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Bomb blast near Indian Consulate in Jalalabad?

  The commando operation in Mazari Sharif in Afghanistan was concluded on Tuesday morning. According to latest reports, a fresh explosion near Indian Consulate in Jalalabad, Afghanistan reported a short while ago. However, it is not clear whether it was targeted at Indian Consulate or not. Earlier, on 3rd August, 2013 three suicide bombers attacked the Indian Consulate in Jalalabad, in which nine people were killed.

President Pranab signs Juvenile Act

  President Pranab Mukherjee has signed the Juvenile Justice Act-2015 that was approved by parliament recently. Government has amended this Act for reducing the juveniles’ age limit from present 18 to 16 years keeping in view of increasing crime rate by this age group. Hence, juveniles of this age group will be treated and punished like any elder criminals, if found guilty. This amended Juvenile Justice Act-2015 will come into effect once the gazette notification is issued by the government.   The juvenile offender in Nirbhaya case is very fortunate to escape with mere three years detention in the reform house. Delhi High Court expressed its inability to extend his detention as Law is not permitting it. Hence, many people including Nirbhaya’s parents strongly protested his release. Then only opposition parties in the parliament have cooperated with the government for passing this Juvenile Justice Aact-2015.

Fresh Firing at Pathankot!

  The combing operations in Pathankot airbase is continuing for the third day today. Air Force, Army, NSG commandoes and Punjab Police are jointly conducting this operation. It came to know that fresh gun battle takes place between terrorists holed up in the air force quarters a short while ago. One more terrorist is reportedly killed in the cross firing thus number of terrorists killed so far reached to five.   NSG Major General Dushyanth Singh spoke to media today afternoon, along with two other officers. He said “So far, we have eliminated four terrorists and we are suspecting there are four terrorists still hiding somewhere inside the air force quarters. The air base is so large that it is almost equal to a big city. So, it may take some time to round up the terrorists. He said security forces averted a major disaster as they were on high alert. He said all the assets in the air base are safe and he can assert for its security. He said terrorists can’t escape from their hideouts as entire air base has been surrounded by the army, air force and NSG commandoes. He said air force helicopters with night vision equipment are also participating in the combing operations.   In the meantime, three persons were arrested from Mohali in Punjab today during combing operations. One automatic rifle, ammunitions and a mobile with Pakistan sim card recovered from them. They were identified as Harjinder Singh, Gurjant Singh and Sandeep Singh. Punjab Police are questioning them to know whether they are any way connected with Pathankot terrorists’ attacks or not.   It seems the intensity of the terrorists attacks is very severe than it appears in the media. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a high level meeting with top officials at his residence in 7, Race Course Road, New Delhi in the noon today. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reportedly briefed him about the ongoing operations in Pathankot air base.

Nation pays homage to Pathankot Martyrs

  Today, India pays homage to martyrs of Pathankot. Garud Commando Gursewak Singh, Lt Colonel Niranjan Kumar, Subedar Fateh Singh, Sepoy Sanjeevan Singh, Sepoy Jagdish Chandra, Havildar Kulwant Singh and Sepoy Mohit Chand are among killed in this operation. Their funeral ceremonies were conducted with full military honors in their native places. People came in large numbers to pay homage and bid goodbye to the martyrs.   Gursewak Singh got married to Jaspreet Kaur in last November only. His widow and mother Amrik Kaur were inconsolable.   Lt Colonel Niranjan Kumar was a member of the National Security Guard’s bomb Disposal Squad. He was a native of Elambulassery near Mannarkkad in Palakkad in Kerala state. Niranjan is survived by wife Radhika and their two-year-old daughter. He was killed while defusing a live grenade from the body of dead terrorist.   His father Shivarajan E.K also served Indian Army as Lt. Colonel. He tried to contact him while the operation was going on and his son replied “Dad! I am on an operation,” and hangs up the phone. They are the last words he heard from his beloved son.   Subedar Major Fateh Singh (51) won gold and silver for India at first Commonwealth shooting championship in 1995. He retired from Dogra Regiment in 2009 and joined DSC. He was posted to Pathankot two years ago.   Havildar Kulwant Singh (49) was from Gurdaspur district of Punjab. He joined the army at the age of 19. He retired from the army in 2004 and joined Defence Security Corps in 2006. He is survived by mother, wife and two sons.   Havildar Sanjeevan Singh Rana (51) was from Himachal Pradesh. He was killed during military operation on the first day. He is survived by wife and three children. He also he retired from Dogra Regiment in 2009 and joined DSC. His father, Rattan Rana also served in army.

Earthquake in northeastern states

  A strong earthquake measuring 6.8 magnitude on Richter scale was felt in north eastern parts of India on Monday 4.37 am. It lasts for one minute. The epicenter was at Noney village in Tamenglong that is 35 kms from Imphal. According to latest inputs at least four people were killed and more than 100 people injured in Manipur state along.   Tremors spread to Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand states and in Myanmar also. However no loss of life or properties reported in other states. Imphal city is reportedly badly affected with this massive earthquake. NDRF teams were sent to Imphal for rescue and relief operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted “Just spoke to Rajnath ji, who is in Assam, on the situation arising due to the earthquake & asked him to oversee the situation.”

Will Roja utilize this last opportunity?

  YSR Congress party MLA Roja has been suspended for one year from the assembly for abusing Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu during winter assembly sessions. However, YSR Congress party still believes and argues that Roja did nothing wrong in the house, instead all its MLAs also did the same what she did in the house. YSR Congress party has been arguing that it is not correct to suspend her for such a long period without referring her case to a committee.   TDP also appears to be realized that it gave a chance to YSR Congress party for criticizing it on this issue. Hence, it made a wise move quickly. Speaker Dr. Kodela Shiva Prasada Rao has constituted a three member committee headed by MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad. TDP MLA Sravan Kumar, BJP MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju and YSR Congress party MLA Srikanth Reddy will be members of this committee. They have to submit their report within 20 days. Based on its report, Speaker will take a final decision on her suspension.   They will also inquire on how the video footage of MLA Roja’s misbehavior in the assembly leaked to media. This committee will also check whether any other members misbehaved in the assembly during rainy and winter sessions of the assembly. It is expected to chalk out some guidelines for taking actions against MLAs, if anyone misbehaves in the upcoming assembly sessions.   Ruling party’s corrected its mistake pointed out by YSR Congress party. Hence, Roja also should utilize this last opportunity. She should admit her mistake and appeal the Speaker through this committee to revoke his decision on her suspension. If, she still prefers to stick to her earlier stand on her suspension, it may send wrong message to the people about her.

47 persons beheaded today in Saudi Arabia

  Saudi Arabia executed 47 people on Saturday for indulging in terrorism and revolt against government. Most of them are Al-Qaeda militants, who took part in the attacks on Saudi between 2003 and 2006 years, in which hundreds of citizens were killed. Few of the executed today are from prominent Shia Muslim cleric and Nimr al-Nimr groups. Shia is a minority group Muslim group in the country. A group belongs to them revolts against Saudi Government during 2011-13. Many policemen were killed in their attacks.   Saudi Government has arrested thousands of al-Qaeda militants and has been executing them since last many years. Today, it beheads 47 people belong to these three groups.   Saudi Interior Ministry aired the video footage aftermath their attacks and pictures of the people and policemen killed in their attacks. It justifies beheading them for they involved in the barbaric attacks on people. It beheads 90 people in 2014, 157 persons in 2015 and this year 47 persons executed today. The highest number of executions 192 people in 1995.

Sharmila to start Paramarsa yatra from Jan.3

  YSR Congress party Telangana state general secretary Nalla Suryaprakash has announced the schedule of YS Sharmila’s paramarsa yatra in Telangana state on Thursday. He said Sharmila will begin her four-day paramarsa yatra from Gajwel in Medak district on January 3rd. She will meet 13 families during the first three days of her paramarsa yatra in the district. Later she will hold a public meeting at Narayankhed on January 5th, which is unusual in such programs.   Again, she will start her paramarsa yatra in Nizambad district from the same day evening and will meet 7 families in the district. She will return to her brother Jagan Mohan Reddy’s residence Lotus Pond in Hyderabad on January 6th evening, after concluding her two-day paramarsa yatra in the district on 5th and 6th.   No one knows what the intentions are behind paramarsa yatras being conducted by Sharmila now and then in Telangana state. She claims that there are no political intentions behind her paramarsa yatras. Actually, the purpose of her visit is to give some moral support to the families of those persons, who died some six years ago after former Chief Minister Rajashekar Reddy’s death. It is funny to hear meeting a family after six years and asserting moral support to them.   Even if she is honest, then she should conduct them without any publicity. But, Telangana YSR Congress party leaders ask their party workers and leaders to make her paramarsa yatra a grand success. It is very dismaying to hear asking the party workers to make grand success of such condolence programs.

Alagiri is to return to DMK soon

  DMK party president Karunanidhi’s elder son and former union minister Alagiri, who left the party nearly three years ago, is all set to return to party very shortly. He left the party after his younger brother Stalin was declared as successor of the party by their father Karunanidhi.   After his departure from the party, neither he nor his younger brother Stalin could withstand the challenges thrown by the ruling AIADMK party in Tamilnadu state. DMK party that once ruled the state has lost its glory after the split in the family. Karunanidhi is unable to set right the party back on to track as he becomes very old and confined wheel chair.   In a recent survey conducted by DMK, it was found that the party became very weak in southern districts of the state, where Alagiri has good hold. So, keeping in view of upcoming state assembly elections, Karunanidhi family and some senior members of the party stressed their chief to invite Alagiri back into party. Obviously, Stalin, who is currently looking after the party, strongly opposed this idea but succumbs to pressures.   Alagiri is also expressed interest to return to DMK as his political career was on rocks after coming out of DMK. Hence, he may join DMK any time in this month. His return to party may certainly help it, but fresh troubles may brews soon between two brothers.

Delhi Government to begin New Year with odd things!

  As Delhi Government is gearing for conducting an experiment of odd-even number formula of traffic management from January 1st, 200 officers of Delhi Government decides to go on a day’s leave tomorrow in protest against suspension of two of their colleagues by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Their decision makes Arvind Kejriwal and his ministers very much frustrated and furious.   Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia spits fire on Modi government for conspiring against their government. He alleges that the officers have made up their minds not after suspension of their two colleagues but only after they interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung through online. He cited the Modi government’s announcement stating the suspension of two IAS officers is not valid.   Manish Sisodia claims that his government is capable to run the administration even if the officers go on leave for next six months. He said elaborate arrangements were made for conducting the odd-even numbered vehicular traffic from tomorrow in New Delhi.   This problem erupts suddenly when the two IAS officers Subhash Chandra, special secretary (prisons) and Yashpal Garg, special secretary (prosecution) refused to sign a cabinet note intended to hike the salaries of jail staff and public prosecutors. Arvind Kejriwal government suspended them both from service for being disobedient to the government. Since, they both belong to the DANICS (Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service) cadre, all the members of it decide to go on mass leave in protest.

I am waiting to join TDP: Adinarayana Reddy

  The suspense over YSR Congress party’s Jammalamadugu MLA Adinarayana Reddy’s joining in TDP is still continuing. But, he made it clear that he is waiting for the nod from party president Chandrababu Naidu to join TDP. He attends a mandal parishad meeting at MPDO office at Muddanoouru in Kadapa district on Wednesday where he spoke to media about this matter.   He said “I am ready to join TDP. They have to take a decision about my admission. It is like bridegroom waiting for bride’s nod. I learnt that the delay is taking place as a TDP leader here is objecting for my admission. TDP high command is trying to convince him for my admission into the party. If, TDP agrees to admit in the party, then I will quit my MLA Post along with YSR Congress party membership as I no longer want to continue as its MLA.”   Adinarayana Reddy skipped a meeting with Jagan Mohan Reddy when he recently visited Jammalamadugu, thus hinting no interest to continue in YSR Congress party. However, TDP has not reacted to his open statement yet. TDP president Chandrababu Naidu is also keen to admit him into party. But, former minister and senior leader Ramasubba Reddy from the same place is strongly objecting for his admission into the party. He even prepared to leave TDP, if Adinarayana Reddy is allowed to join the party.   Ramsubba Reddy met Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, party national general secretary Nara Lokesh, party state president Kala Venkata Rao and Hindupur MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna to convey them his displeasure over this matter. Chandrababu Naidu can’t make up his mind as he doesn’t want to leave Ramasubba Reddy also. Hence, Adinarayana Reddy has been made to wait for a nod. In case, if TDP is unable to admit him into the party then he is left with only two options- join Congress party or BJP. If so, both parties may roll a red carpet for Adinarayana Reddy.

PM Modi reviews Hyderabad Metro Rail Project Progress

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a high level meeting with top officials engaged in infrastructure development projects in the country. He reviewed the progress of various ongoing projects including Hyderabad Metro Rail project.   During the 8th meeting of pro-active governance and timely implementation that is shortly called as Pragati held today, Modi reviewed the progress of Hyderabad Metro Rail project and insisted for earliest completion of the project while not compromising with quality. He interacted with the concerned officials of various ongoing projects in the country through teleconferencing.   He reviewed the projects- 1.Hyd Metro Rail Project. 2. The Delhi-Haryana-Uttar Pradesh Eastern Peripheral Highway. 3. The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor. 4. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport. He also reviewed the Rih-Tedim Road Project in Myanmar. He reviewed the progress of ongoing Food Parks in the country, Direct Benefit Transfer under MNREGA and end-to-end computerization of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) operations.   These projects are in progress or near completion in the states like Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Fatwa issued prohibiting usage of Patanjali products

  A Tamilnadu based Thowheed Jamat religious organization has issued a ‘fatwa’ prohibiting Patanjali Products because they ‘cow urine’ is used in them. The fatwa states that cow urine is forbidden in Islam religion and so any products containing it are considered haram for Muslims. Hence, Thowheed Jamat asked the Muslim people in the country to avoid using Patanjali products. According to it, cow urine is being used in health, cosmetic and food products of Patanjali. So, it prohibits Muslims using those products. Patanjali products are being manufactured by Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev’s companies. Patanjali has not responded to this fatwa yet.   Patanjali is planning to spread its wings to UK, USA and Gulf Countries as well. If, its products are prohibited in India itself, then it would be very difficlt for it to sell its products in European countries, especially in Muslim countries in the Gulf. Patanjali is also gearing for opening exclusive show rooms all over India and abroad in the neat future. So, it has to find an answer for the question raised by Thowheed Jama urgently before going ahead with its plans.

Former Air Force employee arrested in Punjab

  Delhi Crime Branch Police have arrested a former Air Force employee-Ranjeet on Tuesday from Bhatinda in Punjab state, for allegedly involving in espionage network operated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in India.   Ranjeet, a native of Kerala has served as an aircraftman in Punjab, but was dismissed from the service in the last month for allegedly leaking very confidential information. An unidentified woman, who came into contact with Ranjeet some time ago is said to be roped him into this espionage ring. It was found that he has been passing crucial information about Air Force deployment and other confidential information to her through e-mails and sms text messages. He has been shifted to New Delhi after arrest and will be produced before court soon.   Earlier, Delhi Crime Branch police have arrested a BSF security personal named Abdul Rasheed and a Pakistani handler Kafaitullah Khan from Jammu for same reasons. Their arrest reportedly leads to Ranjeet arrest. However, police couldn’t establish any link between these two groups.   While, India and Pakistan Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif are trying to strengthen the bonds between two countries, this kind of espionage activities by Pakistani ISI in India may hamper the peace process.   Besides, this espionage another set of groups are trying to promote ISIS terrorism in India. They are creating very alarming situation for the country. Few weeks ago, anti-terrorist sleuths have arrested an executive of Indian Oil Company, who has been promoting ISIS terrorism in the country. Recently, three final year engineering graduates from Hyderabad were arrested at Nagpur when they were boarding a flight for Srinagar as they plan to join ISIS terrorists’ organization. They plans to reach Syria through land route via Pakistan and Afghanistan.

GO Issued for temporary secretariat construction in Amaravati

  Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration Ministry has issued a GO today allowing CRDA to take necessary steps for construction of temporary secretariat in Amaravati capital city zone. It will be constructed with an estimated cost of Rs.180 crores. State government will give Rs.90 crores loan to CRDA without charging any interest and HADCO will arrange balance amount as loan with minimum interest. CRDA will invite tenders very shortly for this purpose. The successful bidder has to complete the construction of temporary secretariat before June 2016. CRDA will supervise the construction activities of this complex.   But, the question is when the master plan is ready in hand, why the government is gearing for construction of temporary secretariat instead of a permanent one in the prescribed area. The government is stating that construction activities of capital city will begin from June 2016. If so, it can start the construction of permanent secretariat building first instead of spending enormous amount on temporary building.   Center is also willing to provide necessary funds for construction of Assembly, Secretariat, High Court, Raj Bhavan etc. in the seed capital. If so, why the state government is going for temporary secretariat instead of a permanent one? If, the Centre or opposition parties object for it, then the government has to face very embarrassing situation.

President Pranab to visit Raj Bhavan today

  President Pranab Mukherjee, who is currently staying Rashtrapathi Nilayam at Bollaram in Hyderabad, will visit Raj Bhavan on Tuesday evening. Governor Narasimhan will host a dinner party for him. Hence, traffic diversions will be implemented between Bollaram and Raj Bhavan areas said city police commissioner Mahender Reddy. President Pranab Mukherjee may start from Rashtrapathi Nilayam around 7 pm and is expected to return Rashtrapathi Nilayam around 9 pm.

AP Government plans to de-notify Medha IT Towers

  Andhra Pradesh state IT Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy told the media that the state government is planning to request the Centre to de-notify the special economic IT Zone in Gannavaram for taking possession of Medha IT Towers located there. The state government want to shift number of its offices into it from Hyderabad soon as it has a carpet area nearly 1.7 lakh sq. feet and is having all necessary infrastructure. The three member committee constituted by the government found that 5000 employees can easily and comfortably work in the Medha IT Towers, which was actually built for IT Companies by previous government. It proximity with Vijayawada city is also another advantage.   However, currently around 250 employees of three IT Companies are still working in Medha IT Towers. Hence, the state government has to provide them alternative before de-notifying the zone. State government is asking them to move to Visakhapatnam which is ear marked as IT hub. But, if the companies move out from the special economic IT zone, they will lose the tax and other subsides.   So, the state government has to compensate that loss also. APIIC officials are reportedly negotiating with those three companies. Once, they are prepared to move out, then the state government can ask the Union Commerce Ministry to de-notify the special economic IT zone in Gannavaram and take possession of Medha IT Towers.

Gas subsidy for higher income groups removed

  Centre has decided not to give subsidy on domestic gas for higher income group people whose annual income is Rs. 10 lakh and above. They have to pay full price of Rs.608.76 per 14.2 kg gas cylinder from January 2016 onwards. Rest of the people can avail subsidized gas cylinders at Rs. 419.26. Hence, consumers have to submit a self-declaration form to their gas supply agencies about their annual income according Income Tax Act 1961.   Actually, when Narendra Modi takes charge as Prime Minister of the country, he appeals the higher income groups in the country to give up their gas subsidy. Nearly 57.5 lakh people positively respond to his appeal and gave up their gas subsidies. Still, there are crores of higher income group people do not want to give up their gas subsidy.   So, Modi government has comes up with this idea of putting cap for availing gas subsidy. According to Petroleum Ministry, the subsidy payout in 2014-15 was Rs. 40, 551 crores and it was Rs. 8, 814 crores during April to September this year. Government wants to bring down this figure much lower so as the people below poverty line gets full benefit of it.

JA Chowdary back in Chandrababu Naidu’s IT Board

  JA Chowdary, the man behind IT industry development in Hyderabad city has been appointed as IT Advisor of AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. He closely associated with Chandrababu Naidu during 1995-2004 and strived very hard to put the city on global IT map.   He is founder director of Software Technology Parks of India. He is co-founder and Executive Chairman of Talent Sprint Private Ltd. Managing director of Nvindia Graphics Pvt. Ltd., served as President and CEO of Poratal Player, India between 1999 and 2006.   Since, AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu wants to develop Andhra Pradesh state as IT and Software hub in the country, he again roped JA Chowdary for it.  Whether it is coincidence or not, he has been appointed exactly on the same day when Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had a breakfast meeting with AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu today morning at Hyderabad.