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Iran offers 60 pc
cost of pipeline Trial begins in
stamp paper scam Probe Sonia’s
‘role’ in stamp paper scam: BJP Work for
disabled, Vajpayee urges scientists
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Murasoli Maran
cremated SC questions UP
Govt on Chief Secy’s extension CPM seeks
explanation from CBI in Babri case Indecision on
LCA’s induction worries Fernandes SC seeks lists of
issues from Punjab, Haryana in SYL case SC upholds
Centre’s order on ICWA China lifts
dengue-related checks on Indians Former MP Sondhi
dead
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Iran offers
60 pc cost
of pipeline New Delhi, November 24 “Gas transported through onland pipeline passing through Pakistan will be much cheaper than alternative sources such as importing gas by ships in form of liquefied natural gas (LNG)”, Iranian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs M.H. Adeli said here, while speaking at a session of the India Economic Summit organised by the WEF and the CII. Mr Adeli, however, did not elaborate on the structure of the pipeline. India had maintained that it would prefer the under-sea option on security considerations. “Deep sea pipelines pose technical and financial difficulties as they have to be laid at water depth of 3500 metre. A shallow water line too is difficult as a rough seabed is not suitable for laying a gas pipeline”, the Iranian minister said. The proposed pipeline would originate from Assaluyeh and transit through Balouchistan in Pakistan and then reach Delhi. New Delhi has voiced security concerns for an onland gas pipeline passing through Pakistan fearing disruption of supplies during transit. On the delivery price of the gas, Mr Adeli said that the consortium of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), GAIL and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Iran’s national oil company NIOC is expected to discuss the matter in detail in meeting scheduled to be held next month. |
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Trial begins in stamp paper scam Bangalore, November 24 Sessions Court Judge A.T. Manoli, who has been appointed to preside over the special court and conduct the trial, took charge at the high-security Bangalore Central Jail located in Parappana Agrahahara on the outskirts of the city. Judge Manoli later told reporters that he had sought transfer of case files pertaining to the cases pending before various courts, including the fast track court and high court. The trial would begin once the documents were transferred, he said. Manoli said so far he had not served notices on any of the accused, including the prime accused Abdul Karim Telgi, currently lodged in jail. The trial process in the special court here has commenced even as the Centre has decided to hand over the probe to the CBI into the case, which has inter-state ramifications. |
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Probe Sonia’s ‘role’ in stamp paper scam: BJP New Delhi, November 24 Circulating copies of news reports about Mr Tinaikar’s Bangalore press conference, BJP spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said it was Mr Tinaikar who was credited for busting the “mega scam of the post- Independence era” and that his credibility in unearthing the scam had been established. Mr
Tinaikar, who hails from the town of alleged racket kingpin Abdul Karim
Telgi, yesterday named Mrs Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna, AICC General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad and Small Scale Industries Minister Roshan Baig as “having been in cahoots” with
Telgi. Mr Naqvi claimed that with this development, one could guess why Congress governments in Karnataka and Maharashtra were opposed to handing over the multi-state scam probe to the CBI. Mr Naqvi said the charges of Mr Tinaikar were significant because he had unravelled the scam and his statements should be taken seriously. He said Telgi had expressed fears that his life was in danger and hence he should be handed over to the Central investigation agency for bringing out the truth. Congress spokesman Anand Sharma, reacting to the BJP’s demand, said the party and Mrs Gandhi were equally concerned with the scam. Answering to a volley of questions from newspersons, who sought the Congress reaction to the BJP’s demand, Mr Sharma said Mrs Gandhi had herself written to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, asking him to launch an inquiry into the scam. |
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Work for disabled, Vajpayee urges scientists New Delhi, November 24 “The problems of the physically challenged must be given a priority in our developmental strategies, both internationally and domestically,’’ he added. “An increased utilisation of technological resources available is needed to expand the scope of appropriate training and enhancement of skills, which would in turn open up job opportunities for the physically challenged,’’ Mr Vajpayee said highlighting the role of technological intervention in addressing the problems of the disabled. He assured disability activists and the participants of all possible support by the government. The title ‘Abilympics’ is derived from “Ability and Olympics’’ implying Olympics of ability in vocational skills for the disabled. The event will witness participation of 2,000 contestants from 35 countries. The ‘Abilympics’ started as a national competition in Japan in the 1970s. Its aim was to improve the vocational skills of people with disabilities in order to promote their participation in socio-economic activities. The competitions held in a variety of skills are aimed to give young people and adults with disabilities the skills and confidence they need to get and hold jobs, and to demonstrate to the public at large these individuals’ potential and their competence. |
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Chennai, November 24 Pall-bearers from three services carried Maran’s body, draped in the Tricolour, from the entrance of the crematorium. The body was brought in a flower-decked gun carriage. Earlier, hundreds of people lined the six km-long funeral procession route from DMK president M. Karunanidhi’s house to the crematorium. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral, Defence Minister George Fernandes and representatives of the Army, navy and the air force placed wreaths on the body offering last respects to the departed soul. Maran died here yesterday after battling for life for nearly 14 months at Apollo Hospital here and at a hospital in Houston, USA, where he was flown for treatment. The DMK president, who is also Maran’s maternal uncle, broke down when a 21-gun salute was accorded shortly before the cremation. The
soldiers reversed arms as mark of respect to the departed leader. Mr Fernandes, who was seated next to Mr Karunanidhi, consoled him. Mr Vajpayee and Mr Gujral, with whom Maran had a personal rapport, consoled the family members, including Mallika Maran, wife of the late leader. Leaders of various parties, including Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also paid tributes to Maran.
— PTI
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SC questions UP Govt on Chief Secy’s extension New Delhi, November 24 “In Uttar Pradesh there are no officers worth holding the office of Chief Secretary or is he the only worthy officer suited to hold the post,” a Bench comprising Mr Justice N. Santosh Hegde and Mr Justice B.P. Singh asked during hearing of a petition challenging the grant of extension to him, which allegedly was also opposed by the Union Cabinet Secretary. The court directed the parties to complete the pleadings by
December 5, when final arguments would be heard on the petition. |
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CPM seeks explanation from CBI in Babri case New Delhi, November 24 “No amount of clever manipulation of talking about the case before the Rae Bareli court and ignoring or forgetting the case that was there earlier before the designated court in Lucknow can submerge the facts of the matter,” the party Politburo said in a statement here. The party said it was “both strange and improper” for the CBI chief to have remarked to the media on a case pending before the courts. Citing Sharma’s remarks that the original charge sheet before the Rae Bareli court did not have the criminal conspiracy charge, the CPM said “Hence, he (Sharma) concludes there is no question of the CBI withdrawing a charge that was never there in the first place”. Not only did CBI file the charge sheet with criminal conspiracy charge “but the sanction of the Central and state governments were obtained”, it said. “Clearly, the CBI cannot now escape from its responsibility by taking refuge behind technicalities”, the party said, adding the “simple fact” was that the agency had filed a charge sheet of criminal conspiracy in 1993 and dropped the charge in 2003. The CPM demanded that the CBI explain why it had rescinded from its own earlier charge sheet. |
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Indecision on LCA’s induction worries Fernandes New Delhi, November 24 He cautioned that "prolonged indecision" by the Army had already brought the country’s Arjun Main Battle Tank project into an uncertain phase. Mr Fernandes said the defence services had to take decisions fast or otherwise the vital strides gained by India in such technology had the danger of being overcome by obsolescence. Speaking after giving away the national awards for excellence in the indigenisation of defence stores, he went to the extent of hinting that the Army was dragging its feet on the order for the Arjun tank. "We are undecided whether to go in for user trials or not," the Defence Minister said, adding that similar was the case with country’s indigenous showcase advance light helicopters for which he said adequate orders were not forthcoming from the services. ‘Similar was the case with the LCA project, which at present was on schedule. If orders for such projects were not forthcoming from within the country, then how could India hope to capture export markets?" he asked. Drawing attention of top officials of defence, public sector undertakings, Directorate of Quality Assurance and private defence companies Mr Fernandes told them future trends in armament systems and technologies now hinged on seeking collaborations and investments right from the inception state. He said the days of first developing weapons systems and then seeking markets for them abroad were over and cited in this connection the new trend India had faced in the acquisition of T-90 tanks from Russia. The Russians, citing economic difficulties, had asked for advance payments for developing tanks and its various systems for India, he said, adding that in future, too, India would have to incorporate such a pattern. The Defence Minister called for more involvement between defence public sector undertakings and private sector for developing indigenous capabilities saying India had a rich technological reservoir. Ms Uma Pillai, Secretary, Defence Production, in her address, said outsourcing by the defence public sector units was increasing with work worth Rs 2,000 crores being awarded to over 30,000 small firms during the past three years. |
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SC seeks lists of issues from Punjab, Haryana in SYL case New Delhi, November 24 The direction was issued by a Bench comprising Chief Justice, Mr V.N. Khare, Mr Justice S.B. Sinha and Mr Justice A.R. Lakshmanan, while hearing an application by the Haryana Government, seeking the dismissal of Punjab’s counter-suit against the one filed by it for getting the SYL project completed by the Centre after Punjab had failed to implement the apex court’s order in this regard. Senior advocate, F.S. Nariman, appearing for Punjab along with its Advocate-General Harbhagwan Singh, said no question of rejecting the state’s plaint arose as many new factors had emerged, and the issues needed to be framed for the hearing of the matter afresh by at least a three-judge Bench because the January 15, 2002, decree, directing Punjab to complete the project by January 15, 2003, was passed by a Accepting Punjab’s plea, the court said counsels for both the states would submit their respective lists by November 27, clearly spelling out the issues to be decided. Earlier, senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, appearing for Haryana, sought the dismissal of Punjab’s counter-suit, filed two days before the January 15, 2003 deadline, set for the completion of the work. Mr Bhushan said all those issues, raised by Punjab in its fresh counter-suit, had been decided by the court and “now only issue that remains to be decided is its rejection.” Meanwhile, Bharatiya Kisan Union’s Punjab unit had filed an application that its views should also be heard because farmers of Punjab would be directly affected by the diversion of Satluj water to Haryana. While Haryana in its suit has sought the completion of the SYL by the Centre, possibly through its agency, the Border Road Organisation, Punjab
had submitted that it should be discharged of the obligation to complete the project. It also
had said that the decree passed by the court against it in January 15, 2002 judgement, was not enforcible in the changed circumstances. Apart from seeking to declare Section 14 of the Inter-State Water Dispute Act, 1956, as “ultra vires”, Punjab had raised various other issues, included Centre’s failure to implement the 10-point “Rajiv-Longowal” pact, under which the SYL was to be constructed, in letter and spirit. It had said the inflow of water in rivers in the state had been reduced during the past 15 years and Haryana had been provided with additional water under the Yamuna agreement and from Shar-Yamuna Link canal. Punjab had said its water was needed in districts of
Ferozepore, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga,
Sangrur, Mansa and Bathinda would be adversely affected if Satluj water was diverted
to Haryana. |
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SC upholds Centre’s order on ICWA New Delhi, November 24 A Bench comprising Mr Justice R.C. Lahoti and Mr Justice Brijesh Kumar, upheld the government’s May 4, 2001, Ordinance and a subsequent Act passed by Parliament, reconstituting the
ICWA, while dismissing two writ petitions, filed by Josh and another person. The ICWA, under Josh, had challenged the government’s action, contending that the council of international repute was set up as association by prominent
personalities in 1943 during the freedom struggle, including former Presidents Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan and Dr Zakir Hussain, former premier Jawaharlal Nehru, Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and H.N. Kunjrro. Since it was an association by such towering
personalities, the government had no right to interfere in its affairs. The court, however, rejected the contention of Josh and accepted the government stand that the ICWA was not being run by the incumbent body as it was desired to be An earlier Ordinance, issued by the government in 1990, was quashed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had paved the way for the body under Josh to continue to hold its office in Sapru House here. |
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China lifts
dengue-related checks on Indians New Delhi, November 24 This was conveyed by the visiting Chinese leader, Mr Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, to External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha when he raised the issue of China issuing advisories related to dengue fever. The Chinese leader also met Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, at whose invitation he had come here on a five-day visit, and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Mr Vajpayee observed that the bilateral trade target of $ 10 billion was achievable, given the dramatic increase in trade already effected. |
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Former MP Sondhi dead New Delhi, November 24 He was 69 and is survived by his widow and two sons. Professor Sondhi, who quit the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1960s died of a cardiac arrest this afternoon after he met with an accident on Friday. His cremation is to take place tomorrow at Nigam Bodh Ghat, said his wife Madhuri. Professor Sondhi, a topper of the Indian Foreign Service in 1959, had resigned from the IFS in 1961 to teach at the Indian School of International Studies. He had contested parliamentary elections in 1967 and was elected to the Lok Sabha on the Jan Sangh ticket. Professor Sondhi started Peace Dividend and Conflict Management studies in the Centre of Science Policy, School of Social Sciences at JNU. After his retirement from JNU, Professor Sondhi was appointed Chairman of the ICSSR. He was also a member of the National Executive of the BJP. |
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