Jammu and Kashmir: AFSPA to be removed after addressing army concerns
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act will be gradually scrapped from Jammu and Kashmir, state Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said on Monday. However, he clarified that the state would move ahead only after addressing the concerns of army officials. Mufti’s comments came in the wake of recent attacks by militants on army camps in the state, as well as alleged encounters in Chatergam and Macchil that saw civilians being killed by security personnel.
Karnataka: State hands probe of IAS officer’s death to CBI
The Karnataka government on Monday handed over the probe into the death of Indian Administrative Service Officer DK Ravi to the Central Bureau of Investigation. State Chief Minister Siddaramiah told the state assembly that this was in keeping with the wishes of Ravi’s parents and the public. He said that a preliminary report had been submitted by the Criminal Investigation Department. Ravi, an opponent of the sand mafia in the state, had been found hanging in his Bengaluru apartment on March 16.
Madhya Pradesh: State gets extension in recruitment scam probe
The Madhya Pradesh government was granted a four-month extension by the Supreme Court to investigate the Madhya Pradesh Professional Exam Board scam. The court had previously asked the government to complete its investigations by March 15. However, a bench of the court was told that the Special Task Force assigned to the case needed six more months to conclude its investigation into 28 remaining cases. The STF, which has so far arrested 1700 people and registered 55 First Information Reports, is expected to file a chargesheet in the case by March 27. Top politicians and government officials have been accused of organising the scam, which involved candidates allegedly giving bribes to MPPEB officials to clear the test without taking it.
Kerala: State Assembly adjourned indefinitely after Opposition uproar
The Kerala Legislative Assembly was adjourned indefinitely on Monday after the Opposition Left Democratic Front raised an uproar over the ruckus in the House during the presentation of the state’s budget on March 13. Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan met state Governor P Sathasivam to seek action against ruling United Democratic Front legislators for insulting women members of the House at the time. However, state Chief Minister Oommen Chandy opposed the demand for action and said that the suspension of five LDF MLAs was justified. The Opposition rushed into the well of the House in protest, after which the Speaker cancelled the proceedings.
Bihar: BJP to boycott all-party meeting
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday said that it would boycott the all-party meeting called by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to discuss the economic losses the state will suffer due to the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission. The party accused Kumar of playing politics over the issue with an eye to the upcoming assembly polls. Party leader Sushil Kumar Modi alleged that instead of thanking the Narendra Modi-led government for providing a large share of Central taxes to the state, Kumar was using the issue to gain political mileage.
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The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act will be gradually scrapped from Jammu and Kashmir, state Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said on Monday. However, he clarified that the state would move ahead only after addressing the concerns of army officials. Mufti’s comments came in the wake of recent attacks by militants on army camps in the state, as well as alleged encounters in Chatergam and Macchil that saw civilians being killed by security personnel.
Karnataka: State hands probe of IAS officer’s death to CBI
The Karnataka government on Monday handed over the probe into the death of Indian Administrative Service Officer DK Ravi to the Central Bureau of Investigation. State Chief Minister Siddaramiah told the state assembly that this was in keeping with the wishes of Ravi’s parents and the public. He said that a preliminary report had been submitted by the Criminal Investigation Department. Ravi, an opponent of the sand mafia in the state, had been found hanging in his Bengaluru apartment on March 16.
Madhya Pradesh: State gets extension in recruitment scam probe
The Madhya Pradesh government was granted a four-month extension by the Supreme Court to investigate the Madhya Pradesh Professional Exam Board scam. The court had previously asked the government to complete its investigations by March 15. However, a bench of the court was told that the Special Task Force assigned to the case needed six more months to conclude its investigation into 28 remaining cases. The STF, which has so far arrested 1700 people and registered 55 First Information Reports, is expected to file a chargesheet in the case by March 27. Top politicians and government officials have been accused of organising the scam, which involved candidates allegedly giving bribes to MPPEB officials to clear the test without taking it.
Kerala: State Assembly adjourned indefinitely after Opposition uproar
The Kerala Legislative Assembly was adjourned indefinitely on Monday after the Opposition Left Democratic Front raised an uproar over the ruckus in the House during the presentation of the state’s budget on March 13. Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan met state Governor P Sathasivam to seek action against ruling United Democratic Front legislators for insulting women members of the House at the time. However, state Chief Minister Oommen Chandy opposed the demand for action and said that the suspension of five LDF MLAs was justified. The Opposition rushed into the well of the House in protest, after which the Speaker cancelled the proceedings.
Bihar: BJP to boycott all-party meeting
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday said that it would boycott the all-party meeting called by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to discuss the economic losses the state will suffer due to the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission. The party accused Kumar of playing politics over the issue with an eye to the upcoming assembly polls. Party leader Sushil Kumar Modi alleged that instead of thanking the Narendra Modi-led government for providing a large share of Central taxes to the state, Kumar was using the issue to gain political mileage.
