Unacceptable if US is found violating Indian privacy laws, says govt

India said it would be 'unacceptable' if it is discovered that Indian laws on privacy have been violated by the surveillance launched on web users worldwide by the US National Security Agency (NSA).

'If it is discovered that Indian laws relating to privacy of information of ordinary Indian citizens have been violated we would find it unacceptable,' external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said at a media briefing yesterday.

His reaction came following revelations that the National Security Agency (NSA) has been spying on emails, social network activity, listening in on internet calls around the world since 2007.

A former CIA agent revealed to the Washington Post and the Guardian newspapers that the US agency has been using tech giants Microsoft, Google, Apple, Yahoo, Facebook, Skype and YouTube to spy on private information of users around the world. The programme, codenamed 'PRISM' has been in operation since 2007. The programme is aimed to monitor foreign communications that take place on US servers.

Mr Akbaruddin also said that India is 'concerned and surprised' by revelations that the US intelligence agency may be tapping information secretly.

He said that India and the US have a cyber-security dialogue that is helmed by the National Security Advisers from both sides.

'We intend to seek information and details during the consultations between the interlocutors', he said, and added that it is an evolving situation and India would see how the matter unfolds rather than jump to conclusions.

Former CIA technical worker Edward Snowden has been identified by the Guardian newspaper as the person who leaked information about US surveillance programmes.
IANS

Unacceptable if US is found violating Indian privacy laws, says govt

India said it would be 'unacceptable' if it is discovered that Indian laws on privacy have been violated by the surveillance launched on web users worldwide by the US National Security Agency (NSA).

'If it is discovered that Indian laws relating to privacy of information of ordinary Indian citizens have been violated we would find it unacceptable,' external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said at a media briefing yesterday.

His reaction came following revelations that the National Security Agency (NSA) has been spying on emails, social network activity, listening in on internet calls around the world since 2007.

A former CIA agent revealed to the Washington Post and the Guardian newspapers that the US agency has been using tech giants Microsoft, Google, Apple, Yahoo, Facebook, Skype and YouTube to spy on private information of users around the world. The programme, codenamed 'PRISM' has been in operation since 2007. The programme is aimed to monitor foreign communications that take place on US servers.

Mr Akbaruddin also said that India is 'concerned and surprised' by revelations that the US intelligence agency may be tapping information secretly.

He said that India and the US have a cyber-security dialogue that is helmed by the National Security Advisers from both sides.

'We intend to seek information and details during the consultations between the interlocutors', he said, and added that it is an evolving situation and India would see how the matter unfolds rather than jump to conclusions.

Former CIA technical worker Edward Snowden has been identified by the Guardian newspaper as the person who leaked information about US surveillance programmes.
IANS

People from Doha to Kozhikode stranded in Kochi

Nedumbassery: Travelers who took ticket from Doha to Kozhikode were landed in Kochi after two days misery. As many as 30 travelers who came in jet airways had this misfortune. On Saturday the travelers were informed that the flight to Kozhikode would get delayed for 2 hours but there was no sign. Later they were informed that they will have to wait for more due to bad weather. Only by Sunday night that the flight reached Mumbai from Doha. The travelers were directed to board flights to Kozhikode. The flight was diverted from Kozhikode to Kochi and they reached Kochi only on Monday evening. There were no facilities for travelers to be shifted to Kozhikode and authorities not even accepted complaint given by passengers. The passengers protested in airport later. Later they reached destination with help from family and friends.

People from Doha to Kozhikode stranded in Kochi

Nedumbassery: Travelers who took ticket from Doha to Kozhikode were landed in Kochi after two days misery. As many as 30 travelers who came in jet airways had this misfortune. On Saturday the travelers were informed that the flight to Kozhikode would get delayed for 2 hours but there was no sign. Later they were informed that they will have to wait for more due to bad weather. Only by Sunday night that the flight reached Mumbai from Doha. The travelers were directed to board flights to Kozhikode. The flight was diverted from Kozhikode to Kochi and they reached Kochi only on Monday evening. There were no facilities for travelers to be shifted to Kozhikode and authorities not even accepted complaint given by passengers. The passengers protested in airport later. Later they reached destination with help from family and friends.

Daytime power cut to be withdrawn: Aryadan

Thiruvananthapuram: Electricity minister Aryadan Muhammad said in assembly that the daytime one-hour load shedding between 9 am to 4 pm would be withdrawn. The decision was taken as the reservoirs received more water due to rain and increase in power generation. Minister while speaking in question hour session said the direction on the same have been already given. If rain continues like this the half an hour power cut during nighttime would be withdrawn by June 15.

Daytime power cut to be withdrawn: Aryadan

Thiruvananthapuram: Electricity minister Aryadan Muhammad said in assembly that the daytime one-hour load shedding between 9 am to 4 pm would be withdrawn. The decision was taken as the reservoirs received more water due to rain and increase in power generation. Minister while speaking in question hour session said the direction on the same have been already given. If rain continues like this the half an hour power cut during nighttime would be withdrawn by June 15.

Hajj: regulation on pilgrims: India's quota 1.36 lakh

Mecca: As there are developmental activities going on Kaaba in Mecca, there would be regulations on number of pilgrims from this year with 20 % less in quota for each country. As per this the quota for India would be 1,36,000 and 34 000 pigrims will lose chance. The original quota is 1,70,000. The regulation will continue for next three years.

Hajj: regulation on pilgrims: India's quota 1.36 lakh

Mecca: As there are developmental activities going on Kaaba in Mecca, there would be regulations on number of pilgrims from this year with 20 % less in quota for each country. As per this the quota for India would be 1,36,000 and 34 000 pigrims will lose chance. The original quota is 1,70,000. The regulation will continue for next three years.

People from Doha to Kozhikode stranded in Kochi

Nedumbassery: Travelers who took ticket from Doha to Kozhikode were landed in Kochi after two days misery. As many as 30 travelers who came in jet airways had this misfortune. On Saturday the travelers were informed that the flight to Kozhikode would get delayed for 2 hours but there was no sign. Later they were informed that they will have to wait for more due to bad weather. Only by Sunday night that the flight reached Mumbai from Doha. The travelers were directed to board flights to Kozhikode. The flight was diverted from Kozhikode to Kochi and they reached Kochi only on Monday evening. There were no facilities for travelers to be shifted to Kozhikode and authorities not even accepted complaint given by passengers. The passengers protested in airport later. Later they reached destination with help from family and friends.

People from Doha to Kozhikode stranded in Kochi

Nedumbassery: Travelers who took ticket from Doha to Kozhikode were landed in Kochi after two days misery. As many as 30 travelers who came in jet airways had this misfortune. On Saturday the travelers were informed that the flight to Kozhikode would get delayed for 2 hours but there was no sign. Later they were informed that they will have to wait for more due to bad weather. Only by Sunday night that the flight reached Mumbai from Doha. The travelers were directed to board flights to Kozhikode. The flight was diverted from Kozhikode to Kochi and they reached Kochi only on Monday evening. There were no facilities for travelers to be shifted to Kozhikode and authorities not even accepted complaint given by passengers. The passengers protested in airport later. Later they reached destination with help from family and friends.