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| Saturday, October 7, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Ministry: Badal’s grouse misplaced India, Russia strengthen ties Putin, Clinton visits ‘reaffirm
non-alignment policy’ Prosthetic staff’s training PM to take limited staff to Mumbai SP’s killing |
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Wage awards to be
notified after PM’s surgery Spare poor from price hike: TDP PGI doctors among ICMR
awardees Khushwant: I lived like refugee during riots Pak mission staffer held for rash driving Thali-chammach protest by
Mahila Cong Murder case solved Right role yet to come: Madhuri
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Ministry: Badal’s grouse misplaced NEW DELHI, Oct 6 — The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has expressed surprise over the outburst of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, that the Centre is not lifting paddy stock from the state. Ministry sources said the FCI was committed to buying paddy from Punjab at the Minimum Support price and one of the reasons for the FCI not lifting paddy from Punjab could be that the crop did not conform with the guidelines of the procurement agency. Highly placed sources said there was little justification in Mr Badal’s demand that the procurement agencies should further relax the specifications for procurement as there were no buyers for inferior quality rice. They pointed out that in the previous year, the Centre had bought 16 lakh tonnes of rice under relaxed specifications at the rate of Rs 850 per quintal and this had to be sold at the rate of Rs 550 per quintal, which caused huge losses. The sources said the procurement agencies procured 16 million tonnes of wheat during the last season, out of which the bulk quantity was bought from Punjab. Out of Rs 9280 crore spent on the purchase of wheat in the country, 58 per cent of the amount went to Punjab farmers. Similarly in the purchase of paddy, the Centre spent Rs 15,300 crore out of which 40 per cent of the amount went to Punjab. Besides, the Punjab Government earned Rs 1000 crore revenue by way of
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India, Russia strengthen ties NEW DELHI, Oct 6 — India and Russia, it appears on the first glance, have decided to cast their historical ties into the 21st century mould in a calibrated effort to put their might for regional peace and stability and for creation of a multipolar global order. A close scrutiny of the 17 bilateral agreements signed this week between India and Russia and the almost unanimity of views on various regional and international issues expressed in the joint statement provide a useful framework for shaping bilateral ties according to prospective and present bilateral and international needs. The convergence of views on international terrorism, extremism, ethnic separatism, trans-border organised crime and drug trafficking and need for a multipolar world are some of the areas where the two countries have decided to cooperate at international fora. But bilateral cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy is bound to raise eyebrows, particularly in those international circles which have traditionally been opposed to a strong independent India. While India is starving for energy, the monopolist Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) has been opposing any nuclear sales to New Delhi. The NSG, a cartel of advanced nations, opposed nuclear sale even when India had not exploded any nuclear device. The signing of a memorandum of understanding in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, which is most unlikely to be made public, is one concrete evidence of Russian seriousness towards India’s needs. While a majority of members of the NSG were opposed to any deal with India till New Delhi had not put its signatures on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Moscow’s decision to cooperate in the field of nuclear energy is a bold initiative which has to be understood in the background of international realities. On the one hand, this MoU will go a long way in meeting India’s energy needs and on the other it is a challenge to the exclusive club’s hegemony on the issue. While India has never liked US domination on the nuclear issue, Russia has also drawn its lessons from its turbulent relationship with Washington, particularly during the past one decade. Russia has made its move and international ramifications would come later but the Indo-Russian cooperation would bring mutual benefits to both countries. An inter-governmental agreement on mutual protection of confidential materials would provide both Moscow and New Delhi an opportunity away from public glare to strengthen cooperation in areas of defence purchase, defence production and nuclear energy. Several agreements, including an MoU between the Export-Import Bank of India and Vnesheconombank for credit facilities, have created a positive environment for boosting economic and commercial cooperation. The North-South corridor, joint exploration and development of one block on the East Coast of India under the new exploration licencing policy and bilateral cooperation in the Sakhalin-I project are some concrete projects which hold promise for the future. Other agreements like treaty on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters, MoU on cooperation between Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs and the Russian Ministry of Justice will facilitate the process of deepening of relations in various fields. Putin, Clinton visits ‘reaffirm
non-alignment policy’ NEW DELHI, OCT 6 — Welcoming various positive outcomes of the visit of Mr Vladimir Putin to India, the Congress today said the Russian President’s visit, after an equally successful visit of US President Bill Clinton, reaffirmed the relevance and importance of non-alignment in India’s foreign policy. Congress Working Committee member K Natwar Singh, however, said the credit for the successful visits did not go to the NDA government but to the policy of non-alignment, parameters for which had been laid by Jawahar Lal Nehru and fostered later by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. ‘‘Non-alignment has always been based on a clear appreciation and understanding of India’s vital national interests and seeking close and mutually beneficial relationship with all countries,’’ he said. During President Putin’s visit, India and Russia had signed important agreements, Mr Singh said. ‘‘These reflect both the intensity of our past relationship and the promise of new and emerging partnership. Both the countries have to adjust to the major changes that have taken place in the world environment over the past decade.’’ The Congress also welcomed the Indo-Russian move to combat international terrorism. Talking of the Congress President’s meeting with the Russian President, he said that Mr Putin talked about Russians fondly remembering the contributions made by Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi to consolidate and enrich their bilateral relationship. Mr Putin also hoped that greater party-to-party contacts would be established. The Congress President welcomed the offer, Mr Singh said
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Prosthetic staff’s training NEW DELHI, Oct 6 — The Army has sought the help of a German limb manufacturing company to train its technicians and prosthetic staff and upgrade its artificial limb centre (ALC) in Pune and other sub-centres. For the past seven months, technicians in these centres are being trained by Otto Bock Orthopaedic India Private Ltd. Sources in the Army told TNS here on Friday the Army also proposed to upgrade its sub-centres in Chandi Mandir, Guwahati, Lucknow and Delhi. This move would save injured soldiers the trouble of travelling all the way to Pune for getting fitments. Mr Dheeraj Bhambhani, Clinic Manager of Otto Bock Orthopaedic India Private Ltd and a rehabilitation professional, said technicians from ALC, Pune had been trained in several batches. “The exercise began seven months ago when the General Manager of Otto Bock, Mumbai, Mr Bernard Okeffee, and we trained over 30 technicians at ALC, Pune. There are at least 100 technicians in the ALC. For the past three months, they have been coming in batches of two or three every week to Otto Bock’s Mumbai Centre in Mahalakshmi. He said Otto Bock would also help the Army refurbish its Pune centre and other sub-centres. “They have certain machines which are not competent for manufacturing new kinds of artificial limbs. These machines cannot justify the speed of manufacturing. They are keen to make Otto Bock sockets. We are sharing technical expertise for manufacturing these sockets. We have also supplied the socket fabrication machinery to all these centres at a cost of Rs 1.55 lakh each,” he added. Asked how the Army would gain from such training, Mr Bhambhani said, “They will now be known for Otto Bock. They will be self-reliant.” Otto Bock’s association with the Army dates back to the end of 1999 when they supplied fitmemts to 60 soldiers injured in Kargil. “These prosthetic and orthotic aids were fitted in Mumbai and Pune six months after Kargil. They knew of our facility because we had fitted artificial legs to Jaya Bala Ashar, the 22-year-old woman who was pushed out of a moving train near Mahim in March 1999. Sixty soldiers among those who lost their limbs in Kargil were provided fitments by Otto Bock. Soldiers who were amputated were provided myo electric hands and hydraulically controlled artificial legs. An Army spokesperson said it provided the best artificial limbs to soldiers who lost their limbs in Kargil. “Cases of soldiers who suffered minor disabilities in Kargil were examined by a board of medical officers. Every effort has been made to keep them back in the Army or to get them a job with the efforts of the government”, he added. The German limb manufacturing company entered the Indian market in August 1998 with the first clinic in Mumbai. It has a clinic in Delhi and Chennai. Their fourth rehabilitation clinic is expected to open in Calcutta in the next two months. Mr Bhambhani said Otto Bock’s expansion plans include setting up clinics in major cities like Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. PM to take limited staff to Mumbai NEW DELHI, OCT 6 — Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will be leaving for Mumbai on Monday instead of Sunday for his knee replacement surgery scheduled to take place at the Breach Candy Hospital on October 10. The Prime Minister’s entire office is not moving base to Mumbai as anticipated barring some key officials and members of Mr Vajpayee’s personal staff. Mr Vajpayee’s foster family will, of course, be at hand all the time. The PM is arriving in Mumbai barely 24 hours before the surgery as he has already undergone major tests at the All India Institute of Medical sciences. The Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra is accompanying Mr Vajpayee. Mr Mishra will be with Mr Vajpayee the first few days after the surgery. Thereafter, Mr Mishra will be shuttling between Delhi and Mumbai for the duration of Mr Vajpayee’s stay in the western metropolis. Those in the PMO who will stay put in Mumbai during Mr Vajpayee’s convalescence for about a fortnight are Mr Ashok Saikia, Joint Secretary, the spokesperson, Mr Ashok Tandon, Prime Minister’s doctor Anoop Mishra and one personal secretary. Mr Saikia has been described as one of the most important officials in the PMO. An unassuming and soft-spoken bureaucrat hailing from Assam, Mr Saikia was handpicked by Mr Vajpayee to serve in the PMO. Mr Saikia has known the Prime Minister since his student days while studying at Delhi University. Mr Vajpayee was Mr Saikia’s guardian in those days. There will be only one personal secretary accompanying the Prime Minister to Mumbai. It will be rotational duty for the Prime Minister’s personal secretaries with each of them doing duty for a week in Mumbai. Soon after the knee replacement surgery on October 10, Dr Chittaranjan S Ranawat will brief the media. An internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon, Dr Ranawat is the Director of the Centre for Total Joint Replacement in New York. Subsequently detailed health bulletins will be issued every day. After 72 hours of the surgery, it is stated that Mr Vajpayee will be able to attend to files and talk to people. Apprehending a ministerial exodus to Mumbai as just about everyone in his jumbo Cabinet wants to make his presence felt during and after the Prime Minister’s knee replacement surgery, Mr Vajpayee has exhorted them and his well wishers not to call on him. Mr Vajpayee made this appeal during the meeting of the Union Cabinet held this afternoon. Union Home Minister L K Advani wished the Prime Minister wished a speedy recovery on behalf of all his ministerial colleagues. Sources say Mr Vajpayee is not leaving any specific instructions behind as to who will preside over the Cabinet meeting in case of any exigency since he believes it is not necessary.
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SP’s killing PATNA, Oct 6 — Young Indian Police Services (IPS) officers in Bihar are up in arms. So are junior cops as the killing of the Lohardagga SP, Ajay Kumar Singh, along with eight other policemen has left them shocked. The SP was killed in an encounter with the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) after his vehicle was blown off in a landmine blast. Cops were refusing the senior officials to take possession of the body of the SP demanding that the CM herself should visit. Many young IPS officers are critical of the politicisation of the extremist issue in the state. The state government too has come in for flak over the steps taken to deal with the militant problem in the state. The state government recently deployed 60 home guards in the extremist infested areas. The IPS officers have condemned this move saying when the armed paramilitary force is proving too little against the ultras, what the home guards will do but get killed.” They also flayed the Centre-Bihar political game over the militant menace. |
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Wage awards to be
notified after PM’s surgery NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (PTI) — Labour Minister Satyanarain Jatiya today said the R.K. Manisana Singh wage awards for journalists and non-journalists would be notified by the government as soon as Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee resumes office after his knee surgery in Mumbai next week. Mr Jatiya told leaders of the Coordination Committee of Newspapers and News Agencies Employees Unions, who met him here, that the recommendations of the wage boards had been sent to the ministries concerned for their comments. The Union Cabinet would take up the matter as soon as the Prime Minister resumes office after the operation, the minister said. The union leaders asked the minister to expedite the notification of the wage award, which would pave the way for its implementation. During the past few weeks, leaders of the committee have held a series of meetings in this regard with Union Cabinet Ministers including Mr L.K. Advani, Mr Arun Jaitley, Ms Mamata Banerjee, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, Mr Sharad Yadav, Mr Nitish Kumar, Mr C.P. Thakur, Mr Pramod Mahajan and Mr Shanta Kumar. The committee members here also called on the leader of the Opposition and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, CPM general secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet, his CPI counterpart A.B. Bardhan, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh in this regard. PGI doctors
among ICMR awardees NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (PTI) — Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr C.P. Thakur today presented the Indian Council of Medical Research awards for 1996 and 1997 to 48 scientists for outstanding contribution in the field of medical research. ICMR has selected 31 scientists for its 25 awards for 1996 and 17 for its 14 awards and prizes for 1997. The awardees include 10 scientists from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Dr D.N. Rao got the 1997 Chaturvedi Ghanshyam Das Jaigopal Award in Immunology, Dr Rohini Handa and Dr A.K. Hemal were two of the four young scientists getting the 1997 Shakuntala Amir Chand Prizes, Dr Rajnu Ralhan was the joint awardee of the 1996 Sandoz Oration Award for cancer research and Dr Gita Satpathy got the 1996 Y. S. Narayana Rao Oration Award in microbiology. Dr S.P. Mishra from the MLN Medical College, Allahabad, was awarded the Basanti Devi Amir Chand Prize for 1997 for research in gastroenterology, while the Kshanika Oration Award and Dr M.N. Sen Oration Award (practice of medicine) for 1997 were given to Dr Sudha Suri and Dr Y. Chawla of PGI respectively. Dr O.N. Nagi of PGI was given P.N. Raju Oration Award for his work on bone grafting, while Dr B.B. Yeole of Bombay Cancer Registry was the other recipient of the Sandoz Oration Award for Cancer Research. The Lala Ram Chand Kandhari Award in derematology and sexually transmitted disease was given to Dr V.K. Sharma of the PGI and Prof Surinder Mohan Marwah Award for geriatrics to Dr Kalluri Subha Rao of the University of Hyderabad. |
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Khushwant: I lived like refugee during riots NEW DELHI, Oct 6 — Noted columnist and a known critic of “Operation Blue Star”, Khushwant Singh, has said that he and millions of other Sikhs lived the life of refugees in their own country and the policemen were not taking any action against the mob which looted the shops belonging to Sikhs in the market near his house during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the Capital. “I and millions of other Sikhs lived the life of refugees in our own country,” Mr Khushwant Singh says in his two-page affidavit submitted before the Justice G.T. Nanavati Commission, a copy of which is in the possession of The Tribune. “On October 31, 1984 evening (a day after the then Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi was assassinated), I heard some noise on the main road outside (my house) and I went out to check. I saw at least 20-25 policemen standing on the road and the mob was looting shops belonging to Sikhs at Khan Market,” he says and adds that “the policemen were not taking action at all and they did not make any attempt to stop them or disperse them.” He further says that after sometime the mob burnt the taxi stand on the main road and around midnight the gurdwara behind his house was attacked. Thereafter, mob burnt cars sent for repairs to Mr Sukhwant Singh, a mechanic. “On November 1, 1984 morning, I received a call from many friends to be careful. They apprehended that since I have been very vocal criticising ‘Operation Blue Star’ and also returned the Padma Bhushan awarded to me, in protest against ‘Operation Blue Star’, therefore, I may be the target of attack by enraged mobs,” he says. After sometime when his son-in-law came to his house to take him away, he called up Giani Zail Singh, the then President of India, Mr Singh says and adds that “Giani Zail Singh did not come on the line but his Secretary informed that Gianiji has asked him to convey to me that I should move to the house of some Hindu friend.” Soon thereafter one car came from Swedish Embassy and Mr R Gauffin who came in and introduced himself as number two in the Swedish Embassy, Mr Singh says. “He told me that Mr Romesh Thapar has asked him to evacuate me to the Embassy. I also learnt that Mr Romesh Thapar had taken my mother to his house,” he said. “I went with Mr Gauffin to the Swedish Embassy and stayed there for two nights. That I and millions of other Sikhs lived the life of refugees in our own country,” the noted columnist says in his affidavit. |
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Thali-chammach protest by
Mahila Cong NEW DELHI, Oct 6 — The All India Mahila Congress(AIMC) has decided to protest against the oil price hike on October 9 with a ‘thali-chammach clanging’ procession. According to Ms Chandresh Kumari, President of AIMC, the protest would be held all over the country. These processions will culminate in rallies in the state capitals. Condemning the hike in prices of diesel, petrol, kerosene and LPG, she described the the Central Government as ‘‘anti-poor.’’ Pak mission staffer
held for rash driving NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (PTI) — A staffer of the Pakistan High Commission here was nabbed by the Delhi police last evening on charges of rash and negligent driving after he hit a traffic constable near the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), police sources said today. Mr Najbat Hussain, an upper division clerk in the Pakistani mission, who was driving his motor cycle at “breakneck speed”, was arrested when he jumped the red light at the AIIMS crossing and attempted to flee after hitting the constable, who tried to stop him, they said.
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Murder case
solved NEW DELHI, Oct 6 — The Delhi Police claims to have worked out a blind murder case of an old woman in Delhi Cantonment of South-West Delhi with the arrest of two persons. The accused,
Sachin, alias Chotu and Ramesh, who were residents of a jhuggi cluster in Kirbi Place were arrested from
Meerut. They murdered the woman on September 29 when she was alone in the house. They took away three pairs of ear rings, two gold chains, four bangles, two rings and Rs 6,400 in cash kept in an
almirah. The police said one bangle, an ear ring, a chain and a ring had been recovered from the possession of the accused. |
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Right role yet to come: Madhuri NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (PTI) — Actress Madhuri Dixit says her “great role” is yet to come and she is still searching for it. “It is still to come. I’m looking for it....searching for the right role, something exciting,” she said in an interview in “Face to Face” on the BBC when asked if she had got her one great role which at the end of the day great actresses get identified with like Rekha in “Umrao Jaan” and Nargis in “Mother India. To a question if it would be a particular director, script or something tangible within her, she said it would be a combination of all these. “I don’t think that Rekha when she did “Umrao Jaan” or Nargis when she did “Mother India” were aware that these would become landmarks in their career,” she said. |
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Spare poor from
price hike: TDP NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (PTI) — The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today formally asked the Vajpayee government to spare the people below the poverty line (BPL) from the recent hike in the prices of LPG and kerosene. Citing official figures to show that there was a surplus of Rs 9,000 crore in the oil pool account in 1990-91, TDP spokesman C. Ramachandraiah said: “Even at a marginal rate of interest, this surplus amount should have gone up to Rs 14,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore by this time... which can be utilised to ensure that the burden of the hike in prices of LPG and kerosene do not affect the poor”. He said the Centre had projected the deficit in the oil pool account to about Rs 24,000 crore by March 31, 2001. |
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