Morning Brief: Modi Raises CPEC Issue With Xi; ED Attaches Mallya’s Assets; Teresa Made Saint

Weekend Wrapup

Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, popularly known as Mother Teresa was made a ‘Saint’ by Pope Francis on Sunday morning. Thanks to Christopher Hitchens, we now know she was hardly a saint.

Majuli Island on the Brahmaputra in Assam was declared the largest river island in the world, toppling Marajo in Brazil, by Guinness World Records.

Rajan Bade Adieu. Delivering his last speech as governor, he said that RBI’s ability to say ‘No!’ has to be protected. “The central bank cannot become free of all constraints; it has to work under a framework set by the government,” he added.

G20 Summit

On the sidelines of G20 summit, PM Modi raised concerns over China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which runs through PoK, during a meeting with Xi Jinping.

Obama also met PM Modi and praised him for the “bold policy” move on GST reform.

Meanwhile, Japan has reiterated its support for India’s NSG bid saying that its entry into the club will strengthen the non-proliferation regime.

All-Party Attempt

An all-party delegation led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh has gone to Kashmir to hold talks with a cross-section of people, individuals and groups who want peace and normalcy.

Leaders cutting across the party lines said they were hopeful of finding a solution but separatists slammed their doors shut on the delegation’s face yesterday. Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Yasin Malik didn’t meet the visiting MPs. Abdul Ghani Bhat and Shabir Shah refused to talk within the ambit of the Constitution.

They also rejected CM Mehbooba Mufti’s invitation for talks.

Fund For Infra

The railway ministry is in the final stages of setting up a $5 billion fund to finance its various infrastructure projects. The proposed Railways of India Development Fund (RIDF) will need Cabinet approval before it can become a reality.

RIDF will be anchored by World Bank. Nearly 20 percent of the fund will come from the Finance Ministry and the rest from pension funds and sovereign funds. This is in line with Suresh Prabhu’s plan to spend nearly Rs. 8.56 lakh crore in the next five years through various funding sources.

Mallya’s Properties

The Enforcement Directorate has attached wilful defaulter Vijay Mallya’s properties worth Rs 6,630 crore. Total attachment of his properties by the agency has now reached Rs 8,044 crore.

The properties that were attached are located around the country and include a mall, a farmhouse and several stocks Mallya owns. Mallya owes Rs 9,000 crore in loans to banks.

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The Increasing Gap Between Rich And Poor States: India is the only large country that is experiencing an economic divergence among its States.

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SWARAJYA SPECIAL

Recall Bhopal Gas Tragedy To Know Real Teresa: When her reaction to the gas tragedy was sought, Mother Teresa projected it as a consequence of sin and said the affected must seek forgiveness. Then she deflected the issue to abortion, a pet subject of the Church.

We hope you enjoyed reading our morning brief. Have a great day ahead!

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