Modi eyes 'India's century' after landslide victory

In this photograph taken on December 24, 2013, Chief Minister of the western Indian state of Gujarat and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi arrives for the BJP's Chief Ministers' conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi. PHOTO: AFP

NEW DELHI: Triumphant Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi pledged to make it “India’s century” as he propelled his party to a stunning electoral triumph Friday with the biggest winning margin for 30 years.

Preliminary results at the end of the marathon six-week election showed his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) almost certain to secure the first parliamentary majority by a single party since 1984.

“I want to make the 21st century India’s century. It will take 10 years, not very long,” said the four-term chief minister of western Gujarat who is expected to be sworn in as prime minister next week.

The results exceeded all forecasts. Petals were showered outside BJP offices around the country, sweets were handed out to celebrate and painted elephants paraded in front of party headquarters in New Delhi.

Partial figures from the Election Commission showed the BJP winning more than the 272 seats required for a majority on its own in the 543-seat parliament, with victories by its allies taking it easily in excess of 330.

The Congress party, the national secular force that has run India for all but 13 years since independence, was set to crash to its worst ever result with fewer than 50 seats, less than a quarter of its tally in 2009.

Pakistan congratulates Modi

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hailed an “impressive victory”.

Modi welcom in US

US Secretary of State John Kerry tweeted to say that he looked forward to working with Modi.

The United States swiftly courted India’s future Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, saying the victorious Hindu nationalist would be welcome to visit despite a previous visa ban.

White House spokesperson Jay Carney also said President Barack Obama hoped to speak to Modi by telephone soon, following the BJP landslide election victory.

British Prime Minister David Cameron also immediately invited him to London.

10:15pm

The BJP has bagged 266 Lok Sabha seats and has a lead in 16 more. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP has secured 31.2% of the votes across the country.

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9:55pm

The BJP has secured 259 seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India, and has a lead in 24 constituencies. Votes from 446 of the 543 constituencies have been counted so far.

A Reuters analysis of Modi’s sweeping election victory shows that many of India’s Muslim voters appear to have put aside their fears and backed the BJP. Read the rest of the story here.

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9:00pm

Congress manages two-third majority in Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election by winning 40 out of 60 seats, while Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) secures two thirds majority securing 22 of the 32 seats in the Himalayan state.

BJP has now secured 243 seats with an expected total of 282, while Congress sits at 37 Lok Sabha seats.

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8:43pm

BJP supporters celebrate the party’s landmark victory which has secured 234 seats so far and is leading in 48.

BJP supporters set off firecrackers at Dashasamedh Ghat during the nightly Ganga Arti puja ceremony to celebrate the BJP’s election results in Varanasi. PHOTO: AFP

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7:57pm

BJP have secured 211 seats out of 327 that have been accounted for. Meanwhile Congress wins 32 seats and AAP wins 4.

Press Trust of India reports that Congress Working Committee will meet on May 19 following their worst ever electoral performance.

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7:27pm

BJP secures three seats in Jammu and Kashmir.

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7:21pm

“The heat of the election is over and the people have given their verdict which says that we need to take India forward to fulfil the dreams of India’s 1.2 billion people,” Modi said, according to AFP.

Modi added that “there are no enemies in democracy, there is only opposition. I will take your love and convert it into progress before I return.”

The crowds of thousands festooned in BJP’s saffron colour erupted in cheers amid screams of “Modi! Modi!” as he took to the stage, flashing a victory sign and smiling broadly.

“I want to take all of you with me to take this country forward… it is my responsibility to take all of you with me to run this country,” he added.

“Everyone’s support and everyone’s development is our mantra, and these are not hollow words, this is our spirit. That is why the people have given us a clear majority.”

BJP now stands at 188 seats while Congress has won 30.

BJP’s Narendra Modi (3rd R) greets well-wishers at Shri Kamalam, the BJP Gujarat’s new headquarters in Gandhinagar. PHOTO: AFP

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6:45pm

BJP wins 164 seats and is leading in 119, while Congress wins 28 and is leading in 17.

According to The Hindu, AAP finishes as runner-up in all seven constituencies in Delhi as BJP wins seven out of seven.

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6:28pm

I will be bound by the constitution and will take every segment with me, says Modi according to the Indian Express.

Results are in for 247 seats, out of which BJP has won 154 seats and Congress has won 27.

In celebration of his victory, Modi chants national song of India “Vande Mataram,” and the crowd chants with him, reports The Hindu.

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6:00pm

Modi tells cheering crowd in Vadodara in his home state of Gujarat that “good times are coming”, AFP reports.

According to the Times of India, Modi says he has “always wanted to address the nation from Vadodara.”

“Gujarat has created history by giving all the 26 seats to BJP,” Modi adds.

With 135 seats, the BJP secures nearly a quarter of Lok Sabha seats. It is also leading in an additional 148 seats.

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5:40pm

Lalu Prasad Yadav, chief of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) refuses to congratulate Modi on his win.

Yadav’s wife Rabri Devi, former chief minister of Bihar, and his daughter Misa Bharti failed to win from Saran and Patliputra constituencies, reports NDTV.

BJP has now secured 121 seats, and Congress stands at 18.

Furthermore, Sushma Swaraj of the BJP wins from Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh beating Lakshman Singh of the Congress

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5:33pm

Sonia Gandhi wins the seat in Rae Bareli defeating BJP’s Ajay Agarwal, while her son Rahul Gandhi defeats Smriti Irani and Kumar Vishwas thereby retaining his seat in Amethi. This brings Congress’s total seats to 18.

Meanwhile, BJP has now secured 117 seats.

Fellow Congress leader Tharoor, whose victory was announced earlier today tweets:

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5:18pm

BJP wins 108 seats, while Congress wins 15.

Meanwhile, Meenakashi Lekhi of BJP wins from New Delhi, defeating Ashish Khetan of AAP by 16,2708 votes and Ajay Makan of Congress loses.

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5:12pm

BJP wins 105 seats and is leading in 175. Meanwhile, Congress wins 14 seats and is leading in 33 others.

BJP wins 16 seats and leads in 55 in Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile in Arunachal Pradesh, Congress has taken the lead securing 31 assembly seats while BJP wins only 3.

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4:50pm

“I would like to start by congratulating the new government. They have been given a mandate by the people of this country. We have done pretty badly. As vice-president of the party I hold myself responsible,” Rahul said to AFP.

As the scion of India’s most famous dynasty, Rahul Gandhi was meant to work some much-needed family magic over the ruling Congress party.

But after a lacklustre election campaign during which he struggled to connect with voters and was outshone by his sister, he came under more fire this week for going missing at a crucial time.

India Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi (L) and Vice President Rahul Gandhi arrive to address a press conference at Congress headquarters in New Delhi. PHOTO: AFP

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4:40pm

C Gopalakrishnan of the AIADMK wins Nilgiris seat in Tamil Nadu, beating A Raja of the DMK by 104,940 votes.

Maheish Girri of the BJP wins the East Delhi seat, beating Aam Aadmi Party rival Rajmohan Gandhi by 190,463 votes.

BJP wins 78 seats and is leading in 201 others.  While Congress wins 8 seats and leads in 39.

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4:34pm

Do you think Modi's win will have a positive or negative impact on Pak-India relations?

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Polls are non-scientific, reflect only the online audience and can be manipulated.

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4:28pm

AFP quoted BJP President Rajnath Singh, referring to the flower symbol of his party, “It is dawn of a new era. The lotus has bloomed all over India now.”

“I appeal to my workers that even in this historic victory they maintain discipline and calm, against any section or people,” he added, hinting at the fears of religious tensions.

Sonia Gandhi also congratulates Modi. India’s Gandhis say they take responsibility for Congress defeat.

“We understand that victory and loss is part of democracy,” Sonia told reporters in New Delhi.

“We respect this decision. I take responsibility for this defeat,” she added, in remarks echoed by her 43-year-old son, who led national campaigning for the first time.

Indian members of a band dance as they play in front of the headquarters office of the BJP in New Delhi. PHOTO: AFP

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4:16pm

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday afternoon called BJP’s Narendra Modi to congratulate him.

He invited Modi to visit Pakistan.

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4:10pm

Official Results:

Kirron Kher of the BJP wins from Chandigarh, beating Pawan Kumar Bansal of the Congress party by 69,642 votes.

K Chandrasekhar Rao of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi wins the Medak seat in Andhra Pradesh, beating his Congress party rival by 397,029 votes.

Ramesh Bidhuri of the BJP wins the South Delhi seat, beating his Aam Aadmi Party rival by 107,000 votes.

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3:58pm

Famous Bollywood celebrities weigh in on BJP’s victory:

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3:48pm

BJP has now won 47 seats. Congress has only managed to secure 5 till now and concedes defeat.

Congress, who have been criticised for a lack of control over corruption and inflation, is looking at its worst-ever election result. This defeat would leave the party — the only national secular force that has ruled India for all but 13 years of its history — in tatters and raise doubts about whether the Gandhi dynasty can provide the country a fourth prime minister.

The scale of the BJP’s victory is the biggest in India since 1984.

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3:35pm

Former Pakistan Ambassador Sherry Rehman notes BJP’s victory and hopes for better Indo-Pak relations.

Earlier in March, two of Modi’s aides had said India would get tougher on territorial disputes with China and in its old rivalry with Pakistan if he becomes prime minister. On the campaign trail, Modi had warned Beijing to shed its “mindset of expansionism” and in the past he has also railed against Pakistan for attacks by Muslim militants in India.

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3:25pm

Update from Shashi Tharoor after defeating Rajagopal.

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3:22pm

BJP has now won 26 seats.

#CongratsNaMo is trending in India.

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3:15pm

UK Prime Minister David Cameron congratulates Modi on his victory.

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3:10pm

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor wins from Thiruvananthapuram, reported India Today.

Famous Bollywood actor and wife of Anupam Kher, Kirron Kher of BJP leads Pawan Kumar Bansal of INC by 63388 votes, reported Press Information Bureau India.

Shabana Azmi congratulates Kher on her lead.

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2:54pm

BJP has won 20 seats so far while Congress has only won 3. Aam Aadmi Party has still not been able to secure a seat.

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2:44pm

BJP’s Narendra Modi wins from Vadodara, beating his Congress rival by 570,128 votes.

Modi’s promises to revive the flagging economy have won him corporate cheerleaders, while his rags-to-riches story and reputation as a clean and efficient administrator satisfy many Indians’ desire for strong leadership.

He was always assured the votes of his core Hindu nationalist supporters, but his election pitch has drawn the urban middle classes as well as the poor, whose loyalty has traditionally been to Congress and its welfare schemes.

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2:35pm

According to the Election Commission of India, BJP has won 13 seats and is leading in 265 others.

Congress has won 1 seat and is leading in 41 others.

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2:16pm

 The first win for the Congress is from Bihar’s Kishanganj seat. Mohammad Asrarul Haque beat his BJP rival Dilip Kumar Jaiswal by 194,612 votes.

P P Mohammed Faisal of the Nationalist Congress Party wins the Lakshadweep Lok Sabha seat beating sitting Congress MP Hamdullah Sayeed by a margin of 1,535 votes.

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2:10pm

Modi thanks his supporters for their good wishes and blessings.

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2:05pm

BJP supporters, happy with the election results so far, celebrate on the streets and social media.

Indian supporters of BJP celebrate outside a counting centre in Siliguri on May 16, 2014. PHOTO: AFP

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1:58pm

B Sreeramulu of the BJP wins the Bellary Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka beating N Y Hanumanthappa of the Congress by a margin of 85,144 votes.

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1:48pm

Anant Kumar Hedge of the BJP officially wins the Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka beating Prashant Deshpande of the Congress by a margin of 140,700 votes.

A BJP victory and a Modi premiership would usher in a new style of leadership by an abrasive Hindi-speaking nationalist drawn from outside the usual Delhi power circles.

Indian election officials carry sealed Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) at a counting centre in Hyderabad on May 16, 2014. PHOTO: AFP

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1:42pm

According to NDTV, Manmohan Singh will formally resign tomorrow. Sources say that he will also be addressing the nation after meeting the president.

Manmohan Singh is the 14th and current Prime Minister of India. He assumed office in 2004 and is the first Sikh to hold this position.

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1:34pm

Nalin Kumar Kateel of the BJP officially wins the Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka beating Janardhana Poojary of the Congress by a margin of 143,709 votes.

BJP’s victory would leave Congress, the only national secular force that has ruled India for all but 13 years of its history, in tatters and raise doubts about whether the Gandhi dynasty can provide the country a fourth prime minister.

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1:28pm

BJP’s Arjun Lal Meena wins from Udaipur constituency in Rajasthan, defeating his Congress opponent by 236,762 votes, according to official results.

BJP candidate Lalubhai Babubhai Patel officially wins from Daman and Diu constituency and BJP’s Narendra Keshav Sawaikar wins South Goa by a margin of 32,330 votes.

The BJP’s previous best showing was in elections in 1998 and 1999 when it won 182 seats and ran the country until a shock defeat to Congress in 2004.

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1:18pm

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called Modi and congratulated him on his party’s victory in the Lok Sabha elections.

Modi has also sought blessings from his mother:

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1:05pm

In a Twitter message, BJP President Rajnath Singh said:

The alliance led by the BJP and possibly the party alone, was headed for a majority in parliament, giving Modi the most decisive mandate for any leader since the 1984 assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi propelled her son to office.

Unlike his predecessors, Modi will not have to deal with unruly coalition partners as he implements reform. That could usher in profound economic changes, and he will try to replicate his success in attracting investment and building infrastructure in Gujarat, the state he has governed for 12 years.

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12:55pm

Early election results are showing that the alliance led by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is winning the vote count in 332 parliamentary seats, far more than the majority of 272 required to rule.

Even on its own, the BJP is ahead in 278 seats.

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12:40pm

Indian leader Narendra Modi promised “good days are coming” on Friday in his first reaction to a historic victory by his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party in national elections.

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 10:28am

“It seems very bleak at the moment,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi admitted early in the day, with preliminary figures showing the BJP leading in 231 out of 460 constituencies where counting had begun.

Congress led in just 48.

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“I will accept victory on behalf of the BJP,” party spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi told NDTV news channel.

Tonnes of sweets and fireworks have been delivered to BJP headquarters in New Delhi in anticipation of a landslide, while party workers beat drums and waved flags in Gujarat on Friday.

Stock markets, which have risen 5.0 percent in the past week, surged again. The benchmark index known as the Sensex jumped more than four percent on Friday morning to a record high.

Even in Muslim heartlands, Modi racks up gains

Indian Muslim women hold up sweets and a portrait of victorious Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in Varanasi on May 16, 2014. PHOTO: AFP

NEW DELHI: He has been pilloried for horrific riots in which hundreds of Muslims were killed on his watch in Gujarat 12 years ago. He is vilified by many as a fearsome Hindu supremacist.

And yet, a Reuters analysis of Friday’s sweeping election victory for Narendra Modi shows that many of India’s Muslim voters appear to have put aside their fears and backed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has promised to bring jobs and a revival of the economy.

Alongside the sheer scale of Modi’s triumph, the change in attitude among a sizeable proportion of the Muslim community is one of the most surprising outcomes of a vote where social and economic aspirations appear to have overridden other concerns.

With counting of votes cast for parliamentary seats still underway, data provided by the Election Commission showed that in constituencies where the population of Muslims is more than 20 per cent, a BJP candidate looked set to win in nearly half.

Muslims account for about 15 percent of India’s 1.2 billion people, which means that – although a minority – they number some 175 million, making them the world’s third-largest Muslim population.

The vote count showed that the BJP and its allies were likely to win around 339 of the 543 parliamentary seats at stake in the election, far more than the halfway mark required to rule and sealing Modi’s bid to become prime minister.

Of the 102 constituencies where, according to polling group CSDS at least one in five voters are Muslims, Election Commission data showed that a BJP candidate had won or was leading the count in 47.

In the 2009 election, the BJP won only 24 of these seats.

Modi’s party was even heading for victory on Friday in two seats where more than half of the population is Muslim, and in 18 where more than a third of the voters are Muslims.

‘Vote for development and jobs’

Many Muslims loathe the man now set to be the country’s next leader, blaming him for encouraging or at best turning a blind eye to a 2002 frenzy of bloodshed in Gujarat, where he was chief minister at the time.

More than 1,000 people were slain in the rioting, most of them Muslims.

Modi maintains that he did all he could to quell the violence, and the Supreme Court found he has no case to answer.

His party denies that it has a bias against non-Hindus, but says it is opposed to giving unfair advantage to any community, a practice it describes as “appeasement” that the outgoing Congress party has long followed to win votes.

This month, as the election drew to a close, Modi ratcheted up rhetoric against illegal immigrants entering northeastern India from neighbouring Bangladesh, saying they should have their “bags packed” ready to be sent home should he win.

His comments raised alarm among the sizeable Muslim minority in Assam and West Bengal, some of whom felt he was targeting them on religious, not legal grounds, and the government in Bangladesh said it would resist any attempt at deportation.

Modi kept up his verbal offensive even after 41 Muslims were killed by suspected tribal militants in Assam in violence related to the election.

Yet during most of his campaign, Modi has sought to moderate his image, harping on his record of governance in industrial powerhouse Gujarat to promise economic growth and jobs after years of policy paralysis and corruption under Congress rule.

‘Not a communal vote’

Syed Md Khalid, a Muslim leader in West Bengal, said Modi had changed over the years and become more responsible.

“This is not a vote on communal lines. This is a vote for development and for jobs. We respect the people’s verdict and we think Modi will have to be a responsible leader,” Khalid said.

On the other side of the country in Ahmedabad, the largest city of Gujarat, Muslim businessman Salim Quadri agreed.

“We have seen Narendra Modi as the chief minister of Gujarat since 2001. I don’t think there is any need for any fear or apprehensions with Modi as prime minister,” he said.

“The only thing that worries Muslims is that they are already marginalised and Modi now should take steps to bring the community into the national mainstream.”

Yet in Juhapura, a Muslim township of some 400,000 in Ahmedabad, there was no sign of the celebrations over Modi’s victory that exploded elsewhere in the state.

TV channels showing live coverage of the results flickered in homes across the community, but most people went about their business in the sprawling district that many Hindus derisively call “Little Pakistan”.

Asif Pathan, a social activist in Ahmedabad, said the people of India had warmed to Modi’s promises of growth and development. Muslims hope he will stick to that, and not stray into divisive policies.

“He has said he wants to take everyone along. We would like to see that, but frankly we are not very confident,” he said.

Upcoming budget: Ambitious govt hopes to achieve 5.1% growth

Budget 2014-15 framework eyes restricting deficit at 4.8% of GDP. DESIGN: FAIZAN DAWOOD

ISLAMABAD: 

The federal government may announce a Rs3.744-trillion budget outlay for the next fiscal year with an ambitious economic growth rate of 5.1% that is expected to be achieved through the completion of unfinished economic reforms agenda in the second year of the Nawaz administration.

The budget framework for fiscal year 2014-15 revolves around the pillar of restricting the overall budget deficit at 4.8% of Gross Domestic Product – or Rs1.4 trillion – aimed at continuing fiscal consolidation during the second year.

The deficit will be filled by borrowing from domestic and external sources.

Attainment of the 4.8% target will hinge on the ability of the four provinces to save over Rs110 billion out of their shares in federal receipts, which they will receive from the federal government, officials said. By excluding provinces’ surpluses, the federal budget deficit will be 5.2% of GDP, they explained.

Meanwhile, the tax revenue target is to be set at Rs2.801 trillion, non-tax revenues’ target at over Rs675 billion, and the petroleum levy target is expected to be over Rs125 billion. The tax target will be 23.5% higher than this year’s twice-downward revised target of Rs2.27 trillion, while the non-tax revenue will be lower than this year’s.

Officials said gross federal receipts are likely to be around Rs3.6 trillion. Out of that, the provinces are expected to get about Rs1.7 trillion, including straight transfers, as their share in federal taxes, leaving the federal government with a net income of Rs1.9 trillion.

The proposed budget outlay is Rs158 billon higher than the Rs3.591 trillion budget of the outgoing fiscal year, according to Ministry of Finance officials. The planned budget expenditure was shared with the federal cabinet on Thursday, while discussing the Budget Strategy Paper.

The government seemed to have more trust in bureaucrats than the cabinet ministers, as after the meeting, the strategy paper was taken back, two federal ministers confirmed to The Express Tribune. 

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar briefed the cabinet ministers about the economic achievements in the first year of the government.

Officials said the budget will be presented with an objective to increase the tax base through the withdrawal of Statutory Regulatory Orders, cutting power subsidies and deepening economic development.

The government will announce development schemes under the Pak-China Economic Corridor project, according to officials. Out of Rs525 billion proposed development budget, the government is considering to set aside Rs100 billion for new initiatives, including Lahore-Karachi motorway, building jetties and roads to link China with Gwadar.

The government will set 5.1% economic growth rate target for the next fiscal year, they informed. The inflation target is likely to be set around 7.8% to 8% that will be achieved by controlling expenditures and ensuring price stability.

As a price stability measure, the government is expected to keep the rupee-dollar parity at Rs99 to a dollar aimed at avoiding the rupee-deprecation impact on prices of electricity and petroleum products.

Because the government could not achieve the goal of increasing FBR’s tax-to-GDP ratio to 9.5% this year, it has decided to introduce reforms during the next fiscal year. It will announce the aim of bringing in 100,000 people in the tax net – a goal that it could not achieve this year. The main focus of the government will be on withdrawing tax exemptions.

On the energy side, officials said the government is expected to allocate over Rs190 billion in power subsidies, which are lower than this year’s revised estimates of around Rs300 billion.

For paying fertiliser subsidies, Rs25 billion may be allocated while Rs35 billion will be given in subsidies to Pakistan Railways, officials told The Express Tribune.

For servicing the domestic and foreign debt, the government is considering allocating Rs1.29 trillion next year. Meanwhile, the defence budget is expected to be around Rs690 billion, according to officials.

An amount of Rs294 billion is expected to be allocated for running the civilian government.

A proud moment for Pakistani scientists

*Dr Tiziano says Pakistani scientists playing leading role in nuclear research at CERN

Pakistani engineers, physicists, software engineers and technicians have been major contributors to construction of the CMS and they have substantially worked to build, test, install and commission the project, said CERN Compact Muon Slenoid (CMS) Spokesman Dr Tiziano while giving a presentation during a six-member delegation meeting of CMS, CERN with Punjab University (PU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran and senior PU faculty members at the Committee Room of VC’s office on Wednesday.

The CMS delegation consisted of Andrzej Charkiewicz, Dr Frank Hartmann, Dr Duccio Abbaneo, Dr Paraskevas Spicas, Suhail Ahmed Janjua, Dr Badar Suleman and PU Registrar Prof Dr Amin Ather, Prof Dr Khawaja Harris Rasheed, Dr Shoukat Ali and others were also present on the occasion.

Dr Tizano said that Pakistani scientists had developed detector control system and testing of data quality and monitoring is responsibility of the Pakistani team. He said that Pakistani team also built front-end electronics for the CMS RE4 project and playing leading role in installing and commissioning the RP4 project. He said that his organisation’s future goal was to investigate into dark matter, the true nature of galaxies. He said that the CERN was a global laboratory and an organisation to provide tools to academicians to do research on physics and to explore nature.

On this occasion, PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran gave a briefing on the Punjab University and detailed its research activities.

Strootman, Hummels & Van Gaal's Manchester United summer transfer list

The Dutchman is still waiting to be confirmed as David Moyes's successor but that has not stopped him ploughing ahead with plans to revamp the Old Trafford side's playing squad

SPECIAL REPORT
By Greg Stobart

When Louis van Gaal is finally appointed as the new Manchester United manager, he will hope that the club show more urgency in the transfer market than they have in confirming the Dutchman as David Moyes’ successor.

The Netherlands coach agreed nearly three weeks ago to take over at Old Trafford after the World Cup, but United are yet to confirm the deal after delays largely down to negotiations concerning the make-up of Van Gaal’s backroom team.

	LOUIS VAN GAAL'S WISHLIST
	Luke Shaw (18)Southampton
	Kevin Strootman (24)Roma
	Toni Kroos (24)Bayern Munich
	Mats Hummels (25)Borussia Dortmund
	Edinson Cavani (27)PSG
	William Carvalho (22)Sporting Lisbon

Van Gaal has now held several phone conversations with senior figures from United, as well as at least two face-to-face meetings, including the one at the 62-year-old’s Algarve villa last month, when the deal was agreed for him to become the new United boss.

During those meetings, Van Gaal has proposed in great detail his plans for the club. He has laid out his targets for the next three years, his tactical vision, his view on naturing youngsters from the academy and his opinion on the current make-up of the squad.

It was Van Gaal, for example, who ultimately decided that Rio Ferdinand should not be offered a new contract, with the veteran defender’s departure confirmed on Monday after 12 years at Old Trafford.

United could only finish seventh this season with the worst Premier League points total in the club’s history following a miserable nine months under Moyes, the hand-picked replacement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Naturally, much of the talk between Van Gaal and the United hierarchy has centred on how to get the squad back in the Champions League and competing for titles as soon as possible.

The Glazer family, the United owners, had already made around €180 million available to spend in the transfer market this summer before the decision to sack Moyes.

Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, will take ultimate responsibility for United’s success - or lack thereof - in recruiting players this summer.

Woodward was largely blamed for the failure to land several targets last summer before United spent £27.5m on Marouane Fellaini - £4m above his buyout clause - on the final day of the transfer window.

Van Gaal has strongly approved United’s plans to press ahead with the pursuit of transfer targets identified by Moyes and the club’s revamped scouting team as they target at least five big-money summer signings.

	MAN UNITED LATEST
11/2	Man Utd ar 11/2 with Paddy Power to win the title next season

For example, United had already put in plenty of groundwork in their proposed move for Southampton left-back Luke Shaw. An official bid believed to be worth £27 million was lodged for the midfielder after the final league game of the season at St Mary’s while Shaw’s representatives have agreed a salary package worth around £100,000-a-week.

Likewise, United hope that Van Gaal’s imminent arrival will help with their attempts to lure playmaker Toni Kroos away from German champions Bayern Munich. The 22-year-old could earn €245,000-a-week at United but Bayern are so far insistent that he will not be sold, despite having just a year left on his contract.

Van Gaal, meanwhile, has also made his own suggestions for how the squad has been improved. Kevin Strootman, the Roma midfielder, is one of Van Gaal’s favourite players and he has been urging United to move for his compatriot despite the knee injury that has ruled the 24-year-old out of the World Cup.

Strootman has the drive and box-to-box qualities that United expected from Fellaini and is seen by Van Gaal, with whom he has an excellent relationship, as the perfect complement for the club’s more creative players. Van Gaal also strongly pushed the case for Strootman in talks with Tottenham before the United job became available.

With Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic both leaving United this summer, a top class central defender has also become a major priority. Van Gaal wants Mat Hummels, the Borussia Dortmund centre-back, to come in as the leader of his defence and the 25-year-old is understood to be keen to move to Old Trafford.

Van Gaal also believes Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani would be a perfect fit for the Premier League and United are confident they can sign the Uruguayan this summer, despite the fact he only moved to the French capital last year in a £55m deal.

Elsewhere, the likes of William Carvalho, Thomas Muller and Marco Reus have all been mentioned as potential targets as United prepare for an unprecedented summer of spending.

Not only are Manchester United getting a new manager, but they are virtually getting a new team.