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SC/ST PROMOTION QUOTA BILL Liberalised visa regime high on agenda of Krishna-Khar talks
India to seek apology from US daily |
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More arrests likely after Jundal’s confession: Police
Unusual Chinese gift for two IAF pilots
Akhilesh promises Mission Nutrition
US simplifies visa procedures for Indians ICT national award for 5 teachers from region
(From L to R) Kuljinder Randhawa, Satinder Singh, Kuldeep Singh Ugani and Roshan Lal with their awards in New Delhi on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal
Manbir Singh is UPSC member
Ship hijack drama off Nigerian coast ends
Anti-terror body on back burner for now
SC to hear plea on decriminalisation of politics
Brigadier’s disclosure before media improper: Govt
Tehri byelection on October 10
Dengue death toll rises to four in Kolkata
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After scuffle in RS, blame game begins
Bill to be reintroduced in the Upper House today Anita Katyal/TNS
New Delhi, September 5
Continuing with its attempts to corner the BJP on the politically sensitive issue, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh hit out at the main opposition party for backtracking on its support to the Bill after having gone along with the consensus forged on the issue at last month's all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Describing the BJP's response as "cynical and despicable", Ramesh was, however, quick to absolve the Samajwadi Party whose members vociferously opposed the Bill in the Rajya Sabha today. "The Samajwadi Party's stand has been well known and well articulated by its leaders," Ramesh remarked, pointing out that it was the lone dissenting voice at last month's all-party meeting. "While the SP's stand is unfortunate, the BJP's position is cynical and despicable," he said. Ramesh's sharp criticism of the BJP was preceded by the main opposition party's strong attack against the Congress, stating that it had rushed through with the introduction of the Bill to deflect attention from the irregularities in coal block allocations. BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad said the Bill was brought hurriedly in a very suspicious manner, adding that the government had no intention of getting it passed. Rubbishing the charge, Ramesh said the Prime Minister had informed the all-party meeting last month that the government would be tabling the Bill during the ongoing Parliament session. "It is not meant to counter the coal controversy, it was known to all the parties that it would come in this session," he said. Ramesh pointed out that policy on quotas in promotions had been in place for nearly 40 years before it was struck down by the judiciary. It had become necessary to bring this Bill for greater clarity on the matter following two high court judgments. Speaking in the same vein, Parliamentary Affairs Minister PK Bansal said the government was keen on getting the Bill passed and would press ahead with its efforts in that regard tomorrow again. "We have listed it on the agenda again," he said, adding that the government would appeal to all political parties to allow a discussion and ensure its passage in the next two days.
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Liberalised visa regime high on agenda of Krishna-Khar talks
New Delhi, September 5 The possibility of some concessions permitting cross-border travels across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir for pilgrims to visit shrines on either side is likely to take a concrete shape, sources said. The current agreement is limited for families to meet their relatives. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna will leave here on Friday for talks with his Pakistan counter-part Hina Rabbani Khar on Saturday, the day both Ministers will co-chair the India-Pakistan Joint Commission (JCM). They will also review the second round of the dialogue process revived in February last year that remained stalled following the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. The review meeting, for the second round of talks, included discussions on issues such as Jammu and Kashmir, Sir Creek and Siachen. It will be preceded by JCM that is taking place after some seven years. New Delhi has been insisting to Islamabad that punishment to those behind the dastardly attacks are necessary to create an atmosphere of confidence building and that the issue of Lashker-e-Toiba terrorist Abu Jundal had been raised when Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai met Pakistan counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani in July. The controversy over fake SMS messages that was said to have emanated from Pakistan leading to a large-scale migration of people of the North-east from various cities to back home is expected to be raised by India. However, the expected visa pact is anticipated to be the signal deliverable from this round of engagement since the text has already been agreed to by New Delhi. India awaits response from Pakistan to complete its internal process to herald easier visa system for business persons. Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik said recently that issues relating to the visa regime had been worked out and hoped it would be signed during the visit of Krishna. Besides the bilateral discussion, Krishna is also expected to meet leaders of some political parties but details of engagements have not yet been finalised. On Sunday, the External Affairs Minister will arrive in Lahore for a day-long visit where a mix of official and cultural engagements awaits. The official meetings on the cards include one with the Governor and Chief Minister of Punjab besides a visit to Minar-e-Pakistan and Data Darbar shrine.
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India to seek apology from US daily New Delhi, September 5 "How can a US daily take the matter so lightly and publish something about the prime minister of another country? I will speak to the Ministry of External Affairs and the government will seek an apology from the daily," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters. Soni termed the report by The Washington Post as a piece of "yellow journalism" and "baseless". In an article "India's 'silent' prime minister becomes a tragic figure", the newspaper described Manmohan Singh as "a dithering, ineffectual bureaucrat presiding over a deeply corrupt government". — IANS
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More arrests likely after Jundal’s confession: Police
Mumbai, September 5 Apart from those arrested in Bangalore and Nanded, the authorities have received information of more young men who have been roped in to join sleeper cells of the Lashkar-e-Toiba by Jundal. According to police sources, some of the youths being investigated may have facilitated Jundal in transporting weapons seized at Aurangabad in 2006. After the arms haul was seized by the authorities, the youths are believed to have returned to normal lives.
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Unusual Chinese gift for two IAF pilots
New Delhi, September 5 On opening the envelopes, the pilots were surprised to find Rs 50,000 in each packet. The captain of the aircraft informed the IAF headquarters about the unusual gift. The Ministry of Defence was roped in and a decision made to deposit the gift in the "toshakhana" (treasury). Normally, visiting VVIPs gift something unique from their country to the hosts. Money is almost never given. In India, the recipient of the gift can keep it in case its value is below a certain level. The Chinese Defence Minister's act of giving cash was unusual. Moreover, giving cash to a pilot in service uniform is considered "acceptable" in power circles. The aircraft flown by the two pilots is part
of the VVIP fleet maintained by the IAF for travel by dignitaries from India and visitors. The rules of accepting gifts from foreign officials are part of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1955. The Ministry of External Affairs maintains the "toshakhana" register that lists the gifts, the names of the giver and the receiver, the value of the gift and the date on which it was transferred to the depository.
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Akhilesh promises Mission Nutrition
Lucknow, September 5 Akhilesh gave the assurance to a delegation of young parliamentarians, including Kannauj MP Dimple Yadav, which met him under the aegis of Citizens Alliance against Malnutrition. The delegation of 8 Lok Sabha MPs was on a field trip to Lucknow to make an on-the-spot assessment of the government projects to curb malnutrition and later met the Chief Minister. Akhilesh promised to streamline efforts of various government departments and projects to address malnutrition by launching a nutrition mission.
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US simplifies visa procedures for Indians
New Delhi, Sept 5 Addressing a press conference here, Julia Stanley, Minister Counsellor for Consular Affairs at the US Embassy here, said beginning September 26, U.S. visa applicants would be able to pay application fees via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or with their mobile phones. They can also pay in cash at more than 1,800 Axis bank branches. For the first time, applicants will be able to schedule their appointments online or by phone. The new system will also allow companies and travel agents to purchase multiple fee receipts for group travel, and it accommodates the scheduling of group and emergency appointments, she said. Visa applicants will be able to have their questions answered via telephone, email, or online chat. Call centre agents in Noida and Hyderabad will answer questions in Hindi, English, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil, and Telugu. According to Stanley, one important change is that under the new system, applicants will have to make two appointments. Prior to their visa interviews, applicants will have to visit an Offsite Facilitation Centre (OFC) to submit their fingerprints and a photo. Located apart from the Embassy and Consulates in Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai, the OFCs will reduce congestion at U.S. consular facilities and speed applicant processing. Most applicants will need to visit an OFC only once. In March, the U.S. Mission in India introduced the Interview Waiver Programme (IWP) that allows applicants who meet certain criteria to be considered for waivers of personal interviews. Under the IWP and the new processing system, an increasing number of applicants will be able to complete all visa requirements without having to visit a U.S. Embassy or Consulate at all, she added. Meanwhile, Australia announced that it would extend tourist visas for parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents to enable them to visit their family in Australia for longer. “Each year our immigration office in New Delhi receives visitor visa applications from more than 35,000 Indian parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents. “Parents have told us that they would like to spend longer periods of time with their families in Australia and this office has tried, where it can, to facilitate these requests within the existing policy guidelines. “'The Australian Government has listened to these requests and responded. These new arrangements, once in place, will provide Indian parents wishing to visit their children settled in Australia with greater options” Australian High Commissioner to India Peter Varghese said. The changes are expected to be in place by the end of this year.
New changes * Beginning September 26, US visa applicants would be able to pay application fees via Electronic Fund Transfer
(EFT) * Applicants will be able to schedule their appointments online or by phone *
Visa applicants will be able to have their questions answered via telephone, email, or online chat *
Call centre agents in Noida and Hyderabad will answer questions in Hindi, English, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil, and Telugu
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ICT national award for 5 teachers from region
New Delhi, September 5 The two ICT awardees from Uttarakhand are Supriya Bahukhandi (math teacher based in Dehradun) and UC Pandey (math lecturer at Kanya Inter College, Almora). Other awardees in the ICT category are D Kavita (Chittaurgarh); Jainus Jacob (Thrissur) and Kunhammad KT (Kozhikode, Kerala); RV Raghavendra Rao (Navodaya Vidyalaya, Vizianagaram); Rashmi Kathuria (New Delhi); Shoukaman KP (Wayanad, Kerala); Santosh Bisen (Chhattisgarh) and S Sriram (Chennai). Among the 378 national awardees, the highest of 29 are from Maharashtra followed by 28 from UP; 25 from Tamil Nadu; 23 from West Bengal and 16 from Kerala. Punjab leads the tally in the Northern region with 14 awards followed by Haryana and Uttarakhand with eight each and Himachal and Jammu and Kashmir with four each. President Pranab Mukherjee hailed the role of teachers in the advancement of the nation. HRD Minister Kapil Sibal was also present.
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Manbir Singh is UPSC member
New Delhi, September 5 An officer of the Indian Foreign Service of 1976 batch, Manbir has held several important positions, including Counsellor (Commerce & Economics) in the former USSR and later the Russian Republic, Minister at the Embassy of India in the United Arab Emirates, Chief of Protocol at Headquarters in New Delhi, Ambassador of India in Hungary, Iran and the Netherlands. Born in Amritsar, Manbir has been educated in Chandigarh. He is son of late Sant Singh, a Chief Engineer in the Punjab Irrigation Department. Manbir is married and has two daughters.— TNS
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Ship hijack drama off Nigerian coast ends
Mumbai, September 5 A Nigerian Navy vessel intercepted the Singapore-owned oil tanker ‘Abu Dhabi Star’, taken over by the pirates in the Gulf of Guinea. The naval officials went on-board the ship which resulted in the end of the crisis, he said here. “The pirates probably deserted the ship after looking at the naval vessel,” the official said, adding till now, there is no information of arrest or detaining of the pirates. The hijacking lasted for less than 24 hrs and entire crew is safe, the official said, adding the DGS came to know about the release earlier during the day. The ship’s crew had locked themselves up in the high security area of the vessel called ‘citadel’, he said. The DGS official said the hijacking was probably done for taking over the cargo (fuel) onboard and not for ransom as is observed in multitudes of similar instances off the Somali coast. The cargo of the vessel is also safe as the pirates required the help of ship crew to unload it, the official said. Earlier, the DGS, which is responsible for the safety of the Indian sailors, got in touch with the Nigerian authorities after coming to know of the hijacking, following which the navy swung into action, the official said. An earlier report from Nigeria said the attackers are suspected to be oil thieves from the Niger Delta region of the African nation. — PTI
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Anti-terror body on back burner for now
New Delhi, September 5 A three-day conference of state DGPs will begin here tomorrow, but the NCTC is not on the agenda, so far. The anti-terror body was vehemently opposed by states. A special meeting was conducted on May 5 in which chief minister’s expressed opposition to the formation of the NCTC. Chidambaram had promised to incorporate CMs’ suggestions in the NCTC framework. In the aftermath of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Chidambaram had conceived the idea of establishing NCTC as an over-arching counter-terrorism body. Shinde will inaugurate the conference tomorrow. It is being organised by the Intelligence Bureau. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address the conference on Saturday. The DGPs will have a separate interactive session with Prime Minister during which they will brief him on key policing and internal security issues. The objective of the conference is to provide a platform to police officers and security administrators to discuss security-related issues.
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SC to hear plea on decriminalisation of politics
New Delhi, September 5 “This is a very important issue. We would like to examine it,” a bench comprising Justices Altamas Kabir and J Chelameshwar told senior counsel Fali Nariman who pleaded for an early hearing of a petition filed in this connection by his client, advocate Lily Thomas. The SC had issued notice to the Attorney General when the petition came up for hearing in 2005. The petitioner has pleaded for striking down Sections 8, 9, and 11-A of the RPA, 1951, which allowed convicts to continue as legislators pending disposal of their appeals. The provisions also permitted such persons to register themselves as voters and contest elections six years after their release from jail. The petitioner contended that these provisions ran counter to Articles 84, 173 and 326 of the Constitution which barred registration of criminals even as voters, let alone the question of allowing them to become MPs or MLAs. The bench would hear the case on October 10.
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Kargil Case Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 5 The UOI also submitted a CD to the bench, urging it to take it on record, which containing footage of the said disclosures that were aired by some news channels. Counsel of the UOI contended that the contents of the footage were viewed by people both in the country as well as abroad, which was not proper. Brig Surinder Singh was commander of the Kargil-based 121 (I) Brigade, responsible for the defence of the LoC in the Kargil sector, when the conflict had broken out. He was removed from command at the height of the conflict and later his services were terminated on charges of mishandling classified documents and not seeking proper permission for vacating the Bajrang post in the Kaksar sector under his jurisdiction. He has challenged the action against him and the case has been pending, first before the Delhi High Court and now before the Tribunal, for several years. Brig Surinder Singh’s counsel, while alleging delaying tactics on part of the UOI today, also sought disposal of several applications, filed by him in support of his contentions, which have been pending before the bench for many months.
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Tehri byelection on October 10
Dehradun, September 5 According to the EC, the notification will be issued on September 15. The last date of filing nominations will be September 23, while the scrutiny of the nomination papers will be done on September 24.
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Dengue death toll rises to four in Kolkata
Kolkata, September 5 "Another person died of dengue today at the state-run Calcutta Medical College Hospital taking the toll to four," West Bengal's Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya said. All the casualties were from Kolkata, but health department sources said around 789 persons have been affected by dengue all over the state. Non-availability of beds in both state-run and private hospitals has compounded the situation. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also in charge of the health department, yesterday called for united efforts by the people and state administration to combat the vector-borne disease on a war-footing. Mamata called upon people not to panic, but be cautious and take all safeguards as preventive measure. — PTI
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Three teachers from the North became the first winners of the newly-instituted awards for use of Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) by teachers. Twenty awards in the ICT category were given away at a ceremony here today to mark Teachers’ Day in addition to 378 National Awards for Teachers.
"The government will bring the Bill in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow. …It has been listed on the agenda," Parliamentary Affairs Minister PK Bansal said this evening.
The ICT awardees from the region are Harminder Kaur Suri (head mistress of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ambala Cant); Preeti Sharma (head of the department of computer science, Vivek High School, Chandigarh) and Puran Singh (English lecturer at Government Senior Secondary School, Shekhupur, Patiala).