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| Saturday,
September 30, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Army to be ‘ready to tackle N-threat’ India-B’desh to set up study group Jyoti Basu ‘grills’ E. Rly GM Chronology of events in JMM case Mixed reactions to verdict |
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Use Article 356 with
utmost care: Sonia Bengal flood toll mounts to 850 Lara, Manisha to attend
UN meet Tansi case: orders
reserved till Oct 9
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Army to be ‘ready to tackle N-threat’ NEW DELHI, Sept 29 (PTI) — The Army Chief-designate General S. Padmanabhan said yesterday his thrust would be to increase operational efficiency and bring about organisational changes to ensure that the Army was fully prepared to face both conventional and nuclear threats. Cautioning about “calls for Jehad” emanating from the country’s neighbourhood, General Padmanabhan, who takes over as the new Army Chief on Saturday, said the contours of insurgency were dynamic and demanded a dynamic riposte to counter the menace effectively. “My thrust areas would also be to restore izzat (prestige) of the soldier and improve the quality of life and service conditions of our officers and men,” he said. On the preparedness to face nuclear and biological warfare threats, General Padmanabhan, who would be the 20th Chief of the Army Staff since independence, said in an interview that these threats had manifested at the end of the last decade “when our adversary covertly acquired nuclear capability.” “The Army is being equipped within the budgetary constraints to meet this threat. It is an ongoing process. But I would not like to go into details about it”, the Army Chief-designate said. He said that he would strive to see that state-of-art weapons, equipment and latest technology were introduced and absorbed at the earliest in the Army. On reports of fatigue syndrome creeping into the Army due to prolonged deployment in combating insurgency, the new Army Chief said, “We are aware about the effects of continued deployment of the Army in combating insurgency and fighting the proxy war. We are, however, ensuring that it has minimal adverse effect on our ability to meet the conventional threat.” He cautioned that the line between proxy war and conventional threat was blurred, adding that there were inextricable linkages between the two. The new Army Chief who would begin his tenure with a visit to forward areas in Jammu and Kashmir emphasised that the country could not ignore these realities. He said the Army was making efforts to keep pace with the changes in the shape and contours of warfare by appropriate restructuring and equipping of the forces. “Towards this end, the increase in this year’s Defence Budget is a welcome step,” he said, adding that armed forces should get an annual funding of 3 per cent of
GDP in real terms. “Such a step would ensure that while combating insurgency, our operational readiness to meet conventional threat is in no way affected”, he said. |
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India-B’desh to set up study group NEW DELHI, Sept 29 — Minister of State for Water Resources has said that India and Bangladesh have agreed to set up a joint study group to find a solution to the problem of
arsenic contamination. Talking to newspersons on her four-day goodwill visit to Bangladesh, she said that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh had shown keen interest in seeking India’s cooperation in constructing barrage on the
Ganges. She said that unless Bangladesh constructs barrages, they would not be able to use the water available in the country. The minister said that the problem of arsenic contamination is common in both countries. “In India the arsenic problem is confined to West Bengal where eight districts are affected. Unfortunately, 52 out of the 60 districts are affected in Bangaldesh. Our counterparts in Bangladesh expressed their willingness to undertake some geophysical surveys to study the arsenic problem.” Mr D.K. Chadha, Chairman, Central Ground Water Board, said that India identified the problem of arsenic contamination in 1983. “In Bangladesh, the problem was identified only in 1993. They are new to this problem.” The minister said that the delegation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Bangladesh would visit the arsenic affected areas of India.
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Jyoti Basu ‘grills’ E. Rly GM CALCUTTA, Sept 29 — The Eastern Railway’s General Manager, Mr IIMS Rana, was summoned yesterday to Writers Buildings and ‘grilled’ by Mr Jyoti Basu for allegedly making false statements against the Left Front government on relief and rescue work for flood-affected. The angry Chief Minister threatened to go to the court against the Railways for maligning the Front government which has been doing such commendable job in the relief and rescue works for the flood victims, he said. Mr Rana apologised and regretted that his action could hurt the Chief Minister. He said his intention was not to malign the state government. The Railway Minister, Mr Mamta Banerjee, however, defended the General Manager and said he had done the right thing in telling people the truth. The cause of Mr Basu’s wrath was an advertisement published in the newspapers by the Railways stating, “The state government was failing to conduct relief and rescue work of the flood victims properly. But the Railways were there to do the relief and rescue operations and as such the people should render all help and assistance to the Railways.” Mr Basu was convinced that such advertisement was made at the behest of the railway minister, Mr Mamta Benerjee whom he named as “an atrocious woman whose business is to tell a lie and incite violence”. He said they would mobilise a campaign against the TMC-BJP alliance, which has been ruining the country. The General Manager declared that normal train services in the Sealdah and Howrah suburban sections could be restored within a fortnight’s time. But rail and long-distance trains have already started operating in all routes. He said three Rajdhani specials would start running from Sealdah from today. Three special trains to Kalka from Howrah would also go into operation from next week and it will take 28 hours to reach Chandigarh from Howrah by the Delhi-Kalka mail, which now takes 31 hours. The state’s flood situation improved as the flood water gradually started receding in the affected areas.
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Chronology of events in JMM case NEW DELHI, Sept 29 (UNI) — The following is the chronology of developments in the JMM MPs bribery case in which the trial court of Additional Sessions Judge Ajit Bharihoke delivered its judgment today: Feb 1, 1996: Rashtriya Mukti Morcha (RMM) President Ravinder Kumar approaches CBI, seeking booking of a case for alleged bribing of Opposition MPs to vote against the July 28, 1993 no-confidence motion against the then P.V. Narasimha Rao government. March 25, 1996: CBI registers four FIRs against JMM MPs Suraj Mandal, Shibu Soren, Simon Marandi and Shailendra Mahato. May 24, 1996: Delhi High Court orders CBI to register fresh FIR on the basis of RMM complaint which had named Mr Rao. Sep 4, 1996: CBI questions Narasimha Rao. Sep 5, 1996: Soren, Marandi, Mandal arrested in Delhi. Sep 6, 1996: Mahato arrested in Jamshedpur. Oct 30, 1996: CBI files first charge sheet, naming as accused Rao, Buta Singh, Satish Sharma, Soren, Mandal, Marandi and Mahato. Nov 8, 1996: Rao gets anticipatory bail from Delhi High Court. Dec 9, 1996: CBI files second charge sheet naming six as accused — V. Rajeshwar Rao, H.M. Revenna, Ramalinga Reddy, M. Verappa Moily, D.K. Adikeshavalu and M. Thimme Gowda.. Jan 4, 1997: Marandi, Mandal, Soren and Mahato released on bail after being in jail for four months. Jan 22, 1997: CBI files third charge sheet naming eight as accused — Ajit Singh R.L. Yadav, Bhajan Lal, Ram Saran Yadav, Abhay Pratap Singh, Haji Ghulam Mohammed, Roshan Lal and Anadi Charan Das. March 17, 1997: Mahato seeks to become approver. Apr 8, 1997: Court permits Mahato to turn approver, pardons him. May 6, 1997: Trial court decides to frame charges against all 20 accused, rejects petitions to name then Congress President Sitaram Kesri as accused. Sep 12, 1997: Delhi High Court upholds trial court decision to frame charges. Sep 15, 1997: Trial court frames charges against Rao, 19 others. Oct 13, 1997: Rao, Bhajan, Moily file SLPs in Supreme Court seeking constitutional immunity under Article 105. Court issues notice to CBI, but refuses to stay trial. Nov 18, 1997: Three-member SC Bench refers SLPs to Constitution Bench for itnerpretation of Article 105. Apr 17, 1998: In a three-two verdict, SC rules that Article 105(2) of the Constitution provides immunity to bribe takers — Mandal, Soren, Marandi, Mahato, R.L. Yadav, Roshan Lal, Anadicharan Das, Abhay Pratap Singh, Haji Ghulam Mohammed — as their act involved voting in Parliament. Those accused of giving bribes are liable to prosecution. Dec 8, 1998: Government seeks review of judgment. SC subsequently dismisses petition, citing the long delay on part of government. May 20, 1998: Ajit Singh, R.L. Yadav, eight others move trial court seeking discharge in the light of SC verdict. June 4, 1999: Nine accused — Marandi, Soren and Mandal (besides approver Mahato who was also JMM MP), — and the former breakaway Janata Dal (A) MPs — Ramlakhan Singh Yadav, who was also a union minister, Abhay Pratap Singh, Anadi Charan Das, Ram Sharan, Roshan Lal and Haji Ghulam Mohammed — discharged. May 30, 2000: Trial ends, judge reserves judgment. Sep 29, 2000: Court delivers
judgement. Convicts Narasimha Rao and Buta Singh but acquits nine others, including Bhajan Lal, Ajit Singh and Rajeshwar Rao. |
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Mixed reactions to verdict NEW DELHI, Sept 29 (UNI) — The following are the immediate reactions on the judgement which came today on the JMM bribery case: Congress leader and former Union Minister Buta Singh: Whatever I did was for the party. I will see the order first before making an appeal at the high court. Mr R.K. Anand, counsel for former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao: We do not know what the judgement is. Let us see the order first, then we will move the high court. (Rao left Vigyan Bhavan under the tight security cover of SPG without giving his reaction to the waiting reporters and cameramen). Congress leader Satish Sharma: I am relieved. It was painful coming for hearings during the past four years. I have full faith in the judiciary. Bhajan Lal: I have full faith in the judiciary. President of the Rashtriya Mukti
Morcha (RMM) Ravinder Kumar: The judgement is a step in the right direction. It proves that Rao bribed Members of Parliament to save his government. Uncovering this conspiracy involved seven years of labour. RMM counsel P.N.
Lekhi:It is for the first time that a former Indian Prime Minister has been convicted. But I don’t know why his Cabinet colleagues have been given the benefit of the doubt. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) did not probe the JMM scandal properly. Rather, it has become a cover-up agency now. Today’s judgement proves that one can buy people in this country. Before giving testimony to the CBI, some witnesses used to stay in hutments. Now they have good houses and sources of their incomes are not known. I am convinced that if one follows a method, he can break the law and get away with unpunished. PTI adds: Congressmen today preferred to stay away from the residence of Narasimha Rao after he was convicted. His 9, Motilal Nehru Marg residence virtually wore a deserted look barring a few mediapersons hovering around for hours for a reaction from the former Congress President, who refused to comment on the verdict. While former Union Minister Bhuvanesh Chaturvedi and former Youth Congress chief M.S. Bitta, who are known Rao loyalists, turned up soon after the pronouncement of the verdict, hardly any other partymen was seen around for hours. Surprisingly, former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar drove down to meet Rao. He, however, sped past the waiting mediapersons. After meeting Rao, Mr Chaturvedi said the former Prime Minister was “all right”. He sought to downplay the AICC’s failure to react immediately over the development saying that it was a “legal matter”. Soon after the pronouncement of the judgement, Rao was closeted with his lawyers after which senior counsel R.K Anand told reporters, “we will certainly appeal in the high court”. |
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Use Article 356 with utmost care: Sonia CALCUTTA, Sept 29 (PTI) — Congress President Sonia Gandhi said yesterday that the law and order situation in some parts of West Bengal was “grave’’ but Article 356 should be used with “utmost care’’. “I am aware that the law and order situation in some areas of the state is grave, but one must apply one’s mind extremely carefully before using Article 356,’’ Mrs Gandhi told newspersons when asked to comment on the repeated demand by the Trinamool Congress for imposing President’s rule in the state. Asked if her party would support the Vajpayee government in the Rajya Sabha if such a move was taken, the Congress President said, “It is quite hypothetical’’. Mrs Gandhi, who earlier made a two-hour aerial survey of the flood-hit areas of the state, said many NDA partners had expressed reservations on the use of Article 356 in the past. “However, we leave it to the government (Centre) to decide,’’ she said. She said her party wanted the Jyoti Basu government to take stringent measures to stop violence, adding that non-violence was the need of the hour. |
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Bengal flood toll mounts to 850 CALCUTTA, Sept 29 (UNI) — At least 850 persons were killed and 18 million marooned in the devastating floods in West Bengal, as the situation virtually remained unchanged today. Figures available with the government departments concerned indicated that the toll might touch the 1000 mark. According to these figures at least 500 persons were killed in Murshidabad and 300 in Birbhum district. Official sources confirmed 625 deaths and said 225 persons, who were missing, were reported to have been washed away by flood waters. Meanwhile, an eight-member Central team led by Joint Secretary to the Agriculture Ministry, arrived here this morning and left for aerial survey of the flood affected areas. The team is being accompanied by the Director of Agriculture Dr Nityananda Trivedi. The Central team is scheduled to hold a meeting with state government officials in the afternoon. Union Agriculture Minister Nitish Kumar will make an aerial survey of the flood ravaged districts tomorrow. Official sources said the situation in some areas of Nadia, Hooghly and North 24 Parganas was still critical though the major rivers were showing a receding trend. The Ganga at Farakka and the Bhagirathi were still flowing above the extreme danger level. The situation remained grave at Bagdah in North 24 Parganas district and parts of Balagarh in Hooghly and Hanskhali in Nadia district where the army jawans have launched a grim battle to reach the marooned. The condition in areas which remained critical were Kalna, Purbasthali, Katwa in Burdwan district, Polba, Dadpur and Khanakul in Hooghly district, Beldanga and Naoda in Murshidabad and Tehatta, Chapra, Kaliganj, Nakashipara, Swarupnagar, Nabadwip, Hanskhali and Santipur in Nadia district. |
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Lara, Manisha to attend
UN meet NEW DELHI, Sept 29 (PTI) — Miss Universe Lara Dutta and Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala will be the only Indians to participate in the first-ever gathering on UN messengers of peace and goodwill ambassadors on October 23. The meet reflecting on the role of celebrity advocacy will feature Nobel Prize laureates, athletes, actors, musicians, authors, scientists and media personalities from over 20 countries. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will address the conference convened to promote the public forum on the influence famous people have in drawing attention to global issues like human rights, disarmament, drug control, refugees and children, according to a UN release here today. Dutta and Koirala will be going as goodwill ambassadors to focus on the population issue. Among the over 70 prominent personalities invited are former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, actor Michael Douglas, Brazilian footballer “Ronaldo” Luis Nazario de Lima, scientist-adventurer Bertrand Piccard, singer Harry Belafonte, actress Mia Farrow, Nobel Peace prize winner Elie Wiesel and actor Peter Ustinov. |
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Tansi case: orders
reserved till Oct 9 CHENNAI, Sept 29 (UNI) — Special Judge-III P. Anbazhagan today reserved orders to October 9, in the Rs 4.16 crore Tansi Land deal case in which former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary J. Jayalalitha is the prime accused. The judge reserved the orders after hearing the final
arguments from both sides. The prosecution case was that the prime land belonging to the state-owned Tansi at Guindy was purchased by Jaya Publications and Sasi Enterprises, in which Ms Jayalalitha and her close-aide Sasikala were partners, at a price far below the guideline value allegedly causing a loss of Rs 4.16 crore to the government. |
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