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Saturday,
January 4, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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PM unveils
science policy
Advani for
national register of citizens Virbhadra,
Stokes called to Delhi |
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President
gives assent to 4 Bills New Delhi, January 3 The President has given his assent to four Bills, including the women-friendly amendment in the Indian Evidence (Amendment) Bill 2003, which intends to protect the individual honour and dignity of women from being tarnished in the court of law during trial of rape or attempted rape cases.
Privatisation of metro airports put off Hike in LPG prices on anvil Hurriyat
to seek NGO’s help Mann
renominated panel member Now
Dravidatva, after Hindutva SYL
issue: farmers send notice to Capt
Centre
rules out slash in Haj subsidy Singapore
President arrives
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PM unveils science policy
Bangalore, January 3 Releasing the new Science and Technology Policy for 2003 at the 90th session of the Indian Science Congress here, the Prime Minister said the new policy reiterated India’s commitment to participate as an equal and vigorous global player in generating and harnessing advances in science and technology for the benefit of humankind. Mr Vajpayee said he was “terribly disturbed” over the “government culture” and internal brain drain and appealed to the scientific diaspora to return to the country. Dr K. Kasturirangan, Indian Science Congress Association president, delivered the presidential address. Union Human Resources and Science and Technology Minister Murli Manohar Joshi called for a major thrust on developing a new science and technology policy as a problem-solving instrument in all endeavours, including agriculture, industry, business, trade and governance. Infosys chief N.R. Narayanmurthy and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) Director G. Madhavan Nair were among 33 persons who received awards from the Prime Minister at the 90th Indian Science Congress here. Mr Narayanmurthy received Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary award while Mr Nair received Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Award. Two other space scientists — Prof M.G.K. Menon, Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor of ISRO, and Mr P.S. Goel, Director, ISRO Satellite Centre — also received awards at the function marking the inauguration of the science congress jointly hosted by ISRO and Bangalore University. Ms Manju Sharma, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, received the 90th ISC Special Distinction Medal, while Prof C.N.R. Rao, Linus Pauling Research Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, received the 90th ISC Mentor of Science Honour. Mr Vajpayee announced the institution of an annual Rs 25 lakh India Science Award.
PTI, UNI |
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Advani for national register of citizens New Delhi, January 3 Expressing “shock” over the growing incidence of female foeticide in certain parts of the country, Mr Advani emphasised the need for effective implementation of laws and proper maintenance of population records to check these trends at the earliest. He was speaking after inaugurating a conference of Chief Registrars of Births and Deaths here. Noting that preliminary findings of 2001 census had pointed towards the “very disturbing situation of the declining number of females as compared to males”, the Deputy Prime Minister said “the information came as a rude shock to our consciousness... this is not only illegal, but also is a crime against humanity.” Stating that laws against the misuse of technology for pre-natal sex determination had been strengthened, Mr Advani said “if we really care for the girl child, then the effect of this legislation needs to be monitored closely. We need not wait for the next census of 2011 to know whether these distortions have improved or further deteriorated”. Terming high-population growth, along with high infant and maternal mortality rates as a “challenging task”, Mr Advani said while efforts were being made to bring down infant mortality rate (IMR) and maternal mortality rate (MMR), these were among the highest in the world. Asserting that literacy and healthcare were the most important factors for the country’s progress, he said wherever these two factors were on the higher side, the problems of foeticide or high IMR and MMR were low and there was a high percentage of registration of births and deaths. He also stated that the Centre was considering having a central legislation for the compulsory registration of marriages in line with certain states which had already taken initiatives in that direction. Earlier, Chief Registrar of India J.K. Banthia had pointed out that the trends of female foeticide had aggravated very seriously in states like Punjab and Haryana in the past decade and similar signs were showing in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. |
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Virbhadra, Stokes called to Delhi New Delhi, January 3 The two leaders are being called to Delhi in the backdrop of an unsavoury incident at Bilaspur during the visit of AICC general secretary Mohsina Kidwai in which the workers of the two factions had a scuffle. Sources said the supporters of Mr Virbhadra Singh were unhappy over not having been adequately consulted regarding the visit of Mrs Kidwai. They also want greater say for their leader in the party’s poll preparations. Mrs Kidwai would meet Mrs Sonia Gandhi tomorrow to apprise her of the visit to Himachal Pradesh. She would also give her suggestions for improving the party’s manifesto and the charge sheet against the Dhumal government. The draft manifesto and charge sheet were being examined by the highcommand at present. Sources said while more points relating to the youth and farmers would be incorporated in the manifesto, the charge sheet would have greater focus on the “scams” relating to setting up some private institutions in the state. Internal party surveys, so far, had shown majority for the Congress in the poll. However, the party was keeping a watch on the situation and another survey was being conducted on the behalf of the party. During their visit here, both Mr Virbhadra Singh and Mrs Stokes would apprise Mrs Sonia Gandhi of their assessment of the political situation in the state. |
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President
gives assent to 4 Bills New Delhi, January 3 The Indian Evidence (Amendment) Act, 2003, provides for deletion of clause 4 of Section 155 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, by specifically providing that in a prosecution for rape or attempt to commit rape, it will not be possible to put questions in the cross-examination of the prosecution as to her general immoral character. The other three Bills are the Companies (Amendment) Bill, the Transfer of Property (Amendment) Bill and the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Bill. These Bills were passed during the winter session of Parliament, which concluded last month. The Companies (Amendment) Act, 2003, seeks to amend the Companies Act, 1956, providing for a new modern, efficient and time-bound insolvency law for both rehabilitation and winding up of sick companies within a time frame of maximum of two years as against the existing system taking about 18 to 26 years. The Transfer of Property (Amendment) Act, 2003, seeking to amend the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, provides that the period of notice regarding transfer of property shall commence from the date of its receipt and the amendment will apply to the suits or proceedings and notices issued before the commencement of this amendment. The Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Bill, seeks to provide freedom of choice to subscribers to view a channel from amongst those offered by the cable service providers. |
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Privatisation of metro airports put off New Delhi, January 3 “The issue has been deferred by a month”, Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain told newspersons after a Cabinet meeting. The Ministry of Civil Aviation had put forward the suggestion for the privatisation of airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Mumbai, but with conditions that none of the private airlines or its subsidiaries be allowed to hold majority stakes in the airports. Mr Hussain said he would talk to Union Finance Minister Jaswant Singh on the issue and after consultation would come back to the Cabinet again. |
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Hike in LPG prices on anvil New Delhi, January 3 “The international price of crude oil as well as imported LPG have gone up substantially. We being 70 per cent import dependent, naturally there will be some revision. It is a matter to be decided by the Cabinet,” Mr Naik said. Mr Naik, however, did not give any figures on the extent of increase in the prices of LPG but said “consumer sensitivity and interest will be kept in mind” while executing an upward revision of LPG prices. Under the existing equation, the subsidy of LPG had been fixed at Rs 71 per cylinder. Compared to the import parity prices this falls short by about Rs 60 per cylinder. |
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Hurriyat
to seek NGO’s help New Delhi, January 3 Mr Farooq has left for the Asian conference of NGOs in Hyderabad. Hurriyat leaders here said during the conference, Mr Farooq would highlight the need for a dialogue between the parties concerned in this regard. Mr Farooq would seek help from various NGOs in resolving the Kashmir issue, they said. |
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Mann renominated panel member New Delhi, January 3 According to a communication sent to Mr Mann by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, he has been renominated as member of the committee with effect from January 1. The committee, chaired by senior Congress MP and Congress Working Committee member Pranab Mukherjee has 45 members — 15 from Rajya Sabha and 30 from Lok
Sabha. |
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Now Dravidatva, after Hindutva Chennai, January 3 Mr Karunanidhi, who was responding to reporters who had solicited his comments on Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s musings on Hindutva, said the DMK would reject any principle which went against rational thinking and was based on caste differences and sought to segregate people in the name of caste. “I hope with my explanation today, the controversy over my recent remarks on Hindus would come to an end,” he said. The DMK leader had been recently at the centre of a controversy over his remarks concerning the Hindus. Mr Karunanidhi said he did not think it necessary to bring to the notice of the BJP central leadership the recent comments of BJP general secretary, Mr Ela Ganesan, against him and his party since those remarks were only “misrepresentation of facts.” Earlier this week, Mr Karunanidhi had charged that BJP state leaders were spreading canards against the DMK. Despite a growing rift between the DMK and the state BJP, Mr Karunanidhi has been insisting that his party would not quit the NDA at the Centre as long as the latter did not deviate from the national agenda for governance. |
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SYL issue: farmers send notice to Capt New Delhi, January 3 In a legal notice sent to Capt Amarinder Singh by the Rashtriya Navachetna Sangharsh Samiti (RNSS), a farmers’ organisation, said if he failed to complete the construction of the SYL canal by January 15 in the territory of Punjab, it would initiate contempt of court proceedings against him. It sent copies of the notice to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and Chief Secretary of Punjab. The organisation has also claimed a compensation of Rs 5,000 crore from Punjab to farmers in Haryana for the “damage” caused to them by Amarinder Singh government’s “inaction”. |
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Centre rules out slash in Haj subsidy New Delhi, January 3 To prevent cheating of Haj pilgrims by middlemen and private operators, the government has also decided not to allow operation of private chartered flights to Mecca. The first flight, carrying 7,500 Haj pilgrims will be flagged off from Lucknow tomorrow by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati. Union Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain will be the chief guest on the occasion, while Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Lalji Tandon will preside over the function. For the convenience of Haj pilgrims, the Centre has decided to operate flights from two more airports — Nagpur and Gaya — Civil Aviation Minister Hussain told The Tribune here. The other airports from where special flights will be operated are Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Srinagar. “In all 38 return flights will be operated, four more than last year at a total fare subsidy of Rs 163 crore,” Mr Hussain said, adding “this subsidy is 16 times more than what the Congress government had extended in 1994.” Ruling out any move to cut the Haj subsidy, the Minister said despite a threefold increase in the international airfare, the government had decided to provide return ticket at the rate of Rs 12,000 per pilgrim, which entails a subsidy of Rs 23,300 per passenger. The Centre has made arrangements for flying the Haj pilgrims to Mecca with Indian Airlines, Air India and Saudi Airlines, he said, adding “to prevent pilgrims being cheated by private persons, the government has also decided not to allow operation of private chatered airlines to Mecca from India.” For the smooth conduct of the Haj pilgrimage and to help the needy pilgrims, the Ministry of External Affairs would press into service 107 doctors, 125 paramedical staff, 37 assistant Haj officers and 131 Haj assistants, Mr Hussain said. |
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Singapore
President arrives
New Delhi, January 3 Mr Nathan will have wide-ranging discussions here tomorrow with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. He has come on the invitation of President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Singapore is India’s largest trading partner and largest investor among the Association of South East Asian Nations
(ASEAN). Mr Navtej Sarna, spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs, said Mr Nathan’s visit took place against the backdrop of excellent bilateral ties between India and Singapore and “is expected to impart greater warmth and understanding in our
bilateral relations.” |
Parliamentary
team
leaves for China New Delhi, January 3 |
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Buses off the road Dehra Dun, January 3 |
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