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BJP justifies death for Afzal
Crucial UPA-Left panel meeting on
October 4 Congress opts for middle path |
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BJP backs MP Govt’s order
on RSS
SC reprieve for small Delhi traders
SEZs: Pawar for due returns to farmers
Kalam, PM extend Dasehra greetings
5 convicted for arms training in Pak
Convicts’ paintings on display at exhibition
Anticipatory bail for Vikramjit
Zameer Shah is deputy Army chief
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BJP justifies death for Afzal
New Delhi, September 29 “The apex court has awarded this punishment (to Guru) after a three-tier judicial scrutiny. The exercise of power of pardon lies with the government. We would like to know what the government has to say about it,” BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told newspersons here. Mr Prasad warned against any decision based on political considerations. Reacting to reports about the demand of presidential pardon for the terrorist, Mr Prasad said in India the capital punishment was duly recognised as a mode of punishment given in the rarest of rare cases. “Terrorism means senseless killing of innocent people and an attack on Parliament means an attack on India
itself. Therefore, the apex court had taken the decision after a three-tier judicial scrutiny.” Mr Prasad said the response to the larger issue of terrorism should not be inspired by petty politics. Meanwhile, BJP minority morcha president Tanvir Haider Usmani condemned Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s reported efforts to get remission in the sentence of Afzal. He said such kind of gestures by Mr Azad and the Congress towards terrorists would encourage anti-national forces. Mr Usmani charged the UPA government with compromising with national security by pursuing an appeasement policy for petty political gains and said it was evident from its decision of scrapping POTA and alliance with Naxals in AP. In his comments, BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi condemned the PDP’s mercy calls for Guru. “Such voices show that the Congress and its supporters have a soft approach towards terrorists and separatists,” Mr Naqvi said. He flayed the Congress for seeking reimposition of the ban on Madhya Pradesh Government employees from participating in RSS activities. “It’s unfortunate that the Congress has a soft approach towards anti-national forces and it takes a hostile stance against patriotic organisations like the RSS,” he said.
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Crucial UPA-Left panel meeting on
October 4
New Delhi, September 29 The Left parties said it would decide the future course of action after hearing the government’s response on it. Left trade unions have announced plans for a nationwide industrial strike on December 14 on various issues. It would be interesting to see if the NCP and other allies in the UPA also take part in the meeting. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP, at its recent national working committee meeting, had asked the UPA to include
the party as well as other smaller constituents of the alliance in the coordination committee it had formed with the Left parties. Party’s national general secretary D.P. Tripathi said “without the participation of smaller parties, the UPA-Left coordination committee remains dominated by the Congress alone. There is need to make it more broad-based and democratic and that would not be possible without involving the non-Congress smaller parties, including the NCP.” The note, submitted by the Left parties at the last UPA-Left meeting on June 15, criticised the Congress-led coalition on several counts, mainly the “disinvestment spree”, new liberal economic policies, attempts to usher in flexible labour laws, failure to check the unabated spate of farmers’ suicides and a “pro-US” foreign policy. The nine-page note, submitted to the government, had stated that after the passage of two years of the UPA government, the people were yet to realise that their material conditions were changing for the better. The note also suggested several proposals for mobilisation of resources, like re-introduction of long-term capital gains tax, raising of securities transaction tax, rationalisation of tax exemptions and incentives to the corporate sector, increasing wealth tax and introduction of inheritance tax.
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Congress opts for middle path New Delhi, September 29 Unable to endorse the BJP’s jingoistic line, the Congress also distanced itself from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s plea for a presidential pardon for the convict, Mohammad Afzal Guru. “We neither endorse nor reject the Chief Minister’s viewpoint,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told mediapersons, adding that this was his personal opinion. Faced with a volley of questions on Mr Azad’s letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention in the matter, Mr Singhvi declined to make any value judgement. He maintained that as far as the Congress was concerned, this matter was now within the exclusive domain of the President. “The matter is governed by a special constitutional provision and an individual viewpoint would serve an input in the process of decision making,” Mr Singhvi said. The middle path adopted by the Congress is a clear indication of the dilemma it faces on this sensitive issue. It cannot go along with Mr Azad’s opinion lest it is accused of being soft in tackling terrorism. On the other hand, it cannot openly differ with his stance as the court’s order has led to violent protests in several parts of the Kashmir valley which are threatening to spiral out of control. Congress insiders admitted that it was precisely for this reason that the party decided not to go into the politics of the issue but take a legalistic stand instead. There is, however, a growing perception in the party that the world’s largest democracy cannot afford to show any leniency when it comes to an attack on the country’s Parliament.
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BJP backs MP Govt’s order
on RSS
New Delhi, September 29 “The Madhya Pradesh government has carried out this move after a careful thought. There can be a ban on government employees from becoming members of political parties but so far as the RSS is concerned, it is the world’s largest socio-cultural organisation and there should be no ban on participating in its activities,” BJP chief Rajnath Singh told mediapersons here. His comments came in the wake of Ms Gandhi’s petition to the President seeking his intervention to restore the bar on the state government employees from participating in sangh activities.
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SC reprieve for small Delhi traders
New Delhi, September 29 This was directed by a Bench of Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal, Mr Justice C.K. Thakker and Mr Justice R.V. Raveendran while providing relief to small traders by differentiating 22 categories of trades from big businesses and permitted them to continue with their shops. But they were directed to register their shops by December 31. However, as an interim measure, the big businessmen having their shops in the 2,200 roads brought under the mixed land use plan in the September 7 notification by the Centre, the court directed that their venture would not be sealed till final decision on the validity of the Delhi Laws (Special Provision) Act, 2006 providing one year moratorium on sealing and July 21 and September 7 notifications on mixed land use plan. All big business houses covered by these notifications were directed to furnish affidavits before the monitoring committee appointed by the court to undertake that they would close their ventures if the Act and the notifications were struck down. They were also directed to furnish undertaking during the interim period that they would confine their activities to ground floor and furnishing certificates from registered architect that the premises was fit for running business. Accountability of architects has been fixed for giving false certificate. The court directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to resume sealing with immediate effect of those ventures not covered under September 7 notification in a systematic manner and not in a haphazard way. “There shall not be misuse of public land or street. The authorities shall ensure that roads, streets and pathways are kept free for public use and the commercial activities are not extended thereupon,” it ordered. Noting with dismay that the city of Delhi was a classing case of flagrant violation of municipal laws, town planning norms, master plan and environmental laws, the Chief Justice, writing the judgement for the Bench, said, “The governments are restrained from issuing any other notification for the conversion of residential user into commercial user except with the leave of this court”. Virtually indicting the government for giving scant regard to the judicial directions aimed at cleansing the city, the court said there was no effect of its several orders issued on the authorities and the same was the fate of the Delhi High Court directions. “There was no implementation…such large-scale misuse cannot take place without the connivance of the officers who will have to show as to what effective steps were taken to stop the misuse,” the court said, making it clear that the guilty officials would not be let off easily and the issue of their accountability would be taken up later. The monitoring committee was directed to submit a report about the sealed ventures by next hearing fixed in November when the court would consider applications of professionals like lawyers, doctors and chartered accountants whether to permit them to continue with their offices in the residential areas. In the final conclusion, the court expressed hope that both Centre and the NCT government would rise above and without any further loss of time instead of adopting ad hoc approach, would take concrete action for proper planning of the Capital keeping in mind the interests of lakhs of residents. |
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SEZs: Pawar for due returns to farmers
New Delhi, September 29 “Farmers should get a proper price for parting with their landholding rights,” Mr Pawar said, echoing views expressed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The process of land acquisition should not hamper the interests of the farmers, he added. “We have clarified our ministry’s stand to the Commerce Ministry on the issue of acquiring agricultural land for the purpose of setting up SEZs,” he said. The minister, however, said the whole process of getting land for SEZs should be carried forward once a farmer willingly accepted the terms and conditions, not otherwise. Calling for a review of the SEZ Act and rules, CPM general secretary Prakash Karat said these zones provided large tracts of land to be acquired and handed over to promoter companies. This would lead to large-scale displacement of farmers, meagre compensation and no alternative means of livelihood. Promoters were getting land cheaply and were going to make their fortunes out of real estate development and speculation. “Although the Act states the minimum acres required for an SEZ, the Act does not set a maximum limit, which needs to be defined. The land use states 25 per cent for industry and 75 per cent for infrastructure development. This has to be changed to 50 per cent for industry, 25 per cent for infrastructure and 25 per cent for other use,” he said. CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan said: “A new breed of ‘mansabdars’ and ‘zamindars’ are being created by the government under a legalised framework of the SEZ Act and a misinterpretation of the Land Acquisition Act. Everywhere, the state is resorting to coercion against the poor and the farmers to help business houses.”
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Kalam, PM extend Dasehra greetings
New Delhi, September 29 In their messages, they have said that festivals should inspire people to work for the unity of the nation and humanity. Extending his greetings for citizens’ happiness and prosperity on Durga Puja, Dr Kalam said Durga Puja, the festival of triumph of good over evil, should inspire us to turn away from all that divides and destroys. “This festival has to inspire us to work for the unity and wellbeing of humanity and the nation,” the President said. While Dr Manmohan Singh said, “These festivals signify the triumph of righteousness over evil and through this profound message inspire the humanity to lead a pious, virtuous and noble life”.
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5 convicted for arms training in Pak Mumbai, September 29 The five men who were out on bail appeared before the court today where their bail bonds were cancelled. They were taken into custody as soon as the verdict was announced. All five have been charged with travelling to Pakistan via Dubai between February and March, 1993, where they obtained training in arms and explosives. Judge Pramod Kode held the five guilty under Section 120b of the Indian Penal Code (conspiracy) and Section 3 (3) of TADA (P) (aiding and abetting terrorists acts).
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Convicts’ paintings on display at exhibition
Bhopal, September 29 Ranging from everyday matters to the religious and philosophical realms, the creations are by Santosh Lodhi (24), Bharat (26), Vishnu Rajak (26), Rajesh Batham (31), Lakshman Raikwar (35), Amar (35) and Suresh Adivasi Thakur (41) — all of them serving life terms — and Rajmal Mehra (36) who is serving a 10-year sentence under the NDPS Act. ‘’While painting “puja” (three women absorbed in prayer), I was inspired by the culture of Tulsi worship while in “atript” (woman bearing a pitcher next to a well) I wanted to show that a person is dissatisfied despite having everything,’’ Batham, who was among the convicts present at the inauguration of “Salakhon Mein Srijan” last evening, told UNI. His “Drishya” depicts the strong sun after spring departs, while “Ras” shows gopikas enamoured by the mischievous cowherd god of Vrajbhumi, “Skha” has Krishna seeking gopikas hiding in tall grass and in “Leela” Madhusudan has stolen the clothes of bathing gopikas. “I feel very good about this exhibition. Prison Superintendent Gopal Tamrakar has even arranged for us to learn making canvases. I belong to Bhopal, my family knows that the exhibition is taking place and they will come,’’ says Batham. The event was inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Jails Minister Antar Singh Arya while Minister of State for Culture Lakshmikant Sharma was the chief guest.
— UNI
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Anticipatory bail for Vikramjit
Kochi, September 29 Justice J.M. James ordered that if the state police or Maharashtra police arrested Vikramjit, he should be released on bail on executing bond for Rs 25,000 with two solvent sureties for like sum. CHANDIGARH: The Counsel for Dr Jasleen Virk, who had gone from Chandigarh to argue the case in the Kerala High Court, said the court has been informed that a one-time settlement was being worked out. Speaking over phone from Kochi, he said the settlement will be worked out and the court has to be informed about the progress and the next date of hearing was October 4. It is likely that both the parties will part ways amicably. The Court may grant more time for the process to be completed. The Judge was of the opinion that since talks have been initiated between the two sides it would need some time hence the bail was granted to Dr Virk’s husband, Mr Vikramjit Singh. Dr Virk has also sought that her material belongings may be returned, the counsel said.
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Zameer Shah is deputy Army chief
New Delhi, September 29 General Shah, an alumnus of St Joseph’s College, Nainital, was commissioned in June 1968 into the 185 Light Regiment (Camel Pack). He had participated in the counter insurgency operations in the North-East and Punjab. During Operation Parakram, he commanded the 54 Infantry Division and subsequently commanded the Bengal Area and 3 Corps in the North-East. General Gangadharan joined the NDA (33rd course) and was commissioned into the 4th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry on December 21, 1968 from the IMA. |
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