Rahul Gandhi underwent Coronavirus Test at Airport

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

A Lokmat exclusive story

Rahul Gandhi underwent Coronavirus Test at Airport

Returned to India from Italy on Feb 29

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, March 4

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi underwent Coronavirus test at T-3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) as soon as he returned to India last week.

Highly placed sources in the government say that Rahul Gandhi followed the drill issued by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued for the passengers coming from Italy and other countries to be thoroughly checked for Covid-19.

Rahul Gandhi boarded the Air India flight no 138 from Milan on February 29 evening and landed at the IGIA in the morning of Saturday. Since Italy is among the watch list of nations for Coronavirus, all passengers disembarking were requested to undergo necessary tests. Rahul Gandhi had been returning to the country after two weeks of stay abroad and the world was rising to fight the Covid-19. Since Rahul Gandhi is a Z-plus security cover VIP and a member of the Lok Sabha, he was offered all due courtesies. But sources say that Rahul Gandhi decided to follow the drill along with other passengers and volunteered to follow all instructions in this regard. The check up went on for 20-25 minutes even as his personal staff and security personnel were getting anxious due to abnormal delay. They were keen to rush through the process. But Rahul Gandhi signaled to them that the systems must be followed, say these sources. 

Rahul Gandhi was also briefed extensively at the airport by the health authorities at the airport do's and don'ts with regard to the Covid-19.

Since Italy has emerged lately as the Europe's global Covid-19 hub, the Indian authorities have not only suspended the visa facilities including visa on arrival. It was also decided all passengers disembarking at Indian airports from Italy and other such named countries be thoroughly checked.

Sources say after the tests, Rahul Gandhi left the airport smiling. He also thanked the health department officials who were deployed for these tests.

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Modi purges his own PMO, a first in decades

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

A Lokmat Exclusive report 

Modi purges his own PMO, a first in decades 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, March 3 

More than 100 personnel including 4th class employees have been transferred out of the Prime Minister's Office as part of a new policy being implemented by the Prime Minister himself.

For the first time in several decades, PM Modi decided to shift personnel working in the PMO for a long time. In fact, PM Modi discovered that there are peons, clerks and junior officers who have been working in South Block for more than 30 years and in the same wing.

In a calibrated move, he decided to send these oldies or what is termed as "veterans" to their parent departments and infuse new new blood in South Block, housing the PMO. It may be mentioned that the PMO doesn't have a cadre of officers and staff of its own and personnel are drawn from other ministries & departments on deputation basis. As part of this new policy,  Modi decided that everyone from top to bottom will go out of the PMO irrespective of the designation once his deputation period ends. P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the PM, is reported to have crafted this new policy on the directions of the PM and now being implemented.

The Prime Minister's concept is that no officer should be in one place for more than seven years - five years in first tranche extendable by another two years. In a rare cases, the officer can be given another three years but not at the same place. The officers should not be transferred out of Delhi if he has seriously sick parents/wife or children are due for board examinations or any other compelling reason. Otherwise, there is no relaxation. All such cases are personally brought to the notice of the PM, sources say.

Insiders say that this is Modi's style of bureaucratic cleansing which he began after coming to power in 2014. He began cleansing the ministerial staff first and now he has implemented the same policy from top to bottom in his PMO too.

In fact, the PM has directed various ministries & departments under him to implement the same policy in letter & spirit. The Department of Personnel under his command & control has issued such guidelines from time to time.

ends 

Govt. eyes Rs 70000 crores from Amensty scheme

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report with Table 

Govt. eyes Rs 70000 crores from Amensty scheme

DeMo declarants get last chance to come clean

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 3

The government hopes to mop up as much as Rs 50000- 70000 crores in Income Tax under an Amensty scheme announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget on Saturday last.

Interestingly, this bail out package will not only apply to 5 lakh tax dispute cases involving an amount of Rs 11 lakh crores, but also to those who got Income-Tax notices under Demonetisation scheme. These 4.78 lakh disputed cases include 87000 notices issued under DeMo scheme of November 2016. The IT department found these 87000 cases as suspicious entries amounting to Rs 1.50 lakh crores.

It is learnt that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi was personally keen to bring this one last Amensty scheme for these suspicious assesses to pay taxes minus penalty and interest. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is hopeful that it will collect Rs 70000 crores extra under this Amensty scheme.

The scheme will cover all tax litigation, including those against individuals. Thousands of jewelers across the country including more than 500 in Mumbai, are likely to avail benefit under this scheme open until June 30, 2020.

The scheme “Vivad Se Vishwas” is aimed at bringing down tax disputes pending at the level of the Commissioner of Income-Tax, Tribunals and Courts. The government hopes that the number of disputes will come down drastically as the government is only seeking the principal amount which is pending for even for some decades without interest & penalty. The dispute at the Commissioner level alone is Rs 5.71 lakh crores. It is this amount that the government is targeting and reap the harvest by March 31, 2020. Those who want to settle dispute by June 2020 will have to pay 5% extra.

This initiative is similar amnesty scheme that the PM cleared for indirect tax floated in the July 2019 Budget. The Sabka Vishwas Scheme fetched the government over Rs 35,000 crore and resolved 1.61 lakh cases. The amount involved in these dispute was Rs 80,000 crore tax dues and the government settled for Rs 35000 crores. That scheme waived up to 70 per cent of the tax dues and 100 per cent of interest and penalty. But the Direct Tax scheme will not give any relief in principal tax demand. PM Modi was enthusiastic about the success of this scheme as he repeatedly mentioned of it at his public rally today.

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PM Clears action against Nepal, China

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

PM Clears action against Nepal, China

Budget hits two neioghbours hard

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 2

Prime Minister Modi has sent clear signals to two neighbouring countries clearly in the Budget 2020-21 presented by Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday last – Nepal and China- that it can’t be business as usual.

If the financial assistance to Nepal has been cut as much as by one third during 2020-21 Budget, import duty on cheap finished goods from China has been raised hugely.  

It seems his honeymoon with China is also over and except for sweet talking, Modi has decided to take full advantage of the out-break of deadly Coronavirus as the world is suspending businesses. The slapping of huge customs duty on 300 plus items may help the Indian domestic industry. But China will suffer the most as imports will be hit. In the process, the government hopes to mop up import duty during the 2020-21 as much as Rs 1.38 lakh crores. It seems Modi has joined hands with US President Donald Trump in curtailing growth of Chinese economy and take advantage of Coronavirus when the world is shunning the Chinese dragon.

No doubt, raising Customs Duty is aimed at helping MSMEs in the country as dumping from China has been hurting them. This will boost domestic industry, local employment and eventually impact GDP. But it’s a big move on the part of government sitgnaling the end of financial honeymoon.

If Nepal decided to join hands with China in a big way, India has cut financial assistance to Nepal during 2020-21 as much as 33%. Nepal saw a cut of Rs four billion from the Rs 12 billion that it received in the previous fiscal year from India. Nepal had received around INR 7.63 billion in fiscal year 2018-19. However, the assistance was raised to as much as Rs 12 billion during 2019-20 as PM Modi wanted very close relationship with Nepal. But during 2020-21, Nepal saw a biggest cut in the allocation though it will still be a recipient of the third largest Indian assistance i.e. Rs 8 billion.

Prime Minister Modi has also told the Finance Ministry to review Rules of Origin requirements, particularly for certain sensitive items, to “ensure that Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are aligned to the conscious direction of “Make in India or Assemble in India.

Imports under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are on the rise. Undue claims of FTA benefits have posed threat to the domestic industry. Such imports require stringent checks.

FM Throws Please-All Tax Budget Googly

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

FM Throws Please-All Tax Budget Googly

Cuts Taxes, Withdraws DDT

But Takes Away 70 Exemptions

Sensex down 1000 points

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 1

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Budget echoed what the industry was telling Prime Minister Narendra Modi for months - put more money into the hands of the people by reducing tax. She has done exactly the same by reducing personal tax and in the process took a hit of Rs 40,000 crores. Tax payers can pay less taxes under the new system, save more money and spend as they wish. The slabs have been reduced considerably for those earning up to Rs 15 lakhs a year.

But there was a catch ! The FM introduced a “Dual Personal Income Tax” system whereby the tax-payer will lose benefits of 70 out of 120 exemptions that were available to them. The tax payers can opt for any of the two systems. If you want old system of taxes you take advantage of all 120 exemptions. If you want new system, pay less and lose 70 exemption.

This is a googley and no one is sure who will opt for whom. After introducing the “Dual Tax system” for the Corporate sector where it can opt for old 22% tax slab or new 15% slab, the same comes for personal tax too. Obviously, the government wants people to spend money instead of saving and prop up the economy. The slow-down is largely because people are not spending the money.

Another big boost given to companies was withdrawal of Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT). This is surely music to the ears to the companies and foreign investors too. However, the individual tax payers will have to pay dividend tax irrespective of any slab he may be. This is another googly.

However, the government took a series of steps in the Budget to end tax terrorism including creating an institution of a new taxpayer charter, amending the Companies Act to bring criminal liability in certain areas to end, bring faceless appeals etc.

True to the commitment made by PM Modi, the Budget also gives a boost to Make in India and Assemble in India by enhancing customs duty on variety of items and reducing excise duties.

What has baffled everybody is that the please Industry Budget has taken the Sensex crashing by 1000 points today. But Nirmala Sitharaman was confident when she said today, “Wait until Monday, why rush to a conclusion... the full implications will be understood by then.”

Interestingly, PM Modi did not launch any big ticket scheme. Rather, the government slashed allocation for major schemes in the Budget for next fiscal.

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The Untold story of Abrogation of Article 370

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

A Lokmat Exclusive story

The Untold story of Abrogation of Article 370

How A Constitutional Blunder was averted on J&K !

An Alert JS saved Amit Shah of huge embarrassment

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Jan 30

It has now surfaced that a Constitutional blunder was averted on August 5 when Union Home Minister Amit Shah was in the midst of getting the abrogate of Article 370 passed in the Rajya Sabha.

In fact, Amit Shah was jubilant as the government has almost succeeded in getting the bill passed in the Upper House despite not having even a simple majority. Ministers after ministers were rushing to Amit Shah's Parliament House's chamber to congratulate him when he came to have a cup of tea.

It was around 5 in the evening when a Joint Secretary who was quietly standing in toe whispered that the J&K Re-organisation and abrogation of Article 370 would be illegal unless the prior approval of the Lok Sabha is taken.

There was a stunning silence in the room packed with ministers and couple of officers. One of  Amit Shah's favourite ministers snubbed the JS for his atrocious suggestion. He said the twin bills were cleared by experts and procedures adopted in abrogating Article 370 and there was no need for a new element.

But Amit Shah has an uncanny knack and allowed the JS to have his say. It was pointed out that since Article 370 can be abrogated only by the J&K Constituent Assembly or the J&K Assembly in the absence of the former, the Rajya Sabha cannot abrogate it. He pointed out a Resolution has to be placed in the Lok Sabha first authorising the House to be vested with the powers of J&K Assembly. Once this was done, the twin bills can be passed. 

The Joint Secretary was found to be correct in his submissions. But this created a new problem and a lot of formalities were to be done. . It was also discovered that the Lok Sabha was discussing the Surrogacy bill. Amit Shah walked up to the Speaker and impressed upon him the need to immediately seek the permission to table the resolution vesting the powers of the J&K Assembly in Parliament breaking the dicssion on the Surrogacy Bill. There were hardly any Opposition members on the benches except for the DMK's T R Baalu who opposed it. But the ruling party had it way and the Resolution was allowed.

A triumphant Amit Shah walked back to the Rajya Sabha armed with the Lokn Sabha authorisation and tabled it the RS in the melee. Rest is history.

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Modi to head Ram Temple Trust !

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

A Lokmat Exclusive Report

Modi to head Ram Temple Trust !

Mega Trust to be formed in January

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Dec 18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi may head the Ayodhya Temple Trust being set up in January for the construction of the “sky-touching Ram Temple.” The Trust will be set up immediately after the “Kharmas” (inauspicious month) which ends on January 13, according to the Hindu calendar.

If reports emanating from North Block are to be believed, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is busy finalising the composition of the historic Ram Temple Trust. He has been insisting that Prime Minister Modi alone should head the trust.

Amit Shah is busy holding parleys with the other stake-holders and studying various Temple trusts existing in the country. The Sri Somnath Temple in Gujrat, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Trust Board, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine (Jammu) and Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (Puri) are governed by trusts. But they all are under respective state governments barring the Somnath Temple Trust where four trustees are appointed by the State and four by the Centre. Interestingly, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are members of Somnath Temple Trust as representatives of the state government. The trust is headed by Keshubhai Patel which has 8 trustees. But the number of trustees in the remaining temples are large. 

The Supreme Court had directed the Centre in November to create a “trust within a period of three months from the date of the judgment with a Board of Trustees or any other appropriate body”. The SC also empowered the Central government to frame scheme for the functioning of the Ram Temple Trust and construction of a temple.

A view has emerged in the government that Ram Temple Trust should be a Central government body with Narendra Modi as Life Trustee. The Centre should not delegate its powers to any other body or State of UP. After all, it was under Modi's leadership that the dream of “sky-touching Ram Temple” will be realised by 2024.

Home Minister Amit Shah, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, nominees of the RSS and VHP,  K Parasaran (who fought Ram Temple case in SC) and others may be inducted. A representative of the Nirmohi Akhara is to be inducted as per the direction of the SC.

It is not clear whether L K Advani or Dr M M Joshi will be included in the Trust. No one is sure whether nominee of the Shiv Sena will now be inducted in the trust after parting of ways with the BJP.

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BJP MPs force Arm Act Bill Deferred

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Lokmat Special

BJP MPs force Arm Act Bill Deferred

Minister Harsimrat Badal raised concerns

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Dec 8

The Modi government buckled under the pressure of its own lawmakers and decided to dump the Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 introduced with much fanfare in Lok Sabha last month end.

It transpires that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had brushed aside voices of concerns even in the crucial meeting of the Union Cabinet where the bill was brought for clearance. Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal had pointed out that the certain clauses of the bill particularly relating to one license one fire arm be reconsidered. The PM wondered as to why one would need more than one firearm in self defense. Once the Cabinet cleared the bill, Union Home Ministry went ahead and bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on November 29. It was set to be passed the same day. But all hell broke and a large number of BJP MPs rushed to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla, pointing out that this will seriously affect the safety and security of people in trouble-torn states. The MPs belonging to the Rajput and landed community said that they are in possession of  antique and precious firearms in their palatial bungalows mostly as show pieces for centuries. These should not be clubbed with the new policy.  

The Bill seeks to amend the Arms Act, 1959 aimed at  decreasing the number of licensed firearms allowed per person and increase penalties for certain offences under the Act.  The Bill reduces the number of permitted firearms from three to one. This includes licenses given on inheritance or heirloom basis. The Bill provides a time period of one year to deposit the excess firearms with the nearest police station or the dealer as specified.

The Bill increases the punishment for offences between seven years and life imprisonment along with a fine. It also prohibits using firearms in a celebratory gunfire which endangers human life or personal safety of others.

It is learnt that a high-level meeting took place in the government and it was decided that let the Arm Act (Amendment ) Bill 2019 be deferred for this session. 

Priyanka's security breached

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

A Lokmat Exclusive story

Priyanka's security breached

CRPF aghast as Car entered her Lodhi Estate House

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 27

The Security and Intelligence agencies are shocked that the fortress like security cover to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been breached. The security breach is considered unprecedented for a high-risk protectee. Not only the Gandhis but the newly deputed CRPF VIP Security Unit is also aghast at the breach in the broad day light.

It was Monday afternoon when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was at her 35 Lodhi Estate residence with her family members. All of a sudden a car entered inside the porch and five person including a young girl alighted. They walked straight into her garden and requested for a photo opportunity. They claimed that they had all the way from UP to Delhi only to be photographed with her. A surprised Priyanka didn't know how to respond by visitors who had no prior appointment and nor she had told the CRPF guards about it either. She agreed for a photo session and before the CRPF guards could realise what was happening, the five visitors had gone. All hell broke as Priyanka wanted to know how these visitors were allowed inside without her permission and that too along with the car.

This is considered the worst security lapse as the VIP being guarded by a trained guards not only allowed the car to enter the premises but did not even check the identity of the occupants.

A DIG level of the CRPF rushed to the house to inquire and was surprised that the guards on duty did the blunder. They told the DIG that they thought the car belonged to Rahul Gandhi and hence did not stop it.

The Delhi Police officials are also worried as outer security is provided by them while inner security cover is with the CRPF.

When contacted, a senior police official told Lokmat that a high-level inquiry has been ordered by the CRPF and Delhi Police into the incident. The security guards responsible for the serious lapse on Monday have been sent packing.

Since the security cameras captured the car number of the occupants, the same has been traced. Detailed inquiries are underway about the antecedents of the occupants.

It may be mentioned that only last week the CRPF cover with Z plus status was provided to members of the Gandhi family including Priyanka.

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NCP-Congress form 10-member Committee

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Lokmat Exclusive

NCP-Congress form 10-member Committee

Coordination Committee to prepare CMP by Friday

Talks with Sena to begin on Sunday

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov. 19

The process for installing the non-BJP government in Maharashtra moved further with the NCP and Congress parties agreeing to constitute 10-member coordination committee.

The committee will comprise five members each from both the parties. The first meeting between leaders of the two parties will be held tomorrow in Delhi.

Praful Patel, party general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP told Lokmat today that the two parties will prepare a Common Minimum Program (CMP) first. When asked why the two parties need a CMP, he said the two parties had contested on their own manifesto separately though they were partners. “We have to hammer out a our own CMP and then we will talk to Shiv Sena to evolve a CMP of the three parties,” he added.

He said this decision was taken when Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar held a meeting on Monday.

Bala Saheb Thorat, president of the Maharashtra Congress, Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan, Mallikarjun Kharge and one more leader may represent the Congress Party at the coordination committee.

Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Jayant Patil, Sunil Tatkare and others.

Sonia Gandhi and Sharad Pawar reported to have informally decided that the Congress-NCP CMP will be prepared within the next three days and then the talks with Shiv Sena will be held on the CMP of three parties.

Since Uddhav Thackeray has already cancelled his visit to Ayodhya on November 24 and has also called off his visit to Delhi to meet L K Advani, it indicates that he is now moving towards NCP-Congress to form an alternative government in Maharashtra minus BJP.

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari had invited Sena and NCP to prove its ability to form the government, failing which the President's Rule was imposed in the state on November 12. The assembly is in suspended animation. But can be revived anytime within six month if any of the parties stake claim to form the government.

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Sena-NCP-Congress struggling to Obtain MLAs signatures

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Lokmat Exclusive 

Sena-NCP-Congress struggling to Obtain MLAs signatures

Governor’s rider Puts parties in the Dock

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov. 17

 A simple rider by the Maharashtra Governor to Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress leaders to submit letters from individual MLAs of their respective parties in separate sheets “signed in Blue Ink”.

He wants that All MLAs should sign to say clearly that they support the formation of the new government. 

The Leaders of their respective parties must counter sign and certify that the signatures so submitted  are not obtained through coercion or other means.

Highly placed sources, on the condition of extreme confidentiality told Lokmat this evening that this rider has put spoke in the plans of the combined Opposition parties to form an alternative government. The leaders are now running after the MLAs to obtain their signatures individually and MLAs are putting their own conditions before signing these letters.

 In fact, the governor refused to allow the MLAs to be paraded. He simply told the leaders to give him signed support letters of each MLA of their respective parties. This precedent had been adopted by the Governors in the past and that’s why the Opposition parties are not making hue and cry and keeping quiet on the issue.  

Sources say at least half a dozen MLAs of Sena are unwilling to go with Congress or seeking their price for support. This is what the whole ruckus was making Uddhav Thackeray and his son to rush to the hotel to meet and pacify some of the MLAs yesterday. It’s the same story in Congress and NCP where each MLA is now wanting his own pound of flesh if he is not being made a Minister. There are more than 9 MLAs whose signatures had not been obtained until yesterday noon. 

It is because of this very reason that senior Party functionary Ahmad Patel is working round the clock to prompt the party leaders in Maharashtra to obtain signatures as early as possible.

 The crucial meeting of NCP chief Sharad Pawar with Sonia Gandhi has not been put off because of differences on Common Minimum Program (CMP) or power sharing arrangements. These continue to be on the table and under discussions.  But at least 15-16  MLAs of the three parties have not signed the letters of support. If the number is not right, the three parties cannot submit the letters to the Governor. Hence, the delay.  

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PMO Missive to Minister: Clear all projects by March 8

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

A Lokmat Exclusive report

PMO Missive to Minister: Clear all projects by March 8

EC may issue Poll notification on Saturday ?

New Delhi, March 4

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has directed all the ministries and departments to complete launching of all pending project by March 8.

Since the Election Commission of India is likely to issue notification for the General Elections on March 9, the PMO has said that all work to inaugurate projects be completed by March 8. With the Model Code of Conduct coming into force, the foundation stone for any project cannot be laid and no project be inaugurated or new scheme launched. Therefore, the PMO has asked the ministries to launch all projects as announced. In fact, the Prime Minister himself has a tight schedule until March 8 traveling across the country launching numerous projects. Interestingly, the PM is launching a a series of projects wherever he is going these days.For example, he launched 18 projects at Amethi yesterday at one function.

The emphasis is particularly on the infrastructure ministries like Road Transport, Railways, Coal, Power, Communication & IT, Petroleum, Science & Technology, Steel, Mines, Textiles, Food processing, Health and Defence. The ministries under Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, R K Singh (Power) are in particular focus. It is largely because of this very reason that all the ministers are concerned are traveling state after state launching projects. In fact, the PM has also said that the minister concerned need not be present for the inauguration of a project with him and devote time to launch projects in other states. For example, Piyush Goyal is launching another project in Tamil Nadu today while the PM is launching a project in Gujrat relating to his ministry.

The PM's Project Monitoring Group (PMG) which monitors all pending infrastructure projects has resolved 3100 projects involving investment of Rs 10.76 lakh crores. The PMG was set up in September 2015.

The ministries have also been directed to ensure that all the promises laid down in the BJP's 2014 Lok Sabha poll manifesto are implemented. These ministries have been told to send a point-wise performance report as listed in the manifesto. The non-infrastructure ministries such as HRD, Commerce, Social Justice & Empowerment, Women & Child Development, Environment and others have been told to send the completion report of aims and objects by March 8.

For example, the HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar has completed the process of appointments of all the chancellors and vice chancellors of universities and cleared his desk. Even the New Education Policy as promised in the party manifesto is ready for release. But it is being vetted again and may be deferred until the next Lok Sabha poll process is complete.

Modi is launching perhaps the last scheme of his government - Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM) on his two-day visit to Gujarat giving minimum wages to workers.

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Verma sacked on What's App,

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Lokmat Exclusive

Verma sacked on What's App,

top IB officials searched his office,

Took away hard discs, files photo copies

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Oct. 25

Murky details of midnight coup at the CBI headquarters revealed that its Director Alok Verma was sacked on What's App of his mobile as 1 am yesterday.

The sack order was sent through What's App as an officer of the Department of Personnel under the Prime Minister failed to deliver it physically at Verma's residence at 12.55 am. The security guards posted at Verma's Janpath residence refused to receive the letter saying that the “Saheb has gone to bed.”

Without delivering the sack order, everything would have come to a grinding halt. M Nageshwar Rao could not have taken over as acting chief of the CBI, there would have been no en-mass transfers and no search & seize operation of Verma and his officers premises.

Everybody in the government, right from the PM downwards to National Security Adviser Ajit Doval to deputy principal secretary P K Mishra to Lok Ranjan, additional secretary in the DoPT who signed the actual sack order were keeping their finger crossed in their offices.

Finally, Ajit Doval told Lok Ranjan in the DoPT to send the sack order on what's app. Lok Ranjan didn't have his mobile and that too was provided by the PMO. And fortunately for the government, Verma opened his mobile phone and saw the what's app message. The moment, Lok Ranjan saw the blue lines blinking, the sack order was considered as delivered.

The entire machinery swung into action and a team of eight officers of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) rushed to the CBI headquarters and took control of the two floors where top officers used to work. Even Nageshwar Rao who was made the acting Director was told politely to stay put in his room after a brief visit to Verma's chamber on 11^th floor. The importance of the raid could be gauged from the fact that an officer of the rank of the additional secretary was heading it. They took out hard disks of verma's computers, made photocopies of all the files in his room and sniffed every paper trail. Similarly, another group of officers scanned all the files and computers of A K Bassi, deputy SP who had raided and arrested his another DSP colleague Devender Kumar two days ago. The offices of A K Sharma, Joint Director (Policy) was also thoroughly searched. No one in the CBI was allowed to enter the two floors of the CBI building until the IB sleuths left the place.

It is still a mystery as to what the IB was searching for. Contrary to reports, the government was not unduly worried about the Rafale probe issue as Verma had sent the papers to A K Sharma. These papers were given to the CBI by Prashant Bhushan and routinely sent to Sharma.

But the fact that all hard disks of computers of all these transferred officers was taken away by the IB shows that it was sniffing at something else. It may also be mentioned that A K Sharma who is also a Gujrat cadre IPS officer and trusted lieutenant of PM Modi was only divested of the crucial policy division and not shunted out of Delhi. He has been retained in Delhi as head of the defunct MDMA which is probing Rajiv Gandhi assassination case for 27 years. Why he chose to side with Verma instead of Rakesh Asthana is still a mystery.

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After Assam, Manipur on the Edge now

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Lokmat Exclusive story

After Assam, Manipur on the Edge now

Permits for non-Manipuris who came after 1951

Modi in a Bind, Najma worried

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Aug. 24

After Assam, its Manipur on the edge, thanks to the Manipur People's Bill passed by the BJP-ruled government proposing to shut the doors who came after 1951. If the cut-off date in the case of Assam was 1971, Manipur went a step further by fixing 1951 for being declared as natives. Rest of them will have to go back or seek special entry permits.

The Bill has put the Modi government in a bind and a worried Governor Najma Heptulla rushed to Delhi last week to apprise the Centre of the gravity of the situation. The Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, who cobbled a majority to form the government, insisted that the bill be cleared without delay.

Najma Heptulla called on the Prime Minister and held detailed discussion on the worrisome situation in Manipur. What transpired between the two is not immediately known. But the Centre cautioned her to take her own time in deciding the issue. Najma Heptulla returned to Imphal and has decided to “sit-over” the bill.

The Manipur People's Bill pending with the Governor proposed that all those who came to Manipur after 1951 will not be considered as native and will lose the right to vote and own property and settle. This has affected not only the illegal immigrants from Bangla Desh, but also thousands of businessmen and workers who went there during the 60s and 70s to set up businesses from Mumbai, West Bengal, Rajasthan and played a key role in the development of the state.

A senior official in the Union Home Ministry said that “The Manipur People's Bill is like an old wine in new bottle”. The State had passed a similar bill under the nomenclature of Protection of Manipur People’s Bill which was withdrawn and emerged in a new form to regulate the entry of “outsiders” on lines of the British-era regulatory regime.

The BJP-ruled state government was unwilling to consider the plea that Manipur was given statehood in January 1972 and therefore, the cut off date should be 1971 and not 1951. But it buckled under the pressure of dominant Meities community. Interestingly, there there is no National Register of Citizens of 1951 in Manipur. When asked “How will they prove the natives” of 1951, the Chief Minister had no answer.

As per the new provision, all non-Manipuris will have to register themselves within one month of the notification of the law. They will be issued a pass extendable up to six months to stay within the state territory. While those who have trade licences can get a pass extendable up to five years, which will have to be renewed every year. Any outsider visiting Manipur would need a pass for entry. The Chief Minister has conveyed to the party high command that the law will help the BJP to grab both Lok Sabha seats to the party and majority in the Assembly due to the support of the dominant community.

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