hamper
We have not taken any decision that we have to stop a bill. We will support on merit.
gulam nabi azad
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modi opposition connect?
Modi seeks national interests above other considerations
Seeks support of opposition parties to pass Bills
Congress says will support Bills based on merit
Offers no assurance on GST
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monsoon session
lead
Modi seeks oppn cooperation in passage of GST bill
PTI
New Delhi
Reaching out to the opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday sought its cooperation in the passage of GST bill even as it asserted that government will be targeted over developments in Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir during Parliament's Monsoon Session starting Monday.
As sparks are set to fly in Parliament over a range of issues, Modi also urged all the political parties to keep national interests above any other considerations. “We represent both the people and parties and there is a need to keep national interests above anything else.”
At an all-party meeting convened by the government a day before Parliament meets, Congress said it will support bills but based on merit but offered no assurance on the GST, saying it can take a stand only after the government gives it a “written draft” over concerns raised by it.
Noting that important Bills including the GST will be taken up during the session, Modi expressed the hope that there would be meaningful discussions and outcomes.
“The issue is not about which government would get the credit for introduction of GST but what was important is the passage of the Bill,” he said.
With the continuing protests in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani expected to generate heat in Parliament, Modi commended political parties for speaking in “one voice” over the issue.
“Various parties have given statements on Kashmir events which benefited the country. This has sent a right message and I thank all the parties for the same,” he said.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said there should be a discussion in Parliament on the tense situation in Kashmir and that government should provide an anwser.
The government's unsuccessful NSG bid, floods in some states, agrarian crisis and terrorism were among the other main issues raised by opposition leaders at the meeting.
Azad accused the government of using every trick to destabilise states ruled or run by other parties and referred to Arunachal developments and various chief ministers targeting the Centre at the Inetr-State Council meeting Saturday.
Though he did not refer to GST directly, he said the Congress will offer support to bills on merit.
“We have not taken any decision that we have to stop a bill. We will support on merit. We will support any bill which is in support of people, progress and growth,” he said.
Another Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said his party can take a stand only after it receives a written response from the government as he played down talks between its leaders and union ministers over the GST.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the government will talk to all parties to evolve a consensus on the GST.
“Our legislative business, including GST, is a priority.
We want to see that we pass the GST bill with consensus. We are going to take every party on board,” he said.
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Cong to attack govt over AP, Ukhand, failed NSG bid Buoyed by the restoration of its governments in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Congress Sunday said it will target the Modi dispensation for “using all tricks” to destabilise opposition ruled states which no longer trusted the Centre.
The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad also cited developments in Kashmir and India's failed bid for NSG membership as other issues on which his party will attack the treasury benches in the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning Monday.
The Congress will extend merit-based support to bills which are pro-people and pro-growth, he told reporters after attending the all-party meeting called by the government.
Taking potshots at Modi over his call for cooperation between the Centre and states at the Inter-State Council meeting Saturday, Azad said even Punjab government in which BJP is junior partner, attacked it for “undermining” states. ...................
Pema Khandu was Sunday sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh heading a Congress government, a day after the party pulled off a dramatic success winning back all its rebels by choosing a new leader, marking the culmination of fast-paced political developments. .............
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second lead
Pema Khandu sworn in as Arunachal Chief Minister
PTI
Itanagar
Chowna Mein was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister.
Son of late chief minister Dorjee Khandu, 37-year-old Pema, who became the youngest chief minister in the country and the ninth in the tiny northeastern state, and Mein were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Tathagata Roy at the Rajbhavan here. Dorjee Khandu had died in an air crash in 2011.
Addressing a press conference shortly after he was sworn in, Pema said an expansion of his ministry would take place only after the Governor returned to the state. Roy, who is Governor of Tripura, is holding additional charge as Arunachal Pradesh Governor.
Pema said he would inculcate a 'Team Arunachal' spirit among elected leaders irrespective of party affiliations for overall development of his state. “All elected leaders of the state would be made a part of the development process cutting across political lines.” From assisting his father in politics to working for social transformation, Pema has come a long way to occupy the coveted post.
Hours ahead of the scheduled floor test in the Assembly Saturday which Chief Minister Nabam Tuki was directed by the governor to take, the Congress Legislature Party had elected Pema, in place of Tuki, in a dramatic turnaround. Tuki was restored to the Chief Minister's post on Wednesday by the Supreme Court.
Pema then staked claim to power on the basis of the support of 45 party MLAs along with two independents.
In a volte-face, ousted chief minister Khaliko Pul also returned to the party fold with 30 dissident MLAs, a move that stunned the BJP which had supported his government.
In the 60-member House with an effective strength of 58, Congress now claims the support of 47 MLAs, including two independents.
Eldest son of the family, Pema, a graduate from Delhi's prestigious Hindu College, had an early entry into governance after his father's demise.
AAP govt will conduct opinion poll on full statehood: Kejriwal
PTI
new delhi
The Delhi government will conduct an 'opnion poll' and not a 'referendum' on the issue of full statehood for the national capital and bringing subjects such as police and land under the jurisdiction of the state government, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Sunday.
Kejriwal, who had earlier spoken of referendum on the issue, said there was no provision for such a vote.
His remarks came in response to a question during his two-hour-long live interactive session 'Talk to AK' in which he held forth on a wide range of issues including measures such as the odd-even scheme and promises like free Wi-Fi.
“It's a good idea. We are thinking about it and will surely do it. Few people call it referendum but there is no provision for it in the Constitution. It could be an opinion poll. We will ask the people of Delhi whether land and police should come under the elected government,” Kejriwal said.
Soon after the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, he had tweeted, “After UK referendum, Delhi will soon have a referendum on full statehood.” On the odd-even road rationing measure, two phases of which have already been implemented, Kejriwal said his government was considering enforcing it again in the winter.
Asked if AAP would deliver on its promise to provide free Wi-Fi, Kejriwal said, “Rajendra Kumar was looking after it. We have to appoint some other person now. We are laying a fibre optic cable network in Delhi. It will take another two-three years. Meanwhile, we will create a network of hot spots. It will be ready by early next year provided the Lt Governor does not nullify the proposal.” Replying to a question on the land pooling policy, Kejriwal said it is under consideration and his government has asked the Delhi Development Authority to insert a clause enabling the setting aside of 10 per cent land for infrastructure development.
The next such interactive session would be held after a month or so, Kejriwal said. He also promised a caller of resolving issues that have apparently arisen out of laying of sewerage line in his area.
“When you are in public life, you have to be ready for public scrutiny. At times, we feel that the media's questions and people's questions are different. There was a need for a platform to take questions directly. And you can face the public only when you are ethical and honest,” Kejriwal said in his opening lines.
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Mob storms army camp in Valley
2000 additional forces rushed to Kashmir
PTI
Srinagar
A mob tried to storm an army camp Sunday in Bandipora district, shattering the day-long fragile peace in curfew-bound Kashmir even as the Centre rushed about two thousand additional CRPF personnel to shore up security in the Valley where violence since July 9 has claimed 39 lives.
Protesters attacked the army camp at Ajas in Bandipora district, forcing the security forces to open fire. Three persons were injured in the incident, police said.
Earlier, MLA Bandipora Usman Abdul Majid had claimed that one person was killed and three others were injured in the clash.
Curfew was in force for the third consecutive day while normal life remained paralysed in the wake of deadly clashes that have rocked the Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani nine days ago, leaving 39 dead and over 3,160 injured.
Two persons were also injured in security forces action when a mob pelted stones in Eidgah area of the city.
The fresh violence came even as the situation in curfew-bound Kashmir was by and large peaceful during the day.
After restricting mobile telephone services, authorities have now snapped the landline connections to curb the violent protests.
“All 10 districts of Kashmir Valley continue to remain under curfew Sunday as a precautionary measure for maintaining law and order,” a police official said.
He said the decision to continue the curfew was taken to maintain law and order as one person was killed in fresh violence in Kupwara district Saturday.
Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in strength across the Valley for strict implementation of the prohibitory orders, the official said.
Official said that a total of 20 fresh companies (100 personnel in each) are being rushed to the Valley which will be in addition to 2,800 Central Reserve Police Force personnel which were sent to assist the state police last week.
“Some of the fresh units will exclusively render the task of road opening parties in order to secure the movement of security forces convoys,” a senior official said.
About 60 battalions (about 1,000 in personnel each) are already stationed in the state as part of counter insurgency grid.
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Maha: Girl brutally raped, killed
pti
Mumbai
A 15-year-old girl was brutally raped allegedly by three men who inflicted injuries all over her body and broke her limbs before throttling her in Kopardi village in Ahmednagar district, sparking outrage as well as political slug fest with the Congress demanding Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' resignation on 'moral grounds.'
All three accused, Jitendra Shinde, Santosh Bhaval and Nitin Dhailume, were arrested by the local crime branch after the incident occurred on July 13, police said Sunday.
The crime has sparked protests in Karjat taluka in Ahmednagar district, where villagers took to the streets demanding strict action against the accused.
According to police, the deceased was a student of class IX.
“The incident took place on July 13 between 6.45 pm and 7.30 pm when the 15-year-old victim was returning after meeting her grandfather. She was accosted by three persons, namely Jitendra Shinde, Santosh Bhaval and Nitin Dhailume, who gang raped her violently before throttling her to death. Both her shoulders were found to be dislocated,” Ahmednagar SP Saurabh Tripathi told PTI.
He said Shinde alias 'Pappu' was arrested on July 14 while the other two accused were held later.
Giving details about the incident, another police officer said in Ahmednagar that the trio were consuming liquor under a tree to celebrate purchase of a new motorcycle by Shinde when they saw the girl passing by.
“The complainant, Shivram Sudrik, stated that he saw Shinde with the girl who was lying behind a tree. The girl had wounds all over her naked body and blood was oozing from her nose.
“When he (Sudrik) tried to catch Shinde, the latter pushed him and fled. The villagers then rushed the girl to a public health centre in Kuldharan in the district, where the doctors declared her brought dead. Her autopsy was conducted on Thursday. As per the postmortem report, her limbs were found to be broken,” the officer said.
He said Shinde is a brick kiln worker and used to stalk the girl.
The accused were booked under IPC sections 376 (punishment for rape), 302 (murder) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The district collector has announced ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh to the family of the deceased and handed over a cheque.
The incident, which came to light ahead of the monsoon session of the state legislature beginning Monday has taken a political turn with Opposition Leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil Sunday demanding resignation of Fadnavis, who handles Home portfolio, on 'moral grounds.'
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S/C
Sheila injured in UP roadshow incident
PTI
Lucknow
Congress chief ministerial candidate for Uttar Pradesh Sheila Dikshit Sunday narrowly escaped with minor injuries after a makeshift platform on an open mini-truck collapsed during a roadshow here.
The 78-year-old Congress veteran lost her balance after the plank she was standing on gave way when the cavalcade was on its way to the party headquarters on Mall Avenue from the Amausi airport here.
Dikshit was extended a helping hand by other leaders present there and later shifted to a car, a senior party functionary said.
This was her first visit to the state capital after Congress declared her as its chief ministerial candidate for the crucial 2017 polls, considered a do-or-die battle for the party.
Congress chose Dikshit, a Brahmin, as its face for the polls considering “her strong credentials as chief minister of Delhi for three consecutive terms” to enable the party regain support of the electorally-sizeable community.
The Brahmin community, a traditional Congress vote bank, had shifted its allegiance to BJP in the advent of the Mandir-Mandal politics.
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90 days paid leave for victims of sexual harassment
PTI
New Delhi
Women central government employees who have filed complaints of sexual harassment can now get a paid leave of three months during the pendency of inquiry, the government has said.
The leave will be in addition to those already given to central government employees.
The move assumes significance as there have been complaints of accused trying to influence or threaten victims of sexual harassment in a few cases.
Leave up to a maximum of 90 days may be granted to an aggrieved female government servant during the pendency of inquiry, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said.
“The leave so granted to the aggrieved woman under this rule shall not be debited against the leave account,” it said.
This provision has been framed under the 'Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013' - a legislation mandated to provide protection to women against sexual harassment at work place.
Though the Act has the provision for grant of leave to the aggrieved woman up to a period of three months, the Union government had not yet incorporated it in the service rules that govern leave of its employees. The DoPT has now incorporated this provision in the Central Civil Services (leave) Rules, 1972.
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Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier's works, including the Indian city of Chandigarh which he planned in the 1950s, also among world heritage sites. Other Le Corbusier's works include The Complexe du Capitole in Chandigarh (India), the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo (Japan), the House of Dr Curutchet in La Plata (Argentina) and the Unite d'habitation in Marseille (France)
Chandigarh, Sikkim park in UNESCO's world heritage list
PTI
Delhi
UNESCO Sunday listed Chandigarh and Sikkim's national park home to the world's third highest peak Mount Khangchendzonga among its world heritage sites, approving all three nominations linked to India this session.
Sunday's approval is besides the archaeological site of Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) in Bihar entering the list at the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Istanbul.
The meeting had resumed for a day Sunday, after being suspended a day earlier due to a failed coup bid in Turkey which claimed over 260 lives.
The Paris-based body listed Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier's works, including the Indian city of Chandigarh which he planned in the 1950s - among its world heritage sites.
It said the 17 sites spread over seven countries are a “testimonial to the invention of a new architectural language that made a break with the past.”
“The Complexe du Capitole in Chandigarh (India), the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo (Japan), the House of Dr Curutchet in La Plata (Argentina) and the Unite d'habitation in Marseille (France) reflect the solutions that the Modern Movement sought to apply during the 20th century to the challenges of inventing new architectural techniques to respond to the needs of society.
“These masterpieces of creative genius also attest to the internationalisation of architectural practice across the planet,” it said in an official statement.
In another major recognition, Sikkim's Khangchendzonga National Park - home to the world's third highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga - made it to the list.
The Khangchendzonga National Park includes a unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers and spectacular, snow-capped mountains covered with ancient forests, including the worlds third highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga.
“Mythological stories are associated with this mountain and with a great number of natural elements (eg caves, rivers, lakes, etc) that are the object of worship by the indigenous people of Sikkim. The sacred meanings of these stories and practices have been integrated with Buddhist beliefs and constitute the basis for Sikkimese identity,” the statement said.
A World Heritage Site is a place (such as a building, city, complex, desert, forest, island, lake, monument, or mountain) that is listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as being of 'special cultural or physical significance.'
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