National Award winner Madhur Bhandarkar, who recently wrapped up shooting of Indu Sarkar, set against the Emergency, believes the younger generation should know about what transpired during the turbulent 21-month period in the 1970s.

"Emergency is a subject that today's generation doesn't know and they should be aware of it. Today's generation should know exactly what had happened at that time. How things were suppressed and civil liberties were being snatched. That story has to be told to today's generation," Bhandarkar told the media here.

Starring Kirti Kulhari and Bengali actor Tota Roy Chowdhury in key roles, the film narrates the story of a stammering poetess who rebels against the system during Emergency (1975-1977).

Lauding the performances and chemistry between the two actors, the Fashion and Chandni Bar filmmaker said he enjoyed shooting the movie in a span of 41 days.

"I made a lot of films which are contemporary but I wanted to travel back in time. It is very retro for me," he added.

Asked about any political reactions the film might elicit, he said one has to wait for the trailer to discern responses.

The fourth round of peace talks between Mizoram government and Hmar People's Convention(D), scheduled to be held during mid-February has been deferred, additional secretary to the state home department Lalbiakzama said on Saturday.

Lalbiakzama said that the peace talks had made tremendous progress and was nearing conclusion with both the sides expressing optimism to find an amicable solution to the Hmar imbroglio.

But the fourth round of talks has been deferred for different reasons and the new date for it would be fixed once the state government clears the necessary legislation procedures and allocate fund.

"Implementation of the proposed framework agreement would necessitate legislation by the state assembly for establishment of a revamped council to be named as Singlung Hills Council replacing Sinlung Hills Development Council," he said.

The provisions of the proposed legislation have to be vetted by the state law and judicial department which would take time, Lalbiakzama added.

Finance department's approval also was being sought as expenses for rehabilitation of HPC(D) cadres would have to be worked out before they come overground following signing of an agreement between the two sides, he added.

The Hmar community, who are found concentrated in the north eastern part of Mizoram adjoining Manipur, have been demanding a separate autonomous district council like the Maras, Lais and Chakmas in the southern part of the state.

HPC went underground in 1989 demanding a separate autonomous district council and signed an agreement with the state government in 1994 which resulted in the formation of the Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC).

HPC(D) was formed by former HPC cadres who were unhappy with the agreement and launched armed insurrection for a separate autonomous district council for the Hmars. But it agreed to abandon the claim and agreed to more power to SHDC during peace talks which commenced from August 10 last year.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has cleared the draft compensation law — one of the four enabling laws under the GST constitutional amendment.

The minister also said he hoped that the drafts of the remaining iGST (integrated GST) and cGST (central GST) laws will be passed in the Council's next meeting slated for March 4-5 in the national capital.

"The GST's compensation law states that if any state suffers loss it will be covered in first five years. Its legally vetted draft came before the Council and was the first law formally passed," Jaitley said here at a press conference.

"In the Budget Session's second half, all enabling laws under the GST constitutional amendment should get approved," he added.

In the wake of being asked by the State Election Commission (SEC), Odisha to curb any poll-related violence across state, Director General of Police (DGP) K B Singh on Saturday said all possible steps are being taken to prevent any untoward incident.

Affirming that his office has received a letter from the SEC Rabinarayan Senapati, who expressed concern over the poll-related violence, Singh said, "Additional police force is being deplyed in sensitive and hyper-sensitive booths besides others places."

"Even Naxal-hit areas have been peaceful," the DGP claimed adding that he has also received memorandum from the opposition BJP which alleged that a senior IPS officer was not working in impartial manner while conducting law and order situation in the state.

Meanwhile, the SEC said that all arrangement were in place for the fourth phase of the five round panchayat elections scheduled to be held on Sunday.

The polling will be held in 28 of the 30 districts of Odisha barring Jharsuguda and Boudh districts.

A total of 50,61,974 people will exercise their franchise for the election of 1324 Sarpanch and 17,876 Ward Members in 162 Zilla Parishad (ZP) zones, SEC Secretary Rabindranath Sahu said.

Stating that the polling parties have already left for their respective polling booths, Sahu said elaborate security measures are being taken at the sensitive and hyper-sensitive booths in 28 districts.

Sahu said the district Superintendents of Police have been given specific instruction to provide armed police force escort to each polling party for their arrival and return from the polling booths.

The SEC has asked the police to provide escort to the polling parties in wake of snatching of ballot boxes, setting fire to ballot papers and attack on polling officials during the first phase polls on February 13.

Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday held demonstrations at various places in Punjab against Centre's demonetization move and asked the government to reveal complete data of black money received after the note ban.

Addressing the party workers, AAP state convener, Gurpreet Singh Waraich said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is directly responsible for the problems being faced by common people due to demonetization".

He said that the farmers, traders, and small retailers are constrained to stand in long queues outside the banks due to demonetization which has immensely affected their business.

Questioning PM Modi for saying that demonetization will give sleepless nights to the hoarders of black money, while the common man will lead a peaceful life, Waraich, according to a party release, said the move of the union government has completely derailed the life of the common man.

Waraich said that in order to eliminate corruption, the corrupt should be targeted.

The AAP leader claimed that more than 150 people have died throughout country because of the 'Tuglaqi Farmaan' of the government "but Modi has not said even a word about the loss of these lives".

Waraich claimed that apart from traders and businessmen, the farmers faced a lot of difficulties as they had no cash to buy seeds and fertilizers.

"The trade, agriculture and business has been destroyed with Modi's decision," he alleged.

Notably, AAP contested the February 4 Assembly polls and is eyeing to wrest power from the SAD-BJP combine. The results will be out on March 11.

The BJP on Saturday targeted Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her poll campaign in Rae Bareli for the Congress-SP alliance, saying it was unfortunate that she was seeking votes for those accused of "rape and murder".

BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma referred to the rape charge against Gayatri Prajapati, a minister in the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP government in Uttar Pradesh who is contesting the ongoing state Assembly polls from Amethi, and the murder charge against another SP nominee Arun Verma, to target Priyanka.

Amethi is a Gandhi family pocket borough and is represented by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha, while neighbouring Rae Bareli is represented by party chief and Rahul's mother Sonia Gandhi in the Lower House of Parliament.

"It is unfortunate that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sought votes for someone who is accused of a heinous crime like rape. She chose to keep mum on the allegation. She and Rahul Gandhi are not with the people of Uttar Pradesh but with those accused of rape and murder and those who protect them," Sharma told reporters here.

He hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government for the "lack of action" against SP MLA Verma, who has been booked for the murder of a woman who had earlier accused him of raping her.

Sharma said it was unfortunate that Rahul and Priyanka targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi but said nothing about such serious allegations against SP candidates.

Priyanka yesterday joined brother Rahul in attacking Modi over his "UP's adopted son" remark, saying the state did not need an outsider when it had its own to take it forward, while seeking votes for the SP-Congress alliance.

Citing figures, Sharma said a girl is molested every three minutes in Uttar Pradesh and blamed the police for "failing to act" against the accused in "most of such cases".

The BJP leader claimed that a total of 6.8 lakh incidents of crime had occurred in the state under the SP government, adding that the police had failed to solve most of them.

"If the BJP is voted to power (in Uttar Pradesh), we will take stern action against not only the accused, but also those protecting them," said Sharma.

The BJP on Saturday targeted Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her poll campaign in Rae Bareli for the Congress-SP alliance, saying it was unfortunate that she was seeking votes for those accused of "rape and murder".

BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma referred to the rape charge against Gayatri Prajapati, a minister in the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP government in Uttar Pradesh who is contesting the ongoing state Assembly polls from Amethi, and the murder charge against another SP nominee Arun Verma, to target Priyanka.

Amethi is a Gandhi family pocket borough and is represented by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha, while neighbouring Rae Bareli is represented by party chief and Rahul's mother Sonia Gandhi in the Lower House of Parliament.

"It is unfortunate that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sought votes for someone who is accused of a heinous crime like rape. She chose to keep mum on the allegation. She and Rahul Gandhi are not with the people of Uttar Pradesh but with those accused of rape and murder and those who protect them," Sharma told reporters here.

He hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government for the "lack of action" against SP MLA Verma, who has been booked for the murder of a woman who had earlier accused him of raping her.

Sharma said it was unfortunate that Rahul and Priyanka targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi but said nothing about such serious allegations against SP candidates.

Priyanka yesterday joined brother Rahul in attacking Modi over his "UP's adopted son" remark, saying the state did not need an outsider when it had its own to take it forward, while seeking votes for the SP-Congress alliance.

Citing figures, Sharma said a girl is molested every three minutes in Uttar Pradesh and blamed the police for "failing to act" against the accused in "most of such cases".

The BJP leader claimed that a total of 6.8 lakh incidents of crime had occurred in the state under the SP government, adding that the police had failed to solve most of them.

"If the BJP is voted to power (in Uttar Pradesh), we will take stern action against not only the accused, but also those protecting them," said Sharma.

The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) that is creating the IT backbone for the new indirect tax regime, is under scrutiny for probable tax evasion.

The service tax department, which comes under the Central Bureau of Excise and Customs (CBEC), is probing the GSTN.

An assessing officer of the department issued a summon against the CEO of GSTN, asking him to appear in person or through a representative on February 22, and produce balance sheets, bank statements and income-tax return forms of the company.

"A case against Goods and Service Tax Network, under the Chapter V of the Finance Act, 1994 (service tax) is being investigated," the summon said.

The summon also asked the company to produce details of receipts of funds from the Centre and details of payments made to Infosys, which it hired to execute the hardware and software part of the GST project.

GSTN was set up as a non-profit, non-government company in March 2013, with 51 per cent stake owned by banks and financial institutions.

The GSTN when contacted told IANS, "We have not received any such summon regarding indirect tax inquiry."

However, sources in the CBEC told IANS that it is a prima facie inquiry to verify the tax liability details of the company.

"It is a preliminary inquiry to seek clarification. But as a first step, we just send a letter and summon comes only as the second resort. In this case, it looks like the work of an over-enthusiastic assessing officer who has skipped the first step and directly given a summon, which is wrong," the source told IANS. 

He said that in all likelihood the summon has already been withdrawn because there is no propriety to it, though the routine inquiry would go on.

The CBEC source said that the records of the company will be checked like in the case of any other company. 

"We cannot give it a leeway just because it is linked to the GST. The assessing officer will decide if the inquiry is required in the first place or not, and then its records will be checked in the normal course," he said.

"But there is no institutional fight between GSTN and CBEC and should not be projected that way," he added. 

GSTN was established in 2013 to assist and engage with various stakeholders in preparing information technology and communications related infrastructure for smooth roll out of the GST.

The company – established as a non-government, no-profit company – receives grants-in-aid from the government towards creation of capital assets for infrastructure requirements and its functioning.

"Service tax is not payable on grants disbursed by government, provided it does not directly affect the value of service. In this instance, grants received by GSTN appear to be capital in nature as they are for capacity creation or for setting up of information technology infrastructure backbone to facilitate introduction of GST in India. Thus, service tax may not be payable on the grants received by GSTN," analyst Pritam Mahure told IANS.

"In case, the concern of service tax applicability still persists in the minds of service tax authorities, then government/CBEC can explore issuance of specific clarification or exemption notification," he added.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy had earlier raised objections on GSTN saying that its operations must be stalled because of its majority stake being held by private players. 

He had demanded that it should be replaced by a government-owned body.

The Centre owns 24.5 per cent stake in GSTN, state governments own another 24.5 per cent, while the HDFC, NSE Strategic Investment Corporation, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank own 10 per cent each. 

LIC Finance holds 11 per cent stake in GSTN, according to the Registrar of Companies (RoC) filings, obtained by IANS from business research platform Tofler.

GSTN's total assets stood at Rs.143 crore, with revenues at Rs.16.3 crore as on March 31, 2016, according to the information obtained from Tofler.

The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) that is creating the IT backbone for the new indirect tax regime, is under scrutiny for probable tax evasion.

The service tax department, which comes under the Central Bureau of Excise and Customs (CBEC), is probing the GSTN.

An assessing officer of the department issued a summon against the CEO of GSTN, asking him to appear in person or through a representative on February 22, and produce balance sheets, bank statements and income-tax return forms of the company.

"A case against Goods and Service Tax Network, under the Chapter V of the Finance Act, 1994 (service tax) is being investigated," the summon said.

The summon also asked the company to produce details of receipts of funds from the Centre and details of payments made to Infosys, which it hired to execute the hardware and software part of the GST project.

GSTN was set up as a non-profit, non-government company in March 2013, with 51 per cent stake owned by banks and financial institutions.

The GSTN when contacted told IANS, "We have not received any such summon regarding indirect tax inquiry."

However, sources in the CBEC told IANS that it is a prima facie inquiry to verify the tax liability details of the company.

"It is a preliminary inquiry to seek clarification. But as a first step, we just send a letter and summon comes only as the second resort. In this case, it looks like the work of an over-enthusiastic assessing officer who has skipped the first step and directly given a summon, which is wrong," the source told IANS. 

He said that in all likelihood the summon has already been withdrawn because there is no propriety to it, though the routine inquiry would go on.

The CBEC source said that the records of the company will be checked like in the case of any other company. 

"We cannot give it a leeway just because it is linked to the GST. The assessing officer will decide if the inquiry is required in the first place or not, and then its records will be checked in the normal course," he said.

"But there is no institutional fight between GSTN and CBEC and should not be projected that way," he added. 

GSTN was established in 2013 to assist and engage with various stakeholders in preparing information technology and communications related infrastructure for smooth roll out of the GST.

The company – established as a non-government, no-profit company – receives grants-in-aid from the government towards creation of capital assets for infrastructure requirements and its functioning.

"Service tax is not payable on grants disbursed by government, provided it does not directly affect the value of service. In this instance, grants received by GSTN appear to be capital in nature as they are for capacity creation or for setting up of information technology infrastructure backbone to facilitate introduction of GST in India. Thus, service tax may not be payable on the grants received by GSTN," analyst Pritam Mahure told IANS.

"In case, the concern of service tax applicability still persists in the minds of service tax authorities, then government/CBEC can explore issuance of specific clarification or exemption notification," he added.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy had earlier raised objections on GSTN saying that its operations must be stalled because of its majority stake being held by private players. 

He had demanded that it should be replaced by a government-owned body.

The Centre owns 24.5 per cent stake in GSTN, state governments own another 24.5 per cent, while the HDFC, NSE Strategic Investment Corporation, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank own 10 per cent each. 

LIC Finance holds 11 per cent stake in GSTN, according to the Registrar of Companies (RoC) filings, obtained by IANS from business research platform Tofler.

GSTN's total assets stood at Rs.143 crore, with revenues at Rs.16.3 crore as on March 31, 2016, according to the information obtained from Tofler.

Delhiites can now undergo major tests such as MRI, PET and CT scan free of cost at 21 private laboratories in the city.

"Now people of Delhi can undergo major tests like PET, CT scan, MRI etc free of charge in private labs across Delhi.

Nowhere in the country these tests are conducted for free.

Even in AIIMS, one has to pay Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 for getting an MRI done," Health Minister Satyendra Jain said addressing the 22nd Foundation Day of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Rohini.

"Patients referred either by 30 Delhi government hospitals or 23 state-run polyclinics in the city can avail these facilities. The Delhi government has reached an agreement with the laboratories concerned to offer the services," he said.

The beneficiaries have to show income certificates and residential proofs like Aadhaar card, ration card or driving licence to avail the facilities.

The major tests such as MRI, PET and CT scan cost between Rs 1,500 to Rs 25,000 in private laboratories.

In December last year, the AAP government had announced that patients undergoing treatment at 10 government hospitals, those with an annual family income of up to Rs 3 lakhs and living in the city for three years can undergo MRI and CT tests free of cost at seven private labs.

Jain also appreciated the efforts made by the forensic experts in bringing down the pendency in all divisions, especially the DNA unit of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Rohini.

Madhulika Sharma, Director of FSL, announced setting up of 11 forensic mobile teams to gather samples from across 13 districts of Delhi.

Currently, there are two forensic mobile teams which cater to the 13 districts. Due to lack of experts, police teams collect samples from crime spots and hand them over to the FSL staff.

Sharma added that one more Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Bindapur (Dwarka) will start soon.

Delhiites can now undergo major tests such as MRI, PET and CT scan free of cost at 21 private laboratories in the city.

"Now people of Delhi can undergo major tests like PET, CT scan, MRI etc free of charge in private labs across Delhi.

Nowhere in the country these tests are conducted for free.

Even in AIIMS, one has to pay Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 for getting an MRI done," Health Minister Satyendra Jain said addressing the 22nd Foundation Day of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Rohini.

"Patients referred either by 30 Delhi government hospitals or 23 state-run polyclinics in the city can avail these facilities. The Delhi government has reached an agreement with the laboratories concerned to offer the services," he said.

The beneficiaries have to show income certificates and residential proofs like Aadhaar card, ration card or driving licence to avail the facilities.

The major tests such as MRI, PET and CT scan cost between Rs 1,500 to Rs 25,000 in private laboratories.

In December last year, the AAP government had announced that patients undergoing treatment at 10 government hospitals, those with an annual family income of up to Rs 3 lakhs and living in the city for three years can undergo MRI and CT tests free of cost at seven private labs.

Jain also appreciated the efforts made by the forensic experts in bringing down the pendency in all divisions, especially the DNA unit of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Rohini.

Madhulika Sharma, Director of FSL, announced setting up of 11 forensic mobile teams to gather samples from across 13 districts of Delhi.

Currently, there are two forensic mobile teams which cater to the 13 districts. Due to lack of experts, police teams collect samples from crime spots and hand them over to the FSL staff.

Sharma added that one more Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Bindapur (Dwarka) will start soon.

US President Donald Trump has praised Indian-American Nikki Haley, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, saying that she is doing an "awfully" good job.

Haley is the first Indian American to hold the Cabinet-level position and served as the 116th governor of South Carolina from January 2011 to January 2017. 

"I want to also thank your former governor, Nikki Haley, who is doing an awfully good job for us, " Trump said to a crowd during a visit to Charleston, South Carolina. 

"She's representing America very well as our ambassador to the United Nations. She is doing a spectacular job. It's early, but she has just been really great," he added.

Trump comments came as he was attending the unveiling of the new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, a new commercial aircraft designed to carry over 300 passengers and manufactured at the US company's plant in South Carolina. 

US President Donald Trump has praised Indian-American Nikki Haley, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, saying that she is doing an "awfully" good job.

Haley is the first Indian American to hold the Cabinet-level position and served as the 116th governor of South Carolina from January 2011 to January 2017. 

"I want to also thank your former governor, Nikki Haley, who is doing an awfully good job for us, " Trump said to a crowd during a visit to Charleston, South Carolina. 

"She's representing America very well as our ambassador to the United Nations. She is doing a spectacular job. It's early, but she has just been really great," he added.

Trump comments came as he was attending the unveiling of the new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, a new commercial aircraft designed to carry over 300 passengers and manufactured at the US company's plant in South Carolina. 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday announced to stage protest against the Congress government in Himachal for failing to protect interests of farmers and horticulturalists on February 21.

Former Horticulture Minister Narendra Bragta said party workers along with horticulturalists and farmers would stage protest at Directorate of Horticulture on 21 February. A memorandum would also be submitted to Governor Acharya Devvrat on 22 February.

“The state government has imported and distributed virus infected apple rootstocks among farmers which had caused damage to apple economy of the state,” Bragta said, adding the Congress leaders and officials are now trying to hush the entire matter.

 The BJP leader said the Congress party had made tall promises of improving the farmers' economy during the 2012 assembly elections. However, after coming into power, the government seems to have forgotten its promises. “The Congress had promised to provide up to 75 per cent compensation to horticulturalists in case of damage due to hailstorms. Although the government had not provided any compensation to them for losses to them due to hailstorms during the last four years,” he said.

Not only this, the government had failed to implement the Union government’s schemes for farmers that has resulted in farmers not being able to avail benefits of these schemes, he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday announced to stage protest against the Congress government in Himachal for failing to protect interests of farmers and horticulturalists on February 21.

Former Horticulture Minister Narendra Bragta said party workers along with horticulturalists and farmers would stage protest at Directorate of Horticulture on 21 February. A memorandum would also be submitted to Governor Acharya Devvrat on 22 February.

“The state government has imported and distributed virus infected apple rootstocks among farmers which had caused damage to apple economy of the state,” Bragta said, adding the Congress leaders and officials are now trying to hush the entire matter.

 The BJP leader said the Congress party had made tall promises of improving the farmers' economy during the 2012 assembly elections. However, after coming into power, the government seems to have forgotten its promises. “The Congress had promised to provide up to 75 per cent compensation to horticulturalists in case of damage due to hailstorms. Although the government had not provided any compensation to them for losses to them due to hailstorms during the last four years,” he said.

Not only this, the government had failed to implement the Union government’s schemes for farmers that has resulted in farmers not being able to avail benefits of these schemes, he added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said that the opposition parties were shaken by the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Congress alliance and are not able to focus on any other issue. 

Addressing a public meeting in Banda, Yadav said: “Ever since Congress has come with us, they (opposition parties) are not able to understand which way this path will lead them to…they are talking only about SP and Congress and nothing else."

He asked the voters to compare the work done by his government to that of previous regimes and especially targetted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for claiming that there has been no development in UP.

“The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is fooling people,” said Akhilesh ridiculing PM Modi’s claim that no work has been done by the SP government.

“The best roads in the country are in the state (UP) and whosoever travels on them will not hesitate to vote for SP,” he said.

Akhilesh also attacked the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati for promising that there will be no more memorials and statues built if she comes to power.

"Who will believe them? She (Mayawati) has celebrated raksha bandhan earlier with BJP…maybe she can side with them once again," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said that the opposition parties were shaken by the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Congress alliance and are not able to focus on any other issue. 

Addressing a public meeting in Banda, Yadav said: “Ever since Congress has come with us, they (opposition parties) are not able to understand which way this path will lead them to…they are talking only about SP and Congress and nothing else."

He asked the voters to compare the work done by his government to that of previous regimes and especially targetted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for claiming that there has been no development in UP.

“The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is fooling people,” said Akhilesh ridiculing PM Modi’s claim that no work has been done by the SP government.

“The best roads in the country are in the state (UP) and whosoever travels on them will not hesitate to vote for SP,” he said.

Akhilesh also attacked the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati for promising that there will be no more memorials and statues built if she comes to power.

"Who will believe them? She (Mayawati) has celebrated raksha bandhan earlier with BJP…maybe she can side with them once again," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)