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India, Russia defence ties enter new phase
Mehrauli Blast |
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Court Blasts
Seniority for Punjab govt staff
‘Azadi’ demand contested by political parties
Foetus removed from infant’s abdomen
Advani okays poll pact with AGP
UPA a ‘burden on India’
Poll time makes him ‘soft’ towards minorities
Rahul will be PM sooner or later: Pilot
Singur: Mamata to meet Sonia today
Mission to spread RTI awareness
Blasts in Kandhamal relief camps
Grant of licence to Metro Cash & Carry
U’khand BJP targets illegal Bangladeshis
Minister’s son booked for abduction bid
BKU team meets Pawar
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India, Russia defence ties enter new phase
New Delhi, September 29 Besides, the two nations announced plans to increase the frequency and scope of bilateral military exercises, which means involving more men in these exercises and using more equipment. The two countries have also decided to extend the tenure of military cooperation, which was to expire in 2010, for another ten years. An apex body headed by the defence secretary and his Russian counterpart will now drive the military cooperation for the countries and coordinate various working groups. The first meeting of this body will be held in Moscow before the Russian President arrives for a visit to India in December this year. Defence minister A.K. Antony and his Russian counterpart AE Serdyukov today jointly signed a protocol at the eighth meeting of the Indo-Russia inter-governmental commission on military technical cooperation. India and Russia, as partners, will now be co-developing next generation of fighter aircraft and technology will be transferred to India to produce Russian technology-based T-90 tanks. The issue of pricing of the Gorshkov aircraft carrier is also near resolution. On the T-90 tanks, the Russians had an issue of transfer of technology to build 1000 tanks at a designated factory in India. It had delayed the original schedule that was to start first lot of deliveries last year. But today Antony announced: “We have found a solution, hereafter things will move fast”. Besides, India will be buying another 347 tanks in a drive-away condition. On Gorshkov, the Russian side has submitted its additional demand of US dollars 1.2 billion for refitting it. The same will now be presented before the Union cabinet which is expected to approve it. Subsequently, the Russians will be invited for re-negotiating the deal. As an interim measure, India has asked Russia to support the shipyard that is refitting the 44,570, tonne warship. It is learnt that a sum of US dollars 250 million will be spent by Russia on this. Notably, India badly needs an aircraft carrier as its biggest ship, Virat, is ageing. But with the delay in the refit programme Gorshkov is expected to join the Indian navy only by 2012. On the fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) that the two countries have decided to jointly produce, the Sukhoi and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) teams have held technical discussions and both sides have agreed to finalise the negotiations of the general contract. Separately, The Ilyushin (IL) and HAL will form a joint venture to manufacture 145 multi-role transport aircraft.
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Mehrauli Blast
New Delhi, September 29 The police said several raids were conducted overnight and the investigators were concentrating on Bangladeshis as the key eyewitness had told the police that the two motorcycle-borne suspects spoke with a heavy accent and were not very fluent in Hindi. Over 35 Bangladeshi nationals have been detained and were being interrogated by a joint team of the Delhi police and central intelligence agency officials. Since both of them were wearing helmets, the eyewitness could not describe their facial features but claimed that both of them appeared to be young. The description of the suspects has been flashed to all police stations. Police sources said it was possible that the two suspects were riding a stolen black Pulsor motorcycle. Investigations have revealed that there were reports of at least 11 Pulsors having been stolen from different parts of the Capital 24 hours before the Mehrauli blast. Meanwhile, the police said the report of forensic experts was being awaited but it could be tentatively concluded that the device was fabricated locally with ammonium nitrate and iron filings, including nails, packed in a tiffin box. Ruling out the hand of the notorious Indian Mujahideen, police sources said it was possible the work of some freelancers out to make a mark in the terrorist hierarchy.
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Court Blasts
Lucknow, September 29 Briefing the media, DGP Vikram Singh described today's arrest as a major success. He said Mohammad Arif, a resident of Sanjarpur village in Azamgarh, was living in a rented room in Daliganj area. He was preparing for the CPMT entrance exam and received his funds though the hawala system, informed Singh. It may be recalled that a special team of the Delhi ATS had raided Arif's Sanjarpur house in the wee hours of September 23. Ahmedabad: As many as 15 crude bombs were defused here on Monday, a day before the nine-day Navratri celebrations, even as the city has been recovering from the serial bombings two months ago, the police said. The bombs were found in small tobacco tins in Kalupur area of the walled city. The bombs were of low intensity and not sophisticated. On July 26, synchronised bombs went off, most of them in east Ahmedabad, killing 56 persons.
— IANS
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Seniority for Punjab govt staff
New Delhi, September 29 Disposing of an appeal by the Punjab government, an apex court Bench, comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and Mukundakam Sharma, said the Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of Service) Rules, 1994, clearly stated that only regular service would be counted towards seniority. The appeal involved the clerks who were appointed between 1978 and 1987 on ad hoc basis and regularised during 1980-90. However, the judges made it clear that if any of the respondents had drawn any amount on the basis of the high court's judgment by including the period of his ad hoc service, then the state government ''shall not recover'' the amount already drawn by the employee though for fixation of the cadre seniority the position as laid down in this order would govern. The employees had submitted representations claiming the benefit of their ad hoc services relying on the impugned HC order. The judges pointed out that the question of ad hoc service had been considered by a three-judge Bench of the apex court in the State of Haryana vs. Haryana Veterinary and AHTS Association (2000 (8) SCC 4). The court had then taken the view that for calculating 8/18 years service required for giving higher scale of pay and for determination of seniority only regular service rendered by the employee was to be counted and not ad hoc service. The clerks had contended that they were governed by a set of rules and circulars different from those which were considered in the case decided by the three-judge Bench. |
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‘Azadi’ demand contested by political parties
The separatist leaders have given a call for October 6 for “Lal Chowk Chalo” – the city’s historical and central point - to demand the right to self-determination for “azadi.” Ignoring the “ground reality” and world-wide anti-reactions on bids of independence by South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the Kashmir separatist leadership are citing their example to justify their agitation. A top officer of the Jammu and Kashmir police, however, said that the reaction of the separatist leaders on developments in South Ossetia and Abkhazia reflected their “twisted mindset.” “They are now drawing inspiration and strength from these two breakaway regions of Georgia – South Ossetia and Abkhazia – and are convincing themselves that a similar thing will happen here sooner or later,” he said commenting that “I can only say that they are living in a fool’s paradise.” Referring to the political upheaval in the Caucasian region, the separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has, however, described these developments as “coming into being of new nations despite subjugation and suppression.” “Independence of these two new States within Europe has reinforced the resolve of the people of Kashmir to achieve their right to self-determination for freedom,” says Geelani. And, in the opinion of Yasin Malik, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia “is a psychological inspiration for the suppressed Kashmiris.” The People’s Conference chairman, Sajjad Gani Lone, has said that the independence movements in South Ossetia and Abkhazia proved that small countries could exist along giant nations. “Some people claim that an independent Kashmir can not survive,” says Lone, “but it is just a myth…developments in Kosovo, South Ossetia and Abkhazia have boosted ‘azadi’ sentiments in the Kashmir Valley.” However, the People’s Democratic Party General Secretary, Nizamuddin Bhat, is of the opinion that “the Kashmir situation cannot be compared with the Caucasian region as both have a different history and origin of conflict.” The National Conference president, Omar Abdullah, in a recent television interview reiterated his party’s categorical rejection of independence or merger with Pakistan as possible solution of the Kashmir dispute. The separatist leaders in the Kashmir Valley, however, take pains to tell you that Russia, while recognizing the “independence” of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, noted that “every State has the duty to refrain from any forcible action which deprives peoples of their right to self-determination.” “But these separatist leaders tend to ignore global condemnation of such a bid for independence. They also conveniently ignore that Russia has never backed their stand and has always endorsed India’s claim that Kashmir is an integral part of its territory,” a senior bureaucrat said.
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Foetus removed from infant’s abdomen
Kolkata, September 29 One of the world’s bizarre medical conditions, a fetus-in-fetu - that is, a partly formed foetus inside a fully developed human body - was successfully removed after an operation at a hospital in Kolkata. "Alam, a resident of Jharkhand, was admitted to Belona Nursing Home at Mominpore (in south Kolkata) on September 21 with severe respiratory distress and increasing abdominal swelling since birth. After carrying out a series of medical tests, including an X-Ray, an ultrasonography and a CT scan, a giant tumour was detected in his abdomen," paediatric surgeon Praffulla Kumar Mishra, who operated on Alam, said. "After seeing the reports, the doctors were sure that it was a case of cancer in a hopeless condition, that is, if we operated, the chances of survival were only 5 per cent," Mishra said. Mishra further said Alam's father, Kausar, had earlier consulted doctors in Jharkhand and Kolkata, but no one was ready to take up the case because of the survival risk. However, after Kausar's consent, Alam was operated on September 22 and the real shock came after that. "The tumour weighed one-and-a half kg and was attached to the abdominal aorta with a vascular pedicle. When I cut open its covering, there was a partly formed human body of unidentified sex with two hands, two legs and deformed fingers and toes. There were even brain tissues without a skull and a partly formed vertebral column," Mishra said.
— IANS
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Advani okays poll pact with AGP
Guwahati, September 29 The decision for a seat-sharing pact with the AGP was finalised after the BJP leader’s discussion with a delegation of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) led by its president Chandra Mohan Patowary late Sunday night. “Following our meeting with Advaniji, it became clear that AGP and BJP would strike a seat sharing understanding but not a full-fledged alliance for coming Lok Sabha election to put up a joint fight against the Congress,” the AGP president said. Patowary further said that ‘modalities for seat-sharing’ would be worked out later after the AGP held talks on a similar poll-related arrangement with other anti-Congress parties in the state.
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UPA a ‘burden on India’
Guwahati, September 29 Just before departing to New Delhi after his two-day trip to Assam and Meghalaya, Advani not only accused the UPA government of failure to check the demographic invasion from Bangladesh, but also called it “incompetent” to save Assam from the influx across the border. He described the UPA government as a “burden” and said India must be freed of this burden. “Assam must be saved and India freed of this burden called the UPA government. This will become possible only if there is a nationalist government, with requisite political will — first in New Delhi after the next general election and later in Dispur in Assam after the next assembly elections.”
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Poll time makes him ‘soft’ towards minorities
Shillong, September 29 Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy and former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma met Advani and raised the recent attacks on minorities, besides discussing the overall political situation in the country. Soon after his meeting with the political leaders, Advani held a closed-door meeting with religious leaders of various faiths. “Advani had told the inter-faith religious leaders that he has a soft corner for the Christians as he was a product of a Christian institution, having studied in St. Patrick School in Karachi,” Archbishop Rev Dominic Jala said.
— UNI
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Rahul will be PM sooner or later: Pilot
New Delhi, September 29 Last week, Rahul Gandhi had, in response to a question put to him in Punjab, said Manmohan Singh would remain the party's prime ministerial candidate even after the next general election. Given the sensitivities involved about projecting Rahul at this stage when Manmohan Singh is still Prime Minister, the party has to tread cautiously. The Gandhi-Nehru family has been particularly mindful of not doing anything that might embarrass Manmohan Singh. Pilot, when asked whether Rahul would be Prime Minister "sooner" or "later", qualified his reply: "That will depend on the party. Ultimately, it is the Congress President (Sonia Gandhi) and the MPs who will decide." However, Rahul, he said, would be the "star campaigner" not just in the Lok Sabha elections but also in the assembly polls in Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh due in November. "There is demand for him and on his side there is a commitment. It is now full throttle," the young MP from Dausa disclosed. Would there not be resistance from the old guard, for the decision not to give the party ticket to those above 70 years of age had already been revoked under pressure? Pilot, the youngest parliamentarian to be elected in 2004, replied: "It has not been revoked. It was a suggestion given to the party to keep in mind. There will be as many new faces as possible." — IANS
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Singur: Mamata to meet Sonia today
Kolkata, September 29 Mamata told reporters she would submit all papers to the UPA chairperson on the agreement that provides for return of maximum land from within the Tata Motors car project site at Singur to “unwilling” land-losers, signed in the presence of governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi at Raj Bhavan on September 7. “We have been demanding implementation of the agreement, but the government is not doing it. The government has lost credibility,” she said. Mamata said she would also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after he returned from abroad and the president on the Singur issue. “We will also meet leaders of other political parties in the country,” she said.
— PTI |
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Mission to spread RTI awareness
Bangalore, September 29 Led by Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) president R. Balasubramanium, the group feel that the legislation is a powerful instrument which can change the paradigm of democracy by giving information and control in the hands of people. The "padayatra" was kicked off at Sirgur in H.D Kote taluk of Mysore on September 4 with an objective of criss-crossing at least 100 villages in 38 panchayats in five districts and interact with about 2 lakh people. "We have been fairly successful. We have already met 1.75 lakh people," Balasubramanium told reporters here. SVYM is a non-profit organisation which runs a free tribal school and hospital for rural
masses. — PTI
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Blasts in Kandhamal relief camps
Phulbani (Orissa), September 29 The bombs, suspected to be hand-made ones of low intensity, went off at Nuagaon, Mahasinghi village and Baliguda town at 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm, respectively, last night, the police said today. As the first blast occurred near a relief camp, the inmates ran helter-skelter in search of safety. “Since they have been successful in exploding bombs near the heavily guarded relief camp, there is no guarantee that the explosion will not take place in other camps,” said a person living in one of these camps. Senior police officials in charge of security, however, were yet to ascertain who executed the explosions. Since the blasts took place at regular intervals, it seemed to be a planned step to create panic among the people, a senior official said. When contacted, Deputy Inspector General, Southern Range, R.S. Koche said the police was investigating the matter.
— PTI
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Grant of licence to Metro Cash & Carry
Kolkata, September 29 The decision pacified the Forward Bloc, a major partner of the Left Front, which has now abandoned its threat of pulling out from the government. The Chief Minister has called an all-party meeting tomorrow at the Writers Building, which the Trinamool Congress and others, fighting for the Singur farmers, will boycott. On the other hand, the CPM state committee at its meeting today decided that the government should use its administrative power to facilitate the Tatas to re-start work at Singur. But Tata Motors authorities will not do so till a peaceful and favourable situation prevailed there. Sticking to their demand that unwilling farmers’ land be returned at Singur, Mamata Banerjee today left for New Delhi to meet Sonia Gandhi and seek her “intervention” for redressing the affected farmers’ grievances. Mamata said they would also meet Dr Manmohan Singh and the President, Pratibha Patil, some time next week after the former’s return from the US, adding that they would demand the application of Article 357 in the state. She alleged that the Chief Minister had no moral right to be in the chair after “violating and dishonouring” the agreement signed at Raj Bhawan in the presence of Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi on September 7 for resolving the Singur crisis. After a prolonged three-hour long Left Front’s meeting at the CPM’s Alimuddin Street party office on Sunday night, the committee directed the Chief Minister to ask the chief secretary A.K. Deb for issuing afresh “a conditional licence” to the German company by October 10. The Chief Minister “apologised” and said that before issuing the trade licence to the German company, he should have consulted the FB secretary, Ashoke Ghose. The front meeting was called urgently in the wake of the FB’s decision to quit the government in protest against the Chief Minister’s “dictatorial style” of running the government. Veteran politburo member Sitaram Yechuri was also present at the meeting. The WBPCC(l) president, Priya DasMunhsi, yesterday held a rally at Singur demanding that the unwilling farmers be returned land. He also criticised the Chief Minister for dishnouring the Raj Bhawan agreement. He demanded that an all-party meeting be held soon to resolve the crisis. The WBPCC(l) today led a deputation to meet the Governor at Raj Bhawan and they requested the Governor for renewing his “conciliation drive” for resolving the Singur crisis. Gandhi, however, would be going on a long leave from October 3 and would be away from West Bengal.
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U’khand BJP targets illegal Bangladeshis
Dehra Dun, September 29 This is part of a special police drive to verify the antecedents of all those coming to the state for manual employment, claiming to be residents of either Bihar or West Bengal. "We have identified around 16 pockets where migrant labourers are present in large number. We have issued directions to the personnel employed with our department to go to the spot, click their photographs and collect details about them. The practice of sending police personnel for on-the-spot verification is acting as a deterrent," said Amit Sinha, SSP, Dehra Dun. Given the large number of affluent senior citizens residing in the city and its outskirts, their safety has become a major challenge for the law and order implementing agencies. Two sisters were killed in Mussoorie while another elderly woman living alone was found dead in Dehra Dun recently. Police believes Bangladeshi immigrants might be behind the growth in crime rate in the region and in the past ten months, they claim to have arrested more than 12 Bangladeshi nationals involved in instances of armed robbery and loot. "A regular verification drive is the only way to keep activities by illegal migrants in check," he said. He feared that there are more than 10,000 Bangladeshi migrants residing in and around Dehra Dun. The police says besides being employed at construction sites, a large number of Bangladeshis are also working as labourers for goldsmiths and also as domestic helps.
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Minister’s son booked for abduction bid
Lucknow, September 29 Vikas Verma, son of state parliamentary affairs minister Lalji Verma and his nephew, Vineet Verma, were amongst those accused of an attempt to kidnap Santosh Yadav, a student of Lucknow University. A case was registered against them at Hazratganj police station, an official said. "The complainant, Santosh Yadav, said Vikas and nearly 12 men pulled him inside a car and tried to kidnap him," inspector A.S. Chauhan of Hazratganj police station told IANS. The incident took place on Saturday night when the alleged abductors in three cars reached Yadav's hostel, manhandled him and pulled him inside one of the cars.But Yadav raised the alarm and the vehicles were intercepted by the police. While 10 persons escaped, three youths were arrested and Yadav was rescued.
— IANS
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BKU team meets Pawar
New Delhi, September 29 BKU president Balbir Singh Rajewal led the delegation.The BKU has been demanding an increase in MSP to Rs 1810 per quintal, much higher than Rs 1,000 per quintal for coarse and Rs 1,050 for Grade-A verieties as recommended by the CACP. There are indications that the government may increase the MSP of paddy to at least the levels recommended by the CACP. The Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council had earlier suggested that the MSP be fixed at Rs 900 per quintal. The BKU also demanded relaxation in moisture content from 17 per cent to 20 per cent and damaged, discoloured grains from four per cent to eight per cent for paddy procurement. They said the higher moisture content was owing to the fact that Punjab farmers were not allowed to transplant paddy before June 10. Another demand was that PUSA-1121 be declared as basmati to save farmers from exploitation by traders.
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