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| Tuesday, January 9, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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No plan to ‘merge with Samata’ Peres briefs Jaswant on talks Sealing of polluting units suspended Do MPs who take bribe enjoy immunity? Papers in Naidu’s case sought |
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| Cong plenary session from February 9 Rs 200 cr released for modernisation of police forces
Ten PWG ultras killed in encounter Be tolerant, Kant tells youth ‘Kyunki Saas...’ outrates KBC
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| No plan to ‘merge with Samata’ PATNA, Jan 8 — In what could well be music to the Samata rebels ears and a shock of the day for Nitish-bandwagon, the Union Aviation Minister and the JD(U) President, Mr Sharad Yadav denied the merger of the two parties being on the “official agenda”. Mr Yadav said neither Nitish offered the merger plan of the Samata and the JD (U) nor had he initiated any such move. The JD(U) Chief, who is on a three-day tour to the state, while talking to a group of scribes at the Hajipur State Guest House, on way to Muzaffarpur, said on Sunday that the issue was still being debated. He, however, maintained, “merger is the call of the hour as political scenario is changing fast”. Mr Yadav, who arrived the same day Mr Nitish came to Patna and subsequently resigned, has been addressing rallies at various places. His denial of the merger plan being top on the agenda of the Samata and the JD(U) is bound to complicate the matters for Mr Nitish Kumar who is vociferously advocating the merger and even quit the ministry. The Nitish-baiters might thank Mr Yadav for his “timely” denial as they are still against the merger issue. It cannot be said whether Mr Yadav changed his line after seeing the fall out in the Samata or what he said was the true scenario. There are reasons to indicate at the possibility that he has changed his stand only recently. The political observers here say that the “sad plight” of Mr Nitish in the Samata after the resignation drama has a lot to do with his change of mind. It is to be mentioned here that in a tactical move Mr Nitish had quit the ministry to not only pressurise the rebels to fall in line but also to regain his control over the party. Mr Nitish wanted to become Samata President. As Mr George and the PM refused to accept his resignation, it is now clear that Mr Nitish will lose party hold. Mr George is having the last laugh as not only the rebels have been put on hold for a week but the George loyalist Jaya Jaitley is also set to become the Samata Party President. That turn of events has forced Mr Sharad Yadav to check his plan to merge with the Samata. Moreover, as against the expectations, the Aviation Minister is drawing large crowds at his rallies. The insiders in the JD(U) camp maintain that he is quite pleased and is encouraged to go all along in Bihar politics for some time. The Sharad Yadav turn around may be timely for the JD(U) Chief’s political life but it may have damaging impact on that of Mr Nitish. One man who will be very happy is Mr Ram Vilas Paswan. Mr Laloo Prasad is already a happy man. MYSORE, Jan 8 (UNI) — Ms Jaya Jetley was re-elected President of the Samata Party at its national executive meeting which began here today. Ms Jetley’s name was proposed by Union Agriculture Minister and senior Samata Party leader Nitish Kumar and seconded by Mr Ramavatar, MP. The meeting was attended among others by Defence Minister George Fernandes and Minister of State for Railways, Mr Digvijay Singh. The inaugural function was delayed by more than two hours as the organisers were waiting in vain for the arrival of six MPs from New Delhi led by Mr Raghunath Jha, who had raised a banner of revolt in the party on the issue of merger with the Janata Dal (United). Mr Fernandes explained their absence, saying that thick fog in the national Capital prevented them from reaching here. In his address, he exhorted the party workers not to pay heed to “rumours” and “certain media reports” that there was a split in the party. “Everything is all right. They (the six MPs) are arriving here by the evening.’’ |
| Peres briefs Jaswant on talks NEW DELHI, Jan 8 — India today reiterated its support for the West Asia peace process, expressing the hope that the situation would be normalised soon for the resumption of talks between Palestine and Israel. Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, on his second visit to India in five months, had detailed meetings here today with the External Affairs Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh, and the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani who conveyed India’s support to the Israeli leader. Mr Peres briefed the Indian ministers on the latest developments in the West Asia peace process and the obstacles coming in the way of finding a lasting solution to the crisis. Mr Peres, who could not have a meeting with a group of journalists due to a delayed flight, went ahead with his meetings with Mr Jaswant Singh and Mr Advani during his brief stay in the Capital. Emerging from a 40-minute meeting with Mr Jaswant Singh, Mr Peres told reporters: “We feel it is very important that India be informed about the latest developments. We respect the Indian view regarding the peace process.” Mr Peres, also apprised the government on the latest US proposals to carry forward the peace process. The senior Israeli leader made it clear that he had not come to speak against the Palestinians. “Efforts to bring peace are continuing, but not without difficulties,” Mr Peres said, emphasising that there was a need to maintain the momentum in this direction. Stating that special efforts were required to overcome the “emotional gap”, the visiting leader said negotiations for any compromise had to take all aspects into account. Asked whether India was ready to play a mediatory role to solve the West Asia crisis, the External Affairs Minister said Delhi had always been supportive of the process for achieving peace. Mr Peres, who also met the Union Home Minister at North Block this evening, told newspersons that he wanted to convey the “exact position” of Israel vis-a-vis the West Asia peace talks to India, which he called a close friend. |
| Sealing of polluting units suspended NEW DELHI, Jan 8 (UNI) — The sealing operations against polluting industries in the Capital are being suspended with immediate effect till January-end, sources in the Nodal Agency supervising the closure said here today. The sources said the decision was taken at a meeting of the Nodal Agency here this evening in view of the non-availability of police force in adequate numbers in the coming days. Delhi police officials at the Nodal Agency meeting expressed the force’s inability to aid the sealing operations because of the force’s pre-occupation with security arrangements for the Republic Day parade, rehearsals and other related functions, they said. The first phase of the sealing operations, which concluded yesterday, covered about 19,500 units falling under 27 “highly polluting” categories. Some 2,856 units found to be polluting were closed. The next phase of sealing against 42 more categories were to be taken up from today. Sources said these operations would now be resumed next month. |
| Do MPs who take bribe enjoy immunity? NEW DELHI, Jan 8 — Do MPs who take bribe for voting in the House enjoy constitutional immunity? The debate has resurfaced with the Constitutional Review Commission releasing a set of papers, for public discussion, which indicated that “none is above law.” The majority view of the Supreme Court in the JMM MPs pay-off case was that MPs who take bribe for speaking or voting in the House of the Legislature in a particular manner are immune from prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 as they enjoy immunity under Article 105(2), of the Constitution. The discussion paper released by the NCRWC said the interpretation of the Supreme Court “pricks the public conscience” and the public finds it difficult to agree that it is not an offence for the MPs to take bribe for voting or speaking in a particular manner in the legislature though the intention of the provision is to give freedom of speech and expression by the legislators freely. “A strict interpretation of the relevant words in Article 105(2) has led to the above situation and that it is necessary to amend the law to make it clear that none is above law and culprits are required to be brought to book to meet the ends of justice,” the paper said. The Chairman of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC), Justice M.N. Venkatachalaiah, told newspersons here today, “the views in the discussion papers released are not the views of the commission. They are meant to invite views from the public.” The views can be sent to the commission within one month’s time and would be examined by it for preparing its report, he said. On the issue of persons of foreign origin being allowed to hold constitutional office, Mr Venkatachalaiah said, “the matter has not been discussed by the commission.” Former Lok Sabha speaker and member of the commission P.A. Sangma said, “I have submitted a paper on this subject from the ideological point of view. It has nothing against any person. It has not yet been discussed by the commission so far.” The commission released papers relating to working of political parties relating to elections and reforms options, review of election laws, treaty making power under the Constitution, liability of the state in tort, all-India judicial service and the efficacy of the public audit system in India. The paper on the working of political parties suggests measures for curbing the criminalisation of politics, checking proliferation of Independent candidates and controlling electoral expenditure and the paper on review of electoral law suggests that it is not feasible to impose President’s rule during election or accept the principle of negative voting. On the issue of treaty making power under the Constitution, the paper suggests that Parliament should enact a law on this subject. The law should also provide for consultation with the affected groups of persons, organisations and stake-holders. The commission’s discussion paper on liability of the state in tort states that the law on the subject which has been developed as a result of the decision of the courts, is not quite satisfactory. There is a “need for a legislation on tortious liability of the state,” the paper said, adding that there is a need to amend Article 300 to clearly lay down the situation where the state is immune and where it is not.” |
| Papers in Naidu’s case sought NEW DELHI, Jan 8 (UNI) — The Delhi High Court today asked leader of Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy to supply more documents in a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging corruption charges against the Chief Minister Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Arijit Pasayat and Mr Justice D.K. Jain fixed January 17 for the next hearing. On November 1, 1999, the Andhra Pradesh High Court had disposed off a petition filed by Mr Reddy which said Mr Naidu and his family members had amassed wealth disproportionate to their known source of income. Mr Reddy took the matter to the Supreme Court on February 25 last year. He has now approached the Delhi High Court with fresh matter. His actions follow a representation to the Andhra Pradesh Governor on June 5 last year seeking permission to prosecute Mr Naidu under the Prevention of Corruption Act. In his petition, Mr Reddy said the Chief Minister had till 1998 declared only two acres of land at his native village Naravaripali and a monthly agriculture income of Rs 30,000. But, several assets were acquired by him before 1995. According to the PIL, Mr Naidu owns 13.05 acres of land at Nindali, Balaiahpalli Mandal and Nellore district, his present residence at Jubilee Hills, a site at road 12 Banjara Hills under Venkateswara Housing Society, 7.61 lakh equity shares in Heritage Foods with premium value of Rs 10 each, Rs 1.07 lakh worth of other investments, Rs 1.28 lakh cash, Rs 4.15 lakh worth of equity shares in unlisted companies. The PIL added that his wife’s assets include 10.23 acres of agriculture land at Nindali, 0.19 acres of land at Yellreddygudem in Narketpally, 0.19 acres at Kothuguda at Serilingampally, 2.33 acres at Chennakurpur in Sriperambadar, 0.21 acres at Madhapur, a building under construction at Punjgutta near NIMS, 34 per cent shares in Sri Rama Agri Farm (3.28 acres) at Kondapur on city outskirts, 11.23 lakh equity shares in Heritage, 966.7 grams of gold, eight kg of silver, Rs 28.1 lakh investments in various companies, cash, bank balances and other moveable property worth Rs 7.36 lakh. |
| Cong plenary session from February 9 NEW DELHI, Jan 8 — The plenary session of the Congress would be held on February 9, 10 and 11. This was decided at the steering committee meeting of the party held here today. The venue of the plenary will be decided by the AICC secretariat in a few days. Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that various requests had been received regarding the venue of the plenary session. Among the states which had offered to host the session were Maharashtra, Karnataka Tamil Nadu and Delhi. However, Bangalore is emerging as the front-runner among the destinations because the party is power in Karnataka and southern states, including Tamil Nadu, are facing assembly elections. The steering committee, comprises the party president Mrs Sonia Gandhi and the CWC members. |
| Rs 200 cr released for modernisation of police forces NEW DELHI, Jan 8 — In a bid to prepare the police forces of the country to meet the challenges posed by the fast-changing internal security scenario, the Centre has released a sum of Rs 200 crore during the current financial year for the modernisation of the state police forces. The assistance under the scheme consists of 50 per cent loan and 50 per cent grant-in-aid. About 20 per cent of the funds under the scheme are for the development of forensic infrastructure, official sources said. The Union Home Ministry has been assisting the state police forces for the purpose of modernisation since 1969. An amount of Rs 53.24 crore was released during 1969-80 for the purpose to the state governments. | |
| Mahakumbh Mela begins today KUMBH NAGAR (Allahabad), Jan 8 (UNI) — The millennium’s first Mahakumbh Mela begins at Triveni, the confluence of the Ganga, the yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, here with the first bathing of paush purnima tomorrow. The importance of paush purnima bathing, which will continue till january 10 next, has increased with the occurrence of the lunar eclipse tomorrow night. Preparations for the month-long mahakumbh, which comes after 24 years, have also been completed, claims the district magistrate, kumbh mela jeevesh nandan. Meanwhile, saints, monks and various akharas residing in the kumbh mela area have been complaining of lack of basic facilities such as drinking water, power supply and proper accommodation. The SSP said that about 40 lakh pilgrims were expected to take a dip at various ghats here tomorrow. While two lakh kalpvasis have already arrived in the mela area, three lakh more are expected to arrive before makar sankranti (January 14) which is also the first Shahi Snan, he added. | |
| Ten PWG ultras killed in encounter RANCHI, Jan 8 (UNI) — At least ten extremists of the banned Peoples War Group (PWG) were killed in an encounter with the Central Reserve Police Force at Semri Banjari village in Garhwa district, about 45 km from here, yesterday. One CRPF jawan was also killed in the encounter. According to the police here, four bodies of the PWG activists were recovered from the spot while the extremists managed to escape with the remaining bodies. At least six local persons , including two women, also received bullet injuries.
NEW DELHI, Jan 8 — Vice-President Krishan Kant today said no nation could aspire to be great until its youth endows itself with a broad vision, tolerance and an understanding outlook. Addressing the participants at the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Republic Day camp here, the Vice-President asked the cadets to rise above caste, creed, religion, region and language. “I recall how as a young man in Gandhi’s India, I, as many other youth of my generation, found myself stirred by Gandhi’s call to the youth to sacrifice all for India’s freedom. |
| ‘Kyunki Saas...’ outrates KBC NEW DELHI, Jan 8 (PTI) — In a reversal of fortunes, Subhash Chandra promoted Zee TV has been pushed to the third position, with only 11 entries against Star TV’s 17 and Sony’s 12, in the top 50 programmes list for the week ending December 23. Consolidating its leadership position, Star ruled Cable & Satellite (C&S) homes in the week under review with two of its programmes — “Kaun Banega Crorepati” and family drama “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” — cornering eight topmost slots in the week under review. But KSBKBT outdid KBC in actual viewership with 21.9 lakh average audience score against the latter’s 21.88 lakh heralding the onslaught of family dramas on the small screen. MUMBAI, Jan 8 (UNI) — Maharashtra Trade and Commerce Minister Makhram Pawar, who was expelled from the Bharatiya Republican Party-Bahujan Mahasangh, resigned from the state Cabinet today. Mr Pawar, who had refused to resign after he was expelled from the party for six years for not “heeding the party line”, submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.
BANGALORE, Jan 8 (UNI) — The decks were cleared today for the merger of the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka with the Janata Dal (United) in Karnataka. Welcoming the January 6 decision of the JD (U) for the merger, the JD (S) at a meeting of its Political Affairs Committee, District unit presidents and state office-bearers, in a unanimous resolution authorised its president Siddaramaiah to work out the modalities for merger with JD (U). Later, talking to newsmen, Mr Siddaramaiah said he had already held informal discussions with JD(U) state president C. Byre Gowda.
LUCKNOW, Jan 8 (PTI) — Former Prime Minister V. P. Singh today launched the Kisan Manch, which he said would focus on issues relating to the welfare of farmers and take up their plight with the government. " The manch will be a political movement” Mr V. P. Singh told reporters here, adding, “but no one from it would contest elections”. To begin with the RJD, JD(S), Naujawan Sabha, Kisan Mazdoor Party and Nationalist Loktantrik Party have agreed to join the manch, Mr V. P. Singh, who inaugurated its office, said.
AJMER, Jan 8 (PTI) — At least 50 peacocks were found dead in the fields near Bubakiya village in Ajmer district, received at the district headquarters said today. The national birds were found dead on barren land yesterday by villagers who reported the matter to the administration. The police and Forest Department officials reached the spot and sent the carcasses of the birds for a post-mortem examination. |
Ultras kill four of family Four labourers buried alive Six hacked to death Seven killed in mishap Taj Mahal closure on Fridays opposed Youth strangles uncle to death Rizvi sent in judicial custody Cold wave claims 82 lives in Bihar Indira Gandhi fellowships awarded Mishra to handle BJP affairs in W. Bengal Plea on J&K autonomy report dismissed |
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