THE TIMES OF , * SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 TIMES NATION | Politics & Policy 15 Symbol row Bihar Cong on verge of split, may keep Lookout notice for rebels plan to bolt to JD(U) ADMK out of chief’s daughter, aide Team Modi Manvir.Saini @timesgroup.com 14 Of 27 MLAs Form Group; State Chief, CLP Summoned To Delhi Mohua.Chatterjee @timesgroup.com : The special in- [email protected] age served as a hedge, disengaged him- vestigation team (SIT) of Ha- self from the party. : While it was specu- ryana police issued lookout Patna/New Delhi: The Congress legis- Although the JD(U)-BJP coalition lated that the AIADMK could be notices against Honeypreet lative party in Bihar is on the verge of a enjoys majority support, the talk in po- invited to join Prime Minister Insan, the adopted daughter split as 14 party MLAs, just four short of litical circles was that a split in Con- ’s cabinet on of convicted Dera Sacha Sau- the required two-thirds of the total 27 to gress would give Nitish a cushion, while Sunday, this looks unlikely now da chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim formalise a division, have formed an in- dealing a blow to opponents. as the southern party is yet to Singh, and Dera spokesper- formal group and are planning to cross The Congress on Friday trained its formally join the National Dem- son Aditya Insan on Friday. over to the ruling JD(U). guns at Nitish for trying to split the par- ocratic Alliance (NDA). Panchkula DCP Manbir Getting hint of the likely split, the ty, asserting that it had fended off the Two factions of the Singh said Honeypreet was central leadership summoned Bihar threat. “There is no threat. Yes, efforts AIADMK have merged but sev- charged with conspiracy for Congress chief Ashok Choudhary and have been made, which expose the un- eral issues remain to be sorted allegedly trying to free Gur- Congress Legislative Party (CLP) lead- principled politics of BJP and CM Nit- out before the party can be invit- meet from cops’ custody, in er Sadanand Singh to New Delhi on ish Kumar. They have failed and Con- ed to join the BJP-led NDA, Thursday where party chief Sonia gress will continue to resist any at- sources said. Gandhi, while expressing unhappiness tempts to weaken its state party or the AIADMK MP M Thambidu- Dera chief’s Twitter over their failure to mind the flock, legislature party,” party spokesman rai’s meeting with BJP chief account ‘withheld’ asked them to prevent a split. Anand Sharma told reporters. Howev- Amit Shah on Thursday had led The Congress has 27 MLAs and six er, the confident posture appeared to be to speculation that the party he verified Twitter account MLCs in Bihar. Of them, four — Ashok at odds with things on the ground. would join the cabinet. However, Tof rape convict and Dera Choudhary, Madan Mohan Jha (both WHAT’S COOKING? Bihar CM and JD(U) The threat of a split has looked real BJP sources said “unless some- Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet MLCs), Abdul Jalil Mastan and Awa- leader Nitish Kumar at a flood relief camp in since August 11 when party leader Jyoti- thing dramatic happens in the Ram Rahim was “withheld” in desh Kumar Singh (both MLAs) — were Purnea district last month. A split in raditya Scindia reached Patna to douse next 24 hours, it is unlikely that India on Friday morning. By minister in the grand alliance govern- Congress would give Nitish a cushion simmering discontent. Scindia also went AIADMK will be inducted into which it means that none of ment. A few other senior MLAs were to Sadanand Singh’s residence to gauge the cabinet on Sunday”. his followers in India will be hopeful of being accommodated in state caste constituents who are resentful of his mood and the next move of the dis- One of the issues that need to able to either access his Honeypreet was charged with conspiracy. Cops said she allegedly boards and corporations before CM Nit- the return of Yadav aggression since sident MLAs. Many believe that the visit be resolved is that of the party’s account or see his tweets. tried to free Gurmeet Ram Rahim from custody ish Kumar broke away from RJD and the Mahagathbandhan’s victory re- of senior leaders could have, contrary to symbol which remains frozen However, his followers Congress to reunite with BJP. vived their leader Lalu Prasad. Observ- its objective, given a fillip to the move to by the Election Commission. abroad can still see what the Besides the consideration of portfo- ers said the unhappiness simmered engineer a break by angering local lead- Apart from being a party chief posts. Several in race to inherit Dera’s fortune lios and privileges, some Congress even during the reign of the “secular ers. Over a dozen Congress MLAs have without a symbol, BJP sources He has over 3.6 million Twitter New Delhi: With Dera Sacha Sauda chief in jail for 20 years, MLAs are said to be keen to bolt also be- grand alliance” but has now come to the met either Nitish or other senior JD(U) said that unlike Nitish Kumar’s followers. TNN speculation over who will succeed him has taken centre-stage in cause of the pressure of their upper fore after Nitish, who with his “soft” im- leaders to discuss their future plan. JD(U), AIADMK has not yet the organisation’s headquarters and among his followers, said joined the NDA and is still busy connivance with the Dera chi- to be in crores. In 2007, when rape charges were framed against dealing with the V K Sasikala ef ’s securitymen, after his , he had named his son, Jasmeet Singh faction headed by her nephew conviction on August 25. Insan, as his successor. But that was a decade ago and things are TTV Dinakaran. The Dinaka- Aditya is the main accused different today. The dera has traditionally never seen succession in SC stays HC order restraining ran faction has challenged the in the sedition case registered a bloodline. Jasmeet has two very tough competitors. merger and the authority of against Dera office-bearers Honeypreet Insan, who calls herself ‘Papa’s angel’ and has chief minister K Palanisami for allegedly inciting follo- shadowed him for over 20 years, is the strongest contender. The and deputy chief minister O Pa- wers to rioting after the speci- influence she holds over the sect’s followers is substantial. What parties from criticising EVM use neerselvam. al CBI judge convicted Gur- works against her is that police on Friday issued a lookout With BJP having spread its meet, Singh said. The develop- notice. The most serious of all contenders is Brahmachari Vipasana, wings in states where it was nev- ment comes at a time when the the nambardaar or the dera’s second-in-command. The 35-year-old New Delhi: The Supreme press, radio, Facebook, Twit- of EVMs, for the high court er in a dominant position, the Dera core committee is in the has risen through the ranks to head the dera’s management. Court on Friday stayed an ter etc till the decision of the to pass such restraining or- number of aspirants from differ- process of finalising Gurme- There is no estimate of the Dera’s wealth but it is said to be high court or- election petitions”. der,” the appeal filed in the ent regions has gone up and the et’s successor. Sources said worth hundreds of crores. One outsider who may play a crucial role der restraining politicial Advocate Devadatt Ka- apex court said. party has to consider accommo- both Aditya and Honeypreet, in future is former Congress MLA Harminder Singh Jassi, whose parties, NGOs and individu- mat, appearing for the pet- It said the power to adju- dating as many of them as possi- considered faces of Dera, we- daughter is married to the dera head’s son. TNN als from criticising the itioner, assailed the high dicate disputes and doubts ble to maintain balance. re close to Gurmeet. They we- use of EVMs in the state as- court’s order in the top court arising out of or in connec- re both aware of the strategy sembly elections in “larger saying such a restraint order tion with elections to either to be followed if the Dera chief Hunt on for Dera moles in police public interest”. was unsustainable as the crit- House of the Parliament or was convicted, said police. Panchkula: Harayana police has started hunting for Dera Sacha A bench comprising icism was not with respect of state legislatures was re- My colour is Minutes before the violen- Sauda followers within its own force, who may have been passed on Chief Justice Dipak Misra ECI but about the vulnerabili- moved from the ECI and vest- ce in Panchkula’s Sector 5 — information to the dera at crucial moments in the past few days. and Justices A M Khanwil- ty of EVMs which were used ed with the high courts. definitely not the epicentre of riots and ar- Senior police officials say they have become extra vigilant after five kar and D Y Chandrachud al- IN LARGER PUBLIC INTEREST in the assembly polls held ear- “The high court has son — Aditya, along with Su- of their own commandos tried to free Gurmeet Ram Rahim from so sought the response of the lier this year. failed to appreciate that the render Dhiman Insan and police custody on August 25. Officials have already suspended driver Election Commission of In- tronic voting machine (EVM) “It is pertinent to note power of the ECI to entertain saffron, says others, was spotted at ground of the Ladwa police station SHO in , Yadwinder Singh. He dia (ECI) on the plea chal- challenge held in June. that the subject matter of the grievances in relation to any zero. They left once the violen- has been accused of passing sensitive wireless information about lenging the June 2 order of It had restrained political PIL (in high court) was not dispute or doubt arising out Kamal Haasan ce began. The SIT has already police action to dera followers while rioting was on in Panchkula. the high court. parties, NGOs and individu- ‘criticism of the ECI’. There- of or in connection with an arrested Dhiman. Cops are also tracking mobile phone data of suspected policemen to The high court had dis- als from criticising the use of fore, it was not necessary in election has been taken away Honeypreet accompanied find out if they were in touch with dera followers during the missed a petition filed by Ra- EVMs “in the recently con- the absence of any plea as to by way of an amendment, Gurmeet to Rohtak jail in the Panchkula violence. Officials also say that Yadwinder was in touch mesh Pandey, a state Con- ducted elections of the state the reasonableness/unrea- way back in the year 1966,” chopper used to spirit the De- with a woman sub-inspector who is said to be a close friend of Jasbir gress leader, who had ques- assemblies even by approach- sonableness of criticism be- the plea, filed through advo- ra chief out of Panchkula. Singh Bakali, a dera functionary charged with sedition. TNN tioned validity of ECI’s elec- ing the electronic media, ing levelled in respect of use cate Kamat, said. PTI Even smaller Man gets life Domestic air travel gets PM lists notebandi term for murder NO RIGHT TURN: Kamal Haasan traders must of 10-yr-old boy Thiruvananthapuram: as a success in talk register with Amid indications that he may Vishwas.Kothari costlier with new cess join politics, veteran actor Ka- @timesgroup.com TIMES NEWS NETWORK mal Haasan on Friday ad- GST: Modi dressed the issue of his politi- Pune:A special court on Friday New Delhi: HIKE IN TICKET PRICES with tax officials Domestic flights cal affiliation, saying his col- convicted and sentenced a man  From P 1 will get dearer with a new re- How your Delhi-Mumbai economy Regional cess impact our is “definitely not saffron”. to rigorous life imprisonment gional cess kicking in from fare of Rs 5,000 could increase now 40-100 Haasan’s statement after a TIMES NEWS NETWORK for kidnapping and murdering ut Modi did ask officers to Friday and oil companies meeting with Kerala chief a 10-year-old boy from Bhekrai- Bimprove their work culture hiking jet fuel prices by 4%. FUEL IMPACT minister Pinarayi Vijayan New Delhi: PM Modi on Fri- nagar in Hadapsar on August to incorporate both a “sen- The Directorate General So in 5,000 4% hike could comes days after he told his day listed demonetisation as 27, 2014. The life term is for mur- se of urgency” and “measurabi- of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is- ticket, 40% mean this fans to be prepared to march one of the successful mea- dering the Standard IV student. lity” in their performance. Whi- sued an order levying Rs or 2,000 goes up by 4% to Fort St George in Chennai, sures undertaken by the gov- A five-year rigorous imprison- le the PM has been happy with 5,000 per domestic flight is for fuel to 2,080 the seat of the Tamil Nadu leg- ernment to tackle black mon- ment (RI) term would run con- the rollout of GST, expanding from Friday to create a re- 40% of expense islative assembly, to ensure ey as he urged tax officials to currently with the main senten- operating the base was highlighted by him. gional connectivity fund. that corrupt politicians are improve the country’s tax ad- Modi’s defence of the ce for kidnapping. “The PM said that in order to This fund will be used to cost is not re-elected in the state. ministration by 2022. Special judge (POCSO Act) enable all traders to take the provide viability gap fund- fuel Hike between: 120-180 During the meeting at the Modi’s strong defence of move came two days Pralhad C Bhagure also senten- maximum benefit of GST, we ing to regional flights and chief minister’s official resi- the demonetisation drive after RBI released data ced the 22-year-old convict Vris- should work towards ensuring help cap fares for such OVERALL With 5% GST Increase between dence ‘Cliff House’ here, Haa- came two days after the Re- showing 99% of scrapped hal Kalane’s father, Madhukar HIKE (Industry that all traders, including even flights at Rs 2,500 per hour. Between 126-189 2.5% and 4% estimates) san, 62, discussed the political serve Bank of India released notes had come back (58), to three-year RI for helping relatively smaller traders with a Due to this, domestic flights situation in neigbouring Tamil data which showed 99% of Vrishal destroy evidence by turnover below Rs 20 lakh, sho- between metros and other these two could see airfares for each flight and keep a cer- Nadu. On being quizzed about the scrapped high value wards creation of an envi- throwing the victim’s body in uld register with the GST sy- big cities will cost any- in coming festive season tain number of seats in each Tamil Nadu politics, the mul- notes had come back. ronment which shatters the Bopdeo Ghat. stem. He asked the officers to ma- where from Rs 40 to Rs 100 shooting up. While airlines fare bucket. As the seats on a tilingual actor said the gover- This has triggered criti- confidence of the corrupt, Vrishal was, however, acqu- ke efforts in this regard by desig- more, say airline officials. did not say how this hike flight get sold, fares move to nor should intervene in the cism from opposition parties and instils confidence and itted from an unnatural offence ning a system for this category,” This extra cost will be borne will impact fares, they said the next higher level. present situation. but the government has trust among the honest tax- charge. His mother, Nalini (48) an official release said. Some 17 by domestic flyers between any increased operating Meanwhile, the regional “I do not like to see this dra- countered listing several pos- payers. Among the other was also acquitted from the lakh new entities have registe- metros and other big cities. cost will have to be passed cess was kicked in by an or- ma (going in Tamil Nadu). I itive effects of the move such measures that Modi listed charge of aiding destruction red for GST, which has helped ex- While the regional cess on to consumers. (See box) der of Directorate General am not anyone to call for a as widening of the tax base, were implementation of of evidence. pand the base. is a new levy, fluctuating oil “The regional cess and of Civil Aviation chief B S floor test or speak to the gover- increase in digitalisation, stringent laws against black Both, Vrishal and Madhu- Expanding the base has been prices delivered a shock to hiked ATF prices coming in- Bhullar which said: “Cen- nor, but I am using this podi- crack down on black money money and benami property. kar are in jail since their arrest a priority for years as the tax- flyers. Oil marketing com- to effect from Friday will tral government has decid- um to call for it,” he said. and stamping out of terror Sources said that Modi on August 30, 2014 — three days GDP ratio in India remains low, panies hiked ATF prices by mean increase in fares as de- ed to revise the date of levy When asked about his polit- activities. told officers that demonetisa- after the crime. They will get the with several individuals as well a steep 4% from Friday. In mand for travel also shoots on scheduled flights being ical affiliation, the actor said he It has also said that de- tion had helped move unde- benefit of set off for the period as businesses either evading tax- Delhi, for instance, Indian up in the festive season. Best operated within India to had been in the film industry monetisation had helped in- clared money from lockers to served so far in jail. es or under-reporting income Oil Corp site shows ATF will be for people to book tick- fund regional air connectiv- for 40 years, but “I can tell you tegrate the informal econo- bank accounts and asked of- The prosecution had exami- and sales. Modi, however, said will now cost Rs 50,020 per ets in advance as buying the ity fund at a uniform rate of one thing, my colour is defi- my with the formal. ficers to mine data for better ned total 35 witnesses, inclu- there should be greater reliance kilolitre (KL) for domestic same closer to date of travel Rs 5,000 per flight till fur- nitely not saffron”. “Most of Addressing top officers at results. He also suggested ding key eyewitnesses who saw on technology and data analy- airlines compared to Rs will mean paying more,” said ther revision. The said levy the leftists are my heroes. I want the annual retreat for tax ad- that officers should know Vrishal and Madhukar taking tics, which will also help reduce 48,110 on August 1. an airline official. Airlines will now come into effect to be in the middle of things and ministration, he said that the those with large assets but out the autorickshaw for the search-and-seizure operations The combined impact of have different fare buckets from September 1, 2017.” not take sides,” he said. AGENCIES government is working to- who are not paying taxes. disposal of the body. (commonly referred to as raids), which are often seen to yield litt- le result and prosecution of of- fenders is a mammoth task. The PM suggested that human inter- H-1B visa applications see spike in inquiries from US authorities face should be kept to a mini- mum in the tax administration’s [email protected] H-1B visas that will be valid released by the USCIS — tegory which calls for a more plains, “The question that con- dealings and asked for a push to from October 1, 2017. AMERICAN JOB SCENE which was analysed by TOI technical and leadership role. tinues to arise in the RFEs is to Mumbai: “e-assessment”. Indians working in As regards the amendment H-1B Applications Annual wage rate for — shows that during 2015, as The prescribed wage at level 1 prove that the position that the “The PM asked officers to the US may find it more chal- made for adjustment of status From India a software developer# many as 34,843 Indians adjus- for a software developer in H-1B applicant will be taking is use data analytical tools to pro- lenging to transition from a to that of a green card, NPZ ted their temporary visa sta- San Jose is $88,733 a year, in a speciality occupation. The actively track and determine un- work visa (such as H-1B) to a Law Group managing attor- $88,733 $110,864 tus and obtained green cards. which rises to $155,147 annual- new set of questions that we declared income and wealth. He green card. From October 1, ney David H Nachman expla- (Entry-level (Performing routine Of this, 25,179 were holding ly at level 4 (see graphic). are seeing has to do with why job) professional duties) said though efforts to increase the United States Citizenship ins, “USCIS currently requi- Level 1 Level 2 jobs in the US (primarily un- Khanna adds, “It is the the level-1 wage has been cho-

tax revenue are made by officers and Immigration Service res interviews for family-ba- 3,00,902 der the H-1B category). USCIS position that level-1 sa- sen if the position is a ‘speciali-

each year, the estimated amo- (USCIS) has made an in-per- sed green card and naturalisa- 2,47,927 lary indicates a non-professio- ty position’ calling for a comp- 2,69,677 unts of tax that should accrue to son interview mandatory in tion (obtaining citizenship) Level 4 Level 3 H-1B inquiries spike nal position that does not requ- lex set of duties. As you can $133,016 the system are often not realised. such cases. In technical par- processes. But most of the ti- $155,147 Immigration.com managing ire a specific college degree see, the US government is re- (Advanced role, The PM asked officers to come lance, it refers to an I-485 ad- me, it waives the interview re- (Calls for a more solving unusual attorney Rajiv S Khanna says, and is a job that would be in- quiring us to argue that the po- up with a time-bound solution to justment of status interview. quirement for the above cate- 2014-15 2015-16 9 Mths till technical & leadership technical “A new wrinkle in the inquiri- appropriate for an H-1B visa. sition is ‘complex’ and then, on ‘tax raised and not realised’ and This announcement was ma- gory of applicants. While in- June 30, ’17* role) problems) es is that, as USCIS had war- There are often situations the other side, asking that if it asserted that the honest cannot de on August 28. terviews for those transitio- ned, they will not accept le- where level 1is indeed the app- is so complex why is a lower sa- *US fiscal year is Oct 1-Sept 30; #The prescribed minimum wage rates vary based on continue to pay the price for the On another front, US im- ning from employment-based region. The illustration pertains to San Jose, California — a hub of software cos vel-1 wages to be given in H-1B ropriate level — even the lar- lary being assigned?” misdeeds of the dishonest. In migration attorneys are see- visa status to green cards were cases easily. They are questio- gest consulting firms in the US The increase in inquiries is this regard, he also suggested ing an uptick in the number standard a decade ago, waivers for green card applicants.” ring the four-year period up ning level-1 wages almost uni- do send out entry-level profes- an administrative cost for all, complete reworking of human of ‘Requests For Evidence’ have been regularly granted A vast majority of those to 2014, over 2 lakh green formly.” He explains the va- sionals for assignments.” and is especially challenging resource management in the tax (RFEs) being issued by the since then. Under the new poli- to whom green cards are al- cards were allotted to H-1B vi- rious levels and illustrates the NPZ Law Group has seen a for those employers (mid-tier departments to strengthen data USCIS. These RFEs relate to cy, there will be no further wai- lotted comprise those who sa holders, according to a re- wages. Level-1 category rela- sharp hike in the RFEs — by companies) that had designa- analytics and investigation petitions (applications) filed vers. Thus, the new process are already working in the port by the Bipartisan Policy tes to entry-level jobs and, at 55% to 65% as compared to the ted level 1even for more experi- wing,” the statement said. on or about April 2017 for will lengthen the waiting time US on temporary visas. Du- Centre. Latest available data the other end, is the level-4 ca- past numbers. Nachman ex- enced visa applicants.