Wednesday, March 28, 2001,
Chandigarh, India






THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
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N A T I O N

CID to hold probe into Siwan incident
Patna, March 27
Love and smile finally fell in the RJD boss Laloo Prasad Yadav’s side after days of crisis over the Siwan issue, as he turned upside down the government stand. 

Cong smells a rat
New Delhi, March 27
The Congress today said the terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry probing the Tehelka episode, had been “so carefully framed as to give a quiet burial to the stinking Tehelka scandal.”

Nanavati panel urged to quiz Home Secy
New Delhi, March 27
Justice Nanavati Commission, probing into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots today issued notice to the Centre on a petition by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee for the examination of Union Home Secretary Kamal Pande regarding certain missing statements made before the Misra Commission by three Army officials, including the then Army Chief Gen A.S.Vaidya.

Cong warns Trinamool on poll pact
New Delhi, March 27
The Congress today warned the Trinamool Congress that it would not be possible for it to forge an electoral alliance with it for the coming Assembly elections in West Bengal, if it gave a single seat to the Bharatiya Janata Party.



EARLIER STORIES

 

Building byelaws amended
New Delhi, March 27
Following devastating earthquake in Gujarat recently, the Ministry of Urban Development has amended the Municipal bye-laws of Delhi, which falls under the seismic zone-IV, to incorporate compulsory safety features against earthquakes and enforce responsibility of owners, engineers and architects for its compliance.

Parliament to have Maharaja’s statue
New Delhi, March 27
A bronze statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh will be installed in Parliament House complex during the year-long bicentennial celebrations of “Sher-e-Punjab”, the state Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said here today.

Transport problem imminent in Delhi
New Delhi, March 27
Supreme Court’s conditional extension of the CNG deadline is likely to create acute problem for the Delhiites as majority of the city transport buses will not be on road after March 31.

UN role sought in heritage safety
New Delhi, March 27
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage has urged the government to move the United Nations and UNESCO to draw a global convention to prevent tragedies as the recent destruction of Buddhist statues in Bamiyan.

Animal houses in “deplorable state”
New Delhi, March 27
A central government committee appointed to find the state of animal houses in the country has found that 300 of the 367 animal laboratories do not have basic facilities to house animals.

FIRB — answer to drought?
Chak 5B (Sriganganagar), March 27
The Furrow-irrigated raised bed system can be the answer to the problems faced by farmers due to the recurring droughts in the state. The new technique saves 40 per cent of the irrigation water besides cutting down the use of of fertilizer and seed by 25 per cent.

Court confiscates jeep of Irrigation Department
Hanumangarh, March 27
Disobeying the orders of the Civil Court in a case has cost dear to the Irrigation Department as the official jeep of the Executive Engineer, Division II of the department, has been attached by the court.

Family goes to Home Minister for justice
Hanumangarh, March 27
After being deprived of justice and the police allegedly protecting the criminals, a family has knocked the doors of the state Home Minister for protection and to get justice.

Sonali Bendre held, freed on bail
Mumbai, March 27
Film actress Sonali Bendre today was arrested along with two others for posing on a cover page of a magazine in a dress which allegedly hurt the religious sentiments of the people.

Damage suit against IYC chief
New Delhi, March 27
A Delhi-based journalist has filed a damage suit in the court of District Judge, Delhi, against Indian Youth Congress chief Randeep Singh Surjewala for making false and baseless allegations against him in a letter to the higher authorities in the newspaper.

Rlys told to attract traffic
New Delhi, March 27
Railway Minister Nitish Kumar has underlined the need for adopting medium and long-term strategies to revive the railway finances.

Uttarakhand Dal to launch agitation
Dehra Dun, March 27
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal has decided to start an agitation to oppose the policies of the Swami government. Talking to the mediapersons last evening, Mr Kashi Singh Airy, senior leader said, the government had not fulfilled the promises made to the hillfolk of the state.

Rs 3.2 cr for Dehra Dun’s facelift
Dehra Dun, March 27
The Uttaranchal Government has approved a plan of Rs 3.2 crore to improve the traffic system and street light arrangements in Dehra Dun. According to a press note the proposal includes 15 link roads joining main roads of the city.Top







 

CID to hold probe into Siwan incident
Santosh Jha

Patna, March 27
Love and smile finally fell in the RJD boss Laloo Prasad Yadav’s side after days of crisis over the Siwan issue, as he turned upside down the government stand. Once again his political genius and crisis management skills saved the day for his wife Rabri Devi’s government, but as he doled out what his angry detractors wanted, in order to befriend them, he has eventually banged his bare foot on the axe. Laloo Yadav compromised his monopoly in the RJD, signaling the start of the end of his cult status in Bihar politics.

Bowing to the “diktat” of the powerful Siwan MP, Mohammed Shahabuddin, the RJD boss conceded what Minister of State for Welfare Ezazul Haque forced him to after his resignation (now withdrawn); that is, as against the government order for a judicial probe into the Siwan episode, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took over the investigation late on Monday. Sources maintain that the Siwan MP had conveyed to Laloo this as the “pre-condition” of a ‘patch-up’. This certainly has given the Siwan MP the “virtual clean chit” as the CID probe, as it is notorious for, will take its own sweet time. It is to be mentioned here that earlier, the CID was entrusted with a case against the MP with the charges against Shahabuddin that he had opened fire on the then SP of Siwan, Mr S.K. Singhal. The CID exonerated the MP of the charges in that case. The CID has taken over a total of nine cases pending against him in various police stations of Siwan district including those in which the courts had ordered arrest-warrants against him. This also means that the Siwan MP cannot be arrested and can now come out of hiding as it is maintained that pending the completion of probe by the CID, the police cannot arrest a person. It is not yet known what the government proposes to do with its announcement of judicial probe.

In the meantime, the DGP, Mr R.R. Prasad said the CID had the power and the authority to suo motu take up the probe of any police case if it deemed it right. He also said the ADG of Muzaffarpur Range, Mr M.K. Sinha, the DIG of Saran Range, Mr M.A. Kazmi and the new SP of Siwan Mr N.K. Azad, had recommended for a CID probe into the Siwan issue. In political circles, there are few takers for the “projection” that entrusting the probe to the CID was an administrative decision. It is common belief that it was the politically motivated strategy, often resorted to in the state. Even the Opposition does not seem to be pressing for a CBI probe. The Siwan MP, Md. Shahabuddin, who flew back to Patna two days after he had made his ‘escape’ good before the eyes of the police at Patna airport, was quick to respond to the Laloo-carrot saying he did not want to create trouble for the RJD party. 
Top

 

Cong smells a rat
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27
The Congress today said the terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry probing the Tehelka episode, had been “so carefully framed as to give a quiet burial to the stinking Tehelka scandal.”

Referring to the terms of reference, Congress spokesman Jaipal Reddy said these excluded examination of conduct of former BJP President Bangaru Laxman and former Samata Party chief Jaya Jaitley.

“It also excludes examination of the blatant misuse of the house of former Defence Minister to interact with dealers and receive money,” he said. The outcome of the judicial inquiry was being stage-managed from the word go, Mr Reddy said.Top

 


Notice to Tehelka reporter
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a show-cause notice to one of its Directors, Mr Thomas Mathew, who was accused of being the ‘mastermind’ behind the Tehelka expose in a newspaper last week.

“A show-cause notice listing the charges has been issued to Mr Mathew. His reply is awaited,” a Home Ministry pressnote said here yesterday.

Mr Mathew joined the Government service in 1975 as a direct recruit Section Officer. Before his posting as Director in the ministry in September 1988, he had worked in different ministries in different capacities.

“It has been brought to the government’s notice that despite being a government servant, Mr Mathew has actively participated in political activities and associated himself with political parties,” the note said.

“Mr Mathew was also found to be prima facie involved in an incident of leakage of classified information for which a probe is separately being conducted,” it said.
Top

 

Nanavati panel urged to quiz Home Secy
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27
Justice Nanavati Commission, probing into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots today issued notice to the Centre on a petition by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) for the examination of Union Home Secretary Kamal Pande regarding certain missing statements made before the Misra Commission by three Army officials, including the then Army Chief Gen A.S.Vaidya.

Justice G.T.Nanavati directed the government to file an affidavit within a week after Additional Solicitor-General K.K. Sud submitted that the Home Ministry needed a week’s time to reply to the petition after inspecting the records.

Listing the record which is missing — statements of General Vaidya, the then Commanding Officer, 15, Sikh Light Infantry Major J.S. Sandhu and the then GOC, Delhi Area Major General A.S. Jamwal — the DSGMC had sought necessary directions from the commission in the interest of “substantial justice”.

Earlier, the DSGMC Counsel H.S.Phoolka said since the government was of the view that the violence could not be controlled due to the non-availability of the Army, these documents could have been destroyed.

He said the statements made by these three would prove that a battalion of Army was actually called to deal with the riots in Delhi immediately after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, but it was prevented from controlling the situation.

The commission, which fixed April 12 for further hearing, also directed the government to file within a week an affidavit regarding the movement and meetings of the then Home Minister P V Narasimha Rao, who had called the Army to control the riots in which several thousand Sikhs were killed.

“This Hon’ble Commission had directed the Central Government to produce the records of Justice Ranganath Misra Commission. The Central Government has produced some records and also the list of files maintained by Misra Commission. It is surprising that the files pertaining to these three witnesses does not find mention anywhere,” the DSGMC petition said.

Underlining the importance of these three affidavits, the DSGMC said the commission would have to rely upon the statements of General Vaidya as well as Major Sandhu given before the Misra Commission, as both the above named officers have since expired.

The petition pointed out that the incident and the statement of these three witnesses would show the nexus between the persons then in power and their position of influence in the Central Government and the conspiracy to flare up the violence.

“It would also show the attempt of the then government to conceal the material information,” it said adding, “it is not clear as to whether the Misra Commission had handed over these files to the Central Government or not.”

“Under these circumstances it is absolutely necessary to examine the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, with a view to ascertaining the availability of these files and as such necessary directions/orders may kindly be passed in the interest of substantial justice,” it said. Top

 


Panel’s term extended
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27
The Cabinet today decided to extend the term of Justice Nanavati Commission of Inquiry set up to inquire into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the aftermath of assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The tenure is being extended by six months with effect from April 3, 2001, Union Parliamentary Minister, Mr Pramod Mahajan, told newspersons here today.

The Cabinet also approved the introduction of the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2001, in Parliament.

The Cabinet also approved the enhancement of the investment of MMTC in the steel project (Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited) from Rs 100 crore to Rs 150 crore.

The other decisions taken by the Cabinet today include the decision to introduce the Sugarcane Cess (Validation) Repeal Bill, 2001, the approval on agreement on plant health between India and Mexico, and the enhancement of maximum amount of single money order limit between India and other countries. India at present has a money order service with 29 countries.Top

 

Cong warns Trinamool on poll pact

New Delhi, March 27
The Congress today warned the Trinamool Congress that it would not be possible for it to forge an electoral alliance with it for the coming Assembly elections in West Bengal, if it gave a single seat to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Replying to questions by mediapersons here, AICC chief spokesperson S. Jaipal Reddy said, AICC general secretary and in charge of party’s affairs in the state Kamal Nath, had discussions with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee. Indications were positive and the Congress was optimistic of forging an alliance with the Trinamool Congress.

He, however, made it clear that the Congress would not have any truck with the TC, if it gave even a seat to the BJP. The Trinamool Congress before the talks with the Congress had committed 39 seats to the BJP. UNITop

 


Building byelaws amended
Steps for quake safety
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27
Following devastating earthquake in Gujarat recently, the Ministry of Urban Development has amended the Municipal bye-laws of Delhi, which falls under the seismic zone-IV, to incorporate compulsory safety features against earthquakes and enforce responsibility of owners, engineers and architects for its compliance.

The official notification to this effect was issued on March 21, 2001, the Union Urban Development Minister, Dr Jagmohan, told newspersons here today.

“Now, the building code and norms of structural safety have become a part of the Municipal bye-laws and Zoning Regulations and anyone submitting the building plan for construction of the building would have to comply with these norms,” he said.

The amended bye-laws will serve as a model for all other states, which have been directed by the Union Urban Development Ministry to bring about necessary changes in regulations to incorporate quake-proof building technologies, he said.

As per the amendments, three major clauses have been incorporated in the building bye-laws, 1983, to provide for compulsory quake-proof safety features and to enforce accountability.

It has been made mandatory to provide a certificate along with building plans, an undertaking that the plans submitted for approval satisfy the safety requirements, as stipulated by the National Building Code (NBC).

This certificate, as also the building plans, would have to carry the signatures of the building owner, the architect and the structural engineer.

A similar undertaking, also signed by these three, would have to be given at the time of obtaining the completion certificate, stating that the building has been constructed in accordance with the structural plans and design. The owner will be held responsible for any subsequent change from the construction design.

The draft notification, inviting objections and suggestions from the public for amendments to the capital’s building bye-laws, was issued by the ministry on February one, just five days after the killer quake struck Gujarat.

Jagmohan informed that an experts committee had also been set up to draft a bill to regulate entire building activities. The committee is likely to give its draft in three weeks time.

Asked about the Rent Control (Amendment) Bill, the Minister said the ministry was looking into the suggestions given by the Consultative Committee and a final Bill would be tabled soon in Parliament.
Top

 

Parliament to have Maharaja’s statue
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27
A bronze statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh will be installed in Parliament House complex during the year-long bicentennial celebrations of “Sher-e-Punjab”, the state Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said here today.

The Chief Minister made this announcement after presiding over a concept plan committee meeting in the Capital today.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was coronated on April 12, 1801 ,and he ruled the soverign kingdom of Punjab till 1839.

The year-long celebrations, which is estimated to cost Rs 1.6 crore, include the installation of Maharaja’s 18-feet equestrian statue in bronze in Parliament, for which the Lok Sabha Speaker has already given the sanction.

The statues of Maharaja Ranjit Singh riding on a horse back will also be installed at Ropar, Ranjit Sagar Dam and in the precincts of Parliament House complex.

The celebrations will start in Punjab with a function in Punjabi University on April 13, which will be marked with the setting up of a Maharaja Ranjit Singh Kala Bhavan, unveiling of portrait, commemorative volume of a book and honouring of the French writer Jean Marie Lafont, who has written much acclaimed book on “Maharaja Ranjit Singh and French Relations.”

Mr Badal said documentary films will be prepared on the life and works of the “Sher-e-Punjab” and would be shown across the country.

Mr Badal said he would personally request the Prime Minister to release a postage stamp on the life of Maharaja and also to allot a project to depict the life of the great Sikh ruler through latest modern techniques in panorama in Amritsar where a museum already exists.Top

 

Transport problem imminent in Delhi
Syed Ali Ahmed

New Delhi, March 27
Supreme Court’s conditional extension of the CNG deadline is likely to create acute problem for the Delhiites as majority of the city transport buses will not be on road after March 31.

The Apex Court order categorically states that those bus operators, including Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), who have placed orders or will do so by the end of this month for change of diesel buses into CNG will be allowed to ply in the Capital till September 30. The diesel buses which are more than eight-years-old have been banned from plying on Delhi roads.

Private bus operators are of the view that this order will create problems for the commuters as a majority of the buses will be off the road as they have not placed orders for neither CNG kits nor new buses conforming to the Supreme Court order.

The DTC buses numbering 2000 will be allowed to ply in the Capital as the DTC has placed order for change of CNG kits.

There are 6500 buses being run under kilometre scheme. Of them only 1000 buses will be allowed to ply after March 31. The operators of these buses said that: “We have placed orders for around 700 CNG buses and the number can go upto 1000”.

The general Secretary of the Contract Carriage Buses Association, Mr Harisha Sabharwal, said office goers and school students should start looking for alternatives. They will have approximatley 1000 contract carriage buses at their disposal. We have deployed around 3,500 buses for schools but orders for not more than 1000 buses will be placed.

He further said of 1000 school buses, only 200 will be on road.

The vice-president of the State Transporters Action Front, Mr Jagdish Sharma, said “We should be given more time to instal CNG kits in blue line and other buses.”
Top

 

UN role sought in heritage safety
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage has urged the government to move the United Nations and UNESCO to draw a global convention to prevent tragedies as the recent destruction of Buddhist statues in Bamiyan.

In a resolution adopted at INTACH’s annual general meeting here, the trust expressed distress over the destruction of Buddhist statues by Taliban. The resolution says the statues belonged not only to Afghanisthan but were part of the world heritage.

“Cultural heritage knows no geographical boundaries and it is a matter of concern that the entire world community were silent spectators to this ghastly incident. INTACH calls upon the United Nations and particularly, UNESCO, to evolve a convention for the safety of world cultural heritage providing for adequate protection in order to prevent such actions in future,” the resolution reads.

Sources in INTACH said copies of the resolution have been sent to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture.
Top

 

Animal houses in “deplorable state”
Tripti Nath
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27
A central government committee appointed to find the state of animal houses in the country has found that 300 of the 367 animal laboratories do not have basic facilities to house animals.

In its report the committee has stated that “there appears to be lack of knowledge and concern for the condition of the animals being used for experimentation and scientific protocol/standards.”

The committee has presented its appraisal on various institutes including the King Institute of Preventive Medicine, Chennai, Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited, Pune, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Italabs, Mumbai, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Marathwada, Agricultural University, Quest Institute of Life Sciences, Mumbai, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad and Rallis India Limited, Bangalore.

The committee has found that the research community, is not aware of the development in alternatives to animal experimentation or production of vaccines/sera.

The report reveals hard facts on the 100-year-old Chennai based King Institute of Preventive Medicine. The institute was found lacking in knowledge of WHO norms or the state-of-the art technology of ASVS (anti-snake venom serum) production. It pointed out that 200 horses died at the institute in the past two years due to non-adherence to scientific protocol. The institute continues to practise old and WHO banned method of anti-rabies vaccine production from the sheep’s brain. This is inhuman and said to be dangerous to the recipient.

Affairs at the Pune-based Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited was no different. 
Top

 

FIRB — answer to drought?
Tribune News Service

Chak 5B (Sriganganagar), March 27
The Furrow-irrigated raised bed system (FIRB) can be the answer to the problems faced by farmers due to the recurring droughts in the state. The new technique saves 40 per cent of the irrigation water besides cutting down the use of of fertilizer and seed by 25 per cent.

Sounds too good to be true but scientists at the Department of Agriculture here claim that the results have been so encouraging that farmers from the district and the neighbouring areas in Haryana facing water scarcity have evinced keen interest. Using the technique, the area under cultivation in Sriganganagar alone increased from just 16 hectares, last year, to over 250 hectares presently.

“It will take some time for the farmers to abandon the old method of open farming and flooding for irrigation purposes. The farmer today has to realise that he has to conserve a precious commodity like water as its availability in the years to some is going to decline, says Mr S. S. Kushwaha, Joint Director, Agriculture.

He was conducting a tour for inquisitive farmers at the village where many have bid adieu to the old methods and are using the new technique successfully. The difference in the quality of wheat and barley in the fields using FIRB were apparent even if one did not go by the beaming faces of the proud owners

Farmers like Rajinder Singh, Satnam Singh and Balwant Singh said, “The very people who scoffed and laughed at us are saying we will follow you. From 1 bigha, last year, we are on to 10 bighas now and will go on increasing it till all the land is sowed using FIRB”, they added.

They told TNS that they had saved nearly half the water, besides cutting down their seed and fertilizer input from 28 kg per hectare to 20 kg per hectare now. Among them, Balwant Singh went one step further and planted wheat in the furrows. I am open to experiments,” he reiterated.

The technique is simple. All one has to do is acquire a multipurpose DWR planter, which ploughs, plants and levels the soil, costing nearly Rs 14, 000. The planter ploughs two bunds and two furrows besides three small furrows on each bund on which the crop is planted. Small leveller attached to the planter covers the small furrows. The seed and fertilizer is mixed earlier and put in two containers attached to the equipment, he added.

Mr J S Sandhu, Deputy Director, said the equipment was initially designed to cut down on the amount of fertilizer and seeds per hectare. But the experiment revealed an additional and the most important saving — water, which in Rajasthan is worth its weight in gold,” he commented. During the rabi season the yield of wheat, gram, mustard and barley was nearly 60 quintals per hectare as compared to 44 quintals in open farming. Similar yields were recorded in the kharif season and the crops were gowar, moong, moth and bajra. It was also observed that while it took four hours for farmers to irrigate 1 hectare they could now do so in two and a half hours the first time and only two hours subsequently. It means a farmer having a turn of 12 hours of canal water could irrigate nearly double the area.Top

 

 

Court confiscates jeep of Irrigation Department
Our Correspondent

Hanumangarh, March 27
Disobeying the orders of the Civil Court in a case has cost dear to the Irrigation Department as the official jeep of the Executive Engineer, Division II of the department, has been attached by the court.

According to the information available, an employee of the department, Mr Yograj Sharma, retired in 1994 from Division II.

His pension was approved three years after his retirement, so he filed a claim in the court against the Executive Engineer of the Irrigation Department, Division II, and the Director, Pension Department, demanding the payment of interest for the period, over the pension and gratuity.

On June 7, 1999, Mr Sharma passed away, but his wife, Ms Krishan kept fighting the case.

In April, 2000, the Additional Civil Judge ordered the department to pay her Rs 42250, including the interest and the expenses incurred in fighting the case.

The department did not obey the order, following which the court confiscated the official jeep of the Executive Engineer, Division II. The next hearing of the case will be held on April 3.Top

 


Family goes to Home Minister for justice

Our Correspondent

Hanumangarh, March 27
After being deprived of justice and the police allegedly protecting the criminals, a family has knocked the doors of the state Home Minister for protection and to get justice.

The episode started about two months ago when after a minor dispute, Ram Chandra, Guddi, Ram Kumar, Lali and Manphool allegedly beat the family of Ms Parvati Devi, resident of Ward 19 of Rawatsar tehsil.

These people allegedly attacked the family and ran away after snatching the gold ornaments.

Next day, Ms Parvati Devi approached the police for registering a case against the attackers.

The SHO ordered a constable to accompany her to assess the situation.

In the presence of the constable, the persons again beat her up. When she went to police station, she was asked not to come again.

After this, Ms Parvati Devi wrote a letter to the SP, Hanumangarh, demanding action against the alleged culprits, but nothing was done allegedly.

Her appeal was ignored when she wrote to the DIG, Bikaner.

Things did not stop here, as Manphool, Phoola Ram and some others forcibly entered into Ms Parvati Devi’s house on February 23 and tried to rape her.

Listening to her cries, when her 15-year-old daughter came there, Phoola Ram attacked her with a knife cutting fingers of one of her hands.

After this, he also attacked Ms Parvati Devi.

When Ms Parvati Devi went to the police station and narrated the incident, the police officials provided her medical aid.

However, again no action was taken against the culprits.

Fed up of all this, the family on March 2, met the state Home Minister and demanded action against the alleged culprits.

After February 23, the family took shelter in a relative’s house, fearing loss of life and property at the hands of the alleged culprits.
Top

 

Sonali Bendre held, freed on bail

Mumbai, March 27
Film actress Sonali Bendre today was arrested along with two others for posing on a cover page of a magazine in a dress which allegedly hurt the religious sentiments of the people.

Bendre was produced before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Usha Iyer who released her and two others accused on bail on personal bond of Rs 12,000 with one surety each.

The other accused are dress designer Ashali Charles Rebello and photographer Amit Shanta Kumar Ashar.

The trio were charged under Section 295A of the IPC which deals with deliberate and malacious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class.

Bendre’s picture on the cover page of “Showtime” magazine (March 16-31 1998 issue) showed her attired in a short kurta with bare legs. The ochre-coloured top worn by her also bore religious motifs.
Top

 

Damage suit against IYC chief
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27
A Delhi-based journalist has filed a damage suit in the court of District Judge, Delhi, against Indian Youth Congress chief Randeep Singh Surjewala for making false and baseless allegations against him in a letter to the higher authorities in the newspaper.

The suit for damages of Rs 8 lakh has been filed by Mr Arvind Kumar Singh, a journalist with Amar Ujala.

According to Madhu Mukul Tripathi, counsel for Mr Arvind Kumar Singh the suit for damages was admitted on March 23. 
Top

 

Rlys told to attract traffic
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27
Railway Minister Nitish Kumar has underlined the need for adopting medium and long-term strategies to revive the railway finances.

Addressing Executive Director-level officers of the Railway Board here today, Mr Kumar said such strategies might be focussed on increasing the earnings on the one hand and reducing the expenditure on the other.

The minister said short-term measures needed to be taken immediately to ensure that the Railways became a viable organisation and also fulfilled the needs and aspirations of the citizens.

Mr Kumar said the Indian Railways had the inherent strength for stability and growth. He said non-traditional sources should be tapped for enhancing revenue. The Railways needed to attract more traffic and challenges from the road sector could be addressed with the right kind of planning and strategy.
Top

 

Uttarakhand Dal to launch agitation
Tribune News Service

Dehra Dun, March 27
The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal has decided to start an agitation to oppose the policies of the Swami government. Talking to the mediapersons last evening, Mr Kashi Singh Airy, senior leader said, the government had not fulfilled the promises made to the hillfolk of the state.

He alleged that the delay in division of assets was being done under a conspiracy, to win the hearts of the voters in Uttar Pradesh during the forthcoming assembly elections.

He alleged that after the formation of the state, the activities of land mafias have increased. He announced that their supporters will gherao the Assembly in the capital on April 7.
Top

 

Rs 3.2 cr for Dehra Dun’s facelift
Tribune News Service

Dehra Dun, March 27
The Uttaranchal Government has approved a plan of Rs 3.2 crore to improve the traffic system and street light arrangements in Dehra Dun. According to a press note the proposal includes 15 link roads joining main roads of the city.

Light systems are to be installed at 15 main road crossings of the capital. Rupees 12 lakh has been earmarked for this project. Further, the government will start a drive to improve the sanitary system of the cty. For pavement work in 12 roads Rs 70 lakh has been earmarked during the first phase.Top

 

 
NATIONAL BRIEFS

Indian cure for foot and mouth disease
Varanasi:
India can help England and some other countries of Western Europe currently grappling with the dreaded foot and mouth disease. A 19th century Indian text ‘Vrishalpadrum’ (veterinary medicine) lists several ways to treat foot and mouth disease, which has threatened the poll schedule in England and dealt a blow to tourism and agrarian economy. The author of the text, Keshava Singh, also mentions the history of the disease in the sub-continent. UNI

SC ruling on fake licence
New Delhi:
The Supreme Court on Tuesday held that renewal of a fake licence by authorities would not render it valid and in case of a vehicle driven by a fake licence holder met with an accident, the compensation paid to third party by an insurance company would be recoverable from the vehicle owner. Referring to an accident of a truck whose driver had a fake licence, the Bench said if there was any breach of the policy conditions, the insurance company was entitled to recover the paid amount from the vehicle owner. PTI

Illegal falcon trade on rise
Mumbai:
Illegal falcon trade is on the rise, severely affecting the population of these endangered birds in the country, according to a recent study. The World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF-India) wildlife trade monitoring unit, TRAFFIC, reveals that the falcon business was very lucrative. The Wildlife Department sources said falcons were regularly smuggled out of India to the West Asia at the start of each winter season through Pakistan, Nepal, a few of them were sold in the local markets too. UNI

Moves to tackle drought in Tripura
Agartala:
The Tripura Government has decided to tackle drought, sweeping across remote and hilly parts of the state Information Minister Jitendra Chowdhury said here on Tuesday. This decision was taken at a meeting of the council of ministers held here on Monday. The council decided to ensure supply of drinking water in the drought-hit areas by tankers besides installation of tubewells and creation of natural sources of water, he said. PTI

Former Congress minister dead
Guwahati:
Former Congress minister and freedom fighter Golok Rajbongshi died after a prolonged illness on Monday, family sources said here on Tuesday. Rajbongshi was 76. He is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter. He was elected to the Assam Legislative assembly for five consecutive terms since 1972 from Balipara constituency. He held the post of Deputy Speaker from 1972, and was Cabinet Minister during the 1978, 1983 and 1991 terms. PTI

Kanpur riots ‘were conspired’
Lucknow:
The recent riots in Kanpur were not Hindu-Muslim but a planned conspiracy by the police, the PAC and the RSS to attack the minority community, the All-India Muslim Forum (AIMF) and CPI (ML) alleged here on Tuesday. The AIMF president, Mr Nehaluddin, alleged the police made an unprovoked lathicharge and then resorted to firing in Muslim-dominated areas after Muslim youths took out a procession on March 16 protesting the reported burning of the Quran in Delhi. PTI

Fake notes worth Rs 50,000 seized
Agartala:
A person was arrested on Monday and fake currency worth more than Rs 50,000 was seized from him, the Ambassa police said on Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off, the police traced the smuggler, Ajit Debbarma, in the Rakhal Tali area in Dhalai district. All notes were of Rs 500 denomination, it said. UNI
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