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Air-India executives have no trust in operations chief
Amar Singh meets Karat on phone tapping issue
SC declines urgent hearing on BSP MP’s plea
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SC panel member not convinced
with ship-for-scrap
Rahul likely to be AICC general
secretary
India, Japan upgrade strategic dialogue
Tourists can now trek the Veerappan trail
Jaya lashes out at Union ministers from TN
States to desist from
frequent IAS transfers
SC reserves order on changing stand of Zahira
Monitoring cell for disbursal of relief to riot-hit sought
Spurious liquor claims 7 lives
40 empty ammo casings stolen
Hindu mahasabha threatens stir for refugees' rights
Uma spits fire at Mulayam
New FDI proposals finalised: Pawar Remains of 13 bodies dug out
BJP's National Council to meet on Jan 20
Pak railway delegation arrives for talks
Building occupants veto Pak Consulate in Mumbai
CBI arrests Salem’s aide in blast case
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Air-India executives have no trust in operations chief
New Delhi, January 4 These executives have in a detailed and signed memorandum to the Chairman and Managing Director of Air-India, Mr V. Thulasidas, in the second half of December expressed their “total no-confidence in the Director of Operations.” They have listed eleven points to bring to the fore how a precarious situation has arisen because of what they categorised as “engineered shortage of commanders by the present Director of Operations.” Even though the expansion plan of Air-India has been in the pipeline for several years and open knowledge to all and sundry, they have charged Captain Hathi of giving a goby to all corporate norms and resorted to “ad hoc and arbitrary decisions based on gross favouritism.” Promotional exercises were kept pending for years to favour the same individuals which was amended after a Vigilance inuqiry was ordered by the CMD of Air-India. This is not the first time that the adhocism in promotions as commanders has been brought to the notice of Mr Thulasidas. At the same time, efforts have been scuttled to constitute a transparent crew planning and career progression board which these executives firmly believe holds the portends of a forced lock out of the company. Efforts to contact Mr Thulasidas for his comments did not materialise. It is widely acknowledged that providing commanders is a prime function of the Operations Department which has been headed by Captain Hathi for the past seven years, except for two months in May and June 2002. The memorandum, a copy of which has been sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, notes it was during Captain Hathi’s two-month absence in May-June 2002 that a policy decision was taken by the then Director Operations, to recruit a large number of ALTP holders with a commitment to release four commanders per month which would have given the airline 170 additional commanders. However, as soon as Captain Hathi returned as Director Operations in July 2002, he reversed this decision and intentionally undertook a large-scale recruitment of CPL holders who did not have their ALTP and consequently remain ineligible for command spread over several years. This is the primary reason for the shortage of commanders and is an “internally engineered situation.” The executives further accuse Captain Hathi of “abject failure” and instead embarking on a “large-scale induction of foreigners as commanders by misleading the higher authorities of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.” In contrast, the Air-India executives observe that their sister PSU Indian has a similar kind of expansion plan but has not recruited a single foreign commander despite the fact that the Indian has lost more than 150 pilots to other carriers over the years. The memorandum insists that the recruitment of foreigners requires serious investigation. The proponents of employment of foreigners in Air-India have overlooked several critical aspects. Considering the outgo of foreign exchange, Indian pilots will stand to lose invaluable quality experience in hours on heavy jets on international routes. This will be to the tune of 150,000 hours annually which would go to the foreign commanders. This is bound to have an adverse effect on civil aviation in this country in the medium to long term. The memorandum by the senior executives of Air-India maintains that they cannot remain silent spectators to the predicament created by a single individual. This assumes significance as Air-India has existed for 70 years without any foreign pilots in commercial operations. “We are levying these charges against Captain Hathi resulting in our no-confidence in him and request the immediate intervention of the CMD of Air-India.” The memorandum has been signed among others by I.P.S. Sachar, GM (Flt Ops), Rakesh Anand - GM (Ops), S C Baptista - GM (Ops - Trg) and several additional general managers and joint general managers. Some Members of Parliament have also brought this issue of the alleged misuse of his official position by Captain Hathi to the notice of the Central Vigilance Commission along with writing letters to the Prime Minister. Civil Aviation Secretary Ajay Prasad had written to Mr Thulasidas, CMD of Air-India, way back in December 2004 that he would not like the irregularities connected with promotions to be treated in a routine matter. Mr Prasad stressed, “First it is necessary to remedy the gross injustice done to the affected pilots who have been wrongly denied promotions. This aspect should not get bogged down in convoluted procedures and urgent action at your level is called for. Secondly, appropriate action needs to be considered against officials who have resorted to such irregular practices.” The Civil Aviation Secretary impressed upon Mr Thulasidas to ensure that promotion/recruitment policies in Air-India are urgently streamlined in accordance with the established procedures laid down for PSUs so that there is no scope for individual caprices or ad hoc measures. The process should be fair and transparent so that there is no cause for complaints. |
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Amar Singh meets Karat on phone tapping issue
New Delhi, January 4 Mr Amar Singh, though not disappointed with the support from the Communist, found himself rallying behind the Left leaders, who left no stone unturned to rope in the SP for its opposition to the UPA government’s policies on the telecom sector. The Manmohan Singh-led government had, despite strong opposition from Left parties, opened the telecom sector to 74 per cent FDI. This despite the fact that security agencies had expressed their concern when the previous NDA government discussed the issue. “As far as the tapping of the phones of Mr Amar Singh is concerned, it is a serious matter because it has been established that through a private telephone company, tapping has been done illegally. There should be a proper investigation to uncover the conspiracy behind it, Mr Karat told reporters, emerging from a meeting with the SP leader. “The government must be aware that we have been warning the government on the opening up of the telecom sector to private companies or to foreign capital. This will pose a threat to our security. The government has been unconcerned about this. This is the illustration of what can happen,” Mr Karat said. Meanwhile, at least 3,50,000 workers and officers representing the BSNL will go on a 24-hour strike from midnight tonight to protest against the government allowing 74 per cent FDI in the telecom sector and further proposing to share BSNL infrastructure with private service provider. Taking exception to Congress and Centre’s plea that Samajwadi Party leaders were creating a ruckus on the issue, Mr Amar Singh told reporters separately that now it was an established fact that his telephones were tapped. “I have also come to know that all security agencies — the CBI, the RAW and the IB — had held a meeting. At that meeting, two persons at the level of CBI Joint Director said about me when my name was mentioned, ‘you just fix him once and for all’”, Mr Amar Singh told reporters. |
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Cong turns tables on Mulayam
New Delhi, January 4 As the Samajwadi Party stepped up its campaign with its leaders even seeking CPM support for its cause, the Congress went on the offensive and fielded its high-profile AICC media department chief Ambika Soni to take on the SP. She charged Mr Yadav and his “fund manager” Amar Singh with dramatising this issue merely to gain political mileage and using it to divert public attention from its misrule in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress also sought to involve Reliance Infocomm chief Anil Ambani in this controversy when it made a pointed reference to the Samajwadi Party’s proximity to him. Instead of levelling charges against the Congress, why doesn’t Mr Yadav make use of his party’s “close association” with Reliance Infocomm to get more details of the phone-tapping exercise, asked Mrs Soni. Technically, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party are supporting each other in the state and at the Centre but relations between the two have been steadily deteriorating. The latest war of words between the two on the phone tapping issue could well prove to be the beginning of the end of this tenuous relationship. Striking a combative note, Mrs Soni wanted to know why the UP Chief Minister had failed to file an FIR since SP leader Amar Singh’s telephone had not been tapped by any official agency. “Today, I want to ask Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav several questions and the first is to ask him is that if the telephone was being tapped by a private company, what did he do about it,” Mrs Soni asked. She also asked Mr Yadav to specify the action he wanted taken against the company responsible for the phone-tapping. Mrs Soni mocked the UP Chief Minister’s suggestion that the investigation be entrusted to a panel of chief ministers as he did not have faith in the CBI. Describing this proposal as “hilarious”, the Congress spokesperson wondered if Mr Yadav had thought of ordering a similar enquiry following the murder of BJP legislator Krishnand Rai, when the riots broke out in Mau or when thousands were killed by the Japanese encephilitis epidemic in eastern UP. Admitting that tapping of phones was a serious issue which needed to be probed, Mrs Soni asked the UP Chief Minister and Mr Amar Singh to explain the reason for their agitation and worry, adding that his reaction raised questions whether phones had actually been tapped.
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Phone tapping
serious matter, says PM
Port Blair, January 4 “It is a very serious matter. Phone tapping should not be there. There are no two views on it”, he said when asked by reporters to comment on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav’s demand for a probe by the state Special Task Force rather than the CBI. Pointing out that he was away from Delhi for the past two days and he was not aware of what the Chief Minister had said on the issue, Dr Manmohan Singh said whatever he knew on the issue was based on newspaper reports.
— PTI
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Patil may meet telecom CEOs
New Delhi, January 4 The meeting is expected to work out a plan for plugging loopholes in operations of the telecom companies that could lead to unauthorised interception of phone calls. Home Ministry officials said the meeting is likely to happen soon. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had yesterday described the Centre’s probe into the tapping of the phone of party leader Amar Singh as a “complete cover-up.”
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SC declines urgent hearing on BSP MP’s plea
New Delhi, January 4 The three BJP MPs who filed the petitions in the high court were Mr Chandra Pratap Singh, Mr Suresh Chandel and Mr Y.G. Mahajan. With this, six out of the 11 expelled MPs caught on camera taking bribe for asking questions in Parliament had so far moved courts, challenging their expulsion. There was only one member from the Rajya Sabha, Mr Chattarpal Singh Lodha (BJP), who was expelled by its Ethics Committee. Meanwhile, a Supreme Court Bench, headed by Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal, declined to fix an early date for hearing of the petition of BSP MP Raja Ram Pal, who was the only expelled member to move the apex court, while the remaining five challenging the decision preferred to try their luck in the Delhi High Court. The other two MPs to approach the high court yesterday were Mr Narendra Singh Kushwah of the BSP and Mr Manoj Kumar of the RJD. The apex court told Mr Raja Ram Pal’s counsel K.S. Chauhan that its Registry has listed the petition for hearing on January 16 and there was no urgency for early hearing of the matter. In a related development, a public interest litigation (PIL) was moved in the Supreme Court today by Locknow-based lawyer Ashok Pandey, challenging the validity of the Lok Sabha resolution expelling its 10 MPs and Rajya Sabha Ethics Committee decision on expulsion of Mr Lodha from the House. The PIL said the decision was without any constitutional provision and violated Article 103. The petitioner claimed that the House had no power to expel a member in such circumstances and it could only be done by the President in consultation with the Election Commission. Even the powers of the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairperson to expel an MP was limited to the question if they violated the anti-defection law. The three BJP MPs who moved the Delhi High Court today questioned their expulsion on the ground that they were not given an opportunity to defend themselves by the House and described the decision as “unconstitutional”. |
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Ship issue: France should have been more cautious, says SC panel member Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 4 The French Government should have been more cautious before allowing Clemenceau to set sail for India, said Mr Claude Elvares, a member of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC) on Hazardous Waste, which is meeting here tomorrow. The issue is part of the SCMC agenda, which will be brought up for discussion on Friday. Talking to The Tribune, Mr Elvares said considering that the Supreme Court had set certain directions for ship-breaking in India, the French Government should have respected these and got in touch with the Indian Government before allowing the aging warship to sail for Indian shores. When contacted, the MoEF Secretary, Dr Pradipto Ghosh, said it was completely legal for ships to come to India for dismantling both as per the Indian as well as international laws. “Moreover, the ship-breaking yard at Alang is as per strict guidelines set up by the Supreme Court, which is regularly monitored by the SCMC and other independent agencies,” he said. The French aircraft carrier, Clemenceau, containing hazardous waste like asbestos, set course for the ship-breaking yard at Alang, off the Gujarat shore, for dismantling on December 31, 2005, after the French Government received a clearance from a high court there.
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SC panel member not convinced
with ship-for-scrap
New Delhi, January 4 The issue is part of the SCMC agenda, which will be brought up for discussion on Friday. Talking to The Tribune, Mr Elvares said considering that the Supreme Court had set certain directions for ship-breaking in India, the French Government should have respected these and got in touch with the Indian Government before allowing the aging warship to sail for Indian shores. When contacted, the MoEF Secretary, Dr Pradipto Ghosh, said it was completely legal for ships to come to India for dismantling both as per the Indian as well as international laws. “Moreover, the ship-breaking yard at Alang is as per strict guidelines set up by the Supreme Court, which is regularly monitored by the SCMC and other independent agencies,” he said. The French aircraft carrier, Clemenceau, containing hazardous waste like asbestos, set course for the ship-breaking yard at Alang, off the Gujarat shore, for dismantling on December 31, 2005, after the French Government received a clearance from a high court there. Though many are terming it as a “needless hue and cry raised for commercial interests”, Clemenceau has the potential of becoming a major environmental issue. The issue of the aging warship was last discussed by the SCMC at a meeting held in February 2005 after which the MoEF was asked to procure certain documents in relation to ship-breaking. The Supreme Court, on October 14, 2003, had given 14 directions on ship-breaking that the SCMC is duty-bound to implement. However, several complains piled up before the SCMC regarding violation of these directions. This prompted the issue to be added on the SCMC agenda for the meeting, which is beginning tomorrow. That the SCMC is most likely to take a strong stand on the issue and this is what the environmentalists are also hoping for. |
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Safety concerns hit industry at Alang
Gandhinagar, January 4 “There was a time when almost everyday a ship reached for breaking at one or other of its 183 plots. Things have now reached such a state that one or two ships berth in a month for this purpose. The problem, according to industry sources, stems from the fact that while India seeks to strictly follow national regulations on environment and safety, the other countries are not doing so, with the result that ships are being taken to these countries. This has led to a scenario where in yards in these countries are flourishing at the cost of Alang. The Centre had been forced to take up the matter with the international community. |
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Rahul likely to be AICC general
secretary
New Delhi, December 4 Congress President Sonia Gandhi returned from her foreign holiday tonight and it is generally expected that she will devote her attention to these long-awaited changes as the date for the three-day AICC plenary session, to be held in Hyderabad from January 21-23, draws closer. Although 12 of the 24 CWC memebrs are to be elected, all state units have authorised Mrs Gandhi to nominate all the members to the party’s apex decision-making body. Congress insiders had earlier maintained that a reconstituted CWC would be in place for the AICC plenary, but it is now being indicated that it could well be delayed till after the session. Party sources said since the plenary is barely three weeks away, the leadership may not want the proceedings to be marred by any show of disaffection as a reshuffle is bound to result in internal rumblings. There is also considerable speculation about the future role of the party’s heir- apparent Rahul Gandhi who, by all accounts, will be the cynosure of all eyes at the forthcoming session. It is expected that like his late father, Rahul Gandhi will be inducted as an AICC General Secretary to enable him to learn the ropes and acquaint hismelf with the working of the party organisation. If his induction does not take palce before the session, the plenary will witness a vociferous demand for “Rahul lao, party bachao” from the assembled delegates. While Rahul Gandhi will be attending the session in his capacity as a Lok Sabha MP and an AICC delegate, there is a question mark over his more charismatic sibling Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s participation in the session. Congress spokesperson Ambika Soni said she will be extending an invitation but it is for her to decide whether to attend or not. Priyanka was also invited for the AICC meeting held last year in Delhi but she did not put in an appearance. Congress insiders maintain that she has deliberately decided to keep a low profile in order to keep the focus on Rahul. The session will also adopt four resolutions on political affairs, economy, international affairs and agriculture. The four sub-committees entrusted with the task of drafting the resolutions have submitted their initial drafts to the drafting committee headed by senior leader Pranab Mukherjee which met yesterday to finalise them. The economic resolution, which was deliberated upon extensively, draws heavily from the UPA government’s common minimum programme where the focus is on reforms with a human face, agriculture, infrastructure and social sectors like health and education.
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India, Japan upgrade strategic dialogue
New Delhi, January 4 These new decisions were taken at the official talks between visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed here. The delegation-level talks continued over working lunch and lasted two and a half hours. The objective of the disarmament and non-proliferation annual dialogue will be to promote commonalities and enlarging areas of convergence for mutual cooperation in a constructive manner. This dialogue will also address the issues relating to high technology trade. However, from the Indian point of view, no concrete assurance was forthcoming from the Japanese side on Tokyo softening its tough stand for relaxation of norms by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for enabling India to reap the fruits of the July 18 Indo-US nuclear agreement. Japan had taken a strident stand at the meeting of the NSG recently. The issue of UN reforms also came up for discussions between Mr Aso and Mr Ahamed. A Japanese official, accompanying Mr Aso, said Tokyo was in favour of urgent and comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, including the reform and expansion of the UN Security Council, in both permanent and non-permanent categories. And in this connection, the Japanese side was still on board as far as the G-4 (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) grouping for achieving this target in the current session of the UN, was concerned. Foreign Minister Aso conveyed that India would remain the largest recipient of the Japanese ODA loan in the current fiscal year for the third consecutive year. The most important Japan-aided infrastructure-related project India is keen on — the Rs 22,000-crore Freight Corridors Project, which envisages dedicated multimodal freight corridors with computerised train control system on Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Howrah routes — came up for pointed discussions. The two sides agreed, through an exchange of notes, that the feasibility study survey for the project will be carried out by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Foreign Office spokesman Navtej Sarna said. No time frame is currently available when the project will start. New Delhi is acutely aware of the fact that despite a number of high-level visits from Japan to India, the Indian Government has not been able to reciprocate it. In view of this, at least two high-level visits to Japan are being planned by the government. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to visit in June or July this year and this would be preceded by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Tokyo. Mr Mukherjee’s visit will be preceded by the next round of comprehensive security dialogue and military-to-military talks. The ministers agreed to conduct henceforth foreign minister-level talks with a strategic perspective. Mr Aso invited the External Affairs Minister of India to visit Japan for such talks. The existing Foreign Office consultations at secretary/deputy minister-level will be utilised to prepare for the foreign minister-level dialogue. The high-level strategic dialogue, agreed upon during Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s visit in April last, will also be operationalised “as soon as possible”. The two sides agreed to earnestly consider the possibility of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement in the context of the ongoing work of the India-Japan Joint Study Group, which is expected to submit its report by June 2006. Mr Aso conveyed the decision of the Japanese side to launch the “Aso Programme” which will involve exchange of 4,000 persons over the next three years in the fields of Japanese language, technology and youth interaction with Japanese funding and support. The ministers reviewed the positive outcome of the first East Asia Summit (EAS) and agreed that the EAS should play a significant role in the progressive realisation of the vision of an East Asian community. India and Japan will continue their close consultation and cooperation in this regard. Mr Aso was accompanied by a high-level delegation. India is the first Asian country Foreign Minister Aso has visited for bilateral consultations. He also had meetings with Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath and National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan. Later, he called on President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. |
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Tourists can now trek the Veerappan trail
Bangalore, January 4 Now all you need is a pair of sturdy walking shoes and Rs 435. However, you need to be in a group of six members. The group will be supplied with three guides and an armed guard. The move besides reopening beautiful forest areas in the Chamarajanagar, Kollegal and Kanakapura forest ranges as well as those in the Biligiri Rangana and Cauvery wildlife sanctuaries after two decades, will also provide a source of livelihood to the Girijan tribals who inhabit the area. Chamarajanagar Circle Conservator of Forests D.A. Venkatesh told TNS that village forest committees had been established to conduct the treks. He said the forest department had decided to deposit a revenue of Rs 800 per week to pay for the members of the village committees. He said tribals would also gain by providing food and shelter to the trekkers, adding, the Rs 435 fee did not include food or lodging expenses. Mr Venkatesh said the trekking trails would be open for tourists from November to March. Initially only one group of six persons would be allowed per day on a single identifiable route. The trekking routes range from 7.5 km for the Bheemeshwari - Chellur route to 25 km for the Elephant Camp - Muthathi route. The forest department has also launched a website titled www.mystery-trails.com to highlight the features of all the six treks, listing the varied levels of accessibility, mystery, landscape and wilderness which will be encountered on each route. It also gives a detail of food and accommodation available along the routes of all the treks. The treks are expected to be a big draw for local tourists as well as foreigners who enjoy trekking in the Western Ghats. Local tribals have been trained on handling the treks as well as guiding tourists. The forest department hopes the entire exercise would be a two-way process through which tourists will be served and the tribals will be benefited, apart from promoting the area as a whole. A total of 54 eco-development committees and 17 forest committees have been set up to guide the trekkers. And finally those interested can check up on Veerappan history like the spot DC P.P. Srinivasan was shot dead by the bandit or the local culture of the Chamarajanagar forest area. The latter includes a two faced “rudraksh” tree or the spot where the footprint of the local icon “Madeswara” is marked on the trail.
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Jaya lashes out at Union ministers from TN
Chennai, January 4 She alleged that the Union Minister for Environment, Mr A. Raja was stalling the proposed desalination plant. In a hard-hitting four page statement, she stated, “The people of Tamil Nadu will now understand clearly the selfish, perfidious and dangerous role played by the DPA combine represented by the 12 Union ministers from Tamil Nadu and their patriarchs like M. Karunanidhi and Dr S.
Ramadoss.” Ms Jayalalithaa alleged, “These leaders were running for cover, faced with the fact that my government had endeared itself to the people and its popularity was soaring. This was the reason why they were resorting to such underhand and deceitful practices such as trying to stop the 100 million litres a day
(MLD) desalination plant from taking off, throwing to the winds the welfare of the people,” and added that the people would “teach” them a fitting lesson. Criticising the Opposition Democratic Progressive Alliance led by the DMK in Tamil Nadu, she said, “This unscrupulous perfidy against the people of Chennai and Tamil Nadu tears apart the smokescreen of pretence and deceit of bringing projects and programmes for the people, practised by the
DPA.” Ms Jayalalithaa alleged that Mr Raja had shown “his true colours” by holding up the project even though the committee appointed by his ministry had cleared it. Taking a dig at the 12 Union ministers from Tamil Nadu, she said, “in the past 18 months, ever since the UPA government assumed office, “we were confronted by the cacophony of 12 Union Ministers claiming to bring the largesse of the Union government to Tamil Nadu.” Commenting on Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Ms Jayalalithaa said as soon as the UPA government assumed office, he “shouted from the rooftop” that the Centre was ready to give Tamil Nadu Rs 1000 crore for establishing a massive desalination plant. She said, “This grand announcement was made with a mere provision of Rs 5 crore in the budget. Even though I called this bluff, Mr Chidambaram never lost an opportunity during his weekly sojourns in Tamil Nadu to castigate my government for not moving forward with the desalination project and failing to take the assistance proffered by the Union government. |
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States to desist from
frequent IAS transfers
New Delhi, January 4 The 15 states and union territories where the Congress is in power are expected to accept the recommendation of the National Advisory Council (NAC) headed by party President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to this effect. The council has, in a recent communication to the Manmohan Singh government at the Centre, suggested that the states be encouraged to provide a fixed tenure of at least two years to top officials in the rank of Chief Secretary and Director-General of Police. The NAC also favours a “stability index” for other important posts such as Deputy Commissioners and District Superintendents of Police. An average of at least two years for each group should be fixed so that while the government may transfer an officer before two years, the average should be maintained at above two years, the Council has said. This will mean that for every short tenure, another officer would have a sufficiently long tenure so as to maintain the average. The Union Cabinet recently announced a minimum tenure of two years for the Cabinet and Home Secretaries and for the CBI Director and the Intelligence Bureau chief. The Centre is expected to consider similar tenure for Secretaries of other ministries as well in the light of the NAC’s recommendation. Making recommendations for personnel reforms, the council said “a stability index can be calculated for important posts such as Secretaries to Government.” There have been suggestions for extending the fixed tenure facility at least for Defence and Foreign Secretaries. The NAC has made the recommendations as part of its proposals for administrative reforms to improve governance, particularly in the states. Suggesting a series of measurable parameters to assess performance, the council proposed the setting up of a Rs 10,000 crore annual fund to offer incentives to performing states. This would effectively link part of the Centre’s devolution of funds to performance.
— UNI |
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SC reserves order on changing stand of Zahira
New Delhi, January 4 A division Bench headed by Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat, which had asked the committee to inquire into the changing stand of
Zahira, reserved its order after hearing all parties interested in the case. Reserving its order on the admissibilty of the report which condemned Zahira as a self-condemned liar, the Bench asked the parties to submit within 10 days additional objections and submissions, if they so desired. The court also asked amicus curiae Harish Salve to give his views on the consequences that should follow if the report was accepted. Earlier, the court had issued notice to 11 persons, including Gujarat BJP MLA Madhu Srivastava, former Vadodara Collector Bhagyesh Jha and Commissioner of Police Sudhir Sinha, against whom certain remarks and observations were made by the committee. The notices were issued to enable them to put forth their case in the court. The committee headed by Supreme Court Registrar-General
B.M. Gupta had named a few persons in its report, but had not specifically identified any person who allegedly induced Zahira to retract from her statements as it could not gather concrete evidence. While putting forth her case in the court, Zahira charged the committee with tailoring facts to fit into ‘’pre-conceived conclusions.’’
Zahira alleged that the finding by the committee was ‘’a presumption based on presumption.’’ She further charged Teesta with weaving stories and attributing facts manufactured by her as if those were narrated on oath by her
(Zahira). Not only that, Teesta participated in the case in the Supreme Court despite being a total stranger, she alleged. She further pointed out that the two statements made by her in trial courts were the same. However, her statements outside the court sometimes differed because ‘’she was not a free agent.’’ She had pointed out that she was tutored to give statements on different occasions and was painted as a
burqa-clad victim of Hindu vendetta, she said. The inquiry, however, proceeded on the presumption that she had resiled from her statement, though it should have been directed against
Teesta, she said. On the finding that she had changed stands on inducements, she pointed out that despite concerted efforts, the committee could not ascertain the persons resonsible offering inducements. Mr Gupta had recorded in his 160-page report that Zahira lied in the fast-track court, the NHRC and the Supreme Court.
— UNI |
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Monitoring cell for disbursal of relief to riot-hit sought
New Delhi, January 4 The committee president and SAD Delhi unit general secretary, Mr Kuldip Singh Bhogal, submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He said the package of Rs 440 crore to about 22,000 such families was not based on head count and the compensation of Rs 3.5 lakh per family to those outside Delhi would be discriminatory as the state governments of UP and others had paid only Rs 20,000, where the Delhi government had shelled out Rs 3.5 lakh. Therefore, the riot victims in Delhi would get an additional amount of Rs 3.5 lakh totalling to Rs 7 lakh whereas those outside would get only Rs 3.5 lakh. This disparity should be removed, he said. The compensation to damages to property should be enhanced as the allocated amount is too meager to amount to real value of the loss, he said. Mr Bhogal reiterated the demand of job for one person of the victims’ family and punishment to the perpetrators of the crime.
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Spurious liquor claims 7 lives
Lucknow, January 4 Confirming the death of five persons in Etawah district after drinking liquor brought from a government-owned outlet in Samaho village under Bharthana police station, police sources said the deaths occurred over the past three days. Two succumbed to the spurious drinks on New Year, another two on January 2 and the second and the fifth died on Tuesday. By the time the news reached the police, the family members had performed the last rites. The shop has been sealed and samples sent to a government laboratory for testing. According to the police an FIR would be lodged only after the report of the sample is received. In Unnao district, two men in their 40s died last night after drinking liquor in Chedakhedha village under Bihar police station, about 50 km from the district headquarters. They died on their way to the hospital. The district administration has announced a Rs 10,000 compensation to their next of kin. |
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40 empty ammo casings stolen
Bhopal, January 4 The incident, which occurred near Baretha Ghat, about 15 km from Betul district, is also being inquired into by the Army. “We are gathering details at our level,” an Army source said. It was earlier believed that only four casings were missing. Betul’s Superintendent of Police Vijay Suryavanshi said prima facie it appeared as if some gang was behind the theft. The privately-owned lorry was also carrying 18 bales of cotton to be offloaded at Nagpur. In his police complaint, driver Sanjay Yadav said he came to know of the theft when he halted for a check after crossing the ghat. Four boxes, containing the casings placed at the truck’s rear, were missing. Soon after receiving information, the police formed teams and initiated an investigation. “The incident is not distressing from the security point of view as the casings were empty,” the Muradnagar unit’s
Additional General Manager R.K. Sharma said. — UNI
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Hindu mahasabha threatens stir for refugees' rights
New Delhi, January 4 ABHM national president Dinesh Chandra Tyagi told reporters that the agitation will be launched on the highway at Kathua if the authorities fail to address the issue of these people who migrated to Jammu in 1947. Mr Tyagi, flanked by the representatives of the west Pakistani Refugee Action Committee Cell 1947, said the problems of these people had not been addressed for the past 50 years and successive Central and state governments had failed to provide succour to them. The Centre must either recognise them as refugees so that they can be eligible for the compensation or provide them with state subject rights, he added. He said about three lakh persons are living in Kathua and Jammu districts of the state without any rights and were being denied the opportunity to lead a dignified life. "The families have the right to vote for the Lok Sabha elections, but they cannot vote for the state legislature, he said. Right to government jobs, access to health care programmes, right to buy property and education — the basic right an Indian citizen enjoys have not been given to them, he added. |
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Uma spits fire at Mulayam
Lucknow, January 4 Speaking at Fatehpur, where her ‘Ram Roti yatra’ has entered on way to Ayodhya, the firebrand sadhvi did not even spare SP national president and Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. His decision to give her state guest status had sent a wave of protest amongst the Muslims, forcing the state government to give an official explanation. Indeed, it has also triggered speculation in the corridors of power of a future alliance between the SP and any political outfit which Uma Bharti may float to corner backward votes in UP and consolidate SP presence in Madhya Pradesh. Last week, Mulayam Singh while answering a question had not ruled out such a possibility. Temporarily reducing such a likelihood to the realm of conjecture, Uma Bharti today said, “former UP Chief Minister and Congress leader late Veer Bahadur Singh had started the trend of harbouring criminals. Now, the baton has been held by the present incumbent and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.” Hitting out at national parties like the Congress and BJP for pursuing “unprincipled politics,” the outspoken leader asserted that her ‘Ram Roti Yatra’ would put an end to this distressing phenomenon.
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New FDI proposals finalised: Pawar New Delhi, January 4 Chairman of the GoM Sharad Pawar told reporters after the meeting today that the proposals had been finalised and the recommendations would be put up before the Cabinet. Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said the meeting discussed ways of rationalising the FDI route and did not deliberate on making any structural changes. He said the meeting looked at the ways of having one gate instead of three to four gates. Replying to a query, he indicated that the issue of FDI in single brand retail trade also figured in the meeting. Those who attended the meeting included Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar and Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel.
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New Delhi, January 4 The state police had claimed that 20 persons had been buried at the site. The sources said that if there was a trace of any further skeletons at the site, the digging would continue. The CBI was directed by the High Court on December 29 to collect skeletons from the mass grave in Panchmahal district and ordered these to be sent to the forensic laboratory in Hyderabad for DNA testing.
— PTI
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BJP's National Council to meet on Jan 20
New Delhi, January 4 "A special session of the council has been called on January 20 to ratify the appointment of Mr Rajnath Singh as party chief. He will also announce his future plans and strategy of the party at the one-day session," BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said here. All members of the National Council, the National Executive, all MPs of the party and office- bearers of the state units beside Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states have been invited for the meeting, he said. After ratification, Mr Rajnath Singh's term would coincide with that of the present National Council which expires in February 2007. However, a new National Council after the organisational elections can re-elect Mr Singh for a second term as he would not be completing a full tenure, the party sources said. According to the BJP Constitution, no person can become President for a successive second full term. |
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Pak railway delegation arrives for talks
New Delhi January 4 The two-day talks will begin tomorrow. The Indian delegation will be led by Mr Ashok Gupta, Adviser (Traffic), Ministry of Railways. The new rail link will be an important addition to the existing transport links between the two countries, the Foreign Office spokesman said.
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Building occupants veto Pak Consulate in Mumbai
Mumbai, January 4 The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi had paid advance rentals to the owner of a property at Mittal Chambers in South Mumbai for a 7000-square-foot office space to set up its consulate. However, the proposal came in for fire from other residents who said a consulate in the premises would hamper their security. |
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CBI arrests Salem’s aide in blast case
Mumbai, January 4 He was produced before a designated TADA court which remanded him to the police custody till January 13. Judge P.D. Kode also allowed the CBI to take the accused to Raigad, Thane and nearby areas for the purpose of investigations. Siddiqui is accused of supplying arms to co-accused in the 1993 bomb blast case at the instance of Abu Salem. Siddiqui was already in the custody of the anti-terrorist squad of the Mumbai police for his complicity in Pradeep Jain murder case. On a prosecution plea, the TADA court, hearing the blast case, has granted his custody to the CBI.
— PTI
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Kin of militants counselled
Hyderabad, January 4 Additional Police Commissioner Rajiv Trivedi, who addressed them, said that it was not poverty that led these young men astray.
— TNS |
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