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Friday,
May 18, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Mamata to move SC against
CEC Cong appeases Left
parties Jaswant briefs Li on US
proposals
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Poll for 5 RS seats on June
11 Pondy Cong CLP leader
today Exercise by Japanese ships
Modi asked to end Uttaranchal
crisis Swami for ceasefire extension 34 MLAs ask Koijam to quit Women toil in drought-hit hot
desert Teachers, parents can monitor sites kids
surf
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Mamata to move SC against
CEC Kolkata, May 17 Keeping herself confined to her residence-cum-party headquarters in South Kolkata for 48 hours after the poll debacle the Trinamool chief has now come out in the open, making a barrage of charges against her political rival the CPM and the state Congress leadership. But her “new enemies” now include Mr Gill and the BJP-led government in Delhi has accused of conspiring with the CPM against her in the poll. “We have left the NDA on corruption issue and they have taken a revenge by getting us defeated in the election,” she alleged. Reacting to Ms Banerjee’s allegation the CEC remarked “it is unfortunate that such an allegation has been raised”. The elections in West Bengal were free and fair and peaceful, except in some booths where proper polling could not take place due to technical problems in the electronic voting machines. Mr Gill added. The Trinamool chief, however, was not pleased. On the contrary, she made direct charges against Mr Gill alleging that he had acted at the instance of the BJP leadership against her on a promise of a ‘suitable job’ after his retirement, which is due next month. “But I tell you I shall not sit idle, I shall teach them lesson,” Ms Banerjee said adding that the people were with her though they could not give their verdict in ballot boxes”. The Trinamool demanded a probe by the Supreme Court into the booth-wise polling in the state which it believed would reveal how the ruling CPM rigged elections with the active participation of the police, administration and the Election Commission. According to Mr Pankaj Banerjee, at least in 11 districts, including Midnapore, Burdwan, Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, Jalpaiguri and Coochbehar, where the elections had been rigged the Trinamool and the Congress supporters could not exercise their franchise. Ms Banerjee would boycott the oath-taking ceremony of the Left Front government tomorrow as a mark of protest. She threatened she would soon launch an agitation against the CPM. She altogether ruled out any possibility of returning to the Vajpayee government. |
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Cong appeases Left
parties New Delhi, May 17 Fresh from its victories in the Assembly elections, the Congress is now aiming to “weaken’’ the NDA government for which understanding with the Left would be crucial. The Congress has also simultaneously begun weaning away allies of NDA by highlighting the “dangers’’ of their continuing with the BJP. The party is making special mention of the defeats suffered by BJP allies in Tamil Nadu and Assam in the recently held polls. Playing down the statement by the a senior CPM leader about the Congress aligning with anti-Marxist forces, senior party leader Jaipal Reddy said that the CPM was an ideological party and he could not venture to give it advice. Congress leaders say that the CPM was yet to recover from the election campaign rhetoric and it would not be sagacious to react at this juncture. In fact, in its effort to reduce the saffron space, the Congress is willing to be “indulgent’’ towards all those parties which are “genuinely secular.’’ The secular umbrella, according to the Congress leaders, not only has space for the Left parties but even for some allies of the BJP. In an effort not to displease the Left, the Congress central leadership has decided not take notice of the strong charges of rigging against the Left government made by its ally Trinamool Congress. The party leadership is also willing to forget some strident statements made by its own senior leaders in the state. “These are minor contradictions of huge political parties,’’ Mr Reddy says. Observers here see a stage being created by the Congress for an eventual understanding with the Left against the NDA government. CPM General Secretary Harkrishen Singh Surjeet had said yesterday after the Politburo meeting that the party’s relationship with the Congress would depend on its attitude. |
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Jaswant briefs Li on US
proposals New Delhi, May 17 Briefing newspersons about talks between Mr Jaswant Singh and Mr Li, a spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs said the two sides exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest and in that context the External Affairs Minister briefed the visiting Chinese leader on the recent visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. Mr Jaswant Singh, who underlined the importance that New Delhi attached to developing relations with China on the basis of Panchsheel and mutual sensitivity to each other’s concerns, underscored that further development of relations and the settlement of outstanding issues of mutual concern would be beneficial to peace and stability of the region. “China and India, as the two largest developing countries, had a common responsibility to promote economic development, promote the well-being of their people and also further strengthen bilateral ties”, Mr Li said expressing happiness over his first-ever visit to India. While Mr Jaswant Singh had extended an invitation to Mr Li quiet sometime back as part of the continuing series of recent regular high level political exchanges between the two countries, he used the opportunity to clearly state India’s stand on the US global security proposals. He told Mr Li, who is known to be a protege of Chinese President Jiang Zemin and is tipped to become the next Chinese Premier after the present Prime Minister steps down at the 16th CPC Congress, that New Delhi’s stand on the US
proposals was in no way directed against Beijing. Conveying China’s willingness to share with India the experiences of Guangdong province in operating special economic zones, Mr Li showed interest in India’s expertise in the field of information technology. Minister of Information Technology and Parliamentary Affairs Pramod Mahajan will call on Mr Li tomorrow. Mr Li today called on President K.R. Narayanan. Mr Narayanan during his visit to China, last year, had paid a visit to Guangdong. |
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Poll for 5 RS seats on June
11 New Delhi, May 17 There are three casual vacancies in the Upper House, caused by the death of Devi Lal (Haryana) on April 6 and the resignation of Mr Raj Mohinder Singh (Punjab) on March 1, 2001, and Mr Rajnath Singh (Uttar Pradesh) on April 19, 2001. Both Dr Manmohan Singh (Congress) and Mahanta (AGP), elected to the Upper House from Assam, are to retire on June 14 at the end of their term. While Devi Lal’s term was up to August 1, 2004, that of Mr Raj Mohinder Singh was up to July 4, 2004, and of Mr Rajnath Singh up to April 2, 2006. While Mr Rajnath Singh quit the Upper House after taking over as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Raj Mohinder Singh resigned after becoming a member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly from Majitha in a byelection. According to the commission announcement, the poll notification will be issued on May 25 and the last date for filing nominations will be June 1. Scrutiny of nominations will be taken up on June 2 while June 4 will be the last date for withdrawal of candidature. Polling will be held on June 11 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and counting will start at 5 p.m. on the same day. The entire election process would be completed by June 13, the commission said. |
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Pondy Cong CLP leader today Pondicherry, May 17 According to PCC president V. Narayanasamy, the newly elected Congress legislators will choose the CLP leader here tomorrow in the presence of the AICC observers, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mr Motilal Vora, who will arrive here this evening. The two observers are expected to hold separate discussions with the elected members to know by tonight their views about the CLP leader. The leader will then be elected at a meeting scheduled to be held at the PCC office. The Congress-led front got 13 seats in the 30-member territorial Assembly, falling short of three to form the government. With the AIADMK extending support, the hurdle to secure a majority was overcome.
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10,000 troops take part in Vijay Shakti Somewhere in the Northern Sector, May 17 Code-named “ex Vijay Shakti”, the exercise, which started on May 4 will continue for some more days. Over 10,000 troops, 150 tanks and 1000 soft vehicles are taking part in the drill. The exercise apart from training doctrine in plains will also help in the management of large-scale logistics. “Such exercise are imperative to keep the forces ready at very short notice and ensure proper coordination between the Army and the Air Force in case of any operation,” said Major General H.S.Kanwar, Chief of Staff, 16th Nagrota Corps, who is supervising the exercise. “They help in maintaining conventional edge over the enemy and counter proxy war in an effective manner,” he added. In all 15 fighters including MiG 21, 23, 27 took part in target practice, which were supported by helicopters guiding attack by ground troops. The Russian made T-72 and the infantry combat vehicle BNP-1 were also used. “As per the international norms, we have informed Pakistan about the exercise and these are carried out at a certain distance from the international border,” Maj-Fen Kanwar said. “It is absolutely essential to keep a standing Army of our repute in a state of total readiness for conventional operations which is our primary task. And to achieve that, there is no better method other than conducting exercises, which offer realism in training by way of integration of all components that enables us to validate our military concepts vis-a-vis the fast changing modernised approach of warfare,” he added. The exercises are set based on two opposing forces, Blue Land and Red Land on near actual format and all realistic advantages have been given to the adversary. The broad setting was that Red Land, known for its grand strategy of restricting the conflict to a particular sector of Blue Land, launched a major offensive with ambitious aims. However, the misadventure was successfully contested and contained by Blue Land, who were forced to go in for counter offensives in other sectors sensitive to Red Land.
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Exercise by Japanese ships New Delhi, May 17 The visit to Chennai included social interaction, call on military and other dignitaries and sports fixtures. A passage exercise with the Indian naval ships, Kuthar and
Kirpan, under the command of Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet, was also conducted off Chennai on May 17. The exercise included basic
maneuvers, flag hoist drills, replenishment procedures and exchange of gun salutes. Passage exercises, besides forming an important part of maritime diplomacy, is a step towards cooperative engagement between maritime nations. |
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Modi asked to end Uttaranchal
crisis Dehra Dun, May 17 According to sources close to Mr Nityanand Swami, Chief Minister, he spoke to Mr Advani last night on the telephone regarding the anti-party activities of senior leaders and MLAs in the state. Mr Advani assured the Chief Minister that Mr Modi would arrive in Dehra Dun to hold talks with the party leaders on May 19. Mr Advani, who is arriving here on May 20 morning, will take stock of the dissident activities of party leaders in Uttaranchal before attending a meeting at Mussoori on May 20 and 21. Mr Kalraj Mishra has also been summoned to Dehra Dun on May 19 to have discussions with the dissident leaders. Mr Mishra is in charge of the party affairs of Uttaranchal. Sources within the party disclosed that the dissidents had been holding secret meetings on dinner since the past couple of days to gain strength for putting up the last ‘onslaught” against the Chief Minister. They have been demanding the replacement of the Chief Minister eversince the formation of the new state on November 9 last. Meanwhile, Mr Swami has also started lobbying within the state unit of the party and with senior BJP leaders at the Centre to retain his supremacy in Uttaranchal. At present, he is facing threat from Mr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Finance Minister of the state who is said to be the main contender for the post of Chief Minister. Political observers say that the key role behind the scene is being played by Mr Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Power Minister of the state. |
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Swami for ceasefire extension New Delhi, May 17 “An interlocutor has been appointed and he has already initiated talks with various Kashmiri groups... If this process needs to be carried forward, the ceasefire should be extended further,” Mr Swami told a select group of newspersons here. Stressing “pursuasion”, “negotiation” and “patience” were paramount to resolve the vexed Kashmir issue, he pointed out that enough time should be given for the success of the peace initiative. While admitting that the ground situation in the valley during the ceasefire period so far had not been up to the “expectation”, the minister blamed Pakistan and the Pak-sponsored militant outfits for the same. “Foreign mercenaries and pro-Pak militant outfits have no love left for the people of Kashmir... They have developed a vested interest in ISI money, arms smuggling, drug trafficking and fake currencies,” he said. |
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34 MLAs ask Koijam to quit Imphal, May 17 In a letter to Mr Koijam, the MLAs accused him of “flagarantly violating” all agendas of governance set at the time of formation of the People’s Front government and said they had lost confidence in him. In another development, Mr L.Jatra Singh of the MSCP, Deputy Chairman of state Planning Board, resigned from his post today and joined the rival camp led by Mr Dorendra Singh.
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Women toil in drought-hit hot
desert Kaiser Kheri (Chittorgarh), May 17 Women in Kaiser Kheri village, about 40 km from Chittorgarh, have accepted a difficult way of life. For some, the day begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. at the sites of the state government run projects for famine relief. For others, it means trudging miles to fetch water to quench their thirst and fulfil their daily needs. The wages of labour are Rs 60 which includes 5 kg wheat per day at the rate of Rs 4.60 per kg under the government’s oft-boasted Food for Work Programme. They get the wages and wheat at the end of a fortnight. And, the government claims that its wages are the highest fixed by drought-hit states. The village has no cattle camp and villagers are forced to abandon their cattle due to non-availability of water. Jamaklal Purbia, a Class X student of Government Secondary School, Bamnia, told this correspondent that his mother has to walk 5 km to 7 km everyday to fetch water from the adjoining villages of Kapasan, Chaulek kheda, Dhobi Kheda and Kauchaliya. The situation is no better in Singhpur village, about 22 km from Chittorgarh. Of the 10 hand-pumps in the village, only two are functional. Villagers say that neither the Chief Minister nor the Relief Secretary have ever visited the village. Mr Prem Chand Jaiswal, Sarpanch of Banaliya Khurd, Bagga Khera, Jhopria and Singhpur, said of the 28 handpumps in the Panchayat, only 16 are working. Water is indisputably a scarce and precious commodity in this district which has a population of 19 lakh. All 2,415 villages in Chittorgarh district are affected by drought. Of the 15,000 tubewells in the district only 9,000 are functional, says the District Collector, Chittorgarh, Mr Ram Rakh. To add to the travails of the drought-stricken people, fodder is available at Rs 157 a quintal instead of Rs 117 a quintal in the neighbouring Bhilwara district. The authorities say the sharp price variable is due to the difference in quality. In normal circumstances, fodder is available at Rs 100 per quintal. Barring six gaushalas, the district does not have any cattle camps and no such demand has been made, according to Mr Ram Rakh. A visit to a fodder depot centre in Bhopal Sagar village known for the Bhopal Sagar lake, however, indicated that fodder is much in demand in the district and free supply of fodder in cattle camps would alleviate the suffering of the villagers. Depot in charge Chaman Lal said that the owner of a cow or buffalo can only get 50 kg fodder for a fortnight from the depot on production of documents. Fodder is brought here from Kota and Boondi and is available at Rs 1.57 a kg. The District Collector said the village has a cattle population of 20,000 and a truckload of fodder is sold in 48 hours. Drawing a comparison between previous droughts, Mr Ram Rakh said, “In 1999, as many 2,346 of the total 2,415 villages were affected by drought as 69 villages were under submergence area for irrigation projects and not inhabited. This year, all villages are affected. Of the 32 districts, the 12 desert districts are worst hit. Scarcity conditions have deprived villagers the traditional means of earning their bread and this has increased demand for employment, he said. The District Collector said that urban areas of Chittorgarh depend on such sources of water as the small dams owned exclusively by Hindustan Zinc Limited, 35 tubewells, about 400 handpumps and the Gambiri river dam. Another source of drinking water in Chittor town is a reservoir for storage of rain water in Bherada, about 6 km away where many mines have been abandoned. He said that his own house in Pratap Nagar, Chittor, gets water for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. He still considers himself fortunate and says that the neighbouring districts of Ajmer and Bhilwara get water every alternate day. What is heartening, however, is that women outnumber men at a few sites, including the construction of canals, anicuts, roads, causeway and anganwadi centre. The site for construction of a 2-km gravel road from Singhpur to Kherpur Mataji is an example of woman empowerment. Of the 40 labourers, 34 are women and report to Paras Devi who dropped out of school in Class VII. At some sites, the authorities are also addressing the health needs of the workers. Prem, a 35-year-old woman working in Singhpur, confirmed that doctors and nurses come to the site everyday. |
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Teachers, parents can monitor sites kids
surf New Delhi, May 17 Computer software companies claim that parents and teachers can become cybercops if they install a few software and hardware components. Software and hardware components are available which can help the parents and the teachers to monitor the sites surfed by the children and can also prevent them from accessing porn sites or those with objectionable material. A Class XI student of Air Force Bal Bharti School was recently arrested by the Delhi police for posting on the cyberspace (www.amazing-gents.8m.net) a few objectionable paragraphs about his female classmates. The material uploaded by the boy in the site has texts in a derogatory language about his classmates, much similar to the one finds on wall of schools. The boy was arrested under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act which prohibits publishing of information which is obscene in electronic form. He has been released on bail by the court. Section 67 of the Act says: “Whoever publishes or transmits or causes to be published in the electronic form, any material which is lascivious or appeals to the prurient interest or if its effect as such as to tend to deprave and corrupt persons who are likely, having regard to all relevant circumstances, to read, see or hear the matter contained or embodied in it, shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees and in the event of a second or subsequent conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years and also with fine which may extend to two lakh rupees.” Investigations by the police found that the boy had uploaded the material from his home personal computer. Had the parents installed
“Krowser”, an Internet safety tool developed by Pitara Kids Network, the boy’s attempt to upload the material would have been prevented. Company officials said the
“Krowser”, which unlike any other Internet browser, uses its proprietary content recognition technologies, in tandem with a battery of human editors to ensure that children do not stumble upon websites containing sexually explicit, hate or violent material. Another firm, Educomp
Datamatics, said it has developed EduNET, which helps the schools and other educational institutions to keep a tab on the student’s Net activity. The EduNET system, through a simple hardware card inserted in each computer in the network and the use of high bandwidth bus cables, not only creates the optimal modern teaching environment but also gives a teacher total control of the network, company officials said. The CEO of the company, Mr Shantanu
Prakash, said the new technology would enable the teacher to have total control of the Net, yet at the same time allows the students to explore the world wide web, which has exhaustive information. As the Internet has become an indispensable tool, several organisations have come up to provide solutions online. Some such organisations include
cyberangles.org, which is committed to the safety of children online. The site offers resources for parents, educators and kids to fight online menace, report trouble and know the law. Another site
cybertip.org, helps fight the crime. Information entered in the site’s form is forwarded to law enforcement agencies for investigation and review.
Rain brings
relief Hanumangarh, May 17 |
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