Congress’ ‘anti-development face’ exposed: Gadkari

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August 31, 2015

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the Centre has exposed the “anti-development” face of the Congress over Land Acquisition Bill and denied that the NDA government had to retreat on the issue.

The Congress, which had repeatedly tried to project the Narendra Modi government as “anti farmer,” has been exposed with the Prime Minister deciding that Land Ordinance will not be re-promulgated, Union Transport and Shipping Minister Gadkari said.

“Congress boycotted discussions on the land bill and was never keen to debate to arrive at consensus,” the Minister alleged.

“The Congress’ stand is that it never focussed on development and will not allow us to do either. The Opposition party has shown that it is against farmers’ interests,” he further charged.

The government has exposed the “anti-development” face of the Congress, he said.

Replying to a question, he denied that the NDA government had to retreat on the land bill.

Gadkari further said that the government is ready to incorporate any suggestions that will benefit the farmers.

Meanwhile, Gadkari said that state governments are authorised to acquire land as several Chief Ministers made this demand during the NITI Aayog meeting.

“State governments will decide on how to set up industries and development them,” he said.

Musician Aadesh Shrivastava in critical condition

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Afternoon Voice

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August 31, 2015

Bollywood music composer Aadesh Shrivastava, who is admitted to a suburban hospital, is in a critical condition battling cancer.

Aadesh, 48, has been in the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri for the last 41 days for cancer treatment.

“Aadesh is in hospital for the last 41 days. His cancer has relapsed. It is growing at a rapid stage. He is right now in critical condition… He is serious. The injections of new technology that were brought from America have not worked much on him,” said Aadesh’s brother-in-law and composer Lalit Pandit, from the Jatin-Lalit duo.

“Blood palates are low so that reduces the chance of surgery. The doctors are trying their best,” he said.

“I am with the family in the hospital. We are praying for him,” he added.

When contacted, a senior doctor at the hospital refused to give details, stating “the family has requested for privacy”.

Aadesh has composed music for films like “Chalte Chalte”, “Baabul”, “Baghban”, “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”, “Raajneeti” among others.

SC dismisses petition filed against Salman Khan by late constable’s mother

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Afternoon Voice

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August 31, 2015

The Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to Bollywood star Salman Khan by the Bombay High Court in the 2002 hit-and-run case.

“We are sorry. The petitioner is permitted to withdraw the petition,” the bench of Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justice Amitava Roy said.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by Sushila Bai Himmat Rao Patil, through advocate Manohar Lal Sharma, seeking the cancellation of bail granted to Khan and enhancement of his five year jail term awarded by the trial court.

Earlier on July 27, the apex court had dismissed Patil’s plea seeking transfer of Khan’s appeal against his conviction and five-year jail term in the case, out of the Bombay High Court.

On May 6, the actor was convicted of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and sentenced to five years imprisonment in the case but escaped being sent to jail after the Bombay High Court granted him interim bail till May 8.

On May 8, the high court suspended the 5-year sentence of Khan in the case and granted him bail pending his appeal against conviction.

Major fire breaks out in Palm Springs, no casualties but traffic jams

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Afternoon Voice

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August 31, 2015

A major fire broke out at a commercial building in Malad just before noon on Monday, engulfing the area in thick black smoke and causing a long traffic jam.

There were no immediate reports of casualties as eight fire engines, eight water tankers and two ambulances were rushed to the spot. The fire was brought under control within an hour.

The fire broke out on the fifth floor of an eight-storey building called Palm Springs which houses offices and restaurants, reports said.

Thick smoke bellowed out of the building, eye-witnesses reported and many took to social media to post dramatic pictures.

Indrani Mukerjea was slapped in custody, claim lawyers

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Afternoon Voice

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August 31, 2015

Indrani Mukerjea’s laywers claimed on Monday that she was roughed up and slapped while in police custody.

Indrani’s lawyers had complained to the Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria that the police were trying to take her confessional statement.

They also said that the police were pressurising her.

Meanwhile, Indrani and Sanjeev Khanna’s daughter Vidhie appeared in the Mumbai court.

Indrani has been arrested, along with her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and her driver Shyam Rai in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case.

On the other hand, Guwahati-based Mikhail and Indrani’s son had earlier told police that Indrani tried to kill him thrice.

Mikhail had also said that just hours before Indrani and Sanjeev met Sheena on April 24, 2012 and took her for what would be the last drive of her life, Indrani allegedly drugged him but he managed to escape from the spot and averted becoming the second murder victim.

The murder case took another turn when police seized a suitcase from the residential premises of Indrani and Peter Mukerjea in Mumbai’s Worli area, apparently lending credence to Mikhail’s claim about his mother’s plan to kill him.

‘Pakistan talking out of its head, should remember its defeats at hands of India’

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Afternoon Voice

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August 31, 2015

Issuing a strong condemnation of Pakistan defense minister’s inflammatory statement, an Indian defense expert has lambasted Islamabad for spouting war threats despite its defeats at the hand of India.

Launching a vitriolic verbal attack on India, Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif threatened of ‘heavy losses’ that ‘they would remember for decades’ if India tried to impose war on Pak.

“If India tries to impose war on Pakistan, heavy losses will be inflicted on India which it will remember for decades,” the minister said.

Defence expert Major General (retired) SR Sinho reprimanded Pakistan for issuing statements like these saying, “I am shocked and surprised that the Defence Minister of Pakistan has made a statement that if a war like 1965 takes place, India will have to suffer the consequences, much worse than what had happened in 1965”.

Sinho said that Pakistan was talking out of its head and should keep in mind its defeats when dealing with New Delhi.

“Pakistan is talking out of their head. They don`t have any sense. They don`t see the history what has happened… They should read the history and keep it at the back of their mind when dealing with India,” he added.

It is not the first time Pakistan has spouted such threats.

Pakistani National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz too, has in past boasted that Pak is a nuke power and will retort strongly to India.

Pak defense minister’s comments come in the backdrop of heightened tensions along the border and LoC after Pakistan called off NSA-level talks set for August 23 when India made it clear that discussions on Kashmir and a meeting with separatists will not be acceptable.

Muslim outfits oppose naming Aurangzeb Road after APJ Abdul Kalam

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Afternoon Voice

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August 31, 2015

Muslim outfits on Monday objected New Delhi Municipal Council’s (NDMC) decision to rename Aurangzeb Road after late President APJ Abdul Kalam, terming it as a “deliberate” move that is “likely to set the trend of rechristening other cities/streets distorting history”.

“It is a deliberate effort, it will not halt here. This is because soon after the road was named after Abdul Kalamji, Shiv Sena said it will change the name of Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district where the Mughal Emperor’s graveyard is located.”

“They have a long list of cities/roads named after some historical figures or Muslim Emperors, which they want to change,” Dr SQR Ilyas, President of Welfare Party of India and All India Muslim Personal Law Board member, said.

Ilyas, also general secretary of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) – an apex body of various organisations of the community, said the Emperor was not “anti-Hindu” as is perceived but “a secular” personality.

Referring to former Orissa Governor Bishambhar Nath Pande’s collection of Aurangzeb’s farman (orders), Ilyas said the documents – in Persian – show the Emperor had donated lands for building temples.

Law Commission wants abolition of death penalty in all cases except those linked to terror

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Afternoon Voice

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August 31, 2015

The Law Commission of India has recommended the abolition of death penalty in all cases except those with charges of terrorism and waging war against the state.

In its report submitted to the government, the panel held that capital punishment was constitutionally unsustainable as the ‘rarest of rare’ principle, applied in death penalty cases cannot be operated without the element of arbitrariness.

Six members of the law commission, including Justice AP Shah, have signed the report. Three members – Justice (Retd) Usha Mehra, Law Secretary and the Secy, Legislative Department gave dissent notes.

The panel has suggested that the abolition of death penalty be done in a phased manner.

India is among 60-odd countries in the world where courts still award capital punishment.

The Commission’s recommendations come amid a raging debate on the issue of death penalty that was stoked by the hanging of 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon in July.

Face action if you raise grievances with PM: Government warns babus

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Afternoon Voice

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August 31, 2015

All central government employees, including officials of Army and para military forces, were on Monday warned of “action” if they raise service matters related grievances to the Prime Minister, directly.

Warning employees, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said such submission of representations directly to other authorities by-passing the prescribed channel of communication, has to be viewed seriously and appropriate disciplinary action should be taken against those who violate these.

As per these instructions, wherever a government servant wishes to press a claim or to seek redressal of a grievance, the proper course for him is to address his immediate official superior, or head of his office, or such other authority at the appropriate level who is competent to deal with the matter in the organisation. Writing to higher authorities, can rightly be treated as an unbecoming conduct, it said in a directive.

“In spite of these instructions, it has been observed that government servants including officers and officials of para military forces and Army personnel continue to represent directly to the Prime Minister, Minister, Secretary (Personnel) and other higher authorities, directly,” the DoPT said.

It is reiterated that the existing instructions may be brought to the notice of all government servants including officials of para military forces and members of armed forces and “action taken against those who violate these instructions”, it said.

The forms of communication also include e-mails or raising it through public grievances portal etc, the DoPT said.

Karnataka government for CBI probe into MM Kalburgi’s murder

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Afternoon Voice

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August 31, 2015

Apparently bowing to public pressure, the Karnataka government on Monday decided to hand over the probe in to the murder of renowned scholar MM Kalburgi to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

“Karnataka government will write a letter to CBI for investigation in renowned scholar MM Kalburgi’s murder,” Karnataka Law Minister TB Jayachandra said.

The case is currently being probed by Karnataka Police CID.

A former Vice-Chancellor of Hampi University, MM Kalburgi was shot dead at his Kalyanagar residence in Dharwad on Sunday morning by unidentified gunmen.

77-year-old Kalburgi was an associate of rationalist Govind Pansare of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, who also fell victim in similar circumstances in February, and had drawn the ire of some right-wing Hindu outfits like VHP and Bajrang Dal with his remarks about idol worship by Hindus.

A winner of central and state “Sahitya Akademi” awards, he had also suggested the need for a better state anthem.

Part of his works on “Vachana”(verses)” literature had also come under criticism of the state’s majority “veerashaiva” (Lingayat) community, a liberal Shaivism founded by 12th century philosopher, poet and social reformer Basaveshwara.

His funeral is currently under way at Dharwad.