Post the budgetary provision to provide tax benefits up to 40 per cent of maturity of investment in National Pension Scheme, the retail segment of NPS has grown by over 100 per cent over the past one year.PFRDA Chairman Hemant Contractor told PTI that the new tax benefits provision has drawn a lot of retail investors to the NPS schemes. Earlier, NPS schemes which were launched five years ago, had failed to get retail subscribers.
Retail NPS has grown by over 100 per cent over the past one year. It is another thing that it started with almost a zero base, he said. The total assets under management of NPS has reached Rs 1.38 trillion out of which Rs 3,000 crore are of retail assets.
Number of total subscribers including those who had subscribed for NPS/Swavalamban are more than the number of government employees who have subscribed for NPS. However, in terms of value, the size of corpus contributed by government employees, it was much less.
"The government subscribers are even less than 40 per cent in terms of number in NPS. Though in terms of value, it was around 87 per cent of the total AUM of NPS which currently stands at Rs 1.38 trillion," he said. Implementation of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) by banks is a moderate success as they have already opened 32 lakh accounts under APY so far, he said.
It is despite the fact that banks have not come to the government's aspiration when it comes to implementation of APY in the country. So far, we have been able to accumulate Rs 900 crore under APY, he added. Right now there are seven pension fund managers and the pension fund regulator has already started the move for more players to join.
"We have started the process. We are waiting for the government's decision on expanding the number of pension fund managers managing the government pension fund. We are waiting for the government's decision on the issue," he said, adding "we hope to do it within a month's time."
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/aug/Station-s.jpg
*Read Story: Thane: Rail roko at Badlapur station ends, services restored*
The move aims to ease the pressure on the city’s creaking infrastructure by reducing the load on the roads and local trains. The new work shifts and timings are expected to be first implemented in the railways and banks. These two sectors may soon start working in two shifts – 9 am to 5 pm and 11 am to 7 pm.
“We are soon going to do it (have a committee to look into the change of office timings),” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who co-chaired a high-level meeting along with Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu on Sunday, told mid-day.
A senior railway official said Prabhu and Fadnavis had a long chat after which the railways agreed to be the first government employer to implement the new timings.
“We already are thinking of making shifts to work for our employees working in workshops, stores and other departments,” said the official.
The concept has roots in a suo motu public interest litigation the Bombay High Court is hearing since December 2015. Questioning if working adherence to conventional work hours was more important than the cost of life a bench of Justices Naresh Patil and SB Shukre asked the state government to see if office timings and weekly offs could be changed to reduce congestion on local trains.
‘Change the timings of schools, colleges and government offices,’ the bench had said during a hearing on December 15, 2015. Advocate Suresh Kumar, representing the Western Railways, said this would help reduce rush in the trains by 10 per cent.
‘There is no compulsion to follow a set pattern,’ the bench had said. ‘This will be helpful to employees also. Break the set pattern of timing and weekly offs.’
The bench even went to the extent of asking if the state government and municipal corporation could run the Railways in Mumbai.
‘Why doesn’t the state and municipal corporation not think of participating in the running of trains,’ the two judges asked. ‘It is your people who are dying. You can do this in certain routes to see if it works. There is no use asking the Railway Ministry. It is happening in your city.’
Sources in the state government said the Fadnavis administration is very keen to implement the new timings and wants the banking sector to be the second after the railways to implement the new timings.
The committee’s main job will be to decide how shifts will be introduced. Weekly offs may also be distributed through the week instead of just the weekends.
Sources added that the Badlapur incident where commuters got on the tracks and stopped the services for almost five hours because of a delay in trains was the trigger for the state’s urgency.
*Activist Speaks*
“Will merely forming a committee help?” asked rail activist Sameer Zaveri. “Earlier too, the same Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had formed a committee in December 2015 to study overcrowding in locals. Members of Parliament Poonam Mahajan, Kirit Somaiya and Arvind Sawant represented Mumbai, Rajan Vichare for Thane. IAS officers Ajoy Mehta and E Ravindran (Commissioner of Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation) were also part of it. “That committee’s report was submitted in January. A copy is available with me but till date none of the suggestions are accepted. If you are not going to accept the report of the committee then what’s the use of forming it,” said Zaveri.
*Inputs by Shashank Rao**10% off!*
*70 lakh*
Total railway commuters per day
*2 lakh*
Total Railway employees
*4-5 lakh*
Total school and college students
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/aug/16curfew-s.jpg*A security jawan stands guard during night curfew. Pic/AFP*
A 20-year-old youth identified as Yaseer Ahmed of S.D.colony of Batmaloo locality in Srinagar was killed on Monday when a mob indulged in intense stone pelting.
Two other youths sustained bullet injuries.
Another youth identified as Ashfaq Ahmed who was injured in a stone pelting clash in the Tangmarg area of Baramulla district two weeks back, succumbed to his injuries on Monday evening taking the toll to 60. Over 4,000 people including security personnel and civilians have been injured in the unrest.
Police said curfew and restrictions will continue in all the 10 district headquarters of the Valley.
Separatists have already extended their protest shutdown to August 18.
All educational institutions, shops, public transport and other businesses have remained shut since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed.
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/aug/Dhiraj-Morarji-Vala-s.jpg*Dhiraj Morarji Vala (63) shows his balcony that was demolished by the BMC in 1995. Pic/Rajesh Gupta*
“A long fight has brought me this victory, but there is still a long way to go,” said Dhiraj Morarji Vala, who now intends to move a higher court over the issue for more stringent action against the accused.
The two officials who were fined by the court are Dilip Karwir (the then sub-engineer) and Suryakant Garude (the then assistant engineer). “They had demolished my balcony wall based on a false complaint by shop owners on the ground floor of the Vardhaman Nagar Co-operative Housing Society. They demolished my property without even showing me the demolition order. I tried to explain that I had a status quo from the court but all went unheard. I suspect the shop owners had wanted to use my terrace for their benefits and were hand-in-glove with these officials,” Vala alleged.
*Conspiracy*
Vala had investigated the matter and discovered that the shop owners had filed a complaint stating that he had constructed an illegal bridge between two buildings for access to his terrace. Vala denied this allegation and pointed out that he had made no changes to the structure after purchasing the flat and moving in there in 1993.
Vala added, “I tried to present the building plan and the purchase agreement, but it was overlooked and they damaged my property.”
In June 1997, Vala moved the Mulund court against the damages done to his property and the legal battle case went on for over 19 years before the court delivered its judgment on July 29. Levying fines on the officials under Section 427 of the IPC, the judge observed, “The accused failed to prove that their act was justified by the law. Hence, it is held that the accused caused damage to the passage of the complainant with an intention to cause wrongful loss to the complainant.”
*Long legal battle*
But the last 20 years have hardly been easy. Vala fought the legal case on his own, taking advice from some of his lawyer friends.
“Hearings were put off or delayed several times because the engineers would not be present or because I had struggle to source documents through RTI applications.”
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/aug/Borivli-station-s.jpg*Wires can be seen hanging above the platform at Borivli station in June 2016. File pic*
Earlier last week, the General Manager of Western Railway, GC Agrawal, inspected railway stations between Andheri-Virar, and sources claim that he pointed out the lacunae in the system and amenities provided to lakhs of daily users. Officials said that the elevated decks at stations have created a broader concourse for people to walk, but then there are issues regarding infrastructure.
“The escalators were not working and the corners of the concourse were dirty. Moreover, there were cables hanging dangerously right above the platforms,” said a WR official.
Cables are also hanging at Andheri, Goregaon, Borivli and other stations just below the roof. Unlike other stations where these cables are properly tied and fixed, at these stations, they hang dangerously. Earlier last week, an external cable fell on the overhead power cable that supplies electricity to trains near Charni Road station, which caused train services to come to a halt.
*Loo and behold*
Agrawal also visited the toilets, which sources said were in bad condition. Also, there weren’t any toilet facilities on the concourse at some of the stations. The idea behind these concourses is to ensure that people keep the platforms, which get congested, clear. On the Western line, these elevated decks are available at Andheri, Goregaon and Kandivli stations.
“There were discrepancies found during my inspection. I have told my subordinates to ensure that these problems are taken care of as soon as possible,” said Agrawal, General Manager, Western Railway.
Days after mid-day reported about the non-functioning cash/coin ticket vending machines; these were also reviewed during the inspection.
mid-day had reported on August 10 in the article, ‘Queues back at ticket counters, thanks to security flaw in COTVMs’. “There is no set deadline for restarting these COTVMs as relevant authorities are working on addressing the issues,” added Agrawal. Sources said that Agrawal asked his railway subordinates to not simply shut down the machines but, instead, place a board stating the technical issues.*Infrastructure achievements by Railways*
*Western Railway*
*1.* 44 new-age EMUs with latest technology, better comfort and aesthetics have been inducted in Mumbai suburban services under MUTP Phase II
*2.* One escalator, 2 FOBs and 5 lifts have been commissioned during the year for convenience of passengers
*3.* To provide clean and hygienic water at affordable price to passengers, 27 water vending machines have been installed at various stations
*4.* A bottle-crushing machine was installed at Churchgate station and there are plans to install 20 such machines at 10 stations in Mumbai
*5.* Height of 88 platforms in suburban section has been increased on WR
*Central Railway*
*1.* They have converted 36 rakes from 9 cars into 12 cars running 584 services on Harbour Line and 42 suburban services have been increased this year
*2.* 77 platforms on stations have been raised on CR and 4 escalators have been commissioned at Mulund, Kanjurmarg, Badlapur and Ulhasnagar stations and, in all, 13 escalators are now functional
*3.* Disabled-friendly toilets at 14 stations
*4.* 752 ATVMs, 354 Jan Sadharan Ticket Booking Sevaks, 22 Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendras and 41 STBAs commissioned
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/aug/Hariprasad-Chaurasia-s.jpg
Slowly the number increased to a hundred. This Sunday will witness the eighth edition of the festival that will regale the corridors of Ravindra Natya Mandir and feature flute legend Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, tabla genius Vijay Ghate, Pakhawaj maestro Pandit Bhawani Shankar along with over 100 flautists from various corners of India as they perform in this flute symphony.
*Past and present**Pics/Bipin Kokate, Suresh Karkera*
Our lensmen spotted Aamir Khan at two different dos yesterday; while at one event, we can see wife Kiran Rao listen attentively as Khan delivers a speech, the second had former wife Reena, and Rao in the same frame at an awards ceremony.
*SEL-INS Vikrant connect*
At a cinema hall, if you catch a National Anthem video that pays tribute to the INS Vikrant and the bravehearts who fought aboard her, know that the lovely instrumental rendition playing in the background has been specially arranged by the troika, Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa.*A still from INS Vikrant National Anthem video*
An initiative by Bajaj, the video, that will play at various cinema halls in the city, features black-and-white footage of India’s first aircraft carrier that played a hero in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Now, not many may be aware that Noorani has a special connect with Vikrant.*Ehsaan, Shankar, Loy*
His father, the late Dilawar K Noorani (also the architect for Usha Kiran, the first skyscraper in the city) had designed the bar onboard the now-decommissioned carrier on behest of Rear Admiral Nanda in the early 1960s. In fact, a plaque placed overhead the entrance to the bar also had his name engraved on it.
*Another social do*
If you’ve lost track, Riyaz Amlani’s competitively priced chain of pubs, Social, last opened at Andheri’s Fun Republic before which it was BKC’s turn. Within one month, Goregaon will get its Social as well as Koramangala in Bangalore that will host Cyber Hub Social.*The interiors of BKC’s Social*
Another outpost is expected at Phoenix Marketcity mall in Kurla and one in Vikhroli. “With the Goregaon Social opening doors on the 22nd of this month, we aim to have a total of 24 Social outposts by the end of this year,” shares Amlani.
*Swimming cool in Shivaji Park*
Hordes of swimming enthusiasts who reside in the Shivaji Park-Dadar belt are couting down to August 21. It’s when the Mahahtma Gandhi Swimming Pool (MGMO, or Shivaji Park Swimming Pool, as locals call it) will reopen, after a year of being closed to members. It was shut due for several reasons; the latest, of course, was the drought. Yet, even before, pool authorities had stated different reasons, from leakage to other problems.*The all-new swimming pool at Shivaji Park. Pic/Datta Kumbhar*
The complex has a 10-lane Olympic-size swimming pool, and a neighbouring cluster of three pools, a deep pool built exclusively for diving, the second being a recreational pool and the third, a shallow one for kids. The old pool was revamped into a swank, new facility, approximately 4.5 years ago.
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/aug/Javed-Sheikh-s.jpg
*Also Read: Cable operator gets life for 9-yr-old's rape and murder*
*File pic of Javed Sheikh (head covered) after his arrest in July 2010*
Not only did he somehow manage to score parole from jail — despite cops and the high court warning against it – but he showed no signs of going back. Thanks to efforts by the police, however, an FIR was registered and he was arrested once again within three hours. Ironically, he was sent back to his cell at Nashik Jail just in time for the Independence Day celebrations.
Sheikh was arrested by the police for the horrific serial rape and murder of three little girls in Nehru Nagar in 2010. The case had created a huge furore at the time, especially considering how young the victims were – first a 6-year-old, then a 9-year-old whose body was found on the terrace of the police quarters, and then the third case, where another 9-year-old’s body was found a fortnight after her abduction. The body was found in the Vatsalatai Nagar slums after locals complained of the foul smell.
*Read Story: How murder convict embarrassed lazy cops, and escaped while on parole*
Sheikh was convicted of all three crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment. Sources in the Nehru Nagar police station said they had warned the authorities not to grant him parole as he had committed a heinous crime. They had cautioned that Sheikh was a dangerous criminal who would likely jump parole once he was out of jail. In fact, even the Bombay High Court had rejected his parole application.
However, Sheikh was eventually granted parole, and was released from Nashik Jail on July 4. He was supposed to return to the prison a month later, on August 4, but there was no sign of him. Nashik Jail had already come under fire just two months ago, when it was discovered that another rapist-murderer had jumped parole for months (see box). This time, officials decided not to let the crisis go that far. They informed Byculla jail superintendent Chandramani Indulkar to file a case with the Mumbai police and immediately begin searching for him.
“I was told to file an FIR in the case and inform the local police to initiate search operation against Sheikh,” said Indulkar, who did so on Sunday, 10 days after Sheikh missed his reporting date. She registered an FIR against Sheikh under Section 224 (resisting or obstructing apprehension) of the IPC. Since Sheikh is a resident of Qureshi Nagar, Ghulam Rasool Chawl in Kurla east, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Chunabhatti police, the case was filed with them.
Cops began searching for Sheikh immediately, and found him near his home just three hours later. Sheikh claimed that he had taken parole as his mother was not keeping well, but the police suspect that he was on the verge of fleeing.
*Cop speak*
DIG Rajendra Dhamne said, “I am checking with the concerned Nashik jail officials whether Sheikh had applied for extension of his parole and what is the cause of his delay.”
Sheikh was produced in a local court and sent back to Nashik jail last morning.
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/may/dawood-special-s.jpg*The nikah will take place at 11 am at Rasool Masjid, Nagpada, followed by a grand reception at a hotel in Juhu, says the invitation card (below). Pic/Bipin Kokate*
Celebrations abound in the family of India’s most wanted criminal, as Dawood’s nephew Alishah is set to get married tomorrow. Alishah is the son of the don’s deceased sister, Haseena Parkar. Last year, her daughter got married as well, but the family kept it a low-key affair since it was less than a year since Haseena’s death. But this time, the family wants it to be a gala event.
*Also Read: D for Dangerous! Ratnagiri bungalow where Dawood Ibrahim grew up is in ruins **Haseena Parkar died of a heart attack in July 2014*
“After nearly a decade, this is the first happy occasion for the family. Therefore they have decided to have lavish celebrations,” said a close aide of the family.
Haseena’s husband Ibrahim Parkar was allegedly murdered by the Arun Gawli gang in the late 1990s. They had one daughter, Umaira, and two sons — Danish and Alishah. Danish passed away in 2006.
The wedding invitation reveals that Alishah is marrying Ayesha – the daughter of Mumbai-based businessmen Shiraj Ali Mohammed Nagani. Sources close to the family said the nikah rituals will be carried out at 11 am at Rasool Masjid in Nagpada. But the real attraction will be the wedding reception or daawat-e-walima at the Tulip Star hotel in Juhu at 9 pm the same day. The reception will be held at the hotel’s Harbour Hall, which can hold 800 guests.
*Read Story: Massive heart attack ends underworld queen Hasina Parkar's 25-yr reign*
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/aug/Leopard-s.jpg
*Caught on camera: Leopard on the prowl in Borivli colony**One of the leopards seen sitting on the boundary wall of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Pic/PAWS-Mumbai*
The SGNP authorities, along with the Mumbai Territorial Range of the Thane Forest Department, have been informed about the same. The authorities will be patrolling in the area at night, and some locals also plan on conducting an awareness programme to educate the residents about the dos and don’ts to avoid man-animal conflict.*Locals watch one of the leopards. Pic/Paws-Mumbai*
In past two weeks, there have been frequent sightings of leopards sitting on the boundary wall of SGNP near Rushivan, and the local residents are happy with the sightings. Those staying in the towers near the boundary even sit in their balconies at night with torches to spot the leopards.
*Caught on camera: Another leopard in Aarey Colony**Siddhesh Thavre points to the wall where the leopard was seen*
*Spotting leopards*
Local resident Siddhesh Thavre, a volunteer with the NGO PAWS-Mumbai, has spotted a leopard twice in the past week, with the latest sighting on Sunday night.*Gattubhai Prajapati, who spotted the leopard first on Sunday. Pics/Ranjeet Jadhav*
“I spotted a leopard sitting on the boundary wall of SGNP at a distance of less than 30-40 feet. When someone from the nearby building switched on a torch and pointed it towards the animal, it quietly walked away into the bushes,” said Thavre.
On Sunday night, the leopard was first spotted sitting on the boundary wall by a tea vendor, and he even claimed that he saw the animal sitting on the road. Tea vendor Gattubhai Prajapati said, “Last night, I saw the animal sitting on the road. Our experience has been that if we don’t disturb it, it will not do anything. In the past six years, there has not been a single human-animal conflict in the area.”
A watchman from a nearby building, Sunil Randive, said that they make sure to use torches if they are going out after dark. Locals also told mid-day that some people consume alcohol on the road below the boundary wall where the leopard sits late at night, and the police should take action against them.
The main reason for the animal to come to the area is in search of prey — stray dogs often gather near the two garbage dumps in the area. According to the locals, in the past year, more than 10-15 stray dogs have been picked up by leopards from the area. In the year 2010, a pet dog was also picked up by a leopard.
Sunish Subramanian Kunju from PAWS-Mumbai said, “PAWS-Mumbai urges citizens to not provoke the animals. Children should also not be allowed to roam in such isolated areas. They should not attempt to scare the leopard away by making loud noises or bursting firecrackers. Residents should not try to go near it to click photographs or take pets for a stroll in such areas. Security guards should carry torches at night and try to be in groups of 2-3 and switch on all the lights. The vicinity should be garbage-free. If we do not follow these simple steps, the animal will be frightened and both it and humans will be in danger. Our volunteers have already started creating awareness in the area.”
*FD speak*
Chief Conservator of Forests, Thane (Wildlife), KP Singh said, “We have already informed the SGNP authorities and our rescue team will also be patrolling the area. We would like to appeal to the residents staying in the area to not gather to spot the animal. People should maintain a safe distance from the animal and should not provoke or corner it as that can result in a conflict. Those staying in the area should also make sure that there is enough light surrounding their buildings. If they are venturing out late at night, they should carry a torch with them.”*Watch Video: Leopard on the prowl in Borivli colony*
*Watch Video: Leopard in Aarey Colony*
http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/aug/16Modi-s.jpg
Though Modi did not make any reference to Kashmir valley, which is witnessing violence after the killing of Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani, he accused Pakistan of glorifying terrorists and celebrating killings in India. In his 93-minute Independence Day address to the nation amidst tight security, Modi said, "From the ramparts of the Red Fort, I want to express my gratitude to some people - the people of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pak-occupied-Kashmir- for the way they whole-heartedly thanked me, the way they expressed gratitude to me, the way they conveyed their goodwill to me recently."
This is for the first time the disturbed areas in the control of Pakistan have been mentioned by any Prime Minister during his Independence speech. The remarks also come in the backdrop of recent comments by Modi during an all-party meet on Kashmir that the time had come to expose the atrocities committed "by our neighbouring nation" in Balochistan and the areas of J&K under its illegal occupation.
"When children were killed in terror attack on a school in Peshawar (about two years back), there were tears in our Parliament. Indian children were traumatised. This is the example of our humanity. But look at the other side where terrorism is glorified," Modi said.Violence rocks nation on I-Day*J&K:* The Kashmir Valley saw militants mount a morning assault on security forces in downtown Srinagar resulting in the death of the Commanding officer of CRPF's 49th Battalion Pramod Kumar and two militants.
*MANIPUR:* Two blasts rocked Imphal an hour before the official I-Day celebrations were to start, but no casualties were reported. Several militant organizations have called for a boycott of celebrations in the state.
*ASSAM:* A series of five bomb explosions by suspected ULFA-Independent militants rocked upper Assam's Charaido and Tinsukia districts this morning but there were no casualties.
*Spare a thought for judiciary: CJI
*The Chief Justice of India, TS Thakur, urged the government to pay attention to judiciary and address its problems. Pointing to the delays that have crept into the justice delivery system on account of huge pendency, Chief Justice Thakur said that during British Raj a case used to be decided in 10 years time but now even that was not happening due to the huge backlog. At the start of a similar function in the Supreme Court, the knot did not open when the Chief Justice unfurled the national flag. Explaining how the flag was finally unfurled, the Chief Justice said: "We took out the pole, undid the knot in the flag, refixed the pole and unfurled it."
*Gold for the 'most boring speech' at Olympics: AAP*
The PM's speech would have struck Gold if there was a medal for the "most boring" public speech at Olympics, the Aam Aadmi Party said yesterday. "If at all Olympics had a medal for the most boring public speech then Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have received gold," Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra said.
Reported by Mid-Day 26 minutes ago.