The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

BJP-ruled states opposed coal block auctions: Govt

New Delhi, August 21
With Opposition gunning for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for over Rs 1.86 lakh crore loss in coal block allocations, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal today said Prime Minister can never do anything wrong and it were Opposition ruled states which had opposed coal block auctions.

The Congress also hit back accusing the Opposition of spreading canards and running away from a debate on the issue in Parliament.

"Our PM can never do anything wrong. And if anyone levels such allegations that the PM has done something wrong, then there is no correctness (or) facts to that allegation," Sibal told reporters here.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its report last week stated that coal blocks allocated since 2004 to private firms for captive usage without bidding amounted to extending undue financial bid of about Rs 1.86 lakh crore.

He said coal-bearing states of Chattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress was not in power, had opposed allocation of coal mines to private firms through competitive bidding or auction.

Trashing the demand for PM’s removal, party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary said, "They may want many things. But we are not willing to oblige....the question does not arise...we do not believe he (Singh) is in the dock. I am very certain he is not involved". "They are spreading untruths and canards...satyamev jayate...the truth will triumph," she said.

Government managers were marshalling their forces by briefing MPs from the ruling alliance to counter the Opposition propaganda on the matter. A Union Minister, who declined to be identified, said BJP was heating up the atmosphere under an illusion that this was the best time for forcing a mid-term poll.

At the AICC briefing, Chowdhary took care so as not to be seen as attacking the CAG, a marked departure from the earlier aggressive posturing on the issue by some party leaders who had accused the auditor of crossing the line.

"It's not a question of rejecting or accepting the CAG findings. The CAG has seen something from their point of view...we feel they have not looked at some of the things. But we can answer to the issues raised by them. We can produce evidences. Why the Opposition is not ready to listen...why it is running away from the debate," Chowdhary said. — PTI

Khurshid defends allocation
Law Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday said there was "ample transparency" in the allocation process and it was done in a bonafide manner. Khurshid also said state governments' recommendations formed the basis of allocation for coal blocks. "I think, it is not a very reasonable and sensible thing to say. I believe that there is ample transparency in the manner in which coal block allocation happened," he said. — PTI

Amid the chaos, a show of camaraderie in RS
Kurien unanimously elected Dy Chairman of the House
Tribune News Service

PJ Kurien

New Delhi, August 21
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today proposed PJ Kurien's name for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and was seconded by Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley.

After Chairman Hamid Ansari announced Kurien's una unanimous election, Singh and Jaitley escorted him to his seat. Ansari said Kurien’s unanimous election showed he had endeared himself to all sections of the House.

The House showered praise on the newly elected Deputy Chairman with Singh saying that it was a proof of wide appreciation and support the Congress leader enjoys in the House. Since Kurien's seat is next to Jaitley’s, the Leader of the Opposition said in a lighter vein, “Now that he has literally crossed the floor and has come to this side, I'm sure he will be fair to this side.”

A beaming Kurien said he would try to accommodate views of all members in running the House.

Mike controversy
Union Minister Rajiv Shukla was caught in a controversy when he was heard telling newly elected Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien to adjourn the House after the Opposition BJP created an uproar over CAG report on coal blocks allotment. Shukla reportedly went to the chair and whispered in the ears of Kurien: “Adjourn the House for the day.” The whisper was caught on Kurien's mike.

Manual scavenging
Supreme Court fumes at Centre for inaction
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, August 21
The Supreme Court today pulled up the Centre for its failure to enact a law banning manual scavenging, observing that it was making mere assurances without taking any action.

“You are saying the same thing for the last six months. You are fooling the people of this country. It is really unfortunate that even 65 years after Independence manual scavenging is continuing,” a Bench comprising Justices HL Dattu and CK Prasad told Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Harin Raval.

The Bench made the observation upon the ASG’s assurance that a Cabinet note was ready for amending the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohitition) Act to ban the obnoxious practice.

The Bench wanted to know whether the Bill would be introduced in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament. The ASG said “in all likelihood, it would be.” But the SC was not convinced. Pointing out the government’s averment that appropriate steps would be taken to amend the law at the earliest, the Bench said “we don’t want this type of vague affidavits. This shows you are not serious.”

Sangma moves SC against Pranab’s election as Prez
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, August 21
PA Sangma today moved the Supreme Court, pleading that he should be declared as the “duly-elected President of India” after setting aside the election of Pranab Mukherjee.

In his petition, Sangma, who lost the presidential poll, contended that the Congress leader was holding two offices of profit - Chairman of Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata, and Leader of the ruling Congress in the Lok Sabha - at the time of filing his nomination papers, scrutiny of the nominations and declaration of the result.

Citing Article 58(2) of the Constitution, Sangma said any person holding an office of profit under the Centre or any state government “shall not be eligible for contesting or being elected as the President.”

Sangma questioned the authenticity of Mukherjee’s resignation from the ISI, describing the June 20, 2012 resignation letter as a “forged document” prepared with a back date following objections raised by him. Further, ISI President was not the competent authority to accept the resignation. Since the ISI Council was the appointing authority in respect of the Chairman, only the Council could have accepted the resignation, he said.

Sangma said he had approached the Election Commission with his objections, but it rejected it observing that only SC could go into such disputes.

Andhra Pradesh reels under repeated blackouts
Suresh Dharur/TNS

Hyderabad, August 21
Andhra Pradesh, which prides itself as a favoured investment destination in the country, is now in the grip of an unprecedented power crisis with the industrial sector bearing the brunt and reeling under a total blackout.

Faced with severe power shortage, the state-owned AP Transmission Corporation has issued directions to its officials to switch off power supply for industrial feeders of 11 KV and above till further orders.

The seriousness of the energy situation in the state can be gauged from the fact that it has also warned officials of serious action if it was found that there were any deviations in implementing the orders. Understandably, the industrial sector is fuming because the government action comes without any prior intimation to the industries.

“For the last three days, we do not have power and all the manufacturing concerns have shut their factories. This is a serious issue as industries will have to totally shut them out as it would not be possible to run them in such a power-less situation. The other option is to step out and set up units in other states,” said Devendra Surana, President of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI).

Terming the situation as unprecedented, he warned that if the same situation continued, all the units spread in the 18 industrial areas around Hyderabad would have to close down and lakhs of employees would be rendered jobless. “Already, we face three-day power holiday in a week and most industries look forward to the weekends to run them when there is supply,” he said.

An already serious power crunch was accentuated by last week’s shutdown of 500 MW supply each from Vijayawada Thermal Power Station and National Thermal Power Corporation's (NTPC) Ramagundam plant. Besides, the government was under tremendous pressure to ensure to supply uninterrupted power to domestic consumers, especially in the Muslim-dominated old city area in view of the holy month of Ramazan.

With the festivities coming to an end, the authorities have resumed three hour power cuts in the domestic sector from today.

The complete power switch off to industries sparked anger among both the managements and the labour force in the sector, which can lead to industrial unrest besides flight of capital to other states. Even before the build up of the present crisis, the industrial sector was being subjected to three days-a-week power holidays, working out to 12 days of power holidays in a month.

AP accounts for about 1.61 lakh small scale units, providing livelihood to 3.7 million families. Almost 90 per cent of the Industries are located in and around the city.

"The Industry is suffering an estimated loss of about Rs 250 crore every day. Given the situation, it becomes inevitable for the managements to cut down the labour force. The latest power crisis is a death blow to the industry,” Surana said.

As a result of the power crisis, several industries are shifting their bases to Chhattisgarh and Gujarat that have better power supplies.

Power Pangs

Faced with severe power shortage, the state-owned AP Transmission Corporation has issued directions to its officials to switch off power supply for industrial feeders of 11 KV and above till further orders

The industrial sector is fuming because the government action comes without any prior intimation to the industries

Tiger tourism ban needs a relook, Centre tells SC
R Sedhuraman
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, August 21
Taking a U-turn within a month, the Centre has virtually pleaded for lifting the Supreme Court ban on tourism in the core areas of all the 39 tiger reserves across the country.

In an affidavit, the National Tiger Conservation Authority sought SC’s permission for reviewing the guidelines on the basis of which the apex court had clamped the ban less than a month ago - on July 24. The guidelines had been finalised by an official committee comprising experts.

The Authority said the government wanted to review the guidelines in the light of the “concern” expressed by the states that the ban would hit the livelihood of the “local people” who depended on tourism.

The affected people might pose a “threat to wildlife and forests.” Further, tourists had been “deprived of an opportunity to appreciate our natural heritage.” Hence, there was a need to review “the guidelines and conduct more consultations with all stakeholders, including state governments and representatives of local, indigenous communities,” the affidavit said.

The Centre also intended to review the process being adopted by the states for notifying the buffer areas of tiger reserves in the light of concerns expressed by “various quarters,” it said.

In a separate development, CPI leader D Raja wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today, expressing the fear that the ban would affect the livelihood of “lakhs of people.” He pleaded with the PM to ensure that the SC was informed of the “actual legal and ground position.”

On July 24, a Bench comprising Justices Swatanter Kumar and Ibrahim Kalifulla had imposed the ban on tiger tourism as part of the efforts to protect the endangered specie. It had also directed the states to immediately notify the core areas (800-1,200 sq km) and the buffer areas (1,000-3,000 sq km outside the core areas) for implementing the ban.

Protests gain ground against Project Tiger in Kaziranga
Bijay Sankar Bora
Tribune News Service

Guwahati, August 21
A mass movement is gaining ground around the sprawling Kaziranga National Park (KNP), famous for its treasure trove of one-horned Asian rhinoceros, against the Project Tiger in the park.

The movement led by RTI activist and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti leader Akhil Gogoi demands immediate cancellation of the Project Tiger in the KNP on the ground that it was being implemented without conducting mandatory public hearing by the forest authorities.

Gogoi said, “The KNP earned its place of pride by virtue of its crowning jewel called one-horned rhinos, not because of its tigers. Now, the forest department has implemented the Project Tiger here at the behest of some so-called wildlife conservation NGOs. Presence of such a project may require eviction of indigenous populace from the areas within and at the fringe of the national park, which will never be allowed. The Project Tiger in the Kaziranga must be cancelled immediately.”

Gogoi further demanded that the report of expenditure of crores of rupees allotted for implementation of the Project Tiger in the KNP must be made public, otherwise a massive movement would be built against the project.

The agitation has gained further ground in view of the recent interim Supreme Court order imposing ban on tourism in all the tiger project areas in the country. The apex court order will hamper tourism activities in the entire Kaziranga Park as it has no buffer zone with wildlife diversity to attract tourists. The tourism in Kaziranga that revolves around the one-horned rhino is a principal source of livelihood for thousands of people from the area.

The thriving tourism in Kaziranga has opened various earning avenues for villagers like home stay for tourists, jeep safari, eateries and mini-lodges for budget tourists. All these activities will come to a grinding halt if tourists are not allowed inside the core area of the Kaziranga Park, it being a Project Tiger area too.

Evolving consensus on SC/ST promotion quota: PM
Anita Katyal/TNS

New Delhi, August 21
The UPA government will bring a legally sustainable amendment to the Constitution to provide for reservations in promotions for SC/ST employees, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told an all-party meeting convened here today to evolve a consensus on the issue.

The Prime Minister was, however, non-committal when asked if the proposed Bill would be tabled in the ongoing session of Parliament. “We will try,” he told the party leaders who pressed him for a time frame for the passage of the constitutional amendment.

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister told the all-party meeting that the government was exploring ‘possible solutons’ after the Supreme Court struck down Mayawati-led Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to provide quotas in promotion for SC/ST government employees.

The positions taken at the meeting were on expected lines. While most party leaders agreed with the government’s move to amend the Constitution, it was opposed by the Samajwadi Party which wanted the same provision to be extended to the OBCs. Making a strong case for not proceeding with this proposal, SP leader Ramgopal Yadav said it would have serious repercussions on the functioning the bureaucracy as it would have an adverse impact on its efficiency.

The meeting was called by the Prime Minister after BSP chief Mayawati drew the attention of the government in the Rajya Sabha recently to the Supreme Court’s order quashing quotas for SC/ST employees in promotions and demanded that the ruling coalition take speedy corrective measures.

The Congress-led UPA government moved fast to call this meeting as it cannot afford to antagonise Mayawati whose party is extending outside support to the ruling coalition. Moreover, the Congress cannot be seen to be opposing such a proposal since it is such a sensitive matter. The policy’s adherents in the Congress have said it will consolidate the SCs in its favour outside of UP where Mayawati will be the main beneficiary.

The UPA will now have to resolve this ticklish matter with BSP’s arch political rival, the SP, which is also supporting the ruling coalition. The SP is unhappy over this move as it will impact the OBCs, which comprise the party’s main support base.

The BJP did not reject the government’s suggestion, but its party leader Sushma Swaraj said her party will give its views on reading the Bill. She also asked the government to ensure that the legislation drafted is legally tenable so that it is not quashed by the courts as it had happened on previous occasions. Like other political parties, the BJP is not in a position to veto this proposal though there is a section in the party which has argued against supporting it on the ground that it will consolidate the upper castes and the OBCs in its favour.

While seeking suggestions from political parties for a legally sustainable solution, the Prime Minister gave a brief background of how this matter had progressed through the courts over the past two decades.

6 Tamil fishermen injured in attack by Lankan navy

Rameswaram (TN), August 21
Six Tamil Nadu fishermen were injured today when they were allegedly attacked by the Sri Lankan navy which briefly detained 13 others near Katchatheevu in the Palk Straits.

The fishermen, taken to Neduntheevu in Sri Lanka along with their three boats, were ordered to be released, according to officials, who received a wireless message from Sri Lanka.

However, before ordering their release, the fishermen were allegedly hit with sticks and punched several times by the Sri Lankan navy, the sources said.

In the second such incident in two days, six fishermen were injured in the alleged attack by the Lankan navy near Katchatheevu, an islet ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1974.

Official sources said the fishermen were attacked with stones, nylon ropes and rods and their three boats were taken away.

While one fishermen identified as Gnanasekaran has been hospitalised here for head injury, five others suffered minor injuries, they said.

On Sunday, the Lankan Navy allegedly took away at gunpoint the catch netted by fishermen who put to sea from here, when they were near Katchatheevu after surrounding 10 boats.

In another incident on the same day in Nagapattinam, eight fishermen of Vedaranyam village were injured in an attack allegedly by Sri Lankan naval personnel in mid-sea off Arukattuthurai in Tamil Nadu.

Today's attack comes a day after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, charging the government with "soft handling" the issue of Sri Lankan Navy's alleged attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen.

Ruling UPA key ally DMK chief M Karunanidhi had also slammed recurring attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen and demanded that the Centre seek a strong and permanent solution to the vexed issue.

A senior Coast Guard official said the 13 fishermen were released by the Sri Lankan Navy and were on their way back home.

"I was informed that these boats (carrying fishermen) have been released by the Sri Lankan Navy and they are on their way back to Tamil Nadu shores," Inspector General Satya Prakash Sharma Regional Commander (East) Coast Guard told reporters at Chennai. —PTI

Case against SRK for ‘insulting’ Tricolour
Tribune News Service

Mumbai, August 21
Ravindra Brahme, general secretary of the Lok Janshakti Party, has filed a police complaint against actor Shah Rukh Khan for allegedly insulting the National Flag during celebrations following the Indian cricket team’s victory during the World Cup on April 2, 2011.

Brahme said he was filing the complaint after he came along the video of Khan holding the flag upside down while surfing the Internet. "This is part of our movement against people who have been found showing disrespect to the national flag," Brahme said in his statement.

Akhilesh assures waiver of farmers’ loans up to Rs 50K
Shahira Naim/TNS

Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow, August 21
Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav today assured speedy implementation of another Samajwadi Party (SP) poll promise of waiving loans up to Rs 50,000 to the state’s farmers. Giving a guarantee to this effect to a 9-member delegation of the farmers led by Bharatiya Kisan Union general secretary Rakesh Tikait, Akhilesh said ‘No Recovery Certificate’ would be soon issued to debt-ridden cultivators.

Presenting a list of 14 demands, Tikait said following the SP’s poll assurance of waiving loans to the farmers, many of them had stopped repayment due to which their interest had mounted. Till date, there was no assurance regarding when and in which way the loans to farmers would be waived.

Listening to farmers’ grievances at his official residence, Akhilesh also promised to withdraw cases lodged against farmers during land acquisition protests.

Regarding the farmers’ grievance of the opening of the Yamuna Expressway without the requisite service lane and interchange being in place, the Chief Minister informed the delegation that he would soon talk to the Jaypee Group to complete the construction within six months so that farmers could also avail benefits of this highway.

Tikait said the Bharatiya Kisan Union would hold a kisan mahapanchayat on the Yamuna Expressway at Zikrpur in Aligarh district on August 27. They would seek exemption from toll tax for the farmers who have provided their land for the project and better compensation for their lands.

Different compensation to BSF constables hurt in mine blasts
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 21
In an unusual case, a BSF constable who was injured in a mine blast while on operational patrol between two company posts near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir has been termed as an accident victim and awarded lower compensation where as another constable injured in similar circumstances while proceeding to an observation post on the LoC has been classified as a battle casualty and awarded much higher compensation.

While posted at a forward defended locality (FDL) in Kupwara in March 2008, Chander Pal Singh was detailed for a link patrol between two FDLs along an existing beaten track. After moving just a few yards, he stepped on a drifted mine, seriously injuring his left foot. His injuries were attributable to government service and his disability was assessed at 40 per cent.

The BSF decided to retain him in service inspite of his disability because his injuries had occurred on operational duty. In May 2010, he applied for grant of lumpsum compensation as per rules and in March 2011, he was paid Rs 1.42 lakh.

Chander, however claimed that he was entitled to Rs 5 lakh and sent a representation to higher authorities citing that his disability came under ‘E’ category as he was injured in a forward area while undertaking operational tasks. BSF authorities, however, maintained that his case was that of an accident involving stepping on a drifted mine and there was no involvement of terrorists or militants, and hence he could be paid compensation under ‘C’ category.

Under Central Government rules, category ‘E’ includes death or disability arising as a result of attack by or during action against extremists, anti-social elements etc., enemy action in international war or border skirmishes and warlike situations, including cases which are attributable to extremist acts, exploding mines etc. and while on way to an operational area. Category ‘C’ includes death or disability due to accidents in the performance of duties, for example accidents while travelling on duty, electrocution, etc.

In November last year, he sent a detailed representation, citing the case of another BSF constable, G. Deka, who was similarly injured by a mine while moving towards an observation post adjacent to the fence on the LoC. It was also pointed out that the remarks of the competent authority in both maters is the same.

In April this year, he was informed that his disability was due to inadvertent stepping on a drifted mine in connection with surprise checking of arms and ammunitions and there was no involvement of militants or extremists, whereas Deka was going to the observation point and the incident took place near fence, with the possibility of mines having been laid by extremists or the enemy.

Chander has now sought judicial redressal to his grievance and the matter is pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Under Central Government rules, category ‘E’ includes death or disability arising as a result of attack by or during action against extremists, anti-social elements etc, enemy action in international war or border skirmishes and warlike situations, including cases which are attributable to extremist acts, exploding mines etc. and while on way to an operational area. Category ‘C’ includes death or disability due to accidents in the performance of duties, for example accidents while travelling on duty, electrocution etc

MP Govt told to pay relief to sexually tortured woman
Aditi Tandon/TNS

New Delhi, August 21
National Commission for Women today ordered a compensation of Rs 50,000 for a woman, who suffered severe humiliation for years as her husband would lock up her private parts when away to work. The panel told Madhya Pradesh Government to make the payment.

“State government must provide financial aid to the Indore victim of an amount of Rs 50,000. Of this, Rs 20,000 should be paid in cash and the balance Rs 30,000 should be put into a fixed deposit. A rehabilitation plan may be drawn up,” said the inquiry committee set up by NCW.

The commission also ordered the state to place the woman in medical care and offer her counselling to cope with trauma. Her children, it ordered, be sent to hostels.

Is it enough for NCW to prescribe financial packages for women who have endured such severe humiliation and put the onus of everything that is wrong on the state? Its mandate gives the NCW far more powers.

In the Indore case, where the woman was discovered at home, her private parts still locked up, the larger issue involved is implementation of existing laws. In case the laws are weak, NCW is mandated by its mother Act to suggest changes.

Big B got his first job courtesy Indira Gandhi
Man mohan
Our Roving Correspondent

Amitabh Bachchan

New Delhi, August 21
Actor Amitabh Bachchan — persona non grata for family of Congress president Sonia Gandhi — had got his first job in Kolkata on a recommendation letter written by Indira Gandhi when she was Information and Broadcasting Minister in the Lal Bahadur Shastri government in the mid-1960s.

This has been revealed in a yet-to-be-released autobiography by Dr Janak Raj Jai (82), a Supreme Court advocate, who had typed Indira Gandhi’s letter addressed to Padmaja Naidu who was the Governor of West Bengal from November 1956 to June 1967. Jai worked on the personal staff of Indira and earlier of first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Amitabh’s first job in Kolkata was in liquor company Shaw Wallace. Later, he worked there as a freight broker for shipping firm Bird and Co before he moved to Bollywood.

Jai writes that after doing graduation from Kirorimal College, Delhi University, the young man was in search of a job. “He came to meet Indira Gandhi. Indira called me and said Teji’s son has come and is looking for a job. You prepare one letter addressed to Padmaja Naidu,” Jai recounts. “Accordingly, I prepared the letter and Indira signed it. The letter requested the West Bengal Governor to fix Amitabh in some suitable place,” says Jai.