Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday took a dig at the Election Commission proposing a change in the model code to ask political parties to provide authentic information to voters on the financial viability of their poll promises, saying maybe the poll watchdog itself needs a model code of conduct.
In a letter to all recognised national and state parties, the Election Commission (EC) said empty poll promises have far-reaching ramifications, adding it cannot overlook the undesirable impact inadequate disclosures on election promises have on financial sustainability.
The EC has asked parties to submit their views on the proposals by October 19.
Reacting to the development, Sibal said, "Election Commission: Does a u-turn after filing affidavit in Supreme Court that it will stay out on freebie debate. Would amount to overreach. Now wishes to include it in the Model Code of Conduct." "Maybe EC itself needs a Model Code of Conduct!" he said on Twitter.
In its letter, the EC said, "The Commission notes that the consequences of inadequate disclosures by political parties get attenuated by the fact that elections are held frequently, providing opportunities for political parties to indulge in competitive electoral promises, particularly in multi-phase elections, without having to spell out their financial implications more particularly on committed expenditure." The poll panel said it is of the considered view that with adequate disclosures on the financial implications of the promises made, the Indian electorate will be able to exercise informed poll choices.
"Although implementation of election promises could have several ramifications, the Commission proposes to confine the disclosures to only the financial implications of the promises in terms of the financial resources required."

Maybe EC itself needs a model code of conduct: Sibal's dig at poll panel

Kapil Sibal digs at poll panel and says, maybe EC itself needs a model code of conduct. The development came after EC sent a letter to all parties about the ramifications of empty poll promises.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday took a dig at the Election Commission proposing a change in the model code to ask political parties to provide authentic information to voters on the financial viability of their poll promises, saying maybe the poll watchdog itself needs a model code of conduct.
In a letter to all recognised national and state parties, the Election Commission (EC) said empty poll promises have far-reaching ramifications, adding it cannot overlook the undesirable impact inadequate disclosures on election promises have on financial sustainability.
The EC has asked parties to submit their views on the proposals by October 19.
Reacting to the development, Sibal said, "Election Commission: Does a u-turn after filing affidavit in Supreme Court that it will stay out on freebie debate. Would amount to overreach. Now wishes to include it in the Model Code of Conduct." "Maybe EC itself needs a Model Code of Conduct!" he said on Twitter.
In its letter, the EC said, "The Commission notes that the consequences of inadequate disclosures by political parties get attenuated by the fact that elections are held frequently, providing opportunities for political parties to indulge in competitive electoral promises, particularly in multi-phase elections, without having to spell out their financial implications more particularly on committed expenditure." The poll panel said it is of the considered view that with adequate disclosures on the financial implications of the promises made, the Indian electorate will be able to exercise informed poll choices.
"Although implementation of election promises could have several ramifications, the Commission proposes to confine the disclosures to only the financial implications of the promises in terms of the financial resources required."

 
In a dreadful incident, 5 people were killed while 8 were left injured after a speeding car ran into an ambulance and three cars on the Bandra-Worli sea link in Mumbai.
The incident which took place around 3:30 am on Wednesday morning was captured on CCTC.
The horrific visuals show the car ramming into the ambulance and the parkside cars alongside.
The ambulance reportedly had patients being taken to hospitals when the crash broke out.
Following the accident, the authorities shut the route from Bandra to Worli, and the injured were escorted to hospital by the police.

WATCH: 5 dead in late night crash on Mumbai's Bandra-Worli sea link

The ambulance was reportedly at a crash site to carry victims, when the speeding car barged into it, causing another accident.

The ambulance was reportedly at a crash site to carry victims, when the speeding car barged into it, causing another accident.

In a dreadful incident, 5 people were killed while 8 were left injured after a speeding car ran into an accident site on the Bandra-Worli sea link in Mumbai.
The car crashed into an ambulance and three other cars around 3:30 am on Wednesday morning.
As captured on CCTV, the horrific visuals show the car ramming into the ambulance and the parked cars alongside.
The ambulance was reportedly at a crash site to carry victims, when the speeding car barged into it, causing another accident.
Following the accident, the authorities shut the route from Bandra to Worli, and the injured were escorted to hospital by the police.
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The news of the kidnapping of an Indian-origin family of four, including an eight-month-old child, in the US state of California, has left their relatives back home here in a state of shock.
A 48-year-old man considered a “person of interest” in the kidnapping of the four-member Sikh family has been taken into custody and is in critical condition, authorities in the US said. The victims are still missing though.
The family was kidnapped at a business in Merced County, California, on Monday.
The family members were identified as eight-month-old Aroohi Dheri, her 27-year-old mother Jasleen Kaur, her 36-year-old father Jasdeep Singh, and her 39-year-old uncle Amandeep Singh.
Jasdeep’s parents Dr Randhir Singh and Kirpal Kaur are natives of Harsi Pind village in Tanda block of Hoshiarpur.
Charanjit Singh, a neighbour of Randhir Singh, said Jasdeep’s parents were in a state of shock and not in a position to talk.
Randhir Singh and Kirpal Kaur retired from the health and education departments, respectively.
According to Charanjit Singh, Randhir Singh returned to India from abroad on September 29. Upon arrival, he left for a pilgrimage in Uttarakhand. When he reached Rishikesh, he received a call from daughter-in-law Jaspreet Kaur from the US who told him about the incident of kidnapping of her husband Amandeep Singh and other family members.
After learning about the incident, Randhir Singh came back to his village on Tuesday evening, and is preparing to leave for the US Tuesday night, his neighbour said.
The people of Harsi Pind and its adjoining villages rushed to the house of Randhir Singh to support the family and prayed for the safe return of the kidnapped persons to their home, said Charanjit Singh.
He further claimed that Union minister and Hoshiarpur MP Som Parkash had also telephoned Randhir Singh and assured him of full support from the central government.
Tanda Deputy Superintendent of Police Kulwant Singh said he had also visited the house of Randhir Singh and assured full support to him.
A vehicle owned by one of the family members was found on fire late Monday, which led law enforcement in the US to determine that the four had been kidnapped.
According to a news release, detectives received information Tuesday morning that one of the victim’s bank cards was used at an ATM in Atwater in Merced County.
“Investigators obtained the surveillance photo of a subject making a bank transaction where the person is similar in appearance to the surveillance photo from the original kidnapping scene,” the Merced County Sheriff’s Office statement said.
Before law enforcement involvement, the suspect identified as Jesus Manuel Salgado “attempted to take his own life,” and is currently in “custody, receiving medical attention and in critical condition.”

Kidnapping of Indian-origin family in US: relatives in India in state of shock

The family was kidnapped at a business in Merced County, California, on Monday.

The news of the kidnapping of an Indian-origin family of four, including an eight-month-old child, in the US state of California, has left their relatives back home here in a state of shock.
A 48-year-old man considered a &ldquo;person of interest&rdquo; in the kidnapping of the four-member Sikh family has been taken into custody and is in critical condition, authorities in the US said. The victims are still missing though.
The family was kidnapped at a business in Merced County, California, on Monday.
The family members were identified as eight-month-old Aroohi Dheri, her 27-year-old mother Jasleen Kaur, her 36-year-old father Jasdeep Singh, and her 39-year-old uncle Amandeep Singh.
Jasdeep&rsquo;s parents Dr Randhir Singh and Kirpal Kaur are natives of Harsi Pind village in Tanda block of Hoshiarpur.
Charanjit Singh, a neighbour of Randhir Singh, said Jasdeep&rsquo;s parents were in a state of shock and not in a position to talk.
Randhir Singh and Kirpal Kaur retired from the health and education departments, respectively.
According to Charanjit Singh, Randhir Singh returned to India from abroad on September 29. Upon arrival, he left for a pilgrimage in Uttarakhand. When he reached Rishikesh, he received a call from daughter-in-law Jaspreet Kaur from the US who told him about the incident of kidnapping of her husband Amandeep Singh and other family members.
After learning about the incident, Randhir Singh came back to his village on Tuesday evening, and is preparing to leave for the US Tuesday night, his neighbour said.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/8-month-old-girl-among-4-indian-people-kidnapped-in-us-report-1664868704425">8-month-old girl among 4 Indian people kidnapped in US: report</a>
The people of Harsi Pind and its adjoining villages rushed to the house of Randhir Singh to support the family and prayed for the safe return of the kidnapped persons to their home, said Charanjit Singh.
He further claimed that Union minister and Hoshiarpur MP Som Parkash had also telephoned Randhir Singh and assured him of full support from the central government.
Tanda Deputy Superintendent of Police Kulwant Singh said he had also visited the house of Randhir Singh and assured full support to him.
A vehicle owned by one of the family members was found on fire late Monday, which led law enforcement in the US to determine that the four had been kidnapped.
According to a news release, detectives received information Tuesday morning that one of the victim&rsquo;s bank cards was used at an ATM in Atwater in Merced County.
&ldquo;Investigators obtained the surveillance photo of a subject making a bank transaction where the person is similar in appearance to the surveillance photo from the original kidnapping scene,&rdquo; the Merced County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office statement said.
Before law enforcement involvement, the suspect identified as Jesus Manuel Salgado &ldquo;attempted to take his own life,&rdquo; and is currently in &ldquo;custody, receiving medical attention and in critical condition.&rdquo;

The free trade agreement (FTA) being negotiated with India won’t be a "free for all deal" but something that is good for both countries and not a particular sector, the UK government cautioned on Tuesday as a Diwali deadline set at the prime ministerial level for the pact approaches.
UK Secretary of State for International Trade Kemi Badenoch, who is in charge of the FTA negotiations under the Prime Liz Truss led government, was addressing concerns around access for the country's services sector into the Indian market at the Conservative Party annual conference in Birmingham.
The senior Cabinet minister also indicated that the Diwali timeline set by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was not "arbitrary" and could be met with further aspects covered beyond that deadline.
"We want something comprehensive, but it has to be right for both countries," said Badenoch.
"The Prime Minister has a deadline, which the previous Prime Minister had. That was quite a long deadline, so it's not arbitrary, it wasn't set last week. But doing a trade deal is not a simple and easy thing. So, what we want to do is something that lifts both countries. It may not be everything the services sector wants, we may not get everything, we are not doing a unilateral, free-for-all deal," she said.
"But just because we have a free trade agreement, doesn't mean we can't do even more later," she added. Diwali falls on October 24 this year.
The minister, who is leading the final round of India-UK FTA negotiations on the British side, pointed out that the intention is to reduce barriers to trade bilaterally and balancing each side's different requirements on product and market access.
"What we shouldn't pretend is that we are doing a full universal liberalisation of every single thing that can possibly be done and create a single market and freedom of movement etc with India. That’s not what we are doing… with every single trade deal, there is give and take," she said.
"We talk about free trade agreement, but they are not universal, unilateral free trade. I think freer trade is probably a more accurate way of describing what we are doing on all these bilateral deals. I am optimistic that we will get a good deal. But sometimes there are lots of political things that need to be looked at in the round," she noted.
Badenoch, who was participating in a panel discussion organised at the party conference by the Policy Exchange think tank entitled “Trade and the Indo-Pacific”, has been in charge at the UK's Department of International Trade (DIT) since early last month and says she is keen to shift the discussion beyond trade deals to wider cooperation.
"I am not in a rush to sign trade deals. I want good deals with these countries. We need to make sure that every deal is great for the UK," she said.
Using patent protection as an example, the minister pointed out that the UK needs to remember that India has different needs from other countries.
Aileen Keyes, Head of International Public Policy for Diageo, on the panel flagged lowering India’s 150 per cent tariffs on Scotch whisky as among the priority areas that would be a "real win-win" for both sides.
"It is something we will get from having a great deal with India," Badenoch agreed.
She also agreed with Indian-origin entrepreneur, Lord Karan Bilimoria, that a comprehensive deal with India should cover security cooperation.
Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said last month that negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement between India and the UK are progressing at a faster pace. The agreement is aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investments between the two countries.
India and the UK trade mostly in services which accounts for about 70 per cent of the overall trade. Both countries also aim to increase their bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by the end of this decade.

UK minister: free trade agreement with India won't be 'free-for-all deal'

As a Diwali deadline set at the prime ministerial level approaches, the UK government has cautioned the free trade agreement being negotiated with India won’t be a "free for all deal" 

India and the UK trade mostly in services which accounts for about 70 per cent of the overall trade.

The free trade agreement (FTA) being negotiated with India won&rsquo;t be a "free for all deal" but something that is good for both countries and not a particular sector, the UK government cautioned on Tuesday as a Diwali deadline set at the prime ministerial level for the pact approaches.
UK Secretary of State for International Trade Kemi Badenoch, who is in charge of the FTA negotiations under the Prime Liz Truss led government, was addressing concerns around access for the country's services sector into the Indian market at the Conservative Party annual conference in Birmingham.
The senior Cabinet minister also indicated that the Diwali timeline set by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was not "arbitrary" and could be met with further aspects covered beyond that deadline.
"We want something comprehensive, but it has to be right for both countries," said Badenoch.
"The Prime Minister has a deadline, which the previous Prime Minister had. That was quite a long deadline, so it's not arbitrary, it wasn't set last week. But doing a trade deal is not a simple and easy thing. So, what we want to do is something that lifts both countries. It may not be everything the services sector wants, we may not get everything, we are not doing a unilateral, free-for-all deal," she said.
"But just because we have a free trade agreement, doesn't mean we can't do even more later," she added. Diwali falls on October 24 this year.
The minister, who is leading the final round of India-UK FTA negotiations on the British side, pointed out that the intention is to reduce barriers to trade bilaterally and balancing each side's different requirements on product and market access.
"What we shouldn't pretend is that we are doing a full universal liberalisation of every single thing that can possibly be done and create a single market and freedom of movement etc with India. That&rsquo;s not what we are doing&hellip; with every single trade deal, there is give and take," she said.
Also Watch|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/king-charles-hosts-first-south-asian-diaspora-event-as-monarch-in-scotland-1664939307659">King Charles hosts first South Asian diaspora event as monarch in Scotland</a> 
"We talk about free trade agreement, but they are not universal, unilateral free trade. I think freer trade is probably a more accurate way of describing what we are doing on all these bilateral deals. I am optimistic that we will get a good deal. But sometimes there are lots of political things that need to be looked at in the round," she noted.
Badenoch, who was participating in a panel discussion organised at the party conference by the Policy Exchange think tank entitled &ldquo;Trade and the Indo-Pacific&rdquo;, has been in charge at the UK's Department of International Trade (DIT) since early last month and says she is keen to shift the discussion beyond trade deals to wider cooperation.
"I am not in a rush to sign trade deals. I want good deals with these countries. We need to make sure that every deal is great for the UK," she said.
Using patent protection as an example, the minister pointed out that the UK needs to remember that India has different needs from other countries.
Aileen Keyes, Head of International Public Policy for Diageo, on the panel flagged lowering India&rsquo;s 150 per cent tariffs on Scotch whisky as among the priority areas that would be a "real win-win" for both sides.
"It is something we will get from having a great deal with India," Badenoch agreed.
She also agreed with Indian-origin entrepreneur, Lord Karan Bilimoria, that a comprehensive deal with India should cover security cooperation.
Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said last month that negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement between India and the UK are progressing at a faster pace. The agreement is aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investments between the two countries.
India and the UK trade mostly in services which accounts for about 70 per cent of the overall trade. Both countries also aim to increase their bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by the end of this decade.

As many as 25 people have been confirmed dead aft a bus fell into a gorge in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal area last night.
The bus which had over 40 passengers onboard was returning from a wedding party when the accident took place in Birokhal area of Dhumakot.
About 21 passengers have been rescued following an overnight operation, while the injured have been taken to the local hospitals.
Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar confirmed in a tweet that Police and SDRF collectively rescued 21 passengers.
Besides Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his condolences to the bereaved families, assuring that all possible assistance will be provided to those affected

Uttarakhand: 25 people killed after bus falls into a gorge

About 21 passengers have been rescued following an overnight operation, while the injured have been taken to the local hospitals.

About 21 passengers have been rescued following an overnight operation, while the injured have been taken to the local hospitals.

As many as 25 people have been confirmed dead after a bus fell into a gorge in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, last night..
The bus which had over 40 passengers onboard was returning from a wedding party when the accident took place in Birokhal area of Dhumakot.
About 21 passengers have been rescued following an overnight operation, while the injured have been taken to the local hospitals.
Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar confirmed in a tweet that Police and SDRF collectively rescued the 21 passengers.
Besides Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his condolences to the bereaving families, assuring that all possible assistance will be provided to them.
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Britain’s King Charles III hosted his first major event in Scotland for the South Asian diaspora since becoming monarch last month as a celebration of charity initiatives geared towards the region.
The event for the British Asian Trust, founded by him as the Prince of Wales in 2007 to tackle poverty and hardship in South Asia, took place on Monday evening at Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh - the 73-year-old monarch’s residence in Scotland. The King was joined by Queen Consort Camilla as they interacted with around 300 members of the South Asian diaspora, including Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami who had his first audience with the King since taking charge in London last week.
“The King has been involved with British Asian communities for many years through his work with British Asian Trust, which he founded in 2007 with a group of British Asian business leaders,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
“Their Majesties welcomed guests of South Asian heritage from across the UK to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to recognise the contribution that these communities have made to the National Health Service, Arts, Media, Education, Business and the Armed Forces,” it said.
The King and Queen Consort are currently in Scotland undertaking their first set of joint formal engagements since the royal mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth II concluded last week. During the hour-long reception, the royals also spoke to community representatives from the city of Leicester, which has been rocked by serious disorder involving sections of Hindu and Muslim communities since an India-Pakistan cricket match at the end of August.
“He was obviously appreciative of what our role has been in terms of policing, and he was very, very interested in hearing the community voice and how the communities are working together to bring back harmony,” said Rob Nixon, Leicestershire Police’s Chief Constable.
Guests at the reception included prominent members of the British Indian community, including British Asian Trust's Indian-origin chair Lord Jitesh Gadhia, and also members of the Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Maldivian diaspora from across the UK. 

King Charles hosts first South Asian diaspora event as monarch in Scotland

Britain’s King Charles III hosted his first major event in Scotland for the South Asian diaspora since becoming monarch as a celebration of charity initiatives geared towards the region.

The King was joined by Queen Consort Camilla as they interacted with around 300 members of the South Asian diaspora,

Britain&rsquo;s King Charles III hosted his first major event in Scotland for the South Asian diaspora since becoming monarch last month as a celebration of charity initiatives geared towards the region.
The event for the British Asian Trust, founded by him as the Prince of Wales in 2007 to tackle poverty and hardship in South Asia, took place on Monday evening at Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh - the 73-year-old monarch&rsquo;s residence in Scotland. The King was joined by Queen Consort Camilla as they interacted with around 300 members of the South Asian diaspora, including Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami who had his first audience with the King since taking charge in London last week.
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&ldquo;The King has been involved with British Asian communities for many years through his work with British Asian Trust, which he founded in 2007 with a group of British Asian business leaders,&rdquo; Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
&ldquo;Their Majesties welcomed guests of South Asian heritage from across the UK to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh to recognise the contribution that these communities have made to the National Health Service, Arts, Media, Education, Business and the Armed Forces,&rdquo; it said.
The King and Queen Consort are currently in Scotland undertaking their first set of joint formal engagements since the royal mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth II concluded last week. During the hour-long reception, the royals also spoke to community representatives from the city of Leicester, which has been rocked by serious disorder involving sections of Hindu and Muslim communities since an India-Pakistan cricket match at the end of August.
&ldquo;He was obviously appreciative of what our role has been in terms of policing, and he was very, very interested in hearing the community voice and how the communities are working together to bring back harmony,&rdquo; said Rob Nixon, Leicestershire Police&rsquo;s Chief Constable.
Guests at the reception included prominent members of the British Indian community, including British Asian Trust's Indian-origin chair Lord Jitesh Gadhia, and also members of the Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Maldivian diaspora from across the UK.&nbsp;

Vehicle owners not having a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) for their vehicles may face suspension of registration certificate, officials said on Tuesday.
The Delhi Transport Department is issuing notices to owners whose vehicles do not have a valid PUCC, warning that if they do not get the certificate within a week, their registration certificates may be suspended.
"There are around 19 lakh vehicles that do not have a valid PUCC but there is no technology to know whether such vehicles are coming on the roads. So, the enforcement teams have been formed to carry out checks, while SMSes are also being sent to vehicle owners warning them that their registration certificates may be suspended if they do not get a valid PUCC within a week," said a top transport department official.
Vehicles are periodically tested for their emission standards for various pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) after which they are given PUC certificates.
There are over 900 pollution checking centres authorised by the transport department in Delhi. These are set up at petrol pumps and workshops spread all over the city so motorists can get it done easily.
The fee for pollution checking in case of petrol and CNG-driven two and three-wheelers is Rs 60. It is Rs 80 for four-wheelers (petrol) and Rs 100 for diesel-run four-wheelers. 

Delhi: don't have a pollution certificate for your car, your RC could be cancelled

Vehicle owners not having a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) for their vehicles may face suspension of registration certificate, officials said on Tuesday.

Vehicles are periodically tested for their emission standards for various pollutants such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide after which they are given PUC certificates.

Vehicle owners not having a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) for their vehicles may face suspension of registration certificate, officials said on Tuesday.
The Delhi Transport Department is issuing notices to owners whose vehicles do not have a valid PUCC, warning that if they do not get the certificate within a week, their registration certificates may be suspended.
"There are around 19 lakh vehicles that do not have a valid PUCC but there is no technology to know whether such vehicles are coming on the roads. So, the enforcement teams have been formed to carry out checks, while SMSes are also being sent to vehicle owners warning them that their registration certificates may be suspended if they do not get a valid PUCC within a week," said a top transport department official.
Vehicles are periodically tested for their emission standards for various pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) after which they are given PUC certificates.
There are over 900 pollution checking centres authorised by the transport department in Delhi. These are set up at petrol pumps and workshops spread all over the city so motorists can get it done easily.
The fee for pollution checking in case of petrol and CNG-driven two and three-wheelers is Rs 60. It is Rs 80 for four-wheelers (petrol) and Rs 100 for diesel-run four-wheelers.&nbsp;
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/explained-delhi-govt-s-action-plan-to-curb-winter-pollution-woes-1664556687285">Explained: Delhi govt's action plan to curb winter pollution woes</a>

Amid a debate on the freebies, the Election Commission on Tuesday proposed amending the model code to ask political parties to provide authentic information to voters on the financial viability of their poll promises.
In a letter to all recognised national and state parties, the Election Commission asked them to submit their views on the proposals by October 19.
The EC said empty poll promises have far-reaching ramifications, and added it cannot overlook the undesirable impact inadequate disclosures on election promises have on financial sustainability.
"The Commission notes that the consequences of inadequate disclosures by political parties get attenuated by the fact that elections are held frequently, providing opportunities for political parties to indulge in competitive electoral promises, particularly in multi-phase elections, without having to spell out their financial implications more particularly on committed expenditure," the letter said.
The EC letter comes weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi derided the "revdi" culture, a reference to freebies offered by political parties, triggering a war of words between the BJP and opposition parties. The issue of freebies is now being debated in the Supreme Court.
The poll panel has proposed to amend the Model Code of Conduct to add a proforma to Part VIII (Guidelines on election manifesto) of the MCC.
It will require political parties to inform voters about the financial feasibility of promises made in their manifestos and also whether they are sustainable within the financial space of the state or the Union government.
The proposed proforma seeks details of revenue generation ways (through additional tax, if any), rationalising expenditure (cutting some schemes, if so required), impact on committed liabilities and/or raising of further debt and its impact on Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM) limits.
The model code is a document which guides the EC in ensuring level playing field for all political parties and candidates during elections.
The EC noted that as of now most political parties do not submit to the EC their poll declarations in time.
The letter said, "The choice to cast the vote ... is directly and intricately linked to access to timely and, reliable information. It is in this background that timely availability of data-points to assess financial viability of the promises made to voters in the election manifestos assumes criticality." The poll panel said it is of the considered view that with adequate disclosures on the financial implications of the promises made, the Indian electorate will be able to exercise informed poll choices.
"Although implementation of election promises could have several ramifications, the Commission proposes to confine the disclosures to only the financial implications of the promises in terms of the financial resources required...," the letter said.
The poll panel in a recent meeting led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and attended by Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey decided it cannot remain a "mute spectator" and overlook the undesirable impact of some of the promises and offers, on the conduct of free and fair elections and maintaining level playing field, sources said.
They said the poll panel agrees in principle with the point of view that framing of manifestos is the right of the political parties.
Parties have been asked to send their views on the proposed changes in the poll code by October 19. It said if no response is received by then it will be presumed the party has nothing specific to say on the issue.
Drawing upon his experience with the Finance Commission, RBI, and the budget process as a Union finance secretary, CEC Kumar pushed for the electoral reform for not only bringing about a standardised disclosure proforma for guidance of political parties and candidates, but also ensuring authentic information to the voters to assess financial viability of election promises.

EC wants political parties to disclose details on poll freebies

Amid a debate on the freebies, the Election Commission on Tuesday proposed amending the model code to ask political parties to provide authentic information to voters on the financial viability of their poll promises.

In a letter to all recognised national and state parties, the Election Commission asked them to submit their views on the proposals by October 19.

Amid a debate on the freebies, the Election Commission on Tuesday proposed amending the model code to ask political parties to provide authentic information to voters on the financial viability of their poll promises.
In a letter to all recognised national and state parties, the Election Commission asked them to submit their views on the proposals by October 19.
The EC said empty poll promises have far-reaching ramifications, and added it cannot overlook the undesirable impact inadequate disclosures on election promises have on financial sustainability.
"The Commission notes that the consequences of inadequate disclosures by political parties get attenuated by the fact that elections are held frequently, providing opportunities for political parties to indulge in competitive electoral promises, particularly in multi-phase elections, without having to spell out their financial implications more particularly on committed expenditure," the letter said.
The EC letter comes weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi derided the "revdi" culture, a reference to freebies offered by political parties, triggering a war of words between the BJP and opposition parties. The issue of freebies is now being debated in the Supreme Court.
The poll panel has proposed to amend the Model Code of Conduct to add a proforma to Part VIII (Guidelines on election manifesto) of the MCC.
It will require political parties to inform voters about the financial feasibility of promises made in their manifestos and also whether they are sustainable within the financial space of the state or the Union government.
The proposed proforma seeks details of revenue generation ways (through additional tax, if any), rationalising expenditure (cutting some schemes, if so required), impact on committed liabilities and/or raising of further debt and its impact on Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM) limits.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/3-judge-sc-bench-to-look-into-pleas-challenging-freebies-by-political-parties-1661496469351">3-judge SC bench to look into pleas challenging freebies by political parties</a>
The model code is a document which guides the EC in ensuring level playing field for all political parties and candidates during elections.
The EC noted that as of now most political parties do not submit to the EC their poll declarations in time.
The letter said, "The choice to cast the vote ... is directly and intricately linked to access to timely and, reliable information. It is in this background that timely availability of data-points to assess financial viability of the promises made to voters in the election manifestos assumes criticality." The poll panel said it is of the considered view that with adequate disclosures on the financial implications of the promises made, the Indian electorate will be able to exercise informed poll choices.
"Although implementation of election promises could have several ramifications, the Commission proposes to confine the disclosures to only the financial implications of the promises in terms of the financial resources required...," the letter said.
The poll panel in a recent meeting led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and attended by Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey decided it cannot remain a "mute spectator" and overlook the undesirable impact of some of the promises and offers, on the conduct of free and fair elections and maintaining level playing field, sources said.
They said the poll panel agrees in principle with the point of view that framing of manifestos is the right of the political parties.
Parties have been asked to send their views on the proposed changes in the poll code by October 19. It said if no response is received by then it will be presumed the party has nothing specific to say on the issue.
Drawing upon his experience with the Finance Commission, RBI, and the budget process as a Union finance secretary, CEC Kumar pushed for the electoral reform for not only bringing about a standardised disclosure proforma for guidance of political parties and candidates, but also ensuring authentic information to the voters to assess financial viability of election promises.

A group of Muslim were beaten with sticks in by policemen in Gujarat's Kheda district for allegedly pelting stones at a garba event. 
The police said that the group had objected to holding of the programme near a mosque and had attacked the garba participants on Monday night. 
According to the police, seven persons, including a policeman, were injured in an attack. 
Video clips of the incident purportedly showed three persons arrested for allegedly pelting stones being brought out of a police van near the event's venue.
They were then taken towards an electric pole and held against it by a policeman who pulled their hands. Another policeman is seen hitting them below the waist with a baton.
The images showed the alleged attackers apologised to the public gathered at the spot with folded hands after policemen asked them to do so. People present in a large number at the site cheered the police action.
Police have arrested 13 persons so far after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Matar police station, said Deputy Superintendent of Police V R Bajpai.
Violence was also reported at a garba event in Gujarat's Surat. 
According to news reports, a group armed with wooden sticks barged into the venue and attacked 5 of the bouncers on duty on Monday night. Two of the bouncers were injured and hospitalised, while others escaped. 
According to an Indian Express report quoting a Bajrang Dal worker, a group had gone to event to oppose posting of Muslim bouncers at the garba venue. A scuffle broke out after the Bajrang Dal workers asked the Muslim bouncers to leave. 
(with PTI inputs)

Gujarat: police beat men for allegedly throwing stones at garba event

A group of Muslim were beaten with sticks in by policemen in Gujarat's Kheda district on Tuesday for allegedly pelting stones at a garba event. 

Gujarat: police beat men for allegedly throwing stones at garba event

A group of Muslim were beaten with sticks by policemen in Gujarat's Kheda district for allegedly pelting stones at a garba event.&nbsp;
The police said that the group had objected to holding of the programme near a mosque and had attacked the garba participants on Monday night.&nbsp;
According to the police, seven persons, including a policeman, were injured in the attack.&nbsp;
Video clips of the incident purportedly showed three persons arrested for allegedly pelting stones being brought out of a police van near the event's venue.
They were then taken towards an electric pole and held against it by a policeman who pulled their hands. Another policeman is seen hitting them below the waist with a baton.
The images showed the alleged attackers apologised to the public gathered at the spot with folded hands after policemen asked them to do so. People present in a large number at the site cheered the police action.
Police have arrested 13 persons so far after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Matar police station, said Deputy Superintendent of Police V R Bajpai.
Violence was also reported at a garba event in Gujarat's Surat.&nbsp;
According to news reports, a group armed with wooden sticks barged into the venue and attacked 5 of the bouncers on duty on Monday night. Two of the bouncers were injured and hospitalised, while others escaped.&nbsp;
According to an Indian Express report quoting a Bajrang Dal worker, a group had gone to event to oppose posting of Muslim bouncers at the garba venue. A scuffle broke out after the Bajrang Dal workers asked the Muslim bouncers to leave.&nbsp;
(with PTI inputs)

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted bail to former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The court, however, stayed the order till October 13 to enable the ED to file an appeal against bail.
Two components of credits in the account of a trust controlled by the Deshmukh family, flagged by the ED, were not "proceeds of crime," the court noted in the order. The Nationalist Congress Party leader who was arrested on November 2, 2021, is also facing a corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Justice N J Jamadar in his order said the bail plea had been allowed and Deshmukh shall be released on a bond of Rs 1 lakh.
Deshmukh, who was a minister in the previous coalition government of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, is lodged in Arthur Road jail in Mumbai. The ED began its probe against Deshmukh after the CBI registered a case against him over allegations of extortion made by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh.
The ED claimed that Deshmukh misused his official position and collected Rs 4.70 crore from various bars and restaurants in Mumbai.
The money was channelled to Nagpur-based Shri Sai Shikshan Sansthan, an educational trust controlled by the Deshmukh family, it alleged.
But the high court noted in the order on Tuesday that two components of credits in the trust's account were not "proceeds of crime".
"The third component (of credit) depends on the statement of Sachin Waze which after discussion this court has held that it falls in favour of the applicant (Deshmukh)," the court said.
He was giving Deshmukh the benefit of a proviso of section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the judge added. As per this provision, a court can grant bail if an accused is a woman, or sick. The high court instructed that Deshmukh shall not tamper with evidence when released. He shall attend the trial on every date and surrender his passport, it added.
IPS officer Param Bir Singh had in March 2021 alleged that Deshmukh, then home minister, had given a target to police officers to collect Rs 100 crore per month from restaurants and bars in Mumbai.
Former assistant police inspector Waze, arrested in the Antilia bomb scare case in March 2021, too had levelled similar allegations.
The high court in April 2021 directed the CBI to carry out a preliminary inquiry. The CBI, based on this inquiry, registered an FIR against Deshmukh and his associates for alleged corruption and misuse of official power.

Ex-Maharashtra minister Anil Deshmukh granted bail in money laundering case

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted bail to former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The court, however, stayed the order till October 13 to enable the ED to file an appeal against bail.

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted bail to former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The court, however, stayed the order till October 13 to enable the ED to file an appeal against bail.
Two components of credits in the account of a trust controlled by the Deshmukh family, flagged by the ED, were not "proceeds of crime," the court noted in the order. The Nationalist Congress Party leader who was arrested on November 2, 2021, is also facing a corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Justice N J Jamadar in his order said the bail plea had been allowed and Deshmukh shall be released on a bond of Rs 1 lakh.
Deshmukh, who was a minister in the previous coalition government of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, is lodged in Arthur Road jail in Mumbai. The ED began its probe against Deshmukh after the CBI registered a case against him over allegations of extortion made by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh.
The ED claimed that Deshmukh misused his official position and collected Rs 4.70 crore from various bars and restaurants in Mumbai.
The money was channelled to Nagpur-based Shri Sai Shikshan Sansthan, an educational trust controlled by the Deshmukh family, it alleged.
But the high court noted in the order on Tuesday that two components of credits in the trust's account were not "proceeds of crime".
"The third component (of credit) depends on the statement of Sachin Waze which after discussion this court has held that it falls in favour of the applicant (Deshmukh)," the court said.
He was giving Deshmukh the benefit of a proviso of section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the judge added. As per this provision, a court can grant bail if an accused is a woman, or sick. The high court instructed that Deshmukh shall not tamper with evidence when released. He shall attend the trial on every date and surrender his passport, it added.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/politics/ex-maharashtra-home-minister-anil-deshmukh-arrested-in-money-laundering-case-1635820565949">Ex-Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh arrested in money laundering case&nbsp;</a>
IPS officer Param Bir Singh had in March 2021 alleged that Deshmukh, then home minister, had given a target to police officers to collect Rs 100 crore per month from restaurants and bars in Mumbai.
Former assistant police inspector Waze, arrested in the Antilia bomb scare case in March 2021, too had levelled similar allegations.
The high court in April 2021 directed the CBI to carry out a preliminary inquiry. The CBI, based on this inquiry, registered an FIR against Deshmukh and his associates for alleged corruption and misuse of official power.

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Uttarakhand avalanche

Bigg Boss 16

Dussehra 2022

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Mulayam Singh Yadav

Light Combat Helicopter

Popular Front of India

PM Modi on Wednesday unveiled The Statue of Unity in Gujarat on Wednesday, to mark the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Built as a tribute to the "Iron Man of India", the statue has been constructed on an island on the Narmada river. At 182 metres, the Statue of Unity is the world's tallest statue, 30 metres taller than the Spring Temple Buddha in China and twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty in New York.

Jaidev Thackeray, the elder brother of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, on Wednesday evening shared the stage with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the rebel faction's Dussehra rally at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai.
Jaidev Thackeray's estranged wife Smita was also present at the MMRDA ground in BKC, the rally site in suburban Mumbai, along with Nihar, the son of late Bindumadhav Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray's eldest brother.
Champa Singh Thapa, a trusted aide of the late Bal Thackeray who served the Shiv Sena founder for 27 years, was also present at the event.
Talking to reporters, Smita Thackeray said she was invited to the rally by Shinde, who heads the rebel faction of the Shiv Sena.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has organised its own Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai.
Both Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray claim their faction is the "real" Shiv Sena.
Shinde's rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership had led to the collapse to the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in June. 

Uddhav Thackeray's brother Jaidev shares stage with Eknath Shinde at Dussehra rally

Jaidev Thackeray, the elder brother of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, on Wednesday evening shared the stage with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the rebel faction's Dussehra rally at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai.

Jaidev Thackeray, the elder brother of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, on Wednesday evening shared the stage with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the rebel faction's Dussehra rally at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai.

Jaidev Thackeray, the elder brother of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, on Wednesday evening shared the stage with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the rebel faction's Dussehra rally at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai.
Jaidev Thackeray's estranged wife Smita was also present at the MMRDA ground in BKC, the rally site in suburban Mumbai, along with Nihar, the son of late Bindumadhav Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray's eldest brother.
Champa Singh Thapa, a trusted aide of the late Bal Thackeray who served the Shiv Sena founder for 27 years, was also present at the event.
Talking to reporters, Smita Thackeray said she was invited to the rally by Shinde, who heads the rebel faction of the Shiv Sena.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has organised its own Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai.
Both Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray claim their faction is the "real" Shiv Sena.
Shinde's rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership had led to the collapse to the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in June.&nbsp;

In a politically-significant development in the regional political landscape, the two-decade-old Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was rechristened Wednesday as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), with an aim to establish K Chandrashekar Rao&rsquo;s as a national leader.
The Telangana Chief Minister's attempt to catapult his party to the centre stage of national politics by renaming it is being watched by political pundits. Some see it as a move that could help increase his stature nationally, while others fear it could turn into a misadventure.
The name change resolution was passed by the party general body meeting in Hyderabad as party workers cheered and banners with slogans like "Desh ka neta KCR," "Dear India, he is coming", and "KCR is on the way" were prominently displayed around the venue of the meeting.
Several analysts also surmise the idea as an exercise to fortify his party base in the state -- where the BJP is making inroads and intensifying political activity ahead of 2023 assembly polls -- by shifting focus to national issues.
However, a big question remains whether TRS -- founded in 2001 with a single-point agenda of creating a separate Telangana state -- will manage to capture any space in national politics; whether KCR&rsquo;s leadership will be accepted in other states, especially in the north.
KCR is not a politician who does things without a reason. His plan to enter national politics stems from his ambition to fill a vacuum caused by a lack of formidable opposition to the BJP-led ruling National Democratic Alliance at the centre, said a political analyst.
In addition, the 68-year-old leader of Telangana believes his party&rsquo;s success in winning the support of women, farmers, and marginalised groups with several welfare schemes.
Some of the major schemes are: 'Rythu Bandhu' which takes care of the initial investment needs of every farmer; &lsquo;Dalit Bandhu&rsquo; --under which one-time capital assistance of Rs 10 lakh is provided for every SC family to set up a suitable income-generating business; &lsquo;KCR Kit&rsquo;, a Rs 12,000 aid for pregnant women to take care of herself and the newborn child and 'Aasara' pensions to all the poor.
In renaming TRS and repositioning it as a "national" party, KCR is also eyeing a pole position in opposition politics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
As the main opposition Congress party struggles to reverse its slide in the country&rsquo;s electoral politics, major regional parties across the country are trying to forge a united front that can take on the ruling BJP. KCR, who has long championed the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP opposition, would want to play a pivotal role in such an alliance.
However, not all share that optimism. M Kodandaram, the founder of Telangana Jana Samithi and political analyst, feels:"It is for the first time, a state-recognised party like TRS is renaming itself as BRS. It is going to be a misadventure".
He further added that Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which had a strong presence in united Andhra Pradesh, is a registered national party but has not made any headway at the national level and a similar case is with the AIMIM, which is primarily based in the city of Hyderabad. Both TDP and AIMIM did not rename their parties, he added.
"KCR has an identity as chief minister at the national level, but it is not sufficient to build a national party&rdquo;, he observed.
As BJP intensifies its political activity in the state, KCR wants to divert focus on national issues, another analyst said.
It is a "gamble" that he is plunging directly into the national arena, the analyst from the well-known Kautilya Institute of Public Policy (KIPP) said on condition of anonymity.
Given that the country&rsquo;s politics changed after the 1980s with the emergence of regional forces, parties like SP, BSP, RJD, JD(U), DMK and others have been playing a national role either through alliance building or by forming pressure groups.
KCR is trying to work on the sentiment that individually the small regional parties have not been able to assert themselves effectively at the national level but collectively they can and will replace the traditional Opposition to become a formidable opposition.
In the recent past, KCR has met several regional party leaders including JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda, NCP&rsquo;s Sharad Pawar, TMC&rsquo;s Mamata Banerjee, AAP&rsquo;s Arvind Kejriwal and others, and has been rooting for a &lsquo;non-BJP, non-Congress&rsquo; alliance.
However, most of these parties have maintained that there cannot be any united opposition without the Congress as it may end up only helping BJP.

Telangana Rashtra Samithi to Bharat Rashtra Samithi: will KCR’s name-change gamble pay off?

In a politically-significant development in the regional political landscape, the two-decade-old Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was rechristened on  October 5 as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), with an aim to establish K Chandrashekar Rao’s as a national leader.

Some political pundits see it as a move that could help increase Telangana chief minister's stature nationally, while others fear it could turn into a misadventure.

In a politically-significant development in the regional political landscape, the two-decade-old Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was rechristened Wednesday as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), with an aim to establish K Chandrashekar Rao&rsquo;s as a national leader.
The Telangana Chief Minister's attempt to catapult his party to the centre stage of national politics by renaming it is being watched by political pundits. Some see it as a move that could help increase his stature nationally, while others fear it could turn into a misadventure.
The name change resolution was passed by the party general body meeting in Hyderabad as party workers cheered and banners with slogans like "Desh ka neta KCR," "Dear India, he is coming", and "KCR is on the way" were prominently displayed around the venue of the meeting.
Several analysts also surmise the idea as an exercise to fortify his party base in the state -- where the BJP is making inroads and intensifying political activity ahead of 2023 assembly polls -- by shifting focus to national issues.
However, a big question remains whether TRS -- founded in 2001 with a single-point agenda of creating a separate Telangana state -- will manage to capture any space in national politics; whether KCR&rsquo;s leadership will be accepted in other states, especially in the north.
KCR is not a politician who does things without a reason. His plan to enter national politics stems from his ambition to fill a vacuum caused by a lack of formidable opposition to the BJP-led ruling National Democratic Alliance at the centre, said a political analyst.
In addition, the 68-year-old leader of Telangana believes his party&rsquo;s success in winning the support of women, farmers, and marginalised groups with several welfare schemes.
Some of the major schemes are: 'Rythu Bandhu' which takes care of the initial investment needs of every farmer; &lsquo;Dalit Bandhu&rsquo; --under which one-time capital assistance of Rs 10 lakh is provided for every SC family to set up a suitable income-generating business; &lsquo;KCR Kit&rsquo;, a Rs 12,000 aid for pregnant women to take care of herself and the newborn child and 'Aasara' pensions to all the poor.
In renaming TRS and repositioning it as a "national" party, KCR is also eyeing a pole position in opposition politics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
As the main opposition Congress party struggles to reverse its slide in the country&rsquo;s electoral politics, major regional parties across the country are trying to forge a united front that can take on the ruling BJP. KCR, who has long championed the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP opposition, would want to play a pivotal role in such an alliance.
However, not all share that optimism. M Kodandaram, the founder of Telangana Jana Samithi and political analyst, feels:"It is for the first time, a state-recognised party like TRS is renaming itself as BRS. It is going to be a misadventure".
He further added that Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which had a strong presence in united Andhra Pradesh, is a registered national party but has not made any headway at the national level and a similar case is with the AIMIM, which is primarily based in the city of Hyderabad. Both TDP and AIMIM did not rename their parties, he added.
"KCR has an identity as chief minister at the national level, but it is not sufficient to build a national party&rdquo;, he observed.
As BJP intensifies its political activity in the state, KCR wants to divert focus on national issues, another analyst said.
It is a "gamble" that he is plunging directly into the national arena, the analyst from the well-known Kautilya Institute of Public Policy (KIPP) said on condition of anonymity.
Given that the country&rsquo;s politics changed after the 1980s with the emergence of regional forces, parties like SP, BSP, RJD, JD(U), DMK and others have been playing a national role either through alliance building or by forming pressure groups.
KCR is trying to work on the sentiment that individually the small regional parties have not been able to assert themselves effectively at the national level but collectively they can and will replace the traditional Opposition to become a formidable opposition.
In the recent past, KCR has met several regional party leaders including JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda, NCP&rsquo;s Sharad Pawar, TMC&rsquo;s Mamata Banerjee, AAP&rsquo;s Arvind Kejriwal and others, and has been rooting for a &lsquo;non-BJP, non-Congress&rsquo; alliance.
However, most of these parties have maintained that there cannot be any united opposition without the Congress as it may end up only helping BJP.

Fourteen members of a mountaineering team which had gone missing after being hit by an avalanche at Draupadi Ka Danda peak in Uttarakashi district were rescued on Wednesday as a multi-agency rescue operation aided by IAF helicopters resumed.
Principal of the Uttarkashi-based Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) Col Amit Bisht had said on Tuesday that ten bodies were spotted out of which four had been recovered. However, police confirmed the death of four.
Earlier in the day, the Uttarakhand Police released a list of 28 trainee mountaineers who were missing in the avalanche at the height of 17,000 feet.
Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bhatwari, Chattar Singh Chauhan said 14 members of the team out of which six had sustained minor injuries in the avalanche were airlifted to Matli in two sorties, Eight more rescued in another sortie are alright, he said, adding they are being sent back to the NIM.
Out of the 14 rescued so far 10 are trainees and four instructors, he said, adding NDRF, SDRF, ITBP and NIM are jointly conducting the search and rescue operations.
A search is on to find the rest of the 41-member team of mountaineers who have been missing since the avalanche occurred at 8.45 am on Tuesday.
The missing are said to be stuck in the crevasse in Dokriani Bamak glacier where the avalanche struck. The trainees hail from West Bengal, Delhi, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Assam, Haryana, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
The bodies recovered include that of mountaineer Savita Kanswal who had climbed the Everest in May this year. She was from Lonthru village in Uttarkashi district. Search and rescue operations resumed on Wednesday morning with four ITBP jawans dispatched in Cheetah and ALH helicopters to Dokrani Glacier.
The rescue operations had to be halted due to darkness and inclement weather on Tuesday.

Uttarakhand avalanche: search operations resume, 14 mountaineers rescued

Fourteen members of a mountaineering team which had gone missing after being hit by an avalanche at Draupadi Ka Danda peak in Uttarakashi district were rescued on Wednesday

Uttarakhand avalanche: search operations resume, 14 mountaineers rescued

Fourteen members of a mountaineering team which had gone missing after being hit by an avalanche at Draupadi Ka Danda peak in Uttarakashi district were rescued on Wednesday as a multi-agency rescue operation aided by IAF helicopters resumed.
Principal of the Uttarkashi-based Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) Col Amit Bisht had said on Tuesday that ten bodies were spotted out of which four had been recovered. However, police confirmed the death of four.
Earlier in the day, the Uttarakhand Police released a list of 28 trainee mountaineers who were missing in the avalanche at the height of 17,000 feet.
Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bhatwari, Chattar Singh Chauhan said 14 members of the team out of which six had sustained minor injuries in the avalanche were airlifted to Matli in two sorties, Eight more rescued in another sortie are alright, he said, adding they are being sent back to the NIM.
Out of the 14 rescued so far 10 are trainees and four instructors, he said, adding NDRF, SDRF, ITBP and NIM are jointly conducting the search and rescue operations.
A search is on to find the rest of the 41-member team of mountaineers who have been missing since the avalanche occurred at 8.45 am on Tuesday.
The missing are said to be stuck in the crevasse in Dokriani Bamak glacier where the avalanche struck. The trainees hail from West Bengal, Delhi, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Assam, Haryana, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
The bodies recovered include that of mountaineer Savita Kanswal who had climbed the Everest in May this year. She was from Lonthru village in Uttarkashi district. Search and rescue operations resumed on Wednesday morning with four ITBP jawans dispatched in Cheetah and ALH helicopters to Dokrani Glacier.
The rescue operations had to be halted due to darkness and inclement weather on Tuesday.

A Cheetah helicopter of the Indian Army crashed in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh near the boundary with China on Wednesday morning, killing one of the two pilots onboard, a defence spokesperson said.
The incident happened around 10 am during a routine sortie in a forward area, defence spokesperson Col AS Walia said.
The two pilots on board were rushed to the nearest military hospital, he said.
One of the pilots who was critically wounded succumbed to the injuries during treatment, he added.
The other pilot is undergoing treatment, Col Walia said.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known, he said.

1 pilot killed as army chopper crashes in Arunachal near China border

A Cheetah helicopter of the Indian Army crashed in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh near the boundary with China on Wednesday morning, killing one of the two pilots onboard, a defence spokesperson said.

The incident happened around 10 am during a routine sortie in a forward area, defence spokesperson Col AS Walia said.

A Cheetah helicopter of the Indian Army crashed in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh near the boundary with China on Wednesday morning, killing one of the two pilots onboard, a defence spokesperson said.
The incident happened around 10 am during a routine sortie in a forward area, defence spokesperson Col AS Walia said.
The two pilots on board were rushed to the nearest military hospital, he said.
One of the pilots who was critically wounded succumbed to the injuries during treatment, he added.
The other pilot is undergoing treatment, Col Walia said.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known, he said.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Wednesday raised objections to the portrayal of Lord Ram, Lakshman and Ravana in the teaser of 'Adipurush', claiming that it "ridiculed Hindu society".
The organisation also warned that the film would not be allowed to be screened in theatres.
Ajay Sharma, Prachar Pramukh of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) Sambhal unit, told reporters here that the way in which Lord Ram, Ravana and Lakshman had been portrayed in 'Adipurush' was a mockery of Hinduism.
"The values ??of Hindu society have been ridiculed. Hindu society will not tolerate this," he said.
'Adipurush', a big budget adaptation of the Ramayana, is fronted by 'Baahubali' star Prabhas, who features as Lord Ram. It is scheduled to release next year.
Sharma said the way Ravana had been depicted was not in line with the Ramayana and related religious scriptures.
"The VHP will not allow this film to be screened in theatres," he added.
Expressing his displeasure at the Central Board of Film Certification, the VHP leader said the board was working in an arbitrary and irresponsible manner.
"If the board is not able to perform its duties, then the government should dissolve it," he said.
A 1.46-minute teaser of the film, directed by Om Raut, was launched on Sunday in Ayodhya. And the blowback was immediate with hashtags like #BoycottAdipurush and #BanAdipurush gaining speed.
The multilingual period saga sees Saif Ali Khan play the role of a 10-headed demon king called Lankesh. With a beard, fierce eyes and a buzz cut, this Lankesh seems barbarism personified and many called out the filmmakers for the apparent Islamisation of Ravana.
The portrayal of Hanuman, with a beard, without a moustache and dressed in leather, also attracted criticism.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said the film attacked the sentiments of Hindus, while Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra warned that legal action would be taken if scenes showing Hindu religious figures in the "wrong" way were not removed.

'Adipurush' row: VHP objects to portrayal of Hindu gods, Ravana

The organisation also warned that the film would not be allowed to be screened in theatres.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Wednesday raised objections to the portrayal of Lord Ram, Lakshman and Ravana in the teaser of 'Adipurush', claiming that it "ridiculed Hindu society".
The organisation also warned that the film would not be allowed to be screened in theatres.
Ajay Sharma, Prachar Pramukh of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) Sambhal unit, told reporters here that the way in which Lord Ram, Ravana and Lakshman had been portrayed in 'Adipurush' was a mockery of Hinduism.
"The values of Hindu society have been ridiculed. Hindu society will not tolerate this," he said.
'Adipurush', a big budget adaptation of the Ramayana, is fronted by 'Baahubali' star Prabhas, who features as Lord Ram. It is scheduled to release next year.
Sharma said the way Ravana had been depicted was not in line with the Ramayana and related religious scriptures.
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"The VHP will not allow this film to be screened in theatres," he added.
Expressing his displeasure at the Central Board of Film Certification, the VHP leader said the board was working in an arbitrary and irresponsible manner.
"If the board is not able to perform its duties, then the government should dissolve it," he said.
A 1.46-minute teaser of the film, directed by Om Raut, was launched on Sunday in Ayodhya. And the blowback was immediate with hashtags like #BoycottAdipurush and #BanAdipurush gaining speed.
The multilingual period saga sees Saif Ali Khan play the role of a 10-headed demon king called Lankesh. With a beard, fierce eyes and a buzz cut, this Lankesh seems barbarism personified and many called out the filmmakers for the apparent Islamisation of Ravana.
The portrayal of Hanuman, with a beard, without a moustache and dressed in leather, also attracted criticism.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said the film attacked the sentiments of Hindus, while Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra warned that legal action would be taken if scenes showing Hindu religious figures in the "wrong" way were not removed.

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