Budget 2018 – Key Highlights

* Arun Jaitley says that the government does not propose any changes in tax slabs this year. * FM proposes a fiscal deficit of 3.3% of GDP for 2018-19. * Finance Minister Arun Jaitley proposes revising emoluments as per the following structure: — Rs 5 lakh for the President of India — Rs 4 lakh for the Vice President — Rs 3.5 lakh for the Governors * Jaitley also proposes automatic revision of emoluments of Parliamentarians every five years, indexed to inflation. * We have already exceeded our disinvestment target,…

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Earth’s satellite turns red, stargazers see ‘Super Blue Blood Moon’ across India

Moon-gazers saw a super moon, when it looks bigger and brighter than ever because it is closer to the earth, a blue moon, which is the second full moon in a calendar month, and a blood moon, a reference to the red colour of an eclipse. The phenomenon was visible across several parts of the world. The moon put on a rare cosmic show Wednesday: a red blue moon, super big and super bright. The celestial treat became visible in India a little later than expected but when it did,…

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Keep check on growth of water lilies in Dal Lake: High Court

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) to remain alert about the re-emergence of lily pads in the Dal Lake and take immediate steps in February and March to curtail their reappearance. Earlier in December 27, while expressing its satisfaction with the removal of lily pads from the Dal Lake, the court had asked LAWDA to continue the process, so as to not allow any re-growth in the next season. As the matter came up for hearing before a division bench headed…

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Ravinder Raina, BJP MLA demands ban on alcohol in J&K

BJP MLA Ravinder Raina demanded that Jammu and Kashmir be declared a dry state and that alcohol and bars be banned immediately, drawing support from legislators from across the political spectrum but not enough for the Speaker in the assembly to conclude that the majority was in its favour. J&K finance minister Haseeb Drabu said freedom of choice should be respected. Raina, while referring to the growing menace of alcoholism, especially in Jammu, said a ban should be imposed immediately in border areas, which are the first line of defence for…

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KCCI objects to proposed land transfer to police dept

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Javid Ahmad Tenga has expressed resentment over the proposed transfer of HMT Watch Factory industrial land to the police department. “It is unfortunate that the state government is contemplating to transfer industrial land retrieved from the HMT Watch Factory, Zainakot, to the police department for a housing colony,” Tenga said in a statement. “The KCCI had recommended that the chunk of land along with infrastructure created by the erstwhile HMT factory be converted into a gem and jewellery park. The proposal has…

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90% Dip in precipitation, January 2018 decade’s driest period

Kashmir witnessed the driest January in a decade with nearly 90 per cent deficiency in precipitation. It has also risked the survival of the region’s water bodies. The Indian Meteorological Department listed the state as having “largely deficient” rain and snowfall this month, which otherwise, receives an average of 95.7-mm rainfall. During the month, the state received 3.2-mm rain and snowfall against the normal average of 65.3 mm for that period – resulting in 95 per cent deficiency, the IMD said in its report. Moreover, the state’s nine districts received…

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India slips to 42nd place on EIU Democracy Index

India has slipped to 42nd place on an annual Global Democracy Index amid rise of conservative religious ideologies and increase in vigilantism and violence against minorities as well as other dissenting voices. While Norway has again topped the list, followed by Iceland and Sweden, compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), India has moved down from 32nd place last year and remains classified among “flawed democracies”. The index ranks 165 independent states and two territories on the basis of five categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, the functioning of…

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Joint Resistance Leadership calls for Shopian Chalo on Feb 2

Malik leads protest against Shopian killings The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik Wednesday called for “Shopian Chalo” on February 2 (Friday) while JKLF chairman led protest against the Shopian killings and human rights violations. As Geelani and Mirwaiz continued to remain under house arrest, the protest against Shopian killings and human rights violations in Valley was led by Malik at Nowhatta chowk. Large number of people and separatist leaders and activists participated in the protest. Geelani and Malik address the…

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FIR filed against Army men in Shopian shootout; Nirmal Singh says ‘won’t let anyone demoralise forces’

The Indian Army has reacted to the FIR lodged in the case of two civilians killed in the firing in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district and said that the Army men acted in self-defence. The statement by the Indian Army said that there should have been generic FIR in the matter. The Northern Army commander Lt Gen Devraj Anbu said it is unfortunate and the truth will definitely come out. “It is an initial step, they have lodged FIR. Everything will come out in an investigation. Notwithstanding what state government…

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Civilian death toll rises to 3 in controversial firing by Army in Shopian

A third civilian died today following the January 27 firing by the Army in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian, according to ANI. The third man who died is one Rayees Ahmad. Earlier, two civilians were killed and nine others injured in the controversial incident, during which the Army fired into a stone-pelting mob that targeted a military convoy. Following the incident, an FIR was registered against two Army officers by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The FIR was lodged under sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Ranbir…

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