Saturday, March 13, 1999
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100 hurt in pavilion
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PM, Advani visit Sai Baba NEW DELHI, March 12 — Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Home Minister L.K. Advani and Human Resources Development Minister M.M. Joshi were among the host of dignitaries who visited Satya Sai Baba, the saint of Puttaparthy, here today.
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Members divided on Judicial
Commission Curbs
on states go Prevent
mafia rule in Delhi: Gujral TRAI
proposals flayed as pro-rich VHP
leader to embrace Sikhism Parliament
being ‘kept in dark’ Vajpayee
lauds PTI’s role Fake
Rs 500 note displayed in LS |
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100 hurt in pavilion collapse AGRA, March 12 (PTI) — About 100 spectators were injured when the stands on which they were seated collapsed during the shooting of a TV serial here last evening. Though officials confirmed that only 29 people were injured in the incident, eyewitnesses said that nearly 100 people were injured after the stands collapsed causing chaos in the area. The spectators were watching the musical serial of Zee TV "Saa Re Gama" when the stands collapsed, official sources said. The accident occured when the second shift of the shooting was on at around 10 p.m., the sources said. The number of spectators in the stands was 1200, more than twice the prescribed limit, the sources said. The authorities blamed the organisers for issuing passes liberally and chits for entrance, the sources said. However, people blamed the state authorities for the incident and said the officials had not cleared the watchers of the first half of the shooting. Meanwhile, District Magistrate R K Tiwari has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. The filming of the serial had caused a controversy and a question had been raised in Parliament two days ago. The district authorities
had defended the week-long filming by saying it had
netted Rs 50 lakh for the Agra Heritage Fund. |
PM, Advani visit Sai Baba NEW DELHI, March 12 (UNI) — Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Home Minister, L.K. Advani, Human Resources Development Minister M.M. Joshi and Lok Sabha Speaker G.M.C Balayogi were among the host of dignitaries who visited Satya Sai Baba, the saint of Puttaparthy, here today. Besides, many other VIPs, including former Lok Sabha Speaker Shivraj Patil and Chief Justice A.S. Anand also were among the over 1 lakh devotees who have visited Satya Sai Baba since yesterday, sources said. Vice-President Krishan Kant was also scheduled to visit him tomorrow and attend a religious discourse by him. The Prime Minister and the Home Minister, who visited the Sai Baba "as devotees," also attended the inauguration of the multi-crore rupee Sai International Centre at Lodhi Road in South Delhi this morning. The centre was inaugurated by the Sai Baba. More than 4,000 workers of
the Sai Seva Dal, mostly drawn from the northern region,
are looking after the security and other arrangements for
the Sai Baba and his devotees who come to see him. |
Gen Sharma lauds RIMC culture DEHRA DUN, March 12 (UNI) — A former Chief of the Army Staff, Gen V. Sharma, an ex-alumni of the Rashtiya Indian Military College (RIMC), here, has expressed great appreciation for the culture prevailing at the prestigious military institution today. "Independence of thought" is inculcated in the young boys at the RIMC and the student-teacher ratio is such that teachers can devote a lot of attention to each student, said Gen Sharma in an exclusive interview with UNI on the eve of the 77th founder’s day celebrations of the RIMC beginning here today. "Rimcollians (alumni of the RIMC) have more a mark in every walk of life. Of the 2000 officers commissioned into the Indian Army every year, about 40 are Rimcollians" said Gen (retd) Sharma, adding that the RIMC was the only school of its kind in the country. "The RIMC is a tremendous asset to the country which is facing a lack of discipline in various fields", said the ex Rimcollian when asked about his view on the contribution of the RIMC in building the character of the young men studying at the institution. Leadership qualities are more important then degrees and the RIMC lays the foundation of a character which is a prerequisite for a good leader, said Gen Shama. The RIMC Commandant, Col Arun Mamgain, also as old boy of the school, said on the occasion that the school was now on its way to make up the deficiency of accommodation for its employees. "The building of the school, some of which are 95 years old, will now be repaired", he said. The Commandant said that earlier the code of discipline at the RIMC was far more strict than it is today. "There is more freedom now and boys interact a lot with the masters and their families", he said. Col Mamgain expressed the hope that the RIMC would continue its hallowed traditions in the next century in the way in which it had been doing ever since its inception on March 13, 1922. Old boys from various parts of the country have arrived in the Doon valley to attend the celebrations at the RIMC. The RIMC’s crowning glory is that it has provided four Chiefs of staff of the Indian armed forces, three to the Army and one to the Air Force. They are Gen K.S. Thimayya, Gen G.S. Bewoor, Gen V.N. Sharma and Air Chief Marshal N.C. Suri. Some of the more illustrious Rimcollians in Pakistan include Air Marshal Nur Khan and Air Marshal Asghar Khan, Sehebzada Yaqub Khan and Shahrayar Mohd Khan. At present, 250 cadets
from various parts of the country are studying at the
RIMC. The first public school of India. |
Members divided on Judicial Commission NEW DELHI, March 12 (UNI) — Members of the Rajya Sabha were divided on the issue of support to the proposed Constitution of a national judicial commission when the debate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 1996 (to amend Articles 124,217 etc.) resumed in the House today. Former Law and Justice Minister H.R. Bhardwaj (Cong) resuming the debate vehemently opposed the move saying his greatest worry was "how could it be composed and what would be done to prevent politicisation of its members." he wanted the government to have a public debate to seek the view of the citizens of this country. He said recent developments showed the present government did not want the primacy of the Chief Justice of India. Even if it is in the national agenda of the government "we merely want restoration of the constitutional position", he added. He advised that the government should subscribe for independence of the judiciary and the advice of the Chief Justice of India should not be ignored. He said there were 3.5 crore cases pending in different courts and the government was finding it so difficult to fill up the vacancies. Mr Bhardwaj said the Law Minister had no role to play in the transfer of judges, determining their seniority or their age and this is a matter to be decided between the Chief Justice of India and the President. The former Law Minister
was of the view that knowledge and integrity were the
only two pre-appointment considerations of a judge. |
Wheat under open sale scheme NEW DELHI, March 12 (PTI) — The government today lifted restrictions imposed on state governments regarding movement of wheat and wheat products under the open sale scheme. The Centre will also not insist state governments on prior fixing of the prices of wheat wheat products allotted to roller flour mills and cooperative societies and agencies, among others. "The scheme has now been liberalised keeping in view the comfortable stock position in the central pool and to encourage the lifting of wheat under the open sale scheme," an official press note said here. However, state governments have been asked by the Centre to keep a close watch on the prices of wheat at the consumers’ level and review the situation from time to time. The Centre had released up to 40 lakh tonnes of wheat to state governments for open sale under the open market sale scheme (domestic) in November last year. The allocations are made to states and union teritorries as per their requirements subject to the conditions that wheat allotted to a particular state be sold within the state. State governments were
also made responsible to prefix and monitor the end
prices of wheat/wheat products allotted to roller flour
mills, cooperative societies and agencies. |
Lok Sabha questions NEW DELHI, March 12 (UNI, PTI) — Former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral (JD) made a plea in the Lok Sabha today that all parties cutting across ideological lines discuss the issue of increasing crimes before Delhi is turned into a mafia capital like some other parts of the world. Raising the issue during zero hour, Mr Gujral said he was not trying to cast aspersions on the government or any political party. Minister of State for Parliamen-tary Affairs Ram Naik, sharing Mr Gujral’s concern said he would bring the matter in the notice of Home Minister L.K. Advani. Mr Gujral also sought that extra care be exercised in the driving of school buses and suggested a special test for school bus drivers before they were allowed to drive the vehicles which should not be overtaken by other traffic. He also expressed concern over what he described as erosion or cultural values due to show of violence and other such fare being dished out on the electronic media. He demanded a clear cut media policy to arrest erosion of cultural values. Fraud in Insurance Co. Fraudulent settlement of Rs 2.26 crore has been detected in the National Insurance Company divisional office at Delhi, Minister of State for Finance K.M.R. Janarthanan told the Lok Sabha today. In a written reply, the minister said a divisional manager and an office assistant, who are found to be involved, have been suspended while four surveyors, tracers and an insurance agent have been blacklisted. The matter, which involved fraudulent settlement of marine cargo, has been reported to the CBI, the minister added. Customs seizure: Goods valued at Rs 412.10 crore were seized during the last six months by various field formations of the customs all over the country. In the same period, goods valued at Rs 31.11 crore were reported to have been auctioned by various field formations, Minister of State for Finance K.M.R. Janarthanan said in a written reply. FDI: The foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow during 1998 was Rs 13,320 crore as against Rs 16,425 crore during 1997, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha said. Grant: Japan has decided to extend Rs 6.9 crore debt relief grant to India and an agreement in the form on exchange of notes has been signed in this regard last month, Mr Sinha said. Vaishno Devi: Mr Chaman Lal Gupta (BJP) during zero hour demanded the Centre’s intervention to ensure adequate drinking water for the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. Raising the matter, Mr Gupta said there was an acute shortage of water in Katra and a bucket of water of water priced at Re 1 in hotels. As five million pilgrims are expected in the shrine this year, arrangements be made to ensure smooth and adequate supply of water to them, he demanded. Gene tech: Government has not accorded any approval for entry of terminator gene technology into India and has already initiated measures to restrict its entry in the country, Industry Minister Sikander Bakht said. Mr Bakht said the Ministry of Agriculture had taken various precautionary steps and issued an order which comprises a rigorous drill to be followed by the "import permit issuing authorities" of the country. Car sales: The sales of passenger cars and commercial vehicles showed a decline during April-December, 1998, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, Mr Bakht said. However, two wheelers registered an upward trend helping the automobile sector to show a sales growth of 4.6 per cent during this period, the minister said in a written reply. Tobacco: The government has received two proposals for foreign direct investment in the cigarette/tobacco industry and the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) would consider them on the basis of comments received from administrative ministries concerned, Mr Bakht said. Though representations have been received against the proposals, beedi workers are not likely to be adversely affected by the induction of 100 per cent foreign direct investment as it encourages competitiveness in the cigarette sector, he said. PSUs: Adjustment of PSU employees in the government departments is not possible as PSUs are different legal entities with their own service conditions, Minister of State for Industry S.S. Badal said. Export earnings: The country has earned $ 46944.29 million through export of gem and jewellery during the current financial year (upto January 31, 1999). This is against $ 5116.01 million during 1997-98. Commerce Minister Ramakrishna Hegde said. Sugar worth 4744 tonnes, valued at Rs 649.86 lakh was exported during April-November, 1998, he told Mr Ramdas Athawale. Exports during 1997-98 were of 1,75,081 tonnes worth Rs 24060-24 lakh. Replyig to Mr R. Veerappa, Mr Hegde said onion and potatoes worth Rs 1993.84 lakh (36,795 tonnes) was exported this year as on March 4, 1999. Trade issues: The government has not taken any decision to set up a department to deal with WTO and multilateral trade issues, Mr Hegde said. He told Mr C.D. Gamit that the Government of Malaysia had asked Ircon International Ltd this month to submit a detailed proposal. Ircon has yet to submit a detailed proposal in this regard. The minister told P.C.
Thomas that the government had, with effect from February
20 suspended the facility of import of natural rubber
through advance licence. |
IGNOU to start 8 new courses NEW DELHI, March 12 (UNI) —Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is set to launch new initiatives in the field of distance and open education by introducing many new courses for various sections of the society this year. Addressing a press conference here today, IGNOU Vice-Chancellor Abdul W Khan said it was proposed to start at least eight new courses. These were: B.Tech. (Civil) in construction management, B. Tech. (Civil) in water resources engineering, postgraduate diploma in translation, postgraduate certificate in radio riting, certificate in disaster management, certificate in participatory forest management, certificate in network-oriented office management and certificate in web site design and management. Prof Khan said IGNOU also proposed to offer courses to those interested in distance and open education in the countries in the SAARC region. Besides, there was also
varsity proposal being considered by the Human Resource
Development Ministry to offer free education to women and
girls belonging to the Scheduled Castes and scheduled
tribes. |
TRAI proposals flayed as
pro-rich NEW DELHI, March 12 — The Rajya Sabha today expressed concern over the reversal of the telecom tarrif policy announced by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) which had shown a definite bias towards the rich at the cost of low-end users. The members demanded a new policy and an amendment to the TRAI Act, which would meet the economic needs of India. The issue was raised through a special mention during the zero hour, by Mr Gurudas Dasgupta. The Rajya Sabha Members alleged that the TRAI proposals, which sought to hike rates for small telephone users and make local calls expensive were aimed at pampering corporate users as STD and the ISD facilities had simultaneously been made less expensive. Mr Gurudas Dasgupta urged the government to not push the Department of Telecom, which had created a network throughout the country, into the same position as the Post and Telegraph Department, ineffectual in the face of competition from the private sector. He pointed to the need for having a new policy to suit the economic needs of the country and said TRAI proposals would only help industrialists, share brokers and satta operators. He also took strong exception to the attitude of the government in keeping the Rajya Sabha in the dark regarding the proposal of the TRAI to hike the tarrif or the subsequent government action of withholding it. Mr Gurudas Dasgupta was associated on the issue by Mr Nilotpal Basu, CPM, who strongly criticised the attitude of TRAI as discriminatory. He said TRAI was breaking all norms and policy parameters and no purpose would be served in taxing low-end users given the country’s telephone access rate of just 36 phones for 1,000 population. In the name of transparency, TRAI, he charged, had attacked the small users and there should be an amendment to the TRAI Act to remove grey areas. Mr Sanjay Nirupam (Shiv Sena) said that the government should seek the advice of its alliance partners while effecting changes to the tarrif structure and should retain a control over the fee structure and over TRAI. The proposals, he said, would help neither the consumers nor the DoT but only the business houses. The DoT, he said would incur a revenue loss of Rs 2,000 crore. Therefore, the proposals should not be accepted. Mr B.P. Singhal (BJP) however supported the proposals and said that the telephone user was not a common man and there should be no hurdle to raising revenues for development. In an unrelated development, the government was urged to procure from the British Government the relevant documents concerning the Purulia arms dropping case so that the trial in the case could proceed properly in a Calcutta court. Raising the issue through a special mention during zero hour in the Rajya Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) member Mr K.R. Malkani said that this had become necessary following revelations in the British House of Commons recently that the British Government had supplied incomplete information to India in the case. Mr Malkani pointed out
that he had information that a deliberate attempt had
been made to create misunderstanding between India and
Pakistan by dropping leaflets and arms in Purulia by an
aircraft which had taken off from Karachi. He added that
it had now come to light that neither the Pakistan
Government nor its Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) had
been aware of the plot. |
VHP leader to embrace Sikhism NEW DELHI, March 12 (UNI) — Vishwa Hindu Parishad's central secretary and former MP B.L. Sharma "Prem", today announced his decision to embrace the "Khalsa Panth". Addressing a press conference here head of the Gobind Sadan Baba Virsa Singh said Mr Prem, who was impressed by the "original heroic traditions of the Khalsa", will be baptised a Sikh on March 29. "Baba Virsa Singh also gave him a new name, Prem Singh. The VHP leader, while describing Sikhism as a "panth" and Hinduism as a religion, said Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa to protect people against oppression. "It is in this spirit that I along with my wife Krishna Sharma have decided to declare myself a humble Khalsa of Guru Gobind Singh," the former east Delhi MP said. Speaking on the occasion, religious leader Yugpurush Swami Paramanand said every family in the present times should have a Khalsa. However, he was not very
forthcoming to queries as to what was the immediate need
for such a requirement. |
Bhagwat issue NEW DELHI, March 12 — The sacking of Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat found mention in the Lok Sabha once again today with Mr Indrajit Gupta (CPI) stating that Parliament was being kept in the dark on the issue. Participating in the resumed debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s Address, Mr Gupta said while on the one hand there was talk of right to information, the government had not come out with its official version in the House. “Parliament is being kept completely in dark’’, he said contending that as per his understanding there was no finality about the formation of a House panel to scrutinise files relating to the episode. Mr Gupta said no final decision was taken at the meeting of floor leaders called by the Speaker yesterday and what were discussed were proposals. The CPI leader said the unprecedent sacking of the then Naval Chief did not find mention in the President’s Address and said the way the action was taken “will amount to destabilising the whole structure’’. Referring to a remark that the Naval Chief was sacked under the Navy Act, Mr Gupta said having been the Home Minister and also in the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) in that capacity, he knew that under to Navy Rules it was clear that the Chief of the Naval Staff had to recommend the appointment while the ACC was not bound to accept it. However, he said new names had to be given by the same procedure and that a name to which the Chief of the Naval Staff had serious objections could not be imposed. “I do not think any chief can have a deputy in whom he does not have confidence,’’ he said. Mr Gupta also said he was not concerned about the dismissal of an individual but the institution. He said the charge that the sacked chief was a security risk was an “extremely serious charge’’ and if it was so, he should have been charged and an inquiry held with the Naval chief concerned being provided an opportunity to defend himself. Referring to the charges levelled by the sacked Naval Chief against Mr George Fernandes, the CPI leader said the Defence Minister did not even refute them. “This in my opinion amounts to contempt of Parliament,’’ he said, adding that all Mr Fernandes said was that he was ignoring the charges. Meanwhile, a 16-member committee with former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar as convener was constituted today by the presiding officers of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to consider whether the sacking of Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat could be discussed in Parliament. The committee with 10 members from the Lok Sabha and six from the Upper House is expected to peruse sensitive documents of the Defence Ministry before deciding on the matter. It is, however, not clear when the committee will commence its work. The members of the committee from the Lok Sabha besides Mr Chandra Shekhar are former Prime Minister H.D Deve Gowda, Mr Inder Kumar Gujral, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.R. Kumaramangalam, former Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mr Somnath Chatterjee (CPM), Mr Indrajit Gupta (CPI) and Leader of the Opposition Sharad Pawar. The six members from the Rajya Sabha are former finance ministers, Dr Manmohan Singh, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, Mr Adhik Shirodkhar (Shiv Sena), Mr E. Balanandan (CPM), Mr J. Chittarajan (CPI) and Dr Raja Ramanna (nominated). The decision to constitute
a high-level committee of parliamentarians to consider
this question was taken at an all-party meeting convened
by Lok Sabha Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi yesterday. |
Vajpayee lauds PTI’s role NEW DELHI, March 12 — Tension created by the rough and tumble of politics was missing as the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, went down the memory lane, recalling his stint as a working journalist 50 years ago which he noted coincided with the launching of the Press Trust of India (PTI), the country’s first independent news agency. Inaugurating a seminar to mark the Golden Jubilee of the PTI, Mr Vajpayee said: “Having been a working journalist myself when PTI made its debut, I can vouch that the changes which the agency has undergone in these 50 years are indeed breathtaking”, adding that nationalism, national pride and professionalism of the highest order should be the guiding principle for working journalists. They should shun maximisation of commercial gain for realising laudable objectives of high journalistic and ethical standards. Stressing that the media had the task of ensuring community spirit among people for their participation in the process of political, economic and social change, the Prime Minister said: “These laudable objectives cannot be achieved if maximisation of commercial gain becomes the main motive for media organisation.” Felicitating PTI for 50 years of distinguished service to the Indian media, Mr Vajpayee said: “In these five decades, PTI has become a household name in India. For millions of Indians, PTI spells reliability and, for the national news media, it is like a lifeline.” On the occasion the Prime Minister released a coffee table book titled “Off the Beaten Track: A Hue of Camera-Captured Emotions” brought out by PTI containing a collection of evocative pictures, both typically newsy and not so newsy. Messages sent by the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Ms Sheikh Hasina, and the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, on the occasion of the news agency crossing the important milestone in its history were also read out at the function. The Chairman of PTI, Mr
R.Lakshmipathy, in his welcome address, said since it
took over operations of Associated Press of India (API)
on February 1, 1949, PTI had emerged not only as
India’s premier independent news agency, but also as
a national institution which always stood by the values
of serious public service journalism. |
Fake Rs 500 note displayed in
LS NEW DELHI, March 12 — Fake Rs 500 notes have reached Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and other places, a Congress member from Andhra Pradesh, Mr K.Rosaiah, told the Lok Sabha today. Raising the matter during zero hour, Mr Rosaiah, referred to the recent arrest of a person in Andhra Pradesh who was found to be making fake Rs 500 notes and claimed such notes had found their way to big cities. If not stopped this would pose a major threat to the economy, he warned. Mr Rosaiah’s remarks that higher functionaries in the state government were involved in the racket led to a verbal duel between him and TDP member Yerran Naidu. Deputy Speaker P. M. Sayeed later ordered that certain remarks made by Mr Rosaiah be expunged. One of the Congress MPs from the state also displayed a fake note. Curious members from the Opposition were seen examining the fake note. The government has taken a decision not to issue any currency note with portraits of personalities other than Mahatma Gandhi, the Lok Sabha was informed by Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha. He said note designing was an intricate job requiring a lead time of one to two years and hence it was not possible to have frequent changes in design which had also to incorporate security features against counterfeiting. The government today handed over the fake currency racket case involving Rs 500 notes in Andhra Pradesh to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), it was officially stated here. Keeping in view the
magnitude of the problem and its inter-state
ramifications, the government has decided to accede to
the demand of the Andhra Pradesh Government for a CBI
probe, an official release said. |
AP’s plan outlay Rs 5,480 cr NEW DELHI, March 12 (UNI) — The plan outlay for Andhra Pradesh for 1999-2000 was today agreed at Rs 5,480 crore which marks an increase of over 17 per cent over this year’s plan outlay. The plan size was agreed at a meeting between Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission K.C. Pant and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Mr Pant complimented Mr Naidu for bring out “Andhra Pradesh Vision-2000” having sharply focussed agenda for future actions. He said the document had generated great interest. He suggested that to have
macro connections between economic growth and human
attainments, Andhra Pradesh should work out a
complimentary document in the form of a human development
report. |
Justice Garg to probe Khanna mishap NEW DELHI, March 12 (PTI) — Justice G.C. Garg, a sitting Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court, will head the one-member commission of inquiry to probe the train accident near Khanna in Punjab in November last in which over 200 people died. A notification appointing Justice Garg to head the commission of inquiry has been issued by the Ministry of Railways, an official press release said. The commission will probe
the causes of the accident and the person or persons, if
any, responsible for the tragedy, it said. |
BJP executive meeting in Goa NEW DELHI, March 12 — A three-day meeting of the national executive committee of the BJP will be held in Panaji from April 2. BJP President, Kushabhau
Thakre, has already directed his colleagues to prepare
for the meeting which would take up issues like
coordination between the party and the government. Mr
Thakre is currently meeting BJP MPs in groups to
ascertain their views on the matter. |
Power scheme ‘a
success’ NEW DELHI, March 12 — The Power Minister in Delhi Government, Dr Narendra Nath, today said that the new single point power supply scheme recently launched by the Delhi Government was a success. He said the scheme had evoked a good response especially from slum dwellers. Under the scheme, power
supply was provided to a single point source in
industrial areas, housing societies, colonies and slums,
the minister said. |
Farmers' protest NEW DELHI, March 12 (UNI) — Farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh today assembled in front of Cargill-Monsanto office in South Delhi and protested against monopolising of seeds and pesticides and demanded that the government should withdraw application for patent on the "terminator gene". Various farmers
organisations from these states converged under the
banner of the Joint Action Forum of Indian People against
World Trade Organisation and "anti-people"
policies (JAFIP) dubbed the US-based multinational
company as the biggest pest on Indian farmers |
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| Staines awarded
posthumously BHUBANESWAR: Slain Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines was conferred with the Rashtriya Ekta Award posthumously at a function here. Orissa Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang presented the awards last night to nine persons, including Staines. Though the missionary’s widow, Ms Glades, could not be present, the award was received by Ms Sushama Satpathy, a family friend of the Staines. Other recipients included novelist Pratibha Ray, freedom fighter Jatindra Mohan Basu, former Manipur Governor Chintamani Panigrahi, tribal leader Bhagirathi Gomango, former PCC President Bijay Pani and social worker Annada Prasad Ray. — PTI Expelled from party Conservation
network set up British funds for
project 2 cops suspended,
probe ordered Noted Marathi
writer killed Raj Gill dead |
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