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Cong probing role of NDA leaders in oil-for-food scam
PM is clean-chit minister: BJP
Nitish seeks votes for a better Bihar
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Bangladesh jihadis form suicide squads
Keep proper records of daily wage earners, SC tells states
Gujjar’s
wife, sister fight over last rites
32 get life term for triple murder
CNG supply in NCR lands in controversy
Centre approves road improvement works in HP
Cong workers court arrest
GRP jawan shot
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Cong probing role of NDA leaders in oil-for-food scam
New Delhi, November 9 In this connection, the Congress has zeroed in on public sector companies like State Trading Corporation (STC) and Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) which have figured in UN’s Volcker enquiry committee report on Iraq’s oil-for-food programme. These are among the 129 Indian firms which have been listed in Table 7 of the report as having made “illicit payments” to the Iraqi President when the country was under sanctions. While RITES has been mentioned as having paid over $ 100,000, the STC figures in the list of firms which paid less than this amount. The Congress machinery is now working furiously to find out more on the role of the NDA ministers who headed the ministries in charge of these public sector undertakings. While Janata Dal (U) leaders Nitish Kumar and Digivijay Singh were in the Railway Ministry which is the nodal ministry for RITES while Mr Murasoli Maran, Mr Arun Shourie and Mr Arun Jaitely were among those who headed the Commerce Ministry, STC’s nodal ministry. The Congress is, however, not rushing to launch its counter-campaign as it wants to make sure that Mr Maran was not involved as the tables have now turned and the DMK is an important partner in the UPA government while his son Dayanidhi Maran is a minister in the present ruling coalition. Since Mr Murasoli Maran was ill for a prolonged period, the Congress is trying to ascertain as to who headed the ministry when the contracts with Iraq were finalised. In addition, the Congress is also trying to find out whether the ministries acted independently or if the Union Cabinet or the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) endorsed these “illicit payments” for securing contracts for supply of humanitarian goods. The Congress effort will be to make a link between these payments and possible pecuniary benefits that might have accrued to those who might have take a decision in this case.It will be particularly inerested in finding some dirt on Mr Arun Jaitely since he has been leading BJP’s campaign against the Congress on the Volcker controversy. In fact, the UPA government is also toying with the possibility of including the role of the NDA government in the terms of reference of the R.S.Pathak probe into the Volcker findings, which are still being framed and are expected to be endorsed at the next Union Cabinet meeting. This is particularly so since the NDA government was in power when these deals with Iraq were finalised.
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ED may question
Jagat Singh
New Delhi, November 9 Sleuths in the directorate are scrutinising the several documents recovered from the residences and office premises of Andaleeb Sehgal, a relative of Jagat Singh, and Vikas Dhar to establish their links with the Natwar Singh’s family. The ED officials were also seeking the bank transaction of Sehgal and Vikas Dhar to see whether there was any link between them and Jagat Singh, before formally summoning the Rajasthan legislator for questioning. Although sources hinted that Jagat Singh was likely to be questioned soon, but there was no official confirmation to this. Andaleeb Sehgal and Vikas Dhar have been grilled for 16 hours over the past two days.
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George asks Sonia to clarify New Delhi, November 9 Addressing mediapersons at the party office here on Tuesday, Mr Fernandes said the UPA government had no moral authority to continue to lead the very people they have defrauded.
Recommending equal action against the accused, he said, “Mr Natwar Singh should not be made the scapegoat as the Congress has equal status in the Volcker report. The party has no option as it has itself been named as a non-contractual beneficiary,’’ he said. The JD (U) President said: “If Mr Natwar Singh deserves to be deprived of his portfolio, surely Ms Sonia Gandhi cannot continue to hold on her responsibility presently supported by the public exchequer.’’ Mr Fernandes said Ms Sonia Gandhi should make her position clear in the wake of serious allegations against the party. “It is now evident that this is a government of national shame. We demand that the Prime Minister either set matters right in accordance with his principles or resign with his Cabinet before the people bring this corrupt government down.’’ The NDA convener observed that there was nothing surprising in the involvement of the Congress party in the oil-for-food scam. “Indira Gandhi justifying her and her party
corruption had once said that corruption was a global phenomenon. In keeping with the Congress tradition, her daughter-in-law and the UPA chairperson has indeed made her party corruption globalised.’’
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PM is clean-chit minister: BJP
Patna, November 9 Talking to mediapersons here today, the BJP President, Mr L.K. Advani, alleged that contrary to his image of a "clean minister" when he assumed the reins of power in Delhi, Dr Singh had gradually transformed himself into a "clean chit minister" by defending tainted ministers. Mr Advani regretted, "Be it defending Natwar Singh for the charges levelled against him the in Volcker report on the food-for-oil scam or Mr Jai Prakas Narayan Yadav, RJD minister who had an arrest
warrant against him for illegally releasing his brother Vijay Prakash, RJD candidate from Jamui, from police custody, the Prime Minister could now best be dubbed as "clean chit minister". The BJP President further stepped up attack on the Volcker issue by targeting UPA chairperson and Congress President
Sonia Gandhi. Mr Advani alleged that pressure was being mounted on the person and his family to retrace his statements who had informed about the letter written by Mrs Sonia Gandhi to the then Government of Iraq at the time of finalising the list of those to be included in the food-for-oil programme. Mr Advani wondered at the prospect of an impartial enquiry into the conduct of Mr Natwar Singh, despite being divested of the foreigner minister's portfolio in the wake of the charges, was allowed to continue in the Cabinet. Mr Advani was here in connection with his three-day visit of Bihar to campaign for NDA candidates. He addressed rallies at Madhubani, Darbhanga and other areas. National general secretary of the BJP Arun Jaitley picked up the attack on the Prime Minister. Mr Jaitley questioned whether the promise made by the Prime Minister to build a new Bihar with Lalu Prasad was a "serious comment" or a "joke". Mr Jaitley said being an economist, the Prime Minister was well aware of the factors responsible for the underdevelopment of a particular region, and how did he promise to develop Bihar with Mr Lalu Prasad who had ruined the state in 15 years of RJD rule in the state. Mr Jaitley said it was the RJD which had ruled Bihar for the longest period after the Congress and thus neither of the partners of SDF could evade their responsibilities for the "backwardness" of the
region. Mr. Jaitley claimed that the NDA extended all possible assistance which was constitutionally applicable for Bihar as an "underdeveloped" region during its six years of rule in Delhi, and could not be blamed for the lack of development in the region as it never ruled the state. Mr Jaitley sought to supplement his party president's charges against the Prime minister as "clean chit minister" by referring to the case of the Bihar Governor Buta Singh, who was retained in his post despite the Supreme Court's verdict describing the dissolution of the state assembly after February poll as "unconstitutional". |
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Nitish seeks votes for a better Bihar
Chandi, November 9 In short sentences and a measured voice, 54-year-old Nitish tells meeting after meeting-eight in a row-that Bihar and its people have been reduced to a “laughing stock” because of 15 years of Laloo-Rabri misrule. “Biharis are hard working, they have intelligence. Students despite lack of educational infrastructure in Bihar qualify in competitive examinations and top the list”, he says and evokes people’s pride resulting in loud cheers. “Once a system is put in place, none will need to go out of the state to earn livelihood and then people will earn for themselves what they earn today for others. Bihar will again be one of the leading states of the country”, reminds Nitish as he asks for votes for his party candidates and seek crowd’s nod for garlanding the JD (U) candidate as a mark of his victory. Taking advantage of the state’s most revered religious Chhath festival, which had ended only a couple of hours ago, Nitish compares the election to a festival asking the women voters to vote first and then lit fire for preparing food. “Give food to your men folk, who votes for the JD (U) symbol arrow and who does not vote, keep him hungry for the day”, he tells women in gathering, evoking laughter among men. Upon being informed by the helicopter co-pilot that the last meeting at Kamla-Gopalpur in Maner Assembly constituency may have to be dropped because of falling behind schedule, Nitish with a surgeon-like precision reorganises his line of action and shortens the duration of the next four meetings. He asks his party colleague Rama Nath Thakur, son of legendary former Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, to cut down his speech. The duration of the meeting is halved and he is well within time for the last meeting. “How many minutes do we have for the next meeting”, asks the NDA chief ministerial candidate as he decides to have lunch on flight. His organisation skills are on display as he apparently prepares his plans to the last detail. He distributes napkins to his co-passenger and hands them lunch packets. By the time, his helicopter prepares to land at the venue of the next meeting; simple home made lunch is over. Flying over 1,064 sq km Tal spread along the Ganga and scores of other rivers and rivulets, he points out to a newly-laid Fathua-Islampur railway line from 4-seat Bell helicopter and says “it was done during my days as the Railway Minister”. A plan for this area was approved by the Planning Commission, which will ensure irrigation to areas and take water out of flood affected region, he replies to a question about his plans of development. “As a Lok Sabha MP from this region and a minister in the Vajpayee government, I got 2000 Mega Watt NTPC power plant and an ordnance factory”, he says. |
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Sonia slams UP govts
Nihalgarh (Amethi),
November 9 Ms Gandhi, however, hoped the political climate in Uttar Pradesh would change “very soon” for development to take place at a fast pace. Addressing party workers and villagers after inaugurating the Lifeline Express train here, Ms Gandhi said there could be several difficulties in carrying out developmental works, but determined efforts would yield positive results. Local Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said education, employment and health were the three basic needs of the
common man. “The public health sector in my constituency is not performing up to the mark...I find very few doctors in various public health centres (PHC).” Mr Gandhi said the Lifeline Express would bridge the gap between the health facilities available to the rich and poor. Thousands of people suffering from various ailments would benefit from the mobile hospital — Lifeline Express. Ailments of the eye, ear, nose and throat would be treated and minor surgeries undertaken during the next month at the Express. A 100-bed temporary hospital has also been established at the Rajiv Gandhi Degree College at Jagadishpur in the constituency where complex surgeries would be performed. The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) had organised over 25 Lifeline Express camps in collaboration with Impact India Foundation, Mumbai, and local collaborators by utilising the Indian Railway’s vast network, reaching the disabled in the rural and tribal areas across the country to provide medical/surgical treatment.
— UNI |
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Bangladesh jihadis form suicide squads
New Delhi, November 9 Well-placed sources told The Tribune today in the footsteps of Pakistan, new organisations come up in Bangladesh when an old one is banned, and there is blatant denial even in the face of concrete evidence. The situation has become worrisome, particularly after the August 17 serial bomb blasts when more than 400 explosions rocked all, but one, districts of Bangladesh. Recent reports in the Bangladesh mainstream media, quoting intelligence sources, said suicide squads had been set up, including those of women
fidayeen. The fragmentation into small entities is a tactical game plan to prevent tracking and investigations. It is a convenient mechanism to shift responsibility and maintain deniability. For example, JEI Amir, Nizami continues to deny the existence of Siddiqui Islam at Bangla Bhai, the head of the
JMJB. What is more alarming for India from the strategic point of view is a triangular relationship among Bangladesh, Pakistan and China which has become visible since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the American mainland. According to diplomatic sources, the following begs detailed examination in the intent of Bangladesh vis-a-vis India and South Asia: (a) Dhaka serves Islamabad’s and Beijing’s strategy to encircle India; (b) wages a much larger proxy war in India’s North-East through Indian Insurgent groups
(IIGs) that have support and sanctuary in Bangladesh, and (c) raises Islamic militants and terrorists to take this war into India’s heartland through the West Bengal and north-east India route. China’s role is subtle. It is arming the Bangladesh armed forces, especially the navy, with weapons that can be considered in the context of the Bay of Bengal, as offensive arming against a particular country with ship-to-ship, ship-to-air, and ground-to-air missiles. Simultaneously, Beijing is establishing a strong grip on Bangladesh’s infrastructure and exploitation of natural reserves like gas, morally strengthening Dhaka through agreements like civilian nuclear cooperation and cooperation in space, both of which can convert to military application in time. Most important, Dhaka, to prove its loyalty to Beijing, was the first to move to get China into the SAARC as a counter-weight against India. More ominous, and a real threat on the ground are the IIGs being nurtured in Bangladesh by its intelligence agencies and Pakistan’s ISI, which collaborate with each other. The other is the rearing of Islamic jihadi groups which not only target India, but also western interests located in India. This is a much larger strategy than what Pakistan did in Kashmir. The Bangladesh operation is targeted at a large area in India, both through IIGs and
jihadis, to create an unstable situation in the greater India heartland. The Bangladeshi jihadi outfits, which enjoy both internal and foreign patronage, are working for multiple thrusts into India. For example, the banned
Harkat-ul-Jihad-Al-Islami, Bangladesh (HUJAI-BD), which is a branch of the Pakistani
HUJAI, declared their plans some time ago. They aim to create pockets in Assam,
Manipur, West Bengal and Kashmir, in India. The Arakans in Myanmar is another target area. Inside Bangladesh, they have established themselves in Chittagong Division, including the Hill Tracts. The
Jamaat-ul-Islami, Bangladesh (JMB) is reportedly an incarnation of JUJAI-BD. The
JEI, and its students wing, the Islamic Chhatra Shibir (ICS) are closely associated with the
HUJAI-BD. The JEI is in the government today with the BNP. Key sources in the Indian strategic establishment stress that what Bangladesh could spew hereafter would not only be for India. In South Asia, Nepal and Sri Lanka cannot escape. Contiguous Myanmar should wake up, since Rohingya and Arakanese
Muslims are being trained in the jihadi madarsas in the hills and jungles of
Chittagong. Bangladesh may be poised to open the Asian Highway for Islamic terrorism under the Begum Khaleda Zia government. |
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Keep proper records of daily wage earners, SC tells states
New Delhi, November 9 Though reiterating its earlier verdict that daily wage earners could not be equated with regular employees of the government, a Bench of Mr Justice S N Variava, Mr Justice A.R. Lakshamanan and Mr Justice S.H. Kapadia said that maintaining of their service record was necessary. The court further said that when the service of a daily wager was terminated, the concerned designated officer should give a certificate to him/her clearly specifying as to how many days’ work he actually put in when his service was ended. “This system will obviate litigations and pecuniary liability for the government,” the court said in a judgement pronounced on Monday. The court found that in various cases pertaining to disputes over retrenchment and termination of daily wagers coming before it, the required details about their service record were normally missing. They were neither given any letter of appointments, nor termination, nor any other document which they could produce as proof of receipt of their wages while working for the government. “Their muter rolls are maintained in loose sheets. Even in cases, where registers are maintained by the government departments, the officers and clerks making entries do not put their signature. Even where signatures of clerks appear, the entries are not countersigned or certified by the appointing authorities,” the court said. The direction came on an appeal by a daily wage worker R M Yellatti from Karnataka, who had challenged his termination from the irrigation department after he had put in continuous service of 240 days without any break. The labour court had directed the Karnataka Government to reinstate him with 50 per cent back wages, which was upheld by a single judge of the state High Court. However, a division Bench of the High Court reversed the verdict on the ground that there was no record to show that Yellatti had worked continuously worked for 240 days. Allowing his appeal, the Supreme Court set aside the High Court order and restored the award of the labour court. |
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Gujjar’s wife, sister fight over last rites Lucknow, November 9 The mortuary in Etawah witnessed much drama when his estranged first wife and former bandit queen Seema Parihar walked in to claim his body. According to the SSP, Etawah, Mr Daljit Singh Choudhury, a minor scuffle also ensued between the sister and Seema to claim the body. When the district authorities wanted her to show evidence of being the dacoit’s legally wedded wife, she walked away in a huff. Seema later sat on dharna in front of the District Magistrate’s office to press for her claim. Mr Choudhry said that the body was finally handed over to Gujjar’s sister after she staked claim to perform the last rites. Meanwhile, the SSP, Special Task Force, Mr Akhil Kumar, made it clear that it was Nirbhay’s once close associate Ram Naresh Sengar, alias Lala Ram, who helped the police hunt down the fugitive. The Rs 1.5 lakh reward for getting the self-styled ‘dasyu samraat’ is to be paid to Lala Ram. While the local police is providing Lala Ram temporary security, the STF is requesting for permanent security cover, informed the SSP. He was all praise for Lala Ram as the man dared to come out in the open about his role in the operation. The SSP said that many myths regarding this media-friendly dacoit were exploded during and after the encounter. He was neither wearing his customary bulletproof jacket nor did he have huge cash tucked under his cummerbund. Even his signature AK 47 rifle was nowhere near his body. Most probably his escaping associates took it away.
— UNI |
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32 get life term for triple murder
Jaipur, November 9 The convicts were being spared death sentences as the trial lasted for 21 years and six months, Churu District and Sessions Judge B L Meena said delivering the judgement on Monday. One person was acquitted in connection with the crime which occurred at Malasi village of Sujangarh tehsil in Rajasthan in 1984. Police has filed the charge sheet against 41 accused in 1985 and the proceedings were dropped against seven persons as they died during the trials of the case. One of the accused is said to be absconding. The judge awarded life imprisonment to 32 finding them guilty of crime and acquitted one by giving benefit of doubt. The incident took place on the issue of offering prayers at the local Bhairunji temple in April 1984, where hundreds of devotees had gone to offer prayers and perform animal sacrifices. Some members from an influential community claimed their rights of offering the prayers first, which led to the clash and killing of three persons. Eight others were also injured in the violent clash.
— PTI |
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CNG supply in NCR lands in controversy
New Delhi, November 9 The IGL, which is currently supplying the CNG to entire national capital at lowest rate of Rs 18, claims that it had spent over Rs 1.02 crore on carrying out a survey for laying down pipelines in the districts of Faridabad, Gurgaon in Haryana and Ghaziabad and Noida in UP, the governments of the two states apparently have shown no interest in allocating the contract to the IGL in these areas. The Supreme Court in its orders issued on March 11 and August 29 had directed the governments of the two states to settle the issue amicably in consultation with the Union Government and the IGL officials. Pursuant to the apex court order, the IGL had sent several communications to the state governments to take further steps to implement the court directive in the supervision of a high-powered committee under Bhure Lal, but the officials of the company say that there was no direct response from the two states to its proposals to supply the gas in NCR falling in their territories. On the contrary, the Haryana Government in its affidavit filed recently in the apex court, had stated that the interpretation of the orders of the court clearly indicated that the states had been “given option” for creating “level playing field for the IGL as well as for other companies which are competent to handle the
(CNG/PNG) projects.” The IGL, which is making a case for getting the contract to entire NCR on the ground that it had already created a viable supply infrastructure in Delhi, is supplying the gas at lowest rate of Rs 18 in the country while the other companies had been providing it at higher rates with MGL in Mubai at Rs 20.90, GAIL at Baroda 20.92, GGCL in Surat and Bharuch at Rs 22.55 and Adani at Rs 25.53 in Ahmedabad. The Haryana Government in its affidavit said it had issued fresh order on August 28 granting no objection certificate (NOC) to all three contesting companies in the state for laying pipelines for distribution of the gas. Besides, IGL, the other two private operators in the fray are Haryana City Gas Distribution Ltd (HCGDL) and Gujarat Adani Energy Ltd (GAEL). The IGL is claiming its right of preference on the ground that it has laid down a two-way pipeline network in Delhi which could be extended to the entire NCR to ensure uninterrupted supply even in any emergency. On the other hand, the Haryana Government in its affidavit submitted that while granting the NOC, it had taken into consideration the new industrial policy laid down by the state, particularly on natural gas distribution encouraging both public and private sectors and keeping in view the industrial growth. The Haryana Government had allocated Panipat and
Sonepat to the IGL, Faridabad to GAEL and Gurgaon to HCGDL with the latter to allow to extend its network to Rewari, Jhajjar and Rohtak. But the IGL in its various communications to the Centre and the Haryana Government has raised question mark over the capacity of the private suppliers to meet the apex court deadline in implementing non-polluting fuel norms in the entire NCR. Similarly, objections were raised by the IGL regarding the UP Government’s proposals in preferring private companies in its territory of Ghaziabad and Noida. |
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Centre approves road improvement works in HP
New Delhi, November 9 The projects were approved by Union Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister T.R. Baalu. An official spokesman said Rs 168.82 lakh had been sanctioned for strengthening the existing pavement, construction of V drains and parapet walls and road signages on the Pathankot-Chakki-Mandi road of NH-20. He said the stretch passed through the important towns and was important from the tourists’ point of view. On the highway, improvement of riding quality had been approved for the Pathankot-Chakki-Mandi road stretch at a cost of Rs 339.30 lakh, the spokesman said. Improvement and
regarding on a small stretch of the Chandigarh-Shimla-Wangtoo road on NH-22 has also been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 20.12 lakh. |
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Cong workers court arrest
Kolkata, November 9 The Union minister, Mr Priya Dasmunshi, led the peaceful agitation, while Mr Abdul Mannan and Mr Sankar Singh, both MLAs, and several other state leaders participated. Soon after their arrest all Congress workers and supporters were released. Mr Dasmunshi declared at a meeting at the Behrampore court ground that the future course of action would be announced by the Defence Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, after their meeting with the AICC chief, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, tomorrow. He claimed that Mrs Gandhi had cleared today’s agitation programme. Similar agitations were also held in Kolkata and Siliguri and Jalpaiguri in north Bengal. In Kolkata, Mr Somen Mitra, Mr Subrata Mukherjee, Mr Pradip Bhattacharyya, Dr Manash Bhuida and other leaders participated in the agitation. |
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GRP jawan shot
Jhansi, November 9 GRP sources said the incident occurred around 1.15 pm on board Manikpur-Jhansi shuttle passenger train near the Behlapur railway station. An armed gang of robbers boarded a bogey and shot GRP Head Constable Bhagwan Das and constable Kalicharan when they
offered resistance. Das died on the spot.
— UNI |
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32 get life term for triple murder
Jaipur, November 9 The convicts were being spared death sentences as the trial lasted for 21 years and six months, Churu District and Sessions Judge B L Meena said delivering the judgement on Monday. One person was acquitted in connection with the crime which occurred at Malasi village of Sujangarh tehsil in Rajasthan in 1984.
— PTI
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