Tuesday, July 21, 1998
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Rabri dares Centre on
President’s rule PATNA, July 20 — Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi today dared the Centre to impose President’s rule in the state saying any such move “will be countered with vigour and strength” AIIMS superintendent held for taking bribe NEW DELHI, July 20 — The Medical Superintendent of All-India Institute of Medical Sciences has been arrested by the anti-corruption branch of Delhi for demanding and accepting illegal gratification from a Haryana-based supplier... |
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Need to repeal Anti-Defection Act:
Thakre JAIPUR, July 20 — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president, Mr Kushabhau Thakre, today stressed the need for repealing the Anti-Defection Act, saying: “I personally feel there should be no Act or law for trying legislators.”
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Jethmalani refuses to budge NEW DELHI, July 20 — Opposition members in the Lok Sabha today made a scathing attack on Union Minister Ram Jethmalani, but the minister was quick to defend for his comments relating to selection of judges by the Chief Justice of India... Cong stakes claim for Deputy Speakership NEW DELHI, July 20 — The Congress today formally staked its claim for the post of Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker and asked the government to draw up a schedule for the election... Govt to put curbs on obscenity on TV NEW DELHI, July 20 — The government has plans to bring satellite channels within the ambit of Indian laws to regulate their programmes through the broadcast Bill which it proposes to introduce in Parliament... They tie the knot secretly SHILLONG, July 20 — They tie the nuptial knot at the dead of night without the consent or knowledge of parents... VHP for DMK Govt sack CHENNAI, July 20 — The VHP today reiterated its demand for the dismissal of the Tamil Nadu Government alleging a spurt in the activities of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence in the state... Loan scheme for Delhi cops NEW DELHI, July 20 — The Delhi Police has floated a loan scheme of Rs 50,000 for constables, head constables and assistant Sub-inspectors in collaboration with Punjab and Sind Bank... Varsity teachers’ march today NEW DELHI, July 20 — The All-India Federation of University and College Teachers' Organisations (AIFUCTO) will hold a march in the Capital tomorrow to press for the acceptance of their long-pending demands... Haryana staff to court arrest NEW DELHI, July 20 — The Haryana Government employees threatened to launch a “Jail Bharo Andolan” at Chandigarh on July 23 in support of the their demands for a negotiated settlement...  |
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| Rabri dares Centre on
President’s rule PATNA, July 20 (PTI) — Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi today dared the Centre to impose President’s rule in the state saying any such move “will be countered with vigour and strength” and charged the CBI with playing into the hands of the BJP. “There will be an explosive situation if any attempt is made to harass Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav and his party’s government,” she said. Her assertion came when Mr Chandramukhi Devi (BJP), participating in the debate on first supplementary demands and related appropriation bill in the assembly, said invoking Article 356 was the only solution to the “anarchic situation in the state.” Leader of Opposition Sushil Kumar Modi pooh-poohed her assertion saying “your ministers were crying from roof tops that rivers of blood will flow if Mr Laloo Yadav was ousted, but nothing happened when he was arrested in the fodder scam case.” Reacting sharply to Mr Modi’s comment, she charged the CBI, which has charge-sheeted Laloo Prasad Yadav in several fodder scam cases, with “playing into the hands of the BJP”. She also alleged that a host of Samata Party leaders, including union minister Nitish Kumar and former state party secretary general Shivanand Tiwari, were involved in scams. The Chief Minister said the Vajpayee government would fall in the near future and that any move to invoke Article 356 would be “fraught with grave consequences.” |
| Need to repeal Anti-Defection
Act: Thakre JAIPUR, July 20 (UNI) — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president, Mr Kushabhau Thakre, today stressed the need for repealing the Anti-Defection Act, saying: “I personally feel there should be no Act or law for trying legislators.” Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Thakre said his party’s views were in favour of review of the law in the present context and in view of experiences after the enactment of the law. Mr Thakre said there were a lot of shortcomings in the Act therefore it should be reviewed. Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister and former BJP Rajasthan unit president Hari Shankar Bhabhra had categorically demanded repealing the Anti-Defection Act, saying that in the prevailing political situation the stability of the government was the utmost need of the hour and no party was having a majority of its own. Referring to suggestions from the Election Commission (EC) for delegating powers of hearing and punishment to the EC under the Act, Mr Thakre said there was an experts committee being formed by the Centre for formulating election reforms. Mr Thakre said it was not wrong on the part of the Election Commission to extend suggestions for the electoral reforms as it was the body which did conduct the elections in the country and knew about the various aspects of every problem and shortcomings. Whenever the Centre would finalise the reforms it would take into account suggestions from every quarter. Referring to the suggestion about curbing and discouraging the process of criminalisation of politics, Mr Thakre said his party was also in favour of it and the government would see what could be done in this direction. Mr Thakre expressed his strong protest and opposition against the signing of GATT by the then Narasimha Rao government. However, he did not reply categorically about the breaking of the treaty by the present Vajpayee government at the Centre. Mr Thakre said it would be equally wrong to break the treaty. However, experts should find ways to overcome the ill-effects being faced by the country in the wake of the treaty. Mr Thakre claimed there was no threat to the Vajpayee government in the wake of the latest “ultimatum” given by the AIADMK chief, Ms J. Jayalalitha, over the Cauvery water dispute. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Thakre admitted the Vajpayee-led coalition government at the Centre had been facing troubles from its allies. However, the government had been able to overcome the troubles through mutual dialogue and understanding, he added. Mr Thakre said Ms Jayalalitha might be having practical difficulties but there was no threat to the government as she was also a partner to this government. Regarding the Cauvery water dispute, the BJP chief said inter-state dispute on river waters, borders or other matters could be solved by mutual dialogue and understanding. |
| AIIMS superintendent held for
taking bribe Tribune News Service NEW DELHI, July 20 — The Medical Superintendent of All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has been arrested by the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi Government for demanding and accepting illegal gratification from a Haryana-based supplier. According to a Delhi Government official, Dr R C Anand was caught red-handed when he was accepting Rs 10,000 from a representative of Faridabad-based Shiva Scientific Firm. The firm deals in surgical cotton. The supplier had informed the anti-corruption branch of the alleged regular demands being made by Dr Anand. The supplier informed officials that a deal had been fixed at the rate of Rs 2.50 per bundle of cotton about two months back. The firm had been given an order for 16,000 bundles of cotton and yesterday 4,000 bundles had been delivered. Anti-corruption branch officials laid a trap today afternoon when the supplier was supposed to pay him money. Dr Anand was caught while accepting the bribe amount. The arrest took place within the hospital complex. Dr Anand’s house in Chattarpur was being searched. |
| Peaceniks accuse govts Tribune News Service NEW DELHI, July 20 — Militants turned peaceniks from Kashmir today accused the state and central governments for their failure to check the return of militancy in the state saying that “if the drift in the situation was not arrested immediately, the entire state will be engulfed in the proxy war started by Pakistan”. Addressing newspersons at a specially convened press conference, Mr Javed Shah, the head of the Al Jehad Force and now a member of the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislative Council, said the militancy was on the rise again because of the state government’s failure to control the phenomenon of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Claiming that their movement against the terrorist groups fighting proxy war for Pakistan had paved the way for the Lok Sabha elections in 1996 and for the state Assembly elections in 1997, Mr Shah said :”We were hopeful that the democratic government would respond purposefully to aspirations of the people. But the government’s performance proved wholly negative.” “The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is deteriorating each day and if serious steps are not taken immediately,the situation might be worse than 1989”, Mr Shah said. Three other former militants — Mr Papa Kishtwari Umar Mukhtar, Mr Hyder Tabrez and Mr Sammad Khan addressed the newspersons. The state police, the central paramilitary forces and the Army are unable to do anything because of gross interference by the political forces, Mr Shah said adding that the moment a militant is caught, he is released at the instructions of the political masters. “Kashmir is once again on the international agenda and Pakistan will use this fact to exploit the younger generation in Kashmir”, he said. When asked whether his stand would not lead to disciplinary action against him, Mr Shah said “he was not bothered by any action as he was taking the stand in the interest of the country. The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, wants to act but probably his bureaucratic and political advisors are not allowing him to do”, he said. |
| Jethmalani refuses to budge NEW DELHI, July 20 (PTI) — Opposition members in the Lok Sabha today made a scathing attack on Union Minister Ram Jethmalani, but the minister was quick to defend for his comments relating to selection of judges by the Chief Justice of India. Raising the issue during zero hour, Arif Mohammed Khan (BSP) said the statement, of the Urban Affairs and Employment Minister that some of the nominees of the Chief Justice M.M. Punchhi for appointment as judges were not the best of persons suited for the job needed to be condemned. This, he said, amounted to vilification of the judiciary, stating that Mr Jethmalani was attempting to settle "old scores" with the Chief Justice by making such allegations, he regretted that a member of the government had made such remarks. Mr Khan was supported by P.C. Chacko (Cong) who said the minister had brought the highest judiciary into disrepute. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana said the government had clarified yesterday that the views expressed by Mr Jethmalani were his own and not of the government. Mr Khurana said he would also draw Mr Jethmalani’s attention to the matter so that he could clarify his position. Mr Jethmalani said the remarks were broadly in conformity with the coalition government’s National Agenda for Governance. He told the House that para 23 of the agenda spoke of appointment of a national judicial commission to suggest reforms in the judicial system. "The background of having such a commission is well known as five or six disputes had arisen regarding the appointment of judges," the minister said. He said a public interest petition has been filed by a lawyer in the Supreme Court in the wake of recent appointment of judges and the matter was sub-judice. Mr Jethmalani said he had not lost his right after joining the cabinet to press the government to implement the assurances given in the national agenda. The minister clarified that what he had said was in continuation of what he had been pleading long before he joined the government. The cabinet, he said, had not taken any decision in this connection and under the Constitution there was no restriction on him to express his views. |
| Cong stakes claim for Deputy
Speakership NEW DELHI, July 20 (PTI) — The Congress today formally staked its claim for the post of Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker and asked the government to draw up a schedule for the election. Congress Chief Whip P.J. Kurien met Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana in the presence of Lok Sabha Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi and told him of the party’s decision to field senior member P.M. Sayeed for the post. Mr Kurien said he conveyed his party’s desire that the election be unanimous with the government supporting Mr Sayeed’s candidature. He told the government that there should be no problem in supporting the Congress candidate in accordance with the tradition that the post should go to the main Opposition party. Mr Kurien and Leader of the Opposition Sharad Pawar had met Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Friday and discussed the issue of Deputy Speaker. Earlier in the day, Mr Khurana told newsmen that the BJP was in favour of the post going to it as the Speaker’s post had been bagged by the Telugu Desam. Asked about reports that Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee had promised support to Mr Sayeed’s candidature, the minister said Ms Banerjee was party to a decision taken by allies to leave the issue of Deputy Speakership to the Prime Minister. |
| Govt to put curbs on obscenity
on TV NEW DELHI, July 20 (PTI, UNI) — The government has plans to bring satellite channels within the ambit of Indian laws to regulate their programmes through the broadcast Bill which it proposes to introduce in Parliament, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Telecast or broadcast of programmes on Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) is governed by provisions of the broadcast code according to which inter alia anything considered obscene or vulgar is not shown, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj said in a written reply. She said it had been noticed in some programmes and sequences, the depiction of sex and violence was excessive, unnecessary and not relevant to the context. Selections: Reiterating that Prasar Bharati was an autonomous corporation, Ms Swaraj on Monday denied in the Lok Sabha that the selection of staff artistes had been biased. She told Dr M.P. Jaiswal and others during question hour that the sentiments of the House for greater encouragement to local and folk art forms and sports would be conveyed to the board of Prasar Bharati. Women newsreaders: On a supplementary about removal of some women newsreaders, the minister said the matter was sub judice as some of the newsreaders had approached the Supreme Court. However, the national commission had given its view on the matter and Prasar Bharati had also given its reaction. Illiterates: There were as many as 3,28,879 illiterates, including 2,00,517 women in the country, Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi told the Lok Sabha on Monday. Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of 64,769 illiterates followed by 42,206 in Bihar and 31,057 in Andhra Pradesh, he said in a written answer. Dowry: The dowry prohibition act was being reviewed and examined by the National Commission for Women which had recommended the transfer of substantive provisions related to offences committed under the Act to the IPC, the Cr PC and the Indian Evidence Act, he said. Teachers: A proposal for two years’ extension of service of teachers working in universities and affiliated colleges and revision of their pay scales is under consideration and a decision would be taken very soon, Mr Joshi said. Internet: The government would take further action on its policy decision to privatise the provision of Internet services in the light of the Delhi High Court judgement setting aside an order of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) invalidating the Internet licensing policy, the Minister of State for Communications, Mr Kabindra Purkayastha said. Power projects: Ongoing power projects in the public sector with committed external assistance were not likely to be affected by the sanctions, Power Minister P.R. Kumaramangalam told the Lok Sabha on Monday. SEB dues: The total outstanding dues to be recovered by the National Thermal Power Corporation and other public sector units from state electricity boards (SEBs) stood at a whopping Rs 12,410.77 crore as on March 31, 1998, Mr Kumaramangalam said in another reply. Cellular companies: Cellular companies owe Rs 1343.44 crore to the exchequer on account of licence fee till June and the government was considering the operators’ demand for extension of licence fee and two-year moratorium on its payment, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday. Rajya Sabha Reservation for OBCs: The government was considering a proposal for providing reservation to OBCs in educational and professional institutions under the central government, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ms Maneka Gandhi said on Monday. Employment: Unemployment in the country at the beginning of the Eighth Plan was estimated to be around 17 million, Labour Minister S.N. Jatiya said in a written reply. As per the latest survey of the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), the addition to employment opportunities during 1987-88 to 1993-94 was of the order of 43.91 million showing an addition of 7.3 million employment opportunities per annum, he said. Children: As many as 1,26,665 children have been identified as working in hazardous industries in the country. Sainik Farms: A government committee has recommended that Sainik Farm Colony in the Capital should not be regularised, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday. Policy for old: A draft national policy for old persons was being finalised in consultation with experts and leading voluntary agencies working in this area, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Maneka Gandhi told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Monday. |
| They tie the knot secretly SHILLONG, July 20 (UNI) — They tie the nuptial knot at the dead of night without the consent or knowledge of parents. The parents only come to know that their daughter is married when she is seen dumping firewood in some other house early next morning, indicating that the owner of the house is their son-in-law. This type of marriage is in vogue among the Khiemnungan, a major Naga tribe in Tuensang district of Nagaland bordering Myanmar. After the secret and silent marriage, the boy brings the girl to his house in the early hours of the morning along with just a few trusted friends from both sides. |
| VHP for DMK Govt sack CHENNAI, July 20 (UNI) — The VHP today reiterated its demand for the dismissal of the Tamil Nadu Government alleging a spurt in the activities of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in the state and accusing the government of failure to take firm steps to contain them. Talking to newsmen here, VHP international Secretary-General Giriraj Kishore said though the DMK Government denied any such activity, reports received from the CBI, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), military intelligence and local people had proved otherwise. “ISI activities are prevalent throughout the country, but they are too much in Tamil Nadu,” he said. When it was pointed out that more ISI agents had been arrested in New Delhi in the recent past, he said there might have been arrests in some parts of the country but the action was taking place in Tamil Nadu. He would not agree that the steps being taken by the state government in the aftermath of the February 14 serial bomb blasts in Coimbatore were genuine. “It is said that the culprits in the serial blasts have been booked, but I was given to understand that no charge sheet was yet filed and it is only an eyewash”, he said. The VHP leader also found fault with the state Governor for not forwarding the Prevention of Terrorists Activities Bill to the President for his assent. |
| Loan scheme for Delhi cops From Our Correspondent NEW DELHI, July 20 — The Delhi Police has floated a loan scheme of Rs 50,000 for constables, head constables and assistant Sub-inspectors in collaboration with Punjab and Sind Bank. According to Additional Commissioner of Police, Mr S.K. Jain, the loan will be extended by the bank at the interest rate of 9 per cent per annum payable in two, three, four, or five years at the option of borrower. The personnel will not be required to provide any security or collateral. The Delhi Police Welfare Society will guarantee the loan which can be utilised for any purpose like purchase of land, construction, building repairing, marriage , consumer goods and medical purposes, he said. It is necessary for the applicants of the loan to have minimum five years of service in the department. No departmental inquiry, vigilance or criminal case should be pending against him. The repayment of loan should be done one year before the retirement. The recovery instalment of the loan, including other loans granted by the police department, would not exceed 40 per cent of the gross salary of the applicant. The applicant has to provide surety of one of his colleagues working in the Delhi Police to get the loan sanctioned. Besides, the Delhi Police Welfare Society will open an account with the bank for accumulating “consolidated risk fund” in which Punjab and Sind Bank would credit one per cent of the loans. In case the scheme is closed the amount would be transferred to the Delhi Police Welfare Scheme. |
| Varsity teachers’ march today Tribune News Service NEW DELHI, July 20 — The All-India Federation of University and College Teachers' Organisations (AIFUCTO) will hold a march in the Capital tomorrow to press for the acceptance of their long-pending demands. According to AIFUCTO members, the march is being organised to bring to light the various problems being faced by them and "the lack of keenness reflected by the government in solving their grievances." As per the decision of the national executive committee meeting held at Himachal Pradesh University on June 7, AIFUCTO has already served a notice to the government on June 9 that the university and college teachers all over the country would start an indefinite strike from August 11. The AIFUCTO members pointed out that there had been no communication from the government after the meeting held between the Union HRD Minister and the teachers' representative on May 19. "It is unfortunate that during this long period, the government has maintained a stoic silence on all issues and made no communication whatsoever with our federation," an AIFUCTO member said. The AIFUCTO is likely to get support from the university administrators association for the proposed strike. The demands of the university teachers include the acceptance and implementation of scales recommended by the UGC, the promotion from reader to professorship and assured third promotion in a career based on satisfactory service, uniform and simultaneous implementation of revised scales of pay all over the country and all categories of staff to benefit from the Rastogi Committee recommendations. |
| Haryana staff to court arrest Tribune News Service NEW DELHI, July 20 (PTI) — The Haryana Government employees threatened to launch a “Jail Bharo Andolan” at Chandigarh on July 23 in support of the their demands for a negotiated settlement. The Sarv Karamchari Sangh Haryana said here today that there had been large scale unrest among state government employees due to “repressive” policies adopted by the Haryana Vikas Party and the BJP alliance government. The sangh in a press note said the state government had scrapped the pay commission, levied the professional tax on employees, withdrawn Rs 120 interim relief, transferred them to far-flung places and employee were being “victimised” due to political bias. The sangh demanded immediate grant of allowances and pay scale to nurses, Rs 3000 monthly stipend to the students and release of 250 nurses detained in the Chandigarh jail since July 15 demonstrations. |
| In
brief Medicine shortage PURULIA: West Bengal’s state-run hospitals are facing an acute shortage of medicines despite adequate supply. State Health and Family Welfare Minister Partha Dey admitted while speaking at a seminar here that government hospitals statewide did not have the necessary stock of medicines to treat the poor who could not afford to buy the same. He said though there was no shortage in supply, it was owing to a racket involving a section of medical professionals, private druggists and medicine sellers that such a situation had risen. — UNI Five killed KARAD: Five persons were killed and 20 injured when their bus collided with a truck on the Pune-Bangalore highway, about 80 km from here. According to sources, the accident occurred at 8.30 a.m. on Monday when the Maharashtra State Transport bus bound for Mumbai dashed against a truck coming from the opposite direction. Five persons died on the spot, the sources said. — UNI Minister injured KOCHI: Kerala Backward Classes and Youth Welfare Minister K. Radhakrishnan was injured when his car overturned at Chammanadu in Alappuzha, the police said on Monday. The minister, who suffered head injuries, was initially treated at a nearby hospital but later shifted to the medical trust hospital here, the police said. — PTI 3 die after consuming medicine BARASAT (WB): Three persons died at Deganga in North 24 Parganas district on Sunday night after consuming a medicine bought from a local shop. According to the District Superintendent of Police, Mr Kuldip Singh, four persons fell ill after they consumed the alcohol contained medicine bought without any medical prescription. While three persons died, the fourth was admitted to a local hospital. — PTI Scam accused held GANDHINAGAR: The CBI has arrested a key accused in Surat in connection with the Rs 13.5 crore scam involving banks, a statutory corporation and a trust, official sources said here on Monday. The accused, Ushakant Kachra, was arrested on Saturday and produced before the Special CBI Judge in Ahmedabad who remanded him in police custody till July 20. — PTI 5 killed in mishap KAKINADA: Five persons were killed on the spot and 15 injured, three of them seriously, when a van carrying them collided with an oil tanker at Annavaram, about 50 km from here, on Sunday. The injured were admitted to the government general hospital here. — PTI  |
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