M A I N   N E W S

Cong to file adjournment move today

NEW DELHI, Nov 20 (UNI, PTI) — Parliament paid rich tributes to former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, leaders C. Subramaniam, Sitaram Kesri and others before adjourning without transacting any business on the opening day of the winter session today.

After Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi made obituary references in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee recalled the sterling contributions made by Bandaranaike in strengthening the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Mr Vajpayee also introduced his new Cabinet colleagues to the Lok Sabha today.

Meanwhile, the Congress today decided to move an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha tomorrow on the plight of farmers accusing the government of adopting “anti farmer” policies which has led to suicides by them in several states.

Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sonia Gandhi herself would be moving the motion on the farmers issue, deputy leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Madhavrao Scindia told PTI.

He said the prices of agricultural products had “crashed” following the policies pursued by the BJP-led NDA government.

The party would also demand a special discussion under Rule 193 on the issue of natural calamities like drought which has severely affected several states, including Orissa, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Hinduja brothers question CBI charge sheet

NEW DELHI, Nov 20 (PTI) — The three Hinduja brothers today raised a series of objections to the charge sheet filed against them by the CBI in the Rs 64 crore Bofors case saying that there was “no sufficient ground” to proceed against them in the case.

The London-based Hinduja Group Chairman, Mr S. C. Hinduja, his brothers G. P. Hinduja and P. P. Hinduja sent a team of lawyers to the court of Special Judge Ajit Bharihoke, when he took up the question of cognizance of the charge sheet filed against them on October 9.

Even as the CBI counsel opposed their plea, the lawyers for the Hindujas sought an opportunity to be heard by the court before it decides the question of cognizance.

After arguments lasting more than an hour, the court adjourned the hearing for December 5 while directing the CBI to respond to the Hindujas’ plea.

In an unusual move, the Hindujas raised a number of objections at the preliminary stage itself, with their counsel, Mr Arvind Nigam, saying that the CBI had not obtained sanction from the government for his clients’ prosecution which was required as the offence was committed outside the country.