election campaign so far.''

''For me, really, this was a method for expressing gratitude toward the general population of this nation any place I battled for the gathering for allowing us the chance to serve the country for a long time,'' PM Modi said.

PM Modi, in any case, told columnists that he won't take any inquiries on the grounds that the question and answer session is being tended to by Shah, and in BJP's framework, the order must be pursued.

"We are disciplined soldiers of the party," PM Modi said.

On his turn, the BJP Amit Shah exuded confidence that the gathering will win in excess of 300 seats this time alone.

Shah also gave a point by point report card of the battling just as the exhibition of the NDA government.

''BJP will be back in power with a more prominent edge. We will win in excess of 300 seats this time,'' Shah said.

''We'll perform well in North-East, generally amazing in West Bengal. We'll do great in Odisha and will be an improvement in the quantity of seats in every one of the states in the South. We'll improve in Maharashtra likewise,'' Shah told journalists.

Shah expressed that ''under PM Modi's initiative, the general population are protected, the economy is fit as a fiddle and we have a steady and solid government at the Center.''

He radiated certainty that PM Narendra Modi will return as the Prime Minister indeed.

"Since Independence, these decisions have been the greatest for the BJP," Shah expressed, professing to get great outcomes in 2019 general surveys.

"We began our decision crusade from January 16… Our objective was to win 120 Lok Sabha seats which we couldn't win the last time. We are sure that we'll get great outcomes," the BJP president said.

Giving a report card of Modi government's performance in the last five years, Shah alluded to development and national security. "Narendra Modi government has propelled 133 plans to inspire all segments of society," he said.

Voting in favor of the last period of Lok Sabha Elections 2019 is expected on May 19. The counting of votes is planned for May 23.

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Sachin Pilot: Resentment among people due to the politics of BJP

Rajasthan, May 17 There is hatred among the people of the nation due to the politics of the ruling BJP government at the Center, Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot said on Friday.

Referring to the violence in West Bengal and BJP nominee Pragya Thakur's statement on Nathuram Godse, Pilot said it is out of the blue that an established foundation like the Election Commission of India needed to face several questions.

"The type of politics that BJP has done in recent days, it has created an environment of resentment in not only the Congress and other political parties but also in the entire country," Pilot said at a press conference.

"None of the senior BJP leader neither stopped nor objected Thakur's statement calling a person who killed Mahatma Gandhi as a patriot," he included.

"The party leadership has neither refuted the announcement nor ended her (Thakur) participation. The BJP's sidelining itself from the statement isn't sufficient," he said further.

Pilot, who is also the Rajasthan Congress chief, said that the criticism on six periods of Lok Sabha election shows that the BJP is trailing in all stages.

He said that the frustration of losing in elections can be measured from the announcements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah and other senior leaders.

Talking about recent violence reported in West Bengal during electioneering, Pilot said, "The facts that have come to the fore from the ground in Kolkata clearly indicate that the BJP brought people from outside Bengal for their roadshow. Whatever happened there is condemnable and indecent."

Pilot also criticised Modi for looking at West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, her party and its leaders with stone pelters of Jammu and Kashmir.

"You can evaluate that the prime minister of the nation is comparing an elected chief minister and the stone pelters who follow a separatist ideology," he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is censuring the violence in West Bengal however can't see the assault on a Congress official from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, Pilot said further.

Congress MLA Aditi Singh and members from the zila panchayat were on Tuesday injured in an attack while they were en route to cast a ballot on a no-certainty movement against zila panchayat head Avadesh Singh.

Avadesh Singh is the sibling of Dinesh Pratap Singh, the BJP applicant from Rae Bareli. The BJP and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath have censured the episode.

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PM Modi: Congress insulted voters by questioning BJP's huge win

New Delhi, June 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday blamed the Congress for offending voters of the nation by questioning the massive ...