The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Agni missile programme to be honed further, says Saraswat Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 20 The launch of ‘Agni-V’ missile yesterday proves beyond doubt that India has the capability and competence to develop a long-range missile, DRDO chief VK Saraswat said today. Talking to the media, he said the DRDO would conduct two or more validation tests over the next 18 months, after which it would be ready for production and handing them to the armed forces for training and user trials. Emphasising that Agni V, with a range of over 5,000 km, was sufficient to cater to the country’s strategic requirement in the wake of the threat perception, Saraswat clarified that there was no proposal to cap the programme. The Agni missile programme would continue and be honed further. He, however, was not keen to enter into a debate on whether Agni V could be characterised as an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile that starts with a range of 5,500 km. While yesterday’s test carried a single dummy warhead, the DRDO has started work on the Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV), known as a collection of nuclear weapons, but has not decided when to fit it on the missile. One major benefit of Agni V is that the booster technology would give the country the ability to launch satellites on demand that might be required in war theatre situations when existing satellites are affected requiring rapid deployment of mini or micro satellites in low-orbit for navigation and communication purposes. Agni V can hit targets 8,000 km away, says Chinese expert Beijing: Du Wenlong, a researcher at China’s PLA Academy of Military Sciences, told the Global Times that the Agni V “actually has the potential to reach targets 8,000 km away”. Du added that "the Indian government had deliberately downplayed the missile's capability in order to avoid causing concern to other countries". — IANS
	Come for talks, PM urges N-E ultras Bijay Sankar Bora/TNS Guwahati, April 20 Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said that violence provided no answer to any problem and called upon the “few insurgent groups that are still remain outside the democratic process” to come forward and resolve their problem through dialogue with the government. Addressing the inaugural function of the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Assam Legislative Assembly, which had come into being on April 7, 1937, Dr Singh said, “There is a general realisation today that violence provides no answers and that diverse groups can fulfil their aspirations only through engagement in democratic processes. “I am sure that the few insurgent groups that continue to remain outside the democratic process will understand the sentiments of the people of Assam and will come forward to create an atmosphere that is conducive to accelerate the pace of social and economic development. Assam’s development can be the engine of growth for the entire North-Eastern region as a whole.” The PM said that new initiatives taken by the Government of India to strengthen ties with neighbouring countries Bangladesh and Myanmar would benefit all the North-Eastern states. “Last year, I went to Bangladesh and we initiated a number of steps to embolden our ties in various sectors. Next month, I am scheduled to visit Myanmar. I will discuss with the leadership of Myanmar how we can increase opportunities for expansion of trade, economic cooperation and connectivity to the larger ASEAN region. “Assam and the other states of the North-East can and should play leading roles in our efforts to look eastwards,” he said. “As we are celebrating the 75 years of this great institution (Assam Assembly), we should remember that there are many nations that are just waking up to the new light of democracy. We (India), as the largest democracy in the world, welcome all those who seek a world of freedom and constitutional government.” The PM arrived in the state amid tight security in view of a bandh called by the banned ULFA (anti-talks faction) against the PM’s visit. Normal life was affected due to the 12-hour bandh. All business establishments and education institutions remained closed while the public transport system was thrown out of gear in Guwahati and other areas of the Brahmaputra valley. The PM also inaugurated a state-of-the-art facility at the Dr B Barooah Cancer Institute in the city. Before his departure to New Delhi, Dr Singh chaired a meeting with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and his Cabinet colleagues at Raj Bhawan in the afternoon. ‘Uprooted by Partition, I found a home in Assam’ Dr Manmohan Singh expressed gratitude to the people of Assam for their love and for providing him with a home. Addressing the platinum jubilee function of the Assam Assembly, he said, “I was born in a distant and dusty village in a part of this subcontinent that is no longer in India. At a tender age, I became homeless and a migrant. It is in Assam that I have finally found a home that has given me a sense of belonging.”
	Mining scam SC panel for CBI probe against Yeddy, kin R Sedhuraman Legal Correspondent New Delhi, April 20 The Supreme Court panel on projects in forest areas has recommended a CBI probe into former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa’s alleged role in the mining scam in that state. The panel, known as the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), in its report submitted to the SC said there was need for directing an “investigating agency such as CBI to investigate the payments made” by some of those who got mining leases to companies “whose directors/shareholders are close relatives of the then CM.” This was necessary to find out “whether there was any link between such payments and grant of mining leases,” the CEC said. The SC Forest Bench, headed by Chief Justice SH Kapadia, however, clarified that it would take a decision on the report only after the disposal of a petition that had challenged the Karnataka High Court ruling giving a clean chit to Yeddyurappa in the matter. The appeal against the HC verdict has been filed by the complainants in the case. The CEC said it was of the view that Yeddyurappa prima facie misused the office of the CM to enable his kin to make “windfall profits.” All this involved issues of “undue favour, ethics and morality.” Further, taking into consideration “the massive illegalities and illegal mining which have been found to have taken place in Karnataka and the allegations made against the Jindal Group as being recipient of large quantities of illegally mined material and undue favour being shown to them in respect of mining lease of M/s MML it is recommended that a detailed investigation may be directed to be carried out in the matter by an independent investigating agency such as the CBI and to take follow up action,” the panel said. The probe agency should be directed to “delve into the matter in depth and in a time bound manner,” the panel said. There was also need for probing instances of lands de-notified from acquisition by the Bangalore Development Authority and the alleged illegalities, irregularities and procedural lapses in this connection, the CEC said.
	Russia blasts HP for attempts to take over Roerich trust Ashok Tuteja/TNS New Delhi, April 20 Russia today strongly protested against the attempts being made by the authorities in Himachal Pradesh to take over the Naggar-based International Roerich Memorial Trust (IRMT) and asked New Delhi to work out an appropriate mechanism to take the trust under Central jurisdiction. In a strongly worded statement, the Russian Embassy here alleged that the local authorities in Kullu recently behaved in a rude and uncivilised manner and harassed Dr Elena Adamkova, a reputed scholar and IRMT Executive Director/Curator, completely ignoring her contribution to the development of the IRMT complex in Naggar in the past decade. “With the support of the local authorities, some unscrupulous members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) have lately unleashed a massive campaign of slanders and provocations to discredit Adamkova, culminating in absurd moves to evict from the trust all Russian members, including the Ambassador of Russia to India, who is the IRMT founder, life-time trustee and vice-president,’’ the Russian mission claimed. The embassy protested against such actions of the local authorities, describing them as objectionable and categorically unacceptable, fraught with undermining Russia's civilisational values and aimed at provoking a scandal of bilateral and international dimensions. It said the mission has repeatedly insisted on an absolute necessity to form a special commission comprising representatives from the state administration and the Government of India in the BoT as well as Russian experts and embassy officials who had been entrusted with the task of examining and taking stock of the museum's items and property. “Considering the high value of the museum artifacts, this will ensure the integrity and preservation of the collection and will help avoid any possible or pre-conceived misunderstandings, claims or counter claims and inconsistent accusations. An appropriate document of transfer must be signed by the three parties before Adamkova leaves the premises and her post,” it added. The embassy regretted that no such steps have been taken and the local authorities were making every effort “to remove” the Russian curator. “Is it being done intentionally?” the mission posed. The embassy underlined the genuine international and civilisational character of the Roerichs’ legacy saying, “It does not belong to Naggar or Kullu or Himachal Pradesh, not even to India or Russia. It belongs to mankind and cannot be administered by a district administration. This indisputable fact should be kept in mind while dealing with all matters pertaining to the IRMT.” Not averse to Indo-Russian panel: CM Kullu: The fate of the government notice of removal served on Curator Dr Elena Adamkova has run into uncertainty for the third time. CM PK Dhumal, who is the president of the Board of Trustees (BoT), is learnt to have stated that the government was not averse to a joint Indian and Russian commission as proposed by the Embassy of Russian Federation in India. — Kuldeep Chauhan (TNS)
	Toddler raped, murdered in Mumbai slum Shiv Kumar/TNS Mumbai, April 20 The body of a three-year old girl was recovered from the sea near her home at the Fishermen's Colony slum in Mumbai's Cuffe Parade area, the police said. “The toddler, who was missing since the wee hours of Thursday, was raped before being killed,” Janardhan Kharat, Senior Police Inspector, Cuffe Parade police station, told mediapersons here. According to Kharat, the body of the toddler has been sent for a medical examination. The child was reported missing by her great-grandmother who was sleeping besides her at around 2 am, the police said. After a search refused to yield any results, the victim's relatives filed a complaint. Angry residents of the slum had held protests outside the Cuffe Parade police station on Thursday forcing the authorities to call in the State Reserve Police to help search for the missing child. Around 200 personnel from the police and the SRP went door-to-door looking for the little girl, the police said. A case of kidnapping was then registered at the behest of the residents. The body of the victim was found floating in the sea today morning, the police said.
	Tollywood next to B-town in churning out films Suresh Dharur/TNS Hyderabad, April 20 The Telugu film industry stands second, next only to Bollywood, when it comes to the number of feature films produced in the country. The Tollywood, as the Telugu movie industry is called, has churned out 192 films in 2011 compared to 206 Hindi films, according to the annual report of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The latest statistics confirm the numero uno status of the Bollywood while the Tamil film industry, Kollywood, ranked third with 185 films. A significant feature of the entertainment industry during the year is that while there has been decline in the number of Hindi and Tamil films compared to the last few years, the Tollywood continued to maintain the tempo. The Telugu films have edged out Kollywood to occupy the second position. During 2010, as many as 215 Hindi films were produced followed by 202 Tamil movies and 181 Telugu films. However, 2011 saw a fall in the number of Hindi and Tamil films but Tollywood registered an increase. Not long ago, Tollywood used to account for highest number of movies before Bollywood took over the coveted slot. For instance, in 2008, Tollywood churned out more than 280 movies as against 260 Bollywood films. Subsequently, the Tamil industry edged out Tollywood from the second position. The latest statistics show that Telugu films are back in the reckoning. Overall, there are clear indications that the Indian film industry has been on the downslide. During 2008, as many as 1,325 feature films were produced and the number fell to 1,288 in 2009 and to 1,274 in 2010. During last year, there was a further drop in the number to 1,255. The CBFC report says that while the production of Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi, Kannada and English films has declined during 2011, there has been an increase in Bengali, Oriya and Telugu films. During 2011, as many as 122 Bengali films and 30 Oriya films were produced. Going strong n The Telugu movie industry is called, has churned out 192 films in 2011 compared to 206 Hindi films, according to the annual report of the Central Board of Film Certification n The latest statistics confirm the numero uno status of the Bollywood while the Tamil film industry, Kollywood, ranked third with 185 films n A significant feature of the entertainment industry during the year is that while there has been decline in the number of Hindi and Tamil films compared to the last few years, the Tollywood continued to maintain the tempo
	Akhilesh’s Janta Darbar publicity stunt: BSP Shahira Naim/TNS Lucknow, April 20 Terming CM Akhilesh Yadav’s popular “Janta Darbar” as a “publicity stunt”, state BSP president Swami Prasad Maurya has charged the SP government of tampering with the decentralised system of holding weekly “tehsil” and “thana” diwas. “If people’s problems can be resolved at the district level on tehsil and thana diwas, which were mandatory during the BSP rule, why would a poor person spend so much time and money to travel to Lucknow to present his case in the CM’s Janta Darbar,” Maurya said. As the new government has given no clear instructions on holding tehsil and thana diwas so far, some districts in the Gorakhpur division are continuing with the system while districts like Farukhabad have discontinued it. The former minister accused the SP of “cheating” voters by making false poll promises like unemployment allowance, laptops and tablets. None of the poll promises had been fulfilled in the past one month of Yadav’s rule, he said. In fact, the old goondaraj had returned to the state, he alleged. “Leave alone members of the opposition parties, even the police force is not secure under the present regime,” Maurya said. He listed nine incidents during the past one month where police officials had to face criminals’ wrath.
	BSP slams Akhilesh’s first month in office Lucknow, April 20 The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Friday attacked the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) government in Uttar Pradesh, accusing it of protecting lumpen elements and of failing to check spiralling crime in the state. State president of the BSP and the Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Swami Prasad Maurya led the party's attack on the SP government and alleged that it was resorting to theatrics by actions like the Janata Darshan. — IANS
	Bribe offer CBI quizzes Army Chief Syed Ali Ahmed Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 20 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today recorded the statement of Indian Army Chief General VK Singh following the allegation that a retired officer had tried to offer him a bribe of Rs 14 crore in 2010 to clear a tranche of sub-standard vehicles. Sources said the Army Chief was questioned in the Central Bureau of Investigation’s South Block office for about two hours today by a team of senior officers of the investigating agency. The team was led by deputy inspector general (DIG) of police. He reached the CBI office at 1.30 a.m. and left at 12.30 p.m. The Army Chief was given a questionnaire by the Central Bureau of Investigation. According to the sources, the Army Chief clarified all the questions asked by the investigating team. The Army Chief also told the team members if any question remained he was ready to clarify that in future. The Army Chief, in a letter to the Central Bureau of Investigation, had alleged that a retired officer, Lt. Gen. Tejinder Singh, had met him at his office on September 22, 2010, and offered a bribe of Rs 14 crore on behalf of Vectra group chairman Ravinder Rishi for clearing a deal of ‘substandard’ Tatra trucks for the army. While questioning, the investigating team asked Gen VK Singh why he delayed the complaint and reported about the bribery offer two years later. So far, the Central Bureau of Investigation has not registered any first information report (FIR) on the basis of the Army Chief's allegation. The agency is conducting its preliminary probe to find more evidence before registering the case. The Central Bureau of Investigation asked him about the hard evidence that he had promised. The Army Chief made the allegation in a media interview that had shocked the government following which Defence Minister A.K. Antony ordered the CBI to probe the matter "comprehensively".
	New law soon to check scavenging No conviction under the old law in 19 years, says minister Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 20 Not a single person has been convicted under the anti-manual scavenging law that the country passed 19 years ago. This admission was made by none other than Mukul Wasnik, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, at a national workshop on “Total eradication of manual scavenging and rehabilitation of manual scavengers for their dignity” held here yesterday. Listing the challenges in eradicating manual scavenging from the country, Wasnik said there had been not even one conviction under the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993. “The major problem has been that the implementation of the 1993 law has been weak and not even a single person has been convicted under it. We have now prepared a fresh Bill called the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill, 2012, which has been circulated for comments of Central ministries and commissions concerned. We will introduce the Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament,” he added. India has extended the deadline to eradicate manual scavenging five times in the past. Now the government has piloted a new Bill to fix responsibility of the people violating the law. It will also have provisions for awarding stringent punishment to those who employed people for manual scavenging. The biggest problem in combating the challenge is the denial of the practice by state governments. On this account, even the government’s scheme for rehabilitation of scavengers has fallen flat with most states not coming forward with claims. On April 25 last, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an office memorandum to states and UTs stating that the government was deeply concerned over the continuance of manual scavenging. The Advisory had categorically mentioned that engaging or employing a member of a Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribe to clean, handle or carrying of human excreta amounts to violating his or her dignity and, therefore, may fall within the ambit of the relevant provisions of law. But the states are clearly not concerned. The workshop was organised jointly by the government and the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis whose chairperson Kamla Gujar was also present. She welcomed attempts to bring a new law.
	The Great Indian Travel Bazaar: A story of big hype, little gains Vibha Sharma/TNS Jaipur, April 20 The figures first: the fifth edition of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar organised in the Pink City saw 263 foreign buyers and 230 Indian sellers assembling under one roof at the BM Birla Convention Centre here, to expedite business for “Incredible India”. In the words of Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, great results were expected from the GITB-2012. “We should look at doubling our inbound tourism and aim at bringing to the country 5 million tourists by 2017,” Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay said at the event. “Numbers speak volumes about the success of GITB,” is what Rajasthan Tourism Minister Bina Kak had to say at the launch. Meetings took place, but the big question is whether they will generate the big bucks for those who spent lakhs to set up the stalls here. Since the trade is all about niceties and hospitality, when asked about business volume, participants preferred to cloak their words to achieve that exact political correctness. However, the underlying disappointment about the futility of such exercises to actually bring commerce is also perceivable. “It is a great networking forum… GITB has made a lot of effort getting quality tour operators….The show is too large to make any on-the-spot visual or general impact on business,” says Shobha Mohan of RARE destinations and experiences. Lalit Bhatt of Creative Travel says one will have to wait till the end of the year to ascertain the exact volume of business the bazaar generated for his group. However, the futility of such exercises was clear when an Indian seller, who did not wish to be quoted for obvious reasons, said that most of the foreign buyers who landed at the show were ones who had already attended previous GITBs.
	Chandy may visit China to attract investment Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 20 After Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, it may now be the turn of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to visit China to attract investments in his state. ‘’I have been invited by China to visit the country…the invitation is under the consideration of the government,’’ he told the media here after flagging of a high-voltage branding campaign, Emerging Kerala, to position the state as a preferred investment destination of India. Chandy and his senior Cabinet colleagues held meetings with foreign envoys and business honchos to brief them on the opportunities for investments in Kerala.