1400 HRS.

5th  August, 2013

THE HEADLINES :

• Monsoon session of Parliament begins; Both houses adjourned till 2 PM on the issue of Bodoland and United Andhra Pradesh.

• Prime Minister appeals to the Opposition to co-operate in smooth functioning of Parliament; Says, government willing to discuss all issues.

• Supreme Court rejects Abu Salem's plea for quashing all proceedings against him   after Portugal court terminated his extradition to India.

• 15 people killed in Kerala, due to rain and landslides.

• Rupee appreciates 16 paise to 60 rupees 94 paise against dollar.

• World Badminton Championships 2013 kick off in Guangzhou, China.

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Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned till 2 PM today after brief adjournments over demands for the creation of a separate state of Bodoland. Members, who were opposed to the creation of Telangana, also forced the adjournment of both the Houses.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed three adjournments, first for ten minutes, then for 15 minutes and later till 2 PM.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned twice, first for 12 minutes and then till 2 PM on the same issues. Members belonging to Congress and Telugu Desam parties opposed the move for creating Telangana state. They raised slogans favouring United Andhra Pradesh. However, amidst noisy scenes, papers were laid on the table when the House reassembled after its first adjournment.

Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appealed to the Opposition to co-operate in the smooth functioning of Parliament. Talking to reporters outside Parliament, Dr. Singh said, we have wasted a lot of time in the last two-three sessions and hope this is not repeated in this session.

The government on its part is willing to discuss every issue on the floor of the house. Therefore, I appeal to the opposition to co-operate with the government in smooth running of this session and to ensure that this session is productive as well as constructive.

On the issue of suspension of an IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal in Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Singh said, the Centre is in touch with the state authorities.

There are rules laid down. The rules will be followed and we are in touch with the state government to find out the full details of the case.

The Centre had asked the UP government yesterday to immediately give a report on the suspension of Nagpal, who had cracked down on sand mafia in Gautam Budh Nagar area.

UPA Chairperson and also Chairperson of National Advisory Council, Mrs Sonia Gandhi had written a letter to the Prime Minister, to ensure that the officer is not treated unfairly.

The Uttar Pradesh government served a charge sheet to Durga Shakti Nagpal last evening. The 2009 batch IAS officer was handed over a 10-page charge sheet and was asked to reply within 15 days.

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Five members, who were elected in the recent Lok Sabha bye-polls, took oath in the House today. They are Prabhunath Singh (RJD), Mrs Pratibha Singh (Congres), Prasun Banerjee (Trinamool

Congress) and Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary and Vithalbhai Hanjrabhai Radadiya, both BJP. The oath was administered by Speaker Mrs Meira Kumar. Later, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh introduced 8 ministers, who were inducted in the Council of Ministers. Members condoled the death of 13 former members including Vidya Charan Shukla and Arun Nehru. In the Rajya Sabha, Mrs Kani Mozhi of the DMK, took oath, administered by Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari. The Chairman also made an obituary reference to five of its former members.

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In Andhra Pradesh, employees of municipal and revenue departments have boycotted civic services in Reyalaseema and Coastal Andhra regions protesting against the bifurcation of the state. Employees have boycotted their duties in 13 districts of the Seemandhra regions following a 72 hour long protest call given by their associations. Normal life has remained paralyzed for the sixth consecutive day today with protest demonstrations continuing across the two regions. Bus transport services by and large remained interrupted while vehicular traffic got disrupted at several places on highways following rallies and demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the United Andhra Joint Action Committee is mounting pressure on elected people's representatives seeking their resignations in favour of the united state.

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Both the Houses resumed at 2 p.m. but Lok Sabha was again adjourned till 3 p.m.

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In West Bengal, normal life has been paralyzed, as the indefinite bandh called by Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha, GJMM entered the third day in the hills of Darjeeling district today. The GJMM has organized this bandh to press their demand for creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland on the lines of Telangana. Schools, shops and business establishments remained closed. Vehicular traffic is completely off the road. Attendance in Government offices has also been affected.

District Magistrate Soumitra Mohan told our correspondent that no untoward incident has been reported so far. Central Reserve Police Force, CRPF and India Reserve Battalion, IRB have been deployed 42 persons have been arrested so far on charges of violation of law.

A large number of GJMM supporters gheraoed the office of the District Magistrate today. The supporters were removed by the CRPF security personnel.

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In Assam, the Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State, a common forum of 11 organisations, demanding separate state has welcomed the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s proposal of discussion and shun violence. The Finance Secretary of the organization said that they are ready for talks if government release their arrested leaders.

Curfew was relaxed for six hours from 8 am at Diphu and four hours from 11 am at Dongkamokam as situation is gradually improving in Karbi Anglong. Security forces have arrested 4 miscreants when they tried to set ablaze a government office at Habajan. But people are facing difficulties in purchasing necessary food items as underground outfit Karbi Peoples Liberation Tiger, KPLT has called for 12 days bandh from today. Members of the Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao Autonomous Council and other leaders are likely to meet senior Central ministers in Delhi.

In Central and Lower Assam, the All Bodo Students Union, demanding separate Bodoland state, has reduced the bandh to 48 hours from 60 hours. More from our correspondent:

"Continuous protest and bandhs have thrown life out of gear in the state. Protesters in support of separate Bodoland state,blocked highway and railway track at Routa and Bijni. Above 500 goods laden trucks are stranded at Sagolia check post in Dhubri district. Additional DGP (Law and Order) said that escorts will be given to resume movements of stranded vehicles. Train movements have been badly affected due to bandh. North East Frontier Railway PRO said that 10 passenger trains have been cancelled today. Thousands of passengers are stranded at several railway stations including Guwahati. Manas Pratim Sarma, AIR News, Guwahati."

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The Supreme Court today rejected Gangster Abu Salem's plea for quashing all proceedings against him after Portugal court terminated his extradition to India for violation of deportation rules by authorities. The apex court said, the verdict of Portugal's constitutional court is not binding on India. It said, extradition of Salem is still valid in the eyes of law. The Supreme Court allowed CBI to drop additional charges slapped on Salem under TADA and Explosives Substances Act.

On July the 9th, a Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam, had reserved the verdict saying it will pass the order after considering CBI's submission that the agency is ready to drop certain charges against 45-year-old Salem under TADA and Explosive Substances Act in view of its commitment to the Portuguese government at the time of his extradition that he shall not be awarded death penalty or detained in custody for more than 25-years if found guilty.

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In Kerala, at least eleven persons in Idukki district have lost their lives in the widespread rains that lashed across the state since last evening. Landslides have been reported from several places in the district. In another incident on the Neriyamangalam-Adimali Road, four persons lost their lives in the landslide that took place near Cheeyappara. Several vehicles are said to be trapped in the landslide. Several rivers in the region are in spate. The runway at the Cochin International Airport has been closed till 3.20 pm this afternoon and flights have been diverted to neighbouring airports. More from our correspondent:

"Large scale destruction to both life and property has been reported from Idukki district following heavy rains that lashed across the state last evening. The hilly regions of Idukki remain almost cut off from the rest of the district, as landslides hit traffic at various places. Several low lying areas were inundated and many families staying in vulnerable areas have been evacuated to safer places. Relief works are in full swing and additional police forces from neighbouring districts have been rushed to Idukki for rescue operations." Raj Mohan, AIR News, Kochi.

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In Andhra Pradesh, 22 persons died due to floods in Godavari River caused by heavy rainfall at upper streams in the past few days. The State Disaster Management authorities in Hyderabad said seven persons died in different places yesterday. District authorities have taken up massive relief operations as several villages remained marooned in Khammam, Adilabad, Warangal and East and West Godavari Districts because of heavy inflows into Godavari River and its tributaries.

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The flood situation continues to be grim in Uttar Pradesh, as incessant rains are adding to the swell of already bulging rivers of the state. With two more deaths, the toll due to rain and flood related incidents has reached to 177 so far.

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The government has launched a National Monsoon Mission for an improved prediction of monsoon rainfall. Under the scheme a state-of-the-art climate model will be set up for accurate forecasts of temperature and weather conditions in different parts of the country on a fortnightly basis. Earth Sciences Minister Jaipal Reddy gave this information in the Rajya Sabha today.

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The Corporate Affairs Ministry is currently developing an early warning system to detect cases of fraud. Pilot testing of the proposed system is expected to be completed during this year. Giving this information in the Rajya Sabha today, Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot said complaints of fraud were received against 154 companies in the last three years. Action is going on against these companies, he said.

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Maintaining its initial gains, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange stood 40 points, or 0.2 percent in positive territory, at 19,204, in afternoon trade, amid considerable volatility, a short while ago. Earlier in the morning, the Sensex had opened with a gain of 42 points, or 0.2 per cent, at 19,206, on fresh buying by funds, amid a mixed trend in the other Asian markets. The 30-share Sensex had lost almost 1,140 points in the previous eight trading sessions.

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The Rupee trimmed its initial gains, but was still quoted up by 16 paise to 60 rupees 94 paise per dollar in late morning session, on selling of the US currency by banks in view of foreign capital inflows into equity market.

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Members in both the Houses of Parliament today felicitated the Indian Cricket Team for winning the Champions Trophy beating England in Birmingham and for the win over Zimbabwe in One Day International series. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha congratulated the Indian Archery Team for winning one gold and two bronze medals in different events in the 3rd Archery World Cup Championship in Columbia.

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The BWF World Badminton Championships 2013 kicked off in Guangzhou, China today. World Number 3 Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, P. Kashyap and Ajay Jayaram are the Indian shuttlers who are participating in the 7-day tournament. Saina and Sindhu advanced to the Women's Singles second round, as they got a bye in their opener. In the Men's Singles, P. Kashyap and Ajay Jayaram are yet to play their first round matches. While Kashyap will meet Raul Must of Estonia, Ajay Jayaram will play 12th seed Wing Ki Wong of Hong Kong.

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The News Services Division of All India Radio in its weekly "PUBLIC SPEAK" programme will bring you a discussion tonight on "Public outrage and loss of public property". This can be heard on FM Gold Channel and additional frequencies at 9.30 pm. Listeners can pose questions to the experts in our studio on telephone number: 011-2331-4444. This programme is also available on Doordarshan DTH.