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All money in Swiss bank not black, will get all black money data by 2019: Piyush Goel

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All money in Swiss bank not black, will get all black money data by 2019: Piyush Goel

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Attacked and mocked by Opposition and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy over report of 50% rise in money deposited by Indians in Swiss banks in 2017, acting finance minister in Narendra Modi government, Piyush Goyal came up with some dubious claims and promises on Friday, June 29.

He questioned how all the money could be assumed to be illegal and said India will get all data on black money from Switzerland by the end of fiscal 2019.

“We will have all the info and if anybody is found guilty, strict action will be taken,” Goyal told reporters in New Delhi. “Today, nobody has the guts to save money outside the country. And it has been possible only because of the government’s hard work,” the caretaker Finance Minister said.

“Agreement between India and Switzerland has this. From January 1, 2018 till end of accounting year (ends March 31, 2019), all data will be made available. Why assume this is black money or illegal transactions?” Piyush Goyal said, referring to the report.

Around 40 per cent of this money is because of the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), Goyal said. Under the scheme, an individual can remit up to USD 2,50,000 in a foreign account per year.

India has a treaty with Switzerland under which the Swiss government would provide all data from January 1, 2018 till December 31, 2018. India would get data as the accounting year ends, Goyal said.

“We will have all information. If someone is found guilty, the government will take strong action against them,” the Finance Minister said.

While Switzerland has already begun sharing foreign client details on evidence of wrongdoing provided by India and some other countries, it has agreed to further expand its cooperation on India’s fight against black money with a new pact for automatic information exchange.

India and Switzerland have held several rounds of discussions on the new framework on exchange of financial data, and also for fast-tracking exchange of pending information requests about suspected illegal accounts of Indians in Swiss banks.

About an hour after Piyush Goyal’s remarks, Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to take a swipe at the Modi government over what he claimed was the government’s inability to win the fight against black money.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Data released by Swiss National Bank reveal that after declining for three successive years, money deposited by Indians in Swiss banks rose 50 per cent to CHF (Swiss Franc) 1.02 billion (Rs 7,000 crore) in 2017 over the previous year.

In comparison, the total funds held by all foreign clients of Swiss banks rose about 3 per cent to CHF 1.46 trillion or about Rs 100 lakh crore in 2017, according to data released by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), the central banking authority of the Alpine nation.

Indian money in Swiss banks had fallen by 45 per cent in 2016, marking their biggest ever yearly plunge, to 676 million Swiss francs (Rs. 4,500 crore) – the lowest ever since Switzerland began making the data public in 1987.

In November 2016, the government had withdrawn high-value currency notes from circulation overnight. PM Minister Narendra Modi had said demonetisation would wipe out black money from the system.

The rupee has also been under severe stress. On Thursday, it breached the 69-mark against the US dollar for the first time, ending the day at an all-time low of 68.79.

The government came under severe attack from Opposition and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy hit out at the government for its failure in curbing generation of black money. Writing on his Twitter handle, Swamy said, “Secret Swiss bank accounts deposits from global sources rose by three per cent in last 12 months. Indians’ deposits however grew 50 per cent.”[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The Congress in a tweet said, “One of PM Modi’s long-standing campaign promises of bringing back black money falls flat. While you sit and wait for your promised Rs 15 lakh, more capital has flown the coop.”

Congress leader and former Union minister Manish Tewari also hit out at the Centre.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]JTNDYmxvY2txdW90ZSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIydHdpdHRlci10d2VldCUyMiUyMGRhdGEtbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTNFJTNDcCUyMGxhbmclM0QlMjJlbiUyMiUyMGRpciUzRCUyMmx0ciUyMiUzRVJ1cGVlJTIwYXQlMjA2OSUyQ0luZGlhbiUyMGRlcG9zaXRzJTIwaW4lMjBTd2lzcyUyMEJhbmtzJTIwdXAlMjA1MCUyNSUyQ1VTJTIwYXJtJTIwdHdpc3RpbmclMjBJbmRpYSUyMG9uJTIwSXJhbiUyMGFmdGVyJTIwc251YmJpbmclMjBJdCUyMG9uJTIwMiUyQjIlMjBkaWFsb2d1ZSUyQ1Bvc3QlMjBNYWxkaXZlcy1TcmklMjBMYW5rYSVFMiU4MCU5OXMlMjBSYWphcGFrc2ElMjB3YXJucyUyMEluZGlhJTIwYWduc3QlMjBpbnRlcmZlcmVuY2UlMjBpbiUyMGludGVybmFsJTIwYWZmYWlycyUyQ0olMjZhbXAlM0JLJTIwdXAlMjBpbiUyMFNtb2tlJTIwJTI2YW1wJTNCJTIwTkRBJTJGQkpQJTIwYnVzeSUyMGxlYWtpbmclMjBzdHJpa2UlMjB2aWRlb3MuJTIwQWNoZSUyMERpbiUyMGFyZSUyMGhlcmUlMjElMjBHLk1vcm4lM0MlMkZwJTNFJTI2bWRhc2glM0IlMjBNYW5pc2glMjBUZXdhcmklMjAlMjglNDBNYW5pc2hUZXdhcmklMjklMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZNYW5pc2hUZXdhcmklMkZzdGF0dXMlMkYxMDEyNDk0NDg4ODU2NDU3MjE2JTNGcmVmX3NyYyUzRHR3c3JjJTI1NUV0ZnclMjIlM0VKdW5lJTIwMjklMkMlMjAyMDE4JTNDJTJGYSUzRSUzQyUyRmJsb2NrcXVvdGUlM0UlMEElM0NzY3JpcHQlMjBhc3luYyUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGcGxhdGZvcm0udHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZ3aWRnZXRzLmpzJTIyJTIwY2hhcnNldCUzRCUyMnV0Zi04JTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNFJTBB[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Tweeting a caricature on the development, the Aam Aadmi Party said the black money parked in foreign lands will not return in PM Modi’s government.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yechury alleged that prime minister has no time or intention to remember the tall promises he made in 2014.

“From falsifying history to making new promises, Jumlaman has no time or intention to remember tall promises he made in 2014. From depositing 15 lakh in each bank account to making Rupee stronger to doubling farmers’ income, he has only insulted and humiliated us Indians,” he said in a tweet.

In another tweet, Yechury said the data is no surprise since the “Modi government writes off lakhs of crores of unpaid loans of crony corporate and businessmen flee India after looting public money under his watch”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Thick smog engulfs Delhi, flights and trains delayed as air quality slips to very poor

Delhi remained under a thick smog cover as air quality dipped into the very poor category, causing delays in flights and train services due to low visibility.

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A dense blanket of smog covered Delhi on Saturday morning, pushing air quality into the ‘very poor’ category and disrupting flight and train operations across the national capital and adjoining areas. Reduced visibility due to smog led to delays in air and rail traffic, while authorities warned that pollution levels could worsen further in the coming days.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 380, placing it in the ‘very poor’ bracket. Visuals from Bhairav Marg near Pragati Maidan showed motorists using headlights during early hours, as visibility remained low. At around 7 am, the AQI at this location stood at 433.

Nearly half of Delhi’s air quality monitoring stations reported ‘severe’ pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 428 with PM2.5 as the dominant pollutant, while Jahangirpuri reported an AQI of 425.

Transport services hit by low visibility

Flight operations at Delhi airport were impacted due to low visibility conditions. The airport issued an advisory asking passengers to check with their respective airlines for updated flight information, as low visibility procedures were in place. Runway visibility was reported to be between 800 and 1,200 metres.

Live flight tracking data showed multiple flights running behind schedule. One airline also warned passengers about possible disruptions at several airports in northern and eastern India, including Delhi, due to dense fog conditions. Travellers were advised to verify flight status before heading to the airport, with options offered on select flights to reschedule or seek refunds without additional charges.

Rail services were also affected, with more than 30 trains running late by an average of three to four hours. Some long-distance trains reported delays of over six to eight hours, causing inconvenience to passengers travelling to and from the capital.

Air quality likely to worsen

The weather department had earlier forecast dense to very dense fog at isolated places over Delhi and several parts of north and central India. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, pollution levels are expected to remain in the ‘very poor’ category on Saturday and may slip into the ‘severe’ category on Sunday and Monday. In view of the deteriorating conditions, an ‘orange’ alert has been issued for Saturday.

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PM Modi inaugurates India’s first nature-themed airport terminal in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the new nature-themed terminal at Guwahati airport, the largest in Northeast India, built around bamboo, orchids and regional heritage.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati today, marking a major milestone for aviation infrastructure in the Northeast. Built at an estimated cost of around Rs 4,000 crore, the facility is being projected as the largest airport terminal in the region and a key boost to connectivity, tourism and economic activity in Assam.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Guwahati around 3 pm as part of his two-day visit to the state.

Northeast’s largest airport terminal takes shape in Guwahati

The newly constructed terminal is nearly seven times larger than the existing one and has been designed to cater to the region’s rapidly growing air traffic. Once fully operational, it is expected to handle up to 13.1 million passengers annually by 2032.

Officials said the terminal is planned as a regional connectivity hub, with a focus on strengthening air links between India and Southeast Asia. The airport will be capable of handling up to 34 air traffic movements per hour, the highest capacity among airports in the Northeast. The facility will also be equipped with one of the most advanced Instrument Landing Systems to support safer and more efficient operations.

Nature-inspired design rooted in Assam’s identity

What sets the Guwahati terminal apart is its distinctive nature-themed architecture. Conceptualised under the theme “Bamboo Orchids”, it is being described as India’s first airport terminal inspired entirely by natural and cultural elements.

The interiors draw from the landscapes of Northeast India, with design elements reflecting indigenous orchids, locally known as Kopou Phool, and the flow of the Brahmaputra river. The terminal incorporates more than 2,000 species of plants, includes a dedicated zone inspired by Kaziranga National Park, and features artefacts representing Majuli Island.

A key architectural highlight is the expansive bamboo vault, created using around 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced bamboo. The space has been envisioned as a multifunctional cultural centre aimed at encouraging community interaction and showcasing the region’s heritage. Design elements such as japi motifs, the iconic rhino symbol and 57 orchid-inspired columns further reinforce the cultural narrative.

Arriving passengers will also experience a unique “Sky Forest”, featuring nearly one lakh plants of indigenous species, designed to create an immersive forest-like ambience within the terminal.

Focus on digital integration and passenger convenience

Spread over nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, the integrated new terminal has been designed to handle around 1.3 crore passengers annually. It is supported by significant upgrades to the runway, airfield systems, aprons and taxiways.

The terminal places strong emphasis on digital integration, with 14 entry points, including four DigiYatra gates, aimed at easing passenger movement. Facilities such as full-body scanners for non-intrusive security checks, automated baggage handling systems, fast-track immigration and AI-driven airport operations have been incorporated to ensure smoother travel experiences.

Other engagements during PM Modi’s Assam visit

During his two-day stay, the Prime Minister will also lay foundation stones for multiple development projects and address public gatherings. He is scheduled to visit the Swahid Smarak Kshetra to pay tribute to the martyrs of the historic Assam Movement.

Later in the day, PM Modi will perform the bhoomipujan for a new brownfield Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Project at Namrup in Dibrugarh district, within the existing premises of the Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Limited.

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Assam train accident: Eight elephants killed after Rajdhani Express derailment in Hojai

Eight elephants were killed after the Rajdhani Express collided with a herd in Assam’s Hojai district, causing multiple coaches to derail and disrupting train services.

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At least eight elephants were killed and a calf was injured after a herd collided with the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam’s Hojai district, leading to the derailment of the locomotive and five coaches early Saturday. Railway officials confirmed that no passengers were injured in the incident.

Forest department officials said the collision occurred when the New Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express struck a herd of elephants on the tracks. The impact caused multiple coaches to derail, disrupting rail traffic on the busy route connecting the Northeast with the national capital.

Train services hit, passengers shifted to other coaches

Following the derailment, rail movement towards Upper Assam and other parts of the Northeast was affected due to damaged coaches and elephant remains scattered on the tracks. Accident relief trains and senior railway officials rushed to the site to restore services.

Passengers travelling in the affected coaches were temporarily accommodated in vacant berths in other coaches of the same train. Officials said that once the train reaches Guwahati, additional coaches will be attached to ensure all passengers can continue their journey.

Collision occurred outside designated elephant corridor

According to officials, the accident took place at a location that is not marked as a designated elephant corridor. The loco pilot reportedly applied emergency brakes after spotting the herd on the tracks, but the elephants ran into the train, resulting in the collision and derailment.

Forest authorities confirmed that eight elephants died on the spot, while one injured calf was rescued. Local residents said the herd consisted of around eight elephants at the time of the accident.

Elephant deaths in train accidents remain a concern

The incident comes amid continued concerns over wildlife deaths on railway tracks. Data shared by the Environment Ministry in Parliament earlier showed that at least 79 elephants have died in train collisions across India over the past five years, based on reports from states and Union Territories.

The ministry has said that several preventive steps are being taken in coordination with the Railways, including speed restrictions in elephant habitats, use of sensor-based detection systems, and construction of underpasses, ramps and fencing at vulnerable locations. Guidelines and capacity-building programmes have also been introduced to reduce human-animal conflict along railway lines.

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