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Pak may be offered more CBMs Pak to be persuaded
for people-to-people contact, says PM
UN group hails bus to PoK
3,000 Sikh pilgrims to leave for Pak
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Chinese Premier to address flood issue
Gutkha barons had links with Dawood:
CBI
Set up exam centres near homes of girl students:
HC
Upgradation of patrol aircraft hangs fire
Censor private TV channels, says
Sharmila
Nominate Parsis to RS, says panel
Sariska tigers: CBI points to official apathy
Village fined for attack on police
Pinjore gets Centre’s nod to capture more
vultures
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Pak may be offered more CBMs during Pervez visit
New Delhi, April 2 As Dr Manmohan Singh has himself observed that he is willing to have wide ranging discussions with General Musharraf, any proposal can be put on the table when the two leaders have an interface. At the same time, the Sino-Indian Joint Working Group (JWG) which met after a gap of two-and-a-half years in Beijing on March 30 and 31 decided that further clarifications are required on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for the maintenance of peace and tranquility on the border. As the Special Representatives of the Prime Ministers of India and China are expected to thrash out the political parameters and guiding principles for resolving the vexed border issue in the wake of Wen Jiabao's official visit to this country from April 9 to 12, the talks will then move to the next stage of discussing specifics on the ground. During the Dr Manmohan Singh-General Musharraf talks, there is every possibility of the host Prime Minister offering some more confidence building measures (CBMs) encompassing Baglihar and the military brass between the two countries. New Delhi has already taken the initiative in submitting to Islamabad a manifold and extended menu of CBMs. New Delhi has made it clear to its interlocutors in Islamabad that discussions on Baglihar can be resumed providing Islamabad withdraws its complaint to the World Bank. Necessary assurances in this regard have not only been given but efforts have also been made to remove the misgivings across the border that the proposed dam will lead to denying water or flooding of the neighbouring country. There is palpable apprehension and possible rethink in Pakistan that its complaint to the World Bank can misfire if the verdict goes against it. The Manmohan Singh government believes that the enlarged people-to-people contacts in various spheres encompassing artistes, businessmen, students as well as leaders of political parties is already making a difference in the peace process between the two countries. With the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LOC) now holding for nearly 15 months, there is every reason to believe that the leadership in Pakistan is acutely alive to the positive impact of the CBMs. Interestingly, the Indian High Commission in Islamabad is issuing about 10,000 visas every month. The political leadership is not expecting any spectacular or dramatic outcome from the upcoming Dr Manmohan Singh-General Musharraf discussions. Nevertheless, the NDA government maintains that progress in normalising the Indo-Pak relations can be achieved through incremental measures as dramatic departures are difficult to sustain on both sides. About Pakistan touting Kashmir as the "core issue" and pursuing a "middle path" for the resolution of the protracted problem, Islamabad has drawn a blank. The political leadership has declared that the resolution of the Kashmir problem has to be found without another partition of India. While there is a mechanism in India of identifying the true representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir through the democratic process, Islamabad has consistently reneged from identifying its mechanism for identifying the representatives of the people in POK. The denial of visas to politicians of mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir keen to travel by the inaugural bus service from Srinagar to Muzaffarabd on April 7 is yet another manifestation of Pakistan's double standards and internal compulsions. The Sino-Indian JWG can get down to discussing the nitty gritty of the border tangle once the framework is evolved on the basis of the political parameters and guiding principles. This will facilitate the JWG in pursuing the border problem through well marked geographical features, historical and legal factors taking into account the security interests of the two countries. The special representatives of the two governments are working in tandem with the JWG. While maps have been exchanged for the middle sector where Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal have borders with China. There are discrepancies in the Western sector as pre-negotiating the LAC is ruled out. The Eastern sector where China is claiming 75,000 sq Km in Arunachal Pradesh is even more complex where the exchange of maps has remained a far cry. The leadership on the Raisina hill has been firm that there is no question of looking at any solution which amounts to giving up substantial territory in the eastern sector or specifically Arunachal Pradesh. Regarding the proposal for an India-China FTA, it is far too early and intense work has to be done before it becomes a reality. At the same time the high level exchanges between India and China is significant and important involving a new generation of leadership on both sides. Efforts are also on to open Sino-Indian border trade from several points. There are no hitches and both sides want to be cautious by having the requisite infrastructure in place. |
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Pak to be persuaded for people-to-people New Delhi, April 2 Answering queries of mediapersons about the refusal of Pakistan to allow politicians from Jammu and Kashmir to travel to Muzaffarabad on the inaugural bus service, Dr Manmohan Singh said: “Our approach is that there should be freer flow of people and ideas between India and Pakistan. So our effort will be to persuade Pakistan to encourage people-to-people contact in the widest sense,” he said. The Prime Minister returned to the Capital after a visit to Mauritius, which saw the signing of several agreements. Asked if he would discuss the Kashmir problem with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf when he visits the country to watch a one-day Indo-Pak cricket match, he said, “we are willing to discuss all issues which have a vital bearing on the relations between the two countries.” To a question about the forthcoming visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, he said India’s relations with China had improved. “I am looking forward to welcome him as an honoured guest,” the Prime Minister said. On questions about political developments in Bihar in the context of the meeting between LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, he said the situation in Bihar was “under watch.” “As we say that a week in politics is a very long period of time... I have been away from India only for three days but I have kept myself informed about the developments.” During his visit to Mauritius, Dr Manmohan Singh held wide-ranging talks with his Mauritian counterpart Paul Raymond Berenger on ways to increase economic cooperation between the two countries. A joint statement issued at the end of the visit said India had affirmed its total support to the ndian Ocean island nation for the restoration of its sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago. |
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UN group hails bus to PoK
New Delhi, April 2 He, however, observed that there were no plans yet to relocate the field stations. “There are for the moment no plans and also no indications that relocation should be advantageous or necessary in a foreseeable future,” Major-Gen Palmieri observed. He also contended that the present personnel strength was adequate to discharge the duties given by UNMOGIP mandate. “Based on the present situation, no increasing or decreasing of the current strength is planned,” Major-Gen Palmieri said. He, however, mentioned that the activities of UNMOGIP could be adjusted according to the UNMOGIP’s mandate and the prevailing situation. As on February 28, 2005, the UNMOGIP has 44 military observers supported by 23 international civilian personnel and 47 local civilian staff. The international military personnel are drawn from Belgium, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Sweden and Uruguay. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will flag off the historic bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad on April 7. Congress President Sonia Gandhi would be present on the occasion as the government attaches much significance to the resumption of the bus service across the Line of Control after a gap of 57 years. |
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3,000 Sikh pilgrims to leave for Pak
New Delhi, April 2 Baisakhi will be celebrated on April 14. The contingent of pilgrims from Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttaranchal, Bihar, Rajasthan and Gujarat would travel by three trains from Amritsar. Mr Chandhok said the pilgrims would also visit Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Gurdwara Rori Sahib, Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Dera Sahib and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. The pilgrims would return to India on April 20. |
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Chinese Premier to address flood issue
New Delhi, April 2 The threat of flood had subsided after mid-September due to the freezing of the lake in winters. India, which had sought regular information from China about the dimensions of the lake at the height of flood threat in August last, had been assured of steps for the controlled release of water before the start of summer this year. The sources said areas near the lake on the Parchu tributary were still covered by snow, rendering the remote area difficult to access. The sources said a team of experts, which returned from Beijing recently, had “fruitful” talks with the authorities in China. The Indian delegation was led by Secretary, Water Resources, while the Chinese delgation was led by Vice-Minister for Water Resources. The outcome of the discussion on the Parchu issue was “positive” and the two sides also finalised a MoU under which China would give India hydrological information on Satluj in “flood season.” |
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Gutkha barons had links with Dawood:
CBI
New Delhi, April 2 “Yes Dhariwal and Joshi were known to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, his brother Anees and their associates...Indications are there that they did have some sort of relationship amongst them,” Mr Mishra said, adding that it was a matter of probe whether the gutkha barons were involved in the setting up of factories in Karachi and elsewhere. Replying to another question, the CBI chief said all aspects, including the possibility of money laundering and investments made by the underworld, were being probed into. Asked why Joshi has not yet been made an accused by the agency while Dhariwal has already been questioned on April 4, Mr Mishra merely said, “We are looking into his alleged involvement in the setting up of factories for Dawood kin.” “Moreover as the main case of October 2000 is with the Mumbai Police, we would just be doing what is within our purview,” the CBI Director said. Asked about the possible links of actress Nagma with the underworld, Mr Mishra said, “The name of Nagma figured in the confessional statement of one of the accused arrested by the Mumbai Police in the smuggling of gutkha machines to Pakistan.” |
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Set up exam centres near homes of girl students:
HC
New Delhi, April 2 Ms Justice Gita Mittal said such a compassionate view was necessary on the part of the NIOS towards the girl students for whom travelling a long distance to take the exam would be practically difficult. While issuing notice to the NOIS seeking its reply by April 4, the court said, “The NIOS shall consider the feasibility of providing examination centres at schools, which are reasonably close to the residence of the candidates who are mostly girls.” “In case the same is feasible, appropriate orders in this behalf may be passed by the NIOS without waiting for any further orders of this court,” Ms Justice Mittal said. The direction came on a joint writ petition by six girl students and three schools of Gohana in Haryana, where they had been enrolled under the open schooling scheme. Their counsel R.K. Saini contended that the NIOS had set up centres at far away places for the classes X and XII examinations starting from April 16, making it difficult for the girl students to reach the centre and return home in time. He said that since the timing of the examination was from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm the students were not expected to reach their homes before 8 pm. “This posed a great difficulty to the girl students who have to travel a long distance at late evening to reach home,” Mr Saini said, adding that most of the 1,300 students enrolled in the three study centres of the NIOS in Gohana belonged to poor families. The counsel said during last supplementary examinations 80 per cent of the girl students were compelled to abstain from the exams due to the NIOS setting up the centres far away from their homes. He pointed out that both Delhi and Punjab and Haryana high courts had last year issued directions to the NIOS authorities to take this annual problem into consideration while setting up the centres in future stating that education institutions were “morally obliged” to mitigate the problems of students. But the NIOS had failed to take any corrective measures putting the students to a lot of inconvenience, particularly the girls, the petition said. |
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Upgradation of patrol aircraft hangs fire
Goa, April 2 Given their range of 12,500 km, payload carrying capacity of about 20,000 kg and extraordinary airspeed and service ceiling for a turbo-prop aircraft, these are the Navy's most important and valuable platforms for maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare. Procured from Russia in 1988, these aircraft require a comprehensive avionics and electronic warfare systems upgradation. The Navy has around 10 Tu-142s equipping INAS 312 at its Rajali air station, near Chennai. These operate from Chennai and Goa to cover the eastern and western seaboard. "The Navy is looking at ways and means to keep them flying for a long time," officiating Flag Officer-in-Charge, Goa Area, Commodore B. R. Sen said at a briefing. "We are examining a host of options and a mid-life upgradation is one of them," he added. One of the options being considered seriously is a "limited upgradation", where only a few components or systems requiring urgent attention are replaced or upgraded at a time instead of the entire aircraft being upgraded. "These aircraft are close to a point where life extension is required, but there are financial implications," Commodore Sen remarked The government had announced plans in the late 90s to upgrade the Tu-142 fleet with a comprehensive suite comprising a mission computer, electronic sensors, electro-optical systems, infra-red and magnetic anomaly detectors. These aircraft were also to be modified to launch long-range anti-ship cruise missiles such as the Russian Klub and the indigenous Brahmos. The Navy had sanctioned about $ 550 million for the project, but the Russian firm Rosoboron-export, which was to take up the project, had demanded about $ 900 million. The Russian firm, according to some reports, had also refused to cooperate for a joint project in this regard with Israeli firms. With changing strategic situation and the Asia-Pacific region emerging as the world's new geo-political and geo-economic centre of gravity, long-range surveillance capability of the Navy is becoming increasingly important. The Indian ocean is witnessing a significant increase in the presence of foreign naval vessels and growing merchant traffic. The maintenance of Sea Lanes of Communication, bordering the Indian Ocean, through which passes 90 per cent of the world's oil, and ensuring energy security are the Navy's vital tasks. While the Tu-142s await upgradation and Il-38s undergo refit in Russia, Dornier 228s and Kamov helicopters are filling in the gap to some extent. Dorniers are meant for short-range operations and are much less capable than the other two aircraft, while the newly acquired Ka-31 early warning aircraft have limitations of endurance and range.
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Censor private TV channels, says
Sharmila
Kolkata, April 2 Ms Tagore said the films and other entertainment programmes, including the video cassettes, produced by private TV channels, would be brought under the board’s jurisdiction. She alleged some rubbish and obscene films and video music were being screened on the television. The Film Broadcasting Corporation at its recent meeting took a serious note of the situation and decided unanimously to bring these television screenings under the control of the Censor Board, she said. She said the board would want all categories of the film personnel, including producers, directors and actors to follow certain basic guidelines for the larger interest of the industry and their own. |
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Nominate Parsis to RS, says panel
New Delhi, April 2 The commission decided to make this recommendation to the Union and state governments after a meeting chaired by NCM Chairperson Tarlochan Singh. The commission is of the view that the Parsis deserved to be nominated to the House of Elders and the Legislative Assemblies of Gujarat and Maharashtra for their outstanding contribution in educational, industrial and commercial spheres. |
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Sariska tigers: CBI points to official apathy
New Delhi, April 2 Mr Mishra told newspersons here that the CBI team, which had conducted a probe into the matter, in its report submitted to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had held the “callous attitude” of state officials responsible for the disappearance of tigers. “Though nexus between officials and poachers has not come to light, but certainly reports of largescale neglect have been corroborated during investigations,” Mr Mishra said. |
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Village fined for attack on police
Patna, April 2 The fine imposed under the Bihar Collective Fines (Imposition) Act has to be paid within 10 days, failing which the administration would issue arrest warrants. Mr Pathak, in his order, said the villagers had taken the law into their hands. Siwan District Magistrate C.K. Anil had on March 28 fined some 100 residents of Jasaoli-Pakauli village Rs 5,000 each for torching a Dalit settlement during Holi. The Dalits had retaliated and thrashed two people to death. —
IANS |
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Pinjore gets Centre’s nod to capture more
vultures
New Delhi, April 2 MoEF Joint Director (wildlife) Sanjeev K. Chadha told The Tribune today that the centre at had been granted the permission by the ministry to keep 150 birds in captivity. At present, the centre has 42 vultures. The Pinjore centre would become a major hub for the vulture conservation, he said, adding that the government had also given Himachal Pradesh, which is yet to establish an infrastructure for conservation at the designated site in Saini Majra village of Nalagarh district in Himachal Pradesh, to capture vultures from the wild. Skeptics, however, believe that vultures in such large numbers do not exist in the wild anymore. Meanwhile, the MoEF is waiting for the Prime Minister’s signature on the National Wildlife Board meeting minutes, held on March 17, after which a formal plan for the withdrawal of veterinary drug diclofenac, believed to be the main cause behind the catastrophic decrease in the vulture population , will be put into practice. A task force, comprising the MoEF, the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and the Ministry of Health , will develop a consensus for the action plan for the withdrawal of diclofenac. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it may be mentioned, strongly favoured the phasing out of veterinary drug diclofenac by vulture-safe, cost-effective alternatives within the next six months. Though there are doubts whether the phasing out of diclofenac will be that easy as the drug is widely used by veterinarians. Diclofenac, a standard painkiller for animals, is believed to play a major role in the environmental catastrophe that has been resulting in an alarming decline in the population of three species of Asian vultures in the Indian subcontinent -long billed vulture, while backed vulture and slender billed vulture since early 1990s. Last year too the MoEF had approached the Health Ministry with a request to replace diclofenac. However, no action was taken on the matter. Mr Chadha said two replacements for diclofenac had already been tested by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly. Once a formal approval is received, diclofenac will be removed from the market and replaced by safer alternatives. Besides this, a vulture care centre near Jalpaiguri in West Bengal will take care of the vulture population in the east and the north-east. The ministry has also given an approval to the Bombay Natural History Society to locate an appropriate place and devise a strategy for vulture conservation in Rajasthan As many as 3,000 veterinarians, the real target group for vulture conservation, are being given CDs and literature to spread awareness about the role of killer diclofenac in declining vulture population. A section of scientists say the nature’s scavengers are dying because they feed on dead cattle and other livestock that has been dosed with diclofenac, that converts into large amounts of uric acid which larger animals can withstand safely, but in vultures causes toxic renal failure, resulting in slow and painful death. Vulture populations have declined over 95 per cent throughout the subcontinent. The ministry also proposes to approach other state governments to establish captive breeding centres. |
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