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| Wednesday,
March 14, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Move to issue visa on arrival: Advani Land use by ex-PM’s ashram to be probed Seeking pension benefits after 15 yrs North India in Parliament |
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Balco deal: CVC writes to
Jogi RSS meeting to discuss Ram temple Govt buying outdated AJTs: Congress Child killed for ‘tantra siddhi’ Shots fired at Shiv Sena
leader’s shop Vedanti defers decision IG on visit to
border areas
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Move to issue visa on arrival: Advani New Delhi, March 13 An indication to this effect was given today by Union Home Minister
L. K. Advani while launching Handy Audio Reach Kit (HARK) system and release of books titled “Discover India by Rail” and “Speaking Stones” at Red Fort here. Stating that tourism had a great potential for employment generation and overall development, Mr Advani said “for this the restrictions on the movement of tourists should be removed as far as possible. Citing the examples of the “inner line permit” and “restricted area permit” in North-Eastern states, the Home Minister said “this should not be applicable to domestic tourists.” He said a joint meeting of home and tourism ministries officials would be held next week to review tourism related issues, including the issue of visa on arrival to tourists from selective countries. Highlighting the Department of Tourism’s initiatives to provide IT facilities, Tourism Minister Ananth Kumar said his Ministry not only wanted to develop tourism friendly infrastructure but also keen to provide most advanced tourism facilities. Launching of HARK, virtual reality CD-ROMS on important monuments and information kiosks and electronic visiting cards were the steps in this direction. The minister said within two months all major monuments in Delhi would be provided HARK system. The HARK system is based on advanced technology and provides automatic description of various parts of the monument to the tourist on headphone as he goes near to it. The visitor gets the details through the transmitter hidden in the monument even from a distance of about 20-25 feet and it looks as if the structure is describing itself. The tourists’ friendly facility has been provided at nine spots including the famous Naubat Khana, Diwan-e-aam, Hamam, Diwan-e-Khaas, Rang Mahal, Khas Mahal and Mumtaz Mahal of the Fort. |
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Land use by ex-PM’s ashram to be probed New Delhi, March 13 Hearing a petition filed by Mr
B. L. Wadhera alleging that the land was being used contrary to the conditions imposed in the lease deed, a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice K.T. Thomas and Mr Justice
R. P. Sethi directed the Union Home Secretary to send officials to Bhondsi to probe the allegations. The Bench asked the Home Ministry to submit the report of investigation to the court within four weeks and fixed further hearing of the case on April 24. Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor-General Kirit N. Raval submitted that the ashram had encroached on the land belonging to the Border Security Force but returned the same to the BSF after Mr Wadhera filed the petition in the apex court. He said the grant of land and the conditions on which the same was given to the ashram were the subject matter of action taken by the state of Haryana and gram panchayats of the villages concerned. Mr Wadhera had alleged that the panchayat land was allotted to Mr Chandra Shekhar’s Bharat Yatra Kendra on the condition that he would utilise the same for social purposes, including running a polytechnic for women and a dispensary for villagers. Mr Wadhera had alleged that the conditions imposed in the lease deed were violated and had sought a direction from the court to the Haryana Government to take back the land. During the pendency of the petition, Mr Wadhera had moved an application for appointment of a court commissioner or setting up of a team of Central Government officers who could verify the land use at Bhondsi ashram and tell the court about it. Counsel for Haryana Mahavir Singh today informed the court that pursuant to the notices given by the government on the land use, the Chairman of the Bharat Yatra Kendra Trust had sought an appointment with the authorities, which had been granted. The authorities have almost completed the proceedings in the notices given to Mr Shekhar’s ashram and would soon give its verdict, he said.
PTI |
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Seeking pension benefits after 15 yrs New Delhi, March 13 Professor Grover’s style of functioning has sent the prestigious ICHR into a tizzy in his new avatar as its Chairman. He is reportedly issuing executive orders, which are beyond his purview. He had served the institution as its Director from 1979 to 1985. The Chairman is an honorary worker. The conduct rules in this regard categorically lays down that the “services of an honorary worker should be utilised only in an advisory capacity. The work to be entrusted to him (honorary worker) should not be such as would involve the exercising of executive, administrative or judicial powers as the holder of a civil post or exercise of authority in the name or on behalf of the government.” Professor Grover was appointed honorary Chairman of the ICHR in September, 1999. What has raised eyebrows in government circles is that Professor Grover is now reportedly trying to secure the benefits of pension after 15 years of his retirement. When he had retired as the Director of ICHR, the institution had no pension scheme. It came into effect in 1987 two years after Professor Grover’s superannuation. Sources in the Ministry of Human Resource Development drew attention to the pension issue sought to be raised by Professor Grover after having been appointed as the ICHR Chairman. They apprehended that reopening a pension matter after a gap of nearly 16 years could create avoidable complications. Besides, the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission were implemented in the ICHR in 1998. When contacted Professor Grover appeared extremely wary about dwelling on the pension scheme in the ICHR. He argued there was nothing controversial about it and claimed that he had prepared the groundwork for the pension scheme during his reign as the Director. Asked about the specific details in this regard and the minutes of the 44th meeting of the council held on December 19, 2000, on the premises of the ICHR, he said he was not sure of the details. He, however, said he could provide the necessary information after ascertaining the facts. Several telephone calls to his office in the ICHR proved to be in vain as he was “away attending a very important meeting.” Item VI on the agenda of the meeting of the council held on December 19, 2000, pertained “to arrears of pay accruing due to the implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission to the left-out categories of employees pending since long. Professor Grover’s case on the specific issue of non-payment of pension as the former Director of the ICHR finds specific mention along with that of Professor Venkata Subramanian and others. The case of Professor Grover and that of Professor Subramanian are entirely different. “After some discussion the council, having approved the proposal, directed the administration to reopen, process and expedite the aforementioned cases,” the minutes of the council meeting observed. “Further, the council directed the administration to process the cases and expedite as per the rules,” the minutes added. New Delhi, March 13 In a written reply to a question by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann on whether the government proposed to transfer Chandigarh to Punjab as per the Rajiv-Longowal accord signed in 1985, the minister said the Centre would like the states concerned to sort out their differences over the matter amicably and would be willing to help in the matter. In response to another question, the minister said some attempts were also on to revive militancy in Punjab. He said there was no let up in the Pakistan design to foment trouble in the country by aiding and abetting activities of various militant organisation in the country. Mr Vidyasagar Rao said the Centre had also been sensitising the state governments about the threat perception and activities of the ISI in the country. Various security agencies belonging to union and states had been working together to check the activities of the ISI. As a result of a number of ISI-backed modules have been neutralised. The Minister of State for Home Affairs said the Delhi Government had received 1107 claims in pursuance of the order of the Supreme Court on relief to 1984 riots victims and all claims were considered and decided. Only 42 cases were recommended for allotment of flats while 1065 cases were rejected. In response to another question, the minister said the five member team deputed by the Prime Minister visited Mehjoornager in Srinagar where six Sikhs were killed last month. The team emphasised the need to improve the security situation in the area and to undertake confidence building measures for the affected people. The Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr Ananthakumar, informed the Rajya Sabha that the Department of Tourism had sanctioned 32 projects with central assistance component of Rs 1128.79 lakhs during the last three years in Himachal Pradesh. The Union Urban Development Minister, Mr Jagmohan, informed the Lok Sabha that a total of 1218 plots had been allotted in different industrial estates of Haryana of which 1020 are stated to be shifted from Delhi. Of these, the nature of industrial activity of 98 was polluting and of 916 non-polluting. Status of six units is not clear. The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Santosh Kumar Gangwar, informed the Rajya Sabha that 78 LPG distributorships of public sector oil marketing companies were operating in Himachal Pradesh, including 19 LPG distributorship in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Public sector oil marketing companies have planned to set up eight LPG distributorship in the Kangra district under various marketing plans. In addition to above, two LPG distributorship have been allotted under operation Vijay scheme in Kangra district. The commissioning of a LPG distributorship generally takes six to 12 months from the date of interview. |
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Balco deal: CVC writes to Jogi New Delhi, March 13 “Yesterday, a complaint had been received from Ranchi that money had been paid to officials in the Disinvestment Ministry and I have written to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi and CBI Director R. K. Raghavan for their comments on it,” Mr Vittal said here. The CVC said Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie had earlier said that if there was any complaint of irregularities in the disinvestment process, then the CVC was duty-bound to inquire into it. Mr Jogi had earlier alleged a Rs 100 crore payoff in the deal, a charge denied by Mr Shourie.
PTI |
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RSS meeting to discuss Ram temple New Delhi, March 13 Over 1,200 delegates from across the country, besides important functionaries of “allied organisations”, including
BJP leaders Kushabhau Thakre, Narendra Modi and Govindacharya, would be attending the three-day meeting of the “Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha” beginning March 16, senior
RSS leader Shrikant Joshi told reporters here. The meeting, the first to be held in the Capital in the organisation’s 75 year-old history, would also discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the activities of Christian missionaries in the North-East, the
left-Left clashes in Kerala and West Bengal, cow protection and destruction of Buddha statues by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, he added. Of late, the RSS has been advocating a Gandhian rural-oriented economy model. Former RSS chief Rajju Bhaiya and
VHP working president Ashok Singhal are among the senior Sangh Parivar leaders, who will attend the meeting. The discussion on the economic policies assumes significance in view of the recent decisions of the Vajpayee government on disinvestment of public sector units, specially the controversial Balco deal. The meeting will be presided over by RSS General Secretary Mohanrao Bhagwat, who will present an annual report on the activities of the
Sangh. The delegates for the Pratinidhi Sabha are elected by the
Swayamsevaks from among themselves for a term of three years. The meeting of the
Sabha will be preceded by a meeting of the national executive of the RSS on March 15 which will discuss the issues and resolutions to be presented at the meeting.
UNI, PTI Lucknow, March 13 Earlier, arguing before Additional Sessions Judge (CBI)
S. K. Shukla, Mr Mahipal Ahluwalia, the counsel for eight accused, including Mr Advani, Ms Bharti and Dr Joshi, had moved an application.
UNI |
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Govt buying outdated AJTs: Congress New Delhi March 13 Raising the issue during zero hour, Mr Priyaranjan Dasmunshi (Congress) said negotiations for acquiring 66 Hawks were under way despite the fact that the Royal Air Force had rejected it as an outdated technology and British Aerospace, the company producing it, had closed its online assembly unit. Mr Dasmunshi said the price of each AJT had shot up from the initial $ 10 million to $ 21 million. Why was government keen on rushing through with the “reckless deal” which can jeopardise security interests, the Congress MP asked. Mr Dasmunshi, who was supported by his party colleagues and other members from the opposition benches, said after the Kargil incursions, it was widely acknowledged that there was need to induct the latest technology in defence sector. The Congress member asked the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, to take the House into confidence on how the negotiations would be concluded. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr Pramod Mahajan, said if it was so important a matter, the Congress should seek a structured discussion on the issue in the House. “You want me to instantly react on the AJT decision which has been pending with the government for 15 years,” the Minister said, adding that he would convey the member’s views to the Defence Ministry. |
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Child killed for ‘tantra siddhi’ Patna, March 13 Allegedly on the advice of a ‘dayan’ (witch), Ziramani Devi, a tantrik, Ramkishore Rajawar kidnapped the child of Sawajpura village on March 6. The uncle of the infant told the police that the tantrik abducted his nephew and took him to a nearby well and threw his body into the well after killing him. The family members, after a search, fished out the body and buried the child. Rajwar admitted to the police that on the advice of Ziramani Devi, he exhumed the body of the infant and cut the right hand with a sharp weapon. He then tucked the arm around his waist and moved to the nearby pond to complete his tantrik accomplishments. Villagers got wind of this and rushed to the spot and nabbed the tantrik. The hand of the infant was also recovered and handed over to the police. The tantrik and dayan were arrested on Sunday and forwarded to jail. Such gory incidents of infant killing are common in these parts as ignorant and illiterate villagers are lured into the cult of tantricism, promising them all worldly pleasures. Personal enmity and
ill will often plays a crucial role. The tantriks are often advised to kill somebody on the incitement of villagers themselves. |
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Shots fired at Shiv Sena
leader’s shop Sriganganagar, March 13 According to the police, the incident
occured at about 3 a.m. when some persons fired two shots at the closed shop of Mr Raj Kumar Sharma who had gone home barely half an hour before. The police found two holes made by the bullets and recovered one of the bullet embedded in one of the counter while the other beneath some broken decorative glass. Mr Sharma runs an STD booth, besides having a franchise of a national courier service. Due to the nature of his business, he closes his premises late. Talking to the TNS, he said he had no enmity with anyone, and could not ascertain the reason for the attack. He, however, added that there were some differences in the unit and he had written to the district president in this context, but that was a couple of days ago. Police officials said they were alerted by a call from a neighbour of Mr Sharma who had heard the shots being fired. |
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Vedanti defers decision Sriganganagar, March 13 It may be recalled that summons were issued to the gurdwara management to explain their position following complaints of irreligious activities being patronised at the gurdwara besides large-scale financial bungling. According to Mr Surat Singh, a trustee, a team met the Jathedar yesterday and apprised him of their side of the story. “He went through the relevant records and told us that he would either come to Sriganganagar or call us again to Amritsar before giving his decision,” he said. Meanwhile, Mr Tejinderpal Singh Timma, speaking on behalf of the complainants from Amritsar, said the Jathedar enquired about the irreligious activities being allegedly patronised by the trustees. “He also asked our objections to the formation of a trust to manage the vast property of the gurdwara,” Mr Timma said. |
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IG on visit to
border areas Sriganganagar, March 13 During his visit, he is scheduled to visit nearby border areas like Hindu Mal Kot and report any untoward activity. The police sources said the visit was outcome of a letter written by the leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, to the Home Minister alleging presence of a large number of anti-social and anti-national elements along the border. Sources said the IG would submit a report to the government which would be forwarded to the Home Minister. |
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Sangh Parivar
men detained New Delhi, March 13 The activists were rounded up when they gathered around the mosque. |
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