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37 Kargil widows yet to get LPG dealerships
Goa faces Qaida threat, warns Israel
5 killed in mishap at Infosys
China occupying 38,000 sq km in J&K: Pranab
Cong MPs corner FM on ATM tax |
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Cong, Left anti-labour, says BJP
Kashmiri pandits to be compensated: Patil
Loan scam: Death wish by 900 MP farmers
Reddy’s clarification on land holdings
India, Pakistan
sign shipping protocol
Poor father wants mercy killing of ailing son
A grand alliance in the making in UP!
Archival collection has pride of place at IIT, Roorkee
Andhra CM clarifies
Satyagraha centenary
Women to pay half fare on Rajasthan buses
First fragrant stamp released
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CITU bandh paralyses life in West Bengal
Kolkata, December 14 Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, on her 11th day of fasting along with several workers and supporters, observed "black day" on the Singur issue, supporting the cause of the bandh. The 24-hour industrial bandh, which the CPM and all other Left parties actively supported, was a complete success.Rail, road and air services were disrupted, and all offices, banks and educational institutions were closed. The bandh was also observed at the Calcutta port and tea gardens. Even medicine shops and emergency works in hospitals were affected. The Chief Minister's much-talked about IT sector was also not spared, where only some BPOs and call-centres could function, while most of the software and other IT units were either closed or were non-functional because of non-attendance of employees. Mr Bhattacharjee , however, claimed that there were normal activities in the IT sector. But CITU's state president Shyamal Chakraborty said normal works were affected in the IT sector, though there was no resistance to the willing workers. He claimed that the bandh was a total success, as people from all walks of life responded to the bandh call spontaneously. The state Transport Minister, Mr Subhas Chakraborty, who is also the CITU's vice-president, admitted that no buses, taxis and other vehicles could be operated in the IT sector and elsewhere in the city and the districts since the drivers and the conductors were on strike. At Writers Buildings, only the Chief Minister and a few secretaries were present for some time in the morning. They all reached the office in police vehicles.
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37 Kargil widows yet to get LPG dealerships
New Delhi, December 14 Unavailability of suitable land at the location selected by the allottees and non-issuance of necessary clearance from various statutory authorities are some of the hindrances, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dinsha Patel said in a written reply. On whether irregularities in allotment of petrol stations and LPG agencies to dependents of Kargil martyrs had come to the notice of the government or not, Mr Patel denied having received any such complaints. He said all eligible beneficiaries under the Kargil scheme had been allotted retail outlets or LPG agencies through issuance of Letter of Intent by public sector oil marketing companies. However, as on November 30, 28 retail outlet dealerships and nine LPG distributorships allotted to such dependents were pending commissioning, he said. Since the matter was beyond the control of the ministry it was not possible to give a time-frame for commissioning these pending cases, he added.
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Goa faces Qaida threat, warns Israel Mumbai, December 14 More than a lakh tourists from Israel and Europe were expected to converge on Goa from December till the first week of January before Wednesday's warning from Israel. Israel's Anti-Terrorist Unit, the elite Elkana Har Nof, has asked its nationals to stay away from Goa between Christmas and New Year after intelligence reports indicated a possible attack by Al-Qaida. At least 25,000 Israelis were expected to be in Goa in December and January. "Those travelling to Goa in the next few weeks will be under serious threat of attacks. The National Security Council Counter-Terrorism HQ recommends that Israeli citizens avoid "as much as possible " staying at sites in the Goa during the upcoming weeks", the travel advisory warned. The trance or rave parties in north Goa fuelled by drugs which go on all night are an important attraction. Though these parties are officially banned, most of them continue illegally at secluded beaches with the help of the police and local officials. Israeli tourists stand out in Goa since most of them are uncomfortable in languages other than Hebrew. Most hotels and restaurants in the Calangute, Baga, Candolim belt have signboards in Hebrew with locals who converse fluently in that tongue. The past decade has seen operatives of Mossad frequently visit Goa to keep track of the young visitors from Israel. According to Goa police sources, the Israeli intelligence agency has always been concerned about drug usage among the tourists from Israel. Indian intelligence agencies are worried about reports that Al-Qaida operatives have carried out dry runs in Goa. In a statement, Goa's DIG Ujjwal Mishra sought to assuage fears of terror attacks. The security has been tightened, Mishra told reporters in Goa today. He noted that several companies of the Central Industrial Security Force had been pressed in as a security measure. The terror threat, first reported by The Tribune, last month, has resulted in contingents of security personnel frisking tourists in popular night clubs like Titos. According to Mishra, the Goa police have begun a verification drive to check the antecedents of people who rent houses and cottages across the state. The government also banned the sale of used vehicles as a precautionary measure. However, the local continue to rent two-wheelers and four-wheelers for between Rs 300 and Rs 800 a day.
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5 killed in mishap at Infosys
Bangalore, December 14 The scaffolding, which had been put up to install glass panes of a multi-storey building coming up on the campus, came apart when it was being dismantled. Debris, including iron bars and platforms, rained down on labourers working at lower levels of the scaffolding. The injured were initially shifted to Sparsha Hospital in Hebbagodi and later to St John's Hospital. While one person succumbed to his injuries on the spot, the others died at the hospital. Among the injured, one of the survivors had incurred spinal injuries rendering him permanently disabled. An Infosys spokesman termed the accident as unusual and unfortunate, saying all standard safety norms were being followed. He said the company would cooperate with investigations. He said medical care was being provided to the injured by the company.
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China occupying 38,000 sq km in J&K: Pranab
New Delhi, December 14 In addition, under the so-called Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 Square Kms of Indian territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to China, the Minister said in a written reply to a question. Replying to another question, Mr Mukherjee said Pakistan had no agreed to India’s proposal on opening Munabao-Khokhrapar rail sector for trade. On an average about 10-12 freight trains run between the two countries in a month through existing Attari-Wagah rail link. Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed said India was contemplating on issuing multi-entry visa for five years for foreign tourists and traders. Accordingly, he said, the government has already decided to grant such a visa to nationals of 18 countries, France, Germany, Luxumbourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Vietnam. On nuclear energy plants Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Prithviraj Chavan today informed the Rajya Sabha that an amendment to Atomic Energy Act 1962 would be required to enable private sector participation in nuclear power generation and no final decision has been taken in this matter. — TNS
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Cong MPs corner FM on ATM tax New Delhi, December 14 The Minister’s decision to impose the tax had elicited strong criticism from the Opposition and the general public in the past, but it is the first time that Congress MPs have spoken up so vociferously for its withdrawal. They argued that there was no justification for continuation of levy of the tax on customers for withdrawing cash from banks. This demand was made at the first pre-Budget consultation of Congress MPs with Mr Chidambaram, where the Minister was also urged to reduce the interest rate on farm loans from 7 to 4 per cent, as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission report. They expressed concern over the stagnation in the agriculture sector, continuing suicide by farmers, and escalation in prices of inputs; and suggested that the next should Budget provide a special package for the crisis-ridden farm sector. Speakers also came up with state and region-specific demands, with MPs from the North-East seeking a higher budgetary allocation for their region and those from the southern states making a strong pitch for a special insurance cover for coconut pickers. Today’s meeting was inconclusive and will now be reconvened on Monday morning when Mr Chidambaram is expected to respond to the concerns and queries raised by the Congress MPs. This meeting was
organised following a suggestion from Congress president Sonia Gandhi in her speech at the parliamentary party meeting. She had also said party MPs should interact with ministers handling the UPA government’s flagship programmes, which would enable them to propagate these achievements to the people. Besides drawing attention to the problems in the farm sector, speakers expressed concern over the soaring prices of essential commodities like wheat, cooking oil and pulses and wanted the Finance Minister to take corrective measures. They suggested that steps be taken to ensure better supply management and curb on hoarding of these commodities. Similar concern over rising prices was expressed at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) two days ago when senior leaders had pointed out to the hardship it was causing to the common man. Mr Chidambaram had admitted on an earlier occasion that inflation was a worrying factor in a growing economy.
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Cong, Left anti-labour, says BJP New Delhi, December 14 "This government has come into minority after its own supporting parties were criticising its anti-labour and anti-farmer policies", BJP Parliamentary Party spokesman V.K. Malhotra said. Asking the government to take note of the nation-wide strike which paralysed services, including air and rail, Prof Malhotra said, "Its impact was felt everywhere, including in West Bengal, where there was a total bandh". Holding the Left parties largely responsible for the present mess and anti-work stance of the government, he said these parties were merely offering lip sympathies for labour and workers while it was continuing its support to the UPA at the Centre. These double standards would not work anymore and the Left parties must decide their stand. If they really thought that the policies had failed to protect the worker's interest, they must withdraw support to the government, he stressed. Moreover, they would also have to set its own house in order in West Bengal where the Left government was opening up to foreign investments and promoting privatisation of services like water and electricity, whereas it was crying foul elsewhere, he said referring to land allotment to Tata Motors in
Singur.
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Kashmiri pandits to be compensated: Patil
New Delhi, December 14 “We will compensate them as per law for the properties of Kashmiri pandits taken by the state government,” Home Minister Shivraj Patil said in his reply to the calling attention motion. Replying to the motion tabled by BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Patil said: "The situation in the state has improved on account of sincere efforts of the security forces and efforts of the government and above all, the people's yearning for peace and normalcy." Malhotra wanted to know what steps the government had taken to mitigate the problems of the Kashmiri pandits. Patil admitted that some pandits were still suffering, but assured the Lok Sabha that attempts were being made to help them live more a secured and peaceful life. "After the Nadimarg massacre in March, 2003, some families (of Kashmiri pandits) migrated from Kashmir to Jammu. There has been no large scale migration after 1990-91," he said. He said the financial assistance being provided to Kashmiri migrants in Jammu and Delhi was being raised to Rs 4,000 per family from Rs 3,000 and 3,200 from July 1, 2006. Patil said the government had approved Rs 20 crore for the construction of 200 flats at Sheikhpora in Budgam district to help the migrants who wanted to return to the valley. He said 5,242 two-room tenements had been planned for all families residing in the camps in Jammu of which construction of 1,024 had already started in the first phase. He said a grant of Rs 10 crore had been provided to the state government for the reconstruction and renovation of houses and shrines at Kheer Bhavani and Mattan. However, the NDA was dissatisfied with the Centre's response and staged a noisy walkout from the Lok Sabha. Leading the walkout, Malhotra said what the pandits had undergone was nothing short of a “genocide, ethnic cleansing.” He took a pot shot at the Congress president Sonia Gandhi for describing the violence that erupted following the Godhra incident as a “genocide.” Malhotra said not a single family moved out of Gujarat and asked if that was “genocide”, how would she describe the internal displacement of Kashmiri pandits.
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Loan scam: Death wish by 900 MP farmers
Hoshangabad, December 14 The farmers, who procured loan for seeds and fertilisers in 2003-04, have sent a letter to the Collector protesting that they were being made scapegoats declaring them as defaulters while the majority had repaid the loan with interest. Ashutosh Sharan Tiwari, a farmer of Rampur, said the bank had not made proper entries. There was no proper entry of deposits and loan repayments by which many innocent farmers were shown as defaulters and their assets impounded by the local administration. Bhaiyyalal Yadav of Pahanvarki village said his tractor was impounded despite repayment of entire loan. Interpolation in accounts showed that a loanee availed 100 bags of fertiliser, while in fact he took only 10 bags. The District Registrar Cooperatives, who conducted a probe, said the bungling was to the tune of several lakh of rupees. Hoshangabad Collector Faiz Ahmed Kidwai directed the police to register an FIR and take action against the guilty, while the District Cooperative Bank General Manager also set up a committee to inquire into the matter.
— UNI
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Reddy’s clarification on land holdings
Hyderabad, December 14 Mr Reddy’s volte-face came after Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao tabled a statement on ceiling lands in possession of the Chief Minister. In the statement, the government said Mr Reddy and family members had surrendered 310.57 acres, which was assigned land. “They (Mr Reddy and his family members) have purchased lands by way of registered documents not knowing the fact that they are assigned lands,” the government statement said. When the opposition parties unanimously demanded the Chief Minister to clarify the issue, Mr Reddy said he had mistakenly mentioned the number as 618 acres. “The total extent of land our family owned in our native Pulivendula is only 614 acres, out of which only 310 acres was government land, and hence surrendered. My share in this land is only 10.11 acres,” he said. Though the government tried to take cover saying that only statements made in the Assembly were authentic, the opposition parties, including the TDP, TRS, Left and the BJP, mounted a concerted attack on the Chief Minister, insisting for his resignation. While TDP senior leader Rajeswara Rao said Mr Reddy could not continue in the chair after having violated the law of the land. TRS floor leader G Vijayarama Rao alleged that Mr Reddy did not mention his farm land details in his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission in 2004 elections, and hence should be prosecuted.
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India, Pakistan
sign shipping protocol New Delhi, December 14 The revised protocol was signed by Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R.Baalu (on behalf of India) and Senator Babar Khan Ghauri, Minister for Ports and Shipping (on behalf of Pakistan), here at a brief ceremony. The revised protocol replaces the protocol on the resumption of shipping services signed by India and Pakistan in 1975 which restricted the lifting of cargo destined to the other country by the vessels belonging to India and Pakistan only. The protocol removes restrictions on the lifting of third country cargo by Indian and Pakistani vessels from each other’s ports.
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Poor father wants mercy killing of ailing son
Kanpur, December 14 Praveen Kumar (20), son of Suresh Bajpai, has developed excess flesh on his face which chokes his respiratory tract, thereby threatening his life. Praveen has been on bed for the last one year. Bajpai, who sold his house for Praveen’s treatment and took him to Lucknow and Delhi hospitals, said he was unable to bear the expenses. “Doctors in Delhi said that it would require Rs 15-20 lakh for his treatment,” he said. Bajpai said he had sent applications to the District Magistrate, the state CM and the PM seeking their help but there was no response.
— PTI
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A grand alliance in the making in UP!
Lucknow, December 14 Speaking to the mediapersons after attending a state-level seminar on the Uttar Pradesh political scenario, the veteran politician and Rajya Sabha MP said, “Only such a strategic alliance could present a viable alternative in Uttar Pradesh today”. Even before Mr Anwar articulated this possible tactical alliance, which he said had been spelt out at the recent NCP convention at Dehra Dun, an inkling of something developing on this front could be discerned when UPCC vice-president Siraj Mehdi briefly appeared at the function and shared the dais with the other Jan Morcha partners. Mr Anwar asserted that there was a need to widen the Jan Morcha alliance in order to make it practical alternative to the SP, BSP and the BJP in the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in the state. He said both the Congress and the RLD should accept that they were not robust enough to come to power on their own. “Under such circumstances it was the duty of all like-minded parties to unite on issues and policies and present the voter with a viable alternative.” According to him, the spadework for this had already begun in Delhi. And it was just a matter of time that things would fall into place.
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Archival collection has pride of place at IIT, Roorkee
Roorkee, December 14 Prof S.C. Saxena, Director, IIT, Roorkee, delivered the inaugural address yesterday. Prof Saxena said the library of this institute was established in 1848 as ‘college library’. It was renamed as Central Library in 1862 after the collection of Adiscombe College, London Library and Ganga Canal Library was merged into it. Starting with a few hundred books, the library now has a collection of more than three lakh books and it subscribes to more than 800 print and 8,000 online journals. While on one hand it was proud of its archival collection on the other hand it utilised the latest information technology in its functioning. He said being one of the oldest technical libraries in India, the pride of this library was in its archival and extensive collection. Its collection was unique in itself, having the possession of 17th, 18th and 19th century published rare and out of print documents to the latest digitised form of information resources. Its collection was especially strong in sciences and engineering. However, humanities and social science had got due attention. The total collection of books and journals had gone up to 3,10,000 out of which about 47,000 were bound volumes of journals, 12,000 archival collection, 11,000 dissertations, 1900 theses, 450 videos and 400 CDs/floppies. Library also subscribes to 13 databases in CD/Online format. The Library was spending Rs 6 crore annually to acquire documents. Prof Saxena said the new library building would provide state of art facilities. Its reading rooms would be kept open for 24 hours. It would have latest information technologies incorporated. Mr Yogendra Singh, organising secretary of the conference, proposed a vote of thanks. Prof S.B. Ghosh, president, IASLIC, emphasised the need of strengthening the membership of the association so that further work to liaise with the industry and academic institutes may be strengthened. Dr Sushant Banerjee was given the Best Librarian award and Mr Ashutosh Gopal Rai Hoshi was given the Best Paper Award for 2005-06. Dr Sathyanarayana stressed the need for conversion and appealed to the participants that both IASLIC and SIS be merged to enable them work in a better way.
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Andhra CM clarifies
Hyderabad, December 14 Mr Reddy’s volte-face came after Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao tabled a statement on ceiling lands in possession of the Chief Minister. In the statement, the government said Mr Reddy and family members had surrendered 310.57 acres, which was assigned land. “They (Mr Reddy and his family members) have purchased lands by way of registered documents not knowing the fact that they are assigned lands,” the government statement said. When the opposition parties unanimously demanded the Chief Minister to clarify the issue, Mr Reddy said he had mistakenly mentioned the number as 618 acres.
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Satyagraha centenary
New Delhi, December 14 Being organised by the Congress as a major event in the commemorative programme, the conference will be chaired by party president Sonia Gandhi and addressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, according to Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Convenor of the Organising Committee Anand Sharma.
Mr Sharma told reporters here that the conference had generated global interest. Several Heads of States and Governments, 29 Ministers and leadership delegations from more than 54 countries had confirmed their participation.
— UNI
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Women to pay half fare on Rajasthan buses
Jaipur, December 14 She was speaking after laying the foundation for an international bus terminal at Mansarovar yesterday. Ms Raje said the Centre had sanctioned Rs 450 crore for a bus rapid transport system (BRTS) to ease the traffic woes of the city. The bus terminal to come up over 50,000 sq m of land, is a joint venture of HUDCO and the RSRTC and would be completed within two years. The RSRTC would execute the project.
— PTI
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First fragrant stamp released
New Delhi, December 14 The stamp with sandalwood fragrance, which costs Rs 15, was released by IT and Communication Minister Dayanidhi Maran at a function organised by the Department of Posts. “Very few countries have scented postage stamps. Thailand has a stamp that smells of jasmine and Switzerland has a stamp that smells of chocolate. It is good that India Post is thinking out of the box,” Mr Maran said.
— PTI
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Minister booked for slapping Three held for cheating bank Youth commits suicide Two robbers killed
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