Consumer Affairs Secy Pankaj Agarwal dead
New Delhi: Consumer Affairs Secretary Pankaj Agarwal on Friday passed away following a heart attack. Agarwal, an IAS officer of 1978 batch from Uttar Pradesh cadre, was 58 years old. “Agrawal passed away in the morning. He had a heart attack while getting ready to go to the office,” Food and Consumer Affairs Ministry spokesperson said. Agarwal became secretary in the Consumer Affairs Ministry in August 2012 and he was to retire in October 2015.
Katra train services to resume from feb 2
New Delhi: The much-delayed train service to Katra, the base camp to the famous Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, is likely to start from February 2. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to flag off a passenger train from Katra, marking its rail connectivity with rest of the country, sources in Northern Railway said. The Commissioner Raiway Safety (CRS), Northern Zone, will inspect the 25-km long Udhampur-Katra section next week. The trial run has already been completed.
Somalian pirates: Centre asked to file response
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre to file its response on a plea seeking direction to it to expedite the release of Indians held captive by Somalian pirates in international waters. A bench headed by Justice TS Thakur issued notices to the Centre, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Shipping and Director General of Shipping on a petition filed by the wife of an Indian seamen claiming that her husband, along with six others, have been held hostage by Somalian pirates since September 2010.
Govt panel on Prasar Bharati’s autonomy
New Delhi: Suggesting that Prasar Bharati is not really autonomous as it should be, a committee appointed by the government has recommended amendment to the Act of 1990 to give “effective” freedom to the public broadcaster with administrative and financial powers. The committee, headed by technocrat Sam Pitroda, suggested developing a funding mechanism for Prasar Bharati to address the need for autonomy with financial accountability.
BJYM man praised for campus ambassador
New Delhi: BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Friday praised the efforts of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) led by Anurag Thakur for initiating Campus Ambassador Programme with a motive to bring more and more youths in political system of the country. Through a message on Twitter, Modi said “Young friends should join this great initiative by BJYM that seeks to raise political awareness in college campuses…My best wishes to BJYM Team as they embark on the Campus Ambassador Programme”. lok Sabha MP and chief of BJYM Anurag Thakur said that in the coming days hundreds of colleges/campus will conduct this programme and thousands of students are expected to join the initiative. The campus/colleges will have a BJYM Campus Ambassador who will talk about Modi’s vision to build a strong nation.
‘lokpal members to be appointed shortly’
New Delhi: The Centre on Friday said chairperson and Members of lokpal would be appointed “shortly” and legislations on more anti-corruption would expedited.”The Government has decided to expedite some of the pending important anti-corruption legislations such as Whistle-blowers Protection Bill, 2011, Foreign Bribery Bill and Private Sector Corruption, Amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act and Right to Time-bound Delivery of Goods and Services Bill in the Parliament,” said the statement issued by the DoPT Ministry.
Bjp flays PC for criticising modi
New Delhi: The BJP on Friday flayed Finance Minister P Chidambaram for criticising its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on foreign soil and said it will seek explanation from him after his return. “There has been a tradition that we all have followed that when we are abroad we do not discuss the country’s politics, do not criticise one another and instead speak for the country. Chidambaram has broken this custom. The more he is condemned for it, the less,” BJP leader Yashwant Sinha told reporters here.