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Myanmar not to allow ultras to use territory
Khurana wants role in national politics
Governor of Rajasthan Madan Lal Khurana talks to mediapersons after submitting his resignation to the President in New Delhi on Monday. — Tribune
photo by Mukesh Aggarwal
West Bengal Governor offers to quit
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DMK refutes charge on move to shift Governor
Mulayam suspends DM, 2 SPs
BJP decries UPA for ‘soft handling’ of national security
ISI bid to pit Muslims against Christians in NE
Agnivesh backs NCP claim to float outfit to counter fanatics
Rifleman who posed as dead enemy troop deposes
‘Veerappan had plans to kidnap Kanchi seer’
PM asks Azad to resolve Delhi industries issue
Endorsement of Advani’s appointment tomorrow
Perplexed legislators look up to Laloo
NRIs demand voting rights
Notice to govt on Kargil purchases
No middleman figured in Mirage deal: Air Chief
Process for acquiring new jets under way
SC seeks Centre’s view on reservation to ‘Dalit Christians’
CBI probe into savings scam
Centre directs agencies to step up security in Kashmir
Speaker to meet PM on winter session
P.C. Pande posted as Addl DG in ITBP
Brazil, SA invited to form pressure group to combat AIDS
Survivors of Bhopal tragedy hold rally
Three additional flights by Cathay Pacific
Railways gearing up for ISO certification
Govt failure on support price for cotton hits farmers
HRD Ministry takes exception to opening of 97 KVs
NSCN (I-M) leaders to visit India for talks
Additional sugar quota for festival season released
Scientists can now read your eyes
Conference on medicinal plants begins
Swamy for “Dharma
yudh” against Marxists
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Myanmar not to allow ultras to use territory
New Delhi, October 25 The visiting Senior General, who is Chairman of the all-powerful State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar, also conveyed to the Indian leadership that Yangon would extend every possible help and cooperation to New Delhi in the field of counter-insurgency. Gen Shwe said not only Myanmar would not permit its territory to be used for any hostile element for harming Indian interests but also assured that whenever information on such activity were to come to the notice of the Myanmar government, it would not hesitate to take "appropriate action" against such groups. An important highlight of Gen Shwe's visit today was the signing of three agreements, including the most crucial MoU on non-traditional security issues, signed by External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and his Myanmarese counterpart U Nyan Win. Under this MoU, both countries have committed themselves to enhance cooperation against terrorism, arms smuggling, money laundering, drug trafficking, organised crime, international economic crime and cyber crime. A Consultative Group will be set up at the senior official level to monitor and review progress on implementation of this MoU. The group will meet annually, alternating between India and Myanmar. The Indian leadership expectedly rolled out a red carpet for Gen Shwe as his visit marks the culmination of an attempt between the two neighbours to improve and normalise relations after a long history of mutual suspicion. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had talks with the visiting dignitary in a restricted format as well as delegation-level discussions. This was preceded by a call on the visiting dignitary by External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh. Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat hosted lunch for him while President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam hosted a banquet in Gen Shwe's honour. Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani will call on Gen Shwe tomorrow after which the General would leave for Agra, Bangalore and Bodhgaya. Apart from the Momeorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of non-traditional security issues, the two sides signed a cultural exchange programme for 2004-06 and an MOU on the Tamanthi hydroelectric Power Project. The Tamanthi hydroelectric power project is a 1200 MW project on River Chindwin in Myanmar and is being developed as a mutual interest project between India and Myanmar. Also, the project that came up for discussion was the rail link between Yangon and Mandalay with Indian assistance, the laying of fibre optic lines in the telecom sector in Myanmar, the feasibility studies for deep water port and there was clear interest on both sides to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector in the exploration of both oil and gas. These are the sources which are abundantly available ion Myanmar, both on the coast as well as offshore. Secretary Petroleum and Natural Gas met the Energy Minister of Myanmar this afternoon to discuss ways and means of carrying these ideas forward. Gen Shwe conveyed to the Indian leadership the sincere commitment of the current government to bring about democracy because it genuinely
believes that only democracy can bring about peace and prosperity. He also conveyed that the current national consultation process was aimed at preparing a constitution which had the widest possible national consensus, including amongst the several ethnic groups that exist in Myanmar. |
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Khurana wants role in national politics
New Delhi, October 25 “Whatever I am today, it is because of the love and affection of the people of Delhi. Today they are in trouble and I wanted to return to fight for their cause”, he told the media before leaving for Rashtrapati Bhawan. Likening himself to a priest who worshipped the temple that is Delhi, Mr Khurana said leaving his “Karmbhoomi” was a mistake and he would, henceforth, want to be involved in national politics. He would not spell out what role he was seeking, leaving it to the party leadership to decide. He was also evasive on commenting on his future in the political affairs of Delhi. He, however, said there was likelihood of closure of 1.25 lakh industries, which would render at least 10 to 15 lakh people without a job and that it was his duty to stand with them at this juncture. “I have won 11 elections between 1967 and 2003 with the support of these people. They have never let me down. How can I live comfortably in Raj Niwas when they are in trouble,” he added. Mr Khurana told mediapersons later that he had urged the President to relieve him of the responsibility as soon as possible. Dr Kalam, he said, had asked him to continue in office till an alternative arrangement was made. The President has also told Mr Khurana that he would examine the Constitutional position before deciding on the resignation. |
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West Bengal Governor offers to quit
Kolkata, October 25 This decision was conveyed to the BJP bosses by the Shah but he had been advised by both former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and BJP President L.K. Advani not to step down. Instead he should allow the Centre to sack him, which the BJP bosses felt would give an extra political mileage to the party. Mr Shah, who is in Delhi, called on President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today and expressed his desire to quit. But Mr Kalam, too, advised Mr Shah to complete his term. But reports received here from the Capital said that Mr Shah was determined to step down and had conveyed his decision to the President accordingly. The Governor is returning to the city tomorrow morning. Raj Bhavan sources in Kolkata said the Governor was hurt that a section of the CPM leadership was trying to remove him immediately, alleging that he had been serving the interests of the BJP. They wanted to replace him by Prof M.
Hasan, Vice-Chancellor of Delhi’s Jamia Millia University. Prof Hasan hails from Kolkata and his father, Prof B.
Hasan, was a Professor of history at Calcutta University. But the
Congress(l) central leadership, including Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is
WBPCC(l) President, wants either Mr N.D. Tiwari, the Uttaranchal Chief Minister former Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal to replace Mr Shah after the expiry of his tenure. |
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DMK refutes charge on move to shift Governor
Chennai, October 25 Denying the AIADMK allegation that the DMK, a constituent of the UPA government, was pressurising the Centre to
shift Governor P.S. Ramamohan Rao, its President M. Karunanidhi told a press conference that there was no truth in the charge. “We never adopt pressure tactics like the AIADMK. It was the AIADMK which pressurised Governors
S.L. Khurana and Dr Chenna Reddy in the state earlier. Degrading statements were made against Dr Reddy in the state Assembly”, he said. “But if the Centre decides to change the Governor for administrative reasons, the DMK cannot be blamed for this. Even Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had been reshuffling her Cabinet and senior officers are shifted quite often, citing administrative convenience”, he said. AIADMK MPs and MLAs yesterday sent telegrams to the President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, urging the latter ‘not to approve the file’ on appointment of a new Governor to the state. They also sent ‘telegraphic writ petitions’ to the Chief Justice of India to restrain the Union Government from transferring the Governor, P.S. Ramamohan Rao.
— PTI |
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Mulayam suspends DM, 2 SPs
Lucknow, October 25 The most serious action was taken against Mr S.K. Solonki, DM of Lakhimpur Kheri, who was suspended for misappropriation of wheat worth Rs 16 crore meant for the PDS. The SP of Basti, Mr A.K. Upadhyay, was suspended on charges of corruption. A Vigilance inquiry has also been ordered against him. The Unnao police chief, Mr V.R. Meena, was suspended for “unsatisfactory performance”. IG (Lucknow Division) Sulkhan Singh and IG (Bareilly Division) and DIG (Faizabad) V.K. Aggarwal were asked to explain their ignoring various government orders regarding law and order. Adverse entries were made in the service records of the DMs of Gonda and Bahraich. In the first divisional review meetings, the CM reviewed the performance of Lucknow, Devipatan, Faizabad and Bareilly divisions. The review was of development projects, revenue realisation against prescribed targets, law and order situation, distribution of foodgrains to the underprivileged under various schemes and the status of education, civic and health services. The action taken against the officers ranged from suspension, show-cause notice and adverse entries in service records. |
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BJP decries UPA for ‘soft handling’ of national security
New Delhi, October 25 “The government, due to its narrow political considerations, has miserably faltered in handling the threat to national security posed by separatist forces,” BJP spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said here. Expressing concern over the sudden rise in separatist and terrorist activities and the “inept” handling of the threat posed to internal security, Mr Naqvi alleged that the “soft approach” of the UPA government on the issue of national security had bolstered the spirits of the separatist forces. Mr Naqvi charged the UPA with adopting “a conflicting and confused” stand on
sensitive issues like internal security. Questioning the government’s approach in projecting the country as a “soft state that bends backwards to meet the demands like repeal of POTA and unconditional talks with the Naxal groups”, Mr Naqvi said the government should instead shun its “short-sightedness and cheap electoral interests” and
maintain a “coherent and integrated approach” towards the problem. “Forces aligned against the country are being emboldened by the lack of clear thinking of the government,” he alleged, adding that “the handling of the internal security had undoubtedly been the worst since Independence”. Condemning the attack on former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and former Union Minister Omar Abdullah in Anantnag, Mr Naqvi said the BJP strongly decried the “decline in authority and effectiveness of the government in handling the menace”. Challenging the justification for negotiating with terrorist groups before they surrendered, he also sought to know the logic behind holding talks with the militants in one state even as they continued to wage war against the establishment in other states. Party sources said the BJP would focus on issues of internal
security, as Mr Advani feels that the BJP can derive political advantage by causing fear among masses that India’s unity and integrity was endangered by this government. |
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ISI bid to pit Muslims against Christians in NE
Guwahati, October 25 A new Muslim militant outfit — Al Jihadi-E-Islam, reportedly based in Chattagram in Bangladesh and having links with Muslim fundamentalists in Myanmar, has owned the responsibility for the twin blasts in Dimapur in Nagaland on October 2, which claimed 28 lives and injured over 100. In a press statement issued to the local media at Dimapur yesterday, Salim Khan, the self-styled Commander-in-Chief of the “Al Jihadi-E-Islam”, claimed that the blast was aimed at teaching a lesson to the NSCN(IM) and the NDFB backed by the Christians. Salim Khan declared a “Jihad” against what he called “Christian fundamentalism” in the North-East, and threatened to repeat such violence by targeting Christians if the NDFB and the NSCN did not stop their alleged torture of religious minorities. Mr Hagrama Mohilary, chief executive of the Bodo Territorial Autonomous Development (BTAD), run by ex-Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) workers, also confirmed such a disturbing trend. Mr Mohilary also informed that during the recent violence by NDFB militants at Dhubri in Lower Assam, 25 of the 28 victims were Muslims. NDFB cadres are mostly Christians, added Mr Mohilary. Mr A.R.A. Chowdhury, Chairman of the United Minorities Forum, also admitted that there were some efforts from across the border to pit Muslims against Christians. He declared that his organisation would oppose such an effort tooth and nail. A senior intelligence official said that two Muslims, who hailed from Myanmar, were recently arrested in connection with the Dimapur blast. It may be mentioned that Christian missionaries started coming to the North-East in the late 19th century and helped spreading education and other developmental work in the region. This is the reason why a majority of the population in Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya is Christians. |
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Agnivesh backs NCP claim to float outfit to counter fanatics
Pune, October 25 Swami Agnivesh said the Congress had forsaken the Chief Minister’s post in Jammu and Kashmir, despite having more numbers in the Assembly, to Mr Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. Congress President Sonia Gandhi must accept that the NCP was the greater force and had more numbers in the state Assembly and leave the Chief Minister’s post to the NCP to enhance her image further or be prepared to lose goodwill in the state, he said. To a question on the prospects of the saffron combine in the state, Swami Agnivesh said the BJP and the Shiv Sena had a good chance to provide an alternative to the Congress-NCP, provided they abandoned their “Hindutva” stand. Swami Agnivesh said the Arya Samaj would float a new political outfit to counter religious fundamentalism that had crept into politics. The new political outfit would enroll members in the age group of 18 and 35 and no rigid conditions would be imposed on them. “I am revamping the Arya Samaj through a two-fold programme based on intense meditation and a will to fight social injustice,” he said. Swami Agnivesh said Hindu religious symbols like Ram Temple and the cow were being “hijacked” by political parties. He said Hinduism was a religion which allowed freedom of worship. Use of these “symbols” by groups with vested interests and for political gain, would harm Hinduism. He clarified that the Arya Samaj did not consider politics and politicians as “untouchables” because they were an important part of any social set-up.
— UNI |
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Rifleman who posed as dead enemy troop deposes
Jodhpur, October 25 Narrating the sequence of events on August 24 last year when the video was shot recording fake encounter Rifleman Shyam Bahadur Thapa told the court as to how he was asked by the accused officer to lie on the ground as a dead person and enact the drama. “In the first attempt I was even pulled up when I could not pose to the satisfaction of the accused officer directing the ‘scene’.” Thapa would now be shown video of the fake encounter tomorrow in the court during his further examination. Earlier, the court rejected a submission by Major Singh that the proceedings should be adjourned as his counsel Mr R.S. Randhawa, had withdrawn from the case and he needed time to get a new counsel. Since the witnesses appearing in the court now would be crucial to the case I would not be able to defend myself alone and would
need help from a counsel, Major Singh pleaded. However, Judge Advocate S.V. Rao said the accused had already been provided a well qualified defending officer Lt Col A.R. Panwar to defend him and if he was dissatisfied with the DO he was free to fight his case himself. Opposing Major Singh’s plea, prosecution counsel R.N. Singh said the defence counsel, who was also an officer of the court, should have properly intimated the court about his decision of withdrawing from the case. The seven-member jury, headed by Brig A.D.S. Grewal, also rejected another plea by Major Singh that the court should be adjourned to give him time to prepare for a departmental exam for promotion. The Judge advocate said application of the accused seeking permission to appear in the exam was being positively considered by Corp Headquarters. The court could consider the request of the accused after the headquarter’s decision on his application is known by October 30, he |
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‘Veerappan had plans to kidnap Kanchi seer’
Chennai, October 25 Giving this startling information, STF intelligence wing Chief N.K. Senthamaraikannan said Veerappan wanted to kidnap the Pontiff, so that he would get a whopping ransom of Rs 100 crore. Veerappan had ‘ambitious plans’ like building a 300-member strong ‘Army’ and train them in the Kerala forests. With their help, he wanted to kidnap important persons, especially the Kanchi Acharya, the STF officer who played a crucial role in the operation, said. Veerappan had shared his plans with four STF trained youth, including two college boys, who had penetrated into the forests, posing themselves as extremists and stayed with the brigand for 19 days during June last year, Mr Senthamaraikannan said. He said the bandit, who had cataract problem and was struggling with wobbly knees because of rheumatic problems, was keen on getting his eyes operated. Because of his health problems, he was also becoming increasingly insecure and losing confidence in his lieutenant Sethukuli Govindan, he said. After the kidnap of 10 Karnataka forest department officials from the Buruda region in B R Hills in July 1997, Veerappan topped the list of his kidnappings with the abduction of Kannada film star Rajkumar from his farmhouse at Dodda Gajanur in the Thalawady forests in Erode district in July 2000. The brigand, however, released the film actor after 108 days in captivity and before the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments heaved a sigh of relief, Veerappan kidnapped H. Nagappa, former Karnataka Minister from his house in Kollegal village. The former minister was killed in his custody. Meanwhile, the STF chief denied reports which suggested that the outlaw committed suicide. The reports had not affected the morale of the STF of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in any way, he told PTI from a STF base camp at Bannari in Erode district. Asked whether the STF was now hunting for ‘treasure’ reportedly stored by the brigand in the forest, Vijay Kumar said his force was not involved in any such operations. Asked about reports which said that some diaries, purportedly maintained by Veerappan, had been seized by the police, Mr Vijay Kumar denied any knowledge of it. A 19-member group of civil rights activists belonging to several organisations, including the Centre for the Protection of Civil Liberties, People’s Democratic Front, Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties and PUCL began an independent enquiry into the killing, PUCL sources said. The group today visited the spot at Papparapatti, where Veerappan and his men were killed and are due to meet some others, including Muthulakshmi. Meanwhile, police removed posters, condemning the killing of Veerappan, from parts of Villupuram district.
— UNI, PTI |
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PM asks Azad to resolve Delhi industries issue
New Delhi, October 25 The Prime Minister discussed the matter with Mr Azad this afternoon. The meeting took place amidst opposition from various quarters to the relocation of small-scale industries in the Capital. The Supreme Court, in its May 7 order, had asked the Delhi Government to give a time frame for closure of industries in the non-conforming areas. Dr Manmohan Singh asked Mr Azad to address the issue and find a solution to the problem keeping in view the court order, Delhi's Master Plan and the issues raised by Delhi Government and the industrialists. Almost all political parties are against the relocation of these industries which provide employment to about 20 lakh persons. |
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Endorsement of Advani’s appointment tomorrow
New Delhi, October 25 The meeting, which will end in the afternoon on Wednesday, will be inaugurated by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and will be addressed by Mr Advani who in his speech is going to focus on the priorities of the party and challenges before it. Mr Advani will continue with the Sangh Parivar’s line of thinking by attacking Congress President Sonia Gandhi for “devaluing” the office of the Prime Minister. The meeting is going to adopt a political resolution in which the party will focus on the shortcomings of the UPA Government and sharply attack the Left parties. The resolution, which has been prepared by party general secretary Arun Jaitley, was discussed at length today with Mr Advani. Mr Advani’s immediate predecessor M. Venkaiah Naidu will also address the meeting. Meanwhile, it is learnt that Mr Advani is busy consulting party colleagues and the RSS leaders for finalising his team which he is expected to announce after the national council meeting. Sources said Mr Advani was expected to include few new and young faces in his team while retaining leaders like Mr Jaitely, Mr Sanjay Joshi and Mr Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. Among the news faces, names which are doing the round are Mrs Najma Heptullah, Mr Arif Mohamad Khan, Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad and Mr Rajiv Pratap Ruddy. |
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Perplexed legislators look up to Laloo
New Delhi, October 25 The legislators from the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party are constantly in touch with the Railways Minister, urging him to intervene and end the deadlock between the two parties. The Congress and the NCP are both claiming the CM’s post. Ten days have passed since the results for the Maharashtra Assembly are out but the issue has yet to be solved despite several rounds of talks between leaders of both parties, leaving newly elected
legislators in a lurch. The RJD sources told UNI here today that not only are the new members urging Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav to use his huge influence on the leaders to make an early decision on the issue, but they are also lined up before him to get “good” portfolios in the new government.
— UNI |
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NRIs demand voting rights
New Delhi, October 25 In a letter to the poll panel, founder Chairman of erstwhile Overseas Indians Economic Forum, Mr Ram
Baxani, said “I believe this is an unconstitutional discrimination and an inadvertent slip. It needs to be addressed by the Election Commission.” Incidentally, the rules relating to overseas Indians, which grant dual citizenship, debar them from voting and contesting elections to Parliament and other legislative bodies. Mr Baxani said many Indian citizens living overseas thought that they had no voting right in India and according to the Indian constitution there was only one category of citizen. While the Election Commission facilitates use of franchise by every Indian citizen, including diplomatic missions overseas, Indians living overseas, having Indian passport, are not being allowed to vote. |
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Notice to govt on Kargil purchases
New Delhi, October 25 A Bench of Chief Justice R.C. Lahoti and Mr Justice
G.P. Mathur while issuing “limited notice” to the government, directed it to submit an affidavit stating what action has been taken on the CAG report and the report of the Central Vigilance Commission
(CVC) on the issue. The notice was issued after senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appointed as amicus curiae in the case, submitted his report, pointing out certain “irregularities” allegedly committed by the NDA government in the purchases, resulting in putting extra burden on the exchequer. Mr Dwivedi also said following the CGA report, the matter was referred by the government to the
CVC, which had submitted its report, marked as “secret” to the authorities concerned. “But it is not known what action the government has taken on it”, he said. A public interest litigation (PIL), filed in the matter had alleged that equipment were purchased by paying double the price prevailing in the market. It had alleged that the total cost paid by the government was to the tune of Rs 2,100 crore and the CAG had pointed out various “irregularities” in it. |
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No middleman figured in Mirage deal: Air Chief
New Delhi, October 25 Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the IAF Commanders Conference here, the Chief of Air Staff said, "When we signed the deal for 10 additional Mirages with Dassault in September 2000, there was no agent involved". The Air Chief declared that all negotiations followed government norms, which expressly forbade the presence of any agent or "middleman" in the deal. The reports quoted a French court as having upheld that the Panamaian company had worked to swing the deal in favour Asked about the reports, the Air Chief said, "What we are told now is that in 1996, there was a company called Keyser that had an understanding with the French manufacturers for the commercial survey of India and of the region". After the Bofors kickbacks controversy, the government had banned middlemen in all defence deals and this principle was upheld when the authorities recently announced the setting up of a new top-level Procurement Board for defence purchases. The matter came to light when certain documents related to a suit this company had filed against the French aviation major were obtained by some sections of the media. The suit is said to have pertained to the recovery of an amount supposedly the commission for this deal. The Air Chief, while going for the conference, had assured the media present that he would definitely make a statement on the issue and bring the requisite documents. "According to the documents our Paris Embassy obtained, this company Keyser was hired by Dassault for some market research project in 1996, but its services terminated in 1998. It was not working for Dassault in 2000, when we signed the contract for the 10 additional Mirages," Air Chief Marshal Krishnaswamy said, showing the relevant
documents. He said they were informed that Keyser had lost the case in the French court. Responding to the observations of the court which seemed to indicate the claim was for the delivery of the Mirage
jets to India, the Air Chief said he was not aware of this and would have to study them before
commenting. Responding to a claim that Keyser had been working with Dassault since 1986, the Air Chief said that even then, it did not affect
the deal as the contract had been signed in 1984 and delivery of Mirages had begun in 1985. |
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Process for acquiring new jets under way
New Delhi, October 25 Addressing the Commanders of the IAF, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy today said that the qualitative
requirements of the force had already been provided to the government. “We have provided our qualitative requirements (QRs) to the government. It has to take a final decision,” he told mediapersons after the first session of the IAF Commanders’ Conference which was inaugurated by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee earlier in the morning. Defence Secretary Ajai Vikram Singh was also present for the conference. The conference, attended by the Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief (AOCinC) of all the seven commands of the IAF as well as the Principal Staff Officers at the Air Hqs here, also had the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) chief Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani and Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) Air Marshal F H Major present. Also part of the proceedings was the IAF’s first lady three star, Director General Medical Services (Air) Air Marshal Padma Bandopadhyay. Ways to revise the IAF’s functioning to reflect its increased power projection capabilities, as well as to keep down its accident rate — the lowest in 34 years — are supposed to form the main agenda at the conference. The Chief of Air Staff said teams of experts from France had come to investigate the reasons for the two Mirage crashes in the last sixty days. “In case of the first in which the wheel had come off, we now know that a pin had broken and gone around the wheel. In the second, we are not sure but suspect that a compressor blade had broken in the engine,” he said, adding that they had called in experts from Snecma, the French engineering major which makes the Mirage engines. ACM Krishnaswamy also said that the 10 additional Mirages, ordered by the IAF in September 2000, would most probably arrive by the end of this year. “They were supposed to come in by last year but there was some delay. We should have them by the end of 2004,” he said. Inaugurating
the five-day conference Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee pointed to the professionalism of the IAF. He said professionalism of the force reflected from its performance in the international exercises. He expressed confidence that the IAF would continue to perform well even in the future. He further commended the IAF for the great service the force had rendered in undertaking multifarious responsibilities from nation’s air defence to providing assistance in natural calamities. During the conference the IAF’s top brass will consider the enhanced capabilities of its fleet and how it augments their current mission profile specially keeping in mind its offensive assets which have been augmented by the `force-multipliers’ like the airborne tankers. Another priority item on the agenda will be the progress towards the aerospace command. The IAF, which had last year drawn flak from the parliamentary committee for not pursuing the matter, has begun action in a methodical manner. |
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SC seeks Centre’s view on reservation to ‘Dalit Christians’
New Delhi, October 25 The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), seeking to declare clause 3 of the “Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, as unconstitutional and void, denying reservation benefits in service, electoral and other matters to SCs among the Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists converts to the Christianity. The PIL was filed by the Centre, whose counsel, senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, said the provision was undemocratic, unconstitutional and void because it discriminated Dalit Christians of their rights, which were available to them before the conversion.
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CBI probe into savings scam
Patna, October 25 The state government had decided to hand over to the CBI the inquiry into the scam in view of its magnitude, Chief Secretary K.A.H. Subramanian said. The decision followed the directive of Chief Minister Rabri Devi, he said. The economic offences wing of the Home Department had uncovered the “illegal” deposit of stolen sureties with different departments, including the Public Health Engineering Department, Road Construction Department and Irrigation Department for award of contracts worth an estimated Rs 300 crore, official sources said. The inquiry by the wing had revealed that the saving certificates deposited as security were stolen from the Patna junction between 1988 and 2000. The matter first came to light when the Jharkhand police detected one such case in Palamu district and the Superintendent of Police (Palamu) alerted the Bihar police chief about a contractor who had deposited some savings certificates with the Road Construction Department as security money in the district. A series of scams, including the controversial fodder and bitumen scam, causing huge losses to the state exchequer have already surfaced during the Laloo-Rabri regime.
— PTI |
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Centre directs agencies to step up security in Kashmir
New Delhi, October 25 A direction to this effect was given by the Ministry of Home Affairs after a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to review the overall situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of an attempt on National Conference leaders in Kashmir. The nearly an hour-long meeting held in North Block was attended by, among others, Home Secretary Dhirendra Singh, Army Chief N. C. Vij, Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Ministry of Home Affairs and other senior ministry officials. During the meeting, General Vij is understood to have briefed the Home Minister about the infiltration level and the security scenario near the Line of Control. Mr Patil, who had spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, asked the state government to go deep into the “possible security lapse” in yesterday’s militant attempt on NC leaders and take necessary correctives. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and his son and National Conference President Omar Abdullah had escaped unhurt in a militant attack in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir yesterday. Meanwhile, the Home Minister is understood to have struck down the idea of sending a Central team to Kashmir probe into the incident and decided to await the report of the state government, which has ordered an inquiry into on the incident, as law and order is a state subject. Mr Patil was of the view that the Centre should not rush the Central team after every militant incident, as it would undermine the constitutional authority of the state government. However, he asked the Home Ministry officials to keep a close watch on the situation and monitor the security scenario in the state in close liaison with the state government. During the meeting, Mr Patil also reviewed the security scenario in the state ahead of his proposed three-day visit to Kashmir, beginning November 6. He is expected to visit border outposts and interact with political leaders cutting across party line, leaders of local organisations, senior security and government officials. Besides reviewing the internal security situation in the state, the meeting also deliberated on the measures and the strategies to counter the militant activities. A senior Home Ministry official today clarified that the security cover provided to the NC top brass is the highest ‘Z-plus’ security. |
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Speaker to meet PM on winter session
New Delhi, October 25 Mr Chatterjee is likely to discuss with them issues that figure high on the Opposition’s agenda. Among those who will be attending the meeting include the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, the Leader of the Lok Sabha, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, and the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad. This will be followed by a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition, Mr L.K. Advani, and other BJP leaders on October 28 so that the two principle parties in Parliament are able to work out a consensus to ensure that the proceedings are not disrupted and that there is no repetition of what took place during the Budget session which had to be adjourned ahead of schedule. The BJP-led NDA Opposition had raised the issue of “tainted” ministers which had led to disruption of proceedings and hardly any business being conducted during the session. These two meetings precede the one slated for November 23 with leaders of all political parties in Parliament with the Presiding Officers of both Houses. These two separate meetings are being held with the two major political parties so that a consensus is evolved ahead of the November 23 meeting. |
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P.C. Pande posted as Addl DG in ITBP
New Delhi, October 25 Mr Pande, a 1970 batch IPS officer from the Gujarat cadre, has been appointed on “lateral shift and on deputation basis to the ITBP up to March 2, 2008, or until further orders”, a government order said here today. In its order, the Home Ministry asked the Department of Personnel and Training, the cadre controlling the department of the CBI, to relieve Mr Pande immediately in order to enable him to take the new assignment. The Home Ministry has asked the department to intimate it of the date of release of Mr Pande, the GO said. The appointment of Mr Pande to the CBI last year led to a big controversy with some NGOs filing a petition before the Supreme Court for his removal from the premier investigating agency as it was probing some sensitive riot cases. This decision of the Home Ministry came after Solicitor General G.E. Vahanvati had submitted before the Supreme Court this morning that Mr Pande was being given an important assignment in the Home Ministry, which has no connection whatsoever in dealing with the Gujarat riot cases. |
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Brazil, SA invited to form pressure group to combat AIDS
New Delhi, October 25 Speaking at the inauguration of the first meeting of science and technology ministers under the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) forum, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal called upon leaders in India, Brazil and South Africa to come together to persuade the developed world to spend more on HIV and AIDS at the forthcoming World Economic Forum. At present, $ 3.6 billion are being spent on HIV and AIDS, while experts had advocated that by 2004, about $ 8-10 billion should be allocated for the disease by the international community. Mr Sibal suggested a group on the lines of G-20 in the WTO, adding that leaders of the three countries could also help bring other countries at the forefront on the issue. He said research should emphasise on the development of vaccine to prevent the spread of AIDS. Along with care and treatment, the focus should also be on international cooperation and capacity building, he added. |
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Survivors of Bhopal tragedy hold rally
New Delhi, October 25 Later they also submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, demanding the government's interference in quick disbursement of the balance amount of the settlement fund, which they claimed had not being disbursed due to the hurdles created by persons with certain vested interests. Led by the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udyog Sangathan and the Gas Peedit Nirashit Pension Bhogi Sangharsh Morcha, they demanded setting up of a special court to conduct trial on the day-to-day basis and the provision of safe drinking water. Addressing the rally, convener of the sangathan Abdul Jabbar Khan and president of the morcha Balkrishna Mandeo said even 20 years after the tragedy, as many as 250,000 victims still continued to receive regular medical treatment. However, the settlement fund, retained in a dollar account, had inflated more than four times in terms of rupees due to devaluation and the accruing of interest. By December 2003, only half of the fund had been disbursed and Rs 1,530 crore remained to be disbursed to the 570,000 gas victims on a pro rata basis, as directed by the Supreme Court in its July 19 order. However, nothing had been done about it so far, they said. The memorandum also drew the attention of the Prime Minister to the slow pace of the proceedings in criminal cases filed against the accused in the case and called for the setting up of a special court to conduct the trial on a daily basis. "It is absolutely shameful that the non-bailable warrant of arrest issued against Warren Anderson, the then Chairman of Union Carbide Corporation, has not been executed even 12 years after it was issued," the memorandum stated. It also raised the issue of contamination of ground water in and around the Union Carbide factory as a result of the dumping of toxic waste from 1969 to 1984. According to the memorandum, by drinking contaminated water, people living in the surrounding areas had been inflicted with a variety of ailments. The memorandum also stated that even after nearly 20 years, a memorial park had not been built to pay homage to those who had died in the worst-ever environmental disaster. |
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Three additional flights by Cathay Pacific
New Delhi, October 25 The Hong Kong-based carrier currently operates four flights a week from the country's busiest metros. The additional three flights from Mumbai and Delhi would increase the number to seven per week. The first additional flight from Delhi to Hong Kong starts on November 1 and the Mumbai-Hong Kong flight, will commence on November 16. |
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Railways gearing up for ISO certification
New Delhi, October 25 The New Delhi-Lucknow Shatabdi Express had recently received ISO 9001: 2000 certification for complete services, including catering, mechanical, electrical, signal and telecom maintenance services. The sources said quality manual, quality procedure and work instructions covering all the aspects were being prepared in line with the requirements of ISO standards. |
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Govt failure on support price for cotton hits farmers
New Delhi, October 25 Farmer leaders have alleged that the government has failed to announce support prices for the cotton crop though the crop had been reaching the market for the past one month. The prices have been further hit badly after the reports of cotton imports. They claimed that with the announcement of the government to import cotton from Australia, the cotton prices had crashed from Rs 2600 to Rs 2700 per quintal till recently to less than Rs 1800 per quintal in the past one month. The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta), Punjab, which is spearheading an agitation in the state, has called upon the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter immediately to save farmers from financial losses due to the crashing of the market prices in North India. Talking to The Tribune here today, Mr Balkar Singh Dakaunda, general secretary, Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta), said,” Good cotton crop in the region after a gap of number of years had raised hope among the farmers, but unfortunately the crashing of market prices had once again belied their hopes.” He said unlike previous years, the crop had not been hit by the American bollworm that used to destroy the crop. He claimed that till recently cotton prices in the Punjab cotton belt comprising Bathinda,
Muktsar, Ferozepore and Mansa were ruling around Rs 2000 per quintal, but the reports of cotton import from Australia had led to crash of the prices. “In Punjab, the arrival of cotton crop is already peaking but the government purchase agencies like the CCI, Markfed and Spinfed have not yet started the purchase of the crop. Private traders are exploiting the farmers by purchasing the cotton at low prices. So the government agencies should be asked to start the purchase of cotton immediately. We are witnessing a bumper crop after a gap of number of years,” he said. Cotton growers of the state have alleged that over the past years, the Central Government has been used to declaring market support price of the cotton and export-import policy during December-January period, the time when the cotton crop from Maharashtra reaches market. It hurts cotton growers in Punjab and Haryana, whose crop reaches the market by October. “We agree that Maharashtra is a major cotton-growing state and the Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar belongs to that state, but the government should announce support price and import and export policy for the cotton crop immediately keeping in view the interests of the farmers,” said Mr Pishora Singh Sidhupur, president of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta), Punjab. He said the Union would present a memorandum to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene in the matter, and will hold a protest dharna from October 26 at Jantar Mantar here if the government failed to take a decision. |
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HRD Ministry takes exception to opening of 97 KVs
New Delhi, October 25 “All norms were violated and these schools were set up without any rationale, just on the basis of orders directly issued from the then HRD Minister’s office, bypassing the ministry and in violation of procedures”, Ministry sources said. This had resulted in several schools being opened without allocation of adequate funds, proper facilities with an inadequate number of teachers and students. In some cases, there was an average of 10-15 students in each class,
they said. The normal procedure for setting up central schools would be through a Plan allocation, budgetary provisions and the approval of
appropriate authorities in the government, the sources said adding the Kendriya Vidyalayas were opened on the basis of the presence of central government employees in a particular area. The norm was the availability of 200 school-going children from this category and the schools could also be opened for central government undertakings. In addition, the schools required 15 acres of land and rent free temporary accommodation for school and staff quartes for at least 50 per cent employees till the KVs were in a position to construct its own
buildings. — PTI |
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NSCN (I-M) leaders to visit India for talks
New Delhi, October 25 According to informed sources, the NSCN (I-M) leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chhi Swu had agreed to visit India during the three-day talks held between Centre’s interoculator K Padmanabaiah in Bangkok, last week. “During the dialogue in India, the Centre would be keen to deal first with those issues which could be easily dealt with and take up other contentious issues for discussion subsequently,” sources said without elaborating on issues. The NSCN had a ceasefire with the government since 1997. It was extended for another year in July this year at a meeting in Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai. |
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Additional sugar quota for festival season released
New Delhi, October 25 According to information, the government has released 13 lakh tonnes of sugar as quota of indigenous free sale for the month of November 2004. With a levy quota of 2.16 lakh tonnes released earlier, the total availability of sugar for November 2004 would be 15.16 lakh tonnes, it said. The free sale quotas are meant only for internal consumption and with enough stocks of sugar in hand. The government is in a position to release further quantities in case of requirement, the release added. |
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Scientists can now read your eyes
New Delhi, October 25 “Given a photograph of a person, we can determine from his eyes a wide-angled view of the world around him. We can know exactly what he was looking at,” says Shree Nayar, Professor, Computer Science. The corneal imaging system enables scientists to view the world around the individual from the person’s eyes. Research on the system could one day find use in various fields — surveillance cameras, journalism, human-machine interfaces, study of human reactions and even Hollywood. “Journalists rely extensively on eye-witness accounts of events and this technology has the potential to add significantly to media reporting in this regard. Research shows that recall from eye-witness accounts is often flawed and the new technique may aid in determining the truth as seen by an observer, or even the subject in a news event,” says Prof John
Pavlik, Journalism and Media Studies, New Jersey State University. In most cases, there is no physical access to the actual location where the image was taken and the human eye may be the only source of information.
— PTI |
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Conference on medicinal plants begins
New Delhi, October 25 Delegates from nearly 30 countries are taking part in the conference, which has been organised by the Century Foundation in association with Bangalore University, the National Horticulture Board, CSIR, the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the JK Medicinal Plants Board. According to a spokesman, of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, the conference will discuss issues relating to the cultivation and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was to inaugurate the conference but could not do so because of preoccupation. Mr Diwan said Jammu and Kashmir was rich in biodiversity because of varied agro-climatic conditions. He offered to host the next conference in the state. |
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Swamy for “Dharma yudh” against Marxists
Chennai, October 25
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New Delhi, October 25
