Dumka, Jharkahnd:Prime Minister NarendraModi today launched theMudra scheme in Dumkaunder which people cantake loans up to Rs. 10lakh to start businesses.

"The Mudra scheme isone step forward to accel-erate development in thecountry. Till now, 42 lakhpeople have taken bene-fits under the Mudrascheme and loans ofRs.26,000 crore havebeen given," PM Modisaid while launching thescheme in the state.

"Of these 42 lakh peo-ple, 20 lakh are women.This is the best exampleof empowerment ofwomen, who will becomea part of the develop-ment," he said, pointingout that interest wouldhave to be paid on theamount withdrawnthrough the debit card andnot on the entire loanamount.

The Pradhan MantriMUDRA (Micro UnitsDevelopment and

Refinance Agency)Yojana was launched inApril to help small entre-preneurs. In Jharkhand,around one lakh peoplehave been given loansunder the Mudra scheme.

PM Modi also criticisedpolitical rivals who talkedabout poor people."Politics has been done inthe last 60 years in thename of the poor but noone thought about moth-ers cooking food by burn-ing fuelwood. We have tillnow given LPG cylindersto 18 lakh poor people.On my appeal, 31 lakhpeople have given upLPG cylinder subsidies,"the prime minister added.

"Today is the birthanniversary of MahatmaGandhi and he will behappy if forests are savedby not cutting trees forfuelwood to cook food,"PM Modi said.

The prime minister alsolaunched the renovationof a series of Maluti tem-ples in Dumka district of

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MUMBAITemperature: 350CPrecipitation:52%Humidity:65%Wind: 15Km/hr

HAQSAADDAFIGHT FOR RIGHTSATURDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2015

PM Modi Praises Sushma Swaraj for 'PerfectArticulation' of Global Issues at UN

Haryana Government Starts Scheme for'Adoption' of Wild Animals

Dadri Mob Killing: Akhilesh Targets PM,Challenges Him To Ban Beef Exports

Patna: Over Rs. 50 lakh incash was seized by the police inthe last 24 hours in Bihar whichwill go to elections this month.

More than 11,000 litres ofliquor and 35 kg ganja was alsocaught in the last one day.

While Rs. 28.85 lakhaccounted cash was seized from

CONTD. ON PAGE 2

Over Rs. 50 Lakh in CashSeized in Poll-Bound Bihar

New Delhi: Delhi ChiefMinister Arvind Kejriwal todayslammed Prime MinisterNarendra Modi for ignoring latePrime Minister Lal BahadurShastri, whose birth anniversarycoincides with MahatmaGandhi's on October 2.

After paying tributes to CONTD. ON PAGE 2

Arvind Kejriwal Slams PMfor Ignoring Ex-PMShastri's Birth Anniversary

Sawai Madhopur: A year afterthe Swachh Bharat Abhiyan wasflagged off, Rajasthan has littlereason to celebrate with its citiesfaring poorly in the nationalcleanliness index. ChiefMinister Vasundhara Raje choseto mark the occasion by arrivingat a district hospital for an

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On Swachh BharatAnniversary, VasundharaRaje Mops a Hospital

Mumbai: Maharashtra ChiefMinister Devendra Fadnavis haslaunched 46 government servicesthat will go completely online forMaharashtrians across the country.

With this, citizens will be able toget certificates like a domicile cer-tificate or a caste certificate online,instead of standing in queues and meeting officers toget their job done. Officials who are responsible for

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46 Government Servicesin Maharashtra Go Online

New Delhi: Former UttarPradesh Chief MinisterMayawati has been questionedby the Central Bureau ofInvestigation in connection withthe alleged swindling of funds inthe implementation of centrallyfunded National Rural HealthMission (NRHM).

During her questioning by the CBI officials onMonday, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati

CONTD. ON PAGE 2

Mayawati Questioned by CBI inNational Rural Health Mission Scam

Guwahati: Assam ChiefMinister Tarun Gogoi todayannounced to launch a newemployement generation and

infrastructure building schemefor rural areas under MahatmaGandhi's name and spend Rs.50,000 crore over the next five

years for this."We plan to launch the scheme from next year. We

will spend Rs. 50,000 crore over the next five years forthis scheme. We have already tied up with World Bankfor a portion of the funding," Mr Gogoi told PTI in an

CONTD. ON PAGE 2

Assam to Spend Rs. 50,000 Crorefor New Scheme for Rural Areas

Mumbai: Rich tributes werepaid to Mahatma Gandhi andformer Prime Minister LalBahadur Shastri on the

occasion of their birthanniversaries today.

Chief Minister DevendraFadnavis garlanded portraits of

CONTD. ON PAGE 2

Maharashtra Leaders PayHomage to Mahatma Gandhi,Lal Bahadur Shastri

New Delhi: Hardik Pateltoday made a strong pitch forthe rights of the farmers andsaid that he will 'fight strongly'for them in Gujarat and otherstates.

"A lot of injustice has beenmeted to farmers in this coun-try. We have to fight for their

CONTD. ON PAGE 2

Hardik Patel Says Will'Fight Strongly' forFarmers' Rights

P4 P8P3

Weather ReportDELHITemperature: 360CPrecipitation:36%Humidity: 54%Wind: 19Km/hr

KOLKATATemperature: 310CPrecipitation: 67%Humidity:66% Wind: 18Km/hr

CHENNAITemperature: 350CPrecipitation:65%Humidity:44%Wind: 17Km/hr

New Delhi: FormerPrime MinisterManmohan Singh hastold CBI that he did nottry to "influence" any-body, nor was there "anyundue haste" in awardingthe Talabira-II coal blockto HINDALCO whichwas initially refused.

He also told CBI,investigating the case,that he had neither prom-ised, nor gave any assur-ance to industrialistKumar Mangalam Birlaabout allocation of theblock in Odisha to hisfirm HINDALCO.

Mr Singh, who washolding the portfolio ofthe Coal Ministry in2005, said he only for-

warded the letters ofBirla and Chief Ministerof Odisha NaveenPatnaik in this regard tothe Ministry for carefulexamination.

"On being asked, Istate that I do not recallhaving told anyone inPMO to issue reminders,

other than the noting ofmy PS. It is a routineadministrative matter.The PM does not go intothese issues. Anyway, Ihad already stated that Idid not try to influenceanybody and that therewas no undue haste in

CONTD. ON PAGE 2

Did Not Influence Anyone to Give CoalBlock to Birla: Manmohan Singh

Vol. 1 Issue: 409 Price: Rs.3:00 Reg. No: DELENG/2014/58212 Delhi Edition Pages: 8 Website: www.saaddahaq.in Email: news.saaddahaq@gmail.com

Madurai: Indian Railwayswill continue the 'SwachhBharat' mission till March2016, when 'Sardar PatelUnited Clean India Drive'would be implemented, withfocus on cleanliness at stations,hospitals and office premises, a

CONTD. ON PAGE 2

Railways to Continue'Swachh Bharat' MissionTill March 2016

NEWS IN BRIEF

Kathmandu: PrimeMinister Sushil Koiralatoday requested India notto delay the opening ofthe trading points to easethe supply of essentialgoods into Nepal, amidroad blockade on theborder by Madhesi pro-testers over the country'snew Constitution.

"I hereby request gov-ernment of India toensure Nepal's transitrights are not affected byany delay at the borderchecking points," MrKoirala said, a day afterIndia emphasised that it

can only take goods upto the border and beyondthat it is the responsibili-ty of the Nepalese side toensure adequate safetyand security for the

trucks.The agitating Madhesi

groups have imposed ablockade and stalled sup-ply of essential goods

CONTD. ON PAGE 2

PM Modi Launches Mudra Scheme in Jharkhand

Nepal Prime Minister Requests India toNot Delay Opening of Trading Points

Odisha EngineerAbducted by Islamic StateComes Back Home

B h u b a n e s w a r :Biochemical engineerPrabhas Samal, who wasabducted by the IslamicState terrorist group inLibya last month, reachedOdisha today.

Mr Samal, who hailsfrom Odisha's Kendrapadadistrict, reached New Delhion Wednesday after he wasreleased by the terroristgroup recently.

"Till date I am ignoranthow I managed to wriggleout from the harrowingexperience. I could onlyfeel that some unseenpower was and is behindme for which I am here inmy motherland safe and

CONTD. ON PAGE 2

Raxaul: About 200metres from the Nepalborder, in the Indiantown of Raxaul, amakeshift communitykitchen opened uparound two weeks ago.Hundreds of protestersfrom Nepal, who havepitched tents on thestretch of no-man's landbetween the twonations, eat two meals aday at the kitchen.

The protesters arefrom the Madhesi com-munity, who share eth-

nic ties with peopleacross the border on theIndian side. They areprotesting Nepal'srecently adopted consti-tution which theyallege, infringes on theirrights.

The protesters havemanaged to cut off sup-plies to Nepal throughthe critical border cross-ing for more than twoweeks now. Nepalalleges, the protestershave Indian help - an

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Along the Border, An Indian'Connection' To Nepal Protesters

Jodhpur: The All IndiaRailwaymen's Federation(AIRF) today alleged thatthe Centre's apathytowards filling up about2.54 lakh "vacant" postsin the Railways wasaffecting its functioning.

At the 91st annual con-ference of AIRF, GeneralSecretary Shiv GopalMishra further allegedthat the government wasdissolving several postswhich meant that the rail-

way employees had towork overtime.

"About 2.54 lakh posts CONTD. ON PAGE 2

Mumbai: In a countrywhere income tax collec-tions have historicallybeen low is it possible thatthe people themselveswould willingly loosentheir purse strings?

A whopping Rs. 400crores - that's how muchChief Minister DevendraFadnavis' office said peo-ple have willingly donatedto the Maharashtra govern-ment's ambitious projectJalyukt Shivar Abhiyan tomake the 25,000 villagesin the state drought-free by2019.

This came after the statewas hit by the Rs. 70,000crore-irrigation scam in theprevious regime led by theCongress and NationalistCongress Party.

In July this year, on hisbirthday, Mr Fadnavisurged citizens to financial-ly help his governmentresolve the drought situa-tion in Maharashtra.

And then there was nostopping, the governmentsays. From villagers tofarmers to governmentemployees to Bollywoodsuperstar Akshay Kumar tocricketer Ajinkya Rahaneto spiritual guru Sri SriRavishankar - it has beenan enthusiastic surge ofcontributions.

And the benefits arebeing distributed remark-able transparency, claimsKishor Tiwari an activistwho is now chairman ofthe Vasantrao Naik Sheti

CONTD. ON PAGE 2

New Delhi: The nationtoday rememberedMahatma Gandhi on his146th birth anniversarywith President PranabMukherjee, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, CongressChief Sonia Gandhi andother leaders paying floraltributes to him at hismemorial in New Delhi.

Vice President HamidAnsari, Union Ministers MVenkaiah Naidu andMahesh Sharma, DelhiChief Minister ArvindKejriwal, BJP leader L KAdvani and Congressleader Ghulam Nabi Azadtoo joined in paying hom-age to the Father of the

Nation.PM Modi, who arrived at

Rajghat at around 7:40AM, offered rose petals tothe 'samadhi', whichattracts a large number ofGandhian followers andadmirers today.

Clad in a khadi kurta andwhite pyjama, and a longtraditional scarf, PM Modi,during his brief visit there,paid homage to theMahatma by bowing hishead at his memorial andCONTD. ON PAGE 2

Nation Pays Homage to MahatmaGandhi on 146th Birth Anniversary

Railways Federation DemandsGovernment to Fill Vacancies

For Maharashtra's Drought-Hit Farmers,Aam Aadmi Donate Rs. 400 Crores

New Delhi: UnionTransport Minister NitinGadkari today said thecentral government is con-structing 10,000 km ofroads in the northeasternstates at a cost of Rs.50,000 crore.

"The Centre is laying10,000 km wide road net-work in the tribal-dominat-ed northeastern states at acost of Rs. 50,000 crore.Efforts are also on to builda rail link across the sevenstates of the northeastregion," Mr Gadkari said

at the inauguration of athree-day conferenceorganised by RSS-affiliat-ed Vanvasi KalyanAshram.

Lauding the work of theAshram, Mr Gadkari saidwhat cannot be done by thegovernment is being doneby the Ashram.Maharashtra Governor CVidyasagar Rao, who inau-gurated the event, hailedthe contribution of tribalcommunities in India'sfreedom struggle.

CONTD. ON PAGE 2

Centre Building 10,000-Kilometre Road Network inNortheast: Nitin Gadkari

Banka, Bihar: PrimeMinister Narendra Modiaddressed a rally inBihar's Banka districttoday, his first in the statesince the five-phasedelections were declared.

Here are the top 10quotes from his speech:1. This time Bihar will

celebrate two Diwalis.

First, when electionresults are declared andthe second, on the dayof Diwali

2. Bihar has seen feudal-ism, capitalism, sepa-ratism and nepotism.For once, vote fordevelopment.

3.I appeal to the youthwho have taken to the

gun for Naxalism - thebullet brings onlydestruction. The ballotbrings development

4. Package announced forBihar is not a favour,but your right

5. India cannot advancewithout Bihar'sprogress

CONTD. ON PAGE 2

PM Modi's Top 10 Quotes at Bihar Rally

India has rejected as "totally false" allegationsthat it blockaded a key trade checkpoint at border

2 NEW DELHI | SATURDAY | OCTOBER 03, 2015Fight for right

PM Modi Launches...Jharkhand. "By renovation and conserva-

tion of the Maluti temples, tourism will bedeveloped in the Santhal region that will gen-erate jobs for the youth," he said.

PM Modi's Top...6. Sons and daughters of Bihar have to leave

their parents and look for employment else-where. I want to change this

7. I cannot trust the current government inBihar. They are so arrogant that they returnwhat I send for the state

8. 15 years ago was Jharkhand not a part ofBihar? After it chose a BJP-led NDA gov-ernment, it progressed so much

9. I want to assure you that once you trust us,I will stand by your side always. No onewill be able to stop Bihar's progress

10. Change in the country will begin withBihar

Centre Building..."History could be re-written if the contribu-

tion of tribals in the freedom struggle wasexplored in detail. The tribals were in theforefront during India's first war of independ-ence in 1857. The nation can't forget the con-tribution of tribal leaders like Birsa Munda,Komaram Bheem, Hirabai, Rani Gaidinliu ofNagaland, and many others in various strug-gles," he said.

Lamenting that tribal communities have notreceived the benefits of development as muchas others, Mr Rao said there should be a sep-arate chapter in school text books which willhighlight the role of tribals in the freedomstruggle and civilisation.

"Tribals are an integral part of India. Theyhave contributed to the development ofIndian civilisation, culture and tradition.There are several references to the tribals inthe ancient scriptures of India.

"In tribal communities, women are alwaystreated with respect and dignity. Today theworld is talking of maintaining a harmonybetween man and nature. But, these tribalsare a living example of perfect harmonybetween man and nature," he said.

The Governor also congratulated VanvasiKalyan Ashram for its "outstanding serviceand exemplary work" for welfare of tribals

Odisha Engineer ...sound," he said. Mr Samal said that he was

not tortured during captivity. "I really don'tknow about +who kidnapped me and whythey released only me. I can tell you that Iwas not tortured in anyway," he said.

"I have forgotten the pain of captivity afterseeing my relatives and the warm reception Igot here," Mr Samal added.

He was given a warm welcome by his rela-tives at his cousin's home in Bhubaneswar.

Mr Samal was working in a hospital inLibya as a biochemical engineer since 2002.

Nepal Prime ...from India to Nepal via road, causing short-

age of essential goods in the country.India has rejected as "totally false" allega-

tions that it blockaded the key trade check-point on the border with Nepal.

The Nepal government has formed a teamheaded by forest minister Mahesh Acharyaand informal talks have already started withthe agitating groups. Madhesis are Indian-ori-gin inhabitants of the Terai region borderingIndia who are opposed to splitting Nepal intoseven provinces. The agitating Madhesi Frontclaims that the Constitution does not guaran-tee enough rights and representation to theMadhesi and Tharu communities residing insouthern Nepal. At least 40 people have diedin over a month of clashes between policeand protesters from the Madhesi and Tharucommunities and ethnic minorities.

K P Oli, who is tipped to be the next primeminister, yesterday said: "India should notimpose undeclared blockade in the name ofdissatisfaction expressed by a few politicalparties and some political leaders (on the newConstitution). India has rejected as "totallyfalse" allegations that it blockaded a key tradecheckpoint on the border with Nepal.

Nation Pays...performing a 'parikrama' (circumambula-

tion) around it. "Heartfelt homage to reveredfather of the nation ('Poojya baapu ko shatshat naman')," PM Modi wrote on Twittertoday. He also posted a sepia-toned picture ofGandhi, standing beside a broom, to empha-sise the Gandhian vision-driven mission of'Swachh Bharat'. Mahatma Gandhi, besidesstanding for liberty and freedom, also cham-pioned the cause of cleanliness, and PrimeMinister's 'Clean India' campaign which com-pleted one year today is a tribute to his val-ues. "Cleanliness was very close to MahatmaGandhi's heart.

Let us reaffirm our commitment for aSwachh Bharat & fulfil our beloved Bapu'sdream. A clean India will enhance our devel-opment journey & benefit the poor," said PMModi on the picture post.

President Mukherjee also paid floral trib-utes to the Mahatma at his memorial.

An all-faith prayer ceremony was also heldon the occasion at the memorial. Both PMModi and Mr Mukherjee attended the func-tion during their brief visits.

Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit,who arrived along with Sonia Gandhi, alsopaid homage to the Mahatma on his birthanniversary.

Ambassadors of France, Japan, amongother dignitaries also attended the function.

A large number of school children alsogathered at the venue to pay homage to thefather of the nation. The nation also remem-bered former Prime Minister Lal BahadurShastri on his 111th birth anniversary withPrime Minister Narendra Modi leading thenation in paying homage to the leader, whogave the slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan'.

"Salutation on the anniversary of LalBahadur Shastri ji (Lal Bahadur Shastri ji kijayanti par mera pranam," PM Modi tweeted.

In his message, he also posted a picture,saying, "I bow to the proud son of India ShriLal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary".

Did Not Influence...arriving at the decision," he said.While Birla had written letters requesting

the Government to "change the decision" ofnot considering HINDALCO for the coalblock, Mr Patnaik had requested a review ofthe decision. Mr Singh, who has been sum-moned as accused by a special CBI court inthe case, in a statement to the agency has saidthat recommendation of the Ministry toaccommodate HINDALCO was approved byhim. There was no "undue haste" in arrivingat the decision to allocate the block to HIN-DALCO, he maintained.

The Supreme Court had on April 1 stayedthe trial court's order summoning Mr Singhand others, including Birla and ex-CoalSecretary PC Parakh, as accused in the case.

In his statement recorded before CBI,which is probing the alleged scam in allottinga coal block to HINDALCO, Singh said hehad received a May 7, 2005, letter from Birlaurging the government to allocate Talabira-IIblock to his firm as it would enable them toset up a large aluminium plant in Odisha.

"I knew of the decision that I had alreadygiven the approval to the Secretary (Coal) toapprove the minutes of the 25th SC (screen-ing committee) at his level. The letter of MrBirla was merely forwarded to the MoC(Ministry of Coal) with instructions to get areport," he told the CBI.

"I gave no promise or assurance to Mr Birlathat coal block would be allocated. Therequest of Mr Birla was to change the deci-sion and matter was whether or not the mattershould be re-opened or not," Mr Singh said inhis statement which has been placed onrecord before the court by CBI.

As per the 25th screening committee, thecase of number of companies, including HIN-DALCO, was not considered favourable andit had decided to allocate the Talabira-II coalblock to Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd(NLC). Mr Singh also told CBI that Birla hadwritten two letters in support of his requestwhich he had asked the Prime Minister'sOffice (PMO) to send to the Coal Ministryfor a report. "It is thus clear that as CoalMinister and PM, I did nothing more thanmerely forwarding the letters of KumarMangalam Birla for examination by the CoalMinistry. Kumar Mangalam Birla hadrequested for allocation of a coal block," hesaid. "It was only fair that his representationon the matter be carefully examined. I did nomore than this. I repeat that I did not seek toinfluence the assessment and report of theCoal Ministry in processing Birla's represen-tation at any stage," Mr Singh told the inves-tigating officer.

Regarding Birla's letter, Mr Singh said theindustrialist had mentioned about aluminiumproject in Odisha and emphasised on the needfor Talabira-II coal block to set up a globallycompetitive aluminium smelter which hademployment and revenue generation poten-tial in the state.

For Maharashtra's...Swavalamban Mission - a government

body which oversees the distribution of reliefto distressed farmers.

"The difference is that there has been a pol-icy shift from big dams of the Congress-NCPgovernment to micro-irrigation projectswhich are de-centralised. Most importantly,there is very little corruption," he claimed.

The government said that work had startedin 6,180 villages in the first phase and1,20,485 small projects were completed. Innearly 3,000 villages, work worth about Rs.300 crores were done through people's partic-ipation which includes contribution ofmachinery.

Maharashtra's farmer suicide belt extendsfrom Vidarbha to the Marathwada region. Inthe latter alone, this year 740 farmers havekilled themselves hit by the agrarian crisis ascompared to 574 who committed suicide in2014. Though the impact of the schemecouldn't be seen as much this year as it hashardly rained, when the skies opened up twoweeks ago, farm ponds and canals wereimmediately filled to the brim.

Along the...accusation that the Indian government has

strongly rejected.But despite no state help, businessman

Mahesh Agarwal, who is running the kitchen,says he and other volunteers are spendingmore than Rs. 1 lakh everyday on the food.

Many of his relatives live on the other side,said Mr Agarwal, who runs a soap and chem-ical business with a big presence in Nepal. Hesays they will run the kitchen as long as need-ed as they support the agitation.

"What kind of democracy is Nepal that agroup of people is demanding something for50 days and no one is listening to them?" saidMr Agarwal.

The protesting Madhesi community saidthey expect help from their Indian kin.

Vijay Mansingh, one of the leaders of theagitation, said, "Yes, people on the Indianside are helping us and there is nothing wrongwith that. Till we cripple supplies toKathmandu, the government there will notlisten." Officially, India has rejected as "total-ly false" allegations that it has imposed ablockade, saying it is the responsibility of theNepal government to facilitate the entry oftrucks. Home Minister Rajnath Singh earlierthis week urged the Nepal government andprotesters to initiate dialogue and end theimpasse.

Railways Federation...are vacant in the Railways in different

categories and this has been affecting thestate-run transporter's functioning, mainte-nance and safety," he said. Over 20,000railway employees are participating in thethree-day conference being held inJodhpur. Noting that safety was an impor-tant issue, Mr Mishra said the governmentshould expedite the process of filling upvacant posts so that the existing staff getsadequate rest. He also demanded that newposts should be created before new trainsand sections are introduced, as well astraining of new technology to the staff.

"We demand that the duty hours for anemployee under any category should notexceed eight hours and that the control staffshould get rest at least once a week," hedemanded.

Opposing any kind of move of privatisa-tion in Railways, the AIRF general secre-tary said the government should withdrawits decision regarding FDI in railways,introduction of PPP model and outsourcing.

Condemning Bibek Debroy committee'sreport on ways to restructure and mod-ernise the public transporter, Mr Mishrasaid that this was nothing but a conspiracyto kill Railways and privatise it.

46 Government...delay will be identified and penalised."This is a promise we made to the people of

Maharashtra when we assumed power in thestate almost a year ago. It is being fulfilledand as we go along the scope will be expand-ed," the Chief Minister said.

The government has notified 224 servicesfrom various departments under "Right ToService Initiative", out of which 46 werelaunched online today on "Aaple Sarkar', anonline portal which the public can access. Forthose places where the internet does notreach, the website can accessed through gov-ernment run centres that are being set up inevery district. However, the existing methodfor these services will continue till the timethe time the state reaches 100 per cent digitalliteracy. The government has also promisedto look into simplification of forms. ChiefSecretary Swadheen Kshatriya said, "Look atSaral. It means simple but it is hardly that.Some forms like the domicile form ask:'When did your parents come here? Why didthey stay here? What were they doing? Whydid they not go back?' We need to simplifyforms and make them bilingual."

The portal also has a way to appeal againstrequests that are rejected. But critics say theappeal process is so tedious that it will be thesame as earlier. RTI Activist Anil Galgalisays, "The appeal function should be madesimpler so that people can actually questionthe role of errant officials." The launch is alsoa move towards Digital India, a move thePrime Minister Narendra Modi pushed duringhis visit to Silicon Valley earlier this week.Mr Fadnavis says it is his aim to create aDigital Maharashtra ahead of any other state.

Assam to Spend...interview. While a portion would be funded

through World Bank loans, the rest would bemade available by the state government andborrowings from local banks, he said.

"In the next 2-3 days, we will set up a cab-inet committee on this. It will then decide onforming an Expert Group for launching andimplementation of the Scheme," Mr Gogoisaid, adding the group of experts wouldinclude people from the global lender andIndian industry as well.

The scheme is proposed to be rolled outfrom next year and the Bill would be intro-duced in the next session of the AssamAssembly, the Chief Minister said.

Elaborating on the scheme, Mr Gogoi saidthe details were yet to be worked out, but itwould create jobs and build infrastructure invarious areas such as rural connectivity, storehouses, processing unit, cold storage, power,marketing unit and network, transport andpackaging among others.

"Our main target is to uplift all the peoplein below poverty line to above poverty line inthe next five years. This is in sync with our

plan to develop smart villages across thestate," the chief minister said.

He said the World Bank association was fordeveloping agri-related businesses in ruralareas. "Now we have mixed it with overallrural development agenda and employmentgeneration. So it will be a scheme of theWorld Bank, the Assam government and theIndian banks. We will develop the villages ina cluster way," Mr Gogoi said.

He said if implemented properly, theMahtama Gandhi Emloyment Generation andRural Transformation Scheme would changethe face of rural Assam.

Mayawati Questioned...allegedly evaded answers on crucial ques-

tions and even feigned ignorance on some ofthe decisions taken during her tenure as theChief Minister. 59-year-old Mayawati was atthe helm of affairs in Uttar Pradesh during2007-12 during which NRHM misappropria-tion is alleged. She is being examined tounearth the larger conspiracy of the Rs.10,000 scam, sources said.

The sources said the agency needs clarifica-tion on funding of some projects underNRHM in which some top officials includingthe then Principal Secretary, Health, PradeepShukla has been charged by the agency. Theysuspect that the Chief Minister played a keyrole in appointing health officials in variousdistricts of the state.

Her former cabinet colleague Babu SinghKushwaha has been in jail since 2012 for hisrole in the scam which spanned across vari-ous departments of the agency and involvedmultiple crores. It has been alleged that hugesum has been siphoned off by politicians,bureaucrats and doctors from the funds meantfor the NRHM, a central government schememeant to provide health care facilities to peo-ple in rural areas.

As many as five persons had died or wereallegedly murdered in an attempt to cover upthe large-scale irregularities in the case.

The NRHM scam cases are being investi-gated by the CBI which has submitted chargesheet against the accused persons.

So far, the CBI has filed 74 cases filedcharges in more than 40 of them in which trialis on.

Over Rs. 50 ...Gopalganj district, Rs. 10 lakh from

Athmalgola locality in the state capital, arelease issued by the Chief Electoral Officer(CEO) said today.

Rs. 3.79 lakh cash was seized in Begusaraidistrict followed by Rs. 3 lakh from Hathdaharea in Patna district, Rs. 2.40 lakh in Vaishalidistrict, Rs. 1.50 lakh in Gaya district and Rs.1.01 lakh in Arwal district, it said.

In incidents of Model Code of Conduct(MCC) violations, 12 cases have been lodgedfor defacement of public property and onecase for defacement of private property.

The cases related to misuse of vehicles andillegal meeting/speech stood at four and onerespectively, besides four cases in others' cat-egory. In matters related to law and order vio-lation, nine arms/weapons and 73 ammuni-tion were seized and 1890 licensed armsdeposited with the authorities. As many as880 licensed arms have been cancelled, while733 non-bailable warrants executed.

The police have collected about Rs. 20 lakhas fine during checking of vehicles across thestate. In prohibition-related matters, 32 caseshave been registered and 130 raids conductedin this regard. 57 people have been arrested inprohibition-related cases and Rs. 1.75 lakhpenalty imposed for possession of liquor.

Arvind Kejriwal ...Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri,

Mr Kejriwal posted a series of tweets, criticis-ing Mr Modi for not visiting Mr Shastri'smemorial at Vijay Ghat.

He also accused the central government ofstopping funding for the celebration of MrShastri's birth anniversary. Mr Shastri becameIndia's second Prime Minister after MrJawaharlal Nehru's death in 1964.

"I urge the central government to celebratethe birthday of Shastriji officially like that ofGandhi's." "When I went to pay tribute to him(Shastri) I found out that from this year Centrehas stopped giving money to celebrateShastri's birthday," he said in a succession oftweets. "Then I got to know that PrimeMinister Narendra Modi did not visit hismemorial. I feel that he should not beignored," tweeted the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) chief, calling the late Congress leader asymbol of honesty and simplicity. Mr Shastri'sgrandson Adarsh Shastri is an AAP lawmakerin Delhi.

On Swachh...unannounced inspection.After meeting patients, the chief minister

picked up a mop and wiped a stretch of thehospital floor at Sawai Madhopur, about 150kilomteres from Jaipur. She then asked law-maker Sukhbir Singh Jaunpuria and legislatorDiya Kumari to do the same.

"It's merely a symbolic gesture," said thechief minister. "If I can do it, why can't every-body else, I am not asking people to sweep thestreets but keep your homes and city cleanbecause Rajasthan is a tourist state and iftourists come here and see clean cities theyfeel good," she said.

The legislator from Sawai Madhopur DiyaKumari said, "Our chief minister is committedto this issue of cleanliness and it's not justabout a photo op. In Sawai Madhopur, we havesigned a contract for door-to-door garbage col-lection and are soon going to set up a systemof waste management."

But the Congress says this is merely animage building exercise especially since theCentre's own Swachh Bharat index released bythe Ministry of Urban Development in Augustthis year found that Rajasthan's major touristcities fare badly. "This is just a farce. It is noth-ing more than a photoshoot. Their own (BJP)government's assessment says cities inRajasthan are among the dirtiest in India,"Congress spokesperson Archana Sharma said.

Rajasthan's capital city Jaipur scored a low370 out of the 476 cities surveyed in the coun-try. Udaipur, another tourists popular destina-tion, fared even worse scoring 417 whileJodhpur was at 337.

Hardik Patel...rights. We will fight strongly. Gujarat is my

turf but I will reach out to other states as well.Leading an agitation for reservations for the

Patel community in Gujarat, the 22-year-oldinvoked the slogans of national leaders at aMaha Kisan Panchayat in New Delhi.

"Today is the birth anniversary of bothMahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastribut people have forgotten Shastri. Nobodyremembers his slogan of Jai Jawan, JaiKisan," he said

Mr Patel attacked the ruling classes forpoliticizing issues concerning the peasantryand urged farmers to unite in their bid toensure they are respected.

"I will only say you feed the entire country.If someone tries to fool you, answer theirbricks with stones. Give them a befittingreply. Only then there will be talk about farm-ers' respect, ensuring their welfare," he said.

On the issue of Delhi farmers, he said thatthe lands acquired for developmental purpos-es be returned to them if the plots remainunused.

"We are going to fight for their rights to seetheir lands are returned if they are not beingused. Whenever you (developers) will needland, you can come back to us. But for now,give it back to land-owning farmers," he said.

Expressing concern over farmers' suicides,he asked the peasants to promise him thatthey would not give up and fight until theirlast breath. "I will also urge women workingin agrarian sector to don the role of RaniLaxmibai to fight for their pride and respect,"Mr Patel said.

The Panchayat was attended by leaders ofvarious farmers' bodies from 20 states.

Mr Patel criticized Prime MinisterNarendra Modi for not visiting the memorialof Lal Bahadur Shastri in New Delhi on thelate leader's birth anniversary. He has insult-ed Shastri (by not visiting Vijay Ghat)," MrPatel said.

Maharashtra Leaders...the two stalwarts at Mantralaya this morn-

ing. "We are moving ahead on the path ofdevelopment shown by Mahatma Gandhi. Mysalutations to Rashtrapita on his birth anniver-sary," Mr Fadnavis tweeted. In another tweet,he said, "My salutations to one of the greatestsons of Bharat Mata. A humble, visionaryleader Lal Bahadur Shastriji on his birthanniversary!"

State Congress president Ashok Chavan paidfloral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi's statue nearMantralaya on his 146th birth anniversary andto Shastri on his 111th birth anniversary at hisstatue near Regal cinema in South Mumbai.

Later, at Tilak Bhavan, Chavan and state unitoffice-bearers and party workers paid homageto the two leaders by garlanding their portraits.

In his speech, the Congress leader recalledtheir contribution in the freedom movementand nation building and how their teachingswere relevant in the present time.

The Nationalist Congress Party or NCP alsopaid tributes to the two leaders at a function inthe party office.

Railways to Continue ...senior official said in Madurai today.The focus would be on stations from

October 11 to 31, followed by railwaycolonies from December 16 to 31 andRailway Hospitals from February 15 to 28.Later systematic efforts would be taken toachieve sustained cleanliness and improve-ment in the environment, Divisional RailwayManager Sunil Kumar Garg said, quotingRailway board chairman's communique.

Speaking to reporters here today, he said alarger section of staff and public would beinvolved in the cleanliness drive and uncov-ered areas also would be taken up in a phasedmanner.

He also said the Safety Commissioner wasexpected to inspect the Pollachi-PalghatBroad Gauge conversion work on October 5and 6. If clearance was received, trains boundfor Gujarat, Maharashtra and Mangalorecould be operated through this section.

This would reduce the distance betweenMadurai and Mangalore and other states,including Maharashtra and Gujarat, consider-ably by about 100 to 150 km, he said.

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