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Friday,
May 9, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Women’s Bill: Centre may back EC recommendation Sonia emphasises on party unity NORTH INDIA IN PARLIAMENT |
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Bill to amend Contempt of Court Act introduced Need to spruce up vet education George fails to give timeframe on AJT SC upholds quashing of Faridabad Mayor’s election Protesting farmers burn sugarcane Mass cremations: rights panel notice to Punjab
CBI denies tapping Judge’s phone CBI leaks to media worry MPs Army chief to meet Bhutan King today NCM favouring VHP, say Buddhists Delay in FIR no defence: SC Brar apologises to Sonia
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Women’s Bill: Centre may back EC recommendation New Delhi, May 8 According to sources, the government would try to build a consensus on having a legal provision which would require all recognised political parties to set up a specified percentage (ranging between 20 to 25 per cent) of women candidates, in all state and parliamentary elections, that they take part in. “There is lot of opposition to the present 33 per cent reservation Bill... Therefore, an alternative Bill will have to be brought before the Parliament and the best alternative will be to follow the suggestion of the Election Commission,” a top BJP leader said. To build a consensus on the women’s reservation issue, Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi had called an all-party meeting on June 16. The Samajwadi Party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Samata Party, which were instrumental in the blockade of the Women’s Reservation Bill on Tuesday, had already expressed their willingness to cooperate if the reservation was at the party level. There were two other suggestions which were doing rounds in political circles — increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats by one-third to give reservation to women or having double-member constituencies — which leaders of most of the political parties claimed were impracticable. The Election Commission had, after an all-party meeting on April 29, 2000, concluded that instead of following the reservation route, with the possibility of further internal reservation within reservation, it might be more desirable to insist on all recognised political parties, giving adequate space to women in the political process. “This can be easily achieved by a simple legal provision, which will require all recognised political parties, to set up a specified percentage of women candidates, in all state and parliamentary elections, they take part in,” the commission had opined. While the political parties would get the requisite flexibility, to choose the constituencies and the women candidates, that might be most appropriate in their judgement, women political workers, would also have to quickly come forward, for effective work in the Indian political arena, it said. The commission had observed that this mechanism of ensuring a minimum percentage of women candidates had apparently worked well in the Northern European countries and that the suggestion had the merit of not requiring Constitutional amendment, eliminating current controversies, and going forward with a simple amendment in the Representation of Peoples Act. “If this idea is taken up, the controversy of further internal reservation also will become unnecessary. It will be open to political parties, to give as many tickets as they please, out of the percentage fixed, to candidates from the less fortunate sections,” the commission had observed. |
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Sonia emphasises on party unity New Delhi, May 8 Addressing the valedictory meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party, Ms Gandhi made an indirect attack on the Sangh Parivar asking for legal action against those who disturb social peace and harmony. “The rule of law must apply without fear or favour to all those who disturb social peace and harmony by their words and deeds,” she said, apparently referring to the trident distribution programmes of the VHP. Ms Gandhi laid emphasis on party unity in the context of impending assembly polls. “I need hardly add that party unity, particularly among leaders, will be critical to our success,’’ she said. Pointing out that Congress governments had ‘solid achievements’ to their credit, she said ‘succeed we must and, with the support of the people and with our collective commitment, succeed we will’. Ms Gandhi said that the Congress was in power in four of the states going to polls and the party would have to combat the so-called anti-incumbency factor. Criticising the BJP-led coalition for deferring the Women’s Reservation Bill once again, Ms Gandhi said the government deferred the Bill on the excuse of seeking ‘consensus’ when it had the written support of the Congress as well as the
CPM. |
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NORTH INDIA IN PARLIAMENT New Delhi, May 8 However, in September 2001, the Centre approved the upgradation of the Canadian High Commission’s visa collection centre in Chandigarh to a full Consulate on the basis of a request by the Government of Canada, Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh told the Upper House in a written reply. The minister told the House that the Canadian Visa Collection Centre currently had a staff of seven India-based employees, whose positions would be transferred to the new Consulate General. A present construction activity of the office was underway and additional staffing of both Canadian and India-based employees was expected to proceed gradually until the official opening of the Consulate General in early 2004, the minister said in his reply. A total of 1,009 Army jawans had been killed between 2000 and 2003 (up to April 29 ) and another 2,563 injured in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country, the Lok Sabha was informed today. In a written reply, Minister of Defence George Fernandes informed that casualties being incurred by the Army in combatting Pakistan-sponsored proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir was not considered as ‘high’, when seen in the context of the intensity of operations and wherewithal provided by Pakistan to the terrorist groups operating there. The military and other intelligence agencies engaged in anti-terrorist operations were working in close coordination. There was a free flow of intelligence at the field level as well as at higher levels. Regular interaction was taking place at various formal forums at the state level as well as at the Multi-Agency Centre in New Delhi. Mr Fernandes said that a comprehensive welfare package for the armed forces personnel, which includes ex gratia lumpsum compensation in a graded scale, liberalised special family pension on the basis of the last pay drawn by the deceased personnel, had been worked out and implemented for the next of kin of those killed in terrorist action. As of May 2, 2003, a total quantity of 132.46 lakh tonnes of wheat had been procured from the states of Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh, the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Mr Subhash Maharia, told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today. |
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Bill to amend Contempt of Court Act introduced New Delhi, May 8 The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill states that it has been interpreted in various judicial decisions that even truth cannot be pleaded as a defence to a charge of contempt of court under the existing provisions contained in the Act. Therefore, the existing provisions contained in the said Act are not satisfactory. It is indeed anomalous that in our country truth should not be available as a defence to a charge of contempt of court. “In matters of contempt, it shall be open to the court to permit a defence of justification by truth on satisfaction as to the bona fides of the plea and it being in public interest,” the clause that the government seek to insert by amending the Act to introduce fairness in procedure and meet the requirement of the Act 21 of the Constitution. |
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Need to spruce up vet education New Delhi, May 8 More than 57 delegates, including five experts from abroad, are participating in the three-day conference organised by the Central Zoo Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India. The workshop is aimed at evolving a strategy for upgrading the skills of zoo personnel in diagnosing diseases in wild animals and taking care of their health. Mr Ballu said the deficiencies pertained to wildlife and zoo medicine, inadequate institutional support to field staff, poor networking between zoos and veterinary universities and research institutions. |
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George fails to give timeframe on AJT New Delhi, May 8 During his reply to a calling attention motion brought by Congress member Jagmeet Singh Brar in the Lok Sabha on the frequent MiG crashes and the loss to the country as a result, the Defence Minister was specifically asked to spell out a time frame by when the country would get the AJTs. However, the Defence Minister chose to remain silent on the issue and only repeated the ministry’s earlier stand that: “We are on the threshold of procuring AJTs. This means that we are taking a decision in that regard. It may take a couple of years to get the planes as they are not going to be purchased off the shelf”. “Although there is no direct relationship between lack of AJTs and aircraft accidents, the government has decided to induct AJTs to ensure smooth transition of trainee pilots into frontline fighter squadrons equipped with high-technology aircraft,” the minister said. While Congress MPs were joined by RJD and Left party members in the walkout, Mr Brar’s stand to stay put was followed his party colleagues — Mr Laxman Singh, Mr Vilas Muttemwar and Mr K.P. Singh Deo — defying the Congress’s decision to boycott Mr Fernandes over the Tehelka issue. Contending that there has been a “steady fall” in the number of accidents involving MiG aircraft in the past three to four decades, Mr Fernandes said due to constant efforts and measures taken by the Defence Ministry, the overall number of accidents had come down. |
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SC upholds quashing of Faridabad Mayor’s election New Delhi, May 8 Dismissing Mrs Goswami’s appeal against the high court order, a Bench comprising Chief Justice V.N. Khare and Mr Justice S.B. Sinha said there was nothing wrong in the impugned judgement. The court did not agree with the contention of Mrs Goswami that she was born in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh where “Goswamis” had been placed in the Backward Class category, and therefore she was also entitled to the benefit at her present place of residence at Faridabad. Senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, appearing for corporator Daya Chand Yadav, who had challenged her election, told the apex court that “Goswami” had not been declared as a Backward Class in Haryana. Mr Singhvi argued that Mrs Goswami could not claim a benefit which did not exist in Haryana. Mr Yadav filed a caveat in the apex court, pleading that he should also be heard while Mr Goswami’s appeal was considered. The certificate about her entitlement for the benefit from authorities in Ghaziabad was only obtained in 2001, just before the Faridabad corporation poll, Mr Yadav’s counsel contended. The high court in its order on April 22 had allowed the petition by Mr Yadav and quashed the election of Mrs
Goswami. |
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Protesting farmers burn sugarcane New Delhi, May 8 The Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution System, Mr Sharad Yadav, said the private mills were paying between Rs 70 and Rs 90 per quintal as advance to growers as per agreement with sugar mills concerned. During the question hour the minister said no complaint had been registered so far in regard to non-purchase of entire sugarcane by the mills in Uttar Pradesh. All 27 cooperatives and 22 public sector mills had started crushing operations for 2002-03. Of the 58 private mills, 51 had started crushing operations, the minister said. In reply to another question, Mr Yadav said outstanding dues of sugarcane growers during 2002-03 were Rs 1,137.88 crore. An amount of Rs 24.98 crore pertaining to 2001-02 sugar season is also outstanding, he said. Meanwhile, nearly 200 farmers breached the high security around Parliament to reach within 50 metres of it to protest over the prices. The farmers burnt sugarcane on reaching Vijay Chowk. The police reached the spot but found tough to disperse the gathering. |
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Mass cremations: rights panel notice to Punjab New Delhi, May 8 A three-member Bench presided by NHRC Chairperson Justice A.S. Anand has given Punjab Government 10 weeks to file separate affidavits in the remaining 366 cases which figure in the CBI’s list of 582 identified cremations. The state government had been asked to explain how the cases came in their custody. The case was now scheduled for hearing for July 24. The commission had also asked the petitioner body-the Committee for Information and Initiative on Punjab to file within a week a list of bodies fully identified by them from the CBI’s list of 274 partially identified cases and 1238 unidentified cases. Mr Ashok Aggarwal, counsel for the Committee told the Bench that they had identified 79 out of the 274 cases partially identified by the CBI and 149 out of the 1,238 cases which had so far not been examined by the CBI. The respondent parties had been asked to reply to the application made by the Committee. In its application dated April 5, the petitioner body had requested the commission to summon the former Director General of Police, Punjab, Mr K.P.S. Gill as he would be in a position to assist the commission by informing it of the functioning of the police department at that time. The petitioner body has also urged the commission to issue directions for setting up an expert body to assist the commission in arriving at a finding in each case of disappearance/illegal cremation. |
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Ganesha on chappals angers elders New Delhi, May 8 The issue was raised during zero hour by Mr Bal Kavi Bairagi, who said that the chappals launched in the market by US firm American Eagle had inscriptions of Lord Ganesh, which hurt the sentiments of Indians. Joining him in the protest, an angry Maulana Obaidullah Owaisi Azmi said the chappals be slapped on the face of President George Bush who had allowed such a thing to happen. Reacting to the issue, Leader of the House and Finance Minister Jaswant Singh said the government would act appropriately. Mr Bairagi said the pictures of the chappals with Lord Ganesh’s inscriptions had been published in newspapers. |
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CBI denies tapping Judge’s phone
New Delhi, May 8 The agency’s clarification came on the reported statement of High Court Judge, Mr Justice R.S. Sodhi, made in the open court that a CBI official had once threatened him and that his telephone was being tapped by the agency for some time. A CBI spokesman said the agency had noted these allegations in its seriousness and resolved to take the strictest possible action against the delinquent officer, if his misconduct was established in the matter. “At no point of time, the CBI tapped the telephone of any Judge,” he clarified.
UNI |
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CBI leaks to media worry MPs New Delhi, May 8 Intervening during question hour over a supplementary question, the Prime Minister said “officials (in the CBI) are repeatedly being told not to reveal such information which could tarnish the reputation of someone. But they do not agree. I feel it is a problem and some way has to be found out”. The Prime Minister was responding to a question where it was pointed out that when raids take place and recoveries made, a statement or information is leaked out to the press, which finally does not tally when the cases actually go to the court. As a result, the image of the accused is destroyed. |
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Army chief to meet Bhutan King today Guwahati, May 8 General Vij is touring Sikkim and will leave for Thimphu tomorrow, sources said. His visit is considered significant amidst reports about the withdrawal of camps by the militants and the Royal Bhutanese government setting a deadline of June 15 for all underground outfits fighting against India. North Bengal Divisional Commissioner Debaditya Chakraborty last week told newsmen that the neighbouring Bhutan jungles were considered a safe hideout for many militant groups of India. Many arrested militants, he said, had confessed that they were trained in the KLO hideouts in Bhutan. The Indian Army has a very large presence inside the Himalayan Kingdom with the Border Road Task Force maintaining its roads and infrastructure.
UNI |
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NCM favouring VHP, say Buddhists
New Delhi, May 8 President Buddhpriya Rahul of the WBO said Mr Tarlochan Singh had lost moral authority to remain in the post and demanded his immediate resignation from the Commission. Mr Tarlochan Singh should retract his statement supporting VHP leader Praveen Togadia’s “Trishul Diksha” programme as arms distribution would harm the unity and integrity of the country. He accused the Chairman of supporting those who were spreading hatred just to fulfil his own ambitions. He charged that the BJP-led government at the Centre had appointed “coward people having slavish mentality who by giving statements detrimental to the interest of the nation are driving a wedge between the people.” The Buddhist leader said peace could be established in the country only through non-violence, friendship and charity and not through “trishul” distribution.
UNI |
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Court: trishul not weapon
Jodhpur, May 8 |
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Delay in FIR no defence: SC New Delhi, May 8 "The element of delay in registering a complaint or sending the same to the jurisdictional magistrate by itself would not in any manner weaken the prosecution case," a Bench comprising Mr Justice N Santosh Hegde, Mr Justice Ashok Bhan and Mr Justice B.P. Singh in a judgement said. While upholding the Punjab and Haryana High Court order confirming the conviction of three of the accused and acquitting three others, the apex court also ruled that if evidence of the surviving victims of the murderous attack was "consistent and natural", it could be fully relied upon by the court. The trial court had convicted all six accused in a case, which was the fall out of an altercation in which derogatory word "bhangi" was used by one of the accused.
TNS |
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Brar apologises to Sonia
New Delhi, May 8 AICC sources said Mr Brar had written a letter to Ms Gandhi expressing his apologies. The issue was being “looked into’’ by the high command, the sources said adding that Mr Brar, who is a Whip of the party, may be removed from the post. Brar and two of his party colleagues stayed back in the Lok Sabha to participate in a call attention motion on frequent crashes of MiG fighter aircraft Mr Brar later said the faux pas had occurred due to “misunderstanding and confusion”.
TNS |
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Vivek Oberoi bags Best Debut Actor Award They were all there, Vivek Oberoi, Fardeen Khan, Yash Chopra and Malaika Arora, all at one place. It was the Provogue V. Shantaram Awards, which shook Mumbai and introduced glamour and glitter to the Hyatt on Saturday evening as Provogue unveiled its Spring Summer 2003 Collection. The Best Debut Actor Award went to Vivek Oberoi, who had the support of his entire family there, and Aishwarya Rai bagged the Best Actress Award. Devdas won the award for the Best Film. The Best Actor Award went to Jay Ram for ‘Sesham’, a Malayalam film. The electric atmosphere continued with dance performances by Gauri Karnik of ‘Sur’. Malaika Arora danced to the numbers “Chaiya Chaiya” and “Maahi Re” with her usual pomp and style. Perizaad Zorabian too performed to the theme song of the movie Chicago and had the crowd cheering her on for more! Early entries were Mr Manmohan Shetty and Ritesh Deshmukh followed by Chagan Bhujbal, Jeetendra, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh, Dino Morea, Pooja Batra and Diya Mirja, who looked stunning in a peach sari. |
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Red Cross Day celebrated New Delhi, May 8 |
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