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Phase II: Voting for 59 seats today
Khurshid’s remark on Batla House encounter SC verdict on Army Chief
Missing La Martienere student found dead
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British researchers challenge India’s stand
Bhojpuri actress ends life in Mumbai
NHRC for law to protect patients’ rights
PM for diplomatic resolution of Iran imbroglio
Erosion threatens heritage on Brahmaputra island
Defence Ministry ready with all options after SC order
Students produce 400 films on Delhi heritage
At 100, this beauty is a head-turner
This Rolls Royce, which was the first car to be imported into Hyderabad, is on display at Chowmahalla Palace of the Nizams. A Tribune photograph
4 BSF officers killed in blast
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Phase II: Voting for 59 seats today
Lucknow, February 10 In polls spread across nine districts of Purvanchal - Sant Kabir Nagar, Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Azamgarh, Mau, Ballia and Ghazipur - a total of 1.93 crore voters will exercise their franchise in this phase. Prominent among these candidates are BSP state president Swami Prasad Maurya from Padrauna in Kushinagar, BJP state president Surya Pratap Shahi from Pathardewan in Deoria and Dr Ayyub from Khalilabad in Sant Kabir Nagar. The UP Assembly Speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar is
in the fray from Didarganj, former UP BJP president Ramapati Ram Tripathi from Siswan and mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari from Ghosi. Of the 59 Assembly seats, as many as 19 are new ones created after delimitation while 22 old seats had ceased to exist following the exercise. Over Rs 20 lakh of unaccounted cash was seized by Election Commission's surveillance teams in three separate incidents in Kanpur and Saharanpur districts, officials said today. In Kanpur, Rs 9.36 lakh in cash was seized from one Anil Kumar Katiyar in Shivrajpur area. Cash amounting to Rs 3.46 lakh was recovered from one Ashish Porwal in Sisamau area, they said. Similarly, a surveillance team seized Rs 8 lakh from two youths who were travelling in a motorcycle. The cases has been handed over to the Income Tax department, they added. (With PTI inputs)
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Khurshid’s remark on Batla House encounter Shahira Naim/TNS
Lucknow, February 10 The latest controversy is regarding Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid’s alleged declaration in Azamgarh during an election meeting yesterday that Congress president Sonia Gandhi had tears in her eyes when he showed her pictures of Batla House encounter. BJP vice-president Vinay Katiyar today demanded the resignation of the government which loses its sleep over the death of terrorists and wanted to know why Khurshid remembered this incident at this point in the middle of an election campaign. “In the Batla House encounter, Inspector Mohan Sharma was martyred. In the attack on Parliament, several policemen died. In several terrorist attacks in Mumbai, many were killed. Did Sonia cry for them as well?” Katiyar raised this question during a press meeting here today. BSP president Mayawati, while addressing election rallies at Jaunpur and Varanasi today, also criticized the Congress for its “theatrics” on the Batla House encounter. “If this government had been serious, it would have ordered a judicial inquiry so that the truth would have come out. Instead of doing this, the Congress-led UPA government has mislead the Muslim community,” she urged. Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh, in damage control mode, today denied Khurshid’s statement about Sonia Gandhi in tears saying that those were Khurshid’s personal words. Later Khurshid also admitted that he had been quoted out of context. "You have twisted my words out of context. I didn't say she (Sonia Gandhi) had cried. All I said was that she became emotional. She said the matter should be probed," Khurshid said today.
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SC verdict on Army Chief New Delhi, February 10 The Defence Minister responded to today’s developments in his inimitable style with strict instructions to his staff not to “display unnecessary exuberance” or tout the apex court order as a setback for the Army Chief. “There should be no signs of visible celebration” was the message emanating from his office which was suitably reflected in the official reactions given by his ministry and the Congress. While the Defence Ministry maintained, “We are happy that the issue has been finally resolved and controversy put to rest,”, Congress spokesperson Renuka Chaudhary said, “I am happy that the government and the Army are working in consonance. The matter is over. I don’t think any further comment is required.” Despite its careful attempt not to go to town over the court verdict, there is no doubt that it has provided some breathing space to the beleaguered government. Minutes before the apex court decision, BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi held both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi responsible for the mess. He said, “It is a sad incident...An issue that could have been resolved sitting within closed doors has now been dragged in the open before the public. We hold the Centre, the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi responsible for the incident.” Former Finance Minister Jaswant Singh himself an ex-Army officer, described the row as government “blunting the sword arm of the country” and dealing with the date of birth controversy in a “shabby and insensitive” manner. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley also had attacked the government saying, “Statecraft should have been used and this situation would not have come up.” But the moment the Supreme Court disposed of General Singh’s petition, most BJP leaders became “busy” and inaccessible.
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Missing La Martienere student found dead
Kolkata, February 10 Riju had gone missing on Wednesday after attending a seminar. An FIR was lodged at the Charu Market police station by his parents. Earlier, Riju’s school bag, uniform, blazer and other belongings were found lying near a cinema in the lake area. The police has interrogated several persons in this regard. According to Riju’s father, he received a call from Riju’s cellphone on Thursday morning, but the phone suddenly went silent when he inquired about Riju’s whereabouts. He said thereafter he made several attempts to contact Riju over the phone, but there was no response.
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Bihar MLA does a jig with dancing girls
Patna, February 10 Local TV channels today aired footage showing Shyam Bahadur Singh, legislator from Barharia constituency in Siwan district, dancing to an item number from a Bollywood film on stage with girls invited to perform at the show. Singh admitted having danced at a function during a wedding ceremony on Wednesday at village Katalpur in Gopalganj district. He feels he has not done anything wrong. He said it was a usual practice to dance on such occasions to display one’s joy and pleasure, particularly if one’s near and dear ones are getting married. But other leaders of Singh’s party differ. Bihar JD (U) President Bashishtha Narayan
Singh said people’s representatives were not expected to dance the way the MLA did. Though he had not seen the TV footage showing his party MLA’s dancing during an orchestra show organised to celebrate a wedding, he would definitely order a probe into the matter now that it had been brought to his notice, the party chief said. It is not the first time this MLA from Barharia
has been caught by TV cameras shaking a leg with stage dancers. Earlier, cameras caught him dancing in a similar fashion while drunk at a cultural programme organised by him on the eve of a party rally in the state capital in 2010. After TV channels aired the footage and the print media highlighted it, the party leadership had served him a show-cause notice. The matter was hushed up and he was again given the party ticket in the subsequent Assembly election. He won the seat for the second time.
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British researchers challenge India’s stand
New Delhi, February 10 The Health Ministry had, in 2010, dismissed the Lancet research which discovered a superbug and named it after New Delhi. Terming the study as “discriminatory” and “unscientific”, the authorities here had maintained that such antibiotic-resistant strains have existed forever and can be found in the environment of any country. "Such infections can flow in from any part of the world. It’s unfair to say they originated from India,” Secretary Health Research and Head, Indian Council for Medical Research Dr VM Katoch had said on August 12, 2010, rejecting the findings of scientists who discovered the drug-resistant superbug that infects patients and potentially causes multiple organ failure. The gene was traced in European patients who were hospitalised in India. The Lancet study had said the superbug was resistant to almost all known groups of antibiotics, further stating that it had been found in patients from UK treated in Indian hospitals. Called NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo B-lactamase), the gene, they said, was carried by bacteria that cause gastric problems, enter blood stream and can lead to multiple organ failure and even death. Now, in a study published in the “Journal of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy”, four experts from the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection, Cardiff University and School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, have said the NDM-1 gene came into being recently and has not been around forever. “The enzyme is a chimera that probably got created in the microbe Acinetobacter baumanii very recently,” says the study conducted to find out the factors responsible for the unprecedented speed of dissemination of the said gene.
return of the superbug * British researchers who traced the antibiotic-resistant mechanism to New Delhi in 2010 have published a new research to show the gene is recent and location-specific *
Health Ministry had, in 2010, dismissed the Lancet finding * NDM-1 was named after New Delhi, where a Swedish patient was reportedly infected in 2008
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Bhojpuri actress ends life in Mumbai
Mumbai, February 10 Ruby Singh hanged herself in the flat when she was alone. The 25-year-old left behind a note written in Hindi in which she has said nobody should be held responsible for her suicide, they said. The reason behind the step taken by the actress, who hails from Bihar, was not yet clear, said Deputy Commissioner of Police M Patil. — PTI
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NHRC for law to protect patients’ rights
New Delhi, February 10 The commission said it was concerned about the rights of patients and had proposed to the government to draft the “Rights of Patients Act”, as in the US, to enable patients to know not only about their ailments but also about diagnosis and treatment offered by doctors so that they have clear choices whether to continue with the treatment or seek alternative remedy. The commission said it was also worried about the unavailability of a mechanism which ensures that a patient is not denied admission and treatment by any hospital or a doctor. “We feel there is an urgent need to have legislation in place to protect the rights of the patients, for which we are initiating a debate among stakeholders and would like to assist any organisation in such an effort,” said the
NHRC.
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PM for diplomatic resolution of Iran imbroglio
New Delhi, February 10 Iran was India’s “close neighbour” and an important source of energy supply. “There are problems with its (Iran) nuclear programme. We sincerely believe that this issue can be and should be resolved by giving maximum scope to diplomacy,” he said at a media interaction after the conclusion of the India-EU Summit here. Singh pointed out that there is a substantial number of Indians in the Gulf and India favoured peace and stability in the region.Despite imposition of economic sanctions by the EU and the US, India continues to import oil from Iran, which is its second largest supplier of crude. India and the EU, meanwhile, said they had agreed to speed up negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, hoping to seal the pact later this year that would nearly double trade between the two sides. Singh said considerable progress had been made in resolving issues that have prolonged free-trade negotiations between the two sides. "There are complex issues involved, but we have both agreed to expedite discussions," he said. European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, who led the EU team, said the two sides expected to reach a final deal soon. The two sides signed cooperation agreements on sharing statistics and securing energy supplies by developing renewable energy technologies as well as improving the efficiency of power grids, buildings and appliances.
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Erosion threatens heritage on Brahmaputra island
Guwahati, February 10 The money is for the implementation of the crucial phase-II and phase-III of the anti-erosion project which needs to be completed by the end of the current fiscal. Majuli, with 22 monasteries (satras) at present, is the principal seat of the popular Vaishnav belief in Assam. Majuli is inhabited by a population of 1.52 lakh, including about 70,000 members of the ethnic Mising tribe. Its monasteries have been holding the flag high for Vaishnavite tradition and culture. This seat of religion, culture and ethnicity as well as its treasure trove of flora and fauna, folk culture and tradition is under threat from the mighty Brahmaputra that has been continuously eroding its land mass. According to official data, the area of the riverine island, which was 1,256 sq km in 1991, has been reduced to just over 450 sq km today. As a result of the unrelenting erosion, the number of satras at Majuli has reduced to 22 from 65. The island is accessible by ferry from the district headquarter town of Jorhat in upper Assam which is well connected with the rest of the country through roadways, railways and by air. It is about 25 km away from Jorhat across the Brahmaputra. The anti-erosion project aims at protecting the 22 monasteries and public and private properties, as well as ensuring economic development and social uplift after the reconstruction of roads and bridges, usually destroyed during floods. The techno-economic aspect of the Majuli Island Protection Project (Phase II and III) was cleared on the basis of a model study. The original estimate was for Rs 115.03 crore. The work on the project is going on and 29.30 per cent of the project was completed till November at a cost Rs 30.75 crore. Phase I of the project was completed in April last at a cost of Rs 53.40 crore. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the implementation of the anti-erosion project was crucial for the protection of the unique Majuli landscape which has been vying for a UNESCO heritage tag.
Vanishing act * The area of the riverine island, which was 1,256 sq km in 1991, has reduced to 450 sq km *
The number of Vaishnav monastries has fallen to 22 from 65
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Defence Ministry ready with all options after SC order
New Delhi, February 10 As of now, Gen VK Singh can continue in service till May 31, 2012. Sources maintained the ministry had not interfered in the matter and would not do so even now. “We will go by the developments in the court,” said an official. The significance of the court order was such that no questions could be asked by various wings of the Army headquarters in future, he added. It was for the Chief to decide on his future course of action. He was welcome to continue, they said. The Army Chief proceeded on a scheduled visit to the South-Western Command in Jaipur this afternoon and that was being seen as a signal that he would continue as usual. Till the pronouncement of the court order, both the Army Chief and Defence Minister AK Antony were in their respective offices, which are situated just 50 yards apart on the first floor of South Block. Antony’s aides said though the minister had never spoken in public on the Army Chief’s age controversy, he was not happy the way the matter had gone all the way to the Supreme Court. Sources close to the Army Chief said he would first study the court order and only then take a decision on his future course of action. The Army Chief is slated to leave for the UK on February 13, while Antony will leave for Saudi Arabia the same day. The Ministry of Defence is now working on various possible permutations and combinations in case General Singh quits or decides to continue in service till May 31. In case the Army Chief quits, Western Army Commander Lt-Gen Shankar Ghosh will be the senior-most officer, followed by Central Army Commander Gen VK Alhuwalia and Eastern Army Commander Lt-Gen Bikram Singh. Usually, the government goes by the principle of seniority while appointing Chiefs of the three services. But there have been two exceptions in case of the Army. Lt-Gen SK Sinha was overlooked by the Indira Gandhi-led government and Gen AK Vaidya appointed as the Chief. In the 1970s, Lt Gen PS Bhagat was superseded and Lt Gen TN Raina appointed as the Army Chief. In the Army, the Chief retires at the age of 62, but a Lt-Gen retires at 60. This provision will be a game changer in case the Army Chief continues till May 31. In that scenario, Lt-Gen Ghosh and Lt-Gen Alhulwalia will superannuate, leaving Lt-Gen Bikram Singh as the senior-most officer in line to become Army Chief.
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Students produce 400 films on Delhi heritage
New Delhi, February 10 The best film would be showcased in the film festival to be organised by the heritage body INTACH as part of its project FilmIt, a multi-cultural project which helps students to make short films. "These films are shared with students in UK," an INTACH release said. — PTI
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At 100, this beauty is a head-turner
Hyderabad, February 10 Endowed with a rich canary yellow body, gold mountings, lights and roof dome finished in silver, this priceless creation was ordered in 1911 by the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Mehboob Ali Khan. Mehboob could not live to enjoy the drive. The made-to-order car was delivered to the rulers of Hyderabad after his death in 1912. It was the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan who used the Limousine for official purpose. The Rolls Royce, which was the first car to be imported into the city of pearls and minarets, is now on display for the visitors at Chowmahalla Palace of the Nizams. “One cannot estimate an exact value for such antique pieces. Some say it could be worth Rs 20 crore,” the Director of Chowmahalla Palace G Kishan Rao said.
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4 BSF officers killed in blast
Bhubaneswar, February 10 BSF Director General UK Bansal has rushed to the spot, which is next to the Balimela reservoir infamous for the deadly Naxal ambush in June 2008 when 38 Greyhound commandos of Andhra Pradesh police were killed when they were crossing the water body in a boat. The BSF squad travelling in a jeep was targeted at Balimela culvert at around 1 pm in the Janbai area of the district, under Chitragonda police station, 465 km from here. The jungles here are a Naxal hotbed as it touches the borders of two other states - Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh - making it a corridor for Maoists. According to initial reports, the officers were returning in the vehicle after attending a security meeting with the district administration for the forthcoming panchayat elections in the state. The victims have been identified as Commandant (107 battalion) JR Khaswan, his Second-in-Command Rajesh Sharan, Inspector Ashok Yadav and Assistant Sub-Inspector and radio operator of the squad Jitendra. The two other troopers who were injured have been identified as constables Bishnu Panigrahi and SK Kundu. Kundu was driving the ill-fated BSF vehicle. A BSF unit is located close to the area where the blast occurred and the team is approaching it. "A reinforcement contingent of joint security forces has been dispatched for search operations," a senior official said. — PTI
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Poll Snippets
Despite having a large number of associates, hardened criminals fighting elections from behind bars are largely banking on their wives to manage their campaign.
Three such persons presently in jail - sharp shooter Prem Prakash Singh alias Munna Bajrangi; mafia don Brijesh Singh; and mafia don-turned-sitting BSP Lok Sabha MP from Jaunpur Dhananjay Singh - have put their wives in charge of their campaign. Seema Singh is leading her husband Munna Bajrangi’s campaign as the Apna Dal candidate from Mariahu Assembly seat of Jaunpur. She was her husband’s dummy candidate and dutifully withdrew her candidature once Bajrangi’s nomination was approved. Brijesh Singh, lodged in Ahmedabad jail, has made his wife Annapurna in charge at Saiyadraja seat of Chandauli, where he is contesting on a ticket of the not-so-well-known Pragatisheel Manav Samaj Party. Annapurna is a sitting MLC and has used her development funds to nurture the constituency. The third case of BSP Lok Sabha MP Dhananjay Singh is slightly different. He is fallen out of his party’s favour and is presently lodged in Jaunpur jail. He was expelled from the party for reportedly meeting Amar Singh when the latter was in hospital without seeking prior approval of the party. Now he has fielded his wife Jagriti, a doctor, as an Independent candidate from Malhini in Jaunpur so that he continues to maintain his toehold in the district’s politics even if he does not remain an MP.
Poll office’s Facebook account a hit
The Chief Election Officer’s secretariat has gone out of its way to be user friendly especially to young voters who, as reports suggest, came out in large numbers to vote during the first phase of elections on February 8. Now, the secretariat has created a Facebook account “http://www.facebook.com/voterawareness to interact with internet-savvy young voters. “Tomorrow is the second phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Polling will take place in nine districts and about 1.92 crore electors are expected to cast their vote. Let's make sure everybody votes and encourage others around us to cast their vote.” This is what Uttar Pradesh Chief Election Officer Umesh Sinha has posted on his newly created Facebook account. No wonder, it already has 1,164 “likes” and 757 have commented on it.
Foot-in-the-mouth Cong men
If there are ministers like Beni Prasad Verma and Sriprakash Jaiswal in the Congress, does it really need foes? On election day on February 8, Verma created an embarrassing controversy by describing Barabanki Congress MP and Chairperson of the National SC/ST Commission PL Punia as an outsider from Punjab. Congress leaders like Rajiv Shukla and Digvijay Singh went red in their face doing the explaining that it was perhaps misinterpreted; such things happen and so on and so forth. The fact that Verma and Punia do not see eye to eye is an open secret. Now Jaiswal, going overboard by the high polling percentage in the first round, has claimed that the Congress would be in a position to form a government on its own strength. He said the state government would be remote controlled by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi. (Compiled by Shahira
Naim)
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Hooch tragedy: CM vows stong action
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The second phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections scheduled for tomorrow will decide the fate of 1,099 candidates contesting for 59 seats. These include the state presidents of BSP and BJP as well as the national president of the Peace Party.
The ghost of the Batla House encounter continues to haunt the Congress. The BJP and BSP today lashed out at the Congress for “misleading” the Muslim community regarding its position on the Batla House encounter.
Hyderabad, February 10
