|
|
|
|
|
Gujarat
votes 2012
Zee boss allowed to consult docs before lie-detector test
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Khurshid flying to Myanmar today
India, Pak to operationalise
new visa regime today
A day after outburst, Maya says she respects Ansari
Hang Afzal Guru immediately, demands BJP
TRAI to suggest steps to check monopoly of cable operators
Food Security Bill way behind schedule
Steps being taken to check fake currency: PC
Custody of Namdhari, Tyagi extended
|
|
Gujarat
votes 2012
Ahmedabad, December 13 Modi hails from Visnagar in Mehsana district but has never contested an election from this region. He first entered the state Assembly after taking over as the Chief Minister by winning a byelection from Rajkot-III constituency (Saurashtra region) in February 2002. He shifted to Maninagar in Ahmedabad city in the 2002 general elections.
He was re-elected from the same constituency in 2007 and is seeking a third term from there this time. North Gujarat, once a stronghold of the Congress, witnessed one of the most vicious attacks on minorities in 2002. Even the tribal belt, stretching from Bulsar in south Gujarat to Bnaskantha in north Gujarat through the Panchamahals district in central Gujarat, wasn’t left untouched as tribesmen, who mostly worked as land labourers, joined hands with the upper caste Hindus to attack those from the minority community. The undercurrent of the “Hindutva” wave was clearly visible in the 2007 elections as well, when the BJP romped home with 24 of the 32 seats. But the 2009 parliamentary elections, when Modi was not in the fray, saw the return of tribesmen to the Congress fold. These elections will indicate whether or not the “Modi fever” of 2002 is still blowing strong in north Gujarat. Unlike in the 2007 elections, the BJP is this time saddled with the disenchantment of the Sangh Parivar cadres who feel a disconnect because of Modi’s style of functioning. But their ire has remained dormant as they are ideologically opposed to the Congress. With the launch of the Gujarat Parivartan Party, they are finding an outlet in the leadership of former chief minister Keshubhai Patel, and in many places are actively supporting the GPP. The hush-hush campaign by the disenchanted Vishwa Hindu Parishad cadres among the voters in general and tribesmen in particular, advising them not to be swayed by the “Modi mantra”, may considerably reduce the BJP vote share but the impact is unlikely to cost the ruling party in terms of the number of seats. The Congress leaders, however, disagree and claim that a “clear wave for change” is blowing in Chief Minister’s home region and the party is certain to repeat its good showing in the parliamentary elections and improve its tally from seven in the last elections to at least 15 seats this time. Shortage of power for the agriculture sector remains the biggest challenge for the ruling party candidates. The usually dry north Gujarat mostly depend on sub-soil water for irrigation and with the level of the sub-surface depleting fast, heavier pump sets are being installed every passing year. Record polling in 1st phase Rajkot: A record 67% voter turnout was registered in the first phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections on Thursday in the biggest electoral test for CM Narendra Modi. The fate of political leaders, including Gujarat Parivartan Party president Keshubhai Patel, BJP’s RC Faldu and Congress’ Arjun Modhwadia, was sealed in Thursday’s voting in 87 of the 182 Assembly constituencies. — PTI
|
|||
|
Zee boss allowed to consult docs before lie-detector test
New Delhi, December 13 Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Rao said: “The accused (Chandra) shall consult his doctor and thereafter undergo the test…the accused shall have the right to take along with him his lawyer.” Chandra’s lawyer Vijay Aggarwal today contended that Chandra, 60, was not “healthy” and needed to consult his doctors. Chandra said that he was “voluntarily” giving consent for the lie detector test to establish the truth. “I am 62-year-old. I need to consult my doctors in the US and London before undergoing the test. I may also be informed about the exact nature of the test,” Chandra said.
|
|||
|
Khurshid flying to Myanmar today
New Delhi, December 13 Officials said Khurshid’s visit was part of India’s ‘Look East’ policy and aimed at nudging the Myanmar leadership to continue with the process of democratic reforms. With winds of change blowing in Myanmar, even Barack Obama had recently visited Myanmar to become the first sitting US president to visit Myanmar, praising the courage of Suu Kyi while also providing a symbolic nod to initial democratic reforms introduced in the country. During his visit, Khurshid would have discussions with his Myanmarese counterpart U Wunna Maung Lwin. He will also call on the President Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital of Myanmar. A meeting with Suu Kyi in Yangon is also on the cards. The Myanmar President is likely to visit New Delhi for the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit on December 20, and Khurshid's visit is a precursor to those discussions. Khurshid is scheduled to inaugurate the International Buddhist Conference in Yangon. A decision was taken by the two countries during the state visit of the President of Myanmar to India in October 2011 to organise an International Buddhist Conference in Myanmar.
|
|||
|
India, Pak to operationalise
new visa regime today
New Delhi, December 13 Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Malik are scheduled to operationalise the new regime tomorrow after delegation-level talks, scheduled to last 90 minutes, here. Malik, accompanied by his wife, will arrive at 2 pm with a 13-member delegation and the talks are slated to start at 5 pm. At the airport, the Pakistan delegation will be received by RPN Singh, Minister of State for Home. The official delegation accompanying the Pakistan Interior Minister includes members from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Investigation Agency, Federal Administration and High Commission of Pakistan in India. The Indian delegation led by Shinde will include RPN Singh, senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and security agencies. Shinde and Malik will address a joint press conference after the delegation-level talks. Apart from operationalisation of the visa agreement, the agenda of the talks will include counter-terrorism, border management, fake Indian currency notes and cooperation among security and investigation agencies. The Indian side will press for voice samples of the handlers of 26/11 Mumbai attacks based in Pakistan. The recent developments in a Rawalpindi court where Pakistan submitted evidence of terror training camps related to the Mumbai attacks will also be discussed. Shinde will also ask his Pakistani counterpart to release Indian fishermen currently in jails in that country and the captured boats. The announcement and operationalisation of the new visa regime will replace a 38-year-old restrictive accord and will pave the way for time-bound visa approval and greater people-to-people contact and trade. The visa agreement was signed by former Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and Malik in Islamabad on September 8. It will ease restrictions on issuing visas to traders, elderly people, tourists, pilgrims, members of civil society and children. The new Indo-Pak visa pact replaces a 38-year-old visa agreement paving the way for time-bound visa approval and greater people-to-people contact and trade. On December 15, Malik will call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence, the National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon at his office in South Block and Sushma Swaraj, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. Though Indian authorities have not been informed of Malik’s plan to visit the Taj Mahal at Agra or the Ajmer dargah, officials said that there was a contingency plan in case Malik makes the request.
|
|||
|
A day after outburst, Maya says she respects Ansari
New Delhi, December 13
Apologetic Mayawati told Ansari: “I respect you. I respect the Chair...I have full faith in the Chair that he will find a way to get the voice of the downtrodden heard”. She said it was “sad” that the proposed legislation for reservation to SCs/STs in government job promotions could not be taken up in the last session of Parliament as well as in the current session because of frequent disruptions. She also requested the government, especially Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to find a way out by talking to parties that were obstructing the measure.
Mayawati’s statement was followed by an assurance of “fullest cooperation of the House” from the PM and Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley, resulting in a visibly overwhelmed Ansari thanking everyone for sentiments expressed. “The Chair as always seeks the cooperation of the House for running it smoothly,” he said, thus bringing down the curtains on the ugly incident that yesterday left Parliament stunned.
|
|||
|
Hang Afzal Guru immediately, demands BJP
New Delhi, December 13 The day began on a solemn note with the House paying homage to 13 persons who were killed in the attack by observing one-minute silence. Speaker Meira Kumar read out a brief tribute to those brave personnel and expressed solidarity with their families. Shortly thereafter, there was bedlam as BJP members, led by Shahnawaz Hussain, raised slogans demanding the immediate hanging of Afzal Guru, whose mercy petition is pending with President Pranab Mukherjee. “Why is the government helpless in carrying out the death sentence,” Hussain shouted. BJP and Shiv Sena members then trooped into the well of the House to press for their demand. The sloganeering continued despite repeated requests from the Speaker that they should allow the House to function. BSP members also rushed into the well asking the latest status on the coal blocks allocation case, while Samajwadi Party members demanded action against the agitating BSP members. A visibly angry Speaker even reprimanded the protesting members, but to little avail. “Eleven years ago, on this day, 13 persons had sacrificed their lives. They did not sacrifice their lives for this,” she said. She initially went ahead with question hour, but as the uproar continued unabated, she was forced to adjourn the House till 11.30 am and later till noon. The House reassembled at 12 noon, but no business could be transacted as there was no let-up in the Opposition protests and was adjourned again till 2 pm after papers were laid on the table.
|
|||
|
TRAI to suggest steps to check monopoly of cable operators
New Delhi, December 13 In a press release, the ministry noted that the MSOs and LCOs are required to be registered with local post offices to be able to operate in the permitted areas of registration. However, as per the recent amendments in the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2012, it has become mandatory for MSOs to get registration from the ministry to operate in those areas which are notified for the analogue switch off. It has been observed that the cable TV distribution is virtually monopolised in some states as operation of the entire cable TV network is dominated by a
single entity. At present, there are no restrictions on the issue of accumulation of interest in terms of market share in a city, district, state or country by individual MSOs and LCOs in the cable sector. MSOs and LCOs are free to operate in any area of their choice after obtaining registration from the ministry. It is felt that such
monopolies may not be in the interest of consumers and may have serious implications in terms of competition, pricing and healthy growth of cable TV sector in that market, the release added. Earlier, the ministry had made a reference to the TRAI on May 16 to examine and recommend measures to address issues of cross-media restrictions and safeguards.
|
|||
|
Food Security Bill way behind schedule
New Delhi, December 13 Not only does the committee on food and consumer affairs, headed by Lok Sabha member Vilas Muttemwar, have to sift through these suggestions but its members also have to reconcile the differing views put forth by state governments, political parties, civil society groups and experts. Muttemwar maintains the Parliamentary committee examining the Lokpal Bill had not evoked such a response as this Bill has got. With 18 months to go for the next Lok Sabha polls, the UPA government is predictably keen that the Bill should be finalised at the earliest. Congress president Sonia Gandhi is keen on speedy implementation of the scheme so that the party can tout it as a fulfilment of the promise made in its election manifesto. Although the Bill has been lying with the standing committee since January, it is highly unlikely that it will be able to submit its report before the budget session of Parliament although Muttemwar maintains the panel is working overtime to finalise the recommendations. While the Bill provides for the coverage of 75 per cent of the rural population and 50 per cent of the urban population, many state governments have suggested universal coverage which would push up the costs from the estimated Rs.1,16,000 crore to over Rs 2 lakh crore. The Left parties as well as the Tamil Nadu government argued against slotting the beneficiaries in making any categories, irrespective of the costs. CPM leader Brinda Karat pointed to the huge subsidies being given to industries and wondered why such arguments should be made while discussing anti-poor programmes.The Tamil Nadu chief secretary, who deposed before the panel, said their government was already giving 20 kg grains or rice to every family, stating that even he is entitled to
this benefit. A Haryana MP objected to the provision of giving free grains to pregnant women on the plea that it would work against the family planning
programme and encourage women to produce more children.
|
|||
|
Steps being taken to check fake currency: PC
New Delhi, December 13 However, the plastic banknotes that India was planning to introduce as a pilot project would be no answer to fake currency. Their primary objective was to increase the lifespan of currency notes, he said. While the average life span of paper money is only about a year, that of plastic notes extends up to five years. “The primary objective is to increase the life (of currency notes). If it helps in making it difficult to counterfeit, that is an added advantage. But, I cannot say with certainty that the plastic currency notes cannot be counterfeited. Counterfeiting means access to the same technology that we use and access to the same raw material that we use. If a counterfeiter has access to the same raw material and the same technology, surely he can counterfeit plastic currency as well as paper currency,” Chidambaram said.— TNS
|
|||
|
Custody of Namdhari, Tyagi extended
New Delhi, December 13 Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Rao extended their judicial custody. On December 7, the duo was remanded to judicial custody till December 13. Namdhari's lawyer RS Malik had requested the court for "providing Namdhari with a separate jail cell and a vehicle for transportation purposes to the court and back to prison, because there is threat to his life." Namdhari and Tyagi were arrested for allegedly killing Hardeep Singh by firing at him, according to the police. They had allegedly conspired to kill Singh. Singh is the younger brother of the liquor baron, Ponty Chadha, who was allegedly killed by Singh. The two murders took place outside a farmhouse in Delhi November 17. — TNS
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Narendra Modi is expected to have an easy passage on his home turf of north Gujarat where the strong “pro-Hindutva” wave in the aftermath of the 2002 communal violence had catapulted the BJP to an unassailable position a decade ago.
New Delhi, December 13
Our government has the fullest faith and the highest regard for you. We will work with all sections of the House to ensure that the Chair gets all the cooperation and all the respect that is due to you and to this august Chair.— Manmohan Singh, PM
I join the PM in expressing full faith, both in your person as also the Chair that you occupy. I wish to assure you that this House will speak in one voice in upholding your honour, both as an individual and also the dignity of the
Chair.— Arun Jaitley, BJP