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Saturday,
May 12, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Panel favours Art 356 with
changes PM to the aid
of drought-hit states Storage of wheat no
problem: Mittal
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Heat wave
claims 13 lives 20 women get Shiromani
awards PM honours nine defence
scientists ‘Dead men’ to fight for voting rights in Kerala SC directive to CBI
in Bofors case ‘Scam’ in gurdwara
computerisation Scientist smears
face of NRDC chief Legality of polygamy
questioned Special cell begins probe in blast case Hoax bomb
call VSNL,
BSNL, MTNL plans on basic services fail Fugitive actor lands in
jail Robber injures ASI, frees
accomplice Fire destroys huts of Bihari migrants 6 jailed for injuring man
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Panel favours Art 356 with
changes New Delhi, May 11 The suggestions form part of the consultation paper on the
specifical Article released for public debate by the Commission to review the working of the Constitution. The Commission also released three other consultation papers on the institution of Governor under the Constitution, pace of socio-economic change under the Constitution, and enlargement of Fundamental Rights. Chairman of the Commission, Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, said the review was being done in 10 broad areas to be discussed through 29 consultation papers. With the inclusion of these four papers, the Commission has so far released 11 papers. He said the response in the past was mixed with several quality suggestions coming in but these were not much in quantity. The Consultation paper on Article 356 looks at the whole gamut of the provision, read along with supplementary provisions on emergency situations. One of the suggestions says that it should be provided that until both Houses of Parliament approve the proclamation issued in clause (1) of Article 356, the Legislative Assembly cannot be dissolved and if necessary can be kept only in suspended animation. The proclamation should carry the circumstances and the grounds on which the President took the decision, the paper has said. It also suggests that the issue of majority of a ministry should be decided only on the floor of the Assembly and nowhere else. The paper on the institution of Governor says that it accepts the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission in principle with certain minor modifications. It seeks a specific amendment to Articles 155 and 156 to incorporate the following changes. It feels the appointment be entrusted to a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, the Chief Minister of the state concerned and the Vice-President, if need be. Such a committee has to be specifically included in the Constitution, and not a part of informal consultations as the Sarkaria Commission recommended. On giving assent to Bills, the paper suggests that the time has come to take a step beyond the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission report. It is suggested that a time limit of four months for the Governor to decide upon a Bill has to be specifically provided in the Constitution. In the case of the reference to the President, an outer limit of three months should be prescribed for him to give assent, direct the Governor to return the same to the Legislature, or to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court. The paper also suggests that Money Bills should be specifically exempt from the reference procedure. The paper on socio-economic change outlines the constitutional scheme for securing human development, the realisation and effectuation of the goals enshrined in the Directive Principles of State Policy and the secure uplift and development of women, children and other weaker sections of the society. The paper suggests that health, well-being and education etc were not mere indicators of economic development but these were essential ingredients for the very process of economic development. |
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PM to the aid of drought-hit states New Delhi, May 11 The directive comes in the light of an intensive review of drought mitigation efforts being undertaken in various states with the Centre’s assistance, an official press note said today. The additional funds will cover the cost of foodgrains being provided to the states free of charge to run food-for-work programmes, and meet the requirements of drinking water and fodder for cattle. The Prime Minister has also directed that damaged foodgrains lying in FCI godowns should be made available to the state governments free of cost for use as cattle feed. These damaged foodgrains would be transported to the states concerned free of cost by the Railways. In another move designed to ease the fiscal pressure on state governments battling drought conditions, the Prime Minister has directed the Finance Ministry to release the entire instalment of the Calamity Relief Fund to the states immediately, instead of in two instalments over the course of the year as per normal practice.
UNI |
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Storage of wheat no
problem: Mittal New Delhi, May 11 Of this, 95 lakh tonnes already were procured till yesterday. Punjab Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Madan Mohan Mittal, who met Union Food Distribution and Consumer Affairs Minister Shanta Kumar here to demand the creation of additional storage capacity and early movement of procured stock, told The Tribune that the procurement was going smoothly at the 1,650 purchase centres set up in the state. While 28 per cent of the procurement had been done by the FCI, the rest had been done by the state agencies. Traders in the state, who had purchased two lakh tonnes of wheat last year, had taken only miniscule quantity this time. The traders, it is learnt, are purchasing wheat from other states at a much lower price. Mr Mittal denied that state would face problems of storage saying that an additional storage capacity of 60 lakh tonnes had been created in the state. He, however, admitted that the state was saddled with old stock of 90 lakh tonnes but hoped that stocks would be cleared by expeditious movement of wheat to the consuming states. “Enough space would be available for storing paddy when the crop comes to market in about four months,” he assured. The Punjab government, he said, had launched a “late sowing campaign” for paddy crop to ensure that quality of crop is uniformly good. He said that farmers were being requested not to sow crop before June 10. He informed that the state was also encouraging farmers to grow alternative crops and some farmers had already taken to growing pulses, oilseeds and cotton. During his meeting with Mr Shanta Kumar, Mr Mittal emphasised the need of creating more storage centres in the consuming states. He said that decision of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajapyee to raise the minimum support price of wheat this year to Rs 610 per quintal had benefited the Punjab farmers by Rs 1,000 crore. A meeting of the state Chief Ministers has been called by the Prime Minister on May 21 to discuss issues relating to agriculture, Mr Mittal said. |
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Heat wave
claims 13 lives
New Delhi, May 11 Frequent power cuts added to woes of the people who had an uncomfortable day with the sun beating down mercilessly and hot winds blowing across the
regions. Amritsar baked at 46.9 degrees celsius while the national capital experienced the hottest day of the season registering 44.5 degrees
celsius. Streets and marketplaces wore a deserted look with people preferring to remain in doors at many places.
PTI |
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20 women get Shiromani
awards New Delhi, May 11 Twenty women, including Congress MP from Phillaur, Santosh Chowdhry were honoured with the awards by former Prime Minister, H. D. Deve Gowda. The awards were instituted by the Shiromani Institute, a non corporate voluntary organisation to focus public attention on the achievements of women. Dr Bedi chose to read out a two-page letter sent by a “well qualified” yet “sentimental” woman deserted by her husband in the absence of any proof of marriage. According to the letter, the woman’s husband married her in a temple in the absence of any priest. Taking advantage of the fact that there was no proof of their marriage, he deserted her. Dr Bedi said that the letter poses the crucial question of the kind of education we are imparting to our girls and boys. She said that while on the one hand, we are empowering the girls by providing them best education, we are disempowering them by not teaching them how to deal with their emotions. The recipients of the award are NCW Chairperson, Vibha Parathsarthy, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker, Prathibha Bharathi, MP from Phillaur, Santosh Chowdhry, Chairman and Managing director, Indian Trade Promotion Organisation, Rathi Vinay Jha, Trustee, Infosys Foundation, Sudha Murty, singer Shubha Mudgal, Joint Managing Director, Hotel Inter-Continental, Jyotsana Suri, Additional Director General, News & Current Affairs, Deepak Sandhu, Commissioner (Preventive Operations) Customs and Central Excise, Vijay Zutshi, Additional Director-General, Prasar Bharati, Omita Paul, Delhi Times Editor, Sabina Saigal Saikia, Rajya Sabha MP, Vanga Geeta, classical singer Anita Singhvi, Principal of Jesus and Mary college, Sister Marina, Kathak dancing duo, Nalini and Kamalini, Deputy Commissioner of Police, East zone, Hyderabad, A.R. Anuradha, Lt Governor of Pondicherry, Dr Rajani Rai, educationist, D. Nagamani, President, India International Centre, Dr Kapila Vatsyayan an social worker Santhi Gurumurthy. Former Election Commissioner, G.V.G. Krishnamurthy said that in the last elections to Parliament, few political parties gave ticket to women. Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said that under the principles of natural justice, women who form half of the nation’s population, deserve representation in Parliament and all other elected bodies and nominated organs. “The same share should go to them in the government and semi-government organisations. Their share in all other professions including farming, industry, trade and technology should do real justice to the principle of gender equality.” Former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda said, “We are in public life. We know how the women force is being oppressed and supressed. Nobody is willing to give them equal opportunity.” Mrs Vibha Parthsarthy, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women and a recipient of the award, said that the unprecedented proclamation made by Akal Takht that female foeticide is neither acceptable nor permitted in the community is very significant. She said that an increase in the number of abortions following sex determination tests has resulted from a combination of factors as traditional mindset, modern technology and unethical and unprofessional use of it by doctors. The NCW Chairperson expressed the hope that each award would send a message to thousands of sitas to draw their own line and chart their own course. |
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PM honours nine defence scientists
New Delhi, May 11 Mr Narayanan, who has also done pioneering work on India’s pilotless target aircraft, Lakshya, and unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicle, Nishant, was awarded this year’s Technology Leadership award. Mr J Jayaraman and his team of scientists who worked on the Lakshya project were presented DRDO award for Performance Excellence. The scientists’ roll of honour included N Divakar who was recognised for his work on servo-control systems for IFF-Mark II, Ajanta and Trishul projects. He is also the project leader of Navy’s electronic warfare systems — Sangraha. Mr B R Grover, a combat vehicles scientist, was decorated for coming up with a time-bound joint action plan for MBT Arjun. Sistla Ravind was honoured for his significant contribution of advanced radar systems — Rajendra. Mr S Umamaheswara Reddy was recognised for his successful develoment of a high-power, wideband travelling wave tube (TWT) or the Tempest Electronic Warfare System. Mr G Malakondaiah of Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory
(DMRL), Hyderabad, was awarded for developing a new low-cost high strength steel for missiles.
PTI |
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‘Dead men’ to fight for voting rights in Kerala Thiruvananthapuram, May 11 Several of them, whose names were deleted on the ground that either they were dead or had shifted residence, have decided to move court. Angry outbursts in polling booths throughout the state yesterday are a clear indication that the issue is unlikely to die down soon. It was alleged that the revision was done in 10 days arbitrarily and without following procedures. The names of tens of thousands of voters, who possessed voters’ identity cards, were deleted in the final list. Contradictions were also reported in the list supplied to the political parties and the poll officials. According to highly-placed sources in the Congress-led United Democratic Front
(UDF), the officials responsible for this “criminal negligence” are unlikely to go scot free if the UDF came to power. Senior leaders
A.K. Antony and Thennala Balakrishan Pillai have already lodged a strong protest with the Election Commission on the
issue. Mr Pillai asked the EC to hold an inquiry into the last-minute deletion of thousands of names from the rolls. The officials responsible for the deletion of the names of eligible voters without any proper investigation should be punished, he demanded.
UNI |
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SC directive to CBI
in Bofors case New Delhi, May 11 The court adjourned till tomorrow the hearing of the special leave petition of Mr S.P. Hinduja, Mr G.P. Hinduja and Mr P.P. Hinduja against the Delhi High Court verdict rejecting their plea for permission to leave India pending trial in the Bofors case. Mr Justice Sabharwal expressed the view that considering the nature of the case, the evidence and the list of 95 witnesses, most of them being foreigners, the trial would take years. However, the counsel for CBI, Mr N. Natrajan, submitted that if the Hinduja brothers cooperated with the trial, it could be concluded within 6 months or at the most one year. The judges, doubting that the trial of the case could be concluded within six months, indicated that the Hinduja brothers may be permitted to go out with conditions to ensure their presence during the trial, Mr Justice Shah was of the view that suitable conditions could be imposed to ensure the presence of the accused, when required, in the trial. Senior counsel Kapil Sibal, appearing for the accused submitted that the accused were prepared to give an undertaking to the court that they would not runaway. He said the court could impose any condition to ensure the presence of the brothers in the trial. Mr Sibal contended that the impugned high court judgment of April 27 took away the right of discharge of the accused. If the order of the high court was sustained, it would tantamount to punishing the accused long before the trial, he emphasised. Senior counsel Rajendra Singh and Mr P.P. Rao also appeared for the Hinduja brothers. Meanwhile, opposing the move of the CBI for a split in the Bofors pay-off case, the Hinduja brothers and former Defence Secretary S.K. Bhatnagar said today that for the same charges there could be no different trial and asked the investigating agency to give an undertaking not to have a fresh trial if the other accused were caught later. Special Judge R.L. Chugh adjourned the court till May 14 as the arguments remained inconclusive. Senior counsel Dinesh Mathur, appearing for Mr Bhatnagar, said that according to Article 14 of the Constitution, everybody was equal before the law and deserved equal protection from the law. It would not be justified to start trial against the six accused — Mr S.P. Hinduja, Mr P.P. Hinduja, Mr G.P. Hinduja, Mr S.K. Bhatnagar, former Bofors agent Win Chadha and the manufacturer A.B. Bofors as they volunteered to face the court, he said. |
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‘Scam’ in gurdwara
computerisation New Delhi, May 11 “A huge expenditure of Rs 2 crore for the installation of computers cannot be passed in such a manner without deliberating the issue and bringing it on the main agenda, whereas in every item of the agenda the amount of expenditure is mentioned,” said the Senior Vice-President of the DSGMC, Mr Dalvinder Singh Ayur. Mr Ayur is also the member of the Delhi unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), which controls the DSGMC. In a letter to the DSGMC President, Mr Avtar Singh Hit, he said the computerisation matter had not been discussed by the executive, so the question of approval of Rs 2 crore for the project did not arise. A copy of the letter is in the possession of The Tribune. Mr Ayur told The Tribune that he had written the letter as the norms and procedure of passing the agenda were not followed. Denying the allegations of scam, Mr Hit said the computerisation had been undertaken to provide transparency in the system. “The executive met here yesterday and passed the agenda. It was boycotted by a couple of persons, including Mr Ayur. However, it has been approved by the executive,” Mr Hit said. Mr Ayur had demanded in the letter that the payment made to the company should be taken back as it had not been passed by the executive. A former DSGMC President, Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, said the whole computerisation programme smacked of scam as the project was given to Webuzz Software and Multiple Zones by the DSGMC without calling for any tender or advertisements. “The hardware and software could have been purchased at much lower rates than that has been quoted by the DSGMC,” he alleged while seeking a probe into the scam. He said the president of the DSGMC as per the rules did not have the right to spend more than Rs 1,000 without the approval of the executive. The DSGMC computerisation project aims to link gurdwaras in the Capital with one another through the wide area network (WAN) system. In the initial phase, four gurdwaras — Bangla Sahib, Sis Ganj, Nanak Piao and Rakab Ganj — have been linked with one another. Ms Kawal Kahlon, Director of Webuzz Software, the company which has provided the software for the project, said “every activity of the gurdwara is recorded and maintained.” “The automated process would encompass issue of prasad slips, receipts of donations, purchase management of eatable items for langar and other capital expenditure,” she said. Mr Atul Kapoor, Vice-President of Multiple Zones, which has provided the hardware for the project, said “two high capacity servers have been installed at Rakab Ganj gurdwara. These are lined on a WAN to local servers in the other three gurdwaras.” |
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Scientist smears face of NRDC chief New Delhi, May 11 Middle-aged scientist Sanjeev Jaidka, who complained that the NRDC had stalled commercialisation of his research product, sprung the surprise in the convention hall of Hotel Ashoka where Mr Krishna Kant and Mr Joshi launched an “Electric Car Reva”. The scientist also threw some leaflets and shouted in the hall in the presence of the dignitaries and scientists from across the country during the ceremony. Mr Jaidka also went up to the dias and shouted at Mr Joshi and other dignitaries present. He left the hall on his own but was taken into police custody later on.
UNI |
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Legality of polygamy
questioned New Delhi, May 11 The writ petition, filed by a divorced Muslim wife, Julekhabai, from Madhya Pradesh, naming her ex-husband, Mohd Fazal, as a respondent, also challenged the customary divorce governing the community. The relief sought was declaration as illegal and void the “talaqnama” dated May 11, 1996 whereby the wife was given extra-judicial divorce and continued validity of her marriage. Ms Lily Thomas, counsel for the petitioner, contended that the court should proceed against the state for suppressing Muslim wives and their families for depriving them of their constitutional equality and social justice for the past 50 years. The petition stated: “While outlawing the customs of polygamy, “talaq” and extra-judicial divorce, the petitioner seeks to invoke the sovereign powers of the court under Article 32, read with Articles 13, 14, 15, 21 and 142 of the Constitution, to declare monogamy and judicial divorce as the true law of marriage and divorce applicable to the Muslim community. The petition also challenged the specific provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, relating to provisions regarding marriage and dissolution of marriage, including “talaq”. |
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Special cell begins probe in blast case
New Delhi, May 11 Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch) Balaji Shrivastav said they would look into the Hizbul claim and track down the culprits. The Hizbul Mujaideen issued a statement in Srinagar earlier in the day, claiming responsibilty for the blasts. It said the blast were intended to convey to the Vajpayee government that “Mujaideen can strike at will anywhere across India.” The Delhi police had entrusted its special cell with the probe into the case, suspecting the involvement of some terrorist organisation.
UNI |
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Hoax bomb
call New Delhi, May 11 The police has tightened security around the BJP MPs. The police, however, did not identify the MPs. The police received a call this morning that a bomb had been planted near Lodhi Garden. Senior police officers, sniffer dogs and bomb disposal squad of the Delhi police reached the spot. A black polythene bag was recovered from bushes near gate No. 4 of Lodhi Garden in which some cosmetics were kept. Militants involvement was not suspected in today’s hoax call. It could be the handiwork of mischievous elements, the Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi Range), Mr Suresh Roy, said. VSNL,
BSNL, MTNL plans on basic services fail New Delhi, May 11 “Having capabilities to extend our operations as a very logical and viable backward business integration, we should have been allowed the services,” a top VSNL official told UNI. However, government sources said these entities were not eligible to offer basic services as the policy00 guidelines for basic operators stipulate that companies having the same promoter (in this case the government) cannot offer basic services in the same circle.
UNI Fugitive actor lands in
jail Sriganganagar, May 11 Chak 12 FF resident Prithviraj Singh (40), who also plays the lead role in yet another unreleased film, “Khoon Sarikan Da”, was arrested after the police received information that the actor was visiting his family and had been staying in the village for the past couple of days. The film is scheduled for release next month and the songs of the film are regularly being aired on music channels. Initially, he resisted arrest by claiming to be a senior officer but when confronted with facts he had no reply. He was later presented in a court at Karanpur and has been remanded in judicial custody. Police sources said he was arrested for smuggling liquor in 1989 and was booked under the Excise Act. He was subsequently convicted by a court but in view of his age was given a suspended sentence of simple imprisonment for a year. He jumped bail and that was the last anybody heard of him till now. He was declared a proclaimed offender two and a half years ago. He is said to have fled to Bombay and did bit parts before landing the hero’s role in the two Punjabi films. Robber injures ASI, frees
accomplice Hanumangarh, May 11 According to information, at a marriage party going on at a local marriage palace on May 6, two robbers tried to snatch gold ornaments from the guests and also fired bullets. While one of them ran away, people caught hold of the other and handed him over to the police at the nearby police station in the industrial area. The booked robber indentified himself as Satnam of the local Housing Board colony. A pistol of .310 bore was seized from him. While the ASI, Mr Ashu Singh, was interrogating the robber, his accomplice reached the police station and took Satnam away after injuring the ASI. Satnam was, however, arrested again after three days. The police has registered cases under the IPC and the Arms Act, but instructions were reportedly issued to the staff at the police station and guests at the marriage party not to disclose the incident. Yesterday, the police caught Satnam again. The ASP, Mr Inder Jeet Singh Bhati, denied any involvement in keeping the matter a secret. He said he had sent a press note giving all the information regarding the incident, adding that action would be taken against control room employees found guilty of hiding the incident. The case was registered on the night of May 6. According to rules, information about the incident was to be given to the higher authorities. The SP, ASP and other higher officials were, however, not informed about the incident. Fire destroys huts of Bihari migrants Hanumangarh, May 11 Bhimadev, an employee of a local school, had taken Rs 6,000 as advance from the school to buy a rickshaw but the currency notes were also burnt along with some electronic goods. A short circuit is suspected to be the cause of the fire. 6 jailed for injuring man Hanumangarh, May 11 According to information, Om Prakash Meghwal of Bhnawali Dhani registered a case in the police station on October 8, 1998, in which he complained that Purnaran and his associates had attacked his brother Hariram when he was coming from Moounda. |
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