New Delhi, February 25
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has slapped a fine of Rs 25,000 on a pathological laboratory in Patna for giving a wrong blood test report, which led to incorrect treatment of a patient.

“Testing blood type and Rhesus factor (Rh) are basic and fundamental aspects of blood tests and pathological laboratories are required to be extremely careful since the wrong report can make the difference between life and death,” said Justice M.B. Shah, president of the National Consumer Forum.

On Sep 24, 1991, Geeta Singh was found to be two months pregnant by a doctor who asked her to get a routine blood test done.

According to the blood report given by Mayur Laboratories, Geeta’s blood group was Rh Positive A. The doctor treated Geeta on the basis of the report but advised her to abort the foetus after medical problems.

Geeta conceived for a second time but had to undergo an abortion again due to some complications. Later, Geeta had a healthy child.

When she got pregnant for the fourth time, Geeta decided to consult another doctor who also prescribed some blood tests. This time she went to another laboratory for the tests and the report showed that her blood group was Rh Negative.

Geeta’s doctor told her that all the previous complications during her pregnancies were due to the wrong blood test report that led to wrong diagnosis and treatment. She also lost her fourth child since the treatment had already started on the basis of the old report.

Geeta approached the consumer court in Bihar, demanding a compensation of Rs 1 million for the mental and physical suffering she had to undergo due to the wrong blood report.

The state consumer forum dismissed her plea but she appealed to the National Consumer Forum, which gave her relief earlier this month.

“Giving the report in a casual manner has to be condemned since Rh factor plays an extremely important role during pregnancy. A woman is at risk when she has a negative Rh factor, especially when her husband has a positive Rh factor. The wrong diagnosis can lead to haemolytic disease that can cause illness, brain damage and even death of the foetus,” the bench of the National Consumer Forum ruled. 
— IANS

New Delhi, February 25
Indicting the Delhi High Court for quashing a case in the DDA land scam, the charges in which had spilled over to an additional judge of the High Court Shameet Mukherjee, the Supreme Court today ordered revival of criminal proceedings against authority’s commissioner (Land Disposal) A M Sharan.

A Bench of Justices Ashok Bhan and Dalveer Bhandari said that the High Court was not justified in quashing the FIR and the charge sheet against Sharan by using its powers of intervention under Section 482 of the CrPC.

“We accordingly set aside the judgement of the High Court and the CBI would be at liberty to produce necessary material and evidence before (trial) court concerned to establish the case of the prosecution against the respondent,” said the apex court in its 35-page verdict after examining the material on record in detail.

The Bench said that the High Court ought to have “critically” examined whether the allegations made in the FIR and the charge sheet, by taking them on face value and accepted in their entirety if prima facie an offence was made out.

“The High Court must be careful to see that its decision in exercise of 482 CrPC power is based on sound principle. The inherent power should not be exercised to stifle a legitimate prosecution,” the apex court said.

The Bench further reminded that the high courts should refrain from giving “prima facie” decisions in favour of accused persons in a case where all the facts were “incomplete and hazy, more so when evidence has not been collected and produced before the trial court and the issue involved are of such magnitude that they cannot be seen in their true perspective without sufficient material.”

As per the CBI case, a recovery of Rs 36 lakh were made from Sharan’s premises during the investigation of the DDA land scam for which he could not account for properly.

The FIR, registered by the CBI in 2003 had also named the then DDA vice-chairman and several other senior officers. They were accused of entering into a conspiracy with accused Dharmabir Khattar, Ajay Khanna, Ravinder Taneja, G R Gogia and Mukesh Saini to provide benefit to private builder DLF Universal by charging from it rates much below than the prevailing market price on payment of hefty bribes.

The High Court had in its order of 2006 quashed the FIR and the charge sheet on the petition of Sharan, which the CBI had challenged in an appeal in the Supreme Court.

The CBI had alleged that there were sufficient evidence against the accused persons in the case and despite that the High Court had quashed the case.

Though Justice Sahmeet Mukherjee was not an accused in the present case, the CBI had investigated against him and he was forced to resign after the then Chief Justice of India V N Khare had threatened to register an FIR against him.

The allegations against Mukherjee was that he had given free access to the files of the land scam case to lawyers of some of the accused.

New Delhi, February 25
History and its interpretation is again becoming a subject of protest, counter-protest and controversy. This time the focus is on the BA Hons course (second year) and references in a history book on the culture in ancient India.

More closely the issue is on differing interpretations of the Ramayana. The Arya Samaj is up in arms against the book and ABVP students have ransacked the history department and the HOD’s office. Meanwhile, liberal elements in the university are organizing a protest Tuesday morning on the issue and to get their views across.

The Arya Samaj organized a demonstration on the issue this Monday and many people sat on dharna at the Jantar Mantar in protest against “wrong” references on the Ramayana, “which hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus in the history book in the BA second year course”. The Arya Samaj has demanded the removal of the book.

Further, angry ABVP students went on the rampage this Monday in the history department, DU, breaking furniture and windows as well as attacking the HOD’s office. However, the HOD, escaped unscathed. Meanwhile, progressive and democratic elements on campus are holding a protest Tuesday morning against the attack. At the centre of the controversy is the text ‘Many Ramayanas’ written by Prof. Ramanujan, a sociologist. The book evidently explores reasons behind the multiplicity of Ramayan tales in Indian history.

Maya, a student from the history department at DU says that, “the book is written by a liberal sociologist and an expert committee has been called to review it. It is simply a collection of differing interpretations of the Ramayan. The story is told differently in some of the interpretations. The HOD’s room was ransacked and the history department attacked. We are shaken and are organizing a protest on the issue tomorrow morning.”

On the other hand, it is clear that opinions differ, Acharya Prem Shastri informs, “that the book hurts the sentiments of devout Hindus, it re-interprets the Ramayana in an unacceptable manner and also reinterprets the Rig Vedic period wrongly especially relating to women. There should be immediate changes brought about in the book.”

New Delhi, February 25
As a token of goodwill and friendship India today presented Bangladesh with six horses valued at little over Rs.35 million ($850,000) for its army.

Chief of Army Staff Gen. Deepak Kapoor, handed over the reigns of the two stallions and four mares to his Bangladesh counterpart Gen. Moeen U. Ahmed, who began his six-day visit to India today.

The presentation of the horses followed a guard of honour for the visiting dignitary and his laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti.

This is the first ever visit by a Bangladesh army chief to India . Officials see it as an attempt to build bridges, a move to stop support to anti-India insurgent groups operating from Bangladesh soil.

India has been engaging Bangladesh in talks over the past few years but there has been no concrete move forward. This the officials said was to be changed and the reason for inviting the Bangladesh army chief on a visit.

The issue of terrorist organisations operating from Bangladesh and carrying out activities in India is also likely to figure in the talks between the two army chiefs.

Apart from General Kapoor, General Ahmed will call on Defence minister A K Antony, Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta and Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major.

General Ahmed is also scheduled to visit the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun and other Army institutions during his visit.

The horses which were presented have been bred at the RVC’s equine breeding farms at Hisar in Haryana and Babugarh in Uttar Pradesh, both an hour’s drive from Delhi. Each of the stallions is worth Rs. 10 million, while each mare is valued at Rs. 4 million.

Interestingly, one of the stallions - Valiant - is the fourth generation offspring of a horse named Sumark that the then Soviet government presented to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

The horses will be taken by truck to the Bangladesh border, where they will be handed over to the authorities there.

New Delhi, February 25
India’s first curriculum-based education TV channel ‘Topper’, a part of the “Topper Integrated Learning System”, will initially cater to classes IX to XII, and provide validated curriculum-based content that will comply with CBSE and other related state boards. Toppers will initially cover physics, chemistry and mathematics.

Greycells 18 Media Pvt. Ltd. is a joint venture created by Sunil Khanna (former head DTH, Reliance & CEO, DishTV), and Sricharan Iyengar (former, VP and Business Head ESPN Star Sports). It is co-promoted by Raghav Bahl of Network 18 and Shantanu Prakash of Educomp, in their personal capacities and Network 18’s private equity initiative- Capital 18.

‘Topper’ being launched in English, will be accessible to viewers through digital television and internet. It will be a free-to-preview 24 hours television channel available on DTH platforms like Tata Sky and Dish TV. It can be viewed on channel 570 on Tata Sky and on channel 097 on Dish TV respectively.

The channel will telecast six fresh episodes daily, with four episodes based on the regular course and two episodes on the exam specials (pertaining to the upcoming board exams). For the convenience of students, all episodes will have four repeat telecasts over the week to allow them to catch up on what they may have missed. The modules complement existing tools of traditional classroom teaching and have the technological muscle to deal with concepts that are difficult to explain theoretically. Further, the unique problem solving style, along with useful examination tips which are also discussed, give the ‘Topper’ a clear edge.

Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Khanna, Co-founder Greycells 18 said, “We are happy to announce the launch of the first curriculum-based learning system. Statistics show that there are approximately 300 million kids who enrolled in schools across India. With limited seats available in colleges and premium professional courses, it is imperative to have a strong primary and secondary education background. Thus there is a significant opportunity to supplement the existing school system for children to make the best of their secondary education. 

New Delhi, February 25
The four-day International Microbicides Conference to identify safe, effective and accessible microbicide began in the Capital yesterday.

It is for the first time that such a meeting is being held in the Asian region. Indian Council for Media Research (ICMR) had organised the meet. Union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss inaugurated the conference. Over 1100 delegates would attend the four-day meet.

Microbicides refer to a range of different products that share one common characteristic — the ability to prevent sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections when applied topically. A variety of microbicides are being researched which could be delivered in forms like — gel, cream, suppositories, films, sponge or ring.

Microbicides are currently under research & development.

The delegates comprising researchers, public health workers, communities and advocacy organisations debilitated over the research and development of an effective microbicide.

The biannual International Microbicides Conference has become one of the most important scientific and networking conferences in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Maintaining global commitment to this effort requires continued pressure from scientists and advocates who are working on microbicides.

The conference allows critical research field to be continuously profiled and developed. It provides updates on recent microbicides research, creates a forum for discussion of developments in microbicides research and presents opportunities for knowledge sharing between microbicides researchers, public health workers, advocates, communities and civil society organisations.

Despite the knowledge of successful HIV prevention strategy, HIV continues to spread at an alarming rate, especially among women in developing countries. Specifically, there are about 2.5 million cases of HIV in India. The prevalence rate of HIV among 15-49 years age group is 0.9 per cent and a mere 0.1 per cent increase in the HIV prevalence would result in addition of 0.5 millions new cases. The use of current HIV controlled methods such as abstinence, monogamy and condoms – males/females are not always feasible. Therefore, there is an urgent need to have other HIV prevention technologies, which are women initiated.

New Delhi, February 25
The British Police Symphony Orchestra (BPSO) performed for Prayas children in the Capital last evening.

Timothy Brian, chief constable of Gloucestershire (the counterpart of an Indian Police Commissioner and chair of BPSO) and Patrick Bailey, music director, BPSO, led the orchestra.

The BPSO appreciated the cultural diversity of India. Children from Prayas staged Punjabi, Rajasthani folk and Garba dances.

Timothy Brian lauded the efforts of Prayas that works for underprivileged children and women. He visited Prayas Institute of Juvenile Justice in the morning. He appreciated its relationship with the police and the marginalised communities. He said that the British Police was pro-active towards creating a community-friendly approach, particularly special protection needs of children and women.

Welcoming the BPSO, Mr Kanth, founder general secretary, Prayas, talked about community-police relations and the kind of community service that need to be promoted for protecting the marginalised section in India. He thanked British Police team for helping Prayas.

The BPSO works for the less-privileged children and marginalised communities in India.

The Symphony performed a range of music including, film scores, music from shows, choral works, modern music as well as orchestral and symphonic classics. Children from Prayas also performed with them. It was indeed an enjoyable and memorable evening. The striking cord of the evening was the national anthem of both the countries — India and UK. The British Police orchestra was not seen in its usual protocol as it mingled with Prayas kids.

Faridabad, February 25
The Hooda government has failed to redeem the poll promises.

Former Chief Minister of Haryana and INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala said addressing a public meeting here today. He was here to open a party office. He said that rather than coming good on its promises made to the people of the state at the time of the last parliamentary and assembly elections,the Congress government had acted in a negative way, especially towards the farming community.

There was an acute shortage of power and water to irrigate the arable fields.Law and order position had gone down. Corruption and apathy towards public welfare appears to have become order of the day for government functionaries, he added

He charged that the government was trying to take away the agriculture land from the farmers to set up special economic zones(SEZs) only with a view to benefit the capitalist class. 

New Delhi, February 25
CRY – Child Rights & You, has partnered with NAFRE Jan Andolan (NAFRE People’s Movement) in mounting the nationwide Jan Hak Yatra, a People’s Rights March demanding a just and equitable society.

The march started on January 23. Regional segments voiced local needs and demands were put before the government. The culmination in New Delhi on March 26 and 27 will witness a sharing of experiences from across the country followed by a huge protest rally before Parliament and the submission of a memorandum of demands.

This Yatra–truly the Voice of the People— articulates demands from the grassroots rather than the other way round. It stands apart in terms of geographical scale and that it accommodates cultural and ethnic diversity which it synthesizes into a single voice for the marginalized and the dispossessed, a spokesman said.

The spokesman claimed that the clear message was that any attempt to favour the haves and exploit the working class (Dalits, Adivasis, minorities and other oppressed classes) will not do. Choosing not to be a mute spectator, NAFRE has decided to play an active role in “a new history’.

NAFRE has already taken a stand against globalization that severely affects people’s survival rights. Similarly, there is opposition to the SEZ policy, which farmers and oppressed communities are openly against – Karimnagar and Nandigram are just two instances. The struggle against SEZ is basically a demand for democracy where decision should lie in the hands of the people. The movement has continuously opposed forces of communal fascism and exposed the link of the imperialism and fascism.

In the search for a new pro-people development paradigm, NAFRE has chosen the Yatra mode to coalesce demands from across the country and present an alternative development model that truly reflects the voice of the people. It is the “community ask” mode and democratic nature of the process that CRY aligns with.

A powerful tool in this is to establish the Common School System, which reflects inclusiveness and equity, both of which are vital to the establishment of a People’s India. This is another of the Yatra’s key demands, which is why it has often been termed the ‘CSS Yatra’.

Currently, the poor and disadvantaged usually go to government schools while the better off to private ones. Thus, the need for inclusive education has cropped again and is looked at as the best way to address the need for diversity and equity. Commercialization of education needs to be stopped and fair and equal education for all children must be the focus of the day. 

New Delhi, February 25 
The Delhi cabinet today approved the fund plan for the effective implementation of ‘Ladli’ scheme.

‘Ladli’ aims at enhancing the social status of girl children. It also aims at ensuring proper education to girls and protecting them from discrimination and deprivation.

While briefing media after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that the government had obtained the most competitive rate of interest for fixed deposit in the name of each girl child. It will avail the highest standard of service for the successful implementation of the scheme. A leading bank along with its insurance company has agreed to offer the maximum possible interest on the amount to be deposited in each girl child’s account. This would pave way for the accumulation of deposit till Rs 1 lakh. It would be payable to the girl child when she attains 18 years of age and passes class X.  

The government has also decided to contribute Rs 10,000 on the birth of a girl child. It would contribute Rs 5000 for her admission to classes I, VI, IX, X and XII.

Girls born on or after January 1, 2008 are eligible for benefits under ‘Ladli’ scheme. The eligibility criteria entails that the applicant must be a bona fide resident of Delhi or should be living here at least three years proceeding the date of application. The girl child must have been born in Delhi and the annual income of her parents of should not exceed Rs 1 lakh. 

Gurgaon, February 25
A local advocate Paramjeet was seriously injured in an attack on him by four unidentified assailants on Khandsa Road, Gurgaon, on Sunday evening.

A police official said that when Paramjeet in his vehicle was going from Khandsa Road to his residence at around 5 pm, a black Santro car hit his vehicle from the back. Before Paramjeet could react, one of the assailants sitting in the car started firing on him. Seven bullets were fired at him. One of them hit his shoulder and he became unconscious. The attackers then went towards Khandsa village in their vehicle.

Official said that as and when the police got information about the incident, they cordoned off Khandsa village. He said that police got information that the car was having the Karnataka number plate and have four people sitting in it.

He said that the injured was immediately shifted to the local Kalyani hospital. He was then referred to Batra hospital, Delhi.

The advocate is the nephew of the INLD state general secretary Skuhbir Kataria.

While talking on phone, Katari said that Paramjeet is out of danger and his condition is stable now. He said he is not aware of the reasons of the attack.

Police official said that the efforts are being made to round up the assailants.