FAITH LEADERS VOW TO MAKE BIHAR CLEAN AND GREEN

OVER 20 prominent interfaith leaders of India’s major faiths joined hands with the Governor of Bihar and other dignitaries to pledge togetherness for a Swachh Bharat and a Swachh Bihar at a special Summit held by the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) with technical support of UNICEF in Patna on Wednesday (January 4).

The Summit, called the ‘Sarva Dharma, Swachhta Evam Sadbhavna’, was organized with the aim of ushering in a Swachhta Kranti (clean revolution) through the coming together of prominent faith leaders, policy-makers, corporate leaders, civil society and media.

Together, the dignitaries fostered inspiration towards taking actions to ensure safe, sustainable and healthy water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for all.

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UNION BUDGET TO BE PRESENTED ON FEBRUARY 1

The Budget session of Parliament is set to begin early on January 31, a day ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget this year, which will also see elimination of a separate Railway Budget.

The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (January 3) met and recommended holding the Budget Session from January 31 followed by the presentation of the Union Budget on February 1.

The CCPA has forwarded the dates for the approval of President Pranab Mukherjee. Both the address of the President and tabling of the Economic Survey are likely to take place on January 31, sources said.

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INDIAN MINISTER CAUSES OUTRAGE BY BLAMING ‘WESTERN DRESS’ FOR SEX ATTACKS

An Indian minister faced a severe backlash Tuesday (3) after he criticised women for dressing “like westerners” at a New Year’s eve celebration where a mob allegedly carried out a series of sex assaults.

Although police have yet to charge anyone in connection with the violence on Saturday (31) night in Bangalore, local media have carried testimony and photos of victims cowering from their attackers or fleeing for safety.

Police say they are now trawling through CCTV footage to see if they can identify any of the attackers. But a minister with responsibility for policing in the southern state of Karnataka, whose largest city is Bangalore, said the “unfortunate” attacks were a consequence of women wearing western clothing.

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CAN'T USE CASTE TO SEEK VOTES: APEX COURT

IN a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on Monday (January 2) held that any appeal for votes on the ground of 'religion, race, caste, community or language" amounted to 'corrupt practice' under the election law provision.

Referring to the term 'his religion' used in section 123(3) of the Representation of The Peoples (RP) Act, which deals with 'corrupt practice', Chief  Justice T S Thakur and three others in the 4:3 verdict said it meant the religion and caste of all including voters, candidates and their agents etc.

The ruling came on a batch of petitions regarding whether religion can be used to garner votes in an election and whether it will amount to a “corrupt practice” warranting disqualification of the winning candidate.

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NRIS NEED TO SHOW OLD NOTES TO CUSTOMS

NON-RESIDENT INDIANS and Indian nationals abroad can deposit up to Rs 25,000 of the demonetised currency during the 3-6 month grace period, but only if they show the junked notes to Customs officials at the airport and get declaration form stamped.

The declaration will have to be submitted at specified branches of the Reserve Bank while depositing the junked currency, a finance ministry notification stated on Monday (January 2).

While the 50-day window for such deposits at banks or post offices ended on December 30, the government has offered a grace period for those who were abroad.

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ANURAG, SHIRKE GET THE SUPREME COURT BOOT

CRACKING the whip on a defiant Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Supreme Court on Monday (Jnauary 2) removed its president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke, saying they should 'forthwith cease and desist from' the board's work.

The apex court also decided to initiate contempt proceedongs against Thakur by seeking his response as to why he should not be held liable for obstructing the implementation of the court's directions aimed at reforming BCCI.

A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said that working of BCCI will be looked after by a committee of administrators and requested senior advocate Fali S Nariman and senior advocate Gopal Subramanian, who was assisting in the matter as amicus curaie, to assist the court in nominating persons of impeccable integrity as the members in the committee of administrators.

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MODI DOLES OUT SOPS FOR WEAKER SECTIONS

Addressing the nation on the New Year’s Eve, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (December 31) announced an array of new schemes that will benefit the homeless poor, farmers, senior citizens and small scale industrialists.

Ending two days of mounting suspense, he thanked the people for the patience they have shown after the demonetisation decision and pointed out that considering the response that the move has gathered, it was evident that the country and its people were looking for a way to beat corruption and black money.

‘Our country has been through a historic purification ceremony after the announcement of demonetisation this Diwali. This will play an important role in the course of the nation for many years to come,’ Modi said in the televised address.

Read more:  https://goo.gl/6dd3qu