L A T E S T      N E W S

I had asked Army Chief to act on bribe offer,
but he didn't: Antony

New Delhi: With the Army Chief's allegation of bribe offer kicking up a storm, Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Tuesday said he had asked General V.K. Singh to take action, but he did not want to pursue the matter for unknown reasons. Making a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha, Antony responded to questions as to why he did not act on the allegation by saying that he had not received any complaint from the army chief in writing.

He told the House that after Gen Singh's allegation appeared in the media on Monday, he had ordered a CBI inquiry based on newspaper reports.

"This happened more than one year ago. That is my memory. Exact date they (Army officials) know because no one can meet the Army Chief without any appointment," Antony said.

Recalling the incident, the minister said the Army Chief had told him that one retired General Tejender Singh met him and offered Rs 14 crore bribe.

"I was shocked. It took me one to two minutes to regain my composure. Then I told him to take action but he told me ‘I do not want to pursue it’. I don't know why he did not want to pursue it at that time," Antony said.

He assured the House that action will be taken against the guilty, however powerful they may be.

"I will take action, nobody will be spared. If anybody is found guilty, whoever he is, however powerful he may be, I will take action," Antony said.

"I acted on my judgement. If I am wrong, you may punish me. I think I have done my best," he said.

The minister said in the past he had taken action even on anonymous complaints from any quarters.

Admitting that he "could have acted" when Gen Singh told him about the bribe offer, Antony said as a minister "I cannot act just on a complaint. I did not get any written complaint at any stage."

He was responding to questions by Opposition members as to why he did not act despite the matter being brought to his notice by none other than the Army Chief.

Antony, who at the outset said, "I will say truth, nothing but truth" repeated at this stage, "I am telling you the truth that has happened."

The minister said when he read about the allegations in a newspaper yesterday (Monday), he immediately told the Defence Secretary to take action without waiting for any formal complaint. "This was action I took," he said.

Since then CBI inquiry has been ordered for a comprehensive probe. "CBI will inquire into everything," Antony said.

The minister also said he cannot ignore even an anonymous complaint. "I am very clear. That is my approach. It is my priority. If a written complaint, even if anonymous, was received, I used to forward it for inquiry," he said.

Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley said the Opposition did not question the minister's integrity but questioned why neither Antony nor the Army Chief took any action on the development that took place in September last. — PTI

Gilani to quit if Pak SC rules against him

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is believed to have made up his mind to step down if the Supreme Court comes up with an "unfavourable decision" in the contempt case against him.  Gilani is under immense pressure to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, and his failure to do so till now has led to contempt proceedings against him in the country’s top court.

The PM reportedly made the decision after consulting the leadership of the Pakistan People's Party and its allies in the ruling coalition.

The PPP leadership decided that Gilani would tender his resignation before the Supreme Court in person if he faced any "situation" in the contempt case.

India seeks to join nuclear clubs

Seoul: India today made a strong pitch for membership of four exclusive nuclear clubs contending that it would help strengthen its export control systems and maintain highest international standards of its nuclear programme.

"India has never been a source of proliferation of sensitive technologies and we are determined to further strengthen our export control systems to keep them on par with the highest international standards," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, addressing the second Nuclear Security Summit here.

He underlined that India had already adhered to the guidelines of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NBG) and the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

Resolution against Team Anna today

New Delhi: A consensus appears to be emerging in the Lok Sabha that the House pass a resolution moved by the Chair against members of Team Anna for using derogatory language against parliamentarians.

The BJP-led NDA is likely to demand the suspension of the Question Hour on Tuesday over the matter of Team Anna members using 'abusive' language against many politicians including JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav.

The JD (U) chief and the BJP leaders are expected to ask Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to introduce a motion censuring Team Anna. JD (U) sources said the party may move an adjournment motion during Question Hour to demand further discussion on the issue.

A resolution may be moved by the Chair and put to vote then or later in the day. Cutting across party lines, Lok Sabha members on Monday launched an all-out attack against Team Anna for its alleged derogatory language against parliamentarians amid indications that a resolution condemning the remarks could be moved Tuesday.