0815 HRS

06th  August, 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Telangana and Bodoland issue rock the opening day of Monsoon session of Parliament.
• National Green Tribunal bans sand mining from river beds across the country, without environment clearance.
• Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State in Assam urges protesters to shun violence.
• Flood and rain claim around 140 lives in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• England retains the Ashes, as third cricket test against Australia ends in a draw.
• Saina Nehwal and 5 Indian shuttlers advance to second round of World Badminton Championships in China.

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Telangana statehood and a separate state of Bodoland rocked both houses of Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon session yesterday. The two Houses witnessed frequent adjournments over the issue, before they were finally adjourned for the day.
Earlier, Finance Minister P Chidambaram made a brief statement saying the members will have an opportunity to express themselves on Telangana and allied issues once the Union Cabinet approves the creation of the new state.

"Once the cabinet takes decisions in these matters, there will be an opportunity for this House to have a structured discussion on the subject".
BJP held Congress responsible for frequent disruptions in both Houses of Parliament. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Party spokesman Shahnwaz Hussain said, the government has failed to handle the Telangana issue.

"This is always the responsibility of the ruling party to take opposition into confidence to run the Parliament smoothly.  On one hand, the people of Telangana are celebrating the announcement and on the other, P. Chidambaram said on the floor of the Parliament that his party has taken the decision but Cabinet is yet to take a call on this".
   
Congress appealed to all sections to extend cooperation in the smooth functioning of Parliament. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Party Spokesman Meem Afzal said that the Congress is ready to discuss every issue.

"Government and our party want this session of Parliament to be smooth and peaceful  and all the bills and ordinances should be passed. In our view Food Security Bill is the most important bill which is about the welfare of around 82 crore people".

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The National Green Tribunal has banned mining or removal of sand from river beds across the country without an environmental clearance. In its order, the Tribunal noted that the loss caused to the state exchequer due to illegal sand mining may run into lakhs of crores of rupees. A bench headed by Tribunal Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar gave the order on a plea alleging that such illegal mining activities were going on in Uttar Pradesh.
The bench said, the clearance has to be obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Forests or State Environment Impact Assessment Authority. The Tribunal also directed all the mining officers and police officers concerned of all the states to ensure compliance of its orders.

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Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh reviewed the progress of the roll out of Direct Benefit Transfers, DBT scheme at a meeting in New Delhi last evening. Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and other concerned ministers also attended the meeting.
Our correspondent reports that 4 million households in 121 districts across the country have, so far, been covered under the scheme.

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In Assam, the Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State, a common forum of 14 organizations, has urged the protesters to shun violence in Karbi Anglong. The Joint Convener of the forum Daniel Bey said that they have asked the protesters not to indulge in violence and continue the movement in democratic way. The statement came in the backdrop of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s proposal of discussion and shuning violence.
Our correspondent reports that curfew has been relaxed for nine hours at Diphu from 8 am in Karbi Anglong district.
 
 "Normal life has been disrupted in several districts on the second day of bandh today called by the All Bodo Students Union demanding separate Bodoland state. Vehicles and trains movements are badly affected. Seven long distance trains have been rescheduled. Escorts are being provided for smooth running of goods laden truck in Dhubri district. Restoration works of rail tracks are on in Dima Hasao district after an engine and a wagon was derailed last evening. A team of state Congress will visit Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao district today to take stock of the situation. MANAS PRATIM SARMA, AIR NEWS, GUWAHATI".

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In Andhra Pradesh, a series of protest demonstrations continued in Rayalseema and Coastal Andhra regions yesterday in support of the united state. While the employees of Municipal and Revenue departments took up 72-hour long protests by boycotting duties, more and more groups of people joined the agitation protesting against bifurcation of the state. A three-member steering committee of the supporters of the united state in Congress Party is leaving for New Delhi today, to hold talks with the Congress high level committee.

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Home Secretary of West Bengal, Basudeb Banerjee will reach Darjeeling today to take stock of the situation following indefinite bandh called by Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha, GJMM for creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland. The indefinite bandh called by GJMM has entered its fourth day today. District Magistrate Soumitra Mohan told our correspondent that the administration is keeping a close watch on the situation.

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 In Andhra Pradesh, several villages remained cut off following increased flood levels in Godavari River due to heavy rains at upper streams. Over 150 villages in agency areas in Khammam and east Godavari districts have been marooned and over 8 thousand people from low laying areas have been evacuated to relief camps. A report:

"Hundreds of villages in 5 districts on the banks of Godavari River had to face flood fury once again in less than 15 days time due to heavy rains at upper reaches. Several villages in these districts especially in Khammam and East Godavari remained marooned despite water level began receding at Bhadrachalam and Dhawaleswaram barrage since three days. Power supply has been put off to about two hundred flood villages as a precautionary measure. Met officials have warned that there will be heavy rains for next three days. Five districts on the banks of Krishna River have also been put on high alert with heavy inflows reaching its reservoirs at several places. LAKSHMI, AIR NEWS, HYDERABAD".

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In Tamil Nadu, flood water in Cauvery has created havoc in many places including Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Karur and Hogenekkal. Flood alerts have been issued in eleven districts including Salem, Tiruchirapalli, Karur and delta districts as excess water is being released from Mettur Dam. 

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Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will visit Idukki district today, to make an on-the-spot assessment of the flood situation in the state. 13 people were killed in Idukki district alone due to incessant rains and landslides yesterday. National Disaster Response Force, Army and Navy teams are assisting in rescue and relief operations.
Our correspondent reports that rains continue to batter Idukki district.

 "Fresh landslides have taken place on the Idukki-Neriyamangalam and Idukki-Thodupuzha roads, but no loss of life has been reported. The landslide at Cheeyappara  on the  Neriyamangalam-Adimali road, which claimed three lives, has been cleared last night. A 60 member team of the National Disaster Response Force and a 40 member naval team has reached Adimali in  Idukki district. They will be assisted by a 150 member  team of the state police. RAJ MOHAN, AIR NEWS, KOCHI".

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Floods in Uttar Pradesh have thrown life out of gear in the Terai region and eastern part of the state. More than six lakh people, spread over 600 villages in the two regions, are reeling under the floods. Most of the major rivers in state are in spate.

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Heavy rain and flash floods across Afghanistan and Pakistan have killed around 140 people and affected tens of thousands, leaving many without food or shelter.    In Afghanistan, flooding caused by monsoon rains killed atleast 70 people, including 35 in the worst-hit district of Sarobi in the Kabul province. Afghanistan Disaster Management Authority along with other government agencies and international organizations have launched relief and rescue operations in the flood affected areas.     In Pakistan, heavy monsoon rains and flash floods have killed 69 people and left 70 injured. The southern port city of Karachi being worst-hit. The seasonal rains damaged over 7,000 houses and shops across the country. Hundreds of people have been affected and army was called in Karachi to shift the marooned people to the safe places. 

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The United Nations Security Council has condemned the suicide bomb attack near Indian Consulate in Jalalabad city of Afghanistan that left 12 persons dead. The world body called for the need to bring perpetrators of this act of terrorism to justice. UNSC Ambassador Maria Cristina condemned in the strongest terms the suicide attack. 

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In Nigeria, at least 35 people were killed, most of them Islamist extremists, in clashes between the army and members of radical group Boko Haram in the country's north-eastern Borno state. Military spokesman Sagir Musa said, 32 militants were killed, while two soldiers and a policeman lost their lives during the clashes.
The Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan had declared a state of emergency in three states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, four years after militant group Boko Haram declared war on the Nigerian state.

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And now, news from the world of Sports:

"England has retained the Ashes, after rain ruined the last day of the third cricket test at Manchester yesterday. The match ended in a draw and destroyed Australia's slim hopes of winning the series. England, who had won the last two Ashes campaigns, lead the five-match series 2-0, and as holders will keep the urn in the event of a drawn series. The fourth test will be played at Chester-le-Street from Friday.
    In Badminton, London Olympics Bronze medalist Saina Nehwal and 5 other Indian shuttlers have advanced to the second round of the World Championships in Guangzhou, China. In the Women's Singles, world number 3 Saina and rising Indian shuttler PV Sindhu got a bye in the opener. In the Men's Singles first round, P. Kashyap and Ajay Jayaram defeated their opponents to book a place in the second round. In the Men's Doubles, the duo of Tarun Kona and Arun Vishnu also got a walk-over in the opening round. SAVVY HASAN KHAN, FOR AIR NEWS".

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 NEWSPAPER  HEADLINES
"Akhilesh government in attack mode, Durga faces tougher action", under that headline. The Hindustan Times writes that the Centre is all set to lock horns with an adamant Samajwadi party over the 28 year old IAS Officer Durga Shakti Nagpal's suspension. This despite the fact that she earned the UP exchequer 18 crores rupees in just eleven months of her tenure.
 
"Haryana cart-pullers daughter is hockey's shining young star" reads the front page headline of the Indian Express. The paper elaborates that Rani Rampal was named best player at Monchengladach in Germany in the just concluded, Junior World Cup Hockey Tournament and was the most feared for her skills, by other teams.

The Election Commission has decided to keep an eye on the freebies that parties often offer in their election manifestos. The Supreme Court has asked the Election Commission to formulate guidelines for manifestos as part of its model code of conduct for political parties reports the Hindustan Times.

The Times of India on its front page writes that in what may be called a stern disapproval of the BCCI's ways by one of India's most respected cricketers, Rahul Dravid has said that cricket administrators existed solely because of cricketers and fans.

Nirbhaya's plight shook India. Its has now moved the world. Internationally acclaimed, south Afghan theatre director and playwright Yael Farber's latest production "Nirbhaya" premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe. The play received a standing ovation from theatre enthusiasts, reports the Times of India.

And finally, according to the Tribune two brothers from Tarn Taran in Punjab, Kawajit and Gurinder Singh have set a Guiness Book of World record by breaking 65 coconuts on their foreheads with a baseball in just one minute, at an event in Istanbul, Turkey.

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IN MORE NEWS;
The Delhi Government has decided to bring a new legislation to ensure better safety compliance in installation and maintenance of lifts, escalators and walk ways in the national capital. A meeting of Delhi Cabinet presided by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit yesterday, approved draft of the Delhi Lifts and Escalators Bill, 2013 which provides for stricter norms for their testing and certification and penalty for the violators.