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SC notices to Haryana, MDU
Kalam confers Padma awards
UP upgrades council to save Amar Singh
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Office of profit: UPA may amend old law
Left flays verdict on employees
Militant arrested in Delhi Medha Patkar begins fast Mumbai jail for Zahira
DMK promises galore before poll
Sino-Indian pact for cooperation in agriculture
US Senators write to PM, flay Union Carbide
LJP nominee fails to make it to Rajya Sabha
Village woos Charles, Camilla in style
Govt amends Senior Citizens Savings Scheme
German student’s rape: witness fails to turn up
Anand: focus on rights for good governance
Manisha gets clean
chit
Pinaka test-fired
HC refuses permission to Ramani to go abroad
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SC notices to Haryana, MDU
New Delhi, March 29 Taking cognizance of a special leave petition (SLP) by Bharat Gupta, a student from Ambala, a Bench of Mr Justice K G Balakrishnan and Mr Justice P P Naolekar has issued notices to the Haryana Government, MDU, Medical Council of India (MCI) and Dental Council of India (DCI). Gupta, who had secured the rank of 208 in the entrance test, conducted by MDU last year, claimed that he was denied admission to medical, dental and Ayurvedic courses in the colleges affiliated to the university due the state government permitting students from other states to appear in the selection exam under the 85 per cent state quota. Gupta’s counsel Mahabir Singh said in view of two “contradictory” judgements passed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the issue of right of domicile to claim preference in admission to such institutes located in the state, the matter needed to be adjudicated by the apex court. The apex court’s taking cognizance of the matter assumes significance just before the start of admission process for 2006-07 academic year. Under the domicile quota system, 85 per cent seats in medical and engineering colleges of a state were reserved for its residents and 15 per cent to those recommended by the Centre from the All-India quota. Gupta had challenged the appearance of students from other states under the 85 per cent state quota in the High Court on the ground that it was an “exclusively” right of the residents of Haryana, who had obtained the “domicile certificate” as per the October 3, 1996 notification of the state government. He claimed that his chances of admission in state medical and dental colleges were “scuttled” due to appearance of candidates from outside the state despite his securing substantially higher ranking in the merit list. But the High Court had rejected his petition, holding that the benefit of domicile quota would only be available after the admission had actually materialised on qualifying the admission test not before that. However, Mr Mahabir Singh pointed out during the argument before the apex court that the High Court in Manisha Bansal case involving almost identical question, had given a different ruling in 2004 stating that once a student has appeared in an admission test conducted by one state, he could not avail the same benefit in another state. Gupta’s counsel said such a “contradictory” interpretation of law has complicated the matter further rather than resolving it. |
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New Delhi, March 29 President APJ Abdul Kalam conferred the awards at an impressive half-an-hour function, attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and several Cabinet ministers. A total of 106 prominent personalities were honoured with the civilian awards this year. Of them, 50 were covered in the first phase of the awards function held on March 20. Today, 56 personalities were to receive the awards, but three of them—Hindi writer Mahashweta Devi (Padma Vibhusan), scientist Kunnath Puthiyaveetil Padmanabhan Nambiar and bureaucrat P S Appu (both Padma Bhusan)—did not turn up for the function. While Justice Khare and Mr Correa received the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award, Chiranjeevi, Ms Dalmia, constitutional expert P.P. Rao and CII chief mentor Tarun Das were honoured with Padma Bhushan. Dr Kameswaran, Pankaj Udhas and Ms Sugathakumari were conferred Padma Shri. —UNI
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UP upgrades council to save Amar Singh
Lucknow, March 29 Although BJP members protested the passing of the Bill in a hurry and demanded it be referred to the House's select committee, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav said the only motive to upgrade the UPDC was to give more teeth for development. When passed and approved by the UP Governor, UPDC Act-2006 would be implemented with retrospective effect from October 15, 2003, the day when the council was registered under the Societies Act. Mr Yadav maintained the present UPDC members did not take a single penny from the government exchequer and challenged that no state could form ''such a strong development council.'' ''Our motive is to prevent foreign MNCs from ruining the country's industrial sector,'' he said alleging harassment of the UPDC members by the Centre. He claimed if politics was not played to ''derail the development process'' in UP, the investment environment would have been different. ''If the opposition wants, the government will have a long debate on the UPDC in the next session.'' However, BJP member Hukum Singh maintained that the only effort of the UPDC Bill 2006 was to save the disqualification of RS member Amar Singh, who happens to be the UPDC chairman. ''Now it is time to change the definition of the post of profit, since almost all political parties have suffered due to its present form,'' Mr Yadav added. Another BJP member Laxmi Kant Vajpayee wanted to know from the government why the bill was enforced with retrospective effect from October 15, 2003. Leader of the Opposition Lalji Tandon wanted it mandatory for the UPDC to go for audit by a responsible agency. — UNI
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Office of
profit: UPA may amend old law New Delhi, March 29 The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) is meeting here tomorrow specifically to decide the time-table for the next Parliament session to enable the UPA government to lend further clarity to this issue. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh parried all questions in this regard today, stating that the government would look at all problems relating to the office of profit controversy and find a solution. He did not specify any time-frame for this exercise and nor did he say whether the Centre intended to table a fresh legislation or bring amendments to the existing Prevent of Disqualification Act which listed all those posts which were exempt from the office of profit clause. “We have not reached any definite conclusions....We will look at all problems and find a solution,” Dr Singh told presspersons on the sidelines of the civil investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today. A final decision is yet to be taken but UPA sources maintained that there is a view that the Centre need not bring in a new law and that it should instead tide over this controversy by amending the present law by specifying the posts which qualify as an office of profit and those which are exempt from this list. It was disclosed that UPA strategists had earlier suggested that all those posts which are sanctioned by law should be kept out. However, there is a view that such a clause could still be open to different interpretations and that specific posts which do not attract disqualification should be listed. Although the UPA government has principally agreed to resolve this controversy, there is a sizeable section in the ruling combine which believes that there is no need to rush these amendments. Now that Congress president Sonia Gandhi is no longer in the line of its attack, it is the opposition which is pushing for changes to the law. Several UPA ministers believe that after the blistering attack mounted against Mrs Gandhi, there is no reason why the Centre should be in any hurry to mollify the Opposition. The Opposition eagerness is being attributed to the fact that the tables have now turned and several of their MPs and legislators have also been named in the list of those who should be disqualified for holding offices of profit. The NDA government in Jharkhand is on the brink of collapse precisely for this reason. While the UPA government is in no hurry to bail out the opposition, it is under pressure from the Left parties who want these amendments to be brought as early as possible as nine of its MPs are also on this “hit list.” Meanwhile, there is considerable debate in the government regarding the inclusion of the National Advisory Council in the list of exempted offices. Some believe that it should be included in the amended list so that there is no ambiguity about the status of its chairperson. There is, however, another section, including Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee who insists that the chairmanship of the NAC does not constitute an office of profit under the present law. According to him, Section 3 of the Prevention of Disqualification Act specifically mentions that those MPs heading committees set up by the government for the purpose of advising the government or any other authority are not deemed to holding an office of profit. |
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Left flays verdict on employees
New Delhi, March 29 Seeking immediate intervention of the Central Government in the matter, the Left parties and its affiliated unions deplored the Apex Court’s yesterday’s ruling and described it as “anti-worker.” The CPI in a statement said this ruling “takes away the job security and livelihood of employees and allows them to be dismissed for no fault of theirs on the ground that the employing authority is making losses and can therefore shed ‘surplus’ staff.” The Apex Court has also directed lower courts that they should not direct re-employment of discharged workers. “This is the reflection of the growing influence of neo-liberal philosophy on our courts. Such pronouncements encourage the policy of ‘hire and fire’ and can only lead to economic and civil turmoil. They are direct attacks on the democratic rights of our toiling people,” it said. The CPM-backed trade union CITU Secretary W R Varada Rajan in a statement said, “The judiciary seeks to throw to winds the very concept of welfare and social security for the workers.”
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Militant arrested in Delhi New Delhi, March 29 According to the police, 25-year-old Meharajuddin, who hails from Budgam in Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested last night in the Azadpur market. Two kilograms of RDX, a timer device, a detonator and a pistol have been recovered from his possession. “He was planning to carry out a strike in the Capital during the Navaratra season begining tomorrow. We are interrogating him,” the police said. Meharajuddin had crossed over to Pakistan in 2000 and received training in handling explosives. He returned
to India via Nepal recently. Since then he had been involved in terrorist activities, the police added.
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Medha Patkar begins fast New Delhi, March 29 Talking to The Tribune, the NBA leader said during her meeting with the Prime Minister on Saturday she had sought his intervention to stop the construction of the dam over the height of 110.64 metre. She had also sought proper rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced families in riparian states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, she added. Ms Patkar said Dr Manmohan Singh had assured her that a decision on the resettlement and rehabilitation of those displaced due to the Sardar Sarovar Dam project would be taken by Tuesday. She had learnt that the Prime Minister had held a meeting with water resources and social justice ministries, but no decision had been communicated to them, she said, adding that she was apprehensive that a decision had been taken against the wishes of the people who had come to plead their case in Delhi. |
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Mumbai jail for Zahira Mumbai, March 29 Justice Abhay Thipsay of the Sessions Court ruled that Sheikh would serve out her sentence in Mumbai's Byculla jail. She would also have to pay a fine of Rs 50,000. The court also ruled that the time spent by Zahira in prison since her surrender be off set against her jail sentence. The perjury case against Zahira Shaiek's
relatives will be taken up on April 7.
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DMK promises galore before poll
Chennai, March 29 The DMK announced that it would supply quality rice at Rs 2 per kg, free colour television sets to each family, assistance of Rs 1,000 per month for six months to pregnant women, free LPG stoves to all poor families, employment opportunity to three lakh unemployed youths, free power to weavers and waiver of cooperative loans of farmers. One of the major points in the DMK manifesto, which its president M. Karunanidhi released today, was that the party would demand scrapping of Article 356 of the Constitution that gives powers to the Centre to impose President's rule in states. While releasing the manifesto, the DMK president, Mr M. Karunanidhi, said he would try to convince the Central Government to remove the 'creamy layer' concept regarding reservation for backward classes. He said his party would also seek an amendment to allow the states to have their own reservation policies based on the size of backward classes and most backward classes. The DMK, which had once advocated separation from the Indian Union following imposition of Hindi as a national language today stated in its manifesto, "The party firmly believes only a federal set up with full autonomy to states could alone safeguard the unity of India, which has various races, languages, arts and culture."s It also promised to repeal the controversial law passed by the ruling All- India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government banning religious conversions. Earlier, Releasing the election manifesto of the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Dravida Kazhagam (AIADMK) Tamil Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa yesterday accused the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of using the Election Commission for political purposes and scuttling developmental work in the state taking advantage of the pre-election Model Code of Conduct.
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Sino-Indian pact for cooperation in agriculture
New Delhi, March 29 The agreement was signed here today after official-levels talks between Union Minister of Agriculture Sharad Pawar and Chinese Agriculture Minister Du Qinglin, who is currently on a visit to India along with a six-member official delegation. The agreement identifies many areas for cooperation like crop production, agriculture bio-technology, farm mechanisation, plant and animal germ pasm exchange and collaborative research. The detailed modalities of cooperation are to be worked out by a Joint Committee headed by Secretary's in charge of agriculture on each side. They will be assisted by a team of experts, which would draw up detailed action plan to implement the letter and spirit of the agreement. It was also agreed that the committee and experts would meet in China in June or July to carry forward the agenda of cooperation. The delegation-level discussions between the two countries covered a wide range of issues relevant to the two economies. It was agreed that trade in agriculture, horticulture, fishery and other relevant produce should play in ever increasing role in economic relations of India and China and that private enterprises need to be involved in the process. The two sides also discussed various aspects of management of Avian Influenza and it was agreed that exchange of information and technical cooperation between India and china would play an important role in containing possible epidemics.
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US Senators write to PM, flay Union Carbide
New Delhi, March 29 Saying that it is difficult to understand that why so few steps have been taken to alleviate the suffering of the Bhopal survivors” members of the US Congress added, “ The Indian Government has repeatedly said that justice will be served, but has exemplified no commitment to this end”. They also took American companies, Union Carbide and Dow Chemical, to task, saying that the US-run Union Carbide built on a poorly designed pesticide plant in Bhopal poisoned local water and therefore should be held accountable for these crimes and their disregard of basic human rights. Condemning the attitude of Union Carbide and Dow Chemical, they stressed that “the conduct of American companies outside the US was a long-standing concern of ours, especially with regards to the environmental protection standard”. Twenty-one years and many struggles later, as many as 39 survivors of the worst industrial disaster of the world walked into the Capital after a 800-km trek from Bhopal on Saturday that took them 33 days to complete. Stressing that justice still eluded the victims of the Union Carbide chemical leak tragedy that shook the world on that bleak December night in 1984, padyatris, which included some well-known names like Rashida Bi and Champa Devi, would continue sitting on a dharna at Jantar Mantar, here, till their six-point charter of demands was met. In their letter dated March 23, 2006, the Congressmen expressed outrage at the fact “that the CEOs of the Union Carbide and its successor Dow Chemical were yet to be brought to justice. Survivors had made continuous demands through both protest and litigation, but it had little effect. It was disappointing that the Indian Government had been reticent to pursue Union Carbide and Dow Chemical for their civil and criminal liabilities in the country”. A copy of the letter, signed by Frank Pallone, Barbara Lee, Janice Schakowsky, Dennis Kucinich, Raul Grijalva, Robert Wexler, Joseph Crowley, Donald Payne, Edolphus Towns, Fortney Pete Stark, Sherrod Brown, Carolyn Kilpatrick, Patrick Kennedy, Edward Markey, Steven Rothman, James Oberstar, Major Owens, Grace Napolitand, James Langevin and Tammy Baldwin, had also been sent to the Indian Embassy at Washington. “At a time when a new generation of victims is surfacing among children born to gas-affected parents and those exposed to contaminated drinking water, the government must take care of those affected by this horrible tragedy. In addition, they must hold the Union carbide and its parent company Dow Chemical responsible for the disaster,” members of the US Congress said. |
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LJP nominee fails to make it to Rajya Sabha
Patna, March 29 LJP had to bite the dust, State Assembly Secretary (in charge) Brajkishore Singh Prabhat said here. The biennial election to the six seats of Rajya Sabha had been necessitated following expiry of term of MPs, Phalguni Ram (Congress), Vijay Singh Yadav(RJD), Kumkum Rai (RJD), Vidya Sagar Nishad (RJD), Mahendra Singh alias King Mahendra (RJD) and Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP). Mr Prabhat said Rajneeti Prasad and Mahendra Prasad got 37 votes each, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Ali Anwar and Mahendra Sahni mustered 36 votes each while Professor Hussain just managed to get through by securing 35 votes. He said LJP candidate Ranjan Yadav has got only 23 votes in the election. Meanwhile, official sources said one member each of NCP and BSP cross voted in the polling. Among the six victorious candidates, Professor Hussain, Mahendra Sahni, Ali Anwar and Rajneeti Prasad are new entrants to the Rajya Sabha while Ravishankar Prasad and Mahendra Singh were re-elected to the Upper House. — UNI
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Village woos Charles, Camilla in style
Jodhpur, March 29 Although it was just a familiarisation trip for Prince Charles to get acquainted with the water conservation measures taken up by the village in Pali district, Prince Charles seemed visibly impressed by what he saw. Prince Charles enquired about the traditional water harvesting methods employed by the villagers at the Gangeshwar Mahadev pond which has been deepened in two phases to store water. The Prince went round the decked up village and visited some of the decorated huts to see the villagers’ way of life. Although Duchess of Cornwell Camilla in a blue-white polka dotted skirt top and a hat, was all smiles, she just acknowledged the villagers’ greetings with namaste. The couple also visited the village school and planted neem and shisham saplings in its premises and viewed the paintings by students. — UNI
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Govt amends Senior Citizens Savings Scheme
New Delhi, March 29 A small transfer fee of Rs 5 per lakh on deposits Rs 1 lakh and above will be payable for the first transfer. If subsequent transfers are availed of, a transfer fee of Rs10 per lakh on deposits of Rs 1 lakh and above would be payable, stated a press statement issued by the Ministry of Finance. Earlier, such transfers of accounts were allowed only in case of change of residence of the depositor. The present amendment is intended to provide greater flexibility to the senior citizens in choosing a more conveniently located deposit office as also one that offers good service, it added. |
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German student’s rape: witness fails to turn up
Alwar, March 29 Citing security fears and threats from powerful connections of the accused, the victim’s friend failed to appear in the court of Additional District Judge fast track court, who was called there as a witness. The victim, however, appeared in the court today and reiterated her statements about being raped by MBA student B H Mohanty, who is son of a DGP in Orissa. She talked about the threatening calls and SMS she was receiving from the family members of the accused. She also wanted the case to be quickly disposed off. The Forensic Science Laboratory reports have confirmed the rape. The fax message of the victim was also produced in the court in which victim had given six-seven phone numbers belonging to accused mother, sister and cousin who were pressurising her to come to a compromise. Meanwhile, charges are being framed against Mohanty under Section 376 in the court today. The decision on the bail plea application of Mohanty has been reserved till the case is heard. Yesterday, the District and Sessions Judge had transferred the rape case to ADJ fast track. — UNI
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Anand: focus on rights for good governance
New Delhi, March 29 He was delivering his
inaugural address at a national seminar on “Human rights: policy issues for India” here. Justice Anand said over the years human rights had expanded not only vertically but also horizontally. Good governance would remain a distant dream unless human rights are made focal point by the state. The three-day seminar has been organised by the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla, in collaboration with the NHRC. |
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Manisha gets clean
chit
Mumbai, March 29 Maharashtra's Director General of Police P.S. Pasricha told reporters here that investigators had given Koirala a clean chit. After media reports of the allegations appeared, Koirala was said to have met top police officials. Television channels had reported that Salem had taken a contract from Koirala to bump off Dewani. The reports were attributed to the lie-detector tests undergone by Salem in February last. |
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Pinaka test-fired
Balasore, March 29 ITR sources said the rocket with a range of 39 km, was test-fired at 2.45 pm, 3.29 pm and finally at 4.02 pm. Yesterday also the Pinaka was successfully test-fired twice. 'Pinaka' has the capability to fire 12 rockets in 44 seconds.
— UNI |
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HC refuses permission to Ramani to go abroad
New Delhi, March 29 The Judge observed that Ms Ramani had initiated a media trial for her cause to seek permission to go abroad.
— UNI |
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