 |
|
Natwar mobbed by Pak
admirers! Security at IMA
beefed up
Laloo’s 46 new trains |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Editorial: Populism
at play BJP-JD (U) combine to
stake claim in Jharkhand
Malini Chib, Trustee and Chairperson of ADAPT (Abled Disabled All People Together) in New Delhi on Sunday. Repeal outdated laws,
suggests economic survey NBA alleges move to
deny relief to oustees Myanmar may not ask
visa from Indians Atrocities on Dalits
highest in Rajasthan IIFM makes a grade Fasting Medha Patkar
hospitalised
|
|
Natwar mobbed by Pak admirers!
New Delhi, February 27 This is what happened this evening as most of the 350-odd Pakistani delegates sought to pip one another in sitting or standing next to External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh for a photograph. More than 600 members of Pakistan-India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy, (PIPFDP), including about 350 Pakistanis, attended a reception hosted by Mr Natwar Singh at Hyderabad House. The Pakistanis had come here for attending the joint convention of the PIPFDP. The Pakistanis belonged to all walks of life — lawyers, businessmen, senators, teachers, journalists and social workers — and also came from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Senator Iqbal Haider from Karachi draped Mr Natwar Singh’s shoulders with an “ajrak” saying that the colourful cloth was a traditional Sindhi shoulder-wear which was given only to friends. A Sindhi businessman came forward and urged Mr Natwar Singh to don the Sindhi cap which he had brought for him. The minister obliged him promptly. A Pakistani girl sat with Mr Natwar Singh for a photo-session and declined to get up when her elderly compatriot requested her to vacate the seat for her. The elderly woman waited impatiently till the girl found it impossible to hold on to her seat any longer. Pakistani delegates came in groups for a photo-session and interacted with the minister. One group remained with the minister for a couple of minutes when another group drove it out of the minister’s vicinity. This continued for over 40 minutes. Officials of the Ministry of External Affairs left the minister alone for the Pakistanis, knowing well that this was the first time in years, or possibly decades, when an Indian minister was being mobbed by his Pakistani admirers at a non-elite gathering.
|
|
Security at IMA beefed up
Dehra Dun, February 27 The IMA Commandant, Lieut-Gen K.K. Khanna, who was tough on the terrorists during five years of his tenure in Baramula is on their hit list. According to ADG (Law and Order) KR Negi, the police is
providing peripheral security in view of the terrorist attack threat. Three police checkposts have been set up outside the academy for a 24-hour checking of vehicles since yesterday. Bunkers have been made and armed PAC personnel have been deployed at the academy. The police has been directed to take down the credentials of those passing from outside the academy. Conducting the checking outside the academy, the police constables said there were directions to stop the vehicles and check them thoroughly. There is heavy barricading outside the academy. Intelligence agencies have learnt that even as the IMA is a soft target for terrorists, the chances of a suicide attack are bigger with the new commandant assuming office. The IMA top brass and public relations officer were unavailable for comments. |
|
Laloo’s 46 new trains
New Delhi, February 27 New Trains; Muzaffarpur-Howrah Janashadharan Express - Jabalpur-Bhopal Express - Guwahati-New Bongalgaon Express - Secunderabad-Nanded Express - Bilaspur-Tirupati Express - Bilaspur-Itwari Express - Chennai-Bangalore Shatabdi 6 days a week - Jabalpur-Bhopal Daily Express - Madgaon-Mangalore Janshatabdi 6 days a week - Muzaffarpur-Howra Jansadharan Express - Bhagalpur-Malda Town Express - Bilaspur-Tirupati Express (from Vishakhapatanam) - Chennai-Igmore-Secunderabad Express - Bilaspur-Itwari Express -Mangalore-Shawan Belagola Passenger Train - Kumbakonam - Tanjawoor Passenger Train - Chennai-Igmor (Pondicherry link) Passenger Train - Guwahati - New Bongegaon Passenger Train - Secunderabad- Nizamabad Passenger Train - Secunderabad-Nandad Passenger Train -Secunderabad- Bodhan Passenger Train -Secunderabad- Basaar Passenger Train - Gondia-Balaghat Passenger Train -Udaipur- Jaipur Express -Yaswantpur- Mangalore Express from Mysore -Madurai-Manamadurai Passenger Train -Udaipur- Chittorgarh Express -Kanpur-Farrukhabad Express -Lucknow- Farrukabad Passenger Train -Ajmer-Rewari Passenger Train -Ahmedabad- Mehsana Passenger Train -Jaipur-Rewari Passenger Train -Beena-Guna Passenger Train - Gwalior- Guna Passenger Train -Udaipur- Nizamuddin Express.
— ANI
|
|
BJP-JD (U) combine to stake claim in Jharkhand
New Delhi, February 27 The BJP-JD (U) top leadership which met here this evening decided not to waste time in staking claim to form the next government in Jharkhand. It is likely to approach the Governor in Ranchi tomorrow. However, in Bihar, where the situation is still fluid with no party or combine getting the majority, the BJP-JD (U) have decided to adopt a two-pronged strategy to try and keep RJD from retaining power. On one hand the BJP cadres have began the exercise of establishing contact with Independents who have won. On the other hand JD (U) leaders Nitish Kumar and Sharad Yadav have been asked to negotiate with the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan, who holds the key to the formation of the next government there. The meeting was attended among others by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, BJP president L.K. Advani, Jaswant Singh, M. Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and from JD (U) Nitish Kumar, George Fernandes and Sharad Yadav. However, they thought it prudent to leave it to the JD (U) leadership to negotiate with Mr Paswan to seek his party’s support as the latter has been voicing his views against joining hands with the “communal” BJP, sources said. Addressing mediapersons after the one-hour-long meeting, BJP general-secretary Arun Jaitley said, “Since the BJP-JD (U) combine has emerged as the single-largest combine in Jharkhand and very close to the half-way mark, we have decided to stake claim to form the government there.” He, however, refused to comment on who will be the chief ministerial candidate this time, whether Mr Arjun Munda will be retained as Chief Minister or former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi will be chosen or any other compromise candidate will emerge. In Jhakhand BJP sources claimed that five Independents have already informally expressed their desire to support the BJP-JD (U) government. “We are talking to Independents in Bihar. Our people are in touch with them. We had supported two of them formally,” Mr Jaitley said, adding that some were in contact with the party. To a question on whether he had talks with Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan, he replied in the negative. “The NDA has emerged as the single largest group in Bihar and we have the best claimant to form the government,” Mr Jaitley said. Asked about the possibility of the JD (U) parting ways with the BJP and aligning with the LJP and the BJP extending outside support to such a combine, Mr Jaitley said, “There is no occasion for considering any such option.
|
|
In a wheelchair but spirits flying high
New Delhi, February 27 Malini (38), a physically and mentally challenged woman hails from Mumbai. She did her graduation from Xaviers College, Mumbai, and thereafter went to England to do her Masters. She is an example before everyone that nothing is impossible in life if one has determination. In the Capital to participate in the “North South dialogue III — towards a global alliance on inclusive education at the India International Centre here Malini said, “Life is a challenge for me. The physically and mentally challenged people are like any other people. The difference is that we do not assess their capabilities.” In an interview with The Tribune on the sidelines of the discussion, she said that she did her double MA in six years from London in gender studies and information management. She said she was initially frightened but decided to do it not for myself but to disseminate a message among the masses that we are not less than any other normal person,” she said adding “my mother and the entire family is the strength behind my success. They really boosted my morale and the result is before everyone. “I would like to give a message to every physically and mentally challenged person that they should never give up at any cost. Sustained efforts and hard work always yield good results.” Moving in a self-driven wheelchair, she communicates without help from others through a special instrument since her voice comes out garbled because of the affliction. Her confidence in her abilities surprised many who came in contact with her at the Centre. She politely refused to be treated differently. Her parents, who were also attending the discussion, have now dedicated their lives to the cause of those challenged. |
|
|
Repeal outdated laws, suggests economic survey
New Delhi, February 27 The survey report said out of 3,500 central Acts, most of which dates as far back as 1836 and played a major role in economy, like the Society Registration Act (1860), Indian Trust Act and Transfer of Property Act (1882) tend to have clauses that were
incompatible with modern India. “The Jain Commission in its recommendations in 1998 identified 1300 of the 3,500 central Acts for outright repeal, of which only 350 could be repealed till 2002, but real complexities lie in the areas where outright repeal is not possible,” the survey said. Expressing concern over the great
pressure on union and state government finances on account of pension to retired employees, the survey also emphasised the need of pushing further the reforms in pension laws and strengthening the New Pension System (NPS) introduced by the Centre in January last year. It pointed out that total outgo from the Union Government coffers as pension had increased to Rs 15,367 crore in 2004-05 from Rs 2,138 crore in 1090-91, which accounts to 5.8 per cent of revenue earnings (RE). The scenario was more alarming in states as their expenditure on pension fund had increased to more than 10 per cent as compared to 5.4 per cent in 1990-91, Advocating urgent need of labour reforms with a view to boost the development of industrial sector, it pointed out that there are 45 central Acts which directly pertain to labour alone. Besides, there are other legislations which directly concern labour and all these laws had been creating many inconsistencies in the industrial reforms, the report said. Similarly the Essential Commodities Act and Factories Act had been rendered
inconsistent to economic reforms and required to be erased from the statute book, Survey said. On the Administrative law reform front, the survey emphasised on more transparency in the functioning of the government and greater public disclosures. Among the state level reforms suggested by the survey, included the repeal of urban land ceiling and Regulation Act, reform in Rent Control Laws so as to stimulate private
investment in rental housing schemes, rationalisation of laws on stamp duty to bring it down to no more than 5 per cent within next five years. To ease the legislative shackles on urban population, it advocated immediate reforms in double entry system of accounting for local bodies, reforms in the property tax laws and making user charges norms more reasonable. To provide more space for housing in urban areas it sought to make land conversation and land use laws simpler, introduction of property title certification system, compulsory earmarking of 20 to 25 per cent developed housing land for poor and making the water harvesting compulsory in every building. |
|
NBA alleges move to deny relief to oustees
Bhopal, February 27 The NHDC is the joint venture of the Madhya Pradesh Government and the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC). According to the NBA, the state government has accepted a proposal by the NHDC not to formally acquire the properties of the Indira Sagar Dam oustees of 37 villages but to keep approximately Rs 100 crore in a bank account and use its interest for payment of damages, whenever necessary. Ms Chittaroopa Palit, Mr Abhishek and Mr Mukesh Kevat of the NBA on Thursday described the move as “criminal, illegal, inhuman and unconstitutional”. They said that the state government had not only accepted the proposal but also stopped the land acquisition proceedings in these villages. The NBA activists pointed out that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the state government and the NHPC for forming the NHDC states in clause VI (a): “the joint venture would comply with the provisions of the Narmada Waters Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) Award and the directions of the Narmada Control Authority, its various sub-groups and the review committee of the Narmada Control Authority (RCNCA)”. The MoU further states: “the joint venture would comply with the conditionalities imposed by the Planning Commission/Ministry of Environment and Forest/Ministry of Social Justice in respect of the clearances issued to the projects by various agencies of the Government of India”. |
|
Myanmar may not ask visa from Indians
Guwahati, February 27 The development comes in the wake of the recent agreement signed between India and Myanmar in Delhi where two countries promised to cooperate with
each other on many issues, including Myanmar’s promise to help India to destroy the militant camps on its soil. U. Ave Kyaw, Managing Director of the Yangon-based Tourism Service, who was in Kolkata to attend the just concluded three-day BIMSTEC conference told this correspondent, on his way back to Myanmar enroute Guwahati. Mr Kyaw said, “We have good relations with
China. Tourists from China visit Myamnar in large numbers. Citizens of China do not require anything, but a simple travel document to visit
Myanmar. The same is applicable for the citizens of Myanmar visiting China. We want similar relations and understanding with India too.” According to Kyaw, Kho Ka Borazi mountainous region of Myanmar was attracting foreign tourist in numbers now. |
|
|
Atrocities on Dalits highest in Rajasthan
Jaipur, February 27 The commission has directed the state administration to eliminate the discriminatory behaviour against Dalit children in respect of the nutrition programme in its schools. The Minister for Woman and Child Development Department, Mr Kanakmal Katara, confessed on the floor of the Assembly on Monday that nearly 61,000 children were suffering from malnutrition in the state. |
|
IIFM makes a grade
Bhopal, February 27 It is no mean achievement that this year, for the second consecutive year, all its students holding Post-Graduate Diploma in Forest Management (PGDFM) were picked up by reputed companies in India and abroad with fancy pay packets, averaging Rs 3.03 lakh per year. The highest pay packet of Rs 9 lakh per annum was offered by Olam Internationals, Singapore. The Institute, in fact, was choosy this year. In all, 35 organisations had shown interest in recruiting the IIFM students. Prof P.K. Biswas, chairperson-placement, says that the Institute decided to invite only 25 organisations to the Campus, “giving due consideration to the job profile and the packages offered”. This, too, the Institute did in a style. It observed a “placement week” in the second week of January when the organisations were invited. |
|
Fasting Medha Patkar hospitalised
Mumbai, February 27 Patkar was brought to Mumbai early Saturday and admitted to J J Hospital. The Narmada Bachao Andolan leader was arrested for protesting the demolition of slums in Mumbai. Doctors who examined Patkar said her blood sugar level was high though she was in no danger. |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Videos
