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Friday,
January 18, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Jaya to file papers on Jan 24
Mayawati’s decision causes flutter Pakistan airlines staff get marching orders Truck with IAF munitions traced Farmers
resent installation of power meters |
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Patna, January 17 Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi today briefly called on Tibetan spiritual, leader the Dalai Lama and inquired about his health. The Tibetan monk was flown to Bodh Gaya on a Bihar Government helicopter. Kissinger in India on peace mission
Bid to attack Sai Baba foiled
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Jaya to file papers on Jan 24 Chennai, January 17 Addressing a press conference here, she dismissed as “untrue” the charge of the estranged allies that the AIADMK was responsible for the collapse of the secular front. The AIADMK had not done anything to break the front, she said. “In fact we have given our allies excessive concessions.” On the TMC’s charge that it was not consulted before the AIADMK took a decision to take away the Rajya Sabha seat, fallen vacant due to the death of its founder G.K. Moopanar, she said the TMC did not approach her for the seat. Describing reports of the AIADMK coming closer to the BJP as “creation of media,” Ms Jayalalithaa said she was not for a confrontation with the Centre in the interests of the state. The AIADMK, as an independent party, would take decisions on supporting or opposing the NDA government based only on issues, she said. She said she would be filing her papers for the Andipatti byelections to the state assembly on January 24. She added that the LTTE’s request for providing shelter to its idealogue Anton Balasingham on the Indian soil to negotiate with the Sri Lankan Government was one such issue, adding that the AIADMK opposed “tooth and nail” the entry of the banned outfit. On the reinduction of Defence Minister George Fernandes into the Union Cabinet, she said, “It could have been avoided until the outcome of the enquiry” (Venkataswamy commission probing the Tehelka episode). On the Opposition alleging a conspiracy in the Election Commission’s decision on retaining the Andipatti byelection schedule while postponing that in Saidapet and Vaniyambadi, Ms Jayalalithaa said such criticism against the commission would only belittle a body established under the Constitution. Asked about the prospects of formation of a third front in the state, she said, “We have to wait and watch”. On the Left parties’ charge that the AIADMK government was adopting anti-people policies, she said they were opposing each and every step taken by the government. Ms Jayalalithaa dismissed as a non-issue the agitation for the re-installation of the statue of Kannagi, the heroine of the Tamil classic, “Silappadhikaram”, on the Marina beach here.
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Mayawati’s decision causes flutter Saharanpur, January 17 The Saharanpur district situated at the foothills of Shivalik range has become a citadel of the BSP from 1996 Assembly polls. It was in 1996 that Ms Mayawati proved her mettle here by scoring 84647 votes after defeating the Samajwadi candidate who polled 57229 votes. She again won Harora (R) seat in a byelection in 1998 and polled 46737 votes against 30391 scored by the BJP. In fact the BSP has experienced a phenomenal rise in its vote bank and support after the arrival of Mayawati on the scene. For instance in the 1991 Assembly elections Ms Bimla Rakesh of the Congress won this seat by getting 48644 votes. The BJP then polled 40692 votes and wrested the seat from the Congress. The BSP was nowhere on the scene during that period. But immediately afterwards in 1996 poll, Ms Mayawati won the seat surprising with the total votes polled. In fact, Harora (R) had all along been a very safe seat for women candidates. It was from 1967 to 1974 that Ms Shakuntla Devi of the Congress had been winning this seat. From 1977 to 1991, Ms Bimla Rakesh maintained hold on the voters. Only in 1993, the seat was won by the BJP. The arrival of Ms Mayawati on the political scene of Western U.P. has radically changed the situation. Even caste equations have undergone a change in favour of the BSP. During the 1996 poll, not only the BSP chief won the Harora (R) seat but it also captured the adjoining Nagal constituency also. Nagal seat had been in the kitty of the BJP prior to that. Ms Mayawati factor counted in Muzzaffarbad and Deoband also. Ms Mayawati consolidated the Harijan and backward votes behind the BSP. Serious inroads were made in into the BJP support in Saharanpur district. The gains made by the BSP were more embarrassing for the Samajwadi party as its state chief, Mr Ram Sharan Dass belongs to Saharanpur. In Deoband Assembly seat, the BSP registered 20.4 per cent of the votes in its favour. The Muzzaffarbad seat was contested by the BSP for the first time in 1996. It secured second position then. Ms Mayawati’s political strategy had consolidated the gain of the BSP in Nukkar and Sarsawa constituencies too. In the 1996 byelection in Nukkar constituency, the BSP candidate got third position where it used to be in zero category prior to that. |
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Pakistan airlines staff get marching orders Mumbai, January 17 The PIA Employees Association has challenged what they call the “hasty decision” of the PIA and sought the Labour Commissioner’s intervention to initiate action against the PIA for breach of trust. The letters, however, promise compensation under the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, a month’s wages in lieu of notice, gratuity and other legal dues, if any. Sources in the 24-year-old PIA Employees Association said the letters came within 48 hours of their refusal to accept termination letters handed over to them by a consultant chartered accountant. The breach of trust by the PIA has provoked the association to petition the Labour Commissioner afresh. In its last hearing before the Labour Commissioner on January 14, the Cargo Manager of PIA said they were not closing for the time being and were awaiting instructions from their heaquarters in Karachi. One such letter sent to the Accounts Supervisor, Wasim Ahmed Khan at his residence in Masjid Bandar reads: “Consequent to the decision taken by the Government of India to suspend all flights of Pakistan International Airlines operating from Indian airports and/or flying over Indian airspace, we are constrained to close down our business and scheduled operation with effect from midnight December 31,2001. Consequently, your services stand terminated with effect from the close of working hours of January 15. Therefore, you are being paid compensation in terms of the provisions in Section 25 (FFF) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, along with one month wages in lieu of notice, your other legal dues, if any, including gratuity etc will also be settled in due course. We thank you for the service rendered by you to our organisation.” Mr Khan who is the lone bread winner says the compensation amounted up to only Rs 5.5 lakh. “I’m 40-year-old and still have 18 years of service. After putting 15 years, I will get only Rs 2.5 lakh (arrears after IT deduction) and Rs 3 lakh PF from the PIAEPF Trust. |
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Truck with IAF munitions traced Gandhinagar, January 17 An IAF spokesman in Delhi said the truck apparently developed mechanical problems and for a short while got separated from a convoy of six vehicles. It was located and escorted by the IAF to the Nalia airbase with the ammunition intact. Kheda District Superintendent of Police Manoj Agrawal said the vehicle was traced in Kutch at about 1.30 p.m. It might have reached there before the rest of the convoy, he added. Earlier, the vehicle’s “disappearance” caused a flutter in Gujarat with the authorities and the police being alerted. Minister of State for Home and Border Security Gordhan Jhadafia said here the truck was part of a convoy of six privately owned trucks, each having two armed guards of the IAF. These were carrying explosives from the Amla depot of the IAF in Madhya Pradesh to the Nalia airbase. On their way to Nalia, one of these trucks went missing at Matar in Kheda district in eastern Gujarat. The police said those accompanying the convoy, including the driver of the said truck, Ram Avtar, had stopped for a while for snacks and tea at Matar in the wee hours. After they resumed their journey, the truck went missing. The minister said it was surprising that explosives meant for the IAF’s airbase were being carried in a privately owned truck.
UNI |
Farmers
resent installation of power meters Hanumangarh,
January 17 The cultivators, who had been paying Rs 2,700 as flat
rate, will have to pay the electricity bills according to the
consumption now. The district gets irrigation water mainly from the
Indira Gandhi and Bhakhra canals. Irrigation and agriculture officials
had earlier informed the cultivators about the possible shortage of
water for rabi crop. The cultivators, however, sowed seeds in large
quantity in the hope of irrigating the crop with the help of tubewells,
but the decision of the commission has shattered their hopes. Sources
said tubewells were the only alternative to canals in the district and
most of these were on flat rates. The Electricity Regulation
Commission has ordered to end the flat rate system. The commission has
ordered all electricity supply corporations to install meters to
record the consumption of units. Preparations are being made to
implement the orders. In the Nohar, Bhadra and Rawatsar areas where
famine has occurred for the fourth consecutive year, tubewells are the
only means of irrigation as water supply through canals is
meagre. Similarly, tubewells are installed at Sangaria, Tibbi and
Pilibangan and at the district headquarter itself. There are about
5000 tubewells in the district. The department has issued notices to
the cultivators regarding installation of meters and warned that the
supply will be disconnected if the orders are not followed. The
cultivators complained had the department taken the decision prior to
the sowing of crop, they would have sown the area depending upon their
capacity to pay bills. Mr Rampartap, BJP MLA of the area, said the
cultivators would not be able to pay a single bill if they were made
to pay according to the units consumed. He said the bill would amount
to about Rs 14,000, according to the new system. The MLA along with a
delegation has met the SE of the electricity department and submitted
a memorandum opposing the decision. He warned that a movement against
the decision would be started if it was not withdrawn within 15 days.
The cultivators of about 10 villages staged a demonstration a few days
ago to protest against the decision. |
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Rabri Devi meets Dalai Lama Patna, January 17 The Tibetan monk was flown to Bodh Gaya on a Bihar Government helicopter. The Dalai Lama, who was scheduled to take the road to Bodh Gaya, was later flown for security reasons. Official sources said here today that the step came after receiving reports about a threat to the monk’s life. Earlier, a team of physicians, including Patna Civil Surgeon A.K. Mishra and Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology Director S.N. Mishra, examined the spiritual leader here and allowed him to undertake the journey. The Dalai Lama’s journey was rescheduled for security reasons and he was brought here from Rajgir cancelling his trip to Bodh Gaya on Monday. However, the Nobel Laureate fell ill complaining of pain in the lower abdomen and had to stay here for three days. After examination, the Dalai Lama was found to be suffering from gastric afflictions and blood pressure and advised bed rest. The spiritual leader, who believes in Ayurveda and depends entirely on herbal medicines, had to take allopathic medicines for a rapid recovery.
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Kissinger in India on peace mission New Delhi, January 17 Talking to reporters after an hour-long meeting with Mr Advani at the latter’s North Block office, the former US Secretary of State said he was here to
"educate myself and not to push through any politics.” Mr Kissinger said he favoured a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue and beginning of a new relationship between India and Pakistan. He extended strong support to the Indian government for playing constructive role in the fight against terrorism and pointed out that the USA had already made it clear that it was opposed to state-sponsored terrorism “no matter where it emanates from.” |
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Bid to attack Sai Baba foiled Bangalore, January 17 According to the police, Somasundaram, hailing from Hosur taluk in Tamil Nadu was apprehended by the ashram volunteers when he pulled out an air pistol while Sai Baba was giving darshan to devotees. Later, he was handed over to the Kadugodi police. “Sai Baba is safe”, the police said. Somasundaram, who had masqueraded as a devotee and was sitting in the third row, stood up when the godman came close during the public darshan. Even as Somasundaram pulled out the air pistol, the Seva Dal volunteers pounced on him and overpowered him. According to police sources, he was being interrogated for the motive behind the attempt. Security at Whitefield had been tightened following the recent alleged Libration Tiger Tamil Elem threat to the godman.
UNI |
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India to seek Rastogi’s extradition New Delhi, January 17 Extradition papers will he sent to the Scotland Yard police through diplomatic route through the Ministry of External Affairs. |
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