Friday, December 25, 1998
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PM okays draft Ninth Plan NEW DELHI, Dec 24 — The Prime Minister has cleared the draft Ninth Plan and it is likely to be placed for the Cabinet's approval soon, an official release said here today.
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Age
limit raised for civil exams |
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“Zakhm” sent back by Home
Ministry NEW DELHI, Dec 24 — While noting that “it has no objection” to the main storyline of the film, the Home Ministry has suggested “some minor changes” in well-known filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt’s semi-autobiographical Hindi Film “Zakhm”. Illegal
Bangladeshi immigrants: SC tells Centre to file status
report Assam
Governor’s report sparks row Delhi-Pathankot
Shatabdi demanded Decision
on advanced jet trainers soon Vagaries
of state DTC
buses for neighbouring states |
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PM okays draft Ninth Plan NEW DELHI, Dec 24 — The Prime Minister has cleared the draft Ninth Plan and it is likely to be placed for the Cabinet's approval soon, an official release said here today. The finalisation of the draft was delayed as the Planning Commission had to incorporate emphasis on the Prime Minister's five-point action programme on agriculture, rural development, information technology, social infrastructure and water policy. Special action plans on these thrust areas were finalised recently and also states' approval was sought. The draft Ninth Plan has a time-bound action plan of doubling the food production and making India hunger-free in 10 years. In view of the dismal performance in the first two years of the Ninth Plan (1997-2002), the commission was forced to revise the projected GDP growth rate downward to 6.5 per cent for the Ninth Plan period from the earlier target of 7.5 per cent. For achieving an average annual growth rate of 6.5 per cent, the commission has envisaged an over 7 per cent GDP growth rate in the remaining three years of the plan period. While finalising the state plan outlays, the commission has emphasised on project specific assistance and generation of additional revenue by the states. The plan outlays for the states and union territories for the current fiscal was agreed at Rs 80,439.72 crore as against the revised plan outlay of Rs 52,820.68 last year, showing an increase of over 38 per cent. The central assistance to the states during the current fiscal was also increased to Rs 34,483.81 crore from Rs 27,620.77 crore. The time-bound action plan
also included expansion and improvement of social
infrastructure — drinking water, housing, education,
health care and sanitation, provision of drinking water
to every settlement in the country within five years and
rapid expansion and improvement of physical
infrastructure — power, oil petroleum, roads,
transport, ports, telecommunication and financial
services. |
Diesel prices to come down in a week NEW DELHI, Dec 24 (PTI) — The government today ruled out any cut in subsidy on kerosene while keeping options open on the cooking gas (LPG) as diesel prices would be brought down within a week in tune with depressed international prices. Announcing this at a press conference, Petroleum Minister V.K. Ramamurthy said the entire oil pool deficit and other liabilities of about Rs 17,500 crore would be wiped out by March 1999, even after absorbing the subsidy burden of Rs 7,200 crore on account of subsidy on kerosene and LPG. The Oil pool deficit of Rs 12,984 crore at the beginning of the year was reduced to Rs 7,000 crore by October and "we hope to totally wipe it out by March, 1999. We will also clear the dues to refineries and interest liabilities of Rs 4,500 crore this year." About the oil import burden during the current fiscal year, he said the import bill would be less than $ 8.4 billion approved by the cabinet due to lower prices and the less than anticipated increase in the consumption of petroleum products. Reiterating the government’s commitment to phased dismantling of the administered price mechanism (APM), Mr Ramamurthy, however, said "there will no withdrawal of subsidy on kerosene as on date. No decision has been taken on cutting subsidy on LPG. We have time up to March, 1999, to think it over." As per the APM dismantling schedule, the government had to bring down the subsidy on LPG to 15 per cent by 2002 AD and cut support on kerosene, he added. Mr Ramamurthy said the demand for diesel products had gone up by 4.3 per cent so far this year and the consumption of all petro products put together had gone up by 6.1 per cent. Expressing concern about the alarming increase in adulteration of pertol with kerosene, he said the government has already carried out raids on petrol pumps throughout the country and had booked cases against 240 retail outlets. The consultative committee attached to the ministry has also expressed grave concern over adulteration and a report suggesting measures to arrest the trend would be submitted within three months, he said. He also rapped the state governments that had imposed high sales tax of up to 48 per cent on kerosene while the Centre gave the petro product at a subsidised rate. The ministry has cleared the usage of LPG as automotive fuel, he said but made it clear that subsidised cooking gas would not be allowed for the purpose. The LPG backlog for
domestic users stood at a huge 1.38 crore at the moment.
The government had targeted giving 35 lakh new
connections within this year and an additional 50 lakh in
1999-2000, Mr Ramamurthy said. |
‘Conspiracy’ to sack Rabri Govt NEW DELHI, Dec 24 (UNI, PTI) — The RJD today came out strongly against the introduction of the Bihar State Reorganisation Bill, 1998, in the Lok Sabha and accused the BJP-led government of being behind a “sinister conspiracy’’ to sack the Rabri Devi government in Bihar. On the flip side, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha welcomed it as fulfilling the aspirations of the people of south Bihar after a “three-decade struggle.’’ Talking to newspersons here, RJD deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Raghuvansh Prasad Singh alleged that the government had tabled the Bill abruptly, hoodwinking various political groups. The move was likely to trigger widespread public protests against the bifurcation of Bihar, he said. At a separate press conference, JMM President Suraj Mandal thanked the Vajpayee government, saying “my dream appears to have been fulfilled after a struggle for three decades. But I will only be satisfied the day Vananchal becomes a reality.’’ Mr Singh, who will return to Patna tomorrow, said the RJD would mobilises 10 lakh ‘satyagrahis’ to launch a full-fledged movement against any division of the state. He said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana had assured the Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha of considering the matter once again and it was an “absolutely undemocratic” move, particularly when the state assembly had returned it expressing disapproval. In a significant development Bihar Minister for Institutional Finance Akaloo Ram Mahato on Thursday welcome the introduction of the Vananchal Bill in the Lok Sabha, a report from Patna said. In defiance of RJD President Laloo Prasad Yadav and Chief Minister Rabri Devi’s stand on Vananchal, the Mahato told reporters that he welcomed the tabling of the Bill “in the larger interests of tribesmen in south Bihar.” However, he ruled out the possibility of resigning from the Rabri Devi ministry or primary membership of the RJD. “I will continue to exert pressure on RJD President to reconsider his stand on the issue”. The Mahato urged RJD leaders averse to creation of a separate state out of Bihar “to reconsider their stand and ensure smooth the passage of the Vananchal Bill in Parliament in winter session.” Meanwhile Union Minister Babu Lal Marandi said the Centre would “definitely” announce a special package for the rest of Bihar once formalities for the creation of Vananchal was complete and promised to take up the matter with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister. The Minister of State for Environment and Forests, who hails from south Bihar, told reporters that he supported Samata Party’s demand for a Rs 50,000 crore package for the economic uplift of the rest of the state. Mr Marandi, however, did not share the view that division of Bihar would impoverish the remaining parts of the state saying that north and central Bihar had lots of natural resources like fertile land and big ponds to generate revenue. On RJD’s demand for the creation of a greater Jharkhand comprising contiguous areas of West Bengal, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh, he said the idea was not practical as a creation of Vananchal or greater Jharkand would mean the same amount of loss for Bihar. Asked to comment on the manner in which Vananchal Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha yesterday against the state assembly resolution opposition bifurcation of Bihar, he said the Centre had enough powers to create new states on its own. Bihar Jan Congress chief Jagananth Mishra on Thursday said that his party would launch a series of agitations from next month in protest against the introduction of the Vananchal Bill in the Lok Sabha. Talking to reporters on
the first anniversary of his party, Mr Mishra called upon
anti-Vananchal organisations to launch “a joint
front” to wage a struggle against the move to divide
Bihar. |
Age limit raised for civil
exams NEW DELHI, Dec 24 — The government has raised the upper age limit for recruitment through the Civil Services Examination, 1999, from 28 to 30. This is in pursuance of the decision of the Cabinet to increase by two years the maximum age limit for recruitment to the central services and other civilian posts under the Union Government by direct competition, an official press note said today. Besides, general orders have been issued raising the upper age limit by two years for recruitment to Central Civil Services and other civilian posts through direct open competitive examination conducted by the UPSC or SSC or any other authority. These orders will be effective from April 1, 1999. However, the increase in
the upper age limit will not apply for recruitment to the
armed forces or paramilitary forces like the Assam
Rifles, Border Security Force, Central Industrial
Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force and
Indo-Tibetan Border Police, recruitment through limited
departmental examination, shortlisting or by interview,
contract, absorption, transfer or deputation. |
“Zakhm” sent back by Home Ministry NEW DELHI, Dec 24 (UNI) — While noting that “it has no objection” to the main storyline of the film, the Home Ministry has suggested “some minor changes” in well-known filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt’s semi-autobiographical Hindi Film “Zakhm”. According to film industry sources, the report was submitted by a three-member committee of the ministry set up for examining the film, which is based in the backdrop of the 1992-93 Mumbai riots. The sources said the matter was now back with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), chairperson of which Asha Parekh had decided to refer the film to Home Secretary B.P. Singh as she felt the subject it dealt with was very sensitive. She had initially decided to refer the film to the Maharashtra Home Secretary, but sent it to the Centre on the plea of Mr Bhatt since the film would be released all over the country. However, Mr Bhatt claims that the examining committee of the CPFC had passed the film and suggested only one dialogue cut. He has also claimed that Ms Parekh took the decision to refer the film to the Home Secretary merely on the basis of the synopsis. The film, which Mr Bhatt claims is his last as a director, tells the story of attachment of a son to his mother, a Muslim woman who is married to a Hindu. She is killed during the Hindu-Muslim riots in Mumbai in 1992-93. According to producer Pooja Bhatt, it is partly autobiographical since Mr Bhatt’s mother was a Shia Muslim. The film stars Pooja with Ajay Devgun. Earlier, Ms Bhatt told UNI
that Mr Bhatt had asked Ms Parekh to see the film for
herself, but she declined. He had assured her that the
film did not have any scenes of violence. She said the
Centre should clear the film for general viewing as it
dealt with the theme of communal amity. |
Illegal
Bangladeshi immigrants NEW DELHI, Dec 24 (PTI) — The Supreme Court has asked the Centre and the West Bengal Government to file “status report” on the presence of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the country and in that state. A three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice A.S. Anand, Mr Justice V.N. Khare and Justice M.B. Shah in a recent order directed the Union Government and West Bengal to file the reports within six weeks. The direction was issued by the apex court on a public interest litigation, filed by All-India Lawyers Forum for Civil Liberties (AILFCL), seeking direction to the Centre and the West Bengal Government to make arrangements for the repatriation of over estimated 1 crore “illegal” Bangladeshi migrants. The petitioner said the government should take help of the National Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International and the UN in identifying the infiltrators and their repatriation “with honour” to their country. The petition filed through AILFCL President O.P. Saxena and its counsel Chinnasamy said a sizeable chunk of manual jobs were being cornered by Bangladeshi nationals. “Instances are not far of their having already occupied a considerable portion of the jobs, both manual and white collar in the country, depriving bonafide citizens of legitimate scope of employment,” the AILFCL contended. The petition further said the presence of such a huge population of unlawful immigrants from Bangladesh had put a severe strain on the already over-populated country’s meagre and scanty resources. “Bangladeshi
infiltrators have threatened to change the demographic
picture of the country by their overwhelming presence in
certain regions and there are reports of their even
making it to local bodies like panchayats and municipal
committees,” it said. |
Assam Governor’s report sparks row GUWAHATI, Dec 24 (IANS) — A report by the Governor of Assam saying that the illegal influx of Bangladeshi Muslims into the northeastern state may lead to "serious consequences" and threaten "national security" has stirred a hornet’s nest. The Governor, Lt-Gen (Retd) S.K. Sinha, said in a 42-paged confidential report to President K.R. Narayanan that illegal Bangladeshi migrants "may swamp the Assamese people and may sever the northeast land mass from the rest of India." The report titled "Illegal migrants into Assam", leaked to the press, has sparked a blazing controversy with several minority organisations and the state’s main Opposition political party, the Congress, criticising the Governor for his "biased findings". "The report is biased and he (Sinha) is trying to incite communal disturbance," Mr Hafiz Rashid Choudhury, secretary-general of a group called the United Minorities Front (UMF), said. "This is a conspiracy to destabilise the age-old unity and amity among the Hindus and Muslims living in Assam. The Governor must be removed," he demanded. Mr Sinha, in his report, has said Bangladeshi Muslims have crossed over and settled illegally along areas on the banks of the Brahmaputra from the western Dhubri district to eastern Lakhimpur district. Assam has a 262-km border with Bangladesh. "The ground reality is that of late almost all illegal migrants now coming into Assam are Muslims," he said. Mr Sinha’s claims that all those residing along the riverine or ‘char’ areas are Muslims, has angered minority groups. The All-Minority Students Union (AMSU) has alleged that Mr Sinha’s report has "sown the seeds of division" by pointing "fingers at the minority living in the char areas for ages and projecting them as foreigners in the eyes of the other communities." The state’s ruling Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has not reacted to the Governor’s report so far with Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta refusing to comment. The regional AGP first rode to power in 1985, exploiting the anti-foreigner sentiments in the state. The majority of the present set of ministers are former members of the All-Assam Students’ Union (AASU) which spearheaded a violent student uprising in the early eighties against illegal Bangladeshis immigrants. Mr Abdul Muhib Mazumdar, Irrigation Minister in the current state government, has threatened to resign from office if the President decides to take action on the Governor’s report. The Congress has also come down heavily on the document, saying Mr Sinha "has no authority to send a report without consulting all political parties and other aggrieved parties". "The Governor’s report is exaggerated and it is a result of the over-enthusiastic data projected by the (federal) Home (Interior) Ministry in 1990," senior Congress leader Hemoprava Saikia claims. Mr Sinha has said in the report that the Illegal Migrants Determination by Tribunal (IMDT) Act of 1983 has failed to serve any purpose and should be "replaced" by some other law. He has alleged the IMDT Act protecting the interests of illegal migrants. Under the Act, citizens have to prove their identity and nationality if suspected of being illegal aliens. Observers here claim Mr Sinha’s report is unwarranted and has communal overtones as it is directly targeting the minorities. "As a Governor he is not expected to involve himself in a political controversy, but he has done exactly that," Mr Amalendu Guha, a leading social scientist, says. "Instead of carrying out a witch-hunt, measures should be taken to stop illegal entry at the borders if such incidents are taking place." Despite strong reaction and protests by political parties and minority groups that have burnt the governor's effigy, the latter seems unfazed. "No one can stop me from doing what I feel is the best for the people of Assam," he said in response to the uproar created after his report was leaked. "If we don’t do anything to stop the illegal migration from across the border, Assam will not survive." The AASU, known for its anti-foreigner stance, says the Governor’s report has "vindicated our stand" and "the Centre now cannot ignore the issue and should find ways to solve the grave problem." Dhaka claims there are no illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed has reiterated this several times over the past few months. Mr Sinha’s report has
once again opened the floodgates for votebank politics as
all parties in Assam depend heavily on electoral support
from minorities who account for 30 per cent of
Assam’s 22 million people. With it, the issue of
illegal immigrants has also returned to the centrestage
of Assam’s politics. |
Delhi-Pathankot Shatabdi
demanded NEW DELHI, Dec 24 — Mr Shanta Kumar, MP from Kangra, today urged the Centre to start a Shatabdi train from Delhi to Pathankot. Participating in the first meeting of the Northern Railway Zonal Council, Mr Shanta Kumar, said between Pathankot and Palampur, there are four military camps and that apart from civilians, several thousand jawans travel on the route. He said for the 25-lakh population of the state, Pathankot was the nearest railhead and without any direct train from the town to Delhi, people of the area were facing problems. Mr Shanta Kumar also said that people of Kangra, Jammu, Hamirpur, Una and Mandi were facing a lot of problems for booking tickets and had to travel considerable distance for railway reservation. He urged the Railway authorities to immediately start computerised reservation at Shimla, Mandi, Una and Nagrota Bagwan. He also demanded that the
time- schedule of the train running between Pathankot and
Jogindernagar should also be changed to coincide with the
trains coming from Delhi to Pathankot so that passengers
could catch trains to Kangra valley in time. |
Decision on advanced jet trainers soon NEW DELHI, Dec 24 (UNI) — A decision on acquiring advanced jet trainers (AJT) will be taken in four to six weeks, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S. K. Sareen, said today. “We have evaluated the French Alfa jet and the British Hawk and submitted it to the government. The decision will hopefully be taken in four to six weeks,’’ he said. Talking to reporters after inaugurating a home for retired Air Force personnel, he said technology upgradation of the force should be on the top of the agenda of his successor. Former Air Force Chief S.
K. Kaul, who was also present, said that the government
should take a decision on the AJTs as early as possible.
“With every year’s delay in acquiring them,
their cost is increasing by 7 per cent annually. What
could have cost Rs 2,000 crore will now cost Rs 6,000
crore.’’ |
Vagaries of state NAGPUR, Dec 24 (UNI) — In an ironic twist, a business man, who was honoured by the government a week ago for displaying exemplary courage in gunning down three robbers, has been booked for murder over the same incident. The Police has registered offences under Sections 302 and 34 IPC, against Prakash Kalyani, his brother Rajendra, and others present at the shootout which took place at a medical store owned by the Kalyanis on the night of December 16. Prakash Kalyani had claimed that three men had entered his medical shop to loot cash and one of them fired at him from a country-made revolver. Acting in self-defence, he shot them dead on the spot. The mother of one of the robbers had filed a counter-complaint with the police. The incident also figured in both houses of the Maharashtra legislature. The Opposition today staged a walkout in the Legislative Council, questioning the propriety of felicitating a man “who had shot dead three persons”. Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde, making a statement in response to Rule 93 on matter for urgent discussion from Janata Dal leader Vyankappa Patki and others, informed the House that all three deceased were hardened criminals and were facing a number of offences and had undergone imprisonment. He also said Kalyani was
facing a criminal case in Mumbai and two in Nagpur. |
DTC buses for neighbouring
states NEW DELHI, Dec 24 — The Delhi Government is planning to send 6000 Delhi Transport Corporation and Blueline buses to neighbouring states. These will be replaced by environment-friendly buses in the Capital as per the Supreme Court directive. With the assurance of the Central Government to fund these buses, the Delhi Government is now deciding on the fate of buses plying on the roads of Delhi. Sources in the Transport Department indicated that the government was planning to send these buses to neighbouring states. The Environment Pollution Control Authority for the National Capital Region had recently recommended that the Delhi Government should buy eco-friendly buses to replace the existing fleet. As an outcome of the
Supreme Court direction, by the year 2001 only
environmental-friendly buses will ply on Delhi roads. |
Soren for larger Jharkhand NEW DELHI, Dec 24 (PTI) — Jharkhand leader Shibu Soren today hailed the Bill for carving out Vananchal state from Bihar but said he was in favour of a larger Jharkhand with parts of Orissa, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. “We are in favour of
larger Jharkhand but we accept the present move in view
of the proposal to create a separate Chhattisgarh state
out of Madhya Pradesh. Vast areas of 18 districts of
Bihar will be in Vananchal”, he told reporters. |
President’s X-mas greetings NEW DELHI, Dec 24 (UNI) — President K.R. Narayanan, Vice-President Krishan Kant and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today greeted people on the occasion of Christmas. "Let every candle tomorrow kindle in our hearts the light of love and compassion and ring in peace and understanding in society", Mr Narayanan said in a message here. Mr Krishan Kant said the festival represents the outpouring of joy on the descent of the Son of God to earth. "Jesus’ birth, his life and teachings remain glorious assets of mankind’s common spiritual heritage." The Prime Minister expressed the hope that Christmas will ring in peace, prosperity and understanding in the world and cheer to all people. Karnataka Governor Khurshid Alam Khan and Chief Minister J.H. Patel and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal also greeted the people on the occasion. The birth anniversary of the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, also falls tomorrow. In his message Punjab Governor, Lt-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd) described the tenth Guru as "a fearless revolutionary, a wonderful poet, a champion of the rights of the downtrodden and an all-sacrificing martyr in the cause of the persecuted." Incidentally, the Prime
Minister is also celebrating his 75th birthday tomorrow. |
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| AP to have own stamps Act HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Government was formulating its own Stamps and Registration Act to obviate the need for approaching the Centre for each and every amendment in the existing 100-year-old Indian Stamps Act, state Revenue Minister T. Devender Goud said on Wednesday. The government would introduce a bill to this effect in the next Budget session, Mr Goud told reporters here. Meanwhile, a draft ordinance was being sent to the Governor, Dr C. Rangarajan, amending the Registration Act to provide legal status for computerised land documents, he said. — PTI Observatory renamed after
Indian New all-terrain
wheelchair Home for retired
IAF personnel Orissa HC quashes
merit list |
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