Tag: thesamikhsya

At the invitation of President of Republic of Korea, Moon Jae-in, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a two-day state visit to that country and give a new momentum in high-level exchanges between two countries.

During his visit, Mr Modi will be also honoured with Seoul Peace Prize.

According to an official release, India and Korea share good ties and this got further boost during the visit of President Moon to India for Bilateral Summit in July 2018 and the participation of the Korean First Lady Her Excellency Madame Kim Jung-sook at the Deepotsav event in Ayodhya in November 2018.

Prime Minister Modi’s forthcoming visit will provide an “important occasion” for the two leaders to review the recent developments in bilateral relations, the release said here on Thursday.

The forthcoming visit will further demonstrate the priority New Delhi attaches to deepening multi-dimensional engagement with Korea as part of India’a ‘Act East Policy.’

During the visit, Prime Minister will also be conferred upon with the 2018 Seoul Peace Prize at a ceremony to be organised by the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation on February 22, in recognition of his national and international contributions, the release said.

Despite some positive developments following years of brutal conflict, Iraq is gripped by political stalemate and a continued humanitarian crisis that is hampering the stabilisation of the country, the head of the UN Assistance Mission in the country, (UNAMI), Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, has told the Security Council.
Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert on Wednesday started her first briefing to the UN body since taking up her post, by explaining that although a new Prime Minister-designate has been nominated, the Iraqi Government remains incomplete due to “fierce disagreements among political parties”, with four top positions still vacant, including the key portfolios of the Interior, Defense, and Justice ministries.
Moreover, multiple parliamentary sessions have been “adjourned, interrupted or boycotted” which has delayed substantive work from taking place.
“The people of Iraq are bearing the brunt of the political stalemate… at a time when it is critical to address their needs and demands for better services,” she stressed, adding that further delays would have “significant repercussions” for “the stability of the country”.
She called on politicians in Baghdad “to overcome political infighting and to demonstrate that political compromise can prevail in the greater interest of the Iraqi people,” noting also that there are “excellent and experienced Iraqi women well-qualified to perform the job”.
Insecurity remains a major concern, as regular attacks by ISIL extremists – known in the Arab world as Da’esh – continue and as other armed groups are “expanding their economic and social control in Iraqi daily life”.

Hennis-Plasschaert called on the Iraqi Government to “take quick measures to reform its security sector and act resolutely against these groups and their activities.”
As a result of years of conflict, the international humanitarian effort to support Iraq remains critical. The 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan seeks $700 million to provide basic assistance to 1.75 million vulnerable Iraqis, including protection services, medical care, food support, explosive clearance, and longer-term recovery activities.
“While significant efforts are underway to reconstruct infrastructure and restore basic services it will take many years and billions of dollars to rebuild the country. And Iraq will undoubtedly need the continued attention of the international community to make this transition successful and sustainable,” the Special Representative said.
In her briefing Ms Hennis-Plasschaert noted some recent positive developments such as the adoption of the federal budget for 2019 which includes important allocations for the delivery of basic services, and efforts made by the Government to combat corruption.
“The fight against corruption will not be an easy one, but it is a much needed one as corruption is vast and pervasive at all levels in Iraq. It is a much-needed fight in order to revive public-trust and to facilitate the provision of basic services,” she said.
Other highlights included a recent agreement between the Federal Government in Baghdad, and the Kurdistan Regional Government, based in Erbil, to unify custom duties. “This decision is an important step in reinforcing Iraq’s unity,” she explained adding that “a speedy implementation of this agreement should now be a priority for both sides”.
The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has formally recommended that Provincial Council elections take place on 16 November, she said, noting that UNAMI “will continue to provide the technical assistance and support” IHEC needs. “However, in preparation for these elections a number of steps will need to be taken urgently by the Government of Iraq and the relevant institutions.”
She also highlighted as a priority the need for “a more consistent adherence to international standards of due process and fair trial.”
“An impartial and transparent process of judicial accountability – for the gross violations of human rights by ISIL – will prove crucial in rebuilding peaceful coexistence and social cohesion,” she insisted.
Closing her briefing,   Hennis-Plasschaert said that “the atmosphere of despair during the period of ISIL occupation has given some way to hope and optimism for the future in Iraq. However, one cannot shy away from the fact that the road to well-deserved long-term stability will be long and far from easy”.
Noting that great determination, political will and national ownership will critical for success, she stated that support from the international community will continue to be “of paramount importance”.

The Supreme Court, in its order on the tug of war between between the Lieutenant Governor and Delhi government, on Thursday delivered a split judgement on services, the power to appoint, post and transfer officials in Delhi administration, but agreed on the Centre having control over Anti-Corruption Branch in Delhi.

The service issue has been sent to a larger bench.

A two-judge bench, headed by Justices A K Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan pronounced the verdict.

Both the judges unanimously said that the Centre will have the jurisdiction over Delhi’s ACB.

The Top Court had reserved the judgement last year, after hearing in great detail the arguments and submissions and responses made by the petitioner, Delhi government and the respondents LG and the Centre.

Radio is a powerful tool that continues to promote “dialogue, tolerance and peace,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in message on Thursday, marking World Radio Day.
“Even in today’s world of digital communications, radio reaches more people than any other media platform” explained the UN chief, adding that it “conveys vital information and raises awareness on important issues”.
“And it is a personal, interactive platform where people can air their views, concerns, and grievances” he added, noting that radio “can create a community”.
UN Radio was established on 13 February 1946, and since 2013, the day has been commemorated to recognize radio as a powerful communication tool and a low-cost medium.
“For the United Nations, especially our peacekeeping operations, radio is a vital way of informing, reuniting and empowering people affected by war”, said Mr Guterres.
Radio brings together people and communities from all backgrounds to foster positive dialogue for change.
Despite the rise of the internet, many parts of the world, especially remote and vulnerable communities, have no access, making radio broadcasting via transmitters, a vital lifeline. Joining a community of local listeners, also provides a platform for public discussion, irrespective of education levels.
Moreover, it has a strong and specific role in emergency communication and disaster relief.
“On this World Radio Day, let us recognise the power of radio to promote dialogue, tolerance and peace”, concluded the Secretary-General.
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) underscored “the unique, far-reaching power of radio to broaden our horizons and build more harmonious societies”.
“Radio stations from major international networks to community broadcasters today remember the importance of radio in stimulating public debate, increasing civic engagement and inspiring mutual understanding”, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said in her message.
Since its invention as the first wireless communication medium well over a hundred years ago, “radio has sparked new conversations and broadcast new ideas into people’s homes, villages, universities, hospitals and workplaces,” she continued. “To this day, dialogue across the airwaves can offer an antidote to the negativity that sometimes seem to predominate online, which is why UNESCO works across the world to improve the plurality and diversity of radio stations”.
The UNESCO chief pointed out that radio has adapted to 21st century changes and offers new ways to participate in conversations that matter, retaining its role as “one of the most reactive, engaging media there is”, especially for the most disadvantaged.
For example, she flagged that rural women constitute one of the most under-represented groups in the media and are twice as likely as men to be illiterate, “so radio can be a critical lifeline to express themselves and access information”.
Ms Azoulay made clear that “UNESCO provides support to radio stations in sub-Saharan Africa that enable women to participate in public debate, including on often-neglected issues such as forced marriage, girls’ education or childcare”.
Linguistic diversity, and people’s right to express themselves on-air in their own languages, is also crucial – especially true in 2019 which has been designated by the International Year of Indigenous Languages by the UN.“In former conflict zones, radio can dispel fear and present the human face of former foes”, she elaborated, citing North-West Colombia where community radios are healing old wounds “by highlighting the good deeds of demobilized combatants, such as clearing polluted waterways”.
Around the world, the “inclusion of diverse populations makes societies more resilient, more open and more peaceful”, Ms Azoulay spelled out.
“The challenges we face – whether they be climate change, conflict or the rise in divisive views – increasingly depend on our ability to speak to each other and find common solutions”, she concluded.(UNI)

In quite an unusual but assertive note, fugitive business magnate Vijay Mallya on Thursday sought to join issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and wondered why the latter was “not instructing” banks to take the money he (Mallya) has offered to pay back.
“I respectfully ask why the Prime Minister is not instructing his Banks to take the money I have put on the table so he can at least claim credit for full recovery of public funds lent to Kingfisher,” Mr Mallya wrote in a series of tweets.
The business tycoon, who has been ordered by the UK government for extradition to India, said,
“The Prime Minister’s last speech in Parliament (in Lok Sabha on Wednesday) was brought to my attention. He certainly is a very eloquent speaker. I noticed that he referred to an unnamed person who “ran away” with 9000 crores. Given the media narrative I can only infer that reference is to me”.
On this backdrop, Mr Mallya wrote – “I have made the offer to settle before the Hon’ble High Court Court of Karnataka. This cannot be dismissed as frivolous. It is a perfectly tangible, sincere, honest and readily achievable offer. The shoe is on the other foot now. Why don’t the Banks take the money lent to KFA ?”
He also said – he is “appalled” to say the least at the media reports on the Enforcement Directorate claims “that I hid my wealth. If there was hidden wealth how could I put approximately Rs 14,000 crores worth of assets openly in front of Court ? Shameful misleading of public opinion but unsurprising”.
The ED has accused Mr Mallya of money laundering and he is chiefly also charged with
defrauding a consortium of banks to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore apart from separate cases of tax evasion.
On January 2 this year, Vijay Mallya was also declared a fugitive offender under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.
Chief magistrate in an UK court has said that there was, prima facie, a case against Mallya for fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, describing him as “this glamorous, flashy, famous, bejeweled, bodyguarded, ostensibly billionaire playboy who charmed and cajoled these bankers into losing their common sense”. (UNI)

Big political row has been triggered off by veteran socialist Mulayam Singh Yadav’s heaps of praise on Prime Minister and extending of good wishes that Narendra Modi should ‘return’ to power again.

“Hum log toh itna bahumat mein nahi aa sakte haen, Pradhan mantri ji aap phir pradhan mantri baney (We cannot win as many seats to come to power. Mr Prime Minister, you will again become Prime Minister),” Mr Yadav said in Lok Sabha perhaps making the most surprising political remark of circa 2019.

With UPA stalwart Sonia Gandhi on his side, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav sprang major surprise and

without doubt, former UP Chief Minister’s praise on Modi created ripples down the political spectrum as Sonia Gandhi and perhaps also NCP lawmaker Supriya Sule were left surprised in the House.

The well televised episode in Lok Sabha – which is expected to haunt the opposition for months in the election season – has already spread like wildfire on the social network.

Prime Minister Modi had acknowledged Mr Mulayam’s ‘blessings and good wishes’ and also reciprocated to Samajwadi Party stalwart with folded hands.

BJP spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi predictably welcomed the statement from Samajwadi Party leader and said: “The courtesy he showed proves that he (Mulauam) has risen over and above the party politics”.

“I think it is nothing but the acceptance of credibility of Narendra Modi in the contemporary Indian politics after his government gave an inclusive development,” Mr Trivedi told a private TV channel.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah only had two words tweet reactions to the episode- “Poor Akhilesh!”

Efforts have been made by Samajwadi Party sources and other opposition parties later to play down Mulayam’s remarks saying the former UP Chief Minister has only tried to wish good wishes to all sitting lawmakers in the House as it was the last working session of the 16th Lok Sabha.

Mulayam’s son Akhilesh Yadav lately worked out an alliance with BSP of Mayawati and had kept Congress out of the same.

Mulayam’s remarks came on a day opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, Arvind Kejriwal, Farooq Abdullah and Sharad Yadav have tried to come together to work out a grand alliance.

Later in the day, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, however, said – “Well, I disagree with him. But Mulayam Singh Yadav has a role in Indian politics”.(UNI)

In a bid to ease the burden of heavy bags, the Meghalaya government has fixed weight limits for students of all classes and imposed restrictions on home works for classes I and II.

The government, which has set rules in pursuance to the guidelines of the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India, pertaining to the matter of weight of school bags and the health of children.

In a notification issued by Principal Secretary Donald P Wahlang, the schools shall not assign homework to students except those recommended by the MBOSE, ICSE or CBSE as per the guidelines formulated by the Meghalaya government.

Besides, the schools will also not be able to assign homework to students of Classes I and II.

As per the guidelines on the weight of school bags set by the government, the school bags of the students of classes I and II should not exceed 1.5 kg.

On the other hand, for students of classes Ill to V, the weight of school bags should not exceed 3 kg while for students of Classes VI to VII, the weight should not exceed 4 kg.

For students of Classes VIII to IX the weight should not exceed 4.5 kg and for students of Class X the weight has been fixed at 5 kg and can’t exceed this limit.

The government has also instructed the school authorities not to force the students to bring additional books and other materials apart from the prescribed textbooks.

“Schools should make sure that students carry only such textbooks as indicated in the time-table,” the notification said.

The state government has directed the heads of schools and teachers to “frame well designed time table for each class so that children do not have to carry too many books or notebooks to the school”.

“Reading library books and participation in games, sports, arts & culture and other creative co-curricular activities for holistic development of students must be encouraged,” the notification said.(UNI)

 Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido’s ambassador to the United States, Carlos Vecchio, during a meeting urged US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other lawmakers to intensify pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
“We must ensure that humanitarian aid can enter soon to serve all Venezuelans, while increasing pressure against the regime,” Vecchio said according to a press release issued by his office after the meeting on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Guaido told his supporters that US humanitarian aid would be delivered on February 23. Maduro so far has refused to accept aid that the United States has delivered to neighboring Colombia, blasting it as a ploy to topple his government. Maduro said the United States should help by lifting economic sanctions.
On Monday, Christoph Harnisch, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Columbia, said his organization will not assist in delivering the goods to Venezuela because the ICRC does not consider the US assistance to be humanitarian aid. Earlier this month, the ICRC warned US officials against politicizing humanitarian assistance and delivering aid without consent of local authorities. UN spokesman Stephen Dujarric told reporters last week, referring to the crisis in Venezuela, that humanitarian action must be independent of political or military objectives.
The US government seized billions of dollars in Venezuelan oil assets after Guaido proclaimed himself the country’s president on January 23. Russia and several other countries continue to support Maduro as the country’s only legitimate democratically-elected head of state.

The 16th Lok Sabha held its last working session on Wednesday. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan hosted a lunch for media persons at her official residence here.

In informal chat with journalists, Ms Mahajan said the “single biggest” achievement of her tenure was a “lesson by itself”.

“I have been a member of the House for long….I also sat among front bench members. In the past, I might have complained against former Speakers Somnath Chatterjeeji and Meira Kumarji, that they have not given me time. But when I sat on the chair, I understood the limitations of how to take all along, do justice to each member and stick to the rules of procedures,” Ms Mahajan remarked.

To a question, she also said another positive thing she felt all along during last five years is that members – irrespective of party affiliations and age showed ‘enough love’ for her.

“I do not know about respect, that is different. But they definitely showed enough love towards me. This is something I will cherish,” said 76-year-old Ms Mahajan and eight time MP from Indore.

During the valedictory session, several members including Prime Minister Narendra Modi heaped praise on her.

Mr Modi said eight of the 17 sessions of the 16th Lok Sabha had over 100 per cent productivity.

The overall productivity was recorded at over 85 per cent.

Among others Shiv Sena leader Anandrao Adsul said he would hope that in future too “Ms Mahajan should get some position higher than that of Lok Sabha Speaker”.

On this, unattached member Rajesh Ranjan Yadav remarked – “Next higher position is President of India”.

“I commend to you, Madam, that the manner in which you presided over this Lok Sabha, it has added a glorious chapter to our parliamentary history,” Biju Janata Dal floor leader Bhartruhari Mahtab said.

Interacting with journalists during the lunch hosted at her residence, Speaker Mahajan also shared a bit of her personal likes and dislikes. At one point of time – as she posed smilingly for snaps with most news persons – Ms Mahajan remarked: “I don’t like selfies”.

New political outfit Bahujan Azad Party (BAP) which was floated a couple of years ago by 50 IITians, has announced its election symbol “SLATE” , here.

Addressing a press conference at Press Club of India on Wednesday, Naveen Kumar, an IIT passout who is leading the party from the front said that nation has invested a lot in him and he must pay back to India by serving for making India developed nation.

Accusing the BJP led government in the centre of attacking the institutions like Supreme Court and Media, he said that “India has gone 50 years back in past 5 years. This government is incapable of developing the scientific temper among the youth of this country.”

The party is slated to contest on about 100 seats from 9 states. “ We shall be contesting on all seats from Bihar” , said the former IITan.

Taking a dig at the opposition parties for relentlessly attacking the Modi government on the rafale deal, he said that the Grand alliance of Congress, TMC and other national parties should quesstion the incumbent government on the issues of unemployment.

“I reject the government in the centre but I would like to ask the grand alliance that what shall we get if they win the upcoming elections,’he said.

He also urged the youth of the country to participate in the democracy and check their leader before casting their vote.

Empowering users to make seamless digital payments in their own language, India’s largest digital payments platform, Paytm, the brand owned by One 97 Communications Limited, on Wednesday announced that its Android app now supports 11 different languages, including all major Indian vernaculars and English.
With this, Paytm has further expanded its lingual reach and has gone on to become the first digital payments major in India to offer the widest range of language options on its app, a release said here.
Within 5 years of operations, Paytm today covers around 88 per cent of Indian villages and more than 60 per cent of its users are based out of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
This new addition will further strengthen Paytm’s position as the preferred digital payments platform with support for a majority of indigenous languages.
With more than 35 per cent of its users preferring to use the app in their regional language, Hindi is the most preferred language on Paytm after English, followed by Gujarati, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Kannada and among others.
With the availability of regional languages on the app, the platform has witnessed strong growth in the number of users.
Deepak Abbot, Senior Vice President, Paytm said, “Today Paytm is being used by millions of Indians for their day-to-day needs and its adoption has been consistently on the rise.”
“By providing them with more language options to choose from, we envision to further add momentum to this development and increase the convenience of our both current and prospective customers,” he added.
“We have worked really hard to provide support for all major Indian languages on our app, it’s not just about literally translating everything, but, providing the right context, which users have appreciated the most,” he said.
Recent reports – including IMAI-Kantar IMRB’s Internet in India and Google-KPMG’s Defining India’s Internet – have indicated that non-English speaking users are increasingly adopting digital services in India.
It is estimated that around 205 million Indians might join the internet if offered services in their preferred languages.
The step taken by Paytm will further increase seamless adoption for those who are yet to join the digital bandwagon and make the vision of ‘Digital India’ a reality for them, the release said.(UNI)

Skoda Auto India said that bringing back the premium Monte Carlo marque, which combines luxury and glamour with racing sports styling to its portfolio.
The premium Monte Carlo range will offer distinctive black design accents and race-inspired exquisite interiors.
The Rapid Monte Carlo will be introduced at an ex-showroom price of Rs 11.16 lakh in exclusive Flash Red colour.
Commenting on the introduction of the new Skoda Rapid Monte Carlo, Zac Hollis, director Sales, Service, and Marketing, Skoda Auto India, said, ”We are glad to re-introduce the Monte Carlo marque in India. The Rapid Monte Carlo offers a compelling combination of the brand’s emotive design, exquisite interiors, leading safety as well as intelligent connectivity features. It is positioned at the upper end of its segment and targets discerning customers who wants a premium experience.”
The car bears a black Skoda signature grille, gloss black mirrors and quartz-cut projector headlights (with chrome eyelashes) and LED daytime running lights. Other highlights are dual-tone 16-inch Clubber alloy wheels with glossy black bolt covers, the glossy black décor on the B pillars with Monte Carlo flag badge, black roof foil, black tailgate spoiler and the black grained sporty diffuser.
The Rapid Monte Carlo has a three-spoke SuperSport flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel and the gear knob has black perforated leather and red decorative stitching. There is also plush Monte Carlo leatherette seat upholstery with grey vertical stripes.
The sedan is high on advanced and intelligent connectivity features and gets the ‘Drive’ state-of-the-art 6.5-inch colour touchscreen Central Infotainment System; and SmartLink technology that supports MirrorLink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
On the safety front, Skoda offers safety features like dual airbags and ABS as standard across its product portfolio. The standard safety and security equipment on the Rapid Monte Carlo include ABS, five three-point seatbelts and dual airbags. In addition, ESC is available on the DSG variant and HHC (Hill Hold Control) is
available on both AT Petrol and AT Diesel variants.
The Rapid Monte Carlo will come with the 1.5L TDI diesel engine and the 1.6L MPI petrol engine from the Skoda Rapid model range.

Construction and real estate industry should push for bringing the entire sector under the GST as early as possible to solve major problems of the sector, Group of Ministers on Real Estate under GST regime Secretary Manish Kumar Sinha suggested on Wednesday.

The group of ministers will soon meet and address all issues, Mr Sinha said while speaking at an interactive session on ‘Decoding Union Budget – A Real Estate Perspective’ organised by the FICCI.

Mr Sinha said the Government is very sensitive to this sector and doing the best it can. The government is aware of the fact that real estate is one of the key sectors, provides jobs and contributes, directly and indirectly, around 8-10 per cent to the GDP.

Mr Sinha highlighted that post-GST, tax rates have come down to 12 per cent which was 20 per cent earlier. To boost the affordable and mid-segment housing, availability of credit is essential for growth.

FICCI Real Estate Committee Chairman Sanjay Dutt said the demand in the office sector is growing strongly, but on the other hand, the demand of residential space has not seen that kind of growth and is currently where it was few years back. In order to bring back the demand, he suggested that the developers should construct, design and build houses keeping in mind the end-user.

FICCI-EY White Paper on ‘Indian Real Estate: Demystifying the new tax and regulatory environment’ was also released during the event which highlights the key tax and accounting issues impacting the real estate sector.

Hard task master Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who has been recently appointed as Congress general secretary ( Uttar Pradesh east) held a marathon 16 hours meeting on Tuesday which ended in the early hours on Wednesday and was ready within six hours to start afresh a series of meetings with party workers on Wednesday.

Waving her hand from her vehicle, Priyanka entered the Nehru Bhawan , the state headquarters of the Congress here at around 1300 hours on Wednesday to continue her second day of the meeting.

On the first day, she shared her mantra for unity with all the Congress workers, another common thread running through all her meetings was a set of questions she posed — that went largely unanswered.

She also informed the leaders that a dedicated party worker would be given priority in getting the Lok Sabha ticket and the turncoats, who ruled the roost in the past, would be ignored.

The series of meetings kick started on Tuesday with workers from Unnao constituency , where Priyanka enquired about the number of votes received from their local booth. The party workers, however, failed to answer her question.

Priyanka then popped up another question, this time, enquiring about when the last time the party workers held a meeting at their respective booths. This, once again, remained unanswered.

The party representatives were further stumped when Priyanka asked them to spell out the number of votes the Congress bagged in their respective constituencies in the last Lok Sabha polls.

When Priyanka asked a leader from Lucknow ,who contested the assembly polls on party ticket in the past elections, that how much votes was polled in his home booth, the leader could not reply.

Priyanka also wanted to know about the local issues of various constituencies and asked the workers to elucidate on their strategies to strengthen the Congress’ chances of winning the upcoming elections.

Apart from meek responses from here and there, not many were able to make any reply to the newly anointed Congress leader’s queries.

According to sources, Priyanka also kept a diary with her the entire time, in which she noted down important points and feedback from Congress workers.

However, another person also assisted Priyanka in writing down the reply of the leaders. The leaders who met Priyanka also had to fill a form before going to the meeting, in which they had to inform about the past association with the party and their work history.

On Tuesday,Priyanka, held a 16 hour marathon meeting senior leaders and office bearers of Lucknow, Unnao, Mohanlalganj, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Ambedkar Nagar, Sitapur, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Bahraich, Phulpur and Ayodhya Lok Sabha constituencies.

Nepal will make its case for the country’s transitional justice process at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where it is expected to assuage the concerns of the international community on the completion of the remaining tasks of the homegrown peace process.

According to a report in The Kathmandu Post, Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali is travelling to Geneva on February 23 to participate in the Human Rights Council meeting where he would assure the international community that the process of reconciliation would be smooth and sustainable and that the whole process of ‘dealing with the past’ would be credible.

“Basically my focus will be on defending the ongoing transitional justice process,” Gyawali told the Post on Tuesday, confirming his visit to Geneva.

The government is taking the Council meeting as an opportunity to try to convince the international community that Nepal is capable enough of handling the transitional justice process on its own. This comes at a time while a lobby is active to bring back the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Commission for assistance to complete the ongoing transitional justice process.

The high commissioner’s office was established on April 10, 2005, with a far-reaching mandate on human rights and it worked in Nepal for around seven years before the government bid farewell to it on March 21, 2012.

Only last month, Kathmandu-based nine foreign missions, at the initiative of the United Nations, urged the government to clarify its plans to take the transitional justice process forward in 2019 and ensure broader consultation with the stakeholders.

The international community also reminded the government about the upcoming fourth anniversary of the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that affirmed certain requirements for transitional justice processes.

On February 26, 2015, the Supreme Court had struck down the amnesty provision and said the consent of the victims was necessary for any reconciliation besides clarifying that cases which are sub judice at various courts cannot be transferred to the commissions.

The members “of the international community are also united in the view that any solution should have the needs of victims at its heart. Only then can the peace process move forward on a strong foundation, supporting Nepal in establishing a credible transitional justice process and ensuring the stability and prosperity of Nepal remain priorities for the international community,” they said.

Government officials, however, told the Post that despite the lobby, Nepal will not entertain any proposal to re-invite the OHCHR—directly or indirectly.

Even more than a decade after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2006, which ended the decade-long civil war, victims who suffered at the hands of the state and the Maoist rebels are yet to get justice.

The two transitional justice bodies—formed in 2015—had their mandates extended only last week. The two bodies, however, have met with severe criticism from various quarters, including the conflict victims, for their failure to carry out their work.

The incumbent officials will remain in office till mid-April, and the government says it will replace them with new ones in a move to address the demands of the victims that the two commissions be “restructured”. Commission officials, however, have long been saying that they were hamstrung by lack of resources and required laws.

The Transitional Justice Act-2014, however, is yet to be amended in line with the 2015 Supreme Court verdict and international obligations, which has been a major cause for concern for the international community.

Gyawali said his address at the Council meeting will focus on giving an update to the international community about the current status of the transitional justice process and the government position.

Nepal is a member of the Council at present and Kathmandu has already announced its candidature for its election for another term in 2020-22.

“I will tell the international community that there will be no blanket amnesty in the cases of serious human rights violations,” Gyawali told the Post. “The war-era cases of gross human rights violations would be dealt with by the court while the entire investigation process would be victim-centric. I will inform the world that the Nepal government will respect—and adhere to—the Supreme Court’s verdict,” said Gyawali.

Officials said the government was preparing to amend the laws related to the transitional justice mechanisms.

“We have set six fundamentals for the formulation of laws,” Ramesh Dhakal, secretary at the Prime Minister’ Office, told the Post on Tuesday.

“First, what we had committed in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2006 to address the grievances of the victims and to complete the peace process. Second, our commitment made in various national and international forums. Third, we will consider the established norms and values of the transitional process widely. Fourth, we will also respect the Supreme Court’s verdict delivered in 2015. Fifth, we will seriously look into the victims’ concerns and grievances,” said Dhakal. “Last but not least, ours is a home-grown process and it has to be a domestically-driven process.”

In a recent briefing to the Kathmandu-based international community on February 1 also, Gyawali tried to assuage the concerns raised by the community.

“While we have noticed concerns expressed in certain quarters for the expeditious conclusion of this process, we believe that this internal matter can be resolved with our commitment and efforts,” Gyawali had told the representatives of the international missions. “If Nepali leadership can resolve unthinkable hardcore political issues to arrive at this stage, there is every reason to believe that the leadership has also the ability and willingness to complete this final leg. So trust on our commitment, willingness and capacity to close this chapter forever in the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Accord.”

International rights bodies also have long been calling for concluding the remaining tasks of the peace process—that is the completion of the transitional justice process—at the earliest and in a credible manner.

On Monday, the International Commission of Jurists, Amnesty International and TRIAL International urged the Nepal government to commit to a transparent and consultative transitional justice process that complies with international law and the judgments of the Supreme Court.

Voicing concerns about the past approach to transitional justice, they called on the government to ensure that the next two months are used to get the flawed process on track. This should not become another missed opportunity to ensure that victims are provided with the justice, truth and reparation that they so desperately seek, they said in a statement. “A further one-year extension will be meaningless if measures are not taken to secure the independence and impartiality of the commissions,” said Frederick Rawski, ICJ Asia Pacific Director. “This can only be achieved through a transparent selection process driven by a genuine will to combat impunity—not just for conflict victims, but for future generations,” he added.(UNI)

The Rajasthan government on Wednesday introduced a bill to provide five per cent reservation to Gujjars and four other communities in government jobs and education.
The four other communities are Banjaras, Gadia Lohars, Raikas and Gadaria.
Energy Minister B D Kalla piloted the Rajasthan Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutes in the State and of Appointments and Posts in Services under the State) Amendment Bill, 2019.
Hundreds of people from the Gujjar community have been holding demonstrations since February 8 to press for their demands. Their agitation entered the sixth day on Wednesday with many community members occupying the Delhi-Mumbai tracks, disrupting train movement.
The government introduced the Bill after talks with the agitationsts failed to make in headway.
After the bill was tabled, Gujjar leaders said that they will go through the Bill and then decide on their next course of action.(UNI)

The National Film Development Corporation of India has been declared winner under the Miniratna Category-II by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
This is part of endeavour by the Ministry to felicitate select CPSEs in recognition of their exemplary work for the promotion of SC/ST entrepreneurs. The performance parameters were procurement from SC/ST entrepreneurs, number of vendor development programmes for SC/ST and number of SC/ST entrepreneurs benefitted as per data uploaded on Sambandh Portal.
The NFDC, incorporated in 1975 and 100 per cent owned Central Public Sector Undertaking, was formed by the Government with the primary objective of planning and promoting an organised, efficient and integrated development of the Indian film industry.
NFDC has so far funded and produced over 300 films. These films, in various Indian languages, have been widely acclaimed and have won many national and international awards. The primary activities of NFDC are Film production – 100 per cent finance for debutant directors and co-production with foreign and Indian filmmakers, promoting Indian films at various international film festivals and markets in India and abroad. NFDC’s Film Bazar has now become one of the leading platforms for promoting and showcasing Indian cinema to the world.
NFDC is now positioned as a 360-degree integrated media service provider for the creation and dissemination of advertising communication across various electronic platforms. Ministry of Information &Broadcasting has taken the lead with a long –term objective of positioning and promoting India as a preferred destination for filmmakers across the world, by setting up the Film Facilitation office (FFO), which is part of NFDC.

Asserting that the hearing of Article 35-A cases in the Supreme Court (SC) has heightened tension in the valley, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) chairman Muhammad Yasin Khan said any fiddling with the Article could trigger a catastrophe in the entire South Asian region and not only in Kashmir.

Khan, who also heads the Kashmir Traders and Federation (KTMF), said revocation of Article 35-A will mean that people of all the three regions will lose their share of resources in the state, including jobs and land. “People of this state will end up like Palestinians whose land will be taken away by outsiders. We all will lose our identities. Collective and individual,” he alleged.

“When New Delhi should have been serious to take measures to improve situation through initiation of efforts for final settlement Kashmir in accordance with the aspirations of the people of the state, some hidden forces are hell bent on keeping Kashmir on the boil through such sinister petitions, while the people are being pushed towards a decisive battle,”   Khan said.

Khan said timing of cases to weaken special status of J&K look conspiring. “Instead of saying when to have a hearing on such a sensitive case, we appeal the SC to dismiss the petition so that the wild fears in the minds of already victimised people of Jammu and Kashmir end once and for all,” he said.

He maintained that the Kashmir Inc was not only speaking on behalf of the business community of the Valley alone but was making public the popular sentiment of the people of state in general. “Like other Kashmiris we have always scarified for the cause of Kashmir and we won’t mind to sacrifice everything if our existence is at stake,” he said.

The KEA chairman alleged that it was the faulty policies of the government which force the business community to speak on such issues when actually the businessmen should have been provided with a conducive environment to work.

Supporting the stand of the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) and the Kashmir’s civil society on the issue, the Kashmir Inc said it was a collective responsibility of every sane individual to be extra cautious.(UNI)

A Bill which seeks to amend the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951 and make the trust which runs the memorial, ‘apolitical’ was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Piloting the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2018, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said, ‘Our main concern is that the trustee of the memorial trust should not be president of any political party.’

He also announced that Rs 24 crore have been allocated for improvement of the Jallianwala Bagh memorial

The Bill which seeks to “delete” the President of the political party as a Trustee, was introduced in the

Lok Sabha on December 28 last year.

Earlier, moving the Bill for consideration, the Minister said the 100 years of Jallianwala Bagh massacre will be observed on April 13, 2019.

The Minister said at present, in the composition of the trust, certain inconsistencies have been noticed.

He said the term of nominated Trustees is five years and there was no provision in the Act to terminate a nominated Trustee before the expiry of his term.

In view of the absence of designated Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Trustee being a party specific, it was felt necessary to amend the said Act to make it ‘apolitical’ and also to provide for termination of nominated Trustees before the expiry of their term.

The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2018, provides to delete ‘the President of the Indian National Congress’ as a Trustee, to make ‘ the Leader of Opposition recognised as such in the House of the People or where there is no such Leader of Opposition, then, the Leader of the single largest Opposition Party in that House’ a Trustee, in place of ‘the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha’ and to confer power upon the Central Government to terminate the term of a nominated trustee before the expiry of the period of his term without assigning any reason.

Congress member Shashi Tharoor, AITC member Sugata Bose, BJD member Bhartruhari Mahtab, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal , Shiv Sena member Arvind Ganpat Sawant, CPI (M) member MB Rajesh and SAD member Prem Singh Chandumajra also took part in the discussion on the Bill.

The Bill was passed after the Minister’s reply.(UNI)

Alleging that New Delhi is trying to divide Muslims on regional lines and in different sects in Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said ‘the Centre was playing with fire by implementing BJP’s agenda through Governor Satya Pal Malik’.

“When PDP was in coalition government with the BJP in J&K, it didn’t allow them (BJP) to implement their agenda in J&K,”   Mehbooba, who was the chief minister of the state, said while addressing a press conference at her Gupkar residence here on Wednesday.

She alleged now the Centre was implementing BJP’s agenda through its appointed Governor in the state.

“By various orders passed by the Governor, the Centre is trying to divide Muslims on regional lines and in different sects (Shia and Sunni). The Centre is playing with fire. There is a notion that they want to disempower the Muslims of the state,”  Mehbooba said.

Hitting out at the Governor,   Mehbooba said that the people’s sentiments were not taken into consideration while taking decision to create a separate division for the Ladakh region. “The decisions taken by Governor are against the sentiments of Kashmir. This is a Muslim majority state and the government has to keep the sentiments of the people, both majority and minority communities, here, into consideration,” she said.

“The government has ignored Chenab valley. Central government has hand in these decisions,” she added.

Reacting on agitation following setting up of the administrative headquarters of newly-created Ladakh division in Leh, Ms Mehbooba demanded rotational headquarters between Kargil and Leh to calm down the protesters and to accommodate the aspirations of people of the region.

The PDP president said the BJP didn’t allow her party to implement the Forest Act which is applicable across the country.

“BJP didn’t allow us to implement the Forest Act which is applicable across the country. Somehow they want to alienate the Muslim majority of the state,” she alleged.(UNI)