New Delhi, August 18
The Congress yesterday termed as “barbaric” the treatment meted out to agitating farmers in Aligarh and demanded that the lapsed Land Acquisition Amendment Bill be introduced in Parliament expeditiously.

“We condemn the barbaric treatment, which the UP government has meted out to farmers on Independence Day. This is not a question of compensation but of sensitiveness,” Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

The Congress is readying for the 2012 mission aimed at revival of the party in Uttar Pradesh and can ill afford to loose any opportunity to score in Mayawati’s land. The party has sought registration of cases against officials responsible for the death of farmers. “Today the issue is of justice and the process of giving justice will not begin until the FIRs are registered against officers responsible," Tewari stressed.

He, however, added that though the farmers’ movement was led by UPCC general secretary Ram Babu Kathelia, it was “not a Congress agitation”.

Tewari also said the government should introduce the Relief and Rehabilitation Bill 2009 and the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha in February 2009 but lapsed as the term of the House came to an end.

When pointed out that UPA ally Mamta Banerjee was opposing the Bills, he said the ruling coalition comprised various political parties and each one of them was entitled to its viewpoint. However, issues should be resolved and the Bill brought before Parliament expeditiously “either in their original form or in amended form”.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee assured the Lok Sabha that a "comprehensive" Bill on land acquisition and rehabilitation was being considered by a Group of Ministers headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

New Delhi, August 18
The BJP today denied that the government got it on board the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill by letting Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi off the hook in the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case.

RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, supported by SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and the BSP MPs of UP Chief Minister Mayawati, cited a news report stating that the CBI had found nothing against Modi in the case.

Lalu drove home the fact that BJP’s ascent to the nuclear Bill coincided with the simultaneous CBI clean chit to Modi and alleged a quid pro quo.

Denying this, BJP parliamentary party spokesman Gopinath Munde said, “We had made certain suggestions in the Standing Committee and since these suggestions were incorporated, we decided to support the Bill.”

BJP sources, however, had a different take on why the BJP suddenly softened its stance on the Bill and also why the government was keen to get the BJP on board. According to these sources, the government was taking extra pain to cultivate the Opposition to “avoid getting blackmailed by these three (Lalu, Mulayam and Mayawati)”. A BJP leader, on anonymity, said the Congress walked an extra mile to accommodate their demands on the nuclear liability Bill.

Sources said the Prime Minister was so obsessed with the Bill that ever so often he would raise this with BJP leaders whenever and wherever he met any of them.

New Delhi, August 18
Grassroots organisations have slammed the Cabinet for approving the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill, 2010, and appealed to all political parties to oppose it from being tabled and passed in Parliament.

Activists perceive this as government and biotech industry’s attempt to bring in Bt brinjal, stuck in a moratorium for now, through the back door. They allege that mandate of the Bill is to approve GM crops and not to safeguard the health of citizens or the environment.

Advocating the stopping of the Bill, members of the Coalition for a GM-Free India said they would step up pressure on the government to discard the “wrong bill by the wrong people for the wrong reasons”.

The Greenpeace has appealed to all political parties to seek withdrawal of the Cabinet approval to the Bill. Campaign manager Rajesh Krishnan demanded redrafting of the provisions after holding consultations with the public and state governments. He said the approval within a few months of the moratorium on Bt brinjal in February appeared to be a premeditated effort to clear the contentious genetically modified vegetable.

The Cabinet on Monday gave its go-ahead to a draft Bill proposing the establishment of a National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority (NBRA). The NBRA would be set up as an independent, autonomous and professionally led body to provide a single-window mechanism for bio-safety clearance to genetically modified products and processes.

The Coalition for a GM-Free India fears that the Bill will just pave the way for smooth single-window clearance system for GM crops. It has a “pro-industry, anti-people mandate to set up a clearing house for approving genetically modified organisms in our food and farming”, the group says.

According to executive director of the Centre for Sustainable GV Ramanjaneyulu: “Any law related to regulation of GM crops/foods should have as its basis the protection of the health and environment of Indians from the risks of biotechnology. In fact, that was the basis of the Environment Protection Act’s 1989 Rules that govern the current regulatory regime in India.”

The Bill

The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill proposes the establishment of a National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority (NBRA) to provide single-window mechanism for bio-safety clearance to genetically modified products

The Objection

Activists maintain that the Bill will allow Bt brinjal, stuck in moratorium for now, an entry through the back door. The aim of the Bill is to approve GM crops and not to safeguard the health of citizens or the environment, they say

New Delhi, August 18
In a continuing war of words between the Planning Commission and his ministry, Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath took another swipe at the Planning Commission, suggesting that it needs to change structurally.

Speaking at a book release function here last night, the minister, who kicked off the controversy with his critical remarks at a Plan panel function last month, said, “Just like the IMF, which has to transform itself, the Planning Commission should transform itself... It is a structural issue”.

This is the second time in as many months that the Road Transport and Highways Minister had hit out against the Plan panel. He had earlier described it to be an “armchair adviser”.

The Planning Commission and Road Transport and Highways Ministry have earlier differed on various issues.

The two have been at loggerheads over the targets for construction of highways. While the ministry is keen to build 20 km of highways every day, the Plan panel wants it to chase a reasonable target, in line with availability of funds. “We will certainly achieve the 20 km-a-day target,” reiterated Nath.

Incidentally, reacting to Nath’s earlier comments Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia had said, “You cannot run a government only with people who know how to build roads. You have to give them a set of rules...”.

However, this time Nath got support from the former chairman of the SEBI M Damodaran, who opined “the Planning Commission must be wound up”.

New Delhi, August 18
Already caught in corruption scandals, the Commonwealth Games faced another controversy with reports today claiming that original bid documents of the  Delhi event were allegedly tampered with to help Suresh Kalmadi become chairman of the Organising Committee (OC).

A CNN-IBN report while raising questions over the legitimacy of the OC headed by Kalmadi, who is the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, claimed that the original bid documents submitted to 72 Commonwealth countries in 2003 were allegedly tampered with.

The report said in the original bid cleared by  the Vajpayee government in 2003, the chairman of  the CWG OC was to have been nominated by the  government, while the IOA president's position  was to be that of the vice chairman.

However, in the updated bid copy, terms like 'government nominee' and 'IOA president' were removed, thus enabling Kalmadi to become the OC chairman when the committee was finally set up on February 10, 2005, the report claimed.

The channel said officials concerned were unwilling to throw light on the issues raised in connection with the bid documents. — PTI 

New Delhi, August 18
Three Indian soldiers, who were part of the UN peacekeeping force in Congo, were killed and seven others injured when rebel forces attacked their base in the Kirumba province of the central African nation today.

The soldiers were from the 19 Kumaon Regiment of the Army and were deployed in Congo as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force, Army officials said here. “The incident happened when around 50-60 suspected rebels of militia group 'MAYI-MAYI' attacked the unit base in the Kirumba province in Congo around 0150 hours Congo Standard Time today,” they added. While a small group of four to five members distracted the guard on duty by striking a conversation with him, the remaining members of the rebel group attacked the periphery of the post from the surrounding jungle, officials said. After five minutes of the attack, the rebels fled into the forest.

The 19 Kumaon Regiment has been deployed in Congo since February this year. With over 3,500 soldiers, India has the largest contingent of troops as part of the UN peacekeeping force MONUSCO in Congo. — PTI

New Delhi, August 18
In an apparent bid to shift focus and blame over terror suspect David Coleman Headley, Pakistan has now asked India if its own intelligence agencies knew about his movement within India in months preceding with the Mumbai attacks.

Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Headley was arrested by the US in November last and was interrogated by Indian agencies a few weeks ago. He is a key operative in the planning and execution of the Mumbai attacks along with LeT founder Hafiz Saeed.

Officials of the Home Ministry confirmed that the Pakistan had sent a note to India raising a total of 47 questions related to Headley. 

Chandigarh, August 18
In order to cater to complaints alleging violation of child rights, every state government is now expected to set up a commission for protection of child rights on the lines of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

The provision is among some other changes proposed as amendments to the Right to Education Act (RTE). “The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights takes up cases of violation of child rights by schools and it is mainly with that view it has been decided that all states should have such commissions at state levels also,” stated a source in the HRD Ministry.

Sources add that the state governments would be free to set up these commissions through either the School Education Department or the Social Security Department.

As part of another change to the Act, the Government of India has also decided to provide free uniforms to students. Initially, free uniforms would be provided to girl students and those belonging to the reserved categories. The funds for the uniforms would be provided by the Centre.

“However, the state governments would be encouraged to fund a matching scheme for the boy students as well,” pointed out the source.

The Centre has also finalised the division of share of funds between the states for the implementation of the RTE Act. Sources stated that while The Centre would bear 65 per cent of the cost, the rest would be borne by the states.

Other than the recurring cost to be borne by the states and the Centre, the Union Government would also give a start up amount to the states. This amount has been fixed for all states as part of the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission. For Punjab, for instance, Rs 234 crore has been set aside as the ‘start-up’ money. Sources added that the payment would be made to the states in five instalments out of which the first instalment has already been given.

Chandigarh, August 18
A general court martial (GCM) has cashiered a Lieutenant Colonel and awarded him three-year rigorous imprisonment for alleged irregularities in the procurement of skimmed milk power worth over Rs 10 crore in the Northern Command.

The court martial of a Colonel earlier posted as Director (Military Farms), Headquarters, Northern Command, also alleged to be involved in the case, is under way at Nariah near Rajouri. He is facing 17 charges.

Sources revealed that the accused, Lt Col Kuldeep Singh, was tried on 25 charges of intent to defraud and acts prejudicial to good order and military discipline under provisions of the Army Act. He was held guilty on 15 charges. The GCM, presided over by Brig SPS Mehta, commander of an Artillery Brigade, concluded at Akhnoor today.

Lt Col Kuldeep had pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him. The GCM’s verdict is subject to confirmation by the convening authority. The alleged irregularities pertain to Operation Parakram, when there were heavy troop movements and the requirement of milk had increased about three-fold, sources said. To meet the shortfall of fresh milk through regular supply channels, formations had resorted to local purchase of skimmed milk power.

Between January 2001 and August 2003, nearly 1,526 metric tonnes of skimmed milk power was procured through local purchase despite adequate stocks in the Army stores. Part of the stock procured was transported to stations in eastern, western and central commands without due sanction and in violation of statutory provisions. The Army has estimated the value of the powder procured to be close to Rs 10 crore. Further, payments were allegedly made to firms despite the powder not reaching its destinations and some firms were alleged to have been favoured.

The Colonel, on the other hand, is facing charges of failure to exercise requisite supervision and not taking due action during his tenure as director (2001-2004), when the milk powder was purchased. He also did not allegedly carry out technical inspection, failed to ensure quality tests by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory and there were irregularities in maintenance of records.

Sources added that a probe into the matter by the CBI revealed that around 100 metric tonnes of milk powder had been moved from Jammu to Punjab. 

Mumbai, August 18
In a breakthrough, which may pave way for an effective treatment of inoperable cancers, scientists at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have developed promising radiopharmaceuticals (radionuclides), which they claim can be used for curing skin and liver tumours besides alleviating rheumatic arthritis.

“A research carried out in BARC in collaboration with few hospitals in the country has shown lutetium-177 (Lu-177), yittrium-90 (Y-90) and phosphorus-32 (P-32) as very effective therapeutic radionuclides that can be used in the treatment of cancers of liver, skin and in non-cancerous maladies such as rheumatic arthritis and haemophilia,” Dr Meera Venkatesh, head, Radio pharmaceuticals Division said.

Lu-177, with great potential in treatment of neuro-endocrine tumours, has advantages like shorter range of tissue penetration making it an ideal candidate for radiotherapy of smaller, soft tumours. It also has both gamma and beta emitting properties, enabling it to be used in imaging studies, as well as for treatment, Venkatesh said.

India is leading in conducting research using Lu-177 based radiopharmaceuticals in the world. Y-90 and P-32 have also proved to be effective in the treatment of liver cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and skin cancer respectively, she said.

Dr V Venugopal, Director, Radiochemistry and Isotope, said BARC has been engaged over the last 50 years in distributing radioisotopes molybdenum-99, iodine-131 and samarium-153 for a variety of medical applications.

Since 1989, these isotopes are being supplied by BARC through the Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT), the unit of Department of Atomic Energy, dealing with commercial aspects of radiation and radioisotope supply, he said.

In-vivo (inside human body) therapy using radiopharmaceuticals has been growing in the world. Among the long list of potential therapeutic radionuclides, the above three isotopes have better scope for wider use and hence pursued by BARC, he said.

Lu-177 is presently considered as an excellent radionuclide for use in in-vivo therapy owing to its favourable nuclear decay characteristics. Lu-177 decays with a half-life of 6.73 days by emission of beta particles with maximum energies of 497 keV (78.6 per cent), 384 keV (9.1per cent) and 176 keV (12.2 per cent) to stable Hafnium (Hf-177). — PTI

Jaipur, August 18
Senior Jat leader and Rajasthan Congress vice-president Hari Singh’s recent remarks against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, accusing the latter of ignoring Jat candidates in August 18 local body elections, have created waves in the state’s political circles.

What has perplexed the Congress rank and file is that Singh, a four-time Congress MLA and one-time Sikar MP, went on to dub the Chief Minister as “casteist”, besides levelling charges of massive corruption in his regime. Expressing his displeasure over distribution of tickets to municipal poll candidates, he alleged that the distribution was “totally biased, anti-Jat and anti-peasant”.

He further alleged that Gehlot was turning the Congress into “Mali Congress” in the desert state (Gehlot belongs to the Mali community). “All actions of Gehlot prove that he is anti-Jat,” he said. Levelling another serious charge against the CM, he said, “Earlier, during the BJP regime corruption was limited, but now it is thriving on a mass scale under Gehlot.”

Singh’s remarks have come close on the heels of Union Rural Development Minister and Rajasthan Congress chief CP Joshi’s statement that he was no longer a Gehlot follower and was a leader in his own right. Joshi stated this publicly during a meeting at the PCC office here on last Friday. “Chief Minister Gehlot is my leader, but I am not his follower now. Yes, I was his follower, but now I am an equal collaborator,” he averred. He, however, clarified that his assertion does not mean that he had developed differences with the CM. 

Kolkata, August 18
Striking a defiant note, Railway Minister and key UPA ally Mamata Banerjee today said she stood by her controversial remark on the killing of Maoist leader Azad that it was a murder, a statement that has put the Union Government in a spot.

Mamata, the chief of Trinamool Congress, however, said she spoke as the leader of her party and not as a Union minister when she made the comments at the Lalgarh rally on August 9. The statement had evoked a strong condemnation from the BJP and Left who also demanded an explanation by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the remarks, which came as an embarrassment for the government.

She welcomed Kishenji’s ceasefire offer, saying all problems should be solved through dialogues, but maintained that only the Centre can take a final call. She also indicated she was willing to play the role of a mediator.

“Whatever I have said in Lalgarh as a Trinamool Congress chief I stick to it. I made the statement in my party capacity,” Mamata, whose description of Azad’s encounter death in Andhra Pradesh as a ‘murder’ also had kicked up a storm in Parliament. She had also paid tributes to Azad.

The firebrand Trinamool leader was speaking to newsmen outside her residence before leaving for Delhi after undergoing treatment at home for the injuries she suffered in an accident while returning back to Kolkata from Lalgarh after addressing the rally.

Referring to Kishenji’s statment calling for a three-month ceasfire by both sides and Banerjee’s mediation, she said, “It is for the government to decide how they want to proceed. I cannot interfere because there is a separate ministry for that. I have seen only the media reports on Kishenji’s statment. Let me cross check all details.” She said as for her opinion as a party chief, she would only say that let the problem be solved through negotiations in a democratic process.

Asked about Kishenji’s willingness to have her (Mamata) as a mediator, she said, “If anybody wants to discuss the matter with me and wants my opinion I can give that. But we think all these matters should be sorted out through negotiations only...(If) Both sides agree and if the matter is solved, at least lives of many people will be saved and the country’s security safeguarded.”

“I have heard the Independence Day speeches of the Honourable President and the Honourable Prime Minister. They also spoke on the same line. If they (Maoists) responded to the President’s and Prime Minister’s appeal, it is good for the country. Let the problem be solved through democratic process.” Mamata also said that in a democratic set-up an amicable and peaceful settlement of all issues should be preferred.

“We want that all people (including Maoists) should come to the mainstream. We are proud of our country. It is for the government to decide (on talks with Maoists). I did not talk to the government regarding this.”

Guwahati, August 18
A colonel and two majors were killed when the Army helicopter, a four-seater Cheetah, they were in crashed near Viswema, about 16 km from Nagaland’s capital Kohima, at around 8-25 a.m. today.

Kohima SP R Tetseo said the wreckage of the chopper and the bodies of all the three Army officers on board were recovered by a joint search team of Army, police and locals inside the dense jungle at around 12 noon.

“The chopper was badly damaged as it hit a hillock, but there was no fire after the crash. The bodies were intact, even the name plates of Army officials were in shape. They were identified as Colonel P Pal (passenger), Major Rakesh Sharma (pilot) and Major Nikhil (co-pilot),” the police said.

Tetseo said villagers at Viswema heard a big sound just after they sighted the chopper flying over their village.

Though the exact cause of the crash was yet to be ascertained, the police said apparently weather was unfavourable for flying at that time.

An Army spokesman said the chopper took off from Rangapahar, headquarters of 3 Corps near Dimapur in Nagaland at 7.50 am and lost contact with the ground control at 8.25 am.”