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Sunday,
May 27, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Steps to prevent ammo
fires Railways to upgrade
security ‘Inaccuracies in history books to go’ Whale
shark gets protected
status |
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NCW drafting Bill on sexual
harassment Centre rejects world report on
dams
CPM to monitor performance of govt WB Oppn demands Dy Speaker’s
post RJD MLA beats up poll
officer 12 inducted into Antony
ministry MSEB pays April bill to
Dabhol House team leaves for
Mexico Sanjeev Nanda’s plea to go abroad dismissed Woman sacrifices tenant’s son Ivory racket busted, 4 held Ashutosh
Rana weds Renuka Shahane
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Steps to prevent ammo fires New Delhi, May 26 Following three fires within a year at ammunition depots — Bharatpur, Ferozepore and recently, Birdhwal — the ministry is taking all steps to strengthen preventive measures to reduce the chances of accidents. It admitted that over the past 30 years there was very little capital expenditure on creating the necessary infrastructure for storage of ammunition. “This aspect was, in fact, neglected. In consequence, availability of covered storage facilities could not at all keep pace with the increase of requirements in this regard,” the ministry said in a statement. According to reports, more than 60 per cent of ammunition in the depots are kept uncovered for want of storage space. At Birdhwal, all sorts of ammunition was destroyed in the fire. Meanwhile, the ministry denied statements attributed to the Rajasthan Chief Minister, Mr Rajesh Gehlot, that his government had no official news either from the Ministry of Defence or from the local Army headquarters about the fire breaking out at the ammunition sub-depot at Birdhwal near Suratgarh on May 24. “This is wholly incorrect...there was full communication and coordinated action between the agencies of the state government and the Army authorities concerned,” the ministry said. Within an hour of the fire starting at 12.15 p.m., the District Magistrate of Hanumangarh, and shortly thereafter, the District Magistrates of Suratgarh and Bikaner were contacted by the Corps Headquarters, seeking assistance in the fire-fighting operations. Only such assistance was thereafter utilised by the Army as was considered necessary. The officials of the state government and the Ministry of Defence were in regular telephonic contact as per the standard norms of the prescribed procedure for cooperation between the civil and the military officials.
UNI |
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Railways to upgrade security New Delhi, May 26 Accidents at unmanned level-crossings were three times more than those at manned ones and accidents at “signalled” level-crossings practically “nil”, official sources said. They said under the action plan, it was proposed to provide signalling at 1,063 busy level-crossings, 1,521 telephones at manned crossings, 2700 lifting barriers instead of leaf gates at the level-crossings, as also to convert 4,449 unmanned level-crossings into manned ones. Efforts were also on for the development of a safety device (TAWD) actuated by approaching trains which would activate warning bell/hooter at the level-crossings. Besides, real-time train management and passenger information systems were being installed for improving safety. The train management system (TMS), at present under installation in Mumbai, would automatically provide real-time train arrival/departure information to the public through display screens at station platforms and also through the internet, the sources said. The automatic signalling on main line sections had already been provided on heavy density routes or short sections around major cities like Agra, Allahabad, Ambala and Tundla, the sources said. Besides, several new steps for modernisation of signalling and telecom system had been initiated in recent years. A new approach on predictive maintenance to monitor health of signalling equipment using data loggers and micro-processors was being introduced. The introduction of coloured light signalling and second distant signal, track circuiting, interlocking of level-crossings and provision of relay interlocking/electronic interlocking at stations were making “significant contribution in reducing collision between trains,” the sources added.
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‘Inaccuracies in history books to go’ New Delhi, May 26 Speaking at the fifth Rishabhdev Awards presentation ceremony in neighbouring
Ghaziabad, Dr Joshi said the government had launched the exercise to remove various misrepresentations in history books and would complete it shortly.
Shobhana Jain, special correspondent, UNIVARTA, was given the Rishabhanchal Award for her outstanding contribution to journalism while noted Jain scholar Veer Sagar Jain was given the Rishabh Award. Among those present at the function were Jain Sadhvi Maan Shri
Kaushal, former Uttar Pradesh Governor Motilal Vohra, Uttar Pradesh’s Basic Education Minister Baleshwar
Tyagi, Times of India group’s Vice-President Ramesh Chandra Jain and Rishabhanchal Trust members Dalchand
Jain, J.K. Jain and Jitendra Kumar Jain. |
| Whale
shark gets
protected
status New Delhi, May 26 Mr Vivek Menon, executive director, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), a wildlife conservation NGO, told TNS here today that the organisation had been lobbying for the protection of the rare fish for almost a year. “ The WTI is extremely pleased that the government is taking a pro-active step for the conservation of an endangered species.” Mr Menon said the NGO’s associate, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, has also been campaigning for the protection of the whale in South Africa, Australia and other parts of the world. “The whale is endangered right through the range the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. The liver of the fish is used to extract oil,” he said. Mr Ashok Kumar, senior adviser and trustee, WTI, said he got the good news from the Ministry of Environment and Forests. “They said the proposal had been approved and would be notified soon,” he said. Mr Ashok Kumar said for the past three years, there had been reports that the whale was being killed by fishermen in huge quantities. |
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NCW drafting Bill on sexual
harassment New Delhi, May 26 Sources in the commission said the Supreme Court guidelines in the Vishaka case and the inputs received during meetings with public sector undertakings including public sector banks, would help in making the draft Bill more meaningful and practical. The commission began holding meetings with public sector undertakings in November. More than 100 organisations attended the meetings conducted in the past few months. Six major areas were addressed at the meetings. Participants deliberated on issues such as complaints committees, their composition, the nature of complaints and how these were tackled, comments, and experiences of these organisations and the grey areas which needed to be attended to in order to arrive at a clear understanding of the issue. |
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Centre rejects world report on
dams New Delhi, May 26 Mr L.C. Jain, Vice-Chairman of the commission and former member of the Planning Commission, said here last evening that the Water Resources Development Ministry sent a letter to the commission saying it was rejecting the report ‘Dams and development: a new framework for decision-making’. The WCD was set up in 1998 with support from the World Bank and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) to discuss the contentious issue of construction of big dams. The commission represented all sections, including dam makers, its opponents, government representatives and technical experts. He urged the government to first study the report and then decide on it. The report did not say whether large dams should be built or not in future but only provide the rationale for a fundamental shift in option assessment in planning and project cycles for water and energy resources development. It advocated an inclusive process in decision-making by bringing to the table all those whose rights were involved and who corried the risk associated with different options for water and energy resources. Officials of the Water Resources Development Ministry boycotted a three-day meeting, which concluded here today, to discuss the report. Even representatives of the Home, Environment and Forests Ministries did not participate in the meeting due to “personal reasons”. Though no official reason was given for rejecting the report, ostensibly the reason appears to be Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar being a member of the commission. The report, which was released by Mr Nelson Mandela in November last year, has been accepted by many countries all over the world with Sri Lanka and Brazil setting up a commission at the national level while Pakistan has sought IUCN’s assistance in its implementation. He said India should not reject this crucial and historic report just because of the “whims and fancies” of some bureaucrats. The commission has recommended decentralisation of the decision-making process and said dams should be constructed only after “prior consent” of the people who will be displaced by it. All options should be weighed and costs calculated before deciding what was a suitable method to meet water needs of people, he said. Ms Patkar said the social and environment costs should also be calculated while constructing big dams as these were often overlooked. She highlighted underperformance of big dams and said often they failed to fulfil the promises made during their construction. Moreover, they generally served the interests of the urban rich while displacing indigenous and tribal population who also had a right on their resources, she said.
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CPM to monitor performance of govt Kolkata, May
26 Mr Jyoti Basu was the main speaker at the briefing of ministers in which Biman Bose and Anil
Biswas, both Politburo and Central Committee members took part, Chief Minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharya also participate in the discussion. This was the first time since 1982 that such ministerial meeting at the CPM party office had taken place. In 1977 when the Left Front government came to power for the first time, the CPM secretary, Promod Das Gupta used to call the ministers individually from time to time at the party office and monitor their performances. But after his death, the system was stopped. The then Chief Minister, Mr Jyoti Basu also did not like the ministers be called frequently called at the party office for briefing. But now the same system has been re-introduced as the leadership feels the system would result in better functioning of the government with direct involvement of the party in it. After yesterday meeting, Mr Anil Biswas said they would soon meet the ministers of various partners of the front and exchange views on functioning. The system would remain in force. He said the ministers at yesterday’s meeting were told what they should do and what not. A 10-point guideline was also handed over to the ministers. Mr Biman Bose said the party would review not only the ministerial performances but also take appropriate steps. He said in the new government, most of the old ministers had been allowed to retain their earlier portfolios but in future, there could be change in the portfolios on the basis of performance. Ministers might also lose their job if their performances are not upto the mark. The CPM’s state committee has welcomed the party’s decision of holding meeting with the ministers. But major partners of the front namely, the
RSP, the Forward Bloc and the CPI did not like idea of calling the ministers frequently at Alimuddin Street for briefing Mr Ashoke
Ghose, secretary, FB state unit, criticised that the step would reflect high-handedness and big-brotherly attitude of the
CPM. RSP leader, Debarato Bandopadhyya, the erstwhile minister of Mr Jyoti Basu’s government for long 24 years, felt the system would demoralise a minister and also hamper proper functioning of the government. He suggested the Chief Minister would monitor personally performances of the ministers individually as Mr Jyoti Basu used to do. The Chief Minister would maintain contact with the party and take briefing if necessary from the party in the government functioning and the individual would be accountable to the Chief Minister. He felt this system would yield better results in the government’s functioning and avoid misunderstandings among the partners of the Left Front. |
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WB Oppn demands Dy Speaker’s
post Kolkata, May 26 The newly-constituted Assembly at its first meeting on June 14 will elect the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker. CPM MLA, Hasim Abdul Halim will be the candidate for the Speaker’s post. He has been holding the post since 1982. Forward Bloc MLA, Anil Mukherjee will be the candidate for the Deputy Speaker’s post once again this time. He also held the post in the last Assembly. Both the Congress and the Trinamool Congress have demanded separately that as in the Lok Sabha, in the Assembly, the Deputy Speaker’s post should be held by the Opposition, a demand which the Speaker-designate had accepted in principle. The matter, however, will be
decided by the CPM and other Left Front partners. Chief Minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharya who had already sought the help and co-operation of the Opposition in the running the government, favoured the Opposition’s demand for the Deputy Speaker’s post. But the decision will have to be taken jointly at a meeting with the various partners of the front. If the Opposition’s demand is ultimately accepted by the Left Front, then the Congress will elect Mr Gyan Singh Sohanpal, sitting MLA since 1972 as its candidate. Mr Sohanpal’s candidature has also been accepted by a section of the MLAs belonging to the Trinamool Congress. But Mr Pankaj Banerjee, TC leader in the Assembly, said they would field Mr Abdul Karim Chowdhury, another veteran Congress MLA, now in the TC, as their candidate. A final decision in this regard, however, would be taken after consultation with the party supremo Ms Mamata Banerjee, he said. On the first day of the Assembly on June 14, after the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the Governor will formally open the House by addressing the MLAs. The post-budget session will continue till the end of July and during the session, the state’s “full-budget” for 2001-2002 will be presented by the Finance Minister, Mr Asim Dasgupta. Prior to the election, an interim vote on accounts was passed in the last Assembly. In the current session, several other important Bills will also be placed for approval. |
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RJD MLA beats up poll
officer Patna, May 26 The thrashing of the BDO on Friday comes in the series of attempts made by the ruling party MLAs and ministers to influence the results of the Panchayat polls in the favour of their relatives and supporters. Mr Prabhudayal Singh beat the BDO as he refused to follow his diktat. The MLA was insisting on him to issue the certificate of victory to a candidate of Mukhiya seat from Domanpur Panchyat without checking with the official process. The candidate is the son-in-law of the brother of the MLA. The BDO refused the certificate as the case was pending at the State Election Commission (SEC) owing to its breach of rule related to the voting percentage. The counting for the Panchayat poll had taken place on May 16 and it was found that the voting percentage was 100 per cent. As per the rules laid down earlier by the SEC, the Returning Officer had to take the guidance of the Commission first before issuing the certificate to the winning candidate. The BDO tried to reason out with the MLA about the SEC guidelines and the fact that the ESC had put a hold on the issuance of the certificate. The MLA however reportedly showed him some piece of paper saying it was the papers procured from the SEC. |
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12 inducted into Antony ministry Thiruvananthapuram, May 26 Of the new ministers sworn in today, eight are from the Congress, three from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and one from the Kerala Congress (M). Governor Justice S.S. Kang administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at Raj Bhavan. The Congress ministers included in the ministry are K. Sanakaranarayanan, Kadavur Sivadasan, M.M. Hassan, K.V. Thomas, M.A. Kuttappan, G. Karthikeyan, P. Sankaran and K. Sudhakaran. The IUML nominees are M.K. Muneer, Nalakath Soopy and Cherkalam Abdulla. KC (M)’s C.F. Thomas also took oath. Chief Minister A.K. Antony, senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran, his son, KPCC President K. Muraleedharan, IUML President Panakkad Shihab Thangal, convener of the Opposition LDF V.S. Achuthanandan and former Speaker M. Vijayakumar were present. The strength of the previous LDF ministry was 14. Though the portfolios of the eight Congress ministers are yet to be decided, IUML’s M.K. Muneer is expected to get Public Works, Nalakath Soopy Education and Cherkalam Abdulla Local Administration. Mr Antony, along with seven of his UDF colleagues, were sworn in on May 17 after the landslide victory of the front in the May 10 elections.
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MSEB pays April bill to Dabhol Mumbai, May 26 A cheque for Rs 136.87 crore was deposited directly in the DPC account yesterday after DPC officials refused to accept it, saying a reply was needed first to the MSEB notice served on May 24 seeking termination of the power purchase agreement (PPA). Yesterday was the last date for the payment of the bill. “To avoid being a defaulter, the MSEB directly deposited the cheque in the DPC account,” MSEB sources said. The MSEB would continue to pay the monthly bills “in protest” as the DPC had failed to pay Rs 401 crore demanded by the former for ‘misdeclaration and default’ on power supplied on January 28. The state electricity board is planning to demand another Rs 400 crore as default charges from the DPC for the power on February 13 and March 29, as per the PPA. The board has also filed a petition before the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) seeking its intervention on the matter. The DPC has filed a suit in the International Court of Arbitration in London against the non-payment of the December and January bills by the MSEB. The state government had appointed a “re-negotiation” committee under the chairmanship of former bureaucrat Madhav Godbole nearly a month ago. The meeting of the committee will be held on May 29 at the MSEB office in south Mumbai.
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House team leaves for
Mexico New Delhi, May 26 A Press note issued by the Speaker’s office here today said this was the first visit of an Indian parliamentary delegation to Mexico. The Speaker left for Mexico today. The delegation includes Mr S. Jaipal Reddy, Mr Jagadmabi Prasad
Yadav, Mr P.R. Kyndiah, Mr Bhartuhari Mahtab and Mr B.K. Parthasarathi (members of the Lok
Sabha) and Mr Sanghapriya Gautam and Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi (members of the Rajya
Sabha). The delegation will hold talks with various dignitaries of the host country on aspects of bilateral relations. The delegation will meet the President of Mexico, Presidents of both Houses of the Mexican Parliament, besides Presidents of the ruling and Opposition parties. |
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Sanjeev Nanda’s plea to go abroad dismissed New Delhi, May 26 Additional Sessions Judge
P. K. Bhasin dismissed the plea of Nanda, grandson of former Naval chief, Admiral
S. M. Nanda, while accepting the contention of the prosecution that he being a British national should not be allowed to leave the country.
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Woman sacrifices tenant’s son Karimnagar (AP), May 26 The woman, G. Pochamma, allegedly killed an 11-month-old Naveen, son of her tenant, and threw the body into the tank, where it was found on Thursday, they said. The incident came to light yesterday when local villagers, infuriated over the act, ransacked the house of Pochamma in Ramakrishna colony suspecting her alleged involvement in the killing. The parents of the victim have alleged that their son, who was missing since Wednesday, was sacrificed by the landlady in the mistaken belief that she would achieve prosperity, attain spiritual powers and also acquire hidden treasure, the police said. Pochamma has been taken into custody and was being interrogated, the police said, adding that tension prevailed in the Ramakrishna colony.
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Ivory racket busted, 4 held New Delhi, May 26 The accused, Om Prakash, Hanif, Hannan, alias Raja and Hazir Khan, procured the ivory, wildlife skins and other items from Corbet National Park near Roorki and Dudwha National Park near Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, the police said. The police recovered one skin of leopard, two pieces of ivory worth Rs 5 lakh and one antique of Lord Buddha from possession of the accused. When the accused were arrested they were going in a car to sell the
items in Rajender Place. |
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