The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

PM to blame for economic slowdown, inflation: BJP
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 2
The Bharatiya Janata Party today blamed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for low growth rate and high rate of inflation in the country. “Inflation and corruption have become the hallmarks of the UPA government. The country also has to suffer the ignominy of experiencing economic downslide under the leadership of an economist Prime Minister under whom every economic macro-parameter has steadily declined,” party leader Prakash Javdekar said moving the economic resolution at the two-day BJP National Council meeting.

Seeking to compare the growth under Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, the document said while the BJP-led NDA inherited a low growth rate of 4 per cent in 1998 and took it to 8 per cent when it lost power, the Congress-led UPA inherited over 8 per cent growth rate and brought it down to nearly 4 per cent during the nine years while achieving the opposite in inflation.

The resolution noted that the situation was even more worrisome since along with declining economic growth rate, all sectors of the economy were showing a downward trend. Overall, the IIP index is declining with a current index at 0.6 per cent for December 2012 and core sectors such as coal, mining, power, fertiliser and natural gas in the negative zone.

Criticising the steps taken by the government, it said the fiscal response was also skewed. “Instead of harping upon compliance and efficiency in revenue generation, the UPA has solely depended on raising taxes and prices, which is further burdening the common man.”

Seeking to pat the governments in BJP and NDA-ruled states, it said if the country was registering a 5 per cent growth rate it was only because the states where the BJP and its allies were in power were growing at an average rate of 10 per cent.

Overall, the party demanded immediate rollback of hike in the prices of petrol, diesel and removal of cap on the supply of domestic cooking gas cylinders; cut in the prices of all essential commodities and increase in minimum support price based on cost plus 50 per cent formula. It also sought restart of the assumed minimum income guarantee scheme for farmers, waiver of loan for draught and unseasonal rain affected farmers; loan waiver benefit to farmers left out; and immediate steps to bring down fertiliser prices.

The party threatened to launch a nationwide public agitation if the government did not take measures to meet the demand.

Inflation and corruption have become the hallmarks of the UPA government. The country also has to suffer the ignominy of experiencing economic downslide under the leadership of an economist Prime Minister. — Prakash Javdekar, BJP leader

Give security to J-K sarpanches, says Rajnath

New Delhi, March 2
Concerned at the lack of security cover for democratically elected sarpanches in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP president Rajnath Singh today condemned the attempt by militants to suppress democracy and criticised the state government for failing to ensure the safety of village heads. “I have written to the Prime Minister in this context but the UPA government has been maintaining silence on this,” the BJP chief said while addressing the two-day National Council meeting.

On a separate Telengana state, he said if voted to power at the Centre, “we will pave the path for the formation of Telengana state.” TNS

Suryanelli rape case: Court rejects girl's plea against Kurien

Idukki (Kerala), March 2
In a relief to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien, a local court today rejected a plea by the victim in the Suryanelli gang rape case for a re-probe into the alleged involvement of the Congress leader, holding there was no new ground for a fresh investigation.

The victim had filed a petition for a fresh probe into Kurien's alleged involvement in the light of the recent claim by Dharmarajan, one of the accused in the 1996 gang rape and the only person to be convicted.

The First Class Judicial Magistrate at nearby Peerumade while rejecting the girl's petition held there was no new ground for a re-investigation since the points raised in the plea had already been enquired into by the police and no evidence found against Kurien.

The petitioner sought a re-probe based on the recent claim by Dharmarajan, accused no. 3 in the case, that Kurien, who was a Union minister in 1996, had allegedly molested the girl at a guest house at Peerumade.

Dharmarajan suddenly appeared last month on a Malayalam television channel after absconding for several years and levelled the charge against Kurien. He was later tracked down and arrested by Kerala police in Karnataka.

The victim had recently lodged a complaint with the police at Chingavanam in Kottayam seeking an inquiry into Kurien's role on the basis of Dharmarajan's allegation.

The police, however, held that a case could be registered only after examining the legal grounds for taking such a course. The victim later moved the court.

The Suryanelli case has been in focus again after the Supreme Court in January quashed the Kerala High Court order acquitting 35 accused in the case while sentencing Dharmarajan alone to five years imprisonment and ordered a retrial.

After the apex court order, the girl pressed her charge against Kurien and sought a re-probe. — PTI

It happened in 1996

The petitioner sought a re-probe based on the recent claim by Dharmarajan, accused No. 3 in the case, that Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien (pic), who was a Union minister in 1996, had allegedly molested the girl at a guest house at Peerumade
Dharmarajan suddenly appeared last month on a Malayalam TV channel after absconding for several years and levelled the charge against Kurien
He was later tracked down and arrested by the Kerala Police in Karnataka

Army to study what soldiers want from 7th Pay Commission
Vijay Mohan/TNS

Chandigarh, March 2
Even as the dust is yet to settle on the anomalies brought out in the recommendations by the Sixth Pay Commission, the College of Defence Management (CDM) has launched a study to gather inputs for the Seventh Pay Commission, which is yet to be announced, to enhance emoluments of the armed forces personnel.

The CDM is circulating a detailed questionnaire to serving and retired officers and other ranks as well as the next of kin of deceased personnel to obtain a feedback on the socio-economic environment affecting them and their expectations from the establishment.

CDM is an inter-service institution imparting training to instil contemporary management thoughts, concepts and practices in the senior leadership of the three services. It had undertaken a similar study to provide inputs for the Sixth Pay Commission. Even civilian employees have started drawing up their demands and forwarding representations at taking up their cases at various levels to be considered by the Seventh Pay Commission.

Sources said special focus is being laid by the CDM on the pension of armed forces areas as it has been felt in several quarters that the post-retirement benefits of armed forces personnel have been a major casualty of successive pay commissions. Most armed forces personnel retire at a relatively young age vis-à-vis their civilian counterparts and pension, which is been fixed at 50 per cent of the last drawn salary, is inadequate to meet mid-life responsibilities.

Armed Forces personnel have complained of being given a raw deal by successive pay panels, repeatedly downgrading their status and emoluments and also the bureaucracy arbitrarily introducing various clauses in government orders that have a further adverse effect on original recommendations.

The implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission had resulted in an unprecedented number of anomalies in the fixation of pay, pension and other allowances, resulting in a series of litigation.

Many cases were decided by the courts in favour of the armed forces personnel. Even an anomaly in the Fourth Pay Commission 1986, is yet to be fully settled after having been decided by the Supreme Court in favour of defence personnel. The implementation orders issued by the government created another controversy, with veterans contending that the wording of the court order were “twisted” by the government, thereby denying the full scope of benefits under the judgement.

Study to gather inputs

The College of Defence Management (CDM) has launched a study to gather inputs for the Seventh Pay Commission, which is yet to be announced

A questionnaire is being circulated to serving and retired officers and other ranks as well as the next of kin of the deceased personnel about their socio-economic and expectations

CDM is an inter-service institution imparting training to instil contemporary management thoughts, concepts and practices in the senior leadership of the three services.

Novel method to discipline erring cops
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 2
The city police is coming up with novel methods to deal with the police personnel who have been breaking discipline or flouting rules repeatedly while carrying out their duties. Attachment with police lines does not seem much effective anymore. The deduction of one-day salary is also taken lightly while the officials avoid suspensions. It leaves a negative impact on the psyche of policemen and financial implications on their family.

The police has now resorted to tough punishment, known in the Army to 'straighten up such spoilt persons.' They would now be seen traversing in jungles at night, munching rice-dal or sweating while lifting arms and ammunition for four hours at night on secluded roads. There is no relaxation for women police personnel. They need to be on guard as well.

SSP Kewal Khurana who said that he had carried out this experiment successfully during his tenure as SSP, Tehri, said: "The policemen who were found indulging in indiscipline repeatedly will be given orientation training in police lines for 15 days, where they would be made to go through grilling exercises and explained about their mistakes and ways to improve their conduct in future."

After this approach, if the policemen concerned did not show any marked improvement, then they would be pushed for rigorous training.

Khurana said: "The policemen would be made to march from 11 to 3 at night on the stretch from Sahaspur to Doiwala. They will be given some heavy stuff and rifles to lift while marching. Thereafter, they will be sent to a jungle for one full night stay with some utensils and dal-chawal."

He said the third punishment for hardcore indisciplined persons would be suspension after that. There is no relaxation for those who might complain of ailment when given such rigorous punishment.

Naroda-Patia Massacre
SIT to seek harsher punishment for guilty
Manas Dasgupta

Ahmedabad, March 2
The Gujarat Government has given permission to the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) to appeal in the high court against the judgment of the special fast-track court for enhanced punishment to the guilty in the Naroda-Patia massacre of February 28, 2002, sources said.

Special fast-track court judge Jyotsnaben Yagnik had in August 2012 pronounced 32 accused as guilty while acquitting 29 others for want of adequate evidence. The judge had sentenced former Minister of State for Women Welfare Mayaben Kodnani to 28 years of imprisonment, former state Bajrang Dal convener Babu Bajrangi to life term and other guilty to 10 to 20 years of imprisonment. The SIT had requested the state government for permission to appeal against the fast-track court’s judgment to seek death penalty against Kodnani, Bajrangi and others, if found guilty.

BRIEFLY

Bharuch (Gujarat)
Three die in gas leak
Three workers died following a gas leak at the agro-chemicals plant of Meghmani Organics in Ankleshwar industrial area on Saturday. Following the incident, a team headed by deputy director of Industrial Safety and Health, Vijay Patel reached the spot and served a closure notice on the company. — PTI

Paradip (Odisha)
2 anti-Posco activists killed
At least two anti-Posco activists were killed and another seriously injured while allegedly making a bomb at Patana village in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district on Saturday. The Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS), which is spearheading the protest, denied the charge that the victims were involved in making bombs. — PTI

Lucknow
Alert along Nepal border
In view of increased Naxal activities in neighbouring Nepal, police in all districts of Uttar Pradesh falling on the Indo-Nepal border have been put on alert. UP DGP has asked the police in Pilibhit, Kheri, Bahraich, Balrampur, Shrawasti, Siddhartnagar and Maharajganj to be on alert. — PTI

An Indian Coast Guard helicopter carries out rescue work during a mock drill in Kozhikode on Saturday. — PTI

Imphal
Irom to be flown to Delhi
Social activist Irom Sharmila, who has been on fast for the past 12 years demanding the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), will be flown to Delhi in connection with some court cases on Sunday, official sources said. Sharmila has to depose in connection with the fast she undertook in Delhi in the past. — PTI

Shillong
Quake shakes N-E states
An earthquake of moderate intensity shook Meghalaya, Assam and some other north-east states on Saturday. The quake, which had a magnitude of 5.2 on the Richter scale, had its epicentre 10 km underneath the earth's crust along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Karimganj area of Assam. — PTI

Islamabad
26/11 trial in Pakistan
The trial of seven Pakistanis charged with involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks was on Saturday adjourned for two weeks after prosecutors informed the judge that they were awaiting an undertaking from Indian authorities regarding the visit of a Pakistani judicial commission. — PTI

Koraput (Odisha)
Two Maoists arrested
Two hardcore Maoists involved in murder and other offences were arrested by security personnel during a combing operation in Narayanpatna area of Odisha's Koraput district on Saturday. — PTI

Sasaram (Bihar)
9 held for quarrying
Nine persons were arrested for illegal quarrying at Bansa and Kanchanpur villages in Rohtas district of Bihar on Saturday. A team comprising district civil, police and forest officials raided Karbandia mines and arrested nine persons for illegal quarrying of stone chips, SP Manu Maharaj said. — PTI