New Delhi, September 8
Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal has obviously not forgotten the allegations Congress’ Rajya Sabha member Keshav Rao levelled against him when slamming the Educational Tribunals Bill 2010 in the Upper House of Parliament on August 31. “Sibal’s thoughts run faster than his deeds,” Rao, also a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee had said, forcing deferment of the government’s own law.

Today Sibal did a smart thing. He sought to rebut his Congress critics, invoking the haste which former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi exhibited in respect of educational reforms and the need to take them to every student.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in attendance (at the Navodaya Vidyala silver jubilee celebrations in Vigyan Bhavan), Sibal surprised all when he quoted Rajiv Gandhi to justify his own pace at education and exam reforms.

“Way back in 1985, Rajiv Gandhi had said that that excellent higher education needed to be made available to all. And this he had said needed be done in few months,” Sibal said, implying that he was well in line with what the former PM wanted.

“Agar hum jaldi mein hain to theek hai….Rajivji had talked of delivery in few months….,” chuckled the HRD Minister, often slammed for being a man in hurry, given the many educational reforms he has sought to push in very little time. Four major laws of his ministry are pending for Parliament’s consideration including those on tribunals, accreditation authority, foreign universities and educational malpractices.

Sonia for her part remained ice-faced post the comment lest too much was read into the minister’s rebuttal of his political adversaries within the Congress. For Sibal, it was sufficient that Sonia had graced his function. On September 5, Teacher’s Day, too, he was happy to have earned PM Manmohan Singh’s praises for being “active” in the HRD Ministry.

New Delhi, September 8
The silver jubilee function of Navodaya Vidyalayas, graced today by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, became a platform to salute former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s contributions to the education of the disadvantaged. Throughout the one-hour function, Rajiv Gandhi found about 10 mentions from all speakers, including National Advisory Commission Chief Sonia Gandhi, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, Secretary, School Education Anshu Vaish and Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti Manoj Singh.

There was no word on another former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, who piloted the Navodaya Vidyalayas as the HRD Minister in 1986, and later set up two schools on an experimental basis in Jhajjar (Haryana) and Amravati (Maharashtra). The idea was formally announced in 1987 by Rajiv Gandhi, with HRD Minister Kapil Sibal today quoting the former PM as having said: “Navodayas will break the elitism and stranglehold of public schools benefitting only the well-to-do children.”

From then on, 593 Navodayas came up to select rural talent through an annual entrance test every year and help them progress faster in life. Seventy four per cent of the 2 lakh students in Navodayas today come from families with a daily wage of Rs 152; 41 per cent are SCs/STs and 36.67 per cent are girls; every year 15 lakh students sit for Navodaya test to enter class VI but only 80 students per school get selected.

Like Sibal, Sonia in her address credited Rajiv’s vision for the success of Navodayas: “Rajiv was as much concerned about the education of weaker sections as he was about multifarious development of the nation... It is the result of his labour and vision that 600 Navodaya schools were set up and two lakh children now study there.” The highlight of the day, however, was UPA chief’s dedication —through videoconferencing — of new buildings of 31 Navodayas, including three in Haryana (Yamunanagar, Fatehabad and Ambala) and one at Dehradun.

September 8
The Defence Minister of India A K Antony accompanied by the Vice Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General P C Bhardwaj today arrived Leh and conducted an aerial survey of cloudburst and the areas hit by flash floods here.

During his one-day visit to assess the damage, the Defence Minister also reviewed the ongoing relief and rehabilitation work being carried by the Armed forces in Leh. He appreciated the Army’s efforts in undertaking rescue and relief operations.

The minister arrived here this morning at Technical Airport, Thoise, and was received, among others, by the J&K Minister of Tourism Nawang Ringzin Jora.

Immediately after arriving in Leh, Antony was briefed by Lt. General S K Singh about the rescue and relief operations at Tyakshi in Nubra valley, where the Army had suffered large casualties on August 6.

Later, the minister was also briefed on the latest situation in Leh and the role of the Army in providing succour to the affected people of Leh and restoration of road connectivity along Zojila and Rohtang axis.

However, the minister did not meet any flood-hit victims. “It was a totally confidential visit and the minister did not meet any flood victim,” said an Army spokesperson of 14 Corps.

The minister was earlier scheduled to visit Leh on September 7.

New Delhi, September 8
The Supreme Court today rejected petitions filed by farmers objecting to acquisition of land by the Uttar Pradesh government for a Rs 9,700-crore project relating to the six-lane Taj Expressway from Greater Noida to Agra.

Observing that there was “interlinking” between the acquisition of land for the expressway and for the five townships proposed to be set up over 25 million square metres of land, a Bench comprising Justices VS Sirpurkar and Cyriac Joseph rejected the farmers’ contention that there was no urgency in the project that necessitated denial of an opportunity to them to be heard. Notably, the apex court recorded in its verdict the Allahabad High Court’s view that the “scales of justice must tilt towards the right to development of the millions who will be benefited from the road and the development of the area, as against the human rights of 35 petitioners.”

The Bench noted the state government had pointed out that the project was already “hopelessly delayed and the cost had gone up from Rs 1,700 crore to a whopping Rs 9,700 crore.” It also recorded the argument that the project which required acquisition of 1,604 hectares of land involving 12,283 farmers, would have taken years if the enquiry under Section 5A was permitted, pushing up the cost further. Further, the apex court did not agree with the farmers’ contention that the project was not for a public purpose.

The expressway is to be constructed on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis and the builder, JP Infratech Ltd, would get the rights to collect toll for the first 36 years of commercial operations. “Considering the overall factual situation, we are of the opinion that the High Court was right in holding that the acquisition was made for the public purpose,” the apex court ruled. The Bench also said it was “completely convinced” that there was necessity in this project, considering its enormity, likelihood of encroachments, number of appellants and the fact that it had lingered already from 2001 to 2008.

Mumbai, September 8
In a twist in the sensational rape case involving Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja, his maid has backtracked from her allegations that he raped her at his residence here last year and said the incident never occurred.

The 20-year-old girl appeared before a court on September 3, and said that she was never raped by Shiney and that she had filed the complaint against the actor at the behest of the woman who had secured her the job of a maid in Ahuja's residence. In June last year, the girl had lodged a police complaint alleging that she was raped by the actor at his residence.Shiney was subsequently arrested on June 14 and was released on bail three months later.

"On September 3, the victim identified Shiney in the court and said she used to work at his residence as a domestic help. But when asked about the incident she said it never happened and that she was never raped," public prosecutor Kashinath Dighe said. Following this, the court declared her hostile.If the court deems fit, she can be punished for perjury, he said. The prosecution will continue presenting other evidence including the statements of 12 other witnesses, forensic reports and other documentary evidence. The next date of hearing has been fixed on September 15.

The police in its 109-page chargesheet had charged Shiney with rape and wrongfully confining the victim. He faces a maximum punishment of ten years if convicted. The victim ihad said on June 14 last year that she and the actor were alone in the house when Shiney allegedly raped her. — PTI

New Delhi, September 8
The BJP is sitting tight awaiting the Allahabad High Court judgment on the dispute regarding the title suit of Babri Masjid/Rama Janmabhoomi as the court announced today its intent to deliver it on September 24.

The party which led a movement on the issue leading to the Masjid demolition on December 6, 1992, and was catapulted to power six years later with its career graph rising post Ram Janmabhoomi movement, is fighting shy today of taking any stand on this because of changed political circumstances. The party in the words of BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar is “not contemplating anything” for September 24. “We will react only after the judgment is delivered,” he said.

This in spite of the fact that the BJP is under considerable pressure from the RSS, the VHP and the Bajrang Dal to articulate itself clearly against accepting the judgment, in case it goes against the Sangh Parivar, claiming to represent the Hindu community. BJP vice-president Vinay Katiyar, a one-time leader of the movement has voiced his refusal to accept any judgment which went against them.

Apart from Katiyar, other BJP MPs and leaders, especially those from UP have repeatedly asked their party to clarify its stand. But every time the BJP leadership has turned a deaf ear to their plea. The RSS and even the VHP want the BJP to exert pressure on the UPA government seeking a law to acquire the disputed land for the temple.

BJP leader Varun Gandhi being honoured with a traditional cap (japi) at a party meeting in Guwahati on Wednesday. — PTI

Guwahati, September 8
The BJP is not in a mood to harp on its trademark Ram Janmabhoomi issue during the forthcoming Assembly elections in Bihar and Assam.

Hyderabad, September 8
A special touch has been added to Ramzan festivities here this season with Hyderabad’s popular dish, Haleem, getting a patent.

The delectable mutton delicacy, with mashed goat meat, wheat, lentils, spices and ghee as the main ingredients, has been granted Geographical Indicator (GI) tag. This means that no other city can make or market the dish as Hyderabadi Haleem.

The unique distinction is similar to Darjeeling Tea and Banarasi Silk. “We are happy that our unique dish has been granted patent. Hyderabadi Haleem is now our asset and our culinary symbol,” the president of Haleem Makers' Association of Hyderabad Mohammed Abdul Majeed told The Tribune.

The association had applied to the GI Registry of India, Chennai, for patent. The GI tag has been granted under GI Act 1999 to protect traditional products. However, the Haleem makers will have to meet stringent quality standards to qualify for GI tag. Right from procuring the ingredients to the cooking process, there is a set of strict quality standards to be maintained. For instance, Haleem has to be cooked in pure ghee for 12 hours over firewood. Majeed’s “Pista House” food joint is the largest and most popular Haleem maker in the city. The eatery also exports its brand of Haleem to various Indian cities and to the Gulf countries. The mouth-watering dish is very popular during Ramzan month and feasted by both Muslims and Hindus. Several hotels in the city set up special counters to sell the dish during the month-long festivities.

“Like Hyderabad Biryani, Hyderabadi Haleem is also unique and a patent will help in retaining its identity," Majeed said. His Pista House has tied up with Gati Limited, a cargo delivery and supply chain management company, for door-delivery of the dish to all major cities in the country. “By 2 pm every day, our Haleem will be ready and reach within a few hours other cities, including Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, Pune and Kochi,” Majeed said. It is also planning to tap other markets with sizeable population of Hyderabadis, including London and the United States.

New Delhi, September 8
Finding fault with the interpretation of the Waqf Act1995 by the high courts of Punjab and Haryana and some other states, the Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that cases relating to eviction of tenants from Waqf property could be filed “only before” the civil courts and “not before” Waqf tribunals.

A Bench comprising Justices Markandey Katju and TS Thakur made it clear that the Act “does not provide” for any proceedings before tribunals for determination of disputes concerning the eviction of tenants in occupation of Waqf properties or the rights and obligations of the owners and tenants.

In view of this, the contrary views expressed by the various high courts, including those of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala “do not declare the law correctly” and “stand over-ruled,” the apex court ruled.

New Delhi, September 8
Urban India does not think much of the government’s poverty alleviation programmes and believes that slums and squalor will be around even 25 years from today. Also, the section is deeply divided on whether they themselves can play a play in eradicating poverty, with half of the respondents saying they have a role but don’t quite know what it is, and the rest denying any such role in the malaise.

These are some of the findings of the first pan urban India survey on what people think about poverty, its extent, its causes and their relationship to it.

Conducted across 28 states on 5000 respondents from middle income group category, the research conducted by Delhi-based writer Hindol Sengupta, and released today by the United Nations Millennium Campaign, concludes that two-thirds of the Indians saw poverty as the biggest blot on India’s global image and 63 per cent of the interviewees believed squalor was here to stay and would be around 20 to 25 years later as well.

One third of the respondents were bold enough to say poverty was grossly underestimated in the country and the government needed to spend more (71.9 per cent said so) to root out the problem.

The study was conducted to determine the responses of urban India to a problem they consider huge. Ironically, however, a significant number of those interviewed - 39.2 per cent - said poverty was extremely critical and could not be solved easily. A similar percentage - 41 - believed otherwise - that it is a simple problem and could be solved easily.

Interesting also was the finding that the most urban Indians would prefer donating to NGOs if at all they want to contribute to poverty eradication. One fifth of the respondents would settle for the NGO route, while 17 per cent would give money to educational institutions and 15.3 per cent would help the homeless.

Kolkata, September 8
A local court on Wednesday extended the interim bail of Gurjant Singh, a truck driver from Punjab, arrested for an alleged bid on the life of Trinamool Congress chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, and allowed him to leave for his native state.

While extending the interim bail period till November 30, Chief Judicial Magistrate of Tamluk sub-divisional court, Gopal Kumar Dalmia, said Gurjant can leave for his home state but ordered that he would have to leave behind his contact address with the investigating officer of the CID, which was examining the case.

Gurjant, who hails from Sangrur district, drove his truck into Mamata’s convoy near Kolaghat while she was returning to Kolkata after attending a rally at Lalgarh on August 9. The minister had suffered minor injuries in the accident.

The police had arrested the truck driver the same night. On August 25, he was given a conditional bail for 10 days and was asked to meet the investigating officer of the state CID once a week at the CID headquarters in Kolkata.

But the court today not only granted him a longer period of bail but also lifted restrictions on his movement. Gurjant pleaded that he was innocent and he drove into the VIP convey unintentionally. Moreover, there was no traffic restriction on the road and he had no idea that Mamata’s convoy was to pass through that road at that time. Gurjant will have to re-appear before the court on November 30 for the next hearing in the case.

The investigating officer has been asked by the magistrate to submit adequate supporting documents for Gurjant’s conviction, otherwise, the court would have to release him unconditionally. Expressing his happiness after the court order, Gurjant said he wanted to reunite with his family soon. (With PTI inputs)

Jaipur, September 8
Investigations into the missing explosives case have revealed that the alleged kingpin, Shiv Charan Heda, minted huge money by selling the explosives to some retailers in and out of Rajasthan. The explosives, delivered from RECL, Dholpur, had gone missing en route to MP.

According to sources, during their joint interrogation by the MP police and CID-CB Rajasthan Heda, his wife Deepa and their relative Jai Kishan Ashwani have confessed that they violated the law of explosives trade to make quick bucks and earned five-times profit in each transaction. It has also come to light that some finance companies based in Rajkot (Gujarat) paid RECL for sale of explosives to Ganesh Explosives, Sagar (MP).

The MP police is also looking into the possibility of explosives being supplied to NREGA contractors and people involved in illegal mining. Additional SP, Sagar, Manoj Kumar Singh said they have got some clues in this regard and they are verifying the same.

The miners are under the police scanner as illegal mining is rampant in Rajasthan. Investigating officials say though those involved in illegal money have to shell out huge money to buy explosives in an illegal manner but still it cuts their work expenses by almost half. However, neither the MP police nor Rajasthan CID-CB has got any inkling about the exact identity of the end-users of the missing explosives.

Meanwhile, following a probe report submitted by Dholpur Collector V. Sravan Kumar, a case has been registered against Rajasthan Explosives and Chemicals Limited (RECL), Dholpur, for violation of the Explosives Act, 2008. The report found anomalies on the part of the RECL in submitting the report of explosives to the police and filing returns of sale.

The RECL had supplied 61 trucks carrying around 300 tonnes of explosives to Ganesh Explosives, Sagar, and 103 trucks carrying around 500 tonnes of explosives to Sangam Explosives, Chanderi, between April and June but these trucks never reached their respective destinations. The consignments were reportedly diverted by Heda couple and Ashwani to their firms - BM Traders and Ajay Explosives in Bhilwara — before being sold to explosive retailers.

Chennai, September 8
Nine persons were charred to death today when the diesel tank of a passenger bus exploded and caught fire, following a head-on collision with a lorry at Vallavadi village in Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu.

The accident occurred in the morning when the bus carrying 40 passengers was heading towards the coastal town of Cuddalore from Vellore district collided with a lorry coming from the opposite direction.

Due to collision the fuel tank of the bus exploded. As the front portion of bus caught fire, nine persons, including the conductor and the drivers of both vehicles were burnt alive. When other passengers shouted for help, some villagers pulled out the remaining 31 passengers out of the bus. They were admitted to the nearby government hospital.

The condition of some passengers was stated to be serious. The bus and lorry were completely burnt. The police are trying to ascertain the identity of those dead.