 |
Monday,
April 7, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
|
Budget session resumes today VAT: traders’ rally
tomorrow V.P. Singh, Gujral flay govt policy on
Iraq CPI for House resolve on
Iraq war
Anti-war gestures at star
night |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SC strictures on Rajasthan High
Court
Efforts to test-fire Agni-III: Fernandes
PM: check forces disintegrating party Shukla likely to join NCP Law Ministry: Delhi HC Judge’s resignation final Murder charge
against CBI
ex-Magistrate Two PTI staffers
arrested
Tributes paid to Devi Lal Advani rues denying ticket to Pandya
|
|
Budget session resumes today New Delhi, April 6 An agitated Opposition is expected to demand that a resolution be passed by Parliament condemning the US-led war against Iraq. An all-party meeting convened during the recess failed to arrive at a consensus, with Opposition parties accusing the government of adopting a middle path. The government had refused to accede to the Opposition demand of using the word “condemn” on a joint resolution, which eventually did not materialise. The Vajpayee government is also expected to face an angry
Opposition in the wake of the recent massacre of Kashmiri Pandits and could be forced to take Parliament into confidence on the policy adopted by the Centre on the issue of cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, the Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya issue and also the demand of VHP leader Praveen Togadia for the enactment of a legislation during the monsoon session of Parliament on the controversial matter is also expected to dominate proceedings in both Houses. The Opposition could call for a clarification from the government on the matter. The VHP is expected to come out with the details of its proposed agitation on the Ram Janambhoomi issue at a two-day meeting of the Janambhoomi Committee, scheduled to be held towards the end of this month. In addition, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi has alleged that an attempt is being made to destroy the image of some of the state Congress party leaders by the Intelligence Bureau ahed of the Assembly poll due to be held later this year, could also figure in during this session, which ends on May 9. A CBI inquiry has already been ordered into the matter, even though Mr Jogi has called for an investigation by a Parliamentary Committee. The proposed countrywide VAT regime, which was scheduled to be implemented from April 1 this year, is also expected to figure prominently during the proceedings, especially in the wake of the opposition by traders and the under-preparedness shown by many state governments on the matter. |
|
VAT: traders’ rally
tomorrow New Delhi, April 6 The anti-VAT rally will coincide with the meeting of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers which is scheduled to meet on April 8 here in the Capital. A two-day countrywide bandh on March 31 and April 1 was observed by traders in response to a call given by the Bharat Udyog Vyapar Mandal (BUVM) and the Confederation of All- India Traders (CAIT). The BUVM, led by MP Behari
Mishra, is demanding that the implementation of the VAT regime be postponed by two years. In addition, it has called for the formulation of a final draft by a joint committee with representatives from the trading community, tax officials,
advocates, consultants and public representatives. “The April 8 rally will be a show of traders’ strength,’’ Mr Mishra said. Meanwhile, readymade garment manufacturers and saree traders all over the country are also on an indefinite strike from April 1 against the government’s decision to withdraw excise exemption facility to the small scale sector and also imposition of VAT system on their trade. A spokesman for readymade garment traders K. K. Balli said the Action Committee formed to review the situation tomorrow would chalk out the next course of action, keeping in view the meeting of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on VAT. |
|
V.P. Singh, Gujral flay govt policy on
Iraq New Delhi, April 6 They also cautioned that in the context of the situation, the USA could turn the heat on India and Pakistan as both countries possess nuclear weapons. Mr V.P. Singh said: “The day may not be very far off when India and Pakistan are included in the list because both possess nuclear capability”. He said reports indicated that after Iraq the USA might turn the heat on Syria and Iran. Mr I.K. Gujral said if the recent remarks of US Secretary of State Colin Powell asking India and Pakistan to resume talks was any indication, then “the sort of implied threat is dangerous”. Mr Gujral and Mr V.P. Singh were speaking at a peace meeting (shanti panchayat) organised by the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) to condemn the US-led war on Iraq. Ridiculing the present government’s policy on the ongoing conflict in Iraq, Mr V.P. Singh said the “middle-path” approach could eventually have adverse consequences for India. Instead the government should have condemned the US-led action in unequivocal terms. Mr V.P. Singh regretted the diminishing role of the UN primarily due to the imperialistic agenda of the USA. |
|
CPI for House resolve on
Iraq war Bhubaneswar, April 6 Addressing newsmen here CPI general secretary
A.B. Bardhan said in the national interest, the Centre should take a clear stand on the attack on Iraq and demand an end to the war. He said preferably the resolution should be moved either by the Speaker or by the government and the Opposition would extend its support. Mr Bardhan also wanted Parliament to appeal to the United Nations for a peaceful solution. If the voice was not raised against the attack, then the USA, after Iraq, might resort to intensify pressure in this part of the sub-continent on the Kashmir issue, Mr Bardhan feared.
UNI |
|
|
Anti-war gestures at star night Kozhikode, April 6 True to the cosy and costly style of matinee idols, Malayalam movie artistes led by mega star Mammootty joined the chorus of anti-war protesters worldwide, in a star fete here last night to extend sympathy to war victims. Almost all cine artistes, with a few exceptions like Mohanlal, participated in a colourful nite “Ammayodoppam”, under the aegis of the Malayalam Movie Artistes Association (AMMA). Though organised to raise funds for their association, the four-hour show had anti-war themes in bits, especially when the war scenes of flames, bombardments and booming guns were recreated in a hi-tech environment on the three-tier hydraulic stage. Mammootty deplored the war in a hard-hitting speech at the beginning of the show. Leading comedians presented a skit mocking the gluttony of America while AMMA secretary Mammootty delivered his “super dialogues” against the US-led war. However, at the end of the happy mix of dances, songs and skits, the association became wealthier by several lakhs even as thousands, after purchasing tickets for Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,000, returned home, having been denied entry. A few others got cane bashing. Three cops sustained injuries in stone-throwing. Writer U.A. Khader, speaking at a function in the city yesterday, condemned the star nite organised so pompously and said it degraded the intensity of agonies of the war victims.
UNI |
|
SC strictures on Rajasthan High Court New Delhi, April 6 The apex court expressed dissatisfaction over a Division Bench of the court ignoring the decision of another Bench of coordinate strength, despite the earlier decision being brought to its notice. Stressing that a Bench of a High Court was bound by an earlier decision of a coordinate bench of the court, the apex court said it was “unfortunate” that a Bench of the Jodhpur Bench of the High Court, hearing subsequent applications with similar prayers, did not even refer to the conclusions arrived at by an earlier Bench. “If the Bench hearing matters subsequently entertains any doubt about the correctness of the earlier decision, the only course open to it is to refer the matter to a larger Bench,” a Bench comprising Mr Justice Shivraj V. Patil and Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat said. Taking strong exception to the fact that the second judgement, which was challenged before the court, was delivered just days after the first judgement, the court said, “Even before the ink was dry on the judgement, by the impugned judgement, another Division Bench took a diametrically opposite view”. The latter Bench made the position worse by not even indicating as to why it was not following the earlier Bench’s judgement which was brought to its notice, the court said. “Judicial propriety and decorum warranted such a course to be adopted,” it said. The apex court was dealing with appeals by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission against a common judgement of the Rajasthan High Court disposing of four writ petitions challenging the procedure adopted for recruitment of Munsif magistrates. A Division Bench of the Jodhpur Bench of the High Court had allowed the plea by petitioners seeking to increase the number of general candidates called for interview in view of the shortfall on account of non-availability of candidates in the SC and ST categories. Allowing the plea against the commission, the Division Bench on December 20, 2001, had directed increase in the number of general candidates called for interview despite it being brought to its notice that on December 13, 2001, pleas with similar contentions were rejected by another two-Judge Bench of the same court. The High Court had, however, accepted that it was up to the government to decide as to whether the vacant posts (of SC and ST) were to be de-reserved and opened for the general category or to be carried forward to be filled by SCs and STs at a later date. Setting aside the judgement, the apex court noted that the above judgement had not only violated judicial propriety and decorum but was also contradictory and illogical. The court not only gave the government the discretion with respect to filling of reserved posts but also directed them to call general candidates with regard to the unfilled reserved seats.
UNI |
|
Efforts to test-fire Agni-III: Fernandes New Delhi, April 6 “The test-firing of
Agni-III is overdue and we feel the need for that long-range missile as part of our policy of deterrence,” he told PTI in an interview. Asked as to what would be the range of Agni-III, Mr Fernandes said it would have a strike capacity longer than Agni-II, which has a range of over 2,000 km. India is in possession of surface-to-surface missiles, 700-km range Agni-I and Agni II, which are both capable of carrying nuclear weapons. To a question as to when
Agni-III would be test fired, the Minister said: “The date has not been firmed up. Effort is to see that it is test-fired this year”. On whether
Agni-I and Agni-II have been deployed with the armed forces, Mr Fernandes said: “Well, they are available for deployment”. Replying to a question on if these missiles would be with the strategic forces or the Army, he said: “That will depend on the situation that will demand their use”. Mr Fernandes replied in the affirmative when asked if Agni-I and Agni-II were being produced. On how the newly-created strategic command was shaping up, Mr Fernandes said: “Things are being taken care of”. He did not elaborate. To a question whether surface-to-air missile Trishul had been shelved, he said a lot of work had been done on this missile and money spent. “So between the money and the work that was done, a lot has been learnt. And that is not going to be thrown away. How and where one can integrate it into one of the ongoing programmes, is something being attempted by the scientists. “One should not say that this money (on
Trishul) has been wasted.... No, no. When you go in for this kind of research and development, money is needed,” he said, adding: “At the moment we are not going for the development of Trishul”. Asked about other missiles being developed by India, Mr Fernandes said he would take pride in the success of “Brahmos”, a supersonic cruise missile jointly produced by India and Russia.
PTI Bangalore, April 6 |
||
|
PM: check forces disintegrating
party
New Delhi, April 6 “We have to counter the forces of disintegration which are affecting political parties. Therefore, we have to be united”, Mr Vajpayee said while addressing BJP workers at a function organised here on the 23rd anniversary of the founding of the party. Coming out in favour of a single party government, the Prime Minister said “one party government is very good”. However, “if need be we can work with others for national interest and not just for the saked power. We have shown that and we can do so”, he said. On the Assembly elections in several states that are scheduled to held this year, Mr Vajpayee exuded confidence that the BJP would do well in the central provinces of Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh. “The winds of change are blowing in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh as was evident from the two public meetings I addressed in Indore and Bilaspur,” he said. He said despite BJP’s support to the formation of the smaller states of Chattisgarh and Uttaranchal, the Assembly elections did not go in the party’s favour. Speaking specifically about Chattisgarh, the Prime Minister said the party was gaining ground, especially in the tribal belt. However, there was a need to strengthen BJP’s organisational structure in the state in view of the forthcoming poll. He expressed the hope that the inter-state water disputes involving Cauvery and Sutlej-Yamuna-Link canal (SYL) will be resolved to mutual satisfaction by the states concerned. “The Centre played its role and as of now it (Cauvery dispute) seems to have been resolved”, he said. |
||
|
Proposed amendments not for NDA’s benefit: PM
Raipur, April 6 “The Congress is the worst sufferer in Uttar Pradesh due to defection. Hence, it is not proper to say that (the proposed amendments were aimed at benefiting the NDA government),” Mr Vajpayee told reporters here before leaving for Delhi. He was replying to a question on the Congress’ allegation that the BJP was bringing in the amendment for its own benefit in the backdrop of the defection by 13 BJP MLAs to the Congress in Chhattisgarh. On the allegations of misuse of POTA, Mr Vajpayee said the Centre would look into these. On Chattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi’s allegation of “misuse” of the Intelligence Bureau by the Centre against political opponents and the demand for a Joint Paliamentary Committee probe into it, Mr Vajpayee said, “I am not going to reply to that question.” On Mr Jogi’s demand to confer special status on his state, Mr Vajpayee said there was no such proposal right now. To a question whether he would contest the next elections, the Prime Minister said he would go by public wishes and opinion. Intervening, BJP BJP National General Secretary Rajnath Singh said the Prime Minister would definitely contest. Mr Vajpayee asked the people of Chhattisgarh to ponder over whether they were happy with the pace of development in the state, saying he was not here to inspect that.
PTI |
||
|
BJP takes exception to US statement Lucknow, April 6 Addressing mediapersons here, party general secretary and spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said: “The USA and Britain have to change their approach towards Pakistan, which is a den of terrorism, if their aim to free the world from terrorism has to materialise.” Taking strong exception to the USA giving almost a clean chit to Pakistan for sponsoring cross-border terrorism, he said America’s recent statement proved its ‘patronage’ for the country. Stating that the USA was not the only country with the “sole authority” to fight terrorism, Mr Naqvi said India along with other countries also had the right towards that end. He said the Centre had achieved its objective of removing Pakistan-sponsored terrorist training camps from Kashmir. He, however, admitted that cross-border terrorism was still rampant. Blaming the
PDP-Congress coalition in Jammu and Kashmir for the recent spurt in terrorist violence, he alleged that more than 600 persons had been killed due to the “wrong policies” of Mufti government. Urging the Congress to immediately withdraw support of the alliance, Mr Naqvi said policies like disbanding the Special Operations Group (SOG), release of militants and an apparent sympathetic approach towards militants were the main reasons for increase in terrorist violence in the state. Although he claimed that the Centre had been containing terrorism in the country, more stringent measures were required to be taken in that regard. Regarding a direct confrontation with Pakistan, he said the BJP was of the opinion that any action should be taken as the circumstances demanded.
UNI |
||
|
Shukla likely to join NCP RAIPUR: Former Union Minister and veteran Congress leader of Chhattisgarh Vidya Charan Shukla is likely to join the Indian Nationalist Congress soon. Mr Shukla is said to be in contact with Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar. The rift between Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi and Mr Shukla has widened. According to sources close to Mr Shukla, there is absolutely no chance of reconciliation between the two leaders. Mr Jogi is bitter against Mr Shukla who has formed a strong group within the Congress. Mr Shukla is also critical of the Jogi Government for not providing relief to the drought victims in the state. In the recent past, Mr Shukla organised rallies to highlight their grievances and problems. Mr Jogi enjoys the unqualified support of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Last month, Mrs Gandhi addressed three meetings in the various parts of Chhattisgarh. The public response to the meetings was spectacular. Mr Jogi has been given full credit for expanding the Congress’s popular base in Chhattisgarh. Mr Jogi has weakened the BJP by engineering the defection of about a dozen BJP MLAs to the Congress. The question that arises is whether the Nationalist Congress in Chhattisgarh headed by Mr Shukla would enter into an electoral understanding with the BJP. Mr Shukla is all in favour of forging electoral ties with the BJP to weaken the Congress in the newly formed state of Chhattisgarh. The Chhattisgarh Assembly has 90 members and the Congress has an overwhelming majority following defection of BJP MLAs to the ruling party.
IPA |
|
Law Ministry: Delhi HC Judge’s resignation final New Delhi, April 6 The ministry is believed to have taken the view that a resignation with immediate effect becomes effective the moment it reaches the government, a top ministry official said here today. Justice Mukherjee’s resignation became effective the moment it was submitted to the President, he said. Justice Mukherjee tendered his resignation on March 31 citing illness of his wife while repeatedly denying any link with the DDA officials under the CBI scanner.
PTI |
|
|
Murder charge against CBI ex-Magistrate New Delhi, April 6 Additional Sessions Judge J.M. Malik framed the charge against Budh Singh Bansal, his brother Raja alias Dayachand, son Vinay Kumar and two of Raja’s sons Sachin and Arun for killing trader Tej Singh in August, 2001. Separate charges under the Arms Act were also slapped on Bansal, who was at that time a CBI Special Magistrate in Dehra Dun, for “transferring” his licensed revolver to Vinay for executing the crime in contravention of licence conditions. Tej Singh, the police claimed, owed Rs 7 lakh to the accused. As he did not repay the amount, the accused conspired to eliminate him. Bansal transferred his licensed revolver with ammunition to Vinay and Arun who shot dead the trader outside the Jyoti marriage hall on Loni Road in east Delhi and also gave them his car in which they fled the scene after the crime, the police alleged. The revolver was found in a safe in Raja’s house. Bansal, however, evaded arrest and applied for anticipatory bail in the Supreme Court. In October, 2001, he surrendered before an Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate following the directions of the apex court.
PTI |
|
|
Two PTI staffers
arrested New Delhi, April 6 Duty Magistrate V.K. Goel sent accused Indukant Dixit, a Bhasha reporter based in Jammu, and J.S. Rawat, an operator in the Transmission Department, to Tihar Jail while directing the jail authorities to produce them before the Court tomorrow. “On hearing the arguments before this court, both the accused are sent to judicial custody and their bail applications are put up for April 7 before the court,” the Judge said. The investigating officer Sub-Inspector Rakesh Yadav and public prosecutor Pramod Kumar while opposing the bail plea of the two informed the court that the other two accused Vinod Kumar and C.L. Gupta, non-journalist members of the PTI staff, were
absconding. PTI |
|
|
No more films with Salman: Ash
Mumbai, April 6 “For the sake of my well-being, my sanity, my dignity and the self-respect of my family, I will not work with Salman Khan”, she said here. “The Salman Khan chapter was a nightmare in my life and I am thankful to God that it is over”, she said.
PTI |
|
Now home away from valley Pune, April 6 This voice is echoed not by any ordinary Kashmiri Pandit, but by a former Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Moti Dar (retd), a Kashmiri Pandit who has made Pune his home. Though the swaying chinar trees, the icy winds of the valley and the milky white glaciers beckon him, he has accepted the fact that the valley is not what it was. If the valley is unsafe for a former vice chief of Army staff, then what about common Kashmiri Pandits who have been uprooted from their birthplace and are living as migrants. Dar was instrumental in bringing some normalcy into the troubled valley in 1996 while in service. His efforts contributed to holding of elections in the valley in 1996. A renowned Kashmiri author, film director and maker of teleserials, Prem Kishore Kaul, laments the fact that the interests of the Kashmiri Pandits are not being taken seriously by the government only because they are a minority and they do not constitute the vote bank. Kaul, who was the chief producer of All India Radio, has directed two films made in Kashmir. One of his films “Maianz Raat” (Kashmiri) got the President’s silver medal in 1965. He also wrote the script and dialogues of the famous teleserial, “Gul Gulshan Gulfam”. Kaul was given the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1991 for his novel in Kashmiri, whose title is translated as “Snow and the Bridal Path”. Kaul, however, keeps going to Kashmir every year. Expressing his anguish over the recent massacre of 24 Kashmiri Pandits at Nadimarg village in the valley, he said the problem would not be solved unless the whole country stood up in revolt and forced the government to react pro-actively. When the US forces attacked Iraq, the entire Muslim world reacted. Why is it watching silently when so many innocent people are being gunned down, he asked. Sanjay Nahar, president of Sarhad an NGO working for lending support and bringing change in the strife-torn areas of the valley, feels that given the situation in Kashmir what the children in the valley, are likely to learn is A for AK-47, B for blast, C for crackdown. Sarhad has been working since in 1989 to provide the “emotional touch”. This includes developing socio-cultural proximity, assisting in education, healthcare, rural, industrial and economic development, promoting and protecting human rights and seeking justice for the underprivileged, to rehabilitating widows and orphans of all sections of society in violence-affected areas. Nahar said 12 years of turmoil and turbulence in the state has made thousands of children orphans. According to a survey there could be more than 25,000 orphans in the valley, he said. Sarhad has taken a place in Katraj near Pune where they are constructing a special centre to provide help to the people affected by terrorist violence of Kashmir. It will include a school where maximum seats will be for the orphans of Kashmir.
PTI |
|
|
Tributes paid to Devi Lal New Delhi, April 6 A large number of people from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar gathered to pay tributes to him, according to a press note Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, Planning Commission member Som Pal, Haryana Speaker Satbir Singh Kadiyan and Deputy Speaker Gopi Chand Gahlot were among those who paid tributes. |
|
Advani rues denying ticket to Pandya Ahmedabad, April 6 Mr Advani, who was here to participate in the “shradhanjali divas” of Pandya, said “denying ticket to Pandya will remain a burden on me, besides the post announced for taking him to the National Executive of the party came too late”.
PTI |
 |
| 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 | | 123 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Videos
