100 HRS.

    12^th December, 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• BJP rejects Lieutenant Governor's offer to form Government in Delhi.           

• Centre sends Telangana Bill to Andhra Pradesh Assembly setting a six week timeline to approve proposal to bifurcate the state.

• Major parties extend support to pass Lokpal Bill in current session of Parliament.

• Sensex drops 246 points, to close below the 21,000-level; Rupee weakens 58 paise, to 61.83 against the dollar.

• In Bangladesh, security forces put on high alert following rejection of review petition against death sentence of Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah.

• Saina Nehwal loses to World No.1 Li Xuerui of China in the World Super Series finals tournament in Kuala Lumpur.

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The BJP which emerged as the single largest party in Delhi polls, today declined the offer of the Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to form a government in Delhi saying the party lacks clear mojority in Delhi Assembly. BJP legislative party leader,Dr Harsh Vardhan who was called by Mr Jung to discuss the formation of the government, conveyed him that BJP is not in a position to step in for government formation. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Harsh Vardhan said his party will prefer to sit in opposition as it does not have clear mandate.

Our Correspondent reports, the BJP, along with its ally Akali Dal's one seat, has 32 MLAs in the 70-member House while Aam Aadmai Party-AAP has got 28 seats followed by Congress' eight. Both the BJP and AAP lack numbers to cross the magic figure of 36. In this backdrop, the two parties are in favour of fresh elections to the 70-member Assembly. AAP has also said that it will prefer to sit in opposition rather than supporting BJP or Congress to form the government.

The Lieutenant Governor will have to recommend President's rule and fresh elections will have to be held within six months if no party comes forward for government formation.

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Newly elected MLAs of Delhi Congress today met Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and discussed the post-poll scenario in the city. Eight MLAs including Haroon Yousuf, Aravinder Singh Lovely and Jaikishen met Mr Gandhi in New Delhi. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Jaikishen said the party MLAs are in favour of extending support to Aam Aadmi Party-AAP to form a government in Delhi.

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The Centre has sent the Telangana Bill to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, setting a six-week timeline to approve the proposal to bifurcate the state. Home Ministry sources said, the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Bill remitted to it by President Pranab Mukherjee, was today dispatched to Assembly Speaker N Manohar's office.

The President asked the Assembly to consider the Bill and respond by 23rd January, 2014. The Winter Session of the Andhra Pradesh legislative Assembly began today.

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Congress leader Harish Rawat has said the Government is keen to pass the Lokpal Bill in this session itself. He alleged that the main Opposition party has been obstructing the passage of several important bills.

We still think that we have vital days ahead. The BJP, just to gain political milage, as is their habit goes on levelling allegations till it appears that what they are saying is truth. We request that they should help in implementing whatever has been agreed to today about carrying on the legislative business.

The BJP today offered its cooperation in getting the Lokpal Bill passed by Parliamenteven without discussion. Briefing the media in New Delhi, Leaders of Opposition in the two Houses, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley proposed that the UPA and NDA join hands to have the Bill passed without any discussion since it is pending for a long time. Sushma Swaraj blamed the treasury benches for disruption in the proceeding of the house saying their alliance partners are creating trouble and stalling the proceedings.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said, his party is also ready to pass the Lokpal Bill at the earliest.

The Lokpal Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha earlier and is awaiting approval of the upper house.

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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath has denied media reports that the government planned to cut short the current session of parliament in view of the fact that six days have passed without transacting normal business. Talking to media outside parliament, he said the Business Advisory Committee, at its meeting yesterday, has identified the Lokpal Bill and the Demands for Grants related to Finance and Railways as its priority.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said the government has accepted 13 amendments to the Lokpal Bill, as recommended by the Rajya Sabha Select Committee and Minister for Personnel, V. Narayanasamy has given notice for early passage of the Bill.

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Anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare has said he will not end his fast till the Lokpal Bill is passed. Talking to reporters, Anna Hazare declared, he was ready to make the supreme sacrifice for the country. He said that he has written a letter to the Prime Minister's Office and criticised government's attitude on the issue.

Anna Hazare is on indefinite fast in his village Ralegan Siddhi to press for the passage of Lokpal Bill.

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Several issues including Telangana rocked proceedings in both Houses of Parliament forcing their adjournment for the day today. The Rajya Sabha witnessed two adjournments and the Lok Sabha one. The Lok Sabha, which reassembled at noon after the first adjournment, adopted the Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2013-14 by a voice vote amid pandemonium. Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge tabled the Supplementary Demands for Grants related to his ministry for the current financial year, which was later adopted by voice vote. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Kumari Selja introduced an Amendment Bill to prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. As noisy scenes continued Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the house for the day. In the Rajya Sabha, which met at 2 PM after two adjournments in the pre-lunch session, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge tabled the Supplementary Demands for Grants in respect of his ministry for the current financial year.

Minister of State for Home Affairs R P N Singh moved the Governors Emoluments, Allowances and Privileges Amendment Bill, 2013 for consideration and passage. BSP members continued to oppose the closure of the relief camps, set up in the riot-hit Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. TMC members were on their feet demanding the sacking of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission Chairman, retired Justice A.K. Ganguly. Members from Andhra Pradesh trooped into the well in support of their demand for United Andhra Pradesh. Following continued uproar, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House for the day.

Our Correspondent reports that the two Houses could not transact any substantive legislative business since beginning of the Winter Session.<><><>

BJP leader Raman Singh has taken over as Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh for the third consecutive term. Governor Shekhar Dutt administered the oath of office to him in Raipur today.

Raman Singh took oath alone and his council of ministers will be sworn in at a later date.

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In Bangladesh, security forces have been put on high alert across the country following Supreme Court's rejection of the review petition today against the death sentence of Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah for war crimes. Violence and arson continued across the country on the 6th day of the opposition enforced nationwide transport blockade today. At least 3 people were kllled in Laxmipur in a series of clashes between the police and Opposition activists in different parts of the city. Several crude bombs were exploded during processions in Chiittagong, and an ambulance was torched. The ancestral home of the Minister for Information and Cultural Affairs in the interim government was attacked in Khustia.

Meanwhile, the 3rd round of talks between ruling Awami League and Opposition BNP has been postponed till tomorrow.

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The remand of 32 Indian fishermen who were caught by Sri Lankan Navy two months ago, has been further extended by another 12 days by a Magistrate’s court in Trincomalee.

Meanwhile, the 110 Indian fishermen arrested off the coast of Mullaitivu yesterday, are yet to be produced before a Magistrate’s court. A senior officer of the Indian High Commission in Colombo is in Trincomalee to represent with the local authorities for an early release of these fishermen.

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Retail inflation jumps to a 9-month high at 11.24 pc in November following costlier fruits and vegetables such as onions and tomatoes. Inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for October was revised upwards to 10.17 per cent from the preliminary estimate of 10.09 per cent.

According to government data released today, vegetable prices rose 61.6 per cent in November from a year earlier, compared with a 45.67 per cent increase in the previous month, Fruit prices rose 15 per cent.

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The Union Cabinet today approved amendment to the Code of Conduct for Ministers to add a new clause aimed at checking the political executive from misusing bureaucrats for political purposes. It is intended to uphold the political impartiality of the civil services and not to direct bureaucrats to act in any way which could conflict with their duties and responsibilities as government employees.

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THE BUSINESS WORLD

Falling for the third straight session, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange dropped 246 points, or 1.2 percent, to close below the 21,000-level, at 20,926, today, ahead of key economic data, and amid weak global markets. The Nifty fell 71 points, to 6,237. Stock markets in Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore lost between 0.1 percent and 1.1 percent. The rupee weakened 58 paise--its biggest single-day fall in a month--to close at 61.83 against the dollar. Gold fell 110 rupees, to 31,040 rupees per ten grams in Delhi. But silver rose 60 rupees, to 45,060 rupees per kilo. And Brent crude oil future eased toward 109 dollars a barrel, while US crude slipped 3 cents, to 97.47 dollars a barrel. Pradeep Kumar, AIR News

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Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer, Jawhar Sircar has mooted speedy upgradation of All India Radio’s transmitters installed at Agartala and Belonia to ensure smooth and equal reach of programmes all over Tripura. He discussed measures to improve and strengthen telecast from Doordarshan Kendra, Agartala, today.

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IN SPORTS;

Saina Nehwal has lost to the World No.1 and Olympic Champion Li Xuerui of China in the Group-B match of BWF World Super Series finals Badminton Tournament. Li defeated Saina 21-9 and 21-14 in a match today.

Yesterday in the opening match, Saina lost to Japan's Minatsu Mitani 21-19, 22-24 and 19-21. With the second defeat in the tournament, her chances for getting into the semi-finals have turned bleak.

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Holland, Malaysia and France have entered the semifinals of the ongoing Hero Junior Men's Hockey World Cup, in New Delhi today. France stunned European champions Belgium 5-4 in a nail-biting encounter.

India will clash with Argentina in a classification match for 9th to 12th place in the Men's Junior Hockey World Cup at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi today. All India Radio will broadcast running commentary of this match from 7.55 pm onwards.