Top Stories on 13th December in a capsule
Congress attacks EC over double standards, seeks action against BJP
"If FIR against news channels for showing interview of Congress President, why no FIR against PM, FM, Union Minister & BJP President on this ground? Are these not double standards? Let there be accountability," tweeted senior party leader Randeep Surjewala.
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Speaking at the 90th AGM of industry association FICCI on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the bad loans crisis was created by the previous Congress-led UPA government. Modi said the non-performing asset (NPA) or bad loans problem is a “liability” handed over by “economists” in the previous regime. He added that the loans extended to select industrialists by pressuring banks was a “loot” of public money.
Bad loans were UPA government's biggest scam: Modi
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In a bid a preserve the ‘eco-sensitive’ Amarnath shrine, the National Green Tribunal has declared it as a ‘silent zone’ on Wednesday. It has prohibited the devotees to chant religious slogans and religious offerings beyond the ‘entry level’. "Nobody would be permitted to carry anything from the stairs leading to the holy cave and everybody should be properly frisked at the entry point. From the point of stairs and the area inside the cave should be declared silence zone," the bench said. The green panel ordered removal of iron grills in front of the ice stalagmite resembling the 'Shiva Linga' so that devotees could get a better view of it and said there should be no noise pollution near the sacred structure.
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On the anniversary of the 2001 parliamentary attacks, PM Modi and former PM Manmohan Singh greeted each other with folded hands as they came face to face. The two leaders met outside parliament before entering the house for a tribute to the nine who were killed in the attack. This meeting comes in the middle of the controversy over Modi’s allegation that Singh met Pakistani guests and discussed Gujarat elections over dinner. Responding to this, Manmohan Singh had said that the Prime Minister should apologize to the nation for his ‘false’ remarks.
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The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed an order of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) that allowed the government to take control of the Unitech Ltd by suspending its directors. “NCLT should not have passed the order. We direct the stay of the order dated 8 December,” said chief justice Dipak Misra. On, Tuesday, the apex court had said that the way NCLT took control of Unitech is ‘disturbing’.
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Political leaders across the country on Wednesday paid tributes to the people who lost their lives 16 years ago in parliament attacks. On December 13, 2001, five heavily-armed terrorists belonging to terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), stormed the complex in New Delhi and opened fire indiscriminately, killing 14 people. Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other top leaders also attended the event, among PM Modi and Manmohan Singh.
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Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has insisted his side are not in the title race even though his side beat Huddersfield Town 3-1 on Tuesday. Goals from Bakayoko, Willian and Pedro helped Chelsea equal their points total with Man Utd. Burnley meanwhile continued their spectacular start by breaking into the top four thanks to a 1-0 win over Stoke. Crystal Palace left it late as they beat top half side Watford in injury time which sees them jump outside the relegation zone atleast for a day.
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The Atlanta Hawks were bombed by a rampage of three pointers as LeBron James and Co notched up a 123-114 win. Cleveland bagged a season-high 20 three-pointers during the game, with James scoring 25 points and tying a career-high of 17 assists. Elsewhere the Detroit Pistons were left embarrassed after a seventh straight defeat to the Denver Nuggets. Kawhi Leonard’s return couldn’t stop San Antonio’s upset 95-89 defeat to the hands of the Dallas Mavericks.
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Rohit Sharma slammed the Sri Lankan bowlers left right and center as he became the 1st batsman in ODI history to score 3 double centuries on Wednesday. Rohit Sharma’s innings of 208 in the 2nd ODI helped India mount a mammoth total of 392 in 50 overs. India got off to a flyer thanks to a 115 run stand for the opening wicket. Dhawan’s dismissal for 68 did not stop the hosts as Shreyas Iyer and Rohit Sharma hit a 213 stand to put India on a grand course.
NGT declares Amarnath as 'Silent Zone'
In a bid a preserve the ‘eco-sensitive’ Amarnath shrine, the National Green Tribunal has declared it as a ‘silent zone’ on Wednesday. It has prohibited the devotees to chant religious slogans and religious offerings beyond the ‘entry level’. "Nobody would be permitted to carry anything from the stairs leading to the holy cave and everybody should be properly frisked at the entry point. From the point of stairs and the area inside the cave should be declared silence zone," the bench said. The green panel ordered removal of iron grills in front of the ice stalagmite resembling the 'Shiva Linga' so that devotees could get a better view of it and said there should be no noise pollution near the sacred structure.
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Centre extends deadline for linking Aadhaar with bank accounts till 31st March
The centre on Wednesday extended the deadline for linking Aadhaar with Bank accounts for financial transactions till 31st March. A new rule modifying the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002 has been notified to replace the requirement of submitting “the Aadhaar number and Permanent Account Number by December 31, 2017” with “submit the Aadhaar number, and Permanent Account Number or Form No. 60, by such date as may be notified by the Central government.” On December 7, the deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar was extended by three months to March 31, 2018.
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Narendra Modi and Manmohan Singh greet each other
On the anniversary of the 2001 parliamentary attacks, PM Modi and former PM Manmohan Singh greeted each other with folded hands as they came face to face. The two leaders met outside parliament before entering the house for a tribute to the nine who were killed in the attack. This meeting comes in the middle of the controversy over Modi’s allegation that Singh met Pakistani guests and discussed Gujarat elections over dinner. Responding to this, Manmohan Singh had said that the Prime Minister should apologize to the nation for his ‘false’ remarks.
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SC stays order for takeover of Unitech
The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed an order of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) that allowed the government to take control of the Unitech Ltd by suspending its directors. “NCLT should not have passed the order. We direct the stay of the order dated 8 December,” said chief justice Dipak Misra. On, Tuesday, the apex court had said that the way NCLT took control of Unitech is ‘disturbing’.
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Parliament attacks 2001: Political leaders pay tribute
Political leaders across the country on Wednesday paid tributes to the people who lost their lives 16 years ago in parliament attacks. On December 13, 2001, five heavily-armed terrorists belonging to terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), stormed the complex in New Delhi and opened fire indiscriminately, killing 14 people. Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other top leaders also attended the event, among PM Modi and Manmohan Singh.
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Premier League Roundup
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LeBron stars as Cleveland Cavaliers win ninth straight game
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Rohit Sharma creates history with 3 ODI double centuries
Rohit Sharma slammed the Sri Lankan bowlers left right and center as he became the 1st batsman in ODI history to score 3 double centuries on Wednesday. Rohit Sharma’s innings of 208 in the 2nd ODI helped India mount a mammoth total of 392 in 50 overs. India got off to a flyer thanks to a 115 run stand for the opening wicket. Dhawan’s dismissal for 68 did not stop the hosts as Shreyas Iyer and Rohit Sharma hit a 213 stand to put India on a grand course.
