Karnataka BJP MLAs flew state from Gurgaon

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January 20, 2019

Karnataka BJP MLAs have returned to the state from Gurgaon where they were lodged in a private resort for the past a few days. State BJP president B S Yeddyurappa had asked all 104 party MLAs to return and they flew back to the state on late Saturday night. Some of them have directly flown back to their constituencies and others including former deputy chief ministers R Ashoka and K S Eshwarappa returned to Bengaluru, BJP MLC Lehar Singh told reporter.

With the Congress on tenterhooks to keep its numbers intact, the party’s MLAs are remaining sequestered in a resort on the city outskirts fearing a poaching bid by BJP. Yeddyurappa had said that the BJP would not destabilise Karnataka’s ruling coalition. Let the Congress-JD(S) leaders not have any doubt about it, he said that, after chinks in the ruling coalition were exposed when four MLAs skipped the Congress Legislature Party meet on Friday.

As the fissures became evident, the Congress on Friday swiftly moved all its MLAs to the resort in a bid to escape the BJP’s alleged bid to woo its MLAs. Top Congress sources had said on Friday that at least eight party MLAs have committed themselves to BJP. The BJP also announced that a seven-member team led by Yeddyurappa would tour drought-hit districts from Monday.

Congress minister D K Shivakumar said that he was in touch with all the MLAs. Asked about senior ministers resigning to accommodate disgruntled legislators in the cabinet, he said that ‘I have voluntarily offered (to resign), in the interest of the party. If my leaders want, I’m ready.

CLP leader Siddaramaiah had welcomed Yeddyurappa’s decision to call back all BJP MLAs and asked him to “walk the talk” on not trying to destabilise the ruling coalition. I welcome Yeddyurappa’s decision to call back the BJP legislators from Delhi and send them to monitor the drought management in the state.

#Budget2019: Govt to hike agriculture credit target to Rs 12 lakh crore

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January 20, 2019

The farm credit target is likely to be raised by about 10 per cent to a record Rs 12 lakh crore in the 2019-20 Budget to be presented on February 1. For the current fiscal, the government has set a credit target of Rs 11 lakh crore. The government has been increasing the credit target for the farm sector every year. This time too, the target is likely to be increased by around 10 per cent or Rs 1 lakh crore to Rs 12 lakh crore for the 2019-20 fiscal, the sources said.

The agricultural credit flow has increased consistently over the years, exceeding the target set for each fiscal. For instance, credit worth Rs 11.68 lakh crore was given to farmers in 2017-18, much higher than the Rs 10 lakh crore target set for that year. Similarly, crop loans worth Rs 10.66 lakh crore were disbursed in the 2016-17 fiscal, higher than the credit target of Rs 9 lakh crore. Credit is a critical input in achieving higher farm output. Institutional credit will also help delink farmers from non-institutional sources where they are compelled to borrow at usurious rates of interest, the sources added.

The interest subvention is given to public sector banks (PSBs), private lenders, cooperative banks and regional rural banks (RRBs) on use of own funds and to Nabard for refinancing RRBs and cooperative banks.

Normally, farm loans attract an interest rate of 9 per cent. However, the government has been providing interest subvention to make available short-term farm credit at an affordable rate and help boost farm output. The government is providing 2 per cent interest subsidy to ensure farmers get short-term farm loan of up to Rs 3 lakh at an effective rate of 7 per cent per annum. An additional incentive of 3 per cent is being given to farmers for prompt repayment of loans within due date, making the effective interest rate 4 per cent.

Pakistan beats South Africa in first ODI

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January 20, 2019

Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez hit half centuries as Pakistan cruised to a five-wicket win over South Africa in the opening one-day international on Saturday.

Opener Imam hit 86 while Hafeez finished on an unbeaten 71 as Pakistan chased down their 267-run target with five balls to spare.

Scores in brief:
South Africa 266-2 in 50 overs (H. Amla 108 not out, H. van der Dussen 93) v Pakistan 267-5 in 49.1 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 86, Mohammad Hafeez 71 not out)

Result: Pakistan won by five wickets Series: Pakistan lead the five-match series 1-0 Toss: South Africa.

‘Manikarnika’ producer Kamal Jain admitted to hospital

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January 20, 2019

“Manikarnika – The Queen of Jhansi” producer Kamal Jain, who was admitted to hospital on Saturday, is now recuperating. Jain was taken to the Kokilaben Hospital last evening for the treatment of lung infection. Several reports had stated that his condition was critical after suffering a paralytic stroke, m a source close to the producer said.

But the insider dismissed the reports of a paralytic stroke as a rumour. He is suffering from lung infection. It started as a throat infection but since he was busy with the film he didn’t pay attention to it and it spread. But he’s doing better now. He should be discharged from hospital within three-four days. Paralytic stroke was a rumour, it’s nothing like it, the source told reporter

Certainly not the best time to be in the hospital and not being able to be in the middle of hard work bearing fruit, missing the team of ‘Manikarnika’, Kangana Ranaut, Prasoon ji, Vijeyendra Ji, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Ankita, Mishti and others in the final leg of promotions.

Fronted by Kangana, “Manikarnika” is slated to be released on Friday.

Four shot dead by police in Pakistan; victim’s family calls it a ‘staged encounter’

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January 20, 2019

The killing of four people, including a man, his wife and their teenage daughter, in what Pakistan’s Punjab police called a shootout with “terrorists” has triggered a public outcry and the victims’ family held a protest against the “staged” encounter.

The family was travelling in a car when the alleged encounter which the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) officials later termed an ‘intelligence-based operation’ took place on a highway in Sahiwal, about 200 km from Lahore, on Saturday.

Those killed in the encounter included grocery store owner Mohammad Khalil, 42, his wife Nabila, 38, their 13-year-old daughter Areeba and their friend, Zeeshan Javed, who was driving the car and police said he was on the country’s wanted terrorist list.

The couple’s minor son also sustained a bullet injury while two other daughters remained safe.

According to CTD, the operation was conducted after intelligence was received that terrorists were travelling towards Sahiwal with arms and explosives.

The CTD claimed in a statement that the law enforcers signalled a Suzuki Alto car and a motorcycle to stop near a toll plaza, but they did not pull over and instead opened fire.

Eyewitnesses and the victims’ family members, however, strongly refuted the CTD’s version, and told Pakistani daily Dawnthat the four were shot dead in “cold blood by the police” in the “staged” encounter.

They claimed that no weapon was recovered from the vehicle after the alleged shootout, the daily reported.

The family members of the victims and area residents held a protesting and blocked a road in Lahore.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has sought a report from Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar over the incident.

The prime minister also directed to hold a transparent and detailed inquiry into the incident to uncover the facts.

The Punjab Chief Minister also ordered the arrest of the CTD officials involved in the shootout, the daily reported.

Punjab Inspector General (IG) has announced the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the incident.

Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the actual picture of the incident will become clear after a thorough investigation into the incident.

“Apparently it seems that the terrorists used ‘human shield’ to protect themselves,” he said.

FPI outflow crosses Rs 4,000 crore in January

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January 20, 2019

Foreign investors have pulled out more than Rs 4,000 crore from the Indian capital markets so far in January, highlighting their cautious stance towards the country. This comes following a collective net inflow of over Rs 17,000 crore in the capital markets; both equity and debt by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) during November and December, 2018.

Prior to that, they had also pulled out a massive Rs 38,905 crore in October. According to data available with the depositories, FPIs withdrew a net amount of Rs 3,987 crore from equities and a net sum of Rs 53 crore from the debt market, taking the total outflow to Rs 4,040 crore during January 1-18.

Market experts believe that the FPIs are continuing with their ‘wait and watch’ approach towards India. Going ahead, the focus would be on the budget, progress on the economic growth front and general elections. Other factors such as movement in crude prices and currency as well as US-China trade relations will also play a role in FPI flows, they added.

Harsh Jain, COO at Groww, an online MF investment platform, said that India offers better investment opportunities due to consistent growth, supportive global factors and attracts valuations. We should expect positive inflow in coming months. 2019 is likely to see a lot of volatility because of the rate hikes and dollar instability, but the Indian markets may be able to weather the storm.

Delhi enveloped with fog and cold

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Web Team

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January 20, 2019

It was a cold and foggy morning in the national capital on Sunday, with the minimum temperature settling at 7 degrees Celsius. A cover of moderate fog enveloped the city; with visibility dropping to 400 metres at Safdarjung, at 8.30 am, said a MeT department official.

The MeT Department has forecast generally cloudy sky later in the day with the maximum temperature hovering around 26 degrees Celsius. Saturday was the warmest day in January this year at 25.9 degrees Celsius.

Relative humidity at 8.30 in the morning was 97 per cent. A railways official said that the 10 north bound trains, including Unchahar Express, Brahmputra Mail, Kaifiyat Express, Bhagalpur-Anand Vihar Garib Rath, were running late due to fog, with average delay of 203 hours.

Failure of ‘Zero’ is a lesson for me, says director Aanand

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January 20, 2019

The most anticipated and Aanand L Rai’s ambitious “Zero” may have crashed at the box office but the director is not disheartened with the response. The filmmaker views the experience as a lesson learnt. The Shah Rukh Khan-starrer also featured Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif and it was billed as one of the biggest films of 2018.

I won’t say I am disappointed. I will need to understand (what went wrong). This is the story I wanted to say and I made it. After making ‘Ranjhaanaa’ and ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ and the second one, this film ‘Zero’ was due for me to make. To take a certain flight and I have not landed on it properly. It is learning and it will help me grow as a director. I am not afraid to take risks and experiment, Rai told reporter when asked if he was disappointed.

“Zero” had Shah Rukh Khan playing the role of a vertically challenged man, Katrina featured as a troubled star while Anushka portrayed a scientist suffering from cerebral palsy. The film released on December 21 and did not receive a favourable response, either from audience or critics.
It feels good when the cinema gets this kind of attention and focus. And also when the higher authorities are taking care and giving the due which was always needed. It strengthens us, he said of the museum.

Rai was talking on the sidelines of the inauguration of National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC), by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday which is developed in the premises of Films Division in South Mumbai.

BJP President Amit Shah discharged from AIIMS after undergoing treatment for Swine Flu

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January 20, 2019

BJP president Amit Shah, who was undergoing treatment for swine flu at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, was discharged on Sunday.
Shah was discharged at 10.20AM from AIIMS after recovering from swine flu, said an AIIMS official.

BJP leader and in-charge of the party’s IT cell Amit Malviya said that Shah was fine and has returned home from the hospital.

“BJP President Shri Amit Shah has been discharged from AIIMS. He is fine and back home now. Thanks for all your wishes and messages,” Malviya tweeted.

BJP President Shri Amit Shah has been discharged from AIIMS. He is fine and back home now. Thanks for all your wishes and messages.

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 20, 2019

Shah was admitted to AIIMS after complaints of chest congestion and breathing issue on Wednesday.

‘Kulhad Wali Chai’ to make comeback at Railway stations, centre issues circular to replace paper cups

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January 20, 2019

Having been elbowed out by the more utilitarian plastic and paper cups over the years at railway stations, ‘Kulhads’ which were introduced by former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad 15 years ago are all set to make a comeback at catering units.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has instructed caterers at Varanasi and Rae Bareli stations to use terracotta-made ‘Kulhads’, glasses and plates, according to a circular issued by the board to the chief commercial managers of Northern Railway and the North Eastern Railway.

The move will not only give passengers a refreshing experience but also provide a huge market for local potters who are struggling to make ends meet, officials said.

“Zonal railways and the IRCTC are advised to take necessary action to ensure use of locally produced, environmentally savvy terracotta products like ‘Kulhads’, glasses and plates for serving items to passengers through all static units at Varanasi and Rae Bareli railway stations with immediate effect so that local terracotta product manufacturers could easily market their products,” the circular stated.

The proposal had come in December last year from the chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) who had written a letter to Goyal, suggesting that these two stations be used to generate employment for potters around the area.

“We have been giving potters electric wheels which have increased their productivity from making 100 cups to around 600 cups a day. It was important to give them a market to sell their wares and generate income. With the railways agreeing to our proposal, lakhs of potters have now got a readymade market,” KVIC Chairman V K Saxena told PTI.

“It’s a win for all. The entire community is thankful to the railways and hopefully we can do this across its network eventually,” he said, adding that he is expecting the daily production of pottery to reach 2.5 lakh to meet the demands of these two stations.

Under the Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana, the government has been distributing electric wheels to potters to increase their productivity.

In Varanasi, the prime minister’s parliamentary constituency, around 300 such wheels have been distributed with 1,000 more in the pipeline.

In Rae Bareli, the parliamentary constituency of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, 100 have been distributed with 700 more to be given out.

Overall, the KVIC will distribute around 6,000 electric wheels across the country this year, Saxena said.

In 2004, Lalu Prasad had introduced ‘Kulhads’ to boost the dying pottery industry and also give passengers a taste of eco-friendly cups. He had made it clear that hot beverages should be served only in ‘Kulhads’.

Though no specific allocation was made for ‘Kulhads’ in the rail budget, railway officials said it was included in the target of sundry other earnings, placed at Rs 1,072 crore.

However, efforts of the railways did not get much traction from both passengers and vendors who complained about the poor quality of earthen cups.

At most stations, paper and plastic cups are used to serve beverages. But with the present government batting for the green and eco-friendly ‘Made in India’ produce, ‘Kulhads’ could have a longer inning this time, the officials said.