India News

The Company Law Board (CLB) on Monday allowed the application of Maytas Infra Limited (MIL) to hand over the management of the company to Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited (IL and FS).

Passing the Order in ht national capital, the Principal Bench of the CLB said that IL and FS shall be the new promoter of the company with immediate effect and that it shall appoint four of its nominees, including the Chairman, on the Board of Directors of the company; and will be in control of the management of the affairs of the company.

The order further said that on appointment of these four directors, Teja Raju and B. Narsimharao shall submit their resignations as directors and shall thereafter cease to be directors of the company.

At the choice of the Central Government, two of the four CLB nominees appointed by the Central Government shall continue as directors for a period of two years, the order states.

The CLB has also asked IL and FS, which holds 14.5 per cent shares in Maytas, to foreclose its rights on the pledged shares of 22.6 per cent shares and thus to hold 37.1 per cent shares in the company.

It also urged IL and FS to bring in up to Rs 55 crore as liquidity support to the company within a period of three months.

The order also asks IL and FS to continue to hold a minimum of 26 per cent shares in the company for a period of not less than two years and to keep management control of the company during that period.

Earlier the Board of Directors of MIL had held a meeting and accepted the offer of IL and FS to step in as the new promoter of the company so as to restore the credibility of the company and to bring in necessary funds.

All the major stakeholders in MIL were also unanimous in changing the exiting promoter.

Accordingly, the Board of Directors of the company recommended the change of guard at the MIL to the CLB.

Source ANI

Former Bihar Governor Buta Singh on Monday informed the Delhi High Court that he was ready to be questioned by CBI in connection with the bribery case involving his son.

His willingness to testify comes following CBI’s clarification that the chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes is required to be questioned as a witness and not as an accused in the bribery case.
 
Singh said he would be available to CBI on September 10 at 11 am at his office, and the probe agency officials can come and question him.

Justice Geeta Mittal, after recording the statement given by Singh''s counsel, disposed the matter and asked the investigating agency to question Buta Singh on the date given by him.

The High Court had on August 26 sought response from the CBI on a petition filed by Singh, who had accused the probe agency of illegally summoning him for interrogation in an alleged bribery case.

Singh had contended that he holds a post of Cabinet rank and the CBI cannot question or interrogate him without taking sanction from the Centre.

He had on August 25 approached the Delhi High Court challenging CBI''s notice to appear before it in connection with a case of alleged bribery against his son Sarobjit Singh.

Singh''s son was arrested on July 31 by CBI for allegedly demanding a bribe of one crore rupees from a Nashik- based contractor to close an atrocity case against him pending before the Scheduled Caste Commission headed by his father.

Source ANI

The first round of consultations between New Delhi and the Swiss Government on tracing the black money deposited in tax havens in that country will be held in December.

However, there is no guarantee of prosecution of offenders on the basis of information secured from them.

According to Finance Ministry sources, Indian officials will have their first round of discussions with officials of Swiss government to evolve a legal system that will enable India to trace black money.
 
They said that such a system could be evolved through a Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty (DTAT) with Switzerland on the model of the agreements reached with countries of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Although, the DTAT could lead to information being secured from Switzerland in specific cases (in which individuals would have violated laws in India), but it cannot guarantee that such persons could also be prosecuted for that offence, they pointed out.

In April, Germany gave information in a case where an individual had violated tax laws and on the information given by the German government tax due from him was also collected.

But Germany gave the information on the specific condition that no prosecution would be launched against the individual and the government had to comply with that condition

Getting information from the Swiss banks was not an easy task, and Indian government will have to become eligible to ask for such information under a proper bilateral treaty.

Recently, the US government successfully tracked some cases of American citizens stashing away their money there. The US could even prosecute them.

Source ANI

Vice Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma on Monday took over as the new Navy Chief.

Vice Admiral Verma has succeeded Admiral Sureesh Mehta who retired on Monday afternoon.

Born on November 14, 1950, Vice Admiral Verma was commissioned on July 1, 1970, into the Executive Branch of Indian Navy.

During his long and distinguished service spanning nearly 39 years, he has served in a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments.

Vice Admiral Verma''s Sea Command includes Leander class Frigate "Udaigiri", Guided Missile Destroyer "Ranvir" and the Aircraft Carrier "Viraat".

Before taking over as FOC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command, he was Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at the Naval Headquarters.

Vice Admiral Verma is an alumnus of Royal Naval Staff College, UK and Naval War College, USA. He has instructional experience at National Defence College as Senior Directing Staff and at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He also commanded the Naval Academy at Goa.

Vice Admiral Verma was decorated with Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM) and Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM). He is one of the Honorary ADCs of the President of India.

Source ANI

Union Sports Minister MS Gill on Monday stuck to his remarks over Formula One (F1), and said that it is a source of entertainment and the Ministry’s focus is on other sports.

Addressing media in the national capital Gill said: “I will stand by my earlier comment that F1 is not a sport. Our view on F1 not being a sport was taken months ago. This is the most expensive entertainment event in the west. The technology used for the same is far beyond anything here.”

“We are focused in promoting other sports. What they want to do is their business, we are nowhere concerned with that,” he added.

Gill’s comments were a snub to Force India owner Vijay Mallya, who had said that F1 was indeed a sport and was a viable sport in India.

“When hundreds of millions of people worldwide follow it as a sport, what makes them believe otherwise?” Mallya had said.

It is believed that Sports Minister’s comment would have a significant influence on Mallaya’s dreams of bringing F1 to India in 2011.

According to reports, JPSK Sports, promoter of the event in India, has already acquired land for construction of a F1 track in Greater Noida and have started building the track.

Source ANI

Karnataka Housing Minister V. Somanna resigned from the state cabinet on Monday following his defeat in the recent by polls to the state assembly.

Somanna handed over his resignation to the Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa.

“I will take a decision on accepting his resignation after consulting the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief D.V.Sadananda Gowda and national general secretary Ananth Kumar and the party high command,” Yeddyurappa told reporters after receiving the resignation letter.

Somanna, who was earlier, elected from the Govidrajnagar constituency in Bangalore resigned from his seat as well as from the Congress Party to join BJP in February.

Subsequently Somanna was rewarded with a cabinet birth in the Yeddyurappa Government.

Somanna who is known for his innovative election strategies, tasted maiden defeat in his political career against debutant Priyakrishna of Congress in the by polls on August 18.

The two-day southern region meeting of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) held in Davangere in central Karnataka on Sunday asked Yeddyurappa to seek the resignation of Somanna.

The BJP is expected to reward Somanna with another post as the elections to the Brihat Bangalore Municipal Corporation (BBMC) are on the cards. Somanna played a crucial role in party’s victory in all the three Lok Sabha seats in Bangalore in the 2009 general elections.

Somanna is the third minister to resign from the Yeddyurappa government during the last one-year. Earlier S.K. Bellubbi, and Krishnayya Setty resigned from cabinet to make way to accommodate new faces in the cabinet.

Source ANI

Three policemen were suspended and a magisterial probe was ordered on Monday, following the death of a 17-year-old boy in police custody in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.

According to reports, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Adhkunwari police post Suram Chand, Munshi Deepak Ram and Selection Grade Constable Bishan Dass were suspended.

Sub Divisional Magistrate Katra Rashpal Singh has been directed to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the death and submit the report to the government.

Earlier, protests were held in the region after death of Billoo, a native of Ludhiana in Punjab, who police claimed had committed suicide by hanging himself in the lock-up.

Billoo was picked in connection with a theft and pick-pocketing case and was taken to Adhkuwari police station for questioning.

Source ANI

India and Namibia on Monday signed two bilateral agreements on Pan-Namibian Network project and three Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs).

The two bilateral agreements were in the field of communication and cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The memorandums related to exemption from Visa requirement for diplomatic and official passports holders, Geology and Mineral Resources and cooperation in the field of defence.

After signing the bilateral agreements, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that India is committed to help Namibia in all spheres.

Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba said that he was completely satisfied with the talks that he had with Manmohan Singh.

Both the countries were committed to Non-Aligned Movement and wanted continuation of reform process of United Nations, particularly democratisation of United Nations Security Council.

Source ANI

Tax concessions announced under the new Foreign Trade Policy to boost exports will cost the exchequer an extra 2,200 crore rupees.

“Our analysis (of FTP''s implications on indirect taxes) is 2,200 crore rupees for (this fiscal),” Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) Chairman V Sridhar told reporters here on Monday.

The new Foreign Trade Policy announced a slew of tax concessions to boost exports, which have been on the downslide since October 2008.

Among other measures, the five-year FTP continues with the 2 percent interest subsidy for exporters on pre-shipment credit and income tax exemption to 100 percent Export Oriented Units (EOUs) till the end of next fiscal.

The government also extended the duty refund scheme till December 2010, and increased assistance for development of markets.

India’s exports grew by a meagre 3.4 percent in 2008-09 to about 168 billion dollars.

Source ANI

Though the party’s top leadership is struggling to set the house in order, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Maharashtra unit has finalised the seat sharing agreement with the Shiv Sena on Monday for the upcoming assembly polls in the state.

According to BJP sources the talks with Shiv Sena are almost over and an official announcement would be made in a day or two.

Both the parties agreed for the existing 171:117 formula for the 288 Assembly seats, sources added.

In the 2004 Assembly elections, the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance had allotted seven seats to Shetkari Sanghatana led by vetern farmer’s leader Sharad Joshi. As Joshi’s party is no more a partner of Sena-BJP combine, both the parties are expected to share these seats.

BJP is claiming the Chindwada seat, as the sitting legislator of that constituency joined the party.

The poll managers of the saffron alliance are confident of achieving seat matrix despite trouble faced by the BJP central leadership.

Meanwhile, the ruling Congress – Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) combine is still not sure on maintaining the alliance. Also the strategy of Raj Thackeray''s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is not yet clear.

The MNS is holding its cards close to the chest as to go alone or ally with one of the two major political groups, or opt for the Third Front.

Source ANI

The southern commands of the Indian Navy and Air Force based in Kerala were assigned new commanding heads on Monday.

Vice Admiral KN Sushil took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command (SNC) from Vice Admiral SK Damle at a ceremonial parade held at the naval base in Kochi.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1973, Admiral KN Sushil joined the submarine arm in 1976 and has served on both the Vela class and the Shishumar class submarines.

Air Marshal Sumit Mukerjee will be the new Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command and will assume charge on September 1, 2009.

Prior to this, Air Marshal Mukerjee was the Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel at Air Headquarters in New Delhi.

He is the only pilot in the history of IAF to have commanded units with the Mig-21, Mig-23U, Mig-25, Mig-27 and Mig-29 aircraft.

Air Marshal Sumit Mukerjee was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on January 22, 1972.

Source ANI

The deputy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj met the expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaswant Singh at his residence on Monday.

According to sources, Swaraj sought for an appointment to meet Singh in the morning but the reasons for the meeting is still not known.

The BJP expelled Singh who is representing the Darjeeling constituency on Aug 19, two days after the launch of his controversial book "Jinnah: India, Partition and Independence" the biography of Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

The meeting of the two is significant as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat categorically asked the BJP leadership to set the house in order at the earliest and to stop the infighting.

The series of meetings between Sangh top brass and BJP central leadership has resolved to set up a co-ordination committee comprising of former vice president of India Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Murli Manohar Joshi among others.

Earlier, former RSS chief K.S.Sudarshan met Leader of Opposition L.K.Advani. Sudarshan was heading the RSS when Advani was forced to resign following his statement on Jinnah in 2005.

Source ANI

Outgoing Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta on Monday alleged that Pakistan''s attempt to modify Harpoon missile posed a danger to India''s interest.

As per media reports, the Obama administration has protested to Pakistan for illegally modifying U.S.-made missiles to expand its ability to hit land-based targets.

Citing senior administration and Congressional officials, the reports said the charge came in late June through an unpublicized diplomatic protest to Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and other top Pakistani officials.

The accusation, made amid growing concerns about Pakistan''s increasingly rapid conventional and nuclear weapons development, triggered a new round of U.S.-Pakistani tensions, the report added.
Reacting to the same, Mehta said that US authorities are constantly being told that their aid to Pakistan is not necessarily used for self-defence.

"Here are certain things which people do. Like if we made our own Brahmos (a supersonic cruise missile), it was for the sea, then it become land version, so there are certain things that can be done to it. This is a danger of proliferation which we have also been mentioning to Americans at all times that what you give them (Pakistan) will not necessarily be targeted for self defence. And this in any case has got nothing to do with self-defence; it is obviously against Indian interest," Mehta added.

A senior Pakistani official called the accusation "incorrect," saying that the missile tested was developed by Pakistan, just as it had modified North Korean designs to build a range of land-based missiles that could strike India, according to the Times.

U.S. officials said the disputed weapon is a conventional one based on the Harpoon antiship missiles that were sold to Pakistan during the Reagan administration as a defensive weapon, the newspaper reported, but the charges come as the Obama administration is seeking Congressional approval for 7.5 billion dollars in aid for Pakistan over the next five years.

U.S. military and intelligence officials suspect Pakistan of modifying the Harpoon sold to them in the 1980s, which would violate the Arms Control Export Act.

Pakistan denied the charge and said it developed the missile, the media report said.

According to experts, the missiles would bolster Pakistan''s ability to threaten India, stoking fears of heating up the two nations'' arms race.

Source ANI

Marathon rounds of meetings between the RSS top brass with BJP leadership in New Delhi might have prepared a ground for leadership change. But real changeover in BJP is likely to take place only after RSS national executive meet in October.

According to highly placed sources, RSS is expected to chart a final blueprint for BJP succession plan in its three-day national executive meet which is slated to take place in Rajgir in Bihar from October 9-11.

Although publicly RSS claims that BJP is going to decide its own future course of action as per the leadership issue is concerned and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had reportedly asked Leader of Opposition L K Advani to decide on his successor.

But top RSS sources insist that Sangh will take final call on BJP leadership only after the October''s national executive.

All eyes within BJP and outside will be on two key positions on which the decision is to be taken in the crucial RSS meet.

BJP''s president Rajnath Singh tenure is ending in November and BJP-RSS combine has to appoint the new president. BJP has made it clear that Rajnath Singh will not get second term as president because according to the constitution same person cannot be repeat the term as a president and party is not looking in a mood to amend the constitution.

According to sources, while RSS is trying to rope in a fresh face like Bal Apte or Narendra Modi for the prestigious position, Advani camp is reportedly pitching for Arun Jaitley, Ananth Kumar and Venkaiah Naidu.

Similarly, ambiguity continues over who will take the baton from Advani as the Leader of Opposition. While speculations are rife that Sushma Swaraj is the first choice for the post. But Murli Manohar Joshi and Rajnath Singh who held lengthy discussions with Mohan Bhagwat are also seen as key contenders.

Source ANI

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who is on a five-day visit to India, on Monday assured that zero-tolerance for violence against Indian students has been adopted in Australia.

Gillard, who is also Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, called on her Indian counterpart Kapil Sibal here.

"We also talked about the concerns that there have been for Indian students visiting our country and are there for the purpose of education. I have advised Sibal that our local police have cracked down. We have zero-tolerance for violence against Indian students in Australia. We want Indian students in our country to be safe and feel welcomed," Gillard told reporters.

She added that Australian institutes that are not providing quality education to Indian students would be driven out of business.

"We are making sure that every provider of education in Australia to Indian students is a quality provider. We will go through a process of re-registering providers and to those who aren''t providing a quality education to Indian students, we will make sure that they are driven out of business and no longer they are providing education. We want every provider to be a quality provider," said Gillard.

Gillard said that she is in the country to take its relationship with India to the front rank of their international partnerships.

"Relationship between Australia and India is a very special relationship for us. We want to ensure that we are building on that good relationship today. We are building on a strategic partnership for the future and education collaboration and exchange will be an important part of that strategic partnership," said Gillard.

Meanwhile, Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said that Gillard has assured him that the Indian students who were targeted by mobs a couple of months ago in Australia would be taken care of.

"They have assured us that either they will be accommodated in another educational institution to continue their studies or they shall be compensated for the loss of money that has been caused on account of the fact that education institutions have been closed," said Sibal.

Several Indian students have been targeted in separate incidents over the past few months that have sparked angry reactions among the Indian community in Australia and in India itself.

Source ANI

At least two jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed and four others injured in two separate militant strikes in Srinagar on Monday.

In a first incident, militants opened indiscriminate firing in Lal Chowk area, killing two CRPF jawans.

The militants also reportedly lob grenades on CRPF’s G/28 battalion, situated in Maisuma area injuring four jawans.

Following these incidents, the security forces cordoned off the Lal Chowk, and Aftab Market for search operations.

Source ANI

India managed a reasonable economic growth of 6.1 percent during the first quarter of the current fiscal despite the global financial crisis impacting manufacturing and services sectors.

Country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate during April-June 2009 at 6.1 percent was higher than 5.8 percent in the previous quarter.

India witnessed a 7.8 percent economic expansion during the corresponding period of the last fiscal.

According to sources, mining and electricity in industrial sector, and financing among services sector posted higher growth of 7.9, 6.2 and 8.1 percent, respectively, in the first quarter of this fiscal, against 4.6, 2.7 and 6.9 percent a year ago.

Infrastructure development and community services also managed to register a growth of 7.1 and 6.8 percent against 8.4 and 8.2 percent, in the last fiscal.

However, agriculture and manufacturing industry expanded at a slower rate of 2.4 and 3.4 percent respectively.

The growth of hotels, trade, transport and communication was significantly lower at 8.1 percent against 13 percent in the last fiscal, sources said.

Earlier, on Saturday speaking in a function of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in Bangalore, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman,  Montek Singh Ahluwalia said drought situation prevailing in the country might prevent from achieving seven percent growth this year.

“Seven percent growth rate this year is unlikely. People are talking about six and six-and-a-half percent growth, which we agree and I think is reasonable,”Ahluwalia said.

Ahluwalia expressed confidence that “The economy should be able to rebounce by 2010. It would be normal in the 12th Plan.”

Source ANI

Outgoing Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta on Monday said that one of the most important tasks of navy is to work towards improving the image of the country.

Mehta while addressing here said that eastern and western navy fleet have recently participated in several overseas exercises, which in turn helps in improving the image of the country.

"Recently, our eastern fleet ships in entire South China sea and upwards till Japan has returned after participating in naval exercises with fleets of several countries. On the other hand, our western fleet ship has recently returned after deployment of two-and-half months and has returned just 15 days back. They performed several exercise, held talks and met people with other naval fleets of the countries. It is a very important work of navy to help in improving the image of the country," said Mehta.

Mehta and Navy Chief designate Nirmal Verma attended the taking over parade.

Vice Admiral Verma has taken over as the charge of Navy Chief.

A specialist in electronic warfare, Vice Admiral Verma was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1970 and since then he held various Staff, Operational and Command appointments.

He is a graduate of the Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich, U.K.

He also graduated from the U.S. Naval War College.

Source ANI

Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor on Monday admitted that there has been Chinese incursion in Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.

"There has been one intrusion of the Chinese helicopter some time back," General Deepak Kapoor said.

"The number of intrusions that has taken place so far in 2009 are almost the same that happened last year along both north and south banks (of Pangong lake). They take up at regular border meets," General Kapoor added.

Two Chinese helicopters reportedly violated the Indian air space in recently in Ladakh. According to reports, the helicopters air-dropped some canned food in a barren land at Chumar, northeast of Leh, along the border on June 21.

The MI series helicopters were reported by residents living along the Pangong lake.

The Chinese People''s Liberation Army has been crossing over into the Indian side in this region quite frequently with August reporting the maximum number of incursions.

According to reports, the Chinese Army had made 223 intrusions last year.

Source ANI

Rasoolan Devi, wife of the winner of Param Vir Chakra Havaldar Abdul Hamid has called off her sit-in protest three days after the State Government of Uttar Pradesh assured her and asked for ten days time to get her grandson a job.

Old and frail octogenarian Rasoolan Devi along with her grandson Mohammed Shameem started a sit-in protest on August 28, demanding that the State Government should fulfill its promise to get her grandson a job.

She accused the State Government for forcing her to come out of her house.

"My grandson is going through a lot. Why should I stage a sit-in protest if my grandson gets a job?" said Rasoolan Bibi, Abdul Hamid''s wife.

She called off the protest on August 30 after getting the government''s assurance.

However, her grandson Shameem continues his hunger strike until he gets a job.

"A job and five lakhs rupees as financial aid were announced on September 22 through Veer Shankar Pandey. I have got the money but I''m still waiting for the job. For this, I have gone on a hunger strike. My grandmother has come to ask about my well-being. She assured me that she will support me until my demands are met. We have to get this job," he said.

Abdul Hamid was posthumously  awarded the Param Vir Chakra in the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
In 2007, the Bahujan Samjwadi Party of Uttar Pradesh promised a job for her grandson but nothing has been done until now.

Source ANI

Indian Space research Organisation (ISRO) chairman G. Madavan Nair said on Monday that India would launch a mission to Mars by 2013.

The ISRO has begun the preparations for sending a spacecraft to Mars.

Earlier on Aug 13 the Union Government sanctioned seed money of Rs 10 crore for Mars project, to carry out various studies on experiments to be conducted, route of the mission and other related details necessary to scale the new frontier.

On Sunday ISRO called off the maiden Lunar mission after Indian Deep Space Network at Byalalu near Bangalore lost control over the Chndrayaan –I spacecraft.

Though Chandrayaan- I was slated to be a two-year mission, Nair claimed that ISRO scientists have achieved nearly 95% of Chandrayaan''''''''s scientific goals in less than a year.

Source ANI

A fire broke out in the Andhra Pradesh High Court building in the wee hours on Monday.

According to sources, the fire started around 4. am. in the second floor of the court which houses library and lockers of the advocates.

Over 10 fire tenders extinguished the flames after battling it for about five hours.

Fire personnel suspect that a short circuit triggered by the lightning may have caused the fire. However, actual cause of fire is yet to be ascertained.

The court will remain closed at least for two days to take stock of the damage.

Source ANI

Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said that BJP leaders LK Advani and Rajnath Singh will decide on their role within the party.

Talking to reporters here, Bhagwat said, "Rajnathji, Advaniji and others will decide on their role in the party. Everything will be fine in the BJP in future."  

"There are people with moral standing like Advani and under their guidance, they will solve all problems. We have nothing to do with this," he added

While the BJP had said that Rajnath Singh will not get an extension as party president beyond his three-year term that ends in December, there were reports that Advani may step down as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha but the timing for it has been left to him.

Bhagwat had a breakfast meeting with Advani on Sunday and had discussions with other senior leaders.

Sunday''s breakfast meeting between Advani and Bhagwat was the second between the two. They had earlier met on Saturday afternoon for about two hours at the RSS headquarters Keshavkunj in Delhi to discuss various issues.

Saturday''s meeting took place amid reports that the RSS has readied a succession plan for the BJP. However, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters at a press conference that no succession plan was discussed.

The RSS is believed to have told the BJP leadership to set its house in order. That this is being given serious thought was evident when top brass of the BJP met at Advani''s residence yesterday morning for about two hours and briefed him about their discussions with Bhagwat on Friday.

Sources said the RSS has firmly asked BJP leaders to end the infighting in the party and reach consensus on a new party chief.

Source ANI

A Malaysian spiritual seeker, who had come to India to learn Vedic healing, had to spend almost two years in an over-crowded Varanasi jail for violating Indian immigration laws.

A follower of the Krishna Consciousness movement, Lim Soon Seng of Johor landed on the ghats of Varanasi in 2001. For the next six years he diligently renewed his visa as he wandered in orange robes with sadhus (holy men) and lived a life of solitude.

But Lim’s spiritual sojourn turned into a nightmare when his passport expired in 2005 and he failed to renew it.

For the next 20 months, Lim, in his 50s, languished in Varanasi jail, one of the most crowded and dreaded Indian jails where notorious criminals are held, the Star Online reports.

Lim was charged under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, where offenders can face a jail sentence of between six months and seven years.

A German diplomat, who visited the jail to meet a fellow citizen, came across Lim and notified the Malaysian High Commission in Delhi about his predicament.

Once the embassy assured the local district magistrate that he would be repatriated to Malaysia safely, Lim was released.

“I lived with hardcore criminals, about 120 prisoners in the same cell. We slept on the floor with just a blanket and ate dhal and chapatti. Sometimes I asked the prison doctor for milk.

“Several times during my trial, I pleaded with the magistrate to release me but he refused. He said this was a serious offence,” Lim said over a home-cooked dinner at the High Commissioner’s residence in Delhi.

Now, the Indian government needs to issue him an Emergency Certificate to allow him to depart from the country.

Source ANI

Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan here today.

Pohamba, who arrived here on a five-day visit on Sunday, is to hold official-level talks with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Several agreements/MoUs for institutionalizing bilateral cooperation are expected to be signed.

The two sides will ink a MoU to provide an umbrella framework for Indian investment in the exploration of mineral resources, including gold, diamond and uranium  in Zambia.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) are jointly organizing an interaction with the Indian business community for the visiting Namibian delegation later this afternoon.

Later, President Pohamba will call on his Indian counterpart Pratibha Patil.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, the Leader of the Opposition L K Advani and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will also call on him.

The Namibian President arrived here Sunday on a five-day state visit to India.

This is President Pohamba''s first visit to India.

He is accompanied by a 43-member delegation, which includes five Ministers, senior officials, representatives of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, businessmen.

Source ANI

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has demanded the Central Government to declare Punjab as Special Agricultural Zone (SAZ) on the lines of Special Economic Zones (SEZ).

Punjab having 1.3 per cent geographical area of the country was contributing 70 per cent wheat and 40 per cent rice in the national pool.

Interacting with media at Village Bahmani Wala near Jalabad, Sukhabir, said: “The Union Government should recognise the role of Punjab in making India self-sufficient on food security front and time has come that it should come out with a long term package to enable Punjab farmers to increase agricultural production to meet the demand.”

He said on the corporate pattern of SEZs, the entire Punjab should be declared as SAZ with free power supply to the farms, tax-free on fertilizers, pesticides, seeds and diesel.

The plan would help to increase the marketing and export of agro products at price-linked rates, Sukhbir added.

He demanded the Union government to reimburse Rs 3160 crore being spent by the state government to provide free power to the farms, and also Rs 3400 crore to revitalize the old canal irrigation system.

Drawing attention of the people on the NASA’s warning that the increasing use of ground water would convert Punjab into a desert, Sukhbir urged the people not to exploit ground water.

Sukhbir expressed confidence that, with the hard work and determination of farmers coupled with support of state government, would exceed the last year’s production target and achieve a record production of 140 Lakh Metric Tonnes of paddy this year.

Source ANI

The Indian Army on Monday said that China violated the Indian air space in Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.

Army Spokesperson Northern Command, Colonel Kachari said, "It has happened. That is confirmed. But there is nothing alarming in it. I have given a written reply and that is the correct version."

Two Chinese helicopters reportedly violated the Indian air space in the recent months in Leh.

The helicopters air-dropped some canned food in a barren land at Chumar, northeast of Leh, along the border on June 21.

The MI series helicopters were reported by residents living along the Pangong lake.

The Chinese People''s Liberation Army has been crossing over into the Indian side in this region quite frequently with August reporting the maximum number of incursions.
 
In August this year, Chinese patrols have entered into the Indian territory 26 times and walked away with petrol and kerosene meant for jawans of the border guarding forces.

The Chinese Army had made 223 attempts last year and left tell-tale signs.

Source ANI

Michael Jackson’s children have inked emotional goodbye letters for their late father, who will soon be laid to rest.

Prince Michael I, 12, Paris, 11 and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, also called ''Blanket'', penned messages such as "Daddy we love you" and "Daddy we miss you" on notes that will be placed in the star’s coffin.

Jackson’s brother Marlon made the revelation along with other details about the ceremony, due to be held in the family''s compound at Los Angeles'' Forest Lawn Memorial Park on September 3, reports the China Daily.

Marlon also told Britain''s Sunday Mirror newspaper: "This will be a private ceremony. His hairstylist has made his hair special and a make-up artist has gone in and fixed him up so he''s ready for the big day. This will be Michael''s final curtain call - the last show. His shell will be gone but his spirit lives on."

Jackson died aged 50 after suffering cardiac arrest at his LA mansion on June 25.

His death was recently ruled as homicide by the LA County coroner.

Source ANI

Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced Electronic Voting Machines will be used in all the three States-- Maharashtra, Haryana, and Arunachal Pradesh that undergo elections on October 13.

The single-phased elections will be held for total 438 State Assembly seats-- 288 (Maharashtra), 90 (Haryana), and 60 (Arunachal).

Addressing a press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla said that the three States of Maharashtra, Haryana, and Arunachal Pradesh will undergo Assembly elections of October 13 and the counting will be held on October 22.

He added that "The decision has been taken after considering the all the factors including public holidays, academic calendar, climatic conditions, time required to deployment of forces etc."

The voting will be done through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Use of any religious place for election campaigning and seeking votes on the basis of religion or Jaati will amount to violation of code of conduct for elections, the CEC said.

The notification of the election would be issued on September 18, the last day for filing of nomination will be September 25, scrutiny of nomination will be held n September 26, and the last day for withdrawing of nomination will be September 29.

The election process will complete on October 25.

The Election Commissioned also prohibited police personnel or officials from being appointed in their home cities.

Chawla said the election Commission has decided to hold the election as per the electoral roll prepared for the General elections held in May. But still the commission has decided to hold a special round of revision as per 1-1-2009.

"No official having a controversial record will be appointed during the poll process," said the CEC.

Over 7, 55,000 people in Arunachal Pradesh, 1,20,63,000 in Haryana, and over 7,56,34,000 people are registered in the electoral roles.

The election commission will set up 2,061 booths I Arunachal Pradesh, 12,894 in Haryana and 82,028 booths in Maharashtra for the polling.

The Election Commission has also directed its all State Election Boards to start help lines for public.

There are 82,028 (Maharashtra), 12,894 (Haryana), and 2,061 (Arunachal Pradesh) polling centres in the three states.

The percentage of people having voter identity cards in three States is 67 % (Maharashtra), 99% (Haryana), and 87 % (Arunachal Pradesh).

Chawla said a camera will be installed in each and every polling booth and the CD will remain with the custody of the District Election Officer (DEO). Any individual, who would like to have a copy of the CD, can get the same from the DEO by paying the prescribed fee.

He also asked the DEO to retain a master copy of the CD, so that it will help the commission to produce the details in case of any writs were filed in the court relating the election disputes.

Source ANI

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will meet Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader M Venkaiah Naidu here today.

Earlier, the BJP central leadership had said that they have asked Raje to report to them in New Delhi on August 30.

On Thursday, Raje had asserted that she had no plans to leave Rajasthan and would continue to serve the people of the state "post or no post".

Raje, however, declined to comment on whether she would resign from the post.

She has been asked by the BJP high command to step down as the Leader of the Opposition in the wake of the party''''s poor performance in the Lok Sabha and the state Assembly elections.

In the 2009 general elections, the BJP was reduced to four seats from 23 that it had in 2004 in Rajasthan.

Source ANI

Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba will hold official-level talks with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here today.

Several agreements/MoUs for institutionalizing bilateral cooperation are expected to be signed.

The two sides will ink a MoU to provide an umbrella framework for Indian investment in the exploration of mineral resources, including gold, diamond and uranium  in Zambia.

Later, President Pohamba will call on President Pratibha Patil.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, the Leader of Opposition L K Advani and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will also call on him.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) are jointly organizing an interaction with the Indian business community for the visiting Namibian delegation in New Delhi.

The Namibian President arrived here on Sunday a five-day state visit to India.

This is President Pohamba''''s first visit to India.

He is accompanied by a 43-member delegation, which includes five Ministers, senior officials, representatives of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, businessmen.

Source ANI

Former BJP general secretary and vice-president  Pyarelal Khandelwal on Monday, in a letter written to L.K.Advani, Rajnath Singh and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has questioned the ouster of Jaswant Singh from the party and asked for a reconsideration of his expulsion. as he termed it a “hasty” decision.

Questioning the harsh action taken against Jaswant Singh, Khandelwal has asked the top leadership of BJP and RSS, said it was an action in a hurry and thus Singh deserves to be reinstated with full respect.

“I have written a letter in which I have asked for Jaswant ji’s reinstatement in the party with full respect, as it was an action in a hurry by the party. The ban on book should also be revoked,” said Pyarelal Khandelwal about the contents of the letter on a private channel on Monday evening.

Jaswant Singh has been expelled by the BJP for writing a book ‘praising’ M.A. Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

Source ANI

Defending champion India beat Syria by 5-4 in a penalty shootout in a thrilling final match to win the ONGC Nehru Cup football tournament held at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Monday.

The win came after a nail-biting finish as no goals could be scored in the normal time, and had to be decided on penalty shoots, where India missed just two shots, while Syria missed three of the seven shots.

Goalkeeper Subroto Paul was awarded the man of the match for his superb performance in the match.

Led by its star striker Bhaichung Bhutia, India entered the third consecutive final of the Nehru Cup and anticipations were high, as they had defeated Syria in the 2007 final.

Indian team had strikers in the form of Bhutia and Sunil Chettri, while Anthony Pereira, N.P. Pradeep, Climax Lawrence and Steven Dias handled midfield.

Defence was well held by Mahesh Gawli, Anwar, Gourmangi Singh and Surkumar Singh.

The tournament had been quite difficult for the home team, as they had won two and lost two league matches, including one against Syria. On the other hand Syria, with a strong defence, had won all their league matches.

Source ANI

The Government on Monday announced that it will introduce grading system in all Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools and make Class X board exams optional from coming academic year (2010-11).

Union Human Resource Development minister Kapil Sibal, during a press conference in the national capital, said: “Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) supports making Class X examination optional in CBSE system.”

“There is a pan-India consensus over the issue. So we have decided to go ahead with this,” Sibal said.

The Class X board exams will become optional in all CBSE schools from the coming academic year (2010-11).

As per sources, the CBSE has prepared the format of an aptitude exam which schools can use to test Class X students on their level of understanding in each subject. The emphasis, however, will be on continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) through the year instead of a single public exam at the end of Class X.

Source ANI

Lieutenant General RK Loomba, General Officer Commanding 3 Corps, on Monday took over as the new Director General of Military Intelligence.

Lt. Gen Loomba assumed responsibility from incumbent Lieutenant General DS Bartwal, who is proceeding on retirement.

An alumni of the National Defence Academy, Lt. Gen Loomba was commissioned into the Skinner’s Horse of Indian Army in June 1970.

He served in Operation Cactus Lily with his Regiment, and has served as Brigade Major in a Mountain Division.

He has held numerous important appointments at all levels including at the Army Headquarters, he has been Commander Higher Command Wing training the officers for higher direction of war.

Source ANI

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Monday reviewed the prices of essential commodities and observed that the major areas of concern were prices of pulses and sugar.

The CCEA has said that several steps have been taken to increase the availability of pulses and sugar, which would help in controlling the price increase.

The need to enforce stock limits, carry out de-hoarding operations and use the powers available under the Essential Commodities Act and the Prevention of Black-marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act have also been emphasised.

Source ANI

The Centre has called upon States for support and partnership to ensure educational reforms in the country.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 56th Central Advisory Board on Education (CABE) meeting in the national capital on Monday, Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal underlined expansion, inclusion and excellence as the three underlying principles for educational reforms.

Sibal particularly called for collaboration from State Governments with regard to the Right to Education (RTE).

He pointed out that Rs. 1,50,000 crore would be required for implementing the RTE in the country and it is perceived that there will be a shortfall of Rs.60,000 crore, as it would be a massive exercise.

Sibal also said that in order to provide equal opportunity to all students trying for professional courses, a core curriculum in Maths and Science needs to be formulated.

The minister also emphasised that diversity in education was to be respected and there was no intent of having a single board in the country.

With regard to higher education Sibal said that his Ministry was in the process of formulating the structure for an overarching body for higher education that would be responsible for higher education policy.

He said that some of the proposals for higher education included complete autonomy to universities for devising courses, cross fertilisation of courses and research oriented universities.

Sibal also said that he was open to the idea of Indian universities collaborating with foreign universities or with the corporate sector. He pointed out that the corporate sector was showing increasing interest in education as they require trained manpower.

Source ANI

First it was drought and now it is swarming caterpillars, which are adding to the woes of the paddy farmers in Jharkhand’s Palamu district.

The farmers in the region are worried as the caterpillars are devouring the paddy plants and have spread across acres of paddy fields, and it is feared that almost 60 to 70 percent of the crop have been damaged.

“There has been drought, we were already thinking about fending for our living. And, now the caterpillars have destroyed the crop. We fear dying of hunger. We are facing a very tough situation,” said Manraj Singh, a farmer.

Out of the total 48,400 hectares of land under paddy in the region only 14.5 percent was sown due to the lack of water and now the caterpillar is eating up whatever was sown.

“Only 14.5 percent of the area has been sown this year. In Palamu district, the total area under paddy cultivation is almost 48,400 hectares, out of which only 14.5 has been sown. Firstly there was a water problem ad now the plants have been infested by a pest called swarming caterpillar,” said D.N Singh, an agriculture scientist.

The farmers also complain of Government lack of concern over the matter and feel they have no help from anywhere in such gloomy situation.

Source ANI

Nepali nationals caught by the Madhya Pradesh ATS in connection with fake currency racket have revealed Nepal''s former prince Paras’s link to India’s most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim.

Paras is the son of the former Nepal king Gyanendra, who has now taken refuge in Singapore.

The revelations came during the interrogation of two Nepali nationals, who were caught while trying to smuggle in the fake currency notes into India.

They further revealed that a prominent minister''s son Yunus Ansari was working as as the conduit between King Gyanendra''s son Paras and underworld kingpin Dawood Ibrahim, who between them have been pushing crores of fake currency into India.

According to sources, Dawood manages the printing and manufacture of the fake currency, while Paras is responsible for the transit of the money from other countries into Nepal and then its flow into India.

Paras reportedly used his influence to ensure the money reached the transit points on the India-Nepal border without any hitch.

Source ANI

''Lateral entrants'', a term coined for non-RSS workers, are in for tough days ahead in the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In the wake of recent wrangling in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) followed by the exit of senior leader Jaswant Singh and L.K. Advani''s aide Sudheendra Kulkarni, the party has decided to clip the feathers of ‘lateral’ entrants.  It literally implies that the members, who are non-swayamsewaks, will no more be able to enjoy the power and clout they used to till recent past.

A senior leader, seeking anonymity, said, " BJP has decided that the next BJP President will be a swayamsewak and will not be a  '' lateral entry''.  This will further strengthen the chances of hardcore RSS workers--Arun Jaitley, Bal Apte and Narendra Modi-- being appointed as the new bosses of the organisation and put to rest speculations about Sushma Swaraj becoming the new President of the party after Rajnath Singh’s three-year term comes to its end by the end of this year.

According to a top BJP source, the cadres of the party are deeply pained by the recent statements made by Jaswant Singh and Advani''s aide Sudheendra Kulkarni who left the party citing that he has fundamental differences with BJP''s ideology.

Party believes that cadres across the country are deeply anguished by the conduct of ‘lateral’ entrants who enjoyed enormous power and were aspirants of holding top jobs if party had won. But they defected after the party lost in the elections.

According to sources, although party will downsize the clout of non-swayamsewaks in party affairs, it will not bar their entry into the party.

Source told ANI that BJP would welcome lateral entrants into the party in future on the basis of their professional ability and capacity.

It is learnt that RSS chief in his recent meetings with the BJP leadership had suggested that they should trim the role of lateral entrants in the BJP and promote swayamsewaks in the party.

Taking a dig at the so called intellectuals, who form the major chunk of ‘lateral entrants’ in the party, top source also said: "We have competent cadres who can speak good English and also write a book."

Admitting that the generational change in the party is imminent, party sources also indicated that Advani will continue to guide the party with his experience and moral authority even after he steps down as the leader of Opposition.

Source ANI

At a time when violent incidents in Assam’s North Cachar Hills district have drawn nationwide attention, a Naga youth wants to promote peace and unity in the trouble torn district through music.

Isepung Newme, 23, is a Zeme Naga of Haflong, Lodi Village in North Cachar Hills district believes that peace can be promoted through music.

Newme is a cameraperson, director and editor of his musical album and using his talent to bring about change in the troubled NC Hills.

“My album that I’ll be working on will convey the message of peace and unity to the masses. It will help them understand the real meaning of peace and brotherhood where all people can live together like brothers and sisters. Till date I’ve made three albums, two are gospels songs and one love songs,” said Isepung Newme, artist in NC Hills

He has released three video albums so far that were produced with the basic equipment given to him by his father.

During his journey of peace he has encountered many obstacles, however, this has not stopped him from pursuing his dream.

He is currently working on an album, which will feature songs in different dialects of NC Hills to promote peace and harmony among various communities in the NC Hills.

Source ANI

Punjab farmers were full of optimism of harvesting a bumper crop of paddy despite a delayed monsoon, but now they fear crop damage due to attack of “Blight”, a bacterial disease.

Worried farmers allege that the agriculture department is not guiding them how to protect their crop from Blight.

However, at several places, the farmers, who had transplanted paddy, which was in good shape earlier, seem to be fighting a fast losing battle because of the widespread attack of “Blight”.

In various affected villages in the border districts of Amritsar and Gurdaspur, the farmers today estimate nearly 50 percent of damage to paddy due to “Blight”, if it’s not controlled in time.

“The disease appeared as yellowish green stripes running from tip downwards and the affected leaf started drying from the margins. Since most of the farmers are unaware about the remedies so agriculture department should come forward to educate the farmers to tackle this problem,” said Jagdev Singh, one of the farmers.

Mangdev Singh, Sarpanch (village head) of Chiina Pati Village said, “Blight has dashed our hopes. We were expecting very good returns from paddy. In all the 500 acres of village paddy was transplanted. “Blight” attack has started in patches. If we fail to control, this could cause damage of al the crop here.

Singh said that they have contacted the department. Though the Agricultural Department accepts the damage to crops, it is not prepared to quantify it as yet.

In Amritsar district alone, of the nearly 183,000 hectares of land, Basmati was transplanted in about 90,000 hectares of land and in the rest of the farming land other variety of paddy was transplanted.

According to Gurdeep Singh, an Agriculture Development Officer, the disease has been noticed in all varieties of paddy grown in the areas of border belt.

“Since the disease develops more in high humid conditions, farmers should not allow stagnation of water in the fields. Farmers should not spray pesticides to control the disease, as these are not effective against it,” said Gurdeep Singh.

Source ANI

The migratory birds coming into the country have found a safe haven in Orissa’s Baijal Sagar village, which surrounded by lush green forests provide an ideal habitat for these birds.

The villagers act as ideal hosts to the visiting birds, who arrive during the monsoon season, as they protect and provide a safe shelter to these winged beauties.

“No-no, nobody hurts these birds. No one kills them. They come here, as they feel safe here. Why should we kill them? They have never harmed us in any form as such no one dares to hurt them,” said Sambar Majhi, a villager.

The birds come here in at the advent of sowing season and stay here for 6-7 months. During this period they lay eggs, hatch the off-springs and once their young ones are ready to fly, return to their native countries.

In a state where cases of poaching are quite common and the migratory birds are often killed for their flesh, the instance of villagers turning protectors has been much appreciated by the forest officials.

“People are very cooperative. They are very much interested in protection of wildlife. With their help, birds are not being hunted. There are no instances of hunting,” said R K Sahu, Divisional Forest Officer of Bolangir Range.

Every year, nearly a million birds from upper regions of Asia, Europe and the Far East visit Orissa just prior to the winter and nestle as well as breed here till the season is over.

Source ANI

A stamp collector from Punjab’s Amritsar district, Neeraj Jain has received the first stamp of the ''Pride of India'' series, which was introduced by the Government on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of First War of Independence.

Jain had started collecting stamps from a very early age of thirteen and has continued with his passion since then. He has so far collected 1,50,000 million Indian stamps, which include the 2100 stamps issued after independence.

“As a child I was fascinated by the stamps on the envelopes and the people who collected them. Small children always have a habit of collecting things; I gradually developed the habit of collecting stamps and my interest in them grew with time. Also, I got helpful people to guide me in this regard,” said Neeraj Jain.

The ''Pride of India'' stamp collection showcases the unique culture and chronicles the great historical events of the country and contains twenty-five stamp replicas made of pure silver and encrusted with twenty-four carat gold.

“Once I went to the post office and overheard someone talking about a gold series of stamps. The idea struck my mind and I collected all the necessary information from the Internet and the post office. I came to know that there twenty-five stamps and one stamp would be issued every month. The cost of one stamp is Rs 6,000 and the whole collection costs up to Rs 1,50,000,” said Neeraj Jain.

He further informed that he has received first two stamps from the collection, first being of "Krishnagarh'' and second of ''Mahatma Gandhi''.

Among the great collection that Neeraj possesses is the stamp of ''Radha Krishna'' painting, which dates back to May 5th, 1973, and gold and silver coins launched at the silver and golden jubilee of the Independent India.

Source ANI

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Kerala Government over the state Governor’s permission to CBI to prosecute Pinarayi Vijayan.

The apex court was hearing the petition filed by Vijayan, challenging the governor''s sanction for his prosecution by the CBI.

Vijayan is the politburo member of Communist party of India (Marxist) (CPM)

A bench of the apex court comprising Justice R.V. Ravindran and Justice B.S. Sudarsan Reddy admitted Vijayan''s lawsuit directly for hearing.

The bench stated that the petition involved several important questions of law.

Vijayan is facing the charges of by passing the regulations while awarding a contract to a Canadian based company, SNC Lavalin for renovating three power plants when he was Kerala’s power minister in 1997.

The charges against Vijayan were filed in a special court after Kerala Governor R.S. Gavai gave the green signal to the CBI to prosecute the stalwart of communist movement in June.

Earlier, the central agency had asked Vijayan to appear before the CBI court at Kochi on September 24.

The Rs.374-crore SNC Lavalin scam, has created a tussle between Vijayan and State Chief Minister V.S.Achhuthanandan.

Source ANI