2100 HRS

24th April, 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Prime Minister calls upon states to make decentralization of power under Panchayati Raj system, a reality.

• CBI arrests seven more persons in the murder case of Kunda DSP Zia-ul-Haq in Uttar Pradesh.

• Chit-fund scam accused Sudipto Sen and two others flown to Kolkata from Kashmir on transit remand.

• Jet airways to sell 24 percent stakes to Abu Dhabi based Etihad airlines.

• Legendary Hindi film singer Shamshad Begum passes away.

• In Afghanistan, 13 people killed and over 100 injured in an earthquake.

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The Prime Minister has called upon the states to ensure that decentralization of power under Panchayati Raj system, becomes a reality. Addressing a function to mark National Panchayati Raj Divas, 2013 in New Delhi this morning, Dr Manmohan Singh said, elected representatives should get their powers and responsibilities in real sense of the term. This should not remain mere a slogan but turn out to be a reality in our lifetime.

On complaints about the bureaucracy of the Centre and States still unwilling to share its powers with elected local bodies, Prime Minister made a strong pitch for an immediate change in the mind set.

Dr. Singh assured all possible Central assistance to the states to make development process more inclusive and sustainable. He said that participation of local people has increased in Panchayats.

The Prime Minister said that 15 States have reserved 50 per cent seats for women in Panchayats which have helped more than a million women to get elected to the local bodies. The Centre has allocated over six thousand, four hundred crore rupees in the 12th five year plan for Panchayats which is about ten times higher than the allocation in the 11th plan.

In order to strengthen Panchayats, the Centre has allocated more funds to help the State Governments. For this budgetary allocation has been enhanced from 668 crore rupees in the 11th five year plan to 6,437 crore rupees in the 12th five year plan which is about ten times higher.

Dr. Singh lauded late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for his initiatives to bring Panchyati Raj.

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The Government is to come up with more initiatives to boost economy. Finance Minister P Chidambaram said, more executive actions will be taken in the next two to four months. Addressing a conference organised by UK-based magazine - The Economist - in New Delhi today, Mr. Chidambaram sought cooperation of the main opposition party to push through important Bills in Parliament including land, insurance and Goods and Services Tax Bills. He said, economic issues should be dealt in a bipartisan manner.

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CBI today arrested seven persons in the murder case of Kunda DSP Zia-Ul-Haq at Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh. They include the security guard of influential MLA, Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya.

CBI sources said in Uttar Pradesh that the seven persons allegedly incited the mob to kill the DSP, when he arrived there after getting information about the murder of village head Nanhe Yadav.

They said, one of the person who allegedly led the mob to kill the officer, was Bhulle Pal, a security guard with the then State Minister Raja Bhaiya who has been named by the slain officer's wife in her FIR, as the main suspect.

The sources said four persons - son, two brothers and a domestic help of Nanhe Yadav -- have already been arrested taking the total number of those taken in to custody in the case to 11.

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Saradha group company's Chairman Sudipta Sen accused in the Chit Fund scam and two of his officials have been flown to Kolkata. This follows Kashmir granting four-day transit remand to Kolkata police to take them to West Bengal. The trio were detained from Sonamarg area of the district yesterday.

Sudipto Sen has been accused of defrauding thousands of depositors. Along with director Debjani Mukherjee and another company official Arvind Singh Chauhan, Sen was presented before Chief Judicial Magistrate of Ganderbal who granted the transit remand.

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The West Bengal Government has decided to set up a corpus of 500 crore rupees to help the investors who have been duped by the Saradha chit fund. Announcing this in Kolkata this evening the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the high level inquiry Commission which has been formed to investigate the scam, will recommend to the government on the modalities on the pay back.

The State government will impose additional 10 percent tax on tobacco products to raise funds to help the cheated investors. The Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee said that the government will soon release advertisements in the media on hearing of the enquiry commission at different districts on the chit fund scam. A special session of the state Assembly will also be convened soon to pass a fresh legislation to deal with chit fund companies and to protect the interest of investors. The state also witnessed a series of protests by the depositors and agents of the Saradha Group at different areas. The owner of the company Sudipto Sen and two others accused are being brought to Kolkata on transit remand tonight after their arrests in Kashmir.

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The Joint Parliamentary Committee - JPC - will meet in New Delhi tomorrow to adopt the draft report on 2G spectrum allocation issue. It is expected to be stormy affair with some Opposition having reservation over clean chit given to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.

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In Karnataka, the Election commission has lodged a police complaint against Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Shimoga, K S Eeshwarappa for violating election code of conduct. The complaint has been filed in Shimoga rural police station for the BJP candidate dropping cash in Aarti plate during election campaign. This was disclosed to reporters by Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha in Bangalore today. He said, the act of Eeswarappa amounts to appeasement of voters. Referring to another case, he said, four people were arrested for offering free mobile recharge in return for votes in Bangalore. He said, four thousand pamphlets advertising about free recharge were seized from them. A case has been registered in Adugodi police station.

The Chief Electoral Officer warned candidates against using children during campaigns. He said action will be initiated against them, based on media reports. He informed that several complaints are received against officials with the allegations that they are working for a party or a candidate. He added that such complaints are taken seriously and if found correct, they will be transferred with penal action. During raids and checks, the poll authorities have seized around 11 crore cash and 46,000 litres of liquor. 286 FIR have been booked against offenders. With Devendra this is Sudhindra for AIR News, Bangalore

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Meanwhile, the Congress manifesto released by senior Congress leader and Defence Minister A K Anthony, promises the electorate, rice at one rupee a kilo up to 30 kilos, for a BPL family. The manifesto also promises the establishment of Agriculture Prices Commission. Laying emphasis on development of Bangalore city, the manifesto proposes to bring all service providers under one roof and create greater Bangalore on the lines of greater Noida.

Senior BJP leader L K Advani today campaigned in Savadatti in Belgaum district. Venkaiah Naidu and Nitin Gadkari also campaigned.

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Noted Bollywood playback singer Shamshad Begum passed away after prolonged illness in Mumbai. She was 94. The cremation was a solemn affair held in the presence of a few friends. She was the voice behind some of the industry’s most memorable hits in the 1940s and 1950s. Shamshad Begum was one of the first playback singers in the Hindi film industry and gave her voice to innumerable melodious Hindi film songs. Some of her hit songs were ''Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar' and 'Kajra Mohabbat Wala'.

Her other hit tracks include 'Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re', 'Saiyan Dil Mein Aana Re', 'Le ke Pehla-Pehla Pyar', 'Chod Babul Ka Ghar' and Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon'.

Shamshad Begum was born on 14th April, 1919 in Amritsar, Punjab. She made her debut on Peshawar Radio in Lahore on 16th December, 1947, captivating the hearts of her listeners with her enchanting voice. The singer had been living with her daughter Usha Ratra and son-in-law in Mumbai, ever since her husband Ganpat Lal Batto died in 1955. Shamshad Begum received the Padma Bhushan in 2009.

Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh expressed sadness over the death of Shamshad Begum. Describing her as an artiste of extraordinary talent and abilities, he said in his condolence message that Begum was among the most popular singers of the country for over three decades and captured the hearts of music lovers with her enchanting voice and unique tonal rendition.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said, the film industry has lost one of its most versatile singers.

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In the first ever investment by a foreign airline in an Indian carrier, Jet Airways today announced plans to sell 24 per cent equity to Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways for about 2,058 crore. This will be part of a strategic alliance that would lead to a major expansion in their global network.

Jet promoter Naresh Goyal and Etihad President and CEO James Hogan, announced that Jet Airways will sell 27.26 million shares in a preferential offer to Etihad at 754.74 rupees , a piece.

A joint statement by the two airlines said substantial ownership and effective control will remain with Indian nationals, with Goyal as non-executive Chairman holding 51 per cent of the company.

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Army chief Gen Bikram Singh concluded his two day visit of Jammu and Kashmir State today. During the two days visit, the Army Chief reviewed the security scenario in the State especially Ladakh where Peoples Liberation Army of China has intruded about 10 kilometers inside the Indian territory at Daulat Beg Oldi sector. He had meetings with the State Governor N.N. Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah besides top commanders of the Army.

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BJP has demanded that the government should raise the issue of Chinese incursion in Ladakh at the highest level. Briefing reporters in New Delhi today, party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said that all possible steps should be taken to maintain the earlier status quo.

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In Afghanistan, 13 people were killed and over 100 injured, when a strong earthquake hit the eastern region today. Reports from eastern Nangarhar and north-eastern Kunar provinces said several houses have been damaged in the two provinces. The number of casualties may go up as information from many far off areas is yet to come. The earthquake was so powerful that it rattled the windows of the buildings in capital Kabul and people came out of their houses. According to the United States Geological Survey observatory the magnitude of the earthquake was 5.7 on Richter Scale and its epicentre was about 100 kilometer east of Kabul in Hindukush ranges.

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In Bangladesh, the death toll in the multi-storey building complex collapse at Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka has gone up to 80. Nearly seven hundred people have also been reported to be injured following the collapse of the eight storey commercial building this morning.

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London Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal and rising shuttler P.V. Sindhu have advanced to the second round of the Women's Singles in the India Open Super Series badminton tournament