शनिवार, 9 जुलाई 2016
Top Hizbul Mujahideen commander killed in encouter
Top Hizbul Mujahideen commander killed in encouter Top Hizbul Mujahideen commander killed in encounter
Burhan Wani, the top Hizbul Mujaheedin commander was the poster boy of the...
Rs.198 What connects Nehru, Modi and Kanhaiy?
Rs.198 What connects Nehru, Modi and Kanhaiy?
Rs.198
What connects Nehru, Modi and Kanhaiya Kumar?
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar's poems speak to every Indian, uniting them across...
Rs.198
What connects Nehru, Modi and Kanhaiya Kumar?
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar's poems speak to every Indian, uniting them across...
London’s Great Smog of 1952 still affects people’s health: scientists
London’s Great Smog of 1952 still affects people’s health: scientists
Londoners still feel the hangover of those five December days when a thick layer of smog covered the city.
The London’s Great Smog event of 1952 — five December days when a thick layer of smog covered the city — likely still affects some people’s health more than 60 years later, according to scientists including one of Indian origin.
London’s Great Smog of 1952 resulted in thousands of premature deaths and even more people becoming ill.
The five December days the smog lasted may have also resulted in thousands more cases of childhood and adult asthma.
Researchers from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, the University of California, San Diego and University of Massachusetts in the U.S. studied how London’s Great Smog affected early childhood health and the long-term health consequences.
Health hangover
The results, based on health data from the 1940s and 50s, showed that the Great Smog event of 1952 likely still affects some people’s health more than 60 years later.
Matthew Neidell, associate professor at the Mailman School of Public Health, and colleagues noted that the Great Smog presents a “natural experiment” because the smog was intense “exceeding current regulations and guidelines by a factor of 5 to 23“; localised to a major city; and unanticipated.
“Because the smog was unexpected, residents likely did not leave the city,” said Prashant Bharadwaj, associate professor at the University of California, San Diego.
2,916 responses analysed
The researchers analysed 2,916 responses to a life history survey. Among other health questions, the survey asked participants if they had asthma as a child (up to age 15) or asthma as an adult.
Responses of those who were exposed to the Great Smog in utero or in early childhood were compared with those born between 1945 and 1955 who lived outside of London during the Great Smog or lived in London but were not exposed to the smog in utero or in their first years of life.
The results showed that exposure to the Great Smog in the first year of life was associated with a statistically 20 per cent increased incident of childhood asthma.
The researchers said they found a non-significant, but similar trend between exposure to the smog in the first year of life and adult asthma (a 9.5 per cent increase) and in utero exposure and childhood asthma (8 per cent increase).
Confounding factors
A number of studies examine the relationship between early childhood exposure to air pollutants and the development of asthma but can only determine an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship, because there may be confounding factors that are overlooked or not fully accounted for in the analysis, researchers said.
Given that there is no evidence of another event simultaneous with the Great Smog that might affect asthma incidence, they add, their study overcomes the issue of confounding and “suggests a strong possibility of a causal link between early childhood exposure to air pollution and the later development of asthma.”
Londoners still feel the hangover of those five December days when a thick layer of smog covered the city.
The London’s Great Smog event of 1952 — five December days when a thick layer of smog covered the city — likely still affects some people’s health more than 60 years later, according to scientists including one of Indian origin.
London’s Great Smog of 1952 resulted in thousands of premature deaths and even more people becoming ill.
The five December days the smog lasted may have also resulted in thousands more cases of childhood and adult asthma.
Researchers from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, the University of California, San Diego and University of Massachusetts in the U.S. studied how London’s Great Smog affected early childhood health and the long-term health consequences.
Health hangover
The results, based on health data from the 1940s and 50s, showed that the Great Smog event of 1952 likely still affects some people’s health more than 60 years later.
Matthew Neidell, associate professor at the Mailman School of Public Health, and colleagues noted that the Great Smog presents a “natural experiment” because the smog was intense “exceeding current regulations and guidelines by a factor of 5 to 23“; localised to a major city; and unanticipated.
“Because the smog was unexpected, residents likely did not leave the city,” said Prashant Bharadwaj, associate professor at the University of California, San Diego.
2,916 responses analysed
The researchers analysed 2,916 responses to a life history survey. Among other health questions, the survey asked participants if they had asthma as a child (up to age 15) or asthma as an adult.
Responses of those who were exposed to the Great Smog in utero or in early childhood were compared with those born between 1945 and 1955 who lived outside of London during the Great Smog or lived in London but were not exposed to the smog in utero or in their first years of life.
The results showed that exposure to the Great Smog in the first year of life was associated with a statistically 20 per cent increased incident of childhood asthma.
The researchers said they found a non-significant, but similar trend between exposure to the smog in the first year of life and adult asthma (a 9.5 per cent increase) and in utero exposure and childhood asthma (8 per cent increase).
Confounding factors
A number of studies examine the relationship between early childhood exposure to air pollutants and the development of asthma but can only determine an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship, because there may be confounding factors that are overlooked or not fully accounted for in the analysis, researchers said.
Given that there is no evidence of another event simultaneous with the Great Smog that might affect asthma incidence, they add, their study overcomes the issue of confounding and “suggests a strong possibility of a causal link between early childhood exposure to air pollution and the later development of asthma.”
Shooting ‘vicious, despicable’, says Obama
Shooting ‘vicious, despicable’, says Obama
"We will learn more, undoubtedly, about their twisted motivations, but let’s be clear: There is no possible justification for these types of atta
Minister. India should engage China directly: Diplomat
Minister. India should engage China directly: Diplomat ‘Avoid blaming China as an obstacle for accessing high technology from global market’
India working to achieve 8 p.c. growth: Modi
India working to achieve 8 p.c. growth: Modi
Narendra Modi said his government is working in a campaign mode to create 500 million new jobs by 2022.
Narendra Modi said his government is working in a campaign mode to create 500 million new jobs by 2022.
शनिवार, 2 जुलाई 2016
Kohli's aggression will help India scale difficult heights: Harbhajan
HIGHLIGHTS
"It's good to see the way Virat Kohli conducts himself," Harbhajan said.
He also spoke about Kumble who was recently roped in to coach the national outfit.
"Anil bhai is a man I respect a lot," the offspinner said.
NEW DELHI: Veteran Indian leg-spinner
Harbhajan Singh believes current Test captain Virat Kohli 's aggression will help the national cricket side scale "difficult heights".
"It's good to see the way Virat Kohli conducts himself. I feel this is the brilliant way forward for Indian cricket. Going to play with the right body language, fighting it out for India with a zeal to get the right result, we need such a spirit, which Virat Kohli has," Harbhajan said in a television show, Aap Ki Adalat.
"Whether it's his own or he may have taken it from me, I feel it's a great sign for Indian cricket, to take India to difficult heights."
The offie also spoke about his former team-mate Anil Kumble who was recently roped in to coach the national outfit.
"Anil bhai is a man I respect a lot. I played with him for many years. I learnt one thing from him in life - 'Don't ever give up'. He was a cricketer with a serious bent of mind. He knows my mischievous nature. I don't think he had any problems with me ever," he said.
"I agree Anil bhai had to sit outside because of me, because in those days I was playing well. I myself felt bad seeing him sit outside, because I was only 20 then, I was doing well, and my captain chose me."
Harbhajan also said it is always a special moment winning India-Pakistan games and believes the hype around the high voltage encounter is all media generated.
"As a player, I feel great after defeating a big team. In those days the Pakistan team was a great team too. They had players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq and Shoaib Akhtar. For us that used to be a special game, a special moment. I feel media creates too much hype for India-Pakistan matches," he remarked.
In 2007-08 Harbhajan was charged with racial abuse against Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds. The incident became famous as the 'monkeygate' scandal but the tweaker denied having abused him.
"I didn't say monkey. It was their allegation. I only told him - 'teri maa ki...haath ki roti khaane ko bada dil kar raha hai' (Feel like eating chapattis made by your mother) (smiling). He didn't listen at all. Anyway, he didn't know Hindi, and I did not know English," he said.
On the infamous incident in which Sreesanth was slapped, Harbhajan said: "Actually, he did a 'nautanki' (drama). It was my fault that I did that (slapping) on the ground. I have admitted in all my interviews that I committed this mistake in my life."
Sources-TOI
"It's good to see the way Virat Kohli conducts himself," Harbhajan said.
He also spoke about Kumble who was recently roped in to coach the national outfit.
"Anil bhai is a man I respect a lot," the offspinner said.
NEW DELHI: Veteran Indian leg-spinner
Harbhajan Singh believes current Test captain Virat Kohli 's aggression will help the national cricket side scale "difficult heights".
"It's good to see the way Virat Kohli conducts himself. I feel this is the brilliant way forward for Indian cricket. Going to play with the right body language, fighting it out for India with a zeal to get the right result, we need such a spirit, which Virat Kohli has," Harbhajan said in a television show, Aap Ki Adalat.
"Whether it's his own or he may have taken it from me, I feel it's a great sign for Indian cricket, to take India to difficult heights."
The offie also spoke about his former team-mate Anil Kumble who was recently roped in to coach the national outfit.
"Anil bhai is a man I respect a lot. I played with him for many years. I learnt one thing from him in life - 'Don't ever give up'. He was a cricketer with a serious bent of mind. He knows my mischievous nature. I don't think he had any problems with me ever," he said.
"I agree Anil bhai had to sit outside because of me, because in those days I was playing well. I myself felt bad seeing him sit outside, because I was only 20 then, I was doing well, and my captain chose me."
Harbhajan also said it is always a special moment winning India-Pakistan games and believes the hype around the high voltage encounter is all media generated.
"As a player, I feel great after defeating a big team. In those days the Pakistan team was a great team too. They had players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq and Shoaib Akhtar. For us that used to be a special game, a special moment. I feel media creates too much hype for India-Pakistan matches," he remarked.
In 2007-08 Harbhajan was charged with racial abuse against Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds. The incident became famous as the 'monkeygate' scandal but the tweaker denied having abused him.
"I didn't say monkey. It was their allegation. I only told him - 'teri maa ki...haath ki roti khaane ko bada dil kar raha hai' (Feel like eating chapattis made by your mother) (smiling). He didn't listen at all. Anyway, he didn't know Hindi, and I did not know English," he said.
On the infamous incident in which Sreesanth was slapped, Harbhajan said: "Actually, he did a 'nautanki' (drama). It was my fault that I did that (slapping) on the ground. I have admitted in all my interviews that I committed this mistake in my life."
Sources-TOI
An App To Check Internet Speed
NEW DELHI: Telecom regulator Trai today said it will launch a mobile application which will help a consumer to measure
internet speed on his smartphone and send results to the authority.
"The MySpeed App, which could be downloaded from the mobile sewa app store, allows users to measure their data speed experience and send the results to this (Trai Analytics Portal)," the Telecom Regulatory Authority said in a statement.
The portal and the application will be formally launched by the regulator on July 5, the statement said.
The application will also send coverage, data speed and network information along with device and location of the customer, the statement said.
Trai has defined minimum internet speed that should be delivered to consumers. However, consumers often complain of poor speed. The regulator during its drive test has also found that 3G customers of some operators were getting 2G internet speed most of the time in select cities.
internet speed on his smartphone and send results to the authority.
"The MySpeed App, which could be downloaded from the mobile sewa app store, allows users to measure their data speed experience and send the results to this (Trai Analytics Portal)," the Telecom Regulatory Authority said in a statement.
The portal and the application will be formally launched by the regulator on July 5, the statement said.
The application will also send coverage, data speed and network information along with device and location of the customer, the statement said.
Trai has defined minimum internet speed that should be delivered to consumers. However, consumers often complain of poor speed. The regulator during its drive test has also found that 3G customers of some operators were getting 2G internet speed most of the time in select cities.
PM oks $1bn deal with US for 4 Poseidons
HIGHLIGHTS
Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared acquisition of four Poseidon-8I longrange surveillance and antisubmarine warfare aircraft.
The four new P-8I aircraft, packed with radars and weapons, will join the first eight such aircraft inducted by the Navy in 2013-2015
.
New Delhi: The India-US strategic clinch continues to get tighter. Soon after the two finalised the bilateral military logistics pact, the US has bagged yet another mega arms deal to reassert its status as India's largest weapons supplier in recent years.
Defence ministry sources on Friday said the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has cleared the acquisition of four Poseidon-8I longrange surveillance and antisubmarine warfare aircraft at a cost of over $1 billion. "The contract will be inked with Boeing in the next few days. The first P-8I will be delivered to the Navy within three years," said a source. The four new P-8I aircraft, packed with radars and weapons, will join the first eight such aircraft inducted by the Navy in 2013-2015 under a $2.1 billion deal.
The Navy is using the eight P-8Is, armed with deadly Harpoon Block-II missiles, MK-54 lightweight torpedoes, rockets and depth charges, to keep an "intelligent hawk-eye" over the entire Indian Ocean Region, which has witnessed stepped-up Chinese submarine forays over the last two years. With an operating range of 1,200 nautical miles, "with four hours on station", the P-8Is provide the reach and flexibility to undertake extensive maritime surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions.
They can detect "threats" in India's immediate and extended areas of interest and neutralise them if required. The CCS approval comes after the defence ministry last week also cleared acquisition of 145 M-777 ultra-light howitzers from the US. The Army wants these 155mm/39calibre howitzers as they can be swiftly airlifted to "threatened high-altitude areas" along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control with China.
The US, of course, is now also aggressively hawking its fighter jets — the twin-engine F/A-18 "Super Hornet" (Boeing) or the single-engine F-16 "Fighting Falcon" (Lockheed Martin) — for the Make in India programme.
As earlier reported by TOI, the Pentagon aviation majors combine had made detailed presentations to the Indian defence establishment in April for the proposed fighter production line. US under secretary of defence Frank Kendall is leading a top Pentagon-industry delegation to New Delhi again this month for further talks.
This comes after India said it wanted "a much higher level" of transfer of technology (ToT) than the "limited" one on offer. Incidentally, Swedish defence firm Saab has also submitted a detailed proposal, with "attractive ToT", for manufacture of its latest Gripen-E fighter in India.
Sources- TOI
Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared acquisition of four Poseidon-8I longrange surveillance and antisubmarine warfare aircraft.
The four new P-8I aircraft, packed with radars and weapons, will join the first eight such aircraft inducted by the Navy in 2013-2015
.
New Delhi: The India-US strategic clinch continues to get tighter. Soon after the two finalised the bilateral military logistics pact, the US has bagged yet another mega arms deal to reassert its status as India's largest weapons supplier in recent years.
Defence ministry sources on Friday said the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has cleared the acquisition of four Poseidon-8I longrange surveillance and antisubmarine warfare aircraft at a cost of over $1 billion. "The contract will be inked with Boeing in the next few days. The first P-8I will be delivered to the Navy within three years," said a source. The four new P-8I aircraft, packed with radars and weapons, will join the first eight such aircraft inducted by the Navy in 2013-2015 under a $2.1 billion deal.
The Navy is using the eight P-8Is, armed with deadly Harpoon Block-II missiles, MK-54 lightweight torpedoes, rockets and depth charges, to keep an "intelligent hawk-eye" over the entire Indian Ocean Region, which has witnessed stepped-up Chinese submarine forays over the last two years. With an operating range of 1,200 nautical miles, "with four hours on station", the P-8Is provide the reach and flexibility to undertake extensive maritime surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions.
They can detect "threats" in India's immediate and extended areas of interest and neutralise them if required. The CCS approval comes after the defence ministry last week also cleared acquisition of 145 M-777 ultra-light howitzers from the US. The Army wants these 155mm/39calibre howitzers as they can be swiftly airlifted to "threatened high-altitude areas" along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control with China.
The US, of course, is now also aggressively hawking its fighter jets — the twin-engine F/A-18 "Super Hornet" (Boeing) or the single-engine F-16 "Fighting Falcon" (Lockheed Martin) — for the Make in India programme.
As earlier reported by TOI, the Pentagon aviation majors combine had made detailed presentations to the Indian defence establishment in April for the proposed fighter production line. US under secretary of defence Frank Kendall is leading a top Pentagon-industry delegation to New Delhi again this month for further talks.
This comes after India said it wanted "a much higher level" of transfer of technology (ToT) than the "limited" one on offer. Incidentally, Swedish defence firm Saab has also submitted a detailed proposal, with "attractive ToT", for manufacture of its latest Gripen-E fighter in India.
Sources- TOI
Percentage of HRA in 7th pay commission after cabinet approval
The Pay commission has recommended HRA should be rationalized by using the factor 0.8 which is used for rationalizing the percentage based allowances. The 7th CPC recommended 24 percent, 16 percent and 8 percent of the Basic Pay for Class X, Y and Z cities respectively. The Commission also recommended that the rate of HRA will be revised to 27 percent, 18 percent and 9 percent when DA crosses 50 percent, and further revised to 30 percent, 20 percent and 10 percent when DA crosses 100 percent.
The cabinet committee reviewed the recommendations on Allowances and they are not able to give a decision over the Allowances. Hence the Union Cabinet decided to constitute a Committee headed by Finance Secretary for further examination of the recommendations of 7th CPC on Allowances. And it is said that the Committee will complete its work in a time bound manner and submit its reports within a period of 4 months.
In the press release issued by government said the following
” The Commission examined a total of 196 existing Allowances and, by way of rationalization, recommended abolition of 51 Allowances and subsuming of 37 Allowances. Given the significant changes in the existing provisions for Allowances which may have wide ranging implications, the Cabinet decided to constitute a Committee headed by Finance Secretary for further examination of the recommendations of 7th CPC on Allowances. The Committee will complete its work in a time bound manner and submit its reports within a period of 4 months. Till a final decision, all existing Allowances will continue to be paid at the existing rates.”
The above press release concluded with a statement of ” Till a final decision, all existing Allowances will continue to be paid at the existing rates”
Since the House Rent Allowance also listed among one of these 196 Allowances, the status HRA is not clear now. The existing rates of HRA is 30%, 20% and 10% for class X, Y and Z respectively. Whether these existing rates of HRA will be paid based on revised pay or pre revised pay..? It needs to be clarified when implementation of 7th pay commission is in process.
SOURCE - 90 PAISA
The cabinet committee reviewed the recommendations on Allowances and they are not able to give a decision over the Allowances. Hence the Union Cabinet decided to constitute a Committee headed by Finance Secretary for further examination of the recommendations of 7th CPC on Allowances. And it is said that the Committee will complete its work in a time bound manner and submit its reports within a period of 4 months.
In the press release issued by government said the following
” The Commission examined a total of 196 existing Allowances and, by way of rationalization, recommended abolition of 51 Allowances and subsuming of 37 Allowances. Given the significant changes in the existing provisions for Allowances which may have wide ranging implications, the Cabinet decided to constitute a Committee headed by Finance Secretary for further examination of the recommendations of 7th CPC on Allowances. The Committee will complete its work in a time bound manner and submit its reports within a period of 4 months. Till a final decision, all existing Allowances will continue to be paid at the existing rates.”
The above press release concluded with a statement of ” Till a final decision, all existing Allowances will continue to be paid at the existing rates”
Since the House Rent Allowance also listed among one of these 196 Allowances, the status HRA is not clear now. The existing rates of HRA is 30%, 20% and 10% for class X, Y and Z respectively. Whether these existing rates of HRA will be paid based on revised pay or pre revised pay..? It needs to be clarified when implementation of 7th pay commission is in process.
SOURCE - 90 PAISA
Shimla Pact Analysis
The 1971 India-Pakistan and the Shimla Agreement of July 2, 1972 are some of the most important events of the 20th century history of the Indian subcontinent.
While the 1971 war has been extensively analysed and commented upon, the Shimla conference that dealt with its aftermath has not attracted enough research as it ought to have.
Analysing the decision making process at the Shimla talks of 1972 is important. The decisions taken/not taken then continue to affect the Indian subcontinent and even more importantly the rationale, mindsets and logic on display then continues to be part of Indian decision-making on war and peace even 45 years after the event.
In 1999, after a first post nuclearisation skirmish at Kargil, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, another Indian stalwart leader, followed in the footsteps of Indira Gandhi.
The Indian syndrome of inability to exploit battlefield victory and frittering away the advantage gained at the cost of soldiers' blood continues. It is therefore of utmost importance for future and not merely of historical interest to analyse and understand the events of July 2, 1972.
It is necessary to understand the context of national euphoria that existed then. Indira Gandhi was the flavour of the season and as one senior Congress leader Dev Kant Borooah went so far as to coin the phrase 'Indira is India.'
A t the Shimla conference in 1972, Indira Gandhi was at the zenith of her power. The Shimla agreement therefore escaped critical scrutiny.
During the 1971 war, Mrs Gandhi's strategic perception and control on the five fronts (diplomatic, political, economic, military and psychological) was superb. She used persuasion, hindrance and coercion on all five fronts without opening hostilities.
Military force was only used as a last resort. Men of the three defence services rose to the occasion and displayed tactical initiative and skill of a high order.
The war was a triumph for individuals who transcended an out-of-date institutional politico-military decision-making system. The 1971 war culminated in the capture of 93,000 Pakistani prisoners and a unilateral declaration of a cease fire by India after our ground forces had made minor incursions into West Pakistan.
The main agenda at Shimla was to deal with the aftermath of the 1971 War and usher in durable peace between India and Pakistan.
There was widespread concern and anxiety in Pakistan over the prisoners of war in India's hands. There were unanimous demands in the press and Pakistan national assembly for their early repatriation. Some Pakistani politicians said, 'Pakistanis are prepared to sacrifice their land for the sake of the prisoners -- it is better to have the POWs returned than to have the land back.'
Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto kept blowing hot and cold. Bhutto spoke with two voices. In Pakistan he said, 'Your (POWs) humiliation is our humiliation and we will bend backwards to see to it that no a moment is wasted for correct results (their release).'
With India, Bhutto would show no great concern for the POWs' early return. In these circumstances, there was nothing immoral or illegal about using the POWs issue as leverage to ensure a just and durable peace.
It was nobody's case to demand war indemnity from Pakistan, or to hold onto territory across the international border forever. However, the issue of repatriation of POWs, Bangladesh's insistence on the trial of war criminals (about 195 POWs were charged with specific charges of genocide and serious violations of human rights), the climate of public opinion in Pakistan for their early return, the elimination of the army as a factor in the formulation of Pakistan's policies, and the withdrawal of Indian troops from Pakistani territory could all have served as levers to put pressure on Pakistan to accept a no nonsense fair and just solution to the Kashmir problem.
Foreign observers, basing their views on those close to Bhutto, have pointed out that 'Bhutto was willing to forsake the Indian-held two-thirds of Kashmir and agree that the ceasefire line, to be negotiated, would gradually become the border between the two countries.'
However, India seems to have been confused about its war aim. The Shimla Accord was never linked to the issue of POWs and the withdrawal of Indian troops from Pakistani territory. This was a major blunder on Indira Gandhi's part.
When D P Dhar (one of Indira Gandhi's key advisors) went to Pakistan for a pre-summit dialogue with Pakistani leaders, he was more concerned with the issue of recognition of Bangladesh by Pakistan than the core issue of finding a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem.
W hile India held all the cards at Shimla, it was Bhutto who called all the shots. It was then being propagated that the greatest merit of the accord was that the two countries decided to renounce the use of force against each other.
It is comic that a ten times stronger India was seeking security guarantees from a weak Pakistan. But even that commitment was jettisoned when Bhutto talked of a 1,000-year war, and later when Pakistan breached the accord by launching cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Some career diplomats and commentators on foreign affairs have tried to sell the line that after the 1971 war, India was faced with only two courses of action: Either the Shimla Accord or something on the lines of the Treaty of Versailles. They gave an erroneous impression that between these two extremes there was a complete vacuum.
In fact there were many other possibilities, shades and gradations for a solution to some of the more vexatious problems between the two countries.
The International Herald Tribune pointed out that the 'Shimla conference apparently could reach agreement on none of the substantive issues dividing the two sides.' It was obvious that Indian negotiators never seriously linked those issues with the Shimla Accord.
The plain truth is that India's political leaders and bureaucrats failed to assess Pakistan's predicament correctly, did not have a clear national aim, and were ignorant of the basic axioms shaping the role of the armed forces in democratic governance.
Our negotiators lacked the realisation that diplomatic treaties, which are not backed by military power, are worthless. They did not involve our military leaders in security policy planning.
After winning a stunning victory, Indian leaders behaved as if the armed forces had done something immoral or committed a sin. In the Indian mind 'statesmanship' is inexorably linked with 'peace.'
Not unlike (due to false Gandhism) our penchant to celebrate and flaunt 'weakness' and equate it with morality. Indira Gandhi proved herself a great war leader, but failed as a statesman.
At Shimla we accepted Kashmir as a 'dispute.' We also gave equal status to Pakistan by permitting it to retain land occupied by it in J&K, thus sowing the seeds of Kargil- like adventures in the future, all this when we held all the cards and Kashmir was not the cause of the 1971 War.
Indira Gandhi got carried away by euphoria, trusted Bhutto and let down the country and its soldiers.
In the end, all we were left was an empty promise by Bhutto: ' Aap hum per bharosa ki jije (Trust me) .'
Sources-Rediff
While the 1971 war has been extensively analysed and commented upon, the Shimla conference that dealt with its aftermath has not attracted enough research as it ought to have.
Analysing the decision making process at the Shimla talks of 1972 is important. The decisions taken/not taken then continue to affect the Indian subcontinent and even more importantly the rationale, mindsets and logic on display then continues to be part of Indian decision-making on war and peace even 45 years after the event.
In 1999, after a first post nuclearisation skirmish at Kargil, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, another Indian stalwart leader, followed in the footsteps of Indira Gandhi.
The Indian syndrome of inability to exploit battlefield victory and frittering away the advantage gained at the cost of soldiers' blood continues. It is therefore of utmost importance for future and not merely of historical interest to analyse and understand the events of July 2, 1972.
It is necessary to understand the context of national euphoria that existed then. Indira Gandhi was the flavour of the season and as one senior Congress leader Dev Kant Borooah went so far as to coin the phrase 'Indira is India.'
A t the Shimla conference in 1972, Indira Gandhi was at the zenith of her power. The Shimla agreement therefore escaped critical scrutiny.
During the 1971 war, Mrs Gandhi's strategic perception and control on the five fronts (diplomatic, political, economic, military and psychological) was superb. She used persuasion, hindrance and coercion on all five fronts without opening hostilities.
Military force was only used as a last resort. Men of the three defence services rose to the occasion and displayed tactical initiative and skill of a high order.
The war was a triumph for individuals who transcended an out-of-date institutional politico-military decision-making system. The 1971 war culminated in the capture of 93,000 Pakistani prisoners and a unilateral declaration of a cease fire by India after our ground forces had made minor incursions into West Pakistan.
The main agenda at Shimla was to deal with the aftermath of the 1971 War and usher in durable peace between India and Pakistan.
There was widespread concern and anxiety in Pakistan over the prisoners of war in India's hands. There were unanimous demands in the press and Pakistan national assembly for their early repatriation. Some Pakistani politicians said, 'Pakistanis are prepared to sacrifice their land for the sake of the prisoners -- it is better to have the POWs returned than to have the land back.'
Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto kept blowing hot and cold. Bhutto spoke with two voices. In Pakistan he said, 'Your (POWs) humiliation is our humiliation and we will bend backwards to see to it that no a moment is wasted for correct results (their release).'
With India, Bhutto would show no great concern for the POWs' early return. In these circumstances, there was nothing immoral or illegal about using the POWs issue as leverage to ensure a just and durable peace.
It was nobody's case to demand war indemnity from Pakistan, or to hold onto territory across the international border forever. However, the issue of repatriation of POWs, Bangladesh's insistence on the trial of war criminals (about 195 POWs were charged with specific charges of genocide and serious violations of human rights), the climate of public opinion in Pakistan for their early return, the elimination of the army as a factor in the formulation of Pakistan's policies, and the withdrawal of Indian troops from Pakistani territory could all have served as levers to put pressure on Pakistan to accept a no nonsense fair and just solution to the Kashmir problem.
Foreign observers, basing their views on those close to Bhutto, have pointed out that 'Bhutto was willing to forsake the Indian-held two-thirds of Kashmir and agree that the ceasefire line, to be negotiated, would gradually become the border between the two countries.'
However, India seems to have been confused about its war aim. The Shimla Accord was never linked to the issue of POWs and the withdrawal of Indian troops from Pakistani territory. This was a major blunder on Indira Gandhi's part.
When D P Dhar (one of Indira Gandhi's key advisors) went to Pakistan for a pre-summit dialogue with Pakistani leaders, he was more concerned with the issue of recognition of Bangladesh by Pakistan than the core issue of finding a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem.
W hile India held all the cards at Shimla, it was Bhutto who called all the shots. It was then being propagated that the greatest merit of the accord was that the two countries decided to renounce the use of force against each other.
It is comic that a ten times stronger India was seeking security guarantees from a weak Pakistan. But even that commitment was jettisoned when Bhutto talked of a 1,000-year war, and later when Pakistan breached the accord by launching cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Some career diplomats and commentators on foreign affairs have tried to sell the line that after the 1971 war, India was faced with only two courses of action: Either the Shimla Accord or something on the lines of the Treaty of Versailles. They gave an erroneous impression that between these two extremes there was a complete vacuum.
In fact there were many other possibilities, shades and gradations for a solution to some of the more vexatious problems between the two countries.
The International Herald Tribune pointed out that the 'Shimla conference apparently could reach agreement on none of the substantive issues dividing the two sides.' It was obvious that Indian negotiators never seriously linked those issues with the Shimla Accord.
The plain truth is that India's political leaders and bureaucrats failed to assess Pakistan's predicament correctly, did not have a clear national aim, and were ignorant of the basic axioms shaping the role of the armed forces in democratic governance.
Our negotiators lacked the realisation that diplomatic treaties, which are not backed by military power, are worthless. They did not involve our military leaders in security policy planning.
After winning a stunning victory, Indian leaders behaved as if the armed forces had done something immoral or committed a sin. In the Indian mind 'statesmanship' is inexorably linked with 'peace.'
Not unlike (due to false Gandhism) our penchant to celebrate and flaunt 'weakness' and equate it with morality. Indira Gandhi proved herself a great war leader, but failed as a statesman.
At Shimla we accepted Kashmir as a 'dispute.' We also gave equal status to Pakistan by permitting it to retain land occupied by it in J&K, thus sowing the seeds of Kargil- like adventures in the future, all this when we held all the cards and Kashmir was not the cause of the 1971 War.
Indira Gandhi got carried away by euphoria, trusted Bhutto and let down the country and its soldiers.
In the end, all we were left was an empty promise by Bhutto: ' Aap hum per bharosa ki jije (Trust me) .'
Sources-Rediff
China's booming cyberstar economy might hit $8.7b in 2016
Papi Jiang, or Jiang Yilei, one of the hottest web celebrities in China today. [Photo/Weibo]
China's Internet celebrities are estimated to create a whopping 58 billion yuan ($8.7 billion) market in 2016, far surpassing the 44 billion yuan in box office sales generated last year, according to an industry report.
The report by iResearch Consulting Group and Sina Weibo, China's most popular microblogging platform, was released at a forum in Shanghai, co-organized by Weibo and telecom giant Huawei .
The top 10 Weibo celebrities now have a combined 40 million followers. One of the most famous online figures, Papi Jiang, already signed a contract for video ads worth a staggering $3.4 million.
Among 36,000 who have reached celebrity status on the Internet, 74 percent are women and 87.8 percent are between 17 to 33 years old, while 89 percent have a college education. Followers are also getting younger and better educated, with 77.8 percent in the 17-to-33 age group and 75 percent with a higher education.
The report also showed regions with a better-developed economy produce more cyberstars, with Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang leading the rankings.
China's booming cyberstar economy has gone through three stages -- the first based on text, then text and images, and now video thanks to the availability of broadband networks.
Social networking platforms, including Weibo and mobile app WeChat, proved to be the best tools for cyberstars to magnify the power of communication, making it possible to create an industry that combines advertisements, e-commerce and fans.
Agents and investment institutions are now flooding the sector, causing additional changes to content and platforms in the world's second-largest economy, the report said.
A number of Internet gurus, including Lei Jun, investor and founder of tech firm Xiaomi, Zhou Hongyi, CEO of Qihoo 360 Technology, and China's richest man Wang Jianlin have all directly supported live video-streaming websites, a strong indication of the growing interest from capital investment.
China's Internet celebrities are estimated to create a whopping 58 billion yuan ($8.7 billion) market in 2016, far surpassing the 44 billion yuan in box office sales generated last year, according to an industry report.
The report by iResearch Consulting Group and Sina Weibo, China's most popular microblogging platform, was released at a forum in Shanghai, co-organized by Weibo and telecom giant Huawei .
The top 10 Weibo celebrities now have a combined 40 million followers. One of the most famous online figures, Papi Jiang, already signed a contract for video ads worth a staggering $3.4 million.
Among 36,000 who have reached celebrity status on the Internet, 74 percent are women and 87.8 percent are between 17 to 33 years old, while 89 percent have a college education. Followers are also getting younger and better educated, with 77.8 percent in the 17-to-33 age group and 75 percent with a higher education.
The report also showed regions with a better-developed economy produce more cyberstars, with Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang leading the rankings.
China's booming cyberstar economy has gone through three stages -- the first based on text, then text and images, and now video thanks to the availability of broadband networks.
Social networking platforms, including Weibo and mobile app WeChat, proved to be the best tools for cyberstars to magnify the power of communication, making it possible to create an industry that combines advertisements, e-commerce and fans.
Agents and investment institutions are now flooding the sector, causing additional changes to content and platforms in the world's second-largest economy, the report said.
A number of Internet gurus, including Lei Jun, investor and founder of tech firm Xiaomi, Zhou Hongyi, CEO of Qihoo 360 Technology, and China's richest man Wang Jianlin have all directly supported live video-streaming websites, a strong indication of the growing interest from capital investment.
Indian Biodiversity Thriving
Four species of reptiles, six species of amphibians, 26 species of fishes, three species of wild ginger and three of figs are among the 445 species new to science identified in India in 2015. The figure includes 262 animal species and 183 plant species.
Some of the notable additions to the list of animals include a rock gecko (Hemidactylus yajurvedi ) found in Kanker Chhattishgarh, a new frog species (Fejervarya gomantaki) from the Western Ghats, and a shiny new species of fish (Barilius ardens ), also from the Western Ghats.
Among the plants, a new species of ginger
Zingiber bipinianum has been found in the South Garo hills of Meghalaya, and a species of mushroom (Bondarzewia zonata) has been collected from north Sikkim at an altitude of 2,829 m.
Scientists of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) are delighted that all regions in the country have recorded new species while those from the Zoological Society of India (ZSI) are excited that more than 15 per cent of the new species are higher vertebrates.
The most discoveries were made in the Eastern Himalaya region, which accounts for 19 per cent of the total discoveries followed by the Western Ghats (18 per cent) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands at about 15 per cent, BSI director Paramjit Singh said.
ZSI Director Kailash Chandra said the new discoveries reflect the faunal-diversity potential of ecosystems in India. The country is home to 97,514 species of animals.
The report on animal and plant discoveries of 2015 was released on Friday by Union Minister of State for Environment Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar at an event to mark the conclusion of the centenary celebrations of ZSI. Another important publication — a report on the collection of 4,669 species across 197 genera by taxonomists and scientists of ZSI in the past 100 years — was also released on the occasion.
Lauding the efforts of taxonomists, Mr. Javadekar said no country can progress without the development of pure sciences. The Minister urged the scientists to reach out to students of Class IX and X to inspire them to take up taxonomy.
Mr. Javadekar announced the setting up of two new regional centres of ZSI at Bhuj in Gujarat and Gangtok in Sikkim. At present, the ZSI has 16 regional centres.
Some of the notable additions to the list of animals include a rock gecko (Hemidactylus yajurvedi ) found in Kanker Chhattishgarh, a new frog species (Fejervarya gomantaki) from the Western Ghats, and a shiny new species of fish (Barilius ardens ), also from the Western Ghats.
Among the plants, a new species of ginger
Zingiber bipinianum has been found in the South Garo hills of Meghalaya, and a species of mushroom (Bondarzewia zonata) has been collected from north Sikkim at an altitude of 2,829 m.
Scientists of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) are delighted that all regions in the country have recorded new species while those from the Zoological Society of India (ZSI) are excited that more than 15 per cent of the new species are higher vertebrates.
The most discoveries were made in the Eastern Himalaya region, which accounts for 19 per cent of the total discoveries followed by the Western Ghats (18 per cent) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands at about 15 per cent, BSI director Paramjit Singh said.
ZSI Director Kailash Chandra said the new discoveries reflect the faunal-diversity potential of ecosystems in India. The country is home to 97,514 species of animals.
The report on animal and plant discoveries of 2015 was released on Friday by Union Minister of State for Environment Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar at an event to mark the conclusion of the centenary celebrations of ZSI. Another important publication — a report on the collection of 4,669 species across 197 genera by taxonomists and scientists of ZSI in the past 100 years — was also released on the occasion.
Lauding the efforts of taxonomists, Mr. Javadekar said no country can progress without the development of pure sciences. The Minister urged the scientists to reach out to students of Class IX and X to inspire them to take up taxonomy.
Mr. Javadekar announced the setting up of two new regional centres of ZSI at Bhuj in Gujarat and Gangtok in Sikkim. At present, the ZSI has 16 regional centres.
गुरुवार, 30 जून 2016
CHINA PULL OUT ITS OFFICIAL OVER NSG ROW
HONG KONG: The Chinese leadership + has pulled up Wang Qun, its lead negotiator and Director General of the Arms Control Division at the Foreign Ministry, for failing to drum up significant global support for China's position in Seoul which blocked
India's entry into the NSG + .
Highly placed Western and Chinese sources said that Wang Qun had told Beijing that at least one third of the NSG nations would endorse China's position. However, the position was totally in the reverse, with as many as 44 nations backing India and China only having the support of four nations.
Beijing now fears that the fallout of the NSG outcome could have an impact on a crucial verdict expected soon from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in a case brought by the Philippines concerning China's territorial reclamation activities in the South China Sea.
As things stand, Beijing's stance flies in the face of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of which it is a signatory. China's big fear now is India could use the same ploy that Beijing used in Seoul at the NSG plenary and back The Hague Court's decision which is likely to go against China.
Highly-placed sources said that the global support for India's position at the NSG could well be leveraged by New Delhi to back the enforcement of The Hague Judgment - a scenario which could isolate China and could even trigger its exit from UNCLOS.
Informed sources said the focus now shifts from the NSG to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague where a judgment is expected, which when enforced, could force China to give up land in favour of the Philippines.
China has launched a worldwide propaganda campaign enlisting academics, legal experts, diplomats and foreign governments stating that such legal proceedings are invalid. But this position of China's is contrary to the rules laid out by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of which China is a signatory. China claims that it has the support of 60 nations who believe that arbitration at The Hague is illegal.
China's worry now is that post its inability to generate global support for its anti-India position on NSG at Seoul, its position at the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague could meet the same fate, and this time, it could have to pay a very heavy price.
High-level sources said that Seoul's outcome has "shocked China". The government thought that its emerging superpower status would guarantee the support of at least 15 nations against India.
Western sources said China is "very sensitive"to possibilities of being isolated, and the developments and outcome at Seoul "came quite close to isolation".
China is paranoid about what might happen once the Permanent Court of Arbitration gives a verdict against Beijing and in favour of Philippines.
To generate global support for its position at the NSG, sources said China is silently bracing itself for a Seoul fallout which would mean an overwhelming International demand on Beijing to accept The Hague court's Judgment and give land to The Philippines.
All of this, said sources, illustrates that China is happy to enforce the letter of the law when it suits its purpose, but is prepared to reject Internationally accepted regulations when it feels its interests are under threat. Its stand at the NSG meet in Seoul fits into that pattern.
Sources -TOI
India's entry into the NSG + .
Highly placed Western and Chinese sources said that Wang Qun had told Beijing that at least one third of the NSG nations would endorse China's position. However, the position was totally in the reverse, with as many as 44 nations backing India and China only having the support of four nations.
Beijing now fears that the fallout of the NSG outcome could have an impact on a crucial verdict expected soon from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in a case brought by the Philippines concerning China's territorial reclamation activities in the South China Sea.
As things stand, Beijing's stance flies in the face of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of which it is a signatory. China's big fear now is India could use the same ploy that Beijing used in Seoul at the NSG plenary and back The Hague Court's decision which is likely to go against China.
Highly-placed sources said that the global support for India's position at the NSG could well be leveraged by New Delhi to back the enforcement of The Hague Judgment - a scenario which could isolate China and could even trigger its exit from UNCLOS.
Informed sources said the focus now shifts from the NSG to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague where a judgment is expected, which when enforced, could force China to give up land in favour of the Philippines.
China has launched a worldwide propaganda campaign enlisting academics, legal experts, diplomats and foreign governments stating that such legal proceedings are invalid. But this position of China's is contrary to the rules laid out by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of which China is a signatory. China claims that it has the support of 60 nations who believe that arbitration at The Hague is illegal.
China's worry now is that post its inability to generate global support for its anti-India position on NSG at Seoul, its position at the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague could meet the same fate, and this time, it could have to pay a very heavy price.
High-level sources said that Seoul's outcome has "shocked China". The government thought that its emerging superpower status would guarantee the support of at least 15 nations against India.
Western sources said China is "very sensitive"to possibilities of being isolated, and the developments and outcome at Seoul "came quite close to isolation".
China is paranoid about what might happen once the Permanent Court of Arbitration gives a verdict against Beijing and in favour of Philippines.
To generate global support for its position at the NSG, sources said China is silently bracing itself for a Seoul fallout which would mean an overwhelming International demand on Beijing to accept The Hague court's Judgment and give land to The Philippines.
All of this, said sources, illustrates that China is happy to enforce the letter of the law when it suits its purpose, but is prepared to reject Internationally accepted regulations when it feels its interests are under threat. Its stand at the NSG meet in Seoul fits into that pattern.
Sources -TOI
Pakistan: Hindu journalist forced to drink from separate glass at office
Pakistan: Hindu journalist forced to drink from separate glass at office
"The bureau chief asked me to separate my drinking water glass in the office because some colleagues had reservations," claimed the scribe.
A Hindu reporter in Pakistan’s state-run news agency has been barred from drinking water in the same glass and sharing utensils with other Muslim staff at the office after his colleagues found out his religion.
Sahib Khan Oad, a senior reporter with Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), has been barred from drinking water from the same glass used by his Muslim colleagues or sharing food utensils, the Express Tribune reported. Oad, who hails from Dadu district, was initially appointed as a reporter in APP Islamabad and was transferred to Hyderabad and then Karachi in April this year.
The discriminatory attitude started soon after Oad’s younger son Raj Kumar visited his office and everyone found out that he was Hindu. “Actually my name contains the word ‘Khan’ so everyone in the office initially thought I was Muslim,” the paper quoted him as saying. “The bureau chief asked me to separate my drinking water glass in the office because some colleagues had reservations,” he claimed.
Since the start of Ramazan, Oad is not allowed to sit at the same dining table at the time of Iftar and senior colleagues have suggested he bring his own plates and glasses if he wants to eat in the office, the paper said. “I have now bought a separate glass and plate for the office,” he said.
APP Karachi bureau chief Parvez Aslam denied making any such request. “He was suffering from flu so we suggested he arrange a separate glass,” he said. Aslam pointed out that he supported Oad when he was transferred from Hyderabad and called the discrimination charges ‘total propaganda’.
“You can come to my office and see how he eats Iftar with us,” he said. Meanwhile, APP managing director Masood Malik said that they have started inquiry into the matter. Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (Piler), an organisation that works for labour rights, has written a letter to federal information minister Pervaiz Rashid against the discriminatory attitude.
“We are really shocked to know that a bureau chief of a government news agency has pressurised a reporter to drink in a separate glass because he is Hindu,” wrote Piler executive director Karmat Ali.
"The bureau chief asked me to separate my drinking water glass in the office because some colleagues had reservations," claimed the scribe.
A Hindu reporter in Pakistan’s state-run news agency has been barred from drinking water in the same glass and sharing utensils with other Muslim staff at the office after his colleagues found out his religion.
Sahib Khan Oad, a senior reporter with Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), has been barred from drinking water from the same glass used by his Muslim colleagues or sharing food utensils, the Express Tribune reported. Oad, who hails from Dadu district, was initially appointed as a reporter in APP Islamabad and was transferred to Hyderabad and then Karachi in April this year.
The discriminatory attitude started soon after Oad’s younger son Raj Kumar visited his office and everyone found out that he was Hindu. “Actually my name contains the word ‘Khan’ so everyone in the office initially thought I was Muslim,” the paper quoted him as saying. “The bureau chief asked me to separate my drinking water glass in the office because some colleagues had reservations,” he claimed.
Since the start of Ramazan, Oad is not allowed to sit at the same dining table at the time of Iftar and senior colleagues have suggested he bring his own plates and glasses if he wants to eat in the office, the paper said. “I have now bought a separate glass and plate for the office,” he said.
APP Karachi bureau chief Parvez Aslam denied making any such request. “He was suffering from flu so we suggested he arrange a separate glass,” he said. Aslam pointed out that he supported Oad when he was transferred from Hyderabad and called the discrimination charges ‘total propaganda’.
“You can come to my office and see how he eats Iftar with us,” he said. Meanwhile, APP managing director Masood Malik said that they have started inquiry into the matter. Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (Piler), an organisation that works for labour rights, has written a letter to federal information minister Pervaiz Rashid against the discriminatory attitude.
“We are really shocked to know that a bureau chief of a government news agency has pressurised a reporter to drink in a separate glass because he is Hindu,” wrote Piler executive director Karmat Ali.
7th Pay Commission: Here's why the government may just pull it off
7th Pay Commission: Here's why the government may just pull it off
One of the questions thrown at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at the press conference to announce the cabinet decision to implement the Seventh Pay Commission report was: You have given government employees a pay hike but have you thought about how the resultant inflation will break the backs of other groups? But did the government have a choice about whether or not to implement the report? Could it (or any other dispensation in its place) actually have dared to say that it will not implement it?
The previous government cleverly announced the constitution of the commission a few months before the 2014 elections when there was no hurry to do so, putting whichever government that would come to power in a bind. Once the report is out, any government would be in a damned-if-it-did-damned-if- it-didn’t situation.
The very people raising red flags about inflation and the fiscal deficit would have slammed the government for being unfair to government employees. At best, it could have delayed implementation – the Sixth Pay Commission award was implemented after 32 months – but that would only have built up a crippling burden of arrears; the arrear burden this time is much less than that of previous pay commissions.
So, the government had no choice but to walk the tightrope between perking up the economy with a much-needed consumption boost and unleashing the just-tamed inflation dragon as well as wrecking public finances. Will that tightrope walk be successful or will the economy fall into an abyss from which it will be difficult to climb back?
Well, the government may just pull it off.
There is no doubt that this will give a huge consumption boost to the economy; with all kind of global headwinds affecting India’s exports, a domestic demand spurt was necessary. Imagine 1 crore people (47 lakh employees and 53 lakh pensioners) suddenly with more money in their hands to spend. Exciting times could be in store for automobiles, housing, consumer durables.
It is not just central government employees who will have more money in their hands. Pay revisions of state government employees, central and state public sector employees, urban local bodies, autonomous bodies and universities will also happen sooner rather than later. Many state governments follow the Central Pay Commission recommendations, while a few have their own pay commissions.
Karnataka and Kerala revised their salaries in 2012 and 2014 respectively, many have not done so since 2006. According to Devendra Pant, chief economist and head, public finance, of India Ratings, the demand boost to the economy coming from the pay revisions of all these categories could be four times that of the Seventh Pay Commission award. He expects a consumption boost of around Rs 45,000 crore or 0.3 per cent of GDP.
Of course, not all the 1 crore will spend all the money they get. Many of them are going to save as well. Saumya Kanti Ghosh, chief economic adviser, State Bank of India, believes the award will also give a savings boost more than a consumption boost. Looking at the trend of previous pay commission awards, he points out in an Ecowrap report that the growth rate of household savings sees an increase in the year immediately after the submission of the report over the year preceding it. On the other hand, the growth rate of private final consumption expenditure has fallen in all the years following a pay commission award, barring the Sixth Pay Commission. Since that came around the time of the global financial crisis, he argues, risk aversion levels were higher, and people may have preferred to focus on consumption rather than investment.
A likely increase in savings, he writes, is welcome in a year when bank deposits have touched a 53-year low and the impending FCNR (B) redemptions could also lead to outflows from banks in September. He does not put a number on likely savings, but Pant of India Ratings estimates an increase of around Rs 30,000 crore or 0.2 per cent of GDP. For the Indian economy, especially the infrastructure sector, this will be as welcome as a spending boost.
But let’s not overlook the likely flip side. First, the worries on inflation, which could be very real. Earlier pay commission awards have seen a spike in inflation. Inflation levels have come down since the double digit days of two years back, but retail inflation has started inching up recently, and so have global oil prices.
Economists, however, are not losing sleep over this. The increase will be muted and tempered, Saugata Bhattacharya, senior vice-president of Axis Bank pointed out on television, because the new consumer price index is different from the old one in many ways.
It is not just about statistical nuances. Demand push inflation could definitely occur when there is too much money chasing not much supply because factories are not producing more. That is not the case currently. Factories have over-capacity because of lack of demand; capacity utilisation is around 70 per cent. So there is a lot of slack which could keep inflationary conditions under check. Remember, also, that the government could spread out the pay arrears over a period of time and has not yet taken a decision on allowances and when it does it will be implemented with prospective effect. So the effect of a lot of money sloshing around could be staggered.
Besides, the effect of Brexit on global oil and commodity prices is still unknown. Oil prices did fall a bit immediately after Brexit and if the European economy slumps, this could act as a dampener on price rise. “A rise in demand is likely to not only increase capacity utilisation but may also help revive the investment cycle earlier than expected,” according to Pant.
And what of the fiscal deficit? Does the government have the money for this bonanza (there will be an additional burden of Rs 1.02 lakh crore) or will it have to miss the fiscal deficit target of 3.5 per cent? Doing so will be bad news and a wrong signal to send out.
Actually, the government has factored a large part of the pay commission award in the 2016-17 budget. There are varying estimates (from Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 38,000 crore) of how much of a gap there will be in the budget. How the government handles this will be the key.
It is not certain, for example, whether the arrears (from January to July) are to be given as a lump sum or spread out over a couple of years. Most analysts feel it will be staggered over the next two years. In that case the impact on the exchequer and inflation will both be muted. Besides, there will be an increase in tax revenue from more income tax collection (due to higher salaries) and excise duty collections – or GST, if it comes – from increased consumption.
Pant estimates that the tax revenue of the centre (after netting out the states’ share) could be around Rs 14,100 crore or 0.09 per cent of GDP. Along with other means to bump up tax revenues as well as non-tax revenue (spectrum sale, disinvestment) the outgo on account of higher salaries and allowances could be made up to a fair extent.
Sure, things could still go awry. Global oil and commodity prices could go up. The monsoon could fail. There could be other shocks to the economy, meaning lower revenue collections and higher expenditure.
The government’s economic managers will need to keep a close watch on the negative fallouts of the pay commission award implementation and act quickly to neutralise them. Otherwise all the gains will be lost.
SOURCE - firstpost.
One of the questions thrown at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at the press conference to announce the cabinet decision to implement the Seventh Pay Commission report was: You have given government employees a pay hike but have you thought about how the resultant inflation will break the backs of other groups? But did the government have a choice about whether or not to implement the report? Could it (or any other dispensation in its place) actually have dared to say that it will not implement it?
The previous government cleverly announced the constitution of the commission a few months before the 2014 elections when there was no hurry to do so, putting whichever government that would come to power in a bind. Once the report is out, any government would be in a damned-if-it-did-damned-if- it-didn’t situation.
The very people raising red flags about inflation and the fiscal deficit would have slammed the government for being unfair to government employees. At best, it could have delayed implementation – the Sixth Pay Commission award was implemented after 32 months – but that would only have built up a crippling burden of arrears; the arrear burden this time is much less than that of previous pay commissions.
So, the government had no choice but to walk the tightrope between perking up the economy with a much-needed consumption boost and unleashing the just-tamed inflation dragon as well as wrecking public finances. Will that tightrope walk be successful or will the economy fall into an abyss from which it will be difficult to climb back?
Well, the government may just pull it off.
There is no doubt that this will give a huge consumption boost to the economy; with all kind of global headwinds affecting India’s exports, a domestic demand spurt was necessary. Imagine 1 crore people (47 lakh employees and 53 lakh pensioners) suddenly with more money in their hands to spend. Exciting times could be in store for automobiles, housing, consumer durables.
It is not just central government employees who will have more money in their hands. Pay revisions of state government employees, central and state public sector employees, urban local bodies, autonomous bodies and universities will also happen sooner rather than later. Many state governments follow the Central Pay Commission recommendations, while a few have their own pay commissions.
Karnataka and Kerala revised their salaries in 2012 and 2014 respectively, many have not done so since 2006. According to Devendra Pant, chief economist and head, public finance, of India Ratings, the demand boost to the economy coming from the pay revisions of all these categories could be four times that of the Seventh Pay Commission award. He expects a consumption boost of around Rs 45,000 crore or 0.3 per cent of GDP.
Of course, not all the 1 crore will spend all the money they get. Many of them are going to save as well. Saumya Kanti Ghosh, chief economic adviser, State Bank of India, believes the award will also give a savings boost more than a consumption boost. Looking at the trend of previous pay commission awards, he points out in an Ecowrap report that the growth rate of household savings sees an increase in the year immediately after the submission of the report over the year preceding it. On the other hand, the growth rate of private final consumption expenditure has fallen in all the years following a pay commission award, barring the Sixth Pay Commission. Since that came around the time of the global financial crisis, he argues, risk aversion levels were higher, and people may have preferred to focus on consumption rather than investment.
A likely increase in savings, he writes, is welcome in a year when bank deposits have touched a 53-year low and the impending FCNR (B) redemptions could also lead to outflows from banks in September. He does not put a number on likely savings, but Pant of India Ratings estimates an increase of around Rs 30,000 crore or 0.2 per cent of GDP. For the Indian economy, especially the infrastructure sector, this will be as welcome as a spending boost.
But let’s not overlook the likely flip side. First, the worries on inflation, which could be very real. Earlier pay commission awards have seen a spike in inflation. Inflation levels have come down since the double digit days of two years back, but retail inflation has started inching up recently, and so have global oil prices.
Economists, however, are not losing sleep over this. The increase will be muted and tempered, Saugata Bhattacharya, senior vice-president of Axis Bank pointed out on television, because the new consumer price index is different from the old one in many ways.
It is not just about statistical nuances. Demand push inflation could definitely occur when there is too much money chasing not much supply because factories are not producing more. That is not the case currently. Factories have over-capacity because of lack of demand; capacity utilisation is around 70 per cent. So there is a lot of slack which could keep inflationary conditions under check. Remember, also, that the government could spread out the pay arrears over a period of time and has not yet taken a decision on allowances and when it does it will be implemented with prospective effect. So the effect of a lot of money sloshing around could be staggered.
Besides, the effect of Brexit on global oil and commodity prices is still unknown. Oil prices did fall a bit immediately after Brexit and if the European economy slumps, this could act as a dampener on price rise. “A rise in demand is likely to not only increase capacity utilisation but may also help revive the investment cycle earlier than expected,” according to Pant.
And what of the fiscal deficit? Does the government have the money for this bonanza (there will be an additional burden of Rs 1.02 lakh crore) or will it have to miss the fiscal deficit target of 3.5 per cent? Doing so will be bad news and a wrong signal to send out.
Actually, the government has factored a large part of the pay commission award in the 2016-17 budget. There are varying estimates (from Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 38,000 crore) of how much of a gap there will be in the budget. How the government handles this will be the key.
It is not certain, for example, whether the arrears (from January to July) are to be given as a lump sum or spread out over a couple of years. Most analysts feel it will be staggered over the next two years. In that case the impact on the exchequer and inflation will both be muted. Besides, there will be an increase in tax revenue from more income tax collection (due to higher salaries) and excise duty collections – or GST, if it comes – from increased consumption.
Pant estimates that the tax revenue of the centre (after netting out the states’ share) could be around Rs 14,100 crore or 0.09 per cent of GDP. Along with other means to bump up tax revenues as well as non-tax revenue (spectrum sale, disinvestment) the outgo on account of higher salaries and allowances could be made up to a fair extent.
Sure, things could still go awry. Global oil and commodity prices could go up. The monsoon could fail. There could be other shocks to the economy, meaning lower revenue collections and higher expenditure.
The government’s economic managers will need to keep a close watch on the negative fallouts of the pay commission award implementation and act quickly to neutralise them. Otherwise all the gains will be lost.
SOURCE - firstpost.
बुधवार, 29 जून 2016
US to support India on global Institutions
WASHINGTON: The United States strongly supports India’s role in global institutions, like the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the United Nations Security Council, says a statement the State Department shared with Dawn.
The statement, attributed to the US ambassador in New Delhi, reinforced the US desire to “continue to work constructively” with the NSG members to admit India into the organisation.
At a Monday briefing in Washington, State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau also welcomed India’s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), saying that the country had already demonstrated a sustained commitment to non-proliferation.
On Monday, India joined the MTCR as a full member, almost a year after it formally applied. The MTCR is an informal, voluntary association of nations which checks the proliferation of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
India’s success with the MTCR came days after it failed to join the NSG. Last week, about a dozen nations, led by China, refused to admit India into the NSG, noting that it did not fulfil membership requirements.
The NSG guidelines require an applicant to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and both India and Pakistan that applied for membership in last week’s plenary session in Seoul have not signed this treaty. While Pakistan was ready for the refusal, it was considered a major setback in India where opposition leaders blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the failure.
“We were disappointed India was not admitted during this recent session, but we will continue to work constructively with India and all the NSG members on India’s accession in the months ahead,” said the statement the State Department shared when asked for comments on the development.
At Monday’s news briefing, however, India’s admission into the MTCR was welcomed as a significant achievement. Ms Trudeau noted that India was admitted into the MTCR because it “demonstrated to all MTCR partners a sustained commitment to non-proliferation and it has a legally based effective export control system”.
This system “puts into effect the MTCR guidelines and procedures and administers and enforces such controls effectively,” she added.
Ms Trudeau said that all 34 MTCR members, including the United States, agreed India met the standard and that its membership would strengthen international non-proliferation.
The statement on the NSG, however, went beyond the developments in Seoul and underlined President Obama’s “reinforced” and “strong support” for India’s “role in global institutions, like having a seat on a reformed UN Security Council.”
The United States “continues to welcome India’s interest in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); and we strongly affirmed our support for India’s accession into the multi-lateral export control regimes,” it added.
The statement explained that six years ago, President Obama first expressed his support for India’s membership in the NSG and since then the United States has worked closely with India and the NSG members to help advance New Delhi’s case for membership.
“India has a strong record, and deserves to be included in the NSG. That is why the administration, including senior White House and State Department officials, made a concerted effort to secure India’s membership in the recent NSG plenary session held in Seoul,” it added.
Meanwhile, diplomatic circles in Washington point out that India’s entry into the MTCR will not automatically allow India to sell or buy missiles or other sensitive technologies from member states.
The regime coordinates a common export policy that regulates the sale of any missile or UAV systems or sub-systems. It maintains a common list of items, including dual-use technology and components, which can be used to deliver WMDs or enable the building of systems which can do the same.
The MTCR, however, is not a treaty and does not impose any legally binding obligations on its adherents and members. The regime’s guidelines do not distinguish between exports to member or non-member countries. And membership does not provide any specific or special entitlement to obtain technology from member states.
The statement, attributed to the US ambassador in New Delhi, reinforced the US desire to “continue to work constructively” with the NSG members to admit India into the organisation.
At a Monday briefing in Washington, State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau also welcomed India’s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), saying that the country had already demonstrated a sustained commitment to non-proliferation.
On Monday, India joined the MTCR as a full member, almost a year after it formally applied. The MTCR is an informal, voluntary association of nations which checks the proliferation of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
India’s success with the MTCR came days after it failed to join the NSG. Last week, about a dozen nations, led by China, refused to admit India into the NSG, noting that it did not fulfil membership requirements.
The NSG guidelines require an applicant to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and both India and Pakistan that applied for membership in last week’s plenary session in Seoul have not signed this treaty. While Pakistan was ready for the refusal, it was considered a major setback in India where opposition leaders blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the failure.
“We were disappointed India was not admitted during this recent session, but we will continue to work constructively with India and all the NSG members on India’s accession in the months ahead,” said the statement the State Department shared when asked for comments on the development.
At Monday’s news briefing, however, India’s admission into the MTCR was welcomed as a significant achievement. Ms Trudeau noted that India was admitted into the MTCR because it “demonstrated to all MTCR partners a sustained commitment to non-proliferation and it has a legally based effective export control system”.
This system “puts into effect the MTCR guidelines and procedures and administers and enforces such controls effectively,” she added.
Ms Trudeau said that all 34 MTCR members, including the United States, agreed India met the standard and that its membership would strengthen international non-proliferation.
The statement on the NSG, however, went beyond the developments in Seoul and underlined President Obama’s “reinforced” and “strong support” for India’s “role in global institutions, like having a seat on a reformed UN Security Council.”
The United States “continues to welcome India’s interest in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); and we strongly affirmed our support for India’s accession into the multi-lateral export control regimes,” it added.
The statement explained that six years ago, President Obama first expressed his support for India’s membership in the NSG and since then the United States has worked closely with India and the NSG members to help advance New Delhi’s case for membership.
“India has a strong record, and deserves to be included in the NSG. That is why the administration, including senior White House and State Department officials, made a concerted effort to secure India’s membership in the recent NSG plenary session held in Seoul,” it added.
Meanwhile, diplomatic circles in Washington point out that India’s entry into the MTCR will not automatically allow India to sell or buy missiles or other sensitive technologies from member states.
The regime coordinates a common export policy that regulates the sale of any missile or UAV systems or sub-systems. It maintains a common list of items, including dual-use technology and components, which can be used to deliver WMDs or enable the building of systems which can do the same.
The MTCR, however, is not a treaty and does not impose any legally binding obligations on its adherents and members. The regime’s guidelines do not distinguish between exports to member or non-member countries. And membership does not provide any specific or special entitlement to obtain technology from member states.
7th pay cabinet approval today
The Finance Ministry is set to propose on Wednesday a 23.55 per cent overall increase in salaries and pensions for more than 1 crore government employees and pensioners, in line with the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations. The cost to the exchequer on this account is estimated at Rs.1.02 lakh crore.
It remains to be seen if the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek to emulate the UPA government, which had in 2008 approved increases that surpassed the recommendations received from the 6th Pay Commission.
In November 2015, the pay panel had recommended increases of 16 per cent in pay and 24 per cent in pensions within the overall 23.55 per cent. Its estimate was that these recommendations could result in an additional outgo of almost 0.65 per cent of the GDP.
The 6th Pay Commission had recommended a 20 per cent increase, which the UPA government doubled while implementing it in 2008. The resultant hit to the exchequer of 0.77 per cent of GDP doubled the Centre’s fiscal deficit to 6 per cent in 2008-09, the year it was implemented.
“As far as the Finance Ministry is concerned, the recommendation is to keep the hike proposals non-controversial and plain, with an eye on the fiscal deficit target…it will be for the Union Cabinet to decide if it wants greater hikes than proposed,” a top government source told The Hindu . The government doesn’t normally like to appear profligate, he added.
On the contentious issue of non-functional upgrade, on which the 7th Pay Commission had failed to reach consensus, the Ministry’s note for the Cabinet’s consideration recommends maintaining status quo, the source said.
The Commission’s Chairman, Justice A.K. Mathur, was of the view that the upgrade availed by all the organised group ‘A’ services should be continued and extended to all officers in the Central Armed Police Forces, Indian Coast Guard and the defence forces. Its two members — Rathin Roy and Vivek Rae — recommended abolition of the upgrade at the senior administrative grade and the higher administrative grade levels. The increases are likely to be effective from January 1, 2016. The arrears for the six months could be paid in one go or in instalments.
Of the total financial impact of Rs.1.02 lakh crore, the panel proposed that Rs.73,650 crore be borne by the General Budget and the remaining Rs.24,450 crore by the Railway Budget. It suggested raising entry level pay to Rs.18,000 per month from the current Rs.7,000. The recommended maximum pay for the Cabinet Secretary is Rs.2.5 lakh per month against the current Rs.90,000. Earlier, a panel headed Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha, vetted the pay panel’s recommendations that will impact remunerations of almost 50 lakh Central Government employees and 58 lakh pensioners.
It remains to be seen if the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek to emulate the UPA government, which had in 2008 approved increases that surpassed the recommendations received from the 6th Pay Commission.
In November 2015, the pay panel had recommended increases of 16 per cent in pay and 24 per cent in pensions within the overall 23.55 per cent. Its estimate was that these recommendations could result in an additional outgo of almost 0.65 per cent of the GDP.
The 6th Pay Commission had recommended a 20 per cent increase, which the UPA government doubled while implementing it in 2008. The resultant hit to the exchequer of 0.77 per cent of GDP doubled the Centre’s fiscal deficit to 6 per cent in 2008-09, the year it was implemented.
“As far as the Finance Ministry is concerned, the recommendation is to keep the hike proposals non-controversial and plain, with an eye on the fiscal deficit target…it will be for the Union Cabinet to decide if it wants greater hikes than proposed,” a top government source told The Hindu . The government doesn’t normally like to appear profligate, he added.
On the contentious issue of non-functional upgrade, on which the 7th Pay Commission had failed to reach consensus, the Ministry’s note for the Cabinet’s consideration recommends maintaining status quo, the source said.
The Commission’s Chairman, Justice A.K. Mathur, was of the view that the upgrade availed by all the organised group ‘A’ services should be continued and extended to all officers in the Central Armed Police Forces, Indian Coast Guard and the defence forces. Its two members — Rathin Roy and Vivek Rae — recommended abolition of the upgrade at the senior administrative grade and the higher administrative grade levels. The increases are likely to be effective from January 1, 2016. The arrears for the six months could be paid in one go or in instalments.
Of the total financial impact of Rs.1.02 lakh crore, the panel proposed that Rs.73,650 crore be borne by the General Budget and the remaining Rs.24,450 crore by the Railway Budget. It suggested raising entry level pay to Rs.18,000 per month from the current Rs.7,000. The recommended maximum pay for the Cabinet Secretary is Rs.2.5 lakh per month against the current Rs.90,000. Earlier, a panel headed Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha, vetted the pay panel’s recommendations that will impact remunerations of almost 50 lakh Central Government employees and 58 lakh pensioners.
Helium discovery a game changer
Scientists have discovered a large helium gas field in Tanzania.
With world supplies running out, the find is a "game-changer", say geologists at Durham and Oxford universities.
Helium is used in hospitals in MRI scanners as well as in spacecraft, telescopes and radiation monitors.
Until now, the precious gas has been discovered only in small quantities during oil and gas drilling.
Using a new exploration approach, researchers found large quantities of helium within the Tanzanian East African Rift Valley.
They say resources in just one part of the Rift valley are enough to fill more than a million medical MRI scanners.
Prof Chris Ballentine, of the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford, said: "This is a game-changer for the future security of society's helium needs and similar finds in the future may not be far away."
And colleague Dr Pete Barry added: 'We can apply this same strategy to other parts of the world with a similar geological history to find new helium resources. "
What helium is used for
It is used in the space industry to keep satellite instruments cool, to clean out rocket engines and was used to cool the liquid oxygen and hydrogen that powered the Apollo space vehicles
Helium is used as a cooling medium for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the superconducting magnets in medical MRI scanners
Helium is often used to fill party balloons, weather balloons and airships because of its low density
A mixture of 80% helium and 20% oxygen is used by deep-sea divers and others working under pressurised conditions.
Helium-neon gas lasers are used to scan barcodes at supermarket checkouts
Helium is formed by the slow and steady radioactive decay of terrestrial rock. However, global supplies are running low, with warnings that supplies cannot be guaranteed in the long term.
Prof Jon Gluyas, of the Department of Earth Sciences at Durham University, who collaborated on the project, said the price of helium had gone up 500% in the last 15 years.
"Helium is the second most abundant element in the Universe but it's exceedingly rare on Earth," Prof Gluyas told BBC News.
"Moreover, any helium that you do find if you're not careful, will escape, just like a party balloon it rises and rises in the atmosphere and eventually escapes the Earth's gravity altogether.
"It's used in a whole array of key instrumentation, particularly medical MRI scanning and so on, and so we have to keep finding more."
Volcanic clues
The researchers say volcanic activity in the Rift Valley releases helium buried in ancient rocks, which rises up and becomes trapped in shallower gas fields.
The amount of helium is estimated at more than 54 billion cubic feet - which could potentially meet global demand for several years.
The next step is to find the best place to drill to exploit the gas and bring it to the surface.
With world supplies running out, the find is a "game-changer", say geologists at Durham and Oxford universities.
Helium is used in hospitals in MRI scanners as well as in spacecraft, telescopes and radiation monitors.
Until now, the precious gas has been discovered only in small quantities during oil and gas drilling.
Using a new exploration approach, researchers found large quantities of helium within the Tanzanian East African Rift Valley.
They say resources in just one part of the Rift valley are enough to fill more than a million medical MRI scanners.
Prof Chris Ballentine, of the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford, said: "This is a game-changer for the future security of society's helium needs and similar finds in the future may not be far away."
And colleague Dr Pete Barry added: 'We can apply this same strategy to other parts of the world with a similar geological history to find new helium resources. "
What helium is used for
It is used in the space industry to keep satellite instruments cool, to clean out rocket engines and was used to cool the liquid oxygen and hydrogen that powered the Apollo space vehicles
Helium is used as a cooling medium for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the superconducting magnets in medical MRI scanners
Helium is often used to fill party balloons, weather balloons and airships because of its low density
A mixture of 80% helium and 20% oxygen is used by deep-sea divers and others working under pressurised conditions.
Helium-neon gas lasers are used to scan barcodes at supermarket checkouts
Helium is formed by the slow and steady radioactive decay of terrestrial rock. However, global supplies are running low, with warnings that supplies cannot be guaranteed in the long term.
Prof Jon Gluyas, of the Department of Earth Sciences at Durham University, who collaborated on the project, said the price of helium had gone up 500% in the last 15 years.
"Helium is the second most abundant element in the Universe but it's exceedingly rare on Earth," Prof Gluyas told BBC News.
"Moreover, any helium that you do find if you're not careful, will escape, just like a party balloon it rises and rises in the atmosphere and eventually escapes the Earth's gravity altogether.
"It's used in a whole array of key instrumentation, particularly medical MRI scanning and so on, and so we have to keep finding more."
Volcanic clues
The researchers say volcanic activity in the Rift Valley releases helium buried in ancient rocks, which rises up and becomes trapped in shallower gas fields.
The amount of helium is estimated at more than 54 billion cubic feet - which could potentially meet global demand for several years.
The next step is to find the best place to drill to exploit the gas and bring it to the surface.
मंगलवार, 28 जून 2016
Olympics could be a failure.
The headache for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games organizers shows no signs of subsiding.
Six weeks before the Games are set to begin, Francisco Dornelles, the acting governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro, told the Brazilian newspaper O Globo that the state has not yet received recently-approved federal funds to beef up security and transportation for the quadrennial competition.
"I am optimistic about the games, but I have to show the reality. We can make a great Olympics, but if some steps are not taken, it can be a big failure," Dornelles told O Globo .
Six weeks before the Games are set to begin, Francisco Dornelles, the acting governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro, told the Brazilian newspaper O Globo that the state has not yet received recently-approved federal funds to beef up security and transportation for the quadrennial competition.
"I am optimistic about the games, but I have to show the reality. We can make a great Olympics, but if some steps are not taken, it can be a big failure," Dornelles told O Globo .
South china sea issue should be solved by dialogue- Turky
ISTANBUL, June 28 (Xinhua) -- China and the
Philippines should engage in "constructive" dialogue to solve their dispute in the South China Sea as conflicts are "destructive" to all sides, Turkish analysts said.
In the view of Altay Atli, a research fellow with the Asian Studies Center of Bogazici University in Istanbul, Manila's resort to an international tribunal over the dispute may not help produce a solution.
In 2013, the Philippines unilaterally filed compulsory arbitration against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague with respect to the two sides' disputes in the South China Sea.
The Chinese government has reiterated its non-acceptance and non-participation stance in the case.
"I think instead of waiting for the international tribunal to solve the problems by itself, China and the Philippines should enter a constructive dialogue, discuss their issues together, and jointly decide on a solution that would protect both sides' interests," said Atli.
He was echoed by Kamer Kasim, vice president of the International Strategic Research Organization and dean of Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences with Abant Izzet Baysal University.
"The parties need to engage in peaceful solutions regarding the South China Sea dispute," said Kasim.
Tensions are running high in the South China Sea as the United States and Japan, among others, have opted to engage in the disputes.
"I think that the involvement of countries from outside the region only serves to complicate the situation," observed Atli.
"None of the countries who has a stake in this region, neither China nor the other countries, have anything to gain from rising tension and possible conflicts," he said.
Referring to the fact that almost all of the East Asian countries are going through a process of "serious" economic transformation and restructuring, Atli stressed that "In such a period, what they need is not tension and conflict, they need greater cooperation and integration."
In Kasim's view, it is in the interests of both Washington and Beijing to keep "peace and security" in the Asia-Pacific region.
"The last thing that China and the U.S. needs is any kind of interruption of the trade in Asia-Pacific," he said.
"It would be easy to ignite any kind of conflict in the South China Sea," he stressed. "However, when the conflict starts it would be difficult to stop and it would also be destructive for all sides."
Philippines should engage in "constructive" dialogue to solve their dispute in the South China Sea as conflicts are "destructive" to all sides, Turkish analysts said.
In the view of Altay Atli, a research fellow with the Asian Studies Center of Bogazici University in Istanbul, Manila's resort to an international tribunal over the dispute may not help produce a solution.
In 2013, the Philippines unilaterally filed compulsory arbitration against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague with respect to the two sides' disputes in the South China Sea.
The Chinese government has reiterated its non-acceptance and non-participation stance in the case.
"I think instead of waiting for the international tribunal to solve the problems by itself, China and the Philippines should enter a constructive dialogue, discuss their issues together, and jointly decide on a solution that would protect both sides' interests," said Atli.
He was echoed by Kamer Kasim, vice president of the International Strategic Research Organization and dean of Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences with Abant Izzet Baysal University.
"The parties need to engage in peaceful solutions regarding the South China Sea dispute," said Kasim.
Tensions are running high in the South China Sea as the United States and Japan, among others, have opted to engage in the disputes.
"I think that the involvement of countries from outside the region only serves to complicate the situation," observed Atli.
"None of the countries who has a stake in this region, neither China nor the other countries, have anything to gain from rising tension and possible conflicts," he said.
Referring to the fact that almost all of the East Asian countries are going through a process of "serious" economic transformation and restructuring, Atli stressed that "In such a period, what they need is not tension and conflict, they need greater cooperation and integration."
In Kasim's view, it is in the interests of both Washington and Beijing to keep "peace and security" in the Asia-Pacific region.
"The last thing that China and the U.S. needs is any kind of interruption of the trade in Asia-Pacific," he said.
"It would be easy to ignite any kind of conflict in the South China Sea," he stressed. "However, when the conflict starts it would be difficult to stop and it would also be destructive for all sides."
China's synthetic drug trade out of control- UN
A new United Nations report has called China out on its production of new kinds of synthetic drugs, which it says is taking place at a faster rate than can be controlled.
Criminals in Hong Kong are in turn smuggling them and selling them to lucrative markets worldwide, according to the report.
In a news conference on Sunday, Hong Kong police showcased their seizure of 95kg of cocaine with a street value of more than $13m, the city's largest confiscation of cocaine in a single police case since 2013.
Karen Joe-Laidler, a professor at the University of Hong Kong studying the city's drug trends, said it is not just cocaine now flooding the Hong Kong market.
"Over the past 20 years there has been a dramatic shift in the types of drugs that people use. The marketplace for drugs in Hong Kong is much more diverse now," Laidler said.
The key reason is that China is one of the world's largest manufacturers of the chemicals needed to make medicinal and recreational drugs.
Chemists in China are creating these new synthetic drugs at an unprecedented rate, drug experts say. Law enforcement agencies are struggling to shut them down as the drugs are too new to be banned internationally.
A derivative of Fentanyl, a synthetic painkiller, is now being produced cheaply in China and with an effect authorities believe to be 100 times stronger than heroin.
"When you control one derivative of Fentanyl, another derivative comes out, which is not on the control list. Criminals are always one step ahead of law enforcement people," Tun Nay Soe, a coordinator at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, said.
The latest drug market report by the European Union says China has now become the fastest-growing wholesaler of new synthetic drugs to Europe as well.
Criminals in Hong Kong are in turn smuggling them and selling them to lucrative markets worldwide, according to the report.
In a news conference on Sunday, Hong Kong police showcased their seizure of 95kg of cocaine with a street value of more than $13m, the city's largest confiscation of cocaine in a single police case since 2013.
Karen Joe-Laidler, a professor at the University of Hong Kong studying the city's drug trends, said it is not just cocaine now flooding the Hong Kong market.
"Over the past 20 years there has been a dramatic shift in the types of drugs that people use. The marketplace for drugs in Hong Kong is much more diverse now," Laidler said.
The key reason is that China is one of the world's largest manufacturers of the chemicals needed to make medicinal and recreational drugs.
Chemists in China are creating these new synthetic drugs at an unprecedented rate, drug experts say. Law enforcement agencies are struggling to shut them down as the drugs are too new to be banned internationally.
A derivative of Fentanyl, a synthetic painkiller, is now being produced cheaply in China and with an effect authorities believe to be 100 times stronger than heroin.
"When you control one derivative of Fentanyl, another derivative comes out, which is not on the control list. Criminals are always one step ahead of law enforcement people," Tun Nay Soe, a coordinator at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, said.
The latest drug market report by the European Union says China has now become the fastest-growing wholesaler of new synthetic drugs to Europe as well.
Who do we talk to in Pakistan-Modi
in Islamabad. “The first thing is that with whom in Pakistan will you decide the ‘lakshman rekha’ (redlines) – with the elected government or with other actors?” Modi said in his first interview to a private Indian media since becoming prime minister in 2014.
“That is why India will have to be on alert all the time. India will have to be alert every moment. There can never be any laxity in this,” he told Times Now editor in chief Arnab Goswami on Monday.
Defining new parameters for resuming talks, Modi said that was the spirit in which he had extended an invitation to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to visit New Delhi for his inauguration in 2014 and it was the same spirit in which he paid a surprise visit to Lahore in December 2015.
Talking about peace negotiations and engagement, the Indian leader said his country always wanted friendly ties with its neighbours and that there was no debate on that. “We want to live in harmony and peace.”
He went on to say that those entrusted with negotiating must go about their business and those tasked with defending the borders must fulfil the responsibility entrusted to them.
Modi further said that the single biggest achievement of his government was that it had managed to convince the international community about India’s position. “Now I don’t have to explain to the world about India’s position. The world is unanimously appreciating India’s position,” he added. “It is Pakistan which is finding it difficult to respond”.
“If we had become an obstacle, then we would have had to explain to the world that we are not that obstacle. Now we don’t have to explain to the world. The world knows our intentions,” he said explaining that the world was also accepting India’s argument on terrorism.
“Today, the world has to accept what India has been saying about terrorism. India’s dialogue on terrorism, the losses India has suffered due to terrorism, the losses suffered by humanity, the world is now acknowledging that,” he said asserting that this was the process India aimed to take forward.
Talking about the failed NSG bid, Modi blamed the hype before the meeting that made the setback seem larger. “My trip to the United States, my speech in their Congress and the respect shown towards India created a lot of hype. Had it not been hyped so much, there would not have been so much criticism on the NSG issue.”
Modi went on to say that New Delhi has begun a coordinated effort for the NSG membership including engaging with China on the subject. “The first thing is that we have an ongoing dialogue with China and it should continue to happen,” he said noting that it was not necessary to have similar views to have a conversation.
“I can say that China has been cooperating with India to search for solutions. On some issues, it’s a question of principles for them. On some issues, it’s a question of principles for us. On some issues they differ with us and there are issues on which we differ with them. There are some basic differences. But the most important thing is that we can speak to China eye-to-eye and put forth India’s interests in the most unambiguous manner.”
“That is why India will have to be on alert all the time. India will have to be alert every moment. There can never be any laxity in this,” he told Times Now editor in chief Arnab Goswami on Monday.
Defining new parameters for resuming talks, Modi said that was the spirit in which he had extended an invitation to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to visit New Delhi for his inauguration in 2014 and it was the same spirit in which he paid a surprise visit to Lahore in December 2015.
Talking about peace negotiations and engagement, the Indian leader said his country always wanted friendly ties with its neighbours and that there was no debate on that. “We want to live in harmony and peace.”
He went on to say that those entrusted with negotiating must go about their business and those tasked with defending the borders must fulfil the responsibility entrusted to them.
Modi further said that the single biggest achievement of his government was that it had managed to convince the international community about India’s position. “Now I don’t have to explain to the world about India’s position. The world is unanimously appreciating India’s position,” he added. “It is Pakistan which is finding it difficult to respond”.
“If we had become an obstacle, then we would have had to explain to the world that we are not that obstacle. Now we don’t have to explain to the world. The world knows our intentions,” he said explaining that the world was also accepting India’s argument on terrorism.
“Today, the world has to accept what India has been saying about terrorism. India’s dialogue on terrorism, the losses India has suffered due to terrorism, the losses suffered by humanity, the world is now acknowledging that,” he said asserting that this was the process India aimed to take forward.
Talking about the failed NSG bid, Modi blamed the hype before the meeting that made the setback seem larger. “My trip to the United States, my speech in their Congress and the respect shown towards India created a lot of hype. Had it not been hyped so much, there would not have been so much criticism on the NSG issue.”
Modi went on to say that New Delhi has begun a coordinated effort for the NSG membership including engaging with China on the subject. “The first thing is that we have an ongoing dialogue with China and it should continue to happen,” he said noting that it was not necessary to have similar views to have a conversation.
“I can say that China has been cooperating with India to search for solutions. On some issues, it’s a question of principles for them. On some issues, it’s a question of principles for us. On some issues they differ with us and there are issues on which we differ with them. There are some basic differences. But the most important thing is that we can speak to China eye-to-eye and put forth India’s interests in the most unambiguous manner.”
Airstrike on Pak- Row in J & K Assembly
Srinagar: The Mehbooba Mufti government in Jammu and Kashmir confronted protests and questions today in the assembly over its ally BJP demanding airstrikes on Pakistan-based terror camps after Saturday's attack in Pampore in which eight paramilitary soldiers were killed.
"We should take tough action against Pakistan, bomb terror camps and teach them a lesson so that they never dare to attack us again," shouted the BJP's Ravinder Raina as others of his party raised anti-Pakistan slogans.
The opposition National Conference asked the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to clarify whether it wants war with Pakistan. The party's Davinder Rana said: "BJP's demand of bombing Pakistan has hit the people living on borders. They fear for their lives. The government should make a statement whether they want peace or war with Pakistan."
As other NC legislators joined Mr Rana and tried to corner the government, BJP legislators raised slogans and said the Opposition leader should go to Pakistan.
On Saturday, eight Central Reserve Police Force or CRPF soldiers were killed and 22 others were injured when terrorists ambushed a bus at Pampore, around 15 km from state capital Srinagar.
Since yesterday, BJP members have been demanding airstrikes in Pakistan to avenge the Pampore attack, which has been claimed by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, the terror outfit that also carried out the deadly 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
PDP legislators tried to pacify their slogan-shouting allies.
As the government declined to make a statement in house, National Conference members walked out of the house.
"We should take tough action against Pakistan, bomb terror camps and teach them a lesson so that they never dare to attack us again," shouted the BJP's Ravinder Raina as others of his party raised anti-Pakistan slogans.
The opposition National Conference asked the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to clarify whether it wants war with Pakistan. The party's Davinder Rana said: "BJP's demand of bombing Pakistan has hit the people living on borders. They fear for their lives. The government should make a statement whether they want peace or war with Pakistan."
As other NC legislators joined Mr Rana and tried to corner the government, BJP legislators raised slogans and said the Opposition leader should go to Pakistan.
On Saturday, eight Central Reserve Police Force or CRPF soldiers were killed and 22 others were injured when terrorists ambushed a bus at Pampore, around 15 km from state capital Srinagar.
Since yesterday, BJP members have been demanding airstrikes in Pakistan to avenge the Pampore attack, which has been claimed by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, the terror outfit that also carried out the deadly 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
PDP legislators tried to pacify their slogan-shouting allies.
As the government declined to make a statement in house, National Conference members walked out of the house.
21-year old committed suicide over morphed Photo on facebook.
Salem: A 21-year-old woman committed suicide by hanging on Monday after unidentified people doctored her photo, showing her as scantily clad, and uploaded it on Facebook last week.
"A suicide note was found in her room, in which she stated she could not deal with predicament, more so after her parents suspected she had something to do with the photos uploaded on Facebook," said Sankari DSP Kandasamy.
The deceased has been identified as A Vinupriya, 21, a native of Elampillai in Salem district. Her father Annadurai, 50, is a weaver. She had completed B.Sc., Chemistry and was all set to start a government job.
Vinupriya was shocked when her friends told her that a morphed semi-nude picture of her was on Facebook, her father said. On June 23, Annadurai lodged a complaint with superintendent of police (SP), Salem district, Amit Kumar Singh, urging him to take action against the miscreants. The SP forwarded the complaint to Magudanchavadi police but they failed to act against the complaint in a timely manner.
During inquiry, the police assured Annadurai that they would nab the accused with the support of cyber crime sleuths. On Sunday night, another morphed semi-nude photo of Vinupriya was uploaded on Facebook. It was also sent to her father's mobile phone. Unable to bear this torture, she committed suicide at noon on Monday, when she was home alone. When her parents returned home, they rushed her to Salem government super speciality hospital for treatment. But doctors at the hospital pronounced her as brought dead.
Her family refused to receive the body from the hospital after autopsy. They alleged that police were responsible for Vinupriya's death. "If they had taken action against the miscreants, they may not have uploaded the second picture and she may still be alive," Annadurai said. He refused to receive the body until the culprits were arrested.
Annadurai alleged that the police had forced him to buy a new mobile phone for them as a bribe to initiate inquiry. "Sankari DSP Kandasamy and Magudanchavadi police inspector Vivekanandhan threatened to initiate action against me if I refused to receive my daughter's body," he said.
Sources-TOI
"A suicide note was found in her room, in which she stated she could not deal with predicament, more so after her parents suspected she had something to do with the photos uploaded on Facebook," said Sankari DSP Kandasamy.
The deceased has been identified as A Vinupriya, 21, a native of Elampillai in Salem district. Her father Annadurai, 50, is a weaver. She had completed B.Sc., Chemistry and was all set to start a government job.
Vinupriya was shocked when her friends told her that a morphed semi-nude picture of her was on Facebook, her father said. On June 23, Annadurai lodged a complaint with superintendent of police (SP), Salem district, Amit Kumar Singh, urging him to take action against the miscreants. The SP forwarded the complaint to Magudanchavadi police but they failed to act against the complaint in a timely manner.
During inquiry, the police assured Annadurai that they would nab the accused with the support of cyber crime sleuths. On Sunday night, another morphed semi-nude photo of Vinupriya was uploaded on Facebook. It was also sent to her father's mobile phone. Unable to bear this torture, she committed suicide at noon on Monday, when she was home alone. When her parents returned home, they rushed her to Salem government super speciality hospital for treatment. But doctors at the hospital pronounced her as brought dead.
Her family refused to receive the body from the hospital after autopsy. They alleged that police were responsible for Vinupriya's death. "If they had taken action against the miscreants, they may not have uploaded the second picture and she may still be alive," Annadurai said. He refused to receive the body until the culprits were arrested.
Annadurai alleged that the police had forced him to buy a new mobile phone for them as a bribe to initiate inquiry. "Sankari DSP Kandasamy and Magudanchavadi police inspector Vivekanandhan threatened to initiate action against me if I refused to receive my daughter's body," he said.
Sources-TOI
China responded over Modi's Comment.
BEIJING: In a guarded response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments + that India has a "whole lot of problems" with China, Beijing on Tuesday said it will be in dialogue with New Delhi to find a "fair, sensible and mutually acceptable solution" to the contentious issues.
"We have noted the relevant report. China-India relationship is in a generally good state," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told PTI here in response to questions on
Modi's interview + to a private TV news channel.
"Common interests between the two countries far outweigh their differences. The Chinese side will work with the Indian side to steer the bilateral relations, and deepen cooperation in different fields," Hong said.
"As for problems in the bilateral relations, the Chinese side will stay in communication and dialogue with the Indian side to find a fair, sensible and mutually acceptable solution," he said, referring to Modi's remarks.
Modi had said + that "We have an ongoing dialogue with China and it should continue to happen. We don't have one problem with China, we have a whole lot of problems pending with China. There are so many issues + ."
On India getting the membership of Missile Technology Control Regime + (MTCR) ahead of China, Hong said, "we have noted that some of the multilateral export control regimes have changed in one way or another. With that in mind, China is assessing the effectiveness of the MTCR
+ in safeguarding the international non-proliferation regime."
China is yet to be inducted into the 34-member MTCR regime. India became 35th member on Monday.
Reports say China, which blocked India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), is lobbying to become member of the MTCR group.
The MTCR restricts the proliferation of missiles, rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles, or drones, and the technology for systems capable of carrying a payload of 500 kilograms for at least 300km.
"We have noted the relevant report. China-India relationship is in a generally good state," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told PTI here in response to questions on
Modi's interview + to a private TV news channel.
"Common interests between the two countries far outweigh their differences. The Chinese side will work with the Indian side to steer the bilateral relations, and deepen cooperation in different fields," Hong said.
"As for problems in the bilateral relations, the Chinese side will stay in communication and dialogue with the Indian side to find a fair, sensible and mutually acceptable solution," he said, referring to Modi's remarks.
Modi had said + that "We have an ongoing dialogue with China and it should continue to happen. We don't have one problem with China, we have a whole lot of problems pending with China. There are so many issues + ."
On India getting the membership of Missile Technology Control Regime + (MTCR) ahead of China, Hong said, "we have noted that some of the multilateral export control regimes have changed in one way or another. With that in mind, China is assessing the effectiveness of the MTCR
+ in safeguarding the international non-proliferation regime."
China is yet to be inducted into the 34-member MTCR regime. India became 35th member on Monday.
Reports say China, which blocked India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), is lobbying to become member of the MTCR group.
The MTCR restricts the proliferation of missiles, rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles, or drones, and the technology for systems capable of carrying a payload of 500 kilograms for at least 300km.
SALMAN VS DEEPIKA
मुंबई। सलमान खान ने दीपिका पादुकोण और प्रियंका चोपड़ा के हॉलीवुड प्रोजेक्ट्स का कुछ दिनों पहले मजाक बनाया था। दीपिका ने इसका बहुत जल्द और बेहतर बदला लिया है। बॉलीवुड के दंगब ने शायद ही सोचा होगा कि 'मस्तानी' उन पर ऐसा वार करेंगी।
दरअसल, मैड्रिड में प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस के दौरान सलमान ने प्रियंका चोपड़ा और दीपिका पादुकोण को 'हॉलीवुड रिटर्न' कह दिया था। सलमान ने उनसे स्टेज से उतरकर बैठ जाने को कहा। सभी एक्टर्स तो स्टेज से उतर गए, लेकिन दोनों मस्तानी एक्ट्रेसेज स्टेज पर ही रुककर एक-दूसरे से बात करने लगीं। इस पर सलमान ने कमेंट किया, 'ये दोनों अब विदेश चली गई हैं, हॉलीवुड मूवीज करती हैं। इन्हें अब भारतीय सिनेमा से कोई मतलब नहीं है।'
हाल ही में बॉलीवुड के ज्यादातर सितारे मैड्रिड में इंटरनेशनल इंडियन फिल्म एकेडमी अवॉर्ड्स 2016 में शिरकत करने पहुंचे थे। एक सूत्र ने बताया, 'अवार्ड फंक्शन के दौरान दीपिका से पूछा गया कि सलमान और रणवीर में से किसे बेस्ट एक्टर का अवार्ड मिलेगा? इस पर दीपिका ने बिना कुछ सोचे सीधे सलमान को खारिज कर दिया और रणवीर का नाम लिया।'
आईफा अवार्ड में इस बार रणवीर की 'बाजीराव मस्तानी' और सलमान खान की 'बजरंगी भाईजान' के बीच कड़ी टक्कर थी। लेकिन दीपिका से जब बेस्ट एक्टर के बारे में पूछा गया, तो उन्होंने तुरंत रणवीर का नाम ले दिया, जबकि सलमान की एक्टिंग की भी काफी तरीफ 'बजरंगी भाईजान' के लिए सुनने को मिली थी।
दीपिका की बात सही भी साबित हुई। आईफा में बेस्ट एक्टर का अवार्ड 'बाजीराव मस्तानी' के लिए रणवीर सिंह को ही दिया गया। रणवीर इन दिनों पेरिस में फिल्म 'बेफिक्रे' की शूटिंग कर रहे हैं। इस फिल्म की शूटिंग एक ही शेड्यूल में होनी है। हालांकि रणवीर अवार्ड लेने के लिए मैड्रिड पहुंचे थे। 'बेफिक्रे' में उनके अपोजिट वाणी कपूर नजर आएंगी।
दरअसल, मैड्रिड में प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस के दौरान सलमान ने प्रियंका चोपड़ा और दीपिका पादुकोण को 'हॉलीवुड रिटर्न' कह दिया था। सलमान ने उनसे स्टेज से उतरकर बैठ जाने को कहा। सभी एक्टर्स तो स्टेज से उतर गए, लेकिन दोनों मस्तानी एक्ट्रेसेज स्टेज पर ही रुककर एक-दूसरे से बात करने लगीं। इस पर सलमान ने कमेंट किया, 'ये दोनों अब विदेश चली गई हैं, हॉलीवुड मूवीज करती हैं। इन्हें अब भारतीय सिनेमा से कोई मतलब नहीं है।'
आईफा अवार्ड में इस बार रणवीर की 'बाजीराव मस्तानी' और सलमान खान की 'बजरंगी भाईजान' के बीच कड़ी टक्कर थी। लेकिन दीपिका से जब बेस्ट एक्टर के बारे में पूछा गया, तो उन्होंने तुरंत रणवीर का नाम ले दिया, जबकि सलमान की एक्टिंग की भी काफी तरीफ 'बजरंगी भाईजान' के लिए सुनने को मिली थी।
दीपिका की बात सही भी साबित हुई। आईफा में बेस्ट एक्टर का अवार्ड 'बाजीराव मस्तानी' के लिए रणवीर सिंह को ही दिया गया। रणवीर इन दिनों पेरिस में फिल्म 'बेफिक्रे' की शूटिंग कर रहे हैं। इस फिल्म की शूटिंग एक ही शेड्यूल में होनी है। हालांकि रणवीर अवार्ड लेने के लिए मैड्रिड पहुंचे थे। 'बेफिक्रे' में उनके अपोजिट वाणी कपूर नजर आएंगी।
रविवार, 26 जून 2016
Anderson doubtful of first Test
James Anderson has emerged as an injury doubt for the first Investec Test against Pakistan next month due to a stress fracture in his right shoulder blade.
The ECB confirmed he will miss Lancashire's County Championship matches against Middlesex and Nottinghamshire and that his availability will be confirmed nearer the opening Test at Lord's on July 14.
Anderson picked up the injury during the third Test against Sri Lanka earlier this month although it is understood not to be as serious as other types of stress fractures.
"Due to the nature of the injury, Jimmy's availability for the Pakistan Test series, commencing on July 14, will be determined following ongoing management and review by both the ECB and Lancashire's medical teams," an ECB statement said.
Anderson, England's leading Test wicket-taker, claimed 21 wickets at 10.80 in the three Tests against Sri Lanka, and despite the strength of England's pace-bowling stocks, it would be a significant blow to lose him. In 10 Tests against Pakistan, Anderson has taken 45 wickets at 17.06 - his lowest average against any team.
Anderson has had a slightly chequered injury record over the last year. He missed the final two Tests of last year's Ashes series with a side strain and then the first Test against South Africa, in Durban, due to a calf injury.
Should Anderson be forced to miss the opening Test against Pakistan, he could be replaced by Ben Stokes, who made his return for Durham in a T20 on Friday night, following knee surgery. However, Stokes is not yet ready to return to bowling duties, and England will be reluctant to rush back such a precious asset.
Jake Ball, the uncapped Nottinghamshire seamer, was part of England's squad throughout the series against Sri Lanka and would be another likely candidate to step in.
The ECB confirmed he will miss Lancashire's County Championship matches against Middlesex and Nottinghamshire and that his availability will be confirmed nearer the opening Test at Lord's on July 14.
Anderson picked up the injury during the third Test against Sri Lanka earlier this month although it is understood not to be as serious as other types of stress fractures.
"Due to the nature of the injury, Jimmy's availability for the Pakistan Test series, commencing on July 14, will be determined following ongoing management and review by both the ECB and Lancashire's medical teams," an ECB statement said.
Anderson, England's leading Test wicket-taker, claimed 21 wickets at 10.80 in the three Tests against Sri Lanka, and despite the strength of England's pace-bowling stocks, it would be a significant blow to lose him. In 10 Tests against Pakistan, Anderson has taken 45 wickets at 17.06 - his lowest average against any team.
Anderson has had a slightly chequered injury record over the last year. He missed the final two Tests of last year's Ashes series with a side strain and then the first Test against South Africa, in Durban, due to a calf injury.
Should Anderson be forced to miss the opening Test against Pakistan, he could be replaced by Ben Stokes, who made his return for Durham in a T20 on Friday night, following knee surgery. However, Stokes is not yet ready to return to bowling duties, and England will be reluctant to rush back such a precious asset.
Jake Ball, the uncapped Nottinghamshire seamer, was part of England's squad throughout the series against Sri Lanka and would be another likely candidate to step in.
शनिवार, 28 मई 2016
OBAMA IN HIROSHIMA
MYSTERIOUS CREATURE ON OUR BODY
शुक्रवार, 27 मई 2016
Secretaries Group To revise 7th Pay Recommendation
Secretaries Group To Revise 7th Pay Commission Recommendations
New Delhi: Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha who is heading the Empowered Committee or Secretaries group is likely to hand over a report on the revised pay structures of 7th pay commission recommendations to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley by the end of next month.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said government had requisite fund to implement 7th pay commission award.
Cabinet Secretary Sinha will finally make his appearance before the the Empowered Committee or Secretaries group on June 11 to make a proposal on the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission before cabinet nod.
“The proposal will be placed before the Cabinet after the finance ministry’s review.
We don’t think it will take more time for Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s consideration and the new pay structures will be implemented from July after cabinet nod,” said a top official from the Finance Ministry who did not wish to be named.
The 7th Pay Commission headed by Justice A K Mathur submitted the report on November 19.
It had proposed the highest salary at Rs 250,000 and the lowest at Rs 18,000.
The commission also recommended 14.27 per cent increase in basic pay, 23.55% overall increase in salary, allowances and pensions. The increase in allowances was recommended 63% while pension was proposed to rise 24%.
Finance Minister Jaitley is likely to agree with the Secretaries group. “I think it should not be touched again,” the official said.
Once the new structure is implemented, salaries of around 48 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners will rise by 30 percent.
The Finance Minister already said the 7th pay commission award would not make the commodity prices to go up.
The central government employees and pensioners will also spend more money on a variety of goods after receiving the 7th Commission award with arrears from January 2016.
“This means higher consumption similar to what happened in the past. But the previous two Pay Commission awards came with a lag of two years. So the arrears were large. This time, it will not be so,” says Pronab Sen, former Chief Statistician, government of India and now Country Director, International Growth Centre, a think tank based at LSE, run in partnership with University of Oxford.
The official also agrees with Sen and said there was no possibility of any impact of the report on the market at this stage of implementation as there were no impacts when the Pay Commission had first submitted the report.
The government formed a 13 member secretary-level Empowered Committee or Secretaries group headed by Sinha in January to review the report of the 7th Pay Commission before cabinet nod.
The 7th pay commission was set up by the UPA government in February 2014.
It submitted the report after around 22 months.
After getting the 7th pay commission report, the finance minister Jaitley while introducing the Seventh Pay Commission report on November 19, already said that the final decisions on the Seventh Pay Commission report took five and a half months including the process of Secretaries group.
Finance Minister also said, government had requisite fund to implement it.
The secretary group is likely to propose pay structure of minimum at Rs 21,000 and the maximum at Rs 2,70,000
Accordingly, the Secretaries group is likely to reach the conclusion to propose 30 percent basic pay raise instead of 14.27 per cent, which was recommended by 7th Pay Commission.
They are also mulling for doubling of existing rates of such allowances and advances, which has been recommended for abolition by the 7th Pay Commission, sources said
Source - Sen times
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