Former Union Minister Gurudas Kamat Passes Away at 63 August 22, 2018 10:05
Former Union Minister and veteran Congress leader Gurudas Kamat passed away on Wednesday at a private hospital in New Delhi at the age of 63, Mumbai party officials said, as per news agency IANS. Kamat was also the former Mumbai Congress President. By Sowmya Sangam
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No NOTA in Coming Rajya Sabha Elections: Supreme Court August 21, 2018 17:56
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that NOTA (None of the above) option cannot be allowed in the Rajya Sabha elections as it would "wholly undermine the purity of democracy"."The option of NOTA may serve as an elixir in direct elections but in respect of election to Council of States which is a different one, it would wholly undermine the purity of democracy and also serve as the Satan of defection and corruption," said a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.Reversing a notification issued by the Election Commission introducing NOTA in Rajya Sabha elections, Chief Justice Misra speaking for the bench said: "The introduction of NOTA in indirect election may on the first glance tempt the intellect but on a keen scrutiny, it falls to the ground, for it completely ignores the role of an elector in such an election and fully destroys the democratic value.""The idea may look attractive but its practical applications defeat the fairness ingrained in an indirect election," the court said."More so where the electors' vote has value and the value of that vote is transferable... It is an abstraction which does not withstand the scrutiny of the 'cosmos of correctness'," it added quoting Justice Krishna Iyer.The apex court said it has to be remembered that "democracy garners its strength from the citizenry trust which is sustained only on the foundational pillars of purity, integrity, probity, and rectitude and such strongholds can be maintained only by ensuring the process of election remains unsullied and unpolluted so that the citadel of democracy stand still as an impregnable bulwark against unscrupulous forces".By Sowmya Sangam
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Aid Coming to Kerala from Abroad Exempt from IGST, Customs Duties: Finance Minister August 21, 2018 14:39
All relief material and aid coming into Kerala from other countries will be exempted from basic customs and IGST (Integrated Goods and Service Tax), tweeted Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday."India stands with Kerala in this hour of need. Central Government is exempting basic customs duty and IGST for the consignments of aid and relief materials being despatched or imported from abroad for the affected people," Finance Minister tweeted. India stands with Kerala in this hour of need. Central Government is exempting basic customs duty and IGST for the consignments of aid and relief materials being despatched or imported from abroad for the affected people. — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) August 20, 2018 The decision comes after the Kerala government requested for all relief aid coming into the state from foreign countries to be exempted from customs duties.By Sowmya Sangam
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Kerala: Rail, Road Services Partially Recovered August 21, 2018 10:57
The deluge-hit Kerala started picking up the pieces on Monday as the rain subsided and water began receding from flood-affected regions even as the Central government said the situation in the State had been categorized as an L3 level disaster under the National Disaster Management Guidelines. According to National Disaster Management Plan, L3 level of disaster corresponds to a nearly catastrophic situation or a very large scale disaster that overwhelms the state and district authorities. To discuss the flood havoc, the State government has convened an all-party meeting on Tuesday.Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the rescue operations would proceed till the last of the stranded victims were brought to safety. On Monday, as many as six deaths were reported in the State, taking the toll from August 8 to 223. A total of 10,28,073 people, including 1,01,049 children, were moved in 3,274 relief camps. Road, rail, and air traffic were partially restored.By Sowmya Sangam
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Cancel Tourist Bookings Till Aug. 21, Orders Kodagu District Admin August 20, 2018 15:59
Amid current relief efforts in Kodagu, Deputy Commissioner PI Sreevidya has directed all tourist services to cease operations till August 31. Hotels, resorts, lodges, homestays and tourist homes have been asked to cancel bookings till the end of the month.The directive from the district administration comes in the wake of extensive flooding and landslides caused due to torrential rains in the region."The landslides and flooding is unpredictable in the region. In such unstable circumstances, it is dangerous to pass through the fragile roads. In the best interest of the welfare of the tourists, we hereby order that all private establishments should cancel tourist accommodation and related arrangements,' the order said.The rains have already claimed the lives of over ten people, according to official sources. Hundreds of people are reportedly stranded on top of the hills, expecting aid from rescuers. Besides state agencies, the government has already authorized the Army, Navy and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to carry rescue efforts in the region. Over 3,500 people have reportedly already been brought to safe zones (safety shelters) by rescue officials, while the government agencies are trying to restore electricity, communication, and roads, and mobilize supplies to the affected people.Rough estimates suggest that over 3,000 private business establishments catering to the needs of tourists from the district are going to be affected as the relief efforts continue in the region.By Sowmya Sangam
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Turkey: Shots Fired at Gate of U.S. Embassy August 20, 2018 13:21
Shots were fired at a security booth outside the United States Embassy in Turkey's capital early Monday, but the U.S. officials said no one was hurt.Private Ihlas news agency said four to five rounds were fired from a moving white car and targeted the booth outside Gate 6 at the embassy in Ankara. Police was searching for the car.The U.S. Embassy spokesman David Gainer thanked the police for their "rapid response" and said no injuries had been reported.By Sowmya Sangam
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Atal Bihari Vajpayee Death: Funeral at 4 p.m. Today in Delhi's Smriti Sthal August 17, 2018 10:51
Former Prime Minister and India's tallest leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral and last rites will be held today. The 93-year-old stalwart died yesterday evening at 5.05 p.m. after being admitted to All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi for over 9 weeks. His body was taken to his official residence at Krishna Menon Marg last night where a stream of leaders visited to pay their homage. Hundreds gathered outside his residence to pay their tributes to the three-time prime minister from 7.30 this morning. His body would be taken to BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) headquarters at around 9 a.m. The funeral procession will begin at 1 p.m. from the party headquarters. Last rites of Vajpayee would be performed at 4 p.m. at the Smriti Sthal memorial site in the heart of the city. Prime Minister Narendra Modi among many other top leaders paid their tributes to the leader who was admired and respected across the political spectrum. Terming Vajpayee's death as "end of an era", Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that it was like losing a father. A seven-day state mourning was announced by the central government as a mark of respect to former prime minister. By Sowmya Sangam
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Kerala Floods: IMD Issues Red Alert, Kochi Airport Shut till Aug. 18 August 16, 2018 14:56
A red alert (heavy to very heavy rainfall in most places) has been declared by India Meteorological Department for Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kasargode, Kannur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Idukki, and Ernakulam Districts in Kerala until Thursday.Kochi airport will also remain closed until August 18, 2 p.m. due to the ceaseless rainfall in the state.The heavy rainfall has claimed the lives of as many as 39 people.On Tuesday, Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Chief Minister had informed that according to a preliminary report, state's entire damage due to floods is assessed to be worth Rs. 8316 crore.Vijayan requested for an additional Rs. 400 crore from the Home Ministry to carry out instant relief and rehabilitation work in the state. Kerala government had likewise intreated the Centre to state the disaster a 'rare severity' and deliver required funds and assistance within four weeks.By Sowmya Sangam
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Atal Bihari Vajpayee Critical: AIIMS August 16, 2018 12:29
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee continues to be in a critical state at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where has been admitted for the last nine weeks.The 93-year-old BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader, suffered a stroke earlier in 2009 and has one functional kidney. The weakened his cognitive abilities. Subsequently, he developed dementia.Vajpayee served as prime minister for three times. Vajpayee is the first non-Congress prime minister to complete a full five-year term.For the last decade or so, Vajpayee has been out of from public life due to deteriorating health.A number of top leaders, including Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have visited AIIMS to call on Vajpayee. Veteran BJP leader LK Advani too called on his former colleague.Vajpayee continues to be critical, on life support, AIIMS says in the bulletin.By Sowmya Sangam
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Chattisgarh Governor Balram Das Tandon Dies at 90 August 14, 2018 15:33
Chhattisgarh Governor Balram Das Tandon breathed his last on Tuesday at a hospital in Raipur. He was 90.According to reports, Tandon was admitted to a Dr. B R Ambedkar Hospital in Raipur on Tuesday after he complained of uneasiness.The governor's secretary, Surendra Kumar Jaiswal was quoted by PTI saying that the 90-year old leader felt uneasy following which he was rushed to the state-run Dr. BR Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in the state capital.By Sowmya Sangam
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Haryana: Anil Vij Announces Launch of Ayushman Bharat in 22 Dist.'s on Independence Day August 14, 2018 14:27
Haryana will be launching its pilot health project Ayushman Bharat Haryana starting from August 15 in 22 district hospitals, one ESI, and one medical college.Besides this, a target of opening 200 such health centers by year-end has been determinate.Declaring this on Monday, Health minister Anil Vij said under this scheme medical facility up to Rs. 5 lakh will be provided for free to 15.50 lakh families.The minister said at the start this facility will be provided in government hospitals, which would later be started in empanelled private hospitals.He said each health center will have Ayushman Mitra, who would be deputed to guide patients to avail benefits under this health scheme.Currently, 170 persons are being trained in Chandigarh for the Ayushman Mitra job.He said the government has given approval for the construction of 400 wellness centers in the state.By Sowmya Sangam
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Magnitude-5 Earthquake Hits China, 18 Injured August 14, 2018 10:35
A moderate earthquake hit southwest China's Yunnan Province leaving eighteen people injured measuring 5 on the Richter scale jolted southwest China's Yunnan Province, local authorities have said.The provincial civil affairs department said in a statement that the temblor damaged over 6,000 residences and affected over 48,000 residents in Tonghai and Huaning counties and in the district of Jiangchuan, all administered by the city of Yuxi. The injured are being treated in a hospital and are said to be in a stable condition.The epicenter of the quake which struck yesterday was at a depth of seven kilometers, China Earthquake Networks Centre said. "Stuff in my office started shaking. I heard a bang, and then the drinking fountain fell," Chang Li, a nurse with the county's orthopedic hospital in Tonghai, was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.By Sowmya Sangam
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