 |
| Wednesday, April 26, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
|
Sinha
hints at rollback Jharkhand
Bill passed Tipnis
for centralised air power Airbus
deal: CBI files status report HC
grants bail to Kishan Kumar |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Byelections
in May, June ‘No
secret agenda’ for review panel Minorities panel to visit Agra
|
Sinha hints at rollback NEW DELHI, April 25 — The Union Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, today indicated that he may consider changes in the budgetary proposals relating to hike in the prices of foodgrains and restoration of subsidies. “If I make any changes in the Finance Bill, I would not be the first or the last Finance Minister to do so,” Mr Sinha said while addressing the CII annual session here. However, he added that “there are certain fundamental issues on which there cannot be any compromise.” Criticising the Opposition for raising issues merely for the sake of it, he said: “We are only pursuing what all political parties, which had been in power during the last decade, had followed — the path of economic reform.” “We have tried to push comprehensively every part of the economy forward...but if there is no consensus, there will be a fractious atmosphere. Today, consensus is weakening as it was becoming a victim of party politics,” he said. The outgoing CII president, Mr Rahul Bajaj, in his address earlier, said the industry was willing to forgo the demand of rollback in the proposal for taxation on exports and dividends, if the government refrained from going back on its subsidy proposal in the Budget. Urging all political parties to evolve consensus on economic policy, Mr Sinha said “the country must project a unified image to the world.” “During my recent trip to Europe and the USA, I saw a considerable change in the image of the country. We are regarded as a leader in the knowledge-based industry and we must take maximum advantage of it,” he said. The Finance Minister said the aim of the economic policies of the government was to eradicate poverty and unemployment within 10 years. Stating that the industry and government function jointly in the national interest of the country, he said “benefits to the economy result in the eradication of poverty and unemployment.” Mr Sinha said the country would have to register a GDP growth of between 8 to 10 per cent during the next decade to achieve success in poverty alleviation. He said efforts should be made to reduce the impact of public sector dis-savings and reduce fiscal deficit. Agricultural productivity this year would not be able to keep pace with the growth rate of 1998-99 fiscal due to natural calamities that hit the nation recently, he said. He said fiscal deficit, still remained the main challenge for the government, and agriculture, industry and services must be targeted for growth. “It is in these areas that the role of foreign direct investment becomes crucial,” he said. Mr Sinha, stated that the second generation of economic reforms would continue. “We are committed to the second generation of reforms... we would resolutely pursue the path of economic reforms.” However, on certain key issues which comprise the second generation reforms like labour policy, privatisation, downsizing of the government, globalisation and the WTO, the Finance Minister refused to comment. “These are difficult areas...I cannot disclose the strategy to tackle them,” Mr Sinha said. However, he urged the
industry to support the government in sending across the
right message to the people that measures in these areas
were for the benefit of the people. |
Jharkhand Bill passed PATNA, April 25 (UNI) — The Bihar Assembly today passed the Bihar reorganisation Bill, 2000, for the creation of a Jharkhand state comprising 18 districts of south Bihar. After a day-long debate on the merits of the Bill, legislators of all political parties, barring the CPM and few Independent members, supported the Bill. Members also gave their consent to the proposal that the nomenclature of the new state be Jharkhand. Earlier in the day, the Bill was tabled in the House by Chief Minister Rabri Devi, while State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ram Chandra Purve initiated the discussion on it. Participating in the debate in the Assembly during the special session, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Laloo Prasad Yadav, who was once vehemently opposed to the bifurcation of the state, demanded that the Centre call a special session of Parliament to approve the bill. Mr Yadav, however, apprehended that the NDA government could delay the approval on the ground that there was not enough time during the current Budget session. He announced that he would march to Delhi, if the Centre delayed the division. He said a legislation
should be drafted on the financial package to be given to
Bihar after the division. |
Tipnis for centralised air
power NEW DELHI, April 25 — The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A.Y. Tipnis, today called for all “air assets” to be consolidated and treated as ‘national assets’ and their optimum utilisation. In a demand which could make the other two arms of the Indian Armed Forces unhappy, the Air Chief said that Air Power is technology and cost intensive and “therefore it is imperative that air assets be seen and consolidated as national assets and not frittered away for limited and not clearly defined goals”. Experience worldwide has proved that Air Power can be optimally utilised, when it is centralised and under one umbrella. The Chief of Air Staff made this demand at the start of the four-day long bi-annual Air Force Commanders Conference at the Air Headquarters here. The Air Force Commanders were also addressed by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes. The demand of the Air Chief could have far-reaching implications specially as both the Army and also the Navy have their own “air element” and have actually been demanding for more of it. The demand would mean a reversal in trend and to a possible bringing together of all these “air elements” just under the IAF, not only for its optimum utilisation but also for proper maintenance. The IAF earlier had already mooted the idea of it controlling all the “air and space” elements for the complete control of the air and space, which it feels would be very important for the future warfare. The IAF had earlier also pointed out the importance of Air Power in a conflict and as such the control of all air and space elements would give it more flexibility in operations. Addressing the Air Force Commanders, the Air Chief Marshal, while talking of the future conflicts said that the offensive and defensive dominance of Air Power was important, not only for against aerial threats, but also threats from land and sea. He pointed out it would be critical in the final outcome. In his presentation to the Defence Minister he said that an objective appraisal of the conflicts post-Independence had revealed that the IAF played a decisive role in each one of them. He added that what was even more significant was that the IAF’s position of advantage prevented adversary from attempting any further escalation in 1971 and 1999. He also briefed the Defence Minister on the series of measures undertaken to maintain the IAF at the optimum operational state of readiness and on the highest ever air maintenance effort carried out by it in support of ground troops to meet the post-Kargil increased requirements. Later the Defence Minister assured the commanders that the government was seized of the necessity of modernising the IAF and that funds would not be a constraint for the long outstanding acquisitions required by it that included the AJTs, Awacs, flight refuelling aircraft, additional combat aircraft and modern command and control systems. He called upon the
commanders to be prepared to take on greater
responsibilities which will come their way as the
government takes important decisions on strategic issues
in the ever-changing security scenario in the region. |
Airbus deal: CBI files status report NEW DELHI, April 25 (PTI, UNI) — The CBI today submitted a status report on progress of investigation in the Rs 4200 crore Airbus-320 aircraft purchase deal with Airbus Industrie by the Rajiv Gandhi Government in 1986. After perusing the report, filed in a sealed cover, a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice Devinder Gupta and Mr Justice A.K. Sikri directed the CBI to pursue the case vigorously in foreign countries through letters rogatory and file a further progress report by August 29. “We are of the view that CBI needs further time to investigate the case more vigorously,” the Bench observed. The court had on February 4 issued notices to the Ministries of Personnel and Civil Aviation, the Chairman of Indian Airlines (IA), the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and the CBI following a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a thorough probe in the case. The PIL by advocate B.L.
Wadhera had sought direction to the CBI to activate its
investigation into the case in which FIR was lodged on
March 23, 1990, alleging that a large sum was paid as
“illegal gratification and kickbacks” by Airbus
Industrie and a USA engine manufacturing company to some
people in India. |
HC grants bail to Kishan Kumar NEW DELHI, April 25 (PTI) — The Delhi High Court today granted anticipatory bail to Bollywood actor Kishan Kumar in the match-fixing case, but the accused would remain in judicial custody as the court is yet to decide on his application for regular bail in a FERA violation case. Mr Justice m.s.a. Siddique said the court though appreciated the efforts of the Delhi police to expose the hidden racket of match-fixing but Kumar has made out a case for his bail. Kumar had moved the anticipatory bail application in the High Court after the police last week sought his remand from the trial court to facilitate his interrogation. There is no immediate possibility of Kumar, booked under an alleged Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) case, coming out of jail as a Division Bench of the High Court adjourned hearing on his application for regular bail in that case to May 9. The court while granting anticipatory bail to Kumar in a match-fixing case by the police, directed him to furnish a personal bond and surety of Rs 25,000 in the trial court. Kumar was also directed to surrender his passport to the police within a week and join investigations-whenever called by the investigating officials. His counsel R.K. Anand told the court that no case of cheating and criminal conspiracy could be made out against Kumar as his name nowhere figured in the telephonic conversation between former South African cricket captain Hansi Cronje and alleged bookie Sanjeev Chawla. Meanwhile, a Division Bench comprising Ms Justice Usha Mehra and Mr Justice S.N. Kapoor issued notice to the police on another application by Kumar challenging the taping of telephones of some people by it on the ground that the whole exercise amounted to violation of the Indian Telegraph Act. The Enforcement
Directorate today moved a city court to interrogate
Bollywood actor Kishen Kumar and co-accused Rajesh Kalra
for two more days in its custody for their alleged
involvement in hawala transactions. |
Sculptor’s stolen sketch
traced CALCUTTA, April 25 — An ink-and-pencil sketch of the renowned sculptor, Ramkinkar Baij, which was “stolen” from the art gallery of Rabindra Bharati University two decades ago, was recovered yesterday from a Delhi-based auctioneer by the joint operation of the Delhi Police and the Calcutta police. Rabindra Bharati’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr Subhankar Chakraborty, said they were happy that the famous sketch of the great sculptor could be recovered, but mystery regarding the “disappearance” of the valuable art still remained unresolved. He suspected some one who had an easy access to the university’s art gallery in those days could have been involved in this case. He said they were now checking if some more such sketches or paintings were missing from the art gallery. The missing sketch of Baij was drawn on August 6, 1975, on the request of students on the occasion of his felicitation by the university after receiving the Akademi Award. But soon the sketch was found missing and a formal complaint was lodged with the police. But only last week, university teacher by chance detected the “missing” sketch at an auction catalogue of paintings and sketches in Delhi. The auctioneer told the police that he bought the sketch at an exhibition in the capital some years ago. He had no knowledge that it was a stolen property of the Rabindra Bharati art gallery. The Delhi police and the
Calcutta police started a joint investigation. |
Heated exchanges in RS NEW DELHI, April 25 — The killing of Marxist Coordination Committee (MCC) MLA, Gurudas Chatterjee in Bihar today led to heated exchanges between the BJP and non-Congress members today in the Rajya Sabha. The issue was raised by the BJP member, Mr S.S. Ahluwalia, through a special mention. He demanded that a CBI inquiry be ordered into the killing and alleged that coal mafia was behind the killing. Mr Ahluwalia was opposed by RJD members when he said that instead of mourning Chatterjee’s death, the ruling RJD members hurled chairs in the Bihar Assembly yesterday at the leader of the Opposition. Mr Ramdeo Bhandari and Saroj Dubey of the RJD raised objection on this comment. A fresh volley of protests was witnessed when another BJP member Ravi Shankar Prasad said the killing should not be seen in isolation as 300 political murders had taken place in the state during the last six years. CPI(M) member Mr Bratin Sengupta said Chatterjee had been killed by the son of a well-known mafia don and asked why no arrest had been made so far. Mr N.N. Ojha of the CPI
said many of the 300 political workers killed during six
years belonged to the RJD, CPI and CPI (M). When he said
most of the killings had been aimed out by mafia
supported by the BJP and Congress, he was opposed by BJP
members leading to heated verbal exchanges. |
Chandumajra for Bibi’s
resignation NEW DELHI, April 25 — Former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, today demanded that SGPC Chief Bibi Jagir Kaur should resign her post following the publication of a report about her daughter’s mysterious death. Mr Chandumajra, who is also general secretary of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal demanded that a ‘‘thorough probe’’ should be held in the case. Reacting to a report published in The Tribune, he said, that role of Bibi Jagir Kaur should also be probed for ‘‘attempt to destroy evidence’’. He said the alleged
involvement of someone who held a high post had sullied
the image and harmed the community. |
Byelections in May, June NEW DELHI, April 25 (UNI) — The Election Commission today announced that bypoll would be held on May 26 and June 5 to fill two Lok Sabha seats — Aska in Orissa and Panskura in West Bengal — and nine Assembly seats in seven other states. Barring the Panskura parliamentary seat, the other constituencies would have voting on May 26 and counting on May 29, the commission said. In Panskura, polling would be held on June 5 and counting on June 8. The Assembly constituencies going to polls are Bolangir (Andhra Pradesh), Karimganj North and Nalabari (Assam), Raghopur and Jamui (Bihar), Kirnapur (Madhya Pradesh), Mairang-ST (Meghalaya), Tyai-ST (Nagaland) and Soren (Uttar Pradesh). The model code of conduct comes into effect immediately in the districts involved in the elections, the Commission said. The elections would be
notified on May 2 and the last date for filing of
nominations is May 9. Scrutiny would be held on May10 and
the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 12.
The election process would be completed by June 12. |
‘No secret agenda’ for review panel NEW DELHI, April 25 (UNI) — Law and Justice Minister Ram Jethmalani said today that the government had not issued any secret guidelines to the Constitution Review Committee. The areas to be probed by the committee are set by the terms of reference of the committee, he informed the Rajya Sabha during question hour. He said the committee’s review of the Constitution would not interfere with the judicial independence, the powers of judicial review and the fundamental rights. The government also does not intend to issue a white paper on the Constitution amendments made so far, he said. He informed Dr Manmohan
Singh that the committee was free to consider any
worthwhile suggestions, which necessarily did not fall
within its terms of reference. |
Lawyers plan boycott NEW DELHI, April 25
(PTI) — The Delhi Bar Association (DBA) today said
it would boycott Justice G.T. Nanawati Commission set up
by the government to probe lathicharge on advocates. DBA
Secretary Rajiv Khosla said in a statement that the
DBA’s general body had resolved that it would not
participate in the inquiry as "it has no faith in
the commission." |
Minorities panel to visit Agra NEW DELHI, April 25 (PTI) — A delegation of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) will visit Kosikalan, Mathura and Agra districts of Uttar Pradesh tomorrow to make an on-the-spot study of the situation prevailing there in the wake of recent assaults on Christian missionaries and nuns. The four-member team
will comprise NCM Chairman Mohammed Shamim, Vice-Chairman
Tarlochan Singh and members John Joseph and A.M. Sethna,
a NCM release said. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh Tribune | In Spotlight | 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 119 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
