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Thursday,
July 11, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Did
Alexander quit as he felt used? ABVP
activists gherao Sahgal Anita Arya may be Gen Secy Indo-US
JWG meeting today |
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Vaiko’s
arrest under POTA imminent Jaswant
goes by rule book Accreditation
of scribe withdrawn Iraq
backs India on Kashmir Mr Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum
and Natural Gas, at a meeting with Iraq President Saddam Hussain during his visit to Iraq to co-chair the 15th Indo-Iraq Joint Commission Meeting in
Baghdad on Wednesday. — PTI photo Symposium
on safety and care of air passengers Shotgun
for special session on HIV Laloo
bows to Rabri on minister’s issue Cong objects to
Gill’s remarks Sagars’
new serial on Star Plus
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Did Alexander quit as he felt used? Mumbai, July 10 At 83, after a distinguished career as civil servant, diplomat and Governor, Mr Alexander was in sound health. His thinking was sharp and clear and he was ready to take up the challenges thrown up by the Presidency of India. Who would say ‘no’ to the top job, particularly when it was offered by the ruling political clique which felt it had the requisite number of votes? Mr Alexander’s diligence, discipline and impartiality had been praised by the BJP and, more so, the Shiv Sena. He felt that these qualities spurred the NDA partners to offer him the top job and, perhaps, ignored the rider that a Christian President would make it all the more difficult for another Christian, Ms Sonia Gandhi, to become Prime Minister. Today, it is clear that the NDA chose Mr Alexander only because of that consideration. It dumped him when the Telugu Desam protested and came up with a Muslim candidate, Dr Abdul Kalam. The Maharashtra Governor must have understood the discomfiture of the Sonia Gandhi-led Congress at his choice as the presidential candidate. He had been closer to the first family than several political leaders. Yet, the ambition to reach Rashtrapati Bhavan as the crowning glory of a glittering career drove away other considerations. As someone, who, at the end of his career as a civil servant had been offered plum jobs without ever having asked for them, Mr Alexander readily accepted this offer too. The NDA’s sudden turnaround must have come as a shock. Dr Abdul Kalam, a total outsider with no experience in government, had pipped him to the post. The NDA government made a mess of the nomination process. There were too many communication gaps. Only the Shiv Sena continued to maintain that Mr Alexander was the ideal man for the top job. The Governor had every reason to look forward to a tenure at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Barring the incumbent, Mr K.R. Narayanan, no one was better qualified for the job. Mr Alexander had been impeccably correct in observing constitutional proprieties in Maharashtra. Strangely enough, the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance reciprocated when it ruled the state and there were no clashes between Raj Bhavan and Mantralaya. Mr Alexander enjoyed an excellent personal rapport with Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, his son Udhav called the Governor, a ‘rare gem’. He used his administrative experience in studying the problems of the state, toured all districts and suggested solutions to problems. It was only because of Mr Alexander’s personal reputation that the Sena did not take to the streets when the Governor offered 10 days’ time to the shaky Vilasrao Deshmukh government to prove its majority in the House during the recent political turmoil in the state. The decision could not have been challenged constitutionally. Knowing Mr Alexander, it is impossible that he resigned to bargain for fresher pastures in the government. There was only one thing missing from his glittering career, the Presidency. Mr Alexander would have gracefully accepted the inevitable if he had not been nominated for the post initially. But the shabby way his candidature was thrown out must have hurt him. His resignation could be a boon to the BJP-Sena alliance in Maharashtra where it had been rooting for power. The NDA government could appoint a more flexible person, even a Sangh Parivar stalwart to succeed him and put him in charge of the state during the next Assembly elections. It may be true that Mr Alexander was prepared to carry the label of being the favourite candidate of the Shiv Sena though he had nothing to do with the Sena ideology. He may, hopefully, at a later date explain his ‘cosy’ relationship with Mr Bal Thackeray. The Government had not given any clue as to why he had resigned. Perhaps, we should wait for a detailed explanation when he sits down to pen his memoirs. He may well call the book, ‘The Dumping Game’. |
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ABVP activists gherao Sahgal Mumbai, July 10 About 20 ABVP activists tried to block Capt Sahgal’s entry to the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh premises in South Mumbai where the octogenarian was scheduled to address a press conference. The activists were arrested. At the conference, Capt Sahgal said she had no intention of apologising for her comments. “I do not say things to apologise later. Savarkar tendered an apology to the British when India was still a British Colony,” she said. Asked whether she foresaw any more trouble due to these comments, Capt Sahgal said: “Only bullies and cowards resort to such acts. Let me see how much such trouble they create for me.”
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Anita Arya may be Gen Secy New Delhi, July 10 While Mr Sanjay Joshi, who was made General Secretary by former BJP President K. Jana Krishnamurthi is likely to retain his position, former Law Minister Arun Jaitley and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Rajnath Singh are tipped to become General Secretaries. For the fifth General Secretary’s post, quite a few names are doing the rounds and among them are Mr M.A. Naqvi from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra leaders Bal Apte and Gopinath Munde and Leader of the Opposition in Bihar Sushil Modi. For the BJP Secretary’s post the name of BJP Yuva Morcha Chief Shivraj Singh Chauhan is doing the rounds. Among other likely changes is the elevation of Mr Maya Singh, who was the General Secretary and recently entered the Rajya Sabha, as Vice-President. When contacted, Mr Naidu said “there could be some surprises in the new office-bearers team.” He said: “My idea is to strike a balance between youth and experience...But this does not mean senior leaders in the party will be packed out altogether.” The BJP President indicated that while some senior party functionaries could lose their positions, they would still be given major responsibilities in the party. Stating that he had completed his consultation process with senior leaders and other party functionaries, including Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, with regard to the office-bearers, Mr Naidu said he would probably finalise the names by tomorrow. He also indicated that some more ministers in the Atal Behari Vajpayee’s Cabinet could be brought in to the party. “The Prime Minister has given me a free hand to bring any of his Cabinet colleagues for the party work,” he said. Since yesterday Mr Naidu has began a major consultation process with leaders of different states, especially Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. He is likely to have a second round of meeting with Rajasthan leaders tomorrow evening. |
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Indo-US JWG meeting today New Delhi, July 10 The Indian delegation led by Joint Secretary (USA and Canada) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Jayant Prasad will also be working on sharing of intelligence to securing the airspace of the two countries as well as getting an update on adopting of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. At the meeting, to be co-chaired by Mr Francis Taylor, coordinator for counter-terrorism in the US State Department, the two sides will also discuss the “roadmaps for future cooperation” in several other fields related to counter-terrorism. The stress of the Indian delegation will be on finalising the dates for the visit of a high level Indian Army delegation to the USA for a workshop on weapons of mass destruction, which will be a new initiative between India and the USA. The workshop will be of an immense importance for the Army as it begins to prepare itself for a nuclear-biological-chemical warfare scenario, specially keeping in mind the present security situation in the sub-continent. Besides officials from the MEA, the delegation will also include senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Army, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), National Security Council Secretariat and intelligence agencies. The BCAS official and his counterparts from the US side will “exchange notes” on securing their skies and safeguarding their aircraft against hijack. The BCAS was brought into the Indo-US cooperation during the last meeting of the Indo-US JWG on terrorism in New Delhi in January. The meeting will also discuss military-to-military counter-terrorism cooperation. A Major General from the Army and a Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Defence are part of the delegation. Armies of India and the USA recently had a joint exercise of their special forces, and India is acquiring some equipment for its commandos from the USA. The dates for the visit of an Indian technical team to the USA for identifying the hi-tech sensors to be deployed along the LoC is also to be finalised during the meeting. |
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Vaiko’s arrest under POTA imminent Chennai, July 10 Protesting the move to arrest Vaiko, MDMK leaders said here the party workers would picket at various places in the city on Friday in the event of Vaiko’s arrest. MDMK South Chennai district secretary K. Thyagarajan accused the AIADMK Government of “political vendetta” by invoking POTA. In a late night development yesterday, Thirumangalam Judicial Magistrate S. Venkatachalapathy issued an arrest warrant against Vaiko. The arrest warrant against Vaiko came the same day the police invoked POTA for the first time in Tamil Nadu, arresting eight MDMK men, remanding them in 30 days’ judicial custody. Vaiko had been charged with making pro-LTTE utterances at a public meeting at Thirumangalam near Madurai on June 29, where he allegedly said he had supported the banned LTTE yesterday and would support it today and tomorrow. The Magistrate had first declined to issue a warrant against Vaiko, though he issued warrants against eight other members of the MDMK, but he later issued the arrest warrant against Vaiko after the Tamil Nadu police moved court last night. THANJAVUR: The MDMK said over 50,000 MDMK volunteers would block roads in Tamil Nadu on Friday in the event of the arrest of Vaiko.
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Jaswant
goes by rule book New Delhi, July 10 Dr Narayan’s departure was, however, preceded by the exit of Mr Yashwant Sinha and the arrival of Mr Jaswant Singh. By designating Dr Narayan as Finance Secretary and shifting him from the Department of Revenue to the Department of Economic Affairs, Mr Jaswant Singh has followed the convention of restoring the Budget-making department to the senior-most officer in the ministry. In the process Mr Jaswant Singh reversed the trend set by his predecessor, Mr Sinha, who did not name anybody as Finance Secretary. In the previous order Mr C.M. Vasudev, who is heading the Department of Economic Affairs was not designated as Finance Secretary. Mr Vasudev now goes to the World Bank as Executive Director. Playing musical chairs among the top secretaries was nothing new during Mr Sinha’s tenure and convention was often given a go-by. When Mr Piyush Mankad was Finance Secretary in 2000 he was not in charge of the Department of Economic Affairs. Resentment against ad hocism in the ministry was reflected when a senior Secretary, in charge of the Economic Affairs Department, Mr E.A.S.Sarma, resigned from the IAS and took premature retirement over his being shifted to the Coal Ministry within six months of his arrival in the North Block. Sources pointed out that even in the past there have been instances when a secretary in charge of a department other than that of Economic Affairs was named Finance Secretary. Mr K.P. Geethakrishnan and Mr G.Ramachandran were two such examples. Unlike popular perception that this practice divests the Finance Secretary from the exercise of budget-making, the sources pointed out the top officer was entrusted with coordinating the work of all secretaries and he was very much involved in the Budget exercise. Another correction made by Mr Jaswant Singh is the elevation of Special Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training, Mr D.G.Gupta, as the Secretary, Banking and Insurance. There used to be separate secretaries for the two important departments but Mr Sinha had scaled them down as part of a move to trim the ministry. The fact that insurance reforms is at a nascent stage and banks flush with funds have failed to kickstart the economy seems to have prompted Mr Jaswant Singh to have a full-fledged secretary for the departments. Mr Jaswant Singh’s short stint in the Defence Ministry has earned Mr Ajay Vikram Singh, who is currently Secretary, Defence Procurement, the job of Revenue Secretary while Mr C.S. Rao continues as Expenditure Secretary. |
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Accreditation
of scribe withdrawn
New Delhi, July 10 “Iftikhar’s accreditation has been temporarily withdrawn pending police inquiry,” official sources said here today. “His accreditation is based on security clearance... It is a normal practice to withdraw the accreditation facility in such cases,” the sources said. The decision was taken at a recent meeting of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), they added. The meeting decided that as Iftikhar had been arrested under a serious charge it was not advisable to continue providing the accreditation facility to him, the sources added. The meeting, however, decided that the PIB would reconsider the decision if Iftikhar was exonerated of the charges, they added. Iftikhar’s counsel V.K. Ohri, when contacted, said he had no knowledge of the PIB’s move. “The decision has not been communicated to us,” he said. A Delhi court has extended his judicial remand till July 12.
UNI |
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Iraq backs India on Kashmir New Delhi, July 10 |
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Symposium
on safety and care of air passengers New Delhi, July 10 The symposium, organised by Foundation for Aviation and Sustainable Tourism (FAST), will focus attention on three vital aspects of security, safety and facilitation. The FAST’s president, Dr S.S. Sidhu, opines if these three crucial areas are streamlined, flying and tourism will provide greater joy to travellers. The panelists, will recommend ways and means so that all three pivotal components are developed for the good of aviation and tourism. According to Dr Sidhu: “The safety of passengers is influenced by the design and juxtapositioning of facilities in the terminal buildings so that passengers do not suffer serious injuries in case of attacks by terrorists. At times, the passengers may go through unnecessary and cumbersome procedures to reach the aircraft, after check-in. Passengers and cock-pit crew and cabin crew have several problems to encounter”. Minister for Civil Aviation Shahnawaz Hussain will inaugurate the symposium. Civil Aviation Secretary K.Roy Paul will deliver the keynote address. Chairman of Indian Airlines Sunil Arora and Bureau of Civil Aviation
Security (BCAS) V. Aivalli will be among eminent panelists to present their findings and points of view. Officiating DGCA Satinder Singh and Senior ICAO Consultant T.Kesherwani will also make their observations. The general feeling of experts is that civil aviation in this country needs upgradation in every sphere. The terminal buildings are small and lack in facilities and amenities for passengers, visitors and others. It is a well known fact that terminal buildings have many weak zones. |
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Shotgun
for special session on HIV New Delhi, July 10 The cine star announced his special plans while co-chairing the plenary session on HIV and AIDS at an international week-long conference at Barcelona in Spain. He made the announcement within a week of assuming charge as Health Minister. Sinha told delegates in Spain that India recognised the gravity of the AIDS epidemic and had commitment at the highest political level to combat it aggressively. Appreciating the role of Indian drug companies in supplying generic anti-retroviral drugs to the world at prices lower than those in the international market, the minister said it was not viable to supply drugs at current prices to all persons living with AIDS without international financing. |
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Laloo bows to Rabri on minister’s issue Panta, July 10 The Agriculture Minister had told mediapersons that he had resigned. Asked by members in the House, the Chief Minister said she had not received his resignation letter. A few minutes later, she said his resignation had not been accepted and that he had been “won over”. This made the Leader of the Opposition in the House, Mr Sushil Modi, raise the question of privilege. The minister said his three demands had been met and now he had no reason to insist on acceptance of his resignation. Sources close to the elderly minister said the RJD chief had said harsh things over the phone to the minister. |
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Cong objects to
Gill’s remarks New Delhi, July 10 Congress spokesman Anand Sharma said Mr Gill’s remarks favouring early elections in Gujarat were “beyond his jurisdiction.” Mr Sharma said that Mr Gill did not have the authority to remark on the timing of elections and the appropriate authority on such matters was the Election Commission alone. |
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Sagars’ new serial
on Star Plus Mumbai, July 9 The serial, featuring the rich Indian culture and heritage, had its first episode telecast on last Sunday, a press release said yesterday. The Sagars, who have made blockbuster TV serials for most of the channels, have made a serial for the Star TV for the first time. The serial, depicting the wisdom, grandeur and beauty of ancient India, is being shown on the channel for the first time, the release said. Everything rich in Indian culture like the Vedas and the Upanishads, temples and rivers, saints, parables, myths, yoga, the Ayurveda, astrology, the Gita and mysticism feature in the serial.
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Union Minister for Health and
Family Welfare Shatrughan Sinha intends to arrange a special session
on HIV and AIDS for both Houses of Parliament to sensitise
parliamentarians on the commitment to fight HIV and AIDS.
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