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PM heads key
Cabinet panels Punjab Cabinet to
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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh
Yadav at a press conference in Lucknow on Thursday. — PTI photo Congress not to pull down UP
Government Kargil
war
Scramble for 65
seats begins as EC notifies RS poll RS bids adieu to
Heptulla, Jaswant
BJP to bring back Najma to RS Surjeet’s curt
reply to George NDA not to relent
on ‘tainted ministers’
Unmasking of
Saturn from today After having witnessed the dance of the “goddess of love” across the face of the Sun on Tuesday, astronomers are getting ready to watch the unmasking of planet Saturn — the “lord of the rings” — beginning tomorrow.
India, Thailand
sign treaty
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PM heads key Cabinet panels New Delhi, June 10 Official sources said it had not been decided yet as to when the three committees would hold their first meeting. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the country’s apex body on national security, has Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj V. Patil, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh, besides the Prime Minister. The nine-member Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
(CCPA) comprises Mr Pranab Mukherjee, Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Railway Minister Laloo Prasad, Mr Shivraj V. Patil, Mr P. Chidambaram, Mr K. Natwar Singh and Communications and Information Technology Minister Dayanidhi Maran. The Cabinet Committee on Appointments (CCA) also includes Mr Shivraj V. Patil and the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Personnel. |
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Hike paddy MSP: Amarinder New Delhi, June 10 The Chief Minister, who met with Union Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Sharad Pawar today, urged him to enhance the minimum support price for paddy-common to Rs 655 from Rs 550 per quintal and for the fine variety to Rs 720 from Rs 580 per quintal. He also sought a hike in the MSP for cotton from Rs 1,725 to Rs 3,128 per quintal and for wheat from Rs 630 to Rs 827 per quintal in view of the increase in the prices of inputs. He said despite the increase in input costs, the MSP had not been increased last year. Capt Amarinder Singh said the financial position of the cooperative sugar mills had deteriorated on account of huge carryover stocks of 3.49 lakh tonnes, costing Rs 498 crore. The mills, he said, had to pay substantial interest on the cash credit limits availed from the banks against the sugar stocks. Demanding an assistance of Rs 102.15 crore to bail out the sugar mills, he said the grant of financial assistance in the form of additional market borrowing was not acceptable to the state government. He sought modification of the Central schemes to benefit the sugarcane growers of the state. Referring to the Johl Committee Report on the Diversification of Agriculture, the Chief Minister sought special assistance of Rs 1,280 crore under the “production pattern adjustment programme” that envisages the transfer of an area of 10 lakh hectares from wheat and paddy to crops like oilseeds and pulses. To compensate the farmers for reduced income, the programme provides for a compensation of Rs 12,500 per hectare. According to an official spokesman, Mr Pawar sought detailed proposals on crop diversification to enable his ministry to evolve a strategy for successful implementation. |
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Punjab Cabinet to be downsized New Delhi, June 10 The Chief Minister, who met AICC general secretary Mohsina Kidwai today, indicated that the exercise to reduce the ministry in accordance with the new law would be completed by the end of this month in consultation with Congress leadership. “It affects several Congress-ruled states. The exercise will be done in consultation with the AICC,” he said. The 10-day Budget session of the state Assembly begins on June 14. The Chief Minister said the performance of the party in the recent Lok Sabha poll in the constituencies of ministers would be a criterion for deciding the berths in the Cabinet. “I will push for this,” he said. On the SYL canal issue, the Chief Minister indicated that the state could file a review petition. “We will use whatever legal options we have. A judgement can be given on facts but human and social aspects are also important,” he said. Pointing to “human and social aspects”, the Chief Minister said the release of water by Punjab would render nine lakh acres of land barren in the state. “So many people will be without jobs then,” he said. |
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Mulayam slams Rahul, Congress hits back
Lucknow, June 10 “Itna assan nahi hai meri sarkar ko girana” (It will not be easy to dethrone my government), Mr Yadav told reporters here today. He said that Rahul Gandhi was such a novice and it was not prudent for him to name him. “He (Rahul) may give any statement, but he will not succeed in destabilising my government,” the Chief Minister said. Rahul, who is on three-day visit to Amethi, had blamed Mr Yadav for poor law and order situation in the state. He had also pulled up the state government for not providing regular power supply. Mr Yadav said that Congress should see the ground realities in Mumbai and Delhi before pointing fingers at us. “Law and order situation in Mumbai is one of the worst and no one is talking about this,” he said. When asked whether he would continue supporting Congress at the Centre, Mr Yadav said that Samajwadi Party was committed to forming a secular government at the Centre and therefore he had supported Manmohan Singh led-UPA government. He, however, avoided queries on support of Congress to his government from outside. “I will not comment on this issue,” he said. UNI: Congress today criticised Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav for his reported remarks on Rahul Gandhi by saying that the Samajwadi Party supremo was forced to make knee-jerk reactions as a result of the young MP taking up issued of public interest. The Congress reacted within hours of a press conference by Mr Yadav in which he - without naming Rahul for his reported statement against the state government - said, “Ucchal-Kud karne se kuch nahi hoga (Jumping around would fetch nothing).” State Congress chief spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh said a member of the Nehru-Gandhi clan needed no proof of his or her political credentials. |
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Congress not to pull down UP
Government New Delhi, June 10 Party leaders indicated that though the Congress and the Samajwadi Party are supporting each other’s governments in Uttar Pradesh and the Centre, there is unlikely to be any let-up in the war of words between the two parties. The Congress strategy is to position itself as an aggressive Opposition party by highlighting the government’s failures. However, it will stop short of pulling down the government for the present. “Support to the UP government does not mean relinquishing our political space,” remarked a senior AICC leader, adding that like all political parties, the Congress would also like to increase its tally in the state. But to achieve this goal, the Congress first needs to strengthen its party
organisation. Party strategists believe there is growing support and sympathy for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh but it is unable to take advantage of this because of its weak organisation. Rahul Gandhi’s public statements are a step in galvanising party workers in the state, it was said. “If Rahul Gandhi is to strengthen the Congress in UP, he has to raise issues concerning people and even agitate for them if necessary,” remarked AICC general secretary Ambika Soni. On his first visit to Amethi after his victory, Rahul Gandhi
publically criticised the SP-led government for the deteriorating law and order situation in UP and also its failure to provide basic facilities like roads, sanitation and power. The state government, he declared, should be changed if the people’s grievances are not being addressed. Predictably, these remarks drew a sharp reaction from the UP Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh. Although the Congress is in no position to topple the UP government at present, it would not be averse to such a move provided it is confident that the party is sufficiently
rejuvenated and is on a come-back trail. On the flip side, there is a belief in the Congress that the Samajwadi Party might pre-empt its move and call for a snap poll within the next six months. The spate of populist measures announced recently by Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav have given credence to this view. The Congress has to ensure it is not caught unawares by any such a move and work to keep the party organisation ticking. |
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Kargil war New Delhi, June 10 Highly placed sources in the MoD today pointed that Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee while making a statement in the Lok Sabha yesterday had made no attempts to give a clean chit to the NDA government. He had just stated the facts as were available with the MoD, the sources said. However, reports suggested that not only had the Army’s request been kept pending for clearance by the political leadership, even the IAF’s projection for the use of air power on the Kargil heights was ignored for 13 days. The sources said then Chief of Air Staff A.Y. Tipnis took a view on the Army’s request apparently on May 13 and sought the political clearance before committing the use of air power. But the political clearance came only on May 25. Reports also said the prevailing view after the Defence Minister’s statement is that he has made a good beginning by pointing out that the UPA government did not believe in witch hunting. But sources said this would not mean that all acts of the previous leadership would be overlooked. It is not that every act of the previous government would be inquired into, but some decisions would be reviewed at appropriate time if warranted. Some of the issues could include the fact how was the Kargil situation really allowed to develop when there were previous reports of possible intrusion by Pakistan. They said it has to be seen how the Pakistani troops positioned themselves atop the high peaks of the Kargil sector, some of which had been vacated by the Army, whether it was due to failure of intelligence or lack of vigilance. Sources said that the MoD is contemplating probing the issue of former Defence Minister George Fernandes flaunting an internal report of the Army on the Kargil conflict. The minister should have returned the report once he demitted office. The probe could also be launched against some certain former NDA Cabinet members who have also been flaunting the report. The inquiry may take place as Mr Mukherjee has taken strong exception to Mr Fernandes using the report to buttress his point with reporters yesterday after the statement in Parliament on the conflict. Official sources expressed surprise how a minister could get hold of the classified papers after the announcement of the General Election and a directive of the Cabinet Secretary that no fresh document be shown to any minister. Mr Mukherjee had pointed out the report was not a souvenir but a classified document which should have been returned once he ceased to be a
minister. |
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Scramble for 65 seats begins as EC notifies RS poll New Delhi, June 10 Nominations opened this morning in 18 states for biennial elections for the 57 seats and byelections for eight seats in the Rajya Sabha as the Election Commission issued a fresh notification with a revised polling schedule following the vacation of the stay by the Supreme Court yesterday. The last date for filing nominations is June 17 and the scrutiny will take place on June 18. Withdrawal by candidates can be done till June 21 and polling will he held on June 28. The entire poll process will be completed by June 30, according to the revised schedule. |
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RS bids adieu to Heptulla, Jaswant New Delhi, June 10 Mr Shekhawat said the House would miss Ms Heptulla, the longest-serving Deputy Chairperson, and noted her contribution to Parliamentary democracy was recognised internationally when she was unanimously elected as the first-ever woman President of the Council of Inter-Parliamentary Union in 1999. Referring
to Mr Jaswant Singh, the Chairperson said as Leader of the House and
Leader of the Opposition he had always brought “matured approach”
to bear upon the business of the House. Observing that eight members
had been elected to the Lok Sabha, Mr Shekhawat said: “What is our
loss is the gain of the Lok Sabha”. He said Defence Minister Pranab
Mukherjee, who is also retiring, was a veteran of 108 sessions of the
Rajya Sabha and had carried forward his baton up to its 200th session. Similarly,
he said, “Lalooji (RJD leader Laloo Prasad), having changed the
track, will now be with us as Minister of Railways.” Mr Shekhawat said the House would miss debates by Mr Kapil Sibal on issues like judicial reforms, but would have the benefit of hearing him as Minister of State for Science and Technology and Ocean Development. In his speech, Mr Jaswant Singh wished the retiring members well in life and said they had made valuable contributions to the country. Ms Heptulla said she was a member of the House for a quarter of a century and would carry fond memories. She
was, however, sore that the Women’s Bill for reservation in the Lok
Sabha and state assemblies never became a reality and remained a myth.
Mr Suresh Pachauri, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, said
the members spoke with a great responsibility while participating in
debates on matters of national importance. Altogether, 60 members will
retire by July 4 this year. |
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BJP to bring back Najma to RS New Delhi, June 10 Apart from Dr Najma Heptullah, former Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi and former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha are among the BJP candidates who have been nominated for the forthcoming Rajya Sabha
biennial elections on June 28 by the BJP leadership. While Dr Heptuallah will contest from Rajasthan, Mr Sinha will contest from Jharkhand. Dr Heptullah was herself keen to contest as an independent with the support of the BJP but she was told in no uncertain terms that she would have to join the BJP if she wanted to remain in the Rajya Sabha, sources said. Party President Venkaiah Naidu has been renominated from Karnataka and Pramod Mahajan from Maharashtra. Late Ramakrishna Hegde’s wife Shakuntala has been given a seat from Karnataka. Former Minister S
Thirunavukkarassar, who was denied a ticket in the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu under Jayalalithaa’s pressure, has been nominated from Madhya Pradesh. Former Finance Minister Jaswant Singh has been fielded from Rajasthan, while Mr Jainarain
Nishad, who recently joined the BJP, will be the party’s candidate from Bihar. Mr Chhathrapal Singh who gave up his Bulandshahar Lok Sabha seat for former UP Chief Minister Kalyan Singh will be the BJP candidate from UP. Former Union Minister Dilip Singh Judeo, who had to resign in the wake of the cash-on-camera scam involving him, has been fielded from Chhattisgarh, hotelier Lalit Suri from Orissa and senior BJP leader Pyarelal Khandelwal from Madhya Pradesh. The BJP leadership has decided to stick to realpolitik bandoning principles as they have not only nominated the defeated Lok Sabha MPs but have also tried to honour those have stood with the party during the party’s regime. |
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Surjeet’s curt reply to George New Delhi, June 10 Replying to Mr Fernandes’ letter seeking the help of the CPM in fighting corruption, Mr Surjeet said: “I am happy that there is a belated realisation on your part that the Council of Ministers must be kept free from corrupt and criminal elements. I wish, however, that you as the Convener of the NDA had been conscious of this need when the NDA was in government.” The CPM leader has further reminded Mr Fernandes of inaction on the repeated demand for the removal of three ministers who were charge-sheeted in the Babri Masjid demolition case and in the Tehelka expose. He recalled that Parliament was repeatedly held up on this account and action demanded against those involved in the wrongdoing as seen on tape. “Neither were the three ministers, including the then Home Minister, removed nor an FIR lodged against those seen taking money in the tapes.” Mr Surjeet has urged Mr Fernandes to “publicly accept” that the stance of the NDA government in these matters was wrong. “Such a step would help in mobilising all sections in public life to take a firm stand against both corruption and criminalisation in politics,” the letter reads. |
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NDA not to relent on ‘tainted ministers’ New Delhi, June 10 Asking the allied parties of the UPA to spell out their views on these ministers, BJP Parliamentary Party Deputy Leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the NDA parties would discuss the issue and formulate their strategy to press their demand for the removal of these ministers. “As far as we are concerned, our stand against these ministers will remain the same,” Mr Malhotra said. |
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Karnataka delegation
meets PM New Delhi, June 10 Dr Manmohan Singh told the delegation, which had came to apprise him of the ground situation in the state, that the Centre would take into account all relevant factors and find a mutually acceptable solution. |
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Sonia to visit Rae Bareli
New Delhi, June 10 Ms Gandhi, who is visiting Rae Bareli for the first time since her election, is scheduled to address several meetings.
— TNS |
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Unmasking of Saturn from today
New Delhi, June 10 Around midnight tomorrow, the US spacecraft Cassini-Huygens will pass within 2,000 kms of Phoebe, the outer satellite of Saturn. It will speed by Phoebe at about 6 km per second on its way to a rendezvous with the giant ringed planet, which will take place nearly three weeks later. Discovered in 1898 by William Henry Pickering, Phoebe is 13 million kms from the Saturn. Astronomers say the strange, dark, distant Phoebe may hold key to several important questions about the Saturn system and beyond. Scientists suspect that Phoebe was originally formed within the asteroid belt and captured by the Saturn. “If true, then Cassini will give us our first look at these primeval remnants of the birth of the solar system,” says a release from the American Planetary Society. At closest approach, the images captured by Cassini’s cameras will have 1270 times better resolution than Voyager 2 achieved during the only other spacecraft encounter with Phoebe, which took place on September 4, 1981. Once the encounter is over, Cassini-Huygens will be on final approach to the Saturn entering into an orbit around the planet on June
30. — PTI |
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India, Thailand sign treaty New Delhi, June 10 The document was exchanged last night between Mr R.M. Abhyanakar, Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry, and Mr Krit Ganjana Goonchora, Permanent Secretary in the Thai Department of Foreign Affairs, after wide-ranging talks between External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh and his Thai counterpart Surykiart Sathirathai here. Mr Sathirathai said his country would host the Bangladesh-India-Myanmar-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit next month. |
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