The Income-Tax department has issued more than 3000 notices for undisclosed income suspicion and has seized Rs.86 crore new currency so far since demonetisation, officials said on Tuesday.

According to reports, the I-T department has detected Rs.3,185 crore undisclosed currency and has seized Rs.428 crore, including both cash and jewellery, since November 8, the day PM Narendra Modi announced demonetisation.

In the demonetisation drive, the I-T department has so far conducted raids at different places accross the country and has siezed old defunct currency.

Bangladesh's elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Tuesday arrested two accomplices of the two masterminds of the terror attack on a cafe here that killed 21 persons, mostly foreigners.

The two are also members of Neo-JMB — an offshoot of the banned militant outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh, which had been blamed for the July 1 attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka's diplomatic quarter, Xinhua news agency reported.

RAB spokesperson Mufti Mahmud Khan said Atikur Rahman Milon and Khademul Islam Khadem were arrested with some books, leaflets and weapons.

Tamim Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi-Canadian, and Sarwar Jahan, identified as Neo JMB chief who was killed during a raid on October 8, were believed to be the masterminds of the attack.

Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to stay the latest demonetisation order putting a ceiling on the deposit of scrapped currency.

Amarinder Singh also demanded a review of the November 8 demonetisation policy. He urged the apex court to treat his petition as a public interest litigation.

He said these changing rules were causing havoc when people were already facing immense hardship as a result of the currency ban.

In his petition, Amarinder Singh questioned the need to put a ceiling on the deposit of old notes when the government earlier told the people not to rush to banks as there was time until December 30 to deposit money. 

Describing the Congress as a ‘leadership bankrupt’ party, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday said that the Congress was poaching the fugitives of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in dismay to form the government in the state.

Addressing the gathering during the Sangat Darshan program in Jalandhar Cantt assembly segment here today, the chief minister said that those leaders who ditch their mother party for the sake of tickets or plum posts could never succeed in life. He said that such leader were ‘pervert sons’ of their parent party, which has nurtured them since long. Badal said that unfortunately the Congress was today banking on such leaders to overcome its leadership crisis.

Exhorting the people to don’t support such leaders, the Chief Minister said that these turncoats and fugitives take the verdict of people for granted and frequently change their parties just for the sake of enjoying fruits of power.

Badal said that the time has come when people must show a door to such political leaders who have neither had any loyalty towards their party nor with the people. “These people who have deceived their mother party for lusts of power are not at all reliable and must be shown a door” he added.

Rumours that Apple was no longer keen on the desktop business because of the emergence of portable market has been discarded by CEO Tim Cook, saying new desktops were on the way.

According to a report in TechCrunch on Tuesday that cited a posting by Apple CEO to an employee message board, the tech giant assures that "great desktops" are upcoming.

"Some folks in the media have raised the question about whether we are committed to desktops," Cook wrote.

"If there is any doubt about that with our teams, let me be very clear — we have great desktops in our roadmap. Nobody should worry about that," Cook added.

Answering to a question, Cook said the Mac desktop was very strategic for Apple.

"It is unique compared to the notebook because you can pack a lot more performance in a desktop — the largest screens, the most memory and storage, a greater variety of I/O, and fastest performance. So there are many different reasons why desktops are really important, and in some cases critical, to people," wrote Cook.

Cook said Apple's greatest differentiator was their culture and people who were embedded with "change the world" attitude and boldness that "good is not good enough". 

"They are the foundation by which everything else comes about. Without great people and a great environment that people can live in, we would not have intellectual property. We would not have the best products. We would not have the inventions or features I mentioned earlier," Cook noted.

Filmmaker Kunal Kohli has lauded Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan's forthcoming film Dangal, saying the actor can bag an Oscar for the sports drama.

Kohli, who earlier directed Aamir in the 2006 film Fanaa, took to Twitter on Monday evening to share that Dangal was one of the "finest films" ever made. 

"Dangal is one of the finest films ever made in the world. Like Geeta got the gold. Aamir can get the Oscar best film ever," Kohli tweeted. 

In Dangal, Aamir plays the role of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat.

He underwent rigorous workout sessions for the role. He had to previously gain weight, going from 68 kg to 93 kg in six months, for his role of the ageing wrestler during the first phase of the film's shoot.

The film also stars Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra.

Dangal, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is scheduled to release on Friday.

Following RBI's announcement of stricter rules for depositing demonetised currency, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has clarified that no questions will be asked if any amount of old currency is deposited in one go, but repeated deposits may provoke queries.

"If they go and deposit with bank any amount of currency no questions are going to be asked to them and therefore the 5000 rupee limit does not apply to them if they go and deposit it once," Jaitley told reporters here on Monday night, after the Reserve Bank of India announced earlier in the day that deposits of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in excess of Rs 5,000 will now be allowed only once till December 30 — that too after strict scrutiny.

"But if they are going to go everyday and deposit some currency, same person, that gives rise to suspicion that where is he acquiring this currency from. In that event a person may have something to worry about. Therefore everyone is advised whatever old currency you have please go and deposit it now," he said.

The Finance Minister said that since all exemptions to certain sectors and utilities, which had been allowed to accept the banned currency post demonetisation, ended last week, those in possession of the old notes are supposed to deposit them with banks.

"Anyone who has old currency notes is not allowed to trade in them. He can only go and deposit them with banks," he said.

Earlier on Monday, the RBI said when a person deposits over Rs 5,000 in withdrawn currencies, then credit shall be given to that person's account only after questioning him or her, in the presence of two bank officials, as to why the notes were not deposited earlier.

The bankers will keep the explanatory statement on record for future audit trail.

Deposits of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes up to Rs 5,000 in value received across the counter will be allowed to be credited to bank accounts in the normal course until December 30.

But if the deposits are less than Rs 5,000 at a time but cumulatively the value exceeds Rs 5,000, then the bank officials have to follow the procedure of getting on record the explanation from the depositor why the deposit was not made earlier.

These restrictions do not apply to deposits under the Taxation and Investment Regime for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.

The government demonetised the high value currency notes on November 8, in a move to combat the problems of black money, counterfeit currency and terror financing.

The
telephone conversation on December 2 between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump
and President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan was relatively brief but continues to
reverberate prominently in news, diplomatic and political dimensions. Relations
between Taiwan and mainland China have been convoluted since 1949, when
communist forces under Mao Zedong achieved victory in the long civil war.
Remnants of the Nationalist China army under Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan. In
order to maintain established working relations with Beijing, Washington has
generally respected the diplomatic fiction that Taiwan does not exist as a
separate entity. President Richard Nixon’s historic 1972 visit to China began
the process of improving relations. Formal diplomatic relations were developed
in 1978. Tsai was elected with 56 per cent of the vote in January. She is the
first woman chief executive of the island, which is extremely important but
submerged in the current media noise. She is the second president from the
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has been formally committed to
independence for Taiwan, an act that Beijing has regularly declared would mean
war. The rival conservative Kuomintang Party (KMT) has taken a more flexible,
pragmatic approach. Tsai’s immediate predecessor, President Ma Ying-jeou, is
from the KMT. He emphasized and effectively pursued rapprochement, greatly
expanding economic ties with mainland China. In a 2006 visit to New York, Ma
emphasised the agreement with Beijing to accept the concept of the “one China”
policy but to differ on features of that China. That accord was fundamental to
the comparatively effective dialogue that followed. Tsai has refused a formal
public commitment to a “one China, two systems” formulation. Pragmatism
nonetheless has been Taiwan’s overall approach. Following Washington’s formal
diplomatic recognition of Beijing on 1 January 1979 Taipei launched a
comprehensive, essentially nonconfrontational strategic response. Consular
offices in American cities were greatly expanded. Local and state government
officials, along with members of the U.S. Congress, were assiduously courted.
Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton was among those who visited Taiwan. During the
mid-1990s, the Clinton administration acceded to a demand by Beijing that
Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui be prevented from visiting the United States.
This decision was reversed through skillfully conducted direct appeal to the
U.S. Congress. The experience remains a powerful reminder of the substantial influence
the small island has astutely developed in the U.S. despite — and to some
extent because of — absence of formal diplomatic ties. Taiwan is banker to the
enormous industrial revolution taking place on the mainland. Commercially
successful, generally welleducated overseas Chinese are a vital source of
investment capital. Expatriate Chinese also vote in Taiwan elections. China and
the United States were directly involved as combatants in the Korean War of
1950- 1953. Newly inaugurated President Dwight D. Eisenhower successfully
halted the war, and also drew Taiwan tightly into a new security agreement.
That was particularly important because Republican rhetoric of the era promised
to “unleash” the nationalists on the mainland. Eisenhower indirectly neutralized
the hot rhetoric while controlling Taiwan. In 1955 and 1958 tense
confrontations occurred between Beijing and Washington, but Eisenhower averted
war.China supported Communist revolutionaries in the Vietnam War, despite
deeply rooted enmity with Indochina. Ideological solidarity triumphed. Yet
Beijing also tolerated approximately one and a half million American forces,
plus allies, near their border without intervening directly. President
Eisenhower visited Taiwan during the height of the Cold War. President Ronald
Reagan included a Taiwan delegation in his inauguration. Trump’s gesture is
clumsy and disruptive but not likely to lead to war. THE WRITER IS CLAUSEN
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR AT CARTHAGE COLLEGE AND AUTHOR OF AFTER THE COLD WAR
(NYU PRESS. THE CHINA POST/ANN.)

The government recently announced new chiefs for the army and the air force. The announcement has limited impact on the nation and remains in the news for just a few days, as chiefs play no major role in decision-making as compared to other South Asian nations.

The appointment of the army chief would remain in the headlines for some time, as two seniors were superseded. Dwelling into the controversy concerning his appointment has no utility, as it is the government’s prerogative to select the chief which it has justifiably implemented. Both newly appointed chiefs would head the ultimate elements of power of the nation. They would guide their respective branches of the military through the next few years, while dealing with a variety of challenges. Any service chief on assuming his appointment sets for himself personal goals and an end state which he aims to achieve by the end of his tenure. These generally generate from his experience and interactions with members of his service. More importantly, he plans to guide his service to produce results which the nation expects. While he plays no direct role in operations, they are coordinated and planned at his level, while execution is done at lower levels.

The military has been in the headlines for many reasons in the recent past. Tensions on the borders, pay panel delays, OROP, operational shortfalls and administrative shortcomings are challenges for the two now assuming charge. Unlike Pakistan, where the chief changed the entire hierarchy and appointed his own people to push his agenda, in India, the chief has limited space for similar action.

Changes can only occur when an individual completes his tenure and even then only with the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Appointments (CCA). Hence, his role is more of a mentor, administrator, coordinator and resource provider. He operates at the national strategic level while operations are handled by lower level commanders. In this context, there are immense challenges facing both the chiefs as they occupy the hot seats.

Operationally, India faces increasing threats on two fronts. A belligerent China increases its presence in areas of India’s interest and provides open support to Pakistan to continue with its anti-India terror groups. Indo-China standoffs are becoming more frequent and hostile. Kashmir remains an area of concern as the army suffered maximum losses of soldiers this year in both militant attacks as also cross-border firing. Militancy and increased ceasefire violations imply the need for an alert military, prepared to retaliate with force. Shortfalls in weaponry and serviceability of equipment continue to hamper operational preparedness of the forces, in case of an open conflict on either front. These would always be priority areas for the chiefs to handle.

Administratively there are shortfalls in all essential equipment, stretching from bullet-proof jackets to combat boots. This reduces the efficiency of the military in operations and even training. Delays in acquisition and procurement have an adverse effect when facing emerging challenges. Pursuing pending cases and ensuring timely procurement remains a challenge. Both the newly appointed chiefs were vice chiefs prior to their elevation and hence are aware of the pitfalls in the system.

Modernisation of the force is a constant worry. To be able to battle two fronts the nation needs a modern military with adequate reserves of equipment and spares. Modernization in the last decade has been slow and tardy. While deals are presently being signed, the procurement process remains slow. Planning a military for 2025 and expecting to thwart enemy designs in 2017 or 2018 is illogical. Constant interaction and pressure on the defence ministry is essential for speeding up the process.

The pay commission headed by Justice Mathur in one sweep broke the limited trust which existed between the military and the bureaucracy. It caused a divide which would harm the nation in the years ahead. Re-establishing the bond and breaking the distrust should be a priority. In a similar vein, the delay in implementing the pay commission recommendations has increased the divide between the officers and the men.

The impression across the rank and file is that most pending issues only pertain to the officer level; however their case has also been held up. The chiefs would now have to push the government to ensure early release of the same or convince the rank and file that it is for the future and general good of the military. The other discrepancies of recent times, including the disability pensions, allowances and status of civil and military officers in service HQs also needs to be addressed on priority basis. Ignoring the issue or letting it linger affects morale at every level. While most cases remain with the anomalies commission, a faster redressal of these grievances and an early release would only place both new chiefs on a stronger platform.

OROP is also an issue where the service chiefs need to be directly involved. Every serving personnel is a future veteran. With limited job opportunities and early retirement, most veterans only have their pensions to survive on. A half-hearted OROP, implemented in haste and the Reddy commission report yet to see the light of day have ensured that morale at the veteran level is low. This impacts the military as those serving visualize a similar bleak future for themselves. The chiefs therefore need to interact with veterans at regular intervals, assuring them of their support as also requesting the government to consider early resolution of pending anomalies. The chief is like a demi-god within his service.

The military needs equipment and stores to be able to battle threats. Those in service and the veterans look up to him with the hope that he will resolve their problems. The government may be aware but is rarely in a hurry. Morale at every level is dependent on resolution of problems. The new chiefs have a lot on their hands as they occupy the top offices.

(The writer is a Retired Major General of the Indian Army)