Anna Hazare to protest at Jantar Mantar from February 23
Social activist Anna Hazare on Sunday announced that he will go on a two-day protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi starting from February 23 to oppose the new amendments to the Land Acquisition Act introduced by the Narendra Modi government. Farmers’ organisations across the country and social activist Medha Patkar will be supporting him in the protest. He will participate in a farmers’ agitation in Haryana a day before heading to Delhi. “If 70% of the villagers did not want to give land to the industry then that land couldn't be taken. These people removed this provision, and now they say they can take any land. If you take land from the farmers and give to institutions close to you then it is injustice to the farmers," Hazare said. The Union Cabinet had cleared an ordinance in December 2014 relaxing requirement of consent and Social Impact Assessment regarding defence, rural infrastructure, affordable housing, industrial projects and social infrastructure projects.
Petrol, diesel price hiked after reversal in declining oil prices
Petrol price was hiked by 82 paisa and diesel by 61 paisa on Sunday thereby reversing the declining fuel prices since last six months. The revised fuel prices came into effect from midnight on Sunday. The petrol and diesel prices were last cut by Rs2.42 per litre and Rs2.25 per litre respectively on February 4. Overall, petrol price fell by Rs17.11 in 10 reductions since August 2014 while diesel price had been cut by Rs10.96 since its deregulation in October 2014. "There has been a steep increase in international prices of both petrol and diesel and the rupee-dollar exchange rate has also depreciated slightly since the last price revision. The combined impact of both these factors warrants increase in Retail Selling Prices of both Petrol and Diesel,” Indian Oil Corporation said in its statement.
AAP sets eyes on Punjab, looks to expand in other states
Senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party Yogendra Yadav said that party aims to emerge as a "principled political force" in some of the major states in the next five years and is working on mid-term and long-term goals in this direction. “We are not a regional party. In the long term we want to be a national alternative. That is why we chose Delhi consciously. We want to emerge as a principled force in national politics. In next 3-5 years, we want to become viable in more states than Delhi and Punjab," Yadav said. He added that AAP aims to capture more than 20% vote share in each of the states where the party aims to be a viable option. He said that AAP will look to be a national force without entering in to coalitions which according to him are arrangements of convenience.
Pakistan release 172 Indian fishermen
Pakistan has released 172 Indian fishermen on Sunday as a goodwill gesture two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif informing him about foreign secretary S Jaishankar’s visit. The fishermen were being held in Malir and Landhi District Jail, Karachi for violating territorial waters in the Arabian Sea. Superintendent at Malir Jail, Muhammad Sehto said that another 349 Indians are still in custody.
Rajasthan, Maharashtra tourism hit due to swine flu
Rajasthan and Maharashtra tourism are likely to face a combined loss of Rs 5,500 crore due to the outbreak of swine flu, according to Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India. Rajasthan would be the worst hit as the state attracts large number of foreign tourists during the winter season starting from November-December till first week of March. Maharashtra, especially Mumbai, too will witness a drop in foreign tourists. As per conservative estimates of ASSOCHAM, Rs 4,000 crore will be lost on net foreign exchange earnings and Rs 1,200-1,500 crore could add up as secondary losses.
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Social activist Anna Hazare on Sunday announced that he will go on a two-day protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi starting from February 23 to oppose the new amendments to the Land Acquisition Act introduced by the Narendra Modi government. Farmers’ organisations across the country and social activist Medha Patkar will be supporting him in the protest. He will participate in a farmers’ agitation in Haryana a day before heading to Delhi. “If 70% of the villagers did not want to give land to the industry then that land couldn't be taken. These people removed this provision, and now they say they can take any land. If you take land from the farmers and give to institutions close to you then it is injustice to the farmers," Hazare said. The Union Cabinet had cleared an ordinance in December 2014 relaxing requirement of consent and Social Impact Assessment regarding defence, rural infrastructure, affordable housing, industrial projects and social infrastructure projects.
Petrol, diesel price hiked after reversal in declining oil prices
Petrol price was hiked by 82 paisa and diesel by 61 paisa on Sunday thereby reversing the declining fuel prices since last six months. The revised fuel prices came into effect from midnight on Sunday. The petrol and diesel prices were last cut by Rs2.42 per litre and Rs2.25 per litre respectively on February 4. Overall, petrol price fell by Rs17.11 in 10 reductions since August 2014 while diesel price had been cut by Rs10.96 since its deregulation in October 2014. "There has been a steep increase in international prices of both petrol and diesel and the rupee-dollar exchange rate has also depreciated slightly since the last price revision. The combined impact of both these factors warrants increase in Retail Selling Prices of both Petrol and Diesel,” Indian Oil Corporation said in its statement.
AAP sets eyes on Punjab, looks to expand in other states
Senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party Yogendra Yadav said that party aims to emerge as a "principled political force" in some of the major states in the next five years and is working on mid-term and long-term goals in this direction. “We are not a regional party. In the long term we want to be a national alternative. That is why we chose Delhi consciously. We want to emerge as a principled force in national politics. In next 3-5 years, we want to become viable in more states than Delhi and Punjab," Yadav said. He added that AAP aims to capture more than 20% vote share in each of the states where the party aims to be a viable option. He said that AAP will look to be a national force without entering in to coalitions which according to him are arrangements of convenience.
Pakistan release 172 Indian fishermen
Pakistan has released 172 Indian fishermen on Sunday as a goodwill gesture two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif informing him about foreign secretary S Jaishankar’s visit. The fishermen were being held in Malir and Landhi District Jail, Karachi for violating territorial waters in the Arabian Sea. Superintendent at Malir Jail, Muhammad Sehto said that another 349 Indians are still in custody.
Rajasthan, Maharashtra tourism hit due to swine flu
Rajasthan and Maharashtra tourism are likely to face a combined loss of Rs 5,500 crore due to the outbreak of swine flu, according to Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India. Rajasthan would be the worst hit as the state attracts large number of foreign tourists during the winter season starting from November-December till first week of March. Maharashtra, especially Mumbai, too will witness a drop in foreign tourists. As per conservative estimates of ASSOCHAM, Rs 4,000 crore will be lost on net foreign exchange earnings and Rs 1,200-1,500 crore could add up as secondary losses.
