Makkah stampede: 14 Indian Haj pilgrims dead, 13 injured
New Delhi/Riyadh: At least 14 Indian Haj pilgrims were among the over 700 killed in Thursday’s stampede in Makkah in Saudi Arabia, while 13 Indians are injured, the government said. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Friday: “Our Consul General Jeddah reports loss of 14 Indian lives in stampede. We have 13 injured in hospital.” Sushma, who is in the US, said: “The exact number will be known after confirmation by Saudi authorities.” At least 717 people have been confirmed dead as of now in the Thursday’s stampede, the worst tragedy to hit the world’s holiest Muslim pilgrimage in 25 years, while over 800 are injured. Earlier, she said that “Indian volunteers have reached in large numbers and are assisting the local authorities” at Makkah. The disaster that took place on the first day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice. Thursday’s stampede took place barely two weeks after a massive crane fell in Makkah’s grand mosque, killing over 100 people and injuring over 200. Eleven of the dead were Indians. (IANS)
Osama had prior knowledge of 2008 Mumbai attacks: Book
Islamabad: Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden had prior information of the 2008 terror attack at Mumbai, a new book has said. The book “Pakistan’s secret war on Al-Qaeda” said that bin Laden had prior knowledge of the 2008 Mumbai attack. “He wanted to establish an Al Qaeda state in Pakistan following the breakout of full-scale war between the two nuclear armed neighbours,” reported Dawn, citing the book. The revelations were made in the book authored by Azaz Syed, an investigative journalist and a former correspondent for DawnNews. As many as 166 people were killed in the November 26-28 Mumbai terror attack mounted by 10 gunmen from Pakistan who sneaked into India and let loose a reign of terror. One of them, Ajmal Kasab, was caught alive, tried, sentenced to death and executed later. (IANS)
Government approves Rs.1,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh
New Delhi: The government on Friday approved a further ‘special assistance’ of Rs.1,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh during the current financial year. According to the finance ministry, the assistance includes Rs.350 crore for the development of seven backward districts covering Rayalaseema and north coastal regions. An additional Rs.350 crore has been provided to develop the new capital. The assistance for development of the new capital will be used to build the complex housing the Raj Bhawan, high court, government secretariat, legislative assembly and council and other essential infrastructure. As per the ministry, Rs.300 crore goes for the Polavaram Irrigation Project. A tax incentive has also been provided in the Finance Act, 2015. Earlier, Rs.4,403 crore was released to Andhra Pradesh in 2014-15. The ministry said the central government was required to make appropriate grants, benefits and incentives in the form of special assistance to the backward areas of the two states of Telengana and Andhra Pradesh. (IANS)
Food Security Act launched in Jharkhand
Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Friday launched the Food Security Act, which aims to provide subsidised food grains to around 80 percent of the state’s population. The act, which was in limbo since 2013, will ensure around 51 lakh families get food grains at Re 1 per kg. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sarya Rai said: “Earlier 35 lakh families were covered under Public Distribution System (PDS), but with this, 51 lakh families will benefit.” “The act will be fully implemented in next two months in the state,” he added. He said a process to end duplicity in ration cards was underway. (ians)
AAP takes credit for static Delhi power tariff
New Delhi: Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday claimed credit after the power regulator announced that electricity tariff for domestic consumers in the capital won’t be raised. “AAP has shown yet again that honest intent combined with corruption-free governance can deliver cheapest services,” party leader Dilip Pandey told the media here. The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) announced on Thursday that the tariff for domestic consumers would remain at the present levels, saying its own assessment shows surplus revenue for discoms. He said that AAP leaders and legislators attended all public hearings of DERC on tariff hike petitions and registered the citizens’ strong opposition to any hike. “Why was AAP the only party to attend DERC’s hearings? Because only AAP can afford to practice honest politics,” Pandey said. He said in the last 15 years, both the Congress and BJP gave discoms a free run to increase rates. (ians)
