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New Delhi, April 29 The European Union (today said that it was working to encourage both India and Pakistan to pursue the dialogue process for resolving all bilateral issues and came out strongly in support of India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. India, Lanka to sign defence
pact
Pak move will not reduce fighting strength: Navy chief
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Law panel member moves curative writ in
SC
Rahul, Priyanka to hold extensive road shows Repoll in three states
Bachendri Pal’s team scales Mt Island Peak
Held for killing RPF constable
12 passengers die in mishap
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EU backs India’s UN council
candidature
New Delhi, April 29 “India is an extremely strong candidate for the membership of an enlarged security council,” Mr Philip
McDonagh, Ireland’s ambassador representing the Irish Presidency of the EU, told mediapersons here. Asked what was the EU’s reaction to the USA’s recent decision to accord the “major non-NATO ally” status to Pakistan, he said: “We have no comment on that but the EU is trying to encourage Pakistan to remain committed to the understanding it has reached with India for the resolution of differences between the two South Asian neighbours”. In this connection, Mr McDonagh recalled that top EU officials had visited New Delhi in February and expressed their willingness to do anything to create an enabling environment for India and Pakistan to settle their disputes. Mr McDonagh and Mr Francisco da Camara Gomes, Ambassador of the head of the delegation of the European Commission, pointed out that the enlargement of the EU on May 1 with the inclusion of 10 new members would be highly beneficial for India. The new countries joining the 15-member grouping are: the Czech Republic, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus. “India and the EU are destined to be strategic partners...we wish both India and the EU take the best advantage of the expansion of the
EU,” Mr Gomes said. On the common myth in India about the EU being a “fortress’’ and that the body’s expansion would accentuate this process, he said: “Nothing can be farther from reality. Enlargement, on the contrary, will bring larger welfare gains for the EU member states as also for the rest of the world”. He explained that even though the enlargement of the EU did not automatically mean the immediate extension of a single currency to all the new member countries, it was a matter of time before the Euro became the legal tender in these nations as well. Indian companies would then realise the benefits associated with the use of single currency in an expanded market. Major Indian companies were also carrying out their trade in Euro, which was a welcome feature for both an enlarged EU as also its trading partners like India. Mr McDonagh noted that the EU enjoyed excellent relations with India in all spheres. The India-EU Summit, which has been held annually since 2000, had given a strategic dimension to relations between the two sides, which had always been underpinned by strong economic exchanges. |
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India, Lanka to sign defence
pact
New Delhi, April 29 Visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar held talks with External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra on all issues of mutual interest and concerns. Briefing newspersons, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said Mr Kadirgamar reiterated his country’s desire to further strengthen and deepen the already close and cordial relations between the two countries. “The Government of India attaches high priority to its relations with Sri Lanka and is committed to working towards enhancing cooperation in the multi-faceted sectors of bilateral relations,” Mr Sinha told the visiting dignitary. The two ministers decided to shortly start discussion on agreements being negotiated between the two countries on comprehensive economic partnership, defence cooperation and fisheries sector. The two ministers reaffirmed that their two countries must work closely in international forums and take coordinated position on bilateral, regional and global issues of common interest. Mr Kadirgamar apprised the Indian side of recent developments in the island nation, including on the peace process. India expressed the hope for an early resumption of peace talks and for a negotiated settlement acceptable to all sections of the Sri Lankan society within the framework of a united Sri Lanka and consistent with democracy, pluralism and respect for mutual rights. “India believes that an enduring solution has to emerge purely through internal political processes,” the Indian side told Mr Kadirgamar. Norwegian interlocutors are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka next month to pick up the threads of the stalled peace process. |
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Pak move will not reduce fighting strength: Navy chief
Visakhapatnam, April 29 The fighting potential of Pakistan was not expected to get any weaker, as was evident by the statement about having a “leaner and lethal army” and the fighting arm of its defence forces would remain as effective as before, he pointed out at a Press conference at the conclusion of the three-day Naval Commanders Conference at the Eastern Naval Command here. On the possibility of a joint naval exercise with Pakistan on the lines of a joint naval exercise on Chinese waters, he said it was too premature to think of such an exercise. “There is a peace initiative going on like taking up confidence building measures and having dialogue between the officials. As and when the government feels the climate is right, we may go on for military to military interaction.” he said. On the joint naval exercise taken up by India and China, he said “we had naval exercise on their waters and I hope our Chinese friends will come for the joint exercise on Indian waters also.” —
UNI |
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Law panel member moves curative writ in
SC
New Delhi, April 29 The curative petition was filed by Mr Sharma after his petition for review of February 5, 2003, judgement of the apex court approving his “compulsory retirement” by the government, was rejected by it. The curative petition can be entertained by the court only if there had been any substantial error in facts and in the application of the law. Mr Sharma in his petition has said under the inherent powers of the apex court Rule 6, the “error manifest” in the judgement needs to be cured. Mr Sharma’s counsel
C.K. Chatrath has pleaded that ordering his retirement from retrospective date, could not sustain the test of equity and fair play as there were factual errors in the verdict. He had been engaged in a protracted legal battle with the Punjab and Union Government on the issue after he had gone on long leave in
1991.
Anganwadis case To ensure the complete success of the Integrated Child Development Programme
(ICDP), the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Centre and the states to make the “anganwadi” centres operational in the country by the end of August. A Bench comprising Mr Justice
Y.K. Sabharwal and Mr Justice B.N. Agrawal issued the direction, while hearing a pending public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties
(PUCL), highlighting the apathy of the states in implementing the programme. The court also directed the governments to provide nutritional food to all children from zero to six years of age and ensure all such children in every village were enrolled in
anganwadis, which were evolved as a pre-school preparatory scheme for children in rural areas. All states were directed to submit their affidavits by August end detailing the steps taken to make the scheme a complete success. The court also asked the Centre to enhance the per head per day expenses from Re 1 for providing meals to the children in
anganwadis.
Warning to insurance firms The Supreme Court has warned insurance companies against contesting genuine claims in accident cases, resulting in unnecessary delay in payment to the victims. If it was found that the insurance companies were entering into litigations to frustrate early settlement of the claims, heavy cost would be imposed on them, a Bench of Mr Justice
S.N. Variava and Mr Justice H.K. Sema said. The warning was issued by the court, while ordering New India Assurance Company to pay Rs 6 lakh with interest as compensation to the family of an engineer, who died in a bus accident a few years ago. The court took serious note of the company entering into an unnecessary litigation on the insurance claim by the victim’s family instead of abiding by the terms and conditions of the insurance policy. “Insurance companies must bear in mind that they are the trustees of the people and keeper of their offer,” it said. The insurance companies were often found dragging people to the courts and wasting time and money of the claimants in settling their dues, the court said. The court said the Motor Vehicles Act was enacted with the aim of quick redressal of accidental claims but the way the insurance companies were handling such cases, would amount to frustrating its very objective. “If such instances are brought to this court, it would be obliged to dismiss the appeal with heavy costs,” the Bench observed. |
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SC restrains trial court in Sarabhai’s
case
New Delhi, April 29 A Bench of Mr Chief Justice V.N. Khare, Mr Justice S.B. Sinha and Mr Justice S.H. Kapadia also issued notice to the Gujarat Government and the state police on Sarabhai’s appeal, challenging the Gujarat High Court order rejecting her plea for quashing the FIR in the case. While seeking replies from the state government and the police, the Bench said the investigating agency could continue with its probe in the matter but the trial court would not take cognisance of any of its further proceedings till her petition was decided by the apex court. The Gujarat police had registered an FIR against Mallika, the daughter of noted scientist Vikram Sarabhai, in October last year after a complaint was lodged against her alleging that she had cheated some persons by alluring them to join her dance troupe to visit the USA and some other Latin American countries and charged from them Rs 3.30 lakh for this purpose. |
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CJI lauds SC staff’s role
New Delhi, April 29 “I do not treat you as employees. I treat you as part of justice delivery system in dispensing justice to the people as without your help the court cannot function properly,” Justice Khare said, addressing a farewell meeting organised by the Supreme Court Employees Association
(SCEA) here this evening. Lauding the employees for maintaining high degree of integrity, he said their contribution in the smooth functioning of the court could not be undermined. CJI designate, Justice S. Rajendra Babu endorsing the views of Justice
Khare, said the Registry and the employees of the apex court were part and parcel of the justice delivery system. The SCEA general secretary Arun Kumar Jain thanked Justice Khare for always considering the problems of the employees with compassion. |
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No withdrawal from VRS if benefits availed: SC
New Delhi, April 29 The ruling was given by a three-Judge Bench comprising Chief Justice V.N. Khare and Justices S.B. Sinha and S.H. Kapadia allowing an appeal by the Punjab and Sind bank against a judgement of Punjab and Haryana High Court. The apex court, in its judgement, held that the employee had recieved the benefits of the scheme and therefore he could not withdraw from it. —
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Rahul, Priyanka to hold extensive road shows New Delhi, April 29 The Gandhi siblings are expected to undertake extensive road shows, but only two to three days before the elections. While Rahul is slated to focus on Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka will canvass in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Congress leaders said the timing of their campaign had been deliberately chosen as it was felt that road shows were most effective on the eve of elections. Undertaking a road show just before the elections helps keep up the momentum and galvanises the workers, thus making it easy to convert the goodwill into votes, it was explained. Party sources said the third phase of elections is crucial for the Congress as it is the weakest in the states going to polls on May 5. The constituencies headed for poll in the coming round include 12 in Madhya Pradesh, 30 in Uttar Pradesh and 25 in Rajasthan. Congress strategists, who believe the party is in the race in 30-odd seats here, are aiming at a victory in 22 seats. “If we can manage this, we will succeed in halting the BJP in its strongholds,” remarked a party leader, stating that the strategy is to retain 17 seats which the Congress won last time in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The party is deploying all its senior leaders for the campaign. Digvijay Singh, Arjun Singh, K. Natwar Singh, N.D. Tiwari and Sheila Diskhit are among the stalwarts who will be on the move in these states. Stars like Govinda and Sunil Dutt, now free after their elections, will also fan out for the crucial phase. In addition, CWC member Prithviraj Chavan has been stationed in Madhya Pradesh, while Renuka Chaudhary is being despatched to oversee the poll in Rajasthan. Once the May 5 phase is over, the party can afford to take a breather as the Congress and its allies are relatively better placed in the states going to polls in the last phase on May 10. The BJP, on the other hand, has a little scope for growing in the last round. The party sources said while the Congress is expected to register gains in states like Haryana, New Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, the DMK is on an upswing in Tamil Nadu and the Left Front is all set to retain West Bengal. |
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Repoll in three states New Delhi, April 29 Repolling was held in altogether 497 stations. Five persons suffered bullet injuries in an exchange of fire between the ruling RJD and JD-U supporters during repoll at a booth at Methwalia under Maharajganj constituency in Bihar, where an estimated 50-55 per cent voting was recorded at 416 stations spread over 15 Lok Sabha constituencies. Of the injured, three were admitted to the Patna Medical College Hospital where their condition was stated to be critical, while the other two were being treated at Sadar Hospital in Chapra. —
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Bachendri Pal’s team scales Mt Island Peak
New Delhi, April 29 The expedition team scaled the summit on April 17 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Bachendri’s unique feat and 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna JRD Tata. The Tata Steel expedition was flagged off by President APJ Abdul Kalam on March 29. After returning this morning, the team met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who congratulated them for the success. Talking to mediamen here, Bachendri said the achievement was historic and would always be remembered as a major breakthrough in the history of Indian mountaineering. “This was not only the first all-women Indian team to successfully scale Mt Island but a great day in the history of women mountaineering.” The team commenced their arduous expedition from Lukla on April 3, with a brief stopover for final preparations in Kathmandu. —
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Held for killing RPF constable
Bhadrak, April 29 Shabir Khan, whose whereabouts are yet to be established, had an altercation with a RPF constable at the station. He suddenly stabbed the cop resulting in his death, Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pratap said. He injured one more person. Later he rushed to the guard’s cabin of the
Howrah-Bhubaneswar Dhauli Express which was on the platform and took the guard hostage demanding that the train should leave. The injured person had been admitted to the district headquarters hospital here. He surrendered after the SP negotiated with him. He was arrested. The knife used in the crime has been seized. —
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12 passengers die in mishap Kolkata, April 29 The bus, carrying some 56 passengers, was coming from Salar in Bihar to Burdwan via Asansol. On the highway near Bolpur, the speeding bus suddenly swerved, crashed against the culvert, turned turtle and fell down on the wayside ditch. Five passengers were killed on the spot. Six succumbed to the injuries in hospital.
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New Delhi, April 29
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