India and Bangladesh on Saturday signed the long-awaited Land Boundary Agreement, which settled a 4,096-kilometre-long border dispute and also allowed for over 50,000 stateless people to gain a national identity. On a visit to Dhaka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $2 billion line of credit for Bangladesh for infrastructure, power and education projects. Bangladesh also agreed to allow Indian companies to use the country's Chittagong and Mongla ports.
Rahul accuses Modi of not fulfilling promises
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not fulfilling promises he had made during his electoral campaign during the Lok Sabha elections last year. At a Congress rally in Kolkata, Gandhi criticised the National Democratic Alliance government over the amended Land Acquisition Bill. He also questioned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s warming relationship with Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party, and said that she had not managed to develop the state despite promising to do so.
No compromise on Land Act, says Naidu
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said that there would be no compromise by the Centre on the “basic purpose” of the Land Acquisition Act. Naidu said that the Narendra Modi-led government was willing to accept suggestions on the Land Bill and would consider the “collective wisdom” of the Joint Committee of Parliament currently examining the Bill. Naidu’s comments came amid rising criticism of the bill from opposition parties, as well as National Democratic Alliance ally Shiv Sena. The Joint Committee will submit its report on the Bill on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Regulator to test more noodle brands
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on Saturday said that part from Nestle India-manufactured Maggi, it would also test samples of other brands of instant noodles, pasta and macaroni. FSSAI Chief Executive Officer YS Malik said that the body would on Monday publish the names of the brands that had sought its approval to sell their products. He added that companies that had sought approval would be liable for action from the regulator. However, he also said that no action would be taken against the brand ambassadors of the products. The FSSAI’s announcement came a day after it ordered the withdrawal of all nine variants of Maggi from the market in connection with reports of high amounts of lead and monosodium glutamate being found in samples of the noodles.
5 protesters injured in Golden Temple clashes
Five protesters were injured during clashes between their group and security forces inside the premises of the Golden Temple on Saturday. The incident took place after personnel of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee lathi-charged the group of 22 protesters who began raising pro-Khalistan slogans while followers gathered at the temple to mark the 31st anniversary of Operation Bluestar. The demonstrators were taken into preventive custody by the Amritsar police.