THE HEADLINES:
- Government committed to secularism and there is no thinking to remove it from the preamble of the Indian Constitution says Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu.
- Government to sell 10 percent of its stake in Coal India Limited today to raise about 22,000 Crore Rupees.
- FDI in India increased by 26 per cent in 2014 despite decline in FDI inflows globally says UN report.
- Nation pays homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on Martyr's day today.
- At least twenty five killed in Egypt in a series of militant attacks in Sinai.
- In a crucial ODI match in the ongoing Tri Series, India takes on England at Perth for a final berth.
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Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has said that the government is committed to secularism and there is no thinking to remove it from the Preamble of the Constitution. Talking to reporters in Chennai, he said secularism is in the blood of Indian people and it is part of our culture. Mr Naidu said, it was not there in original preamble and was inserted during emergency but government advertisement was about the original preamble. The government advertisement had carried a picture of the Preamble to the Constitution as it appeared before the 42nd Amendment, without the words 'secular' and 'socialist' which was opposed by some senior Congress leaders. Mr Naidu was in the city to inaugurate a conference on 'Tamil Nadu Smart Cities' organised by the CII.
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The government will today offer to offload up to ten per cent of its stake in Coal India Limited (CIL) as part of its ambitious divestment programme. In the biggest ever share sale, government is expecting to garner about 22,600 crore rupees from today's sale. The government has fixed 358 rupees per share as the floor price, which is at a discount of about 5 per cent from the current market price of Coal India shares. The government presently holds nearly 90 per cent stake in the CIL. The Coal India's divestment will play a crucial role in curtailing the fiscal deficit. The divestment target this year is 58,425 crore rupees, out of which 43,425 crore rupees is expected to come via share sale in the PSUs. The government targets to double the coal production to one billion tonnes in the next few years.
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United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNCTAD has said in a report that India's FDI increased by 26 per cent in 2014 to an estimated 35 billion US dollar, despite the decline in global Foreign Direct Investment inflows. According to the latest 'Global Investment Trade Monitor' report released by UNCTAD yesterday, in India maximum growth was noticed in services sector especially in electricity, gas, water, waste management and information and communication. This figure is one of the highest in recent years, though in 2008 FDI peaked in India with 47 billion dollars.
China toppled the US in 2014 as the world's largest recipient of the FDI a position that the US had been holding almost consistently since the 1980's. Hong Kong with 111 billion dollar is at second position followed by the US with 86 billion dollar.
Report says Global FDI inflows declined by 8 per cent in 2014, due to fragility of the global economy, policy uncertainty and geo-political risks.
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In Uttar Pradesh, more than 50 human skeletons and viscera were found dumped in a locked room of the Reserve Police Lines in Unnao on Thursday. The skeletons were kept in around 25 sacks scattered in the room, located opposite the police quarters. Senior district police officials said they were yet to reach any conclusion and added that investigation is underway.
Our correspondent reports that IG Law and Order A. Satish Ganesh said in Lucknow that the room was part of the post-mortem house that was operational at the police lines till 2008. He said Unnao SP has been asked to submit a detailed report in this connection.
"Police authorities claimed that as per old records, nearly 400 viscera and 1,000 body parts, including skulls, limbs and pelvic bones of unidentified human bodies were kept at the police hospital room for investigation. Proper DNA testing and probe would be done to corroborate the facts. This is the second incident where state government functioning has come for a questioning. On January 13, nearly hundred human bodies were found floating near Pariyar Ghat of Unnao in the Ganga which also had brought the state government on the back foot. Meerajuddin, AIR News, Lucknow."
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In Jammu and Kashmir, in yet another incident of ceasefire violation, Pakistani forces resorted to heavy firing in RS Pura Sector along the International Border. Our correspondent reports that Pakistani troops started unprovoked firing targeting Indian forward posts and civilian areas.
"According to police sources the forces from across the border resorted to unprovoked heavy mortar shelling and firing targeting Indian forward post and civilian areas around 8 pm. The BSF troops guarding the border retaliated the Pak-shelling and exchange of fire lasted for around 6 hours. Three civilians who are injured in shelling have been admitted in GMC hospital in Jammu. Firing in civilian areas has once again triggered panic among the people living in border areas. Yogesh Sharma, Airnews , Jammu."
"According to police sources the forces from across the border resorted to unprovoked heavy mortar shelling and firing targeting Indian forward post and civilian areas around 8 pm. The BSF troops guarding the border retaliated the Pak-shelling and exchange of fire lasted for around 6 hours. Three civilians who are injured in shelling have been admitted in GMC hospital in Jammu. Firing in civilian areas has once again triggered panic among the people living in border areas. Yogesh Sharma, Airnews , Jammu."
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A suspected terrorist belonging to Jamaat-ul-Mujahiddin Bangladesh JMB was arrested in a village in Davangere district of Karnataka, yesterday. In a joint operation, the Internal Security Division of Bengaluru Police and the Assam Police arrested Palbur Hussain, who is believed to be involved in more than two bomb blasts in Assam and West Bengal. The suspect was produced before the Magistrate and remanded to Judicial custody till the 11th of next month. Palbur Hussain belongs to Baksa district of Assam.
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With just one week left for campaigning in the Delhi assembly elections,electioneering has reached a feverish pitch. Political parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters. The three major contenders, BJP, Aam Aadmi Party and Congress have roped in their star campaigners for rallies. Verbal duel by the leaders against each other is also adding heat to the political atmosphere in the capital.
Meanwhile, a total of one hundred and forty two FIR’s have been lodged against various Political Parties in connection with the violation of Model Code of Conduct so far in Delhi. According to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, 60 FIR's were lodged against Aam Aadmi Party, 31 against BJP, 27 against Congress and 12 cases of violation have been registered against BSP. Besides, over 1700 hoardings were also removed from Public Property and 132 FIR’s were lodged in this regard.
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The nation pays homage to the father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his 67th death anniversary today. Prominent leaders from various political parties and other dignitaries will pay floral tributes to the Father of the nation at his Samadhi Rajghat in New Delhi. An all religion prayer meeting has also been organised at Bapu's Samadhi. The day is also observed as Martyrs' Day. On this day in 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated while going for a prayer meeting.
Gujarat is paying rich tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary today. An official release said, the entire state will observe two minutes silence at 11 AM. Our correspondent reports that all religion prayer meetings have been organized at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad and Kirti Mandir in Porbandar, the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi.
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President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have paid homage to the martyrs on the occasion of martyrs day. In his message, Mr. Mukherjee said, he is happy to learn that martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi is being celebrated as Leprosy Day. He said, awareness programmes must help bring attitudinal change in society about leprosy and leprosy affected persons. In his message, the Prime Minister said, the bravery and courage of each and every martyr will always inspire the people.
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In Egypt, at least 25 people have been killed in a series of attacks by suspected Islamist militants in the north of Sinai peninsula, state TV says. A car bomb and mortars hit military targets in the North Sinai capital El-Arish, killing a number of soldiers. Other attacks took place in the nearby town of Sheik Zuwayid and the town of Rafah, bordering Gaza. An army Major was later shot dead at a checkpoint in Rafah. Another 30 people were also wounded in yesterday's attacks. Militants have intensified attacks since Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi was ousted in 2013.
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Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari has announced road projects worth 20,500 crore rupees in Chhattisgarh. Gadkari told reporters in Raipur that the package will be given to the state during the current financial year. These projects envisage construction of 3,275 km of roads.
"Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced a package of more than Rs 20 thousand crore rupees for road projects in Chhattisgarh. These projects envisage construction of more than 3 thousand km of roads in the state. Under the new projects, a high quality road connecting the two prominent religious places - Ratanpur in Bilaspur district and Dantewada district headquarters - will be constructed at the cost of 2 thousand 5 hundred crore rupees. During his visit to Chhattisgarh the union minister had laid the foundation stones of five state highway development in Kawardha district headquarter. Vikalp Shukla, AIR News, Raipur."
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India will take on England at Perth today in the on going Tri series involving Australia.
This match can also be termed as a virtual semi final because the winner of this match will play the finals against Australia.
India has not registered any victory in the tournament. It has only shared points with Australia after their last match was abandoned by rain. They have two points from three matches while England have five points from as many encounters.
All India Radio will broadcast running commentary on the match. It will be available on Rajdhani and FM Gold channel from 8:20 A.M. onwards.
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NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
- The new foreign secretary S. Jaishankar taking over, the Preamble row, and the run-up to Delhi Polls picking up momentum are major stories on front pages today.
- On the appointment of the new foreign secretary, the Times of India reports " Government had told Sujatha of her impending exit, months ago", while theHindustan Times states, "Sujatha hints at dominant PMO in a farewell email the day after."
- Venkaiah steps in "Secularism in our blood, will stay in Preamble" quotes the Indian Express. The Hindu says, "differences surface, RSS silent."The Mail Today writes " Preamble Row now hits Rajya Sabha Calendar" as the key words 'secular' and 'socialist' go missing from it as well.
- The Times of India leads with BJP Chief, Amit Shah's statement, " choice of Bedi as CM-pick was strategic." The Delhi special of the Asian Age quotes Kejriwal as saying "Will rein in 'extortion' by schools".
- "Jammu and Kashmir set for full-term PDP chief Minister" states the Hindustan Times. The Indian Express informs, " Patriarch Mufti, CM, deputy from BJP in J &K deal".
- In an exclusive the Hindu reports former Union Environment Minister, Jayanthi Natarajan disclosing that she honored Rahul Gandhi's requests on environmental clearances to reject big ticket projects.
- "Prime Minister to meet Chief Ministers again, Union Budget likely to open purse-strings for states" is the lead in the Indian Express.
- The Economic Times reports" CBDT tells its men to lay off Voda-like cases" as the government moves quickly to clear tax cloud.
- "Government puts appointments of Supreme Court, High Court Judges on hold " is another story in the Economic Times, awaiting the outcome of two PILS on the validity of the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014.
- The Hindu reports, 'Malaysia on Thursday formally declared the passengers and crew of missing flight MH 370 to be presumed dead'.
- India to host world T20 next year, informs the Times of India.
- And finally, the Pioneer reports of an HRD Ministry proposal to hold a common entrance examination for all 42 central universities, also allowing students to apply for multiple universities, from the next academic session.
