Drunk drivers are "lethal weapon", says Delhi court

New Delhi: Drunk drivers are a "lethal weapon", a Delhi court has said while refusing to set aside three days imprisonment awarded to a youth for driving his vehicle in an inebriated state.

The court said drunken driving has become a menace which may cause disabilities and fatalities having devastating effect on the victims and their kin and also causes colossal loss in terms of economy of the State.

District Judge Rekha Rani dismissed the appeal filed by Delhi resident Gaurav Singh, who was found riding a two wheeler under the influence of alcohol on May 15, and ordered that he be taken into custody to undergo the sentence.

22-year-old Singh, who was working in a restaurant, was sentenced to three days jail by a magisterial court and a fine of Rs 3,500 for drunken driving and inability to produce valid driving licence and insurance papers at the time of challan.

The court, in its order, observed that "human life is precious and road users have fundamental right to life and liberty guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution".

"Consumption of alcohol impairs vision, focus, reflexes and consciousness which make the automobiles 'death traps' and the drunk drivers 'lethal weapon'.

"According to National Crime Records Bureau, drunken driving is major factor for road accidents in India. Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand as declared by the Constitution. Those who flout responsibility forfeit their right to freedom," the court said.

The youth claimed that he was innocent and never consumed alcohol and has been falsely implicated by traffic police due to exchange of heated words.

The court, however, said Singh was not only badly drunk, exceeding the prescribed limit under the Motor Vehicle Act by over 13 times but he was also driving the vehicle without any driving licence, which was an aggravating factor.

It added that any leniency shown to drunk drivers would be at the risk of further proliferation of the road accidents.

'61,000 Indian millionaires shifted overseas in last 14 yrs'

New Delhi: India has seen the second-biggest outflow of high net worth individuals in last 14 years, with as many as 61,000 millionaires shifting base to abroad due to reasons like tax, security and child education, says a report.

A joint report by New World Wealth and LIO Global said the change in domicile, along with a rise in second citizenship applications, has increased dramatically since the turn of the century.

Some 61,000 uber-rich Indians have changed domicile between 2000 to 2014 -- second only to China which saw an outflow of 91,000 ultra-rich persons in the same period, the report said.

"Indian HNWIs tend to move to the UAE, the UK, the US and Australia," the report said, adding that Chinese HNWIs mainly moved to the US, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK.

Overall, the UK has seen the biggest inflow of HNWIs from abroad and the figure stood at 1.25 lakh over the past 14 years.

Other countries that saw significant HNWI outflows include France (42,000), Italy (23,000), Russia (20,000), Indonesia (12,000), South Africa (8,000) and Egypt (7,000).

The factors of the outflow, according to the report, include turmoil in home country, security concerns and optimising education of children.

Most of the HNWIs who moved into the UK came from Europe, Russia, China and India. There were also substantial numbers that came from the Middle-East and Africa, the report added.

In terms of inflows of HNWIs, the UK was followed by the US and Singapore.

Inflows into the US predominantly came from China while the UK, India and Russia made up for a sizeable chunk. Most migration to Singapore came from China, India and Indonesia.

This survey was conducted comparing the domicile of a sample of around 60,000 global HNWIs in 2000 with the same in 2014.

HNWIs refer to individuals with net assets of USD 1 million or more excluding their primary residences.

 'Female ISIS suicide bomber' suspected in Turkey attack; PM vows to boost Syria border security.

Ankara: After a suicide attack at a group of young activists killed 30, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has called for beefing up of security along the country's porous border with Syria as Turkey witnesses spillover of the conflict from its troubled neighbourhood.

A group of young activists – most of them University Graduates – were attending a gathering in the Turkish border town of Suruc when a suicide bomber detonated herself, claiming 30 lives.

The activists were planning to enter the Syrian town of Kobane (that lies just across the border from Suruc) and help rebuild it.

According to the BBC, the attacker is said to be a female ISIS suicide bomber, say the investigators.

PM Davutoglu's office also confirmed that Daesh (ISIS) was suspected to be involved in the suicide bombing.

Speaking in a news conference in Ankara, the PM vowed to continue to take strong steps to counter the Islamic State and also ordered the security along the border with Syria to be enhanced.

"We are face to face with a terrorism incident. We have the willpower to find and certainly punish those who are responsibl... Measures on our border with Syria... will be increased," he added.

BRICS bank launched in Shanghai.

Shanghai: Officials from the world`s largest emerging nations launched the New Development Bank (NDB) on Tuesday, the second of two new policy banks heavily backed by Beijing that are being pitched as alternatives to existing institutions such as the World Bank.

Also known as the BRICS bank, it follows soon after the establishment of the China-led Asian Investment Infrastructure Bank (AIIB). The new bank will fund infrastructure and development projects in BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The ceremony on Tuesday concludes a lengthy wait since the NDB was first proposed in 2012. Disagreements over the bank`s funding, management and headquarters had slowed its launch.

"Our objective is not to challenge the existing system as it is but to improve and complement the system in our own way," NDB President Kundapur Vaman Kamath said.

He added that after a meeting with the AIIB in Beijing, the NDB had decided to set up a "hotline" with the AIIB to discuss issues, and to forge closer ties between "new institutions coming together with a completely different approach."

The ceremony, held in Shanghai where the NDB`s headquarters are located, was relatively low-key in comparison to a June signing of the articles of agreement for the AIIB in Beijing, which was attended by delegates from 57 countries and President Xi Jinping.

The NDB has initial capital of $50 billion, which will be expanded to $100 billion within the next couple of years.

Kamath, a former executive with India`s largest private bank ICICI Bank, told Reuters earlier this month that the NDB plans to issue its first loans in April next year.

China has pledged to contribute $41 billion to the NDB, giving it the largest share of voting rights at 39.5 percent.

Brazil, India and Russia will each contribute $18 billion, while South Africa will contribute $5 billion.

 1993 Mumbai blasts: Supreme Court to hear Yakub Memon's mercy plea today

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday is expected to hear the curative petition of Yakub Abdul Razak Memon, a death row convict in the March 12, 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

Today's hearing is the last attempt of Memon to escape the gallows.

If the apex court rejects Memon's curative petition, the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict is expected to be hanged on July 30.

It will be the first execution in the 1993 blasts case.

A chartered accountant, Memon is currently lodged in the Nagpur Central Jail.

A family member of Memon on Monday met him at the high security prison.

Yakub's cousin Usman Memon, accompanied by a local lawyer, arrived at the Central Prison in the afternoon.

The 53-year-old Memon, whose mercy plea was rejected by President Pranab Mukherjee in April this year, filed his second review petition before the SC.

Earlier, amid reports that Yakub will be hanged this month end, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the state government would follow the directives given by the Supreme Court over the execution of Memon.

"The Supreme Court has made a decision on this issue. Whatever directives will be given by the court, the Maharashtra Government will act according to that. We will provide more information on this matter when the time is right," said Fadnavis.

According to DNA, the date and time of execution has already been approved by Fadnavis. Besides courts and local administration of Nagpur, Memon's family has also been apprised about it.

Memon was awarded the death sentence by a Special TADA Court in Mumbai on July 27, 2007 for his role in the blasts, including arranging finances for carrying out the 13 serial explosions which left 257 dead and over 700 injured across the city on March 12, 1993.

Subsequently, Memon - the brother of one of the main absconding accused Ibrahim alias Tiger Memon - appealed against the sentence in the Bombay High Court, Supreme Court and later filed a mercy petition with the President, followed by a review petition, and now a second review petition which is pending.

Leading criminal lawyer and a former defence lawyer in the same case Majeed Memon questioned the need for the state government's "hurry" in the matter even before the outcome of the second review petition.

The bombings, police say, were carried out at the behest of gangster Dawood Ibrahim to avenge the destruction of an ancient mosque by Hindu zealots in 1992 and subsequent riots in which many Muslims were killed. A special anti-terrorism court had convicted 100 people in the attacks.

Pakistan blames India for its own 'Made in China' 'spy' drone?

New Delhi: In a clear attempt to deflect attention from its tactic support to 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Pakistan has triggered a controversy by claiming to have shot down an Indian drone, that was on a “spying mission”.

While India has denied ownership of the drone, Pakistan appears adamant to link India to the drone so as to further its position on India's alleged involvement in spy activities on its soil.

The Pakistan foreign office, Thursday, summoned Indian High Commissioner Dr TCA Raghavan to lodge an official protest.

This despite new revelations that the DJI Phantom-3 drone is an `Made in China` device. However, the fact is that Indian security agencies don't buy equipment from China.

Secondly, the Phantom drone can be bought off the shelf by anyone, including civilians – it's of little use for the military.

Also, media reports claimed that such drones are used by the Pakistan Police to monitor traffic, thereby opening up the possibility of the Pakistan Army having shot down one of its own drones.

The Pakistan Army, yesterday, claimed to have shot down an Indian “spy” drone which it alleged was being used for aerial photography near the Line of Control.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a brief statement, said the Indian drone was brought down near the Line of Control in Bhimber area of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The Army claimed that the drone was being used for aerial photography and was “brought down for violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity.”

However, a spokesperson of the Indian Army said, "some reports of a drone crash in PoK are being referred to. No drone or UAV crash of the Indian Army has taken place."

The incident comes just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif's ice-breaking meeting in Russia.

Iran nuclear deal 'best way to avoid N-arms race' in Mideast: Barack Obama

Washington: Just a day after six world powers and Iran stitched up a 'historic' nuclear deal after months of negotiation, US President Barack Obama argued vehemently in the favour of the agreement, claiming that the accord makes the world a safer place by keeping Tehran away from getting a nuclear bomb.

Speaking at a televised press conference, Barack Obama sought to drive home the point that the deal would be instrumental in thwarting the nuke arms race in the Middle East there was no other peaceful alternative to resolve the 13-year-old nuclear standoff with Iran.

Speaking at the conference, he made sure to dwell upon the benefits of the deal, warning the critics about the dangers of an Iran without the deal.

"This deal makes our country, and the world, safer and more secure."

Merkel warns 'long, difficult' road ahead for Greece deal

Brussels: German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Monday that Greece and its European partners still faced a challenging road ahead to finalise a third bailout for Athens, after marathon talks ended with a deal.

"The road will be long, and judging by the negotiations tonight, difficult," Merkel told reporters, after bailout talks ended after more than 17 hours.

Natural Home Remedies for Migraine Headache.

Migraine is one of the highly prevalent problems found among the most in contemporary working population and can be caused by plethora of reasons.

Though it is a common pain found in a lot, it can get severe at times. Even more worrying thing about this pain is that it can’t be abated with your usual pain killers.

Migraine  headaches, which tend to relapse after varied intervals, and also the general headache sufferers may find appreciable relief using the Natural remedies of Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Yoga.


NATURAL REMEDIES FOR MIGRAINE HEADACHE ARE : 


1. The ancient therapeutic science of Ayurveda suggests keeping the scalp dabbed with hair oil and going in for steam inhalation.

2. Anu Tailam or the Shad Bindu Tailam (oil) is effective medicated oil which is advised for nasal inhalation for relieving migraine headache.

3. Other than this, the herb of Ajawain or the Bishop’s weed may be roasted and used as a hot poultice over the head region. This is beneficial for headache that results for vitiation of Vata and Kapha doshas.

4. Tulsi or Holy basil is another herb that can be pounded and mixed into water which is then heated and used as steam inhalation.

5. Nasya karma is one of the Ayurveda Panchkarma treatments which is regarded as best procedure for treating pain in the head region like chronic headaches, sinusitis and migraine headaches.

6. Ayurvedic Remedies for Detoxification provide great help in relieving the migraine headache and generally all sort of headaches. This includes following Ayurvedic diet regime, Ayurvedic herbs and home remedies, Ayurvedic treatments for stress management, Yoga asanas, Pranayama, oil pulling and Ayurvedic Panchkarma treatments. Know more about 4 Fool-Proof Ways to Detox Naturally.

7. Deep breathing techniques or Pranayama and Yoga therapies (particularly Yoga Nidra) provide good assistance in migraine headaches.

8. Naturopathy suggests reasonable fasting mainly on fresh vegetable juice of carrot, beetroot, cabbage etc.

9. Other than this, Natural treatments of water therapies which includes Jala Neti, hot water foot bath and Spinal bath are suggested.

10. Nasal drops of ghee (Clarified butter) in each nostril once or twice daily helps in easing the malady of migraine headache.

Narendra Modi-Nawaz Sharif talks: Five key developments.

Ufa (Russia): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif met here on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and condemned terrorism in all its forms.

Also, Sharif invited Modi to visit Pakistan for the SAARC summit in 2016. PM Modi has accepted the invite.

Here are the five steps India and Pakistan decided to take:

1. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz will meet in New Delhi to discuss all issues connected to terrorism.
2. Early meetings of DG BSF and DG Pakistan Rangers followed by that of Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs).
3. A mechanism for facilitating religious tourism will also be worked out.
4. The two countries also agreed to free fishermen in each other's custody, along with their boats, within a period of 15 days.
5. Both sides agreed to discuss ways and means to expedite the Mumbai case trial, including additional information like providing voice samples.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif concluded their bilateral talks in Ufa on Friday. The talks, which began at around 9.20 am local time, continued for an hour.

Narendra Modi-Nawaz Sharif talks: Five key developments.

Ufa (Russia): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif met here on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and condemned terrorism in all its forms.

Also, Sharif invited Modi to visit Pakistan for the SAARC summit in 2016. PM Modi has accepted the invite.

Here are the five steps India and Pakistan decided to take:

1. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz will meet in New Delhi to discuss all issues connected to terrorism.
2. Early meetings of DG BSF and DG Pakistan Rangers followed by that of Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs).
3. A mechanism for facilitating religious tourism will also be worked out.
4. The two countries also agreed to free fishermen in each other's custody, along with their boats, within a period of 15 days.
5. Both sides agreed to discuss ways and means to expedite the Mumbai case trial, including additional information like providing voice samples.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif concluded their bilateral talks in Ufa on Friday. The talks, which began at around 9.20 am local time, continued for an hour.

 Two Indonesian pilots may pose security threat: leaked document

 Australian authorities believe two Indonesian pilots may pose a security threat after being radicalised by Islamic State, a leaked intelligence document obtained by an investigative website shows, although officials Thursday refused to confirm its veracity.

The Australian Federal Police "Operational Intelligence Report", published online by investigative website The Intercept, said the pilots were "likely employees" of AirAsia and Premiair and came to their attention through their Facebook pages.

It said their postings "inferred support to the Islamic State (IS)" group.

"Upon review of the content from both accounts it is assessed that these persons are likely being influenced by radical elements -- at least from the online environment --- and as a result, may pose a security threat," it said.

In a statement to AFP, the federal police would not comment on whether the document, entitled "Identification of Indonesian pilots with possible extremist persuasions" and dated March 18 this year, was genuine.

"The Australian Federal Police does not comment on matters of intelligence," it said.

"The Australian Federal Police maintains strong relationships with its domestic and foreign law enforcement partners to ensure the ongoing safety of Australians both within Australia and abroad."

The AirAsia pilot graduated from its academy in 2010, the document said, and flew international routes including to Hong Kong and Singapore.

It said a change in his Facebook posting style became evident in September last year "wherein he started posting material indicative of support to IS".

Around this time, he began interacting online with a second pilot, said to be a former Indonesian navy pilot who now works for Premiair, who "liked" his postings on IS.

This pilot had flown to Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States, the intelligence report claimed, with recent reposts on Facebook including "extremist related articles".

"Both appear to be influenced by pro-IS elements including extremist online propaganda by well-known radical Indonesia outlets and a suspected Indonesian terrorist fighter who is likely to be in either Syria or Iraq," the police report concluded.

The Intercept said it was distributed to law enforcement agencies in Turkey, Jordan, Britain, Europe and the United States.

Vyapam Scam: SC issues notice to Centre on plea seeking removal of MP Governor

 In the latest development in the deadly Vyapam scam, the Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to Centre on a plea seeking removal of Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav.

While appearing for the applicants, senior lawyer Kapil Sibal argued before the SC bench comprising Chief Justice HL Dattu and Justices Arun Kumar Mishra and Amitava Roy that the Madhya Pradesh High Court was not right in quashing FIR against Governor as Vyapam CEO had recorded statement against him.

The SC on Monday agreed to hear a petition seeking removal of Yadav on the ground of his alleged involvement in the scam in the massive admission and recruitment scam in Madhya Pradesh.

The petition, filed by a group of lawyers, have sought removal of Yadav and recording of his statement in the case.

The multi-crore Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam, involves several high-profile professionals, politicians and bureaucrats as accused.

The alleged scam involves MPEB, which holds examinations for various posts such as teachers, medical officers, constables and forest guards.

Over 46 people allegedly associated with the admission and recruitment scam in Vyapam have died since 2013 in mysterious circumstances.

The most high-profile death in connected with the case has been that of Shailesh Yadav, son of Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav. Shailesh (50) was found dead at his father's residence in Mall Avenue area of Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow on March 25, 2015.

Recently, on June 4, a television journalist Akshay Singh, in Madhya Pradesh, suddenly fall ill and died while interviewing parents of a girl who had been found dead near railway tracks, after her name figured in the Vyapam scam. The next day, a college dean from the state helping in the investigation was found dead in a hotel room in Delhi.

On Monday, a woman police trainee recruited through Vyapam was found dead in Sagar district.

Heavy rain alert continues in Himachal Pradesh.

 The heavy rain alert continues in Himachal Pradesh following the recent spell of incessant showers in various districts of the state.

"For the past two days, it has been raining heavily in almost all the districts of Himachal Pradesh. Some districts are experiencing heavy rainfall while others are receiving light showers. In the past 24 hours, Kangra district has experienced the most rainfall," Met Department Director, Manmohan Singh.

The rains are likely to continue for the next four-five days.

TaxiForSure driver faces charges of obscenity.

After web-based taxi service Uber came under fire over allegations that their driver forcibly tried to kiss a woman, another app based cab service TaxiForSure is facing similar charges.

As per reports, a woman has accused TaxiForSure's driver of indulging in a vulgar act while driving the cab last week.

The woman, who was being driven from Saket to Faridabad, explained the episode on social networking sites a few days ago but hasn't yet filed a police complaint.

Meanwhile, a TaxiForSure spokesperson reportedly termed the incident as regrettable and said that the company has blacklisted the driver.

In December 2014, a 27-year-old finance executive of a Gurgaon-based company had alleged that the driver of an Uber cab drove her to a deserted place after she fell asleep in the vehicle and raped her.

Denied toilet at home, Jharkhand girl commits suicide

Ranchi: At a time when the government is vigorously advocating for toilets in every household in rural areas, a class 12 girl student from Dumka district in Jharkhand has committed suicide, after failing to persuade her parents to build a toilet at their residence.

17-year-old Khushbu Kumari killed herself by hanging from the ceiling of her room.

According to Khushbu's parents, their daughter repeatedly tried to convince them to build a toilet, but they didn't give her plea a priority, as they wanted to save money for her marriage.

Her relatives claim that the class XII student used to feel ashamed to defecate in the open.

Some reports say that the family stays in a concrete house, but never thought of building a toilet.

Sulabh International founder Bindeshwar Pathak called the Dumka suicide incident as tragic and said it shows that it is tough for women to manage without a toilet in the house.

"This is a tragic incidence, difficult to describe. It shows how tough it is for women without a toilet in the house. The girl kept on insisting to get a toilet built. The father should have taken her demand seriously," Pathak told ANI.

A recent United Nations report has said that India has made "moderate" progress in reducing open defecation rates among its population and has succeeded in providing access to improved drinking water to more people in urban and rural areas.

It said India is among the 16 countries that have reduced open defecation rates by at least 25 percentage points.

"The 31 percent reduction in open defecation in India alone represents 394 million people and significantly influences regional and global estimates," it said.

The report, however, noted that in India, there has been very little change over the last 20 years in reducing open defecation among the poor.

Socio-Economic and Caste Census: Congress accuses Modi of having 'contempt for poor'

New Delhi: With SECC findings projecting a very grim picture of the rural India, Congress Saturday mounted an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of having "contempt for the poor" and alleging that the "suit book ki sarkar" is only focused on the rich.

Party spokesperson Rajiv Gowda also alleged that the NDA government was "hiding and suppressing" a data by UNICEF which "reveals" that the Gujarat model of governance of Modi has been "disastrous" for the poor.

He said the release of the long-awaited Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC), 2011 has revealed that there is tremendous work to be done in rural India and claimed that the Congress governments in the past had made huge efforts in transforming rural India such as bringing programmes like green revolution, white revolution and MGNREGA.

"In contrast, what we saw after NDA came to power was Modi on the floor of the Lok Sabha mocking the MGNREGA and calling it a monument of UPA and Congress failures. It was contempt with which he had mocked this path-breaking progamme, which ensured a social safety net for the poorest of the poor in rural India.

"After that, taking a cue from Modi's contempt for the poor, the NDA government did not release MGNREGA fund, tried to cut down various programmes that will benefit people in rural India. The suit boot sarkar is only focused on the rich and the wealthy, or their corporate cronies and not on the people of India, who desperately need help," Gowda said.

Google Nexus 6 gets massive price cut in India

Google's flagship smartphone Nexus 6 has got a massive price cut in India. The phone can be ordered through e-commerce portal Flikart.

The the 32GB variant of the Nexus smartpone, which was launched at Rs 44,999, can be purchased for Rs 34,999 on Flipkart. The 64GB version, which was priced at Rs 49,999, can now be purchased for Rs 39,999.

Developed by US-based Motorola, the Nexus 6 was launched globally by Google last year.

Featuring a 5.96-inch display, Nexus 6 features the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system. Weighing 184 grams, the device has a 13 MP rear and 2 MP front camera.

In April this year Google announced its decision to offer wireless service to Nexus 6 owners through a new program called, 'Project Fi.'

Under the program, consumers will only have to pay for the data they use rather than a flat monthly fee that comes with a preset amount of data. The service supports voice calls and texting over Wi-Fi. It also allows you to switch seamlessly between LTE and a Wi-Fi network in order to ensure that you are connected to the fastest available network at your location.

‘ABCD 2’ dancer Nilesh Nirbhavane arrested for gang-raping mentally challenged girl

Mumbai: One of the background dancers of the ‘ABCD 2’ team - Nilesh Nirbhavane – was arrested by Pant Nagar Police on June 26, for allegedly raping a 14-year-old mentally challenged girl several times.

Reports suggest that the girl’s teacher noticed a drastic change in her student’s behaviour. Eventually, she came to know that the girl was being sexually abused by three boys. The teacher informed the girl’s parents and a complaint was registered with the police thereafter.

An officer from the Pant Nagar Police station reportedly said that the girl was raped by Nirbhavane and his friend. They would take her to isolated places or to public toilets and then rape her.

When Nirbhavane was summoned for questioning, he confessed to committing the crime. Two boys have been arrested by the Police while the third one’s role in the crime is yet to be ascertained.

Govt to spend Rs 50,000 crore under new irrigation scheme

New Delhi: With an eye on improving farm productivity, the government will spend Rs 50,000 crore over the next five years under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY).

"It has been decided that in 5 years, Rs 50,000 crore from the central Budget would be utilised for the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. States' share will be over and above this," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said while communicating the Cabinet decision.

He further said: "This can also be utilised to help the material component in MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)."

The decision was taken at the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday.

For the current fiscal, he said the allocation is Rs 5,300 crore.

The spending this year is expected to bring an additional 6 lakh hectares under irrigation while 5 lakh hectares will benefit from drip irrigation. That apart, 1,300 watershed projects have been marked for completion.

Currently, 142 million hectares are used for cultivation, of which only 45 percent farm land is under irrigation.

"The major objective of the PMKSY is to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation (har khet ko pani), improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water, enhance adoption of precision-irrigation and other water-saving technologies (more crop per drop)," he said.

Besides, the FM said the scheme is aimed at enhancing recharge of aquifers and introducing sustainable water conservation practices by exploring feasibility of re-using treated municipal water for peri-urban agriculture and attracting greater private investment in precision irrigation.

"The scheme also aims at bringing ministries, departments, agencies, research and financial institutions engaged in creation/recycling/potential recycling of water under a common platform so that a comprehensive and holistic view of the entire "water cycle" is taken into account and proper water budgeting is done for all sectors," he said.

The programme architecture of PMKSY looks at a 'decentralised state-level planning and execution' structure in order to allow states to draw up a District Irrigation Plan (DIP) and a State Irrigation Plan (SIP), he said.

"DIP will have a holistic developmental perspective of the district outlining medium- to long-term developmental plans integrating three components namely, water sources, distribution network and water use application of the district to be prepared at two levels - the block and the district," he said.

All structures created under the schemes will be geo-tagged, he added.

The programme will be supervised and monitored at the national level by an Inter-Ministerial National Steering Committee (NSC) under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister with the Union Ministers concerned.

A National Executive Committee (NEC) is to be constituted under the Chairmanship of the Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog, to oversee programme implementation, allocation of resources, inter-ministerial coordination, monitoring and performance assessment, addressing administrative issues and the like.