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Six states join hands to fight Naxalites
Rashtrapati Bhavan refuses papers to Godhra panel
Advani clarifies on Jinnah |
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Pakistan violated understanding
on Hurriyat visit: Congress With Sonia back, key party posts may be filled
Cabinet meeting
on petro prices
on Monday
Upadhyay’s statue: BJP seeks Kalam’s intervention
Govt jobs: ST certificates to be verified
Cong workers burn Rajasthan CM in effigy
NCP expanding at cost of Shiv Sena
Mafias exploit tsunami victims
News Analysis
Experts divided over tobacco cessation
Foreign
films, too, will carry warning
92 Indian women nominated for Nobel
Planets named after Coimbatore girls
Most Beautiful Lips contest
A wedding and a funeral
Campaigning for
Kolkata MC poll ends
Zee serial on 9/11 attacks Chopper
service for Amarnath
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Six states join hands to fight Naxalites
Hyderabad, June 17 He was briefing reporters on the outcome of a coordination meeting on containing Naxal violence, attended by chief secretaries, home secretaries and DGPs of 13 states. The meeting, which took stock of the internal security situation in these states, decided to adopt an integrated approach for tackling the issue, while stressing the need to view the problem from a socio-economic angle. Various states, including Andhra Pradesh, explained how they had undertaken a multiple approach to the problem by focusing on improving the lot of the rural and tribal population. Noting that the law and order situation was generally under control, the top officials decided to further strengthen the law-enforcing agencies pitted against the misguided elements by providing them with mine-protection vehicles and training in jungle warfare. The Centre is already assisting states, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa and Maharashtra, which have witnessed more extremist activity. Mr Duggal said there was no demand from any of the states to ban Naxalite and other extremist organisations. |
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Rashtrapati Bhavan refuses papers to Godhra panel
Ahmedabad, June 17 A letter received by the Justice Nanavati-Shah Commission from Rashtrapati Bhavan said some of the letters sought by the defence counsel cannot be sent on grounds of privilege. The documents which had been asked includes the letter written by Mr Narayanan to Mr Vajpayee on the steps being taken to control the Godhra riots. Regarding the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s reply defence advocate Mukul Sinha told mediapersons that they had “sought privilege under Section 123 of the Evidence Act and Article 74 (2) of the Constitution” to abstain from sending the required documents. In its reply to the commission, the President’s Office has written that under “Section 123 of the Evidence Act, the President’s Secretariat is not in position to produce the document solicited by a commission of inquiry.” Mr Sinha said he was awaiting the letters from three other dignitaries from whom also the commission had sought replies. The commission sought replies from former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Defence Minister George Fernandes and the Gujarat Governor during the post-Godhra riots phase, Mr Sundar Singh Bhandari. The defence counsel had filed applications seeking their presence before the commission as Mr Bhandari had made a statement about the poor handling of the riots situation by the Modi government, while the other two were called on the basis of Mr Narayanan’s statement.
—PTI |
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Advani clarifies on Jinnah New Delhi, June 17 Advani was speaking at a function to release a book “Soul and Structure of Governance in India” written by former Union Minister Jagmohan here. Recalling his last meeting with Swami Ranganathananda of the Ramkrishna Mission during which Jinnah’s August 11, 1947 address to the Pakistan Constituent Assembly figured, he said “the spirit of the speech was that every citizen should have full freedom to follow the religion of his choice but in the eyes of the state, everyone shall be equal”. He said if this was followed by Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, the peace effort would take a “spontaneous” shape. “I was telling them (people of Pakistan) that this is your founder’s views. But now the discussion here is on Partition and not how the state should be”, he said. Advani had withdrawn his resignation last week after BJP condemned Jinnah’s two-nation theory. At its two-day meeting in Hardwar last week, the VHP had asked him to apologise for his remarks in Pakistan. Conceding that the image of the average Indian politician was not good, he said, “I keep telling that the ugly image of Indian politician should change, particularly of those involved in governance”. He said the party has always endeavoured to lay down the agenda for the country, particularly during elections. While in 1952, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee raised the issue of nationalism, in 1977 it was probity in public life and later secularism vs pseudo-secularism.
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Pakistan
violated understanding New Delhi, June 17 Congress spokesman Anand Sharma said Pakistan had violated the understanding on journey of Kashmiris on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service by allowing Hurriyat Conference leaders to go to Islamabad and other places beyond Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Terming as baseless the charges levelled by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said the bilateral agreement provided for running the bus between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad and travel to either side of Kashmir across LoC on the basis of travel documents. "If there was a breach of agreement by Hurriyat leaders travelling beyond PoK, it was the Pakistan government which was responsible for it," he said. Responding to questions on the statement of Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq that the amalgam had a role in the peace process, Mr Sharma said there was no question of any tripartite talks involving Hurriyat Conference. "We are very clear and firm. We reject this demand completely," he said. He said Jammu and Kashmir had an elected government and the Hurriyat Conference's claim of being the representative of the people of Kashmir was not true. Accusing the BJP of trying to score "political points" on the extremely sensitive issue of Indo-Pak dialogue, Mr Sharma said the Government should take up with Pakistan the "violation" of the understanding on bus travel. Conceding that the peace process with Pakistan had been initiated by the Vajpayee Government, he said the previous regime had experienced "more failures than success" in its attempts. Mr Sharma said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had repeatedly said that there would be no redrawing of borders. Answering queries on reports quoting JKLF leader Yasin Malik that Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rashid had set up a training camp for militants, Mr Sharma said the minister would not be welcome in the
country.
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With Sonia back, key party posts may be filled New Delhi, June 17 A begining is expected to be made with the appointment of state unit presidents, which has been in the pipeline for over a month. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee
(KPCC) may be the first off the block with the appointment of AICC Secretary Ramesh Chennithala as the new PCC President in the next few days. Mr. Chennithala is a front-runner for the post as it has become imperative to accomodate a Nair in a key party position after veteran leader K.Karunakaran and his son K. Muraleedharan left the Congress. Frustration and uncertainty has been building up in the party over the delay in naming new PCC chiefs and other AICC functionaries. Senior party leaders admit the process had dragged on because of pulls and pressures from various factions. Almost all PCCs have passed the mandatory one-line resolution authorising Mrs. Sonia Gandhi to nominate the new state party chiefs. Nevertheless, no decision has been forthcoming on the fresh appointments. This lack of urgency has surprised many party insiders especially since six important states are headed for Assembly elections in the coming months. For instance, Mr. Ram Yatan Sinha stepped down as BPCC chief over two months ago but his replacement is yet to be named although Bihar is among the poll-bound states. Again, Mr. Salman Khursheed was handpicked by the Congress President to head the Uttar Pradesh PCC and though he is expected to retain his job, the delay in the official announcement has slowed down the pace of party activities in this crucial state. Similarly, there is uncertainty in Punjab and Haryana as there is growing speculation over the continuance of the present PCC presidents. Haryana PCC chief Bhajan Lal, party insiders indicated, may be replaced on grounds of ill-health while a change in the Punjab PCC presidentship has been under discussion for several months. Although Punjan chief minister Capt. Amarindar Singh has made a strong case for retaining Mr. Hanspal, his detractors have been pitching for a change on the plea that a scheduled caste be appointed to this post to counter the growing clout of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The names of Mr. Shamsher Singh Dullo and Mr. Mahender Singh Dullo are being mentioned in this connection.
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Cabinet meeting
on petro prices
on Monday New Delhi, June 17 Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee has been asked to consult the Left parties on raising petrol and diesel prices by at least Rs 2 per litre and convey their opinion to the Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram. Though oil majors have represented to the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas that petrol and diesel prices should be hiked by at least Rs 4 and Rs 4.50 respectively per litre, the Manmohan Singh government is likely to settle for an increase half that amount. The oil companies have been clamouring for an increase because of the hardening of crude oil prices.
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Upadhyay’s statue: BJP seeks Kalam’s intervention
New Delhi, June 17 BJP Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who submitted a memorandum to the President today, urged him to seek a report from Uttar Pradesh Governor over the removal of the statue on Sunday and the destruction of the square where it was placed. Addressing a press conference here, Mr Naqvi, who is a former MP from Rampur, accused the Mulayam Singh Yadav government and one of the senior state minister Azam Khan, in particular, of engineering the destruction of the statue. “What had happened in Rampur was an exhibition of undemocratic and anti-national mindset, which could foment communal tension in the country,” Mr Naqvi said. The BJP leader, who was camping at Rampur for the past three days, said rallies and demonstrations would be organised in the town from June 21 to June 25, as part of the “Akramak Andolan”, in which top state and central leaders would also participate. Thousands of party workers will march from three districts of Uttar Pradesh every day to Rampur to participate in the agitation and court arrest, Mr Naqvi said. On June 23, a protest march will be held in Lucknow and a memorandum will be submitted to the Governor, he added. |
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Govt jobs: ST certificates to be verified
New Delhi, June 17 A decision to this effect was taken at the two-day meeting of CBI officials and 103 Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) of the Central Government, Delhi Government, public sector undertakings and banks, which concluded here on Wednesday, according to a CBI press note. During the meeting, Additional Director CBI M.L. Sharma informed that the agency had already investigated six cases in this connection and 20 more would be registered soon. The verification exercise would be carried out by the CVOs in respect of all appointments made in their respective ministries. The CVOs shall act as nodal officers for handling the issue as well as for interacting with the CBI or the Department of Personnel and Training. The verification will be conducted by referring the certificates to the issuing authorities like the District Magistrates or the SDMs. The meeting was held in the backdrop of a Delhi High Court order on a public interest litigation that had alleged appointment of a large number of people under the reserved category on the basis of false and forged ST certificates. The meeting, which deliberated upon the magnitude of the problem at hand and the practical difficulties expected during the exercise, agreed that the CVOs concerned will forward the progress report by July 10 to the CBI which will be incorporated in the status report to be filed in the Delhi High Court. |
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Cong workers burn Rajasthan CM in effigy Jaipur, June 17 The CPM organised massive demonstrations at as many as 12 places and organised rallies followed by public meetings condemning the Vasundhara Raje Government for its anti-people policies and apathetic attitude towards the problems of poor farmers. In Jaipur, Congress workers burnt effigies of the Chief Minister and the Home Minister. A memorandum was also handed over to the Governor, Mrs Pratiba Patil, by the Congress MLAs demanding imposition of President’s rule in the state in view of the deteriorating law and order situation. The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly and Rajasthan PCC chief, Dr B.D. Kalla, has announced a state-wide protest demonstration on June 21. He has issued instructions to all District Congress Committees to this effect. The party is also contemplating to hold a whole-day massive condolence meeting on the 12th day (Barahavan) of the deceased at Sohela village where the tragedy had occurred. Rajasthan Jat Sabha leaders have also vehemently criticised the Raje Government for its failure to redress the grievances of the farmers saying that the Jat voters had certainly supported the BJP in the last elections, but that did not mean that they had given them the right to kill the innocent persons. The president of the Jat Mahasabha, Mr Raja Ram, criticised the Raje Government and stated that the BJP had betrayed its promise made during the elections to provide water to the farmers of the Malpura and Todaraisingh areas from the Bisalpur dam. While the situation continues to be tense in Tonk district, the state government has removed the District Collector and Superintendent of Police and also served them charge-sheets for negligence in their duty and reaching on the spot late by five hours. |
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NCP expanding at cost of Shiv Sena
Mumbai, June 17 After luring more than 800 Shiv Sena activists into its fold in the past several months, the NCP has begun to woo senior leaders of the Sena as well. Yesterday former Shiv Sena MLA from Chiplun, near Ratnagiri district, Bhaskar Jadhav formally joined the NCP with several hundred followers. In the state Assembly poll last year Jadhav who was denied a ticket by the Shiv Sena formed the Bhaskar Sena and ate into his former party’s vote share. The NCP was the major gainer in Chiplun. In all, the NCP forced the defeat of Shiv Sena candidates in 35 seats in Mumbai and Konkan. Confident of making further progress at the Shiv Sena’s expense, NCP chief Sharad Pawar is said to be wooing sitting MPs belonging to the regional party as well. Among those who are likely to switch sides include Shiv Sena MP and former Power Minister Suresh Prabhu. Once a close aide of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, Prabhu fell out with his mentor during his tenure as Power Minister in the Vajpayee Cabinet. Thackeray then forced Vajpayee to drop Prabhu from his team despite the former Prime Minister lauding him for his initiatives to reform the power sector. Sources say any Shiv Sena MP who switches sides would have to resign from the Lok Sabha and contest afresh under the newly-amended anti-defection laws. Pawar is also said to be wooing Subodh Mohite and Shivajirao Adhalrao, Shiv Sena MPs, according to reports. |
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Mafias exploit tsunami victims
Chennai, June 17 Six families, who were hit by December 26 tsunami, have been asked to pay large amounts as fines since they refused to part with relief materials and cash given to them by a local panchayat at a fishing hamlet near Tiruvottiyur, north of the state capital. The panchayat in league with the local mafia also ostracised them by making public announcements over loudspeakers and even disconnected their water supply and cable television connections. When Mr K. Gopal, an advocate whose family was one of the victims moved the Madras High Court, Chief Justice Markandey Katju and Mr Justice Ibrahim Kalifulla wondered, “Is Tamil Nadu becoming Uttar Pradesh or Bihar?” In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, local mafias extorted money from vehicles entering their areas and it was referred as “goonda tax”. Mr Justice Katju said, “I thought no such menace prevails in Tamil Nadu” and remarked sarcastically, “Well, the state is improving.” Mr Gopal told the court that even the Deputy Commissioner of the Chennai city police did not take any action and had expressed his inability to intervene into the matter. The High Court Bench observed that the matter was serious and demanded to know from the Additional Advocate General, “What action is being taken?” Mr Gopal prayed that the illegal “excommunication” order by the panchayat be revoked and Rs. 40,000 extorted as fine from his mother be returned to the family. The problem for the six families began when the panchayat ruled that all relief in form of materials and cash be handed over to them. One family refused to give away the boats and fishing equipment given to them by charitable organisations. Mr Gopal complained, “They were intimidated and subsequently ostracised by the panchayat members who claimed that the relief materials were given to the village and not to specific families.” The panchayat then held a meeting and imposed a fine of Rs 1,50,000 on five families for defying its orders. Mr Gopal said since his father died in the tsunami, his family too was given a boat by an NGO but the panchayat wanted the boat to be handed over to it. A fine of Rs 50,000 was imposed on his family but his mother paid Rs 40,000 fearing the “excommunication”. However, the other five families who refused to pay are still bearing the torture after being ostracised. |
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Windows of opportunity in print media
R. Suryamurthy Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 17 The FDI cap which has been kept at 26 per cent is unlikely to act as a major hurdle for investment in the print media sector, as this should be seen as a preliminary measure for the government and the industry to test the waters. The government has not restricted its decision to open the print media sector only to FDI but has allowed investments by NRIs, PIOs, overseas corporate bodies and portfolio investments. With several big global print media houses waiting to start their India edition, the Cabinet decision to allow them to have facsimile editions should be seen as a first step before opening the door to the powerful media magnates. “The rationale behind this decision was to provide Indian citizens with the right to information internationally. They are already getting such information through the Internet and foreign channels,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Jaipal Reddy said, though making it clear that Indian editions of foreign newspapers are not being permitted at the moment. “This is because of apprehensions that the Indian newspaper industry will not be able to withstand competition,” he added. However, the facsimile editions should come as a good news to the printing industry as the raw material, labour would be sourced from here and there is every possibility that they would bring in the latest printing technology, which would ultimately benefit this sector. If the Bangalore software-outsourcing phenomenon is any indication, the facsimile edition could be designed and edited in the country, which means a new source of outsourcing, thus bringing in precious foreign exchange into the country. Apart from these facsimile editions, the Cabinet decision is likely to open up a floodgates of new publications, especially magazines and journals that too vernacular. Such magazines and journals were most likely to be started by those communities, which has a huge NRI and PIO population abroad. Further, several of the existing vernacular print medias, which have decent circulation, would witness bid for stakes in them and there would be diversification by these media houses in specialised magazines catering to certain sections of society. Moreover, the entry of overseas corporate bodies and portfolio investments would result in listing of several media houses in the stock market, thus breaking the shackle of closely held enterprises. This would give an opportunity for the people and the shareholders to know the interest groups involved in running the industry, who disseminate information. This would result in more transparency in the media industry. Last, but not least, the Cabinet decision to increase the syndication limit of the total printed area from the present 7.5 per cent to 20 per cent under the automatic route would result in explosion of information especially in the field of science, technology and entertainment. Although the Internet and Satellite Television have virtually opened up the access to the global media and views, the Cabinet decision would certainly provide an opportunity to vast sections of masses to experience and enjoy the free flow of information. The Cabinet decision, however, should be seen as a first step before this vital sector is opened up and it integrates itself in the global village. Critiques may argue that opening up the print media would undermine the Indian culture and sovereignty. This argument could be countered by the fact that Indian culture is not that weak to be uprooted by western ethos. Satellite television channels had to change Indian to cater to the tastes of the people here to survive and increase their TRP ratings. Sovereignty of the country is unlikely to be undermined by these publications, as Indian laws would govern them. And the government can restrain them from carrying out any such campaign.
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Experts divided over tobacco cessation
New Delhi, June 17 Dr Nimesh Desai, psychiatrist and Medical Superintendent, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, here said the ban was unrealistic and was not likely to be productive. “While the intention of the government in larger public interest cannot be doubted, it is not fair in a free society to impose such measures on creative directors of films and television serials.” Dr Desai who also runs the WHO-supported tobacco cessation clinic at the institute said: “While it is true that teenagers get initiated into certain habits seeing their role models but this is no way to deal with it. This is an extremist strategy.” Dr Vipul Mishra, who is working in an anti-smoking clinic in Metro Hospital, Noida, is of the view that nobody starts smoking just by seeing his role model smoke. “He may justify smoking and think that there is nothing wrong in smoking as his role model is smoking. It may add to other negative stimuli from his peer group and other sources in society. Actors should
de-glamourise the aura of smoking.” Some experts are convinced from experiences in the course of their clinical practice that most persons take to smoking due to peer pressure. Dr Rajkumar, reader in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ballabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, Delhi University, says: “Only 15 per cent of those who come to our tobacco cessation clinic are influenced by role models. But if the ban is imposed properly, it may help people.” A WHO study in 2003 titled “Bollywood — victim or ally — study on the portrayal of tobacco in Indian cinema” established a clear relationship between role models and tobacco consumption. The objective of the study was to define the incidence of smoking in Indian films and see whether the heroes or the villains were smoking on screen. The study looked at 440 films made in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu between 1992 and 2002. It found that 76 per cent of the films portrayed tobacco usage. Of these, 72 per cent portrayed smoking while four per cent showed smokeless form of tobacco consumption. The study found that the smoking incidence had risen sharply among the heroes identified as the “good persons” from 22 per cent in 1991 to 53 per cent in 2002. In its recommendations to the government, the WHO said the rating guidelines of Indian films should be modified according to the extent of smoking. It further said every film should certify “no pay offs from any tobacco company” at the end of the film. It said that film-makers must ensure that actors who smoke in the film disseminate strong anti-tobacco message during the film. WHO said broadcasters should be encouraged to issue warning against the health risks of tobacco. |
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Foreign films, too, will carry warning New Delhi, June 17 Addressing mediapersons here today, Mr Reddy said his ministry was keen to ensure a level-playing field for Indian and foreign films and the prohibition on smoking scenes would apply to both. He said uplinking and downlinking guidelines had been finalised and would be put up before the Cabinet soon. He clarified that old films would be exempted from the ban on smoking scenes. In case of new films and serials, exceptions would be made in case of situations such as treatment of historical personality as Winston Churchill or Fidel Castro .
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92 Indian women nominated for Nobel
New Delhi, June 17 For over two years, a global group of women has been working to identify 1,000 women working for just peace in different parts of the world, and has submitted the names to the Nobel Committee in Oslo in February, 2005. The group wants the Nobel Peace Prize given collectively to the women. The project was initiated by Ruth-Gaby Vermot-Mangold, Member of Swiss Parliament, and became a global initiative with 18 regional coordinators joining it from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Middle and Near East, North and South America and Europe to oversee the nominations in their respective regions. The names of the 1,000 women nominated for the prize, 158 of whom are from South Asia, will be announced on June 29. “The number 1,000 is symbolic. It says that peace is not the creation of individual leaders alone. The culture of peace needs millions and is a collective, ongoing effort,” said Kamla Bhasin, the South Asia coordinator for the project. The first Nobel Prize was awarded in 1901 and has been given 85 times since then. Only 12 women have been recognised by the Nobel committee for their work to promote peace.
— PTI |
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Planets named after Coimbatore girls
Coimbatore, June 17 This was in recognition of their achievement as finalists in the 2003 Intel International Science and Engineering fair held in Cleveland, Ohio, according to Paramathma, father of Senthalir. The minor planet numbered 17091 has been named after Senthalir, while 17092 after Sharanya. They were honoured for their research on “suppression of branching pattern in eucalyptus trees” proving that growth could be suppressed using neem oil, Paramathma, head of the Department of Tree Breeding, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, who guided the girls for the project, said.
— PTI |
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Most Beautiful Lips contest
Mumbai, June 17 The contest, launched by Blistex Inc, USA, in association with Elder Pharmaceuticals Limited in India, would have people voting in their choice of the most beautiful lips in the country through Internet, SMS, telephone calls, according to Anuj Saxena of Elder Pharmaceuticals. “Lips of 99 celebrities were earlier shortlisted, the number was brought down to 20 - 10 in the male and 10 in the female category. The celebrities shortlisted were from various walks of life,” he said adding a three-month media campaign would have the shortlisted lips being displayed and asking people to vote for them. The objective of the contest was to promote healthy lips and to create awareness on the need for lip care. The international celebrities who have won the contest include Bill Clinton (for the most ambushing lips), Will Smith (for the most alienated lips) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (for the most interminable lips).
— PTI |
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A wedding and a funeral
Mumbai, June 17 Bapu was busy with preparations for the wedding, to be held in his village, and forgot to send out invitations to some of his relatives, the police said. When the big day arrived two months ago, the incenced relatives gate-crashed the wedding, soiled the special delicacies prepared for the feast and threatened Bapu that the “insult” would be avenged when he returned to Mumbai. |
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Campaigning for
Kolkata MC poll ends
Kolkata, June 17 The elections will be held on June 19 and the results will declared on June 21. |
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Zee serial on 9/11 attacks New Delhi, June 17 The 25-episode serial goes on air from Monday and each of the episodes reflects one hour of the particular day before the attacks. The Zee TV said the plot had, however, been turned around to an optimistic one rather than one leading to the blowing up of the buildings with Indian intelligence officials being successful in stopping the terrorists from detonating the bomb in this region.
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Chopper service
for Amarnath New Delhi, June 17 Jagson Airlines Chairman Jagdish Gupta said today that the airline would be flying 44 flights daily from Srinagar and Baltal to Amarnath. The return fare from Srinagar is Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,500 from Baltal. He said Jagson would use three Bell 407 helicopters on the routes.
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