Ahmedabad, July 16
The appointment of the head of Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the death of college student Ishrat Jahan in an allegedly fake encounter with Gujarat police appears to be jinxed as a third IPS officer expressed unwillingness to take up the job.

J V Ramudu, an officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre who was appointed by the Gujarat High Court as chief of SIT probing the encounter case, said he was unwilling to take charge owing to 'ill-health'.

"I cannot take the charge of new job due to health reasons. I was on a long leave as I had undergone a surgery," Ramudu told PTI over telephone from Hyderabad. "My consent was not taken prior to the decision on appointment. What I have come to know is that only yesterday they have sought consent of the AP state government on the issue," he said.

The Gujarat High Court had only yesterday relieved chief of SIT Satyapal Singh probing Ishrat Jahan encounter case and appointed 1981 batch IPS officer J V Ramudu in his place.

Assistant Solicitor General Pankaj Champanari, appearing for the union government in the case, had informed the court yesterday that the consent of Ramudu and the state where he is serving was taken and he was ready to take up the job. Based on his assurance, the court relieved Singh and had appointed Ramudu.

Ramudu was the third SIT chief appointed by the Gujarat High Court. Delhi cadre IPS officer Karnail Singh was appointed the first head of the SIT a year ago but relieved by the court. The court had then appointed Maharashtra Cadre IPS officer Satyapal Singh who was relieved yesterday.

The high court had directed Gujarat government to issue a notification with regard to the appointment of Ramudu before July 19 and ordered Ramudu to join immediately. Further hearing on the matter is fixed for August 5. Ishrat, along with three others Javed Sheikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Amjad Ali Rana and Zeeshan Johar were killed in a police encounter on June 15, 2004. After the encounter, the city crime branch had claimed that the deceased were LeT terrorists who had come to kill Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. — PTI

Visakhapatnam, July 16
Union Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju launched the fifth Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) of the Coast Guard at a function here yesterday.

The launch of the vessel, ‘Rani Rashmoni’, constructed by Hindustan Shipyard, is a significant step in the context of security and maritime needs of the country, he said on the occasion.

The vessel has an overall length of 51.5 metres, breadth 8.36 metres, depth 4.55 metres, loaded displacement of 275 tonnes, and a crew of 35.

Raju said Hindustan Shipyard had been able to overcome its financial crisis after being taken over by the Defence Ministry in 2010. The Defence Ministry had cleared all its overdue and extended financial support for modernisation and investing new technology and training to fill up the gap, making the shipyard one of the best in the country, he said.

Complimenting the shipyard for achieving milestones in production, he said the Ministry of Defence was considering placement of orders with the shipyard for construction of high-value ships and submarines.

Raju said the Indian Navy, Port Trust and Coast Guard had placed orders with the shipyard for its requirements.

He said the shipyard had delivered 164 vessels and repaired over 2,000 ships since its inception in 1941 and was capable of undertaking modernisation and refitting of submarines. — PTI

Chandigarh, July 16
Eight months after the Supreme Court directed the Central Government to set up the Armed Forces Grievance Redressal Commission, it has withdrawn the order.

The commission, to be based at Chandigarh, was envisioned to be set up within two months of the order with the mandate to look into service-related problems faced by serving, retired military personnel and their dependents and forward its recommendations to the Centre. In its order, a few days ago, while hearing a petition filed by the widow of an army Major, the apex court observed that the Solicitor-General had submitted that a scheme had been put in place by the government for looking after the welfare of ex-servicemen.

Under the scheme, nodal officers have been posted across the country and there are special schemes that have been introduced for the purposes of medical benefits and re-settlement of ex-servicemen. In view of this, the Bench decided to withdraw its order for establishing the commission.

The commission was to be headed by a former Supreme Court judge and was to comprise of a retired Chief Justice of a high court, two senior retired service officers and a civil servant nominated by the central government as its members.

On November 15, 2010, while taking up a petition filed by Pushpa Vanti, the Bench comprising Justice Markandey Katju and Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra, had expressed dismay over the plight of veterans whose representations and complaints before the authorities concerned often met no redressal.

Pushpa Vanti, whose husband had fought three wars, was getting only Rs 80 per month as pension. The commission was to independently look into the grievances of service personnel without the government having any say in its functioning, though all civilian and military authorities were directed to extend full cooperation to it.

Vijayawada, July 16
Even as political pressure to demand a separate Telangana state is mounting, Congress leaders from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions today said that the onus of keeping Andhra Pradesh undivided lies with the Centre.

Ministers, MLCs and MLAs from the ruling party from these two regions congregated here today for a round-table meeting in which they requested the Centre to maintain a status quo so that Andhra Pradesh remains undivided. "We are ready for any sacrifice to keep Andhra Pradesh united," state School Education Minister S Sailajanath and former minister Mandali Buddha Prasad told media at the end of the conference.

A delegation of Congress leaders from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, led by Sailajanath, will meet the top brass of the party in New Delhi on July 18 and 19 to press for their demand of a unified Andhra Pradesh.

The round-table meeting also passed resolutions to request the Union Government to take necessary steps for the protection of lives and properties of the people from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions in the wake of the ongoing struggle for a separate state.

Maintaining that bifurcation of the state was not a solution for the development of backward areas, they pointed out that there were many districts in the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions that were more backward than those in Telangana.

"Backwardness cannot be an argument for demanding a separate state. Smaller states do not have a scope for development and will rather complicate problems that cannot be solved," they added.

Former minister J C Diwakar Reddy alleged that the demand for Telangana has a political motive behind it and "to enjoy the seat of power." "It will be better if the Chief Minister’s post is shared by coastal Andhra-Rayalaseema and Telangana regions for three and two years, respectively. That will put the statehood demand to rest," Reddy, a strong proponent of a unified state, said. As many as seven ministers, 18 MLAs and six MLCs attended the meeting, along with several former ministers and party leaders. — PTI

New Delhi, July 16
The “death of chavani” (25 paise coin) has put Indian postal service in a dilemma. Coins of 25 paise denomination have ceased to be legal from June 30, 2011. But even much before that, the 25 paise coin had lost “recognition” in the public.

The Postal Department is worried about how to sell its 25-paise postcard.

Despite high inflation, the most familiar 14X9 cm postcard (Meghdoot service) costing 25 paise continues to the cheapest means of communication. However, in the current world of speed it has already been reduced to the status of a poor cousin of email.

If someone gives a 50 paise coin (which has also been discarded unofficially by the public) for the 25-paise postcard, the post office won’t be able to return the balance as coins below 25 paise are also out of circulation. It has cast a long shadow over the postcard’s “selling value”.

The only option available to India Post is to raise its price to 50 paise or more. However, the poor “chithi” is fast losing its relevance. The day is not far when it may be seen only in museums.

According to the Postal Department, the annual use of postcards has declined from 336.45 crore to just 78.24 crore, and of inland letter cards from 355.56 crore to 98.18 crore in the last 10 years.

Chandigarh, July 16
The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) are re-arming in a big to meet the emerging internal security challenges emanating from various quarters.

The induction of 67,500 AK 47 rifles, which were ordered by the MHA in September, 2010, is now complete. Though this number is sufficient to equip 67 battalions, these expected to be distributed to some select units and specialist companies in all CAPFs that are actively engaged in counter-terrorist operations and combating left-wing extremism and Naxalites.

The CAPFs comprise among others, the Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security force and the Seema Suraksha Bal. These were earlier commonly referred to as paramilitary forces.

Also on the anvil are about 48,000 modern assault rifles, sub-machineguns and pistols manufactured in Switzerland, Austria and Germany, that will beef up the firepower and combat potential of these forces.

According to available information, the MHA has sanctioned Rs 290 crore for the purchase of these weapons and their ammunition. Some of the types of weapons so being procured are already in service with the CAPFs.

The European weapons being procured include 2,800 Swiss SIG-551, SIG-553 and SIG-556 assault rifles, 700 SIG pistols, 44,500 Glock-17, Glock-19 and Glock-26 pistols from Austria and 12,756 MP-5 sub-machineguns from Germany. Some of the pistols are small and easily concealable under civilian clothes. All the aforementioned weapons are widely used by the special forces and specialist police units the world over for different missions and roles, including VIP protection.

In addition, 385 multi-grenade launchers and ammunition are being procured for the CRPF, the ITBP and the BSF units deployed in the left-wing affected areas. The estimated cost of these weapons is Rs 18 crore. Various types of bullet-proof and mine-protected vehicles, safety equipment and other paraphernalia for counter-terrorist and anti-naxal operations is also being inducted. A number of battalions from the CRPF, BSF and ITBP are actively deployed in such duties.

Induction of contemporary generation weapons notwithstanding, bulk of the over 1.5 million strong CAPFs continue to be equipped with the older generation 7.62 mm self-loading rifle of Belgian origin, the indigenous 5.56 mm INSAS, 9mm Browning pistol and the 9 mm Sterling carbine.

New Delhi, July 16
Delivering a lecture on the occasion of ICAR’s Founder’s Day, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the country has achieved a record foodgrain production of 241 million tonne (MT) in 2010-11 crop year but stressed on ushering in a second Green Revolution to meet the mounting future domestic foodgrain demands.

Wheat exports were banned since early 2007 to boost domestic supply and contain inflation. Recently, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee headed Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on Food -Pawar is also its member - had given in-principal approval to lift the ban on wheat exports in the wake of overflowing stocks.

At present, the government godowns have bulging stock of 37.8 million tonnes (MT) in view of bumper output.

The government has not announced the quantity of wheat allowed for exports as global prices are very low, said Pawar. Expressing doubts on viablity of wheat exports, the Agriculture Minister said: “I don't think there will be any response. The issue is whether we will be able to sell in the global market at such low international prices.”

In light of excess stock and infeasibility of exports, the minister expressed concern over storage problem that could arise for the new crop to be harvested in 2011-12.

The Prime Minister said inclusive strategies being pursued by the government would result in an increase in the income of the poor. “This will not only increase the demand for foodgrains but also fruits, vegetables and animal products,” he added.

The overall growth of agriculture is likely to be three per cent during the 11th Five year Plan (2007-2012). The total demand for foodgrains is projected to touch 280 MT by 2020-21, which, the PM added would necessitate a growth rate of nearly two per cent per annum in food production.

“I expect the 12th Plan to contain all measures that are required to accelerate our agricultural growth rate," he said.

“The foodgrain production in 2010-11 crop year (July-June) at 241 MT is higher by five MT than the forecast made in April and 23 MT more as compared to the previous year. The production level was achieved because of record production of wheat, maize and pulses, the Prime Minister said However, the challenges still remain, said Manmohan Singh. Pointing out that the country was still facing the problem of undernutrition, the PM said: “We need to produce more.”

India currently spends about 0.6 per cent of its agricultural GDP on research and development. This needs to be enhanced at least 2 to 3 times by 2020, said the Prime Minister, adding that a substantial portion of the couintry’s agricultural growth would come through the application of new technologies and new knowledge to production processes.

He stressed on touching two other areas for accelerating agricultural performance. The first is protection of crops, animals and farm produce against new and emerging diseases and pathogens and second on careful application of biotechnology to improve productivity, enable better resilience to stress and also enhance the incomes of our farmers. With godowns full due to bumper yield, the government has decided to lift the over four-year-old ban on wheat exports. “Yes, there is no ban. Wheat exports are allowed," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told reporters on the sidelines of an Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) function today.

Lucknow, July 16
With a view to curb crime against women Chief Minister Mayawati yesterday issued orders of giving adverse entries, holding up promotion and even demoting police officers where crime against women showed an upward trend.

During a high-level law and order review meeting, the CM said if police personnel were found guilty of crime against women then they would not just be dismissed from service under appropriate rules but also sent to jail.

Likewise, if incidents against women and girls showed rise in a district then similar action would be initiated taken against the District Magistrate (DM), Superintend of Police (SP), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and even the Deputy Inspector General (DIG).

In order to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place CM Mayawati directed her officers to deploy police personnel at public places frequented by women and asked her district and tehsil-level police officers to keep an eye on the police patrolling.

Giving orders to check atrocities and harassment of women and the girl child, she noted that it has emerged that in some cases murders had taken place in districts due to personal enmity.

“Irrespective of their class and community, FIR of the incidents taking place against women should be filed immediately and the guilty should be arrested”, said CM Mayawati while giving her officers a maximum of 10 days to solve even complicated cases and take action against the guilty.

Referring to the incidents happening with women and children, she said if a criminal was not traceable within 10 days, then legal action should be initiated as per rules and if needed the property of the accused should be attached as well.

Taking a serious view of police officers and government employees found conniving with criminals to manipulate crime and falsely implicate innocent people, the CM said that in such cases the guilty should be suspended immediately.

“If the misdeed of the police personnel was proven, then he should be dismissed from service. If the incident was of serious nature then the police officer or personnel would be sent to jail under relevant sections. Similar punitive action would be taken against doctors protecting criminals in incidents of crime against women” she stated.