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Women’s Bill hits roadblock
Arunachal issue: Government gags L. K. Advani
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TUs attack govt’s policies
Karuna threatens to boycott talks
Sonia to seek divine blessings
UP elections likely in April-May
Be on guard against terror, PM tells top cops
A Bihari who chews snakes!
SC convicts 3 of schoolgirl’s rape
BJP to elect party head on Nov 27
‘Follow Guru Teg Bahadur’s teachings’
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Women’s Bill hits roadblock
New Delhi, November 23 Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and long time critic of the Bill, who had given his consent to the introduction of the legislation at last night’s meeting of the UPA-Left coordination committee, backed off today. He led a delegation of his party MPs to External Affairs Minister and Lok Sabha leader Pranab Mukherjee today and said that all-party meeting be convened to discuss the issue, clearly suggesting that the government will have problems even in introduction of the Bill which has met with stiff resistance for the last 10 years. While UPA allies stuck a discordant note, the Centre’s announcement was also opposed by the Samajwadi Party, who endorsed the RJD suggestion that the Bill be amended to include a sub-quota for women from Backward Classes and
minorities.However, there was support from DMK and Ramvilas Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party. Trouble arose this morning when Mr Lalu Prasad and his MPs met Mr Pranab Mukherjee. Although the Railway Minister brushed merely described this meeting as an "internal matter", his party colleague and senior leader Devendra Prasad Yadav told mediapersons later that the RJD had not deviated from its old stand of quota within quota. "Lalu Prasad cannot go against the party stand," Mr Yadav remarked when told that it was the RJD chief who had initiated the move for the introduction of Bill in the current session of Parliament at last night’s meeting. The RJD MP demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh must convene an all-party meting to forge a consensus on this issue measure, adding that it will be difficult to introduce the Bill if there was no unanimity on it. Besides its own party and the Samajwadi Party, he said, the Janata Dal (U) and the BSP were also opposed to the Bill in its present form. Besides, Mr Yadav added that members from all political parties, including the Congress, had voiced their concern on this issue in private. With the Left parties mounting pressure for the early introduction of the Bill, the
government has been making all-out efforts to wear down the resistance of its
opponents. Congress sources said it was only after the RJD chief gave his consent that the government made an official announcement on bringing the Bill in this session. The RJD is the second largest partner of the ruling alliance while the Samajwadi Party with 40 MPs supports the UPA from outside.
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Hu visits Kotnis kin
Mumbai, November 23 "The Indo-Chinese friendship has been strengthened by the contribution of late Dr Dwarkadas Kotnis, who rendered humanitarian help in China", Hu told the Chief Minister. Later President Hu met with the relatives of the late Dr Dwarakanath Kotnis, including his two sisters and other relatives. After the meeting, Vatsala Kotnis (79) told reporters that the Chinese President paid rich tributes to Kotnis. "He said Kotnis would always be a bridge between China and India," she told reporters outside the hotel. The Kotnis family gifted a biography of Kotnis, written by his brother Mangesh Kotnis, a CD of the movie ‘Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani’ and handloom bedspreads from Solapur, Kotnis's native place, to Mr Jintao. The visiting President gifted the Kotnis family an album of rare photographs of Kotnis when he was in China.
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Arunachal issue: Government gags L. K. Advani
New Delhi, November 23 Briefing newspersons, Mr Advani said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi had approached him late last night after the committee cleared the raising of the issue in the House for today, saying that it would not be proper to have such a discussion when Chinese President Hu Jintao was still in the country. The former Deputy Prime Minister accepted the suggestion provided the government agreed to pass a unanimous resolution in both Houses of Parliament, reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India. Mr Dasmunsi promised to get back to him after having discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, but he never contacted him again. He said he failed to comprehend the hesitation on part of the Indian Government to pass such a resolution after the Chinese Ambassador claimed the whole of Arunachal Pradesh belonged to the northern neighbour. Mr Advani said during his yesterday's meeting with Mr Hu he wondered how the diplomat could raise such an issue ahead of the visit of the President of his country. “But I will not give out the comments of the Chinese President,” he said. During his meeting with Mr Hu he appreciated the Chinese attitude towards resolving the outstanding issues between the two countries. India’s position had been convincingly expressed by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in the discussions that followed after the Chinese aggression and withdrawal in 1962. The British considered NEFA as their frontier to the MacMohan Line that separated Tibet from China but they did not have full-fledge apparatus there. After the Independence, India not only tried to introduce administration but also administered schools, hospitals and roads, and this was interpreted by China as India occupying those portions, he added. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Jaswant Singh, who was a uniformed officer in NEFA during the Chinese invasion, said there was no dispute between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh. The dispute was on actually where the MacMohan Line was on the ground and the discussion between the two sides was on the delineation. There is already a unanimous and categorical resolution passed on November 8, 1962, in Parliament, he added.
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TUs attack govt’s policies New Delhi, November 23 All the pet themes of the Left party, including demand for land reforms, check on price rise and revoking the ban on recruitment figured during the speeches of leaders as hundreds of activists of the All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh (BKMS) marched towards Parliament. “People from across the country have descended here not for sightseeing. They have come here to fight. We are serving a notice to the government. If the government did not listen to these voices, they will have to face us on the streets,” CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan said in his address. Reminding the coalition that it was running with the support of the Left, he said the UPA had to run the government keeping in mind the aspirations and needs of the farmers and working class.
— PTI
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Karuna threatens to boycott talks
Chennai, November 23 In a letter, Mr Karunanidhi wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his immediate intervention. Though the 110-year-old dam is owned and maintained by Tamil Nadu but it is situated in Kerala. As such, Mr Karunanidhi alleged that Kerala had acted unilaterally without taking permission from Tamil Nadu and added that he was at a loss to understand as to how the Navy could act without the Centre's knowledge. He said, "Any activity of this type is not in order when the Supreme Court itself has categorically observed that the dam is safe to store water up to 142 ft." The Kerala Government's contention is that if the water level is raised above 138 ft, it might flood several neighbouring villages in the state. "The intimidating and precipitating action of the Kerala Government just before the talks between the two states under the auspices of the Centre is totally unwarranted and uncalled for," Mr Karunanidhi said. Mr Achutanandan said in no case would his government allow the water level in the dam to be raised above 138 ft. Reacting to these remarks, Mr Karunanidhi said, "They were irresponsible, provocative and against national integration." "Their remarks may create hurdles in the talks and may sow seeds of hatred between the people of the two states," he said. The attitude of both the state governments has put Dr Manmohan Singh in a spot as there are 13 Union Ministers from Tamil Nadu in his Cabinet while the UPA government also needs the support of Left parties which are in power in Kerala. He said Mr Achuthanandan's reported remarks that he would not allow the water-storage level to be raised even by an inch and the protests staged when Tamil Nadu Minister Durai Murugan went to the dam site recently were "improper" and would not help the cause of national integration. "Under these circumstances, what is the use in participating in the talks," he remarked. In his letter, Mr Karunanidhi said it was learnt that based on the Kerala Government's request, naval officers from Cochin naval base were at the dam with some instruments to check it. He said if the Centre did not intervene immediately to stop the "unlawful" activities of Kerala, it was not possible for Tamil Nadu to participate in the dialogue and the state might approach the Supreme Court directly for justice. The apex court had earlier directed both the governments to settle the issue through talks.
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Sonia to seek divine blessings
New Delhi, November 23 Although Congress leaders maintain that she is primarily going for this programme, her visit to Tirupati shrine will undoubtedly be the highlight of the trip. Ms Gandhi and her partymen will be hoping that the visit will be able to counter the BJP’s return to its hardline Hindutva agenda, which it used very effectively in the recent local elections in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress has been banking on the return of the upper castes to its fold following reports of their growing disenchantment with the BJP. The Tirupati visit could well be a signal that the Congress will not hesitate to pursue a “soft Hindutva” line, if so required. This is not the first time that Ms Sonia Gandhi will be offering prayers at Tirupati. In 1999 when she had paid obeisance there for the first time, the event had sparked off loud protests from the more conservative elements who had objected to a foreigner being allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum. They were particularly angry as Ms Gandhi did not sign the temple register, a mandatory requirement for non-Hindus offering prayers at the shrine, giving an undertaking that she abides by Hindu philosophy. The controversy, fanned by the Sangh Parivar and the Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP, had threatened to derail her visit. The issue was ultimately resolved and Ms Gandhi was allowed into the temple after it was explained that she was not required to give such an undertaking as she had embraced the religion by virtue of being married to a Hindu. But now that controversy over Ms Gandhi’s foreign origin has been put to rest, her visit to Tirupati shrine promises to be a smooth affair. The fact that Congress is in power in Andhra Pradesh also helps.
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UP elections likely in April-May
Lucknow, November 23 Addressing mediapersons at the conclusion of his hectic day-long trip to the state capital to review the situation, Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswamy said today that he would take a final decision after consulting his two colleagues. He refused to give any assurance on a firm date. “No guesses on that” is all he said when the eager mediapersons flung various dates at him. “I will commit contempt of the Constitution even if I think of going beyond May 14”, he remarked when pressed to give a tentative schedule. Virtually ruling out elections in mid-February as demanded by several political parties even today Gopalaswamy declared that the major problem before the state was of electoral rolls not being ready. He said only after that the rolls were readied and printed that the Election Commission could think of starting the poll process. “Some 49.47 lakh Form 6 applications for inclusion in the electoral rolls are pending. Against this there are 10 lakh applications raising objections to these inclusions. This makes the whole process very complicated. Each objection requires an executive order”. He fixed January 3 as the date by which this initial process would be over, Refusing to divulge details of his talks with the Governor, the Chief Minister, leaders of political parties and state government officials, Mr Gopalaswamy said while two or three parties wanted election between mid-February and mid-March others pointed out that as the UP Board examinations would be conducted in March that time was not suitable. Making no comments on the law and order scenario in the state, he pointed out that he was not here to assess that. Admitting that various political parties had made complaints to him on that score, he, however. clarified that “he did not form opinions on the basis of other people’s assessments.
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IFFI gets off to a flying start
Panaji, November 23 This was followed by a thrilling display of aerobatic skills by Indian Navy aircrafts as the floats culminated at the Campal Ground adjacent to the IFFI venue. Rapid Action Force personnel and Central Reserve Police Force jawans with crowd dispersal gear were seen posted along the float parade route. A van carrying the RAF personnel was leading the float parade as a precautionary measure. A huge and richly decorated peacock float led the parade. Then came the ''Sholay'' float with a man imitating legendary character ''Gabbar Singh'' followed by a gang of dacoits wielding rifles and some mounted on horsebacks. Another float, carrying stills from different films and characters, including Amitabh Bachchan with Shashi Kapoor from the film ''Deewar'', followed by a float resembling that of ''Titanic'' and another looking like a giant camera were the other attractions. Traditional Shigmo dances by boys and girls were performed on the streets. Some of the other floats were traditional dances with the Sun as background calling for preservation of environment and ecology and some floats had fruits of Goa like cashew and banana. Mediapersons had a tough time covering different events as their movements were restricted due to security
reasons. - UNI
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Be on guard against terror, PM tells top cops
New Delhi, November 23 alert and resilient to meet the grave threats posed by terrorism. "Terror in India is no longer centred only on the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Attempts to take this threat to other parts of our country to create fear in the minds of our people are now in evidence," Dr Singh said addressing the All-India Conference of Directors-General/Inspectors-General of Police here today. Asking the security forces not to be complacent and adapt to "new requirements", the Prime Minister said, "I commend our security forces for largely foiling such nefarious plans. But there is no scope for complacency...We cannot be satisfied with the status quo." He also underlined the need for better intelligence gathering and for better coordination between the Centre and states and among states themselves, be it in intelligence sharing or for joint operations. Calling for a more responsive police machinery at the grassroots level which is more gender sensitive, humane and respectful of the rights of citizens, he called for strengthening the civil police at the cutting edge of police station level and for speedy action on police reforms. Earlier, in his welcome address, Intelligence Bureau Chief E.S.L. Narasimhan sought legal protection for security personnel engaged in anti-terror or counter-insurgency operations.
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Ranchi, November 23 Everyday, the 35-year-old black magician, Bhaskaran, relishes a saucer full of snakes, which gives him a strange sense of joy. He does it for his liking for the reptile’s blood. Bhaskaran narrates that it was at the age of seven while he was on his way to school that a cobra appeared before him from somewhere, leaving him completely taken aback with its scary appearance. However, just when it attacked him, he bit it in retaliation and chewed it to the end, saving his life. Since then, Bhaskaran has been eating them without hesitation. In fact, he eats a snake everyday, and claims that he has gobbled up over 10,000 snakes, including different types of cobras and kraits. “I like eating snakes since childhood. Today, it is my habit. Till date I have eaten 10,209, including this one that I just ate. I eat a snake everyday. I can live with 400 snakes,” says Bhaskaran. For Bhaskaran’s family, it remained a hidden reality for seven years initially. It was only when Bhaskaran was 14 that his father got the shocking news about his son’s bizarre taste. - ANI
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SC convicts 3 of schoolgirl’s rape
New Delhi, November 23 The accused, Kalu, alias Mohan Lal, Pyare Lal and Jai Nand, were given five years’ sentence by a Bench of Mr Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Mr Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta and Mr Justice D.K. Jain for rape and five years’ sentence each separately for kidnapping and abduction of a minor on allurement. The trial court had given 10 years’ sentence to the accused for the gangrape and five years’ sentence each for kidnapping and abduction. Fourth accused Rajeev was absconding and could not be nabbed by the police, which the court said was a serious lapse on the part of investigating officials. Finding the High Court order of acquittal as unsustainable even on the faces of clinching medical evidence, which confirmed repeated gangrape of the girl while she was in the clutches of the four between May 30 and June 5, 1996, the apex court restored the conviction but with a reduced sentence for rape. It directed that all accused let off by the High Court be taken into custody and put behind bars and effort be made to nab the fourth accused. The apex court came down heavily on the state police for refusing to lodge an FIR immediately after the adduction of the girl, which was registered only five days after the incident that too when the family of the girl had approached the SSP, Bilaspur. This had allowed the tormentors of the girl to continue on the move between May 30 and June 5, 1996 in a van from one place to another and repeated sexual assault on her. Had a prompt case been registered by the concerned SHO, the girl could have been rescued, the court said. The Himachal Pradesh Government had moved an appeal in the apex court against the High Court order of acquittal. The Supreme Court agreed with Additional Advocate General J.S. Attri that the High Court had completely overlooked the statement of the victim, her medical examination and other evidence and showed complete “insensitivity” to the serious crime of rape against a minor girl barely 14 years of age.
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BJP to elect party head on Nov 27
New Delhi, November 23 BJP National Returning Officer O.P. Kohli today announced the date and timing of scrutiny of nomination papers at 2.30 pm and 4 pm as the time for withdrawal on November 26. The elections, if necessary, will be held on November 27, BJP office secretary Shyam Jaju said. The nomination papers could be filled at the BJP headquarters or at his office.
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‘Follow Guru Teg Bahadur’s teachings’
New Delhi, November 23
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‘Dabbawalas’ for IIM seminar Tension in Amravati |
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