Opposition upset with Congress over Rahul meeting Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting with a delegation of Congress leaders led by party vice president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday.   | Photo Credit: PTI

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning cast a shadow over Opposition parties, 16 of which were to meet President Pranab Mukherjee.

In the end, the BSP, the SP, the CPI(M), the CPI, the DMK and the NCP skipped the meeting in protest. The DMK and Left parties, however, signed the memorandum.


Opposition leaders were very unhappy with the turn of the events, saying this had destroyed Opposition unity that was so carefully forged.

Source:The Hindu

No prosecution under new black money disclosure scheme

Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia. File photo

With the Taxation Laws Second Amendment Bill getting President Pranab Mukherjee's assent, the Centre on Friday launched a new black money disclosure scheme with an assurance that information on such declarations “will not to be used for prosecution”.

However, receipt of tax paid on deposits would have to be shown to avail the scheme’s benefits including immunity from prosecution, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said. The scheme opens on Saturday and ends on March 31, 2017.

Dr. Adhia said disclosures under the new scheme would attract 50 per cent tax and penalty.

He said the government was collecting information on deposits in dormant and Jan Dhan accounts on a daily basis and that raids to recover unaccounted old, new currency were on.


A new email ID has been created for public to give information on black money to tax authorities, Dr. Adhia said.

Source:The Hindu

India not feeling invincible, want to be the best in the world: Virat Kohli

Chennai, Dec 15: Ahead of the 5th Test against England, captain Virat Kohli today (December 15) said India "don't feel invincible" despite being unbeaten in 17 matches and is focused on being a "top-quality" side for 5 to 8 years.

Having already sealed the 5-game rubber 3-0, India face England in the final contest of the series from tomorrow (December 16) in Chennai. On current form, the hosts are favourites but Kohli said the team is not complacent and is focused on doing the "process" right again.

"Not really (feeling invincible). We still have a lot of cricket to play everywhere in the world. It is not about this one period we are going through. It looks really good because we have come out of transition and immediately we have started winning games. But I would not take it as a thing for overconfidence," Kohli told reporters on Thursday.


"It is an ongoing process which needs to be sustained for 5 to 8 years for us to become a top-quality side and leave a mark on world cricket. Maybe known as one of the best teams to have assembled on the field. We want to do it across formats and make that mark for Indian cricket on the world stage. It requires a lot of persistence and skill, lot of hard work on your fitness. Those are the key factors which will decide where we go as a team," he added. The 

28-year-old said they are not feeling invincible despite their unbeaten record where they have won 12 Tests out of 17 with 5 draws since 2012. India's last Test defeat was against Sri Lanka in August 2015 at Galle. 

As a captain, Kohli is unbeaten in 17 Tests with 13 victories and 4 draws. The streak began in August 2015. At home, India are unbeaten in 18 Tests with 5 wins and 3 draws since 2012.

"We don't feel invincible to be honest. We respect every opposition. We admit every time we are put under pressure. We know teams are going to put us under pressure. We appreciate that and accept that and try to find a way out of it. That has been the key for us. It is a process that should go on for another 5 to 8 years," Kohli said.


Source:One India

Keep real estate, electricity charges within GST: CEA

CEA Arvind Subramanian 

As the country comes to terms with the demonetisation of Rs. 1,000 and old Rs. 500 notes, Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian spoke to the media.

Excerpts from the press conference

>> It's fair to say that the Indian economy, as far as macroeconomic condition is concerned, is very stable.

>> Both the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) have come down. Current account deficit is very low and is being financed by Foreign Direct Investment. We have been reducing the fiscal deficit consistently.

>> From the domestic point of view, there are many legislative achievements in 2016. Aadhaar Bill is very important for the Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhar, Mobile numbers (JAM) mission.

>> Legislation has been passed to institutionalise monetary policy.

>> The bankruptcy code is very important in enabling exit from operating in India. Entry has become very easy, but exit is still a problem.

>>GST constitutional amendment bill is the 'mother of all achievements'.

>>FDI policy has been liberalised considerably. FDI surged in Q2, which is a very encouraging sign.

>>Domestic challenges: how to manage demonetisation over the next weeks/months until remonetisation can be done fully.

>>Then there is the twin balance sheet problem of the corporates and the banks.

>>International challenges: US interest rate rising and dollar getting stronger. But I am less concerned about this since the Indian economy is still strong macroeconomically.

>>The other challenge is to keep an eye on the currency situation in South East Asian countries and in China.

>>Third international challenge is that if we need strong growth, then exports have to grow 15-20% every year. But the question is, can the advanced economies buy our exports? Can they handle service exports from us?

>>GST: We should aspire to simple, clean rates that are lower rather than higher. This will help in fight against black money.

>> Sale of land and real estate needs to be part of GST. That way the input tax credits can enter the system. Stamp duty can be kept separate.

>>Need to bring electricity charges as part of GST.⁠⁠⁠

>>Manufacturing push: if China did manufacturing for 25 years, why can't we do services for 25 years?

>> Fed rate hike: it was anticipated and expected. The Indian economy is very well cushioned to handle it. The RBI took the possibility into account during its latest review.

>> Rising oil prices: don't focus on the ups and downs. When oil prices go up, nimble producers will also increase production. Don't think oil prices will surge to a level that the Indian economy can't handle.

Source:The Hindu

Bajaj Dominar 400 Launch

The Bajaj Dominar 400 is the new flagship offering from Bajaj Auto and is finally making its official debut today in the premium motorcycle segment against the KTM Duke 200, Mahindra Mojo and the Royal Enfield Classic 350. Based on the Pulsar CS 400 Concept showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo, the Dominar 400 has come a long way since then, but has managed to retain most of the styling bits, while the mechanicals have seen a slew of changes. The nameplate most importantly, received of host of changes right from Pulsar CS 400, VS 400, to Kratos. Power on the Bajaj Dominar comes from a 373.2cc single-cylinder engine with a 6-speed transmission and a dual-channel ABS. The bike is primarily targeted towards riding long distances without having to compromise in power. The Dominar is expected to stir up the 300-400cc segment in the country with several segment first features, while an extremely attractive price tag might just seal the deal for the bike maker.

Dec 15, 2016

11:00 AM

Bajaj Dominar 400 Launch
Bajaj Auto will be finally unveiling the all-new Dominar 400 motorcycle later today. The much awaited model will be the bike maker's most powerful and expensive model ever and will come with a host of segment first features and a competitive price tag.


We are at the launch event of the new Bajaj Dominar 400 that starts in sometime, so make sure to keep watching this space for all the live updates.

 Ending months of speculations Bajaj Auto is all set to officially launch the 'Bajaj Dominar 400' in the country today. The flagship offering from the Pune based bike maker has been long awaited, ever since the model first made its debut as the Pulsar CS 400 Concept at the 2014 Auto Expo. Now, almost three years later, Bajaj's all-new motorcycle is finally a reality and embarks on a new journey of taking the manufacturer in the premium space.

The Bajaj Dominar 400 will be the most expensive model to come from the manufacturer, competing with the Royal Enfield Classic 350, KTM 200 Duke, Mahindra Mojo and the likes. The model has been designed to be a cruiser mixed with the power and performance of a sports bike, all in an affordable package.

An interesting fact is that the 'Dominar 400' moniker was selected after much contemplation. It was earlier expected that Bajaj will expand its Pulsar brand name with the 400cc bike, but the company chose otherwise and decided to build a new identity around its premium offering. The 'Dominar' nameplate was hence chosen after names like VS 400 and Kratos popped up, and is derived from the Spanish language, translating to exceed in power or dominate.

With the Dominar 400, Bajaj manages to retain its concept closely, albeit with subtle changes. The all-LED headlamps have been retained and makes it the only bike in the segment to offer this feature. You also get wavy alloy wheels, split seats, wide handlebar, illuminated switchgear and much more. The styling, despite its cruiser stance has a lot of aggression, which largely comes from the bike's performance-cruiser ideology.

Power on the Bajaj Dominar 400 will come from the 373.2cc fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine and has been derived from the KTM 390 Duke and is paired to a 6-speed gearbox. Compared to the concept, the Dominar has seen a number of changes, including USD front forks being replaced by conventional telescopic units. The LCD instrument cluster has been retained, but the auxiliary digital screen on the fuel tank showcased on the concept, is now replaced with only indicators. The monoshock rear suspension has been retained.

Braking performance on the comes from dual disc brakes, while you do get dual-channel ABS. In fact, the Dominar is the first ever motorcycle from Bajaj to feature dual-channel ABS.

While Bajaj will be moving into the premium territory, it still promises to make the Dominar 400 an affordable offering. The bike is expected to be priced under Rs. 2 lakh (ex-showroom) and will stir up the segment with its high value pricing and tons of features on offer. Make sure to keep watching this space for complete updates from the launch today.

Bajaj Dominar 400Share
       Launch : Dec 2016
       1.6 Lakh - 1.8 Lakh

Ex-Showroom Price New Delhi

Source:NDTV

Yahoo suffers world's biggest hack affecting 1 billion users

Yahoo has discovered a 3-year-old security breach that enabled a hacker to compromise more than 1 billion user accounts, breaking the company’s own humiliating record for the biggest security breach in history.

The digital heist disclosed Wednesday occurred in August 2013, more than a year before a separate hack that Yahoo announced nearly three months ago . That breach affected at least 500 million users, which had been the most far-reaching hack until the latest revelation.

“It’s shocking,” security expert Avivah Litan of Gartner Inc.

Both lapses occurred during the reign of Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, a once-lauded leader who found herself unable to turn around the company in the four years since her arrival. Earlier this year, Yahoo agreed to sell its digital operations to Verizon Communications for $4.8 billion a deal that may now be imperiled by the hacking revelations.

Two hacks, more than a billion accounts

Yahoo didn’t say if it believes the same hacker might have pulled off two separate attacks. The Sunnyvale, California, company blamed the late 2014 attack on a hacker affiliated with an unidentified foreign government, but said it hasn’t been able to identify the source behind the 2013 intrusion.

Yahoo has more than a billion monthly active users, although some have multiple accounts and others have none at all. An unknown number of accounts were affected by both hacks.

In both attacks, the stolen information included names, email addresses, phone numbers, birthdates and security questions and answers. The company says it believes bank-account information and payment-card data were not affected.

But hackers also apparently stole passwords in both attacks. Technically, those passwords should be secure; Yahoo said they were scrambled twice once by encryption and once by another technique called hashing. But hackers have become adept at cracking secured passwords by assembling huge dictionaries of similarly scrambled phrases and matching them against stolen password databases.

That could mean trouble for any users who reused their Yahoo password for other online accounts. Yahoo is requiring users to change their passwords and invalidating security questions so they can’t be used to hack into accounts. (You may get a reprieve if you’ve changed your password and questions since September.)

Security experts said the 2013 attack was likely the work of a foreign government fishing for information about specific people. One big tell- It doesn’t appear that much personal data from Yahoo accounts has been posted for sale online, meaning the hack probably wasn’t the work of ordinary criminals.

That means most Yahoo users probably don’t have anything to worry about, said J.J. Thompson, CEO of Rook Security.

Questions for Verizon

News of the additional hack further jeopardizes Yahoo’s plans to fall into Verizon’s arms. If the hacks cause a user backlash against Yahoo, the company’s services wouldn’t be as valuable to Verizon, raising the possibility that the sale price might be re-negotiated or the deal may be called off. The telecom giant wants Yahoo and its many users to help it build a digital ad business.

After the news of the first hack broke, Verizon said it would re-evaluate its Yahoo deal and in a Wednesday statement said it will review the “new development before reaching any final conclusions.” Spokesman Bob Varettoni declined to answer further questions.

At the very least, the security lapses “definitely will help Verizon in its negotiations to lower the price,” Litan predicted. Yahoo has argued that news of the 2014 hack didn’t negatively affect traffic to its services, strengthening its contention that the Verizon deal should be completed under the original terms.

“This just adds to fuel to the fire and it won’t help Yahoo’s cause,” said Eric Jackson, a longtime critic of the company’s management. Although he has in the past, Jackson doesn’t currently own Yahoo stock.

Investors appeared worried about the Verizon deal. Yahoo’s shares fell 96 cents, or 2 percent, to $39.95 after the disclosure of the latest hack.

Source:The Hindu

There is 'personal corruption' involving Modi, alleges Rahul

Congress VP Rahul Gandhi addresses the media

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that he has information about “personal corruption” involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the reason why he is not being allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Gandhi said, stressing that the Prime Minister is “personally terrified” of facing the House.

Addressing a press conference, a combative Mr. Gandhi, flanked by leaders from 15 other political parties, launched a frontal attack on the Prime Minister and the government.

The Opposition has been demanding a discussion under a rule that permits voting and the government wants a simple discussion without voting. The Opposition has also asked the government why it is so scared when it has an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha.

Mr. Gandhi said the Prime Minister owed the people an explanation for why he had disrupted their lives. He also owed the Opposition space in the Lok Sabha for a discussion.


Mr. Modi appeared to have time to go to rock concerts, but not to attend Parliament, Mr. Gandhi underscored.

Source:The Hindu

How the Intelligence Bureau tracked Riyaz Bhatkal to Pakistan

Bengaluru, Dec 14: For long Indian agencies believed that the founder of the Indian Mujahideen, Riyaz Bhatkal lived in Sharjah. One evening when a group of officials from the Intelligence Bureau were working on some leads relating to the IM, an ID called menothing1 popped up. This was an ID that was created on the Nimbuzz messaging platform. 

The year was 2012 and it was for the first time that an electronic trail had been found. Riyaz was chatting with Yasin Bhatkal who was at that time the leader of the outfit. The IB officials tracked down this ID to Pakistan. It was then that they realized that the founder of the IM had made a home for himself in the Defence Colony in Karachi, Pakistan.

A cozy home in Karachi: 
Riyaz was an important player for the ISI. He was the one who ensured that a home grown outfit was born. The idea was to carry out a series of blasts by a home grown outfit so that it gave Pakistan the deniability factor.

When Riyaz fled India in 2007, he headed to Sharjah. He stayed there for a few years. However when his address was tracked, it was the ISI which lifted him out and transferred him to Pakistan. After being moved into Pakistan the ISI housed him at the Defence Housing Colony, residential area Phase VI in Karachi. He was moved into this address in November 2012. Riyaz and his brother Iqbal was asked to oversee the operations of the IM from Pakistan. 

Riyaz however shuttled between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia where he would raise funds and also meet with other operatives of the IM. He would coordinate with the likes of Fayyaz Kagzi and Abu Jundal. (Fayyaz Kagzi is a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative wanted in the 2010 German Bakery blasts and the 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case. Abu Jundal is an Indian national, Islamic fundamentalist/terrorist belonging to Indian Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba. He is accused of being involved in 2008 Mumbai attacks.)

India has on several occasions asked Pakistan to hand over Riyaz and his brother Iqbal. Pakistan however denies their existence although there is concrete information about their presence. The IB says that not just Riyaz, but Pakistan has housed at least 20 IM operatives on its soil.


Source:One India

London Chess Classic: Viswanathan Anand draws with Michael Adams

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand had to settle for a draw with British number one Michael Adams in the fourth round of the London Chess Classic in London.

The tide could have turned differently but it was a difficult chance that Anand missed in his calculation.

However, the second draw in four games has kept the Indian ace in contention.

American Hikaru Nakamura continued to be in top gear after a first round debacle and grinded down Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in what was again the only decisive game of the day. During the only decisive game of the third round, Nakamura had beaten Anand.

The peaceful results on other boards helped tour and tournament leader Wesley So of United States cement his place at the top of the table with three points out of a possible four. Fabiano Caruana of United States, Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, Levon Aronian of Armenia and Nakamura now share the second spot with 2.5 points apiece while Anand slipped to joint sixth spot with two points along side Anish Giri of Holland.

It would have been a perfect game but for one moment when Anand could not spot what most of the humans would have missed. The computer suggested an ingenious resource for white in a cramped position that Anand overruled in his on-board analysis and that was the end of speculation for the chess pundits.

For the records Anand enjoyed a minimal advantage out of the opening with his white pieces and eventually settled for a pawn plus endgame.

However, Adams had his counter play in place and the end result was just a level position.

Nakamura seems to be picking up right after the first round when he lost to Wesley. The American was in all-in mode as he went after Topalov’s queen and won it at the cost of two pieces. Topalov had his chances for survival but was a tad slow in picking up the best moves that suited Nakamura perfectly.

With his second win, Nakamura is the one who is likely to go after Wesley.

Like Anand, Kramnik also missed out on an opportunity to go in lead as he failed to convert his extra pawn in an endgame against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France.

It was a tense affair after an irregular opening that gave Kramnik some chances and the Russian could have done better than the end result.

In other games of the day, Wesley So played out a draw with Anish Giri while Fabiano Caruana signed peace with Aronian.

Results, Round 4: V Anand (Ind, 2) drew with Michael Adams (Eng, 1); Anish Giri (Ned, 2) drew with Wesley So (Usa, 3); Veselin Topalov (Bul, 0.5) lost to Hikaru Nakamura; Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 2.5) drew with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, 1.5); Fabiano Caruana (Usa, 2.5) drew with Levon Aronian (Arm, 2.5).

Source:The Hindu

I-T raids in Delhi hotel unearth suitcases of currency notes

Scrapped currency notes, which were seized during income tax raids at a hotel in Karol Bagh, New Delhi, on Wednesday.   | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

In a joint raid conducted by the Delhi Police and Income Tax at a Karol Bagh hotel, police have seized Rs. 3.25 crore in old currency notes.

Interrogation of five men allegedly carrying these bundles of bank notes revealed that the money belongs to Bombay-based hawala operators.

“They have hired packaging specialists who pack these notes in such a manner that it was even undetectable by airport scanning machines,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav.

On the raid, Mr. Yadav said the joint exercise was conducted by the officials of Crime Branch and Income tax officials at Hotel Taksh Inn situated at 13 A/26, WEA Channa Market, Karol Bagh, Delhi.

“On search of Room No. 202 & 206, five persons identified as Ansari Anusar, Fazal Khan, Ansari Affan,(all from Mumbai) Ladu Ram and Mahaveer Singh, (both Rajasthan) were found staying in different rooms,” said Mr. Yadav.

Upon searching, the money was found kept in different suitcases and card board boxes, which on counting added up to Rs. 3.25 crores in demonetised currency notes.


“I-T department has seized the cash and is analysing the mobile details, which allegedly contains details of lots of other hawala operators.,” Mr. Yadav said

Source:The Hindu