War of words intensifies between Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Ramvilas Paswan

Addressing a rally at Bhagalpur, Lalu Prasad moved further from his snide remarks against the LJP chief as ‘weathercock’ and called him ‘ehsanfaramosh’ (ungrateful).

‘I helped him when he was literally on the street (after loss in 2009 Lok Sabha poll) and sent him to Delhi (as Rajya Sabha member on the basis of strength of RJD MLAs) and see what he did in return (joined hands with BJP for power),’ Prasad said.

Lalu, who has joined hands with rival Nitish Kumar to defeat BJP-led NDA alliance in the bypoll, asked people to teach Paswan and NDA a lesson for ‘unprincipled politics’.

The LJP chief retorted and described him as "expert of jails."

‘If I am a weather scientist and weathercock he (Prasad)should be called 'expert of jails',’ the LJP chief and Union Food Minister told reporters at Patna Airport before setting out for campaign in the by-poll.

Paswan's jibe on Prasad was to highlight his imprisonments in fodder scam cases. His recent conviction in a fodder scam case in Ranchi debarred the RJD chief from contesting election for 11 year.

Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi while addressing a rally at Madhubani in bypoll on Rajnagar seat (SC), termed Paswan as an ‘opportunist’.

State minister for Food Shyam Rajak charged Paswan for doing politics in the name of dalits to promote his family's interest.

‘His family members are occupying all important posts in LJP and other organizations run by him in the name of dalits,’ Rajak said.

Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) President and Union Minister of State Upendra Kushwaha also joined Paswan in attacking his former leader Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad.

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PM seeks people’s suggestions on new institution to replace Planning Commission

The government also announced creation of a special open forum on the website mygov.nic.in for suggestions on the new institution.

"We envision the proposed Institution as one that caters to the aspirations of 21st century India and strengthens participation of the States.... Let the ideas flow," the Prime Minister said in a statement.

It said, "The Prime Minister has invited ideas from people on what shape the new institution to replace the Planning Commission can take."

Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, Modi had said that the 64-year old Planning Commission, a vestige of socialist era, would be soon replaced with a new institution to address the current economic challenges and strengthen the federal structure.

"We need a new body with a new soul....We will have to think about giving a new shape to the Planning Commission.... Very soon this new institute will start working in place of Planning Commission," Modi  said.

He had said that it was set up to cater to the needs of earlier times and has participated in its own way in the development of the country.

"The internal situation of the country has changed, global environment has changed. Government is no longer the centre of economic development. Economy is much more broadbased now," he said.

"State government is also a center of development. I feel it is a good sign. If we have to take India forward, then states have to be taken forward," the Prime Minister had said.

Justifying the need to replace the Commission, he said, "Sometime it becomes necessary to repair a house. It costs a lot of money. But it does not give us satisfaction. Then we feel it is better to make a new house."

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Govt to bring Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill to scrap RTOs

"The Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill, being prepared in sync with practises in six advanced nations - USA, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Germany and  UK - will be introduced in the next session of Parliament. This will overhaul the sector bringing to an end the corrupt practises in RTOs," Gadkari said on the sidelines of a meeting of Indian Roads Congress.

The Act has become obsolete in the present context and needs overhaul, he said, adding the new law is designed in a way that will provide permits online besides slapping fines on violators of traffic rules on the basis of recordings in camera.

"The new law will provide a corruption free and transparent system with a proper record of driving licenses. Data would be utilised in e-governance. International norms are there for vehicle design, pollution control on the basis of prevalent laws in six advanced nations - US, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Germany and UK," he said.

"I have firm faith that the new law will end corrupt practises in RTOs through e-governance," he said.

Earlier, addressing the Indian Road Congress meeting, the Minister said he had committed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Transport and Shipping sectors would contribute at least 2 percent to the GDP of the country in next two years.

Admitting that the Highways sector was passing through a rough patch and 21 out of 51 road widening projects had to be dropped in absence of any bidder, Gadkari said developers dropped projects worth about Rs 50,000 crore in the absence of lack of land acquisition and delays in green nods.

"Not a single kilometre of highway network could be added in July which is not good but the Ministry has resolved to build 30 kms of highways a day in the next two years," he said.

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A check for linguistic discrimination

The controversy arisen out of UPSC’s CSAT pattern even after 67 years of Independence once again put a stamp on the subject that Hindi and other languages are facing neglect since a long time. The kind of dominance, which existed in the context of English during British Rule, is still prevalent in India. It’s indeed quite disappointing that this very mind-set has not changed that English is synonymous with knowledge. What’s unfortunate is our policy makers often boast of derailment and degradation of Indian languages and though vernacular languages are not seen with ignorance these days, it’s also true that these languages have yet to make a place for themselves in government functioning especially at the top level. If the CSAT paper of preliminary examination, which has been considered mandatory for testing administrative skill since 2011, is being seen as the basis to discriminate between Hindi and other languages, there are some concrete reasons behind that as well. The results of past three years have made it clear that the number of students clearing UPSC exams in Hindi and other Indian languages have come down all of a sudden. It’s the main reason behind thousands of students in the national capital were compelled to take their anger into streets. 

It’s not proper that English language should be at helm in bureaucracy and judiciary and other languages will keep on languishing in the fringes. English has always been given a push and priority not only in public sectors but also in private sectors. Since proper policies are not being implemented, especially when it comes to promotion and development of languages, the nation is witnessing emergence of societies of diverse nature. First, that very section, which is fluent in English and climbing top positions by dint of their command over the language and another section which is still loitering in a clueless manner mainly since they have learnt Indian languages.  This scenario exists at such a time when the percentage of people having command over English across the country stands at just 10 percent. But what’s surprising is that this smaller section of the population has gone on to dominate the remaining 90 percent. It can’t be denied that in the contemporary era, knowledge of English is quite important and at the same time, it needs to be understood that language can’t be the sole yardstick of knowledge. The irony of the matter is that the unnecessary inclination towards English language is confined not only to cities but also to rural areas where proficiency in English is projected as the sure shot measure to success.

The students, who are protesting against CSAT, deserve sympathy. Not only because English language can have an impact on their process of selection in the civil services exams but also because the kind of education they have pursued right from the outset did not make them that much compatible to face stiffer challenges. If the students who studied in Hindi or other Indian languages are finding themselves weaker before those who have been taught in English, our educational system is only to be blamed. Why our educational system could not make them competent enough so that they can crack civil services examinations in the language they have been taught? Why it’s often assumed that there is a little scope of development of a student’s personality and caliber in other languages apart from English? There is also another question – if students’ requests are taken into consideration, will it cover up the flaws in our educational system? The issue is not just confined to CSAT but that very education which is failing to impart knowledge to students in a proper manner and hence, is not becoming a factor in personality development. There is one more reality associated with our society, which is divided on the basis of language. People who are well-versed in English are more prosperous compared to those whose knowledge of the language is not that good. The situation is such that discrimination is seen among the employees on the basis of proficiency over English in the same organization. Those who are well-versed with the language register a faster growth and the others are subjected to indifferent behavior. This is creating a feeling of neglect in them.

Our policymakers need to deliberate on this subject that why Indian languages have been subjected to discrimination of this magnitude? This has happened mainly because the government refrained from replacing English with Hindi as official language and promoting other Indian languages after Independence. A nation develops in a fast paced manner only when there is only one or two language to carry out all government functioning. In the presence of more languages, not only it creates problem in communication but also leaves an impact on administrative capabilities and hampers productivity.  In this context, the situation of India is quite strange as states have been formed on the basis of language and there are several states as well where multiple languages are spoken. In such a scenario, Hindi could have replaced English but due to narrow minded approach of some leaders and mainly because of their opposition, this idea was dropped. Its disastrous consequences are now out in open in front of all. Since government as well as private sectors basically depends on English, its acceptance is also widely growing and this is happening at the expense of Hindi and other Indian languages. What could be more unfortunate then no concrete step coming to the fore to make Hindi the national language especially when the language is reaching out to each and every corner through media, cinema and other forms of entertainment? The politicians need to ask this question themselves that whether they want to see Hindi or English as national language? If their prime aim is to establish English as India’s national language then they will have to get rid of their gammon of promoting and pushing Hindi.

The controversy on CSAT has not only kicked-off a debate over language but also raised questions over issues related to social justice. The issue of reservation, which was seen as a medium to bringing in social equality has been reduced to a prime ammo of vote-bank politics. If the questions related to language are solved and Hindi, along with other languages get their well-deserved weightage, the subject of reservation can be rendered ineffective to a considerable extent. It needs to be mentioned here that the section that are not well versed with English is languishing in backwaters and their lack of command over the language is acting as a major impediment in moving towards the path of development. The nation can’t progress by deviating away from its cultures and traditions and social equality can’t be brought as well.  In such a scenario, we need to take such measures to ensure that Indian languages don’t fall victim to discrimination and receive all the glory and respect it deserves. By making Hindi the official language, we can restore and rekindle the lost confidence among people. This will eventually lead to the materialization of the concept of one India – best India.

(An original copy of the article published in Hindi on July 27, 2014 translated by the English editorial. The author is the Group Editor of Dainik Jagran)

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Rajnath Singh launches Web application of Delhi Police

Motivating the Delhi Police to work effectively and efficiently Rajnath said, “Delhi Police should ensure the honour of uniform with their high quality of conduct.”

“Officers should earn greater faith and confidence of the people through delivery of work,” he added.

Rajnath also ensured Delhi Police officials of all the support to mordanise their system.

“Government will provide all assistance and guidance to make the Delhi Police as the most modern police of the country,” said Rajnath.

The Home Minister mentioned that the difficulties experienced by the people to obtain PCC will be addressed with the issuing of this certificate electronically.

He further mentioned that annually about one lakh people are expected to benefit with this scheme.

Expressing full confidence in Delhi Police Rajnath congratulated the force for adopting high technology in policing.

Earlier, Commissioner of Delhi Police B S Bassi also explained different e-applications adopted by the Delhi Police in the sectors of lodging of reports of lost items and a cell phone based application by the traffic unit of Delhi Police.

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Najeeb Jung, Home Secretary, Anil Goswami, Director, Intelligence Bureau (DIB), Syed Asif Ibrahim, Chief Secretary of Delhi, S K Shrivastava and other senior officials of MHA and Delhi Police were also present on this occasion.

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National Herald case: Delhi High Court issues notice to Subramanian Swamy on pleas of Sonia, Rahul

A bench of Justice V P Vaish has fixed the petitions for hearing at 2.30 pm on August 5.
   
Former law minister and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Sonia Gandhi, sought a stay on the proceedings pending in the trial court.
   
"The matter is listed on August 7 before the trial court. I will pass an order before that," Justice Vaish said.
   
During the brief hearing, Swamy alleged that the petitions have been filed without him being served with copies of petitions.
   
Besides Sibal, a battery of senior lawyers including AM Singhvi, Haren Raval and Ramesh Gupta appeared on behalf of accused Congress leaders.
   
The Congress leaders have challenged the lower court's orders summoning them on a complaint by Swamy alleging cheating and misappropriation of funds in the acquisition of the daily by Young Indian (YI).
   
Besides Sonia Gandhi, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Party Treasurer Moti Lal Vora are among the directors of Young India which was recently given almost 99 percent ordinary shares of the Associated Journals Limited AJL. AJL had been publishing newspapers 'National Herald' in English, "Navjivan" in Hindi and "Quami Awaz" in Urdu.
   
They have sought interim stay on the summons issued by the trial court on June 26.
   
Sonia Gandhi has also sought setting aside of the compliant itself saying it was "politically motivated and intended to wreak vengeance and unleash political vendetta" against her.
   
The trial court on June 26 had summoned Sonia, Rahul, Vora, party General Secretary Oscar Fernandes, Suman Dubey and Sam Pitroda to appear before it on August 7.
   
While summoning the six as accused in the case, the trial court had held that Swamy has established a prima facie case of cheating, misappropriation of funds and criminal breach of trust against them.

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Kerry meets Jaitley ahead of strategic dialogue

Kerry, who arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day visit, visited the Indian Institute of Technology in south Delhi.

Kerry also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. US delegation comprises Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker as well as State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki.  Kerry will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

On Wednesday evening, he met Indian business leaders ahead of his meeting with the top Indian officials. According to a background briefing by a senior US State Department official ahead of Kerry's visit, the India-US Strategic Dialogue is to focus on some of the big priorities that the Modi government have put forward on economic revitalization, on energy security, on homeland security, as well as the robust cooperation between our two countries in science and technology, in space, in skills and education, and in health.

"We see a new government coming in that has an ambitious agenda, what we can do to help that government realize its agenda, because we see India's economic rise as something that is deeply in US interest. And we believe that American companies have a role to play in that rise, and so part of the discussion over the next two days is really going to be focusing in on what are the shared priorities and shared goals that we want to focus on," the official said.

Kerry and Pritzker will participate in a roundtable with Brookings India that will focus on climate and energy issues. Kerry said on Wednesday that the long-standing partnership between US and India is on the cusp of an historic transformation and that US will work hand in hand with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government to power India's rise economically and strategically.

"India's rise will help the Indo-Pacific region become more stable, more prosperous and free. The strategic choices India makes on how to grow its economy and promote regional security will directly impact Asia's growth and US interests," the article read.

"As President Barack Obama has observed, America's economy and security will increasingly be influenced by events in Asia. India's economic strength and business environment are, therefore, of strategic importance to both our countries."

"We are coming to India to deliver a single message: US is prepared to be a full partner in this effort. We will work hand in hand with Modi and his government to promote open and liberal trade and investment, job training and closer strategic ties, he said as he pushed for boosting economic and strategic ties with India," said the piece by Kerry and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker.

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Kerry visits IIT; walks out impressed with students

Kerry, who is here for the 5th Indo-US Strategic Dialogue, took time out of his schedule and visited the Applied Microbiology Laboratory and Bio-process lab.

Professor R K Shevgaonkar, Director of the IIT, Delhi said that the American Embassy had specifically mentioned the laboratories that Kerry wanted to visit.

Dressed in a blue suit, Kerry interacted with the students there and asked a number of questions about the processes involved, the education fees, patent system and also if they would get a job in India or would they have to go out.     Kerry was very pleased to see a research project on
bio-degradable plastic.

As a student explained the project to him, Kerry said, "Very exciting. It would be a huge contribution to the world. Very exciting. Fantastic".

Kunal Gupta, who is part of the project, said he was proud that Kerry visited his institute. "I am very proud to be part of a institute which is recognised in the US as well. They (US) have done a lot of research which is much ahead of us and Kerry's visit to the institute makes us feel very good," said Gupta.

Kerry also visited the lab which was using algae to clean water and to produce biomass.

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Gold prices recover marginally; silver remains higher

Silver also strengthened by Rs 100 to Rs 44,900 per kg on increased offtake by industrial units and coin makers.

Marketmen said emergence of buying at prevailing levels by jewellers and retailers to meet upcoming festive season demand mainly supported the upside in gold prices.

In Delhi, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 percent purity recovered by Rs 45 each to Rs 28,245 and Rs 28,045 per ten grams, respectively. It had lost Rs 170 in previous two days.

Sovereign, however, remained steady at Rs 24,700 per piece of eight grams in restricted activity.

In line with a better trend, silver ready advanced by Rs 100 to Rs 44,900 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 125 to Rs 44,360 per kg. The white metal had gained Rs 400 on Wednesday.

Silver coins, however, continued to be asked at level of Rs 77,000 for buying and Rs 78,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

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Sonia Gandhi says she will write her own book to reply to Natwar Singh’s comments

Sonia Gandhi told a leading news channel that she was absolutely serious about writing a book which will reveal the truth.

Natwar Singh, who has used terms like “authoritarian" and "Machiavellian” in his autobiography for Sonia Gandhi, in an interview had claimed that the 67-year old Congress president did not take up the position of Prime Minister after UPA stormed into power in 2004 because of her son Rahul Gandhi’s stiff opposition, and not due to her ‘inner voice’ as she had claimed at that point.

Singh claimed Rahul was worried that just like his father Rajiv Gandhi and grandmother Indira Gandhi, both former Prime Ministers, her mother might be assassinated too if she decides to lead the nation.

Manmohan Singh went on to become the Prime Minister of country and he stayed at the position for next ten years.

However, Gandhi said that such attacks are futile as it would not have any effect on her since she is used to them.

“I can't be hurt. I have seen my mother-in-law riddled by bullets, my husband dead and I am far from getting hurt with these things. Let them continue to do this it will not affect me,” Gandhi told the news channel.
“They can continue to do this if they so please," she added.

Singh was forced to resign from the UPA government in 2005 following his alleged involvement in corruption.

Meanwhile, the Congress branded Singh’s comments as ‘ridiculous’ and ‘politically motivated’.

"It is ridiculous. These days it has become fashionable to sensationalize the contents of a book with the sole aim of ensuring better sale and free publicity. This is yet another such exercise. Any comment on it will be a futile exercise," AICC general secretary and Communication Department Chairman Ajay Maken said.
To persuade Natwar Singh from not referring to this particular episode in his autobiography, the Congress president along with her daughter Priyanka Gandhi had met him on May 7 at his residence but he decided to disclose facts as they were and tell the "truth", Singh claimed in an interview.
   
The book titled "One Life is Not Enough: An Autobiography" is due to release soon.

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BJP reacts on Kerry's 2013 religious freedom report

The latest report, however, does mention that hundreds of cases related to the burning of a railway coach and the subsequent violence in Gujarat remain pending.

This year's report goes on to say: "After years of investigation, the SIT (special Investigation team) decided in 2012 not to pursue any charges. In December (2013), a magistrate court rejected a protest petition filed by Jafri and upheld the SIT decision. Jafri said she intended to appeal to a higher court."

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Bringing poll parties under RTI would hamper their working: Govt

In a written reply, Minister of State for Personnel and Training Jitendra Singh said no representation from the political parties opposing the Central Information Commission order, bringing six national parties under RTI, has been received in the department.

"Declaring a political party as public authority under the RTI Act would hamper its smooth internal working, which is not the objective of the RTI Act. Further, political rivals may misuse the provisions of the Act, thereby adversely affecting the functioning of the political parties," the minister said.

He said CIC in its decision dated June 3, 2013 has held that the political parties namely AICC/INC, BJP, CPI(M), CPI, NCP and BSP are public authorities under the RTI Act.

"A bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 12, 2013 to exclude Political Parties from definition of 'Public Authority' under the RTI Act, 2005. The Bill was referred to Parliamentary Standing Committee on September 12, 2013. The Standing Committee in its report recommended passing of bill by the Lok Sabha.

"The Bill could not be taken up for consideration by the Parliament and stands lapsed after dissolution of 15th Lok Sabha," he said.

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Railway Minister to consider hike in insurance cover for rail mishap victims: Ram Naik

Naik said he and Mumbai North MP Gopal Shetty met the Railway Minister in Delhi on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum on demands and suggestions regarding railways.

"The minister said the demand for increasing insurance cover for victims of railway accidents would be considered," Naik stated.

Presently, Rs 4 lakh is given as insurance to the family of the railway victim upon death. Other victims get insurance cover in proportion to their injuries.

"These amounts were decided way back in 1997 and no revision has been made in the last 16 years. Looking at the hiked cost of living we urged upon the Railway Minister to increase these insurance amounts appropriately. He readily agreed to consider," Naik said.

Naik and Shetty also submitted the memorandum on behalf of Railway Claims Tribunal Bar Association Mumbai.

They told the minister that the post of judicial member at Railway Claims Tribunal, Mumbai is vacant since last two years and the decisions are given only by the technical member of the Tribunal.

Complainants often feel that their cases are not considered judiciously. The Railway Minister assured the duo to fill the vacancy at an early date.

Naik, a former Railway Minister himself said issues related to Mumbai Suburban Railway were also discussed with Gowda.

They urged him to publish "white paper" on Mumbai suburban Railways to which the Minister assured to consider the demand.

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