Why is Modi afraid of probe into Rafale:

Rahul
(10:38)

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) With the Centre threatening a probe over stealing of "privileged documents" related to Rafale deal from the
Defence Ministry, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday demanded an investigation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conducting parallel negotiations and delaying the delivery of the French
jets to India.

Addressing the media here, Gandhi said that the stolen documents clearly state the Prime Minister was responsible for the delayed delivery and inflated price of the jets.

"The government now says it will investigate the media for the Rafale files being stolen. But the one (Modi) who conducted parallel investigation why will he not be investigated?

"If the documents have been stolen, that means they are authentic and they clearly state that parallel negotiations were carried out by the Prime Minister, the price of the jets were inflated and the delivery of the
jets was delayed.

"Let there be investigation about the documents but at the same time also investigate the Prime Minister's role in the Rafale (deal)," said Gandhi.

Referring to the Centre's arguments in the Supreme Court during hearing of petitions seeking recall of its December 14 verdict giving a "clean chit" on the purchase of the Rafale jets, Gandhi said the sole
objective of the government and its machinery was to defend the "chowkidar" (watchman).

With the government rejecting the Congress party's persistent demand for a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), Gandhi asked why Modi was afraid of investigation into the deal.

"Why isn't the Prime Minister allowing an investigation against himself if he is not guilty? Why did he refuse a JPC? If there is nothing wrong in the deal, then let there be an investigation. Modi should say he is
not afraid of any probe and allow investigation into the deal," asserted Gandhi.

Citing the documents, Gandhi said that the Indian negotiating team clearly stated that the Prime Minister carried out parallel negotiations to enrich his industrialist crony by Rs 30,000 crore in the deal.

"It's a blatant case of corruption, it is clearly stated that the Prime Minister of India carried out a parallel negotiation. Why should there not be a criminal investigation?

"The problem in India is, there is a criminal investigation only on people who oppose Modi," said Gandhi, who a day earlier had called for an FIR against him saying there was enough evidence to prosecute him
for corruption in the deal.

Poverty reduced in India but divisive policies

undermining growth: UN human rights chief
By Arul Louis (09:48)

United Nations, March 7 (IANS) While admitting that poverty has fallen in India, UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michele Bachelet
cautioned that divisive policies will undermine the country's economic growth.

Addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday, she said that there had been "significant poverty reduction in overall terms", but added that "inequality remains a serious issue".

She alleged that "it appears that narrow political agendas are driving the further marginalisation of vulnerable people".

"I fear that these divisive policies will not only harm many individuals, but also undermine the success of India's economic growth story.

"We are receiving reports that indicate increasing harassment and targeting of minorities - in particular Muslims and people from historically disadvantaged and marginalised groups, such as Dalits and Adivasis,"
Bachelet added.
Turning to recent developments on the sub-continent, Bachelet said that India and Pakistan should invite her "office to monitor the situation on the ground in Kashmir", but did not bring up her predecessor Zeid
Ra'ad Al Hussein's demand for an international commission to investigate alleged human rights violations in the state.

Bachelet said that she remained concerned about the continuing tension in Jammu and Kashmir where shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) is causing loss of life and displacement.

"I encourage both India and Pakistan to invite my office to monitor the situation on the ground, and to assist both states to address the human rights issues that must be part of any solution to the conflict."

Bachelet, a former Chilean President, was appointed High Commissioner for Human Rights last September by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Her speech, which surveyed the global situation, stressed the impact of inequality around the world, including in developed countries.

"Inequalities affect all countries... Even in prosperous states, people feel excluded from the benefits of development and deprived of economic and social rights -leading to alienation, unrest, and sometimes
violence. In recent months, we have seen people across the world take to the streets to protest inequalities and deteriorating economic and social conditions."

Although she singled out India and China for the inequalities affecting minorities, she remained silent on Western countries like the US or Britain where inequalities hit minorities hardest.

Fear of leprosy resurgence in Nepal

(11:20)

Kathmandu, March 7 (IANS) Health officials in Nepal fear leprosy resurgence in the country with prevalence rate reaching 0.94 per cent in 2018.

Leprosy-free status was given to the Himalayan nation after it declared elimination of the disease in 2009. However, that status could be lost if prevalence rate reaches one per cent of total population, Kathmandu
Post reported on Thursday.

Experts already fear that this marks the resurgence of the disease in Nepal. The percentage could be more, an official said, as the current given figures have been derived just from preliminary data.

The Leprosy Control and Disability (LCD) section of Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) of Department of Health Services said that the prevalence rate was 0.92 and 0.89 in 2017 and 2016,
respectively, the news report said.

"It will be a great setback for the country if it loses the status," said Rabindra Baskota, a doctor and chief of the LCD section.

Incubation period of leprosy varies from one to 20 years and diagnosis of more patients could help stop the further spread of the disease, according to him.

"It will take only a couple of years to reach one percent if this upward trend continues," he added.

The prevalence rate is over one per cent in various districts of the Tarai region, Baskota said, adding that the country had received the leprosy eliminated status, after reducing its prevalence rate by 0.77 per cent,
in 2009.

Sishir Silwal, a focal person for the leprosy control programme in Gulmi district, said regular review meetings for leprosy, which should be held every four months, has not been held for the last eight months.

Kathmandu Post quoted Bibek Kumar Lal, Director at EDCD, as saying that there is a severe crunch in manpower that hinders proper functioning.

There are only three staff working in the leprosy section and the same team looks after the disability programme, as well, he told the newspaper.

Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, is transmitted through nasal secretion or from droplets from the mouth. It affects the skin, peripheral nerves and eyes, leading to
disfigurement and nerve damage. The disease is curable with a multi-drug therapy.

Maoist killed in Kerala encounter

(10:48)

Wayanad (Kerala), March 7 (IANS) A Maoist has been killed in an encounter with the Kerala Police's Thunderbolt unit, a senior officer said.

The deceased is suspected to be C.P. Jaleel. An inquest is underway.

The slain member was part of a four member group of the banned outfit, who had come to a resort near here late on Wednesday and demanded food and money, Senior Officer Balram Kumar Upadhyaya told the
media here.

The resort authorities instantly alerted the police. The Thunderbolt team (especially formed to tackle the Maoists) was immediately despatched for the resort.

The Maoists opened fire triggering the encounter, Upadhyaya said. The gun battle started at 8 p.m. and continued till early on Thursday.

Three managed to escape deep into the forest behind the resort, while one sustained bullet injuries and died.

More details will be available only after the inquest was completed, he said, adding that no police officer was injured.

The resort has been cordoned off.

Republican Senator raped while serving in military (Lead)

(10:42)

Washington, March 7 (IANS) A Republican Senator has revealed that she had been "preyed upon and
raped" by a superior officer while she served in the military.

Arizona Senator Martha McSally, who is also the first woman in the Air Force to fly in combat, made the
revelation on Wednesday during a Senate Armed Services subcommittee hearing on sexual assault in
the military, CNN reported.

McSally said to witnesses present: "So like you, I am also a military sexual assault survivor," but McSally
said that she did not report and did not trust the system to do so.

Te Senator said she almost left the Air Force over her despair.

"Like many victims, I felt the system was raping me all over again. But I didn't quit, I decided to stay,"
she said.

She called the issue of sexual assault in the military a "deeply personal" topic for her.

"We've come a long way to stop military sexual assault but we have a long way to go."

McSally, a former member of the House who lost an Arizona Senate race last year, did not offer any
details about the assaults or name the senior officer, reports The New York Times.

She said she did not immediately report the attacks because she "didn't trust the system at the time".
A Pentagon report for fiscal year 2017, the most recent available, found that the Defence Department
received 6,769 reports of sexual assault involving service members as either victims or subjects of
criminal investigation, which was nearly a 10 per cent increase over the 6,172 reports made the previous
year.

But according to figures gathered in 2016, annual rates of sexual assault over the past decade have
decreased by half for active-duty women and by two-thirds for active-duty men.

A spokeswoman for the Air Force condemned on Wednesday "criminal actions" that "violate every part
of what it means to be an airman".

"We are appalled and deeply sorry for what Senator McSally experienced, and we stand behind her and
all victims of sexual assault," said spokeswoman, Capt. Carrie J. Volpe.

"We are steadfast in our commitment to eliminate this reprehensible behaviour and breach of trust in
our ranks."

McSally flew an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft while enforcing the no-fly zone over southern Iraq
after the 1991 Persian Gulf war. She was deployed in Kuwait in January 1995, and took command of the
354th Fighter Squadron in July 2004.

Three Kashmiris thrashed in Lucknow, one

arrested
(13:12)

Lucknow, March 7 (IANS) Three Kashmiris selling dry fruits here were thrashed a day ago on
charges that they pelted stones at security forces, leading to the arrest of a rightwing Hindu activist
on Thursday, police said.
Bajrang Sonkar, who was arrested, is affiliated to the Vishwa Hindu Dal and has a dozen criminal
cases registered against him including one of murder, Senior Superintendent of Police Kalanidhi
Naithani said.

The attackers were initially booked under the Indian Penal Code and now non-bailable offences have
also been included, Naithani said.

Three other attackers who are on the run are Amar, Himanshu and Anirrudh, the police said.

The attack took place on Wednesday when a group of saffron-robed youths came out of a car and
pounced on the three Kashmiri men who were selling dry fruits at Daliganj Bridge.

The vendors were beaten up mercilessly, witnesses said, and their wares were thrown around. The
attackers called the victims "stone pelters" and asked them to produce their Aadhaar cards.

The Kashmiris obliged but the attackers continued to beat them. No one came to the rescue of the
victims.

It was only after someone called the police that the Kashmiris were saved.

Two of the injured vendors went away before the police arrived there but one Kashmiri, identified as
Afzal, was taken to the police station.

Afzal was questioned for over an hour before an acquaintance vouched for him. No FIRs were
registered against the attackers initially.

It was only after a video of the incident went viral on the social media that the police changed their
tactics.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the brutality.

"Nothing will do more damage to the idea of India in Jammu and Kashmir than videos like these," he
said in a series of tweets along with the video post.

"Keep thrashing Kashmiris like this on the streets at the hands of RSS/Bajrang Dal goons and then
try to sell the idea of 'atoot ang' (unbreakable part), it simply won't fly."

He called upon Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to punish "those guilty of this assault". Singh
represents Lucknow in the Lok Sabha.
18 injured in grenade attack on bus
(12:58)

Jammu, March 7 (IANS) At least 18 people were injured on Thursday when militants hurled a grenade on a parked passenger bus here in Jammu and Kashmir.

Inspector General of Police Manish Kumar Sinha said the incident occurred around 11.30 a.m. at the main bus terminus in Jammu city.

"Five people are in critical condition," he said.

Engine, three coaches run without rest of

train
(12:48)

Mumbai, March 7 (IANS) In a freak incident, the engine of a Mumbai-bound train on Thursday got detached along with three coaches from the rest of the train and ran for a short distance minus the remaining
12 coaches, Central Railway officials said.

The accident took place around 8.30 a.m. near Kalyan station in Thane district and involved the Manmad-Mumbai Panchavati Express.

Central Railway chief spokesperson Sunil Udasi told IANS: "There are no casualties... We shall find out what led to this."

The train was later attached to its coaches and it resumed the journey to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, he said.

The incident disrupted suburban and long-distance services for some time.

Roughed up BJP MLA stages sit-in, seeks

action against MP
(12:42)

Lucknow, March 7 (IANS) A day after he was roughed up by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Sant Kabir Nagar Sharad Tripathi, party MLA Rakesh Singh Baghel on Thursday started a sit-in demanding
action against district and police officials, who later lathicharged his supporters.

Mehndaval legislator Baghel was beaten up with shoes in thd presence of Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Ashutosh Tandon at the District Coordination Committee meeting, leaving the ruling party red-faced.

Baghel, who has been summoned to Lucknow by the party state unit president Mahendra Nath Pandey along with Tripathi, told IANS over phone that he will adhere to whatever decision the party high command
takes on the matter.

He also confirmed that he will meeting Pandey to discuss the incident.

He, however, reiterated that there will be no let-up in his demand for action against the "culprits behind the lathicharge".
"The issue was most unfortunate and cannot be easily forgotten but I, as a disciplined foot soldier of the party, will put the facts before the leadership and will accept whatever their decision is," he said.

Angry over the Wednesday's incident, Baghel's supporters had created a ruckus later in the day demanding action against the MP.

The police, however, reacted with a lathicharge.

Roughed up BJP MLA stages sit-in, seeks action against MP

(12:42)

Lucknow, March 7 (IANS) A day after he was roughed up by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Sant
Kabir Nagar Sharad Tripathi, party MLA Rakesh Singh Baghel on Thursday started a sit-in demanding
action against district and police officials, who later lathicharged his supporters.

Mehndaval legislator Baghel was beaten up with shoes in thd presence of Uttar Pradesh cabinet
minister Ashutosh Tandon at the District Coordination Committee meeting, leaving the ruling party red-
faced.

Baghel, who has been summoned to Lucknow by the party state unit president Mahendra Nath Pandey
along with Tripathi, told IANS over phone that he will adhere to whatever decision the party high
command takes on the matter.

He also confirmed that he will meeting Pandey to discuss the incident.

He, however, reiterated that there will be no let-up in his demand for action against the "culprits behind
the lathicharge".

"The issue was most unfortunate and cannot be easily forgotten but I, as a disciplined foot soldier of the
party, will put the facts before the leadership and will accept whatever their decision is," he said.

Angry over the Wednesday's incident, Baghel's supporters had created a ruckus later in the day
demanding action against the MP.
The police, however, reacted with a lathicharge.

Omar condemns thrashing of Kashmiri vendors in Lucknow

(12:12)

Srinagar, March 7 (IANS) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday
condemned the thrashing of Kashmiri vendors in Lucknow.

"Nothing will do more damage to the idea of India in Jammu and Kashmir than videos like these," he
said in a series of tweets along with the video post.

"Keep thrashing Kashmiris like this on the streets at the hands of RSS/Bajrang Dal goons and then try to
sell the idea of 'atoot ang' (unbreakable part), it simply won't fly."

He also called upon Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to punish "those guilty of this assault". Singh
represents the Lucknow parliamentary constituency.

Videos of the attack that took place on Wednesday have gone viral on social media.

Restlessness growing over delay in seat sharing by Grand Alliance

By Imran Khan (11:52)

Patna, March 7 (IANS) More than two months after Bihar's ruling NDA finalised the sharing of seats
among its constituents for the upcoming general elections, the opposition Grand Alliance or
mahagathbandhan is yet to get its act together and the delay is leading to growing restlessness among
the allies.

The bargaining between the two major allies -- the RJD and the Congress -- is what's causing the delay.
This has left smaller allies like the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party
(RLSP), the Left parties and the Vikasshil Insan Party (VIP) uncertain about the number of seats they
would be contesting.
A HAM leader said delay is not a good signal. "Our party has been demanding since January to finalise
the list but it is yet to happen. We are hopeful it will be sooner rathr than later.

Echoing this, an RLSP leader said the seat sharing formula should not be delayed any further as its
candidates have to get to work in their respective parliamentary constituencies.

The RLSP, led by former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, the HAM led by former Bihar Chief Minister
Jitan Ram Manjhi and the VIP are eyeing upwards of contesting more than 10 of the state's 40 seats.
Kushwaha and Manjhi have demanded at least 5 seats each and the VIP has asked for 3.

Even the Left parties, mainly the CPI and the CPI-ML are keen to be part of the Grand Alliance.

Senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said on Wednesday said the seat sharing formula was in its
final stage. "We have almost finalised and the formal announcement would be made soon," he said.

According to a Congress leader here, the party has agreed to contest a lesser number of seats than the
RJD to accomodate the other allies and to ensure the defeat of the BJP-led NDA.

"It has been agreed that Congress will contest 10 seats and RJD will contest 20 seats. The remaining 10
seats will be distributed among other allies," the Congress leader said.

RJD leaders have repeatedly hinted that party is bound to play the "big brother" in the
mahagathbandhan. They have pointed that the RJD is a mass-based party, has 80 legislators in the 430-
member Asssembly and a strong social support base that will help the other allies in the polls.

The RJD had contested 27 seats, Congress 12 and one seat was left for Nationalist Congress Party's Tariq,
Anwar who has now returned to the Congress, in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

0D
The RJD could win only 4 seats, the Congress 2 and the NCP one. The Janata Dal-United, which contested
separately, also won only two seats. The BJP-led NDA won 31 seats, with the BJP's tally being 22.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh upset with party over seat allocation

By Imran Khan (11:36)

Patna, March 7 (IANS) Union Minister Giriraj Singh is upset with his party, the BJP, as the national
leadership has reportedly agreed to give the Nawada parliamentary seat in Bihar that he represents to
the LJP, an NDA constituent.

The Nawada seat is said to have gone to the LJP under the seat-sharing formula finalised by the NDA.

Though formal seat allocations and the names of NDA candidates are yet to be made public, a senior LJP
leader said the party will contest from Nawada and give up the Munger seat it holds.

"It was decided at a meeting of (BJP president) Amit Shah, (Bihar Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar and (LJP
chief and Union Minister) Ram Vilas Paswan that the LJP will be given the Nawada seat in lieu of leaving
the Munger seat for ally JD-U. LJP has made up its mind to contest from Nawada," the LJP leader said.

Giriraj Singh was reportedly offered the Begusarai seat, from where fromer JNU student union president
Kanhaiya Kumar is likely to contest as a CPI candidate supported by the opposition Grand Alliance (RJD,
Congress, RLSP, HAM).

"Giriraj Singh is not ready for this and refused the offer. He is adamant on contesting from Nawada," a
BJP leader close to him said.

Giriraj Singh had announced last week that he will either contest from Nawada, which he won in 2014,
or will not contest the upcoming general elections.

"To date, nothing has been finalised. Everything is in the process of finalisation; anything is pissible," a
BJP leader here said.

Giriraj Singh, known for his controversial statements, has been keeping away from the media since last
Sunday when he failed to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Sankalp rally on health grounds. BJP
leaders close to him said he was suffering from viral fever.
The Opposition RJD, Congress and RLSP taunted Giriraj Singh as he had stated that it would be clear
from those who didn't attend Modi's March 3 rally in Patna as to who supported Pakistan, when he
himself failed to attend the event.

Giriraj Singh is a staunch supporter of Modi and a champion of Hinduvta politics.

Belonging to a landed and powerful upper caste Bhumihar family, Nawada is a safe seat for him against
the backdrop of Bihar's caste-ridden politics. Nawada, with a sizeable population of Bhumihars, followed
by Nitish Kumar's Kurmis, as also Dalits and Extreme Backward Castes (EBCs), is seen as a solid social
support base for the NDA, particularly the BJP. The rival RJD-led Grand Alliance enjoys the support of
Lalu Prasad's Yadavs, as also Muslims, Kushwahas, Dalits and EBCs.

Sources in the NDA said the LJP's Veena Devi, wife of former MP Surajbhan Singh, a criminal-turned-
politician, will vacate her Munger seat and will contest from Nawada. She is also a Bhumihar.

Interestingly, JD-U president Nitish Kumar has convinced the BJP to give his party the Munger seat as his
close friend and senior party leader Lalan Singh, a Bihar minister, is keen to contest from there.

Lalan Singh, a Bhumihar, had won from Munger in 2009 seat but lost in 2014 when the JD-U was not
part of the NDA and contested the polls alone.

According to the seat-sharing formula, the BJP and the JD-U will contest 17 seats each, while the
remaining six seats will go to the Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh upset with party over seat allocation

By Imran Khan (11:36)

Patna, March 7 (IANS) Union Minister Giriraj Singh is upset with his party, the BJP, as the national
leadership has reportedly agreed to give the Nawada parliamentary seat in Bihar that he represents to
the LJP, an NDA constituent.

The Nawada seat is said to have gone to the LJP under the seat-sharing formula finalised by the NDA.

Though formal seat allocations and the names of NDA candidates are yet to be made public, a senior LJP
leader said the party will contest from Nawada and give up the Munger seat it holds.

"It was decided at a meeting of (BJP president) Amit Shah, (Bihar Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar and (LJP
chief and Union Minister) Ram Vilas Paswan that the LJP will be given the Nawada seat in lieu of leaving
the Munger seat for ally JD-U. LJP has made up its mind to contest from Nawada," the LJP leader said.

Giriraj Singh was reportedly offered the Begusarai seat, from where fromer JNU student union president
Kanhaiya Kumar is likely to contest as a CPI candidate supported by the opposition Grand Alliance (RJD,
Congress, RLSP, HAM).
"Giriraj Singh is not ready for this and refused the offer. He is adamant on contesting from Nawada," a
BJP leader close to him said.

Giriraj Singh had announced last week that he will either contest from Nawada, which he won in 2014,
or will not contest the upcoming general elections.

"To date, nothing has been finalised. Everything is in the process of finalisation; anything is pissible," a
BJP leader here said.

Giriraj Singh, known for his controversial statements, has been keeping away from the media since last
Sunday when he failed to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Sankalp rally on health grounds. BJP
leaders close to him said he was suffering from viral fever.

The Opposition RJD, Congress and RLSP taunted Giriraj Singh as he had stated that it would be clear
from those who didn't attend Modi's March 3 rally in Patna as to who supported Pakistan, when he
himself failed to attend the event.

Giriraj Singh is a staunch supporter of Modi and a champion of Hinduvta politics.

Belonging to a landed and powerful upper caste Bhumihar family, Nawada is a safe seat for him against
the backdrop of Bihar's caste-ridden politics. Nawada, with a sizeable population of Bhumihars, followed
by Nitish Kumar's Kurmis, as also Dalits and Extreme Backward Castes (EBCs), is seen as a solid social
support base for the NDA, particularly the BJP. The rival RJD-led Grand Alliance enjoys the support of
Lalu Prasad's Yadavs, as also Muslims, Kushwahas, Dalits and EBCs.

Sources in the NDA said the LJP's Veena Devi, wife of former MP Surajbhan Singh, a criminal-turned-
politician, will vacate her Munger seat and will contest from Nawada. She is also a Bhumihar.

Interestingly, JD-U president Nitish Kumar has convinced the BJP to give his party the Munger seat as his
close friend and senior party leader Lalan Singh, a Bihar minister, is keen to contest from there.

Lalan Singh, a Bhumihar, had won from Munger in 2009 seat but lost in 2014 when the JD-U was not
part of the NDA and contested the polls alone.

According to the seat-sharing formula, the BJP and the JD-U will contest 17 seats each, while the
remaining six seats will go to the Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP.

JU Faculty Council backs 90% reservation under domicile policy

(11:00)

Kolkata, March 7 (IANS) The Jadavpur University's Faculty Council of Engineering and Technology (FET)
has recommended reservation of 90 per cent of general seats in undergraduate courses under the
domicile quota, an official said here on Thursday.
If the policy is passed, the seats would be reserved for "home students", those who are permanent
residents of West Bengal.

"The FET has recommended the implementation of domicile policy. Now, the decision will be forwarded
to the Executive Council (EC)," said Chiranjib Bhattacharya, Dean of the engineering faculty.

Bhattacharya explained that the EC, the university's highest decision-making body, would give the
final.approval.

Since it is a major shift in policy, the proposal will be again sent to West Bengal's higher education
council and only after that it will be implemented and it is a long drawn process.

As many as 13 out of the varsity's 16 engineering and technology departments were in favour of
introduction of the proposal.

"Power engineering and electronics and telecommunication opined that the current system should
continue, while the computer science and engineering department was divided in its opinion. But
ultimately in the faculty council, the resolution was adopted unanimously," he added.

Sunny but chilly in Delhi

(10:22)

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) It was a sunny morning in the national capital on Thursday, however, the chill
in the air continues with the minimum temperature recorded five notches below the average at 9
degrees Celsius.

"The sky will remain clear throughout the day," an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.

The maximum temperature was likely to hover around 26 degrees Celsius.

At 8.30 a.m., the humidity was recorded at 84 per cent.

On Wednesday, the minimum temperature was recorded at 11 degrees Celsius, two notches below the
season's average, while the maximum settled at 24.5 degrees Celsius, four notches below the season's
average.
One-way traffic to move on Jammu-Srinagar highway

(08:32)

Jammu, March 7 (IANS) One-way traffic will move on the Jammu-Srinagar highway on Thursday, an
official said.

"The highway is open for one-way traffic. Vehicles are being allowed to move from Srinagar to Jammu
today," the traffic department official said.

All stranded vehicles on the highway were cleared on Wednesday.

The 300 km-long highway passes through some of the most treacherous road stretches especially the
Ramban-Ramsoo sector that has become infamous for frequent landslides.

Film inspired by Vyapam scam in the works

By Natalia Ningthoujam (08:20)

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) A film, produced by Zeishan Quadri, is being made with the backdrop of the
Vyapam scam that pertains to college admissions and government recruitments and involves several
politicians, businessmen and officials, in Madhya Pradesh.

Imposters were employed to write papers, exam hall seating arrangements were manipulated and
forged answer sheets were supplied by bribing officials.

In the coming months, the audience will get to see a film, "Halahal", inspired by the scam.

"The concept given by Eros Now was too good. Initially, I started as a writer on that ('Halahal'). Then I
asked them to let me do the production as well. They all agreed," Quadri told IANS in a telephonic
interview.
"The concept which was turned into a script by me and my writer Gibran Noorani... they loved it."

The film is being directed by Randeep Jha.

Though it is inspired by true events, he said: "Vyapam is the backdrop... that this happened. The film is
about a father (actor Sachin Khedekar) and a cop (actor Barun Sobti). It's a thriller.

"It is more or less a fictional story because we have fictionalised a lot but the backdrop is real," he added
about the movie that is currently being shot in Amroha in Uttar Pradesh.

The shooting is expected to be over by end of March.

But why did Quadri take the digital route?

"It doesn't matter to me. What matters is that what I wanted to make, I am making. And when you say
'digital platform', the film will always be there. After the theatre, where does the film go? On a digital
platform. So, it is the best thing," he shared.

He also plans to send it to various film festivals.

While Jha had earlier worked with Anurag Kashyap on movies, including "Mukkabaaz", Quadri had
teamed up with the filmmaker as a writer on the popular movie "Gangs of Wasseypur".

Did they take inputs from Anurag?

"No. Of course, I always want to share my films with Anurag but he is not so free to sit and chat. He is
my mentor but we also respect his time. He is really happy that I am producing it and Randeep is
directing it," said Quadri, who had also acted in a web series last year.
Quadri could have taken up a role in "Halahal" as well but he chose not to.

"Randeep had asked me to do a role. I said 'No. I don't have dates'," he said with a laugh.

"It was the role of a corrupt minister, which is now being played by Vijay Srivastava."

The upcoming movie also stars Anuradha Mukherjee.

Trinamool, BJP in rally war on women's day

(06:40)

Kolkata, March 7 (IANS) The bitter rivalry between West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress and
formidable challengers BJP will now spill over to the streets of Kolkata on Friday -- the International
Women's Day -- when stalwarts of the two parties take part in mega rallies around the same time.

As in previous years, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee would
spearhead her party's rally from Shraddhananda Park in north Kolkata to city hub Dharamtala to
celebrate the day.

Party's women's leaders would participate in the procession, with heavyweight ministers Chandrima
Bhattacahrya and Shashi Panja walking beside their beloved didi (elder sister -- as Banerjee is
affectionately called).

Almost simultaneously, the state BJP would take out a rally from its headquarters at Muralidhar Sen
Lane to Shyambazar five-point crossing, for restoration of democracy in Bengal.

State BJP president Dilip Ghosh, and convener of the party's state election management committee
Mukul Roy would be the vanguard of the rally where a central minister is expected to participate.

The rallyists would demand a free and fair Lok Sabha election in a congenial atmosphere sans fear.

State BJP Mahila Morcha activists would take part in the rally in a bigway.
"The BJP activists and supporters will hit the streets in huge numbers on that day. Those who were
attacked on March 3, during the bike rallies to observe Vijay Sankalpa Divas, will also be there," said
Ghosh.

The BJP has claimed that 60-70 of its activists sustained various degree of injuries in attacks by the anti-
socials sheltered by the Trinamool Congress and the police when the workers were bringing out
"peaceful" bike rallies as part of the party's campaign programme ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

JeM was used by intelligence to target India in my time: Musharraf

(00:18)

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said the Jaish-e-
Mohammed was a terror outfit but indicated that his country's intelligence had used it to carry out
attacks in India during his tenure.

Making the disclosure in a telephonic interview to Pakistani journalist Nadeem Malik of Hum News in his
talk show, Musharraf also welcomed the action against the JeM, saying it had tried to assassinate him
twice in December 2003, as per a video clip shared on the journalist's Facebook and Twitter page.

Asked why he had not taken action against the organisation during his stint in power (1999-2008), he
claimed those times were "different". Both India and Pakistan were involved in a clandestine struggle,
"carrying out bombings in each other's territory", he said, adding his country's intelligence agencies
were engaged in it.

Amid all this, not much action was taken against the Jaish, he said, adding that he had also not insisted.

The JEM, led by Maulana Masood Azhar, is accused of various attacks in India, including the February 14
Pulwama attack which left 40 Central Reserve Police Force troopers dead.

Gadkari to lay foundation stone for Gurugram-Dwarka Expressway project

(00:10)

Gurugram, March 7 (IANS) Decks have been cleared for the much-delayed Dwarka Expressway project,
said Union Minister of State Rao Inderjit Singh on Wednesday.
Singh, who represents Gurugram constituency in the Parliament, said Union Minister of Road Transport
Nitin Gadkari will lay the foundation stone on March 8 for the stretch falling under the territory of Delhi.
He will also lay the foundation stone for ambitious Delhi-Mumbai six-lane expressway the same day.

Singh, who was in Gurugram to take part in a meeting of Gurugram Metropolitan Development
Authority, chaired by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, said: "The Dwarka Expressway
project got delayed due to non-acquisition of land in Delhi. All the hurdles have been cleared now and
the construction work will begin soon," Singh said.

The initial plan of 18-km expressway (6 lanes) connecting NH 8 at Kherkidhaula with Delhi's suburban
town Dwarka had been proposed in 2007 and its construction was scheduled to start in 2009, with
completion time of 36 months.

"But the project was delayed due to delay in acquisition of land in Gurugram by Haryana Sahari Vikas
Pradhikaran (earlier known as Haryana Urban Development Authority) under the regime of both Sheila
Dixit and Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi."

Out of the 18-km stretch, four km falls in Delhi. In 2016, Nitin Gadkari had decided to extend the length
of this expressway by five more kilometres to connect with NH 8 at Shiv Murti near Mahipalpur to give
an arc-like shape, with an aim to reduce the burden of the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway.

"The 14-km stretch falling under Gurugram has almost been completed and the construction of
remaining stretch falling under Delhi will start soon after the laying of foundation stone," Singh said.

India warns Pak as heavy artillery used in fresh LoC flare-up

(00:08)

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) Pakistan used heavy artillery guns on the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday
leading to India warning it against any misadventure, defence sources said.

The Indian Army retaliated by firing Bofors gun to give a befitting reply. Intense shelling was reported all
along the LoC on Wednesday and the use of heavy calibre weapons led to a tense situation.

Sources said Pakistan used 155 mm artillery guns in the Nowshera sector. There has been a sharp rise in
the incidents of ceasefire violations after India carried out air strikes to hit terror camps in Balakot in
Pakistan.

The firing intensified amid propaganda war unleashed by Pakistan about the air strike, forcing Indian Air
Force to issue caution against the information warfare unleashed from across the border to discredit the
Indian armed forces.
Data row: TDP lodges complaint, Telangana
sets up SIT (Lead)
(23:34)

Hyderabad/Amaravati, March 6 (IANS) The row between Telugu states over data theft case took a new turn on Wednesday with the Telangana constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) while Andhra
Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) lodged a police complaint that its data was stolen by Telangana government.

TDP leaders on Wednesday night lodged a police complaint in Guntur against Telangana government. The leaders including TDP's Andhra Pradesh unit president Kala Venkat Rao, cabinet minister P. Pulla Rao
submitted their complaint to Guntur Rural Superintendent of Police Rajasekhar Babu.

The TDP leaders alleged that the data stored by their party for last two decades was stolen by Telangana police in a conspiracy with YSR Congress party. They sought action against those involved.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held a meeting with Home Secretary A. R. Anuradha and Director General of Police R. P. Thakur. They understood to have discussed the latest
developments in the data theft case.

This comes hours after Telangana government constituted an SIT to probe the data theft case involving an IT firm which provides services to TDP.

To be headed by Stephen Ravindra, Inspector General of Police (West Zone), the nine-member SIT will take up the case registered against IT Grids for allegedly misusing the sensitive data of the citizens of
Andhra Pradesh.

The Home Department in its order said the SIT was constituted since the case requires expertise in investigation of cyber crimes involving various technologies and the probe has to be conducted in different
places other than Cyberabad.

A case under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act was registered against the Hyderabad-based firm at Madhapur police station under Cyberabad police commissionerate on
March 2.

It came on a complaint by T. Lokeswara Reddy that sensitive data including personal information, Aadhaar, voter ID, electoral rolls, beneficiary details of government schemes were being processed illegally by
the company without consent of the citizens.

Cyberabad police were on the lookout for IT Grids CEO D. Ashok, who was being treated as main suspect in the case.

The police case has sparked a row between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments. The TDP has alleged that that Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) resorted to theft of TDP data to help YSR Congress party
in view of the coming elections.

However, TRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his son and IT Minister Nara Lokesh had become jittery as they were caught red-handed while stealing
confidential data to further the poll prospects of the TDP.

India, Pakistan to discuss Kartarpur

Corridor operationalisation on March 14
(Lead)
(23:34)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) India will discuss modalities of the operationalisation of the Kartarpur Corridor with Pakistan on March 14 at the Attari-Wagah border crossing, the External Affairs Ministry (MEA)
said on Wednesday.

"The first meeting between India and Pakistan to discuss and finalize the modalities for Kartarpur Corridor would be held on the Indian side of Attari-Wagah border on March 14," it said.

Th MEA said that the discussions were in keeping with the government's decision to operationalise the Kartarpur Corridor on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev and meet the long-
pending public demand for easy access to the Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan.

India has also proposed that a technical level discussion on the alignment of the corridor be held on the same day on the sidelines of this meeting.

The announcement came a day after Pakistan said it would send a delegation to India on March 14 to discuss a draft agreement for setting up of the corridor.

The announcements came amid tensions between the two countries after India's strike on a terrorist training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan last week following the Pulwama terror attack. In the
subsequent aerial engagement between the two air forces, they lost a fighter jet each. Pakistan released then captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman as a "peace gesture".

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had last year laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor in Punjab's Gurdaspur district, while Pakistan Prime Minister Imran
Khan did on the other side in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab province.
Smriti Irani shares meme inspired by Wg
Cdr Abhinandan
(23:28)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Union Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday shared a meme on her Instagram page based on IAF Wing Commander
Abhinandan Varthaman, with hashtag "Wednesday Wisdom".

The meme features two persons -- Abhinandan and 'Pakistan' -- in an examination hall where Pakistan supposedly asks the answer to a question from Abhinandan sitting right behind him.

Abhinandan slips a paper into the hand of Pakistan. But when he opens it, it reads "I am not supposed to tell you this" -- the line Abhinandan repeated several times in response to queries by a Pakistani Army
officer.

Wing Commander Abhinandan was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army after his plane was shot down on February 27 -- a Wednesday -- while he was scrambling with Pakistan Air Force jets which intruded
across LoC into the Indian airspace.

After ejecting his Mig 21 Bison aircraft, Abhinandan landed into Pakistan-administered Kashmir where he was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army.

Soon after, a video of the officer emerged on social media, where he could be seen being interrogated by the Pakistan Army. However, throughout the clip, Abhinandan remains calm and can be heard saying, "I
am sorry, I am not supposed to tell you this".

Meghalaya CM softens stand on CAB, says

ready for reconsidering the Bill
(23:14)

Guwahati, March 6 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister and leader of the National People's Party (NPP) Conrad Sangma on Wednesday said the
party is ready to reconsider the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 if all the stakeholders of the northeastern states are taken into confidence.

Sangma was in Guwahati to launch the Assam unit of the party and its office in Guwahati. The occasion also coincided with the completion of one year of office of the NPP-led Meghalaya government.

"The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 in its current form is not acceptable. However, I am an optimistic person and I believe that there could be a middle way. All the stakeholders from the northeastern states
must be taken into confidence to arrive at a consensus," he said.
Sangma also made it clear that although NPP is a partner of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the NPP is always ready to stand up and take a stand if the situation demands.

"We are working with the NDA as far as governance is concerned. However, there is no question of any compromise on any issue concerning the region," he said, adding that the NPP is trying to unite the people
of the region so that the voice of the North-East is heard in New Delhi.

Ayodhya temple dispute: SC reserves order

on mediation in case (Lead)
(22:54)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its order on sending the contentious
Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid Ayodhya title dispute case for mediation even as Hindu parties and the state of Uttar Pradesh opposed the court's suggestion.

The five-judge Constitution Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice S.A. Bobde, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer reserved the order as some of the Hindu
parties and Uttar Pradesh sounded sceptical about the outcome of the mediation.

"Arguments on the issue of reference to mediation are closed. Arguments concluded. Orders reserved," the court order said.

"It is about mind, hear and healing the relationship. We have read history and know history. We have no control over what had happened in the past... Babar invading, whether there was a mosque or temple. We
are only concerned with resolving the dispute," Justice Bobde said.

He also made it clear that the court was conscious of the impact of the issue on the body polity.

The court also indicated that the mediation proceedings would not be open to media reporting.

"It should not be reported, once the mediation process is on", Justice Bobde said with senior counsel Rajeev Dhavan said, "You can say that the mediation process would be confidential."

Joining the sceptics on the outcome of the mediation, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Uttar Pradesh, said, "It (mediation) will not be advisable and prudent to take this path."

Dhavan, however, opposed the Solicitor General appearing for Uttar Pradesh, contending that that it had already been made clear that the state government was not a party to the dispute and the Centre was just the
custodian of disputed and the undisputed acquired land at Ayodhya.

Senior counsel C.S. Vaidyanathan, who appeared for Ram Lalla, opposed the mediation, telling the court that the birth place of Lord Ram was a matter of faith and belief and they cannot take a contrary view in
the mediation.

As some of the parties belonging to Hindu side, but not all, sounded sceptical about the outcome of the mediation and the acceptance of its outcome by the people other than the parties to the dispute, Justice
Bobde said, "When we are ordering mediation, the outcome is not on our mind."

However, Justice Chandrachud had a different take on the non-binding nature of the mediation as opposed to adjudication which is binding.

Making it clear that the "desirability of negotiated process can't be underscored", he asked, "If mediation takes place, how would we bind them."

Meanwhile, Dhavan sought to brush aside the argument of "sentiments" of some of the Hindu litigants, saying that there were sentiments in the case of entry of women of a certain age group in Lord Ayyappa's
temple at Sabarimala also.

The court's order also said, "as to whether writ petitions would be heard by this Bench or by a smaller Bench would follow."

The writ petitions are by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, Vineet Kumar Maurya and Shishir Chaturvedi.

While Swamy has sought the court's direction on hiss right to offer prayers at make-shift temple at the disputed site, Chaturvedi has challenged 1993 central law for acquisition of Ayodhya land, including the
disputed site.

The court is hearing of a batch of cross petitions challenging the 2010 Allahabad High Court verdict trifurcating the disputed site and giving one party each to the Nirmohi Akhada, Ram Lalla and the Sunni Waqf
Board.
Publishing Rafale information fully justified,
lawful: N. Ram
(22:52)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Former Editor of The Hindu newspaper, N. Ram, on Wednesday said that his newspaper was "totally justified" in
publishing the information related to the Rafale fighter jets deal and underlined that he and the newspaper are protected by the law.

He also stressed that he would never reveal the identity of his sources, come what may, as he could not be forced to do so under any law.

This comes after the government told the Supreme Court that the documents relied upon by the newspaper, which published an account of the Rafale deal contrary to the Narendra Modi government's narrative,
had been stolen from the Defence Ministry.

The government also threatened to book the newspaper and its former Editor under the Official Secrets Act.

Ram said that any kind of investigative journalism, whether it relates to the national security or any other government policy, could draw the government's ire as it could "always take cover under integrity and
sovereignty of country, etc".

"We are fully protected under the Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India which gives expression of freedom, and also by the Right to Information Act, specifically Sections 8(1)(i) and 8(2), which overwrites
the Official Secrets Act of 1920," Ram said in an interaction with NDTV news channel.

He called the Official Secrets Act an "obnoxious and repressive piece of legislation" that was enacted to protect the interests of the British Raj "against the people of India and against the freedom movement".

"So, I don't think there is any real threat here. And we don't know how it will play in the Supreme Court as the hearing has been adjourned to March 14.

"All I can say is that we are fully justified in publishing this information. The investigative journalism comes into play precisely when the information which should be in public domain is not there, or is
consciously suppressed as a cover-up. And I think it's our duty to (unearth such details) provided the issue is relevant and of the larger public interest," he said.

"We are absolutely committed to protecting the identity of the sources. Nothing can make me or us reveal the identity of the sources. Let the sources be absolutely assured on this. Fortunately, in India you can't be
forced to reveal your sources," he added.

CM Rawat lays foundation stone for Doon-

Mussoorie ropeway project
(22:50)

Dehradun, March 6 (IANS) After a delay of over 11 years, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Wednesday laid the
foundation stone for the Dehradun-Musssoorie ropeway project which is considered to be a tourist novelty.
The Rs 300-crore ropeway project is expected to be completed in three years, the Chief Minister said at a function here.

Poma, a French company which manufactures cable-driven projects, will provide the technical support to the ropeway which will be built on the PPP mode. "This will be one of the world's longest ropeways," said
Rawat.

The ropeway will shorten the one-hour zigzag drive to just 15 minutes from Purkul village the base camp at Dehradun to Mussoorie, Rawat said.

Conceptualized in 2007-08, the Dehradun-Mussoorie ropeway, a dream project of the state tourism department, was caught in the red-tape and forest clearances.

Despite being accorded the status of large revenue generating project (LRG), the department had failed to get all the forest clearances at Purkul and other areas in Mussoorie.

The government had wanted to commence work on the Mussoorie ropeway project only after getting the Centre's nod on the LRG. Under the scheme, Uttarakhand has sought Rs 50 crore from the Centre as
viability gap funding for the project which will be a big attraction in the bidding process.

The tourism department had initiated a series of ropeway projects on PPP mode at various tourist and religious centres of the hill state during the B.C. Khanduri government. Most of these projects are hanging
fire.

PM may open two Metro sections this week

(Lead)
(22:42)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) With only a few days to go before the election Code of Conduct comes into force, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is
likely to inaugurate two Delhi Metro sections on two consecutive days, March 9 and the other probably a few days later, sources said on Wednesday.

The Commissioner of Rail Safety on Wednesday gave the green light to the Noida City Centre-Noida Electronic City extension of the Dwarka-Noida Blue Line, which will be opened to public soon.

The stretch was earlier slated to be opened on March 9, but hours after the announcement was made, the DMRC postponed the inauguration without citing any reason.

"Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety S.K Pathak has accorded the mandatory approval for the commencement of passenger operations on the 6.675-km-long Noida City Centre-Noida Electronic City section of
the Blue Line of Delhi Metro.

"Passenger services on the section will be started on 9th March, 2019 at 8 a.m following the formal inauguration of this section and the Dilshad Garden - Shaheed Sthal (New Bus Adda) corridor on 8th March,
2019," the Delhi Metro Rail Corp had said in its original statement which was revised later.

According to the revised communique, the Dilshad Garden-New Bus Adda section of the Red Line, an extention, will tentatively be opened on March 9 at 8 a.m.

"The time and date for the commencement of services on the NOIDA City Centre - NOIDA Electronic City Metro section may undergo a change. The revised time and date shall be intimated tomorrow. Services
on the Dilshad Garden-Shaheed Sthal (New Bus Adda) section will tentatively commence from 8 am on 9th March," the Delhi Metro Rail Corp said in a revised statement.

Sources have told IANS that Modi will inaugurate the Dilshad Garden-Bus Adda section, on the said date.

The date for opening of 6.67-km Noida section is yet to be confirmed by the public transporter. The changes have, for all apparent reasons, been made to commensurate with PM's schedule.

The Noida section will have six elevated stations: Noida Sector 34, Sector 52, Sector 61, Sector 59, Sector 62 and Noida Electronic City Metro stations.

Although the opening of the section will improve Delhi-Noida connectivity, the enterprise will still be frustrated to the extent that Noida's own 29-km-long Aqua Line will not have an interchange station with the
Blue Line, and the passengers will still be required to leave station on one line to get on the other.

On Monday, Modi inaugurated the first phase of Ahmedabad Metro and travelled by it.
Ex-Congress MLA Umesh Jadhav joins BJP
in Karnataka
(22:38)

Kalaburagi (Karnataka), March 6 (IANS) Two days after resigning from the Karnataka Assembly, ex-Congress legislator Umesh Jadhav on
Wednesday joined the BJP here, a party leader said.

"I welcome #UmeshJadhav into BJP Karnataka. He is a hard working surgeon-turned-political leader who will do well in parliament in #Elections2019," tweeted Karnataka BJP MP in Rajya Sabha Rajeev
Chandrasekhar.

Jadhav joined the party in the presence of BJP's state unit president B.S. Yeddyurappa in Kalaburagi, prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public rally in the northern district, about 600km from Bengaluru.

A two-time MLA from Chincholi constituency in Kalaburagi district, Jadhav submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar on Monday without giving any explanation.

Farhan Akhtar opens up on marriage plans

with Shibani Dandekar
(22:38)

Mumbai, March 6 (IANS) Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar opened up about marriage plans with Shibani Dandekar on a web show.

Farhan spoke about it to actress Bhumi Pednekar in an episode of 'Tape Cast Season 2', presented by Grey Goose.

Bhumi picked a 'Do not play' casette, which had a pre-recorded question from Farhan.

The question was: "Hey Farhan... Are we getting married in April or May? Can you please let me know because I am very confused".

When Bhumi asked Farhan to give a little introduction about the voice, Farhan said: "That was Shibani, who I think has been having a lot of fun with a lot of news that's going around currently about us looking
for wedding planners, looking for venues."

"Are you though?" prodded Bhumi.

In a smart response, Farhan said: "I don't know it maybe April or April be 'May'

Bhumi then appreciated Shibani's beauty, and that led Farhan to open up a bit more on her.

"She is an amazing woman. It's been very special, the last year... You know we've been getting to know each other and I couldn't be happier about it. But with the social media world again, we are constantly being
told about the things we should be doing.

"But yeah, I have never felt so comfortable to share my personal stuff, but I don't know, I just feel like somehow with celebrating all this, it just feels very natural to me," Farhan said.

Farhan was married to celebrity hairstylist Adhuna Bhabani for 16 years, before announcing their separation in 2016. Together, they have two daughters Shakya and Akira.

"Tape Cast", presented by Grey Goose, is a web series that unravels the working of two great minds through an off-script conversation.
Claims and counter-claims over IAF's
Balakot bombing damage
(22:36)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Amid claims and counter-claims on the damage caused to the Jaise-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camp in Balakot,
Pakistan, some television channels on Wednesday reported that Indian Air Force (IAF) has shared the proof of accuracy of its strike with the government.

Conflicting reports about the extent of damage caused by the bombing has emeged with a foreign news agency claiming that it has evidence of no damage caused to the JeM facility.

The government rejected the report as some opposition parties also raised doubt with Union ministers blasting them for challenging the valour of armed forces.

A news channel reported that 80 per cent of the bombs hit the target during the strike.

Another report said IAF proof includes high resolution satellite images and images produced by Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) establishing the lethality of the strike.

The claim came in the wake of IAF chief B.S. Dhanoa saying that his jets had hit the targets and that IAF did not count the bodies.

Political parties have also joined the debate with the opposition and the ruling party targeting each other. Union ministers V.K. Singh and Harsimrat Kaur attacked the opposition for questioning the armed forces.
The opposition said the government should come clean as the Bharatiya Janata President president Amit Shah had claimed that 250 terrorists were killed in the air strike.

Chandrababu Naidu involved in cyber crime:

Jagan
(22:34)

Hyderabad, March 6 (IANS) YSR Congress President Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy on Wednesday complained to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was "involved" in cyber crime.

A delegation of YSR Congress leaders led by Jagan, as the Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh Assembly is popularly known, met the Governor here and sought action against all those involved in data theft.

Later, Jagan told reporters that Naidu should own up the responsibility of data theft. He voiced concern over leakage of the confidential details of the residents of Andhra Pradesh to private parties.
"Chandrababu Naidu's involvement in this heinous cyber crime is evident. There is no other way that confidential details of the residents of Andhra Pradesh, like the Aadhaar and bank account numbers, would be
available with the private company called IT Grids," he said.

The YSR Congress leader said the wrongful possession of confidential citizen data by a private company and the linking of their database with that of the government's database was a cyber-crime and should be
treated in the same manner.

"We will take up this issue with Election Commission and other concerned authorities as it is the breach of data and confidentiality which would lead to chaos and undermining of the democratic process if left
unchecked.".

He alleged that Naidu was collecting data of households for the last two-and-half years and the data procured was linked to IT Grids.

On Naidu's criticism over complaint being lodged in Hyderabad, Jagan said he stooped so low as to project it as a conflict between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

India bans imports of solid plastic waste

(22:28)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) The Indian government has banned import of solid plastic waste into the country including in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and by Export Oriented Units (EOU), an official
statement said on Wednesday.

The Environment Ministry has amended the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, in order to strengthen the implementation of environmentally sound
management of hazardous waste in the country.

"The amendment has been done keeping into consideration the 'Ease of Doing Business' and boosting 'Make in India' initiative by simplifying the procedures under the Rules, while at the same time, upholding the
principles of sustainable development and ensuring minimal impact on the environment," it said.

The Rules also have exempted exporters of silk waste from requiring permission from the ministry.

It also said that electrical and electronic assemblies and components manufactured in and exported from India, if found defective, can now be imported back into the country, within a year of export, without
obtaining permission from the ministry.

"Industries which do not require consent under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, are now exempted from requiring authorization also
under the Rules, provided that hazardous and other wastes generated by such industries are handed over to the authorised actual users, waste collectors or disposal facilities," the statement added.

India Inc adopts 6 Bengaluru lakes for

rejuvenation
(22:28)

Bengaluru, March 6 (IANS) India Inc came forward to adopt six lakes in Bengaluru for rejuvenation, said the industry apex body CII on
Wednesday.

The six water bodies adopted by the industry are Kenchenhalli lake by Meritor CVC India Ltd, Doddathogur lake by Elcia, Shikaripalya by Wipro, Yarandahalli lake and Kammasandra lake by Biocon and
Maragondanahalli lake by Timken India Ltd.

The five firms have signed an agreement with the Karnataka government to adopt the lakes located in and around the city at the annual meet of the Confederation of Indian Industry (Karnataka chapter) here.
Lauding India Inc for adopting the lakes, state Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy urged the industry to adopt more lakes and water bodies across the southern state for saving them and protecting the
environment.

Kumaraswamy called on the industry to come forward and adopt more lakes and water-bodies across Karnataka.

"As our government is committed to rejuvenating lakes across the state, we will support any corporate coming forward to assist us in saving them," said Kumaraswamy on the occasion.

State Industry Minister K.J. George said the industry had offered to partially fund the metro rail project from Silk Board junction in the city's southwest suburb to K.R. Puram junction in northeast suburb.

"Work is in full swing to complete the 72km route in the second phase of the metro network after completing 42km in the first phase across the city. The industry will partially fund the Silk Board-K.R. Puram line
through a unique funding method," said George.

Surin Automotive Ltd Managing Director Aman Choudhari and Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery Ltd Managing Director Sandeep Singh were elected as the new chairman and vice-chairman of the CII
Karnataka chapter.

Shut down Maharashtra nuclear plants to

avert mega-disaster: Student's PIL
(22:24)

Mumbai, March 6 (IANS) Expressing apprehensions of a potential mega-disaster in view of recurring earthquakes in Maharashtra's Palghar, a Mumbai student on Wednesday moved the Bombay High Court,
demanding a safety review and shutting down of all the nuclear facilities at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Tarapur.

Taaha Nizam, who studies engineering at the BITS, Goa, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the court, claiming that the nuclear facilities at BARC and Tarapur could be at serious risk as there have been
several low- and medium-intensity earthquakes in Palghar.

The BARC complex is located at Tarapur, barely 25 km from Palghar, where over a dozen earthquakes have been reported in the past few months, he said.

He said that Palghar-based scientist Mahesh Yashraj, who has invented Earthquake Resistant Structure Technology, had drawn the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis,
the BARC and other central and state agencies to a potential disaster waiting to happen.

"In fact, barely 15 days after his letter dated October 25, 2018, the series of earthquakes have started rocking Palghar. So far, there has been no response from anybody in this serious matter," the petitioner's
lawyer, Tanveer Nizam told IANS.

In view of the huge populations in Palghar, Thane, and Mumbai districts and adjoining areas, the PIL has sought an urgent review of the safety and related aspects at BARC, as global experts have warned of many
more high-intensity earthquakes in the near future.

The PIL adds that in 2018 alone, the number of earthquakes recorded worldwide increased from around 38,000 in January to over 90,000 in December, and these are expected to further go up in view of certain
ongoing geographical changes and natural phenomena.

The petitioner contended that the impact of the March 11, 2011 Fukushima and the April 26, 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disasters was felt in an area of over 250 kms, affecting thousands besides creating other long-
term health and environmental complications.

"It must be noted that Mumbai is barely 70 kms from BARC and any nuclear disaster here could hit places as far as Pune, besides other big and small cities in the vicinity," Nizam said.

The PIL has demanded that in view of a major geological fault in the Mumbai-Thane Creek area, and the disastrous September 30, 1993 Latur earthquake, the National Disaster Management Authority had
classified the areas of Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Nashik and Pune, besides Nagpur as 'Seismic Zone III'.

Considering the growing number and higher intensity of earthquakes, the PIL has sought that these areas should be re-classified at Seismic Zone Vi-VII category to ensure better construction practices and prevent
or minimize loss of lives and properties.

The PIL is expected to come up shortly for hearing, said Nizam.

Modi donates Rs 21 lakh from personal

savings for santiation workers of Kumbh
mela
(22:18)
 New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has donated Rs 21 lakh from his personal savings to the corpus fund for the welfare
of sanitation workers of Kumbh 2019.

Modi had last month taken a dip at Sangam during the Kumbh and had washed the feet of the sanitation workers.

A PMO tweet said that donating Rs 21 lakh for the welfare of sanitation workers was the latest in the series of such steps taken by Modi.

He had also donated Rs. 1.3 crore prize money of Seoul Peace Prize a few days ago towards Namami Gange, to help clean the Ganga.

A sum of Rs 3.40 crore collected through auction of mementoes received by Modi during his tenure as PM has also been donated to the cause of Namami Gange.

Modi had also initiated the auctioning of gifts he received till then in 2015 and Rs 8.33 crore raised during an auction in Surat also went to the Namame Ganga Mission.

PMO tweets also said that on completion of his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, Modi donated Rs 21 lakh from personal savings for educating daughters of Gujarat government staff.

Modi had raised Rs 89.96 crore by auctioning all gifts he received as chief minister and donated the amount to Kanya Kelavani Fund. The money was spent on the education of the girl child.

CGO Complex fire: CISF officer dead, work

in many government offices hit (Roundup)
(22:06)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) A CISF officer was killed and functioning of major government offices including the NCLAT, the SFIO and others
located in the Antyodaya Bhawan in the CGO complex affected following a fire in the building on Wednesday morning.

The fire, that broke out on the fifth floor around 8.30 a.m., was brought under control by around 10.05 a.m. by 25 fire tenders, which rushed to the spot after smoke and flames were noticed in the building, fire
officials said.

However, a large amount of documents and government data were destroyed in the fire.

The blaze, which could have probably caused by a short circuit, according to a fire services official, damaged many rooms of the Disability Division of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on the fifth
floor.

It also claimed life of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Sub-Inspector M.P. Godara, who was on security duty there.

Found unconscious by fire fighters, he was rushed to the the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Trauma Centre where doctors declared him dead.

An ex-Indian Air Force serviceman who joined the CISF in 2008, Godara was a resident of Rajasthan's Churu and is survived by two sons.

Entry to the building was also stopped till further notice and the electricity supply cut in wake of the fire.

"Employees and other people working here were asked to vacate the building. All the official meetings have been cancelled," a CISF personnel on security duty, told IANS, adding that there is no information
when the work will resume.

According to an eyewitness, who works in Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in the ninth floor, the building was closed for nearly three hours before they were later were allowed to enter only to
collect important documents and mark attendance.

Work in various offices in the building was hit.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), which is one of the organisations with offices in the building, said on its website: "Due to a fire incident at Pt. Deen Dayal Antyodaya Bhawan today
morning, the Court proceedings of NCLAT shall remain suspended for today."

The NCLAT, formed for hearing appeals against the orders of National Company Law Tribunal(s) (NCLT), was on Wednesday scheduled to hear some important matters, including cases pertaining to Jyoti
structures, Dishnet Wireless, Monnet Ispat and Liberty House.

It is not clear if the fire damaged important files kept in the tribunal office.

Officials said the damage assessment would take time as premises would have to be first inspected thoroughly. But they said damage would be limited as the fire broke out on the fifth floor.
The NCLAT office is located on the third floor and the building houses other important government agencies, including the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) on its second floor.

Many other Central government offices, including a branch of the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, and the Ministry of Forest also operate out of that building.

Atul Garg, Chief Fire Officer, told IANS that the Antyodaya Bhawan had earlier probably raised the safety concerns with the fire services but he could not confirm this.

"The prime reason (of the fire) could not be ascertained yet. We are investigating the factors that lead to fire. However from sources present there, it was told to us that the fire broke out due to short circuit," Vipin
Kental of Delhi Fire Service added.

Successful judge brings smile on faces of

helpless persons: Justice Sikri
(22:02)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) The test of a good and successful judge is how many times he has brought a smile on the faces of helpless persons,
Supreme Court Judge Justice A.K. Sikri said as he got emotional during his farewell ceremony.

Early in the day, when Justice Sikri was sitting with Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi in court room number 1, a bunch of lawyers showed up to bid him a warm farewell.

Addressing the farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association in the evening, Justice Sikri said that whether a judge should smile or not is secondary issue.

"The primary issue, which is also a test of a good and successful judge is how many times the judge has brought a smile on the faces of helpless persons," Sikri said.

He also said that every judge should have some element of feminity for a fair decision-making as justice goddess is in the form of a woman.

He also quoted Napoleon Bonaparte's farewell speech to his army and said: "I say to my colleagues at the bench and the bar, I bid you farewell, for you my friends who will continue this great institution that is
Supreme Court."

He recommended people to listen to everyone as wisdom comes from all corners.

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi appreciated Justice Sikri for bringing fresh insights to the institution.

CJ Gogoi also quoted the opening words in Justice Sikri's Aadhaar judgement and said that, "It is better to be unique than the best because being the best makes you the number one, but being unique makes you
the only one."

Justice Sikri, the second senior-most judge of the top court, was part of several significant judgements, including the one on Aadhaar.

Gujarat announces policy for small-scale

solar power generation
(21:56)
 Gandhinagar, March 6 (IANS) Aspiring to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambition for raising the renewable power generation in the
country, the Gujarat government on Wednesday announced a 'small scale distribution solar project' policy for producers of up to 500 KW to 4 megawatts (MW).

Energy and Petrochemical Minister Saurabh Patel said, "Gujarat's geographical situation has vast and immense potential for renewable power generation such as solar and wind energy. We have framed a policy
for small power producers of solar projects wherein even owner of a small waste land will be able to generate power and sell it in the state."

According to the policy, private landowners who have waste and non-productive land will be able to set up solar power projects with a capacity between 500 kilo watts to 4 MW.

This generated power will be purchased by power companies such as state-owned Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL). The power produced will be directly fed into the 11 KW line of Gujarat Energy
Transmission Company Limited (GETCO).

The government owned power companies will carry out Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) of 25 years with the small-scale producers. The GUVNL will purchase from small producers, paying 20 paise more than
the price raised in bidding process in other PPAs, except that of solar parks.

The Minister said for this policy, no government land will be utilised. "The policy will also boost in generating more employment in the state," said Pradeepsinh Jadeja, Minister of State (MoS) for Energy.

SC ousts AAP's Sanjay Singh from arguing

plea for the recall of Rafale verdict
(21:50)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would not allow Aam Aadmi Party's lawmaker Sanjay Singh to address
the court on a plea seeking a review of the December 14 Rafale judgement, as it took exception to some of the comments made by him about the top court.

The bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice K.M. Joseph inquired about Sanjay Singh and senior counsel Sanjay Hegde said that he represented him.

CJI Gogoi, taking exception to certain comments made by Sanjay Singh about the top court relating to Rafale deal, told Hegde that his client would not be allowed to argue the review plea.

However, later in the course of the hearing, CJI Gogoi indicated that they may appoint an amicus curiae to address the court on the review plea by Sanjay Singh.

"We might do so in Sanjay Singh's case", CJI Gogoi said in the course of the hearing of the main matter when he referred to instances where the court had held that cause being espoused in the PIL is good and had
appointed amicus curiae and hear the matter.

CCTV installation has started in Delhi:

Kejriwal
(21:46)
 New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the CCTV camera installation across the national capital
-- a flagship programme of the Aam Aadmi Party -- has begun in various parts of the city.

Addressing a public rally, he said his government and ministers had to struggle for three years to bring the project to fruition.

He attacked the Central government for restricting the works done by the Delhi government and for "harassing" the AAP.

"The work of installing CCTV cameras has begun," he said at an inaugural function of development works at Wazirpur.

He said people should vote for the AAP in the Lok Sabha and not for any other party thinking about who will be the PM.

"Last time you voted for Modi, thinking he will work for you after becoming the PM. But what has he done for you? Don't vote for Rahul Gandhi or Modi. Vote for AAP," he said.

In another rally at Model Town, the AAP Chief said if Delhi was granted full statehood, the police will be held answerable to public.

"After the city becomes a full state, the police will report to the public. If given to the elected government, we will ensure that either they listen to you or the SHO will be transferred."

"Police will be forced to listen to the people. After given full statehood, we will ensure that women can walk freely without any fear even at 11 p.m."

He said his government will not have to seek permission from the Centre for working for Delhi, if it becomes a full state.

Kejriwal promised that once Delhi became a full state, 85 per cent of seats in all colleges will be reserved for the Delhi students and the same number of seats will also be reserved in jobs for Delhi residents.

"Immediately after the city is granted full statehood, we will issue notifications for about two lakh jobs."

He also promised home for all in 10 years after the city is granted full statehood.

Enough evidence to prosecute Modi in

Rafale: Rahul
(21:40)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday called for filing an FIR against Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
saying there was enough evidence to prosecute him in the 'Rafale scam'.

"The trail of corruption begins & ends with him," tweeted Gandhi

"There is now enough evidence to prosecute the PM in the Rafale Scam," he said.

Gandhi also alleged "cover-up" after the Modi government told the Supreme Court that "privileged documents" related to Rafale deal appearing in the media were stolen from the Defence Ministry.

"That crucial Rafale files incriminating him are now reported stolen by the government, is destruction of evidence and an obvious cover-up," he said, adding file "FIR against Corrupt Modi".

Citing a report of the Indian Negotiation Team (INT), the Congress alleged Modi enriched Rafale maker Dassault Aviation at the cost of the Indian exchequer by waiving the bank guarantee and claimed that the
price of the jets under the new deal was far higher than that negotiated during the previous UPA regime.
'Uri' inches close to Rs 250 crore mark
(21:38)

Mumbai, March 6 (IANS) Vicky Kaushal-starrer 'Uri: The Surgical Strike', based on the Indian commandos' action following the 2016 attack, is
inching close to the Rs 250-crore mark at the box office, according to trade analysts.

The film, which released on January 11, raked in Rs 240 crore by Monday, and has crossed the lifetime business of 2018's film 'Simmba', says trade expert Taran Adarsh.

"Uri...' continues its incredible run. Business on (eighth) Monday (Maha Shivratri) is higher than (eighth) Friday... Crosses lifetime business of 'Simmba'... Eyes Rs 250 crore... Total: Rs 240.38 crore India
business," he tweeted on Tuesday.

Komal Nahta, another trade expert, said 'Uri...' has joined movies such as 'Dangal', 'PK', 'Sanju', 'Baahubali 2: The Conclusion', 'Tiger Zinda Hai', 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' and 'Padmaavat' to be counted among the
highest grossing films in India.

Nahta told IANS: "Uri...' is the tenth highest grossser in India if 'Baahubali: The Conclusion' is counted. Otherwise, it's at the ninth spot. It has netted Rs 240 crore-plus so far, making it the second-highest Return
on Investment (ROI) film."

Despite facing tough competition with the release of films such as 'Gully Boy', 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi' and 'Total Dhamaal' at box office, Aditya Dhar directorial 'Uri..' seems to be marching strong
even in its eight week of the release.

The gritty drama, which traces the real-life events of the 2016 Uri attack and its aftermath, also features Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal, Kirti Kulhari and Mohit Raina.

Only a strong person like Modi can be India's

PM: Palaniswami
(21:36)

Chennai, March 6 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Wednesday said only a strong and capable person like Prime Minister
Narendra Modi can govern India, a democratic country with 130 crore population.

Addressing a public rally near here along with Modi, Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Pon Radhakrishnan and leaders of allied parties like PMK founder S. Ramadoss and several others, Palaniswami said: "If
we are all sitting here safely, it is because of a strong Prime Minister ruling India.

"That is why parties like AIADMK, PMK, PT and others are supporting BJP."

Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who was also present, said Modi and late Chief Minister and AIADMK leader J.Jayalalithaa shared a special bond.

Slamming the Congress-DMK combine, he said the nation did not benefit but only their families benefitted.

He also challenged the opposition to name who their Prime Ministerial candidate would be.
Government honours 30 women for
impacting reforms via social media
(21:30)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Wednesday felicitated as many as 30 women,
who have been driving social reforms via social media.

The campaign, "Web Wonder Women", was organised by the WCD Ministry with an aim to celebrate the exceptional achievements of these women who were selected after an extensive research process.

Organised in collaboration with Twitter India and Breakthrough India, the event aimed to recognise the fortitude of Indian women stalwarts from across the globe who have used the power of social media to run
positive campaigns to steer a change in the society.

"Women online, though niche, are a very powerful voice. #WebWonderWomen was a campaign to recognise, honour and encourage such voices that have in their own capacity driven a positive impact on social
media platforms," said Gandhi at the event.

The WCD Minister, along with a panel of 10 judges, finalised the names of 30 women from over 240 nominations received under the categories media, awareness, legal, health, governmental, food, environment,
development, business and art.

NIA arrests key accused in Jalandhar

grenade attack
(21:14)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested a man from Jammu and Kashmir for his
involvement in a grenade attack on a police station in Punjab's Jalandhar last year, claiming he was acting on the direction of Ansar Ghazawat-ul-Hind chief Zakir Musa.

Amir Nazir, a resident of Awantipora in Pulwama district, was said to be among over half-a-dozen suspects, who had in September 2018 hurled four grenades at Maksudan police station, injuring a policeman.

He is the third accused arrested so far in the case.

Two other accused arrested in the case are Fazil Bashir Pinchoo and Shahid Qayoom, both also hailing from Awantipora and pursuing their B.Tech (Civil) from St. Soldier Group of Colleges in Jalandhar.

An NIA statement said that Nazir was a key accused as he procured and facilitated delivery of the grenades used in the attack on the directions of Musa. "He was the active link between Musa and two other
persons who were arrested in the case earlier."

Nazir has been taken on transit remand to be produced before the Special NIA court in Mohali for obtaining his custody for interrogation, said the statement.
The NIA took over the investigation of the case from Punjab Police following the government's orders and filed an FIR on December 20.

In its investigation, the NIA said it has found that the attack was handiwork of Ansar Ghazawat-ul-Hind.

Two other accused involved in the attack, identified as Rauf Ahmed Mir and Umar Ramzan were killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir on December 22, 2018, said the statement.

PM Modi to open two Metro sections this

weeks
(21:02)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) With only few days to go before the election Code of Conduct comes into effect, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is
likely to inaugurate two Delhi Metro sections on two consecutive days, March 8 and March 9, informed sources said on Wednesday.

The Commissioner of Rail Safety on Wednesday gave the green light to the Noida City Centre - Noida Electronic City extension of the Dwarka-Noida Blue Line, which will be opened to the public on March 9.

"Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety S.K Pathak has accorded the mandatory approval for the commencement of passenger operations on the 6.675-km-long Noida City Centre - Noida Electronic City section of
the Blue Line of Delhi Metro.

"Passenger services on the section will be started on 9th March, 2019 at 8 a.m following the formal inauguration of this section and the Dilshad Garden - Shaheed Sthal (New Bus Adda) corridor on 8th March,
2019," the Delhi Metro Rail Corp said in a statement.

Sources said that Modi will inaugurate the Dilshad Garden - Bus Adda section, a Red Line extension, in person and the Noida extension via remote from there.

The 6.67-km Noida section will have six elevated stations: Noida Sector 34, Sector 52, Sector 61, Sector 59, Sector 62 and Noida Electronic City Metro stations.

Although the opening of the section will improve Delhi-Noida connectivity, the enterprise will still be frustrated to the extent that Noida's own 29-km-long Aqua Line will not have an interchange station with the
Blue Line, and the passengers will still be required to leave station on one line to get on the other.

On Monday, Modi inaugurated the first phase of Ahmedabad Metro and travelled in it.

Goa water sports operator, Israeli man clash

(21:02)

Panaji, March 6 (IANS) An Israeli national was on Wednesday attacked by a water sports operator
and his aides at North Goa's Anjuna beach for damaging a jetski during a joyride, a complaint filed at
the Anjuna police station said.

In a counter-complaint, the water sports operator, Mahesh Gadekar, said the Israeli national, David
Driham alias Dudu, was the first to attack him. He also accused Driham of abusing him.

Speaking to reporters, police inspector in-charge of the Anjuna police station said both complaints
filed by Driham as well as Gadekar had been taken on record and it would be probed.

The incident occurred after Driham, who had been arrested on charges of drug peddling in 2010 and
later acquitted by a trial court, hired a jetski on the assurance that he would not take it towards the
rocky fringes of the Anjuna beach.

The scuffle between Driham and Gadekar broke out after the former returned the jetski in a damaged
condition. Driham has been admitted to a local government hospital for treatment.

Slain CRPF personnel's families seek proof of

terrorists' killing in Balakot
(21:02)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Two families of CRPF personnel killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama bombing have raised questions over
government's claim of killing terrorists in last month's air strike in Pakistan's Balakot.

Referring to questions raised by political parties over the terrorist casualties in the February 26 aerial strike carried out by Indian Air Force (IAF), both the families of Uttar Pradesh's Shamli and Mainpuri asked
the government to "show" the bodies of terrorists killed in the strike as a "proof" and confirm the impact of the attack.

Pradeep Kumar from Shamli and Ram Vakeel from Mainpuri were among the 40 CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the February 14 suicide bombing carried out by a Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-
Mohammed (JeM) when their convoy was moving on Jammu-Srinagar highway in Pulwama.

Geeta Devi, widow of Vakeel, said: "We are in grief and want revenge for their family member's life."

Geeta Devi said that when even Pakistan is not ready to accept the number of people killed in Balakot air strike, the government should public evidence of the number of terrorists killed in Balakot.

"As evidence, we have received the bodies of our jawans after Pulwama attack, but there is no such evidence of the air strikes in Pakistan," she said.

Speaking in support of Geeta, Vakeel's sister Ram Raksha said that people should know what exactly happened.

Terming claims of several BJP leaders, including President Amit Shah, about killing of over 250 terrorists as false, she said: "How does one believe that the strike did occur and that terrorists died? Show us proof,
only then we will get peace and know that my brother's killing has been avenged."

Meanwhile, Vakeel's brother Ram Naresh said: "If the government is claiming that they have killed 300 terrorists, then they should provide some proof, some evidence".

Vakeel is survived by his wife and three son. He had returned to Kashmir on February 11 after spending a month-long vacation with his family in his hometown, Mainpuri.

In Shamli, the 80-year-old mother of Pradeep Kumar also echoed the same sentiments.

"We are not satisfied. So many sons died. There are no dead bodies on the other side. In fact, there was no confirmed news. We need to see this on TV. And we need to be told at our homes. We need to see the
dead bodies of the terrorists," said Sulelata.

In retaliation to Pulwama terror strike, IAF fighter jets hit JeM training camps on February 26 morning.

Hours after the attack, Foreign Secretary Vijay K. Gokhale had confirmed that India struck the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot and "a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and
groups of jehadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated".

As the government has not come out with exact number of killings of terrorists in the IAF strike, various ministers have quoted different figures. The IAF has said its job was not to count bodies but to hit targets.

On Tuesday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh appeared to validate the unofficial figure of "300" while countering the Congress. That too, after his colleague, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman remained silent
on the casualty figure.

"The NTRO (National Technical Research Organisation), which has an authentic system, said that 300 mobile phones were active... were these mobile phones used by the trees? Now will you not believe the
NTRO also?" Singh said after inaugurating a surveillance system of the Border Security Force in Assam.
Tussle between BJP-Sena on seat allotment to
RPI-A: Athawale
(21:00)

Mumbai, March 6 (IANS) Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday claimed there are differences between the Bharatiya Janata Party
and the Shiv Sena on which Mumbai seat to allocate to his RPI-A for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"While the Shiv Sena feels the RPI should contest Mumbai North-East, the BJP wants to give us Mumbai South-Central seat," said Athawale, who heads the Republican Party of India-Athawale.

Mumbai North-East is currently represented by the BJP's Kirit Somaiya, while Mumbai South-Central is held by Shiv Sena's Rahul Shewale.

Both parties are not keen to give up their respective seats in the country's commercial capital in favour of Athawale, and reportedly even elsewhere in the state, which has 48 Lok Sabha constituencies, the second-
highest in the country after Uttar Pradesh's 80.

Upping the ante, the RPI-A chief, who is a Rajya Sabha member, demanded that the BJP-Sena must allot at least one of the two city constituencies to his party in the high-stakes elections.

Last week, the leaders of all the five smaller National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituents from Maharashtra held a meeting where they unanimously raised the demand for adequate number of seats for both
the Lok Sabha and assembly elections from the BJP-Sena.

After blowing hot-and-cold for over a year, last month, the BJP-Sena entered into an alliance and have decided to contest the Lok Sabha elections in the ratio of 25:23, leaving out all other parties in the alliance
high and dry.

However, they have decided to contest the state assembly elections on a 50:50 basis, after seat allotments to the smaller alliance partners.

There has been no response from the BJP-Sena to the demands made by the smaller allies for Lok Sabha seats, even as the Election Commission is expected to announce the 2019 polls schedule any day.

Telangana sets up SIT to probe data theft

case
(20:52)

Hyderabad, March 6 (IANS) The Telangana government on Wednesday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the data theft case involving an IT firm which provides services to Andhra
Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

To be headed by Inspector General of Police (West Zone) Stephen Ravindra, the nine-member SIT will take up the case registered against IT Grids for allegedly misusing the sensitive data of the citizens of
Andhra Pradesh.
The Home Department, in its order, said that the SIT was constituted since the case requires expertise in investigation of cyber crimes involving various technologies and the probe has to be conducted in different
places other than Cyberabad.

A case under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act was registered against the Hyderabad-based firm at Madhapur police station under Cyberabad police commissionerate on
March 2.

It came on a complaint by T. Lokeswara Reddy that sensitive data including personal information, Aadhaar, voter ID, electoral rolls, beneficiary details of government schemes were being processed illegally by
the company without consent of the citizens.

Cyberabad police were on the lookout for IT Grids CEO D. Ashok, who was being treated as the main suspect in the case.

The police case has sparked a row between the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments. The TDP has alleged that that Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) resorted to theft of TDP data to help the YSR
Congress party in view of the coming elections.

However, TRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao said Chief Minister and TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and his son and IT Minister Nara Lokesh had become jittery as they were caught red-handed while
stealing confidential data to further the poll prospects of their party.

IIT Delhi placements surpass 10-year record

(20:52)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi this year broke its last 10 years' record for number of placements, with its students grabbing over 900 offers from various national and
international employers so far.

The number crosses 1,000 if one includes the pre-placement offers, meaning those under which a student works as an intern before getting recruited.

According to an IIT Delhi statement, number of companies coming for campus placement also saw an increase of 15 per cent over the last year.

The students from core subjects like electrical, chemical, civil and mechanical engineering formed the group bagging the highest number (32 per cent) of offers, followed by Information Technology students, who
got 20 per cent of total offers.

The rest of the offers were from the fields of analytics, management, finance, consulting, research and teaching, and other motley ones.

IIT Delhi, deemed an Institution of Eminence by the government of India, made into the list of top 100 institutions ranked in the Global University Employability Ranking for the year 2018. The ranking lists 150
institutes on employability based on a survey done with 7,000 major businesses from around the world.

The institute refused to divulge the details of the package on the grounds that doing so may have the affect of "devaluing national placements over international placements as well as core jobs over finance and
consulting jobs".

"News centred around high packages creates a peer pressure on the students, so we have a policy to not disclose the salary amounts. It also contravenes the companies' policies, which may not want to share pay
packages they may be giving to the recruits," Anishya Madan, Industry Liaison Officer, IIT Delhi, told IANS.

The placement season for the batch graduating in 2019 at IIT Delhi commenced in August 2018 and it will conclude on May 31.

Agriculte Minister seeks farmers' inputs for

improving farm sector
(20:48)
 New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Wednesday said suggestions would be taken from farmers
across the country on how to improve the farm sector in next five years.

After launching the 'Kisan ke Mann ki Baat' initiative here, he said that he held the first round of discussions with farmers, who include representatives from farmers' unions, farmer producer organisations (FPO),
and agriculture scientists here.

"They had come from eastern Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana. They discussed farm issues issues and gave suggestions," he told reporters.

Farmers across the country have been asked to send their discussions by March 10, Singh said.

The suggestions will be uploaded on a digital platform and will be looked into while preparing a roadmap -- Sankalp Patra-- for the development of the farm sector.

"We have laid a foundation of new India in past five years. We aims to create grand India," he said.

These suggestions will also be incorporated in the BJP's manifesto for Lok Sabha elections.

Rajnath launches series of projects for police

forces
(20:46)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday inaugurated a series of projects including 28 for 5,283 housing
units for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Delhi Police and Central Police Organisations (CPOs) personnel.

Other projects he inaugurated included 71 non-residential buildings and 34 barracks while he also laid foundation stone for three projects of the Land Ports Authority of India. The total cost of all projects is
estimated to be Rs 1,895 crore, the Home Ministry said in a statement.

In his address at the event, Singh said the government was committed to improve the working conditions and quality of life of CAPF jawans, and while it had implemented several measures to improve various
facilities and amenities to the CAPFs during the last five years, more was needed to be done.

During the inauguration, he also interacted with officers and jawans of various CAPFs through video link. Singh told them that the country had "reposed faith in them and the CAPFs had won this trust through
their selfless duty, devotion to work and sacrifices".

The Home Minister listed several decisions made by the government to boost the morale of the CAPF jawans, including free air travel between Jammu and Srinagar on duty or leave and also between Delhi and
Srinagar on duty.

Addressing the gathering, Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir also said the government was concerned about providing better facilities and amenities to the CAPF jawans.
Petr Novotny to drive Scania India
operations
(20:44)

Bengaluru, March 6 (IANS) Swedish bus and truck maker Scania AB on Wednesday said Petr Novotny would be the new Managing Director of its India operations.

"Czech-born Novotny has been with us for 11 years in key positions spanning sales, financial services, information systems, human resources and purchases," said the city-based firm in a statement.

The 127-year-old transport solutions major set up its India arm in 2011 with an automobile assembly facility at Narasapura in the Kolar district, about 50 km northeast of Bengaluru.

"Petr will drive our growth strategy with a new vision and mission," said the statement.

Scania entered India in partnership with Larson & Toubro (L&T) in 2007 with its trucks in the mining and construction segments.

"I feel privileged to lead the India business when the industry is undergoing transformation. India is a key market for us in terms of growth and we are committed to bring sustainable products and solutions to fuel
the automotive industry," said Novotny on his appointment.

Petr comes with international experience across geographies, including a decade-long stint in South Africa, Central Europe and Germany.

Petr earlier worked with Philip Morris International, Coca-Cola and Deloitte in leadership capacities bringing about a decade's experience to lead the Scania Group in India.

With 49,300 employees in 100 countries, the company's sales and service network is present where its customers need it. Research and development activities are located in Sweden, India and Brazil.

Scania also makes industrial and marine engines.

India imports more oil in 5 years of Modi

govt; 10% import cut by 2022 remains a
dream (with graphic)
Subhash Narayan (20:42)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) India has further strengthened its position of being a net importer of oil during the five years of the Modi
government, floundering on an ambitious plan that entailed reducing countrys import dependency of oil by 10 per cent by 2022.

As per government's estimates, the country's import dependency on oil has increased from 78.3 per cent of total consumption in 2014-15 to settling at a new high of 83.7 per cent in the 10-month period of FY19.
The increase has also been consistent with dependence on imported oil increasing in all the five years of the government with the number being 80.6 per cent in FY16, 81.7 in FY17 and 82.9 in FY18.

Ironically, the country imported more oil to meet its domestic demand in the past five years even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set out a road map for reducing India's crude oil imports by 10 per cent
by 2022 in March 2015.

"We cannot be living in a dream world. India has not been able to raise domestic production of oil and gas for the past decade. Some of its ageing blocks are now showing signs of fatigue while new discoveries
and production is not coming online. If we aspire to move of the path of self-sufficiency, efforts to boost domestic production should go on a war footing," said a former head of country largest state-owned
explorer ONGC, asking not to be named.

Though the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has taken several policy measures to ramp up domestic production with reforms such as the Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy, or HELP,
and taking a series of de-bottlenecking measures in NELP, or New Exploration Licensing Policy, and pre-NELP regimes, the results are yet to show on the ground.
What is frustrating is that country's oil production has stagnated around 35 million tonnes (MT) since 2007-08 onwards while domestic gas output has actually fallen for the past four years. Over the past 19 years,
from 1998-99 to 2017-18, India's crude oil production increased only by 8.8 per cent from 32.8 MT to 35.77 MT.

The decline has come at a time when consumption is rising, pushing the country to rely more on imports.

Higher imports have also meant rising import bill, pushing up the current account deficit. As per estimates, crude import bill in FY19 is expected to shoot up by close to 50 per cent to $ 130 billion, twice the level
what government agencies were earlier projecting.

If the oil import bill reaches closer to $ 130 billion mark, it would be close to levels experienced in FY13 and FY14 when international oil prices had skyrocketed and hovered over $100 a barrel for most of the
year. The Indian basket of crude at present is just about $ 65 a barrel.

This will make oil import bill for FY 19 the highest in the five years of the Modi government and very close to high import bill during UPA-II when the crude oil prices had breached all records to touch close to $
140 a barrel mark.

( can be contacted at subhash.n@ians.in)

(For Graphics):

India's import dependence on oil based on consumption

Year Import dependence in %

2014-15: 78.3
2015-16: 80.6
2016-17: 81.7
2017-18: 82.9
2018-19: (April-Jan): 83.7

BJP MP, MLA rains blows, shoes at each

other
(21:22)

Lucknow, March 6 (IANS 0 In a major embarrassment for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a sitting MP and an incumbent legislator in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly rained blows at each other at an official
meeting in Sant Kabir Nagar on Wednesday.

The fact that it happened in the presence of a senior Cabinet Minister Ashutosh Tandon left the ruling party red-faced.

The scuffle took place in full media glare at the district coordination meeting at Sant Kabir Nagar.

Sharad Tripathi, the Lok Sabha member of BJP, lost his cool over his name being omitted from a foundation-laying plaque.

Irked at the response of Rakesh Baghel, a BJP legislator, that it was his choice to do so or not, an infuriated Tripathi rained blows on the unsuspecting legislator as the Minister, other office-bearers and district
officials watched helplessly.

As the fight turned ugly and the MP beat up the MLA with a shoe repeatedly, police officials intervened and tried to break the fight even as Tandon, the Cabinet Minister for Medical Education, quietly slipped out
of the meeting hall.

Mahendra Nath Pandey, the state BJP chief, reacted to the scuffle by saying that the two party leaders have been summoned to Lucknow on Thursday to explain their conduct and that such indiscipline will not be
tolerated.

But apparently the damage was done by then and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav took potshots at the shoe episode.

With the video going viral, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister took a swipe at the ruling party and said that "the episode not only showed the real, indisciplined face of the BJP but also revealed how
frustrated its leaders are in the wake of an imminent defeat at the hustings".

Korea Exim Bank to give Rs 4,100 cr loan for

Vizag Metro
(21:20)

Amaravati, March 6 (IANS) Korea Exim Bank has come forward to extend a Rs 4,100 crore loan for Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project.

A team of officials from Korea Exim Bank on Wednesday called on Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary A.C. Punetha here and discussed the loan proposal and related issues.

The state government had earlier sent a proposal in this regard to the Central government, which in turn forwarded it to Korea Exim Bank. Following this, the Bank deputed a team to Amaravati to hold talks with
the state government.
The Chief Secretary urged the delegation to ensure that the loan is made available in time to take up the project.

Punetha said Visakhapatnam Metro was a prestigious project and the government was keen to execute it expeditiously.

Agriculte Minister seeks farmers' inputs for

improving farm sector
(20:48)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Wednesday said suggestions would be taken from farmers
across the country on how to improve the farm sector in next five years.

After launching the 'Kisan ke Mann ki Baat' initiative here, he said that he held the first round of discussions with farmers, who include representatives from farmers' unions, farmer producer organisations (FPO),
and agriculture scientists here.

"They had come from eastern Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana. They discussed farm issues issues and gave suggestions," he told reporters.

Farmers across the country have been asked to send their discussions by March 10, Singh said.

The suggestions will be uploaded on a digital platform and will be looked into while preparing a roadmap -- Sankalp Patra-- for the development of the farm sector.

"We have laid a foundation of new India in past five years. We aims to create grand India," he said.

These suggestions will also be incorporated in the BJP's manifesto for Lok Sabha elections.

Rajnath launches series of projects for police

forces
(20:46)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday inaugurated a series of projects including 28 for 5,283 housing
units for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Delhi Police and Central Police Organisations (CPOs) personnel.

Other projects he inaugurated included 71 non-residential buildings and 34 barracks while he also laid foundation stone for three projects of the Land Ports Authority of India. The total cost of all projects is
estimated to be Rs 1,895 crore, the Home Ministry said in a statement.
In his address at the event, Singh said the government was committed to improve the working conditions and quality of life of CAPF jawans, and while it had implemented several measures to improve various
facilities and amenities to the CAPFs during the last five years, more was needed to be done.

During the inauguration, he also interacted with officers and jawans of various CAPFs through video link. Singh told them that the country had "reposed faith in them and the CAPFs had won this trust through
their selfless duty, devotion to work and sacrifices".

The Home Minister listed several decisions made by the government to boost the morale of the CAPF jawans, including free air travel between Jammu and Srinagar on duty or leave and also between Delhi and
Srinagar on duty.

Addressing the gathering, Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir also said the government was concerned about providing better facilities and amenities to the CAPF jawans.

Petr Novotny to drive Scania India

operations
(20:44)

Bengaluru, March 6 (IANS) Swedish bus and truck maker Scania AB on Wednesday said Petr
Novotny would be the new Managing Director of its India operations.

"Czech-born Novotny has been with us for 11 years in key positions spanning sales, financial
services, information systems, human resources and purchases," said the city-based firm in a
statement.

The 127-year-old transport solutions major set up its India arm in 2011 with an automobile assembly
facility at Narasapura in the Kolar district, about 50 km northeast of Bengaluru.

"Petr will drive our growth strategy with a new vision and mission," said the statement.

Scania entered India in partnership with Larson & Toubro (L&T) in 2007 with its trucks in the
mining and construction segments.

"I feel privileged to lead the India business when the industry is undergoing transformation. India is a
key market for us in terms of growth and we are committed to bring sustainable products and
solutions to fuel the automotive industry," said Novotny on his appointment.

Petr comes with international experience across geographies, including a decade-long stint in South
Africa, Central Europe and Germany.

Petr earlier worked with Philip Morris International, Coca-Cola and Deloitte in leadership capacities
bringing about a decade's experience to lead the Scania Group in India.

With 49,300 employees in 100 countries, the company's sales and service network is present where
its customers need it. Research and development activities are located in Sweden, India and Brazil.

Scania also makes industrial and marine engines.

India imports more oil in 5 years of Modi
govt; 10% import cut by 2022 remains a
dream (with graphic)
Subhash Narayan (20:42)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) India has further strengthened its position of being a net importer of oil during the five years of the Modi
government, floundering on an ambitious plan that entailed reducing countrys import dependency of oil by 10 per cent by 2022.

As per government's estimates, the country's import dependency on oil has increased from 78.3 per cent of total consumption in 2014-15 to settling at a new high of 83.7 per cent in the 10-month period of FY19.
The increase has also been consistent with dependence on imported oil increasing in all the five years of the government with the number being 80.6 per cent in FY16, 81.7 in FY17 and 82.9 in FY18.

Ironically, the country imported more oil to meet its domestic demand in the past five years even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set out a road map for reducing India's crude oil imports by 10 per cent
by 2022 in March 2015.

"We cannot be living in a dream world. India has not been able to raise domestic production of oil and gas for the past decade. Some of its ageing blocks are now showing signs of fatigue while new discoveries
and production is not coming online. If we aspire to move of the path of self-sufficiency, efforts to boost domestic production should go on a war footing," said a former head of country largest state-owned
explorer ONGC, asking not to be named.

Though the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has taken several policy measures to ramp up domestic production with reforms such as the Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy, or HELP,
and taking a series of de-bottlenecking measures in NELP, or New Exploration Licensing Policy, and pre-NELP regimes, the results are yet to show on the ground.

What is frustrating is that country's oil production has stagnated around 35 million tonnes (MT) since 2007-08 onwards while domestic gas output has actually fallen for the past four years. Over the past 19 years,
from 1998-99 to 2017-18, India's crude oil production increased only by 8.8 per cent from 32.8 MT to 35.77 MT.

The decline has come at a time when consumption is rising, pushing the country to rely more on imports.

Higher imports have also meant rising import bill, pushing up the current account deficit. As per estimates, crude import bill in FY19 is expected to shoot up by close to 50 per cent to $ 130 billion, twice the level
what government agencies were earlier projecting.

If the oil import bill reaches closer to $ 130 billion mark, it would be close to levels experienced in FY13 and FY14 when international oil prices had skyrocketed and hovered over $100 a barrel for most of the
year. The Indian basket of crude at present is just about $ 65 a barrel.

This will make oil import bill for FY 19 the highest in the five years of the Modi government and very close to high import bill during UPA-II when the crude oil prices had breached all records to touch close to $
140 a barrel mark.

( can be contacted at subhash.n@ians.in)

(For Graphics):

India's import dependence on oil based on consumption

Year Import dependence in %

2014-15: 78.3
2015-16: 80.6
2016-17: 81.7
2017-18: 82.9
2018-19: (April-Jan): 83.7
All social media accounts in Abhinandan's
name fake: IAF
(20:38)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday said that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has no social media
account and cautioned against the fake accounts in his name spreading false information.

"Misinformation on the shooting of Pakistan Air Force F-16 by MiG-21 Bison are being spread on various social media sites. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman does not have any official social media
account on Twitter and Instagram.

"Fake accounts of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman have been created in the last one week. All are advised not to follow these accounts as they may contain malware," the IAF said in a statement.

A MiG-21 Bison aircraft of IAF shot down one F-16 of Pakistan Air Force which fell in the Pakistan-administered Kashmir in a dogfight, a day after the IAF's air strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in
Pakistan's Balakot, in wake of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack which left 40 Central Reserve Police Force troopers dead.

CPI-M leader seeks probe into how Adani

won bid to operate 5 airports
(20:36)

Thiruvananthapuram, March 6 (IANS) Senior Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Wednesday
demanded a probe into how Adani Enterprises won the bid to operate five international airports, including Thiruvananthapuram.

Balakrishnan, the party's Kerala state Secretary, told the media here that it was quite strange that the group was able to win the rights to all the five airports.

"It is true that this was given through a tender and that's why we are doubtful if the tendering process was fool-proof... how come Adani won in all the five. We demand that a complete probe should be announced
as this is nothing but a rip-off," he said.

"We have decided to launch a strong protest and in it we request the (Congress-led) UDF and also the BJP to join, as all of us can unitedly fight against this high-handed corrupt deal. This has taken place just
before the upcoming polls and hence it is not a proper tendering process, it's a corrupt deal," he added.

Balakrishnan also accused Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor of playing a role in ensuring that Adani wins the bid of the airport her.

Last week after Adani had won the rights, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the airport here not be handed over to Adani and alleging that it was a scam.
In the letter, Vijayan demanded Modi's immediate intervention to see that the state-owned Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd-led company, formed especially for operating the airport, be given
the running of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport.

In the financial bid opened on Monday, Adani had quoted the highest rate for a passenger for the Thiruvananthapuram airport at Rs 168, against the KSIDC's Rs 135 and the GMR's Rs 63.

The other airports that Adani have won in the tender are Mangaluru, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Jaipur.

World Bank to give Rs 2,200 cr for Andhra

healthcare project
(20:34)

Amaravati, March 6 (IANS) The World Bank will provide Rs 2,200-crore loan to Andhra Pradesh for a project aimed at strengthening the state's
overall healthcare systems.

The Central and state governments and the World Bank on Wednesday signed the loan agreement for a $328-million project to improve the quality and responsiveness of public health services and increasing
access of population to an expanded package of primary health services.

The AP Health Systems Strengthening Project (APHSSP) will be implemented in the state with a focus on improved quality of care, improved responsiveness of public health services and increased access to an
expanded package of primary health services, said the state government.

The $328-million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a six-year grace period, and a maturity of 29 years and 6 months.

The agreement was signed by Bandana Preyashi, Director - MI, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India; Poonam Malakondiah, Special Chief Secretary to the government,
Health Medical & Family Welfare Department, State Project Director, APHSSP, Government of Andhra Pradesh; and Mohini Kak and Kari L. Hurt, representatives of the World Bank India.

Rafale documents are stolen, AG tells SC

(Lead)
(20:28)
 New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) The Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that documents related to Rafale deal that have appeared in the
media and were cited by those seeking a recall of the December 14 ruling giving a clean chit to the government on the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets were confidential papers stolen from the Defence Ministry.

Referring to the eight-page dissent note by the three members of India Negotiating Team (INT), Attorney General K.K. Venugopal told a bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and
Justice K.M. Joseph that it was being probed if the documents were stolen by former or present employees.

Post lunch, the Attorney General said no FIR had been registered.

He referred to an article in The Hindu on Wednesday by its former Editor N. Ram related to the note by the three members of INT.

The Attorney General took exception to the newspaper publishing a report on February 8 - just prior to the hearing of the Rafale plea by the top court.

"The strategy is that before the hearing of the sensitive case there are newspaper articles to influence the hearing," Venugopal said, and described it as contempt of court.

"The first publication was of which date?" CJI Gogoi asked.

AG: February 8.

"What have you done? Papers were stolen; first article came on February 8," the bench said. "Tell us what action you are taking."

Venugopal was asked if the Defence Ministry can file an affidavit stating that the documents published by The Hindu were stolen.

He agreed to do so by next week.

Venugopal was faced with a number of posers from the bench as he contended that since the documents being relied upon for seeking a review of the December 14 judgment were "stolen" and thus could not be
entertained by the court.

He hammered the point that unless the sources of the document was bonafide, known or lawful, the court could not look into it.

Disagreeing, Justice Joseph said: "The issue is that the law of the country has been violated. There is allegation of corruption. Can you seek shelter citing national security?"

As the Attorney General said that the court can look into it provided the source of information is disclosed, Justice Joseph, apparently disagreeing, said: "You are saying that it can't be looked into as it is illegally
sourced. Even a stolen document can be looked into if it is relevant to the case.

"You can't have a general proposition" that a court is barred from looking into a tainted or stolen document, Justice Joseph added.

Referring to the Official Secret Act, the Attorney General persisted that the source of the document had to be disclosed.

"If the document is tainted or obtained through doubtful source, should we say that it can't be looked into?" CJI Gogoi asked. "It is taking the law to a higher level."

Venugopal referred to an earlier apex court ruling that documents obtained through questionable sources should not be entertained.

CJI: If a document is obtained in a manner that is doubtful, does it make it non-est?

The top court had on December 14 dismissed four petitions seeking a court-monitored probe into the purchase of the jet fighters, saying the decision-making process was not in doubt and that it cannot go into the
question of pricing and the choice of offset Indian partner by Dassault.

Urging the court to dismiss the plea for recall of the December 14 judgment and plea for perjury against officials for misleading the court and suppressing the material information, Venugopal said: "Any single
sentence coming from the esteemed institution (apex court) will be used to destabilize the government or opposition."

He invoked the need for national security and for Rafale fighter jets. He described the purchase of Rafale jets as "essential for the survival of the nation".

The next hearing is on March 14.

Team Amit Shah gets down to work for Lok

Sabha polls (BJP Part-II)
By Gautam Datt (20:18)
 New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah is known to be an expert in micro management of elections. The party's 'Mera
booth sab se majboot (my booth the strongest)' campaign reflects the grassroots-level penetration. He has chosen a team of leaders who have been silently working with an army of workers at the lowest level to
ensure that the party remains far ahead of opponents. Some of the key people who are driving this campaign in electorally significant states are:

Sunil Bansal: State general secretary (organization). He is playing a crucial role in party's poll management in Uttar Pradesh, the epicentre of the Lok Sabha 2019 battle. An organization in-charge is a key position
on whom wrests the entire poll machinery. Bansal comes from Rajashtan, and has been an active member of Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP)and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He has
been told to ensure the party's organization in Uttar Pradesh remains robust. The party is up against an alliance of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) which had done well in the by-elections.
There are around 1.63 lakh poll booths in Uttar Pradesh.

Saroj Pandey: National General Secretary and in-charge of Maharashtra, Saroj Pandey is Rajya Sabha MP from Chhattisgarh. Maharashtra is one of crucial states for the BJP where it has been able to save its
alliance with Shiv Sena despite uneasy relations between the two parties over the years. Shiv Sena has been one of the most vocal critics of the Modi government. Pandey is said to have the backing of RSS. She
was sent to Rajya Sabha despite the state unit not keen on her. She enjoys complete trust of the party's leadership. She has also served as president of BJP's Mahila Morcha (women's wing).

Om Prakash Mathur (Om Ji): National vice president of BJP and one of the crucial members of Team Amit Shah. Om Ji is spearheading BJP's Lok Sabha campaign in Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah's home
state and bastion Gujarat. The party has set an ambitious target of repeating its 2014 feat of winning all the 26 seats in the state. Belonging to Rajasthan, Om Ji is a complete organization man with a firm control
over workers. He has been an RSS Pracharak for long before working for the BJP.

Hemanta Biswa Sarma: Assam Finance Minister. Sarma is one of the key men for the BJP to win the North-East. The BJP has set itself the target of sweeping the region and to achieve the goal, it will heavily rely
on Sarma. Even as the party faces flak following widespread agitation over Citizenship Amendment Bill, Biswa is working hard to ensure that the issue is dealt with effectively so that the party can consolidate its
position in the entire North-East. The Congress has been virtually uprooted from the region because of the efforts of Hemanta Biswa Sarma.

Piyush Goyal: Apart from being one of the key ministers in Modi government, Goyal also steered BJP's alliance with AIADMK and PMK in Tamil Nadu. The party is trying to make inroads into the state which is
electorally extremely significant. The alliance with AIADMK and PMK will boost the prospects in the wake of DMK and the Congress putting up a united fight. This is the first election in the state post
Karunanidhi and J Jayalalitha -- the two stalwarts of Tamil Nadu politics -- in state politics. Goyal is a part of the inner team and is playing a key role in consolidating party's position.

Opposition's hatred for me has reached new

levels: Modi (Lead)
(20:16)

Chennai, March 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the opposition's hatred for him is "reaching new levels", including
calling for his killing, but he was not bothered and will continue his mission to make India strong.

He also stressed that a diverse India will not progress if regional aspirations are not fulfilled, and that only the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance can do this.

Addressing a public rally near here along with allied party leaders like Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam from the AIADMK, PMK founder S. Ramadoss
and several others, he said that the opposition's "Modi hatred" was rising with mockery of his lower caste origin and poor background or abuse of his family.

"Now one Congress leader talks of killing Modi. But I want to tell them, that I am not bothered about threats and abuse. I am here to do to make India strong and prosperous.

"Every drop of my blood, every breath of mine, every second of my life and every beat of my heart is for India and its 130 crore people," he asserted.

Accusing the opposition of not wanting a strong India and strong armed forces, he said his government is deeply concerned about national security and its vision is to make India a defence production hub. One of
the two such hubs is in Tamil Nadu which will bring in jobs for the youth, he said.

He also said that the Chennai Central Railway Station will be renamed after late Chief Minister and AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran, and that announcements on flights originating from and departing to
Tamil Nadu will be made in Tamil.

"India is a diverse nation. India will never progress till regional aspirations are met," said Modi, days after his BJP became a formal member of the AIADMK-led alliance, adding that the Congress and its allies
can never do this as it had a culture of "high command" that catered to the Gandhi family.
He alleged that the Congress had insulted strong regional leaders, like its stalwart and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, whose "crime was that he spoke for the people".

Hitting out the Congress, he said it had abused the Constitution's Article 356, providing for dismissing a state government and imposing President's Rule, repeatedly.

"If the dynasty does not like the leader, the government is dismissed," he said, noting 50 state governments were dismissed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in her tenure.

Beginning his speech saluting Kancheepuram, the district where Kilambakkam, the site of the rally, is located, Modi cited poet Kalidas who had described it as "Nagareshu Kanchi (great city Kanchi).

He said the Central government is making continuous efforts foe the state's development, as dreamt by late Chief Minister and AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa, and cited various infrastructure projects launched by
him earlier on Wednesday.

Expressing his happiness at the unveiling of MGR's statue in a college here, Modi said MGR was one of the most respected icons of India who ruled not only the Tamil cine world but also people's hearts.

With the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils an emotive issue in Tamil Nadu, Modi noted that he was the first Indian Prime Minister to have visited Jaffna in the island nation and also the area where MGR was born (in
Kandy city).

Modi said India has committed to build 14,000 houses for Tamils there and he had given houses to 1,000 people.

He also said the Central government will come to help when ever a Tamilian is in difficulty anywhere in the world, citing the case of Father Alexis Prem Kumar who was held captive in Afghanistan.

Modi said his government worked for almost eight months to secure his release and also about 1,900 fishermen came back to Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka including some facing death sentences there.

Urging the state's people to ask the opposition about their leader, their policy and plans as they have come together only to remove him from power, he said his government's commitment to welfare of people is
well-known and it is uncompromising on corruption and unforgiving on terrorism.

"If 40 is ours, tomorrow is ours," he said, in a reference to the state's 39 Lok Sabha seats and one in Puducherry.

BJP bets on winning more Lok Sabha seats in

Karnataka
By Bhavana Akella & Fakir Balaji (20:16)

Bengaluru, March 6 (IANS) The BJP in Karnataka is betting on

winning more seats in the Lok Sabha polls despite the prospects of facing joint contestants from the
ruling JD-S and Congress allies in the 28 constituencies across the state.

"We will definitely win more seats this time than the 17 we had won in the 2014 general elections
due to favourable factors, including the changing national mood and the solid achievements of the
NDA government over the last 5 years," BJP state unit spokesman Vamanacharya told IANS here.

A dominant party above the Vindhyas over the years, Karnataka has been the BJP's gateway to south
India, having come to power first as a coalition partner with the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) in 2006
and on its own in the 2008 assembly elections.

Though the party lost in the 2013 assembly elections to the Congress, it bounced back in the
parliamentary polls in 2014, winning 17 seats, as against 9 by the Congress and only 2 by the JD-S.

In the May 2018 assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party, winning 104 of the
224 seats, with Congress 80 and JD-S 37.

As the BJP fell 9 less of the simple majority (113) in the assembly, its Chief Minister B.S.
Yeddyurappa bowed out on May 19, three days after forming the government for the second time in
the state.

"As the ruling allies have little presence in our strongholds across the coastal and north-interior areas,
a combined candidate of the allies will not dent our prospects of retaining and winning more seats,"
asserted Vamanacharya.

Although Congress and JD-S fought against each other in all the assembly and Lok Sabha elections
over the last 3 decades, they decided to field a common candidate this time to consolidate their
"secular votes" and deny the BJP the benefit of division of their votes.

"Even after coming together, the combined 30 per cent vote of the minorities and Scheduled Castes
(SCs) in northern districts like Kalaburagi will not affect our vote share, admitted Vamanacharya.

Congress leader in the outgoing Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge won from the Kalaburgi reserved
(SC) constituency, about 600km north of the state.

Forming a post-poll alliance soon after the assembly results threw a hung verdict in May 2018,
ostensibly to keep the BJP out of power, the rival 'secular' parties have decided to field joint
candidates in the Lok Sabha polls by sharing the seats on the basis of winning prospects and their
strength in the state.

"It's a joke if the ruling allies claim to win 22 of the 28 seats by fielding a joint candidate against our
party, as our presence is stronger in three of the four regions, barring the old Mysuru region,"
mocked Vamanacharya.

Admitting that the BJP's prospects in Ballari reserved (Scheduled Tribes) seat in the state's northwest
region would depend on its legislative member B. Sriramulu contesting, the party official said its
chances in the Mysuru region's Mandya and Hassan seats were slim due to lack of its presence and
cadres.

In Mandya, (100km southwest of Bengaluru), the situation is very fluid due to the imminent threat of
secular votes dividing if the JD-S fields its own candidate and Sumalatha, widow of late Congress
leader M.H. Ambareesh contests even as an independent, owing to the latter's popularity.

Ambareesh, the 66-year-old legendary rebel star of Kannada films from Mandya, died on November
24, 2018 after a brief illness.

According to the BJP's reading, the Congress may win 10 seats and the JD-S 2.

"Together, they cannot win more than that (10+212)," added Vamanacharya.

The coordination committee of the ruling allies have been brain-storming on seat-sharing to field a
common candidate against the BJP and others.
BJP engaged in a gritty fight with Trinamool
in Bengal
By Milinda Ghosh Roy (20:14)

Kolkata, March 6 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party has seemingly emerged as the principal opposition to the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool
Congress in West Bengal by combating the incumbent with grit and determination and a high-pitched campaign, but factionalism, dearth of local leaders and absence of a face to match the charisma of the Chief
Minister could dampen its challenge in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has mostly been a fringe player in the state ever since its birth in 1980.

Even a decade ago, it had limited penetration among the voters, except in a few pockets in the state, which accounts for an over 27 per cent Muslim population.

Till date, the BJP has bagged Lok Sabha seats in the state only thrice - one in 1998, two in 1999 (both in alliance with the Trinamool) and two in 2014 (by fighting alone). West Bengal has 42 Lok Sabha seats.

However, after its improved showing in the 2014 general elections, last year's panchayat polls, high-voltage campaigns, strong opposition to the state government policies and success in mobilising Hindu votes in
some pockets of Bengal, BJP leaders claim there is a strong wind in its sail. So much so that the target of winning 23-plus seats set by party chief Amit Shah "looks difficult, but not impossible".

According to political analyst Biswanath Chakraborty, the party can garner close to 30 per cent of the votes at the hustings.

"This is because a large number of people have drifted towards BJP in recent years," Chakraborty, a professor at Rabindra Bharati University, told IANS.

The first noteworthy evidence of the BJP's rise in Bengal was witnessed in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, where it drew 16.80 per cent votes, significantly higher than its tally of 10.66 per cent in 2009. It also
finished second in some of the seats, pushing the erstwhile ruling Left Front to the third slot.

After becoming the ruling party at the centre, the BJP made further inroads in Bengal.

With the Congress and the Left Front tying up in the 2016 assembly elections, the BJP could manage only 10 per cent of the votes. Even so, this gave it three seats and almost doubled its vote share compared to
the previous assembly polls (5.6 percent) in 2011, when the Trinamool had ended the Communist led Left Front's 34-year uninterrupted reign.

The BJP came up with its most promising electoral show in the 2018 rural body polls, where it managed to grab around 18 percent of the total votes and increased its tally in all three layers of the Panchayat
system, leaving the Left and the Congress far behind.

Now, with the General Elections at a touching distance, the BJP has launched a blitz by roping in its national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party President Amit Shah, as part of its focus
on the east - with Bengal ranking very high in its plans.

Both Modi and Shah, along with other heavyweights like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, have been tearing into the Mamata Banerjee government, accusing it of unprecedented corruption, violence
and minority appeasement. With Bengal sharing a 2,217-km-long border with Bangladesh, the BJP is also not wasting any chance to raise the infiltration issue and has promised to come up with a National
Register of Citizens in the state, just like in Assam.

According to political observers, the BJP's rise has been facilitated by the shrinking support base of the Left Front and the Congress, particularly of the former. A portion of the LF's votes over the past couple of
years have switched to the BJP, with the party hoping the trend would pick up momentum in 2019.

"Modi-ji is the most popular leader in the world's largest political party. The nation has made massive progress under his leadership but unfortunately Bengal is lagging behind in so many aspects due to
irresponsibility and corruption of the state government," BJP secretary Rahul Sinha told IANS.

In spite of these positives, in its Bengal mission, the party is still on the lookout for a local leader of stature who can measure up to Banerjee's charisma and popularity.

Chakraborty says the party also significantly lacks muscle power and suffers from a dearth of leaders to counter the Trinamool.

"The number of leaders who can take responsibilities at the state level is severely lacking," he says.

Moreover, factionalism also could queer its pitch. State president Dilip Ghosh - a former RSS pracharak - and campaign committee chief Mukul Roy - a new entrant from the Trinamool - reportedly don't see eye
to eye.

And despite the tall claims of the leaders, political circles are also keeping their fingers crossed about the BJP's organisational might across the state, where they would be up against the well-oiled Trinamool poll
machinery.

The split in the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, which has a significant base in North Bengal's Darjeeling hills, has increased the worries for the BJP. In 2009 and 2014, the saffron outfit had won the Darjeeling seat
with the backing of the GJM. But now, with a powerful faction of the GJM switching over to the Trinamool, retaining Darjeeling could be an uphill task for the BJP.

Last but not the least, the BJP's campaign plank of corruption against the Trinamool could seem a trifle hollow with the entry of leaders like Mukul Roy and Shankudeb Panda, who both figure in the Narada sting
video footage and have also been quizzed by the CBI in the ponzi scam probe.

The latest inclusion in the party - former West Midnapore police chief Bharati Ghosh, is linked to an extortion case in the district's Daspur area.
Supreme Court should probe Goa Rafale
audio link: Congress
(20:14)

Panaji, March 6 (IANS) The Supreme Court should probe the audio conversation in which state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane reportedly said
that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at a December Cabinet meeting had said that documents linked to the deal are in his bedroom, the state Congress said on Wednesday.

The suggestion from Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar came on a day when the Central government informed the apex court that some files related to the Rafale deal were stolen.

Addressing a press conference at the state Congress headquarters, Chodankar also said that the first lead for any investigation about the "stolen Rafale files" should start from the Chief Minister Parrikar's
bedroom.

"One Cabinet Minister has said the CM claimed that all these (Rafale) files are in his bedroom and that audio was out. But now it is almost one-and-half months but no one has filed a police complaint. That means
what they are saying in the Supreme Court has a link to Goa and to that audio," Chodankar told reporters.

An audio clip featuring Rane and a local journalist -- where the former claimed that Parrikar in a December 2018 Cabinet meeting admitted to possessing a stash of files related to the Rafale deal -- had created
ruckus in Parliament last month. Rane later said that the tape was "doctored", while Parrikar maintained that no such conversation occurred during the Cabinet meeting.

Although Rane had also demanded a probe by security agencies both at the Centre and in the state into the doctoring of audio, no such formal inquiry has been initiated by the state government to date.

Earlier in the day, the Central government told the apex court that the documents stolen from the Defence Ministry had been used in a series of articles in a national daily, which had critiqued the fighter jet deal.

Chodankar said that the Supreme Court should take the case of missing Rafale files seriously, especially because the state government agencies have failed to probe the controversial audio conversation, which had
the winter session of Parliament stalled earlier this year.

"The Supreme Court should also take the matter seriously, because if the Defence Ministry claims that the files are missing, it is a very serious issue. And at the other end, the previous Defence Minister says the
files are in my bedroom.

"I don't know why the government is not even bothered to check with the Chief Minister or to check with this Minister who has allegedly spoken in that audio. Actually, it is a very serious issue and they have
themselves admitted in the court of law," Chodankar said.

"The first immediate lead that they have is the audio link and the CM. Actually, they should have filed an FIR against the present Chief Minister who was earlier Defence Minister and Vishwajit Rane who has
spoken about it," he added.
Kashi experience to change as PM lays
foundation of ambitious project on Friday
By Mohit Dubey (20:10)

Varanasi, March 6 (IANS) For the teeming millions - devotees, pilgrims or tourists from both India and abroad - the very experience of being in
Kashi is set for a major makeover in the next 18-20 months with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone for the Rs 600 crore 'Kashi Vishwanath Corridor' in his parliamentary constituency on
Friday.

Once complete, the entry and exit points and the surroundings of the fabled Kashi Vishwanath temple, built by Maratha ruler Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1780, will drastically change forever.

Officials told IANS on Wednesday that the detailed project report (DPR) of the ambitious project, is aimed at decongesting reorganising and beautifying the circulating area around the temple. Under the Uttar
Pradesh government's control since 1983, the seat of Shiva draws millions every year but most of them complain about the dingy bylanes and the temple's congested entry and exit points.

Modi, who has visited and prayed at the sanctum sanctorum thrice in the last five years, has been keenly pursuing this ambitious project, which is being directly monitored by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kashi Vishwanath trust Vishal Singh, said the makeover would be such that it wows everyone who visits Kashi, one of the most ancient cities on earth.

While the old lanes would be maintained as they are, largely to preserve Kashi's vintage look, two 40-foot corridors on either side of the river will connect the fabled Manikarnika Ghat and Lalita Ghat to the
temple.

The district administration has successfully overcome the protests and resistance by some local groups and purchased 228 of the 276 buildings, homes and other properties that were in the way of the ambitious
project. Most of the remaining belong to government-run Trusts and would be readily available, an official privy to the project said.

"The cost of the dilapidated buildings, some of which have fallen down, in narrow areas like Bramhanal, Neelkanth and Lahori Tola has been paid to the satisfaction of the owners," Vishal Singh pointed out.

The 'Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Vistarikaran-Saundarayakaran Yojana' (Kashi Vishwanath Temple Extension and Beautification Plan) would be rolled out in four phases.

In the first, work would be taken up on opening up of the areas around the temple and on queue management. The second phase would see the reconstruction of ancient temples falling in the 10,000 square metres
between gates 2 and 3.

In the third phase a museum to showcase the ancient Kashi, rest houses and a library would be constructed, along with the two 40-foot corridors. A grand stage would be constructed on the Manikarnika Ghat in
the fourth phase.

The makeover includes Shiv Bhajans and classical devotional music of local masters to be played as the pilgrims walk through the corridor and lanes to reach the temple.

Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism and Religious Affairs) Avaneesh Kumar Awasthi told IANS that it would be the first time "that refurbishment, beautification and planned development of the temple precincts
was being taken up on such a grand scale".

The project will get underway soon after Modi lays the foundation stone, he added.

Science & technology heritage of India gets a

digital boost
(20:02)

Kolkata, March 6 (IANS) The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) of India has collaborated with Google Arts & Culture for an online exhibition about inventions and discoveries from over 110
renowned institutions in 23 countries.

The exhibition 'Once Upon a Try', which allows users to explore over 400 interactive exhibits, was launched globally on Wednesday.

THe NCSM, under the Ministry of Culture, said in a statement it has contributed six interactive stories that share some key insights into the long and glorious science and technology heritage of India.

"Modern technology has opened avenues for global audiences. Museums are no more limited to the boundaries of four walls. Our collaboration starts with India's science and technology heritage exhibition, an
area lesser-known to the world," NCSMA Director General A.D. Choudhury said.

At the click of a button, one can be enriched with the knowledge of the 'Indus Valley Civilisation', 'Ayurveda: Indian Contributions to Medicine', 'Susruta Samhita: Ancient Indian Surgical Knowledge', 'Rasashala:
Ancient Indian Alchemical Lab', 'Itr: Ancient Indian Knowledge of Perfumery' and 'Musical Instruments from the Indian Subcontinent'.
Also, museum views of the National Science Centre, Delhi, and the Science City, Kolkata, both units of NCSM, are available for national and global audiences to virtually walk through.

"We invite everyone to participate in the first phase of an online collection that celebrates innovation and science. Through inspiring, and at times surprising, stories from over 100 partners, you can explore the
inventions and discoveries that have shaped our world," said Amit Sood, director of Google Arts & Culture.

Sood said the exhibition is "all about that first attempt, the idea, the journey of fulfilling a dream, and we hope it'll give people that extra boost to find their very own eureka moment".

Users can explore 'Once Upon a Try' on Google Arts & Culture (g.co/onceuponatry) or using the app on iOS or Android.

BJP minister refuses to back claims of 400

casualties
(19:54)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Wednesday refused to reveal the source of his claims that 400 terrorists
were killed in the Balakot air strike, saying those questioning about the number of casualties were demoralising the armed forces.

"Those who have doubts on the armed forces' bravery have been raising such questions. I condemn those who are trying to lower their confidence by raising such questions," he said when asked about his claims
he made a day ago.

Two days ago, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah triggered a row by saying 250 terrorists were killed in the air strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force at terror camps in Pakistan last week.

Congress and other opposition parties have been targeting Shah and the BJP over the claims of casualties.

IAF chief B.S. Dhanoa on Monday said his force does not count human casualties, but the air strike had hit the target and it is up to the government to clarify that.

BJP minister refuses to back claims of 400

casualties
(19:54)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Wednesday refused to reveal the source of his claims that 400 terrorists
were killed in the Balakot air strike, saying those questioning about the number of casualties were demoralising the armed forces.
"Those who have doubts on the armed forces' bravery have been raising such questions. I condemn those who are trying to lower their confidence by raising such questions," he said when asked about his claims
he made a day ago.

Two days ago, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah triggered a row by saying 250 terrorists were killed in the air strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force at terror camps in Pakistan last week.

Congress and other opposition parties have been targeting Shah and the BJP over the claims of casualties.

IAF chief B.S. Dhanoa on Monday said his force does not count human casualties, but the air strike had hit the target and it is up to the government to clarify that.

Delhi gets four fully automated driving test

centres
(19:50)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) In a first of its kind, the Delhi government on Wednesday inaugurated four fully automated driving test centres
(ADTCs), taking a step towards road safety by making driving licence testing 100 per cent transparent, efficient, stricter and comprehensive.

Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot inaugurated one at Mayur Vihar - I (Regional Transport Office). Simultaneously, three more ADTCs were opened at Vishwas Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan and Shakur Basti.

These centres use high resolution cameras, real-time video, instant results, online registration making the process convenient and efficient, and will give accurate and consistent results, he said.

The ADTCs have been developed by the Transport Department in collaboration with Maruti Suzuki India Limited under its CSR initiative.

"These facilities use access control along with biometric, RFID recognition system. Access control will permit entry of applicants only at the pre-assigned time slots, thus making it efficient and convenient.
ADTCs are equipped with scientifically designed test tracks," Gahlot said.

The use of advanced technology, including multiple high definition cameras, would help evaluate applicants against 20 essential driving skills, in-line with Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), he said.

These ADTCs will be the most advanced driving test centres in the country, the Transport Department claimed.

As per the Transport Department, around 1.5 lakh people are killed in road accidents in India every year. "In 2018, 1,690 people lost their lives in road mishaps and 6,515 accidents were registered in Delhi," it
said.

Transport Department plans to set up similar ADTCs at eight other locations -- Lado Sarai, Raja Garden, Hari Nagar, Burari, Loni, Rohini, Jharoda Kalan and Dwarka.

To achieve zero fatality on roads, the Delhi government has decided to develop a four km stretch of 'zero fatality corridor. "But we have to ensure that every driver is rigorously trained and certified," Gahlot said.

To ensure safer road environment, the Transport Department collaborated with Maruti Suzuki to create advanced, modular and scientific driving test mechanism and developed these centres. "We welcome all our
citizens to join this mission to curb road accidents and deaths in Delhi," he said.

The Transport Department will continue to conduct tests and issue driving licences at all centres and Maruti Suzuki will maintain the project for three years, the statement said.

NCLAT suspends hearings for the day as fire

erupts in building
(19:50)
 New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) The Country's highest corporate appellate tribunal, the NCLAT, suspended Wednesday's proceedings due to a fire
incident at its building in Delhi.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal said on its website: "Due to a fire incident at Pt. Deen Dayal Antyodaya Bhawan today morning, the Court proceedings of NCLAT shall remain suspended for
today."

The NCLAT was formed for hearing appeals against the orders of National Company Law Tribunal(s) (NCLT). On Wednesday, the Appellate Tribubnal was scheduled to hear some important matters, including
cases pertaining to Jyoti structures, Dishnet Wireless, Monnet Ispat and Liberty House.

It is not clear if the fire damaged important files kept in the tribunal office. Officials said the damage assessment would take time as premises would have to be first inspected thoroughly. But they said damage
would be limited as the fire broke out on the fifth floor.

The NCLAT office is located on the third floor of the Pt. Deen Dayal Antyodaya Bhawan in CGO Complex. The building houses other important government agencies, including the Serious Fraud Investigation
Office (SFIO) on its second floor.

On Wednesday, entry to the Bhawan was closed till further notice and the electricity supply was cut after a fire gutted the fifth floor office of the Disability Division of the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment.

"Employees and other people working here were asked to vacate the building. All the official meetings have been cancelled," a CICF official told IANS.

There is no information when the work will resume, he added.

The fire that broke out around 8.30 a.m on Wednesday was brought under control by around 10.05 a.m.

Samjhauta Express blast case verdict on

March 11
(19:50)

Panchkula, March 6 (IANS) A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court, here on Wednesday, said it would pronounce verdict in the
2007 Samjhauta Express blast case on March 11.

On February 18, 2007, a blast in the Samjhauta Express that connects India and Pakistan killed 68 people, mostly Pakistan national.

The NIA said in the charge sheet the explosion had targeted Pakistani Muslims.

The incident happened at Diwani village near the industrial town of Panipat, 160 kilometres from here, in Haryana, when it was heading towards Attari, the last station on the Indian side.

Aseemanand, a member of the right-wing Hindu group Abhinav Bharat, was alleged to be involved in the bombing.

Lokesh Sharma, Sunil Joshi, Sandeep Dange and Ramchandra Kalasangra alias Ramji were also named in the charge sheet.
Kalka-Shimla heritage rail gets upgrade
(19:50)

Shimla, March 6 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday inaugurated various facilities on the heritage Kalka-
Shimla railway line, like Vistadom coach, 160 kilovolt (KV) solar power plant and WiFi facility on all major stations on the route.

He also opened renovated second class waiting room, new lighting, heritage engine and coach at the Shogi station, an official statement said.

He said the railway track between Pathankot and Jogindernagar has been upgraded, which helped reduce travel time by about two hours. Similar efforts would be made to reduce travel time between Kalka and
Shimla, he added.

The Chief Minister said the Vistadom has been attached to train no 52453/54 and more such coaches would be ready in six months.

"In three-six months, the train will run at a faster speed, which can reduce travel time by 30-40 minutes."

Toy trains -- as they are popularly called -- run on the century-old Kalka-Shimla rail. Each train has seven coaches and can accommodate nearly 200 passengers.

The 96-kilometres narrow-gauge railroad -- originally built to ferry Europeans to Shimla, then summer capital of British India -- was chosen by the UNESCO as a world heritage site in 2008.

Tripura: Detained JMB terrorist sent to

police custody
(19:36)

Agartala, March 6 (IANS) The Indian member of the terror outfit Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), who was arrested in Tripura on
Tuesday, was on Wednesday sent to police custody for 12 days by a court here, a police official said.

"JMB cadre Nazir Shaikh, 25, was sent to 12-day police custody by a judicial magistrate court here. Senior police and intelligence officials will interrogate the terrorist in custody," a police official said, adding
that he would be produced in the court again on March 18.

The official said acting on a tip-off on Tuesday afternoon, Shaikh was arrested at Arundhitinagar, on the outskirts of the capital city in western Tripura. "For the past two weeks, he had been working in a private
construction firm in Arundhitinagar."

Senior officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would also question the JMB rebel.

"During the interrogation on Wednesday night, Shaikh confessed that he along with his associates has committed some crimes in Bengaluru, but he did not elaborate the nature of crime," the official added.

Tripura Director General of Police (DGP) Akhil Kumar Shukla said here on Tuesday night that the detainee has been involved in many terror activities both in Bangladesh and India.
"Shaikh, a resident of West Bengal's Murshidabad district, is an expert in making IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices)."

He said that top police and intelligence officials are now interrogating Shaikh but refused to reveal anything more in the interest of investigation.

Shukla told the media that the JMB, banned both in Bangladesh and India, conducted simultaneous explosions in 63 districts in Bangladesh in 2005.

"Nazir Shaikh was involved in the Bodh Gaya blasts in January last year. He is involved in various terror activities in India. We would try to find out all possible angles about his arrival in Tripura ahead of the
Lok Sabha elections," he said.

At the time of explosion in Bodh Gaya, Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, along with several Buddhist pilgrims, was camping in the town to participate in the month-long Kalachakra puja.

The Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police and the West Bengal Police have arrested some JMB terrorists and collaborators in the state over the past few years.

Five Indian states -- West Bengal (2,216 km), Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Mizoram (318 km) and Assam (263 km) -- share 4,096-km border with Bangladesh.

Though the large portions of the frontiers have barbed wire fencing, there are unfenced, mountainous, riverine borders prone to crime and smuggling, besides trans-border illegal movements.

HC rejects plea to restrain Fali Nariman

from appearing in SC
(21:18)

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea seeking restriction on appearance of senior advocate Fali S.
Nariman in the Supreme Court.

A division bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V. Kameswar Rao dismissed the plea filed by lawyer Mathews J. Nedumpara, who said that Nariman should not be allowed to practice before the
apex court as his son, Justice Rohinton Nariman is a sitting judge there.

"The scheme of justice should be unbiased and it must manifestly appear so," Nedumpara said.

The petition has also sought an appropriate direction to the Collegium members of the Supreme Court and the Central Government to take appropriate steps to secure transfer of the Judges of High Courts, where
their kin practice as lawyers.