Delhi government today took up with union home minister Rajnath Singh its demand for an inquiry into the transfer of VAT commissioner Vijay Kumar as it alleged that lt governor Najeeb Jung did not consult the Centre before effecting the move. AAP leaders Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Dilip Pandey met the home minister in North Block for around 30 minutes and apprised him of the development that has opened a new flashpoint between the Arvind Kejriwal government and the Centre. "Why was such an honest officer transferred within a week of him swooping down on a big hawala racket? Why did the LG not consult the state government or even the Centre?" Ashutosh asked.

Govt acts against hoarders, 5,800 tonnes of pulses seized
The Centre today said action against hoarders and blackmarketeers has been stepped up and the state governments have seized over 5,800 tonnes of pulses in five states over the last few months. This is basically aimed at boosting supply and bringing down prices of tur dal that have shot up to Rs 200 per kg. According to the Consumer Affairs Ministry, over 5,800 tonnes of pulses have been seized in five states in the last few months. 2,549 tonnes have been seized from Telangana, 2,295 tonnes from Madhya Pradesh, 600 tonnes from Andhra Pradesh, 360 tonnes from Karnataka and 10 quintals from Maharashtra, the ministry's data showed.

Faridabad Dalit children killing: MHA seeks report from Haryana
Concerned over the killing of two children of a Dalit family in a suspected inter-caste clash, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday asked Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar to ensure security to everyone and prevent any recurrence of such incident. In a telephonic conversation with the chief minister, Singh expressed concern over the killing of the two children of a Dalit family in Haryana's Faridabad district early on Tuesday. In a suspected inter-caste violence, two children were killed while their parents received serious burn injuries after their house was set afire early on Tuesday in Sonped village in Faridabad.

Gandhi's great-granddaughter faces fraud charges in South Africa
A 45-year-old great- granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi has been accused of defrauding two businessmen of more than USD 830,000 in South Africa. Ashish Lata Ramgobin appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court yesterday on charges of theft, fraud and forgery. Self-employed Ramgobin is alleged to have defrauded two local businessmen of more than 11 million rands (USD 831,380) by claiming that she had secured a tender to import bedding from India for the private hospital group Netcare. Ramgobin allegedly provided forged invoices and documents to convince the investors that three containers of linen were being shipped in from India. A businessman named as S R Maharaj is said to have provided 6.2 million rands with a promise of a share of large profits after Ramgobin requested this from him, allegedly to clear import and customs duties for the non-existent consignment. A second unnamed businessman allegedly advanced 5.2 million rands under similar pretences.
Ramgobin is the daughter of renowned human rights activist Ela Gandhi and Mewa Ramgobind, who have both played instrumental roles in reviving the Phoenix Settlement established by Gandhi during his tenure in South Africa.

Delhi Uber cab driver Shiv Kumar Yadav found guilty of rape
A Delhi court on Tuesday convicted accused Uber cab driver for raping a passenger in December last year. On October 23 the court will pronounce the order on his punishment. 32-year-old Shiv Kumar Yadav was convicted by Additional Sessions Judge Kaveri Baweja for all the offences he was charged with including endangering a woman's life while raping her, abducting with an intent to compel her for marriage, criminally intimidating and causing hurt under the IPC. "Shiv Kumar Yadav is convicted of all charges (framed against him). To come up for arguments on quantum of sentence on October 23," the judge said, pronouncing his verdict 11 months after the crime which had brought into focus the working of radio taxis.

Hardik Patel moves Gujarat HC to set aside sedition charges
A day after he was arrested, Patel quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel today moved a petition before the Gujarat High Court seeking to set aside the sedition charges filed against him in Surat. The plea is likely to come up for hearing tomorrow. Hardik's father Bharat Patel moved the plea on behalf of his son through his advocate B M Mangukiya and stated that no offence can be attributed to the Patel leader.  A case of sedition was filed against Hardik for his alleged controversial remarks instigating his community youth to kill cops instead of committing suicide.

Employees give more importance to flexible hours and recognition than salary
Employees are increasingly giving more importance to non-monetary compensation like flexible hours and recognition over salary and bonus, a report says. According to the compensation and benefits report published by Top Employers Institute, salary and bonus continue to lose importance as compared to non-monetary elements. The survey was based on a sample size of 600 companies in 96 countries.

"While salary is still hugely important, non-monetary elements like flexible hours, learning and development and recognition have become decisive factors in job offers and employee retention," Top Employers Institute CEO David Plink said.

Rail minister takes on board a new OSD
Hanish Yadav, who is not a government official has become Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for railway minister Suresh Prabhu.The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the appointment of Yadav on contract basis for a period of five years or on co-terminus basis with the minister's tenure, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training said.

Govt yet to get response from bankers on Coal India stake sale
The government has for the third time extended deadline for appointment of merchant bankers for the mega Rs 21,000-crore share sale in Coal India Ltd after global investment banks flagged concerns over the company allegedly not meeting green commitments. Coal India had in 2013 committed to a Sustainable Development Policy under which the Maharatna PSU has to pursue mining, integrating environmental, socio-cultural and economic factors. Coal India stake sale (10%) would help the government inch towards the PSU stake sale target of Rs 41,000 crore in the current fiscal.

Slow recovery amid global woes, rate cut delays: BofA
Indian economy is likely to witness a slow recovery largely due delay in two factors - global revival and lending rate cuts at the domestic front, says a Bank of America Merrill lynch report. According to the global financial services major, notwithstanding a far more politically stronger government, recovery in the Indian economy would be driven by global turnaround. The recovery in Indian economy is likely to be driven by a pick-up in consumption in the next 12 months, it said in a research note.

Pakistan told to sign Test Ban Treaty without waiting for India
With a possibility of a US-Pak civil nuclear deal, two top US think-tanks have asked Pakistan to take five initiatives, including signing the Test Ban Treaty without waiting for India, to win the confidence of the international community. "We propose that Pakistan consider five nuclear weapon-related initiatives," said Stimson Center and Carnegie Endowment for International Relations (CEIP). "One: shift declaratory policy from 'full spectrum' to 'strategic' deterrence. Two: commit to a recessed deterrence posture and limit production of short-range delivery vehicles and tactical nuclear weapons," the two think-tanks said.

"Three: Lift Pakistan's veto on Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty negotiations and reduce or stop fissile material production," they said. "Four: Separate civilian and military nuclear facilities. And finally: sign  the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty without waiting for India," they said.
The think-tanks presented the findings ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to the US and his talks with US President Barack Obama on October 22.