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Saturday,
November 9, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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UP rebels
field candidate
Plaza
encounter: cops doubt doc’s presence
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W Bengal
BJP heading for rift Gujarat
poll: BJP panel meets on Nov 15
Deputy Prime Minister
L. K. Advani with his wife Kamla Advani on his 75th birthday at his
residence in New Delhi on Friday. — PTI photo
Improve
decision-making, IAF tells ministry IAF to
sack ‘below level’ men Book
sheds light on Osama Centre
threatens to withdraw funding BJP
dismisses Sonia’s remarks Jagran
manch meeting tomorrow
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UP rebels field candidate Lucknow, November 8 Elections will be held for 10 seats of the Rajya Sabha and one by-election, the seat of which had fallen vacant following resignation of Mr T.N. Chaturvedi who had joined as Governor, Pondicherry. With Mr Nanda throwing his hat in the ring, the elections had become mandatory provided no names are withdrawn till November 11 as till date 11 leaders, four from the Samajwadi Party, three from the BSP, two from the BJP and lone Congress candidate Akhilesh Das had filed nomination. Today the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and National General Secretary of the BJP Rajnath Singh and BJP-supported candidate for the by-election Lalit Suri had filed nomination papers. Besides Mr Rajnath, the National General Secretary of the party Mukhtar Abaas Naqvi is the second party candidate. A total of 13 nominations, including one sponsored by BJP dissidents, have been filed for elections to 11 Rajya Sabha seats as the deadline for filing papers drew to a close today. With the strength of 142 in the 403 member House, the SP has fielded four candidates for biennial upper house polls, the BSP with 99 members three, the BJP with 88 MLAs two and the Congress with 25 legislators one. An Independent is also in fray. Scrutiny would take place tomorrow and the last date for withdrawals is November 11. Meanwhile, the police action against some dissident legislators in the midst of efforts by senior party leaders to defuse the crisis has taken a section of state BJP leadership by surprise. Dissident legislators Raghuraj Pratap Singh, alias Raja Bhaiya, Dhananjay Singh (both Independents), BJP’s Awadhpal Singh Yadav and Ajit Singh and Samata Party’s Raja Ram Pandey have cases against them. Raja Bhaiya and Mr Pandey have been ministers in the previous BJP government. Meanwhile, the judicial remand of Independent legislators Raghuraj Pratap Singh, alias Raja Bhaiya and Dhananjay Singh was today extended by a week while their bail plea will come up for hearing on November 13. Both MLAs were produced before Special Judge (Gangsters Act) Sudhir Kumar who extended their remand till November 15. The court also ordered that both the legislators would remain in the Lucknow jail instead of the Fatehgarh jail in Farukhabad district till further order. Meanwhile, holding the state as well as the central leadership responsible for the month-old political crisis in Uttar Pradesh, dissident BJP legislators today renewed their threat to form a new party.
PTI |
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A combat uniform scam?
New Delhi, November 8 Ten lakh metres of “disruptive pattern” uniform, which has been specially selected by the CRPF as combat uniform, is apparently much inferior in quality than which is normally used by the other forces and the order for it has been “tendered” to the manufacturer at a cost which is much higher than even the best selected by the Army. As against the normal supply cost of Rs 70 per metre, that too on the higher side, the force has cleared the tender for the 10 lakh metres of the disruptive pattern material reportedly at a cost of Rs 98 per metre. Besides, reports suggest that all norms generally followed for placing such orders were ignored by the officials of the force while selecting the supplier. Reports here said the CRPF recently felt the need for identifying a combat uniform for the force due to the prevailing security situation. Being a para-military force, it decided to seek a uniform which would be different from that worn by the Army soldiers. However, what has raised the suspicion is that the CRPF officials created conditions which favoured only the initial “sample” manufacturer, in fact leaving him as the only bidder after the tender (No.U 11501/2002-03/proc) was floated. The force not only selected the pattern under the alleged influence of the sample manufacturer but also did not reportedly provide the sample material to other manufacturers, including established fabric producers. This resulted in the blocking of the quotes from big manufacturers, leaving the CRPF with no other choice but to select the material being provided by the particular manufacturer at the price which he was quoting. Incidentally, while floating the tender, the CRPF laid conditions that the bidder must submit the same with the same print as selected by it while submitting the tender. But since no sample was provided, none of the established textile mills and suppliers could bid for the order. Now, an established textile mill has gone ahead and written to officials concerned in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the CRPF, pointing out the anomalies in the passing of the tender and the quality of the yarn being used. The letter points out that the material that has been selected is of a poor quality and the print pattern selected does not have the required end use of “camouflaging”. The letter further says that since the chemicals used for such pigment printing are very strong and they should not come in contact with the skin as it can lead to problems like rashes on the body and even pigmentation of the skin. According to reports, the selected quality of fabric in any dyed shades under the DGS&D rate is at Rs 61 per metre. The only technical addition made to this quality by the CRPF is the print on it, which is calculated on the basis of the coverage of print on per metre of fabric. Experts say since the selected print of the combat uniform has a 75 per cent coverage, the maximum cost of the fabric per metre should not exceed Rs 70. However, the order has been placed at Rs 98 per metre after the initial bid price of Rs 105 per metre. Sources point out that not only is the CRPF adopting such procedures but some other para-military forces have also been buying cloth for uniforms at much higher rates from small-time manufacturers than what is available with the established textile mills. Apparently, another para-military force in the North-East has placed order for uniform fabric with a dealer who buys material from an established mill of Punjab at Rs 68 per metre plus 12 per cent of excise duty and sells it to the force at Rs 105 per metre. Meanwhile, the CRPF, when contacted denied any anomalies in the purchase process and said the order had been placed on an open tender basis. “All the purchase formalities as per one laid down procedure and instructions of the Government of India have been followed. The purchase formality papers have passed through various stages in the departments and ministries concerned and no queries have been raised at any stage,” the CRPF said in a statement. |
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Accept
ultras’ bodies, Pak told New Delhi, November 8 Sources, however, said the diplomatic move of the Ministry of External Affairs was going to be as infructuous as its repeated pleadings during the Kargil war when Islamabad had steadfastly declined to accept the bodies of its own soldiers. Pakistan had declined to accept the bodies of the five terrorists killed in the attack on Parliament. |
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Plaza encounter: cops doubt doc’s presence New Delhi, November 8 Even after the doctor was given protection by the Delhi police, following a directive by the NHRC to provide adequate protection to him and his family members, Dr Krishna for some unknown reasons has now gone underground. “We have to first ascertain whether he was really present at the site when the encounter took place at the basement of Ansal Plaza. Since everyone present at that moment had mentioned about firing from both sides, only Dr Krishna had given a totally different version. The police are rubbishing his claims mainly on the lines that a number of cases had been registered against the doctor. The police is doubtful whether Dr Krishna was really a doctor and the degrees he claims to have were genuine. “Most of the degrees like DF-Hom (London), Afaz, MBBT-Hom and MRSH (London) appear to be fake but we are inquiring,” the source said. Preliminary investigation into Dr Krishna’s background has revealed that three cases were registered against him this year, including in Agra and Hathras. The charges include cheating and lying. Earlier, he had also lodged an FIR alleging that the family of his daughter-in-law had kidnapped his son which turned out to be a false, the sources added. |
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Pattanaik takes over as CJI New Delhi, November 8 He will have one of the shortest tenures, 42 days, and will retire on December 19. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, Law Minister Jana Krishnamurthy, his deputy Ravishekar Prasad and other Cabinet ministers. Born on December 19, 1937, Justice Pattanaik began his legal career as an advocate 40-year-ago, practising civil, criminal, constitutional and company cases. |
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W Bengal BJP heading for rift
Kolkata, November 8 Mr Roy took over as the BJP state president last week, replacing Mr Asim
Ghosh, a Sikhdar nominee. Mr Sikhdar and his men who were elbowed out from the state BJP functionary body, re-constituted two days ago, have been now re-grouping themselves against the state unit and enrolling new membership to establish their supremacy. Mr Sikhdar was resentful of the formation of the new office-bearers body without consulting him and had protested against Mr Roy to the prime minister, the deputy prime minister and BJP
president, Mr Venkiah
Naidu, a Sikhdar loyalist claimed. The new office-bearers body, which Mr Tathagata Roy re-constituted as its president includes Mr Rahul
Sinha, a former state unit secretary who had been thrown out by Mr Sikhdar two years back in the same post along with Mr Badal Bhattacharyya and Mr Debabrata
Sinha. Mr Sikhdar’s two trustworthy lieutenants, Mr Pratap
Banerjee, general secretary and Mr Muzaffar Khan, vice-president, were also dropped. Mr Roy said he had re-constituted the state body with a view to
re-juvinating the party. He alleged so long the party had been run by a coterie which was
serving only vested interests and destroying the party. He said he had taken a step to re-vamp the party and make it more meaningful and purposive. The newly appointed president said his first attempt would be to bring Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee close to them so that the BJP and
the TMC could fight jointly against the
CPI(M) as well as the Congress in the forthcoming state panchayat elections early next year. Mr Roy admitted it was quite impossible for the BJP alone to fight against the
CPI(M) and minus the
TMC, the BJP would be nowhere. But Mr Sikhdar and his followers felt it would be against the party’s national interests to approach Ms Banerjee at this stage and invite her to join hands with them. He said it was Ms Banerjee’s turn to come forward and join the BJP in the state against the
CPI(M). |
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Gujarat
poll: BJP panel meets on Nov 15 New Delhi, November 8 Before that, the state election committee is meeting in Gandhinagar on Sunday to clear the list of names for the final stamp by the central panel. BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley, who is in charge of Gujarat, will be present at the state meeting. Even as the recommendations from the district committees pour in Gandhinagar, reports reaching here suggest that former state Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel has asked for a lion’s share in the distribution of party tickets for his supporters. The central leadership is leaving no stone unturned to convince Mr Patel to go to Vadodara on November 11, where a massive rally has been organised. |
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Advani celebrates birthday New Delhi Mr Advani known for his frugal lifestyle and tastes, never asks for anything special to be made on his birthday. He has a sweet tooth and at all times the fridge is well-stocked with chocolates and desserts like rabri or gulab jamun. Tonight, when he joins his friends for the celebration at his residence, he is sure to first take a look at what the dessert table has to offer. A pure vegetarian, Mr Advani prefers to eat ‘satvik bhojan’. The exotic ‘curries’ and tedious preparations don’t tempt him. However, his wife’s Sindhi kadi is still special to him. Kamala Advani is a great cook, but even after a hearty meal he is not very liberal with complements. She says “Lal kabhi kuch nahi kehte. Lekin jab kehte hain to bahut soch samajh kar kehte hain.”
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BJP leaders, ministers greet Dy PM New Delhi, November 8 Though Mr Advani did not have any celebrations, he preferred to spend the day at home and did not attend office. The Deputy Prime Minister, however, attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Justice of India, Gopal Ballav Pattanaik and went to the airport to receive Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Parliamentary Affairs and IT Minister Pramod Mahajan, Labour Minister Sahib Singh Verma and Minister of State in PMO Vijay Goel were among the early visitors at his residence. |
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Improve
decision-making,
IAF tells ministry
New Delhi, November 8 The need for quick decision-making was underlined at the meeting of the officials of the IAF and the MoD which was convened here in the wake of the crash of the Jaguar aircraft at Ambala on Tuesday. The meeting had been called by Defence Minister George Fernandes to review the various measures being taken by the IAF following the crash. Sources in the IAF said during the meeting the IAF stressed with the MoD that it should not keep decision on critical subjects pending. Sources said the Defence Minister had assured the IAF that a procedure would be worked out where the decision-making process would be speeded up. In another decision taken at the meeting, the IAF is also to phase out the MiG-21 F/L version of fighter aircraft. However, the newly upgraded Bison variant would remain in the force for the next ten years. At the meeting, attended by the IAF top brass, including the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy and Defence Secretary Subir
Dutta. |
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IAF to sack ‘below level’ men New Delhi, November 8 While working on critical areas of design and corrosion of the aircraft and on stress and fatigue of the men on one side, the IAF would be asking men at “all levels” to leave the force summarily if they are not able to perform at a certain level sought by the air force. Official sources here, while pointing out that a lot of effort was now going in to make the IAF a more leaner and meaner force in the times when the requirement levels were going up, said, “we will sack men who are not able to perform. And this would be at all levels without any discriminsation”. The decision comes at a time when the IAF is also working on a transparent promotion and trying to improve the prospects for its men in service. The IAF is working on a merit-based promotion policy where the seniority would not be criteria to get the next grade. Meanwhile, the IAF is seeking the help of the original designers of the fighter aircraft in its fleet to check designs of critical areas and modify them according to Indian needs. |
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Book sheds light on Osama New Delhi, November 8 In the wake of the WTC attack, the then Taliban regime had used a website called “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” for disseminating Taliban supremo Mulla Omar’s orders and statements. The book “Bin Laden Bila Qana”, written by 39-year-old Pakistan-based Arab journalist Ahmad Muaffaq Zaidan, omniously warns that the Taliban and the Al-Qaida may be down now but are definitely not out. Mr Zaidan has intensively covered developments in Pakistan, where he is based for over a decade, and Afghanistan and frequently shuttled between the two countries. He is credited to have rich contacts and access to the Mujahideen, including Laden himself. The author has interviewed Laden several times and two of his unpublished interviews with the Al-Qaida chief are published in the book. Significantly, Mr Zaidan attended the wedding of Laden’s son, Abdullah, in Kandahar in October last year with the daughter of Laden’s military chief Mohammad Atef Abu Hafs Al Misri who was killed during the American bombing in Kandahar. The book has so far been published by Beirut World Company in Arabic only and its English edition is to come out shortly. Interestingly, the book, according to satribune.com, is not available in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Mr Zaidan’s book has four chapters in which he has talked about Laden’s most intimate thoughts, his world view and his future plans. |
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Centre threatens to withdraw funding New Delhi, November 8 Expressing concern over various states diverting central funds granted to them for various projects, Rural Development Minister Shanta Kumar warned that in case the state don’t follow the guidelines, it would be the responsibility of the state concerned to mobilise resources for the same. He said this while making his concluding remarks at the two-day meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his ministry, here today. The minister pointed out that the Ministry was considering changes in the funding pattern of some of the schemes where states had to contribute part of the cost. He hinted that some such schemes may be made participatory by inviting people to contribute and thus reducing the State’s share. Participating in the deliberations, members suggested that the Centre must ensure proper utilisation of funds, for which it may create a special mechanism to check/monitor the utilisation of funds. |
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BJP dismisses Sonia’s remarks New Delhi, November 8 “She should not use it for a rhetoric against the NDA, but take stock of her own CMs’ performance,” BJP chief spokesperson Arun Jaitley told newspersons here. |
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Jagran
manch meeting tomorrow New Delhi, November 8 According to sources, the main agenda for the meeting is to critically review the disinvestment policy adopted by the Vajpayee government and the N.K. Singh Committee report, which favours opening up the Indian market in a big way for foreign direct investment (FDI) and decide on the strategies to counter them. |
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Salman
seeks permission to go abroad Mumbai, November 8 Salman filed an application in this regard with the investigating officer, his lawyer H.S. Anand said. Granting bail to Salman, a
sessions court had ordered the actor to deposit his passport with the police and take back whenever he wanted to go abroad in connection with professional work.
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