NEWS IN BRIEF – JUL 09, 2013
1. Falling Re isn’t just pinching, it’s hurting all of us badly, Plummets To 61.2/$, Down 13% Since May : Mumbai: The rupee fell to a new low of 61.21 on Monday, raising the spectre of high inflation and threatening to throw government finances into disarray. A jittery Reserve Bank of India sold dollars and cracked down on speculation to bring back the rupee to 60.62 at close — up from 60.26 on Friday. [TOI p1]
2. As Rs. hits new low, PM turns to India Inc for advice : MUMBAI: The rupee touched a new low of 61.21 to the dollar on Monday, raising fears of higher inflation and limiting the Reserve Bank of India’s elbow room to make borrowing cheaper for firms and individuals. Credit is vital to spur investment and boost spending to reverse the decade-low slowdown in the Indian economy.[HT p1]
3. No clear leads yet in Bodh Gaya probe : Patna/NewDelhi: Investigating
agencies probing the serial blasts at the Mahabodhi temple complex were
on Monday unable to draw any conclusion about the outfit responsible for
the terror attack which brutally exposed the Bihar government’s underpreparedness
to deal with a threat it had repeatedly been warned of. [TOI
p1]
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4. NIA questions man for Bodh Gaya blasts : Patna : A day after serial
blasts rocked the Mahabodhi temple complex in Bihar’s Gaya district, the
National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday interrogated one person
detained in connection with the incident. A team of the central agency
arrived in Gaya to investigate the case.[The Hindu p1]
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/nia-questionsman-
for-bodh-gaya-blasts/article4894131.ece?homepage=true
5. Digvijaya hints at Modi link, draws ridicule : New Delhi : The politics
over the Bodhgaya blasts took an ugly turn with Congress general
secretary Digvijaya Singh hinting at a possible “connection” with Gujarat
chief minister Narendra Modi and accusing the BJP for targeting Muslims.
In retaliation, the BJP said it looks as though Singh has lost his balance as
he was trying to find non-existent motives.[HT p1]
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Bodh-Gayablasts-
Digvijaya-hints-at-Modi-link-draws-ridicule/Article1-
1089302.aspx
6. CBI still wants to show coal report to govt : New Delhi : The CBI
wants to share its probe report in the coal block allocation scam with the
government and has requested the Supreme Court to modify its order that
bars it from doing so. The agency, which filed a status report in the case in
a sealed cover, on Monday also sought lifting of court restrictions on
changing the 33-member team investigating the scam, which has come to
be known as Coalgate. [HT p1] http://www.hindustantimes.com/Indianews/
newdelhi/CBI-still-wants-to-show-coal-report-togovernment/
Article1-1089418.aspx
7. BJP's double-talk : Records show Modi govt itself sought CBI probe :
New Delhi : The BJP, which has repeatedly accused the CBI of working
under the pressure of the UPA government, may find it ironical that the
party-led Gujarat government had agreed for the agency’s probe into the
Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case in the high court in 2011.[HT p8]
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/BJP-s-doubletalk-
Modi-govt-itself-sought-CBI-probe-in-Ishrat-case/Article1-
1089428.aspx
8. Justifying transfer could prove tough for CBi director : New Delhi :
CBI Director Ranjit Sinha may face a hard time explaining the Supreme
Court that the decision to transfer out four senior officers from the fodder
scam probe would not prejudice the crucial trial in nine cases pending in a
Ranchi court.[Pioneer Daily p5]
http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/justifying-transfer-could-provetough-
for-cbi-director.html
9. Fraud victim 'discloses' Chandy role : Thiruvananthapuram : Options
became limited for Kerala’s Congress Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on
Monday with a ‘victim’ of the fraudsters in the solar scam ‘disclosing’ that
he had given Rs40 lakh to con woman Saritha S Nair, main perpetrator of
the scam, in the name of a solar power project after getting assurances
directly from Chandy on her credibility and that of her business.[Pioneer
Daily p6] http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/fraud-victim-discloseschandy-
role.html
10. Now, Nitish hints at BJP-RJD vs JD(U) : Patna :Taking the exchange of
barbs between him and BJP leaders one step further, Bihar Chief Minister
Nitish Kumar said that the BJP has found a new friend in the RJD as both
parties are giving final shape to their strategy for defeating the JD (U) in
the election.[Pioneer Daily p6]
http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/now-nitish-hints-at-bjp-rjd-vsjdu.
html
11. Poll panel to hold meeting over apex court directive on freebies :
New Delhi : The Election Commission will convene a meeting of
representatives of recognised national and State-level political parties to
discuss the impact of the July 5 verdict of the Supreme Court, which
stated that freebies offered by parties in manifestos would not come under
“corrupt practices” and “electoral offences” under the Representation of
the People Act, 1951.[The Hindu p1] http://www.thehindu.com/todayspaper/
poll-panel-to-hold-meeting-over-apex-court-directive-onfreebies/
article4896403.ece
12. Good governance to be BJP's winning mantra : New Delhi : The BJP
will attempt to keep issues like “good governance and development” in the
centre stage of political discourse and avoid the temptation of raking up
emotive issues. The party will speed up the exercise of fine tuning
organisational and electoral set-up to put up a good show in the Lok
Sabha poll. Head of BJP’s national campaign committee, Narendra Modi,
will also set up internal panels to take care of specific assignments. Modi
will decide composition of these panels in consultation with Rajnath Singh
and other senior leaders. [Pioneer Daily p1]
13. Cong to cash in on food bill : New Delhi : As the party has already
indicated its intent to cash-in electorally on food ordinance in upcoming
assembly and Loksabha elections, the Congress is leaving no stone
unturned in propagating the food security scheme that will provide right to
cheap food grain to 82 crore people.[AA p2]
14. Oppn breathes fire, govt in a fix over session dates : New Delhi : With
a hostile opposition waiting to corner the UPA and not offering any
assurance for the smooth functioning of Parliament, the UPA managers
are taking time to finalise the schedule of the much-awaited monsoon
session.[HT p9] http://www.hindustantimes.com/Indianews/
newdelhi/Opposition-breathes-fire-govt-in-a-fix-over-sessiondates/
Article1-1089333.aspx
15. Bansal won’t nail nephew,Will Only Explain Process Of Appointment,
Says CBI Chief: New Delhi: The CBI may have made Pawan Bansal a
witness in the “cash-forjobs” scam, but the former railway minister will not
be deposing against his nephew Vijay Singla, whom the agency has
identified as the key protagonist in the case. [TOI p11]
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16. Complaints against CBI may not fall under RTI : New Delhi : Inquiry
proceedings against CBI officials may get exempted from the scope of the
Right to Information Act (RTI), if the government’s suggestions on the
working of a proposed accountability commission get through. [HT p13]
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Complaintsagainst-
CBI-may-not-fall-under-RTI/Article1-1089412.aspx
17. We're ready if Cong calls snap polls : BJP : New Delhi : After
questions were raised over leadership dynamics in the BJP and the role of
its highest decision making body- the parliamentary board-in framing poll
strategies, the party appeared disinclined on Monday to bestow
overwhelming powers on Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, Its campaign
committee chief. [AA p1]
18. Ishrat’s friend was police informer, says his father, ‘Javed Worked
For A Desh Bhakt Officer’ : Ahmedabad: Javed Shaikh alias Pranesh
Pillai, who was killed along with Ishrat Jahan and two others in a fake
encounter in 2004, was a Gujarat police informer working for a “desh
bhakt” (patriot) officer, claims his father Gopinath Pillai. [TOI p11]
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19. EC to consult all parties on manifesto rules : New Delhi: The Election
Commission (EC) will convene a meeting of recognized national and state
political parties soon to discuss implementation of a recent Supreme Court
order seeking framing of guidelines for party manifestoes. [TOI p11]
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20. Modi to be Born as PM Nominee at End of 7th Month, Party
parliamentary board’s stamp soon as RSS conveys backing for
Gujarat strongman : NEW DELHI : Narendra Modi will be formally
named BJP’s prime ministerial candidate by July end, ending all ambiguity
on his projection as the party’s face for the next general elections and
setting the stage for a direct contest between the Gujarat chief minister
and Congress scion Rahul Gandhi. [ET p1]
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21. BJP to steer clear of divisive issues, Feels It Should Keep Focus On
Cong’s Governance ‘Failure’ : New Delhi: Analysing the Congress’s line
of attack, the BJP leadership on Monday decided to focus its campaign
ahead of the Lok Sabha elections on the ruling coalition’s governance
“failure” and slack political will in containing corruption. [TOI p13]
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22. Ramdev for Modi as PM candidate : Nagpur: Yoga guru Ramdev on
Monday declared his unconditional support for Gujarat CM Narendra Modi
as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate after a meeting with RSS chief
Mohan Bhagwat. [TOI p13]
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23. ‘BJP diverted 13.26 cr to buy RSS mag’ : Bhopal: Opposition Congress
leader Ajay Singh on Monday filed a complaint with the CBI against
Madhya Pradesh’s BJP government, saying it had diverted Rs 13.26 crore
under the Centre’s Sarv Siksha Abhiyan to subscribe to an RSS magazine
in violation of the norms for 15 years. [TOI p13]
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24. BJP to give Modi several backroom campaign teams : New Delhi : A
month after the Gujarat Chief Minister was anointed as the party's chief
campaigner, the BJP Parliamentary Board on Monday authorised party
president Rajnath Singh and Narendra Modi to go ahead with the plans by
constituting different sub-committees to execute the various aspects of his
campaign strategy.[IE p3] http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bjp-togive-
modi-several-backroom-campaign-teams/1139424/
25. SC to decide Dayalu Ammal 2G plea today : New Delhi : Dayalu
Ammal, wife of DMK chief M Karunanidhi, Monday requested the
Supreme Court to exempt her from appearing in a special court hearing
the 2G scam case as a prosecution witness.[IE p3]
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sc-to-decide-dayalu-ammal-2gplea-
today/1139431/
26. BJP Presents United Face Ahead of LS Polls, PREPARING FOR
ELECTIONS Parliamentary board to collectively endorse all work
allocation decisions: NEW DELHI : The BJP’s parliamentary board will
henceforth collectively endorse all major work allocation decisions related
to the 2014 general elections campaign, part of the party’s desire to
present a united face and allay misgivings in some quarters that only
Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh were calling the shots.[ET p2]
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27. Cong routs NCP in Pawar’s stronghold, Wins 40 Of The 76 Seats In
Sangli Civic Polls : Mumbai: The Congress defeated NCP in the Sangli-
Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation elections on Monday. The Congress
won 40 out of 76 seats, while the NCP got 18, the Swabhiman
Sanghatana eight, the MNS one and the Independents nine. [TOI p15]
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28. Didi says govt forced to accept EC ‘gameplan’ : Lalgarh (WB):
Claiming she had not wanted the panchayat elections to take place during
Ramzan and monsoon, Mamata Banerjee on Monday targeted the state
election commission again, saying her government was compelled to
accept the EC’s “gameplan” because the term of the panchayats was
coming to an end. [TOI p15]
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29. Key Cong Central Leaders Open to Telangana State, Chief minister,
deputy chief minister & PCC chief asked to stand by, decision on
issue anytime this month : NEW DELHI : The Congress high command
and the Centre are poised to take a final call on Telangana statehood
anytime this month. Sensing this, scores of senior Congress leaders from
Andhra Pradesh have reached Delhi to make last-ditch arguments for and
against the division of the state. [ET p2]
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30. BSY, sends feelers to BJP, anticipates a deal : New Delhi : There is
talk within BJP circles that former Karnataka chief minister BS
Yeddyurappa — who left the BJP in a huff months after losing his post
after corruption charges aginst him — is sending feelers for a merger with
the BJP.[HT p8] http://www.hindustantimes.com/Indianews/
NewDelhi/Yeddyurappa-sends-feelers-to-BJP-anticipates-adeal/
Article1-1089433.aspx
31. Tribunal pulls up Gen V K Singh for violating rules to promote
Brigadier : New Delhi : Coming down hard on former Army Chief Gen V
K Singh for going out of his jurisdiction to favour the promotion of an army
officer to the rank of Maj Gen, the Armed Forces Tribunal has said that he
violated rules and bypassed the Central government to ensure that the
officer made it to the merit list despite being undeserving.[IE p1]
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tribunal-pulls-up-gen-v-k-singhfor-
violating-rules-to-promote-brigadier/1139473/
32. Court, SEC delayed rural polls : Mamata : Lalgarh : West Bengal Chief
Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday hit out at the state election
commission (SEC) and the judiciary for allegedly having “played a game
together” to delay the panchayat elections and forcing it to be held in
Ramzan. This is the first time that Banerjee has attacked the judiciary over
the panchayat poll dates.[IE p2]
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/court-sec-delayed-rural-pollsmamata/
1139443/
33. Beni slams Modi, softens towards Mulayam Singh : Lucknow : After
BSP chief Mayawati, it was the turn of Congress union minister Beni
Prasad Verma to trash BJP’s Narendra Modi. Modi, Verma said, would not
be able to do anything in UP. “He would go back after drinking Gangajal
(Ganga water),” Verma said at the sidelines of a function in Gonda.[HT
p8] http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Lucknow/Beni-slams-
Modi-softens-towards-Mulayam-Singh/Article1-1089434.aspx
34. Cong ditching Lalu for Nitish? : New Delhi: The Congress’s decision to
keep Lalu Prasad out of the seat-sharing deal with the Jharkhand Mukti
Morcha for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls has stoked speculation that it is
keeping the doors open for a tie-up with Nitish Kumar in Bihar. The deal
gives the Congress 10 of the state’s 14 Lok Sabha seats, leaving four to
the regional outfit. [TOI p11]
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35. Hold Fresh Elections to Give Political Solution to Jharkhand: Nitish
:PATNA: JD(U), which has two MLAs in Jharkhand, has disapproved of
attempts to cobble up an alliance government of Congress, JMM and RJD
in the state, saying holding fresh elections is the only solution there. “The
atmosphere of instability that exists in Jharkhand requires fresh elections.
[ET p2]
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36. JMM may stake claim to from J'khand govt today : Ranchi : Claiming
the support of 42 legislators in a House of 81, Hemant Soren is likely to
meet Jharkhand Governor Syed Ahmed on Tuesday to stake claim to form
government. “Hemant will meet the Governor at around 12 in the
afternoon to stake claim to form a government,” said JMM general
secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya.[IE p3]
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/jmm-may-stake-claim-to-form-jkhand-
govt-today/1139440/
37. Shahi Imam slams UP govt : Lucknow : The Shahi Imam of Jama
Masjid, Sayed Ahmed Bukhari, has once again accused the Akhilesh
Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh of ignoring the interest and welfare for
Muslims. [AA p2]
38. congress sweeps Sangli municipal elections : Mumbai : The
Congress on Monday came out on top in the recently concluded civic polls
in Maharashtra’s Sangli district, wresting control of the Sangli-Miraj-
Kupwad Municipal Corporation from its coalition ally, the Nationalist
Congress Party (NCP).[The Hindu p7]
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tpnewdelhi/
congress-sweeps-sangli-municipalelections/
article4896706.ece
39. Sonia to Meet Cong CMs on Selling Food Scheme Now : NEW DELHI
: Congress President Sonia Gandhi will convene a conclave of top
ministers and senior party figures to discuss and finalise the strategy to
implement the just announced food security scheme, signaling her desire
to make the plan to provide subsidised food to nearly two-thirds of the
population as a major political and electoral plank. [ET p3]
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40. It's homecoming for rebels in UP : Lucknow : Expulsions, suspensions
and allegations are now a thing of the past. With Lok Sabha elections
round the corner, political parties have slipped into in a forgive-and-forget
mode and are welcoming rebels with open arms.[AA p2]
41. Little rain, but monsoon is very much in Delhi, Making Sense Of The
Complex Wind System : New Delhi: The monsoon arrived in Delhi on
June 16 – or so the Met department had claimed. It’s been an almost dry
three weeks since. Only on Monday did parts of Delhi get some rain. So,
was the weatherman talking through the hat when he announced the
arrival of monsoon in the capital? [TOI p1]
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42. From cars and phones to cooking gas and diesel, prices likely to
shoot up : New Delhi: Get ready to pay more for cooking gas and diesel
as the government may allow oil marketing companies to hike prices by at
least Re 1 every month to pare their losses following the steep rupee
depreciation. [TOI p1]
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EDITORIAL
43. Can Shah revive BJP in UP? : Satpal : Today is Tuesday, the day
designated to perform Hanuman puja in celebration of the famous
character from Ramayana. Hanuman epitomizes trust and loyalty. The
Hindus believe that Lord Rama would not have succeeded in tracing his
kidnapped wife, Sita if not for the efforts of Hanuman. He became
indispensable to Lord Rama and carried out the task of bringing back
herbs from the Himalayas that were required to save the life of Rama’s
brother Lakshman. Hanuman is taken in high esteem by his devotees who
have also been observing fast on Tuesdays.[Millennium Post p8]
http://www.millenniumpost.in/NewsContent.aspx?NID=32140
BUSINESS NEWS
44. Inflation may return to 6-7% range, Falling Re Offsets Expected
Gains From Soft Crude, Commodity Prices : New Delhi: The rupee’s
free fall may reverse the moderating trend in inflation and it could again
head back to the 6-7% range in the months ahead. Economists said the
sliding rupee has nearly wiped out the expected gains from soft global
crude and commodity prices.[TOI p21]
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
45. Army, Morsi supporters clash; 54 dead, Egypt Crisis Deepens As
Brotherhood Calls For Uprising : Cairo: Egyptian soldiers and police
clashed with Islamists protesting the military’s ouster of the president in
bloodshed that left at least 51 protesters and three members of the
security forces dead, officials and witnesses said, and plunged the divided
country deeper into crisis with calls by the Muslim Brotherhood’s political
party for all-out rebellion against the army. [TOI p20]
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46. Osama in Pak since 2002, Zardari last to know of raid : New Delhi :A
leaked Pakistani government report on the US raid that killed Osama bin
Laden has revealed the fugitive al Qaeda chief had been in Pakistan since
2002 after escaping American troops in Afghanistan's Tora Bora area and
blamed his presence in the country and the US raid as an “intelligencesecurity
failure rooted in political in competency”.[IE p1]
