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Saturday,
August 2, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Govt
denigrating Parliament, Amartya
justifies Pak nuclear programme
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Accused
says Pak money was for Geelani
Left to
support Cong on secular govt BJP
condemns rights panel move Cong
remarks on PM baseless: BJP Probe into police
torture of Badal kin sought Badal
victim of Cong witch-hunt: BJP Women
scale Ladakh virgin peak Section
107 against killing of dog: experts Kalam
flies to Noida in copter SP, BJP
demand Rabri’s sack Sikdar
is nursing services in charge
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Govt denigrating Parliament, says CPM New Delhi, August 1 Addressing newspersons here, CPM Parliamentary Party leader Somnath Chatterjee voiced his protest against the ruling party denying an
opportunity to the Opposition to raise important issues in the Lok Sabha and the Parliamentary Affairs Minister behaving like a ‘sitting Buddha’ instead of helping Speaker Manohar Joshi in controlling the House. Stating that major issues like that of the CBI’s functioning and the BJP’s criticism of the NHRC’s role in the Best Bakery case were not being allowed to be raised by the ruling party, Mr Chatterjee said “it is a unique situation that members from the treasury benches have disrupted proceedings for the last five days in the Lok Sabha”. Mr Chatterjee, who was accompanied by members Nilotpal Basu and Rupchand Pal, also said the CBI was being “undermined” and “misused” and the Minister in charge of the agency — Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee — had not even cared to come to the House to answer the issues raised by the Opposition. The attempt to prevent the Opposition from raising the issue of the role of the CBI in the Ayodhya issue appeared to be well-orchestrated, he said. He said the Opposition was forced to walk out of the Lok Sabha because the ruling party and even the Speaker did not permit them to raise important issues. He said zero hour today was taken up by what he termed as a state issue — law and order in Bihar — but the Speaker did not stop NDA members from raising the issue. He said the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Shiv Sena, the Samata Party and even the Bharatiya Janata Party — all allies of the NDA — had disrupted the proceedings of the Lok Sabha this week. |
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Amartya
justifies Pak
nuclear programme New Delhi, August 1 India’s superiority in the conventional weapons warfare vis-a-vis Pakistan draws from the fact that in absolute terms the country’s defence Budget was much higher than that of its neighbour. In Professor Sen’s view, Pakistan may have been forced to persist with its nuclear weapons programme as it was “overwhelmed” by India’s conventional weapons capacity. He was speaking at a press conference organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Shri Ram Centre
(SRC) here. The Nobel laureate expressed concern over the prevailing uncertainty among the minorities, especially in the wake of the incidents in Gujarat. “This is a worrying issue,” he said, adding that it should be addressed both by the Centre and the state governments. He regretted that the incidents may have eroded the secular fabric of the country and accepted Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani’s debate on secularism. Burgeoning defence budgets and a policy of subsidy driven by political considerations had relegated fundamental issues such as education and health care to a state of neglect. This was a significant development imperative which had not been addressed appropriately. Professor Sen, who is known for strong views in support of a democratic system of governance, said he was proud of the Indian democracy, although the democratic process still had a long way to go in ensuring speedy development. Arguing against running educational institutions on the basis of religious faith, he said the results of globalisation had to “flow down” instead of trickling down to the deprived sections of society. This could be achieved by broadbasing the economic reforms programme which at present is narrowly focussed in areas such as information technology and communications. Chinese development models held several lessons for India in this respect with greater focus on the manufacture of goods of mass consumption engaging semi-skilled labour. Although economic indicators such as the gross domestic product (GDP) were important tools to address the basic issues of hunger and deprivation, human development index
(HDI) had even greater significance. “I am not bothered whether India became a developed nation by 2020 or not if the people were richer, happier and healthier”, he said. |
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Accused
says Pak money was for Geelani New Delhi, August 1 Mr Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, a former lecturer of physics in an Anantnag college of Jammu and Kashmir, who was arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell here on July 30 along with another accomplice Saifuddin, alias
Shatru. He has also confessed that Pakistan had sent the money in response to an SOS from Mr Geelani to keep himself afloat politically. Official sources told The Tribune tonight that Mr Geelani had communicated to Pakistan that he was in dire need of funds to float a party. Sheikh also told his interrogators that Mr Geelani was upset that his public meetings were not drawing huge crowds and to establish himself politically, he was in need of funds. Mr Geelani’s last meeting was hardly attended by 250-300 persons. Sheikh disclosed during his interrogation that Mr Geelani told his Pakistan handlers that it should be clear to them that except him (Mr Geelani) no one in Jammu and Kashmir would work for “jehad” as he has been doing all these days. Sources revealed that Mr Geelani was to address a public meeting in Sopian (J&K) today and this money was to be delivered to him for this meeting by Sheikh and his alleged accomplice. Giving a brief profile of the accused, the sources said Sheikh was close to Maulana Farooq, father of APHC leader Mirwaiz Farooq, when militancy started in Jammu and Kashmir in 1989. Soon, he came in contact with Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Commander Ishfaq Majid who introduced him in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Later, Sheikh also came in contact with Farooq Khan, a conduit in havala dealings. Khan, who is married in Nepal, introduced Sheikh to officials in Pakistan’s embassy in Kathmandu. Sources said the Delhi police was on the lookout for Sheikh’s associate Hilal War, who is also involved in money transactions from the Pakistan High Commission to different Kashmiri militant groups. Sheikh has aligned himself with Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party of Shabbir Shah. |
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Left to support Cong on secular govt New Delhi, August 1 While the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said it could support the formation of a secular government, including one led by the Congress from outside in the next general elections, the Communist Party of India (CPI) said it would support secular candidates, including those of the Congress, in the upcoming Assembly elections in five states. On the issue of the Left’s stand on Ms Sonia Gandhi as the Prime Minister, the CPI dubbed it as a “non-issue at this moment”. Replying to a question whether the left would support Sonia Gandhi as Prime Minister, CPM leader Somnath Chatterjee said “we have not elected Sonia Gandhi (as the Congress chief). It is the Congress party. If the Congress gets a majority (in the next general elections), it would mean the people have accepted her leadership”. Ruling out any alliance or front with the Congress in these elections, Mr Chatterjee said, “If the situation so arises when a secular government can be formed, and if we can help from outside, we may support it. We want a secular government and it is important that the BJP should be removed”. Briefing newspersons about the two-day meeting of the party’s national executive, CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan echoed the same line, saying “The main aim is to defeat the BJP. The party would strive for the representation of the CPI and Left in the assemblies and support secular parties and forces.” However, Mr Bardhan ruled out the formation of a third force, saying it was not relevant in these states where the fight was mainly between the Congress and the BJP. |
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BJP condemns rights panel move New Delhi, August 1 The BJP’s rather harsh comment on yet another constitutional institution came at the regular BJP media briefing when its Parliamentary Party spokesman
V.K. Malhotra said the move was “unprecedented” as it would impair the judicial process in the country and affect the federal system of the country. The CPM came out strongly criticising the ruling party for making objectionable remarks against statutory bodies like the commission. Referring to the case, Mr Somnath Chatterjee of the CPM said it was condemnable that a senior functionary of the BJP had made degrading remarks about the commission. |
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Cong remarks on PM baseless: BJP New Delhi, August 1 Referring to the allegations made by Congress spokesman S. Jaipal Reddy and PAC Chairman Buta Singh that Mr Vajpayee was trying to subvert and interfere with the functioning of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, BJP Parliamentary Party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said both Mr Reddy and Mr Buta Singh appeared not to have gone through Mr Vajpayee’s speech carefully. While underscoring the importance of accountability, all that Mr Vajpayee had emphasised was that the relationship between the Executive and the CAG should be such that the decision making responsibility of senior government officers and executives of PSUs was not impaired, he said. |
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Probe into police torture of Badal kin sought New Delhi, August 1 The senior counsel has drawn the attention of the commission chairperson, Justice A.S. Anand, to the alleged third degree methods used by the police on Mr Manjinder Singh, a victim of terrorism, in custody last year. He has pointed out that the merciless treatment meted out to him left Manjinder Singh virtually crippled. The 33-year-old victim can barely walk due to the torture inflicted upon him by the police, the letter alleges. In his letter to the commission, the human rights activist has stated that Mr Manjinder Singh, a resident of Amritsar, is the only earning member of his family. His father and brother were killed by terrorists in 1987 and 1992. Mr Phoolka has requested the NHRC to depute an officer to investigate the matter and ensure that the guilty police officers are identified and punished in accordance with law.
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Badal victim of Cong witch-hunt: BJP New Delhi, August 1 Raising the matter during zero hour in the Lok Sabha today, BJP chief whip V. K. Malhotra said in the name of the anti-corruption drive, the Amarinder Singh government in Punjab had sought “the help of
Khalistani leaders such as Jagjit Singh Chohan”. This sparked off angry protests from Congress members who refuted the charges. Congress member Jagmeet Singh Brar said the earlier Badal government had looted the people of Punjab with the knowledge of the BJP and Mr Badal was now facing the consequences of this misrule. “Law is taking its own course”, Mr Brar said. Mr Malhotra said though the Punjab Government had issued advertisements in newspapers that Mr Badal and his family had amassed assets worth Rs 3,500 crore, no FIR was lodged in this respect for as long as 18 months. He said that an FIR was lodged all of sudden on June 24 and subsequently, 24 properties of Mr Badal and his family were raided. As part of the campaign, the Congress government in the state had constituted a commission to investigate the charges, but its chairman had soon after resigned, Mr Malhotra said.
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Women scale Ladakh virgin peak New Delhi, August 1 “The four climbers — Phoolmaya
Tamang, Susham Thakur, Reena Kaushal and Kavita, who is also the youngest in the team — climbed the peak, which is at a height of 6789 m at 7.45 in the morning having started their climb at 12.40 am,” said Yana
Bey, a team member. She added, “We had to alter our plans slightly. We had initially decided to have three camps, but later realised that we will have to go round the entire mountain to set the third camp, so we decided to scale the peak from the second base camp itself.” The euphoric team leader, Ms Marwah, recalling the trek pointed out, “We had a tough team, which is why we could make it through the hostile stretches of roads. The trek was strenuous and we had to be very cautious while climbing. The river crossings were dangerous, but we pulled through”. She was quick to add, “The weather was good, which was a boon. An earlier expedition to the peak had been thwarted on account of deep snow and bad weather.” The climbers had to pass through steep stretches and also encountered snowfall on a single occasion. “Thankfully it snowed just once, but it was very windy on the summit”, said
Bey. The team, which was flagged off here by the President of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), Mr N. N. Vohra, last month consisted of nine women climbers, including a doctor. The expedition was sponsored by the IMF as part of the Everest Golden Jubilee celebrations. “The girls have left an ice piton and
khadas, Buddhist silk scarves on the summit. They also performed a small pooja on the top,” said
Bey. The exhilarated climbers are also rejoicing an accident-free trek. “The fear factor is always there. There are so many things that need attention. During this trip itself, there were places with the gradient as steep as 75 degrees, so there was a certain amount of anxiety,” said Reena Kaushal. |
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Section
107 against killing of dog: experts Patna, August 1 The court of the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) in Bihar’s Purnea district had sentenced the dog to death under Section 107 of the Criminal Procedure Code. While Bihar is known for its laxity in implementing the law, the local court is out to prove sceptics wrong this time by doggedly pursuing the case against the canine. The dog, belonging to widow Janki Devi, was accused of becoming uncontrollable and threatening the peace of the area. Some residents of Purnea, about 350 km from here, moved court a month ago, saying it had bitten many people. Yet others said the land mafia, eyeing the widow’s property, levelled false charges against the animal. The SDO’s court then sentenced it to death. But the Purnea district administration hasn’t yet implemented the order. “We have not received any directive to execute the order of the court of the SDO to kill a pet dog,” said an official of the district administration. He said they were in a dilemma because Section 107 does not authorise killing a dog. Legal experts add that the SDO’s order was beyond the ambit of law. It may be a dog’s life for many criminals on the run in Bihar but this dog seems to be living it out, caught as it is in the grip of the law. If only the authorities were as efficient in catching those — human — criminals!
— IANS |
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Kalam flies to Noida in copter New Delhi, August 1 Because of the threats from militant outfits it has been decided that the President would use a helicopter to visit areas in the periphery of the Capital, official sources said. They said, according to the intelligence assessment, the threat perception to Dr Kalam was “too high” and such “precautionary measures” were necessary. The decision had also been taken in view of hardship caused to the general public because of VVIP movement, the sources said. The security of the First Citizen was recently upgraded and a jammer vehicle was made mandatory part of his motorcade. The government was also considering amending the Special Protection Group Act to bring the security of the President under its purview. Dr Kalam is the second VVIP after Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani to use helicopter services. Mr Advani had used it to attend a function at Ghitorni on the outskirts of New Delhi earlier this year. |
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SP, BJP demand Rabri’s sack New Delhi, August 1 Raising the issue during zero hour, SP member Prabhunath Singh alleged that there was no law and order in the state with reports of kidnapping and loot becoming common. The situation had worsened to such an extent that even the nephew of a state minister, Mr Raghvendra Pratap Singh, was kidnapped. Charging the Congress, a coalition partners in the RJD-led government in Bihar, of “hoodwinking” the people of the state, Mr Prabhunath Singh alleged that criminals were given shelter in the Chief Ministers’ residence. The allegations drew protests from the RJD and Left parties members who asked the Centre whether any member could say anything in the House. As members of Left parties and the RJD started walking out in protest against the charges made against the state government, the Speaker adjourned the House five minutes before the lunch recess. |
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Sikdar
is nursing services in charge New Delhi, August 1 Major Gen Sikdar was commissioned into the service in 1967, after passing out from the School of Nursing, Air Force Hospital, Secunderabad, and had the distinction of having provided dedicated services during the 1965 operations as a nursing cadet. She also participated in the 1971 operations besides serving during the Operation Rakshak at a base hospital. |
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Tejas
attains supersonic speed Bangalore, August 1 “Tejas crossed the sound barrier when it crossed the Mach 1 and reached Mach 1.08 speed at an altitude of 11 km during the flight test carried out by the agency,” the sources said. “Today’s flight, piloted by Wing Commander Vikram Singh, is Tejas’s major milestone towards expanding its flight capability,” agency officials said.
— PTI 11
feared drowned Lucknow, August 1 |
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Sinha
leaves for Syria New Delhi, August 1 Mr Sinha, who left here today, will visit Syria from August 1 to 4 before reaching Turkey on a two-day visit.
— UNI |
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