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India, Uzebekistan sign pact on
defence
Action against 174 officers |
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Kelkar panel stresses on
self-reliance in defence
Fernandes asks govt to make Phukan and CVC report
public
Sonia’s Dandi march today
Surjeet, Basu step-down offer to dominate CPM party
congress
Circus managers face arrest
SC upholds life sentence
NHRC seeks report on death of rag pickers
Cong, NCP engage in bitter turf war
Vigilance seizes hospital records in funds misuse
case
Cop arrested in murder case
Peace prospects brighten up in Meghalaya
Pak girls return home with fond
memories
Defence canteens reopen
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India, Uzebekistan sign pact on
defence
New Delhi, April 5 The agreement signed by Uzbek Defence Minister Kadir Gulomov and his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee, in the presence of visiting Uzbek President Islam A Karimov and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, envisages exchange of expertise, training, joint exercises and development, production, repair of equipment. The Uzbek President lent his country’s support for India’s claim on the permanent seat of to-be-expanded United Nations Security Council and is also understood to have conveyed support to India’s inclusion in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a relatively new but important grouping. Mr Karimov held delegation level talks as well as restricted level talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath called on him. President A P J Abdul Kalam hosted a banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in honour of Mr Karimov. President Kalam noted in his banquet speech that over the last two years, Uzbekistan has been a special part of India’s “Focus CIS “ programme. The two sides shared a common concern regarding terrorism and highlighted it in a five-page Joint Statement that was issued today. There was an understanding that there needs to be collective action against terrorism and in this context the Uzbek side noted that international conventions like the Comprehensive Convention on Counter-Terrorism, which India has proposed, needs to be supported. Three other agreements signed today between India and Uzbekistan pertain to (i) an Exchange Programme between the two countries on cooperation in the field of Education, (ii) a Programme of Cooperation between the two countries’ Ministries of Culture for the period 2005-2007, and (iii) Cooperation in the sphere of Support of Small and Private Entrepreneurship. On trade, there was agreement and a clear desire to promote trade between the two countries, particularly in cotton. Uzbekistan is the second largest producer of cotton in the world after United States. Uzbekistan is also the world’s leading countries for trade in copper, tinplates and gold. To underline the seriousness behind this proposal, Uzbekistan is going to be opening a trading house in India, Foreign Office spokesman Navtej Sarna said. There was a recognition of India’s long-term energy needs in that, particularly, there was an offer for ONGC and GAIL to explore possibilities of cooperation and working in Uzbekistan in gas as well as on downstream projects for regional distribution of the gas as well as of the petroleum products. The importance that is attached to Mr Karimov’s visit by both countries, the President of Uzbekistan was accompanied by four Deputy Prime Ministers and he signed twelve agreements as well on the sidelines. Also this was a stand-alone visit only to India. New Delhi also proposes to set up an IT Institute of Excellence in Tashkent. On energy cooperation front, there is an open offer from Tashkent for ONGC and GAIL to take up exploration in Uzbekistan. The offer is open both for exploration of the gas fields as well as for repair and refurbishing of the downstream industrial projects and for producing petroleum products. |
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Action against 174 officers
Lucknow, April 5 For the first time the state government admitted that bungling in the distribution of foodgrains meant for the poor was indeed thriving in 66 of the 70 districts. It also claimed that in 36 districts 180 persons had already been arrested in connection of the food scam during the past one year. The Chief Minister defended the decision not to appoint a CBI inquiry despite last month’s Allahabad High Court suggestion for it. Mr Yadav claimed that if a CBI inquiry had been ordered, prompt action would not have been possible against the guilty. Hinting at the inordinate delay in the Taj corridor case, Mr Yadav said that a mere CBI probe was not enough to bring the guilty to book. If the food scam had been handed over to the central agency, nothing would have happened for the next four or five years, he claimed. A huge quantity of foodgrains supplied by the central government to assist the rural poor in the state has found its way into the open market and even abroad. The matter had come to light first in Lakhimkheri district when an accountant in the Food Department spilled the beans and died under mysterious circumstances soon thereafter. According to Mr D.C. Lakha, Principal Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies, while 180 persons had been arrested from 36 districts during the past financial year FIRs had been registered against 631 persons in 66 districts. |
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Kelkar panel stresses on
self-reliance in defence
New Delhi, April 5 The report — Part I of the committee’s report, “Towards strengthening self-reliance in defence preparedness”, focuses on encouraging the involvement of country’s best firms in defence capability building. It also recommends adequate changes in the acquisition process; modalities of integration of the user, the Defence Ministry and the Indian industry — both private and public — in the acquisition process; and necessary changes to increase defence exports. The second part of the report of the committee — headed by Dr Vijay L Kelkar, former Adviser to the Finance Minister — and which incliuded some prominent industrialists and chiefs of the public sector units like the Maruti Udyog Limited and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, is expected to be submitted soon separately. The second part deals with the issue of changes required to facilitate defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) and ordnance factories to assume the role of designer and integrator, enabling them to build consortium of industries around them for product development and production. Reports emanating from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) sugested that when the reports is implemented it could lead to a high degree of indigenous production, resulting in increased growth in the manufacturing Gross Domestic Product (GDP), greater employment opportunities and substantial savings. This would also mean greater self-reliance in Defence Production, benefits in terms of research and development, technology spin-offs, higher industrial growth, higher exports, increased competition and more employment opportunities, besides cost savings. Among the committee members were the three Vice Chiefs of the Armed Forces, distinguished scientists and experts, representatives of the Integrated Defence Staff, various departments concerned of the Ministries of Defence and Finance, and from two major Industry associations namely FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry). |
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Fernandes asks govt to make Phukan and CVC report
public
New Delhi, April 5 At a press conference held at his residence, the NDA convener said since the Congress had charged him with suppressing the CVC report on defence purchases, the UPA should now make the report public as the Congress-led coalition was in power. He pointed out that since the CVC report was a confidential document he had taken the decision to not make it public despite political pressures. However, the former Defence Minister said now he felt that since the CVC report pertained to matters of security, it must be made public. He also stressed that the affidavit filed by the UPA Government in the Supreme Court saying that no rules were violated in Kargil purchases and giving a clean chit to him, had vindicated him and re-established his commitment against corruption. ‘‘I had made it clear the day I took over as the Defence Minister that irregularities will not be tolerated as long as I remained in office,’’ he said adding ‘‘the Government’s affidavit has proved it once again that no wrong was committed during my tenure.’’ Mr Fernandes had faced the Opposition boycott, specially led by the Congress during the NDA regime on the issue. Attempts to resolve the matter, taken up on various occasions by the members not only of the NDA Government but also by former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi and Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, had not yielded any result and the Congress remained adamant on its stand. When asked specifically whether he planned to file a defamation case against Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who along with her party leaders had led the boycott against him in Parliament, he said ‘‘now I have no such plans as the case is too old.’’ ‘‘Earlier as a Defence Minister I had decided to move the court against her but dropped the idea as suggested by my friends and officials,’’ Mr Fernandes added. |
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Sonia’s Dandi march today
Dandi (Gujarat), April 5 Arriving from Vadodara in a private helicopter, Ms Gandhi landed on a helipad specially built at Navsari Agriculture University grounds and went to Karadi, where the Mahatma had last camped before he picked salt at Dandi on April 6, 1930, as protest against the British imposing a hefty tax on the essential commodity. Ms Gandhi, who will stay for the night at Navsari, participated in last 5-km leg of the march from Matwad to Dandi. —
UNI |
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Surjeet, Basu step-down offer to dominate CPM party
congress
New Delhi, April 5 The six-day 18th party congress which begins here tomorrow marks the culmination of a six-month-long inner party debate on the party's political strategy and tactics and to focus on how to strengthen its base in the Hindi-speaking areas for the next three years. However, it would now focus its time in pursuading the veteran communist leaders to continue in the decision making process of the party. "Both the comrades have been saying for long that they do not wish to continue due to age and ill-health .... They continue to say that even now. They are living legends of the communist movement in the country. The new Central Committee elected at the congress will decide how they will continue to contribute and advise (the party)," party Polit buro member Sitaram Yechury told reporters here. He, however, parried questions on whether his Politburo colleague Prakash Karat would take over from octogenarian Surjeet as CPM General Secretary. "The CPM's outside support to the Congress-led coalition was unanimous. The party congress is unlikely to reverse the decision, but will definitely review the experience," Mr Yechuri said. His remarks assumes significance in the context of the article of CPM General Secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet in the party's official organ "People's democracy," raising doubts about the longevity of the Congress-led coalition supported by its all time record of 61 MPs. To a question on reported CPI proposal on "re-unification", he said "communist unity is not merely for electoral purposes. Joint movements have to be and are being carried out with the Left parties and unity has to emerge from below ... to have a solid basis. This process will be strengthened. Talks are on both at the formal and informal levels." When asked about complaints regarding 'big brotherly attitude' of the CPM vis-a-vis other Left parties, Mr Yechury said "the people will decide who will lead the Left Front. As the people have reposed faith in the CPM by electing 44 of its MPs, it is clear that the greater responsibility has been thrust on us". He said it was significant that the party chose Delhi as the venue for the congress "not only because of our renewed focus on the Hindi-belt but also to mark the significant role the CPM is playing in national politics now". Mr Yechury said the real thrust would be to make efforts to "convert mass support in trade unions, students and youths into an electoral base also. The tradition in Hindi-speaking areas has been that when you struggle you are with the Red Flag, but when you vote it goes to the Congress or the BJP. This has to be changed" The congress, which is the highest policy-making body, would give a final shape to the political and organisational report of the Central Committee, revise and amend the party programme and constitution and determine the line to be adopted in the current political situation, he said. It would also elect the new central committee through secret ballot and a central control commission which deals with matters of party discipline, he said. As many as 56 foreign delegates of communist and workers parties from 27 countries will also attend the congress along with leaders of CPI, Forward Bloc, RSP among others. Ahead of the congress, the Polit buro and the Central Committee met here today to finalise the resolutions to be tabled at the meet. He said the Central Committee had received as many as 3,509 amendments and suggestions to the draft political resolution during the six -month long debate at the grassroot level. It also received about 16 amendments to the party constitution that would be placed before the congress.
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Circus managers face arrest
Mumbai, April 5 The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) alleged here that the animals were left in their cages for days even after the end of their performance. While the circus artistes had already left the country, the animals were put in charge of caretakers till transport was arranged for them. PETA had earlier protested the permission given to Russian Circus for letting animals perform in Mumbai. Russian state circus company Rosgoscirk, last month approached the Bombay High Court to overturn a ban on the performance of animals in circuses. The circus contended that the ban applied only to Indian circuses and not on circuses from abroad that toured India. |
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SC upholds life sentence
New Delhi, April 5 Upholding his conviction, a Bench of Mr Justice B.N. Agrawal and Mr Justice H.K. Sema said their was no infirmity in the order of the trial court, which had awarded the punishment and the high court, which subsequently confirmed it. |
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NHRC seeks report on death of rag pickers
New Delhi, April 5 Taking cognisance of a recent news report which alleged that the Kasna police was responsible for the death of the rag-pickers, the commission directed that a copy of the report be sent to the Director-General of Police, UP for his scrutiny and comments. According to the report, the rag-pickers, Arshad, Asif and Meharwan were handed over to the Kasna police on September 26 after they were nabbed by a private security guard for roaming around in a residential area in Greater Noida. In his complaint to the police on October 1, 2004, Zamil Ahmed, father of a rag-picker alleged that the boys did not return home after they were detained by the Kasna Police. |
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Cong, NCP engage in bitter turf war
Mumbai, April 5 The Congress has won over several ward-level NCP leaders in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh is warning of more defections. |
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Vigilance seizes hospital records in funds misuse
case
Panipat, April 5 During his visit, the Sub-Inspector asked the officer concerned of the hospital to provide the records pertaining to the funds provided for the beautification of the hospital. Mr Satish and his members of his team reportedly stayed in the hospital for several hours and went through a number of files. They are report to have seized several documents for a detailed investigation. While the Deputy CMO of the hospital, Mr R.K. Garg, claimed ignorance about the seizure of the records, a Vigilance Official, Mr Surender Sharma, confirmed it while talking to The Tribune. He said it would be finalised after a verification of the records whether any embezzlement of funds had been committed or not. He further said that if any embezzlement of funds was detected, action would be taken against the accused under the relevant provisions of the law. Health Minister Kartari Devi had said that the allegations of embezzlement would be looked into, during her recent visit to Panipat some days ago. Talking to mediapersons, she had said that she would order an inquiry into the matter. According to sources, the Health Department had provided Rs 20 lakh to the Civil Hospital for its beautification, when the hospital had been named as Bhim Sen Sachar (BSS) Hospital on December 10 last year. |
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Cop arrested in murder case
Raipur, April 5 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested A.S. Gill, currently posted as Deputy Superintendent of Police in the Anti-Corruption Bureau here on Monday night on charges of tampering with evidence. The move came just a week after the Chhattisgarh Government lodged a protest with the Home Ministry for “the deliberate slow act of CBI” in the murder case. Gunmen shot dead Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jaggi on June 4, 2003, in front of a police station here, while he was on the way to his home after meeting Vidya Charan Shukla, then the local NCP chief. —
IANS |
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Peace prospects brighten up in Meghalaya
Shillong, April 5 Official sources said four members of the HNLC were camping in Delhi to hold talks with the Centre. The HNLC decision to hold talks followed the initiative taken by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Prime Minister had also taken the initiative to bring the NDFB on the negotiating table, besides responding to the talks offer made by ULFA. Formed in 1990, the HNLC has been seeking a separate Khasi homeland and its movement till date had claimed the lives of 36 civilians and 17 securitymen. The sources said that after the NSCN (IM) came forward for talks, other militant outfits were also showing interest to join talks. Another militant outfit of Meghalaya, the Achik National Volunteers Council (ANVC), is also on a peace path. |
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Pak girls return home with fond
memories
New Delhi, April 5 While the memories will become the fodder for anecdotes, the bottles of India soil are a tribute to the ties that their grandparents still have not severed with the place of their birth. The girls claimed that the gift of the Indian soil was a request made by their grandparents who were born and brought up in the city of Amritsar in the then undivided Punjab. The members of the delegation comprising the schoolgirls and teachers came here last month on an invitation from the Indian Council for Foreign Policy and went back to Pakistan from the Wagah border yesterday. |
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Defence canteens reopen
New Delhi, April 5 As the nearly 10,000 canteens reopened customers were few and far between. —
PTI |
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India and Uzbekistan today signed four agreements, including one on defence cooperation, and eight bilateral documents for intensifying multi-sectoral cooperation.
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