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Highlights of PM Modi’s interview to Zee News

Nithesh S
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Highlights of PM Modi’s interview to Zee News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave an interview to Sudhir Chaudhury of Zee News yesterday after the successful bilateral visit of Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Ahead of his important visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum meeting on January 22, the PM spoke about a variety of issues in an interview that lasted close to one hour.

On employment scenario under his government 

When asked about the employment scenario in the country, the Prime Minister replied that the Mudra Yojana of his government had been very successful. He also cited the data on new Provident fund accounts. We had done a detailed report on the topic. The Prime Minister said :

In one year, more than 70 lakh provident fund accounts have been added. Over 10 crore people have benefited from Mudra Yojana launched by the Centre has been extremely successful. Government initiatives have empowered small-scale entrepreneurs and informal sectors.

A representative of 1.25 billion Indians

When asked about his confident body language in international fora, the PM said that he always considers himself as a representative of 1.25 billion Indians and draws strength from the people.

Every time I stand beside world leaders such as Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump, all I remember is that I am the representative of 1.25 crore citizens. They have given me the mandate to be here.

On reforms like GST 

PM Modi spoke on the path breaking reforms of his government without hesitation. He admitted that these measures had caused temporary hardship to the people.

During UPA time, Gujarat and other states raised issues tax and finance. But none of our concerns were heeded. Hence, we (NDA) were forced to take economic and monetary reforms. GST is the product of that. We worked hard towards building the concept of one nation-one tax.

Financial inclusion under NDA government

The prime minster highlighted that Jan Dhan Yojana had succeeded in bringing a majority of people under the banking system. It is a truly commendable achievement of the government that has benefited close to 30.93 crore individuals. Bringing poor under the banking system will have far reaching consequences.

After nationalisation of banks, about 30-40 per cent of the population was out of banking system. We brought them into the system. Isn’t that an achievement?

Toilets for girls in schools

Paying attention to detail is one of the hallmarks of the PM. During his tenure as CM of Gujarat he had realised that lack of toilets was a key reason for girls dropping out of school. He ensured that this problem was solved throughout the country. While speaking on achievements of his government he said :

Thousands of girls skipped schools because there were no toilets. We built those toilets for them. Isn’t that an achievement?

Showcasing India at Davos

While speaking on his upcoming visit to Davos, Narendra Modi said that India has the advantage of being a democracy and having a high growth rate. He said that it was necessary to showcase this unique combination to the world at Davos.

Davos is a major platform in the financial world. Top business leaders gather there to deliberate upon the economic future of the world. India is the centre of attraction for the entire world. There are two reasons for that. First, our GDP is growing at a fast pace – and this has been accepted by leading agencies like the World Bank, Moody’s etc. Second, due to our strong democratic values. It’s a unique combination of both in India. And that’s what has evoked everyone’s interest. So it’s an opportunity for India to showcase itself on a global platform like WEF in Davos

One nation One Election

PM Modi has been pitching for simultaneous elections in the country to avoid unnecessary waste of time, resources and energy on conducting elections to various state legislatures and parliament at different times. He remarked that India should revert to simultaneous election to save money and manpower.

Logically speaking, holding different elections in different dates creates a burden on the exchequer. Politicians are always under stress. So I think both Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections should be organised simultaneously. It will save money and manpower.

Secret of his high energy level

When asked about the secret of his high energy levels at his age, the PM said that he has  acquired these traits from his childhood. Though he admits that working so much may not be a good thing, he confessed that he can’t live without work :

I feel this is my responsibility. I will use the time given to me by god to the maximum extent for my countrymen. I have been taught that every atom of my body and every second of life has to be spent in service of the country. This is the result of my upbringing. I know that my working style is not so good. My doctors and friends have expressed their concerns with me. But I can’t live without work

Draws inspiration from change in lives of poor

While talking about the source of his motivation to work, the PM said that change in lives of poor brings joy. He said that the joy motivates him to do more work.

When I see a difference in lives of poor , I feel good for him. I feel like doing more. I get more energy. I ask for blessings of countrymen to do more work.

Does the Prime Minister get any Philosophical thoughts?

When asked whether he gets philosophical thoughts about his journey to the top elected post of India while looking out of the window, he admitted that he doesn’t think too much about it.

I am a detached person. I don’t give too much of importance to things that I see around me. From the heart I am a very common person.

PM Modi has been accused of one way communication with the people and not holding a singe press conference under his tenure. He has chosen his own way of staying in touch with people by resorting to Mann Ki Baat and social media. This interview comes at a time when he is entering the final year of his 5 year mandate received in 2014.

 

Income Tax Dept’s findings in the National Herald case and how they implicate the Gandhis

Editorial Desk
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Income Tax Dept’s findings in the National Herald case and how they implicate the Gandhis

Subramanian Swamy’s “nuclear bomb‘” in the National Herald case is finally out. Swamy today produced in court was an Income Tax assessment order against the Gandhi family owned company Young Indian. The 105 page order dated 27th December says Congress claim of Rs. 90 Crore loan to AJL was “bogus”. It orders Young Indian to pay tax for concealed income of Rs. 414 crore.

The order which was passed on 27.12.2017, has a section which summarizes the “findings of fact” as per the Income Tax officer, arising via the assessment. This section deeply implicates the Gandhi’s as the findings are damaging. The Income Tax Department makes the following claims:

1. Associated Journals Limited (AJL), owner of the National Herald newspaper which was established by Jawaharlal Nehru, decided to close down the business of publishing the newspaper in 2008, with the “oblique purpose” of making commercial use of the properties owned by AJL. The order also notes that these properties were obtained by AJL from Central and State Governments at “ridiculously low prices”.

2. To avoid making payment to AJL and also payment of tax, a “scheme was devised”. The order states that this scheme was devised by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes of AICC. Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes also represented AJL. The scheme involved “artificial and fraudulent steps” to takeover AJL

3. The scheme was put into force on 23.11.2010 when Young Indian (YI), the company was incorporated and within 3 months i.e. by 26.02.2011 the scheme had been completed. In this time, 99% shares of AJL were allotted to YI. The order also claims that such a transfer violated the norms of the Companies Act as it existed on that day.

4. The scheme, the order says, involved the “purchase of a non-existent loan of Rs 90.21 cr, by AICC to AJL, for a paltry sum of Rs 50 lacs”. The loan, the order claims, was in fact a book entry to transfer ownership of AJL.

5. Next, the order claims that to arrange funds to but the non-existent loan as above, YI “had taken accommodation entries” of Rs 1 crore from a hawala entry operator in Kolkata. The order elaborates the nature of this “accommodation entry”. YI had claimed it had taken a Rs 1 cr loan from a M/s Dotex Merchandise Pvt Ltd. This, the Income Tax Department has deemed as an “accommodation entry” has deemed the commission of Rs 1 lac paid for the above, as “unexplained expenditure”.

6. The order states that although YI had been registered as a charitable company, it had not carried out activities in line with its stated objects, hence the tax exemption of YI was cancelled.

7. The order states that by the above “scheme” YI “benefit had accrued to it in real terms” and as per the Fair Market Value, was valued at Rs 413.40 crores.

8. The order also mentions that 44 opportunities to be heard were given to YI, over a period of 890 days, but YI and its representatives showed “non-cooperative attitude”  in furnishing information and “challenged the authority” of the officer to collect information in the case.

The order thus makes it amply clear that the entire transaction was a sham and as engineered to transfer assets from AJL to YI without the need to pay tax. And Sonia and Rahul Gandhi each reportedly hold a 38% stake in YI. The findings are therefore broadly in sync with what Dr Swamy has been alleging from day one.

The order also makes a new point, that of YI having dealt with a hawala operator. The loan from the company M/s Dotex Merchandise Pvt Ltd. is in the eye of the storm and this thread itself may open up a different can of worms.

Following is the first page and the last 3 pages of the assessment order :

It needs to be seen what stand the court takes in this matter now.

With 17 more MLAs facing disqualification charges, Delhi might get President’s Rule

OpIndia Staff
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With 17 more MLAs facing disqualification charges, Delhi might get President’s Rule

In 2016, Vibhor Anand, a lawyer, filed a petition seeking disqualification of 27 MLAs for allegedly holding office of profit. The petition filed in June 2016 sought President’s permission to cancel membership of the 27 MLAs, 10 of which were disqualified yesterday following a separate petition that sought to disqualify 20 MLAs for holding office of profit.

Speaking to OpIndia.com, Vibhor Anand claimed that these MLAs hold posts of chairpersons of Rogi Kalyan Samitis (RKSs) of various government hospitals in Delhi, which is an instance of holding offices of profit. Furthermore, the MLAs holding these posts has no sanctity of law, he claims.

According to Anand, the RKS were established in 2005 by UPA led Central Government. In 2009, the Delhi Government, then led by Congress’ Sheila Dikshit, flouted 2005 rules and made the MLAs the chairpersons of the RKS, he informed.

Anand further told OpIndia that these rules were then amended in 2015, where only the state health minister, local member of parliament (MP) or district magistrate (DM) could be a chairperson. Despite this, Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party appointed 27 MLAs as chairpersons of the RKS, which is illegal, Anand argues.

Following yesterday’s decision that disqualified 20 MLAs for similar reasons, Anand will now be approaching the Election Commission on Monday and appeal to fast track the hearing.

If the Election Commission disqualifies the remaining 17 MLAs, since 10 MLAs were already disqualified yesterday, the number of disqualified MLAs will go above the halfway mark of the Delhi assembly strength, which could attract President’s Rule in Delhi. Fresh election will have to be held within six months of such imposition.

Anand claims that while none of the AAP MLAs have come out to defend themselves, he did once receive a call that apparently came from the Chief Minister’s office, asking him to meet the CM, which he declined.

Following the debacle in Punjab and Goa, and the backlash for AAP’s ‘compromised‘ Rajya Sabha candidates, a fresh round of elections will surely give Arvind Kejriwal sleepless nights.

Explosive development in the National Herald case : Swamy produces key IT documents in Court

OpIndia Staff
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Explosive development in the National Herald case : Swamy produces key IT documents in Court

Yesterday we had reported how Subramanian Swamy promised a massive development in the National Herald case today and his aide had said that the development promises to be a “nuclear bomb“. Swamy had claimed that he had received some explosive documents delivered to his doorstep that could put the Gandhi family in dock today in Court.

Journalist J Gopikrishnan claims that the “nuclear bomb” that Swamy produced in court today was an Income Tax assessment order against the Rahul Gandhi-Sonia Gandhi firm Young Indian. The 105 page order dated 27th December says Congress claim of Rs. 90 Crore loan to AJL was “bogus”. It orders Young Indian to pay tax for concealed income of Rs. 414 crore. The order termed the deal as fraudulent.


It is being claimed that Income Tax Department gave 44 opportunities to Congress over a period of 890 days. Vora kept saying that this is political vendetta.


The Congress lawyer insisted that Swamy be issued a notice for producing these documents.


It is also being claimed that while the Congress lawyers kept objecting, Swamy said that these are the exact documents that he wanted for this case, and that either Sonia Gandhi should certify these documents or face perjury charges.


When Congress lawyer demanded that the veracity of these documents be checked, Swamy reportedly said that Congress lawyers’ clients (Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi among others) had already received these documents.


While the proceedings are still on, it remains to be seen what course of action the court would take considering the new information that has come to light. This is a developing story.

Members of radical Islamist organisation arrested in connection with ABVP worker’s murder

OpIndia Staff
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Members of radical Islamist organisation arrested in connection with ABVP worker’s murder

Shyam Prasad a 24 year old ABVP worker was hacked to death by a three member gang in Kerala’s Kannur region on Friday.

As per reports, Shyam who was an ITI student, was heading back to his home in Koothuparamba, on his bike when the gang arrived in a bike and killed him at about 5:30 PM. Soon after the attack, the locals rushed him to the hospital, but he unfortunately died on the way. As per BJP Kerala, Shyam tried to escape by taking shelter in a nearby house but was mercilessly chopped down several times by the attackers.

This is his bike which now lies overturned at the side of the road:

Now in a possible breakthrough, the ANI has reported that the police have now arrested four Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) activists in connection with the matter:


Those arrested have been identified as Muhammad Basheer, Saleem Hamsa, Ameer Abdul Rahman and Shaheem Shamsudheen. The four were arrested by the police near boys town in Wayanad district. They would be later produced before the Koothuparamba Judicial First Class Magistrate on Saturday.

Incidentally SDPI is the political wing of the Popular Front of India (PFI) which is a radical Islamist organisation.

In 2010, criminals of the radical outfit PFI were held guilty for chopping off hands of Professor Joseph for allegedly insulting Islamic Prophet Mohammed in Kerala. Recently it was reported that former Vice-President Hamid Ansari attended a program which was organised by the women’s wing of PFI.

The SDPI on its own has also managed to notch various controversies.

A Kerala youth named Abdul Manaf, who as reported yesterday, died fighting for the ISIS in Syria. He earlier was believed to have been a worker of SDPI.

The news also might raise the question whether there was some form of involvement of the leftists in the matter?

We had reported in the past how J Nandakumar, an executive committee member of the RSS, had alleged that communists in Kerala get active support from Islamic fundamentalists. He said also claimed that the Left front returned to power in Kerala, with active support from Muslim fundamentalists, which helped them cobble a majority in the last assembly elections.

This angle has also been proposed in this current case by BJP Kerala, which has alleged that Shyam Prasad was murdered by the jihadi-Marxist nexus in Kannur:

Andhra CM and NDA ally Chandrababu Naidu targets 100% literacy rate by 2019

OpIndia Staff
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Andhra CM and NDA ally Chandrababu Naidu targets 100% literacy rate by 2019

The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu has asked his officials to ensure that the state achieves 100% literacy by 2019. He made this statement while addressing the collectors’ conference.

As per the 2011 census the literacy rate of Andhra Pradesh stood at about 67.66%, which was an improvement over the 60.47%, which was clocked a decade ago. Kerala holds the record for the highest literacy rate in the country with 93.91% followed by Mizoram where 91.58% people are literate.

As per Naidu, it also needs to be ensured that arrangements are made so that whenever a child attains the school going age, he/she is made to go to one. Other proposals in the field of education include, starting 4000 cloud-based virtual classrooms spread across 60 schools. The deadline to implement this scheme is 15th March. Apart from this every department has been asked to appoint an IOT (internet of things) coordinator to cope with the emerging technology.

Going by the recent policies of the state government, Andhra Pradesh, if all goes per plan, might emerge as one of the leading Indian states when it comes to technological advancements.

It was reported in October that the Andhra Pradesh government was aiming towards attracting $2 billion in IT investments which might yield about 1 lakh jobs in the sector. Besides this, Chandrababu Naidu had claimed that it was a priority to integrate technology and agriculture. Naidu thus requested that technology be provided to transform agriculture into a profitable sector.

Incidentally it was Microsoft founder Bill Gates who responded to this request by Naidu by stating that a two-pronged approach is needed to increase productivity of small farmers, and later connect them to the markets.

It has also been reported that Naidu has claimed that Vizag would emerge as the major centre for blockchain technology in the next few years, after describing it as the new age technology.

We had recently reported that blockchain in context of cryptocurrency is a decentralised public ledger, which literally means a chain consisting of blocks. Here one block denotes a new transaction and once it is complete, it is linked to the other existing transactions, thereby forming a chain.

Bombs found at Mahabodhi Temple premises in Bodh Gaya amid Dalai Lama visit

OpIndia Staff
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Bombs found at Mahabodhi Temple premises in Bodh Gaya amid Dalai Lama visit

Two cane bombs of a size of 10 kg each were found on the Mahabodhi Temple premises in Bodh Gaya late last evening. A report in The Hindu said the bombs were found near the Gate number 4.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has taken over the security of the Temple and were securing the area. This was a cause of major security concerns as Tibetian spiritual guru Dalai Lama is currently visiting the temple on the occasion of the month-long Kalachakra puja of Buddhist pilgrims. The spiritual leader had just finished a sermon and retired to his living quarters when the bombs were found.

The Governor of Bihar Satya Pal Malik was also present at the temple on Friday.

Security threats to the temple have always been a cause of great concern. Opindia.com had reported in September 2017 that security of the temple has been increased after repeated terrorist threats were detected by both state and central intelligence agencies.

The temple has also been the target of terrorist attacks earlier in July 2013 when a series of low-intensity blasts left 5 people injured, including two monks. The later arrested suspect Mohammad Umair Siddiqui had revealed that the blasts were intended to target international Buddhist tourists as a “revenge” for the alleged killings of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

Siddiqui, a member of the banned SIMI and Indian Mujahideen organisations, had also revealed during the interrogation that the terrorists involved in bombing the Bodh Gaya temple later went on to target an election rally of Narendra Modi at Patna in October 2013, where six people were killed and many injured.

The  Mahabodhi Temple is one of the most revered shrines in Buddhism and is visited by millions of Hindu and Buddhist tourists every year. As the place where Buddha attained his enlightenment, the temple holds immense spiritual importance worldwide. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and threats to its security are of grave concern for the governments.

Watch: Sharad Yadav proclaims that he doesn’t trust the NIA after it files chargesheet against separatists

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: Sharad Yadav proclaims that he doesn’t trust the NIA after it files chargesheet against separatists

On Thursday the National Investigative Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet [PDF] against 12 persons for “conspiring to wage war against the Government of India by carrying out terrorist and secessionist activities in the State of Jammu & Kashmir”. This chargesheet was filed at the Patiala House Court in Delhi.

Those named in the chargesheet include, 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed, Syed Salahuddin the head of terror organisation Hizbul Mujahideen and Farooq Ahmad Dar a.k.a Bitta Karate.

One of those named also include Nayeem Ahmad Khan the Chairman of National Front, a secessionist outfit of Jammu and Kashmir, whose brother was incidentally detained by the police for clicking pictures in the Patiala House Court compound.

The case regarding this matter was registered by the NIA on 30th May, 2017 and during the course of its investigation it has searched over 60 locations, examined over 300 witnesses and seized more than 950 incriminating documents.

These documents plus about 600 seized electronic devices as per the NIA establishes that Hurriyat leaders, the terrorists and stone pelters are carrying out terror attacks, stone pelting and orchestrating violence in Jammu and Kashmir, with the active support from Pakistan. The chargesheet also claims that Hurryat leaders incite youths to attack all symbols of Indian sovereignty, especially the Indian armed forces.

The NIA also claimed that it has established that such acts are being funded by Pakistan via the Hawala route.

As seen from above, the NIA, many would say, has painstakingly tried to establish a watertight case against the separatists and terror leaders. But when rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav was asked for his opinion regarding the same, he surprisingly proclaimed that he doesn’t trust the NIA:


In the above Times Now footage, Sharad Yadav is quoted as asking whether merely filing a case would prove the charges. He was later asked as to what would be the solution if a terror funding link gets established by the NIA. To this Sharad Yadav shockingly proclaimed that he doesn’t trust the NIA and alleged that every act by the government (Modi government) is performed to try and polarise the society on communal grounds.

It remains to be seen if JD(U) takes further action against Yadav in light of this matter, after it already got him successfully disqualified from the Rajya Sabha in December.

Following repeated ceasefire violations, MEA summons Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner

OpIndia Staff
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Following repeated ceasefire violations, MEA summons Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner

Following repeated ceasefire violations and deliberate targeting of civilians by Pakistan forces, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Friday, summoned Pakistan’s Deputy High Commission Syed Haider Shah. The MEA has registered strong protests at the loss of 3 lives and injuries to 9 others because of ceasefire violations by Pakistan forces on 18th and 19th January, 2018.


In a statement, the MEA has said that Pakistan was reminded of the November 2003 ceasefire understanding for maintaining pease and tranquility along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Boundary.

This comes after Pakistani troops on Friday resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in the RS Pura Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, where a 17-year-old girl and a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan were killed. At least four more were injured in the attack.

Two other civilians were injured in the ceasefire violation in the Ramgarh Sector, while five more were injured in another ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Hiranagar Sector in Kathua, all in Jammu and Kashmir. This is the second consecutive day when Pakistan Rangers heavily shelled civilian areas and border outposts (BoPs).

Earlier on Friday, Pakistan, too had summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner J. P. Singh to condemn the ‘unprovoked ceasefire violations’ by Indian Forces along the international border in Sialkot which left one civilian dead and 9 others injured.

India and Pakistan routinely exchange fire across the LoC, causing heavy losses to both soldiers and civilians from both sides.

Delhi High Court calls out AAP’s bluff in connection to office of profit case

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi High Court calls out AAP’s bluff in connection to office of profit case

The election commission on Friday had disqualified 20 AAP MLAs for holding “office of profit”. The EC has sent its recommendation to President Ramnath Kovind for approval. After this, six of the MLAs had moved to the Delhi High Court against the EC and seeking interim relief on the disqualification.

The Delhi High court refused to grant any interim relief for the 20 AAP MLAs facing disqualification. A bench hearing the move expressed displeasure over the conduct of the MLAs too.

The appeal in the High Court was scheduled for an urgent late evening hearing. The AAP MLAs had pleaded that they were never given a chance to clarify their stand before the EC. However, Justice Rekha Palli, during the hearing, repeatedly pointed out that records showed the MLAs had refused to participate in the proceedings before the EC. She said she was not inclined to give any interim relief to the legislators as they had not cooperated with the election commission in its proceedings on the issue:

“You don’t have a stay from the high court but you tell the EC that it should not touch the matter as the high court is seized of it. Your conduct is such that you do not care to go before the EC. Who stopped you? The high court did not prevent you from going before the EC,” 

The court further remarked that they have “tried to use the pendency of their case in the High Court as a shield”. With this, AAP’s public claim that they did not get adequate chance to put their case across to the EC, stands debunked. In fact, as shown in our previous posts, the AAP MLAs had actually got more than a fair chance.

The original deadline seeking response from the AAP MLAs was October 7 2016. This was extended by another 10 days as some AAP MLAs had failed to file replies. AAP MLA Alka Lamba, had given a flimsy reason that she could not submit her reply due to “faulty pen drives” given by the EC and unavailability of lawyers on account of holidays last week.

More recently, in November 2017, the EC had given one last chance to the MLAs to submit their response. The EC had initially served a notice to the 20 AAP MLAs on September 28 seeking their written submissions, but many of their replies did not address the central issue and ended up raising other queries, hence they were given one last opportunity.

In the face of the above facts and the High Court’s observation, it is evident that the AAP is bluffing the public.

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