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Sunday,
April 20, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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HP pleads for early decision on power share India won’t be silent on global issues: Sinha Karunakaran may meet Sonia on Monday Truckers’ strike affects industry Truck
drivers block the way of a convoy of trucks coming from various
part of north India during the ongoing transporters' strike, in Bhopal on Saturday. — PTI photo |
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Kiwi tests positive for SARS in Delhi Impose Art 355 on Bengal: Trinamool BJP: Pak must stop cross-border terror Sena chief flays PM’s offer to Pak Naidu for good ties with Parivar Govindacharya bows out Maya orders probe into fund misuse by CMs Gujarat slaps POTA on 10 Hearing on Togadia’s bail plea adjourned NCM chief meets Ajmer leaders
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HP pleads for early decision on power share New Delhi, April 19 In an application moved before the apex court the Virbhadra Singh government has requested it for a direction to defending parties — the Centre and states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and the Union Territory of Chandigarh — to mark the exhibit documents to ensure commencement of the arguments as they have completed filing of required papers. “All the procedural steps in the present suit are complete except the marking of exhibits on the documents by the parties.... and the final arguments cannot be heard till a direction is passed by the court in this regard,” Himachal Pradesh’s Additional Advocate-General J.S. Attri in the application said. The Himachal Pradeh Government in the suit has sought its full partnership share of 7.19 per cent power in the Bhakra and Beas projects since the generation had started there and 12 per cent as free electricity under the 1990 decision of the Union Government as right of the “mother state” in any power project. The suit was filed during the early tenure of the Virbhadra Singh ministry in 1996, claiming a total of Rs 2199.77 crore accumulated till the date of filing of the suit in June the same year. Himachal has claimed that under the partnership share it is only getting 2.5 per cent power as an “ad hoc” arrangement from the Bhakra and Beas projects against its ligitimate share of 7.19 per cent as has been provided under the Punjab Reorganisation Act. Its “rightful” share of 12 per cent power under the Centre’s 1990 decision for the projects being located in the state has also been denied to it, the suit added. The state has claimed 5,834 million units power from the Bhakra on account of partnership share and 21,641 million units as free power and the accumulated arrears of Rs 1347.04 crore, while an amount of Rs 841.78 crore has been claimed for (3,330 mn units partnership and 8,033 mn units free power) share from two projects of Dehar and Pong on the Beas. Himachal has sought a decree of Rs 2199.77 crore against the Centre, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Chandigarh jointly or separately as they have stakes in these projects, for their “failure” to release its share of power. |
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India won’t be silent on global issues: Sinha New Delhi, April 19 “India cannot remain silent simply out of fear of incurring the displeasure of others,” Mr Sinha said while delivering the second Rajendra Mathur Memorial lecture organised by the Editors Guild of India here. The categorical stand of India comes within days of the USA strongly reacting to the remarks of the External Affairs Minister and the Defence Minister on “pre-emptive” strike on Pakistan. US Secretary of State Colin Powell had stated that Iraq and Pakistan cannot be equated to justify “pre-emptive” strike. Apparently taking a dig at the USA, Mr Sinha said a few countries in the world had suffered as much as India had from this menance — terrorism. “It is important for India to speak out and articulate our perspective in this regard in a loud and clear manner.” “What we have to say may not be palatable to some. Criticism and opposition may come our way. We must, however, continue to speak out,” he said. He said the issue of terrorism, which impinges on the very core of India’s security and the well-being of her people, India would remain steadfast and single-minded in the pursuit of her national interest. In a move to justify his statement that Pakistan was aiding and abetting terrorism, Mr Sinha said, “We are greatly concerned at the re-emergence of Taliban-inspired and the ISI-backed terrorism in part of Afghanistan.” Mr Sinha, however, tried to assuage the apprehension that the country’s relations with Washington would sore if it did not toe its line. On the concerns expressed in certain quarters that Washington would turn its ante towards India after finishing its “business” West Asia, Mr Sinha categorically stated that “We neither need to panic over the possible US intervention in our affairs nor should there be concern that our relations with the USA are on the verge of collapse.” “We will continue to balance the pursuit of our national interest with our principles. Neither will we sell our souls to others nor will we pursue blindly antagonistic policies for the sake of antagonism. Treading the middle path might be a lonely endeavour but if that is what our national interest dictate, we shall proceed on this path with conviction and determination,” he said. Earlier, the President of the Editors Guild of India, Mr Hari Jaisingh, said the Iraq war had raised question which one needs to ponder and the makers of the country’s foreign policy should bear these in mind in view of the changed global scenario. |
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Karunakaran may meet Sonia on Monday New Delhi, April 19 AICC sources said that Mr Karunakaran today had a telephonic conversation with Mrs Gandhi on the recent developments in
Kerala. They said that Mr R.K. Dhawan, one of the high command observers for the Rajya Sabha
byelections, talked to Mr Karunakaran before the veteran leader’s talk with Mrs Gandhi. Though some reports said that Mrs Gandhi had called up Mr Karunakaran on the phone, a senior AICC leader maintained that Mr Karunakaran had telephoned Mrs Gandhi. Despite his candidate Kodoth Govindan Nair losing in the Rajya Sabha byelections, Mr Karunakaran has been in tough mood. Though there has been pressure from
anti-Karunakaran quraters to take disciplinary action against his son and KPCC chief K.
Muraleedharan, and the MLAs who violated the high command’s instructions, the Congress central leadership is still weighing its options. There is a realisation that any action against the “I” group in the party would lead to a split and fall of the Antony government. But while not taking any step that could push the situation to a point of no return, the high command wants to maintain discipline. The three senior party
leaders — Ms Ambika Soni, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mr Dhawan — who had on Thursday evolved a “course of action” to be followed by the party in Kerala have not met Mrs Gandhi yet and may meet her on Monday. The three leaders discussed Mr Muraleedharan’s report to the high command and inputs they received from other quarters. In his report, Mr Muraleedharan said that he had followed the instructions of central leadership. It was also being conveyed to the high command that Mr Karunakaran who fielded Mr Nair meant no defiance but only wanted to express protest against the way things were handled in the party. There is also a feeling that the crisis could have been prevented by proper handling in the beginning. |
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Truckers’ strike affects industry New Delhi, April 19
“The strike is most unfortunate, undemocratic and uncalled for, which has come immediately after the confusion on the implementation of VAT”, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said in a statement here today. The manufacturing sector was forced to stop the production in the absence of raw material. “Industry is also not able to move out the finished goods to distributors and suppliers, which is resulting in piling up of inventories of finished goods”, it said. The CII said there were already reports of massive increase in prices of essential commodities, which would have to be borne by the general public. With regard to the demands of the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), the CII has advised them for maintaining a constant dialogue with the ministries concerned and settle the issues. “We urge both the government and AIMTC to come to the discussion table and work towards an amicable solution without any compromise on reform process. It would be in the interest of everyone and above all the nation”, the CII said. The All-India Association of Industry (AIAI) said the Indian industry was facing a “war-like situation” in the wake of the ongoing truckers’ strike. The truckers strike had hit all sectors of the industry and production losses and missed exports would cost the exchequer about Rs 1,500 crore by way of revenue loss, AIAI president Vijay G. Kalantri said. The striking transporters today deferred by a day blockage of goods like milk and LPG cylinders following the government’s request even as the common man suffered due to a sharp increase in the prices of fruits and vegetables. The strike, in which tempos and other small cargo vehicles have joined truckers, is expected to echo in Parliament when it resumes on Monday after a 10-day break. Meanwhile, the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) has extended support to the countrywide truckers’ strike, and urged the government to immediately accept the demands of the transporters. The government should abjure its usual practice of tiring out the strikers with a view to make them to scale down their demands since the truckers’ agitation would adversely hit the country’s economy, party general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra, former MP, told newspersons here. |
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Kiwi tests positive for SARS in Delhi
New Delhi, April 19 The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) Director, Dr Shiv Lal, said initial tests on the foreigner had been tested positive for SARS corna virus. However, sequencing of the genetic material was being underaken to confirm that he was the first victim of the killer peneumonia in the Capital, he added. Meanwhile, the condition of the foreigner, at present berthed at the “Isolation Ward” of the hospital, is improving. He has no fever and is reported to be normal, but doctors attending on him are monitoring his condition closely. On the other hand, officials are tracing the whereabouts of the other passengers who had travelled along with him from Bangkok to New Delhi. The airport authorities had sent him to the hospital after he complained of breathlessness and fever on arrival here. The country’s first SARS case had been reported in Goa.
UNI |
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Impose Art 355 on Bengal: Trinamool Kolkata, April 19 A joint delegation led by Ms Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool chief and Mr Tathagata Roy, state BJP president, will go to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, to seek their intervention for protecting democracy and lives and properties of the people of the state from the rule of the CPM. Ms Banerjee alleged that the present situation in the state was not favourable for a free and fair election. Mr Roy said they had already urged the Vajpayee government to take appropriate steps for ensuring a free and fair poll. Ms Banerjee alleged the CPM government was not only misusing power in terrorising the opposition candidates and the electorates, it was also involved in serious financial irregularities Both leaders alleged that some 30,000 of their candidates could not file their nominations following intimidations and physical resistance by the CPM. The elections to some 58,000 seats in three-tier panchayat bodies would be held on May 11. They demanded the postponement of the panchayat poll, which the state election Commissioner, Mr Ajoy Sinha, had already rejected stating that the conditions were quite favourable for holding a peaceful, free and fair election. He alleged that the BJP and the Trinamool had been making ‘false’ allegations. |
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BJP: Pak must stop cross-border terror New Delhi, April 19 “What is the use of holding talks with Pakistan if it does not end cross-border terrorism,” BJP President Venkaiah Naidu told newspersons after addressing a meeting of organising secretaries of state and district units of the party at the conclusion of a four-day workshop here. He said India had been willing to have good relationship with all the neighbouring countries and that was precisely reiterated by Mr Vajpayee yesterday in Srinagar. “We are not against holding talks with Pakistan, but it has to demonstrate its seriousness,” Mr Naidu said. Earlier, addressing the party’s full-time workers, Mr Naidu rejected the healing touch policy of the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed government in Jammu and Kashmir to tackle terrorism. “Healing touch should be for those who want to lay down arms and join the mainstream and not for terrorists. The BJP would under no circumstances accept the policy of healing touch. It should be only for victims of terrorists and not those carrying arms,” he said. Making a scathing attack on the Congress for boycotting the meeting yesterday addressed by the Prime Minister in Srinagar, he said: “The Prime Minister belongs to the country. There should be no enmity in politics. Who is the number one enemy, it is Pakistan. The Congress is only our political rival while the left is our ideological rival.” Welcoming announcements by Mr Vajpayee for Jammu and Kashmir, he said: “Whatever government is in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre should help in the development of the state by rising above party lines.” |
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Sena chief flays PM’s offer to Pak Mumbai, April 19 “What is the use of such dialogues when Indian armed forces personnel are getting killed at the border? Pakistan is not worthy of friendship”, Mr Thackeray said while addressing mediapersons at his “Matoshree” residence in suburban
Bandra. Mr Thackeray’s sharp reaction came when his attention was drawn to Mr Vajpayee’s offer of a hand of friendship to Pakistan at a public rally in Srinagar yesterday. Advocating a “tough stance” against Pakistan, the Sena chief said “we want deeds and not mere words”. He warned the BJP against deviating from the cause of
“Hindutva”. PTI |
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Naidu for good ties with Parivar New Delhi, April 19 “Don’t be afraid of statements made by organisations like VHP, RSS, SJM and BMS. Don’t have any doubts about their devotion to the nation,” Mr Naidu said addressing the concluding session of a four-day workshop for organising secretaries of state and district-level units of the party here. “We will have continuous dialogue with these nationalist organisations. We are also talking to opposition parties,” he said. Asking the party cadres not to be apologetic about having a debate on Hindutva, he said, “Due to vote bank politics, for some Hindu word has become a non-important word, but for us it is very important. We don’t believe in theocracy and a theocratic state. But, Hindutva is a tradition, a way of life and it is the soul of India. We should not fight shy of it. Our roots are tied to Hindutva,” he said. Dwelling on a wide range of issues from population control to conversions and POTA in his speech lasting over 90 minutes, Mr Naidu said, “There is need for an all-India legislation to stop conversions. Some states already have laws in place to check this.” On the Ayodhya issue, Mr Naidu said the matter was in the court and the it should be settled through courts or through negotiations. Justifying POTA, he said, “We have to put down terrorism with an iron hand and there is need for POTA. Just because there is misuse of POTA doesn’t mean we have to do away with it. The government has set up a committee to make some improvements in POTA and the party would also be giving suggestions in this regard.” On the Opposition criticism of BJP-led government’s stand on Iraq, he said, “There is nothing to feel embarrassed. We are more concerned about India. They have more time to think of other countries. Let them have their demonstrations,” Mr Naidu said. |
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Govindacharya bows out New Delhi, April 19 The man himself today sought to play down the issue and clarified that the decision not to renew the membership was a personal choice as he “wants to play a contributory role on a wider canvas in society”. Talking to newspersons at the residence of BJP Lok Sabha MP from Varanasi Shankar Prasad Jiaswal at Ferozshah Road here , Mr Govindacharya said; “I would focus on educational and agitative politics”. The former General Secretary, in his known style, was not interested in embarrassing anyone, but was loud in his message that he did not want to remain anywhere where he was “unwanted”. Mr Govindacharya, who was manouvered out to the party margins by none other than Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in October, 2000, was finally pushed out 14 days ago when the BJP did not even renew his ordinary membership. BJP officials, who ended the membership drive for the party on April 7, did not even bother to contact him for renewal of his membership, thus conveying a message in absolute terms that he was a persona non grata in the party. Obviously, the officials have worked under the instructions of BJP President M. Venkaiah Naidu who dervies his strength from the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, who once was the “godfather” of Mr Govindacharya. The Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh top leadership had been taken into confidence and that is why Mr Govindacharya was left with no other option but to announce in Jabalpur that he was voluntarily renouncing his active membership. Incidentally, he had told his sympathisers and followers that he was ending his self-imposed hibernation this month and was set to return to work for the party. Though the news of Mr Govindacharya’s banishment from the BJP has disappointed his followers and sympathisers both within the RSS as well as the BJP, yet there are others who are happy at the development as the former General Secretary had set very high standards of personal and political behaviour. Unlike the present BJP leaders such as Mr Naidu, Mr Pramod Mahajan and Mr Arun Jaitely to name a few, Mr Govindacharya led a spartan life washing his own clothes and limiting his needs to a bare minimum. Asked whether he would rejoin the BJP if the party urged him to do so , he evaded the question, saying that “I am not thinking on these lines at all”. “I have already chalked out my roadmap”, he said and pointed out that he would be active in organsations like the Swadeshi Jagran Manch and the Azadi Bachao
Andolan. |
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Maya orders probe into fund misuse by CMs Lucknow, April 19 “I have ordered an inquiry into the use of discretionary funds by all Chief Ministers since 1994 to ascertain whether the government money was used judiciously,” Ms Mayawati told reporters at a press conference here today. “My earlier tenure will also come under the purview of the inquiry,” she said. The state government had earlier lodged 136 FIRs spread in 44 districts of the state against Samajwadi Party national President Mulayam Singh Yadav for allegedly misusing discretionary fund during his tenure as Chief Minister from September 1994 to June 1995. At least 12 persons had been arrested so far. A hue and cry was raised over the decision with the BJP calling the Chief Minister’s decision an act of political vendetta. “I am not acting in a vindictive manner,” Ms Mayawati said. “Chief Ministers are custodians of government money and the discretionary fund should be used in a judicious way,” she said. Incidentally, Ms Mayawati’s decision brings focus back on BJP Chief Ministers including Mr Kalyan Singh, Mr Ram Prakash Gupta and Mr Rajnath Singh. Till June 4, 1995, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav was the Chief Minister and later Ms Mayawati herself became the Chief Minister till October 1995. Later, the state came under the President’s rule with Mr Moti Lal Vora as the Governor and in March 1997 Ms Mayawati again was sworn-in as the Chief Minister. She was succeeded by Mr Kalyan Singh in October 1997. In its recent report the Comptroller and Auditor General had lambasted all BJP Chief Ministers — from Mr Kalyan Singh to Mr Rajnath Singh — for misusing the discretionary fund. The CAG said the discretionary funds were given for the construction of a Saraswati Shishu Mandir School. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party workers today started a cycle rally against the misrule of Ms Mayawati. The rally would continue till May 5. |
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Gujarat slaps POTA on 10 Ahmedabad, April 19 “The anti-terror law has been slapped on 10 persons, including the five ISI agents, arrested by the crime branch for their alleged involvement in the assassination of former Gujarat Home Minister Haren Pandya, attack on VHP leader Pramod Tiwari and carrying out a series of bomb blasts in city municipal transport buses last year”, Mr Shah said here today. “All the 10 had links with the ISI,” Mr Shah said . The Ahmedabad crime branch on April 4 had arrested five persons identified as Mohammed Yunus Abdulrahim Sareshwala, Mohammed Pervez Abdul Kayum Sheikh, Mohammed Riyaz alias Goru Abdul Wahib Sareshwala, Rehan Abdul Mujib Punthawala and Munawar Beigh, alias Captain Yakub Miyan Mirza. All the five, in their late twenties were trained in using sophisticated explosives and arms and were dispatched to Gujarat to carry out anti-national activities, crime branch sources said.
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Hearing on Togadia’s bail plea adjourned Ajmer, April 19 Posting the next date of hearing for April 21, Additional District and Sessions Judge Devendra Kachchawa said the plea of Mr Togadia’s counsel Onkar Singh Lakhawat for a copy of the transcript of full speech of the accused would be decided on that date. However, he directed the prosecution to bring the transcript to the court on Monday. Mr Lakhawat had contended that as the fir against Mr Togadia for his speech during the trishul distribution ceremony at a dharam sabha here on April 13 mentioned “only selective portions of the speech without context” and as the case was filed under Section 121-A of the ipc, conspiracy to wage war against the government, besides other sections, it was necessary to have the full transcript of Mr Togadia’s speech.
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NCM chief meets Ajmer leaders New Delhi, April 19 The NCM Chairman made the appeal after meeting members of a minority community, parliamentarians and legislators during a day’s visit to Ajmer. He was invited to Ajmer by the management committee of the Dargah-e-Sharief. |
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