Sunday, January 31, 1999
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N A T I O N |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Centre weak: Sonia
No
marital discord, says Shivani’s father |
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Everybody should resign:
Basu Talks
only if violence stops: archbishop HC
quashes Governor order |
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Centre weak, says Sonia NEW DELHI, Jan 30 — In an oblique reference to the RSS, the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, today said the forces that were responsible for Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination were thriving even today and posed a challenge to the country’s secular heritage. Addressing a special programme on communal harmony, organised by the All-India Congress Committee here to observe the 51st year of martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi, Mrs Sonia Gandhi lashed out at the central government for its failure to curb these forces and provide security to the minorities in the country. She said the Centre was too weak and hesitant to deal with these forces and places of worship continued to be torched and innocent people were being arrested, beaten and tortured. Instead of taking firm action, the government was talking of a national debate on the issue of conversion. There was negligence in enforcing law and order and the government was colluding and sympathising with the perpetrators of such violence, she alleged. Saying that India believed in tolerance and equality as propagated by the Father of the Nation, she said the Congress was determined to fight the narrow sectarian, divisive and fundamentalist forces. She said the party would be in the vanguard of preserving India’s secular fabric. Mrs Sonia Gandhi also made a reference to the recent killings of Dalits in Bihar and added the Congress was deeply anguished. The Congress President also released a charter of duties for Congressmen to protect the rights of minorities. She pointed out that in May, 1983, the then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, had announced a 15-point programme for the minorities and in 1985 Rajiv Gandhi had reiterated the programme. However, she said the 15-point programme had been neglected in recent years and it was in the light of these developments that the Congress had decided to chart out its own programme. The seven-point programme dealing with the State Minorities Commission, education for the minorities, the language policy, fighting economic backwardness, recruitment to government services, Waqf property and safety and security aspects would be given special attention in states where the Congress was in power. In other states, the party would agitate and focus the attention of the state governments on the steps that needed to be taken. Regarding the State Minorities Commission, the charter of duties said this should be done as a matter of priority and within a specified time-frame. The highest priority would be accorded to dealing with the problem of educational backwardness of many minority communities so that their social and economic advancement through improved educational facilities was assured. The measures to be taken to achieve this objective included full protection to minority educational institutions, ensuring the preservation of secular values in the educational system, involvement of local bodies in ensuring the universalisation of elementary education and promoting and facilitating the education of girls and women of the minority communities. On the language policy, the Congress said full encouragement should be given to the languages and literature of the minority communities and their language should be declared the second official language wherever required. On ending economic backwardness, the paper said that while some minority communities such as Sikhs had set the whole country an example for self-reliant and self-generated economic advancement, other minority communities remain trapped in economic backwardness. To promote the economic prosperity of all minorities, the Congress suggested that the state minorities development and financial corporations should be stabilised and strengthened and socio-economic surveys should be undertaken to prepare and implement special development plans for areas of minority concentration. It also called for equitable allotment of anti-poverty and development funds to areas of minority concentration and special efforts to improve health, sanitary and general environment conditions in the urban and rural areas of minority concentration. Schemes for the
recruitment and guaranteed placement of members of the
minorities in government services, especially the police
and related security services, streamlining management
and administration of Waqf property and uncompromising
and determined secularism in the formulation of policy
and the administration of the laws of the land also
formed part of the charter of duties released by Mrs
Sonia Gandhi. |
12-hour Bihar bandh partial PATNA, Jan 30 (PTI) — The 12-hour state-wide general strike and bandh called by Left parties and Janata Dal to protest against Monday’s massacre of 22 persons in Jehanabad district has evoked “partial response”. Over 400 supporters of the sponsors were taken into custody in different parts of the state while trying to enforce the bandh call, official sources said here. Sources said the agitation was successful in extremist-affected Jehanabad and Gaya districts where shops and business establishments remained closed. However, the functioning of state and Central government offices across the state was by and large “unaffected” registering “normal” attendance. Private bus operators suspended their services during the day “as a precautionary measure” while state-run buses plied in different parts of the state “with heavy escorts”. Railway services were also reported to be “trouble-free” so far, railway sources said. The strike-protagonists brought out processions in various towns to enforce their calls. The Director General of
police, Mr K.A. Jacob told PTI that the general strike
and bandh was “peaceful” with
“intensified” patrolling. |
10 Ranvir Sena activists held GAYA (Bihar), Jan 30 (PTI) — Ten activists of the Ranvir Sena, a private army of landlords, have been arrested in connection with the recent massacre of 22 persons in Jehanabad district of Bihar, DIG (Magadh Range) S K Bhardwaj said today. Three activists of the sena were arrested from Akopur last night, while the others were taken into custody from different parts of Jehanabad, Mr Bhardwaj told PTI here. The three sena activists, including Nepal Singh and Anil Sharma, were arrested by a police team led by the Inspector-General of police, Patna range, Mr Neelmani, who conducted raids at several places in Bhojpur district’s Akopur, Mr Bhardwaj said. Both Nepal and Anil were
also named accused in recent killing of three Dalits in
the same village. |
Everybody should resign: Basu NEW DELHI, Jan 30 — The Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government today came under fire again with the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Jyoti Basu questioning its right to remain in power in view of attacks on minorities and raising the prices of essential commodities through the Public Distribution System(PDS). Talking to reporters here, Mr Jyoti Basu was optimistic of the emergence of an alternative to the BJP-led coalition government. He said that an alternative would emerge once this government goes and that all in it should resign like the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr Madan Lal Khurana. Reacting to the resignation of Mr Khurana, the CPM leader said, "everybody should resign. The faster this Government falls the better as then an alternative would emerge". Mr Basu also made a reference to the recent attacks on minorities and Christians throughout the country and said that in the light of what was happening this government should not remain in power even for a single day. "In my opinion they should all resign today", he said. Asked if Congress President Sonia Gandhi was taking any initiative on forming an alternative government at the Centre, he said, "ask Sonia". Mr Basu is in the Capital to attend the party’s two day politbureau meeting. The Janata Dal said that raising the prices of essential commodities supplied through the PDS was a surrender of the Vajpayee government to the World Trade Organisation, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Party general secretary Devendra Prasad Yadav said poor people, already suffering due to abnormal rise in prices of essential commodities, would be worst hit. Mr Yadav, who was Food Minister in the United Front Government, said the targeted public distribution system launched during his tenure with focus on the poor lost its meaning with the sudden hike. On the Centre’s decision to raise the price of urea, he said it would affect production of foodgrains as farmers were already hard-pressed because of bad weather conditions. He described the decision as "anti-farmer". He demanded that the
government reconsider its decision so that poor could get
essential commodities at cheaper rates. Mr Yadav said the
JD will launch a nation wide agitation against the price
rise by holding a demonstration in the capital on Monday. |
Talks only if violence stops: archbishop NEW DELHI, Jan 30 (PTI) — Delhi Archbishop Alan de Lastic today said the government’s response to attacks on Christians was “slow” and there was room for dialogue with leaders of some Hindu organisations on conversions provided violence against the community was stopped. “There is room for dialogue. But, as a condition the atrocities must be stopped. Then let us sit down and talk,” he said when asked whether he proposed to initiate talks between leaders of the church and VHP-Bajrang Dal-RSS combine. About the government’s response to the violence in Gujarat and Orissa, he told Eenadu Television in an interview the action on the part of the government was “so slow” and that he was disappointed with the government’s inactivity to bring about law and order speedily. “.... Justice delayed is justice denied. And justice is not only to be done, but seems to be done,” he said. The archbishop said the community was not proposing to take up the issue of religious terrorism with the UN or international human rights bodies. “I would like as an Indian to use the remedies we have in this country. We would like the government at the Centre and at the state level, whatever be their political leanings or ideology, to act fast and speedily to prevent these acts of violence,” he said. ALLAHABAD: Prominent Christian leaders demanded here on Saturday that the Centre and state governments put an end to the growing incidents of violence against the community and destruction of their places of worship. “The Christian
community now feels insecure following incidents of
violence their lives and properties in Gujarat, Orissa
and Uttar Pradesh”, various leaders, including
Bishop A.R. Steven and Bishop Essidore Fernandez told
reporters here. |
Delhi trains to be diverted on
Feb 6 NEW DELHI, Jan 30 - Northern Railway will carry out operational upgradation of Delhi main station next week. This will lead to partial cancellation, change of terminals in Delhi area and diversion of trains on February 6 and 7. On account of "non-interlocking" during the installation of the new route relay interlocking panel, certain diversions/change of terminals and partial cancellations will come into effect for two days on February 6 and 7. This non-interlocking will be completed in a period of 48 hours. "With this, Delhi main station will have 1120 routes and there will be reduced detention outside the station", a Northern Railway official said. The trains which will be partially cancelled include Amritsar-New Delhi Express (4660) on February 6 will terminate at Subzi Mandi. The Amritsar-New Delhi Express (4659) on February 6 which will leave from Subzi Mandi instead of New Delhi, New Delhi-Bathinda Intercity Express (4590) on February 6 will terminate at Naya Azadpur. Among others the trains which have change of terminals in Delhi area include Jammu Mail (4033/4034) Jammu-Tawi Express and Delhi-Attari Express (4001). Train number 2138 from Ferozepur and 6032 and 9028 from Jammu diverted through Okhla-Delhi Safdarjung-Shakur Basti with halts at Okhla and Delhi Safdarjung. Train number 2312 from Kalka will pass through Subzi Mandi-New Delhi-Sahibabad with halt at New Delhi. Train number 8102 from Pathankot on February 5 and 6 will be diverted through Naya Azadpur-Delhi Safdarjung-H Nizamuddin-Sahibabad with halts at Naya Azadpur and Delhi Safdarjung. Train number 4648 will be
diverted through Naya Azadpur and Delhi Safdarjung. |
Indore land scam investigation JABALPUR, Jan 30 (UNI) — The Madhya Pradesh High Court today quashed the order of the Governor giving Lokayukta special police sanction for the prosecution of former ministers B.R. Yadav and Rajendra Singh for their alleged involvement in the Indore land scam case. Mr Justice C.K. Prasad, while pronouncing the judgement in the court today, allowed the petition of the two former ministers and observed that the order of Governor Bhai Mahavir sanctioning the prosecution of the two ministers was absolutely without jurisdiction and "illegal". "The doctrine of necessity can be only invoked in exceptional circumstances," the judge maintained. Mr Justice Prasad further observed that the respondent (Governor) failed to demonstrate in the present case that there was material sufficient to invoke the doctrine of necessity. Mr Justice Prasad said the power to grant or withhold sanction for prosecution is a statutory function and not constitutional. The power to decide whether or not to grant sanction to prosecute rests with the state government and more specifically the council of ministers. In this case (grant of sanction of prosecution of ex-ministers), it can- not be presumed that the council of ministers who exercise the sovereign function under the constitution will be biased and they will protect the ministers from prosecution, he observed. Mr Justice Prasad said the
contention of the Attorney-General of India was not
acceptable that the question of invoking the doctrine of
necessity in the present case was due to the likelihood
of the state government being biased. The
Attorney-General’s argument justifying the action of
the Governor in granting the sanction for prosecution of
the two former ministers has been over-ruled by this
court. |
No marital discord, says
Shivani’s father GHAZIABAD, Jan 30 — Members of the family of Shivani Bhatnagar, the Indian Express staffer who was killed in her flat in Patparganj, recently have dismissed speculation on her marital discord. Mr Satish Kumar Srivastava, who retired as Personnel Manager from a public sector unit, said Shivani visited them with her three-month-old son a day before she was murdered. “I asked her to stay on but she insisted on going back and said her husband would really miss her.” Mr Srivastava who seems to have reconciled to the colossal loss said, “If they had strained relations, why would they live under the same roof. They could have lived separately.” He said he tried to speak to Shivani over the phone at 5 p.m. on that fateful day. “When nobody answered the phone, I called up Rakesh in office. He promised to get back after trying the number again.” At 6 p.m. he called back to say, “Kuchh ho gaya hai. Aap log jaldi pahunchein,’’ (Something untoward has happened. Please rush to Patparganj.’’ Mr Srivastava said by the time he and his wife reached their daughter’s house, her body had already been moved to the hospital. It was about 7 p.m. In no time, neighbours, friends and mediapersons gathered at the flat.’’ Mr Satish Kumar said Shivani had been looking for a nanny to look after her newborn, Tanmay. She was married to Mr Rakesh Bhatnagar in 1996, Legal Editor of The Times of India. He said he approved of Shivani’s choice of the groom and did not raise any objection on their age-difference. Perturbed yet composed, Mr Srivastava said Shivani was a reserved girl and had few friends. She joined journalism after completing her education from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 1995. She got a break in The Asian Age the same year. She left the newspaper in preference to a job offer from the Indian Express. Shivani was the eldest of his three children. Her sister, Sevati, teaches at a school in Ghaziabad, while her brother, Abhijeet, is enrolled for MBA at Lucknow University. She had her early education at St. Xavier’s School in Bokaro, Bihar. She took her postgraduate degree in Psychology from Lucknow University and specialised in the same subject from JNU. Mr Srivastava said she was
keen on joining the Civil Services and tried her luck
thrice. She qualified for the interview but could not get
through. |
MC threat to auction govt buildings PATNA, Jan 30 (PTI) — The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has slapped notices on a number of central government undertakings threatening to initiate attachment proceedings and even auction buildings if they failed to pay house tax within a fortnight. Administrator of the PMC, A K Srivastava said here today that these undertakings had not bothered to pay house tax despite receiving the bills and formal communications from the corporation. The notices issued under Section 206 of the PMC Act, 1951, said the corporation would issue warrants for attachment of the buildings owned by the defaulters and also order their auction. Among the defaulters whose
buildings are facing the danger of coming under the
hammer are the Airports Authority of India, Central
Telegraph Office, the office of the Post Master General,
Central Public Works Department (CPWD) Division one
office and the Customs and Excise Office at the Patna
airport. |
Defence personnel in khadi NEW DELHI, Jan 29 (PTI) — It will now be the turn of the defence forces to sport the pride of swadeshi — the khadi. The Defence Ministry has decided to buy more swadeshi and khadi products, including boots, for the department in an effort to promote small and cotton industries. “We have started buying khadi products to meet some of the defence forces requirements from September/October. We will purchase khadi products in a big way from next (financial) year,” Defence Minister George Fernandes told a seminar on the WTO at the ongoing swadeshi mela here. When contacted by PTI after the seminar, he said though khadi could not be used for the forces uniform or for battle fatigue, it would be used in all possible ways. “We have already started using khadi in furnishings in all our guest houses and offices,” he said. Similarly, the Defence Ministry had found that boots manufactured by the cottage sector were found to be better than the ones being purchased from the organised sector. “We have now placed orders for these boots, which will be supplied by the Khadi and Village Industries Corporation to the ministry,” Mr Fernandes said. The boots would be
produced by cooperatives and cottage sectors, he added. |
Education convention NEW DELHI, January 30 — Eminent educationists, jurists and concerned parents and students from 17 States are participating in the All India Save Education Convention scheduled to start here on February 8. The two-day convention is
aimed at opposing commercialisation of education. Justice
Kuldeep Singh known for his landmark judgement against
capitation fee in the Mohini Jain case, Brigadier O P
Choudhary, former Vice Chancellor of Mahrishi Dayanand
University, Rohtak, Dr Sushil Mukherjee, former Vice
Chancellor of Calcutta University, Dr N A Karim, pro Vice
Chancellor of Kerala University and Professor Manoranjan
Mohanty are among the 1500 delegates expected to
participate in the convention. |
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| Coast Guard demonstrates
might MUMBAI: The Coast Guard demonstrated its might and capability to protect the waters of the country with a series of breathtaking performances by its advanced ships, aircraft and helicopters, off the Mumbai coast. Nine ships of different categories of the Coast Guard fleet here, four “Chetak” helicopters and two “Dornier” aircraft took part in the “day-at-sea” programme on Friday evening aimed at providing an insight into various tasks carried out by the organisation. — PTI Matsyashree Award for
Chikle NHRC to open
office in Bihar Tata Sumo for
Steins’ leprosy home Counterfeit notes
seized Painting
workshop Sangeetha Sabha
awards |
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