1. Yogi Adityanath Govt Waives Off Rs 36,359-Crore Loan For UP Farmers, Akhilesh Not Impressed
The BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh decided on Tuesday to waive off crop loans of up to Rs 1 lakh of small and marginal farmers in the state, a relief the party promised before the February-March assembly elections.
About 21 million farmers will benefit from this decision of chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet during its first sitting. About 92.5 percent of the state’s farmers fall in the small and marginal categories.
Besides, the cabinet also decided to write off Rs 5,630 crore in non-performing assets (NPAs) of 700,000 farmers. The twin waivers — among nine decisions the cabinet took — would together cost the government Rs 36,359 crore.
But Samajwadi Party president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was not impressed. A promise of complete loan waiver was made to the farmers, he said. “Millions of farmers were feeling cheated with the ceiling of Rs 1 lakh.”
(Source: Hindustan Times)
2. India Rejects US Offer to Mediate With Pakistan on Kashmir Issue
India rejected the comments by US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley suggesting a proactive role for America in India-Pakistan ties, saying the outstanding issues between the sub-continental neighbours should be sorted out bilaterally.
The government’s position for bilateral redressal of all India-Pakistan issues in an environment free of terror and violence hasn’t changed.Indian Government
India sought to underline that international mediation, if at all, must concentrate on getting Pakistan to act against terrorism and enforce the rule of law in keeping with international norms.
We of course expect the international community and organisations to enforce international mechanisms and mandates concerning terrorism emanating from Pakistan, which continues to be the single biggest threat to peace and stability in our region and beyond.Gopal Baglay, MEA spokesperson
(Source: The Times of India)
3. Rajasthan: Five men Assaulted by Gau Rakshaks in Alwar, 1 Dead
Two days after he was allegedly attacked by a group of gau rakshaks for transporting cows in Alwar, Pehlu Khan, 55, a resident of Haryana, succumbed to his injuries on Monday night. Police said Khan and at least four others were attacked even as they produced documents to show that they had purchased the cows.
Gau rakshaks affiliated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal stopped four vehicles, near Jaguwas crossing on National Highway 8, on Saturday evening, alleging that they were illegally transporting bovines. These vehicles were coming from Jaipur, and were headed towards Nuh district in Haryana.Ramesh Chand Sinsinwar, SHO, Behror
(Source: The Indian Express)
Also Read: Exclusive: The Making of a Gau Rakshak
4. Kerala Sleaze Audio Case: Mangalam TV Channel CEO, 4 Others Arrested
The chief executive officer (CEO) and four media personnel of a private television channel were arrested on Tuesday night in connection with the telecast of a purported sleaze audio clip which led to the resignation of Kerala minister AK Saseendran.
CEO of Mangalam TV channel R Ajit Kumar and media persons SV Pradeep, MB Santhosh, Feroz Muhammed and Jayachandran were arrested by the special investigation team after questioning them for hours.
They would be produced before a court on Wednesday, police said. Four other people, named in the FIR, were also questioned but were let off, police said.
(Source: PTI)
5. Govt Starts Scouting New Locations For Parliament Complex
The government has finally started scouting for a location for the new Parliament complex and the Centre’s public works body has suggested three places, not too far from the British-era structure built in 1927.
The move comes over a year after Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan wrote to Union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu, requesting him to look for an alternative location as the existing building was showing “signs of distress and over-utilisation”.
In her December 2015 letter to Naidu, the Speaker had said there was an “imperative need” for a new building”.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
6. China Stays Firm, But Other Countries May Back India’s NSG Bid
Some countries who had been opposed to India's membership bid to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) may be coming around to being more accepting of India's candidature. "There is a greater buy-in from these countries," said senior German diplomatic sources.
A consultative group meeting of the NSG is currently on, where India's membership is being discussed.
Needless to add, China is not among these countries. The evolution in positions has been a result of continued backroom diplomacy said sources familiar with developments. The US, last week, reiterated its support for India's membership, but with China remaining the most powerful outlier, India's chances are no brighter today than earlier.
(Source: The Times of India)
7. Crackdown in Jammu And Kashmir on Youth Misusing Social Media to ‘Smear’ Cops
The Jammu and Kashmir police have started a crackdown on youth in Kashmir who use social media to allegedly threaten police and other government officials or run a ‘smear campaign’ against them.
The police officials said they have identified seven people coming under police stations like Pantha Chowk, Zakoora and Chanapora in Srinagar who threatened police and government functionaries through “their posts and uploads”.
They added these miscreants allegedly uploaded and shared videos and posted them to “harm the repute” of the officers.
Most of them have been arrested and we are ascertaining their motives.Imtiyaz Parray, SSP Srinagar
(Source: Hindustan Times)
8. On Government Table: A Presidential Reference to Supreme Court On Liquor Sale Ban Order
With many state governments seeking its intervention in making the Supreme Court reconsider its order banning sale of liquor within 500 metres of state and national highways, including at bars, hotels and restaurants that serve alcohol, the Centre is open to the idea of “considering” making a Presidential Reference to the Supreme Court on the issue.
As an alternative, the Centre is also open to the idea of supporting a review petition filed by hotels and tourism industry bodies, seeking a review of the Supreme Court judgment on the limited issue of allowing hotels and licensed bars to serve liquor.
(Source: The Indian Express)
9. Government to Procure 7.60 Lakh Medals For Soldiers
In the pursuit of mega weapon systems like fighter jets, submarines and howitzers, basic requirements of soldiers in terms of both protection gear as well as personal honour are often forgotten due to general politico-bureaucratic apathy.
But now, after ordering some new ballistic helmets and bullet-proof jackets, the government is finally also scrambling to procure 7.60 lakh medals for military personnel after a hue and cry was recently raised over soldiers being forced to buy cheap replicas to adorn their uniforms from the market for the last several years.
Though much-delayed, the move to procure the 7.60 lakh medals for about Rs 28 crore is a welcome step since the basic ethos of Indian soldiers revolves around "Naam, Namak and Nishaan" (reputation of battalion/paltan, fidelity and ensign/colours).
(Source: The Times of India)
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