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Left asks Centre to
intervene in Gurgaon
Left calls for nationwide strike on Sept 29
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Hooda in the dock
Hooda assures judicial probe into lathi charge
Justice Garg to probe violence
NDA’s session boycott sent wrong signal: Advani
Panel for 26 pc FDI in pension sector
Centre seeks report on infiltration
Task force to keep eye on Naxals
Buddhadeb seeks Pranab’s help to combat extremism
Sentinels of Ahmedabad’s ‘model slum’ on guard against communal forces
Jaya meets PM on Cauvery
Dharaji tragedy: CM promises action
TDP seeks probe into death of tribesmen
A case of mistaken identity
Petition challenges Wakf Board order on Taj
Talks on to set up judicial council
MPs express concern over blockade in Manipur
MPs raise Bihar issue in Lok Sabha
40 peacocks poisoned
Rajasthan police posts on Haryana border
All-party meet on farmers’ stir fails
Kalam condoles Ustad’s death
PM calls on President
S. Korean minister
to arrive on Aug 1
Rights panel decries
boys’ killing
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Left asks Centre to
intervene in Gurgaon New Delhi, July 26 “An all -India movement could be launched if a settlement is not reached within the next couple of days. Even the Honda dealers could face the music,” warned CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan. Although the agenda of the meeting was to brief the Communists of the recent US trip by the Prime Minister, the “brutal” attack on the workers of the Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India Ltd dominated the proceedings. Manmohan Singh informed the Left leaders that he would make a statement on the US trip on Friday. Talking to reporters after a 90-minute-long meeting, he said the Left leaders demanded the immediate suspension of police and district administration officials responsible for the “brutal” attack and release of leaders and activists who have been arrested and medical treatment of those injured. Asked to comment on the reported statement of a Japanese official that the incident would adversely affect the inflow of FDI into India, Bardhan said: “If they (MNCs) do illegal things, we will stop them. They have to abide by the law of the land.” Left leaders urged Manmohan Singh for the intervention of the Central Government as a large number of workers had been injured in the incident and the law enforcing agencies had attacked the peacefully demonstrating workers and the incident had continued for the second day today. They said the workers had been thrown out of the Japanese multinational company for attempting to form a trade union. They also urged the Centre to ensure that the injured workers were given proper treatment, as the medicial facilities in Gurgaon were inadequate to meet the needs of so many persons at the same time. Manmohan Singh, sources said assured the Left leaders due care would be taken for the medical treatment of the workers and expressed concern at the continuing agitation in Gurgaon. The meeting was also attended by Harkishan Singh Surjeet, Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury of CPM, D Raja of CPI, RSP's Abani Roy and Forward Bloc leader Debabrata Biswas. On the US trip and the controversy surrounding the civilian nuclear deal, the Left leaders said Manmohan Singh assisted by the External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh explained the highlights of the joint statement issued after the Prime Minister’s meeting with US President George Bush. When asked whether the Left parties would raise the Indo-US issue in Parliament, Bardhan said: “Of course, we will.”
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Left calls for nationwide strike on Sept 29
New Delhi, July 25 Addressing trade union activists, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said the Left would launch a “full-fledged prolonged agitation” culminating in a nationwide general strike on September 29. The presence of a huge posse earlier prevented the activists from marching into the Haryana Bhavan. Water cannons and a barricade kept the protesters at bay. In a statement, the company said: “We would continue to look at negotiating with the workmen until a mutually agreeable solution is reached upon.” Regretting the incident, the company said: “We will provide all medical assistance and hope that our workmen recover and quickly and join work.” Reports said the company suspended production at its plant at Manesar as clashes between the police and its protesting workers continued for the second day today. “The incident had proved that Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was the agent of the Japanese company,” Dasgupta said. Terming the incident as “highly condemnable”, he demanded immediate action against top police officials responsible for the incident. He also announced a Gurgaon bandh on July 28 and August 1 as protest day across the country. The CITU, the AITUC, the HMS, the UTUC and other Left-oriented central trade unions have also declared a series of protest actions, including a “Haryana bandh” on July 28, an All-India Protest Day on August 1 and an All-India strike on September 29. The CPM Politburo, in a statement said: “This is an outrageous example of the police acting as an agent of a multi-national company.” The CPM said the district administration’s complicity in suppressing the rights of the workers had been well-established. The party said the Honda management must be prosecuted for declaring an illegal lockout and workers must be reinstated without any condition. “The Central Government must ensure that all multinational corporations in the National Capital Region conform to labour laws strictly.” “To protest against the brutality, to demand action against those guilty and to ensure justice for the Honda workers, the CPM calls upon its units and democratic forces to hold protests throughout the country,” the party added. |
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Hooda in the dock New Delhi, July 26 The Congress leadership believes that Mr Hooda failed to realise the gravity of the situation and that his initial response was far from satisfactory. It was stated that the Chief Minister rushed to the spot only after he was directed to do so last evening by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi who also expressed deep anguish over this incident. With the BJP and the Left mounting a blistering attack on the Congress in Parliament for state government’s failure to protect agitating workers, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil summoned Mr Hooda this morning and asked him to upgrade the magestrial inquiry announced by him last night to a judicial probe. Privately, Congressmen are faulting the Chief Minister on several counts: Even after being directed to visit the spot, Mr Hooda did not come out strongly against the police lathi charge and instead repeatedly emphasised that policemen were also injured in the violence. The Chief Minister did not affect immediate administrative changes like transfer of local police officials, which could have restored confidence among the agitated people. The state government failed to resolve the festering labour disupte and unnecessarily allowed it to reach such a flashpoint. Mr Janardan Dwivedi, AICC General Secretary in charge of Haryana, called Labour Minister Birendra Singh this evening to ascertain the details of this ongoing dispute. Mr Singh is learnt to have explained that the Labour Department had been trying to resolve the dispute but each time a settlement was in sight, it fell through. Embarrassed Congress leaders admit that this incident has not just blotted Mr. Hooda’s copybook but it also reflects poorly on the state government, which only recently got a huge mandate in the Assembly polls, and the Congress which has positioned itself as a champion of weaker sections and the “aam aadmi.” Already reeling under constant attack from the Left parties, this incident has provided another opportunity to the Marxists to hit out at the Congress just when it needs its cooperation in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament. It is hoping that that the Left will be suitably mollified now that a judicial probe has been ordered and proper relief and rehabilitation measures are taken. Meanwhile, following up on the PM and Mrs Gandhi’s reaction, the Congress described the police lathi charge as “shocking and regrettable” and urged all political parties not to politicise this issue. Party spokesperson Anand Sharma put up a stiff defence of the Chief Minister, saying he had acted promptly. At the same time, Mr Sharma indirectly criticised the Opposition and the Left, pointing out that equally shocking and shameful incidents had taken place in other states as well. However, he quickly added that the Congress wanted to keep such issues “above partisan politics.”
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Hooda assures judicial probe into lathi charge
New Delhi, July 26 But at the same time, he maintained that there had been “excesses on both sides”. Talking to mediapersons here after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, the Haryana Chief Minister said: “A demand was made in Parliament for a judicial inquiry instead of a magisterial inquiry, which had already been ordered. Now, I’m going to order a judicial inquiry by a retired High Court Judge,” he said. Mr Hooda said the decision had been taken after discussions with the Prime Minister, the UPA Chairperson and the Union Home Minister. He added that those found guilty after the inquiry would not be spared. Talking to the TNS, Mr Hooda said: “I received a message from the UPA Chairperson and she conveyed to me the sense of the House on the Gurgaon incident.” He said his government was keen on ensuring industrial peace in the state. He did not rule out the involvement of some mischievous elements in the incident. He said the mischief might be to discourage investors from coming to the state. He said he had visited the injured in hospitals in Gurgaon and found that both protesters and policemen were injured in the violence. Asked whether his government was considering giving compensation to the injured workers, he said: “We will talk to the Honda management. The Congress government has a pro-labour policy.” Replying to question on his moral responsibility for the police lathi-charge on the agitating workers, he said: “As Chief Minister of the state, I’m responsible for maintaining law and order in the state.” Asked why his government was lax in responding to the situation, Hooda told the TNS: “The matter pertains to the Labour Department.” On CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta’s allegation that senior police officers were involved in the crackdown on agitators, Hooda said he would discuss the matter with Dasgupta. |
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Justice Garg to probe violence New Delhi, July 26 Following a decision taken in the afternoon today by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda to institute a judicial probe after his talks with Home Minister Shivraj Patil, the state government issued a notification in the evening appointing Mr Justice G.C. Garg, retired Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court, to look into the circumstances leading to violence and clash between the police and industrial workers in Gurgaon yesterday. An official spokesperson said the probe would be Commission of Inquiry under sub-section (i) of Section 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952. According to the terms of reference of the commission, it would complete the inquiry within three months. The commission will inquire into the role of any extraneous factors in the incident and also probe whether the force used by the police was justified or excessive. The commission will also inquire whether any other means were available to the police for controlling the unruly crowd. Talking to mediapersons in the afternoon, the Chief Minister said a judicial inquiry had been ordered after Parliament members sought such a probe. Mr Hooda said senior Congress leaders, whom he met in Parliament, had conveyed to him the sense of House over the “unfortunate” incidents. The Chief Minister parried questions about any administrative reshuffle being contemplated following the incidents. “Whatever is appropriate will be done,” he said. On today’s incidents in Gurgaon, Mr Hooda said the police had used teargas shells to prevent disruption in treatment of the injured in hospitals. Meanwhile, state’s Labour Department, under fire over delay in sorting out problems of the labour, today said the dispute between two workers of Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India Ltd. and its management had been simmering for the past few months and had escalated in the last month. An official spokesperson said the Labour Department had been “facilitating and mediating the negotiations” between the management of company and its workers in order to break the impasse between the two sides. “The two sides came close to a reconciliation a number of times but backed out at the last minute every time,” the spokesman said.
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New Delhi, July 26 The commission has asked the Chief Secretary, Haryana, to send within 10 days an action-taken report. The NHRC felt that an impartial investigation by an independent agency into the police assault was required to instill public confidence in the rule of law. The commission said the issue was of grave concern as it affected human rights of a large number of persons belonging to vulnerable sections of society. — TNS
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NDA’s session boycott sent wrong signal: Advani
New Delhi, July 26 Addressing the party’s first Parliamentary Party meeting on the first business day of the monsoon session, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who reportedly had reservations on the boycott, said last time the MPs came prepared but spent their time outside Parliament, but this time around they should be prepared to sit inside and aggressively raise the issues, sources said. Earlier, Mr Advani said the boycott of both Houses in the last session created the impression as if the Opposition alliance wanted to avoid discussing major issues confronting the nation, the sources said. Stressing that the NDA’s concerns and grievances as also its boycott against the Congress-led coalition were “genuine and legitimate”, Mr Advani said perhaps the party could not communicate the same to the people, which led to the “wrong perception”. However, Deputy Leaders of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and V.K. Malhotra, respectively, maintained that the top BJP leaders did not regret the boycott of the Budget Session of Parliament by the NDA saying “both the leaders insisted that various issues should be effectively raised in both Houses of Parliament”. Exhorting party MPs to make up for the last session, Mr Advani asked them to raise all issues of public concern in both Houses and actively participate in the proceedings. The Opposition alliance had boycotted both Houses on most of the days of the last session. However, TDP, which extends outside support to the NDA, ended its boycott towards the end of the session. Earlier, Mr Advani described the “police brutality” on agitating workers of a multinational company in Gurgaon “unprecedented” and demanded the dismissal of the Hooda government in the state. Mr Advani was likely to visit Gurgaon and meet those injured in police action. Senior party leaders Sushma Swaraj and Jaswant Singh were among those present at the first meeting of the Parliamentary Party following the recent stalemate in the party after the RSS asked Mr Advani to step down for “ideological erosion”. No MP is understood to have raised the issue during the 45-minute meeting, party sources said. Meanwhile, the party decided to send a parliamentary delegation led by its Rajya Sabha Chief Whip S.S. Ahluwalia to Manipur to study the situation arising out of the blockade. Members were asked to actively participate in the adjournment motion moved by Advani on the illegal migration from Bangladesh and the recent Supreme Court order that described the situation as nothing short of “external aggression”, Prof Malhotra said. The terrorist strike in Ayodhya, the plight of the poor and farmers and the Prime Minister’s statement in the UK praising the British Raj would also be raised by the BJP in the coming days, he said. Mr Advani also remembered the Kargil war heroes on the occasion of “Vijay Divas” and praised their courage in ousting the infiltrators. |
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Panel for 26 pc FDI in pension sector
New Delhi, July 26 The committee, in its report tabled in Parliament today, said any decision permitting FDI in the pension sector should be implemented only by way of bringing forward suitable amendment in the present legislation. “Decisions relating to permitting FDI in the pension sector and the deployment of pension funds outside the country should in no way be in variance with the related provisions applicable to the insurance sector,” it said. Effectively, the committee has thus suggested a 26 per cent FDI in the insurance sector — the present FDI ceiling in the insurance sector is regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority. Those who have submitted notes of dissent are Mr Gurudas Das Gupta, Mr A. Krishnaswamy and Mr Chittabrata Majumdar. A joint note of dissent was also given to the committee by Mr Rupchand Pal, Mr Laxman Seth, and Mr Bir Singh Mahto. The committee is of the view that “initial or broad contours of the regulations governing the implementation of the new pension system under the infrastructure PFRDA should be framed and made clear in the public domain prior to the enactment of the Bill”. The committee noted that the pre-requisites relating to capital structure and experience criteria for the selection of pension fund managers need to be spelt out in clear terms in the
Bill itself. “The committee notes that unlike the case of the insurance sector, the permissibility or otherwise of FDI in the pension sector to be promoted and regulated under the aegis of PFRDA as well as limitations or restrictions on deployment of pension funds outside the country have not been specified.” It also asked the government to enact a comprehensive legislation for the unorganised sector, “inclusive of pension coverage of workforce, simultaneous to the setting up of PFRDA as a statutory body”. The Bill was introduced in March this year and was referred to the Standing Committee following opposition by the Left. The government has introduced a New Pension System for employees joining the Central Government departments on or after January 1, 2004. Under this scheme, the government servants make a contribution of 10 per cent of his or her basic and dearness allowance. The subscribers/employees are offered three categories of schemes — options A, B and C — based on the ratio of investment in fixed income instruments and equities. The committee noted that a major cause of concern for the employees is the fact that unlike the present pension system which guarantees a monthly retirement income of 50 per cent of the average of the last 10 months’ pay, devoid of any risk, the New Pension System leaves the likely retirement benefits of the subscribers to be determined by the market. The committee has favoured making available the option of 100 per cent investment of the pension funds in government securities to the subscribers. |
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Centre seeks report on infiltration
Guwahati, July 26 Though, earlier, both Centre and state governments had rebuffed Governor Ajai Singh for his report over the entry of 6,000 Bangladeshis every day into different parts of the country, the same government is now compelled to take stock of the situation in the wake the Supreme Court’s verdict. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi admitted that the data and figures submitted by AGP MP Sarbananda Sonowal in his affidavit before the Supreme Court in 2000 were beyond
any dispute. Between 1983 and 2005 the government could detect and deport only a little over 2,000 illegal Bangladeshis through the IMDT against a pending 2.5 Lakh cases in different IMDT tribunals. The statement by Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal last year in Parliament admitting the presence of 50 lakh Bangladeshis in Assam and 57 lakh in West Bengal spoke volume about the problem threatening the demographic character of the respective states. Though Mr Jaiswal later withdrew his remarks, the Congress led UPA was caught on the wrong foot with West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi describing the problem as the “time bomb” in his report to President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam during a recent convention of Governors in Delhi. Mr Ajai Singh also reportedly supported the views of Mr Gandhi and the Governor of Tripura also shared the similar views. |
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Task force to keep eye on Naxals
Mumbai, July 26 The government’s watchlist include certain Leftist activists and non-government organisations who are suspected of providing medical assistance and financial support to Naxalites involved in encounters with the police, sources say. According to intelligence reports obtained by the Maharashtra government, certain NGOs active in the city have provide safe houses in the slums of Dharavi to Naxalites on the run. Though the suspected groups are under watch for some time, no arrests have been made so far, according to the police and Home Department officials.
Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district bordering Andhra Pradesh is a hotbed of the Naxalite activity and is part of the ‘red corridor’ extending all the way to Nepal, according to intelligence officials. To curb the activities of the extremists, the Maharashtra Government will set up a 400-member special action group equipped with special equipment, including armoured cars, anti-landmine vehicles, etc. “The group will execute intelligence-based operations in Naxalite areas,” according to DGP P.S.
Pasricha. The special action force will be independent of the local police and have its own intelligence setup. Intelligence reports of Naxalites in Maharashtra conducting joint operations with Maoist groups from Nepal has already sent alarm bells ringing here. Combing operations by the police in Gadchiroli district have yielded photographs of suspected Maoists from Nepal at training camps in jungles bordering Andhra Pradesh. The police here feels that the Nepali Maoist groups may be providing sophisticated equipment like Claymore mines and training to the Naxalites in Maharashtra. |
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Buddhadeb seeks Pranab’s help to combat extremism
Kolkata, July 26 Mr Bhattacharjee had a closed door meeting with the Defence Minister on Saturday in the city and discussed the problems of the increasing subversive activities of the MCC and PWG guerrillas in the eastern and north-eastern states, which had reached an alarming proportion. The Chief Minister suggested that the Centre should pay special attention to solving the problems, which he felt needed not only military solution but also a full-fledged development and rehabilitation package for the young and unemployed youths in these backwards areas. Mr Bhattacharjee also held bi-lateral talks with Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda in Kolkata and both agreed to jointly move for solving the Maoist problems in their states. Both Chief Ministers also decided to rope in the Chief Ministers of Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Orissa in leading a deputation to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister soon for persuading them to take a concerted move with these states in dealing with the problem. Mr Bhattacharjee already requested the Defence Minister to organise Prime Minister’s level meeting with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, which were reported to be the “breeding ground” of the extremists. Mr Mukherjee said the Centre was quite aware of the problems in the country and the Home Ministry had been taking appropriate steps in solving them. Accordingly, nine different states were identified as notorious extremists-prone area where special central force had been already deployed to handle the problems. Besides, these states will be given special fund for spending on various developments and employment-oriented programme in which some Rs 3,000 crore will be allocated for the next five years. Initially, each of the extremist-prone states will get Rs 200 crore. |
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Sentinels of Ahmedabad’s ‘model slum’ on guard against communal forces
Ahmedabad: In the riot-prone city of Ahmedabad, the Ram-Rahim Nagar slum in the old city is an oasis of peace.
The 20,000-odd residents, who barely manage to eke out a living, come together every time Hindu-Muslim riots rock the city. At the first sign of trouble, the committee members of the Ram-Rahim Nagar Jhopadwasi Mandal abandon everything else to keep the peace. “Our biggest challenge is to keep our youth in check even as we stand guard at the slum’s entrance to keep out trouble makers,” says Pyarali Kapadia, a former president of the committee, and unofficial spokesman for the slum-dwellers. The sexagenarian former employee of the Central Excise Department was among the early residents of the slum who formed the 21-member peace committee in 1969. “The present committee has 11 Hindus and 10 Muslims, while in the last committee the numbers were the other way round,” says Kapadia. According to Ismail Ibrahim Sheikh, vice-president, Ahmedabad Youth Congress, the slum-dwellers choose “senior respected educated people who can understand everything”. The elders’ skills were sorely tested during the post-Godhra riots. “Immediately after the train burning incident we called together all youth and asked them not to fall prey to outside propaganda,” says Kapadia. While Gujarat burnt, residents of the slum bided their time till normalcy was restored. Ram-Rahim Nagar’s reputation as an oasis of peace has resulted in the slum’s population growing manifold in the past several years. From just a little more than 700 houses in 1969, the slum has more than 3,000 houses now. While the Muslims are naturally pleased with the security afforded here, a large number of Hindu families have moved in as well. “Hindus have moved in and are actively taking part in the Quomi-Ekta committee,” says Mewabhai Kandhibhai Parmar. Residents say the composition of the once-Muslim dominated slum has changed to equal members from both communities. Parmar and Kapadia have a curious take on the residents’ co-existing peacefully. “Unlike in other places only low-caste Muslims and Dalit Hindus live here. Since we share the same stigma in society and suffer equally from poverty we have a lot in common,” they reason. The community has a mosque, a dargah and six temples in close proximity. Not surprisingly, fundamentalists of various hues are trying to make inroads. “So far we have prevented trouble makers from stepping in. Neither the RSS nor fundamentalist Muslim groups have struck roots here,” says Sheikh. The Hindutva groups have, however, redoubled efforts to find a base here. Residents here say groups of RSS activists have taken to passing through the slum after their shakas. “They taunt Hindu boys in the slum by throwing bangles at them for not attacking Muslims during the post-Godhra period,” says Parmar. According to him, elders in the slum work hard on the boys from joining the RSS and its affiliated organisations. Sangh Parivar activists themselves admit that they are wooing the Hindu youths of Ram-Rahim Nagar. “We welcome everyone into our fold and our aim is to grow our area of influence,” says Haresh Patel, VHP activist from the Santosh Nagar area which saw large-scale attacks on Muslims. He adds that VHP and Bajrang Dal workers are wooing residents of the slum but refuses to say how many have joined him. The more pressing fear among residents here is the large-scale unemployment arising from several small textile processing units that shut down in recent times. “If fundamentalist groups begin to sponsor jobs and money to the boys here then all our efforts will be in vain,” says Sheikh. (Part of a series on “Communal Polarisation and the Threat to Shared Traditions” supported by the National Foundation for India.) |
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Jaya meets PM on Cauvery
New Delhi, July 26 The Prime Minister told the Chief Minister that the Centre would protect the interests of all farmers. He said the government would do all that is possible to relieve the distress of the farmers. Ms Jayalalithaa said later they had presented all facts to the Centre and the decision to send a team would cause delay in alleviating suffering of farmers. The Chief Minister said she had asked Dr Manmohan Singh to take immediate steps for the release of at least 24.32 tmc ft of water before August 10 to facilitate the farmers to take up kuruvai crop. Expressing hope that the Cauvery Tribunal would give its final order within a year, she said a delegation of senior ministers would meet Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Singh in Bangalore on August 2. Ms Jayalalithaa alleged that Karnataka had not adhered to the interim order of the tribunal given on June 25, 1991, directing Karnataka to ensure that 205 tmc ft of water was made available at the Mettur reservoir from the reservoirs in Karnataka in an irrigation year from June to May. The tribunal simultaneously directed that the quantity prescribed by it should be released in a stipulated monthly pattern. Ms Jayalalithaa urged Dr Manmohan Singh to convene an urgent meeting of the Cauvery River Authority to ensure that Karnataka complied with the directions to release water as per the interim order. Ms Jayalalithaa gave a cryptic reply to questions about Congress President Sonia Gandhi, whom she had criticised in the run-up to the last Lok Sabha polls. “I have mellowed with age,” she said answering queries. |
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Dharaji tragedy: CM promises action
Bhopal, July 26 The House was discussing admissibility of an adjournment motion on the tragedy moved by Gobind Singh (Congress) and others. The motion was later rejected by Speaker Ishwardas
Rohani. Former Minister of State for Home Satyadev Katare (Congress), by far the most forceful speaker of the day, reminded Mr Gaur that he (Gaur) as the Leader of the Opposition during the Congress government had got the Collectors and SPs suspended for much lesser crimes but now as the Chief Minister he had then given
Dewas. A better posting in Indore. That was, Mr Katare said, in spite of the official inquiry committee report having indicted the Collector and the SP for gross dereliction of duty. Replying to the motion, Minister of State for Home Jagdish Devre said the National Hydro Electric Corporation
(NHDC) had been releasing water (in the Narmada) for the generation of electricity at 7 pm every day since April 1 and that the district administration knew it. Around three lakh pilgrims had assembled at Dharaji on April 7 on the occasion of the Bhootdi Amavasya to take bath in the river at midnight. They were surprised by the release of the water and some of them were washed away. He said 70 persons were killed and 19 others were missing. The Opposition charge was that it was an annual fair and the district administration had failed in its duty by not warning the pilgrims about the release of the water. Mr Sajjan Singh Verma (Congress) said that the SP and the Collector were rather busy with arrangements for the Chief Minister’s visit to Ujjain the next day. There were protests from Mr Gaur as Mr Verma quoted the Chief Minister as having told a national TV channel that those who died at Dharaji were illiterate and rustic people. Leader of the Opposition Jamuna Devi and several other members repeatedly urged the Speaker to call from the national TV channel the video recording of Mr Gaur’s observation and play it in the House so that the members could see for themselves if Mr Gaur’s protest was justified. |
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TDP seeks probe into death of tribesmen
Hyderabad, July 26 The TDP alleged that 936 persons succumbed to malaria and other diseases since January this year in the absence of government intervention and demanded an inquiry into the continuing deaths of tribesmen in the agency areas of
Vishakhapatnam district. A team of MPs led by TDPP leader K Yerran Naidu today submitted a memorandum to the NHRC in New Delhi highlighting the problem. The state government has completely abandoned its responsibility to extend medicare to the tribesmen, Naidu said. In an effort to blunt the criticism, a ministerial team headed by Health Minister K. Rosaiah today visited the notified areas and sought to downplay the seriousness of the problem. The TDP is making exaggerated claims over malaria deaths in the area for political gains. There have been only five deaths due to malaria in the region, the Health Minister told the reporters. TDP chief and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had toured the affected areas last week and launched a broadside against the Rajasekhara Reddy government for its failure to come to the rescue of tribesmen. The TDP had also prepared a 13-minute CD on the epidemic. Former Health Minister and senior TDP leader K Sivaprasada Rao demanded the immediate deployment of medical and paramedical personnel, provision of medicines and food grains and ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh for the families of the deceased. Interestingly, the NHRC, taking suo motu cognisance of newspaper reports about mysterious deaths in the tribal villages, had sought a report from the state government in June last. The state government, however, denied that there was serious outbreak of disease in the tribal belt and said all precautions were undertaken by the Medical and Health Department. The tribal areas of Visakhapatnam, located at 3500 feet above sea level and known for green cover and cool climate throughout the year, however, have been reporting malaria and related fevers every monsoon during the last few years. While lower levels of disease resistance and malnutrition among the tribesmen are a contributing factor, the lack of medical care has further worsened the situation. More than 200 paramedical posts are vacant in the area and the governments, both past and present, failed to fill them up. |
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A case of mistaken identity
Lucknow, July 26 Peace in the House was disturbed a little after question hour when a BJP member drew the attention of the Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey to the presence of a non-member in the treasury benches. Pandemonium prevailed as some BJP members immediately rose to their feet, declaring the trespasser as a terrorist. A panicky Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mohammad Azam Khan virtually scurried to know the truth. Within seconds the minister was back with the information that the person who had inadvertently entered the Vidhan Sabha was Mr Hari Singh Dhillon, a member of the Vidhan Parishad who was also the leader of the Rashtriya Lok Dal in the upper House. According to Mr Khan, the member was eligible to visit the lobby but was not aware that he could not enter the House. While admitting that even he did not know the member personally, Mr. Khan, however, called the incident unfortunate as the BJP without confirming the identity of the person had labelled him a terrorist. Senior BJP minister Hukum Singh admitted that even he and other members were not aware of the identity of the person. It was only with security point of view that they reacted in this fashion. When Minister for Revenue Ambika Chaudhury demanded an apology from the BJP party members for their “unparliamentary behaviour”, Mr Hukum Singh denied any member ever calling the intruder a terrorist. Someone from the treasury benches called out the name of senior BJP member Narendra Kumar Singh Gaur as the person who had called Mr Dhillon a “terrorist”. Reacting sharply, senior BJP member and former minister Narendra Kumar Singh Gaur sat in the well of the House in protest. Within second other BJP members also joined him, raising loud slogans. The Samajwadi Party members continued their demand for an apology. Finally, the House had to be adjourned for 15 minutes. |
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Petition challenges Wakf Board order on Taj
New Delhi, July 26 The committee, headed by advocate Ajay Agrawal, who had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Taj Heritage Corridor scam, in his petition has sought nullifying the July 13 order of the Wakf Board, calling for entire records of the case and restrain any court, board or commission from passing any order regarding Taj in view of the apex court monitoring various aspects of the monument for the past 21 years. Besides, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Wakf Board (UPSCWB), the petitioner has named the Union Ministry of Culture, the ASI and the Uttar Pradesh Government as respondents. The UPSCWB has already filed a caveat in the apex court last week, requesting the court that no petition against its order be heard without giving it a hearing. The petitioner claimed that with the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904, and the Comprehensive Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, coming into force, the management and control of Taj had automatically come under the control of the ASI. The petitioner also sought amendment in Section 35 to 40 of the Wakf Act, giving the board “unfettered powers” to adjudicate on properties, which was under its control. Such a provisions were against the basic principles of law as “nobody could be a judge in his own case,” the petition said. “Taj is a national property, listed in the World Heritage List of Unesco and the UPSCWB had ‘overstepped’ its rights and jurisdiction and has no document and any basis for its claims,” the petitioner contended. |
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Talks on to set up judicial council
New Delhi, July 26 Replying to written questions by former Law Minister Ram Jethmalani, BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi and another member whether consultations were going on with the Supreme Court, the Law Commission and the Bar Council of India, Mr Bhardwaj said: “Consultation with all stake holders are being worked out.” Mr Bhardwaj also said a comprehensive programme had been drawn up by the UPA government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India for the modernisation of the judicial infrastructure with the application of information technology. Replying to a question by B. J. Panda about the status of pending cases, he said the Supreme Court as on January 1, had 30,151 pending cases, while various high courts were burdened with 33.79 lakh cases. The pending cases in lower courts were over 2.33 crore. Regarding the disposal of cases by the Fast Track Court, the Law Minister said over 15.28 lakh cases were handed over to them, out of which nearly eight lakh had been disposed of. The 11th Finance Commission has allocated Rs 502.90 crore for the 1562 Fast Track Courts functioning in various states, Mr Bhardwaj said. |
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MPs express concern over blockade in Manipur New Delhi, July 26 Raising the issue during zero hour, Dr Thokchom Meinya (Congress) urged the Central Government to take necessary steps to ensure supplies of essential commodities. He said an LPG cylinder was being sold at Rs 700, petrol at Rs 100 per litre and rice at Rs 60 per kg as the supply was affected due to “Chakka jam” on national highways passing through the state. Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said it was a serious matter of national importance. BJP members demanded that the government should look into the root cause of the agitation and sort out the issue. BJP member G.L. Bhargava demanded the construction of a cement road on the national highway connecting New Delhi with Jaipur.
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MPs raise Bihar issue in Lok Sabha
New Delhi, July 26 The issue was raised in the Lok Sabha by Mr Prabhunath Singh of the JD(U) when he sought to know the fate of his adjournment motion on the matter. While he was supported by Mr Sushil Kumar Modi of the BJP and Mr Arun Kumar of the JD(U), his contention was opposed by Mr Raghunath Jha of the RJD. The Speaker, Mr Somnath Chatterjee, said he was collecting information in this regard and would decide later. The House also witnessed exchange of words between political heavyweights from the state, RJD supremo and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and JD(U) stalwart Mr Nitish Kumar.
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40 peacocks poisoned
Kanpur, July 26 A police spokesman said here today that 12 persons, belonging to Kangra caste, administered poisonous grains to 40 peacocks last night resulting in their death. The villagers later got hold of four members of the group, including two women, who were trying to take away the dead peacocks. The other members of the group managed to escape. The police has recovered the dead peacocks from the spot and
arrested all four bird killers and were on a lookout for the remaining members of the group.
— UNI
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Rajasthan police posts on Haryana border
Jaipur, July 26 The decision has come in the wake of the persistent demand of the police and administration of Bharatpur and Alwar districts for a long time. Consequently, five police chowkis will be installed in each of the two districts. The proposed chowkis will be having adequate armed police force, wireless sets and telephone facilities. In the joint meetings of senior police officials of bordering districts of Haryana and Rajasthan a few months back, emphasis was laid on the free flow of information. |
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All-party meet on farmers’ stir fails
Jaipur, July 26 Following the failure of the all-party meet, Ms
Raje left for Delhi today reportedly to have a dialogue with the central
leaders, especially with the Leftist parties, obviously in an effort to
use their good offices in withdrawing the agitation being supported by
the state units of the CPI and the CPM. The farmers’ agitation had
flared up on July 18 when 75-year-old former MLA and senior leader of
the CPM, Mr Hetram Beniwal was seriously wounded by the lathi charge of
the police and was admitted to Nokha Government Hospital. Mr Beniwal is
currently imprisoned in Ajmer jail. Out of the 157 persons, the police
had arrested on charges of disturbing peace, 34 are still in the jail.
The basic purpose behind the all-party meet was to seek the
cooperation of the opposition parties to help postpone the proposed
mahapanchayat at Gharsana on August 1, but to no avail. |
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Kalam condoles Ustad’s death
New Delhi, July 26 In a condolence message to the artiste’s brother Gulzar Ahmed, the President said: “I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of your brother, Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan”. “Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan was a talented tabla player who brought happiness to thousands of classical music lovers across the country. A national awardee, I had the occasion to meet him many times and will always remember him as he performed a number of times with leading musicians at the Rashtrapati Bhavan,” he said in a press note issued by the bhavan today. |
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New Delhi, July 26 The 30-minute-long meeting was described by the Rashtrapati Bhavan as “part of the regular interaction between the two leaders”. The current session of Parliament also figured during the discussion. — TNS
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S. Korean minister
to arrive on Aug 1 New Delhi, July 26 The minister will also negotiate on signing a bilateral cooperation on security, economic, cultural and political matters. He will hold talks with External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh and will call on President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He will also have a ride on Delhi Metro.
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Rights panel decries
boys’ killing
New Delhi, July 26 “Security
personnel concerned must be immediately punished and cashiered from
service. The Army must make a public apology to the family of the
deceased and pay compensation to them,” retired Chief Justice of Delhi
High Court Rajindar Sachar said in a statement on behalf of the PUCL. “It
is such human rights violations that make the imbroglio unsolvable,”
he said. |
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