Avtar Henry’s citizenship issue: Notice issued to Centre on PIL

Chandigarh, April 8
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued a notice to the Union Home Ministry on a PIL filed by Jalandhar-based RTI activist Ajay Seghal for becoming party to the revision petition filed by former minister Avtar Henry against the termination of his Indian citizenship. Sehgal had brought Avtar Henry’s citizenship issue under the judicial scanner.

Taking up the matter, Justice RN Raina issued a notice to Union Home Secretary and to Avtar Henry for April 23.

Directing Jalandhar Commissioner of Police to examine the complaint against Punjab's former minister regarding his citizenship, the High Court in December last year had made it clear that an FIR would have to be registered in case the allegations were prima facie found to be true.

The Bench of Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain had directed the Commissioner to examine the complaint dated September 27, 2012, filed by Sehgal and to order registration of an FIR against him, if a prima facie case was found to have been made out, within two months.

Sehgal, through advocate HC Arora, had stated that Avtar Henry acquired the British citizenship in 1969 under the name of Avtar Singh. He came to India on the British passport the same year and obtained an Indian passport, which was renewed from time to time. He also registered himself as a voter in the Jalandhar (North) constituency and contested the elections in 1986, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012.

Avtar Henry is British citizen, Union Home Secretary informs HC lawyer

 

July 10, 2012 05:16 PM

Case of Arvind Khanna's British citizenship adjourned to July 12
CHANDIGARH: The Union Home Ministry has confirned that Avtrar Henry former Congress minister and four time MLAS from Jalandhar is a foreign national and he has obtained the citizenship of United Kingdom.

Arora said that real name of Avtar Henry is Avtar Singh Sanghera and his father name in Indian records is Lakhbir Singh. However in his british passport, the name of his father is mentioned as Joginder Singh.

This was stated by H.C.Arora lawyer pf petitioner Ajay Sehgal who filed petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging Indian citizenship of Henry. Arora said that he was informed about the status of Henry's citizenship by Secretary in Union Home Ministry.

Arora in his petition has told the court that Henry who was four time MLA and remained cabinet minister in Punjab government was not an Indian citizen. He informed the court that Henry had voluntarily obtained british citizenship in January 1968. Hew got british passport on May 1, 1968 and he also travelled on this passport to India.

Arora said that real name of Avtar Henry is Avtar Singh Sanghera and his father name in Indian records is Lakhbir Singh. However in his british passport, the name of his father is mentioned as Joginder Singh.

The High Court had directed the Union Home Ministry and Foreign affairs minsitry to give report on status of citizenship of Avtar Henry.

Meanwhile, Punjab and Haryana High Court has adjourned till July 12 another similar petition filed against Dhuri MLA Arvind Khanna. His election has been challenged in the High Court by Gobind Singh Kanjhla defeated candidate of SAD. Kanjhla has claimed in the petition that Arvind Khanna is not an Indian Citizen and he holds British passport. He has demanded to cancel the election and order repoll in Dhuri.

Lakhwinder Singh Sidhu lawyer of petitioner said that judge Gurmit Singh Sandhawalia has adjourned the hearing to July 12.

दोहरी नागरिकता मामले में हेनरी दिल्ली तलब

जालंधर. सीनियर कांग्रेसी व राज्य के पूर्व कैबिनेट मंत्री अवतार सिंह हैनरी उर्फ अवतार सिंह संघेड़ा को दोहरी नागरिकता के मामले में गृह विभाग ने दिल्ली तलब किया है। हैनरी को 10 जुलाई को नई दिल्ली की जय सिंह रोड स्थित एनडीसीसी -2 बिल्डिंग स्थित डायरेक्टर (आईएंडसी) मिनिस्ट्री ऑफ होम अफेयर्स के दफ्तर में कमरा नंबर ए-107 में सुबह 11 बजे पेश होने को कहा गया है।

दिल्ली में उनसे दोहरी नागरिकता को लेकर सवाल-जबाव किए जाएंगे। गौर हो कि हैनरी के दो अवतारों की जांच क्राइम ब्रांच कर रही है। हैनरी की पहली पत्नी सुरिंदर कौर के बेटे गुरजीत सिंह संघेड़ा ने आरोप लगाया था कि उनके पिता की दोहरी नागरिकता है। गुरजीत सिंह ने आरोप लगाया था कि उनके पिता ब्रिटिश नागरिक हैं। हैनरी पर यह भी आरोप है कि उन्होंने बिना तलाक दिए दूसरी शादी की है। इस मामले की जांच क्राइम ब्रांच कर रही है।

यह है मामला
अवतार हैनरी की पहली पत्नी के पुत्र गुरजीत सिंह संघेड़ा ने नवंबर २क्क्९ में दोहरी नागरिकता और बिना तलाक दूसरी शादी का आरोप लगाया था। २क्११ में यह फाइल बंद हो गई। उसके बाद अजय सहगल नामक शख्स ने यह मामला फिर से उठाया।

No service tax to be levied on NRI remittances: Finance Ministry

New Delhi, July 10

The Finance Ministry today clarified that no service tax would be levied on NRI remittances from overseas.

The clarification by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), which functions under the Finance Ministry, follows concerns over reports that there was a move to levy 12 per cent tax on money sent back home by Indians abroad under the changed service tax regime from July 1.

The CBEC said in a circular “that the matter has been examined and it is clarified that there is no service tax per se on the amount of foreign currency remitted to India from overseas”. In the negative list regime, “service” excludes transaction in money. As the amount of remittance comprises money, the activity does not comprise a “service” and is not subjected to service tax, the circular clarifies.

It further added that “in case any fee or conversion charges are levied for sending such money, they are also not liable to service tax as the person sending the money and the company conducting the remittance are located outside India. Such services are deemed to be provided outside India and thus not liable to service tax”.

It has been further clarified that even the Indian counterpart bank or financial institution which charges the foreign bank for the services provided at the receiving end, is not liable to service tax as the place of provision of such service is outside India.

The clarification will alleviate concerns of NRIs as India is one of the top recipient of remittances ($64 billion in 2011), according to the World Bank data. Given the dire need for dollar at a time when current account deficit is high and Rupee is under pressure, any move to levy service tax on NRI remittances would have been disastrous.

CMs of Punjab and Kerala, which are among the states receiving the largest remittances from NRIs, had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

M Rafeeque Ahmed, president, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), said that towards addressing the trade deficit, remittances were the single largest source of unconditional flow of foreign exchange into India, according to estimates by the World Bank. Given the slowdown and declining levels of foreign exchange, service tax could only act as a deterrent to precious incoming foreign exchange, he added.

He said the waiver of service tax on the same would ensure that this stable source of foreign exchange would continue to maintain the delicate balance of payments position of India at this moment of global crisis. 

WHY THE CLARIFICATION  Concerns were being expressed over reports that there was a move to levy 12% tax on money sent back home by Indians abroad under the changed service tax regime from July 1 THE FINAL WORD  The matter has been examined and it is clarified that there is no service tax per se on the amount of foreign currency remitted to India from overseas  As the amount of remittance comprises money, the activity does not comprise a “service” and is not subject to service tax  In case any fee or conversion charges are levied for sending such money, they are also not liable to service tax as the person sending the money and the company conducting the remittance are located outside India

Philippine Brides, Don't Be a Fool

 

What to know when considering a Philippine Bride

The Philippines is a poor country and has a reputation for relationship fraud. Of course there are plenty of good, beautiful and honest women seeking marriage with foreigners. There is also an active population of scammers, fraud schemes and old fashioned gold diggers. Some women seek financial gain and lifestyle upgrades, an escape from poverty. Others are actually seeking a loving relationship, marriage and something new and exciting. How to tell this difference is the key question.

If she asks for money, put the brakes on. Beware of family or medical "emergencies" where the woman needs cash and financial support fast. Know that sending money via Western Union is likely lost in the event that she's a scammer. Understand that the scammers are professional criminals and are very difficult to distinguish between an honest and trustworthy woman.

Educated yourself by reading about scam and fraud methods. Knowing about the different scams will help you recognize any foul play. The schemes and fraud efforts vary in strategy, but all have one thing in common, money. Money is usually requested in the form of advance fee fraud, where the criminal needs help with school, medical, rent, family, visa, etc. You can read more about the fraud types at Wikipedia's site for relationship fraud and advance fee fraud. This is a major step in prevention.

Once you understand the fraud types and warnings signs, consider a trip to the Philippines. Get to know her and her country. See for yourself who you're dealing with. This is a key step in not only preventing fraud, but also in establishing a meaningful relationship. Take time to get to know her. A Philippine woman in a hurry to marry is a major red flag.

Lastly, if all checks out, get a professional background check by a firm with a local presence in Manila and Cebu. Wymoo offers confidential investigations and has years of experience dealing with potential brides and relationships in the Philippines.

Best of luck, and do your homework!


Admin

PBN

Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations draw to close

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, center, accompanied by, from left to right, Prince Charles; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince William; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in central London to conclude the four-day Diamond Jubilee celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the queen's accession to the throne.

LONDON, June 5, 2012  — The curtain fell Tuesday on a four-day extravaganza marking Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne, culminating with deafening applause from the hundreds of thousands who gathered outside Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of the monarch on her world-famous balcony.
Britons tend to reserve displays of gushing patriotism for high-profile royal or sporting events, and at times during the jubilee festivities the landscape here almost morphed into a sea of Union Jack flags.

Millions of people braved rainy conditions (another great British tradition) to take in the largest pageant on the Thames in 350 years, street parties across the country, and a star-studded concert featuring the likes of Paul McCartney and Elton John.
But the mood was notably dampened when Prince Philip, the queen’s husband, was hospitalized Monday for a bladder infection.
The day before, the 90-year-old royal consort stood for four hours on an open-topped boat in blustery conditions, prompting commentators to ask whether the journey was too taxing for the former naval officer, who spent Christmas in the hospital recovering from a heart operation.
The indefatigable queen pressed on with events. With her husband hospitalized, she was accompanied Tuesday by Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, in a horse-drawn carriage procession through central London. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, traveled close behind in a second carriage.
In a rare address to the nation, broadcast Tuesday evening, the 86-year-old monarch, who is as popular as she has ever been, said the outpouring of public support had “touched me deeply.”
In one of the most moving tributes to the queen, Charles, the heir to the throne, addressed her as “Your Majesty, Mummy,” before a crowd of about 500,000 revelers at the pop concert Monday night. “This is our opportunity to thank you and my father for always being there for us,” he said, “for inspiring us with your selfless duty and service and for making us proud to be British.”
Referring to his father, Charles told the crowd: “If we shout loud enough, he might just hear us in hospital.” The crowd roared: “Philip! Philip! Philip!”
While the queen is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee throughout the year, the past four days were billed as the main event. It included the lighting of 4,200 beacons across the globe from Kenya to Canada and on the highest peaks in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Some have criticized the glitzy celebrations at a time when Britain is in the throes of a recession, but many have welcomed them as a short reprieve from the gloomy headlines.
“It’s magical,” said Lynn Carr, 45, with her head cranked skyward as planes from the Royal Air Force roared over Buckingham Palace on Tuesday streaming red, white and blue trails of smoke.
“I think it’s good for the people,” said Carr, a local government official. “They need this.”
The queen is famously inscrutable, but during the wall-to-wall coverage here, royal watchers could spot her radiant smile on several occasions. She beamed, for instance, during Sunday’s river pageant upon spotting a horse puppet from the hit play “War Horse” rearing in tribute on the roof of the National Theatre.
“I think what we have seen, frankly, is the best of Britain,” Prime Minister David Cameron told the BBC on Tuesday. He added that there has been “a great resilience, people wanting to celebrate even though the weather has been pretty bad, and an extraordinary resilience on behalf of Her Majesty, who, in spite of all the problems and difficulties, has kept going with such incredible spirit.”