Modi appeals for calm in Gujarat
Nine people were killed in Gujarat on Wednesday as clashes between security forces and members of the Patel community turned violent. The state authorities called in the army and put major cities and towns under curfew as protestors attacked police stations and government buildings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for calm, saying that the issue could be “resolved through talks”. Patel Anamat Andolan Samiti leader Hardik Patel blamed the police for the violence and said that the community would intensify its agitations for reservations under the Other Backward Class category. The agitations began after Hardik was briefly detained by the Ahmedabad Police on Tuesday.
Ex-servicemen reject government’s OROP proposals
Ex-servicemen’s associations have rejected at least two proposals by the Central government on the One Rank One Pension scheme. The first related to changing the base year for the implementation of the scheme, while the second allowed pension equalisation every five years. Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Movement General-Secretary Group Captain VK Gandhi said that they rejected the proposals as they were not in accordance with their demands. At least two veterans on hunger strike to press for OROP have been hospitalised. The ex-servicemen intensified their protests after Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to announce a date for the implementation of the scheme during his Independence Day address.
Trade unions plan nation-wide strike
Central trade unions on Wednesday said that they would go ahead with a nationwide strike on September 2 to protest against the labours reforms proposed by the Narendra Modi government. The unions reaffirmed their position hours after talks between their leaders and a group of ministers headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley failed to break the logjam over the issue. Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said that while the two sides had agreed on at least seven of the 12 demands put forward by the unions, discussions on the remaining five were yet to be completed. The demands include the strict implementation of basic labour laws with no exceptions and a ban on speculative trade in the commodity market. The talks would continue on Thursday.
India, Seychelles sign tax avoidance agreement
India and the Seychelles on Wednesday signed an agreement to allow the exchange of information to curb tax evasion and avoidance in both countries. After talks with Seychelles President James Alix Michel in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the two countries had also signed agreements in key sectors such as agricultural research and maritime security. Modi said that the Seychelles was a key strategic partner for India, adding that an additional interceptor Coast Guard boat would be gifted to the archipelago.
Modi calls for faster delivery of mobile services
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for the faster delivery of mobile services in Naxalite-held areas of the country, saying that mobile connectivity was “extremely essential” for ordinary people. Modi directed the Department of Posts to improve its delivery services in these regions. Modi also reviewed the progress of infrastructure projects in several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
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Nine people were killed in Gujarat on Wednesday as clashes between security forces and members of the Patel community turned violent. The state authorities called in the army and put major cities and towns under curfew as protestors attacked police stations and government buildings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for calm, saying that the issue could be “resolved through talks”. Patel Anamat Andolan Samiti leader Hardik Patel blamed the police for the violence and said that the community would intensify its agitations for reservations under the Other Backward Class category. The agitations began after Hardik was briefly detained by the Ahmedabad Police on Tuesday.
Ex-servicemen reject government’s OROP proposals
Ex-servicemen’s associations have rejected at least two proposals by the Central government on the One Rank One Pension scheme. The first related to changing the base year for the implementation of the scheme, while the second allowed pension equalisation every five years. Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Movement General-Secretary Group Captain VK Gandhi said that they rejected the proposals as they were not in accordance with their demands. At least two veterans on hunger strike to press for OROP have been hospitalised. The ex-servicemen intensified their protests after Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to announce a date for the implementation of the scheme during his Independence Day address.
Trade unions plan nation-wide strike
Central trade unions on Wednesday said that they would go ahead with a nationwide strike on September 2 to protest against the labours reforms proposed by the Narendra Modi government. The unions reaffirmed their position hours after talks between their leaders and a group of ministers headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley failed to break the logjam over the issue. Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said that while the two sides had agreed on at least seven of the 12 demands put forward by the unions, discussions on the remaining five were yet to be completed. The demands include the strict implementation of basic labour laws with no exceptions and a ban on speculative trade in the commodity market. The talks would continue on Thursday.
India, Seychelles sign tax avoidance agreement
India and the Seychelles on Wednesday signed an agreement to allow the exchange of information to curb tax evasion and avoidance in both countries. After talks with Seychelles President James Alix Michel in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the two countries had also signed agreements in key sectors such as agricultural research and maritime security. Modi said that the Seychelles was a key strategic partner for India, adding that an additional interceptor Coast Guard boat would be gifted to the archipelago.
Modi calls for faster delivery of mobile services
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for the faster delivery of mobile services in Naxalite-held areas of the country, saying that mobile connectivity was “extremely essential” for ordinary people. Modi directed the Department of Posts to improve its delivery services in these regions. Modi also reviewed the progress of infrastructure projects in several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.