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Congress skirts
contentious issues
Indo-US nuke deal faces difficulties
AICC conclave gets under way
Sidelights of AICC conclave
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President for joint efforts by India, China to protect environment
Rationalisation of taxes on petro products sought
Two more suspected LeT terrorists held
Punjab cops in search of contract killer
JD (S), BJP ferry MLAs out of state
Kalam for joint efforts on environment
21 died in road accident
Bidding for 66 FM radio stations concludes
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Congress skirts
contentious issues
Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, January 21 Not wanting to tread on the toes of its alliance partners, the party has decided to be cautious while articulating the party’s vision and direction in the resolutions, which are to be deliberated on and adopted during the next two days. Whether it is the resolution on the current political situation or those on economic and international affairs, the effort has been to tread a middle path, ensuring that the UPA coalition remains intact and expanding the party’s support base, especially in states where its political space has been usurped by regional players. “The limitations of running a coalition have been clearly reflected in the resolutions,” remarked a senior Congress Working Committee (CWC) member, adding that the party did not want to say anything which would upset its allies. The resolutions, which were being fine-tuned by the 120-member extended CWC till late tonight, did not deviate much from the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) while giving a detailed account of the combine’s achievements. “We obviously cannot afford to contradict the CMP,” remarked a senior Congress minister. This was in stark contrast to the last AICC plenary session held five years ago, when the party had gone on the offensive, making sharp critical remarks against Left parties and the DMK. According to a Congress insider, the political resolution recognised that coalitions were now a reality which could not be forsaken, but made only an indirect and veiled reference to the party’s aspiration to come to power on its own. There was no reference to the Karnataka situation. There was reference to the party’s eroding base in the crucial states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Party cadres would be exhorted to gear up for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Assam. There was no mention of its adversarial relationship with Left parties in states where the two were pitted against each other. “The resolutions may be bland, but the Congress President’s speech is expected to be more
nuanced. She is likely to speak about the forthcoming elections, discipline in the party and corruption,” it was stated. The Prime Minister, on the other hand, would speak about the UPA government’s achievements, but was expected to give credit to the Congress President Sonia Gandhi by focusing on the suggestions from the National Advisory Council she headed. The resolutions on economic and international affairs were also a study in caution. Not wanting to upset Left parties, which had serious ideological differences on reforms, the resolution was expected to underline the Congress commitment to reforms with a human face. It would point out that unlike the NDA government, the present government had also focused on building capacities of institutions and people pursuing reforms. It would skirt issues like disinvestment, foreign direct investment and labour reforms. The government’s success at the WTO talks and the passage of the rural guarantee Bill and the Bharat Nirman Programme would be cited as the Congress commitment to the ‘aam aadmi’. The resolution on foreign affairs would again detail how the UPA government had improved relations with various countries, with special reference to the USA. |
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Indo-US nuke deal faces difficulties
New Delhi, January 21 During their January 19-20 talks, India and the US realised for the first time in six months since when they have been negotiating the nuclear agreement that the approach they had taken so far was not going to lead them anywhere. It was only during the just-concluded third round of discussions that the two sides decided to change their approach, and this, can give wings to their negotiations. India and the US have to thrash out five key documents, given below, to sew up the negotiations: (1) The separation plan, which the Indian Government has to prepare for separating its civilian and military nuclear facilities — a document on which the US can have views. (2) The legislation, which the Bush Administration has to hammer out to amend the existing US laws, which prohibit cooperating with India on nuclear-related matters — a document on which India can have views. (3) A safeguards agreement, which India has to enter into with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). (4) An additional protocol to be signed by India and the IAEA, which means additional safeguards which are activity-centric, unlike the safeguards agreement which is material-specific. India has decided to take the US into confidence on these two documents to be signed between India and the IAEA so that Washington could wield its clout with the IAEA to make things easy for India. (5) Finally, an Indo-US bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement — an exercise which will mean the grand finale of the entire exercise. This agreement will give legality and teeth to the July 18 Joint Statement which is not a legal document. Before the third round began, the two sides were trying to take up preparing these five documents one by one. It was only at the just-concluded talks between Mr Burns and Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran that the two sides realised that all the five documents are inter-related and all have to be negotiated simultaneously. This is what the Indians and the Americans did during the January 19-20 talks. The two sides are going to engage themselves in the fourth round of discussions about a month later so that they have a fair idea what they have in store for each other before President George Bush visits India in early March. |
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AICC conclave gets under way
Hyderabad, January 21 Huge arches, banners, billboards, posters and party flags have sprung up all over the city and it is Sonia, Rajiv and Rahul all the way overlooking every single road leading to the Gachibowli Stadium. The Sonia mania appears to have gone overboard, as even Rajiv looks a little dimunitive on the huge cutouts dotting the 12-km stretch from Mehdipatnam. Almost all banners and billboards highlight Sonia’s “sacrifice.” “Let her spirit of sacrifice and choice of party over power inspire us,” declares a huge cutout of hand symbol with Sonia’s picture in the middle near the entrance of the stadium. “The symbol of secular democracy” screams another huge cutout of a waving Sonia. Rahul’s presence all across the city is only next to Sonia. “Hope of the Congress party,” gushes a large banner near the Gandhi Bhavan, the Congress headquarters here. It is not as though Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is totally absent, but his appearance by the side of Sonia appears only as incidental most of the time. P.V. Narasimha Rao’s contribution to the party is acknowledged with a single arch that hails “Reformist P.V. Narasimha Rao.” The venue of the conclave is decked with portraits of 61 Congress presidents, including one of its founders in 1885 A.O. Hume down to Sonia Gandhi, with latter hogging limelight. An exhibition inaugurated by Sonia has also displayed more pictures of Gandhi-Nehru family than those of the history of the Congress. |
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Sidelights of AICC conclave
Hyderabad, January 21 *
AICC general secretary Ambica Soni is hot favourite for the TV cameras. Even as nothing much seems to be happening at the venue till evening, she is seen providing filler sound bites to the eager camera crews. The most sought after comments, though repeated adnauseum, are about Karnakata and Rahul’s induction into the CWC. Ms Soni appeared particularly pleased to talk about Rahul. Couched in euphemisms, the purport of her message was that the party needs the young Gandhi badly, and it is up to Sonia to appoint him. *
Hi-tech is a word which is anathema for Congress men in Andhra Pradesh. A large communication network, including 150 computers with broadband connectivity, printers, fax machines etc has been established at Rajiv Nagar here. State Congress leaders, who are members of various committees set up for the purpose, were also seen carrying wireless sets, coordinating the arrangements. *
Hyderabad has temporarily turned into nation’s capital. Besides, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, half the Central ministers, including 15 Cabinet rank ministers, will stay put in Hyderabad for three days. |
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President for joint efforts by India, China to protect environment
New Delhi, January 21 “We (India and China) will be the highest polluters with half of the world’s population in next 10 to 15 years if our dependence on fossil fuel remains the same as we will be releasing more carbon-dioxide, sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide which is normally emitted in the conventional thermal power plants… than other developed countries. This can only be tackled if the two nations join hands in promoting the renewable energy sources to protect our environment,” Dr Kalam said. He was delivering inaugural address of a three-day conference on “Environment Awareness Enforcement” here last night, organised by the Asia Pacific Jurist Association (APJA). The APJA, of which Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal is the Patron-in-Chief with Delhi High Court Judge Vijender Jain as President, began the deliberation sessions on various environmental issues here this morning at Vigyan Bhawan. The APJA, getting the full backing by Union Government, UN Environment Programme, various state governments and NGOs associated with the protection of environment, would deliberate upon protection of flora and fauna, wildlife, better management of solid waste in urban areas, water and air pollution and release of toxic waste in rivers rendering them highly polluted during the three-day conference. Dr Kalam said, “Both India and China are going to face colossal environmental challenges in next 10 to 15 years and the pressure due to their huge population on their water and oil resources would be tremendous. This can be tackled only with integrated participation of all - the government, civil society, judiciary and NGOs - to provide to the next generation a clean nation.” He said the pollution could be maintained within manageable limits only due to the better solid waste management in cities and towns, promotion of bio-fuel production and renewable sources of energy. Dr Kalam said that the thrust on nuclear power generation needed to be pursued more vigorously as there would be requirement for “ten fold” increase in the generation of electricity by using thorium based fuel, reserves of which were higher in the country. |
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Rationalisation of taxes on petro products sought
New Delhi, January 21 “Concerns are expressed over inflation and the
impact of rise in petro product prices on other commodities is also acknowledged. More than half of the retail selling price of petrol and one third of the selling price of diesel is made up of central and state duties. Thus, by high imposing taxes and duties on petro products, government is actually fuelling inflation,” said Mr Pradeep Mehta, secretary general of CUTS. The current ad valorem duty structure on petro products should also be replaced with a specific one. This would remove the cascading effect of a rise in oil prices and contain inflationary pressures, the pre-budget memorandum said. Pointing out the anomaly in calculating subsidy, the memorandum said the method of calculating subsidies is based on import based parity pricing of petroleum products and not on the basis of unrecovered costs of the oil companies. The subsidy
amount is therefore unduly inflated. The government should take immediate measures to directly support the needy rather than
cansalise subsidies through oil PSUs, which distorts the market process. |
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Two more suspected LeT terrorists held
Bangalore, January 21 They are 28-year-old Afsar Pasha, a native of Chintamani in Kolar District and Mohammed Irfan, an Imam of a mosque in Mulbagal in the same district, hailing from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. They were arrested in wee hours on January 19 by the Bangalore police at Punganur near Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh. Afsar, who had received Jihadi training in Bangladesh for nearly eight months in 2002-03, was involved in some bomb blasts in Dhaka. Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh told UNI today that the police was on the lookout for a few more extremists. The LeT militants who were holed up in the city had held a meeting on December 18 and hatched a conspiracy to carry out an attack in the city. Afsar had promised to procure weapon and explosives for the attack to be executed through some locals, for whom he had also even offered to give necessary training. Police have also obtained the names of three other extremists who were present at the meeting.
— UNI |
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Punjab cops in search of contract killer
Jaipur, January 21 According to the FIR lodged with Hebowal police station, Jai Sindhi shot at Pankaj Jain while he was going home after closing his shop on December 31 last. As soon as the victim was shot, he fell on the ground and the motorcycle-borne criminal escaped hurriedly. Pankaj Jain who was seriously wounded was later admitted to hospital. Investigations made so far have revealed that because of personal enmity of Mr Pankaj Jain with his brother, Vishal Jain, the latter had hired Jai Sindhi to kill him. Sources said, Vishal has also been arrested and he has confessed the crime. The Hebowal thana in charge, Mr Gurpreet Singh, who is currently camping here with police force, stated that despite series of raids on the suspected shelters of the accused, Jai Sindhi has not yet been arrested.
— TNS |
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JD (S), BJP ferry MLAs out of state
Bangalore, January 21 Even as the flight of the BJP and JD (S) legislators from Bangalore indicated the days of the N Dharam Singh government were numbered, the Congress indicated that it was still in touch with J D (S) national president and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda. Mr Dharam Singh told reporters here that he and other senior Congress leaders were still talking to Mr Gowda and that “the door was not closed yet”. He, however, ruled out a Jammu and Kashmir model of governance of rotating Chief Ministers in league with the JD (S) in Karnataka. “I have not suggested any options and adopting such a model does not arise now”. He however added that everything was left to the high command now. The man who everyone still thinks can bring about a miracle and save the Dharam Singh government remained enigmatic even today. Mr Gowda while talking to reporters at his residence said he was still hopeful of revolving the crisis. While talking about the JD (S) breakaway faction leader H D Kumaraswamy he said “wait and see. He is my true son”. Mr Gowda also indicated that he was ready for holding talks with Congress President Sonia Gandhi at Hyderabad. “If Madam Sonia says she will meet me I will definitely meet her. When we formed a government there was a certain understanding. If there is any problem the issues can be discussed”. He went on to say “I have never closed the door (for talks)”. Meanwhile the focus remained on Kumaraswamy even today and he continued to maintain of strident stand of not turning back from a J D (S) - BJP alliance. While stating that there was no change of plan, he also maintained that all the party legislators, including senior leaders, who have not come under his fold, were one. Senior J D (S) leader and cabinet minister P G R Sindhia, however, maintained that he was of the opinion that the J D (S) should not have any truck with the BJP. The breakaway J D (S) legislators, many of whom are youngsters, were in an upbeat mood today. After staying in a resort on the outskirts of the city for two days, they checked into a five star hotel in the city yesterday. Today they boarded a bus for the airport to go to Goa. There were theatrics galore with legislator Zamir Ahmed, who is a transporter himself, himself driving the bus. Kumaraswamy when questioned about the manner in which the legislators were being herded together, maintained that no force or coercion was being used. “I have only being carrying out duties as per the wishes of my party legislators”, he said. BJP sources here maintained that the 70 BJP legislators who had been taken to Chennai would stay there for a few days. They maintained that the tie-up with Kumaraswamy would stand and that BJP leader B S Yediyurappa would take oath as Deputy Chief Minister. |
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Kalam for joint efforts on environment
New Delhi, January 21 “We (India and China) will be the highest polluters with half of the world’s population in next 10 to 15 years if our dependence on fossil fuel remains the same as we will be releasing more carbon-dioxide, sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide which is normally emitted in the conventional thermal power plants… than other developed countries. This can only be tackled if the two nations join hands in promoting the renewable energy sources to protect our environment,” Dr Kalam said. He was delivering inaugural address of a three-day conference on “Environment Awareness Enforcement” here last night, organised by the Asia Pacific Jurist Association (APJA). The APJA, of which Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal is the Patron-in-Chief with Delhi High Court Judge Vijender Jain as President, began the deliberation sessions on various environmental issues here this morning at Vigyan Bhawan. The APJA, getting the full backing by Union Government, UN Environment Programme, various state governments and NGOs associated with the protection of environment, would deliberate upon protection of flora and fauna, wildlife, better management of solid waste in urban areas, water and air pollution and release of toxic waste in rivers rendering them highly polluted during the conference. |
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21 died in road accident
Nashik, January 21 The accident occurred near Vani Ghat when the bus fell into a deep gorge, the survivors told police. The bus, which started its journey from Nanduri, was bound for Nashik, the sources added.
— UNI |
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Bidding for 66 FM radio stations concludes
New Delhi, January 21 According to a press note, 59 bids were received for 66 frequencies during bidding for the second phase. Of these, 48 bids prima facie qualified. Patna received the highest bid amount of Rs 5.13 crore. The bids were received from prospective bidders in the morning session and opened in the afternoon.
— TNS |
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