SSC CGL 2014 Notification in Employment News dated 18th-24th January, 2014
Sarkari Naukri in Central/State Government, Universities, Public Sector Companies, Banks. Current Vacancy updates.
16 January 2014
15 January 2014
Delay in Declaration of result of Tier-II of CGL Examination, 2013
Declaration of Result of Tier-II of the Combined Graduate Level Examination,2013 is delayed as there is stay on declaration of this result by the Principal Bench, New Delhi of the Hon'ble Central Administrative Tribunal(CAT). This result will be declared immediately after the stay is vacated by by the Hon'ble CAT.
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10 January 2014
WWF India, Tata Housing join hands for snow leopard conservation
WWF India in partnership with Tata Housing Development Company today announced the launch of a project for conservation of endangered ‘snow leopards' species in the country.
As a part of the project 'Save Our Snow Leopards' (SOS), the two organisations unveiled an online crowd funding campaign for species conservation in India, aiming to raise at least Rs 15 lakh.
“Through SOS campaign, WWF-India along with Tata Housing will build awareness about the conservation issues facing the snow leopard and aim to raise at least Rs 15,00,000 through the crowd funding platform,” Tata Housing said.
Additionally, Tata Housing CEO and Managing Director Brotin Banerjee said the company would donate Rs 15 lakh per year in the project,
The funds raised will be utilised to scale up WWF’s snow leopard conservation projects such as setting upcamera traps to study the exact status and distribution of snow leopards in range states and support the construction of predator-proof livestock pens for local communities in snow leopard habitats that will help in managing snow leopard-human conflict.
The snow leopard population in India is estimated to be 400-700, while their worldwide number is around 7,000. In India they are in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world's oldest and largest global environmental organization, has listed snow leopards as 'endangered' species.
Borg Energy to invest $ 45 m in India
Borg Energy, a solar power solutions provider and a subsidiary of US-based Borg Inc, on Friday announced plans to invest $ 45 million (Rs. 279 crore) in India on projects including a rural electrification programme during 2014.
The company, which entered the country last year, is in advanced discussions with some North India States for a rural electrification programme. This project is expected to cost about $25 million, Borg Energy India's Managing Director (Asia Pacific) Boaz Augustin Jr. told reporters here.
The company said it was also looking to invest $20 million for various engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects. It said in the long term, plans are on the anvil to set up an R&D plant in the country. The company has introduced smart grid technology-based micro solar power plants in the North Indian market. These plants have the potential to save up to 60 per cent of household power bills, the firm said.
South China Dispute
Rival countries have wrangled over territory in the South China Sea for centuries - but a recent upsurge in tension has sparked concern that the area is becoming a flashpoint with global consequences.
What is the argument about?
It is a dispute over territory and sovereignty over ocean areas and the Paracels and the Spratlys - two island chains claimed in whole or in part by a number of countries. Alongside the fully fledged islands, there are dozens of uninhabited rocky outcrops, atolls, sandbanks and reefs, such as the Scarborough Shoal.
Who claims what?
China claims by far the largest portion of territory - an area defined by the "nine-dash line" which stretches hundreds of miles south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan. Beijing has said its right to the area come from 2,000 years of history where the Paracel and Spratly island chains were regarded as integral parts of the Chinese nation.
In 1947 China issued a map detailing its claims. It showed the two island groups falling entirely within its territory. Those claims are mirrored by Taiwan, because the island considers itself the Republic of China and has the same territorial claims.
Vietnam hotly disputes China's historical account, saying China had never claimed sovereignty over the islands before the 1940s. Vietnam says both island chains are entirely within its territory. It says it has actively ruled over both the Paracels and the Spratlys since the 17th Century - and has the documents to prove it.
The other major claimant in the area is the Philippines, which invokes its geographical proximity to the Spratly Islands as the main basis of its claim for part of the grouping.
Both the Philippines and China lay claim to the Scarborough Shoal (known as Huangyan Island in China) - a little more than 100 miles (160km) from the Philippines and 500 miles from China.
Malaysia and Brunei also lay claim to territory in the South China Sea that they say falls within their economic exclusion zones, as defined by UNCLOS. Brunei does not claim any of the disputed islands, but Malaysia claims a small number of islands in the Spratlys.
Why are so many countries so keen?
The Paracels and the Spratlys may have vast reserves of natural resources around them. There has been little detailed exploration of the area, so estimates are largely extrapolated from the mineral wealth of neighbouring areas.
Chinese officials have given the most optimistic estimates of resource wealth in the area. According to figures quoted by the US Energy Information Administration, one Chinese estimate puts possible oil reserves as high as 213 billion barrels - 10 times the proven reserves of the US. But American scientists have estimated the amount of oil at 28 billion barrels.
According to the EIA, the real wealth of the area may well be natural gas reserves. Estimates say the area holds about 900 trillion cubic ft (25 trillion cubic m) - the same as the proven reserves of Qatar.
The area is also one of the region's main shipping lanes, and is home to a fishing ground that supplies the livelihoods of thousands of people.
How much trouble does the dispute cause?
The most serious trouble in recent decades has flared between Vietnam and China. The Chinese seized the Paracels from Vietnam in 1974, killing more than 70 Vietnamese troops. In 1988 the two sides clashed in the Spratlys, when Vietnam again came off worse, losing about 60 sailors.
The Philippines has also been involved in a number of minor skirmishes with Chinese, Vietnamese and Malaysian forces.
The most recent upsurge in tension has coincided with more muscular posturing from China. Beijing officials have issued a number of strongly-worded statements, including warning their rivals to stop any mineral exploration in the area.
The Philippines has accused China of building up its military presence in the Spratlys. In early 2012, the two countries engaged in a maritime stand-off, accusing each other of intrusions in the Scarborough Shoal. Chinese and Philippine vessels refused to leave the area for a number of weeks, leading to rhetoric and protests.
In July 2012 China formally created Sansha city, an administrative body with its headquarters in the Paracels which it says oversees Chinese territory in the South China Sea - including the Paracels and the Spratlys. Both Vietnam and the Philippines protested against this move.
In November 2012, China granted its border patrol police in Hainan the power to board and search foreign ships stopping in its waters or violating other regulations.
Unverified claims that the Chinese navy deliberately sabotaged two Vietnamese exploration operations in late 2012 led to large anti-China protests on the streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam said it would be sending patrols to accompany its fisheries in the area. It also has held live-fire exercises off its coast - an action that was seen as a gross provocation by Beijing.
Vietnam was also one of a number of nations that refused to stamp new editions of Chinese passports which include a map showing disputed areas of the South China Sea as Chinese territory.
In January 2013, Manila said it was taking China to a UN tribunal under the auspices of the UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea, to challenge its claims in the South China Sea.
Manila said it had exhausted "almost all political and diplomatic avenues" with Beijing in the dispute. China insists the dispute should be resolved through direct negotiation.
Is anyone trying to resolve the row?
Over the years, China has tended to favour arrangements negotiated behind closed doors with the individual leaders of other countries. But the other countries have pushed for international mediation.
So in July 2010, when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton became involved in the debate and called for a binding code of conduct, China was not pleased. The Chinese Foreign Ministry dismissed her suggestion as an attack on China.
Agreements such as the UN's 1982 convention appeared to lay the framework for a solution. But in practice, the convention led to more overlapping claims, and did nothing to deter China and Vietnam in pressing their historical claims.
Even if the Philippines is successful in its attempts to pursue China at a UN tribunal, the terms of the convention mean China would not be obliged to abide by the ruling.
Both the Philippines and Vietnam have made bilateral agreements with China, putting in place codes of conduct in the area. But the agreements have made little difference.
The regional grouping Asean - whose membership includes all of the main players in the dispute except China and Taiwan - concluded a code of conduct deal with China in 2002.
Under the agreement, the countries agreed to "resolve their territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force, through friendly consultations and negotiations".
But recent events suggest that Vietnam and China at least have failed to stick to the spirit of that agreement. And recent attempts by Asean to discuss new ideas for resolving the dispute appear to have left the bloc severely divided.
US: China new sea rules 'provocative'
The US has described new Chinese rules on fishing access to disputed areas of the South China Sea as "provocative and potentially dangerous".
Regulations approved by Hainan province requiring foreign fishing vessels to ask for permission to enter its waters took effect on 1 January.
China claims a U-shaped swathe of the South China Sea, which it puts under the authority of Hainan province.
This swathe overlaps areas also claimed by several South East Asian nations.
The move comes with tensions already high over China's recent establishment of an Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) that covers East China Sea islands claimed and controlled by Japan, and a rock claimed by South Korea.
It also comes as China takes an increasingly assertive stance on its territorial claims across Asia.
Infosys ups revenue guidance to 12 p.c.
Infosys has once again revised its revenue guidance for this fiscal (2013-14) upwards to 12 per cent from previous estimate of 10 per cent in dollar terms.
In a regulatory filing to stock exchanges on Friday, the IT bellwether said revenues were expected to grow 11.5-12 per cent in dollar terms and 24.4-24.9 per cent for fiscal 2014 (FY 2014) from 22 per cent in rupee terms as estimated in the second quarter of this fiscal.
Earlier, the reported net profit of Rs. 2,875 crore for third quarter (Oct-Dec) of this fiscal, posting 21.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth.
Consolidated revenue for the quarter under review (Q3), increased 25 per cent YoY to Rs. 13,026 crore as per the Indian accounting standard.
Under the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), net income rose 6.7 per cent to $463 million and gross revenue by 1.7 per cent to $2.1 billion for the quarter.
Yemen man detained at Guantanamo Bay to be freed
A US government review panel has determined a man from Yemen detained at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for more than a decade can be released.
Mahmud Mujahid, 33, had been accused of being an al-Qaeda fighter and bodyguard to Osama Bin Laden.
He was held at the detention centre since 2002 but never formally charged.
He was the first to appear before a review board convened by US President Barack Obama in an effort to close down Guantanamo, which houses 155 men.
The six-member review panel determined he no longer posed a continuing significant threat to the US on Thursday.
He was reportedly one of dozens of prisoners previously deemed too dangerous for release but who could not be prosecuted due to lack of evidence or adequate jurisdiction.
A Pentagon spokesman told US media on Thursday no decision had yet been made on when Mr Mujahid would be released from the facility.
Hollande to sue magazine for revealing secret love affair
French President Francois Hollande has threatened to sue a magazine that revealed an alleged secret relationship between him and the actress Julie Gayet.
Speaking in his personal capacity Mr. Hollande said he “deplored” the violation of the privacy, which is “the right of every citizen”. He said he was contemplating his next steps, “including legal action.”
Closer magazine on Thursday announced the publication of a seven-page special with photographs of the President’s alleged relationship under the title “The President’s secret love.”
“During the New Year, the head of state wearing a helmet and riding a scooter visited the actress in her hideaway where he has taken to spending his nights,” the magazine said. The astonishing pictures of the President, the magazine wrote, raise the question of Presidential security.
The President went alone on his scooter followed by just one body guard who kept the presidential secret and obliged the couple by bringing them fresh croissants every morning, the magazine alleges.
The President is officially in a relationship with journalist Valerie Trierweiler, a woman not particularly popular with the media or the public. Previously he was in a very long relationship with Segolene Royal, who made a vain bid for the French presidency in 2007. Mr. Hollande and Ms Royal have four children.
Julie Gayet, his reported new love, had already lodged a complaint last March after rumours appeared on the Internet about her relationship with Mr. Hollande. In the past she has called him “remarkable, humble and someone who really listens”. The actress participated in one of Mr. Hollande’s campaign video clips.
The French public is generally extremely tolerant of the extra marital relationships of their leaders. President Francois Mitterrand had an entire second family with a hidden daughter who was revealed to the public after he left power. Nicolas Sarkozy became the only President to have divorced and re-married while at the Elysee Palace.
Interview Schedule for Junior Engineer Examination-2013
Staff selection Commission has updated Interview Schedule for candidates qualified Paper II of Junior Engineer Examination 2013. The interview will start from 30th January 2014.
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Click here for Interview Schedule
Moily clears Posco steel plant
The environment ministry under Veerappa Moily has approved the $ 12.6 billion Posco steel plant in Orissa, the biggest foreign direct investment in India. The proposed 12 million-tonnes-per-year plant has been stuck for more than eight years due to delays in getting clearances and acquiring land.
The approval comes a week ahead of South Korean President Park Geun Hye’s visit to India. The clearance will pave the way for Posco to build the steel plant with an annual production capacity of 12 million tons.The Odisha project, the largest foreign direct investment in India, has been stalled since 2005 due to problems related to environmental clearance and land procurement.Officials in the ministry said Posco’s project comprised of two aspects — a steel plant and a port project. Mr Moily delinked the two and granted approval for the steel plant. Environment clearance for the port is pending.Posco’s steel project had received initial clearance from the Environment Ministry in 2007 and final approval was granted in 2011. A year later, the approval was suspended by the National Green Tribunal in 2012, citing environmental concerns.
Granted immunity, Devyani on way home but cannot enter US again
The immediate crisis over the indictment of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in a US court over visa fraud seems to have been resolved with the official being granted full immunity after he transfer to the permanent Indian mission to the United Nations in New York. The diplomat is on her way to India now, having being transferred to the Ministry of External Affairs by the government but will still face criminal charges in the US if she returns without any diplomatic immunity.
9 January 2014
Junior Engineers Exam 2013 Paper (II) Result Announced
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced Junior Engineers (Civil , Mechanical, Electrical , Quantity Surveying and Contract) Examination 2013 Written result on 8th January 2013 . The exam has conducted on all India basis for recruitment to the post of Junior Engineer ( Civil ) , Junior Engineer Electrical in Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and Department of Engineer (Quantity Surveying and Contract ) in Military Engineering Services (MES ) , Junior Engineer (Civil and Mechanical ) in Central Water Commission ( CWC ) and Farakka Barrage on 9th June 2013 . Result of paper I for evaluation of Paper II of aforesaid examination was declared on 5th November on basis of which a total number of 4809 candidates qualified for evaluation of Paper II of Civil Engineering whereas 1980 candidates for Electrical/ Mechanical Engineering. The candidates, who is selected in Paper II,will call for Interview by Commission. The candidates who appeared in exams can check their results at below link :
Click here for Junior Engineers(Civil) Exam 2013 Result
Click here for Junior Engineer (Electrical/Mechanical) Exam 2013 Result
Click here for Junior Engineers(Civil) Exam 2013 Result
Click here for Junior Engineer (Electrical/Mechanical) Exam 2013 Result
CDS(II) Exam 2013 Result Declared
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has declared written exam results of the combined defence services (CDS) examination (II)-2013. Written exam was held on 8th Sep. 2013 Total 8984 candidates are qualified for being interviewed by Service Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence , for admission to
(i) Indian Military Academy , Dehradun 137th course commencing in July, 2014
( ii) Indian Naval Academy ,Ezhimala , Kerala course commencing in July, 2014
(iii) Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (pre-flying) training course for 196th F (P) course commencing in July, 2014
(iv) Officers' Training Academy ,Chennai 100th SSC course (for men) commencing in October 2014 and
v) Officers' Training Academy , Chennai, 14th SSC women (Non-Technical ) Course commencing in October, 2014.
Candidates who appear in the exam can check their result by clicking following link:
Click here for CDS (II) Exam 2013 Results
(i) Indian Military Academy , Dehradun 137th course commencing in July, 2014
( ii) Indian Naval Academy ,Ezhimala , Kerala course commencing in July, 2014
(iii) Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (pre-flying) training course for 196th F (P) course commencing in July, 2014
(iv) Officers' Training Academy ,Chennai 100th SSC course (for men) commencing in October 2014 and
v) Officers' Training Academy , Chennai, 14th SSC women (Non-Technical ) Course commencing in October, 2014.
Candidates who appear in the exam can check their result by clicking following link:
Click here for CDS (II) Exam 2013 Results
8 January 2014
Nine killed in Mumbai-Dehradun Express blaze
Nine people were confirmed dead after a fire broke out in three general coaches of Bandra-Dehradun Express, north of Dahanu Road station in Thane district at around 2.30am Wednesday.The fire was brought under control within an hour and after the cooling operations were completed, the affected coaches were decoupled and the train commenced its onward journey. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained but preliminary reports indicate that a short circuit might be the cause of fire.
Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the train mishap. The minister also ordered inquiry into the train mishap.
Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the train mishap. The minister also ordered inquiry into the train mishap.
Junior Hindi Translator and Hindi Pradhyapak etc Exam 2013 Written Result Declared
Staff Selection Commission (S.S.C.) has declared Paper II result which was conducted on 2nd June 2013 for the post of Junior Hindi Translator (in subordinate offices) and Hindi Pradhyapak (Central Hindi Training Institute) across country.Result for Paper I was declared on 23rd September 2013 for evaluation of Paper II. Paper II of all candidates declared qualify in Paper I has been evaluated.The candidates who qualified Paper I can check their Result by click following link
Click here for Write-up
Click here for Result
Click here for Write-up
Click here for Result
7 January 2014
SSC Stenographer (grade C & D ) 2013 Question Paper
Staff Selection Commission has conducted Stenographer Grade C & D examination 2013 on 29th December 2013. All those Candidate who not appeared in exam can check Question Paper of exam which is has uploaded below in image formate
6 January 2014
SSC UDC Deptt 2013 Answer Keys
The Staff Selection Commission (S.S.C.) has conducted a written examination for Upper Division Grade Limited for Departmental Competitive Examination (L.D.C.E.) on 30th November 2013. The answer keys for the questions is now placed on SSC website. Claims of discrepancies or incorrect keys should be made in writing at the earliest 15th January 2014. for more detail and Answer Keys, click following link
Click here for Write-up
Click here for Answer Keys
Click here for Write-up
Click here for Answer Keys
5 January 2014
Portugal football legend Eusebio dies
Eusebio, the Portuguese football star who was born into poverty in Africa but became an international sporting icon and was voted one of the 10 best players of all time, has died aged 71, his longtime club Benfica said.
Eusebio died at home of heart failure at 3.30 a.m. (0330 GMT) Sunday, his biographer, Jose Malheiro, said. “His health was very poor,” Malheiro told reporters. Eusebio was admitted to hospital several times over the past year for the treatment of heart and respiratory problems.
Officials at Benfica and at the Portuguese Football Federation, where Eusebio was an ambassador, could not immediately be reached.Eusebio’s coffin was to be taken to Benfica’s Stadium of Light later Sunday, public broadcaster Radiotelevisao Portuguesa reported.
for more details, please visit: http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/portugal-football-legend-eusebio-dies/article5541460.ece?homepage=true
Government to launch internet spy system 'Netra' soon
Beware! Use of words like 'attack', 'bomb', 'blast' or 'kill' in tweets, status updates, emails or blogs may bring you under surveillance of security agencies as the government will soon launch 'Netra', an internet spy system capable of detecting malafide messages.
The Home Ministry is giving finishing touches to 'Netra', which will be deployed by all security agencies to capture any dubious voice traffic passing through software like Skype or Google Talk, besides write-ups in tweets, status updates, emails, instant messaging transcripts, internet calls, blogs and forums.
The 'Netra' internet spy system has been developed by Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), a lab under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
for more detail, please visit: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/government-to-launch-internet-spy-system-netra-soon/1215715/
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Press Conference
What about the corruption issues which have come to light during UPA-2?
As far as the charges of corruption are concerned, most of these charges relate to the period of UPA-1. Coal block allocation as well as 2G spectrum allocation were both in the era of the UPA-1. We went to the electorate on the basis of our performance in that period, and the people of India gave us the mandate to govern for another five years.
When you look back, do you feel there is something you should have done differently?
I feel somewhat sad, because I was the one who insisted that spectrum allocation should be transparent, it should be fair, it should be equitable. I was the one who insisted that coal blocks should be allocated on the basis of auctions. These facts are forgotten. The Opposition has a vested interest. Sometimes the media play into their hands as well. There were irregularities. But the dimensions of the problems have been overstated by the media, by the CAG sometimes, and by other entities.
You did indicate in your opening remarks that you rule yourself out of a third term. So do you want Rahul Gandhi to be named prime ministerial candidate?
I have indicated in my opening remarks that I am not going to be a candidate for Prime Ministership if the UPA were to come back to power. Rahul Gandhi has outstanding credentials to be nominated as the (Prime Ministerial) candidate. I hope our party will take that decision at the appropriate time.
Have you ever felt like resigning, at any point over the last 9-10 years?
I have never felt like resigning at any time. I have enjoyed doing my work. I have tried to do my work with all honesty, with all sense of integrity, without regard, or fear or favour.
Most Chief Ministers said their defeat was because of price rise. Does it hurt that the blame is being placed at your door?
I will be honest enough to say that, it could be that price rise was a factor in the people’s turning against the Congress party. And I have explained that the reasons why price rise took place are reasons beyond our control, because international commodity prices are rising, because international energy prices are rising. But having said that, I would also like to say that we have taken enough measures to protect the weaker sections of our economy and our society against rising prices.
Are you still hopeful about pushing some reforms agenda?
Reform is not an event, it is a process. Therefore, so long as we are in power, we will continue to push the cause of reform wherever there is scope for it, and if circumstances permit us to go forward.
How do you think the aam aadmi now perceives you, as a politician, as a PM?
I am the same person as I was years ago. There has been no change. I say it in all sincerity that I have tried to serve this country with utmost dedication and commitment and with utmost integrity. I have never used my office to enrich or to reward my friends or my relatives.
What is the state of the Indo-U.S. relations? As your term comes to an end, it seems to have hit rock bottom again.
Our government attaches highest priority to strengthening the strategic partnership between our two countries. There have recently been some hiccups, but I sincerely believe that these are temporary aberrations and diplomacy should be given a chance to resolve these issues that have arisen.
How do you see your legacy in view of the fact that you failed to act?
I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament. I cannot divulge all things that take place in the Cabinet system of government. I think, taking into account the circumstances, and the compulsions of a coalition polity, I have done as best as I could under the circumstances.
Do you think Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi is an equal contest? Are you confident he will be able to form the government?
I have full confidence that the next Prime Minister will be from the UPA coalition, and that without discussing the merits of Narendra Modi, it will be disastrous for the country to have Shri Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister.
The BJP and Mr. Modi’s charge against you is that you have been a weak PM.
I do not believe that I have been a weak Prime Minister. That is for historians to judge. The BJP and its associates may say whatever they like. But if by “strong Prime Minister”, you mean that you preside over a mass massacre of innocent citizens on the streets of Ahmedabad, that is the measure of strength, I do not believe that sort of strength this country needs, least of all, in its Prime Minister.
Will you feel historic opportunities on India-Pakistan were missed?
I have tried to improve relations with all our neighbours to the best of my ability. At one time, it appeared that an important breakthrough was in sight. Events in Pakistan, for example, the fact that General Musharraf had to make way for a different setup, I think that led to the process not moving further. But I still believe that good relations between India and Pakistan are very essential for this subcontinent to realise its full development potential.
There has been a perception that decisions are made in 10 Janpath and announced at 7RCR.
The Congress Party President or the Vice-President — if they have any views, they ought to be reflected in the thinking of the government to the extent that it is possible. The fact that Mrs Gandhi or for that matter Rahul Gandhi were there to back the government up, is something which has enabled us to deal with many difficult moments in these nine and a half years. There were, of course, times, when they differed from what the government had done. The government reconsidered those issues, and I don’t think this is wrong, or a disadvantage, to make corrections.
How do you rate the phenomenon of the AAP?
The people have reposed confidence in the AAP party in Delhi. I think we must respect the democratic process. Only time will tell whether this experience is capable of dealing with the challenges that our economy and our polity face.
You keep asking Rahul to join the government, but he keeps refusing.
I have always felt that our government would have been strengthened if Rahul Gandhi was part of the government. But Rahul says that he has responsibilities to the party that do not permit him to join the government, and I respect his sentiment.
Did the Congress leadership ever hint to you to step down before the elections?
I have said what I have to say. But nobody has asked me to step down because of any inadequacies that may have characterised my tenure as Prime Minister.
When are you going to find a permanent settlement to the problem of the Tamil Nadu fishermen?
We have consistently made every effort to persuade the government of Sri Lanka to address the genuine problems of the Tamil population of Sri Lanka. We will continue to do so in the future as well. As far as the fishermen’s fate is concerned, we have on innumerable number of occasions, discussed this matter with the Government of Sri Lanka, and now we find that in northern Sri Lanka, we have a government of the Tamil population themselves. We feel there is an opportunity for the Tamil population of Sri Lanka, and the Tamil population in Tamil Nadu to sit together, to work out an arrangement between the fishermen of the two countries which will be mutually satisfactory. I think this is going to happen.
Your party men also say you are an overrated economist and underrated politician.
When I became Prime Minister, the general perception was that the Congress Party has never been able to run a coalition government. The Congress ability to run a coalition government was to be tested, and we showed that the Congress party can successfully manage the coalition to complete not one, but two terms. In the process, there have been some compromises, but I can assure you that those compromises relate to peripheral areas.
GSLV-D5 with indigenous cryogenic engine launched successfully
In a new year gift to the nation, ISRO on Sunday successfully launched a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5) with an indigenous cryogenic engine from the spaceport of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, entering a select club of nations.
With this launch, ISRO became the sixth space agency in the world after U.S., Russia, Japan, China and France to have tasted success with an indigenous cryogenic engine.
“I am extremely happy and proud to say team ISRO has done it. The Indian cryogenic engine and stage performed as predicted, as expected for this mission and injected precisely the GSAT-14 communication satellite into intended orbit,” a jubilant K. Radhakrishnan, ISRO chairman said from the Mission Control Room soon after the launch vehicle placed the 1,982 kg GSAT-14 satellite into the intended orbit.
Launching a GSLV with an indigenous cryogenic engine has been a major challenge for ISRO since 2001 after multiple unsuccessful attempts. Only four of earlier seven attempts have succeeded.
GSLV-D5’s scheduled launch on August 19 last year was called off in the eleventh hour after a fuel leak, following which ISRO moved the vehicle back to the Vehicle Assembly Building and rectified the defect.
Sunday’s launch is India’s eighth flight of GSLV and also the fourth developmental flight of GSLV. During this flight, the indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) was flight tested for the second time.
GSAT-14 is India’s 23rd geostationary communication satellite, as four of GSAT-14’s predecessors were launched by GSLV during 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2007, respectively.
GSAT-14 would join the group of India’s nine operational geostationary satellites. The primary objective of this mission is to augment the in-orbit capacity of extended C and Ku-band transponders and provide a platform for new experiments.
The GSAT-14 will be positioned at 74 degree East longitude and co-located with INSAT-3C, INSAT-4CR and KALPANA-1 satellites.
The 12 communication transponders onboard GSAT-14 will further augment the capacity in the INSAT/GSAT system.
ISRO’s Cryogenic Upper Stage Project envisaged the design and development of the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage to replace the stage procured from Russia and used in GSLV flights, according to ISRO.
ISRO officials had been extremely vigilant in tightening loose ends this time around to avoid an unsuccessful attempt.
Design modifications were implemented wherever required in the launch vehicle along with thorough ground testing and improvements.
The modifications included redesigning of Lower Shroud, which protects the cryogenic engine during atmospheric flight of GSLV-D5 and redesigning of the wire tunnel of the cryo stage to withstand larger forces in flight.
The national space agency also performed two ‘Acceptance Tests for flight unit of Fuel Booster Turbo Pump (FBTP), High altitude tests to confirm the ignition sequence in flight under vacuum, to validate design improvements and Cryogenic Main Engine (200 sec) and Steering Engine (100 sec) acceptance tests at Main Engine Test and High Altitude Test.
Lok Sabha elections to be held from mid-April
Bracing for the big exercise, the Election Commission is all set to hold Lok Sabha elections starting mid-April and spread it over at least five phases till early May.
The much-awaited announcement for the polls is likely to be made by the end of February or early March, for which work has already begun, top Commission sources said.
Along with the Lok Sabha polls, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim will go to polls to elect their new assemblies.
“The announcement of the poll schedule would be done in the last days of February or at best the first two-three days of March,” the sources told PTI.
Before the scheduled announcement, the Lok Sabha may meet for one last time to pass a vote-on-account budget to enable expenditure for six months of the new fiscal year 2014-15 to give time for the new Government to present a full-fledged budget in the next Parliament.
There is also speculation that a special session of Parliament may be convened shortly to pass anti-corruption measures by the government in the run up to the elections.
The term of the current Lok Sabha expires on June 1 and the new House has to be constituted by May 31.
for more details please visit:http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lok-sabha-elections-to-be-held-from-midapril/article5541413.ece?ref=sliderNews
Australia complete 5-0 series sweep
Australia completed a 5—0 series whitewash over England with a 281—run victory inside three days of the fifth Ashes test at the Sydney Cricket Ground after the tourists capitulated to be all out for 166 chasing 448.
Ryan Harris (5—25) and Mitchell Johnson (3—40), with 37 wickets for the series, again decimated the England batting lineup on Sunday with a ferocious spell of fast bowling which ended England’s second innings in less than two and a half hours.
Opener Michael Carberry made 43 and there was some lusty late hitting from Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad but no real resistance as Australia secured its third Ashes 5—0 series whitewash and second since 2006—07.
Earlier, Chris Rogers scored his third test century and George Bailey made 48 as Australia reached 276.
Australia 1st Innings- 326 (Steve Smith 115, Brad Haddin 75; Ben Stokes 6—99, Stuart Broad 2—65). England 1st Innings- 155 (Ben Stokes 47, Stuart Broad 30 not out; Peter Siddle 3—23, Mitchell Johnson 3—33, Ryan Harris 3—36).
Australia 2nd Innings- 276 (Chris Rogers 119, George Bailey 46; Scott Borthwick 3—33, Jimmy Anderson 2—46). England 2nd Innings- 166 (Michael Carberry 43, Stuart Broad 42; Ryan Harris 5—25, Mitchell Johnson 3—40).
3 January 2014
Supreme Court frowns at remarks against verdict on gay sex
The Supreme Court on Friday expressed “displeasure” over statements made by some Union Ministers including Law Minister Kapil Sibal against its verdict on gay sex, saying it is “unwarranted” and “not in good taste” while cautioning them from doing so in future.
Visibly upset after going through the statements annexed in a PIL seeking action against the Ministers, a bench headed by Chief Justice P. Sathasivam said the remarks made against the verdict are “not appreciable”.
“We agree that some of the statements made are not in good taste. They are holding high post and they have a responsibility. They must be cautious in making statements,” the bench, also comprising Justice Ranjan Gogoi, said.
“They have very casually made the statements. We take it as unwarranted comments,” the bench said after going through the comments made by Mr. Sibal, Milind Deora, P. Chidambaram and also J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The bench, however, said that the statement made by the Union Finance Minister is not very objectionable but some of the remarks made by others are not in good taste.
The bench, however, refused to pass any order against the leaders who were personally made party in the case.
“Except showing our displeasure we cannot do any thing,” the bench said, adding, “Though the statements made are not appreciable, we are not inclined to entertain the petition.”
The court was hearing a PIL filed by a Delhi resident Purushotham Mulloli seeking removal of the Ministers for allegedly making contemptuous remarks.
Advocate H.P. Sharma, appearing for the petitioner, contended that the Ministers’ remarks were in violation of the law laid down by this court and action must be taken against them.
“It is submitted that Centre was a party and it has the valuable right to amend the law but when the dispute came up before the Supreme Court it is the duty of the Ministers and the Chief Ministers to respect the verdict rather than attacking the verdict in a contemptuous manner,” the petition said.
“The Ministers who have taken the oath under the Schedule-III of the Constitution have violated their oath of office and therefore their appointments are unconstitutional and illegal,” it said.
While setting aside the July 2, 2009 judgement of the Delhi High Court decriminalising gay sex, the apex court had held that Section 377 (unnatural sexual offences) of the IPC does not suffer from the vice of unconstitutionality and that the declaration made by the High Court is legally unsustainable.
The verdict touched off protests across the country and people from different walks of life including the Ministers strongly criticised the verdict.
The Centre and the gay rights activists later moved review petition in the apex court.
Incomes have risen faster than inflation: PM
Addressing his second press conference in the UPA’s second term, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the worry about inflation was legitimate but the income of most people increased faster than the rate of inflation. He added that there was need to increase supplies to keep food prices under control.
The Prime Minister also added that the number of people below poverty line had come down while presenting the UPA Government’s Report Card.
Asked about the setback to the Congress party in the five state assembly elections, Dr SIngh conceded that price rise could have been a factor for people turning against Congress party. He however said the surge in international commodity and energy prices had made effective price control difficult.
Asked about the tensions between the UPA government and the Congress party leadership, Dr Singh categorically said, "I have always felt that our government would have strengthened if Rahul Gandhi had joined it. Clarifying that, nobody (in Congress) had asked him to step down because of any inadequacies as Prime Minister, Dr Singh said, "Under compulsion of coalition politics I have served as best I could."
Stating that all emerging economies including India faced slowdown in the past couple of years, Dr Manmohan Singh said the government was concerned about not generating enough employment in manufacturing sector and stressed the need for support to small and medium enterprises. He however said the global growth cycle turning for the better. Dr Singh stressed that the UPA government has delivered the highest rates of growth.
On the future leadership of the Dr Singh said,"I have ruled myself out as a PM candidate if UPA comes back to power." He added that "Rahul Gandhi has outstanding credentials to be the PM candidate."
Pointing out that he was the one who insisted spectrum allocation should be transparent, fair; coal block allocation should be on auction basis, Dr Singh said there were irregularities but dimensions of irregularities overstated by the media and the CAG. On reforms, Dr Singh said, "So long as we are in power we will continue to push the ball of reforms."
Asked about the status of minorities, the Prime Minister regreted that the benefits of implementation of Sachar Committee recommendations could not reach all people.
On relations with Pakistan, Dr Singh said he had not been able to visit Pakistan as circumstances were not appropriate to achieve solid results but was still hopeful undertaking such a visit.
2 January 2014
India scraps VVIP chopper deal with AgustaWestland
India on Wednesday terminated the Rs. 3,726-crore, scam-ridden VVIP chopper deal with AgustaWestland International Limited (AWIL) on the grounds of breach of pre-contract integrity pact (PCIP). The deal for supply of 12 choppers, of which three have already been delivered, came under the scanner following allegations of kickbacks to senior Indian Air Force officers and others to the tune of nearly Rs. 360 crore.
While reports about the government scrapping the deal surfaced soon after Defence Minister A.K. Antony met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the morning, the Defence Ministry confirmed the cancellation only around 5.30 p.m; it added that the arbitration route would be taken. Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy will be the arbitrator for the Ministry.
Earlier, the government had maintained ,on the basis of the opinion of the Attorney-General, that “integrity-related issues are not subject to arbitration”. However, with AWIL pressing for arbitration, the Defence Ministry followed suit after getting a fresh opinion from the AG.
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