 |
|
Pilots cannot quit for better jobs: IAF
World Bank stops RCH project funding
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Justice Pathak issues second notice to Natwar, others
ED grills NRI kin
of Natwar
CBI to probe proposals of 8 Andhra NGOs
Taj Mahal premier in Pak tomorrow
Battle over rice in TN poll
When Bush was in Pak, his plane was in Delhi
India to try out Swedish and Israeli howitzers
Low turnout in Patna
Mamata banking on bete noire to revive fortunes
Sati baffles Gaya admn
|
|
Pilots cannot quit for better jobs: IAF
New Delhi, April 24 “Earlier, we allowed some pilots to go on humanitarian reasons as we had spareable numbers,” Air Vice-Marshal and Assistant Chief of Air Staff Sumit Mukherjee said. “Now we have to ensure that all cockpit vacancies are filled.” Mukherjee’s remarks came as top Air Force commanders began their four-day-long biannual meeting in which the topic was one of the main issues that came under discussion. Addressing the commanders, Air Chief S.P. Tyagi said the IAF was on the threshold of inducting Airborne Warning and Control systems (AWACS), additional mid-air refuellers and Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers, implying that it would itself be looking to recruit more pilots. “Induction of these new technologies calls for more efforts on our part,” the Air Chief said. His remarks assume significance in the wake of Supreme Court’s notice to the Centre asking it to explain why an IAF pilot should not be permitted to take premature retirement on full reimbursement of the money spent by the government on his training. The notice was issued by a Bench of Justice B.N. Srikrishna and Justice Tarun Chatterjee on a petition by Sqn Ldr Shakul Tyagi challenging the January 14 order of the Delhi High Court declining his plea for premature retirement. The High Court had held that the IAF pilot, on whose training the government spent crores of rupees, could not seek premature retirement on the ground that the job was affecting his marital life. But, Air Vice-Marshal Mukherjee who was responding to questions by mediapersons on the sidelines of the conference, said the IAF had not closed its mind on allowing pilots to go on extreme emotional grounds. “It is not that we are not letting the pilots go. Once we receive applications of request for premature retirement and if these are found genuine and in conformity with government regulations, we will allow the pilots to go,” he said. However, on security grounds he asserted that this could not be made a general practice.
— PTI |
|
World Bank stops RCH project funding
New Delhi, April 24 Following complaints, the government has ordered a CBI inquiry into the matter. “We are not happy with funds for RCH-II programme being put on hold. We have assured World Bank that corrective measures would be taken to ensure the misuse of funds and corruption in procurement process are not repeated,” Finance Minister P. Chidambaram told mediapersons, admitting that World Bank had stopped funds for the project. He said Finance Ministry officials were currently in Washington to resolve the issue even as the government was going ahead with the implementation of the Rs 40,000-crore project to reduce infant and maternal mortality. World Bank decided to stall the funding for the RCH programme after receiving complaints that several malpractices had been noticed in the implementation of the first phase of the programme from 1998-2003. Several irregularities were observed in the procurement of medical supplies like bandages, with two agents being assigned contracts for as much as 75 per cent of the orders. World Bank has sought a full probe, to which the government has agreed. “The Health Ministry has in fact found substance in the complaint and ordered an investigation by the CBI. In the meantime, we have conveyed to World Bank that all measures would be put in place to ensure against any such corrupt practices,” said an official of the Finance Ministry. At stake is not just the $ 350 million loan sought from the bank but also another $ 450 million from Britain’s Department for International Development (DFID). Under the RCH programme, the Health Ministry has been implementing various healthcare and vaccination programmes, including the massive efforts for eradication of polio from the country. |
|
Justice Pathak issues second notice to Natwar, others
New Delhi, April 24 The fresh notices were issued by Justice Pathak after they had filed "evasive" replies and did not furnish material information in their response to the first 'individual' notices, the Authority sources said, adding they have been asked to respond within a week. Earlier, the Authority had sent 'individual' notices to Singh and others following their failure to respond to a 'public' notice seeking assistance from all persons having knowledge of facts and circumstances relating to Volcker Committee report naming Singh and Congress as "non-contractual beneficiaries" in the oil- -for-food scam. In their response to the first 'individual' notices, Natwar Singh had said he did not receive any money in the UN oil-for-food programme "either directly or indirectly". His son Jagat Singh, an MLA in Rajasthan, had also made a similar submission to the Authority set up by the government to go into allegations that Natwar Singh and Congress party were "non-contractual beneficiaries" of the oil-for- food
scam. — PTI |
|
ED grills NRI kin
of Natwar
New Delhi, April 24 Aditya, a Non-Resident Indian who runs a restaurant in London, was immediately taken away by the ED officials for questioning in connection with the alleged payments he received from
Masefields, the company which got contracts in the scam.
— PTI |
|
|
CBI to probe proposals of 8 Andhra NGOs
New Delhi, April 24 According to a press note issued by the ministry here today, these NGOs are the Chaitanya Yuvajan Sangham and Rose Vimala Rural Organisation for Women from Hyderabad, Sharad Educational Society and Sivaranjani Educational Society from Secunderabad, Jagruthi Educational and Community Development Society and Vennela Educational and Rural Development Society from Khamman district, Sahaya Welfare Association from Nalgobnda
district and Dr B.R. Ambedkar Youth Association from R.R. District. These NGOs had sought grant-in-aid from the ministry for
setting up drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres under the scheme of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse. The ministry received proposals from the Education Department of the Andhra Pradesh Government. This was a departure from the previous practice of proposals being forwarded by the state Health and Family Welfare Departments and raised suspicion. On seeking clarification from the Health Department of the state government, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment learnt that the signatures of the former Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, Paul Bhuyan on the letter forwarding the proposals appeared forged. The ministry, therefore, decided to order a CBI inquiry to ascertain the doubts raised by the information gathered from the Health Department of the state government. The Central Government provides grant-in-aid to NGOs in two instalments under the scheme of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse for setting up or running drug de-addiction- cum-rehabilitation centres. Fresh proposals for the release of first instalment of grants-in-aid needs recommendation of the concerned state government. |
|
Taj Mahal premier in Pak tomorrow
New Delhi, April 24 Twenty prints of the Rs 40-crore film, which has grand-daughter of the legendary Noorjehan, Sonya Jehan, playing the character of Mumtaz Mahal, will be premiered in cinema halls across Pakistan on April 26. The 38-member delegation, being led by Cultural Affairs Minister Ambika Soni, has personalities like Mahesh Bhatt, President of the Association of Motion Pictures and Television Programme Producers (AMPTPP) Pahlaj Nihalani, film’s director Akbar Khan, brothers Feroz Khan, Sanjay Khan, nephew Fardeen Khan, Rekha, Shatrughan Sinha and Manisha Koirala as part of the team. Apart from two grand premieres on April 26 and 27 in Lahore and Karachi, respectively, the delegation is also hopeful of holding a special screening of the film for President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad, later this week. Speaking at an interaction of mediapersons with the delegation that left for Lahore today, director Mahesh Bhatt said, “I envy Akbar Khan for such a privilege... he will get a special mention in the history of Indo-Pak relationship." In response to how could “Taj Mahal” claim the credit of being the first Indian cinema to be shown in Pakistan in 41 years, Bhatt said “it is undoubtedly the first Indian film to be shown in Pakistan in 41 years,” asserting that the screening of Mughal-e-Azam in Lahore on Sunday was a premiere show. “Taj Mahal is being premiered and released officially on April 26. Official release means when the first ticket is sold at the box office. Moreover, we don't want to trivialise the whole issue as it is a great privilege for any director,” he added. Director Akbar Khan said the dream of “Taj Mahal” being taken across the border came true after he wrote to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on the importance of the subject of his film. “Moreover, Sonya Jehan is the grand-daughter of great Pakistani singer Noor
Jahan.That makes sense for the movie to be taken across to Pakistan,” he added. The other movie to be released as the part of the package is Sunny Deol-starrer “Sohni Mahiwal” Besides enhancing cultural ties, with this movie, the Indian film industry hopes that in the near future Bollywood films can be simultaneously released in India and Pakistan. Movies being released simultaneously would mean an addition of two more territories to the existing five distribution territories in India and great economic sense to the Indian film industry. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni, who will attend the Pakistani premiere of “Taj Mahal”, said India has always been open to Pakistani artistes coming to this side of the border to work. "Ghazal singers, painters and other artistes from Pakistan have always easily been given visa by India. We hope that Pakistan will show reciprocity in this regard and the people-to-people relations between the two countries improves," she said. Ms Soni will also carry a letter from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf during her April 25-27 visit to that country. |
|
Battle over rice in TN poll
Cuddalore, April 24 It is a battle over rice between the two Dravidian parties— Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jaya Jayalalithaa's rice offer goes "Buy one, get one free". Her election pledge is buy 10 kg of rice at the rate of Rs 3.50 and take 10 kg free. Ration card holders here are entitled to 20 kg of rice a month from the public distribution system (PDS) shops. But Ms Jayalalithaa is yet to explain the economics of her rice scheme. In contrast, DMK president M. Karunanidhi, who has promised rice at the rate of only Rs 2, gave out detailed figures of how he would implement his poll pledge. He cited figures and said the total expenses could easily be accommodated in the state government budget of Rs 30,000 crore. The rice factor has become so important in the Tamil Nadu elections that even actor- turned-politician Vijaykanth has jumped onto the rice bandwagon. He has promised door delivery of ration goods. While announcing the election manifesto of his newly formed party Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam (DMDK), he went to the extent of promising 15 kg of rice free to poor families. But little does he realise the cost to the public exchequer. However, people are critical of such tall promises made during elections. Says Paremshwari, a woman who sells fish in the newly constructed market in Cuddalore, "We are happy with amma for the tsunami relief but this promise about rice seems doubtful." Official statistics indicate that the burden would be much larger. Government's interim budget for 2006-07 says the subsidy component for rice for this year is Rs 1,500 crore at present estimates. And the number of ration cards in use are 1.88 crore, out of which 1.76 crore households have opted to avail of rice. |
|
When Bush was in Pak, his plane was in Delhi
New Delhi, April 24 According to a report in the current issue of the India Strategic magazine, while Mr Bush landed in his Boeing 747 Air Force One at the Chaklala air force base in the dark with window shades drawn, the standby Air Force One-B returned to New Delhi for its overnight halt. Apparently, the US Secret Service did not want to keep both the aircraft in the Pakistani Capital. The US Air Force has a complement of four or five Boeing 747 aircraft at its disposal for the President and any one of them, which the President actually boards, is given the call sign Air Force One. For his foreign travels, the President uses two or three look-alike planes and a fleet of at least three bullet- and mine-proof vehicles is flown to each destination in advance. Should the need arise, all these aircraft and cars, equipped with satellite communications, can function as his Command Centre. The Air Force One is also guarded by fighter jets wherever possible and monitored round the clock by satellites as well as J-STARS surveillance and targeting aircraft. US newspapers have reported that the Air Force One landed in the dark in Islamabad and that it was still a mystery whether the President travelled from the Chaklala airbase to President Pervez Musharraf’s residence in a helicopter or a motorcade. But it is not known so far that part of the presidential jet fleet had been moved away from Pakistan. The US Secret Service had brought in its own helicopters to Islamabad. The USA Today newspaper had described Bush’s visit to Pakistan as “one of the most dangerous visits of his presidency.” India Strategic said it is not known if the Air Force One-B actually landed in Islamabad or not after Mr Bush left New Delhi on the evening of March 3, which was a Friday, a day that terrorists usually use to instigate violence after weekly Islamic religious prayers. It is also not known if only two or more aircraft were deployed for the presidential fleet, but the standby aircraft parked in Delhi left the next day to join the presidential fleet for its journey way back home. When the then President Bill Clinton visited Pakistan for a few hours in March 2000 after his visit to India, he had to use a small decoy executive jet to travel to Islamabad, while the designated Air Force One jumbo landed at the Chaklala military airbase without him. As for the four-engine presidential jet’s configuration, the Boeing Company says that the aircraft is a long-range 747-200 with midair refuelling capability, 4,000 sq ft of interior floor space, quarters for the President and his wife, medical facilities, satellite communications, food for 100 people in one sitting, and “self-sufficiency at airports around the world.”
— IANS |
|
India to try out Swedish and Israeli howitzers
New Delhi, April 24 Senior Army officers said this was the first time the Indian Army would be holding four rounds of trials for any weapon system in Rajasthan, followed by high altitude evaluation in the Himalayas, regions where a majority of the guns would eventually be deployed. “The summer trials would be followed by winter tests in late November,” an Army official said, declining to be identified. The Army would re-evaluate the Bofors Defence FH-77B05 L52 and Soltam Systems TIG-2002 155mm/52 caliber towed guns following an inconclusive outcome after the third and last round of trials in November 2004 in which the latter was unable to participate due to “technical problems”. Alongside, the Ministry of Defence is also expected to invite for trials Swedish, Slovak and Russian 155mm/52 cal wheeled howitzer makers to meet its requirement of 120 pieces as part of its strategy to standardise its artillery on 155mm/52 cal guns. In the howitzers, 155mm is the bore of the gun and 52 inches the length of the calibre that gives the gun an extended range. By 2025 Indian artillery regiments that currently operate 12 different calibre guns plan on inducting around 1,200-1,400 155mm/52 cal towed, wheeled and tracked self-propelled howitzers (SPH) in a programme evaluated at around $20 billion. The first three rounds of towed howitzer trials that began in 2001 also featured South Africa’s Denel Ordnance G5/2000 gun alongside its Swedish and Israeli competitors. But the Indian Government suspended all dealings with Denel after it ordered an investigation into allegations that the South African arms maker had resorted to unfair commercial practices in signing a 400 anti-material rifle contract. This not only frustrated the army’s howitzer trial evaluation reports but also led the Defence Ministry to terminate the limited series production of Bhim, the 155mm/52-cal tracked SPH. This weapon platform was to be built by the state-owned Bharat Earth Movers Ltd in Bangalore by mating the Denel/LIW T 6 155mm/52 cal turret with the chassis of the locally designed Arjun main battle tank. Testing for Bhim was conducted in the late 1990s and price negotiations for it were ongoing when all dealings with Denel were called off. In a related development the Ministry of Defence has for the first time invited an Indian company along with at least two overseas competitors to upgrade around 360-370 of a total of 410 Bofors FH 77B 155mm/39 cal guns it acquired in 1987 to 155mm/45 cal for around $400 million. The request for proposal dispatched recently to the Mumbai-based Tatas, El Bit of Israel and BaE Systems, which now owns Bofors, requires the competing vendors to present the upgraded howitzer for field trials by the year-end. Tatas are hopeful of working with India’s state-owned Ordnance Factory Board that, according to the $1.4 billion deal with Sweden’s AB Bofors for the 410 FH 77B 155mm/39 cal howitzers, was to build the guns under licence at its Kanpur
unit. — IANS |
|
Low turnout in Patna
Patna, April 24 According to the state election commission, around 30 per cent of a little over 5.5 lakh voters exercised their franchise, which was much less compared to about 60 per cent polling recorded in October-November polls last year. The byelection was held following the demise of BJP's Navin Prasad Kishore Sinha, who had been winning this seat since 1995. Irrespective of total 13 candidates in the fray, the main contest was between BJP's Nitish Navin and the Congress' Rana Ajay Singh. Mr Nitin Navin is a son of the departed BJP MLA. The district administration had made elaborate security arrangements for the polling, with 433 of 531 booths being declared “super sensitive”. Four companies of CRPF were deployed near sensitive booths. The Bihar Military Police and district police personnel were also put into action. |
|
Mamata banking on bete noire to revive fortunes
Patna, April 24 With exit polls predicting the return of the Left front to power for the seventh consecutive term in West Bengal after the ongoing five-phase Assembly elections there, which end on May 8, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee is now depending on her one-time bete noire, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, to alter her fortunes. The public memory is still fresh how the bitter relationship between Ms Banerjee and Mr Kumar spilled over to the roads during the NDA rule in Delhi over the Railways portfolio. Ms Banerjee, who is known for her unpredictable behaviour, did not hesitate to ditch the BJP before the 2001 Assembly election to befriend the Congress. She had resigned as Railway Minister too from the Vajpayee’s Cabinet. This was in spite of the fact that former Prime Minster Atal Bihari Vajpayee took all the trouble to visit her house in Kolkata to see her ailing mother. Besides, it was the BJP that stood by her at the hour of crisis when she was expelled from the Congress after the AICC plenary session in Kolkata in 1997, which led to the formation of the Trinamool Congress. The spectacular show by Ms Banerjee, along with the BJP, in the 1998 and 1999 Lok Sabha elections, by pushing the Congress to a poor third place in West Bengal politics, naturally enthused the BJP leadership’s prospects of putting up an effective fight against the Left front in 2001 Assembly elections, as both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP were then NDA partners. But her apprehension to lose the strong 30 per cent minority voters in the state due to her association with the BJP presumably prompted Ms Banerjee to ditch the saffron brigade just a fortnight before the 2001 Assembly elections. However, her association with the BJP in the 1998 and 1999 Lok Sabha elections did not prevent Ms Banerjee to win more Lok Sabha seats than the Congress. After her abortive bid to dislodge Left from the power in the 2001 Assembly elections, Ms Banerjee again returned to the NDA fold by accusing the Congress of betraying her. But by that time, Mr Vajpayee had decided to hand over the Railways portfolio to Mr Kumar. The decision of Mr Kumar to bifurcate the Eastern Railway by creating East-Central Railway with Hajipur as its headquarter had further strained their relationship. But the success of Mr Kumar to ground the apparently invincible RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav late last year poll prompted Ms Banerjee to bridge the gap with Mr Kumar by attending the swearing-in ceremony of the NDA at Gandhi Maidan on November 24. |
|
Sati baffles Gaya admn
Patna, April 24 Noted social reformer Raja Rammohan Roy had initiated the movement in 19th century to ban “sati”, which finally forced British rulers to promulgate a law banning it. Magadh range DIG Arvind Pandey said he had asked the SP to lodge a case of unnatural death. He said action could not be taken under the Sati Act, as no one had instigated her to become a “sati”. “She did it on her own”, the DIG said. It was learnt that when her family members were asleep after cremating her 82-year-old husband on Thursday night, Sita Devi quietly went to the cremation ground and jumped onto the pyre. Her family members told the police that Sita Devi was a religious woman and wanted to die before her husband. Her husband, Sugriv Prasad, had died after a prolonged illness. The incident created a sensation in the district, even as the administration remained unaware of it till it was reported to it by family members. People started thronging the site where Sita Devi committed “sati” to pay tributes to her. “Even a makeshift temple was raised by villagers overnight to worship the ‘sati mata’,” a senior official said. It may be noted that two years ago, another woman, Rukia Devi (80), had committed “sati” in Shakardiha village of Samastipur district. |
| 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 | |
New Delhi, April 24
