Union Budget 2015: Highlights

NEW DELHI: Finance minister Arun Jaitley presented the first full-year Budget of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on Saturday.

Here are the highlights of the Union Budget 2015:

Fiscal deficit

* Fiscal deficit seen at 3.9 per cent of GDP in 2015/16

* Will meet the challenging fiscal target of 4.1 per cent of GDP

* Remain committed to meeting medium term fiscal deficit target of 3 per cent of GDP

* Current account deficit below 1.3 per cent of GDP

* Jaitley says have to keep fiscal discipline in mind despite need for higher investment

Growth

* GDP growth seen at between 8 per cent and 8.5 per cent y/y

* Aiming double digit growth rate, achievable soon

Inflation

* Expects consumer inflation to remain close to 5 per cent by March, opening room for more monetary policy easing

* Monetary policy framework agreement with the RBI clearly states objective of keeping inflation below 6 per cent

* "One of the achievements of my government has been to conquer inflation. This decline in my view represents a structural shift."

Revenues

* Revenue deficit seen at 2.8 per cent of GDP

* Non tax revenue seen at Rs 2.21 trillion

* Agricultural incomes are under stress

Disinvestment

* Government targets Rs 410 billion from stake sales in companies

* Total stake sale in 2015/16 seen at Rs 695 billion

Market reforms

* Propose to merge commodities regulator with SEBI

* To bring a new bankruptcy code

* Jaitley says will move to amend the RBI act this year, and provide for a monetary policy committee

* To set up public debt management agency

* Proposes to introduce a public contract resolution of disputes bill

* To establish an autonomous bank board bureau to improve management of public sector banks

Policy reforms

* To enact a comprehensive new law on black money

* Propose to create a universal social security system for all Indians

* To launch a national skills mission soon to enhance employability of rural youth

* To raise visa-on-arrival facility to 150 countries from 43

* Allocates Rs 346.99 billion for rural employment guarantee scheme

Borrowing

* Gross market borrowing seen at Rs 6 trillion

* Net market borrowing seen at Rs 4.56 trillion

General anti-avoidance rules (GAAR)

* Government defers rollout of anti-tax avoidance rules GAAR by two years

* GAAR to apply prospectively from April 1, 2017

* Retrospective tax provisions will be avoided

Taxation

* To abolish wealth tax

* Replaces wealth tax with additional 2 per cent surcharge on super rich

* Proposes to cut to 25 per cent corporate tax over next four years

* Corporate tax of 30 per cent is uncompetitive

* Net gain from tax proposals seen at Rs 150.68 billion

* Jaitley proposes modification of permanent establishment norms so that the mere presence of a fund manager in India would not constitute a permanent establishment of the offshore fund, resulting in adverse tax consequences.

* Proposes to rationalise capital gains tax regime for real estate investment trusts

* Expects to implement goods and services tax by April 2016

* To reduce custom duty on 22 items

* Basic custom duty on commercial vehicle doubled to 20 per cent

* Proposes to increase service tax rate and education cess to 14 per cent from 12.36 per cent

* Plans to introduce direct tax regime that is internationally competitive on rates without exemptions

* Exemptions for individual tax payers to continue

* To enact tough penalties for tax evasion in new bill

* Tax department to clarify indirect transfer of assets and dividend paid by foreign firms

Infrastructure

* Investment in infrastructure will go up by Rs 700 billion in 2015/16 over last year

* Plans to set up national investment infrastructure fund

* Proposes tax-free infrastructure bonds for projects in roads, rail and irrigation projects

* Proposes 5 "ultra mega" power projects for 4,000MW each

* Second unit of Kudankulam nuclear power station to be commissioned

* Will need to build additional 100,000km of road

* Ports in public sector will be encouraged to corporatise under Companies Act

Expenditure

* Plan expenditure estimated at about Rs 4.65 trillion

* Non-plan expenditure seen at about Rs 13.12 trillion

* Allocates Rs 2.46 trillion for defence spending

* Allocates Rs 331.5 billion for health sector

* If revenue improves, hope to raise budgeted allocations for rural job scheme by Rs 50 billion

Investment

* Propose to do away with different types of foreign investment caps and replace them with composite caps

* To allow foreign investment in alternative investment funds

* Public investment needed to catalyse investment

Gold

* To develop a sovereign gold bond

* To introduce gold monetisation scheme to allow depositors to earn interest

* To introduce Indian-made gold coin to reduce demand for foreign gold coins

Subsidies

* Food subsidy seen at Rs 1.24 trillion

* Fertiliser subsidy seen at Rs 729.69 billion

* Fuel subsidy seen at Rs 300 billion

* We are committed to subsidy rationalisation based on cutting leakages

Finance minister's comments

* "We inherited a sentiment of doom and gloom. The investment community had almost written us off. We have come a long way since then."

* "We have turned around the economy, dramatically restoring macroeconomic stability and creating the conditions for sustainable poverty elimination, job creation, durable double digit economic growth."

* "While being mindful of the challenges ... this gives us reason to feel optimistic."

* "Domestic and international investors are seeing us with renewed interest and hope."

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Dum Laga Ke Haisha

Spoiler alert! Please do not read the following plot summary if you have not seen the film.
PLOT SUMMARY
Prem Prakash Tiwari (Ayushmann Khurrana) listening to Kumar Sanu is the film's opening shot. Set in Haridwar, 1990s, the film captures the nascent feel of the town. Prem owns a cassette shop in the local market. His father is keen to get him hitched and the family goes to a local temple to meet Sandhya (Bhumi Pednekar). B.Ed, waiting for a teaching job, the most visible thing about her is her weight. Coming from a patriarchal cognitive set-up, she doesn't fit the quintessential idea of beautiful. And still, the school drop out Prem must marry her because he is incapable of attaining a girl with 'Juhi-Chawla-level-of-looks.' In an elaborate community-wedding ceremony, Prem and Sandhya get married. Their wedding night is uncomfortable with neither treading towards establishing conjugal relations. Prem has in his own reasons and the girl is naturally shy. Next morning on a call, she announces it to a friend and the whole family finds out.

Prem expresses his disinterest in the marriage very visibly. While his sister, aunt and mother bicker about his nonexistent sex life, the guy whisks off to the akhara. Friends and seniors poke fun of him and he tells them about his anguish. His trainer suggests that he must run away but that isn't an option for him.

Back home Sandhya tells her mother about her uneventful first night. Her mom suggests that she must entice him. Sandhya and Prem go to the local market where she buys appropriate clothes to get him attracted to her. On their way back, people known to Prem try to strike up a conversation with Sandhya but Prem drags her away. This irks her as she doesn't like being told what to do. The two go to a local library where Sandhya tells him that she cannot be restricted from mixing up with people.

At night as planned, a VCR is installed in their room and there's an English movie playing and in the heat of the moment, Sandhya and Prem officiate their relation.The next day Sandhya leaves for her mother's place and Prem is supposed to pick her up on the 4th of the month.

Their consummation might have thrilled Sandhya but Prem clearly doesn't echo that sentiment. He is depressed and shocked that others control his life. The only way he could have rebelled was in bed, something he fails due to the heat of the moment.

At work, Prem and his father discover the new CD system that plays clear music. Though the cost of it is very expensive and the duo Prem and his father discover the new CD system that plays clear music. Though the cost of it is very expensive and the duo reserve its installation for later.

Prem forgets to pick up Sandhya who loses her cool and begins eating alone. Prem comes to pick her up without finishing his dinner and gets hungry midway. The two stop for kachauri and she discovers he smokes. The two bond for the first time but on their way back, he again slips into the same mood.

Prem and Sandhya's relationship continues to remain strained. She had given him a list of songs to be put together which Prem doesn't do. Over time, her frustration shows. When Prem's aunt brings up a petty topic, the two have a heated exchange of words and she tells them how he doesn't treat her well. The two fight over songs where he puts Kumar Sanu songs and she puts her songs.

Amidst all this a close friend of Prem's gets married. He and Sandhya go for the ceremony where due to excessive drinking and jealous of his friend's pretty wife, he says that sleeping with her feels like hell. Sandhya hears that and slaps him infront of his friends and he slaps her back.

Next morning at home, it's a big issue and his father is all ready to hit him with his sandals. Sandhya, with her ego bruised goes back home. She blames her father-in-law that he didn't educate him enough that he knows how to respect women and people in general.

When she returns home, there is a ruckus. Her mother tries to pacify her that she must return to her husband. But she is headstrong. She doesn't feel marriage has changed anything for her and she can be by herself. Locking herself in a room, she pours her heart out.

Back at her husband's, they try to talk sense to Prem but he decides on channelizing his energy into studying. Trying to clear his English paper again, he enrolls for the exam. His akhara friends too give up on him. Ostracized after being abandoned by his wife, the akhara people and he engage in a verbal squabble and they throw him out of the group.

On the workfront, a competing shop opens up which will sell CD clarity music in market. His family, talks to the family that owns the other shop and it turns out that it's owned by the same akhara friend of his the squabble with whom ended him out of the group. They begin discussing their issues and the guy challenges Prem to mend things with his wife participate in the Dum Laga Ke Haisha contest and win it against him. The contest entails him picking his wife on his shoulders and running a race.

Meanwhile, Sandhya reaches out to a divorce lawyer and files for it. The families are shocked. Prem's mother even falls grievously ill. The court decides that the two must spend 6 months with each other and try to work it out after which if they still want a divorce, the two will separated.

Prem brings Sandhya back home but the two are still distant. Sandhya realizes that Prem is studying English and she tries to rectify his language but the latter doesn't take her advice kindly and she backs off. Prem goes for his exam and writes in Hindi.

Back home, Sandhya cooks for the family but when Prem returns he has an out-of-the-blue emotional outburst and tries to kill himself. The teacher who received his answer paper comes home as he had confessed of his plan to end his life, in his exam sheet.

Both Prem and Sandhya break down that night and Prem earnestly apologizes to her. It is the first time, Sandhya tells him that she did love him but he never gave her a chance.

Prem begins softening towards Sandhya. Taking her for her job interview and bringing her the cassette she had asked for, there is warmth in their relationship. Sandhya informs him that she has landed a job in Meerut. Prem feels the first pang of losing her but doesn't act on it.

Prem decides to sell off their shop as he is sure that they will lose out to the other music store in the neighbourhood. A guy comes and measures the place.

His aunt gets a call from her estranged in-laws who inform her that her husband has passed away. After years of separation, it still matters to her and she scrambles. The day for the Dum Laga Ke Haisha contest arrives and the family again pursues both Prem and Sandhya to participate. They eventually relent and go for it. Kumar Sanu is the guest of honour and somehow, through the highs and lows of the race and their surprise win, Sandhya asks Prem to not let her go and he runs back home with her. In the final shot, the two kiss.

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Budget 2015: Concessions for individual taxpayers

NEW DELHI: Not changing the income tax rates or increasing the exemption limits for individuals, union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday proposed increasing the range of tax deductible investments/ spend.

Presenting the budget proposals for 2015-16 in the Lok Sabha, Jaitley said the government is proposing to rationalise various tax exemptions and incentives to reduce tax disputes and improve tax administration.

The proposals mentioned by the finance minister made clear the government's focus on enlarging the tax-exempt investments/spend.

Jaitley said the proposals would result in tax deductions to the tune of around Rs.440,000 crore.

Jaitley said in order to encourage savings and to promote health care among individual tax payers, it is proposed to increase the limit of deduction on account of health insurance premium from Rs.15,000 to Rs.25,000 -- for senior citizens this limit is to be increased from Rs.20,000 to Rs.30,000.

For senior citizens above the age of 80 years -- who are not eligible to avail of health insurance -- deduction will be allowed for medical expenses up to Rs.30,000.

The deduction limit of Rs.60,000 on expenditure on account of specified diseases -- like cancer -- will be enhanced to Rs.80,000 in the case of senior citizens.

The minister also proposed additional deduction of Rs.25,000 for differently-abled persons, increasing the limit from Rs.50,000 to Rs.75,000.

It is also proposed to increase the limit of tax deduction from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.1.25 lakh in case of severe disability.

According to Jaitley, investment in Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme will be eligible for deduction under section 80C of the income tax and any payment from the scheme shall not be liable to tax.

Limit on deduction on account of contribution to a pension fund and the new pension scheme is proposed to be increased from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.1.5 lakh. Additional deduction of Rs.50,000 will be allowed for contribution to the new pension scheme under section 80 CCD of Income Tax Act -- increasing the exemption from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.1.5 lakh.

Jaitley also doubled the transport allowance exemption to Rs.1,600 per month.

According to him, the details of tax deductions proposed are as follows:

Deduction u/s 80C - Rs.150,000; Deduction u/s 80CCD - Rs.50,000; Deduction on account of interest on house property loan (Self-occupied property) - Rs.200,000; Deduction u/s 80D on health insurance premium - Rs.25,000; Exemption of transport allowance - Rs 19,200; Total - Rs.444,200

Reacting to the budget proposals, Prashant Khatore, tax partner, Ernst and Young told IANS: "The finance minister is connecting various proposals to the Make In India programme. Though there is no change in personal income tax rates, the corporate tax rate has been proposed to be brought down to 25 percent over a four-year period."

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Pakistan army chief warns India ahead of Jaishankar's visit

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's powerful army chief General Raheel Sharif on Thursday warned India of a "befitting response" to alleged provocation along the Line of Control (LoC), just days before the arrival of foreign secretary S Jaishankar here.

"Repeated Indian ceasefire violations on the Working Boundary and the LoC in recent past was a distraction for Pakistan from campaign versus terrorism and it affects regional stability," a statement issued by the military qouted Sahrif as saying.

"Let there be no doubt that any provocation along LOC and Working Boundary will meet a befitting response," he said.

READ ALSO: Pakistan targets BSF posts, civilian areas in overnight firing at J&K border

The statement came just days before the crucial visit of Jaishankar to the country.

READ ALSO: Jaishankar to begin 'Saarc yatra' from Sunday, in Pak on March 3

Military spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said that the army chief visited areas affected by recent Indian firing near Sialkot and met troops and local residents.

"Nation united in defence of motherland," Sharif said. Pakistan and India have traded heavy fire in the area in recent months.

A woman displays mortar shells allegedly fired from the Pakistani side of the border, at a village in Arnia sector of Jammu (PTI Photo)

Jaishankar will arrive here on a two-day visit on March 3, seven months after India cancelled foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan.

India broke off foreign secretary-level talks in August last at the eleventh hour because the Pakistan high commissioner in New Delhi held consultations with Kashmiri separatists.

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Sreesanth was attacked with knife in jail: Family

KOCHI: Former Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth was attacked with a knife while he was in jail after being arrested for his alleged involvement in IPL spot-fixing in 2013, his family said on Friday. He is currently facing trial in a Delhi court.

His sister's husband Madhu Balakrishnan made this revelation to the media here.

"After he (Sreesanth) returned home following 26 days in Tihar jail in May 2013, he revealed this," said Balakrishnan, a popular playback singer.

"He told us that while he was walking inside the jail compound, a known history sheeter suddenly jumped before him, brandishing a very sharp knife... He (Sreesanth) reacted and in the melee, the attacker injured his hand and was taken away by the jail staff," said Balakrishnan.

Balakrishnan said the family does not intend to turn this into any controversy nor are they planning to take this forward.

The temperamental speedster, while playing for his franchise Rajasthan Royals, was arrested on charges of alleged match fixing in the Indian Premier League in 2013 and is out on bail.

Delhi Police invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Sreesanth and the trial has now been completed in a court in Delhi. The verdict is expected to be pronounced early next month. Sreesanth has already expressed confidence that the court will absolve him of the charges.

Read this in Hindi: श्रीशांत पर तिहाड़ जेल में चाकू से हुआ था हमलाः परिवार

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PM Narendra Modi: MNREGA will continue, it is living example of Congress's failure

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi said on Friday that his government is trying to address "old" problems which it had inherited from the previous government.

The Prime Minister was speaking on the motion of thanks to the President's Address in the Lok Sabha.

Replying to the charge that the NDA government is just changing the name of old schemes, the PM said that "some people have said that the government is just changing names of old schemes. But the issue is not about names of schemes, the issue is about development."

"We must rise above what should be the name of project and see to it that issue is addressed," the PM said.

The PM also said that the opposition should feel happy that in some areas, both the government and opposition agree on policy and measures.

"The debate has been very good. Many MPs expressed their thoughts and several MPs sent their views in writing as well," the PM said.

On a lighter note, the PM said that "when Mulayam Singhji spoke about Assi Ghat cleanliness, I was confused if he was giving report of UP government or Centre".

"I had said from the Red Fort, that this nation has come ahead due to the efforts of every government," PM Modi added.

Here is the highlights of the PM's speech:

*Governments come and go. Nation is made by the people, their strength and their Samarth.

*Congress has never had such a low number of seats in the Parliament in the history of India

*I don't claim that whatever work has been done was done in 9 months only.

*Corruption has ruined our nation & corruption shouldnt be talked of in context of politics, that makes in into a "tu tu mai mai" format.

*MNREGA will continue, it is living example of Congress's failure.

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Rail Budget 2015: Highlights

NEW DELHI: Railway minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday presented his first Rail Budget.

Here are the highlights of the Rail Budget 2015:

*No increase in railway passenger fares.

*17000 more toilets to be replaced by bio-toilets: Suresh Prabhu

*An All India 24-7 helpline number will become operational: Suresh Prabhu

*A mobile application to address complaints of people is also being developed:

*Operation 5 minutes to ensure that a passenger travelling unreserved can purchase a ticket within 5 minutes

*The facility of e-ticketing will help us to go paper less

*SMS alert services for passengers to inform them about arrival and departure of trains

*Modern facilities for disabled citizens, senior citizens, patients through IRCTC

*24 to 26 coaches in certain identified trains, more general class coaches, ladders to be replaced

*In 400 stations wi-fi facility will be provided

* Rs 8.5 lakh crore will be invested in Railways in next 5 years

* Cleanliness in Railways highest priority under Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat

* Plans to building partnerships to gain long term financing and improve connectivity, modernise infrastructure

* Introduction of integrated ticketing will be done, a Defence travel system has been developed to make travel easier

* Mobile application to address complaints of people is also being developed

* This year itself replacement of 17000 more toilets by bio-toilets

* Surveillance cameras on select mainline and ladies compartments

* A1 category stations will be given the facility of Wi-Fi

* 67% more funds allotted for passenger amenities

* Rs 1,000 Nirbhaya Fund, which was lying idle so far, will finally board a train to provide women's safety

* Satellite railway terminals in 10 major cities

* Investment 84% higher, 77 new projects

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Rail Budget 2015: No fare hike, no new trains, but more investment

NEW DELHI: Railway minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday spared passengers from any hike in fares but made changes in freight rates to rake in more money while ruling out privatisation.

Presenting the first full-fledged Rail Budget of the Modi government for 2015-16, he made adjustments in freight rates that exempted salt but would hike rates on carriage of cement, coal and coke, iron or steel and petroleum products.

The budget also revised the commodity classification and distance slabs for carriage of commodities that can raise freight rates upto 10 per cent in some of the items.

The minister did not project any figures that will accrue out of the adjustment in freight rates to be effective from April 1 this year.

"I have not increased passenger fares. We are directing our efforts to make travel on Indian railways a happy experience with a mix of various initiatives," he said as he laid out 11 major thrust areas of railways in the coming financial year.

He did not announce any new trains, saying on the ground that a review was on about the capacity to add more trains which will be announced after the review is over.

READ ALSO: Find all Rail Budget 2015 stories here

Rail Budget: 15 passenger friendly announcements

Against the backdrop of talk of privatisation of railways, the minister said railways will continue to be a precious national asset and people of India will own railways always.

In the hour-long speech, Prabhu unveiled the thrust areas as the national carrier to become the prime mover of economy again, resource mobilisation for higher investments, decongestion of heavy routes and speeding up of trains, passenger amenities and safety.

Outlining the budget estimates for the coming year, he proposed a plan outlay of Rs 1,00,011 crore, an increase of 52 per cent over revised estimate of 2014-15. Passenger earnings growth has been pegged at 16.7 per cent and earnings target budgeted at Rs 50,175 crore.

Goods earnings is accordingly proposed at Rs 1,21,423 crore, which includes rationalisation of rates, commodity classification and distance slabs.

Other coaching and sundries are projected at Rs 4612 crore and Rs 7318 crore. Gross traffic receipts are estimated at Rs 1,83,578 crore, a growth of 15.3 per cent.

Prabhu said over the next five years, Railways envisage an investment of Rs 8.5 lakh crore for which a broad indicative investment plan has been prepared.

"But the scale of investment needs is such that it will require us to seek multiple sources of funding. We will tap other sources of finance. Multilateral development banks and pension funds have expressed keen interest in financing new investments.

"They seek sources of predictable and recurring revenue, which we can provide through the issuance of long debt instruments to fund revenue-generating railway projects," the Minister said.

The 11 thrust areas include cleanliness, new toilets covering 650 new stations, bio-toilets, national fashion technology to design bed linen, online disposal of bed rolls, and 24x7 helpline number for security related complaints.

An 'Operation five minutes' will be introduced for issuing unreserved tickets besides other initiatives like hot buttons, coin vending machines and concessional e-tickets for differently-abled passengers.

E-catering will be launched for select meals from an array of choices, ordering food through IRCTC websites at the time of booking tickets and integrating best food chains into the project.

The rail minister set four goals to transform the national transporter over the next five years. These include delivery of a sustained and measurable improvement in customer experience and to make rail a safer means of travel.

It also includes expansion of railways' capacity substantially and modernise infrastructure (increasing daily passenger carrying capacity from 21 million to 30 million; increase track length by 20 per cent from 1,14,000 kms to 1,38,000 kms; growth of annual freight carrying capacity from 1 billion to 1.5 billion tonnes).

Making the railways financially self-sustainable is also one of the goals. For this, large surpluses are to be generated from operations, not only to service the debt needed to fund capacity expansion, but also to invest on an ongoing basis to replace depreciating assets, Prabhu said.

Giving details of investments segment-wise, he earmarked Rs 1,99,320 crore for network decogestion, including DFC and electrification.

Rs 1,93,000 crore were earmarked for network expansion, Rs 39000 crore for national projects (North Eastern and Kashmir connectivity projects) and Rs 1,27,000 for safety (track renewal, bridge works, road overbridge, road underbridge, and signalling and telecom).

Rs 5000 crore was allocated for information technology/ research, Rs 1,02,000 crore for rolling stock (locomotives, coaches, wagons production and maintenance), Rs 12,500 crore for passenger amenities, Rs 65,000 crore for high speed rail and elevated corridor, Rs 1,00,000 crore for station redevelopment and logistic parks.

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Rail Budget 2015: 10 things you should not miss

NEW DELHI: Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu presented his Rail Budget in Lok Sabha on Thursday. Here are 10 things which you should know about the Rail Budget.

(1) No increase in passenger fares

(2) SMS alert service to be introduced on train arrival/ departure; CCTVs to be introduced in select trains and suburban trains for women safety.

(3) 'Operation 5-minute' to ensure ticketless passenger get regular ticket within five minute of entering station

(4) Rail-cum-road ticket to be extended to many stations; more trains to be added under scheme for ordering food while booking tickets

(5) More general class coaches to be added in identified trains; more AC EMU services for Mumbai suburban section.

(6) Toll free number 182 created for security related complaints

(7) Disposable linen on payment to be available at all stations.

(8) Railway helpline number 138 will become operational 24x7

(9) Railways to partner with private sector, PSUs and multilateral funding institutions

(10) Open Wi-Fi to be available at 400 railway stations; proposal to revamp the station re-development scheme.

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Parents' name in documents: PM Modi seeks clarification from law ministry

HYDERABAD: Forget the 'aam aadmi', even the voice of the Prime Minister appears to have little weight in this country!

Chew on this: On August 11, 2014, PM Narendra Modi posed a question to the Union ministry of law and justice on the floor of Lok Sabha. Six months and 13 days later, the question still remains unanswered.

So, what did he ask? According to the Lok Sabha website, the six-part unstarred question (No. 4604) pertained to the inclusion of parents' name in documents. While Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who then held the law and justice portfolio too along with communication and information technology, did respond to the query as per protocol and stated that "information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House". The question, thereafter, seems to have been conveniently forgotten.

An unstarred question is one which is not called for oral answer in the House and on which no supplementary questions can consequently be asked. A written answer is laid on the Table after the Question Hour by the minister to whom it is addressed. (Source: Parliament of India website)

Apart from Narendra Modi, the same question was, incidentally, also raised by Trinamool Congress MP (from Bishnupur in West Bengal), Saumitra Khan.

"Imagine the plight of a country where even the Prime Minister's question goes unanswered. What would then be the fate of questions raised by ordinary members?" asked Rakesh Dubbudu, RTI activist and founder of 'Factly', the online portal (aimed at making public data meaningful) that first brought this issue to light.

When TOI contacted the Union law ministry, its officials confirmed that the PM's question was indeed still pending, and passed the buck to the committee of government assurances (CGA). "There is a procedure that is followed with every question. Once the minister concerned gives his/her assurance, the matter is referred to the CGA. The matter is pending there," said an official dealing with the issue.

An additional director with CGA, on condition of anonymity, added, "After three months, the usual time-frame for filing a response, the law ministry sought an extension of three months. I think they will seek yet another extension now as the 'assurance' is yet to implemented."

As per procedure, once 'implemented' (or information sought through a question gathered) the details are forwarded to the parliamentary affairs ministry, which in turn, lays it on the Table of the House. In some cases, the CGA official revealed, the response is filed post the lapse of one year or more!

"Yes, the reply to the question is still awaited," Trinamool MP Khan confirmed, adding, "Maybe I will raise the issue in Parliament on Wednesday."

According to Dubbudu, it is very rare for the leader of the House to ask a question. He claims that Dr Manmohan Singh, when he was leader of the Rajya Sabha between 2004 and 2014, never asked a single question.

PM's QUESTIONNAIRE

(A) Whether it is mandatory to write the name of the father while writing the full name of an individual in government documents

(B) If so, the details thereof and state the provision of relevant law

(C) Whether an individual can write the name of his /her mother, instead of father, in government document

(D) If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the provision of law

(E) Whether the government proposes to enact/amend relevant law to enable the citizens to write the name of the mother or father, as per the wish of an individual

(F) If so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be amended?

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US to provide work permits to spouses of H-1B visa holders from May 26

WASHINGTON: The US on Wednesday announced that it will provide work permits to spouses of H-1B visa holders beginning May 26, a move that is expected to benefit thousands of talented and professional Indian spouses who come to America but are unable to work.

Under existing laws, spouses of H-1B visa holders, many of whom are Indians, are not eligible to work.

READ ALSO: Obama assures Modi on concerns over H-1B visa issue

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting applications for work visas from H-1B spouses on May 26.

Once USCIS approves the 'Form I-765' and the H-4 dependent spouse receives an Employment Authorisation Card, he or she may begin working in the United States.

READ ALSO: Obama greenlights high-skilled immigration; relief for H-1B visa holders, spouses, students

USCIS estimates the number of individuals eligible to apply for employment authorization under this rule could be as high as 179,600 in the first year and 55,000 annually in subsequent years. The move has been welcomed by Indian- Americans.

South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) in a statement applauded the US government for announcing that it will extend work authorisation, effective May 26, 2015, to some H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B visa holders who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.

During his visit to India in January, Obama told PM Modi that his administration would be in touch with the Indian government on issues related to H-1B visas.

The USCIS, in a statement, said the Department of Homeland Security is extending the eligibility for employment authorization (EAD) to certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B non-immigrants who are seeking employment based Permanent Residency.

READ ALSO: US asked to allow more H-1B visas and green cards to Indian IT professionals and doctors

Eligible individuals include certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B non-immigrants (principal H1B worker) who are the beneficiaries of an approved 'Form I-140', Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, or satisfy at least one or more of the three conditions.

The conditions include that the principal H1B worker has an approved 'I-140' or is currently on an extended H1B status beyond the 6-year limitation based upon an I-140 petition application pending for at least 365 days (one calendar year)

READ ALSO: US gets 1.7 lakh H1B visa applications, lottery decides fate

"This decision is going to directly affect many of our life members as they would now be able to join the professional workforce and chase the 'American Dream'," the Telugu Association of North America said in a statement.

Recent State Department figures show that approximately 76 per cent of those who received H-4 status in 2013 were from South Asian countries.

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AAP govt announces 50% cut in power tariff; 20,000 litres of free water

NEW DELHI: Acting on its poll promises, AAP government on Wednesday announced a reduction in power tariff.

"Families using power till 400 units per month will get it on half the price," deputy CM Delhi Manish Sisodia announced in a press conference.

"Those families using more than 400 units per month will have to pay the entire bill," Manish Sisodia added.

This will be effective from the March 1, Manish Sisodia said.

The reduction in power tariff will benefit 90% families in Delhi, Sisodia said.

The government had allocated Rs 70 crore for this subsidy for a month. From April 1, the budget allocation for this scheme will be Rs 1,427 crore per annum.

Manish Sisodia also said that the Delhi government will provide 20,000 litres of free water per month to every household.

READ ALSO: Costs rise for AAP's 50% free power pledge in Delhi

Why do parties promise free power, Modi asks

In its manifesto, AAP had promised to cut power tariff by 50 per cent immediately after coming to power and said the rates will be revised based on the findings of the CAG audit.

Earlier in the day, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal met Comptroller and Auditor General Shashi Kant Sharma and discussed the status of scrutiny of finances of the private power distribution companies by the auditor which was ordered by the AAP government during its first stint.

Sources said Kejriwal conveyed to Sharma his government's view on the CAG audit of the finances of the discoms and its plans to review the electricity tariff after the findings of the audit.

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Chris Gayle hits first-ever World Cup double hundred

NEW DELHI: West Indies opener Chris Gayle became the first batsman to score a double century in a World Cup innings when he reached the landmark against Zimbabwe in a Pool B clash in Canberra on Tuesday.

Scorecard | List of top-10 knocks in ODIs

The 35-year-old left-hander hit Tendai Chatara for a boundary in the 46th over of the West Indies innings to reach the mark in 138 balls.

Full Coverage: ICC World Cup 2015

It was also only the fifth double century in all ODI cricket and the first by a non-Indian, with Rohit Sharma (two), Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag the only other batsmen to achieve the feat.

The West Indian coincidentally scored his double century exactly on the day when master blaster hammered first ever ODI double ton five years ago in 2010 against South Africa in Gwalior.

Highest all-time individual scores in World Cup:

215 Chris Gayle vs Zimbabwe in 2015

188* Gary Kirsten vs UAE in 1996

183 Sourav Ganguly vs Sri Lanka in 1999

181 Viv Richards vs Sri Lanka in 1987

175* Kapil Dev vs Zimbabwe in 1983

Gayle was eventually got out off the last ball of the innings, having faced 147 balls, with 10 fours and 16 sixes with his team on 372-2.

The dashing southpaw also shared the record of hitting maximum sixes, 16, in an ODI innings with Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers.

Gayle was involved in the world record partnership for any wicket with Marlon Samuels as the duo shared 372-run stand for the second wicket.

Gayle and Marlon Samuels, who scored a century himself, surpassed the 331 shared by India's Rahul Dravid and Tendulkar against New Zealand at Hyderabad (Deccan) in 1999.

Here is a look at the records broken by Chris Gayle:

* First batsman to score a double hundred at World Cup.

* Fastest ODI double hundred off 138 balls. Virender Sehwag was the previous fastest off 140 balls.

* Fourth batsman to score ODI double hundred.

* Equals the record for most sixes an innings - Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers' 16.

* Stitched the highest partnership in ODIs ever. Overtaking Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar's 331.

* Highest individual score at World Cups. Overtaking Gary Kirsten's 188 vs UAE.

* Registers the third highest individual score in ODIs ever. He is behind Rohit Sharma's 264 and Sehwag's 219.

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Bank staff get 15% hike, 6 monthly offs

The author has posted comments on this articleTNN | Feb 24, 2015, 05.19AM IST

The revision will result in an increased outgo of Rs 4,724 crore for banks. 

MUMBAI: Branches of public sector banks, the RBI and insurance companies will be shut alternate Saturdays and will work full time on all other days according to the terms of an agreement between employee unions and the Indian Banks Association. Following a breakthrough in negotiations, which resulted in a 15% wage hike for bank employees, unions have withdrawn a call for a four-day strike beginning February 25.

"Keeping branches shut on alternate Saturdays will help cut down costs. It will also improve the work-life balance for employees, which in turn increases productivity," said M V Tanksale, chief executive, Indian Banks Association. This would result in a small reduction in weekly working hours as a full-day shift is 6.5 hours as against four hours on a Saturday.

M V Murali, convenor, United Forum of Bank Employees, said that wage revision has been settled with effect from November 2012. The revision will result in an increased outgo of Rs 4,724 crore for banks.

READ ALSO: Govt to infuse Rs 6,990 crore in 9 public sector banks, SBI leads the pack

According to Tanksale, all banks are in a position to make this payout as they have been making provisions for a 13-15% hike from their profits since last year. The revision would also result in increased payout to pensioners.

READ ALSO: MEA allows passbooks of private banks as address proof

Following the chief labour commissioner's suggestions, the IBA and bank unions met in Mumbai on Monday to find an amicable solution and avert a strike. Bankers said the hike was lower than the 17.5% in previous agreement.

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SpiceJet launches holi sale; bookings start at Rs 1,699

The author has posted comments on this articleTNN | Feb 24, 2015, 10.26AM IST

SpiceJet's Q3 loss widens in battle to stay afloat

NEW DELHI: Budget carrier SpiceJet on Tuesday launched another discounted ticket scheme, offering fares starting at Rs 1,699 all-in for domestic Rs 3,799 all-in for international flights.

The bookings for the three-day offer - "colour the skies" sale in celebration of Holi - commenced on Tuesday.

The bookings will close at midnight on February 26.

READ ALSO: SpiceJet offers tickets cheaper than train fares

Low-fare race: SpiceJet offers half million seats

Tickets on routes like Hyderabad to Vijayawada, Delhi to Dehradun, Guwahati to Kolkata, Ahmedabad to Mumbai, and Bangalore to Hyderabad all are priced at Rs 1699 all-in.

International flights start as low as Rs 3,799 all-in for Delhi to Kathmandu, with discounted fares available on most other international routes too.

The travel period covered in this sale is from March 01 till April 20, 2015. The sale offer is applicable on all direct and onward flights on SpiceJet's domestic and international network, the airline said.

A total of 1,00,000 seats are available on sale.

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Rahul Gandhi on sabbatical, wants to ‘sack many senior Congress leaders’

NEW DELHI: The absence of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on the first day of the Budget session on Monday invited criticism from the NCP and BJP, which took a dig at the Congress saying that it has been reduced to 44 seats in Lok Sabha due its leaders skipping the Parliament in the last decade.

According to NDTV, the Congress vice-president is unhappy with lobbies around his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Quoting unnamed sources, the channel also reported that Rahul Gandhi wants to sack many Congress general secretaries and state unit chiefs.

Congress ally NCP also took a jibe with its leader Praful Patel saying that all, especially leaders, should take Parliament very seriously to voice the needs of the people.

Gandhi has gone on a sabbatical "for a few weeks" to reflect upon recent events and the future of the Congress.

Without taking Gandhi's name, BJP's youth wing chief and MP Anurag Thakur said the Congress has been reduced to 44 seats in the Lok Sabha due to the absence of its leaders in the Parliament in the last one decade.

"They were missing in the last two Lok Sabhas as well. And this is why the Congress has come to 44 seats in Lok Sabha," he told reporters when asked about Gandhi's absence.

READ ALSO: Rahul Gandhi on sabbatical ahead of Budget session

Thakur said that though it is for the Congress to decide on what it wants to do, he feels that it would have been better if all participated in the discussions in the two Houses of Parliament.

Union minister Kalraj Mishra also said that leaders from all parties should be present at the start of Budget session. He, however, added that there could have been some compulsion because of which Gandhi could not come.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily, when asked by reporters to comment on Gandhi's absence, said his party would continue to function as an effective and constructive opposition under the guidance of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Land acquisition ordinance: Anna Hazare vows to fight Modi govt's 'anti-farmer' bill

NEW DELHI: Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Monday launched his protest at Jantar Mantar against the ordinance on Land Acquisition Bill.

Terming the Narendra Modi-led government's Land Acquisition Bill as "ant-farmer" Anna Hazare vowed to fight it. The move is bound to spell trouble for the present government which is keen on pushing the ordinance.

"BJP went for an ordinance on land acquisition which is not in favour of democracy," Anna said.

BLOG: Land Ordinance imbroglio: Making sense of the conundrum

In response to a query on whether AAP leader Kumar Vishwas was joining his agitation, Anna Hazare said, "If people from parties come on our stage then people would think that it's a party protest."

The social activist also today hinted at a bigger agitation at the Ramlila ground if the Narendra Modi government did not heed to his demands on the issue.

Hazare said the two-day protest will be followed by a three to four month long 'padyatra' across the country to make people aware of the "anti-farmer" provisions made by the Centre in the ordinance.

"If the government doesn't take the ordinance back, then the people will also continue with their agitation. The activists will make aware the farmers (of the amendments). There is a chance that farmers from across the country will gather at the Ramlila Maidan in the next three-four months," he said.

77-year-old Hazare has been highly critical of the Modi government for making certain changes in the Land Acquisition Act through an ordinance.

On December 29 last year, the government had recommended promulgation of an ordinance making significant changes in the Land Acquisition Act including removal of consent clause for acquiring land for five areas of industrial corridors, PPP projects, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and defence.

A group of farmers who began marching from Haryana's Palwal on Friday are joining Hazare at the venue on Monday to demand withdrawal of amendments to the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

READ ALSO: Good days only for industrialists: Anna Hazare

Hazare had repeatedly lashed out at the BJP-led government for removing provisions which provided taking the farmers' consent before acquiring their land.

Hazare to meet Kejriwal over Land ordinance

Anna Hazare and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet in Delhi on Monday in the backdrop of the agitation against the Land ordinance.

The meeting will take place at the New Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi, Hazare's aide Dutta Awari said.

The government is bringing a new bill to replace the land ordinance amid stiff opposition from non-NDA parties in Parliament and outside.

The Land Acquisition Act, 2013 stipulates mandatory consent of at least 70 per cent of land owners for acquiring land for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects and 80 per cent for acquiring land for private companies.

In December last, the government had promulgated the ordinance making significant changes in the Land Act including removal of consent clause for acquiring land for five areas - industrial corridors, PPP projects, rural infrastructure, affordable housing and defence.

Kumar Vishwas to meet Anna Hazare

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kumar Vishwas will be also be meeting Anna Hazare on Monday over the issue of Land Ordinance Bill.

However, the party is still undecided over joining the protest against the bill.

Land acquisition ordinance: Govt. trying to please corporates, alleges Congress

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said it is extremely unfortunate that the BJP-led government issued the land acquisition ordinance without consulting anybody, and added this shows that the Centre is trying to please the corporates.

"They have already issued the ordinance without consulting anybody and we stand that the earlier action should be implemented. It is unfortunate that the government immediately, after the session is over, they issued the ordinance," Kharge told the media.

"It means that they are with the corporates. They are with the companies just to please them, to get more investment in the name of this land acquisition act," he added.

Kharge said the land acquisition ordinance is not in the interest of the farmers.

"It is not good what they have issued. So, we are jointly fighting and all others are also agreeing on the same point. So, we will take that issue when it comes up in the Parliament," he added.

The Congress leader further said that his party would very soon decide on extending support to veteran social activist Anna Hazare, who will sit on a protest at the Jantar Mantar here against the ordinance on Land Acquisition Bill.

"I can say that Anna Hazare is supporting our Act because this Act has enacted earlier and we expressed our reservation for this. Therefore, it is the good thing. Anna Hazare is also taking the same thing," he added.

Union parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu earlier in the day said that he has sought the Congress's cooperation for smooth functioning of the Parliament ahead of the budget session.

"I apprised Congress president of the need to allow the Parliament to function and sought the cooperation of Congress. The Congress president told me that they are also interested in allowing the Parliament to function but they have some issues they would want to raise," he said.

Naidu further said that the government is willing to discuss any issue raised by the opposition.

The budget session of Parliament began on Monday with President Pranab Mukherjee's address to members of both the houses of Parliament.

The budget session contains 44 items of financial, legislative and non-legislative business.

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Rahul Gandhi on sabbatical ahead of Budget session

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the budget session, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi took "leave of absence" to reflect on a series of electoral defeats and deliberate on the future course of the 125-year-old party, top sources said here Monday.

"Rahul Gandhi has been granted leave of absence for 'aap chintan, aap manthan' (introspection)," a party leader told IANS.

"He will not be in Delhi until the end of this week to attend the presentation of the budget," he said.

Blog: Rahul wanted a Kejriwal-type campaign, but wasn't allowed: Digvijaya Singh

However, the entire duration of absence is not known, another source added.

The budget session began Monday, with the address of President Pranab Mukherjee to the joint session of parliament.

Rahul has been "granted leave of absence for a few weeks after which he will return and resume his active participation in the affairs of the Congress party", party sources said.

They said he has "requested Congress President Sonia Gandhi for some time to reflect on recent events and future course of the party".

He believes that the direction that the party adopts at the upcoming AICC session will be of crucial importance for its future and he wishes to prepare for it, the sources said.

Congress has been performing badly at the hustings, which started with the Lok Sabha elections last year and continued in the Assembly elections in various states including Delhi recently.

The debacle in Delhi, where Congress failed to get even one seat in the 70-member House, was more stunning as the party had ruled the state for 15 years till December 2013.

The AICC session is expected in early April and media reports have suggested that Rahul could be made the party chief on that occasion.

Read this in Hindi: कुछ हफ्तों की छुट्टी पर गए राहुल, बजट सत्र में नहीं दिखेंगे

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World Cup 2015: All-round India crush South Africa by 130 runs

MELBOURNE: Shikhar Dhawan smashed a rollicking 137 as India rode on a clinical display to break their World Cup jinx against South Africa with an emphatic 130-run victory in a group B match on Sunday.

Scorecard | Congratulate Team India

Dhawan's career-best 137 propelled India to a comfortable 307 for seven before the bowlers performed brilliantly to bundle out the Proteas for 177 in 40.2 overs in what turned out to be a rather lopsided contest at the packed Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Full Coverage: ICC World Cup 2015 | Match in Pics

This was India's maiden World Cup win against South Africa after having lost the clashes in 1992, 1999 and 2011.

With two wins from as many matches, India now have a very good chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals as group leaders.

It was yet another commendable show by the Indians, who came into the tournament with a string of poor results in the tri-series preceding the mega-event.

Mohit Sharma (2/31 in 7 overs), Ravichandran Ashwin (3/41 in 10 overs) and Mohammed Shami (2/30 in 8 overs) kept the opposition batsmen under tight leash for better part of the innings.

The bowling unit fired in unison as South Africa never recovered once skipper AB de Villiers (30) fell short of his crease with Mohit's accurate throw on top of the stumps sending the destructive player back in the pavilion.

De Villiers and Du Plessis were going strong at one stage adding 68 runs for the third wicket as South Africa reached 108 for two before the skipper got run-out.

Du Plessis (55) tried his best to stem the rot but once he mistimed a pull-shot off Mohit to Dhawan at covers, it was just a mere formality for the 'Men In Blue', who hardly put a foot wrong in front of the 86,786 crowd of which at least 75,000 were Indian supporters.

With Sachin Tendulkar cheering them from the stands, it was an electric atmosphere at the MCG as Dhoni's men cantered home in style. The Indian dressing room erupted in joy and the players hugged each other after last man standing Imran Tahir was trapped LBW by Ravindra Jadeja.

Earlier, Dhawan bludgeoned his way to a career-best knock as India posted a commendable 307 for seven against the title contenders.

Dhawan's 137 off 146 balls coupled with Ajinkya Rahane's 60-ball 79 set the platform for a commendable total despite yet another mini-collapse at the death when the winners lost five wickets for 46 runs in the last 6.3 overs.

En route his seventh ODI ton, that had 16 boundaries and two sixes, Dhawan earned the distinction of achieving the highest score by any batsman in a World Cup game against South Africa.

The Delhi left-hander's love affair with South African bowling continued as this is his second ODI hundred against the Proteas in successive ICC tournaments, after having scored one back in 2013 in a Champions Trophy game in Cardiff.

The Indian top-order once again fired beautifully. Dhawan and Virat Kohli again had a productive partnership that yielded 127 runs for the second wicket.

Kohli (46, 60 balls) again was playing the role of an anchor before a moment's indiscretion saw him gift his wicket to leg-spinner Imran Tahir by posting his long hop straight to Faf du Plessis at short mid-wicket.

However, Rahane was in a mood to make amends for his failure during Pakistan game as he matched Dhawan stroke for stroke during their rollicking 125-run stand for the third wicket in only 16.3 overs. Rahane hit seven fours and three sixes with

Dhawan, who has regained his form just when it matters the most, started his innings from where he had left off against Pakistan.

It started with a clip off Vernon Philander to square leg boundary followed by a square drive off Dale Steyn. Then came an attractive cover drive as Dhawan got going. Any width outside the off-stump was dealt with ferocity.

With the MCG track offering even bounce, the ball came to bat beautifully, just what the Delhi left-hander required.

It couldn't have been a better venue for Dhawan than the MCG as Melbourne is his second home, where he stays with his wife Ayesha and three children, when he is not on tour.

Dhawan did give a chance at 52 when his flashy cut shot was dropped by Hashim Amla at backward point off Parnell's bowling but there was no looking back after that.

The shot that got him his century was also just a push through the cover point region off Parnell that reached boundary. The celebration was typically Dhawan, helmets off, bat raised and the arms stretched like wings with a sense of satisfaction in that wide grin.

His first six was a slower delivery from Steyn that he picked early while the second one was the shot of the Indian innings. It was a flicked six by Dhawan off a Morne Morkel delivery.

It was a case of pure hand-eye co-ordination as Morkel bowled one fuller onto his legs and he whipped it over deep square leg with a little shuffle.

Rahane also showed why he is rated so highly by one and all. The six over long-off of Steyn's bowling was a pure delight as was his step out off Tahir to dispatch him for the maximum.

For South Africa, Steyn bowled a brilliant last over with four dot balls to end with figures of 1/55 while Morne Morkel had 2/59 from nine overs.

Parnell recorded the worst figures of 1/85 off 9 overs with consolation wicket of Dhawan. Vernon Philander's (0/19 in 4 overs) injury also did create serious problems for the Proteas when Indian top order went all guns blazing.

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Airports take Robert Vadra off no-frisking list

GOA/NEW DELHI: Some airports have begun blanking out the name of Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law, Robert Vadra, from the list of those exempt from frisking before flying.

This comes as the Union home ministry is sitting on civil aviation ministry's demand for removing Vadra's name from the list of dignitaries.

The Goa airport, for instance, has boards with names of people exempt from frisking. Vadra's name — number 31 on the list - is the only one blanked out with white tape.

"Several passengers used to ask us what Vadra's credentials were to be on that list. So we plastered it out. Now, many express happiness at not seeing his name," said a security official at the Goa airport.

READ ALSO: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra seeks withdrawal of frisking exemption at airports

A senior aviation ministry official confirmed the home ministry was yet to take a call on removing Vadra's name from the list.

"We have sought reconsideration on Vadra's name on that list but have so far not heard from them," the official said when asked whether the Centre had decided to remove Vadra's name from the list and allowed airports to implement the move.

The official said the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) prepares the exempt list based on inputs from the home ministry.

Sources said Goa is not an exception. Many airports have started blanking out Vadra's name from the list displayed at security check areas.

The BCAS has 30 individuals on the exempt list, including the President and Special Protection Group (SPG) protectees.

Ashok Gajapathi Raju had promised a pruned and need-based exempt list when he took over as aviation minister on May 30, 2014.

Vadra's wife, Priyanka Gandhi, too had written to SPG chief demanding that her husband's name be removed from the exempt list on May 30 last year.

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WhatsApp message on ICC World Cup being fixed proves to be false

NEW DELHI: Followers of cricket had gone crazy over a viral message on WhatsApp these past few days that said the Cricket World Cup currently on in Australia is fixed.

Full Coverage: ICC World Cup 2015

It seemed there was some truth in it when the initial matches all went as per script. But they haven't gone as per script since.

The message had predicted that the West Indies would lose to Pakistan on Saturday, but it was the other way around.

The message had also predicted that India would lose to South Africa on Sunday, but MS Dhoni and his men went on to break their World Cup jinx against the Proteas with a magnificent 130-run victory.

The message showed that South Africa will defeat hosts Australia in the final for their maiden World Cup title victory.

We are allowing the original story below for the fun element involved in it.

Here is what the message had predicted:

According to the message, India will beat New Zealand in the first quarterfinal, but will go down to Australia in the semifinal.

According to the message, India will beat New Zealand in the first quarterfinal, but will go down to Australia in the semifinal.

The message stated that the second quarterfinal will be between Australia and Zimbabwe, in which Australia will be the winners, South Africa will beat England in the third quarterfinal and Sri Lanka will register their first World Cup victory against Pakistan by beating the 1992 champions in the fourth quarterfinal.

The message showed that South Africa will defeat hosts Australia in the final for their maiden World Cup title victory.

But Asian giants India and Sri Lanka won't progress beyond the semifinals as they will be beaten by arguably the two best teams in the competition - Australia and South Africa respectively, the message claimed.

The message showed that South Africa will defeat hosts Australia in the final on March 29 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for their maiden World Cup title victory.

Now ofcourse it has been proven that much of the relief of the International Cricket Council, the message was a joke and a bad one at that.

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Corporate espionage: Officials of RIL, ADAG, Essar, Cairns and others arrested

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Friday said they have arrested officials of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), Essar, Cairns and others in the corporate-espionage case that has rocked the capital.

The arrested people are Shailesh Saxena of RIL, Vinay Kumar of Essar, KK Naik of Cairns, Subhash Chandra of Jubilant Energy, Rishi Anand of Reliance ADAG.

The scandal got murkier on Friday as confidential documents including an input for the upcoming finance minister's Budget speech were allegedly leaked in the whole operation.

Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said he wants the guilty to be brought to book and would comment only after the investigation is complete. "Let the investigation be over. No one will be spared," he said.

Three diaries recovered from the accused, who have been arrested, have led to the revelation. According to sources, there could be many important names and numbers in these diaries.

The crime branch probe has indicated that the accused were in possession of papers from other ministries as well.

They will be interrogated to ascertain the identity of other people involved.

READ ALSO: Cops arrest former journalist Santanu Saikia, energy consultant Prayas Jain

A Delhi court, meanwhile, sent four of the seven accused to police custody till February 23. Former journalist Santanu Saikia, energy consultant Prayas Jain along with Rakesh Kumar and Lalta Prasad have been sent to police custody.

The remaining three, Asharam, Ishwar Singh and Raj Kumar Chaubey, have been sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Earlier in the morning, the number of arrests in the case shot up to 7 with cops arresting former journalist Santanu Saikia and energy consultant Prayas Jain.

READ ALSO: How it unfolded, what was leaked

TOI had first reported about Prayas Jain being questioned in the case. Prayas Jain runs an oil and gas firm based in New Delhi and Melbourne. Saikia is associated with an energy portal indianpetro.com.

Santanu Saikia and Prayas Jain have been accused of buying the leaked documents, analyzing them and selling them off to business houses, police say.

READ ALSO: RIL, Essar executives among 4 quizzed for 'corporate espionage' in oil ministry

Blowing the lid off an organized racket allegedly linked to corporate espionage, Delhi Police had on Thursday reported arrest of five people involved in stealing official and classified documents from the Union petroleum ministry and supplying these to business houses, think tanks and lobbyists.

Among those arrested initially by the crime branch were two present and two former employees (both brothers), all of whom worked as multi-tasking staffers in the ministry located at Shastri Bhawan.

The arrests took place late on Wednesday night.

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Corporate espionage in oil ministry: Delhi police arrest former journalist Santanu Saikia, energy consultant Prayas Jain

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police crime branch has arrested former journalist Santnu Saikia and another energy consultant Prayas Jain on early Friday.

TOI has first reported about Jain being questioned on Friday. Jain runs an oil and gas firm based in New Delhi and Melbourne. Saikia runs an energy portal named indianpetro.com.

Saikia and Jain have been accused of buying the leaked documents, analysing them and selling them off to business houses, police say.

The number of arrests has shot up to 7 including 4 multi-tasking officers of the petrolium ministry.

The arrested men will be produced in court around 2pm Friday. More arrests are likely.

The RIL and Essar staff are still being quizzed. The cops have raided their offices along with that of two others like Cairn energy and recovered several documents and hard drives.

READ ALSO: 5 arrested for stealing oil ministry papers

The Delhi Police has now formed a SIT to investigate the ongoing case of corporate espionage. It comprises addl CP Ashok Chand, DCP Bhisham Singh, ACP KPS Malhotra, Inspectors Kulbir Singh, PC Yadav, Arvind and SI Ritesh among others.

Joint CP (crime) Ravindra Yadav said that they had received information that two persons alongwith their associates wee involved in procuring/obtaining/stealing the official documents by trespassing into the offices of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.

After this, a trap was laid and three persons were spotted coming in an Indigo car to Shastri Bhawan. "Two persons alighted and went inside while the third remained sitting in the car. After around two hours, when the two persons entered the car, all three persons were apprehended," he added.

"They were identified as Lalta Prasad (36) from Khichdipur, Delhi, Rakesh Kumar (30) from Nairoji Nagar and Raj Kumar Chaubey (39 ) from Vaishali, Ghaziabad. Official documents were recovered along with duplicate keys used by them for accessing the offices of the MoPNG officials, forged Id-card and fraudulently obtained temporary passes were also recovered. The indigo car was having an unauthorized signage declaring the car to be of Bharat Sarkar/Government of India," Addl CP Ashok Chand said.

READ ALSO: RIL, Essar executives among 4 questioned for 'corporate espionage' in oil ministry

It was revealed that Lalta Prasad and Rakesh Kumar are both brothers and both had earlier been temporarily employed as Multi Tasking Staff at Shastri Bhawan. In the year 2012, both left the employment. During their stint at Shastri Bhawan, they realized that they could easily lay hand on the official documents.

"They further disclosed that they were assisted by their father Asharam and Ishwar Singh, both Multi Tasking Staff employees at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. Recently CCTV cameras had been installed at Shastri Bhawan. In order to evade the surveillance of CCTV cameras, they got disabled CCTV cameras during the time they entered Shastri Bhawan," DCP Bhisham Singh said.

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TOI exclusive on corporate espionage: What triggered the crackdown

NEW DELHI: The massive crackdown on corporate espionage in crucial ministries was the result of a four-month-long investigation conducted by the intelligence agencies at the behest of national security adviser Ajit Doval.

Doval raised an alarm over the frequent reporting of classified matters in the media. A TV channel's report saying the Prime Minister was shown images of INS Arihant, a nuclear submarine, at a DRDO function proved to be the last straw, said sources. He then asked RAW to initiate action, TOI was told.

The NSA is learnt to have written to the cabinet secretary, Ajit Kumar Seth, sometime in mid-October, saying such reports based on classified information undermined national security and were an offence under the Official Secrets Act. Doval also pointed out that most leaks came from government offices and there was a need to follow official protocol related to classified information.

Seth then took up the matter with the ministers. The probe led to the petroleum ministry where Asharam, a peon with access to petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan office, turned out to be one of the key men in the racket.

READ ALSO: How it unfolded, what was leaked

Ministries and other government departments were alerted and asked to beef up their security. Once the probe began, dozens of phones were officially intercepted, after clearance from the home ministry. The investigators now have about a hundred hours of recordings to back their case.

Sources said on several occasions during the past four months fake papers were made to look like important ones to fool people under suspicion and even mock conversations were carried out to ensnare suspects. When such papers were leaked, the agencies could narrow down their probe.

Finally, armed with concrete leads and evidence, the agencies briefed ministers and bureaucrats. The NSA was informed about the breakthrough and the PM given the news. Decks were then cleared for Delhi Police commissioner B S Bassi to be brought into the picture in the second week of February. The initial choice was CBI but a top home ministry official had the last word and Bassi was asked to launch the crackdown.

The commissioner discussed the issue with two special commissioners and assigned the probe to the crime branch. The agencies also handed over crucial evidence, including call detail analysis, photographs, phone numbers and addresses of the suspects to the police. The crime branch then moved in and picked up the accused.

Read this in Hindi: कॉर्पोरेट जासूसी — ऐसा दिया गया ऑपरेशन को अंजाम

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Modi govt does not want me to continue as Nalanda University chancellor: Amartya Sen

NEW DELHI: Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has withdrawn his candidature for a second term as Nalanda University chancellor, saying the Narendra Modi government does not want him to continue in the chair.

Sen, who has long been a critic of Modi, in a letter to the Governing Board of the University blamed the absence of government's approval for delay in nod from the Visitor, President Pranab Mukherjee, to his name even though the recommendation was sent to him over a month back.

"Non-action (by government) is a time-wasting way of reversing a board decision, when the government has, in principle, the power to act or not act...It is hard for me not to conclude that the government wants me to cease being the chancellor of Nalanda University after July, and technically, it has the power to do so.

READ ALSO: Bihar on global map as Sushma Swaraj opens Nalanda University

"This delay, as well as the uncertainty involved, is leading, in effect, to a decisional gap, which is not helpful to Nalanda University's governance and its academic progress.

"I have, therefore, decided that in the best interest of Nalanda University, I should exclude myself from being considered for continuing as chancellor beyond this July, despite the unanimous recommendation and urging of the governing board for me to continue," he has written.

It is clear that Mukherjee has been unable to provide his assent to the Board's unanimous choice in the absence of government's approval, he said.

The Visitor has always taken a "deep personal interest" in the speedy progress of the work of Nalanda University, and given that, they have to assume that something makes it difficult -- or impossible -- for him to act with speed in this matter, he said.

The Board had made the recommendation in its last meeting on January 13-14.

The Bharat Ratna also rued that academic governance in India remains "so deeply vulnerable to the opinions of the ruling government".

"Even though the Nalanda University Act, passed by Parliament, did not, I believe, envisage political interference in academic matters, it is formally the case -- given the legal provisions (some of them surviving from colonial days) -- that the government can turn an academic issue into a matter of political dispensation if it feels unrestrained about interfering," he said.

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New Zealand vs England: Brendon McCullum hits fastest World Cup fifty

WELLINGTON: New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum recorded the fastest-ever World Cup fifty when he reached the landmark off just 18 balls against England at Wellington on Friday.

Scorecard | Fastest ODI 50s of all time | Full Coverage: ICC World Cup 2015

The opener's whirlwind half-century featured seven fours and four sixes as New Zealand rapidly closed in on victory after skittling England out for just 123.

READ ALSO: New Zealand rout England by 8 wickets

McCullum beat his own World Cup record when he carved fast bowler Steven Finn for four, having made a fifty off 20 balls against Canada in 2007.

His innings was also the equal third-fastest fifty in all one-day internationals, behind South Africa's AB de Villiers (16 balls) and Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya (17 balls).

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'Corporate espionage' in petroleum ministry: How it unfolded, what was leaked

NEW DELHI: The crime branch of Delhi police on Thursday arrested five persons on the charge of stealing classified documents of the petroleum ministry and took in for questioning a Reliance Industries and an Essar Group executive and a former journalist who runs energy portals, while claiming to take the lid off corporate espionage in economic ministries.

The police action followed complaints by the oil ministry and is said to have come after the Intelligence Bureau had tailed these persons and tipped off the police. "Sensitive" documents have reportedly been leaked from the ministry in recent times. These documents included internal communications on decisions with far-reaching commercial impact, such as gas pricing and arbitration cases against Reliance Industries with billions of dollars at stake.

READ ALSO: RIL, Essar executives among 4 questioned

Former journalist detained for questioning

Forged keys, IDs used to steal files: Cops

This is how this 'corporate espionage' unfolded:

*Four (present and former) multi-tasking staffers at Shastri Bhawan were found stealing documents from petroleum ministry. They were helped by an acquaintance.

*Documents were lifted at behest of lobbyists, corporate houses and consultants.

*Papers were allegedly used to play the national, global markets.

The modus operandi

*The gang had forged IDs & entry passes to Shastri Bhawan

*They entered ministry after office hours, disabled CCTVs & used duplicate keys to access papers

*They photocopied papers or stole them, as per demand

The price

*The documents were sold by the thieves for Rs 5,000-10,000. At times, they charged more if papers were difficult to obtain.

*Recipients allegedly traded these papers for hefty considerations running into lakhs and crores

What was leaked

*Minutes of meetings, orders, communiques and proposals

Action on companies

RIL's office at Gopaldas building in CP and Essar's premises raided

RIL's response

*It has been brought to our notice that one personnel has been detained.

*The matter is under investigation and we will cooperate.

*We are already in international arbitration with the ministry on all important matters.

*Our only expectation is a fair and expeditious resolution of our legal rights and contentions by the arbitrators.

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Husband's illicit relationship is not always cruelty: SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has ruled that a husband's illicit relationship with another woman may not amount to 'cruelty' towards his wife and count as a ground for abetment to her suicide.

The case from Gujarat has striking facts. The husband and wife had a strained relationship and were contemplating divorce. The wife was resigned to her fate and had told her sister that she was facing breakdown of marriage. She had also said that she would leave her marital home. But, later, she consumed poison and committed suicide.

READ ALSO: Wife's pubbing not cruelty, so no divorce, Bombay HC says

False allegations against hubby cruelty: HC

The prosecution had accused the husband and his parents of cruelty and alleged that the woman was driven to suicide as her husband was having an illicit relationship with another woman. The trial court and the high court had convicted the accused.

After hearing appellant's counsel H A Raichura, a bench of Justices S J Mukhopadhaya and Dipak Misra said, "In the present case, in fact, there is no demand of dowry. If the evidence is appropriately appreciated, the deceased was pained and disturbed as the husband was having an illicit affair with a woman. Will such a situation amount to cruelty under Section 498A of IPC?"

The bench noted that the husband and wife had started living separately in the same house. "True, there is some evidence about the illicit relationship and even if the same is proven, we are of the considered opinion that cruelty, as envisaged under the first limb of Section 498A IPC, would not get attracted. It would be difficult to hold that the mental cruelty was of such a degree that it would drive the wife to commit suicide," it said.

Writing the judgment for the bench, Justice Misra said, "Mere extra-marital relationship, even if proved, would be illegal and immoral, as has been held by the Supreme Court earlier but it would take a different character if the prosecution brings some evidence on record to show that the accused had conducted in such a manner to drive the wife to commit suicide.

"In the instant case, the accused may have been involved in an illicit relationship with a woman, but in the absence of some other acceptable evidence on record that can establish such high degree of mental cruelty, the explanation to Section 498A which includes cruelty to drive a woman to commit suicide, would not be attracted." The bench acquitted the accused.

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Did PM Narendra Modi violate code of conduct by accepting suit?

NEW DELHI: Even as Gujarat businessman Rameshkumar Bhikabhai claimed on Wednesday that he had gifted the monogrammed suit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his "friend" of "four decades", the code of conduct for ministers issued by the home ministry clearly restrains both Union and state ministers from accepting a valuable gift unless it is from a close relative.

"A minister should not accept valuable gifts except from close relatives, and he or members of his family should not accept any gifts at all from any person with whom he may have official dealings," reads the code of conduct applicable to Union ministers, chief ministers as well as state ministers.

READ ALSO: Diamond barons to place highest bid for Modi suit

Businessman offers Rs 1.21 crore for Modi's pinstripe suit

Auction of Modi suit a 'damage control' exercise: Congress

The authority for ensuring observance of the code of conduct lies with the prime minister in the case of Union ministers, the prime minister and Union home minister in the case of chief ministers and the chief minister concerned in the case of state ministers.

As per clause 4.2 of the code of conduct for ministers, a minister may receive gifts during his visits abroad or from foreign dignitaries in India. Such gifts fall into two categories. The first include gifts that are of symbolic nature, like a sword of honour or ceremonial robes, which can be retained by the minister. However, the second category of gifts, which are non-symbolic, may be retained only if their value is less than Rs 5,000. Gifts of a higher value must be deposited in the Toshakhana (government storehouse) or purchased by the recipient by paying the difference between value of the item as assessed by Toshakhana and Rs 5,000.

Only household gifts retained by Toshakhana such as carpets, paintings, furniture exceeding Rs 5,000 are kept in Rashtrapati Bhavan, Prime Minister's House or Raj Bhavan as State property.

(PM Narendra Modi's monogrammed bandhgala suit on display in Surat where it is being auctioned for charity.)

Bhikabhai has, in an interview to ANI, claimed that he gifted the suit to Modi to wear on his son's wedding. "I am from Gujarat. I presented this suit to him (Modi) when I attended the recent Vibrant Gujarat Summit. I gave it while extending an invitation to him to attend my son's wedding on January 26," he was quoted as saying.

"I gave this gift to my elder brother (Modi) on behalf of my son. My son had this idea of making this monogrammed suit. He said he wanted to give a surprise to Modiji," Bhikabhai said adding that the Rs 10 lakh quoted for the suit was not the correct price.

"My son does not have the guts to spend that kind of money," he claimed.

Bhikabhai claimed that Modi, while accepting the suit as a gift, had promised to wear it but said he would later give it to charity. "The fact is that Modiji wore this (suit) on the day of my son's wedding on January 26," he told ANI.

Read this article in Hindi: विवादित सूटः क्या प्रधानमंत्री ने नियम तोड़ा है?

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Tirumala lock broken to ensure darshan for Sri Lankan president

TIRUMALA: The authorities at the richest temple in the country nearly experienced a major embarrassment when the lock of the golden door leading to the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala got stuck minutes before Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and his wife reached for darshan early on Wednesday.

However, keeping in mind the VVIP visit, the temple officials broke open the lock with a saw and the Lankan president managed the darshan without any hitch. The lock was subsequently replaced and the darshan of the Lord by devotees went unhindered for the rest of the day.

The drama happened around 2.15 am when the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) priests arrived to open the 'Bangaru Vakili' (golden door), the last door that opens to the sanctum sanctorum, to perform the Suprabhatam Seva. 'Suprabhatam' is the first daily pre-dawn ritual performed to 'wake up' the Lord.

Since the Suprabhatam Seva is performed at 3 am, the priests arrive about 45 minutes early, open the golden door and clean the premises. Three keys have to be inserted into the specially made lock at the same time to open the golden door. On Wednesday, the first key that was put into the lock got stuck and eventually broke.

Sirisena and his wife Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari were already waiting for the doors to open for the Suprabhatam Seva to be performed. "The VIP couple were at the Mahadwaram before the Vaikuntam queue complex and only the Dwajastambham and Vendi Vakili (silver door) lay between them and the golden door, a distance of about 500 ft," said a witness.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena with his wife Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari at Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, Tirupati (PTI Photo)

After the priests told the TTD officials accompanying the Lankan president that the lock was stuck, orders were issued for it to be forced open. A saw was then used to cut open the lock and the golden door was opened in time for the Suprabhatam Seva to be performed at 3 am.

"The lock on the golden door worked perfectly well when the priests closed it after the Ekantha Seva at midnight on Tuesday," TTD deputy executive officer Chinnamgari Ramana told TOI. "However, in the morning, it got stuck and we had to break it open."

The TTD authorities claimed the locks for the temple premises were specially made and it was the first time such a problem had been reported. "We'll make sure that such kind of mechanical malfunctioning does not recur," Ramana said. The temple authorities said there was no need for the performance of special prayers because of the episode.

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As tariff hike looms, costs rise for AAP’s 50% free power pledge in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The newly formed AAP government's challenge in honouring the promise of a 50% cut in power tariffs for consumers could become even stiffer with the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) likely to order a hike in the tariffs, by around 10%-15%, to be paid to discoms because their costs have increased.

Last November, Delhiites were spared an increase in electricity costs when the DERC withdrew its order on power purchase adjustment charges (PPAC) a day after its announcement. However, that is likely to come back and hit city residents twice as hard, as the regulatory body will now be deciding on PPAC for six months. An order is expected later this month.

READ ALSO: Revenue base has weakened: Manish Sisodia

Estimates are that the hike in tariff due to PPAC would be approximately 10%-15%. This apart, DERC also hinted that scrutiny of the tariff petitions of discoms for 2015-16 is underway and revised tariffs are likely to be announced by April. If DERC does grant an increase in tariffs, the subsidy amount that AAP would have to shell out to slash tariffs by the promised 50% would also increase substantially.

"The current estimate on how much the AAP government would require to slash electricity tariffs is based on current rates. This works out to be around Rs 1,400-1,600 crore. But if the rates are revised, the subsidy will also increase. It's going to be a challenge for the government to keep its promise of lower electricity tariffs,'' said an expert.

A man checks the meter readings.

According to sources, apart from reinstatement of the withdrawn PPAC order of November, discoms BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna and Tata Power Delhi have submitted a fresh petition last month asking for fuel charges for the period October-December, 2014. The November order that was withdrawn by the Commission was for the July-September quarter.

READ ALSO: Kejriwal asks departments to send proposal to slash power bill by half

"Discoms said they have submitted all fuel cost details, so we will have to examine it. We are also cross checking the data sent by discoms with NTPC to ensure there are no discrepancies. When the PPAC order was initially passed in November, we realized the power companies had not included bills and other details which is essential to verify their claims. Now we have two PPAC quarter claims to examine and hope to come to a decision soon,'' said a DERC source.

Discoms claim that getting no PPAC charges for the last few months had severely affected their cash flow. The discoms, particularly the BSES ones, have been hinting at financial troubles for the last several years. The BSES companies are in a worse shape with many power generation companies like SJVNL and now Damodar Valley Corporation regulating power supply to them due to non-payment of dues. The BSES discoms also owe Delhi government-owned institutions such as Transco, IPGCL and PPCL almost Rs 6,000 crore.

READ ALSO: PM's dig at AAP? Why do parties promise free power, Modi asks

The discoms are banking heavily on PPAC charges and a coming tariff hike to improve their financial situation. "We are in talks with several banks and financial institutions over our financial woes. But since we have not been getting cost-reflective tariffs for so many years, the situation is just getting worse. In such a situation, we need PPAC charges — due to us as per an apellate order — and tariffs based on current rates to help us out," said a source in a discom.

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World Cup 2015: Pakistan fielding coach complains of players' abusive behaviour

KARACHI: Pakistan's World Cup campaign hit another snag when the national team's fielding coach Grant Luden threatened to step down complaining of misbehaviour from three senior players.

Full Coverage: ICC World Cup 2015

According to details the incident which is yet to be confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Luden complained that Shahid Afridi, Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal had misbehaved with him during a training session on Tuesday.

"Luden sent a message to the PCB chairman threatening to resign as he could not tolerate such insulting behaviour from the players," one source said.

Luden apparently complained to Shahryar Khan that some of the players including these three were not cooperating with him in the training sessions that hindered his work.

"Luden has complained that the three players allegedly used abusive language on Tuesday."

Luden has in his message to Khan threatened that if the players don't change their behaviour he will resign from his post.

The source said that after getting the message, the PCB Chairman had spoken to the team manager, Naved Cheema, head coach Waqar Younis and Luden and discussed the issue with them.

"He has assured Luden his concerns will be looked into and the players will not be allowed to misbehave in future," the source added.

Interestingly the training regime being implemented by Waqar and his team of coaches has already apparently become a sore point in the team with some players who have complained that they are left exhausted before matches by the tough schedule.

The team management is also under fire for their selections made for the opening match against India which Pakistan lost on Sunday.

The PCB hired Luden last year as part of its overhauling of the team's support staff.

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