Tag: thesamikhsya

The ongoing trade war between United States and China is expected to boost the Indian economy with a rise of 3.5 per cent in exports, according to a UN study.

Apart from India, other countries that are expected to benefit the most from this trade war are European Union members, it said.

The trade tensions which erupted in early 2018, when China and the US imposed tariffs worth around $50 billion on each other’s goods will create a $70 billion growth in the new bloc with Australia gains 4.6 per cent, Brazil 3.8 per cent, Philippines 3.2 per cent, and Viet Nam 5 per cent.

The trade dispute between China and the United States could have “massive” implications on the global economy unless it is resolved, United Nations experts said.

Meanwhile, Japan and Canada will see exports increase by more than $20 billion each.

Although these figures do not represent a large slice of global trade, which was worth $17 trillion in 2017 for some countries, like Mexico, the increase in exports will amount to a six per cent rise in exports overall.

But the UNCTAD study also warns that the spat could hit East Asian producers the hardest, with a projected $160 billion contraction in the region’s exports unless discussions between China and the US are resolved before the March deadline.

The study also underlines the “common concern” that trade disputes have an unavoidable impact on the “still fragile” global economy, particularly on developing, commodity-rich countries that are dependent on exports.

“One major concern is the risk that trade tensions could spiral into currency wars, making dollar-denominated debt more difficult to service,” the report adds.

This is the second slap from the Supreme court of India on the face of the CBI directing the latter not to arrest the Kolkota Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar. Earlier the apex court had cautioned the CBI to produce evidence before the court to corroborate that the Kolkata police had obstructed the probe agency from doing its investigation.

All India Mahila Congress (AIMC) and Delhi Mahila Congress on Monday submitted a complaint here at Parliament Street Police station against the ‘misogynistic’ social media campaign against Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi.

Taking serious cognizance of the recent spate of offensive comments on social media against Ms Priyanka Gandhi Vadra under the subject of ’56’, All India Mahila Congress President Sushmita Dev along with the Delhi Pradesh Mahila Congress President Sharmistha Mukherjee and others on Monday strongly condemned the dastardly act and filed a complaint at the police station against ‘Unknown Persons’ for ‘spreading distasteful and offensive tweets/pictures of the AICC General Secretary’.

‘In particular one, Yogi Sanjay Nath’s tweet is disgraceful. This is exactly the kind of misogyny that act as a deterrent for women to enter politics. To objectify women and humiliate them is shameful. AIMC cannot be silent bystanders given that the INC has a rich history of empowering women in Politics and in all other spheres of life,’ All India Mahila Congress said in a statement.

Terming this latest episode a part of a greater co-ordinated effort to smear the name and reputation of Ms Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who has recently joined active politics, Ms Dev called out the opposing forces and fringe groups “who have been attempting to discredit Priyanka Gandhi Vadra by using distasteful, offensive and repulsive tweets/pictures of Ms Priyanka Gandhi Vadra”.

‘Considering that tweets/pictures are being tweeted, shared and re-tweeted through various accounts though content remains the same with the mala fide intent to insult her modesty, the tweets/pictures even amount to sexual harassment, which is a penal offence under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860,’Ms Dev said in her complaint.

In this age of cyber policing and much advertised curbs on offensive material online, she said it is surprising that the perpetrators are publishing the same without any fear or concern of the law of the land and without considering the far-reaching consequences of such acts on society.

A delegation of Mahila Congress led by AIMC President Ms Sushmita Dev and Delhi Pradesh Mahila Congress submitted the complaint at the Sansad Marg Police Station.

The complaint outlines charges amounting to serious offences under Sections 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 499 (Defamation), 501 (Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory), 354-A (Sexual Harassment and punishment for sexual harassment), and 294 (Obscene acts and songs) of IPC, 67 (Punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) and 67-A (Punishment for publishing and transmitting of material containing sexually explicit act, etc., in electronic form) of the IT Act, and other relevant provisions.

Screenshots of such tweets/pictures are attached with the complaint.

The FIR will be lodged across the country in every State with Pradesh Mahila Congress cadre registering complaint in their respective District HQ.(UNI)

Amid heightened politico-legal battle with the Trinamool Congress, the ruling BJP on Monday sought to take the battle into the broad opposition camp and said the manner in which Congress and other parties have backed embattled Mamata Banerjee only show that the proposed Gathbandhan, is nothing but an “opportunistic alliance”.

“The fundamental question today is that the Gathbandhan, we see, we can call it an opportunistic alliance,” BJP leader and Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters here.

“It is also the coalition of the corrupt….saving each other,” he said.

“And in doing so all ‘maryada (decorum and propriety)’ have been abandoned,” the Minister charged.

Taking a dig at Mamata Banerjee sitting on a Dharna since Sunday evening despite being the Chief Minister in office, he said, “Sometime back Arvind Kejriwal had done so….and now Mamata Banerjee is following the same”.

Mr Prasad also wondered why Ms Banerjee had maintained silence when several big leaders and sitting lawmakers were arrested. “What is special about this Police Commissioner (Rajeev Kumar) that she has to jump to his defence,”  Prasad said.

Standardisation is a movement and it should not be stuck in islands of quality, said BIS Director General Surina Rajan, while addressing the inaugural session of 12th Regional Standards Conclave in Odisha.
”Standardisation is a movement, it should not be stuck in islands of quality. For standards, sustainability and smart services are the next dimension which BIS is trying to map out for future standardization and conformity assessment,” she said at the event last week.
”The BIS Act 2016 lays down the framework for Standards development and delivery in India. The products, process, the service, delivered in the country, should be of high quality and meet the expectation of both consumers and producers,” he said.
The conclave was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, Government of India, the MSME Department of the Government of Odisha, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), National Accreditation Board of Certification Bodies (NABCB), the Export Inspection Council (EIC), and Centre for Research in International Trade (CRIT).
Ms Rajan said that as the national standards body, BIS was committed to delivering quality assurance and standards’ solutions not just for exports but also the consumers within the country.
What is imported into the country should also be safe for Indian consumers, she said.
Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India, Sudhanshu Pandey said the global trade in goods is valued at USD18 trillion and Services trade is worth USD5 trillion, according to a statement issued here on Monday.
”At present India is a USD 2.6 trillion economy. To increase its share, India must vigorously follow standards. The new Consumer Act allows for product recall. It is a welcome move. Product liability law which puts greater responsibility on manufacturers now needs to be enforced. Each stakeholder has different interests, standards allow these interests to communicate and combine,” he said.
Santosh Sarangi, EIC Chairperson and Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India, observed that in the changing scenario of world trade, quality infrastructure should be a thrust area. Consumers have been demanding more and more information at their disposal. Today, no one can ignore the issues of human health and safety and hence, following standards is very important.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today announced to continue her dharna till February 8.
” I’ll continue my dharna till February 8 because Madhyamik examination will start after that, ” she added.
Earlier, she charged the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre with trying to destroy every institution of the Bengal Government.
” They want to usurp power. This is a destructive mindset, ” she said.

Addressing the Krishak Samabesh at Netaji Indoor Stadium via Facebook live from her dharna site, the chief minister said, “I was supposed to attend the Krishak Samabesh organised by Krishak O Khet mazdoor Samiti at Netaji Indoor Stadium. But an unprecedented, emergency-like situation has been created.”
She has been on dharna at Metro Channel what she said is to save the Constitution since last evening.

Banerjee said, ” They are practising politics of vendetta. Even civil services officers have not been spared. This has been the case for the last five years in India. ”

” People are afraid to speak out. The democratic rights of people are under threat, ” she commented.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Monday dispatched his report on yesterday’s development in the state to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh through mail.

Private airline SpiceJet on Monday introduced a daily non-stop flight between Hyderabad and Jeddah effective March 25, 2019.

The airline has announced a special fare of Rs 13,499 for Hyderabad – Jeddah and Rs 10,799 for Jeddah – Hyderabad.

SpiceJet’s flight SG 33 will depart from Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 7.10 am (all local times) and will arrive in Jeddah at 11.05 am on the same day. The return flight SG 34 will depart at 12.05 pm and reach Hyderabad at 8:25 pm.

The first Indian budget airline to offer direct connectivity to Jeddah, SpiceJet will deploy its state-of-the-art Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on the sector. Jeddah will be SpiceJet’s ninth international destination and third destination in the Middle East.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray called on anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare at Ralegan-Siddhi and extended support to his indefinite strike which entered the sixth day on Monday.

He lauded the causes for which Hazare has been agitating without being concerned about his own life and said, ‘I have told him not to put his life at risk for the undeserving hypocrites.

He further said that because of Hazare, Modi government came to power.
Hazare is seeking implementation of Lokpal, setting up Lokayuktas in all states besides fighting for the farmers’ cause. Hazare has lost over five kg though his vital parameters were reported to be normal.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today appealed to him to call off his agitation.
Talking to media, Mr Hazare said, ‘Though I have lost weight, I still have the capacity to continue this fast for another four-five days.’

Annapurna Finance has raised Rs 137 crore as primary equity investment from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) which will allow the MFI to expand its micro-finance portfolio by extending micro-credits to women members of Joint Liability Groups (JLGs).
Along with this primary, another Rs 75 crore of secondary round also happened where existing investors of the company OIJIF, Oikocredit and Bamboo Finance bought shares from early stage investors Incofin Investment and SIDBI Venture capital’s Samriddhi fund.
“Women, particularly in the rural areas in India, still have difficulty in accessing capital, which limits their potential and prevents them from contributing significantly to inclusive and sustainable growth,” said Paul Flegler, ADB’s Principal Investment Specialist for Private Sector Operations.
The ADB’s support to Annapurna will expand its lending portfolio, helping ensure that rural women and micro and small enterprises needing capital can have better access to finance, he added.
Annapurna based in Bhubaneswar has a wide area of micro-finance operations in 277 districts across 14 states serving 1.4 million of clients, most of which are women. With a network of closely 500 branches, Annapurna has 85 per cent of its borrowers from rural India. The company’s existing investors include SIDBI, INCOFIN, OIJIF, Belgian Investment Organization, SIDBI Venture Capital, DCB Bank, Oiko Credit, Women’s World banking (WWB) and Bamboo Capital Partners.(UNI)

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party National President N Chandrababu Naidu condemned the attempt of CBI officials to question Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar and vowed to fight against the BJP-led NDA government.

Addressing party leaders through teleconference here on Monday, he said that the Centre’s act of using the CBI against State governments is against the federal spirit.

He vowed to fight against the BJP-led NDA Government Centre by uniting all non-BJP parties.

Mr Naidu extended solidarity to West Bengal Chief Minister. The BJP is acting vindictively against Mamata Banerjee since her ‘United India Rally’ held recently was a grand success, he claimed.

The Centre wants to keep all the State governments in its control. He said “The law and order is a state subject and Centre cannot interfere in it. The BJP’s concept of Team India and Federal India limited to slogans only”, Mr Naidu charged.

“Mr.Narendra Modi headed NDA government is ruining the cooperative federal system. The Centre is registering cases against those who oppose the Centre’s illegitimate acts. The Centre, had earlier, harassed former Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministers– Mr Akhilesh Yadav, Ms Mayawati, he alleged, adding that it is now harassing Ms Mamata Banerjee”.

Mr.Naidu said “The non-BJP leaders are evolving an action plan at the National level to check the BJP. Discussions are going on among the National leaders in this regard. I will discuss the matter with other leaders during my next visit to New Delhi, he said. He warned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National President Amit Shah would have to face the wrath of people for the misdeeds.

Referring to Mr Shah’s visit to Srikakulam district today, the Chief Minister said that when the Srikakulam district was battered by Titli Cyclone, he did not visited the affected areas. However after four months of cyclone devastation, he is visiting the areas, he said.

He asked the TDP cadre to express their protest to Mr Amit Shah by wearing black badges.

Meanwhile, TDP sources said that Mr Chandrababu Naidu is thinking of going to Kolkata to extend solidarity to Mamata Banerjee.

However, the Chief Minister has to take a final decision in this regard, the sources added.

After lending full support to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on her dharna against the Centre and CBI in Kolkata, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday alleged that BJP is trying to threaten the Opposition through CBI ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Yadav, who on Sunday night had announced to support the TMC leader, has also sent his emissary and party’s vice-president Kironmoy Nanda to sit with Mamta Banerjee in the dharna in Kolkata.

“I have talked to Mamata didi on phone and assured her all support of the Samajwadi Party in her tirade against the BJP and the CBI,” he told reporters here on Monday.
“There was CBI row, Centre was scared of a CBI director, now they are trying to scare everyone using CBI. Who has misused the institutions? If someone has politicised the institutions, it is BJP,” the SP president alleged.
He also said,”besides West Bengal, such things have been heard from other states too. BJP and central government have started misusing CBI as elections are approaching. Not only me, not only Samajwadi Party, but all political parties are saying this.”

He further said that the opposition and the people of the country are united to defeat BJP in the coming election.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is closely monitoring the situation in West Bengal arisen on Sunday evening after the CBI was stopped by the Kolkata Police from visiting the city police chief’s residence, a senior Government functionary said here on Monday.
Reports were received by MHA on Sunday evening that officers of CBI in Kolkata had experienced intimidation and threat to personal safety in course of investigation into the Saradha scam being conducted under the directions of the Supreme Court, a top source in the Home Ministry said.
“Reports were also received that the residence of CBI Joint Director was surrounded by Kolkata police and the Centre deployed the Central Armed Police Forces at the office and residential premises of CBI in Kolkata, he added.
“Following the incident, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi and apprised him of the facts of the unfortunate and unprecedented situation in the state and asked him to inquire in the matter”, another senior Government functionary said on the condition of anonymity.
The Governor apprised Mr Singh that he had summoned Chief Secretary and Director General of Police and asked them to take immediate action to resolve the situation.
The MHA is closely monitoring the situation on the state as the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is on a ‘dharna’ since Sunday evening.(UNI)

The Supreme Court on Monday said it would hear on Tuesday the petition filed by the CBI, seeking a direction against the Kolkata Police chief, in connection with Sunday’s stand off between the probe agency and the state police.

A two-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, said, “we would hear the petition tomorrow.”

Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, sought an urgent hearing in the matter, but the SC said it would hear it on Tuesday.

Appearing for the WB Government, senior advocate AM Singhvi told the top court, “it is a witch hunt by the CBI as the Kolkata CP is a witness and not an accused in the case.”

But, the bench told him to keep the defences of the state government ready on Tuesday when it will hear the case.

The ruling BJP on Sunday kicked off its much ambitious Mission 2019 – a month long ‘Bharat Ke Mann Ki Baat – Modi Ke Saath’ and also a campaign theme – ‘Kaam kare jo, umeed usi se ho – people have high expectations from us as we delivered’.

The campaign theme was announced at the launch of a month-long ‘Bharat ke mann ki baat, Modi ke saath’ aimed to enlist views of at least 10 crore families to prepare the road map for drafting of party’s manifesto in order to ensure a progressive and prosperous India.

“It will be a people oriented programme and not merely a party programme. This campaign and people’s feedback will help ensure a strong and prosperous India,” BJP chief Amit Shah said.

It may be mentioned that ‘Acchey Din aney walen haen (Good days will be here)’ was the campaign theme in 2014 while the slogan used in the last parliamentary polls was ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas (With all, development for all)’.

“What kind of country people want and what is their suggestion to achieve this; this exercise will reach out to them to seek their views,” Mr Shah said.

Over 300 ‘Raths (campaign vehicles)’ will move across the country and over 7,700 boxes will be carried across 4000 assemblies to seek people’s views, said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also chairman of the party’s manifesto committee.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted seeking people’s suggestions and wrote: “What you all share will form the blueprint of our ‘Sankalp Patra’ for the 2019 election”.

The function was attended among others BJP leaders Bhupender Yadav, Ram Madhav and union ministers Prakash Javadekar, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Smriti Irani.

“Participative democracy is an article of faith for our party. We have always worked to be an effective voice for rights and well-being of each and every Indian and to build a strong and prosperous India,” tweeted Prime Minister Modi, who was on a day long visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

“Your voice is of utmost importance. Urging you all to take part in ‘Bharat ke Mann ki Baat, Modi ke Saath’, a unique effort by BJP to get citizen feedback,” the Prime Minister wrote seeking people’s suggestions and views in making of a strong India.

“What you all share will form the blueprint of our ‘Sankalp Patra’ for the 2019 election,” Mr Modi tweeted.

Mr Rajnath Singh also announced various sub-committees in the manifesto panel and said among others the Gautam Buddha Nagar MP and Union Minister Mahesh Sharma will head the sub-committee that will interact with citizens on Ram Janmabhoomi, Ganga and Yoga.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will head the sub committee on farmers’ issue.

Other convenors who will interact with different sections of people on various issues include the likes of Smriti Irani for women welfare, Rajeev Chandrashekhar for youth and sports matters, Arun Jaitley for finance matters, Dr Harsh Vardhan for good governance and science and Vinay Sahasrabuddhe for foreign policy matters and Indian neighbourhood.

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) Supremo H D Devegowda has backed the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is staging dharna against CBI action on the Kolkota city Police Chief.

In his Twitter, Mr Gowda said that the action of the CBI team against the police chief in Kolkata, has reminded him of the darker days of Emergency in the country.

While expressing shock over the CBI action, Mr Gowda opined that there is a lurking danger to the democracy and one should join together to protect it.

(UNI) The BJP,  today would meet the Election Commission and seek its intervention to ensure that the party leaders, including Union Ministers and state Chief Ministers are allowed to campaign in Mamata Banerjee-ruled West Bengal.

A party delegation comprising Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, S S Ahluwalia and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Kailash Vijayvargiya will point to the poll panel that UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was not allowed to campaign in the eastern state on Sunday.

The BJP leaders have alleged that Yogi Adityanath’s helicopter was not allowed to land in the state.

The BJP MP in Rajya Sabha and actress-turned politician Roopa Ganguly on Monday claimed that the abuse of police power by the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would prove costly to her.

In a tweet,   Ganguly wrote in Bangla “….police taakey shodh debey (police will avenge the manner she abused them)”.

He reference to the unprecedented actions by Kolkata police personnel on Sunday when they ‘stalled’ CBI officials discharge their duties vis-a-vis questioning the Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar.

In a series of tweets, another BJP leader from West Bengal and Union MInister Babul Supriyo has demanded imposition of President’s Rule in the state.

He also took a dig at all opposition parties for coming together to back Mamata Banerjee on her fight against CBI and the NDA government.

“Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who is the ‘Bhrast-EST of them all?” Plz tick the odd one out (I mean any one of these who you think is not corrupt like the others),” he tweeted tagging a TV screenshot with snaps of all leading opposition leaders including Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

Time and again the BJP leaders have slammed  Rahul Gandhi for alleged corruption in ‘The National Herald’ case.

“President’s Rule should be imposed on West Bengal to control this ‘Rogue’ TMC Govt under a corrupt CM Mamata Banerjee.This is a constitutional crisis ‘created’ by Mamata to shield her corrupt and tainted accomplices,” tweeted Mr Supriyo, who had won from Asansol parliamentary constituency.

BJP leaders Dilip Ghosh, Mukul Roy and Rahul Sinha have also directed their tirade against Mamata Banerjee.

“Why Mamata Banerjee is trying so desperately to save Rajeev Kumar that she has to sit in dharna?

It’s an insult of our constitution. She should be immediately arrested along with Rajeev Kumar,” Mr Sinha tweeted.

Mukul Roy also took to the micro blogging site and wrote: “Why she rushed to Rajeev Kumar’s house? First time in India CM rushed to save police commissioner? She is challenging constitution of India, open attack”.

West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh has said – nothing is secured in Bengal, neither the democracy nor the Constitution and of course the CBI too.(UNI)

As Congress MP from West Bengal Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury backed the CBI and lashed out at the Trinamool Congress, Twitteratis on Sunday night flayed Rahul Gandhi for his ‘double standard’ on the entire issue.
“Congress MP Mr Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is supporting CBI. Congress party is divided today.
Remember it was Abdul Mannan of Congress who approached Supreme Court over the Saradha Scam,” tweeted one active netizen Suman Dey.
His missive was not in isolation. One Seema Choudhary tweeted saying, “Kya nautanki hae (What is this drama about it)”.
‏

“Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demands imposition of President’s Rule against anarchy by Mamata Banarjee. On the other hand Rahul Gandhi is coming up with full support for Mamata Banerjee,” she wrote.
Another missive went: “Your four time MP frm Berhampore Sri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who won last three elections with more than 50 per cent votes asked Govt. of India to implement Article 356 against Mamata. You always support wrong people”.
Mr Chowdhury has been known for his anti-Mamata Banerjee politics and was not comfortable with Rahul Gandhi going soft on her.
He said the Dharna has been staged as several Trinamool leaders are involved in the chit funds scams.
There have been two major chit fund irregularities Sharada and Rose Valley in West Bengal.
However, in his Twitter missive Rahul Gandhi disclosed about his telephonic talk with Mamata Banerjee and wrote: “I spoke with Mamata Di tonight and told her we stand shoulder to shoulder with her. The happenings in Bengal are a part of the unrelenting attack on India’s institutions by Mr Modi & the BJP.”
“The entire opposition will stand together & defeat these fascist forces,” Mr Gandhi wrote.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted: “The BJP wants to stay in power by hook or by crook. They are so scared of losing that CBI is being used as election agents. This is undemocratic and against spirit of the constitution. We demand due process be followed so that CBI is not used as a tool of political interference.(UNI)