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| Friday,
April 6, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Cong to mollify
Karunakaran Cong squabbles delay UDF
campaign Now, a Rs 13,000-cr phone
scam US envoy’s wife gets notice over
shawl |
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CJI’s age: letter rogatory to
UK likely Civil Services (Main) exam
results BJP may cancel NDA rallies BJP, AGP discuss seat
sharing Opposition fears violence Mad cow disease a possibility:
PETA ‘BJP unaffected by Tehelka’ ‘Kisan pradesh’ unviable:
experts Jagjivan Ram remembered Public transport back to normal PM’s greetings on
Mahavir Jayanti Elephant dies near Maneka’s
house George meets MDMK
chief Geelani meets Pak High
Commissioner Vincent’s wife
was allotted petrol station Poppy contracts not allotted
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Cong to mollify
Karunakaran New Delhi, April 5 Though the high command had cleared the names of 81 candidates out of the 88 seats the party would contest in the state, none of these was made public. The decision on the remaining seven seats was left to Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Party sources say that in deciding the seven seats, the Congress President would strike a balance between the Antony and Karunakaran factions in the state Congress. The Karunakaran faction had complained that the list of 81 was loaded against it. While the Karunakaran loyalists are believed to have got 32 seats in the list of 81 cleared earlier, the Antony loyalists are believed to have got 36. Mr Karunakaran was not only upset at the lesser number of his supporters getting tickets but also with the fact that his daughter Padamja’s name did not figure in the list of names cleared. Though he did not directly demand ticket for her, there was little doubt that the Congress strongman, who has been Chief Minister four times, was interested in it. Mr Karunakaran had even issued a veiled threat yesterday to the high command for sidelining him in a state where the party has strong chances of coming back to power. He had even alleged that some tickets had been given on casteist lines. Today, however, Mr Karunakaran gave hints of an eventual rapprochement among the party factions, saying that the primary task before the Congress was the ouster of the LDF government. Though he reiterated his complaints regarding the distribution of tickets, Mr Karunakaran clarified that he had not made any accusations against the party high command. Mr Karunakaran, who is leaving for Kerala tomorrow, said he would like to consult his partymen before announcing his next course of action. Congress leaders, who see in Mr Karunakaran’s statement more of political posturing to get the best bargain for his supporters than any real threat of splitting the party, however, do not want to leave the senior leader annoyed. They say that of the seven seats to be decided, at least three would be given to the Karunakaran faction and his demand for a specific seat for his daughter would also be granted. Interestingly, party leaders say that the demand for ticket by Mr Karunakaran for his daughter has upset his son K. Murleedharan who is in the race for the state PCC chief’s post. Mr Murleedharan apparently feels that Ms Padamja’s election could have a bearing on his becoming the PCC chief as many Congress leaders would not stomach the preponderance of the Karunakaran family on the state’s political scene. Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad has urged Chief Election Commissioner M. S. Gill to deploy sufficient para-military forces in some areas of Kerala to ensure free and fair polling. In a letter to Mr Gill, Mr Azad drew attention to a communication from Kerala Congress leader A. K. Antony making a similar demand. Senior Congress leaders, notably those in charge of states where assembly elections are being held, met at the party office here today to discuss about the party’s manifestoes. The party is likely to issue a separate manifesto for every state. |
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Cong squabbles delay UDF campaign Thiruvananthapuram, April 5 Despite several rounds of parleys with senior state leaders and the central leadership, stretching over four days in New Delhi, the Congress is yet to draw up the final list of candidates to the satisfaction of all factions in the state unit of the party. According to reports, angry over the denial of ‘due representation’ to his group, senior leader and former Chief Minister K. Karunakaran yesterday expressed his dissatisfaction over the selection process. The party high command’s ‘lukewarm’ response to Mr Karunakaran’s demand that his daughter Ms Padmaja Venugopal be given a ticket to contest the Chalakkudi seat in central Kerala had proved a major stumbling block in the way of official announcement of the candidates list. The Congress sources here, however, expressed the hope that the list would be finalised shortly accommodating all factions so that the candidates could hit the trail without delay. In sharp contrast, the LDF candidates have already begun touring their constituencies although the filing of nomination will begin only on April 16. The LDF had already released its poll manifesto and the CPM is holding its state committee here today to fine-tune its campaign strategy. According to CPM sources, besides issues highlighted in the manifesto, the LDF will also cash in on the intensification of group rivalry in the Congress over candidates’ selection. A minor constituent of the UDF like the Kerala Congress (Mani) (KC-M) is also not without its internal problems over the selection of nominees. A section of the middle-level leaders in the KC-M recently raised a banner of revolt against choice of candidates over a few seats. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second largest partner in the UDF, had already announced candidates for all but two seats allotted to it, retaining a majority of sitting MLAs. Smaller UDF partners like the Kerala Congress (Jacob), the JSS of K.R. Gowry and the Communist Marxist Party (CMP) of M.V. Raghavan have also announced their list of nominees. However, the UDF as a whole, has so far not been able to present a united picture and launch a co-ordinated state-wide campaign against the LDF which is certain to strain its every nerve to retain power. The BJP, which is trying its level best to open its account in the state assembly, is expected to announce its candidates in a couple of days.
PTI |
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Now, a Rs 13,000-cr phone scam Kolkata, April 5 Mr Dasmunshi said in a press note here that the letter of intent was issued at Rs 1,100 crore, keeping the Lok Sabha in the dark even as the House was in session at the time. Claiming that the PMO was involved in the “clandestine deal”, Mr Dasmunshi urged Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to ask the CBI to confiscate the relevant documents in this connection. He maintained that the PMO was involved in the deal, which had deprived the government exchequer of about Rs 13,000 crore, adding that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was “looting the nation”. He questioned how the government provided the fixed service through CDMA WLL technology with a higher frequency of 12.5 MHz at a license fee of only Rs 1,100 crore. Additional fee of Rs 13,000 crore had been exempted and the letter of intent issued on March 6 without informing Parliament. Mr Dasmunshi averred that Mr Vajpayee could not disown moral responsibility in such dealings and described the NDA government’s claim of the so-called transparency as hollow. One after another scams were being exposed now, he stated. Mr Dasmunshi said the Congress Parliamentary Party would decide on April 16 about the steps it would take to expose the government on the floor of Parliament and would not demand a CBI probe at this moment. He, however, demanded that all relevant documents be kept under CBI’s custody to prevent “doctoring of the documents.’’ He alleged that for accommodating a few chosen companies at a pre-determined rate of arrangement under the garb of the first come first served basis, the government had deprived the nation of more than Rs 13,000 crore. Mr Dasmunshi claimed that a lot of kickbacks had changed hands and bigwigs in the government were involved in the shady deal and that “the NDA government has no moral right to continue in office.’’
UNI |
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US envoy’s wife gets notice over
shawl New Delhi, April 5 Sources in the PFA told TNS here on Thursday that the 60-day notice sent under Section 55 of the aforesaid Act, says, “It would be fair and just if his excellency, Mr Richard Celeste grants waiver of immunity to enable the concerned authorities to register a case.” Sources in the PFA said that Mrs Lundquist’s offence constitutes the violation of Section 39, 40 and 43 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Animal rights activists pointed out that Mrs Lundquist has committed three offences - first by purchasing an article produced from an animal (Tibetan antelope) under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, continuing to keep it under her control even after learning that its possesion is illegal and later transferring the government property, the shawl in question, to an unauthosried person, the vendor. Sources in the PFA said the shawl affair seems very mysterious. They said that Mr Richard Celeste in a handwritten reply sent to Mrs Gandhi on March 30 stated that the Shahtoosh shawl had been returned to the vendor. This was followed by a statement by Mrs Lundquist to the media that the shawl had been returned to the person from whom it was purchased. “When she learnt that returning the shawl to the vendor constitutes a more serious offence, she stated that she would return it to the appropriate Indian
government authorities. This implies that she still has the shawl. Is the Ambassador telling lies?’’, an animal rights activist remarked on condition of anonymity. Sources said the Section 39 of the Wildlife Protection Act declares that any animal articles in respect of which an offence has been committed shall be government property and any person who obtains it shall within 48 hours report it and hand it over to the police or the authorised officer. Further, under sub section 2 of Section 40 of the Wildlife Protection Act, no person can receive, acquire or keep in his control or custody or transfer any article made from an animal under Schedule I of the Act except with the permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden. |
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CJI’s age: letter rogatory to
UK likely New Delhi, April 5 The move follows a request by the CBI, which is probing the case, to the Department of Personnel for sending a request to Scotland Yard. The request had been forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs which was likely to issue letters rogatory next week, agency sources said here. They said the CBI had sought help of Scotland Yard sleuths to check the genuineness of a certificate purported to have been issued by the General Council of Bar of England showing Mr Justice Anand’s year of birth as 1934 though all other documents showed it to be 1936. The CBI would send its team only if the British police asks for some clarifications, they said. The document purported to have been sent by the General Council of Bar on September 4, 2000, to Sohul and Company first appeared in former Law Minister Ram Jethmalani’s recent book “Small men, Big Egos”.
PTI |
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Civil Services (Main) exam results
New Delhi, April 5 The interview for appointment to Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, Police Services group ‘B’ and Central Services group ‘A’ and ‘B’ will commence from April 23 and will continue till May 10. No request for change in date and time for the personality test once intimated to the candidates will be entertained under any circumstances, an official press note said. BJP may cancel NDA rallies New Delhi, April 5 While senior BJP leader Jagdish Prasad Mathur told TNS that the party was reviewing the decision of holding rallies across the country which were scheduled to be addressed by top leaders of the NDA, Union Minister of Rural Development M Venkiah Naidu, who was one of the chief organisers of the rallies along with former Defence Minister George Fernandes, was more explicit when he said that the Congress, which had declared a war on the NDA, was “running away from the battlefield”. Mr Mathur further said the decision was being reviewed in the light of the realisation that there was hardly any awareness at the popular level on the Tehelka issue. |
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BJP, AGP discuss seat
sharing New Delhi, April 5 The BJP general secretary, Mr Sunil Shastri, in charge of Assam in the party, was assisted by Union Minister of State for Water Resources Bijoya Chakravarthy and president of the BJP state unit Rajen Gohain. The AGP team, which was led by former Union Minister Biren Baosya included Assam Ministers Gunin Hazarika, Shaheedulla Alam Chaudhury, Chandramohan Patwari and Biraj Sarma . The BJP has asked for 50 seats out of total 126 assembly seats. In the 1999 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP was first in 33 segments and second in 17. The party’s popular vote has been steadily rising from 11 per cent in 1996 to 24 per cent in 1998. It polled 29 per cent in 1999 elections. There are five BJP MLAs in the outgoing assembly. The AGP, which has 59 MLAs, has been in the government with the support of the Left parties. While the BJP in the past considered the AGP an anti-national outfit, the two parties started coming close on the anti- Congress platform. The two parties have common concerns like infiltration from Bangladesh into the state, the IDMI Act and terrorism. As soon as the AGP and the BJP made their intention of going into a seat sharing arrangement, the Communist Party of India, one of the constituents in the AGP-led coalition government in Assam, decided to pull out of the government. Earlier, the BJP was keen to have an informal seat sharing arrangement with the AGP, but Tehelka revelations forced the party high command to review its stand. The BJP was of the view that a formal arrangement would only help the common enemy — Congress — as the votes of minorities would polarise in latter’s favour. At the same time, the AGP was also favouring the informal arrangement as it was hopeful that a section of the minorities would go with it. But the AGP leadership, realising that its support base was fast dwindling, decided to go in for an open alliance with the BJP. |
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Opposition fears violence Lucknow, April 5 This prompted BSP leader Mayawati to allege that the BJP and the Samajwadi Party have joined hands to defeat the BSP nominee from the Haidergarh constituency. Addressing a meeting in Haidergarh area she exhorted the dalits to join hands with the minority community to throw away the BJP government. She held the BJP responsible for the riots in Kanpur Samajwadi Party leader and leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Ahmed Hasan said: “It is ridiculous that a Cabinet Minister who had been barred by the Election Commission from entering a particular constituency for fear of rigging and violence is at present camping in Haidergarh to canvass for Chief Minister Rajnath Singh.” He said, Minister for Sports Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya had been debarred by the EC from entering Pratapgarh during the parliamentary election as it was feared that his presence would lead to violence in the constituency. But the same minister was camping at Subeha village in Haidergarh for the past many days to oversee the campaigning of Rajnath Singh. Citing instances he said it was on very rare occasions that the Chief Minister was not accompanied by a fleet of 35 cars during his canvassing. State president Ram Sharan Das added that 100 cycles had been given on Monday to some people who had promised to vote for the CM. He added in total violation of the existing rules the CM was canvassing till as late as 1 am in the morning. A delegation of Congressmen met the Chief Election Commissioner in Delhi on Tuesday to apprise him of the blatant violation of the code of conduct by Chief Minister Rajnath Singh and his Cabinet colleagues. BSP leader Mayawati said the dalit voters were being threatened not to cast their votes and feared that there would not be free and fair polls. Congress secretary and incharge for Uttar Pradesh Subodh Kant Sahay said Mr Singh was canvassing with an array of mafia in tow to strike terror among the Opposition candidates. He said the possibility of violence on April 7 could not be ruled out given the “mindset of the ruling party and its no-holds barred electioneering”. |
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Mad cow disease a possibility:
PETA New Delhi, April 5 The list has been made by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation recently. Many areas of India were infested with contagious livestock diseases such as the foot-and-mouth disease, as well as diseases like rinderpest and burccllosis that were considered controlled or outdated in other countries, PETA said. According to the NGO, the human variant of the mad cow disease, believed to be caused by the consumption of meat tainted with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, is killing Europeans and could be present in India. There is no cure for this disease. It said that livestock diseases were so prevalent in India that many countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, have recently banned Indian meat imports. The Indonesian Veterinarian Association has advised the government to drop a plan to import Indian beef, stating that it will endanger the lives of Indonesia’s animals, as well as the human population. Last year the United Arab Emirates banned meat from 10 Indian companies because of unhygienic conditions. PETA blamed modern methods used in the meat industry for the disasters striking in India and abroad. “Viruses spread like wildfire on factory farms where animals are crammed together without enough space to turn around or lie down. Although, Indian law requires that animals killed for food be tested for disease, this is hardly, if ever, done”. PETA India said animals killed in the country for domestic consumption were slaughtered in the most unhygienic manner. Unhealthy and seemingly healthy cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens were dragged together to slaughter floors awash with blood and their throats hacked with unclean blades. |
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‘BJP unaffected by Tehelka’ New Delhi, April 5 Mr Krishnamurthy, who took over the reins of the party at a difficult time, asserts, however, that the party has adequately responded to the crisis and has succeeded in bringing about a “fighting mood” among the cadres and dispelling the “dismay”. He also promised to continue the attempts by Mr Bangaru Laxman, whom he replaced in the wake of the expose, to rope in minorities into the party and pledged not to take up “contentious” issues championed by it in the recent past. “The present situation which I am facing arises from the tehelka.com matters. For the first time, a challenge has been posed to the party trying to shake the confidence of its members and sympathisers in the credibility of our leadership. |
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‘Kisan pradesh’ unviable:
experts New Delhi, April 5 The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, on Saturday formally launched the movement for the ‘Kisan Pradesh’ at a rally in Meerut. The demand has found support from the Jat community, which has a presence in the region. “The demand for a separate state on the basis of an economic category and a sociological community’s aspiration has not succeeded in the past,” a Professor of Politics Ms Zoya Hasan of Jawaharlal Nehru University told The Tribune. Prof Hasan, who has done extensive research in UP politics, said, “The demand for a separate state in western Uttar Pradesh is not a new phenomenon. Choudhry Charan Singh had termed it `Harit Pradesh’, but could not achieve his dream.” The Jat community in UP lost its hold in the state politics following the death of Charan Singh. His son Ajit Singh could not fulfil the aspirations of the people. With the emergence of the Other Backward Castes, the political equations in the state underwent a change. “If the demand for a separate state had been sought due to the geographical size and administrative needs, it could have an appeal among the masses. If the movement is led by a particular section of society for a specific community’s interest, then it is unlikely to succeed,” she said. The Jat community, land-owning section of society, has its presence in UP, Haryana, Punjab and parts of Rajasthan. Mr Chautala, addressing the rally in Meerut said the interest of the farmers had not been given due importance by major political parties. The political analyst said, “This is an expression of the farming community and their leaders to express their protest against the
agricultural policies of the government.” “As an alliance partner of the NDA, Mr Chautala is attempting to put pressure on the government to protect the interest of his main support base - the farmers. This is done by every political party and what he is doing is nothing unusual,” she said. Asked whether he was filling the leadership vacuum among this section of the community, the political analyst said, “Only time will tell whether he would be accepted by the members of the Jat community at large. So far, they have not.” The Indian National Lok Dal President had also indicated the prospect of his party contesting elections in Uttar Pradesh, which are due early next year. |
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Jagjivan Ram remembered New Delhi, April 5 A number of dignitories, including his wife Indrani Devi, daughter Meira Kumar, Himachal Pradesh Governor Suraj Bhan and Madhya Pradesh Governor Bhai Mahavir paid tributes at his samadhi. An all-religion prayer meeting was organised at 6, Krishna Memon Marg, where Jagjivan Ram lived and worked for years. Congress President Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister P.V.Narasimha Rao, Himachal Pradesh Governor Suraj Bhan, Madhya Pradesh Governor Bhai Mahavir, Delhi Lieut-Governor Vijai Kapoor and several MPs were present on the occasion. In the afternoon, a procession depicting important events of his life were taken out.
PTI |
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Public transport back to normal New Delhi, April 5 Bus operators, who were shaky and confused yesterday, became confident and brought their vehicles on roads today after the Supreme Court endorsed yesterday Delhi Government’s decision to allow the plying of buses and other public vehicles by operators who had submitted affidavits to convert their vehicles to the CNG mode till April 14. During the two days, when the “polluting” buses were off the roads, the pollution levels were high, according to a study. The concentration of major pollutant sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide had gone up substantially, the Central Pollution Control Board said. |
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PM’s greetings on
Mahavir Jayanti New Delhi, April 5 In his message, the President said: “Let us turn to the precept and teachings of Lord Mahavira and follow the path of non-violence shown by him”. Mr Krishan Kant said: “Let us rededicate ourselves to realise Mahavir’s divine mission by creating a just, peaceful and contended global society”. The Prime Minister said: “Lord Mahavira epitomises peace, non-violence and temperance. May his message continue to guide us in achieving a virtuous life”.
PTI |
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Elephant dies near Maneka’s
house New Delhi, April 5 Ms Gandhi told TNS here that the elephant had been brought illegally from Ghaziabad in violation of the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. She said the elephant’s owners did not have any papers or ownership certificates which were mandatory under the aforesaid Act. She said the violation of the provisions of the Act could attract a penalty of six-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000 Expressing concern over the dwindling elephant population in the country, Ms Gandhi said one elephant death was reported everyday in the country. She said this was the first time that an animal had died near her house. “The elephant was dehydrated and reportedly tried to jump to eat leaves of a peepal tree. Its legs were found broken. The elephant was about 25-year old. Elephants are known to live upto the age of 80,” she added. She said the elephant’s body had been sent for post-mortem examination. Mr S.S. Garbyal, Chief Wildlife Warden of Delhi told TNS that he had sent his team to the spot to conduct the post-mortem examination. He said 22 ownership certificates have been issued to elephant owners in Delhi. “We give the certificate depending on the report the owners get from the wildlife warden of the State on their tamed elephants,” he added. |
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George meets MDMK chief Chennai, April 5 However, Mr Fernandes told reporters at the airport here, before leaving for Bangalore, that he had not come here for the purpose of bringing about a rapproachment between the two. “I don’t think I came here for this. It is not part of my agenda,” he said, adding that “any questions relating to the issue of (rapprochement) is therefore, not relevant.”
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Geelani meets Pak High Commissioner New Delhi, April 5 Mr Geelani, who was invited to lunch by Jehangir, yesterday also discussed the proposed Pakistan visit by a Hurriyat delegation and the delay caused by the non-issuance of travel documents by the Central Government, the sources said.
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Vincent’s wife
was allotted petrol station New Delhi, April 5 This petrol station was allotted in the name of his wife Mrs Lily George in Delhi on compassionate grounds by the then Congress Government in November 1991. After a lapse of over 10 years the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has allotted a 1080 square metre plot to Mrs Lily George at Mayur Vihar near Sanjay Lake to set up a petrol station. The DDA has allotted the site to her on February 27, this year against her letter of intent in the draw of lots held at DDA on February 16, 2001. Earlier, Mrs George was allotted a retail outlet dealership on compassionate grounds from the marketing directorate of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on November 8, 1991, on a compassionate grounds. According to official sources, the ministry is surprised that Mrs George was allotted a petrol station by the government and that too on a compassionate ground when her husband is still alive and is in service.
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Poppy contracts not allotted Hanumangarh, April 5 The Excise Department has not allotted poppy husk contracts in the new financial year and so for want of poppy husk, the condition of the addicts has turned worst. For the past six days now, they have not taken a single dose and many are struggling between life and death. Last year, the poppy husk contractors faced heavy loses. So this year they were demanding the joint allotment of the contracts of Bikaner, Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh and Churru districts to a single contractor. The contractors were of the view that if contracts of more than Rs 20 crore of all four districts were allotted to a single contractor only then some profit would be there. The government had fixed the contracts of Hanumangarh district at Rs 10 crore but the contractors did not go for the tenders. Poppy husk smugglers are making full use of the situation as smuggling of poppy from the neighbouring areas of Punjab and Haryana has been going on a large scale. Poppy husk addicts alleged that the contractors had stopped the sale of poppy husk on March 30 and stocked it illegally and were now selling it on higher rates. The addicts can be seen moving from one place to another in search of poppy husk. Gurudev (name changed), a poppy husk addict, said he was coping with the situation by taking tablets but the effect was nominal compared to poppy husk. Another person said he had been an addict for the past five years and now could not move a single step without a dose. With the contracts not been allotted, it can adversely affect the harvest season as the addicts cannot work without a dose. Big cultivators provide poppy husk to the workers employed for harvesting. |
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KARAN SINGH GETS
‘SADBHAVANA’ AWARD SIX DIE OF
TNCC EX-PRESIDENT TWO SUSPENDED FOR FORWARD BLOC MAHANTA BACKS POLL PIL SEEKING BAN ON |
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