Delhi BJP protests fuel price hike by holding a 100-bike rally

New Delhi: The workers of Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday took out a motorbike rally against the fuel price hike announced by the government yesterday.

Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel and party leader Vijender Gupta led the 100-bike rally to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's residence. After it reached Ms Dikshit's residence, a few BJP workers along with Mr Goel, were detained as they tried to break security barricades. Police also used water cannon to control the protesters.

In their nearly four-km march, the BJP workers also violated traffic rules by not wearing helmets.

The BJP workers also demanded that Ms Dikshit should resign within 24 hours for misusing public funds during the 2008 Assembly elections.

"The chief minister must resign and if she is not ready to do so, the Congress must sack her. Her continuation is against the basic norms of governance," said Mr Goel after the rally.

"Sheila Sikshit has been clearly indicted by the Lokayukta for misuse of public funds and then the court has put a stamp of approval on this by ordering registration of an FIR," he added.

A trial court yesterday ordered filing of an FIR against Ms Dikshit for allegedly misusing government funds for an advertising campaign ahead of the 2008 assembly elections.

Former BJP state unit chief Vijender Gupta had filed the petition against Ms Dikshit for the alleged misuse of Rs. 22.6 crore from public funds.

"If Delhi Police doesn't file an FIR against the Delhi CM, then we will take the matter to the President," said Mr Goel.

AARTI
PGDM III

Ignore US ire, import Iran oil to save $8.5 billion, Veerappa Moily suggests

By TNN | 2 Sep, 2013, 06.50AM IST

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READ MORE ON » Veerappa Moily | united states | united nations | P Chidambaram | Manmohan Singh | Diplomatic Relations

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NEW DELHI: The Manmohan Singh government will have to tread on a diplomatic tightrope with oil minister M Veerappa Moily suggesting India may save nearly $8.5 billion (around Rs 57,000 crore) by importing cheaper crude from Iran which faces UN sanctions in the wake of its nuclear programme.

In a note to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and finance minister P Chidambaram, Moily has said that so far this year, India has imported 2 million tonnes of crude from Iran and an additional 11 million tonnes would pare the forex outgo by almost $8.5 billion, assuming oil price at $105.

Last year, India had imported a little over 13 million tonnes from Iran and Moily has suggested that state-run oil companies should be asked to maintain their overall crude imports at last year's level.

The Iran gambit is central to Moily's attempt to reduce India's oil bill by $20 billion but will need a reversal of India's recent attempts to reduce business with the regime in Tehran.

But the need to control an expanding deficit — fueled by a weak rupee — is becoming urgent, and India may have to repair ties with Iran that have hit an air pocket over the Iranian security forces detaining an Indian ship transporting Iraqi crude. India will need to display some creative diplomacy to tip toe around international sanctions and US sensibilities.

On August 12, even Chidambaram had spoken of importing more crude from Iran as part of his drive to contain current account deficit within the $70 billion target for this financial year. He had, however, made it clear that the operations had be undertaken without breaching UN sanctions.

Although several Asian countries, including India and China, have been provided flexibility, the government has reduced its dependence on Iran. In 2012-13, India imported about 7.2% of its oil from Iran, compared to 10.5% in the previous year.

India imports over 70% of its oil requirement, which is one of the key drivers of India's import bill. In the absence of a rise in exports, the trade and current account deficits have widened, adding to the pressure on the rupee.

But unlike imports from other countries, India can make the payments to Iran through a rupee account, which was created as part of the settlement mechanism to deal with the UN sanctions.

Moily's plan is in response to the PM's call to the ministry seeking a $25 billion cut in the oil import bill to narrow the current account deficit. He has suggested several measures to reduce the oil import bill by $19-20 billion this
Vikash chandra Mishra
PGDM

India’s First Defence Satellite GSAT-7 Launched Successfully

India’s first exclusive defence satellite GSAT-7 was successfully launched by European space consortium Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana on 30 August.This launch will push ahead India’s maritime security.GSAT–7 has been built at an expense of 185 crore rupees and will act as the country’s maiden dedicated spacecraft for defence applications.The frequency bands of GSAT-7 will help space-based marine communications.The state-of-the-art satellite carrying payloads operating in UHF, S, C and Ku bands, had a lift-off mass of 2625 kg and is based on ISRO’s 2500 kg satellite bus with some new technological elements, including the antennae.According to ISRO, GSAT-7 is an advanced communication satellite to provide wide range of service spectrum from low bit rate voice to high bit rate data communication.The satellite solar arrays generate 2900 W of electrical power.Payload of the GSAT–7 is designed to provide communication capabilities to users in distant oceanic regions.The launch cost for ISRO is nearly Rs 470 crore, including insurance.

onika jaiswal

pgdm 1st year 2013-15

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 29 August 2013 gave his assent to the Companies Bill 2013. With this, the Companies Bill will now become the law and replace the 60-years-old regulations which governed the country till now. The new bill provides changes to the functioning of the companies’ operation. The Companies Bill 2013 will replace the Companies Act 1956.

The Companies Act of 1956 replaced the first Companies Act that was created in 1919 (the pre-independent India). The Act of 1956 has been amended 25 times in all these years since its formation.

The Companies Bill 2012 was passed in Rajya Sabha on 8 August 2013 (during the monsoon session of the parliament). Earlier, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 18 December 2012. With the President’s assent, the Companies Bill 2012 became the Companies Act, 2013 (New Act).
- See more at: http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/the-president-of-india-pranab-mukherjee-gave-assent-to-the-companies-bill-1377934474-1#sthash.PLogJrjY.dpuf

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 29 August 2013 gave his assent to the Companies Bill 2013. With this, the Companies Bill will now become the law and replace the 60-years-old regulations which governed the country till now. The new bill provides changes to the functioning of the companies’ operation. The Companies Bill 2013 will replace the Companies Act 1956.

The Companies Act of 1956 replaced the first Companies Act that was created in 1919 (the pre-independent India). The Act of 1956 has been amended 25 times in all these years since its formation.

The Companies Bill 2012 was passed in Rajya Sabha on 8 August 2013 (during the monsoon session of the parliament). Earlier, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 18 December 2012. With the President’s assent, the Companies Bill 2012 became the Companies Act, 2013 (New Act).
- See more at: http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/the-president-of-india-pranab-mukherjee-gave-assent-to-the-companies-bill-1377934474-1#sthash.PLogJrjY.dpuf

CBI set to shut DA case against Mulayam

                NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation seems finally ready to give a reprieve to Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and his chief minister son Akhilesh Yadav in the disproportionate assets case after the monsoon session of Parliament.

According to sources, the agency is likely to file a report in the Supreme Court informing that it has not found any evidence in the DA probe against the Yadavs. The court, sources said, would be informed about the closure after Parliament's monsoon session concludes on September 6.

The agency will inform the court that no criminal charge is made out against Mulayam and Akhilesh after excluding the assets of Dimple Yadav, Akhilesh's wife. Legal experts and chartered accountants engaged by CBI to take a relook at the case have reportedly said that after excluding Dimple's assets, the charges would not be legally sustainable as most of the assets of the father-son duo could be accounted for.

"Of the disproportionate assets worth Rs 2.63 crore between 1993 and 2005, around Rs 1.45 crore are Dimple's assets and Supreme Court had on December 13, 2012 ordered to keep her assets aside. We also spoke to chartered accountants who claimed that rest of the amount could be easily accounted for and the case would not stand in court," said a CBI source.

In its status report in 2007, CBI had alleged that the Yadav family owned disproportionate assets worth Rs 2.63 crore, saying they acquired assets worth Rs 4.41 crore between 1993 and 2005 though they had income of Rs 6.23 crore and an expenditure of Rs 4.45 crore in this period.

In July, the agency's investigation team had said the case be closed but CBI director Ranjit Sinha asked for re-investigation. Now, a final decision has been taken and the case would be closed, said sources.

The Supreme Court on March 1, 2007 had directed CBI to inquire into a PIL filed by Vishwanath Chaturvedi in November 2005 which sought an investigation into the allegedly huge illegal wealth amassed by Mulayam and his sons Akhilesh and Prateek. The agency was asked to check if the allegations made by the petitioner were correct or not, conduct a preliminary inquiry and see if a case could be made for further action. The agency had collected 350 documents and questioned eight persons to check the accumulation of assets by the family.

MD NAUSHAD ALAM

1ST SEM.

Ignore US ire, import Iran oil to save $8.5 billion, Veerappa Moily suggests

NEW DELHI: The Manmohan Singh government will have to tread on a diplomatic tightrope with oil minister M Veerappa Moily suggesting India may save nearly $8.5 billion (around Rs 57,000 crore) by importing cheaper crude from Iran which faces UN sanctions in the wake of its nuclear programme.

In a note to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and finance minister P Chidambaram, Moily has said that so far this year, India has imported 2 million tonnes of crude from Iran and an additional 11 million tonnes would pare the forex outgo by almost $8.5 billion, assuming oil price at $105.

Last year, India had imported a little over 13 million tonnes from Iran and Moily has suggested that state-run oil companies should be asked to maintain their overall crude imports at last year's level.

The Iran gambit is central to Moily's attempt to reduce India's oil bill by $20 billion but will need a reversal of India's recent attempts to reduce business with the regime in Tehran.

But the need to control an expanding deficit — fueled by a weak rupee — is becoming urgent, and India may have to repair ties with Iran that have hit an air pocket over the Iranian security forces detaining an Indian ship transporting Iraqi crude. India will need to display some creative diplomacy to tip toe around international sanctions and US sensibilities.

On August 12, even Chidambaram had spoken of importing more crude from Iran as part of his drive to contain current account deficit within the $70 billion target for this financial year. He had, however, made it clear that the operations had be undertaken without breaching UN sanctions.

Although several Asian countries, including India and China, have been provided flexibility, the government has reduced its dependence on Iran. In 2012-13, India imported about 7.2% of its oil from Iran, compared to 10.5% in the previous year.

India imports over 70% of its oil requirement, which is one of the key drivers of India's import bill. In the absence of a rise in exports, the trade and current account deficits have widened, adding to the pressure on the rupee.

But unlike imports from other countries, India can make the payments to Iran through a rupee account, which was created as part of the settlement mechanism to deal with the UN sanctions.

Moily's plan is in response to the PM's call to the ministry seeking a $25 billion cut in the oil import bill to narrow the current account deficit. He has suggested several measures to reduce the oil import bill by $19-20 billion this fiscal

RAHUL KUMAR GUPTA
PGDM

Asaram capable of sexual assault: Police

Asaram interrogated, remanded to one-day police custody

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• Blog: Asaram’s arrest portends well for our secular republic

JODHPUR: Controversial preacher Asaram Bapu, arrested from his Indore ashram for sexually assaulting the 16-year-old daughter of a follower by Jodhpur police, was on Sunday subjected to a "potency test", which confirmed that the 72-year-old's libido is active. He was made to take the test after he told cops that he was impotent and therefore incapable of committing the crime he was charged with.

The police said Asaram's testing positive gives them strong "circumstantial medical evidence" against the self-claimed godman. Jodhpur commissioner of police Biju Gorge Joseph said a team of doctors was called to the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary headquarters where Asaram was questioned.

"A potency test was conducted on him, which confirmed that he was strong enough to commit the crime of sexual assault and rape on the 16-year-old girl," said Joseph. Another senior police officer said this was "normal procedure". Potency test proves in a rape case that the offender is capable of committing the crime, he said.

Asaram was questioned for four hours at RAC headquarters and then produced in a court that sent him to one-day police custody, said Joseph. Although the police had sought two-day police remand, the court of district and sessions judge Manoj Kumar Vyas allowed only one day.

From the court, Asaram was taken to his Manai Ashram, about 30 km from Jodhpur, where the girl was allegedly sexually assaulted. Police said they conducted a physical verification and tried to recreate the scene of crime. Citing security reasons, police kept journalists out of the precincts.

Asaram remained in the ashram for around 15 minutes and brought back to RAC headquarters for further questioning during the night. "We've done preliminary interrogation and shall verify few more facts. This will require more time, so we sought his police remand," said Joseph, adding that Asaram hasn't produced any concrete evidence in his defence.

Asaram's counsel Jagmal Choudhary raised the questions on the viability of section 376 of IPC and argued in the court where police had filed remand application saying the section is not applicable and is motivated by an ill-will of the conspirators, who have implicated Asaram in this case.

Soon after Asaram was brought to Jodhpur by a flight from Delhi around 12.20 pm, the city witnessed people rising both in protest and in support of Asaram. While he was shown black flags by those demanding strict action against him, his supporters shouted slogans against the police calling it a conspiracy and blocked the road being used to transport Asaram.

A medical team from S N Medical College also examined his health. Joseph said that his health is fit and there is nothing which could prevent us from proceeding in our investigation.

Timeline

Aug 15: A 16-year old girl alleges sexual assault by Asaram in Jodhpur

Aug 20: Girl's parents lodge police complaint in Delhi

Aug 21: FIR registered in Jodhpur

Aug 27: Asaram served notice to appear before police for questioning on Aug 30

RANJAY KUMAR PGDM

With RSS push will Narendra Modi be declared as BJP's PM candidate?

New Delhi: Top RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi met senior BJP leader LK Advani on Sunday night. He also met some other top party leaders. Given the fact that there is a growing clamour amongst certain cadre of BJP to declare Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate and also given the fact that Advani and his camp are reported to be against such a move, the meeting assumes significance.

It has been reported that Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's poll panel chief may be named as the party's PM face this month itself. However, Advani and top leaders like Sushma Swaraj are said to be unhappy with such a move. They feel that such a move may polarise the voters and the advantage that the main Opposition has over the Congress, which is facing perception problems regarding scams, corruption and policy paralysis, might be negated.

It is also said that even if Modi is to be named as party's face for the next General Elections, Advani and his camp want the announcement to be postponed till the end of the year, when many states are due for Assembly Elections.

After Modi was named as the party's election campaign chief, apparently a sulking Advani had quit from all party posts, though later he was pacified by the RSS to take back his resignation. Advani has also time and again made a veiled attack on Modi and once pitted Shivraj Singh Chauhan against him, saying that the Madhya Pradesh CM should be given more credit as an administrator as he had taken a state like Gujarat on the path of development, unlike Gujarat which was already developed.

However, it came as a surprise to many when the senior leader praised Modi recently saying that good work was being done under the leadership of Gujarat CM. It is said that Advani still harbours the ambition to become the PM of India and wants to take one last go at it in 2014. But the RSS has made it clear in the past that it was against projecting Advani as BJP's PM candidate. They have also been warming up to Modi.

Meanwhile, Modi is leaving no stones unturned to project himself as BJP's strongest contender for the PM post. He is also backed by party president Rajnath Singh who has been regularly been calling him as the country's most popular leader. 

 

 

 

AKANKSHA SHANU

PGDM 1 sem.