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Red alert in tiger reserves
BJP flays Congress on AMU Act
Govt forced to have relook at Bills |
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Dance bars may nail govt on graft charges
Convicted MLA disqualified
Kalam to embark on 4-nation tour
Sharma to be Master
General of Ordnance
SC pulls up Rlys for denying benefits to employees
Nod to exchange of defence land at Port Blair
Five new faces in NCW
Sunil Dutt, P.M. Sayeed given Rajiv Gandhi Award
Charge sheet against Bharat Shah’s secy
India pledges $ 15 million aid for Palestinians
Paswan irked by transfers in Bihar
Rajputana Rifles, INS Delhi sign Charter of Affiliation
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Red alert in tiger reserves
New Delhi, May 20 Talking to The Tribune on telephone from Ranthambore, Executive Director of the Wildlife Protection of Society Belinda Wright, who is part of the team of experts that is conducting a state-level census of tigers in Ranthambore, said the experts finished collecting data for the census today. She, however, refused to comment on the exact number of tigers, which the 2004- census had pegged at around 40. "Sightings depend on several factors. But there are tigers in Ranthambore and if the Prime Minister is lucky, he will be able to see one. I have seen quite a few big cats during the data-collection exercise. But we would be able to comment on the exact number of tigers in the reserve only after these findings are analysed," she said. The team used various methods, apart from the traditional pug mark method, to collect the data, including camera traps and digital software to analyse pug marks. Sariska, which had earlier been announced as the destination for Dr Singh's visit, was dropped by the PMO due to certain administrative reasons. Moreover, Ranthambore, unlike Sariska, still has some tigers. During his visit, the Prime Minister will hold discussions with chief wildlife wardens and field directors from different states and also talk to local villagers. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has issued a red alert to all tiger reserves in the country in view of impending monsoons when poaching becomes rampant. Asking the reserves to respond within a fortnight regarding the action taken, the ministry has issued directions to carry out extensive search of forest areas and wildlife premises in and around tiger reserves and protected areas for steel traps, fire arms and other contraptions used for poaching wild animals. Project Tiger Director Rajesh Gopal said the reserves had also been told to alert field staff and conduct searches in all possible places where contrivances used for poaching were manufactured.
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BJP flays Congress on AMU Act
New Delhi, May 20 Addressing mediapersons, BJP Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu accused the Centre of bringing the “discredited RJD’’ to power through the ‘’backdoor’’ and claimed the Union Home Ministry forced Bihar Governor Buta Singh to remove District Magistrates of Gopalganj and Siwan and appoint the former Chief Secretary as an adviser. Pointing out to the transfers of DMs of Siwan and
Gopalganj, who had ensured fair elections, Mr Naidu asked whether ‘’this was the reward for good governance,’’ as he recalled the address of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this morning, wherein the latter had called for rewarding innovations and good governance. The BJP leader said the common man of Bihar had removed RJD from the power but the Congress, in its eagerness to please the RJD, had reduced the ‘’Rashtrapati
shasan’’ to ‘’Rabripati shasan,’’ bringing back cronies of the previous regime. ‘’We have information that the Home Ministry brought pressure on Governor to appoint former Bihar Chief Secretary as his Adviser,’’ Mr Naidu said, demanding these changes should be cancelled until a popular government is in place. Noting that the Lok Janshakti leader and Union Steeled Minister Ramvilas Paswan had also opposed the appointments, he said the new appointments had proved that President’s Rule was not capable of projecting itself as a objective administration. The BJP leader said the amendment to the Aligarh Muslim University Act, reserving 50 per cent of the seats in post-graduation courses for Muslims was a ‘’blatantly communal step.’’ Mr Naidu alleged that the Congress did not want to do anything for the Muslims, except creating controversies. ‘’This decision is against the Constitution, the Muslim interests and the national interests. We only hope this wrong will be undone,’’ he said and added that the BJP was exploring all options to oppose the move, including the legal avenue. Earlier addressing the inaugural session of the BJP culture cell meeting at the BJP headquarters, Mr Naidu took exception to West Bengal Chief Minister not visiting the Ramakrishna Math to condole the death of Swami
Ranganathananda, president of the Mission. |
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Govt forced to have relook at Bills New Delhi, May 20 UPA chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi admitted that the Bill seeking to give land rights to tribesmen had been delayed following objections from environmentalists as there was merit in their arguments. She said efforts were on to enlist support from all political parties and activists to an amended Women’s Reservation Bill. The Women’s Reservation Bill and the tribal land rights, in their present form, have met with resistance from various quarters. Opposition to the Bill, seeking to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in legislatures, is not new. As a result, the Bill has been in cold storage for nearly a decade. But opposition to the Bill giving land rights to adivasis surfaced during the recent Budget session when environmentalists managed to secure the support of a large block of MPs, including Mr Rahul Gandhi, to block this legislation. Environmentalists, led by tiger activist Valmik Thapar, have objected to the tribal land rights Bill on the plea that it will play havoc with forest land. The government was put to great embarrassment when these activists were supported by MPs of the ruling alliance, as the UPA’s common minimum programme has promised to confer ownership rights to tribesmen as the original inhabitants of forest areas. The Bill enjoys the support of tribal MPs from across the political spectrum who feel that such a move would do justice to the adivasis who have been pushed out of their original habitat. While reiterating the UPA government’s commitment to the passage of this Bill, Mrs Gandhi told mediapersons recently that environmentalists had raised some objections to certain provisions of the Bill and some of their objections were valid. “We need to have more discussions on the Bill,” she stated. Similarly, Mrs Gandhi said Home Minister Shivraj Patil had a plan to get over the objections to the Women’s Reservation Bill and he was consulting political parties and women’s groups to elicit their views on his suggestion. |
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Dance bars may nail govt on graft charges
Mumbai, May 20 After it became clear that the ordinance would come with several loopholes to permit dance bar owners to continue operating, the Shiv Sena-BJP Party leaders are accusing the ruling politicians of taking money from dance bar owners. “Allegations by dance bar owners that senior ruling party officials were extorting money seems to be true,” a senior Shiv Sena leader said in reaction to the proposed ordinance. Dance bar owners told local newspapers that they would probably be allowed to operate after installing glass partitions between the dance area and the patrons’ seats. Some of them said they would install different entrances so that patrons could leave their drinks in their seats and join the bar dancers in the dance area. Since the proposed ordinance does not cover discos, some dance bar owners even mulled turning their joints into discos where unescorted young men could dance with the girls employed in the joint. Senior Shiv Sena-BJP leaders allege that the government is probably permitting the loopholes after the bar owners cut a deal with the ruling political parties in Maharashtra. Manjeet Singh Sethi, president, Bar Owners’ Association had earlier alleged that a senior NCP leader attached to Patil’s office had demanded money from the bar owners to avert the ban. Mr Sethi taped the phone call and released the transcript to the media causing red faces in the state government. Subsequently, several prominent bar owners split with Sethi and formed their own organisation. Sena-BJP leaders now allege that sections of the ruling parties may have cut a deal with the bar owners to introduce the watered down ordinance.
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Convicted MLA disqualified
Lucknow, May 20 According to the Governor’s order the disqualification comes into affect from January 28, 2005, the date on which Udai Bhan’s appeal was dismissed by the Allahabad High Court. Additional Legal Advisor to the Governor Pradeep Dubey revealed that this was the first time that a Uttar Pradesh sitting MLA had been disqualified under Section 8(4) of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951. Representing the Aurai constituency of Sant Ravi Das Nagar, formerly Bhadohi, Udai Bhan is amongst the 40 MLAs who had crossed over from the BSP to the SP on the eve of the installation of the Mulayam Singh government. The disqualified MLA described as a “hardened criminal” by his ex-colleagues in the BSP, is presently lodged in Agra jail. He was convicted for murdering a mafia rival in Gopiganj, Sant Kabir Nagar in 1998. The order has come on the petition of Mr Sarvesh Narain Shukla of Girai village of Sant Kabir Nagar. Days after Udai Bhan Singh’s appeal to the High Court was dismissed on January 28, 2005, this relative of the murdered victim approached the Governor. In his petition on February 7, 2005, Shukla demanded the disqualification of Udai Bhan Singh under Section 8(4) of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951 on the ground conviction in a murder case. Governor T.V. Rajeswar on March 28 sought the opinion of the Election Commission of India. The commission after hearing the petitioner as well as Udai Bhan Singh and their respective counsel arrived at the view that the sitting MLA stands disqualified from the membership of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from January 28, the day on which Singh’s appeal was dismissed. The special leave petition filed by the convicted MLA in the Supreme Court has not considered by the Election Commission as the continuation of the conviction case decided by the High Court.
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Kalam to embark on 4-nation tour
New Delhi, May 20 While Russia and Iceland are supportive of the Indian candidature, Switzerland and Ukraine are yet to take a position. In Switzerland and Iceland, the President will interact with experts and scientists on earthquake prediction and management, natural disasters and how to respond to a natural disaster. President Kalam will visit Russia from May 22 to May 25; Switzerland from May 25 to May 29; Iceland between May 29 and June 1; and Ukraine from June 1 to June 4. This will be the first visit by an Indian President to Russia after the break up of the Soviet Union. The last Indian President who visited Russia was President Venkataraman in 1988. Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a state banquet in Dr Kalam’s honour while Prime Minister Fradkov will be hosting a dinner for him. He will be visiting the State Duma and meeting other members of the Duma, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr Rajiv Sikri, said at a briefing today. In addition, apart from the ceremonials like visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the President will visit the Moscow State University, the Russian Academy of Sciences and a few scientific and defence establishments in Moscow. President Kalam is visiting Switzerland at the invitation of his Swiss counterpart and will be a return visit for the visit that the Swiss President paid to India in 2003. The focus of the visit will be on science and technology. From Switzerland, President Kalam flies to Iceland. There he will be the guest of President of Iceland Mr Grimson who was in India on a state visit in October 2000.
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Sharma to be Master
General of Ordnance
New Delhi, May 20 He would replace Lt Gen V.K. Chopra, who will take over as the new Chief of Staff of the recently-raised South-Western Command at Jaipur. An accomplished paratrooper and Colonel Commandant of the elite Parachute Regiment, General Sharma has extensive experience of tackling insurgency, having headed the most sensitive corps in the country for the past year and a half. He had earlier been tasked with raising the “Romeo” Counter-Insurgency Force (CIF), responsible for operations in Baramulla and Kupwara districts in northern Kashmir. Commissioned into the Indian Army in December 1966, he is one of the most decorated officers, having been conferred the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) at various stages in his career. This year, he was awarded the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) for his exceptional service and contribution to the return of normality in Kashmir. Maj Gen S.S. Dhillon, who currently heads the Indian Military Training Mission in Bhutan, is slated to take over as the new GOC of the 15 Corps, after promotion to the next rank.
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SC pulls up Rlys for denying benefits to employees
New Delhi, May 20 "As the Railways is utilising for long periods the services of employees in Group D post for higher post in Group C carrying higher responsibilities, benefits of pay protection, age relaxation and counting of their service on the higher post toward minimum prescribed period of service, if any, for promotion to the higher post must be granted to them as their legitimate claim," a Bench of Mr Justice Ashok Bhan and Mr Justice D.M. Dharmadhikari said. Directing the Railways to protect the salary of such employees even after their repatriation, the apex court said, "they shall be considered in their turn for promotion to the Group C post and the period of service spent by them on ad hoc basis in Group C post shall be given due weightage and counted towards the length of requisite service." The Court said even the Railways' counsel had admitted that the employees appointed for lower grade work like Khalasi, Gangman, watchman during 1978 and 1983 were made to work on higher posts carrying higher scale of pay.
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Nod to exchange of defence land at Port Blair
New Delhi, May 20 The Cabinet at its meeting here gave the approval for the exchange of land which would benefit the Navy for construction of accommodation for Navy personnel, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters here. The Cabinet also gave its nod for the opening of an Indian consulate at Songkhla in Thailand to promote and safeguard India’s strategic, political and commercial interests. The opening of the Consulate, by creating six India-based posts and two local posts, promote the country’s cultural relations too, Chidambaram told reporters after the meeting. |
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Five new faces in NCW New Delhi, May 20 NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas confirmed the notification issued by the Human Resource Development Ministry in this regard and said she had been informed about the development by the Member Secretary in the commission. According to the notification, members Nafisa Hussain, Nirmala Sitharaman and Anusuya Uike have been relieved from office today. Ms Nafisa Hussain and Ms Nirmala Sitharaman joined the commission on November 3, 2003, Anusuiya Uike joined on February 17, 2004. Ms Hussain and Ms Uike told TNS that the notification was arbitrary and they were not given any notice by the government. The third member who faces this order is away to Hyderabad in connection with the Commission’s work. Five new members who have been inducted in the commission are Ms Malini Bhattacharya, Ms Sushila Toriya, Ms Motamma, Ms Neeva Konwar and Ms Yasmeen
Abrar.
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Sunil Dutt, P.M. Sayeed given Rajiv Gandhi Award
Kanpur, May 20 The award was presented here last night by Union Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, also the convener of the Society for Secularism. Speaking at the function, Mr Aiyar said Rajiv Gandhi who sacrificed his life for the unity and integrity of country was pained with the emergence of religious fundamentalism in the country and stressed the need to honour such persons who were devoted to maintaining the secular character of the country.
— UNI |
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Charge sheet against Bharat Shah’s secy
Mumbai, May 20 The charge sheet against Tarun Shah was filed before the special court constituted under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The delay in prosecuting Shah was due to the fact that he had been absconding for more than four years while others like Bharat Shah, Nazeem Rizvi, producer of the film ‘Chori Chori Chhupke Chhupke’ and others were facing trial. Tarun Shah surrendered before the court on November 30 and was granted bail on January 25. According to the charges against him, Tarun Shah had sent hawala money to Pakistan-based gangster Chhota Shakeel on behalf of Bharat Shah.
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India pledges $ 15 million aid for Palestinians
New Delhi, May 20 This was conveyed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Mr Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority, who concluded his brief two-day working visit here this evening. While Mr Abbas met the Prime Minister yesterday, the Palestinian leader met President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi today. External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh was present during the Abbas-Sonia meeting. Mr Rajiv Sikri, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs told reporters today that President Abbas gave his impressions about what is happening in the occupied territories and Palestine. “They are a little disappointed with the lack of progress in following the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit. |
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Paswan irked by transfers in Bihar New Delhi, May 20 In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Mr Paswan said he was “surprised and anguished” over the manner in which Mr Arun Pathak, who had held post of the Chief Secretary when Mr Lalu Prasad was the state Chief Minister, had been appointed as adviser to the Governor and District Magistrates C.K. Anil and K.K. Pathak transferred from Siwan and Gopalganj. He said appointment had been made under pressure from the RJD chief. Meanwhile, the Congress today sought to justify the transfers of two District Magistrates in Bihar as a “local decision” taken under President’s Rule in the state.
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Rajputana Rifles, INS Delhi sign Charter of Affiliation
New Delhi, May 20 The charter was signed at a on the deck of the ship in Mumbai, an Army spokesman here said yesterday. “In reverence to yesterday long-standing relationship of cooperation and interdependence the Regiment has shared since the early 19th century with the Navy, a formal affiliation seemed to be the right culmination of the process,” he said. |
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Chandraswami moves HC for travel abroad
New Delhi, May 20 Mr Justice R.C. Jain issued notices to the prosecuting agencies, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI, directing them to file their replies by June 6. |
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