 |
|
|
Speaker refers probe to home ministry
BJP rejects report
Assembly Results |
|
|
Govt to push Bills on terror in House today
Assembly Polls
Bill promises more muscle for cops
Teachers to earn more than bureaucrats at entry level
Fisherfolk roped in to guard coast
Special Force
38 militants surrender in Assam
Assam Blasts
Tejas trials at Leh successful: DRDO
SC orders stay on removal of Punjabi teachers
Lover kills Telugu actress Bhargavi
Taj’s new wing to reopen
on Dec 21
‘Pak remarks on Deoband regrettable’
Pak national goes missing in Goa
Stamp on Manekshaw released
Purohit’s judicial custody extended
Ashok Todi denied bail
|
|
Speaker refers probe to home ministry
New Delhi, December 16 The alleged bribe money - Rs 1 crore -- is also open to investigation, with the Speaker today clarifying that the Lok Sabha secretary general, currently in custody of the money, will retain it only for a month to facilitate investigations. Ever since the currency notes were displayed on the table of the house on July 22 this year, they have been in the custody of P.D.T Achary, LS secretary general. But the Speaker today said the money would be deposited with the government as “unclaimed” if no request for investigation was received within a month. “The currency notes are presently in the custody of the secretary general. They are giving him sleepless nights. But because this money may be required for investigation, it will be retained for a month, after which if no request is received, it will be deposited with the government as unclaimed,” Chatterjee said. The source of money is yet to be established, with the K.C. Deo panel recommending that revenue intelligence or income tax department conduct further investigations. The finance ministry has already said that the banks have no means for ascertaining the serial number of currency notes issued to customers. The Speaker, in his reference today about the K.C. Deo committee report, also came down heavily on a section of newspapers and TV media for disclosing the evidence tendered before the committee and projecting factually incorrect reports of the committee’s deliberations. These, he said, amounted to a breach of privilege and contempt of the House, besides lowering the dignity of the parliamentary panel. He was particularly miffed at the disclosure of the contents of committee’s draft report --- something which is a clear breach of parliamentary conventions.
|
|
BJP rejects report
New Delhi, December 16 In a belated reaction to the report, which was released by the committee chariman Kishore Chandra Deo yesterday, BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley spoke to the mediapersons today about the report and its attempt to raise accusing fingers at its three MPs Ashok Argal, Mahavir Bhagora and Faggan Singh Kulaste who claimed to be whistleblowers against an attempt by SP general secretary Amar Singh to bribe them. He said, “This is issuing a certificate of good conduct to Amar Singh” and added, “The government is involved in subversion of the Indian Parliament.” Recalling the JPC on Bofors headed by the then union minister P. Shradhanand, Jaitely said, “Shradhanand also described the Bofors bribe as winding up charges. Similar Act has been committed now by this committee,” said the BJP leader. BJP member on the committee Vijay Kumar Malhotra had given a dissent note to that report. But, whereas CPM member on the committee Mohammad Salim complained of deletions and editing of his dissent note, the BJP leveled no such charge against the committee. But Jaitely reserved the right to approach any higher appellate authority against this report. He said, “I am neither confirming this nor saying no. But we will choose our forum and timing.”
|
|
Assembly Results
New Delhi, December 16 In an editorial in the party mouthpiece ‘People’s Democracy’ in its latest issue has claimed that, “the BJP’s efforts to communalise terror attacks, including the Mumbai strikes, mercifully did not yield the results they were hoping for.” The party said in Madhya Pradesh the ‘Others’ polled 21.6 per cent, in Rajasthan 29 per cent, Delhi 23 per cent, Chhattisgarh 20.6 per cent while in Mizoram it was 30.1 per cent. Calling for forging alliances for the third front the party said, “It is clear if a political alternative based on sound alternative policies is forged, then peoples acceptance can be mustered at the hustings, adding further, “People see very little difference between the policies pursued by the BJP and the Congress in redressing the issues of livelihood.” But the CPM argued for developing such an alternative through popular struggles. It said, “Such an alternative, obviously, cannot be a cut and paste arrangement on the eve of elections. This has to emerge through popular struggles on policy alternatives for India’s future and a better livelihood for its people.” “These results have also nailed the lie, so assiduously propagated by the BJP, of linking terrorism, with the Muslim minority community in India,” the editorial said.
|
|
Govt to push Bills on terror in House today
New Delhi, December 16 It introduced today Bills to create a National Investigation Agency (NIA) and another to further amend and strengthen the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to combat terrorism more effectively. Home minister P Chidambram said after a meeting with the leader of the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee, “We will try to bring them for consideration and passage tomorrow. But it depends on the Speaker and I hope the Speaker permits.” In the normal course, the government circulates the copies of a Bill to the members and lists it in the day’s list of business before introducing it. After the introduction it is referred to the standing committee of the concerned ministry and after the standing committee has deliberated upon it, the Bill is sent back to the House along with the recommendations of the committee. But in an extraordinary situation, it can be waived by the Speaker. And clearly the Speaker allowed Chidambram to introduce the Bills today, even as CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta objected to its introduction. The BJP has already offered its “conditional support” with party general secretary Arun Jaitley saying, “Even though we consider it a reluctant and incomplete effort by the government, and we have reservations over some of its provisions, as a patriotic party, we will support it.” Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav too has already extended support for stringent action against terrorists. Soon after the introduction of the two Bills, the government started mobilising support to move the Bills tomorrow and Mukherjee invited SP leaders Ram Gopal Yadav and Amar Singh to his chamber to discuss this. But some parties still have reservations. Though the BJP is supporting the Bills its spokesman Prakash Jawadekar said here today, “If the House is again meeting in February then we will want them to be referred to the Standing Committee. But if this is the last session then they can move them right now.” As for the Left CPM leader Mohammad Salim said, “No, no this should not be done in haste. This is legislative business. We should examine all aspect in detail before deciding to pass it.” But the government is confident of pushing through this law at this juncture unmindful of the critics, because of the overall mood in the country after the Mumbai terror attacks of November 26. Therefore sources said the government is bringing in the two Bills for passage tomorrow.
|
||
|
Assembly Polls
Hyderabad, December 16 The hero aspirant had no family connections in an industry that was dominated by a handful of powerful families, nor did he possess the looks of a conventional hero. Over 30 years and 148 films later, Chiranjeevi is a phenomenon in the Telugu tinsel world, having changed the dynamics of the entertainment industry. As the megastar, in his new political avatar, gears up for the Assembly elections, the question uppermost in the minds of observers is whether he can repeat the magic in politics and become the “harbinger of change”. Ever since entering politics in August this year, 53-year-old Chiranjeevi has been focusing on “change” and social justice planks, prompting his admirers to draw parallel with Barack Obama. The new American mantra of change is set to find resonance in the state, going to polls in April next year, as the actor’s Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) has promised to transform politics and offer new hope to the poor. “Like Americans who created history by voting overwhelmingly in favour of change, our people, too, will repeat the same message. I am the vehicle of change,” Chiranjeevi said. Drawing inspiration from Obama, the campaign managers of the matinee idol have been projecting him as the “harbinger of change”, who can transform the state. “I have no personal agenda. The people’s agenda is my agenda. The people want change, a change that will lead to a positive political culture and improvement in their living standards,” Chiranjeevi has told gatherings during his hugely successful road shows. The PRP leaders feel that the people in the state were disillusioned with the successive governments of TDP and Congress and were “yearning for change” and ushering in a new political culture. Chiranjeevi’s entry is expected to alter political equations in the state, which is presently dominated by two main players, Congress and TDP, perceived to represent the interests of Reddy and Kamma communities, respectively. The actor is being projected as a crusader of backward classes, yearning for their share of political power. The ‘Chiru fever’ gripping the state is also reminiscent of the legendary road shows of NTR, the demi-God of Telugu cinema, who had created a record by storming to power within nine months of entering politics in 1983. The coming elections will serve as an acid test for Chiranjeevi’s make-over from a film star to a successful politician.
|
||
|
Bill promises more muscle for cops
New Delhi, December 16 The amendments are being made to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and will be carried out in the current session of Parliament. In turn, all provisions of the Act, the new ones and also the existing ones, will now be under the ambit of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). A separate Bill has been moved to establish a NIA. Notably, a confession of an accused before a police official under Section 161 of the CrPC will not be admissible in the court and this clause has remained untouched. Under the amendments, preventive detention of an accused can be extended up to 180 days instead of 90 days as at present. No accused can be given bail without the prosecution being heard out in the court. And there will be no bail on a personal bond. Further, the bail can also be denied if the court feels that the charges against a person are prima facie true. In case of foreign nationals, who have entered the country illegally and unauthorised and are being accused under this law will be denied bail. Under the Bill, the courts will draw a presumption of offence against the accused if there was definite evidence through seizure of weapons and explosives from him or matching of fingerprints. The court will presume that the accused committed the offence in case the accused proves it be contrary. In a way, this will means, the onus is on the accused after such a seizure is claimed to have been made by the police. In the past the police have been known to hoist fake cases and this is one aspect that could come under fire when the bill is debated. The definition of “terrorist act” is proposed to be slightly amended and several additional specific offences have been provided keeping in view the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission. In case a person is nabbed for making radioactive substances and nuclear devices with the intention of committing a terrorist attack punishment will be imprisonment for a term of ten years. Raising funds for terror acts in India or abroad will attract punishment of a five-year term, which may extend to imprisonment for life with fine. Ditto for organising terrorist camps and recruitment of people. All financial assets of individuals or entities listed as terrorists and those who are suspected to have involvement in terrorism can be frozen and seized. The Bill says that every offence punishable under this Act shall be deemed to be cognisable offence.
|
||
|
Teachers to earn more than bureaucrats at entry level
New Delhi, December 16 Under the revised scheme, the teachers will retire at 65 instead of 62, assistant professors will be placed in the pay band of Rs 15,600-39,100 entering at the academic grade pay of Rs 6,000 (the grade pay of a bureaucrat at entry is Rs 5,400). From now, a teacher with a PhD can move from assistant professorship to associate professorship after completing 12 years of service as an assistant professor. Teachers with M Phil and those with a PG degree in a professional course entering as assistant professors can become associate professor in 13 years of service. Non PhD and MPhil holders will become associate professors in 14 years of service. A teacher with PhD at entry will now be eligible to become professor through selection after 15 years instead of 17. One with 10 years as professor will be eligible to be considered against 10 per cent of posts in the higher academic grade pay of Rs 12,000. Where the government has largely agreed to the recommendations of the UGC Pay Review Committee headed by G.K. Chadha, there have been some disagreements. The government has ruled out eight-tier hierarchy recommended by the Chadha panel; three designations - assistant professors, associate professors and professors - will be applicable to teachers. No one expect a PhD will be eligible for appointment or promotion as a professor. The condition will not affect serving professors. The government has introduced a new concept of academic grade pay (AGP) for teachers. Different AGPs of Rs 6,000, Rs 7,000, Rs 8,000, Rs 9,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000 have been approved by the cabinet for teachers and equivalent positions. What’s more is that a PhD will now get five (instead of four) non-compoundable advance increments at entry as assistant professor. Teachers with MPhil or PG degrees like MTech will get two non-compounded advance increments. Those who acquire these degrees in relevant disciplines while being in service will be allowed three non-compounded advance increments (for PhDs) and one increment for MPhil or PG degree acquired in the relevant course. For the first time, professorship will be introduced in both undergraduate and postgraduate colleges. Number of professors’ posts in UG colleges will be 10 per cent of those of associate professors. In PG colleges, there will be as many posts of professors as number of departments. To ensure quality, government has kept NET compulsory for appointment at entry level. Exemption will be given to PhDs. NET will not be required for such masters programmes for which NET is not available. Parity between teachers and librarians has been maintained, but the latter will retire at 62 years. New pay revision will be applicable from January 1, 2006, and allowances (except DA) from September 1, this year.
|
||
|
Fisherfolk roped in to guard coast
Mumbai, December 16 Senior police officers have begun visiting the coastal police stations along Mumbai's outskirts to review security arrangements, sources said. Apart from patrol boats, fishing trawlers had been pressed into service to monitor the long coastline, officials said. Shortly after the terrorists struck South Mumbai, the Maharashtra Macchimar Kruti Samiti, a body representing the fisherfolk from the state, said its warnings about fishing trawlers crossing into Pakistan and returning with suspicious-looking passengers and cargo were allegedly ignored. Damodar Tandel, who heads the organisation, displayed copies of letters sent to various investigative agencies. However, the police had refused to act on the warnings by the organisation saying these were “prompted by rivalry between fishermen from Gujarat and Maharashtra”. Tandel had warned that underworld elements had employed Bangladeshi nationals on board fishing boats registered in Gujarat and several vessels had been suspiciously missing for several months. He warned that explosives like RDX could be brought aboard these boats in operations similar to the landing of explosives before the Mumbai serial bomb blasts in 1993. Meanwhile, enhanced alertness among the fisherfolk has already started showing results. On Monday, they pulled out huge cylindrical pipes that were found detached from an oil rig off Bombay High. Fishermen on board boats initially thought it was a submarine deployed by terrorists. however, it was yet not clear if the pipes were accidentally detached from oil rigs or they were sought to be stolen by marine gangs. Deputy Commissioner of Police Madhukar Kohe, who handles the ports, said fishing vessels venturing out to sea had been given the telephone numbers of police stations and officials to be contacted during emergencies. “We have held meetings with leaders of the Koli community to educate them about informing the police about suspicious movements at sea," Kohe added.
|
||
|
Special Force
New Delhi, December 16 The divulgence came from minister of state for home Sriprakash Jaiswal, after MPs Shahnawaz Hussain and Naveen Jindal raised the issue during the question hour today. The matter was debated intensely in the house, with more than 11 MPs questioning the government regarding the same. The Lok Sabha Speaker eventually decided to allow a special discussion on the issue under Rule 193. The discussion would be slotted later this week to allow maximum members to participate in it. The government hopes to combat the Naxals with its special task force consisting of 10 commando battalions for resolute action (COBRA) of the CRPF. Maximum naxal infestation, the government today admitted, was in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. Some incidents have, however, been reported from other states as well. Replying to the questions of MPs, Jaiswal said the policy of the government was to address the Naxal issue holistically both on the front of security and development. “We have set up a task force under the chairmanship of cabinet secretary to promote efforts on the fronts of security and development so that we can deal with the problem in a comprehensive way,” Jaiswal said. The MoS went on to elaborate on what the government was doing on the security front including deployment of central paramilitary forces for the assistance of state police, raising the Indian Reserve Battalions and modernising the state police and intelligence agencies. Periodic review of measures is also being undertaken, Jaiswal said. He also referred to a new Rs 500-crore central scheme launched during the 11th Plan to streamline the system. The scheme seeks to help the state police by providing mine-protected vehicles, modern weapons and filling other gaps in the infrastructure.
|
|
38 militants surrender in Assam
Guwahati, December 16 The Army said besides the 28 ULFA cadres, there were seven cadres from the Naga rebel groups and three from tribal outfit called Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) among those who surrendered. The militants deposited a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including 16 pistols, 10 revolvers, one grenade launcher, one carbine, one pen pistol, 10 kg of explosives and 300 rounds of ammunition of AK-47 assault rifles. Meanwhile, security forces in Assam have mounted vigil throughout the state acting on intelligence inputs about militants’ design to carry out subversion during the winter festivities beginning with Christmas and ending with Assamese harvest festival (Magh Bihu) on January 15. Lt Gen B.S. Jaswal, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 4 Corps of the Indian Army, who is the operational head of anti-insurgents operation under the unified command in Assam, chaired a security review meeting at the headquarters of the Red Horn division of the Army at Rangiya near here two days back to work out specific counter-insurgency strategy during the winter festivities. An Army source said the force, acting prompt on intelligent inputs about sinister plans of ULFA last month, succeeded in derailing militants’ design by recovering 16 bombs and improvised explosive devices from different parts of the state. The intensified operation by the Army in the lower Assam areas after the October 30 serial blasts resulted in killing of two terrorists and arrest of 130 ultras while ten terrorists gave up arms during the period.
|
|
Assam Blasts
Guwahati, December 16 The NDFB’s general assembly meeting held at the Kumguri designated camp in Kokrajhar district of Assam on Monday also took another significant decision to participate directly or indirectly in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. This virtually has confirmed that the banned outfit has decided to do away with its demand for a sovereign land for the
Bodo tribe. Notably, the removal of Bangladesh-based leader Ranjan Daimary comes at a time when the union government has confirmed that Daimary with the help of a section of NDFB cadres executed the October 30 serial blasts
in Assam. Immediately after becoming the chairman of the NDFB, Dhiren Bodo said the outfit wanted the continuation of the current peace process with the government of India for the sake of the interest of the Bodo tribe. The current phase of truce with the outfit is due for renewal on December 31. Regarding the finger being pointed at the NDFB for its involvement in October 30 blasts, he said the NDFB as an organisation was not involved in
the blasts and it should not be held responsible for action of some of its wayward cadres. The outfit’s publicity secretary B Sanjarang informed the media that Daimary was invited for the general assembly meeting held after a gap of eight years, but he failed to turn up. He denied to accept that there was any split in the outfit in the wake of removal of Daimary from the post of chairman. It has now become clear that the NDFB as an organisation wants to distance itself from the serial bombings in Assam and hence has taken the hard decision to remove Daimary from the top post. He has
been holding the post since the formation of the militant group. Security sources said following the arrest of more than 20 NDFB militants in connection with the serial blasts, the outfit was tremendous under pressure to earn another extension of the truce for the survival of the peace-talks that were still in infancy stage.
|
|
Tejas trials at Leh successful: DRDO
New Delhi, December 16 The prevailing temperature ranges from plus 5°C to minus 20°C. The objective of the current phase of flight trials at Leh was to expose the on-board systems to the extreme low temperatures while making an assessment of the aircraft performance in the rarefied atmospheric conditions, a spokesperson of the Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) said. Two LCA’s were involved in this test. The aircraft were two powered by the latest IN20 engine. It may be mentioned the LCA is expected that will be cleared for induction in service. As per reports received from the trial location, the current phase of flight trial is progressing well with aircraft and systems performing well as expected. Real time telemetry link between Pathankot, the base camp, and Bangalore is also made operational during the trial. The team effort of the professionals from different organisation resulted in a success of the trial. Senior functionaries were present during the test.
|
|
SC orders stay on removal of Punjabi teachers
New Delhi, December 16 A Bench comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and P. Sathasivam ordered status quo on a petition filed by Narinder Pal Kaur and other affected school teachers, challenging the state government’s move and the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s order in this regard. The government had sought to remove them following the July 31, 2007, verdict of the HC on a petition filed by Mamta Bansal and others who had staked their claim to the posts of teachers, stating that their applications had been wrongly ignored. On November 5, 2008, the government issued a public notice through newspapers, announcing a revised selection list of candidates for 450 posts of Punjabi teachers. It was said the services of those appointed in 2006 but not figuring in the revised selection list “stand terminated”. Rakesh Kumar and others challenged the revised selection list in the HC, which initially ordered status quo but subsequently vacated the order. P.S. Patwalia, counsel for the petitioners in the Apex Court, contended today that the HC had erred in vacating the status quo order while adjourning the hearing till January 20. He argued that the affected teachers were working on permanent posts for the past two years and that their services could not be terminated without issuing show-cause notices. The problem arose as the Subordinate Staff Selection Board had apparently taken more male teachers than female teachers, violating the quota in equal ratio policy.
|
|
Lover kills Telugu actress Bhargavi
Hyderabad, December 16 The bodies of the couple were found inside the bedroom of Bhargavi’s flat at the posh Banjara Hills area. Bhargavi had stab injuries on her body while Praveen died after consuming softdrink laced with cyanide. The young actress shot to fame after the success of her recently-released movie “Ashta Chemma”. Earlier, she had acted in television serials and hosted TV shows. Bhargavi was supposed to report for shooting
of her ongoing film “Holidays”. When the unit members went to her flat to pick her up, she told them to wait and went uptairs. When she did not turn up for a long time, they informed the police who broke open the door and found the bodies of the couple lying on the bed. The police recovered a knife, an empty bottle of softdrink and cyanide powder from the spot. Praveen, a choreographer and stage performer, stabbed his lover to death and then took his life by consuming the poison, Ravi Verma, deputy commissioner of
police said. In a suicide note, he said he had decided to kill Bhargavi because she started ignoring him
ever since her success in films. He also claimed that he had married the actress in February 2006. However, the her family members disputed the claim.
|
|
Taj’s new wing to reopen
on Dec 21
Mumbai, December 16 However, only the new wing of the Taj, the Taj Mahal Tower, will open at 7 pm on Sunday. The tower has 235 rooms. The old wing of the Taj - the Heritage Palace will take nearly a year to open since it has suffered extensive damage, including a raging fire and grenade blasts during the 60-hour siege. An interfaith prayer meeting with religious leaders from various denominations will precede the reopening. “To reopen the Taj with such speed shows our resolve to commemorate all innocent and brave people who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks. In their honour, the Taj will shine again in all its brilliance,” Raymond Bickson, MD, The Taj group of hotels said in a statement. “Everyone who works at the Taj stands in awe of the bravery and sacrifice shown by their colleagues. They have set a standard of selfless service to which all of us can only aspire,” Bickson added.
|
|
‘Pak remarks on Deoband regrettable’
New Delhi, December 16 Prakash said the Jamiat-Ulama-i Hind had complained to the ministry on the matter. The Ulemas have protested “the language used and aspersions cast” in the statement by the Pakistani diplomat at the UN Security Council during the open debate on ‘Threats to International Peace and Security on December 9’, the spokesperson said.
|
|
|
Pak national goes missing in Goa
Panaji, December 16 Foreigner Asim Naz is untraceable since his arrival four days ago, police officials said today. The police came to know about him when they stumbled on a certificate issued by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education based in Pakistan’s Gujranwala region. The certificate was found abandoned near the arrival lounge of Dabolim airport near here. It was lying near the luggage hold of a chartered flight, which had landed from Manchester. The certificate, issued in 2003, also carries Naz’s father’s name, Sanalalah Tur, they said. However, the police is baffled as Naz’s name does not figure in any of the passenger lists of the chartered flights. While the senior police officials are reluctant to come on record over the issue, the sources said the police had launched a search for the man in the tourist state which was on high alert in wake of the last month’s terror strikes in Mumbai. — PTI
|
|
Stamp on Manekshaw released
New Delhi, December 16 Defence minister A.K. Antony, minister of state for defence M.M. Pallam Raju, along with chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force and other senior officials were present at the ceremony. On the occasion, Antony recalled the Field Marshal’s contribution to India's victory in 1971 operations. Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor said, “There is no better way to honour the spirit of the great man on the occasion of Vijay Diwas’ than by releasing the commemorative postage stamp.” The Field Marshal was born in Amritsar on April 3, 1914. He joined the first course at IMA, Dehradun and was commissioned into the Frontier Force Regiment on February 4, 1934.
— UNI
|
|
Purohit’s judicial custody extended
Mumbai, December 16 The court also remanded another accused Ajay Rahirkar, treasurer of Abhinav Bharat - the organisation founded by Purohit - in police custody till December 20. Meanwhile, the city police has filed a forgery case against the army officer for providing another accused in the case a fake military identity card and an unlicensed pistol.
|
|
Ashok Todi denied bail
New Delhi, December 16 It also declined the submission of senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Todi, that the Calcutta High Court be directed to decide his bail plea before winter vacation.
— PTI |
||
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
