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Curfew re-imposed in Handwara April 18, 2016 17:37

The authorities have re-imposed Curfew in Handwara as protests flare up in varsities, including stone pelting. Earlier, for three hours, the curfew restrictions were lifted in the area. Anti-India slogans were raised by the protesters who threw stones at security forces. A senior police official said, “The curfew was immediately imposed in Handwara.” Even though the nearby Kupwara town was tense, there are no reports of clashes. On Monday, Students of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) in Awantipora and the Kashmir University in Srinagar held demonstrations. However, internet restrictions were taken off in the morning and normality is returning in the Kashmir Valley. Since Tuesday, students were protests the firing and killing of five civilians by security forces. IUST students who tried to hit the streets were stopped. These students demanded for action against all those responsible for the deaths of the civilians, raising anti-India slogans. Also read: Patidars agitation turned violent, curfew imposed On 12 April 2016, the valley was on the edge after the firing and killing of three civilians during during a demonstration. Following alleged molestation of a girl by Army people, protests sparked. However, it was denied by the girl of being harassed or molested by security personnel. An inquiry is going on over the Handwara killings, while a report is expected to submitted within a month. - Sumana

Dilip Kumar hospitalized due to respiratory problems April 16, 2016 15:09

Veteran actor Dilip Kumar was hospitalized due to complaints relating to respiration. According to sources, Kumar was admitted to Lilavati hospital in suburban Bandra. PTI quoted DrJalilParkar of Lilavati Hospital that, “I got a call that he was unwell. He had fever and had vomited a few times. He was suffering from pneumonia as well.His white blood cells had shot up. We thought it would be better to admit him to hospital.”Earlier, family sources had said that there is nothing to worry. Dilip Kumar (screen name) is a 93-year-old legendary actor born as Mohammad Yusuf Khan. In his six decades long career, the actor gave blockbusters like “Mughal—e—Azam”,“Ram AurShyam”, “Madhumati”, “Devdas”, “Ganga Jamuna”, “Karma” and others. The ‘Tragedy King’ played a doomed lover in films like “Andaz”, “Deedar”, “Jogan”, “Baabul”, “Mela”, and others. In 1998, he was last seen in “Qila”. In 2015, Kumar won Padma Vibhushan award, in 1991, he won Padma Bhushan and the DadasahebPhalke Award in 1994. -Sumana

Remove speed breakers from highways - order from road transport ministry April 15, 2016 18:11

The road transport ministry has ordered for the removal of all speed breakers from highways, to the state governments and agencies like NHAI, BRO and state PWDs. The removal of the speed breakers were ordered, citing them as safety hazard on the corridors of high speed, Moreover, the speed breakers would hinder smooth traffic movement. Details of the action were sought by the ministry by next Wednesday. Additionally, the ministry asked for the details of rumble strips laid with approval. As per the ministry-published, Road Accident Report (2014), 4,726 people lost their lives in crashes because of humps, while 6,672 people died because of accidents caused due to speed breakers and potholes. Also read: Second phase of Odd-even initiative begins in Delhi "This is undesirable, as the function of national highways is to facilitate movement of traffic. Speed breakers can be a source of serious hazards and accidents to the fast-moving traffic," said the ministry in its recent circular. K K Kapila, chairman of International Road Federation chairman, agreed that speed-breakers should not be there on highways, but they come up as highways pass through villages, allowing people to cross over to the other side. "We need to provide pedestrian and vehicular crossings to end this menace," he said. - Sumana

Second phase of Odd-even initiative begins in Delhi April 15, 2016 15:07

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Transport Minister Gopal Rai have made public appeals through twitter asking citizens to support the second phase of Odd-even vehicle rationing initiative that began this morning. The government appealed to public to follow provisions from the government matched by visible compliance from Delhi's citizens. The vehicular traffic volume reduced in the capital city not just due to the implementation of the odd even restriction scheme but also because of the occasion of Ram Navami. Mr. Kejriwal tweeted saying, "Odd even starts today. Lets all join hands and resolve to make it a success." Mr. Rai requested citizens to “follow the provisions of the scheme which aims to make Delhi "pollution and congestion free". Also read: Few exemptions from odd-even traffic restriction plan in Delhi Till 10:30 am, scant traffic was recorded by the Delhi Traffic Police on some of the most congested routes in Delhi like ITO, Ashram, C-Hexagon near India Gate, sections of the Ring Road, Azadpur and Laxmi Nagar. Mr. Rai has planned to board a DTC bus to be routed through many Central Delhi locations to witness the enforcement of the scheme in firsthand. - Sumana

Kashmir firing, curfew in Handwara town, 3 killed April 13, 2016 18:08

Due to a firing incident in Kupwara district of Jammu & Kashmir, the death toll rose to three. One more critically injured civilian, said the officials. Raja Begum, 54, who was admitted to the super specialty hospital, succumbed to a critical bullet injury, said the doctors at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar. Earlier, 21-year old Nayeem Bhat and twenty-two year old Muhammad Iqbal died after clashes erupted between a stone pelting mob and the security forces in Handwara town. The trouble began with locals alleging that an Army jawan molested a girl in the town. Due to further increase in the tension because of another death report, authorities have imposed curfew in Handwara town. After separatist leaders called for a valley-wide shutdown to protest Handwara firing, authorities imposed restrictions in six police station areas of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, MR Gunj, Safa Kadal and Maisuma in Srinagar city. Farooq Ahmad Lone Srinagar District magistrate said that the restrictions are not applicable to the Sikh community members. They are free to move about in restricted areas due to the Sikh festival of Baisakhi. - Sumana

All party meet in Kerala to discuss on fireworks display ban April 12, 2016 18:37

Kerala Government invited all parties to meet on 14 April 2016, to discuss about the fireworks display ban during festivities in worship places. Earlier, on 10 April, Kollam temple tragedy took lives of 109 people and left 350 people injured. Following a meeting with senior officials and doctors, the CM of Kerala, Oommen Chandy, announced Rs 20 crore funds towards relief and rehabilitation for the victims. As an immediate action, Rs 10 crore was given at the disposal of the Kollam District collector. April 10 fireworks tragedy happened at the century-old Putingal Devi temple at Paravur. After reaching consensus, the government of Kerala would develop a policy on fireworks at the meeting. The CM discussed about the requirements and various facilities being provided to the injured victims. Meanwhile, Kummanam Rajasekaran, the state president of BJP, opposed complete ban on fireworks display in worship areas. He said to media that crackers should be allowed with safety measures. Also read:Mallya must disclose all assets, tells SC Divya

Mallya must disclose all assets, tells SC April 07, 2016 15:06

Vijay Mallya was asked to inform when hewill appear before bench by 22 April by the Supreme Court, which also asked him to disclose all his assets.The court told Mallyato deposit a 'substantial amount' to 'prove his bonafide.' The liquor baron owes overRs 9,000 crores to nearly 17 banks.Mallya's counsel said it will inform about the businessman’s return to the country by 22 April. The court asked Mallya for honest disclosure of his Indian and foreign properties, both moveable and immovable. Properties owned by his wife and children are also to be disclosed. On Thursday, the State Bank of India (SBI) rejected the proposal of the liquor baron for the payment ofRs 4,000 crores by 30 September 2016. According to SBI, there is "no value in the offer". According to the sources aware of the development, Mallya was informed about the decision three days back. Mallya and his firms told the apex courtearlier that they can pay Rs 2,000 crore upfront and nearly Rs 2,000 crore by the send of September. The proposal was placed before the bench in a sealed envelope. The bench included Justices Kurian Joseph and R F Nariman. The bench asked SBI to check and respond to the proposal by 7 April 2016. -Sumana

Hema Malini slammed online for tweeting "senseless suicides" April 05, 2016 16:20

Just days after the suicide of Balika Vadhu actress Pratyusha Banerjee by hanging herself to the ceiling fan in her flat in Mumbai, Hema Malini tweeted saying, “senseless suicides achieve nothing”. The BJP lawmaker is being criticized online, as ‘insensitive’ for her tweets. Hema Malini wrote in twitter that, “One must learn to overcome all odds & emerge successful,not succumb under pressure & give up easily.The world admires a fighter not a loser.” “All these senseless suicides which achieve nothg! Life is God's gift for us to live not for us to take at will. We have no right to do that,” Malini wrote. Also read: Pratyusha Banerjee suicide, Short story but a painful one! A strong feed back bounced back to the actress for her choice of words. However, Hema Malini did not mention Pratyusha in her tweets. As a response to her comment, a Twitter user wrote that, "this is utterly insensitive, suicide may not be a solution but ranting about a deceased certainly doesn't make you look great." Also read: Balika Vadhu fame Pratyusha Banerjee commits suicide On 1 April 2016, Balika Vadhu Anandi, Pratyusha Banerjee, has committed suicide at Mumbai. She is known in the industry as a soft spoken girl and made her own space on screen. - Sumana

Bankers believe Vijay Mallya can afford to pay more! April 05, 2016 09:47

The State Bank of India-led consortium of bankers will most probably reject the Rs.4,000-crore loan payment offer from Vijay Mallya. Last week, the liquor baron offered a loan payment of Rs. 4,000 crore to banks by September 2016 to settle the Kingfisher Airlines’ dues. His lawyers informed the Supreme court that more Rs.2,000 crore would be paid, if Kingfisher wins a lawsuit seeking damages from a firm that makes plane engines. But, the consortium believes that he can afford to pay more. The total dues of the Kingfisher Airlines is nearly Rs.9,000 crore. The principal amount is Rs.6,903 crore. On the condition of anonymity, a top banker from a public sector bank said, “A settlement is arrived on mutually-agreed terms. Banks look into the capacity of a borrower when a settlement is contemplated. We would have even settled for less if Mr. Mallya does not have the capacity. But that is not the case.” Also read: Vijay Mallya offers loan payment of Rs. 4,000 crore by September Mr. Mallya’s offer was discussed by bankers over the weekend. They, however, did not respond yet in a formal way. On 7 April 2016 is the next hearing in the case. Adverse public opinion do not give a position to take a haircut in setting the dues, said the bankers. - Sumana

Arun Jaitley warns against unaccounted wealth abroad April 04, 2016 17:18

Reports are trending that few Indians have unaccounted wealth in tax havens. In this context, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, said that those who failed to declare any illegal assets abroad, through compliance window last year, would find "such adventurism extremely costly". Also read: Amitabh, Aishwarya among 500 Indians in Panama Papers list According to the minister, individuals would find it difficult to hide assets as the global initiatives will fall in place by 2017, to deal with unaccounted wealth abroad. Addressing the annual session of industry body CII, Jaitley said, "With G20 initiatives, FATCA and bilateral transactions in place with effect from 2017, the world is going to be a far more transparent institution and therefore, this kind of an adventurism will prove to be extremely costly for those who have indulged in it." His statement comes when, The Panama Papers are leaked by Indian Express!According to secret files, containing over 11 million documents of the law firm Mossack Fonseca, a list of individuals were out, who paid the firm to set up offshore entities in tax havens across the world. "I had come in for adverse comment including some of my friends here when in 2015 Budget we had announced a strong penal law against illegal assets abroad. At that stage I had said that those who committed mistakes in the past are getting last opportunity with a compliance window in place,” Finance Minister said. - Sumana

India’s fastest Gatimaan Express ready! April 02, 2016 15:52

Two year wait is over for the India’s fastest train. The “semi-bullet” Gatimaan Express is all set to go on tracks. It would be inaugurated on 5 April 2016. The only change is that the train would depart from HazratNizamuddin, instead of Delhi, and would reach Agra in 100 minutes. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will flag off the train from Rail Bhawan with remote control from 10am. Train will run proper commercially from 6 April 2016. Marking a landmark for India the train would achieve a top speed of 160 kmph. The 12049/50 Gatimaan Express is slated to run at 120kmph before the Tughlakabad-Agra section and would clock 160kmph speed from there. The fares of the train would be higher than that of a Shatabdi. The train will accommodate 12 executive class coaches as well as chair cars. However, it is not decided whether commercial booking should be allowed at the inaugural itself or the following day. According to a Railway Board member,“Rail Hosts and Hostesses” will be in the train. They will be dressed in a blue uniform that is designed especially for them. End-to-end passenger interface activities like ticket checking would be carried out by an appointed private sector provider. Passengers can also pick from a wide variety of food options like continental, Italian, Indian and others. -Sumana

Pay more to visit Historical monuments in India April 02, 2016 15:43

The government hiked three times the entry fee for monuments for domestic visitors and 100% for foreign visitors, effective Friday. It is applicable for 116 historical monuments, across the country, falling under the ASI. The change is applicable even for monuments like QutabMinar, Red Fort and Ajanta-Ellora caves. For a domestic visitor, the ticket price is now increased to Rs30 from Rs10. For foreign national, the entry fee is hiked to Rs500 from Rs250, for 32 ‘World Heritage Monuments’, according to a statement from the Culture Ministry. For other monuments, entry fee for domestic visitor has been increased to Rs15 from Rs5, while for foreigners it is increased to Rs200 from Rs 100. The statement said that,“The enhancement comes after a period of more than 15 years as the last increase took place in 2000...The enhanced rates are at par with entry fee at monuments abroad.” “Better facilities in the form of free bottled water, wi-fi connectivity, mementos and CDs with pictures and films of monuments would be offered to tourists purchasing high value tickets of Rs. 750 and Rs.300. This would also generate additional revenue for the government,” the statement said. -Sumana