Once known for the Lion Safari, the Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh (HP) will be house to a pair of Royal Bengal Tigers from Delhi, for the first time.

In exchange, the wildlife wing of the state government will send three leopards, which are found in abundance in the jungles in HP, to the Delhi zoo. There are no lions left in the Renuka Wildlife sanctuary in Sirmour district as the last one, named Nishu, died two years ago.

“We are shortly getting a male and a female, Yellow and White, Royal Bengal Tigers from Delhi zoo. We have talked to the Delhi zoo authorities and Central Zoo Authority (CZA). We have now sought approval of the CZA for design of enclosures of tigers,” said S K Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, HP.

Sharma said that the enclosures of tigers have a deep foundation. “Once the CZA team visits and approves the design, we will construct them and get the tigers,” he said.

The tigers would be kept for captive display in the zoo in the sanctuary. The wildlife wing’s plan on tiger breeding would, however, depend on the pair that is provided to the state.

As soon as the tigers arrive, three leopards would be transported to the Delhi zoo from the animal rescue centre in Shimla, which has 12 leopards at the moment. The leopards, who stray into the human habitations, are caged in the rescue centre.

Sources in the wildlife wing said that although it is for the first time that the tigers would be kept in HP in captivity, there is some evidence from the past to suggest that Himachal can provide a natural habitat to the tigers.

Sources said that few years ago, a tiger had reportedly strayed near Renuka wild life sanctuary from adjoining Raja Ji National Park and another one was sighted near Simbalwara wild life sanctuary in Sirmaur.

The Renuka zoo, the first in HP, was established in 1957. A pair of Asiatic lions was brought to the Renuka zoo from Uttar Pradesh in 1974. The first lion was nicknamed as Raja, while the lioness was named as Rani. Over the years, the lions grew in numbers and at one time, to more than two dozen.

But they faced inbreeding problems, following which the breeding of lions was banned by the CZA in Renuka zoo.

Spread across 4.028 square kilometres, the Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary houses a zoo, which has some leopards, 20 barking deers, 40 Sambars, 20 Indian ducks and three Black Bears and Cheetal.

Though Himachal Pradesh was declared ‘Smoke Free in July 2013, yet smoking at public places has remained a cause of concern in the state till date.

Keeping in view smoking at public places in violation of law, Kangra Police on Saturday launched a week-long campaign to strictly implement the anti-tobacco laws and also aware the general public about the ill-effects of passive smoking.

Superintendent of Police Kangra Sanjeev Gandhi said an Anti-Smoking Intensive Drive has been launched against smoking in public places like cross roads, bus stands, educational institutions, restaurants, hospitals, tourists places etc. “The drive would be carried out intensively for a week in the entire district,” he said.

Under the campaign, Police officials at the Kangra district would put up signages in conspicuous places to aware and awaken the people regarding the health hazards posed by smokers. “This drive will be focused to curb the ill-effects being caused by passive smoking in public places on the health of children, women, sick people and society at large,” Gandhi said.

Sanjeev Gandhi said besides this, the smokers are spoiling the health of those people who are in the close proximity of smokers and it leads to children copying their habits. In addition to this, the Police officials would launch simultaneous campaign against those vendors who sell tobacco products near educational institutions in the district.

It is worthwhile to mention here that Kangra Police in the month of January-February this year had challaned 1452 smokers for violating law by smoking at public places and a fine of Rs 1.26 lakh was imposed on them.

Whereas, in 2016, the Police officials have challaned 7013 persons and a fine of Rs 5.96 was imposed on defaulters.

Though Himachal Pradesh was declared ‘Smoke Free in July 2013, yet smoking at public places has remained a cause of concern in the state till date.

Keeping in view smoking at public places in violation of law, Kangra Police on Saturday launched a week-long campaign to strictly implement the anti-tobacco laws and also aware the general public about the ill-effects of passive smoking.

Superintendent of Police Kangra Sanjeev Gandhi said an Anti-Smoking Intensive Drive has been launched against smoking in public places like cross roads, bus stands, educational institutions, restaurants, hospitals, tourists places etc. “The drive would be carried out intensively for a week in the entire district,” he said.

Under the campaign, Police officials at the Kangra district would put up signages in conspicuous places to aware and awaken the people regarding the health hazards posed by smokers. “This drive will be focused to curb the ill-effects being caused by passive smoking in public places on the health of children, women, sick people and society at large,” Gandhi said.

Sanjeev Gandhi said besides this, the smokers are spoiling the health of those people who are in the close proximity of smokers and it leads to children copying their habits. In addition to this, the Police officials would launch simultaneous campaign against those vendors who sell tobacco products near educational institutions in the district.

It is worthwhile to mention here that Kangra Police in the month of January-February this year had challaned 1452 smokers for violating law by smoking at public places and a fine of Rs 1.26 lakh was imposed on them.

Whereas, in 2016, the Police officials have challaned 7013 persons and a fine of Rs 5.96 was imposed on defaulters.

With a view to make maximum use of Delhi markets for selling its fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers, the Haryana government has decided to prepare its farmers to adopt the concept of Peri-urban agriculture on the pattern of China's Beijing.

Speaking to reporters, the agriculture and farmers’ welfare minister Om Prakash Dhankar said, "The state government is following the concept of Peri-urban agriculture as I had seen in Beijing where farmers do cultivation to meet the needs of adjoining cities. Agricultural products being perishable, have a short life. Therefore, the farmers must cultivate needs based crops in areas adjoining cities,".

Taking full advantage of the state's proximity to the national capital region (NCR), government has aimed at doubling the farmers' income and to help them in meeting the demand for fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers, milk products and poultry products in the NCR through Peri-urban agriculture.

For this, the state government is setting up an International Vegetable and Fruit market on over 500 acres at Gannaur in Sonepat district, while a flower market at Gurugram to boost the horticulture farming in the state.

Dhankar said, "By adopting Peri-urban agriculture, farmers could make more money as compared to the traditional agriculture. Thus, emphasis is being laid on bringing 25 per cent of the cultivable area under horticulture."

As there are new challenges in agriculture sector, the government has initiated the process to prepare the farmers to adopt new concepts like Peri-urban agriculture, Climate–smart agriculture and give impetus to adoption of organic farming and micro irrigation, besides marketing and branding of agricultural products, he added.

The minister further stated that in milk production, Haryana was next to Gujarat and Punjab, but as Haryana has potential to do better and the gap is not big, Haryana can excel in this field by promoting dairy farming as a profession and adopting some new means.

Dhankar also informed that the 2nd Agri-leadership Summit would be organized at Faridabad's Surajkund from March 18 to 20 to provide an apt platform to focus on issues like doubling of the farmer’s income, soil health, A2 Milk production dairying, acquaculture and agro industries.

There were progressive farmers who not only cultivate crops but have also formed their own brands for their agro products and are also engaged in their marketing. Such farmers being real agri-leaders have been invited to the summit to inspire others, he added.

With a view to make maximum use of Delhi markets for selling its fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers, the Haryana government has decided to prepare its farmers to adopt the concept of Peri-urban agriculture on the pattern of China's Beijing.

Speaking to reporters, the agriculture and farmers’ welfare minister Om Prakash Dhankar said, "The state government is following the concept of Peri-urban agriculture as I had seen in Beijing where farmers do cultivation to meet the needs of adjoining cities. Agricultural products being perishable, have a short life. Therefore, the farmers must cultivate needs based crops in areas adjoining cities,".

Taking full advantage of the state's proximity to the national capital region (NCR), government has aimed at doubling the farmers' income and to help them in meeting the demand for fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers, milk products and poultry products in the NCR through Peri-urban agriculture.

For this, the state government is setting up an International Vegetable and Fruit market on over 500 acres at Gannaur in Sonepat district, while a flower market at Gurugram to boost the horticulture farming in the state.

Dhankar said, "By adopting Peri-urban agriculture, farmers could make more money as compared to the traditional agriculture. Thus, emphasis is being laid on bringing 25 per cent of the cultivable area under horticulture."

As there are new challenges in agriculture sector, the government has initiated the process to prepare the farmers to adopt new concepts like Peri-urban agriculture, Climate–smart agriculture and give impetus to adoption of organic farming and micro irrigation, besides marketing and branding of agricultural products, he added.

The minister further stated that in milk production, Haryana was next to Gujarat and Punjab, but as Haryana has potential to do better and the gap is not big, Haryana can excel in this field by promoting dairy farming as a profession and adopting some new means.

Dhankar also informed that the 2nd Agri-leadership Summit would be organized at Faridabad's Surajkund from March 18 to 20 to provide an apt platform to focus on issues like doubling of the farmer’s income, soil health, A2 Milk production dairying, acquaculture and agro industries.

There were progressive farmers who not only cultivate crops but have also formed their own brands for their agro products and are also engaged in their marketing. Such farmers being real agri-leaders have been invited to the summit to inspire others, he added.

An exuberant Liverpool side proved to be too much for Arsenal in their English Premier League encounter late on Saturday, beating the Gunners 3-1 thanks to goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Giorgino Wijnaldum, climbing to third spot in the table in the process.

Emre Can and Ragnar Klavan started for the hosts but it was the visiting team’s change that made social media go into a frenzy as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger perplexingly decided to bench talismanic winger Alexis Sanchez in favour of Olivier Giroud.

The Chilean, who is the league’s joint top-scorer, has been petulant in recent weeks as Arsenal’s season has crumbled and with Wenger confirming prior to the game that there was no injury scare, it was obvious the manager was making an example of his star player.

And the bold tactic backfired spectacularly as the home side raced into a two-goal lead in the first half itself and could easily have had a couple more, such was their dominance.

Roberto Firmino, scoreless in six games, opened the scoring with a sweeping counter attack which caught the entire Arsenal team napping in the 9th minute. Simon Mignolet booted the ball upfield and found Sadio Mane with acres of space near the right edge of the box. The African feigned to shoot but instead, sent in a low cross which missed Philippe Coutinho but found Firmino instead. The ex-Hoffenheim star took a touch before finishing past Petr Cech to get the Reds’ party started.

Mane then doubled the lead with after some good work from the hard-working James Milner on the right wing and while the ball was intended for Firmino, he found his path to goal blocked so he spun and laid it off for his Senegalese teammate instead. And the ever-lethal Mane didn't fluff his lines, emphatically finishing five minutes from half-time to put the hosts two goals to the good.

The Gunners had been quite pedestrian in the first-half, with Olivier Giroud’s header in the 21st minute stretching Mignolet, but nothing apart from that and Wenger was forced to send Sanchez on in a bid to spark some life into his side.

They did start the second half in better fashion than the first and reduced the deficit with a well-taken finish by Danny Welbeck in the 55th minute, which momentarily sparked fears at Anfield of a Gunners comeback.

Liverpool, however, dominated proceedings after that and had several chances to reestablish their two-goal cushion but were let down by their own profligacy in a game that was very much end-to-end.

And as Arsenal sent on Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott in search of an equaliser, there was always a chance that Liverpool could hurt them on the counter and that is exactly what happened.

Adam Lallana deftly held up play near the halfway line before turning his marker and releasing substitute Divock Origi on the wing. The young Belgian was marginally offside but with no flag raised, he sent in a low cross for Wijnaldum to guide into the back of the net in the 91st minute.

A must-win game for both sides, Liverpool once again came up big against a direct rival and suddenly, Anfield is full of belief once again.

For Arsenal and Wenger in particular, perhaps the time is right to look at a managerial change in the summer as they find themselves slipping to fifth place in the league table.

An exuberant Liverpool side proved to be too much for Arsenal in their English Premier League encounter late on Saturday, beating the Gunners 3-1 thanks to goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Giorgino Wijnaldum, climbing to third spot in the table in the process.

Emre Can and Ragnar Klavan started for the hosts but it was the visiting team’s change that made social media go into a frenzy as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger perplexingly decided to bench talismanic winger Alexis Sanchez in favour of Olivier Giroud.

The Chilean, who is the league’s joint top-scorer, has been petulant in recent weeks as Arsenal’s season has crumbled and with Wenger confirming prior to the game that there was no injury scare, it was obvious the manager was making an example of his star player.

And the bold tactic backfired spectacularly as the home side raced into a two-goal lead in the first half itself and could easily have had a couple more, such was their dominance.

Roberto Firmino, scoreless in six games, opened the scoring with a sweeping counter attack which caught the entire Arsenal team napping in the 9th minute. Simon Mignolet booted the ball upfield and found Sadio Mane with acres of space near the right edge of the box. The African feigned to shoot but instead, sent in a low cross which missed Philippe Coutinho but found Firmino instead. The ex-Hoffenheim star took a touch before finishing past Petr Cech to get the Reds’ party started.

Mane then doubled the lead with after some good work from the hard-working James Milner on the right wing and while the ball was intended for Firmino, he found his path to goal blocked so he spun and laid it off for his Senegalese teammate instead. And the ever-lethal Mane didn't fluff his lines, emphatically finishing five minutes from half-time to put the hosts two goals to the good.

The Gunners had been quite pedestrian in the first-half, with Olivier Giroud’s header in the 21st minute stretching Mignolet, but nothing apart from that and Wenger was forced to send Sanchez on in a bid to spark some life into his side.

They did start the second half in better fashion than the first and reduced the deficit with a well-taken finish by Danny Welbeck in the 55th minute, which momentarily sparked fears at Anfield of a Gunners comeback.

Liverpool, however, dominated proceedings after that and had several chances to reestablish their two-goal cushion but were let down by their own profligacy in a game that was very much end-to-end.

And as Arsenal sent on Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott in search of an equaliser, there was always a chance that Liverpool could hurt them on the counter and that is exactly what happened.

Adam Lallana deftly held up play near the halfway line before turning his marker and releasing substitute Divock Origi on the wing. The young Belgian was marginally offside but with no flag raised, he sent in a low cross for Wijnaldum to guide into the back of the net in the 91st minute.

A must-win game for both sides, Liverpool once again came up big against a direct rival and suddenly, Anfield is full of belief once again.

For Arsenal and Wenger in particular, perhaps the time is right to look at a managerial change in the summer as they find themselves slipping to fifth place in the league table.

President Donald Trump on Saturday accused his predecessor Barack Obama of "wire tapping" his office in New York just before the 2016 presidential elections and likened the alleged surveillance of his communications to the "Watergate" scandal.

Trump made the allegations in a series of tweets, but did not provide any evidence to substantiate his claims.

"Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my "wires tapped" in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found.

This is McCarthyism!" Trump said.

"Is it legal for a sitting President to be "wire tapping" a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW!," he said, claiming that Obama had defied a court rejection to tap his office.

Trump also called Obama a "Bad (or sick) guy!" and compared the alleged tapping of his New York office to the "Watergate", the scandal in the early 1970s which brought down President Richard Nixon.

"How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!" he said.

"I'd bet a good lawyer could make a great case out of the fact that President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to Election!" Trump tweeted.

There was no immediate reaction from the office of the former US president.

He also tried to defend Jeff Sessions, the US attorney general facing questions over his meeting with the Russian ambassador to Washington during the 2016 presidential election campaign.

"The first meeting Jeff Sessions had with the Russian Amb was set up by the Obama Administration under education program for 100 Ambs……," he said.

"Just out: The same Russian Ambassador that met Jeff Sessions visited the Obama White House 22 times, and 4 times last year alone," Trump said in another tweet.

Trump's top administration officials have been facing charges of contacts with Russian officials during and after elections.

One of his close aides Gen (rtd) Michael Flynn had to resign following such allegations.

President Donald Trump on Saturday accused his predecessor Barack Obama of "wire tapping" his office in New York just before the 2016 presidential elections and likened the alleged surveillance of his communications to the "Watergate" scandal.

Trump made the allegations in a series of tweets, but did not provide any evidence to substantiate his claims.

"Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my "wires tapped" in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found.

This is McCarthyism!" Trump said.

"Is it legal for a sitting President to be "wire tapping" a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW!," he said, claiming that Obama had defied a court rejection to tap his office.

Trump also called Obama a "Bad (or sick) guy!" and compared the alleged tapping of his New York office to the "Watergate", the scandal in the early 1970s which brought down President Richard Nixon.

"How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!" he said.

"I'd bet a good lawyer could make a great case out of the fact that President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to Election!" Trump tweeted.

There was no immediate reaction from the office of the former US president.

He also tried to defend Jeff Sessions, the US attorney general facing questions over his meeting with the Russian ambassador to Washington during the 2016 presidential election campaign.

"The first meeting Jeff Sessions had with the Russian Amb was set up by the Obama Administration under education program for 100 Ambs……," he said.

"Just out: The same Russian Ambassador that met Jeff Sessions visited the Obama White House 22 times, and 4 times last year alone," Trump said in another tweet.

Trump's top administration officials have been facing charges of contacts with Russian officials during and after elections.

One of his close aides Gen (rtd) Michael Flynn had to resign following such allegations.

The Centre and states have decided to exempt agriculturists from registering under the Goods and Services Tax regime, while the threshold for traders has been set at Rs 20 lakh turnover.

The GST Council has also empowered commissioner-level officers to allow payment of GST levy by a taxpayer in instalments in order to mitigate any financial hardship being suffered by a taxpayer.

The GST Council, comprising Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his state counterparts, today vetted the Central GST (CGST) and Integrated GST (IGST) bills, clearing decks for their introduction in the second leg of the Budget session of Parliament beginning next week.

The GST Council has decided to keep the revenue exemption limit at Rs 20 lakh for all states with the exception of North-Eastern and the hill states where the limit will be Rs 10 lakh.

"A business entity with an annual turnover of up to Rs 20 lakhs would not be required to take registration in the GST regime, unless he voluntarily chooses to do so to be a part of the input tax credit (ITC) chain," a Finance Ministry statement said.

It added that an agriculturist (defined as someone who supplies produce out of cultivation of land) would not be liable to register under the GST regime.

With regard to exporters, the Council has decided that 90 per cent of the refunds claim will be made within seven days of filing the application.

"To prevent lock-in of capital of exporters, a provision has been made to by an exporter, 90 per cent of the claimed amount on a provisional basis," the statement added.

Further, business entities with turnover of up to Rs 50 lakh can avail a composition scheme under which it has to pay a much lower rate of tax and has to fulfil very minimal compliance requirements. The scheme is available for all traders, select manufacturing sectors and for restaurants in the services sector.

Also, the CGST and IGST bill provides for an anti- profiteering provision to ensure that the reduction of tax incidence is passed on to consumers.

"In order to prevent cascading of taxes, ITC would be admissible on all goods and services used in the course or furtherance of business, except on a few items listed in the law," the statement added.

The Centre and states have decided to exempt agriculturists from registering under the Goods and Services Tax regime, while the threshold for traders has been set at Rs 20 lakh turnover.

The GST Council has also empowered commissioner-level officers to allow payment of GST levy by a taxpayer in instalments in order to mitigate any financial hardship being suffered by a taxpayer.

The GST Council, comprising Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his state counterparts, today vetted the Central GST (CGST) and Integrated GST (IGST) bills, clearing decks for their introduction in the second leg of the Budget session of Parliament beginning next week.

The GST Council has decided to keep the revenue exemption limit at Rs 20 lakh for all states with the exception of North-Eastern and the hill states where the limit will be Rs 10 lakh.

"A business entity with an annual turnover of up to Rs 20 lakhs would not be required to take registration in the GST regime, unless he voluntarily chooses to do so to be a part of the input tax credit (ITC) chain," a Finance Ministry statement said.

It added that an agriculturist (defined as someone who supplies produce out of cultivation of land) would not be liable to register under the GST regime.

With regard to exporters, the Council has decided that 90 per cent of the refunds claim will be made within seven days of filing the application.

"To prevent lock-in of capital of exporters, a provision has been made to by an exporter, 90 per cent of the claimed amount on a provisional basis," the statement added.

Further, business entities with turnover of up to Rs 50 lakh can avail a composition scheme under which it has to pay a much lower rate of tax and has to fulfil very minimal compliance requirements. The scheme is available for all traders, select manufacturing sectors and for restaurants in the services sector.

Also, the CGST and IGST bill provides for an anti- profiteering provision to ensure that the reduction of tax incidence is passed on to consumers.

"In order to prevent cascading of taxes, ITC would be admissible on all goods and services used in the course or furtherance of business, except on a few items listed in the law," the statement added.

Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav on Saturday alleged that Delhi College of Arts and Commerce (DCAC) has "postponed" an event on dissent that he was to address.

"Another DU college chickens out! I was to speak on Meaning & Significance of Dissent at DCAC Youth meet tomorrow. Just told it's postponed!" Yadav tweeted.

He claimed that he received an email yesterday notifying a change in the two-day event that was scheduled to begin Saturday.

"Have learnt that (BJP leader) Subramanyam Swamy is speaking in the same college on 'media on trial' on 9th.

Restrictions only for those opposed to govt?" he tweeted.

His allegations come amid a debate on free speech in the country.

Cancellation of an event at Ramjas college had sparked a row, which grew following BJP leader Shazia Ilmi's allegation that Jamia had canceled an event on triple talaq.

Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav on Saturday alleged that Delhi College of Arts and Commerce (DCAC) has "postponed" an event on dissent that he was to address.

"Another DU college chickens out! I was to speak on Meaning & Significance of Dissent at DCAC Youth meet tomorrow. Just told it's postponed!" Yadav tweeted.

He claimed that he received an email yesterday notifying a change in the two-day event that was scheduled to begin Saturday.

"Have learnt that (BJP leader) Subramanyam Swamy is speaking in the same college on 'media on trial' on 9th.

Restrictions only for those opposed to govt?" he tweeted.

His allegations come amid a debate on free speech in the country.

Cancellation of an event at Ramjas college had sparked a row, which grew following BJP leader Shazia Ilmi's allegation that Jamia had canceled an event on triple talaq.

Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Saturday said his Ministry has drawn up an action plan to save energy worth Rs 41,000 crore over the next ten years.

"I have prepared an action plan and it has been presented to the public (domain) also, that Rs 41,000 crore can be saved on energy during the next 10 years," Prabhu said at a conference by Confederation of Indian Industry, here.

He said, through such an initiative, the Ministry has already saved almost Rs 4,000 crore on energy.

Referring to the allocation of Rs 1.21 lakh crore in the Union Budget presented last month, Prabhu said out of the Rs 1.21 lakh crore, the Ministry will get Rs 55,000 crore as "gross budget."

"So what will happen to the remaining Rs 66,000 crore?? We have to raise them," he said.

Noting that the Ministry has undertaken an exercise to ensure faster processing of tenders, he said, instead of waiting to obtain an approval at the Ministerial level, now it is being done by the General Manager.

Calling for more efficiency and transparency in the operations of the railways, he said, "If you tell us where we need to bring in transparency, we will bring it."

On management of ministry's expenses, he said the Ministry had earned about Rs 3,500 crore by selling scrap materials.

Tamil Nadu re-elected a "corrupt government" led by J Jayalalithaa during the previous Assembly elections, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday alleged and called for swift and deterrent punishment to end graft.

"In Tamil Nadu, a corrupt government was re-elected… The head of that government, may her soul rest in peace, was convicted by the Supreme Court and fined Rs 100 crore. That government got re-elected only last year," he said.

He said he does not think re-election is a test of good government, "it is a test of good politics, good election management".

Responding to questions after launching his book "Fearless in Opposition" here, he said the BJP returning to power in states like Madhya Pradesh was not "unusual" and that Congress government got re-elected for three decades after Independence.

He said the Congress was the party of "natural governance" but has "indeed lost its standing".

"We must rebuild it… I accept the fact that we are in no major state except Karnataka," he said.

Replying to query on corruption, the former Union finance minister said, "Corruption eats into growth and I am not denying that… But how do you put an end to corruption? Graft can be ended only by changing behaviour and by punishing misbehaviour." 

"You have to change the behaviour and those who continue to behave in a bad manner must be punished quickly… Our legal systems do not punish quickly… If you punish people quickly say within a year or two, you will find that corruption goes down considerably," he said.

If it takes 20 years to punish anyone, people assume that the system is slow, the Congress leader said, adding "we must have a swift and deterrent punishment for corruption".

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said people in the country have welcomed reforms initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi including demonetisation.

"India is developing very fast under leadership of the Prime Minister. People in the country have welcomed reforms initiated by the PM including demonetisation of notes," the Urban Development Minister said here.

He further said though the country had several natural resources and talented youth, the country did not develop in the last 60 years of Congress rule.

"Prime Minister has changed the situation within a span of two and half years by taking all measures for development and improve the economic conditions of all sections of people," said the Minister.

He also said that the NDA government was committed for development of Andhra Pradesh, which faced several problems due to bifurcation of the state.

The opposition BJP will focus on the unfulfilled promises made by the AAP government to corner it during Delhi assembly's budget session beginning March 6.

The BJP MLAs have prepared a list of issues related to education, health, women security, depleted fleet of DTC buses, Mohalla Clinics, among others, that they will raise during the session.

Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta said the BJP will "expose" the Aam Admi Party (AAP) government as it has failed to fulfil the promises it made in the run-up to the assembly elections in last two years.

The saffron party has a minuscule presence of three legislators in the 70-member House, which is dominated by 67 AAP MLAs.

"I will forcefully raise the matter of AAP government going back on the promises it made to the people, its inaction and failures so that people of Delhi know how it has failed during last two years to fulfil their election and budget promises," Gupta said.

The Leader of Opposition said the Delhi Finance minister Manish Sisodia has woven "beautiful dreams" in his pre-budget addresses for the financial year 2017-18.

"This is in keeping with his practice of showing beautiful dreams to the people of Delhi in his last two budget speeches," he added.