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6-month notice mandatory for resigning pilots
Roll back airport bidding
process: CPM
Cong meeting to assess CMs’ performance
Natwar to leave for Iran today |
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VHP opposes consolidation of Ayodhya case
PM against frequent transfers of cops
SPs make candid suggestions
New PCC team will be small: Viplove
Azhar faces death threat from Abu Salem
Communal Bill draft by next week: Patil
Maya challenges CVC report
CBI probe sought into
Lucknow land scam
Reorient training courses:
Pests to check congress grass
Mangal’s descendants move HC
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6-month notice mandatory for resigning pilots
New Delhi, September 1 Any failure to do so which may result in the disruption of flights or may be considered against the Aircrafts Act by the government may also result in the person being debarred from taking any flying assignments with any of the airlines within the country. “The Central Government may debar a person permanently and temporarily from holding any licence or rating upon such an action on the part of the pilot,” the Civil Aviation Ministry said here today. The Civil Aviation Ministry spokesperson said here that the pilots would now be required to give a “notice period” of at least six months to their employer indicating their intention to leave the job and shall not refuse to undertake the flight duties assigned to them during this period. “Failure to comply with this provision of the CAR may lead to action against them. The CAR is applicable to any pilot working for any air transport undertaking,” the spokesperson said. In the CAR issued by the ministry, which has come into effect immediately, it has been observed that pilots are resigning without providing any notice to the airlines. In some cases, even groups of pilots resign together without notice, and as a result airlines are forced to cancel their flights at the last minute. “Such resignation by pilots and the resultant cancellation of flights causes inconvenience and harassment to the passengers. Sometimes such an abrupt action on part of the pilots is in the form of a concerted move, which is tantamount to holding the airline to ransom and leaving the travelling public stranded. This is a highly undesirable practice and goes against the public interest,” CAR said. The DGCA order further said that according to the Aircrafts Rule 1937, the Central Government may debar a person permanently and temporarily from holding any licence or rating upon such an action on part of the pilot if the government in its opinion finds it necessary to do so in public interest. It takes about four months to train a pilot to operate an aircraft used for airline operations, as he has to pass technical and performance examinations of the aircraft, undergo simulator and flying training and has to undertake “skill test” to satisfy licence requirements. Even after this training, he can operate only as a co-pilot. To operate an aircraft as pilot-in-command (PIC) he needs to gain experience and undertake “skill test”, to fly as PIC of an aircraft, which may take another four months. Therefore, it takes more than four months for an airline to replace a trained PIC, the ministry said. Pilots are highly skilled personnel and shoulder complete responsibility of the aircraft and passengers. They are highly paid for the responsibility they share with the airlines towards the travelling public and are required to act with extreme responsibility. In view of the above, the government has decided that any act on part of pilots, including resignation from the airlines without a minimum “notice period” of six months, which may result in last minute cancellation of flights and harassment of passengers, would be treated as an act against the public interest. The “notice period” of six months, however, may be reduced if the airlines employing them provides a “no objection certificate” and accepts their resignation earlier than four months. |
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Roll back airport bidding
process: CPM
New Delhi, September 1 West Bengal Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee during his recent visit to South-East Asia had stated that the government would like “100 per cent privatisation” in the building of second airport in Kolkata. This is quite contrary to hardline stance taken by party bosses in A.K. Gopalan Bhawan. The CPM politburo said the “critical issues” that needed to be resolved include sustainability of the other airports, which were till now being largely financed by the major profit earned by these two airports. “There is also inadequacy of the modernisation programme under private ownership in tackling airport infrastructure in these projects and the uncertainty over the future of the employees of Airports Authority of India who are currently engaged in these two airports,” it said. To substantiate its point of view, the Marxists party quoted the 90th report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture on Development of Airports Sector, which incidentally is chaired by the CPM MP Nilotpal Basu. The report said the modernisation programme for the Mumbai Airport could only enhance its technical capability by 10 to 15 per cent and in any case will become redundant in addressing the growth projections beyond 2012. “The assurance given earlier by the government to examine the alternative proposal of the Airports Authority of India Employees Joint Forum has also been ignored,” the CPM said. Earlier this week, Civil Aviation Ministry said it planned to award a contract for modernisation of airport before the end of the year. Eight consortia, including Singapore’s Changi Airport, Aeroports de Paris and Malaysian Airports, are in running. They have partnered with domestic firms Bharti, Larsen and Toubro, and Reliance. Private firms will be allowed to hold up to 74 pct equity in the companies managing the airport, while the remaining stakes will be with the state-run Airports Authority of India and government-owned firms. The Airports Authority of India runs the country’s 130 airports. |
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Cong meeting to assess CMs’ performance
New Delhi, September 1 These meetings were generally meant to monitor how the state governments were implementing their respective election promises and to discuss the future plans of the
CMs. Since these meets were held regularly when the Congress was in opposition, these were also an occasion to project itself as the natural party of governance, based on its performance in the states. Ironically, now when the Congress was in power at the Centre, its state governments appeared to be floundering and its chief ministers slipping badly on the popularity charts. What was worrying the Congress leadership here was that the state governments were being perceived as having betrayed the cause of the poor and weaker sections, which the party claimed to espouse. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had come in for criticism on two counts already in his short tenure. The Congress leadership had taken a dim view of the manner in which he handled the police lathicharge on striking employees in Gurgaon. Yesterday’s incident of casteist violence in Haryana had met with strong disapproval by the Congress top brass, which believed the Chief Minister should have been more alert since tension had been building in Gohana for several days. In both cases, Mr Hooda was in Delhi when the incidents took place and visited the spot only after he was prompted to do so by the Central leadership. Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh fell from grace when he ordered a slum clearance drive in Mumbai and more recently, his performance was clearly found wanting when Mumbai was ravaged by flash floods. The Central party leadership had to step in on both occasions to salvage the situation. Delhi Chief Minister Sehila Dikshit, who won a landslide victory in Delhi for the second consecutive term, was today battling her own party men and the middle-classes over the power tariff issue. All these recent developments were bound to figure at the two-day conclave of Chief Ministers. Besides assessing their performance, the meeting would provide a forum for the CMs to give their viewpoint and explain their problems, which, according to senior Congress leaders, could be addressed during the deliberations. The reports given by them would also provide important inputs for Ms Gandhi’s presidential address at next month’s AICC plenary session. The earlier meetings had a set agenda, focusing on specific issues like good governance, transparency and programmes for weaker sections. Although the theme for the forthcoming conclave was yet to be decided, the party would take a close look at how it could improve on its performance in the states so that the Congress support base was not eroded. |
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Natwar to leave for Iran today
New Delhi, September 1 Mr Natwar Singh took the US Ambassador here, Mr David C. Mulford, into confidence about three weeks ago when the latter called on him. Mr Natwar Singh also told the US Ambassador that the Indian friendship with the USA did not impinge upon the Indian relationship with Iran and vice versa. His Iran visit is taking place at a time when Tehran is engaged in a diplomatic standoff with the West on its alleged nuclear weapons programme. The visit is being seen here as a diplomatic symbolism that New Delhi is pursuing an independent foreign policy and would go ahead with the gas pipeline, irrespective of Washington’s posturing. The visit comes at a time when Iran has for the first time conveyed to India, though informally, its willingness to support the G4 resolution on United Nations Security Council reforms. This was conveyed by Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, who had an hour-long discussion with Mr Natwar Singh here yesterday. He told the Minister that Iran will not make a formal announcement of its support for the G4 resolution because of diplomatic constraints, but will definitely vote for it whenever such an opportunity were to arise. Mr Natwar Singh would be visiting Teheran and return to India via Shiraz on September 4 night.
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VHP opposes consolidation of Ayodhya case
New Delhi, September 1 In a joint affidavit, filed in response to a PIL seeking consolidated trial in all Ayodhya demolition related matters, VHP leaders Ashok Singhal, Giriraj Kishore, Vishnu Hari Dalmian, Sadhvi Ritambhra and BJP leader Vinay Katiyar said while the Rae Bareli court had only the legal authority to hear the second FIR (No 198-1992) in which names of 14 top Sangh Parivar leaders were mentioned, it did not have the jurisdiction to try the case pertaining to the first FIR (No 197-1992). While the first FIR related to the alleged involvement of several “unknown persons” in the demolition of Babri Masjid and destruction to property within its vicinity and contained charges of promoting enmity in society on basis of religion (153-A), defiling place of worship (295), trespassing a burial place (297), causing hurt to public servants (332), endangering lives of several persons in a gathering (337), dacoity (395) and robbery (397 of IPC Sections), the second FIR had listed only three charges - promoting enmity among people on basis of religion (153A), causing injury to national integration (153-B) and making statements conducing to public mischief (505 IPC). The Sangh Parivar leaders contended that on the face of the nature of the offences spelt out in the two FIRs, the trial could not be consolidated. They further pointed out that the first FIR was, in fact a further consolidation of 48 FIRs registered separately by the UP Police, which , they said, was also illegal as the offences enumerated in those were of different nature. The PIL, seeking consolidated trial in all Ayodhya demolition cases and transfer of all documents from Lucknow’s special court to Rae Bareli for this purpose, was listed for the hearing tomorrow. |
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PM against frequent transfers of cops
New Delhi, September 1 “I do sincerely hope that you and your colleagues in the police force refuse to succumb to unwarranted interference in your professional work and have the commitment to your service to stand up and be counted,” he said at the first-ever conference of Superintendents of Police (SPs) from across the country. The Prime Minister, who dwelt at length on the need for “tenure protection”, admitted that during the past 15 months as Prime Minister he did not succeed in his endeavour to convince the Chief Ministers on the issue of frequent arbitrary transfer of police officials. He said he was, however, not going to give up. “I have not succeeded but I have not given it up. I am acutely aware of the problem, especially of those officials having young children. I propose to persist with the Chief Ministers until an effective, workable solution is found,” he said. The Prime Minister agreed with the suggestions of some of the delegates that the frequent or arbitrary transfers cause mental agony and said he would “look for ways and means to deal with this pernicious formula”. The economist in Prime Minister also got reflected in his address when he called for integrating police in the country’s planning for development. “Time has come when we should be integrating police in our planning for development, as old fashioned division between planned and unplanned expenditure has outlived its utility,” he said. He would speak to the Planning Commission and the Finance Ministry on how this could be done, he added. Observing that there was a need to ensure honesty in the forces and transparency in their dealings, he said he recognised the difficulties faced by the police and also the consequences “in the political system”. “But some men and women are to be found who will say thus far and no more. This is the only way we can preserve and carry forward with our ideas,” he said. He said he would suggest to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to consider establishing an independent “Police Performance Board” that would enable the government to monitor and assess police performance in an objective manner. Similarly, the Home Minister might also consider the setting up an independent mechanism to check police misconduct, he said. Calling for a people friendly police, he said, “Today most people try to avoid approaching a policeman for help. They are either convinced that a policeman is ineffective and unlikely to help, or that he is likely to make matters worse.” He admitted crime in cities was on the rise. “These are fuelled by increasing disparities between the have and the have-nots...visible contrasts in lifestyles, rising expectations and the breakdown of traditional family structures may also be contributing to increased urban violence,” he added. He said adherence to professional codes of conduct was important, necessary and possible. “I do believe that each one of us can make a difference. We must try,” he said. In his inaugural address, Union Home Minister stressed on the need for critically examining the nearly 150-year-old British era law governing the country’s police and explore the need for a new act. “Time has come to critically examine the Indian Police Act, 1861, as to what extent it is meeting the requirement of the present day policing and the need for a new police Act,” Mr Patil told Conference attended by over 350 district police chiefs here. Observing that gender sensitisation of the police had to be given due attention, he said the number of women was also increasing in the force and “our policy is to reach to at least 10 per cent in the next few years”. The Home Minister, who delved into major aspects of policing, said physical fitness also needed “urgent attention”. Giving the example of physical fitness being a “pre-condition” for promotion in para-military forces, Mr Patil said, “Such provisions for other police forces will do good to them in discharging their duties and in achieving greater happiness in their personal lives.”
The conference was held after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stressed on improving grassroot governance and interacted with collectors and district magistrates in May this year. |
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SPs make candid suggestions
New Delhi, September 1 Some of the suggestions made by them are listed below: — Tenure protection to prevent arbitrary and frequent transfers. — Police infrastructure development across the country should be integrated in the UPA government’s “Bharat Nirman” Programme. — Setting up of a National Human Duties Commission, on the pattern of the National Human Rights Commission, to probe into false allegations made against police personnel. — Upgradation of police stations across the country. — Centre should directly extend funds for the upgradation of police stations across the country, though law and order is a State subject. — Local police should be allowed to play bigger role in anti-militancy and anti-insurgency operations. — Increasing the ratio of police personnel in line with the growth of population. — Thrust should be on rural policing like increasing police stations and increasing police presence. — Police personnel should be involved only in policing and duties relating to law and order. Duties relating to prosecution should be delinked by creating a separate cadre.
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New PCC team will be small: Viplove
New Delhi, September 1 Ms Thakur said preliminary discussions over reconstituting the PCC had been completed. The PCC chief has met state Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Power Minister Vidya Stokes to take their views on reconstituting the PCC. During her stay in the capital, Ms Thakur met Congress president Sonia Gandhi, party general secretary Ambika Soni and senior party leader Ahmed Patel. Emphasising that the PCC team will be “small,” Ms Thakur said there will be no “decorative posts” in the PCC and she would get rid of “deadwood.” She said caste and regional balance would be kept in mind in appointing new party office-bearers. Ms Thakur has written a thanksgiving letter to all active members of the Congress in the state, seeking their support in strengthening the party. |
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Azhar faces death threat from Abu Salem
Hyderabad, September 1 Police sources here said that after the confession of Younus Khan, who was arrested by the Aurangabad police on August 3, security had been tightened for Mr Azharuddin. During the police interrogation, Younus revealed that a five-member group comprising sharpshooters left Pune to reach Hyderabad to kill Azharuddin. The Maharastra Police informed its Andhra Pradesh counterpart on the threat to Azharuddin about three weeks ago. The matter which came to the notice of City Police Commissioner Dinesh Reddy was kept a top secret to trap the team successfully. As per plan, the team should reach Hyderabad by August 31 or September 1. But the police suspected that due to the media coverage on Azharuddin, the killers must have been alerted. There were reports that supari (contract) for Azharuddin was given by mafia don Chota Shakeel. The police were also aware that Azharuddin was once linked to match-fixing and payoff from betting syndicates. The CBI team which investigated the match-fixing scandal then, also procured a photo in which Azharuddin and Dawood Ibrahim were together. Later, at a income tax raid on Azharuddin’s house in Mumbai, the officials believed to have got some evidence that would establish Azharuddin’s links with mafia.
— UNI |
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Communal Bill draft by next week: Patil
New Delhi September 1 Disclosing this to the media after a day-long meeting of the National Integration Council (NIC), he said, “Once the bill is approved by the Union Cabinet, if needed, it will be passed by Parliament. It will act as a model law for the states to emulate.” Briefing newspersons about the major suggestions that had emerged during the NIC meeting, Mr Patil said there were suggestion from members for enacting law at the Central level or state level to prevent recurrence of communal violence in the country. He said the government had accepted the suggestion of some of the members that the Centre should send its officials to verify and take necessary action in the event of complaints of non-receipt of relief to communal violence affected people.
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Maya challenges CVC report
New Delhi, September 1 She said the CVC, though have supervisory powers over the CBI, yet it did not have the competence to make any recommendation in regard to the manner of investigation and prosecution of a person in the alleged offences probed by the agency. This had not been contemplated in the CVC Act, she said. The CVC had given the opinion when the matter was referred to it by the Supreme Court following Attorney General’s view that the prosecution could not be launched in the case. The Court had sought opinion of the CVC after the Union Government had claimed “privilege” over the Attorney General’s opinion and refused to place it on record. |
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CBI probe sought into
Lucknow land scam
New Delhi, September 1 A Bench, headed by Chief Justice R.C. Lahoti, fixed the date for hearing of the PIL after a special mention was made by advocate D.K. Garg on behalf of the petitioner. The PIL, filed by Vishwanath Chaturvedi, alleged that Mulayam Singh’s family members, Amar Singh, some other important functionaries of the SP and several top bureaucrats of the state were the beneficiaries of the allotment of 28 plots made illegally to them by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) in the posh Gomti Nagar locality. The PIL had made the state government, the LDA, Mr Mulayam Singh, Mr Amar Singh and 30 other beneficiary politicians and officers as respondents. |
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Reorient training courses: Air Chief
New Delhi, September 1 He was speaking after inaugurating a six-month certificate course in business administration for Armed Forces officers at Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, today. Earlier, in his address, the Director-General (Resettlement), Major-Gen K. S. under the newly created Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, has taken the initiative towards rehabilitating retired officers. As part of the scheme, it would empanel reputed institutes, such as Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow, MDI Gurgaon, and Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, to run “certificate course in business management” of six months duration for the armed forces personnel. |
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Pests to check congress grass
New Delhi, September 1 Special insects, imported from Mexico are left to be fed on parthenium leading to a weakening of the plants effectively, to be suppressed by the competitive plants like cassia tora, C. serecia. This strategy has been developed by the National Research Centre for Weed Sciences, Jabalpur.
— UNI |
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Mangal’s descendants move HC
New Delhi, September 1 Raghunath Pandey, Vice-Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya at Janakpuri here, and his son Omkar Nath Pandey,
decedents of the martyr’s brother Lalit Pandey, filed a suit seeking an unconditional apology from those making the film for allegedly showing Mangal Pandey as a drunkard involved with a prostitute.
— PTI |
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