 |
Monday,
September 22, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
|
BJP in favour of Mahajan as Lack of
strong suspicion let Advani Develop Ayodhya on pattern of
Vaishno Devi, says Advani |
|
|
Maya
threatens retaliation
Only govt can decide PCS efficiency standards,
says SC |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Defence Notes Engineering degree through distance learning Increase in Madhya Pradesh forest cover Panel against death penalty for rape Militants shoot 5 in Cooch Behar Eat almonds to reduce cholesterol level
|
|
BJP in favour of Mahajan as party chief New Delhi, September 21 The blueprint of the BJP-Sangh Parivar gameplan is to persuade Dr Joshi to withdraw his resignation, bring a new party president in the upcoming BJP organisational poll (since Dr Joshi continues as Cabinet minister he would not be a candidate for the presidential post) and select a president who is acceptable to all, including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and Dr Joshi. In the entire political hullaballoo, general secretary Pramod Mahajan may emerge as the dark horse. The Maharashtra Chitpavan lobby of the RSS has of late become active in lobbying for Mr Mahajan as the new BJP president. Maharashtra has traditionally held sway over the RSS as the sangh ideology spread from Maharashtra and the Sangh continues to have headquarters in Nagpur. The pro-Mahajan lobby in the RSS is headed by Mr Mohan Bhagwat who ranks high in the RSS hierarchy and is senior to Mr Madandas Devi. This lobby has been pushing for replacing BJP president Venkaiah Naidu by somebody who is more charismatic, more acceptable in the North, is a mass leader and also has the backing of an industrial lobby. The argument of this lobby is that Mr Mahajan outscores Mr Naidu on all these “pre-requisites” of a vibrant president. Besides, this was the tacit understanding when Mr Mahajan was taken out of the government and inducted into the party as general secretary, the post which was then seen as a springboard to the top job in the BJP. The view of Mr Sudarshan and Mr Madandas Devi is similar to Mr Advani’s — that Mr Naidu should not be changed as party president at least until the Lok Sabha elections. It is understood that when Mr Vajpayee called up Dr Joshi on September 19, hours after he faxed his resignation to the Prime Minister, the HRD Minister poured out a long tale of woes to him. Dr Joshi told the Prime Minister that he saw a political conspiracy against him in the party. His argument was that when he had already told the Press on September 18 on the eve of the Rae Bareli court’s verdict in the Ayodhya case, that he would resign if the court was to chargesheet him, where was the need for the BJP leaders to meet on the morning of September 19 and make a policy announcement contrary to his stand. The HRD Minister is understood to have told the Prime Minister that he had not been invited for the September 19 meeting and he was neither consulted nor informed about the decisions taken at the meeting. Sources said indications as of now were that in the end Dr Joshi would be persuaded to withdraw his resignation, thus leaving the floor open for a new party president who is amenable to Mr Advani. Mr Advani is likely to support Mr Mahajan as Mr Naidu’s replacement. |
|
Lack
of strong suspicion let Advani off the hook Rae
Bareli, September 21 In his 130-page
order, Special Judicial Magistrate V.K. Singh, while finding “enough
grounds for discharging” Mr Advani, has said the evidence presented
against the other seven accused creates a “strong suspicion” about
their involvement in the offences. In reaching its decision, the
court has cited a Supreme Court ruling in Union of India vs Prafulla
Kumar Sama and others case in which the apex court opined that if the
court was satisfied that there could be two equal viewpoints and the
evidence presented though created “some amount of suspicion but not
serious suspicion, the accused could be discharged.” It will be
reasonable to frame charges if the evidence creates serious suspicion
against the accused and has not been explained, the court observed.
— PTI |
|
Develop Ayodhya on pattern of
Vaishno Devi, Khajuraho, September 21 “Hundreds of pilgrims throng Ayodhya. It has one of the most sacred rivers in the country — River
Sarayu... it should be developed on the pattern of the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu,” Mr Advani said at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of an archaeological museum. Looking at Union Tourism and Culture Minister Jagmohan, who was also present, he said, “Those who visit the Vaishno Devi shrine remember you for the development there.” So I expect you to develop Ayodhya on the same pattern.” Speaking to newspersons on board a special aircraft, Mr Advani said when Mr Jagmohan had taken over the charge as the Union Tourism and Culture Minister he had requested him to develop Somnath and Ayodhya. “As far Somnath is concerned, Jagmohan has initiated a lot of development projects and I wish that he takes up development work in Ayodhya too, as we have a special affection for it,” he said. He, however, refused to comment on the resignation of Human Resources Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi. Asked whether the party would move a higher court to stay the Rai Bareli court’s decision to chargesheet Mr Joshi and others, Mr Advani merely said: “The party will decide on the issue after thorough consultation with lawyers.” Earlier, speaking at the function, he said he would be happy like the people of the Bundelkhand area if the Khajuraho Airport was named after the great king
Chatrasal. “There is a demand from the people of Bundelkhand for naming the airport as Chatrasal Airport but the proposal for it has to first come from the Madhya Pradesh Government and then the Civil Aviation Ministry should give its nod before the Cabinet clears it,” he said. The Deputy Prime Minister, earlier, laid the foundation stone for modernisation and expansion of passenger terminal complex at Khajuraho Airport. Civil Aviation Minister Rajeev Pratap Rudy was also present. Mr Jagmohan said his endeavour was to develop
Khajuraho, one of the world heritage sites, as one of the best tourist attraction points and in that direction his ministry had proposed to establish a museum. “Like every foreign tourist visits Agra, my ministry’s efforts will be to make Khajuraho a must destination. This will help in the economic growth of the region,” he said. |
|
VHP plans temple movement New Delhi, September 21 The decision was taken at a meeting which was attended by over 1000 leaders of the VHP and the RSS. |
Maya threatens
retaliation Bhopal, September 21 Addressing a rally of her party workers here this afternoon, she said Manuwadis had joined hands to persecute her, as they could not digest a Dalit woman becoming a Chief Minister. She appealed to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to order an inquiry into the wealth of important politicians, not by the CBI but by a committee of eminent citizens, and bring out a white paper on the subject. She also attributed motives to the Supreme Court for ordering the registration of an FIR in the Taj Corridor case. |
|
Only govt can decide PCS efficiency standards, New Delhi, September 21 The apex court upheld a judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court that reversed the Punjab Public Service Commission’s decision to prescribe a screening test and fix 45 per cent minimum qualifying cut-off marks for general category and 40 per cent for SC candidates for recruitment of Medical Officers in 1997. “It would be a matter of policy to be decided by the state government as to what measures, if necessary, may be provided regarding reservations vis-a-vis maintenance of efficiency in services,” a Division Bench of Mr Justice Brijesh Kumar and Mr Justice Arun Kumar said while deciding five identical appeals on the issue. “Where no special qualification or any prescribed standard of efficiency over and above the eligibility criteria is provided by the rules or the state, it would not be for the commission to impose any extra qualification supposedly for maintaining minimum efficiency which, it thinks may be necessary, the Bench said. The commission had in 1997 invited applications for recruitment of 500 Medical Officers out of which 125 were reserved for SC candidates. Sixtytwo SC posts were meant for Balmikis and Majhabi Sikhs while the remaining were for the general category of SCs. —
PTI |
|
One killed, 6 hurt in Meerut clashes Meerut, September 21 District Magistrate Amit Mohan said the trouble started this morning after a person was killed by members of a rival caste in the weekly leather market area on the Hapur road. Soon people took to streets and set ablaze three vehicles, he said adding a showroom was also set on fire. Police officials, including DIG Gurudarshan Singh and SSP Mukul Goel, reached the spot and suspended Station Officer Rampal Singh. Thirty persons have been arrested, police sources said. —
PTI |
|
Defence Notes INDIA
could soon export aircraft with some western countries evincing interest in the products of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). History was created in June when the HAL for the first time decided to venture out of the country to display its range of products. The Paris Air Show at Le Bourget was chosen and the new generation
desi-aircraft displayed was the Advanced Light Helicopter “Dhruv”. With a price tag of $ 5.5 million, the Dhruv is reportedly being eyed by a number of potential customers having impressed a lot of people with its performance. The multi-role all weather and terrain helicopter has apparently received a few queries as regards its availability and the HAL has held preliminary discussions for specially producing Dhruv for potential buyers. Industry watchers are hoping the Dhruv deals will come through and put India among the select group of countries exporting aircraft. Incidentally, another aircraft which can again have an export market is the “Tejas”, the country’s indigenously produced Light Combat Aircraft. Although much behind schedule, its steady progress could do the country proud. India’s eye in the sky India can put another eye in the sky besides its satellites. The importance of it pertains to monitoring the Indo-Pak border where infiltration is continuing despite multi-pronged efforts by the security agencies to plug all gaps. There is apparently a proposal pending with the Ministry of Defence
(MoD) whereby a secret eye can be tucked into a 152-metre long helium based balloon above the country’s northern borders. Expectedly the government is not forthcoming on this project. A question in Parliament on this issue recently brought the following response from the
MoD: “Details cannot be divulged in the interest of national security”. DRDO to develop weapon locating radars In another first for the country which could also save a lot of money for the government, the Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) has taken up the project for indigenous development of Weapon Locating Radars (WLR) jointly with M/s Bharat Electronics Ltd
(BEL). This is of great importance as evidenced during the 50-day war in Kargil to push back Pakistan’s intrusion in 1999. While Pakistan had these radars which gave it an edge, the Indian troops accomplished the job. These radars could have facilitated the armed forces by providing the much-needed direction. The DRDO and BEL are now developing the WLR, based on technology of phased Array radar. It is in an advanced stage of development. While the software has already been developed and evaluated, the platform vehicle and other activities are progressing on schedule. Incidentally, after the US opened its defence market for India, New Delhi recently also signed a deal with the Raytheon company for the purchase of 12 of these
WLRs. The deal was pegged at a staggering $ 140 million. Of the dozen radars, India has already received two. The delivery of the remaining 10 is expected to be completed by mid-2004. |
|
Engineering degree through distance learning New Delhi, September 21 The programme will be available to students in 11 cities in India starting next month and the four-year programme will also be offered in seven other countries. In India the course will be offered at NIIT education centres in Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Jammu, Meerut, Mumbai, Varanasi and Vizag. Starting with seven countries — Bangladesh, Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Yemen — this programme will be offered gradually in 31 countries where the NIIT has a presence, NIIT Chairman Mr Rajendra S. Pawar said. Under the agreement, students of NIIT who have completed DNIIT programme will be eligible for a lateral entry into the fifth semester. The programme will allow students to choose their specialisation track in the seventh semester. “In the last semester, students will gain valuable six months of academically rigorous internship in industry under direct supervision by the NIIT. In addition, NIIT will provide placement”, Mr Pawar said. The programme, which is open to plus two pass-outs with science stream and polytechnic diploma holders in IT and CS&E from MP, will cost Rs 22,500 per semester and students will be selected through an admission test to be conducted by RGPV University. |
|
Increase in Madhya Pradesh forest cover Bhopal, September 21 The state government has attributed this increase to the implementation of a Joint Forest Management, enlisting active participation of the people in the forest management. About 14,000 van samitis had been constituted. The responsibility of the protection and development of about 60,000 sq km of forest has been assigned to them. Steps were taken to give the first claim on the forest produce to forest dwellers. The state government has decided to distribute the entire profit from wood and bamboo among van samitis. |
|
Panel against death penalty for rape New Delhi, September 21 The committee has instead recommended life imprisonment without remission or commutation for the offenders. “Those who are pleading for death penalty for the offence of rape feel that the punishment now prescribed has failed to have a deterrent effect. The view to the contrary is that the remedy should not be worse than the disease,” the committee says in its report submitted to the Centre. The report says “death penalty is irreversible. Any erroneous decision would lead to disastrous consequences. Judges are therefore likely to expect a much higher standard of proof.” This, it feels “may result in further lowering the rate of conviction. Besides, if the rapist knows that the offence carries death penalty, he may be tempted to kill the victim so that she may not be available to give evidence against him.” —
PTI |
|
Militants shoot 5 in Cooch Behar Kolkata, September 21 The terrorists, who had been trained in an ISI camp in Bangladesh, were involved in several other militant activities in the north east region recently. They were in the wanted list of both West Bengal and Bhutan police. According to a report at the state government headquarters at the Writers Buildings four or five youths carrying AK-47 and other explosives travelling in a jeep came to a local market in the Mathabhanga area and kidnapped a businessman during the busy market hours. They fired indiscriminately killing four persons on the spot and injuring nine others before leaving the place. No one had been arrested. Nor could the kidnapped businessman be located. Immediately after the incident, the local CPM unit began a 12-hour bandh, demanding the deployment of additional Central force for tackling the militant activities in the region. On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress and the Congress decided to observe a 24-hour bandh tomorrow in Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri districts. |
|
Eat almonds to reduce cholesterol level New Delhi, September 21 The board has identified Chandigarh and Delhi as initial areas of focus. The choice of areas is guided by their research on the consumption pattern in North India besides Chandigarh and Delhi’s burden of cardiovascular diseases. ABC experts, Dr Karen Lapsley, Director of Scientific Affairs, and Julie G. Adams, Director, International Programmes and Technical Affairs, are in India to hold preliminary talks with premier hospitals, heart institutes and doctors to explore the possibility of research and clinical trials. They plan to meet cardiologists at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Escorts Heart and Research Centre (EHIRC), Indraprastha Apollo Hospital and Fortis Heart Institute in SAS Nagar. “We are having very preliminary discussions. We don’t have a specific project reserved for India. The doctors want to examine research protocols before taking any decisions on research and clinical trials. We would like to support two research projects on heart diseases and diabetes,” says Dr Lapsley. According to the ABC’s year-end position report for the 2002-03 crop year ending July 31, shipments to India attained record levels and grew 10 per cent to £ 53 million. A total of 25,000 metric tonnes of almonds was shipped to India. Dr Karen Lapsley said, “The big question is really heart diseases and diabetes. We never say that almonds are a major food that can do wonders. A right mix of diet and exercise is important. We sponsored a session on dietary management of chronic diseases at the Asia Nutrition Congress held in Delhi in February. We have done 11 clinical trials abroad and have got consistent results on the cholesterol level-reducing properties of almonds.” |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 123 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
