Nirmala Sitharaman refuses to answer questions on economic slowdown, Manmohan remark

Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday refused to comment on the economic slowdown

India's GDP growth fell to a six-year low of 5%

Former PM Manmohan Singh attacked the Modi govt saying the slowdown was because of man-made disasters

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed a press conference to talk about the growing concerns over the economic health. Asked if the Centre acknowledges the fall of GDP figures, job losses as an economic slowdown, Sitharaman skirted the question and engaged in an argument with reporters.

On Sunday, asked about the slowdown, Nirmala Sitharaman replied saying, "The government has been in consultation with a lot of sectors. In some sectors the inventory is piling up. We have heard them and announcements were made on August 23. Last Friday also we made some announcements."

On Friday, Sitharaman announced the biggest merger of nationalised banks and reduced the number of state-owned banks from 27 to 12.

Asked about former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement on Sunday morning that the ongoing slowdown in the Indian economy is a result of man-made disasters caused by the Modi government, Sitharaman once again refused to react to his statement.

"Is Dr Manmohan Singh saying that instead of indulging in political vendetta they should consult sane voices? Has he said that? All right, thank you, I will take his statement on it. That is my answer," said Sitharaman.

Visit More:-https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nirmala-sitharaman-comment-on-economic-slowdown-manmohan-singh-1594144-2019-09-01

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Assam BJP minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cries foul over final NRC list, demands reverification

Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said he is unhappy with the final list of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief architect of BJP's recent growth in the Northeast and a proponent of NRC, said a number of people were included in the final NRC list because of "manipulation" of legacy data.

On one hand Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that a number of people made it to the final NRC list due to manipulation of data, while on the other hand he claimed that many Indians were excluded because authorities refused to accept refugee certificates as documents for the NRC exercise.

"Names of many Indian citizens who migrated from Bangladesh as refugees prior to 1971 have not been included in the NRC because authorities refused to accept refugee certificates. Many names got included because of manipulation of legacy data as alleged by many," Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Visit More:- https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/assam-final-nrc-list-bjp-himanta-biswa-sarma-cries-foul-demands-reverification-1593829-2019-08-31

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TMC leaders on political tourism

West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday took a dig at the Trinamool Congress (TMC), saying their leaders were visiting the office of the saffron in New Delhi as part of "political tourism".

"Mamata Banerjee used to say that the BJP has built its party headquarters in New Delhi by spending Rs 700 crore. Now, TMC leaders are visiting BJP office regularly and joining the party. The TMC leaders have started political tourism," Ghosh said.

His comments came in the backdrop of several TMC MLAs and leaders joining the saffron camp.

Seven TMC MLAs have joined the BJP since results of Lok Sabha polls were announced.

Meanwhile, Ghosh met West Bengal Speaker Biman Banerjee and state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee, requesting to ensure that all BJP MLAs were allowed to sit together in the assembly.


Read More:-  https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tmc-leaders-on-political-tourism-west-bengal-bjp-chief-1592374-2019-08-28

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INX Media case: CBI confronts P Chidambaram with ex-Niti Aayog CEO Sindhushree Khullar

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday confronted the former finance minister P Chidambaram with former Niti Aayog CEO Sindhushree Khullar during their interrogation in connection with the INX Media money laundering case, sources said. The CBI, which got an extension of P Chidambaram’s custody till August 30, is expected to confront P Chidambaram with other two accused in connection with the case before his remands get over.

CBI summons Sindhushree Khullar on Tuesday

Sources have told India Today that Sindhushree Khullar, who was the additional secretary DEA during the 2004-08 period, was allegedly involved in the approvals of INX media case files. The confrontation is expected to continue on Tuesday, sources said.

CBI’s plan for the next 4 days

Till now, the CBI investigation has been focused on the FIPB approvals. The sources say that, in the coming four days, they will grill P Chidambaram over Karti Chidambaram’s shell companies, the alleged meeting with Indrani Mukerjea and his alleged role while granting FIPB approvals to INX Media Pvt Ltd.

Article Source:- https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/inx-media-case-cbi-confronts-p-chidambaram-with-ex-niti-aayog-ceo-sindhushree-khullar-1591893-2019-08-26

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Former minister Arun Jaitley cremated with full state honours as family, politicians bid adieu

Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was cremated at the Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi with full state honours on Sunday. His cremation was attended by scores of leaders from across the political spectrum and his admirers.

The 66-year-old BJP leader passed away at the AIIMS in New Delhi on Saturday. Arun Jaitley was admitted to the AIIMS on August 9 and was treated by a multi-disciplinary team of senior doctors. His condition deteriorated on Friday night.

His last rites were performed by his son Rohan Jaitley.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, BJP veteran LK Advani, party president and Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, party's working president J P Nadda, Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Smriti Irani and Anurag Thakur; BJP MPs Vijay Goel and Vinay Sahasrabuddhe; Congress leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kapil Sibal were among those present at the cremation ground.

Article Source:  https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/former-minister-arun-jaitley-cremated-with-full-state-honours-as-family-politicians-bid-adieu-1591424-2019-08-25

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NIA Bill passes in Lok Sabha, Amit Shah says Modi govt will never misuse law

The NIA (Amendment) Bill, 2019, was passed in Lok Sabha on Monday.

Congress opposed to the Bill saying it may be misused by the govt for political vendetta
Amit Shah said Modi govt will never misuse the NIA law.

Lok Sabha passed the National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on Monday after a heated debate between Home Minister Amit Shah and the Opposition.

The Bill amends the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008 that provides for a national-level agency to investigate and prosecute offences listed in the scheduled offences. Further, the Act allows for creation of Special Courts for the trial of scheduled offences.

The Bill seeks to allow the NIA to investigate the following offences in addition to human trafficking, offences related to counterfeit currency or bank notes, manufacture or sale of prohibited arms, cyber-terrorism and offences under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908.

Refuting Opposition claims over "misuse" of the NIA law, Amit Shah on Monday asserted that the Modi government will never misuse it on the basis of religion but ensure that terrorism is finished off irrespective of the religion of the accused.

In an intervention during a discussion in Lok Sabha on the National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Shah also targeted the Congress-led UPA government for repealing the anti-terror act POTA, saying it was not done because of its alleged misuse but to "save its vote bank".

Visit More:-  https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nia-bill-passes-in-lok-sabha-amit-shah-1569438-2019-07-15

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Tietanic: England win World Cup 2019 after match and Super Over end in ties

ICC World Cup 2019: England triumphed in the end, not because New Zealand were less talented — both teams ended up equals, not once, but twice. First, in the regular game, then in the Super Over. But England had more boundaries than New Zealand — 26 to 17 — and they won.

Here is the simple match summary: New Zealand made 241, England equalled it. England then made 15 in the Super Over. New Zealand equalled it. England hit 26 boundaries. New Zealand couldn’t equal it. Game over.

Article Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket-world-cup/vs-new-zealand-england-win-maiden-world-cup-2019-after-match-and-super-over-end-in-ties-5829377/

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