Unauthorized disclosure on black money can sabotage probe, Arun Jaitley says

NEW DELHI: Lashing out at those, including the Congress party, who want the government to make names of black money holders public, finance minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said unauthorized disclosure of such names can sabotage investigation and benefit the guilty.

READ ALSO: I am committed towards bringing back black money, PM Narendra Modi says

"An unauthorized disclosure of information is fraught with both investigation and economic consequences. They can sabotage the investigation. They can attract sanctions in the form of withholding taxes," he said in a Facebook post on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that all efforts would be made to bring back black money stashed abroad.

READ ALSO: Centre gives list of 627 foreign account holders to Supreme Court

Questioning those demanding disclosure of names in violation of tax treaties, Jaitley said: "The Congress Party's stand is understandable. It does not want evidence to be forthcoming in support of the names available with SIT. Are some others ill informed, just indulging in bravado or are they Trojan horses?"

Finance minister Arun Jaitley.

The minister exuded confidence that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has been entrusted by the Supreme Court with the investigation, will succeed in bringing out the truth and the NDA government made available all the names in its possession to the SIT on 27th June, 2014 itself.

"The NDA government has had an exemplary record in this matter ... It will continue to support the SIT fully and unequivocally in search of truth," Jaitley said.

The choice before the government was between unauthorized disclosure and disclosure as per treaties, he said, adding that the latter is both a fair and beneficial proposition.

"It will help in collection of evidence and exposure of a wrong doing in accordance with law and fair procedure. A disclosure without evidence would ensure that evidence is never available," he added.

Earlier in his address to the nation over radio, Modi said that bringing back black money from outside the country is an "article of faith" for him and nothing will be lacking in his efforts to do so.

Last week the government had submitted to the Supreme Court in sealed envelopes details of 627 account holders in HSBC Bank Geneva.

The government also came under attack from opposition parties that it was going back on its election promise to unearth and bring back black money stashed abroad.

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No sanction should be needed to probe corruption: Fadnavis

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has proposed to do away with the need for sanction to probe the corruption cases where there is a prima facie evidence.

"Why should any sanction be necessary? We would make a framework...where preliminary inquiry is done and there is a prima facie evidence, no sanction should be taken. We would change the law," Fadnavis told a news channel today.

"There is no need for discretion (for initiating a probe) for corruption cases. When you find certain prima facie evidence, why should you stop?" Fadnavis said, when asked about whether he would allow the anti-corruption bureau to conduct inquiry against NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare in connection with alleged scams in the irrigation sector.

Maharashtra CM DevendraFadnavis

It could also be noted that the then Maharashtra Governor had denied the CBI a sanction to prosecute former chief minister Ashok Chavan in the Adarsh Housing Society case.

READ ALSO : Maharashtra cabinet portfolios announced; CM Devendra Fadnavis keeps home, housing

When asked if he might become another Prithviraj Chavan who was accused of not acting against his corrupt colleagues, Fadnavis said, "I am not Prithviraj Chavan... I am Devendra Fadnavis. My actions would speak more than my words."

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Black money probe: Swiss banks mull anticipatory measures

BERNE/NEW DELHI : As probe into suspected black money stashed abroad by Indians gathers steam, banks in Switzerland are running from pillar to post to safeguard their interest while some are also considering financial provisions in their books for possible penal actions and legal costs.

At the same time, banks are also lobbying with the Swiss government to insist on putting in place necessary measures in their information-exchange and administrative assistance frameworks with India for safeguarding the interest of banking institutions during the subsequent prosecution and other legal or regulatory proceedings in the black money cases. Sources, however, said that the role of some banks, as also that of certain bankers, has already come under scanner for acting in concert with the suspected black money hoarders and also for making 'safe haven' promises for their funds.

The suspected lapses on the part of at least three large European banks, including two from Switzerland itself and the third having a significant presence in the Alpine nation, are also being probed for allegedly facilitating re-routing funds of certain Indian corporate houses back into their listed companies as foreign investments. Capital market watchdog Sebi is probing at least three large global banks and many Indian companies for alleged round tripping of funds by way of multi-layered transactions, while the regulatory noose has further tightened in these cases with involvement of other regulatory and enforcement agencies.

Such transactions are suspected to have taken place in case of 15-20 Indian companies, a senior official said, but refused to disclose their names as also that of the banks saying it might impede the investigations. Some portfolio managers at some banks, which have a significant presence in the Indian financial markets, could have helped clients route money back into the country as foreign funds using investment vehicles across jurisdictions. So far, the focus of this Supreme Court monitored probe has mainly remained on the persons and entities from India suspected to have stashed illicit wealth in overseas locations including Swiss banks.

However, as the probe moves further, including by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) with two former Supreme Court judges as Chairman and Vice-Chairman along with members from various investigative and regulatory agencies, the banks are turning wary about possible action against them going ahead. Senior executives at various banks, including three large ones headquartered in Switzerland and the Swiss units of some major European banks, said that they are considering making financial provisions as anticipatory measures to deal with any action involving them in India's black money probe. The banks are also said to be lobbying with the Swiss government that it should ask the Indian authorities to put in place a 'settlement' mechanism to deal with the suspected entities, including the banks and their customers, before seeking any assistance in its black money probe.

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4,000 Sikhs to visit Pak to mark Guru Nanak birth anniversary

LAHORE : Around 4,000 Sikhs from India and other countries are expected to arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday for the 546th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, at his birthplace Nankana Sahib in Punjab province. "Some 3,000 Sikhs are expected to reach at Wagah Border on Tuesday from India and 1,000 from European countries to take part in the festivities in connection with 546th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak at Nankana Sahib," Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) deputy director (shrines) Fraz Abbas told PTI here today.

'Amrat Jal' (holy water) will be gifted to Indian Sikhs for the first time on their arrival here on November 4 in connection with the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, for which the Pakistani government has called in rangers for their security. Abbas said the ETPB and Pakistan Gurdwara Parbhandik Committee officials would receive the Indian pilgrims at Wagah Border and would ensure that they were provided with all facilities relating to immigration, custom and foreign exchange. They would also be served food at the border. He said, "For the first time 'Amrat Jal' will be gifted in sealed bottles to Indian Yatris. We have cleaned the sacred well at Gurdwara Janamesthan Nankana Sahib (some 80 kilometers from Lahore) on the complaints of the Indian Sikhs and Amrat Jal will be served to the Yatrees from there.

About security arrangements, Abbas said, "Since Guru Nanak's birth anniversary is falling in Islamic month of Muharram we have taken extraordinary security measures for the vising Sikh pilgrims.

In addition to police, Elite Force commandos and Rangers will provide security to the visiting Yatris". He also said the ETPB which looks after the holy places of minorities in the country has also operated four special trains in Sindh and Peshawar to bring Sikhs and Hindus to Nankana Sahib for the festivities. The major event will be held on November 6 at Nankana Sahib where Yatrees will also organise the rally "Nagar Keeten" with Granth Sahib in a special coach from Janam Asthan to Gurdwara Tanbu Sahib. The pilgrims will reach Panja Sahib Hassan Abdal through four special trains on November 7.

On November 11, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar will host brunch in honour of the Yatris at the Governor House. The next day the pilgrims will visit Gurdwara Rohri Sahib in AimanAbad and Gurdwara Kartar Pur Sahib in Narowal. On November 13, yatris from India will leave for home.

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Slight intensity quake hits Nicobar Islands

NEW DELHI : A slight intensity earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale today hit Nicobar Islands but no damage was reported.

According to the Meteorological Department, the quake occurred at 17:08 hours.

There have been no report of any damage or casualty due to the tremor so far.

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‘Kiss of love’ to be held as scheduled in Kerala: Organizers

KOCHI: A day after Kerala high court refused to intervene, the organisers of controversial 'Kiss of Love' protest on Saturday said they would go ahead, even as they were yet to get permission from the police.

Stressing that it was "not a kiss fest" but a gathering of like minded people to raise awareness against moral policing, they said they would next focus on creating awareness about the deadly AIDS.

'Free Thinkers', a group of social networking website Facebook users, is organising the programme tomorrow at the Marine drive grounds to protest against moral policing. The organisers expect about 700-1000 people would participate.

READ ALSO: Massive kissing drive creates excitement in Kerala
"There is no question of backtracking. The protest will be held as scheduled at 5pm at the venue with participants holding placards," Rahul Pasupalan, IT professional and short film maker and Jijo Kuriakose, a researcher and members of 'Free Thinkers' a Facebook group told reporters here.

Students of Maharajas college stage a protest against the event 'Kiss of Love' at Gandhi square in Kochi on Friday. (TOI photo)

On Friday, the organisers had received a shot in the arm with the Kerala high court refusing to interfere with the event after the state government assured action would be taken in the event of any illegal activities.

Two petitions seeking to prohibit the event was disposed by the court recording the government's submission.

"This is not a kiss fest. It is a gathering of like minded people to protest against moral policing. We are independent thinkers and this is a gathering of the Facebook users," they said, adding young and old couple, parents and youngsters were all welcome to participate in the event, which is a platform to protest against moral policing.

READ ALSO: 'Kiss of Love' denied police permission

Rahul said though they approached police four days back with a request for permission to conduct the event, they were yet to receive any intimation allowing or denying permission.

Police officials speaks with the coordinators of 'Kiss of love', as they came for a media interaction at Marine drive in Kochi on Wednesday morning. (TOI photo)

Pointing out that kissing and hugging was only a form of agitation they had chosen to raise awareness against moral policing, Rahul said it was precisely due to the novel form of protest they had adopted that so much heat had been generated.

"Isn't everyone talking about the event?" he asked.

"Because we selected this form of protest, everyone is discussing it. We want to create an awareness against moral policing," they said.

Jijo Kuriakose said the group would next focus their attention on creating awareness about the deadly AIDS.

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BJP should emerge as a diverse party, PM Modi says

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the BJP should emerge as a "diverse" party reflecting the diversity of the country.

"BJP should also come across as a diverse party. People from all strata of society should feel that we have a representative in this vase of flowers," Modi said at a function to launch the BJP's first membership drive post its emphatic win in the 2014 general elections.

"The poor and illiterate should also feel that we are a part of this party. The organization should be expanded in such a manner that it is representative of all and can fulfill the dreams of all," he said.

He added: "People from all sections of society should feel they have a representative in BJP. Our country is full of diversities, BJP should also be visible as a party with diversities."

Modi said that the membership drive should serve as an example globally.

The prime minister became the first member of the BJP in this membership drive, which will last till Match 31.

"By giving me this opportunity, on Saturday the BJP has honoured me. To be a member of such a party is also a matter of pride," he said.

Modi said the BJP is one of the world's most important organizations and could even be a subject of study.

"The BJP is one of the most important organizations in the world. Yet we have never positioned it like that. To be a member of BJP is to live the disciplined life it demands... every member of BJP is a representative of the people," he added.

This October 31, 2014 photo shows boats decorated with cutouts of BJP's election symbol lotus at the Marine Drive in Mumbai. The BJP on Saturday kicked off its membership drive with a target to increase its strength four-fold. (PTI Photo)

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Nitish, Manjhi cannot go together: Paswan

PATNA: Amid reports of differences between Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and his predecessor Nitish Kumar, LJP on Saturday accused Kumar of making mockery of a mahadalit chief minister and said the two could not go along.

"Dono ek rah par chalne wale nahin hain (the two cannot walk together on one path)," LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan told journalists reacting to reports of "difference" between the chief minister and his predecessor.

Paswan accused Nitish Kumar of making mockery of a mahadalit chief minister (Manjhi) by choosing him for the job on "contract basis".

"If he is so sincere about the welfare of dalits and mahadalits, he should have chosen a permanent CM and not one on contract basis," he said.

Alleging that Kumar is not allowing Manjhi to work, Paswan said, "In violation of practice, Kumar calls meeting of legislature party leaders at his residence and keeps Manjhi out. What signal does he want to give through such acts?"

The LJP chief said Kumar's "mahadalit card" by choosing Manjhi temporarily on CM chair till next year Assembly poll had gone wrong.

The LJP president flanked by son and MP Chirag Paswan said that party's foundation day would be celebrated in all 546 districts across the country on November 28.

He said LJP preparation for Bihar poll would start from December 13 next.

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Communal tension in MP's Ujjain, prohibitory orders imposed

UJJAIN: Prohibitory orders against movement were imposed in some parts of Ujjain city on Friday night after a report of attack on a religious place was followed by stone-pelting at the police in Begumbagh area.

"Ujjain collector Kavindra Kiyawat, a police official and few other policemen sustained minor injuries in the stone-pelting," said inspector general Madhu Kumar on Saturday.

Police had received a complaint that unidentified people had hurled a petrol bomb at a religious place of a minority community in Begumbagh.

As the police team reached there and started inquiry, a mob which had gathered on the spot started throwing stones. Stones were also thrown from roofs of the houses in the area.

Police fired several rounds of teargas shells and resorted to baton-charging to bring the situation under control, Kumar said.

After a late night search operation, police arrested 52 persons and orders prohibiting assembly of people and movement in the areas under the jurisdiction of Kotwali, Mahakal, Kharakuan and Jiwajiganj police station were imposed.

Kumar said the situation was today tense but under control, and a large number of policemen had been deployed in the troubled areas.

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Eastern Command turns 94

KOLKATA : From Nainital, Lucknow and Bareilly to Kolkata via Ranchi, it has been a long journey for the Eastern Command over the last 94 years. During this journey, it sent Chindits into Burma to stem the advance of the Japanese towards India, controlled the 1971 Indo-Pak War in the east that facilitated the creation of Bangladesh and continues to combat insurgency in the North East. The Eastern Command, the biggest operational command of the Indian Army, turned 94 on Saturday.

The celebrations started with Lt Gen MMS Rai laying a wreath at Vijay Smarak, Fort William, in honour of those who laid down their lives for the cause of the nation. "Eastern Command will continue to strive for unparalleled professional competence to ensure the highest standards of operational readiness," the Army commander said.

The history of the Eastern Command dates back to 1895 when the Bengal Presidency Army was abolished. It was Gen Viscount Kitchener's reforms till World War I that gave the command its military character. The command was formed on November 1, 1920, with its summer headquarters in Nainital and winter headquarters in Lucknow. Gen Sir H Hudson was its first commander and its territorial jurisdiction extended across Delhi, UP, Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Assam. On January 1, 1939, Meerut, Lucknow, Bengal, Assam and Delhi military districts came under Eastern Command. The winter headquarters moved to Bareilly.

In April 1942, the command was designated as Eastern Army and its headquarters moved to Barrackpore to prosecute efforts during World War II. Its formations, however, were forced to affect the longest tactical retreat (1500 kms) through Malaya and Burma against superior Japanese forces. In June 1942, plans were prepared to limit Japanese advance at Imphal and Kohima and to recover Burma, thereby handing the Japanese their biggest ever defeat in World War II.

"The command then consisted of 4 Corps (Headquarters at Imphal) with 17 and 23 Indian Division, 33 Corps (Headquarters at Arakan) with 14 and 26 Indian Division, 70 British Division and 50 Indian Tank Brigade in reserve. In February 1943, the first 'Chindit' operations were mounted in Burma by 77 Indian Infantry Brigade (Chindits) under Brigadier Orde Wingate. The force was maintained wholly by air. At the time of Independence, Eastern Command was located in Ranchi. In 1955, it moved back to Lucknow, and eight years later to Fort William in Kolkata. The Eastern Command theatre consists of three distinct geographical regions, the mountainous sectors of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the north, the jungle-clad hill tracts of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya in the east and the south, and the plains of Assam and Bengal," a senior officer said.

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