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| Monday, August 21, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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No compromise on ideals: Sonia CSIR misutilised lab funds: CAG Tributes paid to
Rajiv Gandhi 16 disabled get scholarships |
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Kids’ plea for better
facilities in schools Fake stamp
papers seized Foundation stone
laid for Rajiv Bhavan Emergency funds for
bunkers along LoC Heavy rain likely
in east Rajasthan Legal heirs have
right to NSCs after holder dies Efforts to end
hostage crisis on track : CM
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No compromise on ideals: Sonia NEW DELHI, Aug 20 — Congress President Sonia Gandhi today launched an attack on other political parties for “opportunistic” power politics being pursued by them and asserted that her party would not compromise on its ideals and cherished principles. Addressing a “sankalp diwas” of the All-India Congress Seva Dal, she said “current politics has become a tool for fulfilling individual ambitions and political parties have given up their principles for the sake of power. I pledge that I will not allow the Congress to compromise on its ideals”. In a dig at her detractors in the party, the leader of the Opposition said the Congress had been founded to serve the nation and not to fulfil the interests of any individual. In a scathing attack on the BJP-led NDA government, she accused it of failing on all fronts domestic as well as foreign affairs. Communal and casteist politics had destroyed social harmony in the country, she added. “In these circumstances, a heavy responsibility has come on the Congress to protect communal harmony in society. We cannot run away from our responsibility”, she said and directed the Seva Dal to play a vital role in strengthening social order in the country. Lauding the role of Seva Dal founded in 1923, Ms Gandhi reminded the delegates from all over the country of the historic role played by the organisation during the freedom struggle and asked them to work for achieving the ideals of the Congress. Quoting Jawahar Lal Nehru, who became the President of the Dal in 1923, that Seva Dal was the backbone of Congress, Ms Gandhi said it was not a political organisation but a ‘tradition, a spirit and should be strengthened to strengthen the Congress.” She advised Seva Dal workers to keep themselves away from groupism and devote their energy for rebuilding and rejuvenating the Congress. Reiterating her commitment to the Seva Dal and its activities, Ms Gandhi directed its office-bearers to train and prepare the organisation to confront communal and casteist forces. Senior party leaders Arjun Singh, N.D. Tewari, Moti Lal Vora, Mohsina Kidwai, Natwar Singh, Ahmed Patel, Bhajan Lal, Dal Chairman B.K. Hariprasad and AICC spokespersons Ajit Jogi and Anil Shastri were among others who attended the function at Talkatora Stadium. Later several parliamentarians, including Lok Sabha Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi, paid floral tributes at the portrait of Rajiv Gandhi in the Central Hall of Parliament. Among the dignitaries who paid tributes were Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptullah, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Dr Manmohan Singh and Home Minister L.K. Advani. A booklet containing the profile of Rajiv Gandhi brought out on the occasion by the Lok Sabha was also distributed among the dignitaries. |
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CSIR misutilised lab funds: CAG NEW DELHI, Aug 20 (UNI) — The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India has lambasted the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research for gross misutilisation of laboratory reserve fund (LRF) created to promote research and development activities in the country and unauthorised transfer to the LRF from the Consolidated Fund of India. In its latest report the CAG deplored that the objective of the LRF to aid upgradation of infrastructure to give impetus to R and D activities had not been fulfilled. The scheme of expenditure out of the LRF allowed the Directors room to fritter away funds on items unrelated to research work, the report pointed out, adding that money was spent on items like telephone mobile bills, food, and organisation of annual days and jubilee celebrations. Under the garb of business promotion Directors of the CSIR as well as laboratories siphoned off huge amounts from the LRF on foreign tours of its scientists in the name of training and attending seminars, the report noted. The CAG has particularly pointed towards the irregularities committed by the Directors of Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehra Dun, National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, and the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa. The Directors of laboratories spent Rs 6.37 crore from the LRF during 1994-99 on jubilee celebration annual day celebrations, gifts, mementos, food, construction, repair and financial assistance to private bodies, the report said. Of these, the expenditure of Rs 97 lakh did not even have the sanction of the Directors. During 1997-99 Rs 53.91 lakh was channelised towards foreign visits. The Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehra Dun, diverted Rs 2.63 crore towards non-research and development activity, followed by the NPL, Delhi (Rs 1.04 crore) Other 10 institutes, including the Central Mining Research Institute, Dhanbad, spent less than Rs 1 crore towards non-research activity, the report noted. The NPL, New Delhi, spent Rs 99,000 towards payment of newspaper bills to its officers, Rs 3.41 lakh on repair of generator shed, Rs 1.26 lakh on food, Rs 5.91 lakh on gifts and mementos, besides other non-research based expenditure. The IIP spent Rs 9.55 lakh on food, Rs 2.95 lakh on gifts, Rs 46.84 lakh on payment of telephone bills and Rs 26.29 lakh on payment to private contractors, among others. The Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, misutilised Rs 44.57 lakh of the NIO, Goa, frittered away Rs 27.20 lakh, and the CMRI spent Rs 5.33 lakh on non-research activity, the report said. The parliamentary standing committee on science and technology had observed in 1998 that most of the laboratories needed urgent upgradation and replacement to make them globally competitive. The CAG has also pointed out irregularities in the maintenance of records, saying that instead of furnishing monthly statement of the CRF account CSIR laboratories put forth classified abstract without opening and losing balance. CSIR laboratories did not maintain any separate cash book, bank account and vouchers to monitor the funds credited to the LRF. There was a tendency to cover expenditure by booking them arbitrarily to the LRF. Six laboratories, including IIP, CMRI, and NPL, either did not maintain at all or kept improperly subsidiary ledgers. The balance sheet of the CSIR on March 31, 1999, disclosed a difference of Rs 75.95 lakh between asset and liability under the LRF resulting in understatement of assets, the report said. The CAG took strong exception to transfer of Rs 38.1 crore drawn from the Consolidated Fund in an unauthorised manner by the Directors of 14 laboratories. It represented 21.7 per cent of the total LRF. It was also noticed during the test-check of 14 laboratories that Rs 28.56 crore on account of investment on grants-in-aid projects was also transferred to the LRF. The fact that amounts pertaining to grants-in-aid projects were actually drawn from the Consolidated Fund makes the action of Directors highly improper, the CAG remarked. |
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16 disabled get scholarships NEW DELHI, Aug 20 — Each step they take opens new doors for many others. Having coped up with social inequities for years and achieved something for themselves with hard work, perseverance and courage, these 16 disabled who have been picked for the scholarship scheme of National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People wish to make life easier for others like them. Undergraduate students all, they have already a mission before them. M. Kesari of Hyderabad, who is pursuing B. Arch and is suffering from paralysis of both limbs, wishes to make buildings accessible to the handicapped. In most buildings, even government ones, no care is taken to see that the disabled can use these comfortably. “Most buildings are without ramps and the disabled
cannot even enter these,” she says. Kesari wants to sensitise society on the issue which considerably reduces employment prospects of the disabled. “I plan to do a thesis on the subject,” she asserts. Shivaji Kumar, visually impaired, who has been chosen for the NCPEDP Best Scholar Award, wants to be a teacher after his
PhD in international politics from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Having had to fight it out all the way, Kumar is, however, not bitter. “People are often sarcastic and say you are here because of the government help. But that is hardly ever the case,” he emphasises. Kumar, who hails from Maharashtra, feels that people simply do not trust the disabled enough and have a lack of faith in their abilities. “One has to repeatedly prove oneself,” he says while expressing his desire to make a difference to societal attitudes. An MBBS student, Shiekh Mohammad Afzal, who is suffering from paralysis of the right lower limb, says he wants to be a neurologist because most disabled suffer from neurological disorders. Sad at seeing people with more disability than his at the function organised by NCPEDP, Jatin Gandhok from Yamunanagar who is pursuing BCA, says serving the disabled will be his first priority. Of the over 70 million disabled people in the country, less than 1 per cent receive education of any kind. NCPEDP officials say one of the reasons for very few disabled finding employment in the government is that there are very few qualified disabled people. The few efforts at the welfare of the disabled are aimed at giving them vocational education which does not meet the demands of the market. “Given the opportunity, many disabled persons have demonstrated their ability to excel not only in higher education but also in professional courses,” said a worker of NCPEDP. Launched in 1998, the scheme to enable disabled students with limited means to receive postgraduate and professional education, the NCPEDP received 134 applications this time. Shell has sponsored 10 of the 16 students who were given scholarships. Three students from last year — Vikram K. Magar, Shivaji Kumar and Dilip Kumar Soni — have been given Best Scholar Award this year. |
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Tributes paid to
Rajiv Gandhi NEW DELHI, Aug 20 (PTI) — President K.R. Narayanan, Vice-President Krishan Kant and Congress President Sonia Gandhi today led the nation in paying homage to the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 56th birth anniversary. Among others who paid floral tributes at Vir Bhoomi were former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral, Urban Development Minister Jagmohan, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptullah, senior Congress leaders Manmohan Singh, Madhavrao Scindia, Mani Shankar Iyer and other MPs. Mrs Sonia planted a banyan sapling near the samadhi of her late husband. Amidst a drizzle, school children presented patriotic songs and party workers chanted slogans “Rajiv Gandhi amar rahe”. Several parliamentarians, including Lok Sabha Speaker GMC Balayogi, paid floral tributes at the portrait of Rajiv Gandhi in the Central Hall of Parliament. |
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Kids’ plea for better
facilities in schools NEW DELHI, Aug 20 (UNI) — Nine-year-old Chand wants to become a doctor, but the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) school where she studies lacks basic educational facilities and environment which, if not improved, will not even qualify her for a low-grade job. Realising that she could be left out in the race for higher education, the child has approached the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court seeking provision of better educational environment in the school, including black boards, books, building, chairs, fans, drinking water taps, play grounds and toilets. Chand is the fourth standard student of MCD Primary Girls School, Jehangirpuri, who has in her letter also complained that the classes mostly remain unrepresented as the teachers are on leave or do not take classes. “Though the school has a physical training teacher, she has never taken any class ever since I joined the school about four years ago,” she regrets. Chand
along with Shabnam, Julie, Pooja, Niharika, Ashma, Prashant, Yogesh, Imtiyaz and Sahiba are among the hundreds of students of the MCD and Delhi Government schools who have written to the Chief Justice and the Delhi Lt Governor highlighting the pathetic condition in which they are being made to study. |
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Fake stamp
papers seized
BANGALORE, Aug 20 (UNI) —In the biggest-ever haul in Karnataka, the city police has arrested 10 persons and seized from them counterfeit stamps and stamp papers valued at around Rs 10 crore. Addressing a press conference here today, Police Commissioner T. Madiyal said the seizures were made at different places in the city yesterday. On a tip-off, the premises of the Sri Sai “A” class stamp vendor was raided leading to the seizures and arrests. The arrested had told the police that the stamps and papers were received from Mumbai. Mr Madiyal announced a cash reward of Rs 25,000 to the team of police officials for busting the racket. He said the modus operandi of the company was to show original stamps to the buyers and then supply them with a mixture of fake and genuine papers and stamps. |
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Foundation stone
laid for Rajiv Bhavan NEW DELHI, Aug 20 — The Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, today laid the foundation stone for “Rajiv Bhavan”, the office building complex of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, on the 56th birth
anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The impressive function was presided over by the DPCC president, Mr Subhash Chopra, and moderated by the general secretary, Mr Romesh Sabharwal. It was attended by the AICC general secretary, Ms Prabha Rau, the Delhi Chief Minister, Mrs Sheila Dikshit, senior
Congress leaders Mr R.K. Dhawan, Mr N.D. Tiwari, Mr Sajjan Kumar, Mr Jag Pravesh Chandra, Mr Jagdish Tytler, Mr J.P. Aggarwal, Mr Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Mr Hasan Ahmed. Mrs Sonia Gandhi paid floral tributes at the portrait of Rajiv Gandhi before Mr Chopra presented her with a model of the proposed six-storeyed Rajiv
Bhavan. |
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Emergency funds for
bunkers along LoC NEW DELHI, Aug 20 (PTI) — The government has released emergency funds for taking up construction of bunkers for civilians along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on warfooting following stepped up shelling by the Pakistani forces. To start with, concrete bunkers and shelters would be constructed in Karnah, Karian and Machil in frontier district of Kupwara and Uri in
Baramula district in north Kashmir, Defence Ministry officials said here. The move follows major escalation in shelling by Pakistani troops in these areas, with as many as 216 incidents reported during the past two months leading to heavy casualties in border villages. Along with stepped-up shelling, increase has also been reported in the number of intrusions by the Pakistani forces to this side of the LoC, specially in Poonch and Rajouri straddling the LoC in the Jammu division, where Pakistani soldiers have been forcing families at gun-point to move across the borders. Officials attributed the increased intensity of Pakistani shelling to desperate efforts being made by Pakistani army to sneak in large numbers of mercenaries into the valley as they say that military authorities in Islamabad have been unnerved by reported groundswell in Kashmir for a dialogue. The Centre has already released a sum of Rs 5 crore from the National Defence Fund for construction of bunkers for civilians, specially in vulnerable areas close to the
LoC. |
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Heavy rain likely
in east Rajasthan NEW DELHI, Aug 20 — Monsoon has been vigorous in east Rajasthan and active in Haryana, including Delhi and the plains of west Uttar Pradesh. Rainfall: Rain or thundershowers have occurred at most places in east Rajasthan, at many places in Haryana and the plains of west Uttar Pradesh, at a few places in the hills of west Uttar Pradesh and at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh and east Uttar Pradesh. Weather was mainly dry in the rest of the region. The chief amounts of rainfall in cms are: Haryana: Delhi Ridge, New Delhi (Palam) and Thanesar 4 each, Ayanagar (Delhi), Hisar and Rewari 3 each, Jagadhari 2 and Chirag Delhi and Kaithal 1 each; Rajasthan: Dholpur 10, Sapodar 9, Kama and Talab Sahi 8 each, Bari, Baseri and Karauli 7 each, Angari and Urmil Sagar 6 each, Panchara and Uchhain 5 each, Haleme and Jhalawar 4 each, Ajan Bandh, Bharatpur, Kota and Mahuwa 3 each, Bhimsagar 2 and Basuwa, Bandikui and Sawai Madhopur 1 each and Uttar Pradesh: Mathura 5, Rudraprayag 4, Jhansi 3, Agra, Katerniaghat and Regoli 2 each and Ankinghat, Bareilly, Chandradeepghat, Haripur, Kakrahi, Narora and Palliakalan 1 each. Forecast valid until the morning of 22nd: Rain or thundershowers will occur at many places in Haryana, east Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh, at a few places in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and east Uttar Pradesh and at isolated places in west Rajasthan. Heavy rainfall warning: Heavy rain is likely at isolated places in east Rajasthan and west Uttar Pradesh during the next 48 hours. Forecast for Delhi & neighbourhood valid until the morning of 22nd: Monsoon has been active in Delhi. Generally cloudy sky with occasional rain/thundershowers. Possibility of heavy shower/thunderstorm in some areas. Farmers weather bulletin for Delhi forecast valid until the morning of 22nd: Monsoon has been active in Delhi. Moderate to rather heavy rain will occur at many places. Outlook for the subsequent two days: Decrease in rainfall. |
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Legal heirs have
right to NSCs after holder dies NEW DELHI, Aug 20 (PTI) — In an important ruling, the Supreme Court has held that if a person holding a National Savings Certificate (NSC) or an insurance policy dies, his legal heirs would have the sole right over the money on maturity rather than the nominee mentioned in the certificate. A Bench comprising Mr Justice K.T. Thomas and Mr Justice R.P. Sethi said the nomination only indicated the person who was authorised to receive the money from the insurer. “Any amount paid to the nominee after valid deductions becomes the estate of the deceased. Such an estate devolves upon all persons who are entitled to succession under law, custom or testament of the deceased holder,” Mr Justice Sethi said writing the judgement for the Bench. |
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Efforts to end
hostage crisis on track : CM BANGALORE, Aug 20 (UNI) — Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna today said official emissary and Nakeeran Editor R.R. Gopal, on his crucial second mission to secure the release of Kannada film star and three other captives, would have “established contacts” with forest brigand Veerappan. The Chief Minister replied in the affirmative to a question in this regard from mediapersons here. “I am glad that things are working the way we planned. We will pursue them (to secure the release of hostages)”, he said. There was no word so far on the hostage crisis. “I don’t think we have any more information than what we had last night. We will wait for further unfolding of events. The day is still young”, he added. |
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