Tag: odishanews

One more anti-Naveen political front took shape today as few veterans like BrajaKishore Tripathy, Kharavela Swain and others announced the formation of the Odisha Ganatantrika Samukhya(OGS) to check-mate the Naveen-led BJD government in Odisha. There is no other big player in this outfit other than Swain and Tripathy.

(UNI) Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the nodal agency for facilitating economic activities in natural gas distribution, is organising a roadshow here on Wednesday for promoting 10th City Gas Distribution (CGD) bidding round.
The recently concluded 9th CGD bidding round for 86 Geographical Areas (GAs) covering 174 districts in 21 states / UTs attracted great interest from investors across the sector, wherein 406 bids were received from 38 organisations (including 8 new and 2 overseas investors), a statement said here on Monday.
This round received minimum work commitment of 2.2 crore domestic PNG connections, setting up of 4600 CNG stations and laying of 1.16 lakh inch-km of steel pipeline.
The 10th CGD Bidding Round comprising 50 GAs covering 124 districts in 14 states was launched by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on November 22 last year in New Delhi.
This roadshow at Vizag on January 23 is part of the series of roadshows which are being organised by PNGRB across India before the deadline for bid submissions on Feb 5.

The Karvan-e-Aman bus, operating between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), left here on Monday morning despite rain and snow, official sources said.

The bus left from Bemina on Srinagar outskirts Monday morning, sources told UNI.

They said the bus has since reached Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) at Uri, where more passengers will board it before leaving for Kaman post, the last Indian military post on this side of the Line of Control (LoC).

The exact number of passengers travelling in the bus to PoK will be known in the afternoon, they said, adding similarly the number of PoK guests will be known in the evening.

The bus was introduced on April 7,2005 despite opposition by the militant outfits. However, almost all separatist leaders, barring chairman of hardline Hurriyat Conference (HC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Democratic Freedom Party (DPF) chief Shabir Ahmad Shah, have travelled in the bus.

The bus has helped thousands of families, separated in 1947 due to partition meet each other. However, only state subjects from both sides are allowed to travel after their names are cleared by the intelligence agencies from both India and Pakistan. People from both sides are allowed to travel on Travel Permits instead of International passports.

Earlier, before the introduction of the bus, people from Kashmir valley had to travel to New Delhi or Wagah border to cross over to the other side.(UNI)

Director Shashank Khaitan recently posted a video on his official Instagram handle where he is rapping a piece from famous Birju rap originally rapped by Naezy.

In the video, Shashank Khaitan has performed the rap on his own who is highly inspired by ‘Gully Boy’. Earlier, the director has posted the video of him rapping.

The director captioned the post, “Gully boy has awakened the inner rapper beast in me … the birju rap by @naezythebaa is one of my favourites … @ranveersingh kya bolte bhai?”

When the lead actor Ranveer Singh come across this post, he immediately replied to Shashank Khaitan by saying, “BANTAAAAAAI”.

The audience is getting addicted to the recently released new song from Gully Boy, ‘Apna Time Aayega’, as the beats are so catchy and the response from the audience itself says that this is not just a song but a revolution.

‘Gully Boy’ is a story inspired by slum rappers of Dharavi.

Ranveer Singh who is paired opposite Alia Bhatt for the first time on the big screen is playing the role of a street rapper.

Directed by Zoya Akhtar, ‘Gully Boy’ is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar and will hit the screens on February 14.

haratiya Janata Party national general secretary Ram Madhav Ram on Sunday asserted that possibility of pre-poll alliance of his party with others were “very less” for contesting Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls.

Moreover, the BJP’s national general secretary said that his party will contest from all the assembly seats of the state.

“Chances of pre poll alliance are ‘very less’ but we will field our candidates on all seats in the state of Jammu and Kashmir,” Mr Madhav here told reporters at a press conference.

However, he said that the party has no hiccups in taking other parties along with, who wants to join hands with the BJP.

Mr Madhav said that BJP will contest on all seats by taking other parties also into confidence to give stable government to the people.

“We are fully prepared for assembly polls in the state and committed as well in giving popular government to the state,” Mr Madhav claimed.

On a question whether Peoples Conference head Sajjad Lone is still an ally of the BJP, Mr Madhav reply, “last time in 2014 when we contested elections, pre-poll alliance was not announced but we formed a coalition government later with the PDP depending upon the circumstances.”

However, on removal of former minister and senior leader Altaf Bukhari from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the BJP leader said, “I do not want to comment anything on internal matters of another political party (PDP) but it is surprising that the man, who was projected as the chief minister candidate when the political parties in the state came together on a single platform to form a coalition government, now ‘unwelcomed’ by the party.”

On rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits community in the Kashmir valley, he said, “we have a roadmap for the rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits. Construction of townships in the Valley to the displaced community could not be carried forward due to some reasons.”

“BJP is committed for their rehabilitation but only after the security situation improves,” Mr Madhav said and also assured to address concerns of the Western Pakistani Refugees.

On the recent developments of getting together of several non-BJP parties to take on the saffron party in upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Mr Madhav said that the grand alliance lacks common agenda and programme.

“Grand alliance is a bunch of corrupt leaders who are afraid of the visionary and corruption free leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he alleged.

The leader further said, “they (non-BJP parties) have no ‘jhanda’ (flag) and agenda to seek votes from the people but instead, they are trying to save the corrupt leaders by forming the grand alliance.”

BJP on 19 June last year, pulled out of the former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti headed PDP-BJP coalition government in the state.

Jammu and Kashmir at present is under President’s (Governor’s) Rule.(UNI)

‘Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi ‘, the much awaited film directed by Kangana Ranaut, has been awarded a ‘UA’ certificate by the Censor board. The sources said that ‘Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi ‘has been certified UA by the Central board of film certification (CBFC ) on January 16.
The film is based on the life of freedom fighter Rani Jhansi, is  to hit cinema screens on January 26.

DMK President M K Stalin, who had attended the mega Anti-BJP front rally at Kolkata, on Sunday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale aircraft deal.

Citing the expose on the deal in a newspaper, Mr Stalin, in a statement here, said Mr Modi has no right to claim that there was no corruption during the four-and-a-half-year BJP-led NDA government. He said Mr Modi, instead of repeating his empty rhetoric that there was no corruption during his regime and his baseless campaign that Opposition was telling lies on the issue, should come forward to uphold the dignity of the post of Prime Minister.

Mr Stalin said Mr Modi should understand that more than him, the DMK and the Opposition parties have more care for National security. He also dared Mr Modi to order a JPC probe into the Rafale deal if he really cares for Nation’s security.

Reacting to reports that burial ground of exiled Yusuf Shah Chak, who ruled Kashmir from 1579 to 1586, is under ‘threat’ from landgrabbers in Bihar, National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah on Sunday requested Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to protect the part of Kashmir’s history that lies far from the valley.
“I request @NitishKumar ji to protect this part of Kashmir’s history that lies far from the valley in Bihar,” Mr Abdullah, who is the former chief minister of the state, wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.
Chak, who succeeded his father Ali Shah, was imprisoned by the Mughal emperor Akbar and later exiled to Bihar.
Mr Abdullah was reacting to a report published in a daily national English newspaper under the headline, “Forgotten in a field far away: Grave of an exiled Kashmiri king lies in ruins in Bihar.” (UNI)

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has accused the BJP leaders of trying topple JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state from day one after it came to power last year and trying create a Constitutional crisis Karnataka.
Speaking to news-persons Mandakalli airport on Saturday night he said even after knowing well the government was stable BJP leaders were making futile attempts to topple the coalition government. ‘’They want to form the government unethically or want to bring Presidential rule in the state by creating constitutional crisis,” he alleged.
The chief minister feared that the BJP will continue it’s anti-Constitutional activities and denied BJP’s allegation that JD(S)-Congress trying to hijack BJP MLAs.
The BJP leaders in the country were under the illusion that there is no alternative to them. But, the gathering of opposition party leaders from across the country, during his swearing-in ceremony and the political rally organised by West Bengal Chief minister Mamta Benerji was historical in the country. This followed yesterday’s grand coming together of various party leaders in Kolkata yesterday.(UNI)

Congress decision to go alone in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh and in other states like Delhi may be seen as as a fallout of its failure to form a ‘mahagathbandhan ‘ (grand alliance) for the elections but the move by the grand old party is a part of its strategy to regain lost ground in the states where it has been reduced to being a fringe player over the years.
After Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi party and Mayawati of the Bahujan Samaj Party announced their alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha polls, excluding the Congress, the party announced its decision to fight the elections alone in the state.
Also, amid talks of a possible alliance with the Aam Aadmi party in Delhi in the Lok Sabha elections, the new Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit recently ruled out any tie up with AAP in the national capital.(UNI)

Disgruntled senior Congress Srikant Jena has fired yet another salvo at the Congress top leadership by stating , he will reveal something very explosive things related to the Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Jan 25 , the day Rahul is scheduled to be in Odisha. Which, he claimed will unmask the real face of the Congress chief. However, Jena remained short of telling as what would be his line of attack. But he has said that after the revelation Rahul Gandhi may not be in a position to face the mass.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday posted a series of tweets sharing his views on the interactions he had with Bollywood stars and noted cine personalities shared on the social network.

“When Kapil Sharma (stand up comedian) appreciates somebody’s humour, it sure makes that person happy and I am no exception. Thank you for the kind words Kapil,” Prime Minister wrote in a missive with a smile sign too.

The Prime Minister’s response comes to a tweet from Kapil Sharma wherein he said: “Respected PM Narendra Modi ji,it was nice meeting you and great knowing your inspiring ideas and progressive views about our film industry and our nation. And sir, I must say you have a great sense of humor too. regards”.

In his series of tweets, Prime Minister has thanked among others Asha Bhosle, Subhas Ghai and

Kunal Kohli. (UNI)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Sadhana Singh from Uttar Pradesh has stoked controversy by allegedly making a derogatory statement against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati creating a political fury in the state.
According to a report BJP MLA Sadhana Singh on Saturday gave a derogatory statement that the former UP chief minister sold her dignity in exchange of power.
Addressing a rally in Chandauli, Ms Sadhana an MLA from Mughalsarai said, “I don’t think the former UP CM is a woman or a man. She doesn’t understand the concept of dignity. Draupadi was a victim of sexual misconduct. She vowed to get revenge. She was a self-respecting woman. Look at this woman. Everything was looted from her, despite which she sold all her dignity to get power.”

Ms Singh says about BSP chief Mayawati, “jis din mahila ka blouse, petticoat, saari phat jaaye, wo mahila na satta ke liye aage aati hai. Usko pure desh ki mahila kalankit maanti hai.Wo to kinnar se bhi jyada badtar hai, kyunki wo to na nar hai, na mahila hai.”
“I take this opportunity to condemn Mayawati who calls herself a woman. She is a shame on the entire womankind. BJP leaders saved her dignity and she sold it for the sake of her comfort and power. Women from the entire country condemn her,” a report quoting Singh said.
Pankaj Singh, son of Union Minister Rajnath Singh, a BJP MLA from Noida was also present at the event.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) immediately gave its reaction on the reported statement of the BJP MLA saying such remarks shows the mental level of BJP and the party was frustrated with the SP-BSP alliance in the UP Lok Sabha polls.
BSP general secretary and MP Satish Chandra Mishra on Sunday that the remark of the MLA shows the

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today hiked the social security allowances of poor, old and disable people in the state.
The allowance of beneficiaries covered under the Madhu Babu Pension scheme will be enhanced by Rs 200 per month which will be effective from February 15, 2019.
Mr Patnaik made the announcement while participating in “Our Chief Minister Our Stories’’ programme at the Ama Gaon Ama Bikash meeting.
As per the decision, the beneficiaries under the age of 80 who receiving monthly pension of Rs 300 will now receive Rs 500 per month.
Similarly, the beneficiaries above the age group of 80 years would now get Rs 700 per month as against Rs 500.
As many as 48 lakh poor, old, disable, widow would be benefitted by the hike.
‘Welfare of the poor gives me the maximum satisfaction. It will be a great pleasure for me if people maintain a better life,” the Chief Minister said.
Mr Patnaik said, he wanted every eligible beneficiary is covered under the social security scheme. The state government has recently included five lakh more people under the Madhu Babu Pension scheme. (UNI)

Days after senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi had told disgruntled party MP Shatrughan Sinha to ‘leave’ the saffron party if he was not happy, the saffron outfit on Saturday said the leadership will take cognizance of Mr Sinha attending the Mamata Banerjee-led rally in Kolkata.

“They make it a point to be present at the whip so that they don’t lose their membership. At the same time, they are so opportunistic that they want to climb the stage and be present at a conclave. BJP will take cognizance of it,” BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters here.

The reference was to Mr Sinha attending the Lok Sabha proceedings during the recently concluded winter session of Parliament.

Mr Sinha had attended the Lok Sabha session when it approved the Constitution Amendment Bill that ensured reservation for economically weaker sections of people from general category.

Meanwhile, addressing the rally at Kolkata, the cinestar-turned-politician said, he did not mind being expelled from the party.

“If to speak truth is being rebellion, I am a rebel…..I am answerable to the people of India,” he said in presence of the likes of Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie.

He also said, “I have only tried to show mirror to the party (BJP)”.

In his response to the Mamata Banerjee-organised rally, BJP spokesman Mr Rudy termed the opposition rally in Kolkata as ‘political opportunism’.

“Some people are intelligent in a different way. Some people want to carry stamp of BJP for the facilities that come as a MP,” said Mr Rudy, also an elected MP from Saran parliamentary constituency in Bihar.

Mr Shatrughan Sinha, who was Health Minister under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, represents Patna Sahib parliamentary constituency in Bihar.(UNI)

Mumbai, Jan 18 (UNI) The implementation of the recent Reserve Bank of India’s guidelines on the loan system for the delivery of bank credit is likely to require a rollover of Rs 4.10 trillion worth of working capital loan in FY20, believes India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra).
About Rs 1.90 trillion worth of debt is likely to face a high or very high rollover risk owing to weak operating cash flows and a high proportion of rollover requirement vis-à-vis debt outstanding at FYE19.
The implementation of the new RBI guidelines could put at risk Rs 5.24 trillion worth of debt at FYE19; this could result in an increase in potential stress and extend the non-performing asset recognition cycle for banks to FY20.
In Ind-Ra’s opinion, the new RBI guidelines are likely to affect working capital-intensive sectors the most. Meanwhile, export-oriented sectors are likely to remain unaffected by the new guidelines, according to the agency.
The top two sectors by rollover requirement are likely to represent nearly 35 per cent of the total rollover requirement of the top 500 debt-heavy corporates in FY20.