Politics

Fodder scam: Argument begins, Lalu's lawyer seeks leniency

Ranchi, Oct 03 (ANI): A special CBI court will on Thursday pronounce the quantum of punishment on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav held guilty in a fodder scam case. Arguments on the quantum of punishment began around 11.30 pm. The sentence will be pronounced through videoconferencing at around 2.30 pm. Yadav is currently lodged in Ranchi's Birsa Munda Central Jail. Earlier in the day, Lalu's lawyer Surendra Singh said that he will request for a maximum of 3-year sentence for him owing to his ill health.

Oct 3, 2013

Bird lover in Chennai hosts hundreds of parrots

Chennai, Oct 03 (ANI): An avid bird lover in Chennai feeds hundreds of parrots who visit him in the morning and evening despite the hustle and bustle of the city life. Not just parrots, but other birds, too, may abandon Chennai if immediate steps are not taken to control the increasing noise pollution in the city. Bird population has dwindled in recent years due to an unremitting increase in noise pollution. But despite this scenario, there is heartening news as Sekar, a bird lover, said that he feeds nearly five to six hundred parrots every day.

Oct 3, 2013

At least 28 people killed in Assam road accident

Barpeta, Oct 03 (ANI): At least 28 people were killed and nine others injured in a road accident in Assam's Barpeta district on Thursday. According to reports, the mishap took place when two mini buses collided on National Highway (NH)-38 under the Sarbhog police station. Most of the victims were brick kiln labourers and their families. The injured have been admitted to the nearby hospitals. The minivans had been carrying workers, some with their children, to a local brick kiln. The truck was traveling to the neighboring state of West Bengal. The injured were admitted to Barpeta Medical College Hospital and Bongaigaon Civil Hospital.

Oct 3, 2013

Dynasty-led govt had no choice but to withdraw ordinance after 'biggest drama': Kiran Bedi

New Delhi, Oct 03 (ANI): Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Kiran Bedi targetted the Gandhi family and said that the UPA-led Central Government had no choice before them but to withdraw the ordinance on convicted lawmakers. Bedi also said, keeping an eye on the 2014 general elections, that the Centre was aware that there was enough public outrage against them on the proposal of this ordinance, and its withdrawal was done as damage control to recover some ground.

Oct 3, 2013

V Narayanasamy on withdrawal of ordinance on convicted lawmakers

Chennai, Oct 03 (ANI): Even as the government withdrew a controversial ordinance that protects convicted parliamentarians following stern opposition from Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi who described the policy as nonsense, Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office V. Narayanasamy said that in democracy divergent views should be there and discussion was held and decision taken is final.

Oct 3, 2013

Cabinet withdraws Ordinance: politicos welcome it

New Delhi, Oct 03 (ANI): Politicos react to the withdrawal of the controversial ordinance on ‘tainted politicians’. Earlier on September 27, Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi had openly opposed the ordinance passed by cabinet on convicted politicians by saying that it was a complete nonsense and should be ‘torn up’ and ‘thrown out’. It was at a time when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was out of the country, away in the US to attend the UN General Assembly. On Prime Minister’s return from the US, Rahul Gandhi met him at his residence in New Delhi to discuss the public outburst of September 27 and consequent to this, the central cabinet met to withdraw the ordinance.

Oct 3, 2013

Atleast 6 policemen injured in an encounter with terrorists in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 03 (ANI): Fierce encounter which took place between militants and security forces in the Ahmadnagar residential area of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, ended after the terrorist, who was trapped in the area, managed the escape in the dark. Atleast 6 policemen were injured after terrorists lobbed a grenade at the security forces in Ahmadnagar. The injured soldiers were rushed to a local hospital. The grenade attack was followed by a gunbattle after which police sealed off the area as one terrorist from the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba was believed to be trapped in the area.

Oct 3, 2013

PM is defensive against Modi, says Arun Jaitley

New Delhi, Oct 03 (ANI): Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley contended that the latest statement of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reflected his defensive posture against Narendra Modi. Earlier in the day, Manmohan Singh had urged 'secular parties' to join hands to defeat the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Modi. Jaitley, who is also Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said that he was glad to hear such a comment from the Prime Minister.

Oct 3, 2013