Category: News & Politics

National News & Politics

What is Fit India Grading System For Schools?

HT News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday rolled out Fit India School grading system for schools across the country. Divided into three categories, the grading system ranks schools according to their contribution in fitness program.

What is Fit India School grading system?

It is a fitness system developed to check participation of educational institutions in popularizing fitness among students, teachers and other staff members. Also, the schools would have to invest in developing infrastructure for supporting fitness programs.

Grades of Fit India School

• The Fit India Schools

• Fit India School (3 Stars)

• Fit India School (5 Stars)

The level of ranking would be determined from the efforts, schools make for inculcating fitness in students and teachers. Also, the availability of fitness equipment would be a factor in grading.

How could schools participate in the fitness grading system?

Schools need to visit Fit India portal to declare themselves fit. They would be given ratings according to the set procedure. The portal would give Fit India three star and five-star rating to schools. The participating schools would be allowed to use Fit India flag and logo.

What did PM Modi say during launch of Fit India School?

Narendra Modi launched the Fit India School grading system in his popular radio program Mann Ki Baat on Sunday. He invited all schools across the length and breadth of the country to participate in the grading system to declare their fitness.

He appealed to all schools to enroll in the Fit India ranking system and make it a mass movement to bring awareness about what the country must strive for.

Source: https://bit.ly/2OGGLuS

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News & Politics

Supreme Court Reserves Its Order OnThe Petition Challenging Government Formation In Maharashtra For Tuesday

HT News

The BJP got a breather from the Supreme Court over its government formation in Maharashtra. The SC today reserved its order on a petition challenging the Maharashtra government formation. The SC has earlier asked the BJP to show the letters from the Maharashtra governor to form government and support of all NCP MLAs.

What was the Supreme Court ruling on Maharashtra government formation?

The BJP submitted the letter from Maharashtra governor and the letter of support from NCP to the Supreme Court. The letter shows that the BJP has the support of 54 NCP MLAs and it calls it AjitPawar’s Nationalist Congress Party. But the rival gang of Shiv Sena also claims support of 154 MLAs and demands immediate test of strength on the floor of the house.

The SC, after hearing the petition and checking the letters, reserved its decision on a quick show of strength till Tuesday. The SC on Sunday had asked Devendra Fadnavis to show letters from the Maharashtra governor and from AjitPawar to prove his strength.

Highlights of Maharashtra case in SC

• The Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress challenged the way Maharashtra government was formed. The development took place hours after the three parties decided to enter into a coalition to form a stable government in Maharashtra.

• Former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, representing Devendra Fadnavisclaimed that the letter from the governor wasn’t forged.

• Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing Governor’s office said that AjitPawar had submitted letters of support from all 54 MLAs of NCP to government on 22 November.

• Mukul Rohatgi appearing for BJP MLAs and independents said the governor’s role couldn’t be questioned.

• Kapil … Read the rest

News & Politics

Shiv Sena Called It Was Backstabbed By Ajit Pawar Of NCP

HT News

Shiv Senasaid thatAjit Pawar backstabbed everyone by supporting BJP and making a coalition government. AjitPawar has been present in the meetings between NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena but he never revealed his intentions.

How Shiv Sena reacted to Ajit Pawar forming government with BJP?

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that AjitPawar switched his phone off late last night and no one in the NDP knew what happed to him or in the party. He further said that there was a meeting of coalition partners and AjitPawar was present in the meeting. But no one knew why he vanished from the political scene.

But Shiv Sena was certain it was his personal decision and that Sharad Pawar and the NCP has nothing to do this event and decision. Shiv Sena was trying to form government with the help of NCP and Congress and the things were moving in the right direction. Sharad Pawar had declared that Udbhav Thackeray would be the CM of the coalition government.

Shiv Sena said that Chhatrapati Shivaji and the people of Maharashtra would never forgive AjitPawar. Mr. Raut found Ajit’s body language suspicious during meetings. He said that AjitPawar wasn’t seeing into the eyes of the coalition partners during the meetings.

Sharad Pawar is expected to address media with Udbhav Thackeray about the new development in the state polity. He is expected to clear the stand of the party about AjitPawar’s support to the media and the people of Maharashtra.

Source: https://bit.ly/2KNm1Aq

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News & Politics

Devendra Fadnavis Becomes Maharashtra Chief Minister With Ajit Pawar As His Deputy

HT News

In a surprising event, Devendra Fadnavis took oath of Maharashtra Chief Minister for second time but this time he has a deputy, Ajit Pawar. The development came amid speculations of Udbhav Thackeray as propective candidate of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP alliance.

Why Ajit Pawar joined hands with BJP?

According to Ajit Pawar, he formed a quick coalition with BJP to give a stable government to Maharashtra. He said that lingering of talks between NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena forced him to take this decision. He further said that Maharashtra needed a strong and stable government and joining BJP was the only way to achieve this objective.

Is NCP with Ajit Pawar?

In political circles, speculation of senior Pawar backing the Jr. Pawar was rife but Sharad Pawar made things clear with his tweet. He said it was Ajit’s personal decision and that NCP isn’t endorsing this pact. But it is said that the coalition wasn’t possible without the support of senior Pawar.

It is said that 29 NCP MLAs have signed the letter of support to the government on the directions of Ajit Pawar. But it is only a guess as the NCP is yet to disclose the number of MLAs going with Ajit Pawar.

What did Shiv Sena say about the new alliance?

Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut said that Ajit Pawar has backstabbed Sharad Pawar and NCP. President’s rule in the state was revoked at 5:47 AM. The Union Home Ministry notified that the President Ram Nath Kovind had signed the proclamation for revocation of central rule this morning.

Source: https://bit.ly/33acyJS

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International News & Politics

India Gets Billion Dollar Sophisticated Naval Guns From The US

HT News

US President Trump notified the Congress about sale of latest version (Mod 4) of naval guns to India. But the proposed sale of armaments won’t disturb the delicate military balance in the region. If the Congress permits, India would become one of the few countries to have these guns.

What is the size of proposed arms deal?

Total cost of the deal is $1.0210 billion and it includes 13 MK-45 5-inch/62 caliber (MOD 4) naval guns and related equipment. Manufactured by the BAE Systems and Land and Armaments, these guns are used against warships, anti-aircraft and shore bombardment.

What is the advantage of these guns for India?

According to the Defence Security Cooperation Agency the MK-45 Gun System will boost India’s power to conduct anti-surface warfare and anti-air defence missions. Also, it will provide interoperability with the US and other allied forces. But India would use the newly achieved power to handle the present and future threats from enemy weapon systems.

What is MK-45 Gun System?

It is the latest gun system developed by the US and there are only a few countries that possess these arms. The US has provided these naval guns to Australia, Japan and South Korea. India would be the fourth country to have these advance naval guns. Thailand is also given this gun but it is an upgraded MOD 4 version. The US is also willing to sell these guns to Britain, Canada and other allies.

The Trump administration has notified the US Congress about the proposed arms deal with India and it will proceed only after getting Congress’ approval.

Source: https://bit.ly/37pnVkr

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News & Politics

Mamata Banerjee Opposes Pan-India Implementation Of NRC

HT News

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjeequestioned implementation of NRC outside Assam and said that she won’t allow the citizenship act to be implemented in West Bengal. Her statement came out after Amit Shah declared pan-India implementation of NRC.

What did Mamata Banerjee say about NRC?

Addressing a public meeting at Sagardighi in Murshidabad district, Mamata Banerjee said that NRC was part of the Assam Accord signed during the tenure of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. She further said that the act could never been implemented on other parts of country.

Mamata Banerjee also questioned leaving 14 lakh Hindus and Bengalis out of the final list of NRC published on August 31. Launching a veiled attack on BJP, she said that some people are fomenting trouble in the peaceful areas. They want to divide the country along religious lines for personal gains.

She said that the proposed implementation of NRC in West Bengal is creating panic. She claimed that it has already claimed 11 lives in the state as the people are worried about meeting the same fate as the people of Assam.

Mamata Banerjee also questioned the Kashmir policy of the center by highlighting killing of Bengali laborers in Kashmir. She said that families of those killed in Kashmir are given compensation. Also, the government was making necessary arrangements to bring others back to their homes. She said that all migrant labors of Bengal will be duly compensated.

What did Amit Shah say about NRC?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that NRC would be implemented across the country but also assured that no one would be persecuted due to the act.

Source: https://bit.ly/2O8u4dh

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News & Politics

Sonia Gandhi Wants Quick Decision On Maharashtra But Sharad Pawar Seeks More Time

HT News

Sharad Pawar met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at her residence in Delhi to discuss the political situation in Maharashtra. The veteran leader and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief denied having any discussion on government formation in Maharashtra?

What did Sharad Pawar say about alliance with Shiv Sena?

Mr. Pawar said that Shiv Sena fought election separately with BJP, while NCP had a pre-poll alliance with Congress. He further said that there forming an alliance with Shiv Sena that has snapped its ties with BJP wasn’t possible. Also, he continuously dodged media questions about Shiv Sena’s claim to form government with NCP and Congress.

What is the political equation in Maharashtra?

BJP emerged as the biggest party with 105 seats and it has a clear majority with 56 seats of Shiv Sena that is its long-term ally. NCP is just two seats short of Sena and Congress is at 44. Together Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress can from a government and Sharad Pawar has already said that they can give stable government in Maharashtra but the modalities f of government formation are yet to be worked out.

What is the role of Congress in Maharashtra government formation?

Being the smallest party in the coalition, it is playing the role of a kingmaker. Sonia Gandhi is under pressure from Maharashtra Congress leaders that want to support Shiv Sena to keep BJP out of power. Also, the Congress and NCP have given hints of softening their stands on Sena by not contesting elections for Mayor and Deputy Mayor in BMC.

Source: https://bit.ly/35lY3El

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News & Politics

Did Nitish Kumar Talk Climate Change To Impress Bill Gates?

HT News

Bill Gates was all praise for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The billionaire philanthropist met Nitish Kumar in Patna and a day after the meeting in Delhi praised Nitish Kumar for acknowledging the climate change as the biggest problem.

What did Bill Gates say about Nitish Kumar?

Bill Gates said that he didn’t expect the Bihar CM to speak on climate change and was impressed when Nitish Kumar talked about climate change. He further said that Mr. Kumar was aware that the problems the farm sector was facing were due to climate change.

Gates is the co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He said that the CM had worked with his foundation and that he knew Nitish Kumar for over 10 years. It is to be noted that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been working on several social welfare projects including education in India. He also met with Union Minister Smriti Irani in Delhi.

Will Bill Gates fund Bihar’s social projects?

Nitish Kumar government has started “Jal Jeevan Hariyali” programme to recharge natural water resources and plant trees to contain the ill effects of climate change. He even called a special session of Bihar assembly to discuss the project. Rs. 24,000 crores would be spent over a period of three years for this project.

With Bill Gates backing the government project, the project could get a boost. The government officials are also hopeful of help because of Bill Gates showing interest in the projects his foundation is running with the help of the government.

Source: https://bit.ly/2rVWdLL

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National News & Politics

Essar Steel, Adani, GAIL, HPCL buy Bul of Reliance gas- Skip fertilizer companies

HT News

Industry sources said that Essar Steel, Adani group and State-owned GAIL recently have brought a large part of natural gas from the Reliance Industry at the inductive price of $5.04- 5.16 per unit.

On November 15, the Essar Steel select 2.25 million normal cubic meters per day or some half volume in a day-long in the Auction.

The GSPC (Gujarat State Petroleum Corp) choose 1.2 mmscmd where the GAIL and Adani Group, Mahanagar Gas Ltd picked up mmscmd each. The HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd choose 0.33 mmscmd and remain 0.10 mmscmd went to GNFC/GSFC. The partner BP PlC of Reliance of UK and they Had a search for the bids from Potential users for the 5 mmscmd of the Natural gas and they planned to generate from the R-Cluster Field in KG-D6 block from mid-2020.

New Delhi News on Reliance Limited

The bidder was said to recite the supply interval and the volume gas required. The meaning of Dated Brent is the mean of Brent published for three calendar Months straight away preceding the applicable contract month in which gas supply should be made.

8.4 percent of Dated Brent price reliance had to set a floor. On 15 November the Auction bidders recite between 8.4 and 8.6 percent slope of the corner of 5 mmscmd supply available. This gives a price of between $ 5.04 per million British terminal unit and 5.16 per mm Btu rate and the Brent price of oil is $ 60 per barrel.

For the usage in West India, the volumes are mostly planned especially in Gujarat where the gas provides through a single pipeline called the East-West pipeline. The … Read the rest

News & Politics Technology

Reliance Jio And Airtel Broadband Are Competing To Give More In Less Than Rs. 1000

HT News

Jio and Airtel have locked in a fierce battle in the broadband sector with Reliance launching new plans and speed to woo customers. A worried Airtel hurriedly announced Extreme Fiber service to compete with Jio Fiber of Reliance. Airtel has now loaded its plans with 300Mbps to 1000Mpbs speed.

Reliance is also gearing up to prevent drifting of its customers towards VIP broadband plan recently launched by Airtel. The above-mentioned speed applies to affordable less than Rs. 1000 plans of Airtel broadband.

Let’s check less than Rs. 1000 plans of Jio Fiber and Airtel

Reliance Jio Fiber Rs. 849 monthly plan

It is a 100Mbps speed Silver Plan by Reliance. Its highlights are 200 GB data with FUP limit. Also, the company is offering extra 200 GB data free with this plan. In this way, the users get 400 GB data. Also, the plan includes free voice calling and OTT apps.

Reliance is offering Jio set-top-box and Jio Home Gateway with its Welcome Offer. Also, the company offers 800 GB data free every month and two-month free service with annual subscription of the Silver Plan.

Airtel Broadband Rs. 999 monthly plan

It Extreme Fiber plan with 200Mbps speed. Also, the plan includes 300 GB data free with FUP limit. Additional benefits included in the plan are three-month Netflix subscription, one-year Amazon Prime, G5 and Airtel Extreme apps. In addition, the users are allowed to improve this plan to unlimited plan by paying Rs. 299. The unlimited plan gives unlimited data.

Source: https://bit.ly/2KyzbRw

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