The Harish Rawat government is on the back foot on making payment of Rs.47 Lakh to Indian Cricket captain Virat Kohli for doing a one minute commercial for the Uttarakhand government.

The issue came to light through an RTI query, which revealed about the payment. Earlier it was publicized that Kohli did not charged any money for the commercial.

The production company of Sufi & Bollywood singer Kailash Kher, Kailesh Entertainment Ltd., was provided the amount for the one-minute-long commercial promoting Uttarakhand as a safe tourist destination.

BJP has termed it misuse of disaster relief fund as the payment was made by Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority.

The issue has become a hot political issue with both Congress and BJP terming each other wrong.

BJP leader Ajendra Ajay obtained the information through RTI and now his party is on the offensive against the Congress.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said, “Is it a crime to engage to Virat Kohli in Uttarakhand promotion? It is the jurisdiction of the State Government to make payment from any head. It was our success that we managed to involve Kohli for promotion of the Char Dham. If the BJP wants any inquiry into misuse of disaster relief fund they should give the complain in writing, we will conduct the probe under a retired judge of the Supreme Court.”

Providing clarification is not helping Harish Rawat much as many disaster hit villages are waiting for rehabilitation. Many villages lost their pedestrian bridges in the 2013 flood and are yet to be reconstructed.

On rehabilitation and other relief works, the Uttarakhand government constantly make excuse of low funds and also accuses central government for providing step-motherly treatment to the hill state.

But, Harish Rawat government had adopted a generous approach towards Kailesh Khar. A sum of  Rs.6.33 Crore has been made to the Sufi singer for making a documentary, serial and advertisement film on Kedarnath.

Nobody knows if the sum mentioned for the commercial, involving cricketer Virat Kohli, is included or is additional to the Rs.6.33 Crore.

The 13th edition of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit, an inter-governmental regional grouping of 10 countries to be held in Islamabad on March 1, will focus on regional connectivity, Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz said on Saturday.

He said the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would help boost the transit and energy corridors in the ECO region.

The forum would help in deciding ways to increase cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, tourism, economic growth and productivity.

"Connectivity for regional prosperity is the theme of the summit," Geo Tv quoted Aziz as saying.

Most member states have confirmed participation in the summit.

The adviser said initiatives for educational, scientific exchange and cultural exchange within the ECO will also be discussed.

"China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an outstanding example of the summit's theme of connectivity. It will augment the existing and planned transit and energy corridors in ECO region for greater progress and prosperity for the people of the area," Aziz said.

The ECO Vision 2025 is expected to be formulated and adopted during the summit.

It is aimed at reviewing the ECO's state of affairs, in the light of changing global and regional circumstances.

The ECO was formed in 1985 by Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. It now also includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
 

Actor Vivek Oberoi wants to play an officer of the Customs and Excise department as he finds they have interesting stories to share.

"When I interact with some of the customs officials, they are always in their attractive uniform and I feel to play the role customs official in one of my movies. 

"I think their uniform is attractive and they have interesting stories to share like how they trapped the accused, how they got a tip off a certain illegal activity or how they catch smugglers," Vivek said at the Central Excise Celebration 2017 on Friday.

The actor added that it will be a fascinating on screen performance.

During the media interaction, the Saathiya' actor commented on CBFC controversy relating to banning film "Lipstick Under My Burkha".

"In a democratic country, censorship should have a guideline. People should be allowed what they want to communicate as long as it is not hurting anybody's sentiments and doesn't provoke any anti-national feeling," he said.

At the professional front, Vivek Oberoi will be seen next in Rai which is an upcoming biographical film written and directed by Ram Gopal Varma. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday expressed grief over the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime in the US.

The Trinamool Congress supremo said she does not support the "politics of hate."

"Saddened and shocked at the incident of Indian engineer in Kansas USA, who was an unfortunate victim. We don't support the politics of hate," she said on Twitter.

She said: "The world is one big family. People from different countries live in different nations. We must all understand this."

Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them.

The excavation in village Sakatpur of Saharanpur might reveal many startling facts related to the history of this area. A grinding stone set has been recovered by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the excavation besides pottery and copper axes which are related to the human existence.

An ASI team has been put on the task for excavation from Friday at village Sakatpur of Rampur Maniharan in Saharanpur district. This excavation is being led by Bhuwan Vikram, Supervising archaeologist of Agra Circle of ASI. Three trenches of 2X2 meters have been made at the site where the excavation has started in which some pottery has also been recovered as well as a grinding stone set which has been sent to the lab for testing.

In fact, the area caught attention of the ASI when six copper axes were found by labourers of brick kiln while digging the mud. They immediately brought this to the notice of the owners of the kiln who approached ASI through different channels. "The discovery of copper axes sounded interesting and we decided to excavate the land in order to study the historical and archaeological significance of the region," said Vikram, who is himself supervising the excavation work.

Although the excavation is a very  slow process, there is a hope in the archaeologists  to encounter more of  pottery and habitat deposition deep in the  soil which might add to the history on the old civilization of this doab(Land between two rivers Ganga and Yamuna) area.

"Use of copper axes and potteries found here were quite prevalent in the region of Ganga valley," Vikram said, adding that it, however, could be interlinked only after encountering  with the habitat deposition beneath the layers of the soil after few more days of excavation".

Vikram  admitted that  old civilizations flourished in doab of Ganga and Yamuna. The existence of old civilizations in the area was also proved by excavations in some other parts of western UP, including Hastinapur of Meerut and Sinauli of Baghpat district. Earlier, the ASI had excavated at village Sinauli on Baraut-Chaprauli road where some graveyards, axes , and stone jewellery were discovered, giving clues of existence of ancient civilizations.

A similar excavation was done by B Lal, a well-known archaeologist of the country in 1951 in Hastinapur where pottery, stones , beads and a structure like of a grand house was discovered . In his report, Lal had concluded that  ancient civilization flourished in Hastinapur.

Angela Merkel's conservatives have formally nominated the German chancellor as her party's top candidate for the September parliamentary election in the region where she has her political base.

The dpa news agency reported that Merkel won the support of 95 per cent of delegates at a convention of the Christian Democrats' branch in northeastern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state today. Merkel has held her parliamentary constituency in Stralsund since 1990.

Polls show Merkel facing an unexpectedly strong challenge from the center-left Social Democrats, who have been boosted by their choice of former European Parliament President Martin Schulz to challenge her.

Merkel didn't mention Schulz in her speech on Saturday. But she did make a point of praising the economic reforms enacted by her center-left predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, some of which Schulz has suggested he might amend.

Former chief minister and leader of opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal on Saturday criticized the Himachal government for failing to protect the interests of farmers and said the government, instead, stopped various farmer centric schemes that were launched by previous BJP government.

Dhumal said the previous BJP government had launched Anti Hail Guns project in apple belt of the state but Congress government, out of sheer misconceptions, stopped the ambitious project which would have saved horticulturalists from heavy losses.

“Now the horticulturalists, after witnessing Anti Hail Gun project’s success in some areas, are themselves installing these guns in their orchards at their own cost,” he said, adding this proves the success of our pro-farmer scheme.

The former chief minister accused the government of importing and distributing virus infected apple rootstocks among farmers and said the move would cause heavy damage to apple economy of the state.

“The previous BJP government had setup 18,000 polyhouses and over 4 lakh units of vermin compost to protect the interests of the farmers. However, the Congress party which had made tall promises of improving the economy of farmers during 2012 assembly elections, has not only failed to launch new schemes for their welfare but even stopped earlier pro-farmer schemes,” he alleged.

He added Congress party had promised to provide upto 75 percent compensation to horticulturalists in case of damage due to hailstorms. Though the government had not provided any compensation to them for losses incurred due to hailstorms during the last four years, he said.

“Not only this, the government had failed to implement Centre government’s schemes for farmers that have resulted in farmers not being able to avail benefits of these schemes,” Dhumal added.

The Defence Security Corps (DSC) on Saturday celebrated its 70th Raising Day. It was on this day in 1947 that the Corps was formed as ‘Defence Department Constabulary.’

Troops of the DSC have been providing security to various sensitive defence and civil installations across the country.

Lieutenant General JS Cheema, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information System and Training) and Colonel Commandant of DSC, congratulated all ranks and complimented them for their relentless efforts in guarding sensitive Defence and civil establishments.

He also remembered the supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs of the Corps, exhorted all ranks to seek inspiration from their valour and felicitated eight Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks for their distinguished service.

So far, DSC has been awarded three Vir Chakras, one Kirti Chakra, four Shaurya Chakras, ten Sena Medals, two Vishisht Seva Medals and fifteen Chief of Army, Air and Naval Staff Commendation Cards.

A local court on Saturday announced it is likely to give its verdict in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah bomb blast case now on March 8.

The special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court was supposed to deliver its verdict on Saturday but said it has deferred the verdict to March 8.

Three persons were killed and at least 15 others injured when the bomb exploded at around 6.15 pm on October 11, 2007 inside the premises of dargah of Sufi Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti.

Hearing in this case was completed in the first week of January in which 149 witnesses were examined and 451 documents were produced before the court.

As per the NIA chargesheet, some fringe Hindu groups were responsible for conducting the blasts and it has accused Swami Aseemanand, Devendra Gupta, Chandrashekhar Leve, Mukesh Vasani, Bharat Mohan Rateshwar, Lokesh Sharma and Harshad Solanki of planting and exploding bombs and murder among other charges.

Actress Ayesha Takia Azmi has slammed all those who trolled her over various social media platforms for getting under the knife.

Ayesha attended an event, where her swollen lips and cheeks made people wonder if she had undergone plastic surgery. She later became a victim to trolls, where many began discussing her "changed" face. 

In response, Ayesha took to Instagram on Friday night to share a cryptic photograph which read: "You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches."

She later posted another image of herself taking a selfie.

In the caption, the Wanted actress wrote: "Crazy long arm? Me taking a selfie! Why not! Stop selfie shaming all you girls and guys who love yourself enough to take your own picture and feel good about it should be proud. 

"Don't let anyone tell you to dim your confidence and self-love. We live in a world of judgements and bullying, so we need to rise above that and just be who we are and be proud of it. Love yourself," she added.

Leaders of Haryana's INLD, arrested after protesting over the SYL canal project, continued to remain in jail in Punjab's Patiala for the second day on Saturday as they refused bail, said party leaders.

Two MPs, 18 legislators and 73 other Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leaders were arrested by the Punjab Police on Thursday from the Haryana-Punjab border at Shambhu, 10 km from Haryana's Ambala, as they drove to the spot as part of their declared plan to dig the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

INLD sources said that party leaders had refused to seek bail and would continue to be in jail.

Among those held by the Punjab Police for violating orders prohibiting gathering of five or more persons were INLD Secretary General Abhay Chautala and state INLD President Ashok Arora.

The arrested leaders were later sent to judicial custody till February 27 by a court in Rajpura and lodged in Patiala jail, 60 km from here.

With the Haryana Assembly budget session beginning on Monday (February 27), the INLD leadership is trying to make the most of its stand on the SYL canal issue and the arrest of its leadership.

Prison officials in Patiala said that the INLD leaders, including Chautala, were lodged in three barracks and no VIP facilities were being extended to them.

The INLD activists originally had planned to enter Punjab and head for Kapoori village in Patiala district, 18 km from Shambhu, to dig at a SYL canal site. However, they were stopped and arrested at Shambhu barrier itself.

The Patiala district administration had imposed Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code and banned any assembly of five or more persons in the border belt of Patiala district.

Punjab and Haryana are locked in a bitter tussle over sharing of river waters through the SYL canal. The Supreme Court, in November last year, had ordered in favour of Haryana on this issue.

In past four years, nearly 25 per cent of government employees nabbed by the Haryana Vigilance Bureau (VB) were policemen who sought bribe to giving favorable reports or not implicating the complainants in false cases.

As per the VB data reviewed by The Statesman, 540 government employees were arrested for corruption between 2012 to 2016. Of these, 114 Haryana Police personnel, mostly ranking from constable to sub-inspectors, were nabbed by the VB for accepting bribe. In all, employees of 52 departments were nabbed by the VB during the period.

A senior VB officer said the cops were nabbed while taking bribe from various persons for not falsely implicating their names in cases and in many cases for accepting bribe in lieu of giving favourable reports.

Police department was followed by the revenue department with 105 cases and majority of its employees caught red handed were Patwaris (block level revenue officer) asking bribe for correction in documents. Power department comes next with its 64 employees held for accepting bribe during the same period.

The other departments in the list include  excise and taxation (26), local bodies department (23), education (23), co-operative department (16), food and supply (14), horticulture (10), Haryana urban development authority (10), transport (nine), irrigation (nine) and forest (eight). The remaining employees arrested for corruption belonged to other 39 departments.

Maximum numbers of employees caught for corruption were reported in 2015 as a total 175 employees from the Haryana government nabbed by the VB, followed by 129 in 2013, 119 in 2014, 110 in 2016 and seven in
2012.

"Maximum people approach the Bureau complaining about the police personnel and revenue officers for graft cases. Majority of the employees held from these departments were caught red handed for taking bribe." a senior VB officer  told The Statesman on the condition of anonymity.

"Moreover, the state government has assured us more police stations and additional manpower that would further strengthen the bureau," he added.

At present, the State VB with its headquarter at Panchkula has five police stations in Panchkula, Ambala, Rohtak, Hisar and Gurugram.

The state VB had launched anti-corruption helpline on social networking websites, Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp where people can lodge complaints about government officials or employees seeking bribe from them.

In past four years, nearly 25 per cent of government employees nabbed by the Haryana Vigilance Bureau (VB) were policemen who sought bribe to giving favorable reports or not implicating the complainants in false cases.

As per the VB data reviewed by The Statesman, 540 government employees were arrested for corruption between 2012 to 2016. Of these, 114 Haryana Police personnel, mostly ranking from constable to sub-inspectors, were nabbed by the VB for accepting bribe. In all, employees of 52 departments were nabbed by the VB during the period.

A senior VB officer said the cops were nabbed while taking bribe from various persons for not falsely implicating their names in cases and in many cases for accepting bribe in lieu of giving favourable reports.

Police department was followed by the revenue department with 105 cases and majority of its employees caught red handed were Patwaris (block level revenue officer) asking bribe for correction in documents. Power department comes next with its 64 employees held for accepting bribe during the same period.

The other departments in the list include  excise and taxation (26), local bodies department (23), education (23), co-operative department (16), food and supply (14), horticulture (10), Haryana urban development authority (10), transport (nine), irrigation (nine) and forest (eight). The remaining employees arrested for corruption belonged to other 39 departments.

Maximum numbers of employees caught for corruption were reported in 2015 as a total 175 employees from the Haryana government nabbed by the VB, followed by 129 in 2013, 119 in 2014, 110 in 2016 and seven in
2012.

"Maximum people approach the Bureau complaining about the police personnel and revenue officers for graft cases. Majority of the employees held from these departments were caught red handed for taking bribe." a senior VB officer  told The Statesman on the condition of anonymity.

"Moreover, the state government has assured us more police stations and additional manpower that would further strengthen the bureau," he added.

At present, the State VB with its headquarter at Panchkula has five police stations in Panchkula, Ambala, Rohtak, Hisar and Gurugram.

The state VB had launched anti-corruption helpline on social networking websites, Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp where people can lodge complaints about government officials or employees seeking bribe from them.

Serene beaches, picturesque landscapes, bright sun and chill vibe all around makes Goa a place to be.

Goa is one of the most happening places of all time. The natives know how to live life to the fullest. Basking in the sun during the day and partying hard in the night, everything at its best and yet a lot of things still remain unexplored.

As a tourist the aim is to visit as many place as possible. What is missed on is living like a native, to take in the vibe of the place by being part of the residents and knowing their culture and tradition.

Once under Portuguese rule, the place still continues to carry forward the traditions of the same. One of the major celebrations that prove that Goa is much more than just beaches and parties is the Goa Carnival.

The carnival is a four-day long celebration being celebrated since 18th century is going to be celebrated from February 25 to 28 this year.

King Momo, or the king of Chaos, is the prime character of this extravaganza. The word Momo is derived from the Greek god Momus, the god of satire.

The Goa Carnival crowns a King Momo, usually a large gentleman. The court of King Momo is usually made up of fire eaters, jesters, dancers, a brass band and other revelers who make their way down the streets of Panaji whilst the King encourages people to “Kha, piye aani majja kar” i.e. “Eat, drink and make merry”.

Goa Tourism and Development Corporation have picked Goan musician and entertainment professional, Roque Tome Fernandes as King Momo for Goa Carnival 2017. The 65-year old Panaji resident has often essayed the role of King Momo for arriving cruise tourists at Mormugao Port Trust.

King Momo's entourage leads the Carnival float parades at Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa with the festivities beginning in Panaji.

With energy, enthusiasm, joy and optimism, the natives and visitors equally enjoy the celebration and the vibrant hues all around make all happy and carefree.

Know the history and the culture of Goa like never before by being part of this Carnival and learn a thing or two on how to live a chilled-out life and smile every moment.

Serene beaches, picturesque landscapes, bright sun and chill vibe all around makes Goa a place to be.

Goa is one of the most happening places of all time. The natives know how to live life to the fullest. Basking in the sun during the day and partying hard in the night, everything at its best and yet a lot of things still remain unexplored.

As a tourist the aim is to visit as many place as possible. What is missed on is living like a native, to take in the vibe of the place by being part of the residents and knowing their culture and tradition.

Once under Portuguese rule, the place still continues to carry forward the traditions of the same. One of the major celebrations that prove that Goa is much more than just beaches and parties is the Goa Carnival.

The carnival is a four-day long celebration being celebrated since 18th century is going to be celebrated from February 25 to 28 this year.

King Momo, or the king of Chaos, is the prime character of this extravaganza. The word Momo is derived from the Greek god Momus, the god of satire.

The Goa Carnival crowns a King Momo, usually a large gentleman. The court of King Momo is usually made up of fire eaters, jesters, dancers, a brass band and other revelers who make their way down the streets of Panaji whilst the King encourages people to “Kha, piye aani majja kar” i.e. “Eat, drink and make merry”.

Goa Tourism and Development Corporation have picked Goan musician and entertainment professional, Roque Tome Fernandes as King Momo for Goa Carnival 2017. The 65-year old Panaji resident has often essayed the role of King Momo for arriving cruise tourists at Mormugao Port Trust.

King Momo's entourage leads the Carnival float parades at Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa with the festivities beginning in Panaji.

With energy, enthusiasm, joy and optimism, the natives and visitors equally enjoy the celebration and the vibrant hues all around make all happy and carefree.

Know the history and the culture of Goa like never before by being part of this Carnival and learn a thing or two on how to live a chilled-out life and smile every moment.

The Congress on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has "stooped to extremely low level of politicking" in his poll speeches and was also trying to divide voters on communal lines.

Party spokesperson CP Joshi said: "Modi has lost his political balance in the wake of a definite electoral defeat" in the state.

Modi on February 19, in Fatehpur accused the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) government of playing politics of discrimination in the state. 

"If a village receives funds for a graveyard, then it should also get for cremation grounds… If you provide uninterrupted power supply for Ramzan, then you should also do it for Diwali," Modi had said.

The Congress, which is the SP's poll partner in the state, also slammed Modi for insinuating that the SP was in cahoots with those behind the Kanpur train accident.

"He said that the conspiracy of the Kanpur railway accident was hatched across the border and the conspirators were here and hand in glove with his political opponents," said Joshi.

Joshi said that Modi, staring at imminent defeat, "explicitly tried to divide the electorate on communal lines".

"Not only has he brought down the dignity of the Prime Ministerial chair, he continuously brings insult to the oath of allegiance to the Constitution," said the senior party leader.

Congress also said that Modi made no bones about the fact that he wanted to flaunt the polarisation card.

"His sheer desperation is clearly visible," Joshi said while demanding a firm, proper and fair investigation into the the train accident at Kanpur in November last year.

Accepting that the conspiracy might have been hatched across the border, Joshi said it was not right to discuss an ongoing investigation and influence it, while speaking at an election rally.

He added: "By making this a political tool to attack his opponents, Modi has again stooped to extremely low level of politicking."

The Congress on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has "stooped to extremely low level of politicking" in his poll speeches and was also trying to divide voters on communal lines.

Party spokesperson CP Joshi said: "Modi has lost his political balance in the wake of a definite electoral defeat" in the state.

Modi on February 19, in Fatehpur accused the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) government of playing politics of discrimination in the state. 

"If a village receives funds for a graveyard, then it should also get for cremation grounds… If you provide uninterrupted power supply for Ramzan, then you should also do it for Diwali," Modi had said.

The Congress, which is the SP's poll partner in the state, also slammed Modi for insinuating that the SP was in cahoots with those behind the Kanpur train accident.

"He said that the conspiracy of the Kanpur railway accident was hatched across the border and the conspirators were here and hand in glove with his political opponents," said Joshi.

Joshi said that Modi, staring at imminent defeat, "explicitly tried to divide the electorate on communal lines".

"Not only has he brought down the dignity of the Prime Ministerial chair, he continuously brings insult to the oath of allegiance to the Constitution," said the senior party leader.

Congress also said that Modi made no bones about the fact that he wanted to flaunt the polarisation card.

"His sheer desperation is clearly visible," Joshi said while demanding a firm, proper and fair investigation into the the train accident at Kanpur in November last year.

Accepting that the conspiracy might have been hatched across the border, Joshi said it was not right to discuss an ongoing investigation and influence it, while speaking at an election rally.

He added: "By making this a political tool to attack his opponents, Modi has again stooped to extremely low level of politicking."