The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	60% payoffs were meant for Tyagis: Italian prosecutors Ajay Banerjee/TNS New Delhi, February 14 Italian prosecutors have told their courts that the global payoff in Defence deals entailed paying 60 per cent of the kickbacks to the “Tyagi family” while the remaining 40 per cent was to be divided among the middlemen. The payoff was 7 per cent of the 556-million euro (Rs 3,500 crore) deal. It all started when Christian Michel got in touch with brothers Julie, Dosca and Sandeep Tyagi, cousins of former IAF Chief SP Tyagi. Their task was to ensure that Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi (IAF Chief between December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2007) acted “contrary to official duties”. Guido Heschke (61) and Carlo Gerosa (66) were close to the three Tyagi cousins. They roped in Josepeh Bears, who “on behalf of AgustaWestland mandated Haschke to conduct negotiations in India, while flanking him with his own assistant of confidence in the Indian market, Christian Michel”, the warrant submitted in the Italian court says (a copy is with The Tribune). “Joseph Bears and Spagnolini Bruno agreed with Christian Michel and decided that a sum of 30 million euros (Rs 210 crore) was required to support the corrupt activities aimed at the acquisition of the contract (of 12 VVIP helicopters)”. This was later hiked to 40 million euros (Rs 280 crore). Deposing before the Italian court, a witness identified as “ADR” alleged that “60 per cent (was for) the Tyagi family, 40 per cent to me and Gerosa. The contract was signed in Cascina Costa on January 3, 2007 between AgustaWestland and IDS Infotech Limited – we’re calling it a contract but in reality it was a letter of intent signed by Spagnolini Bruno (then CEO of the copter maker)”. ADR, who knew Haschke, says he met SP Tyagi with Gerosa. “We talked about the helicopters. (Air) Marshal Tyagi informed us that operational (requirements) would be lowered. The meeting was very short”. He adds he met (Air) Marshal Tyagi “at the air show in Bangalore. He was still in uniform and came to visit Finmeccanica booth…. I have met (Air) Marshal Tyagi 6/7 times”.
	Address concerns of the poor in Budget, PC urged Anita Katyal/TNS New Delhi, February 14 Worried about the adverse political fallout of the current economic crisis in next year’s Lok Sabha elections, Congress office bearers today urged Finance Minister P Chidambaram to address the concerns of the poor and the middle class in his budget proposals, including a raise in the income tax limit to Rs 4 lakh. Pitching for populism over pragmatism, party functionaries reminded the Finance Minister that since this would be his last major budget before the 2014 general elections, the proposals should not lose sight of the party’s commitment to ‘aam admi’. The Congress office bearers placed their wish list before Chidambaram when he met them at the AICC headquarters today to elicit their views for the budget. This meeting comes in the backdrop of a bleak economic scenario when growth rates have plummeted to an all-time low of 5 per cent, manufacturing and production figures have dipped, the subsidy bill is growing while prices are at an all time high, leading to growing public disenchantment with the UPA government. If the tone and tenor of today’s meeting is anything to go by, the Finance Minister has a tough task at hand when he draws up his budgetary proposals as he will have to take the party’s sentiments into account while pushing ahead with the government’s reforms agenda. On his part, Chidambaram told the gathering that the world economy was in poor shape but assured them that the government was taking necessary steps and hoped that the growth rate would go up to 6-7 per cent in the coming months. Taking a cue from the Jaipur Declaration adopted at last month’s AICC session, party office bearers expressed concern over increasing inequalities between the rich and the poor. Tough Task If the tone and tenor of the meeting is anything to go by, the Finance Minister has a tough task at hand when he draws up his budgetary proposals as he will have to take the party’s sentiments into account while pushing ahead with the government’s reforms agenda
	Nasheed row Khurshid speaks to Maldives minister New Delhi, February 14 Amid tension between India and the Maldives over former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed taking refuge at the Indian High Commission in Male, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today spoke to his Maldivian counterpart and discussed the situation in the Indian Ocean archipelago. “We have discussed - in detail - the situation as it stands today. We are in the process...we are continuing our conversation. Maybe, I will speak to him again later in the day,” Khurshid said. Seeking to dispel the impression that the Maldives was unhappy with India for giving refuge to Nasheed, the minister said, “I have had a good conversation with the Foreign Minister. I spoke to him for almost 40 minutes. We went through everything.” — TNS
	Swine flu toll 132; Punjab, Haryana among worst-hit Haryana asks Centre for 1 lakh Oseltamivir tablets; Ministry says no reason to panic Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 14 As swine flu cases surged across the country with the death toll rising to 132 as of February 6 this year, the Ministry of Health said the country was experiencing another H1N1 outbreak with 708 lab-confirmed cases coming to the fore in two months. The highest incidence of H1N1, which was declared a global pandemic by the WHO in 2009-2010 when it first struck, is in Rajasthan where 326 cases have been confirmed and 65 deaths have been reported. Punjab follows with 90 cases and 17 deaths; Haryana with 78 cases and 23 deaths; Gujarat (58 cases and 16 deaths), New Delhi (57 cases and three deaths), Maharashtra (51 cases and four deaths), Chandigarh (25 cases and two deaths) and Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu with 13 and 10 cases, respectively, and one death each. The government today said the outbreak of the viral diseases was along the expected lines. “The WHO, while declaring the pandemic to be over in August 2010, conveyed that the influenza H1N1 pandemic virus would take on the behaviour of seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come. Hence, in the post-pandemic period, localised outbreaks of varying magnitude with significant level of H1N1 transmission are expected.” India experienced outbreaks during August and October, 2010; May and July 2011; March and October, 2012 and now in 2013. The Health Ministry has already written to Punjab, Haryana, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and UT Administration of Chandigarh to keep medical-response system in a state of preparedness for screening large numbers and managing those who require critical care. Reports are that the affected states have together asked the Centre for 6 lakh anti-viral tablets of Oseltamivir which works against the H1N1 virus. The Health Ministry is processing the request from Haryana for the supply of 1 lakh tablets. A central stockpile of 5.5 million doses of Oseltamivir has been maintained. SPOTTING THE KILLER Patients show regular flu symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, body ache, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some patients also report diarrhoea and vomiting Visit a doctor if you have regular flu symptoms It takes a simple lab test to tell whether it’s swine flu Tablet Oseltamivir should be taken in case swine flu detected Govt hospitals have enough availability of these tablets Cadilla Healthcare has developed an anti-swine flu vaccine called Vaxiflu with one year immunity guarantee. Yearly vaccination is recommended Stay indoors if you are sick; cover your mouth; stay away from crowds and from people who cough and have flu-like symptoms Children, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases face more risk
	Female foeticide SC guidelines soon for improving ratio of girls R Sedhuraman Legal Correspondent New Delhi, February 12 The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would issue guidelines for effective implementation of the ban on sex selective abortions and speedy disposal of cases registered against medical professionals involved in such crimes. A Bench comprising Justices KS Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra expressed its intention after exploring methods for reversing the trend of falling ratio of girls with the health secretaries of Punjab, Haryana and four other states who explained the problems in effectively implementing the ban on sex selective abortions. The Bench had summoned the officials to explain the falling ratio of girl children despite the ban clamped under the Pre-Conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, a central law enacted by Parliament. With the lone exception of Maharashtra, health secretaries of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi also had to do a lot of explaining to the court. Haryana’s Health Secretary Navrat Sandhu said it was found that mostly affluent and educated sections of society were going for sex selective abortions being offered by unregistered clinics being run by fly-by-night operators. Besides the facilities available at these centres, the sex of the foetus could be determined these days with special cell phone handsets and torch lights, she said. Besides implementing the PCPNDT Act, the state was also closely monitoring the childbirths, according to which the ratio was girls was hovering around 850 out of every 1,000 boys, Additional Advocate General (AAG) Manjit Singh Dalal said. Punjab’s AAG Ajay Bansal said the ratio of girls (0-6 years) in Punjab had begun improving, going up from 798 in 2001 to 841 in 2008 and to 846 in 2011. However, the Bench said going by the number of prosecutions and convictions in Punjab and Haryana under the PCPNDT Act the performance of the two states in implementing the ban on sex selective abortions left much to be desired. Bihar admitted in the court that it began implementing the Act only after the 2011 showed a declining trend in the population of girls. At the end of arguments, the SC reserved its order, making it clear that it would issue guidelines for effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act and speedy disposal of cases registered under the law which would serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. Appearing for the PIL petitioner, Voluntary Health Association of Punjab, senior counsel Colin Gonsalves said most of the states had virtually not implemented the 1994 law which was evident from the negligible number of prosecutions and very few convictions. This was also clear from the unabated fall in the ratio of girl children. Parliament modified the PCPNDT Act in 2003 holding medical professionals legally responsible for such abortions. The ratio of girl children in the country has been declining steadily as the 2011 census showed that there were only 924 girls for every 1000 boys. Not up to the mark The Bench said going by the number of prosecutions and convictions in Punjab and Haryana under the PCPNDT Act the performance of the two states in implementing the ban on sex selective abortions left much to be desired
	Mukerji new Ambassador to UN New Delhi, February 14 Ashok Kumar Mukerji was yesterday appointed the next Ambassador/Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations at New York. He replaces Hardeep Singh Puri, who retires this month after a two-year stint during which India also held a non-permanent seat at the Security Council. Mukerji, a Special Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry, has served as Consul General in Dubai and Deputy High Commissioner in London. He was also private secretary to External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid during his previous stint as a Minister of State. — TNS
	Manipuri terrorist held in Delhi New Delhi, February 14 Manipuri terrorist Mohd Abbas Khan, who was also allegedly involved in several cases of vehicle theft, has been arrested from the national capital’s Shakurpur locality. He had escaped from judicial custody while lodged in a hospital in Manipur. — PTI
	Suryanelli case: Kurien meets Sonia, explains facts Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 14 With Opposition parties keeping up the pressure for action against him in the 17-year-old Suryanelli gang rape case, Rajya Sabha deputy chairman today met Congress president Sonia Gandhi to explain the facts to her. The meeting fuelled speculation that Kurien may step down before the Budget session of Parliament opens on February 21. While Kurien’s aides maintained there was no such move, there is a growing sense of unease in the Congress over this controversy as it is showing no signs of dying down. Kurien had met Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari yesterday in connection with this case and had also written to Sonia Gandhi and Ansari last week stating that he was innocent and that he had already been cleared by the courts. The UPA government could face a tough time in Parliament if the Left parties are able to enlist the support of the BJP in disrupting proceedings to press their demand for Kurien’s resignation from the post of deputy chairperson of the Upper House. Kurien’s continuation could then become untenable although he is said to enjoy the support of Defence Minister AK Antony. CPM leader Brinda Karat has already written to Ansari seeking Kurien’s removal. Though Kurien insists he is innocent and is a victim of a political conspiracy, the Congress could find itself on a sticky wicket in this case. Having taken the lead in placing women’s security on the political agenda, it will be embarrassing for the Congress to continue with Kurien as Rajya Sabha deputy chairman at a time when the recently-promulgated ordinance to strengthen laws to deal with sexual violence against women is discussed in Parliament. After discussing the issue at its last meeting, the Congress core group was of the view that it should not take a hurried decision and should instead wait for a direction from the court. Although Kurien was exonerated in the 17-year-old case, the gang rape victim has again named him as one of the men who assaulted her. In a letter to the Supreme Court last week, she sought a review of the court’s earlier order acquitting Kurien. Setting aside the Kerala High Court verdict, the Supreme Court sent the case back to the high court for a fresh look and directed all the accused to seek fresh bail. This case has triggered a political storm in Kerala as the Left parties have disrupted the Assembly session and held a series of street protests to demand action against Kurien. Fresh look at old case Kurien has been exonerated in the 17-year-old case The gang-rape victim has named him again as one of the men who assaulted her. In a letter to the Supreme Court last week, she sought a review of the court’s order acquitting Kurien The Supreme Court has sent the case back to the Kerala High Court for a fresh look and directed all the accused to seek fresh bail
	Noisy start to UP budget session Lucknow, February 14 Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal MLAs created a commotion forcing Governor BL Joshi to retreat in haste during the joint session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly today. The first day of the first budget session under CM Akhilesh Yadav got off to a noisy start. As soon as Governor BL Joshi started his address at 11 am, a large number of BSP members pulled out blue caps from their pockets, climbed on desks and shouted anti-government slogans. They displayed banners and placards which they had managed to smuggle in despite heavy security. In the racket, they were joined by RLD MLAs while Congress representatives were silent onlookers. The BJP boycotted the joint session. — TNS
	Jaitapur N-plant Maharashtra in overdrive ahead of Hollande visit Mumbai, February 14 Ahead of French President Francois Hollande’s visit to Mumbai on Friday, the Maharashtra Government is busy rushing through a comprehensive package for villagers whose land is being acquired for the Jaitapur nuclear power plant. A notification issued by the government earlier this week allowed payment of Rs 22.5 lakh per hectare of land to villagers. Government sources said copies of the notification had been sent to project-affected areas and government representatives had been sent to the villages to talk people into accepting the package. Revenue officials said the compensation being offered was much higher than the official rates prevalent in the area. TNS
	Record 93% voting in Tripura Tribune News Service Guwahati, February 14 Tripura today set a new record for the country’s highest-ever voter turnout with 93 per cent polling in the Assembly elections which was by and large peaceful. Polling was brisk right from the start with over 55 per cent voters having cast their ballot by 1.30 pm. The Left Front-ruled state, which has a 856-km border with Bangladesh, has over 23.5 lakh electors. Chief electoral officer Ashutosh Jindal said polling was peaceful barring minor incidents of violence. Heavy polling was witnessed as large number of voters, including women, waited in queues at polling stations right till 4 pm, when polling ended. Around 92 per cent polling was witnessed in the state during the 2008 Assembly elections. Tripura has 60 seats in the Assembly with 20 reserved for Scheduled Tribes and 10 for Scheduled Castes. The electors sealed the fate of 249 candidates in EVMs today as over 40,000 security personnel manned polling stations across the state. The counting of votes will take place on February 28. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar exuded confidence after casting his vote at a polling station under Ramnagar LAC in Agartala around 10.15 am, saying: “The Left Front will get more seats this time too. There is absolutely no impact of the ‘paribartan’ (vote for change) slogan raised by the Congress here.” The Election Commission had used modified EVMs in all 3,041 polling stations to check possible malpractice and other irregularities. Around 18,000 poll officials were engaged in the exercise. Of the 3,041 polling stations, 32 had been categorised “very sensitive’ and 112 “sensitive” in view of militancy and other security-related problems. The Election Commission had appointed over 2,000 micro-observers to oversee electioneering. The Left Front has been in power in the state since 1978, barring Congress’ tenure during 1988-1993. Manik Sarkar has been the Chief Minister since 1998.