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New Delhi, May 25 The United Progressive Alliance government has announced its intention to continue power reforms while shifting its focus on rural electrification and improvement in power supply to agricultural sector, apparently learning hard lessons from the backlash of rural India against power reforms, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.
Need to indigenise new systems, says Defence
Secy
New National Security Adviser this week
Medical education system to be
revamped
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Natwar summons heads of missions in SAARC nations US Envoy calls on
Natwar Mulayam quits LS
seat
Sorabjee quits as Attorney-General
Need for saving monuments, says Jaipal
Intach chief to visit
Vietnam
Cases motivated: Taslimuddin
HC notice to Centre, hospital in Kanshi Ram
case
Doc’s bail plea rejected in gangrape case
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Power reforms to continue; more supply to agro
sector
New Delhi, May 25 This was indicated by Mr P.M. Sayeed, who took over as Union Minister of Power here today. He asserted, “All support will be provided to private power generating companies and for expediting financial closure of 8,000 mw by June 2004.” Talking to the mediapersons, he said that the Ministry of Power would now give top priority to rural electrification programme (REP) to provide electricity access to rural households without electricity, currently estimated at 56 per cent of total rural households. Currently, he said, the gap between demand and supply of power was up to 11 per cent of total electricity generation during peak time. He said for speedy implementation of the Electricity Act, 2003, the Power Ministry would soon announce National Electricity Policy, Electricity Tariff Policy, Rural Electrification Policy and Policy on Competitive Bidding in consultation with state governments. While evading direct answers to the questions regarding his views over “free power supply to agricultural sector announced by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu,” he said, under the Electricity Act-2003, the states could subsidise electricity supply to a particular sector through Budgetary support in a transparent manner. Highlighting the priorities of the ministry under new regime, Mr Sayeed emphasised the need for increase in public sector investment in power generation and transmission. He said accelerated power development and reforms programme would be further strengthened to ensure financial turnaround of the power sector and to provide quality and reliable supply to consumers. “We will ensure achievement of 10th Plan target of 41,000 mw and will initiate advance action to achieve 11th Plan target of 60,000 mw,” he said, adding that a long-term capacity addition programme of 1,50,000 mw with action plans would be formulated in next one month. Regarding massive power pilferage, Mr Sayeed said stringent steps would be taken to check power pilferage on the pattern of West Bengal Power Pilferage Act. |
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Need to indigenise new systems, says Defence
Secy
New Delhi, May 25 Addressing the third national seminar on “Infrastructure for Network-Centric Warfare”, jointly organised by the Army Headquarters, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Corps of Signals, the Defence Secretary underscored the primacy of network-centric warfare (NCW) in the battlefields of future and called for investment in the area on a priority basis. He said the NCW required certain investment and it was important that more investment was pumped into its development. The Defence Secretary stressed the need for increased digitisation, data protocol and indigenisation of new systems. Also addressing the seminar, which seeks to focus on the role of the industry in the procurement of essential military communications products for the Army, Chief of the Army Staff Gen N.C. Vij advocated indigenisation of weapons so that “India did not have to look over its shoulders when the chips are down”. He pointed out that the Art of War had of late undergone rapid transformation in that the Iraq War of 1991 and 2003 differed greatly in the capabilities displayed by the USA and its allies. General Vij, however, cautioned against borrowing technology which might be unavailable for use when needed direly in the future. “We should take care that the use of weapon systems is not denied and the country does not land up in a denial regime,” the Army Chief warned. He said the modern warfare was galloping and India could not afford to lag behind. If the indigenous production was even 90 per cent as good as that in developed countries, it would be preferable rather than to procure foreign equipment, he said. The two-day seminar — an extension of the Army-industry partnership — seeks to carry forward similar events on Military Communications organised in 2003 and 2000. The thrust areas this year include concepts of the NCW, mobile communications and satellite systems, communications and support for battlefield management systems and networking technologies. These key communications areas have been identified by the Army as the core procurement areas in the contemporary setting and the industry can gain by getting an idea about these future plans. |
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New National Security Adviser this week
New Delhi, May 25 Mr Brajesh Mishra, who doubled as both Principal Secretary to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as well as National Security Adviser, has resigned and the Prime Minister has accepted his resignation from the posts with effect from May 22, according to official announcement here today. The new NSA’s appointment has assumed all the more urgency because a vacuum cannot be allowed to remain with regard to this crucial post. The post of Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has already been filled and seasoned bureaucrat T.K.A. Nair has been appointed on this post. Sources said several policy-related issues were going to come up for the new government. The government has to take a wholistic view of the Indo-Pak relations as a series of important meetings are due to be held with Pakistan in the next three months. The government has to thrash out the Pakistan issue and cannot deal with it on a piecemeal basis. Besides, the diplomatic calendar for the coming months is full and hectic engagements are scheduled vis-a-vis China, the USA, the European Union and others. With China, the next round of Special Representative-level talks is due for early next month. Now that the new government has segregated the posts of Principal Secretary to PM and the NSA, it would have to decide on who will be India’s point man with China. Of the two serious contenders in the race for the NSA — former Intelligence Bureau chief M.K. Narayanan and former Foreign Secretary J.N. Dixit — the chances of Mr Dixit getting the premier job had brightened, sources said. That is because in the Vajpayee government, there were two powerful men who had very good knowledge of international affairs — Vajpayee himself, who had been the country’s External Affairs Minister before, and Brajesh Mishra, a career diplomat. In the Manmohan Singh setup, both the Prime Minister and his Principal Secretary cannot claim to be experts in diplomacy and international relations. In view of this, it does not make much sense to appoint a non-diplomat as the NSA, sources said. Besides, the new government will also have to consider whether it wants to continue with the newly introduced system of having boundary dispute talks with China at the level of Special Representatives or whether it wants to do away with this type of mechanism altogether. These and many other issues have to be decided at the Manmohan Singh government’s first-ever meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). It is understood that the CCS meeting will be held soon after the NSA’s appointment. |
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Medical education system to be
revamped
New Delhi, May 25 “The medical education system needs to be revamped with focus on the rural health care system. Nearly 80 per cent of the country’s population lives in rural areas and nothing is reaching them. The aim is to provide equal health facilities to everybody, including the President and the farmers,” he said. Mr Ramadoss said that his endeavour would be to improve health care facilities for senior citizens and reduce the disease burden. The Minister suggested a review of policies related to health. “We will review the policies after consulting the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. If the policies are good, we will continue with them,”' he said. Mr Ramadoss said that his medical qualification would help him in doing justice to the task entrusted to him. |
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Vohra briefs PM on J&K New Delhi, May 25 During his hour-long meeting with the Prime Minister, he is understood to have apprised the latter of the two rounds of talks held earlier between the Vajpayee Government and the Hurriyat Conference. Emerging from the meeting, Mr Vohra told mediapersons that he had come to brief the Prime Minister about his talks with separatist groups in the state. He declined to comment on whether he had offered to resign and said it was up to the Prime Minister to decide on whether he should continue or not. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil had said yesterday that he would give priority to resolving the Kashmir problem through talks. Asked whether Mr Vohra would be replaced as the Centre’s Interlocutor, the Home Minister had said: “Mr Vohra is a very competent man and has been doing a good job under difficult circumstances.” Centre-Hurriyat talks in June-end New Delhi, May 25 The sources told UNI that as the first session of the 14th Lok Sabha would be held from June 2 to 10, the dialogue between the Centre and the Hurriyat would take place “either in June-end or first week of July’’. The sources said the dates for the third round of discussions would be decided tomorrow. —
UNI Meeting on
Kashmir issue New Delhi, May 25 The two-day seminar, convened by the International Kashmir Alliance
(IKA), will begin on May 29. — PTI |
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Natwar summons heads of missions in SAARC nations New Delhi, May 25 The meeting will help review the status of New Delhi’s ties with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives and to give a fresh impetus to India’s diplomatic efforts there, the spokesman said. This would be the first of Mr Natwar Singh’s meetings with Indian Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to countries in different regions of the world. In response to a question seeking reaction on the readmission of Pakistan into the Commonwealth, the spokesman remarked: “That is a consensus decision which has already been taken in the
CMAG.”
US Envoy calls on
Natwar New Delhi, May 25 The American Ambassador handed over to Mr Natwar Singh a letter of goodwill and congratulations from US Secretary of State Colin Powell over his appointment as the Foreign Minister. Foreign Office spokesman told reporters that Mr Natwar Singh told Mr Mulford that New Delhi attached “exceptional importance” to its ties with Washington and that India would very closely monitor over the next few months the developments which were crucial for “our region”. The EAM also conveyed to Mr Mulford that as a friend of the US, India would stay in touch with Washington and share perspectives on all issues and welcomed the formation of the “India Caucus” in both Houses of the US Congress. Mr Natwar Singh also told Mr Mulford that there was a broad consensus within the country on the foreign policy and it enjoyed national sanction. The meeting lasted an hour. Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri today called up Mr Natwar Singh and the two leaders expressed determination to continue and further expedite the bilateral peace process, the spokesman said. Mr Kasuri congratulated Mr Natwar Singh on his becoming EAM. During the seven-minute conversation the two ministers shared the view that the ongoing peace process between the two countries should be further expedited. German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer also congratulated Mr Natwar Singh today. |
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Mulayam quits LS seat
New Delhi, May 25 Mr Amar Singh said Mr Yadav decided to relinquish his Lok Sabha membership as his presence in the state politics was the need of the hour. He will stay in state politics at the moment to strive for overall development of the state. ”Development of Uttar Pradesh is our key agenda,” he added. The Samwajwadi Party leader said his party had supported the Congress at the Centre out of “political compulsion”. When asked about the Congress supporting his party’s Government in Uttar Pradesh he said, “We are not at their mercy”. On Left leader Somnath Chatterjee emerging as a consensus candidate of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Lok Sabha Speaker, he said his party would extend full support to ensure that Mr Chaterjee was elected. —
UNI
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Sorabjee quits as Attorney-General
New Delhi, May 25 The 74-year-old Sorabjee, a Constitutional expert and great votary of human rights in his resignation letter said that he was relinquishing the office in keeping with the established convention. “I am tendering my resignation from the office of the Attorney General of India to enable the new government to take a decision in the matter of appointing the new Attorney-General,” it said. While asking the Prime Minister to relieve him early, Sorabjee said he would pursue his private practice as a Supreme Court lawyer, especially those related to Constitutional issues and public interest litigations. Similarly Raval in his letter said that he was resigning along with other law officers as per the convention. Senior advocates Milan Banerjee and Ahishek Manu Singhvi were considered to be the front runners for the post of Attorney-General and Solicitor-General, respectively, sources said. Sorabjee also congratulated Manmohan Singh on his becoming 14th Prime Minister of the country and wished him well and a ‘successful’ tenure as the head of the UPA government. The job of top law officer of the Union Government was indeed a ‘daunting’ task as it required receiving over a dozens of briefs a day on important matters coming to the court, he said. It had been a convention that Attorney-General, Solicitor-General and other law officers of the outgoing government, who were considered to be its ‘favoured’ ones, automatically quit the office to pave way for new appointments. |
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Need for saving monuments, says Jaipal
New Delhi, May 25 He said he would try to evolve a comprehensive cultural policy. He said Indians should be proud of their cultural heritage and not be fanatical about it. He said he wanted to preserve the pristine glory of the ancient monuments and present them in their historical context. He said classical art forms could be promoted if finances were available. Mr Reddy said he would plead for a greater budgetary allocation with the Finance Minister. |
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Intach chief to visit
Vietnam
New Delhi, May 25 An Intach press note said the seminars would lay emphasis on the role of cultural tourism as a focal point for the growth of tourism in the region. Culture, as a vehicle for sustainable tourism development, was now being given priority by public policy planners. Intach is working for development of a village each in Himachal Pradesh and Orissa as tourist villages. The development of Pragpur in Himachal Pradesh and Raghurajpur in Orissa is being done by Intach in association with the Centre, state governments and village community. Pragpur has a large number of “havelis”, many of which are deserted as the original inhabitants have left the village in connection with their business. Efforts are being made to restore these “havelis” and put them to use for tourism. Steps are also being taken to improve village sanitation, education and water supply. In Raghurajpur, where every home has an artist, Intach has revived the mural tradition through workshops. It is giving artists technical inputs to improve the life of the paintings. |
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Cases motivated: Taslimuddin
New Delhi, May 25 The BJP and its leadership should see to their own deeds, Mr Taslimuddin said about reports of criminal cases registered against him in Bihar. He said the BJP raked up the issue whenever he came to Parliament. The MP said in 1996 when he was made the Minister of State for Home, his “rivals” had raised the issue. He said his induction was then opposed as he had spoken about those responsible for the demolition of disputed structure at Ayodhya. Mr Taslimuddin said the BJP was raking up the issue now as he had agitated against a gang having patronage of a senior BJP leader in Bihar. The MP said cases which were registered nearly 20 years ago were being raked up. Asserting he was not associated with any criminal activity, he said cases against him were registered in a day because of “political rivalry.” The BJP has been raising questions over induction in the Manmohan Singh government of those RJD leaders who are facing criminal cases. |
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HC notice to Centre, hospital in Kanshi Ram case
New Delhi, May 25 Mr Justice B.N. Chaturvedi, who issued notices to the Union Ministries of Home and Health and Family Welfare and three other respondents, also directed the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, where Kanshi Ram is undergoing treatment for eight months, to remain personally present on May 31, the next date of hearing. In their petition filed through counsel Vikas Sharma, Kanshi Ram’s mother Bishan Kaur and brothers Harbans Singh and Dalbara Singh alleged that he was “being kept as a virtual prisoner” and sought free access to the ailing BSP leader. The petitioners alleged that during the last eight months they had come to the Capital 10 times but had not been able to meet him. Seeking the court’s intervention in the matter, the petitioners expressed apprehension that “Kanshi Ram is being illegally detained and is not allowed to move and have treatment at a place of his own choice”. They also claimed to have learnt that “Kanshi Ram made an attempt to leave the hospital but was put under sedatives. The effort is to keep him away from his family circles as also other social circles”. Recalling their last visit to the BSP leader on April 24, they said Kanshi Ram needed “emotional support”, which could be provided by none other than his mother. Kanshi Ram’s aged mother and brothers alleged that on that date they were told not to make any attempts to meet him. Further, on May 21, the hospital staff and security personnel prevented them from meeting the BSP leader. The BSP leader’s mother and the two brothers expressed apprehension that there would be a move to take him out of the country in the garb of giving better treatment. The petitioners claimed that they had been receiving threatening calls at Khauaspur village in Ropar district of Punjab. —
PTI |
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Worms in Cadbury: 8 cases filed
Mumbai, May 25 He was replying to queries asked by Ashok Modak and Vinod Tawde (BJP) during question hour regarding the action taken by the state government against chocolate giant Cadbury India in the case. The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration minister said in September-October last year several cases of worms in the chocolates were found at various places in the state after which an inquiry was ordered. When Mr Modak asked what action had been taken against the those found guilty in the government’s inquiry report, Mr Deshmukh evaded a direct reply, saying the matter was sub-judice as eight cases had been filed in different courts against the Cadbury manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. The minister said before the matter went to the court, samples of infected pieces were tested in the FDA laboratory and after confirmation of presence of worms the cases were filed against those guilty. —
UNI |
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Doc’s bail plea rejected in gangrape case
Ahmedabad, May 25 Dr Gambhir, arrested for allegedly harbouring the prime accused Delhi-based businessman Sajal Jain, was produced before a metropolitan magistrate, who rejected his bail plea and sent him to judicial custody for 14 days. Metropolitan Magistrate S.B. Patel rejected the bail plea of Dr Gambhir, booked under various sections of the IPC, after the prosecution argued that his was not a bailable offence. Public Prosecutor H.N. Joshi argued that the accused doctor had harboured the prime accused by giving a false medical certificate to the Gujarat Police that he was admitted in the ICU and was being treated for some form of “poisoning”. Dr Gambhir, arrested from New Delhi and brought to the city yesterday, was not sent to police custody as officials have not sought his remand for interrogation. He is the second doctor to be arrested in this case. A Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of the civil hospital was arrested here a few weeks ago for acts of “omission and commission”. The Gujarat Police has so far arrested 12 persons in this case, including four of the six alleged gangrapists, who are in judicial custody. The officials, in a bid to solve the case in a thorough scientific manner, also claimed to have got DNA evidence against Jain and another accused Sugam alias Monty Jaiswal in their involvement in the case. However, the police could not get a match after similar tests were conducted on two other accused persons, Chandan and Mandan Jaiswal. —
PTI |
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