 |
|
PM’s subtle balancing act with Iran
President’s office acted on advice of
RJD alliance to lure Muslims, promises
Amma provides roof to tsunami victims
YC men get Rahul Gandhi’s name tattooed on arms
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UGC says HRD curbing its autonomy
Contract teachers get benefits, not regular status
Ranjan Jha joins JD (U)
|
|
PM’s subtle balancing act with Iran New Delhi, September 24 This followed hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on telephone last night that Teheran should consider taking a flexible position to avoid confrontation with the West and he should make concessions, a statement which should be music to the ears of the Western world leaders. Dr Manmohan Singh also told Mr Ahmadinejad that India supported the resolution of all issues through discussion and consensus in the IAEA, a position which China and Russia have also taken propping up Iran diplomatically. The Ministry of External Affairs defended the Indian voting and explained it in an elaborate manner. A MEA spokesman said the EU3 draft had addressed the two major preoccupations of Indian delegation: (i) that more time be given to enable us to explore all possible avenues for reaching a satisfactory resolution of the issues that have arisen and that (ii) the matter should not be referred to the UN Security Council at this stage because New Delhi did not believe that this was justified in the circumstances. The Indian stand was as follows: “Our support for the resolution, despite our reservations, is based on the premise that the intervening period will be used by all concerned to expand the diplomatic space to satisfactorily address all outstanding issues. India supports keeping the door open for dialogue and consensus and avoidance of confrontation.” Analysts here see the development as a victory of the Indian establishment as New Delhi’s preference was to deal with the issue within the IAEA itself. The EU-3 agreed to take the Indian concern on board and the resolution kept consideration of the issue within the purview of the IAEA itself. Secondly, India was keen that sufficient time should be given to the parties concerned to continue to engage in intensive consultations so that an outcome satisfactory to both Iran and the international community as a whole, could be evolved. The draft resolution has conceded that by deferring any decision till a further consideration of the matter at the next Board meeting in November 2005. “We have thus gained time for further consultations,” MEA spokesperson Navtej Sarna said. New Delhi also feels that its strong opposition to taking the issue to the Security Council was helpful to Iran. “The acknowledgment of the need to allow sufficient time for further negotiations is also in Iran’s interest. In fact, this was a demand put forward by Iran in several interactions with its representatives. Therefore, there is no question of India having ranged itself on one side or the other on the contrary, India has played a helpful and supportive role in safeguarding Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy necessary for its economic development, but consistent with global non-proliferation norms,” the spokesman said. The Indian delegation studied the draft resolution tabled by the EU-3 yesterday. The draft recognises that “good progress has been made in Iran’s correction of the breaches and in the Agency’s ability to confirm certain aspects of Iran’s current declarations”. India is of the considered opinion that In view of this, finding Iran non-compliant in the context of Article XII-C of the Agency’s Statute was not justified and it would also not be accurate to characterize the current situation as a threat to international peace and security. Dr Manmohan Singh maintained a similar policy last night when Mr Ahmadinejad called him. The Iranian President raised the issue about Iran’s nuclear programme in the IAEA and the two leaders also discussed bilateral relations. By “flexible position” and “concessions”, the Prime Minister apparently was referring to Iran stopping enrichment of weapon-grade uranium. In November last, Iran had promised to freeze “all uranium enrichment-related activities.”
|
|
President’s office acted on advice of UPA govt
Gandhinagar, September 24 This conclusion has emerged from the communication received by the Nanavati-Shah Commission probing the Godhra train carnage and the statewide communal riots that followed thereafter. In a letter to the commission, the President’s office has sought 15 days time to respond to the panel’s repeat plea for the perusal of the correspondence between the then President and the then Prime Minister on the issue under investigation by the panel. It has made it known to the panel that the plea of the panel had been referred to the government and after its response was received that the President’s office had made it known that the correspondence between the two was confidential and could not be inquired into in any court. The commission , however rejected the privilege plea,upheld the application filed by advocate Mukul Sinha and instructed that the letters be furnished before it. The President’s office has sought a fortnight’s time with the plea that the matter has been referred to the UPA government for its response. After this response is received , the President’s office will frame its reaction and reply to the plea. The Nanavati-Shah commission has also summoned the records of deposition from the U.C.Bannerjee committee set up by Union Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav to investigate the Godhra train carnage of 2002. The committee has been given a fortnight to furnish the records of depositions and progress by experts and the railways. A plea before the panel had been made by the VHP, urging that the Banerjee committee be directed to furnish all records of its investigations. The next hearing of the commission is slated to be held on October 15 when DIG of Police, Vadodara range of the time, Deepak Swaroop, will be cross examined. |
|
RJD alliance to lure Muslims, promises job quota
New Delhi, September 24 However, the CMP, which will be released early next week in Patna, is unlikely to specify the exact quota of reservations as there has been no consensus on the issue among the four parties in the RJD-led front. While suggestions for job quota for Muslims had come from the three UPA allies — the RJD, the Congress and the NCP — the response of CPM has been lukewarm. Senior CPM leader Sitaram Yechury, who came for a meeting on the CMP convened by RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, said later that there was need for wider debate in the country on religion-based reservation. Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh and NCP leader Tariq Anwar also attended the meeting which gave a final shape to the CMP. Sources said the CMP would have a promise on job quota for Muslims while assuring protection of existing benefits under the category of backward classes. Alliance leaders said that the CPM would extend outside support to any RJD-led government and the three UPA allies were keen on including the promise of quotas for Muslims in the CMP. To counter the NDA’s thrust on the lack of development in the state under the RJD-Congress rule, the CMP will convey the commitment of the alliance to bring Bihar among the top 10 states in the country in the next five years. It would promise a quaterly review of the promises made in the CMP and an yearly account to the people of the targets achieved. Besides the quota for Muslims, the CMP is likely to have some more big promises. Sources said it would promise electrification of all Bihar villages in the next five years and setting up of two AIIMS-like institutions besides an IIT and an IIM. The CMP would promise filling up of all vacant posts in schools and colleges in six months besides time-bound construction of roads in rural and urban areas of the state. Apart from detailing steps being taken to tackle the recurrent problem of floods and drought in Bihar, the CMP would have promises for boosting irrigation facilities. The CMP would also include the promise of expediting land reforms in the state.
|
|
Amma provides roof to tsunami victims
Amritapuri (Kerala), September 24 The project that she is involved in these days is getting homes for thousands of residents of the southern states, who were ravaged by the tsunami in December, 2004. Her trust has already donated 25,000 homes to the homeless in different parts of the country, particularly the South. The mission seeks to provide 1 lakh more houses. These are besides the 6,200 houses that the trust has undertaken to construct for the tsunami victims in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pondicherry and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Work is also going on in Sri Lanka. Answering a question on whether providing a roof to the needy was her prime mission, Amma said: "I used to get disturbed when I saw the plight of the homeless, ever since I was a child". She said under the tsunami relief project, nearly 1,000 houses were complete and ready to be handed over to the deserving. As many as 550 houses would be given to the needy on September 27, her birthday. "I do not expect anything from any government. I am committed to working alone because siding with any political party means your interests are divided. My sole mission is to serve humanity", she said. When asked about the attempt on her life a few weeks ago, she said: "I am not scared of anybody. My body has to perish one day like that of all humans. It is better to wear out while serving fellow human beings than sit in isolation because of fear." Amma does not speak Hindi or English. She was, however, candid in her replies in her mother tongue. She said political parties or government officials were never any hindrance to her mission. "One needs a sense of pride not only in one's commitment but also in its implementation", she said. She said she was keen on having a survey done on prostitutes, particularly in Mumbai and Kolkota. "I know it is a very well-organised racket involving the mafia and pimps. I would like to work for their uplift. Social organisations and research groups too can provide vital inputs". Amma had promised Rs 100 crore for the Amrita Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation Project. One of her followers pointed out that the actual expenditure would cross Rs 200 crore, considering the selfless service of her followers. Her ashram has been providing free training to the youth, besides organising a number of other programmes. She was born and brought up at the ashram, which has now more than 3,000 permanent residents who do not seek any remuneration. She has promised $1 million for the victims of the Katrina hurricane in the USA. |
|
YC men get Rahul Gandhi’s name tattooed on arms
Chennai, September 24 The scion of Gandhi family might be amused at this but Youth Congress members here led by the state unit president, Dr M. K. Vishnu Prasad, have been tattooing the name of Rahul Gandhi on their forearms over the past few days apart from raising the slogan of, “Hail Rahul Gandhi”. Dr Prasad, a physician by profession, ensured that the tattoo artist used separate needles for each worker in order “to prevent HIV infection”. Justifying his decision he said, “The former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and late AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran had prevailed upon his party members to tattoo the party flag with the portrait of Anna on their forearms. That helped the party capture power in the state. This could happen to the Congress also in Tamil Nadu.” Asked whether he had obtained permission from Rahul Gandhi, the fiery leader said it was his “own decision” and replied, “I will inform him later. Besides, I do not need anyone’s permission to tattoo my leader’s name. If anyone prevents me from doing this, I will tattoo Rahulji’s name all over my body.” Engrossed in getting hordes of Youth Congress members getting tattooed with Rahul Gandhi’s name, Dr Prasad remarked, “One can change one’s visiting card, but not the tattoo. The tattoo will mingle inseparably with the blood and soul of the cadre. It will also give them an emotional attachment to the leadership, which will be ruling India for the next 60 years. |
|
UGC says HRD curbing its autonomy
New Delhi, September 24 The Commission’s meeting was adjourned here yesterday after members expressed “anguish” at a communiqué sent by the HRD Ministry asking the UGC to refrain from “taking any major policy decisions”. The notification comes in as Chairperson Prof. Nigavekar readies to demit office. Commission members perceived the Ministry’s letter as “an attempt to curb the autonomy of the UGC”. “The Commission prior to this meeting informed the Ministry that no major policy decisions will be taken in the last meeting to be chaired by Prof. Nigavekar, before he ends his tenure on September 27. The agenda for the meeting had also been sent to the Ministry well in advance, if they had reservations about any one particular issue, they could have pointed that out, instead they chose to send us this notification, which amounts to curtailing our autonomy,” complained a member. Adjourning the meeting, the Commission in a unanimous decision noted, that the “innocuous agenda”, which was placed before the Ministry did no warrant any “instructions from the top”. The Commission is peeved that the Ministry has been taking advantage of the provisions in the UGC Act 20, Section 1, wherein they can issues directions in matters of national policy. “Directives from the Ministry are coming in a bit too frequently. The recent one signed by an Under Secretary was perceived demeaning by the Commission”, sources said. The Commission is also reportedly unhappy with the Ministry’s decision to keep the UGC out of the initiative to start Centres for women’s studies in various universities. “The UGC had even written a letter of protest, but there has been no response thus far”, it was mentioned. |
|
Contract teachers get benefits, not regular status
Bhopal, September 24 The benefits were recommended by a cabinet sub-committee, headed by Minister of School Education Gauri Shankar Shejwar. The Cabinet, which met today with Chief Minister Babulal Gaur in the chair, accepted all recommendations. The reaction of shikshakarmis to the government announcement are awaited as most of their leaders are in jail. The 80,000 shikshakarmis have been on strike since August 25. The major decisions taken by the Cabinet include:
|
|
Union ministers booked for making provocative statements
Hyderabad, September 24 The unusual step follows a direction from the Third Additional Magistrate, who had directed the Hyderabad city police to register a first information report (FIR) against the TRS leaders for making provocative statements, inciting violence and disaffection. Magistrate Guruppa passed the orders on Wednesday, on a petition complaining that the police had failed to act against the two ministers and others, despite a complaint being lodged by a Congress leader at Hyderabad’s Chilkalguda police station. The Banjara Hills police has registered the case under Sections 120-B, 153-A and 505 of the IPC against the TRS leaders and 28 others present at the meeting. |
|
Ranjan Jha joins JD (U)
New Delhi, September 24 Dal (United) in protest against “Congress surrender to the misrule of RJD chief Lalu Prasad. ” Mr Jha’s decision to join the Janata Dal (United) and repose faith in the leadership of chief ministerial candidate Nitish Kumar was announced at a press conference at the JD(U) office. Mr Jha has been Education Minister during the Congress rule in Bihar with former Chief Ministers, Jagannath Mishra, Bhagwat Jha Azad and Satendra Narain Singh. |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
In video (
