New Delhi, March 18
Though the Lok Sabha panel probing the cash-for-votes scam had recommended a further investigation into the source of the alleged bribe money to zero in on the actual holders, the government has not made any progress on its recommendations.

The report, submitted to Parliament on December 15, 2008, while pronouncing SP general secretary Amar Singh, member Reoti Raman Singh and Congressman Ahmad Patel not guilty of the alleged bribery charges, had suggested a revenue intelligence or any other (not ruling out the CBI) probe into the origin of the currency notes flashed in the Lok Sabha on July 22, 2008, the day of the trust vote.

BJP members in the 14th Lok Sabha — Ashok Argal, Faggan Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora — had brought this currency into the House, leading the then Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to form a panel to probe the scam. Veteran Congressman and the then chairman of the Privileges Committee of Parliament, V Kishore Chandra Deo had headed the panel.Deo today told The Tribune that his report was valid and barely a closed chapter. “It has recommendations that can still be looked into,” he said, on a day when the bribery charges returned to haunt the UPA, accused of paying off MPs for the favour of a vote.

The panel chief, eager to trace the source of alleged bribe money, even wrote to the Finance Ministry, which said banks had no system of recording the serial number of currency notes issued to customers.

Overall, the report concluded: “There is not an iota of evidence to prove Ahmad Patel’s involvement in the alleged offer of money; no direct evidence against Amar Singh, and nothing on record to prove that Reoti Raman Singh was at Argal’s residence as Amar Singh’s emissary for the purpose of securing Argal’s support to the motion of confidence.” Three panel members —BJP’s VK Malhotra, CPM’s Mohd Salim and SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav — dissented.

Yadav wanted a clean chit for Sanjeev Saxena, Malhotra wanted the matter referred to the Rajya Sabha as it involved two of its members (Ahmad Patel and Amar Singh) while Salim wanted the panel to summon Hasmat Ali, driver of the Zen in which Suhail Hindustani accompanied Argal to Amar Singh’s house.

New Delhi, March 18
With the WikiLeaks expose coming as a source of fresh embarrassment for the ruling UPA, senior Congress leader and Defence Minister AK Antony today said foreign diplomats should be dealt with cautiously.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of 61st annual parade of the Territorial Army here, Antony said: “My own feeling (is), however friendly a country is, our people should always be careful in dealing with foreign countries”.

In his official capacity, said Antony, he followed this dictum and never allowed foreign diplomats to hobnob in the Defence Ministry affairs. Recently, he cancelled a scheduled strategic dialogue with the US, fearing that America might try to pressure him as the $11 billion fighter aircraft deal was in its final stages. Two US companies were in the race.

Considered politically, Antony has (through this warning) in a way sent a message to his colleagues often seen at various parties in the country and abroad in the company of foreign diplomats. Antony, however, refused to comment on the authenticity of the WikiLeaks expose and also whether or not the Cabinet Committee on Security discussed it. “Pranab Mukherjee has already given an explanation yesterday. I don't want to add anything.”

Earlier, Antony inspected the parade of the Territorial Army. This year's attraction was a display of specialist dogs involved in executing operations in J&K as well as the North-East. — TNS

New Delhi, March 18
The Supreme Court today asked the government to consider setting up a special investigation team (SIT) comprising officials from the CBI, Income Tax (IT) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) to exclusively deal with the black money problem, including the illegal funds parked in secret bank accounts in Switzerland and several other countries.

A Bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy and SS Nijjar also clarified that Pune-based stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan, who surrendered to the ED in Mumbai last night, would continue to remain in custody even after four days.

Today, senior counsel UU Lalit, appearing for Hasan Ali, wanted to know the status of his client after four days. The Bench made it clear that he would have to be in judicial custody until its further order. The Bench, however, agreed to advance the hearing of the case from April 4 to March 28.

The Judges then told Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium to consult with the government on their SIT proposal as a close coordination among CBI, ED and IT officials was necessary to crack the black money case arising from a bunch of PILs. The PIL petitioners have sought a direction to the government to take steps to bring back an estimated $ 1.6 trillion illegally stashed in overseas tax havens.

The SG pleaded with the Bench to wait till the next hearing on March 28, when he would submit a status report in the case.

New Delhi, March 18
The Union Cabinet has cleared landmark amendments to the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, which would now allow grandparents among other relatives to donate organs to a patient. The Act also provides for stricter penalties for those trading in human organs.

Though earlier there were suggestions to extend the definition of the term “near relative” under the Act to also cover uncles and aunts willing to donate, an expert committee suggested that it was not advisable to expand the term so much as would make it difficult to establish the relationship through genetic testing or unduly expose a patient’s maternal side to the pressures of donation.

Except in cases of donation by parents, sisters, brothers, spouses and grandparents of a patient (falling in “near-relative category”), all other such donations, even if they are from people related by blood, would have to come through authorisation committees.

For the “near-relative category”, formalities of donation stand reduced. They need not undergo screening as the submission of a birth certificate would suffice.

The changes to the law would also allow relatives to donate their organ to a compatible patient and, in turn, get an organ that is compatible with the patients related to them. Swapping of vital organs between willing but incompatible donors has also been legalised following today’s stamp on amendments, which would now have to be passed by Parliament.

New Delhi, March 18
Observing that sexual abuse of children “is one of the most heinous crimes,” the Supreme Court today set aside a Bombay High Court acquittal order and restored the jail terms handed out to two British nationals and another person for sexually exploiting Mumbai’s street children lodged in three shelter homes run by them 20 years ago.

“Children are the greatest gift to humanity. The sexual abuse of children is one of the most heinous crimes. It is an appalling violation of their trust and an ugly breach of our commitment to protect the innocent,” a Bench comprising Justices P Sathasivam and BS Chauhan observed.

The British nationals, Allan John Waters and Duncan Alexander Grant, had been sentenced to six years of imprisonment, while William D’Souza was handed out a three-year term. Duncan had opened the shelter homes called Anchorage Shelters around 1995 for the welfare of street children in Mumbai and its vicinity - Colaba, Cuffe Parade and Murud. Allan was his friend, while William was the manager of the shelter homes.

“The street children having no roof on the top, no proper food and no proper clothing used to accept the invitation to come to the shelter homes and became the prey of the sexual lust of the paedophiles,” the Bench noted.

Justice Sathasivam has written the verdict for the Bench. The apex court pointed out that as many as six Constitutional provisions and one of its judgments were there, all aimed at protecting the interests of children “But these are to be properly implemented and monitored. We hope and trust that all the authorities concerned through various responsible NGOs implement the same for better future of these children,” the SC noted.

The following Constitutional provisions mentioned by SC safeguard children: · Article 15(3) of the Constitution has empowered the State to make special provisions for women and children. · Article 21A mandates that every child in India shall be entitled to free and compulsory education up to the age of 14 years. · Article 23, which prohibits traffic in human beings, beggars and other similar forms of forced labour and exploitation, is more relevant for children, being the most vulnerable section of the society. · Article 24 expressly provides that no child below 14 years shall be engaged for work. · Article 25 mandates that the State shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children below 14. · The Juvenile Justice Act was enacted to provide for care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation of neglected or delinquent juveniles. · In 1990, the SC issued several directions to the government for eradicating child prostitution and for providing adequate and rehabilitative homes well manned by well qualified senior workers, psychiatrists and doctors. The guidelines had come in the case of Vishal Jeet vs. Union of India.

New Delhi, March 18
Indian scientists are conducting experiments to check the efficacy of the country’s nuclear reactors to withstand Fukushima-like conditions, said India’s top scientists today. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), a Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), will conduct the safety review, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Srikumar Banerjee today said. “The safety of all systems is being reviewed following what happened in Japan. We don’t know under what conditions we will come under stress. The lesson for us is to see that vulnerability of our facilities should reduce beyond design basis situation,” he said, interacting with mediapersons at the Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC).

The in-house review will later be assessed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

The NPCIL, which alone can operate nuclear reactors in India under the atomic energy law, will conduct experiments by imitating a Japan-like situation where nuclear reactors lost electricity and water access to see how containments in India’ respond to high heat and hydrogen radioactivity issues. The task will be expanded to cover other aspects, NPCIL Director (technical) SA Bhardwaj, added.

Meanwhile, admitting that not just India but across the world there was “tremendous anxiety” following the Japan crisis, the AEC chairman said there was “absolutely minimum threat” of radiation from Japan reaching India.

BRIEFLY

Army Chief in US ‘Hall of Fame’
New Delhi: Indian Army Chief General VK Singh has become the first Indian Army officer to be inducted into the 'Hall of Fame' of the US Army War College at Carlisle. This distinction is extended by the US Army to all officers from friendly foreign countries who rise to the post of 'Chief' of their respective armies after attending the course at the US Army War College. The honour was bestowed upon General Singh in the US at a ceremony hosted by Major General Gregg F Martin, the Commandant of the US Army War College, a spokesperson of the Indian Army said. — TNS

Chhillar debate put off
New Delhi: The discussion on the killing of Sikhs in Haund Chhillar village of district Rewari in Haryana, scheduled to be taken up in the Lok Sabha today, had to be put off due to the uproar on the Wikileaks expose. Not expecting to be called in so soon, Akali Dal member Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who was to initiate the discussion was not around when the Speaker called her name. Within seconds the House was adjourned amid uproar. — TNS