 |
| Friday,
May 25, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
|
Govt envoy fails
to make headway
with NSCN(I-M) North-East MPs, MLAs
want changes in NEC UNHCR
urges Taliban to reconsider edict Panel to record evidence |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shanmugam
sworn in Pondicherry CM SC to hear petitions against Jaya on June 4 Ex-Telecom Secy to mediate in Dabhol imbroglio High command steps in to end HP infighting Cong accuses govt
of U-turn on talks Pakistani poet’s dream proves costly WB CM to meet PM on May 29 PPCC may move court over 1998 RS poll
No drinking water in mandis HC rejects Manu
Sharma’s plea DRI
opposes plea of Afghan national Advani to open Heart Centre today
|
|
Govt envoy fails
to make headway
with NSCN(I-M) New Delhi, May 24 A Home Ministry spokesman said the talks would be resumed as soon as Mr Padmanabaiah who was returning to India had held discussions with his senior colleagues here on the formulations made by the NSCN (I-M). He said it was clear that the discussions had remained inconclusive and not resulted in any settlement after two rounds, and a third round slated for today was cancelled. As differences had persisted, the spokesman said it had been decided to hold further rounds after further discussions within the government. Both sides had exchanged draft agreements and these would have to be reconciled.
UNI |
|
North-East MPs, MLAs want changes in NEC New Delhi, May 24 Presiding officers, MLAs and MPs from the seven north-eastern states and Sikkim met under the auspices of the North-Eastern Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (NERCPA) to deliberate on the approaches to socio-economic development of the region, an official press note said. The conference, inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker G.M.C Balayogi, also unanimously adopted the P.T. Kyndiah Committee report on the socio-economic development of the region. Besides unemployment, factors like poor connectivity, inadequate infrastructure, low capital formation and negative flow of resources hindered the development of the region and Sikkim, the Kyndiah Committee report said. The committee urged the Centre to re-examine the economic package of Rs 10,507 crore announced for the region by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee last year to include schemes and projects of short gestation period in order to generate employment and accrue economic benefits to the people, the press note said.
PTI  |
|
UNHCR
urges Taliban to reconsider edict New Delhi, May 24 Ms Robinson and Mr Matsuura
called upon the Taliban “urgently to reconsider their position,
which is another serious step backwards for a people already deprived
of basic rights such as education”. They called on all nations ‘able
to exert any influence whatsoever on the authorities on kabul to
ensure that they see the error of their ways before long. The two
said the edict harked back to the darkest periods of human history.
They said similar practices in the past — from Nazi Germany in the
1930s to Rwanda in the early 1990s — had led to the most horrible
crimes. The edict brought home in the most forceful way the urgent
need to address bias and discrimination, which were at the root of
major human rights violations’, they added. “Prescribing how
certain groups of people should dress or otherwise singling them out
so that they can be easily identifiable is at best discriminatory”,
they said. The stated aim of the edict that is protection of
minority groups could be achieved by strict observance of
internationally recognised human rights principles, they added. UNI |
|
Panel to record evidence Lucknow, May 24 The Bench, comprising Mr Justice D.K. Trivedi, Mr Jusitce Syed Rafat Alam and Mr Justice Bhanwar Singh, in an order yesterday, deputed two separate commissions for recording the statement of Mr Deoki Nandan Agrawal, a retired high court judge and a plaintiff in one of the title suits and Mr Swarajya Prakash Gupta as “they were unable to undertake journey’’. Mr Zafaryab Jilani, counsel for the Sunni Central Board of Waqf did not oppose the application. The court nominated Mr Narendra Prasad, Additional District Judge/OSD, High Court, Lucknow Bench as Commissioner and directed that the commissioner would record the statement of Mr Agrawal at his residence in the presence of the parties and their counsel on June 16. “The Commissioner is authorised to permit not more than one person to be present to give instruction to his counsel. In view of the sensitive nature of the case, no lawyer other than the counsel for the parties may be permitted to be present at the time of recording of evidence,’’ the five-page court order says. It says that “the DM and SSP of Allahabad are directed to make necessary
arrangements for security and safety of the record as well as the Commissioner, their transportation at proper place with proper security’’. For recording the statement of Mr Swarajya Prakash Gupta, a resident of New Delhi, the court said his statement would be “recorded in the district court at Gautam Budh Nagar (NOIDA).’’ “The District Judge is directed to record the evidence of Mr Gupta himself or nominate some
Additional District Judge for recording the evidence on commission,’’ the order says, adding that the evidence would be recorded on June 28 onwards and as far as possible it would be recorded day to day.
UNI |
|
Shanmugam sworn in Pondicherry CM Pondicherry, May 24 Lt Governor Dr Rajani Rai administered the oath of office and secrecy to him. Mr Shanumugam was sworn in alone. Earlier, Chief Secretary to Pondicherry Administration T.T. Joseph read out warrant of appointment of the Mr Shanmugam as the Chief Minister by the President. This is the second time Mr Shanmugam (74,) has assumed the office. Mr Shanmugam, who has become the 12th Chief Minister of the union territory of Pondicherry, did not contest the May 10 polls to the territorial Assembly and has to get himself elected to the House within six months. He
became Chief Minister in May last year after the fall of DMK-led
coalition ministry. Then also he was not a member of the house, but
was elected from Yanam constituency which was vacated by an
independent member Malladi Krishna Rao. PTI |
|
SC to hear petitions against Jaya on June 4 New Delhi, May 24 The registry today put the matter for hearing on June 4 before a vacation bench, lawyers B.R. Kapur and Manohar Lal Sharma, who had filed the public interest litigations, said. The PILs have raised among other things the question whether a person was entitled to become Chief Minister after being disqualified to become a legislator on account of conviction and being sentenced to a term of more than two years. The petition filed by Mr Sharma said “inviting Jayalalitha to form the government had raised two vital questions — whether any convicted person has a right to hold any post of profit in the place of general importance as well as the employment of government and whether a disqualified person becoming Prime Minister or Chief Minister is constitutional”. As per Section 389 (1) of the CrPC, suspension of sentence “does not expressly speak of suspension of conviction,” he said. Seeking setting aside of the appointment of Ms Jayalalitha as Chief Minister, Mr Kapur in his petition said the Governor had “illegally appointed” her to the post in contravention of the provisions of the representation of People Act.
PTI |
|
Ex-Telecom Secy to mediate in Dabhol imbroglio New Delhi, May 24 It has appointed Mr A.V.Gokak, retired Telecom Secretary, on the negotiating committee. It has also set up a committee of senior officers of the ministries concerned to quickly examine the proposals emerging out of the negotiating committee of Maharashtra. A committee of senior officers of the ministries concerned has been setup to quickly examine the proposals emerging out of the negotiating committee. The Union Power Minister, Mr Suresh Prabhu, has confirmed the Government of India is ready to consider any worthwhile idea emerging out of the negotiating committee for the settlement of the dispute. Any proposal has to be acceptable to the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) and the Dabhol Power Company (DPC) who are the main parties to the dispute. The Centre said it would assist in the implementation of any agreed proposals, which have the support of the parties concerned. The government is of the view that a quick settlement of the dispute is essential for the power sector of Maharashtra. The Centre comes into the picture as it has given a counter-guarantee to the US-based Enron. In case of termination the liability of the Centre could be as much as $ 300 million. Relations between the Dabhol Power Company and the MSEB have deteriorated ever since the Maharashtra utility expressed its inability to buy the entire electricity generated from the plant in its first phase of operations. Lower purchases resulted in the unit cost of power going up. The Centre’s proactive approach comes at a time when there have been reports that the failed contract with Dabhol could drive away investors and hit the development of crucial infrastructure in the country. |
|
High command steps in to end HP infighting New Delhi, May 24 The high command has decided to work towards removing irritants dogging relationship between the two factions and redress the grievances of the supporters of the former Chief Minister Mr Virbhadra Singh. An important step in this direction is the decision of the high command to take an early decision on the election complaints filed with the Congress Central Election Authority (CEA) by the supporters of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. Senior Congress leader Mohsina Kidwai, who took over as general secretary in charge, Himachal Pradesh a few months ago, said today that she was expecting an early decision on the petitions filed by supporters of Mr Virbhadra Singh. Over 20 such complaints were filed with the CEA after allegations of widespread bungling were levelled by Mr Virbhadra Singh’s supporters against the supporters of Ms Vidya Stokes during the party’s organisational elections in the state. Mr Virbhadra Singh, who was in New Delhi recently, was peeved at the inordinate delay in deciding on these complaints. His supporters, who did not favour the elevation of Ms Stokes as PCC chief, have also been upset over the composition of the PCC. The high-command is simultaneously holding talks with senior leaders of the pradesh Congress to find ways to strengthen the party. Former MP Sat Mahajan, who has been the longest serving PCC chief in the state, was in New Delhi recently and met Congress President Sonia Gandhi besides Ms Kidwai and party treasurer Moti Lal Vohra. Ms Kidwai indicated today that besides Mr Virbhadra Singh, PCC chief Ms Stokes would also be called for consultations before a final decision was taken on the complaints. She said a mutually acceptable solution would be found to redress the complaints. She was optimistic about the party resolving all differences before the assembly elections in the state. |
|
Cong accuses govt
of U-turn on talks New Delhi, May 24 Senior Congress leader Natwar Singh today said the Centre had not only expressed its reservations about talking to a military regime in Pakistan but had said talks could begin only when cross-border terrorism ended. What had changed in the recent past to warrant such a change in stance from the government, Mr Natwar Singh asked. He said the government had not only decided to talk to General Musharraf but also invite him to New Delhi. He also denied that Congress president Sonia Gandhi was consulted about the government’s moves to end ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir and invite General Musharraf. “She was only informed about the decision after it had been taken,” he said. Asserting that the Congress had been supporting the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Natwar Singh claimed the government was not clear about its aims from the ceasefire. He said the Congress had always called for talks with Pakistan under the Simla Agreement and the BJP-led government was now following the same line. Calling on the government to adequately prepare for the talks, he said the Centre should be clear about what it wanted from the talks. Hinting about his party’s support to any decisions arrived at by the government in consultation with other opposition parties, he said the people of India were united in their approach to all issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir. |
|
Pakistani poet’s dream proves costly New Delhi, May 24 From all available indications, it appears that Aftab’s fate is sealed and on May 31 when his present visa for stay in India expires he may have no recourse left but to go to Pakistan from where he had to flee on March 16 last year after facing harassment and mental torture at the hands of the oppressive military regime. Aftab, who had helped in getting Mr Vajpayee’s anthology of poems, “Jang Na Hone Denge”, published in Pakistan during his historic bus journey to Lahore in February 1999 and was also given the privilege to present the book in Urdu script to the Indian Prime Minister in Governor’s house on February 22, had crossed over to India in the hope of an honourable and secure existence. On specific official advice, the Pakistani poet, whose collection of 100 poems titled “Samudra Se Pahli Mulakat” (first meeting with the sea) is about to hit the stands shortly here, had moved an application for political asylum but since then he has been running from pillar to post to know the decision. Since then, the poet has been given five visa extensions but a definitive word is yet to come. The list of doors that he has knocked for help and advice is long and includes names like Kuldip Nayyar, Kamleshwar, Khushwant Singh, L.M. Singhvi, former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral, Brajesh Mishra but official silence continues to haunt Aftab. The stock official reply which Aftab is given is that the matter is being looked into and is under consideration. Last time in March, Aftab wrote to his poet colleague Vajpayee and also included in his letter one of his latest poems titled “Khwab Mehenge Padte Hain” (dreams prove costly) in which the poet from across the border wrote of his disillusionment with the Indian officialdom succinctly. The Prime Minister’s intervention did come and he was given visa extension till May 31. Tired of waiting, Aftab also wrote to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman J.S. Verma who asked the government to give the commission a status report. When contacted, an NHRC spokesperson admitted the Government of India had sent a report which would be taken up before the commission on May 30. The Home Ministry, which is the key agency for taking the final decision on asylum applications, takes the advice of the Ministry of External Affairs before arriving at a decision. The view and the decision of the Home Ministry would be presented before the NHRC but from all available accounts Aftab’s asylum application will be turned down. Aftab, fatigued of waiting and the official apathy encountered by him, had also approached the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) which declined to intervene. When contacted, a UNHCR spokesperson told TNS the matter had been sorted out and added that “he has gone all over the place”. Last time, the Prime Minister’s word did help him but what would happen now on May 31 is yet unknown to him. May be the asylum application will be rejected as granting it may prove counter-productive in the wake of the invitation to General Musharraf. Again, a short-term visa extension may prove to be the only way out for the poet. |
|
WB CM to meet PM on May 29 Koltkata, May 24 Rather, he will seek all help and co-operation from the Centre and promise to reciprocate the same from his side. The state will definitely fight all injustice to the state. Keeping this thing in view Mr Bhattacharyya will meet Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee and Home Minister, L.K. Advani during his three-day stay in New Delhi from May 29. He will also make a courtesy call to President, K.R. Narayan on May 30. Mr Bhattacharyya’s meeting with the President in November last you could not materialise duo to President’s sudden illness. Mr Bhattacharyya, accompanied by Anil Biswas, Biman Bose, will visit Delhi on May 29 to attend the party’s politburo and central committee meetings, Jyoti Basu will also go by air. The Politburo and the central committee will review the post-poll political scenario in the country vis-a-vis their stand against the BJP as well as Congress the CPM wants all anti-communal forces including the Congress to united and fight against the BJP at the national level. Official sources say at his first meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr Bhattacharyya will demand more funds and assistance from the Centre for the state on various pending projects. He will also reiterate the state’s demand ”genuine demand” for sanctioning adequate funds for the recent food victims in Midnapore, which, so far, had been denied. At the Politburo meeting discussions will also be held on the formations of plans and programme of the anti-BJP third front of which Jyoti Basu was already made the chairperson. Basu may also meet V.P. Singh and Malayum Singh Yadav during his stay in the capital and discuss future plans and programme against the BJP and the Congress. |
|
PPCC may move court over 1998 RS poll New Delhi, May 24 Mr Rajinder Singh Sohil, coordinator of the Foreign Affairs Department of AICC, had challenged the authority of the Election Commission of India in splitting elections to the five seats of the Rajya Sabha by issuing two election schedules though the seats had fallen vacant on the same day. He had sought quashing of the notifications of March 9 and March 10, 1998. His plea had been rejected by the high court. Mr Sohil moved a special leave petition in the Supreme Court which issued an order in April this year restoring the writ petition to be heard and disposed off on merits by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Five persons, including Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Lala Lajpat Rai and Sukhbir Singh Badal (who succeeded Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard) were elected in the 1998 elections to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab. The petitioner submitted that initially proceedings were sent to the President on March 3, 1998 for filling five vacancies to the Council of States from Punjab by a common notification under Section 12 of the Representation of People’s Act, 1950. The petitioner contended that once the Election Commission had given full terms of six years to the five members elected in 1992, then further splitting the seats in subsequent polls by issuing two notifications was not legally correct. |
|
No drinking water in mandis Hanumangarh, May 24 The Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti spent lakhs of rupees for the construction of the overhead tanks. About 25 years ago, the tanks were constructed keeping in view the shortage of vehicles at the fire station to make water available for controlling fires in the mandis. The Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) has also constructed a water tank in the grain market, but because of low water pressure, the supply to the houses of the traders constructed over the shops has been erratic. Though there are nine water coolers, two installed by the traders and seven by the mandi samiti in the town mandi, because of poor supply, these are of no use. The cultivators said the supply became adequate only after the PHED filled the tanks. However, it lasted for only a day, they lamented. |
|
HC rejects Manu
Sharma’s plea New Delhi, May 24 The bail application is listed for July 9. Justice R.C. Chopra said it was not possible to fix the petition for an early hearing. Manu had filed the application for an early hearing of his bail petition after three star eye-witnesses retracted from their statements given to the police during the recording of their testimony. Three key witnesses — Shyam Munshi, Shiv Das and Karan Rajput turned hostile before the trial court earlier this month. On March 13, the court had upheld a trial court’s murder charge against Manu Sharma but declined CBI permission to frame additional charges. The investigating agency had sought the framing of additional charges for criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence against Manu Sharma and others. Ramp model Jessica Lal was shot dead allegedly by Manu Sharma on April 30, 1999, when she refused to serve him a drink at socialite Bina Ramani’s Tamarind Court restaurant in Mehrauli. After the shooting, Manu Sharma had fled to Chandigarh. Later, he surrendered to the Delhi Police.
|
|
DRI
opposes plea of Afghan national New Delhi, May 24 Justice R.C. Chopra reserved his order on the regular bail plea of Agha in the DRI case, while extending his interim anticipatory bail till June 20. Meanwhile, CBI counsel A.K. Dutt told the court that the investigation in to the case registered by the agency in connection with the smuggling racket would take some time. He, however, said Agha was cooperating with the investigating agency in probing the matter. The
High Court had granted interim anticipatory bail to Agha on May 21
while directing him to cooperate with the CBI and the DRI in
investigating the matter. Opposing Agha’s application for regular
bail, DRI counsel Satish Agarwal said he was the “kingpin” of the
smuggling chain. Uzbek woman Olga Kozireva, arrested in this
connection, was acting only as a “carrier”, he said. |
|
Advani to open Heart Centre today Ghaziabad, May 24 The multi-speciality hospital would provide the latest diagnosis techniques, simulation, planning, treatment, surgeries and therapy of the diseases related to heart at a very reasonable rate, Brig (Dr) Mohan said in a press conference here last evening. Located at a few kilometres from the eastern border of Delhi, the hospital aimed to provide services to all without any distinction of caste, creed, race, religion and language, he said, adding that the poor patients would be treated free of cost or on concessional basis. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 121 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
